Imagine That!

In writing a Christmas letter over my break, I was reminded about the importance of helping children to develop a healthy imagination. A child needs an active imagination if they are going to be able to have dreams about their future. How can they bring about that which they desire in their hearts if they have not first imagined it? In Kindermusik class for 3 and 4 year olds, we don't bother imagining things like being princesses or superheros. We imagine things that are useful for REAL living. Are the children really ever going to be princesses or superheros? Of course not. So we don't waste our time thinking of such things that are not useful in real life. Personally, I only dream dreams that are truly possible or I don't bother thinking of them. I won't waste my mind by idle daydreaming if I can't make my dreams REAL. Imagination is where we begin to dream the dreams that create our future. Let me take you inside of one of my Imagine That! classes...Come along......

Of course, I start out with a theme and a goal in mind. For example, we are going on a picnic and are going to start at home and end up back there in the end. I have a repetoire of songs that I am going to sing but am not sure about the words I am going to use. That will depend on the children. You see, the children play an active part in the class. They have to use their own imaginations for the class to be successful. I may sing a song about why we go on picnics together (because we are all friends and want to bond with one another). That's not hard to imagine because in the Kindermusik classroom, we really are all friends and enjoy each other's company. How we get to the picnic the children decide. WE may run there, or jump, or any other way the children suggest. Then we REALLY pretend to get there that way singing as we move along. This is repeated for every element of having a successful picnic until we end up back at home. This imaginative play lasts the whole class time: 45 minutes.

I like to think of the children's imaginations like a camera. What I am doing is helping them to store images for future use. It is not only possible that they will go on a picnic one day but a very likely pleasure they will experience. I would never help them to imagine things that were not TRULY possible in their lives. I think that would be like tricking them into thinking that something was possible that was really not. I would never play with their minds that way because I am loving with my students and have their true good in mind when I deal with them. I want them to trust me. The images we develop in their imaginations in class are stored in their memories and they will recall them when they go on a REAL picnic. By this imaginative play, they have also learned prosocial behavior so they know what will be expected of them at a picnic and how to bond with the people they share the experience with. They will be able to really understand and bring about that which they have desired in their imaginations when the opportunity is upon them for a REAL picnic. They will have been well prepared.

It is common for children to express their desire to me to go on a real picnic. One boy expressed to me a very strong desire that he had to go on a picnic. Apparantely, he had desired this "for a looooong time" but felt powerless to be able to bring it about. But, with my help and the use of his own faculties, he was able to ask his mom when she rejoined the class if they could go on a real picnic together and of course, she said yes. They returned the very next week full of joy! They had a successful picnic!

Here I am in the middle of December writing about picnics!!! That's where my letter took me in my imagination. So, if you have the winter blues, why don't you try turning off your television set and pretend to go on a picnic. When we watch television, our minds are switched into "neutral" and our faculties are not being used how they were created to be used. Real life can be so much more exciting than watching a program where everything is imagined for you and there are no authentic interpersonal relationships. Help your children to cultivate dreams for their future and help them to make their dreams REAL. Your lives will be enriched for it!

Imagine That!

P.S. I am starting another Imagine That! class this winter after a break from teaching this one. If you are interested in the details, give me a call (313) 459-5774.

Listening

During my break, I have also been reflecting on listening. We have listening activities in every class. We listen to all different kinds of sounds like dogs barking or a doorbell ringing. It is important for children (and adults for that matter) to cultivate a listening spirit. Deep enjoyment of music comes from really knowing how to listen. As parents, don't you want your child to listen to you? And believe it or not, it is a child's natural inclination to want to listen to their parents and do what is pleasing in their sight. If we help a child to cultivate a listening spirit, we are helping them to be able to enjoy music more deeply now and for years to come. We are also helping them as social creatures so that they will be able to really listen to other people when they get older. By listening to other people, they can learn to be empathetic and caring. Listening is a skill that must be learned. Hearing is not listening. We hear with our ears but we listen with our spirit. So, let's all cultivate a listening spirit so we can have an ever deepening enjoyment of the art of music and our fellow human beings! By listening, we can be as much an artist as the composer of the piece we are listening to! After all, that's why the Composer spent the time to create the piece!!!

