Child Talent - Avoid Pressure

Does your son or daughter have a specific talent or skill? How can you best enhance their experiences for their own development? One of the things according to Helene Goldnadel to avoid is that of pressurizing a child.

It is all too common for parents to see an emerging talent and believe that the best way to foster it (and thereby get the child to become an advanced expert) is to push and drive the child as much as they can. But where does this leave the child who, for whatever reason, has tired of the activity and wishes, simply, to follow a different path?

It can be difficult for parents especially when a child has a talent that could so easily develop into something that might serve them well in the future. How much of this belief is actually in the hopes and minds of the parents is not entirely clear, but pushing a child that has no long term interest, is wrong.

What can, therefore be done to help in this situation?

• Encourage (not drive ) your child - encouragement is a positive response
• Take the time to immerse yourself in their activity - if you do it, they might too
• Make everything entertaining and fun - positive feedback is always important
• Always praise and never scold - negativity is a recipe for disaster

Children will naturally find their own level and this may include doing things that a parent would consider to be a backward step. Physical and emotional development brings with it a natural force and pull for a child. A parent would do well to observe and encourage rather than dismiss and criticize.

Also read: Creative Ways by Helene Goldnadel to Supplement Your Child's Music Class

The Singing Voice is An Instrument

Many people do not think of the singing voice as a musical instrument. Actually, it is the primary instrument as it existed prior to the invention of any other instrument which accompanies a singer or plays alone. As with any instrument, the singing voice can be trained and well cared for and, in doing this, the singer will keep in practice and keep their instrument well "tuned".

As with any musical instrument, the singing voice ought to be kept well tuned. One way of doing this is to keep the vocal chords as relaxed as possible when singing, so that their vibrations will produce an optimal vocal quality. One way of relaxing the vocal chords is to not force the sound through them.

As a muscle, the diaphragm can be trained to perform to the singer's requirements, whether the need be long sustained notes, short staccato notes or projecting the singing voice when microphones are not available. The diaphragm is the muscle which divides the lungs from the abdomen and which the body uses to regulate air intake and output from the lungs.

The way the lips, the facial sinuses and the tongue are used for vocal production will determine the quality of sound the singer emits. Singing lessons, from a well-qualified instructor, will help a student learn how to use these parts of their instrument to produce the best sound. Producing good to excellent singing depends on more than just the vocal chords.

Singing lessons are, therefore, just as important to train the singing voice as are lessons for any other instrument if the performer wishes to make the best of their vocal instrument. Just as a person's speaking voice is unique, so will be their singing voice. A singer might be influenced by a certain style, or aspire to sound like another singer, but the best results will occur if the singer is true to the sound produced by their own voice.

Training will help a singer invest in their own voice. A singing coach like Helene Goldnadel will best be able to guide a singer in how to use their instrument by introducing exercises to condition the areas and muscles of the body which support sound, such as the diaphragm, the lungs, the abdomen, the lips, the tongue and the facial sinuses. An experienced coach like Helene Goldnadel will also advise that the vocal chords will require warm up and cool down periods.

Like any well-tuned equipment or instrument, the vocal chords must be warmed up to produce their best quality sound. Similarly they ought to be clear of mucus and food well in advance of using them for singing. There will be different exercises introduced for various sound and pitch formations, for various singing styles and for the various locations of producing different sound qualities such as tone and color. A well-trained, professional vocal coach will teach a singer when and what to eat before singing as well as how to rest the vocal chords between singing engagements.

A good vocal coach will also insist that the vocal chords stay well hydrated. The singer will be encouraged to drink plenty of water before and after a singing lesson or engagement. A singer will also be encouraged to sip water between tunes when performing in order to keep the vocal chords well hydrated as well as all the muscle systems which support them.

A singer ought to record their singing voice during lessons and during performance so that they can hear and recognize areas which might require more work. As with any other instrument, developing this one requires study, dedication, commitment, practice and time.

Read also: What To Consider When We Explore Talent?

Child Development Milestones and You, the Parent

A child is like a fragile kite. They soar high depending on how you pull on the kite strings. Parents are the ones holding the strings during child development. It is very important that during the early years of your child, you provide good inputs that he or she will carry on as he or she grows up. The biological and psychological changes that occur through the early years of our lives are the very foundation of our morale and disposition.

Childhood development is sometimes defined as the process which involves learning and mastering skills called developmental milestones like sitting, walking and standing.

