This article of mine originally appeared in “Teaching Music,” a publication of the National Association for Music Education, in 2010. The Sound of Creativity: Helping Children Develop Creative Thinking Skills Using Rhythm Instrument Activities Abigail Connors Today more than ever, our fast-changing world depends on creative thinking. Yet teaching creative thinking is not a priority […]
Creative kids are often daydreamers… What’s going on in a dreamer’s head is likely to be original ideation, visualization, imaginative thought, and creative problem solving. Daydreaming is a good thing. Marjorie Sarnat As a lifelong daydreamer, […]
Mexican Hat Dance from the CD “All-Time Favorite Dances” by Kimbo Educational The Mexican Hat Dance is an “all-time favorite dance” for a reason – it’s very catchy and has a strong beat that’s fun for everybody to dance to, especially young children. The usual way the dance is performed, though, with feet kicking out […]
“Where’s Mary’s Hat?” by Stephane Barroux Simple, simple, simple – that’s what I’m looking for in a picture book for young children at the beginning of the school year. I want a book with the bare minimum of plot to follow: bright, bold illustrations; and plenty of silliness. Easy to understand and easy to enjoy. […]
This article of mine appears in the latest issue of the online magazine Creativity Portal (creativity-portal.com). My Student Just Did Something Creative… Now What? By Abby Connors That inner “Wow!” That tingle of excitement. That feeling of “Yes! That’s what it’s all about!” That’s the moment that makes me so thankful to be a teacher […]
“Buzzing in the Garden” by Peter and Ellen Allard from “Pizza Pizzazz” CD available on ellenallard.com To go with “Where There’s a Bear, There’s Trouble,” which I shared with you yesterday, and which features a bumblebee, I like to use this song in my classes. It starts with one little bumblebee buzzing in the garden […]
“Where There’s a Bear, There’s Trouble” by Michael Catchpool I wish there were more picture books for young children just like this. It’s a very simple, gently humorous story, easy for children to understand, with sweet illustration in two-page spreads that again, are accessible for the very young. Best of all are the many opportunities to […]
Many young children think that music comes from CD players and radios. I wrote this article (which originally appeared in TEMPO, the magazine of the NJ Music Educators Association, in October 2009) to help teachers help young children to develop an understanding of the elements of music. Where Does Music Come From?: Teaching the Elements […]
I decided to do a version of “Fun Fun Friday” today because my students were so interesting and entertaining today, I just couldn’t wait. So: Wacky Wednesday! First, a boy raised his hand to say, “Did you know that squirrels sound just like birds?” (Just FYI, nothing we’d been doing today had anything to do […]
“Listen to the Water” by Bob Schneider performed by Peter and Ellen Allard from “Sing It! Say It! Swing It! Sway It! Vol. 2” available on iTunes Perfect for summer, this happy and interactive song describes many creatures one might see by the water. There’s a fish swimming, a frog jumping, a snake slithering, a […]
Music (and Science) For Young Children 