Print Motivation; It's Personal With Me

I just finished making and posting short videos for the six early reading skills, and one of them is print motivation. As I say in the video, "It's just loving books. Children love to read because they see you read, and they love you to read to them."

I realized today what a profound understatement that was. I grew up in a house where we absorbed that. fact. I don't remember being told, but instead experienced the belief that any answer could be found in a book. I do remember my father saying to me, "As long as you have a book you will never be lonely."

But here's how I really absorbed print motivation. My parent's bedroom was filled with books- a whole wall of them several shelves high. There were books on their headboard which actually had cupboards to hold... more books! The only other piece of furniture in their room was a large oak file cabinet which housed manila  file folders on everything under the sun (including one for each of us four children- and I still have mine), my father's underwear, and an emergency can of coffee. What can I say. The man had his priorities straight!

My mother was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease when I about five, and the first thing my father did was sit us all down with a very large medical book he had purchased. We were going to learn all we could about this new uninvited guest.

Years later, when I was was searching for answers to my own physical problems, I bought a book that contained the latest and quite controversial information. According to the book and my symptoms, I felt pretty certain I had endometreosis. At that time many doctors didn't "believe" it was a real condition. I carried that book around with me until I found a doctor who was willing to read the few pages I'd marked. He even made copies. He did surgery and told me my (non-existent) condition had been so severe I probably wouldn't be able to have children. I got pregnant almost immediately, and then had a second child. Years later when my son's middle-school assignment was to interview a parent about the the most influential book in his or her life, there was no contest; Women and the Crisis in Sex Hormones. I told my son that without that book I don't think he would have been born. As it turned out he had to give an oral book report, and I guess it led to quite a discussion about the influence of non-fiction books!

A close second for completely different reasons was The McCall's Make-it Book, published in 1953. About ten years ago I was reminiscing with my sister (an endless well for us!), and asked if she remembered that book. She said emphatically, "Remember it? It was like your second mother!" By then the Internet gave us the ability to track down obscure long-gone books, and I actually located a copy and purchased it. I can't tell you the physical, mental, and emotional response I had as I opened the box and looked at the cover. Every single one of the 200 pages was familiar. And as I read the text and looked at the pictures I was stunned to see the respect with which this book written in the fifties spoke directly to the child. It pictured girls using wood-shop tools, boys knitting, and didn't talk down. No child who had this book could ever be bored or lacking in imagination (I know what those of you who know me are thinking.... that explains my affinity for props- and you're probably right!).

So why am I sharing all of this with you? Because print motivation is no small thing. It is life-changing and lifelong. I see it with my two young grandchildren now. Books are shaping their lives, leading to conversations and teaching them to think. It's more than just "reading to your child every day." It's having lots and lots of books around, and using them, and going to the library all the time and getting more books.. and talking more about them. It's a lifestyle. And yes, I love technology, but there is nothing like the feel and smell and accessibility and sharing together of a real book. And singing and reading walk hand in hand. Rhythm is music is language is reading. Songs are portable literacy.You read with children when you can sit and be still and be able to turn the pages. But a song can go anyplace with you, from the car to the changing table to the bathtub. Reading and singing both can teach, and heal, and connect, and inspire. And this project seeks to insure you are never lacking in either. So yes, for me print motivation is personal!

Singing With Children; Slow and Steady Wins the Race!

As we are all racing around trying to get a million things done, it's easy to forget the magic that can occur when we sing a simple song with our children. Young children are learning at an astounding pace, and the research tells us that the number of words a child knows upon entering kindergarten (vocabulary) is a leading indicator not only of later success in reading, but in graduating from high school! Songs are an incredible way for them to increase both their vocabulary, and their understanding of language. Melodies break words into syllables (phonemic awareness) and are packed with words we don't use every day (like curds and whey and water spout!). They have built-in patterns and repetition, building memory and increasing retention.   That's why it's so important songs are sung slowly enough that that children can hear the words, and then be able to sing along. Think about it. When you're having a conversation with a child, he is listening and you are talking. But when you sing, you are experiencing language together. It's an amazing thing! Of course children are just learning about all this language business, and as they begin to understand they can make sounds that are actual words, many children love to hear themselves sing every single syllable. It's all too easy for us as adults to sing so fast that our children can't keep up, and so are unable to participate. The first few years I sang with young two-year-olds, I (and the other teachers) didn't question the fact the the children weren't singing along. After all, they were only two! At some point I realized they needed time to process what I was singing, and what a huge part repetition played in that, as well as slow, deliberate singing. All you really have to do is take your cue from your child! Finger plays (like The Isty Bisty Spider) are a great way to pace your singing, as you will naturally slow down in order for your child to do the motions.

