I love seeing your little ones grow and develop each week as they learn about themselves, their environment, and other people. I've observed babies who have figured out how to reach for and grasp a maraca so they can put it in their mouth to explore it further, toddlers who are beginning to figure out how to jump by bending their knees and hopping from one foot to the other, and children who are pointing at things they want to communicate it to you. They are becoming aware of their bodies and how to use the parts of their body to make things happen in the music. 

One of the experiences we often use in Sprouting Melodies is a body identification song. Your Sprouting Melodies Provider may be singing about nodding your head, clapping your hands, patting your knees, stomping your feet, etc. During this song we are less focused on seeing the children follow the directions as we are trying to show them where their head, hands, knees, and feet are. For babies, they are not doing this themselves yet, so you can show them by touching those body parts using their hands or your hands. For some of the older children, they are watching and observing everyone in the room. If all the adults and some of the other children are patting their knees, they will soon start to imitate that movement as well. Their sense of self develops when they learn about their body. They are also experiencing peer attachment when they see other kids doing something that they realize they can do too. When we move together, we build stronger relationships and connections with each other and truly bond. 

I'll see you in class,