Posts Tagged ‘kids christmas’


Yoga in Schools – Twitter Leads to Most Rewarding Visit Imaginable

Twitter is one of those things that I tried simply because I was told it was necessary for today’s startups — but did so reluctantly with little engagement. Then one day I received a twitter notification from a first grade teacher who was using Sing Song Yoga with her students. This gradually evolving connection not only inspired me to reach out to more yogis and educators on Twitter, but it eventually led to… meeting in person!! L Pose full circle

When you develop a program you hope that someone will find benefit in it, utilize the tools and share its value with others.  But just because YOU love it and think it’s great doesn’t mean anyone else will find it valuable!

It was delightfully surprising to me how connected I began to feel with Mrs. Z.  and her #firstgradeyogis on Twitter. They tweeted about their experiences with yoga in school and asked great questions (#ssykidquestion). We learned from, and encouraged each other and made continued Twitter connections – even with first graders in China! musical mats 10 kids

And last Tuesday my heart grew!! Have you ever gotten to know someone only online and then get the chance to meet?  Well it’s just like in the movies!  When you see their familiar faces and begin to chat it feels as though you’ve known them forever. The mutual excitement is tangible!  Hugs and chats and hugs and chats!  And then… the magic continues as our yoga songs fill the air.  My songs have become their songs.  My heart skips a beat the moment their voices join with mine and fill the room — with about as much love as a room can contain before bursting at the seams!  As I write this I can still feel the expansion of my universe that occurred in those moments. tree ten kids

Thank you Mrs. Z. from Michigan for not only providing the loving platform tying my heart to yours and your students’, but for providing your kids with the practical tools and benefits that kids’ yoga has repeatedly demonstrated.  Your kids get a jump start on their learning each day because you have taken the time to learn what’s best for kids — and of course yoga is only one part of that!

Until we meet again… Thank you from the bottom of my heart! flower 10 kids

 

 

 

If you’d like to connect with @singsongyoga on Twitter or Facebook we’d love to hear from you… #ssykidquestion green room

This entry was posted on Thursday, December 18th, 2014.
Posted in Benefits of Yoga, Education, Sing Song Yoga.
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Sing Song Yoga 2014 Charity of the Year: Life Services Parent Center

Screen Shot 2014-02-06 at 8.41.35 PM Sing Song Yoga® is thrilled to partner with “Life Services Parent Center, home of Deanna’s Playhouse” for our 2014 Charity of the Year. They have a long history of serving local families in the Holland Michigan area beginning way back in 1983. Life Services Parent Center including an indoor fully accessible play center, Deanna’s Playhouse, provides a gathering place where young parents can learn all about how to help their children be the best they can be. The Center provides respite for parents and hours of fun for their young children. The Center has developed in large part due to Deanna DePree’s work at the Federal and State level. Deanna’s belief that “parents want to do the best for their kids, but need information to know what to do” intrigued the U.S. Department of Education.  They granted the Life Services agency a 5 year grant to implement the belief. The grant ended in 2011, with many successes to report.

• A large 26,000 square foot Parent and Play Center exists in Holland.

• 13,500 visitors came to the Center in 2011; 16,000 visitors came in 2012.

• Prepared the greater Holland community to collaborate on Early Childhood and school readiness

Parents have the opportunity to learn the basics of child rearing very early in their baby’s life.

• Just the simple activity of reading to their baby makes a big difference in their child learning to read.

• A parent’s hug may seem like a small thing, but it is huge to a baby’s sense of worth and emotional feeling of being valued and loved.

• Loud arguments make a baby feel scared and insecure, but parents often think that their little one is too young to be affected.  The fact is that this is very emotionally upsetting to the baby.  The baby’s brain begins to concentrate on survival rather than on learning.

Deanna’s Playhouse (DPH) – The Playhouse and its staff assist parents in teaching creativity through interactive Play. Screen Shot 2014-02-08 at 10.20.49 AM

The Playhouse’s E-Club Newsletter informs  over 2,000 families about resources & opportunities for play:

• In 2011, over 13,500 visitors participated, including 22% free.

• In 2012, 16,000 visitors, including 24% free.

• In 2013, Playhouse visitors and memberships have continued to increase as families increasingly recognize the value of this socio-emotional and developmentally appropriate experience for their young children!

• DPH annually hosts ~70 birthday parties, ~30 field trips and ~60 special events for families (themed events, company parties and family reunions).

Parenting Resources and Consultation – Parents have access to free parenting support resources in our libraries.  PAT-trained educators are available for individualized consultation.  Referrals are made to community services, as appropriate. Classes for Parents – PNC grant, “Grow Up Great”, provides financial literacy for 135 families with young children by offering Workshops at the playhouse.  Children make banks and parents take home important information. Screen Shot 2014-02-06 at 10.04.03 PM Parents as Teachers (PAT) – working cooperatively with the Ottawa County Health Department serves over 600 families annually  – predominately in the Holland area.  As the State Office for Parents As Teachers, LSPC coordinates parent educator trainings and certification across Michigan.  Local agencies with PAT-certified parent educators include Ottawa County Public Health, InterCare, Ottawa Area Intermediate School District, Child Development Services and Deanna’s Playhouse.  

