General infromation

hello everyone,

My granddaughter will be one year old this December 22. She has been going to a preschool. They live in Oakland near Berkley and I don't see them often. Recently they came to visit and I noticed something...which I would live your advice and direcetion. She really hums to herself on key. You will play an instrument and she copies it correctly. I am not saying she is this the best kid ever...to me of course:-) also my son learned spanish in school and asked her some questions in spanish which she answered...my son changed his tone so she wasn't responding to the way he spoke. I would like to know if anyone knows of schools near their area that deal with childern who are respondsive to sounds. Since they live near so many schools dealing with the arts, I would like to get an idea of some good schools. I will be happy to see her be in an enviroment that is loving and encoraging.........not tring to make more of her natural observations that she was better than others

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thank YOU, tj love, drjohnson and healthy 11,

I hope I remember everyone's name correctly. First, Dr from Evanston, IL. My Uncle just retired and my cousin took over his practice as a dentist in Evanston. I used to live in Wilmette for awhile. You are right Evanston has that cool vibe. I appreciate your comments. Tj(?) I hope I got your name right and yes, I remember you. The comments were great because this is what I had been thinking...singing or music just doesn't't mean what I was thinking...it is that little girl is so into sound...looks intently when you speak...I would love her no matter what...I was just surprised and i love to support all young people. Healthy, thank you for this suggestion. Sometimes I feel I don't have much to contribute. This is a great idea. I wasn't't diagnosed until I was in my forties. Here I had this high IQ, my sons were gate qualified and my eldest son took the SAT when he was in sixth grade. No matter where we are at or our cchildren having people taking an interest in a child's world is the gift we can give. I don't go for ...our children are our future...we are the adults who should help lead them to explore who they are...their world. My son and daughter in law are really great parents. I am ccurious what the name of the pre school Ella is going too. My son is a big guy with a tiny little daughter...he is so gentle...especially letting her explore her world...I guess I am just like all the grandparents out there....pure love. Thanks again and I am going to check out all your suggestions...TJ,hope I got it right...I will email you soon too. Peace and Love..Pepelekat

Hi Pepelephew,
I'm happy that you were able to figure out how things work around here, but let me know if you ever have any questions.

My daughter can imitate pitch almost perfectly and one of the things I'm doing with her (she's 2) is taking her to a program called Music Together. It's similar to Kindermusik and I believe they have classes throughout the Bay Area. One thing that I really like about this program is that the classes are mixed ages so that the younger children can learn from watching the older children.

If her parents are already thinking about preschool there are differences. I toured quite a few preschools this fall and some were very rigid and schedule driven while our first choice had a huge emphasis on art and creative play as well as offering dance, tumbling and yoga classes each week.

I'm not familiar with East Bay schools, but my youngest sister went to a private school called the Aurora School for several years before my stepmother decided to home school her. Knowing my parents, this school probably had an emphasis on creative and language arts as well as community. I know they looked a long time for the right school for my sister. I think it's great that your granddaughter has so many people looking out for her best interests and it's never to early to start doing your research.

Here's the link to Music Together in case you're interested: www.musictogether.com/

There's a national franchise called Kindermusik. there are probably several people running once a week classes through park districts or church basements in your area. Local music schools might have toddler/preschool classes as well. They certainly do here in Evanston IL, and Berkeley's sort of similar in culture.

The classes my daughters took involved not just music as we think of it, but imitating rhythms and, at the music school, taking nature walks to listen to sounds.

I know of several other "Grandmothers with ADHD" who participate in some online forums...I don't know if you're so inclined, but it might actually be helpful if you were willing to share some of your insights with younger parents in Greatschools Learning and Attention Difficulties Group at community.greatschools.net/groups/11554. (My son, now a teen, has ADHD and dyslexia, although he's also got an IQ that puts him in the "gifted" range.) Over the years, I've found younger parents of kids with special needs really appreciate hearing about older people who have "gotten past their problems in school" to have independent lives. Please do consider joining that group!

Thank you Healthy 11,

Sorry that I posted my answer twice. I am getting used to this site. I stayed away for a while because I kept misunderstanding how things worked. I am slowly understanding. yes, I am ADD ....a grandmother with ADD...help us all:-) at least I understand my condition now...and found out I am a little smarter than I thought...we all are just have beautiful and different life experiences which we can share with one another.
Peace to you all,

Pepe Le Kat aka Joey Marie

Thank you Healthy,,,,I do agree with you

Thank you Healthy 11,

As usual I didn't't't ask my question exactly what I meant..I was thinking down the line if there are programs that encourage music...here is what I am trying to say; my son scored high in language at an early age and his wife is wonderful in web site design..their home environment is wonderful...I was surprised that at such a young age Ella is so into sound...so I am trying to check out the "waters" to see if there are places that just support, introduce and encourage a child to follow that natural curiosity for imitating sound. This is just to help a child enjoy something that comes naturally and maybe with other children...or an adult who understands this special gift pf listening to the world around her/or him. I can't sing myself...well not great...I have often been interested in the history of young singers and musicians...I guess it is having an ear to music that interests me. She is the first little one under a year that I have noticed...how she has taken the music of sound in her world without anyone making her....the language is something many children learn living in bilingual homes yet Ella's parents speak only English..born and raised in the USA...my son grew up in the time when schools had the ESL programs he was good in language skills/grammar...any other ideas or experiences? I would love to hear of anyone's viewpoint...music is a great love of mine...just surprised...pepelekat

I'm not from Berkeley, but I've been participating in parent support forums for many years, and have never heard of a "sound centered" daycare/preschool for 1-year-olds...In fact, most schools don't begin to offer special emphasis on any particular subjects until K-8.
It seems to me that your granddaughter must already be in an enriching environment if she's developing an appreciation for music and foreign language, so I wouldn't be in any rush to move her from where she's at.

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