During the past 6 months or so, I have begun looking for good deals, values, and using coupons for my purchases. I haven’t always done this, but with 2 children at home and only a part-time income, it has sort of become a necessity. It has also become fun for me. I know some of you might think I sound like a nerd, but I get really excited when I keep my grocery bill under budget for the week or find a really great deal on something. I use coupons whenever possible, and I also have some money-saving blogs that I check regularly. I have come to think of it as another job, and an exciting new challenge!
I also look for good values when I’m choosing activities for my children to be involved in. I don’t want to pay a lot of money for something that they won’t like or benefit from. I want to put them into activites that will be fun, rewarding, engaging, and educational. Both of my children have been in Kindermusik classes since they were very little. In fact, I was a Kindermusik mom before I was a Kindermusik teacher. To me, it is a great value. The Our Time class, for example, works out to cost less than $10 per class. But most important are all of the benefits that have come from their Kindermusik classes.
Grant (now 5 years old) started Kindermusik at about 7 months old. He was in full time daycare at the time, and I wanted some special bonding time with him since I was at work all day. He is an extremely busy and active child, and as he has gotten older, I have seen many benefits from his Kindermusik experiences. It has helped him learn to share and wait his turn, develop self-control, listen, and follow directions. Elyse (now 18 months old) has never been in a daycare setting, so I feel that one of her biggest benefits of Kindermusik has been learning to socialize with a group of children her own age. She has also learned new skills like marching and jumping, and she now loves to “clean up” at home…just like we do in class! My children both love the home materials that we get each semester. The books, CDs, and instruments are so much fun, and we get to continue the musical experience at home all week. I have even had some families tell me that they have literally worn out their home CDs from listening to them so much!
Maybe it’s because I grew up with parents who are music teachers, but music has always been a huge part of my life. It’s such a natural thing for children to dance, sing, and play music. Music can bring people together and express feelings in ways that other things cannot. That’s why I believe so much in Kindermusik and the value of music for our children!
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Summertime, Summertime, Sum, Sum, Summertime and the song goes on and on. That is the beauty of kindermusik, we go on and on. No matter the season, time of year or stage of life you or your kids are in we go on and on. There is always something for everyone. I am a mother of four ages seven years and younger and I love looking at all of the classes Bright Beginnings Studio by Kindermusik has to offer. It is like a road map to our weekly schedule as I highlight and ponder the options for my kids. What I love about summer is that all of our classes fit in so well to a season we wish would last longer but with the flexability of being here there and everywhere for a few short months.
I am currently teaching a five week night class called Confetti. I teach both hours as a Family Time option so with 4-5 families some have 1-4 kids all playing and singing together. We all have found this time to be enjoyable with many different ages doing our conffetti theme. For those of you in a summer class, you probably see and hear some things that are the same: listening, instrument explore and familiar outline to the 45 min. class. The differences you may feel and hear is in the theme. Our summer curriculum has different exciting themes that last for 5-8 weeks. This also feels different to our Fall and Spring 14 week sememster. Each theme has a different hello and goodbye song. I know it is hard to be in Our Time and not sing the Our Time song. The hello song is difficult for teacher also, as our brains are like a CD player and sometimes we have to switch a disk to get to the right tune and words at the right time. Whether you are in Zoo train, Conffetti, Mother Goose or Rock and Roll they all sound fun for a summertime family fun time.
I have the best news for those of you reading today. It is not too late. My dear friend Miss Myra and I both have the same internal thermometer that tells us we are on the downhill slide to summer once july 4th has come and gone. Our early start in August does not help these feeling either but I have to tell you there is still time!!! I may almost be done with my classes but my own children are just about to begin their great expereince with their own camp. Even better is the perfect map where my younger two will go to one camp with me, while my older go alone to theirs. What a perfect option for a multi-tasking mother. I heard that our wish list to summertime things is like a bucket list of activities you desire to accomplish in these few months. I am enjoying all that I have done on my list so far but can't wait for my week to begin as a mommy at kindermusik while all four of my kiddos explore their Kindermusik camp time too. Summertime, summertime, sum sum summertime, what is on your bucket list? We still have spots open for you!
I am currently teaching a five week night class called Confetti. I teach both hours as a Family Time option so with 4-5 families some have 1-4 kids all playing and singing together. We all have found this time to be enjoyable with many different ages doing our conffetti theme. For those of you in a summer class, you probably see and hear some things that are the same: listening, instrument explore and familiar outline to the 45 min. class. The differences you may feel and hear is in the theme. Our summer curriculum has different exciting themes that last for 5-8 weeks. This also feels different to our Fall and Spring 14 week sememster. Each theme has a different hello and goodbye song. I know it is hard to be in Our Time and not sing the Our Time song. The hello song is difficult for teacher also, as our brains are like a CD player and sometimes we have to switch a disk to get to the right tune and words at the right time. Whether you are in Zoo train, Conffetti, Mother Goose or Rock and Roll they all sound fun for a summertime family fun time.
