Village: Hickory, Dickory Tickle, and Bounce

WEEK 1:

Our Village class started for the first time this week! Small in numbers, but so cute and fun! Hickory, dickory dock, steady beat is needed to walk! And this steady beat, the underlying pulse in music, is the focus of these first two weeks. An extremely important component for your baby’s emerging skills, steady beat will continue to play a vital part in her development throughout the coming years.

Most people, your baby included, have a strong internal sense of pulse. As you listen to your beautiful At Home CD this week, hold your baby close to your heart, simply listen to the music, and move as you do so. It will be your best practice session ever!

Imagine That!: CITIES! BUSY PLACES~FRIENDLY FACES

WEEK 1:

The combination of singing, movement, instrument play, and pretend play was certainly a hit for one and all. Our classroom was a busy place as we visited the pretend city, rode an elevator, and drove our cars.

Have fun with your new materials this week. I know your child will be eager to play with the new Game Board Set. For information on the Game Board, first read Family Activity #1 on page 4 of the Family Activity Book. Enjoy listening to your Home CDs and I’ll see you in class next week!

Our Time: FIDDLE-DEE-DEE

WEEK 1:

As we begin Kindermusik’s Fiddle-dee-dee, we begin our exploration of the world of animals! The Our Time-aged child typically loves singing about and pretending to be animals. Today we enjoyed playful puppy activities including a lively bounce to The Dog Went to Dover and romping and rolling to Walk Along, Rover. We focused on our listening skills as we listened to dogs barking. We also read the delightful Animal Serenade book. As you and your child enjoy Animal Serenade at home, be sure to listen to the corresponding track 8 on your Home CD 1 and sing along with the songs.

To prepare your child for more Kindermusik fun next week, listen to your Home CDs and talk with your child about favorite animals. I look forward to seeing you next week!

Young Child 2

WEEK 1:

Welcome to Kindermusik for the Young Child, Semester 2. We are so excited to add 2 new students to our class this semester! It is going to be so much fun!

This week, we had a review of the following basic components introduced in Semester 1: beat, rhythmic patterns, the staff, the notes c”-a’, and playing the glockenspiel. As the semester continues, we will learn many new music concepts, including several new notes on the staff, new rhythms, and new terminology, all experienced through fun songs and games.

At home this week, help your child review the proper way to hold the glockenspiel mallets, and enjoy playing the “Toot, toot” of Train is a-Comin’ and the “Ding dong ding dong” of Hear the Doorbell Ringing.

Young Child 4

WEEK 1:

Here we are in our last semester of Kindermusik! And the Gateway Foundation’s first group of Young Child students will be graduating at the end of this semester! I enjoy playing with this little class.

We started working with recorders this week- our practice with a woodwind instrument. This semester we will also experience music of several cultures and composers, telling stories with instruments, ensemble playing, and musical forms.

At home this week, help your child review the proper way to hold and play the recorder. Remember to practice speaking the “too” sound before actually playing into the mouthpiece! And read Music at Home 46 for more ideas on how to begin with the recorder.