Kindermusik With Suzanne

What are your top three Kindermusik songs?

2011-06-05T04:55:00.000-07:00

Just recently I was awarded Maestro status, a Kindermusik award for exceptional service. Surprised, elated and over the moon were words that came immediately to mind!

But surely every family that comes along to our music and movement classes, every newborn, every baby, every toddler, every pre-school child. Every mummy, daddy, grandma and grandad. They should also be given Maestro status for exceptional service because without all of these families pariticipating in our weekly classes with such energy, enthusiasm, smiles and okay sometimes a huge amount of chatting. Its all these people that take part in our regular Facebook chats and competitions, and throw themselves into our class dances with ridiculous energy. Now, reading this back I realise that it does sound a bit 'urghh' and sickly, my husband regularly tells me off for being 'far too flowery', but I hope you know what I mean!

So, down to business; what are your top three Kindermusik songs?

I asked this question on my Facebook page earlier today and my top three (in no particular order) are Skinnimarinki, Jing Jang and Mama Paquita. Every term my favourites change, just as I think yours do too.

Babies, toddlers and young children learn and develop through repetition and they very quickly find their own favourites just as we do. I wonder which will end up being our favourite songs, dances and bounces for this term? Will we love Mary Ann for the parachute? What about Clap clap your hands, Doctor Eisenbart and that's just the little one's classes! If we start on the big boys and girls list of favourites then we could be here for a very long time!

Classes start back again Monday 6th June, after our half term break, so if you haven't already registered to be with us then don't miss out on the fun.

Register today for a 4 week taster course

Don't you just love the summer term?

2011-05-04T08:32:00.000-07:00

It's great to be back, and the summer term is such a lively one!

We've had two weeks of Easter eggs, glasses of Pimms (well, its been sunny) and a royal wedding to fill our break and now that summer looks as though its coming our way its time to kick off socks and enjoy some dance. Did you know that dancing and moving in different directions and in a variety of ways is important to the development of your baby's vestibular system? Their sense of balance, co-ordination and locomotion all depend on the proper function of this very important system. And of course, by being barefoot not only does it feel fantatic (especially if you' re on the beach or on grass) then its even better for sensory development, after all what better way to learn about the world than through touch.

So, banana cake is back on the agenda for this term, and we welcome a massive in take of new mummies and their babies, and daddies and grandparents too. If you'd like Kindermusik to be a part of your family, extended family or even friends families then just drop me a line and bring them along aswell.

Aswell as the songs, bounces, smiles and giggles in every class we absolutely love our relaxation time, its so lovely to hear the older children singing "you are my sunshine", ah.

Finally, some inspirational words:

"Life is borne within your dreams; success is making dreams come true. A succesful life is well within your means. The miracle of future life...is you"

(Francis Rogerson)

So essentially, its time to live, laugh and enjoy.

Suzanne

Do we like change?

2011-04-14T12:52:00.000-07:00

It seems that we are creatures of habit! Alright, when we reach the end of a term, we wave a fond farewell to all our favourite songs, bounces, and dances and gently ease ourselves into the new term with trepidation and a little reluctance but find ourselves very quickly loving our new routines. Okay, so we can cope with change?

Just as long as the cake doesn't change, this is what our lovely Thursday mummies and daddies had to say about the changes afoot. Why? Well, I took the very bold and brave steps of changing from our usual delicious banana loaf to a rather yummy fruit loaf to a very mixed reception. Not that it didn't all get eaten up, no still the whole loaf vanished and was wolfed up by little people and big people. It seems that change was not wanted. So I guess the fruit loaf has made a very brief appearance, although lots of people asked for the recipe, so here it is before it disappears never to be seen again...

Kindermusik fruit loaf

3 weetabix

1/2 cup of sugar

1 cup dried fruit

2 cups self raising flour

1 tsp mixed spice

1 1/4 cup milk

mix everything together (ideally in a mixer as its much easier).

pour into a lined loaf tin and bake for 1 hour at gas 4

Enjoy!

