What's in store for today?

Familiarity... It's such a simple thing, and yet knowing what to expect can bring such a sense of security and comfort. If you look at your daily routine, and you'll find there is usually a sequence that your day follows. Now picture someone coming in and messing with that routine. You have to come in to work 2 hours earlier tomorrow morning. Your job responsibilities change, but no one can tell you exactly what is expected of you. You go to the grocery store, and they have changed all the aisles around. I'm guessing you would feel pretty frustrated by the end of the day. Now picture that same frustration in the body of a young child.

Children like to know what to expect and thrive on routine. If you think about it, a young child has very little control over what happens to him throughout the day. They depend on us to feed and bath them. We are responsible to put them to bed and ensure their daily care. If you don't have an established routine in your home, it may leave your young child just as frustrated and out of control as you would have felt in the above scenario. Familiarity brings a level of comfort and security that allows your child to freely explore their world and comfortably transition from one activity to the next. It also benefits your child as he learns more about sequencing. Here are a few ideas to help with your routine.

• Sing a song when it's time to change activities. You can use a favorite song or even make one up for bath time, dinner time, or a favorite lullaby for bed time.
• Use a picture chart to map out what to expect each day. As each item is finished, remove it from the chart using tape or velcro. You can find some free pictures here.
• Use sequencing activities and songs, such as "B-I-N-G-O", to strengthen the "what comes next" concept for your little one.

Featured Artist - David Jack

David Jack is an award-winning children’s recording artist who brings originality, upbeat humor and a refreshingly hip musical energy to his concert audiences nationwide. He is that rare children’s performer who appeals both to kids and to their parents, and he is rarest of all, a fresh, new and important voice in the children’s music field.

All of the songs David performs are original–which is very unusual in the children’s field–with music composed by him and lyrics written by his older sister, Susan Jack Cooper, a former “Captain Kangaroo” staff writer. David grew up in Levittown, Pennsylvania but graduated from UCLA with a degree in Music Education.

David Jack has given concerts and has entertained at Children’s Festivals all over the United States. He appears frequently on TV and radio. David was invited for two consecutive years by President and Mrs. Clinton to perform at The White House Easter Egg Celebration as well as performing the National Anthem at the Oriole Stadium in Baltimore for an audience of 30,000. He is probably best known for his eleven (11) years of performing an exclusive daily performance engagement at Ph iladelphia’s Anheuser-Busch theme park, Sesame Place. Sesame Place is the only theme park in the country based on the hit TV show Sesame Street.

A.K.B.F. is a D-O-G (A Kids’ Best Friend is a Dog) earned him the highest honor in children’s music, the coveted Parent’s Choice Gold Seal Award. David’s previous album Gotta Hop! And Dance In Your Pants also earned Parent’s Choice Honors Awards as well as the “1993 Best Product Pick” awarded by Early Childhood News. His We Love Saturday and Snuggle Up Cozy recordings are both winners of the “Best Kids’ Music” National Parenting Publications Award. His sixth recording entitled Bop-Along Songs! can now be found in major retailers across the United States and on the Internet.

I heard that!

Recently on our Facebook page, we focused on the parenting topic of multi-sensory learning. Using all of the senses for learning helps your child to better retain the information gained from the experience. It requires active participation in the learning process and engages the whole child. There are lots of great ways to use this approach to enhance listening skills with your children. This vital skill helps your child develop social skills such as conversational skills, new vocabulary or proper word pronounciation, or listening to directions in a classroom setting. Music has been found to greatly enhance listening skills in young children. Try a few of these ideas out at home!

• Go on a sound hunt with your child. As you "spy" different sounds, see if your child can identify the sound and mimic it.
• Sing silly songs with your child and encourage them to make up new silly words that would rhyme. 
• Leave out a word or phrase in a familiar song and enocurage your child to fill in the blanks as they sing along.
• Encourage your baby to listen by allowing him to watch your face when talking to him. Sing simple songs and mimic his sounds if he tries to "sing" back to you.
• Sing echo songs together. You can even make them up as you go along.

Performing Arts Exchange

Here is the link to the Performing Arts Exchange for artist showcases:

http://pae.southarts.org/site/c.kfIQKZOwFkG/b.4693165/k.5664/Performing_Arts_Exchange.htm

Featured Artist - Amy Liz

Amy Liz Wigton has over 25 years experience as a professional singer/songwriter and musician. When she became a mom she began performing children’s music in 2003 at her son’s preschool and discovered her natural gift of truly connecting with children and in turn unleashing her own silliness. She developed her own unique children’s edutainment program which she brings to preschools as well as elementary schools, libraries, summer camps, public and private events all around the San Francisco Bay Area.

Amy sings interactive songs that range from the popular classics, original songs to those by contemporary children’s or even “big people” artists. Her finger puppet songs feature whimsical and cheerful characters set to colorful backdrops and miniature stage that is very popular with her audiences. She incorporates an energetic assortment of rhythm, creative movement, instruments, sign language, props and visuals to keep the children engaged, on their toes or playing the role of collaborator. With years of performance experience Amy knows how to keep her audiences entertained as well as teaching them about music & motion.

As an active volunteer for the non-profit organization, Bread & Roses Amy performs at rehabilitation shelters and day care centers that lack the funding for art programs. She also performs in children’s musical theater with the Marin County based Masque Unit Junior Theatre and played the lead role in the 2011 production of Pinocchio, no lie.

A veteran recording artist she has 4 adult albums to her credit she has just released her first children’s CD titled “Amy Liz Kid Hits” which is available on cdbaby.com, itunes, and amazon. Click here: Amy Liz Kid Hits For album and song information.

Check her out at www.amylizkids.com

Two Great Musician Resources

Here are two great resources to help musicians with their businesses:

www.performingbiz.com

www.getgreatgigs.com

Featured Artist - Thad Beach

Thad Beach is a full-time entertainer, musician, songwriter, storyteller, and teaching artist.

As an entertainer for over 30 years, he has delighted audiences with his musical talent, humorous antics, wit, and easy-going style, eliciting audience participation and making each performance a spontaneous, unique and personal experience. Thad has performed primarily solo at festivals, libraries, schools and community gatherings throughout Southeast and Midwest regions of the United States and England.

As a musician, Beach is a versatile instrumentalist, performing on ukulele, guitar, mandolin, fiddle, jaw harp, and harmonica. Thad’s harmonica playing has won state championship honors in North Carolina and Kansas. His CD Harmonica Harvest fea­tures his talents playing tunes from around the world and has been described as “encompassing the complete range of the har­monica. A must-have album for listening or study.” (Al Eichler, Editor, The American Harmonica Newsletter). He also showcases instruments from his “Band in a Bucket.” The limberjack, washboard, bucket bass and other fun and unique musical devices, inspire young and old alike to get involved in music.

Check him out at www.thadbeach.com

Artist Showcases

Are you looking for children's musicians for your 2012 school year? Check out performance showcases and conferences nationwide. Many cities and states offer artist showcases through their Arts Councils and Division of the Arts and there are national showcases such as Performing Arts Exchange. Showcases offer numerous artists in 2-5 minute mini-concerts all in one place.