Too hot…Too cold; no one wants to go outside! What’s a kid to do!

Wherever you live, your children may not be getting the exercise fun and energy boost they need.  Here’s an idea, why not be proactive and creative; keep an assortment of action CDs on hand for the moments when they need some “get up and go time”.  Music and movement songs are definitely the answer -- kids can shake, they can jump, they can tap, they can dance!  For toddlers, play songs such as “Higglety Piggety, Pop!” from the multi-award-winning, Start Smart Songs for 1’s, 2’s and 3’s.  Preschoolers like their own exercise time.  They will benefit from the age-appropriate action songs on Steady, Ready, Jump! (fitness fun action - with the emphasis on FUN!).  Songs such as “Hip, Hop, Hold” will encourage self-regulatory behavior while improving motor development skills.  After long days in school most students need to re-energize and re-focus before beginning their homework or projects.  Rockin’ Aerobics, is just challenging enough to motivate older kids to get moving with cool music and jumpin’ routines, such as “Latin Heat” and “Rap Zap”. 

A unique playful way to promote fitness is to invite your children to help make some “manipulatives”, and then pair them up with a connecting activity CD.  For example, take an old sheet that they can decorate -- they’ve made their own personal parachute! Then watch them do the “Parachute Freeze”, from Shakin’ the Chute.  Or, make some smooth 6” dowels and put out some safe paint or markers so they can embellish them with their names and favorite designs.  Now they have colorful rhythm sticks to tap, tap, tap to “The Color Tap Song”, from Rhythm Sticks Rap & Tap.  Here’s another guaranteed kid-pleasing activity; homemade scarves and ribbons are easy to make, and kids will love to play with them.  Cut up left-over pieces of fabric in different lengths, textures and colors.  Children can develop their rhythm and motor skills with activities such as “Let’s Go Fly a Kite” on Musical Scarves & Activities or “Got the Wiggles” on Ribbons and Rhythms. 

You get the idea; and there are lots more.  Just be creative and plan ahead.  Make everyday a music and movement day.  Your children will benefit, and you will feel great too!

Award Winners!

I love anything that says it has won an award.  It makes the product just a little more special, and I think, okay, I must have it!  Musical award winners let a person know what they can’t see or hear because the package is sealed.  So, yes, I like an award.  What makes an award-winning CD or DVD anyway?  The product is usually unique, valuable and serves a purpose.  Plus -- and this is important -- it has to be fun and child-friendly.  Kimbo makes sure that all the important ingredients go into their productions, which is why so many of their products have won important awards such as Parents Choice and Dr. Toy. 

Here are some ideas for CDs that have met the award-winning criteria.  Kimbo has lots to choose from. Do you want to share favorite songs such as” Down on Grandpa’s Farm”? – try the popular Five Little Monkeys CD.  How about literacy skills?  Kids can learn from songs such as “Alphabet Rock” on the CD, Rockin’ ReadingReadiness.  Let’s make a date to celebrate America and learn history through songs such as the” ABC States Song” or “Erie Canal, from Songs About America.  Babies have their very own fitness/activity CDs; they will wiggle and giggle and love playing, “Peek-A-Boo, from Diaper Gym.  Oh, and who knew that simple, sequential movements could help children integrate left and right brain hemispheres for more successful learning?  Energize your kids with Catch a Brain Wave Fitness Fun to stimulate brain development.  The music is upbeat, the songs catchy – well, it’s really the total essential package!

Effective learning, exciting fun, awards galore!  That’s Kimbo.  Find 100’s of award-winning titles on their web site at www.kimboed.com.

A musical break may be just what they need...

Yes, I admit it….I love the big and bright Holiday season, the beauty, the meaning, the sharing. 

Have no fear, though, here come frilly paper hearts, four-leaf clovers, and drawings of cherry trees to look forward to!  We remember these symbols fondly from our own childhood, and our kids will too.  Time-honored traditions can add fun and fancy to the winter season, and add flavor to our days. Isn’t it great that our calendar has so many special times!

Here’s a cool tip, make these special Holidays more fun, and you can even open up learning opportunities and extend your curriculum, by celebrating them with some songs, music and even activities. 

Holiday Songs for All Occasions (you won’t believe how many occasions there are!) and Holiday Piggyback Songs (singable poems set to familiar music) are CDs that can help you add a little zest to a dreary or long day.  Play a lively song, do an active dance, or lead children in a game.  A musical break may be just what they need to re-group so they can back to their structured day.