Sing & Sway the Summer Away!

Looking for a summer adventure?

Look no further! It’s time to swing, sway, dance & play the summer away with Kindermusik. Kindermusik with Miss Nancy offers a variety of Kindermusik summer adventure. With fun, summery themes you can sink your feet into, discover why so many families with young children love Kindermusik, especially during the summer time! In our short summer classes, we’ll give you a summer’s worth of music, stories, and activities created to inspire a lifetime of learning and love for music. Visit www.nancy.kindermusik.net for the schedule.

Circus in town

Orak Shrine Circus at the Hammond Civic Center.
Thursday Dec. 1 7:00p.m.
Friday Dec. 2 11:00a.m. - 7:00p.m.
Saturday Dec. 3 11:00a.m. - 3:00p.m. - 7:00p.m.
Sunday Dec. 4 11:00a.m. - 3:00p.m. - 7:p.m.

Kindermusik: Learning through Music

Spotlight on Learning: Village

Lifting. Squatting. Twirling. Bending. Whew! Sometimes Kindermusik class feels more like a workout than, well, a workout. Okay, maybe not P90x, but still! While you are building muscles each week, your child is building early language skills.

When you lift her high "up, up in the sky" or "twirl around like a leaf" while singing the songs in class, you help your little one learn the word and understand the concept. Pre-readers rely almost exclusively on what they hear in order to acquire language. Your child's brain makes a connection based on what she experiences (being lifted high or twirling around) and hears ("up" or "twirl"). Later, she will discover those words correspond to marks on a page which eventually leads to letter recognition and reading. Just think how toned your arms will be then!

Everyday connection: Play that fun-key music. Listen and move to music that combines key vocabulary with a movement or activity. "Up, Up In The Sky" and "Like a Leaf or a Feather" are familiar choices. Visit play.kindermusik.com for more favorites, like "I Roll the Ball to You." Try mixing in your tunes, too. "Dancing Queen" anyone?


Spotlight on Learning: Our Time

Can your child name that tune in four notes or less? If it is "Wishy Washy Wee," he probably hears only the first chord before shouting "Weeeee!" while throwing his hands in the air. To name that song, he is hearing and distinguishing a series of discrete musical notes or tones.

Scientists now know that our brain processes music similar to how we process language. To become successful readers, young children need to understand that words-like music-are made up of discrete sounds. Later they use that knowledge of sounds to read and build words. Research shows that children with these skills are more successful learning to read than others.

Kindermusik provides many opportunities for your child to discriminate similarities and differences in sound. So, while your child gains musical skills in class, he also makes gains in his phonological awareness and reading development. Now that is music to any parent's ears. "Weee!"

Everyday connection: Play name that tune. How quickly can your child name a familiar song? Is that the good-bye song or the hello song? Are you going to "Clapping Land" or for a trip on "Lukey's Boat"? It's a fun game to play in the car, too!

Pumpkins, Witches and Hayrides Oh My! - Munster, IN

Centennial Park, Saturday, October 15 from 1 - 4 pm. Wristband for hayrides, face painting, jump houses. Costume Parade on the stage. Trick or Treating. Hot apple cider, popcorn, caramel apples, a chance to win prizes and more.

Two New Evening Classes Added

NEW CLASS - Kindermusik Family Time ABC Music & Me
Highland Parks/Lincoln Center - 5 Week Session
For children 6 months - 6 years old*
*Children under 6 months old are free attending with older sibling

Let's Play: All the ways you play—at home, in the school yard, during your family time together—is this session's theme. In class we’ll play “Follow the Leader” and other playground games to help your child(ren) develop listening and singing skills while strengthening movement and hand-eye coordination.

In your Home Kit, find more activities, songs, and games you can do together to play and learn at home, too. Home Kit: Two Mini Tambourines, Home CD, and magazine-style Family Guide

Day: Thursdays, September 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29
Time: 6:00 - 6:45 pm
Location: Room 112
Registration for First Child $50 resident/ $55 non-resident
Registration for Second Child $25 resident/$30 non-resident
Materials Fee $25

Registration Deadline: August 29, 2011



NEW CLASS - Kindermusik Family Time ABC Music & Me
Dyer Parks - 4 Week Session
For children 6 months - 6 years old*
*Children under 6 months old are free if attending with older sibling

Carnival of Music - This session’s story features Barley Bear and his day-long quest to find a piece of shoo-fly pie at the fair. In class we’ll read about Barley and talk about his willingness to wait and be patient in the middle of the fun fair distractions.

