Where's Community?

What an amazing December day. It's 60' outside and beautiful sunshine warms my back. I'm hanging out my 3rd load of laundry. It's one of my favorite chores. I find it very meditative. I listened to birds and to what I thought for a minute was a lawn mower....a leaf blower. Well, I'll save the world by hanging out clothes and the leaf blower takes us back down a notch. But the noise! Irksome especially because in between the roar I can almost hear the little community of musicians who are jamming on the front porch of the house. (That would be my nephew Duncan and his friends...who I think are playing at the Grey Eagle Contra Dance on Jan. 5. )

So imagine the idyllic scene of hanging out laundry to live music. Ahhhhhhh. You gotta love it. "WHIIIIIIIIIINNNNNE", goes the leafblower.

I used to hang out laundry when I lived out in the country near Holland, MI. When I moved in town I had trouble with the shade in the yard, the ear wigs and the dust from the metal recycling plant down the street. I really missed the smell of sundried bed sheets.

Here in Asheville we seem to have had a lot of rain and my previous load of laundry ended up out in the rain overnight. When I took that load down the smell was so wonderful...rainwashed and sundried.

Today I've been thinking about community. I still floating out there wondering where the heart of this community is.

I'm living here in Asheville in a way that's purposefully trying to reduce my "foot print". I'm renting a room from my sister. Cost-wise it helps her and it helps me. But I'm trying to adjust to other eco-friendly ways that I've given up by moving to a city.

I'm driving a whole lot more than ever. Taking a highway to get to teach my Kindermusik classes. Can't walk to church. Can't walk to library and college concerts, the movie theater (miss you, Knickerbocker). Can't find what I want at the local farmers market so I end up driving to two or three different markets...and their farmers market season is pretty short.

I had high hopes for what's on Haywood Road. I walked to my mom's house via Haywood Rd. with my sister and the kids. You know, I'd say the sidewalks on Haywood are a joke. You can't walk next to a friend, the phone poles are right in the middle of the walk. Every so often you have to turn you body sideways to walk between the building and a control box that's hanging about shoulder high on the telephone pole. There's no green grass strip between the sidewalk and the street so the cars whiz right by....CAREFULL KIDS!!


I was looking forward to being part of the Haywood Road Food Coop. That has been a struggle from the beginning. The cost of living for food here is pretty high compared to Michigan. And they seem to be very sluggish about selling their veggies. I wish I could find out when they get them in so I could buy them FRESH. I tried to volunteer there and the person in charge at the time took my email saying they really weren't set up for that. I haven't heard back yet.

Our local neighborhood has had a once a month potluck which I am really enjoying. But getting to know real people around town is slow work.

Maybe everyone's just blogging and facebooking....(I've found "West Asheville" on an online social network)...I know I am really liking my laptop!

Gotta go check on the laundry.
Peace,
Yvette

Piccolo, just a little....

Here's a little bit for the very little.
These two darling little girls; Addison and Samantha! How much fun we had playing piccolo and drums together in class. Thanks Shelley for the picture! My big girls are ooooohing and ahhhhhing.

Canadian Brass, the flight of the bumble bee

And today, we experienced the Brass Family instruments of the orchestra. We listened and danced. We looked at the pictures of brass instruments to see the similarities and differences. Next time I'll bring in a trumpet to try!

Watch this fun video of a brass quintet. They are playing the "Flight of the Bumble Bee". It is VERY fast! I think the Tuba's fingers must be cramping up; everyone looks worried. But listen carefully. You can't tell! They are flawless. Wow.

Glockenspiels!

Look out world, here they come! The new crop of music READERS!!! We can read C and A on the staff and we know several songs on our glockenspiels.Here we are doing a train ensemble. Yes, moms! Your glockenspiel skills are improving! The children have all been singing on pitch and with creative enthusiasm!


These children are working hard. Learning has never been so fun.

Maybe you can play your glockenspiels for the relatives when they come over for the holidays!
Have fun.
Yvette

Holidays Gifts that make a difference:

For ideas on smart gift giving for children see the blog from the past.

Here's my recommendation for online shopping for children...

Tu ra lu ra lu! Pat a pat a pan!

Here's some pictures of the fun at the Children's Health and Harmony Expo...go check out the Asheville Citizen Times Photo gallery:
I spy with my little eye a flute and drum (well actually that's my piccolo!) We were jammin'!

