Archive for March, 2008
Kindermusik – a good beginning never ends
Although this is NOT one of our current Kindermusik educators,
you can’t deny that this is one happy lady who loves making music!
One of our goals as Kindermusik educators is to give children a life-long love of music, that it may bring joy to them in any of it’s many forms throughout their life. This picture just made me laugh and think of our Kindermusik motto: A good beginning never ends. Although I do not know who this woman is, I believe there is a high likelihood that there was a lot of musical activity in her young life at home.
As a matter of fact, there are many Kindermusik educators who bring the joy of Kindermusik into the lives of the elderly. The next educator that we will feature, Jennye Shaling, facilitates a Village with Seniors program. In this program, she arranges with a Senior Care Facility to host a Village program (designed for babies up to 18 months). Read more about this facinating program in a future blog posting!
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Make Homemade Instruments with Pencils
What kind of instrument can you make with a pencil??? Well, the Kindermusik students and families sure surprised Ms. Debbie with their creativity.
During Valentine’s Day Week, Valentine’s PENCILs were handed out to each student from 18 months old up to 7 years old. They were challenged to make an instrument, of any sort, using this pencil (leaving it UNsharpened). A few examples were demonstrated (my 4 year old daughter helped me make a few in advance), and most of the students left the classroom explaining their creative ideas in detail to their parents. They were so excited to be given this project.
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As you can see in the slide show, during the next classes, such a variety of instruments arrived! Students were able to demonstrate their instrument, and, sometimes with the help of parents, were able to describe how they made their instruments. You’ll notice, some students chose NOT to use a pencil – that’s OK, too. One student got SOOO excited about the project, he made an instrument for everyone in class.
We all enjoyed a rollicking play-along song from their Kindermusik CDs. Then the students were asked to place their instrument in a category (each on a different carpet square) that identified HOW sounds were made on their instrument:
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tap
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shake
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rub
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twist
Everyone had a great time with this activity, and you can tell by their faces that they are truly proud of themselves, or the young ones are just totally enamored by their own isntrument.
This might be a fun activity to try in your own home. Just start with a pencil. Look at all the different types of instruments and sound makers that you have at home. Talk about ways to make sounds, such as those percussion methods listed above. Have the child help you gather and lay out different materials you have to choose from in your home. Then sit back and relax, and observe your child as they enjoy the process of creating something truly their own. Describe what they are doing, and ask open ended questions, like “What can you do with that?” “How should we put it on the pencil?”
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 1 so far )Lakeland Educator: Debbie Mondale
Kindermusik Educator Spotlight
Debbie Mondale
Music Connections
“Using music to make powerful connections within and with others “
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Debbie Mondale started Music Connections in 1999 in Lakeland, Florida, and absolutely LOVES teaching Kindermusik, and sharing how music can make such a difference in the lives of children and their families.
Music Connections Website: http://musiconnx.kindermusik.net
Music Connections Blog: http://musiconnx.wordpress.com
MC Recommends… Blog: http://mcresources.wordpress.com
Locations: 1 in downtown Lakeland, 1 in Winter Haven
Winter Haven classes are taught by Bernadette Murray!
Kindermusik Curriculums offered:
Village (babies), Our Time (toddlers), Imagine That! (preschoolers), Kindermusik for the Young Child (early elementary) Family Time (infants up to 5 years)
Winter Haven location offers the Family Time program.
Unique offerings of Music Connections:
Parenting classes, Staff Development, School Enhancement programs. Birthday Party Entertainment (lots of themes developed)
Educator Background:
Debbie Mondale earned a Dual Bachelor degree in Music Therapy and Psychology. Working in clinical settings seemed too limiting, esp. after her first child was born, and when Kindermusik was found, she jumped at the chance to express herself creatively with children, and to share the magic of music with families. She loves to sing anywhere, with anyone, and enjoys playing the guitar to accompany her songs.
Debbie Mondale gained Maestro status (top 5% of educators worldwide) in 2004 due to the number of families reached in Polk County, and has continued to receive this status every year since then. Currrently, Debbie is the Florida State Representative of the Partnership of Kindermusik Educators.
