Tinikling is a Philippine folk dance from the Visayan Islands that traditionally uses two bamboo poles and nimble footwork inspired by the tikling bird.

Want to bring this rich cultural dance experience to your classroom but limited on storage space or have additional accessibility needs?

Fitting into an included draw string bag, these “Tinikling Inspired Rhythm Cords” come in a set of 12 with two of each color: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. Cords are machine washable in a mesh bag, and best hung out to air dry to keep their shape.

A set of 12 cords can accommodate 18 students at once: 2 students on each side and 1 student moving between them (as depicted below with the traditional stick materials).

*These cords are an educational adaptation inspired by Tinikling and are not intended to replace learning about traditional Tinikling performed with bamboo poles.

Tinikling Inspired Rhythm Cord Specifications:

• The cords are 1 inch wide x 7 feet long
• Made of durable, lightweight polypropylene webbing
• Each cord features a large hook-and-loop closure on each end with Velcro, allowing it to fit easily over shoes and onto a user’s ankle or calf. The cords can also be held by hand rather than being placed on one’s ankle/calf.
• Comes in a set of 12 with two of each color: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. Also comes with a drawstring storage bag.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Bear Paw Creek’s Tinikling Cords are not made of an elastic material, which means they do not stretch and are not flexible.

Bear Paw Creek’s Tinikling Inspired Rhythm Cords in Action:

Check out this link for examples from Filipino educators, dancers, and cultural organizations on traditional tinikling.

Click the image below or click here to see Lena Leon, The Crafter Teacher, and her class using our Tinikling Inspired Rhythm Cords. In the video, you can get an idea of their size and also see how they would work being held by hand rather than the loops being placed around ankles/calves.

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Our original Stretchy Bands for creative movement come in four different sizes and are a complete circle. The Connect-a-Stretchy Band only comes in one size. However, it features a buckle system that allows you to disconnect the band and use it in a straight line in addition to the circle.

With the buckle system, you can connect additional bands together. Allowing you to create the size you need for your creative movement activities. This is ideal for those with varying class sizes or for those who like to use different-sized bands for different activities.

With the Set of 6 Connect-a-Stretchy Bands, you will be able to create all four original Stretchy Band sizes. Plus two larger sizes: an XXL (five bands connected) and an XXXL (all six bands connected). This would be a very fun way to engage a large group or classroom by allowing you all to be a part of the same circle.

With the six bands and their connecting capabilities, you would also be able to split larger groups into smaller groups. Instead of one large group on one circle, you could split everyone up into two or three groups! 

Hub 12 Connector:

Using a Hub allows you to turn your Connect-a-Stretchy Bands into fun shapes, such as: 

•  Octopus
• Sun
• Star
• Flower

Or whatever your imagination comes up with! Learn more about our Hub connectors here. Using a Hub only adds to the creativity and fun you can have with our Connect-a-Stretchy Bands!

Sizing Guide:

The sizing guide below gives the original Stretchy Band sizes along with the conversion chart for the Connect-a-Stretchy Bands. Determining how many you can fit around a band depends on the age/size of those you have in your creative movement class or session. When we say “people,” we are referring to tweens/teens and adults.

Check out our FREE resource guide to Stretchy Bands and Connect-a-Stretchy Bands. A combined 100+ song and activity ideas!

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Sensory Sacks, also known as body socks, are used for fun and therapeutic purposes. They offer a range of sensory experiences and activities for children and adults, and are a fantastic sensory regulation tool for those with sensory processing issues.

A few of the benefits are:

1. Deep Pressure and Calming: The snug fit of the sack can create a sense of security and comfort, helping to regulate emotions and behavior. As well as calm individuals with sensory sensitivities or anxiety.
2. Movement and Gross Motor Skills: Sensory Sacks can be used for a variety of movement activities like crawling, stretching, and dancing, promoting gross motor skill development and coordination. The resistance from the colorful body bag can add a level of fun and challenge to the movement.
3. Therapeutic Benefits: Sensory Sacks are often used in occupational therapy to address sensory processing challenges and improve body awareness. They can be helpful for individuals with autism, ADHD, or other sensory processing differences.
4. Imaginative Play: Children can use the sack to create their own space and engage in creative play, further enhancing the sensory experience.

Our Sensory Sack is made of a soft fabric with plenty of stretch and give, but not too much, as there is still a bit of resistance in the stretch. Encouraging those using the body sock to really push and stretch the fabric, and also allowing those needing the deep pressure to still feel the fabric snug around them.

The dimensions of the body bag when laid out flat with no stretching are: 64″ long and 20″ wide. It can be machine washed on a low heat setting. After washing, it’s best to dry the sack flat on a towel to maintain its shape.

