My daughter, Gracie, went to her first 'Imagine That' class & that was all she needed to unlock the door to her imagination! She is 3 1/2 & she loves it! She sings with the songs on the CD, asks to play "Katie" in Grasshopper Park & looks so forward to seeing Ms. Lori at Kindermusik. The best part is that it really gave her permission to pretend with other children & with grown ups. Before this class, she may emulate something I would say to her - to her doll at nap-time. Now she will participate playing dollhouse or pretending to have a birthday party with other children at the park, rather than only parallel play. I'm so glad we made the decision to enroll her in this class. Ms. Lori Burkhardt is phenomenal at what she does.
Keep Up The Good Work! ~April D, Sept 2011
"I am so happy we are able to take this class. Thank you so much for all that you do for our children. I don't think I say that enough. I am super impressed by the program. Isabella went from lap baby to crawling to standing to almost walking in a matter of months. When I say stop, she stops; listen, she listens. It really is amazing what this program teaches. Isabella is really interested in music and musical instruments. She dances to the CD's with me while she shakes her egg shakers or bells. The biggest and greatest lesson is when I say Mommy needs a quiet time. I turn off the light and play soft music and I am able to go sit in a chair while she quietly plays. Occasionally she even lays down with me and we can calm down. It is a wonderful prelude to nap time or when she falls and needs to calm down or even just when we need a short break.
I would highly recommend Kindermusik with Lori Burkhardt to anyone. Isabella loves you and is a bit enamored by you. I wouldn't know how to cope this summer without you.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you." ~ Christine C, June 2011
A note about the next comment: the older sister is 7 yrs and completed two years of Young Child and is her younger brother's grown-up during Our Time. Little sister is two. The brother is five and has been diagnosed with PDD. Little sister and brother have enrolled for the first time this Fall, both in Our Time. This is the feedback from mom. Just makes me so happy. To me, this is MUSIC doing it's best,
referring to a quote from my music therapy days..."it is not just the doing, it is the doing together."
Lori Burkhardt, Kindermusik Educator
"Just thought I'd write with a news from the household. The past two days, our boy who rarely initiates conversation or a game, led me and the girls, actually INVITED us to another room, to have "class," where he proceeded to lead us in songs, hand out towels (in lieu of scarves or shakers) and pretty much took us through "Our Time" acting as YOU!
He even turned out one light for resting, counted to three to turn the lights back on,
would prompt every change with "come on guys!" which is a variation from how you do it,
and got the House storybook and pointed out the kangaroo.
Perhaps we can get him to memorize the rhyme you emailed about the kangaroo??
Anyway, it was so amusing and such a great change to see in him!! Older sister humored him with my prodding, and giggled through a lot of it, but I don't think she realizes how great it is to see him speakingwithout being prompted, and imitating in a somewhat typical way, and remembering and enjoying music class obviously!! He even had me hang up a hand-drawn hammer and saw
(he calls it a shovel, I don't know why) on his bedroom wall.
So thank you!!!! He's really benefiting, so I really appreciate that you made
an exception for all my kids to come to class together!!" ~ Lisa D, Sept 2010
"I just wanted to write you an email at this moment, as I am hearing one of the sweetest sounds ever...... There is no TV on in the house and what I hear happening in the foyer is my two toddlers (2 girl, 4 boy), initiating their own game of "music class." They are sitting down on the rug, singing the welcome song, just as they do in class. They are, one by one, singing the 'Welcome to my Backyard' songs, getting instruments out to accompany each song (we added our own scarves and extra instruments to the bag), then they sing, "scarves a-way," etc. It is so funny. What I am so pleased about is that they would rather be playing with music, leading one another in activities, using their imaginations, than just sitting watching TV. Don't get me wrong, we do watch TV in the house, but it is refreshing to see how much they enjoy music and how it is furthering their development. We have you and Kindermusik to thank for this pleasure!" ~ Leigh R, July 2009
Music & Literacy
Music & Math
Music & Social-Emotional Development
MUSIC CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Music plays an important part in the lives of people. Everyone can learn and benefit from the study of music. There is musical potential in every individual and like all potential; it should be developed to its fullest. Music can connect us to our history, tradition, and heritage while providing a constructive use for leisure time.
