Kindermusik Editorials

What is Kindermusik Kindermusik is an early childhood music and movement program based on the beliefs that: · every child is musical, · every parent is the child's most important teacher......Read More

Kindermusik: Something to Sing About When Tyler was just six months old, he and his mother began to spend 45 minutes each week listening to different types of music, rocking back and forth and exploring musical objects. ...Read More.

“Is today a Kindermusik day Mummy” What if music could help you appreciate the stages not just the ages of your child's development? What if one captivating learning experience took your child from birthday to birthday, ... Read More.

Music Does Make a Difference Every child is born with musical ability, but if it’s not nurtured early then it can fail to develop. Being “unmusical” is more an outcome of poor training or lack of opportunity than it is ....Read More

Music for the Mind..Programs such as Kindermusik exercise a child's brain, sparking neurological connections that introduce speech patterns...Read More.

Kindermusik Testimonials

"At first I didn't see how babies could learn at such a young age. Now after only 1 month I can see a huge difference in my daughter's skills and awareness. We love coming and have made great friends along the way."
Jenny Doyle, Helidon QLD

"Kindermusik has given my child the best head start I could have wished for. I had no idea it would assist life skills such as cutting with scissors and language development."
Trish Sudden, Toowoomba QLD

Kindermusik has been such a big part of our lives. I enjoy coming just as much as my son does."
Jenny Paynter, Helidon, QLD

Kindermusik has been the best thing we have done for our children!"
Lynn Stephens, Toowoomba QLD

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What is Kindermusik?

Kindermusik is an early childhood music and movement program based on the beliefs that: · every child is musical,

· every parent is the child's most important teacher,

· the home is the most important learning environment, and,

· based on research, music nurtures a child's cognitive, emotional, social, language and physical development.

From birth through to seven years of age, your child can grow with Kindermusik without pressure to perform, only encouragement to explore, express and discover. You'll see a developmental evolution in language skills, emerging literacy, listening, problem solving, social skills, self-esteem and musicality! For more than 20 years, Kindermusik has helped more than one million children and their families discover the joy of learning through music.

Whether rocking in their mother's arms to a lullaby or marching proudly to the beat of a drum, children respond to music naturally, enthusiastically and powerfully! They don't need to know that the songs and movement are helping develop their physical, emotional, cognitive, language and social growth. They just know it's fun!

We believe that the parent is the child's first and best teacher. So we involve parents in all our classes. And Kindermusik At Home materials, including music, literature and activities, extend the fun and discovery of our classes into the home to foster special times of connecting between parent and child. That's why more families are enrolled in Kindermusik classes than in any other childhood music program in the world.

Join us in giving your child the best gift you can ever give.

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Kindermusik: Something to Sing About

When Tyler was just six months old, he and his mother began to spend 45 minutes each week listening to different types of music, rocking back and forth and exploring musical objects. While this scenario might not seem fantastic, what makes it unique is that Tyler's family, of Queensland, don't do this at home -- nor do they do it alone. Instead of using their own compact disc collection, pounding on the family piano and dancing in the living room, Tyler and his mother are among a growing number of parent-child couples taking music appreciation one step further.

Kindermusik is an early childhood music and movement program based on the beliefs that every child is musical. Every parent is the child's most important teacher. The home is the most important learning environment. And based on research, music nurtures a child's cognitive, emotional, social, language and physical development.

Taught by trained Educators, the Kindermusik program involves newborn babies through 7-year-olds arranged in age and developmentally appropriate classes. After attending Kindermusik, parents will see a developmental evolution in language skills, emerging literacy, listening, problem solving, social skills, self-esteem and musicality. Babies between the ages of birth and 18 months enjoy and participate in the program titled Kindermusik Village, which introduces multiple levels of activities appropriate for the different stages of development in this age range.

Environments with diverse developmental stages in the first 18 months create an optimal learning setting for both children and parents. Parents will see how multiple levels of age appropriate activities stimulate babies to observe, imitate and learn. To supplement what each parent-child couple does in class and to extend the Kindermusik experience into the home, a package of AT Home materials are part of the curricula structure. The At Home Materials include CDs, resource books, storybooks and instruments, which allow the classroom experience to be extended into the home environment.

