Studio3Music Blog

Posts Tagged ‘Miss Jesikah’

Jul
23

The Quest for character development

Posted in Child Development, Family, parenting, Things to do

While watching Disney’s cartoon classic, “The Sword in the Stone” with my children, I was stunned by how respectful and responsible young Wart was, regardless of the work he had to do. He knew his value, his job and took pride in what he did. He actually obeyed cheerfully!

My husband and I had been feeling like we were in the middle of a “It’s not fair” and “Why can’t you just give it to me” battle with our children, and our defenses were wearing thin. It was time for a new strategy.

We realized our children needed a change of heart, not just in outward attitude. We want them to have a sense of purpose, and to have pride in what they do – whether it be completing chores or working at school.

So, instead of continuing to battle with our children, we created a hero training program we called “Heart Quest”, around a subject they love – knights. Someday, our children will be kings and queens of their own homes. They are in hero training now, so that later they will have both the heart and character to rule well.

To begin, we had a ceremony and feast as they entered into their “quest”. The children invited family members and special friends as they took their vows.

For completing chores (with a positive attitude) and exhibiting good and helpful behavior, they earn Quest Dollars (fake money I created. ) They have minor and major quests to complete each day as decree of their King and Queen (ahem, mom and dad) such as making beds – minor quest, emptying dishwasher – major quest.

If they do a chore with a good attitude they are paid more than if they grumble. They also earn treasure chest rewards for working through something that is really hard, for being honorable, having a willing and obedient heart, or being cheerful and thankful. These rewards could be candy, extra video game time, a special trip to Starbucks or ice cream with mom or dad, or used to purchase a toy.

I pay my children when the other is not present so it doesn’t become a competition, and because, like an allowance, children who have more chores generally earn more. (This avoids the “It’s not fair!”) I give treasure chest rewards (a note card with a chest on the front) in their payment box in secret so it is surprise when they find it, with a note as to why they received this reward.

If they gloat or boast about their reward to their brother, it is taken away. They also lose Quest Dollars if they have dishonorable behavior such as lying, defiance, and throwing tantrums. They must retrieve the Quest Dollars out of their treasure chest and place them in our hands, thus losing privileges. After all, isn’t a heroes’ journey all about the choices they make and the consequences of those actions?

Although we have not totally eradicated the attitude of self-entitlement or the “it’s not fair” whine and tantrum, there have been huge improvements in my home. My children are proud of their work, they know they are valued, and that good behavior is rewarded.

-posted by Miss Jesikah who thoroughly enjoys being the Queen of her home.

Tags: learning, Miss Jesikah, parenting, preschoolers

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Feb
23

Are Video Game Themes the New Generation of Classical Music?

Posted in Bits and Pieces, Family, Things to do

I never thought, in my wildest imagination, that one day I would be sitting at a symphony concert, with a full orchestra, choir and opera singer in a grand hall, listening to the theme music for video games while watching video game clips on a huge media screen. Who knew that video games would inspire and encourage musicians to write such beautiful compositions celebrated the world over? Last month, I sat at the Paramount Theatre with my husband, Miss Anna, and her husband, and received an amazing epiphany, as well as a peek into the musical future.

I looked around me and noticed the crowd was young, and very excited about the music being played. Is this the new generation of classical music? I do not believe it is time to tell Bach and Mozart to move over, but the names Martin O’Donnell and Michael Salvatori, (the composers of the Halo soundtracks for Bungie) are becoming household legends.

Interestingly enough, they are also the same men who wrote the famous jingle for the Flintstone Vitamins that many of us today can sing by heart (for you trivia lovers). Many other video game composers, such as those for Assassins Creed, Final Fantasy, Zelda, Mario Brothers and even old school arcade games were displayed and honored for their art and talent.

The experience was phenomenal, and I really appreciated Tommy Tallarico, composer and creator of Video Games Live, taking moments throughout the show to foster a love of music for the young crowd that was present. He was reaching out to all the young people and igniting a flame for classical music in a new and different way.

My oldest, who is 8, is taking private classical guitar lessons and is trying to figure out the meaning behind why he should appreciate this style of music. I showed him the trailer for Video Games Live and he decided right then and there, he wanted to be a musician so that perhaps, one day, he too, could play theme music to all his favorite video games….and maybe even write one, too.

