UrbanMommies » The Arts

How Do We Create Good Role Models for our Kids?

Jill — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 05:55:46 +0000

At the baby and toddler age, children learn best in an informal learning environment – meaning children learn by example. They are learning emotional skills, social skills and practical skills like using the hose to water the garden by following our example. They learn the basics of language by taking the lead from the older people around them who model the fluency in that language. Language basics are learned through immersion not through rote teaching. In the informal learning environment, a good role model is key. Good role models inspire people to do great things. Many things in a young child’s life are learned in this manner.. including music. We spoke with West Side Music Together’s director Katherine Deane and her new teacher Elisa about being a good role model to children.

UM: Katherine, considering how profound role modeling is at this age, what do you look for in a new teacher?
KD: First and foremost, I look for a positive minded person who full of enthusiasm – someone with an authentically loving, joyful nature. I also look for someone who respects others and treats others the way they want to be treated.

If I was going to make a shopping list of qualities, I say joyful, loving, positive, patient, understanding, compassionate, confident, creative, encouraging, enthusiastic, forgiving and respectful

UM: What do you think makes a good role model?
KD: A good role model needs to be able to make mistakes and recover confidently. Nobody’s perfect. We want people to know that everyone makes mistakes and it’s not the end of the world. So I look for someone who embodies forgiveness as well.

A good role model also demonstrate confidence in themselves and in the people they are inspiring. I still remember teachers who believed in me and encouraged an expression of myself without judgment. I hope that I hire teachers who help children to celebrate who they are.

UM: Elisa, as a new teacher, what makes a good role model?
E: Putting positivity into a learning experience and offering a positive influence to those you’re in contact with. It’s also important to provide a safe environment where it’s ok to make mistakes and take risks. I salute the parents who come in allow themselves to be vulnerable and model for their children and share their experiences with the group. I think a role model needs to be supportive.

UM: Who have been good role models to you?
E: Well it might sound cliché but my Mom has been a good role model to me because she’s always made learning fun and allowed me to feel supported and confident in the choices I made. My mother taught me that making learning fun is the best approach – learning without knowing that you’re learning!

UM: What qualities about you make you a good role?
E: I sincerely like to have fun. I’ve had a lot of experience around children and everything I’ve done seems to involve kids so it’s easy for me to bring out my fun, enthusiastic side and find those qualities in myself that kids will look up to. And I think of my mom and what she’s taught me about learning.

I also think I’m good at putting people at ease when they walk in so that they feel comfortable being there and participating.

While it is important to have a good role model in the teacher, the parent is the best role model for any child, which is why classes with active parent participation are an excellent choice for families with young children. The teacher becomes not only a good role model for the child, but also for the parents.

UM: Parents need support and encouragement too!

Talk is one thing. Actually being involved is far more powerful. Kids start to feel, ‘this is what our family does’ which is much more profound learning than this is what I do once a week for fun. Role modeling is a powerful force in any young child’s life. Planning these kind of character building activities will draw the family together and create a common ground for social and emotional development.

Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.
- James Baldwin, an American novelist, writer, playwright, poet, essayist and civil rights activist.

Space still available at in the West Side Music Together’s fall session and registration begins starting August 2nd. Classes take place at St. Stephen’s church across from the new West Vancouver Community Centre.

WestSideMusicTogether.ca

The Arts on a Budget

Jill — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 19:11:21 +0000

We’re not suggesting that you stop paying full price to take your kids to the ballet, theatre or symphony, but many parents feel that artistic pursuits are inaccessible for one reason or another. Excuses for not exposing children to these media range from ‘But the hockey was on’, ‘He will get bored’, ‘My baby cries all the time and she will disrupt things’ …to ‘It is too expensive’. Here are some outside-the-box ways to give it a go and mitigate the reasons for staying home.

1. Go to your favourite park on a sunny day and chances are you’ll get some live music. A saxaphone, choir or impromptu dancers can often be found in Urban parks.
Cost: money in the hat.
Kid-Friendliness: Kids can run, and you can stay for as long as you like.
Effort: Take a walk in the park.

