I was the first of eight children.  So, I saw a lot of babies come home from the hospital in mom’s arms!  “Grandma Van” was always there to help, and especially to be with the displaced youngest child so mom could attend to the infant.

Grandma Van had a quiet way, a comforting presence that was at the same time, clear and confidence-building. She would take the toddler’s hands in hers and admire them with a pat.  “Look at those little hands!  Oh, what those little hands can do!”

We could see the toddler grow inches right before our eyes under her spell.  With great respect, she would hold hands to dance, to wash, to chant “Here’s a Ball for Baby…”  She also loved to sing and dance in the kitchen doing dishes or preparing food.

With fond memories of my Grandma Van’s love and respect for small children, Little Hands began some 17 years ago.  Little Hands aims to love and respect your child just like Grandma Van did.  We want to bring out the song in your child and exclaim, “Look what those Little Hands can do!”

On behalf of Little Hands,

Beth Frook

Director/Educator

Photo caption: Grandma Van with Sarah, Beth’s first child

It is a humid and sweltering 100 degree day.  One of my little ones was sick the night before so we were housebound.  The hum of joyful playing began to turn to bickering.  My children were using the word no and stop with increasing frequency.  Suddenly, I ran into the room and said, “Game time!”

I explained the rules, which I must admit I made up on the spot.  Ahem.

This game is called FREEZE.  When the music starts, the players are to run, jump, skip, roll, or hop as fast as possible.  When the music stops, freeze in whatever position you are in.  Don’t move until the music begins again.

My children giggled with delight during the game, ran blissfully throughout the house, and enjoyed some loud classical music.

Why do I like this game?

• Music exposure — I change the music each time.  Some favorites include:
  • Peer Gynt: In the Hall of the Mountain King – Composer: Grieg
  • Carmen – Composer: Bizet
  • Night on Bald Mountain – Composer: Moussorgsky

• Provides physical activity
• Teaches self-control to stop quickly.
• Teaches listening.
• After it was over, everyone was happy and ready to go back to playing

And that is “Musical Freeze”.

On behalf of the Little Hands Family,

Mary Curby

The article Pearls Before Breakfast in the Washington Post talks about a little experiment they did in 2008.   They asked Joshua Bell, a famous violinist,  to play 6 classical pieces in L’Enfant plaza metro station.  It was recorded with a hidden video camera, which you can see by clicking on the article link above.

The article notes that 1,070 of 1,097 people hurried by not responding.  But what most interests me is this quote: “Every single time a child walked past, he or she tried to stop and watch.”

Every single child!  Each child was struck by and attended to the beautiful music.

Children are open to music in a unique and beautiful way.  And that is what we are all about at Little Hands.  Building on that openness and cultivating it with a wide variety activities to help you and your child interact, learn together and enjoy the beautiful music.

Welcome to our first Music Notes post and stay tuned for our upcoming posts where we will write about children and music.

On behalf of the Little Hands family,

Mary Curby and Beth Frook