Archive for the ‘Musical Development’ Category

So the other day Brent came home from his test telling me that he had The Backpack Song stuck in his head all day. He said even after that, and trying to take a test while it was running through his head, he still liked it! Yes, it’s that great of a song. You may remember when we reviewed Bari Koral’s new album back in November. It’s one album that we still listen to frequently.

Not more than a day later I got an email from Bari Koral saying they had just made their first music video. And the song they chose was none other than The Backpack Song! I shared it with the girls and they were wild about it. It’s a fun video for a fun song. Check it out!

Don’t forget, you can also get Bari’s album on Amazon.com.

Hello, Energy!

The Final Funktier by Recess Monkey is one of the most creative albums I’ve ever heard. From the lyrics to the music to the elevator in the middle of the album, it’s a creative feast from beginning to end.

For our family, this album made really great background music. We enjoyed listening to it while we did craft projects or cleaned up the kitchen. In contrast, some albums for our family take center stage. Listening to them IS the activity. These are albums geared toward very young children with action-oriented lyrics. The Final Funktier is definitely geared toward the elementary age range with clever lyrics and plays on words that would be comical to children slightly older than my own. A lot of that was lost on the girls, but Brent and I enjoy the lyrics and the crazy song titles.

There was one song that really snatched Sammi’s attention. Track #11: Booster Seat. It starts, “I’m not a toddler, not any more. I’m forty-two pounds and half-past four.” Sammi loves categorizing baby, toddler, and preschooler so this song resonates with her. She always shouts, “That’s me! I’m not a toddler and I’m almost four!” She’s obsessed with counting down to her birthday and starting preschool. 8 weeks till her birthday and another 6 weeks after that till preschool. As she informed me, that is one long paper chain!

Fortunately, it’s not quite that long till The Final Funktier is released on June 15th. But, if you’re excited to get your hands on a copy sooner, I’ve got a deal for you!

The Final Funktier Giveaway

We have one copy of The Final Funktier by Recess Monkey to give away. The giveaway is open until 11:59 pm Eastern time on Monday, May 24th.

Required entry: Leave a comment sharing your favorite space-themed book, movie, game or TV show (or anything else space-themed)

Additional Entries:

• Visit Recess Monkey’s site and listen to the songs from The Final Funktier. Leave a comment telling me which one you like the best.
• Tweet about the giveaway: “Win Recess Monkey’s latest album from @ajpassey. Great music for the whole family! http://bit.ly/a5qC7X” Leave a comment with a link to the tweet.
• Share the giveaway on Facebook: “Win Recess Monkey’s latest album from Because Babies Grow Up. Great music for the whole family! http://bit.ly/a5qC7X” Leave a comment telling me that you shared it on Facebook. No link required; this one is on the honor system.

Good luck! I’ll announce the winner and contact them by email on Tuesday May 25.

Please check out this week’s giveaway for Green Golly and Her Golden Flute.

I’ve asked readers several different questions that have been answered in the same way. I found it pretty interesting that a favorite rainy day activity, a favorite pre-dinner activity, and a favorite boredom-buster activity is cranking up the music and dancing!

Dance for little ones, basically, is moving to music.

Just about every young child I have watched listen to music instinctively moves to the beat. Moving to music seems to come naturally to little ones. But somewhere along the growing up path, dance becomes an anxiety-inducing word. Somewhere most of us develop a complex about how well we can move to a rhythm.

Over the last year I’ve posted about various ways to encourage dance through different movements. We’ve used rhythm ribbons. We’ve chosen songs with lyrics that guide movement and dance. I even put together the ebook Laptime Songs for Mommies to help you share music and action with your little ones.

You’d think maybe I’d be done with this topic, but I’m not! Last year I attended a training for laptime and storytime tellers at the Orem Library. One of the presenters focused on helping young children develop confidence in dancing. She gave me a new perspective on dance as well as some great tools for helping little ones move to music.

