come together
The idea behind Household Harmony is that by offering family activities, we can offer families an opportunity to come together.
Working as a group establishes and fosters a family culture of cooperation, respect and fun that lasts a lifetime.
Making up and enjoying simple family rituals, routines and projects can go a long way toward making your house a home.
What do you think? Click here to take our quick survey and make your voice heard. |
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Baby, It's Cold Outside
It's a good time to snuggle up together for some family fun, friends! Get nice and cozy because, as you well know,
It's freezing; it's freeeeezing! Hope I don't start sneeeeezing.
a-CHOO! aaaaa-CHOO!
Mushy, slushy, cold and wet; snowsuits and boots--is it over yet?
You're welcome to join a Music Together® class and share your interest in music with the special child in your life, and with our Household Harmony™ community as well. We'll have a weekly sing-along from April 4 through July 21 during our Spring 2008 Session. Register and you'll find yourselves singing all week long!
We have limited space available on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday mornings. Discounted Early Bird registration opens March 9 and continues through March 21. (Currently-enrolled families: Now is your special chance to secure your spot in the spring session before registration opens to the public on March 9.) Click here for all the discounts and details.
Would you like to see, and hear, what a Music Together class is like? Click here to watch a short video and find out what happens when families come together.
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 Music Together @ WYEP
We've had an overwhelming response to Music Together @ WYEP, and we look forward to offering more classes this year so that we'll have space for everyone who's interested. That means more opportunities for making music together in our newest location--the fun environment of The WYEP Community Broadcast Center on Pittsburgh's historic South Side.
The results of our poll are in! Based on your feedback, not only are we offering Music Together @ WYEP on Saturdays at 10:00 and 11:00 AM, but also on Sundays at the same start times.
WYEP and Household Harmony are excited about giving you a fun chance to share your love of good music with the young child or children in your life. |
FREE 'Jammie Jam Sing-Along Party
You probably already know that babies' cortisol (stress hormone) levels actually drop when significant adults in their life sing to them. It's no wonder you can soothe your child with a lullaby. Click here to read about more health benefits of making music.
Join us in singing extra lullabies during our upcoming FREE pajamas-optional 'Jammie Jam family sing-along party, and experience Music Together for yourself! Space is limited so be sure to reserve your spot in advance. We'll begin at 5:30 and 6:30 PM on Sunday, March 9 at The WYEP Community Broadcast Center in Southside. Family fun and a sleepy car ride home: sweet dreams come true. |
 Dear Daisy: My Kid Sucks
Why does my child suck on all the instruments in class? He's always putting them in his mouth.
When children are in the oral stage of development, they're also working on their fine motor skills. There are nerve endings in the tongue that connect to the same part of the brain that governs fine motor control. That means kids will be the most "mouthy" when they're developing the thumb-and-finger pincer grasp and other fine motor techniques.
Imagine you're a baby. Your mouth is the investigatory tool you've relied on from the beginning so naturally it's what you turn to first when you want to check out something new. Without thumb control, your child might as well be four-fingered. Try picking things up and manipulating stuff with your thumb pinned against your palm!
It's important that they mouth things a lot during this developmental period so that the proper neural pathways are laid down to support young children's emerging body control. (Don't worry; everything gets washed.) According to Dr. Steven Barlow, Director of the Communication Neuroscience Laboratories at the University of Kansas, "A baby's ability to suck is about more than getting nourishment. This motor behavior generates sensory flow that nurtures the brain to form and strengthen nerve connections."
The relationship between our mouths and fine motor skills always stays with us. That's why we roll our tongues, or stick them out, when we're trying to do an activity that requires precise body control. Notice yourself the next time you draw, or use a screwdriver, or tap the unusual 7/8 rhythm pattern in "PEPpermint CHOC'late BROWnies, PEPpermint CHOC'late BROWnies, PEPpermint CHOC'late BROWnies TASTE. . .SO GOOD!"
We discussed phenomena like this one at the Parent/Caregiver Education Evening on Tuesday, January 22nd. Join us next time! |
Community Harmony
Would you like Director Daisy Klaber to speak to your group about how experiences like making music together can enrich family life? Would your non-profit like to request a gift certificate donation?
In addition to participating in such events as the annual convention of the Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children (PAEYC), the Pittsburgh Kids' Expo and The Annual Health Fair at Changing Seasons Learning Center, Household Harmony has made gift-in-kind donations to a variety of organizations. We've supported groups such as Mothers & More, The Samburu Project, Baker Elementary School PTA, Hill House, Mt. Lebanon Montessori School, Modern Moms (MoMo), Supporters of Sean (SOS), La Leche League, The Saturday Light Brigade and WYEP; and we're developing several other partnerships and events as well.
Have an idea? Contact us! We'd be glad to consider offering your organization our support, too. |
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