Personal: Debbie is the proud mother of a 12 year old son, and a 4 year old daughter, and LOVES both the joy and challenge they bring to her life.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Kindermusik Sign and Sing for babies
The following video features our own Holly Lesnick, and the families in her Sign and Sing program.
45 minute class with caregiver (mom, dad, grandparent, nanny, etc.)
This class combines songs and playful interaction to help children learn American Sign Language. The five-session class gives parents the tools to learn more than 50 American Sign Language Signs for children ages 6 months to 3 years.
At Home Materials include:
- one Family Activity Guide – providing plenty of ideas for activities for parents and children to learn and play with at home
- one DVD glossary showing 60 signs – WATCH the signs being made by adults & children
- one set of clip-on flashcards that feature both children and adults using family-friendly American Sign Language signs.
Find out more about on Holly’s blog posting: Sign and Sing – Some Questions Answered
Orlando Educator: Holly Lesnick
Kindermusik Educator Spotlight
Holly LesnickGrow and Sing Studios“Connecting Families through the Magic of Music“.Holly Lesnick and Rachael Joachim started Grow and Sing Studio together in 2002, and Elizabeth Gerrity, joined them in 2006. Between the three of them, they teach the full realm of the Kindermusik Curriculum. Holly is a very effective ring leader and cheerleader for her educators, for her families, and for her fellow Kindermusik educators.Website: www.growandsing.com Blog: http://growandsing.vox.com Locations: 2 in East Orlando and 1 in Downtown OrlandoKindermusik Curriculums offered:Village and Sign and Sing (babies), Our Time (toddlers), Imagine That! (preschoolers), Kindermusik for the Young Child (early elementary)Family Time for Toddlers, and Family Time (infants up to 5 years)Unique offerings of the Grow and Sing Studio:They also offer a creative Toddler Art and Book Time program.Birthday Party Entertainment is also a highlight of their business!Educator Background: Holly Lesnick has had a love for music her entire life. She is a graduate of Florida State University School of Music in Voice, and holds a Bachelors of Music in Music Therapy with a minor in Psychology. Holly is a Licensed Kindermusik Educator and Director of Grow and Sing Studios. She has been teaching Kindermusik classes since November, 2002, and has loved every minute of it. She is currently the Local Chapter Representative of the Central Florida Partnership of Kindermusik Educators Chapter. Holly has previously worked as a Music Therapist, Activities Director and Private Vocal Instructor, sharing her high energy and love for music with high quality leadership, guidance and education.Personal: Holly is a proud mother of 2 who sincerely believes in the value of early childhood music education. She looks forward to continuing her Kindermusik journey while spending the rest of her time at home raising her daughter Anna and her son Aiden. She is honored to be part of such an amazing program and a large international network of licensed Kindermusik educators.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Kindermusik for the Young Child – Music Theory for 5-6 year olds
Kindermusik for the Young Child is a 2 year Music Theory program
designed for 5 – 7 year olds (about the time they start Kindergarten)
Kindermusik for the Young Child is simply the BEST way for children this age to be introduced to the world of music theory, music history, and a variety of musical and cultural styles. We explore music concepts through movement, then apply them to real instruments.
Through fun songs, games, and movement, students learn to read and write rhythms and notes on a staff. Students learn to use their music memories (audiation) to play songs on three different instruments, the glockenspiel (a keyboard instrument), the dulcimer (a stringed instrument), and the recorder (a wind instrument).
We cover musical stories, from classical to cultural, and get a basic understanding of instruments from the orchestra and from different cultures around the world, with hands-on experience (as much as I can afford or arrange). We have such a great time learning; you should see the look on their faces when they get to learn a new note! And their homework each week presents games and activities that help them gain critical music skills.
Fall – Sem 1: basic music concepts (sound/silence, fast/slow, high/low, etc.), reading/writing basic rhythms, reading and writing the first 2 notes on the staff & playing them on the glockenspiel, introduction to orchestra instruments, intro. to Mozart & Opera: The Magic Flute.
Spring – Sem 2: Pentatonic scale, learning to play pentatonic songs on the glockenspiel, as well as read & write on the staff, continue studying orchestral instruments, study instruments in context with Peter & the Wolf, as well as the Young Person’s guide to the Orchestra.
