Encouraging language skills

“Research has shown that there are two critical components to language development: the number of words kids hear and the amount of encouragement they receive,” says Steve Berman, M.D., a language-development expert and past president of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Here are some ideas to encourage your child’s language development:

1. Talk, Talk, Talk Keep up a “running dialog” with your child. Name the things you see, ask him what he thinks about it, etc. For example: “Here is your right shoe, let’s put it on. Now let’s go outside. Do you see the doggy? What color is the doggy?…” By filling their ears with language, in context, the child will make the connections.

2. Wait, Wait, Wait So often, we want to anticipate a child’s needs and therefore he doesn’t need to speak. Let your child ask for a drink, encourage him to “use your words” and reward him with every attempt. He may be frustrated, trying to find the words, but resist the temptation to fill it in and he will feel the success of communicating.

3. Sing, Sing, Sing Children (and adults) learn and retain ideas that are put to music. Especially music that includes actions, “Itsy Bitsy Spider”, “I’m a Little Teapot”, “The Wheels on the Bus”, etc. The actions in conjunction with the words and the tune help emphasize the concept of the words.

4. Read, Read, Read It is so important to read to your child, to expose them to the beautiful and fun language of children’s literature. Do not limit yourself to simply reading the words on the page. Point out what is in the picture, ask your child to identify an object in the book, and talk about how you would feel if you were the person in the book. Reading to your child broadens their vocabulary and also gives you important bonding time together.

5. Relax This will not happen all at once, but if you are anxious, it can transmit to your child and they may feel like a failure. Keep talking, encouraging, and be patient.

Memorial Day remembrance

Memorial Day
© 2001 Ali M., 3rd Grader, Academy Elementary School, Madison, Connecticut.

As the flowers rest on the decorated graves and the sunlight shines on the beautiful sailboats, Uncle Sam whispers in my ear about how we should care for the soldiers and remember the ones that have died. Swimming pools open, BBQs fry. Today is the day to think of what they have done for us. There are blurs of red, white and blue marching down the street and flags are lowered at half-mast. But we should always remember and never forget what set us free, from this very day on.

Household Instruments

Recently, in Our Time classes, children experimented with home-made drums and other instruments. I was amazed at the creativity of some of the families that could take an ordinary coffee can and turn it into a work of art - covered with handprints and stickers - as well as a functional instrument. Often, we are tempted to purchase the latest and greatest toy for our children. Still, using found objects not only saves money, but it stimulates your child’s imagination. An empty cereal box can be a drum, a house, a tunnel, and much more. So, play along with your favorite tune and this time, why not use a plastic bowl and wooden spoon! What is most important is that you are spending time together and enjoying a musical experience.  Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!

Happy Mother’s Day!

We celebrate the Mother’s Day to show honor and respect to one of the most influential persons in our lives. We all have spent most formative years of our lives with our mothers and shared all joy and sorrows. Such is the greatness of our mom that she always tries to make us feel happy even in times of distress. This occasion of Mother’s Day would become more enjoyable if we add some flavor of humor to it. So Happy Mother’s Day to those who are mothers and those who mother us.

“The hand that rocks the cradle usually is attached to someone who isn’t getting enough sleep.”- John Fiebig

“I’d like to be the ideal mother, but I’m too busy raising my kids.”- Unknown

The mother of three notoriously unruly youngsters was asked whether or not she’d have children if she had it to do over again. “Yes,” she replied. “But not the same ones.”- David Finkelstein

A little boy forgot his lines in a Sunday school presentation. His mother was in the front row to prompt him. She gestured and formed the words silently with her lips, but it did not help. Her son’s memory was blank. Finally, she leaned forward and whispered the cue, “I am the light of the world.” The child beamed and with great feeling and a loud clear voice said, “My mother is the light of the world.” - Bits and Pieces, 1989

A teacher gave her class of second graders a lesson on the magnet and what it does. The next day in a written test, she included this question: “My full name has six letters. The first one is M. I pick up things. What am I?” When the test papers were turned in, the teacher was astonished to find that almost 50 percent of the students answered the question with the word Mother- Unknown

Why Kindermusik?

 Current research on brain development confirms that early learning and stimulation such as activities performed in Kindermusik class greatly enhance a child’s overall development.

 Cognitive development

  Language development

  Physical development

  Emotional development

  Social development

  Music enhances all areas of development

Hello world!

Here I go - jumping into the world of blogging. Stay tuned for lots of information about Kindermusik and child development.