Mom Shares Benefit of Kindermusik when Homeschooling!

Last week I received an email from one of our parents: 

"I just found another HUGE benefit to the kids knowing all about steady beat.  We recently began learning about syllables in words. I thought it would be kind of a tricky thing to teach, but I started by calling the syllables “beats” and the kids didn’t have any trouble catching on.  Once they were able to count the beats in a word (which didn’t take long at all), then I transitioned to calling the beats syllables.  It was effortless!  When one is homeschooling, there are few things that one can call effortless – so thank you for setting up that foundation in my children!!!" - Homeschooling Mother of Trudy (age 7), Elias (age 5), and Clara (18 months) 

To learn more about the benefits of Kindermusik, join us for a free preview class.  

Special Kindermusik Demo Day on January 23rd.  See our website for details.

Inclement Weather Policy - Are we having Kindermusik class today?

Parents - Just a reminder about our inclement weather policy at Kathy's Music.

If the local schools start 2 hours late, then we will cancel classes that start before 10:00 AM and we WILL have classes for the rest of the day that start after 10:00 AM.

If the local school cancel classes, then our Kindermusik classes will be cancelled, too. If we are going to cancel Saturday classes, we will make a decision by 8 AM and email all families, plus post it on our blog.    

All cancelled classes will be rescheduled - stay tune for details!

In addition, Kathy's Music announces delays and cancellations on the KDKA website and local broadcast.

Stay warm and enjoy the snow whenever possible!

The Kindermusik Experience in Pittsburgh - Spring 2010!

Announcing our Spring 2010 Class Preview!

Click here  to see all the details.

Enroll online today and take advantage of our monthly payments.  Pay a deposit now and your next payment is not due until February 5th.

Kindermusik with Kathy's Music is committed to the overall development of each child from babies to age 7.  

Join us for the Kindermusik experience!

Kindermusik with Kathy's Music - Enroll Now for Spring 2010

Enroll now for Spring Kindermusik Classes in Mt. Lebanon, McMurray, and Squirrel Hill.  To enroll online, click here.

Want to see a Kindermusik Class to learn more?

* Free Preview Classes available in December - contact us through our website to schedule. Or call (412) 344-0535.

* Demo Day - January 11th in Squirrel Hill.  Contact us today to reserve your space. 

9:30 - Ages 0 to 18 months

10:30 - Ages 0 to 5 (Family Class)

* Demo Day -  January 23rd in Mt. Lebanon.  Contact us today to reserve your space.

9:15 - Ages 0 to 18 months

10:15 - Ages 1. 5 to 3 years

11:15 - Ages 3 to 5 years

 
* View a class NOW by clicking on the links to the right of this post.  Or Visit the Kindermusik Channel at YouTube with a variety of short clips from our program with Miss Kathy (and other educators in the US, too).

Join us for the Kindermusik experience!

www.KathysMusic.com

(412) 344-0535

It's Not a Hula Hoop, It's a Puddle!

Below we've posted a portion of an article written by Aaron Carasco, a Kindermusik educator with Studio3Music in Washington State:

In Kindermusik, it’s rare to ever call hoops by their actual name; usually they’re mountains, meadows, or even puddles. In fact, last week my toddlers we’re ecstatic to “hop-a-doodle” around their “meadows.” With my early elementary kids, they loved playing the rhyming “Dr. Foster” game with their “puddles.” Even my preschoolers were looking forward every week to taking the “tricky trails” with their imaginary friends in our story “Josh and Katie.”

At the end of the week, I realized that a bunch of plastic 2 dimensional circles managed to not only thoroughly entertain all the children, but more importantly helped them learnimportant skills like how to jump on one foot, how to communicate with each other to go through “the tunnel”, and even how to work on their special awareness. All these important learning concepts were addressed by using something that costs around $5. 

We see children assign multiple identities to an object all the time. One day, a scarf is a butterfly wing, but the next, it’s a leaf. When children can use an object in their play in many different ways, they will pick it up again and again. Children can play with legos for years because it can be so many different things! When children are autonomous and own their learning, they not only enjoy learning more, they retain it better. This comes from choosing how to learn a certain concept. In fact, manipulatives in Kindermusik such as hoops, scarves, and streamers all have one thing in common: they are open-ended. The more open-ended an object is, the more roles it can have in play.

-posted by Teacher Aaron, who still has his first set of legos!  

For the full article, please click HERE.

To see first hand how we use objects and instruments in Kindermusik class from babies to elementary aged children, contact us today to schedule a free preview class or give us a call (412) 344-0535.

We're so much more than just music!

Spring Priority Enrollment for Kindermusik Classes in Pittsburgh

To our current families -

We are delighted to invite you to re-enroll for our Spring Classes NOW! 

New families may enroll starting on December 1st.

Our ONLINE enrollment for Spring classes will also be available on December 1st.

