Spring 2012: Week 1

Hello families!

I was having so much fun playing this first week of the semester, that I basically forgot to take pictures of what was going on in class! But I still want to share an important principle of learning (in Kindermusik we call these Foundations of Learning, or FOL).

This week's FOL is one that is important for all Kindermusik age kids, but I've paraphrased from the Imagine That! family activity book.
The Benefits of Play: Play is an enjoyable, voluntary process. Play and learning have a complex relationship, where the things that are being learned are practiced and developed during play. Play is where concepts are reinforced and explored, and competence is acquired. "Children practice what they learn, and when they are more skilled they try to vary the play." (Guiding Childrern's Social Development, by Kostelnik Stein and Whiren Soderman)

So have fun playing with your children this week! Maybe they can teach you something they learned in Kindermusik class! Have fun!

Last week of Fall semester!

Hello Parents,

I forgot to take my camera to classes this week, so I don't have any new pics for you. I did, however, still want to leave a little message. I have really enjoyed spending time with your children this semester! They are so dang cute! I look forward to working with you again in the spring while you help your children develop the skills they need for school and for life. Music is a great tool to make that happen! I also want to share a quote from the website: www.zerotothree.org.

"A child needs the freedom to move. It is important to allow him plenty of opportunities for movement in a safely arranged space where he can practice using the muscles in his body. This allows him to explore his surroundings, refine his coordination, release some of the energy that keeps him on the go, and develop new skills."

These are just some of the things we do in a Kindermusik class. It is my goal for the semester ahead, to share more benefits with you each week. I also encourage you to use your At-Home Materials even more this semester. There is such value in the kit, but it has to be used to experience that value! So have fun playing together and I will see you all next week!

Dec. 2011

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year and a fun vacation! I sure did and I'm ready to get back to Kindermusik! I hope you all enjoy classes as much as I do. I am so thankful to be able to have these experiences with you and your children. I love that music can do so much to help our children develop. And it's so fun too!

Here are some pictures of December highlights!

Flying like the birds!

Even birds have to check themselves out in the mirror!

Practicing being able to hear high and low.

Writing some music on our staff charts.

Learning about Native American music.

I can do so many things, all by myself!

Playing the one-bell jingles takes so much concentration and fine motor skills!

Birdies asleep in the nest!

Awake!!

More high and low:

Trying out our steady beat skills on metal instruments.

We love rocking time!

Yay! We finally got our glockenspiels!