New evidence that music raises the IQ

Wow!  There have been some interesting findings on the impact of music on cognitive development.  A Canadian study of four to six year old children showed increased verbal IQ scores for children who had been exposed to an experimental animated computer music program. 

If you are interested in the details of the study, you can read about them here: 

www.psychologicalscience.org/index.php/news/releases/young-children-show-improved-verbal-iq-after-20-days-of-exposure-to-music-based-cognitive-training-cartoons.html

While this study offers more proof that music is good for the brain, I can’t help but wonder:  Don’t children who participate in live musical instruction benefit even more?  If you watch the brief clip in this article, it you may wonder the same.  I certainly believe that any exposure to music education is beneficial.  However, I hate to hand over music education to a computer.  The best way to learn about music is to live it.  The concepts and sounds can be replicated, but there is a lot that is lost too.

Sound itself is created by vibration.  The vibrations that come from a speaker can’t compare to the vibrations and energy experienced when singing in a group, listening to a piano or beating a drum.  Live music incorporates more of the senses, not just sound and sight. The Kindermusik classes that I teach (and maybe you attend?) emphasize the growth of the whole child.  I love that we keep music a whole body experience with dance, touch, sight, communication, or social interactions.  If only you could taste the music we would have all of the bases covered.  Music celebrates both the self and those we share it with.  The brain blossoms to receive this celebration.    It grows as it fills with joy and wonder.

If a child’s IQ surges from computer based instruction, imagine how he responds to live musical instruction? 

Do you think that children can learn as well from a computer as they can a teacher?

Having a baby is not like having an angry boss (part 2)

There are days I would love to wake up to a demanding boss instead of a child.  I would really be thrilled for an adult of any kind.    Why? 

• Most adults don’t make up screaming, and if they do it is usually just until they get a caffeine fix.   
• I can’t imagine that many employers make you late for a meeting because their bowels are calling just as you are headed out the door. 
• I doubt they demand that you wipe their bottom either.  
• I can’t imagine a boss asking “Can I help?” as much as my son does only to destroy what it is that I am doing.  No, a boss wants you to actually be productive.  
• I have never had a boss say “I hate you” or “you smell”.  I have been fired, and I have been talked down to.  It is much more pleasant then being heckled by a 3 year old.
•  I have never had a boss cry while wrapping themselves around my leg when I left the office.  Never did one put his finger in my face and order me “don’t go to yoga when I go into the other room”.   

The real problem is with that tired analogy is that when you work for a baby or child boss, you are constantly worried about their safety.  If an adult boss can’t be trusted in the bath alone for fear of drowning, they should not BE boss.  In addition, this idea implies that the parent has one boss and one job.  Some of my biggest struggles stem from the fact that I have many jobs and bosses/children.  Caring for a child and nothing else is tough.  Caring for a child, his/her siblings, pets, and spouse is another.  Add to that constant worry about your child’s safety and emotional health and things get really complicated.

So, if we parents are not employees, what are we?  Just for fun, I looked up Wikipedia’s definition of indentured servant.  No, that didn’t fit either.  Slave was closer, but still not quite right.  A drudge? Almost there, but it still was missing the emotional side.  I guess there is no point in trying to explain parenthood as anything other then what it is.  Whatever that is.  

Having a baby is not like having an angry boss (part 1)

You have heard an analogy before that goes something like this:  “Having a baby is like having a demanding boss breathing down your back 24 hours a day.”

I realize that who ever first came up with this idea was trying to give sort of recognition to stay at home parents.  The hours are long, your work never seems to be good enough, you are always on call etc., etc.  Those are all true.   I also realize that my children aren’t infants.  But, my 3 year old is pretty demanding.  Not nearly as demanding as when he was an infant, but not exactly easy to care for either.  My 7 and 8 year old can be difficult too.  But, I won’t pretend that it is nearly as challenging as the infant and preschool years in this area.

Once in a blue moon Often, life devoted to a young child is much better then it would be with a demanding boss.  Today after calling Jack in sick to school (only to  discover him suddenly “better” within 5 minutes), the boys and I headed to Point Defiance.  I chose where and when we were going (they’re not the boss of me!), and we hit the trails.  We took Dixie along too.  Most mean bosses don’t let you bring your dog to work.   My boys even played with her.  We brought along a bag to collect nature treasures.  Since I assigned a nature walk to 2 of my classes this week, I thought that we should do our homework too.  The trails were empty as they often are in the fall.  We compared the feel of different mosses, listed to birds and something that sounded like a tree frog.  We collected soggy pinecones and pieces of fern.  The air was beautiful and crisp.  The park was intensely green.  When we were done, we turned around and headed home to create our new mantel:

Liam and Jack's Treasure Jars

An Autumn Afternoon

This morning I had supportive co-workers.  They were the slightly under-qualified, “still learning the ropes” types.  But, they were eager go -getters.  


