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Musical Pathways Foundation Newsletter April 2 - 8
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Dear (Contact First Name)
Prefer To Download a Registration Form?
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EARN $15
TUITION
EACH -
NO LIMIT!
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PERFECT TIME TO REFER A FRIEND!
Kindermusik and Elite Artistry are for Every Child!
Earn Referral Credits as a thank you from the Foundation! Our Foundation exists due to the referral of your friends, neighbors, acquaintances, coworkers and family! Invite a friend to try a FREE CLASS with you sometime, or they can call us directly to schedule a visit that meets their scheduling needs.
When they join - you earn $'s toward your tuition!
| | All Referral $'s will be applied to tuition balances |
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VILLAGE
Hickory Dickory, Tickle & Bounce
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 AGELESS PRINCIPLE OF REPETITION! ". . .There is not a single person on this earth who learned to speak a language, learned to swim, skate, play golf, or drive a car, without repetition. Repetition is important in the "wiring" of a person's brain, i.e. the forming of connections or synapses between the brain cells. Without repetition, key synapses don't form. And if such connections, once formed, are used too seldom to be strengthened and reinforced, the brain, figuring they're dead weight, eventually "prunes" them away. . . ." "Learning Principles: More Important Than Learning Styles",A 2 Z of Brain Mind and Learning  It may seem like eight weeks have gone by quickly, but the changes we've seen in the growth and development of the babies is amazing. If you look back to the first notes you took in your home journal, you may be surprised yourself to see what a different little person he/she's become.
Your experience with Hickory, Dickory, Tickle and Bounce doesn't have to stop now! It will continue to enhance your time at home as you listen to your CD and read your book together. Continue to take notes in the home journal as your baby grows and explores her world. Use an earlier week's activity and see how your child has grown! We had a mommy email whose daughter just moved up to Our Time and who had been in Kindermusik since her daughter was a few months old. She was AMAZED at how her little girl was starting to sing. Not only that - but she was singing VILLAGE songs from when she was an infant. The mom said that she now understood what we meant by "you'll see the evidence of your work in the future." Repetition was working with "receptive" learning vs. "expressive" learning. Her little girl was learning the words and the music without being able to show mom until now. We see this all the time and have the experience with the children to KNOW that growth & development is occurring even if not yet visual on the outside. We do get so excited for you when the fruits of your "play" begin to show visibly as your children grow. Exciting stuff!
As your child grows and as you continue growing with Kindermusik, you'll learn more about presenting new challenges at exactly the right time - when your baby is ready. Each semester brings greater benefit! SUMMER PRIORITY ENROLLMENT BEGINS TODAY CLICK FOR INFO AND TO ENROLL ONLINE! HOME ACTIVITY SUGGESTIONS 1) Home Journal Week #8 -"Pat-a-Cake, Pat-a-Cake, One More Time" - Enjoy reviewing all of your favorite activities from our Hickory Dickory unit
- Repetition of PLAY is baby's practice.
- An 11-month old joyfully rolled a ball 180 times before losing interest!
- Here are a couple of websites to help you in your ASL:Sign Language discovery. Signing Savvy and ASL Pro
7) Listen - listen - listen to your NEW CD Your child will be comforted upon entering the busy classroom if they are familiar with the "sounds of Kindermusik." THIS WEEK'S ADDITIONAL LEARNING POINTS FOR PARENTS LIVE LANGUAGE: Live Language has greater value for Baby than language heard through other media. "It's important to know that language coming from a television, even from so-called educational programs, has no value for an infant. Those sounds are meaningless because the flickering shape on the screen is abstract and the speech is too fast. Most parents and caregivers automatically gear their speech to the child, speaking slowly and clearly, with the child's full attention." -Simple Steps, by Karen Miller, pg. 38 |
FINE MOTOR FUN!
