Special Story Hour at Barnes & Noble this Saturday, Oct 31st!

Wonderful KM mom, Victoria Crane, is volunteering much of her time with the WNCAP organization and they are sponsoring an incredible event. It's not very often you can hear a ballet soloist, from the Moscow Ballet, read a very special story, in person, here in Asheville! Read on........and consider going!!!

The Western North Carolina AIDS Project (WNCAP) is honored to be partnering with the Moscow Ballet for a very special fundraiser opportunity. WNCAP is selling fundraiser tickets to The Great Russian Nutcracker scheduled for December 22, at the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium . To help promote this special event, Moscow Ballet Soloist Nataliya Miroshnyk is coming to Asheville this weekend, October 31. Nataliya will be participating in a special story hour at Barnes & Noble in the Asheville Mall at 2:00, and later that day she will be attending WNCAP’s Raise Your Hand Auction at the Deerpark Restaurant on Biltmore Estate.

So if you have children and are looking for something to do before the trick-or-treating begins, head to Asheville Mall and meet Nataliya at Barnes & Noble, if you’re not trick-or-treating, we hope to see you at the Raise Your Hand auction.

Two great events all for a great cause -- to purchase tickets for both The Raise Your Hand Auction and for the Great Russian Nutcracker, please visit the WNCAP website at www.wncap.org

Making Halloween a little bit musical

It's that time of year...Halloween! And here in this photo, is my daughter, Hannah, from a few years ago.

Please feel free to come to class this week in costume - it's sooooo fun for your child to be totally into their character!

I have to share one of the most endearing stories I've ever heard in my ten years of teaching Kindermusik. Several years ago, about a week before Halloween, Cassandra and her son, Solomon, about three years old, were discussing Halloween costumes as they were arriving for KM class. She came inside the class and whispered in my ear the conversation she'd had with him. "Mommy, I know what I want to be for Halloween. I want to be Miss Beth." Thump-thump-thump went my heart. I was speechless, and his Mom and I did our best to stifle our laughter in front of Solomon... No doubt about it - the best compliment I could ever get from a child. :)

So regarding this time of year, musically speaking...... while there's a lot of Halloween-type songs and chants out there, I find many of them a bit scary for our littlest ones. Here are three little songs/chants you can have fun with!

Pumpkins on the Ground (To the Tune of: Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star)

Pumpkin, pumpkin on the ground (crouch down)

How'd you get so big and round? (stretch arms out wide to sides and then make a circle)

Once you were a seed so small, (pretend to hold a seed)

Now you are a great big ball! (make huge circle with hands)

Pumpkin, pumpkin on the ground (crouch down)

How'd you get so big and round? (stretch arms out wide to sides and then make a circle)

Five Little Pumpkins

Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate (hold up five fingers and point to each in turn…)

The first one said, Oh My it's getting late

The second one said, “There’s witches in the air”

The third one said, “But we don’t care” (hand gesture)

The fourth one said, “Let’s run and run and run” (make running sounds with hands on floor)

The fifth one said, “I’m ready for some fun!”

When whishhhhhhhhhh went the wind (gesture with arms the wind wishing)

and OUT went the light (clap hands together)

and the 5 little pumpkins rolled out of sight (roll hands & then run fingers behind back)

Did You Ever See a Pumpkin? (To the Tune of: Did You Ever See a Lassie)

Did You ever see a pumpkin, a pumpkin, a pumpkin,

Did you ever see a pumpkin with no face at all?

With no eyes and no nose and no mouth and no teeth,

Did you ever see a pumpkin with no face at all?

So I made a Jack-O-Lantern, a Jack-O-Lantern, a Jack-O-Lantern,

So I made a Jack-O-Lantern with a big funny face,

With big eyes, and a big nose and a big mouth and big teeth,

So I made a Jack-O-Lantern with a big funny face!

Good, clean fun!

The scarves have migrated to my house for what feels like the zillionth time this semester. It's only October. At this rate, they're going to be in shreds by February.

But keeping germs to a minimum is my upmost concern.

To help me help you and your little one stay as healthy as possible, please consider washing hands or using hand sanitizer when you arrive and leave. Thanks!

Now aren't they pretty just sitting there in the dryer? In the Imagine That classes, we call this our leaf pile. Wheeeeeeeeee! :)

Why do we sing 'Bells Away' anyway?

