Friday, April 10, 2015

Toddlers: Using Music to Teach Listening

Focus - ACTIVE LISTENING



In almost every class, we have an activity that focuses on the act of listening.  Hearing and listening are different. Your ears and brain naturally receive sound from the environment.  Listening, however, is an intentional, mental process that requires attention and focus as the brain sorts and interprets sounds.  Listening is key to learning, as well as for nurturing connections with others.  Listening activities that focus on one sound at a time, help children practice the skills of attention, and engaged listening. 

How do we practice it in Kindermusik with toddlers?
From honing in on the owl's call, to discovering ways to make sound on our drums;  From listening to the upward and downward chimes in Sunshine Play and moving the parachute accordingly, to focusing in on the held note ('fermata') during Zoomeo. We use our ears EVERY week!
On our blog - Learn more about how to help develop your child's listening skills!
Kindermusik@Home:

  • Log in to your Kindermusik @ Home account, and make some Windy Weather!
  • Once you have the wind going, create some sky crafts, to ride on the wind!  
  • Get the whole family together, and have a windy dance party!  Play I Can't See the Wind, and enjoy dancing like wind-blown leaves, all around the house! 

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