Living out Kindermusik FOLs
What is an FOL in Kindermusik? An FOL stands for 'Foundation of Learning' and is one of my favorite components to what we do and teach in Kindermusik. I admit that I get much joy in the study of early childhood brain development. Each Kindermusik includes a main FOL that is the focus for that class. In addition to the main FOL, each class also contains several others FOLs.
As a mommy and teacher, I have enjoyed incorporating these FOLs into our every day lives. FOLs can be divided into six categories:
•Physical
•Social
•Cognitive
•Language
•Musical
•Emotional
There are several benefits to the parents of kindermuisk kids including bonding with your child, your child's social interaction with others, sand your child's stimulated creativity. By singing a simple song like 'If you're happy and you know it', you are labeling physical parts, identifying movements, and using fine motor skills. Who knew a simple song had so many benefits?!?
I have wonderful memories of dancing on my mom and dad's feet to my own special song I often talk about the need to dance and spin with your child each day to help their vestibular system, which gives the child a greater sense of balance. Activities such as this aren't just child's play either; in fact, in nurisng home residents who have a difficult sense of balance do therapetuic activities such as bouncing on large balls or spinning in office chairs. If you have ever taken a class with me, you know that I get dizzy easily! While my mom says she spun me as a child, I too am still working on my vestibular system!
A fun idea I learned from Miss Myra's class was an idea shared from other families. A great way to bring kindermusik to you and your children in a physical, emotional, and musical way is to make music and movement part of your home. Consider some music and movement time when your children are about to go crazy and you have already turned off the TV! Put in one of our fun Home Materials CDs and make music and dancing together. When the body and all of the senses work together as a whole, the brain has an easier and more efficient time with learning and adaptation of new material.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
"A Few of My Favorite Things" by Becky Schaefer
“I teach Kindermusik.” This is often met with one of two responses. Either “What’s that?” OR “That sounds like fun.” Assuming that all of our blog readers know the answer to the first response, I will elaborate on the second. Truth be told, my job really is fun. Here are a few of my favorite things about being a Kindermusik teacher.
• MY SCHEDULE: I have a young family (Grant-7, Claire-4, Max-1), and they are my priority. Grant is in school full-time, and so I teach the two mornings a week while Claire is in Preschool. Little Max gets to play at Miss Kristi’s house and loves her. I also teach one evening a week…and my children actually look forward to it, because it is special Daddy time. I work just enough to keep myself sane and am away just enough to miss my children…a little bit. It works beautifully!
• MY PASSIONS: Music and children have always been two of my passions in life. You hear the saying, “Well, it’s a job…” with not much enthusiasm. Honestly, I’ve never felt that way about teaching Kindermusik. Maybe it’s because there is never a dull moment. No matter how detailed my lesson plans may be, the children often have plans of their own. Maybe it’s because of the exciting musical discoveries that take place. Maybe it’s because of all the contagious giggles, the tender hugs and sloppy wet kisses, and all the times I hear “I love you, Miss Becky.”
• MY FAMILIES: Sharing music (in a classroom environment) with a child for the first time is a privilege. Thank goodness for the families – who may be a little hesitant at first – willing to try something new. I’ve also been blessed to have some families semester after semester. Some have shared their children from infancy right up through the time they begin school. I’ve seen them grow musically, socially, emotionally, and physically. I have witnessed and celebrated children’s milestones and am so honored to be a part of this.
• MY CHILDREN: I am a Kindermusik mommy. Grant is all boy and craves movement. This has been accepted and supported as our Kindermusik teachers patiently shape his love of music and foster his zest for life. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Claire is more reserved. She has blossomed from always needing me to being a quiet leader in her classes. Again, her personality has always been respected and encouraged by her gentle teacher. My little Max will experience Kindermusik this summer, and I can hardly wait! Three very different personalities, yet three perfect fits for Kindermusik.
I have been teaching for six years and cannot imagine doing anything else. I have the best job ever – and I pray that I never take that for granted. From an educator standpoint and a mommy standpoint, I believe in Kindermusik. It goes without saying, but my job is fulfilling and rewarding. I get the chance to make a difference in the lives of children through music. In turn, each child has made a difference in my life.
• MY SCHEDULE: I have a young family (Grant-7, Claire-4, Max-1), and they are my priority. Grant is in school full-time, and so I teach the two mornings a week while Claire is in Preschool. Little Max gets to play at Miss Kristi’s house and loves her. I also teach one evening a week…and my children actually look forward to it, because it is special Daddy time. I work just enough to keep myself sane and am away just enough to miss my children…a little bit. It works beautifully!