Greetings Families! A fellow Kindermusik educator in Charlotte, NC, gave me permission to include the following in a newsletter several years ago. I thought you would find this very interesting!

Understanding the Links between Music, Language, and Behavior During Early Childhood.

Hello Neighbors! While attending the International Kindermusik Conference in Washington D.C. this summer, I had the opportunity to hear Dr. Adam Winsler, PhD., Dept of Psychology George Mason University, present a speech entitled Why Do We Sing "Bells Away" [or the Clean-up Song] Anyway? His answers are fascinating!

Language and music are two central cultural tools for early childhood. Singing is fun and stimulates many parts of the brain including the limbic system, a key area of emotions and socialization. Language and music together can guide behavior by breaking up the stimulus-response typically exhibited in lower animals and infants. Also, motions labeled within a song (bells away or toys away ) can seamlessly provide the child an opportunity to choose how to participate and therefore avoid power struggles. These music and language experiences sculpt the brain and develop "executive control" far more powerfully than many other types of experiences in early childhood. Dr Winsler highlighted 3 things that occur in Kindermusik classes that develop children's ability to regulate their own behavior including:

1. Active listening/vocal play.

2. Songs that link words to movements

3. Songs that systematically change behavior,using-body motions – modulating from slow/fast, up/down, and stop/go.

Have you seen your child delight in practicing these skills? There is a gradual shift in early childhood from external (parent) regulation, to self-regulation. Self-regulation is achieved mainly through internalization of language. Do you hear your child talking out loud to himself and or imaginary friends while playing? This is called private speech or self talk and is a very important part of language acquisition and the beginnings of internal thought. (Notice how different your child acts when just sitting and watching TV!) For our children, we should maximize opportunities encouraging them to talk to themselves so that good connections between language, plans, and behavior can be forged. (Gee- adults don't get this encouragement!) Researchers studying brain development, and early childhood specialists, are now proving with conviction what music teachers have known intuitively for a century: Music Makes the Difference!

– Maya S. Johnson

Susie Vanderlip - Legacy of Hope

For those of you with teenagers, here's an upcoming event you won't want to miss! Both my husband and I are going to attend with our sixteen year old daughter, Hannah. My hunch is this is going to be powerful and extremely thought provoking.

Susie is coming to Asheville, co-sponsored by First Congregational, United Church of Christ and Jubilee Community Church. This event is a theatrical one-woman show for the whole family with the goal of improving communication between teens and parents and it's also, an amazing message about how to protect our children.

She will share her eye-opening, entertaining approach to guiding our children to good choices. Vanderlip is an international theatrical speaker on youth and family issues, an author and educator. Susie portrays a variety of dramatic characters (partying teen, teenage love seeking teen, rebellious teen among a few) that will take you on a roller-coaster ride from laughter to tears, surprise, hope and enthusiasm.

You'll be touched and encouraged especially if you, your teens or friends have dealt with excessive stress, alcohol, tobacco or other drug abuse; depression; grief or loss; divorce; communication difficulties; life adversities. Be entertained and captivated while you gather new insights and HOPE!

Susie has spoken to one million teens and adults in 47 states and several countries. Don't miss her visit to Asheville! Cost $12 per person / $15 per family

Saturday, Oct. 24th 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

First Congregational, 20 Oak St

Contact: Rev. Shannon Spencer at 828-252-8729

Calling you bloggers out there......

Before class began today I was talking to a fabulous Kindermusik mom, Kara, and realized how much I enjoyed reading her blog a couple weeks back. When I clicked on it, I was transported, delightfully, into a world I don't get to see much outside of the classroom - hers. And that of her sweet boy, Rem's.

Reading about one particular day in the life of her family, and her two year old's adventures on that particular day, helped me see him in his big, little life. I loved it. It took me down memory lane. And I loved that. It made me realize, once again, the sacredness of each day with little ones, with each other.

Surprisingly, it made a difference in my awareness for the rest of day. I was more present with the Kindermusik class that I led after lunch, with two of my children later in the day, and on my walk that evening. I've thought of that entry and Rem's adventures into the land of imagination every time he's come to class since. I feel like I know him a little bit more. It helps me be in class with him a little bit differently, and I know that just a little bit of something, can sometimes make a big difference.