2. Stick a tot in a stroller and do an Urban Hike, You can each grab a notebook and pen, and have some fun. Depending on the age of your child, you can find shapes, images in media billboards, graffiti tags, or colours.
Cost: Free
Kid-Friendliness: Excellent.
Effort: Minimal. Making up a ‘game’ that is age appropriate.

3. PWYC. Get to know your city and what is offered. If you can ‘Pay What You Can’, a play or ballet where little ones may only last one act isn’t a big financial loss. Art galleries often have free dates or times, and rush (last minute) tickets for performances are often available at a huge discount.
Cost: What you can Afford
Kid-Friendliness: Great if you find something with an intermission that will hold your child’s interest.
Effort: Search the net (or UrbanMommies Events) and find out when the deals happen.

4. Student Exhibits. Art colleges often have exhibitions of student work, theatre schools offer free performances, and musicians can be heard from outside conservatories. Walk by some day and a cacophony can be heard.
Cost: Free
Kid-Friendliness: Dart whenever you must.
Effort: Walk home a different way to hear some music practice.

5. Festivals. Look in your local paper for times and dates of Folk Music Festivals, Exhibitions, Festivals of Dance and Theatre. Summer is always a great time for these. February? Kiwanis music festivals also offer great performances by youth and when your little ones see their peers with a cello in hand, they may beg to learn an instrument.

Enjoy, and ‘Viva La Vie Boheme!’

- Jill Amery loves the arts.

Children’s Day, Harrison Festival of the Arts

Jill — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 14:17:04 +0000

Wednesday, July 14th, 11 am – 4 pm, Harrison Memorial Hall, Harrison Hot Springs
It’s the Harrison Festival of the Arts Children’s Day and it includes crafts, a climbing wall, live music from Bette & Wallet, a tightrope walker, comic Flying Bob and more: www.harrisonfestival.com

CEFA: Core Education and Fine Arts

Jill — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 17:40:22 +0000

At Park Royal in West Vancouver the other day, I offered to hold the elevator door for a group of the most lovely, well-behaved children I had seen in ages. Their three teachers graciously declined my assistance, saying that their safety protocol was to hold the door themselves. Very impressve. Hmmm. Polite uniformed children, good behaviour and professional adults. They had to be.. Yes.. When I asked – all was confirmed. They were from CEFA.

Core Education and Fine Arts is Canada’s first Junior Kindergarten School. It was begun by Natacha Beim, a vibrant and brilliant teacher who saw a need to prepare children more thoroughly for kindergarten. Internationally (in France, England, China, Japan and many other countries), pre-kindergarten programs are standardized and children are given essential tools that set them in good stead for future education. The CEFA program is unique in Canada because it follows the international standard for pre-kindergarten learning. Parents have the choice of enrolling their preschoolers from 2-5 days per week, and classes run from 7:30 – 6pm. It is highly recognized for its leading academic program, as well as its excellent curriculum in the fine arts and athletics, designed to develop and challenge young children intellectually and physically. The well-rounded and flexible offerings enable a child to acquire knowledge in many different ways, as no child learns in exactly the same way as another.

“The decision to participate is the child’s, which emphasizes one of CEFA’s goals: to give the child autonomy and responsibility over his or her education ( I learn because I like to learn ). Creating a passion for learning in life is an essential step in your child’s learning path.”

UrbanMommies toured one facility (there are currently 9 in BC) and we were super-impressed. Arts are explored, languages are learned, and children are taught at their own pace but within a beautiful structure that apparently results in the exceptional behaviour I witnessed in the elevator.

Drama, Yoga, French. Culture Immersion (who wouldn’t want to try on clothes from all over the world?).. The school also includes a a gym painted to resemble a circus, a cinema, art room and library. A resident chef prepares breakfast and lunch for teachers and students, and a fitness trainer is also on hand. Despite the uniforms, chef and excellence, the place is not in the least bit snooty – just in case you’re wondering.

“Each child has a schedule, drawn to reflect his or her unique abilities and made up by CEFA in consultation with parents. The schedule is broken up by play times, family time, project time, relaxation, naps and movies as well as breakfast and lunch. Every week, the children can also look forward to field trips.”

One of the great things about CEFA is that because it is an educational program, working parents are able to deduct tuition expenses to a maximum of $7000 per year, per child. This amount is directly deducted from the earnings of the lower income-earner in the household when filing your taxes.

