Kindermusik with Sarah

Its been a little quiet over here on the blog for the past year.

I’ve had a lot on my plate, both personally and professionally, and its slowed me down in all kinds of ways. Those who know me, or my Kindermusik classes here in Beijing, will notice some few changes.  My name has changed.  The company name has changed.  The number of community classes we’re offering has changed. I’m no longer the Kindermusik Area Developer here in Beijing…

Rest assured these are all really good changes.  Julia and I are doing great, and have really settled into our life here in Beijing. I like living here more than ever, and plan to be here for the foreseeable future. Professionally, LaFaFa is a great place to work, and we’re working together to grow opportunities for kids to experience musical learning in China in ways I could only have dreamed about a year ago.  There are some really exciting plans in the works for Summer/Fall 2010 that will relaunch our full community programme, including weekday options.  And Lily, the new Kindermusik Area Developer here is continuing recruit new educators and help new programs grow in Beijing with great results.

So its all good, I promise.

And watch out, because its about to get a lot wordier over here in blogland again…

Sarah

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小猫喵喵喵！Little cat meow meow meow!

That was the first small sentence Julia read to me last night.  As  a lover of books and reading as long as I can remember, it is magical to see my own child start reading.   I spend my days extolling the value of participation rather than performance, but when my own child started rhyming off characters in her book last night, I hugged and praised and clapped with the best of them.  I’m still glowing today.

I think I was celebrating as much for me as I was for her.  3 is a challenging age, full of magical thinking, humour and some of the most frustrating and outright defiant behaviour we have seen around here to date.  To see my daughter so independent, so pleased with her own abilities, so in the moment and in love with what she was doing was like a glimpse of where we are headed over the next few years.  It was also a reminder that what we do now lays the groundwork for what is yet to come in her life, and that my work as a parent and teacher is really important.  Even when it means saying no, again, for the 754th time to more TV, sweets, or her hair-brained schemes that challenge the fundamental laws of physics in favour of the thrill of the jump.

So we read the same little Chinese rhymes again and again, we learn our ABCs when the mood strikes and count everything in sight.  And sometimes, when a celebration is in order, you can have a treat after supper and I will pretend not to see you jump off the couch just one time.  My heart bursts just a little at the sight of her, my daughter, doing all these amazing things all at once.  Soon enough I won’t be able to keep up with her reading in Chinese, but until then I intend to hear as much as she will share with me about the cats.

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CBC Radio is running a wonderful 4 part radio documentary series entitled Mixed Blessings that explores the identity and culture of mixed-race Canadians.  Its a facinating portrait of growing up with a face that doesn’t meet the expectations of others and a fluid sense of personal identity. 

My daughter Julia has a complicated pedigree of her own (half Chinese, half Canadian of English/Irish/Scottish decent, born in Japan).  Xiaotian and I have worked hard to help her feel comfortable with who she is, to be able to connect with both of her cultures, to understand some of what Japan means to us, and to ensure she is bilingual.  So far, it seems to be working but its nice to hear the voices of people who have lived the experience themselves.  And that its becoming, in Canada at least, a major trend and, dare I say it, the new normal in a lot of urban areas.

Mixed Blessings is available for download or as a streamed audio here.  There is also a fantastic photo gallery of some of the contributors to the series.  Go get it now.  You will be glad you did.

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While there are several summer camps running through the end of July (see the online schedule for details, and yes spaces are still available in all sessions), I am already getting excited about the new fall semester which will begin the first week of September.  Look for a big launch event and family party Saturday September 1st, new classes for all ages levels, the addition of the exciting Sign and Sing programme, and a wonderful new educator is joining the Kindermusik with Sarah team (more on her next time, I promise!).  The initial Fall schedule will be posted July 1st, and classes will be added as locations and times are confirmed.

Speaking of September classes, enrol by August 15th and your family will receive a free Best of Kindermusik CD from Kindermusik International and Kindermusik with Sarah.  The regular 10% re-enrolment discount also applies for currently enrolled families, as well as the sibling discount of course! 

I’m also thrilled to announce that my husband, Li Xiaotian, is now an official part of the Kindermusik with Sarah Home Office.  We’re working on a plan to better serve our current families and the Chinese speaking market here in Beijing.  Those of you who know me are aware of my dubious Mandarin skills.  Xiaotian is excited about the challenges ahead, and you’ll see the results of his work here on the website and beyond over the next few weeks. 

Fear not, all these exciting plans will not interfere with my rest and relaxation over the summer. Julia and I head out for Canada July 29th to visit family and friends.  I’ll still be working a lot via the mighty internet while I’m there, and Xiaotian will be here holding down the fort here in Beijing, so feel free to contact us as always if you have any questions about upcoming classes.

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And its still April!

I will be available on an as needed basis by e-mail or phone, but there will be no classes from Saturday, April 28th to Sunday, May 6th, 2007.  Priority registration for the May/June Adventures intersession classes will continue for currently enrolled families, and will open to others on a first come, first served basis May 8th.

So what are my fabulous plans for these 9 days off?  Absolutely nothing.  Nainai is heading to Jilin to visit family, but Julia, Xiaotian and I are staying close to home.  If you would like to join us for a swim or a romp in the park, get in touch.  Its much too nice out to stay inside!

Have a good break, and we’ll see you again the second week of May.

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