For all the details on our Spring Schedule, Class Description, Enrollment Process, click here:

http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs005/1101966356524/archive/1102827077637.html

We are offering Winter classes at the JCC in Pittsburgh starting in January.  See their website at http://www.jccpgh.org or contact us for more details.

To learn more about the Kindermusik experience, we invite you to preview a class!

Contact us today to learn more.

www.KathysMusic.com

(412) 344-0535 

Kathy's Music Fall Semester Dates

As we approach the holiday season, we thought it might be helpful to have a reminder about our calendar dates for classes.

Kathy’s Music Fall Calendar:
September 14th-19th – First week of Fall classes
October 6th – Family Time Class Begins in Mt. Lebo and McMurray
November 2nd-3rd – No classes / Fall Break

November 4th - 10th - New Village Unit for babies begins, "Do Si Do"

November 9th - Mini Session for ages 3-5 begins, "Rhythms of the Land"
November 16th – Priority Re-Enrollment for Current Families Begins
November 25th-29th – Thanksgiving Break

December 1st - Spring Enrollment opens to new families
December 20th-January 2nd – Winter Break
January 4th – Classes resume in Mt. Lebanon and McMurray

January 4th & 7th - New Winter Session at the JCC for Families, 8 weeks
January 11th -16th– Last week of Fall Classes

January 11th at 9:30 AM in Squirrel Hill - Preview Class for Baby Class

January 18th - New Baby class begin at the Squirrel Hill JCC, 6 weeks
January 25th - Spring semester classes begins in Mt. Lebanon and McMurray

February 22nd & 25th - Winter Session ends at the JCC

March 1st - Spring Session begins at the JCC

We're looking forward to seeing you at your next class!

Kindermusik Fall Mini-Sessions at Kathy's Music, LLC

Announcing Mini-Sessions that fit your schedule and your budget. 

Now offering a 4 week class for preschoolers ages 3-5 called "Rhythms of the Land" starting next Monday, November 10th at 10:30 AM in Mt. Lebanon.   The cost is only $62 and includes home materials.  Register online today!

Plus, we are offering an 8 week class for babies, Kindermusik Village "Do-Si-Do" at a special price of $108 for 8 classes and home materials.

We just announced our Winter classes offerred at the JCC (Jewish Community Center) in Squirrel Hill starting in January.  There will be an 8 week class for families and a 6 week class for babies.  

To learn more about all of our mini-sessions, please click here for full descriptions, schedules, and pricing:

http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs005/1101966356524/archive/1102793172903.html

Come be a part of the Kindermusik experience!

(412) 344-0535

www.KathysMusic.com

Kathy's Music Fall Break

Dear Parents,

Kindermusik with Kathy's Music is on Fall Break during Monday, November 2nd, and Tuesday, November 3rd.  Classes resume on Wednesday, November 4th.

However, our Group Piano Class WILL meet on Monday at 4:30 as scheduled.

If you are looking for something "Kindermusik" to do - check out our "Kindermusik" channel on YouTube at http://www.YouTube.com/KindermusikRocks

To learn more about what's happening in the world of music for children:  Visit the Kindermusik International Blog at http://www.kindermusik.com/MindsOnMusic

Don't forget to vote on Tuesday and we'll see you soon!

Sincerely,

Kathy

Kindermusik promotes Problem Solving using Dramatic Play

This week, Kindermusik with Kathy's Music, LLC, focused on problem solving in our Imagine That! classes for ages 3-5 years in a variety of ways, including Dramatic Play.

We created a dramatic play “Can You Find Me.”  Each child selected a “role” (skunk, bird, bee, squirrel, tree-with lots of stick branches and scarf leaves, little boy, little girl).   Why dramatic play?  The inclusion of drama in a story activity serves as a means for “…prompting the memory of actions and words, learning story sequences, and reinforcing print meaning and function.  Dramatization also develops cooperative social skills, problem solving skills, and the ability to coordinate with peers.” – Read, Play and Learn!: Storybook Activities for Young Children, by Toni W. Linder, Ed.D., p. 24.

Creativity is the foundation for problem-solving skills. From a very early age, fostering a child's creativity will help him learn to find solutions to difficulties that arise.  Marcia J, http://www.helium.com/items/819091-helping-your-preschooler-develop-problem-solving-skills                              

Special thanks to my colleague, Betsy Flanagan, for the research & links!

Just another example of how Kindermusik helps your child develop skills for life while creating a life-long love of music.

Contact us to learn more at www.KathysMusic.com or (412) 344-0535

Today is a Kindermusik Day!

Dear Families,

Yes!  Today is a Kindermusik day in Mt. Lebanon.  Even though the Mt. Lebanon schools are closed today, we are still having classes.  Our Fall break will be on Monday and Tuesday, November 2nd and 3rd.  To all of my Friday families, I will see you soon!

