FAMILY TIME CLASS #5

Dear Family Time Parents:

This week's activities have so many practical and whimsical applications to life around your house.  Simple, fun songs you can sing together will make clean-up time a breeze, and make this important ritual-which is a necessary part of being a family-a fun, musical activity.

You can reinforce learning concepts such as self-discipline when you sing "Shake, Shake the Apple Tree" at home.  Pause at the end of the line, "One for you, one for me!"  Then finish the song with enthusiasm as you sing the last line. 

Patiently waiting until next time,

Mrs. Erin

P.S. You can make your own "Washing Machine" like the ones we used in class with a 2-liter bottle, drops of soap, water, and a few scraps of fabric. I would love to see your "Washing Machine" project next week in class.  Bring it along!

Toys I Make, Trips I Take #11

Dear Imagine That Parent:

What's the train going to do next?  It depends on where you are in our Train-Is-A-Comin' activity.

This game-purchasing a ticket, leaving the station, going faster-gives your preschooler the notion that some things happen in order.  It's a concept called sequence of events.  Like turning pages of her favorite book, she can predict what happens next in the sequence.  And simply knowing what happens next gives your preschooler a sense of confidence and control about her world.

At home this week, look for other sequences, such as what happens from the time she gets up to when she goes to school to how she ends her day.

Blessings, Mrs. Yvonne

Away We Go Week #12

Dear Our Time Parent:

What goes up comes down with a bounce-and lots of laughter!

It's all about learning something new the toddler way, which means challenging and inspiring that natural sense of wonder.  And this week, it was all about having a ball.

Toddler's don't always realize the physical properties of a ball, and may be surprised and thrown off balance when a ball bounces back up.  But, by practicing bouncing and rolling balls in class, she will learn to predict what the ball will do and move as she needs to maintain her balance and keep control of the ball.

Rolling and catching the ball improves hand-eye coordination, which will help her with many activities as she grows.

The week will roll by quickly, so I'll see you soon.

Don't forget to RSVP for our Year-End Picnic on Sat. May 20th from 10-12pm.

Blessings, Mrs. Erin, Mrs. Yvonne & Miss Amanda

Village Zoom Buggy Week #5

Dear Village Parent:

This week your baby enjoyed hearing the different instruments we used for Zum Gali Gali.  The triangle and woodblock offered great examples of long and short sounds.  Noticing the difference of these sounds is key to helping your baby learn to speak clearly.

How so?  Her ability to discriminate one sound from another-like a woodblock from a triangle-is important for learning how to speak, which happens between eight and eighteen months.

Not only did your baby hear the difference, but she felt and saw it when we rolled and bounced the chime balls.  This contrast in long and short sounds is how your baby learns best, in wide contrasts, instead of subtle differences.

We'll see-and hear from you-next week!

Blessings, Mrs. Erin

FAMILY TIME CLASS #4

Dear Family Time Parents,
Have you played the Picture Domino Game in your At Home Materials? Playing games within a family allows children to develop social skills in an emotionally secure environment. Games develop good school skills as well. In one study, preschool children taught with games and songs tested 10 to 20 points higher on IQ tests; by age 15 those same children had higher math and reading scores. Through games your children learn the importance of taking turns, sharing, and playing just for fun.  For a new twist, divide your family into two groups and play the game as teams—be sure to include the Kangaroo puppets, too (only one to a team!) .
 Game on!

Mrs. Erin Wilson

 

Toys I Make, Trips I Take #10

Dear Imagine That! Parent: Voice is a child’s first instrument, one that has already gone through many changes.  As a baby, she used all parts of her vocal range. She later narrowed that range, settling into a comfortable speaking voice. Now as a preschooler, she uses a speaking voice for almost everything. Many preschoolers sing in a speaking voice and may not know the difference between the two.  Songs that combine speaking and singing help her hear and experience the difference. She can practice switching these voices and expand her range in fun and imaginative ways.  All of this great practice will give her confidence in many vocal abilities. Expressive voice is not only valued in singing, but in speaking, too.  

Keep singing and we’ll vocalize all about it next week!

 

Mrs. Yvonne Bennetti

Away We Go Week #11

Dear Our Time Parent:

Our new lesson focus, smooth and bumpy, introduces your toddler to two more important musical concepts.

 A bumpy sound is called staccato. It sounds “choppy” like popcorn popping. A smooth sound is called legato, and it may sound more “flowing.” These different musical styles give music emotion, excitement, and expression. By listening for and moving to these sounds, your toddler is improving his listening skills and developing a strong sense of music appreciation.Hope your week goes more legato than staccato, and I’ll see you next week.

Blessings,

Mrs. Erin, Mrs. Yvonne & Mrs. May

Village Zoom Buggy Week #4

Dear Village Parent,

Are you noticing a pattern in our class activities?We sing hello, we do leg and arm exercises, and massage all in a predictable pattern because your baby likes structure. It helps her feel safe and secure.Yet within that reliable structure we often change activities. Every time your baby explores something new, it stimulates the creation of new neural pathways in her mind. The more she repeats those new activities, the stronger those neural connections become. By doing those new class activities again at home, you’re helping to make connections become even stronger. So here’s to a week of many new things that you can do over, and over again.

Mrs. Erin Wilson

Fun at the Easter Egg Hunt

The sun was shinning bright, a warm breeze in the air and Easter eggs hidden everywhere.  Friday we spent the morning with about 25 friends and families of the Music Studio at the Gables Assisted Living Center for our Annual Easter Egg Hunt.  The folks hid the eggs and decorated the area so beautifully.   We shared a Hello Song and then the children where off and running.  Thank you for participating.  It was a wonderful morning and the children truly enjoyed themselves.

 Click Here to see more pictures.

 

Imagine That Week #9

Dear Imagine That! Parent:

Here’s a fun word. Accelerando!  

 

Say it again. Only this time, start slow and speed it up (throw your hand up in the air, too).

 

Accelerando!

It means “getting faster” and in music indicates a change in tempo or speed. This change can take place gradually or in certain parts of the music. Noticing the difference in these tempos hones listening skills as well as music appreciation in your child.

The train is a good illustration of this concept. And throughout the week you and your preschooler can find many different sound samples or physical feeling of accelerando in daily life: the car going faster while pressing the accelerator or a ball rolling down a hill.

This week notice accelerando while listening to your home CD or the radio.

 

Seeee yoounextweek!

Mrs. Yvonne Bennetti