Tiny Teachers

Children are the best teachers in the world. They teach young women how to be mothers and young men how to be fathers. They teach older men and women how to be grandparents. They even teach other children how to be brothers and sisters.
Think about all the skills children teach people. They teach moms how to be nurses and dads how to be heroes. They teach brothers and sisters how to share... toys, rooms, dreams and cookies. They even teach teachers how to teach in creative and fun ways.
Children teach the world how to love. They teach us to look past a person's skin color right to his or her heart. They teach us how to be honest, open, and innocent. And they teach us how to hug and laugh and be enthusiastic.
Children make us keep our promises because they never forget one that we make. They even make us into scientists and professors by asking "Why?" about everything that moves and many things that don't.
Isn't it interesting that while we are teaching our children to be adults, they are teaching is how to be children?

Excerpt from On Raising Children by Mary Hollingsworth.

Sibling Rivalry

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.

A Parent's Thoughts

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!

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

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...

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

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!

1. Vending machines -35%
2. Crosswalk buttons -35%
3. Parking meters -40%
4. Kiosks -40%
5. ATM buttons -41%
6. Escalator rails -43%
7. Mail box handles -68%
8. Gas pump handles -71%

Meet Brendan, Patrick, Abigail, and Rebeca

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!

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

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!

Meet Laura and Ella

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!

Meet the Frissore family!

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.

Meet Lavanya and Manav

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.

Meet Sarah and Anna

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!

We are Kindermusik

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. 

Parenting in a Microwave World

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,

Parent's perspective

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. "

Tweet, tweet!

Do you tweet? You can now follow Delightful Sounds on Twitter. You can also become a fan of Delightful Sounds on Facebook. It's a great way to keep up with all that's going on with Delightful Sounds. Here's what a few parents had to say recently about their respective Kindermusik classes via Twitter.

libraryina: took Charlie to his 1st Kindermusik class. He drooled, sucked on my finger and smiled...a success, I think!

Suthurnbel: enjoyed watching Owen at his first Kindermusik class w/o Katelyn. He LOVED it and was all over the place!! So fun!

LadiesofReggae: KinderMusik @ NU here comes our family!!! I already have a 1 1/2yr old musical genius so I better get that skill perfected now!

"Favorite Things" contest

Congratulations to the five finalists for the "Favorite Things" contest! You can read each story below and cast your vote for your favorite story. Look for the poll at the top left of the blog to vote. The winners will be annnounced the evening of June 5th. Good luck everyone!

Lavanya - "Favorite Things" contest

Here is entry number five for the "Favorite Things" contest.

Music has always been the soul of my life. I cannot recall a day that has gone by without the influence of music in my life. Although I received formal training in classical dance and playing classical stringed instrument from India called the “Veena”, I relish music in diverse identities. Coming to the topic of how my baby and I enjoy music, I must mention that we started on this journey very soon after I knew that I had conceived Manav. I dedicated a few hours every day when we would hear melodious music and literally tap toes. We decided to reap the benefits of music to the fullest extent possible. While in the womb, Manav identified a few songs when played over a period of time. He even responds to them now. Music has given us meaning to our “alone time” when we relax and unwind.
Knowing how music shapes cognitive skills and alters behavioral response, we wanted to add structure to this activity. So we started with our Kindermusik classes very soon after he turned 3 months old. We have come a very long way since our first class when Manav was a supported sitter. Now, attending the classes at Delightful sounds has become a part of our weekly routine where we explore and learn something new every day. Music has helped my son explore, understand and communicate better. It teaches him the sense of sequence and rhythm. There’s no better medicine than music when he just doesn’t feel so good. Happy or sad we share a tune. I sing to him during various activities including the usual bath and bed time routines and even during the times when we clean up and transition to the next activity. Watching us communicate with music has encouraged my husband to sing and express in a more uninhibited manner. He now realizes that neither does one have to be a skillful singer nor know all the words precisely to convey in the universal language of music; it’s really the thought and the effort that makes all the difference. Now dad and son have a dedicated “music time” even after a long day at work. Even the bluest of the spirits and the dullest of the days get refreshed when there’s music playing along.
All one’s baby knows is their immediate environment so teach them to appreciate life through music and you will give them a gift for their life.

Sally-Ann - "Favorite Things" contest

Here is entry number four for the "Favorite Things" contest.

I have been thinking long and hard about what to write. I have been blessed with children that are very talented musically, so it is hard to narrow down any one favorite musical experience with my children. As I have been sorting through the cobwebs of my mind to come up with the "one" experience to share, I started thinking about my first experiences with music. My Mum always sang me songs. I remember sitting on my Mum's lap in front of the fireplace in our kitchen while she sang.......
"There was a little girl,
Who had a little curl
Right in the middle of her forehead.
When she was good
She was very, very good
But when she was bad
She was horrid!"

Another favorite

"Sing a song of sixpence pocket full of rye
Four and twenty blackbirds baked in a pie
When the pie was open the birds began to sing
Now wasn't that a dainty dish to set before the king?
The king was in his counting house counting out his money
The queen was in the parlour eating bread and honey
The maid was in the garden pegging out the clothes
When along came a blackbird and pecked off her nose!"

Now for my all time favorite!

"Goosey goosey gander where shall you wander?
Upstairs and downstairs
In the lady's chamber
There I met an old man who wouldn't say his prayers
So I grabbed him by the left leg and threw him down the stairs!!"

My mother had a beautiful singing voice and I can remember her singing these songs to me. I cry when I hear "How Great Thou Art" because in my mind I can still hear her singing that beautiful hymn.
I sang these silly songs to my older children and I still sing them to Samuel. I have always sung songs to my children.
"I love Mummy, she loves me.
We love Daddy, yes sirree;
He loves us, and so you see,
We are a happy family.
I love sister, she loves me.
We love brother, yes sirree;
He loves us, and so you see,
We are a happy family."

I usually change the words around in this song a little so we use the children's names. With Samuel I made up a silly little song and started to sing it to him in the hospital just after he was born. It calmed him down then and calms him down now! The lyrics aren't award winning, but the song has stuck!
"I love Sam
He's my man
I love Sam
I love Sam
He's my man
I love Sam"
All this leads me to the moment I want to share. Sam was held a lot when he was little. We had waited so long for him, I didn't want to put him down, I loved the feel of him in my arms. I would sing and sing and sing to him. One evening I was cradling him in front of me and singing his strange little song. Sam wasn't very old and definitely couldn't talk yet, but he started to sing with me cooing and aaahhing. He kept in tune perfectly. We sat there singing for the longest time.
Sam is a little boy of few words, but at home he sings all day. He sings songs from Kindermusik, songs from Sunday School and our families made up songs. We sing at night before going to bed......"Hush little baby, don't make a sound", or, "I am a child of God, and He has sent me here, has given me an earthly home, with parents kind and dear."
There is no "one" favorite musical moment, life is to full of them to choose.