Category: Toddlers
The Bountiful Benefits of Basket Rides
Wheeee! Bet your toddler loves going for rides in your laundry basket. What you may not know are all the developmental benefits you are giving your child in these moments, and some of the ways you can make this an even more beneficial experience for you and your little one.
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First, notice how these parents work smarter, not harder, by having a scarf or rope attached to the basket enabling them to stand up and protect their back muscles. (These are the kind of parenting tips our experienced Kindermusik educators share to set you up for success.)
Second, each parent is respecting their baby’s needs during this activity. Some little ones are enchanted by being pulled in the basket, others want to be close and cuddle as they are parading around the room. Toddlers who are totally focused on walking may want to put their favorite stuffed animal in the basket and push it around themselves!
So let’s highlight some of the benefits of this traveling laundry basket experience.
Balance and Coordination
Sitting upright in a laundry basket as it is moving forward and side to side activates and strengthens your child’s core muscles, and is a delightful exercise for developing balance and coordination. So if they are old enough to sit up by themselves, place them in the center so they are less inclined to lean back. Don’t worry too much if they do.
Spatial Awareness
As your child sees and feels themselves traveling through the room, they are becoming more aware of where they are in relation to the space around them. Your child is developing the spatial awareness they need to navigate the world around them.
Sensory Stimulation
Whether your child is sitting directly on the grooves in the bottom of the laundry basket, or a soft towel or blanket on the bottom, they are getting sensory input from the density and textures on their skin as their body moves around on top. Try it with a load of warm laundry for additional sensory input. Both the warmth of the clothes and the scent of the fabric softener strengthens the building of strong neural connections.
As your toddler’s eyes see objects move past them, they are becoming more observant of their environment and how things look from different perspectives. To activate the same effect with their hearing, have music playing in one room, and move past the door to that room so your child’s ears hear the changing location of the sound.
Imaginative Play
Does your child love trains? Create chugging sounds and train whistles, and maybe even listen to songs about trains on your laundry basket adventure. Pretend to make scheduled stops and announce the location loudly. There are so many ways to stimulate their ability for imaginative play on a topic they love. If your child loves their stuffed animals, set them up around the house and pretend to be a train traveling around the zoo and talking about each animal. Maybe they can be the zoo expert after your many repetitions. Start by becoming acutely aware of what your child is most fascinated by in this moment, and initiate pretend play accordingly. Then watch as your child starts to initiate it in their own.
ADD Social Interaction
Some of these suggestions are extras you can add that we can’t include in our Kindermusik classes. But your mommy and me time (or daddy and me, grandma and me, nanny and me…) during class provides you with a continual supply activities, music, and information to level up your daily play at home. You will both meet new friends with your classmates, adding the benefit of socialization and interpersonal connection.
It is so easy to sign up and preview one of our classes full of music and movement with your child. Our unique programs for each age (infancy, early toddlerhood and early preschool ages) ensures you are both gaining what you need for each stage of their development.
Let’s nurture these young minds together. Wheee!
For the Love of Bunnies and Benefits
Does your toddler have a snuggly bunny they LOVE? Then they will LOVE playing this game with their furry friend. For such a little children’s rhyme, there is a lot of learning happening with your expressive interactions and repeated play.
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Expand on their Interest
When your child has a strong interest in something, it offers an exceptional opportunity to expand so many areas of their childhood development. Positive emotions attached to learning opportunities result is a longer attention span, interest in repetition, and stronger neural connections for more well-rounded learning. With new and unique ways
to play with their favorite objects, their interest in it will last longer and they become curious to learn more. “What else can I do with this?” This question itself has lifelong benefits for their curiosity and knowledge building.
Language Development
Simply hearing the cadence of rhyme is immersing your child in learning the format and concepts of speech, even in the earliest stages of your baby’s language development. Toddler’s brains are avidly seeking the connection between words and actions, helping with both their receptive language (understanding what others say), and their expressive language (ability to communicate using their own words).
Focused Attention / Observation
When the rhyme says “I see..”, we are reinforcing our child’s observational skills, increase their attention span as they keep looking at an object to find and describe the many things they see with their eyes.
