Ms.Susan's Kindermusik: December 2009

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Thursday, December 31, 2009

SPRING SEMESTER BEGINS WEEK OF JANUARY 11th!

Happy New Year Kindermusik Family!
I am so excited to start teaching the Spring curricula! Who couldn't love Shiny Dinah, Jack In the Box, Bongo the talking Drum and Timmy the Top. The older Children will learn about Beethoven, Bach, play musical baseball, take musical journeys to Japan, Europe, Africa and South America as well as learn to play the recorder and glockenspiel. These musical treats will be enjoyed by all that attend this semester.

Monday, December 7, 2009

LAST WEEK OF CLASSES DECEMBER 14th, 2009

Next week will be the end of my fall semester kindermusik classes. Our ending class will be a culmination of song, instrument play, movement, and SANTA. Don't miss out on next week's Kindermusik with Santa class. If you would like bring 1 dozen goodies to share with our kindermusik community. I hope you have enjoyed having your child attend my classes. A lot of work, dedication and time has been spent in preparing classes for your child's education and enjoyment. As always if you have any suggestions or comments please let me know. I am always trying to improve the quality of my teaching.
Thank you for your support! Susan

RUN, RUN, AS FAST AS YOU CAN and sign up for Kindermusik lessons SPRING SEMESTER!

Classes are filling up for Spring Semester. To guarantee your child's place in their preferred class, sign up ASAP. Any questions please email or call me.

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DREAMY DOWNLOADS

A Soothing Playlist to help eyelids droop!
1. "Rainbow Connection" Kenny Loggins
2. "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" Lisa Loeb
3. "What a Wonderful World" Louis Armstrong
4. "I Don't Want to Live on the Moon" Ernie, Sesame Street
5. "You Are My Sunshine" Sara Hickman
6. "Imagine" Jack Johnson
7. "Lullabye" Billy Joel
8. "I Love You" Barney
9. "Moonshadow" Cat Stevens
10. "Blackbird" Sarah McLachlan
Download all tunes at Goodyblog.com/bedtime bliss

Best Bedtime Books
1. How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night? Jane Yolen
2. Guess How Much I Love You Sam McBratney
3. Bear Snores On Karma Wilson
4. When Sheep Sleep Laura Numeroff

ROUTINES RULE:
Nightime rituals help children transition to a more relaxed bedtime mind-set. Create a routine that works best for your family, even if it means starting an hour before bedtime, make sure you allow enough time for each task. Rushing through the process will make it more stressful. A sample routine:
1. Clean up toys, or put together a simple puzzle.
2. Give your child a warm bath.
3. Get into pajamas.
4. Brush teeth.
5. Bring in a small cup of water for her bedside to avoid the "I'm thirsty" excuse for getting out of bed.
6. Switch to dim lighting in the bedroom. (Darkness triggers melatonin, the sleep induced hormone).
7. Read Books. Ahead of time tell her how many books you'll read together.
8. Talk quietly together for no more than 5 minutes. One idea: Discuss the best thing that happened that day.
9. Say good night to a few favorite stuffed animals.
10. End on a positive note. Sing a lullaby and give a kiss.

Pumpkin Pie Dip with Cinnamon Sugar Cutouts

1 package (8 ounce) cream cheese
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 can (15 ounce) solid-pack pumpkin
5 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Add the confectioners' sugar, pumpkin, 1 teaspoon cinnamon and ginger, beat until smooth. Cover and refrigerate until serving.
2. Roll out pie pastry on a lightly floured surface to 1/4" thickness. Cut with a floured 2-1/2" Autumn-shaped or Halloween shaped cookie-cutter. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Reroll the scraps. Combine sugar and remaining cinnamon over cutouts.
3. Bake at 425 degrees for 6-8 minutes or until firm. Remove to wire racks. Serve with pumpkin dip. Yield: 3-1/2 cups (about 4-1/2 dozen cutouts)
Can also use gingersnaps or sugar cookies with dip. YUMMY!

SPRING SEMESTER SCHEDULE 2011

JANUARY 3rd: Spring Semester begins

JANUARY 17th: Classes will be held on Martin Luther King Day

JANUARY 24th, 25th and 26th: NO KM CLASSES THIS WEEK!

JANUARY 31st: Classes Resume

FEBRUARY 21st: NO KM CLASS (President's Day)

FEBRUARY 25th: Make-up class for President's Day

MARCH 21st, 22nd, and 23rd, NO KM CLASSES THIS WEEK!

MARCH 28th: Classes Resume

APRIL 11th, 12th, and 13th, NO KM CLASSES THIS WEEK!