Just watching and being aware of your child's attempt to join you can "regulate" your speed. Slowing down your singing will allow your child to hear the syllables in the words, as well as their context and sentence structure, and give them the ability to sing along. Those little vocal muscles have to work harder than yours to keep up!

One more note...
We all have our favorite music to listen to, and my two young grandchildren love to dance to upbeat music just like all kids do But I intentionally also play simple children's music that has a melody and simple accompaniment so again, they can hear and replicate the words. My daughter validated this when she called me after a car trip with the kids and said, "Mother- your recording (Little Songs For Little Me) is brilliant!" Her son was trying very hard to sing along with every word, because he could. She had been playing faster music, and realized singing along at that pace wasn't even an option for him.  I made that recording twenty-five years ago, when I had just begun singing with children. I learned by watching them. And that's why I sang slowly. They taught me that, and pretty much everything else I've learned about singing with young children over the last thirty years.

So slow it down and enjoy the ride (and the song!). 

The Grand Experiment

Hello Friends!

After a short break in blog postings after the end of the fundraiser, it's time to get back in the saddle. As you know or can imagine, the fundraiser took most of my time, taking away from the time I could spend on the actual project. And now it's  time to take stock and access the project so far. The main goal, of course, was to raise funds to build the website which will be free to access and use. But there were some unintended benefits apart from the money raised, and as it turns out, they are every bit as important.

1. I connected with new families and reconnected with people I haven't seen or talked to in years- or even decades; people that are very important to me. For that I'm so grateful.

2. The fundraiser forced me to define and promote the project. I'm realizing now, that without it, I'm not sure how I would have gotten the word out. So that was invaluable.

3. Comments posted on the Indiegogo site and by people I met promoting it reaffirmed the need and hunger for this project. It reaffirmed this is the right place and the right time.

So even though as the fundraiser was going I felt I was neglecting the project, I see it inadvertently laid the groundwork I; we;  will need for success. And here's why the project will be successful:
Though there are many websites that have information on early learning and music, there are none that have the combination of resources all in one place for anyone to use; and none that include the unique live pilot project we are undertaking. No matter how much impact the pilot project has in the community, it will be hugely successful for providing a roadmap to other communities from the smallest detail to the general plan. So nothing we do here will be wasted. Every link in the community chain that runs from child to teacher to home to grandparent to church to far-flung family members will be documented in a way that has never been done. And you. the reader, will have this gift for the taking. So keep posted, join in, and take it all!

Here are 3 things you can do today to become part of the Sing With Our Kids Movement!

1. Join the mailing list at SingWithOurKids.com so you don't miss any website content or event!
2. Tell everyone you know about the project, and encourage teachers to use the website materials
3. Sing with your kids! Take those moments during the day when you're together, whether changing a diaper, riding in the car, pushing a stroller, at bathtime.... and just sing!

Sing With Our Kids Day 3 Countdown Idea

Dinosaur Fun:

Do you know how big the biggest dinosaur egg ever to be discovered was? About as big as a 12-inch balloon! Kids love this..

Slowly blow up a 12-inch balloon, telling children you're going to show the how big the biggest dinosaur egg discovered is. You can stop along the way at the chicken egg, and the largest egg today, the ostrich (about 6 inches). Then slowly keep blowing until you get to the full 12 inches. Tie a knot, and toss it behind you.

Now sing the traditional song, Here's a Baby Birdie, beginning curled up in a ball, then move body, changing the words to:

 

Here's a baby dinosaur, he's hatching from his shell

Out comes his head, then comes his tail 

Next his legs he stretches, he gives a great big ROAR 

Then he stomps and stomps and stomps and sits back on the floor.

Down, down, down, down, down, down, down, BOOM!

If you don't know the song Here's A Baby Birdie you'll find it in the free song library at www.SingWithOurKids.com. It should be up tomorrow or Sunday. 

Enjoy!

Sing With Our Kids Day 4 Countdown Idea

Here is your song idea of the day.

This one is easy...

• Sing Bingo, using a dog and several other animal puppets. Give each puppet a name and spell it on a piece of paper or card stock ( I use rhyming "names" like Ringo, Jingo, Mingo
• Sing Bingo, using the dog puppet first, having his paw point to the letters as you sing.
• Then I say, "Bingo has some friends. Would you like to meet them?" Bingo disappears behind my back, and out comes a different animal who then points to the letters in his - or her- name. It's simple and silly, but the familiarity draws the kids in and it's great for letter knowledge!

