New Resources for Finding Online Colleges

The popularity of online colleges is growing every day as more and more online programs are accredited and endorsed by established schools and more and more students realise that college online is an effective strategy to obtain a much-needed degree while still working to support themselves or remaining in their existing home if unable to travel.

The College Online Advantage

The reason more and more people are seeking advanced degrees is easily seen by the numbers:

• A study conducted by Georgetown University concluded that by 2018 50% of all jobs will require as a minimum a Bachelor's Degree instead of a simple High School Diploma.
• Individuals with Bachelor's Degrees earn an average of $12,758 more annually than workers without a Bachelor's Degree.
• The unemployment rate for workers who hold a Bachelor's Degree is typically 3-4% lower than those with only an Associate's Degree or High School Diploma.

Finding Online Colleges

One problem, until very recently, that plagued students seeking to experience college online was finding an appropriate college. While brick-and-mortar colleges and universities have endless resources both online and in print that evaluate their programs, resources, campus life, and culture, many online colleges are so new very little is known about them beyond their accreditation status and possibly their affiliation. In fact, an affiliation with an established university has largely been the decided factor for many students pursuing an online education.

Inevitably, new resources are beginning to appear to fill the information gap regarding online colleges. While many one-shot resources online exist that purport to rank and inform about online colleges, these articles are almost instantly dated and often do not offer any individual perspective or experience. Newly established sites like www.onlinebachelordegree.us seek to fill that gap by offering real feedback from actual students that is constantly vetted and updated.

This sort of 'crowd-sourced' ranking and rating system is sure to be popular and effective for the target market of students interested in attending college online in the first place. This demographic tends to be most comfortable with Internet-based services (rather obviously) and the concept of crowd-sourced ratings and recommendations is very attractive to them. These sites also feature very simple search tools that allow prospective students to see at a glance what's offered by an online school, their accreditation and affiliation status, and feedback from actual attendees concerning class materials, technical features, support and overall experience.

Tips to Help You Survive Life as an Adult Student

Going back to college years after you graduate high school can provide a unique challenge. However, getting the degree you've always wanted can open up new doors in your life, so the obstacles you may face in achieving that goal are often worth it. Here are some tips to help you handle those hectic days as an adult student.

Create a Schedule

Because you're trying to fit more activities into the same number of hours each day, your schedule may feel a bit more frenzied than usual, especially at first. To keep you from getting stressed out and help you stay organized so you don't forget something, you need to have a schedule.

No matter how small something seems it should be written down on your schedule. Every five minutes add up and can put you behind. By writing down exactly what needs to be done and when, you can be sure you don't forget anything important.

Delegate

Don't be afraid to ask for help. Whether it is from a friend, a partner, or even your kids, helping hands can help make your life a little easier. Let someone else cook dinner once a week, run errands, or do the laundry. You may even want to consider hiring out some tasks to be done, such as yard work. Look for ways to free up more of your time for studying.

Don't forget to factor in the time spent doing homework and completing projects. You'll need to allow extra time besides what you spend in the classroom. Even students attending online colleges, who have more flexibility in their routine, still have to find time to study.

Take a Break

No matter how busy you get, you still need to find time to take a break and relax.

• Spending some time away from work and study can help you feel refreshed when you go back.
• If you have a family, make some time to spend with them.
• If you are single, enjoy a night out with friends or even some alone time doing your favorite hobbies. This will give you the energy to keep going the rest of the time.

While online colleges offer students more options on scheduling fun time, everyone needs a break now and then whether attending virtual or traditional classes. Remember your goal and that the added stress to your schedule is only temporary, and you will get through it.

Finding the right online college degree

Finding a good school to go to is difficult for any student. You have to consider location, degrees and majors offered, cost, reputation, and other details that concern you. Finding online college degrees is just as difficult as finding a program at a brick and mortar school, but there are some benefits. Many times online college degrees are cheaper, can be done quicker, and have the same quality as a traditional degree program. Here are some tips to use in order to find the best college program for your needs.

