Kindermusik by Cathy Siebert

Check Out a Free Preview Class

2012-01-24T19:23:00.001-08:00

Looking for a great developmental activity for your child that is also loads of fun? Then look no further, sign-ups for Winter Kindermusik sessions are in progress!
Our family found Kindermusik by Cathy Siebert through one of the Twins Groups that I attend and I have been a believer in the value of the program ever since. Not only are the classes fun, but I’ve watched my boys learn new songs and rhythm, as well as, seen development of skills like better listening and impulse control. The Kindermusik programs have a world of music to offer your child.
Are you new to Kindermusik? If so, come and check out a free preview class. Just see the web site and fill out the free preview class for to get started: http://www.kindermusik.com/legacy/LandingPages/ParentLead/ParentDemoClass.aspx?gclid=CLrMxeay3K0CFUOo4Aodvh-pmA
Looking for some other free Winter fun? See this web site for free playtimes at Recreations Outlet Milford: http://www.recreationsoutlet.com/Milford_Location

0 to 5: Why early learning matters

2011-12-05T14:57:00.000-08:00

0 to 5: Why early learning matters
Happened to catch this on the news tonight! One of the points mentioned is that instead of "plugging your kid in", the most important things a parent can use to educate their child is their face and voice. It's the personal connections that matter. That is exactly the same thing we say in Kindermusik.

Create Some Special Family Time This Thanksgiving

2011-11-27T11:16:00.000-08:00

Most of us come together with family on major holidays, such as Thanksgiving. Whenever possible we try to celebrate the chaos that goes along with having a home or apartment bustling with more bodies than normal, as the cooks scurry around to try to create that ‘perfect’ family meal. At my family Thanksgivings, that normally entails most of the younger generations snacking on appetizers and normally at least a couple of the guys watching the Detroit Lions game--this is another Thanksgiving tradition when you grow up in Michigan as I did.
We anticipate as the meal is served and many of us tend to overindulge on rich foods that we only have a couple of times a year. Good conversation is shared as family and friends enjoy the food and each others’ company. Usually many family members try to help with the clean-up and dishes.
Once the dust settles, most of us are enjoying out ‘turkey coma’, which by the way, is not in our minds, but rather caused by an amino acid found in turkey which actually does make us sleepy. This can be a perfect time to create a new tradition together, such as a special activity for all family members. Some families like to do jigsaw puzzles together. Cathy Siebert shared with me that her family likes to get a new board game each year to play together. This activity together gets all family members excited and anticipating what the new game will be that year. The quality time together is really what is priceless.
I’d like to share with you a family tradition that started many years ago after Thanksgiving dinner at my great aunt Lydia and great uncle Earl’s home. It is something that our family affectionately calls ‘Dirty Bingo’. Everyone comes to Thanksgiving with a wrapped gift or two. Items can be new ($5 to $10) or they can be something that you already own. The old bingo set with the ball and crank are brought out and bingo is played in the traditional way. When someone wins, they either get to pick a wrapped prize to open or ‘steal’ one from someone else. Things can get pretty interesting, but we usually keep it light and either set a time limit on when the game ends or set a limit to how many times an item can get stolen. The ‘stealing’ is what makes it ‘Dirty Bingo’. I like to wrap up new lottery tickets as prizes. They are inexpensive, yet hold the ‘possibility of big money’. They tend to be pretty popular in the stealing portion of the game. This is always good quality time that our family spends together and I will never forget how my great aunt and grandmother used to yell “shake ‘em up” in their younger years when they weren’t getting the bingo numbers that they wanted.
Try a new tradition this Thanksgiving and find an activity that your family will enjoy doing together. These are the times that are truly priceless!

Baby Center website Article about 5 year olds

2011-10-31T14:18:00.000-07:00

Want to raise a music lover? There are lots of ways to bring music into his life. Whether you hope your child will take after you playing an instrument or simply want him to be able to appreciate the joy of music, try these ideas: Click on link for the rest of the article!

http://www.babycenter.com/6_your-5-1-4-year-old-music-appreciation_10329631.bc?scid=mbtw_post5y_4m_2w:1140&pe=ZTk0TG45fCA (or cut and paste this)

Engaging in Mindfulness

2011-10-27T10:33:00.000-07:00

Sometimes with the hustle and bustle of everyday life we forget to “live in the moment”, and in turn, we miss out on some of the most meaningful experiences in life. According to Dr. Alice Domar, “A practice called mindfulness can help pull you back into the moment.” Being mindful means appreciating what’s happening in the here and now. Experiencing mindfulness is being aware and paying attention to the physical body, sensations, emotions, perceptions, and thoughts as they are occurring.
Mindfulness can be practiced while you are engaged in an activity or even as a form of relaxation. You can be mindful while engaging in any activity, from walking through a beautiful park to listening and watching the rain come down.
Try taking a mindful walk. Choose the most pleasant route that you can think of, such as a nature trail or a beautiful local park. Walk slowly so that you can fully experience the sensations of walking one step at a time. Focus on each of your senses as you enjoy your walk. Look at the beautiful colors in the leaves as they fall to the ground. What shades of color do you see? Watch each leaf fall. What does it sound like as it falls? What do the leaves sound like as you walk on them? What does the air smell like? Is it the crisp smell of an Autumn day? Notice what kind of animals are around. Are there squirrels running through the tree branches? Are there birds chirping? Pick up a leaf and feel the texture and try to determine what type of tree that it came from. These are all examples of how to experience and enjoy a mindful walk. This can be done while you are engaging in any activity.
Mindfulness can be feeling the rhythm of your own steps as you run on a treadmill, while listening to music that gets your blood pumping. Focusing on your breath and how you feel as your heartbeat quickens and you begin to feel the “runners high” that only those that have run consecutively for a mile or more at a time have felt. Bringing your thoughts back and focusing on yourself for those twenty or thirty minutes of the day can be extremely relaxing and centering.
I can remember a particular Summer evening a few months back when I stopped to notice the amazing sunset as I was leaving a shopping plaza. I took a few minutes to look at the beautiful colors of yellow, powder blue, and light pink and remember thinking that it looked as if the heavens could be shining down on the earth. What a relaxing couple of minutes that I spent as I experienced the joy of that sunset. When I got home to my husband and children, I felt noticeably more tranquil. This was engaging in mindfulness for me.
Try engaging in mindfulness or go for a mindful walk this month and find a more relaxing place for yourself. Go through some activities that practice mindfulness with your kids so that they too can be conscious of what it is to “live in the moment” and enjoy all of the sensory stimulation available in nature and in the home.
Additional Resources on Mindfulness:
http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletters/Harvard_Womens_Health_Watch/2009/April/Mindfulness-resource
Post written by Amy Scharffe, Picture by Cathy Siebert, taken July 2011 while in Maine

Make Laughter a Daily Part of Your Home

2011-10-05T19:39:00.000-07:00

Most of us with young children are blessed to hear the daily giggles and belly laughs from our kids that are truly one of the purest forms of joy that we will experience in our lifetimes. On average, a young child laughs about 300 times each day. But as adults, we can often get caught up in the obligations of our daily lives and forget to laugh often ourselves. In fact, the average adult only laughs about 17 times per day.
Aside from the obvious benefits of spending some quality time with our children each day laughing and having fun, there is now another reason to make sure laughter plays a significant part of our daily lives. Recent scientific evidence supports humor and laughter as a means to prevent heart problems. Dr. Michael Miller, Director of the Center for Preventive Cardiology at the University of Maryland states, “We don’t know yet why laughing protects the heart, but we know that metal stress is associated with the impairment of the endothelium, the protective barrier lining our blood vessels.” The study also displayed that 40 percent of the people with heart disease were less likely to laugh in a variety of situations compared to their counterparts of the same age without heart disease.
You have the ability to do something good for yourself and your kids by becoming conscious of the value of laughter and humor in your home. Laughter helps to make your home a happy home and many good habits learned at home last for a lifetime. Seize the opportunity to go out and find some fun family activities in the coming months, such as attending an upcoming Kindermusik Playdate together, or going out to a Pumpkin Farm to celebrate all the Harvest has to offer.
Upcoming Kindermusik Playdates:
New Location: Willis Music, Kenwood Galleria, 8118 Montgomery Road (just north of I-71):
October 26th- Animals are Everywhere!
November 16th- My House, My Day
December 7th- It's Cold Outside
Mt. Washington Location:
October 17th- Animals are Everywhere!
November 14th- My House, My Day
December 5th- It's Cold Outside
To Sign-up:
Phone
(513) 231 – 3973 or Email siebertkm@aol.com
(Thank ou Amy Scharffe, KM mom!)

Read Right Column about Free Classes!

2011-08-12T10:53:00.001-07:00

It Gets Easier,

2011-08-11T14:19:00.000-07:00

Legend has it that the gods condemned Sisyphus to ceaselessly roll a boulder to the top of a mountain, only to have it fall back down of its own weight. Apparently, the gods thought that there was no more dreadful punishment than futile and hopeless labor.

As mothers of young children, we can feel Sisyphus’ pain. Each and every day, we invest our entire being, our entire self, in caring for our young children, only to wake up the next day to the same tasks, the same exertions, which never seem to stay “done.”

When my kids were babies, I would seek out other mothers and ask “Does it get easier?” The answer was always a reassuring “yes”. Or sometimes, it was a more cryptic, “Not easier, but different”.

Just the other night I was seated next to a mom of a 15-month-old at a restaurant. Mom and Dad came in armed with all the baby accoutrements: the portable high chair, the wipes, the bag of Cheerios, sippy cups, baby toys…. As dinner progressed, they took turns, cutting and feeding tiny bits of food, offering tiny sips of water, removing and resetting the high chair tray so their little companion could be walked or set free for a minute or two, and then returned for more bits of food and sips of water.

When dinner was done, Mom concluded her Saturday night “dinner out” on her hands and knees, wiping up the amalgam of sticky rice, bits of food, discarded wipes and puddles of water. Theirs was a time-honored dance: Feed, wipe, lift, carry, walk, set, soothe, clean , . . . repeat. That is life with babies and young children.

