ABC Music and Me fall classes

ABC Music and Me will continue this fall on Wednesdays with Ms. Erika. The 4 to 6 year old class provides an introduction to the piano and will study major composers. This is the perfect class for young homeschoolers and preschoolers to learn more about music and get ready for piano or violin. It is highly recommended that students younger than 6 take this class BEFORE beginning violin. The home materials for this unit includes a pan flute and castanets.

Sing a Story - Mozart and math? With exposure to singing and music notation, your child gets more experience with abstract symbols. In class, we’ll explore how abstract thoughts are shared and communicated with symbols, such as a musical note. This same abstract thinking process helps your child learn letters of the alphabet and numbers. You can reinforce these learning concepts at home with your Student Kit as you share your understanding of music with each other.


Jumping Beans - The Jumping Beans unit jumps into the rhythms of Latin America! Children will listen to a variety of Latin music styles, play instruments, dance, and investigate the concept of a musical rest. They will move and stop their bodies, explore expressive movement, sing some Spanish words and phrases, and even jump like jumping beans. ¡Olé!


All Keyed Up - The All Keyed Up unit immerses children in the magic of keyboards of all kinds. They will learn about the composer J.S. Bach, listen to and learn about pianos, organs, synthesizers, and harpsichords, and investigate the similarities and differences between these related instruments. While they’re at it, they’ll explore staccato and legato sounds: moving and playing instruments, listening to music selections, and learning graphic notation for these concepts. It’s no wonder this unit has preschoolers All Keyed Up!

Violin offered at Cherubs Clubhouse!

We are very excited to be opening up violin classes and private lessons at the Cherubs Clubhouse on Thursday afternoons! Both piano classes and violin classes will be taught in separate rooms at the Cherubs Clubhouse on Thursday starting in September.

Homeschool violin classes will begin at 2:00. Come study with fellow homeschoolers and play together after class. Afterschool violin will begin after 3:00 Classes will be scheduled according to age and ability of the children who sign up. Children must be at least 6 years old to participate in this program. Children younger than 6 are encouraged to begin with Kindermusik and/or piano to help prepare for violin.

Classes will start at $50.00 per month per child plus materials. Space is very limited in our classes in order to provide the children with one on one instruction. An appropriately sized violin is required by each student to practice. Email imaginationsmusic@bellsouth.net for more info.

Kindermusik Challenge of the Week

This week in our Family Time class, I am going to focus a little more on relaxation time in class. One thing I have noticed lately in my own home is the need to have quiet time. Whether it is reading time, listening to soft music, cuddling or even watching a movie all bundled up in blankets with the lights down low; we all need some down time. This is particularly important for older preschoolers who may have dropped their nap time.

When I notice that my children are restless and irritable, its usually time for a break from the stimulation either in the form of a nap or quiet time. The busier we are, the more we need this time but unfortunately, when we are busy we devote less time to it. Sometimes all it takes is a few minutes of singing, snuggling, or reading with your child to totally change their (and your) behavior. Think of it like a "pre-time-out." Sometimes all that is needed to prevent the need of a time out is a little special quiet time spent with your child.

I have been very busy lately with all the new classes that have just started at the Cherubs Clubhouse but I am going to challenge myself to spend at least 10 minutes a day in relaxation with my children at times other than bedtime or nap time. In our class tomorrow we are going to practice implementing relaxation time and work on some techniques to promote bonding and peace in the home. Would you take the challenge too? Turn to tracks 6, 8,11 and 24 of your Family Time CD for relaxing music. Gather up a pile of books, a blanket and your puppets to cuddle and follow your child's lead as to how he needs to relax. Try to plan relaxation time for 5 to 10 minutes each day. It is not only good for you, but it is also good for your children.

We will be working on some intentional touch techniques in our class this week during our relaxation time. Check out the huggies website for more information about the strokes we will be using. Huggies Website You don't have to have any kind of training or supplies to learn these new ways to touch your baby or toddler. Check it out!

