Monday, July 21, 2014

4 Benefits of Music for Preschoolers

Imaginative.  Adventurous.  Exuberant.  Brash.  Social.  Silly.  Musical.   Preschoolers are the living definition of all of these words… and more!  It’s what we love most about this delightful age.  Their energy, curiosity, and delight in living life out loud are fostered by an increasing sense of independence and self-confidence.  They are developing their individuality and want to be noticed and acknowledged.  Preschoolers are social butterflies, and their social skills are blossoming, as are their growing abilities to cooperate, problem-solve, share, and make friends.
Play is the preschooler’s work.  In fact, there is no better way for these eager and curious thinkers to learn, grow, and develop than through play – play alone and play with others – including mom and dad!  The expansiveness of the preschooler’s personality overflows into his vocabulary and self-expression.  Preschoolers love playing with words, and they like to talk. A lot.  And if you’ve heard it once, you’ve answered it a thousand times – this is the age of “why.”  It’s how they learn and interact.  Their movements become more expansive too, and the need to move is because of their boundless amounts of energy.  (And you thought you were tired chasing them as toddlers!)
But perhaps the best way to sum up the preschooler season of childhood is with the word “readiness.”  Preschoolers are on the verge of so much potential.  They are ready – ready to try new things, take turns, be challenged, and work cooperatively with others.  Simply put, they’re ready to get ready!
With music as the vehicle, Kindermusik helps your child be ready.  Ready to face life head on, ready for school, ready for new adventures, and ready for that next step in music.  Movement, imagination, play, creativity, exploration, interacting, and ensemble all set the stage for making sure your child has every advantage in a very critical season of childhood – that wonderful transition from baby to big kid that we call “preschooler”!
Here are four of the most powerful benefits of music for preschoolers:
1. Music encourages children to move. 
Movement and music are as closely connected as movement and learning.  At a time when there are increasing concerns about how long these young children are being required to sit still, being able to move to music is a gift.  Here’s how a Washington Post reporter summed it up in her recent article, “In order for children to learn, they need to be able to pay attention.  In order to pay attention, we need to let them move.”
2. Music fosters a sense of community and belonging.
At the core of every human being is a desire to belong.  When that need to belong is fulfilled, it contributes to healthy emotional development and well-being.  Self-confidence grows as a child learns to function within a group.  And there’s no happier group experience than making music together!
3. Music provides an outlet for self-expression.
With gifts, experiences, thoughts, and ideas that simply overflow, a music class offers a secure environment for each individual child to explore, learn, and contribute.  The value is in the experience itself with play, discovery, singing, story telling, and new challenges as the tools that open the door for self-expression, meaningful learning, and a lifelong love for music.
4. Music readiness and academic readiness go hand-in-hand.
The same skills and experiences necessary for a child to be ready for music lessons when they are older are the same skills and experiences that enhance and even accelerate academic readiness and success.  Listening, identifying patterns, problem-solving, creative thinking, and self-confidence are skills that music develops – skills that are also a measurable contributors to academic achievement.
For parents…
preschoolerYou want to give your child every advantage.  And yet, you don’t want to let him or her grow up too fast.  Childhood is meant to be savored and enjoyed, a time that you share experiences and create memories that stay in the heart for years to come.
Kindermusik helps you linger in those precious moments of childhood and make the most of the preschool season with your child.  With a class structure that includes time apart and time together, Kindermusik is perfect for the preschool season of childhood.  You’ll love watching your child blossom, and you’ll love the way your time together in class and your music-making at home brings you together in new and special ways.
And the icing on the cake is knowing that you’re giving your child a gift that truly lasts a lifetime – the gift of a musical foundation and love for music that uniquely prepares your child like no other single activity can.

