http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Z3lbSC1vMA&feature=related
July 3, 2009
Two Videos to get us ready for Creatures at the Ocean
I’ll be adding video for Busy Days, On the Road and Tell Me A Tale throughout the weekend. Be sure you check back.
June 30, 2009
Interesting thought…
I have heard this from a few different sources this summer (internet, t.v., radio etc) but there was a very good article in the July Good Housekeeping magazine about the way we spend our money. The title of the article is “The Price of Happiness” by Brett Graff (on page 113) and the tagline for the article says “Research shows that it can be bought – and for less than you think. Here’s how to spend wisely.” Mr. Graff goes on to outline that instead of material goods being purchased, spending money on experiences and things that further a person’s goals and beliefs really can increase happiness. I encourage you to stop by a library or pick up the magazine for the full article.
However, as I was reading it, I realized that Kindermusik is the kind of investment that could be included in this article. I know that – if you are enrolled in class, have ever contacted me for more information about class, or are a regular reader of this blog – I spend a lot of time focused on what the children get out of a Kindermusik class. The way we bolster and support a child’s whole development through the experiences of music, movement, play and creativity are always at the forethought for me. Yet, I know that when I was a Kindermusik parent, I also got so much value from the time Hannah and I spent in class. Benefits to me, as an adult, that really had nothing to do with her growth and development.
You see, for me, in Kindermusik it was a time to focus completely on playing and being in the moment with Hannah. It also was time when I was sharing an experience with other adults who had children the same age as my child. We were going through sleep issues, potty training, food battles, permanent marker on the face etc at about the same time. There was a community and companionship in class that I really didn’t get to experience anywhere else. It was also a time to raise my voice in song, join in a circle dance and hear a story. All things I have loved doing since I was a child, but, seriously, how often do adults get to do that.
Once Hannah reached Imagine That age, then it is was a time to share a cup of coffee and conversation with the other parents while our children were nurtured by and played with Miss Marsha. I have to say when Hannah reached Young Child and I was the teacher for that class, there were days I was a little jealous of my friends still going out to visit with each other while it was me who was now nurturing and encouraging the budding musicians. ( I still loved my time in the classroom with them).
Were there times that we thought Kindermusik was expensive. Well, yes and no, we saw the value there but it was a recognizable sum of money to lay out for a preschooler’s activities. You know what we have realized since? That money really did by happiness – not just while Hannah was in class. But, she STILL listens to her CDs even though she has been out of Kindermusik for two years. She still relates stories and good times that happened in class. “Remember when Miss Marsha…..” is a common phrase. And, as you can probably tell by this post, it created happiness and memories and experiences for me as well. Not only that, but had I never enrolled Hannah in that first class, I probably wouldn’t have the best job in the world today and get to meet all my new friends through teaching class.
Want to see what Kindermusik is all about? Why not give me a call or email and set up a free preview class this summer. Have you taken a break due to schedules or finances or both? Let me know how I can make it easier for you to re-enroll this fall. Invest in some happiness – not just for your child – but for the whole family.
Hannah in her bird mask from See What I Saw
June 19, 2009
Home from Vacation – Focusing on Summer Adventure Camps
Hello all! After a very relaxing week spent with “the girls” (mom, sister and daughter), I’m back in my office and anxiously anticipating the start of our Summer Adventure Camps in July. The Tuesday Morning Our Time class is full. So, I have started another section that has already met minimum for Thursday mornings at 10:30. If you haven’t signed up yet, there is still room for you! I am seeking a few more infants for the Wednesday morning class, and both Family Time classes have plenty of room in them (neither has met minimum enrollment yet). Please let me know as soon as possible if you want to be a part of the fun. Not sure why you should do a Summer session? Here are some top ten reasons I posted last summer:
Top Ten Reasons to Take Kindermusik Adventure Camp This Summer
10. New music that is not only fantastic for your child’s development, but is interesting listening for the whole family
9. A safe environment for you to play and be silly with your child without out fear of ridicule.
8. A chance to get to meet and know other families with children your child’s age.
7. Books and instruments to take home and continue the play throughout the year.
6. An air conditioned activity for the dog days of summer.
5. Weekly opportunity to focus completely on your child and remind yourself how creative and unique he is.
4. Egg shakers – need I say more?
3. Bubbles, parachutes and singing together – time to be a kid again.
2. Summer session is only 5 weeks long. A great way to try us out.
and the #1 reason to sign up for Kindermusik this summer….
1. Kindermusik activities strengthens your child’s brain and affects every area of her development.
A Good Beginning Never Ends — why not get started now?
This year there is a 1a – I’m offering a 3 week option for anyone going to be out of town for part of July. Just contact me for the full schedule.
