January 2014:
What we’re doing and why we do it!
COCK-A-DOODLE MOO
Hello, Hello: Self Awareness
This welcome song acknowledges Baby’s developing self-awareness by addressing their individually. It also encourages social interaction by inviting them to respond with a greeting-whether that be a look, coo, or wave for the first time. You may find that Baby learns new behaviors from singing this song each week.
Skip to My Lou: Brain Development
Holding Baby in a variety of positions lets them experience a variety of perspectives, which stimulate brain development.
Quiet Time: Relaxation
Relaxation is a learned behavior, especially in today’s hurried American society. Setting aside this time each week not to be engaged in an active, thinking activity helps Baby learn to enjoy quiet play and learn that relaxation can include times other than nap time and bedtime.
Labeling Movement:
It is very important to label each type of movement for Baby. Movement labels should be from Baby’s perspective, not from adult’s. For example, if the adult is carrying Baby so they are facing one another, the adult will herself be moving backward while labeling “forward” for Baby.
Reading:
Reading to Baby in a pleasant environment helps them to learn that reading is pleasurable. It also helps them to begin to decode language. Infants younger than 6 months can distinguish a wide range of speech contrasts. By 8 months many can distinguish familiar words with unfamiliar words.
Skip to My Lou: Tempo
Babies experienced tempo changes while participating in this activity. They experienced such tempo changes by both traveling through space and bouncing to the music. They also heard tempo changes in the singing. Hearing music and words at different tempi helps Baby learn to understand language at different speeds.
Old MacDonald: Brain Development
Holding Baby in a variety of positions lets him experience a variety of perspectives, which stimulates brain development.
This Little Cow Eats Grass: Vocal Play
Observe Baby’s reaction to the vocal play in this activity. They may watch your mouth to see how those interesting sounds are made. After a few repetitions of this activity, they may also begin to anticipate the final “chase” as they learn the sequence of the activity. Talking to Baby with interesting and patterned speech helps them break the code of language.
You Are My Sunshine: Security
Babies who have warm, responsive care are more resilient later in life. By following your instincts to cuddle Baby in activities such as “You are My Sunshine,” you are providing the security and safety necessary for Baby’s healthy development.
Yankee Doodle: Opposites
Children learn concepts best in opposites. This activity lets Baby experience a contrast in dynamics between loud and quiet.
Cock-A-Doodle Doo (exercise): Brain Development
Exercise that crosses the midline helps develop the corpus colossum, the connection between the two hemispheres of Baby’s brain for learning to read. Thus the cross-lateral exercise that accompanies this song is actually critical to Baby’s future ability to read.
Barefoot
Barefoot is best for Baby. Baby learns through his senses, especially on the bottoms of the feet.
The Clever Cows: Repetition
When Baby is engaged in an activity, you will need to repeat it many times—perhaps more times than you would like! Repetition is essential for the development of neural connections in Baby’s brain.
Quiet Time: Relaxation
We know as adults that we encounter stress, but we may forget that Baby also experiences stress and frustration, as they learn and grow. Helping Baby learn to intentionally relax will serve them well all their lives as they encounter the stresses of the world.
Oh How I Love My Baby-O (goodbye song): Routines
A balance between routine and novelty is important for Baby to experience stimulation and mastery. As with the hello song, this is an important element of consistence for eight weeks of class. With repetition, this will become the familiar musical cue that class is now over.
Kindermusik@Home: “On the Farm” is a wonderful example of an integrated learning experience. Presentation of concepts through integration increases the likelihood that your child will gain new knowledge.
In class, the children experienced tactile stimulation (soft sock puppets), visual stimulation (sock puppets), aural stimulation (music recording and animal vocal sounds), and movement (animal movements)! At least one of these sensory areas was of particular interest to your child. Enjoy Kindermusik activities with your child at home and, as you play, take note of her particular interests. Notice as time goes by, too, how these interests may change as she shifts her focus on developing new and different skills.
Coordination
Internalizing a steady beat is important to Baby’s developing physical coordination.
Relaxation: Quiet Time
Relaxation is a learned behavior, especially in today’s hurried society. Creating quiet times at home with Baby using gentle, slow songs such as “Schlaf, Kindlein, Schlaf” helps Babies learn that they can intentionally relax.
Vestibular System:
Moving in different directions and in a variety of ways is important to the development of Baby’s vestibular system, which effects their developing sense of balance.
Communication:
Affective communication between Adult and Baby can be encouraged through touch, eye contact, vocalization, and listening-all part of the greeting ritual.