Who wants to play a Sruti Box?

We had a great group this evening. We started off singing some familiar songs and I had the children wiggling their toes and putting their fingers in the air. Some songs were requested and we made sure to get the kids jumping to “Five Little Monkeys” and “Sleeping Bunnies”. We even made up a quick ditty about cheetahs running around the room. Then I brought out the instrument of the week. This week we learned about the Sruti Box from South India. We sang a song together as a group to demonstrate the droning chord and then the children took turns experimenting with different sounds. There were 15 children this week with 9 mothers and 1 staff member. I have been arriving just before 6:30 and planning on starting a bit late if necessary. However, this week we had 6 children in the room at 6:30, so I started on time and the others trickled in over the next 10 minutes or so. This term I have really been working on trying to involve the grown ups which I have found to be a real challenge for some of them. But I found it absolutely imperative with the Sruti box to have the children sit with the grown up that brought them there. The nature of the instrument is quite delicate and when 10 children are all turning knobs and grabbing at the same time it doesn't quite work. So, I brought the instrument around to children who were sitting with their caregivers and it seemed to help not only to get the grown ups more involved but also to get the children to try the instrument one at a time.

"Who's this Magic Guy?"

It was a treat for me to fill in for Rebecca at Jessie's Centre. It's been eight months since I taught an RSF class, and it was a lot of fun to sing with these babies and mothers. The room the class is in is called the Parent Child Centre, and it is such a bright and sunny place. The staff were super warm and welcoming, and while some of the mothers were a little shy at first, I think I earned their trust, and soon had them singing along and joining in with the actions.

Before class started, I asked what some of their favorite songs were so far, so I was sure to include "Zoom, Zoom, Zoom," and "Roly Poly." I thought it might be fun to try out some songs they might not have learned yet, such as "That is the Right Hand," and "Clap Your Hands and Sing 1 2 3." And while we were up on our feet, we sang "the Hokey Pokey."

I brought with me a special instrument, the Tibetan Singing Bowl. When I pulled it out of its bag, one of the mothers burst out, "I know what that is!" So I followed her enthusiasm and asked her to demonstrate for us how to play the bowl. One boy was more interested in putting a toy cow in the bowl than trying to play it. While everyone was having a try, I told them that if you put water in the bowl, the water will bubble and fizz. "No way!" They didn't believe me. So I asked Barb if I could use the kitchen sink in the centre. I quickly ran to fill the bowl. The mothers were stunned! They joked it was some kind of magic trick or illusion. Science! I couldn't explain what was going on, but it was fun to be able to show them unpredictable phenomenon. Here's YouTube video that demonstrates water in a Singing Bowl.

After class, I was leaving the centre and a different staff member was sitting with a five year old girl in the front foyer. They asked what was in my bag, so I took the opportunity to give a mini demonstration of the singing bowl. I took it out and showed the girl how to hold the bowl and make it sing with the wooden mallet.

It was my pleasure to fill in for Rebecca. I had a lot of fun singing with the families at Jessie's June Callwood Centre.

Who Are The Beatles??

I had a question poised to me this week by a mom in my class.

"Danica ... Who are the Beatles?" - MOM

"Ummm ... ONE OF THE GREATEST BANDS OF ALL TIME!" - ME (rather loudly)

"Ohhhhh ... " - MOM

We both looked slightly wide-eyed at my reaction and laughed so hard we had tears in our eyes. I tried to explain myself, insisting that they were one of MY favourite bands but it is, as always, up to the listener to decide wether they like the music or not! She had been in my class the week we sang Yellow Submarine and Twist And Shout and apparently had been very confused by my introduction to the tune where I mentioned it was written and played by the Beatles. It was an A-HA! moment where I realized that indeed my group at Robertson House was very diverse with backgrounds stemming from all over the world. Even so, she had LOVED the song and insisted that we play it again.

I kept with a kind of "water theme" for this class and to Yellow Submarine we added Listen To The Water, Rain Rain Go Away, If All The Raindrops and The Itsy Bitsy Spider. For movement we tried a new song called Chee Chee Chaw which pairs actions using different body parts with both the melody and words from Singing In The Rain. Brilliant tune!

We ran out of time for IOTW but had a quick jam reviewing a couple of our favourites with variations using the instruments; If You're Happy And You Know It Play The Drum, and I'm In The Mood For Jamming. 

More Rain

The children came together on another rainy November evening to sing some of their favourite songs. Many of those who have been coming for some time wanted to sing particular songs, so we sang their suggestions, including “Sleeping Bunnies”, “Do the Monkey”, “Boom Chicka Boom” and “The Itsy Bitsy Spider”. I brought out a rainstick near the end of the class and we made our own rain sounds. We had 16 children with 8 mothers and 1 staff. Apparently, there were no posters put up to promote the class and some people had asked Miriam about it. Nevertheless, the room was full!