They are all still applicable this year. I’m looking forward to singing, playing and being silly. Come improve your mood, your health and do amazing things for your child too!
See you there!
May 31, 2009
Melodic Month of May Slideshow
Now that my computer is back and working well, I can post some of the pictures I’ve been taking of our Melodic Month of May. There are lots of pictures that didn’t make it into the slide show. As always, families, I will burn you a CD-R of the pictures of your class. I am going to take a few more this week since May is such a short session. I’ll be working on some video I’ve taken as well.
May 12, 2009
New Videos from Class
Just wanted to share these videos.
This first one is of the Tuesday morning Our Time Group enjoying a lap bounce.
This one is the Thursday afternoon Imagine That class as dancing giants:
And finally, this one was just taken Monday night during Young Child. What fun we were having!
May 3, 2009
Missing Grandpa
Grandpa Sam passed away this morning at around 1:00 a.m. The family had called in Hospice earlier this week and a DNR had been signed. Grandpa had been suffering from inoperable colon cancer for over three years. He has been miserable for a long time – especially since Grandma died a couple of years ago.
Grandpa was a major part of my life. Growing up we spent every Sunday afternoon at their house eating a meal together with the extended family, playing in the backyard or in the spare bedroom. I remember helping Grandpa pick carrots, tomatoes and apples out of the backyard garden he had. Grandpa loved flowers and had beautiful landscaping and roses too.
Grandpa also built model trains – in their garage he had build an incredible layout complete with buildings, ski lifts, working lights etc. It would take two or three guys to run all the trains at once. He built model ships too – anyone who has been to my house has seen the one that usually sits on the television. There were LOTS of those. He did all the fine detail work himself – including stitching the sails.
The smell of pipe smoke (cherry overtones) and Old Spice Aftershave is enough to make me look around and think Grandpa is in the room. He also is the first person I remember ever wearing a seatbelt and he wore his religiously before it even became a law.
Fun times were going for a “ride” on Friday or Saturday night with mom and dad. If they said we were picking up Grandma and Grandpa you could almost bet that we would stop and get ice cream somewhere.
Though I put myself through college, Grandpa bailed me out a time or two. He also was great for calling for a ride to or from piano lessons and for sending to mom’s office when I locked the keys in the car at the high school (right across the street from our apartment – I wasn’t supposed to drive the car over there anyway).
Grandpa had great stories about WWII, his childhood and was wise in many ways. One of his quotes is my husband’s favorite. I used to think this was silly, but the older I get the more I understand. “A bargain isn’t a bargain if you didn’t need the thing in the first place”.
Kindermusik families – I am going to have to cancel all of my Thursday classes this week in order to be with my mom and all my aunts, uncles and cousins at the funeral. Please contact me about either having a make up class on May 17 (Sunday) or I will give you a credit towards one class on a future semester.
April 28, 2009
The 7 year continuum
Last night, my Young Child 4 class showcased their knowledge and talent for parents, friends and ABC 4 -6 students who will be in the Young Child 1 class next fall. This is the third Young Child group I have had go through but it is the first one comprised of children who started Kindermusik when they were infants and toddlers. You can see by the banner on the top of my blog that Kindermusik is designed to enhance a child’s life from birth. I saw such development in my own daughter and fully believe what the research and training indicate.
However, the personal experience of having taught these children for the entire breadth of their Kindermusik experience has shown me first hand what can happen with consistent and enthusiastic re-enrollment. Of course the music skills are there, we wouldn’t expect anything less. But, what I have also seen is the development of five young ladies in every area of their lives. They are articulate, knowledgeable, compassionate and extremely coordinated.
They are good readers, good thinkers, creative in their movements and in their thoughts. They share with each other and look out for each other’s needs. Not only that, but they are fun to be around and always have a song or dance (or both) to share.
For those of you who have just started your Kindermusik journey or are somewhere in the middle. I know there are time you might wonder if there is a need to take a break, try a different activity, attend a different type of class etc. The answer to that lies within the structure and needs of each individual and each family. But, from my perspective as an educator and parent, there is no better choice for your child, than to consistently re-enroll semester after semester in Kindermusik. The foundations put in place in Village class are built upon each and every week and the pay off is great when you get to the top of the tower.
If you are curious about the benefits and development that enrollment in Kindermusik provides for your child, why not send me an email or give me a call. I love to share the specific examples of growth and development I see happening with my students on a daily basis. If you’ve never tried Kindermusik, why not give me a call to set up a free preview class. I’m sure you will be impressed with what we have to offer.
Here are my girls, their parents and I last night after class. I love you girls! You will always hold a special place in my heart. Hopefully, we will be able to continue to make music together in a choir/recorder ensemble next fall.
