Kindermusik with Anja

Our great experience
Dear mummies, from the beginning of my article I would like to tell you : “Take a Kindermusic course with your baby and don’t lose this chance to give such a great possibility to your little darling to enjoy it!!!

exploring the balls, their shape and how you can roll them

When Karolina was 10 months old we started Kindermusic with Anja Village classes where there were four other babies of the same age approximately. From the first two classes I noticed how my daughter reacted on sounds of music, various instruments like shakers, or drums, different timbers of voices, high and low pitches, etc. I saw how much Karolina loved atmosphere and company there, how much she enjoyed it. Week by week my baby was developing so fast that sometimes I couldn’t even expect new things from her, but my little diamond could do it already. And the influences of music, the impact from our Kindermusik classes were really great, I should say, I think it took and still takes even first roles.
playing in animals with different materials, voicing ducks or dogs, or cats was of a big interest for little gems

Every time when I tell Karolina “We go to Anja, to Kindermusik”, she starts dancing one of songs from previous semester “Jolly is the miller” which she likes a lot. And this really impresses me how much happiness and light you can see in her eyes from this music. Every day Karolina asks me to switch on the CD from “Cock’a doodle moo!” Village class (showing on music centre or just dancing)and believe me, CD runs not only one or two times even. It seems, she is never tired. Karolina knows movements for each dance we did during the class or she knows what she must do under this or that song. There is a rhyme about 5 cows (a kind of game for fingers), the first cow eats grass, the second- hay, the third drinks water, the forth runs away and the fifth lies down the whole day. Karolina makes the sound of chewing, drinking or sleeping. Or there is a song “Hop up, my baby“ which has “high and low” workout . Karolina raises her hands up when it must be because she remembers mummy was going up with her on refrain, or she voices horse which is actually one of the main characters in this song. She turns around, makes steps forward and back under her favourite song “Jolly is the miller”. It is really amazing.

exploring the bells, the sound of it attracts much attention

I also see how nice Karolina goes in contact with other babies who are younger her and how she watches them, their reactions and joy, and their exploration of new things. There is a small girl who was about 4,5 months when only started the group and now Sophia is almost 8 months . It was very sweet to see how she waved the first time her hand under “HELLO-HELLO!” song, she replied to others when they were waving their hands under the words “hello, hello, let’s sing together…”And such little moments you can enjoy together with other mummy, share her happiness as if it was done the first time by your little one. There are also 2 girls – Marilena and Maria - who sing like birds together when they listen to their favourite melodies. It is fantastic to watch their intercommunication, as if they really have a chat and understand each other. Later Sophia joins them and so does Lia. Lia is a very smiling baby and as we know from her mum Vanja, Lia makes her homework very well. She plays with spoons and bowls at home like she played drums during the class. There was also a boy Theo in our group who likes to roll the ball with a great joy or to play Peek-a-boo with scarfs, and you could even see sun shining from his blue eyes .His smile charges with lots of energy.

this activity was the BEST fun for both mum & baby

It is unforgettable to see how all our children get acquainted and learn different new things from this world of sounds. All of babies love when we take them on hands and go forward to circle, facing them to each other and then go back. Or how we trot or gallop under music around the room. Or when we play drums or with scarfs. You can see achievements in development for each baby and this is the biggest appreciation.

Each class is focused on something specific what we are told about from the beginning. Then a choice of songs from the whole course is devoted exactly to this or that element. Babies are given variety of instruments, items to explore. Everything is accompanied by music (recorded or we sing it). If you are shy or don’t remember the words, there is no need to worry since all text songs are on posters and you can easily join singing for your baby, what makes it more comfortable. We also have our home materials which include a CD with songs, a book, some posters and an instrument (by the way, we have a good collection with Karolina: a bell, a shaker, a scarf, etc.) We can do the same activities at home and if you forget something, Anja is always helpful and in time. We get email after each class with information what we did, what else we can do at home with our darlings and what must be in great attention, in focus.

Kindermusik is not only classes, it is already like meetings with your friends with music and some activities, jokes, sharing about what’s new is done by your baby, chatting. The only thing that I feel sorry that I didn’t know about such course before, when Karolina was 3-4 months, otherwise we could enjoy it much earlier. That is why I recommend all mummies to try it and see what kind of results your baby will have.

