Kindermusik with Tabby

Zoo Train Polls

2010-07-18T11:27:00.000-07:00

As part of Kindermusik's commitment to quality, our parent company, Kindermusik International has created 5 polls about the Adventures curriculum "Zoo Train" - Each survey should take less than 2 minutes to complete.

Zoo Train Survey 1 http://tinyurl.com/2u5xtfh
Zoo Train Survey 2 http://tinyurl.com/39bmrqw
Zoo Train Survey 3 http://tinyurl.com/35rec5w
Zoo Train Survey 4 http://tinyurl.com/2eaf889
Zoo Train Survey 5 http://tinyurl.com/28abw2y

The Job Jar

2010-07-02T18:29:00.000-07:00

We are deep in the throes of summer vacation around here, and with the onset of these "lazy days" most parents find their children behaving badly in one way or another. Sometimes, it's simple boredom that turns your normally sweet girl into a whiny mess. Others, it's sibling bickering that has you tearing at your hair, or maybe even being asked for the 20th time in 10 minutes if we can go to so-and-so's house to play. In any case, we all need new strategies for dealing with these behavioral back-hands.

As a mom, I've read a lot of books and articles about parenting techniques and disciplinary strategies. Some have worked for us, and some have not. As an early childhood educator, I have read even more books and articles about child development, classroom management, and disciplinary strategies, and some have worked for me, and some haven't. But about a month ago, I stumbled upon an idea for a jar, sort of like a "swear jar" only instead of putting money in it for swearing, we would take a job out of it every time someone said "I'm bored" during the summer vacation.

I was doing the dishes and found a spaghetti sauce jar (we buy the one that comes in mason jars) and cleaned it out. I scrubbed the label off, and put a home-made label on, and filled it with simple chores that everyone in the house could do. I threw in a couple of fun things just to keep things interesting. I had heard of another mom using the word "party" to describe chores - laundry party, garbage party, etc. So I put some of that in the list. I added "Hug Party - hug everyone in the house at this moment" and a few others like it. I also added about a dozen each of "pick up 10 pieces of trash and throw them away," "clean the garage for 5 minutes," and even a couple of "sit in time out in the front hall for 10 minutes" among the other simple chores like wiping the bathroom counter, putting away 1 basket of folded laundry, gathering toys from shared areas of the house and putting them away.

I posted a photo of the jar on Facebook today and got a lot of responses, so I thought I would describe it more in-depth here. The bowl next to the jar holds the completed jobs. The purpose of the jar has also evolved since the kids returned from their trip to Grandma's house and Disneyland for two weeks - now it's not just "I'm BORED" that gets you a job - it's whining, or asking for something repeatedly after being told NO (aka badgering), or arguing with your brother, or making annoying sounds after being asked to stop.

We've been using it this way for three days now, and I can tell you - the amount of yelling I've been doing has decreased considerably, and the general attitude has gotten much better. The kids are told to get a job when they act up. If they complain about getting a job, they get a second job. Sophie got up to 6 jobs yesterday in one tantrum before she caught on. Luckily, she drew the "Hug Party" tag and it made her laugh and snap out of it, or we might have emptied the whole jar ;) Today, she got up to 3 because she lied about something twice in a row, but she was able to stop a tantrum mid-wail in the car in order to avoid more jobs.

So to all you flustered moms out there, I say that it's time to put those kids to work! Tell them to GET A JOB! :D

Here are some sample jobs. I printed them on one sheet of paper in a 3-column document in word. I broke them into small chunks that take less than 5 minutes for most of them.

Clean up the garage for 5 minutes
Pick up 10 pieces of trash
Empty the *ROOM NAME* trash
Clean the Kitchen table and wash it
Clean the coffee table and wash it
Straighten the kids’ bookshelf
Hanger Party: *CLOSET NAME*
(hanger party means gather all empty hangers)
Laundry Party: gather dirty clothes and put in your hamper
Clean the kids’ toilet
Clean the kids’ bathtub
Clean the kids counter and sink
Dust for 5 minutes

Support Kindermusik Scholarships!

2010-06-19T13:35:00.000-07:00

I have been fortunate enough to have my students chosen as recipients of the Ruth D. Anderson fund for the past two years. I just submitted my application for the third year, and your donations help to bring Kindermusik to deserving students around the world. Please take a look at the items for auction, or make a cash donation using your paypal account. Thanks!

http://www.idonatetocharity.org/store/Kindermusik/

Congratulations, Young Child Graduates!

2010-06-01T21:30:00.001-07:00

Today was the final class for my first group of "graduating" kids, who are moving on from Kindermusik to other activities. When I first became licensed as a Kindermusik Educator, I had no idea what to expect. My first year, I had less than a dozen students, and struggled to keep up with the demands of memorizing so many lesson plans in addition to my regular private lessons and my job as Korben and Sophie's mom. My first two classes were Toddlers in Our Time (Sophie's class) and Kids in Young Child, which included Korben and my good friend Carrie's twins. The second year, I didn't have enough interest to make a Young Child 3 group, so I called Lisa Arriaga at Sing and Play Fine Arts in Pearland to see if she was offering YC 3, and she said, "I'll offer it if you'll come teach it!" I didn't want Korben to miss out, so I jumped at the chance, and I really enjoyed teaching a fun group of girls... and Korben. At the end of the fall, the girls all decided to switch to Piano. Korben's been studying piano in addition to KM since he was 4, so I was disappointed that he wouldn't get to learn the recorder in Kindermusik class.

Meanwhile, I began a new group of Young Child students on Semester 1 and 2, and that group stayed together through the first year, summer Adventures, and Semester 3. When they re-enrolled in Semester 4, I was thrilled! Korben is 7 now, so he was still young enough to join their class and finish the Young Child program. Another of my private students who was struggling with private instruction also joined the class for this final semester, and we have all had SO much fun this spring.

In order from left to right, I'd like to take a moment to share my favorite experiences with each of these kids. Sarah is the quietest in the class. She often will come and whisper to me what her choice for movement in our hello song is. She is also very sweet and has drawn me pictures and cards that I treasure, and is quite the artist. She is the most musical of all the kids in the class, and practices with dedication that will serve her well as she begins to study piano. Andy is the class clown. He likes to be the center of attention, and I see a career in performance in his future. He is highly intelligent and curious, and has kept me on my toes. Bailey just joined us this spring, but she is very quick to learn all the new songs we sing. She has a great ear and a big voice for someone so small, and she really enjoyed being in a group setting. Korben is the oldest in the group, and he struggled at times with the job of being a good example for the other kids, as not only the oldest, but the teacher's son. He had the easiest time playing the recorder, since he had a whole year of development on most of the kids. Jordan is my silly sweetheart. She likes to joke around, but she also is the most physically affectionate of the class. She would be happy just to sit in my lap, no matter what we were doing.

As a voice teacher, I am amazed at how much the children's voices developed over the course of their Kindermusik experience. Without exception, all of the children who graduated today are able to sing accurately on pitch. Jordan's mom said, "I don't know where she got it from! It certainly wasn't me." Well, I know where Jordan got it from... Kindermusik! The best part about it is that the kids don't even realize that they're learning to sing accurately - they think we're just playing games. They think it's super fun, and sing all kinds of songs to our simple melodies from class, and that practices that skill of singing on pitch.

I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to know and love these children. I will miss having them as students, and I know that they will be more successful in all their future educational endeavors for having taken Kindermusik, regardless of whether they're studying music or math. I look forward to having many more graduating classes in the coming years, but this first class will always hold a special place in my heart.

Summer Classes Enrolling Now - begin June 8th

2010-05-25T23:54:00.000-07:00

First Act FA554 Discovery Band in a Bucket

Why enroll in Kindermusik?

People ask me all the time, "What is Kindermusik, anyway?" The easy answer is that Kindermusik is a music and movement program for kids. This doesn't even begin to tell the story of what Kindermusik is, and what it means to me and millions of families around the world. Kindermusik is a place where you and your child can come to play, learn, bond, and grow, as a family, as a child, as a parent. In the classroom we make friends, learn to share, when to stop, how to slow down and have a quiet moment. Many kids take their first two-footed leap off the floor in my classroom, which is a happy memory for us all. Many parents find cameraderie and reassurance in meeting other parents and sharing their experiences. On top of all this, in the Kindermusik classroom, we learn using all of our senses and begin to develop and nurture our future musicians, and create a lifelong love of learning.

Won't you join us for a class?

I am offering morning classes at the Martial Arts Center in the Towne Square Plaza at FM 528 and Townes Road (just down the plaza from where I teach private music lessons at Harmony Music Studio). Afternoon classes are in the preschool gym at Acrosports. Popular classes at both locations are listed and linked to in the column on the right of this message, or you can click on the link below to see the complete list. Scroll down to the bottom if you don't see the location you're looking for immediately.

Popular Classes These classes have several children enrolled already and are highly likely to make enrollment for summer.

Tuesday 10:00 am
Family Time @ CMA
(0-7 years)

Tuesday 2:15 pm
Preschool Adventures
(3-5 years) @ Acrosports

Wednesday 10:00 am
Toddler Adventures @ CMA
(1.5-3 years)

Wednesday 1:30 pm
Toddler Adventures
(1.5-3 years) @ Acrosports

Wednesday 3:00 pm
Kids' Adventures
(5-7 years) @ Acrosports

Thursday 1:30 pm
Babies' Adventures
(0-18 months) @ Acrosports

There are other classes scheduled which may make enrollment. A class must have at least 3 children enrolled for the summer to make enrollment.

Search Amazon.com for musical instruments for kids

Photos from the Village

2010-05-13T19:01:00.000-07:00

Today, one of the moms in my Village class, which has grown to 9 kids (!) brought her camera and snapped a bunch of pictures during class. Here's one of my favorites:

You can view more photos from today on my Picasa Gallery here:

Village Spring 2010

Don't forget to vote for CCISD Trustee tomorrow!

2010-05-07T11:39:00.000-07:00

My good friend, neighbor, and Kindermusik Parent, Star Lazarow is running for the CCISD Trustee position on the school board. I have been there to watch her battle with the school and the board to make sure that her son, who has Autism Spectrum Disorder, receives the necessary educational care he deserves, and that expectations are not "dumbed down" for the special needs children in his Pre-K class at the elementary school for our neighborhood.

Apparently, one of the elected Trustees, whose position is not at-large this election, has been acting as a bully, anonymously, on the Houston Chronicle's Ultimate Clear Lake website, trying to push people to keep Ann Hammond, the incumbent Trustee, in office. He has used insults, sarcasm, and cynicism to try and convince readers that Ann Hammond is the only choice for Trustee, and that we're all wasting "the taxpayers' money" by even holding an election.

I support Star's platform, because she wants to give CCISD parents like me, and like most of my Kindermusik families, a stronger voice on the school board - a voice that they know will acknowledge their concerns, which has not been the case with the current trustees. She believes in many of the same ideals as I do as a parent and also as an early childhood educator - that children all deserve the best start that we can give them, whether that means universal pre-k programs for everyone, increased allowances for special needs like occupational, speech, and music therapy, or just more rigorous research into the residences of registered sex offenders when establishing bus stops for our students.

I would never presume to tell anyone else how they should vote. However, I will always urge everyone to get out and exercise your right TO vote. Election day is tomorrow, May 8th. Get out and vote, if you haven't already!

You can read more about Star at her website: Vote for Star ** Star's Political Facebook Page
Other CCISD Trustee Election Articles:
** Ultimate Clear Lake ** Galveston Daily News ** Guidry News ** CCISD Election Info ** Friendswood Journal News **

Registration Error

2010-05-05T18:16:00.000-07:00

I have received word from several folks that the online registration isn't working correctly at this time. I will take a look at it as soon as I have time. In the meantime, if you want to reserve your spot, please email me your details and I'll set you up with a tentative registration to hold your place until you can make payment.

Send to tabbyfoo at gmail.com with the following info to register:
Class day/time/location
Child's first & last name
Child's Date of Birth
Parent's First & last name
Phone number

First child's tuition is $132 at the Martial Arts Center, and $48/month at Acrosports, with materials varying between $35 and $60. depending on the class and the number of children. Sibling discounts are also available and vary by location.

