In today’s Clap for Classics episode, we step into a musical fairy tale adventure! Join Miss Elizabeth and Forte the Lion as we explore the playful finger rhyme Little Tommy Thumb and listen to a beautiful piece of music by the French composer Maurice Ravel from his enchanting Mother Goose Suite.

Through storytelling, movement, and listening, children will imagine themselves tiny like Tom Thumb as they wander through a mysterious forest and listen for the fluttering birds in Ravel’s music.

This episode is part of our Fairy Tales theme, where music and imagination come together to help children experience classical music in a fun and engaging way. Perfect for kids ages 2–8, families, and homeschoolers who love music, movement, and stories!

🎵 In This Episode

✨ Sing and play the classic finger rhyme Little Tommy Thumb

✨ Listen and move to “Tom Thumb” from Maurice Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite

✨ Imagine tiptoeing through a magical forest and listening for the birds who steal Tom Thumb’s breadcrumbs.

🎼 Featured Composer Maurice Ravel (1875–1937) Maurice Ravel was a French composer who loved to write music inspired by fairy tales and magical stories. His Mother Goose Suite was originally written for children and includes musical stories about enchanted gardens, sleeping princesses, and tiny adventurers like Tom Thumb.

🎶 Try This At Home While listening to the music, try one of these activities:

🌲 Tiptoe through the forest like Tom Thumb

🐦 Flap your arms like birds swooping down for breadcrumbs

🧱 Make a breadcrumb trail using blocks or paper pieces and follow it across the room

✨ Close your eyes and imagine you are tiny in a giant forest

Music becomes even more magical when kids move and imagine while they listen.

🚀 Want More Musical Adventures? This episode comes from our Fairy Tales course inside the Clap for Classics All Access Membership. Inside you'll find:

🎭 Musical fairy tale activities

🎶 Classical music listening guides

💃 Movement and dance activities

📚 Story-based music learning

🖨 Printable games and extension activities F

amilies can simply press play and enjoy, or explore deeper with the activities.

✨ You can try the membership here: 👉 www.ClapforClassics.com/join

💛 Loved This Episode? If this musical adventure made your day brighter, you can help more families discover classical music by:

⭐ Leaving a review

⭐ Sharing the episode with a friend

⭐ Subscribing so you don’t miss future episodes

Classical music used on this episode is licensed for our use by Classical.com

In this playful Clap for Classics! episode, Miss Elizabeth and Forte the Lion invite young listeners to move, sing, spin, and play through classic nursery rhymes and delightful classical music.

This episode is part of our Course Preview Season, where we share sample activities from our popular Rhymes & Games course—designed to help children learn musical concepts through joyful, low-pressure play.

Free Resource for This Episode: Enhance your listening experience with our Rhymes & Games Movement Resource, which includes:

• Lyrics to featured nursery rhymes
• Simple movement and rhythm ideas
• Tips for engaging with Bizet’s Children’s Games

👉 Download here: www.clapforclassics.com/episode77

Classical Music Spotlight

We listen to “The Top” from Bizet’s Jeux d’enfants (Children’s Games)—a charming set of short pieces inspired by toys and games. Children are invited to spin like a top, jump on musical accents, and “plop” to the ground when the music ends.

Nursery Rhymes We Play With:

Pease Porridge Hot – tap the beat, explore sound differences, and try a tricky rhythm challenge

Jack and Jill – act out the story with marching, tumbling, and creative movement

Want More Like This? These activities are just a taste of what’s inside our Rhymes & Games Course, available through the Clap for Classics! All Access Membership.

Inside All Access, you’ll find:

Short, engaging video lessons

Classical music listening guides

Printables and movement activities

Easy ways to make music part of everyday family life

Perfect for toddlers, preschoolers, and early elementary kids—no musical background required.

🎉 Try All Our Music Courses for Just $1!

Start a 7-day trial and get instant access to 19 joyful, engaging music courses designed for kids ages 0–8. 👉 Click here to start your trial for just $1

🎵 Explore More from Clap for Classics! All Access Membership

Unlimited access to 19+ music courses, printables, and resources designed for kids ages 0–8.

👉 www.clapforclassics.com/join

The Four Seasons Curriculum

Explore Vivaldi’s Four Seasons with music, movement, art, and nature-themed lessons.

👉 www.clapforclassics.com/fourseasons

Submit a Joke for the Show!