Have a lovely Easter everyone, see you in two weeks for the beginning of our new term with so many exciting new songs, dances and activities, musical storytime, relaxation....and banana cake!

Priority Registration has opened for our brand new summer term

2011-03-24T13:13:00.000-07:00

The end of our Spring term is approaching and this week its Priority Registration for all those currently enrolled in classes. Don't miss out, as next week general registration begins for lots of new little people to join us after Easter. Many of our 'babies' will be moving up to Our Time classes with the big boys and girls, so if you feel like easing yourself in gently then arrange to come along and visit a couple of Our Time sessions first.

We've had the very lovely and talented Mandy Charlton in classes this week, and next, snapping away and capturing some beautiful images of the children singing, dancing and bouncing. She's currently looking for models of all ages as she's putting together an exhibition titled Dressing Up. If you fancy getting involved then choose your favourite outdoor location, and ask the kids what they'd like to wear....be it tutu and wellies, Minnie Mouse, Bob the Builder, or you could even wear your wedding dress!

I cant post any pictures on here just yet, but it won't be long I promise! All our Kindermusik children are so full of character and it bursts out of these photos.

www.mandycharlton.com for contact details. I'll be sending out a link to everyone very soon so you can view your pictures.

Remember to register this week as places are in short supply.

Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday to you...

2011-03-14T14:56:00.000-07:00

It's party season, March seems to be the month for birthday parties and I'm partying every

single weekend in March, and April is filling up quickly too. Of course I'm Kindermusik partying, is there any other? My favourite recently has to be gorgeous Jonathan who turned 3, and invited all his nursery friends to join us as we muddy puddle jumped, skipped, swooped, swirled and twirled.

I emailed his mum immediately afterward to thank her for asking me, and for making me feel so welcomed, and received a really lovely reply:
Dear Suzanne,
It is you who deserves all the thanks, you made it great, we ALL had a good time (children and adults. You are so natural and close to the heart that it couldn't have possibly got better. A great big thank you.
Celine.x

It is an enormous privilege to be invited to be a part of a special celebration, be it 1st birthday, 2nd birthday, 3rd birthday, 4th birthday or 5th birthday, they are all equally as special and just as much fun. This weekend finds me at a very special 1st birthday, and 3rd birthday and a 4th birthday, phew, serious amounts of party fun!!!

If you are planning ahead, then drop me a line (as much notice as possible is good). Tips to remember when booking a venue; a church hall is always a good option, a nice big empty space, ideally no soft play or toys around to distract us or trip us up, and obviously somewhere warm and clean. Keep party food nice and simple, draft in lots of help from aunties, uncles, grannies and grandads so you can join in with the party and enjoy it too! I've taken my first booking for June, so don't leave it too late...

Happy Birthday to all our March birthday boys and girls!

x

The importance of a child in our lives...

2011-03-09T02:14:00.000-08:00

Here's a quote for you to mull over....
"A hundred years from now...it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove...but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child".-Kathy Davis.

Just looking at some of our Monday afternoon mummies and babies its quite clear how important they are in each others lives. Finding the time to be together quietly is difficult to squeeze into a daily routine, but babies learn through intentional touch and focused listening time. The mummies faces are filled with love for their little ones, and just look at our bigger babies connecting with each other. May there always be sunshine is one of our favourite bits of the class as it allows everyone time to relax, reflect and wind down...we all need a little of that every day!

I'm off to the North East Baby Roadshow this Saturday (12th March) at Gosforth Park Racecourse, so come along and say hello to me....

New babies, big boys and girls, delicious cake...

