Bells and drums blend together in harmony. Young children laugh as they run, dance, and freeze on cue to fun songs such as “Flamenco Flamingo” and “Like A Kangaroo.” Parents and grandparents join their children, singing and learning about music genres from all around the world.
This is Zumbini, a 45-minute music and movement class designed for children age 0-4 and a caregiver. I didn’t realize how special this class was until I took part in a demo class during my training. That was all it took for me to recognize this instrument-shaking, music-making, and dance step-taking class as something special…
Zumbini is an early-childhood treasure.
Even if you don’t have young children or grandchildren, you may cross paths with someone who does. I encourage you to keep reading and discover why Zumbini is one of the best early childhood activities around!
I still remember Jericho (my two-year-old son’s first birthday party. On a bright, sunny July day, we gathered family and little friends for an afternoon filled with baseball party fun—and Zumbini for entertainment! The Zumbini songs were led by yours truly (oh the perks of having a Zumbini instructor for a mom!). We had a special day filled with smash cake, games, and lots of smiles.
Also, the group of kids present reminded me of something: development is dynamic. I saw how the four-year-olds danced on their own while the babies (including mine) danced in their parents’ arms. I noticed two-year-olds alternating between both options (dancing in arms vs. on-foot). And I saw how some kids sang along while others allowed the songs to soak into their brains. Whatever the developmental stage, Zumbini has something to offer for each age!
Zumbini and the Brain
Dancing has a powerful impact on the brain no matter what age you are, from 0 to 110, and its effect is no less powerful during early childhood. In fact, the majority of the brain is formed by age 5! By allowing children to dance more during these early years, we are helping them form a healthy brain. Enhanced memory, focus, and critical thinking are all boosted by dance as a form of physical activity. And…
The Zumbini program takes brain benefits to the next level by teaching language and literacy too! With a variety of songs in English and Spanish, children are absorbing—and practicing—both languages week after week. Parents even have the option of purchasing a song-storybook with all the lyrics to the songs for continued learning outside the classroom! They can also get a music code to listen to Zumbini songs in the car. The results?
My jaw dropped when I heard my son singing “la mano” and “el dedo” in the car, right on cue with a Zumbini song playing. He is picking up Spanish along with English of course, word by word.
So confession: this is why I would not describe Zumbini as “Zumba for babies.” While it shares similar music, the class itself has a developmental component that is easily overlooked by calling it “baby Zumba.” Zumba is the parent company, yet Zumbini differs greatly from a Zumba class.
Zumbini’s Social Impact
As a mom with a young child, I’ve noticed that it’s hard to find classes for kids age 0-2. Zumbini, however, begins at age newborn! While there should not be pressure to socialize a young baby, what a great opportunity to help them socialize with other young kids. By focusing on sit-n-sings, instrument play, and dance, the kids learn to dance together, make music together, and sing together.
While Jericho did not sing with the other kids when he first began Zumbini, he now sings with them. He used to grow anxious when other kids arrived for class, but now he is ready to do class with them! Watching him has also reminded me that there is no need to rush your child to hit a developmental mark—as long as you are laying a firm foundation for them to do so. Zumbini has certainly helped us do that!
Zumbini and Emotional Appeal
One of my favorite parts of a Zumbini class is watching the kids express emotion! One popular song is a merengue called “All After Me,” and it’s often used as a sit-n-sing. Here I use big emotions and get the kids to follow, starting with these lines:
“I say yes, yes, yes / yes, yes, yes
And you say no, no, no / No, no, no
I want to get loud, loud, loud / Loud, loud loud
And you say shh, shh, shh / Shh, shh, shh.”
With smiles, they nod yes and shake their heads from side to side as we sing this song! They are learning to express emotion through song.
Also, many of the dances incorporate emotions as well, including the cumbia song “Oh, Oh, Oh”:
“If I’m happy / si estoy Feliz / I laugh / me rio
And if sad / cuando estoy triste / I cry / yo lloro.”
In this song, caregivers and children alike act out these emotions while dancing. What a fun way (for the children) to learn how to express themselves.
Throughout the class, a wide variety of emotions make the class very dynamic in mood. According to the Zumbini website, the “variety of rhythms create shifts in the child’s mood—some boosting their energy while others helping them relax.” The shifting between moods is what helps keep the child’s attention, very often from start to finish!
Zumbini and Fine Motor Skills
With Zumbini, children are learning fine motor skills through dance and instrument play. They are learning how to coordinate their hands and feet. They practice balance by turning with scarves. And they are learning myriad combinations of movement. A Zumbini class can lay the foundation for more advanced dance in any genre to which the child is exposed.
Equally important, Zumbini lays a foundation for movement throughout a lifetime.
Many kids do not get enough physical activity each day. With outside playtime, sports, and dance competing more and more with electronic devices as technology advances, laying a solid foundation for exercise is more important now than ever before.
During Zumbini classes, fine motor skills also develop through instrument play! Drums, bells, sticks, maracas, and more are used in Zumbini. Children are learning to use these instruments, and guess what? They are little musicians in the making! Some people have a gift for music and instruments, and the class can help reveal this gift early.
For those children who may have different gifts, they are still developing their fine motor skills through instrument play.
The Ultimate Bonding Experience
We call Zumbini “the ultimate bonding experience” for two reasons. First, children bond with each other, and caregivers bond with each other as well. When you have an opportunity to form friendships in a unique class filled with musical fun, the friendships are uniquely memorable.
Second, the bond between caregiver and child is strengthened in a Zumbini class. They are class partners taking a Zumbini adventure together! The lullaby portion of every Zumbini class highlights this special bond: as the instructor sings, parents are encouraged to hold their children and rock them gently…
Definitely a sweet moment leading up to the conclusion of class. I’ve had young babies in class and I’ve had four-year-olds too—yet the lullaby remains special at every age. I love holding my now (almost) three-year-old as much as I loved holding him at six months. The bond is strengthened as I reminisce about the lullaby rocking. Oh, how much he has grown! Yet he is still mama’s Zumbini baby.
Conclusion
In short, Zumbini is a music and movement class filled with dance, sit-n-sings, and instrument play. It develops cognitive, social, emotional, and fine motor skills. Zumbini can lay a foundation for continued dance and exercise, which can in turn help a child stay healthy throughout their lifetime. It also lays a foundation for language and musical ability. Condensed into an age-appropriate class time of 45 minutes, Zumbini is also known as the “ultimate bonding experience” because it allows students and parents to bond with each other while simultaneously nurturing the relationship between parent and child.
If you are looking for a Zumbini class in your area, please visit www.zumbini.com. Our Zumbini classes at Island Time Fitness can be found here as well. Right now the class happens most Saturdays at 10:15 a.m. If you are in the Tulsa area, we would love to see you there! But even if not, I strongly encourage you to find this class. Take a virtual Zumbini class. Get involved in the ultimate bonding experience known as Zumbini.
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