Read My Reviews

If you would like to see what some parents of my students think of my class, visit www.kindermusik.com and click "Find a Class" enter 48124 or your Dearborn zip code to read my reviews. Have fun browsing this site!

Terrible Two's???

Some of my Our Time students are reminding me of a very important reality for children ages 1.5-3 years old: emotional development. The term "terrible two's" comes from the fact that the toddler is learning to regulate her emotions which are often like a storm brewing inside. Although I don't think that the term is justified (I don't think that any stage of human development should be coined as "terrible"), many parents are aware of the reality and are at their wits end (understandably)! Research shows that small conflicts arise for the toddler once every three minutes and larger ones about three times per hour. Whew! Can you imagine what this must be like for them? They often do not have the language skills to communicate their needs which often results in crying or even temper tantrums. My heart is filled with compassion for them. Even though I do not have children of my own, I was a professional nanny for years and have helped many a two year old in this area. Long before I began teaching Kindermusik, I discovered that age appropriate music helps the child to understand and identify his emotions (as it does for adults as well) in a way that mere words cannot. Have you ever felt this sort of release after hearing a piece that seems to express something of your deep caverns within? Have you adopted the words to a favorite song almost as your own because it expresses your interior better than you can? Toddlers need to learn to resolve these conflicts and sort out their emotions and music is a powerful tool in this development! They rely on parents and important caregivers to help them discover and manage this part of themselves which is so abundant, alive, and wonderful! This is why Kindermusik Our Time strives to encourage a partnership between parent and toddler both in class and in the At Home Materials to help the child develop a healthy emotional life. I would propose that we replace the expression "terrible two's" with "terrific two's" because isn't it our emotional lives that partly provide an enriching, meaningful, abundant existence for us human beans? Isn't the toddler on a most wonderful journey, with you as their guide, to experience the richness and delight of being human? Come, Rejoice With Me!

Sign Language for Children!

We began a new Kindermusik program "Sign and Sing" for children ages 6 months to 3 years last evening and it was fantastic!!! It is moments like these that remind me how grateful I am to be one of the children's programs in Dearborn Michigan!! We had such a great time and the students responded enthusiastically! Parents and Grandparents joined in the class as we all signed and sang, made music together, and had a grand time with the bubbles!! We are all going to practice our signs and meet again next week for more splendid jammin'! I witnessed a 1 year old girl's first sign and guess what it was? BUBBLES!!!!!!!!

Diaperless Babies!!!

One huge benefit of coming to Kindermusik class is bonding and sharing with other mom's. One mom of a 5 month old baby girl was sharing today her success with infant potty training. I have heard of this before and it made great sense. I was happy that she was sharing and the other moms were very interested in hearing. You may learn more at www.natural-wisdom.com/index.htm Moms share all kinds of things with each other in the Village class. Socialization is important for everyone, especially new moms!

Comfort Levels With Strangers

Children, when they come into my classes, have all different levels of comfort when it comes to being with strangers. Either they are cautious, or perhaps afraid or maybe Highly Sensitive (see my book favorites). One little girl who is almost 2 years old is a good example. She felt best on Mommy's lap and not much eye contact or otherwise with me. I respected her need and in every class, (we are now in week 8) I (because I am Highly Sensitive)have been able to sense and act according to her comfort level with active participation particularly with me. See, I understand that part of the reason parents love Kindermusik for their children, is because they would like them to have a variety of social experiences with people of all ages! So, I make it one of my goals to encourage interaction. She has responded positivlely to me yet very cautiously (my guess is that she IS Highly Sensitive). She has a wonderful mom who is very patient and who trusts that my lack of interaction with her daughter is planned and with the best interest of her little girl in mind! Now today, during musical ball time~~~~she responded to my suggestion that we play catch~~~! With big, yet quiet smiles, we played together and really connected. It meant a lot to her, but probably even more to me!!

Barefoot is Best!

I just love these soft foot covers that I have been seeing the pre-walkers and walkers wearing! It is so consistant with the Kindermusik philosophy (and my own) that barefoot is best! Especially during Kindermusik classes, it is great to sport no socks or shoes because children learn through their senses especially by the touch and feeling on the bottom of their feet! The more senses that are involved in learning, the greater the capacity to absorb the experience (for everyone)! Freedom of movement is important always but especially during class where creative movement emerges and takes root. I encourage parents too, to enjoy class without shoes when comfortable! Don't you just love a walk without shoes on the ocean beach? Hot sand between your toes...Doesn't it ad another dimension to the beach experience that cannot be replicated? Bare feet are important for Baby's sensory development! So, I just LOVE these covers!! But, from one who grew up in moccasins, I am a little biased!

Self Control for Preschoolers

In my Imagine That! class one little girl is learning self control in order to respect others and she is truly inspiring! A 4 year old girl in my class has had this habit of talking while I or others are talking or singing. She started doing this once she got comfortable in the class atmosphere (after about 3 classes). I explained to the class at large that when Miss Tandy or a student is talking, we must learn to be good listeners because what we have to say is important. I further explained that we must respect one another and not interrupt. In the case of my singing, I explained, they had 2 choices: 1)sing with me or 2) be a good listener but "It is very difficult for Miss Tandy to sing when you are talking". I said this first about 4 weeks ago (we meet once weekly) and every week thereafter because it was very necessary for her to be reminded! She had a very difficult time with this form of self control until this week! Something happened and she has been the most respectful, best listener and singer in the whole class! As my classes are PROCESS not PERFORMANCE oriented, I didn't tell her that she is the BEST listener, but I told her: "You were very respectful today of Miss Tandy and the other students and I am soooooo PROUD of you!!" And I certainly AM!!