Thanks for stopping by A Family Place. I enjoy working with families, and sharing the power of music with them. Kindermusik provides this outlet for me. This blog will allow me to share thoughts and ideas that can help families in their journey.

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Helpful Reminders!

The first few weeks are a whirlwind of activity. New teachers, new friends, and new music. Sometimes it takes several weeks for children to feel comfortable in their new surroundings. What do you need to know:
  • Be on time for class.  I realize parking can be an issue. After 5 pm you can park in any lot!
    1. Leave toys and food at home or in the car.
    2. Be patient and encouraging. 
    3. Think, say: how many ways can we....play the sticks, move high, move low, wave our hand, etc...  Your suggestion, then they get an idea of their own, this is called scaffolding!
    4. Have fun in class, and your child will follow your lead.
    5. Some children are observers.  The class is where they soak it in, and then later it comes pouring out!
    6. Unless you are expecting an important call, turn your phone off when you come to class.
    7. Focus on your child during class, and save conversation with grown-ups for later.
    8. Play the music at home and in the car.  
    9. Incorporate activities from class into your daily routine. Your family activity book or card has lots of ways to do this.
    10. Please sign the photo release if it is okay to post pictures of you and your child on social media or the Kindermusik blog/website. 
    11. Check the board in the Kindermusik for pertinent information.  Email and Facebook are also ways we communicate on a regular basis.
    12. Do you need some parenting tips?  Kindermusik International has great post to help you out, check out their blog
    13. Teacher email addresses:  Wendy Williams hamilton80@aol.com  Kay Bratton brattonk@bellsouth.net Kathryn Nobles knobles@berry.edu
    14. Still need an answer, check this post.
    Remember all children are different, and your child may not participate the same as others. Your child may wander or just observe, but they are absorbing the atmosphere and are learning.
    You may need to stand up with your child, while others are sitting. You may need to find a new way to rock or move. Find a way to participate with your child.  If you are engaged, they will be too!

    For those with older children (Imagine That or Young Child), you may notice that they respond differently when you come for sharing time. This is part of being an independent learner. Try not to judge your child. Do correct disruptive behavior that is inappropriate such as loud talking, angry outbursts or struggling with a sibling who enters. Once class is over, tell the child what you enjoyed about being in class with them. Put the accent on the positive that you want to see repeated.

    If you miss a class you are welcome to make it up on another day/time.  Unfortunately some classes don't have that option...especially the evening classes.  It would be helpful if you could email about making up a class, just so we know you are coming.  It is not imperative, but encouraged.  Here is the class schedule for Spring 2016:


    Kindermusik Village (newborn – 18 months)
    Tuesday 10:15 a.m. 
    Wednesday 9:15 a.m 
    Thursday 9:30 a.m.
    Thursday 5:30 p.m. (music library)

    Kindermusik Our Time (18 months – 3 years)
    Monday 5:45 p.m. 
    Tuesday 9:30 a.m.
    Wednesday 10:15 a.m. 
    Thursday 10:15 a.m. 
    Thursday 6:30 p.m. 
    Friday 9:30 a.m. 

    Kindermusik Imagine That! ( 3.5 - 5 years)
    Monday 5:30 p.m. (music library)
    Thursday 11:00 a.m. 
    Friday 10:15 a.m.

    Kindermusik for the Young Child (4.5 – 7 years)
    Year One (green folder)  Tuesday 5:15 p.m.  Thursday 3:45 pm
    Year  Two (yellow folder) Thursday 4:45 p.m.

    Beyond Kindermusik
    Beyond 2 - 3:45 - 4:45 pm
    Beyond 1 - 4:15 - 5:15 pm.

    Monday, January 4, 2016

    Details for Kindermusik of Berry College

    Kindermusik classes begin on January 11


    Details you should know to make your Kindermusik experience go smoothly:
    • Directions
    • The college students also return to campus on January 11.  This means more cars in the parking lot, more students driving to class.  BE CAREFUL in the parking lot and crossing the street.  
    • The new welcome center is now open and the gate is operational. For details on the gate and how it affects coming onto campus, click here.  If you don't have an electronic pass on your car, they will scan your ID at the gate. You can get an electronic pass and make your entrance quicker, or just allow more time to get to class.  If you want the pass, there is a yellow form to fill out and you can get one from your Kindermusik teacher and then take it to the campus safety house across from the main entrance.
    • Allow plenty of time to find a parking place and get to class. Once you arrive on campus, it will take you at least 5 minutes to get from the parking lot to the classroom.
    • The elevator is a great asset.  Please help us keep the alarm from ringing or the help button from being pushed. Buttons are inviting to children, and they are low...but keep them from calling security! Let them push the "floor" buttons, but stay away from the red and yellow ones!
    • Please use quiet voices and walking feet as you enter the building. First floor where you access the elevator is full of offices. Once on third floor there are college classes in session. If you have to take your child in the hall during class because he or she is crying, go to the north end of the hallway or the restroom to avoid disrupting classes.
    • In case of severe weather, Kindermusik follows the Floyd County Schools. If the Floyd county schools are closed due to inclement weather, then Kindermusik will not meet. If the county cancels classes after 2 p.m., you will need to call the Kindermusik office concerning afternoon and evening classes, OR check for an update on the blog.
    • Kindermusik of Berry College does not follow a specific school system for breaks, so teachers will announce these to individual classes. There will also be announcements on the blog.  No classes on Martin Luther King Day.  Monday classes will continue through May 2.  Other classes will end the week of April 25.
    • LIKE US ON FACEBOOK.  
    • Tell your friends about Kindermusik! We love it when you spread the word about your experience!
    If you have questions or concerns about anything in class, talk with your child's teacher.
    You can always email me at knobles@berry.edu for a quick response to general questions, or leave a message at 706-233-4091.

    Kindermusik Village (newborn – 18 months)
    Tuesday 10:15 a.m. 
    Wednesday 9:15 a.m 
    Thursday 9:30 a.m.
    Thursday 5:30 p.m. (music library)

    Kindermusik Our Time (18 months – 3 years)
    Monday 5:45 p.m. 
    Tuesday 9:30 a.m.
    Wednesday 10:15 a.m. 
    Thursday 10:15 a.m. 
    Thursday 6:30 p.m. 
    Friday 9:30 a.m. 

    Kindermusik Imagine That! ( 3.5 - 5 years)
    Monday 5:30 p.m. (music library)
    Thursday 11:00 a.m. 
    Friday 10:15 a.m.

    Kindermusik for the Young Child (4.5 – 7 years)
    Year One (red folder)  Tuesday 5:15 p.m.  Thursday 3:45 pm
    Year  Two (blue folder) Thursday 4:45 p.m.

    Beyond Kindermusik
    Beyond 2 - 3:45 - 4:45 pm
    Beyond 1 - 4:15 - 5:15 pm.