More than a children's music class

Sibling Rivalry

2012-01-25T13:55:00.000-05:00

As a home school family, I spend a great deal of time around my children. We have a great time learning together, but, like any other family, we also have days where disputes arise. I have come to learn that no matter where you're from or how you raise your children, the fact of the matter is that sibling rivalry is sure to raise its surly head! Conflict resolution is an important skill that children need to learn to succeed in life. However, it's easy to feel frustrated when your working though this with your children because you don't want to appear to be "taking sides". Here are a few pointers I picked up from the James Dobson book, The New Strong-Willed Child.

Don't inflame the natural jealousy that your children feel by comparing them to each other.
Establish a workable system of justice at home. In other words, you should have reasonable rules that protect each family member an ensure their fair treatment, then consistently enforce those rules.
Recognize that the hidden "target" of sibling rivalry is you! The bickering may be an attempt to capture more attention.

I hope it will help smooth the rough edges in your household as your children grow and learn how to successfully work with those around them.

Kindermusik Village - Sneak Peak

2012-01-06T17:41:00.000-05:00

Our spring Kindermusik classes are now enrolling! Not sure what we do in a Kindermusik class? Here's a sneak peak of a Kindermusik Village class for babies up to 18 months old. It's so amazing to watch such young children respond to the power of music! You can view our full class schedule by clicking here.

A Parent's Thoughts

2011-12-14T19:39:00.000-05:00

We are approaching our 9th birthday here at Delightful Sounds. Sometimes it boggles my brain when I sit and think of all the families I have met over those nine years. There are so many special faces and names that come to mind. I can recall favorite songs and activities that stand out in my mind. I even remember dancing the tango-cha-cha in Do-Si-Do with baby Jack S. who is now well into elementary school! I was recently talking with a parent from another Kindermusik program. She had moved here in the last few months from Alaska and was recalling fondly when her children were young enough to attend Kindermusik there. "What did you like most about your time in Kindermusik?" I asked. I suspected that her answer would be something about bonding while having fun with her children or the developmental benefits that it provided. "Those were great," she said. "But I loved the heritage it's preserving most of all." In this world of high speed technology and information, she enjoyed slowing down to sing nursery rhymes and folk songs that had been handed down from one generation to the next for hundreds of years. There is a wholesomeness and affability that comes with this heritage, and I agree it is worth preserving. Do you think you know your nursery rhymes? Click here for a fun nursery rhyme quiz! If you find you need to brush up on a few rhymes, I know where there is a great Kindermusik class! :)

A special thank you!

2011-11-28T16:48:00.000-05:00

National Adoption month is almost over, and I couldn't let it pass before thanking those who chose life so that their precious children could be loved and cherished by an adoptive family. I know it could not have been an easy decision, but as an aunt to 2 beautiful adopted boys, thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Of horses, children, and all things teachable

2011-11-15T19:41:00.001-05:00

Recently, I took my daughters on a field trip to Forever Florida to learn more about Florida's cattle history and horsemanship. While there, we participated in a horse training session. During the session, positive behavior was reinforced with a treat or verbal praise, and negative behavior was redirected. Within about 15 minutes we had trained one horse to yawn on command and another to roll a ball back to you. I was intrigued because I use this same technique in my Kindermusik classroom each week! Positive reinforcement can start with a small treat or verbal praise each time the desired outcome is achieved. The rewards will then begin to decrease as the new habit begins to form. There are a number of reasons that positive reinforcements works.

It supports what the child is doing right instead of focusing on what the child is doing wrong.
It increases the odds that your child will behave in that manner again.
It encourages your child's positive choices when you "catch them being good".

Positive reinforcement is nothing new to parents, but we often get so busy that we miss the opportunity. If we're not careful, we may only notice when the behavior has become undesirable. When that happens, it's important to redirect your child back to the original goal and reinforce the appropriate behavior once it occurs. I'm sure they will be galloping to success in no time flat! ;)

You might be a home schooler...

2011-11-10T14:39:00.003-05:00

As I walked through my home the other day, I noticed a quilt thrown in a pile on the floor of my music room. With a sigh and a mumble of "wishing people would just learn to put things away", I reached to fold it up. I stopped, however, as I realized that there was something more going on with that quilt. It had become a classroom. A crack along the edge of the quilt was allowing in just enough light for a 4th grade reading class to exist beneath its quiet shroud. As a home school family, this behavior is not that unusual for us. However, I venture to say that most of you don't realize that you are home schoolers too!

Webster's dictionary defines a classroom as "a place where classes meet". To many this looks like a room with 4 walls, desks, and children seated in neat and tidy rows, but I believe a classroom is better defined as "a place where learning occurs". Realistically, learning can take place anywhere at anytime. You might learn about math or nutrition on a trip to the grocery store. Little ones learn phonics and other pre-reading skills simply by singing silly songs with you in the car. Maybe you've even found yourself explaining the concepts of momentum and physics while playing ball with your children. (although you might not have used the technical jargon! LOL)

The point I'm trying to make here is that just because your child is enrolled at a traditional school or is too young to go to school yet, YOU are always going to be your child's most important teacher. It doesn't matter what your educational background is like. No one knows your child better than you do. No one has the vested interest that you have to ensure your child's success in life. Teachers can have an amazing impact on their students. It's one of the reasons I love my job as a Kindermusik teacher so much, but I truly believe some of the most important skills your child will ever learn will come from you as you guide them through everyday life. So embrace your "homeschooliness" and enjoy learning with your children each day!

8 Germiest Places

2011-10-28T09:19:00.001-04:00

So many things change when you become a parent. I don't think anything I heard from wizened parents before me could have quite prepared me for that. I mean, what can prepare you for the effects of sleepless nights for years and years, sassy toddlers that push buttons you didn't even know you had, or all the nasty things children touch and put in their mouths! So, here I am. My name is Aimee Carter, and I am a germaphobe. There! I freely admitted it.

So, if you join me in my germ revulsion, you might want to check out the 8 germiest places as posted earlier this week on USA Today. I'll list them here from least to most germiest spot. Then I'm going to wash my hands. Ewwwww!

Vending machines -35%
Crosswalk buttons -35%
Parking meters -40%
Kiosks -40%
ATM buttons -41%
Escalator rails -43%
Mail box handles -68%
Gas pump handles -71%

What's your potential?

2011-10-19T13:15:00.001-04:00

We were recently discussing in one of our Kindermusik classes that a two year old child has twice as many neural connections as an adult. They are so busy learning everything about the world around them, that they are constantly forming connections in the brain. Later they will go through a pruning process where the more useful connections will be strengthened for continued use. Let's put this in perspective. Our brains contain one hundred billion neurons. "Suppose each neuron was one dollar, and you stood on a street corner trying to give dollars away to people as they passed by, as fast as you could hand them out- let's say one dollar per second. If you did this twenty four hours a day, 365 days a year, without stopping, and if you had started on the day that Jesus was born, you would by the present day only have gone through about two thirds of your money."

That's an impressive amount of potential. That's why it is so important to give your children a sensory rich experience when they are young. Interact and play along with your child to help them understand the world around them or answer their questions during the creative process. Who knows, you might make a few new neural connections of your own! ;)

Excerpt from This is Your Brain on Music by Daniel J. Levitin

How Music Can Protect Against Hearing Loss

2011-10-06T10:15:00.001-04:00

This post originally appeared on the Minds on Music blog for Kindermusik International and was written by Jamie Sterling.
My husband is a professional musician. He’s spent the majority of his life playing loud music through loud amplifiers (and in booming tones). Did I mention he’s a bassist? Not only that, but he likes to listen to pretty loud music – and he wears headphones to do his recording and other loud, musical work every day. I’ve expressed my concern for his ears and the potential hearing loss I was sure he was doomed to deal with. But, despite my nagging…I mean, despite my expressions of concern… he has always insisted that he has “tough ears.”

One time, he was having a hard time hearing – to the point that he decided to go to the doctor. This is something, because he is one of those guys who likes to avoid the doctor, unless it is very serious. I was sure I was going to have my ‘told you so’ moment on his hearing. Turns out, it was a massive amount of earwax! And, after taking a requisite hearing test at the ear, nose & throat specialist, he was deemed to have “exceptional hearing.”

Now, this just didn’t compute for me. Didn’t my Dad tell me he lost a little bit of his hearing at an early age from standing too close to the amps at big concerts in the 70s? How does exposing yourself to music constantly, as a part of your profession, allow anybody to have better hearing? Perhaps it’s just my husband. He really is a ninja (black belt in Isshinryu karate), so maybe this is just another way his ‘ninja-ness’ manifests itself?

Turns out recent research actually suggests that musicians’ ears ARE tougher. NPR published that embracing music early in life can actually stave off age-related hearing loss!

The article states:

“If you spend a lot of your life interacting with sound in an active manner, then your nervous system has made lots of sound-to-meaning connections” that can strengthen your auditory system, says Nina Kraus, director of the Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory at Northwestern University. Musicians focus extraordinary attention on deciphering low notes from high notes and detecting different tonal qualities. Kraus has studied younger musicians and found that their hearing is far superior to that of their non-musician counterparts.

Knowing that younger musicians seemed to have a distinct hearing advantage made Kraus curious about what happened to those same musicians later in life.

To find out, she assembled a small group of middle-aged musicians and non musicians, aged 45-65. She put both groups through a series of tests measuring their ability to make out and repeat a variety of sentences spoken in noisy background environments. Turns out, the musicians were 40 percent better than non-musicians at tuning out background noise and hearing the sentences, as Kraus reported in PloS ONE. The musicians were also better able to remember the sentences than the non-musicians — and that made it easier for them to follow a line of conversation.

So, my husband will likely be a really sharp older man because he will have less hearing loss, be able to carry conversations better, and have an enhanced IQ. I’ll be the crazy old lady sitting next to him, responding only with “Huh?” and wondering who the President is… unless I pick up my viola – or maybe take up those guitar lessons again!

Listen to the full story on NPR.com.

(Also, as a disclaimer, I highly encourage everyone to wear earplugs and listen to music at a normal decibel level, as the safest precaution against early hearing loss).

Leader of the Band II

2011-09-25T15:14:00.000-04:00

It's been 2 years, and we are well overdue for a "Leader of the Band" rematch! Pictured above is our reigning champion, Jake! The photo contest will be open to all families, not just Kindermusik families or families from the Delightful Sounds studio, so if you've you got a child who loves music, make sure to send us a picture of them singing, dancing, playing an instrument, or enjoying music as a family! To enter, email your picture along with your child's first name, birth date, and your contact information in the email. Entries should be for children who are currently 0-6 years old. Your pictures must be received by October 7th. All entries will be then be uploaded to a photo album on the Delightful Sounds' Facebook page. You will be able to vote for your favorite photos there from October 10th-21st. (Anyone who votes will have to "like" our page.) The winner will be announced on October 24th, so get those cameras flashing!