**Please note that the color and fabric pattern of the Sensory Sack and the drawstring storage bag may vary.**

To see the Sensory Sack: A Colorful Body Bag for Creative Play in action, check out this video from Lynn Kleiner at Music Rhapsody. Lynn showcases how the sack works with her song, “Boa Constrictor”.

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“My passion is tying together the effectiveness of music in overall development with the current research and creating music / music activities to help parents / teachers put it in action.”

In 2022, Mar. did her first Ted Talk and released her new book “Building Brains with Music.”  She says:

Anyone who has a child in their life, whether as a parent, family member, teacher, or someone else involved in the child’s care, should read this book. The information contained will change how you view music. It will not only have a positive, direct impact on the child; it will have an impact on you, the reader, as well.

Every parent or teacher has the capability of using music. Would more of them take the time to sing and dance if they knew how valuable taking the time was? If one of the basic tools for building a brain was music, would you use it? I am handing you that tool right now with this book.

Her book also includes access to her wonderful music. For $19.99, you not only get the book, but access to 27 of her digital songs.

1,2,3,4, 5 Fingers
Bounce, Bounce Baby
All Around the Circle
Catching Bubbles
Clap Your Hands
Drawing in the Air
Five Fingers in my Pocket
Grand Old Duke of York
Having a Ball With Music
I Can Play Kazoo
I Like Apples
I Like My Bath
In and Out the Window
I’ve Got a Bean Bag
Mardi Gras March
Moving with a Scarf
My Froggy
Parachute Goes Up and Down
Playing With a Bean Bag
Pretty Scarves
Shaker Eggs
Tap Your Drum
Tap Your Sticks
Who Can Pull the Stretchy Band
Wide Mouth Bullfrog
Wiggly Fingers
You Have a Nose

We have also pulled together a kit that pairs nicely with her song/activity suggestions.

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Size Options:

• 5-foot Play Parachute: at 60″ in diameter with eight handles, this is the perfect size for smaller groups or classes.
• 2.5-foot Play Parachute: at 30″ in diameter with four handles, this size is ideal for one-on-one sessions or small groups of 3-4 people.

The smaller and more manageable size allows you to have all of the benefits and fun of a parachute without being overstimulating. Another benefit of the smaller sizes is that you can practice and target specific skills for individuals more easily than you could with a large parachute and a large class, while still making it a fun group activity.

A few of the benefits of parachute play are:

• Gross motor skills
• Coordination and balance
• Teamwork
• Social interaction
• Listening and following directions
• Cognitive skills
• Rhythm

For some song and activity ideas to pair with the 5-foot play parachute, check out this blog post: Best Parachute Activities and Songs. 

Cleaning Your Play Parachute:

Bear Paw Creek’s parachutes can be machine-washed on a gentle cycle with cold or lukewarm water and mild detergent. Avoid using harsh chemicals like bleach or fabric softeners, as these may cause discoloration and damage over time.

Air-dry the parachute or use a low heat setting in the dryer to prevent damage; never iron. Our preferred method is air drying! Our parachutes come with a drawstring storage bag; the drawstring bag can also be machine-washed following the same instructions.

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• The board book My Many Colored Days, by Dr. Seuss.
• IDEAS Music Color CD
• Group includes: 20 durable 25” square, washable nylon scarves – 2 of each of the following 11 colors: red, orange, yellow, kelly green, royal blue, purple, brown, pink,  grey, black. One for each hand, or enough for an early childhood class. 
  
• Small Kit: 10 – 25″ creative movement scarves of each color above.
  

• Use the kit to reinforce:Color Recognition.
  Reading Books.
  Identifying and Exploring Mood.
  Creating Movement to Match Music.
  Starting and Stopping–Motor Control.
  Joyful Times Spent with Parents, Teachers, Caregivers, Books, Music, and Movement.How?Read the book to your child(ren).
  Discuss how the gray tulle scarves look, feel and flow differently than the other scarves. How this color relates to the story – “(gray)…does not move.”
  Explore the scarf colors. Move them through space. Make air pathways with them, then walk and turn with the scarves.
  Read the story again, moving the matching scarf to the music for each page.
  Switch colors and repeat this activity on many days.
  Play the complete music pieces for longer movement experiences.
  Play dress up, and dress up stuffed animals with scarves. Be sure to say the scarf color when it is chosen.Now make up new ways to use the book, scarves, and music! Its all inside of you!

