Parachute Games

Did you know that parachute games:

• Encourage cooperation


• Strengthen upper torso


• Refine perceptual skills


• Reinforce turn-taking/sharing


• Develop a sense of rhythm


• Requires following directions


• Promotes social interactions


• Enhances language development

Parachute games are non-competitive. People with differing abilities can all play the same game. What games? Here are a few simple ones:

• Put balls in the middle and make them bounce like popcorn
• Make waves of varying sizes - use your voice as a tool to emphasize directives - tell an ocean story
• Parachute Tag - lift the parachute high in the air - call out 2 children's names - they try to switch places under the chute before it comes down again
• Merry-go-Round - all the children face the same direction - use varying locomotor movements to make the chute move around - change directions and/or tempo
• See-Saw Pull - all the children sit holding the chute - they pull back and forth cooperatively

Don't have a real parachute? A bed sheet will work just fine. Or, come to our classes. We have 2 very colorful parachutes in different sizes that we love to pull out and use!

It Tickles!

This week's Young Child 2 class had visitors. Xavier's parents who work and play for the Kalamazoo Symphony brought a few of their instruments for Woodwind day. They also brought straws so we could get an idea of what it is like to play a double reed . . .

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 . . .

Hippity, Hoppity

We had a nice surprise on our front walk this Easter morning . . . Bunny Tracks!

Nintendo Guitar?

From this ...

To this . . .

Click here to see the process . . .

Red Raven

More interesting info on retro recordings . . . have the kids look for the Raven . . .



These were cardboard children's records with the animation printed right onto the disc itself (later versions like the one above had the animation on the label of regular colored vinyl). The Red Raven included a little mirrored device that you pop onto the turntable's spindle that reflected the animation in such a way that while the record plays you get to see a little cartoon.

The effect is rather hypnotic (the mirrored device is an ersatz praxinoscope for all of you optics junkies), and a neat addition to the typical children's fare on the record itself. Sixteen Magic Mirror Movie records were released by Red Raven (making for 32 animations of course).

Copied from Retro Thing

Kiddie Rekords

Molly got me thinking with her guitar posts and I stumbled on this site today while looking for a story I remembered listening to when I was younger - One String Fiddle. It was part of a record set at my grandparents house that my mom listened to when she was growing up. I would love to be able to find those 78's . . .

Looking for Easter Crafts?

Here are some ideas from Kid's Crafts Weekly - just click here to be taken to the instructions page.

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 . . .

Enjoy your Time Off

There will be no classes from March 31st through April 7th for Spring Break. Classes will resume again on Monday, April 9.

If you are looking for something to do over the break (and haven't left town), click here to find some Easter pictures to print for the kids to color.

An Old Friend

I've always loved this piece and I'm relearning it for my brother's wedding this summer. Came across this video and thought I'd share it. Leif Ove Asdnes was the 1998 Gilmore Artist and the 3rd artist to win this prestigious award.

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.

Your Brain and Music

msn.com has some new research on how music can affect your brain. Click here

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!

Luck 'O The Irish

Growing up in Clare, Michigan I had my fare share of green pancakes and sausage made especially for the day by the Cub Scouts (my brother a member so we couldn't miss). Clare County - County Clare - who wouldn't get a little confused. Irish Festival was a big deal up there in the Gateway to the North. Here's a little something you and the kids can make together that looks much better than my former St. Patty's Day breakfasts - but I wouldn't let anyone eat it!

Shamrocks are considered good luck among the Irish, which makes this dangly clay clover a fitting accessory to hang from a key chain or backpack. Click here to see a step-by-step video demonstration of this craft.


CRAFT MATERIALS:
Green polymer clay (one shade, or two partially blended to create a swirled effect)
Paper clip


Time needed: Afternoon or Evening

1. Roll three 1-inch-thick balls out of clay. Mold each ball into a heart-shaped leaflet, then smoosh together the pointed ends until they stick.


2. Set one end of a paper clip atop the joined points (the other end should extend out as a stem would) and press a flattened bit of clay over it to seal it in.


3. Now turn the shamrock over and etch a center crease in each leaflet with a pencil.


4. Bake the clay according to the manufacturer's directions. Once the charm is cool, slide the paper clip end onto a split key ring.

You can find more crafts and fun ideas for the whole family at Family Fun Magazine's web site.

Construction Cut Outs

Some amazing ways to experience a rainbow of color . . . visit Jen Stark's web site and click alot.

Changing lives one Nueral Connection at a time

Researchers at the M.I.N.D. Institute at the University of California in
Davis believe, if they can catch it early, they can change the way a child’s
brain develops.

In Kindermusik classes we do just that. Our activities are developmentally appropriate. Whether it is developing a newborn's eye tracking with a chime ball or a 7 year old's coordination and timing with steady beat games - we meet your child where they are developmentally and work toward developing them to their fullest potential. Children of all abilities will find a place in our classrooms. We can chanage lives one nueral connection at a time . . .

Click here to watch video.

Scrapbook? Stamp? Massage?

Scrapbooking Day Fundraiser

March 10th, 2007

St. Ambrose Church Social Hall

G Ave. Parchment

$10 gets you a table from 9:00 to 4:00. You can bring your own supplies and there will be vendors from Close to my Heart, Creative Memories, and Stampin' Up who will have supplies for purchase as well as ideas and make & take projects. We will also have door prizes and a massage therapist will be available for chair massages ($1/ minute - 10 minute minimum). Light refreshments will be provided.

All the proceeds go directly to the school and you get a day to relax, visit and work on your scrapbooking / stamping projects. Please call (349-7516) if you are interested, pre-payment is recommended to reserve your space.