Do Babies Have a Language? Yes!

Another Kindermusik educator turned me on to this fascinating information (thanks, Jane Hendrix!).  It turns out that babies ages newborn to about 3 months old do have their own special language, so it can be easier to decipher those newborn cries and determine what your little one needs. Priscilla Dunstan from Australia has a gift for remembering sounds, and has all kinds of resources to help.  Here is a video of her appearance on the Oprah Winfrey show:

I hope you find this information useful.  If it doesn’t apply to you, send it to a new mom you may know.  Now, if I could only decipher what my teenage boys are texting and posting on Facebook.  Have a great week!

Sleigh Bells ~ Ella-Style!

This week, our Wiggles & Giggles toddlers are listening to jingle bells and playing along with “Sleigh Ride” by the incomparable Ella Fitzgerald.  So I thought, why should the Our Time families have all the fun?  Here is a fun little video featuring Ella singing “Sleigh Ride” with some animation.

Enjoy, and have a great week!

Announcing…Spring 2012 Class Schedule!

Julie is pleased to announce the Spring 2012 Kindermusik class schedule.  All classes will be held at our new location, First Baptist Church of Olathe.

Village ~ Newborn to 18 mos. with parent ~ Cock-a-Doodle-MOO

Hop on the hayride!  In this class, we will sing farm songs, including Old MacDonald, Hayride, and Clever Cows.  You’ll engage in rituals and playful activities with your baby, and learn how to continue them at home for optimum learning.  Home Materials: Picture board book, CD of the songs heard in class, a set of Art Banners for the nursery wall, and a Sunshine Jingle instrument.

8 weeks ~ begins January 18 ~ Wed 10:30 a.m. or Thu 9:15 a.m.
Tuition & materials: $105

Our Time ~ 1½ to 3½ yrs. with parent ~ Away We Go!

Hop on the train, get in the car, board the plane, and Away We Go!  Sing and play along with favorite songs, such as I’ve Been Workin’ on the Railroad and Wheels on the Bus.  We’ll explore movements that are fast and slow, smooth and bumpy, and high and low.  Home Materials: 2  literature books, 2 CD’s featuring songs from class, Home Activity Book, and 2 harmonicas designed for toddlers, all stored in an adorable train-shaped box.

15 weeks ~ begins January 18 ~ Wed 9:30 a.m., Thu 10:15 a.m., or Thu 5:45 p.m.
Tuition & materials: $195

Imagine That! ~ 3½ to 5 yrs. ~ Toys I Make, Trips I Take

Toys I Make, Trips I Take introduces the musical environment of a remarkable toy shop filled with boats, trains, balls, and a jack-in-the-box!  We will create a stimulating musical environment integrating music, pretend play, story telling, and movement.  Home materials: 2 CDs, 2 literature books, toy shop play set, Family Activity Book, a hand drum, and an optional backpack.

15 weeks ~ begins January 19 ~ Thu 6:45 p.m. or Fri 10:30 a.m.
Tuition & materials: $210 with backpack

ABC Music & Me ~ Grades K-1 ~ Feel the Music Under the Rainbow

Once more, with feeling!  In this class, your child will explore words and music that describe and invoke emotions.  We’ll match sounds, pictures, and words to build lasting literacy skills.  We will also learn about Ludwig von Beethoven, high and low pitches, crescendo, and decrescendo.  Home materials: 2 Home CDs, 2 Family Activity Guides, a mini maraca, and 2 finger cymbals.

10 weeks ~ begins February 4 ~ Sat 10:30 a.m.
Tuition & materials: $140

Family Time ~ Newborn to 7 yrs. with parent ~ Here, There, & Everywhere

Bring your family and let’s go Here, There and Everywhere!  This unit centers on family outings, including a picnic at the park, a visit to the aquarium, and a day at the farm.  Families will enjoy music and movement with instruments, hoops, and scarves.  Home Materials: 2 CDs, 2 literature books, Family Activity Book, board game, and 2 jambourine instruments.

