Welcome Little Shepherd's Community!
Hello Little Shepherd community!
Thank you all so much for having us these last months! We have worked so hard to try to bring you the best quality that we can in a distanced way and although we've had a bit of a learning curve along the way, we have learned so much! What a time this has been!
We SOOOO look forward to when Miss Erin can come join you again in person!!
And, just so you know, we have one more week of videos that we will upload in the next week and leave up through the first week of the year. We hope that you and the children get a chance to enjoy them! (What to bring to class is listed below).
Hope you all have wonderful holidays!
Take care,
Miss Cathy :)
Thank you all so much for having us these last months! We have worked so hard to try to bring you the best quality that we can in a distanced way and although we've had a bit of a learning curve along the way, we have learned so much! What a time this has been!
We SOOOO look forward to when Miss Erin can come join you again in person!!
And, just so you know, we have one more week of videos that we will upload in the next week and leave up through the first week of the year. We hope that you and the children get a chance to enjoy them! (What to bring to class is listed below).
Hope you all have wonderful holidays!
Take care,
Miss Cathy :)
Last Class!!!
Instruments for this week: Here is what we have planned for our next (and last) videos! If you can gather these things for your little ones, that'd be great!
Guiros: Guiros are a Latin American instrument that has grooves that we strike and move a stick over. If you don't happen to have one, here are a few great alternatives:
+ Family Jam instruments and anything to snuggle with for the lullaby
Guiros: Guiros are a Latin American instrument that has grooves that we strike and move a stick over. If you don't happen to have one, here are a few great alternatives:
- A tin can with the label pulled off usually has great ridges. It might be a little heavy for small hands, though
- A water bottle: A plastic disposable water bottle works perfectly for a quick homemade guiro. You can also fill it with beads, or beans or rice to have it double as a shaker (ours shake!). We have loved having the kids decorate the water bottles, too, to make a whole project of it!
+ Family Jam instruments and anything to snuggle with for the lullaby
Winter: Videos Week #3
- Hello
- The Wheels on the Bus
- Lay Your Head on Me (Guiros)
- Shoo Fly Pie (Mixing Bowl and Spoon)
- Cat Creeps (Older children's video only)
- Family Jam: Swingin' Frosty
- Lullaby: Dona Nobis Pacem (part-singing)
- Goodbye
Infant to Younger Toddler Ages
Older Toddler to Preschool Ages
Week of December 15th, 2020
We hope that you all loved last week with Miss Savanna!
Here is what we have planned for next week. If you can gather these things for the kids to play along, that'd be great! Hope you all have another great week!
Drums: We are working hard at the button factory this week and love doing this song on a big drum. As you know, anything can be a drum- an upside-down mixing bowl, a tabletop or even floor, an upturned bucket... and, of course there are a million ways to make your own drum!
Scarves: For the older toddler and preschooler group we will be doing an African Dance song with scarves!
And finally, as always, have a few percussive instruments on hand for our family jam and if they want to snuggle up for the lullaby, bring along something to snuggle with.
Thanks so much and hope you all have a great week!
Here is what we have planned for next week. If you can gather these things for the kids to play along, that'd be great! Hope you all have another great week!
Drums: We are working hard at the button factory this week and love doing this song on a big drum. As you know, anything can be a drum- an upside-down mixing bowl, a tabletop or even floor, an upturned bucket... and, of course there are a million ways to make your own drum!
- One fun and easy way to make a drum is to collect enough larger containers for your classroom, like for protein powder, coffee or oatmeal and then cover with paper, stickers, ribbons...any kinds of decorations.
- For the drum head, you can use the plastic lid of the container (I like to tape the lids on them before decorating so the children cannot pull them off!), or if you want to get fancy, you can make a drum head by pulling a large balloon (24") very taut across the top and securing it with rubber bands (and taping it down) along the edges. (If your container has a smaller diameter than 10", use a 16" balloon). You can also use fabric in place of a balloon, but it is trickier to get it to stay tight enough to make a decent sound.
Scarves: For the older toddler and preschooler group we will be doing an African Dance song with scarves!
And finally, as always, have a few percussive instruments on hand for our family jam and if they want to snuggle up for the lullaby, bring along something to snuggle with.
Thanks so much and hope you all have a great week!