Can babies really gain that much from regular participation in a Kindermusik program? According to Debbie, a Kindermusik instructor, they certainly can. "There are many studies out about the effects of music and other stimuli on baby's developing brain," Debbie says. "Babies benefit by exposure to various kinds of music, rocking which stimulates the vestibular system, feeling tempos, exploring objects and listening to the CD at home."

Tyler's mother can agree with that. She literally gushes when asked to point out the positives of Tyler's participation in Kindermusik. "He gets to play with all kinds of different toys, musical instruments, bubbles and lots of other things," she says. "He loves when all the mums and babies dance around in circles. He loves to be face to face with the friends that he has made there. I truly believe that not only is Tyler building musical knowledge, but he is building friendships -- even at this young age."
 

For the Mother
"Kindermusik classes are as much for the mums as they are for the babies," Debbie says. "Mums learn lots of things they can do with their babies at home on a regular basis to increase their fun and bonding, as well as, exposing baby to music auditorally and kinesthetically. This is done through infant massage and exercise to music, rocking and quiet times with music, movements and dances to the CD, as well as, fun movements and chants to do."

"It was fun to participate and watch him have fun," says Shelly of New South Wales. And while she agrees that Kindermusik classes are definitely a great bonding tool, she also feels grateful for the companionship of the other mothers.

Truth be told, Kindermusik can be much more than a way of introducing baby to the wonderful world of music. "At times, being a stay-at-home Mum can be quite isolating. It's hard to find different things to do and to meet other Mums that you could do those things with," One mother says. "I was so excited when I signed us up for Kindermusik, I just knew that not only would Ben make new friends, but so would I."

For a Lifetime
"Kindermusik encourages children to move, think, play, feel, sing and speak creatively and differently than ever before", says Michelle, a Kindermusik Educator in Victoria.

As for Erin, the Kindermusik experience has gone beyond the classroom. "We plan on starting a play group and also getting together with a few other Mums from the class," she says. "Good things have really come from taking our Kindermusik class."

While all of this is true, in the end, Kindermusik is a weekly reason to get out of the house and into an environment where crawling, walking, squirming, whining and even crying babies are welcomed with open arms. For an exhausted and often overwhelmed mother, that in itself is worth the fee.

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“Is today a Kindermusik day Mummy?”

What if music could help you appreciate the stages not just the ages of your child's development? What if one captivating learning experience took your child from birthday to birthday, milestone to milestone? And what if you shared in that journey, year by year, as your child's natural gifts unfolded?

For over 20 years Kindermusik has been and still is the world's most respected name in musical learning for young children. Every aspect of the Kindermusik program is grounded in these core beliefs: every child is musical, every parent is the child's most important teacher, the home is the most important place for learning to take root and grow, and that based on research, music nurtures a child's cognitive, emotional, social, language and physical development.

From birth through seven years of age, with the caring guidance of a trained and licensed Kindermusik educator, your child can grow with Kindermusik without pressure to perform, only encouragement to explore, express and discover. You'll see a developmental evolution in language skills, literacy, listening, problem solving, social skills, self-esteem and musicality! You'll be involved in every stage of your child's Kindermusik experience. And Kindermusik At Home materials extends the fun and discovery of music beyond the classroom and into your home.

What people are saying about Kindermusik:

From Cindy Dougherty, Kindermusik Educator, on Josh with Downs Syndrome:
"Finally, learning enhancement opportunities aside, one cannot underestimate the sheer joy that music and movement bring to Josh. While he may sit quietly and not participate while the other children are chatting before class begins, the moment we begin our "Hello" song, Josh lights up completely and is "on." It is absolutely delightful to watch his delight. In a world where, at this juncture, many doors are closed, Josh's Kindermusik experience allows him to connect and participate. Kindermusik can be proud that it offers programs that distinctly brighten and broaden the world of this child."

C. Shoobridge, Father of Sarah, age 2½:

“Kindermusik has become a special part of our lives. Sarah and I look forward to Monday evenings. It is our very special time together. During the week, we continue to share the songs, chants and rhymes that we do during class. I cannot imagine what we did before Kindermusik.”