CD Track List
Excerpts to go with Book Reading:

1. Different Colored Days
2. Red (Wild Horseman, Schumann)
3. Blue
4. Brown
5. Yellow
6. Gray
7. Orange
8. Green
9. Purple
10. Pink (Chinese Dance, Tchaikovsky)
11. Black
12. Mixed Up
13. Different Colored Days

Complete Selections:

14. Contrasts, Jensen (Different Colored Days)
15. Rondeau, Bach (Blue)
16. The Elephant, Saint-Saëns (Brown)
17. Flight of the Bumblebee, Rimsky-Korsakov (Yellow)
18. The Entertainer, Joplin (Orange)
19. Air, Bach (Green)
20. Moonlight Sonata, Beethoven (Purple)
21. Russian Sailors’ Dance, Gliére (Black)
22. Batik, Worsley (Mixed Up)

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Tuneful Teaching Music & Movement Kit

Music & Movement Kits give you everything you need for a successful learning experience in music class and at home!

Each “Tuneful Teaching Music & Movement Kit” includes a rainbow of colors ***(instrument colors may vary according to availability):

• green rhythm sticks
• orange bean bag
• yellow castanet
• red tambourine
• blue maracas (2)
• teal/purple hoop streamerOptional: high quality “stand-uppy” tote bag in a variety of colors — Made in the USA!

Choose an option:

–  Music and Movement Kit with bag (colors vary)  MSRP: $38

–  Music and Movement Kit without bag MSRP: $30

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Choose the option that works best for you!

Option #1 Premium Prop Kit Includes:

• two scarves
• two hoop ribbon rainbow streamers
• two bean bags
• rhythm sticks
• two egg shakers
• shoulder bag with clear pocket for student’s name

The post DiscoverDance Personal Prop Kit appeared first on Bear Paw Creek.

(Out of stock)

Back in 2008 I was privileged to make a bunch of tote bags for the Wisconsin Chapter of Music Therapy.  They were selling them for a fundraising.  Using one of my sister, Kathy Schumacher’s, favorite tote bag designs and adding a great embroidered pocket designed by her dear friend and mentor, Christine Henes.

Tote bag measures 12″W x 15″H x 7″L and is made out of durable nylon packcloth, lined with poly/cotton.   The handle design allows them to fall out of the way for easy access to your items.  Inside a 7×8″ pocket hangs with a nifty key loop.  Includes outer pocket with “Music Therapy Makes a Difference” embroidered on it.

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The music found here was created to be used with our scarf kits. We are excited to explore how Bear Paw Creek’s other music movement products can be used with this music as well: stretchy band, streamers, scarves, bean bags, and balloon balls. IDEAS Music was created especially for kids, as a tool for developing knowledge and skills in many disciplines.

Composed by Linda Worsley, each of the ear-catching pieces captures the child’s attention while you choose the focus of the lesson. Using different styles and instrument combinations,
Linda has created contrasting moods and possibilities for exploration. Each piece is a sort but complete whole, childlike without being childish or trite.

Children deserve the best quality sounds, so they become discriminating listeners. Recording was done in the same studios used by famous bands and demanding performers, and mixed using the newest digital technology. Synthesized and acoustic sounds are blended to create warm, rich, real music. IDEAS created these pieces to honor children’s right to quality and developmentally appropriate learning tools. When you use quality materials, you will find yourself engaged right along with the kids. Enjoy them together!

2023 Update – As we are selling out of the physical cd copies, all orders will include access to ALL aeIDEAS music as a digital download. 

Music Colors  –  Digital Download

The Many Colored Days music tracks accompany the Dr. Seuss board Book and colored scarf kit.  It is for both classroom and individual use and the music is perfect for use by itself for exploration of movement, mood and creativity.

The 22 tracks include short excerpts to go along with each page, and then the complete musical selections for extended listening. This magical musical set is ready for action play and learning for the family or classroom.

Track List
Excerpts to go with Book Reading:

1. Different Colored Days
2. Red (Wild Horseman, Schumann)
3. Blue
4. Brown
5. Yellow
6. Gray
7. Orange
8. Green
9. Purple
10. Pink (Chinese Dance, Tchaikovsky)
11. Black
12. Mixed Up
13. Different Colored Days

Complete Selections:

14. Contrasts, Jensen (Different Colored Days)
15. Rondeau, Bach (Blue)
16. The Elephant, Saint-Saëns (Brown)
17. Flight of the Bumblebee, Rimsky-Korsakov (Yellow)
18. The Entertainer, Joplin (Orange)
19. Air, Bach (Green)
20. Moonlight Sonata, Beethoven (Purple)
21. Russian Sailors’ Dance, Gliére (Black)
22. Batik, Worsley (Mixed Up)