What do you think?  Is life with an infant or preschooler harder or easier then having a tyrannical boss?

Puppy Power

…and I thought babies grew quickly.  Our very frisky Dixie Cotter is growing by the minute.  She is sleeping through the night (mostly), and is even starting to conform to our crazy schedule.  With the exception of her ability to escape from her travel crate - in the car only to appear underneath my feet while I’m driving!, and razor sharp teeth, she is PERFECT.

To prove my point, here are some pictures taken from the weekend.  Dixie had her first trip to Lake Cushman and first of many hikes on the Hoodsport trail.  If you notice that the pictures are better then the norm, it is because I didn’t take them.  I was not in Hoodsport, but parked on the couch eating left over birthday cake and watching Fat Albert with Jack and Amelia.  Hey, hey, hey,  don’t judge me.  That was all I could muster after the birthday chaos of the week before.  No wonder why this week is getting of to a rocky start.  I seriously need a childless vacation.  Back to the pictures, yes the pictures.  Here they are!

Still Adorable, a little less wrinkled

Perhaps, a swim?

I'm the perfect puppy, admit it!

Okay, I guess I should include a cute Liam picture to make me look less crazy and more like a loving mother (though I probably lost all credibility by divulging the cake and Albert tidbit).

"I loved going to the cabin with my Dad, he gave me an enormous piece of cake for lunch!"

"My mom chose a vizsla because they match my hair" 

Have you slacked lately as a parent out of exhaustion or boredom?  What did YOU do?

Third Graders Gone Wild

As the title suggests, Friday night’s birthday fiesta was one wild party.  The kids had a great time.  Unfortunately, I have never really been that big on wild parties.  Now that I am closer to 40 then 30, they really bring the anxious, ninny out in me.  Add in to that the screams of children, and the responsibility of returning these children unharmed to their parents and you automatically add a giant dose of host anxiety. 

I did get to have the fun of decorating

I made the wild children use the back door

And stay in the playroom until dinner time

Did you see all of those streamers?  They stayed up for...hmmm...about 4 minutes.  Then they were torn down and rolled in.  Along with all of my handmade signs, and table clothes.  There was a lot of balloon wrestling and high pitched screaming.  Apparently, otherwise well behaved children with amazing parents and wonderful homes follow the same sociological rules as adults.  In large groups they feel anonymous.  So, my redirection and pleas for order did little to stop that tornado.  

All in all, they were nine years olds.  I think they had fun.  If not, they burnt off a lot of steam from the sitting in a desk at school during the day.  There was a lot of laughter.  A lot of story telling and joking. A lot of "I almost peed my pants" from one party goer. Amelia had a great time.  She didn't seem to mind the lack of order or that no one could sit still long enough to watch her to open gifts.  She was a little disappointed that the decorations were destroyed. I am glad to see that she has some of my blood after all.

How do your nerves do around big, wild groups of children?  Cool as a cucumber or hot tamale?

My Amelia

Dear Amelia,

Do you remember that day nine years ago when you just wouldn't cooperate?  When you pulled out every stop in the book just to stay in bed a little longer.  To spite the pitocin, epidural and even morphine (yes, morphine!), I remember it well.  Somehow, foolishly, I though that I gave you life that day.  Oh, how wrong I was!  The gifts that were given were all   to me.  Thank you for sharing your life with me every day.  I was blessed beyond words when your life became intwined with mine.

From shallowness and fog

you came masterfully

Shocking my humility  

divine beauty 

warmly charged love

Amelia

The soulful artist

 Goofy girl

 Caring sister

Super soccer star

lover of joy

Obsessed reader

Nature Lover

You bring love, humor, happiness and beauty to our family.  Happy Birthday Amelia!

Birthday on the Brain

Tomorrow my sweet Amelia turns 9!  Impossible!  I have been busy planning her birthday fiesta.  I am not just trying to sound festive.  That is what she requested, a birthday fiesta.  To my dismay, Amelia asked for a fiesta instead of the girly options I tried to push on her.  I have two boys to hold basketball parties and lego themed events.  It would be nice if I could go girly once in a while.  But, her reasons are good ones.  Amelia wanted to invite boys and did not want to subject them to jewelry making or the like.  So, a fiesta it is.  I have had most of the plans simmering for a couple of weeks, but this week I have to actually get out of the "idea" faze.  


Yesterday, during Liam's nap I finished the party favors.  I found this idea for mini pinata's here:  http://onecharmingparty.com/2011/04/29/cinco-de-mayo-pinata


Mine aren't quite as cute, but not too bad...

I dedicate this post to my glue gun.  You are a strong, loyal friend and my favorite crafting tool.


Do you prefer to hold your children's parties at home or in a public venue?