I will send you a confirmation once I have you in the system. Thanks for your patience!

Summer offerings expanded!

2010-04-29T21:41:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to announce that I'm partnering with the Christian Martial Arts Center to be able to expand my Kindermusik class times to include morning classes!

The morning classes will be held at the Christian Martial Arts Center, which just opened in the same plaza where Harmony Music Studio is located. Here's a snapshot of the schedule for summer. Click the "enroll now" button below it to sign up online!

**** PLEASE NOTE!!! ****

I have received word from several folks that the online registration isn't working correctly (FOR CLASSES AT THE MARTIAL ARTS CENTER ONLY) at this time. I will take a look at it as soon as I have time. In the meantime, if you want to reserve your spot, please email me your details and I'll set you up with a tentative registration to hold your place until you can make payment.

Send to tabbyfoo at gmail.com with the following info to register for MORNING classes:
Class day/time/location
Child's first & last name
Child's Date of Birth
Parent's First & last name
Phone number

To register for AFTERNOON classes at Acrosports, please visit http://www.acrosports.com

First child's tuition is $132 at the Martial Arts Center, and $48/month at Acrosports, with materials varying between $35 and $60. depending on the class and the number of children. Sibling discounts are also available and vary by location.

I will send you a confirmation once I have you in the system. Thanks for your patience!

News Update! Summer class schedule and descriptions

2010-03-28T23:50:00.000-07:00

Enroll for Summer by April 1 and save $10!

Sign up for your summer Kindermusik class by April 1, 2010 and save $10 off your summer tuition. Tuition for summer is $143 for 11 weeks of classes. This summer, our classes will meet in the smaller west gym at Acrosports, and we will use room dividers to block off a classroom area with minimal distractions to keep the kids focused on what we're doing in class. Please see the section below on Class Descriptions for materials fee information.

Enroll Directly Online!
Enroll online by visiting the Summer 2010 Schedule page at kmTabby.com.

Summer Class Unit Descriptions & Materials
Babies: "Peek-A-Boo! I Love You!" -newborn to 1.5 years -- More than just a curious story, Mother Goose games like peek-a-boo help babies understand language. In this special camp, uncover more ways to say "I love you" using American Sign Language, soap bubbles, and parent-baby dances. Plus, parents can meet with other newborns and families in the community and learn how music improves the child development process.
Home Materials: $35 first child, $60 two or more, payable to the instructor at your first class. Includes Peek-A-Boo! I Love You! board book, Home CD, duck wash mitt, baby duck Gertie ball, and poster.

Toddlers: "Zoo Train!" -1.5 years to 3 years old -- Toddlers and trains make a natural match-always on the move. Tag along this summer with a traveling zoo train. Bring your own stuffed animals for the petting zoo. Wear long white socks on your hands for polar bear paws and learn about real animals in the zoo. Sing songs for clapping time, and use music to help toddlers regulate emotions.
Home Materials: $35 first child, $60 two or more, payable to the instructor at your first class. Zoo Train book, Home CD, animal shaker instrument, and poster.

Preschool: "On the Road" -3 years to 5 years -- Re-live your childhood, with your child. Every song is likely to revive a memory from your summers' past. Play "Eye Spy" and find shapes in the clouds to pass the time. Take imaginary trips in a bus named "Van Go" to fun-filled vacation destinations such as the carnival, a summer cottage, and the beach.
Home Materials: $35 first child, $60 two or more, payable to the instructor at your first class. On the Road book, Home CD, frog guiro instrument, and poster.

Kids: "Tell Me a Tale" -4 years to 7 years -- Through storytelling, children will develop an early awareness of rhythm, movement, singing, and drama. Each lesson features a new tale from around the world, explored through multi-instrument and multi-cultural elements. All told, it's an around-the-imagination adventure of the greatest stories from Europe, Malaysia, South Africa, and more.
Home Materials: $35 first child, $60 two or more, payable to the instructor at your first class. Tell Me a Tale book, Home CD, pair of lumi sticks instrument, and poster.

Family Time: "Here, There and Everywhere" -newborn to 7 years ---the five sub-themes center around different family outings: a visit with a friend, an outing at the park, a trip to the city, an afternoon at the aquarium, and a day on the farm. Move like animals with this unit's story Flip-Flap, Sugar Snap! And follow a girl's adventure as she loses her jambourine during the day's outings and then finds it in the story Jingle-Jangle Jambourine.
Home Materials: $70 per family, payable to the instructor at your first class. Two Books-Flip-Flap, Sugar Snap! and Jingle-Jangle Jambourine, Two Home CDs, Family Guide, board game, Waggs the dog hand puppet and finger puppet, and two jambourine instruments.

Baby Massage

2010-03-25T06:01:00.001-07:00

One of the core components of the Village curriculum for babies is massage. I know that seems like a strange thing to be doing in a music class, but there are so many benefits to intentional touch! We work on developing the skills of the whole child, not just musical skills, so massage is right up our alley.

Here's a great article from Parents.com about some of the benefits of massage for your baby.

"When you give your baby a massage, you're actually stimulating her central nervous system," explains Tiffany Field, PhD, director of the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine. "That sets off a chain reaction: It makes her brain produce more serotonin, a feel-good chemical, and less cortisol, a hormone that's secreted in response to stress. As a result, your baby's heart rate and breathing slow down, and she becomes more relaxed. "

Summer Classes 2010

2010-03-23T17:59:00.000-07:00

Summer Kindermusik @ Acrosports - serving League City, Friendswood, Webster, and the greater Clear Lake area.

Momotarosan

2010-03-15T17:06:00.000-07:00

Students in my Young Child Semester 4 class work on developing their 4-part ensemble for the Japanese folksong, Momotarosan.

Growing pains

2010-03-07T10:59:00.000-08:00

As I'm sure many of you have noticed if you've been coming to classes at Acrosports, there have been some growing pains involved in moving to the new locations. There are some pretty awesome bonuses, but there have also been some significant snags. But not to worry! Solutions are in the works.

One of the issues we've faced with the upstairs classroom is that it is a truly multi-purpose room, and also is the only way to access the single upstairs bathroom, which we didn't realize would be an issue until AFTER we'd moved classes. I have to move furniture and cover toys before each class, and move the furniture back and re-set the toys when each class is done, which is a significant task all in itself, and keeping the kids interested and focused when we've been in the large east gym has been another challenge.

I've really enjoyed the greater freedom having more space has meant to my classes, however, and the people I'm working with at Acrosports have all been so friendly and wonderful that it makes the snags seem like pinholes instead of full-on stocking runs. Having Sophie with me at work but not with me in all my classes has also been great. She feels more secure knowing I'm near, but I am able to focus on teaching at the same time.

So, with these good things in mind, I am working with Mrs. Amy (director of AcroKid s Academy) to find a location within the gym complex that can be subdivided off from everything else and make truly my own space. To that end, we are looking at one corner of the preschool gym that is mostly neglected and relegated to "stuff storage" and over spring break, we are planning to repurpose the space to become the Kindermusik classroom. If any of you would like to volunteer to help set up and organize the classroom, please let me know!

This is the part that we're hoping to make into my classroom. We plan to add "walls" to separate this area from the rest of the gym, and I will probably rearrange the floor tiles to make a singing circle. Share your thoughts!

Spring 2010 Class Schedule

2010-02-24T21:56:00.000-08:00

Tuition listed is MONTHLY and does not include required materials fee. If you have questions, please contact Acrosports at 281-332-4496.

Updated information

2010-02-14T22:33:00.000-08:00

I have updated the class information and added/changed a few classes on the schedule. Please click on the "class schedule" link above to view the available classes.

Please remember that when you click the "enroll now online" button, it just reserves your place in class. You will still need to register at Acrosports and make your payment to them at the time of registration. They offer payment plans and sibling/multi-class discounts as well, and I have added a link to their site in the navigation of this page. Please let me know if you have any questions!

Tabby

First week of Music Class is complete.

2010-02-13T19:12:00.001-08:00

Well, we've made it to the end of the first official week of classes, and the schedule is starting to fall into place. So far, the most popular classes are:

ABC Music & Me (AcroKids ONLY)
Mondays 1:00 pm in the rear upstairs classroom
Tuesdays 12:30 pm in the east gym

Village (babies) in the east gym
Thursdays 12:30 pm

Our Time (toddlers)in rear upstairs classroom
Tuesdays 11:00 am
Thursdays 9:00 am (may move to 9:30)

Young Child (4-5 years) in rear upstairs classroom
Tuesdays 2:00 pm

Young Child (6-7 years) at HMS
Tuesdays 5:30 pm (FULL)

If you'd like to come try one of these classes (aside from the ones marked FULL) please send me an email at tabbyfoo at gmail dot com or call Acrosports at 281-332-4496 to sign up for a FREE trial class.

I am still trying to put together a Monday morning Imagine That (3-5 years) class at 10:00. If you're interested in that class, please email or call me directly at 713-306-4023.

If the scheduled class times conflict with your schedule, I will add a class at any available time if there are 3 families ready to enroll, so invite your friends!

Momotarosan (Young Child Semester 4)

2010-02-08T20:30:00.000-08:00

This week, we'll be learning a Japanese Folk Tale about a boy named Momotaro-san, and some music that goes along with the tale. This YouTube video has some of the story and music in it, but it's not exactly the same as what we'll do in class. It's

If you really want to get into it, this one is entirely in Japanese!

And for even more fun, here are some Japanese kids performing a play about Momotaro-san in English class.

Monday Morning 3-5 year old class

2010-02-08T08:07:00.001-08:00

I am trying to pull together a Monday AM 3-5 year old class at Acrosports. If you would be interested in joining this class, please email me at tabbyfoo at gmail dot com and let me know what time would work best for you.

FOL Friday!

2010-01-29T21:12:00.001-08:00

A few months ago I said I was going to do a neat blog feature and call it "FOL Friday" and then I promptly got caught up in the whirlwind of my life and forgot about it for a while. Well, I didn't really forget, I just didn't make time to DO it. But now I am going to!

So, I bring you the first set of Fun, Fantastic, Fabulous "Foundations of Learning" Fridays! And I'm going to throw in some quotes from my Kindermusik teacher manuals that are provided as inspiration, as well.

“Parenthood brings as much joy as ever, but it still brings boredom, exhaustion, and sorrow too. Nothing else will ever make you as happy or as sad, as proud or as tired, for nothing is quite as hard as helping a person develop his individuality – especially while you struggle to keep your own.” – Elia Parsons

Stop and Start: Baby enjoys “stop and go” games. The element of surprise delights her at first. As she becomes familiar with the activity, she will enjoy anticipating the stops and starts, understanding the structure of the music in much the same way as she understands spoken language prior to speaking it.

Barefoot: Barefoot is best for baby. Baby learns through his senses, especially on the bottoms of the feet.

“What are we doing here? We’re reaching for the stars.” – Christa McAuliffe

Self-Awareness: Singing a welcome song acknowledges Baby’s developing self-awareness by addressing her individually. It also encourages social interaction by inviting her to respond with a greeting – whether that be to look, coo, or wave for the first time. You may find that Baby learns new behaviors from singing this song each week.

“A mother understands what a child does not say.” – Jewish Proverb

I hope to share more fun and educational ideas and activities with you in class soon! Remember, the free preview week is Feb 2, 3 and 4 at Acrosports Kids Center in Webster!

Ready to enroll?

2010-01-21T20:38:00.000-08:00

Remember, I'm having FREE classes all week on Feb 2, 3, and 4th! Call Acrosports to RSVP for one of the free classes, if you haven't enrolled already! 281-332-4496

Online Enrollment Solution

2010-01-10T20:52:00.000-08:00

I have figured out a solution to the question of how to handle online registrations between 3 locations, and now you can sign up online using Kindermusik.com's class locator. You will not be asked to pay at the time of registration, but instead will need to bring payment to the location of your class. Payments should be made out to the location name where your class is being held. There may be additional forms you'll have to fill out at the specific location where your class is being offered, but this should at least allow everyone to reserve their spot in class!

