From Vacation, Part One

Today I had the pleasure of hearing a storyteller, Elizabeth Ellis, at the International Storytelling Center in Jonesborough, Tennessee. Sitting in the small theater listening to this woman tell about her trip to New York, finding a dress for a performance, and making a wall hanging from family heirlooms was magical.

She also told a Jack story.

From Grace Toney Edwards, "Wonder Tales in Appalachia":

"Jack's stories almost always follow a formulaic pattern: Jack is the underdog or scapegoat who goes out into the world to try to make his way alone. Invariably Jack faces challenges that his brothers, Will and Tom, fail; but he surmounts them, usually by means of a supernatural helper (such as a bull's horn or a tablecloth or a cowhide). These appear to be ordinary objects, but they have been endowed with magical powers and given to Jack, typically because he has shown human compassion somewhere in his lifetime. With the help of his tokens, then, Jack passes the tests, wins the stakes (usually gold and a pretty girl), and 'goes on up to the clearing where he's got him a little house.' The storyteller is apt to end with words like these: 'And the last time I was up there, he was a-doing pretty good.' "

One of the reasons I wanted to visit the storytelling center was to prepare for the upcoming brand newKindermusik summer camp for children 5-7 years old, Tell Me A Tale. From the brochure:

"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."

This camp is really fun, and we have a great group of kids already signed up to experience it this summer. I can't wait to start!

Well, back to vacation....

Love,

Miss Sarah

Tender Moments, Memories, And Babies

Dear Village (birth to 18 mths) parents,

“We must not, in trying to think about how we make a big difference, ignore the small daily differences we can make.”
(Mary Wright Edelman)

The daily activities you enjoy with your child–however simple they may be–make your child’s day. Sing a song, dance a jig, listen to a piece of music, whisper, “You’re the sweetest little baby in the country-O.” These moments with your child are the moments that will fill him with the knowledge of who he is.

By the way, did you know current research shows that even very young infants have memories? And, while specific details of events may be lost, "What babies do retain is the overall feeling of security that their early memories of being loved and nurtured provide."(Kathryn Barnard, R.N., Ph.D.)

In 1998, the Exploratorium in San Francisco, had a "Memory" exhibit . Among other things, guests were invited to record their earliest memories. The online guestbook of memories is available for viewing here.

It has been a wonderful semester of memory-making! Thank you for allowing me to be your Kindermusik teacher.

Love,
Miss Sarah

Congratulations & Goodbyes!

Yesterday, I had the privilege of celebrating Graduation Day with a precious group of children from Laredo's Montessori House. Over the last year, we sang about "Johnny Appleseed,"pretended to be birds eating worms, discovered what sounds instruments from around the world make, and delighted in making music together.

Sharon & Cornell, the ceremony was beautiful! Best wishes to Giovanni, Darryl, Rey, Ava, Martha Eugenia, Mateo, Kenneth, Carlos, Sarah, Andrea, Nelson, and Max as they prepare to enter "big" school. Thanks for letting me be your Kindermusik teacher this year!

Also, it is with much sadness that I say "Goodbye!" to several of my students. Annie, Christopher, and Sydney, classes won't be the same without you, and we'll miss your sweet faces. Wishing you many new friends, much laughter, and lots of happiness in your new towns.

Love,
Miss Sarah

Crocodiles, Ducks, Dogs, and Cats, Oh My!

Animals are a favorite of young children. For just about any animal you can think of, somewhere in the world there is a child that loves it. I have a child in one of the Wednesday classes that loves elephants but not just any old elephants..."BIG hairy elephants, Miss Sarah!," as he likes to tell me.

As you're planning summer activities, here are some places in Laredo that allow you and your child to get up close and personal with animals.

Duck Ponds

Plantation & La Bota both have areas with plenty of hungry ducks. Our favorite is the pond near the Lago Del Mar Apartments; it's full of birds, fish, turtles, and a pair of ducks that hang out with a very loud goose.

Lamar Bruni Vergara Environmental Science Center

Hidden on the campus of Laredo Community College, this nature center is a favorite field trip for many Laredo elementary schools. Indoor and outdoor exhibits introduce visitors to the animals native to our part of Texas.

Laredo Animal Protective Society

The employees and volunteers at the shelter work really hard to make sure each animal is treated well; however, the dogs and cats (and occasional emu or macaw) would probably really appreciate extra attention.

And, of course, don't forget about the Kindermusik Zoo Train and Family Zoo Train summer camps. We'll become monkeys and polar bears, explore African drumming, sightsee from a train, and more during our trip to the zoo.

Test Post-Ignore Please

Now You See It, Now You Don't: Object Permanence in Village Class

Dear Village (birth to 18 mths) parents,

"It’s hiding…"

Such fun we had watching the babies as they "discovered" the sound makers! Simple games such as these are important to a baby’s cognitive development. When a child remembers that an object continues to exist even though it cannot be seen, that child has developed the sense of "object permanence"–the memory of behavior and/or things seen but out of sight.

