Exploring Instruments!

As a child I remember my church, preschool and school would always have a box of instruments.  They would pull them out, ask everyone to grab an instrument, turn on the music and march around.  The box would be filled with cymbals, drums, rhythm sticks, triangles, sand blocks and tambourines.  We would all eagerly rush to the box to pick out our favorite.  I never remember really learning about the names of the instruments but this box of instruments seemed to be a staple in the classroom. 

A few weeks ago, I was using the triangle in my classes.  I always try to highlight different instruments, say their name and show how it's played.  The triangle is a great instrument to represent bell sounds so it fit well with a train song and a song about morning bells ringing we were working on.

This lessonwe were also working on turn taking so we would sing the song and each child got a chance to play the triangle. 

As an educator, I am always watching, assessing and ready to alter the lesson.

Sharing is always a difficult concept, especially with young toddlers, but I found that they were all watching and eagerly waiting their turn.

When it came to getting their turn, I could see this spark in their eyes as they held the triangle with one hand and tapped it with the metal stick.  The look was often priceless.  You can see how proud they were to get the instrument and hear it's sound coming.  They each played it with such excitement.

It's something so simple.  A triangle.  An instrument.  Yet it was magical to them.

That's what instrument exploration is about.  That opportunity to hear and see cause and effect.  When I tap loud, it's loud.  When I tap gently it's soft.  When I tap fast, it's fast and when I tap slow, it's slow.  It's also one of the most natural ways to experience a steady beat and rhythmic patterns.

Each time I see a class, from babies to big kids, instrument play and exploration has such an important part.  When we look past the fact that they kids are playing instruments and truly watch them, you see how much they are learning.  The beauty of instrument play and exploration is watching the learning unfold with the light in their eyes and the expression of joy on the face. 

Won't you try a class at our studio and give your child the joy music has to offer?

www.first-roots.com  

Embracing your unique child in class!

We just returned for a new semester of Kindermusik music and movement classes.  I have been teaching these classes since 2011 and I have experienced a lot of different families and children.  As an educator, I am looking around and watching the interactions between children and their caretakers and the children with each other.  I really enjoy getting to know each family and child.  It's fun to see them learn and grow!

The beauty of these classes that always makes me smile is the uniqueness of each child.

As a society we have a desire to fit in and as adults we know what is expected and then we have a child who turns this upside down.  We have a child who says, "I won't give Daddy a kiss because his face is hairy!" or asks loudly a question loudly about someone you see while out.  Once vocal, child have their way of telling us exactly how they feel.  Before they are too vocal, it might come out in their actions.  

I have seen it all in class!

I can empathize with my families and often talk about my youngest child, who at 6, STILL struggles in group-like settings.  The best piece of advice I can say is: stay calm, consistent and keep trying.  

Families come in with all sort of expectations and I try to paint a clear picture of what they might expect and how the activities do benefit in many ways.  The class is somewhat structured with lots of ways to explore and learn.  The point of class is that they are surrounded by familiar and new activities through music, steady beat, instrument play and prop play.  Caretakers participate to give the children a model.  Even if you think your child is NOT looking, they might be OR they might be watching another parent or child.  This is why parents are there - to participate with the educator leading the class.  

I don't want caretakers to FORCE their child to do things but be positive and model.  Sometimes kids decide to stand back and watch but if you keep participating, they eventually join.  Other kids like to be in the middle or socialize with other children and families.  Sometimes this is upsetting because the caretaker wants more one-on-one time.  Having a curious, confident child is never a bad thing! When you have to leave them at school, you know they will have no problem interacting with the teacher or other students.  Even if you have the track runner that wants to walk around during "circle time" moments, they are listening and watching.  I often see them stop and do their favorite moments.  If your child is dancing while everyone plays the rhythm sticks, it doesn't mean they aren't interested but they are taking it all in.  You can see some children just soaking in every piece of what is happening. 

