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Children are innately musical and have an inborn ability to sing and move rhythmically. Body movement is a natural outlet for expressing feeling and is very closely tied to human expression - just watch any joyous toddler and you will see that they can barely contain themselves. When toddlers move to musical sounds they are communicating their feelings and perceptions of the world. They use this body language long before they develop spoken language. Adults get a thrilling glimpse into the inner world of a childhood when observing a toddler's response to music.
Research and experience tell us that the earlier a child is in an environment of active music making, the more likely a child's inborn musicality will be awakened and developed. When surrounded by music and instruments and allowed to participate actively in a musical environment, children learn how to make music both freely and naturally. For background information on brain development relative to early childhood education, read the article Your Child's Brain.
Wunder Studios is a licensed to offer Musikgarten, an outstanding series of classes for infants, toddlers, and pre-schoolers that your children will love. These classes build confidence, develop motor and sensory skills, and foster a life-long love of music. Children who participate in Musikgarten prior to age five are well prepared to begin instrumental instruction and have a better than average success rate.
Researchers, teachers, parents, and educational leaders are all coming to the same conclusion: music makes a significant difference in the lives of children. Music improves overall development, decreases learning problems, and enhances brain functioning - all in a learning environment that fosters the building of community. Through music we touch the whole child and make a positive impact on the child and family.
Children are drawn to music. And why shouldn’t they be? They have been listening to the rhythm and melody of their mother’s voice since the fourth month after conception. Research indicates that music awakens and stimulates neural pathways in the brain that are associated with higher forms of intelligence, such as abstract thinking, empathy, mathematics and science. Melodic and rhythmic patterns provide exercise for the brain and help develop memory.
Music benefits the development of:
Language
Self Expression
Memory Skills
Concentration
Social Interaction
Fine Motor Skills
Listening
Problem Solving
Teamwork
Goal Setting
Coordination
Music Playing
Creativity
Family Involvement
Self Esteem
Confidence
Poise
Family Interaction
Parent/Child Bonding
Emotional Development
Voice Expression
In summary, music and movement classes help children grow and develop into successful students. Studying music helps children establish good listening habits, which are essential for achievement in school. Music immerses the child in language, evokes movement, stimulates the brain and fosters physical coordination – all in a group setting that builds social skills in a holistic way.
Wunder Studios offers three levels of Musikgarten classes for children from birth to age five. We selected Musikgarten for our conservatory because it is the preeminent early childhood music education company. Musikgarten offers an outstanding educational program designed to nurture the innate musical ability that is present in each of us. The curricula, developed by Dr. Lorna Lutz Heyge and Audrey Sillick, draws on the research and child development theories of Edward Gordon, Maria Montessori, Albert Tomatis, as well as the music development philosophies of Dalcroze, Kodaly, Laban, and Orff.
The Musikgarten teacher training program is grounded in contemporary research and educational theory. The intensive training combines many hours of lecture with hands-on activities, so it is a real-life experience, not a videotape or online degree. Because of the quality of the training, parents and children recognize the high quality of Musikgarten classes.
As an organization, Musikgarten also provides unparalleled support for their teachers. They specialize in teacher training, providing extensive in-person training sessions that provide teachers with the latest techniques in early childhood music education. The early childhood music instructors at the teacher certification workshops are authorities on children and early childhood music education. Beyond the teacher certification program, these experts continue to support Musikgarten teachers with email and on-line activities, consultation, and continuing education.
Wunder Studios is licensed as an independent Musikgarten studio. There are hundreds of Musikgarten studios in North America. The Musikgarten curriculum has also been adapted and is used extensively in several foreign countries, including: Germany, Malaysia, Korea and China. As an organization, Musikgarten supports making music education available for all children.
To learn more about Musikgarten, visit: www.musikgarten.org.
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