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March 2005
WeJoySing Taking Action in Our Community
Mrs. Donna - North Canton
 Mrs. Nancy is greeted by a swarm of “honey bees” as she arrives at the Broad Street Infant and Toddler Center (BIT-C). “Mrs. Nancy! Mrs. Nancy!” they cry out to their beloved teacher. “See my truck?” is drowned out by “I have braids today!” Little arms hug her legs so tightly she fears she’ll trip over them. Mrs. Nancy takes time to acknowledge each child, knowing that, like all children, these little ones need to feel recognized and valued.
Nancy’s attention is drawn to a 2 year old who has not run to greet her. The little girl is singing, “Let’s clap our hands for Jasmine, let’s tap our heads for Corey.” With joy, Nancy realizes that this little one is leading her own WeJoySing class! This precious 2 year old has grasped the concept that “it is time to start, I know the sequence.”
Stimulating essential developmental skills and imaginary play are benefits of the WeJoySing programs. Parents often tell us that their little one assumes the role of their WeJoySing teacher at home, but seeing such play at BIT-C is an added blessing. Established in 1992 by the Broad Street Presbyterian Church in downtown Columbus, BIT-C is a Title 20 early intervention care center. It serves children 6 weeks to three years old, many from at risk or low-income families. WeJoySing has provided music for the center since January of 2001. Nancy Mapes has watched “her” little ones grow and achieve important milestones, including turning three. She reflects, “Although I see these children only once a week, I become attached and it has been very hard for me to say ‘good-bye’ to them.” Every Friday, Mrs. Nancy comes away from her time there energized and wearing a smile.
 Another instructor with something extra-special to smile about is Ms. Debbie Liffick, who leads music for the K-2 set at the Homeless Families Foundation. The core of the Foundation’s mission is to “provide stability and nurturing to....at-risk children” who may be “ill-prepared to start school...[or] fall behind their peers academically.”
Using the WeJoySing curriculum and play-filled instruction techniques, Ms. Debbie is able to enhance the development of higher academic skills. This musical approach fosters mathematical, verbal, gross and fine motor skills, as well as spatial intelligence, and social skills. “Just being able to provide this program to these beautiful little people is a feeling like no other,” Debbie bubbles. Volunteering her personal time for field trips, she recalls a little girl’s excitement in discovering that giraffes were really REAL! “We take so much for granted. I thank the Lord that I have been able to provide my own children with these life experiences....and I’m thankful now to see them through the eyes of these children.”
A note from Mrs. Jo~
WeJoySing is honored to bring music into the lives of children throughout our community. Whether in a WeJoySing parent-child music class, childcare center, or in connection with a community service, WeJoySing instructors share the JOY of music in a way that tells each little life: “YOU ARE SPECIAL.” Thank you for this privilege!
"Sing"cerely,
Mrs. Jo
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