Importance of Accreditation

When looking at online college degrees, it is very important to find a program that is accredited. Accreditation ensures your program follows the same standards and regulations as other programs, and is important for many reasons. First, if you ever find yourself needing to transfer, or wish to go on to graduate school, accreditation is a requirement. Your credits will not count for transfer if they come from an unaccredited school. Secondly, many employers will not hire you if your degree comes form an unaccredited school. Finally, if your profession requires a professional license of some sort, you will not be able to obtain it unless your program is accredited. There are multiple accreditation agencies to look out for, and the specifics depend on your state and your intended career.

Choose your major wisely

You will need to make a decision on the type of degree you wish to have (associates, bachelors, masters, doctorate, or certificate), as well as the type of program you are interested in (psychology, computer science, etc). Although there are hundreds of majors represented online, not everything will be available. Sometimes a major is available online but has the requirement that some classes will need to be taken in person, such as certain labs. It is best to figure out these details beforehand, so that it doesn't sneak up on you and cause you to be unable to finish your degree.

Reputation

You will want to research your online college in order to find out its reputation. You will want to attend a rigorous and high quality program. Think Harvard versus a community college - quality matters. You will want to research the professors, graduation rate, reviews, complaints, and the value you will be getting for your money.

Now you are well on your way to obtaining the advanced online college degrees you've always wanted. This is a great way to advance your career and increase your earnings. Now all you need to do is apply, pass your classes, and graduate!

How to find a reputable online college?

Going back to school is a great way to improve your career. And it goes not only for the wage increase, but you will usually have more options available for switching jobs or gaining promotions. There are lots of advantages of online colleges, they save time and money allowing many people to get a degree who would have been unable to if they had to depend on traditional college environments. Before investing your resources in an online college degree, you should make sure you are not attending a diploma mill.

Avoid Diploma Mills

Yes, it's true: online you can literally buy a degree. All you need is to pay accurately and get a degree without having to take classes or do homework. In some cases you can even pay for transcripts or graduation certificates. And even if it sounds appealing, they are almost never accepted for a job, and will not be accepted if your profession requires any type of licensure or accreditation. All you have is an expensive waste of time.

How do they attract people?

Generally degree mills say that they are giving degrees based on your life experience, or based on academic standards that are well below that of legitimate universities. Sure, getting a degree won't take you too much time but it will not help you when nobody will accept it. Nowadays online you find many legitimate college degrees that are quicker and cheaper than brick and mortar schools.

It's just wrong

For the majority of people, purchasing a degree from a diploma mill is simply a morally wrong decision. When most people earn their degrees, buying one from a diploma mill is just an expensive and mostly unsuccessful way to cheat the system. Even if your work experience alone would have qualified you for a job, many employers will turn you down due to a diploma mill degree. Moreover, in many states it is illegal to attempt to apply for a job using a diploma mill degree.

Luckily, there are things you can do to find legitimate online college degrees:

• Start with looking for accreditation websites. The online university should be accredited by a legitimate accreditation agency. That means, it should be listed on the university website, as well as the accreditation agency website
• Reviews and comments of former students are very useful, so search for them
• Compare the program of the chosen school with those ones of the others
• Make sure the degree requirements match what is typically expected for other similar programs

Make sure you invest enough time in research and you can be sure to find online college degrees that are reputable, legitimate, and will help you get farther in your career.

The Tendencies for Enrolment in the College: Online vs. Traditional

History does not stand still: We're all living in history whether we realise it or not, and the times are always changing whether there are songs on the radio telling us so or not. The endless change in society can be worrying for the older generations, used to the old ways, and exciting to the younger generation always looking for new things, but in the end the only constant in the universe is, in fact, change.

One aspect of the world currently learning this lesson are old-fashioned brick-and-mortar private colleges, which are suffering through a lengthy and seemingly permanent decline in enrolment as online colleges rise in popularity and gain credence - and accreditation.

The Cheaper College Online

The numbers are staggering:

1. A recent study predicted that 30% of all private colleges will close by 2023.
2. Enrolment of freshman students declined more than 10% from 2010 through 2012.
3. The cost of traditional college is immense - and growing. Room, board, Costs have risen 42% in recent years.

In a world where $23,500 often represents a person's entire income, this is increasingly placing college out of reach for many prospective students. And increasingly they are turning to the more affordable college online strategy to attain the much-needed degree.

