Contact jennielea! at 416-603-2335 or info@circlesing.com
![]() Workshops by Age (4 months - adulthood):
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MuSings |
We use rhyme,
melodies, sensory play, hand play, group dance, lullabies and stories
to bond with babies and introduce them to this world of (and through) music and
rhythm. Through
songs and play we can teach babies about themselves and the world
around them. We can help them become familiar with the vast array of concepts and skills they'll be learning in the years to come, which can reduce the calibration time required for the "surprise" of new ideas and help to support a more thorough learning and development in the future. Rhythm and tone is a natural bridge; a form of communication that is accessible to us from birth. With these tools we sing and play altogether, all the while making time and space for caregivers to be creative, share ideas and develop a storage of songs and activities and resources for use in a wide variety of daily situations even outside of play and skill development! |
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SongBlossoms
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The Word Boom! YAY! At around 18 months, babies learn a boatload of words and as they become more aware, they become more eager to be understood (which is what a lot of tantrums are about at this age). BUT - they are ALSO very busy learning about the power that they have in their bodies and the science of the world (mostly physics, yes?) It's an awkward yet exciting balance and the CircleSing! environment is built just for them. Even as they pretend to ignore us we can begin to help them, through music and rhythm (compelling as they are), to develop a wide range of creative expression for their stories, ideas and emotions; help them to know that even if they can't tell a story like we do, there are other ways - through movement or tone or even just with your face! Through repetition and variation on familiar themes (And new songs! There's always new songs!), children can begin to memorize favourite songs, begin to develop musical fluency (eg. loud/soft, high/low) and explore all the ways they can use their bodies and voices. Through rhythm and song and dance we can also help them to develop empathy, adopt co-operative play attitudes and deal with transitions. Melodies
and rhymes, hand plays, stories, group and partner dance, vocalizing and
creative movement to create an entertaining environment in which we can all have a fun time
accompanying these budding toddlers on their explorations. |
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BopSkipHop
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These toddlers have things they'd like to show and share. They've learned some words, learned some songs, they gots moves and have developed an acute sense of humour. This is a great time to use familiar stories, songs and dances to develop confidence in "performance". New songs, stories, dances and activities address a toddler's constant desire to learn new skills. Altho these Toddlers can be expert observers who prefer to sit quietly, absorbing information as it's presented, or multi-taskers who prefer to engage in alternate activities while taking it all in from the sidelines, they are also really beginning to enjoy the concept of playing in groups and/or partners and sharing favourite and/or unique ideas - and a little encouragement goes a long, long way! We focus on presenting the basic elements of music, literacy and dance
through familiar songs and stories, singalongs,add-on songs, rhymes, group and partner dance and (in large part, as an umbrella) creative
movement. |
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WonderSing+Siblings* ![]() |
Let's all play together! As
well as learning about the basics of tone and rhythm through
exploration, we begin to discuss the language of music (eg. note
names/values, rhythm combinations, rhyming patterns), allowing the
older children to satisfy their curiosities and consider new ideas.
And they often enjoy performing for and helping those younger than themselves. I think
it makes them feel big! |
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Song and Dance, |
Now
able to experience, more fully, the powerful joy that comes from
synchronized song and dance, CircleSingers! use old favourites, bring material from their own experiences, and develop new material to play with (learn more about) rhythm, rhyme, melody, harmony and
storytelling. Its a great way for Mid-Kids to develop musical fluency, literary skill and knowledge, and confidence in establishing their own creative style. In these sessions we provide a wealth of opportunities and solid structures within which we can all experiment with the basic
elements of a variety of disciplines in a non-competitive environment.
A series builds a mini-show for our friends and families!
Limit 15 per series
30 per single session. *Notes: Only one caregiver required per session. More are always welcome! |
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BodyRhythm Project Want to get involved? |
Using these young peoples ideas, we provide structure and information, help them to add elements of song(popular, folk,chant rap, etc), drumming (clapping, stomping, ...drumming!), dance (stepping, hiphop, break dance, double dutch, etc.), and storytelling we work together to create performances for our communities. Limit 15 per series. 30 per single session. ![]() |
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The Caregiver Program
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This
program is aimed at educating and informing caregivers who lead
and/or participate in song circles and other group activities with very
young children. Through careful examination of our play, (for yes - we play like the children do!) as we cycle through each of the elements of CircleSing! programming, we uncover the enormous value of Circle Time, specifically and song, stories, dance and creative movement, in general. By providing information about the most basic (and therefore accessible) of musical, movement and literary elements, I facilitate discussion on how these can be used to communicate a wide variety of ideas and information with the children AND each other during group play. Together, we also consider common barriers and disruptions and how they can be best addressed while learning about the ways that group play can effectively support creative impulse while providing information about (and maintaining) boundaries. |
Click Here for the Live Calendar of Events
Contact jennielea! at 416-603-2335 or info@circlesing.com


