Hearts and Minds Music Musings

Wonderful Kindermusik video

2009-08-18T12:16:00.004-04:00

I love this video the folks at Kindermusik International just made. It perfectly captures all the different personalities and learning types that are in each Kindermusik class.

I wish I had seen it about 5 years ago when my children were little and I was trying to do activities and classes with them, long before I had even heard of Kindermusik. I had one child who was frozen and another who clung to me. I felt like there was something wrong with my kids, or me, or even more likely - all three of us. Now I know that this was all perfectly normal behavior!

Watch this video and let others know about it. If you have ever taken a child to any kind of class or organized activity, I'm sure it will hit home with you too.
- Lili
Here is the video address on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzZYdgVVr9c

An interesting event to go to

2009-06-17T11:22:00.003-04:00

Thought this might be of interest to our readers...

On June 25th, the Moms Clubs of Ridgefield and Redding are hosting a lecture on childhood health and nutrition at the Ridgefield Rec Center. Doors will open at 6:30 pm for wine tasting and appetizers, with the lecture scheduled to begin at 7:00 pm. Nutritionist Elizabeth DiMeo will talk about the "state of the plate", particularly our children's plates and how to begin your children on the lifelong journey to healthy eating habits. To learn more about Elizabeth, visit www.nutrition-therapies.com. Tickets are required, and can be purchased at Ridgefield Fitness Club and Ridgefield Organics.

Nourishing the soul via music

2009-06-16T14:36:00.004-04:00

The day before yesterday my daughter had her first violin recital. Before the musicians began to play, the teacher said a few words. Here is my best recollection of her introduction. It went something like this...

"As parents, we stimulate our children's brains through academics and school. We develop their bodies through sports and athletic activities. And we nourish their souls with music."

She went on to say a few more words, but I thought that statement was so true and so eloquent, that it brought a lump to my throat. Without realizing it, the violin teacher summed up why we named our business Hearts and Minds Music. Because we instinctly felt (and we've since found research that has proven this) that music helps children's brains develop AND it touches those "invisible" parts - the heart, the soul. And if your soul is not nourished, can the other parts develop as well?
- Lili, who has some summer violin lessons to schedule

Thank You

2009-06-09T12:42:00.002-04:00

As we wrap up our spring semester, I can't help but reflect back on how much the children have grown and accomplished this year. We saw children walk through our door in September who clung to Mommy for dear life and refused to make eye contact with us. We had children who cried throughout the first several classes. And we had children who were bundles of energy darting from one thing to the next. Those same children now look forward to their weekly Kindermusik class and want more than anything to hold Miss Amy's hand during our circle dances, or sit on Miss Amy's lap, or give Miss Amy hugs. Class can still be noisy and chaotic at times, but it is with a purpose and with a focus. These are the happy sounds of engaged children, each processing information in their own unique way. I thank all of you who have been a part of our studio this year--you are friends, you are family, you are community. I look forward to seeing you all back and welcoming new friends this summer and next fall!

Amy

The Nifty Fifty

2009-05-29T14:09:00.000-04:00

Just last week, my daughter's school put on their annual Memorial Day event. I use the word event rather loosely because this particular event had elements of a tribute, a performance, a rally, and a ceremony. I'm not sure what to call it, but every year each class in the school (K-5) sings a patriotic song, the highest town and education officials attend, some veterans - both long ago and recent - are located and put in bleachers, speeches are made, the flag is raised and lowered, all in tribute to veterans on the eve of Memorial Day weekend. It is heartwarming and tear-inducing.

ANYWAY, my daughter's grade sang a song called "The Nifty Fifty," which includes the singing of all fifty United States in alphabetical order. (I think that is quite a feat.) My daughter was singing it around the house and my son, who is 2 years younger, started singing it too. Next thing you know, we're in the car, he's singing it, and I realized he'd gotten up to Massachusetts, all without anyone teaching him the song! And of course, I realize that his great memory and musicality must be due to Kindermusik, because he just completed the Kindermusik for the Young Child program (two years of age-appropriate music classes incorporating singing, instruments, listening games, sheet music and more). I had hoped his years of Kindermusik would pay off some day in him enjoying playing an instrument or singing with a vocal group, but I did not expect him to teach himself the 50 states in alphabetical order to a melody he had never heard before. So I was feeling like a pretty proud mama, both for bringing Kindermusik to my town and for having my kids take it.

Then last night at dinner the kids started singing the song again. He got into the N's and we worked on the N's and got up to Ohio (which is sung with a flourish.) I decided we were going to go all the way (but over the course of the next few days because by that point, it was time for his bath.) And then I started thinking it would be fun for the kids to sing the song to their grandfather on Father's Day as a present. And then my imagination really took off, and I realized I could videotape them singing it and send it out to the whole family, and from there it was a small leap to Youtube, and the next thing you know, I could see them on the Letterman show getting interviewed by Dave. I cracked up out loud just thinking about that.

So getting on Letterman probably isn't going to happen, but I am still impressed with how my son picked up the song, I've really enjoyed seeing them work together to teach the rest of it to him, and plus, there is nothing like live music, even if it is just in your kitchen or in the middle row of the minivan. Which is why I hope all children, from babies and toddlers to older kids, can be exposed to and hopefully be taught some fundamentals of making music.
- Lili, who is hoping to learn from Ohio to Wyoming this weekend