we are kindermusik

Kindermusik's official blog has moved!

2009-10-16T18:45:00.002-04:00

The official Kindermusik blog has moved here:

http://www.kindermusik.com/mindsonmusic/

Starting my career at Kindermusik after the infamous Molly McGinn had already left, I never had the pleasure of working with her. Of course, her name is still used around the Kindermusik universe with great reverence. We recently tracked her down and asked for access to this blog so there wouldn't be any confusion about where Kindermusik's "official" blog lives.

On arriving here I find that Molly had racked up 606 posts in the time she maintained this blog. That's astounding and jaw-droppingly impressive. Some of the content is silly, some informative, some random, some laser focused. All of it's valuable, and I'm glad it lives on on the web.

To keep up with the latest and greatest at Kindermusik and the world of music and childhood development, please come join us at Minds on Music. We'll have contributions from educators, Kindermusik employee-owners, and guest writers. Thanks. Hope to see you there.
-Shawn
Kindermusik International

Yes we can

2008-02-14T09:51:00.000-05:00

wearekindermusik.blogspot.com

Making way for the new

2008-02-13T10:18:00.003-05:00

I've been trying to figure out how to write this post for about 4 weeks now. "This post" being my last post to "we are kindermusik" as its official owner.

February 1 was my last day at Kindermusik. In recent months it's become clear that it was time to move on. The goal, the hope moving forward, is to start my own online media company and pursue the whimsical notions that you instill into a child's heart and mind every day: music.

However, Careyanne Deyo will pick up where I left off. And if you don't know Careyanne, you will, and you'll come to love her.

I could talk about her as a colleague, but that wouldn't describe her. You have to describe Caryeanne as a friend. She's the one who always shows up when she says she will. Speaks in a soft, but audible voice, that relaxes the everyday gnashing noises of the world and makes you grateful for the quiet. Her creativity is persistent, and her heart and mind work together for the Kindermusik Educator. She's also a great supporter of the arts, having recently relocated to New York City so that her very talented husband, Tony Deyo, can be closer to the craft and career he loves as comic writer and performer.

In the coming days, I'll post more information about where you can find the new and improved Kindermusik blog.

Whether or not it can be dismantled and played like a symphony orchestra .... well. Maybe.

Thank you all for your support, your interest, and what you do every day for Kindermusik, music and education, families and their children. Kindermusik taught me to love music again, and I wouldn't be where I'm going now, if I hadn't experienced it.

Music is happiness.

The safest thing you can do is take risks

2008-01-31T10:59:00.000-05:00

Seth Godin shares the importance of taking nurturing curiosity.

Thank you Sean. Via Bob Lefsetz.

Screen shots

2008-01-30T10:24:00.000-05:00

Merri asked the other day how to capture the image from the network program. Here are a few directions on taking screen shots from my favorite little birdie, Sean.

on a pc, hit "ctrl" + "print screen", then go into a paint program and
paste it ("ctrl" + "v") into a new file. crop away.

with a mac, hit "command" + "shift" + "4" to get a screenshot cursor, drag
it around the area you want captured, let go (listen for the snapshot sound),
open the "Picture 1.png" file on the desktop and crop away.

What does your social network look like?

2008-01-28T17:23:00.001-05:00

Epicurious HTML graph, originally uploaded by Noah Sussman.

I was mesmerized watching this illustration come together. Drop in your blog Url and have fun.

http://www.aharef.info/static/htmlgraph/

Is there a John Smith in your classroom?

2008-01-28T10:49:00.001-05:00

Chicago Theatre #2, originally uploaded by R.A.M.O.N.E..

I've spent several Friday nights listening to the NPR radio program "This American Life." Many times the Chicago-based storytellers have kept me in the car listening for the full hour with a backseat full of melting groceries.

So when I got this email from a producer for the Showtime spin-off of the radio series, I wanted to help.

Producers are looking to do a series of life experience stories on the men named "John Smith."

Specifically, they'd like to know if there is a young John Smith in your Kindermusik classrooms to include in the story.

If there is a John Smith in your classroom, contact "This American Life" producers at 800-463-4505, or email johnsmithcasting@leftright.tv

Here's more from Anna's email:

The idea of the show is to give a sense of what it¹s like to be living and working, growing up and growing old in America right now. We want to do that by talking to people of all different ages who just happen to be named John Smith.

We want to talk about the things that matter most -- jobs, loved
ones, homes, hopes, worries, fears, regrets and so on. We¹d like everyone in the story to be named John Smith because we want the stories to feel universal.

