Technology versus Human Interaction

Over the next several weeks I will be sharing information I gained from the book, "Different Learners." Jane M. Healy is a teacher, educational psychologist and one of my favorite authors. As an educator I appreciate her insight into the brain and how it relates to children. She makes a difficult subject easier to understand.

This post is about technology and it's affect on children & families. The book, Different Learners, covers more than just media. But Healy believes that the growing "epidemic" of children's disorders (ADHD, autism dyslexia, etc..) is the result of today's fast-paced, stressed-out culture - which includes too much screen time.

I admit to spending too much time at the computer...emailing, blogging, and reading. I am not a fan of television or video games. That being said, the TV is on at my house a lot, and we purchased our first gaming system this Christmas! I have 4 children, and the oldest is 22 years. They were VERY surprised to receive a Wii under the tree. I plan to blog about that later.

Dr. Healy seems to support my aversion to excessive screen time. Let me share some of what I learned.

"There is absolutely no way that any electronic gadget - no matter how advanced - can provide this incredibly valuable stimuli for normal brain development."(p. 71) The stimuli that she refers to is contingent response. It is a critical factor in successful development, and a key in normal interpersonal responses. Gentle, reassuring touch and love are the ideal. No manufactured item can substitute for human warmth.

I know videos, such as Baby Einstein are popular today. I have had children in Kindermusik who have watched these, and can identify instruments aurally due to these well crafted videos. I know there are definite advantages to videos and computer games. I am convinced that my older children are better at math because of computer games that had wonderful math skills. But according to Dr. Healy, "infant videos, electronic music soothing babies to sleep, beeping, flashing toys that "capture" the child's brain, but screen out human language. These technologies can't respond instinctively to a child's immediate needs." (p. 72)

Media is not bad, it's how we manage it. "The real question is how the device (anything on a screen) is being used and whether the resulting brain changes are good or bad. In a hyper-tech climate, where good research lags far behind children's media usage, you have to become judge, role model and (if necessary) enforcer of your child's media health." (p. 297)

I will have several more posts concerning technology. Let me know your thoughts, and feel free to disagree.

Happy Kindermusik New Year

I hope you and your family have had a great holiday season, and that you are excited about the possibilities of a new year!

The new semester of Kindermusik begins on January 10, 2011. If you are still considering signing up for a class, then please note that the following classes still have openings:

Village (newborn - 18 months)
Tuesday at 10:15 a.m. (1 space remains)
Thursday at 9:30 a.m.

Our Time (18 months - 3 years)
Tuesday at 9:30 a.m.
Thursday at 10:15 a.m.

Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

Imagine That (3 1/2 - 5 years)
ALL FULL

Young Child, semester 2 (4 1/2 - 7 years)space remains for returning or new students
Tuesday 3:40 p.m.
Thursday 5:15 p.m.

Young Child, semester 4
Tuesday 4:45 p.m. still have space for returning students

Beyond Kindermusik on Thursday afternoon still has space for returning students

Remember your space can only be reserved with a registration form & deposit of $60. You can put this in the drop box outside the Kindermusik room beginning Monday, January 3 or mail it to the address below.

Kindermusik of Berry College
P.O. Box 490001
Mt. Berry, GA 30149-0001

For a registration form go to www.berrycollegekids.com, click on Kindermusik and then download & print the spring brochure

Cookie Recipes

Music is my passion, but baking is too. Since the holidays are here I thought I would share some cookie recipes with my Kindermusik families. I'm posting them at my other blog all this week, so check it out.

Holiday Cane Cane Cookies

Kindermusik Grads Make Debuts

Living in a small community, I can keep tabs on Kindermusik graduates. This past week, three Kindermusik graduates all had debuts. Two college sophomore's gave concerts and released their first CD. A middle schooler made his opera debut. Kindermusik, a good beginning never ends!

Drew Carroll is a sophomore church music major at Shorter University. Drew began Kindermusik at the age of 18 months. He continued through about age 7, completing the Young Child curriculum. Drew continued his music experience through children and youth choir at church, plus he was in band at Model High School. During his senior year of high school he began leading worship at his home church and then other local churches. He taught himself to play guitar and began to write songs. This past weekend he released his first solo album, Beautiful Mystery. His CD contains numerous original compositions.