Run, Hop, Twirl, Spin. These are the typical movements of your Our Time child, and we support that gross-motor learning in every Kindermusik class. However, your child now has the ability to begin developing fine-motor skills if you will lead them, and he/she needs you to help engage and teach them these new skills. 2 and 3 year-olds will generally not engage in fine-motor play without your lead, but delight in the accomplishment with repetition of playful activities. So this week we have included all fine-motor play suggestions in the Home Activity section. ENJOY!
ADDITIONAL VALUE FOCUS INFORMATION
Finger Play
At home this week, engage your child in their "fine motor skills." Itsy Bitsy Mouseykins is a wonderful activity to engage you child's pointer and middle finger. Children love to climb their "mouseykins" all over mom and dad. Perhaps you can crawl your mouseykins all over your child to begin the play? It's fun to label where mouseykins is crawling: Mommy's leg, knee, arm, back, head, etc...... Enjoy your new book this week, This Little Piggy. Tracing the Bee flight pattern on every page is fabulous fine-motor and eye-hand coordination play. How about signing your rocking time song , Hush Little Baby with your little one. Below are a list of signs your teacher showed you in class while singing and the websites you can look up those signs.
During the first year or so of life, gross-motor activities dominate the child's repertoire of movement, with the major objective being the mastery of walking. Remember the finger and toe plays in Village? These fun activities were helping your child's self-awareness of these future fine-motor tools. After learning to walk, your child can focus on activities that encourage the development of small muscles through activities such as finger plays, American Sign Language(ASL), instrument play, and turning the pages of a book. You will notice that a plethora of gross-motor activity still dominates your child's life, but you can be instrumental in leading them in fun fine-motor development. They will typically not engage in fine-motor activities without your lead. Remember our other tip from class? Adding fine-motor play helps to extend an activity, increase attention span, increases eye-hand coordinateion and the repetition which leads to retained learning. Love that! By the time your child is in Imagine That!, the muscles of the hand are starting to do what the brain tells them to do, but they still have a way to go to become fully developed. By Young Child, most children are identifiably right-handed or left-handed. They can hold a pencil - or glockenspiel mallet! - correctly. By having encouraged their fine motor skills, bilateral (two-handed) play and eye-hand coordination over the next 3 years, your child will be more successful playing the glockenspiel, dulcimer, fingering the recorder, and upon graduation playing the piano or violin!
SUMMER PRIORITY ENROLLMENT BEGINS TODAY! Click for Info and to ENROLL ONLINE!
HOME ACTIVITY SUGGESTIONS
1) FINGERPLAY FUN
Play with fingerplays at home, while riding in the car, while waiting in grocery line, or while simply spending precious quiet time together. Here are some favorite Fiddle-dee-dee finger plays to get you started with your fine-motor fun. If you can't remember the words, wiggle along with your Home CD or look in your Home Activity Guide.
- This Little Piggy new book - follow the path of the Bee - ASL: Bee
- Hush Little Baby rocking time song - ASL: Hush, Baby, Mama, Bird, Sing, Diamond Ring, Look, Glass, Broken, Goat, Pull, Cart, Bull, turn over, Dog, Bark, Horse, Fall down, Sweet, Baby
- Itsy Bitsy Mouseykins finger play - enjoy crawling everywhere!
- Here are the Sign Language Links: ASLPRO , Signing Savvy
2) "MAKE A SONGBOOK" Page 6 Home Activity Guide
- Not to worry - your Home Activity Book gives step by step instructions on how to engage your little one in this activity.
3) "A Quiet/Loud Hoedown"
- Find items in your home to play along to Sourwood Mountain track on your Home CD.
- Pots, Pans, Spoons, wax paper, etc. make great Loud & Quiet instruments.
4) Continue P.A.C.E. at home (Positive, Active, Clear, Energetic) and Enjoy the Left-Right Brain Rap!
Positive = Hook-ups/Stationary cross-lateral
Active = Cross Crawl/Moving cross-lateral/cross mid-lines
Clarity = Brain Buttons/Tarzan
Energetic = Hydrate
5) Continue Listening to your CD's
6) Click here for your copy of Our Time Helpful Guidelines for our newcomers this week
7) Click here for a copy of the Parent Class Handout for our newcomers this week
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IMAGINE THAT
Cities! Busy Places - Friendly Faces!