At some point during dinner, this Mom turned to me and asked the question: “Does it get easier”? And sitting there, enjoying a dinner with my husband and our eight year old son, who read the adult menu and ordered his own meal, my daughter at a sleepover at a friend’s house, I told her with confidence, “Yes, it does”.

We Mothers know why the Gods chose that particular penalty for Sisyphus: the ardor of your whole being exerted against the task of accomplishing nothing. For no matter how many times we feed, wipe, lift, carry, walk, set, soothe or clean, the same tasks will be waiting for us the next day, or the next hour, or even, God-forbid, the next minute. These tasks are the boulder that we roll up the hill each day, only to wake up the next day with the stone at our feet.

Of course in our hearts we know it’s not a labor of nothing – it only seems like it in the day-to-day maelstrom of sameness. We know that every drop of milk and every bite of food feeds a cell in that little growing body. Every loving touch feeds a tiny soul. Every careful wipe or sweep of the broom tends the loving home in which this tiny person’s consciousness will awaken.

I am reminded of a tradition in India of the Rangoli Rice painting. To bless and protect the home and all who enter, women create elaborate designs with rice flour or stone powders. Although the take great concentration to create, these doorway flowers are ephemeral, soon to be blown, walked, rained or nibbled away. One reason for the ritual is the impermanence of the art form itself. It is meant to reflect the transience of so much of our lives and our mundane daily tasks. Women get up day after day, create a new pattern and lovingly form it in their doorway. In the same way parents all over the world wake up each morning (or stay awake much of the night!) We create the same loving pattern for our children: Feed, wipe, lift, carry, walk, set, soothe, clean, repeat.

So now to the part where it gets easier. These days, I am noticing a subtle shift. Instead of immediately rolling downhill, the boulder teeters at the top a bit before it falls, and I have rare moments of respite, during which I breathe. My children are now eleven and eight. They pick out their own clothes and get dressed. They make their own snacks, and with some prompting, put their dirty plates in the sink. My son feeds the dogs. My daughter folds the clothes. And increasingly, they venture out of this loving home for a few hours at a time to begin building bits of their own, independent lives.

When I think if Sisyphus and his tasks, I realize that the Gods missed part of the plan. One day, the boulder does indeed start to balance on top of the hill, first for a few seconds, then minutes, then hours, eventually even overnight. And what naturally must follow, of course, is that the boulder will eventually roll down then other side. But for now I will enjoy the break I get while the boulder teeters, and I will save the rolling down the other side part for future musings. I can’t think about that particular tomorrow right now.

Lynn Migliara
Mother of two and Kindermusik Educator for over 5 years!

2011-08-04T11:21:00.000-07:00

The Moment of Youth
Helping teens believe in themselves.
by Marilyn Price-Mitchell, Ph.D.
Applause: Children, Music & Social Change
How music improves the lives of children.
Published on June 30, 2011 by Marilyn Price-Mitchell, Ph.D. in The Moment of Youth

Music enhances child development, providing intellectual and emotional benefits that last a lifetime. The research article Childhood Music Lessons May Provide Lifelong Boost in Brain Functioning shows just how powerful music can be in a child's life. It says music lessons can pay off for decades, even for those who no longer play instruments. Music keeps the mind sharp, serving as a challenging cognitive exercise. It also feeds the soul, develops character, and boosts creativity. Music doesn't discriminate between race, income, or social status. It benefits children equally.

There is a growing body of research that supports how music nurtures children's success at school and in life. A study in the journal Social Science Quarterly, Adolescents Involved with Music Do Better in School, found that music also had positive effects on reading and math. Studies conducted by cognitive neuroscientists from seven leading U.S. universities, Learning, Arts, and the Brain correlates music training with improved cognition, motivation, attention, memory, and other developmental benefits. This research shows the importance of attention to every aspect of school performance and cognition.

for complete article: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-moment-youth/201106/applause-children-music-social-change

Good thing we're around the corner from the fire station! Excitement after class today!

2011-08-03T14:15:00.001-07:00

Fortunately it wasn't too hot today as Elliot was locked in his family's vehicle after class today. He was excited to hear that firemen in a firetruck would be coming to the rescue. Elliot and his friend got to sit in the truck afterwards! Lemons to Lemonade!
Glad it was cooler today!

How to keep the music playing this Summer…

2011-07-13T07:20:00.000-07:00

What do you do when you are about to lose your mind because Preschool and all of the other scheduled activities are still on Summer break? Gather a group of friends and neighbors and their kids and sign up for a Kindermusik Summer Session! There is still time to join one of the many Summer sessions beginning in both July and August 2011. And if you don’t have a group available, sign up for one of the Summer sessions and meet some new friends.
Your family doesn’t have to be at the real Carnival or on a real Camping trip to have fun. Kindermusik helps bring the fun wherever you are! (Like with the Carnival of Music sessions or Creatures in My Backyard sessions and many other available sessions that are beginning again soon!) (See this link for available sessions: http://kindermusikbycs.yourvirtuoso.com/classes/Session.html?semester=5745)
Consider supplementing your Summer Kindermusik sessions with some related crafts and activities at the kitchen table or by the pool following each Kindermusik session. Decorate a group carousel with the neighborhood kids or let your kids design their own bugs. (Carnival art project link: http://www.everythingpreschool.com/themes/carnival/art.htm) (Bug art project link: http://www.everythingpreschool.com/themes/bugs/art.htm)
Consider taking out some related books from the Cincinnati public libraries to go along with your sessions. Your kids still have time to sign up for the free Summer reading program Team Read Summer Reading 2011, which runs through the end of July 2011. For every five books that you and your Preschooler read, your child can earn a free prize, including a book, a sports duck, a floating boat bath toy, and a pail and shovel! Now those are some fun freebies! (See the Cincinnati Public Library link: http://www.cincinnatilibrary.org/summerread/2011/preschool)
You can have a blast with the kids this Summer at the Kindermusik Summer sessions. My kids can’t wait for their July session to start! Every time we pass the Mt. Washington Post Office, the boys shout out “Music Class!” when they see the Kindermusik building next door. An impression like this must be based on some solid fun. As a parent, I know there is also a great deal of developmental value in attending our Kindermusik classes as well, and that is an activity that a parent can feel good about!

Kindermusik PlayDates

2011-06-15T13:27:00.000-07:00

For babies, toddlers, preschoolers with their parents (or sitter/adult), this class provides a delightful environment unlike any other. Through a unique blend of multi-age activities that include creative movement, vocal play, object and instrument exploration. All families will enjoy these activities!
Age-appropriate experiences with child-safe instruments enhance a sense of rhythm and steady beat, develop a keen awareness of the distinguishing qualities of sound, and encourage spontaneity and creativity.
A classroom full of children and their adults dancing together helps a little body develop the muscle strength needed to crawl and walk, introduces social skills in a fun way for toddlers, and challenges preschoolers to remember steps in sequencing.
We explain "what to watch for" every step of the way and how each activity enhances a child's complete development. Go home with music and an instrument to continue the fun times at home!
October 17: Animals are Everywhere
November 15: My House, My Day
December 5: It's Cold Outside
Mondays at 10:15, $15.00
Call 513.231.3973 or email siebertkm@aol.com at least 48 hours in advance to reserve a place or enroll online at kindermusikbycskindermusik.net
Hope to see you there!

What to do when the rain won't stop........................

2011-05-18T19:53:00.000-07:00

Well, we’ve all heard the phrase “April showers bring May flowers”, but the amount and frequency of rain that we’ve had during the last 6 weeks has been a bit too much for most Cincinnatians. While the flowers and lawns are now all “greened up”, many of our yards have been left soggy. This has created the problem of not having a dry place to play outside even when the rain has stopped. So what can you do indoors until it dries up outside? Get out your Kindermusik at home materials of course!
We recently got out our Fiddle-dee-dee Home Activity Book from our current Our Time class and did some of the home activities. My boys had a great time helping assemble the lullaby mobile featuring all of the characters from the Hush Little Baby song. We then sang along with the song and pointed out the character as we got to the respective part. The mobile now hangs in our playroom near the boys CD player, so that we can listen to the Kindermusik CD from our class as well. We are going to decorate the Bumblebee Play Pages in our Home Activity Book next! In the meantime, we are also using our singing voices for “Rain, Rain, Go Away…” and hoping for some dry and warm weather soon.

The Seven Essential Skills Every Child Needs

2011-05-05T17:58:00.000-07:00

Ellen Galinsky has captured relevant early childhood research and spelled out for parents and teachers the practical applications for raising well-rounded children who will reach their full potential in Mind in the Making: The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs. She groups this research into seven "essential life skills":

Focus and self control
Perspective taking
Communicating
Making connections
Critical thinking
Taking on challenges
Self-directed, engaged learning

ExchangeEveryDay is a free service of Exchange Magazine. View this article online at ChildCareExchange.com.

Sounds like a fascinating book! I shall put it on my list for summer reading. I believe we work on all these in our Kindermusik classes! Cathy

Orff Ensemble

2011-04-29T05:57:00.000-07:00

It may look easy, but...........
Note the steady beat!!
Singing and playing at the same time!
Knowing when to come without a conductor (as I am busy filming).
Just an example what KM students are capable of.

Early Writing and Kindermusik

2011-04-25T18:01:00.000-07:00

From "Exchange Everyday":

In her Exchange article, "Encouraging preschoolers’ early writing efforts," Leslie Falconer observes, "If there’s one object common to preschools and child care centers the world over, it’s pieces of paper covered with looping scribbles made by small hands learning to hold a pencil or crayon. The next time you’re cleaning up at the end of a busy day, though, consider taking a closer look at those scribbles. They’re actually samples of early writing, and an invitation for you to channel those small hands into recording their new ideas and creative thoughts....

Early writing — scribbles, drawing, a child’s first attempts at letters or his name — develops more than just fine motor skills. It is a way for children to communicate their thoughts and feelings to others. L earning about writing — as with reading — begins in infancy. Before children can sound out letters, or even hold a crayon, they can observe an adult making marks on a notepad or a letter to Grandma. Children watch their teachers write key words on a large piece of paper as they brainstorm ideas around a theme. When the adult rereads the idea list, children make the connection that words can be expressed in symbols to be reread later. For preschool-aged children, dictating words and ideas to an adult teacher — an activity called story dictation — who can then read them back to the children in their own words, can be a very empowering experience. Inviting children to make creative choices in their storytelling enhances that accomplishment.