Does your child have a great joke to share? We’d love to feature it in a future episode!

👉 www.speakpipe.com/ClapforClassics

The classical music in this episode is licensed for use through Classical.com, a fantastic resource for high-quality recordings.

Thank you for listening and making music with us! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!

 Get ready to leap, twirl, tiptoe, and imagine as we step into the magical world of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker! In this special holiday episode, Ms. Elizabeth, Forte the Lion, and our wonderful guest Rosie (age 7!) lead your little ones through three favorite Nutcracker moments with music, movement, imagination, and lots of giggles.

Join me for our 6th Annual Nutcracker Challenge, beginning Monday, December 15th.
Each day, you'll receive a video from our Nutcracker course with simple, joyful ideas for extending the music and movement fun at home. On the final day, we’ll gather for a live Zoom class so we can make music and dance together!

👉 Sign up for this FREE challenge: www.clapforclassics.com/nutcracker2025

This is one of our most magical traditions—and I’d love to see you there! And if you know someone who might enjoy this challenge, will you send them the sign-up page so they can join us too!  I appreciate the help in spreading the word!

1. Waltz of the Flowers

Float into the gentle, dreamy world of flowers as we imagine tiny seeds sprouting, growing, and swaying in a colorful garden. Rosie helps us imagine how the dancers swirl like petals on the stage—and Forte becomes a very enthusiastic sunflower!

Inside our full Nutcracker course, we explore this piece with scarves, butterflies, bees, and a whole garden of movement fun.

2. Trepak (Russian Dance)

Get ready to MOVE! This high-energy piece is full of big jumps, fast kicks, and lion-sized wiggles. Kids can jump, dance, march, or shake their whole bodies as the music speeds by.
Inside the course, this becomes our silly and energetic teddy bear trampoline routine—always a kid favorite!

3. Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy

Tiptoe like magical fairies and princes as you listen for the sparkling celeste. Freeze like a fairy statue! Float like snowflakes!
Rosie shares how dancers move on their tiptoes, and Forte… well… thinks his tail might be twinkling.

In the full course, we play a “pass the magic” fairy-wand game that little ones adore.

Want the FULL Nutcracker Experience?

If your kids love this magical preview, you’ll enjoy the complete Nutcracker music course inside our All Access Membership!
We’re teaching the full Nutcracker inside All Access LIVE beginning next Thursday—we’d love to have you join the fun.

More Holiday Episodes You’ll Love:

• Episode 60: The Nutcracker Party → https://www.clapforclassics.com/episode60
• Episode 61: Dance Along to Tchaikovsky → https://www.clapforclassics.com/episode61

Classical tracks used on this episode are licensed for our use by Classical.com

Step into the magical world of Peter and the Wolf!

In this episode, we’re introducing your little ones to the musical characters of Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf — each one represented by a different instrument and theme. Kids will love listening, moving their bodies, and pretending right along with Miss Elizabeth and Forte the Lion as they meet Peter, Birdie, Duck, the Cat, Grandpapa, the Wolf, and the Hunters.

This episode is the perfect gentle introduction to classical music storytelling for toddlers, preschoolers, and early elementary learners — and a fun way for grownups to join in too!

🎁 Free Peter and the Wolf Printable:
Download your free Peter and the Wolf Character Cards — perfect for listening activities, matching games, and musical play.
👉 www.clapforclassics.com/episode75 

🎧 More Peter and the Wolf or Story-Themed Episodes You’ll Love

Episode 58: Cats and Hats!: Peter and the Wolf and the Scarlatti Cat Fugue with Classical Sprouts 
Episode 48: Peter and the Wolf, the String Family and a Meadow Song

🎉 Try All Our Music Courses for Just $1!
Start a 7-day trial and get instant access to 19 joyful, engaging music courses designed for kids ages 0–8.
👉 Click here to start your trial for just $1

🎵 Explore More from Clap for Classics!

All Access Membership
Unlimited access to 19+ music courses, printables, and weekly live Zoom classes with Miss Elizabeth.
👉 www.clapforclassics.com/join 

Peter and the Wolf Full Course
Dive deeper into this symphonic fairy tale with movement activities, printables, videos, and full character lessons.
👉 www.clapforclassics.com/store

The Four Seasons Curriculum
Explore Vivaldi’s Four Seasons with music, movement, art, and nature-themed lessons.
👉 www.clapforclassics.com/fourseasons 

📣 Submit a Joke for the Show!
Does your child have a great joke to share? We’d love to feature it in a future episode!
👉 www.speakpipe.com/ClapforClassics 

🎶 The classical music in this episode is licensed for use through Classical.com, a fantastic resource for high-quality recordings.

