music education
When and how to start layering music into your child’s daily rhythm Many parents would like to include music in their child’s daily rhythm but are not sure when or how to do so. Here are a few insights I’d like to offer you based off of common questions I receive from parents. … Read More Introducing Music Into Your Child’s Daily Rhythm
Xylophone Fun Christmas Edition During my teaching I found a need to create a curriculum for my students to teach them basic music reading skills. Most of my little students were learning to identify and match colors and letters. They were also learning basic reading skills. I found that my students, mostly students with special… Read More Play Simple Christmas Songs with Xylophone Fun
My three year old can spell his name, and his brother’s name. Amazing, I know. I’m amazed! Its actually quite simple however, because I taught him through a song. A very simple song. When I was designing Lucas’ room I decided to make a wall hanging of his name in bold wooden letters. I had… Read More That’s How I Spell My Name
Did you know there are many different ways to use our Xylophone Fun Curriculum (eBooks)? We will be sharing suggestions of different ways to use this great resource. To begin with I thought I’d share with you the different instruments that you can use this curriculum with. Of course I had already mentioned the “Xylophone”… Read More Xylophone Fun Resources
Babies and toddlers have lots of toys and as a parent or teacher you are constantly bombarded with new toys to purchase or gift. If your baby or toddler tends to love music (what baby doesn’t) you probably considered purchasing some small instruments for him for his music making and discovery. I urge you,… Read More My Top 10 Instruments to use with Babies and Toddlers
One of the phrases I hear the most from my toddler these days is, “Sounds like music!” He is very attuned to the sounds around him and now he is noticing how sounds organized in a specific way make music. At two and a half he is often saying, “Shhh, hear that!” when he… Read More Sounds like music!
Xylophone Fun eBook Package If you haven’t checked out our curriculum “Xylophone Fun” eBooks for children, be sure to visit our eBooks page to learn more. There are currently four volumes available for purchase: Volumes 1, 2, 3, and our Christmas edition. Each volume introduces slightly more difficult songs and builds on previous… Read More Now Available: Xylophone Fun eBook Package
While at story time with my son we were introduced to a few fabulous children’s books that you can sing along to! The librarian showed us Row, Row, Row Your Boat by Jane Cabrera which happens to be one of my son’s favorite songs, the one he sings the most. The illustrations were colorful… Read More Fabulous Sing-Along Children’s Books
Before becoming a music therapist I was a music educator. After completing my Bachelors is Music education I took a job as a general music teacher in a public elementary school. My training had prepared me to teach children to sing and play instruments as well as music theory and appreciation. What it didn’t teach… Read More How my training as a therapist would have made me a better educator
We all know that music makes you smarter, and that music has numerous benefits. Here is a video that very nicely shows how studying music is even more beneficial than listening to music. Research shows that when we listen to music many areas of the brain are activated simultaneously. Research also shows that when you study and… Read More This is Your Brain on Music
I love sing-a-long books and books with CDs. I use them often with clients and now I use them with my son. When he was first born I came across two books by author and singer-songwriter Jewel. These books are lovely hardback books that… Read More How I Use Music With My Son: Part 2
My first son was born at the end of last year and as a first time Mom I’m learning first hand how a child grows and develops. Of course I’ve studied child development in my education, worked with children of all ages throughout my life, and specialize in working with children. However, watching the… Read More How I Use Music With My Son
The Latest Edition of Xylophone Fun is Here! Volume 3 builds on what was learned in Volumes 1 and 2 with more songs, some slightly more difficult than the previous volumes. Each song is provided with and without lyrics. Providing the lyrics encourages the child to sing along while playing. Now the child is not… Read More Just Released: Xylophone Fun Volume 3
Happy Holidays Everyone! A year ago I created my first online resource: Xylophone Fun eBook which comes in Volumes 1, 2 and Christmas. (Stay tuned for Volume 3.) This is a resource I created to offer a basis for introducing music reading in preparation for beginning piano. Children are able to first match color and… Read More Xylphone Fun Christmas – Updated!
I love the start of the new school year! Its a time for new opportunities, a fresh beginning, and it means that the holidays are right around the corner. For many parents getting kids back to a structured routine is a welcome change. Kids also enjoy getting back to a structured schedule with school and… Read More Back to School