KINDERMUSIK HOLIDAY DATES

No Kindermusik lessons next week, November 24-28th. Our last class will be the week of December 8th, with a surprise visitor attending. Hint... Bring a camera! Register early for Spring Semester, there are several people waiting for a chance to attend Kindermusik. If you are not going to re-enroll, please tell me immediately, so I can allow others to enjoy the benefits of Kindermusik. HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Literary Leftovers (Turkey tidbits to read and savor)

LITTLE PEA by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. A sweet story about a pea...a sweet pea. It's minimal, pea size, both the story and the pictures, which match perfectly, as suited as...two peas in a pod. Parents will enjoy peas and quiet while little pea-pie flip the pages, again and again.
CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS by Judi Barrett, Surrealism! This is a famous book in which meteorological and culinary matters are improbably mixed. The title says it all. In the town of Chewandswallow, foodstuff fall from the sky. The pleasure in this book is how far the author and illustrator can take this conceit. They take it pretty far, and with plenty of style.
COOKIES by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. This book has definitions of words like "cooperate," "fair," and "unfair," with retro-cute illustrations and little vignettes all having to do with cookies.
THE SEVEN SILLY EATERS by Mary Ann Hoberman. A family in a funky old house on the shore of a lake grows to seven children, all of whom have various oddities and preferences when it comes to food. What makes it work are the remarkable and involved art and the bouncy rhymes. The reader gets to know this eccentric family, who may or may not be like anyone you know.
BRAVE POTATOES by Toby Speed. This book is a masterpiece of world literature. It is a rip-roaring poem about potatoes who break out of the vegetable display at the county fair, are abducted by fiendish chef Hackermup, rescue themselves yet again, this time from a fate worse than fair, and parade, banners waving, singing their stirring anthem, "We will never be potpie. We will never be potluck. We will never be frittata, We will always be potatoes." This book cries out to be a musical spectacular on the New York stage.

Let's Rock! Raising a music lover is easy. If you start early and keep it fun, your child won't miss a beat.

Ever notice how your baby's eyes brighten when you play a familiar CD or sing a lullaby? That's because music is much more than just a diversion for a child. A hefty stack of research shows that rhythm and melody help spark memory, imagination, language skills, and reasoning ability. Songs can also calm young kids by reducing their stress-hormone levels. But enough about science. Best of all, music is a great way to bond with Mommy and Daddy.
BABIES: First Notes: Music helps you communicate with your baby, build his sense of security, and soothe him. 1. Just Sing! Don't worry if it's off-key; Your baby loves the sound of you voice-especially when you make eye contact. 2. Match his pitch. When your baby coos, echo his voice in a slightly exaggerated, musical way. Older babies may start to mimic your melodic "ahhhs" and "babas." 3. Mark time with music. Make up fun little songs to let him know it's bathtime, naptime, or time for a feeding. This will give a comforting structure to your baby's day. 4. Make some noise. Hand him an egg shaker or a rattle so he can create his own sounds. 5. Get him moving. Bounding your child on your lap as you recite nursery rhymes will help improve his balance. Also try tapping his legs to the beat of a tune to develop his sense of timing. 6. Gotta Dance. Play salsa, rock, hip-hop-or whatever type of music you like-as you sway, spin, and step in time with your baby.
TODDLERS: Tune Time: Active songs and musical games (such as "The Hokey-Pokey" and "Open, Shut Them") expand a toddler's vocabulary, teach her to cooperate (try singing "It's Time to Clean Up"), and help her use her body and mind in perfect harmony. 1. Get classy. Sign your child up for a music playgroup such as Kindermusik. This playgroup uses tunes as a way to dance, jump, and be active. 2. Beat it. Give her sturdy toy instruments and toddler-friendly objects to play with (such as wooden spoons and light pots). Have her clang, strum, and scrape them to make sounds of varying pitch volume, and length. 3. Update your playlist. Kids this age go for songs with a surprise ending (such as "Pop Goes the Weasel"). They also love memory-building songs like "Old MacDonald", "Dust, Dust, Dust, "Muffin Man" and "Bingo" - and may even start joining in by age 2, (or earlier as we've seen in Kindermusik) 4. Mix it up. Once your child knows a tune, slip in an incorrect word or phrase (such as finishing "Row, Row, Row your boat" with "life is but ice cream"). She'll get a thrill (and a giggle) from correcting you. 5. Hear it live. Take your child to see a kids' performer in concert, where no one will mind that she toddles around as she listens. (This is why Kindermusik is so important. No analog or digital just Ms. Susan!)
PRESCHOOLERS: Start Making Music! Give your kid lots of opportunities to move and groove, and ask him how different types of music make him feel. 1. Have him repeat a beat. Slap your thighs or tummy to create a rhythmic sequence, then let your preschooler try to mimic it. You can also tap on a table or hit plastic plates together like cymbals. 2. Make a scene. Play classical music, and have your child act out a scene to match the mood. He might pretend he's a horse galloping (during a fast stanza) and then mimic falling asleep (as it winds down). 3. Get hands-on. Let your child touch and experiment with different instruments-whether real or kid-size-to pique his interest. See how many ways he can "play" a guitar (tapping, plucking, strumming), and ask how he would use it to make a jumping or tiptoeing sound. 4. Play "whisper and shout. Invite your preschooler to sing a song two ways-first as if he's small and shy, then as if he's huge and full of energy. The contrast will help him gain confidence in his singing ability. 5. Hear the colors. Have your child paint or draw a picture, then use toy instruments of noisemakers to translate its theme to music. 6. Check out the classics. Attend a young people's concert so your child can discover how orchestral sounds come together. If the setting is kid-friendly (and the musicians give their permission), let him go on stage afterward and see the instruments up close.
GRADE-SCHOOLERS: My tunes: By the time your child starts elementary school she has distinct musical tastes-and is ready to start learning to play an instrument. 1. Change the station. Expose your child to varied styles of music (reggae, New age, classical) to expand her horizons and help her develop her own taste. 2. Find her voice. Ask your child to sing to you-or if she's hesitant, with you. Find things to compliment ("I like how clear you sound") so she doesn't feel self-conscience about her voice. 3. Get involved. When your child starts playing an instrument, put away your cell phone and pay attention when she's practicing. Encourage her to stay focused, and be specific with your praise ("I see you're holding your bow firmly-nice job!) 4. Give her some freedom. Establish a regular playing schedule, but let her know what she wants to work on first (such as fingering and scale exercises. 5. Think improvement, not perfection Give your child modest goals so she can see progress. Ask, "Can you hold that note one second longer?" or "Can you play another bar next time without stopping?" 6. Let her make her own music. Have your child compose a short piece as you write down or record the notes. Collect the songs in a binder or on you PC so your child has a record of her work.

