Baila, Baila - Dance, Dance!

Great energy at Birkdale today. We sang all of our transportation songs in a medley with How Now Brown Cow. In fact, this song was so loved that one of the moms asked why it's not on the RSF CD! Our instruments of the week were the Cowbell and the Agogo. We passed them both around, playing different rhythms along to some Latin music. The kids got very into this, to the point that even the quietest children were up and dancing around through parachute time. We all really felt the music in our bodies today!

Sharing and Caring

This week's class at Gooch was full of fun little moments. Though a little conflict resolution was needed at times to make sure everyone got a fair turn with the various instruments, every child seemed to have a very positive experience. The climax of the class was when all the kids and grown-ups were eagerly bending their knees, moving up and down in anticipation of "blast off" during Zoom Zoom Zoom. It really felt like the whole group was engaged and enjoying themselves. Looking forward to the rest of the session!

Bouncing Around!

Today's group was smaller than usual, but had the energy of a large group! Our singing time got us up and moving a lot. We did the Hokey Pokey, we hopped like bunnies (and frogs!) and we stood up and spun around with What Are You Wearing? One of the best parts today, though, was singing "Well you walk, and you walk, and you walk, and you STOP" and then coming up with the silliest frozen positions we possibly could every time we stopped!

Little Green Frog

It's always wonderful to watch the kids that regularly attend Rainbow Songs Foundation classes grow and learn. This week one of our regulars showed off her impeccable skill at sticking out her tongue during the song Little Green Frog. This is a group favourite (in fact, one of the Jessie's Centre staff members says she sings it all the time with her grandson, too!), so we sing it almost every week. And now it's not just the grown-ups sticking out our tongues at the right time – our little ones are catching on (and making the grown-ups laugh with delight!)

Hurry, Hurry!

What a gorgeous day, outside and in! Another big turn out today meant lots of singing and fun. After all those Halloween songs last week, it was easy for the kids and grown-ups to sing along as we went back to the familiar classics, like Baby Shark and Wheels on the Bus. The instrument of the week was the small chime bars, and everyone got the chance to play them for the "ding-ding-ding-ding-ding" during Hurry, Hurry Drive the Firetruck. As always, jam time was a slam dunk for all.

Sticky Sticky Bubble-fun!!!

This week's class at Robertson House was even more impressive than the last. With a couple new recruits joining us, the kids who had been to previous classes set a great example by singing and doing the actions loud and proud! I was so impressed with this week's rendition of Sticky Sticky Bubble Gum. The kids seem to have a great sense of rhythm and never hesitate to get up and dance. It fills me with joy to see them moving to the music! I look forward to more great classes as we enter the latter half of the session!

Little Spooky, Little Silly!

Last week's class at Gooch was a Halloween hoot! I was dressed as a construction worker and was joined by all sorts of witches and other silly characters. We had so much fun stirring up our witches stew and throwing all sorts of ingredients in! The kids also enjoyed a special Halloween version of Roly Poly, which ended with a big, scary "BOO!" I wish every week were Halloween!

Dynamic Dazzlers

Yesterday's class at Robertson House was a dazzle to the eyes. The kids were so engaged with the music right off the top of the class. They did a great job of playing along with certain dynamics during songs (i.e. switching between soft and loud). They also had a great time trying to count 8 beats in time, first really slow, then really fast. I was so impressed with the focus. I'm looking forward to more great classes!

Ten Little Pumpkins

We were back up to our usual big, exciting class size today at Birkdale, with 10 children joining in to sing all about Halloween. We sang all of my favourite Halloween songs, including The Very Scary Spider, I'm Dressing Up For Halloween, and Five Little Pumpkins. Funny sounds and funny faces got lots of laughs. Our instrument of the week was the Cabasa, which we passed around and played as the "ch-ch-ch-ch" sound in Brush Your Teeth (an important part of every child's candy-filled Halloween!) Everyone called on The Ghostbusters during jam time, and a super fun time was had by all.

Shake It All About!

Last week's class at the Gooch Family Drop-In Centre was a blast! It featured the Steel Pan Drum as the instrument of the week, and a lively version of The Hokey Pokey, which was enjoyed by kids and parents alike. It was great to see the children and parents getting silly together when doing The Hokey Pokey and shaking it all about! It was a great turnout, and the children seem to be more and more responsive to the class as the weeks go on.