Winter: Videos Week #2
- Hello
- A Mouse Lives in a Little Hole
- Joe and the Button Factory (Hand Drums)
- Runaway Shoes (shoes)
- Ghana Baby: Scarves (Older children's video only)
- Family Jam: Asew by Bisa Kdei (pop song from Ghana)
- Lullaby: A Noisy Cricket
- Goodbye
Infant to Younger Toddler Ages
Older Toddler to Preschool Ages
Week of December 8th, 2020
Here is what to gather for Miss Savanna's first class:
2 Egg Shakers (or any shaker, maraca... ideally, we'll use one for each hand)
We are pretty sure that you have shakers by now, but if you don't here are a few ideas to make your own:
- Tupperware: Fill up small tupperware (or plastic Easter eggs) with dry rice, beans, beads, or paper clips, etc and seal the container WELL! (We like to use tape). Have the children really listen to what different fillings sound like. Does this one make a louder sound? Does this one make a lower sound? Playing around with different materials really starts training their ears!
- Toilet Paper Roll Shakers: If you want a craft project, try making a toilet paper roll shaker! The great part about this activity is that the kids can decorate them with paint, stickers, patterned tape... Here are a couple of links The first one is a little more complex, maybe better for the older children (and FYI, when we did it, we used duct tape on the ends instead of hot gluing), and the second one is SUPER simple and the shakers will fit easily into little hands.
Jingle Bells (or tambourines) - This activity is only for the older children's class.
We're dancing a Hora! Jingle bells or tambourines are a really fun and lively addition to this dance song, but if you don't have them, no worries! You can use your shakers/maracas- or a scarf! Who cares! Just have fun and experience this great Klezmer song!!
Family Jam: Any instruments As always, bring a small variety of instruments for the kids to jam along with our fun song!
Lullaby: And, of course, a lovey or stuffed animal, if they want to snuggle with it for my lullaby!
Winter: Videos Week #1
- Hello
- Rig a Jig Jig
- Etre Un Homme Comme Vous: Shakers
- Bedtime at the Nuthouse
- Haida: Bells (Older children's video only)
- Family Jam: Ultra Luminary
- Lullaby: A Happy Song
- Goodbye
Infant to Younger Toddler Ages
Older Toddler to Preschool Ages
Last week of the Fall Session:
Week of December 1st, 2020
Here is what to gather for this week's class on December 1:
OPTIONAL Fall leaves/scarves: Our first song this week is about colored Autumn leaves falling. I have some decorative Fall leaves that I will float around while I sing, so if you have any of these decorative ones, you could gently toss them over the children's heads as I sing (in person, it is really quite magical!). The children could also float scarves or you could also make a point of gathering (clean) real leaves out in the play yard. But, no worries if you don't have them. The song is lovely on it's own and the children can watch me float the leaves around!
Rhythm Sticks: We are rocking out this week! We use 8" wooden rhythm sticks. One stick has ridges and the other is smooth. So, if you have any (safe, obviously) rhythm sticks, or shorter drum sticks/strikers, use those. But, some other options from things around the center (or kid's houses) are: spoons, wooden cooking utensils, thick magic markers (tape the tops on, so you don't end up with a mess), or thick unsharpened pencils.
Want to make your own drumsticks? Here are a couple of options:
OPTIONAL Pirate dress up: Ahoy Mateys! We are sailing the high seas in search of treasure! If any little pirates want to dress up with bandanas, eye patches or whatever suits their pirate fancy, they are welcome. But, no pressure! We LOVE pretending!!
Family Jam: Any instruments As always, you can bring a small variety of instruments for the kids to jam along with our fun song!
Lullaby: Scarf I am using a large silk scarf to mimic the water. If the children brought a scarf or ribbon for our Fall Leaves song, they are welcome to use it here as well and join me. But, of course, snuggling instead with a lovey or stuffed animal or just relaxing and watching/listening is always welcome!
OPTIONAL Fall leaves/scarves: Our first song this week is about colored Autumn leaves falling. I have some decorative Fall leaves that I will float around while I sing, so if you have any of these decorative ones, you could gently toss them over the children's heads as I sing (in person, it is really quite magical!). The children could also float scarves or you could also make a point of gathering (clean) real leaves out in the play yard. But, no worries if you don't have them. The song is lovely on it's own and the children can watch me float the leaves around!
Rhythm Sticks: We are rocking out this week! We use 8" wooden rhythm sticks. One stick has ridges and the other is smooth. So, if you have any (safe, obviously) rhythm sticks, or shorter drum sticks/strikers, use those. But, some other options from things around the center (or kid's houses) are: spoons, wooden cooking utensils, thick magic markers (tape the tops on, so you don't end up with a mess), or thick unsharpened pencils.