Last Thursday we started a new semester “Dews Drops” Village which we were waiting after 2 weeks of break. And we are all excited what new it will bring and give to our sunshines. May be someone will join us too, we are all waiting for more smiles and singing on our classes.

By Dina Proskurina
"stay at home" Mum
Please take a look at my My Blog  and Facebook

LPN is a pure community based site that adopts the true spirit of Blogging. As such we feature unedited raw content from our readers.

Children’s books review #2

Before getting into the book reviews, I’ll start by plugging the weekly Soulla’s Saturday Morning Library to any Larnaca parent interested in finding new stories. Run by the indomitably cheerful Soulla Sophocli at the American Academy’s library, this gives your child the opportunity to sit with others for an English-language book-reading, followed by songs, dances, and the chance to let off steam in the playground.

The choice of stories is done very well to suit a wide age range (up to about 5 years old), and there’s
always a good turnout so it’s also a good chance to meet other English-speaking parents. The €1 cost
includes hot & cold drinks and biscuits for the kids.

Even better, you can also join the library itself at the event, which for a nominal per-annum fee gives you access to two books to borrow per child (though they also have a decent selection of books for grown-ups), which you can keep for a fortnight. It’s that great feeling of browsing with your child, and them getting to discover interesting books for themselves, which you just can’t get with internet shopping or catalogues. Soulla also introduces parents to commercial book-of-the-month schemes, runs regular events such as the upcoming Family fun Day (May 26 th, email soullassaturdaymorninglibrary@cytanet.com.cy for details), and is generally an all-round good ‘un.


Reviews
Hug
Jez Alborough
Walker Books, 2002.

Simply the best first book for children I’ve seen. Bobo, a young chimp, sees all the animals are getting hugs from their mummies and friends. But where’s his mummy to give him a cuddle? The genius of the book lies in the dialogue, which consist of just the one word, “HUG,” repeated over and over. This gives mummies and daddies a great chance to do active reading, since the whole book is brought to life by giving one “hug” a happy inflection, reading the next one as sad, the next as envious, and so on.

Meanwhile, children get to concentrate on the very expressive pictures of Bobo and his jungle friends. If
you are teaching literacy using whole word techniques (not something I’m personally terribly keen on),this would be the ideal book as any child will begin on multiple readings to recognise the shape of the
word HUG (or, in the follow-up books, the words “TALL” and “YES”).

Whoever You Are
Mem Fox
Harcourt Children’s Book, 2007

“Message” books for children are often pretty tedious, if only because as an adult you’ve hopefully
that it’s nice to share things, or that looking left and right before crossing the road is a good idea. That Whoever You Are is different is largely down to its epic scale. In its 32 pages it manages to cross four continents several times over, and follow a cast of dozens of children of different races and backgrounds through trials and triumphs. The narrator (the one in the sky-blue sort of cowboy hat on the front cover) hugs the children tightly and tells them, again and again, to understand that despite the many superficial differences between people, they are all the same underneath, with the same hurts, dreams and laughter. Love eventually emerges as the force that will hold the world together. The illustrations are superb, done in a naïve style that perfectly suits the narrative voice while still managing to mix in enough details to reward the repeated readings your child will almost certainly demand.

Mem Fox says on her rather brilliant blog (http://www.memfox.com/) that she was inspired to write the book after reading about a war crime perpetrated by a child. That, I think, explains the strength of emotion and passion in what could otherwise have been a very bland book.


Mr Pusskins: A Love Story
Sam Lloyd
Orchard, 2007

You only have to see the contrast between Mr Pusskins’ name and the expression on the face of this supremely grumpy fluffy cat to see where this story is going. Sam Lloyd, who both writes and illustrates,
has created a really brilliant character here, a pampered Persian who dreams of hanging out in alleyways
with the Pesky Cat Gang. His owner Emily, meanwhile, just wants to brush his fur and read him bedtimes
stories. Children will see the connection to their own meaner impulses, of course, and the classic hubris narrative brings Mr Pusskins to see the error of his ways. Although the plotting and voice are great, what really makes this book is the artwork, which is just stunning: a very thick line that could well have
been done with marker pen, and a fabulously twisting perspective that plays tricks with the reader’s sense of space. Original styles like Lloyd’s are few and far between, and it’s no wondet Mr Pusskins has
spawned a litter of sequels.

