It's official . . . re-enrolling is good for your child

Click here to read . . .

Roller Tunes

The gift that keeps on giving

Take a break and enjoy some music & movement

Priscilla Dunstan

For millions of sleep-deprived mothers around the world, this woman's findings could be a miracle! Priscilla Dunstan, a mom from Australia with a special gift, says she's unlocked the secret language of babies.

When Priscilla was a toddler, her parents discovered she had a photographic memory for sound. At age 4, she could hear a Mozart concert on the piano and play it back note for note. Priscilla says her gift has helped her hear a special "second language" beyond English, allowing her to detect moods and even diagnose illnesses! "Other people might hear a note but I sort of get the whole symphony," Priscilla says. "So when someone's speaking, I get all this information that other people might not pick up."

That mysterious second language took on an astounding new meaning when Priscilla became a mother to her baby, Tom. " Because of my gift for sound, I was able to pick out certain patterns in his cries and then remember what those patterns were later on when he cried again," Priscilla says. "I realized that other babies were saying the same words."

Learn more about this amazing language discovery by clicking here.

Thanks Molly.

Thanksgiving Song

Sung to the tune of Are You Sleeping?

Turkey dinner, turkey dinner,
Gather round, gather round,
Who will get the drumstick,
Yummy, yummy drumstick,
All sit down, all sit down.

Cornbread muffins,
chestnut stuffing,
Pudding pie, one foot high,
All of us were thinner,
Until we came to dinner,
Me, oh, my! Me, oh, my!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thank you Mama Lisa . . .

This says it all . . .

This is the banner that greated us at our Kindermusik Convention this year. We were recognized as one of the top 5% of all Kindermusik programs world-wide. With the above statistics, the honor really hit home.

Thank you to all of our families who have made this possible - we couldn't have done this without you!

Spring 2007 - Village

Here's what you can look forward to in the upcoming semester of Village classes:

Hickory, Dickory, Tickle and Bounce
Research shows the more you expose your baby to nursery rhymes and songs, the stronger those emerging language-learning skills will be. That's why these Mother Goose-like stories and rhymes are the main theme of this Kindermusik session. With a home CD of recordings from class and weekly developmental information in your home journal, you'll develop research-proven communication strategies with your child through listening activities, speaking "parentese," and sign language.


The Rhythm of My Day
This session will help you bring more rhythm and routine to your baby's day, as well as help her develop lasting learning skills. We'll show you how and tell you why music can help your little one soothe herself and helps to build a strong network for learning in her body and mind. With weekly developmental information in your home materials and a CD of music from class, you can bring home those same stress-free play and relaxation techniques from class, and incorporate them into your daily routines.

Classes available at both our LCC and Friendship Village locations - click here for more information.

Creativity by Leaps and Spins

The Tuesday Imagine That! class (3 to 5 year olds) experimented with paper plates and ice skating.

Count your Blessings

Having a place to go . . . is a home.

Having someone to love . . . is a family.

Having both . . . is a blessing.

--- Donna Hedges

Make New Friends . . .

We have a new location - and a new place to make friends. We are adding Village, Our Time and Family Time with seniors to our line-up of Spring 2007 classes.

Our host will be Friendship Village Woodside - a charming place with so many amenities. A large parking lot tucked away from any busy street is right outside the main entrance - there is a nice screened in porch, a beautiful fenced in garden, kitchen access to warm food/bottles, lounges for nursing or resting and a cafe for those after class munchies. And most importantly - a building full of wonderful residents just waiting for your weekly class visits.

Look for chances to preview classes and the location coming soon!

New Schedule - New Look

Our Spring 2007 schedule has now been posted and our web site has a new look! Come check them out - click here.

Registration Rewards:

Register by December 31, 2006 and receive a t-shirt for your child (while supplies last).

Fall 2006 semester registered families - register by Nov. 30, 2006 and receive a $20 tuition credit for a future class or camp with our program in addition to the t-shirt for your child (while supplies last).

Kindermusik classes make great gifts - we have gift certificates, too! KCS families - certificates are available for order through T.R.I.P.

There will be no classes March 31 - April 7.

Why music?

Click on this link to learn why music is so important - then give us a call to start your child's path to success today.

Animusic Fever

Creativity abounds in our Young Child 1 class. One student, who is an avid Animusic fan, created his own "animusic drum".


