Welcome to another week of our Kindermusik virtual online house party. We are SO HAPPY to see you you dancing, playing, singing and connecting with your children. As we continue on, our hope is that our activities and songs lift you up while igniting all areas of your child’s brain! YAY Kindermusik! As we expressed last week, this isn’t easy, and we are honored to be in this together with you. Thank you for choosing us to enrich your home.

Weekly disclaimer: This is NOT the kind of activity where your child watches and you go cook dinner. The program has been designed in the same spirit as our classes, where the teacher is the facilitator to your engagement with your child. It is designed for you to be very hands on with your child(ren), while familiar faces are on the computer singing and guiding you along through the amazing Kindermusik curriculum.

Here is all the information you need to join in this week! If you wish to enroll, it’s easy. Just visit growandsing.com/classes/house-party, scroll to bottom, click on “enrolling” and the form will drop down.

SCHEDULE
Below is our schedule for the week of April 6 – 10, 2020. Music is healing so you are welcome to participate in or listen to any and all programs below regardless of the typical age range. All children in your household are invited!

MONDAY – APRIL 6
10:00 am – Kindermusik Dance Party
Dance with us to some Kindermusik favorites! If just joining us, get acclimated to our online Zoom Platform, test your sound, and make sure you know how it works so you are ready for classes.

12:00 pm – Woodwind Instrument Demonstration Class
Put on your listening ears! Join Ms. Kristen (flute), Mr. Will (saxophone) and “soon to be” UCF School of Music student Anna Lesnick, (clarinet) in an educational demonstration of each instrument, along with some beautiful playing from all three musicians.

7:00 pm – Lullabies and stories with Ms. Holly
Join Ms. Holly for 15 – 20 minutes of relaxing lullabies and bedtime stories as you head into your bedtime ritual with your little one.

TUESDAY – APRIL 7
11:00 am – Mixed Age Kindermusik class with the Grow and Sing Studios team
Typical age range is newborn through 7 years old. Activities will include Hello, Goodbye, and Quiet time rituals along with rhythm play, dancing, story time and active listening.

12:30 pm – Foundations Kindermusik class with the Grow and Sing Studios team
Typical age range is newborn to walking. Activities will include Hello, Goodbye and Quiet time rituals, along with massage, exercise, and story time.

WEDNESDAY – APRIL 8
10:00 am – Mixed age Kindermusik class with the Grow and Sing Studios team
Typical age range is newborn through 7 years old. Activities will include Hello, Goodbye, and Quiet time rituals along with rhythm play, dancing, story time and active listening.

11:30 am – Level 3 Kindermusik class with the Grow and Sing Studios team
Typical age range is 3 – 5 years old (but tons of fun for the older kids too!). Activities are part of the Toys I Made, Trips I Take curriculum. This week is all about boats and the sea!

THURSDAY – APRIL 9
9:30 am – Foundations Kindermusik class with the Grow and Sing Studios team
Typical age range is newborn to walking. Activities will include Hello, Goodbye and Quiet time rituals, along with massage, exercise, and story time.

11:00 am – Bilingual Birdies with Miss Marisol
Typical age range is 2 – 5 years, but everyone is welcome to learn some Spanish! Bilingual Birdies is a super fun foreign language and music program where we teach basic vocabulary and short phrases in Spanish through music, dance, and puppetry.

FUN FRIDAY – APRIL 10
Join us in some 20ish minute activities for our Fun Friday!
10:00 am – Sing along with Miss Marisol
12:00 pm – HOP TO IT Bunny Party with Miss Angelyn
It’s time to celebrate Spring! We invite you to perhaps wear some bunny ears, dress up like a bunny, share your stuffed animal bunnies (or real ones?)or even dress in your Easter clothes if you would like. This fun activity will include dances, stories and songs about all things BUNNIES!
7:00 pm – Bedtime Sing-a-story with Ms. Lisa

To enroll just visit growandsing.com/classes/house-party, scroll to bottom, click on “enrolling” and the form will drop down.

A note from your owner/directors, Holly and Will.

