I spent most of June relaying to everyone how burned out I am (because, well, let’s be honest, I needed to be honest and get that mess off my chest). But for a nice break, I’m going to spend most of July telling you about the things that have kept me and my family going. In one word: nanny. I’m serious. She is such an important part of our village that I don’t think any of us would have survived the last 11 months.
But besides her, there are plenty of things that I’d like to share with new moms and not-so-first-timers. (Sorry, my nanny isn’t one of them.)
Today, I’ll start with Kindermusik. Our daughter has been attending Kat’s Musik classes since she was just 5 months old, and she absolutely loves it. And I absolutely love it. I’m usually pretty sad when I end up having to work on the day she goes to class. My husband has only had the opportunity to experience it with her one time (and that ended up being a private lesson), and he loves it too. Our nanny has taken her a number of times as well, and we all love watching her thrive. It is 45 minutes of pure joy. Who (as a mom, at least) wouldn’t like watching babies interact, laugh, bounce, smile, and drool all over a bunch of musical toys? But it’s also beneficial for our little ones.
According to Kindermusik.com (the main webpage for Kindermusik International), music supports the early stages of language development. With lots of opportunities for vocal play with your little one, babies learn how to take turns with conversation. Music helps babies experience patterns which can lead to eventual academic success. And while newborns are growing up by the minute, music class helps them develop gross and fine motor skills as well. All the while, parents get to interact too–there’s lots of reassurance about your little one’s development, and you might make a few friends along the way.
It’s not just Kindermusik that claims such benefits. According to a study at McMaster University, early musical training benefits children even before they can walk and talk. These babies similar more, communicate better, and show earlier and more sophisticated brain responses to music. The key to this development though is interaction. One can sit baby in front of the TV listening to music, but interacting with parents and music seems to make the difference.
Still another study (in Frontiers of Psychology) noted that language is essentially music and is likely learned in the same way/at the same time for young children. Spoken language is basically a special type of music. Therefore, music (something that spans all cultures) is likely central to our human development.
And y’all. Its not just about music. Babies as young as six months can participate in Sign and Sing classes and learn sign language too. I’ve yet to see our little one use all the signs I show her, but I love learning another language and being able to share that too!
Lastly, if you keep the Kindermusik CDs (or MP3s) around, you’ll be amazed at how quickly you can soothe a screaming child–I’m talking milliseconds. (Just ask my parents!) The class tuition is worth this one benefit alone!
So, if you’re in the DFW area (especially the Mid-Cities), please check out Kat’s Musik. Kat and Lauren are amazing women who love children and helping them develop. They are always enrolling new kiddos, just let them know Brittney and Ava sent you!
And check out the Kindermusik Blog for more interesting information about the benefits of early music learning.
References:
McMaster University. “Babies’ brains benefit from music lessons, even before they can walk and talk.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 9 May 2012. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120509123653.htm>.
Brandt, Anthony, Molly Gebrian, and L. Robert Slevc. “Music and Early Language Acquisition.” Frontiers in Psychology 3 (2012): 327. PMC. Web. 3 July 2018.
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