Tag Archives: childrens music.

7 Awesome Summer Music Ideas!

Will you be going camping, hosting a summer camp or just having a staycation in the great outdoors of your big backyard?

If so, music may be one of the creative activities you can include to make it even more enriching, fun and memorable. Here’s a compilation of our most popular “making music outdoors” posts.

Make a Rhythm Tree

You already have the components for a large outdoor percussion place right in your garage or recycling bin! A bit of artistic creativity can turn them into items to adorn a tree for free form musical expression. Don’t have the perfect tree? You can always substitute a clothesline or rope for a different version of this great kids project. Check out the full post here:

http://www.tinytappingtoes.com/classroom-music/a-music-tree-or-rhythm-clothesline-for-outdoor-musical-fun/

Nature Walk Rattle

This super-simple craft starts with a wide-mouth recyclable container and ends – anywhere you want it to! Talk a hike around your local park, lake or playground and you can identify and gather materials that will shake rattle and roll for you. Do this activity for younger kids as a sensory craft or for older kids as a plant or natural object identification quest. Or a scavenger hunt. Anyone up for finding a fern frond, a hickory nut or a pine cone? All the details are here: http://www.tinytappingtoes.com/early-learning-with-music/make-an-earth-day-nature-walk-rattle/

Make a Bullroarer!

Want to create a musical instrument shared by both Australian Aboriginal and Native American peoples? Make and play a bullroarer and you should be able to hear it an amazingly long distance away. Since this requires a bit of space to play, it’s perfect for large open spaces or as an outdoor activity. Check out the crazy sound it makes and the complete post about Australian instruments here: http://www.tinytappingtoes.com/uncategorized/outdoor-musical-play-make-your-own-bullroarer/

Do The Limbo

Have a large group of kids and want to get a lakeside or pool party going – start the limbo. This post shares the background of the limbo plus several ways you can adjust the rules for kids of all ages and abilities. How low can you go? Find out here: https://makingmulticulturalmusic.wordpress.com/2012/06/03/it%E2%80%99s-summertime-%E2%80%93-do-the-limbo/

Gourd Water Drum

Versions of this drum that floats on water are found in both Mayan and African cultures. Make your own version outside on a hot day and create some amazing sounds while cooling off and playing in the water! Read all about it here: http://www.tinytappingtoes.com/uncategorized/musical-water-play-a-myo-gourd-style-water-drum/

Craft it Up!

Although this is an Earth Day themed E-book, the 10 crafts start with recycled materials found anywhere and end up with gongs, drums, rattles, clapsticks and much more. Check out this E-book plus cd, for lots of ideas for the summer craft table: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/EARTH-DAY-CD-PLUS-E-BOOK-OF-10-RECYCLED-MUSICAL-ACTIVITIES-658096

Write An Earth Day Song

You don’t need to go to a music camp to learn basic songwriting with easy activities like this that take a recognizable melody and help you craft your own lyrics. Use the Earth Day theme or choose another subject and you’re on your way to creating a personalized soundtrack to this summer’s fun. No previous songwriting experience needed! Check it out here: http://www.tinytappingtoes.com/classroom-music/sing-your-own-earth-day-song/

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Posted in Early Learning With Music, Ecology/Nature, Family Fun, First Instruments, Multicultural Music, Musical Crafts, Simple Instruments

Tagged Bullroarer, Bullroarer craft, children and music, childrens music., children’s musical instruments, Daria, kids music crafts bullroarer, kids musical crafts, multicultural music, music for toddlers, Nature Walk Rattle, percussion tree, rhythm tree, summer activities, summer activities for kids, summer music ideas, unusual percussion, world music with daria, young children and music

Silly Songs For Kids – Do Your Ears Hang Low?

Singing or learning a silly song with your child is a great tension reliever, a fun way to play with language and creates great family memories.

I bet you know the first part of this classic silly kids song. But, do you know all the verses? How about these two?

Do your ears hang wide?
Do they flap from side to side?
Do they wave in the breeze
With the slightest little sneeze?
Can you soar above the nation?
With a feeling of elation?
Do your ears hang wide?

Do your ears fall off?
Does it happen when you cough?
Do they lie there on the ground?
Or bounce around at every sound?
Can you stick them in your pocket
Like a little Davey Crockett?
Do your ears fall off?

