Your Kindermusik Experience!

MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR KINDERMUSIK EXPERIENCE

New teachers, new friends, and new music: sometimes it takes several weeks for children to feel comfortable in their new surroundings. What can you do to make it the best experience?

• Be on time for class.  I realize parking can be an issue. After 5 pm you can park in any lot!
• Leave toys and food at home or in the car.
• Be patient and encouraging. 
• 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!
• Have fun in class, and your child will follow your lead.
• Some children are observers.  The class is where they soak it in, and then later it comes pouring out!
• Unless you are expecting an important call, turn your phone off when you come to class.
• Focus on your child during class, and save conversation with grown-ups for later.
• Play the music at home and in the car.  
• Incorporate activities from class into your daily routine. Your family activity book or card has lots of ways to do this.

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.

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.  

Reminders & Directions!

REMINDERS ABOUT BEING AT BERRY!

1. Be prepared to show your drivers license at the welcome center unless you have a Berry parking pass.  We can give you the appropriate paperwork to purchase an annual pass.
2. 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.
3. Kindermusik is in the Ford Complex on the Berry campus. Follow the signs at the round about once you enter campus. The Ford Complex looks like a castle! Take the right fork when you get to the castle and park in the lot next to the cow pasture.  Look for a Kindermusik sign that directs you to the sidewalk and a brown double door.  To reach the elevator you must enter 1st floor or take the stairs to the Kindermusik classroom on 3rd floor!
4. 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!
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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 Labor Day. Monday classes will make those up the week of Thanksgiving.
8. LIKE US ON FACEBOOK.       

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.

Experienced Moms Speak!

When it comes to parenting you can read books, but today I have advice from Moms who have been in the trenches and come out with well balanced kids!  I asked former Kindermusik moms to tell me what they wish they had NOT stressed over and the experiences they would encourage.

Don't stress over:

1. Potty training - they won't go to kindergarten in a diaper. 

2. Schedules - while routines are very important, don't miss out on a fun experience because of a your set schedule.
3. Behavior - it is not always a reflection of your parenting. Preschoolers can do odd and funky things, it doesn't mean they have psychological problems or you are doing something wrong as their parent!
4. Don't be afraid to say "this is what our family does or does not do."
5. Don't stress over what other families are doing.  Your family is unique. Do what is best for your family and your particular situation.
6. Don't worry about keeping your house clean.  Take out the diapers and keep the sticky off the floor, but play more than you pick up. Kathy said, "remember you rarely see the homes of toddlers in Southern Living!"

The "do" list is much longer:
1. Books - read to them to when they are little. Read with them when they can read on their own. Share articles and devotions with them as they enter the teen years.
2. Storytime at the library! Go and enjoy this special time with your kids, it will encourage life long learning.  Enroll in the summer reading program and make a big deal out of getting a cupcake from Honeymoon bakery!
3. Give them experiences rather than gifts! Plan a trip to the zoo, the aquarium, the park or to ride bikes.
4. Eat meals together and talk about your day - the good and the bad.
5. Teach them to swim - the world is 2/3 water
6. Go to their events, even when it means you have to change up your schedule!
7. Be silly.  Laurie said, "after weekly swim lessons we would go get biscuits at different establishments and rate them."
8. Share a love of nature and being outside.  Jackie said, "when my kids were getting on my nerves, we would go outside.  A change of scenery helped everyone's attitude."
9. Let them share in your world.  Allow them to help you, even if it would be easier to do it yourself. Let them tear the lettuce, stir in the chocolate chips, break the eggs, put wet clothes in the dryer, rake leaves, etc...
10. Listen to a variety of music. Take them to appropriate concerts, shows and to appreciate the arts.
11. Ride bikes together.  Kids may tell you things while riding side by side rather than looking at you.
12. Worship together regularly, they will never know it's not an option.

Thanks to Terri, Angie, Jennifer, Laurie, Kathy, and Jackie for their wisdom.
What would you add to the list?

January 26 & 27 GMEA Conference

The Georgia Music Educators Association host an annual meeting every January.  Ms. Wendy and Ms. Kay attend this event every year.  It's a boost to their teaching skills to learn about new things, hear great music and networking with other educators.  Since they will be out of town, their classes will not meet.