Online Colleges: More Affordable

College online is more affordable in many ways:

1. Lower tuition in general; most online colleges tuition stands below $10,000 - often significantly below.
2. No associated room and board costs.
3. No transportation costs.
4. Frequently lower or non-existent materials cost (free software and course materials)

Private colleges are fighting back, but the effectiveness of their efforts remains to be seen. Some colleges are expanding their graduate programs to bring in more revenue from older students who are more comfortable with a physical experience. Some are offering scholarships simply for considering the college; for example, Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama now offers a $1,000 scholarship simply for touring the campus; the cost of a 4-year program at Spring Hill is currently $170,000.

However, as the old equation pitting the cost of a degree against the higher earnings of college graduates returns smaller and smaller numbers, the expectation is that private colleges will have to drop tuition costs to compete with online colleges or simply fade away. How many are left after a few decades will depend greatly on how effectively they can recreate themselves.

It's Never too Late with Online Colleges

No matter how long it's been since you graduated high school, it's never too late to go back and get your degree. Whether you've been out of school a few years or a few decades, you can still attain the education you missed out on when you were younger.

More Adult Students

While it used to be odd to see an adult on a college campus carrying a load of books, that sight is very common today. In fact, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, the number of adults over the age of 25 who went back to school increased by 42 percent. This is a higher rate than for those under 25 years, which increased only 34 percent.

Not everyone enrolling is in their 20s and 30s either. Many of them are in their 40s and on up into their 60s. You might even find a few students who are older than that, and are perhaps in their retirement and want to do something they missed out on when they were young.

You'll find these adult students in both online colleges and in the traditional classroom setting. Some of them are enrolled part-time while others carry a full class load. They may have a full-time job or they may have quit work to focus on studying full-time.

Everyone's Reasons are Different

The reasons that adults choose to go back to school are as varied as their ages.

• You'll find some who wanted to go to college but didn't have that option when they were young. For them, this is the realization of a dream. They may be the first person in their family to graduate college.
• Other adult students have lost their jobs and need to find a new skill set for today's work force.
• Others are stuck in dead-end jobs with no hope of advancement or salary increases. Still others choose a college degree that was practical instead of what they really wanted to do.
• There are also many students who want to advance in their current field or company and see an education as the way to do that.

The growth of online colleges has helped make a college degree a reality for many adults. You'll also see many college campuses changing to cater to the growing adult student population. It proves that it's never too late to go back to school and get the degree you've always wanted. Make your first step to making a college degree with this helpful recourse.

The Challenge of Going Back to School

Many adults dream of going to college and getting that degree they didn't get when they were younger. They may have skipped college in favor of getting a job right out of high school or dropped out of college before graduating. They may even have gotten a degree but not the one they wanted. Whatever the reason, they still dream of going back to school to obtain their goal.

Challenge #1: A Busy Schedule

For many, their lives are much more hectic today than they were when they graduated high school.

• They have full-time jobs, sometimes more than one.
• They often have families, including kids who need their attention.
• It can be difficult to think about fitting homework and classes into that tight schedule.

This is why online classes become such a valuable resource. Many times, you can study when it fits into your schedule, even if that is in the middle of the night. Often, you can take longer than a traditional semester to complete a class or you can take one class at a time. You also don't have to worry about commuting, which is time that can be spent on other responsibilities.

Challenge #2: Paying for School

Another issue that faces adults who want to go back to school is the ability to pay for it.

• They often don't qualify for the scholarships they would have right out of high school.
• They also may not know about other scholarships and grants and often don't have the time to spend researching.

By choosing from the many online colleges available, they can usually find a program that is affordable and fits in their budget.

Studying online also reduces some of the other expenses associated with attending college. For instance, the cost of driving to class and parking fees can add up very quickly. With online classes, there isn't any room or board to pay since you'll be living at home and telecommuting. These are expenses that can add up over time. You are also not limited to attending a college in your area, but can shop around for one that fits in your price range.

Going back to school as an adult can be a challenge, but the benefits far outweigh the challenges for many. Looking at online colleges gives you more options to choose from and allows you to continue living the rest of your life while getting that important degree. So always check your possibilities with your education pal, 1wwwonlinecolleges.com.