The lyric sheet below has the six most popular verses and – I warn you – they are not the easiest thing to sing. Try the words and the hand motions and see if you don’t end up laughing hysterically at how hard this simple little song can be!

What About The Hand Motions?

Naturally, lots of popular kids songs are also action rhymes. These types of songs are prefect for learning coordination and motor skills – at any age!

I’ve seen quite a few sets of hand motions for this song. The most popular set of boy scout hand motions are described here: http://www.scoutorama.com/do-your-ears-hang-low-song

Go Ahead, You Can Sing It!

Some moms, dads and caregivers feel a bit ashamed about singing out loud. They tell me they don’t have the best voices or can’t carry a tune in a bucket. No worries. Most people can manage to hear a tune and most kids will not behave like judges on American Idol… they just want to have fun with you!

And; by the way, the sweetest thing a child will ever hear if a loved one’s voice – so go ahead and belt it out!

Versions of This Song To Avoid

After performing this song for years, I’ve been informed that there are profoundly colorful versions from the US military and one set of off-color lyrics sung by English rugby players. If you’re looking this song up for your child, you may wish to avoid any of these.

Links and Resources

Find the complete lyrics sheet and printable PDF here:
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Do-Your-Ears-Hang-Low-Lyric-Sheet-2566376

You can find that song plus 14 other best-loved songs from the good old days on DARIA’s popular intergenerational music cd, here:

On Amazon mp3: http://amzn.com/B001EN3ZTA

On Itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/grandchildrens-delight-best/id292915765

On TeachersPayTeachers: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/INTERGENERATIONAL-MUSIC-CD-GRANDCHILDRENS-DELIGHT-1220989

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Posted in Annoying Songs, Babies and Music, Early Learning With Music, Family Fun, Silly Songs

Tagged boy scout songs, camp songs, childrens music., childrens songs, Daria, do your ears hang low, family fun, funny songs, funny songs for kids, kids music, old time songs, scouting songs, Silly Songs For children, Silly Songs For Kids, Silly Songs For Toddlers, Silly Songs. Kids songs, unusual percussion, world music with daria, young children and music

Follow Me on TPT – And Get One Item Free!

Do you TPT? There’s a wonderful online site called TeacherPayTeachers and it’s a great resource for anything educational. And you don’t have to be a teacher to benefit from the boatload of freebies plus activities, crafts, clipart, coloring pages, mini-lessons and so much more that you can find on this site.

My DARIA MUSIC store at TPT is filled with musical activities, crafts, E-books plus you can find all my songs and CD’s (as digital downloads) as well as lots of ways to incorporate music into your daily life.

And, did I mention the freebies? Every store owner is required to have at least one freebie so you can sample the quality of their work. But most of us – me included – are regularly adding freebies such as songs, lyric sheets seasonal activities. So, won’t you please drop by my store and follow me on TPT?

Follow Me!

It’s easy to follow any merchant on TPT! Just click on the greenish button under my name here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Daria-Music and you’re in. When a new item, a fresh freebie or a special sale is coming, you’ll get a little notice, but no annoying spam or repetitive e-mails.

Follow Me and Get One Item Free.

To sweeten the deal, I’d love to give you one (digital) item free from my store. Just stop by, follow me, browse the wares and choose your item. Copy the title of the product and e-mail it to me at dariamusic at yahoo dot com and I’ll send you a special link to a free copy of that resource. It’s as easy as that.

What Can You Get?

In my store, you can get a digital copy of any of my Parent’s Choice, NAPPA, or Kids Music Network Award-winning cd’s! There’s music for Earth Day, multicultural holiday music and a cd of special songs from the Andes. Or maybe you’d like a craft pdf – to learn how to make a Monkey Drum from China, or a relaxing ocean drum or a set of completely child-safe, recycled maracas. Pick any digital item that strikes your fancy and I’d love to hear from you.

Along with my thanks for connecting with me, on TPT!

Links and Resources

DARIA MUSIC Store on TPT https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Daria-Music

DARIA’s music CD’s on TPT https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Daria-Music/Category/Digital-Music-CD-s-169735

Daria’s E-books on TPT https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Daria-Music/Category/E-Books-167392

DARIA’s Freebies on TPT https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Daria-Music/Price-Range/Free

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Posted in Classroom Music, Early Learning With Music, Homeschool Musical Fun, Simple Instruments

Tagged award-winning children's artist, award-winning childrens musician, Beautiful Rainbow World, childrens music., Daria, Daria Marmaluk-Hajioannou, DARIA MUSIC, DARIA MUSIC on TPT, Easy Instruments kids, free, homeschool music, kids music, kids music cd, kids songs, multicultural music, musical crafts, toddlers and music, world music with daria, young children and music

A Song For Mothers From South Africa!

