Learning Goals       Learning Activities

The mission of Jack's Big Music Show is to expose and foster an appreciation of music. Music and musical instruments help children expand their universe and develop memory, language, literacy and reasoning skills as well as the cognitive, social, and motor skills that are needed to excel in school. In Jack's clubhouse, music is pure joy-no expectations and no right or wrong way, just music for music's sake. Or in Jack's words, music is "super swell!"

The following are some of the show's core learning goals, accompanied by learning activities you can do everyday with your preschooler-at the breakfast table, at bedtime, in the tub, in the car, you name it. Anytime and anywhere, there are always opportunities to extend the learning from Jack's Big Music Show!

You can also read about each episode's specific learning goals here.

Learning Goals:

• Introduce children to the musical concepts of dynamics (loud/soft), pitch (high/low), and tempo (fast/slow)
• Teach the fundamentals of songs (basic notes, rhythms, and melodies), as well as how to learn and even create a song
• Show children how to move and respond to the expressive qualities of music. Bolster physical coordination by encouraging children to match their movements to rhythm and mood
• Introduce children to the unique sounds of musical instruments and voices
• Enhance early language and literacy skills such as phonological awareness, vocabulary development, and listening through music (rhyming, repetition, and environmental sounds)
• Introduce children to diverse cultures, periods, and styles of music
• Enhance memory skills. Children can improve their ability to retain information through music
• Encourage children to explore their imaginations through music
• Teach collaboration by demonstrating the importance of working together

Animal Sounds. Name an animal, and then take turns with your child imitating the sound that animal makes. Experiment with dynamics, for example asking your child "What does a lion sound like? Now, what does a kitten sound like?" You can also start off by talking about "loud" versus "soft" sounds and ask your child which animals make loud sounds and which ones make soft sounds, e.g. "Which animal makes a BIG sound?" "Which animal makes a teeny, tiny sound?"

A Little Bit Louder Now. Choose a word or phrase, like "You are a silly-billy." (Or, think of a new word you'd like your child to learn). Have your child start off by whispering the phrase as softly as she can. Then, you repeat the phrase a little bit louder. Take turns until you're shouting the phrase (you can end the game when you're fearful of upsetting the neighbors!). Now choose a different word or phrase, starting off loud, and then getting "a little bit softer now." You can also vary this game, demonstrating the elements of pitch (low/high) and tempo (slow/fast).

I Hear Music! Talk about everyday "music" with your child by playing a little game called, "I hear music." This game will help your child identify and talk about everyday sounds, evaluating sounds using qualities of dynamics and pitch. A variation of "I Spy," this game can happen at any moment during any day. Your child starts by proclaiming, "I hear music," and you ask questions to try to find out what the everyday music is your child hears, e.g. "Is it loud?" "Is it soft?" "Is it very high?" "Is it very low?" Birds chirping, cabs honking, the refrigerator humming, dad snoring--anything is fair game!

Musical Instruments Learning Cards. Help your child learn about different musical instruments with these learning flash cards. Click to download.

Move to Music. Play a song for your child and show her how to move her body as much as possible with each song. Encourage movement through marching, stomping, clapping, and hand-patting. Play different styles of music and explore with your child how certain movement styles go with certain musical genres, e.g. head-swinging to rock and ballet dancing to classical. Invent new ways to move your bodies to music, and then make them yours by concocting a special name for your "super swell" new moves!

Make Up Your Own Song. Choose a song with a simple melody, one your child is already familiar with, like "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star." Now create your own song together by incorporating everyday words like your child's favorite toy, the family pet's name, and so on. Match your new words to the melody and sing together! Start creating a special songbook by typing up the words and adding your song sheet to a loose leaf binder that your child can decorate with stickers. Once you've got at least a handful of songs under your belt, perform your songs together during a private concert for the family.

Laurie Berkner's Music & Movement Tips. For more music and movement activities you can do with your preschooler, watch Laurie Berkner's video in Jack's Big Music Show mini-site.