At one time or another in our lives we have all witnessed the effect that a simple song has on a child. No matter what the child’s age, he or she stops and listens with full attention. Have you ever witnessed a child at play who suddenly begins to sing? That’s because music speaks in a language that children instinctively understand. Its calming, lilting rhythms combined with language are what children crave.

Once children reach an age where they begin to move on their own, they strive for independence. This stage can often confuse parents as they are conflicted between their child’s passionate desire for closeness and his strong will to do things on his own. This is, however, the natural development of self-discovery. In fact, current research has shown that movement is the key to learning at any age. Our brains fully develop through movement activities such as crawling, rolling, turning, walking, reaching, grasping onto objects and much more. And what better way to enhance and develop movement than through music?

Children need time to nurture their individuality and independence. The learning process is all about giving children the freedom to find their place in the world. Music allows children the opportunity to stretch their boundaries while being creative and having fun. Research has shown that every child is musical and that the parent is the child’s most important teacher. Children need and desire structure in their quest for learning, and although home is the most important learning environment, children also need to have contact with children outside the home. This contact enhances their world and helps them to find their place among other people.

It has also been proven over and over again that music nurtures a child’s cognitive, emotional, social, language and physical development. Kindermusik International, a program now being offered in Hamburg, provides a structured atmosphere where children can have the contact they need with other children, allowing them the freedom to be creative and stretch their boundaries while still having mom or dad close by them during class. All of the activities offered are age and developmentally appropriate, and Kindermusik emphasizes that it is not the performance, but the experience itself, that is important.

The next time your toddler starts to “test his/her boundaries”, put some music on, grab a pan and spoon, sing, dance and spend some time with your child enjoying music. They will thank you later!

Kate Healey-Schmitt is a licensed Kindermusik educator and founder of Kindermusik in Hamburg, Germany. Kindermusik is a music and movement program for children between the ages of newborn and 7 years. If you would like to find out more about Kindermusik, Open Houses and/or the programs available, call (040) 410 99 110 or visit www.kindermusik.com. Kindermusik Spring Semester starts March 1, 2004.

For further reading, see the October 20, 2003, article in Der Spiegel titled Geburt der Intelligenz (Wie Kinder Denken Lernen).