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VISUAL ARTS IN EDUCATION
"Today more than ever the arts are needed by our young people as a forum for 
safe expression, communication, exploration, imagination,
and cultural and historical understanding . . . .
Brain research confirms that Arts education strengthens
student problem-solving and critical thinking skills,
adding to overall academic achievement, school success,
and preparation for the work world. "
-"The Importance of the Visual Arts in Education" (compiled by M. LoParco)
We are always amazed at the sculptures that children create. Each one is unique and creative, and as regards this week's Developmental Focus, the children loved telling the class all about them! During Family Sharing Time a new theme was introduced: taking pictures. We also distributed your brand new literature book, Razupazu Toto, about a photographer who travels the world. I know that you will enjoy your new literature book about our new friend Razupazu - a snappy, zippy photographer. As you read the book together at home, you will find that it opens many avenues of conversation! Read below to see how all Visual Arts have an impact your child's literacy skills.
SUMMER PRIORITY ENROLLMENT BEGINS TODAY! Click Here for Information and to ENROLL ONLINE DEVELOPMENTAL FOCUS VISUAL ARTS IMPACT ON LITERACY and more resource for you!  The literature book Razupazu Toto is an excellent example of how photos can be used to remember and tell about friends. Photographs and stories about the past can help three- and four-year-olds develop their own sense of identity over time. Concrete documentation, such as photographs, allow children to reconstruct stories and express memories. Additionally they encourage your child to develop early literacy by:
- Encouraging him/her to interpret symbolic representation.
- Prompting the verbal expression of memories.
- Supporting organized conversation between child and adult.
- Encouraging the development of narrative skills and sequencing through telling stories of past events.
In Imagine That just about everything we do fosters literacy development, and this week we highlight the impact of Visual Arts on your child's literacy development. Remember our "Double Doodles" Brain Gym activity from the Parent Class? See above and also Week 7 - Page 10 of your Family Activity Guide for details on this weeks Foundation of learning focus (FOL). Music uses a complex and theoretical system for notation and the "reading" of music scores, while the appreciation of music requires an individual and inner understanding of the aesthetic qualities of sound. The human brain is, amazingly, able to process all of this at one time given early exposure to quality musical literacy experiences, and in Young Child you will see the fruits of your efforts come to life musically as your child begins to read and write music with great joy that will last a lifetime. "What makes a quality book for a 3 ½ -5 year old?"* *Zeece, P.D. (1997). Books, Bias, and Best Practice. Early Education Journal, 24(3), p. 173-177. - High Literacy and Artistic Standards (Plot, Characters, Setting, Theme)
- Multifaceted and well-rounded Characters (consistently and credibly enmeshed within a story - Tomlinson & Lynch-Brown, 1991.
- Plot that is appropriate and makes sense to a young child.
- Setting reinforces an underlying theme of the story.w
- Themes Universally Human, worthy, and appealing.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: LEARNING IN A VISUAL AGE: The Critical Importance of Visual Arts Education NAEA (National Arts Education Association) Grab a cup of Java, and click to read this beautiful document that is easy to read and filled with information that every parent would love to know! WANT A LIST OF GREAT BOOKS? Click Here for a list of recommended prechool reading from King County Library System. HOME ACTIVITY SUGGESTIONS 1) Week #6 Family Activity: "I am a photographer. . .1, 2, 3, Click!" I'll show and tell you my story. p.7 - This week at home you are invited to create "Photo Book Memories"
- What better way to preserve memories and encourage verbal expression than through photographs!
- There are so many facets to this week's activity, that I would like you just to focus on them: gathering pictures, finding or creating an album, creating a story to go with the pictures, putting it all together.
- I'd love for your to share your books at Gathering Time next week.
- Reminder: We'd love for you to share our books at Gathering Time next week!
