I got the impression, from teaching over the years, that the youngest kids who are not yet potty trained are little musical beings who are tuned in to what makes them happy, music, dance, drawing, etc. They are happy in the now with no thought of bodily functions until we propose our own understanding on them, well, of course they need to be taught not to relieve themselves wherever they are, but the main idea that whatever they are doing comes first must be tempered. While thinking about this, I discovered website www.tinkletoonz.com that has a musical potty which has a sensor in it which plays the tune “It’s a Small World After All”. When any moisture enters the potty, the song plays.

Great for any daycare.

Apparently it has had much success with children who have certain challenges such as autism due to its immediate gratification!

Maria.

Ta, ta, ti-ti ta.  Ta, ta, ti-ti ta.

The ta(s) are twice as long as the ti-ti(s). I asked each child to come up to the front with me for help with the rhythm. As the children came up one by one, I noticed the other kids were practicing the rhythm on their instruments by themselves.  Who would have thought? They did not consider it practicing, of course, I imagine they just got the rhythm in their head as other children were being helped. Although this technique may not work with every group of two-year-olds due to size of class, level of gross motor development, etc., it is certainly worth a try and can work in many situations. They love coming up to the front of the class, allowing the teacher to take their hand to show them the rhythm.

This hands-on activity acts as a learning aid as it is an extra aid to the memory process (Muscle memory). We use muscle memory in our everyday lives without even thinking when we brush our teeth, drive a car, throw a ball, ride a bike, go bowling, and so on. Even our speech has everything to do with muscle memory. You don’t think about forming each word, the words just come naturally if the language is your native tongue. It is said that it takes the brain 740 repetitions to learn an activity almost perfectly.

Maria

You’re my crazy valentine

It’s a sunny day

You thought you had a talking teddy

You’re my crazy valentine

Go to school little boy

You are at school, stay at school today

by Hayden Berry

Valentine oh valentine

You go to valentine

Why do you have long long hair

You’re sitting on a chair

Daddy you take me to school today

You are at school, stay there today

by Julia Berry

Oh my little valentine

you are sweet and you are kind

and there is no need to wonder

we will be best friends forever

bright as bright our friendship shines

will you be my valentine

by Zorian & Xara Alley

We can make patterns of hearts,

Cupid will you shoot your dart,

You are mine mine mine mine mine,

Will you be my Valentine,

I love you and you love me,

Pinky pinky little heart.

by the Play to Learn Preschool

Congratulations to Hayden, Julia, Zorian & Xara and the Play to Learn Preschool. They will be sent a CD of the Do Re Me and Maria collection at home. All other participants will receive an email with a link to the downloadable song “My Valentine”.

Thank you all for having participated to this poem contest.

Maria

I like to teach kids respect for another’s culture at this early age as I think it is critical to a happy, healthy society, free from the predeterminations and prejudices which still haunt our planet.

Maria

Taking him to the daycare when he was younger and playing the Copy Cat Rhythms on the drum with his paw so the kids could see that even the dog could play. We didn’t keep that one up as Raven began to protest, pulling his paw away as if to say “That’s your game, not mine”. He would also jump up in the air and bark whenever we were up dancing and clapping.

The one thing I think he enjoyed the most was the springtime class. We were outside in the playground doing The Elephant Song where the children walk very slowly like the elephants do, raising their arm like a trunk. When the music speeds up, so do the children as they are being chased by a tiger or hunter. Raven ran right along with them in his deer-like fashion, leaping and bounding around as Standard Poodles generally do. I wish I had a picture of that scene but since I don’t, I will show you one of the pictures I took of him with my friend’s digital camera.

As well, click here for a sample of the song he and the kids were running to.

Maria

If they cannot write yet, you or an older sibling may write it down for them, but let the words come from your child alone. I will give you two titles for the poem and your child may pick the one they wish to write about. It may rhyme but free style is also great!

For each title, there will be 2 top winners who will each receive a CD from the Do Re Me and Maria collection. All other contestants will receive a downloadable Valentine’s Song from one of my CDs. This downloadable song is called “My Valentine.” Every contestant will be a winner!

Here are the two titles to pick from:

1. Valentine Oh Valentine
2. You’re My Crazy Valentine

You may use the title as your first line if you wish.

The original contest deadline was my birthday, February 2nd, but, at the request of a few parents, I have extended it to February 8. Make sure you send your child’s poem with their name by that date to contest@doremeandmaria.com

Three judges will review the poems and the 4 winners will be announced on Feb 10, 2010. Their poems will be posted here on my blog.

Email me your questions at contest@doremeandmaria.com

Maria

Wouldn’t you agree?

Maria

One little guy in the back pipes up and says “Yeah, my Mommy drives the car when Daddy has too much beer!”

My name is Maria Alley. I teach music to young children and I find that exciting and very rewarding. I’m very passionate about what I do and I wanted us to have a space where we could share experiences, ask questions, make suggestions, etc. Let me know what’s on your mind. I hope to read you soon.

Maria.