Shake, Rattle, and Roll: Rhythm Instruments and More for Active Learning
Author Spotlight
Nurturing Young Imaginations and Teaching Creativity
With Abby Connors
Abigail Flesch Connors is an early-childhood music teacher, presenter, and author of Shake, Rattle and Roll: Music Activities for Active Learning.
Abby has presented many workshops for the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and other educational organizations. She says, "Working with young children and their amazing creative minds is a joyous gift, a unique privilege, and an awesome responsibility. As teachers and caregivers we have the power to squash their creative energies — or to inspire and encourage them to develop their individual creative gifts." Visit her Web site at AbbyConnors.com.
Teaching Creativity and Music Features
Abigail Connors Interview
Abby discusses her passion for inventing games and songs to teach children about music and describes her music enrichment program for kids.
The Creative Magic of Naming
How to use the Naming Game to empower children and foster creativity.
Richard Feynman's 'Explore the World'
Learning about children and creativity from Richard P. Feynman, one of the greatest physicists of our time.
Robert Henri's 'The Art Spirit'
Taking the “art spirit” Robert Henri wrote about in 1923 seriously and nourishing it with our caring encouragement.
E. Paul Torrance's Creative Manifesto for Children
Making the most of the remarkable words E. Paul Torrance, the Father of Creativity, wrote in 1983.
10 Ways Improvisation Helps Children Learn
Children are constantly improvising in play, language, singing, playing instruments, dance and movement, and art.
Children Need to Know We Value Their Ideas
When a child feels that her ideas are unappreciated, sooner or later she's going to stop sharing her ideas.
Creative Arts and Creative Thinking Are Not the Same Thing!
There's so much more to educating the creative mind than arts education.
My Student Just Did Something Creative... Now What?
How do I protect, nurture and nourish this growing creative mind?
Think Outside the Catalog
The multitude of fabulous, free art materials hiding in plain sight.
The Secret Ingredient to Teaching Creativity
Using respect to unlock children's creative potentials.
Never Say 'No' to Creativity
You’ve probably heard of the first rule of comedy improvisation: never say no.
Prepare to Be Amazed!
Creative ideas don't always appear in ways we expect, but we can be ready for the unexpected.
Raising Creative Children — It’s Never Too Early to Start!
Children are often exploding with creativity.
The Secret (and Very Creative) Life of Puppets
How to use puppets to stir imaginations, nurture creativity, and promote creative thinking in children.
Teachers: Use Your Creativity to Find the Beauty of Burnout
10 Creative exercises for teachers of young children.
How to Help Children Stay Creative
Young children are artists, buzzing with creativity, filled with wonder, curiosity, and fresh new ideas.
Keep 'Creativity Folders' of Children's Ideas
The value in recording the countless creative ideas and thoughts of children.
6 Ways Music and Movement Activities Help Children Learn and Grow
Rhythmic movement to music benefits young children's development across many domains.
The Crunchy Munchy Salad Activity
This creative music and movement activity benefits children in many ways including: auditory memory, cognitive development, fine and gross motor skills, imagination and curiosity.
Creating Music and Dance with Young Children
When children are encouraged to volunteer their ideas for improvising lyrics, playing instruments, and moving their bodies, they are building their confidence and creative thinking skills.
More with Abby Connors
Abby Connors is an early-childhood music teacher and author of Shake, Rattle and Roll: Rhythm Instruments and More for Active Learning. ...
Abigail Connors Interview
The Creative Magic of Naming
Richard Feynman's “Explore the World”
Robert Henri's “The Art Spirit”
E. Paul Torrance's Creative Manifesto for Children
10 Ways Improvisation Helps Children Learn
Children Need to Know We Value Their Ideas
Creative Arts and Creative Thinking Are Not the Same Thing!
My Student Just Did Something Creative... Now What?
Think Outside the Catalog
The Secret Ingredient to Teaching Creativity
Never Say 'No' to Creativity
Prepare to Be Amazed with Creative Ideas
Raising Creative Children
The Secret (and Very Creative) Life of Puppets
Teachers: Use Your Creativity to Find the Beauty of Burnout
How to Help Children Stay Creative
Keep 'Creativity Folders' of Children's Ideas
6 Ways Music and Movement Activities Help Children Learn and Grow
The Crunchy Munchy Salad Activity
Creating Music and Dance with Young Children