Want to make your own drumsticks? Here are a couple of options:
- Paper rhythm sticks: You can roll up paper into about a 1" cylinder (or use the cardboard from a paper towel or toilet paper roll) and twist up a lunch-sized paper bag to insert in the roll to give it a little weight and stability. Then decorate.
- Paper Drumsticks: This video also show a fun and easy paper plate drum and the drums stick are made by just rolling up paper tightly and taping it! But, there are decorating possibilities! www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyIPzsjH5pg
- Soft Head Toddler Drumsticks: This is really an adult project, so not sure that you all would want to do this one- BUT, they come out really cute and are a little more permanent of an instrument, so thought you might be interested or could find ways to alter the project enough to get the kids involved. Anyways...The project uses 1 foot dowels (or you could use chopsticks), fabric and hot glue. (You could probably also use school glue, the drying process would just take a little while). http://beccamariedesigns.blogspot.com/2012/03/how-to-soft-head-toddler-drumsticks.html
OPTIONAL Pirate dress up: Ahoy Mateys! We are sailing the high seas in search of treasure! If any little pirates want to dress up with bandanas, eye patches or whatever suits their pirate fancy, they are welcome. But, no pressure! We LOVE pretending!!
Family Jam: Any instruments As always, you can bring a small variety of instruments for the kids to jam along with our fun song!
Lullaby: Scarf I am using a large silk scarf to mimic the water. If the children brought a scarf or ribbon for our Fall Leaves song, they are welcome to use it here as well and join me. But, of course, snuggling instead with a lovey or stuffed animal or just relaxing and watching/listening is always welcome!
Fall: Videos Week #12
- Hello
- Crimson and Red
- Arco Arena (with rhythm sticks)
- Blow the Man Down (with Cap'n Katrina)
- I Juggle Rhythms- a field trip to Aaron Williams studio!
- What Makes You Beautiful- One Direction
- Yemaya Asesu (with a large scarf)
- Goodbye
Infant to Younger Toddler Ages
Older Toddler to Preschool Ages
Week of November 16th, 2020
Hello, my friends!!
Thank you for watching all of these videos! We hope that you are getting a lot out of them and the children are enjoying them! We would love to see any photos of them participating!!! (although, we understand if you are not permitted to share likenesses of the children!).
This week we are going to do our fun tempo chant about the snail and the mouse. If you want to practice beforehand, here are the lyrics to this great chant. The idea behind this chant is that it helps children to practice regulation and inhibitory control. Moving fast and then stopping quickly is quite challenging (and fun) for kids and helps them work on these skills. Also, moving deliberately slowly is also a very challenging skill for young children to master, as they need to exert a fair amount of control over their bodies. We love doing activities that are fun and engaging, but have built in important lessons for the kids. Besides these things, they are experiencing a steady beat in their bodies and learning about tempo! This is one of the many reasons that doing music with children is so great for them!
Here is the chant:
Garden Snail
Establish an adagio (slow) beat and move your fingers slowly up your arm to your head on that beat
Slowly, slowly, very slowly creeps the garden snail
Slowly, slowly, very slowly up the garden rail
Establish an allegro (fast) beat and move your fingers slowly down your head and then your arm to that beat
Quickly, quickly, very quickly runs the little mouse
Quickly, quickly, very quickly in his little house!
Repeat a couple of times, and for older toddlers and preschoolers, they can also use their whole bodies to pretend that they are the snail and the mouse and move across the room to the beats.
For the youngest children, you can pat their arms, or walk your fingers up their arms for them to really feel that beat.
Thank you for watching all of these videos! We hope that you are getting a lot out of them and the children are enjoying them! We would love to see any photos of them participating!!! (although, we understand if you are not permitted to share likenesses of the children!).
This week we are going to do our fun tempo chant about the snail and the mouse. If you want to practice beforehand, here are the lyrics to this great chant. The idea behind this chant is that it helps children to practice regulation and inhibitory control. Moving fast and then stopping quickly is quite challenging (and fun) for kids and helps them work on these skills. Also, moving deliberately slowly is also a very challenging skill for young children to master, as they need to exert a fair amount of control over their bodies. We love doing activities that are fun and engaging, but have built in important lessons for the kids. Besides these things, they are experiencing a steady beat in their bodies and learning about tempo! This is one of the many reasons that doing music with children is so great for them!
Here is the chant:
Garden Snail
Establish an adagio (slow) beat and move your fingers slowly up your arm to your head on that beat
Slowly, slowly, very slowly creeps the garden snail
Slowly, slowly, very slowly up the garden rail
Establish an allegro (fast) beat and move your fingers slowly down your head and then your arm to that beat
Quickly, quickly, very quickly runs the little mouse
Quickly, quickly, very quickly in his little house!
