Family Time is Friday from 10-10:45 and is for kids of all ages. Classses start January 21st and run for 12 weeks. This is a great class if you have more than one child at home in the mornings. The curriculum is 'Our Kind of Day' and we will sing, play, and explore daily routines through music. Each family recieves 2 CD's, 3 books, 2 games, and 2 instruments to continue the music at home.
Imagine That! is Tuesdays at 1:00 for 3-5 yr old kids. Classes start January 11th and run for 15 weeks, moms join us the last 15 minutes of each week. This curriculum is "Cities, Busy Places & Friendly Faces." We will explore the busy cities through music and imagine so much as these busy pre-school kids have fun together. Each student receives a game, books, CD's and an instrument.
Young Child 2 is Tuesday from 4:00-5:00 and is for 5-7 yr old kids. Classes start January 11th and run for 15 weeks. This curriculum is a great introduction and foundation to musical education. These kids will be able to read music on the staff, know musical concepts, theories, and techniques. Students receive books and CD's.
Please call or email me if you have any questions! I'd love to help bring the gift of music to your kiddos.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
A Look Back.....
We just finished our Fall semester of Kindermusik for 2010. While I am super excited about the fun and creative curriculum coming up for our next semester starting in January, I am looking back with a little sadness as we had so much fun and learned so much together over the past 4 months. I think the first few classes were a little more challenging as we all learned the routine and what to expect but by the end of our classes I felt we had formed great friendships and created wonderful memories together.
This was our Family Time class on Friday mornings. The kids (and moms I think) loved these cute mirrors where we explored all the different shapes our mouths could make. There were a lot of giggles during this activity! Honestly, I think I was the most nervous for this class because there were adults involved. But it turned out to be one of my favorite hours of the week. I loved watching the little kids watch and learn from the big kids, I loved watching the big kids take ownership of teaching and being the example for the little kids, and I LOVED the giggles and thrills I got to witness between parents and children as we sang and played together.
Sometimes it is a lot of fun for the little kids (and big kids for that matter) to feel large and in charge. We had fun with stuffed animals and letting the kids 'teach' their animals legato and staccato movements. He is having so much fun!!
This was our Family Time class on Friday mornings. The kids (and moms I think) loved these cute mirrors where we explored all the different shapes our mouths could make. There were a lot of giggles during this activity! Honestly, I think I was the most nervous for this class because there were adults involved. But it turned out to be one of my favorite hours of the week. I loved watching the little kids watch and learn from the big kids, I loved watching the big kids take ownership of teaching and being the example for the little kids, and I LOVED the giggles and thrills I got to witness between parents and children as we sang and played together.
Sometimes it is a lot of fun for the little kids (and big kids for that matter) to feel large and in charge. We had fun with stuffed animals and letting the kids 'teach' their animals legato and staccato movements. He is having so much fun!!This was our Imagine That class. The assignment this week was to make their very own snowboots. Look at the creativity as Ali and her mom used tissue boxes and decorated them so cute! We practiced walking in the snow and balancing on one foot, then pretended to build snowman in the pretend snow. This age never ceased to amaze me with their imagination (probably why the class is called Imagine That!) and all the creative things they were always coming up with.
The assignment this week was to make a rain hat. I was so very impressed with the cozy hat, Ritz box, and cool helmet all made with the kiddos and their parents at home. They loved dancing in the rain and staying dry with their cool hats.
This class really got to be good friends and loved to visit with each other by the end of the semester. It was cute to watch them 'catch up' each week.
The assignment this week was to make a rain hat. I was so very impressed with the cozy hat, Ritz box, and cool helmet all made with the kiddos and their parents at home. They loved dancing in the rain and staying dry with their cool hats.
This class really got to be good friends and loved to visit with each other by the end of the semester. It was cute to watch them 'catch up' each week.
I love me some Kindermusik kids!
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Holiday Open House
You are all invited to a Holiday Kindermusik Open House in my studio....
Friday December 10th & Friday December 17th
10:00am til noon both days
Come play, read, sing, have fun with your kiddos and meet other great families! All free! Come for 10 minutes or 2 hours, whatever fits your schedule. I look forward to seeing you there! HOHOHO
Friday December 10th & Friday December 17th
10:00am til noon both days
Come play, read, sing, have fun with your kiddos and meet other great families! All free! Come for 10 minutes or 2 hours, whatever fits your schedule. I look forward to seeing you there! HOHOHO
Monday, December 6, 2010
The Power of Music: London University
I LOVED this article and learned so much, once again, about the power of music. It is rather long but very informative. I had so many similar experiences with my youngest son who was very delayed, and ill for a long time. Looking back on it now I see even more what an impact Kindermusik had on him. Enjoy!