He also made enough drum sticks for the entire class - they all got to practice their blue "ta" cards with the inventor's mom. What a great way to end week 5's class.

Click here to watch some sample Animusic videos.

What a colorful world . . .

We could learn a lot from crayons:

• some are sharp
• some are pretty
• some are dull
• some have wierd names
• and all are different colors.

But they all exist very nicely in the same box.

unknown

It's that time of year . . .

Green Rain

The weatherman predicted this,
the strangest weather seen.
The rain is coming down outside
a grassy shade of green.

He didn't say the weather would be
sleet or snow or fog,
but "light precipitation
with a chance of morning frog."

--Kenn Nesbitt

It's raining in our Imagine That! class so we put on our special rain hats to keep our heads dry. When we use our rain shakers we can even make a frog sound by scraping.

Happy Birthday Johnny Appleseed!

Johnny "Appleseed" Chapman was born on September 26th, 1774. In honor of his birthday, click here for a fun coloring idea or try this craft with the kids.

Apple Print Craft

Apples
Paper Towels
Styrofoam Plate, Meat Tray, or Other Shallow Dish
Construction Paper
Paint

Cut the apple in half. Experiment with your apples by cutting them different ways. Cut Through the top and out the bottom to make a 'traditional' apple print, cut through the middle to make apple 'star' prints. Cut the apple into quarters for a different print also!

Fold a paper towel into 4ths and lay it on the bottom of the styrofoam plate, etc. Pour paint into the center of the paper towel to make it into a stamp pad. I like to use red, green, and yellow paint to represent the different kinds of apples.
Dip the cut side of the apple into the paint.

Dab it around on the paper towel to wipe off excess paint, and then press it onto the paper.
Make a whole collection of apple pictures this way! You can use other fruits to make prints. Try making these prints with oranges, lemons, pears, etc. You can also use fabric paint and make an apple print T-shirt, towels, etc!

Family Discovery Concerts

The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs

October 1, 2006
Chenery Auditorium
3:00pm

Hear the Big Bad Wolf's side of the story! Actor Time Marrone joins the KSO in this hilarious musical setting of the book by Jon Scieszka.

Instrument Petting Zoo at 2pm!

Family Discovery Concerts are fun, one-hour musical explorations for young children and their families, with KSO Assistant Conductor Barry Ross.

To order tickets call 269.387.2300. To learn more about special group offers call 269.349.7759.

Hush with a Twist

Bobby and Yo-Yo - what a fun combo . . .

This snack is hopping good!

Our Imagine That! class (3-5 year olds) is learning to playact a Sunflower and Bunnies musical story. Here is a snack that goes along with that theme . . .

What you need:
1/2 pear, sliced lengthwise
1 baby carrot
3 raisins
1 tablespoon of cream cheese
salad plate
knife


What you do:
Place the pear, skin-side up, in the middle of the plate.
Use a small amount of cream cheese to stick on two raisins for the eyes, and one raisin for the nose.
Cut one baby carrot lengthwise to make the ears. Use cream cheese to stick on the ears as shown.
Add a tablespoon of cream cheese for a "cottontail." Happy nibbling!

More snacks like this can be found by visiting The National Wildlife Federation website.

Gesundheit!

Brace yourself - and be prepared to watch more than once. Your kids will love this, too!

Now Available - Holiday CD

Jingle Bell Jam - Stay warm and sing together. All the songs you'll want to sing this Holiday season on sleigh rides, car rides, and caroling in one special collection. Sing along with adult and children's voices on every track and experience a Kindermusik holiday this year--where old favorites become new favorites for you and your little ones.

Ten percent of the CD proceeds will go toward the Ruth D. Anderson Kindermusik Children's Fund, a scholarship that provides Kindermusik At Home music and learning materials and/or class tuition to children who are physically, emotionally, financially or educationally disadvantaged.

Call Debbie at 269.808.7002 to reserve your copy today!

Follow Me . . . to Kindermusik!

Won't you join us?

