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International Quick Pick

11/22/2014

4 Comments

 
This week's featured blogger is Melanie Cossins from 
Cossins Music School in the UK! 
I'm excited to have her and hope she'll return again and again! So give a warm welcome to Melanie through comments and visits to her blog!

A Breakthrough!

20/11/2014

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Yesterday we had a breakthrough! A small one, but significant I think and it just goes to show that children are listening even if you think they're not!
Being an Early Years music teacher I know quite a bit about young children especially toddlers but when it comes to my own toddler - well that's a different story!
My son is two and a half and comes to one of the music classes for children. I run in Wakefield. I consider this a perk of what I do and I really believe music helps children in many ways. It helps them with language, reading and mathematical skills; it also builds confidence and learning to share and take turns. To sing or play an instrument and learn about music should be a basic human right. 

Over the years many children have passed through my music classes and there is always one or two who find it more difficult to sit and listen. There is always that parent who is totally fed up because their child does not join in or appear to be listening. 

Of course I will always say to that parent "don't worry its just a phase, they are still listening even if you don't think so". So why is it so hard to take my own advice? Those who stayed and persisted and come out the other side with amazing results - the had the breakthrough , where everything just suddenly clicked and their child started singing, joining in everything!
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At the moment my son is exactly this child! He doesn't sit still and he doesn't listen. he is the one that runs around the class or decides he doesn't want to do what everyone else is doing and lays on the floor wailing. He's the one that throws the balls all over the room instead of towards Grandma or Grandad. He does the exact opposite of everyone else! I have on many occasions thought about pulling him out of the class because I feel it is unprofessional and he is disruptive BUT I know that one day (if my parents can cope with him) it will all fall into place and I don't want to give up just because its hard. 
Perhaps he is attention seeking for me? Yes maybe however I take him to a structured gym class (Tumble Tots) and he is pretty much the same there. All the other children follow the teachers but not him, he does his own thing. To some extent I like that he does his own thing because he is being creative and exploring and it means he's an individual! Its hard work though and very frustrating!
The Breakthrough!
Its the little things isn't it? 
Last night we had a breakthough. My husband said to me our son could sing the end words of a song we did in class Cobbler Cobbler. I wasn't convinced as he doesn't speak very well as it is, he doesn't copy words like some other children do in parrot fashion but then one day a word will just appear in his vocabulary like....dinosaur! 
He also doesn't like my singing and waves his hand in my face telling me "noise" - not a great start is it?

So the breakthough.... my husband starts singing...
Cobbler, Cobbler mend my....
my son finishes "shoe"
Get it done by half past ...... "two"
 (my son sings again!). I am amazed! 
I know he can "dah dah dah" tunes like Postman Pat but this is the first time ever that he's sung part of the songs I teach in my music classes!

We've probably only sung Cobbler, Cobbler a handful of times but that absolutely confirms to me that whilst he is running around appearing not to listen it is actually all going in. 
So there it is! The breakthrough! It is all going in and one of the reasons I love teaching music through singing songs. 
What was your breakthrough? 

For more information on music classes for children why not contact me here.......
http://cossinsmusicschool.weebly.com/contact.html

Meet Melanie

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I have been teaching music to children for over a decade and have a wealth of experience working with parents with young children, nurseries, junior & infants as well as adults. I have been a part of musical theatre societies as well as teaching vocals for a children's theatre school. I also play Clarinet, Saxophone and Ukulele. 

I also have a Cache Diploma 3 in pre-school practice and a Professional Practice Certificate in the Kodaly Concept of Music Education (Early Childhood Music).

My Mission: To ensure all children's lives are filled with singing and musical literacy! I love singing and teaching and hope I can share my passion and enjoyment with everyone!

Other Works By This Writer

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Quick Picks of Kindness

11/15/2014

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This week, I asked fellow bloggers to share their stories of kindness. 

I have a few really good ones to share with you! 

Kindness is such a simple thing, but it leaves such a HUGE mark on those who receive it!

Thank you to those who shared!

Kindness: It's in the Bag

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Fellow blogger, Sandy, over at Sandy's Jar, shared a story about a young man's desire to help those with cancer. The story she tells, touched my heart and helped me rekindle my faith in the human spirit! Stop by and find out what Matt did that was so touching! You're gonna love it!