There are five major areas of development. Learning to solve problems is the child's cognitive ability. A milestone in this area would be identifying self in the mirror. The social and emotional development of the child is his ability to relate and mingle with others, as well as self-control and self-reliance. Being able to feed oneself is a milestone for this area. It is also important to learn and use language and this is under speech and language development. Some milestones in this area are babbling and speaking simple words such as "Mom", etc. Simple movements of the muscles such holding a spoon or picking up objects is included in fine motor skill development. Another is the use of bigger and more complex muscles like in sitting and standing and this is called gross motor skill development.

The best way to develop your child holistically is to be there for them. Providing time for your children is a great way to ensure that they grow to be well-adjusted adults. Though sometimes we have to let them discover the world on their own, it is also vital that you gave way for bonding moments with your kids. This makes them feel loved and important and boosts their morale. It also gives them a chance to open up problems and worries and for parents to help them work things out.

Time spent with children is time well spent. It allows unforgettable moments with fun and learning. It also reduces behavior problems of the children in their later ages since it builds and strengthens parent-child communication. Also, this will help your child meet his or her developmental milestones because of the support that they get from you as their parents. Interact with your child and give them insights every now and then.

Helene Goldnadel suggests you to understand the needs of your child and he or she will become an asset of the society.

To read more, visit here: https://helene-goldnadel.jimdofree.com/

Child Sensory Development - Helene Goldnadel

Promoting Sensory Development in Children

At birth, your baby's senses tell him the things he needs in order to survive: when to be fed, and when to sleep. Neither of you is focusing on auditory, visual, or tactile development, but you both soon will be. These senses unfold slowly, but perceptibly, and soon you'll realize that your baby is seeing more clearly, turning his head to the sound of your voice, and wants to grasp objects.

As your baby grows, you'll find it a constant but rewarding challenge to keep him engaged, and you can help to develop his sensory awareness from infancy through the preschool years.

Infant Sensory Development

Your baby has been able to hear since before birth, and likely recognizes your voice. Simply talking to your baby about anything will help to imprint language on his developing mind. While there is debate over the benefits of playing classical music for babies, certainly quiet music may soothe and comfort baby. Lullabies have survived years of parenting because they calm and reassure both infant and parent. The gentle rhythm of music can mimic the heartbeat sounds your baby has heard so long in utero and will help prepare him for language development.

Babies love to look at faces, whether yours or representations of them. Keep a picture book of faces on the changing table for your baby to study as you change him. Bright, contrasting designs like black and white graphics will stimulate his vision, particularly when he is still in the newborn stage of seeing stark contrast versus detail.

As your baby is able to hold objects, offer him a variety of textures to touch. Fuzzy blankets or bumpy teething toys will help his fine motor skills and keep him interested. Your baby will discover that anything he can hold can go straight to his mouth, and as he begins to teethe, he will appreciate raised textures and cool teething rings.

Toddler Sensory Development

Toddlers seem to be natural musicians. Banging on pots and pans, singing loudly, and stomping on the floor all bring that wonderful sense of "I did it!" to your developing toddler. Remember the classics from your childhood and some new songs from the many rock-bands-turned-children's-bands, and be prepared to sing or play them over and over. Toddlers love repetition, so don't be surprised if you can't get "Five Green and Speckled Frogs" out of your head for days on end.

Picture books are terrific ways to stimulate your toddler's visual senses. Keep on hand a revolving stack of picture books with bright, interesting designs, and your toddler will gravitate toward studying their pages.

Modeling clay, Play-Doh, and finger paints, while potentially messy, are wonderful avenues of discovery for your toddler. The various textures will encourage his small motor development and help prepare him for handwriting. You can find many homemade modeling compound recipes that are non-toxic and easy to make.

Preschool Sensory Development

Preschoolers thrive on sensory stimulation. At this age, they're ready to make differentiation between sounds, experimenting with their own voices and making imaginative play a daily routine. Watch as your preschooler plays with puppets or figures, and you're sure to find he assigns different voices to different characters. Encourage your child to listen to various birdcalls, for instance, and talk about how genres of music sound different and use different instruments.

Your child's artistic talents are growing, too, and painting and drawing are excellent ways to let your preschooler experiment with light, composition, and color. Keep crayons and markers and non-toxic paints on hand, and he'll naturally produce visual art masterpieces you'll want to showcase around your house.