2011-02-28T12:36:00.000-08:00

Fab to be back at classes today after our half term break. Today we met two gorgeous new babies, Callum 12 weeks and Lucy just a mere 7 weeks (although she's not the youngest Kindermusik-er we've had). Our youngest Kindermusik participant has to be baby Rose who came to her first class at just 12 days old! Admittedly she was at her big sister Daisy's class but Rose just wanted to join in, and I got to have all the cuddles and dances with her! Even at this young age we all noticed lots of reactions to our songs, dances and movement activities, especially our stop/go dances.

So, both our newbies managed to stay awake for the whole of their first Kindermusik experience, although they did get a little peckish towards the end. Unfortunately no banana cake for them this time, but it won't be too long!

Our big boys and girls were over the moon to be back with us and threw themselves (quite literally) into our scarf dancing, a fantastic rendition of Jing Jang (as a lovely circle) and the truly wonderful Walk Along Rover (massive thanks to all our rollers).

We finished off with lashings of banana cake and steaming hot mugs of coffee (okay, plastic cups of coffee and banana cake on kitchen roll), but it was all delicious and there was lots of chatter to accompany it!

Don't forget, if you can't make it along to your favourite class one week then drop me a line and I'll make sure that we fit you in on another day so you don't have to miss a single class. That way you get to attend every single class in our term.

Suzanne

What happened to December and January??

2011-02-04T14:43:00.001-08:00

I can't believe my last blog entry was November!!

Well, we've had the end of our Autumn term, our special Christmas classes, I've done a whole bunch of birthday parties (so many little ones with birthdays in December and January) and now we have begun our brand new term. Phew!

Its been a record breaking registration period this January, never have our classes been this busy before, with so many referrals coming in (massive thank you to everyone!). Please continue to tell all your friends about our lovely classes, we have so much fun each week and I'd run even more classes if there were a few more hours in the day/days in the week, honest.

We've started snapping away in class this week, and its sooo difficult to choose one favourite so I guess that I'll have to blog more often so even more pics can be up here.

Here are two of my favourite Village class photos of this week, this little one on the left began classes when she was oh so very teeny, just weeks old, now look at this brave explorer...

our cheeky little girl on the right reminds us every week how much she loves bouncing, dancing, singing, in fact pretty much everything, especially our cake.

Back again soon.

Christmas is a coming....

2010-11-28T05:42:00.001-08:00

Its almost the end of our term, but we've got our Christmas sessions to look forward to on Saturday 18th, so make sure you've got your place booked. Festive fun for the whole family, and mince pies.

Have you registered for our brand new spring term, beginning January 10th? Classes are filling at the fastest ever rate, so make sure that you stay together with your group and leave a deposit this week.

We've been hit by snow storms this week, and it looks like it's going to be here for a little longer. The worst, and earliest, snow storms in 17 years, and Northumberland has been amongst the worst hit. Guess where we are based? Yes, Northumberland! If you can't get to us, just drop me a line and we'll see if you can come along on a different day, don't want anyone to miss out.

If Grandparents or doting Aunties are looking for a really worthwhile gift, then how about giving the gift of Kindermusik? We've got Kindermusik Christmas vouchers, drop me a line if you'd like any.

Whether you manage to get to us this week, I hope its a great week for you. Put on your favourite Kindermusik cd and dance dance dance....great for keeping warm, bringing smiles to faces, developing steady beat and of course having lots of fun!! Not quite as much fun as in class, but we'll be thinking of you.....

Kindermusik will blow away those winter blues....

2010-11-04T05:29:00.001-07:00

Don't you just love our brand new Skibz for babies!! I've got some in class, take a look...and they are so soft, perfect for our little ones in class.

You can order one for just £7.50, order forms are with priority registration forms ready for our brand new term in January, how exciting!

If you dread this time of year and know that the long grey days just get you down, then remember to come along to your Kindermusik class with friends, enjoy our songs, dances, bounces, and relaxation. Arrange after class get togethers with your fellow Kindermusik families to break the week up, make the most of coffee, cake and chat time. After all, our Kindermusik classes are just as much for you as you as your little one.