What does this have to do with Kindermusik? In Imagine That! we have children make travel photo books, buildings, statues and will be talking and singing about writing letters. They have received a letter this week and hope that they will write a letter to someone in their family next week. This is considered to be an example of "literacy readiness" and is an integral part of our Imagine That! curricula. In Young Child they begin to write/compose music and learn that they can create music! You may have heard me talk about Nick DiBerardino, a senior at Princeton University and Rhodes scholar that will be studying music composition at Oxford next year. His mother has commented that it was in my Kindermusik class 21 years ago that he learned that he could write his own music.

The Importance of Child’s Play

2011-03-30T12:47:00.000-07:00

While our world has changed for the better during recent decades in terms of the capabilities of our technology, it may not have changed for the better as far as the culture of play in this country. A recent article in the New York Times entitled, “Effort to Restore Children’s Play Gains Momentum” highlighted a few of the salient points regarding a change in children’s play in the United States. One concern shared in the article is the fact that studies and statistics have suggested for several years now that “the culture of play in the United States is vanishing.” While this statement does seem to be a bit drastic, it gives today’s parents some food for thought. I believe that we as parents need to be conscientious about actively getting our children engaged in play, both indoors and out. A study by the Kaiser Family Foundation showed last year that children are spending an average of over 7 hours each day in front of a screen. As a parent, this is a trend that I hope to avoid with my own young children, at least as long as I can.

And there are reasons that we should try to get our kids engaged in active play as often as we can. The experts define play as a game or activity initiated and directed by children. Many scientists, psychologists, and educators involved in the “play movement” believe that most of the social and intellectual skills that one needs to succeed in life and work are first developed through childhood play. Play advocates believe that children learn to think creatively, negotiate, and solve problems as they work together during play activities. Other games such as Simon Says allow children to learn to control their impulses.

In an effort to reach more parents, the Play for Tomorrow coalition organized and held a giant play date in New York’s Central Park this past autumn. “The Ultimate Block Party” event featured carefully chosen games such as I Spy, building blocks, puzzles, Play-Doh, and sidewalk chalk. The National Science Foundation highlighted to parents the educational value and science behind each of the games. Organizers of the event had originally hoped for 10,000 attendees at the event. Over 50,000 actually showed up to participate. Roberta Golinkoff, developmental psychologist and co-founder of the event, stated “We were overwhelmed”. I think the turnout shows the renewed commitment by parents in this country to provide their children with quality developmental opportunities, much like parents that enroll their children in programs like Kindermusik.

We may very well have learned the most important lessons in life on the playground. Let’s do our best to make sure that our children have the same opportunity by supplementing our children’s quality activities with quality play.
by Amy Scharffe, Kindermusik mom

Open Your Little Treasure Chest

2011-03-12T10:39:00.001-08:00

Upon first look at your Kindermusik At Home Materials, you and your child can see that there are some fun things included. As I would imagine is often the case, our family dug into our instruments first. Moving and shaking along with our fiddlesticks was the first step to understanding all of the goodies that we now had in our hands. I really feel like we were sent home with a little treasure chest.
Already a few weeks in to the session, we are truly still exploring all of the goodness that came home with us as part of our At Home Materials. The next and most obvious choice to sink your mind into are the included CDs. While I expected that some of our songs from class would be included, I was pleasantly surprised by just how much musical material you really have to absorb. Our current CDs contain over fifty tracks of stimulating songs, stories, and sounds. Consider setting your child up with a small CD player in their supervised play area. My sons have quickly learned how to turn on the CD player and play their Kindermusik CDs. I also believe that the “loud” and “soft” activities we have practiced in our Kindermusik class have helped the boys to understand the concept of keeping the volume at a healthy level. Hearing the sound of pleasant children’s songs in the place of a television program is a welcome addition to our day and the boys truly love being able to turn on “their songs” whenever they want to hear them.
After digging into the instruments and CDs, you would be remiss not to explore the story books and the Home Activity Book. The story and song books have beautiful color illustrations and often brief sheet music with words to be sung to your child. The Home Activity Books is really where loving care has been taken to provide helpful learning tips for the parent, as well as musical and wordplay activities to do along with your child. The illustrations are colorful and imaginative. Our current Home Activity Book has the images that pair with each verse of “Hush, Little Baby.” Who knew “Hush, Little Baby” had so many verses? Now to decide whether we will make ours into the lullaby mobile project or lullaby cards…what fun indeed!

Statues!

2011-03-12T10:14:00.000-08:00

Our Path to Kindermusik!

2011-03-04T14:54:00.000-08:00

If you’re a Cincinnati parent of young children like I am, you may have heard about the Kindermusik program, but really weren’t sure what it was all about. While I had taken my children to some of the higher quality Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky library story hours and library music and movement programs, I hadn’t explored any of the other available children’s music programs in Cincinnati for my toddlers.
Growing up, music was an important facet for both my husband and I. My husband played the piano and went on to get involved in percussion and played in the Michigan State Marching Band. I played several years of elementary and junior high flute just like my mom, aunt, and sister had, including taking private lessons and participating in the Solo and Ensemble festivals. Being a thirty-something now, part of me still wishes that I would have studied the violin at a young age…
Sometimes I feel strongly that things in life do not happen by accident. What do I mean by this? In simple terms, I believe that life puts us in places that we’re supposed to be in at the times that we are supposed to be there. This recently happened for our family with the Kindermusik program by Cathy Siebert.
As a mother of multiples, I belong to a couple of the twins clubs in our area. A few weeks back I attended the NEMOTC meeting and Cathy Siebert was our featured speaker that evening. I had the chance to get to know Cathy a bit and find out what her Kindermusik program had to offer. We were invited to try a class, so we did…
We arrived for our class with an open mind, ready to find out what type of developmental and entertainment experience that the class might offer. As we came into the carpeted classroom, our teacher greeted each of the children by offering them the musical instrument of the day. My sons were immediately engaged. They smiled from ear to ear as they learned to shake their egg shakers.
The class was conducted with loving care as the teacher went through a series of songs and musical movement activities with the toddlers and their parents. I was impressed that our teacher truly seemed to be able to engage with each child several times throughout the class. Each of the songs and activities had been planned on a set list for the class that day. My boys loved the word plays and hand gestures that went along with several of the songs and continued to play along with them well into the evening at home. They also delighted in playing the shakers that came home with them as part of the take home class materials.
That afternoon, I asked each of my boys if they like the class and what their favorite parts of the class were. Each of them was able to name several of the songs and activities that they liked from the class. When I asked the boys if they wanted to go back next week, they responded with resounding “Yes” nods.
I have really enjoyed attending the Our Time Kindermusik classes with my children during the last few weeks. I have also found that the classes are a great place to connect with other parents of young children. You can feel that a real Community exists among the Kindermusik by Cathy Siebert families. I can see our family attending this program for years to come and I cannot wait to watch as our boys’ minds blossom from the experience. There is no greater gift as a parent, than to watch your children thrive.
Posted by Amy Scharffe who recently joined our Kindermusik classes with her twins! You'll be hearing more from her and finding out more soon!

Pam's Backyard Chickens: Dust Baths @ Dusk

2011-02-19T07:31:00.000-08:00

Pam's Backyard Chickens: Dust Baths @ Dusk
Pam's one of our fantastic Kindermusik moms! How fascinating!

School readiness and reading readiness: Is it just for preschool?

2011-02-16T07:22:00.000-08:00

Go-GO-GO-GO!!!!!
AND: STOP
Stop and be still.
Stop and wait.
Stop and listen.
Stop and think.
Stop.
AND GO!
Here she goes!

In Kindermusik we are always working on these! In Kindermusik "Imagine That!" we are careful to be still and listen when we stop so we can hear the different timbre of the instrument we are to pick up and play along with "We Are Fine Musicians". It is more challenging to stop when we are making big movements as in our song "In the City" where we move our feet fast all around our big city until the "stop" signal is given with our voice and our hands making the American Sign Language motion for STOP! It takes body control and timing to stop so instantly! Yes, these 3 and 4 year olds can do it! They are thinking, listening and their ears and brain sends the signal then they DO stop! And they love it!

She stopped!

With Kindermusik "Our Time" (18 months to 3 1/2 years) we are stopping to listen to the tempo of each section of our dance "Lento y Rapido" We have to be still and quiet, and think about the speed of the music so we can dance according to that cue!They appreciate the ASL hand stop sign. It helps their picture thinking brain grasp the concept of "stop".

Watch her dance and STOP just like this!

Even in Kindermusik "Village" (newborn-18 months) we see and feel the adults stopping according to a musical cue but also on another level we are beginning to understand being in control of stopping each activity. As we sing "Bells away, bells away" and allow the children the time and trust they need to put the bells in the basket ALL BY THEMSELVES! Two really important elements help the children with this huge accomplishment. First we must be willing to take the time to allow them to realize they have the choice. When we are in a hurry we "help" them put them away quickly. That's when they hang on tighter! In essence we end up grabbing the bells to speed things up and which means it will take longer next week. Ah! I must ask the adults to do some hard work: stop for a moment. Stop and allow. Stop and wait. Stop and trust. If they don't put it in the basket the first week or even the second week...they will soon. I promise.

We all need practice stopping, don't you know. Funny how this goes in a circle. So, time for the grown ups to stop. Put on a lullaby, maybe dim the lights, sit in a big comfy chair or even lie down on the couch. Really stop. Stop and breath. Stop like we do in the Kindermusik Village class when all the adults take a minute to really stop and relax. Then come back and listen to (or read) this NPR article on self control:

For Kids, Self-Control Factors Into Future Success by Nancy Shute
http://www.npr.org/2011/02/14/133629477/for-kids-self-control-factors-into-future-success

Halloween with some of my favorite little friends!

2010-10-31T17:14:00.000-07:00

Pete the Cat - I Love My White Shoes - Live Telling

2010-10-21T12:52:00.000-07:00

Thank you Jennifer S. for sending me this link. This is a wonderful "live telling" of a book called "Pete the Cat" It has a great lesson at the end and talks about colors.