2) Enjoy your new literature book, Razupazu Toto! 3) Click the Links above under ADDITIONAL RESOURCES for great reads! 3) If new, Click here for your copy of Imagine That Helpful Guidelines for our newcomers this week. 4) If new, Click Here for a copy of the Parent Class Handout for our newcomers this week.
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BEETHOVEN and the NEW NOTE "f"
Today we listened to excerpts from Beethoven's Symphony no. 6 in which the composer portrayed a storm with sound. After listening just once, I asked the children to describe how Beethoven made the music sound like a storm, and asked them to identify the instruments used. Learning to listen to music and to understand how that music makes us feel is part of developing aesthetic awareness. Learning to search for that which is beautiful and discussing beautiful sounds are the beginnings of an aesthetic awareness that lasts for a lifetime, and not to mention that it is critically important in playing an instrument musically.
Here are two links to arrangements of Beethoven's "Ode To Joy" which he wrote when he was both DEAF AND ILL. The first one teaches YOU to play it on piano. FUN! Piano Tutorial - Choose one finger to follow or maybe parents you can try both hands! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wd9tQMVeA0ASusan Ward Performing on the Piano http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cY8h6FnjeuY Our class was Action-Packed this week. - We were introduced to Beethoven and his family and music, and
- We learned about our new note "f":
-We learned where f' lives on the staff. -Singing a new song entitled "Ten in the Bed" -Substituting in Body Tapping (c-a-f) at the words "Roll Over!", -Playing c"-a'-f' on the glockenspiel while singing song on note names, and -Reading new melody cards utilizing note names c"-d"-a'-f' -Placing a new "BLUE DOT" on your child's glockenspiel. FUN! You've probably noticed that the speed with which items are introduced is increasing. You are correct. Because of the care you have taken to lay the groundwork so firmly, your child now possesses the ability to assimilate information that much more quickly. Yes - you are creating "retained brain development" and this will transfer over to your little ones academic world as well and remain as a lifelong gift your giving your child. Keep up the good work and remember - "Daily short play, verses weekly long play, is the key to fun and learning at this age." SUMMER PRIORITY ENROLLMENT BEGINS TODAY
Click for Information and to ENROLL ONLINE!
HOME ACTIVITY SUGGESTIONS
1) Music At Home Card #23 - 2 CARDS THIS WEEK: "Ten In The Bed, Meet The Strings, and more . . .":
- Enjoy writing the Ten in the Bed pattern, c" a' f', TAKING TURNS with your child - Note by Note
- Reminder: c = Head, a = Shoulders, d = Clap your Partner's hands (higher than their head as "d" is higher than "c," f = Tummy
- If you didn't get a chance last week, create a composition on the glockenspiel to the poem, My Kitty, listed on your Week 22 MAH card
2) Write "4-beat" Compositions this week
- If your child is writing "1 measure = 4 beats", he/she can use as many as "8" notes if they were all assigned the "ti-ti" rhythm. FUN! Review: tah = 1 beat, sh = 1 beat ti-ti = 1 Beat
- Encourage the use of the 3 notes your child now knows. "c", "d", and "a"
- Encourage use of Dynamic Markings:"p" - piano (quiet)"f" - forte (loud)"<" - crescendo (gradually louder)">" - decrescendo (gradually quieter)
- Now that we know about emotion, perhaps your child can indicate:
- Happy: Fast, Bouncy or
- Sad: Slow, Smooth
- REMINDER: Bring Your 4-Note Melody to Hang on Wall for Next Class
Just a little reminder that arrival @ 10 minutes before class if possible is your best bet. Plenty of time for a potty stop prior to class, and for the children to get their wiggles out! Class entry time @2 minutes prior as a group is an important piece of your child's classroom success. The extra "5 minutes" allows plenty of time for warm-up and transitioning for your child. We understand that circumstances do not always allow you to arrive 10 minutes before class, but we appreciate your efforts in general.