Are you a blogger in our Kindermusik community? If you're comfortable with my sharing your blog, I'd love to do that. One never knows where inspiration might be found.

Here's Kara's for you to take a look at, and in the meantime, send me yours. We can be a part of a bigger KM community ......can be more intricately connected. I don't know about you, but I need that in my life.

www.karachenevert.blogspot.com

Barbara Kingsolver coming to Asheville

For all you fans, mark your calendars!

Time: Monday, November 2, 2009 7:00 p.m.
Location: Asheville High School Auditorium, 419 McDowell St, Asheville, NC 28803
Title of Event: Barbara Kingsolver- A New Novel!

Malaprop's (and the entire Asheville region!) is honored to welcome one of our favorite authors, Barbara Kingsolver, who will present her latest novel, The Lacuna. The event will take place at the Asheville High School auditorium at 7 pm on Monday, November 2nd, and one ticket is complimentary with each pre-purchase of The Lacuna from Malaprop's. For more information, please call us at 1-800-441-9849.

H1N1 Virus

Thanks to Cindy, a KM mom, for passing this onto me. She got this from New Dawn Midwifery here in Asheville. While long, it's very informative and has a great recipe for making your own elderberry syrup................................

H1N1 is a new virus and people younger than age 60 do not have immunity against this virus, so it is expected to spread easily between people.

As of early September 2009, there are 500+ cases at Cornell University, with several hospitalizations, including one death.

Flu risks in pregnancy:
If early pregnant with severe respiratory illness, risk of miscarriage or premature birth increases.
If later pregnant with severe respiratory illness, a smaller lung capacity can make respiratory symptoms worse.
This flu is more virulent for the young and adults for possible secondary bacterial infections and respiratory failure.
Six percent of confirmed fatal 2009 H1N1 cases thus far have been in pregnant women while only less than 1% of the general population is pregnant.
Flu during pregnancy increases risks in offspring of later developing schizophrenia.

Flu symptoms:
Fever
Muscle aches
Fatigue
Cough
Sore throat
Loss of appetite
Runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea

The flu is contagious for about 7 days, or if sicker longer, until 24 hours after clearing of fever.

Pregnant women, call your health care provider if:
You have been exposed to anyone with flu symptoms.
You have any flu symptoms. Please call the first day so that you will have the option of getting the best effect if you choose to use Tamiflu.

Emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
Fast breathing or difficulty breathing
Bluish or gray skin color
Unable to drink enough fluids (8 cups/day)
Severe or persistent vomiting
Not waking up or not interacting
In children, being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
Flu-like symptoms improve, but then return with fever and worse cough

Primary flu prevention:
As with all health care, your healthy behaviors are the most important factor in maintaining your and your family's health. Her are some ideas:

1. Wash hands for 20 seconds with soap after contact with others and before eating.
2. There is some evidence that hand washing with Hibiclens 4% soap, available at pharmacies, maintains an anti-microbial film on the skin that kills flu viruses up to 6 hours thereafter. Washing in the morning and at lunch can provide all-day protection for workers involved in public service.
3. Avoid using shared hand towels. Use paper towels or air dry hands.
4. Avoid sharing water bottles or glasses, utensils or toothbrushes, or sharing food such as licks of an ice cream cone or finishing another person's leftovers.
5. Cover face with tissue when coughing or sneezing, toss tissue, then wash hands.
6. Obviously, keep tissues strategically throughout your environment or in your pocket.
7. If you don't have a tissue, sneeze or cough into your elbow.
8. Develop habits to avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth when you haven't recently washed your hands.
9. To maintain a healthy immune system, eat a healthy, balanced diet with fruits and vegetables, get good rest, and practice stress reduction.
10. Teach these behaviors to your children.
11. Stay home or keep your children home if having flu symptoms until 24 hours after fever resolves without the influence of fever-reducing medications.
12. Medicines such as antiviral Tamiflu may reduce symptoms and make transmission to others less likely, especially if begun within 2 days of onset of symptoms; this is considered safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding. However, some H1N1 flu strains have become resistant to antiviral medication.
13. Breastfeeding newborns can be protective. Wash hands before and after breastfeeding to lower transmission between mother and baby.
14. If having symptoms, use a face mask when going to see your health care provider; otherwise, stay home.