* Classes will be winding down in December, but we've got extra special Christmas Kindermusik sessions running on Saturday 18th December, places will be limited to just 12 per class, both 0-18 months and 1 1/2 to 4 years so make sure you sign up in plenty of time. We will be enjoying so much of our usual Kindermusik fun, along with festive songs, dances and bounces....can't wait!

x

Christmas card competition winners....

2010-11-01T04:23:00.000-07:00

We have been absolutely overwhelmed by the number of Kindermusik cuties so have decided to have two winners!

I think you'll agree that they are totally gorgeous!

Smiles and giggles are such great therapy, use our bounces and dances at home that you have learned this term to lift those grey days of autumn and winter.

We've got a special offer coming up in January, if you'd like your child's nursery to enjoy a free Kindermusik taster session then drop me a line as I have one space available for the second week in January and another in the third week....a lovely cd for recommending me too.

Do continue to send in your Kindermusik photies, we are looking for our 2011 Kindermusik With Suzanne babies and children for new advertising features.

It's half term already....

2010-10-22T07:13:00.001-07:00

Our first half term has passed by with so many great new songs, dances and bounces. We've loved skipping and twirling with ribbon wands in Our Time, trotting like horses, fluttering like butterflies and don't forget our toast popping! Whilst the Village groups have absolutely loved our peekaboo 'Go into the Kitchen' dance, bounce and wave with Hey Lolly Lolly, aswell as some magnificant swinging, twirling and hammocking, hope everyone isn't too worn out!!
In all classes relaxation has been a huge focus, everybody has really embraced this important time in the class, remember its not just for the little ones..its really important that mummies and daddies relax to so snuggle down on the blanket and just melt away to You are my sunshine.
This half term has seen the arrival of our brand new 2011 tshirts and hoodies, as worn by so many, and all looking absolutely gorgeous...photos to follow! For next half term we have Kindermusik skibz for the babies, I'll have some on display in class very soon.
Remember that the deadline for our Christmas card competition is this Sunday, so if you'd like your child on the front of our Kindermusik With Suzanne Christmas card then email a photo of your cutie in his or her KM tshirt before then.
Over the past 7 weeks numerous coffees, teas and somewhere in the region of 60 banana cakes have been enjoyed, remember to take a recipe card and pop it on your fridge .
Saturday classes are still on over half term, but for everyone else, see you back in classes for the remainder of our autumn 2010 term on Monday 1st November.
Thought you might like to see one of our entrants for the Christmas card competition above, isn't she lovely!!!
End of year thoughts....drop me a line by email or respond below if you have some lovely thoughts to share about classes, observations at home or funnies.
Suzanne
x

Its been a great summer....and its going to be a fab autumn

2010-09-02T15:25:00.000-07:00

The summer holidays are just a distant memory now as the tan fades, and the laundry pile has finally diminished, as its time to plough through the piles of registrations, dust off the dancing shoes and polish the lesson plans.

There is so much to fill our 13 week term, with songs, dances, bouncing, leaping, twirling, massage, relaxation, stories, bells, shakers, scrapers, ribbons, scarves, parachute, bubbles.....and so much more.... Not forgetting the delicious banana cake, that I've been stocking up the freezer with.

Just in case you can't wait for class to begin, here's our favourite banana cake recipe.

Kindermusik Banana Cake

170g self raising flour
1/2 tsp bicarbonat of soda
1/2 tsp mixed spice
125g sugar
50g margarine
2 large bananas
1 egg
3 tblsp milk

Add all ingredients to a large bowl and mix.

Pour into a lined loaf tin.

Cook at 170C or gas 3 for 45 minutes

Cool then drizzle with honey

Enjoy!

PS. You will probably need to double or treble this mixture, so you've got a spare one just in case!
PPS. Simple to make, and does it count for one of our five a day fruit/veg?