We would like to address some questions that are always asked at this time a year (typically cold and flu season) due to the inevitable conversation about coronavirus. Our class guidelines state to not attend class if you or your child is sick. A good guideline to follow is to be fever free for at least 24 hours, and for a nose not to be running with anything other than clear. It is VERY common for babies and toddlers to have runny noses due to teething. It is VERY hard to distinguish that from being sick. If you at all feel that you or your child is under the weather, remain home and schedule a makeup class.

We do feel that Kindermusik is a low risk activity as we keep our classes very small group, and ask that anyone who is sick to stay home and schedule a makeup class which are unlimited.

We wanted to let everyone know our studio wide procedures for attempting to keep our classrooms as sanitized as possible. While it is scientifically impossible to guarantee you that our instruments and props are 100% sanitized (as in anything else you come in contact with), we do our best to minimize sickness. We spray all instruments and props with Seventh Generation constantly, and tumble dry all fabric items in the dryer. As those in our classes know, we keep this product ON HAND at all classes so that we can all make an effort together to help avoid the spread of germs. If a child has mouthed an instrument during class, we ask parents to bring it up to our  “sanitation station” when finished and spray it with the Seventh Generation. Also on hand in the classroom are sanitizing wipes, hand sanitizer, soap/water and tissues. If we all make an effort together, we can try to eliminate spreading sickness to each other. Though again, there is never anything we can do to “guarantee” as in any public setting.

We stand by the most important way to avoid sickness – WASH HANDS!! We suggest that before class begins, and after class ends, you and your child wash hands for at least 20 seconds with SOAP and WATER.  We have been using these procedures and guidelines for over 10 years, and they have worked well.

Here are some tips from the CDC:

1. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
2. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
3. Stay home when you are sick.
4. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
5. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
6. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
7. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

WE LOVE KINDERMUSIK WEEK
February 10 – 14 , 2020
Enter to win a FREE SUMMER of KINDERMUSIK CLASSES!

Dear Families,

It’s time for Kindermusik International’s annual  “We Love Kindermusik” week ALL around the world. Kindermusik is enjoyed by so many, in over 70 countries, and once again we can all share our experiences and love for this amazing 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 win a FREE SUMMER SESSION of KINDERMUSIK (or $116 credit towards ANY of our services)! Two lucky winners will be announced. One for our main contest, and another for our Mega Bonus Photo/Video contest (folks have fun with that one!)

We hope you enjoy sharing the love, and good luck! — The Grow and Sing Team

WE LOVE KINDERMUSIK CONTEST DETAILS AND RULES!

Share the love, and enter into our “We Love Kindermusik” contest! There are many ways. The more you do, the more entries you will have. Maximum number of entries per adult (not per family, hint hint!) is 25. 

Ways to enter:

1. Color a “We Love Kindermusik” coloring sheet complete with WHY your family loves Kindermusik. If you are enrolled, you can turn the sheet in to your teacher, or anyone can scan the sheet and post to our facebook wall and/or tag Grow and Sing Studios in your instagram story or post (be sure it’s set to public so we can see it). Click here to print coloring sheet.  — 1 entry per sheet (1 per person)




2. Follow us on Instagram! First, follow our our Instagram profile. Then, comment on any of our Instagram posts and take a look at the content (not just the pictures) and learn some awesome facts about the development of your child. We want to thank those that take time to thoughtfully comment. 3 comments equals 1 entry. Max entries in this category is 5 (which is 15 comments) – 1 entry per 3 comments.




3. Comment on previous posts on our facebook page.  Check out our shared articles and developmental facts. Take a look at our albums of amazing pictures and posts. We want to thank those that take the time to thoughtfully comment! 3 comments equals 1 entry. Max entries in this category is 5 (which is 15 comments!) — 1 entry per 3 comments




4. “Like, follow and turn on notifications” for our facebook page AND facebook community group if you haven’t done so yet, or have a friend like our page and join our group. Please do not UNlike and then like again as we can tell, and you won’t get credit! You are welcome to let us know the name of the friend(s) that have joined our facebook community so we can be sure to enter your name. In order to receive this entry, your friend MUST like our page (and we suggest you all click on get notifications so you can see our posts!) and join our group.  One entry per verified friend, so you could get your max entries right here! :) — 1 entry per friend that likes our page!




