"Music expresses feeling and thought, without language; it was below and before speech, and it is above and beyond all words." ~Robert G. Ingersoll

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Teaching Children Through Song & Dance

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Our toddlers can dance and sing way before they can read and write, so music is an incredible medium to encourage learning, movement, and to bond with your child.  I'm so excited to feature some of my favorites here.

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Charity and the JAMband

I would love to gather a bunch of friends for a casual picnic in Central Park and be able to groove to Charity Kahn's earthy, energetic music.  And so would my toddler.  Charity and the Jamband is one of his favorite groups, and with good reason.  Charity is a rock n roll mama who uses her mom experience and music talents to help parents and kids find ways to appreciate life, connect with the world around them, and express love through singing and dancing. 

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Funky and engaging songs like Happy Fluffy, Jump into the Middle, and a very primal We Need Mud, keep my toddler and I laughing and dancing throughout the day.  The most recent album, Party like a Twinkle Star is a brilliant 2-cd journey that begins with an enthusiastic celebration of day and ends in a peaceful, reassuring drift into bedtime.  So Long to the Day is a personal favorite, an ethereal masterpiece that lulls my son to sleep and has 70's undertones that keep mama happy too. 

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Visit the Jamband's site to find out more:

http://jamjamjam.com/music.html

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Sara Hickman
Big Bird, Little Bird

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Sara Hickman is the "Official State Musician of Texas", a prolific, award-winning, multitalented artist whose impressive list of musical achievements nearly pales in comparison to her humanitarian efforts.  She has lent her support to many causes including helping the homeless, orphaned, and abused.  She is also dedicated to creating stronger families through the arts.  I picked up a copy of her Big Bird, Little Bird DVD by chance and so without any assumptions.  After viewing it with my toddler for the past few mornings,  I now believe it would be a treasure in any parent's music collection.  The DVD is a complilation of animated songs mostly written by Sara herself, and includes parenting tips as well.    The colorful, whimsical animation will captivate any toddler, while the songs carry a soothing message of unconditional acceptance.  A tribute to Sara's own daughter, Lily, really touched me as I reminisced about my own daughters journey through childhood.  Illuminated by Sara's sweet melodic voice, Big Bird, Little bird is truly a beautiful love story you can share with your children.

http://sarahickman.com/site/bigbirdlittlebird/

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Radmilla Cody
Precious Friends

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Radmilla is a serene and soulful beauty raised by a spirited Navajo grandmother.  She was the first biracial Miss Navajo, and endured hardships including racism and domestic violence.  She now reaches out to others through her activism and her award winning music.  This CD, Precious Friends is a combination of original and classic songs for children that blend the familiar with navajo lyrics, lovely percussion and flutes.  Radmilla's rich, clear voice is spellbinding and I believe this music is essential to helping a child appreciate and connect with the roots of our nation.  

http://radmillacody.net/album.html

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Join Us Backstage With Our Featured Members  >

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7 Secrets of Happy Families  >

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&

<  Return to My Guide to the Backroads of America

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