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Music of Europe Week #4 and Africa Week #1
Today we began to switch our focus to the music of the African continent, discussing the importance of music and dancing in many African cultures. The children learned that percussion instruments are of particular importance in the rich African music heritage. Next week we will look at pictures of, listen to and play instruments such as the sansa, axatse (pronounced "ah-hot-say"), and bata. Watch this Zulu Music Video from South Africa or this amazing video of the African Elephants with your child , or watch the BOBO tribe dancing and drumming .
I always enjoy watching the children's faces light up as I begin singing a favorite Ghanaian song from last year, Che Che Koolay. Use of music from varied world traditions opens ears to a world of sounds we might not otherwise hear. At the same time, the familiarity of this particular song provides the children with a sense of well-being, comfort, and confidence! Comfort one minute allows for "new interests" to be explored the next.
Ah Bach! We enjoyed exploring our new composer again this week. Watch this INCREDIBLE ENGINEERING feat and beautiful video of Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring. DO NOT MISS THIS FUN!!!!
SUMMER PRIORITY ENROLLMENT BEGINS TODAY!
HOME ACTIVITY SUGGESTIONS
1) MAH Card #53: Introducing the C Major Scale and the Note b' on the Recorder
Now you and your child can play and sing the entire C Major Scale! FUN!
- Elite Artistry premier private instruction for Violin, Piano, Voice and Guitar.
- Glockenspiel = Piano, Dulcimer = Violin/Guitar, Recorder = Wind Instrument (if your child prefers the recorder then you will want to take piano lessons and continue the recorder until your child is old enough to play a wind instrument.)
2) Duet Anyone? - How about a Trio? Invite your child to start arranging the music you are learning for multiple people.
- How about a duet? Parent on Glockenspiel and child on the Recorder. This play may seem like simple fun, but it creates retained learning because it extends the playtime (brain growth)!
- NOTE: Graduation is a FAMILY EVENT. At graduation, families will perform together, and we all perform and entertain. This is great FIESTA fun and really works your child's arranging and group leadership skills, so why not begin now?
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Begin talking with your child about what piece your family can play together. Your child can write an arrangement for your family to play to a song he/she knows from class (feel free to use any of our instruments), or a melody he/she has written.
3) Write 2-Measure Melody (4 beats per measure) Bring it to class to Hang on the Wall
- Draw a Staff with 2 measures
- Create a melody on the glockenspiel.
- Transfer to the Staff and how about to the Piano/Keyboard as well.
4) Reserve the Graduation Fiesta Party Date: June 6th 4:30 - 7:45 pm.
5) Continue to listen to your CD!
6) Color in your Song Book
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ELITE ARTISTRY
Premier Private Music Lessons
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Elite Artistry
Premier Music Instruction
Piano, Voice, Violin, Guitar
Join us for our Summer Sampler Series. You choose how many lessons and when you want those lessons throughout the summer. This is the perfect opportunity to refer a friend and let them sample the Elite experience. How is Elite Artistry different? We incorporate all facets of Music Learning, and allow your child to choose their interests which we then combine with learning on their instrument. Music History, Listening, Theory, Attending Performances, and so much more . . . By following your child's interest from the very first lesson and as their interests evolve, your child will have the tools for remaining motivated to make their instrument a LIFE-LONG LOVE! Oh - and by the way - they will know more about music and have more music skills under their belt than most incoming Freshman in college Music Majors. Exciting!