5. Post on our facebook page wall or create your own public IG story or squares post on YOUR profile (and tag us so we know!) with a fun picture and share WHY you love Kindermusik. One heartfelt testimonial per adult will be counted! –5 entries




6. MEGA BONUS entry – Post a video or photo to our facebook page of your child(ren) or family telling us or showing us why you love Kindermusik. You will automatically receive 4 entries in our main contest, PLUS the Grow and Sing Studios staff will be voting for their favorite VIDEO and that winner will automatically win a free summer semester. Creativity counts!  — 4 entries in general contest  PLUS a chance to win free semester when Grow and Sing studios staff vote for their favorite video! 

We will be keeping close track of entries, and submit your name accordingly. However, if you are striving to get the maximum number of entries (25), 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 emailing listing all the ways you entered (and how your name appears on facebook and/or IG!). Thank you! The contest begins Monday, February 10th, 2020 and will close at 11:59pm Sunday, February 16, 2020. Prize may be gifted to someone else if you are not able to use it and can be redeemed for ANY service offered by Grow and Sing Studios. Each prize value is $116 and can be used for any of our services throughout 2020. Maximum number of entries per adult (not per family so both mom and dad can participate!) is 25. Grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends are welcome to participate on your behalf as well! Winners for our general contest will be chosen by random draw with the exception of the bonus entry (photo/video) contest which will be chosen by our staff. Winners will be announced sometime during the week of February 17th on our facebook page and instagram story once we tally up all the votes, so be sure to like our facebook and instagram 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 EXCEPT FOR STAFF VOTE MEGA BONUS. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH KINDERMUSIK INTERNATIONAL, FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM OR ANY OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA OUTLET.

GOOD LUCK!!!!

Hello Central Florida Families!

Did you know that the study, practice, and discipline of making music gives the brain and body a complete workout? Imagine activities that are designed to encourage multi-sensory learning, which employs and integrates several senses at once, stimulating multiple areas of the brain.

Our program focuses on each CHILD’S BRAIN, BODY, AND HEART.

The benefits of music are truly transformational. When paired with movement and instrument play, it creates neurological magic, lighting up a child’s brain and positively impacting all areas of development.

Here at Grow and Sing Studios, we use the power and joy of music-making to help children learn and grow during the years most critical to brain development. Our research-based curricula and interactive music experiences establish a foundation of early learning that supports sustained growth, confidence, and creativity throughout the life of a child.

What is Kindermusik?

Kindermusik is music-making with a purpose. Science has shown that children of any age learn more when the learning is playful and fun. Kindermusik kids laugh, smile, stomp, play, kick, clap, jump, sing, and dance. But having fun is just the beginning.

Steeped in educational theory, our programs engage the potential found in every child.

In our classes, children newborn through age 7 experience music of varying styles, genres, and cultures. They interact with other peers and engage in movement, rhythm, and vocal activities that develop far more than just music skills. Our approach to early childhood education primes children for success in school and in life.

Each class focuses on all areas of development including:

• Receptive Language
• Whole body movement
• Social-Emotional Development
• Sensory Awareness
• Musical Skills
• Fine Motor Movement
• Expressive Language
• Cognition

Our classes begin in just two weeks! Enroll now. Discover the power and joy of music-based learning by clicking here to view classes and enroll.

For a limited time, new families to our program receive $20 off their first month. So, for one month you receive all the amazing home materials included in class, plus a month of classes for $48. Only days remaining on this offer. Enter NEWFAMILY20 in the additional information field when you register here and we’ll adjust your first payment.

In addition to that all registrants previous and new, are invited to attend a SECOND class each week, FREE. Learn more about our subscriber benefits.

Have you already registered? Great! We can’t wait to see you (and look out soon for your music downloads!). Has your child aged out? That’s okay, we KNOW you know someone who could benefit from this email. We thank you for sharing.

