Sol La Ti's Music Together

...A Place of Hope and Dreams
"America is not just a country;
it's an idea."
- Bono

AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL by Ray Charles From THE DICK CAVETT SHOW. September 18, 1972.

"Follow the drinking gourd" is a song about the Underground Railroad and how following a star constellation called the "drinking gourd" facing north led enslaved people to freedom.

Enjoy this wonderful rendition of this song by Taj Mahal

For those who are looking for a children's album of high quality with Afro-American roots, check out "Shakin' a tailfeather" by Taj Mahal where you can also find this song.
Happy Juneteenth
FollowTheDrinkingGourd

Follow The Drinking Gourd Provided to YouTube by Universal Music GroupFollow The Drinking Gourd · Eric Bibb · Linda Tillery · Taj MahalSongs For The Young At Heart: Taj Mahal℗ 2002 Mu...

Happy Father's Day to all the Dad's out there!!!

I start each semester by letting everybody in my classes know how important they are, in fact they are their main role models!


Why is that? Research shows that the desire to learn can only be transferred from a primary caregiver to a child.

We are wired to learn from those close to us.

My dad was excellent at sports. In his early years he was a soccer player.
At age 50 he learned wind surfing and how to ski.

He was a member of two hiking clubs and went once a week to a gym class (he is turing 94 in July) until the pandemic started.

By profession he was an electrician. I remember him taking my brother along whenever there was anything that needed fixing around the house.

My sister and I both hold a degree in physical ed and my brother is an electrician.

I became a yoga teacher at age 20 and only left that job when I moved to New York.

What brought me there was my love for music, in particular singing and dancing, both things my dad loves.

I admire my father's strength and how he overcomes every obstacle in life.

He recently broke his hip. Most people at his age would be down but it doesn't seem to face him at all.

He almost pretends it never happened.

My father likes company and he is very funny.
He is a positive thinker.

Of course, there might be "habits" I might have to consult a therapist on...but we are not talking about those today...


So, Dad's, do not underestimate the effect you have on the life of your child/ren.

Hello Song
The “Hello Song” is a beloved ritual that marks the beginning of music class. But you can sing this song anytime!

Children find comfort in the predictability of rituals and routines, which can signal what is happening next and ease even the toughest transitions. And music can help!

Singing a favorite song is an enjoyable way to help your child transition from one place to another and from one activity to another.

Jack be nimble

Since music and movement go so naturally together, many songs and chants provide young children with an opportunity to learn about their bodies.

With “Jack Be Nimble,” your child can learn about body parts and explore coordination and balance through the experience of reaching high, and then low.

Dee Da Dum

Songs without words are very useful!

They allow both children and grownups to focus on being expressive with music without worrying about getting the words “right.”

At the same time, they support language development by giving children practice in articulating different sounds and syllables.

Dancing with Teddy

Moving and dancing to a song like “Dancing with Teddy” supports your child in developing large movement (gross motor) skills.

In addition, whether moving alone through space or interacting with a partner or group, movement to music helps children develop important spatial awareness skills.

Did you know?

Songs that provide an opportunity to sing about events in everyday life, like cooking in the kitchen, can be a great way for your child to develop his narrative skill

—the ability to tell a story or describe an event.

This ability is essential to the development of important language and literacy skills,

such as listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

Hi Parents

Did you know that music is beneficial for ALL learning. It's in fact a real workout for the brain. You can try out a Music Together class tomorrow, Sunday or a Spanish Music Class on Monday April 03.
We still have more upcoming demo classes in the parks for you to try out.

Please RSVP here and find out for yourself how valuable and how great fun our classes are.
http://bit.ly/freedemoclassesSolLaTi
Please RSVP here and find out for yourself how valuable and how great fun our classes are.
http://bit.ly/freedemoclassesSolLaTi

Hi Parents
We still have more upcoming demo classes indoors and in the parks for you to try out.
If we offer a class in the park and it turns out it rains, we will reschedule.
Please RSVP here and find out for yourself how valuable and how great fun our classes are.
http://bit.ly/freedemoclassesSolLaTi

The sound of your voice is an important and comforting sound in your young child’s life.

Regardless of your “talent,” singing a lullaby like “May All Children” can help calm and soothe her/him—at naptime, before bedtime, or when she/he is fussy.

The ritual of a bedtime lullaby also provides an opportunity for parent-child bonding at any age.

Children love to imitate what they see and hear adults or other children do, either repeating the exact same thing, or creating their own version.

For young children, imitation is important to their learning and development; and it’s even more enjoyable during a music and movement activity!

When your child copies what you are doing or singing, he/she is learning to pay attention, observe, and then put his observations into action.

When you, in turn, imitate his/her versions, you stimulate her/his creativity and support the growth of her/his leadership skills.

wishing all of you a wonderful Valentine's Day

It’s important for children to experience a wide variety of ways to move

—slow and fast, small and large, and with a prop, such as a scarf or teddy bear.

“Spin and Stop” invites your child to explore the challenge of moving at a slower tempo, or beat, which requires more control and focus.

