Books

"Some of the sweetest hours of life, on retrospect, will be found to have been spent with books." Ralph Waldo Emerson

This does seem to be true in my life, I remember reading to my son when he was a baby, we would sit and read a couple of times of day. We would read about Clifford, Carl the dog, Maisy, and Big Bird, then later reading Dr. Suess, and now we are reading Harry Potter, Captain Underpants, and other comic books.

As a child I loved all the adventures and glimpses of other people's lives reading books, (which I still enjoy). I'm so happy my son feels this way too. Last week we went to Powell's book store, Kurt bought a book and then we hung out at the coffee shop, reading, having a treat. Very Sweet!!

Angie, Kindermusik Teacher
phone: 503-708-2827
web site: www.kindermusikwithangie.kindermusik.net
blog: www.kindermusikwithangie.blogspot.com
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Scaffolding

Scaffolding is an interactive learning process between adult and child. The adult observes the child's play ideas, then gently guides and supports the child's learning by building on what the child already is able to do. Ideally, the adult will begin by meeting the child where she is - by copying her play idea, for example. Then the adult makes a slight variation on the activity, providing appropriate challenges to lead the child to new levels of learning.

Kindermusik Teacher
phone: 503-708-2827
web site: http://www.kindermusikwithangie.kindermusik.net/

The Movement-Vision-Reading Connection

"Our visual sense functions...when our eyes are actively moving..., when the body and head move, the vestibular sytem is activated, and the eye muscles strenghten as they move in response. The more the eyes move, the more the muscles of both eyes work together." Later on, this "eye-teaming" will enable these now-toddlers to focus as well as to track and to conentrate as they learn to read in school. Smart Moves, by Carla Hannaford

Sound Maps

It is important to include a wide range of timbres in Baby's environment. This includes hearing the sounds of many languages. Each kind of sound maps new connections in Baby's brain. Repeated listening solidifies these connections.

Timbre

In Kindermusik class we explore a variety of musical instruments with different timbres (pronounced tambers) or characteristic sound qualities, such as the scratching of egg shakers, the ringing of bells and the resonant boom of the drum. As Baby or Toddler hears this variety of sounds, she is developing the listening vocabulary necessary for sound discrimination preceding language. And if she play the instruments, she learns that she can create a nice-sounding result.

503-708-2827
web site: www.kindermusikwithangie.kindermusik.net
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"According to a new York Longitudinal Study, three major factors in early learning environments lead to competency in adulthood:
1. Rich sensory environments
2. Freedom to explore with few restrictions, and
3. Available parents that acted as consultants."
Smart Moves, by Carla Hannaford


Kindermusik Teacher
503-708-2827
web site: www.kindermusikwithangie.kindermusik.net
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Active Listening

"Active listening is a process that goes beyond the physical act of hearing. It is an intellectual and emotional process that integrates a full range of inputs in a search for the meaning of and an understanding of a sender's message. It involves listening between the lines to hear what is not said as wll as what is said."
Early childhood Education, Blending Theory, Blending Practice by Lawrence J. Johnson, M.J. LaMontagne, Peggy M. Elgas, and Anne M. Bauer


Kindermusik Teacher
503-708-2827
web site: www.kindermusikwithangie.kindermusik.net
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Sound Maps

It is important to include a wide range of timbres in Baby's environment. This includes hearing the sounds of many languages. Each kind of sound maps new connections in Baby's brain. Repeated listening solidifies these connections.


Kindermusik Teacher
503-708-2827
web site: www.kindermusikwithangie.kindermusik.net
Become a fan of my Facebook page!

Musical Instruments

In class we explore a variety of musical instruments with different timbres (pronounced "tam-bers" or characteristic sound qualities, such as the scratching of egg shakers, the ringing of baby bells, and the resonant "boom" of the drum. As Baby hears this variety of sounds, she is developing the listening vocabulary necessary for sound discrimination preceding language. And if she plays the instruments, she learns that she can create a nice-sounding result.


Kindermusik Teacher
503-708-2827
web site: www.kindermusikwithangie.kindermusik.net
Become a fan of my Facebook page!

