How Do You Say...

This week was a wonderful learning and sharing experience at Redwood. Of course, we had our usual songs and activities, and recently there's been a new family coming to our sessions, one of whom is hearing impaired. Obviously we want to include them as much as possible, so we ended up helping everyone else learn how to do their ABCs in ASL [American Sign Language], as well as the song The More We Sing Together. This led into adding some French songs to our repertoire as well, as other participants are fluent. It was wonderful to have our participants teaching and learning from one another, and it's honestly such a privilege to witness this community in all of its beautiful diversity!

Party in the Playroom

We were missing parents today due to an event at the shelter, but there were lots of staff around to help with the kids (which was well needed, because the toys in the playroom can be quite distracting). We had lots of songs about body parts today, and some of the kids who seemed to be babies just yesterday were already following the actions for Roly Poly and Hands Together/Hands Apart! I brought the guiro as the instrument of the week, and the kids loved hearing its frog-like sound! We finished with Five Little Monkeys under the parachute, which the kids loved.
 

More Classes, More Fun!

I’m thrilled that the session is being extended at the Plaza Hotel, as this was supposed to be our last class and it’s clear that the kids and grown-ups are still getting a lot out of the classes. Today was a mix of familiar and new faces, and there were smiles all around. We had lots of bouncing and dancing dogs today, and sang some Hello / Goodbye scales, moving in and out of the circle. The kids are pros at bringing out the instrument bag and sharing all of the instruments during jam time, and we finished off with a raucous rendition of Twist and Shout for the parachute. I’m so excited to be returning for another few weeks!

Hurry Hurry!

It was nice to see the kids after having a week off from RSF last week due to the Easter Friday holiday. I spiced up the class a bit by bringing chime bars. Each child got one and we practiced playing an eight-count beat and then playing it double time. I then taught the kids how to play alternating C and G notes to play along with the Thunder Pounding song. But the climax was when we all chimed together in time for the Hurry Hurry Drive the Firetruck song. The kids all got excited to be able to play the chimes as fast as they possibly could for our big chime bar finale.

Not the End!

This week was originally slated to be our last of the season, but we're so happy to say that we'll be continuing on for a few more weeks! Our participants seem eager to continue, and they certainly have the energy – we can always count on having lots of dancing, and jumping, and anything else that will get our bodies moving to the music. Our young friends got very serious during our special instrument, the tongue drum, and they all requested complete silence as they played their improvised solo compositions. I love how they've made the effort to respect what they each bring to our time together.

Hop Easter Bunnies, hop hop hop!

I think some of the kids had a bit too much Easter chocolate this week, as the energy was at an all time high. While this made for excellent jumping and bouncing songs, focusing exercises were a little bit more difficult compared to other weeks. We were in the playroom this week, which provided some distractions of toys and craft supplies. However, I tried to incorporate these things into the song (like a toy bus that we used for Wheels on the Bus, and a toy frog for Little Green Frog). The kids particularly loved What Are You Wearing This Week, as did the grown-ups, and everyone had a great time passing around the bean bag.

Shouting Out Colours!

Today I arrived to the kids eagerly sitting in a circle, ready for Rainbow Songs Foundation's class to begin. Everyone was participating, and some of the kids who were more familiar with certain songs gestured towards their newer friends and siblings. Though we didn’t have as many parents today, the kids were still thoroughly engaged and excited. The highlight of today was What Are You Wearing? which had the kids shouting out every colour they could think of, and even a few rhymes. The kids also responded particularly well to the train songs today, and one of them told me that she sings them in the morning. It’s nice to know that the kids take the music with them after classes end.

Getting Our Silly On!

Our friends were in a silly mood this week, which led to some hilarious antics. We ended up with no fewer than five rounds of Sleeping Bunnies. ("One more time, Lindaaaaa!" will get me pretty much every time.) Later in our time together we sang a raucous rendition of Down By the Bay, with everyone taking turns coming up with silly rhymes or, in some cases, even just a silly pairing. What better way to top it off than with a silly instrument-that's-not-really-an-instrument: the spoons!

Hop Hop Hop!

Our little bunnies were happily hopping today at Robertson House! With great attendance and energy, our last class of the session was a great success. Participants were really excited to receive a certificate of attendance along with a few musical gifts at the end of the class. I was really impressed with the overall enthusiasm from this group all session. That’s a wrap at Robertson House for Winter 2018! 

Thunder Pounding!

Today I brought the thunder tube to demonstrate for the instrument of the week. The kids loved taking turns shaking the tube and making the coil vibrate and roar like thunder. We sang Thunder Pounding all together while we passed the thunder tube around. Afterwards we shook out our sillies and I taught them the difference between their rights and lefts as we did the Hokey Pokey. I have some serious dancers in my group.