Clap for Classics!

66. Ella's Hello, Joplin's Jazz, and Gospel Joy: A Musical Tribute to Black History Month Feb 22, 2024

It is February, and it is Black History Month! Today we’re sharing music we love by black artists of the 20th century.

Hello, by Ella Jenkins

Hello hello hello and how are you

I’m fine I’m fine and I hope that you are too

Sing this song with any variation you can think of, soft, loud, humming, whistling, la la la-ing!

Ella Jenkins has been dubbed the “The First Lady of the Children's Folk Song.” Here is a playlist of some of our favorites, but be sure to check her out with your kids, we think you’ll love her music as much as we do.

To watch a mini class where Ms. Elizabeth and her 5 kids share 3 Ella Jenkins songs click here: https://www.clapforclassics.com/blog/ellajenkins

This Little Light of Mine

This little light of mine (tap knees),

I’m gonna let it shine, (arms: up down up down)

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. (dance in a circle)

This iconic American gospel song has been energizing and uniting diverse groups of people for nearly a century. It’s impossible to sing this song without moving your body and feeling a spark of excitement and purpose. It is a great song to sing with kids because the words are so repetitive, and the message is so positive! We’ve added some simple actions to each verse, and suggested a flashlight activity for the second time through -- kids and flashlights always seem to be drawn to each other, right?

Don’t miss these incredible renditions of this song by these famous black artists.

Aretha Franklin

Sister Rosetta Tharpe

Fannie Lou Hamer

Maple Leaf Rag Scott Joplin Performed by Stefano Ligoratti. Recording used with permission. https://musopen.org/music/43164-maple-leaf-rag/#recordings

You don’t want to miss this recording of Scott Joplin performing this piece himself!

Join our All Access Membership for access to activities like the ones found on this podcast.

The membership includes:

Over 250 engaging and educational music lesson videos.
Comprehensive music courses organized by theme, for example:
- "Carnival of the Animals",
- "Peter and the Wolf,"
- "Rhymes and Games," etc.
Printable resources, including lesson plan ideas, parent programs, instrument and animal puppet printables, coloring pages, and more!
Extensive "Notes to the Grown-ups" for each lesson, so that you can see exactly what your child is learning, with ideas on how to adapt and extend the lessons.
Downloadable audio tracks of the classical music as well as the activities, so that you can listen off screen.

Get signed up at: www.clapforclassics.com/join

Use the code “LION” for 50% off your first month!

Help more families find out about this podcast by leaving us a review wherever you listen.

To leave Forte and I a message or a joke please record it here: http://www.speakpipe.com/clapforclassics. We love to feature our listeners on the podcast!

Classical music tracks are licensed for our use by Classical.com

65. Love Songs for Little Ones Feb 08, 2024

This is an episode with love songs for our little ones. We include one folk song, one Clap for Classics! original song, and the beautiful Waltz from Tchaikovsky's ballet, Sleeping Beauty.

Love Somebody

This is an Appalachian folk song, originally a fiddle tune.

Love somebody yes I do,

Love somebody but I won’t say who.

Love my mommy yes I do,

Love my mommy and she loves me too!

This song is a fun and easy one to adapt for multiple ages.

For babies: rock your baby and make eye contact with them as you sing this song.
Insert the names of your family members and loved ones.
Look at a map and find the Appalachian Mountains

What your child is learning:

Steady beat
Movement to music
The repetition in the words, and simple melody makes this a great song for little ones to develop verbal skills

The Sleeping Beauty, Op. 66- Valse Allegro, Tchaikovsky.

Watch a video of Elizabeth and Charlotte teaching and dancing to the sleeping beauty waltz: https://www.clapforclassics.com/blog/sleeping-beauty-waltz

If you’d like to purchase our Fairy Tale Course where we tell even more of the story of Sleeping Beauty as well as incorporate other fairy tales and wonderful music, you can find it in our Fairy Tales and Nursery Rhymes bundle, or inside our All Access Membership.

Will you waltz with me,

Will you be my partner please?

If you will, I’ll spin you around

And round, then give you a squeeze

Pretty please will you waltz with me

Will you be my partner please?

Waltzing is my favorite thing in the world!

Many thanks to Classical.com for licensing the classical music for us to use in the podcast and in our courses.

Let’s Sing a Song About Hugs. Written by Kathryn Lieppman, it is a Clap for Classics! original and features Kathryn Lieppman and Elizabeth Nixon on ukulele and vocals, and Imogene Lieppman (age 4) on vocals and desk bells.

You can watch this video on our youtube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmKolRJchIg

Let’s sing a song about hugs!

Chorus: Some are tight

And some are gentle

Some are short

And some are long and sentimental

A hug can help you feel okay

If you get a little boo boo

Or you’re having a rough tough day

Try and hug it all away

Chorus

A hug can help you share some love

With a very special grownup

Taking care of you

So hug ‘em all day through

Chorus

A hug can help you cheer a friend

When she seems a little sad

You can bend her frown back to a smile

Just hug her for a while

Chorus

A hug can help you feel so great

But sometimes we just need some personal space (And that’s ok, too!)

To join the membership for all the musical content we’ve ever created, and start making music with us today, go to www.clapforclassics.com/join.

Use the code “LION” for 50% off your first month!

Help more families find out about this podcast by leaving us a review wherever you listen.

To leave Forte and I a message or a joke please record it here: http://www.speakpipe.com/clapforclassics. We love to feature our listeners on the podcast!

Classical music tracks are licensed for our use by Classical.com

64. Hungry and Hibernating Bears Jan 25, 2024

Grab our free printable arctic animal cards to extend the learning and fun of this episode at www.clapforclassics.com/episode64

For more winter content from our Four Seasons Course check out episode 38 and episode 39.

Clear some space to move for the first activity!

This is a song/activity that just needs to be experienced again and again. Your child will love pretending to hibernate, and waking you up when spring returns. Learn the song so that you can sing it away from the screen.

Feel free to expand the story as you repeat the song for the 5th, 10th or 20th time. (What is the bear eating? Where is the bear running? What is the den like? What does the bear say when s/he wakes up for spring time?)

In Spring and Summer I’m a bundle of fun!

I play and growl and run run run! (run run run! Run run run!)

In fall I’m busy eating food.

I eat and eat and eat and eat (and eat and eat and eat and eat)

‘Til winter chills my mood

Now it’s time to hibernate

I slow down and take a break

I curl up in my cozy den

And rest ‘til spring returns again…

The second activity is a song and a game!

Play hide and seek! The polar bear is ‘it’ and the seal/s hide while the polar bear sings the song. When the polar bear gets to the word LUNCH, s/he goes to find the seals. The seal/s can give clues to their location by playing a rhythm instrument like a shaker.

You can optionally use our printable arctic animals, and hide the seal card instead of having someone “be” the seal.

Learn more about polar bears and seals. Start with our printable Arctic Animal Cards (pictures on the front, and facts on the back) - then dive deeper by checking out books from the library or doing your own online research.

My blubber keeps me nice and warm

My fur’s as white as snow

I smell a seal from miles away,

And then I’ve got to go

I’ve got to go find that seal, cuz I’m hungry!

I’ve got to go find that seal for my lunch!

To get ALL of our Four Seasons Content that includes art, poetry and STEM units for each season in addition to the music content that you know and love- go to www.clapforclassics.com/fourseasons.

To join the membership for all the musical content we’ve ever created, and start making music with us today, go to www.clapforclassics.com/join. Use the code “LION” for 50% off your first month!

Help more families find out about this podcast by leaving us a review wherever you listen.

To leave Forte and I a message or a joke please record it here: http://www.speakpipe.com/clapforclassics. We love to feature our listeners on the podcast!

Classical music tracks are licensed for our use by Classical.com

Music credit: Kathryn Lieppman wrote both of the songs that we share in the episode today.

63. Flashlights, bird feeders, skittles and cornflakes! A sneak peek into the Winter Four Seasons Curriculum Jan 11, 2024

Today we’re sharing a sneak-peek inside our Four Seasons Curriculum. Check out all the details and snag the year-long course at www.clapforclassics.com/fourseasons

Music

We start with one of our favorite songs from the winter course: Down with Darkness.

We have fun using flashlights and a drum while we learn this song.

Down with darkness, up with light

Up with sunshine, down with night

Each of us is one small light

But together we shine bright

Go away darkest blackest night

Go away -- give way to light

Art

For the winter course, Ms. Krisanne, our wonderful art teacher, introduces us to the artist Peter Bruegel and his wintry paintings.

STEM

The winter course is all about color! Dr. Rojas put together 4 stem labs that encourage curiosity, observation, and teach lots of scientific concepts in age-appropriate ways.

Poetry

Ms. Leslie and Ruby bring seasonal poetry to life. We share Charlotte’s favorite on the episode:

DECEMBER LEAVES by Kaye Starbird

The fallen leaves are cornflakes

That fill the lawn’s wide dish,

And night and noon

The wind’s a spoon

That stirs them with a swish.

The sky’s a silver sifter,

A-sifting white and slow,

That gently shakes

On crisp brown flakes

The sugar known as snow.

Tune in to the other Four Seasons Curriculum sneak peek episodes:

Spring

Summer

Autumn

To join the membership and start making music with us today, go to www.clapforclassics.com/join.

Use the code “LION” for 50% off your first month!

Help more families find out about this podcast by leaving us a review wherever you listen.

To leave Forte and I a message or a joke please record it here: http://www.speakpipe.com/clapforclassics.

We love to feature our listeners on the podcast!

Classical music tracks are licensed for our use by Classical.com

62. The Nutcracker Part 2 Dec 07, 2023

Inside our All Access membership we have a Nutcracker music course for young kids! It is an immersive experience with Tchaikovsky’s iconic ballet. You and your kids will be experiencing the story and music of the Nutcracker through songs, games, active listening, instrument playing, and using your imagination right alongside Ms. Elizabeth and her daughter Charlotte.

To join the membership and start making music with us today, go to www.clapforclassics.com/join. Use the code “LION” for 50% off your first month!

Alternatively, you can purchase just the Nutcracker course on it’s own or as part of our Holiday Bundle at www.clapforclassics.com/store

Grab a free printable of hand-drawn images of the characters from the Nutcracker. www.clapforclassics.com/episode61. We like to make simple popsicle stick puppets out of ours to play with while we listen to the music. Kids can also use them to retell and act out the story on their own!

For more ideas on how to supplement your Nutcracker study at home with young kids, including ideas on how to watch the ballet at home, check out this article: https://www.clapforclassics.com/blog/nutcrackerresources

Please help more families find out about this podcast by leaving us a review, telling your friends, or sharing our social media content! To leave Forte and I a message or a joke please record it here: http://www.speakpipe.com/clapforclassics.

We love to feature our listeners on the podcast! Special thanks to Classical.com for licensing the classical music that we used in this episode and that we use in all of our music courses!

61. Introducing the Nutcracker! Nov 30, 2023

Join us for even more Nutcracker fun, sign up for our FREE 5 day Nutcracker challenge that starts December 4th. www.clapforclassics.com/nutcracker2023

Grab a free printable of hand-drawn images of the characters from the Nutcracker. www.clapforclassics.com/episode61.

We like to make simple popsicle stick puppets out of ours to play with while we listen to the music and during this episode. Kids can also use them to retell and act out the story on their own!

Inside our All Access membership we have a Nutcracker music course for young kids! It is an immersive experience with Tchaikovsky’s iconic ballet. You and your kids will be experiencing the story and music of the Nutcracker through songs, games, active listening, instrument playing, and using your imagination right alongside Ms. Elizabeth and her daughter Charlotte.

To join the membership and start making music with us today, go to www.clapforclassics.com/join.

Use the code “LION” for 50% off your first month!

Alternatively, you can purchase just the Nutcracker course on it’s own or inside our Holiday Bundle at www.clapforclassics.com/store

This episode is a re-air of episode 35 and next we will re-air episode 36. Your kids will have fun coming back to these same activities year after year. They will learn more each time they listen.

For more ideas on how to supplement your Nutcracker study at home with young kids check out this article: https://www.clapforclassics.com/blog/nutcrackerresources

Please help more families find out about this podcast by leaving us a review, telling your friends, or sharing our social media content!

To leave Forte and I a message or a joke please record it here: http://www.speakpipe.com/clapforclassics. We love to feature our listeners on the podcast!

Special thanks to Classical.com for licensing the classical music that we used in this episode and that we use in all of our music courses!

60. "I Like Pie." The Thanksgiving soundtrack with Kathryn Lieppman Nov 16, 2023

Grab our free printable that goes along with this song at www.clapforclassics.com/episode60

You'll want some forks, a shaker, or any instrument to play along with us today.

We are the first to get to hear Kathryn Lieppman’s brand new recording of “I Like Pie.” The song will be available wherever you stream music soon! Follow her on IG @kathrynpianist

Looking for ways to bring more music into your home? Check out our All Access Membership at www.clapforclassics.com/join or our Four Seasons Music and More Curriculum at www.clapforclassics.com/fourseasons

Help more families find out about this podcast by leaving us a review wherever you listen.

To leave Forte and I a message or a joke please record it here:

http://www.speakpipe.com/clapforclassics. We love to feature our listeners on the podcast!

Classical music tracks are licensed for our use by Classical.com

59. "Who Are The People You Go To?" with Special Guest Miss Julieann Nov 09, 2023

Sing, clap, dance along with Miss Julieann, Forte and Ms. Elizabeth during this episode. We talk about the people we can go to when we need support or when we’re having big feelings.

Miss Julieann is an award winning children’s musician and therapist. Her brand new album, RESILIENT CHILD, was created to teach resilience skills to children and their caregivers.

Find Miss Julieann:

On her website: https://www.missjulieann.com/
On youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtkmZcvcjxBy6NSGbZEN5dA
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/missjulieannmusic

Go listen to her new album “Resilient Child” wherever you stream your music!

Looking for ways to bring more music into your home? Check out our All Access Membership at www.clapforclassics.com/join or our Four Seasons Music and More Curriculum at www.clapforclassics.com/fourseasons

Help more families find out about this podcast by leaving us a review wherever you listen.

