Want to read your new Kindermusik eBooks on your iPad without having to use a web browser? Here are a few simple steps to get you there:

• Click on the Story link in your Digital Home Materials Download Center (the colorful box on the bottom right of the screen) to download.
• Open the download.
• Click to Extract or Unzip the file. (The word EXTRACT or UNZIP may appear toward the top of your screen or may be accessed by a right click.) Most computers come with software to extract files and will know exactly what to do. If your computer does not, you will need to download this free software, 7zip. Follow the directions on the site. It’s easy.
• When you click to extract or unzip the file, it will ask you where you want to save it. I usually choose to put it in Libraries/DigitalHomeMaterials. I have folders for each curriculum and under that, folders for each unit. Example: Libraries/DigitalHomeMaterials/KMWiggle&Grow/UpintheSky
• To be able to easily transfer my eBook to my phone or iPad, I copy the file into DropBox (which I also have as an app on my iPad). It is free to download and easy to use. Just drag or copy/paste the files into your DropBox folder.  If you don’t want to download the DropBox software, another really easy option is to simply email yourself the file as an attachment.
• Now that you have copied the file to DropBox or emailed it to yourself, you can click on the file to open it on your iPhone or iPad.
• Use the buttons in the top right corner of the now open file to select “Open In iBooks”.
• Your new eBook is now available for you to read at any time in iBooks.

This takes me about 5 minutes or less to do! – Written and Shared by the IT folks at Kindermusik International, Adapted for eBook instructions by Joy Granade

Need to unZIP?  Learn how to unzip or extract files, such as the music, activities, or lyrics downloads from your  Kindermusik@Home units.  Instructions are also included for burning a CD:

• Click on album link to download.
• Open the download.
• Click to Extract or Unzip the file.  (The word EXTRACT or UNZIP may appear toward the top of your screen or may be accessed by a right click.) Most computers come with software to extract files and will know exactly what to do. If your computer does not, you will need to download this free software, 7zip.  Follow the directions on the site. It’s easy.
• When you click to extract or unzip the album, it will ask you where you want to save it. I usually choose to put it in Libraries/Music. I have folders for each curriculum and under that, folders for each unit. Example: Libraries/Music/KMLaugh&Learn/Carnival of Music
• To be able to easily transfer my music to my phone, iPad, iPod, or to burn a CD, I copy the audio files into iTunes. It is free to download and easy to use. Just drag or copy/paste the audio files into your music library on iTunes.
• Create a playlist in iTunes.  Click on File (top left corner), select New Playlist. It will create a place for you to give your playlist a name, such as the name of the album.
• Drag the new tracks from the music library into your playlist.
• To burn a CD, click on the same file tab (top left corner), and select Burn playlist to disc.

This takes me about 10 minutes to do, from download to burned CD! – Written and Shared by the IT folks at Kindermusik International

my.kindermusik.com

So what does that mean, and how does it affect you?  It means that Kindermusik International has done it again.  They’ve made the magic, learning, and music they’re known for new once more…and this time it’s easier, more convenient, and more applicable than ever before.  Through rigorous research, planning, thought, love, and care, Kindermusik International has created a digital delivery system that will bring music, literature, home activities, videos, and up-to-date research on child development into your hands anytime and anywhere.  These materials are accessible on your home computer, tablet, or smartphone.  (Um, yep.  You heard that right.  Standing in the grocery line, anyone?  Waiting at the doctor’s office?)  They bring you everything you love about Kindermusik in an eco-friendly digital format that will never get lost, left behind, chewed up, used up, or need to be trucked there to here wasting-fossil-fuels-up.

It’s an exciting time to be part of the Kindermusik family.  We hope you love Kindermusik@Home as much we do!

Have some questions?  We want to answer them!  If you don’t find what you’re looking for below, email us at kindermusikwithjoy@gmail.com.

How do I find or access my materials?
You should get an email from Kindermusik International with directions and links around the time our Summer Session starts.  From your desktop, tablet, or smartphone, visit my.kindermusik.com  (notice there’s no www).  Enter the email address you have on file with us and log in as a new user to set your password.  Once you’ve set up your account, you’ll be directed to your home page where you’ll find your child’s unit of materials waiting for you. (Our Time/Family Time: “Wiggle & Grow – Up in the Sky” or Imagine That!:  Laugh & Learn – “Make Believe”).  Just click the unit icon to start exploring!

We even have a short and simple 1 minute video to show you how it’s done:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCv7aZcEkLM&feature=youtu.be

Then, starting with classes in September, every four weeks a new unit will automatically be delivered to your account.  The units you already own will remain in your account forever growing your library of music, activities, and books!

