From Kindermusik International: Minds on Music

Infants are born with the ability to process musical sounds and patterns, and there is an optimum window of time between birth and three years when the ear is ripe for aural language development. The musical stimulation we provide as parents is so important for this language development.

Because music is also important in developing a child’s sense of patterning and memory skills, it follows that providing exposure to a wide variety of music should be one of our educational goals as parents. Kindermusik effectively widens the musical world for your child by providing choice selections from many lands and cultures.

Children need a balance between the familiar and the new… and Kindermusik provides just that. One of the ways we can help our children appreciate and begin to understand other cultures and people groups is by exposing them to their music. One of the great joys of music is the connection it provides emotionally across cultural lines.

As your child listens and engages in musical experiences provided by Kindermusik and at home, he acquires a musical repertoire that will last a lifetime. He is developing his musical “taste buds”, to “appreciate the finer things”, and to enjoy new musical “tastes and textures”. The wider the array of musical styles, the richer that repertoire will be. Listen to your Kindermusik recordings and you’ll find multi-cultural music in a variety of musical styles. And the best part? It’s just plain fun to listen to! Now if only Kindermusik could accomplish the same thing with your child’s diet, right?!

Are you looking for some musical variety? Try a free Kindermusik class today!  It’s a musical experience with songs and activities the whole family will love – in class and at home.

Compiled by Theresa Case, whose Kindermusik program at Piano Central Studios in Greenville, SC, is proudly among the top 1% of Kindermusik programs worldwide.

Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks film that started it all, “Shrek the Musical” brings the hilarious story of everyone's favorite ogre to dazzling new life on the stage starring the talented students of the Marcia P. Hoffman Performing Arts Institute.

I did not see an age limit, so I'm assuming that all ages are welcome! For showtimes, tickets and additional information, visit Ruth Eckert Hall's website by clicking here.

If your kids are like mine, they love the educational programming provided on local PBS stations. Educator Stephanie Anderson works with KBYU TV Eleven in Provo, Utah to provide a variety of educational resources for parents and teachers. In this particular workshop, she highlights the effects of music on your child's developing brain and provides a variety of activities to incorporate music into a child's daily routine. Download the Music is a Must packet here, and view the video below:

At Jessica's Piano Studio, our goal is to provide you and your child with a rich variety of music-filled activities. From Kindermusik classes to individualized music instruction, we offer a plethora of tools to help you incorporate music into your child's world!

Established in 1884, Bush and Gerts became known for their intricate and detailed woodwork. The company began in Chicago, but by the mid 1920s their pianos were being built by the Haddorff Piano Company in Rockford, IL. There are a number of Bush and Gerts still available today, demonstrating the high quality of craftsmanship utilized to build each instrument.

This antique piano was built around 1900 and is in excellent condition with only some minor cosmetic issues (some of the keys are lightly chipped and there is some cracking on one of the sides). From the outside, the piano looks to be in great working order. The wood finish has been restored which makes this antique piano look beautiful - a wonderful piece of furniture!

Some experts claim that antique pianos have a much richer sound compared to contemporary instruments. I am not exactly sure how or why, but I have also found antique pianos to have a much fuller sound. Not only is the sound noticeably better, but the woodwork can be more elaborate at times. Antique pianos have their own set of problems though - requiring more attention to cosmetic detail, as well as frequent tuning in order to maintain a true pitch.

The seller is asking for $500. (Update: this piano is sold). Jessica's Piano Studio simply provides a platform for people to purchase, sell, or rent instruments. The purchaser and seller take full responsibility for the condition and quality of the instrument.

From Kindermusik International

We call it play, the work children do all the day long. From rolling a ball to tasting it, from building with blocks to knocking them down, a child’s job is to play.

Activities for Kids at Home
Children learn and grow through play. Toys that mimic everyday objects, like kitchen appliances and gardening tools help a child to act out what he sees the grown-ups doing. Toys that specifically encourage creativity, like blocks, scarves, and Legos equip children as they use their ever-amazing minds to construct and pretend.  Other simple things that inspire open-ended play include cardboard boxes, dress-up clothes, and Lincoln logs.  Read here for more open-ended play ideas.

The most important play-thing As parents, we want our children to have the best toys to help with their development. After all, creating a stimulating home environment is the least we can do. But the most important play-thing that your child can have does not come in a box or from a store. Children need loving parents and caregivers to not only provide them with quality tools for their work, but they need adults to stop, sit, and become co-workers at play. This is one of the best educational activities for 2 year olds, 3 year olds, and beyond. It’s easy to delight a child with a new toy and walk away. But a child needs personal interaction with the adults in her life as she learns and grows.

It’s hard to take a break from what we view as important: work-related issues, financial problems, the upkeep of a home. But investing daily in the lives of our children by sitting down with them, allowing them the freedom to choose what to play, following them and labeling their actions, resisting the urge to organize and perfect their play, is the most important work that you can do as a parent.

Inspiring play through music and movement In our Kindermusik classes you’ll find lots of inspiration for play, both musical and non-musical.  Though our classes are music-based, we’ll give you lots of tips and ideas for playing with your child in class and at home – tips and ideas that come from an understanding of the concept of scaffolding, from learning more about your child’s developmental stage, and from the child-centered way that we approach our classes.  There’s nothing like a Kindermusik class to give you a reason for playing with your child – once a week in class and throughout the week at home.

The simple act of investing time in play with your child is one of the very best investments you can make.  Take a few minutes to play today!



Edited and revised by Theresa Case, whose Kindermusik program at Piano Central Studios in Greenville, SC, is proudly among the top 1% of Kindermusik programs worldwide.