The Nutcracker and sensory fun!
This month in music, we are learning about The Nutcracker Ballet. We have listened to music from the ballet and Ms. Wada showed us a beautiful pop up book all about the show. She even brought in a wooden Nutcracker for us to observe. We also practiced jumps or “leaps” just like the chocolate dancers do in Act II, scene 4 of the show. It is a Spanish dance where they do many jumps. We took turns skipping then jumping over a hedgehog and “Mouse King” stuffed animal. We practiced jumping with our legs spread out as they do in the actual dance.
I have provided a YouTube link of the chocolate dance in the actual ballet along with photos of the children doing their jumps. We were also introduced to a new instrument called the tambourine. We learned how to properly hold it and practiced playing it. The children enjoyed music class very much this week!
In the classroom, we got messy by exploring a new sensory experience. We made “fake snow” by mixing baking soda and conditioner. The children helped add the two ingredients and mix them together. They then played with the “snow” and made snowmen. Sensory play can encourage children to explore and discover new things, which can help foster creativity and imagination.
The children also enjoyed playing with puppets in the loft.
Under the loft, I put out an old rotary phone. The children were intrigued. I showed them how to dial the phone and explained that it was what phone were like many years again.