I have the best news for those of you reading today. It is not too late. My dear friend Miss Myra and I both have the same internal thermometer that tells us we are on the downhill slide to summer once july 4th has come and gone. Our early start in August does not help these feeling either but I have to tell you there is still time!!! I may almost be done with my classes but my own children are just about to begin their great expereince with their own camp. Even better is the perfect map where my younger two will go to one camp with me, while my older go alone to theirs. What a perfect option for a multi-tasking mother. I heard that our wish list to summertime things is like a bucket list of activities you desire to accomplish in these few months. I am enjoying all that I have done on my list so far but can't wait for my week to begin as a mommy at kindermusik while all four of my kiddos explore their Kindermusik camp time too. Summertime, summertime, sum sum summertime, what is on your bucket list? We still have spots open for you!
Monday, July 12, 2010
"A-Camping We Will Go" by, Becky Schaefer
I spent the better part of my Sunday afternoon preparing for my upcoming camps. Normally I would not spend a Sunday afternoon working, but this week my schedule left no other options. Once I quit my grumbling and decided to just go do it, I actually really enjoyed my time. Maybe it was because it was so very quiet – as a mother, this is a luxury in itself. Maybe it was because I got to organize (sad, but true.) Maybe it was because I felt myself slipping into a world of make-believe. Maybe it was because I could picture each of my own children participating in these activities I was planning. Maybe it was because I could imagine all the possibilities. Whatever the reason, as I sifted through the hundreds of different craft supplies, gathered dress-up clothes, chose fun instruments, and listened to the catchy music, I found myself very excited to teach these camps next week.
From a teacher perspective, I get why camps are so beneficial. From a parent perspective, you may not be completely sold – yet. I will do my best to get you there.
There are some guarantees for any Kindermusik camp or class you choose. Your child will experience music and movement in a nurturing environment. All Kindermusik camps/classes are designed to reach each part of your child – social, emotional, musical, cognitive, language, physical – and to nurture development in each of those areas. Our goal is, “All involved, all the time.” We are proud of this and strive to achieve that at every class. My favorite promise, though, is that we will have a lot of fun!
In addition to all of this, there are some benefits unique to the camps. There is the factor of continuity. While some may be a little hesitant on Day 1, most of the children feel quite settled in and comfortable on Day 2 already. The whole experience is fresh in their minds – the teacher, the other children and grownups, the room, the music, the routine. Because this routine is established on the first day, we can spend the remainder of the days focused on the content of the class. Some of the songs and activities repeat from day to day, and therefore, retention is high. In Kindermusik, we do so much scaffolding – taking what the child knows and building on it from there - encouraging them to expand their horizons. When we gently challenge our children each day, learning is bound to take place. When your child finishes camp at the end of the week, he/she will leave with new songs, new activities, new appreciations, new experiences, and new ideas.
Three week-long music camps begin the week of July 19; there are openings for all ages and all families. Zoo Train (Newborn–7 yrs. [Multi-Age]) from 6:00-7:15 p.m.; Confetti Days (3 & 4 yrs) from 1:00-1:55 p.m. ; Rockin' & Rollin' (4 ½ – 8 yrs) from 1:00-2:15 p.m. OR 2:30–3:45 p.m. We would be honored if you would spend some time with us this summer – let the fun begin!
From a teacher perspective, I get why camps are so beneficial. From a parent perspective, you may not be completely sold – yet. I will do my best to get you there.
There are some guarantees for any Kindermusik camp or class you choose. Your child will experience music and movement in a nurturing environment. All Kindermusik camps/classes are designed to reach each part of your child – social, emotional, musical, cognitive, language, physical – and to nurture development in each of those areas. Our goal is, “All involved, all the time.” We are proud of this and strive to achieve that at every class. My favorite promise, though, is that we will have a lot of fun!
In addition to all of this, there are some benefits unique to the camps. There is the factor of continuity. While some may be a little hesitant on Day 1, most of the children feel quite settled in and comfortable on Day 2 already. The whole experience is fresh in their minds – the teacher, the other children and grownups, the room, the music, the routine. Because this routine is established on the first day, we can spend the remainder of the days focused on the content of the class. Some of the songs and activities repeat from day to day, and therefore, retention is high. In Kindermusik, we do so much scaffolding – taking what the child knows and building on it from there - encouraging them to expand their horizons. When we gently challenge our children each day, learning is bound to take place. When your child finishes camp at the end of the week, he/she will leave with new songs, new activities, new appreciations, new experiences, and new ideas.
Three week-long music camps begin the week of July 19; there are openings for all ages and all families. Zoo Train (Newborn–7 yrs. [Multi-Age]) from 6:00-7:15 p.m.; Confetti Days (3 & 4 yrs) from 1:00-1:55 p.m. ; Rockin' & Rollin' (4 ½ – 8 yrs) from 1:00-2:15 p.m. OR 2:30–3:45 p.m. We would be honored if you would spend some time with us this summer – let the fun begin!
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