Sunday, April 22, 2012

Explore Music Camps in Elk Grove and Sacramento CA




Explore Music Camp
Come join us for a week of exploring music.


Learn musical notes, rhythms, and singing skills.


Explore the piano, violin, ukulele and voice. All in one week!





Summer Camp Classes available:


Wiggles and Giggles (1 ½-3 year olds) M-F 9-9:30am $20/wk


Little Strings, Keys and Melodies (3-8 yr olds)


M-F 9:30-11am or 11am-12:30pm $50/wk





Early registration: Take $5 off when you register early!


Drop ins: $15/day: Please call to insure available space





Camp weeks:


June 18-22, Early registration ends June 1


July 16-20, Early registration ends July 1


July 30-Aug 3, Early registration ends July 1


Aug 6-10, Early registration ends August 1





To register for camp or sign up for on-going classes


Call Ms. Tonya at (916) 812-2875





Sacramento, CA
Call for studio location




Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Dancing - One Body Part at a Time!



Dance to the music using one body part at a time!



Play some fun dance music.



Music Ideas:

Jazz

Pop

Hip Hop

Children’s music such as The Wiggles



Listen to the rhythm.



Now begin dancing to the music.



As your child is dancing call out a body part and have her move only that body part while dancing to the music!





Idea list of body parts:

Finger

Hand

Knee

Face

Shoulder

Leg

Toe

Arm

Head




While everyone is having a lot of fun, this exercise will strengthen so many learning skills! 

Cause and effect

Cognitive/thinking skills

Emotional expression

Fine and gross motor development

Problem solving

Self-awareness/body image

Social interaction

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Write a Song With Your Child





It’s easier than you think!



Our names represent us! Children love to hear their names in a song. For more information on hello songs read The Importance of a Hello Song.  Writing a song with and about your child will help instill a positive self-worth as well as show your child how much you love her!

Write your own song to sing with your child using her name as the basis. It is easier than you think!

  • Start with a popular tune such as Jingle Bells, BINGO, Mary Had a Little Lamb etc.
  • Find some words that rhyme with her name
  • Find some words that describe who she is or what she likes to do
  • Fit the words in with the tune

Here is a song I wrote with my daughter Angel. Sing it to the tune of Jingle Bells.

Angel Joy, Angel Joy

She likes dolls and toys

She's so good at drawing and art

She reads with all her heart!



Angel Joy, Angel Joy

She loves to play outside

She has lots of sisters

And she's always by their side!




Angel was delighted to do this project with me. She was smiling the whole time and felt really important singing our finished product to Daddy.



Here is another song, written for my daughter, Shelli.  Sing it to the tune of Mary Had a Little Lamb.



Shelli has a great big smile,

Great big smile,

Great big smile.

Shelli has a great big smile.

She makes me laugh all day.



Shelli rides a scooter,

Scooter,

Scooter.

Shellie rides a scooter.

She rides with Daddy all day.



Shelli is a reader,

Reader,

Reader.

Shelli is a reader.

She reads books all day.



Shelli has 3 sisters,

3 sisters,

3 sisters.

Shelli has 3 sisters. 

She loves them all day.





It is important to allow your child to help you as much as possible!



Write the song together.



Sing it all the time.



You could incorporate musical instruments to make it more complete!



But most importantly: Have Fun!


Thursday, April 5, 2012

Teach Your Child Using Nursery Rhymes and Children's Songs



Nursery rhymes and children’s songs are treasures waiting to be opened.  They contain huge amounts of educational wealth and can not be wasted and ignored.



Enhance vocabulary and motor skills:

Singing, chanting and rhythmic play can increase a child’s vocabulary even as motor skills are strengthened.



Examples:  Ring-Around a Rosie, The Wheels on the Bus, This Old Man, This is the Way We Wash Our Clothes,



Basic school skills:

Nursery Rhymes and other children songs teach the basics of vocabulary, reading, and math while having fun!



Examples:  I Caught a Fish Alive, Five Little Piggies, 10 Little Turtles, 1, 2 Buckle My Shoe



Language and self expression:

Singing songs lays a groundwork for language growth, reading, speaking and self expression



Examples:  If You’re Happy and You Know It, Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone, Three Little Kittens



Pulse and Rhythm:

Rhymes strengthen the skill to feel the pulse of language.  It is as important to engage in the physical rhythm of rhymes and songs as it is to sing on pitch.



Examples:  Five Little Monkeys, Three Blind Mice, Hot Cross Buns, Old MacDonald’s Farm



Extra Advantage:

Music has the potential to convey feelings of love, delight and security to children and has the ability to bond families together.



Examples:  Hush Little Baby, Angels Watching Over Me, I Love You-You Love Me,




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