R. Miller, Mother of Ryan, age 5½:

“Ryan has learned so much these past two years! We are amazed at her wealth of knowledge. Her confidence and self-esteem have also grown. I wish all learning experiences could be so joyous.”

Don Campbell, World-renowned authority on the transformative power of listening and music, and author of 'The Mozart Effect® for Children':

“Kindermusik provides the sound nutrition to improve movement, listening, and expression in young children. Through activities and music making, skills for parents and children alike create inroads for the great orchestration of a family's hearts, minds, and bodies.”

Mary Sheedy Kurcinka - International family educator and author of 'Raising Your Spirited Child', 'Raising Your Spirited Child Workbook', and 'Power Struggles: Winning for a Lifetime':

"Kindermusik brings parents and children together for fun and education. The learning is active, engaging and developmentally appropriate. Children are exposed to diverse materials and are provided with rich opportunities for hands-on experiences with developmentally appropriate instruments. The joy is in the process of learning and the result is children who are more attuned in reaching their full potential.”

Kindermusik has programs for newborns through to age 7:

• Kindermusik Village -- Ages newborn through 18 months. Introduces multiple levels of activities appropriate for the different stages of development in this age range. Child participates with a parent or caregiver.

• Kindermusik Our Time -- Ages 18 months to three years. Children enjoy singing, movement and simple instrument, while learning to listen and take turns. Child participates with a parent or caregiver.

• Kindermusik Imagine That -- Ages 3-5. Integrates music, movement and pretend play, allowing children to reflect, compare, make choices, express opinions, solve problems, sing and move.

• Kindermusik for the Young Child -- Ages 5-7. Helps kids explore and learn to play a variety of instruments, including rhythm sticks, resonator bars, drums, glockenspiels, dulcimers and recorders. Each instrument is introduced in a way that helps motivate and challenge the child.

For further information phone Kids Discover on 4635 9329

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Music Does Make a Difference.

Every child is born with musical ability, but if it's not nurtured early then it can fail to develop. Being “unmusical” is more an outcome of poor training or lack of opportunity than it is from lack of ability. Research published in early 2002 indicates that all babies are born with perfect pitch - it's how they are able to recognise their mother's voice and learn language. But if they don't learn to use it, then they lose it. Early childhood music classes help a child to retain that fundamental musical skill.

Music increases memory and reasoning capacity, and eloquence

A series of research experiments in Hungary in the 1950s explored why children studying at special music kindergarten and primary schools had higher academic scores than those at mainstream schools. The studies concluded that learning and playing music improved not just academic performance, but also memory, reasoning, cooperation and the ability to think in the abstract.

Music improves concentration, memory and self-expression

A two year study in Switzerland run with 1200 children in more than 50 classes scientifically showed how playing music improved children's reading and verbal skills though improving concentration, memory and self expression. Others effects revealed by the study showed that children learned to like each other more, enjoyed school more (as did their teachers) and were less stressed during the various tests, indicating they were better able to handle stress.

Music improves the ability to think

 Ongoing studies have shown that learning and playing music builds and modifies neural pathways related to spatial reasoning tasks. We are born with all our brain cells but our neural pathways connections are made after we are born. Music helps improve these neural pathways in every area of brain development.

Why should my child learn Music?

Society has believed for many years that children should learn music for Music's sake, as an excellent accomplishment and part of a well rounded, balanced education. Today, children are expected to learn so much more and parents have to decide which subjects their child can drop. The answer is: Not music!! There is too much research to show that music is what helps all the other subjects they have to do.

For over 30 years Kindermusik has been and still is the world's most respected name in musical learning for young children. Every aspect of the Kindermusik program is grounded in these core beliefs: every child is musical, every parent is the child's most important teacher, the home is the most important place for learning to take root and grow, and that based on research, music nurtures a child's cognitive, emotional, social, language and physical development.

From birth through seven years of age, with the caring guidance of a trained and licensed Kindermusik educator, your child can grow with Kindermusik without pressure to perform, only encouragement to explore, express and discover. You'll see a developmental evolution in language skills, literacy, listening, problem solving, social skills, self-esteem and musicality!

You'll be involved in every stage of your child's Kindermusik experience with the at Home materials. These include music, literature and activities, which extend the fun and discovery of our classes into the home to foster special times of connecting between parent and child.

