Early music helps language skills

New research by Northwestern University professor Nina Kraus shows that children who study music for several years also improve their language skills.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=-2pF7_1Q78A

Kindermusik Convention Nov 2008

I have just returned from a fantastic week in Raleigh Durham, NC, USA where there were International partner meetings and the Kindermusik Convention. Educators in their hundreds met from all over the world to attend presentations, networking and social events and learn about reaching more families with the joy of Kindermusik. I feel so proud to be part of the worldwide Kindermusik family. Thank you.

Kids have fun at Kindermusik demos in Asda

Despite the rain there was a great turnout for Kindermusik in Asda Farnborough this Sunday. Children and parents had fun in store playing instruments, dancing to the sound of Kindermusik and winning prizes for their efforts.

Vicky Hiorns ( Farnham), Liz Fowler ( Guildford), Mich Mazzocco ( Egham/Sunninghill) and Vanessa Webb ( Camberley/Chobham) offered the free taster sessions as part of Asda Sporting Chance, encouraging children to get more active.

Babies have rhythm

Babies have got rhythm - and that could help pinpoint possible problems, according to academics.

Researchers there discovered that, even at such a tender age, they have a real sense of beat.
Project co-ordinator Dr Susan Denham, of the University of Plymouth, said the findings could be adapted for use in a variety of screening programmes in the future.
"This is one of the first studies of its type and what is perhaps most significant is that, not only do babies' brains register changes in beat, pitch and simple melodic patterns, but they do so more or less automatically, as they are fast asleep during these experiments.
"The results of this study mean that it could be possible to screen children at a much earlier age to identify potential cognitive problems which might lead to poor development."

More: http://latestnews.virginmedia.com/news/tech/2008/09/22/babies_feel_the_beat_from_birth

Kindermusik partners with Asda Sporting Chance to get kids more active

From this October Kindermusik UK will become an official accredited partner of Asda Sporting Chance offering children free Kindermusik sessions. During the half term Asda will be offering free vouchers in their stores in exchange for free activities and all Kindermusik educators are happy to accept these vouchers.We will offer 1 free trial session per new family subject to availability in class. For more info on Asda Sporting chance sessions see http://www.asda-sportingchance.co.uk/free-session-search.php and for your local Kindermusik class see the class locator on http://www.kindermusik.co.uk/

New Educators in the UK and Ireland

This summer has seen a big success with the number of new educators licencing.
Congratulations to the following new educators:

L Johnston ( N Ireland), D O'Keefe ( Essex), S Keane (Dublin), S Joliffe ( Warks), D Frattima(Co. Cork), K Davidson ( Keighley), S Crabtree ( Yorks), T Henderson ( Co. Cork), S Leatherland ( Notts), C McAllen (Kent), L Chapman ( S Glos), U McCabe ( Co. Wicklow), S Chambers ( Chester), G Docherty ( Dumbarton), J McConnon (Co. Tipperary), S Stewart ( Worcs), S Breed ( Essex), C Davies ( Lincs), C Morrow ( Co. Donegal), N Squares ( Essex) and to those who have moved abroad since enrolment: R Quinn( Switz), V Perez ( Spain).

Music and the brain

Kindermusik is known to help stimulate all aspects of the brain when children participate in class activities. Our well known Development of the brain poster is often posted in our Kindermusik classrooms to help show this to parents. And our famous Foundations of learning statements point specifically to the area of the brain where cognitive, physical, language, emotional and social growth occur. Today Sarah Peel Li from China sent me on this link which cemented all this understanding. Check out this cool interactive brain and see just how music effects all parts of the brain!
http://www.cbc.ca/radio2/features/theNerve/brain.html

Kindermusik new term begins next week

Next week sees the start of the new Kindermusik term for most teachers. We now have the largest number of Kindermusik teachers ever, teaching throughout the UK, Ireland and Channel Islands. Our teachers use high quality teaching materials and instruments to teach our award winning curricula and home materials are provided to ensure the Kindermusik experience can continue at home.

We will all be teaching these same exciting themes throughout the country from September:

Kindermusik Village (0 to 18m)

Zoom Buggy - all about things on the move.Experience the vroom of a rocket ship and the swoosh of the canoe oars - all through a variety of instruments and songs. CD, art banner, instrument, book and downloadable home journal included.

