Our studio values, the pillars upon which we do everything, are joy, connection, growth, family, and heart.
Let’s talk about JOY!
Our first studio value, this one comes so easily with children. Give a child a safe environment where they feel cared for and the joy naturally follows.
Did you know that you can actually manufacture joy in your life? You can hack your neurotransmitters, in a way, in order to produce more joy in your life.
When joy is felt there are naturally occurring chemicals released in the body. They are: dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins. When these hormones are present in the body your immune function receives a boost, stress and cortisol are reduced, and even pain is reduced. There are real physiological benefits to the experience of joy.
So how does this play into Kindermusik? There are several elements in a Kindermusik class that boosts our production of these feel-good hormones, or as we like to call it, “Joy Juice.”
Oxytocin is naturally released when we engage in safe physical touch. In our Little Learner classes this happens during our I Love You Rituals and our Cuddle Time. In our Little Music Makers classes it occurs during Sharing Time when you reconnect with your child and as we “breathe it all in . . . and love it all out.”
Serotonin production can be boosted when engaged in movement and socializing. Every Kindermusik class incorporates plenty of creative and free movement, and of course the whole experience is social as well.
Dopamine is released when you experience something pleasurable or fun. Anything you enjoy can trigger this part of the brain. Kindermusik is fun! Maybe your child loves the puppets the most. Or maybe you love watching them try a new instrument. Simply enjoying class on your own terms helps boost your mood.
Humans need joy, and in this stressful modern world, we need to look for it and indulge in it wherever and whenever we can. Kindermusik helps with that!
Did you know that we call our studio staff the “JOY Team?” We hope you and your child find joy at Song of the Heart Studios. Know that everyone on our JOY Team is honored to help boost your joy levels every week. We even get our own “joy juice” production up when we make music with you and your child each week. Win, win!
Kindermusik is a process oriented curriculum. We are not against performance for children per se, but our pedagogical philosophy is that process is more important than performance, at least for young children. It’s like in schools, when teachers can teach their subject vs when they teach to a test. Getting children to learn something is a different process than training them to perform a particular outcome.
This is why one of our guiding studio values is GROWTH. We want to encourage the development and growth of the entire child, not just train them to sing a particular song or play a particular instrument.
Kindermusik originated in Germany many decades ago when it was found that people were more successful in formal musical training if they first had early childhood experiences with music. Experiencing music as early as infancy and throughout early childhood was the key to success in later, formal instruction in music.
It was discovered that these early childhood musical experiences didn’t just benefit future musical study, but it benefited all major childhood developmental domains: social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and language. And these benefits have been shown to give an advantage to people throughout their lifespan.
That’s what we mean when we talk about the benefits of Kindermusik, and the growth you will see in your child. Through participation in Kindermusik your child will have a safe place to explore new movements, developing both fine and gross motor skills. They will have opportunity to make social connections, learn to share and to get along with others. Their entire brain will be firing and making connections. They’ll get practice in auditory processing and boost their language learning. All of this will take place in a nurturing environment that will promote emotional wellbeing through the release of feel-good hormones.
Music is the perfect vehicle for advantageous development. Plus it’s fun! Sometimes we get caught up in the enjoyment of it and forget the very real growth and development that is happening simultaneously.
What GROWTH have you seen in your child since they started Kindermusik?
Our studio values are the foundational pillars we have built this studio on. They are joy, connection, family, growth, and heart.
Let’s talk about FAMILY.
The family is the foundational unit of society. Without functional families we don’t have a functional society. Children rely upon their families for safety, care, love, learning, support, and all their many needs.
One of our goals at Song of the Heart Studios is to support your family’s growth and connection. One of the ways we do this is through sprinkling parenting tips throughout our Little Learner classes.
Our team is trained in Conscious Discipline and has a wealth of knowledge and experience on how to co-regulate with children, how to manage an unregulated child, how to calm yourself first and be more effective when you interact with your child, and more. Sometimes we may give little gold nuggets of parenting or child development information. Most of time we model how to positively interact with children and build connection with them.
Beyond that, we recognize the value in all family structures. Modern families can be structured in a variety of ways and we have seen a lot of different types of caregivers bring children to our studios. We honor all caregivers and the role they play in a child’s life. Birth parents, adoptive parents, foster parents, grandparents, nannies, neighbors, aunts, uncles, au pairs, and more. Whatever role you play in a child’s life it is an important and valuable one, and we want to support you in it.
When you bring your child to our music classes you are providing them with an experience of safety, joy, exploration, and connection. This will build your relationship with them and give them a sense of security within that relationship. They know you are their safe place.
While we want to empower caregivers and provide connective activities for your family, we also recognize our wider studio family. All of you are our “Heart-ies.” You contribute to the culture here in our studio and bring value to our educators and to the other children and caregivers in your class.
Music is a universal bonding agent that has strengthened communities throughout human history. We all play a part in building that bond. Thank you for being part of this community, our Song of the Heart “family”, and for contributing to the joy that is found within our walls.
Kindermusik at Song of the Heart Studios is SO MUCH more than just music classes for children.