I encourage you to take 5 minutes out of your day and check out the trailer for Video Games Live on their website: www.videogameslive.com. The first part is dialogue with the creators, but the last part shows clips from the concert. The music through the whole trailer is a piece from the concert, including the opera vocals. Show your video-playing children, so they can appreciate the music and special effects. You can also find all sorts of video clips on YouTube.

Now, for all those nay-sayers that go around believing video games dull the mind and do not encourage anything academic or educational, there is inspiration here that is flaming the hearts of younger generations and creating an appreciation for the classical arts, bringing the old and the new together in a beautiful melody.

-posted by Miss Jesikah, who loves listening to her children’s operatic rendition of the Super Smash Bros. theme song while declaring they want to be opera singers…all because of a video game.

Tags: listening, Miss Jesikah, music, Things to do

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Jan
29

Raising Modern Day Superheroes

Posted in Bits and Pieces, Family, parenting

“I don’t like cutting the waffle up by myself, can’t you just do it for me?” My oldest looked at me with big pleading eyes. I almost responded, “Yes, not a problem, I’ll help you.” It would be faster for me to do it for him so we could rush out the door to school. I know he struggles with cutting with a knife and fork, but he needs to practice. If I didn’t cut his waffle, his frustration leads to a meltdown, and at his age, that frustrates me. If I did cut for him, my life would be easier because I wouldn’t feel stressed that his slowness was making us late out the door.

“Mom, I don’t want to go to class. I want to go home.”, my middle son begged from the backseat. He is a master at persistently pushing his case and trying different angles to get what he wants. I was tired, and not in the mood for one of these sessions. Pouting became whining, and then turned into arguing and tears. Oh, I so wanted to turn the van around and go home. When we arrived at class, he refused to go in and made another big fuss as a last attempt to get his way. I was so embarrassed.

“No way!” my two year old declared when I gave her the choice of water or milk instead of juice, of which she had already drunk her daily limit. She threw her toys, and then fell the floor, screaming “no way” over and over again like a drama queen. I really needed to finish dinner and didn’t want to deal with another toddler tantrum. My head was hurting, and her crying was driving me crazy. It was so tempting to give in and give her juice, giving myself (temporary) peace.

I bet you have similar stories, too. Every day my children spend copious amounts of time and energy trying to get what they want. I spend equal amount of time and energy pushing back and fighting my own inner battle to not take the easy road. It would be so much easier to give in to avoid feeling frustrated, exhausted, embarrassed, or stressed. Sometimes the job of parenting is overwhelming.

In literature, there is something called the “hero’s journey”, where each step is a test of honor, courage, faith, perseverance and character. Through choosing to do what is right, the hero eventually becomes who they were meant to be. Parenting is also a “hero’s journey”, and I’m daily presented with choices, even though often the right one doesn’t make my life easier.

I want my children to be modern day heroes. They need to overcome obstacles in life – to slay the proverbial dragon. They need to learn to make good choices, to find courage to push through fears and frustrations. They need faith to propel them past the obvious and into the unknown. My goal is to have them emerge into adulthood with a character that is tried and true, gained from hard work and self-discipline.

I realize that in order for my children to learn all these things, I first need to model them. Some days are better than others! I don’t always make the right choices. My feelings are real, but that doesn’t mean they are based on truth. My oldest son may not feel like cutting up his waffle, but the truth is, he can. My middle son may not feel like going to class some days, but the truth is he always has fun and learns so many things. My daughter may feel like she has the right to demand more juice, but the truth is too much juice is not healthy.

-posted by Miss Jesikah who says “Some days I feel like a hero and some days I feel like being rescued by one! But the truth is, to my children, I am a hero and therefore, I have an awesome duty to uphold, even when I don’t feel like it.”

Tags: learning, Miss Jesikah, parenting, preschoolers, toddlers

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Sep
20

Following Directions

Posted in Bits and Pieces, Child Development, parenting

I was horrified! My 12 year old brain could not wrap around the fact that this dear friend of our family, a professor, had set up an entire class to fail on a test that had nothing to do with the course material. As an over achiever, I immediately began to reconsider my thoughts on college. If hard work would not pay off and I could not earn what I deserved, and my grade was at the whim of professors, then what was the point?