Yes, things were jammin' in the Asheville Arts Center corner! The stage was alive with Irish Dancers, Sleeping Beauty Ballerinas, Seussical Musical Theater, and rockin' Rock U. One mom said to me "You mean after Kindermusik they can take all those classes!?" Yes, begin at the beginning with the tiny newborns developing a sense of beat, nurturing curiosity for pitch and melody, keep the music ball rolling with the offerings at the Asheville Arts Center.

Come on over and see!
828-253-4000
www.ashevilleartscenter.com

Perspective

Parenting is not about a power struggle or an affront on authority. Children do not operate on that level. It is about how children learn to control themselves.

SING IT!!!

Grayson (that's my special nephew--we share birthdays!!)and Anne (that's my special daughter) sing in the Asheville Symphony children's Chorus. Their concert with the Asheville Symphony is December 20. They sing like angels. And sometimes like chipmunks.

Holiday Pops: Decking the Hall
Saturday, December 20, 2008 8:00 pm
Last week in Kindermusik for the Young Child we heard a little of the story of the Magic Flute and listened to some of Mozart's music for the opera. Maria's mom tells me she's been listening to snippets of the Magic Flute on YouTube!!

Look what I found! It's the love song of Papageno and Papagena....Papageno is playing his glockenspiel! Hmmmm...he only uses one hand. We are learning with both hands so we will be more versatile musicians.

Patience

Here we are just finishing week 12 of our 15 week semester. What amazes me is that this week was a week of firsts for so many children.

Brady sang in class for the first time. So did Danny, Brighton, Lauren, Gianni...I should have kept a list! Lucas let me pick him up and even hold him upside down! Thomas in our Imagine That! class was very outgoing in building our "fort" to keep us warm "when cold winds blow"...

I know they've been singing at home before this and many children have been singing in class all along. But in a social setting some children need more time....and the assurance of routine...week after week like a steady beat. Consistency...

I remember Henry's mom who waited 30 weeks to hear her son sing in class. On the last day of the 2 semesters...he did and she had tears! Of course he went on to "graduate" from Kindermusik at 8 years old and then on to piano lessons....

Consistency matters.

I've also noticed this week how well the children are doing with stop and go activities. I like to do a lot of this work in all my classes. It really helps children learn how to control their own bodies and it's work they LOVE LOVE LOVE to do. (Shake shake shake you bells, shake shake shake your bells, shake shake shake your bells and then we STOP!) Studies done on actual Kindermusik students show that children with more than one consecutive semester of classes were more able to stop when told to do so..Well the parents in my classes are seeing the benefits of our little clean up song!! Bells away, Bells away! Works like a charm....when almost every time.

The Effects of Kindermusik® on

Behavioral Self-Regulation in Early Childhood

Consistency matters.

We are building an environment that the children can trust...then they will bloom and amaze us with their creativity. All these children have amazing potential. Let's nurture it.

Join the experience with your child. Call the Arts Center to visit a class: 253-4000.

Or email me with your questions.

Yvette

Sister act

I left a town where everyone knows ME. It's kinda fun here in a new locale...I'll notice after a concert, after church, or at a downtown event...strangers will do a double take. Or come up to me and say, "oh, yes I know you." "You're Duncan's mom." "You have 2 boys, don't you?" "I've seen you play at Jack of the Wood."

Well, no. That's probably my sister...one of the three of them who live in Asheville....who are all very talented and well known in Asheville circles.

Here's a peek at Daniele. She has 3 boys. Duncan is at Berklee College of music in Boston. Devin is a homeschooled highschool Senior taking lots of classes at ABTech. And Grayson is 8 and ALWAYS busy. Go see Daniele's blog to see her handmade art. You might find something that will be useful to you!



It's great to come to a new town and have such an in that I'm accepted as if I've been here for years!!

See you around...
Yvette

Charlie Chaplin's Thanksgiving meal

Music brings us closer to our emotions. You can do a little experiment by watching scary movie with no sound. It can almost become rediculous watching long drawn out scenes where nothing much happens! But with the music we are on the edge of our theater seat with hair standing on end. Sometimes the music sets us up and we get a long period of silence.....the BOOM!

Even the romantic parts...try it, turn off the sound (there's no words anyway!). The scenes just can't stand alone!

My great Uncle Charlie's profession was piano player for silent movies. He would improvise for the whole movie...2 or three shows on Saturday!

Hope you enjoy this Thanksgiving "silent" movie. Thank you Charlie Chaplin for showing us what to be thankful for.