The power of music: its impact on the intellectual, social and personal development of children and young people
Susan Hallam, Institute of Education, University of London
Recent advances in the study of the brain have enhanced our understanding of the way that active engagement with music may influence other activities. The cerebral cortex self-organises as we engage with different musical activities, skills in these areas may then transfer to other activities if the processes involved are similar. Some skills transfer automatically without our conscious awareness, others require reflection on how they might be utilised in a new situation.
Perceptual, language and literacy skills
Speech and music have a number of shared processing systems. Musical experiences which enhance processing can therefore impact on the perception of language which in turn impacts on learning to read. Active engagement with music sharpens the brain’s early encoding of linguistic sound. Eight year old children with just 8 weeks of musical training showed improvement in perceptual cognition compared with controls.
Speech makes extensive use of structural auditory patterns based on timbre differences between phonemes. Musical training develops skills which enhance perception of these patterns. This is critical in developing phonological awareness which in turn contributes to learning to read successfully.
Speech processing requires similar processing to melodic contour. Eight year old children with musical training outperformed controls on tests of music and language.
Learning to discriminate differences between tonal and rhythmic patterns and to associate these with visual symbols seems to transfer to improved phonemic awareness.
Learning to play an instrument enhances the ability to remember words through enlargement of the left cranial temporal regions. Musically trained participants remembered 17% more verbal information that those without musical training.
Children experiencing difficulties with reading comprehension have benefitted from training in rhythmical performance.
Numeracy
Research exploring the relationships between mathematics and active musical engagement has had mixed results, in part, because not all mathematics’ tasks share underlying processes with those involved in music. Transfer is dependent on the extent of the match, for instance, children receiving instruction on rhythm instruments scored higher on part-whole maths problems than those receiving piano and singing instruction.
Intellectual development
Learning an instrument has an impact on intellectual development, particularly spatial reasoning. A review of 15 studies found a ‘strong and reliable’ relationship, the author likening the differences to one inch in height or about 84 points on standardised school tests. A study contrasting the impact of music lessons (standard keyboard, Kodaly voice) with drama or no lessons found that the music groups had reliably larger increases in IQ. Children in the control groups had average increases of 4.3 points while the music groups had increases of 7 points. On all but 2 of the 12 subtests the music group had larger increases than control groups.
General attainment and creativity
There is a consistent relationship between active engagement in music and general attainment but much research has been unable to partial out confounding factors. A recent study, adopting more sensitive statistical modelling overcame these difficulties. Two nationally representative data sources in the USA with data from over 45,000 children found that associations between music and achievement persisted even when prior attainment was taken into account.
Music participation enhances measured creativity, particularly when the musical activity itself is creative, for instance, improvisation.
Personal and social development
General attainment may be influenced by the impact that music has on personal and social development. Playing an instrument can lead to a sense of achievement; an increase in self-esteem; increased confidence; persistence in overcoming frustrations when learning is difficult; self-discipline; and provide a means of self-expression. These may increase motivation for learning in general thus supporting enhanced attainment.
Participating in musical groups promotes friendships with like-minded people; self-confidence; social skills; social networking; a sense of belonging; team work; self-discipline; a sense of accomplishment; co-operation; responsibility; commitment; mutual support; bonding to meet group goals; increased concentration and provides an outlet for relaxation.
Research in the USA on the benefits of band participation found that 95% of parents believed that participation in band provided educational benefits not found in other classrooms.
Working in small musical groups requires the development of trust and respect and skills of negotiation and compromise.
In adolescence music makes a major contribution to the development of self-identity and is seen as a source of support when young people are feeling troubled or lonely.
2
Music has been linked to the capacity to increase emotional sensitivity. The recognition of emotions in music is related to emotional intelligence.
Increasing the amount of classroom music within the curriculum can increase social cohesion within class, greater self-reliance, better social adjustment and more positive attitudes, particularly in low ability, disaffected pupils.
The positive effects of engagement with music on personal and social development will only occur if, overall, it is an enjoyable and rewarding experience. The quality of the teaching, the extent to which individuals perceive that they are successful, and whether in the long term it is a positive experience will all contribute to the nature of any personal or social benefits.