Parents come to us wanting to have fun with their kids. They are looking for an activity, or enrichment. Many parents come with the goal of quality, developmentally appropriate, formal music instruction.
And yes! We provide all of that. But there’s more.
Many parents come to Kindermusik not knowing much about it, but come away from class with a better understanding of their child. Perhaps they gain insights into child development. Sometimes they walk away with parenting tips and tools for self and co-regulation.
Other times parents leave class just feeling good! And that’s all down to the CONNECTION they feel.
CONNECTION is one of our guiding studio values. It’s a core tenet of what we believe and why we do what we do.
Our goal is to build connection between you and your child, between your child and their educator, between children, and between caregivers. We want to create a community where you can come and feel safe and like you belong. Because you do!
Humanity needs connection more now than ever before. We are divided by ideologies, politics, borders, and more. Social media has been a great tool of connection for some but also, ironically, a tool that has disconnected many others from true community, as they grow addicted to the technology.
Covid further separated us, and now, four years on, we are only beginning to understand the costs to all of us, and our children, from that social isolation. There is simply no replacement for in-person, uplifting, joyful human connection.
And that’s what we bring to you. Thanks for being here!
We just wrapped up one of our FAVORITE weeks here at Song of the Heart Studios: Share the Love Week! We love hearing what YOU love about Kindermusik and learning what your child loves most too.
Our classes this week were filled to the brim with FUN, PLAY, TOGETHERNESS, CONNECTION, JOY, FRIENDSHIP, and LOVE!
As we focused this week on building relationships and being present with each other, you shared with us some of the things that you and your children love about our music classes for kids. In your words . . .
We love the community and the friends we’ve made.
We love snuggling under the stars.
We love playing instruments, dancing, and listening to sounds. We also love the stars!
It’s fun to bond with my daughter. It’s engaging and sets a great foundation for her future.
We love the time to connect just mommy and daughter. We love learning patterns and different ways to communicate.
I love that the teachers are so friendly and knowledgable about what they teach the children.
I love the friendly, welcoming atmosphere and the care for each child.
I love the positive environment and the variety in each class.
THANK YOU for these beautiful words. We value knowing what YOU love about what we do, because then we know how to do it even better. Knowing what you love helps us give you more of what you are looking for in your family’s Kindermusik experience, making it more more full of CONNECTION, FAMILY, HEART, GROWTH, and JOY.
Here at Song of the Heart Studios we let our values guide us as we work to bring you meaningful and beneficial music classes. Our studio values are the core of everything we do, how we do it, and why we do it.
Our studio values are: heart, connection, joy, growth, and family.
HEART
It’s right there, in our name: Kindermusik at Song of the Heart Studios. We want you to have a song in your heart after leaving our studio, but it’s more than that. We want to fill your hearts up with positive experiences and joyful memories.
Keeping our value of HEART in mind guides what we do as a studio. We put passion and care into everything we do. We endeavor to treat our Heart-y families with kindness and attention. We prioritize our relationships with you and your children. We want to create a warm and welcoming environment that you and your child will love coming back to.
Holding HEART as a value means we prioritize kindness, compassion, and empathy in our interactions with your children and with you. We believe in treating people with care and understanding. We believe that ALL people, regardless of their differences, have a place here.
We believe in having and modeling empathy. It is why we “wish well” at the end of every Kindermusik class and put each other in our hearts. Empathy helps to build strong and meaningful relationships. It allows us to connect and understand with others on a deeper level, fostering trust and mutual respect.
Empathy promotes better communication and helps us listen and seek to understand different perspectives. It can lead to problem solving and conflict resolution, as we are able to consider and address the needs and feelings of others.
Ultimately, holding HEART as a value creates a more compassionate and supportive community within our studio, where everyone feels valued and safe. As we exhibit these traits we model for our children how they can also build positive relationships with others, solve conflict, and develop understanding. It’s a crucial part of learning to get along in this world, and we love watching your children gain these skills as they progress through the Kindermusik program.
Remember: together or apart, you are always in our HEART.
The holiday season is a time when diverse cultures and traditions can come together, creating a beautiful tapestry of music and celebration. From Hanukkah songs, from Kwanzaa rhythms to Diwali melodies, there is a rich variety of musical traditions during this time of year.
One fascinating aspect of multicultural musical traditions is how they reflect the unique customs and beliefs of different communities. Christmas carols like “Silent Night” and “Jingle Bells” have become beloved classics for many. Perhaps you have recently enjoyed Hanukkah songs like “Ma’oz Tzur” and “Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel” to celebrate the Jewish Festival of Lights.
Kwanzaa, a celebration of African heritage, is accompanied by vibrant drumming and singing, reflecting the spirit of unity and community. Perhaps you can find a celebration coming up near you to experience that energy first-hand. While a month ago, Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, was marked by joyful music and dance performances, such as the traditional Garba and Bhangra.
Exploring these multicultural musical traditions not only allows us to appreciate the beauty of different cultures, but also fosters understanding and respect among diverse communities. It’s a reminder that while our customs may differ, music has the power to bring us all together.
