Music teachers,
parents, and child care providers have known intuitively for
generations that music benefits even the youngest members of
society. Grandpas have bounced their little ones on their
knees, Grandmas have rocked and crooned to their infants.
Dads and Mums have waltzed around the room, and flown
through the air with happy babies in their arms. And what
big brother hasn't attempted to teach baby sister to do the
raspberries or encouraged her to beat on the drum? Anecdotes
abound from musicians who have given birth to children who
seem particularly "tuned in" to music following an active
pregnancy during which they performed regularly.
Now, thanks to the focus of new research on the
importance of the developing child during the first three
years of life, we are beginning to have scientific evidence
to reinforce what we have suspected: music does make a
difference.
We already accept that:
music shapes attitudes towards a lifetime
appreciation of the arts
music is SO MUCH FUN!
music is a precursor to future formal music
instruction by providing experiences in singing,
playing instruments, movement, and listening
music is a link to understanding humans in context
of their culture.
Now we are also beginning to recognise that:
music establishes patterns of brain development
unknown to us before
music is crucial to language development
music through movement is a vital connection to
reading readiness
music provides tools essential for problem solving
music fosters emotional bonding and self esteem
music activities are helpful in developing the eyes
and so much more.
Kindermusik Village stresses the interactive nature of
the total development of the whole child in body, mind, and
spirit by naming and claiming these benefits of music
education for society's littlest members. These Kindermusik
Foundations of Learning are incorporated into every
Kindermusik Village lesson in writing, in discussion, and in
home activities.
Kindermusik Village babies are in a "receptive" mode of
development. Kindermusik Village lessons acknowledge this by
providing a wide array of sounds, images, tactile and
movement activities for Baby to experience. Parents and
caregivers are encouraged to enhance every activity by
imagining yet another way to position Baby to view his
world, another sound or movement to try, and are invited to
observe, notice, and even document Baby's preferences,
antics, and responses in a specially prepared Home Journal.
Babies in this multi-age class are changing more rapidly
than at any other time in their development. Therefore, each
activity presents features and choices for lap babies,
crawling babies, and walking babies, each participating at
his own level. The crawling baby may be walking by the end
of the course, and the lap baby may be crawling. Diversity
is expected and welcomed. There is never the need to ask:
"Am I doing it right?" Kindermusik Village teaches "your
baby's way is the right way." Watch and take note. Then
enjoy exchanging ideas and observations with other parents.
Kindermusik Village is a community of parents and babies,
sharing and caring for each other. At no other time in their
child's life do parents need affirmation, educations, and
community more than now. In particular, isolated new parents
want to know if their baby is "normal," or if they are
making the "right choices," and what's coming next.
Kindermusik Village classes provide a small group, a safe
environment, and a trusting atmosphere where Baby is
enriched and Adult is affirmed and encouraged. Gathering
Time, parent interactive dancing, and many activities
provide opportunity for the development of relationships
between adults.
Kindermusik Village takes pride in using only the best in
quality materials for our babies. Most of the song
literature is taken from the rich folk heritage of
generations of music makers. All of the art has been
specially commissioned to attract the attention of the
developing eyes of our babies and uses bright, bold,
contrasting images and colours. The Kindermusik Village home
CDs and literature books will be treasured for years to
come. The Home Activities/Journal provides a unique
opportunity to document the Kindermusik Village experience
in photos, drawings, poems, and stories.
Kindermusik Village blends the intuitive knowledge of
artists and the science of neuropsychologists to create a
delightful experience for baby and adult. The licensed
Kindermusik educator, trained by Kindermusik International
Institute Faculty, brings the curriculum to life and into
the lives of families in villages all over the world.
A child is born and time changes forever.
