Tag: poetry

Music and the Mind and Launching Rose Lani!

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Welcome to my community media space for music and learning!

Hot Takes

  • "The first language that we hear is music." ~Indre Viskontas, neuroscientist/soprano
  • "Singing together increases dopamine and oxytocin and reduces cortisol." ~Renée Fleming, world-renowned soprano
  • "The more we sing together, the happier we'll be." ~Raffi, children's musician
  • "In an epidemic of loneliness and isolation, we have a moral imperative to foster positive social connection." ~Renée Fleming, world-renowned soprano
  • "Music is the melody of empathy." ~Evan Solomon, Member of Parliament Canada

Burning Questions

  • Who doesn’t love a good tune?
  • What are the benefits of singing together?
  • When to start making music with children?
  • Where, in our bodies, does music affect us?
  • Why does music connect us?
  • How can music heal us?

On 31. October, I attended the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) Smart Start Symposium: Music and the Mind. And I got to hear a world-renowned soprano, a neuroscientist, an Olympic athlete, a Member of Parliament, and Raffi answer all of the above questions.

Music is the medicine!

In sum, the evidence is mounting that music improves health, happiness, and well-being. Did you know that doctors in Montreal can now prescribe symphony visits? That’s right: music is the medicine! And being a Smart Start symposium, the event focused on the benefits of music to the very young.

Thank you to the RCM for hosting this meaningful event, and to soprano Kate Reynolds for telling me about it. As a children’s musician and early childhood educator, I was reminded anew of why I love what I do.

Your Take – What’s your favorite Rose Lani song?

Featured Creator

Speaking of music as medicine, children’s musician Rose Lani is about to give us a big healthy dose of it!

Watch this video to launch Rose Lani’s new album!

Join me in supporting Rose Lani in getting her first children’s album out. I have streamed her three existing songs after many of my library programs. And I am here to tell you that we need more of her songs! Please watch Rose Lani tell her story in the video, then help launch the album here. Here’s to $5k in 30 days!

Important Dates

◊ November 11 – Remembrance Day

Remembrance Day in Canada is for reflecting on the costs of conflict and the value of peace. It was moving to see people wearing poppies in support of service members. The poppy is referenced in the poem, “In Flanders Fields,” by John McCrae. Here is my solemn musical tribute to this important day.

◊ December 1 – Meteorological Winter Begins

In the Northern Hemisphere, meteorological winter (December, January, and February) is just around the corner. We’ve already turned our clocks back, so it’s getting darker earlier. And in Canada, we’ve already had our first snow! Here are some songs to warm you through the cold and dark months ahead.

An inclusive holiday song for everyone.
A fun winter action rhyme to do with your kids.

Final Thoughts

We’re so glad you came! Until next time …

◊ Like, comment, and share this post.

◊ Stream us on Apple Music, Spotify, Soundcloud, etc.

◊ Visit Storytime Solidarity.

◊ Be the world we want for our kids!

Ingrid Christina with a yellow bucket hat, a blue shirt, and their ukulele. Text reads, "Sing, Rhyme, and Play" and "The Sing Rhyme and Play Song."

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info@singrhymeandplay.com

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June: Three Reasons to Jump for Joy | Join us in Solidarity!

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Welcome to my “community media” space for music and learning!

Photo of the Week

Ingrid Christina standing in front of a brick wall mural of butterfly wings and banner that says, "BE-YOU-TIFUL!"
Click photo for music!

Hot Take

June is jubilant! Here are three reasons I’m jumping for joy this month.

Reason 1 — Metamorphosis

Youtube Short Thumbnail for Ms. Christina's action rhyme, "Where Did My Caterpillar Go"
Ingrid Christina shares her original finger play, “Where Did My Caterpillar Go?” about metamorphosis.

Yes, I’m literally talking about all the new butterflies floating around out there. At my local preschool, I got to watch some caterpillars make their transition to butterflies and it was truly inspiring. Here’s a fun finger play you can do with your kids about metamorphosis.

Reason 2 – Transitions

In June, we look forward to brighter days ahead.

In the northern hemisphere, the summer solstice is right around the corner. And there are graduations! Did you just start summer break? Maybe you got an award at the end of the school year, like I did!

A certificate with a unicorn on it that says "Unicorn Award for being one-of-a-kind with your own unique style — Presented to Ms. Ingrid on June 6th 2025 by Ms. Allison"
The “Unicorn Award” I received for substitute teaching at my local preschool.

This month, we also recognize Juneteenth—or, Jubilee Day—when news of the Emancipation Proclamation reached the whole United States. In June, we look forward to brighter days ahead.

Reason 3 – Pride

When I see the pride flag, I breathe a little sigh of relief and think my kid is safe here.

Jennifer Savage, Council Member, Missoula, Montana
Ingrid Christina stands under a rainbow balloon arch
Ingrid Christina standing under a rainbow balloon arch at the DC Library Georgetown Children’s Rainbow Festival.

The rainbow colors coming out in June really lift my spirits. Did you know that Missoula, Montana just made the Pride flag its official city flag?

Why? Because Pride is as much about relief as revelry. Sadly, I recently learned from the LGBTQ+ youth support organization, SMYAL, that bullying is on the rise.

Our LGBTQ+ kids have greater risk of stress, anxiety, and depression than their peers. As they grow, LGBTQ+ youth may face stigma, discrimination, family rejection, and other unequal challenges.

On the plus side, Pride promotes resilience. Every Pride flag contributes to coping. So this June—and throughout the year—let’s do our part to make all our kids feel seen, safe, and celebrated!

Give Your Input – What’s your favorite thing about June?

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Featured Creators

This week we’re featuring Storytime Solidarity and *all* the authors and illustrators in their Pride Everyday book list. Compiled and written by Auntie Anne, this post is a labor of love and belonging.

Click for an exhaustive Storytime Solidarity book list by LGBTQ+ authors and illustrators.

Do also check out Auntie Anne’s emergency Rainbow Storytime.

We don’t always get to plan our programs. Sometimes we have to urgently pull them together. Here, Anne bravely makes these readings available after a hate group disrupted a local event. Thank you, Anne, for tirelessly giving kids access to the books they need to feel secure in the world. I am honored to call you my colleague in Solidarity!

Quote of the Week

It is time to amplify, uplift, and celebrate LGBTQIA+ and allied creators.
Let us sing.

Auntie Anne

Important Dates

-Attend a Sing, Rhyme, and Play Program with Ms. Christina-

◊ Ukulele Baby Lap Time at the Mary Riley Styles Public Library

Fridays at 10:30 a.m., Ages 0-2

  • June 13, 20, and 27
  • July 11, 18, and 25
  • August 1

◊ Children’s Song and Story Time at the Georgetown Waterfront Park

Thursdays at 10:30 a.m., All Ages

  • June 26
  • July 10, and 24

◊ Dinosaur Pajama Party at the Mary Riley Styles Public Library

Saturday—July 19—at 11 a.m., All Ages

Final Thoughts

We’re so glad you came! Until next time …

◊ Comment below and share this blog.

◊ Listen to SR&P on Apple Music, Spotify, or wherever you stream music.

◊ Visit Storytime Solidarity.

◊ Tell us what topics you’d like to see.

◊ Be the world we want for our kids!

Ingrid Christina with a yellow bucket hat, a blue shirt, and their ukulele. Text reads, "Sing, Rhyme, and Play" and "The Sing Rhyme and Play Song."
Ingrid Christina in a yellow bucket hat and a blue sweater holding their ukulele.

Want these posts as emails? Subscribe here!

Contact: info@singrhymeandplay.com

Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.