Kindermusik of Holland has moved

Come Follow, Follow, Follow, Follow ME!

2008-12-02T22:33:00.002-05:00

Whither shall I follow, follow, follow,
Whither shall I follow, follow, thee?
Too the Greenwood, to the greenwood,
to the greenwood, greenwood tree!

(I have a new name for my new blog:)

Y's Kindermusik blog....

Thanks for following......
Hope you're still singing and twirling~
Yvette

The view from here....

2008-09-13T20:35:00.004-05:00

Put your eye to the viewfinder. Here is the picture: (I regret I didn't have my camera) The trail reminds me a little of the Saugatuck Dunes State Park trails except maybe there's more rise to the slope and more undergrowth, more vines. It's pretty humid. There's 20 hikers gathered, like every Friday year round, with the "Let's Take a Hike" group out of Asheville. Their T-shirt motto is "Quit whining. Keep Climbing!" They count off so that when they come to the end they can account for everyone. Looking around at the circle I think how they seem pretty serious with their ski poles and packs. I'd say most in the group are in their 60's give or take. My mom has invited me to tag along. She's 81. As we begin the ascent she warns me "I might not make good conversation when I'm out of breath". It's a bit more humid than normal she says, it has stormed recently and there's lots of interesting mushrooms on the trail. As the trail begins to intensify I notice a couple folks pull to the side to catch their breath, I'm panting and red in the face but I don't want to lag behind Mom! My conversation lags! When we get to the top the view is splendid..... the valley and the highway below, green-green-green the whole earth is lush....In a couple weeks the tourists will be here looking for color.

There is color in my mom's face but mine is really red! A group member comments to me "Isn't she great!! " pointing to Mom.

This is what I came to see.

I should mention that whenever she introduces me to anyone she does not overlook the chance to tell them about Kindermusik and all the benefits of the program...in case anyone's grandchildren should be young enough for my classes!

Sorry I forgot my camera.

My legs are sore.
Yvette

International Peace Day Sept. 21

2008-09-13T20:32:00.001-05:00

2008-09-07T21:08:00.002-05:00

Years ago on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, right out of college, I shared a big farmhouse with a roommate and her dogs. One of the dogs was a Weimaraner... Owho really enjoyed singing along with my flute students. Bitsy would sit right next to my chair and sing and sing and sing her heart out. If I stopped playing she'd stop singing...when I started back up she'd start back up. She looked so forlorn if I took her out of earshot for the lesson, you could tell she loved her voice lesson!

Anne's new cello teacher, Miss Frances, has a dog that reminds me of Bitsy. Chloe has been singing for cello lessons for quite some time. When Miss France's daughter practices violin she considers it sing along time too. Some songs are just OK but if she know's the piece well she really belts it! Some of Chloe's friends have captured her on this little video...The videos are called www.littlepearls.org and they have some very beautiful ones if you care to browse around. Enjoy your day and sing it from the roof-tops.
Love, Yvette

Peek-a-boo

2008-09-05T16:38:00.003-05:00

Hello friends, It's me...Yvette ...

Are you still there? Have you been waiting for me? I think I'm ready to get back to posting, I know I promised.

Things to do:
Download phots from my camera (Anne took some shots of me with my TRUCK)
Change my driver's license.(I have to take a written test!)
Get new tags for my car.
Get new magnets for my car.
Register to vote!
Change my address for journals.
Figure out the online banking for my new bank.
Change the message greeting on my cell phone (still says Kindermusik of Holland).
Get business cards.
Unpack more boxes.
Find my tea kettle.
Write Thank You letters.....(I couldn't have done it without the help...the generous, generous help).
Go to the local farmers markets.
Make salsa.
Find a coffee shop as good as Lemonjello's.
Go to the local La Leche League meeting (that's the 4th Saturday).
Make new friends.

Miss you....miss you all,
Yvette

cleaning off my desk

2008-07-02T16:43:00.002-05:00

The "perma crud" is pretty amazing! But among the bills, scraps of lists and reminders, photos, love letters from you and your children, and other stuff (some of it unidentifiable) ... that I've kept on top I've also found some thought provoking quotes that I'd written down. The first one has probably been on my desk for 3 years. I love it and I think about all the people who are taking care of children...that we should remind themselves that:

This world is nothing more than Beauty's chance to show Herself.
And what are we?
Nothing more than Beauty's chance to see Herself. For if Beauty were not seeking Herself we would not exist....

Ghalib

These next two quotes are more recently added to the piles on my desk. They are by different people but definitely related. I apply them to parenting and to teaching. I regret the times I was a "monster" to my independent toddlers! But I forgive myself and try to learn through my mistakes.

Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster.

F. Nietzsche

I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent.

Ghandi

Peace,
Yvette

I surely won't stop blogging.......

2008-06-26T22:07:00.005-05:00

Only 3% of the general public really "get into" classical music. Why?

Why do so many people want their children to learn to play the piano? And why do so many children give it up after only a few years?

What if the whole world LOVED classical music?

Oh, and do you know anyone who is "tone deaf"? Here's a video of one of my favorite musicians.

Thanks for watching.
What would the world look like if we never said anything that wouldn't stand the test of being the very last thing you would ever say to them.....to your children, your partner, anyone?

Make a difference.
Love,
Yvette

Thank You

2008-06-26T21:32:00.001-05:00

Dear friends,
A bunch of years ago I read a book called the Five Love Languages of Children. It's a great book by Gary Chapman.

These 5 love languages are

Time (presence)

Gifts

Touch

Acts of Service

and ....

um...

I always forget the one that speaks to me! Of course. We moms tend to do that.....

Oh, yes....

I do remember:

Words of Affirmation

From the bottom of my aching heart I so appreciate the kind words you have written to me and spoken to me since I've broken the news of my moving to North Carolina. I treasure them. I do feel very loved. Thank you.

Love,

Yvette

Farewell

2008-06-22T17:17:00.007-05:00

Dear Friends,

Have you ever experienced when your toddler, busy in the adjacent room, becomes very quiet for a stretch of time...you jump up in a panic to check because surely something is up? Well, I've been quiet on this blog for a bit and sure enough something is up. My heart is trying to make some distance so it doesn't break too badly in saying goodbye.

“The winds of change are blowing my way. I can feel it in my bones.” This quote comes with a melody sung by the children’s music group, Gemini, that often performs in the Holland area. It’s been playing in my head and heart for a month now. I am relocating to Asheville North Carolina! It is exciting to be moving close to extended family members but at the same time I am experiencing great depths of sadness at leaving the Holland community and my “Kindermusik fan club”!

Needless to say I have great concern about passing the baton of Kindermusik on to an entity in the Holland area who can continue to offer this premier program to the many families who have and will continue to look to Kindermusik for their children’s musical beginnings and for the program that nurtures relationships between adults and children and gives children a solid start in cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development.

If you would like to connect with me on the possibilities of Kindermusik of Holland being part of your passion, part of your umbrella of music and art programs, and part of your community building relations programs please contact me at your earliest convenience. I will be formally closing the doors of my studio on July 25^th, 2008. I know I have lots of details to wrap up and if you have any questions or need to remind me of anything...please drop me an email.

Musically yours,

Yvette Odell
Kindermusik of Holland
616-392-7182
http://holland.kindermusik.net
www.kindermusikofholland.blogspot.com
singandtwirl@sbcglobal.net

"Imagination is more important than knowledge." A. Einstein

The POWER of a few moms.....

2008-06-09T08:52:00.004-05:00

Just over 50 years ago a group of moms met at a picnic and started chatting. These moms each had young babies in common. Through their passionate conversation and connection they were inspired to meet again with the purpose to nurture precious support in their choice to breastfeed their babies. By word of mouth other moms joined the conversation. Soon it was necessary to organize and allow circles of moms all over the world to benefit from the information and support these few women had begun to amass. This is the story of La Leche League.

This story means a lot to me because in the first 10 days or so of nursing my first baby I teetered on the edge of giving up because of soreness. Calling a La Leche League leader saved me! I've attended meetings for over 20 years and have for the past 13 years as a leader been helping moms who are asking the same kinds of questions I asked!

La Leche Leage has been a powerful entity in my forming of my philosophy on parenting and nurturing children in general. Perhaps most poignant was that La Leche League encouraged me to listen to my heart first in everything I do concerning my work with children.

Yesterday, June 8, 2008, Edwina Froehlich, one of the moms in that very first conversation at the picnic in Chicago, passed away at 93 years young. Many La Leche League friends are wearing a pearl necklace in her honor this week. I'll be wearing mine in gratitude for her passion and activism.
LLLove,
Yvette

GOING GREEN

2008-05-29T16:14:00.002-05:00

My daughter Claire has been involved in this little project at church. It's a community wide event so walk on over, bike on over, skate on over!

Travel Green!

The Blessing of All Green Modes of Transportation

Excited about eco-friendly travel? Whether it’s a bicycle, stroller, fuel efficient vehicle, skateboard, or feet, come have it blessed!

Literature will be available on topics such as bicycle safety, personal wellness, and environmental impact. We’ll also have maps of trails, giveaways, and more!

All are welcomed to this free community event. Bring a friend and a nonperishable food item for the St. Vincent de Paul Center. For more info call Carol Vandergriff at (616) 392-4434.

Saturday, June 14 at 3:00 pm at

St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church

195 W 13th St. in Holland

Support our planet...

...promote wellness

Summer Music

2008-05-29T15:53:00.002-05:00

Kindermusik classes are over!
I'm missing you already! What do we do now? Before you are over involved in activities make sure you reserve your one on one time with your children. Sign up for the Kindermusik summer sessions right now!!

I've already started my summer job at the Holland Farmer's Market! I have enjoyed seeing some of my "fan club" out to buy plants for the garden. The Boeve's (that's the farmer that I work for) sell lots of tomato and pepper plants and other veggies for making up your garden. My favorite plants though, are the herbs. Come by for some aromatherapy!

Every Wednesday at the market from 10am to noon there will be children's programming. So on June 11 I will be there with some Kindermusik activities! Come for the fun!

Farmers Market Kids Activities: Kindermusik at the Market (Session One)

Wednesday June 11, 10:00 AM

Eighth Street Marketplace 150 West Eighth Street Holland, MI 49423 42.790063, -86.11421

Yvette Odell, from Kindermusik of Holland will be back at the market with fun farm songs and engaging activities for children. She’ll spark the imagination with songs about everything from corn seeds and cabbages to sun and rain. Spend the morning singing, twirling, and making music at the market!

The Big Read Bus will visit the Farmers Market from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. with great books for fun summer reading!

Admission: free

Organized by: Downtown Holland Principal Shopping District
Contact: Holland Farmers Market
616.355.1130
http://www.hollandfarmersmarket.com

2008-05-19T10:26:00.003-05:00

SATURDAY, MAY 10, 2008 * HILL AUDITORIUM, ANN ARBOR

The University Musical Society honors flutist Sir James Galway at the

13th Annual Ford Honors Program.

So.....I must brag a little!!! My flute duet friend and I went this concert and as part of the award to honor Sir James Galway we played a brand new piece of flute music commissioned as a surprise gift for him. The piece was a fantasie on "Oh, Danny Boy" and it was beautiful. So I've been going around telling everyone that I PLAYED FOR James Galway! (Hey, my name is even listed!) <<>> Of course the details are that there were over 100 flutes in this choir but it was very much a thrill for me! Sir James Galway said that out of all the halls in the world to play in his favorite was the opera hall in Sydney Australia and second was Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor. True; as I listened to his concert I felt like my head was inside the piano...I could hear the felt of the hammers hit the strings and at the same time the flute was in perfect balance....It was a beautiful concert. I also enjoyed hearing his wife play with him on the Franz & Karl Doppler : Rigoletto Fantasy

As I look at the program book I'm thinking...."Now I HAVE to start a scrapbook!"

Listening with our whole bodies...

2008-05-09T11:10:00.002-05:00

Here's a very interesting video clip which touches on the importance of listening with the perspective of helping Autistic children. I hope you notice that they are stimulating the children's vestibular system WHILE they are listening. (Rocking, swinging etc.)