PARKING!

Please do not park in the street when attending music classes. My parents live in the house to the south of my studio, and they would love to have you park in their driveway, if mine is full. The city gets a little testy if cars are parked on the street. Thanks for your cooperation. Susan

"HOP TO IT"!

In "Imagine That" we have been hoping and jumping to a song called "Hop to it"! I have been helping the children think of different ways in which to hop and jump throughout the song. Did you know jumping might not seem like a remarkable feat, but clearing a puddle requires balance, strength, and the precise coordination of arms, knees and hips. Throughout the elementary school years, a child jump increases an awe-inspiring average of 3-5 inches in distance and 2 inches in height per year. Kids learn to jump soon after they learn to run, usually starting at about 24 months. First a child tries taking a single step down a stair, next they'll explore other kinds of objects that are jump-offable then overable, then aroundable. At about 30 months, once kids have the leg strength to defy gravity and the balance they need for landing, jumps become more sophisticated-bunny hops, grasshopper jumps for instance,, that move the jumper not just up but forward. By 4 or 5, a child enters the golden era of jumping mastery, coordinating arms with the extension of legs and torso, resulting in a long jump with serious distance. It's a skill she'll need to launch herself over a puddle instead of into it. Unless, of course, she doesn't want to!

KINDERMUSIK FALL SEMESTER 2008

Are you ready? Are you set? Then remember to GO to KINDERMUSIK next week. Classes begin the week of September 2nd. I am excited that there are so many people that realize the importance of Kindermusik in their child's life. I can't wait to see all my kindermusik friends again and to make new friends. I know your sacrifice of time and money will be well spent. 100% guaranteed! See you soon.

