At what age did we start moving to music? From the time we were born (maybe even before…when your mother attended music concerts with you in tow as it were!) Research says that children as young as 5-month-olds respond to music – more than speech. So, toddlers, preschoolers, and school going kids are more than ready for music.
The right time to introduce music classes to kids
Many parents would have sung lullabies and nursery rhymes, and played instruments to infants perhaps to urge them to stop crying or to distract them from becoming cranky, or, simply, help them nod off. So, almost as soon as they are born children are introduced
to music. But, when should you introduce music classes to your children?
At SaPa, we believe that children as young as 1.5 years of age will benefit from parent-toddler programmes that expose them to music and instruments that promote free play and movement in them. By about 4 years, they will be ready to attend short music classes which will introduce rhythm and melody in a structured way that they can appreciate. Music and movement is a good place to start music classes for kids. Children learn to use simple instruments and move to music in a coordinated way. Learn more about which instruments are ideal for young kids to start off with.
Explore SaPa’s Music & Movement classes for kids from 4-6 years of age.
What is Music & Movement?
Music and movement classes, literally, help children move to the sound of music. They include activities that encourage children to exercise and develop physically, socially, and emotionally.
Benefits of Music & Movement for kids
1. Expression
As kids move spontaneously to songs and dances, they learn to express their emotions, especially the deeper ones, which they may not be able to do verbally. This builds their unspoken communication skills.
2. All-round development
While this is a whole lot of fun and may seem to be pure enjoyment for young children, it is also a building block that eventually contributes to their becoming well-rounded people who can emote. Bit by bit, as they become free and uninhibited, even in groups, at an early age, they discover who they are and feel comfortable with themselves. Priceless grooming for those angsty teenage years and the tough adult world. Also, notably, there is a rhythm to life, and if we conform to it, it increases harmony in life; these classes attune children to it.
3. Retention of inherent nature
The beautiful thing in children is that these movements are raw, uninhibited, fresh, natural, original – as nature meant us to be. Unfortunately, very quickly, as they join larger groups, they lose this individuality and uniqueness, and become a product in an assembly line. To help your children retain their ‘real’ selves and build upon their strengths, music and movement for preschool is the perfect class!
4. Multicultural exposure
These classes acquaint children with music from different parts of the world. Through music, they learn different languages, cultures, and practices. This helps them connect and mix effortlessly with the diverse society that is India and the larger world.
5. Creative outlet
With the hands-on approach to creation, music and movement encourages children to explore their innate skills, and channelise their energies constructively.
What you get with SaPa’s Music & Movement classes
SaPa’s music and movement class focuses on building invaluable (and yet overlooked) skills through teaching methodologies that appeal to young kids. Children learn lateral thinking as well as discover how many more things their limbs can do!
1. Develop motor skills
Children learn to develop their motor skills, so crucial for the preschoolers. Not only do they learn warm-up exercises, finger play, and other coordinated movements but they also learn to express through their body and, essentially, communicate effectively. Children also learn to make simple instruments – the DIY (Do-It-Yourself) way! Revel in the feeling of pride at making something on their own!
2. Exposure to all genres
If you think your child does not really appreciate music and music classes might not suit him/her, this is the perfect class to explore different types and genres of music. SaPa teaches songs from India & around the globe. So, increase the chance that one of these forms or languages will strike a chord with your little one. At the very least, it will pique their curiosity about how different music can sound. And yet how similar music forms are!
3. Riveting story-telling
Wondering how to teach your little ones to be compassionate, kind, and to know right from wrong? Apart from imitating parents and immediate influences, stories are a great way to make an impression upon them and internalise values. SaPa’s teachers have selected the most striking tales to inculcate some indispensable life values in your child. It’s never too early to take the road towards a healthy and well-exposed upbringing! Make sure your child is on this road.
4. Lessons on culture
It is never too soon to expose your children to values, practices, and customs from India as well as around the world. They learn to appreciate & respect cultures that they are not familiar with and find it easier to assimilate and accept differences naturally. Help your kids feel at home anywhere in the world with SaPa’s all-inclusive Music & Movement class!
5. Improved communication skills
Children learn songs in different languages, this helps them improve their vocabulary and communicate with people from other cultures. Also, through music and movement, they learn to express themselves with their voice as well as body, making them more aware about body language. Movement might also be easier for children to use for expression than verbal communication, which may develop later.
6. Enhanced social skills
Delight in the happy and comfortable interactions your child will enjoy with his/her peers. The best thing is the seamless and effortless way in which it happens. A happy child thinks creatively and productively in a stress-free manner.
These multiple benefits of Music and Movement classes make it an ideal first class for young kids; it has also been proven to have multisystem benefits for those with autism.
Where music and movement, learning, and fun merge is where you will find SaPa! Make sure your child is part of the SaPa family – a musical bond for life!
