BABY DOLL CIRCLE TIME!
This week it was time for one of our most favorite, highly-requested activities--baby doll circle time!
What is baby doll circle time? Well, for many years I have been gathering the kids around to sing songs with baby dolls. Then, some years ago, Dr. Becky Bailey started a program called "Baby Doll Circle Time" through Conscious Discipline. (Darn, I missed my chance to be famous, haha!) The wonderful thing about her program, though, was the psychological components behind the ritual of getting babies out to play in a loving routine that always begins and ends the same way.
Here's what's happening during baby doll circle time (which all of the children adore):
--We are learning songs, and enjoying talking about infants and their care
--I'm using all of the songs I typically sing with infants and toddlers, but the catch is, this time, they are playing the role of the caregiver!
--We are doing fun fingerplays and modeling loving, gentle behaviors
And, perhaps most importantly:
--Children are re-living all of the wonderful, one-on-one experiences they had with their moms, dads and caregivers as an infant or young child. All the games of peek-a-boo, the belly tickles, and the reassuring rocking and tender care they have received is being remembered, flooding the brain with happiness, strengthening neural connections, and building new connections with caregivers, loved ones, and peers.
Ask your child about this fun, musical experience tonight at home!
PLEASE NOTE: Four year old students will have music tomorrow,
Wednesday the 20th, at 11:45 a.m.
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR CHILD
1) Did you sing with a baby doll in music class today? What baby did you pick? Did your baby have hair? What was your baby wearing?
2) What is your favorite song to sing to a baby? Do you remember being a baby?