DD is very musically inclined, singing her way through each day and playing at the piano every day. (Not so interested in percussion.) She has been carrying a tune for several months, and once correctly sang "Sol Do" as her daddy was practicing an interval in some choir music (with words, not with Solfege). She's beginning to learn the piano notes. We listen every day to a variety of music and do lots of dancing. We sing a lot.
A friend recommended I start her in a music program right away, even though she's not yet 3. The only class around here is Kindermusik, and it's half an hour away and expensive. I'd like to work more with her with music. Can any of you tell me what you've done musically with your toddlers, in or out of classes?
Thanks, mamas!
S Starr
12-18-2008, 12:18 PM
Nobody? Come on, mamas! Tell me about your music play!
MNmom
12-18-2008, 02:11 PM
Is there a suzuki violin instructor close by? It sounds like she is ready for that.
S Starr
12-18-2008, 03:03 PM
Is there a suzuki violin instructor close by? It sounds like she is ready for that.
Do you have personal experience with Suzuki instruction with a preschooler? Did your LO practice? And if not, did he or she progress anyway? I've heard of Suzuki violin and piano instruction, but don't know much about them. ... Googling, the closest appears to be 45+ minutes away. <f> It's not like we live in a small town!
AngelW
12-18-2008, 06:57 PM
We went to a Music Together class, but my son didn't join the class on any of it and the room was not toddler safe, so we didn't continue. We have gone to two sets of toddler dance classes, though. He likes that and the room is pretty safe. He doesn't participate in everything, but he shows me later at home that he was paying attention when he does all the things from class. Every bit of dance activity has a song to go with it, so that is musical, too. I am the only parent that sings along with the teacher.. which is weird, as I know we're welcome to. Hrm. There is a children's choir in town, but he's not ready for that yet. I also saw there are other musical classes in the town over the border in VT. Perhaps next year he will be more ready for that to make it worth the drive.
I play music for him during every meal and we sing along. Right now we are listening to the Christmas radio channel, but otherwise we have a bunch of toddler CDs and I check them out of the library regularly, too. At bedtime and naptime I sing several songs for him to help him sleep. I am in a women's singing group and always practice around him and my DH is in the church choir and he sings at home, too.
I have a bunch of musical toys for my son and I found a good set by Melissa and Doug - all wood/metal with tambourine and claves and maracas and a few other things in it. That's for this Christmas. He has a plastic drum, but also uses the 5 gallon bucket with wooden spoons to bang on it. He has a jingly bell type set of toys and a plastic flute (from grandparents).
On TV - "Jack's Big Music Show" is a good one for musical development.
mum2James&Julia
12-18-2008, 07:10 PM
We sing songs/dance every day and I would say my kids are naturally inclined toward music (vocal and percussion especially). I probably wouldn't consider putting my kids into a serious program until they were a little older, only because MY children aren't disciplined enough yet for it. My older ds is getting there. Perhaps in a year or two. They need a lot of stimulation, so just bouncing around and exposing them to different types of music (my kids especially love world music and hip hop! LOL!) and learning to keep a beat. We have a piano that the kids do love, but my kids are much more percussion-oriented for whatever reason (probably get it from me, I couldn't play a lick on the piano to save my life :rolleyes:).
Blah blah blah. I'm totally rambling. Anyhoo, I like to keep things casual and without pressure. I wouldn't want them to come to dislike it, as I did with piano (was forced into lessons for a few years, and now hearing Jon play most songs literally gives me anxiety attacks!).
S Starr
12-18-2008, 09:56 PM
On TV - "Jack's Big Music Show" is a good one for musical development.
I'll have to look into that. As mum2James&Julia mentioned, I don't want to make DD practice or otherwise risk losing the fun, but otoh I want to take advantage of this incredible learning time, where she's soaking up info so easily! I've been doing everything pretty casually, but then my friend said that her brother could play TV jingles by ear at age 5 after taking classes since 2.5 years.... I'd love to be able to play an instrument by ear, and am wondering what she could be learning as play if I just knew what/how to teach....
meganc
12-19-2008, 07:37 AM
have you gone to children's concerts? We have a place in Philadelphia that does small shows for the kids crowd on Sunday mornings. My kids love going. They like to sing along with the songs that they know. Their favorite is Justin Roberts. And they also love Jack's Big Music show and Hi-5 on TV.
txmom72
12-19-2008, 08:42 AM
I'll second "Jack's Big Music Show". DS loves that show, and they have such a variety of music!
S Starr
12-19-2008, 10:43 AM
have you gone to children's concerts? We have a place in Philadelphia that does small shows for the kids crowd on Sunday mornings. My kids love going. They like to sing along with the songs that they know. Their favorite is Justin Roberts. And they also love Jack's Big Music show and Hi-5 on TV.
The only kid-specific concerts that I know about have been early evening, a little late for her so far.... I have taken her to Amahl and the Night Visitors and parts of some dress rehearsals of her daddy's choir. She'd probably sit through an adult concert happily enough, but she wouldn't be quiet. "Now the conductor is standing still. Now the violins are bowing! Now maybe they'll sing Possum in the Simmon Tree!" etc.
