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Music

Art, Music

Sarah Answers Your Questions:
Pentatonic Harp, Crayons, and Watercolor Painting

Happy Autumn!

Things have been humming at Bella Luna Toys this back-to-school season, leaving me with little time to record new videos for you. But not to worry, more will be coming soon!

Every week I get questions from readers and viewers, so rather than answer each one privately, I’ll share them here because I’m sure many of you have the same questions.

Francesca Asks:

This week I heard from Francesca who wrote:

I recently bought the 7 string song of the sea lyre from you. So now I was wondering if you could recommend me a book to learn to play it! This perhaps sounds silly but would love to learn to use it in order to play it for my daughter and in turn teach her!

I was also wondering if you would recommend beeswax block or stick crayons for a two year old? Some say block some say stick so a little unsure. Also when is it recommended to start watercolour painting?

September 28, 2014 by Sarah Baldwin

Education, Music

Music and Joy in the Slums of Nairobi: The Gatoto Primary School

Last time on “Sunday With Sarah” I shared my observations of my visit to a Waldorf school for Samburu children in the African bush.

This week, I describe a very different visit — this time to an urban school in the slums of Nairobi. The Gatoto Primary School is not a Waldorf school, but the joy, love and beauty I experienced here moved me in deep and profound ways.

After listening to my story, please click on the link below to hear the children of Gatoto sing!

And click the video below to listen to the children recite poetry under the direction of their elocution teacher.

You can find more video recordings of the children of Gatoto by searching YouTube for “Gatoto School.”

As always, I welcome your comments and questions. If you have any ideas on how I might be able to bring these children to the U.S. to sing for American audiences to raise money for the school and awareness of life in the slums, please drop be a line!

August 11, 2013 by Sarah Baldwin

bella luna toys, Music, Waldorf Education

How to Choose a Pentatonic Harp / Kinder Lyre

Rudolf Steiner, the founder of Waldorf education, recommended thepentatonic harp or lyre (also known as a kinderharp or kinder lyre) as an ideal instrument for use with young children.

Its dreamy, quiet, and heavenly quality is calming and soothing for babies, toddlers and young children, and it’s simple enough for children and adults with little or no musical background to play.

Tuned in the five-note pentatonic scale (D, E, G, A, B, d, e), anything played on the instrument will sound beautiful and harmonious. There are no wrong notes!

I get phone calls and emails every week asking about the differences between the various pentatonic harps and lyres that we sell at Bella Luna Toys, so in this week’s video I demonstrate the differences between them, talk about the benefits of these instruments for in early childhood, and let you actually hear them.

Instruments Demonstrated:

I hope I’ve answered your questions, but if not, leave your comments and questions here and I’ll do my best to answer them!