I am grateful for children of all ages.
Love,
Yvette

Dear Kindermusik Families,
I am so grateful to have the priviledge of working with you and your children. Thank you for sharing your lives with me.
I truly love my time in the Kindermusik classroom.

I've left so many Kindermusik friends back in Michigan...I hold them in my heart...I miss them so much. But how much fun
I have had making new Kindermusik friends!!!

At the Kindermusik Convention in Raleigh I heard about wonderful research being done on the links between music and
literacy and music and math. They've posted it online for EVERYONE!!!
If you are interested follow this link: http://kindermusik.com/benefits to read even about some studies that were done
with actual Kindermusik classes.

I've been thinking about how the investments we've made in the market with our 401K plans etc. have dwindled. I've thought
about putting cash under the mattress! Then I wonder about the actual value of the dollar...I keep coming back to the
idea of investing in our children. That simply won't devalue. Their gains in academic, social, emotional and physical
intelligence just won't go away! The payback may be realized when our children are eligible for college scholarships...
when they score well on ACT and SAT tests, when they grow up to be happy well adjusted adults....

These are hard economic times for families with young children...and their are lots of activities to choose from when you
consider your child's education and extra curricular activities. Choose wisely!

Many families in my Michigan studio chose Kindermusik Imagine That! as their "pre-school"! This curriculum really does
address preschool academics as well as the creative, social, physical, and FUN elements! Adult visitors to my Kindermusik Imagine
That! class at the south location off Hendersonville Rd. have commented on all the school readiness skills we've covered
in our class! Let me know if you'd like to visit one of these classes with your child.

Is your child ready for a move up to Imagine That!? My curriculum guide suggests that at age 3 Imagine That! would be appropriate.
I wonder though. Consider the decision carefully in this world where we are in a hurry...trying to get an edge in the academic world.

Our Time classes even for the 3 year old child can be very appropriate. It's your last chance to have a mommy and me class together.
If your child is willing, allowing him or her another semester with their best teacher (YOU!!) will increase the dividends in your
relationship investment! It is by no means an action of "holding them back". In my own experience as a mother with a 12, 18 and 20
year old children I'd highly recommend taking advantage of the "together" class of Kindermusik Our Time.

Next time you are at the Asheville Arts Center please grab one of the priority registration slips. Oh, and by the way, keep
talking to your friends because I've heard a rumor that the Arts Center is preparing to offer you a cash deal on referrals!!!
This investment keeps getting better and better!

One more thing...Thanksgiving is this week! Only Monday's and Tuesday's classes will be held this week.

I try to share what I'm grateful for in the season of Thanksgiving. Holding the hand of your child while I stamp them goodbye
is one of the most precious moments for me. Thank you for that opportunity.

Peace and Love,
Yvette Odell
Kindermusik educator
Asheville Arts Center
www.ashevilleartscenter.com
www.yskindermusik.blogspot.com

Along came the wind........

Look what the wind blew in!!!
ROAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Pretend play is a powerful tool for children. Compared to "games" that are governed by rules, pretend play follows its own form and brings out a child's imagination. Often children will be processing their own life dilemmas through pretend play. It's very important that we create space and time for the WORK of children: Play!


"Imagination is more important than knowledge."

A. Einstein

Kindermusik Imagine That! for children 3+ to 4 1/2 years. Call 253-4000 to register for the spring semester at the Asheville Arts Center!
Create the time and space.
Do it for them.

and Happy Thanksgiving....look out for pretend turkeys.....
Yvette

Music Boosts Reading Skills

Kindermusik International has posted on line some of the latest finding concerning music and the power of music when it comes to learning....Right now the link between music and reading (in the coming weeks you'll find music and math research).

Go!!!! to Kindermusik online to find out more.

And you know WHY I want you to know? Because I believe Kindermusik is an investment in your children that won't plunge like the stock market or devalue like cash under the mattress. This is a "Good Beginning That Never Ends..." You parents are investing in our country's greatest resource!
THE CHILDREN!!!

Thoughts on thinking.....

When babies are tiny we moms just do what we can. Sometimes our wise inner voice is strong enough to be heard and sometimes we just flail about, grappling for survival.

I remember my world as mom when Claire, my second baby was born. I was pretty fragile emotionally...and overwhelmed with two children! Ben was the two year old who obviously did not need as much sleep as I did! He gave up this only daytime nap on the day I brought Claire home from the hospital.

Filling my need for sleep was a challenge till I learned how to "talk" the two year old to sleep. It's a technique I developed by nearly figuring out how to talk in my sleep!