Cookies!

2010-09-24T12:03:00.000-07:00

Mrs. Field’s Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 c. butter, room temp
1 c. brown sugar
1 c. white sugar
2 eggs
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla
2 c flour
2 c oatmeal
6 oz milk chocolate bar
12 oz chocolate chips
1/2 c. chopped nuts (opt)

Cream butter and sugars. Add eggs, salt, baking powder and soda, vanilla and flour. In food processor, combine oatmeal and chocolate bar.
Add to batter, mix, add chocolate chips and nuts.
Drop golf size balls (using ice cream scoop)2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake 325 to 350 degrees 10-12 minutes . They should be light, not dark. Makes about 45 large cookies

Now that my kids are gone, I roll the dough into balls and freeze them and can bake 1, 2 or a dozen at a time.

Aggression Cookies

3 c Brown sugar
3 c Margarine
6 c Oatmeal
3 c Flour
1 tb Baking soda
2 c Chocolate chips
Put the ingredients in large bowl. Mash, squeeze, knead, etc until it is completely blended. Form into small balls about 1 to 1 1/2 inches in size. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Butter the bottom of a small glass and dip into white sugar, then pound the cookies flat. Bake at 350 degrees for about 10 to 12 minutes. This is a good recipe to use when you need to get rid of some aggressions because the dough is too heavy for most mixers. So you have to use your hands and beat it!! You can also use peanut butter or butterscotch chips or a mixture of them.

I heard that this recipe is from the Depression era. I also found this info about Aggression cookies: In the Amish community of Smicksburg, Pennsylvania, Mrs. Andy Miller created aggression cookies, a recipe that put restless hands to work. After her children dumped oatmeal, brown sugar, flour, butter, and baking powder in a bowl, they pounded, squeezed, punched, pinched, and slapped the dough before rolling it into small balls for baking. After ten minutes, they produced a sweet cookie—their reward for hitting dough rather than each other.

Another Cookie Recipe, this one from Jen Diller

2010-09-13T19:28:00.000-07:00

Here's one of our favorite cookie recipes. I like to delude myself into thinking they are "healthy" because of the whole grains and (optional) raisins.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies (or Oatmeal Raisin Cookies)

Needed:

1/2 cup margarine
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup flour (I do 1/2 white and 1/2 whole wheat)
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup oats
1 cup chocolate chips (or raisins)

Directions:

Combine margarine, sugars, & egg.
Add dry ingredients.
Bake on greased cookie sheet for 8-10 minutes at 375 degrees.

Thank you Jen!

Milk and Cookies!

2010-09-12T13:07:00.000-07:00

Our Our Time unit this term is Milk and Cookies! I invite families to share cookie recipes or to try the ones in the Home Activity book. I'm starting with two recipes. I haven't tried the Sugarless Cookies, but have kept if I need one without eggs or sugar. Feel free to send yours in or comment!

Sugarless Cookie Cutter Cookies

8 oz (brick) cream cheese
2 c. flour
½ tsp salt
1 cup butter

Mix ingredients, roll to about 1/8 inch thickness. Use cookie cutters, bake 400 degree oven not sure of time, maybe 10 minutes

Banana Nugget Cookies

½ c flour
1 c sugar
½ tsp soda
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp nutmeg
1 tsp cinnamon
¾ c shortening
1 egg beaten well

1 cup mashed bananas (2 or 3)
1 ¾ rolled oats
1 pkg chocolate chips

Sift dry ingredients together
Cut in shortening, add egg and rest of ingredients
Beat until blended
Drop by spoonful on ungreased sheet
Bake 300 degrees for about 15 minutes
3 dozen

Free Preview Classes

2010-08-22T12:17:00.000-07:00

Our Fall term will begin August 28! We have Preview classes Tues 8/24 and Thur 8/26 at Music Makers, 6131 Campus Lane, Mt. Washington. Young Child (4 1/2-6) and Village (birth to 18 months) will meet at 9:30 am and Our Time (18 mos - 3yrs) and Imagine That! (3's and 4's) will meet at 10:30. You are welcome to just show up, but if possible call 513.231.3973 and let us know that you are coming. We would appreciate having the names of people coming (so we can make nametags) and a phone number where you can be reached. Or email siebertkm@aol.com

If there are still openings in a class (check website kindermusikbycs.kindermusik.net) you are welcome to come to the first class to try it out before committing. Please call/email before coming: 513.231.3973, siebertkm@aol.com

Come see what fun Kindermusik is because............a good beginning never ends!

The Kindermusik Garden

2010-06-17T15:26:00.000-07:00

Thank you to the following families for turning a weed patch into the Kindermusik Garden!
Migliara, Hall, Haney, Mueller, Wakefield It was a fun morning!

Blueberry Buckle

2010-06-16T20:36:00.000-07:00

Blueberry Buckle

1/4 cup butter or margarine
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk
2-3 cups fresh blueberries, washed

Crumb Topping
1/4 cup soft butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (up to 1 tsp)
Directions:
1. Cream butter; add sugar and beat until light.
2. Add egg and beat well.
3. Add sifted dry ingredients alternately with milk, beating until smooth.
4. Fold in berries.
5. Pour into greased pan (9x9x2).
6. To make the crumb topping, blend all the ingredients for it together.
7. Sprinkle with Crumb topping.
8. Bake in a preheated moderate oven (375 F) for about 35 minutes.

Or search google for some others. This one looks good too:http://www.melissamakesbread.com/blog/2009/7/14/blueberry-buckle.html

2010-06-16T20:30:00.000-07:00

One of my fondest memories of my childhood and my children's is to go berry/apple picking. Back on Long Island, I'd pick strawberries with my mom. Our church had a Strawberry Festival every June with many treats containing strawberries in all different forms. My mom would make strawberry preserves and Strawberry Shortcake. With my boys, we went blueberry picking at Rousters. It's easy and fast picking and the kids have fun; sometimes they eat more than they pick! We'd come home and have blueberry pancakes! Nowadays, I make a few Blueberry Buckles (a coffee cake) and freeze them for when we get company. I'll be there from 8 to 8:30 am picking a usually 3-5 lb. bucket. (Hint, I get there at 7:30 because will be very crowded if the weather is good).
U-pick blueberries Opening Day: Saturday, June 19, 2010, 8am to noon.
Blueberry Price: $2.50 per pound U-pick. Cash or checks (w/ ID) ONLY.Location: Rouster Apple House-The Berry Barn
Directions: 6 mi. east of Milford on St. Rt. 131. The berries are on the right hand side of the road across from the orchard just before going down the hill to our farm market
Future picking dates: Due to large crowds we do not pick everyday. Please check the website prior to coming out to confirm picking days and times. We determine the next picking day by late afternoon of the day we pick. Website with updated picking information: http://sites.google.com/site/roustersapplehouse/home-2

Businesses owned by KM families (part 1)

2010-03-21T11:13:00.000-07:00

Breezy Acres Kennel (ABKA member)
513.474.2222 www.breezyacres.com
517 Eight Mile Road, CO 45244
Coupon for $10 on board outside upstairs classroom!
Indoor and outdoor kennels. They will even run your dog in the woods! The Wettengels currently have 2 boys in our classes!

Erin Conover-Murray Interior Design
4447 Aicholtz Road CO 45245
153.295.3532 ecmdesigns@hotmail.com
Erin has had pictures in the Cincinnati Enquirer of Nurseries she has decorated. They are gorgeous and pictures are on board outside upper classroom. They have One-Day Miracle Makeovers and also can work with any size budget!! Erin's father brings her son Gavin to our classes!

For OT, Away We Go: I am a Jackhammer bumping along!

2010-03-17T10:35:00.000-07:00

We don't see too many of these around, have your child take a look. The video can be seen at: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=cathy.siebert&target=PHOTO&id=5449659614953503394&aid=5449659314467453521&authkey=Gv1sRgCJOq5bSBlbnRFA&invite=CMfK6d4G&feat=email

Stewart Spanbauer, KM Graduate

2010-03-13T18:35:00.000-08:00

Stewart Spanbauer attended classes for over 4 years and graduate from the Young Child Program. This video is of Stewart playing the third movement of his first full piano concerto at CCM's Concerto Competition, this February. In his division, he placed 3rd for the 2nd movement and 1st for the 3rd movement! Enjoy!

A Great Place to Meet Friends!

2010-02-28T13:52:00.000-08:00

Gavin and Callie in the Tuesday morning Our Time class are very friendly! We invite you to come take a free class with us at Kindermusik and make some new friends!

A letter from the parent of a Kindermusik Graduate

2010-02-10T13:25:00.000-08:00

What a surprise it was to get a letter from Katie's Mom. Katie was an extremely shy girl (the shyest I've ever met). She took Kindermusik for 4 years, from age 3-7. I remember observing how her confidence grew over those years. She gave me a book as a gift one year, "Nutcracker Noel" which I read to my Semester 3 classes every year after we study the Nutcracker Ballet. Here's the letter from Katie's mom:
Hi Cathy,

Not sure if you will remember us but Katie took Kindermusik from you over 11 years ago. (She was the one that I had start in the younger group) She had so much fun during her times in your classes. She made SUAVE at St. Ursula Academy this year, which is a singing ensemble of only 12 girls in whole school. She is also taking music composition and her teacher seems to think she has talent for it and is encouraging her to major in music in college. Katie was surprised when I told her she had already composed some songs in Kindermusik. She laughed because she didn't remember that. I will have to find her papers to show her.

Anyway, the reason I am writing you is that both Katie and I think some of this has happened because of the music foundation you gave her in Kindermusik. Thanks for making music fun and giving her the basics.
Katie and I both think it is neat that you still use a book she gave you. She is a senior this year and is having a hard time deciding between architecture or music major. At first it was architecture with music as a minor but now she is leaning more to music as major. Enclosed is a picture of Katie singing with SUAVE this Christmas.

Linda S. Byrnes

"We don't grow too old to play,we grow old if we stop playing."

It's Skyline Time!

2010-02-08T09:34:00.001-08:00

The commercial for Skyline Chili aired during the Super Bowl game and a current student, Avery K and her brother, were in it! Avery has a pink shirt on and pigtails. Look for her!

