Happy New Year !

We would like to take this opportunity to wish all our Kindermusik parents and children, and our business partners a very Happy New Year!

2005 has been a very successful year for us, thanks to the support of our customers and business partners. We have seen enrolment grew by about 20% for Singapore and Malaysia and have doubled the number of business partners from 18 in 2004 to over 35 pre-schools, childcare and enrichment centers. This enables Singaporeans who are unable for one reason or another to make the weekly trip to Tanglin Mall more options of taking Kindermusik curricula at a centre nearer to their homes.

More New Kindermusik Educators joining us.
As our programs grow more and more popular, we have received a record number of requests from people who want to become certified Kindermusik educators. After undergoing stringent course studies which include theory and practical assessments by an experienced Kindermusik mentor, we are now proud to add 25 new Kindermusik educators to our growing list of teachers. Most of you would no doubt have already met some of them either at the studio or at one of our business partners' premises.

Many of our new educators are, or were Kindermusik mothers. So mothers, if you feel you have the requisites and are interested in becoming a Kindermusik educator, we would love to hear from you!. Go to our website at www.kindermusik.com.sg , click on "Be a Kindermusik Educator" to find out more!

Piano, violin or flute ? Let Kindermusik kick start your child's instrumental studies

Kindermusik for the Young Child is the best musical preparation for children who intend to take up formal instrumental training such as piano, violin etc or dance lessons. Over 4 sequential 15-week semesters, your child will have so much fun as they gain in musicianship (defined by music literacy, listening and vocal skills, eye-hand coordination, rhythmic and tonal competency, expressive responses, and instrumental learning through preliminary instruments such as the glockenspiel, dulcimer and recorder). With such fun and creative approach to a strong musical foundation, your child will develop lasting motivation and keen musical expressiveness that will see him through many successful years of instrumental studies.

In fact, all the piano / violin students at Selangor Institute of Music who scored distinction at the ABRSM exams, are Kindermusik Young Child graduates! SIM is a leading music school in Malaysia who includes Kindermusik in their course offering since 1995.

Register today! New class commences in February. Every Wednesday at 4.30pm. 15 sessions in the semester.

Hello New Partners!
We like to extend a hearty welcome to our following new business partners:

New Year Special Offer for your kids!

To kick off the new year, we are offering 15% ~50% off on select Kindermusik music collections featuring exciting books, CDs, musical instruments and other fun stuff! All our products are manufactured to the highest quality standards and are child-safe. The products are designed to help your child develop his/her motor skills, critical and creative thinking and hand-eye coordination. Most importantly, they are fun and your child will spend hours playing with them!

A Spring 2001 Parent's Choice Award Winner! Enjoy family fun in and around the house! Whether dancing and shaking the egg shakers to the House Cleanin' Blues, or splashing in the bathtub to the tune of Wishy Washy Wee!, your entire family is sure to grin and chuckle as you enjoy making music together. A special selection, "Who Loves Here?" presents a unique Family Song encouraging the embracing of everyone on "my family tree." The collection concludes with preparations for bedtime. Includes two bright purple egg shakers, an activity book and audio or CD with 46 tracks. (ages 3 - 7) U.P S$58.80 NOW S$50.00 (include 5%GST)

Small Book (8" x 9"). CD, Headed Tambourine   U.P S$56.70 NOW S$28.35 (all include 5%GST)

8" Red Headless Tambourine, 4" Triangle, Train Whistle. You'll realize just what a natural musician your child is when he gets his hands on these instruments! Playing the tambourine and triangle will help your child's eye-hand coordination, and he'll develop the essential musical skill of blowing as he plays the life-like train whistle. All aboard! (ages 4 to 7) U.P S$58.80 NOW S$50.00 (include 5%GST)

We all know that daily routines are repetitive! But did you know that routines are essential to your child? Routines provide a cocoon of security, familiarity, and comfort when he has so little control over the events of his life. While the daily maintenance of life may bore the mind (What is fascinating about changing another diaper, emptying the dishwasher again, and feeding the cat?), your emotional health and even your soul need a certain amount of routine. Routines are healthy for you and your child! This issue of Tune In offers practical ways not only to enjoy everyday routines but also make them more meaningful and fun.

