Classes Canceled Febraruy 21 Due to Weather

There will be no classes today at UMKC due to the weather. As always, we follow the Kansas City, Missouri Public Schools regarding closings.

Your teachers will be in touch regarding makeup classes.

Stay safe, and warm, and we'll see you all soon -

Joy

Classes Cancelled Due to Snow

There will be no classes this morning due to the snow. We always follow the KC MO Public School Closings for classes held at UMKC and the Shawnee Mission Public Schools for classes held in Overland Park.

Classes will be made up at a later date, likely at the end of the semester. We will keep you posted.

Please call 913.322.2151 or email if you have questions.

Stay safe and warm!

Kindermusik Classes Cancelled for December 11

Due to inclement weather, all Kindermusik classes for this Tuesday morning will be cancelled. As always, we follow the Kansas City Missouri Public Schools regarding closings.

All final Tuesday classes will be rescheduled for next week, Tuesday Dec. 18.

Call us at 913.322.2151 or email kindermusikwithjoy@gmail.com is you have any questions.

Stay safe and warm today!

Create an ABC Adventure for Your Child

Check out this fun gadget at Shutterfly that makes your child the star of an ABC Adventure video.

Thanks, Molly for sharing this.

Loving Discipline for Children

As some of you know, I was at the International Kindermusik Convention last week, which I must say truthfully shifted my perspectives and taught me in ways I could not have imagined.

By far, for me the highlight of the event was a four hour workshop with Dr. Becky Bailey, award-winning author and recognized expert in education and developmental psychology. Perhaps best known for her work educating teachers and parents on discipline, Bailey provided us with some of the most startling, insightful suggestions for classroom management I have ever heard.

Her methods are simple, loving, and very effective. I must admit that Sam is now my new guinea pig for practicing some of her great ideas. It can be very handy at times to have 2-year-old who likes to throw tantrums when you're practicing new classroom management skills.

You may hear me rave more in class these next few weeks, and you will probably even see a few of my new tricks. But in the meantime, I would highly recommend checking out Dr. Bailey's books, since her methods are easily as practical for parents as they are for teachers, and she presents by far the best means for discipline I have ever seen. You'll find that not only are you helping your child learn to behave, but you are teaching character development and a deep respect for self and others.

Here are my favorites for parents:

The Schubert Series of books for Children (best for preschoolers and up), which Dr. Bailey points out are not only fabulous books for kids but make great educational tools for parents wanting to know how to discipline their children as well. Just look to the teacher in the book for a model of how to interact with your child.

Easy to Love, Difficult to Discipline

I Love You Rituals

This post has been a part of Works for Me Wednesday. For more fun tips, check out Rocks in My Dryer.

Crafty Costumes

If you're feeling crafty, here are some adorable and very simple homemade costume ideas. The one to the left here uses white gloves for antlers. How cute is that!

Parents.com Halloween Costume Ideas

Family Fun Costume Ideas

Thanks, Molly for the tip.

Giving Your Child a Great Start in Music

Parents regularly ask me when is a good time to start music lessons or what to do with their child to develop an interest in music prior to taking lessons.

Here is a lovely article that just appeared in the "Omaha World-Herald" on Monday which answers those very questions.

You can also come for a visit Saturday November 17 at the Community Music and Dance Academy as various Conservatory music and dance instructors discuss "Music and Dance for the Young Child." I'll have more details soon.

Crafty Ways to Keep Your Kid Occupied

I must sadly admit to not being a crafty person. This is especially sad since my 2-year-old seems to be developing a real interest in coloring and creating.

Enter my new favorite website: Kids Craft Weekly. This week's crafts includes Matchbox freight trains, something that would be a huge hit at our house, where the world revolves largely around vehicles.