Yesterday, my 5 year old was still feeling sick from a cold. She received a lot of comfort from the intentional touch activities from the Huggies website as well as rocking to relaxing music. Even at 5 she benefited from these techniques and was asking for more! If you child learns to slow down and relax at a young age, it is something they can carry with them as they grow older and mature.

Did you know...

Do I really need a piano at home?

Do I really need a piano at home to take lessons? Can we just try out lessons for a few months before purchasing a piano? I'm not sure I have space for a piano!

These are some common concerns from parents. Purchasing a piano is a major investment for parents who are unsure if their child will continue with the instrument. I wish I could say that practice at home was not needed but in order for your child to feel successful and enjoy their lessons or classes, they need access to a piano between lessons. Many students who are unable to practice feel frustrated after the first few months because they are not able to properly progress.

I do understand that pianos are very expensive and many homes do not have the space for one. Many of my students practice at another location like a grandparent's house or friend's house. A portable keyboard is also an option for beginning students. If you choose a keyboard, be sure that it has at least 61 full sized keys. It will also need an adapter and a stand so that your child will not be huddled on the floor to practice. Touch sensitive keys are also preferable so that your child can practice playing loud and soft dynamics. Your keyboard does not need to have a lot of buttons or be able to "teach" your child a song. The most important aspect of a keyboard is the size of keys, touch sensitivity and the number of keys (the more the better.) A full sized digital piano is the best option other than an acoustic piano. They feel and sound like a "real" piano but are more portable and affordable than a new piano. They also never need to be tuned. Costco, Best Buy and even Toysrus sometimes have great deals on keyboards and digital pianos.

A used piano is also an option. Ellis piano in Hoover usually has a good selection of used pianos for not much more than an electric keyboard. View Ellis piano websiteYou can always resell a piano if your child eventually moves on to another activity.

If you are interested in music classes for your child but not ready to make the commitment to piano, consider ABC Music and Me for 4 to 6 year olds. ABC Music and Me is a music enrichment program created by Kindermusik International that incorporates an introduction to piano, exposure to music from other cultures, music history and movement activities. ABC Music and Me is perfect for a family with a child who is just starting to show interest in piano but not ready to make the commitment to piano classes or lessons. The most important thing to consider, is your child's enjoyment and success. Be sure that you set your child up for success in whatever activity in which they show interest.

Be sure to come to our free Kindermusik and piano classes to try out a class and see what is a good fit for your child. More demo class info on my website

Make a rainy day rain stick!

Take a used wrapping paper roll or even a toilet paper roll. If you have a shipping tube, that's even better. The firmer the cardboard, the better. The longer the tube, the better. A short tube makes more of a shaker than a continuous rain sound.
1. Fill the tube with rice, beans, sand, or beads. Allow the child to use a funnel or spoon the material into the tube. This is also good for their hand eye coordination. From personal experience, I have noticed that it works better if you use all of the same type of material for the "rain." For example, use all rice or all beads and don't mix them. Different materials make different sounds. If you want, you can make different rain sticks with different materials and notice the difference in sound.
2. Seal the end with cloth or something that won't tear. The last thing you want is sand or beans all over your floor. I use a strong glue to attach the fabric and seal it all around the ends of the tube. A rubber band will pull off and make a mess. I like the shipping tubes because they come with the hard plastic caps. I then glue the plastic caps in place.
3. Ok, so most of us have made this before so here is a more advance twist to it. To make your rain stick sound more like the actual percussion instrument, the "rain" needs something to "bump" into on the way down the tube. This addition works best with the hard cardboard tubes. Draw a line that swirls around the circumference of the tube from the top of the tube to the bottom. Take a hand full of nails and either push the nails through or hammer the nails about one inch apart along the swirled line that you drew (be sure to do this part for your child.) Then, take some masking tape, duct tape or packing tape and tape the nails in place along the line that you drew. You don't want the nails to come out.
4. Then you want to take some strong glue and glue paper around the entire tube. Let your kids decorate it with stickers, colors, or stamps. For a more permenant instrument, I glue fabric around the tube.

