St. George's Church, Pontesbury,
Shropshire, England
|
April 2008
A popular aspect of Circle Time is singing time. If a child is finding it hard to concentrate on what is happening, a song or rhyme will always bring his or her attention back to the story, talk or action. Favourite songs include,
‘The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round’,
‘5 Little Ducks Went Out One Day’ and any number of nursery rhymes. Next week our story will be ‘The Three Billy Goats Gruff’. Now come on, own up, who can remember the song and, of even greater importance, who can remember the Troll’s words – “I’m a Troll, folderol. I’m a Troll, folderol. I’m a Troll, folderol, and I’ll eat you for my supper!” Naturally, this to be sung in a gruff voice. So, try it and see if it makes you smile. At least it should make everyone around you do so – or send for help quickly! On a recent trip to Georgia in USA with another Senior Dragon, we were invited to sing with a local church choir. The chosen song was rather stretching – ‘I Know That My Redeemer Liveth” - but we gave it our best shot and gained such pleasure from taking part and quite surprised ourselves by our rendition. We must have pulled the wool over the listeners’ eyes (or ears!) as many expressed their enjoyment at our performance. It’s the accent that does it. Such happiness can be found in singing. When I was a teacher a little boy asked, “Do you sing all the time?” “Yes,” I replied, “and if I not singing out loud I am singing inside my head!” “That’s good,” he replied, “because I sing all the time too and it makes me feel happy but I wondered if it was OK.” Lucky him because, and I truly believe this, if you have a song in your heart then whatever life throws at you there is the feeling that it can always be overcome. I know that the day I stop singing that really will be the end of the road. Better keep on singing!
Val Butterworth |
‘If You’re Happy and You Know it Clap Your Hands!’, 
. 
