5 Little Pumpkins
October 22, 2025
What Makes a Quality Music Program
August 18, 2025
I was 18 years old when I was first handed the reins of a preschool music program. It was an independent study for high school credit in my senior year. I knew I wanted to be a teacher, and I had no idea where to begin. I knew I couldn’t wait another four years to […]
The Language of Music
July 1, 2025
Did you know that the process of music development parallels the process of language development? Language development starts when a child is born. You enthusiastically speak to your child in full sentences from the moment you lay eyes on her (and sometimes even earlier). Although you do not receive a response, you persist in friendly […]
Improvisation and Assessment in Preschool Music
May 18, 2025
JamRound™ is a unique and essential component of every Kids’ MusicRound class and many Classroom Jamboree™ lessons. We make a big fuss of dumping a giant bag of instruments and musical toys on the floor, with lots of excited vocal play. We turn on their favorite upbeat song, and the music play begins. It’s one […]
Musical Tips for Preschool Classroom Management
April 6, 2025
“No, I don’t want to do that!” Have you heard this in your classroom? We all want children to have fun while learning, but what happens when fun goes awry? Older preschool children enjoy overseeing their decisions about themselves and are not afraid to tell you. I remember teaching a 5-year-old class and hearing the […]
St. Patrick’s Day Musical Fun: Engaging Activities for Preschoolers
March 14, 2025
I love celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with my classes. Children come to school dressed in green, the leprechaun creates some silly magic, and we have a fun-filled day of learning! Of course, this is also a day that requires active classroom management and creativity to foster the types of engagement we want. Below, you’ll find […]
Family New Year’s Resolutions: Add More Music to Your Life, Sing, & Move
January 30, 2024
As we embrace the dawn of 2024, the lingering pressure of family New Year’s resolutions beckons, with the familiar goals of sharing more family meals, limiting screen time, and reigning in the ever-expanding realm of scattered toys. Yet, rather than succumb to the overwhelming checklist that often leads to abandonment, let’s pivot our attention to […]
Kids and the Beat: The Benefits of Music Education in Early Childhood
December 16, 2023
Music is everywhere! It’s a universal language that unites us, lifting our spirits with its irresistible rhythm. From chuckling at a toddler’s endearing dance moves to the joy of children belting out their favorite tunes, music becomes a vibrant part of their growth. There are numerous benefits of music education in early childhood. It’s […]
Music Learning – Virtual?
August 3, 2020
At first, I was very skeptical and uncertain about teaching virtual music classes. If ever there was a moment to adapt to the times it was this past spring with the onset of the coronavirus. A new way We were all thrust into a new way of educating and learning, adapting with no notice. With […]
The Easiest Resolution for Parents in the New Year
December 30, 2019
As the New Year approaches, there can be a lot of pressure on parents to set intentions for the year ahead: eat more meals together, spend less time watching TV, find a solution for the ever-growing mountains of toys spread about the house… the list is endless, and the pressure can overwhelm us to the […]