Musical Solutions to parenting dilemmas

Many parents first consider Kindermusik because of the developmental and educational benefits to their child. In class, they quickly see that Kindermusik offers something for the grownups, too.

Kindermusik helps to make parenting a little bit easier through in-class tips, child development insights and activities in our weekly emails, not to mention the community of other parents and caregivers who attend class together.

We invite you to join in the conversation yourself. See how other parents use Kindermusik to help with potty training, toddler tantrums, getting a preschooler out of bed in the morning, and more on the Kindermusik Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kindermusik/24135466916

For 30 years, Kindermusik has remained constant as the single best choice you can make for your child today.

Contact us to schedule a class visit and to learn about our payment plans. Classes start at $9 per week plus materials.

FREE Kindermusik Demo in Pelham Al!

The Cherubs Clubhouse opening this past weekend! Everyone who came to the Grand Opening had a great time and many went home with prizes.

Come to our official ribbon cutting with the Shelby County chamber of commerce on Thursday at 10:00. We are also having a Halloween Party at the Clubhouse on Thursday from 6 to 8. Admission is $8.00. Clubhouse members are free.

On Tuesday, November 3 at 10:00 am, we will be hosting a Free Kindermusik playgroup. Come by for 15 minutes of free instrument exploration, a 30 minute Kindermusik demo class, and 15 minutes of free play gym time. Our class will include singing, movement, instrument play, instrument demonstration, story time, bubbles, and puppets. Kids aged 0 and up are invited. Please bring a blanket or towel for each family and a pair of socks (non skid is best for the kids).

Hope to see you there! We will give away door prizes, goody bags, and discounts for membership and Kindermusik classes!

The Cherubs Clubhouse, LLC in Pelham, Al: A unique place to play party and learn

Kathy Sciarrotta, the managing partner of the Cherubs Clubhouse, LLC was born in North Miami and lived most of her life in Florida. In July of 2005, she and her husband Joe moved to the Birmingham area when he took an executive chef position at a hotel and resort in the area. Kathy was pregnant with her first child and knew no one in the city. After her son was born, she began to look for activities within her community. She discovered a true need in the Shelby and Jeffereson county area for a way for new moms to get togther and support each other. To meet this need, she started the Chubby Cherubs meet up group. It started with 5 members in 2006 and has grown to over 70 members in three years. Kathy has been interviewed by ABC 33/40, The City of Helena news, and has been seen on shelbyspotted.com. From this, she decided to start the Cherubs Clubhouse which is opening in mid October in the Pelham area. The Cherubs Clubhouse will provide a magical and unique, family-focused, fun learning environment based on mind and motion. Kathy’s love of dancing, drama, gymnastics, music and people-especially children- led her and her family to create the Cherubs Clubhouse, LLC.
The clubhouse, located off of highway 31 in Pelham, will provide a unique offering of enrichment classes, activities and events for children and families. Some of these classes will include, mind and motion development classes, dance and movement, arts and crafts, fitness and fun, drama and imaginative role play, Kindermusik and private music lessons, tutoring and reading readiness classes. Some of the services provided will be birthday parties, private parties (with sitting service), daily sitting services, sitting services for parent’s night out, and open gym play time. There will also be a game room for older kids. The sitting service will particularly useful to parents who have moved to this area and do not have family in town to babysit, those homeschooling children, or parents who simply do not have any daytime childcare options. The Cherubs Clubhouse will provide a safe and fun atmosphere for kids so mom or dad can go to a doctor’s appointment, an event or even just to run errands.
The Cherubs Clubhouse, LLC will also provide activities for a wide age range of children. From infants in the Kindermusik classes to school aged kids coming for tutoring, all ages will have a place at the Cherubs Clubhouse. Sharron Hughes, managing partner and education director of the Cherubs Cluhouse, has an AA in early childhood development from Miama Dade College, a BS in English from St. Thomas Univeristy, and a Master’s degree in reading from Barry University. Sharron, who has been a teaching for almost all of her life, has been featured in Who’s Who American teachers two times. From tutoring to enrichment classes, the clubhouse will have a wide variety of educational opportunities for kids of all ages. Classes will be taught by highly trained and experienced experts in various fields of study.
In addition to the sitting services and the enrichment classes, the Cherubs Clubhouse will also be the events hosted there. Some upcoming events will begin in mid October and continue through the beginning of November. The clubhouse will be hosting Halloween parties for kids of all ages as well as free Kindermusik demonstrations. Birthday parties will be unique at the Cherubs Clubhouse. The birthday party room will be have a “homey kitchen” feel. There is also a wide variety of entertainment options for the birthday events. In addition to children’s birthday parties, the clubhouse will also be a location to host other events. Joe Sciarrotta, the managing partner and private parties coordinator, will be able to provide superior advice for these events due to his extensive background in catering. Joe has an associate’s degree from the Culinary Institute of America and is the executive chef of a major hotel and resort in the Birmingham area. His expertise will make the Cherubs Clubhouse a unique place for hosting parties and events.
The Cherubs Clubhouse, LLC in Pelham will have the most unique gathering of children’s services and enrichment. Please visit www.cherubsclubhouse.com for more information!

