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Musical Pathways Foundation Newsletter April 16 - 22
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Dear (Contact First Name)
We had several new families this week that commented on "how nice it was to get their input on class days and times that we offer." A few were even shocked that we were surveying their desires. Now what that says about how our expectations regarding service have lowered over time, I think is evident. We here at the Foundation want to always be surprising you with "over the top" service and the most current research and practical information for helping provide you with a one-stop early childhood full parenting resource!
Thank you for helping helping us to better serve you by completing this short
 Please indicate ALL POSSIBLE CHOICES with an "x" and also your 1st CHOICE WITH A "1", unless you have already provided a survey to your teacher. We will need one survey for each child please. Your teacher will have hard copies at your class if you would prefer to complete your survey while at your next class.
Have a Musical Week!
Betsy
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Prefer To Download a Registration Form?
Click Here
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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
The Rhythm of My Day
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 SOL-MI INTERVAL & OBJECT PERMANENCE SOL-MI INTERVAL Our first two weeks of class have focused on the interval, "sol-mi." Also known as a descending minor third, this interval is the first interval that children around the world can hear and reproduce (Zoltan Kodaly). As you become more aware of sol-mi, you will probably hear it in all of our Kindermusik CD's. This week at home, try pairing some of these singing concepts in your conversations with baby. For example, why not sing "What shall we do with the baby-o" after a bath? "Wrap her up in a towel-o" of course! A well timed, "This is the way we eat our peas..." You may even notice your own stress levels lower when you sing "Lost it, lost it, where is the binky?" while looking everywhere. By making singing a part of your everyday ritual in your household, you are creating both listeners and SINGERS!! I hope you will enjoy your CD and make singing a part of the rhythm of your day!
 OBJECT PERMANENCE
Asking a child to hide an object and then find it helps him/her to discover object permanence. Awareness of object permanence is the realization that even when something (or someone) is hidden and out of sight, it still exists. This will become an increasingly important skill as your baby grows and will need to adjust to the experience of being away from you. Learn the skill now, for easier exit later!
Take advantage of your Home Journal fun this week on how to incorporate OBJECT GAMES into your daily routines. We can't stress the importance of playing these OBJECT PERMANENCE hide and seek games often with your baby. Your play will reap great future benefits!
SUMMER CAMP It's Not Too Late To Enroll - Click Here FALL SURVEY Click Here to Download - Bring to Next Class HOME ACTIVITY SUGGESTIONS 1) Complete your Home Journal Week #2 -"Hide and Seek" 2) Hard-Copy Journal Books are available for $10 if you prefer a hard copy to downloading your PDF journal. 3) Continue to 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 AFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION We highly recommend the book, I Love You Rituals by Becky Bailey. Becky is a leader in the study of early childhood behavior, and this simple primer will bring you a wealth of ideas on ways to utilize LOVE Rituals to shape your child's behavior. MOVEMENT POSITIONS
We engaged in many activities today that allowed you to move and hold your baby in a variety of ways and positions such as lifting Baby into the air, folding legs up to the head, crossing Baby's arm to opposite leg, flying on tummy, swaying upside down, twirling while hugging mommy/daddy/grandma. Experiencing these movements and positions helps to develop Baby's vestibular system, muscle tone and body awareness. Besides that - it's FUN! |
LANGUAGE ACQUISITION FUN!
"The most intensive period of speech and language development for humans is
during the first three years of life, a period when the brain is developing and maturing.
These skills appear to develop best in a world that is rich with sounds, sights, and
consistent exposure to the speech and language of others."
-National Institutes of Health, Publication No. 00-4781, April 2000
There is increasing evidence suggesting that there are "critical periods" for speech and language development in infants and young children. This means that the developing brain is best able to absorb a language, any language, during this period. The ability to learn a language will be more difficult, and perhaps less efficient or effective, if these critical periods are allowed to pass without early exposure to a language.
 ADDITIONAL VALUE FOCUS INFORMATION
You are Your Babies Language Resource
Kindermusik is the perfect place for you to supply a combination of rich sounds, sights and exposure to speech and language. Speech Pathologists recognize Kindermusik's benefits as they now refer children to our program. We have had a few parents ask us lately about what to do about their child's speech delay. We feel every parent should have the information, so we are including the wonderful 2-page document from the National Institute of Health on both the milestones of speech and language and "what to do" if your child is not meeting these milestones (See Home Activities). This document includes interactive checklist links so you can identify if your child is meeting the milestones expected for their specific age. We want to help put you in control of your child's speech and language development!
