On The Road Week 3

This past week Van Go, our traveling van, took us to the fair. We mapped out our way, drove the van, listened to the sounds of the fair, rode (and fixed) the merry-go-round, played our home made marching band drums and other instruments, played games and had a great time. During the instrument play we are usually trying to keep a steady beat. Beat is the ongoing, steady, repetitive pulse that occurs in song, chant, rhyme, and music. Most children learn to keep a beat with their arms. This is necessary for being able to use a hammer, saw, or scissors. Keeping the beat with the lower body is necessary for playing sports, especially dribbling and shooting basketballs, as well as for dancing, skipping, running and even walking easily. Total-body beat competency even emerges in the ability to speak and read with a smooth cadence, thereby enhancing communication abilities. We played games during our time and they were so much fun to watch. Have you noticed that your preschoolers love to play games! Games develop social skills that children will need in many areas of their lives. These social skills include taking turns, working cooperatively, observing and accepting others’ ideas, gaining skills and confidence in being a leader as well as a follower, watching, listening to and speaking to one another, learning to control impulses, and considering the feelings of others. (Song Play, edited by Peggy D Bennet, p4) Take a look at your On The Road poster for ideas, books, and music to help add to the fun of the fair. Next week Van Go takes us to the Beach. Hope you’re all ready to swim and play in the sand!