Wednesday, March 10, 2010
It Might As Well Be Spring!
In the meantime, check out these fun links for some Spring fun at home:
Musical Murals
Birds and Nests: The Best Nest!
Planting Seeds: Check out this fun seed starting project!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Happy Easter!
And here is his hole in the ground.
When a noise he hears,
He pricks up his ears,
And he jumps in his hole in the ground!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Music We LOVE
The Putumayo Kids Playground music series - we especially love the Folk Playground CD, with song lyrics such as "Fill it up...all the way to the bottom" (it's about ice cream cones) by a band called Trout Fishing in America. "Just Kidding," "Roller in the Coaster," "It's All How You Look At It," and "Just Look Up" are a few of our favorites from this album, all by different bands or soloists. Honestly, we love them all!
Another favorite of ours is Putumayo's Dreamland CD, with "beautiful lullabies and soothing songs from Africa, Europe, North and South America and Asia" to relax and lull your little one into "Dreamland."
Another favorite of ours combines our love of Maurice Sendak's tales of children at their best and worst and the vocals of Carole King: Really Rosie. This was originally a Broadway show and the songs were all done by children...I would LOVE to hear that album! But this one done by Carole King is the next best thing and we really enjoy it! You can download this one in MP3 format at amazon.com for $.99 per song.
What do you love listening to with your kids (that doesn't drive you nuts)?
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Musical Murals
Monday, September 8, 2008
I'm All Ears: What is "Focused Listening?"
Now that your little one is bounding around, interacting with his or her world in a whirlwind of scraped knees and first words, what happens to that listening ability? This ability "is of utmost importance to every aspect of learning--physical, social, emotional, and intellectual," according to Lorna Heyge, Ph.D., and Audrey Sillick, founders of the Musikgarten Music and Movement Series.
Listening activities in our music class invite your child to
1) become a part of their community of peers as the children gather around the CD player or teacher,
2) try on a little independence as parents remain seated and observe silently,
3) listen to a single sound source and recreate that sound in their own special way.
These things are simple, but only if children can truly focus on one sound. It's challenging to pick out one sound when we are inundated with noise all day long. Loud trucks, car horns, lawn mowers, refrigerator fans, even flourescent lights, not to mention the human sounds we pick up on...a barrage of environmental sounds.
Try a focused listening session at home. When you hear a bird chirping in the tree, for example, encourage your child to just listen, without talking or moving. Then, have fun chirping like birds together!
Friday, September 5, 2008
On a High Note
If you missed our first class this week, please don't let that deter you from joining us next week! Registration packets will be available for all newcomers.
Classes are tuition-free each semester, but the $40 materials pack is required. This way each participant goes home with the songbook and CD for their class. New registrants also receive the Musikgarten instrument kit, containing:
- Rhythm sticks
- Rattle
- Dancing scarf
- Cloth bag
(The older preschooler's pack may be different)
If you already have the CD and songbook for the class you are in, perhaps from an older child, you are not required to pay the materials fee...you have what you need! If you still really, really want to pay for this high-quality program, feel free to make a donation to FPC's Music Department. Your contribution is welcome and appreciated!
For more information about Musikgarten, go to http://www.musikgarten.org/.
We hope to see you next Wednesday!
Friday, August 29, 2008
Let's Explore Our Voices
- "This is my speaking voice" (spoken normally).
- "This is my quiet voice" (spoken in a whisper).
- "This is my calling voice" (spoken loudly).
- "This is my singing voice" (sung).
For more ideas about how to introduce your preschooler to music, check out this article at kidshealth.org. Developing your child's musical awareness during the preschool years is fun, easy, and inexpensive. Happy Frugal Friday!