We are ready to help you build a strong foundation for your child for a lifetime love of learning. Let’s go!

Oh by the way! We are giving away free prizes on our live event this Friday. Click GOING right now! Join us at 11am on instagram or facebook, to perhaps win a REMO hand drum, tushbaby carrier (as seen on shark tank) or a FREE MONTH OF CLASSES. See you there!

What is something you absolutely love to do? What are you good at? What is your favorite band? Who are your best friends?

Now, imagine how different your path with any of these things would be if you only went by your very first impression. Did you know instantly that you loved to do that thing? Or did you need to try a few times before you realized it was something you liked to do, or were good at. Maybe running, or dancing, or sports. What about your favorite song or band? Did you sing along the first time you heard it?

Think about it. How long does it take you to sing along to a song? I mean ACTUALLY SING ALONG. On first listen, you are most likely processing. Thinking about if you would like to hear it again. The second time, you may be tapping your foot, or humming along. The third time, maybe you are singing along to the chorus. You get the idea. It takes time to process experiences. It takes time to decide if it’s something we want to do again. It takes us time to form relationships, or skills.

As parents, we just want our kids to be happy. We want them to have fun, and feel safe. But the truth is, there’s growth in a bit of the unknown, in the processing.

Time and time again, we witness families with their babies or toddlers in a first time preview of one of our music classes. New experiences are challenging for children and adults. It takes time to process new environments and take it all in. Many times, as young children are easing into their first class, they may be quiet, cry, or even the opposite, it may overexcite them. This is all part of processing and it’s only the first impression.  In fact, what we are really talking about here is a parent’s first impression of their child’s first impression.

“She’s never like this at home”. We hear this a lot. As educators, we aren’t surprised. Why? Because Kindermusik is a sensory rich environment filled with sights, sounds, socialization, brain work, team work and the list goes on. It would be surprising to think that a child isn’t processing this new environment. To either clam up quietly as an observer, or to run around wildly as a kinesthetic learner. All of this is part of the first impression. When a parent decides to not enroll based on this first impression, could it be that so much learning and growth opportunities are missed? Imagine an environment that allows for these first impression moments in a non-judgmental way, and allows for a 2nd, 3rd or even 4th impression before making a final decision. Imagine the possibilities.

Consider giving your child the gift of time.

Holly Lesnick is a Licensed Kindermusik Educator and Studio owner at Grow and Sing Studios, a Bachelor of Music Therapy, mom of 2 and celebrated 20 years of marriage with her husband Will.  Holly is the Kindermusik International Brand Ambassador for the U.S., and always happy to collaborate with brands she believes in.

Click here for offer for new families to Grow and Sing Studios. 

Hello friends, I thought it would be the perfect day for our weekly close-up picture. It’s amazing how Easter weekend (and Passover weekend) make everything feel lighter, brighter and renewed. If you look around (at least here in Florida) things are greener, more colorful. The flowers are blooming everywhere! This flower is at our home studio. It’s a symbol of a new season. It reminds me that time moves on and we really should embrace and enjoy each season, each moment.

If there’s a moment that isn’t so enjoyable I like to say that it’s part of life. If it doesn’t serve us, we can accept it, let it go, and know we are learning and growing during those rougher times too. They make the sweeter times even sweeter, don’t they?

How we handle all of it, I believe, is in the gratitude.

I hope you enjoy our little symbol of renewal and as we head into our final few weeks of our school year of classes and into Summer. I am grateful for YOU.

Happy Earth Day!

All the Very Best,
Holly

Holly Lesnick is a Licensed Kindermusik Educator and Studio owner at Grow and Sing Studios, a Bachelor of Music Therapy, mom of 2 and this past September celebrated 20 years of marriage with her husband Will.  Holly is the U. S. Kindermusik International Brand Ambassador, and always happy to collaborate with brands she believes in.

www.funboxphotos.com
www.growandsing.com

WE LOVE KINDERMUSIK WEEK
February 11 – 18 , 2019
Enter to win a FREE SUMMER SESSION of KINDERMUSIK CLASSES!