As long as children are being safe, I encourage you to let them explore at their level and intervene only when necessary.  Be that model for social interactions and provide any support to make it a positive learning environment.  Most importantly:  Let loose and have fun!    

Class is about providing a musical foundation through many teachable moments.  We are singing, listening, creating a steady beat, playing, talking, using props and being creative to inspire the children.  Follow your child's lead and let them explore, create and be unique.    

Embrace your child for this moment will soon pass. 

Do you have moments you'd like to share from your class experience?

Comment below, email us or visit us on facebook!

  

Consistency Counts!

Let's face it, our world is busy and face-paced.  We can communicate with people across the globe within minutes.  Our schedules can be filled with a multitude of events within minutes.  Our babies, toddlers and children become part of our busy lives.

That's where Kindermusik comes into play.

It's 30-45 minutes of consistency each week.  

You can unplug from your busy life and leave your worries at the door while watching your little one be the person who they are.  You can count on us to remember your child's name, welcome you with a great big smile, sing new and familiar songs, introduce new activities and review old favorites all within a comfortable space where you can kick off your shoes and participate at your own comfort level.

In our busy lives we see things like, "no-contracts", "pay-as-you-go" or "no commitment" but taking time to commit is a true gift for our children and families.  Children learn best through consistency and that's what our Kindermusik classes offer your children.  Even at a young age attending a class consistently makes a difference.  Children gain confidence and understand the routines.  By hearing familiar songs, sounds and patterns, they begin to internalize and recognize them.  Consistency builds a foundation children can grow from, not only in music but in life.  

Grab your child's hand and join in a weekly class that will make a lasting impact!

To learn more about all of our studio offerings please visit:

www.first-roots.com

First Roots Music Studio

109 South Main Street, Manville, NJ 08835

      

Imitation: Sincerest Form of Flattery

One of the definitions of IMITATION is:

Imitation (noun):  The action of using someone or something as a model.

Yesterday I received a link to a video of a friend's son who has attended my classes for a long time.  In it he had his stuffed animals all lined up.  He sat in front of them with his children's ukulele singing goodbye using each of his stuffed animals.  He even sang to each of them by name just like I do for the Hello and Goodbye song each class. 

When I watched it, I felt the tears welling up in my eyes.

A few weeks ago I received a beautiful letter from a Grandparent who attends classes with her Grandchildren.  She told me the effects the class had on her older Grandchild on a very busy weekend.  She said turning on the CD in the car helped turn her tired, cranky Grandchild's mood around.  

As I read the letter, I was all choked up with emotion.   

THIS IS WHY I TEACH MUSIC!

THIS IS WHY I OFFER BABY, TODDLER, PRESCHOOL AND SCHOOL-AGE CLASSES!

Children are naturally engaged and captivated by music.  I love to encourage an interactive music program where children are surrounded by live and recorded music.  It's fun to give them new ways to play with a prop or instrument and they watch them being creative.  Many of our activities start from imitation where they follow my lead and then we develop ways to improvise.  Watching this process is a wonderful treat.  I see their eyes light up as they show me new ways to sing, dance and play.  I watch them giggling and laughing with the caregivers that they love so much!  Seeing the process of children learning from their music classes let's me know that the activities I'm doing are building those future music and life skills.   Children are such natural music lovers.   

It also solidifies that I have found my passion:  Sharing music with families.

I always love your pictures, videos and stories of how your experience made a difference.

Thank you for believing in me!

Remember:  You are always your child's best teacher through life!  Be their imitation!

  

   

Promoting Children's Music: Baze and His Silly Friends

After several years of teaching Kindermusik and searching Itunes and the internet for fun children's music, I discovered my local "Kindie" Music Scene.