I'm not your friend - I'm your mother

2011-09-22T19:40:00.000-04:00

Parenting is a tough job! We want our children to feel loved, encouraged, and successful, and there are so many ideas about how to successfully accomplish this. Maybe you've found yourself asking one of these questions-How young is too young to understand the concept of "no"? Will boundaries make my child see me as an ogre instead of a loving parent? If I challenge my child to do things even when they are difficult, will I hurt their self-confidence?

In an article by Barbara Minton about the importance of boundaries, she states, "Image you are standing on the roof deck of a skyscraper. There are no railings, the wind is blowing and the building sways. Where would you be? You would probably be in the center where you could gather some feeling of security. Now imagine there are high sturdy railings around the edge of the roof deck. You walk over to the railing, push on it a few times to make sure it is sturdy and will hold. Now you feel secure and free to stand by the edge, maybe even look down or out into the beyond." I found this to be a great word picture on the importance of boundaries. Your child needs the security of a loving parent who will guide and support them as they learn about the world around them. They require someone to teach them right from wrong. My wise grandmother used to say that the misbehavior of children was an subconscious cry to be reminded of the boundaries. They wanted someone to care enough to tell them "no", and the sooner you start working on that the better. Here are a few things to consider:

Always clearly and consistently enforce your boundaries.
Lead by example, because your children are watching.
Boundaries as an expression of your loving care for your child, not a means of control over them.
Your child wants a parent not just another friend.

Until next time...
Mrs. Aimee

Screen time needs a time out!

2011-09-15T18:40:00.000-04:00

Earlier this week, we posted a research article on our facebook page about how TV shows like SpongeBob effect the development of young children. However, I am concerned that not enough parents understand the negative effects of too much screen time as a whole. We live in a world consumed with technology, such as TV, video games, IPads, lap tops, and more. Many parents see nothing wrong with allowing their children to enjoy these items as long as they deem the content "eduational". However studies show that too much time spent in front of the screen can have a damaging effect on your child's development, such as sleep issues, language delays, obesity, and inability to focus. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says that children under 2 years old should not watch any television and that children older than 2 shouldn't watch more than one to two hours of TV a day. Here are a few facts I discovered in my research:

20 percent of children under 2 have televisions in their rooms. [Source: AAP]
Parents spend an average of 3.5 minutes each week in meaningful conversation with their children. [Source: CSUN]
The average child watches 1,680 minutes of television each week. [Source: CSUN]
70 percent of day care centers use TV during a typical day. [Source: CSUN]
54 percent of 4-6 year-olds, when asked to choose between watching TV and spending time with their fathers, preferred television. [Source: CSUN]

I found some of these statistics quite alarming. I would encourage you to carefully consider where your family stands on this issue. You can find some great tips for encouraging good television habits in your home at this link.

Sleep like a baby...

2011-09-08T18:23:00.000-04:00

The author, Leo J. Burke, once said, "People who say they sleep like a baby usually don't have one." How many parents can attest to the truth of this statement. In fact, as a developmental specialist for young children, sleep related issues are among my most popular topics in discussions with parents. Toddlers and children under 3 years of age should sleep about 12 hours a night with a one to two hour nap during the day. Babies will require two or more naps in addition to the 12 hours a night, and older children will drop the nap and sleep around 10 hours a night.

Many parents express frustration in getting their children to sleep. Perhaps the child cries or keeps getting back up. I know it's tempting to give in to unhealthy sleeping habits. Sleep deprivation can really wear you down, but the sooner you can establish healthy sleep patterns the better. Here are a few tips to remember:

Activities leading up to bedtime should be calm and quiet.
Establish a nightly bedtime routine so your child will know what to expect.
Avoid using DVDs or the TV to help your child fall asleep.
Dim the lights and any household noise to signal it is time for sleep.
Try to help your child learn to self sooth and relax.
If your child is afraid, try a night light or sitting in the room until he/she is comfortable.
Avoid using "quick fixes" that you know you will not be able to continue long term.

Wishing you sweet dreams,

The Self-less Child

2011-08-30T14:02:00.001-04:00

As a teacher and parent, it concerns me when I see children who are lacking proper life skills necesarry for sucess in school and even later in life. I am always looking for ways to teach my children basic life skills like cooking and cleaning as well as skills like humility, a servant heart, and gratefulness. I recently read a great book called Raising Unselfish Children in a Self-Absorbed World. The book begins by describing parenting philosophies and why raising a "happy" child full of self-esteem may not be best for our children. This certainly peeked my curiosity. I had always thought of self-esteem as a good thing for children to have, but after reading this book, I have rethought some of my parenting beliefs.

Here's an excerpt from the overview on the Barnes & Noble website:

It's never too late to reshape your child's heart and develop a parenting plan that starts right where you are. Shining the light of reality on the failed self-esteem philosophy, Rigby will show you how to gently "bump" children off self-center and instill in them an others-centered heart and a healthy self-respect.

It's a great read, and I hope you enjoy "thinking" through this book as much as I did!

Is she ready?

2011-08-07T11:43:00.000-04:00

With the school year quickly approaching, many of you are busy making preperations to send your children off to elementary or pre-school for the first time. I have my own special memories of that time, but how do you know when they are ready for Kindergarten? Here's a great little checklist to find out. Kindergarten Readiness Checklist - FamilyEducation.com
You can also check out our new Laugh & Grow class. Laugh & Grow was designed with Kindergarten readiness in mind. Each week your children will spend 2 hours in a structured class featuring:

phonics
counting skills
calendar skills
music
listening skills
fine motor activities

Now enrolling!

Do you LOL?

2011-07-18T15:10:00.001-04:00

They say laughter is good for the soul, and I believe it's true. You can't help but smile when you hear the sound of a baby's belly laugh or the giggles of a young child. Laughter is one of the things that can be enjoyed all around the world. It crosses language, social, and age barriers. It can be an ice breaker in a nervous moment, a source of healing in a stressful moment, or a time of bonding between two people. It's often associated with some of our most priceless memories. Scientists have even studied the power of laughter and determined that it, not only, lowers blood pressure and releases "happy" endorphins, but it can also boost your immune system for up to three days following a good hard laugh! All this wholesome goodness, and it's still fat free!! So go on, find something to laugh about with your family today!

The Fixinator!

2011-06-24T16:22:00.000-04:00

I was recently having a conversation with one of my children. She was feeling a bit inadequate with her abilities in a class she is taking, and her response to me was, "Why can't you just fix it? You can fix anything!" Now, don't get me wrong. I was flattered that, in her eyes, I am still Super Mom, but it bothered me that she assumed I could fix EVERYTHING! That's a tall order, but that's what parents do, right? We fix things- broken toys, cuts and bruises, spilled drinks. We are referees to all things sibling rivalry. Champion of the defenseless on the playground. Defender from the Boogie Man and monsters under the bed. Able to leap loads of laundry in a single bound! The depth of our super powers are simply staggering! ;)

However, I am of the firm persuasion that it doesn't help children to have everything neatly and pleasantly packaged. I love my children immensely, and it pains me deeply when they are hurting. Yet, I know they need the opportunity to venture out from under my Super Mom wing and fail sometimes. Out of failure comes some of life's greatest lessons. Things like humility, unselfishness, common sense, self discipline, and determination. It was bittersweet leaving her bedside that night. I had to step off that pedestal and admit I couldn't fix it. I simply reminded her, "Do your best, because your best is always good enough for me!" I'm thinking about keeping the super hero costume though. It might be fun to wear at her wedding. LOL :D

Yours truly,
The Fixinator
AKA

Welcome Mrs. Faith!

2011-06-20T13:44:00.000-04:00

Delightful Sounds is so excited to have Mrs. Faith joining our staff! Faith Clark is a certified teacher in Early Childhood Education with a Bachelor’s degree from the University of North Florida. Faith thoroughly enjoyed teaching Elementary School for 5 years until she and her husband had a little boy of their own. As a stay-at-home Mom, Kindermusik will be the perfect opportunity for Faith to continue on in her passion for education while still enjoying time with her family. Since music has always been a huge part of Faith’s life she feels entirely blessed to be able to work with children and families in developing a lifelong love for learning and music. Welcome to the Delightful Sounds' family Mrs. Faith!

A Talent for Giftedness

2011-06-14T16:35:00.000-04:00

Q. My child's teacher says that he is gifted. Isn't that just another way of saying he is talented?

A. Giftedness goes well beyond individual talent. It affects both ability as well as emotional/social interactions and many other aspects of daily living. The current definition of giftedness is "Students, children, or youth who give evidence of high achievement capability in areas such as intellectual, creative, artistic, or leadership capacity, or in specific academic fields, and who need services and activities not ordinarily provided by the school in order to fully develop those capabilities." I encourage you to read more about giftedness here. It is a common misconception that gifted children learn the same as other children and will be the model student in the classroom. The truth is that without the proper understanding and learning environment, gifted children will often become bored, have behavior problems, struggle with social interactions with their classmates, and purposely fail classwork. In fact, I recently read that when Thomas Edison was a boy, his teachers told him he was too stupid to learn anything. I recommend that you discuss your child's development with your school's psychologist, enrichment teacher, or a local child psychologist to further understand what to expect.

The "Signs" of Language Learning

2011-05-24T19:09:00.000-04:00

I was doing some research today on baby sign language and ran across an interesting article. Even though sign language is a great way to encourage early communication in young children, some parents, like the one in the article, are concerned that this form of early communication might delay their child's verbal development.

The opposite is typically true. The combined experience of movement and spoken language encourages your baby's understanding of the word, as well as increases retention of the new word. This is because he is engaged actively in the learning experience, and the movement has stimulated the brain to receive the incoming information. "Talking and signing together flood the baby with language," says Acredolo whose research, published in the Journal of Nonverbal Behavior, indicates signing may even give children a slight future verbal edge. "At 36 months, the [signing] babies in our study were speaking, on average, the equivalent of non-signing 47 month olds," she says. *

Parents can begin to work on baby sign language as early as 3-6 months, and children will typically begin to sign back around 6-12 months old. However, it's not too late if your child is past that age. Sign language can be a fun way to communicate for children of all ages. I recommend taking a sign language class, such as Sign and Sing, with your child to learn how to present the signs in an interactive, age appropriate, and fun way. A sign language class will also help you to understand your child's hand development. If a sign is too difficult for them to form, your child will likely make adjustments to the sign. Once you learn what to look for, you may be surprised to find your child has several signs they are already using.

*MSNBC.com article written by Victoria Clayton

Solo by Tom Goslin

2011-05-11T19:35:00.000-04:00

I thought we could use a little culture today. Enjoy!