Lisa Anders is a sophomore at Berry College. Lisa was in Kindermusik from about ages 3 - 8. Her family moved to Columbus Georgia when Lisa about 9 years old. When Lisa was applying to colleges, she applied to Berry College. I was delighted to re-connect with her as a young adult when she returned to Rome last year. During her high school days she participated in a worship band at her church. She continues to lead worship at a local church while studying at Berry. She plays guitar, piano and writes songs. She recently released a CD entitled, Misty Pathways. She produced her own CD using MacIntosh Pro Tools at Berry. The college course taught her to use this software, and she took those skills and turned her school project into something more.

Chase Brackett is a home schooled eighth grade student. Chase began Kindermusik at the age of 18 months and continued through age 7. He began violin lessons with Maria Griffith during his elementary years. Chase currently studies violin with Mirna Ciric. Chase sings with the Spivey Tour Choir in Atlanta, conducted by Martha Shaw. He has appeared in 15 Rome Little Theatre shows. Chase also studies dance with the Dance Centre and Claddagh School of Irish Dance in Rome. Chase made his opera debut as Amahl in Gian Carlo Menotti's "Amahl and the Night Visitors" as performed by the Rome Symphony Orchestra.

Kindermusik is a great foundation in music, and you never know where it will take your child!

Christmas parade/Kindermusik December 2

The annual Rome Christmas parade will march down Broad Street on Thursday, December 2 at 6:30 p.m. It 's a fun tradition, but it typically takes place on Tuesday. Due to the inclement weather we are experiencing today, the organizers moved it to Thursday. Ms. Wendy always plans for parade day because she teaches on Tuesday. The switch to Thursday has upset the Kindermusik apple cart! Here is the schedule for this Thursday.

Beyond Kindermusik and Kindermusik for the Young Child with Ms. Kathryn WILL MEET.

Kindermusik Village at 5:30 and Kindermusik Our Time at 6:30 with Ms. Kay WILL NOT MEET. Ms. Kay will see you next Thursday, December 9 and she will do a make-up class on Tuesday, Dec. 14.

Community Happenings & Registration Update

Books make an excellent gift! The Scholastic Book Fair will be on the Berry campus, sponsored by SGAE, the week of November 29 - December 2. The sale will be held on the 1st floor of the Cook building from 3:30 - 6 pm daily. Cash, check or debit/credit are accepted.

Directions to Cook:

• Go around the flagpole, you are going south.
• You will pass Krannert and the Cage Center (both on your left).
• Turn right onto Martha Berry Circle. The Cook building will be on the right. You will need to turn right past the Cook building to park. You will park behind Cook.

MORE happenings in Rome -

Tuesday November 30 is the annual Christmas Parade. It is held on Broad Street and begins at 6:30! Bands, floats, beauty queens and Santa!

Saturday December 4 - the Rome Symphony Concert features a Kindermusik graduate!! Chase Brackett will sing the part of Amahl in the Amahl and the Night Visitor. Chase is a homeschool student who sings with Spivey Children's Choir, and plays violin with the Oak Hill Symphony. His opera debut with the Rome Symphony will be at the City Auditorium on December 4 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are FREE for students and $15 for adults, $10 for seniors (65+). Purchase tickets here.

KINDERMUSIK UPDATE -

Monday 5:45 Our Time is FULL

Thursday 11:00 Imagine That is FULL

REGISTER NOW BEFORE YOUR CLASS CHOICE IS FULL. www.berrycollegekids.com, click on Kindermusik, then download & print the 2011 Spring Brochure.

Spring registration in full swing

It's hard to believe that 2010 is almost over, and 2011 is knocking on the door. Have you registered for Kindermusik classes at Berry? Classes begin the week of January 10, and they are filling quickly.

You can reserve your space for the class you desire by following these directions:

• Go to www.berrycollegekids.com
• Click on Kindermusik
• Download and print the 2011 Spring Brochure
• Mark your 1st and 2nd choice, then mail it with your deposit of $60.
• If you are currently enrolled, then mark your child's name and class choice in the memo line of your check. Drop it in the box outside the Kindermusik room.

If you pay in full by December 10, you can deduct $10 from the total!! If you only pay the deposit, the balance is due at the first class. Remember, the deposit is not an additional $60.

Have the grandparents asked what to buy your child for Christmas? Tell them Kindermusik classes!! It's the gift that last for 15 weeks plus you get great home materials!! If they want something to put under the tree, I can do that too. Tell them to email me at knobles@berry.edu for details.

Classes that are full for spring 2011:

Monday 5:45 - Our Time (18 months - 3 years) - FULL

Wednesday 9:15 - Village (newborn - 18 months) - ONE SPACE AS OF 11/16/10

Wednesday 10:15 - Our Time - TWO SPACES - 11/16/10

Check back for further updates to class closings for spring 2011.