Primary

Meet the Music

1. Sailing
   Sailing provides a chance for individuals to try out different ways to move. Props might
   include scarves, streamers, or other objects which flow to show a phrase. Musical features
   are clear flowing phrases, and a rhythm that keeps things moving. The form is introduction,
   A, A’, B, interlude, A, coda. Listen for the keyboard and soprano saxophone during the
   melody. At first, just turn at the beginning of each phrase. Then begin to add locomotor
   movement changing direction on every new phrase. On another listening, move to the
   longer, steady tones of the bass.
2. Tortoise and Hare
   Remember that story about the Tortoise and Hare? Listen to ehar how this version of the
   story works out! Music al features are slow/fast contrast, low and high pitch, and a haunting
   melody. Building on the clear, consistent phrases of Sailing, this piece tries to fool you by
   playing with phrase length. Listen for the clarinet and guitar during the slow sections, flute
   and mandolin during the fast sections. Dramatize the story with one person, a pair, or twogroups. Scarves can be costumes or props. Check for listening by having children draw a
   tortoise on one side of a paper plate, the hare on the other side, then hold up the
   appropriate picture as they listen, turning the plate when they hear a different character
   appear. Students could draw a map of this story, then follow it as they listen to the music.
3. Follow Me
   An echo is an exact imitation of sound, and children learn by imitation. Listen for the oboe
   solos, then the exact echo by the keyboard, glockenspiel, and mandolin. The for is rondo:
   introduction, A, B, A, C, A; with B and C half the length of A. Watch a leader, then imitate
   the movements as a visual echo, to build a larger repertoire of movements. In a group,
   form a circle and let each person have a turn leading one pattern. Take time to discuss
   those patterns that were particularly interesting or fun and combine these patterns into a
   movement piece. Now have the students decide what sounds they can create to go with
   this new piece and compose their own music.
4. Rainbows
   A mirror image occurs when two people move the same way at exactly the same time. The
   long, flowing phrases of Rainbows, supported by string and harp-like accompaniment
   rainbows, will give shape to your movement. Face a partner and one lead as the other
   follows, just like a mirror image. Who is leading? You can specify who will lead and when to
   change leadership, or you might explore the mirror by putting hands on the surface and
   having no leader. Be sure to encourage mirroring other body parts than just hands and
   arms. Listen for clarinet, flute and glockenspiel; and ABABA form.
5. Pudding and Popcorn
   The title describes the contrast between slow, flowing phrases and short, separated sounds.
   Listen and move as the oboe, flute and guitar play with one another. Choose pudding or
   popcorn, and don’t’ let the instruments fool you! By now, you have a large repertoire of
   movement, and are used to moving along with others. On the first listening, face a partner
   and do a hand dance, using just hands and arms to show the pudding and popcorn textures.
   Then, just as the instruments play together, let your movement be part of a larger dance
   with others. Watch for movements you like, and join in. It may take several listenings to
   develop a dance that feels cohesive, but that’s the point. The more times we listen, the
   more we understand.

Intermediate  

Meet the Music

1. Serenade
   Serenade provides a chance to try out different ways to move. Musical features are flowing phrases in a through-composed melody, with an exotic feeling. Listen for the sounds of oboe and clarinet. After experimenting individually and watching each other to build a repertoire of possible movements, have children mirror one another in pairs. Mirroring is done by one partner moving slowly to the music, and the other partner matching the movements exactly, as in a mirror. This activity requires intense concentration and builds interpersonal understanding at the same time.
2. Echo Playground
   This joyful echo piece is inspired by the actions and sounds of the playground. Use the first listening to identify the sounds that remind the listener of a playground. It would be fun to echo-mime playground actions before listening, to build a repertoire of movements. On the first listening, just identify the sounds of the playground. The clarinet, flute and guitar play together, always playing a pattern then its echo. First it is follow-the-leader (clarinet), then the leader follows. Try moving in three groups, or groups of three, with one group or individual assigned to move for each instrument. Move to the ends of sections together.
3. Jazz Triad
   Building on the three groups in Echo Playground, Jazz Triad is a playful interplay of keyboard, soprano sax and guitar. In three groups, or groups of three, have students choreograph a dance, with each group or individual moving to one of the instruments. Add scarves as part of the movement, or as costumes.
4. Wind Song
   The introvert feeling of 3/ 4 meter, coupled with long phrases and the sound of clarinets and flutes give the flowing, lilting feeling of wind on a hill. Explore the upward and downward flow of the melody, as it unwinds on the musical landscape. As you move, notice the movements of others around you, and react to them.
5. Contrasts
   This piece is a classic theme and variations. Variation 1 is slower, 2 gets faster, 3 is windy and twirly, 4 combines stoic pipe organ and rock guitar, the final culmination combines aspects of all previous variations. Create a movement to the theme then have individuals or groups create movement variations that keep the basic movement idea, but also reflect the musical characteristics of their particular variation.

CD 1 is the primary and intermediate CD compilation and will be included with each order.

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