10 Best Books to SING to Children

By Jennifer Ryckaert

Ms. Ryckaert is early childhood music instructor at The Kanack School on South Clinton Avenue in Rochester. She also teaches at the Hochstein School of Music and Dance and offers classes at other schools around the greater Rochester area. See below for more information about The Kanack School.

• The Eensy Weensy Spider, adapted by Nadine Bernard Westcott
  
  
• The Wheels on the Bus, by Maryann Kovalski
  
  
• Over in the Meadow, by Ezra Jack Keats
  
• Mary Wore Her Red Dress and Henry Wore His Green Sneakers, by Merle Peek
  
  
• Today is Monday, illustrated by Eric Carle
  
  
• It's Raining, It's Pouring, by Kim Eagle
  
  
• Down by the Station, by Will Hillenbrand
  
  
• Baby Beluga, by Raffi
  
  
• I've Been Working on the Railroad, by Nadine Bernard Westcott
  
  
• 10 Little Ladybugs, by Melanie Gerth (to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star")
  
  
  

The Kanack School philosophy is that all children are born with varying degrees of strengths and weaknesses. In music some children are naturally better at note reading while others are better at memorization; some exhibit a greater facility for developing technical skills while others are more creative and expressive. Rarely are students gifted in all areas, but by using a balanced approach that incorporates all of these elements, our program enables students to heighten their strengths while building on their weaknesses.

Private lessons are offered in violin, viola, cello, piano, flute, guitar, voice and composition. Also offered are Orff based early childhood music classes, ballet/tap, ballroom dance, and pre-twinkle classes in violin and cello.

The Kanack School also offers weekly classes for children 18 months through 4 years based on the principles of Orff Schulwerk, a joyful, activity based approach to music learning. Classes are offered on Fridays from 11:00-11:45 and 12:15-1:00 and are only $8.00 per class! Call 244-6910 for more information.