Extra classes opening for newborns to 18 months

2010-08-21T08:59:00.000-07:00

Music teachers, parents and childcare providers have know intuitively for generations that music benefits even the youngest members of society. Grandpas have bounced their little

ones on their knees; Grandmas have rocked and crooned to their infants. Dads and mums have waltzed around the room and flown through the air with happy babies in their arms. And what big brother hasn't attempted to teach baby sister to blow raspberries or encouraged baby brother to bang on a drum?

Thanks to research on the importance of the developing child during the first three years of life, we are beginning to have scientific evidence to reinforce what we all knew: music does make a real difference.

Kindermusik Village babies are in a 'receptive' mode of development, in preparation for movement towards a more expressive stage of development. Kindermusik Village lessons acknowldge this by providing a wide array of sounds, images, tactile and movement activities for baby to experience. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to enhance every activity to imagining yet another way to position baby to view his world, another sound or movement to try, and are invited to observe, notice and even document baby's preferences and responses.

Above all, its lots of fun for both of you!!! Make friends, learn new activities, enjoy special bonding time together, socialise over coffee and home made cake....

Share this with your friends....pass on the good news.......It's almost time for a brand new term!
If you haven't already registered, don't worry, its not too late. Extra classes have opened so there's a great choice of days and times, just drop me a line.

Looking forward to another great term..

Suzanne
x

2010-07-07T10:41:00.000-07:00

Just a few more classes left this week then that's the end of our term...always very sad when we say goodbye to good friends, but the majority we are seeing again in September, and a good handful are coming along to our summer camp programme aswell.

Over the summer try having 'conversations' with your baby. Mm, but what if your baby is just weeks or months old? Baby learns the art of conversation from the adults in her life. When speaking to baby, and it doesn't matter what you are 'chatting' about, remember to leave time for the response. You may get smiles, giggles or gurgles in response. Imitation sets the foundation for learning language, and these early 'chats' are the beginnings of your little ones's language development.

In our classes we use lots of activities which involve waiting for a response, its great to see the babies looking around in anticipation of the movement, song, dance beginning again. Just like in a conversation.

I've found a great site on my travels through the virtual world this week:

http://www.bizziebaby.co.uk/

check it out. Parents are encouraged to write reviews about everything and anything that they have tried and would like to pass on to other parents, what a great idea!

Wow, we have THE most reviews...

2010-06-29T15:47:00.000-07:00

I was asked earlier this week to write an article for a feature on familiesrecommend.co.uk, a wonderful site full of places to go, things to do, people to see...and Kindermusik With Suzanne has received the highest number of reviews on the whole site!! Amazing!

http://familiesrecommendblog.com/wordpress/

follow this link to read the article. Have a look at the familiesrecommend site aswell whilst you are there, is there anywhere you would like to recommend? It's fantastic to share with others your personal experiences of somewhere you have enjoyed, be it your hairdresser, favourite restaurant, or even favourite pre-school music class.

Suzanne

Where has this term gone?

2010-06-26T09:02:00.000-07:00

This term has seen some of our little ones, like Jude, finding their feet in their Village class and preparing to move up in September to Our Time...it's been quite exciting to watch them all!

The 'right' age to move from the baby class to the big boys and girls class is 18 months but do you know what? This term we've seen just how much our little ones can do in Village up to this age and beyond. We've even had some stay with us until almost 2 years, so when they do eventually make that move up their confidence levels are soaring and they are ready to participate in a whole new experience. As a parent we watch our children's development with eager anticipation..when will they sit, crawl, walk, talk....do the next thing. But let's remember to enjoy them while they are little, enjoy each individual development stage because it will pass so quickly. There is no rush for them to move on to the next stage, be it at a Kindermusik class, swimming class, nursery or even school. They need to be comfortable in their enviroment, and sometimes be the big boy or girl, before they leap quickly into the next developmental rockpool of life. Enjoy being a big fish sometimes, the next pool has even bigger fish in it.

