Mama Carmody, Author at Love to Laugh and Learn

Fun with Music – Overview

May 20, 2013 by Mama Carmody 24 Comments

Fun with Music – Overview

My Family

Does your family have fun with music? Ours certainly does! My husband played in several bands and ensembles. Both of my daughters play trumpet and participated in marching band. We have always done a lot of singing; around the house, in the car and at church activities. We love musicals and although I have heard people say, “Musicals are dumb. Life isn’t a musical. Instruments don’t just start playing and people break out in song.” Well, to those nay-sayers I must reply, “My life is a musical!” I’ve all ready listed some of the ways music intertwines with my life but there are many other ways we have fun with it. It seems to be an ever-present part of our lives. We hear it in stores and on television. I have wonderful memories of trips to Disney World and other amusement parks. There is always music around and I may sing-a-long if I recognize the song. We sometimes make up silly songs as we work and play around the house.

Children

Children love music. They like to sway and dance to it. They love playing with instruments. Children love to sing and love to hear others sing to them. Songs can make learning fun and easy for children. Dr Alexandra Lamont states, “Research is beginning to show how music has the power to change the way we feel, think, and behave. We know that music can lift our mood, and certain kinds of music can temporarily boost specific kinds of intelligence.” (article: What is the significance of music for young children?)

I used music a lot in my preschool classrooms. Exercise and learning were more fun when put to it. It helps children in memorization. I could teach my students really long Bible verses by using songs from Steve Green, Hide Em in Your Heart Vol 1 & 2 CD’s. The parents would be amazed at what I was able to teach the three and four year olds.

Upcoming Posts

My following posts will deal with different aspects of music to share with your child. I will suggest books and crafts to enjoy with your child. Be sure to expose your children to all types of music; big band, classical, jazz, rock, country and don’t forget all those great kid songs. Take your children to live concerts. Check your area for free outdoor concerts because they should be starting soon. Outdoor concerts are a great way to introduce your child to all types of music. I love outdoor concerts for young children because they can sit on blankets or in lawn chairs. You don’t have to keep them sitting still and quiet like in a concert hall. It isn’t a bother if they get up and move. We like to bring along a snack or picnic to enjoy together.

So gather the family, while the temperatures are still good, and enjoy listening to the harmonies of the instruments.

Music at an Early Age by Mamamusing
Generally Having Fun with Music
Fun with Music: Percussion Instruments
Fun with Music: Brass Instruments
Fun with Music: Woodwind Instruments
Fun with Music: Voices
Fun with Music: String Instruments
Fun with Music: Keyboards
Meet the Musicians
Review: Rhythm! Discovery Center
Review: Peanut Butter and Jam Concerts
Learning Should Be Fun
When Do Children Start Learning
The Lessons – Overview
Colors – Overview
Shapes – Overview

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Review: Chase 500 Festival Kids’ Day

May 13, 2013 by Mama Carmody 6 Comments

Review of Chase 500 Festival Kids' Day 05-11-13 — Review of Chase 500 Festival Kids’ Day 05-11-13

Monument Circle was shut down to traffic for the day so kids and their families could enjoy some time together in celebration of the 500 Festival. It was overcast and cool but that didn’t seem to dampen the spirits of the children and families that I saw. I am pleased to say that everything at the Chase 500 Festival Kids’ Day really was free (except for food and drinks).

There were several Bounce Houses to choose from.

Bounce Houses from Chase 500 Festival Kids' Day — Bounce Houses from Chase 500 Festival Kids’ Day

Race Car Bounce House at Chase 500 Festival Kids' Day — Race Car Bounce House at Chase 500 Festival Kids’ Day

There was even a special Bounce House for young ones.

Bounce House for Young Children at the Chase 500 Festival Kids' Day — Bounce House for Young Children at the Chase 500 Festival Kids’ Day

To encourage good health and physical activity Chase sponsored a Rookie Run. The kids looked like they had as much fun waiting on the starting line and dancing to the music, with the 500 Festival Princesses, as they did running the race.

The Ferris Wheel was free, just like everything else, and I’m sure that the view would have been fantastic from the top but the line was so long I decided to pass it up.

Ferris Wheel at Chase 500 Festival Kids' Day — Ferris Wheel at Chase 500 Festival Kids’ Day

There were several booths with crafts and activities. There was a 500 Festival Princess Craft Zone as well as a 500 Festival Racer’s Craft Zone.

Craft Tents at the Chase 500 Festival Kids' Day — Craft Tents at the Chase 500 Festival Kids’ Day

K-LOVE, which is my favorite Christian radio station, was doing face painting…

K-LOVE face painting at the Chase 500 Festival Kids' Day — K-LOVE face painting at the Chase 500 Festival Kids’ Day

….and the Indianapolis Zoo had a giant game of Conservation Zynga going on.

Zoo Conservation Station at the Chase 500 Festival Kids' Day — Zoo Conservation Station at the Chase 500 Festival Kids’ Day

One of the activities I enjoyed watching was the kids’ race track. If you were big enough to pedal, then there was a vehicle for you. Everyone got a prize when they finished.

Pedal Raceway at the Chase 500 Festival Kids' Day — Pedal Raceway at the Chase 500 Festival Kids’ Day

The other activity I enjoyed watching was the rock wall climbing. It was an activity that both boys and girls were having a great time doing.

Boy climbing rock wall at the Chase 500 Festival Kids' Day — Boy climbing rock wall at the Chase 500 Festival Kids’ Day

Girl climbing rock wall at the Chase 500 Festival Kids' Day — Girl climbing rock wall at the Chase 500 Festival Kids’ Day

As I said before, you did have to pay for food and drinks. I love festival corn dogs but I never found the booth that was selling them. I also love shaved-ice, sno-cone type treats and saw several of them but this was my favorite for two reasons; one reason was that it was a cute kid-themed stand and the other was because you got to put your own flavorings on the ice.

Kid themed sno-cone stand at the Chase 500 Festival Kids' Day — Kid themed sno-cone stand at the Chase 500 Festival Kids’ Day

Several performances were happening on the steps of the monument but I didn’t get any pictures. I was too short to get a good shot. I enjoyed watching the dancers and there was a funny magician too. The big performance of the day was the Kidz Bop group but I missed them.

Although I didn’t have a child with me so I didn’t get to experience the day through them, from what I observed, everyone was having a great time. There were plenty of activities for all ages and it really was free. I would definitely recommend that you not miss this event next year.

As I was leaving the festival, I turned to get one more shot of the Monument since the sun had finally come out. Just as I got ready to take the shot a red balloon, that someone lost, floated past the Monument. It was my favorite picture of the day and a fitting way to say farewell.

Monument with red balloon floating by at Chase 500 Festival Kids' Day — Monument with red balloon floating by at Chase 500 Festival Kids’ Day

Hearts: Learning Activities for Shapes

May 7, 2013 by Mama Carmody 14 Comments

Hearts: Learning Activities for Shapes

Are you ready for some fun with hearts? Although you see a lot of them around Valentine’s Day, anytime of year is a good time to have fun with hearts. Below you will find books and craft ideas to allow your child to enjoy learning with them.

Content:

Toys
Craft:
Fun With Hearts
Snacks
Story Time
Related Posts

Toys

You might have a shape puzzle with a heart on it or maybe some heart-shaped beads to string. Do you have a shape sorter with a heart? When I taught preschool I used the Lauri Toys Shape and Color Sorter in my classroom. It has a heart shape and the children loved playing with it. Maybe you have a special stuffed animal you received for Valentine’s Day that has a heart on it. Please share with me what type of heart shaped toys you have by leaving me a comment.

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Craft

Fun with Hearts

This craft idea came from a book so before you do the craft either purchase or borrow from the library, My Heart is Like a Zoo by Michael Hall, and read it to your child. It is a very cute story and the animals in the story are made out of endearing shape. So for this craft provide your child with a bunch of hearts of different shapes and different colors. If your child is old enough to use scissors have them cut them out his/her self.

Materials Needed:

Craft ideas to make with hearts. — Material for Heart Craft

My Heart Is Like a Zoo by Michael Hall
Different color and size hearts or a tub of foam hearts
Different colored construction paper, if your child can cut out their own hearts
Glue
Wiggly eyes

Directions:

1. First read the book to your child.

2. Using the book as inspiration have your child create animals with the hearts. They may want to copy some of the animals in the book or they may create their own animals. Just have fun.

I made a seal from hearts like the one in My Heart Is Like a Zoo. What are you going to make?

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Foods for snack or meal time

I could not find any naturally occurring heart shaped foods but there were a lot of cute ideas on Pinterest of how to create heart shaped items but it would be fairly easy to trim a strawberry to look like one. You can use a heart shaped cookie cutter on fruits and vegetables as well as meats and cheeses.

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Story Time

The Day It Rained Hearts by Felicia Bond
Reading Level: Ages 3 – 8 yrs old
What would you do if it started raining hearts and it was close to Valentine’s Day? Pick up this cute little book to find out all the things that Cornelia Augusta did with the hearts she collected. You will enjoy finding out who her special friends are and the perfect Valentine she made for each of them.

My Heart Is Like a Zoo by Michael Hall
Reading Level: Ages 3 and up
This is such a cute rhyming book. Each of the animals in the zoo are made from hearts. They are quite creative. This book would not only be fun to read but also fun to try and make some of the animals that you find in it.

One Heart: A Valentine Counting Book by Maryann Cocca-Leffler
Reading Level: Ages 3 and up
There are lots of hearts to look at and count as the little girl shares hearts wherever she goes. There was one special heart she put in her pocket at the very beginning of the book. I wonder who that is for? Pick up this cute little book and find out who the final Valentine is for.

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Shapes – Overview
Circles: Learning Activities for Shapes
Ovals: Learning Activities for Shapes
Squares: Learning Activities for Shapes
Rectangles: Learning Activities for Shapes
Triangles: Learning Activities for Shapes
Diamonds: Learning Activities for Shapes
Stars: Learning Activities for Shapes
Learning Should Be Fun
When Do Children Start Learning
The Lessons – Overview

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Teaching Shapes to Preschoolers: An Overview of Fun Learning Activities

April 28, 2013 by Mama Carmody 15 Comments

When I taught preschool, I always introduced colors before shapes. I did the same thing at home with my own children. Looking back, it makes sense. Children seem to notice colors first. So, I followed their natural curiosity and used it as a guide.

Just like with colors, our first lessons on shapes weren’t formal. My kids learned about them during everyday routines—like getting dressed or playing with toys. I made a habit of talking to them throughout the day. Throughout our routine, I would point out circles, hearts, or stars and describe what we saw together. Sometimes I’d say, “Look at those colorful stars on your socks,” or “This strawberry looks like a heart!”

Whether your child is just a few days old or a curious three-year-old, talking to them consistently helps. It builds vocabulary, observation skills, and a strong foundation for future learning. Their understanding of the world will grow faster than you expect—especially when it’s grounded in love, play, and shared discovery.

Learning Through Play

Most early learning should come through play and conversation. Read books together, do simple crafts, play on the floor, and talk about what you’re doing. These small moments are powerful teaching tools.

In the posts below, you’ll find shape-themed book recommendations, craft ideas, fun snacks, and hands-on activities that introduce common forms in playful ways. You can explore one shape a day, mix and match, or follow the full series—it’s completely up to you. Just remember: the most important thing is to have fun. When children are having fun, they’re learning!

Stars: Learning Activities for Shapes

April 17, 2013 by Mama Carmody 11 Comments

Stars: Learning Activities for Shapes

Are you ready to have fun with stars? Take your child out late one evening and lay in the grass or on a blanket and watch the stars. If you live in the city you may have to drive away from the bright lights before you can see them. Enjoy playing with stars, eating stars and doing crafts with them. Please come back and share comments of the fun things you have done.

Content:

Toys
Craft:
Popsicle/Craft Stick Star
Snacks
Story Time
Related Posts

Toys

What star shaped toys do you have? Maybe a shape sorter with a star in it? How about a special pillow you sleep with at night? When I was little I had a star shaped police officer’s badge. I used the Lauri Toys Shape and Color Sorter in my preschool classroom. It has a star shape and the children really enjoyed it. Please leave a comment and let me know what star shaped toys you have at your house.

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Craft

Popsicle/Craft Stick Star

Materials Needed:

Popsicle/Craft sticks
Glue
Paint
Paint brush or foam brush
Paper to protect workspace

Instructions:

1. I covered my workspace with parchment paper because I bought it for $1 at the Dollar Tree. You can cover your space with whatever you have.

2. Since I wanted to use multiple colors I painted my sticks before I put them together.

3. After the paint dried, glue the sticks together in the shape of a star.

4. I’m going to use a ribbon to hang the star in my window.

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Foods for snack or meal time

Star fruit, chicken and star soup, occasionally around Christmas you can find star shaped pretzels or crackers, use a star shaped cookie cutter to cut vegetables, cheese and bread

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Story Time

I See Stars (All about Shapes) by D. H. Dilkes
Reading Level: Birth – 5 yrs old
D. H. Dilkes has a great series of little books that discuss different shapes. In this book you will find many different stars. I like the fact that the illustrations are photographs of everyday items. The text rhymes and is simple which is great for a young child that is just being introduced to shapes.

Laura’s Star by Klaus Baumgart
Reading Level: Ages 4 and up
An adorable book about a little girl and a falling star. Laura was looking for a special friend to tell her secrets to and found it in a most unusual place. The sparkling little star adds so much to the story and the illustrations.

Stars by Mary Lyn Ray and Marla Frazee
Reading Level: Ages 3 and up
A beautiful story to go along with teaching the star shape. The children in the book go on all types of adventures with stars. They see them in the sky and they make some and put them in their pockets. I like how the author encourages a child’s imagination such as saying stars look like silver eggs you could put in a basket. The illustration shows a little girl holding a basket up in the air as if she was gathering the stars. Be sure to take your child along on this wonderful adventure with stars. They will learn that sometimes they might even feel as shiny as a star.

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