We are so proud to announce our first ever Kindermusik Green Competition winners for this year’s most outstanding sustainability efforts in the Kindermusik Community! Reaching a decision was ESPECIALLY hard with all of your inspiring entries, so we decided to award 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners. We’ve deemed the following three entries as demonstrating the most direct, creative, and enthusiastic responses. We believe each of these entries echoes Kindermusik’s core values and dedication to making the world a better place for children. Congratulations to all!
1st Place = Dana Van Pattern McKinney:
(Kindermusik Studio, Jonesboro Arkansas) 
From Dana:
GOING GREEN AT KINDERMUSIK OF JONESBORO, [ARKANSAS] IS WHAT WE LIKE TO DO! EVEN THE SMALLEST EFFORTS MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN KEEPING OUR WORLD CLEANER, HEALTHIER AND MORE LOVELY FOR EVERYONE TO ENJOY!
HERE’S WHAT WE DO!
*RECYCLE ALL CARDBOARD INSERTS FROM KM HOME MATERIAL
*USE DIGITAL HOME MATERIALS FOR 5 OUT OF 24 CLASSES WHICH CUTS DOWN ON SHIPPING, PACKING MATERIALS AND BOXES.*RECYCLE ALL #1 & #2 PLASTICS FROM STUDIO CLEANING, HAND SANITIZER, AND BLEACH WIPES CONTAINERS.
*RECYCLE ALL ALUMINUM CANS AND CONTAINERS
*RECYCLE NEWSPAPERS AND PLASTIC SHOPPING BAGS
*RECYCLE WORN OUT INSTRUMENTS LIKE SANDBLOCKS BY RESURFACING THEM INSTEAD OF THROWING THEM AWAY
*USE POTTERY COFFEE CUPS INSTEAD OF THROW AWAY COFFEE CUPS
GOING GREEN TAKES VERY LITTLE EFFORT BUT MAKES A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE!
Not only does Dana “capitalize” on her Kindermusik class’s efforts (pun intended!), we love how Dana integrates sustainability into the KI curriculum. We like her attention to shifting “5 out of 24″ classes to our Kindermusik@Home digital materials, which shows goal-setting initiative and bias towards action. By being specific, action-based, and a true environmental educator, we are proud to award Dana Van Pattern McKinney our first place award of $200 dollars towards her charity of choice, and 100 free Kindermusik songs!
2nd Place = Merridee Birkbeck-Mckay
(Kindermusik Parent & Family)
From Merridee:
We installed solar power and always turn off every light, fan etc before leaving the house (our 2 year old even reminds Daddy if he forgets to “save power”). We catch rain water in buckets to use to water the flowers over the next few days, made herb, vegetable and flower gardens out of old recycled tires Compost and We also recycle and use lots of recycling for art activities (like our egg carton butterflies and music mobile of old tin cans).
Again, the direct action is awesome! Merridee’s family takes sustainability to the next level by installing solar panels and rain water retention systems. Merridee also proves that composting, recycling, and other eco activities create family togetherness that is already showing a lasting impact on their child. Congratulations and thank you, Merridee! You’re the winner of $100 towards your charity of choice and 50 free Kindermusik songs!
3rd Place = Denise Sheridan
(Kindermusik Studio, Ireland)
From Denise:
Hi I am a Kindermusik Educator in Ireland and work with 2 other km teachers in my km business. We run km standalone classes and have integrated km ABC into our preschool curriculum. We have been awarded the Early Childhood Irelands 2012 Innovation Award for Environmental Awareness and also An Taisce (Irelands Governing green body) Green Flag for Recycling and Waste Management.
I can email on our winning project submission detailing all of the green work we do with the children and it would be great to have the school children recognised as KM Green Star Stewards as they do so much work in the garden; recycling etc and with great support from all our parents Ulla Beag pre-school and Afterschool have won the award for Innovation in Environmental Awareness for introducing a green programme in their setting. Staff, parents and children all collaborated in recycling a wide variety of materials, some of which benefited their gardening and art activities. This was combined with composting and waste management programmes to reduce their total annual waste by 6,240 litres. Berries, vegetable and herbs, which the children planted and nurtured in the out-door space and by free-range eggs from their own hens, not only enhanced their diet but also promoted environmentally friendly skills for life.
Wow, Denise’s efforts are noteworthy indeed! Already recognized with the Early Childhood Ireland Innovation Award for Environmental Awareness and an award for outstanding waste management practices, she and the students clearly deserves recognition among our community. We will follow up to detail her efforts soon! Awesome work, Denise! You’re our third place winner with $50 to charity and 25 free songs.