Mother’s Day in the USA is fast approaching, but you probably already guessed that mothers, moms and mums as well as grandmoms are celebrated all over the globe. In South Africa, Mother’s Day is celebrated the 2^nd Sunday in May and children honor their mothers with gifts, flowers and sweet gestures such as breakfast in bed or taking mom out to dinner.

Songs for moms can be found all over the world and this is one of our favorites. It’s not a traditional Mother’s Day song but it talks about the special bond between a mother and her child. Here’s the story behind the song.

Here Come Our Mother’s Bringing Us Presents

In some of the small villages in South Africa where Zulu is spoken, moms often have their own garden or small farm. They work very hard growing good things for their family to eat. At harvest time, they collect what they’ve grown and stock it away for the year. But there’s always a bit left over. So they take their produce to market and sell it. And then they buy whatever else they need. But there’s always a bit left over. With that little bit of extra money, the mother’s think about what their children might love to have from town… a delicious fruit, a special sweet or something else that will delight their child.

On that day, the children are always very good. They do their chores without being told. Perhaps they sweep up their yards or help out someone who lives nearby. They make sure they don’t squabble with their siblings. Then, when the kids finally see their moms coming toward home, they begin to sing this song, imagining what their mother’s might have brought for them.

It’s Interactive!

Like so many wonderful folksongs, this song is great for “remaking” with your family or classroom. You can sing the song in exactly the same way, but the items in the verses can change. Instead of apples and bananas, perhaps you’ll see blueberries and cherries. Instead of cookies and sweet things, you might find marshmallows, granola bars or maybe even chocolate chip cookies!

Feel free to play with the song and make it your own! And a very happy Mothers Day to all!

Links and Resources

Free Lyric Sheet – Here’s Come Our Mothers https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/A-SONG-FOR-MOTHERS-DAY-Here-Come-Our-Mothers-501097

Here’s Come Our Mothers From Itunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/i-have-a-dream/id49532398

Here’s Come Our Mothers From Amazon mp3 https://amzn.com/B0013PLG40

Color the Mothers – 2 Free Coloring Pages From Video https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Mothers-Day-Coloring-Page-Traditional-Moms-From-South-Africa-2540830

A Mother’s Day Song in Spanish – http://www.tinytappingtoes.com/classroom-music/a-mothers-day-song-in-spanish/

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Posted in African Music, Classroom Music, Family Fun, Favorite Songs, Holiday Songs

Tagged children and music, childrens music., Daria, Daria Marmaluk-Hajioannou, kids songs south Africa, mothers day music, mothers day songs, mothers day south Africa, mother’s day, multicultural mothers day songs, multicultural music, multicultural music south africa, songs for mothers, songs south Africa, world music with daria

Sing A Song For Earth Day In Spanish

Music is such a wonderful way to promote learning languages and bilingualism. If you’re celebrating Earth Day, here’s a fun way of combining caring for our planet with expanding your language skills in Spanish.

The song is based on “We’ve Got The Whole World In Our Hands”, an Earth Day anthem heard all over the world. But if you haven’t heard it yet, make sure you get your free mp3 download at the links below or cruise over to the videos and hear it yourself.

Spanish Language Cheat Sheet

Thanks to the translation skills of a wonderful bilingual mom – Cecelia Fencer – here’s the Earth Day song in Spanish.

If you’re unfamiliar with Spanish, here’s some of the recurring words with their English translations.

Tenemos – We Have

Todo El Mundo – The Whole World

Manos – Hands

Reciclar – Recycle

Tierra – Earth

Plantas – Plants

Animales – Animals

Hermanos – Brothers

Sueños – Dreams

Tenemos Todo El Mundo En Nuestras Manos

New version of lyrics in English/c 1994 Daria Marmaluk-Hajioannou
c 2104 Spanish translation Cecelia Fencer

Tenemos todo el mundo en nuestras manos.
Tenemos todo el mundo en nuestras manos.
Tenemos todo el mundo en nuestras manos.
Tenemos todo el mundo en nuestras manos.