This song also provides opportunities for children to be creative in how they move and to use their imagination when moving with props.

Songs that provide an opportunity to sing about events in everyday life, like riding in the car or on the bus, can be a great way for your child to develop his narrative skill
—the ability to tell a story or describe an event.
This ability is essential to the development of important language and literacy skills, such as listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
Try these activities at home with your child:
Sing “Ridin’ in the Car” and ask your child how they do it in class
—she may describe or show you some variations.
Then you can make up your own variations together, singing about what happens on a car or bus ride.
What happens first (seat belts, pay the fare, etc.)?
What happens next (wave goodbye, ask where we’re going, say we’re hungry, etc.)?
How does the ride end?

Jack-in-the-Box

Did you know?

Children of toddler age and older enjoy pretending when they play.

Pretend play has many benefits, one of which is supporting symbolic thinking,

the ability to understand that one thing can represent or stand for something else.

For example, children can imagine and then do what it is they picture in their mind.

Many songs and chants are rich with opportunities for you and your child to pretend together.

“Jack in the Box” is easy to learn and children love it—not only can they pretend to be Jack, but they have so much fun anticipating and waiting for that moment when they get to jump out of their “box” and shout “Yes, I will!”

Try these activities at home with your child:

Your child can be Jack in his pretend “box,” or he can make one of his toys be Jack. Remember, this is pretend, so anything can work!

Grownups can also pretend to be Jack and hide in the “box.” You might even use a towel or blanket for hiding, playfully peeking out just a little, and then hiding again.

Say the chant several times, varying the length of the pause before you “jump” out.

Play with delaying this exciting moment to build the anticipation and joy of the ending

Don Alfredo Baila

Did you know?
Since music and movement go so naturally together, many songs provide young children with an opportunity to explore their bodies and how they can move in new and different ways. With “Don Alfredo,” your child can learn about body parts—in English and in Spanish!—and explore coordination and balance while dancing to this song.

Try these activities at home with your child:

In this song, Don Alfredo “dances” with each of the following: El dedo (the nger), la mano (the hand), el brazo (the arm), el pecho (the chest). You and your child can try moving each body part as you sing the song.
Whether your first language is English or Spanish, try singing a verse of this song in English.
For example:
Don Alfredo dances, dances, dances, dances,
Don Alfredo dances, dances with his finger, with his Finger, finger, finger, that’s how Don Alfredo dances.
Once you and your child are comfortable with the song, you can increase the speed of each verse, singing faster and faster, and therefore moving each body part faster and faster. Not only is it great fun to sing and dance as fast as you can, but it requires more body coordination and balance—which can be a challenge for both your child and you!

Happy Lunar New year everyone.
If you are out and about tomorrow and would like to demo a class we would like to start, stop by at GiGi's Playhouse at 10:30am.
Please RSVP directly with us HERE:
http://bit.ly/freedemoclassesSolLaTi

I’m wishing all of you a happy

Lunar New Year

2023 will be the year of the rabbit (I happen to be a rabbit)!

As we have “ The Love song of Kangding “ in our current Sticks collection,
I found a beautiful rendition of this song on YouTube for all of you to enjoy.

This rendition comes with all the lyrics karaoke style as well as the translation. It’s wonderful for children to be exposed to songs from other cultures. I hope you love it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=_XagKCgG_fA

2023 is a year of the Water Rabbit, starting from January 22nd, 2023 (Chinese New Year), and ending on February 9th, 2024 (Chinese New Year's Eve).

The sign of Rabbit is a symbol of longevity, peace, and prosperity in Chinese culture. 2023 is predicted to be a year of hope.

People born in a year of the Rabbit are called "Rabbits" and are believed to be vigilant, witty, quick-minded, and ingenious.

Wishing you peace, love and joy for the holidays and for 2022.
Enjoy Winterwonderland:

Winter Wonderland - Michael Bublé (cover) Winter Wonderland was writeen in 1034 by Felix Bernard and Richard Smith. Even though it is thought of as a holiday seasonal song, I like to think of it as a...

The Three Ravens
Did you know?
Dramatic play can support young children’s development in many areas. When children role-play different aspects of their environment by acting out song lyrics, they gain a better understanding of the world around them.

Role-playing the action in “The Three Ravens” can be an enjoyable way to help your child learn about animals—what they look like, sound like, and how they move—all while having fun with dramatic play through music.

Try these activities with your child:
While you and your child sing or listen to the song, pretend to be the animals in the tree and explore how they sound and move—and eat!
Then, ask your child and other members of your family to choose other favorite animals that could be in the tree and explore how they sound and move.

Hey Lolly, Lolly

Repetition of rhymes allows your child to hear and begin to identify the distinct sounds that make up words. Classroom teachers call this skill phonological awareness, and it is important to your child’s language development.

In addition to the benefits of rhyming, making up your own verses to “Hey Lolly, Lolly” also stimulates your child’s creativity and growing language skills!

