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While we were at the library yesterday I decided to check out some new music for my dance classes. Because I teach preschoolers and Kinder classes I have the wonderful option to really explore music with them and am not restricted by whats cool or hip on the radio. Many times I will just browse the library’s CD collection and pick up music with neat titles or great artwork. Two of the CDs that I picked up were by a company called Ladybug Music. I had no clue that they are actually CDs from music and movement classes but I am completely smitten with the music!

We got The Purple Collection and The Yellow Collection to try and I can’t stress enough how much FUN the music is! From classic children’s rhymes to ethnic tunes, the CD changes styles and speed with ease, keeping the children engaged and adding variety to their movements. Not to mention that the songs aren’t sickly sweet so the parents enjoy them too. My favorite was a song called Crawdad which has a hoe-down kinda feel, prompting the kids, Klint, and I to start square dancing in the middle of the living room- much to Moira’s delight! You can listen to a sneak peek of all the songs here, but they are truly worth having if you have kids or are around kids at all.

I think it is really important to vary kids music from The Beatles to Sesame Street and also different ethnic music like Gaelic or African. You will be surprised what they like! Gabby prefers House music and traditional Irish while AJ likes pop, classical piano, and Moira loves Robyn and Selena Gomez. The only thing we don’t really listen to is hard rap or screaming hair bands. =)

I would definitely recommend Ladybug Music series to all my friends! Hop over and listen to some of their songs yourself!!

She's rocking it & this is a great example of kids using their bodies to find the rhythm and the great joy of feeling the total freedom to improvise. Hmm and that guy to the right is not too bad either!  

We're looking forward to rocking out with the LBM families this Winter! – Patricia

This dad and daughter are incredible and I'm pretty sure they're making music everyday
 

 

Giving your children as many musical experiences as possible provides them with a base for building music literacy.  Here are a couple of easy ideas:

1) Do you have an old guitar or another instrument packed away in the garage?

Dust it off, tune it up and let your child pluck a string! Has your piano just become a piece of furniture? Lift up the cover and let your kid hit a few keys. Nothing beats experiencing instruments up close and hands on – who knows maybe you'll be inspired to plunk out a few notes too!

2)Ladybug has many songs that you can incorporate into your daily routines.

 A Ladybug dad told me he was using "Blob Fish" from the Ladybug Music Blue Collection for a bathtub song – blowing bubbles and a fun little dunk when "Blobby" plops! Another mom uses the melody of the "Ladybug Hello Song" to help her young child remember their phone number.

Is there one musical thing you do everyday with your family? Please let us know on our Ladybug Music Facebook Page because we'd love to share your ideas! Happy New Years!! Patricia

Ladybug Music® is an award winning early childhood music education program created by educator/songwriter/producer Patricia M. Maertens – yup that's me

I have a simple mission: marrying great music with great education. I've had the wonderful fortune of working with the best teachers & musicians that all bring their amazing talents to the Ladybug Music program & Ladybug Music CD's. helping make this mission possible!

In this mixed age (infant to 5 yrs) program, children and their parents are introduced to music from all over the world and taught about pitch, tempo, melody and rhythm through singing, rhythmic chanting, instrument jam sessions, dancing, finger plays, and just plain silly time! Sign up for your FREE demo!

The wonderful jazz musician/pianist Vince Guaraldi was the composer of all of the Peanuts episodes bringing sophisticated & innovative music to these great kid stories.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone and remember kids like all kinds of music so try out some new songs this holiday! Patricia

My favorite record store here in Los Angeles is Amoeba Music!

2) Give in to repetition. Children LOVE to here their favorite song over & over again. It's developmentally appropriate and helps them learn. So yes – hit the repeat button!
3) Let them choose CD's and give them access to instruments that they can explore independently.

And…if you have some old vinyl LP's bust them out, dust off your turntable and let the kids look at the covers while you're listening. It will make you very happy, I promise Patricia