Bring CircleSing! to your neighbourhood!
Bookmark This Page
In the backyard, in the basement or at your local community centre...
Anywhere you've got a clean and relatively empty space you can gather in
for 4, 8 or 12 weeks of singing and dancing with jennielea!
$75/$140/$180 per child, 1/2 price for siblings
(a travel charge applies to Circles outside the central Toronto area) See Map HERE
7 children minimum and 12 maximum (15 if you've got a really great space for it)
OR - an organization can elect to bring CircleSing! to their setting at a cost of $100 per session, dispersing
this cost accordingly among it's members. I think it's a good idea to
note that a larger group would pay less, individually, and receive a
less formal program.
Call jennielea! to book your own gathering: 416-603-2335 Or email: bookjennielea@circlesing.com
It can take a while to pull together enough people for a CircleSing! at Home and my ever-changing schedule can, sometimes, be hecitic so it's a good idea to plan your sessions to begin
anywhere from four to eight weeks from first contact.
That being said - I'm a well-known member of the last minute club, and if its possibility exists,
I'm always happy to try to arrange something on the fly.
CLICK THESE LINKS FOR:
One of my favourite organizations says it best: ZerotoThree. org Search: "PLAY"









The CircleSing! Experience for the First Five Years Crowd:
Where a little demonstration goes a long, long way.
Even (and, sometimes, especially) the most mundane routines can become opportunities for play, bonding, growth and development. When we turn these routines into games; when we add simple chants and songs for guidance and entertainment; when we relax into the moment we can all accept the gentle pleasure that arises from the completion of the simplest of tasks.
There are three main ways we're playing to learn:
"You can show me how!
Whatever Daddy can do, I can do too - if not today, then someday!
Sometimes, I'll sit very still and just stare but it's not because I'm not having fun ~ I'm examining your every movement and considering all that might be involved in making them happen for myself: planning. Sometimes, when I'm occupied with my hands and eyes, my ears are more finely tuned to the magnificent sounds you are making and, one day, when I'm more confident, I'll show you how I can make them too!"
"You can help me!
Because I'm new and little, I need help to understand that my body works just like yours does. If you move my arms or my legs for me; if you give me the
experience of making things happen. It helps me learn how to do it for
myself and it gives me confidence too! If
you tap out a rhythm on my knee or my back; or if you move in time to a
song (and I can feel the tiniest of changes in your stride), it's a lot easier for me to figure out what's going on so I can
play too."
"You can watch me try!
Everything I learn and do has WAY more value when I share it with those I love...things can happen spontaneously and, sometimes, only once - I'm really disappointed when you miss it! And sometimes it's better if you ignore me - it depends: I'll let you know:)"
Also...
"Sometimes I can get a little over stimulated
and I may need a breather.
This can be an intense experience for me, depending on where I'm at that day. Sometimes, I need to feel free to step out and rejoin; gentle reminders to return to the circle if I'm distracted and encouragement if I'm unhappy or shy is always appreciated:)"

CIRCLESING! series' run as ONE-TIME EVENTS, 4 WEEKS, 8 WEEKS and 12 WEEKS or more!
However it may best suit the needs of your family and community. ![]()
Click Here for the Live Calendar of Events
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Contact 416-603-2335 bookjennielea@circlesing.com copyright2009jennielea! |