10 weeks ~ begins January 31 ~ Tue 6:15 p.m., Fri 9:30 a.m., or Sat 9:30 a.m.
Tuition & materials: 1 child – $150, 2 children – $220, 3 or more – $285

Class times in red are taught by Miss Julie, while class times in green are taught by Miss Jen.  Enrollment will be open to the public on Monday, December 5.  Visit Julie’s Music Brioso website to enroll.  All classes are 45 minutes in length. A $60 deposit due at enrollment ($30 for Village classes), with the remainder due by first class. Enroll by January 1 and get $10 off! In addition, there is a discount for siblings who enroll in the same session (sibling discount is already included in Family Time pricing). Scholarships and payment plans are also available ~ contact Julie for details!

We’re Moving!

Julie’s Music Brioso is very excited to announce our new location! Effective January 2012, our Kindermusik classes will be held at First Baptist Church of Olathe, near 151st & Mur-Len in Olathe. Stay tuned for more details, including pictures of our new room!

Toss, tackle, and tickle your kids!

My apologies that I’ve been neglecting this blog over the past summer.  This week, I was resolved to write a blog post, but unsure about a topic.  Yesterday, a newspaper article magically landed on my kitchen table and gave me the inspiration I needed.

The article is entitled Start Horsing Around and originally appeared in the Chicago Tribune (click on the link to read the full article).  It quotes several experts that say roughhousing with your children, and allowing them unstructured play with each other, has many benefits.  Among them:

• It improves physical fitness;
• It fosters a deeper connection between parent and child, because the parent must be tuned in to the child’s emotions and needs;
• It teaches children to manage their emotions;
• It gives children a moral compass, because they see someone bigger and stronger holding back; and
• It creates opportunities for children to resolve their own conflicts.

I was particularly impressed by this quote:

Today’s kids live increasingly structured lives; as a result, “we’ve lost the culture of childhood, where they play their own games, have their own fights and resolve them,” said David Elkind, a professor emeritus of child development at Tufts University and the author of The Power of Play.  “A lot of the bullying that goes on in schools is largely a result that children no longer have this culture of spontaneous play.”

I added the bold type at the end of the quote.   It makes you think, doesn’t it?  I have long been an advocate of bringing play and fun back into the lives of our children.  While I was surprised to hear that the rougher physical play is so beneficial, I guess I shouldn’t have been.  Most of us engaged in this type of play when we were younger, and learned valuable lessons along the way.

I hope this gets you thinking about playing with your own children.  Not sure how to begin?  Try a Kindermusik Imagine That! or ABC Music & Me class, where we engage in pretend play during class and give you ideas each week about how to continue at home all week long.  I’ll look forward to playing with you and your children soon!

Announcing…Fall 2011 Class Schedule!

Julie is pleased to announce the Fall 2011 Kindermusik class schedule:

Daytime Classes: Leigh’s School of Dance (13490 S Arapho Drive) in Olathe

Village ~ Newborn to 18 mos. with parent ~ Do-Si-Do

Pick up your baby and dance!  In Do-Si-Do, you’ll dance the Charleston, the Tango, and the Cha-Cha.  Learn why dancing with your baby helps develop vital learning skills.  We will also play a variety of age-appropriate instruments and dance with fun props. Home Materials: Picture board book, CD of the songs heard in class, an egg shaker and scarf for music-making at home, and a set of Art Banners for the nursery wall.

8 weeks ~ begins August 24 ~ Wed 10:30 a.m. or Thu 9:15 a.m.
Tuition & materials: $105

Our Time ~ 1½ to 3½ yrs. with parent ~ Wiggles & Giggles

The songs, dances, and activities in this unit were chosen to reflect the importance of movement in the life of a toddler.  We’ll splash in the tub, hop like frogs, and take pretend boat rides.  Our focus on the emotional life of the toddler leads to giggles, hugs, and joyful steps toward independence.  Home Materials: 2 2 literature books, 2 CD’s featuring songs from class, Home Activity Book, 2 zigzag blocks, all conveniently stored in a carry bag.