Magically Transforming Routines

We know that routines are important to the very youngest. Your newborn baby came into the world with natural sleeping, eating, and alert patterns. At first, you follow your newborn's lead, and then-over the ensuing months-you guide the creation of routines dependent on your parenting choices and style. The structure and predictability of these routines are essential elements in providing your baby a sense of security and comfort.

Transforming a daily routine into a loving ritual can be magical. For example, take extra time and add a kiss, a hug, or baby massage during your baby's diaper time. Pay close attention to elements in your baby's surroundings such as light, sounds, music, and objects to touch and see. Recognize which of these elements seem to produce noticeable delight in the form of cooing sounds, flailing arms and kicking legs, or consistent eye contact. Include a few of these favorite elements in your baby's environment during bath time and watch the routine transform into a delightful ritual. Continually talk and sing to your baby. Select a favorite song and sing it to your baby while getting ready for the daily stroller ride. Your tender, loving attention and care transform your baby's routines into rituals. It's like magic!

A Kindermusik Ritual:
The Tenderness of Lullaby Time

Focus some extra loving attention on your baby’s nighttime routine. Enjoy a cozy lullaby ritual together while singing “Rurru” or another favorite lullaby to your baby. Your voice is your baby’s most comforting and beloved sound!

“We do Kindermusik every day, whether it’s class day or not. For us, Kindermusik has given us some practical tools for routines at home. When Jordan is changing from her bottle to a cup, we sing ‘Old MacDonald’ and it helps her make the transition without getting upset. In fact, we use this song a lot. We can sing it any time she is upset and it calms her down. At nighttime, we have a routine where we brush teeth, plug in the nightlight, get in the recliner, and sing songs. Some of our favorite Kindermusik songs to sing at bedtime are ’That’s an Irish Lullaby’ and the good-bye song, ‘Oh, How I Love My Baby-O.’”

- Dee Dee Chambliss and daughter Jordan, age 13 months

Creating an Oasis of Routines and Rituals

Describing most toddlers is like describing Niagara Falls! Temper tantrums, irrational fears, and fierce independence are coupled with hugs, clinging behaviors, and boastful "Me do it!" statements. What emotional turbulence!

Routines and rituals are crucial for your turbulent toddler. At a time full of change, growth, joy, and frustration, the routines that you establish can be a calming oasis for your child. Your child needs a secure base to venture forth successfully and then return. Have you noticed that one minute your toddler has an overwhelming passionate desire to be close to you, and then the very next minute an equally fierce force for independence? This is normal for toddlers! Some people refer to this developmental stage as the "rubber band" stage and Kindermusik lovingly calls it the "bound away and back kangaroo" stage. No matter how you label it, your toddler is in a period of overwhelming conflict between independence and dependence. There is no better way for you and your child to partner and navigate through toddlerhood than by establishing meaningful and fun rituals.

A Kindermusik Ritual:
Sing Good Morning!

Does your wake-up routine include listening to music from the radio alarm clock? Why not wake your child in the morning with singing? Making up new wake-up words to a well-known song such as “Old Brass Wagon” is the perfect way to begin any morning. Ask your child, “What do you do when you get up in the morning?” It won’t be long before your toddler will be making up words and singing right along with you (or by herself!).

Making up new words for a song or “piggybacking” is a longstanding tradition, and many children’s songs lend themselves well to this type of improvisation.

