Repetition, Repetition....What?!

We always hear how repetition is important for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and big kids. You hear it about their schedule and their day. You even hear it in classes you attend and maybe start to think it's the teacher making excuses to repeat an activity!

When you experience something for the first time you don't know what to expect so your brain soaks up all the input it's receiving. It creates a memory of the event. The next time you experience something similar your brain builds on that memory. At the same time your body also learns how to respond in that situation.

One of the reasons why First Roots Music Studio offers classes for a set number of weeks is because regular attendance builds on the repetition of merely showing up to class.  When you say the words, "Let's get ready for music class!", it's almost meaningless the first time. WHAT IS MUSIC CLASS?  As you attend each week, you will start to see your child understand and connect. Depending on their age, they might even recall activities or tell you what they remember. This is all part of repetition!

Songs are another way we build repetition. It's funny how just as we get sick of hearing a song, a child starts singing and dancing along! Playing the music from class is a good way to help build on that repetition. In class we do repeat songs so the children can become familiar with them.

We encourage dialogue between you and your child. For babies, this might mean you monologue about their day. You can pause in your conversation and wait for their response. You might be surprised when they answer you! For toddlers and preschoolers, that are creating conversations, model asking and answering questions. "Would you like pancakes? Yes, I would like pancakes!" In class I give the children opportunities to be creative and use their voice. That joy they have when we use their idea is priceless!

Does your child grab the same book off the shelf over and over? Maybe they like the way the words flow? Maybe they like the characters? We all have that ONE book that we have read cover to cover 10 times in a row every day for a week, Each time the book is repeated, you might see them anticipating what will happen. Maybe they make the animal sounds or try to use the expressions you do? Reading is a great way to build repetition and routine. It can be a way to transition to nap or bed time.  We really enjoy the Reading Rainbow app for the iPad! There is such a huge selection of books that your child might start trying out some new stories. The library is also a great place to explore fre story times and get inspiration for age-appropriate stories.

At home you can build repetition in their day by creating a simple schedule. Walk your child through the steps of getting ready at whatever stage they are at. Assist as needed and encourage independence as they get older. Use songs and rhymes from class or ones you even make up to help create transitions or learning opportunities about their day.

Repetition. We hear it over and over again as our children grow.

What are your child's favorite repetitive activities?

Teaching Tip: Preschoolers Need To MOVE!!!!!

Preschoolers (and toddlers and K and 1st graders and most kids) they have this wonderful, innate ability to move and groove.  Go ahead, turn on some fun music and watch them boogie!

I firmly believe that my kids HAVE TO MOVE in class....OFTEN!

WHY?

1.  Movement helps stimulate that brain and this helps enrich language development.
2.  Movement helps children be creative and express themselves.
3.  Through movement, it helps children connect to an experience.

My kids enjoy seated movement activities such as finger plays, clapping, patting and tapping along and gross motor activities such as dancing.  It doesn't matter if I'm teaching a parent/child baby class or a preschool class, these activities are incorporated.

When children are moving, they are connecting to the words.  Such a simple song like the Itsy Bitsy Spider can turn into the GIANT SPIDER that moves slow with arms outstretched to the Teeny Weeny Spider that scurries super fast.  Now we've heard new vocabulary and moved those ways and that connects the concepts for children.

In class, we want to see how the children can explore.  We show them ways to move but we encourage them to find new ways.  Allowing them to explore lets them be creative which opens the door for them to be confident and expressive.

Music class is more then sitting in a circle and singing.  It's being silly, fun, creative and MOVING.

Get your classes up and moving....there is so much great stuff out there!  

Visit my youtube channel for some fun movement songs!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNgd-4MDp7mYvFPmc_gV9hw 

Jennifer Esposito is the owner of First Roots Music Studio in Manville, NJ

www.first-roots.com

908-552-9338 

The Value on "Mommy & Me" Music Class!

So many families come to me and ask, "When can my child take class WITHOUT me?"

It seems that our busy society constantly rushes children to the next stage, sometimes before they are even ready.  With families working full-time positions to make ends meet, many children are in childcare centers where academics are pushed in infant rooms.  In fact, many establishments do have weekly lessons plans for their babies!  Everywhere we look, we are being reminded that we need to start educating them earlier and earlier.  It's not enough to just play.

As a mother of 3 children, I completely understand....ALL OF IT!

When I get the question, "When can my child take class without me?" I pause and say, "It depends."

