Feel the Rhythm

This week we took advantage of the fact that we've got a bit of an adolescent group, so we got a bit technical with our time together. We worked out different types of rhythms, like comparing a "regular" 4/4 beat to a waltzing 3/4, and also with different tempos, like going twice as fast every time I called out "double time!" It was great to see everyone really taking in and embodying their musicality. We also sang en français! We named different body parts and even tied it into our instrument, the tambourine, which translates as "little drum" – as one of the grown-ups rightly picked up on as we talked about it!

Rainy Day Fun

We had a much larger group this week at the Plaza and a whole lot of energy on a rainy day! We started with some weather-appropriate songs like Thunder Pounding and Rain Rain Go Away. The kids loved making the rain sign with their hands. Once we moved to other songs like The Rooster Song and Mr Sun, they were eager to keep participating in the signs. I recognized some kids from last session who weren't there last week and it was amazing to see how much they've grown over the summer! They still remember all the songs and even called some of the lyrics out before I sang them. Rainy days tend to make people antsy, so I included lots of jumping songs today and the kids continued to bounce even after the songs were all over. This group loves my guitar, so I finished the class by letting them strum my guitar while I sang the Goodbye song a cappella.

The Birds are Singing!

This week’s class at Robertson was a hoot! With a great turnout and the usual enthusiasm from the parents, we were bound to have a great time. As part of our “Number of the Week” activity, we sang Two Little Blackbirds. It was so great to see the kids trying hard to get all the actions right in addition to singing. What fun!

Back in Action

It was great to be back at the Redwood this week! It was quite a large group tonight with a big range of ages, from one-year-olds to pre-teens. It was initially challenging to find songs that caught the attention of the whole group, but we found our way with a little help from some drums. They have several djembes at the shelter, so I taught our clave rhythm (or just had them tap out the last two beats) to the older kids, and they played that while younger kids jumped around for Five Little Monkeys. We continued working with rhythm, taking turns with the drums, with everyone else either clapping their hands, slapping their knees, or stomping their feet. This group is going to keep me on my toes, I can tell!

Shake It Baby Shake It!!

Today we had a better turnout, and the caregivers and children alike were super excited to be there. We explored different rhythms on the tambourine, and the class particularly liked shaking it to the bottom, to the top, around and around and around, until they had to STOP during the Shake It Baby Shake It song.

Great to Be Back!

It was so wonderful to return to the Plaza Hotel for another session. There were some familiar faces and some new ones, but everyone had an unbelievable amount of energy and excitement. The kids delighted in going around the circle with names for the Hello song, and some of the older kids helped the young ones clap along. That rhythm stuck around all throughout class, through songs like I Wake Up My Hands and Sticky Sticky Bubblegum. When it came time for the jam bag, I had eager helpers to bring it out. I introduced the instruments one by one and was amazed at how easily the kids shared them without diving into the bag. We finished with a great jam and once it was all over, I heard one of the kids yell "SO MUCH FUN". I couldn't agree more.

Mango Tango!

We had a great class at Robertson House this week. I continue to be impressed with the level of engagement from parents and staff. One great moment from the class came during our rendition of Down By The Bay. When I asked the crowd for some rhymes to insert into the song, a young girl sang, “Have you ever seen a mango, doing the tango?” It was one of many contributions to the class from the enthusiastic participants. I look forward to another great class next week!

We're Back!

It was really nice to reconnect with staff and one child who was part of my Spring 2018 Birkdale session. It was also really nice to meet some new kids and caregivers. We had a special day today as we had three generations in the class (child, mom, grandmother). That was a first! Today I challenged the kids to try to clap their hands to the beat of the song. We worked on body part awareness songs and used the rainbow stretchy rope to practice Row, Row, Row Your Boat, and I Have a Little Bicycle. We explored the Rain Stick for our special instrument of the week, and the kids loved tipping it from side to side to hear the sound of the rain (the beads swishing from one end to the other).

We're Open!

This week’s class was a great opener to the session. With record attendance and great participation from the grown-ups, it was an energetic class filled with lots of smiles. We kicked it all off with a rendition of Open ‘Em, Shut ‘Em to focus the group. This worked quite well to get the group working together. Kids always love making silly faces during that song. I look forward to a great session at Robertson House!

Final Class, plus Movie Magic

Today was a special day to be finishing up our session at the Plaza, as we had Joanne in to do interviews and videography. The kids didn’t mind, and actually seemed intrigued by the camera (but not more intrigued than they are by the guitar, which still excites them as much as anything else, every week). It was nice to share stories and memories with Joanne. One of the staff members told us that the kids sing the Hello song all the time, just walking through the halls of the Plaza. It’s great to know that they carry the music with them, and it shows, because we finished the session with a bang! Lots of energy, especially for Roly Poly and all the clapping songs. We also got to say hello to the parachute again this week, for a final Twist and Shout that got all the dancing vibes out. As I left, the staff members said they were crossing their fingers that I return in the fall. I hope so too! I have a lot of respect for the program at the Plaza and am grateful to have been a part of it for this half of 2018. Till next time!