The Kindermusik Foundations of Learning serve as the key to educate parents about their children's learning and growth. It is through the parent that the Kindermusik educator can foster the development of the whole child.
Current research confirms that musical experiences create and strengthen neural pathways in EVERY area a child's brain. The National Association for the Education of Young Children (U.S.A) asserts that any activity that stimulates one area of development automatically influences others. Good curriculum design must recognize this integration.
What are the elements touched by the Kindermusik experience?
MOVEMENT
The brain has a plan for development that involves specific motor activities that make full use of the very complicated nervous system. This nervous system must go through a series of developmental stages before the brain can operate at its full potential. Chilren's innate need to move is directly related to this. That is why young children appear to adults to be constantly moving and busy. It is their key to learning.
Listening
Children are born with the ability to hear, but listening is a skill that must be learned. Listening experiences help build attention skills that are invaluable to all learning throughout life.
Vocal Development
Vocal development in Kindermusik involves Vocal Play and Singing. It is through vocal play that children learn to form vowels and consonants, say words and phrases, and imitate rhythm and vocal inflection. It is also through vocal play that children learn about breath support, turn-taking, and the body language of communication. It builds the child's self esteem, fosters development of spoken language skills, and helps him feel valued as a communicator. Singing, likewise, is a skill that must be developed. It is quite a feat to coordinate the muscular apparatus of jaw, lips, tongue and diaphragm to generate a singing voice! Most children need many singing experiences over a long period of time to develop accuracy in pitches.
Language and Literacy
The preschool years are an optimum time for language acquisition and literacy development. Language and learning are inseparable. Because Kindermusik is dedicated to the development of the whole child, the elements of language and literacy are integrated into every lesson. The more children know about language and literacy before entering school, the better equipped they are to benefit from formal reading and writing instruction in the early elementary grades.
Ensemble
Making music with others is a joyful experience. When children learn to contribute their part to a beautiful whole, they have received one of the important advantages of group instruction. When they begin to master the preliminary techniques required to play a simple keyboard, string and wind instruments, the foundation becomes even stronger for continuing musical experiences and growth.
The Kindermusik experience is a PROCESS, NOT PERFORMANCE. The program is designed not to be a performance class that push for a structured outcome. A Kindermusik child experiences success with music at each class. When they graduate they are eager to learn an instrument, sing in a choir, explore dance and drama or simply enjoy music for the rest of their lives.
