Category: Parenting
Is my child uninterested?
We are back in person which has been SO amazing! The connections, the smiles… it’s something we missed so much during our almost 18 months of being only virtual. Being in person with Kindermusik comes with some common questions from parents. These are questions we haven’t answered in a while, so we wanted to revisit this topic and see if we can reassure you that your child is thriving no matter their learning style.
Whether you are in our Kindermusik classes, another parent child class, or even getting back out there with playdates and social opportunities, you may be noticing that your child isn’t instantly jumping right in, or seemingly excited to be there. However, what you see on the surface many not be the entire story.
Children learn in so many different ways. Some learn by listening (auditory), some learn by moving (kinesthetic), and some learn by touch (tactile). Some children, especially in new environments may appear disinterested, when in reality, they might just be processing. Many times parents interpret this passive learning as their children not liking the class, activity, or experience. This might not be the case at all. In fact, when you go home, or when class ends and your child is back in their safe place, they might start showing you all that they learned. It’s quite amazing to see!
The best learning experiences are those that integrate the senses, learning domains, developmental needs, and interests of the child. For example, a great integrated activity might involve singing, language, imagination, listening, creativity, problem solving, and pretend play. This level of integration creates an optimal and meaningful learning environment for each child.
Preparing a safe and secure learning environment is a top priority. When in this type of environment, children are able to access the part of the brain which is responsible for learning and memory. With you by your child’s side, you are creating a safe, loving place to return to at any time. The key is making exploring and socializing an option, but not judging how or when your child may integrate in. Inviting them to join and participate at whatever pace they need without expectation is the best gift you can give as you both return to these kinds of activities.
I hope this eases your mind as you head back to an in-person experience. Wishing you well.
School Year 2021 – 2022 in-person and virtual classes registration is ongoing. We know you’ll find an option that will be the perfect learning experience for your child (or YOU, hint hint, private lessons…). Have questions? Just contact us.
We are currently offering in-person preview class opportunities for our baby, young toddler and toddler music classes as well as a full preview week for our virtual classes. Give Kindermusik a try! In-Person Central Florida Kindermusik classes held in Orlando and Volusia at UCF/Oviedo, Winter Park, Lake Nona, Winter Garden and Port Orange.
Holly Lesnick is owner/director of Grow and Sing Studios, an award winning Kindermusik accredited program. She is a music therapist, and proud mother of two.
Transition Talk
✨Who else is going through a lot of transition right now? Transition and change is so hard isn’t it? Will and I just moved our oldest daughter Anna into her first college apartment this past week. While it’s not too far, it’s still out of our home. She’s been under our roof for almost 20 years. We didn’t realize how much the transition would affect us, mostly in the form of FATIGUE.
So, this might seem like a strange comparison, but it immediately came to my mind and I wanted to share it with you. In Kindermusik classes we have observed that for children, the most challenging time for them is not during the actual activities in Kindermusik, but in the time in between. The TRANSITIONS. Moving from one moment to the next. Sometime in class something might get collected or taken away (like an instrument), and a child might feel immediate feelings of sadness, fear, or excitement! The unknown of what happens next. It’s intense!
Sadness, fear or excitement. The exact feelings Will and I are experiencing through this life transition of moving our daughter out of our home.
🙌My reflection: What a beautiful gift we are giving our Kindermusik families. In our classrooms, we are working on transitions within in a safe, loving, judgement free environment. We are helping young children work through transitions, which is a LIFE SKILL we all must possess.
💜AMAZING. Thank you @kindermusik_international
🎵Sending love, light and musical memories,
Ms. Holly
Classes: Grow and Sing Studios
Mugs: @raedunn
Shelf: @hobbylobby
Rainbow Quote: @tjmaxx
💜🎵💜🎵💜🎵💜🎵💜🎵💜
We did it!
Note: this is an amazon afilliate link. If you purchase through this link, a bit comes back to help our studio. Thank you!