I’m having trouble accessing my materials.  What do I do?
If you experience any difficulty logging in or accessing your current unit, please contact us immediately.  We are working directly with our friends at Kindermusik International to make sure you have a hassle-free experience.  We appreciate knowing about any trouble you encounter as soon as possible, so we can troubleshoot and uncover the solution quickly.

How do I get the music for the class?
For downloading your music, we recommend using a desktop instead of your phone or tablet; however, you’ll find your class songs will also stream directly from your tablet or smartphone.  When downloading, the music for your child’s class is available in the pink or blue-colored Download Center on the unit homepage for your child’s curriculum.  Simply click to download the music to your computer and then burn a CD, import to iTunes, or save and listen in whichever way your prefer to organize your music!

How do I unzip my music, activities, and/or lyrics downloads. Need help unziping your files, see our post here.

Our family has rules about screen time.  Aside from the downloading the music, how can we use these materials?
No worries.  These materials were designed with you in mind!  When you flip through the activities you’ll find recipes, crafts, and play ideas for you to do without any screens at all.  Simply read through the directions, gathering some great inspiration for fun with your child, turn off your device, and play away!  Plus, there are a whole host of printable activities including recipes, games, crafts and the like that can be downloaded and enjoyed screen free, just use your desktop computer to go back to the pink or blue-colored Download Center on the unit homepage for your child’s curriculum, and click on the button marked “Activities”.  And for the book, you have three options, read the digital version together, print off a hardcopy, or use the extra savings on your monthly tuition payments to order your own hardcopy for just $4.95 (FREE shipping direct to you).  Last but not least, don’t forget about all the great parenting information tucked into the materials, so you can read, watch, and learn about how your child learns and how you might further her development.

And if you don’t mind a little screen time (2-5 minutes), there are even more options for you!   You see, Kindermusik International knows and respects that each family gets to decide what’s best for them when it comes to this issue.  In creating this digital resource, Kindermusik has read about and researched this topic thoroughly.  We have aligned our stance with that of the highly respected NAEYC and the Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning, recognizing that children can benefit from a responsible and age-appropriate use of technology in combination with hands-on experiences and in partnership with an actively involved caregiver.  We are proud to bring these high-quality materials to your family which truly embody the very best of both worlds- a responsible introduction to technology AND lots of hands-on, movement-rich, in-your-lap, down-on-the-floor learning.

Unlike many other digital platforms for kids, these materials are designed for you and your child to use cooperatively, engaging with one another as you read, watch, discuss, and discover.  You’ll find the format is designed to move at an appropriate pace for your child in a style that feels like a traditional floor game played with you.   Most of the games and videos are less than 2 minutes in length without any overstimulating sights or sounds and incorporate much of the latest research on early childhood development and learning in their design and focus.  They are truly a rich and exciting tool that’s now available to you anytime and anywhere!

Can we still get instruments or physical books?
Absolutely!  That’s exactly why we dropped our monthly payments, to allow you to use your extra savings, should you desire to buy any extras you want.  So now the choice is in your hands.  Perhaps you only want to buy one or two instruments per year, or maybe you’d like to have a new one every month.  Or maybe you prefer to support a local business who sells children’s instruments or books instead.  Or maybe you just want to save that money for other things in your life.  You get to decide.

And should you decide you’d like to have the Kindermusik instruments or a hard copy of your favorite book at home, you can easily purchase them.  On the home page for every unit you will see a box to the right where you may purchase instruments, props, or hardcopies of your class book.  Plus your new instruments or books are shipped directly to you FREE of charge.  No need to wait a week or two for them to be shipped to your teacher before you can pick them up at class!

Why are my charges different from last Summer?
So, you noticed that even including the registration fee the total cost for Summer Kindermusik is almost $20 less that last year!  One of the benefits of this new format is that we’re now able to offer families an overall COST SAVINGS on Kindermusik.  Even though you’ll now be receiving MORE music, MORE literature, and MORE activity ideas, the new system  allows us to save on expensive shipping and handling costs.  That means you’ll be PAYING LESS UP FRONT, MAKING LOWER MONTHLY PAYMENTS, and getting AN EXTRA WEEK OF CLASS during the School Year at no extra cost to you.  That translates to more value for you and a greener more eco-friendly practice for the globe.