3 ladybugs
12-19-2008, 02:19 PM
You can purchase the Music Together collections on their own without going to a class. I love Music Together and honestly the only reason why my son isn't going next session is because he isn't on a schedule yet. :( When I was a nanny I would sit with the children and sing with them out of the song book all of the Music Together songs. They and I loved it!
http://store.musictogether.com/songs.php They also have child size musical instruments if you need those too. :)
Good luck! I hope to dig out my Infant Music Together CD for my son to use soon!
Knits4rj
12-19-2008, 04:14 PM
I'm no expert, but I think what you guys are doing is huge! If your LO is hearing you guys do music and you do it everyday, she's still learning. YOu don't need a curriculum to teach. They learn from everything you do. I never had formal training in music until high school and i was able to naturally do some things that my peers couldn't do even though they had trained. So, a big part of it is just natural ability. I think you're being sensitive to letting her be a baby still too. I think that's great! Get some of the cd's a pp mentioned! We love those songs too! If she's holding a tune, then that's a biggie there, so good for you! You may be able to start a Music Together group in your area. Check it out. I think it's pricey too though. Idk! Good Luck! Mine loves music too! We dance and sing all day long some days! Take care
cheygirl
12-20-2008, 07:36 AM
DD goes to music class for 2-3 year olds. The teaching is based on early childhood music methodologies such as Orff, Kodaly, and Dalcroze. Mostly songs, movement, percussion instruments. My mom's the teacher actually. We also bought her some raffi and sharon, lois & bram cd's, which she loves to sing and dance along to at home. In her toybox she's got a harmonica, tin whistle, and xylophone. I play songs for her on the instruments and then she tries it out, but we haven't done anything more structured than that yet. I keep meaning to take her to more concerts but haven't done a lot of that yet. Personally I wouldn't put my kid into private music lessons or expect her to practice at this young age.
S Starr
12-20-2008, 10:41 AM
DD goes to music class for 2-3 year olds. The teaching is based on early childhood music methodologies such as Orff, Kodaly, and Dalcroze. Mostly songs, movement, percussion instruments. My mom's the teacher actually. We also bought her some raffi and sharon, lois & bram cd's, which she loves to sing and dance along to at home. In her toybox she's got a harmonica, tin whistle, and xylophone. I play songs for her on the instruments and then she tries it out, but we haven't done anything more structured than that yet. I keep meaning to take her to more concerts but haven't done a lot of that yet. Personally I wouldn't put my kid into private music lessons or expect her to practice at this young age.
I think even the music lessons at this age are group lessons. I wouldn't expect or want my DD to practice either, at least not more than she considered fun. If you can share any other specifics about your mom's teaching, I would deeply appreciate it! Songs are straightforward (thanks for the specific artist names! I like raffi -- will have to check out the other!), but I don't know anything about early childhood music methodologies. Can she or you recommend a book for me?
S Starr
12-20-2008, 10:42 AM
You can purchase the Music Together collections on their own without going to a class. I love Music Together and honestly the only reason why my son isn't going next session is because he isn't on a schedule yet. :( When I was a nanny I would sit with the children and sing with them out of the song book all of the Music Together songs. They and I loved it!
Too steep to buy all.... Do you have a favorite to recommend? Thanks!
3 ladybugs
12-20-2008, 12:30 PM
Too steep to buy all.... Do you have a favorite to recommend? Thanks!
Drums was good. I would get one and see how you like it then you could always go back for more. Don't forget that Music Together is 3 year coarse to get them all. So I would spread out purchasing them as such. :thumbsup:
Good Luck!
S Starr
12-20-2008, 12:37 PM
Drums was good. I would get one and see how you like it then you could always go back for more. Don't forget that Music Together is 3 year coarse to get them all. So I would spread out purchasing them as such. :thumbsup:
Good Luck!
Thanks! I guess I'll buy the Drums songbook and CD to start with.
Emma
12-20-2008, 06:42 PM
I'm going to third Jack's Big Music Show. All of us love it! I've found myself humming the songs to myself at work.
We do Kindermusik as well. It is expensive and while it is music-based, it's not solely about music - following directions, playing games with each other... It is fun, and Ivy enjoys it, but if you're looking for music instruction, this isn't it.
For individual children's artists, I really love Laurie Berkner. I also love Kids Songs (by Klutz). It's a mix of children's songs from multiple artists. I had it when I was a kid, and (hopefully) Ivy is getting it for Christmas.
S Starr
12-20-2008, 08:47 PM
I'm going to third Jack's Big Music Show. All of us love it! I've found myself humming the songs to myself at work.
We do Kindermusik as well. It is expensive and while it is music-based, it's not solely about music - following directions, playing games with each other... It is fun, and Ivy enjoys it, but if you're looking for music instruction, this isn't it.
For individual children's artists, I really love Laurie Berkner. I also love Kids Songs (by Klutz). It's a mix of children's songs from multiple artists. I had it when I was a kid, and (hopefully) Ivy is getting it for Christmas.
Thanks for the specifics! I think that decides me against Kindermusik. I might do it if it were in my neighborhood, but I don't want to drive a long ways to participate in a music-based preschool session.
I've been enjoying Laurie Berkner too! It's funny how anything on anyone's head in this house is now song-worthy.... <g> I'll look into Kids Songs by Klutz. Thanks!
