Tune Into Good Character

Reading has so many benefits which we are all pretty aware of. Reading takes you to far away places, sparks your imagination, teaches you what you want to know about people, places and things and increases our vocabulary for starters. Music, does all of that and so much more, for myself, It makes me happy, brings in memories, sparks movement and even creativity. So, I decided to simply google the benefits of music and found this:

Music is important for many reasons, including:

• Emotions Music can impact your mood. Listening to happy music can make you feel happy, and listening to sad music can help you feel better if you've lost someone.

• Relaxation Music can help you relax and reduce stress. Soothing music can be especially helpful for children.
• Sensory development Music can help create more pathways between brain cells, just like taste, textures, and colors.
• Creativity Happy music with a strong emotional impact and catchy beat can increase creativity.
• Memory Music can spark happy memories and help form bonds with friends and family.
• Social connections Listening to and playing music together can foster social connections and build confidence through teamwork.
• Coordination Playing musical instruments can improve hand-eye coordination and develop motor skills.
• Language and reasoning Early musical training can help develop the areas of the brain related to language and reasoning.

While I don't play a musical instrument, I know that it develops creative thinking, like new ideas. I know that it develops discipline, like the need to practice, I know it develops cognitive abilities, like problem solving, I know it develops coordination, like hand and eye, I know it develops a strong work ethic, like hard work to practice and get it right. Do I wish I played an instrument, sure do! Do I wish I could sing, sure do! Funny thing when raising kids I sang all the time, my very own kids would put humor into my day and ask me, "Mom, who sings that song?" and what they really meant was, let them sing it!! Ah, they didn't get to me, I sang anyways, even louder!!

What I didn't know is that one day I would write children's books or create nine animal characters to teach our children strong civic values, nor did I know that I would write a children's book with my husband! Characters of Character has taken all of the above and added in teaching children social, emotional and character development in one book! The end of the book is fun because there are blank pages for your child to use their imagination and write their own song, get creative, build literacy, and hopefully teach our next up and coming talented musician!

Tune Into Good Character is available on Amazon and is an engaging way to have some great discussions with your own kids. Here is a sneak peak at what the story shares:

Behavior Bear says: Take it from me, Behavior Bear. When you use good behavior, you are a symbol for all to see!

Do'er Duck says: Take it from me, Do'er Duck. In life, just as in music, if you give up, you will never hit the high note!

Friendship Frog says: Take it from me, Friendship Frog. If you want to toot your own horn, it's a lot more fun to do it with friends!

Healthy Hippo says; Take it from me, Healthy Hippo. You can blow your horn quite loud with a healthy body and mind!

Manners Monkey says; Take it from me, Manners Monkey. Having good manners will allow you to share your drum roll with the entire world!

Respectful Rabbit says; Take it from me, Respectful Rabbit. If you are willing to earn respect, I will help you pick the right strings!

Responsible Rabbit says; Take it from me, Responsible Rabbit. When you are responsible, you are creating a responsible base!

Self-Esteem Elephant says; Take it from me, Self-Esteem Elephant. A trumpet has only three keys, but if you have enough confidence, you can make it sound like an orchestra!

Warm-Hearted Walrus says; Take it from me, Warm-Hearted Walrus. You can make good use of your feelings when you listen to all the keys carefully!

We would love to write songs and music for all of the characters for our kids! We have begun taking production classes at NECAT to bring all of our characters to life on the screen. Our first one is Behavior Bear and Painting with Miss Joni. While talking with Cameron who runs NECAT, he said to me, "Joni, you're in Nashville, do you know how many musicians and song writers are here?" and so, once again, I step out of my comfort zone with excitement to share this one book, in hopes that there are creatives who love children as much as we do! Our mission here at Characters of Character is to provide a firm foundation for children to establish strong civic values. And, this is accomplished on so many different levels, why not through music!

If this strikes a cord with you, (pun intended) reach out and let's talk!

Miss Joni and Team Characters of Character