The Benefits of Your Loving Touch

Every class (for our children 18 months and younger) we start with a segment of "intentional touch" -- a fancy way of describing a baby massage. And we all have come across at one time or another an article on the benefits of infant massage. But notwithstanding what the experts may say, we can tell as parents and caregivers -- the infants love it! Sometimes babies may appear a little uncomfortable; sometimes babies decide to "crawl away." Since you know your baby best, I always give you lots of ideas and ways to adapt activities and still get the full benefits!!

The warm-up activity in Kindermusik combines music, massage, and your loving touch. The many benefits include: stimulating your baby's nerves, increasing blood flow, and strengthening the immune system. Massage calms your baby by reducing stress hormones and helps soothe your baby by aiding in digestion! And for our crawlers and toddlers -- they love the massage -- they just can't wait to start moving to the music too!

So at bath time or bed time -- include a song, massage and your loving touch.

Miss Peggy

Developing Audiation

Even the youngest of babies can tell when something stops before "the end."

The musical term for this activity is called audiation. This is the ability to hear music when no musical sound is present. It requires listening and memory skills. This skill carries over into other areas of brain development and learning.

From time to time, include audiation into playtime. Sing your baby's favorite song and leave out the last word. Wait and give you little singer time to fill in the missing "word" (baby sounds are perfectly acceptable!). After a while, leave out the word at the end of the sentence. Example: Old McDonald had a ______________________, E-I-E-I ______________.

See you next ______!

Enjoy,

Miss Peggy

The Kindermusik Experience

Sound and Silence

Does your child love to play peek-a-boo? Have you every tried playing a game of musical peek-a boo?

When we think of music, we think of sound. But music is as much silence as it is sound. Silence in music makes us wait, makes us listen, and gives us time to wonder what's next. After the silence, our expectations are either confirmed or contradicted. Games that include elements of sound and silence help develop a life skill of focused attention.

Just like peek-a-boo, a listening game can be played almost anywhere. Keep a rattle, egg shaker, or small interesting sounding toy close by to play at anytime. After playing your home-made instrument, hide it behind your back and "listen" to the silence. What do you hear? And when you start to play again, make it a fun and happy surprise! Watch how your child will delight in this game. Just "listen" to the learning happen.

Enjoy. I'll be listening for you!

Miss Peggy