After the bedtime book was over I would turn out the light and begin the narrative...I would recite the story of Ben's day in very careful detail. I'd begin by describing what how his hair looked when he woke up and how he hopped down off the bed and his footie pyjamas would swish as he followed me down the hall...on and on and on until either he'd be sleeping or I'd end with the story about telling the story to a child who dreamed a dream....

The descriptions came from my point of view but I wove in his part of the conversations and likes and dislikes ...described the emotions (tantrums, laughter, frustrations with the new baby etc), I talked about everything because it took him so long to fall asleep.

So now I'm thinking...after reading articles on how children learn and how a vocabulary at 3 is a good predictor of a child's reading abilities in third grade, and how the brain lights up even more when THINKING words or music and how their brains light up more for "story telling" than reading a book....that my storytelling of Ben's day was creating pictures in his mind, giving him a vocabulary, and showing him an example of a stream of consciousness....maybe showing him HOW to think....

Do you think so?

In our Kindermusik classes we have the opportunity to think out loud with our children when we explore instruments. I remind parents: Label everything. Name the instrument, what's it made out of? It's shape, color, size...describe the sound it makes, name the action it takes to make the sound....Add the musical element of the day (fast, slow, high, low, loud, quiet...)Talk, talk, talk, talk......

We add "scaffolding": immitate the child's action with the instruments while doing all this talking (that's very affirming to the child) and making suggestions for extended music making (like "I see you shake your eggs. That's fast. I hear the chk, chk, chk....Can you shake them slowly, great big shakes? Yes, look at that, great big slow shakes. Your arms go up and down slowly. I hear the shakers make a steady beat. Maybe you can march your eggs......" etc.

I'd like to think they are getting an idea about how to think. After all how does a 2 year old figure out how to have "ideas"?

Interestingly I've noticed that as my children grow up through the teen years their interest in adult conversation becomes more intense. I've had 12 year old Anne at my elbow for a lot of lively political discussion lately. She's not tired of hearing me talk yet!

Your thoughts on this?
Leave a comment!
Yvette

Thinking...How Children Think:

Young children think in pictures. You say "Dog" and they see an image of a dog in their mind. Some words just don't have pictures on their own and take time for children to develop a way to think these words. I remember the challenge Anne had with words like "yesterday", "before", and "no!".

Jill Molli spoke to Kindermusik educators last week at our international convention in Raleigh, NC. She is a dynamite speaker for Becky Bailey's Conscious Discipline approach to working with children. I was already a fan of Becky Bailey since she presented her ideas to us at last year's convention and I was so glad to hear Jill Molli... I'd listen all day for weeks...It's such good stuff.

So here's one tidbit about what she said for helping children learn when they still predominantly think in pictures. If you say "Don't run!" the only picture children will come up with is an image of their own feet running! There's no picture at all for "don't". What's so dangerous about saying "Don't run!" is that not only that they can't help but run, but mostly that we feel so strongly that they are disobeying the adult in charge. Things only escalate from there...and now we have a power struggle.

Let's head that tantrum off at the pass (my adult tantrum too!) and avoid expecting children to think more maturely than they are able.

Say:
"Eat your potatoes" instead of "Don't dawdle"
"Sit down" instead of "Quit bouncing around"
"Put your feet here" instead of "Stop fooling around"

Do you get the idea? It makes sense to me. Let me know what you think about this idea...I'd love to hear your comments.

Peace,
Yvette

Looking for my voice

Like clockwork, every early November for a number of years I would catch a cold and by Veterans Day I'd be in such a state that I'd be calling my health care provider whispering into the phone because of laryngitis!!

This year I feel as if I'd lost my voice in a different way. While there's no cold and I'm fully able to sing all day in my Kindermusik classes I can't seem to find my blogging voice! I've not blogged for months...so long that with the change of my email address, etc. I can't even log on to my old blogs!!

Having moved from Holland MI to Asheville NC and changing from owning my own Kindermusik studio to teaching for another I am wondering where my perspective is: WHO AM I???!

I've been feeling a little like the very quiet person in the class who just sits there watching...not confident yet to express myself. I can identify with the children who sit on mom's lap with big eyes for weeks and weeks.

So, be patient. It's not forever. Before long we will jump in and sing and twirl like never before.

My past life:

To view the blog from my past life go HERE.
On this blog there are lots and lots of great entries about children, music, life, learning, and Kindermusik. Have fun reading! (but come back here for the current stuff!)

Happy trails.
Yvette