To leave Forte and I a message or a joke please record it here: http://www.speakpipe.com/clapforclassics. We love to feature our listeners on the podcast!

Classical music tracks are licensed for our use by Classical.com

58. Cats and Hats!: Peter and the Wolf and the Scarlatti Cat Fugue with Classical Sprouts Oct 05, 2023

Grab our brand new free Peter and the Wolf Flashcards to extend the fun and learning of this episode: www.clapforclassics.com/episode58

Today’s episode is all about cats!

We listen to some of the cat excerpts from Peter and the Wolf, learn about the clarinet, discuss and practice the differences between the dynamic markings of forte and piano.
We learn a Kitty Cat Hat Game to the melody of the clarinet/cat theme from Peter and the Wolf. Grab a hat for this activity and have fun! Lyrics written by Kate Lieppman

Call me cat, kitty cat

I can wear a hat

Or take it off and sneak it over to my friend

Special Guest Kate Botello from one of our favorite podcasts: Classical Sprouts shares Scarlatti’s Cat Fugue

We have 3 other podcast episodes that feature Peter and the Wolf. Check them out!

Episode 3: What Kind of Bird Are You? A Peter and the Wolf Sneak Peek
Episode 19: Peter and the Wolf: Meet the Characters
Episode 48: Peter and the Wolf, the String Family and a Meadow Song

Here are a few links to some of our favorite recordings of Peter and the Wolf:

YouTube: live orchestra version by Vancouver Symphony

Spotify: David Bowie narrates Peter and the Wolf, played by Philadelphia Orchestra

Amazon Music: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, narrated by Sir John Gielgud

Looking for ways to bring more music into your home? Check out our All Access Membership at www.clapforclassics.com/join use the code “LION” for 50% off your first month.

Or try our Four Seasons Music and More Curriculum at www.clapforclassics.com/fourseasons

Help more families find out about this podcast by leaving us a review wherever you listen.

To leave Forte and I a message or a joke please record it here: http://www.speakpipe.com/clapforclassics. We love to feature our listeners on the podcast!

Classical music tracks are licensed for our use by Classical.com

57. "I Am Enough" with Special Guest Miss Katie Sings Sep 21, 2023

Today we are so excited to have a very special guest singing a very special song. Miss Katie from Miss Katie Sings just came out with this beautiful new song that shares such an important message.

It is a call and response song, it is easy to sing along to and you and your little one will love it!

Here are the lyrics:

I am enough

You are enough

We make space

For all of us

We are different

And we’re the same

That’s great, we say

Hooray!

Find Miss Katie

On her website: www.misskatiesings.com
On youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MissKatieSings
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/misskatiesings/

Go listen to her new single “I am Enough” wherever you stream your music!

Looking for ways to bring more music into your home? Check out our All Access Membership at www.clapforclassics.com/join or our Four Seasons Music and More Curriculum at www.clapforclassics.com/fourseasons

Help more families find out about this podcast by leaving us a review wherever you listen.

To leave Forte and I a message or a joke please record it here: http://www.speakpipe.com/clapforclassics.

We love to feature our listeners on the podcast!

Classical music tracks are licensed for our use by Classical.com

56. Vivaldi's Autumn Party Sep 07, 2023

For this activity you can grab some rhythm sticks, a scarf, and a pillow! We’ll be enjoying Vivaldi’s “Autumn” the whole first movement. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how much fun you and your kids will have while engaging with this beautiful music.

Get your hands on the free printable now at www.clapforclassics.com/episode56. It is a PDF with a listening map for this classical music activity. It’s a great way to extend the learning with a visual representation of what is happening in the music. We are teaching musical form in this episode, and your child will experience the form through movement and then the listening map will help solidify the concept.

Check out the blog post where we share this activity in video form. https://www.clapforclassics.com/blog/vivaldiautumnparty

This activity comes from our “Autumn All Around” course that can be found both inside our Four Seasons Music and More Curriculum, as well as inside our All Access Membership.

For another engaging musical activity to accompany Vivaldi’s “Autumn” check out this video: https://www.clapforclassics.com/blog/autumn In this activity we enjoy the 3rd movement of the Autumn Concerto.

Do you have kids hungry for more and more!! Extend the learning even further by watching this video that will give you some great information about who Vivaldi was and about his Four Seasons violin concertos. https://www.clapforclassics.com/blog/vivaldi4seasons

To get information about our Four Seasons Course go to www.clapforclassics.com/fourseasons To learn all about our All Access Membership go to www.clapforclassics.com/join. And don’t forget that as a podcast listener you can get 50% off your first month of the membership by using the coupon code “LION.”

Please help more families find out about this podcast by leaving us a review, telling your friends, or sharing our social media content! Leave Forte a joke and be featured on an upcoming podcast! www.speakpipe.com/clapforclassics

Classical music for this podcast is licensed to us for our use by Classical.com

55. Apples, art, poetry and STEM: Exploring the Four Seasons Music and More Curriculum. Aug 31, 2023

Today we’re sharing a sneak-peek inside our Four Seasons Curriculum. Check out all the details and snag the year-long course at www.clapforclassics.com/fourseasons

We start with a song and a poem, and then our art and STEM teacher share a little introduction of what they will be teaching in the autumn unit. You do not want to miss all the wonderful nature-inspired learning that you and your little one will be doing as you explore the outdoors, use your imagination, sing, and create together.

Music: Way Up High in the Apple Tree

Way up high in the apple tree,

Two little apples smiled at me.

I shook that tree as hard as I could.

DOWN came the apples

Mm-mmm were they good!

Poetry: Autumn Woods by James S. Tippett

I like the woods In autumn

When dry leaves hide the ground,

When the trees are bare

And the wind sweeps by

With a lonesome rushing sound.

I can rustle the leaves

In autumn

And I can make a bed

In the thick dry leaves

That have fallen

From the bare trees

Overhead.

Art: To see photos of the Andy Goldsworthy’s pieces that Ms. Krisanne referenced in this video check do a google search for Andy Goldsworthy’s land art examples.

Poetry lesson by Leslie Thomas

Art lesson by Krisanne Knudsen

STEM lesson by Eugenia Rojas

Go to www.clapforclassics.com/about for more information on our guest educators.

We have a Four Seasons curriculum sale coming up on September 11th. To make sure you are the first to know about the sale, you can get on our email list at www.clapforclassics.com/email

Help more families find out about this podcast by leaving us a review wherever you listen.

To leave Forte and I a message or a joke please record it here: http://www.speakpipe.com/clapforclassics. We love to feature our listeners on the podcast!

Classical music tracks are licensed for our use by Classical.com

54. "Move Like the Animals Do" with Special Guest Georgie from Tambourine Social Aug 17, 2023

Join us in our All Access Membership for a library of activities like the ones on this podcast. Check out the details at www.clapforclassics.com/join.

We’re so happy to feature Georgie from the Tambourine Social on today’s episode. She gets us moving our body while she shares a really fun song about Australian animals: “Move Like the Animals Do.”

Find her podcast, “Toddler Tunes”, wherever you listen to podcasts.

Stream her music on spotify or any other streaming service. Search for “The Tambourine Social.”

Find her on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmDhQvHGDcqc8EUapdDPgMg

Help more families find out about this podcast by leaving us a review wherever you listen.

To leave Forte and I a message or a joke please record it here: http://www.speakpipe.com/clapforclassics.

We love to feature our listeners on the podcast! Classical music tracks are licensed for our use by Classical.com

53. Presto, Saint-Saëns' Wild Donkey, teaches us about tempo, rhythm and beat Aug 03, 2023

Come to the Carnival with Ms. Elizabeth and friends and get a glimpse inside our All Access Membership with 5 days of classical music inspired activities for your and your little ones!

Sign up for this free event at www.clapforclassics.com/carnival23

On today’s episode we share 2 activities from our "Carnival of the Animals" course.

First, you get to meet one of our beloved musical puppet friends, Presto the Donkey, inspired by the Wild Donkey of Saint-Saëns' Carnival of the Animals. We listen to the Wild Donkey movement and play freeze dance.

For our second activity we learn a folk song about a donkey named Tingalayo that originated from the Caribbean. We use our egg shakers to practice beat and rhythm.

We hope you enjoy the episode.

For more Carnival of the Animals content sign up for our “Come to the Carnival” event at www.clapforclassics.com/carnival23

Help more families find out about this podcast by leaving us a review wherever you listen.

To leave Forte and I a message or a joke please record it here: http://www.speakpipe.com/clapforclassics.

We love to feature our listeners on the podcast! Classical music tracks are licensed for our use by Classical.com

52. "Waiting for the Elevator" with Special Guest Laurie Berkner Jul 20, 2023

Grab the free download that accompanies this activity at www.clapforclassics.com/episode52 it’s a printable play packet with an elevator cut out, animal puppets, traceable numbers, and more! It is a great way to extend the learning and fun on this episode.

We are thrilled to have well-known children’s artist Laurie Berkner on the podcast today sharing her energetic song, “Waiting for the Elevator.” We’ll be moving our bodies, dancing, making animal noises, working on memory and sequencing, but most of all just having fun!

Want to hear more of Laurie’s music? Find her on any streaming platform, on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheLaurieBerknerBand, on Instagram and TikTok or at her website: https://laurieberkner.com.

To get access to a library of music courses with themes like Carnival of the Animals, Peter and the Wolf, the Four Seasons, Music from Around the World, Nursery Rhymes, Space, Farm, and more, join our All Access music membership and start making music with us today, go to www.clapforclassics.com/join. Use the code “LION” for 50% off your first month!

Help more families find out about this podcast by leaving us a review wherever you listen.

To leave Forte and I a message or a joke please record it here: http://www.speakpipe.com/clapforclassics. We love to feature our listeners on the podcast!

Classical music tracks are licensed for our use by Classical.com

51. Gerswhin's Rhapsody on a Burger and Fries Jul 06, 2023

For today's episode we are re-airing one of our favorite episodes from last year. You won't want to miss this one, even if you've already heard it! Join Ms. Elizabeth, Wilder, and Riff the Pig as we share a wonderful piece of music from american composer George Gershwin.

Grab some rhythm sticks and our free printable to extend this activity. The printable includes images of the instruments that we’ll identify as we listen to this piece. Print them on cardstock and mount on popsicle sticks for puppets, or print two sets and use them to play memory with while you listen! Grab it at www.clapforclassics.com/episode22

This activity comes right out of our American Classics course that can be found inside our All Access Membership. Use the code LION to get 50% off your first month!

We teach the theme to Rhapsody in Blue with a silly phrase, and we don’t think you’ll ever hear this piece again without thinking these words!

Fries……… Ketchup and mustard

And don’t forget cheese

On my hamburger dinner today!

Want to extend the fun and learning even more?

Join our All Access Membership for a library of activities just like the one in this podcast.
Watch the animation from Fantasia 2000, accompanied by Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue.
Listen to the entire piece of music during bathtime, or mealtime. Continue listening for the “ketchup and mustard” theme, and listening for the clarinet, trumpet, and piano.
Play a game of musical memory with the free printable from this episode. Just print out two pages of the cards.

Learn more about our American Classics course found inside our All Access Membership.

What your child is learning:

Active engagement with a piece of classical music
Active listening for a repeated theme Instrument identification: clarinet, trumpet, piano

Music credit: Special thanks to Classical.com for licensing the music on this podcast. “Rhapsody in Blue” by George Gershwin, performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with Christopher O’Riley on piano and Barry Wordsworth conducting

Lyrics to the theme written and performed as "Riff the Pig" by Co-founder Kathryn Lieppman.

50. Forte Celebrates the 4th of July! Jun 29, 2023

Celebrate our 50th episode, and the 4th of July with Forte and Charlotte! They take over the podcast and share a bunch of 4th of July jokes you won't want to miss.

We finish out the episode with our Patriotic medley, 3 of our favorite patriotic tunes with simple ukulele chords. Grab the free PDF with the arrangement of the medley, ukulele chords and lyrics at www.clapforclassics.com/episode50.

We also have a special coupon for you that is good for 20% on either our membership or our American Classics course. Use the code “PATRIOTIC23” until midnight on July 4th, 2023.

Listen to Episode 22. "Gershwin’s Rhapsody on a Burger and Fries" for a peek into our American Classics! Course and a very fun activity with Gershwin’s wonderful "Rhapsody in Blue". And don’t miss the freebie that goes with this episode as well: www.clapforclassics.com/episode22

Help more families find out about this podcast by leaving us a review wherever you listen.

To leave Forte and I a message or a joke please record it here: http://www.speakpipe.com/clapforclassics. We love to feature our listeners on the podcast!

Classical music tracks are licensed for our use by Classical.com

49. A Watermelon Song with Special Guest Stephanie Leavell Jun 15, 2023

We are thrilled to welcome Stephanie Leavell from Music for Kiddos as a guest teacher on our podcast today. She shares a very fun summery song with us about the juicy summer fruit: Watermelon.

To find out more about Stephanie and what she does check out her website at www.musicforkiddos.com You can find her music on Spotify, or Youtube, or any other music platform that you use.

Get access to all of our musical content for kids ages 2-8 inside our All Access Membership. Use the code “LION” at checkout to get 50% off the first month of your membership.

Help more families find out about this podcast by leaving us a review wherever you listen. To leave Forte and I a message or a joke please record it here. We love to feature our listeners on the podcast!

Classical music tracks are licensed for our use by Classical.com

48. Peter and the Wolf, the String Family and a Meadow Song Jun 01, 2023

Grab our free PDF that accompanies this episode at www.clapforclassics.com/episode48. It is a printable with the instruments in the string family and Peter. Print these on cardstock and mount them on puppets for your little ones to play with while they listen to the episode, a fun way to enhance the learning and development.

Get access to all of our musical content, including our Peter and the Wolf courses for kids ages 2-8 inside our All Access Membership. Use the code “LION” at checkout to get 50% off the first month of your membership.

You can also purchase just the Peter and the Wolf content as a separate bundle, find it in our shop!

Want to listen to more episodes that feature Peter and the Wolf?