Studying on Colleges Online and the Question of Professors

The changing approach to education resulting in the continuing growth of online colleges. Although largely driven by financial considerations as tuition costs continue to rise dramatically, shutting many poor and even middle-class students out of the traditional college experience, the college online experience is growing in reputation and desirability as new software innovations combined with growing support within colleges and universities themselves creates a workable environment for earning an accredited degree without ever physically attending a single class.

Colleges promote online courses because that they are cheap to produce and conduct giving thenm an easy revenue source. Simultaneously, the process has its downside, making academics worried that the 'college online' movement will result in the unexpected extinction of a fixture of the academic world: The tenured professor - or perhaps all professors, entirely.

Less Important in Online Colleges

Whereas when physically attending courses students often place a great deal of importance on the professor conducting classes based on their reputations, experience, and real-world achievements, there is much less focus on this when it comes to online classes. And where it does exist it tends to focus on the 'rock star' status of some professors conducting 'MOOCs' - massive online open courses. For everyday courses taken in pursuit of a degree, there is much less focus on who is planning and teaching the course.

And colleges like it that way, because it cuts costs and gives them leverage:

• In 1969, 78% of courses were taught by tenure-track professors. In 2013 that number has dropped to 33%.
• The bulk of courses are today taught by Adjuncts, who are basically freelancers and earn about $3000 per class.

The move to adjunct professors is exacerbated by the move to online courses, which can be taught by any qualified individual.

Virtual Educators and College Online

Another concern is that even the 'rock star' professors that people will pay extra to learn from may find themselves teaching from beyond the grave. As online colleges are already reliant upon pre-recorded materials and lectures, the expectation is that someday a famed professor with excellent course materials may simply be continuously sold to new students, with no need to find a replacement professor unless significant changes and breakthroughs in the field make the existing course material useless or deprecated.

While the end of professors may be considered to be a melodramatic concept or perhaps even nothing of much concern, it does herald an upheaval in how we educate and learn - and therefore cannot be ignored.

Patience has its own rewards.

I've been teaching him for over a year now. I greet him at the door each week before class, but he only hides and looks away with uncertainty in his eyes. Sometimes I catch him watching me, when he thinks I'm not looking. I smile, and again he looks away. I know he's happy to be in Kindermusik. His face usually beams while he plays the instruments with his mom and dad. However he struggles to branch out and interact with anyone except his parents, so we continue our delicate dance around each other each week. Sometimes I wonder if I am dancing with the "elephant in the room", but all of that changed this week.
When I greeted him at the door, I caught a subtle smile before he looked away. It played at the corner of his mouth with a hint of impishness and was gone as quickly as it appeared. I saw it several more times, even if only briefly, throughout the class. While listening to the story time, he pointed in answer to a question I asked him. This was something completely new, and I was thrilled that he was finally getting comfortable enough in his social skills to participate on this level. Then the unexpected happened. We were about to close the class with a goodbye song, and he walked right up to me, looked me in the eye, and spoke. Not only spoke, but he took my hand to show me more about the question that he had. I tried to remain cool and calm as we walked together hand in hand. I wanted to appear as though this was totally expected, but inside I was trying to absorb this unexpected turn of events- to savor everything about this moment. It's the little victories that make teaching so rewarding to me. It's a joy to witness a child reaching out to accomplish something that I know was a true challenge for them. Those moments are often few and far between, and there is a fine line between challenging that growth without pushing so hard that you crush their desire to achieve it. 


I guess it's true after all. Patience does have its own rewards.

Building our future

A few weeks ago I received an email from Kindermusik International. Each year they select certain educators to recognize with the Kindermusik Maestro in Outreach award. Delightful Sounds has been so priveleged to recieve this award 8 times since we opened in 2003. I am so excited to be named among this special group of worldwide educators again this year.


Earning this distinction is a tremendous honor. I have always had a desire to reach out to my community to children who would not typically have the opportunity to experience Kindermusik. I would like to personally thank the local businesses and individuals that have financially supported our efforts in providing the gift of music to these very special children! I am overwhelmed by your generosity and amazed at the children's growth and development as they sing and dance with me each week. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Again! Again!

Have you ever wondered why a child will ask you to read the same book over and over or perhaps never tires of rolling the ball back and forth? A newly published study may shed some light on this learning technique of young children. Nicknamed the "Goldilocks effect", the study examines the attention span of infants in relation to the complexity of the world around them. The results showed that infants focus only on situations that are neither too difficult nor too easy.

"The study suggests that babies are not only attracted by what is happening, but they are able to predict what happens next based on what they have already observed," says Kidd, lead author on the report. "They are not passive sponges. They are active information seekers looking for the best information they can find." Children who are engaged in a sensory rich learning experience are best equipped to receive and retain new information. The repetition of a fun activity likely yields new information each time for your child and provides an opportunity for them to test their predictions based on their latest observations.  "Parents don't need to buy fancy toys to help their children learn. They make the best use of their environment. They are going to look around for what fits their attention level. Kids learn best from social interaction," reminds Kidd.

I hope your family can enjoy some fun, social interaction in a Kindermusik class this summer! Click here for a free preview coupon.


 

Feeling like a Failure

This post is originally from Studio 3 Music's blog. As a fellow mom to homeschooled children and teacher, Analiisa's post met me right where I needed it, and I thought a few of you might be there too.

Yesterday, I felt like a complete, utter, failure. I’ve got a sensory child, and I’m also a home schooling mom of three. People often ask me how I do it, and to be perfectly honest, sometimes I wonder, too. Most days, I look (at least I think I do – please don’t crush my delusion) put together on the outside, but like teachers everywhere, there are days when we go, “Did they actually learn anything?”


Back several months. Rob had just finished vision therapy, which for us, was the missing piece of our sensory journey. We’d already done occupational therapy, physical therapy, water therapy, seen a sensory motor specialist, and finished speech therapy. At this point, you can meet Rob and you wouldn’t know he’s a sensory kid. I thought the rest of this schooling year would sort of be an all-come-together year. So much for my plan.

Yesterday, I was doing Singapore Math with Rob. And suddenly, he looked at me and said, “I don’t remember how to divide.” Three weeks ago his violin playing took a huge leap backward. His biggest complaint was that (and I quote), “I can’t keep all the information straight in my head.” I’m having lots of trouble getting punctuation rules to stick in his brain, too.

I’ve noticed over the last couple of months that all he wants to do is PLAY. With his friends. And read. For hours. This from the kid who a year ago couldn’t read for more than 15 minutes without his eyes getting tired. That doesn’t mean, of course, that he doesn’t do school. He does. He likes grammar and history and anatomy and physiology especially. But yesterday, I kept thinking, “How could we get this far and do division all the time, and suddenly, you can’t do it?” It seemed to appear so out of the blue, that I thought that perhaps I just had my head in the clouds and wasn’t paying attention and finally noticed what was going on. Where had I missed the signs?

So I emailed Jesikah, who used to be my assistant, and now bears the more lofty title of Director of Operations. She’s my email therapist, sometimes, too. (She’s also the mother of Rob’s best friends.)
I wrote –
He’s so struggled in some areas at school this year – it’s not a cognitive thing. His brain has just had difficulty processing all the information now flowing in (thanks to vision therapy). However, I feel like I’ve failed him somehow this year. We haven’t accomplished as much as we’ve needed to.

And then I got back the most amazing response –
The Montessori teacher told me recently that some years the children really pour themselves into academics, and some years their social/emotional development needs are so much that it is a distraction against academics and not much is accomplished there…but social/emotional needs are more important than academics – it is what makes us good husbands/wives, parents, friends, siblings, good students and even employees… At the end of one’s life, we always want to be better spouses, better parents, better friends…we never regret that we weren’t as academic as we could have been. Children have a knack for catching up academically, too.

You have not failed Rob. Perhaps, this is a growing year for him socially/emotionally, which is why school is so hard for him. Those other needs are more important at the moment, even if he is incapable of expressing those sentiments.

Thank you, Jesikah. The fact that as a fourth grader, Rob’s brain has felt the need to do something else for his development (rather than what I want it to do), is perfectly okay. So we’ll do a little math this summer, and practice writing a few friendly letters.
-posted by Miss Analiisa, who wants to tell discouraged parents and teachers everywhere that it’ll be okay. Because it will. Even if you have to pull out of the violin recital at the last minute.There will be another one.

Be Encouraged!

Bop into Libraries This Summer

School is nearly out and public libraries are gearing up for summer reading programs for children and teens. The programs are free and offer some of the best entertainment for children such has puppeteers, storytellers, magicians and musicians. So bop on over to your local library this summer, sign up your child for summer reading program and attend the storytimes and performances. It is a great way to enjoy the summer and keep your child's reading muscles in shape.

Now enrolling!

Come sing, sway, and play the summer away in Kindermusik.

Kindermusik is...

• Music and movement classes for children newborn to age seven
• A musical atmosphere of play, song, dance, and learning
• Connection for you with other parents
• Ideas on how to use music to make parenting easier
• The best per-class value in music and movement

All of our summer classes will be offered at our Lithia location, at the corner of Fishhawk Blvd. and Lithia Pinecrest.

Classes fill up fast. Register today!

Featured Artist - Betsy Stern

Betsy Stern

I am a native of Berkeley, California, and grew up performing with my dad, a pianist and composer whose songs were published by Disney and also used on "Captain Kangaroo." My dad passed onto me a huge repertoire of music, from children’s to Jazz and Blues to World. I specialize in music from around the world, to reach multicultural audiences. I grew up with this music and love sharing it with kids and their grown-ups because the rhythm is so strong and fun, and it presents a wonderful way to introduce children to the beauty and importance of the world’s many cultures.

I play double bass, requinto, guitar, and several other instruments – and I also sing. I can bring rhythm instruments for the kids to play. I tour and perform throughout the United States. I am available for concerts, fairs, festivals, library events, museum events, holiday celebrations, corporate events, weddings, school assemblies, workshops in classrooms, music in healthcare settings, music presentations and classes in preschools and daycares, children's birthday parties, and family events.

www.betsysternkidsmusic.com

CD Baby

Many of the artists listed in this resource have their music available for download and purchase on a great web site for "Indie" musicians. Check us out at

www.cdbaby.com

Featured Artist - Michael Plunkett

Michael Plunkett

Michael is a great professional musician and a fine educator. He brings both of these extraordinary talents to his upbeat CDs that are tops among Kimbo’s best selling products. You’ll want Michael’s unique resources for your home, classroom, or library; CDs that are creative, clever, zany, happy, valuable, purposeful, and more!

Michael was just 25 years old when he wrote a song and submitted it to the New York Songwriters’ Showcase. He finished in the top 5 out of 750 entries, and he never looked back! Michael taught 16-20 “Music Together” classes per week that focused on the preschool child and their teachers/parents. He also brings enrichment programs to underprivileged elementary school children in run-down areas with The Recreational Arts Program.

Currently, Michael is the Director of the music program in a local Special Needs school teaching 40 classes a week  and over 500 students ranging in age from 3 to 21. Michael provides private music lessons, and also plays 5 musical instruments.

His awards include: Winner of the prestigious Parent’s Choice Awards for two CDs.
Ribbons & Rhythms 2010 Parents’ Choice Award Recommended
Shakin The Chute 2011 Parents’ Choice Award Recommended

Workshop Information

307 Helen Terrace Neptune NJ 07753 732.775.0397
 studio307@optimum.net and www.myspace.com/plunkettchildrensmusic 

Thanks Mom!

This is for the mothers who have sat up all night with sick toddlers in their arms, wiping up barf laced with Oscar Mayer wieners and cherry Kool-Aid saying, "It's okay honey, Mommy's here."

Who have sat in rocking chairs for hours on end soothing crying babies who can't be comforted.

This is for all the mothers who show up at work with spit-up in their hair and milk stains on their blouses and diapers in their purse.

For all the mothers who run carpools and make cookies and sew Halloween costumes. And all the mothers who DON'T.

This for the mothers who gave birth to babies they'll never see. And the mothers who took those babies and gave them homes.

This is for the mothers whose priceless art collections are hanging on their refrigerator doors.

And for all the mothers who froze their buns on metal bleachers at football or soccer games instead of watching from the warmth of their cars, so that when their kids asked, "Did you see me, Mom?" they could say, "Of course, I wouldn't have missed it for the world," and mean it.

This is for all the mothers who yell at their kids in the grocery store and swat them in despair when they stomp their feet and scream for ice cream before dinner. And for all the mothers who count to ten instead, but realize how child abuse happens.

This is for all the mothers who sat down with their children and explained all about making babies. And for all the (grand)mothers who wanted to, but just couldn't find the words.

