One of the highlights of my NAEYC adventure was a wonderful session presented by the Mexican children’s performer/educator José- Luis Orozco. His latest CD, Come Bien! Eat Right! is pictured above and can be ordered here. The session was more like a concert, except with the entire audience performing! Mr. Orozco has a very lively, […]
Tag Archives: early childhood music
“Wiggly Wiggly Wormies” I just invented this activity recently after a class of four-year-olds got very excited talking about a worm they saw outside! I think that almost all young children are fascinated by worms and their wiggliness, whether they think worms are cute or yukky! The group should be standing in a circle holding […]
“Where’s My Mom?” by Julia Donaldson Don’t you love the cover of this book? All of the illustrations are just as cute and original. The story is wonderful, and the musical possibilities make it a perfect choice for a Mother’s Day read-along. At first I worried that the plot of the story, about a little monkey who […]
“Flap Your Wings” You don’t have to be a chicken to sing and play along with this silly movement song! If you have arms and an imagination, you’re good to go! Have children stand in a circle. Tell them that in this song, we’re going to flap our “wings” and then clap. This is how […]
This article originally appeared in Creativity Portal in September 2010. How to Help Children Stay Creative Picasso famously stated, “All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” Anyone who lives or works with young children knows they truly are artists, buzzing with creativity, filled with wonder, curiosity, and […]
“Drip Drop” by Sarah Weeks It’s an absolutely fabulous, sunny early-spring day here in New Jersey, but In April, rain is never far away. If you’re planning a unit on rain, “Drip Drop” is a perfect story for you to bring some music (and fun) into your lesson plans. Poor Pipsqueak! It’s raining in […]
“Ducks Like Rain” by Raffi from the CD “Rise And Shine” available on iTunes It’s April, and lots of us are talking about (and experiencing!) rain with our preschoolers and kindergarteners. Another popular unit for this time of year is ducks. Here’s a fun song that brings both these topics together! This simple, short song […]
Here’s a cute activity for a rainy day, or for a unit about rain, from my book “The Musical Toddler.” I’m a Little Raindrop (tune: I’m a Little Teapot) Young children are curious about rain, and they enjoy the opportunity to pretend to be a raindrop! I’m a […]
I bet I know what you’re doing this week, early childhood professionals! You’re coloring eggs! Since I’m a music teacher, I’m not personally dealing with in the whole- ‘nother-dimension of messiness that dying eggs with preschoolers involves. Butthat doesn’t mean I don’t have a great tip for you! Save those egg cartons for music time! You’ll often […]
“Everyone Likes to Jump” Here’s an easy and improvisational music-and- movement activity for rainy days, or any day! Children should be standing in a circle. Jump to the beat while singing to the tune of “Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush”: Everyone likes to jump, jump, jump, Everyone likes to jump, jump, […]
Music (and Science) For Young Children 