Notes in the Garten Podcast

Welcome to the Notes in the Garten Podcast! A Podcast about everything early childhood music and movement, early childhood education, and the occasional quirky topic. 

This show is a production of Musikgarten. Sign up for email notification of our newest Notes in the Garden episodes at the bottom of this page.

Notes in the Garten Podcast 1: Musikgarten Explores Online Children's Music Classes

Jumping into the world of online teaching these past several weeks during this time of COVID-19 has been a challenge for all teachers and extra challenging when dealing with young children in music and movement classes. More ....

Notes in the Garten Podcast 2: Adapting for Online Teaching Part 1

In this episode of the Notes in the Garten podcast we discuss adapting lessons for teaching music and movement for the lower ages – babies, toddlers, and preschool aged children. This is the first part of a two part session! More ....

Notes in the Garten Podcast 3: Adapting for Online Teaching Part 2

In this episode of the Notes in the Garten podcast we discuss Part 2 of adapting lessons for teaching music and movement for the upper ages – ages 4-6, ages 5-7, and group piano. More ....

Notes in the Garten Podcast 4: Setting Parents up for Success Online

In this episode of the Notes in the Garten podcast we discuss setting the families up for success in an online world. We discuss how the parent can prepare the home for class, get the technology set up, organize materials, and simply enjoy the time making music with their child. More ....

Notes in the Garten Podcast 5: Marketing with Jeremy Evans Part 1

In this episode of the Notes in the Garten podcast Amy, Ellen and Jeff are joined by Jeremy Evans of Blue Mandolin Marketing and Design and discuss the basics of marketing your early childhood music studio. More ....

Notes in the Garten Podcast 6: Marketing with Jeremy Evans Part 2

In this episode of the Notes in the Garten podcast Amy, Ellen and Jeff follow-up with Jeremy Evans of Blue Mandolin Marketing and Design and discuss the value of teaching Musikgarten, even in an online setting. More ....

Notes in the Garten Podcast 7: Back to Basics - All Children are Musical

For this episode of the Notes in the Garten Podcast you are going to need to buckle and get comfortable because this is a long one. Jeff, Amy and Ellen are getting Back to Basics and start a series discussing the five building blocks, or the Philosophy of Musikgarten. More ....

Notes in the Garten Podcast 8: Why Teach Early Childhood Music and Musikgarten

Have you ever asked yourself these questions: What experiences as a child influenced you musically? Why did you become a musician? What eventually led you to early childhood music education? More .....

Notes in the Garten Podcast 9: Back to Basics - Music Meets the Needs of Children Part 1

Music meets the needs of children is a multitude of ways. For Musikgarten and early childhood music and movement teachers this begins with the realization that a child’s primary learning motivation comes from being in a pleasant and non-threatening environment. This then opens up into two big categories – the physical space of the class and the respectful attitude of the parent and teacher, or the two adults in the room. 

Part 1 of this podcast explores the role of the parent who provides a familiar security base for the child to explore, seek out new experiences, and is an important model and partner for all the activities. More .....

Notes in the Garten Podcast 10: Back to Basics - Music Meets the Needs of Children Part 2

Music meets the needs of children Part 2. In Part 2 of this podcast Jeff, Amy and Ellen explore the role of the teacher, the other adult in the room, and highlight several key aspects of a teacher’s proper attitude, listening, speech, ritual and ceremony, and teacher as model for child and parent. More .....

Notes in the Garten Podcast 11: Adapting Online - What to Take Away for In-person Part 1

In this exciting and fun episode of the Notes in the Garten Podcast, we explore some adaptations to activities that have worked really well for online teaching and also some things that you may consider “taking with you” as you move more into regular in-person teaching. Jeff, Amy and Ellen are joined by Mary Rekers from the Wyoming Fine Art Center in Cincinnati, OH. This is part one of a two part episode. More....

Notes in the Garten Podcast 12: Adapting Online - What to Take Away for In-person Part 2

This is part two of a two part episode. In this exciting and fun episode of the Notes in the Garten Podcast, we explore some adaptations to activities that have worked really well for online teaching and also some things that you may consider “taking with you” as you move more into regular in-person teaching. Jeff, Amy and Ellen are joined by Mary Rekers from the Wyoming Fine Art Center in Cincinnati, OH. More.....