Registrations are coming in thick and fast for September so remember to reserve your place in the class of your first choice before it fills up. Traditionally September is a busy month for new enrollments, which makes it a really exciting term for us all to welcome lots of new faces.

All weekday classes include coffee/tea and cakes so plenty of time to chat and make new friends, and then enjoy your Kindermusik class. Let your friends know so they can come along and join us too. Prices remain the same; £7 per class for Village and £8 per class for Our Time. These prices include your home materials of cd, books and instruments to use throughout our 13 week term, excellent value!! T-shirts and hoodies are available at the first class, you can also pre-order them to have your child's name printed on too, just drop me a line.

There will be a couple of postings over the summer so keep a look out for some great activities that you can use at home.

Suzanne

Registering for Summer Camps...

2010-04-20T11:59:00.001-07:00

Kindermusik Adventures Camps for 0-18 months & 1 1/2 - 4 years will be running all week from Monday 23rd August through to Friday 27th August for an hour and half each session; incorporating all your usual Kindermusik activities plus snack and chat time at the end.

Classes will be limited to twelve, names and payment will be taken in advance to secure your place. Early registration is absolutely essential, you will not be allowed to turn up on the day without prior booking.

For our Village groups we are running Busy Days: An extraordinary adventure with this collection of on-the-go, attention grabbing songs, dances and rhymes.

For Our Time groups we have Creatures At the Ocean: Ahoy matey! Come sail along on a musical journey filled with sleeping seashells, whimsical whales and sand in your sandals. Enjoy and discover the ocean as you sing, play and dance.

Registration for these classes is open now, please contact me as soon as possible to reserve your place. Its going to be a fantastic summer!!

2010-04-15T03:00:00.000-07:00

A handful of families have asked for the downloadable journals to go with last term (Dewdrops)

drop me a line and I'll send you the link.

there's lots of great ideas, quotes, foundations of learning statements, and if you print them out on to card and bind them with ribbon you can add your own observations and photos, it makes a lovely reminder of the term. Also all of the song words are included, which is handy!!

This term's Hickory Dickory Tickle & Bounce journal is:

another fantastic Kindermusik downloadable journal with home activities, song lyrics and somewhere for your observations and keepsakes.
Enjoy...

Suzanne
x

A brand new term and summer is on it's way....

2010-04-09T02:24:00.000-07:00

Well, the Easter holidays are just about over and Kindermusik classes begin again on Monday 12th April.

We've got so much to squeeze into this new term, the lessons are planned and ready; the Our Time groups are hopping, skipping, leaping and twirling. We've got hoops to march around, dots to stop on....its looking like lots of fun, but we know they are learning at the same time, and growing with confidence and independance. Thanks to the wonderful Pam Horden Photography for capturing this fantastic picture of one Our Timer and mummy.

In Village groups we've got Hickory Dickory Tickle and Bounce which really is as lovely as it sounds; bouncing, dancing, bubbles with lots of cuddles too. We enjoyed 'Come along and dance with me' at the end of last term as a gentle introduction to this new theme.

Extra sessions are being added all the time so if you've got friends to introduce then remember to drop me a line and enter them into our prize draw....I've got 5 vouchers this term giving away a whole month free of Kindermusik With Suzanne. All new enquiries should mention discount code KM/94 to receive a free gift when they enrol in April.

Have you registered your vote for Kindermusik in the national Whats On 4 Little Ones Awards as every vote counts, and voting ends in April.
http://www.whatson4littleones.co.uk/awards.asp

There's a great site to find lots of family friendly activities on, and when you've found your favourites you can leave recommendations to other parents...
http://www.familiesrecommend.co.uk/

See you soon!
x

Delighted to support Bailey's Bike Ride

2010-03-19T07:58:00.001-07:00

I was approached earlier this week and asked to offer support to a local upcoming bike ride raising funds for babies born too soon and sick, a very worthwhile cause. I then looked a little further at their website and realised the massive local support behind them, and the numbers of families who will benefit from their fundraising efforts, wow!