Debemos reciclar, ahora que podemos.
Reducir, reusar y reciclar
Reducir y reciclar ahora que podemos.
Tenemos al mundo en nuestras manos.

Tenemos plantas y animales en nuestra tierra,
plantas y animales en nuestra tierra.
Tenemos plantas y animales en nuestra tierra.
Tenemos al mundo en nuestras manos.

Tenemos todo el mundo en nuestras manos.
Tenemos todo el mundo en nuestras manos.
Tenemos todo el mundo en nuestras manos.
Tenemos todo el mundo en nuestras manos.

Tomemonos de las manos, como hermanos.
Tomemonos de las manos como hermanos.
Tomemonos de las manos como hermanos,
tenemos al mundo en nuestras manos

Encuentra tus sueños y haz lo que puedas,
ten tus anhelos y lucha por ellos.
Encuentra tus sueños y haz lo que puedas,
tenemos al mundo en nuestras manos.

Tenemos todo el mundo en nuestras manos.
Tenemos todo el mundo en nuestras manos.
Tenemos todo el mundo en nuestras manos.
Tenemos todo el mundo en nuestras manos.

Links and Resources

Lyric Sheet – We’ve Got The Whole World In Our Hands (English) http://www.dariamusic.com/wholeworld.php

Write Your Own Earth Day Song http://www.tinytappingtoes.com/classroom-music/sing-your-own-earth-day-song/

Earth Day CD and CD Plus 10 Recycled Activities: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/EARTH-DAY-CD-PLUS-E-BOOK-OF-10-RECYCLED-MUSICAL-ACTIVITIES-658096

DARIA’s free resources for Earth Day http://www.dariamusic.com/earthday.php

Official Earth Day Site: http://www.earthday.org/

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Posted in Classroom Music, Early Learning With Music, Ecology/Nature, Family Fun, Favorite Songs, Hispanic Music, Holiday Songs, Homeschool Musical Fun

Tagged children and music, childrens music., Daria, Daria Marmaluk-Hajioannou, Earth Day activities, earth day anthem, Earth Day music, Earth day song, Earth day song Spanish, Green music, green songs, homeschool music, in our hands, kids activities earth day, multicultural music, musica infantil, Spanish language Earth day song, we’ve got the whole world, Whole World In Our Hands, world music with daria, write an Earth day song, young children and music

Kaleidoscope Rattles

Have you ever looked through a kaleidoscope to see an ever-changing array of beautiful colors?

Here’s a fun little rattle that creates a lovely flow of colors when it’s played. And it’s nice and quiet so it’s perfect for music-making with a large group of children or for kids who have noise sensitivity. It’s also one of our favorite projects for creating with kids on the autistic spectrum as it’s fun to make, easy to control and the sound is soothing and not harsh or abrupt.

Here’s what you need to make your own kaleidoscope rattles.

Supplies

Clear Recycled Plastic Bottles (like from water or juice) with a lid
Q-tips
Washable markers
Electric tape (for sealing the rattles)

What To Do

Clean and dry the plastic bottles thoroughly. You can do this easily by rinsing them out and placing them upside down in a regular glass or a jar.

Next take the washable markers and color the tips of the Q-tips any color that you like. Color as many as you like and drop them into the bottle.

Every so often, shake the bottle to see if you like the sound. The tone of the rattle will change each time you add another Q-tip to the container!

When you’re satisfied with the array of color and the sound of the rattle, put the lid on and seal it up with electrical tape to keep the contents inside.

Time To Play!

Shaking the rattle around in a circular motion displays a wonderful changing series of colors. But since this is a rattle, you can play it any way you like. Shake it up and down, side to side or get up and dance with it!

Shake it along with a favorite song that you love to sing. Or play along to recorded music. Make several and compare the sounds as well as the colors as you enjoy your handiwork.

Have fun and keep making music!

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Posted in Babies and Music, Classroom Music, Early Learning With Music, First Instruments, Homeschool Musical Fun, Music and Hearing, Simple Instruments, Special Needs/Kids of All Abilities

Tagged childrens music., children’s music crafts, children’s musical instruments, Daria, DIY rattles, Green music, green music crafts, homeschool music, kids green music projects, kids music crafts, music projects autistic children, music projects autistic kids, Musical rattles, MYO rattles, preschooler, quiet rattles, recycled crafts, recycled instruments, recycled music, toddlers and music, unusual percussion, young children and music

Easy Chinese New Year Song!