Dear Families,

It’s time for Kindermusik International’s annual  “We Love Kindermusik” week ALL around the world. Kindermusik is enjoyed by so many, in over 70 countries, and once again we can all share our experiences and love for this amazing 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 win a FREE SUMMER SESSION of KINDERMUSIK (or $110 credit towards ANY of our services)!

We hope you enjoy sharing the love, and good luck! — The Grow and Sing Team

WE LOVE KINDERMUSIK CONTEST DETAILS AND RULES!

Share the love, and enter into our “We Love Kindermusik” contest! There are many ways. The more you do, the more entries you will have. Maximum number of entries per adult (not per family, hint hint!) is 15. 

Ways to enter:

1. Color a “We Love Kindermusik” coloring sheet complete with WHY your family loves Kindermusik. If you are enrolled, you can turn the sheet in to your teacher, or anyone can scan the sheet and post to our facebook wall and/or tag Grow and Sing Studios in your instagram story or post. Click here to print coloring sheet.  — 1 entry per post

2. Comment on any of our instagram posts on our IG page. Take a look at the content, not just the pictures and learn some awesome facts about the development of your child. We want to thank those that take time to thoughtfully comment. 3 comments equals 1 entry. Max entries in this category is 5 (which is 15 comments) – 1 entry per 3 comments.

3. Comment on previous posts on our facebook page. Take a look at our albums of amazing pictures and posts. We want to thank those that take the time to thoughtfully comment! 3 comments equals 1 entry. Max entries in this category is 5 (which is 15 comments!) — 1 entry per 3 comments

4. “Like” our facebook page AND facebook community group if you haven’t done so yet, or have a friend like our page and join our group. Please do not UNlike and then like again as we can tell, and you won’t get credit! You are welcome to let us know the name of the friend(s) that have joined our facebook community so we can be sure to enter your name. In order to receive this entry, your friend MUST like our page (and we suggest you all click on get notifications so you can see our posts!) and join our group.  One entry per verified friend, so you could get your max entries right here! :) — 1 entry per friend that likes our page!

5. Follow us on Instagram! We have a very active Instagram as well and would love for you to join the fun! Like our instagram account plus comment on five photos. –3 entries
   

6. Post on our facebook page wall or create your own IG post on YOUR profile (and tag us so we know!) with a fun picture and share WHY you love Kindermusik. One heartfelt testimonial per adult will be counted! –5 entries

7. MEGA BONUS entry – Post a video or photo to our facebook page of your child(ren) or family telling us or showing us why you love Kindermusik. You will automatically receive 4 entries in our main contest, PLUS the Grow and Sing Studios staff will be voting for their favorite VIDEO and that winner will automatically win a free summer semester. Creativity counts!  — 4 entries in general contest  PLUS a chance to win free semester when Grow and Sing studios staff vote for their favorite video! 

We will be keeping close track of entries, and submit your name accordingly. However, if you are striving to get the maximum number of entries, 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 emailing listing all the ways you entered (and how your name appears on facebook and/or IG!). Thank you! The contest begins February 12th and will close at 11:59pm Sunday, February 18, 2019. Prize may be gifted to someone else if you are not able to use it and can be redeemed for ANY service offered by Grow and Sing Studios. Each prize value is $110 and can be used for any of our services throughout 2019. Maximum number of entries per adult (not per family so both mom and dad can participate!) is 15. Grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends are welcome to participate on your behalf as well! Winners for our general contest will be chosen by random draw with the exception of the bonus entry (video) contest which will be chosen by our staff. Winners will be announced sometime during the week of February 18th on our facebook page and instagram story once we tally up all the votes, so be sure to like our facebook and instagram 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 EXCEPT FOR STAFF VOTE MEGA BONUS. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH KINDERMUSIK INTERNATIONAL, FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM OR ANY OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA OUTLET.

GOOD LUCK!!!!

A new year.  Hmm.