Kindermusik is where music and learning playExperience the benefits of Kindermusik for yourself.  Email us to schedule your free class!  KindermusikLoveandGrow@gmail.com 

4 Benefits of Music for Toddlers

Kindermusik_SoundtrackForAnySeason_web-250x250-250x250Toddlers are well, busy.  They love to go, move, do, and say “No!”  They also desperately crave predictability and routine.  Parents are challenged by near polar opposite behavior – one minute all is well; the next, there’s a meltdown.  A toddler will cling to mom as if he’ll never let go, and the next moment adamantly assert the independence of a teenager.  At the same time, toddlers are becoming very social, interested in other people and moving from parallel play where they play alongside other children to cooperative play where they start to play with the other children.
If all of these changes weren’t enough, brain development is literally exploding.  In fact, the only two times in a child’s life when there is such significant brain activity is when he/she is a toddler and a teenager.  Vocabulary and communication skills are blossoming, as the toddler goes from about 10 words in his vocabulary to upwards of 300 or so words by age 3.  Motor skills are also developing at a rapid rate – suddenly the child who was barely toddling along is now running, jumping, and galloping everywhere.  Whew!  No wonder moms and dads of toddlers are extra busy – and exhausted! – during this particular season of childhood.
With so much happening inside your toddler’s busy little mind and body, Kindermusik is one activity that beautifully supports and enhances this crucial season in your child’s life.
Though we could probably name a hundred, here are four benefits of music for toddlers:
BenefitsOfKindermusik_MusicClassesForToddlers_Infographic1.  A music class like Kindermusik provides an environment that is both stimulating and nurturing for toddlers.
With so much growth and development happening, toddlers need both the challenge of new things to learn and do as well as the comfort of loving adults and activities that nurture the soul.
2.  Early experiences with music and movement give your toddler an early learning advantage.
The connection between music and academic achievement is undeniable, as highlighted in this recent article.  There’s no better time to be enrolled in music classes than the toddler years when brain growth and development is at its peak, especially with the powerful combination that music and movement gives.
3.  Music, specifically singing songs and speaking rhymes and chants, improves language development.
At a time when language development is most crucial, there’s nothing more beneficial to speech, syntax, and pre-literacy than singing simple songs and reciting chants.  It will start with a few words here and there and then eventually grow into a small repertoire of favorite songs and rhymes that your toddler can sing or say all the way through.
4.  Early childhood music classes put a song in a child’s heart to stay.
Toddlers love music, and giving them an early start with music plants the seeds that bloom into a lifelong love for and appreciation of music.  Music is one gift you can give your toddler that will have a lifetime of meaning, memories, impact, and joy.  No other activity has the potential to influence your child like music does.

For parents…

dad and child at KindermusikThe entire Kindermusik experience, from class to home (and back again!), provides a vital support network for parents of busy toddlers.  Not only does Kindermusik foster and strengthen the parent-child relationship, but Kindermusik classes are also a social outlet for parents as well, a place to share both the joys and challenges of parenting a toddler.
And since Kindermusik is all about helping make great parenting a little easier and even more musical, parents benefit tremendously from all of the helpful tips, ideas, and resources (including your Kindermusik Home Materials) that will help you navigate and enjoy the toddler years to their fullest.
Best of all, parents enjoy a unique kind of bonding and together time with your toddler that only music can give.  With Kindermusik, you’ll be able to savor and linger in those precious, fleeting moments of toddlerhood with more cuddles, hugs, dances, lullabies, giggles, and sweet memories.

Experience the benefits of Kindermusik for yourself. Email us to schedule a free class!  KindermusikLoveAndGrow@gmail.com

4 Benefits of Music for Babies

Nothing really prepares a person for the season of life called Parenting. It’s one of those things that no one really tells you. After all, parenting feels a bit like playing a game where the rules change constantly. For example, shortly after mastering the perfect origami-like swaddle, your child no longer needs it to sleep through the night. Or maybe you finally figured out how the straps on the stroller work but now your little one insists on crawling or walking everywhere. Sometimes just when you think you got it figured out, baby number 2 arrives on the scene and well, it changes again! One rule will never change: A parent is a child’s first and best teacher.
In Kindermusik, we celebrate the unique role a parent plays in a child’s life and the life-altering benefits of music throughout each season of parenting and childhood. In fact, even the youngest baby learns through music. One study showed that babies who participate in interactive music classes with their parents smile more, communicate better, are easier to soothe, and show earlier and more sophisticated brain responses to music. That’s not all. Here are four more benefits of music for babies.

