One of my favourite organizations
says it best:
ZerotoThree. org

Search: "PLAY"


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Did you know that the
"Playing to Learn"

curriculum is
available for sale
to the public at the
YMCA
Family
Development
Centre
?
 
Its a simple and
informative guidebook
discussing the value
of adult involvement
in child-guided activities.

It also offers valuable insight
into the days of our lives
at daycare.

Call 416-513-1164

or drop by the
YMCA FDC
at 15 Breadalbane
(Yonge and Wellesly)

for details.



 

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Learning about music through movement.

For those of us who know nothing of the basic concepts of music, we find the opportunity
to explore these new ideas both intellectually and experientially...
 
Working with a wide variety songs, chants, stories and games created and collected by jennielea;rhythm instruments including, shakers (maracas), lummi sticks, jingles and drums and a wide variety of toys and storybooks we explore the basic concepts of music, movement, storytelling and dramatic play. We come together to learn by playing, build confidence by mastering skills and create through experimentation. 

For those of us who have been playing with music a long time, we can revisit the basics and,
through play, take old ideas down new roads. All while adding value and helping to make it
that much more fun for those taking their first steps!


With the information you and your children provide and the help of jennielea!, we take it one step further and learn everything we can about anything we can think up, all the while finding ways to celebrate it all with song and dance.

Winter 2010

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.


Contact jennielea! at 416-603-2335 or info@circlesing.com



45 minutes each week on an adventure of song, dance, stories, play and learning for you and your children!

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Community Programs:

TBA

Tuesdays:

St. Joseph’s Women’s
Health Centre

Six Weeks- Babytime

Fall 2010:
TUESDAY AFTERNOONS 2 pm, Six weeks beginning:
September 7th and November 2nd
FRIDAY MORNINGS 10am, Six weeks beginning:
September 10th and November 5th
CALL Childbirth and parenting @ 416-530-6367 to register.

Call jennielea @ 416-603-2335 for program information.

Wednesdays:

HIGH PARK Adventure Playground

Summer 2010:

Beginning July 7th
11am - pwyc (suggested minimum)



 

Contact jennielea! at 416-603-2335 or info@circlesing.com

CLICK THESE LINKS FOR:
Community Programs
 
Workshops by Age
 
The CircleSing! Experience for the First Five Years




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Workshops by Age (4 months - adulthood):
copyright2009jennieleamcleish
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MuSings
(for babies 3 to 12 months)


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!
Limit 12 per series

SongBlossoms
(for infants 1 to 2 years)


 

 

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.
Limit 8-10 per series

BopSkipHop
(for toddlers 2 to 3 years)


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.
Limit 12 per series

WonderSing+Siblings*
(geared to children 3 - 4 years old with adaptation for younger 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! Even as the old familiar songs and stories begin to take a backseat we can still spend time revisiting - primarily to promote participation and creative input. No longer content to just follow along but not quite ready to take on the world,  "pre-schoolers" are excited to have some control within a structure - ok, truth talk time:  sometimes they modify the structure too...but they appreciate the help to maintain it. Here we offer plenty of opportunities for contribution and imagination play, and to develop physical strength and skill (I can NOT believe how many break dancers there are out there!) through songs, poems, stories, dances, creative movement and games.   
Limit 10-12 total children per series
*Notes: Siblings not required.
Groups of 3-4 year olds that do not include younger siblings require only one caregiver (more are always welcome!) to attend per session - as well as offering support by setting examples and interacting with the children, this caregiver assists with safety and consideration issues.

Song and Dance,
Rhythm and Chants*
(for children 5-9 years old)


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!

BodyRhythm Project
(for children 10 to 15 years)
>IN DEVELOPMENT<

Want to get involved?
Find out how you can bring CircleSing! to your organization for FREE!
Email:
info@circlesing.com
with BodyRhythm Project
in the subject line.

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.

The Caregiver Program
(for adults)

 

 

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 THESE LINKS FOR:
Community Programs
 
Workshops by Age

Bring CircleSing! to your neighbourhood!

The CircleSing! Experience for the First Five Years



Bring CircleSing! to your neighbourhood!
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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 a 4, 8 or 12 week singing and dancing adventure in learning 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. Call or email for details.

Call jennielea! to book your own gathering: 416-603-2335 Or email: info@circlesing.com

It can take a while to pull together enough people for a CircleSing! at Home so it's a good idea to plan
your sessions to begin 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.


Contact jennielea! at 416-603-2335 or bookjennielea@circlesing.com

CLICK THESE LINKS FOR:

Community Programs
 
Workshops by Age

Bring CircleSing! to your neighbourhood!

The CircleSing! Experience for the First Five Years



Bookmark and Share
 
Community Programs

Workshops by Age

The CircleSing! Experience


One of my favourite organizations says it best: ZerotoThree. org Search: "PLAY"


Did you know that the "Playing to Learn" curriculum is available for sale to the public at the
YMCA Family Development Centre? 15 Breadalbane (Yonge and Wellesley)
Its a fabulous guidebook focused on the value of adult involvement in child-guided learning.



Community Programs

Workshops by Age

Bring CircleSing! to your neighbourhood!

The CircleSing! Experience


Contact jennielea! at 416-603-2335 or info@circlesing.com

Bookmark and ShareBookmark This Page

The CircleSing! Experience for the First Five Years Crowd:

leaping

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 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!  When you watch me and copy me, I know that I've been "heard" and understood - connecting with another person like that makes me feel safe and happy. And SOMETIMES it's better if you ignore me (but not really) - pay attention!: I'll let you know:)"

"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."

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.
Some days I'm growing and my body is achey and tired, some days I'm just feeling blue and some days I just CAN'T concentrate!  I don't know why! (CircleSing! can actually be a great reliever of a variety of ills when applied with gentle persistence)  There are lots of reasons I might 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:) I'm more likely to play along when I know I have a choice - usually the play itself is enough motivate me anyway unless something's wrong."
IMPORTANT NOTE: Leaving and rejoining can turn into a (disruptive) game all itself if not carefully managed. It is really only necessary in more extreme situations (tantrums, violence, etc.) Remaining in the Circle for minor issues can be an amazing learning and bonding experience for us all.


Contact jennielea! at 416-603-2335 or info@circlesing.com


Workshops by Age


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.



Bookmark and ShareBookmark This Page

Click Here for the Live Calendar of Events





Contact 416-603-2335 bookjennielea@circlesing.com
copyright2009jennielea!