Thursday January 26 - No classes in the afternoon or evening.  
Kathryn's morning classes WILL meet
No Young Child Classes (Wendy's 3:45 and 5:00 pm classes)
No Our Time Classes (Kay's 6:30 pm class)

Friday January 27 - No classes for the following:
Our Time 9:30 or 11:15 am
Imagine That 10:15 am

They will see you the following week!  This will extend the semester by one week into May for Thursday and Friday.

Moving Up: Comparing Kindermusik Village and Our Time

Registration for Spring Kindermusik classes at Berry College opens next week, and many parents are asking if they should move their baby to toddler class?  Here are some parameters, guidelines and thoughts on the difference between a Village class and Our Time class.

Kindermusik Village is for newborn - 18 month olds. That is a guideline for the ages in the class. There are exceptions based on developmental abilities.

In general Village classes:

• move at a slower pace 
• allow for more exploration before moving on to "next"
• children experience the beat through movement with adults and hear it modeled in the class
• Parent is essential to a great Village experience

Kindermusik Our Time classes are for 18 months - 3 year olds.

• there are more activities in Our Time and the pace is quicker
• children are asked for their ideas
• parents are important to the class, but the children begin to assert independence
• children begin to demonstrate the ability to play instrument with regards to steady beat
• children listen for specific sounds and are asked to respond with their bodies.  Moving high and low, fast and slow.

If you are uncertain about which class is right for your child, please have a conversation with your Kindermusik teacher!

20 years of Kindermusik with the Lataif's

I started teaching Kindermusik in 1989.  I have had many families come through the program during the years, but one family has just finished 20 years with me! Louis and Susan Lataif moved to Rome in 1996 when their first child, Emily, was about 2 years old. Susan always started the kids in Our Time classes and could easily have taught the classes because she knew all the songs.  She loved her one on one time with her toddlers, but often had a baby or older sibling in tow.

Charlie's last Kindermusik day and all are accounted for except Emily

The children continued in Kindermusik through all the curricula, and she often had 3 or 4 kids in different classes.  The kids in Young Child classes were often lucky enough to have Dad join them for sharing time.  This family appreciates music, and immersed their children in music.  All the kids have played the piano, Emily and Frances even took piano in college.  Ted has recently started learning the trumpet.  Renee wants to learn the violin and guitar.

Frances, Ted, Renee, Ms. Kathryn, George, Charlie and Philip

The Lataif kids, 3 girls and 4 boys, are always polite, courteous and friendly.  The boys can be rambunctious and rowdy, but Susan knows how to reel them in.  One of the things I loved about having Susan and her kids in Kindermusik was that she was a great parenting model.  She enjoyed her children, but didn't worship them.  She was always interested in people and hearing their stories.  She made sure her kids listened and didn't interrupt adults that were talking.  She let them make mistakes and suffer consequences.   

Emily and Frances, the first in the long line of Lataif's

Ted playing the recorder at a sharing day

Kindermusik celebration for George, with older sister Frances

Philip in an Imagine That class

Susan, Charlie and Renee march in an Our Time class

Did I mention she homeschool's her kids?  They are scheduled and have routines.  They take tennis lessons, they are involved at church, the boys are in Scouts, the girls sew and knit. The Lataif's all help out at home.  Every spring they go to the local strawberry farm, each pick 2 buckets of berries (62 pounds this year!) and then home to help make jam.  I have been the recipient of delicious strawberry jam for many years.  The kids know how to take initiative, because they know their mom and dad aren't going to do it for them.  Emily will graduate from the University of Dallas this weekend.  Frances attends Catholic University of America in DC.  Ted will go to University of Illinois this fall to study Aeronautical Engineering.  George is often flying his drone and taking videos, many that have been used on local news sites.  Renee just completed a National program for piano guild auditions, memorizing 8 pieces, playing all minor scales and transposing! She received a superior rating.  Philip and Charlie are also taking piano and doing great.  They have a regular practice schedule at their house, and I think the piano must be busy all day long.  That is music to my ears!

Thanks Lataif's for letting me share in your life these past 20 years. It's been wonderful and you will be missed in Kindermusik.

2015 Christmas card

Kindermusik Summer Preview

Start planning for summer and make sure to put Kindermusik into the schedule!

Weekly classes: June 7 - July 21

Kindermusik Village (newborns - 18 months) - $115

Wednesdays 9am or Thursday 530 pm

Musical Beginnings (18 months - 3 years) - $100

Tuesday 9am, 615 pm or Thursday 9 am

Family Time (newborns - age 7)

Favorite for families & only offered during the summer!