Getting to Know You!

2010-02-01T18:46:00.000-08:00

As we get to know more about the parents of our students, and we have found that some have very interesting jobs, passions, talents, abilities. We know that every parents has something special about them besides their children and time to time we mention something interesting, but will try and refrain from naming names. We are not comparing or judging parents, but just celebrating and appreciating things that we find out. For example, this weekend as I was reading the sports pages (yes I do sometimes!), I saw the name of a parent that coaches a Cincinnati area HS Girls Soccer Team that made it to the Final Four (Regionals I believe). Congratulations! I also found out that a parent started a charity 4 years ago and it works to benefit battered women’s shelters. I had no idea when she asked me to donate a gift basket that it was for a charity that she initiated and runs. WOW! There are other parents with Educational degrees or Speech/Occupational, Reading specialists that we have asked questions and have been helped become better educators ourselves. There was one mom of Finnish heritage that brought in the most delectable treats. There are some that interact so lovingly and speak so kindly to their children that it serves as such a model to all within earshot. There is one Kindermusik parent who’s third and youngest graduated last year who has co-written a book about things to do with your family in Cinti. More information on that to come and in that case her name will be mentioned. One family owns a Kennel on 8 Mile Road and will take dogs for a run in the woods! Kindermusik families receive a discount! (Info on "Connections" board in upstairs studio)

We love getting to know your children and seeing their gifts, but also enjoy the same with parents.

Touching

2010-01-08T19:19:00.001-08:00

We all know that a baby needs to have bodily contact with his mom and dad. By this, I mean rocking, snuggling, holding, carrying, dancing, or baby massage. But why?

It is the sensations from these kinds of bodily touch that are interpreted by the brain and helps him form his first emotional attachment.

Touch is a baby’s source of comfort and security. Bodily touch leads to bonding, and gives your baby her first knowledge of her physical body. If this first emotional attachment is incomplete, it will be harder for your baby to form emotional attachments later in life.

If you’ve been in both Village and Our Time, you’ll realize that these classes give a very different experience. And our Kindermusik moms and dads and grandmas and nannies all treasure the Village experience. They might not be able to put it into words, but it is all the touching we do that makes this time so special.

So, hold your baby close. Dance a little more often. Snuggle a little bit longer. Far too soon they will wiggle out of your arms and begin their journey towards independence.

It is what you do now that has a tremendous impact on your baby’s ability to have happy, healthy, well-adjusted and secure relationships as a grownup.

FREE open class!

2010-01-05T19:33:00.000-08:00

Please invite a friend and come join us Thursday, January 14 at 10 am. Come see what fun a class can be! All participants receive a free CD!

Call 231-3973 or email siebertkm@aol.com for more info. Reservations are not required, but helps out out plan activities. Also it allows us to contact you in case of inclement weather. We would like names of people coming, email and cell phone numbers. Thank you!

Music education and "a Kindermusik child"

2009-12-19T11:33:00.001-08:00

Over the thirteen years I have been attending Kindermusik classes, I have come to be able to spot a Kindermusik child a mile a way.

A Kindermusik child:
is curious
smiles a lot, even when alone
is confident in his or her own voice
enjoys hearing other children sing and play
can be calmed, excited, or centered by music
has the emerging patience to try and figure things out
enjoys – and is proud of – belonging to a group

Now imagine if EVERY child shared these qualities. Might the news headlines look a bit different every morning...?

So to those who think arts education is not important enough to make a priority in our world, I say, “How would we know? We’ve never tried.”

-by Michael Dougherty, CEO of Kindermusik International.

"Is today a music day, Mommy?”

2009-12-07T12:50:00.000-08:00

My little guy Ben has a daddy and mommy who love music but we are busy coaching baseball, grocery shopping, cleaning and running big kids to football and cheerleading. Ben is 3 but he has many older brothers and sisters who listen to their iPods and sing High School Musical songs in their bedroom. I really wanted to incorporate music into our life but somewhere between taking kids where they need to be ..........our music wasn’t OURS.

I tried to cut myself some slack; my own parents struggled with this generation gap in music education. I remember my dad singing Sweet Caroline and now that he his gone I remember his fabulous baritone voice belting out ”who’d believe you’d come along...” while we drove to Myrtle Beach. I cringed back then and turned up the volume on my headset, but now I cry when I hear a marching band play Neil Diamond. “Hands, reaching out, touching me, touching you!” I didn’t have my dad’s love of Chet Atkins and I couldn’t understand why my mother listened to Liza Minelli. As a kid, I didn’t get it. But now I do; they grew up with it and I want the same appreciation in my own kids.

Modern day music and entertainment has tried. I struggled to appreciate, the great new song that my teenage step daughter turned up. I told her, “I like the new version of “Every breath you take” but the Police are ”the bomb”. Wow, did I ever sound like my father with that critique!.

There has always been a generation gap in music education, I guess. Or at least I tried to tell myself. I remember blowing scales into a cornet (like a trumpet) and pounding on a piano to a metronome. Boring Beethoven! Eventually, I found Vivaldi, but it wasn’t until a Neil Simon movie that I loved it.

I still don’t have the music skills to give my children a musical education, I thought. But I appreciate music and I wanted to give them a chance to learn to play or at least to love to listen.

At our house, we all have an iPod or electronic device with headphones. My 9 year old is in her room singing to High School Musical on the TV and I am yelling for her to turn it down! I took piano lessons, played in the band and orchestra........my musical talent isn’t enough to teach them to appreciate music. I can barely play a Christmas carol but I wanted them to be like my family, singing around the piano to Hark the Herald Angels Sing. Charlie Brown and his gang did it, so we should be able to do it too!

But finally, there is hope! “Miss Cathy” or Mrs. Cathy Siebert of Kindermusik has introduced preschool concepts to my youngest guy, Ben through music. He has even learned some sign language through music. The older kids have learned a few songs from the CD that we play in the car and we have all learned to sing them with Ben around the house.

I feel the generation gap closing.................

I believe that music is everywhere and I have finally found a class that teaches that to my kids. Ben’s 3, and he watches the marching band at a football game and says, “Mommy, is that a saxophone?” My daughter is practicing to sing the National Anthem at a baseball game and my older son says, “Is that Jazz?” Oh, boy! We ARE getting a musical education!

Now we drive around and pick up dry cleaning and our “baby” refers to the song I am playing on the radio and says, “Mommy, is that Blue Grass?” We go past the post office and while the radio is playing our favorite songs from our Kindermusik CD I see my toddler in the rear view mirror. He points, licks his thumb and sticks the imaginary stamp onto the palm of his hand. We continue to sing, enjoy our song and I know from the sign language that Miss Cathy taught him that I forgot to stop at the Post Office!

Kindermusik teaches us that music is everywhere and it’s incorporated into teaching us our ABC’s and even sign language. So if you believe that music shouldn’t be just about practicing scales, that music and life should NOT be separated. Go see Mrs. Siebert. She has let music out of the iPod, MP3 player, phonograph, and even out of the Sony Walkman! We LOVE this music class! Every morning my littlest one gets up and says, “Is today a Music Class day?” And although we only go to Kindermusik on Thursday’s, I say, “Yes, Ben. We will have music class today but we won’t see Miss Cathy till............” and I fill in the blank with some time frame that makes it sound SOON!
Thank you Kindermusik and Mrs. Siebert........everyday, is a “music class day

written by Nancy Chafin, mom of Ben

What do Physical Therapy and Kindermusik have in common?

2009-12-07T12:35:00.000-08:00

I'm going to Physical Therapy twice a week to avoid all the things that precipitated my pinched nerve. I am there for 30-60 minutes and need to concentrate intensely on certain parts of my body. What I am doing is not all that strenuous, but I do find myself needing to take some time to rest or regroup before getting to my computer, stack of papers or teaching. As I walked out today, it made me think of Imagine That! classes and of how we are asking the children to focus, concentrate and stay on task for a good 30-35 minutes. That's a lot for a 3-4 year old! We are doing many different activities and we are asking for their ideas that we incorporate into our lesson goals, but we are steering the students in a certain direction. It's no wonder when families come for the last 10 minutes that sometimes they find it harder to focus. In Young Child, we are "working" for 55 minutes until families come in. The students are great and we accomplish a lot, just realize that they have been working hard and may need a mental break! .......just food for thought.

It's been awhile.......

2009-11-30T08:09:00.000-08:00

Since I last posted. I thank everyone for their patience while I dealt with a pinched nerve. I'm feeling pretty good, but am still playing catch up.

When kids get older, it is so much more challenging to get them something, especially something without batteries or TV/video related. We have always enjoyed board games and one that has lasted throughout the years is Pente(means 5). This year I am getting my sons (25 and 19) their own sets as I am unwilling to give mine up. It is a simple game, a board with a grid and glass pieces and you either have to get 5 pairs of your opponents pieces or get 5 in a row. We have been playing this since my youngest was 5. It's all strategy. If you have children beyond the "swallowing toys" stage, consider getting it. (Amazon has it for about $20).

If there are any other GREAT ideas that moms with younger children would like to share, please email and I'll put together a "Neat Gift Idea" box or something! Or share other wonderful traditions your family does over the holidays!

Empty nest.....

2009-10-14T11:42:00.000-07:00

What do I miss now that my boys are out of the house? Not the dirty laundry... Baking with them. Besides getting something yummy out of it, besides teaching them how to bake, it is a great way to just talk, catch up on things. When they were younger, I think I baked cookies at least every other week so that they would have cookies for their lunch. Here are a couple of my favorite recipes from those days:

Banana Muffins

1 c sugar
½ c Crisco
1 egg
3 ripe bananas, mashed (have your child use a potato masher)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
2 c. flour
Cream together sugar, shortening, and egg. Add mashed bananas. Mix together salt, baking soda, and flour; add to banana mixture. Bake at 325 degrees for 30 minutes.

Cathy's Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 c. butter, room temp
1 c. brown sugar
1 c. white sugar
2 eggs
½ tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla
2 c. flour
2 c. oatmeal
6 oz chocolage bar
12 oz chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
Makes about 45 large
Cream butter and sugars. Add eggs, salt, baking powder and soda, vanilla and four.
In food processor, combine oatmeal and chocolate bar
Add to batter, mix, add chocolate chips and nuts.
Drop golf size balls (using ice cream scoop)
2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake 325 to 350 degrees 10-12 minutes . They should be light, not dark
Now that my kids are gone, I roll the dough into balls and freeze them and can bake 1, 2 or a dozen at a time.

