Rhythm Games

Phil Tulga uses many home made instruments to create patterns with sound. He also uses some great visuals to represent fractions and sounds. There are some really neat rhythm games for the kids to play. Click on the graphic above to play the Unifix Cube Drum Machine or click here to see the entire list of rhythm games.

If you have time to explore the entire site you will learn quite a bit about drumming language communications in other countries.

Kindermusik House

Kindermusik has many faces - children, parents, educators . . . But who is behind the scenes? This video gives you a chance to see who works so hard to put these great programs together.

Dan Pratt (who sings in the recording) is featured in this video - he is the original Chairman and CEO of Kindermusik. Can you believe it's been almost 30 years?!? An amazing voice and you can hear more of him on many of our At Home CD's. Carol Penney was my trainer (and continues to be). Can you believe it's been 8 years?!? Erin is our fantastic Convention planner & Molly is a super writer and inspiration to let yourself fly when everyone's watching. Michael Dougherty is the current President and CEO of KI. A fantastic business man with a giant heart. And good friend Jessi, who keeps all of us Mentors in line, runs the Ruth D. Anderson Children's Fund and the one who put this video together (that's why you can't see her).

Watch and see one of the reasons I like my job so much . . .

A Time for Planting

As I drive around town I see spring everywhere - in Michigan we never know when that will happen. But, the bedding plants are abounding and gardens are blossoming. It must be here. With the change in season comes lots of rain - often upredictable. What to do with the kids? Keep this on hand . . .

Using a nutritive and non-toxic gel created by Globus International in collaboration with NASA scientists, Plantariums are life-giving ecosystems in which seeds germinate. The colorful gel's transparency makes the seedling and its roots visible throughout the entire germination and plant-growth process! Kits may be purchased at Coundown Creations.

Thanks Kiddly!

I Saw A Little Rabbit

I saw a little rabbit go hop, hop, hop
I saw his little ears go flop, flop, flop
I saw his little eyes go blink, blink, blink
I saw his little nose go twink, twink, twink

I said "Little Rabbit, won't you stay?"
But he looked at me - and he hopped away . . .

Instilling the Love of Music

Instilling the love of music in your child is easier than you thought. Here are some helpful suggestions to get you started.

1. Sing to your child


2. Dance with your child


3. Teach them action songs


4. Share with them your favorite songs


5. Rent, buy or borrow books, videos and tapes that revolve around the subject of music


6. Join parent-child classes available in your area that introduces the concepts of music in a fun way (Kindermusik)


7. If appropriate, take her to local concerts

The above listed ideas and more can be found in this article by Espie Estrella, writer for About.com.

fiesta

n. - any gala celebration; holiday

It was fiesta time in our Young Child 3/4 class - a celebration of so much accomplished over 60 weeks of music & movement time. They ended this program by adding to their glockenspiel skills, learning about a 2-string dulcimer and a recorder. Musical form and songs/games from other cultures were also explored. We are so proud of their accomplishments - ole!

Mexican Hat Dance

Sing & Celebrate

This is a special time of year for our Young Child classes. Young Child 1/2 classes are learning about celebrations - they've had 30 weeks of Kindermusik classes over the last school year and they have learned so much. Rhythm, notation, hand position, form, musical styles, orchestral instrumentation - phew!

One of our YC2 classes

Harp Guitar

Thanks Musicing!

Is Your Child Ready?

Do not train children to learning by force and harshness, but direct them to it by what amuses their minds, so that you may be better able to discover with accuracy the peculiar bent of the genius of each. Plato

Click graph to see study

Sign up today . . .

Cities

We had so much fun exploring our Kindermusik City this week in class. Here are some of the kids and the buildings they made:




We also traced our feet on our city sidewalks and "walked all around" - remember to Stop, Look and Listen before you cross the street!