Try Episode 3, and Episode 19 and for another one that features the String Family listen to Episode 7.

Help more families find out about this podcast by leaving us a review wherever you listen.

To leave Forte and I a message or a joke please record it here: http://www.speakpipe.com/clapforclassics. We love to feature our listeners on the podcast!

Classical music tracks are licensed for our use by Classical.com

Music Credit: Peter and the Wolf, by Sergey Prokofiev (Andrea Licata (Conductor)/ Royal Philharmonic Orchestra / Sir John Gielgud (Narrator)

Over in the meadow

Over in the meadow in the sand in the sun,

lived an Old mother turtle and her Little turtle one.

"Dig," said the mother, "I dig," said the one,

and they Dug all day in the sand in the sun.

Over in the meadow where the Stream runs blue,

lived an Old mother fish and her Little fishies two.

"Swim," said the mother, "We swim," said the two,

and they Swam all day where the stream runs blue.

Over in the meadow in a hole in the tree,

Lived an old mother owl and her Little owls three.

"Whoo," said the mother, "We whoo," said the three,

and they Whooed all day in the hole in the tree.

Over in the meadow by the old barn door,

Lived an old mother frog and her Little froggies four.

"Jump," said the mother, "We jump," said the four,

and they Jumped all day by the old barn door.

Over in the meadow in a snug beehive,

Lived an old mother bee and her Little bees five.

"Buzz," said the mother, "We buzz," said the five,

and they Buzzed all day in the snug beehive.

One little turtle went dig dig dig dig dig

Two little fishies went swim swim swim

Three little owls went whoo--ooo-ooo

Four little froggies went jump jump jump jump jump

Five little bees went bzzz bzzzz bz bz bz bz bz

47. Paddling, painting, and poetry! May 19, 2023

Join us for this sneak peek inside our summer "Four Seasons" Curriculum. We’ll share a song, learn a bit about Monet, imagine a summery sunball fight, and make a hypothesis about objects that will float or sink.

To join is inside our Four Seasons Curriculum go to www.clapforclassics.com/fourseasons. Get 20% off the curriculum for a limited time by using the code “SUMMER2023" at checkout.

Optional props for this episode.

Music: grab rhythm sticks and a box or basket that your little one can sit in and pretend it's a boat.
Poetry: scarf

STEM: a bunch of small objects that are made of different materials to test if they will sink or float.

Paddling my Canoe, Traditional Iroquois song (found in Sing through the Seasons: ninety-nine songs for children, compiled and edited by the Society of Brothers)

Gay-o way-o wa-ji-ne_ he-ya he,

Paddling my canoe

Gay-o way-o wa-ji-ne_

He-ya he-ya he,

Paddling my canoe,

Paddling my canoe.

(sing twice)

Sunflakes by Frank Asch

If sunlight fell like snowflakes,

gleaming yellow and so bright,

we could build a sunman,

we could have a sunball fight,

we could watch the sunflakes drifting in the sky.

We could go sleighing in the middle of July

through sundrifts and sunbanks,

we could ride a sunmobile,

and we could touch sunflakes—

I wonder how they'd feel.

To learn even more details about our Summer Four Seasons Curriculum check out this blog post: https://www.clapforclassics.com/blog/summer

Episode 24 of the podcast includes another song from our summer four seasons course: https://www.clapforclassics.com/podcasts/clap-for-classics/episodes/2147767173

Help more families find out about this podcast by leaving us a review wherever you listen.

To leave Forte and I a message or a joke please record it here: http://www.speakpipe.com/clapforclassics. We love to feature our listeners on the podcast!

Thank you to Classical.com for licensing the music for us to use on our podcast and inside our membership!

46. Clip-clopping horses, balls and Bizet May 04, 2023

Grab a ball for this episode and get ready to move your body.

This episode is a great one for all ages, but we especially wanted to feature some activities for our babies.

Did you know we have a music course just for our very youngest musicians?

Check out the details at www.clapforclassics.com/baby

1. Horsey Horsey. For this one either scoop up your little one and clip-clop around the room or pretend to be a horse and trot around. Swish your pretend tail, roll your hands, and don’t forget to freeze on the word “stop.”

Horsey horsey don’t you stop

Just let your feet go clippity clop

Your tail goes swish and the wheels go round

Giddyup we’re homeward bound

We’re not in a hustle, we’re not in a bustle

Don’t go tearing up the road

We’re not in a hurry, we’re not in a flurry

And we don’t have a very heavy load

2. Jeux d’enfants, op. 22, 12. “Le Bal” by french composer Bizet

Grab a ball to play with while you listen to this fast-paced movement from Bizet’s fun set of Children’s Games music.

See if you can keep the ball moving for the whole movement.

If you’re looking for more examples of what our content for babies looks like, check out the following links that include videos and written content that will give you even more ideas of how to enjoy music with your baby.

https://www.clapforclassics.com/blog/baby

https://www.clapforclassics.com/blog/babies

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czaFRCFt7EA

Don’t miss Episode 4 of the podcast for more content specifically for babies.

For a free PDF with 8 tips on how to make music with your baby- click on the following link: www.clapforclassics.com/babytips

Help more families find out about this podcast by leaving us a review wherever you listen.

To leave Forte and I a message or a joke please record it here: http://www.speakpipe.com/clapforclassics.

We love to feature our listeners on the podcast!

Thank you to Classical.com for licensing the music for us to use on our podcast and inside our membership!

45. What do we do with our sticks Vivaldi? Apr 20, 2023

To join our music membership for young kids and start making music with us today, go to www.clapforclassics.com/join. Use the code “LION” for 50% off your first month!

We share 2 activities that both include sticks. In honor of Earth Day we encourage kids to go outside and use sticks that they find outside. But rhythm sticks, pencils, or wooden spoons would work fine.

What Can We Do With Our Sticks? (to the tune of Hickory Dickory Dock)

What can we do with our sticks?

We tap our sticks like this

We tap them high (fast)

We tap them low (slow)

What can we do with our sticks?

Have fun exploring all the different ways you can play your rhythm sticks! Get creative!

2. Spring: Concerto No. 1 in E Major, 3rd movement by Vivaldi

3 ways to use our sticks while we listen:
- Keep a steady beat
- Pretend to play the violin
- Be the conductor!

Want more rhythm stick fun? Check out our blog post with a rhythm stick mini class and more information of the benefits of playing with rhythm sticks.

https://www.clapforclassics.com/blog/rhythmsticks

Listen to Episode 10 of our podcast for more rhythm stick fun!

https://www.clapforclassics.com/podcasts/clap-for-classics/episodes/2147703461

Help more families find out about this podcast by leaving us a review wherever you listen.

To leave Forte and I a message or a joke please record it here: http://www.speakpipe.com/clapforclassics. We love to feature our listeners on the podcast!

Thank you to Classical.com for licensing the music for us to use on our podcast and inside our membership!

44. All about bunnies: songs for an egg-celent spring Apr 06, 2023

Come to our free live "Music from Around the World" zoom Class happening on Thursday April 20th at 12pm Eastern Time/ 9 am Pacific. (Recording will be available.) Sign up at www.clapforclassics.com/liveclass

To join our music membership for young kids and start making music with us today, go to www.clapforclassics.com/join. Use the code “LION” for 50% off your first month!

Grab some egg shakers for this episode (the more, the better!)

1. Bunny Pokey:

You put your bunny ears in ,

You put your bunny ears out,

You put your bunny ears in,

And you shake them all about.

You do the Bunny Pokey, And you hop yourself around,

That’s what it’s all about.

Additional verses:

You put your bunny nose in.
You put your bunny paws in.
You put your bunny tail in.

2. See the Sleeping Bunnies.

See the sleeping bunnies, sleeping in till noon

Shall we awake them with our merry tune

Are they ill, why so still? (spoken)

Wake up sleeping bunnies and hop hop hop,

Wake up sleeping bunnies and hop hop stop!

3. Shaker Song (Sung to the tune of London Bridge is Falling Down)

Shake your shaker up and down, up and down, up and down,

Shake your shaker up and down, shake your shaker.

Additional verses:

Side to side
Round and round
Fast and slow

4. Our last activity is a steady beat shaker song, or a hide the eggs seek and find game with Vivaldi’s Spring Concerto, the 1st movement.

Watch a video of me and Charlotte teaching these songs on our YouTube channel.

Episode 14 of the podcast is an episode all about eggs, perfect as a partner to this episode and to add on to your Easter-themed activities.

Check out Episode 13 where we listen to this same piece of music (1st movement of Vivaldi’s Spring Concerto), but in a completely different way!

Spotify playlists you might enjoy:

Spring classical music playlist: Steady Beat
Classical playlist: Spring

Help more families find out about this podcast by leaving us a review wherever you listen. To leave Forte and I a message or a joke please record it here. We love to feature our listeners on the podcast!

Thank you to Classical.com for licensing the music for us to use on our podcast and inside our membership!

43. A train ride through Brazil with Villa Lobos and a folk song Mar 16, 2023

To join our music membership for young kids and start making music with us today, go to www.clapforclassics.com/join.

Use the code “LION” for 50% off your first month!

Today on the episode we’re going on a trip to Brazil!

1. We first share a popular Brazilian folk song: Peixe Vivo, a love song about a fish (kind of). You might want to grab a blue scarf and some fish toys to play with while we sing this song.

How could little fishies live

If they’re outside of the sea?

How could I ever live?

Without you, without you

Without you close to me

Como pode um peixe vivo

Viver fora da agua fria

Como poderei viver

Sem a tua, sem a tua

Sem a tua companhia

2. Next we go on a train ride with a beautiful piece by Brazilian composer, Heitor Villa Lobos.

This piece was written to sound like a steam engine traveling through the Brazilian countryside.

Watch a video of Charlotte and I enjoying this fun train activity activity here: https://youtu.be/prR3e6veIA4

How to prepare to listen to this piece:

Make room to move around the room like a train.
Possibly set up a pretend train to “ride” in. (This can be as simple or as complex as you choose)
Possibly grab some train toys

How to adapt/extend this activity

Put your kiddo in a laundry basket or a big box and turn on this video or the audio track while you take them for a “train ride” around the house.
Draw pictures of the countryside, and/or pictures of trains while you listen to this piece

Note about the music: This piece is entitled “The Little Train of the Caipira” by Heitor Villa-Lobos, from his longer set of pieces: Bachianas Brasileiras No. 2. Villa-Lobos wrote nine Bachianas Brasileiras suites, all of which combine Brazilian folk/popular music with styles and techniques of baroque composer JS Bach.

Thank you to Classical.com who has licensed the classical music that we used on this episode and inside our membership.

Be sure to check out another fantastic classical music podcast: Classical Sprouts, geared toward elementary age kids and beyond.

Help more families find out about this podcast by leaving us a review wherever you listen.

To leave Forte and I a message or a joke please record it here: http://www.speakpipe.com/clapforclassics. We love to feature our listeners on the podcast!

42. Slumber Serenade: 3 Soothing Lullabies for Babies and Toddlers Mar 02, 2023

Grab a free PDF with lyrics and ukulele chords for the two lullabies shared here as well as 4 more lullabies that are found inside our membership. www.clapforclassics.com/episode42

To join our music membership for young kids and start making music with us today, go to www.clapforclassics.com/join. Use the code “LION” for 50% off your first month!

In this episode we share 2 of our favorite lullabies: "Hush Little Baby" and "Baby's Boat's a Silver Moon." One you might be familiar with and one that might be new! Then we end the episode with a beautiful rendition of Brahms Lullaby.

Snuggle up for this calm episode and enjoy!

To watch a video of another favorite lullaby of ours, Little Boy Blue, check out our youtube channel: https://youtu.be/6aUatEw8pYA

Brahms Lullaby: Op.49 No.4 Wiegenlied / Lullaby performed by the Kiev Chamber Orchestra,Slovak Chamber Orchestra Help more families find out about this podcast by leaving us a review wherever you listen.

To leave Forte and I a message or a joke please record it here: http://www.speakpipe.com/clapforclassics. We love to feature our listeners on the podcast!

41. A musical sandwich with Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Feb 16, 2023

We take the guesswork out of early childhood education with our play-based, nature-infused, hands-on, engaging program.

The "Four Seasons: Music and More" curriculum is an online program that encourages learning through play.

Music, art, poetry and STEM are combined into a robust curriculum that you will enjoy experiencing alongside your little one.

This curriculum is on sale for just a few more days. Use the code “SPRINGPREVIEW” until February 20th for 20% off the curriculum. We’re also throwing in a bonus music course of your choice that you can input at checkout. Go to www.clapforclassics.com/fourseasons for details and to order.

You’ll want rhythm sticks, scarves, and maybe 3 baskets or boxes for the activity on this episode. As always, props and instruments are optional.

We explore and teach the concept of ABA form with a fun piece of music by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. The piece is from Othello, Op. 79 - I. Dance

Click here to listen to the recording of the piece.

Want to hear more musical fun with black artists and composers? Check out Episode 6 of our podcast for 3 activities perfect to accompany your Black History Month study.

Help more families find out about this podcast by leaving us a review wherever you listen.

To leave Forte and I a message or a joke please record it here: http://www.speakpipe.com/clapforclassics. We love to feature our listeners on the podcast!

40. A Cheesy Little Waltz Feb 02, 2023

Interested in learning more about what's inside our All Access Membership? Sign-up for our FREE Musical Moments play series and receive 5 of our favorite activities straight to your inbox. Grab the freebie at www.clapforclassics.com/musicalmoments

Today on the podcast we share some information about the waltz, and practicing hearing and feeling the triple meter! We listen to clips of two different waltz pieces.

The Skater’s Waltz, by Waldteufel
Roses from the South, by Strauss

Listen to the them both on our Valentine spotify play list that can be found here

We end the episode with one of our favorite Clap for Classics! Originals, a love songs, a cheesy little love song that is.

To watch a video of the Mac ‘n Cheese song click here. Song is written by Kathryn Lieppman.

Can’t get enough waltzing? Here, Elizabeth and Charlotte are teaching and dancing to the sleeping beauty waltz.