Physical development, health and wellbeing
Rhythmic accompaniment to physical education enhances the development of physical skills.
Learning to play an instrument enhances fine motor co-ordination.
There may be particular health benefits for singing in relation to the immune system, breathing, adopting good posture, improved mood, and stress reduction.
The power of music: its impact on the intellectual, social and personal development of children and young people
Susan Hallam, Institute of Education, University of London
Recent advances in the study of the brain have enhanced our understanding of the way that active engagement with music may influence other activities. The cerebral cortex self-organises as we engage with different musical activities, skills in these areas may then transfer to other activities if the processes involved are similar. Some skills transfer automatically without our conscious awareness, others require reflection on how they might be utilised in a new situation.
Perceptual, language and literacy skills
Speech and music have a number of shared processing systems. Musical experiences which enhance processing can therefore impact on the perception of language which in turn impacts on learning to read. Active engagement with music sharpens the brain’s early encoding of linguistic sound. Eight year old children with just 8 weeks of musical training showed improvement in perceptual cognition compared with controls.
Speech makes extensive use of structural auditory patterns based on timbre differences between phonemes. Musical training develops skills which enhance perception of these patterns. This is critical in developing phonological awareness which in turn contributes to learning to read successfully.
Speech processing requires similar processing to melodic contour. Eight year old children with musical training outperformed controls on tests of music and language.
Learning to discriminate differences between tonal and rhythmic patterns and to associate these with visual symbols seems to transfer to improved phonemic awareness.
Learning to play an instrument enhances the ability to remember words through enlargement of the left cranial temporal regions. Musically trained participants remembered 17% more verbal information that those without musical training.
Children experiencing difficulties with reading comprehension have benefitted from training in rhythmical performance.
Numeracy
Research exploring the relationships between mathematics and active musical engagement has had mixed results, in part, because not all mathematics’ tasks share underlying processes with those involved in music. Transfer is dependent on the extent of the match, for instance, children receiving instruction on rhythm instruments scored higher on part-whole maths problems than those receiving piano and singing instruction.
Intellectual development
Learning an instrument has an impact on intellectual development, particularly spatial reasoning. A review of 15 studies found a ‘strong and reliable’ relationship, the author likening the differences to one inch in height or about 84 points on standardised school tests. A study contrasting the impact of music lessons (standard keyboard, Kodaly voice) with drama or no lessons found that the music groups had reliably larger increases in IQ. Children in the control groups had average increases of 4.3 points while the music groups had increases of 7 points. On all but 2 of the 12 subtests the music group had larger increases than control groups.
General attainment and creativity
There is a consistent relationship between active engagement in music and general attainment but much research has been unable to partial out confounding factors. A recent study, adopting more sensitive statistical modelling overcame these difficulties. Two nationally representative data sources in the USA with data from over 45,000 children found that associations between music and achievement persisted even when prior attainment was taken into account.
Music participation enhances measured creativity, particularly when the musical activity itself is creative, for instance, improvisation.
Personal and social development
General attainment may be influenced by the impact that music has on personal and social development. Playing an instrument can lead to a sense of achievement; an increase in self-esteem; increased confidence; persistence in overcoming frustrations when learning is difficult; self-discipline; and provide a means of self-expression. These may increase motivation for learning in general thus supporting enhanced attainment.
Participating in musical groups promotes friendships with like-minded people; self-confidence; social skills; social networking; a sense of belonging; team work; self-discipline; a sense of accomplishment; co-operation; responsibility; commitment; mutual support; bonding to meet group goals; increased concentration and provides an outlet for relaxation.
Research in the USA on the benefits of band participation found that 95% of parents believed that participation in band provided educational benefits not found in other classrooms.
Working in small musical groups requires the development of trust and respect and skills of negotiation and compromise.
In adolescence music makes a major contribution to the development of self-identity and is seen as a source of support when young people are feeling troubled or lonely.
2
Music has been linked to the capacity to increase emotional sensitivity. The recognition of emotions in music is related to emotional intelligence.
Increasing the amount of classroom music within the curriculum can increase social cohesion within class, greater self-reliance, better social adjustment and more positive attitudes, particularly in low ability, disaffected pupils.