Fall – Sem. 3: – Complete a full octave scale, expand study of rhythms and music theory, introduction to a variety of North American cultural music styles and instruments, get to make and play their own dulcimer, ensemble work, and continued theory on the glockenspiel.
Spring – Sem 4: Introduction to songs in alternate keys (glockenspiel allows keys to be replaced with sharp or flat notes), introduced to world music cultural styles, musical stories, and instruments, introduced to playing the Recorder, able to recognize Form in music and other more abstract music concepts.
Once students have completed this two year program (four semesters, two per school year), they are ready to choose an instrument and be successful in formal music lessons.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 1 so far )Kindermusik Imagine That for Preschoolers
designed for children from 3 to 5 years old.
Each day in Imagine That! is an imaginative journey filled with music, movement, and exploration leading to whole child development, music development, and learning through play and self-discovery. If you have a child in this age range, you KNOW that their imaginations are in overdrive. This wonderful program allows us to delve into their imagination with them, shaping and reshaping worlds where learning occurs as naturally as breathing, where singing comes as naturally as talking, and where children can explore being other people or animals, as easy as exploring being themselves. In the process, children gain valuable music skills, such as developing their singing voice, playing a steady beat, ensemble development, and much more that prepares them for success in further music opportunities, as well as for life.
Sessions are 45 min. a week for 15 weeks. Students attend independently for 30 minutes, then parents join for the last 15 min.
Each Imagine That! class is focused on creating a stimulating musical environment that integrates music, pretend play, story telling, movement, and more. Because Kindermusik so strongly believes that all children learn the most from their home experiences and interactions with their parents and siblings, each semester comes with a full set of home materials that provide high-quality tools for continuing the learning at home. Each set contains:
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2 CDs of high quality music featuring a variety of voices, instruments, and styles
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2 Children’s literature books with interesting characters, story lines, and word plays
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A Home Activity Book which includes the words & melodies of the songs, as well as “homework” assignments after each class to help bring the learning home
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A Play Set based on the theme of the semester – where the imagination can more fully process the learning that takes place
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an instrument – designed for durability and a high quality sound that will encourage a love of music making, and provide opportunities to learn steady beat and ensemble development. -
During the first semester, each Imagine That! student also recieves a turquoise Kindermusik backpack to carry their instruments and projects back and forth to class.
There are four units of the Imagine That! program, each with a unique theme that interests children this age.
Spring 2010
“Toys I Make, Trips I Take” introduces the musical environment of a remarkable toy shop, with our imaginary friend, a very creative toy maker. Students help “build” the toys, “BE” the toys, and expand on where each toy can take a child and their imagination. We fill this magical toy shop with classic toys such as boats, trains, balls, jack-in-the-box and many others that bring a glimmer into a child’s eyes.
Included in this semester’s materials is a high quality drum that your child will enjoy, and this drum allows us to focus on exploring the different timbres of sound one can make, as well as developing a strong steady beat, and being introduced to rhythmic patterns. The play set is a durable Toy Shop scenario, with punch out toys, as well as a paper toy bear with interchangeable clothes, to act out the songs, stories, and activities featured in class. The two children’s books are as follows:
- “Tippity Tippity Too” – a wonderful rhyming wordplay book, about a mouse that is determined to find out the name of all the stuffed animal characters in the house. You’ll find yourselves asking everything “Who are YOU?” and trying to make rhymes!
- “If I Had a Big Blue Boat” – a beautiful open ended book that launches us into our imaginations of where we might go, and what we might do, in our big blue boat. Each page plays around with sounds so marvalously, children are drawn to add these fun sound effects, thereby developing their speech and articulation skills.
Fall 2010
“Hello Weather, Let’s Play Together” introduces children to the world of weather. We begin with the sun rising, and waking up to the crowing of a Rooster (in Spanish), and make our merry way through windy weather, rainfall, scary stormy weather, and even end off the semester by playing in snow and ice skating. Honest! You can do amazing things in the world of the imagination!
