musicalme

Jam Session

2010-02-26T09:59:00.000-08:00

I love the free for all jam sessions.
It warms my heart to see all the cute kids enjoying themselves and the adults too.
Who doesn't enjoy a jam session.

enjoying rythm

2010-02-12T14:21:00.000-08:00

Playing with Music

2010-02-08T15:42:00.000-08:00

Kids interact with music in different ways. When my son goes to music class he just sits there. He sits there and takes it all in. As soon as we get in the car he is singing from the top of his lugs. At home he sist, puts his CDs on and plays and listens and likes to see the illustrations from his music books.

Some kids like to draw on their books. My son likes to just look through the pictures and try to follow the words. There are so many ways to enjoy music. What's your favorite way?

This is what fun looks like

2010-01-30T08:55:00.001-08:00

The Drum Session has Begun

2010-01-22T18:42:00.000-08:00

I am so excited about our new class. It felt like we hadn't been to music class in so long and we had been seriously craving some new songs.

The Drums selection is so fun. We're been experimenting with different things that bang and different things that sound like drums. Did you know that old yogurt cups and wooden spoons make fun drums? My three year old pointed this out to me.

The Drums selection has some really great songs and my favorite Music Together lullaby, Tomorrow's Now Today. Click HERE to hear a little clip of this song.

If you haven't registered for class make sure you do. I can already tell that this session will be special.

Go HERE for a list of classes and join us on this musical journey.

A message from Lizz

2009-12-03T21:28:00.000-08:00

It is a fact that a child's musical development takes place over the course of many years - one of the key components to supporting that development is a developmentally appropriate environment. By participating in our Music Together class and playing musically at home, you have placed your child on a path of musical growth that will continue throughout their childhood. To help you visualize what that musical journey will be like to your child, and to help you understand some of the key musical milestones along the way, we are really excited to give each of you our brand new Music Together Growth Chart in class this week!

As you look at the chart you can see, no matter what age your child was when you started in Music Together, they are learning and growing musically. And you can see what they are likely to experience this semester - and in future semesters here. Keep in mind that each child is unique and develops in the way that is just right for them, so it won't always match what you are seeing exactly, but the chart will give you a good sense of what to expect as your child continues in the program and snapshots of the many types of musical behaviors that your child may demonstrate.

So, this week, take some time to explore the chart and to read through it. You may want to use the Musical Memories pages in the back of your Music Together songbook to jot down musical milestones that you are noticing or favorite moments that you don't want to forget. As you become more practiced in recognizing musical behavior in your child, you can begin sharing those milestones with friends and family, too. And don't forget to check out the Parent's Path on the back page as well because you are part of this musical journey too!

Please talk with your teacher if you have any questions about your child or experience here or at home.

~Lizz Anderson

Director

MusicalMe, Inc.

831-462-5195

www.MusicalMe.com

Music Is an Every Day affair

2009-11-19T21:23:00.000-08:00

I made this video for my food blog www.thelittlefoodie.com. What I wanted to share with you is the fact that my son loves this song. I mean he LOVES this song so much so that when I suggested we cook with sweet potatoes he was excited to do it. Here is an example of how Music Together has influenced our daily lives.

Music Together- Social Media Sites

2009-11-09T21:33:00.000-08:00

Music together has a new blog. Check them out at the Music Together Blog to see what Ken, the founder, has to say about guiding children through music.

Also, if you haven't yet, make sure you become a fan on facebook to receive updates of our local Music Together program.

Halloween Music Together Style

2009-10-31T22:04:00.000-07:00

Music Games

2009-10-26T17:31:00.000-07:00

This quarter we're doing the Master's Class with other children who are 3 and up. They are so inquisitive and interactive, it's delightful to see their little minds at work. I've noticed that children will connect with a song in various ways. For my son, his eyes light up every time the teacher brings out balls and we roll the balls to the tune of a particular song. Some children love the scarves, others love the stretchy pink rubber bands.