From this new bundle of joy sprouts a family's
self-conscious awareness of new ways to spend time together:
cooing and babbling, rocking and singing lullabies, laughing
and smiling. Yes, feeding and bathing, too. A short year or
so later time spent with the child, now a toddler, changes
dramatically as the child enters the arena of peers in the
day-care, church nursery, or Kindermusik classroom, full of
wiggles and giggles. Parents play chasing and hiding games,
bouncing and twirling games, and spend time reading and
chatting. "How precious our time is together. And when I
spend time with other children and their parents, our time
becomes even more special", says an admiring parent. All too
soon, it will be time for the child to leave home and enter
a time of his own.
It is with a sense of wonder and reverence
for "our time" that Kindermusk Our Time has been created for
children 1 1/2 - 3 years of age and their parents. Parents
and children, learning and growing, loving and laughing,
enjoying their time with music.
We have known intuitively for generations
that music benefits even the youngest members of society.
Now, thanks to the focus of new research on the importance
of the developing child during the first three years of
life, we are beginning to have scientific evidence to
reinforce what we have suspected: music does make a
difference.
We already accept that:
music shapes attitudes towards a
lifetime appreciation of the arts
music is SO MUCH FUN!
music is a precursor to future formal
music instruction by providing experiences in singing,
playing instruments, movement, and
listening
music is a link to understanding humans
in context of their culture.
Now we are also beginning to recognise that:
music establishes patterns of brain
development unknown to us before
music is crucial to language development
music through movement is a vital
connection to emergent literacy
music provides tools essential for
problem-solving
music fosters emotional bonding and self
esteem
music activities are helpful in
developing the eyes
and so much more.
Kindermusik Our Time stresses the
interactive nature of the total development of the whole
child in body, mind, and spirit by naming and claiming these
benefits of music education for society's toddlers. These
Foundations of Learning are incorporated into every
Kindermusik Our Time lesson in writing, in discussion, and
in home activities.
Because of its focus on the development of the total child
in body, mind and spirit, and because the authors of
Kindermusik Our Time are dedicated to providing
developmentally appropriate activities, this curriculum
features a steady stream of integration of movement, music
and literacy.
Children this age require enormous amounts of individual
attention. They must actively choose what they will do and
how they will do it. For this reason, Kindermusik Our Time
provides ample time for parental input into helping the
child explore and learn. Opportunities abound for parents to
take the lead in playing, dancing and singing with their
child in an unhurried manner and in their own special way.
Helping parents help their children on their journey toward
becoming independent thinkers through the use of
"scaffolding" is a central goal of Kindermusik Our Time.
Temper tantrums, irrational fears and fierce
independence coupled with hugs, clinging behaviours and
boastful "Me do it" statements point to the emotional
turbulence surrounding children aged 1 1/2 to 3. At no other
time, except perhaps during the teenage years, do emotional
development issues surface with such force. Emotional
stability links directly to later success in school and any
teacher working with children in this age range must
identify age-appropriate goals with regards to emotional
development. Kindermusik Our Time authors have selected and
formed activities in the curriculum to foster growth in these
particular areas.
Kindermusik families will appreciate
attention to these vital school readiness characteristics
and their own resulting greater understanding of emotional
development.
Kindermusik Our Time takes pride in using only the best in
quality materials for our toddlers and their families. Most
of the song literature is taken from the rich folk heritage
of generations of music makers. All of the art has been
specially commissioned to attract the attention of the
children. The specially designed home instruments are unique
only to Kindermusik. The Kindermusik Our Time Home CDs,
literature, and instruments will be treasured for years to
come.
Kindermusik Our Time blends the intuitive knowledge of
artists and educators with the science of neuropsychologists
to create a delightful experience for toddlers and their
parents and caregivers. The licensed Kindermusik educator,
trained by Kindermusik International Institute Faculty,
brings the curriculum to life and into the lives of families
all over the world.
Children thrive in a Kindermusik environment where
individual development and learning is promoted and
enhanced. A thorough understanding of the interests,
skills and learning methodologies for three- and
four-year-olds, combined with a curriculum of suitable
activities, constitute a developmentally appropriate
environment. The Kindermusik learning setting offers
concrete experiences as well as invites ideas,
curiosity, investigation and discovery. Opportunities
exist to use newly acquired expressive language skills
and establish positive and caring relationships with
adults and other children in the Kindermusik
environment.