Chinese New Year lasts for a full 15 days of festivities. It’s a great opportunity to combine fun and play with learning more about Chinese language and culture.

And if you don’t speak any Mandarin, don’t worry. This popular New Year’s song -Gong Xi Gong Xi - is really easy for both children and adults to learn. Here is a version in pinyin and English as well as two video versions to help you sing or share this song with children at this exciting time of year.

Gong Xi Gong Xi

Měi tiáo dà jiē xiǎo xiàng (Every big street little alley)

Měi gè rén de zuǐ lǐ (In everyone’s mouth)

Jiàn miàn dì yī jù huà (The first sentence (we) say when (we) see each other)

Jiù shì gong xǐ gong xǐ (Must be” “Congratulations! Congratulations!”)

Gōng xǐ, gong xǐ, gong xǐ nǐ ya, (Congratulations! Congratulations! Congratulations to you!)

Gong xǐ, gong xǐ, gong xǐ nǐ (Congratulations! Congratulations! Congratulations to you!)

Videos

Ni Hao Kai Lan Gong Xi Gong Xi

Links And Resources

Make a Bolang Gu – Monkey Drum https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Monkey-Drum-Chinese-New-Year-Drum-Craft-1748044

Make Your Own Chinese Gong https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Make-Your-Own-Chinese-Gong-From-Recycled-Materials-486935

Explore and Make Tibetan Handbells https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Explore-Tibetan-Handbells-Plus-a-Make-Your-Own-Handbell-Craft-560016

Color an Erhu – A Two-Stringed Chinese Violin https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Erhu-Chinese-Violin-Instruments-From-Around-The-World-1037355

About Chinese New Year

“Gong Xi! Gong Xi!” – The Excitement of Chinese New Year https://makingmulticulturalmusic.wordpress.com/2014/01/02/gong-xi-gong-xi-the-excitement-of-chinese-new-year/

What To Expect In The Year of The Monkey http://multiculturalkidblogs.com/2016/01/18/year-of-the-monkey-chinese-new-year/

Chinese New Year Astrology Chart – Find Your Birth Year Here! https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Chinese-Astrology-Chart-What-Lunar-Year-Is-It-2377484b

Chinese New Year – Crafts And Creativity!

Chinese Dumplings For New Year http://kidworldcitizen.org/2016/02/08/8935/

Lucky Money Envelops http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/lucky-money-envelopes

Chinese Paper Lantern Craft – https://www.pinterest.com/pin/462956036675678391/

How To Make Paper Fortune Cookies http://unsophisticook.com/how-to-make-paper-fortune-cookies/

Recipes To Celebrate Chinese New Year http://intheplayroom.co.uk/2015/01/26/chinese-recipes-celebrate-chinese-new-year/

Picture Books Celebrating Chinese New Year http://youthlitreviews.com/2014/01/13/chinese-new-year-books-for-kids/

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Posted in Chinese (Mandarin), Classroom Music, Early Learning With Music, Family Fun, Favorite Songs

Tagged childrens music., Chinese New Year for children, Chinese New Year for kids, Chinese New year Song, Daria Marmaluk-Hajioannou, dariamusic, Easy Chinese New Year Song, Gong Xi Gong Xi, homeschool music, multicultural music, music for toddlers, world music with daria, young children and music

Chinese New Year Music Crafts For Kids!

Have you heard? February 8^th marked the beginning of the Chinese Lunar New Year and it’s the year of the Fire Monkey.

If you’re unfamiliar with Chinese New Year, here is our compilation post that shares some wonderful ways to learn more and celebrate right in your home or classroom. The first group of posts are music and music-related, but we just could not resist adding ones about food, fun and other festivities!

And stay tuned for our next post that teaches you a very familiar and easy-to-learn Chinese New Year song!

