On My Beach Blanket

Little Miss Ali's Dramatic Play

Ali will be turning 3 in just one week. She began taking Kindermusik at Musikandmotion last summer. And since then, Ali's been incorporating a lot of kindermusik in her dramatic play at home. In the following video, Ali takes on the role of "Miss Sunny for real" and helps us peek inside the process of her imaginative play. If you watch and listen carefully, you'll notice that Ali's pretend play is more than just acting out or imitating "Miss Sunny" (although she does a mighty fine job of that as well). No, she constructs and negotiates meaning while exploring many complex skills such as sequencing of events (beginning, middle and end of class), creative and logical thinking-- how to respond to the big table in the middle of "her Kindermusik classroom"-- Ali's response: "It's okay if we sit on my table for Carnival of Music if there's no room!" and notice the way Ali's mom, Kristin skillfully offers encouragement and suggestions to keep the play going especially when Ali seems "stuck" singing the goodbye song to all her friends. Asking Ali if "the children had their turn playing the guitar" helps her soon-to-be three year old to continue her play into the next logical step-- offering the goodbye stamp to everyone.



For more on the the benefits of pretend play check out: "Dramatic play is not, as some parents and teachers fear, a waste of time; in fact it is the best predictor of a child's capacity for creative thinking and future social success."
The Power of Pretend Play By Adele M. Brodkin, Ph.D.

Thanks for sharing Ali with us, Kristin!

Noah's Birthday Party

I always consider it a great honor when parents call me to lead their children's birthday parties. Earlier this month, being invited to Noah's home to celebrate his 2nd birthday was no exception. Upon entering his lovely home, Noah gave me the biggest smile with that twinkle in his eyes. He then went about being a gracious host, greeting everyone with "Hi! Hi!" Erika, Noah's mom, welcomed, introduced and led me to where I could set up my instruments, props, and sound dock for the party-- she had cleared her family room and provided a wonderful floor space for everyone to gather for the musical party.

As I got ready to set up,I noticed with delight the Animal Serenade song book from Our Time Fiddle Dee Dee prominently displayed on top of their keyboard, along with other "adult" music sheets. Music from Fiddle dee dee Home Cd was playing in the background to welcome Noah's guests. Clearly, this was a home where music is celebrated and their child's interests honored. It made me feel both proud and happy!


The musical party got under way with everyone singing, dancing and celebrating with Noah his very special day. All the children and adults participated with such enthusiasm and joy. Two Kindermusik families from Noah's class also came to the party-- it was great to see familiar friends among party guests.

Half way into the musical party, one of Noah's enthusiastic friends shouted "This is so much fun!" That was by far the best compliment I've gotten! It was a memorable birthday event-- a joyous celebration of Noah's development and uniqueness with his friends and family in his own home.

P.S. Thank you Noah, his family and guests for sharing the following images on my blog!

I Ran Into A Stranger

I Ran Into A Stranger

I ran into a stranger as he passed by,
"Oh excuse me please" was my reply.
He said, "Please excuse me too;
I wasn't watching out for you."
We were very polite, this stranger and I.
We went on our way and we said goodbye.

But at home a different story is told,
How we treat our loved ones, young and old.
Later that day, cooking the evening meal,
My son stood beside me very still.
When I turned, I nearly knocked him down.
"Move out of the way!" I said with a frown.

He walked away, his little heart broken.
I didn't realize how harshly I'd spoken.
While I lay awake in bed,
God's still small voice came to me and said,
"While dealing with a stranger, common courtesy you use,
but the family you love, you seem to abuse."

"Go and look on the kitchen floor,
You'll find some flowers there by the door.
Those are the flowers he brought for you.
He picked them himself; pink, yellow and blue.
He stood very quietly not to spoil the surprise,
you never saw the tears that filled his little eyes."

By this time, I felt very small,
And now my tears began to fall.
I quietly went and knelt by his bed;
"Wake up, little one, wake up," I said.
"Are these the flowers you picked for me?"
He smiled, "I found 'em, out by the tree."

"I picked 'em because they're pretty like you.
I knew you'd like 'em, especially the blue."
I said, "Son, I'm sorry for the way I acted today;
I shouldn't have yelled at you that way."
He said, "Oh, Mom, that's okay. "I love you anyway."
I said, "Son, I love you too,
and I do like the flowers, especially the blue."

~Anonymous~

We can all learn from this wise poem. Thanks for sharing Lindsay (Kindermusik with Miss Lindsay)-- it certainly makes you think about what's really important in your life.

A Mother's Reflection

I just had to share this beautiful and reflective post by Brenna Taylor, our very own Kindermusik parent at Musikandmotion. By the way, Brenna started her own blog in hopes of keeping a diary of her and her daughter's home schooling journey this year:

"So last Friday was our little girl's preschool graduation. The "ceremony" was short and sweet. The kids performed a song for us, each child gave his or her mom a flower, the diplomas were handed out, and each child received a candy lei.

When we left the park the four of us went to Julia's FAVORITE place for lunch, Sizzler. We ate lunch and let her open a couple of presents. I think her favorite was a super big box of Crayola crayons with build-in sharpener (96 count!). Yesterday she used her new crayons and I was amazed that so far she has been able to read the color of each one she has pulled out of the box (sea green, spring green, etc).

So now my first born's preschool career is over. Gone are the days of pulling her sobbing, clingy body off of me (until the first couple of weeks of Kindergarten!) to leave her with her teacher. Gone are the days sitting by the phone in case her teacher should call saying that she had an accident, or worse yet, to come get this wild kid and take her home. No more bullying the boys at school or bringing home all her art projects and drawings (from preschool). The last two and a half years have gone by quick and she has grown in many, many ways..."

Brenna, I wish you and Julia all the best and look forward to reading more of your home schooling journey ahead!

Congrats,
Miss Sunny

Hee Ah Lee's Story

The following video is a must see! It exemplifies the amazing human spirit, one mother's determination, and the musical ability in all of us! I hope it lifts your spirts as it did mine. Please click the highlighted link below:

Hee Ah Lee: The Four-fingered pianist


Courtesy of Dope Jam

More on Hee Ah Lee's story: The Dong-Ah Il Bo

Hat tip to my Canadian friend, Deanna Goh for sharing this video with me! Hope you are enjoying all that dancing in Vegas!

"Fathers Matter"

In celebration of Father's Day this Sunday, June 17, here's a special tribute to Kindermusik dads who sing, dance and make music with their little loved ones both in class and at home. You are all stars!!!

Maestro Top Program Awarded to Miss Sunny & Musikandmotion!

Bravo! Kindermusik International recently honored Musikandmotion with a Maestro Top Program for "exceptional service" award. Miss Sunny has been named Kindermusik Maestro Educator, and joins Kindermusik's prestigious circle of select educators who provide high quality Kindermusik experience for children and families in her program!

Kindermusik Family Night

Thank you to all the families who joined me for the last two Kindermusik Family Nights this month! The food was great-- what a spread we had each night! I especially enjoyed watching the children play and becoming the best of friends with one another in a completely social and play oriented environment. I will be uploading pictures and videos as soon as my new hard drive arrives-- I'm so out of memory! Please check back to see all the fun that took place!