Enjoy singing these morning verses to the tune of
“Old Brass Wagon”:

• “Get out of bed, and sing good morning…”
  
• “Brush my teeth, and sing good morning…”
  
• “Pet the dog, and sing good morning…”
  
• “Put on my clothes, and sing good morning…”

“My daughter’s routine is listening to a Kindermusik CD every night. We have a whole collection of CDs and we’ll let her choose what to listen to. She’ll actually tell me, ‘Mommy, I want this one.’ We put the CD on repeat play and she listens all night long. If she wakes during the night, the music comforts her. If we ever forget to have the CD on for some reason, she’ll cry for it. Music is part of everyday life for us.”

—Diane Cabbell and daughter Samantha, two years old

The Positives of Routines and Rituals

Your preschooler thrives and grows in an environment that includes repetition, routines, and rituals. These events provide great opportunities for your preschool-aged child to try out more complex social interactions and positive behavior patterns. “Let’s play Candy Land!” If playing simple board or card games is a family ritual at your house or a familiar part of her preschool activities, your preschool-aged child is learning many social interactive skills such as turn-taking, helping others, sharing, waiting, and following rules.

Routines and rituals help your child understand time and the flow of the day based upon the order and structure of repeated activities and events. The expectation of the closure of an activity becomes more important as she starts to internalize the structure of the activity—what comes first, second, third, or last in its sequence. If your child is close to four, you may have noticed that she appears to be thinking ahead to the next activity. This is because she has mastered the skill of internalizing the sequence of the activities.

Does your child ever pretend to be Dorothy, a superhero, or a fireman? Preschoolers love to imagine, pretend, and play! Pretend play bridges the gap between your child’s real life experiences and creative thinking. When you create rituals around an element of play, your child will enjoy even the most mundane routine. The most treasured rituals are with people we love, inspiring creativity, fun, and laughter!

A Kindermusik Ritual:
It’s Time to Clean Up

Singin’ and cleanin’ go together like turkey and dressing! Do you find that you and your child need a little extra motivation to carry out cleaning routines? A cheerful work song can make the effort all the easier and all the more fun.

Enjoy singing “Clean Up” as you and your child spruce things up together.

“Our story is somewhat unusual in that I’m a stay-at-home dad. When I first started staying home with my daughter two years ago, my wife, who usually went with our daughter to Kindermusik Village class, had a conflict one night and asked me to go. Well, I went… and I came home and told my wife I’d never go again! I wasn’t comfortable as the only dad; it was a little awkward. Two years later, my perspective has changed. I’ve gotten comfortable with the setting. I’ve been bringing Elizabeth to class and wouldn’t miss it. This time together is all the more special now that we have newborn twins in our family. This is my special time together with my daughter every week.”

—Richard Raeside and daughter Elizabeth, four years old

Balancing Change and Routines

Even though your child’s days are filled with routines and rituals, there may be more novel activities and experiences sprinkled among the predictable routines. Your child is probably adapting more easily to changes in routines. This is the developmental stage when your child will begin initiating some of his own routines and rituals with friends. He also will demonstrate in many ways a sense of belonging to your family and community. Rituals and traditions are becoming important generation bridges from past to present to future.

“Look at the Thanksgiving cards that I made for everyone this year!”
“How many more days until the hay ride? Last year I sat beside little Michaela.”
“This year’s leaf pile is going to be higher than last year’s!”
“Look at Ted’s painting. Can you help me paint a picture like that for next year’s exhibit?”

A Kindermusik Ritual:
Sunshine and Rainbow Leaves

A walking routine can be a treasured daily activity. Nature walks or city walks are full of spontaneous opportunities for discovery about our outside world—sunshine and rainbow leaves. Make Kindermusik part of your outside routine.

Here’s one idea: sing “May There Always Be Sunshine.” Take turns with your child completing the sentence “May there always be…,” naming things you enjoy seeing as you walk together.

“One routine that has evolved in our family is that nap time for my younger child has become quiet time for my six-year-old daughter. I think it’s important for her to have this calm time in her day. She listens to calm music and has a chance to relax for a little while.”

—Susanne Simons, daughter Claire, six years old, and son Austin, three years old