It’s World Read Aloud Day. Presented by LitWorld.org, this day represents a global literacy movement to show the world that the right to read and write belongs to all people. Of course, we think the best way to celebrate is to read a book out loud with children like this Kindermusik mom and daughter. The Educational Benefits of Reading Aloud to Children In
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Happy World Read Aloud Day! Read More »
Anyone around young children long enough soon realizes that a bulk of the time is spent getting them ready for something….ready for bed, ready for preschool, ready for a playdate/library/park, ready for bath, etc. But getting children ready for Kindergarten means more than just making sure they have everything on the school supply list. So what can early childhood educators and families do now
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Music: The Ultimate Playlist for School Readiness Read More »
Sally Go Round the Sun Sally Go Round the Moon Sally Go Round the Chimney Top Every Afternoon. Children are aware of rhymes long before they can identify them and can identify them sooner than they can produce them. Reading, reciting, or singing rhymes to young children before they can understand the principle behind rhyming is as important as introducing children to music before
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When it comes to gaining the most benefit from a music class, there are three essentials of participation – engagement, consistency, and longevity. This according to a recent study led by Dr. Nina Kraus, the Hugh Knowles professor of communication sciences in the School of Communication and of neurobiology and physiology in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences at Northwestern “Our results support
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Music Class: Where Shoes Aren’t Required But Participation Is Read More »
At the beginning of January, we often reflect on the passing of another year. For parents, that might mean celebrating all of those “firsts” that happened last year like a baby’s first steps, a little one’s first time sleeping through the night, or maybe that first tooth (or first lost tooth!). In the life of a young child, so many firsts happen in one year!
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Favorite Minds on Music Blog Posts from 2014 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 »
“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 »
Do you ever wonder what newborns would say if they could talk? Where am I? What just happened? Who turned on the lights? Whew, that was a lot of work! I’m exhausted. Why is everyone staring at me? Do I have something on my face? Mom! Dad! It’s me! Truth is—most newborns all say the same thing: WaaaaWaaaa! Of course, children aren’t born talking.
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How to Teach Babies Language Skills Before They Can Talk Read More »
Who knew that there could be a correlation between good penmanship and better grades in school? But that’s exactly what new research has revealed. The foundation for a child’s fine-motor skills is laid in the first six years or so of life. Good penmanship starts with enhanced fine-motor skills – learning how to use and coordinate finger, hand, and wrist muscles. Even very young
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Want to increase kids’ reading and math grades? Fine-tune those fine-motor skills! Read More »