Class Schedule

Here is the link for classes at ACROSPORTS:
http://kindermusik.com/Classes/EZEnroll/Step1SelectClasses.aspx?t=114891&tl=STUDIO4

Here is the link for classes at SING AND PLAY:
http://kindermusik.com/Classes/EZEnroll/Step1SelectClasses.aspx?t=114891&tl=STUDIO5

Here is the link for Young Child Semester 4 (at Harmony) limited to 6 children:
http://kindermusik.com/Classes/EZEnroll/Step1SelectClasses.aspx?t=114891&tl=STUDIO6

All payments will need to be made to the location where classes are being held, but at least now you can sign up online! :) Also, if you have any friends who might be interested in signing up for Kindermusik, please invite them to join us. At Acrosports and Harmony, the first week of February is the FREE Demonstration week, so bring a friend to class and share the fun. :)

Thanks so much!
-Tabby

Spring Class Schedule

2009-12-26T14:43:00.001-08:00

As many of you know, I will be moving my classes around for the spring semester. The Friendswood/Clear Lake classes will be moving to Acrosports beginning February 1, 2010, and Pearland classes will be moving to Sing & Play Fine Arts beginning January 19, 2010.

Here is the tentative class schedule (Click the location name for registration information):

SING AND PLAY CLASSES: Mondays Only
Our Time for Toddlers 1.5-3 years - 9:15-10:00 am
Imagine That for Preschoolers 3-5 years - 10:15-11:00 am

ACROSPORTS CLASSES: Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday
Village for Babies 0-18 months
Tues 9:00-9:45 am
Tues 12:30-1:15 pm
Wed 11:00-11:45 am
Thurs 10:00-10:45 pm

Family Time for all ages
Tuesday 10:00-10:45 am
Wednesday 9:00-9:45 am
Thursday 1:45-2:30 pm

Our Time for Toddlers 1.5-3 years
Tuesday 11:00-11:45 am
Wednesday 10:00-10:45 am
Wednesday 12:30-1:00 pm
Thursday 9:00-9:45 am
Thursday 11:00-11:45 am

Imagine That for Preschoolers 3-5 years
Wednesday 1:45-2:30 pm

Young Child for children 4.5-7 years
Tuesday 1:45-2:15 pm (Sem 1/2)
Tuesday (TBA) (Sem 3/4)

I like elephants!

2009-12-26T12:07:00.000-08:00

My kids loved this video that my friend Dorota, of Laughing Starfish Jewelry, suggested for us. Both chanted "Again! Again! Play it again, mom!"

You can download the song here for 99 cents:

Or buy the whole album for less than $10!

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-25T22:45:00.001-08:00

Here's hoping that your family had as happy a holiday as mine! See you the first week in January.

2009-12-15T14:51:00.000-08:00

Ms. Tabby wishes you and your family the happiest of holidays.

There are no classes during winter break from Friday, December 18 to Monday, January 3. Kindermusik classes resume on Tuesday, January 4 per the regular schedule.

Jingle all the way!

Dies of the cute

2009-12-11T07:14:00.000-08:00

I am totally laughing hysterically at this one, and dying of the cute all at the same time.

My Brilliant Brain: Born Genius

2009-12-07T16:07:00.000-08:00

I was sick a few weeks ago with a stomach bug, and I spent the day in bed watching one of the Discovery networks. I love to watch educational programming because I have an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. This was one of the programs I saw, and it was so amazing and fascinating and touching. I found it on YouTube when looking for videos of Marc Yu to show some of my students what is possible when you practice piano 8 hours a day. I made a playlist of all 5 segments of the program - it's almost an hour long, but worth watching in every way. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Spring Class Schedule Survey Time!

2009-11-17T21:17:00.001-08:00

Please take a moment to fill out the spring semester scheduling survey to help me find the times that you guys need for classes.

Spring Schedule Survey - Click Here!

Missing Post...

2009-11-17T20:37:00.000-08:00

I had typed up a really awesome FOL Friday post on Friday, but my computer ate it. I've been having connection problems, and while I could have sworn I saved the post as a text file on my desktop, it is no longer there. SO I will have to do double duty this Friday. Sorry!

Molly Lewis's Poker Face

2009-11-12T12:44:00.000-08:00

Suprising as it may seem, we don't exclusively listen to Kindermusik songs in my car. I have a guilty addiction to stupid pop music, too. Lady Gaga's "Poker Face" is a current favorite, and my kids do a hilarious rendition that includes the lyrics, "Cutie pie, cutie pie, oh you can't eat mine! Poke her face!" LOL.

Anyway, this awesome young musician named Molly Lewis, who is only 19 and a great songwriter and performer, has released this fun cover of the song, in which she performs all the bits of the song herself. Wil Wheaton linked it first, but I'm happy to jump on his bandwagon.

Super Exciting News!!!

2009-11-11T13:18:00.000-08:00

I am so excited to announce that beginning in February, my Clear Lake area classes will be moving to the AcroSports Kids Center, which is located just off of I-45 at Nasa Rd 1/FM 528. I am very much looking forward to working with Amy and Kay there to add Kindermusik to their already diverse offerings. If you'd like to read more about AcroSports, please visit their website: http://www.acrosports.com

AcroSports Facility

Houston, we have liftoff

2009-11-08T19:23:00.000-08:00

The week before Halloween, I invited all the students to wear a costume to class. Many students did, and we had fun doing our normal class activites as princesses, witches, cats, baby cavemen and even astronauts. It was so much fun to get to share the magic of pretend play in a new and special way in class.

"When your child engages in pretend (or dramatic) play, he is actively experimenting with the social and emotional roles of life. Through cooperative play, he learns how to take turns, share responsibility, and creatively problem-solve. When your child pretends to be different characters, he has the experience of "walking in someone else's shoes," which helps teach the important moral development skill of empathy. It is normal for young children to see the world from their own egocentric point of view, but through maturation and cooperative play, your child will begin to understand the feelings of others. Your child also builds self-esteem when he discovers he can be anything just by pretending!" [1]

So much of what we do in Kindermusik revolves around these concepts and how they are essential to the development of the whole child. I love that so may children have their first experience with learning to share in my classroom, or learn to give up a treasured jingle when it's "time to put the instruments away" by watching the other children and modeling this helpful behavior after their peers.

On this post, you can see Astronaut Jonah floating in a field of egg shakers. You can visit the gallery of costumed kids on my facebook. Thank you all so much for allowing me to share in the joy of your growing children!

[1]http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=10175 : "The Importance of Pretend Play" by Ellen Booth Church

A "Girls' Night" at home...

2009-11-07T20:46:00.001-08:00

My husband took Korben to the Arcade Expo for the 4th year in a row tonight. They'll stay up way late playing old video games and have a blast. I asked Sophie if she wanted to go this year, and she said she'd rather stay at home with me. She is a mama's girl, for sure! I told her we could have our favorite dinner - penne with classico spicy tomato sauce - and watch a movie. She picked Disney's TinkerBell movie, which actually was leaps and bounds better than I expected. It had a good, innocent story. It had a moral. It was not a lot of drama and had educational value and some good old-fashioned Irish music. And it had Kristen Chenoweth in it! It's not every day that I find a "girly" kids movie that I actually like, so I wanted to make sure to note this one and provide a link to order it. I know Sophie will be getting a copy for Christmas this year!

New Feature: FOL Friday

2009-11-06T07:49:00.001-08:00

One of the core beliefs of Kindermusik's programs is that the parent is the child's first and best teacher. To that end, Kindermusik Educators all over the world use the activites in class to help educate the parents about their child's development and how the things we do in class help the children to learn and grow in so many ways. Kindermusik's term for this process is "Foundations of Learning" - also referred to as FOLs. From now on, I'm going to try to post a few FOLs from each week's classes to help share the wealth of knowledge. Here's an overview of what FOLs are...

Kindermusik Foundations of Learning® –
Understanding Your Child’s Development

Your Kindermusik educator understands your desire for education and information about your growing child. As you participate in Kindermusik class with your child each week, you may notice how your educator will pause briefly to point out how certain activities foster a particular aspect of your child’s development. These insights, based on the most recent research, are called Kindermusik Foundations of Learning.

For example, in Kindermusik Our Time, one activity calls for you and your toddler to listen to a recording of bath sounds, name the sounds and then imitate the sounds vocally. The Kindermusik Foundations of Learning (FOL) statement that correlates with this activity stresses the importance of active listening and language development.

What exactly is the purpose of these tidbits of information? Kindermusik has incorporated FOLs into every new curriculum to heighten your awareness of the value of every Kindermusik activity and the impact on your child’s development. In addition, Home Activity Books feature FOLs in connection with suggested activities to do at home, so your understanding continues even outside of the Kindermusik classroom.

Kindermusik Foundations of Learning draw from a wide diversity of research about how children learn. They follow the fundamental domains of child development: physical, cognitive, social, emotional. In addition, they give insight into musical and language development.

The insertion of direct parent education in and out of class is what separates Kindermusik from most other early childhood programs. Kindermusik works closely with consultants and experts in the fields of early childhood development, music, and movement to keep our curricula up-to-date and to bring you the latest information on fostering your child’s development.

In Class With Kindermusik Foundations of Learning

Kindermusik Village class activity
Old MacDonald: In this activity, parent and child are asked to “STOP” on the first “E” of the “E-I-E-I-O” phrase of the song each time they sing it.
FOL: Baby enjoys “stop and go” games such as this. The element of surprise delights her at first. As she becomes familiar with the activity, she will enjoy participating in the stops and starts. She is beginning to understand the structure of the music in much the same way as she understands spoken language prior to speaking it.

Kindermusik Our Time class activity
Wishy Washy Wee!: Parent and child sing this refrain and pretend to take a bath, while incorporating the use of sandblocks.
FOL: Eye-hand Coordination: Playing instruments, such as sandblocks with a back and forth alternating movement, gives the child an opportunity to develop eye-hand coordination. The eye leads the hand movements, so that the internal knowledge becomes the basis for the movement. This connection of movement with sight is essential in writing, drawing, playing an instrument, learning a sport or dancing.

Kindermusik Imagine That! class activity
Three Blue Pigeons: During Sharing Time, parents and children use finger plays to act out this song, pretending to be pigeons.
FOL: There is something magical about singing a song while playing with finger puppets, stuffed animals or hand puppets. The power and use of puppets fulfills many developmental needs of the preschooler and opens up the door to imagination and make-believe! Extending vocabulary, building self-esteem, exploring emotions, coordination of speech and movement – these are a few of the benefits associated with puppet play.

Sing and Learn

Have you ever watched a group of young children on the playground excitedly sing Ring Around the Rosey? Or observed a pre-schooler who has just mastered her ABCs, proudly singing them over and over? Maybe you’ve noticed your own child singing along with the radio. It’s evident – all children love to sing!

The voice is every child’s natural instrument and, therefore, an important part of learning and development. And many proponents of music education have long agreed that children can, and should, learn to sing.

Joyful participation in singing with family, friends and classmates, and through activities like Kindermusik, results in comprehending the beauty and expressiveness of the human voice. Children develop the ability to use their voice well in singing, chanting, reciting and reading aloud. It also encourages a lifelong love of music.

Singing is part of every Kindermusik class – whether it’s babies responding to music in Kindermusik Village® class or the pre-schooler learning simple songs in the upcoming Kindermusik Imagine That!™ Singing, integrated with movement, instrument play, literature, and pretend play, is a cornerstone of the Kindermusik experience.

The Young Singer

A newborn’s first singing experiences are really ones of rapt listening. The vocal chords are limited by lack of muscular development, but the ears already can differentiate one sound from another. At about one month, babies begin to enter the world of vocalization and take the first steps in learning to make sound (differentiated from the reflexive sounds of crying). The nurturing of a baby’s developing ability to produce sound, combined with keeping his hearing world full of a wide range of musical sounds, gives the foundation that assures the development of speaking, conversation and singing ability.

As a child approaches the toddler years, he will present many varying levels of vocal experience, development and confidence. Most children between 1 ½ to 3 years of age are in the stage of vocal development that some music specialists refer to as “approximation of singing.” First they will attempt to “imitate” a word, phrase, rhythm pattern or vocal inflection. A child may begin to make these imitative sounds out of context, singing or humming to himself while playing alone, using bits and pieces from the sounds they have heard in their environment.