Kindermusik in Eastsider Magazine!

2009-09-23T09:02:00.000-07:00

Article, "Arts effect on development and achievement" writes about Kindermusik, other programs and shows a picture of Cheryl teaching a class! www.eastsidermagazine.com September 2009. Copies are at the studio and the magazine IS online!

Amy Kiradjieff, violinist and KM mom!

2009-09-23T08:51:00.000-07:00

Amy plays in the Cincinnati chamber Orchestra and the following is the review of the concert performed at Anderson Center 9/20. The concert opened the 36th season for this fantastic group:
"The afternoon opened with J.S. Bach's Brandenburg concerto No. 4 in G, with three orchestra musicians - associate concertmaster Amy Kirdjieff and flutists Rebecca Tryon Andres and Susan Magg- in front as soloists. Kiradjieff, who also studied violin at CCM, easily soared through the virtuosities of her part........" by Janelle Gelfand
www.ccocincinnati,.org 513.723.1182 Amy is married to Chris (trumpet in CSO) and mother of Ryan, 6 months (km students since 3 mos!)

Michelle Heimann, artist and KM mom!

2009-09-23T08:30:00.000-07:00

Michelle Heimann has an exhibition of your art through September 30 in O'Bryonville at Phyllis Weston-annie Bolling Gallery
2005 1/2 Madison Road, Cincinnati, OH 45208
513.321.5200 Tues-Saturday 11:00 - 5:00 pm and by appt.
The exhibit is titled: Detour
"Inspired by my grandmother who was an artist and environmentalist, this body of work draws from her passion that inspires my life and work. Mixing imagery of birds, construction, home, and self, the exhibition consists of a collection of traditional and contemporary oil on canvases, drawings, mixed media pieces, and dry point etchings."
Closing reception: October 3, 2-5 pm

Imagine That! Students: Lummi Stick link

2009-09-20T12:10:00.000-07:00

Looking for other activities with Lummi sticks? Check out this webpage: http://fitness.preschoolrock.com/index.php/activities/nursery-rhyme-lummi-stick-routines
These are activities designed to improve coordination, memory, steady beat and more!
Check it out!

Come to a FREE class!

2009-08-19T10:56:00.001-07:00

All classes in Mt. Washington unless noted otherwise:
Village (0-18 mos)
Monday 9:15 (Milford)
Wednesday 10:45
Friday 12 noon
Our Time (18 mos-3 yrs)
Monday 10:15
Tuesday 1:15
Wednesday 9:30, 10:30
Friday 10:30
Saturday 10:15 am
Thursday 9:45 Loveland
Imagine That!(3's and 4's)
Monday 9:40, 1:15
Tuesday 1:15
Thursday 10:45
Young Child (4 1/2 and up )
Tuesday 1:15
Wednesday 1pm (Loveland)
Thursday 9:30, 2:15

Please go to kindermusikbycs.kindermusik.net to see our complete Fall schedule! or call Cathy at 231-3973, or email siebertkm@aol.com
We hope to see you! Free CD's given out!

Get Away Moments

2009-08-19T06:49:00.000-07:00

This is written by Jesikah, a Kindermusik teacher in Washington State and it really hit a chord (so to speak!) I wanted to share it with you. Please feel free to send me your "Get Away Moments!" as we all have them! Cathy

Parenting in the Tough Times: Get Me Out of This Public Place!

temper-tantrumScreams filled the restaurant while my 11-month-old daughter threw food. With five teeth coming in, this fling-fest was her revenge on the food that hurt her sensitive gums. Then, with lightning baby speed, she took my plate and turned it over on my lap. Meanwhile, my four-year-old son was upset because there was no strawberry lemonade on the menu. His arms were crossed; bottom lip fully sticking out as big tears streamed down his cheeks. My six year old took this opportunity to loudly proclaim to everyone in the restaurant that he knew how to behave and was not a baby like his little brother.

I really, really wanted a Southwest Airlines jet to whisk me away. My husband and I constantly joke about those “Wanna Get Away?” commercials when our kids do something that makes us want to hide and forget our parental existence.

Here’s What’s Expected
As a mother of three, I constantly battle embarrassment and the need to make excuses for my children’s behavior. After the birth of my third child, I can now label what I’ve been facing: the desire to be perceived as a good mother. With three children, I can no longer keep up with society’s glorious image of the perfect mother raising perfect children.

The enormous pressure for children to be well-mannered geniuses makes it easy to forget that they are still children who need to learn to be adults. Children will make wrong choices, push boundary lines, make messes, and loudly display their emotions. Unfortunately, the expectation of perfect children creates an emotional stigma and a cycle of insecurity for us as mothers and fathers.

Here’s the Toll On Me
The competition of motherhood takes a toll on my emotional wellbeing. Somehow, I began to see my children as an extension of who I am as a mother. To an extent this is true, but not when I need them to validate if I am a good or bad mother based on how well it appears that I can control their behavior. Where does this measuring stick come from and who has perfectly behaved children anyway?

My two oldest children have sensory processing disorder. So, I am often battling fight or flight induced behaviors when they have difficulty regulating experiences. When we go to the hospital for occupational therapy, I see moms who struggle with the shame/bad mommy issue all the time. They try to over-control the situation. They create rules about how their children are viewed, discussed or played with. Or, they exude embarrassment, constantly apologizing as if their little one is the worst child in the world.

As I reflect on my own responses, I am stunned at the similar way I react to my own children’s antics. Sometimes I am too controlling and unrealistic. I’m trying to maintain my image as a good mother. I need the public to see that although my children appear out of control, I really am in charge.

Sometimes, I feel such shame over my kids’ response to life either from their sensory processing disorder or just from being kids that I try to re-sway the vote in my favor by over apologizing and explaining why my kids are misbehaving without really addressing the issue.

Here’s My Resolve
I now view motherhood very differently. My job is to lovingly encourage and teach the right choices they should make. I resolve to try not to worry about being judged for the opportunities that are presented to lovingly encourage and teach about right choices. This means there will be conflicts and some of those conflicts will happen in public.

No matter how much I may try, I cannot control the choices my children make. But, I can choose my response to them. I can fear the conflicts and lash out in response. Or, I can understand that these embarrassing situations are learning experiences for my children. I’ll still struggle against embarrassment, shame, or the need to be controlling. But I’ll work to focus on the fact that their actions are normal and age appropriate. Why? Because they are not adults, they are learning to become adults.

So how did I respond in that restaurant? After taking a deep breath and counting to 10, I decided to welcome the learning opportunity and not agonize over how I appeared as a mother. I chose right then and there to officially withdraw from the motherhood competition. The result was startling! I was able to see the underlying issue each of my kids were expressing and guide them to the right choice rather than spending my time and energy trying to cover up what was going on out of embarrassment. I felt so much better and my kids responded positively!

The next time your kids decide to make a scene, I encourage you, as I did, to step back and assess the truth behind the situation. You are not a bad parent simply because your children act up or makes a fuss. It is a call to duty and a great learning experience for your children. Conflict always brings about change!

-posted by Miss Jesikah who has learned so much from fellow mothers in Kindermusik classes I have attended with my children as well as an educator in front of the classroom. Thank you for being shining examples of good moms in all your “Wanna Get Away” moments. Every time you share one of your stories it encourages my heart and the hearts of the other moms, too! If this confession has helped in any way, I would love to hear from you! Feel free to share your embarrassing moments, too.

Demo Days!

2009-07-31T06:31:00.000-07:00

Trusted by parents all over the world, Kindermusik classes provide the very best in early childhood music and movement experiences for children newborn to 7. Kindermusik by Cathy Siebert has been in the top 1% out of over 5500 Kindermusik programs by Kindermusik International since 1999 and we would love you to come see why!

Visit our Mt Washington Studio locations for a free, no-obligation class, and dance, sing, listen, play and pretend. Learn how music and movement can stimulate your child's developing mind and body! Connect with other families, and discover how music makes parenting easier. You'll receive a complimentary CD just for coming!

If you have any questions about which class to take, please call us at 513.231.3973, or email siebertkm@aol.com, and we'll be glad to assist you.

Current Kindermusik families - Now's a great time to bring your friends and have them experience what Kindermusik is all about! You'll receive a referral credit towards your tuition!

Free Class: Friday August, 28

10:00 am

Kindermusik Silent Auction items

2009-07-22T20:36:00.000-07:00

You'll find two items from Kindermusik at Anderson Days being held at Beech Acres Park July 24-26. Please bid on them!
Froggie Went a Dancin' (frog backpack, CD, story book)
Gift Certificate -up to $150 towards tuition for a Kindermusik session, materials fees vary and are in addition to tuition

The line for brains forms on the right

2009-07-22T20:28:00.000-07:00

The line for brains forms on the right
Creativity could rule the future

By Marco R. della Cava
USA TODAY

SAN FRANCISCO — On a recent foggy night, the newest wave in educational thinking crashed into this city's oldest high school.

And its waters weren't warm.

"It worries me that we're not thinking big enough, that we're not preparing our kids for a world that will be terribly different from the one we grew up in," says Patrick Bassett, scanning the rapt faces of a few dozen parents in the auditorium of 103-year-old Mission High School, whose alums include poet Maya Angelou and rocker Carlos Santana.

"We need kids to be more risk-taking, more entrepreneurial," he says. "More than ever, we need the right brain to mix with the left."

Although Bassett, president of the National Association of Independent Schools, has been quietly delivering this "Right-Brain Future" talk for a few years, recent economic events have lately sent him on the road non-stop. "My reception has shifted dramatically," he says. "More people seem to want to hear this message."

Here's the CliffsNotes version: As traditional jobs in the left-brain world of finance shrink, the USA's economy will increasingly be tethered to creative innovations rooted in right-brain thinking.

Sachin Desai, 45, attended Bassett's lecture with his wife, Sejal, 44. Both are software engineers; their sons are 12 and 8.

