We visited Portland Night Markets in April and had a great time, there were plenty of stalls, craft fun for the kids, and also food trucks. The markets and silos are managed by the Foundations at Portland.
The stunning mural on the Portland Silos
While we were at the Portland Twilight Markets in April we did the following:
Looked at the stalls and bought things
Ate food from the food trucks
Looked around at the silos
Enjoyed a bit of music
My youngest had fun creating art at the kid’s corner
We are keen to enjoy the cracker and bonfire night at Portland Silos. It is freezing here already so we will need to rug up as it is really windy.
If you are going see the details below and maybe I will see you there.
Checking out the silos at the Portland Markets
At the markets early before it was night
Looking at the stalls at the Portland Twilight Markets
Creating art at the Portland Markets
June 11th is Cracker and Bonfire Night at Portland
June long weekend at the Foundations in Portland
“Fireworks, a massive bonfire, over 70 market stalls, food trucks, and more on the night.
Lounge Katz will keep you entertained in the markets while out by the fire, local musicians and performers will keep you entertained while you warm up. For the kids, the STEAMWorks Craft Corner will be back, and we are welcoming Fizzics providing exciting engaging shows for kids of all ages throughout the night.”
My girls are obsessed with Katy Perry. They just adore her. I would have loved to have gone to her concert but my girls are six next month, tickets are expensive, not sure they would be able to handle crowds and think that might be a bit young for concert going. When they are older, of course. However for now, we have concerts in our living room.
Today on Kidspot I saw the below video. It shows a little girl crying and upset but as soon as Katy Perry’s Dark Horse comes on the joy and happiness in her face is a delight to see.
Do your kids have a song that they just adore? Is it something from Katy Perry? Or another artist? When you put the song on do they just stop and enjoy the music?
Last night the twins had their first disco at school. Yes not even in the second term and the Kindy kids are dancing the night away. We had an hour to dance and just go crazy. Believe me it was chaos and crazy rained in that one hour!
Maybe it was the cupcakes fault?
Just picture it, hyped up kids with cakes and cupcakes on offer. It was noisy and just like any disco it was loud and dark. I did attempt to keep an eye on both kids but I lost one or both from time to time. When found they were with mates or outside getting yet another cupcake.
Yum this cupcake is amazing!
Check out our bling!
The girls got glow in the dark hello kitty necklaces, and funny glow in the dark rings. I loved the rings, they looked amazing and when driving home made me look like my car was the police. Word of warning: If you have these rings on your fingers when driving, you might freak yourself out that there are flashing lights following you. It is not following you but rather it is you and in your car! Take them off in future. You have been warned.
Our disco bling!
Now you thought the place was going off, and you are right. But it went even crazier with the introduction of this song:
“I came to dance-dance-dance-dance
I hit the floor cause that’s my plans plans plans plans
I’m wearing all my favorite brands brands brands brands
Give me some space for both my hands hands hands hands.
Yeah, yeah.
Cause it goes on and on and on.
And it goes on and on and on.
Yeah.”
Dynamite by Taio Cruz came on which is a song featured in the film Hop. The place erupted with kids going wild! My kids were dancing with their hands in the air and jumping everywhere!
The disco was a hit. Kids were tired and very ready for bed when I got home. The cupcakes I made for the bake sale were eaten and must have been successful as I have had no complaints.
My amazing cupcakes
Now kids are asking when the next disco is on. Oh gosh! I have party animals already and they are only five! Do your kids love going to discos? When was their first? The twins love creating discos at home. They turn the lights off, music loud, and their lady bug night light that puts stars and moons on the wall and ceiling.
Enriching Playtime with Music. Image from momitforward.com
Whether singing songs with your toddler or playing classical music to the baby in your growing womb, most people already recognize the benefits of exposing young children to music. Here are some of the pretty amazing impacts which music can have on little ones.
