Arkworld

When all else fails...
from arkworld

I started following his flickr page a few months ago. I only know him as "Arkworld" ... his sign on name. Each day Arkworld performs the ultimate daily creative challenge: Posts his self-portraits--mostly super-imposed images of himself in parodies of his favorite films.

Today I saw this vimeo video he took of his daughter (Jessi, here in KU, and I both follow his pictures. Jessi's also doing the "one self portrait a day" challenge).

Must say, I like his daughter's problem-solving technique, very much.

A personalized FOL

Careyanne sent a head's up to this innovative post at Kindermusik's Musik and Motion.

The blogger and Kindermusik Educator, Sunny Kira, posts a video of a parent and child interacting together at home. The little girl whisks about the room and pretends to host a Kindermusik class.

What's so innovative is how Miss Sunny explains on her blog exactly what is happening in this simple interaction. She reinforces the parent's good direction, all while giving parents who are visiting her blog insight into the Kindermusik experience.

I'm amazed at how each one of you put your own spin on the blogging concept: posting pictures, video and pictures, games and activities. In turn, you create and perpetuate a vital community for the parents in your program, some very creative ways.

You make me so proud to be a Kindermusik Educator.

Just waving hello

Julie Stewart, you're amazing

Here's Julie.

Mini-musical drama

What I love, is that it likely wouldn't have the same effect with out the music. Hat tip.

Not all talent is manufactured in Hollywood

A friend of mine from my Creative Writing days at Elon, David Stiller, sent this to me. He wrote, "This is easily the happiest thing I've seen in a month."

Agreed.

Is it in you?

Kindermusik Educator Olivia Richardson.

Kindermusik, here I come

Can you imagine the kids in your Imagine That! classes making a similar video--for the little ones moving up from Our Time?

Fun.

Do-Re-Mi in pink and punk

Double hat tip to Sean Coon for this clip, and that, of the oddly brilliant sound of the Shaggs (Xander, I think you'll like this one very much.)

Clearly though, this little pink punkin' strummer is ahead of her time.

And the uke sounds phenomenal. My little uke doesn't sound that loud.

Even my remedial skills grasp this math

"A voluntary, high-quality, universal prekindergarten education program is estimated to increase the compensation of workers by $432 billion and reduce the costs to individuals of crime and child abuse by $156 billion."

Color me an advocate for universal pre-K.

Buster Dilly Int'l HQ LLC

Over the next few days, I'll be moving into my new place, and I'll see you again Monday.

I took this shot a few weeks ago of me and my parents in the new place. Now the postman may know it by street address, but I know it by its new name: The International Headquarters for the locally owned, world-renowned Buster Dilly Productions Home Office Mothership. Pop.

Quite frankly, my parents are possibly even happier than I about living in this new place. It's new, it's clean, it's safe, and I feel inspired to aspire to bigger and better things. Who knew that your living situation could do all that?

Plus, my mom and dad (aren't they cute?) say they have a good feeling about it, and I trust their guts.

I saw a little future go hop, hop, hop

Debbie Long, I don't know if you were the first to post this activity, but I've seen you do clever things before. I'll also have you know, as I watched and the read poem, I *yawped.*

After a loud round of exclamations and adulations (I've retired the trumpet and bike horn and taken a new interest in the nose harp) folks here at KI gathered round my computer. We pressed play, watched it again, and it felt like we were watching Kindermusik 2.0.

Press play on the video and let it run for a few moments before you read the poem, slow.

I saw a little rabbit go hop, hop, hop
I saw his little ears go flop, flop, flop
I saw his little eyes go blink, blink, blink
I saw his little nose go twink, twin, twink

I said "Little Rabbit, won't you stay?"
But he looked at me - and he hopped away . . .

I'm not afraid to say it, I love it

The M-Audio digital recorder. So far I've recorded an album with it, a soundtrack with a group of art kids, and today, recorded an ABC Music & Me trainers teleconference with the audio quality so sharp, you could hear VP Brian Healy smiling.

It uploads straight into your music player. The first one came with a puny memory card and lots of troubles. Upon its miserable return to Guitar City (not a mom and pop shop, and yes, I'm ashamed) they gave me a new one. No questions asked and a "sorry for your trouble."

This one records up to two hours worth of music, conversation, and impromptu late night jam sessions under the stars.

Deep in the heart of Texas

She's only been blogging a few days and the girl already knows how to embed videos, post slide shows, and self-promote. But that's how they do in Texas, they do it big, right Sharon?

Welcome.

Climbing the TV and your baby debate

Zizkov TV Tower in Prague, photo courtesy Soph and Mart

About 40 percent of 3-month-olds watch television or videos for an average of 45 minutes a day, or more than five hours a week, according to the first-ever study of the viewing habits of children under the age of 2.The study, by pediatric researchers at the University of Washington, also found that by age 2, 90 percent of children are watching television for an average of more than 90 minutes a day.

Such early exposure to screens can have a negative impact on an infant’s rapidly developing brain and put children at a higher risk for attention problems, diminished reading comprehension, and obesity, researchers said.

Researchers said they were surprised not only by the number of hours young children are spending in front of the television but also by the primary reason: Most parents are using television as an educational tool, not for the more conventional explanation of babysitting. Despite nearly a decade of warnings by pediatricians to the contrary, parents believe that the content of programs aimed at babies is good for brain development.

Hat tip to, and for more information on the issue, visit Kindermusik of Holland

Shake it like a polaroid picture, Charlie Brown