Helene Goldnadel suggests you to allow your preschooler to experiment with textures and sensations, too. Sandboxes, mudpies, or lacing cards and simple sewing projects will help him to differentiate between textures and develop his tactile senses.

Fostering Sensory Development

Since humans incorporate vision, hearing, and touching in everyday life, you don't need any special or technical items to develop these senses in your child. Take a look at and listen to your everyday life. The birdfeeder, the sunset, and the feel of dirt in the springtime are all perfect opportunities to engage your child's senses, and will remind you to take a moment to enjoy these things as well.

If Your Kid Has a Great Voice - Let It Shine!

Helene Goldnadel observes from her experience that children love to sing - and when they do so they can often sing with a confidence and freedom that can fade as we grow older. It is very important to nurture these wonderful qualities from the start.

Singing lessons for children are designed to teach your child the skills needed to strengthen and control the voice, whilst remaining fun and enjoyable. The voice is still developing as we grow through our teenage years so finding suitable exercises is very important.

Lessons are combined with 'song practice.' This is where we finish the session with a song that is chosen by the student - we have many backing tracks available, from 'High School Musical' to 'Lilly Allen!'

Finding time in our busy schedules whilst making sure that our children are well supervised can be difficult. In my experience lessons work more effectively when taught in the comfort of your own home. This allows your child to learn within a relaxed and familiar environment.

Music happens to be one of those rare things which each and every child enjoys. Though most 5 year olds, 6 year olds, 8 year olds, etc. are at an age where they are too young to understand music theories or music appreciation, nevertheless, nearly all of them enjoy the 'sound' of music. This is something which is very important, and it is often a very decisive factor in a child pursuing music or developing a serious interest in music at a later stage.

Singing happens to be one aspect of music that most kids are introduced to in the early stages of school. A friendly-looking music teacher, whose slightly plump, with rimmed glasses that rest at the tip of her nose, sitting at the piano, teaching "Popeye the Sailorman" to a bunch of young enthusiastic kiddos, is a very common sight, and one which instantly brings a smile on the face of any bystander. Well, the liking for music (not to mention, the increasing influence of reality shows) has led to quite a few children developing a serious interest in music, and in particular, singing. Well, for all you kids and young children who wish to sing well, here are some singing tips for kids.

Singing Tips for Kids

Rather than enlisting any specific singing lessons for kids, Helene Goldnadel instead presents a few important, but often ignored kids singing tips. On that note, here are some singing tips and tricks by Helene Goldnadel that kids must make a 'note' of, if they are serious about pursuing singing.

First and foremost, learn to enjoy music, as this is something that is very, very important. You will automatically get better at music (this applies to both, singers as well as musicians) if you enjoy it genuinely, from within.

Pay attention to all that your music teacher says and teaches in school. Quite often, it is in school itself where the foundation of music is laid. Show keen interest in all that is taught in your school music sessions. If you develop a genuine interest in those music sessions, it will pave the way for better things to come.

Getting proper vocal training from a vocal trainer is very important for a singer. A vocal trainer is different from a music teacher, do not get confused between the two. A music teacher will teach you all about musical notations, musical notes, music styles, music theory, etc. while a vocal trainer on the other hand, will teach you about throat care, how to properly utilize your vocal chords while singing, how to modulate your voice, how to tackle high notes, etc. Vocal training is extremely important, as improper or incorrect singing techniques can seriously cause damage to your vocal chords both temporarily, as well as permanently.

Don't get carried away by what you see on television. Many a time, it so happens that kids think of taking up singing only because they see their favorite singers and pop stars performing on television; singing, dancing, and getting showered with lots of adulation from thousands of fans. Always remember, it takes years of practice, discipline and continuous hard work to reach that pedestal. Stardom doesn't happen overnight. You need to be sincere about singing and you should keep on practicing regularly. Do not be on the lookout for shortcuts, as there aren't any.

Helene Goldnadel Believes Voice Improvement Is Essential to Personal Development

It is such a big loss for people who have attached much importance on personal development have overlooked the great tool of their own voice. Are you one of them?

Your voice is power. It reflects everything about you to the world and determines whether you are being heard, respected and trusted, or being ignored, interrupted and doubted. When you find your true voice, it will empower you and become a valuable asset to you.

You will sound more professional

Do you have a nasal voice that turns people off and leaves people think you are less capable than you really are? Do you speak so softly that you were asked to repeat yourself constantly and are considered unconfident and unsure? Do you talk so fast that people can't catch up with you and think you are too nervous? Do you speak with a monotone that makes all your listeners lose interest and think you are incapable of engaging and inspiring others?

