The advantages of a mixed age group of children are clear in this picture. Notice how these children are participating in a tone bar activity at different levels. But we can all hear the harmonic sounds while the adults sing!

Children love to play with this special "ball"! We sometimes use it to provide opportunities to hear or to practice finding the tonal note of a song where the music comes to "rest," usually the last note of the song. Sometimes we roll the ball and sing short tonal patterns from a song in order to help children develop their musical vocabulary.

Movement is the foundation of rhythm. That's why we like to use lots of different ways to help children experience continuous fluid movement. Feeling the spaces in between the notes is the first step in rhythmic development.

Scarves can be birds, flowers, or magic carpets! We move with them while we are singing or chanting, we throw them high and explore our vocal ranges, we sing resting tones when they float to the ground, and we make up dances to recorded instrumental music. Your child will be excited when the scarves are passed out!

These wise parents are modeling a beat activity for their children instead of helping them to do it the "right way." Children develop a steady beat when they are ready.

Expect your child to absorb the sights and sounds in class. Children learn music just like they learn language. Many of them choose wisely to "practice" what they heard in class at home.