As a Kindermusik teacher, I am always observing as I am teaching – mostly observing the children so I can adjust and adapt to them, but also actively working to “see” things through the parents’ eyes too. When I look through the eyes of a Kindermusik parent, there are some of the really precious things that I get to celebrate, acknowledge, and even just hold in my own heart. I melt at the pure and absolute delight on a parent’s face in the closeness and sharing that happen in every class. I share the feeling of pride that glows on a parent’s face when their child starts tap-tap-tapping with his own shaker, gets completely absorbed in Story Time, or quietly starts singing a few words here and there.

I melt at the pure and absolute delight on a parent’s face in the closeness and sharing that happen in every class. I smile at the humor on a parent’s face when her child suddenly starts singing very loudly or urgently begins sharing a very important, but very unrelated, story to share with me.

I gently nod my head as a parent and I make eye contact during Quiet Time, acknowledging that the snuggles and cuddles in the little years go by all too quickly.

I hug the parent with happy tears in her eyes who is absolutely overjoyed at how her child who has been in multiple different kinds of therapy is now comfortable in class, engaging in activities, and making friends with the other children in class. I clap and celebrate right alongside my families; with full hearts we share the bittersweet moment of watching our Kindermusik “babies” proudly march across the stage as Kindermusik graduates.

I am a Kindermusik educator, and these are only some of the amazing things I am privileged to glimpse through a parent’s eyes because of the power of Kindermusik and the difference it makes not just in the life of a child, but also in the heart of a parent. Shared by Theresa Case, who has been sharing the joy of Kindermusik with children and families at Piano Central Studios in Greenville, South Carolina for over 20 years now