A letter to Parents and Preschool Educators:

How dramatically would your life change if you could educate the young crawler, toddler, or preschooler in your life, directing their behavior without begging, bribing, threatening, yelling or punishing? And what would you say if you discovered the method was fun, promoted a caregiver - child bond, enhanced the child's mind, body, and spirit and was inexpensive to boot?

There has long been a gap in music education for the very young. It is widely reported that children under the age of five benefit greatly from music and movement, so why are many children, particularly those who are home-schooled, receiving no arts education until kindergarten or beyond?

The benefits of music and movement for very young children:

• Mind: neural stimulation of music heightens children's mental skills
• Body: movement to rhythmic chant and music initiates body awareness and muscular coordination
• Spirit: self-expression boosts self-esteem

The benefits of music and movement for caregivers:

• Connection: Allowing bodies to relax and mind pathways to open to receive instruction and allow learning to take place while enjoying music together
• Instruction: loving ways to teach and guide children - encouraging children in your care to work independently or with others as needed – encouraging cheerful compliance
• Protection: using music to calm young ones and connect with them in times of stress

Why music? There is a direct correlation between music and the brain. Research scientists have shown that young children experience neural stimulation via ordered patterns of rhythm and tone. In other words: music.

Why movement? Kids’ bodies and minds respond favorably to exercise. It is further enhanced when cardio vascular (aerobic) activity accompanies a steady beat. Children get great exercise and participating with adults encourages a life of continued physical activity.

It is no secret that music can move the soul of even the tiniest infant. By ensuring a “no performance required” policy in music instruction, little souls flourish when free from performance anxiety. In order to avoid a life of musical inhibition, children should be free to enjoy and experience music in their own way.

It is not groundbreaking news that music and movement benefit kids. But through Leah’s Music Class and Leah’s Music Class AT SCHOOL™ what parents and educators are discovering is that musical activities can avert potential behavior problems and provide solutions to sticky situations in everyday life.

Well-rounded music programs provide opportunities for chanting, singing, rhythm, experimenting with simple instruments and the introduction of varying musical styles. Those that have added relationship-building elements are even better. An exceptional program allows caregivers to use music and movement to direct, calm and educate children from cognitive pre-kindergarten skills to health and safety matters to the importance of friendship, manners and values.

By directing children’s’ behavior in a positive, loving way while offering learning opportunities at the same time, young ones learn through play and a special magic takes place.

Leah’s Music Class helps caregivers use music not only to teach concepts and skills to children, but also to help them healthily persuade children to comply with requests, whether individually or in groups. Music helps make activity transitions trouble free. Music offers solutions for quickly gaining children’s attention, diverting bad moods and encouraging appropriate behavior without raising voices or punishing.

All children need to know that they are perfect just the way they are. Although their behavior may not always be what it could be, each child has tons of potential and the ability to correct their inappropriate behavior. Encouraging very young children to use their own form of self-expression through music and movement allows them to be free to participate in all areas of life with self-confidence. Allowing them to be themselves, to have the freedom to learn in their own way (some need to move while others prefer to sit still; some participate fully while others may seem aloof and distant) provides them with the capability to be creative beings. Using music as a teaching tool does more than enhance language development, body awareness, muscular coordination and rhythmic proficiency. It offers opportunities to build character, teach self-control, encourage individual interests, and more. And, IT'S FUN!

When considering how you interact with your preschooler(s) ask yourself if there is a better way to teach and direct with a loving, fun-filled approach. When contemplating how you will convey an important message, consider that perhaps the subject matter is not always the bottom line. Remember that when educating children, if the delivery soothes and enlightens, as is the case when employing music, little minds will open wide to receive.

So be sure to allow fun and learning to co-mingle while you lead your young charge(s) in a rousing chorus of the “Wash Your Hands” song while they clean up before snack time. Consider using Leah’s “I’ve Got An Itch” toe wiggle while being forced to wait – using this fun musical activity to avoid a potential meltdown. Provide your children with several layers of learning while having fun as they learn Leah's “Stop Sign” song or while they learn to use puppets with Leah’s Butterfly songs. Dare to view the world through music-colored glasses and see what a glowing place it is. Your preschooler(s) will love it and so will you!

All the best to you and the children in your life,

Leah