Every first class of every semester we start a new song collection. I always smile with the fondest memory of a Mom in one of my classes.
New Song Books and CD's were always handed out at the end of each first class and this was her second semester of making Music Together® with us. Well, I began leading the class, and she and her child were smiling during the Hello Song. As soon as I started singing the next song, which was part of the current/new song collection, this awesome Mom stopped smiling and looked confused. I introduced the next song, and she started looking more confused. I asked her if she needed anything, and she asked: "where are the other songs from last class?". I explained that she was getting a new CD and new songs because this was a new song collection. Her honest, heartfelt response: "But, I just finished learning all of the other songs, I have to learn new ones!?".
Why do I love this Mom so much, and why does this memory always make me smile? Well, I think many grown-ups must have felt the same way about being so comfortable with all the songs and movement at the end of the semester that they could have more fun and play more musically with their children and each other, and that feeling of self conciousness that many have when learning anything new, is replaced with joy.
Imagine how the children feel!! Well, on the one hand, children do love anything and everthing NEW. When you think about it, every experience is new to them. This is exactly why we have rituals in every class, online, or in person, that are musical guideposts of comfort.
Guess What, your children have their favorite songs too. This is why I encourage all returning families to gently weave in the new song collection with the prior song collections.
Families are very excited about learning the new songs in each new collection once they get over that initial recognition of starting something new.
Welcome to the Triangle Song Collection and to the Rhythm Kids® Jaquar Song Collection! Thank You. - Wendy