Hello Everyone!!

I had a great time in class this week and I hope that you did, too.

Below you will find some notes on the different activities we did in class and the purpose behind them.

One of the best things we can instill in children at this age (musically speaking) is the ability to keep a steady beat. You can practice this at home in a number of ways.

• Turn on some music and bounce, clap together, tap on his/her shoulders, etc.

• Keep time to the overhead music when you are in the grocery store by keeping a steady beat on their hands.

• Put on Mozart and march around the room. You can even use paper plates a cymbals to add to the fun.

• Play “I’m going to get you” as you stomp in time towards them.

There is a link between movement and learning. The vestibular system, which controls balance and coordination, is stimulated during movement. The rousing of this system in turn helps to prepare the brain for taking in new information. Rocking or swaying provides a wonderful opportunity to snuggle with your child–and to lay the groundwork for learning!

The instrument we hear in “Drover’s Dream” is the didgeridoo. It is a drone-type wind instrument native to the Aboriginal peoples of Northern Australia. It is made from a long section of eucalyptus tree that has been hollowed out by termites. After the bark and termites are removed, the wood is whittled and then molded with beeswax at the mouth end. It produces a low-pitched, resonant sound. To play the didgeridoo, the performer vibrates his lips while using a circular breathing technique so that the inside of his mouth and the inside of the instrument resonate simultaneously.

To see a didgeridoo visit: http://www.didgeridoostore.com/didgeridooproducts.htm

To hear a didgeridoo visit: http://www.didgeridoostore.com/soundsrhythms.html

To see and hear a really neat performance visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VF_Hw8l01LI

I’m going to keep on signing throughout camp. Please don’t wait for me to sign, though. If you know a sign go ahead and use it. If there are signs you wish to still know, go ahead and ask me or write it down and I’ll try to teach it to you.

Next week we will practicing fast and slow. We’ll also be making a long-necked friend to take home!!

Have a great week!

SuzAnne