I Love Pandas

SICHUAN, China -- One zoo in southwest China has its hands full with 16 baby pandas. The Sichuan Wolong Panda Protection and Breed Center is dealing with the results of a breeding boom -- 16 pandas have been born since July, 2005. The brood includes five sets of twins. The cubs are weighed and measured every five days by a special panda nurse. The heaviest tips the scale at just over 24 pounds, while the lightest weighs about 11 pounds. The pandas are due to be weaned just about the time they'll start learning to walk. Once weaned, the panda cubs will attend panda kindergarten. In the meantime, more little ones are expected at the center, since 38 giant pandas were artificially impregnated.

For the Children

The biggest difference between Kindermusik and other music and child development programs . . . is in the music. We cross cultures, and countries, and languages. We collect, record, archive and distribute songs that literally have stood the test time. The tunes that were lovingly passed on one from generation to the next, one parent and child at a time, are still as relevant today.

We go to all this trouble collecting this music for a good reason: the children.

Exposure to a wide variety of music is good for them. Here's why:

Greater language proficiency—Just as you read a variety of books to expand your child’s vocabulary, exposure to a wide variety of music and sounds expands your child’s “ear vocabulary.” High quality musical recordings and real instruments help your child “fine tune” her ear to recognize and imitate the sounds that make up words and language.

Spatial awareness—When a child listens to music, her mind perceives the sound in multi-dimensional ways. The sound is loud or soft, fast and slow, it moves up and down, and from left to right. Her mind and body work together to be “aware of space” when she walks through the living room and tries not to hit the coffee table. Much later, it’s a necessary skill for learning how to get around things, to jump, run, and move in zig-zag ways.

Temporal reasoning—You hear this skill in action when a preschooler tells a story. He starts with his own experience and then moves to some imagined place with a princess or a superhero then goes back to something real again. Music does the same thing. It goes back and forth between established spaces (the chorus) and to new places that take you somewhere else (the verse). The ability to go back and forth from something established to something imagined comes from temporal reasoning, a skill used in music writing, storytelling, and problem solving.

Emotional intelligence—With exposure to a greater variety of musical styles—like jazz, folk, or classical, this increased exposure to music increases a child’s awareness, and understanding of different moods and emotions.

Thanks Molly

Reminders!

Reminder #1: Classes begin Saturday, August 26th. Yes, that's tomorrow!! If you have not yet registered, don't worry. We still have room in several classes - just give me a call and I will help you find a class.

Reminder #2: There will be no classes on September 2 and September 4.

This is fun

Grab your kids and gather round - I think you'll like this video.

Baby Signing

I was amazed at how calm this child was during the mealtime - I really do believe it was due to the ability to communicate her needs. She is even incorporating speech right along with the signs . . .

Learning the Guitar

iPlayMusic has a program to teach adults and children how to play guitar. I haven't actually tried this, but the "About Us" video on their web site makes me want to seriously consider purchasing the program. It sure does make learning the guitar fun and easy.

More than meets the eye

Around 5 months, your baby reaches her whole arm towards something she wants. Eventually she'll grab, and perhaps switch something from hand-to hand. Also around this time, her eyes uncross and her vision improves as she focuses and scans slowly moving objects. These two developing skills come together when your baby watches you blow bubbles, making it a perfect exercise for developing eye-hand coordination.

QuickTime Bubbles Video
Windows Media Bubbles Video
iPod Bubbles Video

Blow bubbles. When you do, she watches each slowly moving bubble and improves her visual tracking and skills. By the time she's ready to reach up a finger to pop a sudsy circle, you'll know her eyes and hands are working together. Plus it's relaxing, like watching curtains blow in the window. Add a little music and this playful time becomes a soothing ritual as your baby grows.

Sign & Sing

We love this new program and want to show you how much fun signing with hearing children can be. Can you imagine the entire family communicating together??

QuickTime Sign & Sing Video

Windows Media Sign & Sing Video

iPod Sign & Sing Video

Young Child

Young Child Semester 1 Everything your child learns later in semesters 2, 3, and 4 begins with this early introduction to singing, reading, and writing music and rhythm. Through dances and games that focus on rhythmic development, we'll learn a keyboard instrument—the glockenspiel—which will be used throughout all the Young Child classes. Your At Home Materials provide the music, instruments, stickers, and activities for a home version of the same playful activities you'll hear about from class, so your child—and you!—can learn where you're most comfortable: at home.