If you’d like some more Valentine content don’t miss Episode 5 of the podcast: “Love Songs for Little Ones"

We include the Sleeping Beauty Waltz, the Hug Song, and folk song!

And here is one more video of some other fun Valentine songs for you and your little one to enjoy!

Don't forget that your little one can be featured on the podcast by calling in and leaving us a joke! Click here to leave us a joke.

39. Ice Skating with Vivaldi and a Penguin Jan 19, 2023

Grab a blanket and a couple paper plates for each listener if you can! As always, props are optional, but will enhance the engagement and fun!

Today we share 2 activities that come straight from our “Winter Expedition with Vivaldi and Friends” music course. If you enjoyed the activities and want to experience the rest of the fun, you can join us at www.clapforclassics.com/fourseasons. Our Four Seasons curriculum is more than just music, it also includes art, poetry, and STEM units.

To hear the 1st movement of Vivaldi’s Winter concerto, check out last week’s episode here.

1. Our first activity is a Clap for Classics! Original written by Kathryn Lieppman. You’ll need your blanket to take your little one on a ride at the end of the song! Have fun waddling and sliding on your tummy with us.

Waddle waddle here and there

Waddle waddle everywhere

And when I need to take a break

From waddling to and fro

I get down on my tummy and say

Ready - Set - Go!

2. You’ll need your paper plate ice skates for this activity. We listen to the wintry music of Vivaldi’s 3rd movement of the “Winter” concerto. We imagine skating, the ice cracking, a hot chocolate break, and then see what you can imagine happening at the end of the piece.

Help more families find out about this podcast by leaving us a review wherever you listen.

To leave Forte and I a message or a joke please record it here: http://www.speakpipe.com/clapforclassics. We love to feature our listeners on the podcast!

Special thanks to Classical.com for licensing the classical music that we used in this episode and that we use in all of our music courses!

38. Shivering in our mittens with Vivaldi Jan 05, 2023

Happy New Year! We’re excited to be back for another season of Clap for Classics! episodes. This year new episodes will come out on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month, so be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss anything.

Today we share 2 activities that come straight from our “Winter Expedition with Vivaldi and Friends” music course. If you enjoyed these musical play activities and want to experience the rest of the fun, you can join us at www.clapforclassics.com/fourseasons. Our Four Seasons curriculum is more than just music, it also includes art, poetry, and STEM units. A perfect hands-on, play based curriculum for your toddler, preschooler, or kindergartner.

Grab some mittens or use your imagination and see if you can come up with some actions while we sing this song!

The Mitten Song

Thumbs in the thumb place, fingers all together!

This is the song we sing in mitten weather

Thumbs in the thumb place, fingers all together!

This is the song we sing in mitten weather

When it is cold it doesn’t matter whether

Mittens are made of wool or finest leather

This is the song we sing in mitten weather

Thumbs in the thumb place, fingers all together!

(credit goes to Marlys Swinger from the book “Songs of the Seasons, Ninety-Nine Songs for children”)

For the second activity grab rhythm sticks and a scarf. We guide you through the 1st movement of Vivaldi’s “Winter” concerto from the Four Seasons. You’ll have fun shivering, stomping, keeping a steady beat and chattering your teeth. Help more families find out about this podcast by leaving us a review, telling your friends, or sharing our social media content!

To leave Forte and I a message or a joke please record it here: http://www.speakpipe.com/clapforclassics. We love to feature our listeners on the podcast!

Special thanks to Classical.com for licensing the classical music that we used in this episode and that we use in all of our music courses!

37. Holiday episode: Dreidels and Jingle Bells Dec 14, 2022

Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas friends! This is our last episode of 2022 and we hope you enjoy making some holiday music with us.

Grab a dreidel or spinning top, a scarf, and jingle bells for the 3 activities.

I Have a Little Dreidel

I have a little dreidel I made it out of clay

And when it's dry and ready

Then, dreidel I shall play

Oh, dreidel, dreidel, dreidel I made it out of clay

And when it's dry and ready

Then, dreidel I will play

Angels We Have Heard on High

Angels we have heard on high

Sweetly singing o'er the plane

And the mountains in reply

Echoing their joyous strain

Glooooooooriaaaaa

Jingle Bells

Dashing through the snow, in a one horse open sleigh

O’er the hills we go, laughing all the way

Bells on bobtails ring, keeping spirits bright

What fun it is to ride and sing a sleighing song tonight.

Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way

Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh

Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way

Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh

To join the membership and start making music with us today, go to www.clapforclassics.com/join.

Use the code “LION” for 50% off your first month!

Please help more families find out about this podcast by leaving us a review, telling your friends, or sharing our social media content!

To leave Forte and I a message or a joke please record it here: http://www.speakpipe.com/clapforclassics. We love to feature our listeners on the podcast!

Special thanks to Classical.com for licensing the classical music that we used in this episode and that we use in all of our music courses!

36. Nutcracker Part 2 Dec 08, 2022

Inside our All Access membership we have a Nutcracker music course for young kids! It is an immersive experience with Tchaikovsky’s iconic ballet. You and your kids will be experiencing the story and music of the Nutcracker through songs, games, active listening, instrument playing, and using your imagination right alongside Ms. Elizabeth and her daughter Charlotte.

To join the membership and start making music with us today, go to www.clapforclassics.com/join. Use the code “LION” for 50% off your first month!

Alternatively, you can purchase just the Nutcracker course on it’s own at www.clapforclassics.com/store

Grab a free printable of hand-drawn images of the characters from the Nutcracker. www.clapforclassics.com/episode35. We like to make simple popsicle stick puppets out of ours to play with while we listen to the music. Kids can also use them to retell and act out the story on their own!

For more ideas on how to supplement your Nutcracker study at home with young kids, including ideas on how to watch the ballet at home, check out this article: https://www.clapforclassics.com/blog/nutcrackerresources

Please help more families find out about this podcast by leaving us a review, telling your friends, or sharing our social media content!

To leave Forte and I a message or a joke please record it here: http://www.speakpipe.com/clapforclassics. We love to feature our listeners on the podcast!

Special thanks to Classical.com for licensing the classical music that we used in this episode and that we use in all of our music courses!

35. The Nutcracker Part 1 Dec 01, 2022

For the next 2 weeks we are sharing a sneak peek into our popular Nutcracker course for kids ages 2-8. You are in for a treat, this music and story and interactive way that we share it with young kids is so much fun!

Inside the course is an immersive experience with Tchaikovsky’s iconic ballet. You and your kids will be experiencing the story and music of the Nutcracker through songs, games, active listening, instrument playing, and using your imagination right alongside Ms. Elizabeth and her daughter Charlotte.

To join the membership and start making music with us today, go to www.clapforclassics.com/join. Use the code “LION” for 50% off your first month!

Alternatively, you can purchase just the Nutcracker course on it’s own at www.clapforclassics.com/store

Grab a free printable of hand-drawn images of the characters from the Nutcracker. www.clapforclassics.com/episode35. We like to make simple popsicle stick puppets out of ours to play with while we listen to the music. Kids can also use them to retell and act out the story on their own!

For more ideas on how to supplement your Nutcracker study at home with young kids check out this article: https://www.clapforclassics.com/blog/nutcrackerresources

Please help more families find out about this podcast by leaving us a review, telling your friends, or sharing our social media content!

To leave Forte and I a message or a joke please record it here: http://www.speakpipe.com/clapforclassics. We love to feature our listeners on the podcast!

Special thanks to Classical.com for licensing the classical music that we used in this episode and that we use in all of our music courses!

34. I Like Pie! Nov 23, 2022

Grab an egg shaker for this episode, if you have one. (Anything that shakes will work!). Today we are sharing two songs to help us get in the Thanksgiving spirit.

The first song is a twist on a familiar favorite: “If You’re Happy And You Know It.” Customize this one with all the things that you’re thankful for!

“I like pie” is a Clap for Classics! Original written by Kathryn Lieppman. This catchy song will be in your head this season while you’re making and eating pie!

Watch a video of us singing “I Like Pie” on our blog, or on our youtube channel.

For information about our All Access Membership for kids ages 2-6 go to www.clapforclassics.com/join. Use the code “LION” for 50% off your first month.

Please help more families find out about this podcast by leaving us a review, telling your friends, or sharing our social media content!

To leave Forte and I a message or a joke please record it here: http://www.speakpipe.com/clapforclassics

Special thanks to Classical.com for licensing the classical music that we used in this episode and that we use in all of our music courses!

33. Teapots and Tchaikovsky Nov 03, 2022

For this episode you might want to grab a teapot and a scarf or wind wand if you have one.

Forte, Charlotte and Ms. Elizabeth share the familiar favorite:

“I’m a little teapot” and talk about the musical concepts forte and piano.

We also listen to a beautiful piano piece called “November” by Tchaikovsky.

Use a scarf or a ribbon wand to move your body while you listen to this music. Can you imagine what inspired Tchaikovsky to write this piece?

Watch a video of us teaching I’m a little teapot here on our blog, or on our youtube channel.

For information about our All Access Membership for kids ages 2-6 go to www.clapforclassics.com/join. And don't forget to use the code LION at checkout for 50% off your first month!

Please help more families find out about this podcast by leaving us a review, telling your friends, or sharing our social media content!

To leave Forte and I a message or a joke please record it here: http://www.speakpipe.com/clapforclassics

Special thanks to Classical.com for licensing the classical music that we used in this episode and that we use in all of our music courses!

32. Let's have some pumpkin fun! Oct 27, 2022

Forte and I share 3 pumpkin activities, perfect for this time of year. Grab a pumpkin if you have one to use as a drum, and let’s get started!

For information about our All Access Membership for kids ages 2-6 go to www.clapforclassics.com/join. And don't forget to use the code "LION" at checkout for 50% off your first month!

The first activity is a pumpkin version of “Ring Around the Rosie” where we find lots of different ways to go around our pumpkin.

Ring around the pumpkin

A pocket full of nuts

Leaves, leaves, we all fall down

(Then replace “ring” with “tiptoe” or “gallop” or “stomp” etc.)

Second, we tap out some halloween rhythms on our pumpkin drums.

Last, we share a musical version of the popular poem “5 Little Pumpkins”. Melody written by Clap for Classics! Co-founder Kathryn Lieppman.

5 little pumpkins sitting on the gate.

The first one said, “Oh my it’s getting late!”

The second one said, “There’s a chill in the air.”

The third one said, “But we don’t care.”

The fourth one said, “I’m ready for some fun”

The fifth one said, “Let’s run and run and run!”

Then “ooooo” went the wind “ooooo”

And out went the light, shhhhhhh

And the 5 little pumpkins rolled out of sight.

To check out our fun song all about pumpkin pie- go here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_QhpU5WFu8

To watch some of the activities in video form, check out a live pumpkin mini class Elizabeth and Charlotte taught a few years ago. Find it on our blog or on youtube: https://www.clapforclassics.com/blog/pumpkin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlMqLruDOXg

Please help more families find out about this podcast by leaving us a review, telling your friends, or sharing our social media content!

To leave Forte and I a message or a joke please record it here: http://www.speakpipe.com/clapforclassics

Special thanks to Classical.com for licensing the classical music that we used in this episode and that we use in all of our music courses!

31. In the Hall of the Mountain King Oct 20, 2022

Elizabeth and Forte share 2 related activities in this episode. They share the wonderful classical piece, “In the Hall of the Mountain King” by Edvard Grieg, as well as the Mountain King Game that was inspired by the music.

Grab some rhythm sticks and a pillow and clear some space for this episode. You will be using your imagination and moving your body. We think you’re going to love this exciting music and fun interactive game. It might just become a new favorite in your home.

To watch the Mountain King Game in video format check out our blog or our youtube channel.

The two activities we share come straight out of either our All Access Membership or our Four Seasons curriculum. For details on how to join us go to www.clapforclassics.com/join or www.clapforclassics.com/fourseasons

Don’t forget to use the code “LION” at checkout to get 50% off your first month.

Please help more families find out about this podcast by leaving us a review, telling your friends, or sharing our social media content!

To leave Forte and I a message or a joke please record it here: http://www.speakpipe.com/clapforclassics

Special thanks to Classical.com for licensing the classical music that we used in this episode and that we use in all of our music courses!

30. Twinkle Twinkle Little Ghost (Learning the difference between major and minor) Oct 13, 2022

Grab a scarf if you have one and we’ll learn about and practice hearing the difference between Major and Minor together.

Elizabeth and Forte introduce the concept of major and minor by singing a few different songs in their original key, and then switching the song from major to minor or minor to major to highlight the difference.

We also share clips from some familiar classical pieces and try to identify if the piece is in a major key or a minor key.

Classical music for this podcast is licensed to us for our use by Classical.com

We shared excerpts from the following classical pieces on today’s podcast:

Peter’s Theme played the strings from “Peter and the Wolf,” by Prokofiev.
The Wolf’s Theme played by the horns from” Peter and the Wolf,” by Prokofiev.
Vivaldi's Autumn, from the Four Seasons, 1st movement
Vivaldi's Autumn, from the Four Seasons, 2nd movement
Toccata and Fugue in D minor by Bach.

To watch a follow-up to this major and minor lesson in video format check out our blog or our youtube channel.

This activity comes straight out of our Autumn All Around course inside our All Access Membership. For details on how to join us there go to www.clapforclassics.com/join.

Don’t forget to use the code “PODCAST” at checkout to get 50% off your first month.

Ready for some more Halloween-themed music? spooky pipe organ music?? Here is a video of some spooky pipe organ music.

For more fall-themed activities like this one, make sure to grab our free resource, "Fall-themed Classical Pieces to Listen to with Your Child" by going to www.clapforclassics.com/fallclassicalmusic

Help more families find out about this podcast by leaving us a review, telling your friends, or sharing our social media content!

To leave Forte and I a message or a joke please record it here: http://www.speakpipe.com/clapforclassics

29. "Oats, Peas, Beans, and Barley" Oct 06, 2022

You’ll need rhythm sticks for this activity. Feel free to use blocks, wooden spoons, or of course just your clapping hands always work as well.