The positive effects of engagement with music on personal and social development will only occur if, overall, it is an enjoyable and rewarding experience. The quality of the teaching, the extent to which individuals perceive that they are successful, and whether in the long term it is a positive experience will all contribute to the nature of any personal or social benefits.
Physical development, health and wellbeing
Rhythmic accompaniment to physical education enhances the development of physical skills.
Learning to play an instrument enhances fine motor co-ordination.
There may be particular health benefits for singing in relation to the immune system, breathing, adopting good posture, improved mood, and stress reduction.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Kids Say and Do the Darndest things
So we want to know! What has your child said or done in the past few weeks that has made you laugh, cry, or want to sing outloud!
Drawing to be held December 10th.
Drawing to be held December 10th.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Kindermusik Christmas
About this time of year I'll admit I start getting a little stressed. It seems I can not go into any store, even the grocery store without a battle ensuing with one of my kids over a toy, a cool game, the newest movie. My kids get a really bad case of the I WANTS from now til Christmas! And then we get home and I trip over the toys, books, games, and stuffed animals left out in every room. If we get one more toy in this house my head may explode! We do not need any more 'stuff.' Just because it's Christmas does not mean we need something new.
So last year I had had enough. So my husband and I were talking and we decided to start giving experiences and memories to our kids for Christmas. We talked to them about it and at first they weren't totally on board. Then we explained that instead of getting one toy that would probably break, or we'd lose a part, or run out of batteries (insert numerous examples of this happening in the past) they would get months of a fun activity. So my oldest son decided on Tia Kwon Do lessons. We wrapped up his uniform and put it under the tree and he loved it!! He has worked hard every week for almost a year now and has advanced to a Sr White belt. My second son chose TBall so he got a new glove and hat under the tree and loved his Tball season. This was a hit!
With Black Friday around the corner I'm sure we'll all be checking the ads and trying to find the best deals for things we think our kids need or want. But wouldn't it be great to give them a gift that's not only fun for a few days or weeks, but will last months and even their whole life! Giving your child the experience of Kindermusik will lay a foundation for years to come of musical education, increased learning potential, and great fun for you as a family.
Let's say you have a large extended family and draw names like we do in my family. When aunt and uncle so and so come asking what your kiddos would like, wouldn't it be great to tell them you'd love to give them the gift of music and fun educational learning instead of another game or movie or toy. I have gift certificates available in any denomination.
My schedule for January is up and it's as easy as registering online. If you enroll before December 10th I'll hand deliver your At Home Materials for the class all wrapped up and ready to be put under the tree.
I would love to help relieve some of the stress of Christmas shopping for you, so make it a Kindermusik Christmas!
So last year I had had enough. So my husband and I were talking and we decided to start giving experiences and memories to our kids for Christmas. We talked to them about it and at first they weren't totally on board. Then we explained that instead of getting one toy that would probably break, or we'd lose a part, or run out of batteries (insert numerous examples of this happening in the past) they would get months of a fun activity. So my oldest son decided on Tia Kwon Do lessons. We wrapped up his uniform and put it under the tree and he loved it!! He has worked hard every week for almost a year now and has advanced to a Sr White belt. My second son chose TBall so he got a new glove and hat under the tree and loved his Tball season. This was a hit!
With Black Friday around the corner I'm sure we'll all be checking the ads and trying to find the best deals for things we think our kids need or want. But wouldn't it be great to give them a gift that's not only fun for a few days or weeks, but will last months and even their whole life! Giving your child the experience of Kindermusik will lay a foundation for years to come of musical education, increased learning potential, and great fun for you as a family.
Let's say you have a large extended family and draw names like we do in my family. When aunt and uncle so and so come asking what your kiddos would like, wouldn't it be great to tell them you'd love to give them the gift of music and fun educational learning instead of another game or movie or toy. I have gift certificates available in any denomination.
My schedule for January is up and it's as easy as registering online. If you enroll before December 10th I'll hand deliver your At Home Materials for the class all wrapped up and ready to be put under the tree.
I would love to help relieve some of the stress of Christmas shopping for you, so make it a Kindermusik Christmas!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Musical Variety is the Spice of Life
You've probably heard the old proverb: "Variety is the spice of life." When it comes to music, musical variety is definitely the spice of life! When you expose young children to music from around the world, you expose them to different cultures, countries, ideas and and experiences, along with these developmental benefits:
Greater Language Proficiency-Just as you read a variety of books to expand your child's vocabulary, exposure to a wide variety of music and sounds expands your child's 'ear vocabulary.'