In particular, we're interested in the issues people are facing that are unique to their age. For instance, we'd love to find a young John Smith. Maybe a toddler about to take his first steps, or a child with
his first real bike. Or in the case of Kindermusik, a John Smith learning to speak and sing, move and dance!

To give you a better sense of who we are, here¹s a little background.

"This American Life" is a documentary series that airs on Showtime. The first season in Spring 2007 and we're currently at work on Season 2 which will air later this spring. The series was nominated for three Emmys last year, but it's a spin-off of a public radio program (also called This American Life) that has won most of the major journalism awards in the country, including the Peabody, duPont-Columbia, and Murrow awards.

For more information, please check out the website: www.thislife.org/

I don't know if there's even a single John Smith in the US who's enrolled in Kindermusik classes, but finding a real, live John Smith is harder than you'd think . . . So, we're trying to make our search as wide as possible!

We'd be thrilled to find a John Smith in the age range of newborn
through 7 years old.

Music is the language of learning

2008-01-28T10:06:00.001-05:00

SWAPBOT - ALPHABET POSTCARD F #5, originally uploaded by dumpsterdiversanonymous.

For the last five years, I've been looking for the words to describe why music is such an important presence in a child's early development.

There's the brain research, yes. Compelling, and interesting, however it's really gross to talk about a child's mind in terms of neural networks and neuron firing.

There's the scientific proof, yes. Studies previously performed on Kindermusik students show positive growth in intellectual and self-control behaviors. Still, some educators and experts can't be swayed by even the most convincing studies. I think it's just the way some people are wired.

For me, though, I finally yawped out a Eureka when I realized what preschool teachers have know all along.

Music is inherent to the methods used in early learning. Repetition, rhyme, exposure to patterns, and a variety of sounds are defining qualities of both music and early learning. That's likely why music and language share the same pathways in the brain.

That's why, to a child, music is the language of learning.

Who do you want to Jott?

2008-01-24T09:33:00.000-05:00

Sean and I sat in on Seth Godin's web talk yesterday about his new book, Meatball Sundae. He talked about Jott, a web-based service where you call a phone number, leave a message, and the service will type the message, and send it to your email address, or your phone's text inbox.

I set up an account for myself, but had some trouble leaving a message. But, I was calling from my cell phone, which doesn't pick up sounds so well. And, the service is still in Beta.

Educator tip: Still .... there's an option to send your message to multiple addresses, or phone numbers. That's a quick, easy option if you need to send families a quick message, or reminder, when you're on the run. Might be worth playing around with a bit.

You must have been a beautiful baby

2008-01-18T12:08:00.001-05:00

KinderMusik with Teacher Jeannie - 38, originally uploaded by Our Awesome Planet.

Yvette and I were talking today about simple ways to get permissions from families to blog or post pictures of their children from class.

As you all get more comfortable and adept at using video--and I can see that you are--you could incorporate a photo release form into your registration process.

Why?

Build community. Through photos, images, and videos you can create a virtual Kindermusik community online as families come back to see the class experience through a different lens.

Get your families involved. Something about being a parent brings out the photographer in everyone. Though some families are still cautious about posting their child's pictures online (a request that should always be respected) other families are more than happy to share. See if they'd be willing to flex some creative talents in your classroom.

Link to their flickr or online photo albums. If your families have flickr accounts, ask if you can feature some family photos.

Smart marketing. If a picture says 1,000 words, photos of your families having fun in class will say more than any Web site can.

Choose wisely. Post pictures with a little style, humor, or flair, and it will show how serious you are about putting music and children in the best possible light.

While we're talking about videos ...

2008-01-14T14:30:00.000-05:00

Miss Sunny, you have utterly amazed me, once again. Watch a video of her parents talking about her Kindermusik program.

Here's how she did it, in her words:

I'm so very excited to share with you that Musik & Motion website now features an in-house video of our very own Kindermusik families in action. In working with Chris Stone (a genius in video editing and story crafting) and Pat Kuske (ditto for cinematography)-- these two amazing and talented people have skillfully and visually captured a bit of what goes on in the Kindermusik class at Musik & Motion in a 5 minute 38 second video. Chris and Pat are consummate professionals, extremely personable, dependable, and willing to go the extra mile for you. I hope to be able to work on future projects with both of them again! Kindermusik families, thank you for generously offering and bravely sharing your testimonials on camera after class. Each of your testimonials whether on/off camera, written or verbal mean oh, so much to me, and I appreciate every word of it!And Kindermusik educators out there, if you're looking to create a video for your program, please don't hesitate to contact me or Chris. Ditto for any businesses, schools or non-profit organizations looking to capture your mission and story on camera.