4 benefits of music for babies

1. Music supports the early stages of language development.
Contrary to what babies sound like at times, they are not turning into a pterodactyl, a creature from the Amazon rainforest, or a boat. When we hear babies exploring the wide-range of noises possible with the human voice, mouth, and tongue, they are actually engaging in play—vocal play to be specific. Cooing, babbling, blowing raspberries and, well, screeching like a pterodactyl are all part of it.
BenefitsOfKindermusik_BabyMusicClasses_Infographic
























Vocal play is one of the early stages of language development and parents play a pivotal role. In class, we create many opportunities for vocal play to happen. A baby and caregiver engage in vocal play by touching, gazing, observing, listening, and imitating. All of this vocal play support’s a child’s vocal development by encouraging breath control, the use of the vocal cords, and the coordination of the small muscles in the face and mouth. Plus, the pausing and waiting during vocal play teaches a baby conversational turn-taking.
2. Music helps babies experience patterns. During the first several months of life, babies follow a predictable pattern. Eat. Sleep. Diaper change. Eat. Sleep. Diaper change. Mathematicians call that an A-B-C pattern. Parents call it the “will-I-ever-sleep-again” pattern. (Spoiler alert: You will…one day!) Patterns help babies connect to and learn about the world. From recognizing the facial pattern of two eyes, a nose, and a mouth to hearing the vocal patterns of the common language spoken at home to even responding to the day-and-night pattern and eventually sleeping longer at night (really)!
Babies and young children who learn to identify patterns strengthen their sense of safety and feel happier and more relaxed because they can better predict what happens next. Plus, a solid understanding of patterns eventually leads to success in school, especially in math, science, and reading. Each week in class, babies experience patterns through rhythm and meter, tempo contrasts, dances, language and vocal play and the routine of the lesson flow.
3. Music and movement provide opportunities for fine- and gross-motor skills development
Babies grow by leaps and bounds their first year—or more accurately by grasps and scoots. One minute you hold a newborn who reflexively grasps your finger. Seemingly, the next minute your little baby intentionally reaches up to touch your nose. Whether reaching for a nose, lifting a head during tummy time, clapping, rolling over, sitting up, crawling, or walking, a baby exerts tireless hours to learning how to intentionally move.
Each week in class, we provide many opportunities for a baby to engage in fun, musical activities that support and strengthen each stage of a child’s movement development. From tummy time to playing with baby-safe instruments to gently bouncing a baby in a caregiver’s lap, class activities will support the development of the small and large muscles as well as coordination for more complex movements like eventually kicking a ball, jumping, and even writing.
4. Music helps babies gain active listening skills.
Do you ever just stop and really listen to your surroundings? It’s kind of noisy. You might hear the sounds of music, television commercials, the humming of the refrigerator or air conditioner, birds singing, cars driving by, wind blowing, phones buzzing, coffee maker brewing, microwave dinging, someone talking, and more. Thankfully, as an adult, you know how to tune in to the sounds that matter most. Babies do not. In fact, young babies hear most of it—including the more than 300 different phonemes, tones, and clicks used to express every single language in the world!
At Kindermusik, we know babies need to learn how to tune in to the sounds and language most needed in their daily lives. In fact, a baby can already distinguish the sound of a parent’s voice from everyone else’s voice. In class each week, we enhance a baby’s growing discriminatory listening skills when we listen to and imitate different animal noises, the various sounds of instruments, and the voices of adults singing and humming. This ability to detect and attend to sounds, and to distinguish between them, sets a baby on the path to fine-tuned listening and receptive language.

For parents too!