I found a little more about how babies use listening while they are in utero (which is ALWAYS in motion) from Valerie DeJean.

Tomatis talks at length about the importance of fetal listening in the development of all the vestibular functions we have discussed so far, much of them related to the development of praxis. He also the importance of fetal listening on the later development of language.

We know that the ear is functioning in utero at five months gestation.

Babies are born imprinted to their mothers voice because they have been bathed in the sound of it for the last four months of gestation.

Phonemes are the smallest units of sound from which we form words.There are 52 phonemes from which all of the worlds 6000 languages are formed.

Ultra sound studies have shown that by the seventh month in utero, the fetus responds to each of the phonemes in a word spoken by the mother with a specific muscular movement.

Also the fetus responds immediately, in other words there is no timedelay between the sensory input of the mother's voice and the motorresponse of the fetus. A very fast system - and most likely is the boneconduction system, which Tomatis has always described as having a very rapid conduction. All this is preparing the baby for language.

Brand New Music

2008-05-05T20:38:00.003-05:00

One thing that I admire is the act of commissioning a brand new musical work. This past spring was the 20 anniversary of the Holland Area Youth Orchestra and they decided to commission a new piece in celebration. The composer (Wow! A living composer!), Matthew Tommasini, posted the recording of the piece on his website. The solo violin in the 1st movement is my daughter Claire! (You know she's a Kindermusik graduate, don't you? And that she was accepted in the Lawrence University Conservatory!
Complete Recording (MP3 6MB)

The title Sonic Dreams Made Real refers to the orchestra itself and combines elements of a violin concerto and fanfare. The first movement begins with a repeating, "dreamy" arpeggio played by the piano and percussion. From this arpeggio, a solo violin melody emerges, calling out to other members of the orchestra to begin playing. The lyrical movement builds to a climax as all the members of the orchestra enter, leading into the unrelenting, fast-paced second movement. This movement builds on motives from the opening which are finally transformed into a brass fanfare accompanied by pulsating chords in the other sections of the orchestra to the end the piece. Sonic Dreams Made Real was commissioned by the Holland Symphony Youth Orchestras in commemoration of their 20th anniversary season.

Challenge of Children

2008-05-03T19:34:00.004-05:00

The 2008 Challenge of Children Conference will be held on
Thursday, May 15, 2008
at Hope College, Holland, MI.
This free parenting conference is a community effort among Allegan, Ottawa, and Muskegon County Health and Human Service Organizations.

Hello Families in Holland MI,
We are indeed fortunate to have this wonderful annual free conference right here in our community. Please take advantage of it by REGISTERING and attending.

Darcy is presenting again this year (morning session): Sign, Play and Sing-American Sign Language with your little one.
And I am presenting also (afternoon session): Sing and Twirl: Move to Learn, How the brain and the body depends on movement to grow and learn and how music can enhance learning.

Hope to see you there!
Yvette

Language developement

2008-05-02T13:09:00.002-05:00

I found the above video of an African music group. I hope you enjoy watching and listening to the language and music. If you get about 2/3 of the way through you can hear them singing a couple words in English...I nearly missed it because I was just thinking I wouldn't understand anything!

Between 18 months old and 4 years old children are comprehending on average about 1 word for every hour they are awake. By 4 years old they would have a vocabulary of 10,000 words. It is recommended that parents speak about 17,000 words daily to their children.

If you are using that many words then you are talking a lot! The advantage to that is you are also modeling HOW TO THINK. I'd say that's pretty valuable. Don't be afraid to wax poetic or even silly! Even those lessons are valuable.

In our Kindermusik Our Time class (18months to 3 1/2 year olds) we did an experiment with the little Setswana folk song by taking a risk to boldly sing along with words that we didn't understand or know--without referring to the song chart. Many said that they found it very challenging-that it took a huge amount of concentration. Others commented that while they understood the first word "Hey" it was hard to sing it in time and were able to "get" the last syllable although only as an echo. Some still tried to sneak a peak at the words on the chart thereby using an adult tool of deciphering. Interesting to put yourself into the feelings a 2 year old
might be experiencing all day long.

Hey, Tswana, nehe tipe same Tswana. Hey, Bwana, nehe tipe same Bwana.

Enjoy experiencing your child's world. Thank you for bringing them to Kindermusik.
Love and hugs,
Yvette

TV Viewing...

2008-04-28T22:12:00.007-05:00

Last week was TV Turn-off week and we had a fun time at the Thursday event at the Dow Center. I had a wonderful time singing with the families that made the rounds of fun things to do. One family proved to me they don't watch all the TV they could by singing one of their favorite songs about numbers and vowels...in Spanish. What a treat for me to watch the Dad playing my guitar and his daughter looking way into his eyes while they sang.

A few of the very young toddlers brought their parents back to my little area two and three times. One mom said "OK, just one more song then we're going."......."OK, just one more...." Then she said "Hi! We're back!" Her precious daughter loved the scarf play and jingling with bells...what fun!

I hope some families will have noticed that it's not so hard to be TV free....it's precious family time.

A few years ago I heard the author, Thomas Lewis, author of "A General Theory of Love".He spoke of his work with troubled teens. The statistics he shared of youth violence really pierced the heart. Then he was asking questions about how we learn empathy and gave some recommendations for working with troubled teens (and what teens don't have a zillion troubling questions all through the day...). His prescription was to mandate the family to have a minimum of 5 meals a week together with absolutely nothing electronic (no TV, radio, games, Ipods, computers, nothing) and that the family just TALK. He said one does not have to talk about anything stressful...just talk. When you talk you naturally look at each other. Something very important happens when you look at someone in the eyes during even the in most insignificant of conversations. And it has something to do with empathy....a very important skill.

Why is something that sounds SO simple SO hard to do?

In our house we often find ourselves still at the table with empty plates 45 minutes later....or more....deep in a great discussion....

You've got to start somewhere. Now is a good time.

Reading, Sensory Integration, and YOUR CHILD

2008-04-21T11:11:00.002-05:00

Teaching our Children to Read, Write and Spell
by Susan Johnson, M.D
Proprioceptive System
There is a widely-held belief that if we just start teaching children to write, read, and spell in preschool, they will become better writers, readers, and spellers by the time they reach the first and second grades. This is, however, not true. The truth is that children only should be taught to write, read, and spell when their neurological pathways for writing, reading, and spelling have fully formed. There are many neuropsychologists, developmental specialists, occupational therapists and teachers who are concerned that our current trend in this country of pushing “academics” in preschool and kindergarten will result in even greater increases in the number of children, particularly boys, diagnosed with attentional problems and visual processing types of learning disabilities.
In order for children to be able to sit still, pay attention, and remember abstract shapes, like letters and numbers, they first need to have developed their proprioceptive system......

Dear families, please, please read the whole article! Print it out and pass it on to their teachers if you wonder why you child can't sit still, makes his 3's backwards, has terrible penmanship, has trouble falling a sleep or staying asleep, seems to be so distractible....What I mean is every parent and every teacher should read this! Really, your child is reacting in a normal way but this way continues if certain developmental needs are not adressed! They need and crave more singing and twirling, jumping and pretending. It is the way children are! But we are trying so hard to win the race to make children learn to read earlier that we are actually losing the marathon altogether!

If you as an adult are involved in your child's Kindermusik class and you get the sense that it's aerobics for the adults then something is RIGHT!! If the children in Kindermusik Imagine That! or Young Child 1-4 say "This is kinda like gymnastics" or "Dance class" then something is VERY right. We are developing neurons and integrating the right and left hemispheres that will better prepare children for their academic tasks ahead!

April 26 - local celebration of TV Turnoff Week at the Dow Center, Hope College, Holland.

2008-04-20T17:18:00.007-05:00

National TV Turnoff week is April 21-27.

Family Fun Night - TV Turn Off Event

FREE! At Hope College's Dow Center

Please join the Holland Recreation Division and Holland Community Hospital's Center for Good Health in turning off your TVs and turning into life! TV Turnoff Week is April 21 - 27 and we will be celebrating it with a FREE Family Fun Night at Hope College's Dow Center on Thursday, April 24 from 5 - 8 PM. Please call 355-1130 for more information.

Hope you'll come and join Kindermusik of Holland as we will be there with music and movement and more of the fun ways of being together that you all know so well from your classes.

When my oldest two were little we watched some TV and since the children were always with us they watched too....I distinctly remembered feeling some kind of uncomfortable twinge perhaps in my gut, but it was a physical feeling I had, during some programs' violent moments, during particular portions of the newscasts, and during some suggestive commercials. When I figured out that the twinge of discomfort happened every time I watched even mildly questionable content through the eyes of my children I could no longer sit through the viewing.I knew my non reaction was in fact a condoning of what I saw as a perfectly fine way for adults to behave...especially in front of children. I negotiated with my spouse that we move the TV into the bedroom. That was the first step. It took just a couple more years for me to get the TV moved into the garage! Now I am TV-FREE! and I can't imagine it back. I enjoy the time I now have to read and especially to have conversation with those that I love. I strongly recommend it!

Once the communications company called to ask why we had phone and internet service through them but not the cable. I said "Well probably because we don't own a TV". The silent moment was long and then he gasped and echoed: "You don't have a TV? What do you do then?" My daughter was eavesdropping and she sang out loud enough for all to hear: "WE READ! WE READ!" I told him he should try it and he cleared his throat and said "Oh, I don't think I could do that."

I hope you have the courage to try it...for a week...for longer...for your children....for yourself.

TV Use Pervasive Among Tiniest Tots
Almost two-thirds of kids under 2 watch TV daily, study finds

By Serena Gordon
HealthDay Reporter

(HealthDay News) -- Parents don't seem to be heeding expert pediatrician guidelines that urge a ban on TV watching for their very youngest children.

The American Academy of Pediatrics currently recommends that children 2 and under watch no TV at all.

However, a new study finds that on a typical day, only 37 percent of children between zero and 2 years old watch no television, and as many as one in five youngsters under 2 even have a television placed in their bedrooms. More than half (54 percent) of these tiny tots could turn on the TV themselves............Most often, parents interviewed in the study said they put a TV set in their kid's room because it freed up other TVs in the house for parental use.

"There is a growing body of literature showing that TV in the bedroom is related to a host of negative outcomes. I would strongly urge parents not to put TV in a child's bedroom," said Vandewater.

"There's this belief that TV is helpful to children and may soothe them, but TV activates the brain and actually makes it more difficult to sleep," explained Lucas.

Read the whole article here.

From the American Academy of Pediatrics

1. CONSISTENT, FREQUENT TV VIEWING CAUSES BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS

Consistent, heavy television viewing (more than two hours a day) throughout early childhood can cause behavior, sleep and attention problems. In the new study, "Children's Television Exposure and Behavioral and Social Outcomes at 5.5 Years: Does Timing of Exposure Matter?" researchers assessed data from the Healthy Steps for Young Children national evaluation effort pertaining to the effects of early, concurrent and sustained television exposure at age 2.5 years, and again at age 5.5 years. The effects of having a television in the child's bedroom were measured at age 5.5. Sixteen percent of parents reported
that their child watched television more than two hours a day at age 2.5 years only (early exposure), 15 percent reported that their children watched more than two hours of television daily at 5.5 years only (concurrent exposure), and 20 percent reported more than two hours of television viewing daily at both times (sustained exposure). Forty-one percent of children had a television in their bedroom at age 5.5. Sustained television viewing was associated with sleep, attention and aggressive behavior problems, and externalizing of problem behaviors. Concurrent television exposure was associated with fewer social skills. Having a television in the bedroom was associated with sleep problems and less emotional reactivity at age 5.5. Early exposure to television for more than two hours a day, which decreased over time, did not cause behavior or social problems. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends no television viewing for children under age 2, and no more than two hours of daily media exposure for ages 2 and older.

From the Center for Screentime Awareness:

Screens & Young Children

SCREEN-TIME Fact Sheet…
Screens & Very Yong Children

5. Research now indicates that for every hour of television children watch each day, their risk of developing attention-related problems later increases by ten percent. For example, if a child watches three hours of television each day, the child would be thirty percent more likely to develop attention deficit disorder.--D. Christakis, Pediatrics, April 2004

What's the magic word?????

