I've been asked about how I got our polaroid-style music class photos. The short answer is- Target! (kind of) First, I created a transparent digital polaroid border that I layered on top of the class photo. Then I added text with the names, date, and Play Music logo. Lastly, I saved the new photo to a usb stick and printed them up as 4x6 photos at Target- and voilà! Both the horizontal and vertical digital polaroid frames are below for you to download free. The vertical frame has a gray trim line indicating where to cut after printed. If you're tech savvy enough, you can add your own text at the bottom which is great for bulk prints (i.e. class photos, birthday invitations, holiday cards, etc.) Otherwise, you can write or notate on them after they are printed. Feel free to leave questions if you have any. Happy memory making! IMPORTANT DOWNLOAD NOTE
The digital frames are transparent and white- so you will not see anything until your photo is behind it. This requires any free photo image editing program or app to blend or layer your photo behind it. Some years ago, it dawned on me that I have not one memory of my mother ever saying "I can't sing." She definitely never said that to me or to anyone else. But I more importantly I noticed that she never said it about herself. She also never said that she could- She just sang.
This dawned on me in my adult life and made me wonder what impact that had. I'll never really know. But I do know this- kids listen. In the words of Peggy O'Mara, "Watch what you say- the way we speak to our children becomes their inner voice." So when it comes to matters of singing, I want to suggest that you simply don't judge singing at all- theirs or yours, as bad or good. If you feel inclined to say something, share how singing makes you feel. Or tell them you love singing with them. And if "I can't sing" accidentally pops out, just catch yourself and shift into an alternative habit of thought. Most importantly- Just sing. It's a million times good for your body and soul. And because we are celebrating mamas day, the featured MP3 is a song that was dedicated to and inspired by my mother, as well as a few other women in my life. To you, and to my Play Music mamas, Happy (day-after) Mother's Day. And to my mum- thank you. You have one of the sweetest voices I know. Why? Because "They're fun! Children love the predictable text, rhythm, and rhyme. Children are instantly engaged and motivated to learn to read the words. The words and tunes are easy to learn... and repeated readings increase phonemic awareness and build sight word vocabularies. Once [you've] warmed up with songbooks, read aloud one or two other types of books, depending on their length and the children’s mood." -Debbie Miller, author of "Reading with Meaning" [2] Studies show that kids with active exposure to language have social and educational advantages. Language and emergent literacy is developed by reading, singing songs, play rhyming games, talking throughout the day... [this] sets the foundation for their later independent reading. [1] We have sang enough songs in Play Music programs to give you weeks of music conversation. So I selected an hours-worth of the cream of the crop, and wove it into a FREE 20-page eBook for you- along with 10 reading tips from the pros.
View the 20-page Kids Play Music Songbook below. Download it 100% FREE by right clicking and saving it to your iPad, iPhone, Kindle, or other e-Reader. If you would like to browse songs with lyrics that encourage children to read, visit Songs for Teaching. [1] KidsHealth.org [2] Blog.StenHouse.com Post image above courtesy of Play Music mama J. Alvarez |
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All published content and images are copyrighted material of Play Music, unless otherwise noted. When sharing, please provide proper credit. Thank you! FEATURED DOWNLOAD
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Note from the EditorCheers from the other sunshine state. The kids call me Miss Sara, or Sara Dee. I am a globe-trotting Play Music and kids music ambassador. If you ask me how old I am, I will tell you- exactly one year younger than the last. I have a wicked penchant for music, guinea pigs, food, vintage, traveling, and instagram. This blog is here to share some of the (music) inspiration and happenings along the way. Glad you found your way here! |