Thank you for listening and making music with us!
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!

Grab your cowboy (or cowgirl!) hats and get ready to dance!

In this episode, we’re celebrating the sounds of fall with music that will have your little ones bouncing, swaying, and giggling to the beat. We’ll sing some of our favorite autumn songs — “Golden Corn” and “Down Down Yellow and Brown” — and then we’ll listen to part of Aaron Copland’s “Hoedown” from Rodeo, a festive piece full of rhythm, percussion, and energy!

This episode is perfect for toddlers, preschoolers, and early elementary learners — and grownups who love to join in the fun.

🍁 Free Fall Music Resource: Download your free Fall Classical Music Adventure Guide — “Leaves, Laughter, and Listening” It’s packed with musical play ideas, listening activities, and printable fun featuring fall-themed classical music. 👉 www.clapforclassics.com/episode74

🎧 More Fall-Themed Episodes You’ll Love

Episode 28: Vivaldi’s Autumn Party

Episode 33: Teapots and Tchaikovsky

Episode 60: “I Like Pie” The Thanksgiving soundtrack by Kathryn Lieppman

🎉 Try All Our Music Courses for Just $1! Start a 7-day trial and get instant access to 19 joyful, engaging music courses designed for kids ages 0–8. 👉 Click here to start your trial for just $1

🎵 Explore More from Clap for Classics! All Access Membership Unlimited access to 19+ music courses, printables, and resources designed for kids ages 0–8. 👉 www.clapforclassics.com/join

The Four Seasons Curriculum Explore Vivaldi’s Four Seasons with music, movement, art, and nature-themed lessons. 👉 www.clapforclassics.com/fourseasons

Submit a Joke for the Show! Does your child have a great joke to share? We’d love to feature it in a future episode! 👉 www.speakpipe.com/ClapforClassics

The classical music in this episode is licensed for use through Classical.com, a fantastic resource for high-quality recordings.

Thank you for listening and making music with us! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!

Join Elizabeth, Forte the Lion, and special guest Caleb (Elizabeth’s 12-year-old son!) for a musical adventure featuring lively fiddle tunes and a calming lullaby. Caleb shows us the difference between a graceful waltz and a toe-tapping rag, and then we all wind down together with the sweet lullaby Golden Slumber.

In this episode, your child will:

• Learn the difference between violin music and fiddle music

• Move and sway to a waltz’s 1-2-3 beat

• Tap their toes to a bouncy fiddle rag

• Calm their body with a soothing lullaby

Don’t forget to grab the free Golden Slumber Lullaby PDF with lyrics, ukulele chords, and fun ways to enjoy this lullaby with your child!

👉 Download your free lullaby guide here

🎉 Try All Our Music Courses for Just $1! Start a 7-day trial and get instant access to 19 joyful, engaging music courses designed for kids ages 0–8. 👉 Click here to start your trial for just $1

🎵 Explore More from Clap for Classics! All Access Membership Unlimited access to 19+ music courses, printables, and resources designed for kids ages 0–8.

👉 www.clapforclassics.com/join

The Four Seasons Curriculum Explore Vivaldi’s Four Seasons with music, movement, art, and nature-themed lessons.

👉 www.clapforclassics.com/fourseasons

Submit a Joke for the Show! Does your child have a great joke to share? We’d love to feature it in a future episode!

👉 www.speakpipe.com/ClapforClassics

The classical music in this episode is licensed for use through Classical.com, a fantastic resource for high-quality recordings.

Thank you for listening and making music with us! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review in your favorite podcast app so more families can find us!

Ready to slow down and explore music in a whole new way? Join Ms. Elizabeth, Forte the Lion, and our very slow (but very sweet!) friend Adagio the Tortoise as we learn about tempo — how music can be slow like adagio or super fast like presto! With playful characters, guided movement, original songs, and a silly musical game, this episode will help your child feel the speed of music in their body and their imagination.

🎧 What We’ll Do in This Episode:

– Meet Adagio the Tortoise and learn what “adagio” means

– Discover the difference between slow (adagio) and fast (presto) tempo

– Listen to music from Carnival of the Animals and move like a tortoise

– Sing an original “Tortoise Tip-Toe” song and play a silly, sneaky music game

This episode features music from “The Tortoise” and "Wild Donkey" from Carnival of the Animals by Camille Saint-Saëns.

