Bunny Rabbits – Funny Habits

   Bunnies just look soooo cuddly that it is a natural  impulse to want to pick them up and hug them.  Luckily we have a lot of stuffed animals for little children to do just that.   Wild rabbits are actually very timid creatures (some children can really relate to them), and it is fun to explore [...]

NEW Program – Kindermusik Sign and Sing

You can see the brain wheels turning as older babies and toddlers try to communicate…  as they try to tell an older sibling or adult what they need or want.  You can also see the dazed look on the parent’s face as they try so hard to understand.  Amazingly, older siblings can be impressive interpreters.  [...]

A Shell Full of Stories

In a African folk tale, “Where Stories Come From” (part of the Kindermusik Tell Me A Tale summer camp),  a mother searches for stories for her children.  Finally, she finds the spirit people, who give the mother a SHELL with which she can just LISTEN for new stories.  Honestly, I have found such a shell.  If you have a smart phone that [...]

Motherhood Relaxation with Sound of Silence

Relaxation Activity 1 – The Sound of Silence       (link to intro.)                 For yourself:  Life is so full of noise.  I find myself staying awake at night just to enjoy the silence.   FIND IT!  Savor it.   Let it refresh you with this 10 min. exercise:  While sitting comfortably, close your eyes, and let the silence [...]

Kooky Cartoons teach Healthy Habits

Learning good habits to stay healthy, and to keep others healthy is important, but does NOT come naturally – they must be taught.  Different children learn different ways, and some enjoy learning through cartoons.  Watching is only the beginning of the learning process though.  After you watch one of these videos with your children, go right [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]