To my students and most of all my dear piano students who bring me such joy....

Feeling this filling heart,

hoping that you, my children,

will know that I

had a poem for you.

But it left me and is lost

and, my tears fall.

Silly, I know.

but it rhymed just right.

Ah, but here’s the thing

I hope for you ~

Music.

Sounds to know

rhythms to perk up your ears

and senses.

Birdsong.

And if you can play,

play with all your heart.

It can be simple or elaborate.

Just play.

Play because God put it there.

Music is a gift, never forget.

Pass it on.

You will always be a blessing.

And if you’re lucky,

you will be able to look at the listeners

and see a tear in their eye.

And they will tell you

It was a thing

Of joy. 

The Music Wall

Please make me a music wall at my house!  See more of this wonderful idea by clicking here.

Kindermusik is not just 'entertainment'

Sometimes parents come to class with an expectation the Kindermusik curriculum just can't meet.  They just want one thing:  instruments.  Some may be able to hear what I am saying and come around to realize that they really don't want just instruments. But others are not flexible.  (Thankfully this is extremely rare, though). 

What I do is validate their interest in instrument exploration, but I would also make sure that they understand that movement (dancing), fine motor work (finger plays), communication skills (vocal play), patterning for the brain (singing songs in different forms; ABACA, etc.) and book reading (etc) are what truly make for a well rounded class. Kindermusik puts it all together and that's what makes it unique and irreplaceable in their development. Yes, kids are drawn to instruments, but 45 minutes of just instruments will eventually become boring and it won't make a well rounded education, it will just be entertainment. Kindermusik is NOT just for entertainment.  And I love that about Kindermusik. 

Click here for a great idea called Family Draw. I love this blog and I hope you'll frequent it.

How to miss a childhood

Each minute of every day, we are presented with a choice on how we spend our moments. We can either miss the moments or grasp them.  Read more here about a mom's challenge to us all. 

Edible plants and flowers

This week in Village class we explored flowers for the song Flowers Sweet. The focus of this lesson is on smell and sensory stimulation. We will feel the flower, smell it, look at it and describe all those things to develop language as well as a connection to the scent. I studied up on 'edible flowers' and actually have many on the list in my own yard! I think I'll try to embellish some salads this week and surprise my family! As you know, babies will mouth anything and everything. And, while I’m not going to encourage them to eat them in class, I do want something safe for them to explore with the numerous nerve endings and sensors around the mouth.

To prepare the flowers for class (and for eating if you choose), I give them a gentle bath in a very mild soap solution. I then rinse them thoroughly in a clear water solution by “swishing” them and I pat them very gently with a paper towels to dry them. This retains their freshness and scent, but removes any types of residue that might be on the flower. You should not eat flowers that you have sprayed or sprinkled with pesticides or any such thing.

There are many websites with information about edible flowers. I like this one because it gives you the pictures and explains what the flower tastes like. NOT ALL FLOWERS ARE EDIBLE!! Sometimes just parts are edible; like tulip petals are edible, but you should never eat the bulb.

Something to think about

 Do you know people that just seem to be happier in general? Do you say to yourself, "I want to be more like them"?  Often, the happiest people in the world don't have the best of everything...they just make the best of everything!  Click here:  Life is like Coffee Movie

Dan Pratt - Founder Kindermusik PART II

Dan Pratt - Founder Kindermusik PART I

Music is...

Protect the quiet spaces in your day.

Fight for them. They’re elusive. Technology will chip away at them if you let it.  And your email and text messages can wait for 30 minutes while you jog. Or paint or think or walk.  I promise.  Read more from this article here.