2008-04-19T16:46:00.003-05:00

Please say Please! Pretty please? With a cherry on top?

How do you get a child to use those magic words? Do you beg and plead.... "I SAID: SAY PLEASE!!!"... while hovering the wanted item just overhead enough to be interpreted as a cruel tease?

Do you stand firm? Keeping in mind being consistent? And everyday it's the same thing! "C'mon! How many times do I have to ask you? And now you're gonna cry??" Who's more stubborn? You or the 2 year old? Are you?....Insisting on your way until the battle of the wills leaves only carnage on the field?

I noticed my good friend locking horns with her toddler and she said "Yvette, what should I do???" The stand-off was unbearable! Her intention was only the best; we do want our children to at least know how to be polite!

When my child says "More!" I say please for them the instant before I put it in their hands. When the neighbor mom hands them another cookie I whispered "please" with a catching of the eye right at the end of my child's "Can I have another cookie?" (that usually brought the echo of their own "Please!").

I'm a pushover. I'm way too easy. One might think my children would grow up knowing only that things get handed to them...but I say look carefully at what your children are learning because NOTHING sneaks by them. Are they learning how to tease? Be stubborn and inflexible? How to be demanding? That big people are more powerful? That when they are the adults they will wield power over smaller people? Are they learning to be resentful? And what about the message on the conditionality of your love?

Where did I come up with this line of thinking, this mellow, trusting philosophy? I'm not sure. Probably from a wise mom in a mom's circle or neighborhood playgroup. But understanding the deep messages has been a quest of mine since the beginnings of the wondering expressions surfacing on my children's faces.

When babies are born we adults witness the cutting of the ubilical chord. For some reason we neglect to explain to the baby that that means we are now separate from them!! They just do not get that concept till well into their 3rd and 4th year. So, take advantage of it! If you encourage behaviors by acting FOR the child when they are still toddlers, when they still believe that you and they are one in being, then they believe they have made the action themselves. If YOU say please without a pause they are sure it came out of their mouth! As they mature and realize how that sentence works the magic word comes naturally... And if you tack on "Thank you!" they will get that too.

Ahhhhh, bypass all the other lessons of stubbornness, power and teasing. Now you are teaching trust and unconditional love.

EARTH DAY

2008-04-18T21:42:00.003-05:00

Get ready for earth day this Thursday, April 22.
Please take a minute everyday before then and then a bunch of times on Thursday to hold appreciation for our earth in your heart. Watching this video is an easy way to conjure up appreciation...it's only 2 minutes long.

Thank you,
Yvette

Music the Universal Language

2008-04-17T20:31:00.009-05:00

Listen and watch this AMAZING story of children and music from Venezuela. This program takes children who are the poorest of the poor and puts music in their hands....puts the making of music in their hands. Music will change your life if you let it. A 17 year old juvenile delinquent said this about having a clarinet in his hand: "It's completely different than when you hold a gun."

What do you think would happen if we did something like this for all the preschoolers in our country? How about the children in West Michigan that are being swayed by gangs right now?(We spend more money on the penitentiary system than on higher education in our state....)

Peace,
Yvette
Thanks Lori

2008-04-12T11:51:00.007-05:00

Let's get rolling, and jumping and singing and twirling! The wide variety of SUMMER CLASSES
are online now and starting to fill. You won't want to miss this summer adventure that doesn't require car trips to far states, driving to the ocean, flying to easter Europe....it's all right here in Holland! Get the family involved and jump right in. This could be the most meaningful summer activity on your planner.

Free film showing and discussion at Herrick Library

2008-04-05T23:38:00.002-05:00

LAKESHORE WOMEN FOR PEACE

(www.ls-women-for-peace.blogspot.com)

Presents

Pathways to Simpler Living

A short film about the Life Cycle Story of Stuff

Discussion to follow.

Explore the ways stuff affects the quality of life.

HERRICK DISTRICK LIBRARY AUDITORIUM

Tuesday April 8, 2008 7:00 PM

FREE

Parenting with Nonviolent Communication (NVC)

2008-04-05T22:41:00.002-05:00

Oh, dear parents, spare a minute to listen to this. I've read Marshall Rosenberg's books on Non-violent Communication and they have greatly influenced how I parent and how I teach. The speaker in this video was wonderful to keep asking "WHY????"

More brain on the brain

2008-03-26T10:22:00.004-05:00

This I found as I was poking around on Daniel Pink's website.

Why Study Music?

2008-03-26T09:38:00.005-05:00

I have a son who is in a very "Left Brain" environment! Ben's a sophomore at Michigan Tech studying mechanical engineering. He does keep his right brain involved! He plays his viola with the Keweenaw Symphony.

A 2000 Georgia Tech study indicates that a student who participates in at least one college elective music course is 4.5 times more likely to stay in college than the general student population.
– Dr. Denise C. Gardner, Effects of Music Courses on Retention, Georgia Tech, 2000
The part of the brain responsible for planning, foresight, and coordination is substantially larger for instrumental musicians than for the general public.
– “Music On the Mind,” Newsweek, July 24, 2000
A research team exploring the link between music and intelligence reports that music training - specifically piano instruction - is far superior to computer instruction in dramatically enhancing children’s abstract reasoning skills necessary for learning math and science.
– Dr. Frances Rauscher and Dr. Gordon Shaw, Neurological Research, University of California at Irvine, February, 1997
Physician and biologist Lewis Thomas studied the undergraduate majors of medial school applicants. He found that sixty- six percent (66%) of music majors who applied to medical school were admitted, the highest percentage of any group. Forty-four percent (44%) of biochemistry majors were admitted.
– “The Case for Music in the Schools,” Phi Delta Kappan, 1994
College students majoring in music achieve scores higher than students of all other majors on college reading exams.
– Carl Hartman, “Arts May Improve Students’ Grades,” The Associated Press, October, 1999
Music students demonstrate less test anxiety and performance anxiety than students who do not study music.
– “College-Age Musicians Emotionally Healthier than Non-Musician Counterparts,” Houston Chronicle, 1998
On the 1999 SAT, music students continued to outperform their non-arts peers, scoring 61 points higher on the verbal portion and 42 points higher on the math portion of the exam.
– Steven M. Demorest and Steven J. Morrison, “Does Music Make You Smarter?,” Music Educators Journal, September, 2000
Researchers at the University of Muenster in Germany have discovered that music lessons in childhood actually enlarge parts of the brain. An area used to analyze the pitch of a musical note is enlarged 25% in musicians compared to people who have never played an instrument. The earlier the musicians were when they started musical training, the bigger this area of the brain appears to be.
– Pantev et al., Nature, April 23, 1998
Research shows when a child listens to classical music the right hemisphere of the brain is activated, but when a child studies a musical instrument both left and right hemispheres of the brain “light up.” Significantly, the areas that become activated are the same areas that are involved in analytical and mathematical thinking.
– Dee Dickinson, “Music and the Mind,” New Horizons for Learning, 1993
The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania School District analyzed its 1997 dropout rate in terms of students’ musical experience. Students with no ensemble performance experience had a dropout rate of 7.4 percent. Students with one to two years of ensemble experience had a dropout rate of 1 percent, and those with three or more years of performance experience had a dropout rate of 0.0 percent.
– Eleanor Chute, “Music and Art Lessons Do More Than Complement Three R’s,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, April 13, 1998

These quotes I found here at UAH's Music auditions webpage. It's this article: Why Study Music? by Dr. Don Bowyer and the whole page is fun to read.

A whole new education.....

2008-03-26T08:52:00.006-05:00

Yesterday I attended a talk given by author Daniel Pink titled "A Whole New Education" which was based on his book, "A Whole New Mind".

1. The left brain is very important but the right brain is the new #1 of equals.
2.The continuted left brained dominance of education is the legislature's fault. (not the students, not the parents, not the teachers, not the principals, not the superintendants...)

I'm wrestling with the lack of momentum of his ideas. He book was published in 2005 and here we are listening to him say the SAME things. There was nothing new. This is 2008 and things are moving so fast in this day and age! Everything is moving so fast except...education.

What is the institution of education to do, exactly? We must still maintain an excellence in left brained knowing. The SAT's and flow charts continue to be important--we'd sink with the right brain that lets go of the left brain. So do we expect the school day to get longer? Add art and music to the 4 year requirements of highschoolers who already are having to be at school for classes before "first hour"?

Here's MY theory: trust students to develop left brains in a right brain environment.

A friend of mine who is taking violin Suzuki style with her daughter (that means mom gets to learn right along side--actually playing violins with her daughter). She described a leap of (FAITH) brain activity that she experienced. The teacher gave them a new piece to work on and with much concentration of violin position, finger placement, bow placement and direction, listening for intonation, etc. she started to master the music. Later mom picked up her violin again and it seemed that she had gone backwards in the mastery but the execution was feeling different....with less focus on each separate detail. After a couple more repetitions she knew the understanding of everything it takes to play the music had shifted and she could play with out "thinking". She has given the execution over to muscle memory. This is where I believe the music can now live in the right hemisphere.

Last week I was eavesdropping on my daughter, Claire, while she was teaching a violin lesson. Her student was a junior high school student and they were working on musicality and tone. Claire was using words like weight, speed, and division. Sounds like a physics lesson or geometry maybe. There were angles, perpendicular and parallel lines, but no numbers, formulas, or symbols. They were working on bow technique and when they added it up the right answer was obvious...beauty.

How do we assess that? ......there you go again, dipping back into believing the left brain is the end all.

Musically yours,
Yvette
PS if, in paragraph that begins: MY theory, the word "trust" sends you into a nosedive then we need to sit down and talk. Invite me for coffee!

Happy Birthday J.S.Bach

2008-03-24T16:51:00.004-05:00

Toccata e Fuga BWV 565-Karl Richter
My most advanced class of Kindermusik Young Child is studying about the largest of the instruments: The ORGAN. Here's a video clip of on in action playing a very famous piece of music for organ by J.S. Bach. (Who's birthday was 3/21) I hope you enjoy watching these fast fingers on the many keyboards! Watch closely and they will show you how he plays the very low notes with his feet! When this one is done please go to the very next post for a different listening experience.

Toccata and Fugue in D minor

2008-03-24T16:51:00.003-05:00

Happy Birthday J.S.Bach

2008-03-24T16:42:00.005-05:00

Toccata e Fuga BWV 565-Karl Richter

My Kindermusik Young Child Level 4 class has been listening to the largest of the instruments: the ORGAN. Here is a video clip of an amazingly huge organ. When you watch you can see them pull out the "stops" (the nobs that change the timbre of the organ) and you can even see the organist play a huge keyboard with his feet!

After listening and watching, go to the next posting here below and listen again for a very different experience of Bach's music.

Happy Birthday to J.S.Bach

2008-03-24T16:42:00.003-05:00

Toccata e Fuga BWV 565-Karl Richter

My top level Kindermusik students have been listening to music played on the largest of all the instruments....the ORGAN. Since to day is Bach's birthday I thought I would direct everyone to listen to the music of this mathematical genius! You may or may not be a fan of church organ music but if you would allow yourself a moment of musical immersion try this experiment. After listening to this video clip continue down and listen to the one on the next post and leave a comment to me on how the experiences differ. I'm very curious to know.

(Happy Easter Season you all.)

Happy Birthday to J.S.Bach

2008-03-24T16:42:00.001-05:00

JS Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor

2008-03-24T16:41:00.001-05:00

This is the one for the visual learners. It will help direct you to a purposeful listening experience where you may be more likely to notice the organ's different timbers, layering of sounds, short and long sounds, thin and thick textures (many melodies together or just one melody line). The experience may also help you to appreciate Bach's amazing genius in creating music that is so complex and mathematical and yet an eternal work of art.

I hope you enjoy it. As Anne listened I heard her say "wow" a couple of times and even chuckle!

