Kindermusik gives childhood a soundtrack

Sharon Hayes loves to say that she's paid in giggles and smiles from music-loving babies and tykes. Hayes teaches an education program that nurtures young bodies and brains by combining music and movement.

Adult fans of Kindermusik swear by the alternative approach to development, but Hayes insists that the best critiques come from the youngsters grooving and growing to the beat - and simply having a good time.

"To them, it's just play," the music educator said, beaming. "Kids think it's just about having fun, but through play they are learning."

Kindermusik classes might have the parent animatedly singing along to a song, while moving along to the music and gazing lovingly into their child's eyes. For kids up to age 3, Kindermusik might introduce them to a musical instrument or a challenge them to come up with a new way to make joyful noise.

There's far more than just fun going on. Hayes explains that Kindermusik amounts to a whole lot more than just entertainment. She says it's really science at work.

"I think music is one of those tools that help make well-balanced people," Hayes said. "Music strengthens math skills and reading skills. It strengthens problem-solving skills and self-confidence."

She added that music's ability to speak to both sides of the brain makes soothing and interesting sounds into some pretty powerful tools.

"I think to create adults who will be successful in society and business as well-developed individuals, I think those solid educations need music," Hayes said. "It's not just entertainment. It's education."

The music educator began teaching Kindermusik at Desert Grace Church of the Nazarene in 1999. She now offers the program at the Yuma Art Center, where she schedules multi-week classes, sample sessions and special camps. To date she is the only music educator in Yuma teaching Kindermusik.

Kindermusik started in the 1960s when a group of West German music teachers pulled together the wisdom of the top thinkers in music education.

"Then they took the latest in brain research and early childhood development and put it together," Hayes said. "They have proven through science that music taps into every area of a child's development: Language and physical development, and emotional and cognitive development."

It turns out that bopping along with the music is important, too.

"Kids need to move to learn," Hayes said. "A child will gain most from an experience if they are moving while learning, if it's hands-on."

The Yuma mother of two has truly answered her calling. Not only has Hayes always dedicated much of her life to music, she's also wanted all her life to work with children - and have her own.

"Honestly, my dream ever since I was a little kid was just to be a mom. I loved kids," she said. "I always baby-sat when I was a kid. We also had a playhouse in the backyard that our grandpa made. There was a pretend kitchen and toys; I could spend hours in there."

The joy of playing with kids also sparked her interest from the start.

"I love kids for their love of play. Kids don't have a care in the world and they thoroughly enjoy life," she said. "Kids, in general, are pretty optimistic, too. Kids usually have faith that it's going to work, it's going to be great."

Hayes grew up in Portland, Ore., where she graduated from high school in 1991. Then in 1997, she graduated from Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego with a degree in music education.

Kindermusik allowed Hayes to combine her two greatest passions into one career.

"Music and children are what I love," she said. "It's like I get the best of both worlds," she said. "I've always loved music. I started piano lessons at age 8. A career involving music was just a natural draw for me."

She discovered Kindermusik while working as a nanny for a music professor. She was doing laundry in her employer's garage when she stumbled across the program's curriculum stored away in dusty boxes.

Hayes created her business, Kindermusik with Sharon, when she and her husband moved to Yuma.

"It's always been a perfect fit for me professionally and personally," she said. "I always asked 'What I can do professionally and still raise a family?'"

Her advice to other working moms is pretty simple.

"Figure out what makes you happy and just pursue it. Everyone else will fall into place. You will have great career and happy, healthy kids."

Then there's the satisfaction of a job well done, like those giggles that erupt from her young students having a good time with Kindermusik.

"To me, that makes me think 'I'm doing the right thing. I'm making an impact,'" Hayes said, smiling. "That is what's so rewarding. I am just so grateful that I am able to have a job that I love so much."

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STATS AND FACTS

Name: Sharon Hayes

Age: 33

Occupation: Music educator

Marital status: Married

Children: Two daughters, 7 and 5.

Pets: Max, a beta fish who survived being dropped into a sink full of dirty dishes!

Favorite thing to eat: Dark chocolate, specifically Green and Black's Organic Dark Chocolate

Favorite midnight snack: Chee-tos

Favorite movie: "Phantom of the Opera"

Favorite TV show: "What Not to Wear"

Biggest pet peeve: Dealing with insurance companies.

If the world was ending tomorrow, what I'd do today: I would go to Disneyland with my family and friends and go to the salon and get all fixed up.

Most unusual or interesting skill: I will freeze almost any casserole or dish so I don't have to cook as much. My husband jokingly calls me "The Freezer Queen."

If my life had a theme song, it would be: Maybe "I Did it My Way." I would any day rather call my own shots and work for myself.

If they make a movie about me, I'll be played by: Jennifer Garner

Favorite weekend getaway: San Diego. I could visit there each weekend and never tire of things to do there.

Favorite vacation spot so far: San Diego!