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July 2007
MUSIC: What Have You Done for Me Lately? Part 2
Mrs. Jo
Mrs. Jo, Music is Amazing! The activities and interactions I’m learning in class give me things to do with my baby during the day. We use the activities to calm him and play with him at home. These are things he LIKES to do. It’s MAGIC ! I’m happy and he’s happy! Thanks! I’m a better Mommy because of MUSIC!!
Music is MAGIC!...and what a THRILL it is for me when a young Mother, like this, share their JOY in discovering the positive effects music can “play” in positive parenting and child development when playfully implemented into their daily living. Now, I call that JOY!!
Parenting can be a very lonely and daunting time in life. We all have frustrations, questions, and concerns. This month’s news letter shares three real life stories from WeJoySing parents and instructors and how they experienced – “MUSIC, what have you“done for me (and my family) lately.”
A phone message from a Mother of a 6month old.
Keaton was in a pretty soar mood today. He wasn’t allowing himself to take his second nap. So, I thought we’d try to play WeJoySing which would get him tired and hopefully get him to take another nap. He went from a sour mood to really happy when we started to sing “The More We Get Together.” I put music on and started to play with a balloon. (Keaton reeeealy liked the balloons in class.) It was a lot of fun to watch him. He started giggling and thought it was a fun! It was pretty amazing to see the change in his demeanor. He still hasn’t taken his nap (giggles in background)...but he’s still quite a bit happier! We love WeJoySing!
Mrs. Nancy, WeJoySing instructor – child’s name has been changed.
We had a breakthrough (though I didn't realize it at the time) with Betsy. Betsy came with mom last week, and in the middle of Mortimer, she said, "Mrs. Nancy, I have a question." I said, "Sure, Betsy, what is your question?" She said, "Did the dad talk to the mom?" (this is when dad was going up the stairs to check on Mortimer) I said, "Yes, I think the dad probably did talk to the mom." Well, after class, Betsy's mom was so emotional. They have been working with Betsy to accurately express herself. For example, Betsy will often say, "I have a question" and then say, "The sky is blue" or some other statement. They have been working on the difference between a "question" and a "statement." So when Betsy said, "I have a question" and then actually ASKED a question - WOW! That was a huge breakthrough, according to mom. What a great success story!! Betsy’s Mom said, "We know there is a lot going on in her brain - the challenge is to get her to express it." I was really proud of her.
Mrs. Nancy, WeJoySing Instructor – child’s name has been changed.
I was at church, in one of the classrooms watching a video when I heard, from out in the hall, a child crying very loudly, almost wailing! I peeked out the door and saw a mom holding a baby, with another child (a little girl) sitting in a chair. Both the baby and the little girl were crying their eyes out! Oh, my! I decided to go out and see if there was anything I could do to help. I introduced myself to the mom and asked if I could help. Turns out these children are in a WeJoySing class - they had to leave the classroom temporarily, for obvious reasons! Mom recognized me as a WeJoySing instructor and began to apologize for herself for the noise her children were making. I told her that one of the neat things about WeJoySing is that every one of us has been in her situation. We all have had children that have "lost it" at one time or another. We all understand. No apology needed!!
Rachel (the 4 year old) was still screaming. I said to her (racking my brain for something out of the 4-5 year old lesson plan), "Rachel!! Did you ever meet Digby when you played with Mrs. Lynnette?" I put my hand behind my back and sang (rather loudly because Rachel was still crying), "Digby, Digby, are you here?" In an instant, Rachel stopped crying, put her hand up, and very tunefully sang, "Yes, yes, I am here!" Then she collapsed into giggles!
Isn't this just the neatest thing? We all know about the calming aspects and joy of music, but this was such a concrete example - God is so good and gracious to give us the gift of music and WeJoySing. Just another example of what a blessing WeJoySing is on so many levels!!
A Note From Mrs. Jo
Music is truly a “good and gracious gift” to all of us! It is my prayer each day that as we sing “Clap Clap Clap Your Hands,” you will take this “gift of music” home and use it to mold a “precious little life” full of JOY and a sense of security and blessedness.
"Sing"cerely,
Mrs. Jo
Mrs. Jo
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