The Kindermusik program encompasses a vast variety of benefits to children's development. Cognitive, social, emotional, and physical, are just a few of the developmental areas that the Kindermusik environment focuses on. Children in a Kindermusik classroom are not just learning and developing in one area but the whole-child approach is meeting all of their developmental needs.
Kindermusik uses music as the means to reach the whole child and fulfill his developmental needs. As children join in the ritual of singing hello and goodbye songs they are forming a common bond with classmates, becoming comfortable with a new community of friends, and their safety and security in the classroom is solidified.
Singing silly, imaginative songs helps children create new and unfamiliar vocal sounds which in turn encourages creativity and speech development.
Listening, singing, clapping, and playing instruments to a beat instills internal rhythm in children, creating an awareness of the music within and around them.
Jumping, dancing, and playing to music gets children’s bodies in motion and as a result, get their brains growing. As children see their parents participate in these activities, they are exposed to the importance of exercise and whole body movement as a part of family health and happiness. This type of large motor movement also assists in developing children’s vestibular system, which is crucial for processing language, understanding spatial relationships, and even for emotional security.
As children play, they imagine and create. They challenge themselves to new actions and discover what they are and are not capable of. Through play, children learn to problem solve and build cognitive thinking skills. In the Kindermusik classroom, play and imagination are embraced and scaffolded by parents and teachers so that children can reach their full potential whatever their age.
“In infancy and early childhood, play is the activity through which children learn to recognize colors and shapes, tastes and sounds—the very building blocks of reality. Play also provides pathways to love and social connection. Elementary school children use play to learn mutual respect, friendship, cooperation, and competition.” (Elkind, David. (Spring 2008). Can We Play? Greater Good Magazine, Volume IV (issue 4). Retrieved from http://.berkeley.edu/greatergood/2008spring/Elkind344.html)
When children and families become part of a Kindermusik class, new horizons of learning are revealed and opportunities for development are abundant!