Play is a Child’s Work.
Imitative Play is Your Work.

Play is one of the most important ways that
two & three-year-olds learn & develop.  Emerging during childhood,
imitative play is a type of play where a child begins to copy or mimic another
person.  A child seeing another child play egg shakers, to match the feel
of the music, or a child noticing that Mommy dances slower, when the music is
slower, then matching her tempo, are examples of imitative play in
action.  Imitation helps children begin to work out the relationships
between themselves and the things & people around them.  From this,
cooperative and pretend play will blossom during the preschool years. 
Giving children plenty of opportunities to mimic a wide array of experiences,
both familiar, and new, supports their ongoing development.
In our toddler classes, we use imitation to help your child begin to “feel” the music.  Whether it’s moving like a slide whistle making glissando’s or feeling the syncopation to a favorite chant like “On the Ground,” your child will follow your lead. As you move and groove to the steady beat and enjoy the rhythmic patterns of the music, your child will begin to copy you and do the same!
On
our blog – read how your child’s attempts to imitate you, as you sing, can nurture
their speaking and singing voice!
Kindermusik@Home:
  • Log in to your Kindermusik @ Home account, and go on a Listening Walk!  
  • As you listen to music at home this week, dance around the house, with your
    child.  Play a ‘follow me’ game, where your child imitates you
    sometimes, and you imitate her sometimes.  Who else wants to join the
    game? 
  • Then, play ‘follow me’ with some animals, during  I Can Do That, Too! 
  • Sing “Eency Weency Spider” using hand motions and invite your child to copy you. How soon were they doing the motions? Singing some of the words?