Family Time Starts Soon

Its time! Our Family Time Kindermusik class will be starting back up this week! Family Time is a one room schoolhouse experience. This is our mixed age class for "only" children as well as families with more than one child. Only one home kit is purchased per family which makes this class a great deal for families wit mulitple siblings.

I enjoy teaching this class, and observing the younger children learning from the older children as well as seeing the older children become leaders in the classroom. Last year as we offered this class at the Cherubs Clubhouse, we played at the water table during our aquarium unit, visited the play equipment during our trip to the park, had a bunny rabbit visitor during our farm unit and had demonstrations on the trumpet and violin. I particularly enjoyed hearing the students learn the welcome song during the term, seeing them make friends with each other, and being a part of the new connections being made by the moms in the class.

We still have room in our class so don't miss out on the fun! Come join us at 9:00 am for Family Time!

Kindergarten readiness skills: Part II: Listening Skills

Did you know that listening is something that can be practiced? Here are three ways to work on listening skills at home.

1. Active Listening: In Kindermusik classes each week we have a short, focused listening example. Many times, this example is nothing more than a sound made by an instrument, sounds around the house, or an animal sound. These examples are not just fun for the kids, but they provide them with an active listening experience. This can be done very easily at home with one of your Kindermusik CDs or with sounds around the house. Have the child listen to a short sound and ask them to imitate it. Ask them to move like the sound or music they heard. Ask them questions about the sound. Keep it short. They don't have to sit and actively listen to an entire symphony- just a short part. Gradually lengthen the listening example.

2. Following multi step directions We all want our kids to listen and follow directions. Board games and simple dances are two fun ways to learn to follow directions. In Kindermusik class we do circle and line dances. The object is not to learn to dance, but to follow mulit-step directions that are given verbally. There are many ways to do this at home such as the Hokey Pokey or by playing twister. Board games and card games are a great way to work on following directions as well. Some of your Kindermusik home kits come with board games to use at home.

3. Story Time We all know that reading to your child has many benefits. This is why we include it in every Kindermusik class and in the home materials for Kindermusik classes. As you are reading, be sure to make the sounds along with the book. Be sure to ask questions about the pictures. Alternatively, listen to a recording of the book. Your Kindermusik CDs have a recording of your class book. Or make your own recording of your child's favorite book. Your child can listen on their own and follow along with the book. Have your child "read" the story to you. Draw pictures about the story after reading. Put together a play or puppet show using your Kindermusik Family Time puppets after reading the book. At the end of the reading, ask questions about the content of the story. The possibilities for reading with your child are endless.

One of the most important aspects is repetition. Did you ever think that there may be a developmental reason that your child asks to be read the same book over and over? Children thrive on repetition. Once your child has heard the same book several times, leave out certain words to see if your child can fill in the blanks as you are reading. Many of our Kindermusik CDs include an example of doing this. During this break we have in our Kindermusik routine, be sure to use the home materials from previous units. That is what is so great about the Kindermusik home materials- they extend the learning year round.

Sign and Sing Weeks 2 and 3

Last week in Sign and Sing we worked on different attention getting strategies for presenting the signs. We used interesting objects like musical balls to draw their attention to the sign for ball. We sang a silly song and signed about their reactions to the song. Another strategy we used was bringing the object about which you are signing to your face so that the child's line of vision will follow the object. This draws attention to the object so that you can then demonstrate the sign.

This week, we introduced an Adaptation Strategy. This occurs when you move a toy next to your face so your child can see you making the sign while you hold the toy. Watch your baby’s eyes as she looks back and forth from the object to you. You have created the ideal environment for learning.

Keep working with your home materials and we will see you next week!

Open House

August 5 fom 5:30 to 7:00 pm will be our back to school open house at the Cherubs Clubhouse. Come meet the Imaginations Music Studio and learn more about the classes and lessons we have to offer for kids aged 0 to adult.

We will have short demonstrations of several of Kindermusik, piano and violin so that you can make the best choice for your child this fall. We will be taking fall registrations that night as well. Many of our classes are small in size to allow a low student to teacher ratio so they will fill up fast. Be sure to register in advance! Call 437-3478 if you have any questions about the classes.

Return to the Imaginations Music website

Sneak peek into the Kindermusik program...

Let's Paint the Town Purple!

January is our "Paint the Town Purple" month! We will start out the month with our "bring a friend" week, January 13, at 10:00 am. Bring a friend to Kindermusik class and enjoy the magic of music together!

So, forward this post to your friends, or click on the facebook share button to the right of this page, and post it to your profile.

Classes at the Cherubs Clubhouse are only about $9.00 per week plus materials. This not only includes your class, but also playtime on the Cherubs Clubhouse play equipment after class!! Invite your friends to come play and make music with you next week!

More than just for the kids...

How many new moms have made a New Years Resolution to live a more active lifestyle? I remember how hard it was for me to exercise after the birth of my children. As soon as I would get everything set up, their nap time was over. After their bedtime, it was too late and I was way too tired. Waking up early in the morning didn't last long either. It was often too rainy and cold in the winter for walks outside, and too hot during the summer. I tried going to the gym, but my child was not comfortable staying in the daycare there.

Parent participation in our Kindermusik classes, while not the same as an aerobic class or spinning class, supports a more active lifestyle. In Village class moms fly their babies around the room, sway and rock their babies and participate in circle dances while holding their babies. In our toddler classes, ABC Music and Me for 2 to 4 year olds and Our Time, for 18 months to 3 years, parents move around the room with their child, participate in lap bounces, circle dances and more. The more engaged the parent is during the class, the more the child will actively participate. Of course, these activities are not only for class, they can be done in the home as well! What a great way to provide an active example to our children to support a healthy lifestyle!

What's more, is that for every active, gross motor activity, we also provide an opportunity for learned relaxation. Did you know that relaxation can be a learned skill? It is hard work being a parent, and you deserve a break. Moms (or other caregivers) and babies are encouraged to slow down and focus on each other during periods of rest and relaxation in our classes. In Village, we promote calmness and bonding through intentional touch activities and rocking during this time. In Our Time and ABC, parents and children cuddle up to rock and sing a lullaby or listen to a story. These are techniques that can be implemented throughout your daily routine to promote a sense of peace and serenity in the home.

Village (0 to 18 months), Our Time, (18 months to 3 years), and ABC Music and Me (2 to 4 years) will begin January 13 at the Cherubs Clubhouse. Be sure to sign up and reserve your spot. Register here!