Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

Why Kindermusik?

WHY KINDERMUSIK? "The schools that produced the highest academic achievement in the United States today are spending 20% to 30% of the day on the arts, with special emphasis on music." International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IAEEA) Test, 1988

Even A Few Years Of Music Training Benefits The Brain

Even A Few Years Of Music Training Benefits The BrainBy Christie Wilcox | August 21, 2012 |
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Music has a remarkable ability to affect and manipulate how we feel. Simply listening to songs we like stimulates the brain’s reward system, creating feelings of pleasure and comfort. But music goes beyond our hearts to our minds, shaping how we think. Scientific evidence suggests that even a little music training when we’re young can shape how brains develop, improving the ability to differentiate sounds and speech.

With education funding constantly on the rocks and tough economic times tightening many parents’ budgets, students often end up with only a few years of music education. Studies to date have focused on neurological benefits of sustained music training, and found many upsides. For example, researchers have found that musicians are better able to process foreign languages because of their ability to hear differences in pitch, and have incredible abilities to detect speech in noise. But what about the kids who only get sparse musical tutelage? Does picking up an instrument for a few years have any benefits?
The answer from a study just published in the Journal of Neuroscience is a resounding yes. The team of researchers from Northwestern University’s Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory tested the responses of forty-five adults to different complex sounds ranging in pitch. The adults were grouped based on how much music training they had as children, either having no experience, one to five years of training, or six to eleven years of music instruction.

Music training had a profound impact on the way the study subjects’ brains responded to sounds. The people who had studied music, even if only for a few years, had more robust neural processing of the different test sounds. Most importantly, though, the adults with music training were more effective at pulling out the fundamental frequency, or lowest frequency sound, of the test noises.

“The way you hear sound today is dictated by the experiences with sound you’ve had up until today,” explained co-author and lab head Nina Kraus. As she and her colleague wrote in an article for Nature, “akin to physical exercise and its impact on body fitness, music is a resource that tones the brain for auditory fitness.”

Bulking up the auditory brain has non-musical implications.  The ability to differentiate fundamental frequencies is critical for perceiving speech, and is an integral part of how we recognize and process sounds in complex and noisy environments. Thus childhood music instruction has strong linguistic benefits and improves performance on everyday listening tasks. Since we live in an inherently noisy world, the better we are at focusing on sound and perceiving different sounds, the better. This can be particularly important for children with learning disorders or those for whom English is a second language.

There is a body of research that suggests music training not only improves hearing, it bolsters a suite of brain functions. Musically trained kids do better in school, with stronger reading skills, increased math abilities, and higher general intelligence scores. Music even seems to improve social development, as people believe music helps them be better team players and have higher self-esteem. “Based on what we already know about the ways that music helps shape the brain, the study suggests that short-term music lessons may enhance lifelong listening and learning,” said Kraus. “Our research captures a much larger section of the population with implications for educational policy makers and the development of auditory training programs that can generate long-lasting positive outcomes.”

The importance of music education is something to consider, given that election season is in full swing. According to a recent White House report, more than 300,000 education jobs have been lost since the “end” of the recession in 2009 – 7,000 were lost last month alone. As schools lose funding, arts and extracurricular programs are often first on the chopping block, meaning less music education for the nation’s youth. Given the scientific evidence supporting the importance of music both neurologically and educationally, the loss of music education seems particularly painful. Perhaps as we head to the polls this season, we should give even more thought as to how our choices of elected officials might affect the education system in this country and the brains of the children who are its future.

Citation: Skoe E, Kraus N. (2012) “A Little Goes a Long Way: How the Adult Brain is Shaped by Musical Training in Childhood” Journal of NeuroscienceAbout the Author: Christie Wilcox is a science writer and blogger who moonlights as a PhD student in Cell and Molecular Biology at the University of Hawaii. Follow on Google+. Follow on Twitter @NerdyChristie.

See you soon!