🎉 Try All Our Music Courses for Just $1! Start a 7-day trial and get instant access to 19 joyful, engaging music courses designed for kids ages 0–8. 👉 Click here to start your trial for just $1

🎵 Explore More from Clap for Classics! All Access Membership Unlimited access to 19+ music courses, printables, and resources designed for kids ages 0–8.

👉 www.clapforclassics.com/join

The Four Seasons Curriculum Explore Vivaldi’s Four Seasons with music, movement, art, and nature-themed lessons.

👉 www.clapforclassics.com/fourseasons

Submit a Joke for the Show! Does your child have a great joke to share? We’d love to feature it in a future episode!

👉 www.speakpipe.com/ClapforClassics

The classical music in this episode is licensed for use through Classical.com, a fantastic resource for high-quality recordings.

Thank you for listening and making music with us! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review in your favorite podcast app so more families can find us!

Ready to cool off and laugh along? Join Ms. Elizabeth, Forte the Lion, and special guest Ruby for a refreshing summer-themed episode! We’ll share a playful summer poem, explore the exciting music of Vivaldi’s Summer, and dive into some sunny jokes that are sure to make your little ones giggle. Plus, we’ll give you tips for writing your own jokes and invite you to download a fun printable that brings all the joy of this episode to life!

What We’ll Do in This Episode:
– Hear Ruby recite the poem Open Hydrant by Marci Ridlon
– Listen to music from Vivaldi’s Summer and imagine a city waterfall in the heat
– Explore how music and poetry can paint pictures in our minds

Grab the Free Printable from This Episode
Includes the full poem, coloring page, tons of listening ideas for Vivaldi's Four Seasons Summer 2nd movement, bonus page of summer jokes and joke- writing guide!
👉 www.clapforclassics.com/episode71

Try All Our Music Courses for Just $1!
Start a 7-day trial and get instant access to 19 engaging music courses designed for kids ages 0–8.
👉 https://www.clapforclassics.com/offers/RfL93GQ9

Explore More from Clap for Classics! All Access Membership – Try it for just $1
Get unlimited access to 19+ courses, printables, and parent resources designed for kids ages 0–8.
👉 www.clapforclassics.com/join

The Four Seasons Music & More Curriculum
Explore Vivaldi’s Four Seasons with themed lessons, movement, art, and nature connections.
👉 www.clapforclassics.com/fourseasons

Submit a Joke for the Show!
Does your child have a great joke to share? We’d love to feature it!
👉 www.speakpipe.com/ClapforClassics

Take Our 1-Minute Podcast Survey
We’d love your feedback! If you’re a listener, help us shape future episodes by taking our super quick survey:
👉 www.clapforclassics.com/survey

The classical music in this episode is licensed for use through Classical.com—a fantastic resource for high-quality recordings.

Thanks for listening and making music with us! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review in your favorite podcast app to help more families find us.

Ready to make a splash? Join Ms. Elizabeth, Forte the Lion, and special guest Charlotte for a fun-filled ocean-themed music adventure! This episode is packed with interactive songs, musical movement, and a listening adventure to Vivaldi’s Summer. We’ll explore echo singing, legato and staccato movement, and the energetic rhythms of a summer thunderstorm.

🎵 What We’ll Do in This Episode:
– Sing along with the echo song “Charlie Over the Ocean”
– Learn a legato and staccato ball song with fun movement prompts
– Experience Vivaldi’s Summer concerto like never before—through rain, thunder, and dancing wind!
– Learn musical terms like echo, legato, staccato, tempo, and presto in an age-appropriate way

✨ Try All Our Music Courses for Just $1!
Start a 7-day trial and get instant access to 19 engaging music courses designed for kids ages 0–8.
👉 https://www.clapforclassics.com/offers/RfL93GQ9

🎙️ Want to be featured on the show?
Leave us a message! Your child might get a shoutout in a future episode.
👉 speakpipe.com/ClapforClassics

📚 Explore More from Clap for Classics!

• 🎵 All Access Membership – Try it for just $1 Get unlimited access to 19+ courses, printables, and parent resources designed for kids ages 0–8. 👉 www.clapforclassics.com/join
• 🌦️ The Four Seasons Music & More Curriculum Explore Vivaldi’s Four Seasons with themed lessons, movement, art, and nature connections. 👉 www.clapforclassics.com/fourseasons

😄 Submit a Joke for the Show! Does your child have a great joke to share? We’d love to feature it! www.speakpipe.com/ClapforClassics

💌 Take Our 1-Minute Podcast Survey We’d love your feedback! If you’re a listener, help us shape future episodes by taking our super quick survey:

👉www.clapforclassics.com/survey

The classical music in this episode is licensed for use through Classical.com a fantastic resource for high-quality recordings.

Thanks for listening and making music with us! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review in your favorite podcast app to help more families find us.

In this fun-filled episode, Forte the Lion takes us on a musical journey to the Philippines, where we learn a silly and catchy folk song called “Tong Tong Tong Pakitong-Kitong”—all about a giant crab! 🦀

Then we dive deep into the sea with the magical classical piece “Aquarium” by Camille Saint-Saëns. 🎶

Sing along in both English and Tagalog, snap your crab claws to the rhythm and enjoy an imaginative listening activity that brings classical music to life for your little one!

✨ Free Printable! Pair this episode with a delightful printable that includes:

• Bilingual lyrics (English + Tagalog)
• Movement ideas for the crab song
• A fun “Aquarium” coloring + listening page
• Musical learning tips for parents

🎁 Grab your free download at: 👉 www.clapforclassics.com/episode69

💌 Take Our 1-Minute Podcast Survey We’d love your feedback! If you’re a listener, help us shape future episodes by taking our super quick survey:

👉www.clapforclassics.com/survey

📚 Explore More from Clap for Classics!

• 🎵 All Access Membership – Try it for just $1 Get unlimited access to 19+ courses, printables, and parent resources designed for kids ages 0–8. 👉 www.clapforclassics.com/join
• 🌦️ The Four Seasons Music & More Curriculum Explore Vivaldi’s Four Seasons with themed lessons, movement, art, and nature connections. 👉 www.clapforclassics.com/fourseasons

😄 Submit a Joke for the Show! Does your child have a great joke to share? We’d love to feature it! www.speakpipe.com/ClapforClassics

The classical music in this episode is licensed for use through Classical.com a fantastic resource for high-quality recordings.

Thanks for listening and making music with us! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review in your favorite podcast app to help more families find us.

Grab a FREE month of music in exchange for filling out a short survey about the podcast! www.clapforclassics.com/survey 

Welcome to Clap for Classics!, where music and learning go hand in hand! In today’s sweet and playful episode, we’re sharing three favorite activities from our Nursery Rhyme Baby Time course—perfect for babies and toddlers, but fun for the whole family. Whether you’re gently guiding your baby’s hands or marching with a preschooler, this episode is full of joyful, musical bonding moments.

🎁 Download our free 2-page printable with 8 Tips for Sharing Music with Your Baby and a curated list of our favorite nursery rhymes to sing together. Grab it here: www.clapforclassics.com/episode68

🎵 Songs and Activities Featured:

Wind the Bobbin Up – A classic with fun actions that babies and big kids can enjoy together. Lyrics:

Wind the bobbin up, wind the bobbin up

Pull, pull, clap clap clap

Wind it back again, wind it back again

Pull, pull, clap clap clap

Point to the ceiling, point to the floor

Point to the window, point to the door

Clap your hands together, 1, 2, 3

Put your hands upon your knees

Peek-a-Boo Scarf Game – Featuring the song: "Oh Where, Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone?"

A playful way to engage babies with surprise, repetition, and song.

Move to the Music – The March from Children’s Games by Georges Bizet

Help your baby feel the steady beat with gentle movement while listening to this delightful classical piece (also known as “Trumpet and Drum”).

🎼 Classical music used in this episode is licensed to us from Classical.com

👶 Explore More with Nursery Rhyme Baby Time!

Our Nursery Rhyme Baby Time course is full of musical fun for ages 0–2 and is available to purchase individually, or you can access it—along with all of our other courses—by joining our All Access Membership. ✨ Learn more and join today at: www.clapforclassics.com 💌

Questions? Feedback? Want to say hi? I’d love to hear from you! You can reach me at [email protected]

😄 Got a joke you want to share on the podcast? Leave us one here: www.speakpipe.com/ClapforClassics

Thanks for listening and making music with us! Don’t forget to follow the show and leave a review to help other families find us. 🎧🦁