Keeping the Singing Circle

During my Christmas break, I have been reading a book in which the author tells about the various meanings of different shapes. She says that the circle represents love. As I reflected on this (I definitely like circles as my shape of choice). I was thinking about my classes.

I sing a song about making a circle, keep singing it until we have formed a circle, and insist that we keep the circle at various times in the class. Why do I do that? I won't stand for anything less than a singing circle. Neat rows of children and parents just won't do! It has to be a circle! Why?

I have noticed in my classes, that when we keep the singing circle we all socialize much easier. We can see each other's faces as we play together. We form a small community. It simply just feels better all around. It helps us to connect with each other and celebrate being human! We can see each child and parent bonding in love. This is very inspiring to be a part of!

Think about it. When you get together for a birthday party or other family gathering, don't you all stand around the birthday child in a circle as if to encircle him/her in the love of those present? Imagine if you all sat in nice rows to sing happy birthday. It would feel completely different.

So, in Kindermusik class, we are going to sing the "Let's make a circle" song and keep the singing circle at the appropriate times. I would like to think that I am contributing in a small way to your family life in helping to create an environment in which you are free to play in love with your child. Also, I would like to think that I am making a small contribution to society at large by helping to form children who will grow up to understand something about what community means.

So, LET'S MAKE A CIRCLE, CIRCLE, CIRCLE. LET'S MAKE A CIRCLE. A CIRCLE OF FRIENDS!!!!

Laughter

For our listening activity tonight we listened to a recording of children laughing. It was definitely contagious! Maybe everyone who has caught the bug that's going around ought to try laughing! We found it to be good medicine tonight!

Sharing

Tonight I witnessed one boy having a joy filled moment playing instruments. He looked around to see who he could share it with. He spotted another child and gave her an instrument. They shared the joy together. This was a 2 year old boy. His mom didn't have to ask him to share and there was absolutely no forcing involved. He just wanted to experience the moment with someone. How fabulously human!

Getting up after a fall

I was very inspired tonight by my students. I often think about the simplicity of the childlike spirit and admire them for showing me what is important in life sometimes. Tonight during ball play, these little ones ran and kicked and played and had so much fun! Never mind that they kept falling more than usual. That wouldn't stop them. Not while there was so much fun to be had playing ball games! Of course, I am not talking about serious injuries here. That would be a different matter entirely. But I am talking about the little bumps in the road. They fell with a smile and got up with one too! If only we all could be this childlike! Think of how much easier our lives would be! I wish they could understand how grateful I am to them sometimes. They inspire me to be the very best person I can be! We've all heard the expression "out of the mouths of babes." Personally, I am more interested in seeing things through their eyes!

Cooperation

During ball play this morning I was reminded of a powerful truth we adults must remember when working with very small children. I usually offer to play catch with children who come to me during ball play. If they want to, I lead the game to show them how it is done. Very small children don't have much experience cooperating with other people so we must be very patient with them. It is the process of learning that is the most important although, as adults, we do have the goal in mind: showing them how the game is played. Another goal is to enrich their life by leading them in a cooperative experience and our lives are also enriched as a result. So in a game of catch, we both benefit! Cooperation with other people enriches the life of every human person and children are no exception. Children, in fact, have a very natural and good desire to cooperate. One little one I was playing with today needed extra patience. At first, she had a hard time understanding what the expectation was and threw the ball all over the place instead of right in my arms. It felt like chaos for a bit but she finally caught on and we had a marvelous time! So, let's make having cooperative experiences with children a priority in our dealings with them! Our lives will be enriched for it for years to come!

"Parents don't want their children to make the wrong decisions, so they don't allow them to make the decision. And then the child becomes dependent, and then the parent resents that, and it gets off into a blameful thing early on. If you are encouraging children to do all that they can do -- and not squelching the natural eagerness that is within them, so that they can shine and thrive and show you and themselves how good they are at adapting to physical experience -- then everyone wins."