Sign Language
Even when your child can hear perfectly well, using sign language in coordination with speech has cognitive benefits. When a child can SEE and HEAR the word at the same, they are learning two ways to express the same concept, which builds stronger neural connections leading to easier language development AND, there are times you and
your child may want to communicate silently. Using the sign for SEE can be used when you discover a real animal outside and don’t want to scare them, when you are in a quiet place and need to communicate, and so many more life circumstances. Along with the silent mouthing of “Yay” at the end, the wiggling hands in the air is sign language for celebrating. It is also how people who are deaf applaud each other for accomplishments. Having a quiet visual way to celebrate appreciation of your child’s actions can also come in very handy.
Emotional Awareness
“Surprise!” is such a fun facial expression to imitate. AND… It is a fabulous word to use when your child is startled instead of the word “scared”. “Oh, I didn’t mean to surprise you.” may help your child have a more positive reaction, and recover more quickly. As we play around with the facial expressions for sad and happy at the end, two year
olds and preschoolers are learning to read facial expressions and recognize the emotions they are associate with… an amazing start in developing their emotional intelligence.
Turn-Taking prepares for school readiness
At first, you will be chanting the rhyme and moving the bunny. Your child “turn” will likely be to request it again and again. Once the rhyme is familiar, your child may move the bunny while you chant the rhyme. Little step toward letting them take on more of the experience can be leaving off some of the repeated words at the end, and let them say the repeated quiet words. As you continue to leave off more of the ending words their memory for the rhyme is building until they can complete it all themselves. Maybe while you are moving the bunny???
Memorization leads to better reading skills
“Experts in literacy and child development have discovered that if children know eight nursery rhymes by heart by the time they’re four years old, they’re usually among the best readers by the time they’re eight. “- Mem Fox, Reading Magic
Motor Skill Development and Inhibitory Control
As your child moves the bunny along with the rhyme, they are by creating the correct movements in connection with the action words they hear. They are practicing, in a delightful way, when to move and stop, and moving faster and slower. As we highlight how proud they are of this control over their gross motor skills, it will build their desire to
have this control in other situations.
By using two FINGERS outward from a fist, your “hand” bunny can move along with this rhyme and help develop their fine motor skills as well. This can be a great game to play while waiting in line at the grocery store, or in a doctors office. No props needed.
Musical awareness
Last, but not least, this rhyme introduces opposing concepts in a perfect way to develop early childhood development in cognition and music, at first in awareness and progressing toward active skills:
Loud and quiet are introduced by the repeated sounds, with the first three louder and followed by more with a quiet voice.
Crescendo (getting louder) and Decrescendo (getting louder) as well as melodic direction (the pitcho going up and down are introduced with the “bloops” as the bunny hops away (starting loud with a higher pitch) and hops back (starting with a quiet and lower pitch).
Ready for more?
Now that your child is ready to expand connections to their favorite bunny friend, you can continue to add more. Download the free Kindermusik APP on any mobile device, and enjoy these songs. Once in, click on the MUSIC tab at the bottom, tap on SONGS at the top, and search for RABBIT. “I Saw a Little Rabbit” and “Usagi, Usagi”
When you and your child participate in our Kindermusik classes with our accredited educators at Grow and Sing Studios, we’d love to hear what your child’s interests are so we can provides songs and activities to expand the things that bring them joy. We have so many resources to make it a little easier for you to connect with your child and
provide life-long benefits in their development. A big bonus when you enroll is accessing a much larger selection of music, books, and more on the Kindermusik App.
Sign up to Preview a Class with us today and see the magic in action.
If you have some favorite rhymes, songs or stories about bunny rabbits you would
recommend to other parents, please share in the comments!
Testomonial from a Kindermusik Mom – Grow and Sing Studios, Orlando, FL
What a wonderful testimonial and peak into our Kindermusik classroom!
