The holidays look a little bit different when children enter the family and New Year’s Eve is no exception. So, while you probably won’t be watching the ball drop in Times Square, oohing and awing at the fireworks at the stroke of midnight, (or even staying awake that late…unless you count that midnight feeding), your young family can start new traditions. We put together
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How our brains regulate and manage cognitive processes is referred to as executive function. As with most cognitive skills, executive function is a skill that grows and develops in children as they grow and develop. According to this recent and fascinating article in Science Daily, the executive functions that are crucial for a child to develop include the ability to: avoid distractions focus attention
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New Research: Teaching Self-Control Leads to Academic Improvements Read More »
It’s easy to think about taking pictures or making scrapbooks about “important” days like holidays or birthdays. But even the ordinary days can transform into extra special memories with an easy homemade book that marks the momentous occasion of “savor-this-moment.” Follow these easy instructions to make – and enjoy! – this simple together time craft. And if the warm fuzzies and happy moments that
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Make a Today Book with Kids Read More »
Lots of things are good for the brain, especially music. But new research indicates that learning to speak more than one language is also exceptionally good for the brain. At first it might seem that the brain has to work harder to learn and speak two languages. And in a way it does. But it’s actually this hard work that exercises and strengthens the
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Teach Your Child a Second Language for a Full-Brain Workout Read More »
Do you remember taking spelling tests as a child? Sitting at your desk, listening intently as your teacher said a word, and then trying to visualize what the word looked like while also attempting to write it on your paper or (gasp!) spell it out loud in front of the whole class? Ugh! For English speakers, that silent “e” caught many of us off
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Rhythmic Dictation and Early Literacy Skills Read More »
Which came first: the egg shaker or the violin? Well, if you ask us, we’d say the egg shaker of course! It’s a staple instrument in all Kindermusik classes from newborn through age 7. From that first instrument, we begin to teach children skills that can prepare them for formal music lessons when they are ready. 6 Ways Kindermusik Prepares a Child for Formal
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6 Ways Kindermusik Prepares Children for Formal Music Lessons Read More »
The ability to think critically about a situation is essential for all problem solving and academic learning. Deductive reasoning, the ability to reason from general premises to more specific premises, is one essential aspect of critical thinking. In fact, renowned educational researcher, Dr. Howard Gardner, includes deductive reasoning within one of his seven areas of intelligence—the Logical/Mathematical Intelligence. Dr. Gardner (and other researchers) argue
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Leave the Detective Work to the Kids Read More »
Ah, the holidays—A time of rest, joyous family time, and the harmonious sound of everyone getting along. Hmmm. That sounds more like a fantasy (or brief moments in time!) than reality. The fact is the holidays often bring more stressors into a family’s life, especially to the youngest members of the clan. Children thrive on routines and rituals, however, the holidays often bring a
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5 ways music can stop your kids’ holiday meltdowns Read More »
Ah, the holidays—A time of rest, joyous family time, and the harmonious sound of everyone getting along. Hmmm. That sounds more like a fantasy (or brief moments in time!) than reality. The fact is the holidays often bring more stressors into a family’s life, especially to the youngest members of the clan. Children thrive on routines and rituals, however, the holidays often bring a
Learn more »
5 ways music can stop your kids’ holiday meltdowns Read More »
“Conjunction Junction wants your function? Hooking up words and phrases and clauses.” Do you know the rest of the lyrics to that old School House Rock favorite? Take a listen and sing along! You might be surprised to learn that the song provided more than a Saturday morning distraction. It also actually taught children about grammar. In fact, a first-of-its-kind research study from Vanderbilt
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Kids Tap Their Way to Better Grammar Read More »