I believe that children should experience live music with an opportunity to interact by dancing, singing and playing instruments at their comfort level.  I have designed my classes around this philosophy.  I also love to bring in current music that help teach concepts or that parents and children can connect to.  Through his performance at the Hillsborough Public Library during the summer of 2014 I met Jason Didner, the lead singer of Jason Didner and the Jungle Gym Jam.  Through our friendship he introduced me to this local Kindie Music scene and we worked together to promote his music in my Winter Classes.  It ended with a fantastic concert!

For my Spring Session, I decided to work with Marc Bazerman from Baze and His Silly Friends!  His upbeat and original music was perfect for Spring!  We started out as butterflies as we flew around the room with scarves to "Fly: A Caterpillar's Tale".  We learned nursery rhymes by listening to his "Old Mother Goose" song.  We pretended to be superheros and took basket rides listening to his "Riverside" song.  It was a memorable Spring.  His full album is available through Itunes.

As a highlight to our Spring classes, First Roots Studio sponsored a FREE concert at Manville Public Library on July 18th at 3pm.  Baze performed a solo, interactive show for our guests who danced, sang and played tambourines!  It was a wonderful performance!

First Roots studio will continue to bring fun, local musicians to our community and sponsor concerts.  Music making is a community experience and all children should have live musical experiences.

Our photos below show the rockin' good time we had!

For more information on First Roots Studio please visit:

www.first-roots.com

Ms. Jenni's FIRST School Assembly!

As an educator and entertainer, I've done classes and shows at a lot of venues.  I regularly run classes for libraries and for the past two years I have done a sing-along at the Somerset County 4-H Fair.  I am often hired for Birthday Parties where I can accommodate the needs of the client - sometimes it's a more "class-like" and other times it's entertainment based.  I am no stranger to performing.

A few weeks ago, a client contacted me looking for a program for her child's elementary school.  Her family had been in my family classes a few years ago so I was beyond honored that she considered hiring me!

On Friday, May 1st, I set off to Hillcrest School in Franklin Township, NJ to do an assembly for the children in Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten.  I did 2, 30-minute assemblies and both groups were fantastic!

I performed many of my original songs, and even included a new "kindie rock anthem" that I wrote that the children responded to so well.  There is nothing better then having kids enjoy to songs that I wrote.  Many of the songs I write include ways for the children to learn through music by moving, counting or learning about a concept.

If you are looking for a live music program for your childcare center, preschool or elementary school, please give me a call at 908-552-9338!

Making Music with Pool Noodles

I'm the music teacher you will find browsing the dollar store for ordinary objects that we can use in music class.  I get excited looking at each Oriental Trading magazine the shows up in the mail.  It just gets my creative juices going.  These props extend the concepts being taught and create unforgettable moments in class.  I always want the class to leaving singing a song and saying they had fun!

I follow a lot of blogs and I heard that some music teachers were using pool noodles.

I thought, "How much fun is that?!"

Most of my students are 6 and under right now but I thought this could work for them too!

It most certainly did!

Toddlers, Preschoolers and young Grade School students LOVE stop and go games.  When I brought out the pool noodles we tapped them on the floor.  They would follow me tapping at the speeds I did.  Then I'd randomly make them freeze.  Then we also rolled them on the floor with our hands like we were making cookies.  These activities are so good for developing a steady beat, coordination, listening skills and fine and gross motor skills.  The kids just have a blast!

Then we pretended they were flowers to balance gently on our hands.  In future classes, I would challenge them to hold them in different ways.  I love being the DJ and setting the mood with various songs.  Just think about what you want to focus on and use the pool noodles as an enhancement.

With older kids you can allow each child to start your beat and call out freeze.  You can also have them echo patterns.  You can have them read patterns that you write on the board or posters.  Team up older children with a partner to tap the rhythms.  If you have enough, use 2 for each child like large rhythm sticks.  Listen to their ideas too! 

I cut mine in half which saved on the cost and made them a bit more manageable for little hands.

Don't forget to set your ground rules and expectations.  Follow through with what you say!

"No fun if we don't follow directions!"

Go ahead and go to the pool in music class with your new, inexpensive props! 

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