Month: May 2020

Hello!

Hope you’re keeping healthy and safe.

Today’s video includes a song for moving around the room, either independently or if you have a babe in arms, you can change the actions for them.

Day 26 – Welcome, Down The Road and Goodbye Everyone

Next week is a school holiday in England and I will be taking a break from daily postings. In the meantime, may I suggest you revisit the previous videos. At this early age, children derive the greatest pleasure and musical benefit when they revisit familiar songs.

If you’re curious about who I am and the philosophy behind my teaching, please check out my ‘Meet Janey’ and ‘About Kodály’ pages.

Please keep your videos, photos and comments coming as they brighten up my days.

Keep safe and have a good week.

‘He who begins life with music will have this reflecting on his future like golden sunshine.’

Zoltán Kodály

Hello!

Hope you’re keeping alert, safe and healthy.

Today’s video includes a bouncing song. If you have older children and some space, they may prefer to jump around like a frog in the second song, rather than sitting on your lap.

Day 25 – Welcome, A Little Frog and Goodbye Everyone

I’m loving receiving your photos and comments and discovering how your children are reacting to and engaging with the videos. Please keep them coming as they’re brightening my days.

I hope you enjoy today’s video. The next one will be posted tomorrow and I’ll also post on Instagram (maxwellminimusic) and Twitter (@maxwell_mini) once the new video is on the website. Jimmy, Max and friends look forward to more music making with you tomorrow.

Take care.

Hello!

I hope you’re well and get a chance to go outside in the sunshine today.

Today’s video is a dance which has been very popular in my classes. If possible, have a scarf available as waving it around adds to the excitement. If you’ve got a babe in arms, dance around the room with them and lift them up and down as the words suggest.

Day 24 – Welcome, Lady Lady and Goodbye Everyone

I’m loving receiving your photos and comments and discovering how your children are reacting to and engaging with the videos. Please keep them coming as they brighten up my day.

I hope you enjoy today’s video. The next one will be posted tomorrow and I’ll also post on Instagram (maxwellminimusic) and Twitter (@maxwell_mini) once the new video is on the website. Jimmy, Max and friends look forward to seeing you then.

Take care.

Hello!

Hope you’re keeping alert, safe and healthy.

Today’s video is a tickle rhyme. There’s nothing quite like the chuckle of a baby or young child and I hope this video brings some laughter into your home.

Day 23 – Welcome, Caterpillar On The Ground and Goodbye Everyone

I hope you enjoy today’s video. The next one will be posted tomorrow and I’ll also post on Instagram (maxwellminimusic) and Twitter (@maxwell_mini) once the new video is on the website.

I’m loving receiving your photos and comments and discovering how your children are reacting to and engaging with the videos. Please keep them coming as they’re brightening my days.

Jimmy, Max and I look forward to more music making over the next few days.

Take care.

Hello!

Hope you’re keeping safe and you managed to get out into the sunshine this weekend.

Today’s video is a counting song so the younger children may need some help counting on their fingers. If you’ve got tiny children, to add some variety, you may want to count on their toes rather than their fingers.

Day 22 – Welcome, I Have One Friend and Goodbye Everyone

I hope you enjoy today’s video. The next one will be posted tomorrow and I’ll also post on Instagram (maxwellminimusic) and Twitter (@maxwell_mini) once the new video is on the website.

I’m loving your photos and comments and discovering how your children are reacting to and engaging with the videos. Please keep them coming as they brighten up my day.

Jimmy, Max and I look forward to more music making over the next few days.

Take care.

Hello!

I hope you’re keeping alert, safe and healthy.

Today’s video includes one of my favourite songs from my classes. The second song is a dance and is often the highlight of the sessions as the children obviously enjoy it. With a group we would usually pause after each rendition so they can find a new partner. I’ve left shorter pauses on the video as theoretically there’s less choice of who to dance with! If you’ve got babes in arms, hold them in your arms and dance around the room.

Day 21 – Welcome, Jump Jim Joe and Goodbye Everyone

I will be posting the next video on Monday. In the meantime, please revisit the previous videos. In the early years, children derive the greatest pleasure and musical benefit when they revisit familiar songs. Repetition is vital to develop the skills needed to participate in a song or chant and its actions and also helps them acquire the concept and joy of anticipation. If you’re curious about who I am and the philosophy behind my teaching, please check out my ‘Meet Janey’ and ‘About Kodály’ pages.

Please keep your videos, photos and comments coming as they’re brighten up my days.

Keep safe, keep singing and have a fun weekend.

Hello!

I hope you’re keeping alert, safe and healthy.

Today’s video is directed at walking children aged over 18 months (my Bobblers and Jumplings groups plus Nursery and Reception children). This song also works for babies if the parents can lift and lower the little ones (I do love an impromptu Mummy or Daddy workout).

Day 20 – Welcome, Apple Tree and Goodbye Everyone

I’m loving receiving your photos and comments and discovering how your children are reacting to and engaging with the videos. Please keep them coming as they’re brightening my days.

I hope you enjoy today’s video. The next one will be posted tomorrow and I’ll also post on Instagram (maxwellminimusic) and Twitter (@maxwell_mini) once the new video is on the website.

Jimmy, Max and I look forward to more music making with you tomorrow.

Take care.

Hello!

I hope you’re keeping safe, alert and well.

Today’s video is directed at walking children aged over 18 months (my Bobblers and Jumplings groups plus Nursery and Reception children) and the actions mirror the pitch of the song. This song also works for babies if the adults can lift and lower the little ones (Mummy or Daddy workout time again!). When I’ve done this song with various classes, the end of the song frequently ends in giggles. Always a bonus. Enjoy!

Day 19 – Welcome, Roly Poly Up Up Up and Goodbye Everyone

The next video will be posted tomorrow and as always I’ll also post on Instagram (maxwellminimusic) and Twitter (@maxwell_mini) once the new video is on the website.

Jimmy, Max and I look forward to more music making with you tomorrow.

Take care and keep singing.

Hello!

Hope you’re keeping safe, alert and healthy.

Today’s video includes a bouncing song. If you have older children and some space, they may prefer galloping and stopping during the second song, rather than sitting on your lap.

Day 18 – Welcome, I Have A Little Pony and Goodbye Everyone

I hope you enjoy today’s video. Please keep your comments, photos and videos coming as they brighten up my day. The next video will be posted tomorrow and I’ll also post on Instagram (maxwellminimusic) and Twitter (@maxwell_mini) once the new video is on the website.

Take care.

Hello!

Hope you’re keeping safe and you managed to get out into the sunshine this long weekend.

Today’s video includes an action song. In the video I’m sitting down, but the song works equally as well for older children if they stand up and do the actions.

Day 17 – Welcome, Oliver Twist and Goodbye Everyone

I hope you enjoy today’s video. The next one will be posted tomorrow and I’ll also post on Instagram (maxwellminimusic) and Twitter (@maxwell_mini) once the new video is on the website.

Please keep your photos and comments coming as they brighten up my day.

Jimmy, Max and I look forward to more music making over the next few days.

Take care.