Circle dances and singing create a sense of community

Even the very young begin to enjoy the pleasure of the circle, and listening and moving together. Rhythm, melody, and form are experienced directly in singing games. Because they are so joyous, the group will often want to repeat the games frequently. The repetitions of song combined with movement/dance are helpful in aiding auditory, muscular, and kinesthetic memory in a positive way. Forming a circle is an age-old way of playing together. Circle dances are tied to the tradition of folk dance, and both the songs and dances learned in that context are children's treasured memories. They are shared and passed on from generation to generation.

How to learn musical intervals

Musical intervals are easy when you use these mnemonics (memory aides) - the beginning(s) of "Oh When the Saints" is a perfect third, "Here Comes the Bride" is a fourth, "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" is a fifth, and "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean" is a sixth! - Thank you Allen Webber of Palm Beach Community College!

Why "Call and Respond Songs" Build a Child's Self Esteem

Call-and-respond songs are especially valuable because they draw everyone into participation quickly.  They usually have a melody that is repeated in the response, or a short repetitive answer.  They are enjoyed by adults and children alike.
I use these  songs to give children oppotunities to respond individually.  After the children are secure in their musical environment, it is vital to encourage them to respond individually.  Each child has the opportunity to hear his or her own voice, and gradually learn to adjust it if they so choose.  Examples are:  Good Day, Hambone, and My Little Rooster

The Magic of Musikgarten - just one example

Tom, age 18 months, joined my youngest class just 4 weeks ago. I'm told he does not talk much at all yet, only some isolated words. I was also told he is extremely shy. On his first visit, he stayed outside in the hall and pretty much cried for 30 minutes. His second class, he did not cry, but he stood by the door, facing the door the whole time. His third class he came with his grandma June and sat next to her, but did not participate, he observed - no crying this time. Today, his fourth class, as we sang "Baa baa black sheep," he began to clap. For 3 songs after that one, he continued to clap in time with the rhythm. At one point, he went over to 1 yr old Heather and handed her an egg shaker. After using our scarves for "Peek a boo," he came and neatly put his scarf in my scarf bag. When we sang "Coming 'round the mountain," he distinctly sang "Toot, toot" when we did, as well as some other words that we adults did not fully understand. June's eyes filled up with tears of joy, as did mine. What a moment! This is just one example of why I LOVE Musikgarten. When we sing and dance to the right kind of music, we are speaking their language and magic moments really do happen. - Susan

Inspire Your Child to Compose and Create

We can inspire our children to compose and to create through music, whether it's on a piano, with a set of pots and pans, a recorder, or any simple instrument! Songs have a beginning, a middle, and an end. So do stories, so do term papers, business presentations, good speeches, the list goes on and on. Sing your favorite songs together, then ask your child to compose the drum accompaniment to go with the song - even if all you have are pots and pans.

Stay with your Musikgarten or music and movement class and progress through the sequential curriculum for as long as you can. A recent extensive poll found that 88% of all post-graduate students in college and 83% of all people earning $150,000 or more had in-depth music training. Their leadership skills began very early with the first music classes. These inspired in them the love of composing, new ideas, the ability to write about them, and to inspire others to perform those ideas.