“Books” Program – Each year provides a before-school, literacy program for  students at all four Holland elementary schools.  Parents could safely drop-off their children before school began each day.  In 2012-13 served over 980 students.

Pre-School Fair – held every January to provide parents an opportunity to visit with staff from area preschools. Many family members attend in preparation for selecting a preschool for their child.

Leaders for the 21st Century   Since 1999, LSPC has designed and coordinated a 3-day leadership training for over 800 Holland area seventh graders at Hope College.  The student leaders return to school and, coached by their counselors, continue to work to make their middle schools  a welcome place for all students!”  Thank you in advance LSPC for allowing us to be a part of your 2014! For more information please see www.lifeservicessystem.org

 

Screen Shot 2014-02-06 at 8.41.46 PM

This entry was posted on Friday, February 7th, 2014.
Posted in Charity of the Year.
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Gift of Movement for Kids – Kids Yoga!

Here are some unique gift ideas for the kids in your life that will help keep them moving over the winter months — kids’ yoga is the gift that keeps on giving throughout the year!

Here’s a quick video of some ideas to gift Sing Song Yoga!  Happy Holidays!

 

Gift Idea Number One:

If the children in your life have access to an iPhone, iPad, iPad mini or an iPod Touch, you could put together this simple gift package:

gift card package 1

 

  • $25 iTunes Gift Card to attach to this printable Sing Song Yoga Gift Flyer which together allows your child to download the Sing Song Yoga App and own all poses and sequences
  • Yoga mat
  • could add in yoga clothing (comfortable t-shirt and pants)

Gift Idea Number Two:

  • Sing Song Yoga DVD (can order here)
  • Yoga mat
  • could add in yoga clothing (comfortable t-shirt and pants)

Gift Idea Number Three:

  • Sing Song Yoga DVD (can order here)
  • $25 iTunes Gift Card to attach to this printable Sing Song Yoga Gift Flyer which together allows your child to download the Sing Song Yoga App and own all poses and sequences
  • Yoga mat
  • Yoga clothing (comfortable t-shirt and pants)

Links mentioned in video:

 

screenshot:

Screen Shot video

This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 26th, 2013.
Posted in Parenting, Sing Song Yoga.
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Can a Tablet Actually Get Kids Moving?

Tablets are typically a source of screen time for kids.  During screen time the child is still, the eyes hold a fixed gaze, and the image on the screen is moving.  So as a teacher and a mom, I’m thrilled to encourage your kids to use the Sing Song Yoga® kids yoga app to transform their screen time into some “music and movement” time.

This whiteboard animation and jingle are a fun way to say the same thing…

When kids move, play and sing they use their brains well.
Building their brains is naturally fun.
Paving the brain roads and making connections
A well-developed brain makes learning easy and fun!

But too often now kids sit with one of these.
Which at times can be a bit of a concern.
So let’s use tablets to get kids moving
So we can see the benefits of moving return

Experts find that yoga helps kids
With focus, awareness, coordination and more.
A kids’ yoga studio on your TV
Find the Sing Song Yoga® App in the App Store.

So have fun encouraging your kids to use their tablets to keep moving!  And thanks in advance for sharing this post!

The Sing Song Yoga® App is available in the Apple App Store and is explained in detail in this former blog post.

For more information about our program check out www.singsongyoga.com

 

screenshot:

Sing Song Yoga Kids Yoga App video animation

This entry was posted on Saturday, November 23rd, 2013.
Posted in Benefits of Yoga, Parenting, Sing Song Yoga, Yoga Research.
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Sing Song Yoga Kids Yoga App – Teacher Testimonial

Thank you Kathy for sharing your experiences with using the Sing Song Yoga Kids Yoga App with your students! We so appreciate you taking time out of your busy life to do so!

Click on the video below to hear what Kathy has to say about her experiences:

“I’m a reading specialist in an elementary school. I service developing readers grades K-5th. I started using the Sing Song Yoga app this year as a way to transition my students from their regular classroom into the more intense instruction that I give them. For the first few minutes of our thirty minutes together we [do one of the poses]. The students are completely relaxed and very quiet. Then we go into our instruction and I can tell as a result of the Sing Song Yoga that they are much focused and calm and centered. My students enjoy it so much that when we walk… to my classroom… they ask me… what pose are we going to do today? I highly recommend the Sing Song Yoga [Kids Yoga] App to any age elementary student”

Thanks again Kathy!

 

 

This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 19th, 2013.
Posted in Benefits of Yoga, Education, Sing Song Yoga.
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