Away We Go!

Today in Kindermusik, we had a sample of activities from the Our Time, Away We Go unit for kids 18 months to 3 years old. Our activities were based around transportation and movement as well as HOW we move.

One thing that became evident in today's class was that moving slowly can be harder than moving quickly. Especially for a toddler or preschooler, moving slowly in coordination with slow music requires a lot of muscle control and inhibition of the natural impulse to run like crazy. In most of our songs today, we worked on the contrast between fast and slow by either moving our bodies or playing an instrument.

This not only helps the child to keep a steady beat at varying tempos, but it also helps them learn to control their bodies and follow directions. The children today all did so well at following our different tempos as we listened to Alabama Gal and moved like a train.

We also worked on inhibitory control, which is the ability to stop and start on command. We did this with out egg shakers and worked to all stop together. In a 2005 study conducted at the George Mason University, 91 three and four year olds were put into three groups: those not enrolled in Kindermusik, those previously enrolled, and those currently enrolled. Those who had Kindermusik experience showed significantly higher levels of self regulation at tasks like waiting for a snack, walking on a line, and lowering their voice. Self regulation is an essential skill for pre-k readiness.

Our Kindermusik class on Wednseday at 10:00 am for kids 18 months to 3 years officially starts next week so be sure you are registered today so that I can order materials!