Our weather play is enhanced by the instruments that come with the materials. We enjoy wearing our ANKLE BELLS as we join the Native Americans in their dance to honor the sun, and call forth the rain. And the various sounds that are made with the WOODEN RAIN SHAKER accent the songs we use about rain and thunderstorms. The play set includes a Game Cube, with surfaces that allow
Spring 2011
“Cities! Busy Places, Friendly Faces” allows children to musically explore and celebrate many of the aspects of living in a city, all of the wonderful sights and sounds, including silent statues as well as the complexities of the wonderful timbres that can be heard on the busy thoroughfares. In our story telling, we follow the adventures of a little boy and his dog, as they take walks through the city, and even what happens when the dog gets lost. 
Many types of people are found in the city, artists, musicians, and even mime artists, and we enjoy taking “photos” of all the people we meet.
The children use their beautiful sounding resonator bars to reflect the sounds they hear from Steeple Bells, and practice steady beat and ensemble development. And the very creative cards and puzzle board can be used to play an incredible amount of different games and activities.
Fall 2011
“See What I Saw“ is a whole semester of what can happen in a park – playing on the play ground, searching for “nature” treasures, having a picnic in the park, and so much more. Josh and Katie are the featured characters in our storytelling, and in their 
Park Play Set, where the panoramic scenario and punch out play pieces offer hours of fun re-creating our fun adventures in the park. Our song about sliding down the slide is a wonderful way to learn and practice our glissandos, and it’s even more fun when we use our graceful slide whistles that come with the home materials.
Kindermusik Our Time for Toddlers
designed for 1 1/2 to 3 year olds.
This Kindermusik program is a wonderful place for families to experience the social world of children and adults, while children learn to participate in structured group setting. Toddlers learn to balance their need to explore their world independently, and their continued need for the close bond and security of the parent or significant partner (close relative or friend) with whom they attend. All the while learning to love music through rhymes, songs, movement, and exploratory play.
Materials include:
- 2 CDs of high quality music featuring a variety of voices, instruments, and styles presenting songs and chants based on the unit theme.
- 2 Children’s literature books with interesting characters, story lines, and word plays
- Home Activity Book which includes the words & melodies of the songs, as well as ideas, cut out games, and optional resources to help bring the learning home.
- A Unique Instrument – designed and made durable, specifically for young children to enjoy.
- A cool carrying container, designed around the theme of the semester or one of the characters in the book. This becomes a wonderful tool for open-ended play throughout the semester, and beyond.
Spring Semester 2010
Away We Go! – Hop on the train, get in the car, board the plane, ride a horse and Away We Go! This delightful unit focuses on transportation, a favorite topic for toddlers who are on the go, go, go! Sing and play along with favorite songs, such as “I’ve Been Workin’ on the Railroad” and “Wheels on the Bus”. Explore fast and slow, smooth and bumpy, and high and low, and much, much more. Zoom, Zoom! The instrument is a set of two harmonicas especially designed for children to play easily. The cardboard case is designed in the shape of their soon to be favorite train, Shiney Dinah.
Fall Semester 2010
Milk and Cookies! – Yummy! Using a favorite snack as a class theme, we’ll give you songs and stories to bring more music into daily routines with your toddler—if it’s going to the store, baking cookies, or spending time together in the kitchen. Each activity was carefully created to help your toddler build confidence, self-control, and social skills. The instrument is a wooden stir-xylophone. The case is a vinyl, Velcro insulated lunch bag you’ll use long after this class is over.
Spring Semester 2011
Fiddle Dee Dee – Animals make marvalous sounds, move in unusual ways, and have specific characteristics that children simply find fascinating. Through these songs and activities, families will explore the world of animals, from pets to farm animals and so much more. The instrument is a set of two FiddleSticks – hollow rhythm sticks with wooden beads to rattle inside. The music on the CD features a variety of stringed instruments, and music from around the world. The case is a colorful cardboard doghouse, designed for creative play!
Fall Semester 2011
Wiggles & Giggles – Children love to move in so many ways. Bathtime themes such as bubbles, water, boats and more are introduced by the book “Pete & PJ” Children love the simple story and motive on each page, “Wishy Washy, Wishy Washy, Wishy Wasy, WHEEeeee!” The next book, “Watch Me!” introduces fun new ways that animals move. And the last part of the semester focuses on the love between family and friends. The instrument is a set of blue zig zag blocks, and the case is a cool green mesh zippered bag.
For more information on a class near you, make your way to the Educator Locator at www.kindermusik.com .
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )
Kindermusik in Florida 