At home, your Home Kit includes more activities to help your child feel comfortable in group-play and group-learning situations. Home Kit: Two Egg shakers, Home CD, and magazine-style Family Guide

Day: Mondays, Sept. 26, Oct. 3, 10, 17
Time: 6:00 - 6:45 pm
Location: Lower Level
Registration for First Child $40 resident/ $45 non-resident
Registration for Second Child $25 resident/ $30 non-resident
Materials Fee $25

Registration Deadline: September 21, 2011

Top 10 Reasons NOT to Choose Kindermusik … Drum roll ….

1) I just want someone to entertain my toddler so I can put my feet up!

It's true-you do NOT get to sit all that much in a Kindermusik Village, Our Time, or Family Time class. In Kindermusik, the goal is for the parent to interact with the child, with the teacher as the facilitator. It's a high energy, active time, filled with singing, playing instruments, and moving, but it's not always restful. I will say, though, that it usually DOES insure that your child will take a good nap later on (for a daytime class) or go to bed tired (for a night class), so hopefully you'll get that break then. And you got a workout, too!

2) I want a music class that teaches music from my faith/traditions.

Kindermusik is an international program and it has something for everyone, including a great deal of children's music from around the globe. However, it's not a church children's choir, and even in a lesson that is focused on music from Ireland, Africa, or India, there will be music from other traditions and cultures as well. We will probably hit something that resonates with your culture sometime, but it won't be a custom fit.

Having said that, suggestions are always welcome, and as a Kindermusik educator, I am part of a large online community of educators that share ideas-so if we missed a song that would have been perfect, let me know!

3) I want my child to learn to play a specific instrument.

We play a lot of instruments in Kindermusik classes, and listen to/look at many more, either physically in class or via photos/recordings. However, it is true that there is no one Kindermusik instrument such as Violin or Piano. It is our belief as educators that in the early stages of a child's development, hearing and experiencing many instruments is more powerful than focusing on one, and will help a child who chooses to study an instrument make a choice that they truly love.

4) I want a recital!

We believe in process, not performance in the early childhood ages. While it's cute to see little dancers hop around on stage, or little children dress up and sing, it takes a lot of class time and puts a lot of stress on the children to participate in these activities, only to have preschool and below children get out there and do what they want to do anyway. And while that may be cute, it means that a lot of learning time has been lost to get to that point. There will be many years for recitals and performance. At this stage, we want the children to enjoy music and have fun with it. We always welcome grandparents and other visitors in class to watch your child have fun, and it is a great time to bring your camera and capture a special moment or two!

5) It costs too much.

Because materials are factored into the cost of Kindermusik tuition each semester, it's true that the cost seems higher than other young children's programs. However, you get what you pay for. In every semester, you get books, music, activities, and instruments/props appropriate to your child's current age and developmental level. With today’s technology, you also get free downloadable music for your iPod or other player you might have. Past experience has shown that these, used at home regularly, greatly increase a child's participation in and excitement for class, as well as building lifelong learning skills. Excellent materials and excellent teaching cost money, and many parents have decided that Kindermusik is well worth the expense.

6) He sings at daycare. I want something different!

Most programs for young children, from library story time to preschool playtime to gymnastics and dance, now incorporate some singing and movement activities that resemble those in a Kindermusik classroom. And it's easy to see why-such activities WORK to help a young child learn. But we were the first such program out there, and we do our best to stay up to date on research and to provide professional development to our educators such that you're getting more than just singing a few songs or waving a parachute. You're getting a complete child development experience, designed to help your child grow and learn, from a highly trained professional.

7) He's very active.

It's true that we're no soccer or Pop Warner Football. There are times when we run, jump, spin, dance, and twirl. There are also times when we sit, rock, stretch, rub, and listen. All of our activities are designed to take a young child's activity needs into consideration, and to meet those movement needs, while also teaching concentration, listening, and attention skills that a young child will need for school and in life. Your child may want to explore and move -- that’s fine. Bring him back in for the next activity.


8) I want him to sit and listen.

