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Songs, Activities, Tips and Tricks you can use!
The Big Blue Elephant in the Room
Last week, Music Sparks sent out this invitation. At first, I was super excited, and all of these ideas popped into my head. However, as the week went on I became increasingly distracted with the "big BLUE elephant in the room". The elephant, being September 11, 2011,...
DIY: Ocean Drum
Two weeks ago, I wrote a post about the Ocean drum and how wonderful it was in the classroom. You can view that post HERE. Last week, Developing Melodies was featured in the Macaroni Kid Newsletter with a DIY ocean drum project. You can look through all of...
Good Reads (August 2011)
I made it with only a few hours to go! Yes, we have been reading, but we have been working so hard that time just slipped away from us! (More on our upcoming projects another day). Just in case you missed the other posts in our "What are we Reading" Series, here...
Why is PLAY Important???
Tonight is a very special event, hosted by our local Children's Discovery Museum! We have the privilege to attend an evening with Dr. Stuart Brown, author and founder of the National Institute of Play. In fact, 2011, happens to be the "Year of Play" and several...
Happy (Belated) Birthday Eric Carle!
I know it has been a long time since Eric Carle's Birthday (June 25), but I have been really busy putting life and work back together! However, I have had a little spare time to do some sewing, which brings me to my Eric Carle post. Everyone loves Eric Carle and it...
It takes two to make an Ocean…
A few weeks ago at The Center the children are learning about water and sand. Although we live in Central Illinois, the children are showing an appreciation and great knowledge for all things Ocean. A running theme throughout the center, and most centers, is working...
Raising a Social Butterfly…
There is a very important reason as to why I am only working three days a week right now. It is not because I am lacking in securing contracts and private clients, nor is it a lack of wanting to work. Rather, it is because in these early years of life, I want to...
Good Reads (July 2011 Edition)
Welcome to the second post in our series "What are we reading?". You can catch up on our June 2011 Edition Here. At Home: Yep! Another Jodi Picoult for Mom! House Rules is another doozy, dealing with issues regarding Autism, Murder and Family. Again, Picoult is...
Outside Treasure
There is only so much exploring one can do inside and as soon as the weather gets nice we get outside fast! This year we decided to continue to build our butterfly/bird garden and have put in several new additions including a bird bath. Of course, Farrah would...
SCREAM!
I am okay with a little screaming in the house (or outside of the house) every once in a while. Not the complaining-tantrum-kind, but more of the release-my-stress-and-get-it-off-my-chest-kind. In fact, college students at Northwestern have this standing tradition of...
Happy Birthday to you, America!
Holidays in our house are a time of fun and joy! In honor of America's birthday we celebrated all thing red, white and blue! As a young toddler, it isn't so much about the importance of why the holiday is what it is (although saying "Happy Birthday America" was...
Printables Round-Up! (FREE)
It seems that lately, several of my private developmental therapy and music therapy kiddos are working on shapes, sorting and matching. I have some wonderful tools that I bring with me to each of my sessions (including a nice egg shaker matching set!) but I can't...
Sounds around us…
We love sounds and odds are, your children love making sounds too! I can guarantee that they will be walking around the kitchen or even outside banging on anything that they can reach. Today we spent some afternoon time in the pool making sounds. First, we tapped the...
Good Reads (June 2011 Edition)
Welcome to the first post a new series here at Developing Melodies called "What are we Reading?!" This post is inspired by the many books that we read in and out of our home. My daughter is often asking mommy and daddy to read with her (which is such a wonderful...
More Babies!
I know, I know... that headline probably got you excited (and if you were my parents, worried), but don't worry, there is no baby in my house. Just our lovely toddler 🙂 But outside of our house is a much different story. We have been watching all of these guys grow...
The Desert Challenge
Did you know that there are very few early childhood songs out there specifically written about the desert? This week at The Center the kids are learning about the Desert and all of the animals and plants that thrive there. In an effort to make what I have found in...
Chalk: Fun for all Ages!
Last year I bought these amazing pieces of chalk on clearance and I have been waiting and waiting until the weather was right to finally start using them. Then, we lost them... but now, we found them and my husband had such a blast coloring with Farrah in our...
Let’s make some Tiny Melodies
Did you know that musical development happens naturally in each and every one of us? Here are some of the natural ways that music develops: Beginning at birth, babies will actively seek out familiar voices and sounds, most of which were introduced while still in the...