Playing games with songs is a special way to connect with music. Here is a game you and your child could play right now. Just visit this page HERE.

Example of Audiation

2009-10-12T13:34:00.001-07:00

This is a video of a very young girl singing "Hey Jude". What I love about it is that you can actually SEE her audiating! Audiation is the process of musical thought - the music you hear inside your head when there is no music present. W...atch it and see if you can see what I mean, then see if you can notice it in yourself or your own child.

Music Together at Cabrillo and Beyond

2009-10-08T14:58:00.000-07:00

a dad sent me this picture of his Jett at the Cabrillo music festival. He thinks Music Together is awesome. Don't we all?

Here's a little history about Music Together and how this awesome program began.

The first classes for children and parents were held in suburban Philadelphia in 1987. This
followed a period of development by the Center for Music and Young Children® (CMYC),
founded by Mr. Guilmartin in 1985 in Princeton, New Jersey. CMYC continues to sponsor ongoing
research and development in early childhood music and movement and operates a lab school
serving over one thousand local families each year.

Since 1989, Music Together has sponsored intensive teacher trainings in an effort to make the
curriculum available to those who want a developmentally valid approach to early childhood
music, coupled with songs and activities that are fun and musically rich. Music Together now
annually sponsors over fifty international three-day trainings, participates in national and
international conferences, and publishes in professional journals. Music Together’s rapidly
expanding outreach initiatives include a program for teenage mothers and a major preschool
development program for Head Start and other preschool populations.

Lizz Anderson tells her story of how Music Together became such an important part of her life

I first heard about Music Together in 1994 from Deanna DeCampos, an old high school friend of mine. She was living in New York City and found the program when she was looking for something fun to do with her toddler, who is now 17! She told me about Music Together when my son Daniel was 6 months old and at that point the program was only offered in New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut. Music Together brought so much music making joy into my family's life that I agreed with Deanna - our community would love Music Together!

Because of Deanna's support and my son Daniel's overwhelming response, we've had Music Together in our community since 1996! Ours was the first community on the West Coast to offer the Music Together program and from the very beginning children and adults have responded enthusiastically. And why not? It's simply the best early childhood program out there.

Even though he's 15 years old, Daniel and I still make music together all the time. It's the foundation for the musical soundtrack of our lives.

The photo is from our 10th Anniversary Party in 1996. I'm in pink and Daniel, in blue, is sitting on my lap for "Ridin' in the Car"!

Music on Learning in Early Childhood

2009-10-01T18:11:00.000-07:00

The excerpt below comes from the Music Together website

In Bridgeport CT., children who participated in Music Together activities scored higher in language development, cognitive development, physical development, and social-emotional development than children who did not participate in Music Together.

you can read more about this study HERE

Last week our family experienced something very special. Our little daughter was born 12 days ago and it's been fun having her home. Our 3 1/2 year old son is going through some adjustments, as expected. One day last week he was feeling a little sad. I was nursing the baby and could not get up to play with him so I suggested he put on his favorite Music Together CD. He put on his CD and turned the volume up when one of his favorite songs "Mr.Rabbit" from The Bells Song Collection came on. Our new baby stopped nursing immediately when she heard the song and just stayed there quietly listening. It was amazing. This is a song we play regularly at our house and I could tell that she recognized it. My son was so excited he decided he wanted her to listen to the entire CD. When it was a song that we play often she had the same reaction. I was amazed that a newborn baby could already recognize songs that she had heard in utero.

Dads

2009-09-21T09:00:00.000-07:00

It's true that most times children are accompanied by their moms or another female figure when they come to music class. However, every once in a while, or in every new session you get a dad that comes along. I hear that there are more dads who do the weekend classes, we've just always done weekdays so I'm not really sure.

It' so fun when a dad does come. They have this different energy about them and not only do they add to their kid's experience but I feel like they add to the entire group dynamics. Dads who do music together ROCK! Lets try to encourage more dads to come to class this Fall.