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“Thank you to Grow and Sing Studios for inviting us to experience Kindermusik in Lake Nona, connecting through the magic of music! {Hosted}
As a mama, I’m always nervous with how my toddlers will react in new spaces. Seriously, you never know what you’ll get! Today, Ms. Grace welcomed us with open arms and an open heart. She quickly recognized that MJ had strong emotions, and met her where she was. Through music and movement, it was beautiful to see the curiosity and wonder light up in MJs eyes as she engaged a safe distance away. 🥰
🎶 Kindermusik takes musical learning to the next level. In every Kindermusik class, babies and toddlers are welcomed into a playful and nurturing environment where they will sing, move, play instruments, and hear stories—all while developing social skills, problem-solving skills, pre-math skills, and a foundation for reading.
Their research-based curriculum focuses on whole-child development and helps caregivers understand how their child is developing musically, cognitively, and socially.
Classes are available for babies and toddlers.
Summer 2024 Kindermusik Registration is OPEN! Check out the link in stories.
If you’re looking for a safe and educational indoor activity this summer for your babies and toddlers, we recommend checking them out.
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Things to do Orlando, baby activities, toddler activities
Rocking and a-Rolling Trains the Brain for Balance
By Debbie Mondale, Accredited Kindermusik Educator
Do you wonder why it is so important for our babies to rock and roll – move freely… and why toddlers love repeatedly falling over on purpose or preschool-age children spin themselves silly?
Balancing is not a skill we are born with, it must be trained in coordination with our body and brain. The good news, training for this cognitive development is natural and FUN, and this is a skill that impacts us every day of our entire lives, even essential for our survival. Encouraging children to move creatively is a good start, AND there are many mommy and me type activities that enhance this process.
The movements of our little one’s bodies train their brain to know how their body is positioned in the space around them, where UP is, and how to balance. The video below shows a pretty cool way to demonstrate this vestibular system as it occurs in the inner ear and sends messages to train the brain for balance and so much more.
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Usborne – How Your Body Works – 1975
The inner ear is a curled up tube with three extra loops which are filled with a liquid, somewhat like the balloon in the video. These loops are also filled with nerves, that go with the flow as we move around and send messages to the brain. As the head and body moves, the liquid stays level with the ground, and the nerve endings tilt from their secured end as the liquid moves. Messages about HOW these nerve endings move are sent to the brain to create neural connections that allow us to subconsciously balance and move through space effectively.
When rolling and spinning round and round, the liquid in the ear whirls around too, even for a little while after stopping, which leaves a bit of a dizzying feeling which children LOVE (adults?… not so much). Spinning sends totally unique messages about balance to the brain and improves focus since coordinating both sides of the body and brain are required.
The more your child’s body moves, in every which way, the more they will be able to coordinate their actions to dance, ride a bike, play sports, and problem solve situations in which they become off balance, stuck, or disoriented.
Usborne – How Your Body Works – 1975
Think about the last time your body instinctively recovered after you stumbled on uneven ground. Have you ever been disoriented under water after a wave knocked you over? These are the moments when all this vestibular training kicks in to save the day.
Movements you do with them, such as rocking, dancing with mom, wrestling with dad, and even fun pillow fights with the family are training the brain. I remember when my son was young, he loved being carried upside down. He insisted for almost a year that THAT is how he wanted to be taken to the bathroom to brush his teeth!
Movements they do for themselves, like nodding or shaking their head, rolling on the ground, falling down, spinning, jumping, tumbling… are naturally processing cognitive development in your child. If you see your child repeating a movement ad nauseum, their brain is actively SEEKING this type of stimulation.
ONE occurrence only makes the brain aware it is an option. Only thousands of repetitions can truly build the neural connections needed to make these reactions instinctual enough to act without thinking about it in an emergency situation. Early childhood development specialists WISH they could share this parenting advice to all young families since the first five years is a critical period for this brain development.
Our job can be as simple as making sure they are in a safe place to move and let them GO! Add maybe add some language development to the mix by describing their actions and how it makes them feel. Adding delightful music during movement multiplies the fun factor and increases their attention span. Download the free Kindermusik APP and get the action going with the songs in the Themes: Body and Playtime.
- As your child becomes more capable, challenge them with creative obstacles that make it fun to move their body in unique ways.
- Indoor diy obstacle courses can include piles of pillows and blanket tunnels and fun objects to pick up and toss in baskets. This can be set up in a living room, or even a hallway to keep them on a forward path.
- It can be so fun to set up their own little ninja warrior outdoor obstacle course with balancing beams, wobbly surfaces, things that spin, tunnels, rolling and tumbling paths, and so much more.
Our Kindermusik curriculum makes this all easy for you as it is designed to provide your child with a wide variety of movement experience. And our Accredited Educators here in Central Florida are specialists that will teach you more about it and provide tools you can use to meet your child’s unique needs for developing their gross motor skills and vestibular capabilities. Join us for a $5 preview class and see the magic in action.
Enter to win $100 of KINDERMUSIK CLASSES and an INSTRUMENT/PROP GIFT PACK!
Dear Families,
It’s time for Kindermusik International’s annual “We Love Kindermusik” week ALL around the world. Kindermusik is enjoyed by so many, and once again we can all share our experiences and love for this amazing enrichment program together.
“WE LOVE KINDERMUSIK” week is truly intended to be a week of happy reminders of why we all love Kindermusik and most importantly, of all the special people – educators, families, and children – who come together every week to change the world through music…. one child and one song at a time.
Read below for details on how to share the love, and enter to one of our exciting prizes! We are giving away $100 of CLASSES AT GROW AND SING STUDIOS and also an INSTRUMENT AND PROP GIFT PACK.
We hope you enjoy sharing the love, and good luck! — The Grow and Sing Team
Here are all the different ways to get an entry into our SHARE THE LOVE GIVEAWAY. (entries are unlimited, so have fun!)
- Color a “We Love Kindermusik” coloring sheet complete including a testimonial of WHY your family loves Kindermusik classes. Not in Kindermusik yet? That’s okay, tell us how you incorporate music at home with your kids. (THIS PART IS REQUIRED FOR ENTRY). Take a photo of your coloring sheet and post to one of our socials (IG, FB, or TIKTOK) or you can even email it to . Be sure it’s set to public so we can see it. Use #growandsing Click here to print coloring sheet.
- Comment on any of our posts, reels or tiktoks and be sure to tag us so we see (each comment is an entry)
- Tag us in a REEL, POST, or STORY. Be sure to use tag @growandsingstudios or we may not see it (each tag is an entry)
FOLLOW US:
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
TIKTOK
We will be keeping close track of entries, and submit your name accordingly. However, you are welcome to email us your entry count. If you choose to do so, please be sure you let us know exactly how many and WHERE your entries are, so we can verify and get your amount right! Do not send us several emails to verify, just wait until you are done and then send us one complete email listing all the ways you entered (and how your name appears on social media!). Thank you! The contest begins Monday, February 12, 2024 and will close at 11:59pm Sunday, February 18, 2024. Prizes may be gifted to someone else if you are not able to use it. $100 credit prize can be redeemed for ANY service offered by Grow and Sing Studios including lessons or birthday party. Winners for our giveaway will be chosen by random draw. Winners will be announced sometime during February on our socials once we tally up all the votes, so be sure to like our social media accounts and select get notifications so you don’t miss the announcement of winners.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE OF ANY KIND WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. ODDS OF WINNING WILL DEPEND ON THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ENTRIES RECEIVED. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH KINDERMUSIK INTERNATIONAL, FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, TIKTOK OR ANY OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA OUTLET.
GOOD LUCK!!!!
Celebrate and Create Lasting Memories with Kindermusik Birthday Parties by Grow and Sing Studios in Central Florida
Birthdays are special occasions that fill our hearts with joy and create lasting memories. When it comes to celebrating your little one’s big day, why settle for ordinary when you can make it extraordinary with Kindermusik Birthday Parties? Grow and Sing Studios offers an interactive and musical party experience that is guaranteed to bring laughter, smiles, and unforgettable moments for babies through age 7.
There are so many amazing benefits of having a Kindermusik Birthday Party:
- Engaging Activities and Age-Appropriate Instruments: During a Kindermusik party by Grow and Sing Studios, children and their guests are invited to sing, dance, and participate in a variety of engaging activities. Led by one of our amazing accredited Kindermusik Educators who are also musicians, these parties provide a unique opportunity for children to explore music in a fun and interactive way. From instrument play and dancing to bubbles, parachute play, scarf play, and puppet play, the activities are carefully designed to captivate and entertain young minds. Moreover, the instruments used during the parties are age-appropriate, ensuring that each child can fully participate and enjoy the experience.
- Involvement of Parents and Guests: Our Kindermusik Birthday Parties actively involve parents and guests, creating an inclusive and memorable celebration for everyone. The parties are designed with the guests’ ages in mind, ensuring that all attendees, regardless of their age, can join in on the fun. Whether it’s singing along, playing instruments, or dancing together, the interactive nature of these parties fosters a sense of togetherness and creates a joyful atmosphere. Parents can bond with their children through music, creating beautiful memories that will be cherished for years to come.
- Multi-Age Entertainment Expertise: Grow and Sing Studios understands that birthdays often bring together children of different ages. Our expertise lies in providing multi-age entertainment, ensuring that all guests, regardless of their age, can have a great time. Our Kindermusik Educators have the skills and knowledge to engage and entertain children of varying developmental stages, creating a harmonious and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
- Flexible Locations and Travel Services: To make your child’s birthday celebration as convenient as possible, Grow and Sing Studios offers flexible location options. They can come to your home or a venue of your choosing within the Central Florida area. This traveling minstrel-style service allows you to create a personalized party atmosphere wherever you desire. If you need assistance in finding a suitable venue, they may also be able to provide suggestions. Additionally, the studio strives to match you with an educator closest to your location, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience. Please note that travel fees may apply, depending on the distance.
In addition to the birthday party services, Grow and Sing Studios also offers Kindermusik classes for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers near UCF, Oviedo, Winter Park, Downtown Orlando, Baldwin Park, Winter Garden, Lake Nona and Port Orange. These classes provide a nurturing environment for children to explore music, movement, and early literacy skills. Led by accredited Kindermusik Educators, the classes follow a research-based curriculum that promotes cognitive, social, and emotional development. By enrolling your child in Kindermusik classes, you can extend the joy of music beyond the birthday party and provide them with an enriching musical experience.
To learn more about our Kindermusik Parties and Kindermusik classes, visit our website or contact us to book your party date. Let the music and celebration begin!
Unplugging with Your Little One: Why Kindermusik Music and Movement Classes are a Must-Try for Central Florida Parents of Babies and Toddlers
Dear parents of babies and toddlers in Central Florida,
As a parent, you know that raising a little one can be both incredibly rewarding and downright challenging at times. From sleepless nights to feeding difficulties, you’ve likely experienced a variety of stressors that come with the territory of new parenthood. But did you know that there’s a fun and effective way to help your little one’s development and provide some much-needed unplugged quality time together? Enter Kindermusik music and movement classes.
Kindermusik is a research-based program that uses music and movement to stimulate your child’s brain and promote development in a variety of areas. From language and social skills to gross and fine motor coordination, Kindermusik classes offer a well-rounded approach to early childhood education that is both enjoyable and effective.
But Kindermusik isn’t just beneficial for your child’s development. It also offers a valuable opportunity for parents to unplug from the distractions of daily life and connect with their little one in a meaningful way. In today’s world of screens and constant stimulation, taking a break from technology and focusing on your child’s growth can be a much-needed breath of fresh air.
At Grow and Sing Studios, we offer Kindermusik classes for babies and toddlers in various locations around Central Florida, including Winter Park, Oviedo – UCF, Winter Garden, Lake Nona, Baldwin Park – Orlando and Volusia County. Our program has been recognized as a top Kindermusik program 16 times, so you can trust that you and your child will be in good hands.
Enrolling for a $5 preview class, or even for our 6 week summer Kindermusik session is a fantastic way to try out this program and see firsthand the benefits it can provide. Not only will you and your little one get to enjoy the fun and engaging activities that Kindermusik has to offer, but you’ll also have the opportunity to connect with other parents in your community and form lasting friendships.
If you’re looking for a way to help your child’s development and spend some quality time together, we highly recommend trying out a one of our Kindermusik classes led by an Accredited Kindermusik Educator. Enroll now and watch your child thrive. We can’t wait to make music with you and your little one!
Learn more by visiting our website. There are quick links at the top once you click, and deeper menu options as well.
Holly Lesnick
Founder / Owner / Director
Grow and Sing Studios
The importance of socialization for babies and toddlers
As a parent, you may be tempted to keep your baby cocooned in the safety of your own home, away from the germ-ridden playgrounds and other children. However, research shows that socializing with other babies and children can provide numerous benefits for your little one. Lets explore the benefits of babies socializing with each other.
1. Boosts Cognitive Development
Interacting with other babies and children can help your baby develop their cognitive skills. When babies engage with other children, they learn how to communicate nonverbally, make eye contact, and use their own voice to communicate. This helps them develop their language skills and improve their social and emotional intelligence.
2. Enhances Motor Skills
Playing with other babies can help enhance your baby’s motor skills. When babies are around each other, they learn how to crawl, walk, and move around in different ways. They also learn to grasp objects, throw things, and manipulate toys. These physical interactions help build their fine and gross motor skills.
3. Boosts Confidence and Self-Esteem
When your baby socializes with other babies, they learn how to interact with different personalities and temperaments. They learn how to share, take turns, and cooperate. This helps build their confidence and self-esteem, and they feel more comfortable around others.
4. Encourages Empathy and Compassion
As babies grow and learn to socialize with others, they begin to develop empathy and compassion. They learn to recognize and respond to the emotions of others. This can help them develop a strong sense of empathy and compassion that will serve them well throughout their lives.
5. Builds a Strong Social Foundation
Socializing with other babies and children helps your baby build a strong social foundation that will benefit them throughout their lives. As they learn to interact with others, they develop communication skills, social skills, and emotional intelligence. These skills will help them build healthy relationships with others and navigate the complexities of social situations.
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So, don’t hesitate to take your baby out to meet other babies and children, and let them develop their social skills from an early age. Of course, Kindermusik is such a great option for this socialization.
Try a Kindermusik class for your baby or toddler at Grow and Sing Studios for only $5.
CLICK HERE FOR A $5 IN-PERSON PREVIEW
CLICK HERE FOR A $5 VIRTUAL PREVIEW
We can’t wait to meet you!
Summer Kindermusik Registration is OPEN
Joyful experiences stick with us—including educational ones! Build confidence, strengthen family connection, and help your child meet developmental milestones through the power of music.
Summer 2023 Kindermusik registration is open for babies, toddlers and preschoolers.
UCF/Oviedo – Winter Park – Baldwin Park – Lake Nona – Winter Garden – Port Orange
We are proud to announce our Summer 2023 program offerings. This summer we are offering ONE 6 week session for babies through age 5 in various locations around Central Florida, as well as virtual. Registration is open for both in-person in Central FL and virtual for everyone everywhere (or both). Spaces in Summer typically fill very fast because many people enroll multiple children. As always, we limit class size based on the size of the space to ensure you have a safe, beautiful experience. This is our 19th Summer and we can’t wait to see you for another amazing Summer of Music!
Kindermusik Foundations – For babies newborn to walking
Kindermusik Mixed Ages – For babies to 5 years old
Kindermusik Virtual program – For children newborn – 7 years old
CLICK HERE TO
Enroll now for Summer 2023
Our mission:
Grow and Sing Studios is dedicated
to connecting families through the magic of music.
Why is open play so important for toddlers?
Toddlers have a natural desire to explore and discover their environment, and open play allows them to do so in a safe and supportive environment. Through open play, toddlers can develop their physical, cognitive, and social-emotional skills. For example, they can practice crawling, walking, and running, develop their hand-eye coordination, and learn to solve problems and make decisions on their own. They can also learn to share, take turns, and interact with others.
In addition, open play allows toddlers to use their imagination and creativity, which is important for their cognitive and emotional development. They can invent new games, create stories, and explore different roles and scenarios. This helps them to build their language skills, as well as their ability to understand and express emotions.
Overall, open play is an essential part of a toddler’s development, as it provides them with opportunities for learning, exploration, and creativity in a fun and engaging way.
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#openplay #freeplay #importanceofplay #playiswork #playistheworkofchildhood
#kindermusik #kindermusikorlando #momlife