So whether you’re listening to familiar holiday tunes or discovering new melodies from around the world, embrace the multicultural musical traditions of this season. Let the joyous sounds fill your heart and inspire you to celebrate the diversity that makes our world so beautiful.
Music has a way of transcending boundaries and connecting us all. We hope you can share the magic of multicultural musical tradition with your children, your family, your community, and communities outside of your own. We can use music as a tool of connection and understanding as we look outside our own traditions and learn to values those of others.
As we have wrapped up our holiday season and have rolled into the new year, it can be very challenging for our mental health. Particularly here in the Salt Lake valley we have additional challenges coping with the inversion. Many people suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. SAD is a form of depression that occurs during specific seasons, typically winter.
While the lack of sunlight can have a significant impact on our mood, one tool that can help lift our spirits is music.
Here are a few ways that music can combat SAD and positively influence our emotional well-being.
Mood Enhancement: Music has the incredible ability to evoke emotions and influence our mood. When feeling down or experiencing SAD symptoms, listening to uplifting and energetic music can help boost our spirits. Upbeat tunes with catchy melodies and positive lyrics can create a sense of joy and motivation, helping to combat the winter blues.
Stress Reduction: SAD can often be accompanied by increased stress and anxiety. Music acts as a natural stress reliever, triggering the release of endorphins and reducing the levels of stress hormones in our bodies. Slow, calming melodies or instrumental music can induce relaxation, providing a much-needed escape from the daily stressors that contribute to SAD symptoms.
Emotional Connection: Music has a unique way of connecting with our emotions. When dealing with SAD it’s important to acknowledge and express our feelings. Listening to music that resonates with our emotions can provide a sense of validation and comfort. Whether it’s a heartfelt ballad or a powerful anthem, music can serve as a companion during difficult times, reminding us that we’re not alone in our struggles.
Motivation and Productivity: SAD can often leave us feeling lethargic and unmotivated. However, music can help ignite our energy and increase our productivity. Upbeat and rhythmic tunes can provide the necessary motivation to get movigin, whether it’s engaging in physical activity or tackling tasks that feel overwhelming. Creating a playlist of energizing songs can help combat the sluggishness we sometimes feel at this time of year.
All of these benefits of music on our mood and emotional well-being is all effective for our children as well. If your kiddos are struggling to stay motivated in school and are having trouble regulating their emotions, engage them in music. Explore playlists that boost their mood and help them find songs that make them want to move their bodies.
We could all use a little more dopamine and feel-good endorphins at this time of year. So joyfully participate in your Kindermusik class each week. Use the Kindermusik app to stream your current album in the car to enhance your child’s in-class experience. Sing and dance in the kitchen as you cook dinner. Put on an upbeat playlist as you guide your child through their household chores. Teach them that they can utilize the gift of music to benefit their daily life.
Music has a powerful impact on our brains, especially when it comes to brain integration. When we listen to music, it activates multiple areas of our brain simultaneously, leading to a more integrated and connected experience.
Research suggests the music can enhance cognitive abilities, such as attention, memory, and problem-solving skills. It stimulates the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward, which can improve mode and motivation.
Playing a musical instrument has been shown to have even more profound effects on brain integration. It requires coordination between different regions of the brain, such as motor skills, auditory processing, and emotional expression. This can lead to improved executive functions, like planning, decision making, and creativity.
Music can also strengthen the connections between the left and right hemispheres of the brain. This cross-hemisphere neurological firing can enhance communication skills, emotional intelligence, and overall cognitive flexibility.
So whether you’re listening to your favorite tunes or playing an instrument, music has the power to harmonize and integrate our brains. It’s amazing how something as simple as a melody can have such a profound impact on our minds and well-being.
By participating in a Kindermusik class you are getting all of these wonderful brain benefits, and of course so is your child! We love sharing the gift of Kindermusik with your little ones as we train their brains to become integrated and guide them towards healthy development.
Whether you celebrate Thanksgiving or not, it is a wonderful time to year to practice gratitude and charity. We have been overwhelmed with the generosity of our “Heart-tie” families and all the pajamas and books that you have donated. We look forward to taking those to the Candy Cane Corner so they can be distributed to children in need.
We look around at world events today and are humbled by the tragedy and loss we see. There is so much suffering and violence. It is easy to feel impotent. It is easy to feel despair for our lack of ability to do anything meaningful. And so we lift where we stand. We bloom where we are planted. Donating to needy children within our own community is one way we do that.
Another way we try to make a change in the world is through the way we raise our children. As we strive to raise a new generation of humans with compassion, empathy, understanding, and safety, we can have a powerful impact on the future trajectory of the world. As we break cycles of generational trauma and dysfunction, we can help heal humanity one person at a time. That is EXACTLY what our mission is here at Song of the Heart Studios.
Did you know our studio has a mission statement? It is is to create a movement. A movement where childhood is honored, families are strengthened, minds are nourished, creativity is encouraged, community deepens, and hearts are filled with joy. To be the place where hearts sing, eyes shine, and children flourish.
It is a lofty goal and one we can build one class at a time, one family at a time, one child at a time. Thank you in participating in that mission. We wish you well.
