There seems to be a new trend amongst moms and that is signing your infant/toddler up for as many extra-curricular activities as possible. From sensory play to swimming lessons, music lessons to gross motor skill development, the choices are endless and the pressure is great. A child of 6 months can quite possibly have a busier afternoon schedule than a high school student.
I knew that I wanted to give Nunu a great point at which to start his education, but I also didn't want to fill all of his afternoons (and mine) with activities. I weighed up of all the lessons, the activities and the play groups. After much research, I decided on Wriggle and Rhyme. Here's why I feel so passionately about this programme.
Music supports gross motor development.
Gross motor is the co-ordination of whole body movement. Whether your child decides to sway gently to the melody or break it down like they're at a hip hop competition, their gross motor skills are at work.
Music supports fine motor development.
Fine motor skills are those more finicky muscles - like fingers and wrists. These skills determine things like your child's handwriting and drawing abilities. Interactive songs as well as playing musical instruments all contribute to the development of fine motor.
Playing an instrument stimulates bilateral coordination.
You may have heard about brain gym- it is popular in teaching as it leads children to cross their midline. This is why it is so important for babies to crawl. Bilateral coordination is when the left brain communicates with the right brain. This occurs while beating the tambourine, shaking the shaker, while following the actions of a song, etc.
Music helps with cognitive development.
Cognitive skills are the core skills your brain uses to function. Memory, concentration and problem solving all stem from this. Cognitive skills develop rapidly in the first few years of childhood and it is important to nurture and develop these with regular exposure to rhythm and sound. Studies have shown that children who engaged with musical instruments had improved neural processing than those that didn't.
Why Wriggle and Rhyme?
Firstly because it is FUN! Nunu and I look forward to each week! Their music programme WORKS because:
They use repetition to which babies respond exceptionally well.
Each lesson follows a carefully constructed programme that develops the above mentioned skills.
The teachers (especially our teacher!) are experienced, knowledgeable, caring and passionate about what they do.
The babies are introduced to a wide variety of musical instruments and are encouraged to use them all within the lesson.
Each term has an exciting new theme and the songs are all theme based. This term is Splish Splash Splosh!
There is time to socialize with other moms - which we all desperately need. The coffee helps!
Acknowledgements:
What are Cognitive Abilities and Skills, and How to Boost Them This is how music can stimulate your brain