Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Kindermusik: Learning through Music

Kindermusik: Learning through Music

Spotlight on Learning: Village

Lifting. Squatting. Twirling. Bending. Whew! Sometimes Kindermusik class feels more like a workout than, well, a workout. Okay, maybe not P90x, but still! While you are building muscles each week, your child is building early language skills.
 
When you lift her high "up, up in the sky" or "twirl around like a leaf" while singing the songs in class, you help your little one learn the word and understand the concept.  Pre-readers rely almost exclusively on what they hear in order to acquire language. Your child's brain makes a connection based on what she experiences (being lifted high or twirling around) and hears ("up" or "twirl"). Later, she will discover those words correspond to marks on a page which eventually leads to letter recognition and reading. Just think how toned your arms will be then!
 
Everyday connection: Play that fun-key music.  Listen and move to music that combines key vocabulary with a movement or activity. "Up, Up In The Sky" and "Like a Leaf or a Feather" are familiar choices. Visit play.kindermusik.com for more favorites, like "I Roll the Ball to You." Try mixing in your tunes, too. "Dancing Queen" anyone?
 
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Kindermusik: Learning through Music

Spotlight on Learning: Our Time

Can your child name that tune in four notes or less? If it is "Wishy Washy Wee," he probably hears only the first chord before shouting "Weeeee!" while throwing his hands in the air. To name that song, he is hearing and distinguishing a series of discrete musical notes or tones.

Scientists now know that our brain processes music similar to how we process language. To become successful readers, young children need to understand that words-like music-are made up of discrete sounds. Later they use that knowledge of sounds to read and build words. Research shows that children with these skills are more successful learning to read than others.

Kindermusik provides many opportunities for your child to discriminate similarities and differences in sound. So, while your child gains musical skills in class, he also makes gains in his phonological awareness and reading development. Now that is music to any parent's ears. "Weee!"

Everyday connection: Play name that tune. How quickly can your child name a familiar song? Is that the good-bye song or the hello song? Are you going to "Clapping Land" or for a trip on "Lukey's Boat"? It's a fun game to play in the car, too!

Monday, October 17, 2011

Get FREE Music When You Join Kindermusik Product Review Board!

Calling All Kindermusik Moms & Dads!


Kindermusik International has some exciting new products in the works!


Want to have a sneak peek and give them your honest opinion on them?


Join the Kindermusik Product Review Board! You'll participate in one or more 30-minute webinars, give your honest feedback, help fine-tune their newest offerings, and receive a gift of 25 FREE credits on play.kindermusik.com every time you participate.


Just go to the Kindermusik Facebook page and the Discussions tab on the left.  Then post to the "Kindermusik Product Review Board" topic!


Have a musical day ♫

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Kindermusik: Parenting through Music

Kindermusik: Parenting through Music

Spotlight on Parenting: Village

Have you ever heard someone say, "You need to learn how to relax"? Well, they were right. Relaxing is a learned behavior that even the youngest child can begin developing.

In Kindermusik, we include a quiet time specifically designed to learn and practice relaxation techniques, such as rocking, listening to soothing music, or snuggling a favorite stuffed animal. Your child's world can be full of stimulating experiences. Teaching her how to relax after a period of activity gives her time to recoup and prepares her for what's next.

An added bonus: Children who know how to relax and self-soothe can be better sleepers. (Although, you might still wish for a visit from the Sleep Nanny at 2:34 am!)

Everyday connection:
Forget about a "play list."  Make a "relax list" in iTunes. When your child needs to wind down for naptime or bedtime, play songs like "Sleep, My Little Bird" and "Wild Geese Are Flying."  Eventually, she will begin responding to the musical cues and the relaxation techniques from class and ... well ... relax. You will, too! Let music make bedtime easier.

 
Kindermusik: Parenting through Music

Spotlight on Parenting: Wiggles & Giggles

Going to the grocery store can be routine. You make the same loop every week: milk, bread, diapers, caffeine-of-choice; milk, bread, diapers, caffeine-of-choice. What would happen if each time you went to the store, they moved it all around? Suddenly, a trip to the grocery store becomes an exercise in frustration as you try to make sense of your surroundings.

The value of routine works similarly in your child. Routine helps him make sense of his surroundings and know what happens next. In Kindermusik, we build familiar routines into the class to help your child become comfortable and anticipate what comes next. The Hello song signals that class is starting. The story blanket means ... well ... it's story time. The Good-bye song brings the class to a close.

Everyday connection:
Establish a nighttime routine. Use music to signal to your child the start and end. "My Bonnie" and "You Are My Sunshine" are Kindermusik family favorites! Turning on lullabies or relaxing music after dinner will let your child know that the day is coming to a close. It is time for bath, books, snuggles, and bed. Plus, many children fall asleep faster (and sleep better!) with an established bedtime routine. Now that is a routine any parent can appreciate!