Lessons for a Lifetime

2011-05-04T20:44:00.000-04:00

It's spring time, and in most households that will include some "spring cleaning". At my house, my children have been sorting through their toys and removing the items that they have outgrown or no longer enjoy. I'm guessing that you've been there at some point too. I have often said that Kindermusik classes are a gift that will last a lifetime for your children. My children loved their years in my Kindermusik classroom, and I can still see it's effects today.
Recently, I read an article discussing the life-long effects of music study. In this study, 70 healthy adults age 60 to 83 were divided into groups based on their levels of musical experience. They found that the musicians had better performance scores on several cognitive tests than the adults who had never studied an instrument or learned how to read music. "Based on previous research and our study results, we believe that both the years of musical participation and the age of acquisition are critical," Hanna-Pladdy says. "There are crucial periods in brain plasticity that enhance learning, which may make it easier to learn a musical instrument before a certain age and thus may have a larger impact on brain development."
So as you are considering what activities to do this summer, I hope you'll choose the gift of music. It's benefits last a lifetime!

The Attention Seekers

2011-04-21T16:48:00.001-04:00

Ask the Expert
Q. How do I know if my child is being disobedient just to get my attention, and what should I do about it?

A.
I think the key to this answer lies in understanding your child's motivation. When my own children were small, one daughter in particular required extra attention. It seemed when I was at my busiest, she would find constant trouble. She might color the walls, pick a fight, or simply follow me around whining. Her misbehavior was simply a ploy to get my attention back on her. I soon realized that I could change her behavior by giving her my undivided attention for a certain period of time before I started the other items on my agenda each day. I began my morning by enjoying whatever activities she enjoyed. We had discussed that once the timer went off, it was Mommy's turn for "work time". This turn-taking would continue through out the day. When any misbehavior occurred, it would result in a "time out" in another room. When her behavior was good, it meant I could complete my work faster and spend more time with her. Eventually, this strategy curbed her misbehavior, because she realized that her poor behavior was not successful in acquiring more time with Mommy. The bottom line here is recognizing the motivation behind your child's actions. Once you determine that motivation, look for positive ways to fulfill that need elsewhere in their daily routine.

If you have a question about parenting or early childhood development, feel free to leave it as a comment here. We'd love to include it as a future "Ask the Expert" post!

Give your brain a work out!

2011-03-28T16:39:00.000-04:00

I was doing some research about the benefits of music study today and ran across an article about the effects of music study on the brain. I found the article particularly interesting because of the following quote: "The effect of music training suggests that, akin to physical exercise and its impact on body fitness, music is a resource that tones the brain for auditory fitness and thus requires society to re-examine the role of music in shaping individual development."
Simply put, music is great exercise for the brain, particularly in those areas which affect listening, reasoning, and language skills. Parents who expose their children to musical activities, such as our Kindermusik classes, are giving their children an early advantage for enhanced development and academic success. The developmental foundation that is established in these young minds will increase memory function, listening skills, and creative learning. It is also interesting to note that this study specifically referenced these same benefits for children with special needs who participate in music training. You can read more by clicking the article below.
How music training primes nervous system and boosts learning.

Meet Brendan, Patrick, Abigail, and Rebeca

2011-03-16T09:17:00.000-04:00

At what age did your child begin taking Kindermusik classes?

Abigail and Brendan began taking Kindermusik classes when they were 16 months old. Patrick has been going since birth. Rebeca has taken classes off and on with Delightful Sounds since she was 4.

Number of years you attended classes?
We’ve been with Delightful Sounds for the past 5 years!

What is your favorite Kindermusik song?
Gosh, each one of my children has a favorite song. Now with my youngest just about outgrowing his ‘our time’ its neat to hear the older ones remembering the songs when they used that curriculum!

What is something that you’ve learned from your Kindermusik experience?
Never to judge a class by the first day! Each child settles into a class at its own pace.

Tell us about a favorite Kindermusik moment with your child:
I think the moments that I cherish the most is when the class finally ‘clicks’ with my child. They recognize the songs, faces and all the fun they have each week! Also, I love it when they bring home the songs and activities and play them with their siblings.

Anything else you’d like to share?
Ms. Aimee does a FANTASTIC job of offering a variety of classes for children of all ages. We’ve gone the spectrum from family time to our time to sign and sing to art and music with a bit of gardening in between. I can’t wait to see what else is next!

Shake, shake the apple tree!

2011-03-09T18:05:00.002-05:00

In our Kindermusik Family Time classes, we have been learning fun, mealtime songs and chants. Since Johnny Appleseed day is coming up soon, I thought you might like to try this little chant for a fun way to celebrate. Feel free to add some hand motions!

Two Little Apples

Two little apples were hanging in a tree.

Two little apples were smiling at me.

I shook that tree as hard as I could,

and down came my apples

Mmmm Mmmm GOOD!

Why music?

2011-03-03T10:57:00.000-05:00

I found the below article very interesting. It deals with the relationship between music study and reading skills. There are overlapping areas of the brain which control language and musical awareness. Because music stimulates or exercises this part of the brain, there is an increase in the development of verbal sequencing and vocabulary skills.
Even though this study dealt with young, elementary school age children, I believe the benefits from music exposure extend beyond that age range to the very young child. Studies show that a child's vocabulary when entering Kindergarten is a good indicator of reading skills and educational success by third grade. I propose that the best way to enrich a child's vocabulary for Kindergarten entry is to provide a rich environment for your child that includes music exploration. The rhythmic patterns, rhymes, and sequencing of music, along with it's ability to actively involve young children, makes it a great tool for early childhood development. Don't know where to start? You can click here to download a coupon for a free Kindermusik preview class.

Music Education Can Help Children Improve Reading Skills

ScienceDaily (2009-03-16) -- Children exposed to a multi-year program of music tuition involving training in increasingly complex rhythmic, tonal, and practical skills display superior cognitive performance in reading skills compared with their non-musically trained peers, according to a new study. ... read full article

In the Groove

2011-02-22T15:03:00.000-05:00

In our Kindermusik Family Time classes, we are talking about our daily routines - such as play time, mealtime, bath time and bed time. For some, routines are a natural process of everyday life. They enjoy making out schedules and sticking to them. Others, however, feel may find a traditional schedule too cumbersome for their flexible or free-spirited lifestyle. Routines are so important in the life of a young child. A schedule can:

build security since your child knows what to expect.
help parents stay organized and focused.
teach discipline and organizational skills to your children.
cut down on the incidence of "meltdowns" in young children.

If you find the idea of creating a routine daunting or frustrating, just remember that your schedule should be flexible enough to fit your lifestyle. They are not written in stone, so if something isn't working, change it! For a fun addition, you can create a visual schedule for your child by laying out pictures in the order they will come for the day. You can even laminate the pictures and add velcro for easy changes.

We are Kindermusik - Meet Sandra, Jake, and Alexa!

2011-02-17T14:34:00.001-05:00

At what age did your child begin taking Kindermusik classes?

Both started around 6 months old.

Number of years you attended classes?

I attended for a year with Alexa who is now 5 and just started Kindergarten and have been going for 2 years with Jake who is 2 ½!

What is your favorite Kindermusik song?

Right now Jake loves ‘Here comes the choo choo train’ which he starts every time we go over railroad tracks. His sister has made up new words substituting trucks, aeroplanes and diggers for trains!

What is something that you’ve learned from your Kindermusik experience?

Even though they don’t seem to be paying attention they are taking it all in! Jake spends a lot of the class time running circuits around the room, but when I put the CD on he knows exactly what to do!

Tell us about a favorite Kindermusik moment with your child:

The smile on Jake’s face at his Kindermusik second birthday party - he had such a great time that day!

Anything else you’d like to share?

I think the Kindermusik classes, and in particular Ms Aimee, have given both of my kids a fantastic introduction into music that will always give them something to either calm them down, help them concentrate or just something to dance to!

If you would like to be one of our featured families, send us an email request by clicking here!

Sing your way through the week!

2011-02-09T17:56:00.001-05:00

Looking for some fun on while shuttling your children around town? How about those long waits in the doctor's waiting area or the grocery store check out? Why not dance, march, skip, and stretch to the Kindermusik Radio app now available? Like their music and movement classes, the Kindermusik Radio app provides parents with a way to engage and interact with their children-while training the brain and soothing the soul.
Research shows that music helps children become better learners. Toddlers love to dance, swing and sing as they develop their motor and aural skills. Preschoolers strengthen nueral pathways by making up songs and rhymes as their imaginations run wild. With 5 stations to choose from, the Kindermusik app will give you access to over 100 tracks, the very finest and authentic reproductions of classic children's songs, nursery rhymes, and stories as well as Kindermusik originals. It also includes a parent-child activityfor every song that is designed to engage young listeners as well as stimulate early childhood development. Here is blog post of what one parent recently had to say about it.

The Kindermusik Radio App is available for iPhones and iPod Touches for $1.99 in the iTunes store. Try out Kindermusik Radio App TODAY! Or try out Kindermusik Radio LITE which offers one station with ten songs only for FREE. You'll be glad you did!

This is your brain on music!

2011-01-31T17:51:00.001-05:00

We've talked many times before about babies and language development. In utero your baby is already listening and internalizing the sounds of their native language. However, I recently read a report that shed more insight into the amazing power of a newborn's mind. After exposing 22 newborns to recordings of made up words, the researchers concluded that the human brain may be hard-wired to recognize certain repetition patterns. "It's probably no coincidence that many languages around the world have repetitious syllables in their 'child words' – baby and daddy in English, papa in Italian and tata (grandpa) in Hungarian, for example," says Gervain from UBC Dept. of Psychology's Infant Studies Centre.
Move ahead several years with this same thought, and you begin to realize how important repetition will be in all areas of learning. Take for example, your child's ability to learn math facts. What about phonics and reading? All of these skills require repeated exposure or practice. My tool of choice when trying to engage children through repetition- music. In fact, studies show that young children who take music classes show different brain development and improved memory compared to children who do not receive musical training. With the repetitive beats, melodic patterns, and rhyming words, music is perfectly suited for stimulating the mind and learning new skills. It's why most little one's can sing their ABC's long before they can "chant" them. Do you have a great idea for using music to learn something new? I hope you'll share it in a comment.

Teaching Our Children About Love And Loss | Janet Lansbury

2011-01-23T14:59:00.000-05:00

We recently experienced the loss of a beloved pet. I found a lot of great thoughts in the following blog post, and as I know we are not alone in this experience, I felt it was worth sharing with other parents. After all, some lessons we have to teach our children are just harder than others. :0/

Teaching Our Children About Love And Loss Janet Lansbury

Meet Laura and Ella

2011-01-18T20:35:00.000-05:00

Welcome to this month's edition of We Are Kindermusik! Here's what Laura and Ella have to say about their Kindermusik experience.

At what age did your child begin taking Kindermusik classes? 16 months

Number of years you've attended classes? 1 and ½

What is your favorite Kindermusik song?
“I’m Just a Steamroller” I love watching Ella giggle as she bounces and rolls all around to the song – and it’s a great way to get her to burn off extra energy on a rainy day!

What is something that you’ve learned from your Kindermusik experience?
Toddlers truly are just like the little kangaroos Kindermusik uses for their Our Time mascot! I’ve learned that Ella will “bounce away” some days, and just want to cuddle in my lap on others – and that’s okay! I’ve also learned that music is a wonderful bridge for friendship – for both moms and kids.