Try these activities with your child:
Ask your child to name his or her favorite food, color, or animal, and substitute that word in the song. Then, try to come up with a phrase that rhymes with your child’s word. It’s fun to sing silly words, nonsense rhymes, or your child’s spontaneous phrases that might not even make sense!

For example:
• I love to play with cars and trucks, Hey lolly, lolly, lo,
Choo choo honk honk chuga chuga chucks, Hey lolly, lolly, lo.

• I have a ______ whose name is Goldie, Hey lolly, lolly, lo, She eats so much she’s roly-poly, Hey lolly, lolly, lo.

• Doo da doo da doo da doo, Hey lolly, lolly, lo,
Moo ma ______________________, Hey lolly, lolly, lo.

Happy Halloween 🎃

A REAL plan for Halloween

You might be wondering what a REAL plan is…

Glad you asked.

A REAL Halloween plan gives profound meaning to candy.

Instead of noisy parades, annoying neighbors, overstimulated kids
and tummy aches leading to melt downs, why not
dress up , dance to the "Monster Mash", sing “The purple people eater” and jam to the “Thriller”!

It’s totally possible for your kids to enjoy Halloween while learning new songs, dance moves and making new friends.

For parents this means a stress free, educational, wholesome Halloween. And kids get it too. The candy will just be icing on the cake.

Join us on
Saturday Oct 29, CityCollege Campus (139 St and Convent Ave) at noon,

or
Sunday, Oct 30

9:30am at Morningside Park (Riverside Drive and 111 St)
12:00pm at Morningside Park (113 St and Morningside Ave)

We only have limited space in each class. Secure your spot by clicking on the bottom below.

Register Here
https://www.mtsollati.com/register/

If you don't see your favorite location on the registration page, that means we are out of spots and you can try a different location)

Shake those simmons
Try singing this song while you cook or bake together: “Making some pies, doo-oh, doo-oh,” or “adding some flour,” “time to add the sugar,” “rolling out the dough” “peeling the apples,” etc. While you mix the ingredients sing, “Circle to the right/left.” And don’t forget to sing, “Eating apple pie, doo-oh, doo-oh!”
Wondering about ’simmons, the fruit we sing about in the song? Persimmons are an orange-red fruit, most often grown in a warm, dry climate. Persimmon pie is considered a Southern delicacy. See recipe below.
Enjoy incorporating MT songs into your daily routines,

Rocketship

Did you know?
Varying the tempo (slower/faster), dynamics (louder/quieter), and the length of pauses in a song or chant supports your child’s developing self-regulation skills: the ability to control his or her energy level, emotions, urges, and behaviors.

Try these activities with your child:
Say the words to “Rocketship” like on the recording. Then, say them faster or slower. Take turns being the leader who decides how fast or slow to chant!
Loudly chant the rst two verses of “Rocketship” while making large or sharp movements as you pretend to be a “rocketship” or “ re truck.” Then whisper the “butter y” verse while moving in a gentler way or with smaller movements.
You can also play with varying the length of the pause before the nal sound of the chant (the word “ y,” the siren sound, or the “ahhhh”).

Fun things on page 4

Hey Lolly Lolly

Can you find the "Hey Lolly Lolly" song in your song book?
yes Page 4
fun question:
Can you spot the rhyming pairs? Can YOU?

Making up your own rhymes can be so fun.
It also helps make transitions and daily tasks easier (and it doesn't always have to rhyme):
"getting dressed in the morning is just fine
cause we'll make it to music class on time"

While coming up with your own ideas, your brain is actively engaged in the frontal cortex where creative thinking takes place. Creative play stimulates neuroplasticity.

We are happy to give the gift of music to Broadway Presbyterian Churches Nursery school.

The Crow Song

Did you know?
Songs without words are very useful! They allow both children and grownups to focus on being expressive with music without worrying about getting the words “right.”
At the same time, they support language development by giving children practice in articulating different sounds and syllables.

Try these activities with your child:
Try substituting different sounds to replace the “doo.”
Ask your child to sing a sound an animal makes or to make up a nonsense sound. If you have an infant, listen for a sound he/she makes and use that in the song.
Adding movement helps deepen the learning. You and your child can experiment with moving different body parts as you sing. Try gradually going from very small movements (like fingertips), to larger and larger body parts until you are moving your whole body!

We are starting classes this week but you can still demo

Make music every day!

Yes, animals respond to music

How you can make the most of your class: Use the songbook at home.

Hello Everybody App

▪ download the free app "Hello Everybody"
▪ create a password and share it with all family members (and nanny)
▪ Open the songbook
▪ on the first page you see a download code
▪ on the app top right you see 3 dots
▪ click on it and look for "access code"
▪ type in the code from the songbook
▪ all songs of the song collection will load
Things We Can Do With The App?
- you can learn the lyrics of the song with the KARAOKE FEATURE
- you can sing Karaoke and make up your own words by turing the volume bottom of the microphone symbol down
- you can make you own videos

I heard this from so many families and it makes me happy that we pulled through the pandemic together.

At age 93 still the toast of the party. Wishing you and all dads out there a Happy Father's Day