The way you can measure a society's soul is by the way that it treats its children.
Nelson Mandela

Issue No. 31- 25th January 2007

Welcome to Kidz Newz especially to all new subscribers.  Kidz Newz is a regular newsletter with information and teaching tips for anyone involved with young children.  You are receiving this because you have attended one of my workshops, purchased a book, or you have requested to be on the mailing list.  Thank you.  Please forward this to anyone you feel it may be of interest to.

Feedback is welcome.

My PD/Conference Updates

ECCPA (Early Childhood Conference of Performing Arts) Genazzano FCJ College, Cotham Road, Kew, Melbourne 16th and 17th June 2007.  My presentation will be on multicultural music and movement.

ASME (Australian Society for Music Education) 40th Anniversary Conference. Perth (Western Australia) Convention Centre 6-10 July 2007.  I will be presenting two workshop sessions -
Movement and Dance in the Early Childhood Classroom
Multicultural Music and Movement.

CAYPAKS (Children And Young People Are Key Stakeholders) Conference Perth Western Australia 23-25 July 2007.  I will be conducting a Skills and Activity Based Workshop titled "Using Music and Movement to Empower Children at Risk".

Happy New Year!

Fireworks are an awesome and exciting spectacle any time but especially so at New Year. The night sky is filled with millions of simultaneous explosions erupting into a riot of colour, light and deafening sound. But there's more to it than that. All that colour, light and excitement signal the start of an exciting new year and you're a big part of it. Allow yourself to get carried away with the tinsel and the glitter of all that celebration. Feel the champagne corks popping with each new explosion and the party poppers erupting all over the sky. Imagine your biggest dreams have already come true and this is the celebration in your honour.

What an awesome thought!

What have you imagined all your life? What are your dreams? If nothing comes immediately to mind (and sadly, some people never allow themselves to dream) then close your eyes and transport yourself back into your childhood. Imagine yourself as a little child and get inside that child's mind. Then you will know, as only a child does, exactly what your heart desires. Remind yourself of how you used to plan 'What I'm going to do when I grow up.'

The next thing to do is write a Xmas letter to everyone dated December 2007. Transport yourself forward to that time and place and reflect on the year that has past.  Using present tense, write down everything that has happened and is happening to you, but most especially include your feelings of excitement, joy and gratitude for your achievements. Write it as though all your dreams have come true in this year, 2007. Put your letter away safely and make a note in your diary for 31^st December to take it out and read it.

When you focus on your dreams and goals as though they have already happened and you can feel your elation, then you attract success.  The secret is to align yourself with your excited emotions and then take the appropriate action to ensure your dreams do indeed come true. People will notice the difference in your attitude and will ask what you're 'on' (and they'll want some too). What you're 'on' is pure joy. Wishing for something then doing nothing is simply wishful thinking. Nothing happens without action. But action won't happen without desire. Jim Rohn goes so far as to describe it as 'the white heat of desire'. In other words you need to get right inside the emotion and feel it intensely. If getting a book published, releasing a CD, getting a promotion, gaining additional qualifications, or whatever it is that your heart desires is just a ho-hum/might be OK kind of desire then you don't have much chance of success. (You might be inspired by my e-book on my publishing journey ' go to www.kidzfizbiz.com.)

Finally, go to fireworks displays whenever and wherever you can to fuel your dreams and imagine this is all in honour of your achievements. What will you have achieved?

In December 2007 when you take out your previously-written letter you will be truly surprised to see what bits of it have come true. Then you can go out and celebrate in true style. In the meantime have a wonderful and exciting 2007!  Remember that no matter what has happened in 2006 or any previous year, you can always start again. Rather than set New Year's Resolutions, which sound like too much hard work, instead focus on your aspirations. Happy New Year!

Reasons why alcohol should be served at work (from Dennis Moore's 'Circus of Life' newsletter http://www.moorespeak.com)

1. It's an incentive to show up.
2. It leads to more honest communications.
3. It reduces complaints about low pay.
4. It cuts down on time off because you can work with a hangover.
5. It increases job satisfaction because, if you don't like your job, you don't care.
6. It eliminates holidays because people would rather come to work.
7. Bosses are more likely to hand out raises when they are wasted.
8. Employees work later since there's no longer a need to relax at the bar.
9. Everyone agrees they work better after they've had a couple of drinks.
10. Employees no longer need coffee to sober up.

Fantastic course, will put it to use tomorrow!  Ruth Mottram, London UK