It’s not Dance; It’s Movement!

Her first piece of advice was to never call it “dance” because it affects children so immediately and often turns them off. She was talking specifically about elementary school age boys, so decided if that’s good advice for you and your little ones. Second she talked about focusing on movement. She guided children to move all the parts of their bodies and to move them through three sections of space around the body: high, middle, and low.

While the music was playing she gave suggestions of how children could move, e.g., sway arms high above your head. Then prepared them to make a choice when she said freeze. She’d give a rule like one arm and one leg need to be in the middle. Then when she said freeze the children would choose a pose that followed the rule. After hearing her presentation I was able to watch her program in action. It was fun to see how engaged the children were in trying to move their bodies following the rules and suggestions she gave.

Helping little ones have a positive experience with dance is another way to help them appreciate the performing arts. I love watching Sammi and Elli and envisioning them as ballerinas or contemporary dancers or ballroom professionals. At this young age the possibilities are endless and they have so much joy feeling the music and moving in response to it.

How do you and your little ones dance?

When we were offered the chance to review a CD whose purpose was to expose children to the world of classical music in an engaging way I was thrilled. Since one of the ways to help little ones appreciate the performing arts is exposure to them and since I feel rather under-educated when it comes to classical music, I was looking forward to this album at least as much as the girls were.

Magical moments happen when interests and opportunities coincide. Sammi recently became enthralled with the story of Rapunzel and we’ve read several variations of the story. When we received Green Golly and her Golden Flute Sammi recognized Rapunzel on the cover immediately. She was definitely ready to give this album a go. In just a few days of receiving the CD we had listened to Green Golly’s story three times!

Green Golly and Her Golden Flute

The first 12 tracks are a dramatized retelling of Rapunzel (named Green Golly, for the golly good greens that in the witch’s garden did grow) along with clips of classical music woven seemlessly into the story. Keith Torgan is the narrator of the story and does an amazing job of appealing to young children. He has a grand storytelling voice and says the silliest things with such majesty that it’s hard not to be completely captivated.

Then there’s Barbara Siesel on the flute and as the voice of Green Golly. She does a marvelous job going from a newbie on the flute to an accomplished flutist. Siesel’s performance was inspiring. She’s bound to inspire children to want to create music. I want to learn to play the flute now!

One thing that sets this introduction to classical music apart from others I’ve seen is how the music is woven into a story. Each moment when a song is played highlights the meaning and feeling of that piece. My favorite feature is that the name of the composer is given for each piece. I loved that I didn’t have to keep looking to the CD case to see which song and who composed it. That info was included in the storytelling. Well done. After the story, tracks 13-22 are the complete version of each song included in the story. It’s a terrific collection of classical music for using with little ones in a variety of ways.

A final thought on the story. You’ll never believe the twist at the end! Not your typical Rapunzel ending, at all. But fitting for Green Golly, her independence and desire to see the world and perform.

Giveaway!

Keith Torgan and Barbara Siesel are excited to share a copy of Green Golly and Her Golden Flute with one BBGU reader. We are excited to host this giveaway for them and know you’ll just love this storytelling/classical music combination. The giveaway closes Monday, April 12 at 11:59 Eastern time and the winner will be announced Tuesday, April 13 and contacted via email.

Required:

• Leave a comment telling me why you think it’s important to expose children to classical music/the performing arts.

Additional Entries:

• Subscribe to Because Babies Grow Up (if you’re already subscribed, leave a comment saying that)
• Become a fan of Because Babies Grow Up on Facebook (if you’re already a fan, leave a comment saying that)
• Tweet “@ajpassey has a #giveaway for Green Golly & her Golden Flute, a combo of classical music and storytelling for children: http://bit.ly/9HPb4L” (Leave a comment with a link to your status)
• Post on Facebook “Because Babies Grow Up is giving away Green Golly and her Golden Flute, a great album introducing children to classical music through the story of Rapunzel: http://bit.ly/9HPb4L” (Leave a comment saying you posted on Facebook)

Continuing yesterday’s topic of helping little ones appreciate the performing arts, today we’ll focus on music. And specifically about getting little ones involved in making music.