2012 - 2013 CALENDAR Sept: 10, 17, 24 October: 1, 8,15, Master Class, 29 November: 5, 12, 26 December: Master Class, 10, 17, Recital 9th January: 7, Master Class, 21, 28 February: 4, 11, 18, Master Class March: 4, 11, 18 April: 1, 8, Master Class, 22, 29 May: 6, 13, 20, Master Class June: Recital & Awards Banquet - 2nd
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JANUARY 2013
- January 14th: Fall Semester Ends
FEBRUARY 2013
- February 5th: Semester Begins (Tuesday thru Monday week)
MARCH 2013
- March 18th - 22nd: Closed for Spring Break (Monday thru Friday)
APRIL 2013
- April 9th - 15th: Summer Camp Priority Discount Enrollment
- April16th: Summer Camp Open Enrollment to Public
MAY 2013
- May 6th - 17th: Fall Semester Priority Discount Enrollment
- May 18th: Fall Semester Open Enrollment to Public
- May 27th: Closed in Observance of Memorial Day
- May 28th - 31st: Final Tuesday thru Thursday Classes
JUNE 2013
- June 6th: Graduation 4:30 - 7:45 (Sanctuary & Fellowship Hall)
- June 10th: Final Monday Village, Our Time and Imagine That Classes
- June 11th: Early Summer Camps Begin
- July 16th: Late Summer Camps Begin
SEPT 2013
- September 3rd: Fall Semester Begins (Tuesday thru Monday week)
- September 15th: Parent Orientation 2-3:30 pm in Gathering Place upstairs at First Presbyterian
OCTOBER 2013
- Fall Break: October 7 - 11
NOVEMBER 2013
- Thanksgiving Break: November 18 - 22
DECEMBER 2013
- Spring Semester Priority Enrollment Week #1: December 2nd - 6th
- Spring Semester Priority Enrollment Final Week #2: December 9th - 13th
- Registration Opens to the Public: December 15th
- Christmas/New Years Break: December 23rd - January 3rd
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WEATHER ALERTS
STUDIO CLOSURES
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HOW WILL YOU KNOW WHEN CLASS IS CANCELED DUE TO WEATHER? 
Tune in to the following for announcement or join our VIP TEXT CLUB to receive weather notices:
TEXT: LOVEKIDS
TO: 36000
Radio: WTDY 1670 AM, WMGN 98 FM, WZEE 104 FM
TV: WKOW-27, WISC-3
- If the Waunakee Schools are CLOSED, then Musical Pathways classes will be canceled as well.
- If the Waunakee School district is having LATE START there will be no change to our class schedule.
- If the Waunakee School district calls EARLY RELEASE, then the EVENING classes will be canceled.
- If the Waunakee School District cancels their evening sports activities, then the EVENING classes will be canceled.
As is common practice, cancellations due to weather or other circumstances beyond Musical Pathways' control will not receive a credit. On the other hand, either make-up classes will be offered or credits will be applied for cancellations due to teacher illness or absence. If you would like to visit an alternate class as a make-up, please call 849-9712 or email Miss Andrea to schedule. How we will communicate: Should classes be canceled, we will send an announcement via Constant Contact email and a TEXT to our LOVEKIDS club. Want to join our TEXT CLUB, then just text LOVEKIDS and you are in. The radio and television stations are constantly updating their cancellations as well, so be sure to look for Waunakee Schools postings. Evening activity cancellations are not always listed on TV, so please do consult your email for a notice of cancellation of our evening classes. We will also consult State and County Travel Advisory's to make our decision about Evening Class Cancellations.
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MUSICAL PATHWAYS FOUNDATION
DIRECTORY
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Musical Pathways Foundation
DIRECTORY
We are a Charitable Foundation that exists to aid families through the education of parents, children and grandparents. Our desire is to educate the early child 0-7, youth 8-18, parents and grandparents in whole child development, childhood behavioral management, and senior quality of life attainment. We rely on the financial support of both individual benefactors and corporate contributions. If you are able to help us in our mission, please click here and we will contact you, or click here to go to our website to make a donation . If you would like to contact one of our team via email, just click their name below. Betsy Flanagan, Director 608-576-6688 Miss Andrea, Administrative Asst 608-849-9712 Miss Amy, Kindermusik Educator 608-345-6030 Miss Jen, Kindermusik Educator 608-332-2924 Miss Katherine Rush, Kindermusik Educator & Violin Instructor 608-669-2256 Miss Renee, Kindermusik and ABC Educator 608-219-9480 Marta Hansen, Piano & Voice Instructor 608-616-2563 Heath Rush, Voice Instructor 608-669-2256 Ed Ford, Piano, Voice & Guitar Instructor 517-643-1935 |
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