11 months, 6 strings, and twins!

Village with Seniors: A unique approach to Intergenerational Programs

We've seen and heard stories like these countless times: the Alzheimer's patient who can play Claire de Lune on the piano without missing a note. The unresponsive patient whose face literally lights up at the sound of music. And the mother, who, for the first time all day gets a motherly pinch on her cheek, and a sing-song compliment: "you're so cute."

Moments like these happen every day in a "Village with Seniors" class -- a special Kindermusik class held in senior centers for babies and their mothers. The class brings generations together, and researchers are just beginning to understand both the short-term and long term benefits.

“It makes them feel like they have more of a role in society, and that they can contribute to the next generation," says Phyllis Heppner, Kindermusik Educator and owner of The Musik Shop, in a recent article in the LangleyTimes about the program in British Columbia. 

“We’re not just hiding them away somewhere, they have an impact on little, tiny babies. And they tend to really encourage the babies, so that’s very good for them. It gives them an opportunity for creativity, and self expression. They have an increased sense of self-worth and less depression, because of that. They make friendships, they have regular participation in an event that they love. So it makes their life a little more interesting.”

Studies show that intergenerational programs have a positive effect on both the young and aging populations. As healthcare specialists prepare for the rising tide of aging groups -- dubbed the silver wave -- the age group 85 and older is now the fastest growing population in the United States, according to Generations United.

"Research shows that ... Intergenerational programs help to dispel age-related myths and stereotypes. They can also address societal concerns such as literacy, environmental issues, health, crime prevention, and much more. Public policies can support intergenerational programs through the promotion of intergenerational civic engagement and encouragement of intergenerational solutions to community issues."

Want to learn more about bringing "Village with Seniors" to your community? We'd love to help you get started.

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Yes, we're tooting our own horn a bit this month. 


Carol Penney, Director of Education for Kindermusik International, is featured in a special USA Today magazine. USA Today “Guide to Kids’ Health” Summer 2012 issue features a special article, “Music & Learning in Perfect Harmony” by Mara Gorman.


“Music makes a great teaching tool. “Everyone knows their ABC’s because of the melody,” says Carol Penney, director of education for Kindermusik, a music education program. ”Traditional children’s songs are perfect learning devices for turning sounds into words and words into creative thoughts.”’


Here are some additional fun “Did you know?” moments from the article:

• Children who engage in musical activities from infancy end up with stronger literacy, language, and math skills. They also typically have higher SAT scores and are more likely to graduate from college.
• Studies show that early and consistent exposure to music improves children’s academic performance. The explanation lies in music’s ability to affect brain
  development.
• “Music education actually rewires the brain in the same area where you develop math, language, and spatial reasoning skills.” ~ Jill Todd, president, Music Intelligence Project
• The top instruments for young children are: 1) Voice. 2) Percussion and 3) Keyboard. Many kids start lessons at 7 or 8, so look into a music education program if you think your child is ready for daily practice.

Download the full article here.

New study shows musical benefits for babies before they can walk

Source: Uploaded by user via Heather on Pinterest

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One-year-old babies who participate in interactive music classes with their parents smile more, communicate better and show earlier and more sophisticated brain responses to music. 


The findings were published recently in the scientific journals Developmental Science and Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 

"Many past studies of musical training have focused on older children," says Laurel Trainor, director of the McMaster Institute for Music and the Mind. "Our results suggest that the infant brain might be particularly plastic with regard to musical exposure."

Source: Science Daily, Babies' Brains Benefit from Music Lessons, Even Before They Can Walk and Talk

Not bad for a day's work, eh?

Helen Peterson is a Kindermusik educator based in the Twin Cities in Minnesota. In this video, she welcomes new families to her fall classes, and provides just a glimpse into what children and their caregivers can experience in a Kindermusik class:

• exposure to a wide variety of music -- from Classical music to multi-lingual folk songs from around the world
• activities to develop physical coordination and critical thinking skills 
• activities to develop a child's multi-sensory learning strengths
• weekly classes to create a sense of community among new parents 
• experiences to develop a new parent's sense of "parenting esteem" (self-esteem)

You can do so much for the new families in your community -- and yourself! -- when you become a Kindermusik Educator.

Give us a call, we'd love to tell you more about how to get started.

Music Education and "a Kindermusik child"

Over the thirteen years I have been attending Kindermusik classes, I have come to be able to spot a Kindermusik child a mile a way.

A Kindermusik child:

• is curious
• smiles a lot, even when alone
• is confident in his or her own voice
• enjoys hearing other children sing and play
• can be calmed, excited, or centered by music
• has the emerging patience to try and figure things out
• enjoys – and is proud of – belonging to a group

Now imagine if EVERY child shared these qualities. Might the news headlines look a bit different every morning...?So to those who think arts education is not important enough to make a priority in our world, I say, “How would we know? We’ve never tried.”


by Michael Dougherty, CEO of Kindermusik International