SUMMER CAMP
Click for Info and to ENROLL ONLINE!
FALL SURVEY
Click Here to Download
HOME ACTIVITY SUGGESTIONS
1) Enjoy "Let's Listen! Let's Listen Some More!" on Page 25 of you Home Activity Book
- Listening for Sounds and Imitating Sounds provides fun language development.
- If you have a data phone, download this FREE Listen & Match Animal App" FUN!
- Remember, your words are the resource for your child's learning, so let the praise and description and labeling flow!
- Signing websites for you to encourage language through visual and motor involvement: ASL PRO, SIGNING SAVVY
2) Click For this interactive Speech and Language article from the Institutes of Health on Milestones of Language
2) 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
3) Continue Listening to your CD's
4) Click here for your copy of Our Time Helpful Guidelines for our newcomers this week
5) 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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SELF-AWARENESS LEADS TO SELF-CONTROL
""The successful minds of the future will be those that have learned
what it feels like to be in charge of themselves.
They will be able to direct their own attention and come up with their own action plans."*
*"How to Have Intelligent and Creative Conversations With Your Kids,"
by Jane M. Healy, Ph.D., p.13
Today we explored "mirror dancing," where you and your child took turns being the leader and follower, imitating each other's movements. This game may be fun, musical, social, require self-control, etc. but this week's focus draws our attention to one more important fact. Mirroring of our grown-ups and grown-ups mirroring both the movements and emotional communication of their children aids in the development of self-awareness, one of 5 essential inner skills and a skill that many psychologists feel is more important to lifelong happiness and success than some outer skills. Read more below and mirror away . . .
SUMMER CAMPS
Click Here for Information and to ENROLL ONLINE
FALL SURVEY
Click Here to Download - Bring to Next Class
DEVELOPMENTAL FOCUS
Self-Awareness for Kids and Grownups
 Is there any parent alive who would not wish for their 3-5 year-old preschooler to be aware when they are getting frustrated so they could come for help verses acting out? How about a child being conscious and aware of what he/she is looking like, sounding like or what behaviors he/she tends to engage in when unhappy or frustrated?
Mirroring is an activity used by parents to teach their children how to become aware or conscious. The concept of mirroring and imitation is at work in much of your child's learning. Our children are highly aware of our actions and they imitate us in movement and speech and other physical activities (that's scary to think about sometimes), but "mirroring" as we used it today in class is an intentional, conscious act by both the grown-up and child. As you will read in your family activity guide, Carla Hannaford's research shows that children gain self-awareness when they participate in movement activities such as the mirror games we played today in class and those you will be playing at home this week.
I'm excited by the home activities this week, because these games played regularly with your child will provide such great learning for your child as relates to the awareness of his/her emotions, movements, and expressions. There's only so much we can do in class, but the warm and bonding time you spend at home with these wonderful developmental activities will reap rewards that last a lifetime, as it is through self-awareness that children learn self-control and the ability to make positive choices regarding their emotional and physical state.
Enjoy this read about Self-Awareness for Kids and Grownups by Rick Hanson, Ph.D. and Jan hanson, L. Ac
HOME ACTIVITY SUGGESTIONS
1) Week #9 Family Activity: "Mirror, mirror...my reflection can move like this...." P.12
- Continue mirror dancing with each other and/or in front of a mirror. Home Cd 2, Track 7 Barcarolle
- Can you find all of the surfaces that reflect your mirror image in your home? How do you look different from one surface to the next?
- Explore "emotion faces" in your mirrors together at home.
- Can you describe your child's "sad, happy or angry" face?
- Can you imitate your child's face while describing what you see (e.g. lip out and turned down, sparkling eyes, etc.)?
- Do you have a full-length mirror for full body fun, or how about a hand-mirror for emotion play?
2) Click for additional Self-Awareness activities for Children & Grownups.
3) Recommended Reading
- Smart Moves: Why Learning Is Not All In Your Head, By Carla Hannaford, Ph.D.
4) If new, Click here for your copy of Imagine That Helpful Guidelines for our newcomers this week.