Dad and baby babbling and bonding in KindermusikBecoming a parent turns a person’s world (and social calendar) upside down and inside out. A person moves from lengthy conversations over dinner to brief chats scheduled around naptimes. Eventually, a parent progress to speaking in short sentences interrupted by wardrobe and diaper changes, boo-boo kissing, rocking, sharing interventions, and a few paparazzi moments. (Children do the cutest things after all!).
When enrolling in Kindermusik, many parents list “socialization” as one of the reasons. We do help children develop social and emotional skills, but we also connect grownups with parents and caregivers who understand the unique joys and challenges of parenting a child the same age. In Kindermusik class, parents often make lasting connections of their own with the grownup sitting next to them or changing a diaper or kissing a boo-boo or experiencing a paparazzi moment, too.

Experience for yourself the benefits of music for babies (and parents!).  Email us to schedule a free class!  KindermusikLoveAndGrow@gmail.com  

Monday, June 16, 2014

Try a Free Class!

We invite you to join us, and experience for yourself the benefits Kindermusik can offer your child!
Email Cara to schedule your free class:  KindermusikLoveAndGrow@gmail.com

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

How Sippy Cups Can Impact Speech & Development

Today we are pleased to feature a guest post by Speech and Language Pathologist, Chelsea Roberts, M.S. SLP/CCC. Chelsea is sharing with us the impact sippy cups have on oral motor development.

Let’s talk sippy cups.  There are so many to choose from so how do you know which one is right for your child and their development?  While most of the variations among sippy cups are a personal preference, there is one variation that can affect your child’s speech and language development.  The oral portion of the sippy cup can actually be detrimental to your child’s oral motor development. 
First, what does oral motor mean and how does it affect your child?  Oral motor refers to the strength, range of motion and coordination of the structures around and inside your mouth: lips, cheeks, tongue, soft and hard palate.  If these structures develop poor posture or general weakness it can affect feeding, swallowing and speech production (articulation). 
As a licensed Speech and Language Pathologist, I highly recommend you avoid traditional sippy cups secondary to their negative affects to the oral structures.  The traditional sippy does not promote proper lip closure and actually encourages continued suckling-like movement of the tongue which should no longer be the primary method for nutrition.  To encourage adequate oral motor strength and posture, parents can introduce cup drinking or straw drinking between six and 12 months of age.  If you decide to use spill-proof straw cups, continue encouraging open cup drinking, as that is the ultimate goal. 
Another step for developing strong oral motor skills is to stop the use of bottles by 12 months of age. 
If you have any concerns regarding your child’s speech and language development, please contact our office for a free consultation.  Red flags to watch for include slurred speech development/poor articulation, open mouth breathing, drooling, and food frequently spilling out of the mouth. 

Reimaginespeech.com  -   chelsea@reimaginespeech.com  -  (214) 994-7920



Chelsea Roberts is a mother of two, ages 1 ½ and 3 years, and a licensed Speech and Language Pathologist.  She loves to reach out to moms who have questions or concerns about their child’s development.  Her practice, ReImagine Speech and Language Therapy, PLLC stands above other companies through unique accessing to services through in-home, on-site and telepractice delivery.  Her team specializes in treating patients with a variety of speech, language, feeding, swallowing, and cognitive disorders across the age spectrum.  Contact her to schedule a speech therapy evaluation.   info@reimaginespeech.com 

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

3 Days Left!

We're still offering early registration discounts! Our specials end on the 25th so you've got time to sign up! Here is a link to our schedule.  The discounts are good for all four locations: McKinney, Murphy, Allen and Babies "R" Us.

Simply register on our website with your preferred class and pay tuition directly to the city of your choice. Discounts will be taken off your Home Materials, which are paid for on the first day of class.

See you in May!

Thursday, April 17, 2014

The Benefits of Kindermusik





Our Summer session starts next month. Here is a terrific graphic showing the benefits our students enjoy from participating in our classes. Registration is now open for both Allen locations (including Babies "R" Us), Murphy and McKinney. See you in May!

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Winner! Winner!



March was a busy month for giveaways! Lots and LOTS of free classes! Congratulations to the following winners: DFW Family Expo - Tina Marks, Bring a Friend Month - Lindsey Rousselin, Babies "R" Us Launch Party #1 - Lindsey Meyer and Babies "R" Us Launch Party #2 - Sarah Hauser. We love meeting new families and introducing them to Kindermusik! All winners have been notified via email, so check there for instructions.