But my child is enrolled in Village or Young Child.  When do I get Digital Home Materials?
While Digital Home Materials are currently not available for these classes, we are happy to say they will be here in time for our School Year classes starting in September!  And you can bet that as soon as they’re available, we’ll be delivering them directly to you!  In the meantime, you get to continue enjoying Kindermusik’s award-winning physical Home Materials.

Pay Less Up Front – All classes regardless of agegroup will have a $20 Registration Fee for Summer and a $35 Registration Fee for Fall.

Lower Monthly Payments – For children under 5 years, your monthly payments will now be just $48 per month for Summer and our School Year Sessions.  Young Child classes will be $59 per month for Summer and for the School Year.

An Extra Week of Class at No Extra Charge to You – We’ll be adding an extra week of classes to our Calendar for May next School Year as a nice little bonus to you all (excepting Young Child classes which will need to finish earlier in order to ensure completion – even in the event of needing make-ups – before Young Child Graduation).

All New Agegroups – You may have noticed our School Year schedule has all new agegroups.  Here are again the names and age breakdowns for the new groups:

• Cuddle & Bounce – for infants and crawlers
• Sing & Play – for walkers to 2’s
• Wiggle & Grow – for 2’s and 3’s
• Laugh & Learn – for 3’s and 4’s
• Young Child – for 5’s and 6’s

And Fun New Curricula and Themes – In addition to all new agegroups, Kindermusik has completely re-written all their curricula except the already amazing Young Child classes.  We’ll have new themes for you every 4 weeks of class.  While not even all the themes for School Year have been released yet, you can see two fun new themes for toddlers and preschoolers for summer here.

Don’t forget to sign up right away!  Classes always fill quickly, and we don’t want you to miss out on all the fun ahead!

A Revolutionary Transformation
That’s what’s coming for those of you enrolling in our baby, toddler, and preschooler classes for School Year 2013-2014.  We’re gonna’ rock your world a little bit and maybe even your boat too as you join the revolution of our awesome new curricula and materials.
So what does that mean and how does it affect you?  It means that Kindermusik International has done it again.  They’ve made the magic, learning, and music they’re known for new once more…and this time it’s easier, more convenient, and more applicable than ever before.  Through rigorous research, planning, thought, love, and care, Kindermusik International has created all new curricula, all new agegroups, and all new materials.

It’s an exciting time to be part of the Kindermusik family.  We hope you love the new classes as much we do!

…………….

HERE ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS

Here’s why we think you’re going to LOVE the all new Kindermusik Curricula:

• All NEW AGEGROUPS! Look for new names like Cuddle & Bounce, Wiggle & Grow, and Laugh & Learn because Kindermusik International is releasing all new agegroups designed to more closely fit the needs of your child at each stage of development!  You’ll see a class tailored for lap babies and crawlers and a separate class made just for new walkers and young toddlers.  There will be classes to support the independence of 2- year olds and classes designed expressing to feed the exploding imaginations of young 3- and 4- year olds.
• Seemless Transitions from Stage to Stage – Even better, with this new format your child will now be able to shift agegroups at anytime throughout the year smoothly and easily with no need to wait for a “semester” break or order expensive extra sets of materials!
• Materials Made for a Digital Age – Kindermusik has created a digital delivery system that will bring music, literature, home activities, videos, and up-to-date research on child development into your hands anytime and anywhere.  These materials are accessible on your home computer, tablet, or smartphone.  (Um, yep.  You heard that right.  Standing in the grocery line, anyone?  Waiting at the doctor’s office?)  They bring you everything you love about Kindermusik in an eco-friendly digital format that will never get lost, left behind, chewed up, used up, or need to be trucked there to here wasting-fossil-fuels-up.
• Even More Materials – Every four weeks a new unit will automatically be delivered to you.  That means every four weeks you’ll get new music, a new book, and all new activities.  Plus, the units you already own will remain in your account forever growing your library of music, activities, and books!
• Easier to Share – Because these digital materials are easy to share between siblings, there will no longer be any need to purchase a “sibling kit” or to bring materials to class when a younger sibling repeats a unit an older brother or sister has already taken.  Translation…
• Less Cost to You – the Best Part of All - One of the benefits of this new format is that we’re now able to offer families an overall COST SAVINGS on Kindermusik.  Even though you’ll now be receiving MORE music, MORE literature, and MORE activity ideas, the new system  allows us to save on expensive shipping and handling costs.  That means you’ll be PAYING LESS UP FRONT, MAKING LOWER MONTHLY PAYMENTS, and getting AN EXTRA WEEK OF CLASS at no extra cost to you.  That translates to more value for you and a greener more eco-friendly practice for the globe.