Find local classes

There are many mommy & me style classes that introduce little ones to music and instruments. Some organizations I know of that may be in your community are Kindermusik (their website has great info on music and little ones), Fundamentals of Music and Movement (developed by Aaron Nigel Smith of Everyone Loves to Dance), Music Together. Do a Google search on mommy & me music class with your location and see what you can find.

Make Music at Home

If you can’t find any local classes (like us!) then make music at home. This is also a great way to continue the fun you had at a local class. If you have left over plastic Easter eggs, try making these egg shakers. Or you can make these paper-mache drums. I’ll be posting more instruments you can make at home!

Great instruments you already have on hand include

• pots and wooden spoons,
• unsharpened pencils for marching sticks,
• or an empty ice cream tub for a drum.

Start a Musical Playgroup

We think making music is more fun with lots of friends. So we host a monthly playgroup focused on music called Music Makers. We do fingerplays and nursery rhymes. Then we march while hitting our marching sticks together. We try out different instruments and rhythms. And we end with a book and snack. It’s so much fun. Even with the little musical ability I have, we are able to learn about music, rhythm and instruments in a fun and energetic setting.

Music Resources

The Ramblings and Adventures of a S.A.H.M. (blog)

101 Rhythm Instrument Activities for Young Children (book)

Band in a Box by Melissa and Doug (instruments)

What is your little one’s favorite music making instrument?

I’ve always been drawn to the performing arts. I don’t have a great voice. I’m not gifted at playing a musical instrument. I’ve dabbled in drama, but nothing serious. And I’m quite the laughable sight on the dance floor. Despite these shortcomings, I still appreciate the performing arts. Having tried (and found my skills lacking) I know how difficult it is to do it well and that helps me appreciate great performances all the more.

I’d love for the girls to become great pianists with amazing voices that can wow and inspire on the stage or the dance floor. But that needs to be their choice when they’re ready to make it. For now, though, I can share my love of music, drama, and dance with them and help them see the beauty, the comedy, the inspiration, the joy that comes from the performing arts.

Why Are the Performing Arts Important?

Funding for arts in education seems to be at the top of the “Can’t Afford It” list every year. It begs the question, if it’s so easy to cut funding for it, does it really matter? YES! It does matter. Math, Science, English, History all serve their purpose in the basic knowledge we need to get educated. But appreciating and participating in the performing arts adds another dimension to life. We become well-rounded citizens when we allow the performing arts into our lives. We are inspired, uplifted, moved to better ourselves, our families and our communities. There is joy in living when we allow ourselves to be entertained in wholesome ways.

Appreciating the arts in general, and the performing arts specifically for this post, has always been a sign of advanced civilization. I’ve been thinking about that a lot and trying to find my own understanding of that classification. It reminds me of Maslow’s hierarchy from Psychology 101. If all of our time and energy is focused on meeting our physical needs for food and shelter then there’s no energy left over for emotions or relationships and thus definitely no energy left over for participating in wholesome entertainment. When basic needs are met easily and there’s energy left over, then we can focus on relationships, improving ourselves, understanding the world around us and appreciating or participating in the arts.

So civilizations or groups within civilizations that have an abundance of resources have the energy and time to devote to appreciating the arts and, if they chose, participating in them. From my experiences and observations, it seems that most people have some desire or drive to create something that inspires others. It can be anything from a lullaby for a baby, to a letter-craft for a preschooler; an impromptu band with friends to an comedy routine at a family or neighborhood talent show.

