Repetition, repetition, repetition

How many times has your child said "again, again, again"? Do they bring you the same book several times a day? Do they want to listen to the same song over & over? Repetition is reassuring to a child. There is security in sameness. Even adults appreciate knowing what to expect. You go to the same restaurant, store, or vacation spot because you are comfortable there. You know what to expect.

This week begins our 3rd week of Kindermusik classes, and you have probably noticed that we have done the same activities for several weeks in a row. Adults may tire of the same activity, but by repeating the activities the children become comfortable, and begin to participate. In the January 2004 Parents magazine Susan Brody had the following things to say about repetition:

• Repetition fuels your toddler's memory, confidence, motor skills and understanding of the world.
• Repetition helps a child feel good about herself because it reminds her of what she can do.
• Repetition is one way the toddler can exert some control over his environment. This sense of power is extremely gratifying for someone with such limited control over the big world around her.

We will play the bells, the sticks, the drums and sing the same song again, but it is good for your child's brain. Repetition helps prevent brain overload. It's as though the time your child spends repeating familiar tasks allow his brain to take a mini-vacation. Once he's done relaxing, his brain is ready to focus on new learning!

Take the repetition one step further...do the activity again, but with a twist! Change a word, move in a different direction, add a Kindermusik song to an activity at home or in the car.

Fall classes coming soon, several are FULL

Don't miss out on Kindermusik this fall, it's fun for the whole family. I will be ordering home materials this week, so register now to make sure I have materials for your child on the first day. CLASSES BEGIN THE WEEK OF AUGUST 16!

The following classes are full:

Village - Wednesday 9:15

Our Time - Monday 5:45

Our Time - Thursday 6:30

Imagine That - Monday 5:30

Imagine That - Friday 10:15

All other classes have space available, though some are almost full. You may have called or emailed, but if I haven't received your registration then you are not officially enrolled in the class.

Have you received an email confirmation about the class you chose? If you have not gotten an email from me, but you have sent in your registration please contact me!!!

If you haven't decided to enroll, here are some benefits for you to consider:

• Introduce a variety of music to your child - classical, folk, multi-cultural, jazz & more.
  
• Enjoy a special time with your child making music....no emails to answer, no laundry to do, no calls to take. Just time to focus on your child.
  
• Meet new friends that have children of the same age.
• Enjoy the beauty of the Berry College campus on a weekly basis. Come explore all Berry has to offer!
• Get updates through the blog about events at Berry and in the Rome community.

Kindermusik is about teaching music and a love for music, but we are much more. Kindermusik of Berry College is a resource for families to learn & grow!

Fall Classes & Library Fun!

Are you considering Kindermusik classes at Berry College this fall? Check out our schedule, and then send in your registration to secure your class. Classes are filling rapidly. Here is a list of classes are already full or have only 1 or 2 spaces remaining:

Village (newborn - 18 months) - Wednesday at 9:15 a.m. (FULL)

Our Time (ages 18 months - 3 years) - Monday at 5:45 p.m. (FULL)

Our Time - Friday at 9:30 a.m. (2 spaces remain)

Imagine That (ages 3 1/2 - 5 years)- Monday at 5:30 p.m. (2 spaces remain)

Imagine That - Friday at 10:15 a.m. (FULL)

At the time of this post, all other classes have 3 or more spaces available. To register, send in your $60 deposit to secure your space and pay the balance at the first class OR send an email to knobles@berry.edu to ask about other payment options.


The Rome Floyd Library has a wonderful children's department, and they host numerous programs throughout the year. The summer reading program encourages reading, and provides activities for further learning. Kindermusik of Berry College is a frequent guest at the library. Today Kathryn Nobles & her assistant (daughter) Kate led a room full of families in singing, dancing & playing instruments. Here are some pictures taken by David Evans of the library staff.

Reading a story at the library - Pete & PJ, a Kindermusik favorite.

Twirling to the music.



Dancing with a friend with a little help from the moms!



Swaying & rocking to the music.


Kindermusik provides weekly fun for your family & great materials to enjoy the music all week long. Join us this fall, classes begin the week of August 16.

Summer Fun!

Kindermusik of Berry College summer classes include a variety of ages and learning.

Journeys is an introduction to piano and recorder skills. Children ages 6 - 8 year olds participate in this class and also enjoy ensemble with instruments, singing and movement.

Here is Jack practicing a song on the keyboard in the Yamaha Clavinova lab.

Classes for ages 4 - 6 are studying music from Latin America. Here is a group wearing their serapes. They loved dancing the Mexican Hat Dance!

Clara & Webb posing with a maraca.

Each day the children enjoyed a snack from a Latin American country. The papaya was not a favorite, but they did enjoy the bananas & mango.

A study of Latin America would not be complete without a fiesta and breaking a pinata. Here is Ms. Kay's class gathering the candy.

The children here are singing and playing a song called "Sweetly Sings the Donkey."

Drums are always fun to play, especially with friends!

Crafts & coloring pages were a part of each day's activities.

Mary Blair & Cate paint their butterflies.

The younger children enjoy music with their adults: mom, dad, grandma, or a nanny. Here are several pictures from Kindermusik Village.