Grab the free printable that accompanies this activity at www.clapforclassics.com/episode29. It is a PDF with the lyrics, suggested actions, and extension ideas to go along with this song.

This activity prompts quite a few actions, if you’d like to see a video of this same activity, head over to the blog at www.clapforclassics.com/blog/oats or you can watch it on Youtube. (Be sure to subscribe to our channel while you’re there so you don’t miss a video!)

This activity comes straight out of our “Fun on the Farm” course inside our All Access Membership. For details on how to join us there go to www.clapforclassics.com/join. Don’t forget to use the code “PODCAST” at checkout to get 50% off your first month.

Do you have a little one who likes tractors? We’ve got the perfect song for you, also from our “Fun on the Farm” course. It is so catchy and fun, I bet you’ll be singing the chorus everytime you see a tractor! Check out our tractor video at https://www.clapforclassics.com/blog/tractor.

Please help more families find out about this podcast by leaving us a review, telling your friends, or sharing our social media content!

To leave Forte and I a message or a joke please record it here: http://www.speakpipe.com/clapforclassics

Classical music for this podcast is licensed to us for our use by Classical.com

28. Vivaldi's "Autumn" Party Sep 29, 2022

For this activity you can grab some rhythm sticks, a scarf, and a pillow! We’ll be enjoying Vivaldi’s “Autumn” the whole first movement. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how much fun you and your kids will have while engaging with this beautiful music.

Get your hands on the free printable now at www.clapforclassics.com/episode28. It is a PDF with a listening map for this classical music activity. It’s a great way to extend the learning with a visual representation of what is happening in the music. We are teaching musical form in this episode, and your child will experience the form through movement and then the listening map will help solidify the concept.

Check out the blog post where we share this activity in video form.

This activity comes from our “Autumn All Around” course that can be found both inside our Four Seasons Music and More Curriculum, as well as inside our All Access Membership.

For another engaging musical activity to accompany Vivaldi’s “Autumn” check out this video: https://www.clapforclassics.com/blog/autumn

In this activity we enjoy the 3rd movement of the Autumn Concerto.

Do you have kids hungry for more and more!! Extend the learning even further by watching this video that will give you some great information about who Vivaldi was and about his Four Seasons violin concertos. https://www.clapforclassics.com/blog/vivaldi4seasons

To get information about our Four Seasons Course go to www.clapforclassics.com/fourseasons

To learn all about our All Access Membership go to www.clapforclassics.com/join.

And don’t forget that as a podcast listener you can get 50% off your first month of the membership by using the coupon code “PODCAST.”

Please help more families find out about this podcast by leaving us a review, telling your friends, or sharing our social media content!

Leave Forte a joke and be featured on an upcoming podcast!

www.speakpipe.com/clapforclassics

Classical music for this podcast is licensed to us for our use by Classical.com

27. Beethoven's 5th: a Dragon Story Sep 22, 2022

Happy Classical Music Month! We are sharing one of our very favorite classical music activities with you, Beethoven’s 5th: a Dragon Story. We made up our own story inspired by the beginning of Beethoven’s 5th Symphony.

Grab the free printable now at www.clapforclassics.com/episode27. It is a PDF with images that accompany the story we will be telling through the music. We like to turn the images into simple popsicle stick puppets or a flannel board story.

Check out the blog post where we show you our flannel board and a short video clip of this activity: www.clapforclassics.com/dragonstory

Join our membership to get access to this activity and a library full of musical play activities like this one. All the details are at www.clapforclassics.com/join Use the code "LION" for 50% off your first month!

Leave Forte a joke and be featured on one of our upcoming podcasts: www.speakpipe.com/clapforclassics

Enjoying the podcast? Please consider helping us reach more families by leaving us a review, telling your friends, or sharing our social media content!

Classical music is licensed to us by classical.com.

26. This Little Light of Mine Sep 08, 2022

Today’s podcast features my friend Adeline, and a wonderful song: “This Little Light of Mine”.

This little light of mine (tap knees), I’m gonna let it shine, (arms: up down up down)

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. (dance in a circle)

This iconic American gospel song has been energizing and uniting diverse groups of people for nearly a century. It’s impossible to sing this song without moving your body and feeling a spark of excitement and purpose. It is a great song to sing with kids because the words are so repetitive, and the message is so positive!

We’ve added some simple actions to each verse, and suggested a flashlight activity for the second time through -- kids and flashlights always seem to be drawn to each other, right?

Want to see a video version of this activity where I sing and dance with 3 young musicians to this song? Find it on the Clap for Classics blog here: https://www.clapforclassics.com/blog/thislittlelight, along with more great information about this song and ideas for how to extend the learning with your child.

Don’t miss these incredible renditions of this song by these famous black artists.

Aretha Franklin, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Fannie Lou Hamer.

This activity is found inside our membership, in the super-fun “American Classics” music course. Want to know more about the membership? Details here: www.clapforclassics.com/join.

To leave Forte and I a message or a joke please record it here: http://www.speakpipe.com/clapforclassics

If you enjoy our podcast please consider leaving us a review, telling a friend about the podcast or sharing about it on social media. This helps us grow and reach more music-loving families!

25. Hi Ho the Rattlin' Bog Sep 01, 2022

Today’s podcast is a fast, fun song from the wetlands of Ireland! Grab an egg shaker and get ready to learn “Hi Ho the Rattlin’ Bog” with me and my young friend Calvin. Grab the free printable that accompanies this episode at www.clapforclassics.com/episode25. It is a PDF with extra lyrics, ukulele chords and extension ideas to continue the learning and fun with this song.

Chorus:

Hi ho the rattlin’ bog

The bog down in the valley-oh

Hi ho the rattlin’ bog

The bog down in the valley-oh

Now in this bog there was a tree

A rare tree, a rattlin’ tree

The tree in the bog, and the bog down in the valley-oh

Chorus

Now on this tree there was a branch

A rare branch, a rattlin’ branch

The branch on the tree,

And the tree in the bog, and the bog down in the valley-oh

Chorus

Now on this branch there was a nest

A rare nest, a rattlin’ nest

The nest on the branch, and the branch on the tree,

And the tree in the bog, and the bog down in the valley-oh

Chorus

Now in this nest there was an egg

A rare egg, a rattlin’ egg

An egg in the nest, and the nest on the branch

And the branch on the tree,

And the tree in the bog, and the bog down in the valley-oh

Chorus

Now on this egg there was a bird

A rare bird, a rattlin’ bird

A bird on the egg, and the egg in the nest

And the nest on the branch, and the branch on the tree,

And the tree in the bog, and the bog down in the valley-o!

This cumulative song is such fun to sing, and great for strengthening our memory.

Here are some possible extension ideas:

Add movement by acting out the parts of the song as you sing: strand straight for the tree, stick out arm for the branch, cup hands for the nest, flapping arms for the bird.

Add a visual: For preschoolers: As you slowly sing or review this song, have your child draw a picture of what the song is about, helping her as needed.

For any age: use felt to cut out a tree, a branch, a nest, an egg, and a bird -- then assemble the parts on a flannel/felt board while you sing, pointing to each part when it comes back again and adding the new piece with each verse. Let your little one help you!

This activity comes straight from one of the most popular courses in our All Access Membership, “A Musical Trip Around the World.”

Join us in our All Access Membership for more active, engaging musical activities for you and your little one. Details are at www.clapforclassics.com/join. Use the code "LION" at checkout for 50% off your first month.

Want to see a video version of this song? Find it on the blog at www.clapforclassics.com/blog/bog

Please consider leaving us a review if you enjoy this podcast, it helps us grow and reach more kids and parents!

24. Row Row Row Your Boat Jul 21, 2022

Today’s podcast is short, sweet, and familiar! My friend Evelyn and I share Row Row Row Your Boat with some fun and silliness!

Hopefully this sparks your creativity to write some more silly verses.

We use our imaginations to pretend we’re in a boat, or sit facing a partner holding hands and rocking back and forth as if in a boat.

Row row row your boat

Gently down the stream

Merrily merrily merrily merrily

Life is but a dream

Row row row your boat

Gently to the shop

And if you see a kangaroo

Don’t forget to hop

Row row row your boat

Gently to the swamp

And if you meet an elephant,

Don’t forget to stomp.

Row row row your boat

Gently down the stream

And if you see a hungry shark,

Don’t forget to scream.

This activity and many others come straight out of our Summer music course which is inside our membership (Use the code "LION" for 50% off your first month) but also found in our "Four Seasons Music and More Curriculum."

Click here to read more about what is included inside the summer course and to see if the Four Seasons Curriculum is right for your family.

How to adapt and extend the activity found in this episode:

Make up new verses with your child. Ask them which animal they would like to meet, what the animal does (ie: stomp, hop, etc) and then come up with a location word that rhymes with the animal’s action.
Imaginative play: take an imaginary trip on a rowboat with your child. As you meet the various characters in the song, imagine what you/they might say, and what types of adventures you may have together.
Create more variations incorporating musical concepts: Example: Row, row, row your boat softly down the stream (piano!), then loudly down the stream (forte!). Row smoothly or bouncily down the stream (legato/staccato), slowly or quickly (adagio/allegro).
Ukulele: learn how to play the C chord, and sing this song while strumming the C chord If you have a few older singers in your family, try singing this song as a round with 2 or 3 groups. One person or group starts the song and continues while the next group starts singing, one phrase later.

What your child is learning:

Cooperation
Gross motor skills
Body awareness
Steady beat
Phonemic awareness (rhyming and repetition)

Music credit: Row, Row Row Your Boat: Traditional American nursery rhyme, credited to Eliphalet Oram Lyte

23. A Musical Boat Ride With Handel Jul 14, 2022

Today we’ll be listening to and learning about a famous piece of music by George Frideric Handel, part of his iconic "Water Music".

Grab some rhythm sticks and the free printable if you’d like to extend the activity for a little more interaction. To grab the free printable that accompanies this episode go to www.clapforclassics.com/episode23. It’s a set of images of the string family and the brass family so you have a visual of the instruments while you listen.

To watch a video of this activity (the one that comes straight out of our All Access Membership), go to https://www.clapforclassics.com/blog/watermusic. There you’ll also find a blog post with more information on the piece and even more ways to extend and enjoy this wonderful music.

Enjoying the podcast? Consider joining us inside our All Access Membership to make learning music fun, engaging and rewarding for you and your young child.

Music Credit: “Water Music” Suite No. 2 in D Major by George Frideric Handel 2. “Alla Hornpipe” Performed by the Orchestre Symphonique de Radio-Télé-Luxembourg, conducted by Louis de Froment

Special thanks to Classical.com for licensing this music for our use on the podcast and in our membership.

22. Gershwin's Rhapsody on Burger and Fries Jul 01, 2022

Join Ms. Elizabeth, Wilder, and Riff the Pig as we share a wonderful piece of music from american composer George Gershwin.

Grab some rhythm sticks and our free printable to extend this activity. The printable includes images of the instruments that we’ll identify as we listen to this piece. Print them on cardstock and mount on popsicle sticks for puppets, or print two sets and use them to play memory with while you listen! Grab it at www.clapforclassics.com/episode22

This activity comes right out of our American Classics course that can be found inside our All Access Membership. Use the code LION to get 50% off your first month!

We teach the theme to Rhapsody in Blue with a silly phrase, and we don’t think you’ll ever hear this piece again without thinking these words!

Fries……… Ketchup and mustard

And don’t forget cheese

On my hamburger dinner today!

Want to extend the fun and learning even more?

Join our All Access Membership for a library of activities just like the one in this podcast.
Watch the animation from Fantasia 2000, accompanied by Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue.
Listen to the entire piece of music during bathtime, or mealtime. Continue listening for the “ketchup and mustard” theme, and listening for the clarinet, trumpet, and piano.
Play a game of musical memory with the free printable from this episode. Just print out two pages of the cards.
Learn more about our American Classics course found inside our All Access Membership.

What your child is learning:

Active engagement with a piece of classical music
Active listening for a repeated theme
Instrument identification: clarinet, trumpet, piano

Music credit: Special thanks to Classical.com for licensing the music on this podcast. “Rhapsody in Blue” by George Gershwin, performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with Christopher O’Riley on piano and Barry Wordsworth conducting

21. Tortuga Concha: call and response song Jun 19, 2022

Learn this fun call and response song from El Salvador! Ms. Elizabeth and Abbey will teach a few words in spanish and then introduce a fun way to sing this song

Tortuga Concha, it’s time to sing

No tengo manos, no tengo pies

Tortuga Concha, it’s time to read

No tengo manos, no tengo pies

Tortuga Concha, it’s time to dance

No tengo manos, no tengo pies

Tortuga Concha, it’s time to write

No tengo manos, no tengo pies

Tortuga Concha, it’s time to clean

No tengo manos, no tengo pies

Oh baby turtle, it’s time to eat

Si tengo manos, Si tengo pies

Join us in our All Access Membership for more active, engaging musical activities for you and your little one. Details are at www.clapforclassics.com/join. Use the code "LION" for 50 % off your first month!

Here are a few ways to extend the fun of this song:

Craft idea: Make a turtle puppet: here is a paper hand puppet idea, and here is a cute glove puppet. Put the puppet on, and tuck your fingers under the “shell” to hide the hands and feet, until the end when the turtle says “Si tengo manos, si tengo pies.”
Check out this awesome art activity based on one of El Salvador’s most famous artists, Fernando Llort.

What your child is learning:

Call and repeat
Spanish vocabulary: manos (hands), pies (feet)
Fine motor skills (finger and toe dexterity)
Gross motor skills
Keeping a steady beat

Classical music licensed to us by Classical.com

20. Familiar Favorites With a Twist May 26, 2022

If you have rhythm sticks you might want to grab them for this episode.

In today’s episode we demonstrate a bunch of fun ways to put a twist on any simple song that you sing with your child. We hope this will give you some fresh new ideas on how to spice up the songs you’re asked to sing on repeat and make more of your musical play at home.

We take 4 simple, familiar songs and share fun ways to change them up.