FYI: Autism Spectrum Disorder in a Typical Kindermusik Setting

Have you ever wondered if your child is different, and has special needs. Below is a list of things to watch for in our Kindermusik classes that help diagnose Autism.
Village 0-18mos: Slower motor development, Lack of engagement, Difficulty with visual tracking, Delayed language development, (no babbling, screaching) HFA: Faster language development than typical, Older HFA: Elevated ability in a specific area, Autistic traits may not become apparent until 18-21 months and sometimes as early as 15 months.
Our Time 18mos-3yrs: Delayed fine and/or gross motor development (not holding instruments), Delays in expressive and receptive communication (inability to follow directions), Difficulty with transition into the classroom and from one activity to the next, Inconsistencies with behavior (behavior may correlate with activity), Aggression toward parent or other children, Aloof or lack of spatial and social awareness, Undeveloped imaginative play, Odd and/or repetitive patterns of behavior, Physical disability apparent.
Imagine That 3 1/2-5 yrs: Delays in fine and gross motor development, Delays in expressive and receptive language, Lack of imaginative play, Difficulty with transition, Inconsistencies in behavior, Aggressive behavior to self or others when distressed, Aloof/lack of spatial and social awareness, Odd speech patterns and/or intonation, Self stimulatory behaviors (possible masturbation), Perseveration of conversation topic (resurrects same thought over and over again), Odd interests, May look different.
Young Child 5-7yrs: Growing social awkwardness with peers, Limited interests, Literal thinking, Odd social interaction with peers and educator, Rigidity with schedule.

If your chid displays these basic signs there are many ways in which to get help. The University of Utah has a child development clinic to contact for diagnosis. Their number is 1-800-829-8200. Another help is The Pingree School for Autism. Their phone number is 801-581-0194. There are many ways to implement and reinforce musical learning with each autistic child through Kindermusik. My kindermusik program is 100% guaranteed to help all children no matter what their need.

Kindermusik Fall Semester begins September 2nd!

I can feel the excitement, I can hear the musik, I can see the smiles, I can taste the energy and I can smell the season and know it is time to start Kindermusik once again. I'm so excited to be teaching another year and to have the opportunity to make a difference in your child's life. See you soon for a wonderfully fun Kindermusik year!

"KINDERMUSIK IDOL" Imagine That Graduation Celebration 2008 LOOKIN' GOOD!

Johnny Jump-Ups Game

Most Fun With:
4 or more players
Kids age 3 and up
A yard or playground

Although it sounds vaguely like a brand of transition diapers, Johnny Jump-Ups is a simple version of Simon Says-and with its spring time theme, a superb game to either welcome the season (if you're lucky) or boost the morale of winter-weary kids (if you're not). 1. A leader is chosen and designated "Spring." he other players are "seeds," and count off into two equal-as-possible groups. The seeds spread out and crouch down. 2. Spring then claps once, twice, or three times. If she claps once, group 1 seeds "sprout" by jumping up. If she claps twice, Group 2 seeds sprout. Three times everybody sprouts. 3. Anybody who sprouts (or fails to sprout) at the wrong time is out; the last sprout standing is the next Spring.

"IMAGINE THAT", YOUNG CHILD 2nd and 4th Semester Graduation Celebration!

The week of April 14th will be my final lesson this semester, ending with a Graduation Celebration in each of my Kindermusik classes. Please list three fun activities your child loved participating in this semester at Kindermusik. Then help your child learn one song they can perform during open mike time at the celebration. We invite all parents to attend the celebration. After their performance, we will have a small reception. Please bring 1 dozen goodies to share. Thanks for all you do to make music important in your child's life.

"Our Time" Celebration April 15th, 10-12pm

The final lesson in this semester will be on April 15th with a celebration at Ms. Susan's. All classes are invited to attend. We will consist of 4 different stations. Soaring, Soaring, Soaring, Little Red Wagon Obstacle coarse, Giddy-up Horsie, and Shiny Dinah. Please bring a lunch to eat at the end of our adventure. During our lunch will have an open mike performances by the Kindermusik Children?!
Please help your child learn one favorite song to perform! I can't wait for this celebration.

KINDERMUSIK "OUR TIME" EASTER EGG HUNT!

HOW CUTE IS THIS?

I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL THE "OUR TIME" CELEBRATION!

FALL REGISTRATION!

If you are interested in being in Kindermusik in the fall, you can sign up now on line at mssusan.kindermusik.net. The fall class schedules are published here. You can now use your credit card to register, however a credit card fee will be added in the amount of $5.00. You can still pay me by cash or check as well. Hope you like this new registration system.

SIGN UP NOW FOR SUMMER ADVENTURE CAMP! April 29th-May 29th

Back by popular demand are my Kindermusik Summer Camps in May. I will be offering "Peek a Boo I Love You"; 0-18mos, "Creatures of the Ocean"; 18mos-3yrs, and "Near and Far" 4-6yrs. Dates and Times are available on my Web page mssusan.kindermusik.net. You can also sign up with a credit card through this new web page. Cost is only $75.00, $80.00 if paying by credit card. Be sure to tell all your friends and neighbors!

Imagine That! Toys I Make, Trips I Take!

I LOVE MS.SUSAN'S KINDERMUSIK!

