Some of us enjoy making music. Some enjoy singing. Some enjoy moving to music. Some enjoy listening. Some enjoy it all. I love that my children enjoy music, and enjoy musical activities together, regardless of their ages. We are not near enough to participate in early music classes — you know the kind that introduces your youngest children to rhythm and movement and music. All of my children have enjoyed music as toddlers, but none as much as our current 2 year old. That boy finds music and rhythm where the rest of us might hear just noise. He bops his head or swings his feet and is usually wearing a huge grin while doing it.
I knew the littlest man would love Music Together. We started by just listening straight through the Family Favorites CD. Catchy tunes, fun rhythms we had fun. Even the older girls who thought this music was too young for them were singing or tapping along. The next time, I brought out the bag of rhythm instruments we have. After the initial “how loud can we be” and “how many can we play at once” chaos, each of the children settled down with a favorite and figured out how to keep time with music.
I had been reading the Songbook for Teachers that coordinates with the Family Favorites CD. There are helps and tips for activities for any ages, specific helps for special needs children, pre-schoolers and older children and often infants as well. From fingerplays to lap songs (dyads — new word for me) to movement with scarves and those beloved instruments, there is something for everyone. The explanations and tips make it so easy for me to add so much more than just listening.
Sometimes silly, always fun we enjoyed our days we would do Music Together. I usually set aside time 2 or 3 times a week and don’t make anyone participate. All of my children have at some point joined in from the eleven-year old down to the two-year old. The youngest two are the ones who participate every time, though often everyone has joined in by the end. We find ourselves humming or singing all throughout the week. These songs have really become family favorites (Palo, Palo and Mississippi Cats being the universal top picks here).
The music is enough to have fun with, but the songbook has really impressed me. Spiral bound for easy use, the layout is very easy to find just what you are looking for. Each song has a multi-page spread (usually four pages per song) numbered to match the CD track. The background story is told, suggestions for all ages and the sheet music are first. My girls that are slowly learning piano enjoy picking out familiar bits from the songs as they start reading music. The full page illustration for many of the songs is simple and great to talk about – narrating the story told in the song, or making up your own. Then you have the breakdown of tips for ages and special needs – not just special needs in general, but specific needs (auditory sensory issues, visual sensory issues and more). There a few color photographs throughout that show the program in action. The colors used are soft, calming earth tones, a different one for each song. It is beautiful just to flip through.
The target age is birth through age seven (but don’t be surprised if older siblings request it as well). You can hear samples on the website. Family Favorites is available as a CD ($14.95)or mp3 download ($9.99). The coordinated Songbook for Teachers is $29.95. You can purchase a bundle of the book and CD for $39.95, a savings of $5. Use the code SCHOOLHOUSE to save $2 more. In their online store you will also find some instruments as well as other CDs and teaching materials.
There are Music Together classes offered throughout the country. Your family may even participate in one. Whether or not you meet in a class, this is an easy and fun way to introduce music or extend the experience. Music is something anyone can enjoy (and should!) Don’t think this is just for group activities. Any family – regardless of where the children attend school, number of children (the parents are encouraged to participate with the children, not “instruct”) or abilities of the children, can enjoy the music and activities.
Be sure to read about other families’ experiences and thoughts.