The study of music aids in mental, physical, and personal needs.
Music is a uniquely powerful means of involving and integrating the activities of both the right and left halves of the brain, combining the rational and the aesthetic. There is a proven correlation between musical study and the following:
• Muscular Development: It improves a child’s small motor skills, hand-eye coordination and over-all physical coordination.
• Increased Listening Ability: This helps to increase the attention span, concentration, and long and short term memory.
• Increased Primary Mental Abilities: (verbal, perceptual, number, and spatial) This sharpens a child’s communication, critical thinking and problem solving skills. He or she learns to understand, interpret, and use symbols in new contexts.
• Creative Potential: This promotes awareness of student’s capabilities using imagination and self expression.
• Development of Personal and Social Skills: It can help to build confidence, self-discipline and responsibility. They learn to work for and cooperate with others.
Through participation in music, children learn the gratification of work shared and challenges met. It helps your child learn how to learn.
WHAT WILL WE DO IN A KINDERMUSIK CLASS AND WHY?
SINGING fosters the development of your child's most important instrument, the voice, through vocal exploration, songs, and chants.
MOVING develops body awareness, coordination, and spatial relationships through synchronized movement, creative movement, and simple dances.
PLAYING introduces a variety of musical timbres with percussion instruments such as rhythm sticks, jingle bells, drums, resonator bars, and simple instruments your child creates at home.
CREATING stimulates your child's imagination and encourages new exploration with sound and movement.
PATTERNING boosts your child's ability to think musically through the integration of basic rhythmic and tonal language.
LISTENING cultivates your child's heightened attentiveness to sound discrimination.
EXPLORING timbre, dynamics, tempo, and pitch lays the foundation for conceptualization of the elements of music.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN CLASS:
• Songs and activities to be repeated at least four times because children need familiarity and repetition to learn new skills.
• Good musical literature comprised of traditional folk songs and rhymes passed down from generation to generation to form the basis of the curriculum because these selections are melodically expressive and provide an exposure to cultural heritage.
• Attention to each individual child during class because children have differences in tempo preference that need to be expressed in order for them to develop beat competency.
• Parents and guardians to be active participants in class, singing, rhyming and dancing with the child because parents are the first teachers and role models for their children.
• Parents and guardians to learn the songs and activities because repeating them at home during receptive moments will enhance the development of musical potential while parent or guardian and child spend quality time together.
• Seven to eight weeks of classes to pass before new skills become evident.
WHY MUSIC?
Music is a Science. It is exact, it is specific and it demands exact acoustics. A conductor’s score is a chart, a graph which indicates frequencies, intensities, volume changes, melody and harmony all at once and with the most exact control of time.
Music is Mathematical. It is rhythmically based on the subdivisions of time into fractions which must be done instantaneously, not worked out on paper.
Music is a Foreign Language. Most of the terms are in Italian, German or French; and the notation is certainly not English - but a highly-developed kind of shorthand that uses symbols to represent ideas. The semantics of music is the most complete and universal language.
Music is Physical Education. It requires fantastic coordination of fingers, hands, arms, lip, cheeks and facial muscles in addition to extraordinary control of the diaphragmatic, back and stomach muscles, which respond instantly to the sound the ear hears and the mind interprets.
Music is all these things, but most of all, MUSIC IS ART. It allows the human being to take all these dry, technically boring (but difficult) techniques and use them to create emotion. This one thing science cannot duplicate: humanism, feeling emotion, call it what you will.
That is why we teach music!
Not because we expect you to major in music.
Not because we expect you to play or sing all your life.
But, so you will be human, so you will recognize beauty, so you will have something to cling to, so you will have more love, more compassion, more gentleness, more good - in short - more life.
WHY MUSIC FOR YOUNG CHILDREN?
Children are innately drawn to music. And why shouldn’t they be? They have been listening to the rhythm and melody of their mother’s voice since the fourth month after conception.
Children learn best through moving and listening. Music and movement classes will help them grow and develop into successful students.