Grab our free printable list of our favorite children's songs to help get you started at: www.clapforclassics.com/episode20

Watch a free video of me teaching these activities here: www.clapforclassics.com/blog/familiarfavorites

For information on our Clap for Classics! All Access Membership where you can get access to a library of music activities like the ones on this podcast go to www.clapforclassics.com/join. Be sure to use the coupon code "LION" for 50% off your first month.

Here are some ways to add variation to your favorite songs:

1. Change the way you experience the beat. Most kids’ songs have a very steady beat, and young children can never get enough practice feeling and keeping that steady beat. Clap the beat, step or march or dance to the beat, tap different parts of your body, play a simple rhythm instrument, or try a hand-clapping partner activity.

2.Change the actions. Many children’s songs have actions built into them. Elizabeth took the “Grand Old Duke of York” and changed the word “march” to “spin” and then to “hop”, for a fun and active twist. We’ve done “Tiptoe/Stomp/Run around the rosie, pocket full of posie…”. You could even get your itsy bitsy spider to run, dance, or fly up that water spout. Again, let your kids choose the action!

3.Change up the style of the song. This activity builds in music vocabulary and the opportunity for your kiddo to make choices about how you sing.

Shall we sing it with our treble (high) voices or our bass (low) voices?
Shall we sing it presto (super fast) or adagio (slow)?
Shall we sing it legato (smoothly) or staccato (bouncy and detached)?
Shall we sing it forte (loud) or piano (soft)?

These types of changes are SO easy, and kids find them to be so silly and fun. I love using this idea when we’re in the car and need some entertainment. Another bonus about getting your kids familiar with this vocabulary set, is that these musical terms can be fun to incorporate into daily life (IE: instead of “quiet down now!” you can say “use your piano voices!”)

4. Change the words. Find any opportunity you can to personalize a song just for your child. Can you include their name in a song? Can you include their favorite animal or favorite food? (“This little piggy ate chocolate chips” is a popular adaptation at my house)

We hope this episode and these activities give you lots of ideas on how to bring more musical play into your home with your little ones!

Special thanks to Classical.com for licensing the classical music that we used in today’s episode.

Hope you have some fun with these ideas!

19. Peter and the Wolf: Meet the Characters May 19, 2022

Let’s meet the characters and the instruments in Peter and the Wolf. We take our time and talk about Peter, the Cat and Grandpa to give you a little taste of the fun of this wonderful symphonic fairy tale.

Grab 3 free coloring pages to correspond to these 3 characters from the story at www.clapforclassics.com/episode19

Inside our All Access Membership we share this whole wonderful symphonic fairy tale with lots of active listening, games and songs about animals and going on adventures of our own! Join the membership and get access to ALL of our music courses for kids. Use the coupon code "LION" to get 50% off your first month of the membership for being a podcast listener.

Don’t miss Episode 3 of our podcast, where we introduce the bird and the duck from Peter and the Wolf.

Here are a few of our favorite versions of Peter and the Wolf that are worth listening to if you’d like to listen to the whole thing (and we recommend that you do!):

YouTube live orchestra version by Vancouver Symphony

Spotify: David Bowie narrates Peter and the Wolf, played by Philadelphia Orchestra

Amazon Music: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, narrated by Sir John Gielgud

Here are a few links to videos of us teaching more of this story.

https://www.clapforclassics.com/blog/instruments

www.clapforclassics.com/blog/crescendo

Thanks to Classical.com for licensing the classical music that we used in today’s episode.

We listened to excerpts from Peter and the Wolf, by Sergei Prokofiev. Performed by the Royal Philharmonic with Sir John Gielgud as the narrator.

We also want to thank our friends who were featured on their individual instruments:

Heidi Wright on the violin

Dr. Julia Barnett on the flute

Matthew Boyles on the clarinet

Dr. Lizzy Nelson on the oboe

Dr. Joey Kluesener on the bassoon

Dr. Sadie Glass on the french horns

We’d love to feature your little one on the podcast! Here is the link to call in and leave Forte a message or a joke! www.speakpipe.com/clapforclassics

18. A Happy King, a Busy Hen and a Sleeping Princess May 12, 2022

In this episode we share 3 activities that come from our Fairy Tale Course inside of our All Access Membership. Grab a drum and some rhythm sticks and let’s enjoy these musical stories together.

Old King Cole: for this one you need your drum and a mallet to keep a steady beat and do some actions. We’ll also be learning about the musical concepts of staccato and legato during this activity. To watch the video of this activity and get some more ways to extend and adapt this song check out our latest blog post: https://www.clapforclassics.com/blog/oldkingcole

The Little Red Hen: Grab your rhythm sticks for this one and make up some actions with your little one while you listen. This simple tune that we’ve added makes the story more memorable, we think you’ll be singing and acting this one out all day.

The Fairy Garden, from Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite. For our final activity today we tell the end of the story of Sleeping Beauty while listening to this gorgeous classical piece of music. We couldn’t bear to cut any of this piece out, so we share the whole piece which is a full 4 minutes, but you’ll love listening to the story, acting it out, or imagining what is happening in this culminating movement from Ravel’s suite for children.

To hear a bit more of Sleeping Beauty’s story, listen to Episode 5 of our podcast: Love Songs for Little Ones.

For information on our Clap for Classics! All Access Membership where you can get access to a library of music activities like the ones on this podcast go to www.clapforclassics.com/join.

Classical pieces featured in this episode have been licensed for Clap for Classics to use by Classical.com

Don’t forget to call in and leave Forte a message or a joke! We’d love to feature your little one on the podcast! Here is that link: www.speakpipe.com/clapforclassics

17. Bo Peep, Black Sheep and Bach: 3 Nursery rhymes and a calm classical piece May 05, 2022

Click here to grab your free Sheep lesson plan that includes songs and lyrics for the songs we’ve shared, a Mary Had a Little Lamb printable as well as a bunch of extension ideas to keep the learning going beyond the music! www.clapforclassics.com/episode17

We begin with a beautiful, calm piece about sheep by Bach. The Sheep Safely Graze. The recording we use on the podcast is in the public domain and was found on musopen. It was performed by the Toronto Chamber Orchestra.

We enjoyed sharing these 3 sheep- themed nursery rhymes in fun and creative ways. Mary Had a Little Lamb, Baa Baa Black Sheep, and Little Bo Peep.

You don’t want to miss the fun video we recorded at Mary’s original schoolhouse, (and read a quick history lesson). Check it out here: https://www.clapforclassics.com/blog/mary

For information on our Clap for Classics! All Access Membership where you can get access to a library of music activities like the ones on this podcast go to www.clapforclassics.com/join.

16. Springtime, seeds, and butterflies. Apr 29, 2022

Today’s episode is a sneak peek into our Four Seasons: Music and More Spring Curriculum! We share 4 different audio clips from our music, art, poetry, and STEM sections. We know you'll love these nature-themed activities.

To find out more about our Four Seasons Curriculum for kids ages 8 and under, go to www.clapforclassics.com/fourseasons

Music: Maytime Magic by Mabel Watts, melody by Kathryn Lieppman.

Can you make up some simple actions while you listen to this sweet springtime song?

A little seed for me to sow

A little earth to make it grow

A little hole

A little pat

A little wish

And that is that.

A little sun, a little shower,

A little while, and then... a flower.

Poetry: Spring by Karla Kuskin.

Grab a scarf and enjoy listening and experiencing this poem with Leslie Thomas and Ruby, our poetry educators.

I’m shouting

I’m singing

I’m swinging through trees

I’m winging sky-high

With the buzzing black bees.

I’m the sun

I’m the moon

I’m the dew on the rose.

I’m a rabbit

Whose habit Is twitching his nose.

I’m lively

I’m lovely

I’m kicking my heels.

I’m crying “Come dance” to the freshwater eels.

I’m racing through meadows

Without any coat

I’m a gamboling lamb

I’m a light leaping goat

I’m a bud

I’m a bloom

I’m a dove on the wing.

I’m running on rooftops

And welcoming spring!

Art: Yayoi Kusama. Grab this butterfly printable for today’s painting activity with Krisanne Knudsen, our art educator: www.clapforclassics.com/episode16

Here is the image of Yayoi Kusama that Krisanne referenced: https://hirshhorn.si.edu/kusama/yayoi-kusama/

Here you can see the Butterfly painting by Yayoi Kusama: https://www.wikiart.org/en/yayoi-kusama/butterfly-1988

STEM: fruit dissection. You will need a fruit with seeds for this STEM lab. (Dr. Rojas uses a bell pepper) Dr. Eugenia Rojas will guide us through this lab and help us explore and be inquisitive scientists.

Classical music used on this and all our podcast episodes is licensed to us by Classical.com

Don’t forget to call in and leave Forte a message or a joke! We’d love to feature your little one on the podcast! Here is that link: www.speakpipe.com/clapforclassics

Follow us on IG @clapforclassics

15. Let's explore the beautiful earth with our 5 senses. Apr 21, 2022

Come and celebrate the beauties of the earth through music! You don’t need any extra props for today’s episode, just press play and enjoy!

Musical Selections included in today’s episode: Go In and Out the Window: Children’s music standard, written by Lew Pollack (1895-1946)

Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony, 1st movement: Symphony No. 6 in F major, Op. 68. I. Allegro ma non troppo

I Love the Mountains: (Hawaiian folk song), with additional lyrics (“I Love the Oceans”) by Kathryn Lieppman

Grab our FREE “5 Under 5” musical play series to receive some of our favorite musical activities delivered right to your inbox at www.clapforclassics.com/5under5

To watch an Earth Day themed mini music class with Ms. Elizabeth, that includes one of the songs we learn today go to https://www.clapforclassics.com/blog/earth-day-mini-music-class Don’t forget to call in and leave Forte a message or a joke! We’d love to feature your little one on the podcast! Here is that link: www.speakpipe.com/clapforclassics Special thanks to Classical.com for licensing the classical music to us that we share on this podcast.

14. Eggs, eggs, and more eggs. Apr 14, 2022

Have you grabbed our 5 Under 5 Musical Play Series yet? Sign up and we’ll send you 5 days of musical fun for you and your little one in under 5 minutes each day. We share some of our favorite musical activities that require no preparation, but are packed full of fun and learning! Go to www.clapforclassics.com/5under5 to sign up and get started!

For today’s podcast episode you will need to grab an egg shaker (or find a substitute around the house: the spice cabinet is a great place to look!) and let’s sing songs about eggs today.

“Shake and shake and shake and shake and stop” is a favorite around here to practice listening skills and impulse control, but we can customize it so many ways that the teaching opportunities are endless!

We’re gonna shake and shake and shake and shake and stop.

“Eggs, eggs, we like eggs!” This simple tune is a fun one for breakfast time, or anytime! We work on color recognition and body part recognition too- a great one for young toddlers.

Eggs, eggs, we like eggs,

Hard boiled poached or scrambled.

If you have a blue egg….

Ballet of the Unhatched Chicks from Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition” is a short, fast-paced, imagination-packed classical piece that you don’t want to miss!

The final egg-themed song is a Clap for Classics! Original: “Shakey the Shaker.”

Shakey the shaker makes a sound,

Shaky the shaker spins around

She can do a dance

Take a bow

How would you like to shake her now?

To watch an egg-themed mini music class with Ms. Elizabeth, similar to what you heard on the podcast today, check out this link: https://www.clapforclassics.com/blog/eggshakers

Looking for more mini classes with Ms. Elizabeth and Charlotte? Here’s one you might like all about bunnies! https://www.clapforclassics.com/blog/bunnies

Don’t forget to call in and leave Forte a message or a joke! We’d love to feature your little one on the podcast! Here is that link: www.speakpipe.com/clapforclassics

Thank you to Classical.com for licensing the classical music that we use on our podcast and inside our membership and courses!

13. All about birds: a nursery rhyme, folk song and Vivaldi! Apr 07, 2022

If you’d like to help your little ones develop an appreciation for classical music, make musical memories with your family, enjoy flexibility of an at-home program, and learn right alongside your kiddos, come join us in our All Access Membership.

Check out details and get signed up at www.clapforclassics.com/join

Today’s episode is all about birds! Grab a scarf and let’s get started!

We’ve created a free printable that is optional to use during the Classical listening activity: www.clapforclassics.com/episode13

Today we share three bird-themed activities:

Little Bird: traditional folk song. Use your scarf to fly like a bird while we sing about lots of different kinds of birds. Do you have a favorite bird?

Little bird, little bird, fly through my window

Find molasses candy.

Fly through my window my sugar lump

And find molasses candy.

(then substitute different birds for the words “little bird’)

Vivaldi’s Four seasons: Spring concerto, 1st movement. Learn what a concerto is, and listen for the different springtime sounds that Vivaldi wrote into this piece: birds, a brook, and a thunder storm.
2 Little Blackbirds: nursery rhyme with melody by Kathryn Lieppman. We practice opposites with this fun fingerplay! If you’d like to watch a video of us teaching this song, go to https://www.clapforclassics.com/blog/2-little-blackbirds-fingerplay

What other verses can you come up with?

Two little blackbirds sitting on a hill.

One named Jack and one named Jill.

Fly away Jack, fly away Jill.

Come back Jack, come back Jill.

Two little blackbirds flying in the sky.

One named Low and one named High...

Sitting on the snow . . . 1 named fast, 1 named slow . . .

Sitting on a clover . . . 1 named under and one named over

Sitting on a lily… 1 was serious, the other was silly...

Special thanks to www.Classical.com for licensing the classical music to us that we share on this podcast.

We would love to hear from your kids! Leave Forte a joke, or just call in and say hi and tell us where you’re from: www.speakpipe.com/clapforclassics We would love to feature you on the next podcast!

12. Let's Move and Rhyme Mar 31, 2022

In this episode we introduce you to a few activities from our free “5 Under 5” musical play resource we created for you.

We’ll be sharing 3 of our favorite songs and activities:

1. Baby Kangaroo: a Clap for Classics! Original and one of our favorite movement songs. (Found in our Carnival of the Animals course)

2. Hey Diddle Diddle, a classic nursery rhyme with a twist

3. Classical Music Freeze dance with “Flight of the Bumblebee”

Our free musical play series designed for busy parents is called “5 Under 5” and was developed to help stressed parents have fun with their kids and ensure they’re learning, too.