Addresses the Development of the Whole Child
Each child's physical, emotional, social, cognitive,
language and musical development is supported and
enhanced by the carefully integrated selection and
development of activities. The lesson plans, combined
with careful and discerning observations by the
educator, set the stage for optimal learning
experiences.
Child-Centred
Every child is a contributor to the development of
the activities in Imagine That!, bringing to class an
abundance of gifts, experiences, thoughts and ideas!
Through respect for the child and knowledge of
age-appropriate expectations, the educator provides a
secure environment for the child to explore, learn, grow
and contribute. Every class is unique, filled with
wonder and surprise.
Process, not Performance
Rather than being concerned with an outcome, product
or performance, a process approach places more value on
the experience itself. For three- and four-year-old
children, the educator facilitates the Kindermusik
experience by embracing play, discovery and challenge as
the tools that lead to meaningful learning.
Inclusive of Parents
The preschool-aged child is learning to be
self-sufficient in a group setting of peers, while many
times still needing the affirmation and emotional
security provided by the parent. Imagine That! fulfils
both needs by incorporating time for peer interactions
and time for parent participation during Sharing Time.
Kindermusik respects the need of the parent to be a
vital part of the child's learning experience by
providing class involvement and parent education through
'Foundations of Learning' Statements and At Home
Materials.
Quality Materials
Imagine That! Teacher's Kit and At Home Materials
facilitate the engagement of the imagination,
individuality and the learning process. A remarkable
blend of songs, activities, music, art, instruments and
literature of the highest quality represent current and
extensive research in fields related to early childhood
learning. At Home Materials are an integral part of the
Kindermusik program. They allow the class experience to
continue in the child's most comfortable environment -
at home with parents.
Fun for the Child
The new world of expressive language and budding
friendships creates the climate for joyful interactions
and playful learning, sprinkled with silliness and
humour. An educator who sees the world through the eyes
of a preschool-aged child has a classroom filled with
spontaneity, creative ideas, laughter, learning and fun.
Music class for families with multiple children ages
newborn and up.
In one semester (16wk programmes available),
you'll play instruments together, dance together, share, and
take turns, and see how music can bring you closer as a
family.
A one-room schoolhouse approach to music. With older
children ready to show the little ones how it's done and the
younger ones eager to learn, Family Time becomes a
multi-layered learning environment. Each week, a Kindermusik
Educator will introduce basic musical concepts and then give
you the instruments, and the structured free time to put
those concepts into play.
Your children will listen to instruments and to each other,
learn from their peers and older children, and enjoy music
and movement with hoops, scarves and tumble-around play.
Story time and family jams, puppet play and happy
singing-all the Family Time activities encourage discovery
and exploration and foster sharing and social skills too. In
this special place for musical, social and emotional
learning, your children will strengthen their ties with each
other and with you-and they'll start developing the skills
they'll need in school and on the neighbourhood playground.
Benefits for you and your child:
One convenient class that families can
take together
Introduces musical concepts and develops
musical skills
Allows each child to develop social
skills-such as sharing, and turn-taking-in a multi-age,
multi-child environment
Strengthens the emotional bond among
family members
Enjoy the Journey All Week Long
Each family receives a set of At Home
Materials designed to integrate the classroom learning
experience with the fun, Friday night activities you do
together as a family.
With music from class, story books, and
creative play ideas and trivia, At Home Materials help
your children associate learning with the unique time
you spend together, bonding as a family.
Repetition and family involvement in a
child's learning is a fundamental cornerstone of the
Kindermusik philosophy because we believe the parent is
the child's most important teacher and the home is the
most important place for a child's learning to take root
and grow.
Family Time At Home Materials are designed
for two children:
