In my classes, each time we put away eggs, sticks, scarves, etc., we sing “bye-bye,” on two notes from the song we just sang (for music theory people out there, we sing “5-1″). This week, I’ve been playing a little game I call “The One-Bye Game.” When the children are right next to me, putting eggs back in the bin, I sing the first “bye” but leave off the second. In every class, I hear the second “bye” — on a hum, behind a pacifier, in a fussy protest, or on a word. And, since I know how music development works, I know that the children who aren’t vocalizing the tone out loud are hearing it inside their heads. It’s so cool!
TRY THIS AT HOME
When you’re putting things away (toys, clothes, groceries, etc.), sing “bye-bye” like we do in class. Then, after you’ve sung that for a little while, try leaving off the second “bye” and see what happens. You might hear the note from your child, or you might see the wheels turning as she/he is hearing it in her/his inner ear — or both! And, let me know what happens…