Excerpted from a workshop in Dallas, TX on Saturday, March 13th, 1999

Our Love,
Jerry and Esther

I found this insightful. What do you think? Anything? Feel free to share it here.

Parent Reviews

Reviewer's Name:
Marie Kuge
Comments:
Miss Tandy's class feel carefully planned and adapted to the students; She has a talent for connecting with children, but also respecting individuality. We learned to use music for engaging the senses, mood, learning and fun!

Reviewer's Name:
Laurel Krueger
Comments:
Tandy Brown is wonderful with children. Her class has really opened my son up to music! He loves it. We sing about everything we do throughout the week, like washing our hands and getting dressed. He loves to sing because of Kindermusik.

Reviewer's Name:
Kelly Forsyth
Comments:
Tandy Brown - Kindermusik gave my daughter a chance to interact with other children her age, experince familiar activities in a new environment and move and explore at her own pace. I highly recommend the class!


Reviewer's Name:
Carrie Wieneke
Comments:
Ms Tandy was wonderful. Our son was only 2 months when we started and the youngest in the class, but she had great ideas to make all ages involved.

Reviewer's Name:
Emily Morris
Comments:
Ms. Tandy creates a very welcoming environment for the children and parents. She moves very well between active/movement segments and quieter, singing or resting activities. The children stay engaged throughout the entire class.

Reviewer's Name:
JoAnn Sadler
Comments:
Since joining this class my son has come right out of his shell. He used to be very shy about singing but now, after being in this class, he just belts out a tune whenever it fancies him.

Reviewer's Name:
Diana Witowski
Comments:
The environment poses a perfect opportunity to bond with your child(ren). It's clear that the syllabus has been carefully developed and "kid-approved". I consider myself a pretty particular mom and this class comes highly recommended.


Reviewer's Name:
Leigh Miller
Comments:
My son has enjoyed Kindermusik with Miss Tandy for the last 18 months. The classes are child and parent friendly as well as benefical for language and soical development. I would recommend Kindermusik with Tandy.

Reviewer's Name:
Stacy Gajewski
Comments:
Awesome class! We love how Mrs. Tandy sings, dances and has a fun learning environment for the children. Our daughter plays, reads and loves the take home materials and uses them all the time.

Reviewer's Name:
Stacey Rumpsa
Comments:
I would highly recommend the Kindermusik classes through Miss Tandy. My daughter (22 mos) loves her class and it's been neat to see her progress and how excited she gets. We definitely plan to sign up for another one.

Reviewer's Name:
Christine Baranowski
Comments:
As a parent of 2 students in the Imagine That class, I truly appreciate the oonstant feedback that Ms. Tandy provides! My kids ABSOLUTELY adore Ms. Tandy!

Reviewer's Name:
James Moore
Comments:
Our daughter absolutely loves Ms. Tandy. This is the second class we have enrolled her in. Each class has been beneficial and fun for our daughter and we highly recommend Ms. Tandy.

Reviewer's Name:
Brian Rosbury
Comments:
Our children have been attending Kindermusik by Tandy classes for the past two years. They look forward to class each week because it is so much fun!

Reviewer's Name:
Melissa Borden
Comments:
Ms.Tandy is just awesome, She has been very patient with our 2 yr old daughter who is very apprehensive about everything and because of her patience our daughter now participates in class and talks about it all week with so much excitement.

Reviewer's Name:
Kristen Smith
Comments:
We have so much fun in Ms. Tandy's Our Time class. My 2 year old son sings the songs he learns in class all the time and he's developing a very musical ear!

Reviewer's Name:
Suzanne Kirsch
Comments:
Tandy Brown is a fantastic instructor. Both of my daughters go to the Our Time class since Family Time didn't fill up. She has great ideas for including the baby in the activities that the older kids are doing.

Reviewer's Name:
James Moore
Comments:
Our daughter absolutely loves the class! Ms. Tandy does an excellent job facilitating the learning of musical awareness through imaginative play. I highly recommend the class!