And here is your friendly reminder that there are only 4 more days left to donate to Sing With Our Kids!  Here's the link to the campaign.  http://www.indiegogo.com/SingWithOurKidsWebsite?a=1164209

Sing With Our Kids Day 5 Countdown Idea

Here is your song idea of the day: 

This is another great idea that came out of my Florida workshop last week. It's simple, but let's see if I can describe it easily!

This is a variation on my Four Little Paper Dolls song.

Here is a link to the song if you don't know it, and by the way, if you don't it's a real hit with the kids, so be sure to do it too!  http://nancymusic.com/SOM/2009/four-little-paper-dolls.htm

-- 

Now- here is a way to expand your use of the song so you can use it for all kinds of things.

Instead of paper dolls, you're going to make a sturdy folding book. I would use cardboard, because you're going to use this a lot! I just by 8X10 photo mailing cardboad pieces found at office supply stores, but again, you can use or make what you have. 

• To make a folding book that hinges properly, stack the first two pieces of cardboard and tape along one side.so they are hinged when you open them. I use clear packing tape because it's nice and wide. 
• Open the "pages" and flip them the other way, again stacking them, and tape the other side.Now your hinge will be taped on both sides of the cardboard. 
• Add your next piece of cardboard and do the same thing, so now you have three pieces of cardboard that will lie flat and hinge back and forth.
• And finally, add your last piece and tape it. Now you should have four pieces of cardboard that can lie flat and hinge back and forth, essentially making them work like paper dolls (the cut kind). 

• Now for the easy and fun part. Place a small piece of Velcro in the middle of each "page." 
• Cut out four of anything you want, (four letter, four teddy bears, four ducks, four cars, etc. ). Make whatever you want, but make all four identical. 
• Laminate and put the other half of the Velcro piece on the back of each picture. 
• Put one picture on each of your cardboard pages, and voila! Instead of Four Little Paper Dolls, you have four
   little _____ (whatever you've Velcro'd onto the pages). You can easily change the pictures to go with whatever you're doing. It's kind of like having the other kind of paper dolls, where you change the clothes! Hmm. That's kind of funny!

If you need any clarification for the above instructions, let me know! You know how to find me!

And here is your friendly reminder that there are only 5 more days left to donate to Sing With Our Kids!  Here's the link to the campaign. 

http://www.indiegogo.com/SingWithOurKidsWebsite?a=1164209

Thanks so much for your support!

 Nancy

Sing With Our Kids 6 Day Countdown Idea

Here is your Countdown Song Idea of the Day:  Mystery Letter!

Prop: Put a letter in a small box, or a shoe box,  or any container you have handy. If you have a wooden or magnetic letter, great. Otherwise, just draw a letter on a piece of paper and put it in the box. If the letter is paper, put something else in the box so it makes noise when you shake it.

Now...

Sing the ABC Song with the kids. 

Then tell them you have a mystery letter in the box, and you're going to sing the ABC song again but you're going to stop when you get to the letter. Sing slowly shaking the box once for every letter, the kids singing with you. The sound of the letter in the box really peaks their interest! When you get to the letter, make a big deal of stopping and freezing. Then ask the kids what letter you stopped at... 

I have a "J" in my box. I then asked the kids if any of them had a "J" in their names, and we sang two of my songs with "J''s". JUMP, and To Market, To Market, both on www.Nancymusic.com. . Both have printable pages with pictures, letters, and words. But you could just as easily read a book about something that starts with "J" (or whatever letter you have in the box).

Here's the link for JUMP  http://nancymusic.com/SOM/2010/jump.htm

Here's the link to To Market, to  http://nancymusic.com/SOM/2009/to%20market%20to%20market.htm 

This activity has been a real hit because of the mystery element! And it helps children understand that the ABC song is made of separate letters. Encourage parents to do the same thing at home with letters in a box, and a book or song. Easy and fun! (I knew this was a good idea today when I finished a concert and the librarian said, "That's a great idea- I'm going to steal it!"

And here is your friendly reminder that the Indiegogo fundraiser ends in 6 days. So if you have already donated, thank you thank you! If you haven't, you can click here to learn more about the project and make a donation. 

http://www.indiegogo.com/SingWithOurKidsWebsite?a=1164209