Parenting Is So Easy, Just Read A Book!
Anyone who knows me has probably heard me joke about sending my kid to boarding school after he turns 8 years old. If you haven’t heard me say this, here’s a little context. Raising this little person hasn’t been that hard, yet. Yes, sleepless nights are torture (and never easy to get used to), no breastfeeding did not come naturally for us, no I don’t always get him to eat all the colors of the rainbow with well-balanced meals, and now as we enter full-fledged toddlerhood, I have to be the meanie-butt that won’t let him run wild in the parking lot. But the day to day growing a human…
Zumbini® Is Session-Based, This Is Why It Matters
One of the questions asked most frequently about Zumbini® is why we don’t offer drop-in classes. Why is Zumbini® only offered as a session-based class? One of the most important reasons Zumbini® is only offered in a session-based format is because young children learn best from consistent repetition. Children do love one-off experiences, don’t get me wrong, but if we are looking for a way to help children develop their skills, they will need consistent exposure and repetition to whatever they are learning. Let’s put this into swimming terms- if you only take your little one to a pool once a year, more than likely they will not be a…
Crossing The Midline: Brain Development In Zumbini
Have you ever heard the phrase, “crossing the midline”? Unless you are familiar with the way young children’s brains develop, it’s probably a new phrase for you. (And that’s ok!) It is arguably one of the most important parts of a child’s development. It may be one of the most overlooked skills too. Why is this such an important concept but not a skill we actively help them to develop like walking or talking? Crossing the midline is super important for young children’s brain development because these types of movements use both sides of their brain’s hemispheres. When both sides of the brain are activated at the same time, more…
Favorite Class Of The Week!
Let me start by saying that I have loved each and every class I ever taught. Sometimes that was 15 classes a week! When I entered a school, I loved hearing, “It’s the Zumba® lady!” I loved seeing the tiniest babies wrapped up all cozy with their mamas while we danced in Baby Mombo. I loved seeing pregnant mamas new challenges and new levels of strength during our Strong Mama classes. And where can I begin about how much I loved every aspect of teaching Zumbini® classes? But lately, I was reflecting on my favorite class is one that you will not see in any photos. And it may have…
Learning In My Own Way- How Little Ones Learn During Circle Time
Ever notice that when the adults sit in a circle for an activity that’s the time the toddlers start running? It doesn’t matter if we’re reading a favorite book or singing the best song in the world, as a little person, this seems to be the best time to get up and run. But does that mean they aren’t learning? Of course not! Young children are always learning, it just may not look like what we (the adults) expect learning to look like. For instance, while we sit in a circle in Zumbini to sing a song together, all of the adults sit side by side watching the instructor to…
How Repetition In Zumbini Effects Young Children’s Development
Have you ever noticed how your little one loves doing something over and over again? Even if drives you crazy, they will ask to read the same book, to hear the same song, or to play the same game again and again! When young children use repetition, they are learning and refining new skills their growing brains need every day. Think back to something you were learning how to do. Maybe it was riding a bike, learning to code, or following some better eating habits. None of these things are achieved on the first try (typically). It takes a lot of repetition until they are mastered. While we may consciously plan…
Exploring Scarves In Zumbini
Scarves are an essential part of a Zumbini class every week not just for our games of peek-a-boo. Scarves are one of the tools we use to teach many different concepts while having a ton of fun! Scarves are lightweight, easy to move through the air, provide a great hiding spot, and can always make someone smile! One of the reasons I love scarves is how these little pieces of fabric can teach social and emotional skills. Over the years I have found that some children are very shy at the beginning of a class, rather watch than participate in the first few songs. But when the scarves come out,…
Exploring Drums In Zumbini
Drums are one of the most natural instruments for young children because of the simplicity to create sound. Just moving their hand onto another object creates a sound whether that object is a drum head, pots and pans, or a high chair tray. Anything can be a drum! When drums are introduced in Zumbini, we want the children to enjoy exploring everything about this instrument. How does the texture feel? What sound do they hear when they tap lightly? What sound do they hear when they bang their hands? How does it feel when someone else hits the drum and their own hands feel the vibrations? One of the reasons…
Exploring Bells In Zumbini
Bells are one of the most visual parts of a Zumbini class, and one of the most delicious too! These shiny, jingly instruments are a quick favorite for many young children because of the sounds they are able to produce. Whether just turning over the bells carefully in their hands or shaking them as fast as possible, all children are able to make a sound! When using bells in Zumbini we find so many ways to manipulate these instruments. We can shake slowly, quietly hearing the jingle sounds. Or we can shake quickly, making a much louder sound coming from the same instrument. We can shake them over our heads, with…
Exploring Sticks In Zumbini
Sticks can be one of the most versatile instruments your little one will ever play. While in class they are natural colored wood, 8”, and in matching sets, you may start to notice that your little one can find a substitute everywhere! Wooden spoons, pencils, chopsticks, tree limbs, anything can be a musical instrument! Tapping sticks uses many skills all at the same time. Children work on developing their grip strength (a fine motor skill) as they hold the sticks. They will discover the different textures felt in the smooth and bumpy stick pairs. They will figure out how to bring their hands together to produce a sound when the sticks meet.…