It's true that we're up and moving in Kindermusik classes a lot. But there are also many times to sit, listen, pay attention, and follow rules. Research at George Mason University indicated that preschoolers who participated in Kindermusik did better on exactly these sorts of skills than those who did not. So while we are up dancing, singing, and moving, there is a method to that madness, even though we're not asking a 4 yr old to sit at a piano to take a lesson.

9) She's very, very bright. She'll get bored.

It's true that Kindermusik, like any group class, teaches to the developmental level of the average child, with modifications up and down. However, the Kindermusik curriculum is written for specific age ranges at every level, which accommodates a wide range of developmental differences, even before you add teacher accommodations. And relatively small class sizes compared to preschool or Kindergarten settings make it much easier to do this. If a child is getting bored or frustrated with the content, we'll see it and adapt, whether that adaptation happens in the classroom, or requires changing to a different class or age level.

10) My child has special needs.

It's hard to find a place for a child who is different from the norm to fit in, isn't it? And it's true that some special needs can make it hard for a child in a group class. However, I can tell you with assurance that I have had children in my program with disabilities ranging from Autism to Vision Impairment, and every letter of the alphabet in between, and while their Kindermusik journeys didn't always look like those of other children, they were able to benefit from, learn from, and enjoy the class. Kindermusik is even sometimes written into Early Intervention plans, because it has proven so beneficial for many children. First Steps and Wee Care Therapy have referred their clients to my classes.

If Kindermusik sounds like it may be right for your child, please visit our website at www.nancy.kindermusik.net for our current class schedule and information or call me, Nancy, with any questions at 219-765-4363.

Jump Central Camp

What a blast I had this week with 8 great kids at Jump Central! We did ABC Music & Me for an hour, stopped for a little snack and bathroom break and then it was time for some jumping fun! Moms were happy that the kids all had such a great time that they want to sign up for it next summer or sooner. ♫ The kids all took great naps when they got home each day.

After about 45 minutes of jump time they would be tired and sit at the table and draw pictures for a while. Then they would get their second wind and go jump until it was time to be picked up from Jump Central.

Summer Adventures 2011

I have several options for summer. You can host a play date at your house or local park for a minimal fee per child/family.

There is a Monday - Thursday "camp" for children ages 4 - 6 years old at Jump Central in St. John. The kids will do Kindemusik with me for 1 hour and then stay for 1 1/2 hours of jump time. June 27 - 30 from 9 - 11:30 am.

Then I am doing a mini 4 week session at Dyer and Highland Parks departments. Dyer classes are on Tuesdays and Thursdays and Highland Parks classes are on Wednesday. It's the second week of July through first week of August. Visit my website www.nancy.kindermusik.net for more details or give me a call at 219-765-4363.

If you belong to a MOMS or MOPS group ... I'd love to do a music event/play date with you.

Lots of options! Plus ... don't forget I also do birthday parties!

Hope your summer is off to a good start.

Session Ending

I am wrapping up the winter/spring session this week and next week. Time flew by. It's been a great session from September - May. The kids and grown ups really connected this session. Don't forget that summer is just around the corner and I am doing a mini 4 week session (3 weeks in July and 1 week in August) and also doing a drop off Monday - Thursday (June 27 - 30) camp for kids 4 - 6 years old at Jump Central in St. John from 9 - 11:30 am. Visit my website for all the summer classes. I am also thinking of adding a "Musik in the park" day or two so keep your eyes opened for that. We will meet at a park (weather permitting) and do 30 minutes of music together for $5 per child or maximum of $10 per family. Then you can all play at the park! Visit www.nancy.kindermusik.net or call 219-765-4363. Invite a friend to join you! If they register, you will get a $10 credit toward your materials fee.

January Kindermusik wtih Nancy Options

Kindermusik with Nancy – Dyer Parks Department
Mini Session in January

Kindermusik ABC Music & Me – 4 week session – Tuesdays
Research shows that music improves a child’s memory, cognitive development, learning skills, and ability to express emotion. Music makes a child a better learner, teaches self-control, improves coordination, enhances creativity, and inspires a lifetime appreciation of music and movement.


