Ever wondered WHY we do some of the things we do? Well, every single activity has its focus on some part of child development. In Kindermusik, they are called the "FOUNDATIONS OF LEARNING" and each activity has one or more of the six foundations.
- PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
- LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT
- MUSICAL DEVELOPMENT
- COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT
- EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
In the activities following, I will give a brief explanation of the "hidden benefits" of each of our activities.
Lap Poem: The Train Climbs Up The Track
This lap poem is a great one. It combines a physical element for the parent (feel the burn!!) with a fun lap bounce poem for the little one! Lap bounces are a great to help your child *FEEL* steady beat in rhythmic language and music. It also has the fun "WOO WOO WOO" part that builds anticipation as they climb up the track and then have those quick dips downward.
Click Here for "Train Climbs Up The Track" Song Download
The train climbs up the track--
Chugga-chugga, chug!
The train comes rushing back--
Wooo Wooo Wooooo!
Baby Exercise/Yoga
The baby exercise/yoga component is important for your little one for many reasons. The yoga brings gentle calming pressure, increased circulation, aids in digestion, alleviates congestion, and increases flexibility. The arm and leg exercises build muscle memory and flexibility. Some of our "movers and shakers" don't care to stay still for the exercise part. No worries---they get their exercise just by being busy bodies! BUT--see if you can sneak in the yoga as it has other benefits that they may not get from just moving on their own. First thing in the morning, before bed, or during a diaper change are some good times to sneak in a little gentle yoga!
Dance Little Baby
Dancing with little ones is SO beneficial! It gives them visual stimulation and also a language link to words like HIGH, LOW, Round and Around! Anytime you can combine a new word with an action, it reinforces the concept in a wonderfully beneficial way! Click Here to hear "Dance Little Baby" Song Download
These little ones LOVE the egg shakers. They fit perfectly in their little hands and they have such a neat reaction when they shake! Steady beat is the musical skill that we are hoping the kids will start to hear/feel/understand. Steady beat is the foundation of music, but did you know that having a good grasp of steady beat can also help with walking, dribbling a ball, or cutting with scissors?
One of our steady beat songs is "Little Red Caboose" Here we are pretending to be the "chugga chugga" of the train.
Click Here for "Little Red Caboose" Song Download
Go and STOP with the DRUM:
We are working on the first efforts of inhibitory control---The ability to STOP and WAIT. As they get older, we will work on this as a physical skill, stopping locomotor motion. In these formative early months, we have worked on Go and STOP with egg shakers, bells, and the drum. It is so effective in learning that important word----STOP----when they both FEEL and also HEAR when it is time to STOP. (Some of them even giggle during the big pause. They think it is so FUNNY!)
Our poem goes like this:
I play loud sounds on my drum!
Boom, boom, boom!
BOOM, BOOM, BOOM!
BOOM, BOOM, BOOM.....and NOW LET'S STOP!! (Big pause.....sshhhhhhhh!)
Ribbons and Scarves-Visual Stimulation
Using colorful ribbons and scarves is a great way for children to work on visual tracking and also see the cause and effect on movement with objects. Here are some kiddos enjoying the colorful ribbons---watching them sway, swish and jiggle before their very eyes---or even doing the shaking themselves!
Exploration!
It is so fun to explore---These little buckets can do so many things--you can sit inside and twist or spin! What a ride! You can turn it over and make it a drum, or even step on and step off! You can hide something underneath or put it on your head like a hat! One of our daddies even turned it into a swing!
Listening Sample "Little Sacka Sugar"
Smooth and Bumpy: Bouncy Balls
Feeling the steady beat on a bouncy ball is a great way to learn steady beat before the kiddos are actually able to demonstrate steady beat on their own. By bouncing to the beat, and then alternating with swaying side to side or forward/back, we are adding a new component--stimulating the VESTIBULAR SYSTEM--the inner sense of balance and coordination. By adding that component, we are really making this activity a "brain builder!"
One song that is perfect for alternating between bouncing and swaying is "Riding in the Buggy"
Listening Sample "Riding In The Bugggy"
Dancing!
Dancing with baby can really be one of the best things you can do. Their faces light up as you whirl and twirl around, dip and turn. In class, when we all come close and then spread back out, the babies love it. They get to see a friend close up and then.....bye bye! Away they go! We have done several dances in Kindermusik----
The somewhat dreaded circle dance, the "Tuba Dance" as it has been nick-named--Listening Sample "Tants, Tants, Yidelekh!"
The dance we do in groups of 4--Listening Sample "Round and Round"
The dance we do in two big lines-- Listening Sample: "Keel Row"
Working on different pathways takes some creativity when working with limited mobility! By using the sleds, we can work on smooth, bumpy, zigzag, curves and circles!
In this song, "Travelin' Round", we can do so many different pathways on our sleds!
Listening Sample "Travelin' Round"
Parachute FUN!
The parachute is a favorite part of the TODDLER class, but for the babies, it can be a little scary! We have gradually built the parachute into the class---first by having the babies explore on top of the parachute, then doing a "low ceiling" with the parachute held low to the ground, and most recently, we have experimented with putting the parachute on top. Here the babies have just gotten done with their sled rides and they are wondering WHAT we have in store for them next!
The gentle sway of the hammock SHOULD be relaxing---sometimes, like all new things, it is first met with a little trepidation! But, with repeat exposure, it can be a great activity for baby. It stimulates that reflexive rocking which is calming and relaxing. Though, I have heard some parents do "extreme" hammocking at home which becomes quite thrilling! I guess your own child's temperament would dictate how far to go!
It has been a great start to the semester! We have LOTS more in store for these littlest of learners! Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Don't hesitate to contact me!