APRIL 18th: Classes Resume

APRIL 25th: LAST WEEK OF KINDERMUSIK

ALL CHILDREN WILL ATTEND THEIR NORMAL KM CLASS TIMES FOR THEIR GRADUATION CELEBRATION EXCEPT FOR OUR TIME....

APRIL 26th: O.T. FARM CELEBRATION ALL CLASSES of Our Time (Fiddle Dee Dee) will meet at Ms. Susan's at 9:30am. We will be going to the farm. The children will ride horses, see pigs, pet calves and watch how milk is produced. Bring a sack lunch, and blanket. We will eat at Ms. Suzanne's duck pond afterwards at 11:30am. Plan on attending...

YOUNG CHILD SEMESTER 4 STUDENTS ONLY...

To accommodate for my piano group lessons, please come at 4:30pm on the following days in the semester...

January 19th, February 16th, March 16th and April 6th...

Thank you....

GAMES THAT TEACH VALUES

APRIL GAME..."I SPY"... How to play: Take turns spotting nearby objects and describing them "I spy with my little eyes something that is green..." The other players try to guess what the object is: "A tree!" "Dad's shirt!" Whoever guesses right gets to be the next "spy." What it teaches: PATIENCE. "Patience is all about waiting," Any game that forces kids to listen politely while other players have their turn drives this lesson home.

MARCH GAME...The Hot or Cold Game...What it teaches...COOPERATION How to play: Choose one child to be the "Finder". Send him out of the room while the rest of the players hide an object, like a red ball, some where in the room. Ask the Finder to come back and look for the ball, while the other players shout out hints: "You're getting hotter" or "You're getting colder." Play until the object is found, then give everyone a turn as the Finder. This game puts the emphasis on encouraging other players, not competing against them, so preschoolers learn to help each other out in a fun setting. Parent Tip: Try asking kids to speak louder or softer depending on how close or far away the Finder is from the hidden object.

FEBRUARY GAME...The Cheer Up Game...What it teaches...EMPATHY How to play: On large square of paper, draw a series of faces with different unhappy expressions-sad, angry, scared, sick (at least one for every child in the game.) Put the papers in a basket and ask kids to take turns choosing a face then acting out the feeling shown. For example, a "sad" child might pretend to cry. It's the job of the other players to help her feel better. First, they should ask questions: "Why are you sad? How can I help?" After the "upset" child gives her explanation-"My friend was mean to me"-the other kids role-play solutions. They may give hugs, say "I'm sorry," or offer to fix a snack. Empathy is the "core" virtue. Until children know how it feels to have their feelings hurt, tey won't understand why it's important to treat others with respect and kindness. Parent tip: Have a variety of props on hand for this imagination-powered game: plastic food, stuffed animals, a doctor's kit. The more options available, the more creative kids will be about ways to help out, from putting bandage on the the injured kid's boo-boo to baking pretend cookies for a bummed-out buddy.

JANUARY GAME...Build a train...What it teaches...PERSERVERANCE

How to play: You'll need several cardboard boxes large enough for a kid to sit inside. Put out a variety of art supplies--markers, stickers, construction paper, glue--and tell each child to turn his or her box into a train car. Once they've decorated the outside of their box with wheels, windows, and whatever else they can think of, help them arrange the cars one behind the other--then hop aboard for an imaginary choo-choo ride.

Games that require team prep work give kids a sense of accomplishment. The positive payoff introduces children to the good feeling they get wen they achieve their hard-earned goals.

PARENT TIP: Be prepared to hang on to those boxes; the kids will want to get together and hit the track again and again. ADULT BOOK: Hot issues, Cool choices: Facing Bullies, Peer Pressure, Popularity, and Put Downs by Sandra McLeod Humphrey. CHILDREN'S BOOK: How to behave and why by Munro Leaf.

YOUR PASSPORT TO FUN!

KIDS LOVE ANY REASON TO HAVE A PARTY, SO WHY OT CELEBRATE SOME OF THE WORLD'S MAJOR HOLIDAYS THIS YEAR? YOU'LL TEACH YOUR CHILD ABOUT DIFFERENT CULTURES AND MAYBE PICK UP A FEW NEW FAMILY TRADITIONS.

APRIL 22...

EARTH DAY gives us a chance to reflect on what's happening to our planet and do a little community service for Mother Nature. As a family, pledge to pick up every empty bottle or can you see in your neighborhood. More tips at eart911.org.

MARCH 17...