Peace,
Yvette

Happy Birthday to J.S.Bach

2008-03-24T16:40:00.001-05:00

Happy Birthday JS BACH

2008-03-22T09:38:00.001-05:00

Bach-Toccata e Fuga BWV 565-Karl Richter

My most advanced class of Kindermusik Young Child is studying about the largest of the instruments: The ORGAN. Here's a video clip of on in action playing a very famous piece of music for organ by J.S. Bach. (I'm still celebrating his birthday: 3/21/1685) I hope you enjoy watching these fast fingers on the many keyboards! Watch closely and they will show you how he plays the very low notes with his feet! Can you see the "fipples" on the pipes?

When this one is done please go to the very next post for a different listening experience.

What did you hear?

2008-03-22T09:28:00.002-05:00

You may or may not be a fan of church organ music but do a little experiment with me. Listen to the same music as above but this time watch this interesting visual display. It will illuminate aspects of Bach's mathematical genius that you might have missed in the first video. I think you will be amazed to notice how the many layers of melodies work together, different timbers of the organ, staccato and legato, and patterns that tie it all together.

Toccata and Fugue

As Anne watched and listened I heard her say "Oooooooo!" a couple times and even chuckle a couple times.

Peace,
Oh, and have a merry, white Easter!
Yvette

Oh, Well You Walk and you walk and you walk and you STOP!

2008-03-18T12:53:00.002-05:00

Check out the inhibitory control of these people! How fun!

Practicing inhibitory control is a big part of a toddler's job description....and they love it. The more joyful opportunities a child has to playfully practice this the more body control they will develop. Stopping on a dime from jumping or running is very challenging. I think my little students in my Kindermusik Our Time classes are showing real growth in this area!

Yvette

Family Concert Sunday March 16th--come early!

2008-03-12T09:19:00.002-05:00

Holland Symphony Orchestra Presents

Family Concert - Musical Stories

Sunday, March 16, 2008 3:00pm

Zeeland East High School

2008 Norbert Mueller Concerto Competition Winner - Audrey Rink

Holland Area Youth Orchestra

Visual Artist - Cynthia Hagedorn

All Students through college: FREE*Adults $17, Seniors $14

Pre-concert Children's Activities: 2:00 to 2:45

(Petting Zoo, Conductor's Station, Musical Game, Nametags, Art Project)

This year's Family Concert begins with the story of "Peter and the Wolf" narrated by Gary Matthews.

The 2008 Norbert Mueller Concerto Winner, Audrey Rink, soprano, will follow singing "Ave Maria".

The Holland Symphony"s high school youth orchestra will perform with Holland Symphony members to continue the story-telling by playing "Rumanian Dances".

The pictures taken by local Holland photographers from the Sentinel Spots the Symphony project will be shown above the orchestras playing "Pictures at an Exhibition". While the orchestras are playing, Visual Artist, Cynthia Hagedorn, will paint to the music on stage finishing as the concert ends.

Come and bring your whole family to enjoy this special afternoon!*There is an error on the online ticket order form: note that students are FREE and not $5 as indicated on the form. Please request tickets for all students so we do not oversell the available seats. Thank you.

Sign Language Class in the NEWS!

2008-03-12T09:10:00.004-05:00

Kindermusik Sign and Sing class (for children 6 months to 3)begins this Thursday March 13 at 3pm.

Did you happen to see Monday's Holland Sentinel? The front page had an article about how sign language helps with language development and building vocabulary.

Thanks to the families who came to the "demo class"!

Better Minds Through Music

2008-03-04T20:26:00.003-05:00

If you are bringing your child to Kindermusik maybe you are doing it because it's a fun thing to do together....or even with your friend and her little one. Maybe you are wanting your child to take piano lessons or violin lessons in a couple years so you know Kindermusik will help with musical requirements of keeping a steady beat, having a good ear, and actually reading music. And some of you are discovering more benefits, like this new research from the DANA Foundation that states musical study positively affects a child's cognitive development....and can affect even the babies.

It's an investment that's so worth it.

But hey, we knew that!
Come on in, you're in the right place. New families can join anytime.

Thanks Jim for the tip.

Here you go! More great yodeling!

2008-03-04T14:30:00.001-05:00

Have fun listening and playing with your voice.

Yodel till the cows come home!

2008-03-04T14:13:00.003-05:00

Yodeling is a "Swiss thing"!!
and this link is a reposting of the 11 year old who was a fantastic yodeler!
And if you want online LESSONS!!! Here you go!

Holland Area Youth Orchestra Concert Sunday

2008-02-29T14:12:00.002-05:00

20th Anniversary Concert
Holland Area Youth Orchestra

WORLD PREMIERE of a new work
commissioned in celebration of the anniversary by Matthew Tommasini

Concert also includes:
Holland Area Junior Strings
Youth Orchestra Chamber Ensembles

Sunday, March 2, 2008 3:00pm
West Ottawa Performing Arts Center
1024 136th Avenue
in Harbor Lights Middle School

Tickets available online (click the buy tickets button) or at the door.
$7 adults and $4 students

This is a VERY special concert. Both orchestras are celebrating anniversaries. The Junior Strings group is now 10 years old!

This will be Claire's last time as concert master. She'll be graduating this spring.

Hope you can come and hear this exciting concert.

Nurturing the "Right Brain"

2008-02-28T22:17:00.002-05:00

Don't you think we should be nurturing our children wisely when it comes to right brain-ness and left brain-ness? Our youngest students (Kindermusik Village birth to 18months) haven't yet decided on hemispheric domination. They still don't cross the "midline" and they pick up items with one hand as readily as the other hand.

Can a parent make a difference in how they will think when they are mature? Do you WANT to? I believe in Kindermusik we include the right brain where as most of the education our children will receive from here on out is much more likely to promote left brain thinkers. Where will they end up as adults?

Considering what this national speaker has to say, the future may be shifting to the favor of the right brained thinkers!

Best selling author/Wired contributor will speak in our area on creativity in business.
Save The Date!
Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Daniel Pink
Author of best selling book:
A Whole New Mind
(Why Right-Brainers Will Rule The Future)

Pink is a contributing editor at Wired magazine, and has written influential business books. He'll be in the area speaking about his latest book, A Whole New Mind. The subject is the importance of using both our creative and analytical sides in our everyday business lives, and how this will be integral to success.
West Ottawa Public School
Performing Arts Center, Harbor Lights
1024 136th Ave.
Holland, MI 49424 - map
4:00 - 5:30 PM
Cost: $35 per person Reserve tickets at the Holland Area Arts Council
150 E. 8th St.
Holland, MI 49423 - map
616.396.3278
or online at www.hollandarts.org
Read Dan Pink's blog and more about the book on danpink.com

Sign Lauguage class through Kindermusik

2008-02-25T15:39:00.003-05:00

Kindermusik's Sing and Sing class scheduled to begin this Thursday at 3pm is worth doubling up for!

If you value your special time together and you enjoy learning about what's making your child's brain "tick"and you are you looking for more fun quality time with your 6 month to 3 year old then you will want to know about Kindermusik Sign and Sing.

This weekly 45 minute 10 week class will be taught by Yvette Odell. She will show caregivers many signs and explain the purpose behind encouraging sign language for very young children. American Sign Language is used rather than "Baby Signs" because this is a real language used and understood by many people including hearing impaired. The class is not intended for hearing impaired children since the goals are to use signs to decrease frustrations in children who are learning to talk.

The structure of the class is different that the "regular Kindermusik classes" since we are allowing free play to create learning situations that will be most effective for children's aquisition and comprehension of signs. There is some singing but the signing really takes precedence.

Added benefits are increased vocabulary, increased interactions with caregivers, increased understanding of the processes of language acquisition and parenting tips that help with directing children towards a learning goal.

Many of the general goals are similar to the ones in our regular Kindermusik classes but you'll find them to be very different! It's worth doubling up!

Enroll here.

A Flower for YOU parents!

2008-02-21T22:14:00.006-05:00

It's an arnica flower. A special flower for which I am very grateful.

I've noticed in class you children have been hard at work. The way I can tell is bumps and bruises on their foreheads, cheeks....wait till summer when you can see more on their knees and shins! It really is part of their work to plunge in to learning how to walk, run, jump, twirl....run to the egg shaker basket and.....OOPS!!! Bump heads! I must recommend a most wonderful ointment for the bumps and bruises......

I have to tell you a little story. Actually bunches of you have heard about this one. Poor Claire! I (ME!!!!!)....I slammed the car door on her thumb. She was about maybe 10 or 11. I should ask her. She said "O-pen-the-door--" I opened the WRONG door!!! Then when I did open the door I grabbed my tube of Arnica that I kept in the pocket of the door and slathered the gel on her thumb. She had a bad ridge slanting across it and I thought she should have a purple nail....I tell you it was stuck in the door!!! It never did turn purple. ....wow, I've carried arnica with me whenever I can and have given it out numerous times when I see that big welt on a child.

You can find Arnica cream or gel or oil (and tablets too for really bad falls--like bike accidents!) at the health food store! Keep them handy.

2008-02-19T17:57:00.003-05:00

Click on the cello for a fun cello game. When I played it I said, "I'm sorry" to Camille Saint Saens....I need more practice!

Also as I'm "playing" I'm thinking of bow speed and the division of bow because sometimes one bowing has several notes.

That's more math....

Have fun.

Suzuki Violin Twinkle Variation #1

2008-02-19T14:32:00.003-05:00

Here's a Kindermusik graduate moving ahead with her private lessons! Way to go Sienna. Congratulations. You sound great!

Finding patters everywhere.....

2008-02-19T14:17:00.004-05:00

From Wikipedia:

A pattern, from the French patron, is a theme of reoccurring events or objects, sometimes referred to as elements of a set. These elements repeat in a predictable manner. It can be a template or model which can be used to generate things or parts of a thing, especially if the things that are created have enough in common for the underlying pattern to be inferred, in which case the things are said to exhibit the pattern. Pattern matching is the act of checking for the presence of the constituents of a pattern, whereas the detecting for underlying patterns is referred to as pattern recognition. The question of how a pattern emerges is accomplished through the work of the scientific field of pattern formation. Patterns are also related to repeated shapes or objects, sometimes referred to as elements of the series. Some patterns (for example, many visual patterns) may be directly observable, such as simple decorative patterns (stripes, zigzags, and polka-dots). Others can be more complicated, such as the regular tiling of a plane, echos, and balanced binary branching.

The most basic patterns are based on repetition and periodicity. A single template, or cell, is combined with duplicates without change or modification. For example, in aviation, a "holding pattern" is a flight path which can be repeated until the aircraft has been granted clearance for landing.

Pattern recognition is more complex when templates are used to generate variants. For example, in English, sentences often follow the "N-VP" (noun - verb phrase) pattern, but some knowledge of the English language is required to detect the pattern. Computer science, ethology, and psychology are fields which study patterns.

In addition to static patterns, Simple Harmonic Oscillators produce repeated patterns of movement.

In Kindermusik "Imagine That!" we are pretending, playing, twirling....looks like just plain old good fun. Deeper down we are becoming intentional listeners and intelligent thinkers! This week we are listening for patters of words in songs. For instance how many times do you hear a repeated word in "Row, Row, Row Your Boat?" I believe this kind of work creates places in your brain for math.

I'll often stop a circle dance to point out how the song has a pattern of "aural stripes" for the ear. Last semester singing "Shoo Fly, Don't Bother Me" (thin stripe, thin stripe, thick stripe....) and the rondo activity we did with our "Drum Walk" (walk, run, walk, run, walk) where we illustrated the different movement with different color scarves on the floor.

A couple weeks after this particular activity Grace's mom tells me her story about how Grace is processing patterns in her mind:

Grace (3 1/2 yo) asked me if she would have a bath tonight. I answered, "No, you had one last night." She said, "That's a pattern, bath/no-bath, bath/no-bath."

Since then she finds patterns everywhere, in the color of cars (grey car, red car, grey car). or in her jewelry box (round earrings, silver earrings, round earrings etc.).

She loves Kindermusik and has learned more than I even imagined she would.

At this age they can't help but be brilliant! I'm so excited to be working with these children and to be nurturing their amazing potential!