Benefits to Children:
Language
Self Expression
Memory Skills
Concentration
Social Interaction
Fine Motor Skills
Listening
Problem Solving
Teamwork
Goal Setting
Coordination
• Music awakens and stimulates neural pathways in the brain that are associated with higher forms of intelligence, such as abstract thinking, empathy, mathematics and science.
• Music’s melodic and rhythmic patterns provide exercise for the brain and help develop memory. Remember singing the ABC song to learn your ABC’s? Studying music helps children establish good listening habits, which are essential for achievement in school.
• Overall, music activities are perfect for child development. Music immerses the child in language, evokes movement, stimulates the brain and fosters physical coordination – all in a group setting that builds community – a holistic experience.
WHY IS KINDERMUSIK THE BEST CHOICE?
For your child
Kindermusik introduces your child to the joy and adventure of music and then moves at his pace, pausing to engage his interests, nurture his gifts, and celebrate his discoveries.
From birth through age seven, with the caring guidance of a trained and licensed Kindermusik educator, your child can grow and learn without pressure to perform, only encouragement to explore and discover. You'll witness a developmental evolution in language skills, literacy, listening, problem solving, social skills, self-esteem and a love of music! Kindermusik uses the power of music to develop the individual your child was born to be.
With every class, your Kindermusik At Home materials include the highest quality music recordings on CD – a diversity of vocal and instrumental arrangements that will delight your whole family. While materials vary with each program, you’ll enjoy creative activities, children's literature from the Kindermusik Library, and specially designed instruments – all created to complement and extend your child's learning at home.
For yourself
Because Kindermusik acknowledges that you are your child’s first and most important teacher, your Kindermusik classes will empower you as a parent.
Life is busy, and family time together is a precious commodity. A Kindermusik class is truly the essence of “quality time,” offering you a place to create special memories with your child and gain new insights into your child’s development.
You will discover a unique sense of community and belonging in the Kindermusik classroom. Not only will your child blossom in this environment, but you will come to appreciate the support and friendship from the other adults in class.
For life
No other single activity offers the integrated, creative, child-centered experience that Kindermusik does. It’s music that makes the difference.
Invest in your child’s future by making early music exposure a priority. Research indicates a link between music and early learning, but Kindermusik creates a musical learning environment so powerful that you and your child will likely carry a love of music for the rest of your lives.
Kindermusik has been creating magical, musical memories for children and their families for more than 30 years. Begin your child’s Kindermusik journey today and open up a whole world of new possibilities – for your child, for yourself, for life!
Kindermusik is eclectic in its incorporation of ideas from the leading approaches and philosophies that influence early childhood, music and movement education.
The following is a list of some of the international influences that have helped make Kindermusik the leading music and movement program.
Zoltan Kodaly (Hungary) - The child's voice is his most precious instrument. It is vital that a child sing often, joyfully, and unaccompanied to develop a tuneful voice.
Carol Orff (Germany) – Emphasizes the inclusion of singing, movement, instrument playing and improvisation.
Emile Jaques Dalcroze (Switzerland) – Encourages the use of movement and building musicianship through hearing, thinking, reading and feeling music emotionally which in turn enables children to approach their instruments with new understanding and skill.
Shinichi Suzuki (Japan) – Music is learned by listening first just as one's native language is learned. Developing a musical ear is paramount to all musical development.
Maria Montessori (Italy) – A child learns best through multi-sensory experiences. If a child can participate in a concept with his touch, smell, hearing and sight, the concept will be much more impacting and memorable.
Why Choose Kindermusik?
Why Choose Kindermusik
with Lori Burkhardt?
Language
Development
Cognitive
Development
Emotional
Development
Physical
Development
Social
Development
Musical activities stimulate
development in every
area of the brain
Music Playing
Creativity
Family Involvement
Self Esteem
Confidence
Poise
Family Interaction
Parent/Child Bonding
Emotional Development
Voice Expression
And kids like it!
Kindermusik with Lori Burkhardt
Licensed Educator 1995
Kindermusik Maestro since 2007
H / O ~ 314.692.8032
www.KMwithLori.com