Reviewer's Name:
Tracey Pierson
Comments:

Reviewer's Name:
Shanyn Paluszewski
Comments:
Tandy is has a very gentle and soothing voice which I think is great for the kids. She is also always very upbeat and energetic. Great Class!

Reviewer's Name:
Angie Januszkowski
Comments:
Tandy was very good with all the children, she is very kind and patient and the kids have a great time in the class. It is also very good for the parents because you make new friends and that makes it fun for everyone.

Reviewer's Name:
Tracey Pierson
Comments:
Tandy Brown

Reviewer's Name:
Susan Lock
Comments:
My daughter Jadyn was very bashful at first but Mrs. Tandy makes all of the kids feel so welcome and they all have a great time (and the parents too). Jadyn has really come out of her shell and enjoys the class.


Reviewer's Name:
Cathy Brodie
Comments:
My son is currently enrolled in his second music class with Ms. Tandy and is having a great time. Ms. Tandy is a very good teacher and is fantastic with all her students.

Reviewer's Name:
Kayrl Reynoso
Comments:
We really enjoyed our class with Tandy Brown. She was very kind to all young students and my son had a great time. We hope to be a part of another class in the future!

Reviewer's Name:
Jean-Louise Manwell
Comments:
Tandy is a great educator. We were hoping for more at home materials but when you think about it it's not a regular kindermusik. Great class and our son is using signs independently of us asking him to respond in sign. It is fabulous!

Reviewer's Name:
Stacy Gajewski
Comments:
Miss Tandy is a wonderful, energetic, and organized educator who has a love for music and children. Stacy and Ava

Reviewer's Name:
Janet Hughes
Comments:
My 2 1/2 year old daughter absolutely loves Our Time with Miss Tandy, and she is always asking to listen to "Miss Tandy's music." Tandy values all the children, and she is very knowledgable about their developmental needs.

Reviewer's Name:
Melissa Ceballos
Comments:
We had Kindermusik by Tandy for my daughter's 1st birthday party. The kids had a blast!!! Recommend using Kindermusik as a unique way to entertain/teach young minds at a birthday party :o)

Reviewer's Name:
Ewa Lebert
Comments:
This is the second consecutive semester for my daughter and she continues to grow. From learning to share and follow directions to encouraging different skills, I am very satisfied with Tandy's classes.

Reviewer's Name:
Laura Watt
Comments:
My son and I love Tandy's class! The music and materials are wonderful. Tandy is enthusiastic and responsive to her students. This class has been a great experience for my child.

Reviewer's Name:
Jennifer Pegouske
Comments:
We have been very happy and impressed with Kindermusik by Tandy. She is an excellent teacher and really pays attention to the needs of each child. We will defintely be signing up for another class!

Reviewer's Name:
Christine Rosbury
Comments:
Miss Tandy is a talented educator!I have a 3 and 1.5 year old in the same class and BOTH enjoy the pace and energy of Our Time. I am very appreciative of her incorporation of fine and gross motor movement along with pro-social skills.

Reviewer's Name:
Lorrie Guarino
Comments:
Tandy has a true love of music and children. Her enthusiasm shows through in her teaching of Kindermusik!

Reviewer's Name:
Kelly Mundt
Comments:
Tandy did a great job working the class format around a span of ages to keep all kids involved!

Reviewer's Name:
Rene' Bohlen
Comments:
Thank you so much Tandy!! We had so much fun in your class. You had wonderful energy, great interaction skills with the children, and always a pleasant smile. Our daughter loved the class and continues to sing the songs everyday!

Reviewer's Name:
Becky Ricci
Comments:
My daughter absolutely loved Kindermusik classes with Tandy. Tandy is energetic and knows how to engage the children. She is very passionate about Kindermusik and that is definetely reflected in her classes.

Reviewer's Name:
Audra Melton
Comments:
Tandy is always on time, friendly, flexible, and obviously likes music and children. Knowledgable regarding benefits of music for children.