The
Integrated
Learning Approach
In The
Kindermusik Classroom
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Cognitive Developent & Thinking Skills
- Language and Literacy
- Social Development
- Physical Domain
- Musick
- Emotional |
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The Kindermusik curricula is masterfully designed, using current Early Childhood Educational research, with music as the common thread throughout all the learning domains. With its Integrated Learning approach, each activity within the Kindermusik class, provides learning experiences for your child in many of the learning domains simultaneously.
COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT & THINKING SKILLS
Kindermusik educators ask children to analyze, find and predict sequences, recognize, create and respond to aural patterns. These skills are required for math and even reading comprehension. Listening skills are enhanced with a specific focused listening time in all classes. Hearing is a physical act. Listening is a learned skill and an attitude of choice. We strive to teach our children to truly listen, enabling them to engage their minds in these analytical processes. Thinking and listening skills are required for success in school.
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LANGUAGE & LITERACY
We ask children of all ages to label, define and describe what they hear, see and do while also striving to make a cognitive connection between the activity and its label. Stories, literature, word chants or poems show language has structure, and form. We want them to become a part of the beauty, rhythm and music of language. Together, with vocal plays we break words into parts, learning to isolate and differentiate sounds. This is essential for success in reading and spelling. Our goal is to encourage a love of language and literature which will not only ensure success in school, but will create a passionate reader and learner for a life time!
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SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
We play singing games that involve turn taking, and a respect of others and their personal space, or “bubble”. Many of our activities and games are designed to encourage the development of inhibitory or physical self control. While this is also rewarding for the physical development of fine and large motor skills, inhibitory control goes much further. It is extremely empowering to be 3 and to be able to choose to stop your own feet from an external aural cue. These skills are required for success within a group or school setting and provide the child with a confident sense of self.
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PHYSICAL DOMAIN
Locomotor Skills are the ability to move one’s body successfully in a chosen way: skipping, galloping, hopping, jumping, marching within a group without popping anyone’s imaginary “bubble” of personal space! In the Kindermusik classroom, we strive for strength and expressiveness with free movement to music, and many other physical activities. The exploration of and use of instruments foster not only a joy in music but develop large and fine motor skills.
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MUSIC
We help the child to discover his or her own sense of rhythm, the structure and form of music. And, of course, the enjoyment of music and the joy of creative _expression with music. We introduce your child to a wide variety of quality music from around the globe. Music is woven into every aspect of a Kindermusik class as is Vocal Development of the speaking, singing, whispering, humming voices and the need to know the difference. Each age group receives a quality instrument in their Student Kits each semester, fostering a joy in independent and group musical experiences.
In Young Child, ages 5-7, we learn to read, write, play musical notation and rhythms on a real glockenspiel, recorder, and dulcimer over 4 semesters.
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EMOTIONAL
I saved this domain for last because everything a child does in Kindermusik is carefully integrated to provide a solid sense of self. In all of the previous learning domains, Kindermusik lessons empower the child by helping him or her to become successful in the different developmental areas, and to build good, solid, respectful relationships in and out of the classroom. Kindermusik provides a place where children can learn to be confident in who they are, in their power to learn and succeed, and in the new skills they have made their own.
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