Tell us about a favorite Kindermusik moment with your child:
My favorite in-class memory happens every week when we have what Ella calls “the rocking song”. To watch the kids explore, learn, and have fun with all of the instruments and dances, and then have her run to my lap for a cuddle during “the rocking song” is such a nice moment for us to reconnect before she’s off and running again. My favorite at-home memory stems from one of our other favorite songs “Round and Round the Racetrack Goes the Little Mare”. During what could have been a very disastrous dirty diaper change when Ella thought she should “help” me use the wipes, I remembered the Racetrack song with its hand motions and it kept Ella and her little hands occupied long enough for me to finish up – thank goodness!

Anything else you’d like to share?
We absolutely love Kindermusik (and Ms. Aimee!). We recommend the classes to everyone we know. I can’t say enough wonderful things about the programs and the staff at Delightful Sounds – they have helped me have more confidence as a mom, given me access to a wonderful network of moms, and brought new music and activities into our lives that I know we as a family will treasure for many years to come.
If you'd like to be featured as a We Are Kindermusik family, send us an email today!

Listen up!

2011-01-03T16:24:00.000-05:00

We have always known that Moms are special, but according to a recently released study, Mom's voice plays a special role in activating her newborn's brain. In this experiment, babies who were less than 24 hours old were tested. When the newborn heard his mother's voice the area of the brain responsible for language acquisition was stimulated and awakened, as opposed to when he heard another woman's voice making the same sounds. Couple this with other studies discussing a parent's role in their child's language development and you'll get excited! Why? Because the best things you can do to enhance your child's language development are likely things that you are already enjoying with your baby. Try this checklist out:

Singing lullabies or nursery rhymes
Reading stories
Making eye contact while "cooing and talking" to each other
Labeling movements in the music while dancing together
Try games like "I Spy" as a listening game and then mimic the sounds that you discover

Christmas Carol Flash Mob

2010-12-20T15:09:00.001-05:00

I recognize some faces in this local flash mob. The first singer is a former Kindermusik mom from Delightful Sounds!

Meet the Frissore family!

2010-12-15T20:23:00.000-05:00

I hope you are enjoying the "We are Kindermusik" blog series. If you'd like to be a featured family,

just let us know!

At what age did your child begin taking Kindermusik classes?

18 months

Number of years you attended classes?

3 and counting!

What is your favorite Kindermusik song?

somebodys knocking on my door……

What is something that you’ve learned from your Kindermusik experience?

That there is no right or wrong way to "do" kindermusik, it's very much about taking what you want from it. Sometimes if your child doesn't want to participate for that session in the way that the other kids do then that's ok, they could still be getting a tremendous amount out of the class, they are just processing it in their own little way. Who are we parents to interrupt with the glorious workings of the creative child's mind?!

Tell us about a favorite Kindermusik moment with your child:

My non-verbal 2 year old who had never said a sentence, let alone sung a song, sitting in the bath and suddenly singing "sweetly sings the donkey" the evening after her 6th Kindermusik class. Cue lots of happy tears from Mom and Dad.

Anything else you’d like to share?

It's so much fun to take a time out of your busy week and spend it singing and smiling with your kids, you can't help but feel great when you leave a class after seeing pure happiness etched on your little ones face for an hour.

Hallelujah Chorus

2010-12-02T10:32:00.001-05:00

They're at it again! For those who missed the first round of this little surprise, click here.

Teaching Through the Pain

2010-11-30T14:49:00.000-05:00

Yesterday my children were cooing and giggling over their newly born, baby goat. She's unusually tiny but sweet nonetheless. They are immediately smitten and name her Mistie. Today, however they have to mourn her passing. She was just too tiny to survive. Sometimes life is just HARD. There are so many lessons out there to learn, and as a parent, it can feel like an overwhelming task sometimes. How am I qualified to teach them about life and death, when I still struggle with these topics myself?
Loss- whether the loss of a pet, death of a family member, or even a divorce situation- is never an easy topic. It's full of abstract concepts and emotions that are unwelcome in our happy, little world. How do you explain to a child that life is not always a fairy tale where everyone "lives happily ever after"? Here are some of the things that we have been learning today:

Children need to know it's okay to feel sad. That's a normal and important part of grief.
Children need simple, honest answers to their questions, even if they're hard or unpleasant to discuss.
Children are watching and learning from our example, so practice what you preach.

If you're in the process of working through some of these lessons during this holiday season, I pray for peace and wisdom for you.

Until next time...

Meet Lavanya and Manav

2010-11-18T08:23:00.000-05:00

At what age did your child begin taking Kindermusik classes?
We started Kindermusik very soon after Manav was 3 months old.

Number of years you attended classes?
2 years and going strong.

What is your favorite Kindermusik song?
We have many favorite songs from Kindermusik classes. Every semester we have a few favs. We haven’t come across a song which we didn’t like in the Kindermusik classes. To name a few that are close to our hearts – Skinnamarink, Tinga Layo, The toe tappin’ blues, Go into the kitchen and Down in the meadow.

What is something that you’ve learned from your Kindermusik experience?
To me Kindermusik is not just a music and movement class for the kids and caregivers. It has become an integral part of my life as a mommy. We have made wonderful friends from our classes at Delightful Sounds. Manav has learnt a lot of social skills appropriate for the age due to such exposure. The teachers are doing a fantastic job incorporating healthy habits and age appropriate development very subtly during the class.

Tell us about a favorite Kindermusik moment with your child:
Happy or sad, Manav and I share a tune. We sing his favorite lullabies every night and no day is ever complete for us without Kindermusik songs.

Anything else you’d like to share?
Any class is only as good as the teacher imparting that class. In that domain, Mrs.Aimee has excelled (and still is) beyond any expectations and has also done a wonderful job recruiting similar teachers to Delightful Sounds.

Random Act of Culture

2010-11-14T14:18:00.001-05:00

We've been talking about the importance of our voices for the last three weeks in the Kindermusik Family Time classes, and this just seemed to hit the spot!

Christmas times a-comin'!

2010-11-13T16:34:00.000-05:00

Jingle Jangle Christmas Event is now enrolling for the Brandon and Lithia locations of Delightful Sounds.

Visit http://www.delightfulsounds.com/ to enroll today!

Born to Boogie!

2010-11-08T15:59:00.002-05:00

As a 15 year veteran, music educator, I am often asked how young is too young to begin music study. Typically, private instrument study should not begin until the elementary school years. However introducing your child to music concepts can begin much earlier. I recently read about a study on the effects of music and rhythm on babies as young as 5 months old. The findings suggested that babies are born pre-wired to move with rhythm and music. "We also found that the better the children were able to synchronize their movements with the music the more they smiled," said the University of York's Department of Psychology researcher, Dr Zentner.

I have seen similar results with babies even younger than this in my Kindermusik classroom. Musically speaking, this early start to music exploration greatly increases your baby's ability to appreciate a variety of musical styles as well as understand beginning music concepts, such as loud/soft, beat patterns, or fast/slow. Nevertheless, early music exploration and experiences benefit all areas of development in children, from language skills to reasoning, physical development or cognitive awareness. Whatever the developmental benefits, babies were just born to boogie!

We're ready for you!

2010-10-26T10:09:00.000-04:00

I am so excited about a project I recently found out about from Kindermusik International! They are going to create a resource for their educators called "Kindermusik for Every Child". So what does this mean for you, you might ask? Well, for quite some time Delightful Sounds has been working with children who experience a variety of developmental delays or disabilities. With two certified Infant Toddler Developmental Specialists on staff, we have seen amazing progress in all areas of development with these very special children. I love the fact that we have been able to create an inclusive environment where every child is edified and esteemed.
A Kindermusik classroom is a fabulous place where all children can explore the wonderful world of music and gain skills while having fun! However, not all educators or parents have felt comfortable or ready to take this step. That's where "Kindermusik for Every Child" comes in. This resource will provide Kindermusik educators around the world with resources and ideas specific to all kinds of developmental challenges that children face. Armed with this information, we will be able to reach children of all abilities with the developmental benefits, bonding experiences, and just plain fun that our music classes provide!

So, how about it? Are you ready for Kindermusik? We're ready for YOU!

Meet Sarah and Anna

2010-10-17T11:28:00.001-04:00

We Are Kindermusik!

At what age did your child begin taking Kindermusik classes?

Anna was nine months when we started taking Kindermusik classes.

Number of years you attended classes?

We have been attending classes for a year and a half.

What is your favorite Kindermusik song?

Oh, where do I begin? There are so many songs that we have enjoyed in all of the classes and continue to sing them on a daily basis. Anna loved the See Saw and Giddy-Up Horsey songs from the first classes we took. She still sings them to her dolls and babies that we see. Recently, Anna has enjoyed Yum Yum, Washing Machine, and the Scrub Scrub Scrub song (I like this song because my family room gets cleaned while it is playing).

What is something that you've learned from your Kindermusik experience?One of the things, I enjoy about Kindermusik classes are the mini-lessons provided during the class about how to use the songs to help your child learn or why we do certain movements to help them develop physically. For example, the importance of the stop-and-go songs and how they teach self control.

Tell us about a favorite Kindermusik moment with your child:

My favorite Kindermusik moment or moments with Anna are at home when we put on the CD from Carnival of Music, turn it up really loud, get out our instruments, and march around the house to Rhythm of the Band.

Anything else you’d like to share?

I feel that Anna’s Kindermusik experience has enhanced her language development and increased her vocabulary by singing.

I hope you've enjoyed this first edition of "We are Kindermusik", where you can get to know parents just like you and what they think about our children's music classes!

music fun

2010-10-14T18:30:00.000-04:00

I was looking for one of our Kindermusik videos on YouTube today, and I found this instead. LOL It was not what I expected to find, but I couldn't resist sharing it anyway. We mix a lot of world music into our Kindermusik classes. It's such a great way to promote a love for music in your children as well as strengthen their understanding of a variety of rhythms and pitches. Feel free to dance along!

Sometimes you just need a moment!

2010-10-06T18:14:00.001-04:00

In our Kindermusik classes, we have lots of fun playing stop and go games while singing and dancing. The children love the anticipation of waiting for the music or singing to stop so that everyone can freeze! It's usually a time filled with delighted eyes and lots of giggles, but... shhhhhhh.... don't tell anybody this. It's also a time filled with learning self control. Unfortunately, we humans aren't born with the skill of self control. It's an acquired skill that must be practiced repeatedly before mastered. (some of us are *still* learning) LOL
When children are around 18-24 months old, they begin to learn that they can make choices. Those choices aren't always the best choices either, especially when doing the wrong thing can seem so fun at the time! That's why practicing the skill of self control becomes so important. Make the learning fun by turning it into a game. Try these ideas for size:

Try some freeze dancing by stopping the music in unexpected places.
Play a game of follow-the-leader and include long pauses as one of the movements.
Sing songs that leave words or letters out, such as B-I-N-G-O.
When you see your child needs a moment, you can even sit down with them for a quick book or other relaxing activity.

