Blog

  • Learn About The Nutcracker Ballet

    The Christmas celebrations aren't complete without The Nutcracker, are they? Here at SQUILT, we make learning about The Nutcracker simple, enjoyable, and flexible.  Your littlest children may simply enjoy scenes from the ballet and learning to recognize a few of the more famous character dances from the second act. Your older children, however,...
  • Learn About Christmas Carols - the SQUILT Way!

    Teaching your children about beautiful Christmas carols is a gift you can easily give this year.  Yes, it's wonderful to have carols playing in your home and to sing them with your children  -  but learning about the history of the carols, their meaningful lyrics, musical intricacies, and interesting arrangements - will turn the experience of le...
  • Classical Music for Cleaning Up

    Do you turn on motivating music while cleaning the house? (I certainly do, and I'm willing to be most of you do as well.) I'd like to suggest you do that for your children - but make the music classical.  The benefits of this are two-fold: Cleaning up is accomplished. Classical music is secretly inserted into your children's memories (you can e...
  • The Importance of Music Education in Your Child's Life

     “Music — what a powerful instrument, what a mighty weapon!”  ~ Marie Augusta von Trapp If you are familiar with The Sound of Music, the von Trapp family had a strong culture of music. Their family bond was strengthened by music, and ultimately music saved their lives.  When my daughter was just two years old I took her to a performance of the ...
  • Folk Songs for Children

    Do your children know simple folk songs? As with so many beautiful things of the past, folk songs seem to be falling by the wayside. One of our greatest treasures is being lost and it's up to us to keep those songs alive for this generation!  Just as with beautiful living books, folk songs teach our children history in an authentic and engaging ...
  • The Benefits of Daily Listening

     As I worked with a group of elementary students today, I was reminded how capable they are of BIG thoughts about beautiful music. After we had listened to a couple of different sections from Swan Lake, I encouraged them in their listening efforts. Practicing Super Quiet UnInterrupted Listening Time for 3-4 minute stretches at a time transfers o...