Yvette's Viral FOL

2008-01-14T11:31:00.001-05:00

Yvette took a short video of herself, explaining the importance of attaching positive emotions to early learning experiences. Now it's a visual, viral FOL that parents can share with each other online.

Brilliant. She must be a Kindermusik Educator.

Made me think

2008-01-08T10:49:00.000-05:00

This would be a great idea for a mini-video of your Kindermusik students--talking about what they've done in Kindermusik. Makes me think Pinko.

Stella's Dance

2008-01-07T21:42:00.000-05:00

I moved around alot growing up. Best, best, bestest friends were hard to come by. Scratch that. Bestest friends are hard to come by even if you live in the same town all your life.

We were b/f in 7th grade, and Rachel and I lost touch somewhere around junior year. I changed schools. She got a boyfriend. We drifted.

Years later, sometime in February 2005, I'd heard that Rachel's husband--and father to Rachel's 1-year-old daughter, Stella--had died in his sleep. Within a few weeks I'd bought a plane ticket to Verona, WI, and met up with Rachel again. We didn't skip a beat. All those years had disappeared. And we laughed and grieved over 1,000 things.

At the time, Rachel was frustrated that she couldn't find any books to help her daughter deal with her grief. So. She wrote her own.

Now available online, and in your Barnes & Noble, and Borders book stores. If not available, ask them to order it and perhaps the store will consider carrying the book.
Stella's Dance.
Rachel and Stella's story in The Capital Times.

Remember this little one?

2007-12-11T11:56:00.001-05:00

It's still true today. Thank you.

What's on your mind?

2007-12-10T15:36:00.000-05:00

"According to neuroscience and child development research, brain development proceeds at a faster pace between conception and the first day of kindergarten than during any subsequent stage of life. In the early years, basic capacities such as trust, self-confidence, empathy, and curiosity are established. How people think, learn, reason, and relate to others throughout their lives is rooted in their early relationships, experiences, and environments."

Common Vision, Different Paths: Five States' Journeys toward Comprehensive Prenatal-to-Five Systems"

One clarification: Research like this isn't meant to crank up the guilt factor for parents. It's meant to inform the people who are making the the public policy and academic decisions that will affect children who don't have immediate access to a loving, nurturing environment.

Do books still matter?

2007-12-04T13:56:00.001-05:00

What Makes a Shadow, originally uploaded by xtinalamb.

"We’re just not going to be reading for text anymore,” said Saveri, the Institute for the Future researcher. “We’re going to be ‘reading’ for movies, graphics, images, digital stories, symbols,” she says. “You may say young people aren’t reading the classics, but 20 years from now, there might be some classic multimedia pieces with video, with hyperlinks. That’s the new edge of literacy.”

Saveri suggests parents blog with their kids, make a YouTube video, jump into the new media - and take books along. “We’ve got to get over our nostalgia,” she says. “Denying your child a rich media world is doing your child a disservice.”

Do books still matter?

Super Silver Snowflake

2007-12-04T13:22:00.001-05:00

Step-by-step instructions here. Thank you swissmiss.

South Korea's singing highway can save you

2007-11-30T11:43:00.000-05:00

Can you name that tune? Watch the abc news clip here.

Via neatorama.

Hopscotch-like music game

2007-11-29T14:58:00.001-05:00

instructions, originally uploaded by Zombie37.

Does anyone know how to play this?

Lookybook

2007-11-29T14:44:00.000-05:00

Lookybook lets you flip through the online pages and find out if it'll be favorite before you buy online.

Thanks swissmiss.

Myths and facts about raising an only child

2007-11-29T10:35:00.001-05:00

don't you love those little feet?, originally uploaded by :: e r i k a ::.

Myth: Only children are aggressive and bossy.

Fact: Only children learn quickly that attempting to run the show, a ploy that they may get away with at home, doesn’t work with friends and a bossy, aggressive attitude is a quick ticket to ostracism from the group. Lacking siblings, only children want to be included and well liked.

Myth: Only children prefer more solitary, non-competitive amusements because they are alone a great deal of the time.

Fact: This preference has more to do with social class than family size. The interests in these amusements stem from parental values and the home environment of middle- and upper-middle class families, which are more likely to have a single child…

Myth: Only children are spoiled.

