OUR TIME: FIDDLE-DEE-DEE Week 11

FOUNDATIONS OF LEARNING

HIGH & LOW: The focus of high and low lends itself naturally to exploration through music and movement. The Our Time child, a sensorimotor learner, delights in the many modes of experiencing high and low – moving, being moved, making objects move, singing, speaking, vocalizing, listening, and looking.

AABA FORM: Exposure to songs with clearly defined phrases and simple structures, such as AABA form, helps children develop an awareness of form and pattern in musical language.

LEVELS IN MOVEMENT: As toddlers become competent walkers and runners, most of the locomotor movement they are interested in is done in an upright position. Exploring levels in movement provides an opportunity to explore dancing upright as well as bent or crouched over, providing stimulation to the vestibular system while encouraging creativity in movement and providing an opportunity for linking a label with movement.

AWARENESS OF METER & STEADY BEAT: When attention is focused on the first beat or syllable of each measure, children are encouraged to become aware of larger rhythmic groupings or the meter in music. When attention is focused on the smaller rhythmic subdivisions within each measure, children are encouraged to become aware of steady beat. Awareness of meter and awareness of steady beat are both important musicianship skills.