Tuesday, October 4, 2011


"KINDERMUSIK WITH ELLEN SINGH"

SIUE Suzuki Program Presents:  “Kindermusik with Ellen Singh”

desingh@juno.com  618-792-6190


BLOG: kindermusikwithellensingh.blogspot.com

FACEBOOK: “SIUE Presents Kindermusik with Ellen Singh”
SIUE Suzuki Progam  Attn: Kindermusik    Box 1771,   Edwardsville, IL  62026

Kindermusik is a music and movement program with curriculum for children ages birth through seven years old.  More specifically, Kindermusik classes provide a holistic musical and learning experience in the critical first years of young children and their families.  This developmental program, guided by a proven methodology combining music and childhood development, provides opportunities to foster child-parent relationships and gain a lifelong love of music and learning.  This program is great preparation for future Suzuki students as well!  It is taught by a trained and licensed Kindermusik educator.  The SIUE Suzuki Program presents “Kindermusik with Ellen Singh” which provides you with this program!
KINDERMUSIK CLASSES at SIUE 
Winter/Spring 2012 !
  
You’ll find exciting information and new details about my upcoming Kindermusik Winter/Sp;ring classes (Thursdays & Saturdays) here AND on the SIUE Suzuki website.  I hope to see you and your
child(ren) in class with me this January!

“VILLAGE” Class: (Birth to 1  ½1/2 Years Old)      
Semester Theme:  Cock-a-doodle-Moo!

Hop on the hayride—it’s time to head for the farm! In this class, you will sing songs about the farm, including “Old MacDonald,” “Hayride,” and “Clever Cows.” You’ll engage in rituals and playful activities with your baby, including infant massage, lap bounces, exercise, and quiet time. 

What a Parent and Child Will Experience in Class:
  • Variety of Music -- Musical diversity builds strong neural in a baby’s forming mind, which is why each Kindermusik semester contains an array of styles, sounds, and genres.
  • Instrument Play -- Age-appropriate experiences with child-safe instruments enhance a sense of rhythm and steady beat, develops a keen awareness of the distinguishing qualities of sound, and encourages spontaneity and creativity.
  • Dance -- A classroom full of baby and adult pairs dancing together helps a little body develop the muscle strength needed to crawl and walk and helps a little heart to fall in love with the sheer joy of responding to music.
  • Together Time -- A Kindermusik class is truly the essence of “quality time,” offering the parent a place to create special memories with their child, gain new insights into their child’s development, and nurture their child’s natural love of music.
  • Expert Advice -- A Kindermusik Educator explains “what-to-watch-for” every step of the way and how each activity enhances a child’s complete development.
  • Learning Continues at Home -- With the home materials, the learning continues at home with the child’s best teacher—the parent!

Enrollment Includes:

q       Developmentally appropriate curriculum for parents and babies, ages newborn to 18 months
q       Class of no more than 12 babies with parents
q       8-week semester
q       Weekly 45-minute class that includes new and unique parent and baby activities
q       Learn about 30 songs, lullabies and nursery rhymes and play over 100 activities together by the semester’s end
q       At-Home Materials  including:  A picture board book with charming farm animals and the sounds they make—Cock-a-doodle-Moo, a CD of the songs heard in class, a Sunshine Jingle instrument for music-making at home, and a set of Art Banners for the nursery wall that strengthens vision and promotes early literacy.

 Tuition: $132 (by January 9)          ($9 per class + $60 At-Home Materials Package)


“OUR TIME Class”: (1 ½ through 3 Years Old)    
Semester Theme: Away We Go!

Hop on the train, get in the car, board the plane, and Away We Go! This class focuses on transportation, a favorite topic for toddlers who are on the go, go, go! Sing and play along with favorite songs, such as “I’ve Been Workin’ on the Railroad” and “Wheels on the Bus”. Explore fast and slow, smooth and bumpy, and high and low. Read stories about ways to get around. Shiny Dinah tells the story of a train, and Giddy-Up! has a horse, speedboat, racecar, and more to help you get where you want to go.

What a Parent and Child Will Experience in Class:
  • Instrument exploration and ensemble skill development -- Children will explore the physical characteristics and sounds of age-appropriate instruments which will eventually lead them to discover their potential for beat, rhythm, melody, and ensemble playing.
  • Vocal play -- Through vocal play, toddlers learn to form vowels and consonants, say words and phrases, and imitate rhythm and vocal inflection. In Kindermusik Our Time, vocal play is presented within the context of songs, chants, and activities done in class.
  • Exploration Time -- Children will love discovering specially designed instruments, textures, sounds, and movements.
  • Story time and early literacy -- Listening to stories enhances language and speech development and fosters awareness of sounds, teaches use of language, and sends the message that words and symbols have meaning. The same experiences that help toddlers learn to read a book also help them learn to read music.
  • Movement Activities -- Each class provides various opportunities for movement such as synchronized movement, group dances and circle games, and even expressive movement.
  • Together Time -- Kindermusik is the essence of quality time, allowing parents to make the most of the fleeting toddler years, giving them the time and the tools to make music and memories together in class and at home.
  • Expert advice -- A Kindermusik educator explains how the musically based activities enhance a toddler’s complete development.
  • Learning Continues at Home -- With the home materials, the learning continues at home with the child’s best teacher—the parent!
Enrollment Includes:

q       Developmentally appropriate curriculum for parents and toddlers,  ages 18 mo. thru 3 years
q       10-week semester
q       Weekly 45-minute class
q       At-Home Materials  including:   2 CD’s featuring 50 class songs, sounds and recordings of favorite activities from class;  2 Interactive Books – Shiny Dinah! and Giddy-Up! to develop early literacy skills.; Home Activity Book;  and 2 harmonicas designed for toddlers. 

q       Tuition: $155 (by January 9)         ($9.50 per class + $60 At-Home Materials Package)