Fact: Being spoiled is a reflection of our society. The Chinese feared they were raising a generation of “little emperors” when their only child policy was in effect. Looking back 20 years later they found the only children were not particularly spoiled and found no difference in only children’s relationships with friends when studied with children who had siblings.

Myth: Only children are selfish.

Fact: Every child at one time or another believes the world revolves around him…

Myth: Only children must have their way.

Fact: Children with siblings often have more “who’s the boss” difficulties because they are constantly forced to share toys, television times, and parents…

Myth: Only children are dependent.

Fact: Because of adult guidance and lack of siblings to lean on, only children are more self-reliant and independent than those who have brothers and sisters to fend for them.

Myth: Only children become too mature too quickly.

Fact: Children with siblings relate and talk to their siblings rather than their parents. The only child’s primary role models are parents. The result is that only children copy adult behavior as well as adult speech patterns and develop good reasoning skills early on making them better equipped to handle the ups and downs of growing up. A good thing, for sure…

Source: Modern Mom, CA
http://www.modernmom.com/content/2875/2/

Edukey

The balancing act of early education

2007-11-28T11:28:00.001-05:00

circus, originally uploaded by udronotto.

"Journalists have written quite a bit about the phenomena of affluent parents willing to do just about anything to give their kids an edge.

"Cloaking consumerism in pseudo-science that makes natural development seem to depend on the right toys--rather than just loving, talking to, reading to, and playing with your children--helps fuel this unfortunate parental instinct. This impulse among some parents creates business opportunities and it's no surprise companies are out there capitalizing on them.

"Sometimes the universal pre-kindergarten movement overemphasizes education, as well, causing opponents to complain that schooling is more important than just fostering normal, healthy development.

"These issues are worth more critical attention, I think."

Early Ed Coverage

Women In Art

2007-11-27T14:29:00.000-05:00

Thank you Jeanne.

Shel Silverstein

2007-11-20T16:07:00.000-05:00

I was wandering around Mollie Greene's world and found a link to this Shel Silverstein Web site. That's also when I wandered into this embroidered world on flickr.

First, leave the guitar case open.

2007-11-19T11:17:00.001-05:00

Six Business Lessons I Learned as a Street Musician.

The one in the middle is getting married Saturday

2007-11-14T16:11:00.000-05:00

What do you s'pose they're singing?

2007-11-13T14:36:00.000-05:00

You'll have to read the blog to find out: Musical Notes by Grow & Sing Studios.

Girl with Glockenspiel

2007-11-12T14:52:00.000-05:00

Welcoming a new Kindermusik blogger to the blogroll, Launa Hall.

"I feel like I’ve finally found the work I should be doing."

Why music?

2007-11-09T10:29:00.000-05:00

Because flashcards never made you dance like this. Thanks Sean.

Whose boots?

2007-11-07T14:43:00.000-05:00

See more photos from the Kindermusik Convention on Jessi's flickr page.
Or visit the Partnership of Kindermusik Educators blog.

I am a Dancer. I have Down Syndrome.

2007-11-07T09:48:00.001-05:00

I am a Dancer. I have Down Syndrome., originally uploaded by g2slp.

I was looking through flickr to find some photos of children with Down Syndrome to use in the new ABC Music & Me brochure, when I found this.

Beautiful.

If you have photos of children with special needs in your classrooms, would you drop me a line? I'd love to see if we could use them in some marketing materials.

Rosetta Tharpe

2007-11-06T13:53:00.001-05:00

Dance Little Baby

2007-11-02T08:58:00.001-05:00

You'll dance the Charleston in the Kindermusik class for babies, "Do, Si, Do." Now you can throw a few new moves into the kickin', toe-turning mix.

Parenting's Silliest Babies

2007-10-30T11:07:00.000-05:00

Parenting magazine posted its favorite videos from the Silliest Baby contest. My favorite is this little one, skydiving.

Early Childhood Resource

2007-10-26T09:47:00.001-05:00

Great Web design, sharp resources, and easy to navigate. I love pre[k]now.

"We are educating people out of creativity."

2007-10-23T10:38:00.000-05:00

Sir Ken Robinson: Do schools kill creativity?

Sir Ken Robinson makes an entertaining (and profoundly moving) case for creating an education system that nurtures creativity, rather than undermining it. With ample anecdotes and witty asides, Robinson points out the many ways our schools fail to recognize -- much less cultivate -- the talents of many brilliant people. "We are educating people out of their creativity," Robinson says. The universality of his message is evidenced by its rampant popularity online. A typical review: "If you have not yet seen Sir Ken Robinson's TED talk, please stop whatever you're doing and watch it now."