Don't be afraid to set a good example, by taking your own "time outs" when needed. :)

We are Kindermusik

2010-09-29T14:06:00.000-04:00

I am planning a new blog series here, called We Are Kindermusik, and I'm going to need your help! It will feature Kindermusik families, past and present, discussing their experiences with Kindermusik. If you would like to participate, please email me at Aimee@delightfulsounds.com for further details.

Funny, Child, baking, hilarious, kid

2010-09-16T16:18:00.000-04:00

Just a little something to warm you up for the start of our Kindermusik Milk and Cookies semester next week for children 18 - 36 months old. Happy munching everyone!

Parenting in a Microwave World

2010-09-10T12:43:00.000-04:00

In the 1950s, Swansons put out the first ever, TV dinner. Along with the invention of the counter top microwave oven, this was the beginning of a new age in American history-the age of convenience. Fast forward 60 years, and you will find a society saturated in convenience and ease- convenience foods, computers small enough to fit in your pocket, drive through banks, drive through drugstores, and even drive through wedding chapels!
Has this plethora of conveniences affected our expectations for being a successful parent? You bet! There are some great tools out there that can make being a parent much quicker and easier than life in the 1950s. However, parenting isn't always effortless or convenient. Sometimes life is extraordinarily challenging. It requires sacrifice, selflessness, patience, and perserverance. For these character traits there is no "easy button". When faced with a challenge, whether in parenting or elsewhere, don't be afraid to go for the long haul. Facing life with grace and honesty is one of the best lessons you can teach your child about being successful, and when you fail (not if) use it as an opportunity to teach your child how to make it right and move on.

Until next time,

The Terrific Twos!

2010-08-31T14:50:00.000-04:00

We've journeyed a long way as we've discussed social, developmental milestones in young children, and today we are going to focus on the two year old. Most people associate this age with the infamous "terrible twos". Life can be quite tumultuous when you're two, but it doesn't have to terrible. Armed with the right information and skills, I think any parent can turn this phase of development into the "terrific twos"! Here are a few things to expect:

Your two year old will begin to enjoy a wider range of relationships but will still feel strongly possessive of his family.
His growing imagination may cause him to develop sudden fears that were not there before.
Frustration tantrums peak as does clinging and whining, however with patience and proper guidance, you will see greater independence and less separation anxiety as they approach their third birthday.
Your child will begin to understand and respect simple rules around this age.
She will enjoy playing interactive and circle games, such as "Ring Around the Rosey".

You can encourage your child's confidence and obedience during this phase by giving him opportunities to choose something related to the trouble area. For example, a child who is not wanting to go to bed could be offered a choice of which bed time story to read before going to sleep. I hope you'll leave some of your parenting ideas for this age as a comment below. Just remember that patience and consistency are your keys to making this stretch of road the "highway of terrific twos"!!

Mile marker 18-24

2010-08-21T12:42:00.000-04:00

Thinking of toddlers always makes me smile! I can't think of another age where so much energy, curiosity, and emotions are so passionately expressed! :) It's am amazing time of blossoming imaginations! You will not only notice some early pretend play, but you may also see the first signs of night mares and "monsters under the bed". At this stage, yout toddler is much more aware of other children and will interact with words and gestures while playing in a group setting.

Your 18-24 month old is also beginning to be aware of a variety of emotions that they have never experienced before- jealousy, sympathy, guilt, and fear. That makes this a great age to begin talking about body language, facial expressions, and the feelings that go with them.

Grab a mirror for some face making fun.
See who can find different facial expressions when reading a book.
Talk about how you or your child feels and why. This will give them a better understanding of healthy emotional expression.

Until next time,

Happy first birthday!!

2010-08-15T10:39:00.001-04:00

For those just joining us, we've been doing a post series on social, developmental milestones in young children for several weeks now. Today, we're going to talk about the 12-18 month old. At this stage, your baby is truly beginning to understand how things work and the "cause and effect" nature of objects and situations around him. As a result, his social development takes on a new level of interaction. Here are a few things to expect:

Cooperative ball play
Giving a toy to you and then taking it back (this is a great stage to begin working on sharing and turn taking!)
Begins to imitate adult behaviors; such as trying to brush hair, sweep, or put on shoes
Laughs at silly things and begins to understand humor
Resists adult control and may display frequent tantrum behaviors (Remember that he is learning about cause and effect. Giving in to tantrums can teach your baby to tantrum every time in order to get their way.)

What a fun age to deepen your relationship with your baby! His creativity is growing, and you can really begin to see his personality beginning to shine! It's a great time to get out in your community with your child. Look for story times at your local library or book store. Join a local mom's group for playdates at the park, or try a free Kindermusik class. Click here to find a location in your area.

Mile marker 6-12

2010-08-06T14:46:00.001-04:00

If you have a child in this age range, chances are you are daily amazed at the new skills they learn. I remember thinking that mine learned things while they were sleeping! A six to twelve month old child is gaining mobility and cognitive awareness in a variety of ways. These new skills will bring about a lot of changes in social development as well. Here are a few things to look for:

Your child's love of interactive games, such as finger plays, will increase. You will even see them beginning to imitate some of the movements from their favorites!
They typically begin to show preferences for certain people, places, or objects. For this reason, you may notice separation anxiety increasing.
Your baby will use their new found mobility to explore their surroundings with enthusiasm. Time to baby-proof the house!! :)
You may begin to see the initial stages of parental testing with regards to bed time, feeding, or other boundaries you have set.

As your child grows and learns, you will find that each stage carries with it, it's own joys and struggles. I encourage you to embrace each moment, as you enjoy learning more about your child and his or her strengths and abilities.

Mile marker 3

2010-08-03T17:59:00.000-04:00

Congratulations, you've survived the first three months of sleepless nights, diaper changes, and endless feedings with your newborn. Reaching the three month marker can be a real turning point for most new parents. Your baby is now beginning to coo and smile when she sees you. She will even begin lifting her arms for you to pick her up sometime in the next few months. This is an age where your child will begin to enjoy hand games, mirror play, and other social activities, such as playgroups or "mommy and me" music classes. By 6 months old, your child will likely develop a strong attachment to you, so plan to interact along side your child during these outings. This will help her to be more comfortable while she explores and learns, as well as promotes the bond between parent and child.

We'll continue our social milestone journey next time with a post on the 6-12 month old child. Until then...

Congratulations on your newborn, now what?

2010-07-23T12:17:00.000-04:00

I recently started writing a monthly column, Ask the Expert, in Macaroni Kid Brandon's newsletter. There are so many parents wondering about their child's development. What age should my child ___________? Is it normal for my child to _____________? I hope you will take a moment to send your questions in to Macaroni Kid. In the meantime, I would like to do a blog series on social development of young children. Let's start today with the newborn babies.

Have you ever wondered what it must have been like to be a newborn? There you are, all snugly and warm inside your mother's womb and suddenly...LIGHTS, SOUNDS, TEMPERATURE CHANGE, COLOR! From the start, your newborn baby is very busy making sense of the world around them. Since they lack mobility at this stage of development, they will spend a great deal of time watching, listening, and learning! You will seem them studying everything from your face, to the ceiling fan, to that little speck of lint on the floor next to them. :) Around three months old, they will even begin to coo and vocalize to all of these objects. Use this time during your baby's development for lots of face-to-face interaction and talking. In a Kindermusik class, the youngest babies and mommies enjoy activities such as Peek-a-boo, infant massage, nursery rhymes, and lullabies. It's a special time of bonding and laying the earliest foundation for learning with your new little one.

I look forward to answering many more of your developmental questions in the coming months.

It's all about perspective!

2010-07-14T11:52:00.002-04:00

If you're raising a gifted child, the following quote should make a lot of sense to you.

'If we say that all people look at the world through a lens, with some lenses cloudy or distorted, some clear, and some magnified, we might say that gifted individuals view the world through a microscope lens and the highly gifted view it through an electron microscope. They see ordinary things in very different ways and often see what others simply cannot see.' (Linda Silverman)

Have you ever wondered why your gifted child seems so different? Why can't they watch the same TV shows or enjoy the same music without getting upset or overstimulated. Why is consistency in their routine so much more important than with that of their peers? The answer in one simple word-perspective! In the same way that you would get a totally different perspective by looking at the world each day through a microscope as opposed to wearing glasses, a gifted child sees everything around him in a different light. There's an old saying, "Never judge a man, unless you've walked a mile in his shoes." I've found that looking at things from my gifted children's perspective has truly helped me to better understand and parent them.

parenting politics

2010-06-30T20:13:00.000-04:00

Anytime you get a group of moms together, the topic will eventually turn to children and parenting. You'll begin to hear questions like: When did your child stop using a pacifier? What kind of music do you allow your child to listen to? Do you believe in spanking your child? Do you co-sleep or make them stay in their own bed?
It can be tricky to succesfully navigate the waters of parenting politics without offending someone. There are so many different ideas out there about what is best for a child, and deciding which of these ideas will work best for your family is a personal decision. So what do you do when you find yourself in the middle of this type of conversation? Here are a few ideas:

recognize that there will be differences in parenting styles among your friends, and that it's okay
agree to disagree (sometimes a parent has a really good reason for their choice that others might not understand)
Don't be afraid to say if a topic makes you uncomfortable or is too personal to discuss.
If your child questions why others are allowed to do something and they are not, use it as a teachable moment. Each family has to find what works for them, and different doesn't always mean it's wrong.

What ways have you found to deal with parenting politics?

What happened to my baby?!?

2010-06-21T17:12:00.000-04:00

Here's the scenario. You wake up one day, only to realize that your once easy going baby has turned into a toddler size dictator! Some children reach it earlier, and some later, but rest assured, every child goes through some form of the "terrible two's". Even though this time can be frustrating, don't forget that it is also a time of wonderful growth for your child. They are learning more about boundaries, how to interact socially, and who they are as a person. This type of learning will often last well into the preschool years. Here's what to expect of a typical two-and-a-half year old:

• Strongly possessive of loved ones and toys.

• Speaks in a loud urgent voice

• May become demanding and dictatorial

• Has difficulty with transitions and changes in routine

Sound familiar? Remember to be patient yet firm with your child as they test boundaries that you have established. Prepare your child, in advance if possible, for any changes to the schedule. Keep in mind, that this is all part of their growing process, and every parent has walked in your shoes at some point. In the end, you will see what a "Marvelous Me" your child can be!

We're growing!

2010-06-10T12:32:00.002-04:00

We are so excited to announce that Delightful Sounds will begin offering classes at Peace, Love, Play in Plant City starting in July. They are a sister owned, indoor play center. It's a great place for moms to get out and interact with other moms and children that have the same ideas and family values. Our newest teacher, Mrs. Amy will be offering family style classes at this location. Our July theme will be the ever popular Zoo Train!! You can click here to register today!

Finger play fun!

2010-06-08T10:10:00.001-04:00

I loved this little finger play poem. It was created by a grandparent of one of our Kindermusik children. Thanks so much for sharing it with us Karen!!