Many parents worry because their child isn’t “singing in Kindermusik class,” but at home, he sings in the bathtub or playroom. Recognize the importance of this “musical play” – it is by “playing” that children master the muscular feel of producing a singing sound and come to realize that they can produce the kinds of sounds which are different from speech.

Once a child turns 3, his expressive language explodes. A 3- or 4-year-olds’s ability to be expressive in language extends to exploration of his many voices, singing songs in a limited range and emerging pitch accuracy. Singing helps with memory and recall, with physical development, creativity and socialization.

Make music – every day!

Unlike most other music programs for young children, Kindermusik is designed as an everyday musical experience. That’s why Kindermusik puts so much energy into creating high quality At Home materials that are second to none. Thoughtfully crafted sets of materials are purposefully incorporated to provide the most complete and the best possible musical learning experience available for the entire family.

Naturally, the centerpiece of each set of At Home materials is the music. Each home CD includes a powerful collection of music and activities. From longtime children’s favorites to multicultural songs, you and your child are continually introduced to a myriad of sounds, instruments, tones, lyrics, rhythms and more.

Each age-appropriate track on your Kindermusik Home CD is carefully selected in relationship to the overall theme of the various curricula. You’ll find songs for singing and songs for dancing. You’ll hear jazz music, classical recordings and just plain fun songs. From interactive tracks and foot-stomping rhythms to silly lyrics and quiet time lullabies, Kindermusik CDs offer something for everyone. And by utilizing world class, award-winning musicians, the Kindermusik stamp of quality remains unmistakable.

Ideas and music for Kindermusik CDs come from around the globe. Tracks include native folk songs from various countries, as well as many forms of traditional cultural music. Kindermusik recently recorded music from an eastern Indian group that utilizes a variety of delightful instruments that are rarely heard in any children’s recordings.

From Grammy winners to top-flight children’s choirs, Kindermusik leaves no stone unturned in its search for the right mix of music performed by the best vocalists and musicians available. Yet the real benefit comes in creating music that Kindermusik families around the world enjoy and want to play again and again – at home, in the car or wherever they go.

Following are some helpful and practical ideas for helping to make your child’s life even more musical:
• Play your At Home CD – Children love repetition and the more you play the CD together, the more your child will be comfortable with the songs and activities.
• Use your At Home CD and literature book to add music to your nightly bedtime story ritual.
• Sing to or sing along with your child. Sing to a pet or even a stuffed animal.
• Swing and sway to music, or dance through the water droplets of a sprinkler.
• Record your own songs and listen to your own voices and music.
• Vary your movements and instrument playing. Maintain a steady beat, move to a faster beat, then a slower beat.
• Discuss the music you hear. What does it sound like? What types of instruments do you hear?
• Sing or chant favorite tunes to help pass the time while waiting in line or while sitting in the pediatrician’s office.
• Explore musical sounds with home-made instruments, using boxes and other assorted containers, scrapers, shakers and jingles.
• Attend community concerts and other local musical events to give your child a taste of many types of music.
• Add music or songs to events and activities throughout your day – whether it’s wake-up time, play time, pick-up-the-toys time or bath time.

Most importantly, open up your Kindermusik Family Activity books and journals and expand the music and fun of Kindermusik throughout your week at home.

Music and Movement: The Keys to Learning

Music and movement are magical ingredients to learning for both parent and child. A baby’s first communication is through movement. A toddler will respond immediately to lively music with what seems to be humorous gyrations but to him are quite serious attempts to coordinate movement with rhythmic patterns. The young child seems to be moving constantly – leaping off couches, rolling down hills, and spinning around and around until she falls down in a giggling flop on the floor.

Our brains fully develop through movement activities such as crawling, rolling, turning, walking, skipping, reaching, swinging and much more. The brain has a plan for development that involves specific and intensive motor activities to make full use of our complicated nervous system. The nervous system of each human being must go through a series of developmental stages before the brain can operate at its full potential. All children “program” their motor and perceptual equipment, nerves and brain cells by using their whole body and all their senses.

Movement is fundamental for the development of the central nervous system but movement and rhythm are also essential for the development of the soul. When a parent moves with her infant, a special bonding takes place that is extremely important for social and emotional growth. When a parent sings to her child, not only are language skills being developed, but also a sense of love, comfort and harmony. The special touching, laughing and rhythmic moving that takes place in a music and movement class lays a very strong and much needed foundation for a happy, healthy and joyful life!

The Kindermusik curricula are especially designed to provide opportunities for infants, toddlers, pre-schoolers and young children to learn through interactive music and movement activities. Kindermusik class provides parents and children a variety of stimulating experiences that will be beneficial for everyone.

Movement activities are key components to all Kindermusik curricula:
• Intentional touch is designed to provide stimulation of the nervous system, relaxation and bonding.
• Activities involve unilateral, bi-lateral and cross-lateral movements that help develop the brain and muscles.
• Movement and dance steps allow the caregiver and child to experience different rhythms and locomotor movements.
• Synchronized dances develop sequencing, provide reassuring repetition and social interaction.
• Expressive movement provides variety, creativity and opposing feelings such as fast and slow, high and low.
• Rocking and swinging stimulate the vestibular system, which is so important to balance and even eye movement.
• Props, such as the “humongous” scarves, provide tactile and visual stimulation.

Kindermusik At Home materials extend these music and movement activities so you can explore, dance and sing at home. Only on Kindermusik CDs will you find such a wide diversity of musical styles from different cultures that evoke different types of movement.

Put on your Kindermusik CD at home and don’t worry about performing the dances the “right” way. Don’t even worry about right and left! Just move to the music and adapt and vary the steps if necessary so that you feel comfortable and have fun!

This article is adapted from the Nov/Dec 1999 issue of Kindermusik Notes and was originally written by Anne Green Gilbert, Director of the Creative Dance Center and Kaleidoscope Dance Company in Seattle, Washington, and a consultant for Kindermusik International

Virtual Previews...

2009-11-05T12:04:00.000-08:00

East Bay Kindermusik has put together some phenomenal videos that are a "virtual preview" of what it's like in an actual Kindermusik class, with some candid feedback from a parent in each age group. Please take a look to get an idea of why Kindermusik is such a good thing to do with your child.

Happy November...

2009-11-03T13:19:00.000-08:00

I have some great photos to post from the week of Halloween, when so many of these adorable kiddos came to class in costume, I just haven't had time to process and post them.

The semester is already more than halfway finished in Pearland, and just passed the halfway point this week in Clear Lake/Friendswood. I always feel a little bittersweet when it gets to this point: Looking forward to what's coming next, but loving what's here now and not wanting it to change.

The children I see every day remain a source of great joy for me, regardless of whatever else is going on in my life at the time. The shy little girl who carefully selects an instrument to bring to me to make sure I get one, too. The boy who dances whole-heartedly, throwing his body around with wild abandon to the steady beat. The little face that lights up when I smile and sing hello just to them. Thank you to all you wonderful moms who share your wonderful children with me each week. <3

Sunday Evening Family Time Class Canceled

2009-10-31T23:12:00.000-07:00

Due to low enrollment, the 6:00 pm Family Time class in Friendswood at Harmony Music Studio is canceled until further notice. If you are interested in Evening or weekend classes, please check back in January for the Spring semester schedule.

Thanks so much for your support!

The "Keys" to learning

2009-10-22T09:57:00.000-07:00

Today in class, both in Village and Our Time, the children were drawn to the plastic keys on my storage cart. Plastic keys can be used for all kinds of learning activities. In Our Time in the spring, we'll be singing a song about the sound the keys make when we shake them, and then the search for lost keys. Not only is this a direct tie-in to something the children will experience in real life, but it teaches them object permanence - the idea that an object is there even when we can't see it - through play and music. This sets the stage for other fun hiding games, like peekaboo and hide and seek, and even object games like easter egg hunts and "I Spy" when they get older.

If you'd like to get a head start on some of the fun things you can do with your pretend keys, here are some simple ones that I'm sure would be a hit with your little one:

Tabby's Instrument Collection

2009-10-20T19:47:00.001-07:00

Since so many parents ask me over time where they can get a drum like that, or a rainshaker like the one we play with in class, I thought I would make up a little visual shopping guide to instruments that are the same or similar to what we use in class. The added bonus is that if you buy one of these instruments by clicking the link here, I'll make a percentage of the sale towards expanding, buying new instruments and storybooks, and being able to offer scholarships to students in need. So please, if you're in the market for instruments, check here first! And don't forget to check the shop link at the top of the page for other great musical gifts for little ones.

Tis the season...

2009-10-20T13:46:00.001-07:00

Tis the season to start shopping for Christmas for our friends and loved ones. I'm also trying to raise funds for my Kindermusik program so I can continue to offer scholarships and other bonuses to my wonderful students. I have looked through the offerings at Amazon and created an "Associates Store" that you can buy from, and when you do, I will make a percentage of the sale price. So please, help me out by shopping for gifts for your musical munchkins in my Amazon Associates store.

Free Trial Class!

2009-10-07T06:47:00.000-07:00

Looking for an activity to do with your baby or toddler? Come to a free trial Kindermusik class! Classes in Friendswood and Clear Lake are currently open to visitors. Call Tabby for details: 713-306-4023.

Tuesday - Toddlers "Our Time" @ 10:30 in Friendswood
Wednesday - Toddlers "Our Time" @ 10:30 in Clear Lake
Thursday - Toddlers "Our Time" @ 9:30 in Friendswood
Thursday - Babies "Village" @ 10:30 in Friendswood
Sunday - All Ages "Family Time" @ 6:00 pm in Friendswood

How Young is Too Young...

2009-10-06T20:48:00.000-07:00

Like most people today, I have a slew of online reading I do every day. I check Facebook, I read my LiveJournal friends, and then there's email, checking the Kindermusik Teacher's sites, twitter... It seems like the list grows longer every day. However,

Some people are quite surprised to find out that Kindermusik is for children as young as newborns. Really, what can such a young child gain from starting in a music and movement program like Kindermusik as an infant or toddler?

The following statement, jointly issued by The National Association for Music Education (MENC), the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), and the US Department of Education, helps explain just how important music education can be for even the youngest musicians...

The Value of Music for the Very Young.
The idea that very early education provides great long-term benefits has been rendered incontestable by studies in cognition and early learning. Research in developmental psychology and commonsense observation underscore both the importance and the wisdom of making music an integral and overt part of the earliest education of young children:

[M]usic is among the first and most important modes of communication experienced by infants.

As young children grow and develop, music continues as a basic medium not only of communication, but of self-expression as well.

As preschool children not only listen to and respond to music, but also learn to make music by singing and playing instruments together, they create important contexts for the early learning of vital life skills such as cooperation, collaboration, and group effort.

Guided music experiences also begin to teach young children to make judgments about what constitutes “good” music, thereby developing in them the rudiments of an aesthetic sense.

Music contributes strongly to “school readiness...”

- excerpted from a report issued by the Early Childhood Music Summit, June 2000. Read the article in its entirety HERE.

I have one new mom with a 4-month-old in class, and when she came to a demo, she decided to sign up for one month to see how the baby reacted in class. She isn't active like the walkers, or developing fine and gross motor skills like the crawlers, but she just loves to see the other babies and observe. She also likes to listen to the music and what's going on around her. This example and others I've seen through the years have shown me that it's never too early for music class.

October Special $2 off per class

2009-10-04T21:47:00.001-07:00

Save $2 off per class!

Sign up for classes starting in October, and not only will you get a price break on tuition because I'll pro-rate it based on the number of classes left in the semester, but you'll also get a per-class discount. Save $2 per class left at the time of enrollment. That's 17% off!

Only for students enrolling during the month of October. Tuition Price does not include Materials. Each student must purchase the corresponding at-home materials for their class per Kindermusik Licensing requirements in order to continue the learning in the home environment.

Kindermusik Classes available for this discount
======================================
Sunday: Family Time 6 pm (Harmony in Friendswood) ALL AGES
Tuesday: Our Time 10:30 am (Harmony in Friendswood) Toddlers 18m - 3 yr
Wednesday: Our Time 10:30 am (Hope Church in Clear Lake) Toddlers 18m - 3 yr
Thursday: Our Time 9:30 am (Harmony in Friendswood) Toddlers 18m - 3 yr
Thursday: Village 11:30 am (Harmony) Baby Class - needs 2 more to make enrollment.

