I wasn’t sure how my four-year-old would react to seeing The Nutcracker performed on stage. Although this was actually his second viewing of the production, I don’t think that at two-years-old he really understood what he was seeing. As it turns out, my preschooler was able to understand much of the story in Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece.
Before we arrived, I prepared my son by letting him know that we would be watching ballet dancers perform a story set to music. I sang the tune to a few of the songs with which I knew he would be familiar, and I let him know that there wouldn’t be any words in the story. He would have to pay attention in order to let the dancers show him the story. My son let me know that he was excited about watching the dancers since he also loved to dance, but that he didn’t want to be a ballerina.
During the performance, he was completely captivated by the motion on stage. He loved the Nutcracker and, as a typical boy, thought it was cool when the rats and the soldiers had their battle. He was excited when he recognized the music, and he even enjoyed the ballet dancing, and I think he was a little shocked to see how good the male dancers were. He did note, however, that he still does not want to be a ballerina. He would rather do flips. (I am envisioning Cirque de Soleil.)
Overall, it was a wonderful experience. My preschooler learned more than I will ever know about the performing arts, and he enjoyed the live production. I am hoping to make The Nutcracker an anual event for our children. It will be interesting to listen to what they discover and like about the performance as they grow older.
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Written by Laura on December 16, 2011
When children clap in order to find the number of syllables in a word, there is an obvious beat which they create. The sound is methodical, and they often use a monotone voice to sound out the word. You can use this beat to help students practice finding the number of syllables in words in another way as well.
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Written by BRWI Staff on September 5, 2011
It is a week before Thanksgiving, and we started listening to Christmas music today. I used to make a rule in my own head that I would not start playing Christmas music until Black Friday. However, now that children are in the picture, this rule has been blown away with the wind and the snow.
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Written by Laura on November 19, 2010
Yesterday, my three-year-old, Elliot, and I dropped in at a new coffee shop and bakery. It was a quaint little place with a very Bohemian atmosphere. As we were eying up all of the delicious pastries laid out before us, a musician was setting up his equipment in a small space to the side.
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Written by Laura on October 20, 2010
Quite often, the music my children want to listen to is not the same that I would choose if I actually had a say in the matter. However, since I know my children learn from music, they love it, and it keeps them happy while traveling in the car (which is, of course, the most important reason!), we end up listening to the music they want to hear. This often results in some annoying little tune st
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Written by Laura on July 28, 2010
Most children, I have found, love music. They do not tend to be shy about dancing or jumping about when a tune with a good beat is projected throughout the room. My own children have a long list of favorites to which they love to sing and dance. You may also have a collection of songs you can remember enjoying during your own childhood. There is probably a longer list stored in your memory fr
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Written by Laura on July 26, 2010
If you speak Italian or if you were a music major, then you would know that the words “da capo” mean to repeat “from the beginning”. In music, the words are used to tell the musician that either a part of or the entire score of music is to be played again. Although your child probably cannot read music at this young age, the concept can still be applied to help your child
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Written by Laura on May 14, 2010
Most adults are at least vaguely familiar with the song “Flight of the Bumblebee”. Children also enjoy this particular piece of music because it is so fast. It makes you want to get up and move, which is exactly what you want them to do.
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Written by BRWI Staff on November 27, 2009
At times you may feel as though your child isn’t listening to a word you are saying. It is though you are talking to a wall. You know that she can hear you, but it seems like your words are bouncing back instead of being absorbed. Some people may call this selective listening. Luckily, there are many things you can do to help your child actively listen.
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Written by BRWI Staff on July 15, 2009
Our goal is to give you the tools and confidence to teach your preschooler the joy of reading and writing.
Sponsored by Bridges Reading & Writing Institute -- teaching the JOY of reading and writing to students in preschool through 12th grade.