In his wisdom, the professor allowed me to stew and process. He knew I would begin to ask the right questions that would reveal the reason for the failure. He continued to make conversation with my parents and would steal glances at me, delighting in my disturbed moment. Finally I couldn’t take it any longer… “How could you do that? How could you ruin someone’s hard earned grade over a stupid test that shouldn’t count?!”

“That, my dear, is the reality of life. The test counted, because it was a test about following directions, not about how much one knows or doesn’t know. It was a test to reveal a character flaw. About our tendency to go for the shortcut, rather than take a few moments longer to ensure what you did was correct and expected.” He sat back and watched the emotions play across my face. When I looked back up at him he winked at me like a grandfather delighting in his favorite grandchild (he was truly a cute old man!).

“But they studied! The questions were supposed to be about what they were learning in class and to see if they understood the information”. The horror was still circling in my head.

“The questions on the test were about what we were learning in class. But the true test was about following directions, not knowledge. Twenty-nine people showed me that they needed this life lesson, one that will play out in the real world with employers, buying homes, and any other activity that requires an agreement or contract. Only one person showed me that they understood that knowledge is not achieved or demonstrated through shortcuts”.

“I think I understand. I bet they all read the directions on every test following that moment in life!”

“No doubt they did. That was the point of the test. Now that you know the secret, be sure that you always remember that no matter how you feel, no matter how boring or long directions may be, the responsibility is always yours to know them. You will always bear the consequences for choosing a shortcut over what is right thing to do.” He gave me a great big grin at that moment. He knew his point had hit the designated target; another young life saved!

The directions on the test:
“Write your name on the top of this test and return it to me immediately. You have passed this assessment and may leave. If you are completing this test, you have failed, for you did not read the directions. This grade will count against your final grade this term.”

How do we help our children learn to follow directions? How do we teach them to fully understand what is expected before they begin? I would LOVE to hear your ideas. I am so glad I learned this as a youth and not an adult in that college classroom!

-posted by Miss Jesikah, who now tries to resist the urge to skim over info, or assume she knows what is expected (although succumbs to the urge from-time-time and usually bears the consequences for the shorter road taken).

Tags: life skills, Miss Jesikah, parenting

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Jul
14

Family Friendly Hikes

Posted in Bits and Pieces, Family, Things to do

One overcast Sunday morning, we decided to brave the potential weather and head out to the mountains hike to the famous Big Four Ice Caves outside of Darrington. I have always loved this hike, and I was delighted to discover it was one of several listed as a toddler friendly walk according to the Washington Trails Association.

The kids had a blast! Violette, our toddler, was happy so long as she didn’t have to touch nature and nature didn’t touch her. She is obsessed with shoes even before the tender age of two, so she may be a city girl at heart. She did not like getting dirty, or touching the glacier, the ferns that would brush against her along the trail. Funny girl! She did love throwing rocks into water, though, and sought every opportunity to do so, even braving the potential dirt on her hands for the enjoyment.

The forest immediately captured my five year old Colin’s imagination, and before long the story in his head came out: Soon we were crossing the treacherous bridge and into the mud-pits of doom. We had to be careful as the trees were spies. The day was made complete by the fact that he also got to pet d 20-30 different dogs along the trail – he LOVES dogs.

Myles, as a very cool 7.5 year old, (too “old” for that made up story stuff) tolerated his brother. Colin can spin a good story, and even Myles’ “coolness” was not strong enough to resist the pull. Myles smiled off and on while walking, but he really found his smile once we reached the glacier and then the little boy inside let loose. He enjoyed talking about what he had learned along the trail and asking questions about the world around him. On the way back, he and Colin found sticks and instantly made them into swords for “Battle Forest”.

I highly recommend taking a day and enjoying the woods and various landscapes our great state has to offer. The Washington Trails Association has a wonderful site with links dedicated to Family Friendly Hikes. I especially loved the article that discussed what to expect when hiking with young children. Joan Burton, author of “Best Hikes with Kids: Western Washington & the Cascades”, provides much insight and wisdom on how to engage, entertain and even create a love for nature while hiking with children of all ages.

-posted by Miss Jesikah, who enjoyed experiencing the magic of the woods, rivers, streams and even a glacier through the eyes of her children.