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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…
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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 that young children learn best from consistent repetition. Children do love one-off experiences, don’t get me wrong, but if we…
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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…
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Favorite Class Of The Week!
Let me start by saying that I have loved each and every class I have 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’…
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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?…
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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.…
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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…
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Exploring Drums In Zumbini
Drums are one of the most natural instruments for young children because of the simplicity of creating 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…
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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…
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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…