Spacial Awareness-When a child listens to music, her mind perceives the sound in multi-dimensional ways. The sound is loud or soft, fast or slow, high or low, left to right. Eventually they will use that 'awareness of space' to work their body when they walk around the room or play sports.
Temporal Reasoning-You see this skill in action when a preschooler tells a story. He starts with his own experience and then moves to some imagines place with a princess or a superhero then goes back to something real again. Music does the same thing. It goes back and forth between established places (the chorus) and to new places that take you somewhere else (the verse).
Emotional Intelligence-With exposure to a greater variety of musical styles like jazz, folk, or classical, this increased exposure to music increases a child's awareness, and understanding of different moods and emotions.
Cognitive Skills- Research shows that music contributes to the development of a child's ability to reason, his sense of patterning, and his memory skills.
As always you are invited to attend any of my classes for free to check it out! Just let me know you are coming!
Greater Language Proficiency-Just as you read a variety of books to expand your child's vocabulary, exposure to a wide variety of music and sounds expands your child's 'ear vocabulary.'
Spacial Awareness-When a child listens to music, her mind perceives the sound in multi-dimensional ways. The sound is loud or soft, fast or slow, high or low, left to right. Eventually they will use that 'awareness of space' to work their body when they walk around the room or play sports.
Temporal Reasoning-You see this skill in action when a preschooler tells a story. He starts with his own experience and then moves to some imagines place with a princess or a superhero then goes back to something real again. Music does the same thing. It goes back and forth between established places (the chorus) and to new places that take you somewhere else (the verse).
Emotional Intelligence-With exposure to a greater variety of musical styles like jazz, folk, or classical, this increased exposure to music increases a child's awareness, and understanding of different moods and emotions.
Cognitive Skills- Research shows that music contributes to the development of a child's ability to reason, his sense of patterning, and his memory skills.
As always you are invited to attend any of my classes for free to check it out! Just let me know you are coming!
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Children's Work is to Play
All children play. Whether it's a child playing alone with an imaginary friend or groups of children playing favorite games such as 'hide and seek,' all children engage in some type of play every day. But play isn't purely for fun and entertainment-it serves numerous roles in the development of children.
Play involved diverse activity where a broad range of learning can thrive and flourish. Children use play to test ideas, discover relationships, extract information, express their feelings and ideas, define themselves and develop peer relationships.
Children are actively involved in play. A child internalizes his or her discoveries, which belongs to that child for the rest of their life. Therefore, it is essential that play be an important component of the educational process. For young children, curriculum should be child-centered with open-ended learning experiences with a broad range of developmental goals. This type of program puts more emphasis on motivation, learning by discovery, cognitive process, and the well being of the child from a whole child perspective. Kindermusik classes provide these important ingredients of play.
This is very evident in our Hello Weather Let's Play Together class on Tuesday mornings. We love to splash in pretend mud puddles, put on our goulashes and dance in the rain, and tip toes with the rain all around the town! There is never a shortage of giggles and fun, all while we are learning!
Play involved diverse activity where a broad range of learning can thrive and flourish. Children use play to test ideas, discover relationships, extract information, express their feelings and ideas, define themselves and develop peer relationships.
Children are actively involved in play. A child internalizes his or her discoveries, which belongs to that child for the rest of their life. Therefore, it is essential that play be an important component of the educational process. For young children, curriculum should be child-centered with open-ended learning experiences with a broad range of developmental goals. This type of program puts more emphasis on motivation, learning by discovery, cognitive process, and the well being of the child from a whole child perspective. Kindermusik classes provide these important ingredients of play.
This is very evident in our Hello Weather Let's Play Together class on Tuesday mornings. We love to splash in pretend mud puddles, put on our goulashes and dance in the rain, and tip toes with the rain all around the town! There is never a shortage of giggles and fun, all while we are learning!
Music and movement are magical ingredients to learning for both parent and child. A baby's first communication is through movement. A toddler will respond immediately to lively music with what seems to be humorous, uncoordinated movements but to him are quite serious attempts to coordinate movement with rhythmic patterns. The young child seems to be moving constantly-leaping off couches, rolling down hills, and spinning around and around until she falls down in a giggling flop on the floor.