Monday, April 7, 2014

Summer Registration is Here! Discount Time!

Our Summer registration is open for Allen, McKinney and Murphy! We're excited for classes in all four locations. To view our schedule, simply click HERE.

If you're looking to save money, we've got several discount opportunities for you! Here are the options:

 
- Early Bird!   Save $5 off home materials on each session in which you enroll before April 25.
   
- Best Value!  Enroll in both June and July sessions, and only pay ONE Home Materials fee (a $25 savings.)
   
- Refer a Friend!   Refer a new-to-Kindermusik friend who also enrolls and you BOTH save $10 off your Home Materials fee.
  
- Refer a Few!   Refer new-to-Kindermusik friends who enroll in a single session, and get your Home Materials FREE.
    
- Newborn Offer!    Babies under 4 months of age at the start of the session receive FREE Home Materials.
   
- Sibling Savings!   Take 20% off tuition of second child when enrolling siblings, and save on Home Materials when enrolled in same class.

Monday, March 24, 2014

More FREE Fun!

You told us you wanted more FREE events and we're ready to deliver! We're partnering with Baby Bootcamp of McKinney for a workout + musical activity on April 7th. Here are the details:

Fun and Free Kindermusik Playdate!
Baby Boot Camp Moms & Kids
Kids ages nb-4years
Monday, April 7, 10:30a.m.-11:00a.m.
Bonnie Wenk Park
RSVP with your child's name and age to Cara at:  KindermusikLoveAndGrow@gmail.com
Invite a friend for a good work-out followed by a dose of musical fun!

Friday, March 14, 2014

2nd Babies "R" Us Launch Class is March 19th!

Our second launch class at Babies "R" Us will be this coming Wednesday, March 19th. This class will be more baby-centered, focusing on ages newborn - 18 months. Our last class quickly filled to capacity so please be sure to RSVP with your child's name via email.  Here are all the details on the fun:

Where: Babies "R" Us - Allen (170 E Stacy Road)
When: March 19th at Noon
Who: Newborns - 18 months

Thursday, March 13, 2014

"Bring A Friend" Month is Still Going Strong!

"Bring A Friend" month is still going strong! Bring a friend to any of our Murphy, McKinney or Allen locations and your friend will be entered to win 4 free classes during our Summer semester, as well as be eligible for other new family discounts! Simply email to let us know you're bringing a friend and we have plenty of instruments ready for fun!

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Spring Break

We hope you're enjoying Spring Break with your little ones! As a reminder, classes will resume in Allen, McKinney and Murphy next week. See you soon!

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Join Us at Babies "R" Us March 19th

Our launch event inside Babies "R" Us in Allen yesterday was a huge hit! We met lots of nice, new people and are excited for our second launch event on the 19th. Because yesterday's event was such a success and because we were at capacity, we will have to limit the number of spots for the event on the 19th. This will be our final FREE event before we begin booking the class to be held at this location. If you'd like to join us, simply email your child's name and age to kindermusikloveandgrow@gmail.com!


What: Launch Event at Babies "R" Us
When: March 19, 2014
Time: 12:00-1:00
Where: Babies "R" Us Allen (170 E. Stacy Road, Allen TX)
Who: Babies ages newborn ~ 18 months 

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

It's Never Too Late to Register!



Did you know it is never too late to register? During the course of one semester, the theme of each class changes three times! This even allows for all new Home Materials each theme. And most importantly, we always pro-rate your tuition!

We currently have classes going in the following cities:

Allen, TX
Joe Farmer Recreation Center
1201 E. Bethany Road, Allen TX

McKinney, TX
McKinney Community Center
2001 S. Central Expressway, McKinney TX

Murphy, TX
205 N. Murphy Road, Murphy TX


In case you missed it, we will also be inside of Babies "R" Us in Allen beginning in March. Please join us for a FREE preview class at noon on either March 5th or March 19th!

Monday, February 24, 2014

We're Now Inside Babies "R" Us!



We are extremely excited to announce our new partnership with Babies "R" Us in Allen, TX! We will now be offering classes on Wednesdays at noon.

