Ball skills begin by experimenting with fundamental “lead up” skills to set the groundwork for developing [...]]]> Ball play has universal appeal for young children and is a great activity for the developing years. Ball play develops eye-hand and eye-foot coordination, builds steadiness and confidence in the emotions, and develops physical skills to take through life.

Ball skills begin by experimenting with fundamental “lead up” skills to set the groundwork for developing more complex skills later on.

Pre-walking babies can sit and “pat” a ball, and can “track” a rolling ball coming toward them across the floor.

Toddlers can pat a ball, and also spin, roll, toss and kick a ball. They can also toss a ball into a hoop.

Preschoolers can do all the above, and can also bounce a ball, catch it, toss it (at a target or into a hoop), and can even begin to dribble a ball.

In the PlayMove&Sing classes I teach, I include additional (non-traditional) ball play activities to create a special atmosphere of physical fun and discovery.

In addition to:

• Patting
• Spinning
• Rolling
• Tossing
• Catching
• Kicking

I invite babies, toddlers and preschoolers to:

• Sit and bounce on the ball.
• Sit and bounce on the ball while clapping.
• Roll on the ball (on tummy) going forward and back.
• Hold the ball between feet while lying down with legs lifted overhead.

In the song featured here, Pat the Ball (to the tune of “Ten Little Indians”), the lyrics highlight ball skills to try in rhythm while singing along.

Here’s a video clip of a PlayMove&Sing class in action in Nyack, NY. (ages ___ to ___).  We’re singing “Pat the Ball” while doing the actions described by the lyrics.

Click here to watch.

Click here to listen to the “Pat the Ball” song from the Circle Songs CD – audio

Click here to download the lyrics to “Pat the Ball”

Offering fun objects to make sound with, and to create musical rhythmic patterns, gives valuable learning opportunities for exploration, rhythmic training, and eye-hand coordination. Tapping sticks and spoons together [...]]]> Each of us has a natural inner rhythm that corresponds to our own sense of personal expression. Young children thrive on connecting that personal sense of rhythm with physical action.

Offering fun objects to make sound with, and to create musical rhythmic patterns, gives valuable learning opportunities for exploration, rhythmic training, and eye-hand coordination. Tapping sticks and spoons together is both fun and instructive. Children love finding lots of ways to maneuver the sticks, and enjoy the freedom to experiment at their own pace while having physical fun.

Here’s a video clip of children (1 ½ – 3 yrs) in a PlayMove&Sing class with me in Nyack, NY. We’re singing If I Had Hands and tapping away. Click here to watch.

To join in the fun, place multiple pairs of wooden “stix” (or spoons) in a basket, pass them out, and watch the fun begin. When adding music, the rhythmic play event takes on a life of its own. Children can be invited to:

• tap the stix together
• tap them on the floor
• tap high in the air
• tap gently on the knees
• tap gently on the nose
• tap while marching
• tap while dancing
• tap behind the back, and so on

The song featured here, If I Had Hands, is based on the traditional tune “Skip to M’Lou”, and the lyrics have been changed up to create rhythmic training.

Click here to listen to song If I Had Hands - audio

Click here to download the song lyrics from I Like to Sing CD

To make your own rhythm stix:

• begin with wooden dowels (3 ft, 6 ft, or 12 ft lengths)
• cut the dowels down into 6 or 7 inch pieces
• sand the ends of each stick
• paint them (or leave them natural wood)
• finish by covering them with a clear, child friendly, non-toxic coating

To make rhythm spoons, purchase plain, inexpensive wooden kitchen spoons, cut the handles down to 4 inches (6 or 7 inch total length with spoon end), paint them (or leave them natural wood), and coat them with a clear, non-toxic finish.

Enjoy!

In my classes and performances, I always like to begin events with a special Hello song, accompanied [...]]]> Hello Play and Goodbye Play serve an important role in creating special moments for children to connect with one another when gathering together. Special attention given to Greetings and Partings helps to bring a sense of welcome and belonging.

In my classes and performances, I always like to begin events with a special Hello song, accompanied by my hand puppet Sunflower, and Little Flower when singing Goodbye. One day in class, it dawned on me that the children and parents would enjoy having their own puppets to sing along with too, and I now begin and end every class with two baskets full of Sunflowerand Little Flower puppets for everyone to share.

The two songs I sing, Hello Everyone and Goodbye Everyone, are easy to learn, and are designed to include each child’s name as the circle time leader sings around the circle. It’s fun to include a gentle cheek touch from your puppet as you greet each child, and to allow time for children to play with their own puppets before singing. I invite children and parents to move the puppets up and down, side to side, round and round, and behind the back for peek-a-boo.

I first created my Sunflower and Little Flower puppets out of felt, and you can do the same. Simply outline the shape of your hand on paper in order to make the mitt pattern, then sew the two felt sides together, followed by sewing or gluing on faces. You can include petals, and a circle, to go around the faces by cutting shapes and sewing them into the mitt seam. (See patterns below – click to download).

I now make hand puppets for educators, librarians, parents, and children to enjoy in and out of the circle time setting, but I always encourage everyone to try making their own. It makes for a great family or classroom activity.

Here’s a short video clip from a PlayMove&Sing mommy and me class (ages 1 ½ to 2 ½) at the Rockland County YMCA in NY. In the clip, we’re singing Hello Everyone with our puppets, and the class is just getting under way. Sing along with us!

Click here to listen to Hello Everyone – audio

Click here to listen to Goodbye Everyone – audio

Click here to download lyrics to Hello Everyone and Goodbye Everyone from my Circle Song CD.

Sharing music and movement together is not only fun, but also important because so much of our lifestyle causes us to be physically inactive, even when we’re so busy. Movement and music play offer opportunities to be together, while at the same time developing physical skills,  having physical [...]]]> Movement & Music Play Together at Home!

Sharing music and movement together is not only fun, but also important because so much of our lifestyle causes us to be physically inactive, even when we’re so busy. Movement and music play offer opportunities to be together, while at the same time developing physical skills,  having physical fun, and sharing moments of joy.

Read the rest of my blog post for See Mom Work HERE.

Ball play is a powerful tool for learning that the whole family can enjoy together. Lead up skills in ball handling help children build muscle memory in the body, help develop eye-hand and eye-foot coordination, and offer opportunities to build self-confidence.

Read the rest of [...]]]> Play and Learning Together at Home – Pat the Ball!

Ball play is a powerful tool for learning that the whole family can enjoy together. Lead up skills in ball handling help children build muscle memory in the body, help develop eye-hand and eye-foot coordination, and offer opportunities to build self-confidence.

Read the rest of my blog post for Go Graham Go HERE.

In thinking about the challenges facing home school parents, I encourage you to try and create more opportunities for movement and music learning as part of your child’s daily curriculum. By providing regularly planned opportunities for movement, music, and art play, you’ll provide tools for learning, and give [...]]]> Movement & Music Activities for Home Schoolers

In thinking about the challenges facing home school parents, I encourage you to try and create more opportunities for movement and music learning as part of your child’s daily curriculum. By providing regularly planned opportunities for movement, music, and art play, you’ll provide tools for learning, and give your children valuable skills to take through life!

Read the rest of my blog post for Teaching Stars HERE.