My studio, First Roots Music, offers Kindermusik.  Kindermusik is one of the finest, age-appropriate curricula you can find.  The classes meet in various age-groups and from my experience teaching children in schools and privately, the age ranges are a great guideline for a parent.  Children up to and sometimes over 3 years of age can really benefit from an adult's participation.

For most cases children up to age 3 benefit best in a "parent-child class".

Children benefit so much by having that adult by their side as they learn and grow through music.  They have a grown-up their for hugs.  A grown-up their to show off their new skill!  A grown-up there that is encouraging them to walk over to the teacher.  A grown-up that can help demonstrate turn-taking and listening.  A grown-up that allows for a child to become independent and explore.

As children attend class regularly, they begin to get comfortable and familiar with the routine!

As an educator, it's so joyful to watch this transform.

Even though we want our children in class without us, take the time to relish those moments of one-on-one time in a class that lets your child grow musically, socially, emotionally, physically and become the independent person they are.  

The true value of the "Mommy & Me" class is all those moments building those skills in a safe, loving space.

You will have plenty of time for your child to be on their own.

For more information about our studio please visit:
www.first-roots.com

First Roots Music Studio is located at 109 South Main Street, Manville, NJ 08835
908-552-9338

Instruments Around Us

One of my goals a music educator is to show parents how they can incorporate music in their child's daily routine.  It's not about setting up a specific music time at home or running a mini-class with your child in your living room.  It's about incorporating music into your life - naturally.

I bring in everyday items to show parents how they can make music at home or anywhere! 

To an adult, these are food storage containers.

To a child, they are an imaginative drum set!

We all have containers around the house.

We all have to cook dinner.

Step 1.  Get out your containers, make a drum set and have a musical dinner time!

Step 2.  Take one of our songs from class and play along.

Step 3.  Let your child naturally explore their new instrument.  Tap loud, soft, scrap, roll, open, close....

So many ways to explore and make music!

For more information about our classes visit:

www.first-roots.com

First Roots Studio is located at 109 South Main Street, Manville, NJ, 08844

We offer music classes for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and big kids!

Live & Love to the Fullest!

Today I think I smiled more than any day I can remember because I was surrounded by these amazing, fun-filled families!

The reason we were all gathered was to help a long-time friend who recently found out she has a rare form of cancer.  It seems to be something I'm hearing from more friends - it's either them or their children.  It's heartbreaking.

The one way I can help is to bring joy through music!  For me, music always has a way of creating a moment.  Today I used music to make joy.  There was definite joy in the form of big smiles, laughter, hugs, dancing and lots of silly moments!  (Even some of the grown-ups were sad to clean up the instruments.)

The one thing I am learning through life is to be passionate about everything.  My kids teach me to live in the moment, look for the small joys all around and love everyone like I want to be loved.  I am glad I get to make music each day and share it with amazing people!  Watching babies smile to big kids sing or play an instrument inspires me.  I'm giving them the gift of music.  A joy that they can turn to anytime.  Music brings us together as friends and family.  I love to share that!

<3 Live, Love and Cherish The Moments!  <3

A Preschooler's Musical Creativity

Have you spent time with preschoolers?

They are amazing.

Watching preschoolers play and learn shows you how much creativity little ones have.  A box becomes a boat.  A scarf is a rocket ship.

What I like about teaching music is that I get to enhance that beautiful creativity.  I get to give them a chance to express themselves.  I know they want to move.  We get to tiptoe, march, run and jump.  I open up the opportunity for them to make decisions - what ways can you move?

Wow!  I have just asked THEM to lead ME!  They are now the teachers.  They are creating the music.  They are coming up with the ideas.  They are IMPROVISING!  Did you know you can spin jump?

That's one of the things I love about teaching preschoolers music - that no fear, carefree, creative ability to have a blast making music.

One of the many lifetime goals is for them to take that youthful creativity they learn in music class and apply it to their lives as they grow and learn.      

Happy New Year from First Roots!

Time flies when you're having fun!

Since creating First Roots, LLC in the summer of 2013, things have really started to take off!

In the Fall I added a new library to our schedule!  I love doing the library programs.  There are so many wonderful families I have meet.  It feels great to provide such an important class to each of the communities!

In January I teamed up with Hillsborough Recreation to offer a Music & Movement class!  The first class met on Monday, January 6th and it had great attendance.  I look forward to presenting exciting and stimulating music programs for the residents of Hillsborough.  

PS - Non-residents can also sign up!

I also teach at some preschools in the area.  

It has been great getting to know the children and watching them learn and grow through music!

As the year progresses, we will have some more great new changes coming up!

I look forward to making music with you!