Making Strong Bodies....and music too!

1, 2, 3!HOP WITH ME!

It's Spring and our classes have been bouncing like bunnies and hopping like frogs.  Bouncing is a great way for babies, toddlers and preschoolers to feel the sense of a steady beat when they sit on their grow-up's lap.  We do that a lot in class.  It's also a way to bring children and caregivers together.  Children feel safe in the arms of their beloved caregiver.

How many times can we bounce on a lap?

A few years ago I brought in exercise balls but they were hard to store and big.  The parents had to hold them which was more challenging for the bigger kids.  I looked around and I found the ball hoppers.  I had one when I was a kid and I have found memories of hopping all over the backyard.  I liked that they have a handle.

I introduced the ball hoppers last year and they were a HIT!

The babies can be supported and many of them actually hold the handles too.  Some of the holder children can do it themselves.

WHY BALL HOPPERS?

Music making is a full body process, especially for kids.  They get more out of class when they can move their bodies while singing or listening to a song.  The ball also helps them strengthen those core body muscles.  For babies, those are the muscles that help them pull up, sit up, start to crawl and then pull up to standing to walk.  Bouncing on a ball helps their little bodies develop balance.  I haven't had a class that wasn't full of laughter and smiles when we have the ball hoppers out!  It really is such a fun and great activity for the kids. 

My class is always creatively intertwined with musical activities that also benefit the child's over-all development.

To learn more about my classes please visit:

www.first-roots.com

Jennifer Esposito is the owner of First Roots Music Studio.  She has a BA in Music Education and is an NJ certified music teacher.  She taught in the public schools before starting her own family.  She took Kindermusik training and taught for them or several years before developing her own curriculum.  She creates her own children's songs and videos on youtube.  Her goal is to introduce children and families to a musical life.  She creatively adapts lessons to fit the children in her class. 

The Kindie Community

When my children were younger and we watched TV I heard the music of Laurie Berkner, Dan Zanes, Choo Choo Soul and They Might Be Giants.  I actually enjoyed their musical segues during the morning cartoons.

As I got involved with children's classes, I liked to search for a variety of songs.  I started going on the internet and searching itunes for different types of children's music.  I was thrilled to actually find some fun music that wasn't the traditional children's music.

When I decided to move my studio closer to home, I got in touch with Kindie perform, Jason Didner, of Jason Didner and The Jungle Gym Jam.  I did a Grand Opening event and hired him to play.  Sure it's fun to offer free classes live music is an amazing opportunity for families.

One of the things I like to do in my class is play guitar and sing - A LOT.  I like to incorporate lots of opportunities to explore making music by being actively engaged.

I felt like Jason's music worked well with my philosophies.

Through Jason, I met Marc Bazerman the head man of Baze and His Silly Friends.  My kids really liked Baze's silly performance because it was so interactive.

I love the fact that my kids and my families in my studio have had the opportunity to experience live music that is not only fun but appropriate for their children.

Every year these children's musicians get together for a huge conference called Kindiecomm.  This year Jason said a few bands were looking for some more places to gig on their way home.  He organized SIX Kindie Musicians to come and perform at my studio.

In addition to Jason Didner and Baze I met Chibi Kodama, The Green Orbs, Jumpin' Jamie and Sonshine & Broccoli.  (You HAVE to click on each of these links and learn more about them!)

Each of these groups are SO different and SO amazing.  My kids enjoyed every second and quickly got into the various performances they did!

What I loved most about the performance is, I learned about the Kindie Community.  It's a community of passionate musicians who write amazing music for children.  They love seeing the kids jamming to their music!  I am blessed to have gotten to know these people.  Their music has made an impact with my kids who beg to hear some of the songs over and over again!

If you are looking for children's music that you can enjoy, check out some of these bands.  Get to their shows.  Watch their videos online.  Buy their music.  Share the music with your children.

The Kindie Community is an amazing place with a wealth of new music for your child to explore.