Music Together® Celebrates
March 2010
It is no accident that we celebrate Sing With Your Child Month in March—a month symbolizing rebirth and growth, which reminds us of our most precious resource—our children. When looking for activities to do with your children, remember that singing and making music doesn’t cost a dime—and it supports your children’s development, too.
As parents, we have only a finite amount of time to connect with our children before they grow up. When we take the time to sing and make music as a family, we form everlasting bonds, which ultimately allow our children to feel safe and secure as they grow, putting them on the road to future successes. In addition to the bonding that occurs when parents sing and make music with their children, the children grow into confident music-makers who are able to participate with joy in the music of their culture. And, music learning supports all learning by promoting creativity, personal expression, and social interaction.
The beauty is that making music with children does not require special skills or “musical talent.” In fact, this may be the one time in your life when the audience (your children!) will always be thrilled with your participation—and want more! These experiences will live in your children’s memories for the rest of their lives and help them develop the necessary qualities to grow into loving and confident adults.
The impact of singing and making music with your child is immeasurable, and the rewards of this simple act will help us make the world a much better place than it is now. Sing a song, grab a drum (or even a plastic bowl and wooden spoon!) and join us as we celebrate Sing With Your Child Month this March!
The “Hello Song” Around the World Music Video
Music Together families in New Jersey, California, Ireland, and China all sing “Hello, everybody!” To celebrate Sing With Your Child Month, Music Together LLC is making a “Hello Song” music video using clips submitted by families from around the world—and you can be a part of it!
Videotape your family singing your own unique version of this Music Together classic and send it in to us. Sing your name, your hometown, hello to your pets, tape yourselves at the kitchen table or by a local landmark! The final composite video will be made using as many clips as possible, and every family who submits a video clip will also have a chance to win a free semester of Music Together classes at a location near them! Learn more and submit your clip here.
Family Music-making Activity of the Week
Visit this page each week in March to find a different music-making activity that you and your family can enjoy together to celebrate Sing With Your Child Month. Here are some ideas to jump-start your fun—remember, it doesn’t have to be a special day to make music with your family!
Family Music-making Activities
Although Sing With Your Child Month is ending, remember it doesn’t have to be a special day to make music with your child. Here are a few more ideas to keep you going. Have fun, and keep making music together!
- Form a kitchen play-along band!
Get out those pots and pans, plastic bowls, whisks, pie plates, and wooden spoons for a family jam session! Sing and dance while you play nonbreakable kitchen “instruments” made of wood, plastic, or metal without points or sharp edges. You might put some beans into a soda bottle and tape it shut—or try a simple wooden spoon and an ice cube tray. Jam together, or adults and children can take “solos.” Feature Daddy on pans, for example, or Grandma on spoons! Check out “Playin in the Kitchen,” the perfect accompanying melody, which is available on the Music Together Family Favorites CD.
- Dance a waltz with your child’s favorite stuffed animal!
Put on your favorite waltz and give your child a favorite stuffed animal or doll for a dance partner. You can take a “partner,” too, and model dancing around the room. Sway to the left, then right, in time with the three-beat feeling of the music. Try fancing a waltz, one big step, followed by two small ones RIGHT-left-right, LEFT-right-left. Use your favorite waltz music, or try the Music Together song “Dancing with Teddy,” available on the Music Together Family Favorites CD.
- Make a family train with “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad”
Sing this favorite traditional song while making a family train—move your train in a circular or serpentine fashion around the room or house! Stop and wield imaginary sledgehammers as you work on the railroad and then see how fast you can go. Then, why not ask your child be the leader and let Mommy or Daddy be the caboose?! The Music Together version of “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad” is available on the Music Together Family Favorites CD.
Local Celebratory Events
Family sing-alongs, dance parties, open houses, and other events are being held at Music Together centers around the world in celebration of Sing With Your Child Month. Check back in late February for a listing of events so you can find one at a location near you!