Can't wait to see what costumes you will wear to class today!  Don't forget to bring your cameras.

Sincerely,

Miss Kathy

Kindermusik with Kathy's Music Promotes Success in Math

Researchers have found that there is a definite connection between music, patterns, and mathematics.  

Kindermusik classes make rich use of music and movement to explore patterns and help your child reach developmental milestones.  We guide the group in listening for changes in a musical patterns.  In instrument play alongs, your child creates or imitates a pattern of sound.  In storytelling, your child learns the sequence of events. And in movement games, we practice imitating a pattern of movement.  All of these activities help prepare your child for success in math.

When your child promotes to Kindermusik for the Young child (ages 5-7), we will explore patterns as we transition from aural learning to the written symbols of music.  We will explore patterns in rhythms and patterns in the melody on the musical staff.  We will discover the sequences  of the melody in simple songs.  We will practice the patterns in music as we create musical ensembles together using a variety of instruments. 

There’s so much more to come in our Kindermusik journey that will help your child be successful in math while learning to be a young musician, just like the children pictured above who are learning to play the Dulcimer in our Young Child Semester 3 program.

Contact us today to learn more!

www.KathysMusic.com / (412) 344-0535

Kindermusik with Kathy's Music - Using Movement to Learn

Each Kindermusik class combines music and movement to provide your child with the most effective early childhood learning experience.

In Village (for babies) we begin by just manipulating limbs and encouraging the simplest of moves.  You, as the parent, are doing the moving with/for your child.  In Our Time (toddlers), we begin to build a repertoire of ideas and encourage our children to explore their body movements for themselves. This week, in the activity “Clapping Land”, we have an example of a simple synchronized/patterned dance that we will expand on in Imagine That (ages 3-5) where ideas, creative movements, and control will be left to the children.  In the Young Child 2-year curriculum (ages 5-7), all of your time and efforts come to fruition not only in movement to much more complex dances, but in instrumental play and high level reasoning.  Your child will play in multi-part ensembles and will learn when to play and which instruments to play all while reading real musical notes and rhythms. WOW!  A Good Beginning truly NEVER ends!
 
“Movement is the key to learning!  Our brains fully develop through movement activities such as crawling, rolling, turning, walking, skipping, reaching, swinging and much more! The brain has a plan for development that involves specific and intensive motor activities to make full use of our complicated nervous system.”    -“Movement and Music:  The Keys to Learning” by Anne Green Gilbert, Kindermusik Notes Nov/Dec 1998
 
NOTE:  Anne Green Gilbert is author of Teaching the Three Rs through Movement and Creative Dance for All Ages.  Click here for Anne’s article highlighting music & movements impact on academics! http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/arts/gilbert.htm
 
Through multi-arts and movement activities, foundational patterns and dispositions needed for success in school and life are set up and reinforced. New experiences are integrated and anchored within the brain, enabling children to unlock mysteries of our symbol system, make sense of their world, and learn to live and work peaceably with others.
 
In schools struggling to close achievement gaps, arts and movement programs can be a key to success. Young children who participate in the arts for at least three hours, three days a week for a year are
 
·  4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement,
·  3 times more likely to be elected to class office within their schools
·  4 times more likely to participate in a math and science fair
·  3 times more likely to win an award for school attendance
·  4 times more likely to win an award for writing an essay or poem
·  2 times more likely to read for pleasure, and
·  4 times more likely to perform community service.
 
Gains in dispositions for learning are critical outcomes of participation in arts and movement programs. (Catterall, 2002)

Contact us today to preview a class and "move to learn" at http://www.KathysMusic.com

Follow Me to Kindermusik with Kathy's Music!

Looking for a baby music class or a music class for children?  Follow me to Kindermusik!

We're offering Kindermusik classes for babies through age 7 in Pittsburgh.  Classes are available now in Mt. Lebanon, McMurray, and in Squirrel Hill.

Join us for a free preview class.  We take registrations through out the fall semester.  Enroll online in minutes.

Be a part of the Kindermusik experience!

http://www.KathysMusic.com

(412) 344-0535

Can you hear Kindermusik in Pittsburgh?

Have you seen our ad on Pandora, an internet radio, that you can listen to through your iPhone? Look what we found this weekend when we were listening to The David Crowder Band. That's right - an ad for www.KathysMusic.com for Kindermusik classes in Pittsburgh. How cool is that!

We love The David Crowder Band and you'll love Kindermusik for your child.

Enroll online in Minutes.

Join us for a preview class.  There's no cost or obligation, just come and enjoy the Kindermusik experience.

www.KathysMusic.com

(412) 344-0535

New Kindermusik Classes in Pittsburgh!