CLASS NOTES

SIMPLE DO'S AND DONT'S FOR GETTING THE MOST OF YOUR KINDERMUSIK PROGRAM
DO find a class that's held before or after your child's naptime.
DON'T force your child to participate right away. Let her get involved at her own pace.
DO use squabbles with other kids in class as an opportunity to teach your child about sharing
DON'T assume that your child isn't learning just because she's not joing in. She'll absorb a lot simply by watching.
DO Sing, dance, and HAVE FUN with your child.
DON'T judge the parent by a child's behavior
DO help all children become present and active in the classroom activities.
DON'T chat during storytime, or when you come before sharing time. Silently observe the class dynamics and your child's participation in the activity.
DO make playdates with other children in class.

Raise a Reader

BABIES: WHAT THEY LEARN When you turn pages with your baby in your arms, she'll associate books with snuggling. "As an infant, she's learning to value books because it means she gets to cuddle with her mom or dad," says Dr. Acredolo. But most important, reading to a young baby ultimately helps her learn to talk. She begins to connect pictures with words. At 9 months, she'll be able to home in on your tone of voice, cadence, and the length of sentences. "Parents help a baby learn language by speaking to her often, with varied vocabulary and about topics she finds interesting," says Parents, advisor Kathleen McCartnery, PH.D., professor of early-childhood development at Harvard Graduate School of Education.
MAKE READING FUN Go for the right touch (and taste!). Babies learn through their senses, so buy cardboard or cloth books that they can put in their mouth. Face it. Infants love looking at pictures of faces, especially those of other babies. Be silly. Is there a phone in the story? Say "Ring, ring. Hello? I'm sorry Olivia can't take your call; she's in a meeting." Point out things in the real world. When you're taking a walk, talk about stuff you've read about in books. "See the doggie?" This will help her begin to associate the word"dog" with her picture book and the live creature in front of her.
TODDLERS: At this age, kids love simple picture books about a particular topic-flowers, trucks, whatever. Book with movable parts are also irresistible, since lifting flaps and turning wheels make storytime extra fun. WHAT THEY LEARN "At around 18 months, a child will begin to understand that words represent objects-for example, a cup is something we drink from," says Susan B. Neuman, ED.D., coauthor of a Parent's Guide to Reading With Your Young Child. Your toddler is also able to predict things and loves to test this new skill. "Beginning in their second year, kids try to memorize the books-what happens on the next page, what words are about to come," says Dr. Acredolo. Toddlers go crazy for repetition-They'll want to hear the same book over and over again, which help them recognize words. Even if you're tired of the story, don't try skipping parts; your toddler will call you on it. Print familiarity also kicks in at this age: Kids see that the funny marks on the page represent the words Mommy and Daddy say when they read. "When you see toddlers pretend to write by making squiggles, you know that they're getting the idea," says Dr. Acredolo. MAKE READING FUN Tune in to your child. A toddler's attention span is short, so limit storytime to ten minutes. If he's into it and wants to read more, that's fine; but if he seems bored, don't push it. Personalize the story. Make your child the star. Or substitute the kids or animals in the illustrations with family or friends' names: "Look, Jordan is driving the truck. Grandma is riding in the caboose." Read book throughout the day. Bedtime stories are great, but you should also read before a nap, at snacktime, even when he first wakes up. Leaf through waterproof books in the tub too! Make books part of your emergency kit. Carry a few faves in your diaper bag. The next time the waitress takes forever, whip out a book and save the day.
PRESCHOOLERS: Reading becomes a fun games for 3-and 4-year-olds as they become more active participants in story hour. Picture books are ideal for preschoolers, who get even more meaning out of illustrations. WHAT THEY LEARN Your child is leaning new words and phrases at a feverish pace and beginning to construct longer sentences, so how you read to her is important. "Instead of just reading the text straight through, ask a lot of open-ended questions about the story," says Dr. McCartney. If you're reading Where the Wild Things Are, ask, "Why is Max so angry with his mom?" This challenges your child to strengthen his comprehension skills; he has to contribute to the conversation, not simply give one-word answers or point to a picture in response. Preschoolers also start to develop phonological awareness-the ability to listen to the sounds in words. "Rhyming books are great because they playfully capitalize on the this skill," says Dr. McCartney. "For example, when children read Hop on Pop, by Dr. Suess, they notice the difference between the 'h' sound and the 'p' sound at the beginning of the word." MAKE READING FUN Get your child a library card. Going to the library is a fun adventure. Kids love dropping books into the return slot and making new selection. Be a social butterfly. Check out storytime at the bookstore or library. Your child will get a kick out of listening to a book with a group of kids. Choose a character series. Children this age become attached to certain characters, so don't pass up the chance to get her interested in more books. If she loved Max's quest for red-hot marshmallow squirters in Rosemary Wells's Bunny Cakes, chances are she'll want to see him get a makeover in Ruby's Beauty Shop. Accept his literary taste. Don't be bummed if all he'll read is Bob the Builder books. What matters most is that kids are reading, and books based on their favorite TV shows are fine.
KINDERGARTNERS: It's important to keep up storytime at home as your child learns to read and write at school. Let him pick what he wants to read, but make sure you expose hime to a wider variety of genres too-folktales, fantasy, and nonfiction. WHAT THEY LEARN "At 5, your child will engage in lively conversations about books and might recognize most letters of the alphabet," says Dr. Neuman. He'll be able to write the letters of his names, if not more. (Encourage him to practice, since learning to write is an essential part of learning to read.) Picture books help kindergartners make important connections between characters and their own lives, so choose stories about starting school, becoming a big brother or sister, or visiting the doctor. And you should read aloud to him regularly, since he'll learn just by listening to new language. "The vocabulary that children understand throught hearing is so much more sophisticated than what they can express verbally, and the more you read out loud to them, the more you are encouraging those synapses and that wonderful language acquisition," says Lisa Von Drasek, childrens librarian at the Bank Street Colloege of Education, in NYC. MAKING READING FUN Chat them up. Talk about what you've just read. Relate stories back to their own life: "Do you ever feel homesick when you visit Grandma?" Publish a book. Staple a few sheets of paper together and ask your child to dictate a story and make some drawings. Give your child's favorite books as birthday gifts. Let her tell you why shw adores the book, then inscribe it for her: "Chocolatina loves chocolate as much as I do? From Sydney." Use reading as a reward. If your child shared nicely, treat him to an extra story or two and some special cuddle time.