Via swissmiss.

Where I was during Convention

2007-10-23T10:16:00.000-05:00

Via Neatorama.

Parent and child dance shoes

2007-10-17T14:53:00.001-05:00

Link via Sean's google reader (which I can't figure out how to link you to at this very moment).

Great ad.

2007-10-16T13:15:00.001-05:00

Wonder what the Kindermusik equivalent would be?

Via Coolhunter.

Lessons from Feathers

2007-10-16T10:12:00.000-05:00

Musik and Motion has a beautiful post about the sounds you'll hear and the v-formation you'll see when geese fly south for the winter.

CHIP on his shoulder

2007-10-16T07:58:00.000-05:00

Photo traqair57

Still trying to figure out why President George W. Bush will vote to veto a program that would ensure millions of children recieve health care early on. The Texas Early Childhood Education Coalition seems stumped, too.

Below are step-by-step, word-by-word directions printed in their e-newsletter this month on how to call your Senator or representative.

"Recently, President Bush vetoed legislation that would reauthorize the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and expand health coverage to millions of uninsured children. On October 18, the House will vote to override the President’s veto. Stand up for children lacking health care access by letting your representative know you support the health needs of Texas’ children and families!

As you know, without additional funding, more low-income working families will lose child care and more child care providers will continue to struggle to keep their doors open. Further health care funding is also critical in order to ensure that children receive the proper health coverage necessary to thrive in life. Please make sure that your voice is heard by calling your members of Congress today.

To speak to your Senator or Representative, call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to speak to your Member of Congress, or click here to look up the name and contact information of your Senator or Representative.

Talking Points for Calling Your Representative

My name is _________. I am a constituent, and I am requesting that Representative __________ sign the Dear Colleague letter being circulated by Representative Rosa DeLauro, in support of including the $75 million increase for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) in the final Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill.

I also request that Representative __________ supports a $200 million increase for Head Start.

In addition, I am requesting that Representative ___________ vote to support the health care needs of millions of uninsured children in response to the veto of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

Talking Points for Calling Your Senators
My name is _________. I am a constituent and I am requesting that Senator _______ supports a $75 million increase for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) and a $200 million increase for Head Start increase in the final Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill.

Really crafty, clever costume ideas

2007-10-15T10:44:00.000-05:00

The moose antlers are actually white gloves sewn into a brown hat. Even better ideas here.

Girl with Guitar

2007-10-08T14:25:00.001-05:00

Modernized Art.

Well?

2007-10-08T11:21:00.000-05:00

They're holding Wiggles and Giggles At Home Materials. And quite frankly, I can't tell if he's to take hers, or kiss her.

Boys.

Thanks Jeanne!

Primer on music lessons

2007-10-08T10:57:00.000-05:00

This article appeared today in the Omaha World-Herald newspaper. In it you'll find some great advice to share with parents interested in providing music lessons for their child.

Too young to play an instrument? By Jane Palmer

What are good starter instruments? For babies: rattles (maracas), tambourine, bongo drums. For toddlers and preschoolers: rhythm sticks, sandpaper blocks, maracas, drums, finger cymbals, triangles, cymbals, gongs, jingle bells, xylophone-type instruments with removable bars and chorded zither. Toy instruments won't hold a youngster's interest for long. Age 3 and older: new or gently used piano, which should be tuned once or twice a year. Second best is a digital electronic keyboard with touch-sensitive, weighted keys. Young violin players: smaller violins, scaled to a child's hands and body.

How young can children typically start music lessons? For traditional piano lessons, at age 7. For band and orchestra instruments, in fourth or fifth grade, when children are big enough to manage the size of the instruments and have more lung capacity.

How can you get preschoolers interested? Listen to all styles of recorded music from birth. Sing together and play singing games. Participate in Kindermusik or other music experience programs for babies through age 7 or 9. Find local programs online at http://www.kindermusik.com.%20look/ for preschool programs that devote at least 10 percent of their time to music.

How much are lessons? From $15 to $40 for a 30- or 60-minute session.

How do you obtain instruments? Introductory instruments such as sandpaper blocks may be available at toy or school supply stores. Most instruments require a trip to a music store. Ask for a student instrument. Turn down artist instruments, which are higher priced. Buy a used instrument to further cut costs, and ask about service and repairs after the sale. You may find a bargain in classified advertisements or at a pawn shop, garage sale or thrift store. Make sure everything works. Music stores often have a rent-to-own program. If you keep the instrument longer than atrial period, you own it and your monthly payments apply to the purchase. On the rental agreement, take note of the interest rate and total cost. It may be cheaper to obtain your own loan.