Tuesday 530 pm or Thursday 615 pm

$148 for 2 children, $25 each additional child

Week long camps

Growing with Music (ages 3 - 4) - $50

Music from the farm, the circus and more!

June 13-17 or June 20-24
10-11:15 am

Kamp Kindermusik (ages 4.5 - 7) - $85

Learn about the music and musicians of Georgia

June 13-17, June 20-24 or
July 11-14
10 - noon

Journeys (ages 6 - 9) -$85

Explore the basics of piano and violin

June 20 - 24 or
July 11- 14
10 - 12:15 pm

Special Needs (upper elementary age & up) - $85

Camp designed specifically for children with special needs to enjoy music in a group setting!

July 18 -21  1 - 4 pm

You will be the first to know when registration opens later this spring, but go ahead pencil Kindermusik into your summer!  Online registration will reflect a $5 savings when you register before May 1. The above fees are the after May 1 cost.

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!
• Leave toys and food at home or in the car.
• Be patient and encouraging. 
• 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!
• Have fun in class, and your child will follow your lead.
• Some children are observers.  The class is where they soak it in, and then later it comes pouring out!
• Unless you are expecting an important call, turn your phone off when you come to class.
• Focus on your child during class, and save conversation with grown-ups for later.
• Play the music at home and in the car.  
• Incorporate activities from class into your daily routine. Your family activity book or card has lots of ways to do this.
• 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. 
• Check the board in the Kindermusik for pertinent information.  Email and Facebook are also ways we communicate on a regular basis.
• Do you need some parenting tips?  Kindermusik International has great post to help you out, check out their blog. 
• Teacher email addresses:  Wendy Williams hamilton80@aol.com  Kay Bratton brattonk@bellsouth.net Kathryn Nobles knobles@berry.edu
• 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.

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.

Family Activities for the Holidays

Tis the Season Are you looking for some local holiday fun?  Here's a list to get you started: Downtown Holiday Open House is set for November 20-21 on Broad Street. Start your holiday shopping with local merchants on Friday and bring the kids on Saturday for a candy cane hunt at the Town Green at 1 pm.  There will also be free trolley rides with Mr & Mrs. Claus from 11 am - 3 pm. The Nutcracker returns to the Rome City Auditorium on November 20-21 with performances at 7:30 pm each evening and a 2 pm matinee on Saturday afternoon.  A special Tea Party will be held on Saturday, November 21st from 12:30-1:15, before the matinee performance. Young children will have a hot chocolate and sugar cookie tea party while given the opportunity to meet some of the lead characters in the show. It will include a reading of "The Nutcracker" book as well as a meet-and-greet, and photo-ops. It will be a great way for children to really connect with the show and with the dancers that they so admire on stage. Limited tickets for the Tea are $5 per child, and children must be accompanied by an adult  to ensure proper supervision. Tea Party tickets are available at Rome Civic Ballet (info@romecivicballet.com).  The ticket does not include the performance, so performance tickets will need to be purchased at here, with limited available at the door. Rome Christmas Parade is Tuesday December 1 at 630 pm on Broad Street.  Bands, floats, and Santa! White Christmas is coming to the Rome Little Theatre at the Historic Desoto in December.  This is a fabulous musical with great singing and dancing! Saturday, December 5, kids under 13 get in for $5 with a paying adult!  Also, photos taken with Santa at performances on December 5 and 6. Candles and Carols at Oak Hill on December 4 and 5. What else?  Check out Venue Dog for all Rome events! Eventually the holidays end and it will be winter. Don't get the winter blues and be stuck inside, enroll in Kindermusik for the spring semester. Kindermusik makes a great Christmas gift, because it last for 15 weeks!

Peter and the Wolf

The Rome Symphony concert on Saturday April 25 is perfect for Kindermusik students!  There will be young artist performing that will inspire your musician to practice.  The young artist portion includes college and high school musicians. The trumpet soloist, Matt Soares, from Berry is an amazing performer.  You will not be disappointed by the student artist at this concert!  

Following the concerto winners, the symphony will perform the beloved musical story by Prokofiev, Peter and the Wolf.  Children who have been in Kindermusik for the Young Child will remember this story as we use it to reinforce our auditory recollection of the orchestral instruments.  

Make this a special night for your family.  Dress up, go to dinner and then to the symphony! Student tickets are $2, adult tickets are $15-$20.  You can purchase tickets online here.  The concert starts at 7:30 and you will be on your way home by 9:30.  I hope to see you there!