Free Demonstration class

I'll be holding a few free classes coming up very soon so mark your calendars. Thursday September 16th at 11am and 2pm as well as Saturday September 25th at 11am and 2pm I'll be holding 30 minute free classes at the Dragons and Fairy Tales bookstore right on the corner of Pony Express and Ranches Parkway. I did a few in July and August and had a great turn out! Whether you've been before or are curious to see what it's all about, please bring your little ones and come join us!

Discovery-your child's path to learning

What would it be like to walk through a puddle for the first time? To not notice it coming up and then just hear the rhythm of your walk change from a tap tap tap to splish splish splash? . . . You look down and notice you are standing in water. You see it, consider it, feel it. What an adventure of the senses!

Parents know how lucky they are to see this happen right before their eyes: their child discovering something new – something that has a sound, or a feeling, or shines, or moves. Discovery can be an incredible gift.

By letting your child walk through that puddle, millions (maybe billions) of sensory connections are made. Thought patterns, optical pathways, auditory stimulation, and your child’s perception of the world are altered and strengthened.

Embrace what a difference you make for your child by taking those walks that last a long long time but cover very little ground. Remember, every stone, pine cone, ant, bird, leaf, and puddle holds a world of discovery. Don’t miss it! Don’t worry about the puddle – the shoes will dry and the pants can be cleaned. The work of the child is to experience something new every day, and that’s one of the best ways you can help your kids learn and grow.

Focused, one on one time with your child is the best gift you could give them. Kindermusik believes that parents are their children's best teachers, and home is the best classroom. Each week in my Kindermusik classes we go over a take home activity that will provide the opportunity for you to spend time with your child, watching them learn and discover the world around you. Today we had so much fun discovering our story telling abilities. We had stories about cats folding the clothes and goldfish taking baths. The giggles were so so cute!!

Fall Schedule

It's hard to believe that school will start in only a few weeks. It's hard to believe it's time to start thinking of your child's extra-curricular activities for after school. It shouldn't be hard however to.....sign up for Kindermusik!!

I will be offering a Young Child (5-7 year old) class on Tuesdays from 4:00-5:00 beginning September 7th. The Young Child curriculum prepares children who are eager for their first experiences with musical symbols and instrument discovery but may not yet be ready for formal lessons and traditional music reading with an instrument.
* Singing and vocal development. It may sound like a foreign language when your child sings “ta” and “ti-ti,” but he’s using the language of professional musicians and composers and getting ready to read and write simple rhythm patterns.
* Movement. You’ll see your child dance expressively to music, giving him the practice he needs to coordinate his body movements to the sound of music. This kind of musical play not only improves musicianship, but his physical coordination as well.
* Reading and writing. He’ll learn melodic notation and identify pitches such as the C, A, and D notes on the treble clef, plus rhythmic notation. Eventually he’ll even compose his own music.
* Focused listening. Your child will learn to identify a range of orchestra instruments and their sound qualities, while also gaining an early awareness and knowledge of composers and masterworks in Western arts tradition.
* Exploring and playing musical instruments. Authentic percussion, string, pre-keyboard, and woodwind instruments expose your child to the many choices for future musical study, and at the same time provide your child with the opportunity to musically succeed before taking on more formal instruction.
I've taught private and group piano lessons for over 5 years now and love, love, love this foundational musical education that Kindermusik provides for our budding musicians. This class is $225-I know the sticker shock on that is bad but let me explain a little. There are 15 1-hour classes for $10 each (this is cheaper than a private 30 minute instrument lesson). The remaining costs are supplies. Your child will recieve a few books, folders, stickers, musical games, CD's, and a high quality instrument (semester 1 is a glockenspiel).