Creating Renaissance-kids, exposure to fitness, languages, arts, an international learning standard, a chef and naptime too. Heaven. If only every child throughout Canada could have the opportunity to develop in such a special environment! We’ll cross our fingers for more expansion and keep you posted. In the meantime, I’m off to yoga. Must not be eclipsed by my preschooler.

www.cefa.ca

Photo features Ms. Natacha Beim and was provided by CEFA.

For other approaches on schooling, check our Waldorf and Montessori articles.

Dancing with Your Kids

Jill — Sun, 16 May 2010 03:45:56 +0000

My son hits. It drives me nuts. I have been searching for a way to teach him to channel anger and frustration in a healthier way. And then it struck me: movement. As a young girl at theatre school, I remember an incredible exercise where the facilitator put on 2 minutes of different types of music in succession, and we would move. Artsy? Yeah. Cheesy? Not really. Dance like nobody’s watching – remember? These days, iTunes has made the concept easier than ever. Try it with your kids. The physical movement – slow, fast, harsh, angry, will be fun. And it may expand your horizons a bit too. When was the last time you listened to country or rap? (Just make sure you choose the songs without expletives). You can also try the UrbanMommies Workout Playlist.

Canadian Opera Company Kids Programs

Jill — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 22:56:44 +0000

For only $10 per 10-week session, The Canadian Opera Company’s popular After School Opera Program introduces young people to all the exciting elements that make up an opera, and is held at four convenient locations in Toronto: East York Community Centre, Barbara Frum Community Centre, St. Christopher House Music School, and the Joey and Toby Tanenbaum Opera Centre. Under the guidance of Canadian composer Dean Burry, young people ages 7 to 12 create an original operatic work based on their own ideas and improvisations. Mr. Burry has worked closely with the COC over the years, composing several young people’s operas, including Isis and the Seven Scorpions and The Brothers Grimm. No previous music experience is necessary.

Please note that sessions in East York Community Centre, Barbara Frum Community Centre, and St. Christopher House Music School began in March.

After School Opera Program
Thursdays, April 1 – June 3, 2010
4 – 6 p.m.
$10 per 10-week session
Joey and Toby Tanenbaum Opera Centre
227 Front St. E. (Front and Berkeley)

For more information please contact the COC’s Education and Outreach department at
416-306-2392 or visit coc.ca.

The After School Opera Program is generously supported by the Imperial Oil Foundation and
Kraft Canada.

Opera Works
The Canadian Opera Company’s Opera Works program explores the art of storytelling. For only $30 per child, children ages 10 to 13 participate in this innovative seven-week workshop that combines various elements of art and music to create their own opera. Held at the St. Christopher House Music School in Toronto, the workshop demonstrates how diverse art forms, along with music, can be used to tell a story.

Opera Works
Tuesdays, April 13 – May 25, 2010
4:30 – 6 p.m.
$30 per child for seven sessions
St. Christopher House Music School
248 Ossington Ave. (Ossington and Dundas Street West)

Youth Opera Lab
The Canadian Opera Company’s Youth Opera Lab is a series of workshops that encourages participants to explore the inner workings of opera. For the cost of only $30 per person, youth ages 14 to 18 participate in the many dimensions of an operatic production at the Joey and Toby Tanenbaum Opera Centre in Toronto. The program includes sessions on voice, movement and staging and is suitable for youth with an interest in the performing arts and a basic knowledge of music and drama.

Youth Opera Lab
Wednesdays, April 28 – May 19, 2010
4:30 – 6 p.m.
$30 per youth for four sessions
Joey and Toby Tanenbaum Opera Centre
227 Front St. E. (Front and Berkeley)

Chalkboard Paint

Jill — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 18:21:26 +0000

And we thought that black chalkboard paint was cool. Imagine being able to make a wipe-off-able rainbow… Hudson Paint has just released its fab chalkboard paint in 24 new colors. Paint the kids snack table, create a child-height border around their bedroom, or finally get organized by making a flow chart on a wall in the mudroom. You could also paint the inside of kitchen cupboard doors, or make a wipe-able calendar on your office wall. Resolution to get organized? Done.

www.hudsonpaint.com
www.benjaminmoore.com

Bobs & Lolo Win a Western Canadian Music Award!