Sources: Joan Reist, past president of the Music Teachers National Association and retired associate professor of piano pedagogy at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Lance Nielsen, president of the Nebraska Music Educators Association and director of bands at Lincoln East High School. National standards published by the National Association for Music Education at http://www.menc.org/.

Matchbox train craft

2007-10-08T09:43:00.001-05:00

Picture-by-picture instructions on Kids Craft Weekly.

Make your own rainbow rainmaker shaker

2007-10-08T09:39:00.001-05:00

Use food coloring on the rice. Via Sparkle Power!

Go Canada!

2007-10-05T15:30:00.001-05:00

For Erin

2007-10-05T14:40:00.000-05:00

ABC Music & Me Schools Edition

2007-10-05T13:08:00.000-05:00

Some Outcomes are Immeasurable

If you know someone in the pre-K public school system--such as a Director of Curriculum, or Superintendent--let us know.

ABC Music & Me is especially effective for children with developmental delays, English language learners, or children who are at risk of falling behind in Kindergarten.

Just in time for Convention

2007-10-05T09:13:00.001-05:00

Via the Imaginary Foundation.

She flies through the air with the greatest of ease

2007-10-05T09:03:00.001-05:00

Speaking of missing bloggers .... Darcie and I still catch each other mid-air every once in a while, thanks to Facebook. These days, the former Kindermusik Educator and now, mom of two, is crafting another talent: Photography. She's now shooting along side her husband Jason, and the result is even more music and movement in the shots for Revival Arts Studio.

Better than Mr. Potato Head

2007-10-04T13:12:00.001-05:00

Turn up the volume to hear the sound effects for some face fun.

Via Neatorama.

Freestyle Tuba

2007-10-03T11:38:00.000-05:00

girl with guitar

2007-10-02T14:57:00.000-05:00

A hunka-hunka-halloween

2007-10-02T13:16:00.001-05:00

It's that time of year again. Thankyouverymuch.

Kitchen remix

2007-09-27T15:48:00.000-05:00

Kindermusik of Holland.

Music training linked to enhanced verbal skills

2007-09-27T12:11:00.000-05:00

"Music training, with its pervasive effects on the nervous system’s ability to process sight and sound, may be more important for enhancing verbal communication skills than learning phonics, according to a new Northwestern University study."

Photo: deb takes photos

Faces in places

2007-09-27T09:20:00.001-05:00

An entire blog dedicated to the hidden faces around us.

Via swissmiss.

Musicophilia

2007-09-26T13:28:00.000-05:00

"Oliver Sacks has an interview in the latest Wired, talking about his new book Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain with Steve Silberman. This sounds like a fantastic book -- a real Sacks-ian exploration of all the wild and illuminating ways the brain has of dealing with music. "

Via boing boing.

Alive and kicking, just not blogging

2007-09-24T15:35:00.001-05:00

I've been getting the nicest emails, lately.

"Where are you, Molly?"

"I don't want to bother, or get too personal, but is everything okay?"

"We miss your blogging!"

Well. Thank you.

And yes, I am fit as a fiddle, and a-okay. Sorry to have made you all worry. Of course, I would have likely done the same thing if one of you suddenly stopped blogging. In the last few month's, however, I've been been immersed in learning my new role with ABC Music & Me. It's not really a new role anymore, and finally, I feel like I can come up for air. Plus, my band has really been taking off. We recently won the Battle of the Bands in Ziggy's. And, I've recently welcomed a new distraction into my life. Ain't he cute?

Still, it's great to be missed, and I'll still be probably blogging less. That just means you'll have to pick up the slack. Looking forward to seeing it.

Love: Mollie Greene's words

2007-08-30T15:40:00.001-05:00

Last summer I loved to read the way she'd complain about the heat. Now, with a third curly-haired child on the way, she has taken to writing love/hate lists.

Clearly, she's a Kindermusik Educator. Thanks for sharing you, Mollie Greene.

love

vacuuming the house just before bed
new school clothes and the way kids feel when wearing them
jude’s sneaky way of charming sips of coffee from my cup
the amazing way that children! learn! to read!
marvel hero (and villain) postage stamps
the potential for cooler weather
hel looks and the all-too-brief explanations as to what the heck is going on there
finding a good pattern to make the use of and need for kleenex lovely

hate
cereal for dinner
amber on big brother 8
three year old whining instead of the helpful use of words to express needs, dislikes, displeasure
adults posessing self-centeredness but poorly disguising it as busy-ness
uncomfortable inability to not feel enormously pregnant

This elephant is full of peanuts

2007-08-30T09:48:00.001-05:00

Thank you swissmiss.