"Growing up in Britain, it was all about linear thinking," he says. "But my kids are American, a place known for coming up with unique solutions and ideas. I fear we're losing that. So it's critical these kids become creative thinkers."

An impediment has been a No Child Left Behind educational system that is too geared to test-taking, says Daniel Pink, author of A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future, the book that inspired Bassett to hit the lecture trail. "What's troubling is that our system is obsessed with standardization at the very time when the future of our economy depends on the opposite."

Some schools have gotten that message. At High Tech High, a charter school in San Diego, students are encouraged to use those skills to practical ends such as dreaming up new sources of energy or calculating ways to stretch the West's limited water supply, says the school's CEO, Larry Rosenstock.

"You want kids who are math whizzes, yes. But you want them to also have the creative talent to apply those math skills to find answers to big questions."

Barrett praises other schools that are pushing students to think outside the box. He cites Fay School in Southborough, Mass., whose students last year teamed with peers at South Saigon International School in Vietnam. Using video chats and a specially created online wiki-space, they designed a "socially conscious business model" that involved both selling products and creating public service announcements to build awareness for disaster relief.

"That's the future," he says. "Kids being analytical and creative to come up with solutions for us all."

The good news for parents of children who seem predisposed to either a right- or left-brain orientation is that neither aptitude is set in stone, says Po Bronson, co-author with Ashley Merryman of NurtureShock: New Thinking About Children, which comes out in September.

Bronson says brain mechanisms controlling intelligence and creativity are in flux through age 25. "People told me as a kid that I had a math brain, and that I shouldn't write," says Bronson, a onetime Wall Streeter who went on to write five best-selling books.
For the full article, go to http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/life/20090714/rightbrainedu14_st.art.htm

Kindermusik Birthday Parties!

2009-05-29T14:43:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to begin offering Kindermusik Birthday Parties tailored to delight children from ages 1 to 6!

Very soon we will be listing several wonderful party themes, but you are also free to create one for your own.

Parties can be held in your home or at the Campus Lane studio and would include 30-40 minutes of song, dance and instrument playing.

Each child will go home with an ever-popular Kindermusik shaker and the birthday child will receive one of our fabulous lollipop drums. Available for an additional cost is an age appropriate Kindermusik gift bag with story book, companion CD (containing the story and other songs used in class) and an additional item, depending on the theme of your party. Studio parties will be a maximum of 2 hours in length, and the waiting area is available for families to provide drinks, cake, decorations, etc. You would also have access to our kitchen and small refrigerator.

Consider adding this exciting musical entertainment to your child's next birthday bash!

Please contact us if you would like to discuss themes, location,available teachers, prices, etc. 513.231.3973, siebertkm@aol.com

Music and rhythmic activity appeal to my ADHD child, and also seem to facilitate learning.

2009-05-28T16:13:00.001-07:00

A short article on the benefit of rhythmic, multi-sensory, literacy-building, active, focused MUSIC activities for children with ADHD. http://tinyurl.com/lx39mt

Music and rhythmic activity appeal to my ADHD child, and also seem to facilitate learning.

2009-05-28T16:13:00.000-07:00

A short article on the benefit of rhythmic, multi-sensory, literacy-building, active, focused MUSIC activities for children with ADHD. http://tinyurl.com/lx39mt

Free Preview Classes!

2009-05-22T11:13:00.000-07:00

Please email/call to attend our FREE Preview Days! Come see what Kindermusik is all about and receive a freee CD. We'll sample some activites from our summer classes.
Friday, May 29 10 am
Friday, June 5 10 am
Contact Cathy at 513.231.3973/siebertkm@aol.com

A Musically Illiterate Nation by Ann C. Cay

2009-05-08T11:30:00.000-07:00

I read this in a newsletter sent out from Westmusic.com

The majority of our nation’s eighth-grade students can’t sing in tune, play instruments or read music, according to the last National Assessment of Educational Progress. If you take them to a ball game, they can’t sing the national anthem in tune, even if they know the words. Most can’t play “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" on an instrument. If you locked the refrigerator door with a combination that required simple rhythmic drumming to open it, most would starve to death. Let’s be serious now. What difference does it make if they can’t sing? They get all the music they want on the radio and through CDs. Are they going to be any smarter, richer, or happier if they can belt out a tune or beat out a rhythm?

Yes! Studies indicate that musical ability is as related to intelligence as is math or language. Music is an intelligence, says Dr. Howard Gardner, a cognitive psychologist at Harvard University. In fact, making music may affect the very organization of the brain which positively impacts achievement in math, reading, and other disciplines. A study in Pawtucket, Rhode Island based on the Kodály (Ko-dye) music education approach documented improved math and reading achievement, behavior and attitude in first grade students. The students received more music time, visual arts, and the involvement of their classroom teachers. A replication of this study at Powderhorn Community School in Minneapolis Public Schools yielded similar results, with the most significant gains in word recognition and math. Another study reveals that young children who can tell the difference between different pitches become better readers. A Wisconsin study finds that kindergartners who play piano keyboards can also put puzzles together much faster.

Then, there are the actual brain studies, such as the one that found that children who start practicing an instrument before they are nine have a larger area in their brains that processes sound. Marian Diamond’s research in her book, Magic Trees of the Mind: How to Nurture Your Child’s Intelligence, Creativity, and Healthy Emotions from Birth through Adolescence, says that rats with toys in their cages grow thicker cortexes within four days. Rats in other cages watching rats with toys don’t exhibit brain growth. Most of us see this as common sense: you learn by doing. And you learn music by making music.

Everyone can learn to sing in tune and play instruments because music making is learned behavior. Sure, some individuals are going to be exceptional at it, but music is no more a special talent or gift than is math or language. The tragedy is that we teach as if it is, so most of our children never learn to make music well. Imagine never learning to speak or read or understand language. Imagine never experiencing the pride and joy of linking letters and sounds into sentences on a page.

I have watched lifelong teachers of music break down in tears when they were finally taught how to teach all children to become competent music makers -- able to sing in tune, play instruments, improvise, compose and analyze music. Music education approaches under the names Kodály, Orff, Dalcroze and Gordon offer instruction that shows teachers how to enable all students to achieve competence in making music. This is what is called for in the National Standards for music education.

What is needed is a shift in understanding: music making is a learned behavior that benefits children's health, well being and academic achievement. Let's not wait for more data and analysis; it's simple to get started now.

1. Classroom teachers can begin by having children sing daily. Using folksongs and singing games can transform the classroom into a happy, lively, cooperative community of learners.
2. Music teachers can seek new training in Kodaly, Orff, Dalcrose and Gordon.
3. Administrators can allocate funds to train classroom teachers, retrain music teachers, add more music instruction time for students, and purchase additional instruments.

Americans want to see improved learning in our schools. Music education that ensures music making for all of our children not only contributes to this goal but enriches the lives of all of us. Let’s get to work (and play!).

About Ann C. Kay

Ms. Kay is the founder and director of the Center for Lifelong Music Making, where she launches transformative ideas aimed at tipping the nation toward a musically able and active population. She teaches courses for Minneapolis Public Schools and Hamline University. A former elementary and junior high music teacher, Ann was also associate director of graduate music education at the University of St. Thomas where she advised master's theses and founded and directed the Kodály approach certification program. She has served as president of the national Organization of American Kodály Educators, chaired numerous conferences, and presented over 60 workshops for music teachers in the U.S. and Taiwan.

For more information about the Center for Lifelong Music Making, visit their
website.

Parents are the responsible party in providing a musical rich education. What better way to establish musical benefits than to enroll your child in Kindermusik when they are infants, toddlers, preschoolers and early elementary age. When the impact is greatest and those windows of opportunity for learning are fully open and available. Kindermusik grows with your child and provides much to prepare them for success in school later on. Loving your child is what it’s all about!
Cathy

Great story about life and music!

2009-04-16T12:41:00.000-07:00

This is a story about HS students from Newark, OH. They traveled to NYC to compete for the National Orchestra Cup. They tied for first runner up with Anderson High School April 4, 2009. This is an incredible story about life, music, tenacity and more. Please read the article and and click on the video on the page.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/15/us/15land.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&ref=music

Playing Nice: Teachers Learn to Help Kids Behave in School

2009-04-08T07:51:00.000-07:00

Great article about improving behavior AND cognitive scores using imagination, impulse control, things we do in the Kindermusik classroom (especially in Imagine That!)
http://www.facebook.com/n/?inbox/readmessage.php&t=1122310662667&mid=46b723G5f8089e4G2cf54eG0
enjoy!
Cathy

New research on Music Training and social-emotional understanding!

2009-03-14T18:35:00.000-07:00

We've found exciting new research on music training and social-emotional understanding. New research has been completed by Nina Kraus at Northwestern and Ric Ashley at Northwestern showing that music training enhances a person’s ability to pick up clues (in speech) about another person’s emotional state. The article is posted below:

From the European Journal of Neuroscience 29:661-668 (2009)

Musical experience and neural efficiency: effects of training on subcortical processing of vocal expressions of emotion -- by D. L. Strait, E. Skoe, N. Kraus, & R. Ashley (Auditory Neuroscience and Music Cognition Laboratories of Northwestern University)

Musicians exhibit enhanced perception of emotion in speech, although the biological foundations for this advantage remain unconfirmed. In order to gain a better understanding for the influences of musical experience on neural processing of emotionally salient sounds, we recorded brainstem potentials to affective human vocal sounds. Musicians showed enhanced time-domain response magnitude to the most spectrally complex portions of the stimulus and decreased magnitude to more periodic, less complex portions. Enhanced phase-locking to stimulus periodicity was likewise seen in musicians' responses to highly complex portions. These results suggest that auditory expertise engenders both enhancement and efficiency of subcortical neural responses that are intricately connected with acoustic features important for the communication of emotional states. Our findings provide the first biological evidence for behavioral observations indicating that musical training enhances the perception of vocally expressed emotion in addition to establishing a subcortical role in the auditory processing of emotional cues.

What a gift from Sloan!

2009-02-27T17:16:00.000-08:00

I love when a student transfers knowledge. We are learning how to pay "Lucy Locket" on the glockenspiel and Sloan decided to play it on the piano as well!