Music Crafts For Chinese New Year

Make a Bolang Gu – Monkey Drum https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Monkey-Drum-Chinese-New-Year-Drum-Craft-1748044

Make Your Own Chinese Gong https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Make-Your-Own-Chinese-Gong-From-Recycled-Materials-486935

Explore and Make Tibetan Handbells https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Explore-Tibetan-Handbells-Plus-a-Make-Your-Own-Handbell-Craft-560016

Color an Erhu – A Two-Stringed Chinese Violin https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Erhu-Chinese-Violin-Instruments-From-Around-The-World-1037355

About Chinese New Year

“Gong Xi! Gong Xi!” – The Excitement of Chinese New Year https://makingmulticulturalmusic.wordpress.com/2014/01/02/gong-xi-gong-xi-the-excitement-of-chinese-new-year/

What To Expect In The Year of The Monkey http://multiculturalkidblogs.com/2016/01/18/year-of-the-monkey-chinese-new-year/

Chinese New Year Astrology Chart – Find Your Birth Year Here! https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Chinese-Astrology-Chart-What-Lunar-Year-Is-It-2377484b

Chinese New Year – Crafts And Creativity!

Chinese Dumplings For New Year http://kidworldcitizen.org/2016/02/08/8935/

Lucky Money Envelops http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/lucky-money-envelopes

Chinese Paper Lantern Craft – https://www.pinterest.com/pin/462956036675678391/

How To Make Paper Fortune Cookies http://unsophisticook.com/how-to-make-paper-fortune-cookies/

Recipes To Celebrate Chinese New Year http://intheplayroom.co.uk/2015/01/26/chinese-recipes-celebrate-chinese-new-year/

Picture Books Celebrating Chinese New Year http://youthlitreviews.com/2014/01/13/chinese-new-year-books-for-kids/

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Posted in Chinese (Mandarin), Classroom Music, Early Learning With Music, Family Fun, First Instruments, Holiday Songs, Multicultural Music, Musical Crafts, Simple Instruments

Tagged childrens music., children’s musical instruments, Chinese New Year Music Crafts, Chinese New Year Music Crafts For Kids, Daria, Daria Marmaluk-Hajioannou, dariamusic, DIY Bolang gu, DIY gong, DIY monkey drum, Easy Instruments kids, kids crafts Chinese New Year, monkey drum, monkey drum Chinese New Year, Music Crafts Chinese New Year, MYO bolang gu, MYO gong, MYO monkey drum, playing music with young children, unusual percussion, world music with daria, young children and music

Australia Day Kids Music Crafts!

Did you know there’s a special day to recognize Australia?

Celebrated on January 26th, Australia Day was previously called Anniversary Day and also Foundation Day. Over the years it has evolved to be less about colonial founding and more about celebrating the diversity and the changing face of modern Australia.

So what better time than this celebrate Australian culture and learn a bit more about “the land down under”.

What Did That Didgeridoo?

Aaaaaaank! Does anything else make you think of Australia as quickly as hearing a didgeridoo?

Here’s a link where you can learn more about the background of this instrument and also color or create your own homemade version of an aboriginal didgeridoo. Or just laugh and giggle to the samples of the didg’s wild “wooo wooo” sounds. http://www.dariamusic.com/didgeridoo.php

Tap Out Time With Australian Bilma Clapsticks

Clapsticks are clearly one of the easiest instruments for kids. And although almost every culture has a version of this instrument, Australia bilma have wonderful dot design patterns that are fun to craft and create. Use the dot designs to learn more about what’s important to Aboriginal Australians, because those are the animals, objects and patterns that appear most frequently in traditional Australian artwork and designs.

Here’s a step-by-step craft tutorial to MYO bilma, complete with awesome dot patterns: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Australian-Instruments-Make-Your-Own-Bilma-Clapsticks-1133140

A Bullroarer Makes A Buzz!

Used by several Native cultures around the globe, a bullroarer is a piece of wood on a long string that creates a truly unique sound when swung around in a circle. Rather then try to describe it, we’ll let Jungle Jay demonstrate it for you here and offer a link for a much safer version you can make out of plastic water bottles.

http://www.tinytappingtoes.com/uncategorized/outdoor-musical-play-make-your-own-bullroarer/

Learn About Uluru/Ayers Rock

Throughout Australia there are many very special and sacred sites for the Aboriginal people. One of the most important is called Uluru or Ayres Rock (in English). It’s a huge, red-colored stone formation that sits – literally – in the middle of nowhere. In this kids music video, called “You Gotta Didg”, you can see Uluru in the background while the didg is played and children dance.

