Based on Maslow's Hierarchy of HUMAN (all humans at all stages of development) Needs

I am reading about this lately and though I would share it with you!

1. Survival
2. Safety
3. Touching, skin contact
4. Attention
5. Mirroring and Echoing
6. Guidance
7. Listening
8. Being Real
9. Participating
10. Acceptance (of the REAL YOU)
11. Opportunity to grieve losses and to grow
12. Support
13. Loyalty and Trust
14. Accomplishment
15. Altering one's state of consciousness, transcending the ordinary
16. Sexuality
17. Enjoyment or Fun!!!
18. Freedom
19. Nurturing
20. Unconditional Love (including spirituality)

Food for thought...

4 to 12 hugs a day

Tonight I was reminded of a very important reality for children AND adults: HUGS! I got quite a few hugs at my Our Time class this evening and I loved every minute of it!! Most of them were from a little girl of 2 years and 4 months. She ran in and gave me some, gave me some during listening time, and then again another time in class. Virginia Satir has suggested that we need from 4 to 12 hugs a day as a part of our health maintenance. Four hugs are for survival and twelve are for optimal health! Well, I am trying to be more health conscious so when my husband gets home I'll let him know that I need about 9 more!!

Children and Adults are Special

I was really afraid to start my own business. As this community welcomed me with open arms, I began to feel more comfortable. Now, I get candy at the bank! That just happened to me yesterday and it was wonderful. The teller gave me a big smile and said "That's for you!!" I smiled and drove away feeling so accepted. Now I realize why these places do special things for children. It is important that they feel accepted and special every day! Let's help children every day to feel confident in whatever we do. A smile, a loving word, or whatever way you can fit into your day. As a community, let's make sure that all children feel special!!! And adults too!!!

Doggie Demands

We are pondering getting a dog. We've been thinking about it for a while. It would force us to walk, give us some additional joy etc... Today a family member said "It is a big responsibility. If you want to go out of town, someone needs to watch it. It has needs and demands that you must fulfill. It is a commitment." I, without thinking blurted out "Isn't that the point?" Well, I have been pondering why I said that. Well, you parents would know better than me: aren't the biggest joys in life those that have "strings attached". Don't we all long for responsibility and commitment? Isn't part of the joy of parenthood the very fact that it makes you grow as a person? Isn't there something that we instinctively long for when fulfilling the needs of a dependent person like a child (or in this case, an animal)? Don't children long for this as well when taking care of a pet or a younger sibling? A three and a half year old boy in my Family Time class was so excited and proud to show me how he was nurturing his "baby" (a stuffed animal) because he had swaddled it in a scarf during learned relaxation time. This is how this little one relaxed...by pretending to care for another person. Commitment...where along the line did this become something undesirable? As a parent, isn't your commitment to your family directly related to the joy you experience as a parent, husband, or wife? So, I say "yes" to more commitment because I think it means more joy...So, if anyone knows where we can get a cockapoo locally, I'd appreciate a lead (all white would be nice)! Have a blessed day!!

Family Time is Jammin' Time

We kicked off Kindermusik's newest program this morning: Family Time! Me and 10 of my little friends were jammin' with all kinds of instruments. 10 am comes early but we were kickin' it!! I was very impressed with the storytime! This lovely little group participated so enthusiastically in story time! Could it have been the subject? Bouncing On The Bed? Remember those days where your bed might as well have been a trampoline? Such simple things we discovered to brighten our days...let's remember and try to go there once again.

It's not all fun and games!!

"What?" you may be thinking! That's right...and tonight my class was a perfect example. Of course we all had fun. Of course we all played muscial games. But something else very important was also at hand: school readiness. Once in a great while, class is chaotic. That's right, they don't want to share..they want it right now...they shriek...loudly...parents discipline...Miss Tandy smiles because she knows something very important. These 1.5 to 3 year olds learn school readiness and proper socialization in Kindermusik while having a musically grand time!! It's all in how you look at it. Was this class chaotic or a wonderful environment for learning very important developmental skills? Hey, don't get me wrong, this is not the usual, but every so often, it happens...and it is truly joyous!! It's all in how you look at it!!!!!!!!!!

Boomin' Babies!!!

In all of my classes, we have a listening activity to help develop this learned skill for music listening, attention span, and overall development. Today in my Village class (these particular little ones range from 3 to 14 months old), we had a listening activity with a Buffalo Drum. I assembled babies and moms around the drum as I began to play it in the perscribed fashion. All of these 6 little ones hushed their voices and began to stare very dramatically at the drum to listen. This lasted well beyond any other listening activity I've done before as they were enraptured by the booming sound alternating rhythmaticly with scratching. As I softly began to sing the song after a few minutes while still playing the drum, they all , with hushed voices, stared at me as well. I was much moved, and upon reflecting upon it, it felt like a sacred moment between all of our souls! You see, very often, the Kindermusik classroom IS a sacred space that we ritually return to week by week for fun, learning, friendship, and connectedness...Have you had moments of connectedness like this with your children?

Simplicity

Sometimes, this is enough to fill my day with simple joy: Today during my Our Time class, a 2 year old girl was stuck to my side, eyes filled with wonder at everything I sang or did! I enjoyed her presence so much! Apparently, she enjoyed mine as well because she gave me the biggest hug after the goodbye song (I mean bigger than usual)! It reminds me to cherish every moment that I have with another person whether it be husband, mother, student or friend! Never let a moment pass you by! Rejoice all the way!!!!

Surpised By Childlike Charity

I was very inspired today by a little 4 year old boy in my Imagine That! class today. I have some students with speech impetiments. The school sends them for my class because singing is really good to help them develop their speech and they are also integrated with their peers in a classroom setting. One 5 year old girl volunteered (as I had asked for a few) to sing "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" all by herself. I smiled, took a deep breath and waited. I really thought that this little boy would either laugh or ask her what she had sung because it is extrememly difficult to understand anything she says (or in this case, sings). You see, he is very bright, quick, and overly confident so I was afraid that he wouldn't understand her and ask to know why she sang like that. Then, so I feared, she would be embarassed and I'd have to think of a quick, informative, gentle answer to explain. So, she sang and this little boy, with a very bright look in his eye, said "All right ______!" Then he patted her on the back with a huge smile! I was much relieved but also much inspired by the insight of this little boy! Children surprise me in so many different ways. With their love, laughter, and in this case, charity!!

She has a favorite!!!

In my classes during instrument exploration, I suggest different ways to play the instrument based on what I see the children doing and what I think they are able to learn. Today, in my Our Time class, an 18 month old girl found her favorite way to play the rhythm sticks! Usually, she is more content to watch the other children while staying close by Mommy's side. When I put the bin of sticks in the center of the circle today, she jumped up, grabbed two of them, and began to energetically tap them on her shoes! We all tapped them on our shoes like her. After that, she did not want to move on to do any other move with the sticks. She energetically tapped her shoes and tapped her shoes and tapped her shoes...It is so fun to watch them grow and learn during class! This little one is finding her own style!!!

My Blog

Hi friends! Welcome! During my day as a Kindermusik educator, I am blessed to experience many moments of the magic of the life of a child's heart! So many of these moments are so inspiring for those who love children that I have been looking for a way to share them with interested lovers of life! Then I found out about blogs! Perfect! I hope to write here things that may be of interest to you as a creative parent whether inspiring or informative (I read a lot too)! I also invite you to share here some of your insights about what I have written and would love for you to share some of your own inspiring moments! Come, Rejoice with me!!!!