June 27, 2006

Baby Birds


I received an email from a parent today - a link to pictures of baby hummingbirds! Get your kids and hunker down as you will want to share this with them. I don't think I've ever seen such detailed photos of any bird from egg to flight. You'll want to make sure you click "next page" at the bottom of each page. I believe there are 5 pages in all. I was amazed at the size comparison they did on the nest!

On the last page there is also a link to another page of photos from 2003.

Photos.

Thanks Jennifer!

June 21, 2006

The classes are coming, the classes are coming ...

You could earn $10 and more off your tuition . . .

How about a FREE Gift?

Have we tempted you yet?




It's almost time for our Fall 2006 schedule to be announced - keep checking back for that big announcement.

June 16, 2006

Kids are Awesome


Click here to listen to an NPR story about 6 year old Skyler Pia who decided to make a difference for his friend who struggles with cancer. He created a one-boy radio show on CD. Putumayo is the label and the proceeds go to Make-A-Wish Foundation.

June 15, 2006

Moms, Babies and Fitness

Kalamazoo area moms will soon be able to experience the newest thing in fitness . . . Stroller Strides is a stroller fitness class where mom can workout with her baby. It's a great way to get in shape, be with your baby and meet other moms! The classes consist of a Power Walk combined with body sculpting exercises using exercise tubing, the stroller and the environment. The classes are designed to accommodate all exercise levels.

FREE Grand Opening:

  • Wednesday, June 28th
  • 9:00am (please arrive by 8:45am)
  • Portage Creek Bicentennial Park, Milham Avenue entrance
  • Raffling off free gifts for baby and mom following class - you could win a Kindermusik tuition gift certificate

To RSVP or for more information on this program call Vicky at 269.584.0354 or email vickymergen@strollerstrides.net. For rain date check the website.

We've been Awarded!

I recently learned we don’t have just any Kindermusik program. We have an extraordinary program. A Maestro Program. One of the top 5% of Kindermusik programs Internationally.

Awarded annually, Kindermusik International has given us the title since 2002. For them, it means we have a program with integrity. It means that we have found a way to balance business and education. We have compassion. We set high goals and we reach them.

What does this mean for you? It means quality programing - curriculum and materials designed by leading early childhood experts. Licensed educators - caring for your families and ensuring that your children receive a quality early learning experience.

Thank you families - for your support of our programs!

June 14, 2006

Pilot Class



We are just finishing our last pilot class for Family Time Unit 3. I thought you might like to see what's been going on for the last 10 weeks. Participating children ranged from a few weeks old to 7 years. Number of children per family ranged from one to three. Both moms and dads participated - what a fun experience for the entire family!

It was an honor to be chosen to teach the pilot and we are excited to see the final curriculum when they are published. Thank you Kindermusik International, and pilot families! Special thanks to Lighthouse Community Church for the use of their facilities.

Visit our web site to see when the next Family Time unit is scheduled - we'd love to see you there!

June 7, 2006

Campfires & flashlights - could I have S'more?


June 24th is the 2nd Annual Great American Backyard Campout - what a great idea! The kids in our neighborhood have held campouts in the backyard occasionally - with games, food, tents, sleeping bags, bugs, and games of who can scare who the most. Lots of fun. Click on the picture to learn how you can register for this event.

You think your kids are too young for outdoor camping or you don't like the bugs and noises? You can still have a campout inside your home. We set up a children's sized tent in the basement. The kids love it and no one gets wet (unless a juice cup gets spilled). Pop popcorn and tell stories around a pretend campfire. Sing songs until sleep comes.

Can't get enough of camping and the outdoors? Join us at the Kalamazoo Nature Center for some Kindermusik Adventures fun. For more information click here.

June 6, 2006

Hangin' Out Music



I'm always looking for new music, especially children's music. I'm a little particular - ok VERY particular. The music we listen to needs to be child friendly, appealing to me and on long car trips appealing to Dad is a must. Disasterous if we had the wrong music. I was recently pointed in the direction of this fun CD. Remembering back on our diaper changing days I think we could have used this . . . click on the picture to hear a sample.

To order this CD click here.

June 5, 2006

ASL and Hearing Children


Do hearing children really need to sign?
Signing is a great way to bridge the communication gap between parents and children when the words just aren't there yet. In addition, hearing children who know signs learn language almost twice as fast. As early as 11-14 months old, hearing children exposed to sign language put little sentences together faster than non-signing children, who do not begin to combine words into short sentences, such as "Da-da car" until the average age of 20 months. Study conducted by Dr. Michelle Anthony and Dr. Reyna Lindert, Signing Smart program founders.

Benefits for Your Child and You
Communicate with your child even before she can form the words. Ease a child's frustration by helping her communicate what she needs, speed language development, and enhance long-term learning abilities. Know when your child is most ready to interact and learn. Learn sign language teaching methods, such as making the sign on a child's body, on the floor, or hand over hand. Recognize and respond to your child's version of signs. Incidentally, the child in the picture is signing "father".

New! Kindermusik Sign & Sing
Sign language curriculum for parents with hearing children - a different approach from other sign language programs. Through songs, toys, and loving playtime between you and your child, Kindermusik Sign & Sing shows you more than 50 signs your child can use to communicate with you. Using research-proven methods shown to speed language development in hearing children, you'll see how sign language can ease frustration and enhance long-term learning abilities for your child.

Songs and fingerplays. Already accustomed to fingerplays and rhyme-songs—such as "This Little Piggy"—you'll easily substitute American Sign Language (ASL) signs in familiar songs, improving your child's language skills, fine motor skills, and strengthen fingers for zipping zippers and using scissors.

Learn when you play. You'll never have to memorize a list of signs. This curriculum gives you the ASL signs that are most useful to you, and most interesting to your child. So playtime and everyday items around the house—ball, bubbles, mom and dad—become the objects of learning in the classroom, and sign language becomes a natural, happy part of your child's day.

Enjoy the Journey All Week Long
Sign & Sing is much more than a weekly class. The At Home Materials you receive from your Educator help you to continue that one-of-a-kind experience at home. Family involvement in your child's learning is a fundamental cornerstone of the Kindermusik philosophy because we believe the parent is the child's most important teacher and the home is the most important place for a child's learning to take root and grow.

Sign & Sing At Home Materials
Family Activity Guide
DVD glossary showing 60 signs
Clip-on flashcards that feature photos of both children and adults using family-friendly American Sign Language signs

Developed by Signing Smart™

Click here for scheduling and registration information . . .