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Since I started creating resources for kids and sharing them with fellow educators and caregivers, the most heartwarming aspect has been hearing about the joy these activities bring to children. It's incredibly rewarding to see my mission in action. 😊 With Halloween just around the corner, I couldn't resist sharing this delightful activity: Monster Pie. Recently, a teacher shared some kind feedback about the October Creative Play Bundle, mentioning that Monster Pie was a big hit with her preschoolers. This little story involves a mischievous monster making a monster pie, with a singable part where kids get to add yucky ingredients. It's a real crowd-pleaser, captivating their attention and sparking smiles and laughter. Here's the full story for you to try with your little ones this Halloween. It's an activity that sparks imagination – just grab an empty pie plate and let the children take turns coming up with yucky or silly things to add to the pie. If you're interested in interactive visuals and story sheets, you can find them here. Introducing Monster Pie: I spy a monster making pie No, not apple or cherry or key lime This monster’s pie is filled with SLIME “Ho Hum Me Oh My What shall I add? What shall I try? Perhaps a (fill-in-the-blank) For my slimy monster pie” (repeat this section for each ingredient you add to the pie) I spy a monster opening wide He gobbles up the pie And… Waves goodbye And off he goes With a happy sigh! You can always chant the singable, pie making, part of the story but if you’d like an idea for the melody, below is the story in action: Before I wrap up, don't miss out on the latest inspiration, freebies, and exclusive updates! Join Solful Share, my monthly newsletter, to stay connected and receive even more exciting content. 💌✨ Sign up through the button below! Happy Halloween fun for all! 🎃 Enjoy creating your very own monster pie this Halloween! 🥧

As Halloween approaches, Part 2 of my Musical Ideas for an Autumn Circle Time will focus on some fun Halloween music and movement activities. Music and movement for kids has many benefits and can be used in various ways: An upbeat freeze dance can serve to work on self-regulation skills as children practice tuning into the music and stopping (controlling their movements) when the music stops. Music and movement can also help kids release their energy and reset, preparing them for tasks that might require more focus later. It also offers an outlet for creative self-expression and stretches the imagination as children move freely or like different animals or characters. And, while it can be upbeat, it can be calming as well. Songs with a slower tempo, steady rhythm, soothing melody promote calm and relaxation and support other calming movement activities like yoga. So bringing a little Halloween themed music and movement into your circle time this October is not only fun but also supporting children in many other ways. Now let’s move on to some ideas! 😊 Monster Freeze This monster freeze dance activity adds another element to the classic freeze dance where children have to freeze in the pose the monster is making in the picture. These pictures can either be displayed on the floor around the room, (where children have to go and find a monster when the music stops) or a new picture can be held up for everyone to imitate each time the music stops. Monster Boogie by Laurie Berkner This is a song that I love to use every year. Kids have so much fun acting like a great big monster and then dancing and doing the monster boogie when the music changes. The contrast in the music is very engaging for the kids. Halloween is Almost Here This song idea below is great for younger kids as it has a familiar not-so-spooky tune (London Bridge), is repetitive, simple to sing, and easy to add in movements. You can make up different movements as you go and children can offer ideas too. It also pairs well with some Halloween Movement Flashcards if you wanted to add a visual element. Moon Stretch I thought a rhyme about the moon would also be good for this time of year. This is from my Song and Rhyme Alphabet Card Pack. It’s offers a slower pace with yoga and stretching and deep breaths. And of course, it has to include a blast off to the moon at the end of the rhyme — children can crouch and then jump as high as they can as they blast off in their rocket ships. This can also be paired with some soft musical accompaniment/instrumental recorded music. Book Rec - If You’re Spooky and You Know It. Singable stories are definitely one of my favourite things and this one really gets kids actively participating by incorporating not only a familiar tune to sing along to (If You’re Happy and You Know It) but, you guessed it, movement! Hope you enjoy these Halloween 🎶 activities and if you missed Part One, you can find it here: 4 Fun Musical Ideas for an Autumn Circle Time Warmly, Christine