15 weeks ~ begins August 24 ~ Wed 9:30 a.m. or Thu 10:15 a.m.
Tuition & materials: $195

Imagine That! ~ 3½ to 5 yrs. ~ See What I Saw

In this class, preschoolers use their real experience of playing in the park to create imaginative storytelling scenarios with music.  Each week, we’ll go on imaginary trips to Grasshopper Park, and add to the experience with music and movement.  Families join for 15 minutes of class.  Home materials: 2 CDs, 2 literature books, play set, Family Activity Book, slide whistle, 2 lummi sticks, and an optional backpack.

15 weeks ~ begins August 26 ~ Fri 10:30 a.m.
Tuition & materials: $210 with backpack

ABC Music & Me ~ 5 to 6 yrs. (grades K-1) ~ Key Up for the Parade

Join the Parade and get All Keyed Up!  Everyone will get to be in the band as school-aged children move to parade music and listen to instruments from marching bands.  They will also discover keyboards of all kinds through the music of J.S. Bach, In the process, children will learn and experience the musical concepts of piano, forte, legato, and staccato.  Parents and siblings join us the last 10 minutes of each class. Home materials: 2 Home CDs, 2 Family Activity Guides, a pair of castanets, and a recorder.

10 weeks ~ begins September 17 ~ Sat 10:30 a.m.
Tuition & materials: $140

Family Time ~ Newborn to 7 yrs. with parent ~ Make Way for Music

Families will sing, dance, and move their way through an exploration of several elements of music:  beat and rhythm, staccato and legato, high and low, voices, and instrument families.  We’ll engage in activities that the whole family can enjoy together.  Home Materials: 2 CDs, 2 literature books, Family Activity Book, instrument-matching board game, and 2 finger drums.

10 weeks ~ begins September 16 ~ Fri 9:30 a.m. or Sat 9:30 a.m.
Tuition & materials: 1 child – $150, 2 children – $220, 3 or more – $285

Evening Classes: Language Workshop for Children (11648 W 135th Street) in Overland Park

Our Time ~ 1½ to 3½ yrs. with parent ~ Wiggles & Giggles

The songs, dances, and activities in this unit were chosen to reflect the importance of movement in the life of a toddler.  We’ll splash in the tub, hop like frogs, and take pretend boat rides.  Our focus on the emotional life of the toddler leads to giggles, hugs, and joyful steps toward independence.  Home Materials: 2 2 literature books, 2 CD’s featuring songs from class, Home Activity Book, 2 zigzag blocks, all conveniently stored in a carry bag.

15 weeks ~ begins August 25 ~ Thu 5:45 p.m.
Tuition & materials: $195

Imagine That! ~ 3½ to 5 yrs. ~ See What I Saw

In this class, preschoolers use their real experience of playing in the park to create imaginative storytelling scenarios with music.  Each week, we’ll go on imaginary trips to Grasshopper Park, and add to the experience with music and movement.  Families join for 15 minutes of class.  Home materials: 2 CDs, 2 literature books, play set, Family Activity Book, slide whistle, 2 lummi sticks, and an optional backpack.

15 weeks ~ begins August 25 ~ Thu 6:45 p.m.
Tuition & materials: $210 with backpack

Family Time ~ Newborn to 7 yrs. with parent ~ Make Way for Music

Families will sing, dance, and move their way through an exploration of several elements of music:  beat and rhythm, staccato and legato, high and low, voices, and instrument families.  We’ll engage in activities that the whole family can enjoy together.  Home Materials: 2 CDs, 2 literature books, Family Activity Book, instrument-matching board game, and 2 finger drums.

10 weeks ~ begins September 13 ~ Tue 6:15 p.m.
Tuition & materials: 1 child – $150, 2 children – $220, 3 or more – $285

Visit Julie’s website today to enroll. All classes are 45 minutes in length. A $60 deposit due at enrollment ($30 for Village classes), with the remainder due by first class. Enroll by August 1 and get $10 off, plus a free gift! In addition, there is a $30 discount for siblings who enroll in the same session (already included in Family Time pricing). Scholarships and payment plans are also available ~ contact Julie for details!

