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.