Emergent Literacy and Kindermusik

Parents and children are chanting and swaying, laughing and embracing. Sounds like singing time in Kindermusik class, right? Look again. It's Music and Movement Story Time in Kindermusik!

Careful study of families over recent years leaves little doubt about the powerful effect of reading in young families. Books help children become whole people; reading facilitates both parent-child relationships and language development as it helps build a childÌs understanding of the world.

Using books with families is not new. In fact, reading to children closely approximates the experience of singing or conversation. It provides another way to communicate through rhythm, tone and language that is, after all, very much like music.

Books stir the same responses in young children that music does. Some books are exciting and encourage movement. Some inspire children to be thoughtful. And some books soothe a child to sleep just like a lullaby. An added value of the reading experience is the benefit to family relationships. When parents read a book to their child, the physical closeness they share brings them closer. The story they share in their minds gives them a common view of the world as the books they read create a culture for their family. And many parents can attest to the helpfulness of books when they are forced to sit still and wait at the doctorÌs office or on a long trip with wiggly toddlers!

For young children whose emotions are powerful but their expressive language is still limited, books provide understanding for the emotions they experience. Through hearing stories, toddlers and pre-schoolers can make sense of their own feelings. Books allow for the full expression of their sometimes overwhelming emotions.

Maybe the best reason to read to young children is not because it makes them smarter or more verbal, which it undeniably does, but because it makes them whole people.

Very young children empathize with characters who get embarrassed or feel that nobody likes them or feel sad when their moms leave. Children who hear many stories as they are building their view of the world will include not only their own limited experiences, but also the many other experiences they've heard about in books.

In Kindermusik class, literature is another medium for communication between parents and children. Music and Movement Story Time is one particular component of a Kindermusik class that combines music, movement and literature. Your Kindermusik educator models read-aloud methods in class and gives you ideas about how to bring books alive for your children at home.

The use of literature in Kindermusik classes provides natural connections between singing and reading aloud, listening and communicating. The ability to sing depends heavily on language development, including learning to use the speaking voice expressively. Music and Movement Story Time can foster awareness of sounds, teach use of language, and send the messages that words have meaning and that books are fun.

The Kindermusik experience at home is beautifully strengthened by the inclusion of literature. These stories are built on the musical experiences provided in the Kindermusik curriculum. Reading books at home extends the Music and Movement Story Time from class as it inspires the enjoyment of the Kindermusik themes through a variety of media.

As a parent, you are your child's first teacher and play a vital role in helping your child to learn about language. Kindermusik literature is provided to help you along this journey.

The information in this article is adapted from an article written for Kindermusik International by Claudia Quigg, Executive Director of BabyTALK.