A lot of our favorite nursery rhymes have very interesting back stories! For example, did you know that “Ring Around the Rosie” is referring to the first symptoms of bubonic plague, and “Mary, Mary Quite Contrary” refers to Mary Tudor, and her instruments of torture? That’s kind of a downer, isn’t it? Obviously, that meaning is lost on our children (thankfully!), but rhymes have a definite historic significance in linking us to our past. Do you know your nursery rhymes well? Here’s a quiz to find out!

Tagged: nursery rhymes, poems, quizzes

Where are We Going?

• Music for Babies (0-18 months — two unique semesters available)
• Music for Toddlers (15 months -3 1/2 years — four unique semesters)
• Cycle of Seasons (3-5 years — 2 unique semesters)
• Music Makers at Home (4-7 years — 2 unique semesters)
• Music Makers Around the World (5-8 years — 2 unique semesters)
• Music Makers at the Keyboard (6-9 years — 6 unique semesters)

These classes aren’t even including the special summer programs we run! Currently, at Little Songbird Music Studio, we offer all classes up through Cycle of Seasons. Starting in the fall, we will be adding both Music Makers classes for young elementary aged students. The following year, we plan on adding the keyboard class. So stick with it! The cumulative effect of the program is priceless! For more information on the philosophy of certain classes, please see Musikgarten’s website!

Tagged: curriculum, music program, Musikgarten

Five Little Fingers

Our hands are capable of showing deep emotion and enormous sensitivity. Over the course of our lifetimes, humans learn to use our hands to communicate in ways unique to each individual. Children love exploring the subtle nature of finger and hand movements. Finger plays are one way we help children tap into that self-discovery!

Simple finger plays help children with self-discovery, promote relaxation and self-expression, guide vocabulary and improve language skills. The early auditory training of simple rhymes and poems improves early literacy skills and increases vocabulary.

My favorite part of finger plays, however, is the intimacy it creates between parent and child. Usually these are done close to the body, and close to a caregiver. Touching your child’s hand is a loving gesture recognized around the world, and gives your child a sense of love and security.

Tagged: child and parent, finger plays, poetry, rhymes

Research made between music and intelligence concluded that music training is far greater than computer instruction in improving children’s abstract reasoning skills.(Source: Shaw, Rauscher, Levine, Wright, Dennis and Newcomb, “Music training causes long-term enhancement of preschool children’s spatial-temporal reasoning,” Neurological Research, vol. 19, February 1997 )

Tagged: music facts