The Happiness Map

This is a happiness map of the world. The redder the color the happier the people. It seems as though the United States are happy but I understand Denmark is really the place to be. Read more HERE

The Brain on Music

I am so excited about this website! You can see which areas of brain are affected by music and how that translates to experience and learning. Just click HERE to read more. (a lot more if you want - but you can also just get the jest) -- Music is so powerful!

The Economics of Early Childhood

Investing in Infants and Toddlers: The Economics of
Early Childhood

Given the current slowdown of our nation’s economy, much attention is being paid to the challenges faced by families grappling with the rising cost of food, transportation, and other basic necessities. While policymakers and economists are working to understand and improve these immediate economic challenges, some are also turning their focus to an economic stimulus of a different sort investment in young children and their families. Economic researchers who study issues of human capital (education and skills) are increasingly coming to the conclusion that early childhood professionals have known all along: investing in high-quality early childhood programs reaps considerable societal savings and numerous individual and social benefits.

New research on early childhood investments provides opportunities for early childhood professionals and economists to work together to support greater investments in programs for infants, toddlers and their families. Click here to learn more about current economic research, its application within the field of child development, and ways in which early childhood professionals and economists can partner with one another to inform the public policy process.

Let's not work

Separation Anxiety

The first day of school is a big step for every child, especially since they are used to being in their parents’ company almost every day of their lives.

For some ideas about on how to prepare your child for this big day read this nice article from Mommy and Me.

What does Kindermusik REALLY do?

When connected to singing, listening, dancing and playing instruments, Kindermusik provides a broad MULTI-DIMENSIONAL educational experience that sets the foundation for a LIFETIME of musical enjoyment. Your child's brain is LITERALLY forming a rich network of music, movement, language and idea connections, which, when used frequently, remains intact FOR LIFE! This network becomes even more powerful to your child when it is SHARED with YOU. That is why Kindermusik is really is the BEST CHOICE you can make for your child today.

Ludlows Island

This is a larger view of where we are spending the week. This beautiful place is called Ludlows Island. We are not on the Island but are facing it in a great cabin that is called North Side just across (to the north). The kids canoe back and forth from the lodge on the island and to the other cabins in the family. All together the Peterson clan is occupying 6 cabins so there is plenty of room to roam.

Today is rainy and cold, there is even a fire crackling in the fireplace here on the Northside. It has been a relaxing day of watching the Olympics, a little doodling on the computer (we oddly have wireless access - but no cell phone service) and general dozing. My sunburned shoulders appreciate the change in weather.

Where I Am

What I Saw Today

Several Loons
2 Bald Eagles
My Niece catch a fish
Tucker wake boarding
Lots of lake
Lots of sky
Big big boulders in their natural habitat

What I didn't see today
a car
a traffic light
any neon
a store
a cell phone

wish you were here.

Magic of the Lullaby

Awarded

Kindermusik of the Valley is honored to once again been awarded the Kindermusik Maestro Award which recognizes the largest and best programs world wide. We have received the Maestro award for 10 years in a row!

It is thanks to this community, committed to excellent programming for children, that we have been so successful. It is a blessing to offer Kindermusik in such a place.

Okay Go!

Thinking of what to do with that idle treadmill in the basement?

The following message is from my sister Jenny - who loyally checks my blog everyday - this is her gentle way of reminding me - I haven't been blogging lately.

Blog blog blog blog blog boggy blog blog blog blog


Big blog little blog all blog all the time



What’s happened to your poor blog? Blog blog blog blog

Love,
Blog

So here is a new one for you Jen.

Oh how sweet they are - and what this baby says is true. I ran across a great article today about how families can handle stress.

Take a look at this article: What to do so your kids don't stress you out

Found on Parenting Weekly

Take a look under this sea!

Click on this fish to see a really cool movie from National Geographic about why fish come in SO many colors!

June 2008 Summer Musik!

I'm on the Radio!!

Click on the blog talk radio logo above to hear the 25 minute show!
I want to thank Lori Jo Kemper of The Parenting Path for hosting this interview. It was fun!! Feel free to forward this to any friends who want to hear about Kindermusik in "my voice" - Helen

Fishing

Welcome to the first day of summer! My husband Trygve is an avid fisher man who happily talks me into a boat ride once in a while.

On this particular evening the sky was clear, the weather fine and the fish were biting. We caught 27 - an assortment of crappies, sunnys, blue gills and bass on Prior Lake

Trygve was happy fishing with his "girls" me, Lorelei and Dinah - shown here - she loves to fish.

Hush Little Baby

Piano Recital

Last night I had the pleasure of playing a piece for six hands with my daughter Lorelei and her teacher Margarita Dorfman. My mom couldn't make it - so here you go mom, I hope you like it.

Peace Today