To watch or not to watch . . .

Last week on the radio I heard a story about baby videos. It really caught my attention as I know many of our families have them. We have stressed in our classes that your child needs you to learn. They need your immediate and appropriate response to their actions & thoughts - something a video cannot do.

[ . . . experts worry that the proliferation of these products will continue to displace the one thing that babies need in the first months of life — face time with human beings. "Every interaction with your child is meaningful," says Christakis. "Time is precious in those early years, and the newborn is watching you, and learning from everything you do." So just talk to them; they're listening.]

When used properly the videos are not bad. 10-30 minutes with an adult in attendance makes a world of difference. The adult can respond verbally, expressively and immediately to the child's reaction. In doing this activity together you may find you enjoy each other's company more than the video's . . .

Click here and here to learn more.

I Couldn't Say This Any Better . . .

Music Video:LET THEM BE LITTLE (by Billy Dean)

Music Video Code provided by VideoCodeZone.Com

If you would like to embedd this video click here.

Thanks Yvette

Upcoming Events

Beach Ball Class, Friday, July 27, 9-10 am.
For some summer fun, join us for a specialty beach ball class! We'll get creative by doing exercises with the beach balls and the kids will be able to take them home after class. Who couldn't use an extra beach ball for the pool or beach?!

Kindermusik Playgroup, Thursday, August 2nd, after class around 10:00 am.
Kara Mounce will be hosting a special Kindermusik playgroup on the 2nd of August. We'll be singing, signing and having a great time together after a hard workout. Snacks will be provided.

Please invite any of your interested friends for these events. Remind them that their first class is FREE and you can earn Stroller Bucks if your friend signs up!

Maureen Weston
phone: 269.978.7079
e-mail: maureen@strollerstrides.net
website: www.strollerstrides.com

Register for a FREE class online at www.strollerstrides.net/Kalamazoo !

I Saw A Little Rabbit

I saw a little rabbit go hop, hop, hop
I saw his little ears go flop, flop, flop
I saw his little eyes go blink, blink, blink
I saw his little nose go twink, twink, twink

I said "Little Rabbit, won't you stay?"
But he looked at me - and he hopped away . . .

Instilling the Love of Music

Instilling the love of music in your child is easier than you thought. Here are some helpful suggestions to get you started.

1. Sing to your child


2. Dance with your child


3. Teach them action songs


4. Share with them your favorite songs


5. Rent, buy or borrow books, videos and tapes that revolve around the subject of music


6. Join parent-child classes available in your area that introduces the concepts of music in a fun way (Kindermusik)


7. If appropriate, take her to local concerts

The above listed ideas and more can be found in this article by Espie Estrella, writer for About.com.

We Need Walkers!

Sign up or donate now . . .

Saturday, May 5
8:30am - 12:30pm
Arcadia Festival Site - Downtown Kalamazoo

6-mile walk or 1-mile Family Fun loop

Baby Breakdancer

Not sure who the guy at the end is . . .

Imagine If . . .

Imagine if.......your water broke at 30 weeks.
Imagine if.......your 1st baby was born prematurely.
Imagine if.......you couldn't hold your baby right after he was born.
Imagine if.......your baby was hooked up to a ventilator less than 12 hours after he was born.
Imagine if.......your baby spent the first 23 days of his life in the NICU.
Imagine if.......your baby was hooked up to so many machines and wires that they had to be sedated so they wouldn't move.
Imagine if.......your baby had sleep apnea and was on a monitor for the first 6 months of his life.
Imagine if.......your baby was born with low muscle tone.

Imagine if you could help these babies!

This is Levi's story, and I am hoping you will check out my WalkAmerica Page and make a donation on behalf of Levi and his sister Hannah.

Every year, half a million babies in the U.S. are born prematurely. Premature birth is the leading cause of newborn death and many life long disabilities. That means 1 in 8 babies today will be born prematurely! The funds we raise for WalkAmerica supports research that saves babies' lives. Please support our Kindermusik Team! Every penny helps! Think of all the good that came out of it for Levi and Hannah's family!

Do you like to walk? You can also sign up there to be a part of our Kindermusik Team.

Thanks to Erica (Levi's mom) for providing Levi's story

Will You Join Us?

May 5, 2007

Arcadia Festival Site

WalkAmerica is the March of Dimes biggest fund-raiser. It is also a national tradition with a 36-year history of success. Proceeds from WalkAmerica support the March of Dimes mission of preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality through research, education, community services and advocacy.

Join us for America's first, best and biggest walk and make a difference in the lives of millions of babies! Stay tuned for more info as the date gets closer . . .

Got Kids?

Come spend some time learning about businesses and activities in the Kalamazoo Area featuring activities and items for parents of young children and parents-to-be. Our Kindermusik program will be there providing entertainment for the children. We even have a drawing for a FREE class for new-to-Kindermusik families - tell your friends! Visit their website for more information.

Amazing Signs

Baby's Mother says:

Signing Smart TM 12-month old signs CRY instead of crying! Signs are capitalized. Baby signs/says, "AUDREY (A fist on her chin), CRYING; (feels) YUCKY, (wants) Ma MILK MAMA!" Rather than cry, she tells me she feels like crying!! Two word sentences are typical between 18-24 months, but this is a 5 word sentence! Thank you SIGNING SMART and Kindermusik Sign & Sing for the ASL STRATEGIES!! I can truly have a conversation with my baby!

Sign & Sing classes beginning soon - visit our website for scheduling and registration information.

Thanks Molly and ParentChildU!

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.