Young Child Semester 3 Appalachian music is a featured musical style this semester. First, you and your child will build a two-stringed dulcimer instrument with materials that we'll provide. Then in class we'll learn to play chords and simple melodies on the instrument you built together. We'll also explore rhythm concepts through dance with an introduction to the basic steps in jazz, ballet, and tap dances. Your At Home Materials include dulcimer-making materials, activity cards, and music which features recordings from Appalachia, African-America, and Native American music, as well as the Western Art music of the Nutcracker Suite.

Imagine That!

Hello Weather, Let's Play Together! With the weather as our learning theme, we'll explore musical styles that range from Opera to American Folk, and you'll watch as your preschooler becomes self-sufficient in a room full of friends knowing that you're close and nearby. Your At Home Materials include a double CD with over 63 recordings of the stories, games, and weather sound effects we'll play in class. Plus a 46-page home activity book with easy home-made activity instructions, sheet music, and cut-outs helps you bring the learning home.

Our Time Fall 2006

Milk and Cookies Using a favorite snack as a class theme, we'll give you songs and stories to bring more music into daily routines with your toddler—if it's going to the store, baking cookies, or spending time together in the kitchen. Each activity was carefully created to help your toddler build confidence, self-control, and social skills. Your At Home CDs include 56 songs, sounds, and stories from class, plus a wooden stir-xylophone instrument. Everything fits inside a vinyl, Velcro insulated lunch bag you'll use long after this class is over.

Village for Fall 2006

Zoom Buggy All those airplane sounds you make with a spoon during feeding time actually helps your baby learn language. In this eight-week class, you'll learn how sounds like this can develop physical, social, cognitive, and emotional skills as well. Your At Home Materials include over 25 specially-selected recordings from class, Home Activity journal, and Art Banner for the nursery wall that strengthens vision and promotes early literacy.



Dream Pillow Through the rituals of rocking, cuddling, and singing, you follow your baby's cues to lull her to sleep. The loving interaction that defines these rituals is the essence of this eight-week Kindermusik class with your baby. Your At Home Materials include over 25 specially-selected recordings from class, a Home Activity journal, and Art Banner for the nursery wall that strengthens vision and promotes early literacy.

Laughter is the Best Medicine

You're Invited

Kindermusik Family Time Unit 4 Pilot Class
Thursdays, August 31–November 9
(No class November 2)
10:30 – 11:15am
No fees!

I am looking for families with children birth through 7 years to volunteer their time and input on the newest Kindermusik Family Time unit under development. This is a chance for you to bring all of your children to one Kindermusik class – no extra trips, no babysitters and no fees. Just plain fun for everyone!

To make the pilot successful I need you to commit to all dates. If you are available for most dates but not all, please let me know as we may still be able to include you in the pilot. I do understand if unexpected events occur – any advance notice would be appreciated so I can find another family to fill your slot for the missed class. Space is limited and will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Because this is a pilot class there will be no At Home Materials available to take home.

If you are available, please contact me ASAP.

Stroller Strides Makes the News

Mark your calendars! On Wednesday, August 9th Barnaby from Channel 8 is coming out during Vicky Mergen's class to do a story about Stroller Strides in Kalamazoo. This is your chance to try a second class exercise class for FREE.

The more people she has the better! Class will be FREE (even if you've participated in a complimentary class prior to this) for everyone that day and all attendees will receive a free water bottle or sports towel (while supplies last).

If you know of anyone that might want to try out the class this will be a perfect opportunity, please feel free to forward this on to them.

Here, There, Everywhere Materials

Well, here it is - a picture of the new Family Time Unit 2 At Home Materials. Remember - only one set of materials needed per family. Don't miss out on this fun new class - registrations being taken now. Register by July 31, 2006 and we will give you an egg shaker for each child signed up. Check the web site for scheduling information.

Field Trips

Can you believe we do Kindermusik Field Trips?

We provide all the tools needed for a Magical, Musical trip. Use your location or ours. Your local daycare, preschool or school is welcome to be a part of our field trip program. Have the director, teacher or parent coordinator contact us for more information.

Big Paper, Thick Crayon, Finger Paint?

How do you know what artistic tools are age appropriate? Read this article from Parenting online.

Family Time Unit 2 Here, There, Everywhere

Plan this fall to explore five new musical learning themes in Unit 2: A visit with a friend, an outing at the park, a trip to the city, an afternoon at the aquarium, and a day at the farm.