FAQ: How are you adapting for Covid-19 for In-Person classes?
☀️Coming out of a pandemic (slowly) is unchartered territory for all of us. Here at Grow and Sing Studios, our number one priority is the safety of the children who attend our classes. Our Kindermusik program serves babies through age 7, and since children aren’t able to be vaccinated yet we will continue to take precautions until risk is lower.
👍This picture is a fantastic example of how we are adapting without compromising the fun and learning. In class, each family has their own blanket area. All blankets are spaced out for some distancing. Instead of passing out and collecting instruments throughout class, each family has as bin of sanitized instruments and props ready to go when they arrive that they can use for the duration of class. Everything is then sanitized after class. Parents are required to wear masks in class, and for children it is optional. Parents are encouraged to choose what is best for their child and family.
🔗If you are considering a music and movement class, but are concerned about Covid-19 risks, we hope you’ll review our adaptations and perhaps you’ll find that our studio is the right fit for your family. You can learn more about our Covid-19 strategy at growandsing.com/covid. We are here to help in any way we can, and answer your questions. Feel free to contact us at 407-970-2774 (through WhatsAPP at the same number), or email .
Learn more at growandsing.com. Celebrating 16 years in Central Florida.
🎵We hope to welcome your family into class soon.
😞Feeling stressed? Let us help!
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My biggest challenge yet…
Hi there, I’m Holly, founder, owner and director here at Grow and Sing Studios. 15 years ago, when my son was 6 weeks old, I created my studio which offered a very simple TWO Kindermusik classes per week total. I had previously taught Kindermusik and worked as a music therapist but had been on a break to have my second child.
I began my Kindermusik journey because I yearned for connections with other parents. I discovered Kindermusik through my first passion, music therapy, and it seemed like the obvious fit because Kindermusik is about how music affects a child’s development. I found Kindermusik to be a happy, smiley, positive place, and I wanted to create that for as many families as I could.
Even during the 2008 recession, Grow and Sing Studios thrived. It not only thrived, but won awards. Lots of awards. Through the years, I’ve added various classes, a wonderful staff, birthday parties, piano lessons, voice lessons… frankly, the list is VERY long because not all things I tried stuck.
Yet, throughout it all, the goal was simple.
Though I’m not sure I saw it for a long time. On the surface it was to have a career and support my family. I wanted to be the best I could be in my field. But it was also to make music and inspire my own children. However, it took many years to realize that the ultimate goal was to help inspire laughter, smiles, and connections.
So, I finally figured it out. It’s the constant Kindermusik joy guarantee in a life full of variables.
And boy has 2020 thrown us some major life variables!
I am always trying new things, testing the waters, figuring things out. Due to Covid-19, I’ve had to think WAY outside the box so that the laughter, smiles and connections didn’t stop.
That is where our Kindermusik Virtual program comes in. Back in March, I had NO idea what I was going to do. I had to take a step back, breathe, and remember that the ultimate goal was to create joy through music. Thankfully, we have an incredibly talented and DEVOTED team of teachers who were ready to try anything I put in front of them.
Our Kindermusik Virtual program has been a complete success over the past several months. A community of families from ALL OVER have embraced this new way to learn with their young children. I can’t express enough how heartwarming it is to witness! Friendships are being made between parents, between children, and even closer connections are forming between our teachers.
I’m starting to realize that if you can find a constant that makes you the happiest, you WILL succeed even in the middle of a pandemic. So, I finally figured it out. HAPPINESS is my dream. LAUGHTER is what I long for. CONNECTIONS are what I strive to create each and every day.
Mission accomplished.
So, what’s your story? I’d love to know more about YOU!
May your day bring you much happiness, peace, and many giggles.
Thanks for reading.
Love, Holly
CLICK HERE FOR YOUR UNLIMITED TRIAL WEEK
60 classes for $80. Yes, you read that right!
