A connection between Music & Literacy

I was honored to be asked to read at my local school's Read Across America program on behalf of my music studio, First Roots Music Studio.   I offer classes for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and big kids that include a full-range of musical activities to develop the whole child.  I want to engage their entire body and mind into creating music.

I've be a music educator for over 10 years and I've focused on early childhood education for at least 7 of those years.  In my classes, I always bring in a wide variety of material, including literacy.

For young child, the benefits of singing and listening to music are so amazing.  By learning and hearing songs, they are being introduced to new vocabulary.  Music is a natural way for children to develop fluency while speaking or singing.  Rhythm is another thing children in music class are exposed to and it also helps them as they begin reading.  Singing, listening and interactive music activities also are wonderful way to develop emotion.  These are all components that can help children with reading.

I read the children a book called "Jenny Jenkins" which was written based on the song.  The story features a little girl who is asked what color she wants to wear.  Each time she is asked, she comes up with a silly rhyme about why she won't wear that color and says "but I will by a foldy-roldy-tildy-toldy-roll a Jenny Jenkins roll."  These silly repetitive words end each page which is nice for repetition.  By the end of the book, she does decide on the color.

After reading the story, a teacher held up the book for the children to tell me the colors.  Then I sang each verse with them.

We also had the opportunity to view the video I put together.

It was a great day reading and singing for Read Across America!

I am really blessed to be able to share music with so many families in my community.  Seeing the positive effects first hand is the best reward.  It helps me continue to look for creative ways to bring songs, stories and rhymes to life to give children the best musical start - which also helps them academically!

Ms Jenni shares the gift of music!

It's no secret.  I love to sing.  I love to make music.  I love to share that with everyone.

Two years ago we moved our family to a small town which was a very hard decision.  After having meetings at the school to prepare my children to be enrolled and ensure their IEP was followed, I found some of the most kind, dedicated and amazing staff members.  Each day when I picked my kids up they always took the time to tell me about their day and create a connection with my children.  These teachers would go out of their way to ensure their students were getting the best.

Once they learned that I am a music teacher, I started sharing my music with them and coming in for special events. 

Singing You Are My Sunshine!

One of the highlights was the wedding of Q&U.  What an interesting experience for children!  They not only learn some QU words that I even have trouble saying like Quadrilateral but they learned about weddings, speaking and having various parts.  I was honored last year to be asked to participate and be asked back to be part of the Quartet. 

Q&U Wedding Pictures:  Ms Jenni is 1/4 of the quartet.

I love being able to be a part of my own children's lives and the lives of their friends.  I enjoy sharing live music because of the joy it brings.  As I play and sing I see smiles, kids rockin' out and being in the moment of making music.  Over my years of focusing on early childhood music I have learned what engages them to actively participate.  Being able to create musical moments is the best!

I am so very thankful for the teachers allowing me to come in and make music! 

The one thing I can give you is the gift of music! 

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