One man orchestra. Literally.

2007-08-29T12:56:00.000-05:00

Look closely. They're all Bob Brozman.

Rock, paper, scissors, or a bedtime story?

2007-08-29T09:27:00.001-05:00

Freakanomics authors Stephen Dubner and Steven D. Levitt blog for the New York Times. And they'll talk about all manner of things, including one of the Stephen-ven's nightly ritual with his daughters to teach creative thinking skills.

Click the picture to read the blog post and watch the video.

What a wonderful shadow puppet

2007-08-24T09:59:00.000-05:00

Another Coontastic find.

Draw on the walls, please

2007-08-22T10:00:00.001-05:00

E-glue.

Everybody's going to dance around

2007-08-21T07:38:00.000-05:00

Thanks Sean.

Top Toy Trends 2007

2007-08-16T10:31:00.000-05:00

I've been (not so) joking about getting a red, radio flyer wagon to cart my guitar amp from my car into bars for gigs. Novelty, and practical, yes. I could use the wagon as an amp stand, too.

Now that I see this new take on a radio flyer, I'm doing a double take. Unfortunately, my amp would crush this little worm, but I'd still like to take him for a spin. Or a bob. Or a wiggle.

Check out all the top toy trends profiled in Parent magazine and take special note: Almost every single one has a music and movement spin.

Mind your own business

2007-08-15T09:51:00.001-05:00

Kindermusik Educator Caroyln Hornell was profiled this week in West Vancouver's newspaper--in the business section.

Get rhythm

2007-08-15T08:18:00.001-05:00

Composer with the ridiculously long name

2007-08-14T10:09:00.000-05:00

The name of the German composer in the Monty Python sketch is:

Johann Gambolputty-de-von-Ausfern-schplenden-schlitter-crass-cren-bon-fried-digger-dingle-dangle-dongle-dungle-burstein-von-knacker-thrasher-apple-banger-horowitz-ticolensic-grander-knotty-spelltinkle-grandlich-grumblemeyer-spelter-wasser-kurstlich-himble-eisenbahnwagen-guten-abend-bitte-ein-nürnburger-bratwürstel-gespurten-mitz-weimache-luber-hundsfut-gumeraber-schönendanker-kalbsfleisch-mittleraucher-von-Hautkopft of Ulm.

Via Swiss Miss

General Admission

2007-08-09T08:48:00.000-05:00

Here is the Educator responsible, and I've asked her for the full story. More later ....

Gigantic Dulcimers Kick Off Beijing Olympics

2007-08-08T12:27:00.000-05:00

Imagine the Olympic size of that home material order. Geez.

Hey Xander, this one doesn't have a heart

2007-08-08T09:26:00.000-05:00

Space Invaders Fifth Symphony

2007-08-08T09:16:00.000-05:00

First the hoodies, then the symphony, then somebody throws around Beethoven's name.

"If Beethoven were alive today, he would be a video-game composer. ... He was always ahead of the curve. His whole thing in music was to control the emotions of the person listening to it.”'

Video Games Live organizer Tommy Tallarico

If I only had a brain

2007-08-07T10:14:00.000-05:00

I was always amazed at how he could sing and dance, without a brain.

Must be the music that makes him so brilliant.

Music and Movement

2007-07-26T15:55:00.001-05:00

Martha Graham

"Wear" is your instrument?

2007-07-26T15:35:00.000-05:00

Careyanne passed on this Web site, Etsy, which is full of fun, artsy, cool-mama crafts.

Nobody knows this better than you.

2007-07-26T08:53:00.001-05:00

The Optimus Prime of Instruments

2007-07-26T08:48:00.000-05:00

Sean has been sending some fantastic links my way lately, including this, which is a page totally dedicated to automatic instruments. And this video, where you can see the above automatic cello in action.

The evolution of a drummer

2007-07-24T10:31:00.000-05:00

The video starts when he's 2-years-old.

Neatorama

If you got flickr, you got stickers

2007-07-19T15:55:00.001-05:00

Nifty, nifty. Now you can upload your flickr photos (and other creative picture services) to create you own sticker books, and more.

Thanks Sean.