I mean, it’s really just the next day, right? A continuation of the life we have created for ourselves. So why does New Year’s Eve feel so momentous? Then again, we celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, so why wouldn’t we make a huge deal about New Years?

Here’s the thing. On birthdays, we celebrate the life of a person, and their growth so far. Anniversaries are celebrated to acknowledge a relationship and how far it’s come. New Year’s… well, it always feels like everyone is saying goodbye to the past. I read a lot of messages about how the next year will be better, or “goodbye 2018”. But really, isn’t  New Year’s just an anniversary celebration of our time as humans on earth? A simple measure of time just like birthdays and anniversaries? And if that is what it is, then shouldn’t we be celebrating all that we’ve accomplished so far?

Of course looking ahead to see what might come next, making plans, setting goals, well, there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s always good to do that. But may I suggest that instead of looking back and thinking about what you didn’t accomplish, or what didn’t happen, you look at how much progress you have made.  As a parent. As a friend. As a teacher. As a human.

Dare I say that life NEVER moves as fast as we want. Not when renovations are getting done, not when you are waiting for a call back from something important. Everything moves slower than we want it to. Why would our lives in general be any different?

Take a look at what great things happened this year. The little things that might not have seemed so significant at the time, but as you look back realize they were.

Here at Grow and Sing Studios, we educate parents and young children. We celebrate each new milestone as if it were the biggest thing ever to happen. Am I right? Why does that stop as we get older? Our time here on earth is a journey. It’s a journey from the time we are born. Each year, full of learning, growth, mistakes, mishaps, misunderstandings and good times. Each year, things get perhaps, a bit more complicated because we have more life information gathered inside our brains.

I took this photograph this year in Ireland. It was a trip I wanted to take my entire life. Traveling abroad was my dream. Just like life tends to be, it took a long time to happen for me. But it DID happen. As I searched each stone on this beach on the Ring of Kerry in County Kerry, Ireland, taking notice of color, texture, shape and size I realized I was honoring each small step that finally got me to this destination. I carefully piled the stones up while breathing in the cool crisp air, noticing the blue sky and smiling at my wonderful husband patiently waiting for me so we could move on to our next stop on the ring of Kerry. I took time here, with these stones, to honor and celebrate each and every challenge and triumph that got me there.

I will do that again, here on this New Year’s Eve.

I hope this message finds you invigorated and reflective. You are awesome!
Happy New Year friends.

All the very best,

Holly Lesnick is a Licensed Kindermusik Educator and Studio owner at Grow and Sing Studios, a Bachelor of Music Therapy, mom of 2 and this past September celebrated 20 years of marriage with her husband Will.  Kindermusik International Brand Ambassador, and always happy to collaborate with brands she believes in.

www.funboxphotos.com
www.growandsing.com

You know, I read recently that we have more wrinkles in our necks from looking down at our phones. Imagine that, more wrinkles because we are lacking in being present with those around us. It’s a crazy notion, but if you think about it, makes a bit of sense. I’m not going to lie, I just bought neck cream.

This picture is the one I selected for this topic, because well, first, it’s festive isn’t it? Jingle bells! But looking closer, it’s also a message of connection. There is eye contact. The adult’s head is up and looking directly at the child. There’s presence.

Obviously we all love our phones and I’m no exception. I check it often, I network, I shop. But the idea that there is a physical sign letting us know that we aren’t quite tapping in to the magic around us makes me want to pause. Put the phone down. Look into my loved ones eyes, be present and PLAY.

As we head into this crazy busy time of year, I challenge anyone reading this to find some balance. I’m not at all saying put the phone away entirely. Not realistic, and not fun! But perhaps spend some quality time. Perhaps in a Kindermusik class like this family does, or maybe doing something else as a family.

I challenge you.
I challenge myself too.

Happy Holidays!

Holly Lesnick is a Licensed Kindermusik Educator and Studio owner at Grow and Sing Studios, a Bachelor of Music Therapy, mom of 2 and this past September celebrated 20 years of marriage with her husband Will. 

www.funboxphotos.com
www.growandsing.com