Shake Your Sillies Out

Remember this old song from Raffi? Take a minute to listen to this song with your child. Play it again and follow along clapping, shaking, wiggling, and even yawning together with the kids.

The wiggles also have a version of this song that you can find on youtube but I like Raffi's better:) The background photo for this video clip is kinda funny so you'll just have to ignore that. I really like how it has the words so you can read along with the song. Have fun!

Dance at home: Freeze Dance and Favorite Music

This is one of the simplest and most fun things you can do with your child. All you need is your favorite music and a little bit of space. Turn on the music and start dancing. Press pause on the player and stop moving and tell your child to  "Freeze".  If she needs help with understanding the concept then hold her hand or gently guide her to a pose. Be patient, if the child is still dancing or moving it's not a big deal. You can either go with the flow and dance with him and try the game again another time, or you can keep the momentum going and continue to dance and freeze with the music a few more times and eventually the child will get the idea.

If you are not a dancer don't fret. I'm not asking you to do some fancy moves. Keep  this in mind-- no one is watching except your child who still thinks everything you do with him is awesome! Just bounce up and down, rock side to side, or spin in circles. Try holding hands with your child or lifting her in your arms to start with.

Hint: The most important thing is to have fun with your child. Do try to relax and enjoy the moment. Take advantage of the precious smiles and give lots of hugs and kisses.

Leave a comment. Tell us what is your favorite music to listen to with your child. What is playing in your car right now?

Note: The photo above is of my girls when they were 2 and 3 at our house in Indianapolis. They were always in dress up clothes which is why Arianna's leotard is so stained -- she wore it all the time! Obviously your kids don't need to get dressed up to dance but it might make it more fun!

The Song of a Ballerina

Hope you enjoy this song/chant that I made up for our class. Thanks to Ellen and Arianna for the title:)

The Song of a Ballerina

For the first verse start with feet together and bend knees every time you say plie (plea-ay).
This is called a plie, plie, plie,
This is called a plie.
Bounce. Bounce. Bounce.

For this verse point one foot to the side and tap your toes gently to the floor keeping your knees straight. pique (pea-kay)
This is called a pique, pique, pique.
This is called a pique.
Point. Point. Point.

For this verse bend one knee at a time and march when you say the word passe (pah-say).
This is called a passe, passe, passe.
This is called a passe.
March March March.

For this verse turn on your tip-toes with your arms above your head making a frame around your face.
This is called a ballet turn, ballet turn, ballet turn.
This is called a ballet tun.
Tippy toe around.

For this verse circle your arms in ballet positions front, up high, out to the side, and then down in front. port de bras (pore-de-bra)
This is called a port de bras, port de bras, port de bras.
This is called a port de bras.
Move your arms.

For this verse jump on 2 feet with ankles together every time you say saute (soe-tay).
This is called a saute, saute, saute,
This is called a saute.
Jump. Jump. Jump.