Bring a little luck o'the Irish into your home on St. Patrick's Day. Start by coloring your kid's cereal milk green. Blame it on those mischievous leprechauns! Then top things off by reading the classic St. Patrick's Day in the Morning. I also have a package of pistachio nut pudding delivered in a special leprechaun bag at our front door with the directions to turn the gold powder into a yummy treat.

FEBRUARY 24...

Mardi Gras means "Fat Tuesday" in French. Get in the spirit by baking a king cake, a traditional treat (find a recipe at wholefoodsmarket.com) Don't forget to hide a trinket inside, usually a tiny plastic baby. Crown whoever gets the prize king or queen for the day.

JANUARY 25...

During the Chinese New Year, grown-ups give children little red envelopes filled with chocolate coins, which symbolize wealth and good fortune. Why not slip homemade coupons ("Good for one hug") into red envelopes for your kids? Go to kaboose.com for more celebration ideas. By the way, this is the year of the bat!

LET YOUR CHILD SOAR! 50 ways to be a fantastic parent!

April 10...

17. Just say "No." Resist the urge to take on extra obligations at the office or become the Volunteer Queen at your child's school. You will never, ever regret spending more time with your children.

18. Protect that smile. Encouraging your kids to brush twice a day with a dab of fluoride toothpaste will guard against cavities.

19. Talk about what it means to be a good person. Start early; When you read bedtime stories, for example, ask your toddler whether characters are being mean or nice and explore why.

20. Don't try to fix everything. Give young kids a chance to find their own solutions. When you lovingly acknowledge a child's minor frustrations without immediately rushing in to save her, you teach her self-reliance and resilience.

21. Gossip about your kids. Fact: What we overhear is far more potent than what we are told directly. Make praise more effective by letting your child "catch" you whispering a compliment about him to Grandma, Dad, or even his teddy.

March 5...

16. Always tell the truth. It's how you wnt your child to behave, right?

17. Just say "No." Resist the urge to take on extra obligations at the office or become the Volunteer Queen at your child's school. You will never, ever regret spending more time with your children.

18. Protect that smile. Encourage your kid to brush twice a day with a dab of fluoride toothpaste that will guard against cavities.

19. Talk about what it means to be a good person. Start early; When you read bedtime stories, for example, ask your toddler whether characters are being mean or nice and explore why.

20. Don't try to fix everything. Give young kids a chance to find their own solutions. When you lovingly acknowledge a child's minor frustrations without immediately rushing in to save her, you teach her self-reliance and resilience.

February 5...

11. Schedule daily special time. Let your child choose an activity where you hang out together for 10 or 15 minutes with no interruptions. There's no better way for you to show you love.

12. Teach kids this bravery trick. Tell them to always notice the color of a person's eyes. Making eye contact will help a hesitant child appear more confident and will help any kid to be more assertive and less likely to be picked on.

13. Be the role model your children deserve. Kids learn by watching their parents. Modeling appropriate, respectful, good behavior works much better than telling them what to do.

14. Avoid food fights. A healthy child instinctively know how much to eat. If he refuses to finish whatever food is on his plate, just let it go. He won't starve.

15. Live a little greener. Show your kids how easy it is to care for the environment. Waste less, recycle, reuse, and conserve each day. Spend an afternoon picking up trash around the neighborhood.

January 5...

6. Read books together every day. Get started when he's a newborn; babies love listening to the sound of their parents' voices. Cuddling up with your child and a books is a great bonding experience that will set him up for a lifetime of reading.
7. Get your kids vaccinated. Outbreaks of measles and other diseases still occur in our country and throughout the world.
8. Acknowledge his strong emotions. When your child's meltdown is over, ask him, "How did that feel?" and "What do you think would make it better?" Then listen to him. He'll recover from a tantrum more easily if you let him talk it out.
9. Love your children equally, but treat them uniquely. They're individuals.
10. Say "I LOVE YOU" whenever you feel it, even if it's 743 times a day. You simply can not spoil a child with too many mushy words of affection and too many smooches. Not possible.

December 5...

1. Play with your children. Let them choose the activity, and don't worry about rules. Just go with the flow and have fun. That's the name of the game.
2. Put your baby to bed drowsy but still awake. This helps your child learn to soothe himself to sleep and prevents bedtime problems down the line.
3. Take charge. Children crave limits which help them understand and manage an often confusing world. Show your love by setting boundaries so your kids can explore and discover their passions safely.
4. Eat at least one meal as a family each day.
Sitting down at the table together is a relaxed way for everyone to connect-a time to share happy news, talk about the day, or tell a silly joke. It also helps your kids develop healthy eating habits.
5. Don't clip your child's wings. Your toddler's mission in life is to gain independence. So when she's developmentally capable of putting her toys away, clearing her plate from the table, and dressing herself, let her. Giving a child responsibility is good for her self[-esteem (and your sanity!).