Love,
Yvette
PS (also from Wikipedia:)

The golden ratio, (approximately 1.6180339887), occurs frequently in the natural world. Two numbers a and b keep the golden ratio when (a+b)/a = a/b, in this case a/b equals the golden ratio. It has a direct relationship to the Fibonacci numbers. This pattern was exploited by Leonardo da Vinci in his art. The Fibonacci pattern has a closed-form expression. These patterns can be seen in nature, from the spirals of flowers to the symmetry of the human body (as expressed in Da Vinci's Vitruvian Man, one of the most referenced and reproduced works of art today.

Loving rituals

2008-02-13T23:30:00.002-05:00

I am imagining the loving ritual this song must have been for this little cherub. And I imagine the loving rituals all the Kindermusik families have with "This Little Cow Eats Grass", "Shiny Dinah", "The Jack in the Box Jumps Up", "Lucy Locket", and "Kapulu Pulu Kane".

That's how the real meaning of Valentines gets to your children's hearts.

Happy Day,
Filled with love,
Miss Yvette

More on Loving Rituals

2008-02-13T23:18:00.006-05:00

Here's a page from a book published by Loving Guidance and Becky Bailey. It's about I love you rituals and how important they are neurologically to your child's emotional development.

Don't they just happen? Well, I think because of our stressed lives, fast paced living, and maybe we can even blame TV...we just don't take enough time for these really important connections.

Read on (And then go visit "Loving Guidance").

Chapter 1: I Love You Rituals: Activities to Build Bonds and Strengthen
Relationship with Children
We get caught up in our obligations and tasks and
lose sight of our children until they "get in trouble'' (displease us) or "do
something special" (please us). During both of these occasions, the children
receive our full and undivided attention. We could call one negative attention
and the other positive attention. Neither is helpful or healthy. Children come to
learn that for them to be "loved" (i.e., get attention) they must either
misbehave or be special. These two positions require children to be less than
others (in trouble) or better than others (winning) to get their most basic
needs met. This becomes a vicious cycle. They ultimately come to constantly
strive to get love and miss out on giving and receiving love. Ironically, the
real reason adults get caught up in their obligations is their own need to avoid
feeling less than others or their own need to feel better than others to
maintain their sense of self-esteem. To keep your children from this same
pitfall, you can take charge and establish strong relationships with children.
Adults must take time to "be" with their children. This time must be commanded
and orchestrated by adults, not demanded by children. "I Love You" Rituals can
be the beginning of this process.
Often adults find themselves locked in
negative patterns of interactions with their children. As the child grows and
challenges the adults around him or her more, constant battles can be the norm
instead of the exception. These battles can be especially trying during the
toddler years. As these battles continue day in and day out, the relationship
between the adult and child becomes strained. The willingness to begin the
healing process must come from the adult. Many adults just don't know what to
do. The question becomes, how can we "make up" with out children without giving
into them? How do we begin meeting the needs of children on our terms instead of
theirs? What can be done? What will heal the relationship? The answer is "I Love
You Rituals". When your relationship with a child becomes challenging make time
for an "Love You Ritual" in the morning and in the evening. As you add these
moments of unconditional love into your relationship, you will be inviting
cooperation into your home or classroom.

You come to Kindermusik for the experience of "I love you" rituals!!! And it's just that reason your children LOVE Kindermusik...no exaggeration!

Love,

Yvette

Making the most of your child's early education experience:

2008-02-11T20:30:00.001-05:00

This little car

This little car is going on a trip. Trip. Trip. Trip, trip, trip. A little game like this - turning your finger into a car and driving it down the road is an exciting time for the brain - as vision tracking is engaged, eye-hand coordination is enhanced and fine motor skills are being practiced. This simple game is a brain workout in disguise. It can be found in the AWAY WE GO Home activity guide. (From the Kindermusik "Our Time" home materials.)

Kindermusik classes have a great deal to offer families who want to be very involved in their children's early education. It's a good beginning that never ends.

Thanks Helen, you are so wise.

Preschool Consumers: Be In The Know

2008-02-11T14:55:00.000-05:00

Letter to the Editor of the Holland Sentinel

From:Yvette Odell
Kindermusik of Holland
616-392-7182
http://holland.kindermusik.net
www.kindermusikofholland.blogspot.com
singandtwirl@sbcglobal.net

Dear Editor,

Parents should be encouraged to make educated decisions for their pre-school aged children concerning academics and socialization. The narrow question of "Which preschool program is best?" ignores the bigger issue of "Is preschool the best choice for my child?"

There are studies on all sides of the latter question, some saying results of beginning education earlier are beneficial, others say preschool is the best choice only for "at risk" children, still others say there are no lasting benefits seen in children once they are in 3rd to 6th grade and finally there are studies that point to evidence that shows preschool experience may have a detrimental effect on children's social and emotional development.

Parents are their children's best teacher. As an educator myself, I would encourage parents not to rush right out with the crowd to stand in preschool registration lines without carefully considering if preschool would better suit their child better than quality time with the parents. Otherwise it's simply a reaction to peer pressure and media views. I see preschool as a business and the Holland Sentinel's front page article of Feb. 8, 2008 "A Head Start On Learning" as free advertisement for those preschool businesses!

Notes:

1.Head Start benefits at risk children but not those not at risk.

Researchers Darcy Olsen and Lisa Snell surveyed the research on early education polices in a new report for the Reason Foundation titled Assessing Proposals for Preschool and Kindergarten: Essential Information for Parents, Taxpayers, and Policymakers. What they found should make universal preschool advocates think twice.

....“The studies conducted on mainstream children generally do not show benefits from early education programs,” they explain, pointing to a 2005 RAND Corporation analysis which found that “children participating in preschool not targeted to disadvantaged children were no better off in terms of high school or college completion, earnings, or criminal justice involvement than those not going to any preschool.” While slim research evidence points to benefits for disadvantaged children, giving subsidies to middle- and upper-class children is just not justified by research.

www.rand.org.

2.No lasting benefits: the benefits of Head Start Programs tend to “fade out” by second or third grade.

McGroder, Sharon M., “Head Start: What Do We Know About What Works”—U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Lisa Snell, Director of Education and Child Welfare at the Reason Foundation, in her article titled “Don’t Expect Long-Term Gain From Early Education Money,” discusses the absurdity of Michigan considering another investment of hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars to public prekindergarten programs that just aren’t showing any return. Snell writes in her article that “policymakers [should not] be focusing scarce education resources on programs that can [not] make a lasting difference.” She reinforced her statements by quoting from The National Center for Education Statistics Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, which found that there were no “substantive differences in children’s third-grade achievement relative to the type of kindergarten program (full-day vs. half-day) they attended.” The article also mentions the California-based RAND Corp.’s December 2006 report, “School Readiness, Full-Day Kindergarten, and Student Achievement,” which found that children in the full-day kindergarten programs were showing decreased mathematics skills by the time they were in fifth grade, than those who had only attended a part-day kindergarten program. Snell, Lisa. “Don’t Expect Long-Term Gain from Early Education Money,” published by The Michigan Education Report, Fall 2007 Issue.

“Significant, immediate gains in cognitive test scores, socioemotional test scores, and health status, (though) in the long-run, cognitive and socioemotional test scores of former Head Start students do not remain superior to those of disadvantaged children who did not attend Head Start.”

3.Detriments of preschool:

"We find that attendance in preschool centers, even for short periods of time each week, hinders the rate at which young children develop social skills and display the motivation to engage classroom tasks, as reported by their kindergarten teachers.....For children from lower-income homes, additional hours in center programs does not further slow social development while it does advance cognitive gains (Figure E2). But for children from higher-income families, additional hours in care do further slow behavioral growth, while at the same time failing to improve cognitive outcomes relative to moderate attendance of 15 to 30 hours per week. The benefits of longer hours of care are clearly greater for children from lower-income families."

The Influence of Preschool Centers on Children's Development Nationwide

Susanna Loeb
Margaret Bridges
Daphna Bassok
Bruce Fuller
Russ Rumberger

Stanford University
University of California

Presentation at the Association for Policy Analysis and Management
Washington, D.C. November 4, 2005

This paper has undergone peer review and will appear in Economics of Education Review.

Language Development in Kindermusik class

2008-02-07T10:18:00.000-05:00

How do children grow their vocabulary? When do babies really learn words? When do babies understand words?

If you want a child with a big vocabulary you have to use your words! Talk to your baby morning, noon, and night!

Last week in our Kindermusik Village class we worked with little nursery rhymes: Hey diddle diddle, This little cow eats grass, (and more). The home activity was to play with words, tell stories, recite more rhymes, play with your voice (squeaky or low, fast or slow etc) . What does all this mean to a 5 month old?

Well, they are making brain connections for language from the day they are born. Drawing conclusions on the rhythm and melodies of what is spoken. Patterns of phrases, repeated words, the connections of words to your facial expression and body language. The give and take of conversation. So much going on here.

First time parents may feel awkward having one way conversations about diaper changes, folding laundry and reading the newspaper but that's the key for helping a child figure out this whole language thing! When you take this seriously, they take it as positive reinforcement for being curious and communicative. (What's important to you is definitely important to them.)

In class last week for the Kindermusik Our Time children (18 months to 3 1/2 yo) we introduced "scaffolding" which is a parenting technique for encouraging exploration and also for getting children to do what YOU want them to do. First you observe and affirm what they are already doing (we were working with the rhythm sticks and the musical element of fast and slow), we imitated them (imitation is a sure form of affirmation for children) and describe and label everything, giving informational feedback. Then we suggest a variation to their action...we challenge. The whole activity is dependent on conversation. Talk, talk, talk.....

Click on the picture above to watch a video from How Stuff Works about some of the research they've done on the language-IQ connection. I'm not advocating a word counting assessment software...I'd rather talk to my babies because I love them not because my goal is a certain IQ. But I do want to give my babies what I can to increase their potential...who doesn't want the best for their baby?

So....snow day today (no classes).

Hey, Baby! Talk some, sing some!
Reminds me of a song I haven't sung in ages:

Chatter with the angels, soon in the morning.
Chatter with the angels all day long!
Chatter with the angels, soon in the morning.
Chatter with the angels all day long!
I want to join that band and chatter with the angels all day long.

Have fun,
Yvette

2008-02-04T14:51:00.001-05:00

YIKES!!!!!!!
Claire may have to stay home with us forever because I can't figure out all this taxes stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

She tells me the paper work is due on the 15th of this month for the financial aid forms for one of the schools to which she's applying.

I am consumed by numbers that don't add up. I'm easily distracted. And easily set off! (Is this a parenting test?)

So when you all are down to the wire of April 15th I will be skipping and singing and twirling because I will be all done.

But on the lines of distractions: I'm speaking to the catechists (and others) at St. Francis Church from 10-noon this Saturday. The topic is Opening Children to Learning: What's going on in their brain?

You will hear passion.....Children and related issues...my favorite topic!

Wish me peace.
Yvette
ps. the person in the photo above has not neglected the rest of her house and family like I have. What IS for dinner anyway?

Trombones - Stars and Stripes

2008-02-03T00:32:00.002-05:00

Thanks to Joshua for bringing in his trombone to your Kindermusik Young Child 2 class last week! I'm sorry I could not play it for you...I did take trombone in college as a secondary instrument but that was many years ago.

I think you will enjoy seeing some wild trombone music in action. This one is hard to play on the piccolo! (But fun.)

Laptops for Tots

2008-01-30T21:20:00.000-05:00

All children need a laptop. Not a computer, but a human laptop.
Moms, dads, grannies and grandpas, aunts, uncles - someone to hold them, read to them, teach them.
Loved ones who will embrace them and pass on the experience, rituals, and knowledge of a hundred previous generations.
Loved ones who will pass to the next generation their expectations of them, their hopes, and their dreams.

--General Colin L. Powell - founder of America's Promise - The Alliance for Youth

Want to give your child your laptop this spring? Join me for Kindermusik classes!

Thanks Maria in TN

HARMONICAS RULE

2008-01-21T23:43:00.002-05:00

OK now all you harmonica toting parents of toddlers....this could really go somewhere! We can make lots of train sounds with our harmonicas, and well songs too but here's a great video on tonguing and blowing in the instument. I'm practicing!