Parenting = Happiness? Let’s Be Honest

This is a departure from my usual posts about how music and play bring joy to the lives of young children.  In my work as an educator of young children, I have the opportunity to see how parents interact with their children and each other, and this article is for them.

For the past few decades, society has told us that being a parent is the most wonderful, fulfilling, life-affirming thing any person will ever do.  This has become such an ingrained part of our society that people who dare to disagree with it are branded as folks who “must hate kids.”  Well, I recently read an article in The Kansas City Star about a study that tells it like it is.

The full study, published in the March 2011 issue of Population and Development Review, examined survey data taken between 1981 and 2005 from more than 200,000 people in 86 countries.  Here is a brief summary of some of the results:

• For people under age 30, childless people are happier than parents, and happiness decreases with the number of children;
• After reaching age 40, parents are happier than childless people, provided they have fewer than 4 children;
• After reaching age 50, parents are happier than childless people, regardless of how many children they have.

Daniel Gilbert, author of the 2006 book Stumbling on Happiness, agrees.

“We encourage people to live in a fantasy about their upcoming child, and then when they go off to the hospital and have their kid, we all kind of wink and nod. Why in the world aren’t we saving people from this by preparing them for what’s real? Yes, your child is going to be the source of so much joy in so many ways, but here’s all the hard parts. I’m not sure that would dissuade or should dissuade people from having kids. I’m a psychologist and biologist, and this is what we’re here for. There’s no other purpose to our lives but to pass that DNA on. But at least we shouldn’t be so incredibly surprised when we have an experience that’s been had by every human being on the planet. Right? It shouldn’t be novel.”

OK, I’m going to say it.  Out loud.  Being a parent is hard.  It’s frustrating.  It’s stressful.  It’s expensive.  It’s isolating.  Sometimes it’s a source of major embarrassment.  Why is that such a terrible thing to admit?  Yes, there are those wonderful, joyful moments, but why do we pretend that every day as a parent consists of nothing but those?

This information can be liberating for many parents of young children, and may give them the courage to ask for help.  As Robin Simon, sociology professor at Wake Forest University says, perhaps this can be the start of a paradigm shift in the way we think about parenting, so that stressed-out moms and dads don’t have to feel like failures.

There is more good news here.  While younger parents have a dip in their happiness, the effect is reversed as they age.  My opinion?  This is when all the hard work, lack of sleep, and financial investment begin to pay off.  Children grow up and become the independent adults we have been shaping them into, and this is a source of pride (not to mention relief!).

What to do in the meantime?  Talk to other parents, particularly those who are (or have been) in similar situations.  Ask for help.  Use available resources, including those from your child’s day care, preschool, or enrichment programs (including Kindermusik).  Admit (even if it’s only to yourself) your true feelings about being a parent.  And don’t forget to take care of your own well-being.

Have a great week!

Announcing…Summer 2011 Class Schedule

Julie is pleased to announce her Summer 2011 class schedule.  All classes meet once a week for 5 weeks, and are held at Leigh’s School of Dance in Olathe.   No classes the week of July 4.  Wednesday morning class(es) will be added if there is enough demand, so let Julie know if you are interested in this option.

Peek-A-Boo!  I Love You! ~ Parents and babies newborn to 18 months

Games like “peek-a-boo” help babies understand language. In this class, uncover more ways to say “I love you” using American Sign Language, soap bubbles, and parent-baby dances. Plus, parents can meet with other newborns and families in the community and learn how music improves the child development process.  Home Materials include: CD, board book, poster, duck wash mitt, and a baby duck Gertie ball.

