Sustained and Non-sustained 

(a.k.a. smooth and bumpy!)
Learning to control energy is an important skill that helps with balance,
expressive movement and coordination.  When we use smooth movements to go
with connected, legato sounds, and bumpy movements to go with short, staccato
sounds, we are preparing your child to better-understand those musical
articulations. 
On our blog – read 10 Reasons Why Music Belongs in Every
Child’s Home (whether you are having a smooth day, or a bumpy one!).
Kindermusik @ Home:

  • Log in to your
    Kindermusik @ Home account, and dance
    with baby    ! 
  • Then, listen to some
    Bird
    Voices    !  Most of these calls have a bumpy quality to
    them.  Can you and baby wiggle as the birds make their calls? 
    What if you paused the video between birds, and rock & sway smoothly,
    like the clouds that float in the sky?  Does baby prefer one movement
    more than the other? 
  • Cue up This
    Little Light of Mine    , and grab a Kindermusik baby bell or
    tambourine.  Can you make smooth, long, connected sounds during the
    intro & other choral parts?  Can you make bumpy, short,
    non-sustained sounds during the banjo/dancy parts?  What if you add
    movement to match?  What is baby’s reaction?