Safe Place

2008-01-18T10:26:00.000-05:00

Lots of moms in my class are expecting another baby...just thought I would let you all know that if you ever have questions or need support in nursing your new little one...just ask. I'm a La Leche League Leader (13 years this April!) If you are pregnant come to a meeting for lots of information and support. We are all about encouraging moms in making decisions that are RIGHT for you and your family. Holland/Zeeland meetings are on the 2nd Monday evening of the month at 7pm at 2nd Ref. Church in Zeeland and 4th Friday morning of the month at 10am at Hope Church in Holland.
For online articles and support see: La Leche League

Be What You Want Them to Be

2008-01-18T09:53:00.002-05:00

Light travels faster than sound. Your example is more powerful than your words will ever be.
Listed below are some traits we hope our children will exemplify when they are grown. I suggest you write your own list and post it on the fridge as a gentle reminder to parent with intent, to parent by example.....

When my children grow up I want them to be:
Happy
Healthy
Intelligent
Compassionate
Hard working
Creative and imaginative

Kind
Trustworthy
Confident
Kind
Courageous
Forgiving
Joyful
Worldly
Striving
Connected
Appreciative
Story Tellers

loving
honest
respectful
well-mannered
spiritual (lovers of God)
inclusive
understanding
patient
good sense of humor

Reading this list I imagine the perfect parent. Well, that's an impossible job description...BUT I strive! (and forgive myself!)

Peace and courage,
Yvette

Dance of the Reed Flutes

2008-01-15T21:17:00.002-05:00

When I first saw this video I thought of my all boy Kindermusik Young Child I class. As they were learning to properly hold the glockenspiel mallets and respond on cue, ready to play, they looked so professional. Notice how the musicians in this video snap to ready position! I think they are having fun!
Yvette
St. Mark's Bottle Band
Thanks to Julie S.

Memory, Emotions and the Brain

2008-01-13T14:18:00.001-05:00

Understanding how children learn has been a continuing education passion for me. I'm reading, attending workshops, watching children (my own and those who come to my Kindermusik classes) and I am nearly always thinking about this. So, from my experience, I have some ideas to share. Here's one about memory and emotions.

Have you experienced an emotion that was recalled along with remembering something? Sometimes I think that is what happens when certain child behaviors can make me angry...they are the same ones that brought up anger in my parents! I had to work much harder to be patient and creative when my babies were stubborn!

I look forward to your comments!
Yvette

Local TALENT!!!!

2008-01-06T23:37:00.001-05:00

Saturday was a day of high notes, passionate notes, fast notes, ......The Holland Symphony Orchestra sponsored the Norbert Mueller Concerto Competition for area high school musicians. Wow!

Vocalist earns top concerto spot

BY ANDREA GOODELLandrea.goodell@hollandsentinel.com (616) 546-4275

The Norbert Mueller Concerto competition turned into a series of surprises.

First came the news that the prize money had doubled -- first prize to $500, second to $250 and third to $150.

Then came the announcement of the winners Saturday at Wichers Auditorium at the Nykerk Music building at Hope College.

The top three high school musicians in the competition may receive prize money, but only first place has the opportunity to solo during the Holland Symphony Orchestra's family concert March 16.

It was the first time -- at least in recent memory -- a vocalist competed, much less won first prize. Soprano Audrey Rink, a junior at Holland Christian High School, won the judge's over with Coccini and Mercurio's Ave Maria.

"I was really honored that I won, after hearing all the people who participated in this, they were all so amazing," Rink said.

Luke Panning, a junior at Black River Public School, took second place playing Khachaturian's violin concerto.

"It's always exciting to do well," Panning said.

Panning plans to practice medicine while playing music on the side -- it's much harder to do it the other way around, he joked.

"Hope's a nice college, I might go here," he said.

Panning received third place last year and won the Skip Gates concerto competition sponsored by the Grand Rapids Youth Symphony.

Jeremy Young took third place with playing Haydn's concerto for trumpet in E flat.

"I'm always surprised by the high level of musicianship that comes in," said Gabe Southard, a judge, Hope professor and director of bands. "Every year the level (of performance) goes up a little bit. It was a very hard decision for us."

Winners

The top three high school musicians at the Norbert Mueller Concerto competition Saturday:

First: Soprano Audrey Rink, a junior at Holland Christian High School, vocalist

Second: Luke Panning, a junior at Black River Public School, playing violin

Third: Jeremy Young playing trumpet
_________________________________________
And here's a winner too. My daughter, Claire, has earned a prize of a glorious performance of Bruch's violin concerto, the self satisfaction of really clean runs, great trills, passionate execution, beautiful stage presence, triumph over nerves, and standing tall in a field of very talented peers/friends.
I'm so proud. And as I type she's practicing her Bach for those college recitals! You Go Girl!

Love,
Mom

2008-01-06T23:27:00.001-05:00

When my children grow up I want them to be:
Happy
Healthy
Intelligent
Compassionate
Hard working
Creative and imaginative
Kind
Trustworthy
Confident

Courageous
Forgiving
Joyful
Worldly
Striving
Connected
Appreciative
Story Tellers

Our list grows. Please add your hopes for your children to the "comments".

Welcome, New Year!

2008-01-05T09:08:00.000-05:00

Touch the future. You parents do.
Are you conscious of it or is it just by default?

I've recently read a book by Alfie Kohn called Unconditional Parenting. In the beginning pages he asks parents to list the qualities they would like to see in their children as adults. I put the book down and got out a piece of paper to make my list.

Will you help me on this one?
I want my children to grow up and be:
Happy
Healthy
Intelligent
Compassionate
Hard working
Creative

This is a teaser list. I want to know what you are thinking.
Put your thoughts on as "comments". I'd like to make a big beautiful list and post it here.
Peace,
Yvette

Infinite Potential

2008-01-02T13:09:00.000-05:00

Several years ago I spoke at a child care providers that was sponsored by Children's Resource Network/4C. The key note speaker was Charles Ill who was head of early childhood development for Ottawa County. He put a slide on the screen that struck me so profoundly. I wish I could find him and ask for a reproduction of the slide... I've drawn it up to the best of my ability to use the computer. It shows how we invest in the amazing potential of the brain.

The blue line roughly represents the the brain's potential for growth and change. There are biological events around 7 years and 13 years of the chemical (hormones) pruning of unused neurons in order to streamline and focus on the well connected neural pathways the child's experiences have deemed necessary.

The red line roughly represents the financial investment made towards the child's potential.

I believe there is always potential but I also acknowledge the vastness of an infant's possibility.
I also believe that the parents are the child's best teacher. I am not an advocate of early childhood education without the close involvement of the parents' participation. What would our society be like if we really invested in nurturing the infant family with financial and emotional support?

I commend all the grandparents, uncles and aunts who've given Kindermusik gift certificates or who've even brought their grandchildren to classes. I believe that's a very meaningful investment in their potential.

Find out more about gift certificates or to enroll

Come and dance in the well tended garden of our children.
Happy New Year.

Giving and Taking: Every conflict is an opportunity for growth

2007-12-20T13:51:00.001-05:00

Here's parenting tip #249814334:

How to model sharing and trading.

Scene: child #1 has the drum and child #2 has the shaker. Child #2 drops the shakers and grabs the drum away from child #1 (GASP!) Parents are reacting fast. Parent of child #2 grabs the drum and announces the rule : NO GRABBING!!!

Hey! That was me with my first two children. Claire was always looking to Ben (who was older by 2 years and 1 week) to see what big kids do and to find out what's interesting. Whatever Ben had was always interesting. She grabbed the drum, I grabbed the drum and screeched "No Grabbing!!!!".

It was Ben who said "Mom, How come you're grabbing?"
.......oh........ Hmmmm.....right.....I don't know. I'm trying to teach the no grabbing rule. I was actually reinforcing that, well, grabbing is OK...especially if you are bigger. And you probably should shout when you do it.

Here's what my new approach was when baby #3 comes six years later. Anne looked to the big kids and Claire got some of her own medicine. I got a chance to revise my message.

I noticed how connected the new baby grabber was to me. Even though the umbilical chord was cut it was as if we were really still connected...in so many ways. If I reacted to any situation it was as though she did.

When she grabbed, and before the shock to register on the other child, I had something with which to "trade" and using the best negotiating skills I could muster, I modeled a polite transaction. The younger the "victim" the smoother the action goes. And the younger the perpetrator, the more they believe that they actually did the right thing. And now the baby has the script for polite negotiations.

If the offer was refused I had to muster up some creativity to continue the negotiations. I'd say "Oh, Anne. Look at Claire's face. She's pretty angry. What do you think she might like as a trade?" or "Do you think you could give her back the drum and ask her to give it to you when she is all done?"

No set formula is perfect for every situation and this new way is very time consuming. But much more effective. Give it a try. And pray for patience.....Remember light travels faster than sound. Our actions are more powerful than anything we could possibly shout.

Peace,
Yvette

Tchaikovsky - The Nutcracker suite (Part 1)

2007-12-19T22:42:00.002-05:00

Here's some music to dance to!
To my Young Child 1 students (Jack, Joshua, Zachary, Ravi, Cameron, Nicholas, and Johanna) can you find the brass family?

And the piano-like instrument...what's that?? It's a percussion instrument called the Celeste. Isn't it heavenly?
Enjoy.
Yvette

Tchaikovsky - The Nutcracker suite (Part 2)

2007-12-19T22:41:00.000-05:00

Keep listening! Are you pretending to be the conductor?
What's your favorite instrument?

Can you find the glockenspiel?

Nutcracker Suite

2007-12-19T22:10:00.001-05:00

The Nutcracker story is a folk story that inspired composer Peter Tchaikovsky to write music that would be danced to in a ballet. In Young Child 3 we've been dancing like mice and soldiers, like Russian dancers, like the Sugar Plum Fairy. And yes the ballet needs male and female dancers.

Anyone know what you call a male ballet dancer?

Here's a nutcracker word game for fun (click on the nutcracker....but better to put the Nutcracker Suite music on and go dance. The music is on of my favorites and maybe the first one I danced to with my now 19 year old. When he was a fussy baby that one cured him with all the short contrasting pieces that make up the suite. There are some great cuts for spinning!

Or go make angels outside in the snow.
Have fun.
Yvette

Glockenspiel Days!

2007-12-19T21:03:00.000-05:00

Yeah!!!! My Young Child I students have taken home their glockenspiel for the first time! The can play Dr. Foster, Toot-Toot Train is a Comin', and Ding dong Ding dong.

Hey! If you click on the Kindermusik Young Child Logo you can play a virtual Glockenpiel!

For the Young Child 3 students we've tried out a seasonal song. Joy to the World is built on a scale. So try this: begin on the white dot C and play down to the bottom of the glockenspiel singing "Joy to the world...." you can play the rest by ear! It is easy and it's great brain work for anyone! Have fun.

Next, can you figure out "Jingle Bells"?

Family Dancing and Live Music: DO IT

2007-12-17T14:38:00.000-05:00

DANCING WITH THE SYMPHONY

A Family Holiday Ball

Saturday, December 29, 2007

Adults $25

Students (5 to 18) $5.

(Have you ever danced with your baby in a sling? It's lovely.)

7:00 to 11:00 pm (map)Evergreen Commons, Holland

Join the Holland Symphony Orchestra for a Holiday Ball for the whole family. Dance to music composed by the Strauss family performed by the Holland Symphony. Then dance into the night with a live swing band!
Conductor Thom Working is leading the orchestra in an evening of Strauss waltzes, polkas and marches from 7:00 to 8:30. Included are the familiar strains of the Blue Danube Waltz, the Emperor Waltz, the Tritsch-Tratsch Polka and the Radetszky March. Waltz and Polka dance instruction will be provided. A fun Children's Parade will conclude the first half of the evening that includes mask making provided by the Holland Area Arts Council. The second half of the evening begins at 8:30 with a spectacular dance exhibition and lessons given by dance professionals from Arthur Murray. The swing band "Hall Street Six" and the Gramer's will finish off the night with swing, tango and your favorite ballroom dances.

Tickets available on the secure HSO site online, at the Arts Council reception desk (150 E. 8th St. Holland), Borr's Bootery (51 E. 8th St. Holland) and by phoning the Symphony office at 616-494-0256.

