Exploring bird sounds with children

“What does a bird say?”  A lot more than tweet, or chirp.   Most children only consider one sound, but an observant child with more experience in bird sounds might ask, “What kind of bird?” 
Fun vocal play with different bird sounds can open up the world of birds, and sounds, with your child, and can have [...]

African Talking Drum – Music that really talks

In our Kindermusik for the Young Child class is currently studying African Cultural Music.  The students got to explore making the changing sounds that my talking drum makes.  I can demonstrate a few rhythms and how the drum changes pitch as the strings are squeezed, but I am no master. 
Fortunately, these YouTube videos allow us [...]

Timbre / SOUND Experiences for young children

Timbre (pronounced “tam-ber”) is the distinctive quality of a sound.  During the last few weeks in all the Kindermusik classes, we have experienced many different timbres.  We’ve listened to the sounds of different types of bells, paper bags, a variety of wooden instruments, multitudes of drums (played with the hand to get a better variety of sounds), and much more.  [...]

Music stimulates the brain, at home & in Kindermusik

I recieved an email from Montessori Services last night that had the most wonderful quote about the musicality of children, with great ideas for home activities.   Make sure to note the importance of the “sensitive period for music” during the youngest years.  Following the quote, you’ll see how Kindermusik takes these ideas to a whole new [...]

Amazing Bird encourages Vocal Play

When looking for a YouTube video showing the sounds of frogs and birds, I came across this amazing bird, having a lot of fun with Vocal Play.  I hope you and your child enjoy similar types of vocal play.  Although with children, don’t expect such cooperation in performing for other people.  Try to keep it [...]

Nurturing a young child’s singing voice

 These French children sing beautifully, without words.  In France, they call this humming.  It is a great way for children to sing and explore melodies.  But I really chose this so you could hear singing in the upper register, where young children sing best.  And babies are most stimulated, and become more alert when they [...]

Vocal Play in the Kitchen? – Oh, YES!

I just visited my favorite blogsite by fellow Kindermusik educator, Merri Williams, and just HAD to share this with you!     We do encourage a lot of vocal play in many of our Kindermusik classes, but this guy mixes it up in a whole different way.  Just imagine all of the fun vocal play you can [...]

“Catching” a Steady Beat with very Young Children

A STEADY BEAT is an unchanging continuous pulse.  This is different from the Rhythm Patterns of a specific song.  To illustrate a steady beat, tap with each underlined syllable as you sing the song.
Do you know the Muffin Man, the muffin man, the muffin man.
Do you know the Muffin Man, who lives on Drury Lane.
RHYTHM [...]

Ways to “Catch a Beat” with Babies

Lap Babies:    must EXPERIENCE beat in a variety of ways.  They must feel it ON their body or WITH their body.  When they feel the beat from you in coordination with music they are learning both through HEARING and FEELING, as well as feeling a positive emotion from the experience because YOU are doing it WITH [...]

Ways to Catch a Steady Beat with Toddlers & Walkers

Toddlers   continue to EXPERIENCE beat, and practice movement, and they are developing a beat of their own

·         Tap steady with your hand, or object, identifying specific body parts.

·         Use arm motions with scarves or streamers.  Make circles in the air.

·         Hold a variety of objects while tapping, tennis ball, sticks, paintbrush, etc.

·         Use hand or finger puppets, talking [...]