Two Ways to Help Little Ones Appreciate the Performing Arts

1. Exposure: They need to see the performing arts in action. Take them to see dance groups or music groups perform locally. Get season tickets to a children’s theater (one of my favorite memories from my elementary school days). Many communities offer free events at the park during the summer months.
2. Chance to Participate: You can enroll them in dance classes, art classes, music classes. There are many resources for mommy and me classes (in larger communities) If those things aren’t available, make some instruments at home, crank up a CD or the radio and dance around. Act our your little one’s favorite episode of Dora (or their favorite show or book).

Making the performing arts a part of their lives now will help them in so many ways. They’ll develop confidence in themselves as they perform (even if it’s just for you) and they’ll see the joy that comes from this medium of entertainment. They’ll make connections between their experiences and the culture in which they live. They’ll have knowledge that is shared among their community and society, helping them find ways to interact in new situations.

What other benefits do you see from helping your little ones appreciate the performing arts?

I’ll be talking more specifically this week about music, drama and dance and how to help your little ones appreciate these modes of entertainment, both as a spectator and a participant. Be on the lookout for a sweet giveaway this week, too.

Photo credit: Chipola College – Fine and Performing Arts

I know we just got back from a trip and you’d think that a 3 hour flight and a 4 hour drive would be enough to cure me of the travel bug, but it wasn’t. I was listening to Missy Higgins yesterday and my favorite song, Don’t Ever, totally makes me want to go on a travel-adventure.

Don’t Ever by Missy Higgins

Her accent, her voice, her music all stir emotions in me. I feel nostalgic and dreamy. At the same time I feel a longing for something just beyond my reach that I can almost identify. I love her music because it helps me be reflective and opens a creative channel for me to bring in ideas and hopes then inspires my plans to make them happen.

Here are a few other songs that really inspire me to travel.

Train: Save Me San Francisco

Barenaked Ladies: Never Is Enough (“I can go to Europe, travel with my friends…Buy a giant backpack. Sew a flag on the back”)

Milkshake: Travel Far (I didn’t know this was the title of the song, but it does inspire me to want to travel far)

I have a Travel Accessory for you!

When I went to Blissdom in February I made several luggage tags to hand out as gifts to bloggers I wanted to meet or connect with. I found a few yesterday that I hadn’t handed out. I thought I’d share them with you! I have four to send out (one has already been claimed by my mom). Aren’t they cute? They are decorative so you can tell your black bag apart from other people’s black bags.

Here’s the deal.

Send me an email at becausebabiesgrowup@gmail.com giving me your name and address. The first four emails I get will received a luggage tag in the mail. I will send you an email in return letting you know if you should be checking your mailbox or not for one. I promise that I will guard your personal information with my life and never solicit you through your mailing address.

Hope to hear from you

What inspires you?

We had our Music Makers playgroup yesterday. At the last minute, I had the brilliant idea to make egg shakers to go along with our book and craft.

Supplies for Egg Shakers:

• Easter eggs
• Beans
• Super glue
• (Duct tape)

I filled an egg with beans, spread the super glue around the bottom piece’s edge, then snapped the top on. I let them dry for about an hour and did a test run with the girls. When dropped, a few of the eggs opened. So we pulled out the duct tape and taped them up. I checked the super glue I chose and it said the liquid kind is the best for plastics and I had the no drip gel, which was okay. I’m guessing it had a long set up time. 10 kids played with them and none of them opened up so the gel super glue/duct tape combo worked for us! I’d recommend using an epoxy or liquid super glue to secure the egg pieces together.

We practiced shaking them high and low, fast and slow, loud and soft. We also practiced starting and stopping. Then we rocked out to Mahna Mahna by Cake from For the Kids. The shakers were  a big hit and a super easy, fast instrument to make. So, after Easter when all your plastic eggs are hanging around, you can turn them into a musical instrument to enjoy the rest of the year!

