Orlando Kids' Directory

Featured Articles :: GROW AND SING STUDIOS PRESENTS “CONNECT THROUGH MUSIC”

by Holly Lesnick (Kindermusik with Grow & Sing Studios - EAST ORLANDO, DOWNTOWN, LAKE MARY, LAKE NONA, WINTER SPRINGS, HUNTER'S CREEK and MORE!)

Orlando, FL (September 10, 2009) – School has begun for older children and many parents are wondering what activities they can do at home with their younger children that are inexpensive and fun. Grow and Sing Studios owner, Holly Lesnick, recently released a video DVD called "Connect Through Music" for children ages six months to five years-old that brings the magic of music and the loving connections between parent and child together for 35-minutes of engaging fun at home. Using inexpensive household props, entertaining songs, and creative ideas parents learn to connect with their child and create a passion for music and play.

Holly Lesnick knows first-hand the ability of music to teach and bring parents and children closer together. Since 2002, Lesnick has taught and then owned an Orlando-based Kindermusik studio, Grow and Sing Studios, and is a music therapist with 15 years of experience and 7 years of experience specifically working with children. She has observed that children love watching other children, so she wanted to create a video that captured children enjoying music. Research shows that music benefits cognitive and spatial abilities, as well as skills in motor, language and math. Participating in musical activities as a child makes a smarter adult in the future. In this video she brings it all together, encouraging parents and children to participate with the families in the video by using wooden spoons, metal bowls and dish towels, to Connect Through Music.

One of the reasons Lesnick decided to create this video was because of her own experience with her then 2 year old son. She noticed he was enthralled watching the children on a certain two-minute music video on television. She found that her son learned the songs while the children in the video kept his attention. When she went to find this same type of video at the store, it was nowhere to be found. Lesnick was looking for something “simple and pure” that showed parents and children interacting, hoping it would inspire those watching at home. She didn’t want to create a DVD with non-stop graphics flying around or one where mom just puts the DVD in and goes to cook dinner. So, she and video production business-owner husband, Will Lesnick, combined their businesses and skills to create this product. Although she insists the video cannot replace the social opportunities of the Kindermusik classes she teaches, it is a great supplement and teaching tool to bring parents and children closer together. This video is especially helpful when parents have run out of ideas and need to keep an active toddler busy but don't want to spend a lot of money in this economy!

"From my own experience as a parent, I knew this video was needed. I knew we had to pull our resources together - me as a teacher and my husband's video expertise. It took a year and I'm so proud of the final product. We're excited that many grandparents are buying this video as a gift for their children to connect with their grandchildren," says Holly Lesnick. “We have also had great response from therapists and families of children with Special Needs. Everyone who sees the video, loves it. We're getting a great response and we couldn't be happier. My instincts were correct. It's funny. Now my students say they have Miss Holly in a box!"

The DVD menu has four segments: Play Full Class, Introduction, Song Selection and Suggested Materials. For first-time users the two-minute Introduction is the best way to begin. It shows Lesnick explaining to viewers what they can expect in the video. The next segment to view is the Suggested Materials so that viewers are ready when the songs pop up and they don’t have to go searching in the cupboards for what they need to play along. Then it’s time for the Full Class! Children thrive on repetition, so if viewers like a certain song or activity they can select that in the Song Selection menu.

The songs include a Hello Song, lap bounce, quiet time and Goodbye Song, all written by Lesnick as well as popular public domain songs such as Grand Old Duke of York, The Muffin Man, The More We Get Together, Shoo Fly, Merrily We Roll Along, The Monkey Song, Farmer in the Dell and Down In My Heart. In this difficult economy, Holly wanted to provide suggested materials that are readily available in most households. Here’s the list: 1)wooden kitchen utensils or sticks, 2) blankets, towels, scarves, or fabrics, 3) pots, lids, cans, bowls, bells, spoons, 4) balls 5) shakers, maracas, plastics containers or bottles filled with beads, beans or cooked pasta and 6) drums, cans, plastic bowls.

Those interested in purchasing the video can visit the website at http://www.connectthroughmusic.com or send $14.95, plus $2.50 shipping and handling, to 4250 Alafaya Trail, Suite 212-317, Oviedo, FL 32765. For questions regarding an order contact ctm@in-focusmedia.com or call 407-928-6092.