Due to the demand for Friday classes, Kindermusik with Kathy's Music has added 2 new offerings to our schedule:

Fridays 9:20 AM, Our Time Wiggles & Giggles, Ages 1.5 to 3 years, Mt. Lebanon with Miss Kathy

Fridays 10:15 AM, Family Time, Ages 0-5 years, McMurray with Miss Carrie.

We still have spaces for fall classes, some of which start as early as next week, September 14th.

Join us for the Kindermusik Experience this fall.

Enroll online in Minutes!

www.KathysMusic.com

(412) 344-0535

Why choose music for your child in Pittsburgh?

Why music?  Why choose music for your child? Research has proven the benefits of musical learning are far reaching in terms of reading, mathematics, and socialization.

Kindermusik International is the parent's choice for musical learning in Pittsburgh and around the world.  We are committed to bring you the best Kindermusik experience for you and your child week after week, year after year, along with valuable home materials, and parent education.

To learn more about the research, click here.

To learn more about what others have to say, read the quotes at right as they scroll by.  We will update these quotes from time to time in order to share as much wisdom and perspective as possible.

Contact Kathy at Kindermusik with Kathy's Music today serving Pittsburgh in Mt. Lebanon, McMurray, and Squirrel Hill.

Free Preview Classes available on September 3, 9, 10, and 12th.  Reserve your space today.

(412) 344-0535

www.KathysMusic.com

Looking for the best children's music class in Pittsburgh?

You're not alone.  Here's a video that you, as a parent, can relate to.  

Come be a part of the Kindermusik experience.

Give Kindermusik a try through our free preview classes.  

See www.KathysMusic.com for more details.

Making Music Together with Kindermusik & Kathy's Music

Making music together is what music is all about!  When children learn to contribute their part to a beautiful whole as part of their Kindermusik class experiences, they have benefitted from one of the most important advantages of group instruction.  Music becomes even more exciting when children begin to develop a growing awareness of their selves within the context of the group.

Our Kindermusik classes offer children the opportunity for ensemble experiences that are age-appropriate, fun, and engaging.  Ensemble experiences help to build social skills and foster a sense of community in the classroom.  We know that children learn best when they feel both emotionally and socially secure.  Through our research-approved, award winning curricula, your child will have the opportunity to learn new skills, build self-confidence, become part of a cohesive group, and develop a life-long love of music.

To learn more about Kindermusik with Kathy's Music in the Pittsburgh area, contact us today by phone (412) 344-0535 or through our website at http://www.KathysMusic.com.

Now taking registrations for fall.  Payment Plans available.

Make today the day you invest in your child through music.

Kathy's Music - Committed to the Health of Your Child

Kathy's Music, LLC has joined in Kindermusik International’s Healthy & Happy initiative which is created to help protect you and your children from the spread of viruses like the H1N1 flu (also known as the “Swine Flu”).

By collecting facts, checklists, and prevention tips from the Centers for Disease Control, Kindermusik is making sure I am more prepared than ever to provide an environment much less likely to allow viruses to spread.

·      I am disinfecting toys and instruments at CDC standards to prevent transmission.

·      I have added hand sanitizer distribution to each child at the start and end of each class (under parent supervision with younger children).

·      I receive updated information on virus prevention and trends from the CDC.

Your child’s health and happiness is important to us. Why? Our #1 core value is doing what's best for the Parent and the Child.  

To learn more about Kathy's Music and our offering for Fall 2009, click here.

Jazzy Kitchen Camp: Flip-Flop Cake & Campfire!

We added more to our Restaurant books.

"We Are Fine Musicians" - a game that incorporates active listening, instrument identication, sound matching, inhibitory control, and steady beat.

Two Sisters: So proud of those flip-flop cakes!

Pretty cute!

Look Mom!  I'm doing it myself!

Total concentration and don't you just love that purple icing!  My favorite color!!

When do I get to take the first bite?

Dancing Spoons...really.

Check out our Kindermusik campfire, complete with flashlights, rhythm sticks, and colored scarves.  Special thanks to my daughter, Lyndsey, for leading us in campfire songs using the Ukulele.  (Yes, we have Ukulele camp, too).

It's a S'mores party!  We baked them in the oven - its' easy and yummy, too.

Check out these boomwhakers.  We used them in an ensemble to play our French Lullabye.

"Pizza, Pickle, Pumpernickel...How many sandblocks can you wiggle?"  

(Just ask your child about this one.)

Kids.  Cooking.  Music Making. Cake decorating.  Campfire (pretend). Ukulele.  Children singing. 

That's what our last day of Jazzy Kitchen Cooking camp was all about.  I'll let the pictures tell the rest of the story.

Looking forward to Cooking & Camps again next summer!

Register now for Kindermusik Classes at KathysMusic.com AND Piano lessons (private, semi-private, and group classes).

Kathy's Music is the music village of Mt. Lebanon & McMurray for the whole family!