Kindermusik classes mix teaching with fun

Echoing the sounds of a cuckoo, chirping like a robin or flapping their arms like a bird would its wings aren't just activities that keep children's interests. They are lessons in music and creativity.

They might look like silly exercises that children think are funny, but mixing playtime and learning is part of the plan in Kindermusik, a music program designed for children from birth to age 7. The lessons use music, songs, instruments and stories to teach youngsters how to listen and follow directions and about rhythm and movement.

Six children, their mothers, grandmothers and baby-sitters gathered for a Kindermusik class Monday morning in the basement of First Presbyterian Church in Cape Girardeau.

The lessons for the week are all about creatures in the back yard, so the children, most of whom are between 18 months and 3 years old, learn songs about birds, rabbits, flying insects and pets.

Carol McDowell, a music education professor at Southeast Missouri State University, has been teaching the Kindermusik classes for three summers through the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri. A class she taught last week had children learning songs from around the world and how to say hello in several languages.

The arts council also offers for children classes in music, painting, making paper and making jewelry.

Kindermusik was founded 28 years ago by a college professor. The instructors believe that parents are their child's most important teacher, that every child has musical ability and that music can help nurture a child's cognitive, emotional, social, language and physical development.

McDowell likes Kindermusik classes because the curriculum is based on literature. Each lesson includes a story and was developed by early childhood educators, she said. Anyone who teaches the classes has been trained in the Kindermusik curriculum.

The children do vocal exercises and play instruments. During the lessons, the children also work on rhythm and keeping a steady beat.

The children seemed to respond to the music and being around other children their age.

Maricela Lyle views the class as an enjoyable activity for her 18-month-old son, Emilio. "There's really not much for young kids," she said. But the music classes also stimulate creativity. "And he just likes the instruments, and it's a chance to meet other kids."

Sarah Hardin enrolled her 2-year-old son, Paul, for those same reasons. She also knows that music has been shown to help children excel later in life. "If they're exposed to music, it helps them later with analytical and math skills," she said.

Karen Tarno, a schoolteacher, said music enhances children's education. Her daughter, Kristen, attended the Kindermusik classes last year and had such a good time she enrolled again.

"She loves the songs and dancing and puppets," Tarno said.

Each day of the class, students will learn more about a different animal or creature found outdoors. The program's tuition covers the cost of a CD with all the songs the children learn and cards that list the words and additional books or materials to use at home.

ljohnston@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 126