The Importance of Quiet Time

I absolutely love this post on the Kindermusik blog Minds On Music. I love quiet time, but my kids don't always love the idea of it. But these are some great ideas for helping you and your kids enjoy some quiet time together.

Your baby: Bring you baby into your lap and simply enjoy the time together. If he’s fussy, rub his belly in a heart-shaped motion, or gently squeeze his arms and legs in a “milking” motion.

Your toddler: Turn down the lights and play soft music. Allow your toddler to simply wander if he’s not ready to sit still. He’ll learn to relax by watching you.

Your preschooler: The urge to stay awake and learn is strong in preschoolers, and they often need help calming down. Play quiet games: Who can whisper the softest? Can you float like a feather? Or a cloud? Listen to soft, soothing music and then lie on the floor and do… blissfully, quietly, absolutely nothing.

After you've enjoyed some quiet time together, get your child occupied somehow and go enjoy your own quiet time all by yourself.

These ideas made me think of something my mother-in-law suggested I do with my oldest son who is almost 9. She would sometimes rock her big kids in a rocking chair. They thought it was funny, especially her teenage boys, but secretly they loved it. It made them feel special. So, I tried it. We call it "Mommy Rocker Time." My kids love it! Usually we sit and talk about stuff, but next time I might suggest we sit and enjoy the quiet while I give them a relaxing tickle.

What's your favorite way to spend quiet time with your kids?

A Little Music & Movement Does A Lot of Good

Something I have done to help with summer boredom is I put together 2 jars with activities. One jar has chores in it for the child who dares utter the words "I'm bored." The other is full of fun activities for when they just need some new ideas.

Now that I have 4 kids I am finding it even harder to spend one on one time with my kids, especially my oldest. So, I decided that we will use the fun jar to help out with that. Every day (that's the goal but I won't kill myself if it doesn't happen) they'll each choose something to do.

Today Noah wasn't super excited about his choice: PUT ON SOCKS, TURN ON FUN MUSIC, AND DANCE ON THE WOOD FLOOR

I wasn't going to let his gloominess win, so I taught by example. I put on my socks and Pandora, and the perfect song came on- Day-O by Harry Belafonte.

And I danced.

I really am a horrible dancer, but I started to get pretty into it. You know what? It was really fun! I shimmied and slid around and lip sang with Harry. My brain was sending lots of happy signals to my body.

It wasn't long before my two oldest ran upstairs to get their socks. Even after he had his socks, it still took Noah a few minutes to let go and move around with us.

Then the funnest thing happened. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy started playing, and I grabbed Noah's arms and showed him how to dance properly with a girl.

I taught him that the boy is in charge and showed him how to spin me. He was a natural! He gave me a firm but gentle push on the back, lifted my arm and spun me out. I could tell he enjoyed it and felt good about himself because we kept doing it and doing it. I'll be calling him Fred Astaire now!

Even thought it was only a few minutes, they were special ones for me and my boy. There were lots of benefits of this music and movement activity- physical, musical, and emotional. The emotional ones are my favorite.

I'll be honest. I wasn't really feeling like doing this activity, but I'm trying spend more time with the kids and be more positive. I love these two quotes I recently shared on my facebook page:

"Some days there won't be a song in your heart. Sing anyway." -Emory Austin

"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." -George Bernard Shaw

Both are very true and worth remembering and implementing in our lives. Just think what kind of kids you'll raise if these things are taught them?

So, let's sing/dance/play even if you we don't feel like it

Oh, What Do You Do In the Summertime?

4 weeks ago today we welcomed our 4th child and third boy! This is Gerik. We love him so much and are so happy to have him here. It will be nice to teach Kindermusik without a big baby belly!

Having four kids is definitely an adjustment, but having a baby in the middle of an Arizona summer is it's own special challenge. Not only are we stuck inside because of baby but also because of the eyeball burning heat! Keeping kids entertained in the house all day can get tricky. It's super tempting to watch movies or play the wii all day, but I really don't like doing that. Of course, my kids would love to watch movies and play the wii 'til the cows come home, but I hate what it does to them. They always get more grouchy if they've had too much screen time. So, my goal this week is to figure out how to limit screen time without hearing "I'm bored!" all day long.

I started by making just two "Wii Days" a week. Yikes! Now what do we do the other 5 days?!

When I was little I absolutely loved playing Hopscotch. I even had a rug that I could play on indoors (which apparently my mom still has).

My cute sister-in-law gave us this Hopscotch game for Christmas a few years ago. It's made out of bubble wrap, so you hear POP! POP! when you jump on the squares. Cute! (FYI, if you make one for you, wear socks or the plastic will stick to your feet!) I pulled the game out of the closet one afternoon last week, and it was a hit! We had such a good time together! We were able to get some exercise, laugh, and cheer each other on, and all without turning on the T.V. Loved it!