Our brains fully develop through movement activities such as crawling, rolling, turning, walking,s kipping, reaching, swinging and much more. The brain has a plan for development that involves specific and intensive motor activities to make full use of our complicate nervous system. The nervous system of each human being must go through a series of developmental stages before the brain can operate at its full potential. All children 'program' their motor and perceptual equipment, nerves and brain cells by using their whole body and all their senses.
Movement is fundamental for the development of the central nervous system but movement and rhythm are also essential for the development of the soul. When a parent moves with her infant, a special bonding takes place that is extremely important for social and emotional growth. When a parent sings to her child, not only are language skills being developed, but also a sense of love, comfort and harmony. The special touching, laughing and rhythmic moving that takes place in a music and movement class lays a very strong and much needed foundation for a happy, healthy and joyful life!
The Kindermusik curricula are specially designed to provide opportunities are for infants, toddlers, pre-schoolers and young children to learn through interactive music and movement activities. Kindermusik class provides parents and children a variety of stimulating experiences that will be beneficial for everyone.
http://play.kindermusik.com Is a great site offering free music for you to download and enjoy in our home, in the car, or on your MP3. Take a few minutes with your kids and find some music you like, turn it up and get moving together! Enjoy
Our brains fully develop through movement activities such as crawling, rolling, turning, walking,s kipping, reaching, swinging and much more. The brain has a plan for development that involves specific and intensive motor activities to make full use of our complicate nervous system. The nervous system of each human being must go through a series of developmental stages before the brain can operate at its full potential. All children 'program' their motor and perceptual equipment, nerves and brain cells by using their whole body and all their senses.
Movement is fundamental for the development of the central nervous system but movement and rhythm are also essential for the development of the soul. When a parent moves with her infant, a special bonding takes place that is extremely important for social and emotional growth. When a parent sings to her child, not only are language skills being developed, but also a sense of love, comfort and harmony. The special touching, laughing and rhythmic moving that takes place in a music and movement class lays a very strong and much needed foundation for a happy, healthy and joyful life!
The Kindermusik curricula are specially designed to provide opportunities are for infants, toddlers, pre-schoolers and young children to learn through interactive music and movement activities. Kindermusik class provides parents and children a variety of stimulating experiences that will be beneficial for everyone.
http://play.kindermusik.com Is a great site offering free music for you to download and enjoy in our home, in the car, or on your MP3. Take a few minutes with your kids and find some music you like, turn it up and get moving together! Enjoy
Monday, September 13, 2010
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!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
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!!
Monday, August 2, 2010
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.
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.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
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.
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.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
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.
Thanks for everyone's cute comments. Please check back often for other opportunities to share and learn from Kindermusik.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
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!!
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!!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
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.
* 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.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Summer Camps
Thank you for the amazing support and for all of you who have signed up to participate in my summer camps this year. I am so excited to go on adventures to the Zoo, camping, and the beach with your cute kids.
I need to order the Take Home Materials for each camper by June 1st, so if I haven't heard from you yet, now is your chance! Just do it-it will be so much fun and you will be amazed at the musical education that takes place as well.
Happy singing!
I need to order the Take Home Materials for each camper by June 1st, so if I haven't heard from you yet, now is your chance! Just do it-it will be so much fun and you will be amazed at the musical education that takes place as well.
Happy singing!
Saturday, May 15, 2010
New On the Road Summer Camp
I could not be more excited!! My camps are filling up so I've added another class. I will have another 5 week class of On the Road (3-5 years old) starting June 18th at 10am. This class is also 90 minutes and moms are invited back at 11 for sharing time. Ya for Kindermusik!!!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Summer Camps
My summer camps are filling up fast and I can't wait! I've been busy learning the songs and chants and thinking of fun ways to help bring these adventures to your kids. Here is a quick summary of the 3 camps I'll be offering. All classes start on Wednesday June 14th and run for 5 weeks.
Tell Me A Tale (Age 5-7) Every Wednesday at 3:00-4:30 - Through storytelling, your child will develop an early awareness of rhythm, movement, singing, and drama. Each lesson features a new tale from around the world, explored through multi-instrument and multi-cultural elements. All told, it's an around-the-imagination adventure of the greatest stories from Europe, Malaysia, South Africa, and more.
On the Road (Age 3-5) - Every Wednesday at 1:00-2:30 with moms joining us at 2:00 for sharing time. Your summer vacation becomes a musical learning theme, and makes the most of a preschooler's burgeoning imagination and ability to learn more words and solve problems. Take imaginary trips to summer vacation locations such as the carnival, a summer cottage, and the beach. Crafts use simple materials—most can be found around the house. You'll also learn more about how music improves your preschooler's ability to think, reason, create and express.