You’ll receive 5 days of short musical activities right to your inbox. In addition to the videos you’ll receive a bunch of ideas on how to expand the learning if you so choose. Grab it at www.clapforclassics.com/5under5

Each video is:

✅ Less than 5 minutes - perfect to squeeze in between laundry or to avoid a meltdown

✅ Educational, entertaining, and helps kids develop their skills and knowledge

✅ Ready to go - no prep, planning, or explanation from you. Just press “play” and it’s time for play! Sign up now at www.clapforclassics.com/5under5 and get ready to play along!

Baby Kangaroo- one of our favorite movement songs. You’ll alternate between snuggling up and hopping up and down for this one. Listen carefully to the song to know what to do!

Baby kangaroo is snuggled up with mama

Inside her warm and cozy pouch

One sunny day, baby kanga wants to play

Says “knock knock knock - mama let me out!” (OK!)

So… Out she pops, hoppity hop

Hoppity hoppity hop - a- don’t stop

Hop hop hop until she drops

Ouch! Should she try again?

Up she pops, hoppity hop

Hoppity hoppity hop - a- don’t stop

Hop hop hop until she drops

Baby kangaroo is tired…

Baby kangaroo goes hopping to her mama

Into her warm and cozy pouch

It is time for sleep, but baby wants to keep on

Hopping, though she’s really worn out

So… Out she pops, hoppity hop

Hoppity hoppity hop - a- don’t stop

Hop hop hop until she drops

Baby kangaroo goes hopping to her mama

Into her warm and cozy pouch

Now she snuggles in, and hugs her mama tight

She’ll dream of those hops - all night - goodnight!

In the morning… Out she pops!...

Hey Diddle Diddle. Nursery rhymes have tons of benefits for young children! To learn more about the benefits of nursery rhymes, and to watch a video with this activity in it click here: https://www.clapforclassics.com/blog/language

Hey Diddle diddle the cat and the fiddle

The cow jumps over the moon

The little dog laughs to see such sport

And the dish runs away with the spoon

Classical Freeze Dance- this one is a classic and the simplicity of it is not to be underestimated!

Music was “Flight of the Bumblebee” by Rimsky Korsakov. This recording is part of the public domain.

Other classical music played on this podcast are licensed to us by Classical.com

We would love to hear from your kids and feature them on the podcast!

Leave Forte a joke, or just call in and say hi and tell us where you’re from: www.speakpipe.com/clapforclassics

If you’d like to help your little ones develop an appreciation for classical music, make musical memories with your family, enjoy flexibility of an at-home program, and learn right alongside your kiddos, come join us in our All Access Membership. Check out details and get signed up at www.clapforclassics.com/join

11. A Musical Trip to Outer Space Mar 24, 2022

Do you have a little one who loves space? You won’t want to miss this episode that is out of this world!

In this episode we share 4 musical activities and a free printable!

1. A nursery rhyme song about the man in the moon

2. 2 contrasting movements of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata and compare them to the dark and bright sides of the moon!

3. An asteroid chant and learn about asteroids and meteorites.

4. One of our favorite Clap for Classics! originals: “The Planets of the Solar System.

To grab the free planet cards printable, go to www.clapforclassics.com/episode11

The activities featured in this podcast all come from our All Access Membership. Inside the membership we have lots of themed musical content including a whole course all about space! To access the rest of our space-themed course, join us in our All Access Membership: www.clapforclassics.com/join

The Man in the Moon

The man in the moon

Looked out of the moon

And this is what he said,

“Tis time that, now I’m getting up,

All babies went to bed."

Asteroid Rhythm Chant

An asteroid flies through the sky at night

When it hits the earth it's a meteorite!

The Planets of the Solar System, by Kathryn Lieppman

Mercury is closest to the sun

Next is Venus, it’s the hottest one

Here’s Earth, the planet where we see

Amazing life that breathes

And then there’s Mars nearby

It looks red in the sky

Whoa - big! It’s Jupiter, the giant planet made of gas

Next Saturn is a planet that has rings that spin so fast

Brrr! Uranus is so cold, so cold

And Neptune is furthest from the sun. Now we’re done.

Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune

These are the planets of the solar system!

If you’d like to watch a video of "The Planets of the Solar System" activity, go to this link: www.clapforclassics.com/blog/planets

We would love to hear from your kids! Leave Forte a joke, or just call in and say hi and tell us where you’re from: www.speakpipe.com/clapforclassics We would love to feature you on the podcast!

If you’d like to help your little ones develop an appreciation for classical music, make musical memories with your family, enjoy flexibility of an at-home program, and learn right alongside your kiddos, come join us in our All Access Membership. Check out details and get signed up at www.clapforclassics.com/join

Classical Music Tracks used in this episode are licensed to us by Classical.com Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata Piano Sonata No. 14 in C sharp minor, Op. 27 No. 2 (Moonlight)

10. This is the Way We Tap Our Sticks Mar 17, 2022

Grab some rhythm sticks (or 2 wooden spoons, or 2 blocks, etc) and let’s learn about beat and rhythm with Ms. Elizabeth and Forte the Lion!

Let’s explore the many ways we can play with one of our favorite instruments for kids: rhythm sticks.

This is The Way We Tap Our Sticks

This is the way we tap our sticks, tap our sticks, tap our sticks,

This is the way we tap our sticks: tap tap tap.

This is the way we rub our sticks: rub rub rub.

This is the way we hammer our sticks, hammer, hammer, hammer.

This is the way we roll our sticks, roll our sticks, roll our sticks.

Let’s practice a steady beat with 3 classical pieces.

Can you find the beat and tap along?

We listened to excerpts from the following pieces:

1. Mozart:Horn Concerto No. 4 in E flat, K. 495 - K. 495 performed by Jeffrey Bryant (Horn) Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (Ensemble)

2. Vivaldi: The Four Seasons: Spring in E major, RV 269 / Op. 8 No. 1 performed by Ensemble Orchestral de Paris

3. Handel: Water Music Suite No. 2 in D, HWV 349 - HWV 349 performed by Orchestre Symphonique de Radio-Télé-Luxembourg

Classical.com has licensed the classical music for us to use on this podcast.

Zip and Zap. This is a fun and silly action song. The actions are easy to pick up on and a fun way to use your imagination with your rhythm sticks. Most kids music is written in major keys, and this one is in a minor key, which is great for developing kids ears and listening abilities.

Hello Zip! Hello Zap! Zip and Zap go tap tap tap.

Goodbye Zip! Goodbye Zap! Zip and Zap behind the back.

Zip goes high, Zap goes high, Zip and Zap can touch the sky!

Zip goes low, Zap goes low, Zip and Zap can touch my toes.

Zip to the side, Zap to the side Zip and Zap can reach so wide.

Zip comes back, Zap comes back Zip and Zap go tap tap tap

Tap tap tap, Tap tap tap, Tap tap tap Tap tap tap tap

If you’d like to watch a video of Zip and Zap, check out this blog post: https://www.clapforclassics.com/blog/zipandzap

The last activity but one of our favorites is a Beat vs. Rhythm challenge. We use the well known nursery rhyme, “The Itsy Bitsy Spider” to practice! Will you give it a try?

To watch a rhythm stick mini music class to get even more practice with steady beat check this out: https://www.clapforclassics.com/blog/rhythmsticks

We would love to hear from your kids! Leave Forte a joke, or just call in and say hi and tell us where you’re from: www.speakpipe.com/clapforclassics

We would love to feature you on the podcast! If you’d like to help your little ones develop an appreciation for classical music, make musical memories with your family, enjoy flexibility of an at-home program, and learn right alongside your kiddos, come join us in our All Access Membership. Check out details and get signed up at www.clapforclassics.com/join

9. Bouncy Chickens and a Graceful Swan: Staccato/Legato Mar 10, 2022

Grab a scarf or clear some space to move your body while you learn about the difference between staccato and legato with Ms. Elizabeth and Forte.

We’ll be experiencing this musical concept with our voices and with our bodies and then we’ll compare and contrast two different classical movements from Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals to reinforce the idea.

We often share free printables to accompany our podcast episodes. For this episode we’ve created a staccato and legato printable for your little one to give them a visual representation to help them understand this concept even further, just click here to grab your FREE download: www.clapforclassics.com/episode9

If your little one enjoyed this episode, you might like to check out one of our membership course videos that we’ve put up on our blog. Ms. Elizabeth teaches the concept of staccato and legato at this link: www.clapforclassics.com/blog/hensandchickens and here is a mini class where we focus on the concept of legato with a few different activities: https://www.clapforclassics.com/blog/legato

Interested in joining us in our All Access Membership so you can get access to even more great music education for your little one? Check out details and get signed up at www.clapforclassics.com/join

We would absolutely love to hear from our listeners! If you’d like to leave Forte a message or a joke (with a chance to be featured on the podcast) click on the link to record your message and send it over to Forte: www.speakpipe.com/clapforclassics

Big thank you to Classical.com for licensing the classical music for us to use on this podcast and in all of our courses!

8. Pots and Pans Percussion Mar 03, 2022

Join Ms. Elizabeth and Forte as we use pots and pans and kitchen utensils to make music! We begin the episode by gathering some kitchen items to use as percussion instruments. Gather a variety of sizes and materials: pots, bowls, bins, pans. Don’t forget the utensils: wooden spoon, metal spoon, spatula, whisk, etc.

Steady Beat

Steady Beat, steady beat,

Can’t beat that steady beat,

Steady beat steady beat,

Can’t beat that steady beat.

This song can be adapted in so many ways! Forte/piano, adagio/allegro, marching, stomping, jumping, tip-toeing, etc. Feel free to try making different sounds with your drum or movements with your body. Your child is really working on experiencing steady beat as they sing and play this song.

Aaron Copland’s “Hoe-down” from Rodeo. This recording is of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Philip Ellis.

Peas Porridge Hot

Pease porridge hot

Pease porridge cold

Pease porridge in the pot

Nine days old

Some like it hot

Some like it cold

Some like it in the pot

Nine days old

This nursery rhyme chant is another great way to reinforce steady beat!

Interested in joining us in our All Access Membership so you can get access to even more great music education for your little one? Check out details and get signed up at www.clapforclassics.com/join

If your little one liked this episode, they might also like the free pots and pans mini class that you can watch on our blog: https://www.clapforclassics.com/blog/potsandpans

Thank you to Classical.com for licensing the classical music for us to use on this podcast and in all of our courses!

7. Get To Know The String Family Feb 24, 2022

Let’s learn about the string family of the orchestra! We will meet each member of the string family, learn about how the instruments make sound, and hear a beautiful example of each instrument from our professional musician friends.

Optional props and resources to enhance your listening:

1. Printable orchestra map puzzle resource: www.clapforclassics.com/episode7

2. Rhythm Sticks (can also use blocks, wooden spoons, chopsticks, etc.)

To share a video with your little one of this same instruction head over to our blog: www.clapforclassics.com/blog/stringfamily. There we also include more details and ideas on how to adapt and extend the learning.

This video is just one tiny part inside of our "Meet the Orchestra" course where we tour each of the four instrument families: strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion. In that course we also learn about the important role of the conductor, enjoy lots of musical examples including listening to a large portion of Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition."

You can find the rest of the course inside of our All Access Membership! Check out all the details and get signed up here! www.clapforclassics.com/join

The String Family Song (To the tune of I’m a Little Teapot)

They are made of strings and hollow wood.

Say hello to the string family.

Violin viola cello bass

Don’t forget the lovely harp.

Push and pull a bow across the strings

To make long sound vibrations

Or you can use your fingers pluck pluck pluck

Pizzicato pizzicato pizzicato

Music Credit:

String Family Song: Clap for Classics original by Kathryn Lieppman (based on the tune: “I’m a Little Teapot”)

Violin: Caleb Nixon (age 9) playing an excerpt from Bach's Gavotte in D Major.

Viola: Lizzy and Lorenzo Golofeev playing an excerpt from Tchaikovsky's Waltz of the Flowers.

Cello: Jennifer Humphreys playing an excerpt from Bach's Courante from G Major Suite for Cello Solo No. 1 BWV 1007

Double Bass: Jory Herman playing the melody from Saint-Saëns' Elephant, from the Carnival of the Animals.

Harp: Héloïse Carlean-Jones playing an excerpt from Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel.

String family example: Peter and the Wolf by Sergei Prokofiev. Classical recordings licensed to us by Classical.com.

6. Black History Month: a musical celebration Feb 17, 2022

It is February, and it is Black History Month! Today we’re sharing music we love by black artists of the 20th century.

1. Hello, by Ella Jenkins

Hello hello hello and how are you

I’m fine I’m fine and I hope that you are too

Sing this song with any variation you can think of, soft, loud, humming, whistling, la la la-ing!

Ella Jenkins has been dubbed the “The First Lady of the Children's Folk Song.” Here is a playlist of some of our favorites, but be sure to check her out with your kids, we think you’ll love her music as much as we do.

To watch a mini class where Ms. Elizabeth and her 5 kids share 3 Ella Jenkins songs click here.

2. This Little Light of Mine

This little light of mine (tap knees), I’m gonna let it shine, (arms: up down up down)

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. (dance in a circle)

This iconic American gospel song has been energizing and uniting diverse groups of people for nearly a century. It’s impossible to sing this song without moving your body and feeling a spark of excitement and purpose. It is a great song to sing with kids because the words are so repetitive, and the message is so positive! We’ve added some simple actions to each verse, and suggested a flashlight activity for the second time through -- kids and flashlights always seem to be drawn to each other, right?

Don’t miss these incredible renditions of this song by these famous black artists.

Aretha Franklin

Sister Rosetta Tharpe

Fannie Lou Hamer

3. Maple Leaf Rag, Scott Joplin

Performed by Stefano Ligoratti. Recording used with permission.

You don’t want to miss this recording of Scott Joplin performing this piece himself!

Join our All Access Membership for access to activities like the ones found on this podcast.