Siblings and Music Together

2009-09-14T09:00:00.000-07:00

Music classes begin this week. I'm so excited! I'm also so nervous. This time around things will be a little different. Instead of just Enzo and I going to class we're going to bring along the new addition to our family. I've been debating whether this is a good idea or not but after seeing

this little girl

and this little boy

interact

I decided it would be just fine.

These two kids were at a make-up class we did in the summer. The boy was intrigued with the song book and teacher Gail. The little girl was busy dancing around and playing with the instruments, egg shakers, and balls. However, every once in a while she would sit next to her little brother and interact with him in some musical way. Sometimes she sang, other times she danced by him, and one of the times she even opened up the song book for him to look at. It was so sweet seeing these two interact in such a positive environment, it made me excited to have Enzo do music class with his own sibling.

Good Read

2009-08-16T23:00:00.000-07:00

Babies and Preschoolers need playful classes and interaction more than they need DVDs and "educational" toys. We knew it all the time!

Your Baby Is Smarter Than you Think- NY Times article

Playing Together

2009-08-06T13:50:00.000-07:00

Music together is about experiencing music not just singing. It's about dancing and playing. LOTS of playing, playing together. As another session comes to an end I'm thankful once again for the opportunity that I have to enjoy my child while making, dancing to, and playing with music. We've loved having teacher Elizabeth. We've loved the other students and caregivers in our class.

Throughout the day I get caught up with all the chores and tasks that I sometimes forget to play. It's nice to have a safe space to go to once a week where I can pick up my child and act silly and just play while experiencing music.

Fall session starts September 14th. Don't forget to register!

Playing in the Kitchen

2009-08-03T21:30:00.000-07:00

This last week teacher Elizabeth got really creative. For the song Playing in the Kitchen she brought out a bunch of utensils, bowls, Tupperware and other things we associate with cooking and not necessarily music making. However, the kids jumped right in and new exactly how to make music out of pots and pans. It was so fun, and also enlightening, to realize that things I have in my own home can be a fun instrument for my son to play with. I hope we do this again in class because everyone got in to it.

Favorites

2009-07-28T11:48:00.000-07:00

We've been doing Music Together for a while and still my son remembers some of his favorite songs from the first CD we did. I decided to create our own Family Favorites play list. I burned a copy for my son and now he has all his favorite Music Together songs in one CD. I really recommend doing this if your child wants to skip over songs and listen to the same songs on repeat. It's also great to have a copy of your favorite Music Together songs for long care rides.

Some of our favorites include

Obwisana
Mr. Rabbit
Train is Coming
Jumpin' Josie

Musical Me in the News

2009-07-16T22:43:00.000-07:00

Lizz, is the pioneer of Musical Me. Over 10 years ago she brought this great program to our area. Check out a full article about Lizz and Music Together HERE.

Constant Motion

2009-07-13T23:12:00.000-07:00

A typical class starts out with the Hello Song and ends with the Goodbye, So long, Farewell. From the beginning of class till the very last minute children and caregivers are in constant movement. We are either clapping our hands, rolling balls, dancing with scarfs, or exploring different instruments. As someone who has a hard time just sitting I really appreciate all the movement that goes on in class.

Children like moving and they learn so much more when they don't have to just sit and be still. At the same time, as a parent, I've realized that I also interact with my child better if I too am moving around and trying things out in his rhythm. I really appreciate the 45 minutes we have together in class where we can both move around and play together.

Why Music Together

2009-07-06T19:22:00.000-07:00

(picture taken at class last Halloween)

My 3 year old son and I have been doing Music Together for over a year. The 45 minute class translates into hours of music making at home. Enzo, my three year old, is shy. He's also learning to communicate in two languages. In class he mainly just sits there taking it all in. We've had different teachers and they have all been wonderful respecting his style of learning. At home he puts on his CDs and plays it over and over again as he sings and dances to them.

We are very excited to start our summer class this week. It's still not too late to enroll!