On March 5th and March 19th we will be hosting FREE Kindermusik classes to give people an opportunity to get to know our Love & Grow Studio. These classes are geared towards infants to 2.5 year-olds.

We would love to have you join us! You can email us with any questions, any time! The address for Babies "R" Us in Allen is 170 E Stacy Road, Allen TX 75002.  Can't wait to see you at Babies "R" Us!

Friday, February 21, 2014

Come to Baby Brunch in Allen!

On Monday, February 24th, we will partner with Macaroni Kids to host a Baby Brunch for our families. The brunch will last approximately thirty minutes and feature snacks, giveaways and product demos from awesome companies like Dr. Smiths, Happy Family, Stoneyfield, Weleda, Fun Bites, and Britax.  Here are the details:

When: February 24, 2014
Time: 11-11:30
Where: Joe Farmer Recreation Center (1201 E. Bethany Rd., Allen)
Who: Family and Friends of Kindermusik by Love & Grow Music Studios

No need to RSVP to this event; if you want to join the fun, simply show up! See you Monday!

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Murphy, Murphy, Murphy!

Have you visited us in the city of Murphy yet? We're now offering classes at the Murphy Community Center (205 N. Murphy Road, Murphy.) We'd love to host you for a free preview class if you've been considering this location. We also have the ability to host your MOM group for a specially themed playdate! Simply email us to reserve your spot!


Thursday, January 23, 2014

We've Got Baby Fever!

Classes start in McKinney, TX and Murphy, TX the first week in February! To celebrate, we're offering steep discounts on Home Materials for our Cuddle and Bounce Kindermusik curriculum! All babies newborn to four months will receive FREE Home Materials and babies four to twelve months will received a 50% discount, a savings of $25! Don't miss out on this wonderful time of bonding and learning with your infant. Email us to get the discount at kindermusikloveandgrow@gmail.com.

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Meet the Newest Member of our Love & Grow Family!


I am so pleased to announce the birth of my daughter, Ellen! She arrived on January 9th perfect and healthy!

To celebrate her arrival, we are offering several discounts for new moms! Here's how to save:

  1. FREE Home Materials for infants under 4 months
  2. Babies 4-12 months receive half off Home Materials
  3. Refer a friend and you both save $10 off Home Materials  
Our current infant class offerings are:  
  • Wednesdays at 11:30 in McKinney
  • Thursdays at 12 in McKinney
  • Tuesdays at 12 in Murphy
This is a wonderful opportunity to meet new moms and spend 45 minutes dedicated to learning and engaging with your baby. We will sing, dance and learn massage techniques, just to name a few activities!  Hurry, these fantastic deals end February 1st!

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Special Contest for MOM Groups!

Are you part of a MOM group? We have a special contest just for you! Earn a free, private class just for your MOM group!

Is your group looking for a fun indoor activity for your calendar?  We're trying to spread the word about our program, and want to offer you a FREE CLASS!!!

Here's the scoop:  
2)  Hit "Like"
3)  Comment to tell us what group you're in:  For example, "Moms Group of Allen sent me!"
4) Once your group has sent us 10 new likes, we will contact you to arrange your class!
(Group members must comment AND Like our page.)

Here is the fine print on your free class: Demo classes will be 45 minutes, at our location, arranged on a Tues, Wed, or Thursday morning.  Maximum class size is 15 children and moms must attend with their children. You can look forward to taking home a coupon if you decide to enroll in future classes! We will also have a raffle for more free Kindermusik classes! This contest starts today (1-8-14) and ends January 15, 2014.
Bonus: If your MOM group has the most likes/comments (above the minimum of 10), we will host you for TWO free classes!

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

There's Still Time to Save on Registration!

We are still offering discounts on registration, but only for a few more days! Register early and save $5 off Home Materials. Refer a friend and save $10. We still have openings for our introductory playdates in Murphy, where you can meet Mrs. Jennifer Cleveland and get a feel for the program. You can view a complete copy of our schedule on our website.

Here is all the info about the Murphy playdates: