The Musik Garten

Music. I love music. Music expresses the soul! My 9 month old nephew, Destin, also loves music. (as most babies do, I guess) However both of his parents are chocked full of musical talent, so maybe this baby has an extra love for music. My sister-in-law, Brittany signed Destin up for the Musik Garten. It is taught at church that has a fine arts school on Tuesdays and Fridays. I went with them on Tuesday to check out this class. I was pretty curious to see how they would "teach" to a 9 month old - in fact the classes start at 6 months!

It was pretty neat. It all started in Germany and has been adapted to a few different countries. The class Destin is in goes from 6 months to 18 months old. The class is 15 weeks long. There is a lead teacher. She starts by singing a hello song to each baby. This song says the baby's name over and over - which they love b/c most can recongnize their name.
As far as instruments, he has wooden sticks and a wooden shaker, and a scarf. Some of the songs they use are "POP! Goes the Weasal", She'll be Coming Around the Moutain, My Bonnie lies over the ocean, and a few others. It is a 30 minute session. For each song that is played there is an activity. Such as, in "POP Goes the Weasal", the baby is bounced on the knees and when the word POP is said you "pop" the baby in the air. For the song "She'll be Coming Around the Mountain" more bouncing and different actions are done during the verses. The babies are rocked and danced with scarves swiriling. They do leg excerises and tickle excerises. Tone excerises. Whoever brings the baby must participate as well! :) They use the sticks and shaker during some songs too. Now you'd think at 9 months old this would not be possible, but it is! Destin did not take his eyes off the teacher for minute! I had hoped to take some pictures, but it was so cute to watch the babies, I that I forgot my camera in the other room! :) Maybe later!

If you want more info on the musik garten: here is the website: www.musikgarten.org