• MY PASSIONS: Music and children have always been two of my passions in life. You hear the saying, “Well, it’s a job…” with not much enthusiasm. Honestly, I’ve never felt that way about teaching Kindermusik. Maybe it’s because there is never a dull moment. No matter how detailed my lesson plans may be, the children often have plans of their own. Maybe it’s because of the exciting musical discoveries that take place. Maybe it’s because of all the contagious giggles, the tender hugs and sloppy wet kisses, and all the times I hear “I love you, Miss Becky.”
• MY FAMILIES: Sharing music (in a classroom environment) with a child for the first time is a privilege. Thank goodness for the families – who may be a little hesitant at first – willing to try something new. I’ve also been blessed to have some families semester after semester. Some have shared their children from infancy right up through the time they begin school. I’ve seen them grow musically, socially, emotionally, and physically. I have witnessed and celebrated children’s milestones and am so honored to be a part of this.
• MY CHILDREN: I am a Kindermusik mommy. Grant is all boy and craves movement. This has been accepted and supported as our Kindermusik teachers patiently shape his love of music and foster his zest for life. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Claire is more reserved. She has blossomed from always needing me to being a quiet leader in her classes. Again, her personality has always been respected and encouraged by her gentle teacher. My little Max will experience Kindermusik this summer, and I can hardly wait! Three very different personalities, yet three perfect fits for Kindermusik.
I have been teaching for six years and cannot imagine doing anything else. I have the best job ever – and I pray that I never take that for granted. From an educator standpoint and a mommy standpoint, I believe in Kindermusik. It goes without saying, but my job is fulfilling and rewarding. I get the chance to make a difference in the lives of children through music. In turn, each child has made a difference in my life.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
"Happy Mother's Day!" by Sue Winters
I hope all the moms out there are enjoying a great day! As I reflect on what makes
“Mother’s Day” special, I immediately think of my children and grandchildren. I’m sure, just as I do, you also enjoy spending time with your children, showering them with hugs and kisses, praising them, sharing projects together, and even exchanging gifts.
With any of these love languages, we show how much we care for each other.
One of my favorite “mom” gifts to share is the gift of music. Both of my children are now grown and are out on their own. When they were younger, they were involved in school musical productions, flute, percussion, guitar, and piano lessons and recitals, various festivals and competitions. Music was a big part of their lives. As a mom, I felt so proud to be part of their accomplishments. I was one of those moms who had butterflies on the inside but was beaming on the outside! No one could bring more joy to me than my children when it came to musical activities.
As the years have passed, I am now blessed with grandchildren and love to see them involved in music as well as many other activities. Kindermusik is a must for me, and my grandsons, to my knowledge, really enjoy it. In our weekly classes, parents and grandparents are encouraged to participate with the children to some degree – more involvement with the younger ages and less as they get older. We are always involved in some way whether it be active participation with them or just sitting back to observe. I have to chuckle every time I see the children looking at their partners to make sure they are paying attention to them. My grandson Noah is always making sure I’m watching!
As a result of this time together, my grandsons really enjoy the music and love to share it with everyone. I caught Noah (my oldest grandson) teaching his younger brother the other day how to join him in an ensemble. He was telling him to play the bell for the segment “hear the bell a ringin” in the train song. Now never mind that Noah’s brother Otto is only 10 months old! Structure does not matter at this age but it does matter
how much enjoyment they have in the learning process!
How can something like this not bring joy to a mother or grandmother’s heart? This joy is genuine and will last far beyond any material gifts. I know you all cherish
similar things about each of your children. I know you all have a story or a blog that you could write. I hope you have a chance to reflect on that today as you celebrate this special day to honor mothers.
“Mother’s Day” special, I immediately think of my children and grandchildren. I’m sure, just as I do, you also enjoy spending time with your children, showering them with hugs and kisses, praising them, sharing projects together, and even exchanging gifts.
With any of these love languages, we show how much we care for each other.
One of my favorite “mom” gifts to share is the gift of music. Both of my children are now grown and are out on their own. When they were younger, they were involved in school musical productions, flute, percussion, guitar, and piano lessons and recitals, various festivals and competitions. Music was a big part of their lives. As a mom, I felt so proud to be part of their accomplishments. I was one of those moms who had butterflies on the inside but was beaming on the outside! No one could bring more joy to me than my children when it came to musical activities.
As the years have passed, I am now blessed with grandchildren and love to see them involved in music as well as many other activities. Kindermusik is a must for me, and my grandsons, to my knowledge, really enjoy it. In our weekly classes, parents and grandparents are encouraged to participate with the children to some degree – more involvement with the younger ages and less as they get older. We are always involved in some way whether it be active participation with them or just sitting back to observe. I have to chuckle every time I see the children looking at their partners to make sure they are paying attention to them. My grandson Noah is always making sure I’m watching!
