Kindermusik ®

About LEVEL 2

Welcome to Our Time Milk and Cookies! Imagine the aroma of baking cookies, the coziness of the family kitchen, the chatter among sisters, brothers, grandmas, granddads, mom and dad, and the anticipation and excitement of having friends come to visit. These moments at home are times to be shared and treasured. These special moments are captured in Milk & Cookies. As in the other units of Our Time, the central focus of Milk & Cookies is the toddler's need for security balanced with his need for independence. Milk & Cookies songs and activities promote interaction between parent and child where the parent gently guides their child's learning and the process of scaffolding takes place. Capturing the security, excitement and familiarity of "at home" moments is the ideal theme for empowering the parent to act as teacher through scaffolding. What better way for parents to lead their child than with familiar, everyday home activities such cooking in the kitchen, dusting and washing clothes?

What a Parent and Child Will Experience in Class:

o  Instrument exploration and ensemble skill development -- Children will explore the physical characteristics and sounds of age-appropriate instruments which will eventually lead them to discover their potential for beat, rhythm, melody, and ensemble playing.

o  Vocal play -- Through vocal play, toddlers learn to form vowels and consonants, say words and phrases, and imitate rhythm and vocal inflection. In Kindermusik Our Time, vocal play is presented within the context of songs, chants, and activities done in class.

o  Exploration Time -- Children will love discovering specially designed instruments, textures, sounds, and movements.

o  Story time and early literacy -- Listening to stories enhances language and speech development and fosters awareness of sounds, teaches use of language, and sends the message that words and symbols have meaning. The same experiences that help toddlers learn to read a book also help them learn to read music.

o  Movement Activities -- Each class provides various opportunities for movement such as synchronized movement, group dances and circle games, and even expressive movement.

o  Together Time -- Kindermusik is the essence of quality time, allowing parents to make the most of the fleeting toddler years, giving them the time and the tools to make music and memories together in class and at home.

Expert advice -- A Kindermusik educator explains how the musically based activities enhance a toddler’s complete development.

About LEVEL 3 

Welcome to Imagine That! Hello Weather! Let's Play Together! Books, storytelling, language, drama, puppets - these are all essential ingredients to the Imagine That! curriculum. Each acts as a dramatic catalyst for integrating thematic songs, activities, events, and feelings. Hello, Weather! Let's Play Together encourages children and their families to get outdoors and share time together in all types of weather! Children will explore the connected, smooth sounds of legato and the separated sounds of staccato. They will learn about fast and slow tempos. In addition, the Kindermusik ankle bells and rain shaker will help children develop steady beat and enhance creative musical expression. Children and parents alike are sure to love the two new books, both of which are musically driven. Adding to the thrill for preschoolers are at home projects such as making wind chimes, rain hats, sleigh bells and snow boots!

What a Parent and Child Will Experience in Class:

o  Pretend Play -- Pretend play activities are integrated with music, vocal development, storytelling, listening, movement, and literacy aspects of each class. When based upon a child’s real life experiences, pretend play helps develop language, sensory, motor, and cognitive skills.

o  Musical Variety and Singing -- Activities include a mixture of musical genres and styles and provide a setting for children to explore their many voices and to use a “singing voice.” Singing helps with memory and recall, physical development, creativity, and socialization.

o  Storytelling and Literacy -- Each class is built on the development of a story, so you’ll hear preschoolers search for the word to say what they mean and try to keep up with their busy minds, emerging wants, needs, likes, and dislikes.

Parent Involvement -- Preschoolers are learning to be self-sufficient in a group setting of peers, while many times still needing the emotional security provided by a parent. The preschooler experiences both in Imagine That! Caregivers participate in the last 10-15 minutes of class. Plus the At Home Materials ensures the learning continues at home with each child’s best teacher—the parent!

What do do preschoolers learn in a music class?

Music is so much more than instruments! Kindermusik levels work on sound exploration, ensemble development, creative play, and more. Students will enjoy the fun of musical expression while boosting all areas of learning.

What to expect

Creative Expression

Through creative play, 3-5-year-old students learn to safely express their feelings and ideas through movement and music.

Pre-reading Music

Take it one symbol at a time. Preschoolers will begin to learn to interpret graphic notation symbols in comparison to sounds, which is a precursor to reading music.

Ensemble Development

All together now! Level 3 students will play simple patterns as a group, building the tools they will need to create music in an ensemble.

Instrument Play

“Da-dum-da-dum!” Your child will play a variety of instruments, emphasizing on steady beat, repeated rhythm patterns, and graphic notation.

What they’ll learn

Cognition

Students of music show a growing ability to memorize and recall information, and present increased attention and focus.

Listening and Sound Recognition

Children are able to detect patterns, nuances, and timbre in different sounds they hear.

Language Understanding

By Level 3, students are gaining a wider vocabulary and knowledge of story structures, and are learning how to decode and interpret symbols.

Socialization

Students learn to wait patiently, take turns, work cooperatively in a group, and communicate effectively and respectfully.