Why music?

This is a wonderful short video presenting one important reason why music should be a valued and necessary component in every preschool and school curriculum. Enjoy!

Karate Chick

Here is a picture of my daughter in her first karate tournament. She took home a first place in weapons (bo staff) and a second place in kata in her age group in the novice division. I am so proud of her! An oboe player who is a kick chick!

Cooties

Do you have a cootie problem at your house? We no longer have these. It seems to peak around seven or eight years old.

Dance of the Reed Flutes

Here is a funny version of this classic melody from The Nutcracker.

Remember Me

As the wife of a retired soldier, this really touched me. I hope that it touches you and makes you think.

Cadek Kindermusik in the Commmunity News

If you live in East Brainerd, you may have seen the article that Brandi Scoggins wrote for the East Brainerd Community News (part of the Chattanooga Times Free Press). It will also appear in the Ooltewah Community News soon. Brandi is coming out to Dallas Bay Baptist Church to take pictures in my classes there for the Hixson and hopefully, the Soddy-Daisy Community News, running the article in these papers too. She wrote a terrific article that really covered the benefits of Kindermusik and our program. It is so nice to get such good publicity!

Time to get signed up for next semester!

Well, it's time to register for Winter/Spring 2008 semester at Kindermusik! Here's a look at what is in store for everyone.

Village: It will be lots of barnyard fun with the babies as we experience Cock-a-doodle Moo! in the first half of the semester. The second half will be full of flowers, springtime, and Irish music with Dewdrops.

Our Time: Hop aboard Shiny Dinah for a ride through Away We Go! We will travel in cars, buses, trains, and airplanes, ride horses, and float down the river. Toddlers love transportation, and we will be going places together!

Imagine That!: Where are toys made and who makes them? What do the toys do at night when no one is in the toyshop? Did you ever wonder about that? Well, join us for Toys I Make, Trips I Take in your Imagine That! class this semester if you want to find out. Let storytelling take your child's music learning to new heights this semester.

Happy Independence Day!

Here is another photo from Memorial Day at the National Cemetery in Chattanooga,TN. I think that it works for the 4th of July too.

Memorial Day 2007

Every year my Girl Scout troop joins with 500 or so other Girl and Boy Scouts to place flags on the graves at the National Cemetery in Chattanooga, TN. My father was buried there last August, so this is the first year that my daughter can put a flag on her Grandpa's grave. I am so glad that we honor those who served there country and those who served and gave their all. God bless our veterans and God bless America!

What will we do with the baby-o?

As I have experienced music and movement with babies in my Village classes this week, I have observed parents and grandparents really tuning in to how to do the class activities with their children. Parents of walkers really have the most challenges, as walkers need to walk and practice their latest accomplishment. Sometimes these parents get discouraged with their child's lack of "participation" in class, as they walk in circles around the rest of the class. Never fear, the children are still listening and learning as they circle. Just follow them and do as many of the activities with them as they will let you do. Oh the joy of babies and music!

Time to Sign Up for Fall Classes

It's that time of the semester again! It's time to sign your child up for fall Kindermusik classes. Be sure to save your spot in class, as classes can fill up quickly. Is your child ready to move up to the next age group? If so, ask Ms. Anne for a brochure describing the next adventure for your child in Kindermusik. Remember, your child can experience seven magical, musical years in the Kindermusik program. Every age group is special and unique. Don't let your child miss one!

A Magical Class

My Wednesday 9:45 Our Time class was magical this week. Parents followed their children's lead in playing instruments, they literally followed their children when they wandered, and the overall parent-child interaction was incredible. Story time with my animal puppets was so much fun. The children were entranced with the puppets, and several sang along with me in the story. A parent commented to me after class that this was the best group she has ever been with in Kindermusik. The parents have formed a supportive community in the class, encouraging each other and all the children, not just their own. Children learn so much in a loving environment like this one. Each class is a celebration of their accomplishments. Classes like this make me so glad that I am a Kindermusik educator!

Snow Day

Hello from the winter wonderland that is Soddy Daisy, TN! We are having a snow day today with about 2 inches of snow and sleet. So, no school and no Kindermusik classes! Days like this make me glad that I am a teacher. Even though I love my job, a day at home to read the paper and drink coffee, do some chores, and play in the snow with my daughter is much appreciated. I hope that you enjoy a great snow day soon!

This is a first!

This is my first attempt at worldwide publishing of my thoughts concerning my job. I am a Kindermusik educator, teaching music and movement classes for children newborn to five (even though the curriculum goes to seven). I've been doing this for almost eight years, and it is the best job I have ever had. I knew that music has a major impact on children, just from my experiences as a public school teacher. However, with the birth of my daughter eleven years ago, I began to see the impact that early musical experiences can have on babies and young children. I sang to my daughter, danced with her, did fingerplays, bounces, wiggles, and tickles, but didn't put her in a Kindermusik class, even though I had heard of it. I thought, "I do all that at home with her", forgetting how much I enjoy making music with others in my orchestra job and at church. When she was three and a half I enrolled her in a Kindermusik Music Box class at her preschool. After the first class she said, "Mommy, that was so much fun!" I called the teacher and asked if I could observe the class. She said yes, so I did, and came out saying, "I have to do this"! The rest is history. I teach classes for the Cadek Conservatory of Music, and I usually have an average of 110 students every semester in 12-14 classes a week. What a great job! I get to enjoy music all day long, lead parents and children in classes that help their children develop in all area, and I get paid for it! What a deal!