Sensory Learning

As you and Baby experience the contrast between a smoothly rolling ball and a jumpy, bouncing ball, she is understanding on a sensory level the difference between smooth, sustained movement, and sharp, detached movement. This is an important element of music and language.

Kindermusik Teacher
503-708-2827
web site: www.kindermusikwithangie.kindermusik.net
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Relaxation

We know as adults that we encounter stress, but we may forget that Baby also expereinces stress and frustration as she learns and grows. Helping Baby learn to intentionally relax will serve her well all her life as she encounters the stresses of the world.

Kindermusik Teacher
503-708-2827
web site: www.kindermusikwithangie.kindermusik.net
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Brain Development

Exercise that crosses the midline helps develop the corpus colossum, the connection between the two hemispheres of Baby's brain for learning to read.


Kindermusik Teacher
503-708-2827
web site: www.kindermusikwithangie.kindermusik.net
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Tempo

One of the fundamental aspects of music is tempo. You may have noticed that Baby enjoys fast and slow music equally or that s/he prefers one extreme over the other. It is important for his/her understanding of music and language that Baby hear and feel a range of tempi.

Choose a favorite song and sing it slowly (adagio) with Baby, using big movements. Sing the same song again quickly (allegro), with smaller movements. Alternate between the two extremes. Then gradually go from adagio, to andante, to allegro (slow, walking pace, quick).

Kindermusik Teacher
503-708-2827
web site: www.kindermusikwithangie.kindermusik.net
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Security

Babies who have warm, responsive care are more resilient later in life. By following your instincts to cuddle Baby, you are providing the securtiy and safety necessary for Baby's healthy development.

Kindermusik Teacher
503-708-2827
web site: www.kindermusikwithangie.kindermusik.net
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Brain Development

Holding Baby in a variety of positons lets him or her experience a variety of perspectives wihich stimulates his or her brain devlopment.


Kindermusik Teacher
503-708-2827
web site: www.kindermusikwithangie.kindermusik.net
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Reading to Baby in a cozy, pleasant environment creates positive associations with books and learning. Of course, it also helps Baby begin to decode language. Research has shown that babies younger than six months can distinguish familiar words from unfamiliar words.

Choose nursery rhymes and stories to tell Baby. Try making up a story about something familiar to Baby. As you speak, see how many different ways you can use your voice. This helps Baby learn expressive use of voice.

Kindermusik Teacher
503-708-2827
web site: www.kindermusikwithangie.kindermusik.net
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Reading to Baby

Reading to Baby in a pleasant enviornment helps her learn that reading is pleasureable. It also helps her begin to decode language. Infants younger than six months can distinguish a wide range of speech contrasts. By eight months many can distinguish familiar words from unfamiliar words.

Kindermusik Teacher
503-708-2827
web site: www.kindermusikwithangie.kindermusik.net
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Stop and Go Games

Babies enjoy "Stop and Go" games. The element of surprise delights her at first. As she becomes familiar with the activity, she will enjoy anticipating the stops and starts, understadning the structure of the music in much the same way spoken language prior to speaking it.

Angie
Kindermusik Teacher
503-708-2827
web site: www.kindermusikwithangie.kindermusik.net
Become a fan of my Facebook page!

Village Class Babies:

Babies in this multi-age class are changing more rapidly than at any other time in their development. Therefore, each activity presents features and choices for lap babies, crawling babies, and walking babies, each participating at his own level. The crawling baby may be walking ay the end of the course, and lap baby may be crawling. Diversity is expected and welcomed. There is never the need to ask: "am I doing it right?" Kindermusik Village teaches "your baby's way is the right way." Watch and take note. Then enjoy exchanging ideas and observations with other parents.

Angie
Kindermusik Teacher
503-708-2827
web site: www.kindermusikwithangie.kindermusik.net
Become a fan of my Facebook page!

Kindermusik Village:

Kindermusik Village stresses the interactive nature of the total development of the whole child in body, mind and spirit by naming and claiming these benefits of music education for society's littlest members. These Kindermusik Foundations of Learning are incorporated into every Kindermusik Village lesson.

Angie
Kindermusik Teacher
503-708-2827
web site: www.kindermusikwithangie.kindermusik.net
Become a fan of my Facebook page!