Kindermusik Village

In our Kindermusik Village I've talked about what Jane Healey has called the "contingent response". It's an element that does not exist when a child is seated at a video...no matter how wonderful or educational you might think that Baby Einstein video is.

So what is a "contingent response"?

When you read a board book to your 6 month old she pats the picture of the doggy or reaches out to chew on the corner of the book. Your response of either delight, naming the doggy or concern, by slipping your fingers between the book and her mouth, alerts your child to a perfect learning moment. She may be intrigued by your reaction and she'd like to know if it's related to her action so she repeats the tapping or drawing the book to her mouth. You react again and maybe even make eye contact. She'll probably pick up immediately on cues relayed by your eye contact and body language.

Here's a link to a brochure that I found that describes this contingent response as a social response and explains using games to heighten a baby's awareness of cause and effect.

As I read about the games on page 2 of this brochure I am reminded about our stop and go songs where we waited for the child to signal for us to sing again! Such good games!

Here's the link to the Puckett Institute's brochre. I found the Puckett Institute very interesting too. I'm proud to know they are in Asheville!