I will also have an Imagine That! (3-5 year old) class on Tuesdays at 10:15 and 1:15 for 45 minutes beginning September 7th. Imagine That! classes encourage socialization, sharing, and participating in group activities. Using the power of music, Kindermusik’s Imagine That! taps into your preschooler’s creative spirit and boundless energy and focuses on developing his learning strengths and self-confidence so he’ll be ready for school, prepared for future music lessons…or able to leap tall buildings.
* Pretend Play. Pretend play activities are integrated with music, vocal development, storytelling, listening, movement and literacy aspects of each class. When based upon a child’s real life experiences, pretend play helps develop language, sensory, motor and cognitive skills.
* Musical Variety and Singing. Activities include a mixture of musical genres and styles and provide a setting for your child to explore his many voices and to use a “singing voice.” Singing helps with memory and recall, physical development, creativity and socialization.
* Storytelling and Literacy. Each class is built on the development of a story, so you’ll hear preschoolers search for the word to say what they mean and try to keep up with their busy minds, emerging wants, needs, likes, and dislikes.
* Parent Involvement. Preschoolers are learning to be self-sufficient in a group setting of peers, while many times still needing the emotional security provided by a parent. He’ll experience both in Imagine That! Caregivers participate in the last 10-15 minutes of class. Plus the At Home Materials ensures the learning continues at home with your child’s best teacher—you! You will receive a book, CD's, 2 instruments, a pretend play component, and a family activty book. This course is 14 1-hour classes and is $175 for the materials and class.

Last but not least, I'll have a Family Time (newborn-7 years old) class on Friday mornings at 10:15 for 45 minutes beginning September 10th. Family Time brings adults and children of all ages together, providing a dynamic and integrated musical learning experience for everyone.
* Singing. From the first “Hello” song to the last “Goodbye,” exploring a variety of musical styles and genres leads children to find their own voice. Plus singing helps with memory and recall, physical development, creativity, and socialization.
* Assorted Movement. Whether moving as a family, as a class, or as individuals, Family Time movement activities enhance coordination skills, create opportunities for imitation and exploration, and give everyone something to smile, rock, bounce, or dance about.
* Story Time. Reading aloud to children stimulates their curiosity, expands their knowledge, and broadens their understanding of language.
Family Jam Children (and adults) will love selecting a unique instrument and joining in one big class jam session each week.
* Musical Concepts. Fun engaging activities bring out the musicality in everyone, from the youngest member of the family to the oldest. Together you’ll learn more about music as you learn more about each other.
* Expert advice. A Kindermusik educator explains how our musically based activities enhance your child’s complete development.
Learning continues at home. With the home materials, the learning continues at home with your child’s best teacher—you! This class is 10 1-hour classes with At Home Materials including 2 books, 2 CD's, and 2 instruments for $150.

There is a $5 discount for signing up before August 14th so take advantage! Please feel free to call or email me with questions. I look forward to seeing you and your kiddos soon.

Mark your Calendars!

I will be doing 4 free classes at the local bookstore Dragons & FairyTales to try and get the word out about my fall schedule. They will be on

Friday July 30th & Friday August 6th at 11am and 2pm.

If you have been a part of Kindermusik I'd love to have you and your kids come and help me share the fun and learning of this great program.

If your new to Kindermusik and want to see what it's all about I'd love to have you and your kids come and have fun learning and singing with us.

And the winner is.......

Amelia Baker!

Thanks for everyone's cute comments. Please check back often for other opportunities to share and learn from Kindermusik.

Kids say the Darndest Things........

We've had 2 weeks of Adventure Summer Camps now and I must say we have had a wonderful time. These kids are so fun to hang out with, they make me laugh. We've gone to the cottage, Indonesia, galloped like zebras and had a great time.

So, if your child has said or done something funny regarding their Kindermusik class, or if you just want to share a thought please comment. I'll draw a name from a hat on July 3rd and the lucky winner gets a brand new book! All you have to do to 'enter' is leave a comment.

Thanks!!

Turn off the Tube

It's time to turn off the tube and get some fresh air. Try TV Turn off week! I know it's hard to peel the kiddos away from the TV, and it's even harder to get a few things done when there is no school break and it's so nice to have 90 minutes of quiet every day, but here are some great ideas to help you on this challenge:

* Replace a 20-30 minute TV program with your own musical play. Make up some simple songs, throw together some costumes with stuff around the house. Encourage your kids to use their imagination and you do the same. Fully commit to the activity cause your kids will know when you're faking it.
* How about family karaoke night? Mom and Dad sing a song, then the kids take a turn. You don't need a real machine, just put your favorite song on and make your own mic from a wooden spoon and some tin foil.
* Go on a colorful treasure hunt outside. Pick a color and have your kids try to find it in the yard. Once they find the color, see if you can make up a little song about the color or the object. You can also try this with 'I hear' things in the yard.
* Have a dance party! Inside, outside, it doesn't matter. Anytime is a good time to dance. To add some motor skills and listening skills development, you can 'freeze dance' by starting and stopping the music randomly to make everyone freeze.