As a result of this time together, my grandsons really enjoy the music and love to share it with everyone. I caught Noah (my oldest grandson) teaching his younger brother the other day how to join him in an ensemble. He was telling him to play the bell for the segment “hear the bell a ringin” in the train song. Now never mind that Noah’s brother Otto is only 10 months old! Structure does not matter at this age but it does matter
how much enjoyment they have in the learning process!
How can something like this not bring joy to a mother or grandmother’s heart? This joy is genuine and will last far beyond any material gifts. I know you all cherish
similar things about each of your children. I know you all have a story or a blog that you could write. I hope you have a chance to reflect on that today as you celebrate this special day to honor mothers.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2010 by Wendy Ensz
“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” William Butler Yeats
Time flies. The first children I taught who graduated from Kindermusik (Kindermusik Class of 1999) are now graduating from High School. Over the years, many Kindermusik alumni, and their parents, have kept in touch. All are still involved in music in some way, shape of form. YES – that is what the journey is all about – learning to love music, learning to love learning, learning to love making music as part of a group, and keeping all of these things in our hearts forever.
Since then, eleven other graduating classes have brought joy and special dynamics to our program. This year, of course, we have our own Kindermusik class of 2010. While the general curriculum and Kindermusik philosophy {“follow the child”}has remained in tact for all these years, every single graduating class has had its own special set of: requests, favorite activities, different directions they've taken the music, and different relationships that have evolved. But all learning to love music, learning to love learning, learning to love making music as part of a group, and keeping all of these things in their hearts forever.
Some of the children in this year's graduating class started in Kindermusik as babies; we have thoroughly enjoyed watching them grow up, in so many ways, over the course of their lifetimes. Some of the children joined us as toddlers; we got to witness that first official jump, share in the language explosion, and laugh together. Some of the children joined us a preschoolers; we got to watch them learn to take turns, feel comfortable in the freedom of the structure, tie their shoes, and start writing their names. Some of the children joined as recently as this past Fall, and it has been awesome watching the love and understanding of music unfold in such a short amount of time. But no matter how long each of these children were with us, we have been so thankful to bring music into their hearts, and we cherish the music and love they have brought into ours.
You blink... That's exactly how I feel. I've blinked and now my first Kindermusik graduates are High School graduates. I'll blink again, and this year's Kindermusik graduates will be the Senior Class (2021? - oh my!). Every smile, every note, every ounce of effort, every musical moment, every goodbye hug or hi-five from every Kindermusik child has been a treasure. May whatever aspect of the music that lights their fire keep burning bright, always. Congratulations to the High School Class of 2010, and to Keyra, Riley, Ellie, Crosby, Augustan, and Hannah - THE KINDERMUSIK CLASS OF 2010!
Time flies. The first children I taught who graduated from Kindermusik (Kindermusik Class of 1999) are now graduating from High School. Over the years, many Kindermusik alumni, and their parents, have kept in touch. All are still involved in music in some way, shape of form. YES – that is what the journey is all about – learning to love music, learning to love learning, learning to love making music as part of a group, and keeping all of these things in our hearts forever.
Since then, eleven other graduating classes have brought joy and special dynamics to our program. This year, of course, we have our own Kindermusik class of 2010. While the general curriculum and Kindermusik philosophy {“follow the child”}has remained in tact for all these years, every single graduating class has had its own special set of: requests, favorite activities, different directions they've taken the music, and different relationships that have evolved. But all learning to love music, learning to love learning, learning to love making music as part of a group, and keeping all of these things in their hearts forever.
Some of the children in this year's graduating class started in Kindermusik as babies; we have thoroughly enjoyed watching them grow up, in so many ways, over the course of their lifetimes. Some of the children joined us as toddlers; we got to witness that first official jump, share in the language explosion, and laugh together. Some of the children joined us a preschoolers; we got to watch them learn to take turns, feel comfortable in the freedom of the structure, tie their shoes, and start writing their names. Some of the children joined as recently as this past Fall, and it has been awesome watching the love and understanding of music unfold in such a short amount of time. But no matter how long each of these children were with us, we have been so thankful to bring music into their hearts, and we cherish the music and love they have brought into ours.
You blink... That's exactly how I feel. I've blinked and now my first Kindermusik graduates are High School graduates. I'll blink again, and this year's Kindermusik graduates will be the Senior Class (2021? - oh my!). Every smile, every note, every ounce of effort, every musical moment, every goodbye hug or hi-five from every Kindermusik child has been a treasure. May whatever aspect of the music that lights their fire keep burning bright, always. Congratulations to the High School Class of 2010, and to Keyra, Riley, Ellie, Crosby, Augustan, and Hannah - THE KINDERMUSIK CLASS OF 2010!
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