Toddler Talk: Music Class

It's important to myself and my fellow toddler teachers to give our kiddos a variety of experiences to learn and expand their minds! One of my favorite ways to do this is through music! Whether it be asking them which CD we should listen to (they most often have strong opinions about this) or simply turning on some 99.5 (classical music station) and listening together ("Hey, what do you hear? I hear a trumpet and a piano!"), music is a wonderful tool that has amazing power to cross language barriers and reach all age groups!

We have expanded our music experience to a once a week 'class' where we all sit down and talk music together. It usually begins with a gathering song to welcome each friend lead by our trusty djembe:

Each child gets a chance to try out the drum when we are done with the welcome and I make sure to point out the elements of their 'song'- wow, she is using two hands and is drumming very loud. He chose to just use his fingertips and it sounds quiet!

We talk about rhythm, volume and movement...how it sounds the same and how it is different.

We also have a backpack of different instruments (special only for music class) and a bag of scarves that we alternate each week....we mix it up based on the kids interests and energy level at the time! Sometimes we need a little more movement (scarves and dancing) and sometimes we are able to explore the instruments and talk about their characteristics:

My favorite part comes with our instrument flash cards:

A former staff member (thanks Chinh) put a CD together of samples (15 seconds or so) of a variety of instruments. We turn on the CD, listen and ask,"What do you hear?"

The new kids usually do not have an answer, but the toddlers who have been a part of music class for awhile can quickly identify the instrument and how you play it (fingers wiggle for the piano, hands crash for a cymbal,etc..). Coupled together with our picture cards, the kids have become little experts in the category of 'Instrument Identification'!

It is amazing to watch their capacity for learning and their growing appreciation for all things music!

We finish off our time together with a little singing time....lead by my stellar guitar skillz (ok, not that great. But 2 year olds think I am AMAZING and that's all that really matters, right?).

If you have some little toddler people in your life, I encourage you to start up a little music class of your own right at home! Don't fret about your own musical skill (or lack thereof). Just talk about what you hear, explore some instruments together and have fun! Learn to hear the music that is all around you....it's beautiful!

Film Fest 2013: Hope Community Church, Minneapolis

So, some creative and talented friends and I (Starsheep 4-eva!!) participated in our church's annual Film Festival....the awards ceremony was this past weekend and we took home the Golden Star for 'Most Creative Film'!

Our genre: Foreign Film
Required Prop: Large Suitcase
Required Line of Dialogue: 'He's a wild donkey of a man.'

Watch and enjoy:

Hope Hits en Espanol

No Time!

Sorry, I have zero time this week to write anything about anything. Still on vacation and busy picking oranges from California trees. See ya next week:

Sequins & Sofas: Pack Your Bags, Part 2

Ok....to continue with my packing extravaganza, the first thing that I like to start with is a list (or 2...or let's be really honest, 3. I like to make lists):

Since I am working with a very limited amount of space and will need many days worth of clothes, it is essential to plan a specific outfit for each day....wearing the same outfit on travel days to and from my destination. Obviously, I am not stuck to wearing what I wrote down for any specific day....but at least I know I have enough outfits for all the days I am gone and can choose from my 'mini-closet' based on the day's events to come.

Now it's time to get packin'! I line the bottom of my carry on with undergarments, pants folded in half, and 2 pairs of flat shoes....all squished down as much as I can.

Next, all other clothing items (dresses, sweaters, etc) get rolled up and tucked in tight next to eachother:

Sweet! I totally got everything in that I planned for....and look:

That's right...room to spare! I add an extra shirt for good measure. But let's not get crazy- I still have to fit in a few more important items:

I have space for 1 bag of all my toiletries and another smaller bag for makeup. It's important to only take what I need here as well...so another list is written and all extraneous items are left by the wayside:

I don't forget to set all 3oz liquid bottles to the side....those will go in a ziplock and get tossed into my purse (a big ol' purse, cause I can):

And finally, I downsize my wallet taking only the necessities (ID, credit cards, medical cards and cash):

Victory! Everything I was hoping to pack fit delightfully into my little carry on....just had to pack smart and purposefully. Vacation, here I come! I hope my adventure in packing will come in handy on your next trip to Somewhere, USA! You can bring all that you need (plus a little more) without having to check a bag, go for it and happy travels:)

Sequins & Sofas: Pack Your Bags!

This lady is in desperate need of a VAY......CAY......TION! So I am planning on taking a little trip. Which means that I need to start mapping out my packing strategy. My goal is to fit all of this:

Into this:

Stay tuned this evening as I attempt this amazing feat.....packing 7 days worth of fun into one carry on! I think i can do it.......and I'll share some thoughts on how to make it happen! Happy Wednesday:)

Sequins & Sofas: 5 Things

Some more of my favorite little joys of daily living:

1. Purpose Facial Cleanser- I have been using this soap for a bazillion years. My mom learned about this brand from a dermatologist many moons ago and I have found it to be delightfully mild on my sensitive skin...yet still great at removing makeup (even mascara, one of my other favorite things).

2. Ikea Glassware- Ikea is great for so many things. This is not new information....I love all of their glassware, cheap and stylish! Buy lots!

3. Chobani Pineapple Yogurt- Yum! You should try it, you will not be sorry.

4. Bogs- I was in search of some new winter boots a few years ago and came across Bogs...suggested by a friend who had a pair. They are da bomb....so warm, cute patterns, and easy to slip on- just step right in! Sometimes I wear them all day.....

5. Bare Minerals Products- Specifically the Foundation Primer and Mineral Veil....I love how they feel and I really think they have improved the quality of my eternally troubled skin! If you haven't tried mineral foundations before, you really should! All the cool kids are doing it.

Toddler Talk: Ramps and Balls

Our preschool teaching staff and kids have had the privilege of being participants in a program called 'Numbers Work'. We learn all about ways to incorporate concepts of math into our curriculum such as patterning and counting (and much more). It is sometimes hard to adapt activities created for 3 to 5 year olds into something that a toddler can understand and participate in, but one of our last trainings supplied us with a great one!

We were given a stack of moldings (like for your house....baseboards I think, they were about 2 inches wide and curved) and a bag of balls (varying sizes, shapes and weights). I set a few of them up out in the hallway of our school...some taller then others...with a basket of balls for each child! Then I invited the kids out to explore what they could do with the activity. Which ramp makes the ball go faster? Can you roll 2 balls at the same time? What happens? Does the heavy ball go slow?

They had great fun while learning concepts of math and science! Pretty cheap to have some ramps and balls at your home too.....head to the local home repair store and get some curved molding for yourself! Cut it in varying sizes (maybe sand it down a bit too just to make sure they are sliver free) and let your kids explore with what they can roll!