Five little blueberries juicy to the core

A bird swooped down and then there were four.

Four little blueberries as plump as can be

A bird swooped down and then there were three.

Three little blueberries shiney and blue

A bird swooped down and then there were two.

Two little blueberries ripening in the sun

A bird swooped down and then there was one.

One little blueberry left all alone

I popped him in my mouth and then went home.

Karen Gaiffe

Welcome!

2010-06-07T15:03:00.000-04:00

We are so happy to welcome Mrs. Amy to the staff of Delightful Sounds. She holds a Master's degree in education and has over 15 years of experience in teaching music. She is going to begin teaching Kindermusik classes at one of our new locations in July, so be sure to stay tuned for more details! You can read her full bio here.

Living label free

2010-06-05T14:18:00.001-04:00

I am so privileged to teach several wonderful children who have special needs. They have taught me such amazing things over the years, and one of my favorite lessons has been the art of living label free! We are a label society. We love to stick tags on everything in order to identify and understand it, but labels can also have a very negative impact. A label usually comes with a grocery list of adjectives and boundaries. If you have (fill in the label), then you can't (fill in the blank) and you certainly will never be able to (fill in the blank). You get my drift?
I have one very special child in particular. He is the ripe old age of eight and outlived his life expectancy several years ago. He shouldn't even be here, much less running around my Kindermusik classroom every week-smiling, laughing, dancing, and singing!! I guess he never read that grocery list that followed his label. Time and time again, I've seen it with different children. What makes the difference? Why is one child able to accomplish more than another with the same label? Here's what I think:

Children are amazingly adaptive. If permitted and encouraged, they will find a way to do what they are interested in.
A parent's attitude about a label greatly influences their child's philosophy about it.
Use your child's strengths to encourage growth in the weak areas.
Make the learning experience as fun and interactive as possible.
Find what motivates your child. They have to WANT to get past the label.

Parents' Picks Award

2010-05-27T20:33:00.000-04:00

Please (pretty please) nominate us for Tampa's Best Kid's Party Place in Nickelodeon's Parents' Picks Awards! We need your help to be in the running for a 2010 Award. You can nominate us once a day, every day, from now until June 17 at www.parentsconnect.com/parents-picks. Thanks for your support!

Macaroni Kid

2010-05-07T14:45:00.001-04:00

I recently ran across a great resource for parents call Macaroni Kid. You can choose a city and look up local information for children's activities around your town. You can click here to see the Brandon site for Macaroni Kids, which is actually hosting a give away for a free Kindermusik Playdate at Delightful Sounds. You can read more about the give away here, but hurry the contest ends at midnight on May 12.

The Opportunity to Fail

2010-05-05T09:02:00.000-04:00

I recently heard a discussion about the differences between how my generation was raised and how we are raising our children. I was quite intrigued, since it was argued that we were not allowing our children enough opportunities to experience failure. I had to think about that for a while. I thought about the agony of watching my children learn to walk. They would stumble and fall over and over. I wanted to step in and help. I would find my muscles straining as I mentally "helped" them along, and eventually they learned to walk. How did they learn to do that? Each time they fell, they were able to learn something about walking and how to do it successfully.

When I was a child, children were often recognized for high academics, excellence in music or the arts, or great sportsmanship. Now, we are afraid to single these children out for fear of offending the ones who might not have been able to achieve this standard. Instead, we try to find something we can recognize everyone for. We no longer allow children to pick teams in PE, so that no child has to experience being the last one picked. Grades are inflated, and class projects are done by parents who are "helping". All of this, so that the children can feel better about their performance. What are some of the possible outcomes of this line of thinking?

An inflated self-esteem that is completely unprepared for failure
Unrealistic expectations about the world and their ability to function within it
A "me first" attitude about life
Lack of independence

I think that teaching your child how to successfully navigating failure can be more valuable than several successful outcomes could ever be. I can see where this thought of "helping everyone be a success" started out as a well meaning idea, but have we gone too far? What are your thoughts?

The Elephant Song - Cool Tunes for Kids by Eric Herman

2010-04-28T15:25:00.000-04:00

We've been singing a lot of of songs about animals this week in our children's music classes, so I thought I would add a fun video for all of our families to enjoy! Do you have a favorite animal song?

the Instruction Manual

2010-04-18T13:00:00.005-04:00

I remember when my husband and I were first married, we had all of these high ideals of what life as a parent would be like. We would spend long evenings walking along and "solving the problems of the world". When we became parents, things would be different! We had it ALL worked out. No words could have ever prepared us for what life as a parent would truly be like. We could have never anticipated the joys or frustrations that would come our way soon enough.

Our children are now 10 and 8 years old, and more than once I have announced in frustration, "That's it! I'm taking them back to the hospital where they were born. Surely someone there can help me find the model number and matching instruction manual for this child!!" I'm sure I'm not the only parent who has found themselves wishing for that manual. Parenting is a TOUGH JOB! I mean, these are little people were are dealing with here, not a washing machine or hair dryer! If we foul this parenting thing up, then, well.... the repercussions could be astounding!

OK... Everybody take a deep breath! We're going to walk through this together. Here are a few things that I have picked up along the way in my parenting adventure.

Cut yourself a little slack. It's not like they come with instruction manuals! (I just couldn't resist that one)
Trust your instincts. You know your child better than anyone.
If you're not sure about how to deal with something, don't be ashamed to ask for help from a trusted source(s). Then use this information to revert back to #2.
ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS stick to the boundaries you've established. I've heard it said that raising toddlers is like being pecked to death by little ducks. While I think this is hysterically funny, it also reminds us that children have an uncanny ability to wear us down at times. I can't say it enough. Consistency is CRUCIAL!
(and this one is the most important!) LOVE them! I think our genuine love for our precious little children is what makes all the difference in the end.

A Musical Staycation

2010-04-05T17:14:00.003-04:00

Click here for our "easy read" summer 2010 Kindermusik schedule or register online here.

Kindermusik Playdates!

2010-03-30T11:18:00.006-04:00

Exciting things are going on at Delightful Sounds. We will now be offering classes on the second Saturday of each month. These family style classes will be open to children 0-7 years old and their parent or other caregiver. Too busy or not sure if your ready to commit to a full semester of music classes for your child? No problem! Kindermusik Playdates are a one-time only class. You'll enjoy a new theme each month, and then you can continue the learning at home with your take-home CD and kit. Register today by clicking here!

What do birds, monkeys, and gifted children have in common?

2010-03-23T16:45:00.001-04:00

I was recently reading a blog post about gifted children and obsessions. It can be very common for any child to become obsessed with something, but it is especially prevalent in gifted children. They may become fascinated by something typical, such as trains, music, or dinosaurs, or it could even be something we might find rather unusual, like pasta or different fabrics. I know many parents worry that this type of intense interest may be a red flag for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or Autism. However, it can actually be quite normal!
Gifted children have an insatiable appetite for new information. Therefore, they will often latch on to something that interests them and study it thoroughly. Once they have examined this area of interest to their satisfaction, you will likely see that they select something else. For example, one of my daughters was fascinated with birds. Every night for her bed time story she would want to read the Audubon Society identification book. By age 2, she could give the full name of about 40 birds just by seeing their picture. She is 8 now, and, even though she still likes birds, she no longer wants to read about them every day. We have graduated to monkeys! ;)
Here is my point. If you are trying to decide if your child is having trouble developmentally, the best rule of thumb is "Does the area of concern affect your child's daily activities or growth?" In other words:

Can your child interact appropriately with their friends?
Does it affect their learning ability in a class?
Does it have a strong negative affect of their behavior at home and how they relate to their family?

If so, you should discuss your concerns with the appropriate professional.

just listen to learn

2010-03-14T15:15:00.003-04:00

I was recently read an article about how listening to music affects musicality. Originally, it was thought that musical ability was shaped by intense musical training. However, the study showed that people who listened to music performed equally as well in certain musical tasks as those who were trained musicians.
So how does this relate to you and your family? I have often said here that early and varied exposure to music is an important part of a child's development. Music is such a powerful tool, because it is available to everyone, regardless of ability. In fact, it is one of the few activities I can think of that can enhance all areas of development at once. Whether that exposure is in a music class, at home, or in the car, it increases your child's development in the following ways:

The varied rhythms and sounds will increase your child's analytical and sequencing skills.
Listening to a variety genres increases your child's love of music as a whole.
Music listening and singing are proven to increase language skills.
Enjoying music as a family can strengthen emotional and social development through bonding and interaction.
Dancing and playing instruments increases your child's gross and fine motor development.

So go ahead and enjoy listening to some great music with your child today!

Freebies and upcoming events

2010-03-09T18:16:00.005-05:00

We have several local events coming up in April. Don't miss out!

April is "bring-a-friend" month! Any student who brings a friend to class will receive a free children's CD. Please check with your teacher to ensure there is space for the visitor before attending. If your friend chooses to enroll after their visit, you will also earn a $10 credit towards your next Kindermusik semester!

April 2 - Kindermusik Military Playdate at MacDill Family Resource Center. 10:00 AM Come enjoy a free Kindermusik class with your child as a thank you for your family's service to our country!

April 6 - Chick-fil-a Kid's Night with Delightful Sounds 5-8 PM. Stop by the Causeway Blvd. location in Brandon and enjoy some Kindermusik fun with your meal. You can also register to win a Kindermusik prize pack!

April 22 - Parent's Night Out at Delightful Sounds 6:30 PM. Due to the overwhelming response to our previous class, we are offering another CPR training this night. Cost is $10 per family, and you must RSVP by April 10th to attend.

It isn't fair!

2010-03-02T09:59:00.007-05:00

One of the things I've noticed most keenly about raising gifted children is their strong sense of justice, or injustices as the case may be! It might be related to the social injustices they see around them, their feelings about how animals are treated, or even how they feel about the way they are disciplined. Their heightened sensitivity combined with their high intelligence allows for some strong feelings about the world around them. I've probably been most aware of this in my extrovert child. Her emotions come blazing out in a fury when she sees something she thinks isn't fair. Here are a few suggestions to help you weather the storm.

Understand that their feelings are very real to them, no matter how petty it may seem to you as an adult.

Take the time to openly discuss what they are feeling.

Encourage them to come up with creative solutions to problems that bother them.

I've seen parents channel their children's energy in this area so well, that they raise some awesome, world-changing children. These are the types kids you see collecting food or clothes for the homeless or organizing something for the local animal shelter.

On the topic of parenting, don't be afraid to say your sorry if they call you on something. As a parent, I fail all the time. After all, we are only human, and it's not like they come with instructions! When my children point out something they don't think I've been fair about, I take the time to discuss it with them, and if an apology is necessary, then I say I'm sorry. Never underestimate the power of a good example!

notable accomplishments

2010-02-22T19:50:00.001-05:00

I received an email a few days ago about a Kindermusik educator's blog in South Carolina. It chronicles the musical journey of the Kindermusik educator and her very special intern. I found their adventures both inspiring and heart warming. It was so refreshing to remember anew why I do what I do in my music classes each week and how many lives may have been touched along the way. I'll get back to my posts on gifted children soon, but today I just needed some time for reflection. ENJOY!

