Curricula - Kindermusik

The Kindermusik Village concept

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.

The Kindermusik Our Time concept

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 daycare, 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 becuase 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 activites 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.

The Kindermusik Imagine That! philosophy:

Developmentally Appropriate
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.

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: