As kids are returning to school and our classes are about to head back to session, how about spending some time documenting your kiddos. Consider taking pictures that you will cherish, without the struggle and posing that normally accompanies picture taking. How you ask? Simple. Capture your kids doing what they do naturally. Those are the pictures you will love, and that will be most memorable.  Unlike the “I’m attempting to smile Mom, but my face looks like I’m growling instead” pictures. We all know those, right?

When our Kindermusik photographer Rachel V visits a studio class, she focuses on the things we don’t. Things like the way your child’s face lights up when the parachute comes out, or how excited they are to choose their own movement during the class hello ritual. Most importantly, when they look at you and see your love for them written all over your face! Those are the moments you’ll cherish forever. Not the picture of your kid standing next to a wall saying “cheese”.

And so, Grow and Sing Studios’ Ms. Leslie and Ms. Holly have some simple tricks to turn your point and shoot camera into your best friend.

1. Turn your flash OFF. Flash distorts natural color. Leslie’s favorite room to snap pictures in is the playroom. It has huge double doors to outside that lets in tons of natural light. Rachel V captured this picture in their playroom on the floor! By far the Watson’s favorite picture of their kids!

Photo courtesy of  rachelvphotography.com

2. Try to avoid interrupting your child’s play. Allow them to go about their business, and you’ll capture some gems. Try to take the pictures on their level and snap while they aren’t paying attention to you.

Pardon the mess, We were camping and C found pine cones!

3. Document time passage. For the younger kiddos, these stickers below for their shirts are so much fun! For the older kids, consider an annual “survey ritual” like this one. Fill out the survey, and save with a picture in an album each year!

4. Natural settings create beautiful memories. Whether it’s the beach, the mountains, a walk down the street or a bike ride, when a child is fully engaged in their surroundings or activity, you can’t go wrong. Ms. Holly loves capturing her family as they take evening strolls, or play at the beach. Rachel V of course captures those moments in class.

5. Have fun with FUN apps! If you are taking pictures from your phone, there are some really fun apps you can use to tweak or customize your photo. You may want to try Instagram which has fun filters and frames. If you want to create a collage or grid, try Photo Grid, or PhotoFunia. Oh the fun you can have!
Most importantly, take pictures, print some and back them up on a jump drive to keep somewhere safe in case your computer takes a hit!

Our team can’t wait to see you all in classes soon. If you haven’t registered yet, Come join us!!
Click here to view our Fall Class Offerings.
Click here to REGISTER.

Classes start the first week in September!

Content contributed by Ms. Leslie and Ms. Holly, both of whom are mommies of 2, and always snapping away! 

What!!? No Kindermusik for a whole month? We know, a scary thought! What are you going to do to occupy your tots mind you ask? Have no fear, Grow and Sing Studios is here! During class breaks and even on a normal week, one of our amazing teachers, Ms. Leslie, has a 3 year old who loves to be busy, learn and explore the world around us. Ms. Leslie has shared 5 fool proof fun ideas you can do at home to have some fun together (other than listen to Kindermusik songs)! So here’s a mix of indoor and outdoor activities this Kindermusik educating momma loves!

1. Two words : Shaving cream!

We did this on a hot summer day with friends. We filled bowls with shaving cream, painted the slide and let the ids go crazy! Your local dollar store sells Barbasol, be sure NOT to get menthol! Keep a towel and a bucket ready for hand washes and eye wipes! Turn the sprinkler on to wash off! Need more help with this check out GrowingaJeweledRose‘s post or MoldstadMemories on shaving cream fun!

2. Make homemade Playdough together

Playdough is super easy to make at home. Cooking with kids teaches so many important things like following directions, step by step planning, measuring, gross and fine motor skills and reading! Best of all, it keeps in the fridge for a long time! Here’s a recipe I use:

Ingredients:

1 cup flour

1/2 cup salt

1 cup water

1 Tablespoon oil

2 teaspoons cream of tartar

Food coloring by drops

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a pan and stir.  Cook over low heat, stirring until a ball forms.

2. Add food coloring and mix thoroughly until desired color.

3. Cool on foil. Store in covered container.

3. Bubbles and a Bubble Snake Maker!

Bubbles and Kindermusik are synonymous! I haven’t met a Grow and Sing Studios kiddo who doesn’t love bubbles!  This is usually the time of year Target has their summer items including bubbles and bubble makers on clearance! There is also a really cool tutorial here at ComeTogetherKids to make a bubble snake maker! It’s a really easy project using a water bottle and washcloth. Have a competition to see who can blow the longest!!

Photo courtesy of  education.more4kids.info

 4. Read together!

Something so simple does so much for your little one’s brain! Just 20 minutes a day, no matter their age, strengthens your relationship, encourages listening and language skills and establishes a strong learning foundation.  Part of the fun for kids is being able to hear a story come to life. Books give children a way to use their imaginations unlike television does! When a book is read to you, you picture the book in your own head along with the pictures in the book. TV simply takes the creativity out! Your local library is waiting for you! If you’re unsure what your child will like, stroll around the kids section, normally the librarians leave some fun books out for them! Show your kids how to look on the computer for books in the catalog.

 5. Kindermusik Dance Party!

One of our favorite things to do! Put on some tunes and shake the sillies out! Head on over to http://play.kindermusik.com (Kindermusik’s e-music website) and find some new favorites!  Some fun songs to check out are Windshield Wiper Dance, Put your Left Paw in, Hey Lolly and whatever else your feeling! Be silly and have fun with your kids!

Don’t worry classes come back soon and we already miss you! You can always sign up for a Kindermusik Playdate! Don’t forget to enroll for Fall classes for tons more fun!

See you soon!

Posted by Ms. Leslie, Licensed Kindermusik Educator and mommy of 2 who is ready to shake her sillies out

We have so many classes in many locations for tons of Kindermusik fun this Fall!
CLICK HERE FOR OUR FALL CLASS INFORMATIONAL NEWSLETTER

REGISTER TODAY!
407-970-2774

For Immediate Release

Contact: Holly Lesnick
https://www.growandsing.com
407-970-2774

Orlando, FL – Grow and Sing Studios has been named a Conductor Level Maestro by Kindermusik International, the world’s leading publisher of music and movement programs. They have been placed in the top 1% and are currently ranked #25 out of over 5000 programs around the world.

Holly Lesnick, owner/director is an early childhood specialist at Grow and Sing Studios. Lesnick, along with her staff of several Licensed Kindermusik Educators, teaches Kindermusik in ten locations around Central Florida. The Conductor Level Maestro award recognizes excellence in a fast growing program with the goal to bring music to as many children as possible.

“The Kindermusik Maestro has a mission: helping children become better learners and helping parents understand how to help them reach their highest potential,” said Michael Dougherty, CEO at Kindermusik International.

Grow and Sing Studios joins the elite company of the 50 top 1% world Maestros identified as the top Educators of the over 5,000 licensed educators in the world who teach Kindermusik’s music and movement curricula. Holly Lesnick began providing Kindermusik 10 years ago, and opened her own studio Grow and Sing Studios in June, 2005. Today Grow and Sing Studios teaches the learning program to over 400 families, along with many special events and birthday parties.

In the last year, the Grow and Sing Team has reached more and more families by offering a variety of class options, along with flexibility in payment. More and more locations are offered each year as well, to reach families who may not have had the opportunity in the past. Four more locations are set to open this year.

“Music is my passion. Family is my other one. This award means so much because it brings these two passions together in one magical classroom. I know Grow and Sing Studios is living its’ mission of Connecting Families through the Magic of Music”, said Lesnick.

The Maestro Program recognizes licensed Kindermusik educators who master one of three levels in early childhood development: fast-growing programs, outstanding community service, and teaching excellence.

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Kindermusik International is the world’s leading publisher of music and movement curricula for parents and their children, newborn to 7 years old. More than 5,000 licensed educators use the Kindermusik curricula in more than 63 countries, reaching more than 1 million families. The award-winning books, CDs, games, and instruments are based on more than 30 years of experience creating curricula based on new and proven research in child development, designed to nurture skills in the whole child: cognitive, physical, social, emotional, language and musical.

For more information Grow and Sing Studios’ program, contact Holly Lesnick, 407.970.2774,

Photo by Rachel V Photography: http://rachelvphotography.com

We are celebrating a milestone! We have just reached 1000 “likes” on our Facebook page. To celebrate our amazing Grow and Sing Studios community, and thank you for all the support, we are going to have some FUN and give away HUGE prizes (and little prizes too)! :)

To participate, please share a photo or video on our facebook wall of any of the following:
Your child (with you perhaps)

• Enjoying Kindermusik in class
• Using Kindermusik materials at home
• Enjoying some music or musical instruments
• dancing/singing
• other musical and bonding activities
• funny musical moments

(you get the idea!!)

This photo contest will run through May 15th.  ONE entry per family!

On May 16th the following prizes will be given away:
1) Winner of “most creative picture/video” will win a $200 Grow and Sing Studios gift certificate which can be applied to classes, birthday party, or any other Grow and Sing Studios service. This prize may be gifted!
2) Another winner will be picked at random draw for a $95 free summer semester (or if you are already enrolled in summer, you can apply this credit to another service). This prize may be gifted!
3) 10 more names will be randomly drawn to each win a 10 song download card to play.kindermusik.com (Kindermusik’s e-music site)
4) 2 more names will be drawn for out-of -towners only to each win a copy of “Connect Through Music“, our music and movement DVD created by us!

If you do not live in the Central FL area and don’t have anyone here that you think would benefit from a prize related to free classes, please note that in your entry, and we’ll enter your name only for the download card and out of town prizes. 

We hope you will have a GREAT time with this contest ,and we can’t WAIT to see all the amazing photos we know you have, or will take. : )

We have an amazing lineup of Summer programming! From baby classes, to family style, to art and babysigning. We even have DROP OFF classes for ages 4-7 so mom can go get a starbucks and relax!!! Check out all our summer information here  and join us today!

Visit our website
Join us on facebook
Email us at

Today is a “guessing game”. There will only be one winner.

Question:
GUESS THE AMOUNT OF CHILDREN ENROLLED IN KINDERMUSIK AT GROW AND SING STUDIOS THIS SPRING (Jan – May). Hmmm… :) WHOEVER COMES CLOSEST WINS! ONE GUESS PER PERSON.

If there is a tie, the winner will be the one who answered FIRST! The prize is a fun sampler of Kindermusik fun! The winner of today’s question will receive a bag full of goodies which includes a Kindermusik CD called “Indian Elephant Tea”, Chime Ball, Blue pair of Zig Zag Blocks and a humongous scarf! WOW! :)

This question expires at midnight! The winner will be announced tomorrow! You do not have to be local to play. We’ll happily ship you your prize!!! If you’ve already won, you can STILL PLAY.. :)

GOOD LUCK!
https://www.growandsing.com
http://www.facebook.com/growandsingstudios

Today there is no wrong answer! Everyone that answers will be put into a raffle drawing (we promise we’ll do a fair drawing!!!) We’ll pick two winners today! Each winner will receive a really cute bathtub fun set which includes a “tub tunes” bathtime fun CD, along with bath toys, ducky puppet in a mesh bag with suctions!!

Parents picks winner 2009

We are proud to announce that we have won for the 2nd year in a row “Best Music Class in Orlando” in the Parent’s Picks awards by Nickelodeon at parentsconnect.com.

If you haven’t yet experienced a music class with Grow and Sing Studios, please come on down to our FREE DEMONSTRATION AND OPEN HOUSE EVENT on Thursday, August 20th!

10:30am – Demonstration class for Babies up to 18 months

11:15am – Demonstration class for all ages up to 7 years old

These will take place at our UUUS location near UCF / Oviedo. Directions can be found here! https://www.growandsing.com/location_kindermusik_orlando.php

We will raffle off prizes, sing songs, dance, play with scarves, keep rhythm with instruments, and much much more! Please email to let us know you are coming!

REGISTRATIONS ARE CURRENTLY BEING ACCEPTED FOR CLASSES WHICH BEGIN NEXT WEEK!
To register click here: https://www.growandsing.com/register_kindermusik_orlando.php