Dear Parents,
As we move through our summer, it is evident that we must continue our online only Kindermusik program so that we can do our part in slowing the spread of Covid-19. The good news is that everyone is having a BLAST! If you joined us for Session A or are currently in our Bilingual Birdies program, we thank you for being part of our Grow and Sing Studios family. If you are already enrolled in our upcoming session B, we can’t wait to see you. We are sending this email out to everyone in the hopes that you will either learn about our upcoming session B and consider signing up, OR share the info with a friend or family member (anywhere because it’s online!). We are SO excited to begin the second half of our summer programming next week, July 20th.
Here’s an overview. Our award winning program is recommended for children newborn through age 7. Summer session B is 5 weeks long. Each week we offer 12 virtual interactive zoom classes and events that you are welcome to attend. Summer B is $80, TOTAL. This fee covers your entire household. So, for $80, you have unlimited access to 60 classes. PLUS you’ll receive digital online resources (music, e-book, activities) to enhance the learning. Just to make sure it’s clear, this program is UNLIMITED. You can attend ALL classes each week if you want to (and some folks do!). We have been told by parents that our virtual enrichment program is making life easier and enhancing their family’s days together during a very difficult time.
I went live yesterday on Facebook and Instagram to further explain how this works, and to unveil our upcoming themed units. So to learn more, click on this youtube video.
If you ever have any questions or need any help signing up, don’t hesitate to touch base with us. Sign up today and you’ll receive a welcome email with login info soon after.
Wishing you health, safety, and beautiful musical moments together,
Holly Lesnick, Director/Owner
Session B online Kindermusik program | Online Bilingual Birdies | Online Birthday Parties | Online Voice Lessons | Online Piano Lessons | Online adult beginner tap classes
P.S. Did you miss our 15th anniversary celebration? It was a sing along celebration like no other. Check it out here, and enjoy!
A message from Ms. Holly
If you are of the opinion that it’s a bit too soon for you and your young baby or child to attend group classes, please keep reading.
Our studio philosophy is to follow a child where he or she is developmentally. A one, two or three year old needs to have the freedom to move around, explore, hug, kiss, pick up things, put objects in their mouth, drop things, hold hands and be free. That is what is developmentally appropriate.
In order for a child to participate in these developmentally appropriate things, a child needs to feel safe. Can a child feel completely safe in a situation where they are being pulled back to their “spot”, wearing a mask, told not to touch things and told to keep distance from their friends? At this point we don’t think so and that isn’t our developmental goal.
To truly meet our goal which is to connect you as a family through the magic of music, we feel this can best be accomplished at home, with our licensed (and very talented) educators leading you the entire way online. Our entire team brings their strengths and talents to you each and every class. We can safely interact with your family without any limitations for your child. We have seen firsthand during our online classes that children are able to learn alongside their parent the things that we strive to teach whether in person or online. Elements such as parental bonding, eye contact, singing, rhythm, dancing, steady beat, exercise, language. All of which can be accomplished at home with full exploration and freedom. At such time that we can feel we can deliver a developmentally appropriate in person experience, we will do so.
SO, we are REALLY EXCITED to start our online UNLIMITED Summer house party. Pick a track for one fee, and attend each and every class and event we offer each week. Those include classes, dance parties, sing-a-longs, puppet shows, themed events, instrument demos and so much more. Come and go as you please, and enjoy connecting through music together. Thank you so much for your time, and we can’t wait to make music with you! Click here to learn more.
FREE Virtual Kindermusik Demo Days
We look forward to seeing you soon!
Here’s our schedule for this week, May 18 – 22, 2020.
Welcome to another week of our Kindermusik virtual online house party. So many fun things in store this week including an age appropriate TAP DANCE class! We plan to continue our Spring house party until May 31st since schools have now closed for the remainder of the year. If you wish to participate, you can enroll here for a pro-rated fee of $50. It’s one flat fee for the rest of our unlimited online May classes. Online Summer enrollment is open as well! We are welcoming new families each and every day from all over! Here is all the information you need to join in this week!