Songs, Stories, Concepts, & Quotes in the SECE Baby/Toddler Class
SAA Biennial Conference 2024
March 22, 2024, 11-11:20 AM
Susan Stephenson
Email: yourmusicalbaby@gmail.com
Website: https://yourmusicalbaby.com/
Purpose of the Session
- This session connects to the theme of “Expanding and Connecting Communities” by giving teachers “how to” ideas and techniques for Suzuki ECE Baby/Toddler Class to help educate parents even more effectively.
- Parents/children are exposed to the studio instrument and gain an appreciation of live performances expanding into community concert attendance.
- They are also introduced to literature which encourages them to read and learn about the world and develop empathy for other people and situations.
- The Suzuki ECE Concepts and quotes reinforce the life lessons and character traits learned from the stories to become fine human beings.
How to use this guide
- There is no one right way to do this. I really don’t have a “magic formula”.
- In fact, this was born more from my “wandering mind” than anything else.
- During a planning session one Spring day, I decided I would read “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle at the Baby Class that coming week.
- Next, I spun off thinking that the Suzuki ECE Concept, “Environment Nurtures Growth” would fit with that story.
- I would talk about some ways that parents can provide a nurturing environment for their child to learn and grow.
- Then, it seemed logical to add a Suzuki quote to reinforce the life lesson learned in the story book.
- Finally, I figured out that “May Song” from the violin repertoire would fit perfectly into the the Spring, caterpillar/butterfly, environment nurtures growth train of thought that I had going.
- So, use this guide to help you get started. There are ideas for seven classes. This could help get the thought process going for you to continue making your own plans for your Baby Classes.
- Step 1: choose a story book.
- Step 2: decide which Suzuki ECE Concept fits the story
- Step 3: Find a Suzuki Quote to fit that Concept.
- Step 4: choose a piece from your instrument’s repertoire that fits with the story book. In this case, “May Song” reminds us of Spring, butterflies, the change in the environment, etc.
| Songs-Violin Piece | Story Books | SECE 7 Concepts | Suzuki Quotes |
| Twinkle Variation A by S. Suzuki | The Carrot Seed by Ruth Kraus | Every Child Can Learn | “Every child grows. Everything depends upon how he is raised. Every child is born with outstanding ability.” |
| Andantino by S. Suzuki | Everywhere Babies by Susan Meyers | Ability Develops Early | “Abilities are developed. They are not inborn. Let us, with perseverance, search for the best ways to develop ability.” |
| May Song (Folk Song) | The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle | Environment Nurtures Growth | “Please prepare the best environment for your child. Parent and child should grow together looking forward to the future.” |
| Perpetual Motion & Variation by S. Suzuki | Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin, Jr. and John Archambault | Children Learn From One Another | “There is a strong desire to join the other children… think of babies born into families where big brothers or sisters play violin. These little brothers and sisters… develop well and fast when the time comes for them to start violin.” |
| Happy Farmer by Robert Schumann | Apple Farmer Annie by Monica Wellington | Success Breeds Success | “Develop ability from what a child can already do and that ability will promote the happiness of doing things better and better.” |
| Lullaby by Franz Schubert | Love You Forever by Robert Munsch | Parental Involvement Is Critical | “Thoughtful parents, for the sake of their children, seek to make their own hearts true and to illuminate the best paths for living, which is the real way to love.” |
| Musette by J.S. Bach | Only One You by Linda Kranz | Encouragement is Essential | “Where love is deep, much can be accomplished.” |