On the Go
Ages: 2 – 4 years old (parent/caregiver participation required)

Put a new spin on trains and cars. In class we’ll talk about things on the go. And with a real-sounding train whistle, sound effects, and music CD in your Home Kit, you can take the learning on the go as you talk about moving fast and slow, while developing your toddler’s rhythm and coordination and strengthening your child’s connection to what’s happening in class.
Home Kit: Train whistle instrument, Home CD, and magazine-style Family Guide (includes the class story The Big Race)
Registration Deadline: December 31

Tuition $45/$50
Materials $20 paid to instructor
Tuesdays January 4, 11, 18 and 25
Time 9:30 – 10:15 am (45 minutes)

Rhythms of the Land
Ages 4 – 6 years old - NO parent/guardian

In class we’ll explore the rhythms and sounds of Native American music. As we investigate, compare, and contrast a wide variety of drums and the materials they’re made from, your preschooler develops the investigative vocabulary needed in the sciences. When you repeat rhythm patterns at home and share the activities in your Home Kit, your child gets an early start in math, too. Home Kit: Jingle Stick instrument, Home CD, and magazine-style Family Guide (includes the class story Pedal Pump, Pedal Pump)
Registration Deadline: December 31


Tuition $50/$55
Materials $20 paid to instructor
Tuesdays January 4, 11, 18 and 25
Time 1:00 – 2:00 pm (1 hour)

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Kindermusik Playdates at Dyer Parks
Thursday, January 13, 2011

Get out of the house and come experience a Kindermusik class in January when you might have cabin fever! If you’ve never done Kindermusik, this is a great introduction to the program. If you have participated, this is an opportunity to continue your musical fun until the winter/spring session begins in February. Minimum of 4/maximum of 10. Registration deadline is January 10 .

Village Age (newborn –2 years old)
For lap babies, crawlers, and walkers with their parents, this class provides a delightful environment unlike any other. Through a unique blend of multi-level activities that include creative movement, vocal play, object and instrument exploration, and a colorful literature component, baby’s growth and development are stimulated and all senses engaged.

Thursday – January 13 9:30 – 10:15 am
Fee: $15 resident/ $20 non-resident (includes a book and CD)



Our Time (2 – 3 1/2 years old)
For children ages 18 months to 3 years, each accompanied by an adult caregiver. This group lesson was designed to feature the basic components of a Kindermusik classroom experience—singing, moving, playing instruments, listening, group interactions, and most importantly, lots of parent education about the development of their child.

Thursday - January 13 10:30 – 11:15 am
Fee $15 resident/$20 non-resident (includes a book and CD)

Imagine That (3 ½ - 5 years old)
For those pre-school children with great imaginations! The children typically attend classes by themselves, but for this play-date version, parents will attend so you can see for yourself what Kindermusik is all about.

Thursday - January 13 12:45 – 1:30 pm
Fee $15 resident/$20 non-resident (includes a book and CD)

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Kindermusik Playdates at Highland Parks Department
January 12, 2011


Village Age (newborn – 2 years old)
For lap babies, crawlers, and walkers with their parents, this class provides a delightful environment unlike any other. Through a unique blend of multi-level activities that include creative movement, vocal play, object and instrument exploration, and a colorful literature component, baby’s growth and development are stimulated and all senses engaged. Registration deadline – January 10.

Wednesday – January 12 9:30 – 10:15 am
Fee: $15 resident/ $18 non-resident (includes a book and CD)


Our Time (2 – 3 1/2 years old)
For children ages 2 to 3 1/2 years, each accompanied by an adult caregiver. This group lesson was designed to feature the basic components of a Kindermusik classroom experience—singing, moving, playing instruments, listening, group interactions, and most importantly, lots of parent education about the development of their child.

Wednesday – January 12 10:35 – 11:20 am
Fee $15 resident/$18 non-resident (includes a book and CD)

Imagine That (3 ½ - 5 years old)
For those pre-school children with great imaginations! The children typically attend classes by themselves, but for this play-date version, parents will attend so you can see for yourself what Kindermusik is all about.

Wednesday - January 12 1:30 – 2:15 pm
Fee $15 resident/$18 non-resident (includes a book and CD)

Kindermusik's Objective

Kindermusik's objective is not necessarily to make your child a musician. Instead, Kindermusik begins the musical learning that will enrich every life. Kindermusik uses music to encourage early learning and creativity in children ages newborn to 7 years of age.

