We are taking a break this week from research and science about music classes for babies and toddlers and the benefits of music. Instead, we’re shifting our focus toward lived experience- mine. As a child, I grew up in a home where music was a natural part of our family’s daily life. My mom, dad, and grandparents wove music into our lives. It was the original ‘mommy and me’ classes, but in a very natural way. There’s often a misperception that there must be ‘real’ music- parents who play or sing very well, lessons, recitals, choirs- for a household to be musical, but my life would say, “Not necessarily.”
Many of my earliest memories revolve around music: my mom waving to me from the choir loft at church (she wasn’t supposed to do that, but she’s a maverick); my dad whistling to Mantovani (aka- ‘easy listening’) as he drove me home from playdates; my grandmom humming as she washed the dishes; my other grandmom setting me up with jars of water and a spoon to experiment with different pitches; the feeling of being rocked as a toddler (yes, I remember that) while being sung a lullaby; listening to Tammy Wynette on the radio and singing along with my mom as we drove to see her ailing dad in another town. No one in my family was a professional singer, but there was a lot of singing. There were no concert pianists, but some of us had sufficient skill to trudge through some Christmas carols. Music was a thread in the tapestry of our lives. It wasn’t announced or expected, it just was. Music and singing with babies and toddlers just was.
At 54, I have nearly photographic recall of the scenes I just described. So I ask you, what musical memories will your family make? What mommy and me (or daddy and me) songs and dances will sink into your child’s memory? Will your child be able to write something like I’ve just written? It’s easier than you think….
Five little pumpkins were sitting on a gate
The first one said, “Oh my, it’s getting late.”
The second one said, “There are witches in the air”,
The third one said, “Well, we don’t care”,
The fourth one said, ‘Let’s run and run and run”,
The fifth one said, “We’re ready for some fun!”
Whoooooo went the wind and OUT (clap) went the lights and
Five little pumpkins rolled out of sight!
KIDS IN NATURE DAY, Sunday October 27, 2-5 pm
Freedom Park, 1908 East Blvd, Charlotte, 28209
Kids will have a chance to get up-close and personal with nature. The event takes place at the Bandshell Island.
Kids can meet animal ambassadors, make seed balls and bird treats, relax with Animal Yoga, create art with objects found in nature, hear stores from mother nature, fish in the pond, and go on a guided nature walk in the woods. Did we mention the event was FREE?