St. Patty's with Seniors

2010-02-22T17:01:00.005-05:00

I am so excited about our upcoming St. Patty's for Seniors event. This free Kindermusik party will be held at Central Park Health Care Center on March 17th at 10:30 AM. We will be joined by some of the seniors who live at the facility for some Irish music, dancing, singing, and of course lots of FUN that is guaranteed to bridge the generations!

I hope to see you there!

a few more thoughts

2010-02-17T11:43:00.005-05:00

I hope you are enjoying the blog series here on gifted children. In thinking about what we've discussed so far, I have become concerned about two things. First, I don't want to represent gifted children in a negative light. I realize that so far I have painted the gifted child as a rather complex, sensitive, strong-willed individual. While this is true, it does not adequately show the more joyful side of raising a gifted child.

They have a keen sense of humor
Their large vocabulary gives them a unique and engaging way with words
They have a zest for learning new things, which can often be contagious
They are highly creative, both with problem solving and pretend play

Secondly, I don't want parents to misinterpret the information in my previous posts and think that all challenging children are gifted or that high intelligence excuses poor behavior. Neither of these statements are true. There are many characteristics that combine to identify a gifted child. If you'd like to read more about that, I encourage you to click here. All children require proper guidance in order to become healthy, productive adults. As a parent, you can use your unique knowledge of your child's strengths, weaknesses, and personality to better understand how to accomplish this task.

Innies and Outies

2010-02-07T18:57:00.003-05:00

Before you go checking belly buttons... We're going to talk a little about different personality types in gifted children. If your child is an extrovert, there is no mistaking it. They are the outspoken, busy butterflies, who flutter from topic to topic hardly pausing for a breath. An introvert on the other hand, prefers to sit back and observe it all, quietly drawing conclusions from all that unfolds before them.

Extrovert, gifted children can be exhausting at times. They overflow with worries, ideas, joys, questions, and fears. No thought or feeling is too small that it shouldn't be vocalized and thoroughly explored. As inundating as this bombardment may feel to the parent, I suspect it is equally as overwhelming to a young, gifted extrovert who may not understand how to deal with the variety of emotions that they are feeling.

On the other hand, a gifted introvert may hold much of this information inside. This may alleviate the overwhelmed parent, but likely not the child. Considering the depth of emotions and feelings that gifted children deal with, this may not be the healthiest scenario for an introvert. Take some time to talk with your child about their feelings. Encourage them to share their feelings with you and applaud them as they grow and learn how to work through their emotions successfully.

Intelligence at a price

2010-01-26T22:57:00.003-05:00

One child described being gifted as being "vividly alive". Imagine being so keenly aware of everything around you. However, as I mentioned before, that heightened awareness comes with a price, and the higher the IQ, the higher the price tag.

Over excitability and sensitivity were two of the first clues that I was raising two gifted children. I love Webster's definition of excitability- "capable of being activated by and reacting to stimuli; a state of excitement or irritability". It fits perfectly, since there is rarely an in between for gifted children. They are either vividly happy, vividly sad, vividly angry, and the list goes on. Couple this with a deeper sensitivity to stimuli and situations than that seen in most children, and you might find yourself wondering, "What's going on with my child?"

Gifted children may find it difficult at times to find the "even ground" emotionally, especially when they are very young. Things like crowds, loud noises, music, or any kind of environment that is overly stimulating may evoke feelings that your child is unsure how to handle. If you find yourself in this situation, here are a few things that have worked for us.

Teach your child self-calming skills. This may even involve you physically sitting with your child in a quiet place when you recognize them getting over the edge.
Recognize what triggers your child's over-excitability so that you are better prepared.
Make sure you are consistent with rules and consequences when your child crosses the line with their behavior.
Even if your friends or family don't understand, remember that you are not alone.

I would love to hear from some of you. Have you found any great ways of helping your children work through these issues?

Why can't they just slow down?

2010-01-19T19:28:00.004-05:00

Today's post will have absolutely nothing to do with music (I'm apologizing in advance), but I wanted to continue with my series on giftedness in young children. As a teacher, one of the things that amazes me is the fact that there seems to be so many gifted children these days. I am, by no means, an expert, but it seems like there are more children being given this label than ever before. Perhaps it is because there is more research available, which enhances awareness and earlier identification of these children. Perhaps it is that we have better health and medical care during pregnancy than before, which leads to stronger brain development in the womb. Maybe it is because we offer a greater array of experiences to our children than our parents did, or it could be a combination of all of these items. I would love to read a study about it, but I'm not sure that the subject of giftedness has been studied long enough to adequately answer this question yet.

However, it is widely agreed that giftedness comes from a combination of good genes and the experiences offered to the child. In other words, a biologically gifted child increases their IQ or abilities by drawing on life experiences. You will typically see this child asking lots of "how" and "why" questions as well as actively exploring everything around them. They are keen observers and are often able to understand things well beyond their years. Unfortunately, all of this sensory input comes with a price- emotional sensitivity and over-excitability.

It was once explained to me like this. We all have an "inner cup" that receives the sensory input we observe. Once this cup is full, we feel overwhelmed and will react in order to relieve that stress. Every one's cup is the same size, but the fact that a gifted child has a heightened sense of awareness allows them to fill their "cup" much faster than the average person. This can result in a variety of behavioral issues, and I plan to talk more about this in my next post.

The gifted child

2010-01-06T16:23:00.005-05:00

If your 18 month old is talking in 3-4 word sentences...

If your three year old is already reading....

If your five year old is already learning multiplication...

these are strong indications that you are raising a gifted child! But what does that mean exactly and what are other indications that a child might be gifted?

A gifted child is defined as a child whose ability is significantly higher than average. This ability could be related to intellect, but it could also include musical, physical, or other abilities. Here are a few other characteristics of gifted children:

Frequently reach developmental milestones early

May talk later that their peers, but later language skills are above average

Intense interest in reading and asks a lot of questions

Seems overly mature intellectually, but might lag behind in other areas of development

May show unusual sensitivities or preferences (i.e. food, clothing, sleeping patterns)

Very active with a strong desire to explore things

This list is by no means complete, but I wanted to give you a sample of what a gifted child might look like. Perhaps you are in the same place that I was not so many years ago. I found myself wondering, "Is my child just overly strong-willed? Why don't they act like the other children? Is something wrong with them?" I plan to talk about this and more as I write this blog series on the topic of giftedness in children. Please join me in the conversation! I welcome your questions and comments about your own experiences in raising or teaching gifted children.

a Musical Christmas

2009-12-23T13:59:00.004-05:00

I just posted some photos from our Jingle Jangle Christmas event to the Delightful Sounds fan page on Facebook. If you would like to see them, click here. It was a great time of families making music together while celebrating a wonderful time of year. What a fantastic opportunity to create memories and learning that will last a lifetime for these children!

There are only a couple of weeks left until the start of the spring semester. You can view the schedule here, if you'd like to join us for a Kindermusik class. We'll be singing and dancing our way into the new year with lots of educational activities and music that is sure to be a hit at your home.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

What did you say?

2009-12-14T15:49:00.003-05:00

One of the most important skills you can teach your child is the skill of being a good listener. Without this vital skill, your child would find it difficult to develop social skills such as how to carry on a conversation, gain new vocabulary or properly pronounce words, or listen to the directions given in a classroom without being distracted. Music has been found to greatly enhance listening skills in young children.

Try going on a sound scavenger hunt with your child. This could be done with everyday sounds or by identifying the instruments in a particular song.
Sing silly songs with your child and encourage them to make up new silly words that would rhyme.
Encourage your baby to listen by allowing him to watch your face when talking to him. Sing simple songs and mimic his sounds if he tries to "sing" back to you.
Sing echo songs together. You can even make them up as you go along.

Parent's perspective

2009-12-08T15:15:00.004-05:00

What are parents saying about Kindermusik classes? As a parent, I always check to see what other parents think about a class before signing up my children. I recently did a little blog research on the subject, and here's what I found.
"Ava Claire had so much fun wearing pajamas to Kindermusik! She really enjoys going to class each week! I really think it is helping her become even more of a genius! We signed her up for next semester too! Yay! "
Mrs. Odom said, "Kindermusik is a great way to aid in a child's development through music. My twin boys, Bailey and Carter, have been going to classes since they were 3 months old. Their smiles and laughter are evidence of their love of Kindermusik."

Capitol Mommy wrote, "Then I thought about what my favorite days of the week are. They are definitely "girl's days out". The days where B and I get out of the house and go on little adventures. Staying home with B is the most wonderful privilege and gift but some-days it make all the difference just to leave the house for a bit. So this week when we headed out to our weekly Kindermusik class I threw my little camera in the diaper bag so I could capture our day."
Over at Niemeyer Nest, "Evie was so excited to be at Kindermusik. She really likes it! You should check out a class in your area. Evie and I have tried a lot of classes and this is our very favorite. "

Why music?

2009-12-02T19:30:00.002-05:00

As a musician, I never questioned my decision to teach my children about music from the day they were born. It was a natural thing for me, and it was also why I began a Kindermusik program at Delightful Sounds nearly seven years ago. Yet, as I have watched them grow and develop, I have come to realize exactly what a gift I gave them by starting so early. They both have a deep love of music. Yet, more than that, music study has shaped their development in other ways-social skills, improved IQ, problem solving/reasoning skills, creativity, language skills, and even physical development. In fact, music is the only thing I can think of that allows children to work on all areas of their development at once. It's been a special gift for me as well, as we share our love of music together!
If you've never tried a "mommy and me" music class with your child, check out www.kindermusik.com to download a free preview coupon.

Give the gift of Kindermusik this holiday season

2009-11-23T11:33:00.001-05:00

Looking for the perfect present this holiday season? Know someone who would be interested in giving a gift that truly “keeps on giving”? As you know, the benefits of Kindermusik not only last a few months or a few years—they last a lifetime.

This year, Grandma, Grandpa, aunts, uncles, friends, or anyone, can give your little ones the gift of Kindermusik. I have Kindermusik gift certificates available in any denomination. Gift givers can get in touch with me by email or call (813) 503-6976, and I will provide simple instructions for purchasing a gift certificate to be applied toward Kindermusik tuition and/or home materials at Delightful Sounds. Gift certificates purchased before December 7th are sure to arrive in the mail in plenty of time to find their way under the Christmas tree, into stockings, or get hand delivered with a hug.

Are you wondering if grandparents love giving Kindermusik as a gift? Just check out this video of a Kindermusik grandma who has pledged to sponsor Kindermusik for any of her 17 grandchildren who want it!

The Power of Music

2009-11-16T12:48:00.004-05:00

This video really intrigued me. Many people claim that music is a gift for only the "chosen few", yet here is a room full of people who are not musicians producing a cohesive tune based on the body movements of jazz musician Bobby McFerrin. No instruments or music to follow-just expectation. It really shows how instinctual music can be. I use the word instinct, because I believe we are born with this ability. It grows as we experience music throughout our lifetime. Even a new baby will respond to a familiar tune. I hope you enjoy singing along with the video!

