GREEN is the color to BE

GREEN has been my 4 year old daughter’s favorite color for at least 2 years now, but little does she know all of what GREEN is starting to mean.  Even in this FALL season, I am amazed at how much GREEN is springing up all around us.  It has been marvelous that Polk County has [...]

Watch Out – Spontaneous Housecleaning May Occur

Whether it’s “Dust, Dust, Dust”, or “We are clothes in the Washing Machine”, our families are learning some great songs and activities that help make the cleaning up routines at home something to look forward to. 
In the Family Time program, Our Kind of Day, and the Our Time program, Milk & Cookies, children become actively engaged in real life [...]

My Own Version of THE BIG CHILL kitchen scene

In the movie, THE BIG CHILL, family and friends gather at one person’s home to attend a funeral and  reminisce about a friend who just passed away.  Well, no one in my family has passed away, but in the last few weeks, we’ve gathered by the bunches, both here and in Texas, to share the burdens of some of [...]

What a Wonderful World

Aah, Louis Armstrong.  This summer, I’ve enjoyed relaxing a bit with my families and sharing some wonderful music that helps us appreciate the world around us.  My whole body seems to relax when I listen to Lous Armstrong sing “What a Wonderful World”.  I love holding my daughter and dancing cheek to cheek with this song.  I [...]

Music stimulates the brain, at home & in Kindermusik

I recieved an email from Montessori Services last night that had the most wonderful quote about the musicality of children, with great ideas for home activities.   Make sure to note the importance of the “sensitive period for music” during the youngest years.  Following the quote, you’ll see how Kindermusik takes these ideas to a whole new [...]

Revisiting Potty Training techniques with Music, etc.

Due to further requests on this topic, I have extended the discussion. 
You may find the next posting to be a great introduction to why I think music works.  These are two examples of how this might work.

For my daughter, Cora, the real “hang up” for using the toilet was her “choosing” when to go [...]

Stop, Look, and Listen

Kindermusik Family Time – Here, There, Everywhere                                Lesson 3
Beep! Beep!  We’re off to the city.   

 
“Here we go a-walking down the street… and STOP”  The children enjoyed using the sign language gesture for STOP. 

 
Actually, the act of making the sign almost requires the child stop their movement to make the sign.
 
 

STOP  – Place flat right hand [...]

Kindermusik Village – Wk.6 – The TOUR ritual

“Go into the Kitchen and take a peek…”  This is a fun circle dance in class.  I love it when all the babies are held up in the center of the circle to look at each other.  They are fully entranced by this social opportunity, and are gaining a real sense of togetherness each time [...]

Village – Rhythm of My Day – Week 5

The Rhythm of My Day                    Week 5 
   Rhythm, the rhythm, the rhythm of our class!  Rituals are such an important part of all our lives. The rituals associated with waking up, meals, nap, bath, and bedtime give your baby a sense of calm and confidence. He learns to anticipate what will come next and [...]

STOPPING is FUN vs. Redirecting Innappropriate Behavior

“STOPPING” is FUN!
Remember that we want to build the idea that stopping can be a wonderfully fun thing. Use the sign for “stop” (as shown in class), as well as the word, as part of your movement activities to indicate the time to stop moving.  It is really fun to watch the toddlers catch on [...]