Search Results for: blog music an important part of an education

Learning the Alphabet Part I

I am of the opinion, especially after teaching for five years, that learning should occur in the context of everyday living spurred by curiosity and creativity.  Learning should be fun and easy and never forced … if it can be helped. From the moment I found out the I was pregnant with my first baby, I was thinking about how and when I would start to introduce guided learning.   The most important and paramount concern that I had was finding a way to make learning fun and avoid the sense of dread and boredom that tends to come with formal … Continue reading →

Preschool Primer Part 2 – What Kind Of Preschool Is Right For Your Toddler?

When you are trying to decide which preschool is the best fit for your toddler, keep in mind that not all preschools are created equal. There are multiple types of preschools, each with its own underlying philosophy. Here are a few examples of the different types of preschools that are out there. Montessori preschools have a philosophy that is centered around the interconnectedness of all living things and helping the child to discover his or her unique place in the world. Teachers are called “Guides” and they help each child to learn at his or her own pace. Life skills, … Continue reading →

Special Needs Children and Camp: Part III – Best Camps for Special Needs

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Camp is beneficial for children with special needs, and choosing the right camp is extremely important. The wrong camp can make for a miserable experience, while the right one is not only fun for your child but can also help prepare her for life. Here are some of the best camps from around the United States. *Please note that these camps are ones I have found through research. If considering one of these camps, please research it and meet with the staff to ensure it is the best pick for your child. Camp For All, Texas Camp For All is … Continue reading →

Basic Financial Education for Kids

When I was growing up, money meant security. I grew up with the fear of not having enough, not because there wasn’t enough but because that was the gist of my parents’ conversations around money. I learned that you needed to get a good job, which meant one that paid well. Even though I was a fairly talented musician, this meant that a career in the arts was certainly out. When I was growing up, I also had positive experiences with money. My parents balanced their checkbook every week in full view of the kids. I got an allowance and … Continue reading →

The Little Man and The Music

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Long before our son was born he was listening to some great music. While in the womb our son was treated to audiophile headphones piping classic recordings (along with some recently released music) on vinyl records. My wife constantly spend time dancing with him to the latest pop music. He responded favorably to certain television theme songs and certainly seemed like he enjoyed and had found the beat. Music, it seems, has been a part of his life from the beginning. After he was born he’s still respond with recognition to certain songs. There is a pop music CD we … Continue reading →

Why Drama is Important in Homeschooling

As I mentioned in the last homeschool blog post, Carnival of Educators -Drama Club Edition, I am in the middle of tech week for my kids Drama Club which is an extention of their once a week homeschool program. As a quick refresher, my kids attend Artios Academies which is a once a week homeschool program where kids learn about a different time period each year through the arts. (This post explains the program in more detail. You may notice there was a name change for the “school” my kids attend.) They study visual art, music, drama, dance, etc, of … Continue reading →

More on Music and Medicine

More and more researchers are looking at the relationship between music and the human body. Here are a few recent developments! At the Gagnon Cardiovascular Institute in New Jersey, patients who undergo surgery are accompanied by music during recovery. The heart tends to fall into rhythm with music — the beat helps the heart maintain a smooth, steady pace. Music is also used in the recovery room immediately after surgery to help quiet anxiety and promote feelings of peace. A study from the University of Maryland Medical Center found that hearing your favorite song can be a big benefit for … Continue reading →

Things Your Preschooler Learns While Playing Part 2

Are you concerned that your preschooler is too busy playing to learn anything? It seems to be a constant theme for homeschooling moms who want to see some measurable progress in their child. Well, do not worry, your child really is learning. In part 1 of things your preschooler learns while playing. I wrote about the importance of playing with Lego’s and driving toy cars, among other things. Here is Part 2 of things your preschooler learns while playing. Playing with dolls: Roll playing with dolls can teach preschoolers many important life skills. The natural lesson for many children is … Continue reading →

How Important is Children’s Ministry? -Part 2

Times have changed. Are we changing with them? Friends and I were talking a few weeks back and the consensus was that years ago most children in Australia were sent to Sunday School, even if parents never went to church or only rarely attended. These days the situation is vastly different. A friend told me, and my own experience as an SRE teacher backs this up, that many children do not have the first idea about why we celebrate Easter. Some have never ever heard of Jesus. How are they going to hear unless we tell them? Unless you as … Continue reading →

Homeschooling: A Good Alternative to a Lavish Education pt. II

From looking at the examples of the result of extravagant educations I presented in part I of this article, one would have to concur that an expensive education, could lead to an education that produces great leaders. However, there are always exceptions to the rule. Yes, studies have shown that richer, smarter parents have richer smarter kids. However, and more importantly than more money being spent, how available funds are spent is just as important. Here are some examples of leaders whose education was much less than extravagant: Condoleezza Rice, National Security Advisor to George Bush, went to segregated public … Continue reading →