SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING – PARENTS

Thousands of parents worldwide have learned how fun and helpful it can be to have Ready to Rock in their lives. Feedback from Santa Barbara parents whose children were involved in a recent research project was overwhelmingly positive. Here is just a sample of responses about what their children had gained:

• Improvements in behavior
• How to be strong
• Being helpful
• Great language to discuss social problems
• Given us a springboard for discussions
• Good words to use when she feels sad or frustrated
• Believe in yourself
• Positive thinking
• Great music, great words

We received Dr. Mac’s CD as a gift for our son who has every one made for his age group on the market. Without a doubt, this is his favorite! The lyrics in these songs stand out in a way that’s obvious, as they talk directly to kids about behavior, communication, and other issues or problems that they are experiencing every day. In a joyful and magical way they invite kids to participate in their own solutions.
- Michael McDonald, singer/songwriter

The music on this lively disk is so inviting and upbeat, kids may not notice it’s teaching them a thing or two about sharing and kindness as they bop to the beats.
-Parenting Magazine

How is Ready to Rock Special and Unique?

Children are more musically sophisticated than what we might think. They are attracted to the quality and rhythm of popular young adult music, which is often lyrically inappropriate for them. There is a big gap between Raffi and Rap.

The full-production songs of Ready to Rock Kids are both highly entertaining and age appropriate—adult quality music, but with words and themes to which kids can really relate. The different adult and child soloists, children’s chorus, and wide range of instruments and styles of music easily hold children’s attention. While enjoying the music and singing along, kids are learning to feel good about themselves and to get along with others. This music has to be heard to be appreciated and understood. Parents love it too!

I love your CD so much that I drop the kids off at school and turn it on full blast and sing and sing and sing…
-Lynn Kelly, Washington, D.C.

I listened to your CDs with my grandchildren, and we loved them…
-Daniel Goleman, Ph.D. author, Emotional Intelligence

From an early age, children are learning about their world, soaking up what’s happening around them. One of the most important things they can learn, and isn’t revealed on any tests, is how to make relationships with other people positive experiences. Parents everywhere are often overwhelmed with the problems their kids are having,- challenges with academics, being respectful, getting along with friends or siblings, worrying too much, or learning manners and important character values. Now there is an engaging way to do just that. The songs and activities in this book are fun, positive learning tools that support children’s social and emotional development.

Most of us remember the words to songs we heard as young children. Don’t you still sing the ABC song in your head when you’re trying to remember alphabetical order? There may be no more powerful method of learning than through music, and no more important lessons for children than those that focus on social and emotional skills. And as far as academics are concerned, happy kids learn better!

I highly recommend this creative and entertaining way to give children life-long tools for getting along! Fabulous full-production music for the souls of children and families.
-Jack Canfield, Co-Author, Chicken Soup for the Soul ®

Thank you for the wonderful music! My son loves it and so do I. You have tremendous talent and I wish you continued success!
-Kathy Ireland, Actress

Ready to Rock Kids Vol. 3
Reach Out Shake It Out and Dance We’re the Chorus Talk It Out H-o-n-e-s-t-y Big Kids Know How to Cry Quirks Tell Someone At the Same Time Be Good to Yourself Six Little Kids Better Together	Overcoming shyness Thinking positively Taking responsibility Resolving conflicts Being honest Expressing feelings Celebrating diversity Overcoming fears Listening to others Being kind Honoring different perspectives Being together and apart
Ready to Rock Kids Vol. 2
Bye, Bye Bully Sailing on the Seven Cs The Gift of Giving Let ‘Em Out The Carousel Song The Golden Rule Same and Different Too What You Can Do Sharing Friends I Don’t Understand Clean-Up Time Soldier of Peace	Dealing with bullies Understanding friendship Giving the gift of love Handling feelings Understanding life’s ups and downs Treat others as you would like to be… Celebrating diversity Learning new things takes persistence Including others Asking questions Taking responsibility for your things Being a peacemaker
Ready to Rock Kids Vol. 1
Welcome to the Big Parade Give It Back Let Me Play Too The Magic Word Everybody Wants to Find a Friend Go Away Bad Thoughts Talkin’ About Talkin’ Diplodocus Practice Don’t Say Maybe Happy as Happy Can Be Together	Seeing how everyone is special Earning respect by being responsible Including others Learning manners Reaching out to others Dealing with bad thoughts and fears Speaking in helpful ways Taking responsibility for our actions Learning new things takes practice Being honest and kind Being happy with a friend Being together and saying goodbye

USING THE BOOK AND CD

The songs and activities in Ready to Rock Kids are fun, positive learning tools. At home, listen to the CD while playing or while driving in your car—a fun way for you and your children to learn the songs and talk together about what is important in living together as a family.

The book is divided into two main sections.

♣ In the first sections, for each of the 12 songs there are lyrics pages and a child’s activity page that reinforces a key concept of the song. These pages may be reproduced to help kids learn the song and understand its message. For easy use by children, this 24-page section has been placed at the front of the book, apart from the adult-directed activities, which are at the back of the book

♣ The second sections, beginning on page 30, have collections of activities for each individual song. These hands-on learning experiences, for use at school or home, reinforce the key concepts of the songs, which you will see listed on the activity pages. Some of the things to note about the activities include the following features:

1. Activities are provided across the span of ages 4-9. Some will be more appropriate for younger, and some for older, children. Be sure to consider how to adapt an activity for your specific age level.
2. With each song is a suggested book to read and talk about, which helps in layering the key concept with kids. The books are easily found in libraries or at many bookstores. Use the book suggestion, or others you know that address the song’s concept, to stimulate more thought and discussion with your child or children.
3. The activities include arts and crafts, movement, drama, and games. It will be easy to make adjustments in the activities for age level, as well as time and space constraints. Be sure to use these ideas as a springboard for you and the kids to think of new and creative ways to learn together.
4. Some activities will require you to gather basic supplies. The materials suggested in most cases are readily available around home. In some cases you may know of a way to adapt the activity for use with other materials. A good practice is to always try the activity yourself before using it with children.

.…a wonderful, beautifully produced project. We’re impressed with the excellent kid singers, arrangements, songs and production. You’ve done that VERY challenging thing of giving positive messages in a non-preachy way and we know that’s no easy job.
- Cathy Fink, 2003 & 2004 Children’s Music Grammy winner

I can’t believe it! My kids are so in love with your CD that they have fits if we drive off to school without it. Your songs are so great, and it’s really the first kids’ songs that my husband likes too. Please keep it coming!
-Katie DeLong, mother of girls 7 and 10