Wiggles & Giggles

Steady Beat/Ensemble (Team) Development

Week 4

The most fundamental property of music is beat- an underlying, unchanging, repeating pulse.  Feeling and moving to a steady beat develops a sense of time and the ability to organize and coordinate movements within time.

ENSEMBLE/TEAM DEVELOPMENT

Ensemble opportunities like the ones found in Kindermusik class also "stimulate and challenge" self-confidence, imagination, creativity,

self-expression, and musical understanding.

Dr. Leung, Professor -  Univ of Melbourne Psychology 2006

Before you know it, your child will likely want to participate in a team sport, play in a band or orchestra, or sing in a choir. They will also be required to be part of academic team projects in school.  In Kindermusik class we help introduce you and your child to the opportunity to develop and practice the skills that are required to perform in such ensembles:

• strong self-control - stopping on cue
• distinguishing between sounds
• listening for an appropriate cued entrance
• timing the participation on cue
• matching the steady-beat play with an outside sound source or with others on the team  

Kindermusik is truly so much MORE than just music!

This is just the beginning.  In our Level 3 class, when your child is 4, we will focus on honing these important life skills in a way very different from what your child will be experiencing in the schools.  Can’t wait to share it all with you!

 HOME ACTIVITY SUGGESTIONS

1) Our Home Play Theme : ENSEMBLE/TEAM

• How about trying sailing away together to our Lukey's Boat Pendulum big SAILBOAT rock?  
• This week read "Pete & PJ" but have some ensemble fun on each page with your Zigzag blocks that become:

• Faucets  
• Peek-a-boo eye cover
• Sponges to scrub
• Sailboats to sail  

• Continue to sing Hellos to everyone who comes or goes this week as a “singing cue!”
• I See You:  How about playing some “hide and seek” under a blanket or scarf together! and then “pull off the cover” on I SEE you! Enjoy  "La, la, la, la..." together as well.      
•  "Ring Around the Rosey" has the perfect opportunity for cued group movement fun.

• Marching in circle together
• Dropping to ground on cue
•  Pointing and moving hand in circle on cue
• Jumping UP on cue

• Continue to Sing Sing Sing along with your class music together in the car - a great way to get comfortable singing in a group! 

2)  NEW? Have FUN with your child while they choose their Special Hello PRIOR TO CLASS ENTRY – this is important to do before class.

• Reminder:  We want to avoid saying, "What would you like to do honey?" in front of the class, as this puts PERFORMANCE pressure on your child which we want to avoid through Age 7.
• We will sing, "How can we say a special hello to you."  If your child hesitates we will look at you, or the grown-up attending, and say "So what did Johnny choose for his special hello today?" 

3)  New to Kindermusik? Here are your First Class Documents 

• Click here to download  your Biography Form to complete and bring to class next week.
• Click here for your copy of Level 2 Helpful Guidelines 
• Click here for your copy of You See/We See

4)  Mark Your Calendars - 2025-2026:

• October 27-31:  Halloween Dress-up week
• November 24-28: Thanksgiving Break
• December 5: Caroling and Cocoa 6:00-7:00 at FPC
• December 22-January 9: Holiday Break (3 weeks)
• January 26-30: Spring 2025 curriculum starts
• March 23-27: Spring Break
• May 11-15: last week of the school year
• May 19: Kindermusik Graduation
• TBA - 2026 Summer Camps

Where Music and Learning Play!

(608) 576-6688  MusicalPathways.net