You may already know that much of your child's learning takes place in critical periods that occur quite early in life. Kindermusik helps your child make the most of these critical windows.

Developmentally appropriate lessons promote vocal development and language skills, coordination, social interation, and active imagining. Kindermusik never pushes a child. Instead, each leseson is carefully structured to reflect and match your child's age and stage.

Smooth Out the Daily Bumps

Have you ever noticed that your daily routines flow in a rhythmic and musical pattern? The song begins with the waking of each morning and continues as you prepare your family and yourself for the day with the steady beat of breakfast and dressing routines, then march through the day with accented rituals and syncopated surprises, slowing the tempo with lulling routines and rituals at bedtime, ending harmoniously with a good night song ... thus flows the rhythm of a day.

We all know that daily routines are repetitive. But, did you know that routines are essential to your child? Routines provide a cocoon of security, familiarity, and comfort when your child has so little control over the events of his or her own life. While the daily maintenance of life may bore you (after all, what is fascinating about changing another diaper, emptying the dishwasher again, feeding the cat, and raking the leaves every week?), your emotional health and even your soul needs a certain amount of routine. Routines are healthy for you and your child. Tune In gives you ways not only to enjoy everyday routines but suggestions on how to make them more meaningful and fun.

Visit www.kindermusik.com, click on Classes and then Newsletter to register for Tune In e-mails.

Be the Best You Can Be - Famous Quotes

Don Miguel Ruiz
Always do your best. (From The Four Agreements)

Oprah Winfrey
Doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment.

Helen Keller
When we do the best that we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another.

Earl Nightingale
We are at our very best, and we are happiest, when we are fully engaged in work we enjoy on the journey toward the goal we've established for ourselves. It gives meaning to our time off and comfort to our sleep. It makes everything else in life so wonderful, so worthwhile.

Confucius
Wherever you go, go with all your heart.

Soles 4 Souls - Shoes for those in Need

My church (Westminster Presbyterian Church/Munster) is collecting gently used shoes to send to the organization Soles 4 Souls. Our shipment of shoes will be going to all those in need in Haiti. We are collecting the next two weeks – through April 25th. If you, your child(ren) or spouse have shoes in the closets that are no longer worn, but someone else could use them, please bring them to Westminster Presbyterian Church at 8955 Columbia Avenue (across from Community Hospital). Two of our youth are doing this project. If you don't have shoes, but would like to contribute ... we are in need of monetary donations to cover the cost of shipping. Make checks payable to Westminster and put Soles 4 Souls on memo line.

Words of Wisdom for the New Year

The most destructive habit……..Worry
The greatest joy…….Giving
The greatest loss…….Loss of self-respect
The most satisfying work…….Helping others
The ugliest personality trait…..Selfishness
The most endangered species…..Dedicated leaders

Our greatest natural resource…..Our youth
The greatest “shot in the arm”……Encouragement
The greatest problem to overcome……Fear

The most effective sleeping pill……Peace of mind
The most crippling failure disease……Excuses
The most powerful force in life……Love

The most dangerous pariah……A gossiper
The world’s most incredible computer……The brain
The worst thing to be without……Hope

The deadliest weapon…..The tongue
The two most power-filled words……“I Can”
_ anonymous

Events/Calendar

To see upcoming events, possible closings, etc. click on the Events/Calendar link in the left column under Kindermusik with Nancy.

Parent Testimonials

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Kindermusik Birthday Party

Monday, October 12, I did a birthday party for Camryn who turned three years old on October 11th. Her parents, little brother and I surprised her at her pre-school. She got to have 9 of her friends join her for a Kindermusik Birthday Celebration. I think dad had more fun than Camryn dancing and playing with the instruments.

A great time was had by all!

Fire Prevention/Awareness Month

This Saturday and next Saturday, many of the local firehouses will be having an open house and activities for the kids. Check out your local firehouse and support them. Fire Preventin Week is October 4 - October 10th.

Also, the Safety Village in Schererville by Show Place is having an event for the day on Saturday, October 3.

Why Music? Celebrity Quote

“Often a single experience will open the young soul to music for a whole lifetime. This experience cannot be left to chance; it is the duty of the school to provide it.” Composer and educator Zoltan Kodaly