Zoo Train! (Age 18 mos -3 yrs)- Every Wednesday at 10:30-11:30. Five lessons feature music, stories, crafts and snacks to stimulate a toddler's emerging sense of imagination, coordination, and ability to learn more words. Tag along this summer with a traveling zoo-train; bring your own stuffed animal for the petting zoo; wear long white socks on your hands for polar bear paws; and learn about real animals in the zoo. Sing songs in new languages. Parents also learn more about child development and how music improves a toddler's ability to think, reason, create, and express.
I'd love to see you and your child at any of these camps! Please let me know if you have any questions. Enrollment will go for about another month.
Tell Me A Tale (Age 5-7) Every Wednesday at 3:00-4:30 - Through storytelling, your child will develop an early awareness of rhythm, movement, singing, and drama. Each lesson features a new tale from around the world, explored through multi-instrument and multi-cultural elements. All told, it's an around-the-imagination adventure of the greatest stories from Europe, Malaysia, South Africa, and more.
On the Road (Age 3-5) - Every Wednesday at 1:00-2:30 with moms joining us at 2:00 for sharing time. Your summer vacation becomes a musical learning theme, and makes the most of a preschooler's burgeoning imagination and ability to learn more words and solve problems. Take imaginary trips to summer vacation locations such as the carnival, a summer cottage, and the beach. Crafts use simple materials—most can be found around the house. You'll also learn more about how music improves your preschooler's ability to think, reason, create and express.
Zoo Train! (Age 18 mos -3 yrs)- Every Wednesday at 10:30-11:30. Five lessons feature music, stories, crafts and snacks to stimulate a toddler's emerging sense of imagination, coordination, and ability to learn more words. Tag along this summer with a traveling zoo-train; bring your own stuffed animal for the petting zoo; wear long white socks on your hands for polar bear paws; and learn about real animals in the zoo. Sing songs in new languages. Parents also learn more about child development and how music improves a toddler's ability to think, reason, create, and express.
I'd love to see you and your child at any of these camps! Please let me know if you have any questions. Enrollment will go for about another month.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Listening Equals Learning
"It turns out that mere exposure makes an enormous contribution to how musical competence develops." -researchers at the University of AmsterdamIn Kindermusik class, we tell parents that simply having their child in an interactive musical environment has huge impact.
This impact usually goes well beyond what we are seeing in class. (For example, a child may initially be shy about singing in class. At home, however, she will sing the class songs all the time! We know she's learning and abosorbing). Recent research backs up what we have known and seen for years. According to researchers at the University of Amsterdam (2008), there is evidence that some musical capabilities are developed just by being exposed to music, especially music of the listener’s preferred genre. And we can tell you that Kindermusik kids LOVE their Kindermusik music. (And most parents are closet fans too!)When it comes to music, listening equals learning. Most parents instinctively recognize the power of music and want to do all they can to foster their child’s musical interests and development. One of the easiest things you can do is surround your child with an active musical environment. Kindermusik International’s experience over the past 30 years has shown that for young children –- baby, toddler, preschooler, or big kid -- there’s no better way to listen and learn than with us!
Check out Kindermusik Play, our new e-music site to preview and download some of our music. Have a listen with your kids. They'll be learning!To check out the research, click here.
From ScienceDaily (Aug. 13, 2008): Researchers at the University of Amsterdam (UvA) have demonstrated how much the brain can learn simply through active exposure to many different kinds of music. "More and more labs are showing that people have the sensitivity for skills that we thought were only expert skills," Henkjan Honing (UvA) explains.
This impact usually goes well beyond what we are seeing in class. (For example, a child may initially be shy about singing in class. At home, however, she will sing the class songs all the time! We know she's learning and abosorbing). Recent research backs up what we have known and seen for years. According to researchers at the University of Amsterdam (2008), there is evidence that some musical capabilities are developed just by being exposed to music, especially music of the listener’s preferred genre. And we can tell you that Kindermusik kids LOVE their Kindermusik music. (And most parents are closet fans too!)When it comes to music, listening equals learning. Most parents instinctively recognize the power of music and want to do all they can to foster their child’s musical interests and development. One of the easiest things you can do is surround your child with an active musical environment. Kindermusik International’s experience over the past 30 years has shown that for young children –- baby, toddler, preschooler, or big kid -- there’s no better way to listen and learn than with us!
