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March 1, 2011
In This Issue
Friends Forever CD
My Favorites
Concerts
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Enjoy Cheryl Melody's award winning music anytime you want with her latest CD "Friends Forever"

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 Greetings!


     I can still remember what it felt like to be bullied, and I also remember coming home and teasing my sister so that I could regain the power that I had lost at school.  I don't know the exact reasons why I was bullied.   I was from a poor family of a minority religion, with grandparents that didn't speak English. Maybe the roots of bullying stemmed from all of these reasons, maybe it was none of them.  As a young girl, I was shy, quiet, a "nice girl" and very protective of my parents.  I didn't want them to feel badly or disappoint them in any way.   I tried to do what I was told and to be a good student.  I was a silent sufferer.  I told no adult. Kids who saw and heard all the name calling and physical violence, the by-standers, were also silent.   I can still hear the name calling and labeling.  I dealt with exclusion, intolerance, stereotyping, crude name calling, domination, victimization and a lack of self-belief. 

      

     The irony is that bullying issues have become part of my life's work. Within my career as a performing artist, writer, composer and educator, I create songs, plays and stories that nurture self-esteem and respectful living, encourage children to be a hero in their own lives, and create an awareness of the importance of inclusion, kindness and caring.   In my Peace Begins with You and Me-We're Bully-Free teaching concerts, I also encourage children to tell a trusted adult if a problem is too big to handle. 

      

      However, if there is one primary message to share with you today, it is this:

WE have to be there in the moment, and to be still long enough to notice our child's nonverbal and verbal signals.   No matter how busy and distracted we are, we need to offer children the focus, time and open listening.  We need to be ready to be entrusted to hear and to guide.

      

     And remember to call upon the creative arts!  The arts provide teaching tools.  Use them.   Integrate MEANINGFUL songs, stories, plays, art and dance expression, and help children find the words, the actions and the voice that encourages self-respect, self-esteem, empowerment and love for humanity.   


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Cheryl Melody
[email protected]

Little Girl

 

MY FAVORITE BOOK, CONFERENCE,
INSPIRING PEOPLE AND VIDEOS


VIDEOS:

WORDS HURT-BULLYING COMMERCIAL (quick but powerful "Commercial" on the emotional power of words)

 

YOU TUBE BULLYING CARTOON ON BY-STANDER SILENCE:  



World Image

UPCOMING CONFERENCE:
 
Peter Pan Center and Social Smart Kids-March 5, Lancaster, MA- How to Make & Keep Friends: Partnering With Children for Social Success

 

FEATURED BOOK: 

How to Make and Keep Friends:  Tips for Kids to overcome 50 Common social Challenges by Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea    (Great for kids and parents!  Practical tips on many pertinent social topics-handling anger, sharing, working in a group, making friends at school)

 

INSPIRATIONAL PEOPLE: 

Donna Shea, Founder of the  Peter Pan Center and Nadine Briggs, Founder of Social Smart Kids.  Donna and Nadine have teamed up their expertise and passion by writing a book together (see Featured Book), offering an annual conference (see conference information above) and by offering counseling, workshops and programs for children and for parents.  Thanks, Donna and Nadine, for all you do to make a difference in the world!)

                                                                                                       


 

NEWS from CHERYL MELODY


 children jump

Cheryl Melody teaches and performs at JAM TIME in Maynard, MA! 

JOY-FILLED MUSIC, MOVEMENT AND IMAGINATION CLASSES! 

 Tuesday mornings 

JAM TIME IS A PREMIER PLAY AND ENRICHMENT CENTER

86 Powder Mill Road
 Maynard, MA   

 

Cheryl Melody's  

"Peace Begins with You and Me - We're Bully Free!" 

 

Mary Finn School

Southborough, MA 

Children Holding Hands around the World

House of Education and Peace  

Gardner, MA 


Both concerts are private.  Please email me in advance if you wish to attend.

 


 

Testimonial

"Your song, "One Planet," is our "peace anthem" that we sign at the close of our Peace Circle...our children know every word of every verse...we divide the children into teams who take turns singing the verses...the song and words express "exactly" how I feel about my role in the world.  I feel like we have all been blessed by your creativity."  -- Danice, Portland Oregon Executive Director and Teacher, Portland After-School Tennis & Education, Inc. at St. Johns Racquet Center   

(One Planet is an original song that can be found on the following CDs: Celebrate, Friends Forever and World Peace-The Children's Dream). 


 




Cheryl Melody Concerts  
   
"The Musical Imagination Adventure Concert!" (Babies - Age 6)
Interactive & meaningful songs, creative movement, character building & self-esteem storytelling with multi-cultural puppets and instruments.  Nurtures friendship, manners, sharing, caring and inclusion.  $375 - $450*

"Peace Begins with You & Me" (Pre-school - Grade 2)
Original & Multi-cultural songs & storytelling with character building messages, movement, puppets, instruments and children's personal promises for creating positive changes within themselves and towards each other.  $425 - $525*          

"Peace Begins with You & Me - We're Bully Free!" A Teaching Concert
(Preschool; Grades K-3)
The entire audience becomes a part of the Peace Begins with You & Me singers & storytellers.  Themes include Anti-bullying, Bystander Silence, the power of words and actions, respect, role modeling, being an everyday hero.  Interactive multi-cultural songs and storytelling with unique instruments to raise behavioral awareness, inclusion and friendship.   $500 - $650*

"One World-Different & Same" (Preschool; Grades K-3) 
Through interactive and meaningful songs, multicultural celebration, storytelling, quotations from world renown leaders, multi-cultural puppets and instruments, unusual vibratory instruments, interactive participation, Cheryl Melody integrates a creative approach to raising children's personal, social & global awareness. Positive messages of tolerance, inclusion, friendship and respect ring throughout the concert, emphasizing that no matter how different we all are, everyone's heart beats in the same way.   $450-$600*

Birthdays: Music, Movement and Imagination (Babies through age 5) Sing, dance and imagine with Cheryl Melody, and become the star of every song and story!  $225-$350*   

( *Prices do not include travel.  Discounts available for multiple concerts.  Please contact Manager - Zac Cataldo for more information.)


Cheryl Melody
B.M.Ed., M.A.

Performing Artist, Educator, Composer, Recording Artist, Parent's Choice Winner, Kidlutions Winner, Playwright, Author, Keynote Speaker, Workshop Facilitator

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