You know that's not where we put dirty clothes...

2009-09-30T12:15:00.001-07:00

Here's a new clean up song for all you moms out there:

Peek at the Week : Weeks 1 and 2

2009-09-29T19:54:00.000-07:00

Instead of sending out the weekly email, I'm going to start posting my thoughts about class each week on the blog instead. Starting with the wee little babies, here's the low-down on the activities from Kindermusik class the last two sessions.

Village - Feathers

“Gee, but it’s great to meet a friend…!” It was my pleasure to meet all of you today in our first Kindermusik Village feathers class! Kindermusik is a socially interactive and music-filled experience in which we will all get to know each other a little better. The activities will encourage each and every one of us to sing, dance, and play—all the while enriching your baby’s life through music.

Research has shown that early exposure to music may actually aid in verbal skill development, produce the neural pathways that are essential for decoding complex ideas in language, increase multi-sensory perception, and of course, encourage bonding between you and your baby. These are, I believe, just a few of the reasons that Kindermusik is a valuable experience!

A baby’s expression as she sees herself in the mirror can be priceless! Such fun we had today as the babies watched as you talked to your babies, sang songs, and continued to make bird sounds. For even more ideas and early childhood development information, subscribe to Tune In, a monthly e-newsletter written specifically for Kindermusik families who want to know more about the Kindermusik experience. To subscribe, log on to the Kindermusik website, www.kindermusik.com, and go to the Parent Page. I know you will appreciate what the e-newsletter has to offer.

I look forward to the weekly Kindermusik classes I’ll share with all of you!

Our Time - Wiggles & Giggles

I am so glad you have chosen Kindermusik for your child. In the first class of Wiggles & Giggles, we did indeed wiggle! And we did indeed giggle—in a loving environment where activities are tailored to the 18-month- to three-year-old child.

As we consider the following quote, we can understand the importance of Kindermusik classes in which your child has the opportunity to play—in shared musical play, hands-on play, physical play, loving play—and the opportunity to be with you or another caring adult for a fun 45 minutes of time focused on your child.

“In the early formative years, play is almost synonymous with life. It is second only to being nourished, protected and loved. It is a basic ingredient of physical, intellectual, social and emotional growth.” Ashley Montague

At home, listen to your Home CDs, sing, dance, and play in a multitude of ways with your child. Repeating the activities we did in class will help your child to be more confident and comfortable each time they come to Kindermusik.

Children naturally love to explore, and exploration leads to learning. Whether your child is a hands-on explorer, a walking explorer, a listening explorer, or a watching explorer, Kindermusik will offer him many opportunities to explore!

Just as “little fish” in the Kindermusik song “Above the Sea” is curious, so is your little one. Explore at home through singing, talking about songs, exploring vocal sounds (“bloop, bloop, bloop, bloop”), or finding new ways to wiggle or play “peek-a-boo, I see you!”

By incorporating Kindermusik activities into your daily lives, you will reinforce the learning that takes place in class. Also, your child will become more and more familiar with our activities and that familiarity will help promote a new comfort level in the classroom. See you next week!

Family Time - Our Kind of Day

I am so delighted to share this time with you. Already in class this week you saw how music can help your family laugh, share, and learn together. But did you know that making and exploring your own home-made instruments provides opportunities for your children to learn and discover? Together they will make comparisons, conduct sound experiments, and talk about their findings, which in turn will strengthen their thinking skills.

Next to making music in class with your child, the most important thing you can do to accelerate and nurture your child’s development is found in your At Home Materials. The more you use the book, CD, and home activity ideas, the more you’ll discover just how much your child can do. This week, you’ll find ideas for making other shaker instruments at home using dried beans, rice, beads, popcorn, or paper clips.

How many words do you think your children learned this week? The answer varies. While babies are in a recessive language stage and take in every word and label, toddlers are in an expressive stage with a vocabulary that grows to several thousand words by the age three. Preschool-aged children are in a storytelling stage and love to learn and express new words that way.

Your picture book series, Bouncing on the Bed, promotes language growth at every learning stage. By reading together, your children will internalize basic skills and concepts important for true literacy, such as expanding vocabulary, promoting critical thinking, and providing predictability.

As you read together, ask specific questions about the characters and the action of the story and the colors and shapes of the illustrations. Then try leaving out key words or phrases, allowing toddlers and preschoolers to “help” by contributing the missing words while toddlers can assist in turning the pages. Keep your baby engaged by “bouncing” to the repeated phrases through out the book.

There is something in this book for everyone. Bring a favorite storybook to class sometime for us to share!

Kindermusik for the Young Child - Semester 1

“Hands-on parenting cannot be underestimated in its effect on young children and their brain development. As parents, we must provide numerous, ongoing, and enriching experiences that will nourish our children’s brains. Music is such an experience.”*

I am so excited that you and your child have made the choice to participate in Kindermusik for the Young Child. This four-semester curriculum is expressly designed for your child’s age group, with child-appropriate activities and learning tools. This semester, we will be approaching the study of music through numerous rhythmic activities (involving whole body movement, fine motor skills, and cognitive awareness), a wide variety of music (folk songs, classical selections, and excerpts for listening), and fun, integrated games.

As well as being a full musical learning experience, Kindermusik is also a family experience. You and your child will enjoy learning together as you, the adult, will join us for a few minutes of every class. Through this parent involvement, you will play an important role in your child’s learning.

“Music is everywhere!” We really enjoyed hearing about all the music each child heard during the week. We will continue to work on sound awareness in class through activities such as “Move and Freeze” (listening for music to stop and start), “My Voice” (hearing and experiencing the different ways to use the voice), and instrument exploration (e.g. the cymbal).

Sounds surround us in our daily lives. It is only through intentional listening—focusing on specific sounds—that we can become “tuned in” to the complexities of music. Then we are ready to begin to make music ourselves! The activities your child will experience over the next few weeks will culminate in the ability to intellectually understand and make music.

To further your child’s awareness of music in your daily life, talk with him this week about when and where you hear music. Make a list and bring it to class next week. Continue to foster your child’s awareness of sound this week. Read Music at Home 2 for ideas on how to become a sound investigator! I look forward to many weeks of joyful music-making with you all!

*Good Music Brighter Children, by Sharlene Habermeyer, p. 2

Kindermusik for the Young Child - Semester 3

Welcome to another year of Kindermusik for the Young Child. Many of your children have successfully completed Semesters 1 and 2 and are now ready for Semester 3. This semester we will be covering quite a few new topics as well as exploring a new instrument—a stringed instrument called the dulcimer. Kindermusik International has designed a two-stringed student dulcimer exclusively for Young Child students around the world. We are very fortunate to have this instrument in our classroom and in our homes!

Other concepts covered this semester include call and response, improvisation, meter, and notation. Some of the music we will study includes Appalachian music, African-American music, Native American music, and music of the famous Russian composer Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893).

Be sure to read Music at Home 31 for instructions on helping your child work with his dulcimer.

This week’s class focused upon music of the Appalachian mountains, including a familiar song from last year, “Hop, Old Squirrel.” Mixing the old with the new gives the children a feeling of competence and enjoyment. We are also focusing on learning about the dulcimer and how to apply previously learned concepts (steady beat, notation, melody) to the new instrument.

At home, be sure to read Music at Home 32 for specific instructions on how to play the dulcimer. Help your child play familiar tunes as well as to simply “play around.” Experimenting with and exploring the dulcimer will build a level of comfort with the instrument, thus enabling your child to approach it more and more confidently each time.

See you all next time!

-Ms. Tabby

Kitties in need of a home...

2009-09-28T19:24:00.000-07:00

My friend and fellow Kindermusik teacher, Sarah, has a momma cat and 5 adorable kittens who need a home. Here are some photos:

The kittens are 10 weeks old and they're all very friendly and socialized. Call 713-306-4023 and I'll put you in touch with Sarah if you'd like one!

Rediscovering Playing for Change...

2009-09-26T16:24:00.000-07:00

It just is so... magical. Stand by me.

Feeling much better, thanks!

2009-09-26T09:42:00.000-07:00

All the napping I did this week has done wonders for me, and I'll be heading back to work tomorrow. I am still taking enrollments for all the classes, so if you haven't signed up yet, but want to, please take a look at the class schedule - I will pro-rate your tuition once you've signed up based on the number of classes left in the semester.

And now, for something completely different, here's a photo of my kids at the Cockerell Butterfly Center at the HMNS a few weeks ago.

I think I'll keep them. :)

Fighting the flu

2009-09-23T16:22:00.000-07:00

This week has been a tough one at our house. My husband came down sick on Sunday afternoon and headed off to the urgent care on Monday. He tested positive for regular seasonal flu, but he'd missed the window for taking tamiflu, so he's been home all week. Of course, bing a big, stoic guy, he didn't say anything about feeling poorly until it was too late for me to give him a wide berth and avoid illness myself, so I came down with it shortly thereafter. I canceled all my classes for the week and hit the sack. My doctor prescribed Tamiflu for me, at least, so my symptoms haven't been very bad at all - just tired and cranky and a little sore, but I still have to quarantine myself to avoid infecting others until at least Friday. I have a wonderful bunch of friends and Kindermusik parents who have offered their condolences and help, and I appreciate that a lot.

I want to take this opportunity, though, to talk about the Healthy & Happy program that Kindermusik International is recommending that all Kindermusik studios implement to help prevent the spread of H1N1 and other illnesses by sanitizing instruments even more often than we did before, and recommending the use of hand sanitizers in the classroom, as well as other guidelines. If you'd like to read the parent handout for this program, you can download it here: Parent's Guide to Fight H1N1 in Class and at Home. Aside from hand-washing, the number one thing you can do to help prevent spreading illness is to stay at home if you suspect your child might be sick. I will credit you a class for the next semester if we are unable to make up your missed class due to illness.

I look forward to seeing you all again next week, when I'm feeling a lot better.
-Ms. Tabby

Safe No Matter What You Make...

2009-09-23T10:40:00.000-07:00

So most of you have probably figured out that I'm a geek by now. I have been my whole life. I'm glad that geek culture has become ... well, maybe not "cool" but not "uncool" anymore, and I love the way it's now mainstream to be geeky. Today, a friend pointed me over to Kids.woot to this hysterical article about a Play-Doh ad campaign from Singapore. I thought as fellow parents that y'all would probably enjoy it, too.

Play-Doh Behaving Badly

The power of music at home...

2009-09-22T11:47:00.000-07:00

Here's a perfect example of the power of music in the home environment. Make sure you watch through the middle when the foot-shaking begins! What a laugh... :D

Fall 2009 Class Schedule Layout

2009-09-21T05:39:00.001-07:00

Color coded for your convenience. Text color indicates location, table background color indicates class age group.

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday
	Pearland 9-9:45 am Family Time (All Ages)		Webster 9:30-10:15 am Village (0-18 months)	Friendswood 9:30-10:15 am Our Time (1.5-3 years)
	Pearland 10-10:45 am Our Time (1.5-3 years)	Friendswood 10:30-11:15 am Our Time (1.5-3 years)	Webster 10:30-11:15 am Our Time (1.5-3 years)	Friendswood 10:30-11:15 am Village (0-18 months)
		Friendswood 11:30-12:15 pm Imagine That (3-5 years)		Friendswood 11:30-12:15 pm Village (0-18 months)

		Friendswood 5:30-6:15 pm Young Child 1 (4.5-6 years)
Friendswood 6-6:45 pm Family Time (All Ages)		Friendswood 6:30-7:15 pm Young Child 3 (5.5-7 years)

Hey Moms! Want a link on this page?

2009-09-20T20:31:00.000-07:00

Are you a working mom? Are you an internet crazy mom? Do you have a website you'd like me to share? Comment on this post, and I'll be happy to make the addition for you.

Follow me to Kindermusik!

