Birds & Boats in Imagine That class this week... :-)

Piano stairs

Importance of repetition

How many times has your child said "again, again, again"? Do they bring you the same book several times a day? Do they want to listen to the same song over & over? Repetition is reassuring to a child. There is security in sameness. Even adults appreciate knowing what to expect. You go to the same restaurant, store, or vacation spot because you are comfortable there. You know what to expect.

This week begins our 6th week of Kindermusik classes, and you have probably noticed that we have done the same activities for several weeks in a row. Adults may tire of the same activity, but by repeating the activities the children become comfortable, and begin to participate. In the January 2004 Parents magazine Susan Brody had the following things to say about repetition:

Repetition fuels your toddler's memory, confidence, motor skills and understanding of the world.

Repetition helps a child feel good about herself because it reminds her of what she can do.

Repetition is one way the toddler can exert some control over his environment. This sense of power is extremely gratifying for someone with such limited control over the big world around her. We will play the sticks, the sandblocks and sing the same song again, but it is good for your child's brain.

Repetition helps prevent brain overload. It's as though the time your child spends repeating familiar tasks allow his brain to take a mini-vacation. Once he's done relaxing, his brain is ready to focus on new learning.

World Science Festival 2009: Bobby McFerrin Demonstrates the Power of the Pentatonic Scale

Can't decide whether to enroll in Kindermusik?

This is so true ~ I get these questions all the time!

Getting ready for you ~ Fall, 2009

All the materials have been sorted, collated, and re-packed. :-) Here are a few pictures of our afternoon...

Young Child I materials
Matthew and I worked so hard! Here we are working on Our Time materials.

Imagine That materials ready to go! Young Child III dulcimer fret boards.

Imagine That prep.

Here is the worker behind the scenes!

All 8 boxes when they arrived!

Music Notation Concentration

Click on the picture for a fun game! What's your time?

The Piano Cat

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeoT66v4EHg

Evian Roller Babies international version

It's like Kindermusik for your child!

Kindermusik with Heidi adds new location for fall!

Kindermusik with Heidi's studio will be expanding this fall to a third location! I will be teaching Village (birth to 20 mo.) and Our Time (18 mo. to 3 1/2 yrs.) classes at Montessori Country Day School on Tuesdays! Bill and Lisa Vesterman, current owners and directors of the school, asked me last spring to consider teaching and after taking a tour, and talking with them, was convinced I needed to accept. It's a wonderful, positive place, overlooking west Flower Mound countryside. I'm sure it will be a good experience and I can't wait to share the love of music, movement and sound with all those who chose to take Kindermusik classes at this location. I think it's going to be a perfect arrangement for my Kindermusuik families and me! Check my website for more information about fall classes in all three locations!

Creative Children and Technology ~ Raising Your Kids In This Age

Musical Instruments - Whether your musical instruments are home-made with a comb and wax paper or store bought, making music is a wonderful way to spend the day together. Teach your child that music can be made from anything, from an old oatmeal container, to scratching two pieces of sandpaper together. You may want to listen to music together and try to pick out the instruments that are making the sounds... Read more at Yes Parenting.

Ennio Morricone - Monaco - Gabriel's Oboe

I like this quote from a listener: " ...If this song was to play at my eventual demise, I would die a very happy man. This piece is just so amazing." I so agree. Just close your eyes and listen to this.