Dream Pillow - enjoy bedtime closeness with Baby at any time of day by listening more closely, sharing the gifts of singing and talking with Baby, and exploring and extending the musicality of Baby's environment.You will find many upbeat and playful activities as well as an array of stimulating and age-appropriate things and instruments for Baby to explore. Home materials included as above.

Kindermusik Our Time (18m to 3yrs)

Milk and Cookies - empowers the parent to lead the child through familiar, everyday home activities such as cooking, dusting and washing clothes. Baking cookies, eating cupcakes, blowing on hot cross buns, wiggling like jelly, going grocery shopping and making tea are all represented in familiar songs and activities. Double CD, 2 story books, stir xylophone and family activity journal are included in a insulated carry bag.

Kindermusik Imagine That ( 3 to 5 yrs)

In Hello Weather play together! we explore sunshine, rain, snow, thunderstorms, and more in this imaginative and delightful weather related musical adventure. Whether creating snow storms on a drum or throwing pretend snowballs, children and their families are encouraged to get outdoors and enjoy the world around them. Double CD, play set, rainmaker, ankle bells, 2 story books and family activity journal included.

Kindermusik Young Child - (4 1/2 to 7 yrs)

Semesters 1 to 4 - the programme lays the foundations for future musical learning, teaching the glockenspiel, dulcimer and recorder, reading and writing music and musical fun activities from all over the world. Home materials include instrument, home activity cards, stickers, folder, songbook and cd.

Kindermusik Family Time (0 to 7 yrs)

Here, There and Everywhere—includes five sub-themes centre around different family outings: a visit with a friend, an outing at the park, a trip to the city, an afternoon at the aquarium, and a day on the farm. Home Materials include 2 Books—Flip-Flap, Sugar Snap! and Jingle-Jangle Jambourine, 2 Home CDs, Family Guide, Board Game, Waggs the dog Hand Puppet and Finger Puppet, and 2 Jambourine instruments.

Kindermusik ABC Music and Me (2 to 6 yrs)

Monthly themes - for the child enrolled in pre-schools, nuseries and childcare centres, , ABC Music & Me is a research-based language and early literacy programme built around music. ABC Music & Me helps children 2 to 4s, and 4 to 6s develop pre-literacy and language skills through a child’s most-loved rituals: music and story time. Example themes include Carnival of Music, Animals are Dancing, Around the farm and home materials include magazine, CD and instrument. Ask your local educator if you would like ABC to be taught in your nursery or childcare centre.

More info on our curricula can be found on http://www.kindermusik.co.uk/

Find your nearest educator on http://www.kindermusik.co.uk/locator/locator.asp

Kindermusik in The Guardian

Kindermusik Imagine That classes for pre-schoolers were recommended in today's Guardian newspaper by columnist A Barbieri. Read the article here.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2008/aug/30/family.dramaanddance

Kindermusik UK is now on Facebook - come and take a look

Hello everyone and welcome to the Kindermusik UK and Ireland blog.

The intention of this blog is share a broad range of thoughts, ideas and learnings related to Kindermusik in the UK and Ireland from childhood development benefits of music right through to how Kindermusik is expanding in the region. Everyone is welcome to contribute from Kindermusik educators through to Kindermusik families and any other Kindermusik enthusiasts.

Kindermusik is the world's leading music and movement programme for 0 to 7 year olds with over 6000 educators in 66 countries. Kindermusik prides itself on the high quality teaching and home materials provided and as its not a franchise starting up a Kindermusik business involves a relatively low investement.

I have had the pleasure of teaching Kindermusik for the last 6 and half years and seen the joy and magic that Kindermusik can bring to hundreds of families. I believe it aids all aspects of child development whilst being a fun introduction to music for young ones. As the Area Developer for Kindermusik in the UK and Ireland I am keen to replicate this success in other areas. In fact in the last 4 years our company has grown to around 110 licenced educators throughout England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales and the Channel Islands. And we have many more in training.

If you are interested in taking your child to a Kindermusik class in your area or keen to find out more about training to become a licenced educator see http://www.kindermusik.co.uk/

All educators offer a free class preview.