Pitch Perfect . . .

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.

You're Invited . . .

Monday, August 20th

6-8pm

Lighthouse Community Church

4321 S. 11th Street

Kalamazoo MI 49009

Kindermusik Demo - Staff

Discovery Toys - Liz Peot

Stroller Strides - Maureen Weston

Not registered - we'll help you find the class you need and give you a gift as our thanks.

Already registered - bring a friend, if they register we'll give you both a gift.

There is no charge for this event - it is an Open House format so come and go as you need to.

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 !

Nothing you do for children is ever wasted. They seem not to notice us, hovering, averting our eyes, and they seldom offer thanks, but what we do for them is never wasted. Garrison Keillor

A Little Monkey Music

. . . and a whole lot more can be found on this website. Games, crafts and more for Preschool, Kindergarten and Big Kids.

http://www.mothergoose.com/

Animal Playground

The new CD comes with this video - to order contact Putumayo

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.

--Aristotle

2007 Teacher of the Year on Music

Click here to watch an interview clip of Andrea Peterson's thoughts on music, education and our future work force: ed.gov

“The beautiful thing about music is that it can give kids skills that transfer over into their reading, writing, and math.”

Thanks Molly!

Ice Cream Social

Discovery Toys Summer Ice Cream Social… fun for kids of all ages birth to 99.

Thursday, June 21 3:30 to 5:30 or 6:30 to 9:30 I’ll provide the ice cream and you bring your favorite topping, for you & your friends!

Discovery Toys is now carrying Do Re Me & You music and books. These were all developed by Kindermusik.

Prizes will be awarded for the oldest and youngest guest in attendance that plays!
The first 20 people to R.S.V.P will get additional savings… it pays to call or email early!
Phone: 269-372-1419 email lizpeot@hotmail.com Bring a friend that hasn’t played at my house before and share your savings with them!

Can’t make the party… call me with your order and you will still get the bonus savings!

*** Free toys earned from all purchases at this event will be donated to local camps for underpriveledged children!

If you can't make the social, but are interested in the sale, call or email me to get a flier. The sale has items up to 60% off.

Liz Peot
Discovery Toys Educational Consultant
269-372-1419

Thank You!

I just recently found out that we have been named as a Maestro program for 2007. Our program is in the top 5% of Kindermusik programs around the world - and one of only 190 to earn this title. We have been fortunate to have received this honor every year since 2002.





While this is exciting news for us, we couldn't do it without you. Parents (grandparents, aunts/uncles etc.) who entrust your children with us. Your continued enrollments and recommendations to your friends are crucial to our program's success. Locations who see the value in what we do and open their facilities to us and the families we serve.


Thank you!

And, a special thank you to the Educators who put in countless hours. Their dedication to this program, the curriculum and the children and families is amazing.

Thank you!

Here's to another year of bringing the power of music & movement to the children in the Kalamazoo area!

Rhythm Games

Phil Tulga uses many home made instruments to create patterns with sound. He also uses some great visuals to represent fractions and sounds. There are some really neat rhythm games for the kids to play. Click on the graphic above to play the Unifix Cube Drum Machine or click here to see the entire list of rhythm games.

If you have time to explore the entire site you will learn quite a bit about drumming language communications in other countries.

Kindermusik House

Kindermusik has many faces - children, parents, educators . . . But who is behind the scenes? This video gives you a chance to see who works so hard to put these great programs together.

Dan Pratt (who sings in the recording) is featured in this video - he is the original Chairman and CEO of Kindermusik. Can you believe it's been almost 30 years?!? An amazing voice and you can hear more of him on many of our At Home CD's. Carol Penney was my trainer (and continues to be). Can you believe it's been 8 years?!? Erin is our fantastic Convention planner & Molly is a super writer and inspiration to let yourself fly when everyone's watching. Michael Dougherty is the current President and CEO of KI. A fantastic business man with a giant heart. And good friend Jessi, who keeps all of us Mentors in line, runs the Ruth D. Anderson Children's Fund and the one who put this video together (that's why you can't see her).

Watch and see one of the reasons I like my job so much . . .

A Time for Planting

As I drive around town I see spring everywhere - in Michigan we never know when that will happen. But, the bedding plants are abounding and gardens are blossoming. It must be here. With the change in season comes lots of rain - often upredictable. What to do with the kids? Keep this on hand . . .

Using a nutritive and non-toxic gel created by Globus International in collaboration with NASA scientists, Plantariums are life-giving ecosystems in which seeds germinate. The colorful gel's transparency makes the seedling and its roots visible throughout the entire germination and plant-growth process! Kits may be purchased at Coundown Creations.

Thanks Kiddly!

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.

fiesta

n. - any gala celebration; holiday

It was fiesta time in our Young Child 3/4 class - a celebration of so much accomplished over 60 weeks of music & movement time. They ended this program by adding to their glockenspiel skills, learning about a 2-string dulcimer and a recorder. Musical form and songs/games from other cultures were also explored. We are so proud of their accomplishments - ole!

Mexican Hat Dance