With the start of the fall semester of Kindermusik classes, I am reminded once again of the many ways that music participation helps children grow and learn.

A few years ago, one of my Kindermusik parents came to the first class of the new fall semester with tears in her eyes. Her son, Michael, was 2 ½ years old, and had been in Kindermusik since he was an infant. He was a quiet child and rarely participated in class, but would show his mom how much he had learned when he was at home—often singing the songs and playing his instruments as we had in class and more. Though I frequently remind parents that every child is different in how he or she experiences class, this mom still wished Michael would actively demonstrate in class how much he enjoyed coming.

That morning, as they'd gotten ready for their day, Michael's mom told him that he'd be going to music class that morning, the first class of the new semester! Michael was very excited to go. His mom asked him,

"Are you going to sing at class?"

He replied, "No."

"Are you going to dance at class?"

"No."

"Are you going to play the instruments?"

"No."

Finally she asked, "What are you going to do at Kindermusik?"

Michael smiled and replied, "I listen."

Michael and his mom happily came to class that day and many others!

Kindermusik early childhood music and movement classes are available at West Music in Coralville, Marion, and Quad Cities.