The membership includes: Over 250 engaging and educational music lesson videos with new content added regularly.

Comprehensive music courses organized by theme, for example: "Carnival of the Animals", "Peter and the Wolf," "Rhymes and Games," etc.

Printable resources, including lesson plan ideas, parent programs, instrument and animal puppet printables, coloring pages, and more!

Extensive "Notes to the Grown-ups" for each lesson, so that you can see exactly what your child is learning, with ideas on how to adapt and extend the lessons.

Downloadable audio tracks of the classical music as well as the activities, so that you can listen off screen.

Get signed up at: www.clapforclassics.com/join

5. Love Songs for Little Ones Feb 10, 2022

This is an episode with love songs for our little ones. We include one folk song, one Clap for Classics! original song, and the beautiful Waltz from Tchaikovsky's ballet, Sleeping Beauty.

Love Somebody

This is an Appalachian folk song, originally a fiddle tune.

Love somebody yes I do,

Love somebody but I won’t say who.

Love my mommy yes I do,

Love my mommy and she loves me too!

The Sleeping Beauty, Op. 66- Valse Allegro, Tchaikovsky.

Watch a video of Elizabeth and Charlotte teaching and dancing to the sleeping beauty waltz: https://www.clapforclassics.com/blog/sleeping-beauty-waltz

If you’d like to purchase our Fairy Tale Course where we tell even more of the story of Sleeping Beauty as well as incorporate other fairy tales and wonderful music, you can find it in our Fairy Tales and Nursery Rhymes bundle, or inside our All Access Membership.

Find all the details at www.clapforclassics.com/store

Will you waltz with me,

Will you be my partner please?

If you will, I’ll spin you around And round,

then give you a squeeze

Pretty please will you waltz with me

Will you be my partner please?

Waltzing is my favorite thing in the world!

Many thanks to Classical.com for licensing the classical music for us to use in the podcast and in our courses.

Let’s Sing a Song About Hugs.

Written by Kathryn Lieppman, it is a Clap for Classics! original and features Kathryn Lieppman and Elizabeth Nixon on ukulele and vocals, and Imogene Lieppman (age 4) on vocals and desk bells.

You can watch this video on our youtube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmKolRJchIg

Let’s sing a song about hugs!

Chorus:

Some are tight

And some are gentle

Some are short

And some are long and sentimental

A hug can help you feel okay

If you get a little boo boo

Or you’re having a rough tough day

Try and hug it all away

Chorus

A hug can help you share some love

With a very special grownup

Taking care of you

So hug ‘em all day through

Chorus

A hug can help you cheer a friend

When she seems a little sad

You can bend her frown back to a smile

Just hug her for a while

Chorus

A hug can help you feel so great

But sometimes we just need some personal space

(And that’s ok, too!)

Join our All Access Membership for access to activities like the ones found on this podcast. The membership includes:

Over 250 engaging and educational music lesson videos with new content added regularly.
Comprehensive music courses organized by theme, for example: "Carnival of the Animals", "Peter and the Wolf," "Rhymes and Games," etc.
Printable resources, including lesson plan ideas, parent programs, instrument and animal puppet printables, coloring pages, and more!
Extensive "Notes to the Grown-ups" for each lesson, so that you can see exactly what your child is learning, with ideas on how to adapt and extend the lessons.
Downloadable audio tracks of the classical music as well as the activities, so that you can listen off screen.

Get signed up at: www.clapforclassics.com/join

4. Nursery Rhymes with Presto and Adagio Feb 01, 2022

Join Ms. Elizabeth and Forte the Lion while they share two favorite nursery rhyme activities and two movements from Bizet’s Jeux D’Enfants or Children’s Games.

We begin by practicing steady beat and learning 1,2, Buckle My Shoe with rhythm sticks.

We meet Presto the Wild Donkey and Adagio the Tortoise and learn the musical concepts of presto and adagio while singing a favorite nursery rhyme, Wind the Bobbin Up.

We finish up by listening to The Doll and The March, by Bizet and moving our bodies in different ways. We listen for the different meters and move accordingly.

Teaching and sharing Nursery Rhymes with young kids has so many benefits. We’ve got a list of some of our favorite nursery rhymes, it’s in two sections, ones you probably know, and some that you might not know but are worth checking out. If you’d like the printable, click here: www.clapforclassics.com/episode4

Watch a video of Charlotte and I, Presto, and Adagio sharing Wind the Bobbin up here: https://www.clapforclassics.com/blog/bobbin

We share a few of the benefits of nursery rhymes in this article as well as a video of 2 more nursery rhymes: Hey Diddle Diddle and Little Boy Blue. https://www.clapforclassics.com/blog/language

Do you have a little one between the ages of 0-2, we’ve got something just for the sweet little ones! In our Nursery Rhyme Baby Time course we share nursery rhyme activities as well as Bizet’s Children’s Games. We give you lots of tips and ideas on how to enjoy music-making and nursery rhymes with your baby. Check out the details at www.clapforclassics.com/baby

Join our All Access Membership for access to a growing library of musical content for little ones ages 2-6 at www.clapforclassics.com/join. Be sure to use the coupon code "LION" at checkout to get 50% off your first month!

Classical music played on this podcast is licensed to us by classical.com

3. What Kind of Bird are You?: A Peter and the Wolf Sneak Peek Jan 31, 2022

Today we’re sharing a tiny peek into one of our very favorite classical pieces, Peter and the Wolf! We will meet the bird and the duck and learn about the flute and the oboe (the instruments that represent those animals in Peter and the Wolf.

We’ve got a free printable to accompany this episode, grab it here: www.clapforclassics.com/episode3

From Up in My Tree: This is a song about a bird, inspired by the bird from Peter and the Wolf. From up in my tree tree tree (ring ring)

Oh what do I see see see? (Ring Ring)

I see a squirrel squirrel squirrel (ring ring)

It makes me go tweet tweet tweet

How to extend/adapt this activity: Talk more about the bird’s perspective from up high in the tree. Sing this song with other ideas of what the bird might be seeing. Talk about the concept of high and low - make high tweeting/chirping bird sounds, then talk about which animals make low sounds.

What your child is learning: Impulse control, active listening, observation, musical concept of pitch (high and low)

Quack, Quack, Quack, Quack

Quack quack quack quack (quack or clap hands with a partner)

Waddle waddle waddle

Quack quack quack quack

Waddle to the pond

Quack quack quack quack

Dive into the water

Quack quack quack quack

Paddle all day long

Quack quack quack quack

Paddle very quickly

Quack quack quack quack

Paddle very slowly

Quack quack quack quack

Now I’m getting hungry

Quack quack quack quack

Dive down for a treat

Quack quack quack quack

Nibble nibble nibble

Quack quack quack quack

Now I’ll go to sleep

How to extend/adapt: Have your child move around the room a bit more -- start outside the “pond”, then dive in. Hop out of the pond at the end to snuggle up on the shore for bedtime. For babies: use the “quack quack quack quack” refrain to clap their hands together on your lap, or their feet if they are lying down on their back. Paddle their legs, and give them a tickle or a raspberry on their belly when it’s time to “nibble”

What your child is learning: Motor skills, concept of fast and slow, sequencing

After meeting the bird and duck and singing songs about them, we listen to the part in Peter and the Wolf where the two animals meet and tease each other. We enjoy identifying the different instruments and then sing a simple little song pretending to be either the bird or the duck.

What kind of bird are you if you can’t fly?

Said the bird to the swimming duck.

What kind of bird are you if you can’t swim?

Said the duck as she dived in the pond!

How to extend/adapt: Discuss the concept of teasing -- when is it ok, when is it not ok? How should you handle it if someone teases you? How should we treat others whose abilities are different from ours? Do some pretend play with your child -- one of you pretends to be the bird, and the other pretends to be the duck, possibly using puppets. What happens next, after the song is over? Role play the way you’d like to handle “teasing” in your family. Discuss and categorize other birds that fly, birds that swim, and birds that do both. Learn about the special features swimming birds have, that flying birds do not have.

Here’s a nice YouTube video by FreeSchool introducing many birds, and basic facts: https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/

Check out the National Geographic Kids page on birds: https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/

Print, cut and prepare the bird and duck images and instrument images from the free printable found here: www.clapforclassics.com/episode3

What your child is learning: Instrument identification, communication, kindness

To watch a little introduction to Peter and the Wolf video that includes the “From Up in My Tree,” go to www.clapforclassics.com/blog/peter

If you’d like to see all of our Peter and the Wolf songs and activities for little ones ages 2-6, you can purchase our Peter and the Wolf course bundle. Find it at www.clapforclassics.com/store

OR, join our All Access Membership for access to ALL of the musical content we’ve ever created for little ones at www.clapforclassics.com/join

Special thanks to classical.com for licensing the classical music that we use on this podcast.

2. The Cuckoo and a Quiet Cat Jan 31, 2022

FIRST! We’ve got a free printable that you might want to grab for your little one to use to play with while listening to this episode. There are images of the two instruments we’ll be listening to as well as a visual representation of forte and piano and will help your little one understand this musical concept even better. Go to www.clapforclassics.com/episode2 to grab it.

In today’s episode we’ll be meeting a new friend, Piano the Cat. She will help us understand the words piano, that means the opposite of orte, which we learned in the last episode.

We’ll sing a familiar song, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star both quietly and loudly to solidify the concept of forte and piano.

Next we’ll introduce the quiet sounds of The Cuckoo from Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals. We’ll identify the different sounds of the piano and the clarinet in this piece. Then we’ll contrast the quiet Cuckoo with the forte Royal March of the Lion, from the same piece, which we introduced in the previous podcast episode.

Forte and Piano are musical concepts that are fun to practice and reinforce at home. Try making forte and piano sounds with your voices and your body. This is a fun way to teach inside and outside voices!

If you enjoyed this podcast and would like to see a video of Charlotte and I enjoying The Cuckoo, you can watch that here: www.clapforclassics.com/blog/cuckoo

Check out this song about a cuckoo clock, with lots of ideas on how to listen and play with the song for babies and bigger kids. https://www.clapforclassics.com/blog/ticktock

If you’d like to see all of our Carnival of the Animals songs and activities for little ones ages 2-6, you can purchase our Carnival of the Animals course bundle. Find it at www.clapforclassics.com/store

OR, join our All Access Membership for access to ALL of the musical content we’ve ever created for little ones at www.clapforclassics.com/join

Want to know about Carnival of the Animals and how to enjoy this music with your young kids? Check out this article: https://www.clapforclassics.com/blog/carnival

Special thanks to Classical.com for licensing the music for us to use on this podcast and inside our courses!

1. Let's Make Forte Sounds Together! Jan 31, 2022

Forte the Lion takes center stage in this episode while we learn about the musical term of Forte.

We’ll also practice keeping a steady beat, so be sure to grab something to drum on if you can, you can also just tap your legs or clap to the beat as well.

First we’ll listen to “The Royal March of the Lion” from Saint- Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals. Clear some space if you can so you can march like a regal lion, or crawl around and ROAR while you listen to this music. We’ll listen for the low notes of the piano (or lion roars). Count how many roars you hear in this piece.

Next we will learn a new song, “Listen to the Lion” song. Grab an instrument, or clap or tap to the beat while we sing this song in a beautiful forte voice. The melody comes from the piece we just listened to, Saint-Saëns’ “Royal March of the Lion.”

Lyrics:

Listen to the lion roaring

Roaring very loud like this (ROAR!)

Lion makes a forte sound

You can hear the roar for miles

Let’s make forte sounds together

Loud and strong and brave you see

Listen to the lion roaring

Roaring very loud like this (ROAR!)

Lion makes a forte sound

You can hear the roar for miles

Let’s make forte sounds together

Loud and strong and brave you see

Listen to the lion Listen to the lion

Listen to the lion roar!

Music in this episode is licensed to us by Classical.com

To see a video of one of the activities in this episode check it out at https://www.clapforclassics.com/blog/fortethelion

Want to join us in our All Access Membership for access to all of our engaging and educational activities? Check out all the details at www.clapforclassics.com/join. Be sure to use the coupon code "LION" at checkout for 50% off your first month of the membership.

Purchase our Carnival of the Animals bundle that includes an in-depth exploration of the fanciful classical music work by Saint-Saëns. Musical concepts such as high and low, presto and adagio, and rhythm and beat will be introduced. Children will use their imaginations, learn sign language, sing in spanish, do yoga, play instruments and more! Purchase it at www.clapforclassics.com/store

For tips on how to nurture your child's inner musician check out this article: https://www.clapforclassics.com/blog/innermusician

Want to know about Carnival of the Animals and how to enjoy this music with your young kids? Check out this article: https://www.clapforclassics.com/blog/carnival

Here's a 18 minute mini class where I teach the concepts of forte and piano: https://www.clapforclassics.com/blog/forte

Special thanks to classical.com for licensing the classical music that we use on this podcast.

0. Introducing.... a brand new music podcast for young kids! Jan 26, 2022

Join Ms. Elizabeth and her sidekick Forte the Lion as they share what to expect from this podcast!

Here you'll find engaging and educational music activities for young kids ages 2-6.

During each episode you and your toddler, preschooler, or kindergartener will sing songs, move your bodies, and listen and engage with great classical music.

We hope you'll subscribe and tune in each week. Listen at home, during mealtime, bathtime, in the car, or anywhere!

Clap for Classics! helps parents foster a love of music in their young children by providing high-quality music education that teaches foundational music concepts through playful, engaging lessons.

Classical music is a central part of our students’ curriculum, inspiring children and their caretakers alike, along with folk songs, nursery rhymes, original music, instrument play, movement and more.

Clap for Classics! is perfect for parents who want their children to receive an early music education but don’t want to have one more thing to plan. You get to be the cheerleader, supporter, and playmate with your child while you spend quality time bonding and learning together.

Would you like more information on the courses and membership offers that we have?

Check out our website at www.clapforclassics.com

Join our email list at www.clapforclassics.com/email so you don’t miss any of our new episodes, events, coupons, and other great resources for bringing music into your home with your little one!

Special thanks to classical.com for licensing the classical music that we use on this podcast.