admin — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 02:36:01 +0000

Congratulations to Bobs and Lolo!! They certainly never cease to amaze us. You can watch them singing on Treehouse, see them in one of a never-ending schedule of concerts, or purchase a DVD or CD and dance the night away. Action Packed, the latest album from this critically-acclaimed BC duo, has received a 2009 WCMA Award for Children’s Recording of the Year!! Following on the heels of a 2009 Parents’ Choice Gold Award – essentially the Grammy’s of the kids’ music world – Robyn Hardy (Bobs) and Lorraine Pond (Lolo) continue to garner national and international attention for their third album’s refreshing lyrics, rich harmonies and original, ‘get on your feet’ tunes for preschoolers. The awards are great and everything, but we can personally plug the album as something we listen to every morning while getting dressed (and dancing). There’s nothing quite like the stamp of approval from a toddler. Keep up the great work! www.bobsandlolo.com

VSO Tiny Tots 2009

Jill — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 22:37:05 +0000

The 2009/2010 Tiny Tots is a 4-concert series for children up to four years of age, focusing on fun and music education for early childhood development. Concerts are held in the intimate performance space of the Playhouse Theatre in Vancouver, and the Terry Fox Theatre in Port Coquitlam. Music is a beautiful thing to share with your child, and we believe very strongly that all Children are Musical. This series features professional music educators and musicians, Let your Music Shine with Lisa & Linda, in their own musical presentations for kids.MUSICAL OLYMPICS FOR TOTS: I can sing, I can play! Winning melodies and favorite classics highlight this GOLD medal show.
OCTOBER 23—Playhouse Theatre
OCTOBER 24—Terry Fox Theatre

HOLIDAY HOORAY!: Featuring the music of Tchaikovsky. Move-along with the Nutcracker and
sing-a-long to frosty favourites!
DECEMBER 11—Playhouse Theatre
DECEMBER 12—Terry Fox Theatre

Cirque de CLASSIC: Let’s all go to the 3-ring musical circus! Filled with magic, movement and classic miniatures.
MARCH 26—Playhouse Theatre
MARCH 27—Terry Fox Theatre

Gallop and Go!: This symphonic adventure into farmyard fun will have tots bouncing to that barnyard beat.
Programme subject to change.
MAY 21—Playhouse Theatre
MAY 22—Terry Fox Theatre

Four concert series
10:00AM, 11:30AM, 1:30PM: Playhouse Theatre (Hamilton & dunsmuir, attached
to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre)
All concerts are on Fridays

Four concert series
10:00AM, 11:30AM, Terry Fox Theatre (1260 Riverwood Gate, Port Coquitlam)
All concerts are on Saturdays

Series Subscription:
$ 54 Adult
$ 25 Child

www.vancouversymphony.ca

Cards by (YOUR) Kids

Jill — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 22:47:09 +0000

We know your daughter is the next Emily Carr and your son is the next Picasso! Well even if they’re not, the art your child makes is still pretty spectacular and, most importantly, very special to you and to your little artist. Encouraging creativity gives children skills that go beyond art. Creative minds are the ones that can think outside the box and come up with the great new ideas that lead the world’s constant development. Now there’s a company, Cards by Kids, that creates individualized sets of greeting cards out of your child’s artwork, a great way to encourage that artist, build their confidence, share their vision and preserve their art for years to come.

Cards by Kids takes a photo or scan of any item of your child’s 2-dimensional art and uses it as the cover for a greeting card set. A painting, a drawing, a collage, a construction paper creation—you name it, they can create a card out of it! On the back cover, the company prints your child’s name (last name optional), age and the date of their creation. Then they mail you your personalized greeting card set. This personal touch is a great alternative to those tired drugstore cards. A great idea would be to create a series of cards, one for each year showcasing your child’s artistic, physical and emotional development. Soon your family and friends will be looking forward to seeing this year’s great new card. Most importantly you will give your child a fantastic sense of accomplishment and pride as you share their art with your friends and family. A unique opportunity like this teaches them early that there are so many possibilities for what they can accomplish!

To order your Cards by Kids personalized greeting card set visit their website and see what fantastic cards they can create with your child’s art!

-Danica Longair