It's hard to say goodbye

2007-07-19T14:30:00.000-05:00

But it's always good to know you left an indellible impression. A parent in Sarah Flack's Kindermusik class blogs her goodbye.

Great newsletter

2007-07-19T14:23:00.001-05:00

The Development

Kindermusik in South Africa

2007-07-11T09:21:00.000-05:00

There's one in every class: A camera ham. You'll notice this class ham right away.

You may not notice though that each one of the children in this Kindermuik class is an orphan or HIV Positive. Some aren't five years old and are considered the "Head of the Household."

This video, and a few more , was taken by Kindermusk's President and CEO Michael Dougherty. Michael recently visited South Africa for the Kindermusik Convention. You may also notice the kids are wearing knit caps because it's winter there. I'll post more of Michael's pictures to our Kindermusik flickr page.

"If it's Irving Park or Soweto, Kindermusik has the same effect on every child," Michael said.

More to come ....

My mom knit an iPhone

2007-07-06T09:54:00.001-05:00

A cheaper alternative, yes, and good for fine motor skills, too.

2007 Teacher of the Year on Music in Schools

2007-07-03T14:11:00.000-05:00

“The beautiful thing about music is that it can give kids skills that transfer over into their reading, writing, and math.”

Andrea Peterson, the 2007 Teacher of the Year

Watch Andrea on ed.gov

Great for holidays and birthdays

2007-07-03T10:24:00.000-05:00

Oxfam's taken a clever, consumer-savvy spin on small change donations for making big changes. Take a look.

Makes me wonder if we could do the same thing for children everywhere. An online site where people could purchase Kindermusik tuition and At Home Materials for children in their community--or for a child in another community half way across the world.

Before you take Kindermusik, sign here

2007-07-02T11:47:00.000-05:00

__________needs a happy mother.

I promise to take care of myself.

____________________________
Sign here

Hat tip: Kindermusik of Holland

Face-painting, video-taping, and the National Anthem

2007-07-02T08:51:00.000-05:00

I remember talking with Julie Stewart about blogging at the last Kindermusik Convention in Greensboro, NC. At the time, she was building a new Kindermusik studio and was worried it wouldn't be ready in time for the kids. Even still, she showed up at convention, eyes wide and ready to learn.

Since then, she (as well as several bloggers I've been watching since then) has developed a voice, and an eye, all her own.

When I asked about the videos she posted to her blog--mini-snapshots of Kindermusik classes--she explained that she was the one who held the camera, did the voice overs, wrote the script, and finally did the editing and posting of the videos to her blog.

"I have been trying to think out of the box on advertising," she writes. "To get the word out creatively with less $$$."

Here's how she's doing it:

"I am the camera girl. I was dancing some when I took the Village video. I have some other footage now that isn't so shaky and I may remake it, although parents were really tickled with it. It is just my Canon digital.

"The Princess Day was a spur of the moment make... Look at my blog entry ... Princess Day! What a fun time we had! It tells you what we did. My daughter took some of those pictures, but that was a Saturday and she happened to come to one of the sessions to take pictures. She thinks I should write a book with all the stories I told. Every activity was attached to a story. The girls that came are still talking about it. One mom told me the little girl asks everyone if they will kiss the frog to see if they are the right one to turn him back into a prince.

"I have had fun making all the videos. What I would like to do is perfect them a little more and make a promo DVD to put into the new homeowner packets in Riverwood where I am located. I already have a free preview coupon and brochure and I think it would be a terrific tool for promotion. I also had the idea of putting together a DVD to put in other businesses as a rolling advertisement, maybe with all the Riverwood Businesses, etc. Just a thought...

"Anyway, thanks for your feedback! Have an AWESOME 4th of JULY! I will be singing the National Anthem at Clayton Municipal Park for several 1000 folks! and painting faces at a booth earlier."

Beyond borders

2007-07-02T07:02:00.001-05:00

I was looking for Edie Brickell's version of "A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall." Instead appeared her take on this Bob Dylan tune from another movie, "Beyond Borders."

Arkworld

2007-06-28T08:21:00.000-05:00

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

2007-06-27T13:48:00.000-05:00

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

2007-06-20T15:33:00.001-05:00

Julie Stewart, you're amazing

2007-06-20T10:07:00.001-05:00

Here's Julie.

Mini-musical drama

2007-06-20T09:37:00.000-05:00

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

2007-06-19T15:37:00.000-05:00

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?

2007-06-19T14:00:00.000-05:00

Kindermusik Educator Olivia Richardson.