The above research data was extracted with permission from Australian Music Association literature.

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Music for the mind

Using song to help toddlers develop their speech skills.

Brown-eyed Kirsten F approached a sparkling triangle and smiled broadly as she heard the instrument's clear tone ring at her gentle touch. A few minutes later, she rolled across her mother's lap, giggling as she sang about a steamroller. One of eight children in a 40-minute Kindermusik class, Kirsten, 3, loves to sing and play instruments. But the focus of this international program extends beyond talent. Kindermusik is a curriculum based on the total development of children from birth through age 7 involving vocalization, movement, listening, playing and creativity.

"Kirsten has never been to preschool, and this has helped her learn to take turns, share, wait her turn and to express herself," said her mother, Carrie F, 29, of NSW. Kirsten's parents have carried the theory of learning through song into the house, where their daughter practices singing the alphabet and her address.

At 20 months old, Emily C is one of the youngest participants in the once-a-week class, but already is reacting positively. An only child, Emily is learning to interact with other children and to mimic different skills, said her mother, Lisa C, 28, of Noosaville.

"More parents are interested in the benefits of such programs for their children. From 2001 to 2006, the program saw a 100 percent increase in families enrolled worldwide", said Julie Boggins, spokesperson for Kindermusik International.

Those trained to teach Kindermusik say the program improves children's memory and recall, and it helps them learn to talk about activities and feelings through creative imitation and drama. Program research indicates that the language skills of many preschoolers go beyond the simple labelling of words. Music helps the child expand those words into sentences and patterns.

"I certainly know of parents who report that music programs help their child with expressive and social skills," said Laurence Leonard, professor of speech language pathology at Purdue University. "The very notion of the (Kindermusik) program follows the idea of language practice -- that young children might be stimulated to talk through music."

Leonard cited research-involving adults who have lost their ability to vocalize after strokes, a condition known as adult aphasia. Through music, the adults relearn to string syllables together and talk with exaggerated intonation. The singsong pattern helps the adults' form words to communicate.

Some early childhood development experts believe constant stimulation -- listening to music or hearing stories -- triggers a child's speech. Pat Kuhl, a neuroscientist with the University of Washington, wrote in one report: "We used to think language began at the one-year stage when kids started producing their first words and they started to understand words. Now what we're learning is that well before the stage at which babies understand or produce any words at all, their hearing systems are beginning to be sculpted by language input."

Programs such as Kindermusik exercise a child's brain, sparking neurological connections that introduce speech patterns. And with children who might be developmentally delayed, music is believed to give them an outlet and a means of relating to other children. Debra Nethercutt, director of children and youth music at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, has seen firsthand the benefits of music for children with special needs. "I know of a little boy named Josh who has Down syndrome and communicated primarily through sign language. After spending time in a Kindermusik class, he began to say 'hello' and 'good-bye,' " said Nethercutt. A child who was severely autistic also began to recognize and select animal sounds through music. Although he wasn't verbalizing, he was communicating.

For children with and without developmental delays, a broad-based musical experience can be as simple as singing familiar nursery rhymes at home or in a classroom setting. Children in Kindermusik classes learn the songs from take-home materials. When they come to class, they usually have heard the music played in their homes. They clap their hands, shake jingle bells, jump and dance with colourful scarves. At one recent class, instructor Charlene A directed children to shake their bells "behind," "beside," "backwards" and "forwards." As they responded to directions, the youngsters also learned rhythm. Charlene invited them to try different instruments. When she pulled three drums into the centre of the room, 2-year-old Aaron L attempted to stack the instruments. She encouraged him to experiment with making different sounds and gave him credit for having a creative idea.

With a parent as partner, the children pretended to pull a wagon and fix its broken wheel, singing about the predicament as they worked. They moved quickly to hugging their partners and then pretending to row boats. "My husband and I are both in primary school education. We know the benefits of early intervention when it comes to child development," said Tricia L, 32, Aaron's mother. Although Aaron is naturally a non-verbal child, Tricia, of NSW, said her son is eager to learn. "Music gives him a comfort level for expression," she said. "It helps with self-discipline and just provides fun. At home, he'll just spontaneously break into song and I know he's happy."

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