Information on coming projects/events:

Sentinel Spots the Symphony

Painted Violin Auction

(See the very cool violin?!)

Gift Giving

2007-12-14T08:33:00.000-05:00

"The judgments, criticisms, complaints, encouragement, joy and love that we think we are giving to others, are really gifts we give to ourselves."

from Conscious Discipline by Becky Bailey

More Important Brain Developments....

2007-12-11T21:14:00.000-05:00

Today Emma, in my Kindermusik Our Time class watched me carefully as I sang our good-bye song. I reached out and touched each child on the arm and looked into their eyes. When I was finished and about to turn away I saw her go around the circle, touch each child on the arm, look into their eyes and sing good-bye.

"According to neuroscience and child development research, brain development proceeds at a faster pace between conception and the first day of kindergarten than during any subsequent stage of life. In the early years, basic capacities such as trust, self-confidence, empathy, and curiosity are established. How people think, learn, reason, and relate to others throughout their lives is rooted in their early relationships, experiences, and environments."

Common Vision, Different Paths: Five States' Journeys toward Comprehensive Prenatal-to-Five Systems"

Where will children find early relationships, experiences and environments that will lead them to be the kind of people we dearly wish our children to be?

With people they love and who love them...unconditionally.

Kindermusik is a great place to BE together.

Thank you for sharing your children with me. I take it seriously. I know this is important work and that we are shaping the future.

Big Broccoli Ocarina:Angels We Have Heard On High

2007-12-10T22:35:00.001-05:00

Now children....PLAY with your vegetables.

In Imagine That! just this evening I was asking the children what sound does it make when you chew on your broccoli? Here is the new answer.
Enjoy.
Yvette

the vegetable orchestra

2007-12-10T22:33:00.001-05:00

If you know me and you know what my moonlighting job is you will get a vitamin blast out of this video! I can't wait for Farmers' Market to start up again!!!!

Twelve Days of Christmas

2007-12-08T22:13:00.001-05:00

Too many words!!! But this will bring a smile to you!

Jingle Bells ~ Perry Como

2007-12-08T22:11:00.001-05:00

Pull the children up into your lap and watch this while you sing along.
Hugs to you all.
Yvette

Singing with young children

2007-12-07T14:21:00.000-05:00

There's two songs that I can think of that it seems ALL children know. Twinkle, Twinkle and Jingle Bells. And Jingle Bells wins the joyful rendition award. Children really LOVE this song. It seems one thing they most love about it is that right now the whole world seems to be singing this song! They hear variations of it on the radio, TV, at school concerts, even the shopping music at Meijer's...really everyone is singing it. Furthermore when their favorite adults sing it they are smiling and all the cares in the world drift away for those moments.

Don't we love it when the 2 year olds begin singing with us? Here are some ways to encourage their attempts to sing with us.

Find moments when you are singing together without a recording or accompaniment so that you can slow...... down...... the...... tempo...... Follow their lead.

Be very attentive to sing on the pitches they are using. You might have to sing way up high or use falsetto to be up where they are!

If you are initiating the sing-a-long try this: Begin singing "Jin-gle Bells, Jin-gle...." leaving off the second "Bells" to see if they will chime in! If they just look at you and listen you have to sing further. Go up to "Jingle all the---" by then they should give you the "Way!".

Giving them the experience of really singing along, in pitch and time with another person will be an important moment musically for them. With this experience they will know what music and resonance really mean.

Most songs have way too many words. The verses: Dashingthroughthesnow,Inaonehorseopensleigh.O'erthefieldswegolaughingallthewayHaHaHa.....
way too many words for a 2 year old. (Well there are some out there that do know all the words but they had to start somewhere!) So for the beginners take out all the words and sing on a favorite syllable like doo doo doo doo doooooo dododoo doo doo doo dooooooo
That way they can join you on the melody. Children even younger than 2 years old can sing along, accurately matching pitches on songs that have very complicated rhythms! Then switch back to the Jingle Bell words because they are latching on to those simple, repetitive words.

These moments are usually fleeting. You take them when they come! While going to the potty. While going down stairs. Between bites of corn or oatmeal. Slow yourselves down so you can hear them and be with them for these irreplaceable moments.

'Tis the short season of their life and means all the world to them.

Sing your way through the week.
Sing and sway cheek to cheek.
Sing and sway every day, Sing, sing, sing.
Love, Yvette

Kindermusik Corn Bread

2007-12-02T20:34:00.000-05:00

In a 400’ oven place a buttered 10” iron skillet

In one bowl mix together these dry ingredients:

1 C. whole wheat flour

1 C. corn meal

2 tsp. Baking Powder

1/2 tsp. Salt

In 2^nd bowl combine

4 Tbs. melted butter

4 Tbs. maple syrup

1 Cup apple cider or apple juice

2 eggs

Add the dry ingredients to the 2^nd bowl

Stir only until the ingredients are combined

Add 1 Cup chopped cranberries

Pour into the HOT skillet

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes

Enjoy hot with or without butter and jam

Even though you probably used corn meal that was pre-ground you will still want to sing our Grinding Corn song (from Kindermusik Young Child 3). In class we “grind” a rhythm of TI TI TAH TI TI TAH ,while singing a rhythm that is sometimes matching and sometimes different. This activity is challenging and helps children (and their parents!) learn how to do an activity that is similar to strumming a guitar and singing along at the same time….trickier than you might think!

Grinding Corn, grinding corn.

Here we are grinding corn.

Grains of red and yellow,

Blue and white corn

We are grinding……

Syncopation

2007-11-28T14:41:00.000-05:00

Syncopation is a "jazzy" rhythm that really gets us toe tappin'. In Kindermusik Village we dance our feet to this rhythm in "Water Come a Me Eye". For weeks we do this dance! Some parents do the dance at home everytime it comes around on the CD. Kaylin can do it with her feet all by herself!

In Kindermusik Our Time we play the rhythm sticks to a steady beat while with our voices we sing "Tinga Lay-O": Run, little donkey, run! (There's the syncopation!)

Syncopation comes and goes through out all the Kindermusik levels...then in the "big kid class", Kindermusik Young Child, we layer it in again with the "Canoe Song": dip, dip, and swing...... In the last semester (#4) we'll finally see what it looks like. The children will be able to read syncopation and use it in their composing.

With all this those Kindermusik graduates won't be afraid of playing those "Jazzy" rhythms when they sightread new music in orchestra and band. How cool is that?

I just love this curriculum.
Yvette

Gift Giving Season!

2007-11-28T14:21:00.000-05:00

Their most cherished presents
are their parents' presence.....
Gift certificates available....
call 616-392-7182
email Yvette

vocal play

2007-11-16T21:51:00.001-05:00

Here is an 11 year old girl who played around with her voice and listen to what she came up with! She seems so confident and beautiful. Listen to her Yodel!

Hey! I've been blogging for a whole year!

2007-11-16T21:24:00.000-05:00

Any feedback?

What's the difference between a library music time and a Kindermusik Class?

2007-11-16T20:36:00.000-05:00

Some folks say "Oh, we do Kindermusik for FREE at the library!"

Well, I'd love to widen your view a little.

Darcy and I do music and movement storytimes here and there (i.e. the library and some mom and tot groups, for example). We meet children who love music, who naturally sing and dance to the music, children who love the instruments and knee bounces, circle dances and stories. Those children, their sparkling eyes, smiles and giggles capture our hearts. And we see the possibility. In all the children. All of them.

What would be different if they went to a weekly class for a whole semester at a time? This is what we know about children who are lucky enough to be in a flourishing environment where consistency of space, trust, routine, repetition and variety exist.

These children begin sometimes warily, like any child. Sometimes at the first class the younger ones look around for the moment their adult will sneak off or kiss them goodbye. Imagine their wide eyes when all the adults sit on the floor with them! They know then that they are safe. After the second class they begin to sense a rhythm in the flow of the class as it is very similar to their first experience. They realize that it is safe to put the bells or shakers back in the basket because they know they will have another opportunity to work with those again. After a few weeks a change comes over them. Waiting their turn becomes easier. The songs are very familiar since they hear them also at home (Home materials include CDs, story books, instruments etc.). The story is predictable and there are more and more details emerging every week. (This never happens at a one time event.)

They become thoughtful risk takers, more experimental, more creative. Everything is safe. They sing and twirl along, delighting in their participating adult. Here is their chance to be in charge. To practice their budding autonomy in a safe environment. Isn't that what we want for them?

It's how they bloom.

Please join us.
And for the families already participating why don't you bring a friend to you class!

Yvette

More Music on the Brain

2007-11-15T20:15:00.000-05:00

Daniel J. Levitin, Ph.D. Associate Professor, James McGill University, was a keynote speaker at the October Kindermusik Convention. We enjoyed his talk about music and the brain and his pop music quizzes where we could identify a piece of music and artist by hearing less than a second of the recording. Today I found an article written by Scott LaFee for the Union-Tribune, which sourced Levitin. This is what caught my eye:

Music does appear to improve brain function, according to scientists. "Early exposure to and learning of music and instruments seems to have clear benefits," Levitin said. "Such children often have improved visual perception, analytical thinking skills and physical coordination. Music helps them focus their attention."

Singing in the Brain .
The Union-Tribune , November 15, 2007

I am also noticing how the students in my classes have shown such growth in their self control and social skills. Taking turns, trading instruments, responding to auditory cues, stopping their excited fast and slow horse trotting and galloping....

I've heard more children using their singing voices, seen more amazing creativity in movement ideas....So many times I wished for my camera!

And sequencing and predicting....memory work....(I'm thinking of the 2 year olds who can tell me what's next in the Watch Me! story book.

Parents, you are doing great work. Keep up the steady beat....keep singing...keep dancing....
Love,
Yvette

Show Your Children How:

2007-11-08T22:09:00.000-05:00

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?... Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you... We were born to make manifest the glory...that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
Nelson Mandela

This quote is a little inspiration that we Kindermusik educators find in our teacher manuals. Aren't we lucky? I say I like teaching Kindermusik because it stretches me to be a better person. And I share everything I can with the parents in my classes.
Love to you all,
Yvette

Smart Toy Buying

2007-11-04T19:35:00.000-05:00

What's going to be under the tree for your children this year? How will these new toys affect your child's imagination and thinking skills? Do you know what really makes a toy a GOOD toy? Do you have an opinion that counts?

Do you want toys that entertain your children or ARE you more interested in the important work that children call "PLAY"?

Toys that spark imagination and pretend play rarely need batteries! They are objects that can become many different things....a big silky scarf or squares of fabric can be a cape, a hat, an apron, a blankie for a teddy bear, a purse, wrapping paper for the hymnal in church, a peek-a-boo toy.... Blocks can be towers, cars, trains, cell phones, musical instruments..... Board books can be tunnels, towers, peek-a-boo play objects....

Puppets, stuffed animals and dolls for girls and boys can be tools for pretend play that helps children work through their social development, processing life events, working through growing up.....

Boxes can be so many things! Forts, toasters, hiding places, post offices, trains.....

Music instruments like shakers, bells, drums, rhythm sticks can inspire parades, concerts, spontaneous singing, stories with sound affects.....

Do you think those toys mentioned above would pass the strictest safety criteria? Wouldn't they made of materials you could trust? The simpler the toy the easier it is to be sure it is safe!

Electronic toys do not allow children to be the leader in their own play. Pushing the buttons is the extent of the control they have. After that they become a spectator. For that reason these toys are the ones that end up neglected in the long run. After they annoy the adults with the volume and clutter the children's rooms, these toys are the first to find their way into the garage then the garage sale/give-away pile.

Our grown-up ears that have listened to plenty of loud music. Babies have very sensitive hearing compared to ours. Have you ever listened to a child's toy cell phone? Up next to your weary ear it BLASTS! Imagine how it sounds to them.

There is one electronic toy I do recommend. Cassette tape recorders can open the door to a child's expressive voice! Singing, storytelling, describing, listening skills...If you have a grandparent who lives far away they can exchange audio recorded letters! A parent who must travel for work can make a tape for the family to listen to. Make a point to know that the cassette recorder you purchase is one that the child (3 and up) can operate and be in charge of (with adult supervision).