2009-09-20T19:46:00.000-07:00

Classes are enrolling throughout the semester. Call Tabby to set up your free preview class today! Ms. Tabby Worthington - direct 713-306-4023 or email me at tabbyfoo at gmail.com

Kindermusik classes are offered by Tabby in 3 locations:

Harmony Music Studio
Classroom
Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday
Towne Square Plaza between Cash America and New You Hair Salon
3746-A FM 528 Road
Friendswood, TX 77546
281-992-9800
harmonymusicstudio.com

Pearland Parks & Recreation Westside Events Center
Banquet Hall
Monday mornings

2150 Country Place Pkwy

Pearland, TX 77584-2179

(713) 436-8600
pearlandparks.com

Hope Church Houston
Room 12 (in the children's wing)
Wednesday mornings

770 Pineloch Dr

Houston, TX 77062-2548

(281) 488-0900

hopehouston.org

The Pentatonic Scale

2009-09-20T12:18:00.000-07:00

From Wikipedia:

A pentatonic scale is a musical scale with five pitches per octave in contrast to a heptatonic (seven note) scale such as the major scale. Pentatonic scales are very common and are found all over the world...

Here, Bobby McFerrin (yes, THAT Bobby McFerrin) demonstrates the power of this simple five note scale with audiences from around the world.

What is a Free Preview class?

2009-09-19T21:33:00.001-07:00

A free preview class is an opportunity for you to experience the magic of Kindermusik in person at your local Kindermusik studio. Policies vary by location, but I offer free classes three ways: You can attend a free demonstration class during Demo Days, which is a promotion that runs the week before a semester begins. Space in class is limited, so registration is required, but there is no charge to attend. I also will invite a new family to attend a regularly scheduled class as a guest to see if that class will be a good fit for them. The third option is to schedule a custom demonstration class with me for your group of at least 5 interested parents of Kindermusik-age children. I do not offer demonstration classes during birthday parties. To attend a free class, all you need to do is register online if it's during demo days, or contact me directly to find out which classes are available to preview.

What class is right for my child?

2009-09-19T21:01:00.000-07:00

What Level Is Best For My Child?

One of the many strengths of the Kindermusik philosophy is its focus on the different developmental needs of each stage of childhood. Each level is designed to give your child the most appropriate, most stimulating environment to nurture their developmental needs. We celebrate and explore each age rather than rush forward, coaxing forth the joy and creativity in each individual child and respecting their unique pattern and pace in growing up.
Since Kindermusik addresses the development of the whole child, there are certain ages at which you may wonder which of the Kindermusik curricula best suits your child’s age and stage. It is necessary for us to indicate age levels to guide you, but there is flexibility in certain age spans which overlap curricula. Our “transitional stages”, 18-20 months, 3 to 3 ½, and 5, are points at which you and our Kindermusik faculty can help your child by deciding which level would be most beneficial and appropriate. Ask yourself some important questions. Which of these levels will my child thrive in, rather than just being able to get along in? Am I considering my child’s pleasure and emotional development as much as their cognitive development? Is my child eager for added independence and challenges, or are they most delighted by sharing special time with me to help guide and support them?
There are certain guideposts to look for in development which will help direct your choices. Below are some characteristics which indicate that your child will obtain the maximum developmental benefits and pleasure from a particular curricula. Let these assist in making this important decision. While no two children develop in the exact same way, a child who is ready for a certain curricula will display many of the characteristics of that level. Of course, we are always here to discuss individual questions and concerns- please do not hesitate to contact us- sharing in your child’s developmental journey is both our profession and our joy.

From Village to Our Time-: 18-20 months

• Uses gestures and language to indicate needs
• Sustains interest in an activity for several minutes
• Shows cooperative/interactive learning: is interested in what others are doing and in sharing that activity (whether by observing, parallel exploration, or imitation)
• Can understand and follow verbal directions of two steps; will generally cooperate with a request
• Is learning to explore objects in purposeful, symbolic ways, rather than mouthing, dumping, etc.
• Shows interest in concept pairs- high/low, fast/slow, loud/quiet, stop/start
• Responds to song and rhyme; may join familiar ones, and enjoys word and language play
• Can reliably point to named body parts, is beginning to understand number, color concepts
• Group interaction and connection with an activity is becoming more appealing than individual exploration of the environment
• Physically, can walk well, explores other types of movement (run, tiptoe, jump, turn)- enjoys own mobility and will try new movements they see others doing
• Beginning to understand and participate in “sitting” activities: finger plays, lap bounces, singing

From Our Time to Imagine That: 3 to 3 ½ years

• Separates from adult without crying; enjoys interacting as part of a peer group
• Thinks creatively- has moved from “what animals do you know” to “ what might we see in our pretend tree?”
• Recognizes the needs of others; can be empathetic, take turns (usually!), understand classroom rules and why they are important
• Developing abstract language and thought- can sustain a pretend play and enjoy developing an idea for up to 5 minutes or more
• Can tell stories, relate a series of ideas, connect own experiences to those of others
• Has good patience - can accept “she is playing the wood block, and you have the tamborine today”
• Has a broad movement vocabulary, and can explore the same movement in diverse ways (“what other parts of your body can twirl?”)
• Can sit and listen to a story or musical selection for several minutes, and comment on what they have heard
• Knows shapes, colors, weather, seasons,counting
• Participates in singing, reciting rhymes; follows a model for movement or instrumental play

From Imagine That to Young Child: around 5 years old
Kindermusik for the Young Child realizes the developmental leap to school-age child. Musically, it is the culmination of all that has come before; in addition to movement, instrumental play, singing, and creating, YC students begin to learn musical notation (note and rhythmic), and begin learning to play a melody instrument, the glockenspiel. We strongly recommend that the step to Kindermusik for the Young Child be made by children who are entering Kindergarten, rather than those who are still in preschool. If your child has an early Fall birthday, and either falls after the school cutoff or you have elected to wait for the following year to begin school, consider the following guideposts when choosing to begin Young Child or remain in Imagine That. Please be aware that Young Child is a sequential, two year curriculum- new students may join in second (Spring) semester as class space allows, with the understanding that the family and child will work with the teacher to catch up on concepts and learning covered in the first (Fall) semester.

The child ready for Kindermusik for the Young Child:

*Exhibits self confidence and reliability in a classroom or group situation
*Has basic prereading skills; understands that writing moves from left to right, and repeats from the top of the page down
*Has good fine motor control- reproduces shapes and letters, enjoys puzzles, games, drawing
*Follows directions reliably, can participate in an activity with groups doing different things simultaneously
*Has good abstract thinking skills- can answer questions such as “how do you think a composer can make music sound like birds?”
*Can sing whole songs, and is developing a good sense of pitch
*Is eager to learn, and is developing self-motivation- can work independently for short periods toward a set goal
*Is ready to begin understanding concepts of practice, proper handling of an instrument, and playing a tune as opposed to exploring ways of creating sound on an instrument

When Should My Child Begin Private Instrumental Instruction?

As a general rule, most children are not ready to begin formal instrumental training before the age of 6 or 7 for piano or string instruments, and most instructors will not accept students younger than 8 or 9 for other orchestral or band instruments. Before that, they tend to lack the size, stamina, and outcome-oriented commitment to make lessons a pleasureable and successful experience. Children are individuals, with a wide range of aptitude, but all children possess the ability to enjoy lifelong music making, and this ability can be greatly influenced by how we choose to approach their earliest experiences.
Kindermusik contains all if the needed elements to develop a child who is musically aware and who has the solid foundation to make lessons a natural and joyous next step. Children who grow up in Kindermusik have had chances to succeed, be nurtured and encouraged in their early creative explorations, and develop a core of music theory instilled through voice, body, and mind. Music for them is a natural part of their environment, and they have gained the language of note, rhythm, and expression to help them as they select which instrument they most wish to make their own. Many experts agree that early musical enrichment lays a foundation for musicianship which may accelerate later progress on an instrument.
Children who graduate from Kindermusik for the Young Child have a strong basis in theory, musicianship, and instrumental technique. More importantly, they have been allowed to develop the whole child through music, in a supportive and reassuring atmosphere, which lays the groundwork for a lifetime of positive outlook not only towards music learning, but towards learning in general.

Don't wait to enroll!

2009-09-18T20:22:00.000-07:00

Village 10:30 Thursday class is FULL. I have opened another section of this class immediately following it at 11:30, and I have a class scheduled at Hope Church on Wednesdays at 9:30 with one child enrolled. I need 3 to begin a class, and prefer 4. If you'd like to sign up, but are concerned about the cost, you can pay half the materials fee now and half in November*, and pay monthly for your tuition, with no contract. You can sign up by visiting KMTabby.com and registering online. If you have any questions, please email me! kindermusik at harmonymusicstudio.com comes to me on my phone, so I usually respond within a matter of just a few hours, if not sooner.

I am also looking for 3-5 year olds for an Imagine That class. The currently scheduled class has one child on the list to start, but she is flexible for scheduling if the current time doesn't work for you. It's tentatively scheduled for Tuesdays at 11:30. I can schedule it another day (Wednesday or Thursday) at another morning to midday time. Please let me know if you're interested in this class.

Scholarships are available for students demonstrating need. Discuss your options with me if the cost of Kindermusik is not in your budget right now. My goal is to reach as many children as possible with this wonderful program, so please don't hesitate to approach me if you want to come but need help.

New Village Class and Imagine That!

2009-09-18T07:00:00.000-07:00

Please make sure you're on our mailing list so you don't miss any important announcements. http://eepurl.com/bKkO - Subscribe now!.

Village 10:30 Thursday class is FULL. I have opened another section of this class immediately following it at 11:30, and I have a class scheduled at Hope Church on Wednesdays at 9:30 with one child enrolled. I need 3 to begin a class, and prefer 4. If you'd like to sign up, but are concerned about the cost, you can pay half the materials fee now and half in November*, and pay monthly for your tuition, with no contract. You can sign up by visiting KMTabby.com and registering online. If you have any questions, please email me! kindermusik at harmonymusicstudio.com comes to me on my phone, so I usually respond within a matter of just a few hours, if not sooner.

I am also looking for 3-5 year olds for an Imagine That class. The currently scheduled class has one child on the list to start, but she is flexible for scheduling if the current time doesn't work for you. It's tentatively scheduled for Tuesdays at 11:30. I can schedule it another day (Wednesday or Thursday) at another morning to midday time. Please let me know if you're interested in this class.

Scholarships are available for students demonstrating need. Discuss your options with me if the cost of Kindermusik is not in your budget right now. My goal is to reach as many children as possible with this wonderful program, so please don't hesitate to approach me if you want to come but need help.

Why Teach Music?

2009-09-15T22:46:00.000-07:00

Why do we teach music? - Thursday, July 9, 2009

Ms. Tabby and Corwyn share a musical High-5 in Kindermusik class

This wonderful list has been published all over the internet, and today I found it linked from twitter on the Kindermusik International blog. It's definitely one of those things that bears repeating, especially as I prepare to go do a brief cameo at a summer camp program for special needs kids up in Pasadena. Music moves us all, and I am moved to share it with you through lessons, Kindermusik classes, and being part of the musically involved population in our community.

Why Do We Teach Music?

Not because we expect you to major in music.
Not only because we expect you to play or sing all your life.
Not only so you can relax.
Not just so you can have fun.

But...
so you will be more human.
so you will recognize beauty.
so you will be sensitive.
so you will be closer to an infinite beyond this world.
so you will have something to cling to.
so you will have more compassion,
more gentleness, more good--in short, more life.

Of what value will it be to make a prosperous living unless you know how to live?

Kindermusik Village - Babies 0-18 months

2009-09-02T21:25:00.000-07:00

Current Classes:

Cost: $12 per class plus $70 per semester for materials

Wednesday 9:30-10:15 am @ Hope Church Houston (now enrolling)
Thursday 10:30-11:15 am @ Harmony Music Studio (Wait Listed)
Thursday 11:30-12:15 pm @ Harmony Music Studio (now enrolling)

15 Fall Semester Classes held: 9/17, 9/24, 10/1, 10/8, 10/15, 10/22, 10/29, 11/5, 11/12, 11/19, (closed 11/26), 12/3, 12/10, 12/17, (closed 12/24 & 12/31), 1/7, 1/14

Kindermusik Village

For newborns to 1.5 years

Class Structure: 8 units, each 8 weeks (or 2 units for 15 weeks)
Class Length: 45 minutes

Imagine your child swinging softly in a blanket or dancing with you around a maypole. Village provides a delightful environment unlike any other. Through a unique blend of multi-level activities that includes creative movement, vocal play, object and instrument exploration, and a colorful literature component, your baby’s growth and development are stimulated and all of his senses engaged.

