Amy spends 30 to 45 minutes (depending on age) each week to explore music with the children. Amy always starts with a transition and a Hello song. One to two finger plays are done, and then we focus on one instrument, usually beginning with egg shakers. After a few songs with one instrument, we add other instruments and spend about five minutes playing the instruments to music. After cleaning the instruments off the floor, Amy continues with one to two movement songs, ending back on the floor. One to two more finger plays will be done, then a goodbye.

Infants are not able to do most of the movement activities and need more time to soak in information. Therefore, when interacting with infants, Amy repeats songs more frequently, uses more simplistic songs, and takes more time for instrument exploration.

Toddlers need to move and that is greatly understood and appreciated by Amy. With toddlers, more movement songs will be presented as well as more songs with simple concepts such as counting to three and pointing to body parts.

Pre-school and kindergarteners can begin to understand more abstract ideas used with concrete examples. Basic music skills are taught through puppets and song. Children will also gain knowledge of culture as Amy focuses on one country each week to be used during the music free play. More complex concepts are sung about such as syllables of their names and rhyming.

Amy’s program is adaptable to your center’s philosophy, curriculum, and most importantly, your children.