Begins June 28 ~ Tue 9:30 a.m. ~ 45-minute class
Tuition & materials: $73

Marvelous Me ~ Parents and children ages 1 1/2 to 4 years

We will engage in songs, chants, and activities about all of the things your toddlers can do with their rapidly developing bodies.  We will do activities with partners and share instruments to build social skills.  Through engaging songs, rhymes, and movements, we will learn to recognize and anticipate repeated patterns.  Home Materials include: CD, Family magazine with activities and story, and a set of 3 box shakers.

Begins June 28 ~ Tue 10:30 a.m. or Wed 6:45 p.m. ~ 45-minute class
Tuition & materials: $73

Jazz Kitchen ~ Children ages 4 to 7 years

Come on in as we bring jazz into the kitchen!  We will explore food in many dimensions-grocery shopping, chopping, dicing, and cooking-all to the sounds and rhythms of jazz.  We will experience quarter- and eighth-note rhythms with our hands, our bodies, and a keyboard. Families join us the last 10 minutes of each class.  Home Materials include: CD, Family magazine with activities and story, and a 2-tone woodblock.

Begins June 30 ~ Thu 6:00 p.m. ~ 60-minute class
Tuition & materials: $90

Creatures in My Backyard ~ Parents and children ages newborn to 7 years

Look up high in the trees!  Now see what’s down on the ground.  Dedicated to the great outdoors, the environment, and our animal friends, this class is full of songs, finger plays, nursery rhymes, musical stories, and dances that will inspire children and parents to explore and discover the wonders of the natural world.  Home Materials: 2-CD set, lady bug shaker, small scarf, and downloadable activities from play.kindermusik.com.

Begins June 29 ~ Wed 5:45 p.m. ~ 45-minute class
Tuition & materials: 1 child – $73; 2 children – $115; 3 or more children – $152
Free tuition for children born after 2/28/2011

Online open enrollment begin April 18 on Julie’s website.  Payment is due at enrollment, and is accepted by cash, check, or credit card. Enroll by June 1 and get $5 off! In addition, there is a $10 discount for siblings who enroll in the same session.

New Village Class Begins Soon!

Julie’s Music Brioso is pleased to announce a new Village class beginning soon.  It’s called The Rhythm of My Day.  The wide variety of music in this class will help you bring more rhythm and routine to your baby’s day, as well as help develop lasting learning skills.  Traditional songs include The Mulberry Bush, I See You, Au clair de la lune, and Weggis Song.  We’ll dance to Hey Lolly, Water Come A Me Eye, and Hevenu Shalom.  You can bring home these same stress-free play and relaxation techniques from class, and incorporate them into your daily routines. 

Home Materials include: CD of beautifully arranged songs from class, The Rhythm of My Day–a colorful picture board book with class themes, set of art banners that strengthens vision and promotes early literacy, and an Young Maestro Tambourine instrument for music-making at home.

This is a 7-week class that meets Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. (beginning March 30) or Thursdays at 9:15 a.m. (beginning April 7).  Cost for tuition and materials is $92.  Come join us!

Music Boosts Language Skills

Here is a great article with information about how music can enhance language skills, including the ability to learn a foreign language.  Click on the link to read the entire Reuter’s article:

Learning to play a musical instrument can change your brain, with a U.S. review finding music training can lead to improved speech and foreign language skills…

“The effect of music training suggests that, akin to physical exercise and its impact on body fitness, music is a resource that tones the brain for auditory fitness and thus requires society to re-examine the role of music in shaping individual development,” the researchers said in their study…

“A musician’s brain selectively enhances information-bearing elements in sound,” Kraus said in a statement. “In a beautiful interrelationship between sensory and cognitive processes, the nervous system makes associations between complex sounds and what they mean.”

The study reviewed literature showing, for example, that musicians are more successful than non-musicians in learning to incorporate sound patterns for a new language into words.

Children who are musically trained are better at observing pitch changes in speech and have a better vocabulary and reading ability than children who did not receive music training.

I don’t know if my music training enhanced my ability to learn a foreign language, because I’ve never learned one.  However, I have always been very attuned to various accents and dialects, and sometimes I’m better at identifying people from their voices than from their faces!  Anyway, this is interesting stuff.  Have a great week!