Using music and movement as a foundation for development, Kindermusik instructor Sharon Holmes conducts a room full of preschoolers. Photo by Phil Houseal

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For more information about Kindermusik, call Sharon Holmes at 830-456-3186 or email kmusik@austin.rr.com.

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Using Music

by Phil Houseal
July 18, 2007

A gaggle of two- and three-year-old boys are bouncing around the room. They jump and wriggle, act out a sea chantey, and mime taking a bath (complete with a barrage of bubbles). Barefoot moms groove to calypso beats, then cuddle their youngsters as they listen wide-eyed to whale songs.

At the center of this multi-sensory storm, Sharon Holmes calmly conducts the symphony of instruction, turning music and movement into learning.

It is called Kindermusik, a program Holmes has directed since 2002.

Every moment of the 45-minute session was packed with learning activities, including the short rest to classical music. Holmes pulled out shakers, hoops, sand blocks, and a slide whistle. Even the smallest detail has a purpose - kids take off shoes and socks, so they can experience more sensory feedback.

"We believe children learn best barefoot," Holmes said. "It includes all the senses. The more you feel what you are doing, the better you remember it."

Holmes discovered Kindermusik about five years ago. After teaching Kindergarten for 16 years, Holmes had switched to early childhood intervention. One of the children she was visiting never spoke a word. Despite all of the veteran teacher's strategies, the child, while smiling and learning, refused to talk. At his mother's urging, Sharon accompanied him to a Kindermusik class.

"When the teacher announced she was going to read a story about a train, this boy yelled, 'I know!' I thought, oh my gosh, he spoke. This is what I want to do, because I can see the positive impact it has on children."

Holmes now works with about 40 families in the hill country. She conducts summer camps as well as 15-week courses during the school year.

Kindermusik is playing with a purpose.

"We want children to learn to think creatively," Homes said. "We do a lot of movement, not just walking, jumping, and tiptoeing - we like children to learn all the different ways to move."

The philosophy is based on brain research, especially the link between music and cognitive ability - the so-called Mozart effect. While the activities do provide a foundation for later music learning, KinderMusik is not about turning the kids into performing artists.

"We are process oriented, not performance oriented," Holmes explained. She incorporates activities that stimulate language, cognitive, emotional, physical, social, and musical development. Along the way, they learn to listen, count, identify colors, even to clean up afterwards.

Some may ask why young families need structured time to do what comes naturally - playing?

"I'm educating parents about child development," Holmes explained. "I let them know why we do what we do. I always send home materials and activities they can do at home to extend the learning."

Holmes is emphatic that the parent is the number one teacher.

"This is not a drop off program - the parents always come in. I am teaching child development, and I am here to answer questions. It's not Ms Sharon teaching; Ms Sharon just gives them the tools to use at home to help them help their child develop."

The moms I interviewed that day gave their reasons for seeking out this learning avenue.

"I want to give him some other option besides sports," said one.

"This gives them some organized activities, a time to socialize with other kids, and just some fun time with mom," said another.

The mother of twin boys added, "It's also good for moms to get out of the home and be around other moms!"

At the end of a jam-packed session, a lightly perspiring Ms Sharon dabs her brow as she delightfully sings the goodbye song.

Some children echo back "good bye." Some wave. Some hide behind their mother's leg.

The session ends. But the learning just begins.

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