So please take a look at their website http://www.baileysbikeride.weebly.com/ and register to join them. It sounds like a wonderful fun day out with lots of activities planned, the main even bike ride and of course the knowledge that all funds raised will be helping many many families.

I'm even thinking of shaking the dust of my bike and joining in!

Well Done Kindermusik!!

2010-03-17T12:47:00.000-07:00

For the second consecutive year Kindermusik has been nominated in the national Whats On 4 Kids Awards... Best National Baby Development Activity & Best National Toddler & Pre-School Development Activity, and my wonderful families have also nominated me in the Most Outstanding Class Leader Category. We've all got fingers crossed....so please vote for Kindermusik.

We are almost at the end of our spring term so I guess we can reflect on the fun times we've had; songs, dances, bounces and relaxation. We've welcomed many new faces and tearfully waved farewell to others as they spread their wings and move on to big school and the hectic activity schedule that it brings. Many siblings have joined us, for the first time at their own class, instead of sitting in the corner at big brother or sister's group.

During lots of our activities this term we've included cuddles, and lots of them. Next term also brings even more cuddles, giggles, swinging, twirling and plenty of relaxation too. Our Village classes will be enjoying Hickory, Dickery, Tickle and Bounce - which is as lovely as it sounds. Whilst the Our Time classes will absolutely love our Kindermusik Adventures Confetti Days - with lots of stop/go, hopping and bouncing. Have you claimed your free gift yet? Recommend Kindermusik on netmums and you will receive a free cd of your choice. Introduce a friend? You get to choose a tambourine, bell or shaker too. Have you got a bunch of friends who'd like to come along? If 4 or more friends join us then your fees are completely free, how's that for beating the credit crunch!!

Final words....'A good laugh is sunshine in a house' William Thackeray.

Tel: 01661 872468 Mobile: 07766 705546 Email: szidun@aol.com

Summer Term schedule:

Village: Monday 1pm, Thursday 2pm, Friday 9:30am, Saturday 11:15am

Our Time: Monday 2pm, Thursday 1pm, Friday 10:45am, Saturday 9:15am & 10:15am

Sharing good news...

2010-02-01T14:24:00.000-08:00

Don't you just love sharing good news?

One of our lovely Kindermusik mummies emailed this to me today, I know she won't mind me sharing it....

"I just wanted to email you with this......

Yesterday we had our Dewdrops CD playing and there was a moment when Ewan clearly stopped playing with his toy and was really concentrating on the music, at the point in the song when we would usually dance into the middle and wave at each other (Hi Ho Hi Ho Hi Ho), Ewan started to gently wave his hand. He'd definitely made the association with the music and the action, and this was the first time he'd properly waved!! I know he's due to learn to wave at this point in his development, but I was more amazed at the association he'd made, without any egging on from me, purely what he'd picked up on in class.

So thank you very much, I don't suppose you'll witness any waving on Friday though - he'll be too busy watching everything thats going on!"

I LOVE emails like this!!!! And I LOVE that parents have these special moments at home. During our class is when we are all learning, socialising and having fun, its at home when you see just how much has been absorbed. Week by week, month by month and year by year.....

At the end of last term I waved goodbye, very tearfully, to one of my very first Kindermusik babies, from just weeks old....... now he's a 'big boy' heading off for school. We've now got little brothers and sisters joining us, following in the footsteps of their siblings....going from sitting in the corner in car seat to joining in with their very own Kindermusik class.

For all expectant mums; I've just discovered two lovely places that you can go:

check out: http://www.bumpmassage.co.uk/

and http://www.fitbackandbumps.co.uk/

start off as you mean to go on.... A Good Beginning Never Ends....