Proper voice training will not only eliminate all of the voice problems mentioned above, but problems like breathy, breathless, strident, harsh, loud, etc., which all project a negative and unprofessional image and hinder your career advancement. Don't let your voice hold you back. You do have a better voice inside and can be developed. Make some efforts on your voice improvement and let it work for you.

You will sound more mature

Do you sound too young to be taken seriously? Do you have a voice that sounds like 21-year-old that stops you from advancement?

An immature voice is thin and without any depth. It only travels out of your throat and comes through your mouth. With proper voice training, you'll not only discover a more mature voice that is with depth, resonance and warmth, but get to know yourself in a deeper level.

Your confidence level will soar

Won't you feel confident whenever you speak you are being heard, respected and trusted with a mature, resonant and magnetic voice? Your confidence is attributed to not only a greater voice you have developed, but to appreciation of yourself and faith in yourself.

Your voice is a powerful tool for your personal development. It carries potentials for influence and inspiration over yourself as well as people around you. Why aren't you taking advantage of this great tool?

Helene Goldnadel is a voice and speech coach and trainer, based in California. She helps young learners discover their inner true voice that is authentic and confident. She also helps organizations on voice and presentation skills training of youngster.

To learn more about Helene, please click here!

How to Instill Confidence in Your Toddler?

As your baby arrives at the toddler stage, he or she will be starting to develop self-awareness in terms of what they look like and are able to do. A baby's first birthday often coincides with this phase and your child at this stage will be beginning to develop an opinion about himself, which will largely be based on how others appear to act towards him or her. So you can see the importance of ensuring that right from the outset, it's essential to instill self-confidence in your toddler. Otherwise it could take years of therapy in adult life to correct the mistakes that were made early on.

Here are some ways discussed by Helene Goldnadel to give your child confidence:

• Praise your child as much as possible even when they accomplish something that seems simple or small. Heap affection and kind words on your toddler so that they really begin to build a sense of self-worth that will give them the encouragement to try new things that all contribute to their development.

• Be extremely affectionate to your child at all times, so that he or she knows that they are loved unconditionally. Even though they don't yet understand the words, tell your baby that you love him or her and shower them with hugs and kisses. A loved baby often equals a confident baby. 

• Offer basic choices to your toddler, so that they know that you value their opinion. For instance when dressing your child, hold out two different colors of socks and let your baby choose which to wear. Even though it will take quite a while before they realize that they're being offered a choice, they'll get there in the end and once they do realize that their opinion is valued and they get a 'voice', this will instill confidence in them.

• Even before your toddler has developed language skills, you can show your baby that you are listening to what he or she has to say. This will make them feel confident as it shows that you think what they have to say is interesting and important.

• As parents you should chat to your toddler as much as possible, so that your child knows that you find them a good conversationalist and that you enjoy their company. Try to include your child in your activities as much as possible. For instance, if you have some washing up to do, fill a saucepan with soapy suds and let your child play with it and think that they're helping. Giving children important 'grown-up' jobs to do, gives them confidence to act like adults.

• Try to let your child socialize as much as possible, both with adults and children of a similar age. If you want your child to feel confident, then they have to feel comfortable in the company of others, so the best way to do this is to make interaction with people outside of your immediate family seem very normal.

• It is undoubtedly important to say a firm 'no' to your child, whether you're trying to teach them social skills or keep them out of danger. However, unless it's necessary to scold your toddler, try to avoid talking to him or her in a negative tone of voice, as until they're familiar with the words that you're using, all they will hear is the sound of anger or sarcasm, neither of which are pleasant to hear.

• It is important that in a relationship where you have a child, that you save time for each other as well as your little one. However, where possible, try and save your 'couple time' for periods where your toddler is sleeping. Your child needs to feel like he or she is a welcome part of the family, so when your toddler is awake try and make time to sit down as a family unit and chat together. Even though your toddler won't understand the discussions that are taking place, this will help to make them feel that they're an integral part of the family.

• Never argue in front of your baby. Even without the knowledge of the words that you're using, children are amazing at picking up on negative vibes and tension. Unfortunately they won't know what is wrong, so will feel very insecure and anxious rather than relaxed and confident.

Try introducing these confidence tips by Helene Goldnadel into your relationship with your toddler straightaway. The more you can apply in your daily routine, the better.