Music and Child development

http://imaginationsmusic.com/

Last night I attended a seminar from Kindermusik International on music and child development. I thought I had heard all the studies about this subject before but there was so much more information presented last night.

Music and literary development

In a study in 1998, those adults with music training had 17 % better verbal memory than those who had no music background. Also, there was physiological evidence in this in their brains-- the musicians had enlarged left cranial regions! Verbal memory is the ability to retain vocabulary in your short term memory. This is important to early reading and comprehension skills.
Phonemic awareness is the appreciation of the sounds of speech as being separate from their meaning and understanding that words are divided in to a sequence of phonemes. Children who have developed these skills are a lot more successful in learning how to read.
Rhyming songs, vocal play, listening to and predicting rhymes are a way that we build these skills in a Kindermusik class. In a 1995 study, 5 Kindergarten classes in a title 1 school were divided in to groups. One group received 30 minutes of musical instruction per week. The study determined that the group with musical instruction had significant gains in phonemic awareness.

Music and Math development

A 2002 study found what we already know, there is a direct correlation between music study and spacial reasoning. But why? Spacial reasoning is manipulating visual images in the mind. Think about how many times we do this in Kindermusik class or piano lessons? We look at high and low on the staff as well as high and low on the keyboard. We learn the meaning of musical symbols, and the relationship of one note to another. Math skills are also developed by counting and grouping beats, learning time signatures, sorting, learning fast and slow, and learning to see and recognize patterns. In 1999, Kindermusik was used in a study by Bilhartz. After observing 71 four and five year olds from diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds, those who had 30 minutes a week in a Kindermusik class along with instruction at home with the At Home materials, showed enhanced spacial temporal reasoning by the end of the study.

Social and emotional development

I was more surprised by what I learned in this portion of the seminar. I had never thought of this before, but a child's social and emotional development directly correlate to their success in school. Think about a brand new Kindergartner. Which child will learn more in class? The one who cannot control his impulses, or the one who waits his turn? The one who never learned to quietly listen to instruction, or the one who has plenty of practice at active listening. A 2007 Penn State study showed that learning self regulation (self control) is essential to Kindergarten readiness. In another study, 207 different in school socio-emotional programs were analyzed. The children who received some kind of training in socio-emotional skills, scored higher on standardized achievement tests than those who did not.
In 2005, a study a George Mason University showed that out of 91 3 and 4 year olds, those currently enrolled in a Kindermusik class showed a higher level of self control than those not in Kindermusik.

Here are some links to a few studies: http://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/60-second-science/post.cfm?id=new-research-explores-how----and-wh-2009-07-06

http://www.divinecaroline.com/22189/70780

http://www.crt.state.la.us/arts/ArtBuilt/quotes.html

Kindermusik Demo Class Video

See what we do in a Kindermusik class!!