2010-01-20T01:51:00.000-08:00

According to the latest research three major factors in early learning environments lead to competency in adulthood: rich sensory environments, freedom to explore and available parents. Well no-one ever said that parenting was easy, and oh boy are there many challenges thrown at us, but by actively joining in with your small person in your own personal way you are providing this enrichment and lifetime encouragement which can only benefit you both. Do take note that children have different learning styles; whilst some are very hands on and are happy to leap, skip, hop and roll with minimal adult intervention others prefer to observe first, measure the information and bring it out gradually perhaps at home or at a future class. By using your home materials you will both become familiar with your Kindermusik programme but remember don't just keep it in the car, enjoy the dances too!
Invite a friend along to class so you can share all that Kindermusik brings to your family, and you'll receive a great cd as a thank you from me.

Classes are running Monday through to Saturday every week during termtime, drop me a line to chat more and we will discuss which class is best for you and your little one. Email szidun@aol.com or telephone 07766 705546 .

A brand new year.

2010-01-13T09:36:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to all our bloggers, and all Kindemusik families. The start of 2010 brings another exciting new term full of fun, laughter, singing, dancing and friends. A new year usually brings with it resolutions, my own resolution is to update this blog a lot more often! Do feel free to add your own thoughts, I regularly get so many great emails from our lovely families letting me know how they love to 'Kindermusik' at home. Over the summer I know many of you 'Jing Jang'ed around your homes, last term we 'Wishy Washy'ed to our hearts content, I wonder what our favourites are going to be this term?

"Every class is a room full of our future"

Michael Dougherty

President, Kindermusik International

I look at our little people in class, and wonder what 2010 holds for them? Each exciting development stage, from first smiles to first steps, first spoken words to first written words...

Together we are sharing these early years and taking enormous pleasure in watching these children blossom in every way possible. Fact is: A good beginning never ends.

Music is in each and every one of us.

2009-07-05T04:44:00.000-07:00

'I can only think of music as something in every human being - a birthright. Music co-ordinates mind, body, and spirit. That doesn't mean each person must have a violin or piano: the greatest service to society would be if every school day began with singing. If people sing or play together they have a feeling of individual co-ordination aswell as co-ordination within the body of the group'.
- Yehudi Menuhin.

As this term closes it allows us all time to reflect on what has been an exciting 14 weeks; this term has seen many of our families enjoy wedding days, new babies safely delivered and lots more on their way - what a busy year!
So many families have introduced friends and their children to the delights of Kindermusik, and for that I am very grateful. I see our classes growing in confidence and ability each term, and I hope as we move forwards to 2010 that even more friends and family come to join us and experience the lifelong fun, friendship and learning that Kindermusik provides.

I hope that through this blog we can share thoughts, ideas and inspiration.....There will be regular home activity suggestions, thought provoking quotes and many Foundations of Learning statements designed to guide you through these early years with much fun, laughter and special time together.

Just one more thought to leave you with:

Children learn what they live:

If a child lives with criticism, she learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility, she learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule, she learns to be shy.
If a child lives with shame, she learns to feel guilt.
If a child lives with tolerance, she learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement, she learns confidence.
If a child lives with praise, she learns to appreciate.
If a child lives with fairness, she learns justice.
If a child lives with security, she learns to have faith.
If a child lives with approval she learns to like herself.
If a child lives with acceptance, she learns to find love in the world.

Not my words, unfortunately, but so true!

Finally, a huge thanks to everyone who kindly donated on my Just Giving page; I completed the 10km Midnight Walk on Saturday in just over 2 hours and had a fantastic time, saw lots of familiar faces along the way and felt quite proud that I had participated in something so worthy. Definitely going to do it again next year, so perhaps we can put together a Kindermusik Mums & Dads team? Aswell as giving an incentive to burn a few calories and get out walking more I believe that the walk raised over £100,000 for St Oswalds Hospice - a fantastic result! Its not too late to donate, please check out the following link and donate as little as £5, or even more if you prefer.

http://www.justgiving.com/kindermusik1

Look out for the next blog, with some great home extension activities from Fiddle-dee-dee and Rhythm of My Day.
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