Music and the Young Brain
Song and other music represent powerful tools for development because they simultaneously promote growth in a number of different areas. Simply singing a lullaby while nursing or rocking a baby to sleep can stimulate early language development, encourage attachment and increase a baby’s expanding spatial awareness.
Engaging with your child through music, whether it is sing-along time or dancing, is a social experience which helps little one’s learn valuable social and emotional skills. Lullabies may help with self regulation. Songs from your childhood support cultural awareness. Self-esteem and self-confidence come from enjoying sound and taking part in it.
As musical sound helps kids begin to comprehend emotions and build relationships, their fine and gross motor skills also begin to develop and improve. Learning to clap and use your fingers during interactive tunes like, “Wheels on the Bus” or “I’m a Little Teapot” can foster balance, coordination and motor control.
Music at Play
For children, play is an essential component of learning and growing. Playtime activities allow their imaginations to expand as they emulate the real world and practice interacting.
There are many different types of play. Some of the basics include:
Active, physical play
Dramatic, imaginative play
Creative, expressive play
Social play
Mental play
Music can combine with any of these play styles. During active play, children can dance to an upbeat song. In dramatic play, little ones can present a performance. As a part of creative play, they can invent new songs, practice beating a drum or create their own instrument out of craft supplies.
Social play refers to interaction between children. And music can be a part of this as well when kids sing songs together, etc. Finally, when exploring the world of mental play, children can learn about rhythm and beat and naming the notes in music.
Incorporating Music Every Day
Music is a powerful tool for simply lifting a family’s mood. “According to a recent Harris Interactive survey of parents and children ages 1—5 years,” writes blog.nj.com, “listening to music during playtime makes children happier, sillier, more excited and engages them in play for longer periods of time; music also makes parents feel more relaxed.”
Music and play fit together very naturally. And even without parents’ help, most kids will add music to their fun activities through singing and drumming on pots and pans. But the surprising benefits of music exposure should certainly motivate moms and dads to consciously introduce music into the home.
With Christmas coming up, there are some fantastic gifts that will encourage children to play with music. There are basic instruments that make great stocking stuffers and presents like:
Rhythm sticks
Penny whistle
Recorder
Harmonica
Beat drums
Tambourine
Keyboard
Melody harp
Ukulele
By singing in the car, playing with beginner instruments and dancing in the living room, kids and parents alike can enjoy the amazing effects of music and play.
A bit about Jessica Socheski:
Jessica is a freelance writer who is passionate about family life and college success. When not writing and researching, you can find Jessica swimming at the beach. You can connect with Jessica via Twitter @JessicaSocheski
Mummy getting into trouble for singing along with the mean girls in the song!
My girls are now obsessed with Jessie J, this obsession started when daddy put on her music while driving home after my graduation. He had Price Tag on permanent repeat, the girls loved it, singing along, dancing in their seats and had a smile on their faces all car journey according to daddy.
Now they want to hear more and are real fans. Who knew they would be so obsessed so early, they are only four. Every time we put on a song we get asked, “Is that Jessie J mummy/daddy?”
Julia has been interested in making up her own songs and singing for years now. She is very clever and keeps in tune, and picks some interesting lyrics (most of it is from what she has done that day or what she sees outside of the car, but it is clever and she tries to rhyme and match what comes next), Julia loves dancing, singing and performing. Who knows we might have the next star at our house? Both the girls have told us they want to be exactly like Jessie.
Lillian does the same but Julia seems more into it than Lillian. Time will tell. Do you have groupies at your house? What are your kids into?
Jessie J reminds me of Pink, positive girl power! Overcome obstacles and achieve, just great messages for little girls and women.
While singing along to the song, “Who’s Laughing Now”,Julia told me that it is mean and I should not repeat what the girls say to Jessie! Stop it mummy I was told. What a nice girl protecting Jessie.
For example, one of the lines is: “Oh Jessie you look so funny, your teeth look just like bugs bunny” Hope I got that right.
Jessie J if you ever do read this, thanks my girls just adore you! Love Julia and Lillian.