BOARD APPROVAL/ FOCUSED ATTENTION

More and more studies have found that the longer a child can focus and attend to an activity, the better reader they will be. We already know how important music has on sustained focus, but did you know board games help with this as well. Here is a list of age appropriate games to play with your child.
Ages 3-5 Chutes and Ladders, Cariboo, Sequence for kids
Ages 4-6 Sorry!, Scrabble Junior
Ages 5 and up Blokus
Ages 7 and up Battleship
These games may be old school, but they're a super-fun way to help them with focused attention as well as teaching them about following rules and fairness.

IDEAS for a RAINY DAY!

1. Create a sunny scene. Have kids draw on the windows with washable window markers.
2 Splash in a couple of puddles. If the rain is light, you can look for worms along the way.
3. Bake cookies with care. Give her a lesson in altruism by baking cookies for an elderly neighbor or to send to the troops in Iraq.
4. Plant seeds. Try lima beans, marigolds, and zinnias in a variety of mini pots, clear plastic cups, or an egg carton.
5. Play tag. Make it more fun with Plaskool's Tag Tails ($15). Each player wears a detachable animal tail, which you try to pull off.
6. Create an obstacle course. Jump on pillows, crawl under chairs, and burrow through a blanket-covered tunnel.
7. Hunt for under-the-sea treasure. Run a bubble bath, then have your child sit inside or outside the tub and feel around for objects you've "buried."
8. Practice math. Change the words of "If You're Happy and you Know It" to "If You're Happy and You're Know It...clap one time, jump three times and hop two times. Keep changing the activity and the number of repetitions.

CHILDREN'S HEALTH

SPRING FEVER? WHEN TO WASH!
1. After playing with a sick friend or sibling
2. After using the bathroom
3. Before eating
4. After recess
5. After school or daycare
6. After playing with animals
7. After high fiving the opposing team at the end of a sports game
8. After playing outside
9. After blowing nose or coughing in hand
10. Before bedtime

EASY ALLERGY RELIEF

Zyrtec is now available over the counter in liquid form or in tablet and chewable forms to relieve sneezing, runny nose, and itchy watery eyes.

Benadryl Perfect Measure-a prefilled, individually wrapped disposable plastic spoon-contains one dose of children's liquid allergy medicine. Pop it in your purse, an your ready to go.

TAKE ALONGS THAT MAKE WAITING FUN?

BOREDOM=BAD BEHAVIOR
1. Brain Quest. (Age-appropriate questions and answers for children as young as 2 builds smarts and keep them busy)
2. A dry-erase pen for dressing rooms. (Have child decorate the mirror while trying things on. Wipe off with tissue)
3. Mini Etch a Sketch. (Have child draw what he sees)
4. Bubbles. (Blow them while grocery shopping or waiting for the doctor)
5. Long-lasting snacks. (Mini bagels, breadsticks, or graham crackers)
6. Pipe cleaners. (They can take the shape of a ring or flower)
7. Crayons and a coloring book. (Crayola wonder markers are also fun)
8. Finger puppets. (Act out a story while stuck in a long line)
9. A plastic magnifying glass. (It's fun to see objects close up)
10. A little toy train. (Create your own track! up your child's arm, over chairs, tables, keep the train a movin')

PRETEND-PLAY GAMES

NPR studies suggest imagination is a link to self regulation. Try these games to spark your child's mind.
1. Celebrate a new holiday. (Polka-Dot Day or Horse Day)
2. Throw a doll's birthday party. (Wrap a few gifts, enjoy a cake)
3. Dress for the weather. (Lay out items for different weather conditions, describe the day and pick outfit for that day)
4. Open a petting zoo (Place stuffed animals around the room, pet each one, and talk about what they like to eat)
5. Camp out in your living room. (Tent, sleeping bags, flashlight, and s'mores)
6. Form a family band. (Grab an instrument, jam to a favorite C.D.)
7. Imitate Animals. (Practice hopping like a frog, squirming like a worm, waddling like a duck, and stretching like a cat)
8. Play restaurant. (In the real kitchen or pretend, alternate being the customer and the chef)
9. Offer horsy rides. (Let her bounce on your back while you "neigh" and chew hay)
10. Ride the laundry-bin "School Bus". (She's the passenger, and you're the driver. Make stops to pick up other children, wave goodbye to all mommies at each stop)