Please do share suggestions for your children’s favourites in the comment box underneath this article.

Happy reading!

by James Mackay
LPN Dad

“James Mackay is Lecturer in Comparative Studies at European University Cyprus”

Antidote Youth Theatre presents: Fear by Judith Johnson

Sunday, May 20, 2012
Antidote Theatre, Larnaca Youth Creativity Foundation. 81-83 Ayios Lazaros St, Larnaca
7:00pm
What are you most afraid of? 
This is the question Kal and his friends are forced to confront when their sleepover turns into a frightening adventure involving a mysterious empty house, and the grisly story of its former occupants.Comedy, suspense and the supernatural combine in this dramatic exploration of the powerful, and sometimes dangerous hold the imagination has over us.

Tickets: 5 euro students and 10 euro adults
Not recommended for children under 8 yrs old




Baked leek, gorgonzola and walnut penne


As it is National Vegetarian Week, here is a delicious pasta dish that 'veggies' and 'non veggies' shall thoroughly enjoy.

A recent survey of the vegetarian food market states that as many as 3.8 million people describe themselves as ‘mainly vegetarian’ (occasionally eat fish) and 1.9m describe themselves as ‘strictly vegetarian’. It’s likely that someone in your family may announce one day that they are no longer eating meat.The majority of us should probably reduce our meat intake anyway, for cost, environmental and health reasons.

cipesFood for thought!!
Baked leek, gorgonzola and walnut penne 
Ingredients
100g/3½oz unsalted butter
1 tbsp olive oil
2-3 leeks, finely sliced
1 garlic clove, crushed
100g/3½oz frozen peas
1 tbsp chopped fresh tarragon
½ lemon, juice only
150g/5½oz crème fraîche
150g/5½oz gorgonzola
200g/7oz walnuts halves
400g/14oz cooked penne pasta

To serve
Garlic bread

Preparation method
  • Preheat the grill to its highest setting. 
  • Melt the butter in a frying pan and add the oil. 
  • Fry the leek and garlic for about five minutes, or until soft. 
  • Add the peas, tarragon and lemon juice. Stir in the crème fraîche along with half of the gorgonzola and half of the walnuts until warmed through. 
  • Add the cooked penne and spoon into four dishes. 
  • Top the dishes with the rest of the nuts and cheese and place under the grill for three minutes, or until golden-brown. 
  • Serve with garlic bread. 
Preparation time:  Less than 30 mins
Cooking time: 10 to 30 mins

Serves 4

Enjoy!
Marilyn 


Mumpreneurs invent light up potty



Two enterprising mothers have been busy celebrating their first invention - a light up potty.

Kerry Marriott, 35, and Rachael Forder, 40, from Southsea, Hampshire, came up with the idea when they realised their own youngsters were finding it difficult to locate the toilet in the dark.

The pair hope their LumiPotti, which illuminates when movement is detected, will go on sale in December priced at around £16.

Before the patented concept goes to market the women are recruiting toddlers to give the potty a trial run.

Explaining their eureka moment Mrs Marriott, mother to Hollie,5, and 18-month-old Rowan, said: 'We both potty trained our children in a similar way.

'Rachael used a transparent potty with a night light underneath and I plugged a night light in to the wall nearby.

'Our children liked the idea that they could get up and find the potty on their own at night. They were quite proud of themselves.

“It wasn’t 100 per cent fool proof but it proved really effective. We started telling other parents about the method and they said it had worked for them.

'We were laughing about it one day, joking like mums do and saying ‘why doesn’t someone make something like this?’ It went from there.'

The friends sat on the idea for two years before investigating whether anything similar was already available.

But when they realised their product was unique, they began working on a design.

They estimate that if it is successful, it could save parents up to half a tonne of disposable night-time nappies in just six months and allow for a better night's sleep.

Mrs Marriott, added: 'Toilet training is this immensely fraught time for parents, especially if you’re a new parent because you have no idea what to expect.

'You know there’s going to be endless traipsing to the potty.

'You’ve probably only just got your sleep back and now you know your night is going to be broken again.'

Mrs Marriott and engineer Miss Forder, who is due to give birth to her second child in two weeks, plan to sell the finished model later this year

Article source : Daily Mail

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