5) If new, Click Here for a copy of the Parent Class Handout for our newcomers this week.
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DISCOVERING STACCATO AND LEGATO
What a fun mix of old and new we had this week. Every week your children sing "Hello Miss ________(Katherine/Betsy)" individually in front of the class. With each repetition your child's self-confidence, singing voice, pitch, volume improve. The more we repeat this activity, the more comfortable they feel as well. Continue singing all of your Kindermusik songs at home as you play on the glockenspiel or transfer to piano. If your child's voice is not matching the pitch, just provide a fun little tickle or reminder asking "Can you sing in your singing voice vs. your speaking voice?" With repetition in the home and YOUR invitation to sing with you, their best teacher, your child will find their singing voice.
NEW SYNAPSE (neural pathways)
vs.
STRENGTHENING SYNAPSE (myelination)
Reviewing material previously learned accesses different areas of the brain than working with new material. With this in mind, we make it a point to review favorite songs and singing games each and every week (strengthening the synapse) as well as work with novel material to create New neural pathways (new synapse). The reviewing and repetition of musical material causes a substance called "myelin" to wrap around the synapse, strengthening that neural pathway. The process is known as myelination. So sing and play away to our Full Song of "Mouse Mousie" this week.
New this week were the terms staccato and legato, referring to the articulation of detached and sustained qualities of sound. Staccato refers to sounds that are separated and detached. The children found that the word staccato lends itself to this type of sound if you separate it when you say it as follows: stac-ca-to! Legato refers to sounds that are smoothly connected. Try saying legato as smoothly as possible while rubbing your legs. Continue to sing favorite songs together this week using your stac-ca-to and legato articulation, naturally!
SUMMER ONLINE ENROLLMENT
Click for Information and to ENROLL ONLINE!
FALL SURVEY
Download Your Form - Bring to Next Class
HOME ACTIVITY SUGGESTIONS
1) MAH #25 "Playing & Singing Mouse Mousie and Exploring Staccato and Legato Sounds"
- Mouse Mousie: This week it we learn the complete song! Place a sticker at the bottom of AP6B for each time your child plays the song by memory.
- Staccato & Legato on the Glockenspiel: Have fun with the In The Grass story. Record your child's version and bring to class next week!
2) Click Here for Your Fall Survey
- Either complete, save, and email to Miss Andrea or
- Bring to your class next week.
3) Che Che Koolay and Circle Round the Zero
- Enjoy singing and doing the motions together to these fun movement songs.
4) Write a "2 Measure" Composition this week
- 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 4 notes your child now knows. "c", "d", "a", and "f"
- 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 2-Measure 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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AFRICA (WEEK 3)
Today's class was loaded with opportunities to learn and to relate new information to past learning! Did you know that the ti-ti symbol (two eighth notes) can be divided into individual eighth notes? Ask your child to show you how!
We are also working on solidifying a syncopated rhythmic pattern in our bodies and ears. Syncopation is a rhythm in which a beat not normally emphasized receives emphasis. By speaking the word "syn-CO-pa-TA-ta" and stretching out the syllables "CO" and the first "TA," it is possible to feel a syncopated rhythm. A common JAZZ rhythm,this is often a complicated rhythm for college students, but your child will know/feel/see/write this rhythm just as are the first year college students.
And today the children also learned a new note on their recorders, the note g'. Music at Home 55 offers ideas for practicing this new note! Toot away!!!
It's been fun to hear the children playing their scales and tunes on the piano after class! They will be so well-prepared and excited to transition into Private instruction in either Piano or Violin. If you and your child have not yet begun transferring your child's songs from glockenspiel to piano, now is the time to begin that fun transition. You will be amazed at how your children will be able teach themselves the piano.
SUMMER ONLINE ENROLLMENT
ELITE ARTISTRY
HOME ACTIVITY SUGGESTIONS
1) Music At Home Card 55:
- Glockenspiel: Activity Page 13b - Sing, Play and Name this tune
- Rhythm Play: Syncopation - Syn-CO-pa-TA-ta
Recorder: The new note "g" - Activity Page 13a - Can you play this song?
2) Continue to write compositions: 2-Measure Melody (4 beats per measure).
3) Family Music-Making: 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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Continue 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.
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
RESERVE YOUR SUMMER
TIME NOW!
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 25 - 29
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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