Kindergarten

Hi kindergarten parents/guardians!

Although the kindergarteners would not have had music class this semester, here are some to help you engage with music at home.

Please feel free to contact me at cathlyn.momohara@wilsonschoolhawaii.org if you have any questions.

~ Cathlyn Momohara-Ho

Vocal Exploration

Be silly and make high and low sounds to expand vocal range. Encourage children to make different character’s voices in a story. Or recreate the sounds of animals and machines around them. Vocal exploration is a fundamental exercise to develop children’s singing voices.

Clapping Games

Do you remember any clapping games like “Miss Mary Mack” or “Boom, Boom, Tap, Tap”? The repeating rhythmic patterns (known as ostinato) players maintain while chanting the words or sing the song help develop part-work skills.

Just "Whistle While You Work" or Sing as You Work

What are your favorite songs? Sing them as the kids help around the house. Move to the beat or rhythm while you move. Or put on some music for everyone to dance to.

Students often say they mostly listen to music during car rides. Although you may not think singing with them for ten minutes is meaningful, it is! The act of singing together strengthens social bonding and encourages empathy.

Watch Musicals and Live Performances

Exposure to different genres of music is important for young children. Notice how the music works along with the other arts (dance, costume, set design) to create the audiences’ experience.

Explore Instruments in the House

Let kids tinker and experiment with any instrument you might have in the house. As they play around, they will begin to understand how the instrument works. Children will often spontaneously compose their own short pieces. Pots, pans, and buckets make great drums.