Check out Kindermusik Play, our new e-music site to preview and download some of our music. Have a listen with your kids. They'll be learning!To check out the research, click here.
From ScienceDaily (Aug. 13, 2008): Researchers at the University of Amsterdam (UvA) have demonstrated how much the brain can learn simply through active exposure to many different kinds of music. "More and more labs are showing that people have the sensitivity for skills that we thought were only expert skills," Henkjan Honing (UvA) explains.
Monday, April 19, 2010
EM Street Fair
Each Spring our great city of Eagle Mountain does a street fair for all the local business owners. I get to set up a booth and share the joys and benefits of Kindermusik with our community. I'm a little nervous as this will be my first big public push for enrollment, but I am super excited as well!
Please come out and support all the great, talented people in our area trying to be successful at their business. My booth will have a bean bag toss for the kiddos and I'll be handing out lots of fun toys and treats as well. I hope to sign up students for my summer camps that will begin on June 16th. Come out and see me!!
Please come out and support all the great, talented people in our area trying to be successful at their business. My booth will have a bean bag toss for the kiddos and I'll be handing out lots of fun toys and treats as well. I hope to sign up students for my summer camps that will begin on June 16th. Come out and see me!!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
What you can Expect to See.....
Here is a picture of my Kindermusik studio. I just finished up my first little practice class on my road to licensing. I should be done by the end of April, just in time to start a few summer camps. Here is a sneak peak at some of the things you can expect to see at Kindermusik with Jamie......
Lots of new instrument exploration. This is our gathering time activity where each child has a few minutes to explore different rhythm and sounds with new instruments before we start class.
Lots of sharing and learning good social skills.
Lots of precious little bonding moments between children and parents. This is our Johnny Oops finger play, except today we used our own names and the kids loved it!
Lots of opportunities for one on one focused experiences with your child. Here he is trying to show his mom how to dance just the right way!
Lots of energy!! How loud can we bang the triangle, how high and loud can we play our rhythm sticks, how fast can we swoosh our scarves!! And we tried to play them low and soft, just to even things out.
Lots of opportunities to discover and explore new ways to move our bodies and make our own beat. 
Plenty of space for coats and shoes to be out of the way for play!
Lots of opportunities for one on one focused experiences with your child. Here he is trying to show his mom how to dance just the right way!Lots of energy!! How loud can we bang the triangle, how high and loud can we play our rhythm sticks, how fast can we swoosh our scarves!! And we tried to play them low and soft, just to even things out.Lots of opportunities to discover and explore new ways to move our bodies and make our own beat. Plenty of space for coats and shoes to be out of the way for play!
You can expect to see lots of smiley faces, lots of singing and dancing and new discovery as these kids imaginations take us on a new adventure each class. Thank you so very much for all who participated!!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Survey Says.....
I'm only a few weeks away from completing my Kindermusik course and getting my license to teach! I am working on setting up a summer and fall class schedule and would love your help to know what would best serve you and our community. Please take a few minutes-it's only 7 questions. Thank you!!!
http://surveys.polldaddy.com/s/7A61DCF64CECDB39/
http://surveys.polldaddy.com/s/7A61DCF64CECDB39/
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Did you know......
......providing musical experiences in the early years gives your child benefits that last a lifetime? How does it affect your child. Well, growth may be observed in any or all of the following areas as a result of early and consistent exposure to music:
perseverance, confidence, responsibility, identity and self-esteem, discipline, love of music, art, culture, identification of talents, using time wisely, teamwork, following directions, intellectual and social development, precision and motor control, overcoming fears in public speaking and shyness, commitment to excellence, creativity, and self-expression.Music is so important.
Research supports this claim, and we at Kindermusik see it first hand every day. So make sure your child is getting exposure to music. It's a vital piece of the learning puzzle.
perseverance, confidence, responsibility, identity and self-esteem, discipline, love of music, art, culture, identification of talents, using time wisely, teamwork, following directions, intellectual and social development, precision and motor control, overcoming fears in public speaking and shyness, commitment to excellence, creativity, and self-expression.Music is so important.
Research supports this claim, and we at Kindermusik see it first hand every day. So make sure your child is getting exposure to music. It's a vital piece of the learning puzzle.
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