This is for all the mothers who go hungry, so their children can eat.

For all the mothers who read "Goodnight, Moon" twice a night for a year. And then read it again. "Just one more time."

This is for all the mothers who taught their children to tie their shoelaces before they started school. And for all the mothers who opted for Velcro instead.

This is for all the mothers who teach their sons to cook and their daughters to sink a jump shot.

This is for every mother whose head turns automatically when a little voice calls "Mom?" in a crowd, even though they know their own offspring are at home -- or even away at college ~or have their own families.

This is for all the mothers who sent their kids to school with stomach aches, assuring them they'd be just FINE once they got there, only to get calls from the school nurse an hour later asking them to please pick them up. Right away.

This is for mothers whose children have gone astray, who can't find the words to reach them.

For all the mothers who bite their lips until they bleed when their 14 year olds dye their hair green.

For all the mothers of the victims of recent school shootings, and the mothers of those who did the shooting. For the mothers of the survivors, and the mothers who sat in front of their TVs in horror, hugging their child who just came home from school, safely.

This is for all the mothers who taught their children to be peaceful, and now pray they come home safely from a war.

What makes a good Mother anyway? Is it patience? Compassion? Broad hips? The ability to nurse a baby, cook dinner, and sew a button on a shirt, all at the same time? Or is it in her heart?

Is it the ache you feel when you watch your son or daughter disappear down the street, walking to school alone for the very first time?

The jolt that takes you from sleep to dread, from bed to crib at 2 A.M. to put your hand on the back of a sleeping baby?

The panic, years later, that comes again at 2 A.M. when you just want to hear their key in the door and know they are safe again in your home?

Or the need to flee from wherever you are and hug your child when you hear news of a fire, a car accident, a child dying?

The emotions of motherhood are universal and so our thoughts are for young mothers stumbling through diaper changes and sleep deprivation... And mature mothers learning to let go.

For working mothers and stay-at-home mothers.

Single mothers and married mothers.

Mothers with money, mothers without.

This is for you all. For all of us...
Author unknown

HAPPY MOTHER's DAY!

Thanks for the reminder!

I've been teaching for over 15 years now. It's a challenge. There are different learning styles to consider, various levels of understanding, and the challenge of keeping things interesting for my students. It's easy to get burnt out and forget that teaching offers so many rewards too. I love it when a student gains something from their studies that they would never have understood without my help. I love seeing the look of wonder and amazement in a young child's eyes as they open their mind to new concepts and ideas. It's amazing to think that I may play some small role in helping to form tomorrow's memorable, world changers.

During my time in the classroom, I am usually so consumed with my work that I don't get the chance to reflect on the learning as it takes place. This week, however, I was afforded a unique glance at that process. A mom in one of my Kindermusik classes graciously agreed to snap some photos during class while I taught. I sat and studied the photos when I got home, and I found myself thinking- thinking about the impact we have on others when we are completely unaware, thinking about how much thanks I owe to those who taught me and those who have taught my children, and thinking about how special my students are to me. I hope you take the time this week to thank those who have had a positive influence in your life and helped to shape the person you have become!

Meet me in Kindermusik!

I was sitting in traffic the other day, and I began to think about the car in front of me at the light. She was a single mom with two daughters. One daughter attended Randall Middle School . She enjoyed yoga and long distance running, and she lived in Fish Hawk Ranch. I knew all of this not from personal knowledge, but simply by reading all of the magnets and stickers on the back of her car. We are definitely a society that likes to connect with others through labels and interests. How else do you account for the massive success of websites like Pinterest, Meetup, and the like?
Connecting with those around us and feeling a part of something are important to your little ones as well. In fact, the Institute for Early Childhood Education and Research states, "a body of research has been building to suggest that there is a strong link between young children's socioemotional competence and their chances of early school success (Raver, 2002). In fact, studies demonstrated that social emotional knowledge has a critical role in improving children's academic performance and life long learning (Zins, Bloodworth, Weissberg, & Walberg, 2004)." As a parent, I tend to focus on activities that I believe will enhance academic success for my children. It's nice to be reminded that having fun in a group setting is important for their academic success as well! What kind of social activities have you enjoyed lately with your children? We are now enrolling in our Kindermusik classes! Click here for a free preview pass.