Repeat a couple of times, and for older toddlers and preschoolers, they can also use their whole bodies to pretend that they are the snail and the mouse and move across the room to the beats.
For the youngest children, you can pat their arms, or walk your fingers up their arms for them to really feel that beat.
What to gather for this week's classes:
Musical Spoon Set: Make your own with only spoons and tape! We know that you most likely will not have "musical" spoons at the center, but you definitely have some metal, plastic or wooden spoons! There is a link below with very simple instructions on how to turn 2 spoons into a very easy musical spoon set for children. All you need is the spoons and tape! These end up very similar to the ones that Miss Erin has brought before!
We've also included a link to some fun DIY castenets if you want to have a fun project (but, no pressure!!). We have included this project with our Mommy and Me families, and they came out ridiculously adorable! And they sounded good, too!!!
Lullaby: And, of course, a lovey or stuffed animal, if they want to snuggle with it for my lullaby!
After Class activity:
Two Little Birdies: rhyming and opposites
Our first song this week is "Two Little Birdies". We play with the idea of rhyming, and opposites. We LOVE to have the preschoolers try to figure out what the second birdie is going to do based on these ideas.
This could be a really fun song for you all to do with the children during the week. We use bird finger puppets, but you can use any puppets or draw little faces on your index fingers (and call it "Two Little Friends" Or "2 Little Kitties"...). Here are the lyrics that we will use, and a few more ideas, but feel free to not only embellish on your own, but also by getting ideas from the kids!
The song goes like this:
Two little birdies sitting on a hill. One named Jack and one named Jill. Fly away Jack. Fly away Jill. Come back Jack. Come back Jill.
Two little birdies sitting on a _____. one was _____, the other was______......
Musical Spoon Set: Make your own with only spoons and tape! We know that you most likely will not have "musical" spoons at the center, but you definitely have some metal, plastic or wooden spoons! There is a link below with very simple instructions on how to turn 2 spoons into a very easy musical spoon set for children. All you need is the spoons and tape! These end up very similar to the ones that Miss Erin has brought before!
We've also included a link to some fun DIY castenets if you want to have a fun project (but, no pressure!!). We have included this project with our Mommy and Me families, and they came out ridiculously adorable! And they sounded good, too!!!
- Spoons and Washboard: This is a fantastic video that shows how to make simple musical spoons out of just spoons and tape. (It also show a longer, more involved project for a DIY washboard using cardboard, straws or chopsticks, aluminum foil and string.) But, don't worry! For this week, we will only be using the spoons! It's another great project, if you ever want to do it, though! https://youtu.be/OvyD-esr4Ms
- Castenets are similar enough to spoons, that we decided it could be a fun project to do this week.They are made from cardboard and bottle tops, so if you have little one still exploring with their mouth, this may not be the best choice for them! (But, your preschoolers may really enjoy!) https://www.redtedart.com/bottle-top-castanets/
Lullaby: And, of course, a lovey or stuffed animal, if they want to snuggle with it for my lullaby!
After Class activity:
Two Little Birdies: rhyming and opposites
Our first song this week is "Two Little Birdies". We play with the idea of rhyming, and opposites. We LOVE to have the preschoolers try to figure out what the second birdie is going to do based on these ideas.
This could be a really fun song for you all to do with the children during the week. We use bird finger puppets, but you can use any puppets or draw little faces on your index fingers (and call it "Two Little Friends" Or "2 Little Kitties"...). Here are the lyrics that we will use, and a few more ideas, but feel free to not only embellish on your own, but also by getting ideas from the kids!
The song goes like this:
Two little birdies sitting on a hill. One named Jack and one named Jill. Fly away Jack. Fly away Jill. Come back Jack. Come back Jill.
Two little birdies sitting on a _____. one was _____, the other was______......
- Dad: happy/sad
- Cloud: quiet/loud
- Gate: early/late
- Fort: long/short
- Lap: awake/nap
- Down below: fast/slow
- Sing a little song: sang short/ sang long
- Wearing funny pants: one just walked/ the other did a dance
Videos Week #11
- Hello
- 2 Little Birdies
- Hoe Down (with Spoons)
- Garden Snail (Tempo)
- Going on a Journey with Miss Savanna (this is in the older kids video only). BTW, this is a much shorter version of this game than the last time!
- Happy- Pharell Williams
- So Free
- Goodbye