How we work together in Music!

One of my many goals I have in mind when developing music class activities is finding ways to enhance their overall musical development.  For younger children, I want them to experience learning about music by listening, watching and actively engaging in activities.  As children get further in their musical studies, creating music is really like having your own team.  Each member of the team is valuable to create the overall sound.

We start this in one of the most simplistic ways:  working together.

By learning to hold one side of the scarf while a friend holds the other side, we begin to build teamwork.  Then we add a small beach ball and the duo needs to roll the ball back and forth.  This is often a challenge because kids are naturally excited about parachutes, scarves and beach balls and now we need them to focus their excitement on a task with a friend.  Trust me, this is big for preschoolers!  Since it's summer time, we listen to music that reminds us of the rolling waves.  The goal, work together to get your ball rolling back and forth like the waves.

This focused and concentrated work really help build so many valuable skills in music and in life.  You have everything from teamwork, verbal and non-verbal communication, moving to a steady beat and fine and gross motor skills!

Sometimes we have so much fun playing and moving to music, we over look the amazing value it contributes to life.  Come and explore all the benefits of teamwork and moving appropriately to the music.  

  

Hello & Goodbye: The importance of names!

Once upon a time I worked my first elementary general music job.  Prior to that position, I had only worked with older elementary, middle school and high school instrumental students.  The only general music class I had was 7th grade.  I wanted to be a middle school/high school band director, after all.  Here I was in a new school teaching something I never thought I'd want to do!

Oh, now we can all really laugh as 

I'm Ms. Jenni 

the musical toddler whisper!  

Back then I had A LOT of music classes in the school I was in.  I had to take attendance every class and I felt like the 50 minutes they had music each week made it nearly impossible for me to remember their names.  Plus it's very hard when you're trying to manage a class saying, "Hey, kid in the orange shirt!"  Then I started to sing hello to the kids each week using their names.  Every kid.  Every class.  It helped!

One of the things I still do is sing Hello!

Today I was teaching one of my preschool classes and they sang my hello so beautifully with great energy.  I just had that moment where I played the guitar, listened and smiled.  They have come so far and truly were enjoying making music and singing to each other. 

If I have toddlers or big kids, I try to get to know there names and use them throughout class.

At the end of class I sing Goodbye to all the kids too.

I feel that singing Hello and greeting them each time I see them, using their names throughout class and singing Goodbye using their names makes them feel that they are a part of class.  It also makes them feel that I truly care.  (I do!)  Knowing their names really helps with the overall dynamics of class because I can point out the children that are good models and the other children can follow suit. 

Don't over look the importance of learning and using names!  

 

Saying Goodbye.....

It is with a heavy heart that I say goodbye to my physical studio.

As I was sifting through pictures, I found this one of my 3 children while we were setting up for one of my Saturday classes at Saint Mary's Church back in 2011-2012.  At that time my son was around 2 and my daughters were 4 & 5.  I've been teaching classes for more than 5 years!

I started my journey teaching music and movement classes because I was inspired by the teacher I took classes with when my oldest was an infant.  When I had my 3 kids, I felt it was something I could do because I love making music and sharing it with other people.  I wanted them involved too.

I've had quite the journey of success.

Back in 2011, I used spaces in my community but then I found a space in Hillsborough that was perfect for my vision of my studio.  My first class ended their session at my new studio back in June 2012.  I held many parties, playdates and classes over my 2 years there.

I stayed in my Township Line Road location until 2014 when I moved my studio closer to home so it would be easier for me and my family.  With the demands of them being in school, the 10-15 minute drive across Hillsborough was very time consuming on a tight schedule.

I relocated my studio to Manville and had a Grand Opening where I invited Jason Didner to play and also had an appearance by Elsa.  I loved my small, bright green studio that I decorated with fun wall art that the kids enjoyed.

At the end of June 2016, I say goodbye to my studio.

Looking back it has been a long road.  Making this decision has not been easy.

I think of all the families that I have met over the years.  If you stayed one semester or more, you made a difference.  I kept teaching my classes because I was inspired by your children.  I'd show up to class and their smiles and laughter would inspire me.  

It's really hard to even think about not having my own space!

I've been going through a grieving process over my decision.

If you've been with me a longer time, you might have noticed that I didn't do as much this past semester.  You might have noticed that I didn't say much about the upcoming summer or fall session.  It was hard for me to tell you to your faces that I had come to a decision.

My decision came because of my family - my children.

I have spent 5 years arranging my schedule to create a wide range of classes for families to enjoy the benefits of music.  I have had to put my kids in aftercare, get babysitters or even include them in class.  Sometimes they were not all that cooperative about it which was challenging.  I gave up a lot of my time with my family when they were young making memories for other families.  While I truly loved every minute of what I did, it is very time-consuming when you have 3 children.

This past year my kids have been getting more involved with their own interests.  We have dance, 

4-H, Religious Education classes, soccer and school activities.  My youngest also has speech/OT once a week outside of school.  It has become very hard to create a schedule where I can give enough time to my studio AND be there for my family.

The reality of it was, I really couldn't run many more classes then the few I did and there were few afternoon or evening options because of commitments with my own kids.  

I do love my studio like my family so it was very difficult to make a decision.

In the end, I decided it was best not to renew my lease.

I will continue to teach in the libraries and preschools.  I will also continue to write and create my own music.  I plan on continuing the Hillsborough Recreation class on Monday mornings.  I will continue with birthday parties and other entertaining opportunities.  I will focus on writing some more original kid's music and also doing my videos.

I don't look at this decision as an end, by an opening to more new opportunities.

I've been blessed by my family and my children.

I've been blessed to get to know so many wonderful families communities.

Thank you for your support over the years!

Continue to follow me on my website, facebook and youtube!

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.

Science Experiment: Calming Effect of Music

My daughter was asked to come up with a Science project to do with her friend.  They had a few ideas written down like "Does milk get you sleepy?", "Does a soap bar dissolve in water" and "Why does popcorn pop?".  The one they went with was "Does music really get you to sleep?"

Their idea was to play 3 different types of music, something from the radio, quiet music and loud music but the needed to figure out HOW to see the results.  

As part of my classes, we often include a time to relax and rock to calming music each week.  The kids are use to the routine.  Normally I play calming music.  Well, the other day, we changed things up a bit.  

We played Happy by Pharrell Williams first and the kids started getting up and dancing and jump.  We played it for about a minute and then I switched to a classical suite by J.S. Bach.  The children began to respond by laying down and relaxing.  Last we turned on Back in Black by AC/DC and the kids got up and jumped around again....without prompting.

My daughter and her friends were amazed by the results.

As a music teacher, I see the effects of music on the children I teach each day.  Knowing the way children respond to music helps me plan and structure their lessons to give them as many learning opportunities as possible.

Check out the brief video to see the results: 

The next time you are out in a store, party or at a concert, watch and listen to the people around you as different music comes on.  Maybe you even want to make your own play list of calming and loud, fast songs to see a response. 

That natural response and love of music encourages me to continue teaching every day.

     

  

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