Kindermusik Village, for children newborn to 18 months of age and a loving caregiver, incorporates the most current research on early childhood development and provides families with a special place for learning and connecting with other parents and babies through music and movement. High quality, professionally created class and At Home materials include Kindermusik Foundations of Learning, insights based on current research that educate parents about their babies' unique development.

Village home materials include :

Home CD
Literature Books
Baby Home Journal
2 Art Banners

Benefits for Your Child and You:

Educates you about your baby's total development through Kindermusik Foundations of Learning - statements based on the most recent research.
Encourages joyful participation in a music making community.
Nurtures bonding between you and your child through intentional touch warm-ups, exercises, interactive dances and musical play.
Provides natural connections between singing and reading out loud, listening and communicating through literature books.

Family Time - All Ages

2009-09-02T20:34:00.000-07:00

Current Classes:

Cost: $12 per class plus $70 per semester for materials

Sunday 6:00-6:45 pm @ Harmony Music Studio (now enrolling)

All Ages (infants to 7 years)
Class Structure: Four units, each 15 weeks.
Class Length: 45 minutes.

Music class for families with multiple children ages newborn and up. Also for working parents who want to share music with their children but are not available during the workday.

In fifteen weeks, you'll play instruments together, dance together, share, and take turns, and see how music can bring you closer as a family.

A one-room schoolhouse approach to music. With older children ready to show the little ones how it's done and the younger ones eager to learn, Family Time becomes a multi-layered learning environment. Each week, a Kindermusik Educator will introduce basic musical concepts and then give you the instruments, and the structured free time to put those concepts into play.

Your children will listen to instruments and to each other, learn from their peers and older children, and enjoy music and movement with hoops, scarves and tumble-around play. Story time and family jams, puppet play and happy singing—all the Family Time activities encourage discovery and exploration and foster sharing and social skills too. In this special place for musical, social and emotional learning, your children will strengthen their ties with each other and with you—and they'll start developing the skills they'll need in school and on the neighbourhood playground.

Benefits for you and your child

One convenient class that families can take together
Introduces musical concepts and develops musical skills
Allows each child to develop social skills—such as sharing, and turn-taking—in a multi-age, multi-child environment
Strengthens the emotional bond among family members

Kindermusik for the Young Child - school age children 5-7 years

2009-09-02T20:24:00.000-07:00

Current Classes:

Semester 1 (4 1/2 - 6 years) Tuesdays 5:30-6:20 pm @ Harmony Music Studio

Semester 3 (5 1/2 - 7 years) Tuesdays 6:30-7:20 pm @ Harmony Music Studio

Kindermusik for the Young Child

For 5 - 7 years
Class Structure: Four units, each 15 weeks (2 years)
Class Length: 50 minutes

Young Child provides a pressure-free, developmentally appropriate transition for your budding musician where she can musically succeed before taking on more formal instruction. In small, movement-oriented classes, your child develops her greatest instrument - her voice - while she learns the symbols and vocabulary of music-making.

She develops instrument- playing skills with the introduction of the glockenspiel, recorder, and dulcimer, as listening activities strengthen her ability to discern a variety of instruments and musical concepts. Through creative learning activities, she begins to read music and to create musical compositions - tangible accomplishments that instill positive emotions about her own musicality. Soon, a request of "Mom, I want to take piano" may surprise you.

Kindermusik for the Young Child at home materials include a folder full of activities, an illustrated family songbook, a games bag, professionally recorded music on CD, a musical instrument, and a carry bag.

Benefits for Your Child and You

Balances activities that integrate listening, vocal development, movement and performing in instrumental ensemble.
Introduces your child to the written language of music while cultivating music creativity.
Provides age-appropriate musical experiences that lead your child toward a lifetime of joyful music making.
Helps you and your child recognize special interests or skills for future formal music instruction.

Kindermusik Imagine That! - Preschoolers 3-5 years

2009-09-02T20:08:00.000-07:00

This video is from one of my classes two years ago. It features a favorite activity from the "See What I Saw" unit of Imagine That!

Current Classes:

Cost: $12 per class plus $70 per semester for materials

Tuesday 11:30 am - 12:15 pm @ Harmony Music Studio (now enrolling)

Imagine That

For 3 – 5 years
Class Structure: Four units, each 15 weeks.
Class Length: 45 minutes.

Imagine That! provides a carefully integrated curriculum of music, movement, and pretend play where your child's unique interests will be fully engaged in an environment that invites the development of the whole child - allowing for curious young minds, bodies, and voices to reflect, compare, make choices, express opinions, solve problems, sing, and move.

For the pre-school age child, every day is a new discovery waiting to happen. With Imagine That!, you and your child can explore those discoveries together. No two Imagine That! classes are ever the same - class activities grow and change based on children's active participation.

By creating an environment in which children contribute ideas, express opinions, and offer personal preferences, Imagine That! nurtures development and learning while recognizing that individual differences are not only acknowledged but also treasured.

Kindermusik Imagine That! at home materials include 2 CDs, 2 Music and Movement Books, an interactive play set, a specially designed instrument, and a Family Activity Book.

Benefits for Your Child and You

Nurtures your child's imagination and creativity.
Creates a learning environment that integrates music, expressive language, peer interaction and pretend play.
Challenges your child through activities that promote problem-solving, making choices and expressing ideas.
Allows your child to have an active role in the development of music and movement activities.

Kindermusik Our Time - Toddlers 1 1/2 to 3 years

2009-09-02T15:18:00.000-07:00

Current Classes:

Cost: $12 per class plus $70 per semester for materials (or $35 per 8 week unit for materials)

Monday 10:00-10:45 am @ Westside Events Center (closed)
Tuesday 10:30-11:15 am @ Harmony Music Studio (now enrolling)
Wednesday 10:30-11:15 am @ Hope Church Houston (now enrolling)
Thursday 9:30-10:15 am @ Harmony Music Studio (now enrolling)

Kindermusik Our TIme

For 1.5 - 3 years
Class Structure: Four units, each 15 weeks.
Class Length: 45 minute

This class is extremely popular, so please book in early to secure your place.

Our Time focuses on your child's healthy emotional development as her confidence, curiosity, self-control, and communication begin to take shape. Our Time recognizes her need for both the freedom to try and the assurance of your support. Instrument exploration nurtures her self-esteem and facilitates her discovery of textures and sounds.

Language skills are fostered with singing, sound imitation, rhyming and object identification. Creative dancing to different musical "moods" develops her sense of balance, timing, and spatial awareness while affirming her urge to move. The anticipation and rewards of listening are introduced, and with turn-taking activities, social skills begin to blossom.

Essentially, Our Time provides the safety of training wheels for the bicycle of pre-school!

Kindermusik Our Time At Home materials include 2 CDs, 2 Music and Movement Books, a Home Activity Book, and a specially designed instrument, all to encourage self-directed play and the experimentation introduced in pre-school.

Benefits for Your Child and You

Recognizes your child's need for both freedom to try and the assurance of your support.
Educates you about the interactive nature of the total development of your child through music, movement and literacy.
Promotes joyful music making as a community.
Encourages the building of characteristics related to successful learning in school: self-confidence, curiosity, self-expression, social skills and cooperation.

Ruth D. Anderson Kindermusik Children's Fund - provides materials scholarships for students who demonstrate need.

2009-09-01T20:13:00.000-07:00

The Ruth D. Anderson
Kindermusik^® Children's Fund

The Ruth D. Anderson Kindermusik Children's Fund provides At Home Materials to children who are physically or emotionally challenged, who are financially or educationally disadvantaged, who have physical disabilities, or who have lost a parent. Applications for scholarships are accepted online once each year, from May 15 through June 15.

ELIGIBILITY

Licensed Kindermusik educators who have been teaching Kindermusik for a minimum of one year are eligible to apply on behalf of children with special needs. Scholarships are available in these forms:

1. Scholarship for Kindermusik At Home Materials. As an existing Kindermusik educator, you could be granted an annual scholarship (fall and spring semesters) by which you would receive a Kindermusik account credit for your purchase of At Home Materials (account credit to be used for the purchase of At Home Materials for the children for whom you apply). This account credit would be equal to a set amount per child (up to a maximum of 12 children per semester). Scholarships for At Home Materials are available to Kindermusik educators around the world.

At Home Materials scholarship amounts granted are preset as follows:

Village

Our Time

Imagine That!

Young Child

Family Time

FUND GUIDELINES

A maximum of 12 children, or one class, will be granted to each individual educator. This may be materials for individual children or an entire class.
The fund is available to cover the cost of Kindermusik At Home Materials for each child.
For all requests granted, each child's name or initials and birth date must be submitted prior to the disbursement of materials, preferably with the application.
At Home Materials scholarships are available for the spring/fall studio curricula only, including Village, Our Time, Imagine That!, Young Child, and Family Time. Scholarships are not available for Kindermusik camp programs or Sign and Sing. Further details about ABC Music & Me scholarships are outlined below.
Applications for grants under this program must be submitted each year for which the grant is requested. Each grant/application will encompass one year, two consecutive 15-week semesters, or four 8-week semesters for Village.
Funding does not cover the cost of teacher's materials or instruments.

Priority will be given to:

Children and families with the most compelling needs
First-time applicants who have taught Kindermusik for at least one year

At Home Materials scholarship amounts granted are preset as follows:

Village

Our Time

Imagine That!

Young Child

Family Time

The Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, a non-profit permanent fund, is the vehicle by which donors contribute to and support the Ruth D. Anderson Kindermusik Children's Fund.

FUNDING

The Ruth D. Anderson Children's Fund is able to provide scholarships through contributions from Kindermusik International, Kindermusik educators, and proceeds from the sale of Love everyday, a book of stories from Kindermusik educators about the joy of bringing music into the lives of children and families.

If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to the Children's Fund, send a check payable to "Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro" to the following address:

To be sure that your check goes toward the Children's Fund, please send an accompanying letter, or state on the "memo" section of your check, "Ruth D. Anderson Kindermusik Children's Fund."

Love everyday is available for purchase in the Kindermusik Store and it makes a wonderful gift or coffee table book for parents in your waiting room.

Purchase Love everyday now.

Music and the Arts play an important role in Child Development

2009-08-23T22:58:00.000-07:00

Research Encourages Focus on Music and the Arts to Enhance Early Childhood Development

Music Research

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2002, states, "Studying music encourages self discipline and diligence traits that carry over into mathematics, science, foreign languages, civics and government, economics, arts, history and geography." Research supports that music helps prepare the mind for specific disciplines of learning; skills learned through music carry over into study skills, communications skills, cognitive skills and abstract reasoning skills useful to all parts of life, according to a 1997 article in Neurological Research.

Young Children

Don Campbell, author of The Mozart Effect, traced neurological development during childhood and found prior to a major spurt of neural integration in the brain during the elementary school years, learning occurs through movement and quick emotional associations. For example, by age two, the brain has begun to fuse with the body via marching, dancing, and developing a sense of physical rhythm. The more music children are exposed to before they enter school, the more deeply this stage of neural coding will assist them throughout their lives.

Parental Involvement

Findings from a study conducted by three researchers at Sam Houston State University in Texas reports that early music training can improve intelligence, and the amount of parental involvement in the music training can greatly affect the amount of improvement. Strong correlations were found between musical abilities in young children, particularly the ability to match vocal pitches and reproduce rhythmic patterns and abstract reasoning abilities.

The study also showed that parental time spent with a child is a more important factor in predicting intelligence test success than such factors as single-parent households, poverty, low parental education levels and ethnic minority status.

School-aged Children

Arts education makes a tremendous impact on the developmental growth of every child and has proven to help level the "learning field" across socio-economic boundaries, states the involvement in the Arts and Success in Secondary School, James S. Catterall, The UCLA Imagination Project, Graduate School of Education & Information Studies, UCLA, Americans for the Arts Monograph, January 1998.

