We have been attending ‘Kids in Harmony’ for eighteen months. As an early childhood teacher and parent I can see both the educational and enjoyment benefits. I have seen my daughter and son gain confidence and grow in a secure and supportive environment. As well as learning to interact with others, taking turns and developing communication skills, the program promotes body awareness and self acceptance through music.

As a parent I would highly recommend ‘Kids in Harmony” to anyone with young children. Kerry and her staff provide a friendly and safe environment for children and their families.

Kristy Bates
Townsville

10th February, 2006

Cathryn Hooper
Townsville Q 4810

Dear Kerry

My daughter Georgia, now two and a half, has been attending Kids In Harmony since she was six months old. During this time her love of music and rhythm has blossomed. Now there is music all around. Using fly swats on giant exercise balls creates an extremely satisfying rhythm as does toe tapping on the lid of the esky in the car while driving along. “Mum, can I make music with my feet?”

From the first moment you walk in the front door of Kids In Harmony you know this is an environment that you want your child to experience. All your senses are immediately stimulated. The fragrant oils are burning, the soft music is playing, huge butterflies and stars adorned the walls and ceiling, musical instruments are on display ready to be experienced and Jo’s friendly smiley face greets everybody by name – and this is just the reception area! When you move through the next room you are surrounded by a wall containing the handprint and name of every child who has shared the Kids In Harmony experience. The music room carries the same ambiance but is embellished by a huge mural and the words of favourite Kids In Harmony songs. There is also a picture wall containing photos of the Kids In Harmony family – new babies, birthdays, special occasions.

The well structured programme at Kids In Harmony gives the children the routine that they need and allows them to anticipate the next activity. New music and moves keep them interested and entertained and this is balanced by old favourites which gives them the familiarity they enjoy. While they are able to guess the next activity there is usually and element of surprise associated with it so there is always a sense of excited anticipation. The children love that.

While at an age where she is still developing peer social skills Georgia has no hesitation in coming home and teaching her older brother words and actions to songs like “Big Bear” and “Jack in the Box” that she has learned at Kids In Harmony.

As all parents can appreciate there are times when it’s good to be calm and relaxed. Teaching children how to do this immediately after some loud, frenetic activity is a wonderful gift and watching them achieve this is extremely satisfying to observe as a parent.

Sometimes the tasks of parenthood overtake the simple pleasures. Kids In Harmony allows a very special one on one experience with Georgia which we both look forward to every week.

For parents who want to share some quality one on one time with their children in a special loving, stimulating environment I can think of nowhere better than Kids In Harmony.

Thank you Kerry and Jo for two wonderful years. Georgia and I are both looking forward to all our new experiences in the coming year.

Yours sincerely,
Cathryn

P.S. - I also really enjoy the spontaneous back massages with “Mr Bumpy” at home.

The joys and benefits for our family attending Kids in Harmony are so much greater than the one session we have a week.

As someone who has absolutely no rhythm, Harmony has taught me how to enjoy and have fun with music. I think it should be called “Kids (and mums) in Harmony”.

It has brought music, singing and dancing into EVERY day of our lives. My boys and I are always singing the songs we’ve learnt at Harmony. However, one of the greatest pleasures is making up our own songs about anything and everything from eating carrots to toilet training and having two-year-old “tizzies” and “shaking our sillies out”. We have turned so many situations into fun and laughter – that may have been challenging otherwise. It has really changed the way I parent my 1 year old and my 21/2 year old.

I have also met the most wonderful group of mums and dads and babies who have become lifelong friends and playmates. It is great watching each other’s children grow up and develop and share friendships with each other.

The best part is the sparkle in my little fellas’ eyes every week when I say “music today” and he starts to clap his hands and do his own little dance. Priceless.

P.S. Love the shop!!!

Vanessa Jane
Townsville

Kids in Harmony has been a wonderful opportunity for my daughter Olivia to learn about music, rhythm, dance, relaxation, baby massage, having fun and sharing with other children. I first heard about Kids in Harmony from a friend who took her daughter. I first took Olivia to classes with Kerry when she was 4 months old. She absolutely loves it! The classes are very interactive. We learn exercises that help stimulate their development, relaxation techniques such as baby massage, dance with our babies to music, and introduce musical instrument, rhythm and beat to the babies. The classes are positive, happy and fun. And I feel the mothers enjoy it even more than the babies!! The Kids in Harmony Cd is fantastic and has songs that are used in the class. I put it on each day and Olivia and I dance around the house together.

I strongly recommend this great class for any baby or child and for any age.

Rachel and Olivia Bowater

Why do we love ‘Kids in Harmony’. My children look forward to going each week. They love the songs. We often sing the action songs in the afternoon when I am feeding my baby or folding clothes or am just ‘too busy’ to play. We sing the relaxation songs in the care – to amazing effect. Oliver and Lucy love going to the bakery after the class. For me, it is great to have an activity that I can do with all my kids together. The nurturing environment has helped me learn to accept my children and their capabilities and moods at any given time, rather than wanting them to perform to unnecessary expectations. I usually leave more relaxed than when I arrived (which is probably the real reason we go).

