Dance into the new year!
By The Schoolmarm | January 3, 2012
Are you anxious, or optimistic? Are you speaking words of doubt and negativity, or of positivism and optimism?
Is your gas tank half-empty or half-full? Are you exhausted from the holidays or are you raring to go?
Kellyn, almost two years old, leans toward the positive side. She is cute as a bug and ready to moove 'n groove to an awesome beat. Nothing is going to get this little gal down. Look at that footwork!
That's the attitude we all need about now. So why don't we join her?
Yeah, let's forget about the problems, turn on some golden oldies, grab the kids, and start moving to a rockin' beat. Refuse that old negative feeling, and bring music and dancing into the house where it belongs.
That's it . . . shake that pink tutu . . . and dance your family into 2012!
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Take a Pill…or Just Listen to Some Music:
By Lisa N. | December 29, 2011
The Magic of Music in Therapy and Life
Our Guest Article is from the website Early Childhood News & Resources and is written by Wendy Young, LMSW, BCD, is an award-winning Child & Family Therapist, early childhood behavioral health consultant and the founder of Kidlutions: Solutions for Kids, where she specializes in helping parents deal with the “tough stuff” when it comes to raising kids: intense anger, grief & loss, dealing with divorce, relocation, helping promote social-emotional development and more.
The Science behind the Song
Music soothes the savage beast…maybe just as much as a pill! So say researchers at Stanford University, in a study published in this past decade…According to Gabe Turow, a visiting scholar to Stanford, “Listening to music seems to be able to change brain functioning to the same extent as medication, in many circumstances.” This has huge implications for how we look at and treat such issues as ADHD, strokes and chronic stress. Different types of beats per minute create different outcomes, which can be explored further in this press release from Stanford.
The Magic of Music
Music can change our feelings, our heart rate and our mindset. It can set the tone of our experiences, from relaxed to upbeat and anywhere in between. It certainly evokes emotion! Do you recall your “wedding song”?
Music means many things to many people, but one thing is certain, music makes a difference. Even skeptics would have to admit that this makes total sense when they stop to imagine watching a suspense or thriller movie without background music. Wouldn't be the quite the same, would it? If you grew up during a particular time, I could almost guarantee you remember the musical score from JAWS or STAR WARS. See what I mean?
To Every Song a Story
What I like best about music is the stories it can convey in a unique and memorable way. I often use music in therapy with adolescents…and I certainly always ask my young clients what type of music they like, as well as what their favorite songs are. I invite them to bring the music in.
The music almost always gives me a glimpse inside their inner worlds, and says things that their words never do. It has provided an incredible launching board for discussions of the most intense and meaningful kinds. Music, when used in therapy, can express anger, rage, sadness, and despair and telltale signs of hope. That and a whole lot more. Its healing properties cannot be overlooked.
Whether it’s researched in science labs, listened to in a clinic, or blasted out of a stereo, it seems we’re all drawn to music and its rhythmic qualities. From lullabies to heavy metal, our tastes in music may change over time, but the quality, and transformative potential it adds to our lives cannot be underestimated.
And coming soon, Bing Note will launch the 1st animated app that teaches the letters of the alphabet along with their sounds, all in an original song. Can't wait! For more information about this new app, please join our email list at our Facebook Page.
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Why Music?
By Lisa N. | December 22, 2011
Our Guest Article is from the website Early Childhood News & Resources and is written By Dr. Sally. Sally Goldberg, Ph.D. was the first parenting expert on “Parent to Parent,” a FOX TV Channel 7 weekly news segment. Dr. Sally is a professor of education and parenting book author. Dr. Sally, is a prolific magazine writer, Dr. Sally has been published often in a multitude of magazines across the country.
Her regular columns have appeared in Florida Wise, Florida Baby, Today’s Parent, and Viewpointe. Her unique, logical, and down-to-earth advice has been quoted in numerous magazines and newspapers including Parent’s Magazine and American Baby. Consumer Reports featured her concepts in two major editions of Best Baby Products.
The Benefits of Music:
For years early childhood specialists have been telling us about the benefits of music for young children. For years they have been right! Music does so many good things for children that it is hard to enumerate all of them… but I will try!
A. High Quality
Musical geniuses like Beethoven, Bach, Mozart and many others created these pieces by writing them down in musical terms. Imagine what it must have been like for them in their times to be able to hear their works of art performed by live orchestras!
B. Learning
It takes much repetition to be able to recognize, appreciate, and learn this kind of music. With every repetition, new neuron connections in the brain are formed, and older ones get stronger. More and stronger connections in the brain are what add to brain size and its ability to function well.
C. Mathematical Ability
There are two theories related to this concept. One is that the section of the brain that learns music is very close to the part that learns mathematics. The other is that the brain part for logic is the same for learning both mathematics and music.
D. Concentration
Learning to recognize different pieces and different parts of pieces takes concentration. Concentrating on anything has carry-over to other areas.
E. Calming Effect – Listening to soft music reduces stress and is conducive to relaxation.
There are many ways to enjoy classical music with your child. Here are some of my favorites.
A. Make classical music part of your child’s day. Choose a piece that you like. Then play it for your child whenever you find a good time. Use it to provide background music while playing, eating, or just relaxing. Start with one piece and continue to enjoy it until you both reach a point where you want to add another selection.
B. Choose a piece of ethnic music to use in a similar way. A high quality selection will have many of the same benefits outlined above. In addition, it will add a dimension of cultural identity.
C. Pick a soothing piece for your child for bedtime. Play the same piece over and over, and then choose another selection when you feel a change would be welcomed.
Now it’s time to turn our attention to the benefits of all music.
Each different kind has its own value. Here are some general attributes that you can count on to enrich your child’s life in one way or another.
A. Feelings Along with the multitudes of music to choose from and enjoy with your child comes the opportunity to experience a variety of different feelings. Loud and fast selections set the stage for action. Soft and slow ones have a calming effect. There are so many other variations in between.
B. Singing Sing-a-long selections are great for teaching your child to carry a tune and enjoy music in an active way. Singing with you is good practice too.
C. Dancing Introduce dancing to your child. It provides both enjoyment and exercise. It also fosters both rhythm and creativity. Join in the fun whenever you want.
D. Instruments Simple child instruments are available. You can also make your own out of small plastic bottles or jars filled with dry beans or rice. Playing instruments along with music turns ordinary listening into active participation.
E. Learning Teach your child as much as you can about different kinds of music and instruments. The more your child knows, the better he or she will be able to progress in the world of music.
F. Variety “Variety is the spice of life,” and that applies to music too! There are many highly successful activities to do with children.
Here are a few of my favorites: These and others are fully explained in the book Make Your Own Preschool Games.
- Drawing to Music – Have your child capture through art what the particular piece brings to mind.
- Singing-a-Long – Write down words to songs your child knows and point to the words as you both sing together.
- Making up Songs – Make up words to common tunes to help your child learn simple facts like his or her telephone number, address, or other important
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