Do the Locomotion!

TRAINIACS
How does playing with trains help your child's development?
Babies Wheeled toys are to beginning crawlers what mechanical rabbits are to greyhounds; something captivating to chase after. Pull-toy versions continue to deliver well into the second year, when new walkers will be proud to drag one in their wake. Thus a passion is born!
Toddlers Guiding a train in and out of tunnels and over trestles appeals to toddlers' growing interest in spatial relations, though their preferred route might still be up and down their own legs or across the kitchen table. Unloading and refreighting flatbeds encourages hand-eye coordination.
Preschoolers A growing penchant for make-believe can be unleashed on a small scale in the train yard. Along tracks, kids can roll out the fire department if the train crashes, or ferry passengers from toy store to ice cream parlor. Choosing where to place stop signs, trees, and other landmarks gives them an introduction to the abstract concept of mapmaking.
Kindergartners and up Laying tracks is a challenge to be solved in innumerable ways. Physics lessons abound: What happens to the train's speed when it goes down the hill? What if there's a curve after the dip? Clicking cars together in endless combinations may also provide some hands-on practice in adding and subtracting.

Young Child Semester 4

This semester our musical travelers, will continue their musical journey to Japan, Europe, Africa and Central and South America. They'd better watch out, or the mean old giants who love shiny gold will eat them in Japan or the hungry lion in Africa. They will be chased by a cunning fox in Hungary and learn about the father of music-Bach. Don Gato cannot wait to tell them his tragic love story. Be sure to stay tuned with your child's fun musical adventures this semester.

Young Child Semester 2

This semester our Young Musicians will discover and play on they're glockenspeil 3 more new notes. They will become a baseball team, playing musical baseball, open birthday presents, learn about Beethoven, learn about all the instruments in the orchestra, and last but not least be chased by a WOLF! AAAAGH! Find out more about the wolf this semester!

Imagine That! Toys I Make, Trips I Take!

Your child will be making new imaginary friends with Timmy the top, Bongo the drum, Gertie the ball, and Jack-in the box this semester. The toy shop awaits the imagination of your preschooler. Then we will hop on board the train and go on trips to wherever their imaginations take us. Get ready, Get set, GO!

Our Time Away we go!

All Aboard Our Time families! We'll be riding the rails with Shiny Dinah this semester. I will be listing fun books, videos, crafts and web pages to scaffold on in future posts. If you have any great ideas please comment. Hang on tight, your child be flying high with music fun.

Welcome!

Welcome to my New Kindermusik Blog. I'm so excited to start this. Instead of our monthly newsletter, I will update this site weekly. Your job is to write comments! Anything and everything, and together we will create a symphony of inspiring thoughts.