music + movement = milestones

story by | heidi koepplin —kindermusik with heidi sue

Picture this: you’re in your living room with your little ones, the TV is off (I know it’s hard to imagine, but the TV is off) and you are doing your best American Idol rendition of “wheels on the bus”. You might not be the next Carrie Underwood, but you’re having fun and actually helping your child develop better coordination and language skills. Studies show music has a positive impact on a child’s ability to learn. Making and responding to music can help a child use scissors or kick a ball, as well as have a positive impact on their sense of self-esteem and self-expression. Music, dance and drama also foster creative thinking skills in pretend play, enhancing children’s ability to think in different ways.

Don Campbell, author of the Mozart Effect, traced neurological development during childhood and found learning occurs through movement and quick emotional associations. For example, by age two, the brain and body connect via marching, dancing and developing a sense of physical rhythm. Other research has found that young people who participate in the arts, such as music, are more likely to: receive academic achievement

• be elected as a school class officer

• participate in math and science fairs

• win an award for school attendance, writing an

• essay or a poem read for pleasure

• perform community service

• participate in youth groups and attend music,

• art and dance classes

The Fargo-Moorhead area offers a variety of opportunities to expose your children to music and movement, whether it is through Kindermusik classes or private music or dance lessons. There are free concerts throughout the summer, as well as upcoming holiday programs to take advantage of. Remember to set the stage at home, too. Incorporate music into the simplest of activities. A silly song about getting your kids dressed in the morning or even singing in the tub is always a delight. Encouraging them to make up their own song or dance will get their creative juices flowing and their imaginations growing. So, let me hear you, the wheels on the bus go ‘round and ‘round, ‘round and ‘round…

I am in my second year of owning, operating and instructing classes for Kindermusik with Heidi Sue. I offer semester classes for you and your newborn to 5 year old child. For more information on spring registration, call 701.238.0451, email kindermusikwithheidisue@yahoo.com or visit http://heidisue.kindermusik.net source: kindermusik international website