I’m definitely a summer gal but I think I have to give it to fall when it comes to music session planning. I find that this season offers so many fun ideas and themes for kids: apples, pumpkins, whirling twirling leaves, forest animals, friendly monster fun, gratitude, yummy food…I may just have to make this a little fall series of posts! So here is part 1 of some ideas for a fun-filled fall music session or circle time: 1. Pumpkin Emotions Take the classic children’s song “If You’re Happy and You Know It” and explore different emotions using pumpkin feeling faces! Download the Pumpkin Emotion Flashcards (part of my Pumpkin Patch Activity Pack) as a freebie below! After you go through the pumpkin emotions with the kids (I like to also httencourage kids to imitate the various emotion faces), use them as visuals in the song. For the varying emotions, add in different movements and coping strategies. Here are a few ideas: If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands If you’re excited and you know it, jump up and down If you’re sad and you know it, give yourself a hug If you’re angry and you know it, take some deep breaths 2. Dancing Leaves Scarf Movement I love creative movement that offers kids the opportunity to use their imaginations. In this activity, children will pretend they are whirling twirling leaves falling from the tree. Add to the fun by using colourful scarves for the leaves. Here is a simple leaf song you can sing as the children move: Dancing Leaves Tune of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Softly blows a quiet breeze Gently through the autumn trees Now a strong wind fills the air Leaves are twirling everywhere Whirling twirling all around Slowly drifting to the ground If you’d like a great fall scarf song to listen to as you move, I love this one by Stephanie Leavell: 3. 5 Little Acorns Rhyme Five little acorns sitting in a tree Along came Mr. Squirrel As hungry as can be Then the fall winds blew And rustled all the leaves Down came an acorn Mr. Squirrel was very pleased (repeat 4, 3, 2, 1… until there are none) Act out this rhyme together or use a visual scene as you sing — counting how many acorns are left each time the squirrel eats one. The visual is a great resource for practicing turn taking and waiting until the specific point in the song to remove an acorn from the tree. You find this one, along with two other fun fall counting rhymes, through the button below! 4. Book Rec : “It’s Fall“ by Renee Kurilla I just love the vibrant illustrations in this book. It also has the sweetest rhyming text (easy to add a melody to) all about the treasures we find in the autumn season. A great book to introduce as music time is coming to an end. It helps kids explore the wonders of the season and also sparks discussion, prompting kids to share what they love most about the fall. Here’s a snippet of how I like to sing it (to the tune of “Up On the Housetop”). Sending cozy, warm, and joyful October vibes to you! Christine

Summertime always seems to fly by and back to school is right around the corner. Here’s something to consider bringing into the school day (whether during school, before, or after) — a freeze dance. It’s definitely more than just a game. A classic freeze dance helps children practice some important skills while also having a lot of FUN! So what exactly are children learning in this type of musical game? Children are practicing self-regulation skills by listening and responding to the changes in the music (having to stop when the music stops). Responding to and imitating musical elements and changes through movement (ex. fast, slow, stop, go) also help to foster receptive communication skills. A freeze dance can develop motor skills and balance by moving and freezing in different ways. Can provide an opportunity to practice and reinforce academic concepts (see below!) Children also have the freedom to express themselves creatively and emotionally as they dance in their own way to their favourite songs. A freeze dance provides an opportunity to release energy, to reset, and can be used before a task that requires more focus (especially the freeze and breathe idea below). Ready to dance? Try out these fun freeze dance ideas and variations!

"When you connect to the heart of a child, everything is possible” -Dr. Karyn Purvis Connecting to the heart of a child is certainly at the heart of helping them to grow, learn, and thrive. Simple musical moments together can be a beautiful way to connect with little ones. Not only are songs enjoyable and soothing, but singing together has been found to release oxytocin, otherwise know as the “bonding hormone” or “love hormone.” Here are a few different ways to share musical moments together: Bring songs into both playful and quiet moments in your day. These can be in the form of action songs, fingerplay rhymes, lullabies... I love this sweet song for a quiet moment: Sing little songs to brighten up daily routines some of which might be a struggle -- this could be during diaper changes, clean up time, a song to start or end the day... Bringing music into our daily routines can make these tasks easier and more fun, they can help teach the steps of a task , and they offer a simple way to connect throughout a busy day. Cleaning Up Our Toys (Tune of Farmer in the Dell) We're cleaning up our toys We're cleaning up our toys Hi, ho, away we go We're cleaning up our toys The blocks go in the bin The blocks go in the bin Hi, ho, away they go The blocks go in the bin *change it up adding different things - the books go on the shelf, etc. Make homemade musical instruments or get out the pots and pans and play together. Love these cute diy monster shaker eggs from Lolly Jane. Turn up the tunes and have a dance party! There are also SO many fun movement songs that have children exploring their imagination. This one below will get you moving and shaking while you pretend to make a delicious milkshake : Introduce your child to some of YOUR favourite music (not all children’s music has to be “children’s music”). Your Song by Elton John and Rockabye Sweet Baby James by James Taylor have made it into my girls' bedtime playlist. :) Two songs we've been singing since they were babies. And a personal favourite, write your own song especially for your child. This does not have to be complicated. Simply take an existing melody and change up the words to suit your child. This song can be a beautiful memory down the road. Here’s an idea to get you started: And a reminder, you don’t have to be a singing sensation in the slightest. Little ones enjoy the voices of those they love the most — no matter how you think you sound. :)

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