Family Time Unit 2 - Here, There, Everywhere

The new unit of Kindermusik Family Time will be available for our Fall 2006 semester. Watch the video to see a preview of some of the activities.

And, in case you haven't heard, children under the age of 6 months are FREE when accompanied by an older sibling. Yes, that's right! We are excited about this new unit - Here, There, Everywhere - and hope to see you and your family in class with us.

Hope through Singing

Each child in the Choir has a story. They have experienced more tragedy in their young lives than most of us will ever know in a lifetime. The children range in age from 7 to 11 years - many have lost one or both parents to poverty or disease. Yet, each child has a dream - a hope for tomorrow. They want to be teachers, doctors, musicians and pilots. These children are members of The African Children's Choir - hear them now.

The African Children’s Choir is coming to Southridge Reformed Church on Sunday, July 16. The choir will be leading both the 9:00am and 11:00am services. I'm sure you won't leave without a song of hope in your heart . . .

Grown-ups Benefit from Rhythm, too

Many of our Kindermusik units focus on drumming - we tell stories with drums, try different rhythms with drums, converse with drums, make drums, dance to drum sounds. But, drumming isn't just for kids. Grown-ups can use drums - even at work.

Click here to see how you can use rhythm and drumming to help your company and employees through team building exercises.

Musical Story Time at the Park

Stroller Strides is in full swing and they are inviting you to come and see what they are all about - for FREE! In addition, we will be hosting a Summer Storytime on July 12th at 10:00am. This event is part of the playgroup after Vicky Mergen's Stroller Strides exercise class.

Wednesday, July 12
Exercise at 9:00am (please arrive by 8:45am)
Storytime 10 - 10:30am
Portage Creek Bicentennial Park, Milham Avenue entrance

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. Your first class is FREE so don't hesitate to call Vicky today.

Happy Birthday USA

Music and lyrics by George M. Cohan

Simple Version

You're a grand old flag,
You're a high flying flag
And forever in peace may you wave.
You're the emblem of
The land I love.
The home of the free and the brave.
Ev'ry heart beats true'
neath the Red, White and Blue,
Where there's never a boast or brag.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
Keep your eye on the grand old flag.

The classes are here, the classes are here!

Kalamazoo/Portage area classes are now on the web site - Mattawan and Richland area classes will be posted as soon as information is available. Why should you register early? Here are some reasons:

• Save $10 on tuition and and egg shaker when you register by July 6
• Receive an egg shaker when you register by July 31
• Our class sizes are limited and we currently have spaces available in all our classes. You'll get a class time that works for you by choosing from several class times to work with your busy schedule
• All you need to pay now is the materials fee to save your place in class
• There are morning, afternoon and evening, sessions available
• Your child will be sure to receive his or her materials at the first class rather than having to wait
• You'll make life easier for Debbie
• You can relax - sign up now and take one more thing off your mind

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!

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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 . . .

Why should I enroll my child in Adventures?

I get asked this question a lot from parents. This handout explains why Kindermusik Adventures is a good thing. Of course, I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have. Just give me a call - 269.808.7002.

From: How to Sing or Read

So when the night is come, and you have gone to bed,
All the songs you love to sing shall echo in your head.

--Robert Louis Stevenson

National Family Month

Mother’s Day to Father’s Day (May 14-June 18 in 2006) are the official dates of this year’s National Family Month®, a congressionally recognized celebration to raise awareness and underscore the importance of family—kids, parents, relatives and caregivers—and to provide an opportunity for families to share special time together, develop or renew relationships, identify or rediscover needs, and remind everyone of the importance of family involvement in raising healthy, confident kids for America's future.

Kindermusik Family Time - what a great way to spend any month together!

Check This Out!

For more info visit www.animusic.com - thanks Molly!

Family Time

Introducing a new musical learning program for families with children ages newborn and up—Family Time. The new curriculum, created by Kindermusik, is designed to apply musical and developmental learning in a multi-age, multi-child, family environment.

Family Time was created exclusively for Kindermusik by a team of music and child development experts. In a “one room schoolhouse” environment, Family Time helps children develop musical skills, as well as the social skills necessary to share, take turns, and strengthen the emotional bond among family members.

This is a great way for parents with children of various ages to spend time together, doing one activity as a family. The little ones watch the older ones, and learn from them.