"Kindermusik with Jenny" will be on break while I have our second baby (a girl, due 12/13). I will start up more classes this winter after we get back on our feet. In the meantime, keep an eye on my blog page or my Facebook for articles, videos, and more fun from Kindermusik. See you in a few months!

Ever wonder what Kindermusik is all about? Take a look.

Why Kindermusik?

WHY KINDERMUSIK? Pediatrician David Geller talks about the age that children are ready for music lessons, and even mentions Kindermusik: http://www.babycenter.com/404_when-can-we-start-music-lessons_6876.bc

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween! Here is my favorite Halloween song to share with the kiddos. Have a safe holiday!

new class starting

This Wednesday at 9:15am we are starting our 2-3 year old class, Rhyme Around Town. If you'd like to join us, you still can! Come and join the fun! 

YES!

a few updates

FALL SESSION EARLY ENROLL: If you enroll in a fall session by OCTOBER 10, you will receive your choice of a musical book or set of egg shakers. You can enroll at www.kindermusik.com or at the YMCA. Also, FREE PREVIEW CLASS tonight in the YMCA Conference Room at 6:20pm. I hope to see you there!

Free Preview Class!

FREE PREVIEW CLASS! Monday, October 1 at 6:20pm at the YMCA in the Conference Room. This will be a Family Time class, so all ages (0-7) are welcome. I hope you will be able to join us! Please feel free to bring a friend!

There is still time!

There is still time to ENROLL in a fall class, even if you missed the early enrollment call! Classes start September 24, so ENROLL TODAY!

Early Enrollment Incentive

KINDERMUSIK WITH JENNY EARLY ENROLLMENT INCENTIVE: If you enroll in a fall class before Wed. Sept. 12th, you will receive a gift of your choice of a musical book or a set of egg shakers. Classes will fill quickly so don't miss your chance to fall in love with Kindermusik! :)

We are up and running!

KINDERMUSIK WITH JENNY has finally found its home in Beatrice! I am so excited to announce that we will be holding our classes at the YMCA! This will be a wonderful way to connect with Beatrice families. The fall schedule is up and we are 

ready to enroll! You can view the schedule and enroll here OR at www.kindermusik.com. If you're not sure if you want to make a commitment yet, ask me about trying a free preview class.

Pattern Awareness

Pattern awareness is crucial to learning and memory. Just as in reading stories, singing and rhythmic speech expose participants directly to the patterns of language, including rhythm, speech sounds, syntax, and rhyme.

Tips for parents:

Patterns are all around – outdoors, indoors, in colors, how we arrange items on the counter or table, and even on the clothes we wear. With patterns surrounding us, it’s easy to play “pick up” pattern games with your child. First, point to the pattern. Have your child identify the individual parts. Then work together to point out how it all goes together. If there are objects that can be moved, you can even challenge your child to create some patterns of his own.

You can even try learning about patterns with your Kindermusik instruments!

- Contributed by Theresa Case, whose Greenville, SC program, Kindermusik at Piano Central Studios, is proudly among the top 1% of Kindermusik programs worldwide.

Digital Home Materials

Take a look at our new digital home materials! These are available for our ABC Music & Me classes. What do you think? Do you prefer digital or paper materials?

Why Kindermusik?

“Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy. Music is the electrical soil in which the spirit lives, thinks, and invents.”-composer Ludwig van Beethoven

The Joy of Music

Music is unique to humans, and as basic as language to human development and existence.  It is through music that a child gains insight into herself, into others, and into life itself.  Perhaps most importantly, music is part of what enables a child to better develop and sustain her creativity and imagination.  Because a day does not pass without hearing or participating in some kind of music, it is to a child’s advantage to understand music as thoroughly as she can.  As a result, she will learn to appreciate, listen to, and partake in music all the rest of her life (adapted from Gordon, 1990).

Ideas for parents:

It can be very simple to surround your child with music – the greater the variety, the better! 