How does it all work?
We promise to get you all the details as we get them and to answer any questions you have along the way.  You can check back soon here and on Facebook for more specifics related to the upcoming 2013-2014 Summer and School Year Schedules as well as the details of how to enroll.  For now, know that exciting changes are ahead!!

Some kids actually sing before they speak, though you probably wouldn’t call it that.  However, I often hear kiddos in our classes for babies and young toddlers trying to sing along and once in a while we’ll even have a child fill in a note on the correct pitch on a song like “BINGO” where the adults all leave out some of the notes and words.

The children in your Our Time class will be all over the map in terms of vocal experience, development, and confidence. Your child may be saying only a few words out loud or may be well on his way to telling elaborate stories.  Your child may jump right into the singing or may need to listen and observe for awhile. Or, your child may respond somewhere in between. This wide range is completely normal within any group of toddlers.

Most children between 1 1/2 and 3 years old are in the stage of vocal development that some music specialists call “approximation of singing.” First, they will attempt to “imitate” a word, phrase, rhythm pattern, or vocal inflection. It can be easy to miss this attempt because it rarely happens in the middle of a singing activity. Instead, your child may begin to make these imitative sounds out of context, singing or humming while playing alone. This musical play is vitally important to help your child master the muscular feel of producing a singing sound and to help him distinguish the difference in what it feels like to sing versus what it feels like to speak.  It is only through play and experiencing the joy of singing without the pressure to perform, that children develop their complete singing range and ability.

Gradually children learn to make this differentiation between singing and speaking.  In fact, after the age of 3 you start to see more children who are able to sing whole songs by themselves within a limited range matching pitch most if not all of the time, though this skill can still develop well into elementary school.  (It is only in the rare case of physical deformity that someone cannot learn to sing.)  The key is provide children with as many opportunities to sing as possible in settings that are ripe for success.  That means giving children the chance to sing and hear singing that is unaccompanied in a range of about 5 notes (usually D above middle C to the A just above that).  Now you understand why so many of our songs in class are shared without recordings and why our songs often only have 5 notes in the toddler and preschooler classes.

And once the singing starts be prepared.  Just as their imaginations, expressiveness, and creativity are exploding in other areas, you will find lots of creativity at work in singing preschoolers.  Oftentimes they will even make up their own songs about their day or whatever they are doing.  At times, living with a preschooler can be a little like living in a Broadway show where people randomly burst into song.

I often think of the great composer and teacher Zoltan Kodaly when I think about teaching singing.  Kodaly believed strongly that learning to sing was the key to developing true musicianship.  So, whether they can carry a tune in a bucket or not quite yet, you can rest assured your child is well on the way to learning to be a strong musician.

Don’t Forget

We will be on Holiday Break December 16 – January 6, so there will be no classes during that time.

But just because we’re closed doesn’t mean you can’t take Kindermusik on the Road.  We’ve got some perfect ideas for filling the long hours for a trip to Grandma’s.  You’d be amazed how much time a Kindermusik CD or two and a few of your favorite activities can fill.

Tips:

With a few songs from class you can turn a long day on the road into a time to build memories and make connections you’ll share together forever.

Please spread the word.  We have an exciting opportunity for families to come take part in a research study, The Need for Connection in Adoptive Families: A Heuristic Grounded Theory Study on Family-Based Kindermusik® Groups to Promote Bonding. Adoptive families will be able to attend Kindermusik® Wiggle & Grow family classes free of tuition and the cost of digital at-home materials.

Erin McAlpin, a board certified music therapist and licensed Kindermusik® teacher, will be teaching the Wiggle & Grow classes for adoptive families as part of this research study. As a graduate student at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) she is conducting this research study as part of her Masters of Arts in Music Therapy degree requirements.

Interested families will be asked to come to a 45-minute Kindermusik® Wiggle & Grow family class once a week for 8 weeks, and participate in three parent interviews, weekly parent journaling, and music-based activities at home between classes.

Participation is open to any family with at least one adopted child under 3½ years. At least one parent must attend and participate in class each week. Siblings are invited to attend as well. Unfortunately, due to class size restrictions, this study is not designed for families with more than five children.

Classes will held at the University of Missouri-Kansas City on

Monday’s 6:00-6:45 pm and Saturday’s 10:30-11:15 am

The 8-week period will be set based on availability of participating families

Please contact Erin if you’re interested in participating in this study.

Enrolling now with limited class sizes.

Erin McAlpin, MT-BC
(816) 838-7650

elmcalpin@gmail.com