Arts education has a measurable impact on youth at risk in deterring delinquent behavior and truancy problems while also increasing overall academic performance among those youth engaged in after school and summer arts programs targeted toward delinquency prevention, according to the YouthARTS Development Project, 1996, U.S. Department of Justice, National Endowment for the Arts, and Americans for the Arts.

Community-based Arts

Findings from the Living the Arts Through Language + Learning: A Report on community-Based Youth Organizations, Shirley Brice Heath, Stanford University and Carnegie FoundationFor the Advancement of Teaching, Americans for the Arts Monograph, November 1998 reports that:

Young people who participate in the arts for at least three hours a day, three days
a week for at least one year are:

4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement.
3 times more likely to be elected to class office within their schools.
4 times more likely to participate in a math and science fair.
3 times more likely to win an award for school attendance.
4 times more likely to win an award for writing an essay or poem.

Young artists, as compared with their peers, are likely to:

Read for pleasure nearly twice as often.
Perform community service more than four times as often.
Participate in youth groups nearly four times as frequently.
Attend music, art and dance classes nearly three times as frequently.

Consider bringing music into your child's life by taking lessons or classes with us at Harmony Music Studio - where the gift of music lasts a lifetime! 281-992-9800
Originally posted on Kindermusik.com

Kindermusik or Private Lessons?

2009-08-23T22:49:00.000-07:00

Should I choose Kindermusik or Private Lessons?

Q: My kindergartener or 1^st grader shows interest in learning music. Should I enroll her in private lessons? Or Kindermusik?

As her parents, only you can make that decision, but here is some information that may help you to make the right choice for your child.

Q: What is Kindermusik for the Young Child?

Kindermusik for the Young Child is the culmination of early childhood musical development; in addition to movement, instrumental play, singing, and creating, YC students begin to learn musical notation (note and rhythmic), and begin learning to play a melody instrument, the glockenspiel. We also learn pre-keyboarding skills to transfer the knowledge of the glockenspiel to the piano. YC was designed for Kindergarten and First Grade students. Please be aware that Young Child is a sequential, two year curriculum - new students may join in second (Spring) semester as class space allows, with the understanding that the family and child will work with the teacher to catch up on concepts and learning covered in the first (Fall) semester.

Children in YC class are beginning to read, enjoy puzzles and games, and like to socialize with other children in their age range. They follow directions reliably, and can answer abstract questions, such as “how do you think a composer can make music sound like birds?” He or she enjoys singing, is eager to learn, and can work independently for short periods towards a set goal. These children are ready to begin understanding concepts of practice, proper handling of an instrument, and playing a tune as opposed to exploring ways of creating sound on an instrument. These fundamental ideas are the foundation for Young Child, and through them, we learn about music in a way that makes the learning more natural and easy than private lessons are for children just entering gradeschool.

Q: When Should My Child Begin Private Instrumental Instruction?

As a general rule, most children are not ready to begin formal instrumental training before the age of 6 or 7 for piano or string instruments, and most instructors will not accept students younger than 8 or 9 for other orchestral or band instruments. Before that, they tend to lack the size, stamina, and outcome-oriented commitment to make lessons an enjoyable and successful experience. Children are individuals, with a wide range of aptitude, but all children possess the ability to enjoy lifelong music making, and this ability can be greatly influenced by how we choose to approach their earliest experiences. From experience, most teachers will tell you that the majority of students do not begin to progress rapidly in piano lessons, for example, until they are at least 7 years old.

Kindermusik contains all if the needed elements to develop a child who is musically aware and who has the solid foundation to make lessons a natural and joyous next step. Children who grow up in Kindermusik have had chances to succeed, be nurtured and encouraged in their early creative explorations, and develop a core of music theory instilled through voice, body, and mind. Music for them is a natural part of their environment, and they have gained the language of note, rhythm, and expression to help them as they select which instrument they most wish to make their own. Many experts agree that early musical enrichment lays a foundation for musicianship which may accelerate later progress on an instrument.

Children who graduate from Kindermusik for the Young Child have a strong basis in theory, musicianship, and instrumental technique. More importantly, they have been allowed to develop the whole child through music, in a supportive and reassuring atmosphere, which lays the groundwork for a lifetime of positive outlook not only towards music learning, but towards learning in general.

Press Release: Fall 2009 Classes

2009-08-17T20:37:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 17, 2008
Contact: Tabby Worthington
713-306-4023
kindermusik@harmonymusicstudio.com

Getting ready for preschool is child’s play
Fall Kindermusik classes begin September 1st

Friendswood – In a Kindermusik class, miming and singing “Wheels on the Bus” may seem like child’s play, but it’s actually helping a child develop better coordination and language skills. Fall registration begins August 18th for Kindermusik with Ms. Tabby at Harmony Music Studio, where parents and their children—ages newborn to 7 years old—sing, dance and make music together to develop better learning skills for the child. Parents also learn more about the developmental process and benefits by activities in class.

Studies continue to show that music has a positive impact on a child’s ability to learn. Not only in terms of preschool readiness, but making and responding to music can help a child use scissors, kick a ball, as well as have a positive impact on a child’s sense of self-esteem and self-expression. “For a child, being ready for preschool is about feeling comfortable with yourself,” says Tabby Worthington, who operates the Kindermusik program at Harmony Music Studio in Friendswood. “Then they have the confidence to leave mom and dad at home and get involved with what’s going on in preschool.”

Kindermusik classes are designed by music and early childhood educators. Activities are based on new and proven research that music making music can stimulate every area in the child’s development:
• Stimulate a love of diverse styles of music—varied musical exposure leads to language proficiency and spatial-temporal reasoning, which is the foundation for engineering and science.
• Foster creativity using music, dance, drama—children use creative thinking skills in pretend play, enhancing their ability to think in different ways.
• Teaches parents about child development—parents are the child’s first teacher. Kindermusik classes help parents understand the child development process by explaining developmental benefits of each class activity and offering activities they can do together at home.

For more information on getting children ready for preschool, or to learn more about Kindermusik classes starting in the fall, call Tabby Worthington, at 713-306-4023 or send her an email at tabbyfoo @ gmail.com . Ms. Tabby is offering 13 classes, pending enrollment, at Harmony Music Studio on FM 528 at Townes Rd in Friendswood for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and children through age 7. Enroll online at http://www.kmtabby.com For more than 25 years, Kindermusik International has touched the lives of over a million children and their families, introducing them to the joy of learning through music. With a revolutionary combination of music and early childhood development research, more than 4,500 Kindermusik educators teach children ages newborn to 7 in over 35 countries around the world.

Who is Tabby?

2009-07-23T22:50:00.000-07:00

Ms. Tabby Worthington - Voice, Piano & Kindermusik Instructor

Tabby Worthington hails from the rocky mountains of Salt Lake City, Utah, moving to Texas in 1999 after meeting her husband. She is a mother of 2 children, and has a menagerie of pets. Before she was a music teacher, she worked in technical support and computer repair.

In 2007, Ms. Tabby graduated from Kindermusik University and became a Licensed Kindermusik Educator, which makes her a special expert on early childhood development through music and movement. Kindermusik is a wonderful program for children from infants to 7 year olds. In the classroom, we work on enhancing the development of all areas of the child through music and movement, including cognitive, social, musical, emotional, physical and language development in fun activities.

Ms. Tabby has worked at Harmony Music Studio since 2001. She offers instruction mainly in voice, but occasionally will take on a piano student or two. Ms. Tabby attended the University of Nevada Las Vegas as a Vocal Music Education Major, and has studied with Mr. Tom McKinney as an apprentice of the "One True Voice" method. She has performed in many productions, including:

"Bye, Bye Birdie"
"Anything Goes"
"The Pink Panther Strikes Again"
"Guys & Dolls"
"Into The Woods" - Selected scenes
"The Old Maid and the Thief" - Selected scenes
"La Traviata" and "Candide" - Selected scenes
"The Merry Widow"
"The Magic Flute"

When time permits, Ms. Tabby also enjoys performing with the Bay Area Chorus.

Ms. Tabby encourages all students to try out different styles of music instead of focusing on just one. "I believe that having a well-rounded background in all kinds of music makes for better musicians," she says. Students in her studio will study music theory and sight singing in addition to working on solo songs. We will study Jazz, Blues, Contemporary, Gospel or Contemporary Christian, Sacred, Classical, Baroque, Musical Theater, and Romantic styles throughout the year on a rotating basis.

You can view Ms. Tabby's YouTube videos here: http://www.youtube.com/user/tabbyfoo - many are of students from the studio, but you'll catch a glimpse of Ms. Tabby's family and pets here, too. She enjoys art (drawing, painting, photography), prime-time TV & movies, and video games when she's not working in the garden.

Ruth D. Anderson Kindermusik Children's Fund

2009-07-02T22:48:00.000-07:00

To all who were waiting to hear from me about your scholarship applications for Home Material Scholarships for Kindermusik, I have some great news!

July 1, 2009

Dear Tabby,

On behalf of all of us here at Kindermusik International, I want to thank you for applying for a scholarship through the Ruth D. Anderson Kindermusik Children's Fund. Thank you most of all for all you are doing to touch the lives of children -- children who face unbelievable challenges -- each and every day. Without you and educators like you, many of these children (perhaps most) would not have the opportunity to be influenced by the power of music. What you are doing is changing lives - and helping to make our world a much better place.

This year, Kindermusik International and the Ruth D. Anderson Kindermusik Children's Fund awarded almost 700 sets of home materials to children all over the world as a result of the application process. We are honored that we are able to help -- in this small way -- to reach these children and families with the Kindermusik experience.

Very best regards,

Michael G. Dougherty
Chairman & CEO

Kindermusik with Tabby

Zoo Train Polls

The Job Jar

Support Kindermusik Scholarships!

Congratulations, Young Child Graduates!

Summer Classes Enrolling Now - begin June 8th

Photos from the Village

Don't forget to vote for CCISD Trustee tomorrow!

Registration Error

Summer offerings expanded!

News Update! Summer class schedule and descriptions

Baby Massage

Summer Classes 2010

Momotarosan

Growing pains

Spring 2010 Class Schedule

Updated information

First week of Music Class is complete.

Momotarosan (Young Child Semester 4)

Monday Morning 3-5 year old class

FOL Friday!

Ready to enroll?

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Spring Class Schedule

I like elephants!

Merry Christmas!

*Dies of the cute*

My Brilliant Brain: Born Genius

Spring Class Schedule Survey Time!

Missing Post...

Molly Lewis's Poker Face

Super Exciting News!!!

Houston, we have liftoff

A "Girls' Night" at home...

New Feature: FOL Friday

Virtual Previews...

Happy November...

Sunday Evening Family Time Class Canceled

The "Keys" to learning

Tabby's Instrument Collection

Tis the season...

Free Trial Class!

How Young is Too Young...

October Special $2 off per class

You know that's not where we put dirty clothes...

Peek at the Week : Weeks 1 and 2

Kitties in need of a home...

Rediscovering Playing for Change...

Feeling much better, thanks!

Fighting the flu

Safe No Matter What You Make...

The power of music at home...

Fall 2009 Class Schedule Layout

Hey Moms! Want a link on this page?

Follow me to Kindermusik!

The Pentatonic Scale

What is a Free Preview class?

What class is right for my child?

Don't wait to enroll!

New Village Class and Imagine That!

Why Teach Music?

Why do we teach music? - Thursday, July 9, 2009

Kindermusik Village - Babies 0-18 months

Village home materials include :

Benefits for Your Child and You:

Family Time - All Ages

Benefits for you and your child

Kindermusik for the Young Child - school age children 5-7 years

Benefits for Your Child and You

Kindermusik Imagine That! - Preschoolers 3-5 years

Benefits for Your Child and You

Kindermusik Our Time - Toddlers 1 1/2 to 3 years

Benefits for Your Child and You

Ruth D. Anderson Kindermusik Children's Fund - provides materials scholarships for students who demonstrate need.

Music and the Arts play an important role in Child Development

Research Encourages Focus on Music and the Arts to Enhance Early Childhood Development

Music Research

Young Children

Parental Involvement

School-aged Children

Dies of the cute