Last evening, another Kindermusik educator shared this YouTube video with many of us. I was greatly moved by the mission of this organization, Playing For Change.
I truly believe that sharing in the joy of music with people from all over the world can transform lives and promote peace. Enjoy and watch to the end.
More information can be found at http://playingforchange.com/
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Clearing out
I am clearing out. After almost 8 years in our house, and a basement “playroom” that has accumulated more and more (and more) kids stuff, the time has come. I admit it, I love kids stuff. Especially educational kids stuff. Like puzzles, and games, and playdough and blocks and pretend play stuff. The basement has been my three children's domain for 8 years. I don’t clean it up (except about once every 6 months when I can’t walk past it one more time without feeling a panic attack come on.) I have reveled in the fact that in one area of my house, there is no need at all to even try to have some semblance of order (OK, in the rest of the house I try, my husband tries, my kids try, but it will never be museum perfect).
I just read an article in a parenting magazine that says children learn to be more creative when given an opportunity to play in disarray. Creativity comes from being able to have Legos out, then getting out kitchen stuff, etc. and being able to learn to function and play “outside the box.” I was thrilled to read this, since this is always how my kids have played (pat on the back here)....due to the fact that I haven’t had time to make them clean up in between every activity. And now, as I am cleaning out the basement, this shows. In the very bottom of the toy bin, are Uno cards that we never knew were missing, toy parts from toys that have long been discarded, an American Girl doll slipper, much glitter (from I don’t know what), and many other interesting little objects (most of which have gone in the trash).
I also must admit, that this is an extremely hard task for me. I am feeling emotional today, piling up the 24 piece puzzles, rhyming cards, and a few toddler toys (that haven’t gotten passed on yet). I LOVE all this educational baby/toddler/preschool stuff and the time I spent doing these activities with all of my children. It signifies an end to a certain time in my life. My children are now 5, 8 and 10, and have no interest in most of what’s in the basement anymore. I am clearing out to make room for our Wii.
The good news is this: while I love the ages my children are now, I equally love the ages from birth through age 5. I am delighted in my career each week to be able to capture some of what I have learned from raising my children; putting together those puzzles, rhyming and chanting, dancing to Kindermusik in my house, parading through the living room with loud pots and pans; to help bring out children’s creativity, enthusiasm and gentle personalities.
Now.....time to go back downstairs and dig Playdoh out of the rug.
I just read an article in a parenting magazine that says children learn to be more creative when given an opportunity to play in disarray. Creativity comes from being able to have Legos out, then getting out kitchen stuff, etc. and being able to learn to function and play “outside the box.” I was thrilled to read this, since this is always how my kids have played (pat on the back here)....due to the fact that I haven’t had time to make them clean up in between every activity. And now, as I am cleaning out the basement, this shows. In the very bottom of the toy bin, are Uno cards that we never knew were missing, toy parts from toys that have long been discarded, an American Girl doll slipper, much glitter (from I don’t know what), and many other interesting little objects (most of which have gone in the trash).
I also must admit, that this is an extremely hard task for me. I am feeling emotional today, piling up the 24 piece puzzles, rhyming cards, and a few toddler toys (that haven’t gotten passed on yet). I LOVE all this educational baby/toddler/preschool stuff and the time I spent doing these activities with all of my children. It signifies an end to a certain time in my life. My children are now 5, 8 and 10, and have no interest in most of what’s in the basement anymore. I am clearing out to make room for our Wii.
The good news is this: while I love the ages my children are now, I equally love the ages from birth through age 5. I am delighted in my career each week to be able to capture some of what I have learned from raising my children; putting together those puzzles, rhyming and chanting, dancing to Kindermusik in my house, parading through the living room with loud pots and pans; to help bring out children’s creativity, enthusiasm and gentle personalities.
Now.....time to go back downstairs and dig Playdoh out of the rug.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Mom my ride
I am a mother of three children ages 10, 8 and 5, and spend many hours in my 2004 Honday Odyssey minivan running kids to piano lessons, choirs, soccer, church and more. I absolutely love my van, even though it truly does look like this... except that it is either Kindermusik or High School Musical CD's playing on repeat.
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