Play the game at home to help develop your child’s sense of "object permanence." If she already has it, help her learn to find objects through creative play using sound and/or verbal cues or visual memory. Be sure to sing along as you play!

For more game ideas, try these suggestions from the Tiny Love website.

As we anticipate our last week of class, I look forward to seeing you once again and hope to have the opportunity to work and play with your child (and you!) even more in the future!

Miss Sarah

Last Week of the Spring Semester: Toddler Music Classes in Laredo

Dear Our Time (18 mths to 3yrs) parents,

Can you believe it? Our 15 weeks of Away We Go have gone away!

It has been such a joy to see you and your toddler grow through your experiences in Our Time. Our class activities have enhanced your child’s development in important areas, strengthening the bond between you, and improving his ability to think, reason, create, and express.

Keep listening to your home CDs as you explore the activities you might not have completed in your home activity book, and get reacquainted with Shiny Dinah.
Whether you’ll be in another Our Time class or ready to move to Imagine That!, Kindermusik has many more activities in mind for your child, lifting her from one learning stage to the next.

Don't forget we have bonus classes all next week! This is a great opportunity to "test-drive" the Imagine That! or Family Time class or invite a friend to join you. For the bonus class schedule, click here.

Looking forward to seeing everyone in summer camps or this fall!

Miss Sarah

Happy Mother's Day!

They make everything worthwhile, don't they? I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day!

Miss Sarah
(proud mom of silly hair Noah)

Kindermusik Young Child Provides a Broad Musical Experience

Dear Young Child 2 (5 yrs to 7 yrs) parents,

I hear and I forget.
I see and I remember.
I do and I understand.

Chinese Proverb

As a parent, I am sure you thoroughly understand the premise of this Chinese proverb! Children often do not remember something when only told about it. Seeing and, even more importantly, doing, solidify their understanding. This is one of the reasons the Kindermusik curriculum is so completely integrated. For example, several approaches are used to present rhythm patterns in order to ensure your child’s comprehension.

Two weeks ago, I introduced the song “Hop, Old Squirrel” to the children by singing it for them. We discussed the staccato and legato sections in the song. I then taught them a simple accompaniment on the glockenspiel that they could play while I sang the song. Last week the song was introduced through a movement activity. The movements corresponded with the rhythm patterns found within the song. They also played the rhythm patterns on their glockenspiels.

Integrated learning allows your child to grasp concepts through several learning methods and across the learning domains, including cognitive, physical, social, and musical.

In class this week, we watched the Royal Ballet School version of Peter and the Wolf which was composed by Sergei Prokofiev. This past month, your children have been learning to recognize woodwind and string instruments. We also reviewed brass and percussion instruments. I brought in a variety of instruments to demonstrate each family, including a recorder, penny whistle, didgeridoo, dulcimer, guitar, trombone, piano, and numerous percussion instruments.

The children were fascinated by relating each of the characters in Peter and The Wolf to the orchestral counterpart. Favorites were, of course, the hunters (percussion) and wolf (french horns). It was a fun class; thanks to Rosie for bringing snacks for us to nibble on during the movie.

Can't wait to explore more music together next week!

Miss Sarah

Social Skills & Preschoolers: Kindermusik Classes Can Help!

Dear Imagine That! (ages 3 to 5) parents,

As we near the end of the semester, I am pleased to see that the children have become very aware of each other—and of each other’s presence or absence. Typically, the three- or four-year old child experiences rapidly developing social skills. And the Kindermusik setting is an ideal place for these skills to blossom.

As the children watch each other, they tend to learn from their observations. While the skills of sharing and taking turns are still being mastered, if a turn-taking pattern has been established, they will usually wait their turn. Fairness is very important to them.

Other typical social behaviors of this age child include playing cooperatively and frequently, developing special friends, enjoying gentle competitive games and playing with others in a group, showing off, and insisting on fair play.

From an article by researchers at Auburn University, here are some specific ways you can help enhance your child's social skills:

1. Provide opportunities for your child to play with peers (agemates).
"Children develop better, more sophisticated social strategies when they are able to maintain stable relationships with other children they like over long periods."

2. Play with your child in a "peer-like" way, just for fun.
"Children learn crucial skills through play with other children, but children also learn a great deal through play with their parents."

3.Talk with your child about his friends in class or at school and friendship in general.
"Children who have more frequent conversations with a parent about peer relationships are better liked by other children in their classrooms and are rated by teachers as more socially competent (Laird, Pettit, Mize, & Lindsey, 1994)."

Looking forward to more fun with our friends next week,

Miss Sarah

The Emotional Life of Babies: Kindermusik Village Classes

Dear Village (babies to 18 months) parents,

Group dances such as Belfast Hornpipe and Irish Trot afford you and your baby an opportunity not always available in other places–the opportunity to connect with your friends and other babies in a musical and social setting. Connections such as these may be very important to your child’s emotional growth. In her book Smart Moves, Carla Hannaford, Ph.D., states that “the intricate wiring of the limbic system shows that in order to learn and remember something, there must be sensory input, a personal emotional connection and movement.”

