Musical Development
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. And making it part of their early childhood education can help them to have an appreciation for performing arts as they get older. 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
- 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.
- 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
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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.
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.
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
| A ram sam sam A ram sam sam Gully gully gully gully gully Ram sam sam |
Clap hands Clap hands Roll hands Clap hands |
| A ram sam sam A ram sam sam Gully gully gully gully gully Ram sam sam |
Clap hands Clap hands Roll hands Clap hands |
| A raffi, A raffi Gully gully gully gully gully Ram sam sam |
Make circle with one hand on first Raffi then with other hand on second Raffi Roll hands Clap hands |
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!
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!
Happy Valentine’s Day. Hope it’s one filled with love and friendship for you and your little ones! Here’s a favorite song of ours. I shared it last year, as well as this awesome nesting heart project.
Nesting Hearts
We’ve been making Valentine’s Cards all week. We made one for a Valentine Day Card exchange (and I took ZERO pictures!) Then we made some for family members (14 in all) and then we made some for local friends that we saw yesterday at a Valentine’s Day Party. The last are my favorite and I wanted to share them with you.
The idea for the card came from Big Sounds by Bari Koral
To get yourself inspired, here’s a clip from Big Sounds:
Can I get a Roar?
You can download the card if you want. Just print one file, turn over the paper and print the other file. It should work to make two cards. Just make sure you cut it the right way or you’ll end up with a top flipping card instead of a side flipping card. (Uh, no, that didn’t happen to me.)
Dinosaur Valentine Card outside
Dinosaur Valentine Card inside
Have you posted pics of Valentine cards you’ve made? Please leave a link; I’d love to see them!
We are so excited to have Aaron Nigel Smith as a new sponsor of Because Babies Grow Up. We received Everyone Loves To Dance a few weeks ago and it has been a lifesaver! I turn in on every day while I’m making dinner and it gets the girls moving, singing, and most importantly, out of the kitchen! I love to listen to it while I’m cooking, too, because it’s just so fun.
Aaron Nigel Smith has been quite busy recently touring with the Ziggy Marley Family Time Tour, Between the Lions Live, NEA Read Across America Tour. Let me tell you, after all that, he has got kids down pat! His voice and inflection, his lyrics and the energy of his music all appeal to the youngest of listeners, and even on up to grown ups. His music has also received the NAPPA and iParenting awards. When I showed Sammi this video, she loved it instantly. Grab your little one and enjoy!
By far my favorite song is the title song, Everyone Loves to Dance. But we have also really enjoyed Simon Says. We used the song to teach Sammi how to play the game. We had so much fun. Aaron Nigel Smith will be touring later this year and I bet he’s a show worth taking your little ones to. I’m hoping he comes somewhere close to us so we can go see him (Please! Please!)
Giveaway!
Aaron Nigel Smith is offering a copy of his new CD Everyone Love To Dance to a BBGU reader as part of the Winter Wonderland Carnival. This giveaway is open until January 31 at 11:59 pm EST. You can enter to win on the Join the Winter Wonderland post. For additional entries, you can comment on this post as well. Everyone Loves to Dance is also available on iTunes and on Amazon
How do you survive making dinner with little ones clambering about for your attention?
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Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway and shared your little ones’ favorite songs. I had so much fun reading all the comments and remembering songs I’ve forgotten. I compiled a Top Twelve Songs list based on songs that received 2 or more mentions. It was a pretty close race between number 1 and number 2. Number 1 pulled ahead at the very end.
Top Twelve Songs
- Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
- Itsy Bitsy Spider
- ABC song
- Wheels on the Bus
- Old MacDonald
- If You’re Happy and You Know It
- You Are My Sunshine
- Jesus Loves Me
- Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes
- Patty Cake
- Rock-a-bye Baby
- I Love You A Bushel And A Peck
Honorable Mentions
- Row, Row, Row Your Boat
- BYU Cougar Fight Song
(We do this one a LOT!)
- Slippery Fish
- Shoe the Old Horse
- Grand Old Duke of York
- 5 Little Monkeys Swinging in the Tree
- Bringing Home a Baby Bumblebee
- I Am a Child of God
- Eye Of The Tiger
- Hush Little Baby
- Party In The U.S.A.
- We Are The Champions
- We Are a Happy Family
Now for the Winners
I was so blown away by all the wonderful responses, tweets, status updates and blog posts that I decided to add another winner. So here are the three winners of Laptime Songs for Mommies…and Daddies and Grandmas and Grandpas are JDaniel4′s Mom, My Open Roads and Kathy. Congratulations! I’ve sent you each the email with the download link.
Reduced Price for Laptime Songs
Because of the great response to the book and my desire for it to be in every home, I’ve lowered the cost of Laptime Songs for Mommies to $6. This is a great deal because it includes the music for 6 songs you can burn onto a CD or listen to in your favorite player, over 50 rhymes to sing to the songs, craft and book ideas to extend the fun into other activities with your little one and information on adapting the laptime program with your little ones from the newborn stage up through preschool age. Read more about how music can help you bond with your little one here.
If you’re interested in giving Laptime Songs for Mommies as a gift, please email me and we can arrange to either send the link for a digital download to your recipient or send a CD/CD-ROM of the songs and book via USPS.
More Great News
The giveaways aren’t over at Because Babies Grow Up. Today starts the Winter Wonderland Carnival. We have great sponsors who’ve donated some terrific prizes to BBGU readers. The Winter Wonderland Carnival goes from Jan 18-31. Visit often to earn extra entries for each post you comment on during the carnival. You can also blog about what you do to celebrate winter after the holidays are over. I’ll have a round-up post each Saturday with everyone who contributes. Looking forward to sharing some great ideas, music, books and other fantastic products during the Winter Wonderland Carnival!
On Thursday we talked about how music helps develop emergent literacy skills through emphasizing the rhythm of language and the parts of words. Rhyming songs are addictive to little ones because they have a predictable pattern and a catchy melody. We can use these same principles to enhance learning. By setting information to music, especially if it has a predictable pattern or a catchy melody, it becomes easier to memorize.
The idea for this post was kicking around in my head last week when I came across a post that exemplified this fact for me. I was reading Mom-101‘s post about her picks for the top 50 mommy bloggers. In describing each blogger she gave a little quirky piece of background info on each one. In telling about Maternal Dementia she off-handedly mentioned her ability to sing all 50 states in alphabetical order. Can you do that? I can. I remember learning the song in elementary school and it’s still with me. All these years later. That’s the power of learning through music.
This is where our creativity can really take off. We can take any melody, or make up one of our own, and set to music the things we want our little ones to remember. We sing it with them, and voila! They remember. I’ve come across a lot of little rhymes for teaching hand washing skills to little ones. My favorite was this hand washing song sung to “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star“
I can wash my hands you see,
Wash them clean as clean can be.
Inside, outside, my fingers, too
Around my thumbs and then I’m through,
Now rinse away the dirt and stains,
Send those germs down the drain!
Another example of putting info to music in order to learn something new comes from Roger Day‘s newest album “Why Does Gray Matter.” This whole album has information about the brain. My favorite song is “The Brain Train” where he describes the process of a thought moving through the brain to become an action. The song contains words like corpus callosum, deep basal ganglia and cerebellum. Just imagine the looks if your little one memorized this song!
What have you or your little ones learned by memorizing a song?
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