Toe-tapping Lion encourages kids and parents to mix different styles of music, try various musical instruments, and get up and bust a move.
Kids also have the chance to unlock three surprises - where they just might see Lion perform some hilarious dance moves!
Play
You will NOT be recorded when you click "Allow" to
enable your webcam.
You may need to experiment with the lighting in
your room to get it just right!
Follow these easy step-by-step instructions to play Lion's Music Den with your child. You'll be mixing music and grooving to tunes in no time! For more detailed information and FAQs, visit the Help area.
Go to the Printouts area and print out the records and musical instruments. If it's your first time playing Lion's Music Den, print out the test page, too.
Ask your child to cut out the records and musical instruments -- be prepared to help!
Go to the Play area and follow Lion's short tutorial. Have your child place a record on the table, then lay down an instrument on top of the record.
Encourage your child to try different records and instruments. Mix them up for different musical styles. To make instruments louder, move them toward the centre of the record, and away to make the sound softer.
There are three musical surprises to unlock in Lion's Music Den. Each time you unlock one, a trophy will be coloured in. If you and your child are having trouble unlocking the surprises, visit the Help area for hints.
To get the best experience playing Lion's Music Den, you'll need an external webcam attached to the top of your laptop or monitor. You can move and adjust it to get the best view of the records and instruments on your desk.
Print out the music styles and instruments so you and your child can take turns mixing
music with Lion. Don't forget to get up and dance!
Print Full Set - Includes the four music styles and instruments, as well as an instruction sheet.
Studies show that musical training improves memory, math, and literacy skills.
In Lion's Music Den, kids create their own music, are introduced to different musical
instruments and styles, and are encouraged to get up and dance--key components
of the Kindergarten curriculum, specifically Arts and Health & Physical Activity.
The activities below will help you take the fun and learning of Lion's Music Den offline.
Enjoy!
Rubber bands, toilet paper rolls, boxes, and other recyclable materials are great for making
musical instruments. Make several with your child and their friends and then jam together
in a Trash Band! (Parents, this activity is written for teachers, but can be easily modified.)
Read article
Use everyday objects found around your home to make instruments like maracas,
tambourines, cymbals, and a glass xylophone.
Slip on your dancing shoes
and try out some of these
fun dance steps!
Salsa Dance Steps
How to Foxtrot
The information and FAQs below will help you and your child mix tunes and dance together in Lion's Music Den.
There are a few things you can check:
The lighting in the room may be too bright or too dim. If it's too bright, the webcam will reflect the light. If the lighting is too dim, the webcam will have trouble detecting the test page, records, or musical instruments. Also, make sure you're not casting a shadow on the pieces of paper. You may need to experiment to get the lighting just right!
Make sure that your webcam's lens is clean. An external overhanging webcam works best. When your child is ready to try different records and instruments, place the cut-outs flat on the desk, ensuring they can be seen in the webcam.
Place one or two records on the table or desk side-by-side, ensuring you can see them onscreen. Place musical instruments on top of the records. The instruments will play a different style of music (funk, country, rock and roll, or Latin) on different records.
Only two records will play at one time. If you want to hear a new record, you need to remove one of the old records and place a new one on the table.
An instrument must be placed on top of a record to make sound. It will not play if it's placed on top of the table or desk, or held up to the webcam.
Move instruments to the middle of the record to make them louder. The closer an instrument is to the middle of the record, the louder it sounds. To make it softer, move the instrument away from the middle.
Do we want to give players the option or are we saying you need an external webcam?
If you and your child are having trouble unlocking the surprises, here are a few hints:
Use all 4 records at least once during a session. Use all 4 instruments at least once. Place all four instruments on one record.
Are your speakers turned on? If yes, check to see that they are turned up high. Or maybe there are earphones plugged into your computer. Also, are your sound card drivers up-to-date? Driver software is available for free download from most companies that make your audio card or computer.
• Standard webcam
• Any Intel based PC or MAC
• IE7+, Firefox 3.0+ or Safari 3.0+
• Adobe Flash 10.1 plug-in
• Adobe Flash Reader
• laser or inkjet printer
• broadband connection
• record & instrument printouts
If you've followed our suggestions and still need help, try visiting the manufacturer support sites listed below.
Get the latest version of
Flash Player
Flash Player Help
Camera settings
Webcam Support Sites:
Logitech
Microsoft
Apple
Please report any bugs to:
kidscbc@cbc.ca
