Today as I did some office work, my three-year-old daughter played in the floor and asked if she could listen to the “washing ‘chine” song. I immediately knew what she meant – the song “Washing Machine” from the Milk and Cookies Volume 1 CD – but I was shocked she asked for this particular song since it was from Kindermusik class so many weeks ago. It was another example of how the things she learns in music class really do sink in and stick with her.
A similar thing happened last week as I was driving my three kids in our mini-van. We were listening to the Zoom Buggy CD so I could refresh my memory before teaching my next class. My six-year-old daughter sang along to “Little Red Caboose” and announced to us all how much she likes that song. What she didn’t remember was that as a toddler in Kindermusik, she liked that song then too. Years later, it sill resonates with her. Wow!
Monday, during the Our Time class I teach at East 91st St. Christian Church, I watched my young students with awe as they played a steady beat on the drums while I sang “Polly Put the Kettle On.” Maintaining a steady beat is a skill we’ve worked on all semester because research has shown children who can keep a steady beat have enhanced language development. So as we sat on the floor singing and tapping the drum, I saw the amazing results of our 15 weeks of fun! Even when we think kids aren’t listening or understanding, we find out later, sometimes much later, the impact of our words, actions and examples.
Posted by Ellen Gullett, mom of 3 children, Kindermusik mom for more than 8 years and now a Kindermusik educator. Join her in a Monday morning class!
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