Summer classes end the week of July 12, so now is the time to register for the fall semester. Fall semester begins in mid-August, and if you pay in full by July 15 you can deduct $10 from the tuition. Click here for a fall registration form.

Summer session underway

Kindermusik of Berry College summer classes are now in session. Week one is complete with many new families enjoying music together.

The Village classes (newborn - 18 months) are at capacity! One of the goals for this age group is to introduce new songs and activities to the parents so they incorporate them into everyday life. Many families will also create new and lasting friendships in these classes.

Our other weekly classes are Musical Beginnings (18 months - 3 years) & Family Time (all ages together). The theme for these classes is "Let's Play." The curriculum includes favorites such as trains, the playground, teddy bears & toys. As you visit the playground this summer, try singing the "swinging" song or sing as you climb up the ladder to the slide. Your home activity magazine has numerous creative ideas for you to use at home. Kindermusik CD's are usually in the car, but I encourage you to bring it in the house and enjoy it there too!

Many people think of Kindermusik as an activity for babies, toddlers and preschoolers, but Kindermusik of Berry offers many classes for older children. This week was Orffestrations camp. Children participating were ages 7 - 12, and they used Orff instruments to accompany songs and rhymes. Goals for the week included: listening, critiquing, cooperation, and creativity. There is also singing, movement and playing instruments.

Here we are discussing the balance of instruments as we accompanied a rhyme. The drums were loud, and the children had to find an instrument that would compliment the drum. We finally decided on maracas.

Ricky & Parker trying sandblocks instead of drums to accompany the rhyme, Little Miss.

Ricky, Mallory & Kenzi trying out the shakers.

Working with a partner doing hand claps. It's not as easy as it looks!

Meggi, Anna Kate, Mallory, and Ricky playing the recorder for Frere Jacque. Kate is the class assistant.

Ryan & Kenzi playing the bass metallophone.

Xylophone players: Samuel, Joshua, & Parker.

Here's video of our partner claps, to the tune of Take Me Out To The Ballgame. We worked on this all week with different partners trying to keep a steady beat and getting the pattern just right! This activity was the prelude to our pantomime baseball game. We listened to Brahms Hungarian Rhapsody No. 5 in g minor and then choreographed our movements. I don't have a video of this activity, but it was definitely a favorite that asked for every day!

One of activities this week included a rhyme called Queen Queen Caroline. The first day the children learned the rhyme & added unpitched instruments to each phrase. On day two we learned a melody to make the rhyme a song. Once we knew the song we added the bass metallophone for accompaniment to our singing, we called this the "A" part. We added a "B" part that was spoken rhyme. Our form was ABA, or ternary. On the third day I taught the children the melody, so that everyone could play it on the barred instruments. This was quite a challenge, but the children did a great job. The video here shows the children practicing the 2 parts. The words are:

Queen Queen Caroline

Washed her hair in turpentine

Turpentine made is shine

Queen Queen Caroline

The B section is - "what's in her hair...I don't know"

Kindermusik is not a performance based program, but our Orff class did perform for our families on the last day. But, in true Kindermusik fashion we also let the parents do a few activities with us. It was a great week with some fun kids. Orff camp is not always advertised, but it's offered every summer. Put it on your list of things to do next year!

Berry Beautiful

Berry College is a delightful place to spend some time with your family, or by yourself. Kindermusik is a great reason to come to Berry, but make time to come and explore more of the campus.



The newest addition is Kilpatrick Commons. This area is located between the Krannert Center and the Cage Center. When you get to the round about (flagpole circle), go south and Krannert is the first building on the left, the Cage is the 2nd building on the left. Find a place to park, and get out and explore this lovely outdoor venue. The kids will love the fountains, the waterfall and the bridge. The adults can enjoy some solitary moments to sit in the rockers on the porch of Krannert that overlooks the area.

So, after Kindermusik class or any other beautiful spring day, check out Kilpatrick Commons.

I would also encourage you to walk across the street to the Science Building...it is directly across from Krannert and has a pendulum in the foyer. This is fascinating, but go upstairs and look at the incredible photos from America's Best Idea - the National Parks! These are not small photos, but humongous photos that will have you ready to pack your bags! Intrigued by the National Parks, then read my other blog.

Summer classes

Our Maymester classes are in full swing, and that means summer is just around the corner. If you plan to register for a summer class I would ask that you email me (knobles@berry.edu) concerning availability.

Here are a few pictures of our musical Maymester!

• Many of the classes for newborns - age 18 months & 18 months - 3 years are full or almost full.


• All the camps for ages 3 and up have space available, but are filling quickly.
  
• Family Time has had a great response, and we are making decisions this week about the choices you will have (look for an email soon).
  
• If you have already registered you will receive a confirmation email this week OR it may be in your inbox now.
  

If Kindermusik isn't in your summer plans, then make sure to register for fall classes before the price increase. The brochure comes out the first of June, but you can get current prices if you have the pre-registration form. If need the form, email me and I'll send it as an attachment. Even if you pay the deposit by May 31, you will get the current prices...so decide on your fall class and send in your registration today.