10 Crafts For Australia Day!

Aside from music, we love these additional crafts that celebrate what’s truly unique and wonderful about Australia – from koala bears, kangaroos and wombats – to a hat with the theme of the Sydney Opera house. http://daycaredecisions.com.au/10-australia-day-craft-for-kids/

Wishing you a Happy Australia day as you discover more about this beautiful and diverse continent and nation!

Links and Resources

Australia Day – Official Site
http://www.australiaday.org.au/

MYO Bilma Aboriginal Clapsticks
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Australian-Instruments-Make-Your-Own-Bilma-Clapsticks-1133140

Hear, Color or Make a Didgeridoo
http://www.dariamusic.com/didgeridoo.php

Make Your Own Bullroarer
http://www.tinytappingtoes.com/uncategorized/outdoor-musical-play-make-your-own-bullroarer/

10 Crafts For Australia Day! http://daycaredecisions.com.au/10-australia-day-craft-for-kids/

Australia videos from Multicultural Kids Music Vids
http://multikidsmusicvids.com/?cat=96

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Posted in Australian Music, Classroom Music, Early Learning With Music, Ecology/Nature, First Instruments, Homeschool Musical Fun, Musical Crafts, Simple Instruments

Tagged Australia childrens crafts Didgeridoo, Australia Day, Australia Day crafts, Australia Day for children, Australia Day for kids, Australia day music, Australia day music crafts, Australia day videos, Australia kids crafts, childrens music., Daria, Daria Marmaluk-Hajioannou, dariamusic, didg for children, didg for kids, didgeridoo technique, Easy Instruments kids, music crafts, world music with daria, young children and music

New Year’s Eve Noisemakers – Recycled Rattles!

Ring in the New Year – with recycled rattles!

While you’re wrapping up one year and preparing for a new one, here’s our second post in a series of fun and easy noise-makers for enjoying New Year’s Eve with children.

I often call these “everything except the kitchen sink” rattles, because you get to use whatever supplies that are left over from the holidays or from craft projects during the year gone by.

Start With A Clear Container

Check your recycling bin for nice sturdy clear plastic containers, such as bottles from iced tea or liter sodas. Rinse them then set them up side down to dry. Meanwhile, go on a treasure hunt for rattle fillings.

Loud Rattles, Quiet Rattles

Here are some of our favorite supplies for making truly loud rattles: large dried pasta, dried beans, buttons, large beads, or pebbles. For quieter rattles, look for smaller objects such as birdseed, rice, Q-tips, cut-up straws, paper clips, small buttons or beads and tiny pasta such as acini de pepe.

Add Some Color And Bling!

If you have extra holiday supplies on hand you can add jingle bells, glitter, confetti or colorful paper shreds to give a festive look to your New Years Eve rattles. You can also reuse ribbon and wrapping for colorful handles.

Seal The Rattle

Always remember to be child-safe and seal the completed rattles with a sturdy tape such as electrical or washi tape. That way, they can be lots of fun without presenting a hazard from the smaller contents inside the rattle.

Stay Tuned For Monkey Drums And Stadium Horns!

Our next post will be a fun variation on the Chinese bolang gu or monkey drum, plus a DIY vuvuzela stadium horn.

Honk if you’re hoping for a happy New Year!

Links and Resources

Recycle Holiday Supplies Into Noise-makers http://www.tinytappingtoes.com/babies-and-music/noisemakers-new-years-eve-craft/

Bolang Gu – Chinese Monkey Drum Craft https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Monkey-Drum-Chinese-New-Year-Drum-Craft-1748044

Make Your Own Vuvuzela Stadium Horn https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Vuvuzela-Make-Play-Your-Own-South-African-Stadium-Horn-1242716

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Posted in Early Learning With Music, Family Fun, First Instruments, Homeschool Musical Fun, Musical Crafts, Simple Instruments

Tagged children and music, childrens music projects, childrens music., Children’s New Years Eve Craft, Daria, Daria Marmaluk-Hajioannou, dariamusic, Easiest Instruments For Children, Green crafts, green music crafts, green musical crafts, kids green crafts, Kids New Years Eve Craft, New Years Eve Craft, Noisemaker crafts, Noisemaker crafts for children, Noisemaker crafts for kids, Noisemakers, Noisemakers New Years Eve Craft, playing music with young children, toddler music, world music with daria, young children and music

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New Year’s Eve Noisemakers – Recycled Rattles!

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