• Singing simple songs together can get the morning off to a great start.
• Child-safe instruments and some recorded music can provide happy times of self-entertainment or together time.
• Quiet, soothing music before naps and bedtime establishes a wonderfully reassuring sleep time routine.
• A dance around the kitchen can soothe the supper-time “fussies.”
• A cuddle and a lullaby at the end of the day adds the sweetest and happiest of memorable moments.

- Contributed by Theresa Case, whose Greenville, SC program, Kindermusik at Piano Central Studios, is proudly among the top 1% of Kindermusik programs worldwide.

Why Kindermusik? For the educational benefits.

Hear what other parents have to say about Kindermusik!

Why Kindermusik?

“A child sings before it speaks, dances almost before it walks. Music is with us from the beginning.”-writer Pamela Brown

Kindermusik and Your Child: Exercising Your Listening Muscles

Like a muscle, your child’s listening skills need constant exercise in order to grow stronger. Kindermusik classes give your child weekly opportunities to “exercise” and develop listening skills as we listen to specific sounds, listen to many various instrumental sounds, listen to directions and musical cues, listen to suggestions from your Kindermusik Educator for ways to participate in class activities, listen to encouragement from you to participate and share ideas, listen to various styles of recorded and live music and singing, and of course listen to ideas from other parents and students!
A good listener is able to focus attention on what he/she hears. Becoming a good listener will help your child:

• Learn more quickly and effectively for later academic success
• Heed danger signals
• Get along better with you and other adults
• Make better friends

There are many things you can do to help your child develop listening skills. Your example speaks volumes to your child if you are a good listener, chances are, your child will learn good listening skills from you!  If you ask your child “listening” questions, then your child’s neural network will learn to listen.  For some great articles that contain tips for helping your child develop listening skills, check out the following links:
Getting Your Toddler to Listen (8 easy steps)
Fun Activities to Promote Listening Skills (by Learning Style)
How Can Parents Model Good Listening Skills?
Compiled by Theresa Case, whose Kindermusik program at Piano Central Studios in Greenville, SC, is proudly among the top 1% of Kindermusik programs worldwide.

Follow Me to Kindermusik!

Just Dance!

“Nobody cares if you can’t dance well. Just get up and dance.”-dancer and choreographer Martha Graham

Again! Again!

Have you ever wondered why a child will ask you to read the same book over and over or perhaps never tires of rolling the ball back and forth? A newly published study may shed some light on this learning technique of young children. Nicknamed the “Goldilocks effect”, the study examines the attention span of infants in relation to the complexity of the world around them. The results showed that infants focus only on situations that are neither too difficult nor too easy.

“The study suggests that babies are not only attracted by what is happening, but they are able to predict what happens next based on what they have already observed,” says Kidd, lead author on the report. “They are not passive sponges. They are active information seekers looking for the best information they can find.” Children who are engaged in a sensory rich learning experience are best equipped to receive and retain new information. The repetition of a fun activity likely yields new information each time for your child and provides an opportunity for them to test their predictions based on their latest observations.  ”Parents don’t need to buy fancy toys to help their children learn. They make the best use of their environment. They are going to look around for what fits their attention level. Kids learn best from social interaction,” reminds Kidd.

I hope your family can enjoy some fun, social interaction in a Kindermusik class this summer!Click here for a free preview coupon.

This article is from Miss Aimee, of Delightful Sounds, a Kindermusik Studio in Brandon, Florida. Miss Aimee is named  a Maestro in Outreach by Kindermusik International, recognizing her considerable efforts each year to reach underserved populations of children in her community.

Why Kindermusik?

A Kindermusik mom explains why Kindermusik is important to her family.

Why Kindermusik?

WHY KINDERMUSIK? “To sing well and to dance well is to be well-educated.”-philosopher Plato

I'm with the band

Parenting Magazine mentions Kindermusik as the best place to start your little ones in music. Of course we know that, but it's nice to hear it somewhere else! :D

Kids lovemusic. They sing, they boogie, they bust out the ol' air guitar. And they boost brainpower in the process: “The pattern recognition in learning music as well as the discovery aspect are enormously helpful later with math and science,” notes Lindley Schmitt, a veteran children's music instructor at the University of Puget Sound's School of Music, in Tacoma, WA. But when are they actually ready to rock an instrument? Here's a sound, er, reality check:

Xylophone

Age to start: 4 years

Skills needed: Mallet wielding!