So you've got the toy basics already. Your family doesn't need anymore blocks and scarves and teddy bears (though my daughter, Anne, says there's never enough stuffed animals...). Well I say there's never enough read aloud books or great music CDs.

So for this holiday season I'll make it easy on you. I'll have my favorites at the studio this week: CDs, books, instruments... the best! I had stockpiled these when Do Re Me and You! went through all those big changes. So you'll find great prices, good selection, great quality....But this is your last chance. Once these are gone you won't find them anymore...

The only thing that won't be easy for you is waiting till Christmas to open them!

Keep singing!
Yvette

Changeing with the Time Change

2007-11-04T18:01:00.000-05:00

Someone commented that while it was simple to set their alarm clocks back last night they had forgotten to change the internal clock in their dog. Guess who got licked awake!

I've been thinking about the internal clocks of the children too! They will be hungry, sleepy, awake, all at the wrong times! How long will it take? How understanding and patient will you be?

Years ago, as the music teacher for an elementary school in Delaware, I was surprised one spring Monday after the time change when the entire class really HAD to use the restroom just after our class began. They were used to their break being right after music every week! The clocks had been changed but not their little bodies!

Not so very long ago my very bright little friend and Kindermusik student, "Emily", began to tell her mother that she no longer liked Kindermusik. She even marched into her evening class one day and announced to me that she hated Kindermusik! I was so surprised. I asked her why and her answer told me you can never know a child's whole story! This 3 1/2 year old was convinced that it was MY fault that it got dark during her Kindermusik class. Now that meant that when she got home it was bath and bed right away! No more play time! She was angry and let me know.

Children are such interesting puzzles!
Love,
Yvette

2007-10-31T11:31:00.001-05:00

Holland Area Youth Orchestra and
Holland Area Junior Strings
Fall Concert

Sunday, November 11th, 3pm

Zeeland East High School, DeWitt Auditorium

The Jr. Strings will be performing on the first half of the concert, followed by the Youth Orchestra. Please invite family and friends to this wonderful performance.

Tickets are $7 adults & seniors and $4 students. Tickets are available at the Arts Council or online at www.hollandsymphony.org.

2007-10-29T09:01:00.001-05:00

From the Holland Sentinel
Claire Gerhardt holds some kale from the Boeve Farm booth at the Holland Farmer's Market.

Monday, October 29, 2007

What is kale?

Veggie is loaded with nutrients
By Yvette Odell Sentinel contributor

If you're looking for a veggie that's packed with nutrients (vitamins A, C, E, K, calcium, iron and others minerals, beta carotene, fiber, lutein, some omega 3s and even a little bit of protein), open wide for kale.

This ancient vegetable is actually wild cabbage in the "cole" family with collard greens, cauliflower, broccoli and brussel sprouts, to name a few. Although no one is certain, some historians say that kale was brought from Asia Minor to Europe by groups of Celtic wanderers around 600 B.C. Wild cabbage was developed to form a head perhaps as long as 2,000 years ago.

There's good reason this vegetable has been around for so long. It's a hardy plant and some say it's the most nutritional vegetable there is. It's enjoying renewed popularity as people become more nutrition-conscious.

Kale is especially sweet if it has been in the field for a frost. You might actually like it, and your kids will too, if you can find kale that has been grown in some cold weather. Now that we have fall weather, you'll find it locally at the Holland Farmers' Market.

I know someone who has requested kale every year for her birthday since she was little. Now that she's older, she even volunteers to prepare it herself. Here's how she does it:

Claire's Kale

5 bacon strips, chopped (you can omit this but add more oil)

1 tablespoon cooking oil

1 tablespoon sesame seeds

1 cup water

Salt to taste (or soy sauce)

In a 5-quart pot (we use a cast-iron Dutch oven), saute the bacon in the oil over medium heat until cooked, but not crispy. Add the sesame seeds and toss around in the fat. Put the kale in the pot and stir it around until it wilts. You can fill the pot, cook it down, then add more kale, continuing until you have all your kale in the pot. Add the water and salt. Cover and cook for 25 minutes or longer. Check every so often and add water if needed. The leaves should be tender and the water nearly cooked away. A longer cooking time will release more minerals, making them more accessible for your body.We do a whole bouquet of kale at a time so that there are leftovers to toss in to the vegetable beef soup. Or try this easy and delicious idea: add leftover kale to your favorite mashed potato recipe and top with 2 leeks and half of a sweet red pepper sauteed in some butter.

Freezing extra kale is easy if you wash and prepare the leaves, fill a plastic bag and store in the freezer.

Yvette Odell, who wrote this story for the Sentinel, was chosen to present a session on "Classroom Management with a Sensory Approach" to her peers at the annual Kindermusik Convention to be held in Chicago. She has been teaching young children since 1980 and teaching Kindermusik in Holland since 1995.

2007-10-22T21:54:00.000-05:00

Where Do The Children Play?Premiering Tuesday, October 23rd at 9 p.m. Michigan TV (PBS)

"Free play is slipping away from children’s lives. Yet time spent building forts or exploring outdoors, caring for animals, pretending or problem-solving with peers are now being shown by a wide body of research to be essential to healthy development, spiritual attunement, and emotional survival. Open-ended play in places that offer access to woods, gullies and gardens, ditches, boulders, and bike paths enhances curiosity and confidence throughout life.Play takes many forms. It may be best defined from within as a spontaneous human expression that relies on imagination and a sense of freedom. Players invent alternative contexts for conversation, visualization, movement, and interactions with real objects. They find release and involvement, stimulation and peace. Although play may arise anywhere, even in a cement cell, children are beckoned by the natural world to enjoy sensations of being alive."(Taken from the Where Do Children Play?" Website)

This is a very serious subject. I believe children should be rolling down hills every day. Has your child rolled, jumped, climbed, swung, and spun today? I know I have because I've taught an Kindermusik Imagine That! today and we did all those things plus pretended to be a tree full of birds, squirrels, bees, a bear and a little girl in the tree house all covered with leaves.....

Here are some interesting sites to inspire....or maybe to distract you so that your little one will play in the cupboards or jump off the couch! Better go outside!

Alliance of Childhoodwww.allianceforchildhood.org
The American Association for the Child's Right to Playwww.ipausa.org
Children and Nature Networkwww.cnaturenet.org
Childcare Exchangewww.colorado.edu/journals/cye/
Children's Environmental Research Group (CERG)http://web.gc.cuny.edu/che/cerg/
Hooked on Naturewww.hookedonnature.org
National Wildlife Federationwww.greenhour.org
Natural Learningwww.naturalearning.org
Playing for Keepswww.playingforkeeps.org
River of Wordswww.riverofwords.org
Wild Zoneswww.wild-zone.net

Thank you Ashley for giving me this heads up.

Kindermusik Educators Have a Ball

2007-10-21T21:21:00.001-05:00

What do hundreds of Kindermusik educators do when they get together?

We are home from the Kindermusik Convention!

2007-10-21T20:59:00.000-05:00

What a wonderful, intense time. Here we are:Yvette, Carol Penny from KI, and Darcy sharing hugs and smiles. It was non-stop from the crack of dawn to past midnight every day...singing, dancing, learning, networking, laughing, sharing, hugging....it is very powerful to be around so many people who share similar vision and belief in music as we do. I loved meeting Kindermusik educator-sisters from around the world. (Thank you for sharing yourselves with us and Mabuhai to you all.)

I've got lots of fun things to share about our experience but since I got home at 3:45am I have got to catch up on the ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzs.

Yvette

William Tell Dance

2007-10-16T22:57:00.001-05:00

THis is why children should listen to their Kindermusik CDs where they can jump and move and dance and conduct! Not just in the car while they are in the car seat or when they are all tucked in for bed at night!!!! How fun it was to watch this guy who really knows this music from beginning to end! He's so expressive with his hands. Thanks Kindermusik educator Deborah in Texas for sharing.

2007-10-12T10:06:00.000-05:00

Here's a "foundation of learning" (which we educators call "FOL") that I shared this week with families:

Did you know that stimulation of the calf muscle aids in language development? Put you child on the floor in front of you so that you can bicycle her legs. Then flex their feet and have your child just push against your hands as hard as she can. I think they just have fun trying to be as strong as you! But the work is good for their brains as well. It actually aids in the language development of children. Why? Well in my next life I plan to be a cellist and a neuroscientist so I may be better able to explain why but for now I know that I found this information in Carla Hannaford's book Smart Moves, Why Learning Is Not All In Your Head. I can't tell you which page because I've lent out my copy and :-( don't know where it is......

This kind of stimulation of the whole body is why children need to be jumping, running, climbing, twirling, singing and dancing and playing in free, joyful situations. And this is why Kindermusik is such a good investment...your dividends increase exponentially.

Glad you found us.
Yvette

Busy, Busy, Busy!

2007-10-12T09:30:00.000-05:00

How come when it gets cold, things get more and more hectic? Is it to get us moving to stay warm? Well, it's all good hectic-ness anyway!

Hope you've marked your calendars: No classes next Wednesday afternoon or Thursday! Darcy and I are headed for the Kindermusik Convention!!! Just imagine the energy of hundreds and hundreds of Kindermusik teachers in one building...singing and dancing and sharing all day and practically all night!!!

My calendar is also filling up with extra music class events for speaking or making music in area preschools, young five programs, homeschool groups, library music and movement storytime, and mom and tot church group events etc. I love coming out and sharing with the adults information on child development, parenting skills, benefits of music and movement for their children and sharing with the children the joy of musical fun.

Other items on my calendar include leading La Leche League meetings, farmers market days, church choir, concerts, flute students and occaisional flute playing gigs! Then there's homeschooling schedules of Anne and Claire...... No two days are routine!

Wonder what my calendar looks like? Well it's an amazing calendar called Weekdate, invented by my sister in law, Kay Odell. It works for me! Her 2008 designs just came out and I'm trying do decide on the cover.

It's a good kind of busy.
Yvette

Parents often ask.....

2007-10-08T13:40:00.001-05:00

Too young to play an instrument? By Jane Palmer

What are good starter instruments? For babies: rattles (maracas), tambourine, bongo drums. For toddlers and preschoolers: rhythm sticks, sandpaper blocks, maracas, drums, finger cymbals, triangles, cymbals, gongs, jingle bells, xylophone-type instruments with removable bars and chorded zither. Toy instruments won't hold a youngster's interest for long. Age 3 and older: new or gently used piano, which should be tuned once or twice a year. Second best is a digital electronic keyboard with touch-sensitive, weighted keys. Young violin players: smaller violins, scaled to a child's hands and body.

How young can children typically start music lessons? For traditional piano lessons, at age 7. For band and orchestra instruments, in fourth or fifth grade, when children are big enough to manage the size of the instruments and have more lung capacity.

How can you get preschoolers interested? Listen to all styles of recorded music from birth. Sing together and play singing games. Participate in Kindermusik or other music experience programs for babies through age 7 or 9. Find local programs online at http://www.kindermusik.com.%20look/ for preschool programs that devote at least 10 percent of their time to music.

How much are lessons? From $15 to $40 for a 30- or 60-minute session.

How do you obtain instruments? Introductory instruments such as sandpaper blocks may be available at toy or school supply stores. Most instruments require a trip to a music store. Ask for a student instrument. Turn down artist instruments, which are higher priced. Buy a used instrument to further cut costs, and ask about service and repairs after the sale. You may find a bargain in classified advertisements or at a pawn shop, garage sale or thrift store. Make sure everything works. Music stores often have a rent-to-own program. If you keep the instrument longer than atrial period, you own it and your monthly payments apply to the purchase. On the rental agreement, take note of the interest rate and total cost. It may be cheaper to obtain your own loan.

Sources: Joan Reist, past president of the Music Teachers National Association and retired associate professor of piano pedagogy at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Lance Nielsen, president of the Nebraska Music Educators Association and director of bands at Lincoln East High School. National standards published by the National Association for Music Education at http://www.menc.org/.

Thanks Molly!