Book:

I showcased this book last Friday, but I’ll mention it again since it inspired the craft and instrument. We read Clifford’s Happy Easter. It’s a fun book about dying eggs and an egg hunt. It doesn’t go into any reasons for celebrating Easter which is okay with me because I’m kind of picky about the religious books we read. It had silly illustrations that got a laugh out of the kids. It would be a great companion to any egg activities you may do.

Craft:

We decorated our own eggs. I set out a bunch of supplies and let the little ones choose how they wanted to decorate their eggs. We had leftover cut paper from Valentine’s cards, zigzag ribbon, jewel stickers, tissue paper squares, crayons, markers, and buttons (Sammi’s favorite!) The kids had a great time gluing everything on. The older ones enjoyed cutting their eggs out after they were finished. I downloaded the egg image here, but they also have larger versions (1 or 2 to a page. I did 4)

What alternative uses for Easter eggs have you found?

Sammi at 18 months

We love to sing songs in our house. I know I’ve told dozens of stories of when, where, how we sing songs, but I just have to share a few more! I mentioned on Monday that I’m fighting off a cold I got from Elli. Monday evening my voice decided to get in on the game and has been rough and rascally ever since. Plus my ears are slightly stuffy so I sound rather hollow to myself which complicates my ability to sing.

We usually sing the girls a few songs at bedtime. Monday night my voice wasn’t so far gone yet so I was able to make it through the singing just fine. But by the end of yesterday my voice was just tired and when I went to sing to the girls last night, my voice was cracking high and low. About halfway through the “first” song I looked down at Elli (whom I still snuggle for one song before putting her in her crib) and she had this look on her face that was part puzzled and part disappointed in my singing. She recognized that I didn’t sound like myself and that I wasn’t singing well at all. So the “first” song turned into the only song.

One of the songs we sing just about every night we’ve personalized with the girls’ names. It’s Jesus Once Was a Little Child. One line says, “So, little children, let’s you and I try to be like Him.” The first time I heard my grandma sing this song to Sammi she sang, “So, Little Samantha” and it was like a new world opened to me. I hadn’t thought to change words to include Sammi’s name. Now we sing, “So, Elli and Sammi” to include both girls.

Another favorite is Ram, Sam, Sam. This one was an obvious fit for Sammi since her name is already in the song. But we took it one step further and changed all the words to fit our family. Here’s the original with our actions first, followed by our personalized version.

A Ram Sam Sam

Passey Version

A Mom, Sam, Sam
A Mom, Sam, Sam
Elli, Elli, Elli, Elli, Elli
Mom, Sam, Sam

A Mom, Sam, Sam
A Mom, Sam, Sam
Elli, Elli, Elli, Elli, Elli
Mom, Sam, Sam

A Daddy, a Daddy
Elli, Elli, Elli, Elli, Elli
Mom, Sam, Sam

For other songs, we randomly change words to fit our situation. This is especially true of Dora’s songs. We sing “Where are we going?” just about anytime we are “going” anywhere, from the library to the kitchen for a snack. We also sing her “We did it!” song a lot. It’s been a great practice for Sammi because she’s starting to come up with variations all by herslef that actually fit the rhythm of the song.

What songs have you personalized for your little ones?

So I slept a lot this weekend. I think I’m fighting off the cold that Elli developed last week. Her poor eyes were so goopy all day Saturday. She’s finally clearing up, but now I’m stuck with a sore throat and a runny nose.

I’ve definitely got the Monday Blahs!

So I thought I’d beat them with a fun song today from our Sponsor Aaron Nigel Smith. His album Everyone Loves to Dance was released earlier this year and has been a wonderful addition to our family’s collection of music. Here’s the title track, Everyone Loves to Dance. It’s sure to get you moving and grooving and soon you’ll forget it’s Monday at all!

Everyone Loves to Dance

What do you do to beat the Monday blahs?

Disclaimer: The above links are not affiliate links, however, Aaron Nigel Smith is a sponsor of BBGU. Our contract does not include posting about him or his music. I chose to do that because it’s what I needed today!