Where to learn: Kindermusik classes (kindermusik.com) are loads of fun because kids learn by singing and playing games with other preschoolers. The Kid's Xylophone app by Goatella is pretty cool, too. ($1; market.android.com oritunes.com).

Piano and Violin

Age to start: 4 to 5 years

Skills needed: A love of patterns and rhythm. Does your child enjoy a game of Memory or like to sort his Hot Wheels cars by color? Then he's probably good to go.

Where to learn: The Suzuki style of teaching is big on parent involvement;suzukiassociation.org.

Guitar

Age to start: About 7 years

Skills needed: Hand strength and dexterity should be naturally developed enough at this age. Coordination helps, too. See if your kiddo can rub her belly and tap her head while walking with ease.

Where to learn: Childrensmusicacademy.org has age-based classes.

http://www.parenting.com/article/musical-instruments-for-kids

We Love Kindermusik!

This is adorable! =)

Why Kindermusik?

WHY KINDERMUSIK? “An educational foundation is only part of the equation. In order for creativity to flourish and imagination to take hold, we also need to expose our children to the arts from a very young age.” -First Lady Michelle Obama

Babies' Brains Benefit from Music Lessons, Even Before They Can Walk and Talk

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120509123653.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Fmind_brain%2Fchild_development+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Mind+&+Brain+News+--+Child+Development%29

ScienceDaily (May 9, 2012) — After completing the first study of its kind, researchers at McMaster University have discovered that very early musical training benefits children even before they can walk or talk.

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See Also:

Mind & Brain

• Child Development
• Child Psychology
• Perception
• Language Acquisition
• Intelligence
• Educational Psychology

Living Well

Reference

• Premature birth
• Peripheral vision
• Tinnitus
• Maternal bond

They found that one-year-old babies who participate in interactive music classes with their parents smile more, communicate better and show earlier and more sophisticated brain responses to music.

The findings were published recently in the scientific journalsDevelopmental Science and Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences.

"Many past studies of musical training have focused on older children," says Laurel Trainor, director of the McMaster Institute for Music and the Mind. "Our results suggest that the infant brain might be particularly plastic with regard to musical exposure."

Trainor, together with David Gerry, a music educator and graduate student, received an award from the Grammy Foundation in 2008 to study the effects of musical training in infancy. In the recent study, groups of babies and their parents spent six months participating in one of two types of weekly music instruction.

One music class involved interactive music-making and learning a small set of lullabies, nursery rhymes and songs with actions. Parents and infants worked together to learn to play percussion instruments, take turns and sing specific songs.

In the other music class, infants and parents played at various toy stations while recordings from the popular "Baby Einstein" series played in the background.

Before the classes began, all the babies had shown similar communication and social development and none had previously participated in other baby music classes.

"Babies who participated in the interactive music classes with their parents showed earlier sensitivity to the pitch structure in music," says Trainor. "Specifically, they preferred to listen to a version of a piano piece that stayed in key, versus a version that included out-of-key notes. Infants who participated in the passive listening classes did not show the same preferences. Even their brains responded to music differently. Infants from the interactive music classes showed larger and/or earlier brain responses to musical tones."

The non-musical differences between the two groups of babies were even more surprising, say researchers.

Babies from the interactive classes showed better early communication skills, like pointing at objects that are out of reach, or waving goodbye. Socially, these babies also smiled more, were easier to soothe, and showed less distress when things were unfamiliar or didn't go their way.

While both class types included listening to music and all the infants heard a similar amount of music at home, a big difference between the classes was the interactive exposure to music.

"There are many ways that parents can connect with their babies," says study coordinator Andrea Unrau. "The great thing about music is, everyone loves it and everyone can learn simple interactive musical games together."