As we continue through the next few weeks, there will be many more opportunities for you and your child to experience activity through the senses (especially aural) and through movement in a safe, secure and familiar environment.

And, if you would like more information about the social and emotional development of babies, The Whole Child website is a great starting point.

Can't wait to see all my babies, mommies, grandparents, and daddies next week!

Love,

Miss Sarah

How To Beat The Laredo Heat: Kindermusik Beach Party Pictures

The pictures have arrived from our Kindermusik Studio Beach Party. I've posted them on the family bulletin board in the classroom, so make sure to take a look!

If you liked our mini-camps this semester, you'll love our Kindermusik summer camps. Here are some reasons to enroll in a summer camp with Miss Sarah:

Cool T-shirts! Children receive a purple Kindermusik t-shirt just like the one Miss Sarah wears. Babies get a cute Kindermusik onesie (while supplies last).

Great Value! Kindermusik summer camps are a great value. Camp prices include all classes, a set of take-home Kindermusik materials (CD of camp music, book or storytelling kit, instrument, and parent activity guide), and for toddlers, preschoolers, and big kids, daily crafts. No hidden fees!

Multiple Options! You have multiple choices for class times and days. Miss Sarah offers day, evening, and weekend classes in June, July, and August. Have to miss a day in the camp you enrolled in? No problem--just come to one of the other camps to make up the missed class!

Fun themes! Where else can you explore instruments and classical music with your baby, become a polar bear with your toddler, be the ringmaster of a circus with your preschooler, learn the exciting story of the woman who rides a turtle to the bottom of the sea with your big kid, or pack up the entire family for a visit to the best zoo in the world?

Kindermusik summer camps are music, movement, learning, fun, memory-making, exciting, inspiring, and not to be missed!

Ring Around The Rosie: Toddlers, Community, & Circle Dances

Dear Our Time (18 mths to 3 yrs) parents,

Together we’re a circle of support, love, and belonging.

Our circle dances are a very special part of Our Time. A circle is a symbol of community, and in it we all contribute equally. For your toddler, our circle dances give him a chance to see everyone and be part of our community. There is no beginning or end to our circle, just as there are no leaders or followers; we all create our dance together.

At home this week sing, listen, and dance to all of the circle dances we’ve enjoyed as a group this semester. Whether you’re in a circle of two or many, your toddler will experience the vital feeling of belonging.

I'll be posting pictures of all the wonderful homemade drums you brought to class. I heard many comments about how much fun you had making these together. You certainly created some good memories for your child!

Hope you have a Mother's Day filled with love and laughter!

Miss Sarah

Laredo Beach Party: Kids, Music, Water, Sand....

I'm exhausted, covered in sand, and incredibly happy! What a wonderful afternoon playing with my Kindermusik families and friends! Thanks to everyone who was able to attend.

We had a large group of babies, toddlers, preschoolers, big kids, moms, dads, and grandparents attend our last Kindermusik event of the semester. J. D. took lots of pictures, so look for those next week in the studio.

Reason Number 356 Miss Sarah Loves Toddlers

Reason 356--The incredibly cute things toddlers say.

Cullen in Our Time class today:

(Cullen) "Miss Sarah, do you know my daddy?"

(Me) "No, Cullen, I haven't met your daddy yet."

(Cullen, with his cute Cullen smile) "His name is Daddy."

Drums Are Good For You!: Toddlers and Drum-Making

Dear Our Time (18 mths to 3 years) parents,

"There’s a little drum a beating…it’s my heart!"

Our entire lives, our heartbeat provides a constant sense of rhythm. It’s no wonder that we are all drawn to drums. Research shows that the act of drumming actually changes the chemicals in our brains, relieving stress and creating a sense of well being.

This week you and your child get to be instrument makers by creating a homemade drum together. If you need a starting point, try some of the ideas on the handout from class. Make sure to bring your drums to class next week!

See you next week.

Miss Sarah

Activities for Children: Kindermusik in Laredo Hosts Beach Party

Looking for a fun afternoon for you and your child? Join us for our last Kindermusik mini-camp of the Spring semester. We'll beat the heat in our air-conditioned studio as we visit the beach, Kindermusik-style. Water and sand, beach songs, parachute play, crafts, and more....I've even planned special activities just for the babies!

NEW! this year--I'll be holding a drawing for a free summer camp enrollment. One lucky child present on Saturday will win a free enrollment in one of our popular Kindermusik summer camps .

When: Saturday, May 6th
Time: 4 PM-6 PM
Cost: FREE, but RSVP needed

Activities are most appropriate for children from birth to age seven. E-invitations to our Beach Party went out last Saturday, and I've already had a good number of RSVPs. You do NOT have to be currently enrolled in Kindermusik to attend.Friends and family are welcome. Call (753-8199) or e-mail me today to reserve your space!