Katherine, Oliver, Lucy and Miles

Happy Happy Happy. These are words that form part of the Harmony song which I think sums up Kids in Harmony. Kayley, my 21/2 old granddaughter and I have been part of the harmony clan for the pst 18 months. Each Monday morning we venture off to “MUSIC” as we fondly call it. Kayley’s favourite part is music Box which I think is favourite with most of the children. Kerry places the brightly painted wooden box on the floor and all the kids run to it and knock on the lid to see what surprise lays within- usually it is some sort of musical instrument or toy to be used in the music box segment. Great fun and enjoyment for the kids. As a grandparent I get endless joy from watching Kayley and all the kids interact with each other. Kayley doesn’t always want to join in but that’s okay, overall she and I have a lovely morning together, lots of sitting on Nanny’s lap and lots of exercise thrown in as well, who could ask for more. I highly recommend kids in Harmony to all grandparents, mums, dads, aunties and uncles. Lots of fun in a relaxed, peaceful and caring environment.

Jan Tambling (Kayley’s Nan)

Alex joined the ‘Harmony family’ when he was 8 months old. From the moment we stepped through the door we were struck by the care and attention put into making the space comfortable, bright and welcoming. All the staff direct that same level of care and attention to each of the children, allowing them to develop at their own pace in their own way. As a result, Alex is unrecognizable from the child who started at Harmony 18 Months ago. He had always been a highly sensitive child – observant, intelligent – but easily frustrated and often reluctant to participate. Today he is one of the more outgoing children in the class. He has developed a real bond with the staff and is eager to participate to the pint where he has become the teachers ‘little helper’. We see ‘Harmony’ influences in our lives everyday from Alex’s spontaneous reaction to music to the way he lines up his grapes before eating them. As parents, the joy we get from watching Alex develop through this magical program is boundless. You will never regret your decision to join the ‘Harmony family’.

David & Winnie Thomas

I have 31/2 year old twin boys, Connor and Ethan. Kerry and her wonderful staff have been sharing their love of music with them since they were 6 months old. In those three years, Connor and Ethan have developed a very warm bond with Kerry, Jo and the other staff and have learnt so much from them through the Kids in Harmony program. The wonderful staff encourages the very best in all the children they teach. The program is fun and exciting and each lesson is new adventure in music, massage and relaxation. Connor and Ethan cannot wait for the next class and look forward to it each week. Even throughout the week they are singing the songs learnt at Kids in Harmony. I honestly believe Connor and Ethan have developed into the caring boys I have today largely due to the Kids in Harmony influence since it not only teaches them strong values that can be so lacking in today’s society but also teaches me and encourages me to be the best parent I can be. Thank you Kerry and your staff for being a part of Connor and Ethan’s life

Andrea McGucken

Imagine taking your child to a fantastical place. At Kids in Harmony your child is transported into a world of music, movement and mystery. Each week the teacher allows our children to experience kidtopia. The well designed lessons nurture their spiritual, physical, intellectual, social and emotional development around a central theme of music awareness.

Each lesson provides:

• A familiar structure
• Inspirational songs that teach our children important values and virtues
• Instruments to play from around the world
• Relaxation techniques
• Positive affirmations
• Simple dances

The program encourages and celebrates:

• Family bonding
• Love and caring
• Participation
• Intrinsic development
• Personal achievement
• Well being

Every time I attend Kids in Harmony I leave with a sense of wonder and joy that such a beautiful program is available for our children.

Belinda Walker
Mummy of Jarren and Keedan

The Hardy family have been a part of the Harmony family since the end of 2003. We’ve gone from our eldest son Lincoln (now 5) to Bayden (3Yrs) and last year we introduced Emersen (12months). Our children (and mum and dad) have loved and continued to love each and every lesson – quite often with mum and dad coming to an arrangement as to who will attend the lesson. The lessons have been a blessing to us by giving us time with our children that is dedicated to each one of them. Many of the activities that we do are rushed and we are chasing the baby around making sure none of the children are out of sight. The closed door policy at KIH has enabled the children to “chill out” and relax whilst having great fun and making some great friends.

The CD’s are a firm favourite in both family vehicles with Michael often telling stories of the KIH CD blaring when he picks his friends up or gets in the car at work (the things you do for kids). The program has introduced us all to a variety of instrument, dances, songs and activities, many of the things that our children (and us) would not have been exposed to for a long time – if ever. We have recommended the program to all our friends and family with small children, and as a result have quite a family enrollment at the centre. It is such a pleasure to watch the children become so involved in a special activity and love the teacher as much as the program. Kerry has been an absolute blessing to us all both during classes and after hour if we need to ask about something. The staff are always willing to help, have a smile of their faces and you know they love their job. Working with children everyday takes a special type of person – to remain happy, caring and nurturing, and Kerry and the Harmony Team do all this and more. I think if we were to stop coming to classes Bayden would think we had chopped his arm off. Kerry holds a special place in his heart and we thank you all for your time, care and patience over the past 3 years. We wish the centre and program every success in the future. Thank goodness we still have many years left of involvement with Harmony, so we can continue to watch the centre grow and develop!

The Hardy Family
Fiona, Michael, Lincoln, Bayden and Emersen