Natural care products:
Start natural care with the first onset of flu symptoms. Get prepared now.
Warning: Echinacea has not been more effective than a placebo in most randomized trials.
Warning: Zicam or zinc nose sprays/gels have been associated with loss of smell.
Zinc works best when taken regularly (every two hours), using 10 milligrams of elemental zinc per lozenge for not longer than 3 days. Not recommended for children.
Vitamin C: keep it under 2000 mg per day. Try sipping Emergen-C throughout the day.
Garlic is known to boost the immune system and prevent secondary infections such as ear infections, bronchitis, and sinusitis: eat one raw clove twice daily when fighting colds and flu. Do not eat plain! It is yummy to crush fresh clove over most main courses, on salads, in salsa, on potatoes with butter or olive oil, or spread on toast with butter or olive oil.

Elderberry cut the flu duration in half in one small randomized trial. My experience with elderberry has been wonderful, as when it seemed a cold or flu was starting, elderberry ended it before much could happen. I have used elderberry juice from fresh fruits, but a syrup can be made from dried fruits. Look for sources of juice, syrup or dried berries online. Make some syrup now to have throughout the flu season:

Elderberry syrup recipe
1 cup dried berries
3 cups filtered water
1 1/2 cups honey
1 ounce fresh ginger root, grated
Juice of 1 lime

Combine berries, ginger and water in stainless steel or glass pot. Heat on medium until simmering. Continue to gently simmer uncovered for 45 minutes to an hour, or until reduced in volume by half. Remove from heat. Allow decoction to cool slightly. Strain well through cheesecloth, squeezing the juice from the berries. Measure liquid and combine with equal parts honey. Reheat to light boil. Add all the lime juice. Pour into glass jar, date, and store in the refrigerator for up to a year.

Take one tablespoon 2-3x/ day daily during the cold and flu season. For children ages 2-5, use half the adult dose. Dose for ages 6-12 is two teaspoons twice daily. Nursing mothers can take one tablespoon 5 minutes before nursing to pass the benefits along to the baby.

About the H1N1 vaccine:
It is a separate vaccine from the regular seasonal flu vaccine. Both of these vaccines are recommended by the CDC for pregnant women.
H1N1 vaccine will be given in one dose.
The immune response gives protection against flu about 8-10 days after vaccination.
It will be available in mid-October.
It is believed that getting the vaccine in pregnancy will provide some protection for the baby in the first 6 months of life.
It is considered by the CDC to be safe in pregnancy in any trimester.
This vaccine is produced in exactly the same manner as the seasonal flu vaccine and is considered to have a similar safety profile. Serious adverse events with vaccines are so rare, cannot be seen in the smaller clinical trials conducted.

Pregnant women must get the vaccine injection from single dose vial to avoid thymerisol preservative of multidose vial. The flu mist spray is attenuated virus and cannot be given to pregnant women, children under 2, or adults with asthma. This vaccine is made with egg culture, so if there is an egg allergy, the vaccine should not be given.

Risk groups recommended for H1N1 vaccination:
Pregnant women
Care providers of children less than 6 months of age (mothers, fathers, grandparents, daycare providers)
Children over 6 months of age and young adults up to age 24
Adults age 25-64 who have medical risks such as asthma, diabetes, lung disease, heart disease, etc.
Health care workers

Links of interest:
http://www.flu.gov
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/pregnant.htm
http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/news/20090729/pregnancy-ups-swine-flu-death-risk
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/160539.php

Fundraiser Concert for The Children's Music Network

The Children's Music Network is having their 22nd Annual National CMN Conference in Black Mountain this year (Oct. 9-11). As part of this conference, they decided to hold a fundraiser in Asheville. This opportunity won't come again soon. Come and support this great group! A whole bunch of fun in one night. It's not often you get to attend a concert full of talented children's entertainers under one roof.

The concert is scheduled for Thursday, October 8th, at Jubilee Community Church from 6:30pm - 8:30 pm. www.jubileecommunity.org

Come see Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, Ruth Pelham, Jackson Gillman, Sammie Haynes, Bruce O'Brien, Fran Friedman, Andrea Green, Leslie Zak, Jacqueline Howard, Two of a Kind, Tom Pease, Beverly Botsford, Rick 'Kazoobie' Hubbard, Julie Austin, Elise Witt & more!

Admission: $8.00, Kids - $4.00, Under 3 is free.