World Science Festival 2009: Bobby McFerrin Demonstrates the Power of the Pentatonic Scale from World Science Festival on Vimeo.

Holiday Events

2009-11-09T08:09:00.004-05:00

As the end of the year approaches, we have a lot of fun music events coming up at Delightful Sounds for your families. I wanted to be sure any local blog readers would be able to keep up with them all, so here's a list.

November 23 - Online enrollment begins for the Spring 2010 Kindermusik classes. The Spring semester is set to begin on January 4.

November 30 - 7:00 PM - Mom's Night Out - Just in time for Christmas, this jewelry making party costs $15 and includes the materials for making three pairs of earrings. Please RSVP to attend.

December 4 - 10:00 AM - Military Kindermusik Playdate - This free music event is open to families of active military personnel and takes place at the MacDill Family Resource Center in Brandon.

December 21-22 - Jingle Jangle Christmas Event - This annual event will feature an hour of Christmas music, dancing, and fun for the whole family. Day and evening class times are available for this popular event, so be sure to reserve your spot today! Cost is $10 per child.

Building critical thinking skills

2009-10-28T14:26:00.005-04:00

I heard a great story yesterday about one of our preschool Kindermusik students. Her mother had asked her what she wanted to dress up as for Halloween. "I want to be an green alien with antennas!" Puzzled by this unusual response, her mother inquired, "Don't you want to be a princess, like all the other girls?" The child's confident response was, "But I'm NOT all the other girls!"

I loved this story! I think it speaks of the creativity, individuality, and confidence that we try to nurture and grow in our Kindermusik classrooms. You may be working on academic facts with your child, but equally important are the creativity and critical thinking skills that will go beyond just academic facts. You can help your child with these types of skills by allowing them to guide your play time or explorations. Ask leading questions, such as, "What do you think will happen next?" or "How do you think that object would look if it could move?". Have fun with these types of questions. There really is no right or wrong answer. As your child grows more confident with this type of thinking, they will easily be able to apply it to more critical thought processes in the future. Whether it be in the area of music, pretend play, calculus, or Halloween costumes, don't miss the chance to encourage your child's creativity.

Free Kindermusik Semester!

2009-10-26T13:32:00.006-04:00

I just heard about a fun contest being offered by Kindermusik International. They are putting together a music video of the Itsy Bitsy Spider, and they are collecting videos of children, adults, grandparents, friends, etc. doing the motions to the Itsy Bitsy Spider. You can load your entries on YouTube. Kindermusik will then use various clips from the entries in their video. All of the entries will be included in a raffle for a FREE semester of Kindermusik classes, including your home materials packet for your child's music class. This contest is open to all families and the prize can be transferable, such as giving it to grandchild or friend. Click here for all the information on how to enter. You can watch the videos that have already been posted on You Tube by clicking here.

the fun theory

2009-10-19T16:42:00.001-04:00

Have you ever noticed how much better children cooperate when it's fun? We make game out of getting dressed, or sing silly songs to get a fussy baby to smile. In our Kindermusik classes, learning is always fun! So, I've decided that if we ever add stairs to the classroom, they will look like this!

Name that tune

2009-10-17T14:57:00.004-04:00

Where in the world in Mrs. Aimee? If we lived closer to this apple farm, we would have to plan a field trip for the children in our music classes at Delightful Sounds. Can you guess the Kindermusik songs that would go with this picture? I can think of a couple! Be sure to post your guesses as a comment.

The Leader of the Band!

2009-10-12T19:28:00.005-04:00

Congratulations to Jake, our winner of the Leader of the Band contest! It was a tight race, but Jake squeaked out a victory earning his family a gift certificate for 50% off the tuition of his next Kindermusik class. Second place went to Bennett, seen below. Bennett's prize will be a Kindermusik prize pack, including a CD, egg shaker, story book, and other toys.

Congratulations, again, to Jake and Bennett. I think they look like the beginnings of a great band! Thank you to everyone who helped make the Leader of the Band contest so fun!!

Seven surprises just for you!

2009-10-06T13:45:00.005-04:00

I was reading an article recently about seven benefits of music education. I found it interesting, because it was not talking specifically about private music study or school age children. As a matter of fact, I see these same benefits every week in my Kindermusik classroom, even when it's full of little babies! Music education enhances a child's intelligence, academic success, social skills, and even physical fitness. Here are the seven surprising benefits of music education:

Music boosts brain power.

Music leads to literacy skills.

Music adds to a child's understanding of math.

Music helps children live in harmony with others.

Music is active.

Singing helps children stay strong.

Music supports self-expression.

I hope you'll take a minute to read the full article here.

Leader of the Band contest

2009-10-04T23:05:00.004-04:00

It's time to start voting for your favorite picture in the Leader of the Band contest. Since all of the contestants turned out to be local, I will give the winner a gift certificate good for 50% off their tuition for a future Kindermusik class. There will also be other music prizes and goodies awarded. Here's how to cast your vote:

Visit the Delightful Sounds page on Facebook.

Look through the photo album titled "Leader of the Band Contest".

Add "vote" as a comment under your favorite photo.

While you're there, make sure to become a fan! It's a great way to keep up with what's going on at Delightful Sounds.

Good luck to all of the contestants! Make sure to tell your friends and family to visit and vote too!

The Musical Dilemma

2009-09-29T13:31:00.006-04:00

Help! I have a child who loves music, but my husband and I are not musical! What should I do?

As a music instructor, I hear this scenario a lot! Should we start private music lessons? At what age should a child begin music study? How can I encourage my child's musical interests?

First, kudos for taking that first step. It's likely that you recognized your child's musical tendencies through interacting with them musically. Whether it's listening to music together, dancing to a favorite song, or joining in an impromptu family jam with the pots and spoons, you are probably already doing a lot to encourage your child's musical interest.

Children are typically drawn to music from an early age, but that doesn't mean you should sign up for those private lessons just yet. Here are a few pointers to keep in mind as your child's interest in music grows.

If your child is young, join a group music class for young children, such as Kindermusik. The age appropriate musical activities will assist your child in understanding musical concepts like fast/slow or loud/soft, laying a solid foundation for future music study.

Your child is never to young to enjoy exploring music with you. Get started today!

Take every opportunity to introduce your child to a wide variety of musical styles. The variety of rhythms and instruments will increase their overall love of music as well as strengthen their cognitive skills.

Actively participate in your child's musical explorations. A parent's participation says more than you could imagine when encouraging a child's musical interests.

6-8 years old is a great time to begin private music study, such as guitar or piano. Don't be afraid to ask the potential teacher about their credentials and knowledge of working with young children.

Leader of the Band

2009-09-22T16:42:00.004-04:00

Have you got a child who loves music? Do you have some great pictures of your child singing, dancing, or playing musical instruments? Here's your chance to show them off! We are having a "Leader of the Band" photo contest at Delightful Sounds. The contest is open to all families, not just Kindermusik families or families from the Delightful Sounds studio. To enter, email a picture of your child engaged in a musical activity. Please include your child's first name, birth date, and your contact information in the email. (We'll need a way to let you know, if you win!)Your pictures must be received by October 4th. All entries will be then be uploaded to a photo album on the Delightful Sounds fan page on Facebook. You will be able to vote for your favorite photos at our fan page during the week of October 5th. The winners will be announced on October 12th, so get those cameras flashing!

Baby Sign Language

2009-09-16T14:14:00.006-04:00

Baby sign language has become very popular in the last several years as a means of communication between parents and their very young children. It's a great way to encourage early communication for children who are not old enough to communicate verbally. Baby sign language can also ease frustration between parents and children as they attempt to communicate their needs and wants.

Some parents are concerned that this form of early communication might delay their child's verbal development. However, the opposite is typically true. The combined experience of movement and spoken language encourages the child's understanding of the word, as well as increases retention of the new word. This is because the child is engaged actively in the learning experience, and the movement has stimulated the brain to receive the incoming information.

Parents can begin to work on baby sign language as early as 3-6 months, and children will typically begin to sign back around 6-12 months old. However, it's not too late if your child is past that age. Sign language can be a fun way to communicate for children of all ages. I recommend taking a sign language class, such as Sign and Sing, with your child to learn how to present the signs in an interactive, age appropriate, and fun way. A sign language class will also help you to understand your child's hand development. If a sign is too difficult for them to form, your child will likely make adjustments to the sign. Once you learn what to look for, you may be surprised to find your child has several signs they are already using.

Wishy Washy Wee!

2009-09-14T12:47:00.005-04:00

With so many germs around this year, it's very important for our children to regularly and thoroughly wash their hands. If your child is very young, that can be a real challenge. Young children tend to rinse the soap right off without rubbing it in. Music is such a great tool when teaching your child, so why not use a song to help your child learn to wait.

A great example would be "Wishy Washy Wee". We've been singing this folk song a lot in our toddler music classes. If you don't know the tune, feel free to simply chant the rhyme. We especially enjoy scrubbing on the "wishy washy" part, and then throwing our hands in the air for "WEE"! OK, so it's gets a little messy on that part, but getting clean was never so much fun!

The words are as follows:

We are two sailors come from o'er the seas

If you want to go away again,

then come along with me.

Wishy, washy, wishy washy, wishy washy, WEE!

If you want to go away again,

then come along with me.

Today's Agenda

2009-09-08T13:45:00.003-04:00

Here we are at the start of another school year and Kindermusik semester. As we are all scrambling to get back to our school routine, I was reminded of just how important that routine is for us. In the Kindermusik classroom, you and your child will find a routine to the activities.

It gives us an understanding of what needs to be accomplished for the day.

It helps us to know what to expect next.

It keeps me organized, so I don't get stressed out.

I have greater security that things will get done on time.

If a routine is important for us in these ways, think how important it is for your children. The life of a child is often outside of their control. For example, they are told the proper things to eat, when to get a bath, and what clothes are appropriate for certain outings. Having a routine will help your child to feel more secure, by letting them know what to expect and when to expect it. In the Kindermusik classroom, we practice this same principle. Perhaps you'll notice that rocking time is always followed by story time, or a "clean up" song is always used when an music activity is over. You can incorporate these same types of routines into your own daily life at home. Maybe you use a favorite song to move from one activity to the next, or you might always follow bath time with a soothing massage and story before your child goes to bed. If your current routine isn't working for you, consider making some changes. You can visit a Kindermusik class for lots a great ideas. We'll be learning lots of songs this semester that would fit into a variety of routines and situations. Remember that a routine helps the whole family to be healthy and happy! I hope you'll share some of your favorite ideas as a comment below!

Follow Me to Kindermusik!

2009-08-29T13:44:00.001-04:00

Classes are almost full for the fall semester. If you've missed the first few classes, you can still join us. We will happily pro-rate your tuition. Visit www.delightfulsounds.com to register today!