Sometimes I play a game in which children take turns pretending to be a rooster while the rest of us pretend to be the other animals on the farm, who are sleeping through the night. We sing a lullaby and at the end of the song the “rooster” crows, “Cock-a-doodle-doo!” and wakes us all up. […]
Teaching and learning – we think they go hand in hand, but sometimes, oddly enough, they’re at odds with each other. Especially when it comes to early childhood. We know that young children learn through play, not through worksheets; with their whole bodies, not just their eyes and ears; and through concrete experiences, not discussions […]
Our aim is not only to make the child understand, and still less to force him to memorize, but so to touch his imagination as to enthuse him to his innermost core. – Maria Montessori I’m not a Montessori teacher, but I absolutely love this quote! When was the last time you thought of your aim as a […]
Two Little Blackbirds – Music Together available on Amazon Of course, there are many versions of this traditional fingerplay song. This one is my favorite, for many reasons. It flows at a leisurely pace, so even very young children can follow alongeasily. An adult voice alternates with a young girl’s voice, which adds texture and interest. There’s a […]
If you were a bear who lived in a neat cave right on the beach, you might not be that eager to take a trip to the city. But that’s what the bear in this story does, lured by the intriguing sounds of cars and trains. Of course, he has many adventures. When he tires […]
Long car trips with young children can be a challenge, but singing silly songs as a family can make the time go by quickly and provide lasting memories. Here are some fun songs to try with your kids. The Nursery Rhyme Family Substitute the names of family members for famous nursery rhyme characters. For example: […]
This study from 2009 indicates that improvisational activities, such as those included In my books and articles, can help children develop creative thinking in music: An experimental study of the effects of improvisation on the development of children’s creative thinking in music Koutsoupidou, T., & Hargreaves, D. J. (2009). An experimental study of the effects of […]
Here Comes a Bear by The Wiggles available on iTunes So many children’s stories are about bears, and this song is a nice go-along with a bear story. It’s a movement song which is very easy for even little ones to perform, and it has a nice, catchy tune. Children pretend to be a bear, […]
Whether you’re reading to Spanish-speaking children, want to teach a bit of Spanish to English speakers, or just want to have fun, “Oh Crumps!/ Ay Carumba!” is a wonderfully funny book. Sleepy Farmer Fernando keeps waking up to animal sounds – and every time he tends to one group of animals,another group wakes up and needs help. […]
I like to read picture books with wolves in them because I think wolves get a bad rap in general. Most young children are very afraid of wolves. Not that I think children should go out and pet a wild wolf, but I like them to learn that among themselves, wolves are loving, family-oriented creatures. […]
Music (and Science) For Young Children 