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Tag: kindermusik classes

Rocking and a-Rolling Trains the Brain for Balance

By Debbie Mondale, Accredited Kindermusik Educator

Do you wonder why it is so important for our babies to rock and roll – move freely… and why toddlers love repeatedly falling over on purpose or preschool-age children spin themselves silly?

Balancing is not a skill we are born with, it must be trained in coordination with our body and brain.  The good news, training for this cognitive development is natural and FUN, and this is a skill that impacts us every day of our entire lives, even essential for our survival.  Encouraging children to move creatively is a good start, AND there are many mommy and me type activities that enhance this process.

The movements of our little one’s bodies train their brain to know how their body is positioned in the space around them, where UP is, and how to balance.   The video below shows a pretty cool way to demonstrate this vestibular system as it occurs in the inner ear and sends messages to train the brain for balance and so much more.

Picture of inner ear and tubes – Usborne – How Your Body Works – 1975

Usborne – How Your Body Works – 1975

The inner ear is a curled up tube with three extra loops which are filled with a liquid, somewhat like the balloon in the video.  These loops are also filled with nerves, that go with the flow as we move around and send messages to the brain.  As the head and body moves, the liquid stays level with the ground, and the nerve endings tilt from their secured end as the liquid moves.  Messages about HOW these nerve endings move are sent to the brain to create neural connections that allow us to subconsciously balance and move through space effectively.

When rolling and spinning round and round, the liquid in the ear whirls around too, even for a little while after stopping, which leaves a bit of a dizzying feeling which children LOVE (adults?… not so much).   Spinning sends totally unique messages about balance to the brain and improves focus since coordinating both sides of the body and brain are required.

The more your child’s body moves, in every which way, the more they will be able to coordinate their actions to dance, ride a bike, play sports, and problem solve situations in which they become off balance, stuck, or disoriented.

picture of clowns  with jugs of liquid – Usborne – How Your Body Works - 1975

Usborne – How Your Body Works – 1975

dad rocking baby
Think about the last time your body instinctively recovered after you stumbled on uneven ground.  Have you ever been disoriented under water after a wave knocked you over?   These are the moments when all this vestibular training kicks in to save the day.

Movements you do with them, such as  rocking, dancing with mom, wrestling with dad, and even fun pillow fights with the family are training the brain.  I remember when my son was young, he loved being carried upside down.  He insisted for almost a year that THAT is how he wanted to be taken to the bathroom to brush his teeth!

toddler girl walking and balancing on bilibo

Movements they do for themselves, like nodding or shaking their head, rolling on the ground, falling down, spinning, jumping, tumbling… are naturally processing cognitive development in your child.  If you see your child repeating a movement ad nauseum, their brain is actively SEEKING this type of stimulation.

ONE occurrence only makes the brain aware it is an option.  Only thousands of repetitions can truly build the neural connections needed to make these reactions instinctual enough to act without thinking about it in an emergency situation.  Early childhood development specialists WISH they could share this parenting advice to all young families since the first five years is a critical period for this brain development.

Our job can be as simple as making sure they are in a safe place to move and let them GO!  Add maybe add some  language development to the mix by describing their actions and how it makes them feel.  Adding delightful music during movement multiplies the fun factor and increases their attention span.  Download the free Kindermusik APP and get the action going with the songs in the Themes: Body and Playtime.

  • As your child becomes more capable, challenge them with creative obstacles that make it fun to move their body in unique ways.
  • Indoor diy obstacle courses can include piles of pillows and blanket tunnels and fun objects to pick up and toss in baskets.  This can be set up in a living room, or even a hallway to keep them on a forward path.
  • It can be so fun to set up their own little ninja warrior outdoor obstacle course with balancing beams, wobbly surfaces, things that spin, tunnels, rolling and tumbling paths, and so much more.

Our Kindermusik curriculum makes this all easy for you as it is designed to provide your child with a wide variety of movement experience.  And our Accredited Educators here in Central Florida are specialists that will teach you more about it and provide  tools you can use to meet your child’s unique needs for developing their gross motor skills and vestibular capabilities.  Join us for a $5 preview class and see the magic in action.

Debbie Mondale byline

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Classes begin September 2nd!
With less than two weeks left until our classes begin, and all the big kids back in school, we hope you’ll consider joining us for some quality time with your little one! Classes and/or playdates now offered in 12 locations (see below)!! With our school year monthly subscription (8 payments of $60/mo) for weekly classes & materials, your space is yours through May should you desire it, with member perks, and no contractual obligations should anything change! We also offer evening/weekend classes, preschool age classes, early music theory classes for 5 and up, and East Orlando piano lessons. Registrations are flowing in for the 2013 – 2014 school year. Secure your space today… and feel free to contact us with any questions! 

 

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SCHOOL YEAR 2023 – 2024 CALENDAR


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This upcoming School Year includes 35 active weeks of classes with some scheduled weeks off which are noted below.

SCHOOL YEAR 2023 – 2024
School Year begins – August 14th, 2023
OFF – Thanksgiving week – Nov. 20 – 24, 2023
OFF – Holiday/Winter break – Dec. 18, 2023 – Jan. 5, 2024
School Year Resumes after Winter Break – Jan 8, 2024
OFF – Spring Break – March 18 – 22, 2024
School Year ends – May 17, 2023

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SUMMER 2024 CALENDAR


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Our Summer is a 8 week fun filled session (with a scheduled week off worked in for the holiday). We know Summer travel is common, so we are happy to pro-rate the value of up to 2 weeks should you need it. Just let us know when you register!

Summer – 8 weeks
Summer Begins – June 3 – 7, 2024
OFF – July 4th Holiday – July 1 – 5, 2024
Summer Resumes after holiday – July 8, 2024
Summer ends – July 29 – August 2, 2024

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LOOKING AHEAD…
School Year 2024 – 2025 begins week of August 12th!