I was so glad I thought of getting that game out, but unfortunately it's not always easy to come up with activities for my kids to do. I try teach them to think of they're own activities, but sometimes they need a little help...and so do I!

I decided to brainstorm some go-to activities for those moments when we all need something to do. Here's what I've got so far:

Build a fort

Scavenger hunt (make a random list of things for them to find- they can work together or

separately)

See how many jumping jacks they can do (add other exercises to it)

Have them put on a play

Write a story

Write a letter

Sock sliding race on the downstairs floor

Make playdough

Math games

Color by number

Make tic-tac-to rocks

Musical wet sponge- toss a wet sponge, when the music stops, squish it on your head

Write a RAK Summer List

Choose a new cookie recipe to make

Make a food list of veggies and fruit you like and ones you want to try

Mattress slide down the stairs (might lead to broken bones, maybe not...)

What are you favorite go-to activities?

Digital Home Materials

Some of you may be wondering how digital home materials work, so I thought I'd shed some light.

When you enroll in a class, I will place an order for your materials and you will be sent a link in your email to access these online digital home materials.

That will take you here:

This is a screenshot of the unit Up in the Sky from the Wiggle & Grow class, which I will be teaching starting April 24th. I know the picture is small, so I will explain some of the things you will find on there.

-The story Mister Sun

-A video field trip

-Several games

-Craft ideas

-Downloads for: Up in the Sky album, which can be downloaded and made into a CD or put on an IPod; Mister Sun book; activities; lyrics

You have the option too of buying a book (Mister Sun) and/or instrument. The cost for both together is $12.95 for this unit.

Also, on the upper right hand corner is a blue box. In that box you are explained the benefits of the activity you have clicked on. It will also give suggestions on how to do the activity so that you and your child get the most out of it.

I want to make it clear that these digital home materials were designed to be a parent AND child activity. Your child will not be able to do these on their own, so no using it as a babysitter ;)

I promise you and your child will get so much more out of your Kindermusik experience if you utilize these wonderful materials! There is a reason they are required as part of your tuition and not optional.

I will talk to you about how you can include them in your daily activities throughout the classes, but for now, here are some things to consider:

-play the Up in the Sky album in the car or at home while your child colors or plays. The more YOU know the songs the more you'll be able to incorporate them in your day.

-Look for opportunities to sing one the songs, like when you go outside for a walk you could sing the Mister Sun song.

-You can try having a set time each day or week when you do a Kindermusik activity, but be mindful of spontaneous moments too.

-Enjoy it!

Class Start Date Change

I won't be licensed to teach as quickly as I hoped, so to give me a little more time to prepare for classes I have decided to move my start up week to April 22nd. Class times remain the same. I hope this doesn't mess up any plans!

My Wednesday morning class is filling up nicely, but there's still lots of room in the afternoon and Thursday morning classes. Tell your friends!

I'm so excited to get this show on the road!!

FREE Demo Classes!

Kindermusik with Ms. Marianne will be holding 2 FREE demo classes!

Tuesday April 2, 2013 @ 10:15 to 11:45 Elevate Coffee Shop 2530 W. Happy Valley Road, Suite 1273 Phoenix 85085 (Next to Harkins Theater)

Thursday, April 4, 2013 @ 4:45-5:30 Agave Library Conference Room 23550 N. 36th Ave. Glendale 85310

Find out what the excitement is all about and register for classes. Cost is FREE!

Bring a friend and if that friend registers at the event you get 10% off your first month of classes!

Spring 2013 Class Schedule

I am so excited to start teaching Kindermusik! My two oldest did Kindermusik, and we all loved it. I am thrilled to be able to share it with you as a licensed teacher. Here is my upcoming schedule:

Classes begin the week of April 15th.

Wiggle & Grow (ages 2-3 with parent)

Wednesday 11:00 AM

Wednesday 3:00 PM

Laugh & Learn (ages 3-4 parent comes last 10-15 minutes)

Thursday 10:30 AM

Classes are once a week and last 45 minutes.

They are held at my home studio.

Each class has 12 units, and there are 4 lessons per unit.

Each unit comes with digital home materials you get to keep! They are an essential part of the curriculum because they bring the learning and fun to the home. Kindermusik believes that the parent is the child's most important teacher.

Each unit is $65. That price includes the home materials.

Email me at kindermusikwithmarianne@gmail.com when you want to sign up! Let me know the class and time.

Can't wait to see you in class!