Email: "This is from Sloan. But her dad helped, and I'm glad that I know how to play on the piano and you know what that means? If I can play on one piano, I can play on all pianos. And I really want you to come over one day and see how good I am at playing it. You've got to see. I'm really good at it. Now I'll let you watch my little video."

http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=07c33ff401&view=att&th=11fba4e625d065d6&attid=0.1&disp=attd&zw

Thank you for sharing with me Sloan!

KM Cities Pictures

2009-02-25T19:17:00.000-08:00

Pictures of European cities and statures: http://picasaweb.google.com/cathy.siebert/KMCities?authkey=qnvmxJdfQtw&feat=directlink

Link for pictures of Alps, YC Sem 4 Lesson 50-52

2009-02-25T19:13:00.000-08:00

http://picasaweb.google.com/cathy.siebert/KMYCSem4Alps?feat=directlink

CSO Lollipop Concert 3/7 10:30 am

2009-01-29T09:22:00.000-08:00

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Saturday, March 7 10:30 am Music Hall (downtown)

Adults $10.00, Children $5.00 Children under two free, but must get voucher at ticket office that morning. I have 80 seats reserved.

Reservations and money due Friday, February 20.

Please include email with all checks (made out to Cathy Siebert).

231-3973, siebertkm@aol.com for more info.

Ice/Snow Storm 2009

2009-01-28T13:07:00.000-08:00

I'm sure I was doing the same as many, shoveling, playing, enjoying in the snow and taking pictures! With frozen hair, we're getting ready to take some of the branches off to releive the weight of the branches on the River Birch that is blocking both sides of the garage!

2009-01-09T18:49:00.000-08:00

Kindermusik Sign & Sing: Early Communication

Age Range:
6 months to 3 years
Class Length:
40-50 minutes

From

the moment you met him, you want to understand your baby. What is he thinking? Is he hungry, tired, too cold, content? Early on your baby also has an innate desire to communicate with you.

In a Kindermusik Sign & Sing class (developed by Signing Smart™), we give you the tools and knowledge to communicate with each other using American Sign Language. Through songs and play, you’ll both learn signs for words like “mommy” and “eat,” and you’ll know if he wants “more” “milk” and when he’s “all done.” This research-proven signing class for hearing children speeds language development, eases frustration, and enhances long-term learning abilities.

What you’ll experience in class:

You’ll play, sign, and sing. Using everyday items in engaging small and large group activities, we’ll sing songs and practice the sign as we say the words, play with toys, and help her learn both the spoken word and the sign.
Expert advice. You’ll learn to spot your baby’s most “teachable moments” and the sign language teaching methods of the experts. Plus you’ll learn to recognize and respond to your child’s versions of signs.
Communication through sign language. When your child is chasing a bubble or asking for the ball, you’ll make the sign for it and say the word. So she has the ways to associate the word with the object: she holds the ball, she hears you say the word, and she sees you make the sign.

Enrollment includes:

Developmentally appropriate American Sign language curriculum for parents and hearing children, ages 6 months to 3 years
5 to 10 week semester (varies by location)
Weekly 40-50 minute class
Two sets of At Home Materials—one for each five-week theme—each includes a Family Activity Guide, DVD, and Clip-On Flashcards showing adults and children using signs

Over 75 sign language activities and games to play together

Classes: Tuesday evening 6:30, Saturday 11:15 beginnning in February. contact Cathy Siebert at 231.3973, siebertkm@aol.com for more info. Or go to website: kindermusikbycs.kindermusik.net

FAMILY TIME!

2009-01-09T18:46:00.000-08:00

Age Range:
Newborn and up
Class Structure:
10 weeks
Class Length:
45 minutes.

Bringing children of all ages together

provides a dynamic and integrated learning experience for everyone. So we took favorite Kindermusik songs and activities like “Shake, Shake the Apple Tree” and “hammocking” and rolled them into a fun, family class where each child is welcomed and valued and family “together time” is celebrated and cherished.

What you’ll experience in class:

Singing. From the first “Hello” song to the last “Goodbye,” exploring a variety of musical styles and genres leads children to find their own voice. Plus singing helps with memory and recall, physical development, creativity, and socialization.
Assorted Movement. Whether moving as a family, as a class, or as individuals, Family Time movement activities enhance coordination skills, create opportunities for imitation and exploration, and give everyone something to smile, rock, bounce, or dance about.
Story Time. Reading aloud to children stimulates their curiosity, expands their knowledge, and broadens their understanding of language.
Family Jam Children (and adults) will love selecting a unique instrument and joining in one big class jam session each week.
Musical Concepts. Fun engaging activities bring out the musicality in everyone, from the youngest member of the family to the oldest. Together you’ll learn more about music as you learn more about each other.
Expert advice. A Kindermusik educator explains how our musically based activities enhance your child’s complete development.
Learning continues at home. With the home materials, the learning continues at home with your child’s best teacher—you!

Enrollment includes:

10 week semester
Weekly 45-minute class
Set of At Home Materials including a Family Activity Guide, Hand and Finger Puppet, Two CDs of music from class, two instruments, two literature books

Classes start in February! Thursday evening 6:30, Saturday 10:15 in Mt. Washington. kindermusikbycs.kindermusik.net or contact Cathy Siebert at siebertkm@aol.com or 513.231.3973

2008-12-10T06:22:00.000-08:00

Local Performances that are great for families and/or complement the curriculum:
Amahl and the Night Visitors: This is magical, beautiful SHORT opera for families and children. This is in my top FIVE favorite things (movies, plays, musicals, music etc). Lutheran Ascension is in BlueAsh/Kenwood area. I do not see anything about tickets, so maybe just donations?

Amahl and the Night Visitors

This wonderful Christmas opera by Gian Carlo Menotti will be presented at Ascension Lutheran on Friday and Saturday, December 12th and 13th, 2008. This is a wonderful opportunity to invite your friends and neighbors to visit our wonderful church. For children, this is an exciting retelling of the "adventures" of the three Magi who are on their way to Bethlehem and are following their "Star." On the way, they stop in a village and ask a poor widowed mother, with a crippled little boy, if they can have shelter for the night. Through their visit to this poor family and the grace that the little boy shows in offering his only possession, his crutch, to the new-born Jesus, Amahl is miraculously healed!

Friday, December 12 and Saturday, December 13 At 7:00 pm http://www.ascensionlutheranchurch.com/index.html for directions

Nutcracker Ballet performances:

Cincinnati Ballet: http://www.cincinnatiballet.com/nutrcracker(Kindervelt sells tickets to the dress rehearsal that are at a reduced price.

Russian Ballet I googled "russian nutcracer cincinnati" and several venues came up to purchase tickets.

Midwest Ballet The Steadfast Tin Soldier (retelling of Tschaikovsky's Nutcracker) http://www.ballettheatremidwest.com/ I have no idea how this compares to the traditional Nutcracker, so if you go, let me know!

2008-12-06T17:33:00.000-08:00

What fun we've had in our classes reading, "Ding Dong, ding dong, who's at the door?" It's a book made using pictures of the students in the class. This activity encourages children to use their singing voice and match pitch! We encourage you to make a similar book using family members!

2008-11-24T18:28:00.000-08:00

Cathy Born, a KM parent of 6 year old twins for the past 5 years sent me this email about a conversation with her children's PE teacher during conferences:

The PE Teacher at our Elementary School stated she is seeing a huge increase in the lack of ability of children to do basic physical activities like forward rolls, skipping, bouncing balls (which is an activity that requires left/right brain). Parents no longer tell their kids “go outside and play” – which helps develop the left/right brains. She is now teaching things in PE class that she never used to 5-7 years ago.

The PE Teacher stated she attended a conference this summer and listened to a professor from Harvard talk about how the under-development of the left/right brain affects children’s reading ability. You need to use both sides of your brain to read. To help fire those neurons between the left-right side, the PE teacher goes as far as having kids while they wait in line, do simple cross-over movements (elbows to knees, etc.) to get the brain to use both side. Much like we did in our early Kindermusik classes while the babies were laying on the floor while we did movements to music.

BTW….The PE Teacher stated that my twins were the only ones who could skip in the class! I’d like to think that our 5 years in the program had something to do with that! All that musical movement/dancing really helped.

It's nice to hear another professional saying the same things we say in our classes! In our Imagine That! and Young Child classes we intentionally gallop, skip, crawl during the hello song and other cross-lateral movements to reinforce building the connections between hemispheres!

Cathy Siebert

2008-11-20T07:26:00.002-08:00

This is a great book about accepting children as they are and letting them be who they are. We have one at the studio and we invite you to read it!

2008-11-20T07:20:00.000-08:00

Grady Cooper Brandabur, a student in our Kindermusik studio was presented to all at the Kindermusik Convention in Raleigh, NC in November. He is a recipient of a Ruth Anderson Children's Fund Scholarship!
10% of the new Kindermusik CD goes to this fund. You may order them through Cathy Siebert or at www.kindermusik.com
Help Brady Cooper and others!

Concert Opportunities for Families in Greater Cincinnati area

2008-09-13T08:42:00.000-07:00

Peanut Butter and Jam Concerts for complete information, go to www.lintonmusic.org/PBJ.htm
Concerts start at 10:00 and 11:30
Tickets; 381-6868 or at door
$4.00 per ticket (adult and child) or Flexible Ticket book (4 tickets/$12.00 good for any concert)

First Concert Series: "Classy Brass":An award winning quintet: Dayton Philharmonic Carillon Brass (Cathy Siebert's husband is in this group!)

November 15, 2008: Mt. Washington Presbyterian Church 6474 Beechmont Avenue, Cincinnati

Second Concert Series:"Wacky Woodwinds"

Listen to the different sounds of the woodwinds ... from the airy flute to the liquid sound of the oboe ... from the jaunty bassoon to the noble French horn and the clever clarinet.

January 31, 2009:Mt. Washington Presbyterian Church 6474 Beechmont Avenue, Cincinnati

Third Concert Series:"A Madcap Fling"

Madcap Puppets and a String Quartet. Crazy? Or Brilliant?
Check it out!

April 18, 2009:Mt. Washington Presbyterian Church 6474 Beechmont Avenue, Cincinnati