Musical Growth

Today's class had a different, but wonderful, feel from our usual classes at Jessie's Centre. Our group of just 3 babies and a toddler was a very calm and easy-going group. Now, it may sound like the class was uninterested, but quite the opposite! Our moms and shelter staff were very eager to sing and help the babies do every action to every song. Everyone participated from the first guitar strum right to the last! We enjoyed seeing many baby smiles and our one little toddler was quite content to sit right in front of the guitar and give his own little strum once in awhile. He was also a great drummer and used a djembe--one of our hand drums--for a lot of our class. It's incredible to see such strong musical interest from kids at such a young age! It makes me glad to know that our class gave that little guy an opportunity to show off his musicality and drumming skills--there was definitely a future drummer in our midst! And, of course, it's always wonderful to watch the babies grow and develop and become more engaged with our classes each week. One of the babies first joined us at 4 months old. His response to his first class was almost horror--the volume and stimulation was too much. Now we watch him revel in doing actions, cooing to his mom and kicking up a storm when the parachute soars over his head. What a great class!

"I'm Dressing Up For Halloween"

Due to my illness the week of Halloween, I technically missed Halloween Week BUT as to not disappoint I wore my costume to class on November 6. I was met with MANY laughs but some children ran to get their costumes and join me for some post-halloween fun! We reviewed some Halloween songs from the previous class but also learned a couple new ones; I'm Dressing Up For Halloween, I'm A Crazy Witch, I Went Walking In The Night, andThe Monster Mash. 

For IOTW I decided to bring a couple of thunder tubes and rainsticks. As a group we created a spooky thunderstorm while singing Thunder Pounding and Rain Rain Go Away. It was great to see the awe on the faces of all who played the thunder tube. It truly is one of my favourite instruments! We jammed to Ghostbusters and finished with the parachute singing Michael Jackson's Thriller. 

I Hear Thunder

The group started off quietly with "Put your Finger in the Air" and "Sticky, Sticky Bubble Gum," and before long the carpet was filled with very energetic participants. Some were calling out their favourite songs and others were rolling around on the carpet. When we stood up to move around, participation was high as the children danced around the room. Then I brought out the Thunder Tube. To my amazement, Miriam also pulled one out and the children took turns making thunderous sounds and singing "I Hear Thunder".

Autumn at Massey Centre

October 25

A core group of parents and children seems to be appearing, with newer people dropping in to find out exactly what's going on.  It's great to see parents gaining confidence and skills, while the children relax and learn. The jam session remains by far the most fun - the parents really seem to get into playing the instruments for all they’re worth.

November 1

The core group of parents and students are still enthusiastic, though parents seemed to be a little tired today. That's alright, I have enough energy for everyone!

Even though Halloween has already passed, I did an entire Halloween program with them today - what fun! Parachute dancing to Thriller was... ahem... thrilling?

I'm too punny!

November 15

Only three students today - though I was told one of our regular parent/kid combos was sick. I was very glad to see someone from outside the core group return today, this time with less apprehension than the first time she came in.

My regulars are certainly committing themselves to being here, and are doing very well.

November 29

Animal week was a success!

My regular crowd showed up today, albeit a bit behind schedule, and a great time was had by all.  Interesting to see the babies reactions to the hats, which confounded them at first, but stayed on their heads remarkably well after the forgot about them.

Cute explosion!

Glad to see one mother who started attending classes a couple of weeks after we started at the Massey Centre returning, and coming out of her shell a little bit. Her baby? Totally out of the shell!

Loved seeing a pre-natal mother attend for the first time today! Very glad she showed up, and hoping she'll return.

I Ain't 'friaid of no Frankenstorm!

It was a dark and stormy night...The week leading up to Halloween is always one of my favourite times. When we started off our 'Hello' song this week we had a pretty small group, but as the time passed many familiar faces came to join in with the Halloween festivities. We sang songs about dressing up, Jack-o-lantern pumpkins, and even made a scary witch's brew made up of suggestions from the group. The kids took turns playing the Darabuka before shaking the rainbow ghost...er...parachute. We also did quite a bit of howling, as it was a full moon.

Movin' and Groovin'

We had another great class this week at Jessie's Centre. Our group was as young as 4 months and as old as 2 today, but my, did all those kids know how to move, no matter what their age! This group was right into all the actions showing off the sticky bubblegum between their toes and noses, waving their fingers in the air and taking those sharp corners as they hurried in their firetrucks! Our group was eager to get to their feet and we really came together with the song, "Elephants Have Wrinkles." As we found our toes, hips and trunks there were lots of giggles as moms and shelter staff gave tickles, as well. And, as usual, we finished off with lots of parachute fun, which seems to be what these babies and toddlers like the best! It's always difficult to turn off the music and put the parachute away because they enjoy it so much.