Sneak Preview-Kindermusik Village

We're already making plans for bears, balls, birds, and boogie this Spring. While our Spring schedule isn't open for registration yet, we know what we have coming, and this Spring, we will be doing Feathers and Do Si Do. Feathers brings the beauty of creatures with wings into the cold of Winter, as we sing songs about Geese, hummingbirds, Owls, Chickadees, Robins and other feathered creatures, explore up and down, singing, swooping, and sharing, and even some harmony (don't worry, parents, it's easier than it might sound :) ).  You even get a special chime ball, just like the ones we use in class to take home, as well as the class music on CD and digital download, and art banners and a board book with beautiful bird pictures, plus additional activities available online.  Feathers was the very first Village unit my daughter did, and even at almost 7, it's still one of her favorite CDs.

Then we move into what is her FAVORITE book from Village (and one of her favorites from Kindermusik) with the dancing bears of Do-Si-Do. In this semester, we'll be singing, dancing and moving to a lot of different styles and types of music, up, down and all around. Babies will giggle and bounce, and parents will get a workout and have fun doing it while we learn about music and the ways our wonderful bodies move. The fun continues at home with the "This is my Dance" board book that STILL has a place on my daughter's bookshelf, almost 7 years later, the Do-Si-Do CD and digital music download, additional digital activity downloads, beautiful art banners featuring dancing bears, and a scarf and egg shaker for home movement exploration.

The schedule isn't up yet, but keep watching this space and our facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/KMatCMS so that you can be the first to reserve your spot for this musical experience :)

Music at home-La, la la, piano and forte

This week we added a new note-La. On the piano the La below the three M-R-D black keys we've been exploring is the next black note down. We used this note in the special, spooky "Skin and Bones" Melody. (for lyrics and MP3).  We also continued to work with our "Join the Parade unit, exploring piano and forte, woodwind instruments, and marching bands.

Next week, studio students will have their special, seasonal Halloween class. Students (and parents, if you want) are invited to wear costumes (just remember that we'll be singing, playing instruments, dancing, and getting on and off the floor-so if the costume doesn't allow free movement or covers the face, please adapt accordingly, or plan to wear it, show it off, and take it off) . We'll have a lot of fun!

Have a great week, and I'll see you next class!

Music at home-Balance and participation

Did you realize that a learning experience that involves more than one sense can be more powerful than a single-sensory activity? Each sense activates specific neurons in the brain. The more senses being used result in more brain activity. Therefore, activities such as “The Frog in the Bog” which involves vocal sound and touch and “A Ram Sam Sam” which involves listening, touch, and movement are optimal learning experiences.

Kindermusik thoughtfully provides such experiences with a balance of calming activities in order to avoid over-stimulation. Each and every one of you, as your child’s best teacher, is able to recognize your own child’s signs of fatigue, excitement, and learning readiness. Our class is your time to observe your child’s cues and participate accordingly.

Feel free to contact me by email or to talk with me in person  if you have questions about your child’s level of participation

There will be no Friday Our Time class on October 28. This class will be added to the end of the semester. Have a wonderful Halloween weekend!

Music at home-A weighty matter

Our movement focus for Lessons 7 and 8 is weight. The more muscles we use, the stronger the force of our movement, and vice versa. Working with contrasts in weight, light and heavy movements, teaches children to control and understand the impact of their movement. When we move to music, we sometimes want to dance more strongly to loud music and more lightly to quiet music, though there is not a direct correlation. When you explore light and heavy movements at home this week, make this distinction for your children: you can move with strong or heavy motions either slow or fast, and the same is true for light motions. Consider that you can make a loud sound with a light movement by striking a triangle or a wind chime, while punching a padded pillow will produce a quiet sound.

Don't get too "weighted" down this week!  Have fun exploring,

Next week is our special Spooktacular Halloween class! Children (and parents, if you want) are invited to wear costumes as we share some special seasonal activities and see just how cute everyone is. Please feel free to bring cameras-and to share any photos you take on our Facebook page-http://www.facebook.com/KMatUMCMS

Ti-tis and tas a little much?

Enjoy a giggle today (parents will appreciate this more than kids :) ).

Music at home-Pathway power

We continued to play with pathways this week, including drawing pathways, moving in different paths and different ways, and moving instruments in different pathways. Following different paths, and drawing lines in large, swooping motions, on large paper on the wall or outside with chalk, hopping, jumping, turning...When we do them in class, with the appropriate music, we're helping your child develop an awareness of musical contour which leads to melody and, eventually, sight reading and singing skills. These activities also help your toddler develop their motor skills and coordination, leading to eventual success in sports, dance, or just in walking without falling, something that definitely takes practice for the 1 yr old!

Here are some great gross motor activities for toddlers-and some of them aren't bad for parents, either!

Don't forget to become a fan on facebook-this is where I put all the neat, interesting or useful stuff that comes to my attention but may not make the blog or e-mail cut (and that I'll probably forget about before the next class). Right now, by becoming a fan you are automatically entered in our 100 fans, 100 songs giveaway, and can win 10 free children's song downloads, too!

Music at home-Join the Woodwind parade!

This week, our ABC in studio students joined Henry and began their study of the woodwind family. We also continued to work with three note, M-R-D melodies, quarter notes, double eighth notes, and quarter rests (ti-ti, ta, and shh) and composed a song as a class. And we began working with the musical concepts Forte and Piano (loud and soft).

Here are some great free resources on the instruments of the orchestra, including the woodwind family.

And here is another adorable video from the folks at Music K-8 magazine, this one illustrating the concepts Forte and piano wonderfully.


If you haven't become a fan of Kindermusik at the University of Memphis on facebook, please do so. You could even win 10 free song downloads in our 100 fans, 100 songs challenge :). http://www.facebook.com/KMatUMCMS. Tell your friends, too!

Have a great week, and we'll see you next time!

Ms. Donna