Kindness: In Times of Grief

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Sadness typically brings out many acts of kindness and this week was no different. Wendy stopped by my blog to share this story with me when I wrote World Kindness Day: A Personal Tale on the day my family lost our dog. It's nice to be comforted during times of grief. Wendy's story touched my heart and made me feel less alone during a difficult time!
 She tells, 
"My son was 10 when our beautiful black Labrador Max had to be put to sleep.  He'd been suffering for a long time.  I told my son about an hour before we had to take him to the vets.  I was in floods of tears.  My son calmly asked if her could go out on his bike.  Surprised at his reaction I said yes.  He went t the shop on his bike, bought some chocolate, came home and sat and fed it to the dog.  Guess he thought after years of not being allowed it that he deserved this special treat on his last day with us."

Kindness: Just for YOU

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Kindness: You Can Share

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Finally, this post gives 200 ideas for random acts of kindness. Surely everyone can find SOMETHING they can do with kindness. Kindness doesn't have to be anything BIG. Simply doing something small can make a HUGE difference in someone elses life! Go ahead, you know you want to.... Go look!

Kindness is meant to be given and then given away!
 Be kind to yourself, and then Share it!!


Learning to Walk (and Blog) in Faith,
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2 Comments

QUICK PICKS: 8 Bloggers You Don't Want To Miss

11/8/2014

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Week 2 of Quick Picks: This week's best of the best in the blogging world! Hope you enjoy reading them as much as I did!! 

Blogging Fears: How will I make money if I give away advice?   Author: Sarah Arrow 

money
Read more from Sarah  
Sarkemedia.com
There are times when I wonder blogging pays off! Sarah's post discusses how some "bloggers find it difficult to share the solutions to reader's problems for free, they think they are giving away their business." Sarah covers all the ins and outs of sharing your information/advice to help grow your business not bury it. 

Language Barrier    Author: Helinä Ylisirniö

Helinä, in this post, looks at the often awkward and sometimes difficult decision of whether to write in one's home language or not. "For all those foreigners out there: here's one of the reasons why Google Translate may find it a bit difficult when translating my incoherent blog posts." It's a fun, energetic, humorous look at language barriers.
Language Barrier



Read more from Helinä
Hotpotatoe.net

Where are the Answers?   Author: Lottie Moore

feelings
Read more from Lottie
wishwomen
Ever have one of those days? The day where you just feel like nothing you do is right?
In this post, Lottie reveals "that however many self-help books we all read...we are still quite likely to find ourselves facing occasional days when we feel emotionally like pants"
There's more to the story of course, so don't miss out!

From Lucky to Thankful    Author: Robyn Whetstone

Ever feel lucky? I think we all do at times. Robyn tells us, "luck implies something unintentional, something by chance or by our own design. Thankful implies viewing something as a gift and shows appreciation." Thankfully, your invited to visit and share what you're thankful for.
Thankful
Read more from Robyn
Essence of a Family

Wisdom of the Week    Author: Olivia DeFilippo

happy
Read more from Olivia
livlaughleopard
Have you ever wondered where all of your happiness is? ME too! Here, Olivia tells us "you can choose to be above your circumstances by choosing happiness. No matter what happens to you, you cannot swell, you must push forward." There are several other ways to happiness. Stop by and see what they are!



Can I be blunt for a moment   Author: Rosanne Berry

Bras! Can't live with 'em and can't live without 'em. Rosanne talks about why sports bras are so important and says, "yes, it was you who had to sit down during the aerobics class because something funny was happening with your bra and boobs." You're going to want to read this one!!
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Read more from Rosanne
Rosa Lingerie

My Ten Wives (of alcoholism) Author: Mathias Vanpelt

alcohol
Read more from Mathias

The cross Eyed Blogger
Inspiration comes from many sources and this post is one of great inspiration. Mathias talks candidly about his addiction and tells us "for years alcohol was my lover, my spouse, my best friend, my worst enemy, my confidant, my arch nemesis. Alcohol was my everything. Then one day..." What? One day what? You'll just have to stop by Matias' site and discover that answer for yourself.

Million Dollar Question   Author: Heather Birdwell

Wondering what the million dollar question is? Me TOO! Heather talks to us about what makes a professional blogger and tells us, "there are a few ways to know if you fall into the professional blogging category." Heather's has a lot of information you could really use to become a professional blogger. 



professional
Read more from Heather
Birdcage Media

A BIG THANK YOU

Essence of a Family would like to thank all of our contributing Authors for this week's Quick Picks.

If you would like to be featured here, please let us know by signing up below. 
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Under Construction

10/29/2014

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