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[HANASHIR:16417] Re: Early Childhood Developmentally Appropriate Practice
- From: Shirona <shirona...>
- Subject: [HANASHIR:16417] Re: Early Childhood Developmentally Appropriate Practice
- Date: Tue 06 Jan 2004 17.35 (GMT)
Since I was the only one who publicly "dismissed" the dinosaur song -
perhaps I should respond and further clarify my point. But first I want to
share this: the most interesting aspect of this thread (for me) was the
fact that MANY people wrote to me privately... agreeing with me and thanking
me for having the "guts" to come out and say what I did. Some people
worried about how much flack I was about to catch...(it wasn't too bad this
time!) so this is what I'm wondering about - why are we so scared to voice a
strong opinion that may be critical by nature? Is the whole "politically
correct" mentality holding us in a vice of fear of coming out to protest
about... anything really, including "bad taste"?
Actually I think that sadly this IS the case - and very much so in the
world of Jewish Music. We can walk around feeling really good about
ourselves for being a "supportive community", and for the most part we are,
and it's wonderful. I can't think of a better example of that than in your
case, Ellen. But there are other aspects to this community, and in our case
music is the common denominator that binds us together. In Hebrew we say
"Kol Yisrael arevim ze la'ze" - all of Israel are accountable for one
another...so let's be that!! For whatever reason we developed a high
tolerance for low-quality music in our midst. Many of us do alot of
"private cringing" and "hush hush" critiques behind others' backs - but no
public outcry against the plummeting level of musicianship...
Taste is a personal matter - and there is no absolute "right or wrong"
when in comes to the arts... but there are aspects of *quality* that seem to
be inherent and universal - and we "know" them when we see-hear-taste-smell
and feel them. We know "bad" singing when we hear it, or silly lyrics, or
poor playing, or banal sugary melodies... and no one says anything... well
then, I finally broke down and it just happened to be the dinosaur song that
was the last straw for me. So let this be MY soap box. I can handle being
called "judgmental, critical and a cultural snob". If that what it takes to
get MY message out there.
I'm an advocate for high quality and professionalism - as an expression of
service and reverence to our art-form and that which we are supposed to
serve - Jewish culture, religion, the future of our people... Yes we SHOULD
ask ourselves at all times "is it good enough" to be out there in the world,
for a congregation, for kids, for each other... and we owe ourselves and
each other a measure of honesty when faced with the gradual erosion of basic
(musical and professional) standards.
As for the dinosaur - again, it's a question of taste. So a dinosaur
comes for Shabbat... is he also going to read form the Torah? Where do we
draw the line...? When we are faced with a sudden wave of "gosh, this is
SO inappropriate" kind of feeling - I guess there's a need to "make a case"
for it - and this is all I was trying to do...although other "issues" that I
wanted to put out there for years found their way out...
Shirona
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Singer, Songwriter and Teacher of Jewish Music
www.shirona.com
www.cdbaby.com/shirona
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ellen Allard" <ellen (at) peterandellen(dot)com>
To: <hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org>
Sent: Tuesday, January 06, 2004 10:05 AM
Subject: [HANASHIR:16414] Early Childhood Developmentally Appropriate
Practice
> I'd like to cast another vote for the Dinosaur Song. Peter and I have
> used it very successfully during Tot Shabbat services. It is one of
> those magical songs that children love. And it is one of those magical
> songs, that despite the fact that children know (or are learning) that
> there are no dinosaurs living in our present world, they are still able
> and willing to suspend reality and sing about a make-believe creature
> spending Shabbat with them. And for those children who are still in the
> "Are dinosaurs real?" stage, the song is a great tool for helping them
> make sense of what is and is not real. Remember the Maurice Sendak book
> "Where the Wild Things Are"? How many of us read that book to our young
> children? How many of us have children who, despite their fear of
> monsters, gobbled that book up because it helped them sort through their
> feelings and begin to understand what was or wasn't real? And those of
> you who have studied early childhood education know that helping
> children make sense of their world is VERY important.
>
> It is simply astonishing to me that synagogues ask people with no
> background in early childhood education (and that includes clergy as
> well as lay leaders) to lead services for young children. All of us who
> work with children have an obligation to learn what works and what
> doesn't work with children. Yes, having been a parent helps. But it is
> not enough. We owe the children with whom we work more than that. If you
> are leading services for young children, I would like to suggest that
> you either take an early childhood education class, or at the very
> least, read some books that will help you learn about the developmental
> needs, stages etc. of young children. Frankly, it is a shonda (okay,
> Mom, where are you? Help me out with the spelling?) that anyone is put
> into a teaching or lay leader position without the proper training. Even
> one class on the developmental needs of young children would be better
> than none.
>
> This also raises an issue regarding the amount of time allotted for
> Shabbat services for young children. Peter and I have led numerous
> workshops on how to develop, lead, etc. Tot Shabbat services. Most of
> the people who attend our workshops tell us that their synagogues have
> 15 - 30 minute services, and many of the people who lead the services
> couldn't imagine doing a service any longer than that. Hogwash! If you
> understand early childhood, if you pay attention to the developmental
> needs of young children, if you understand that within your group of
> young children you will have numerous styles of learning (some children
> learn best by listening, some by moving, some learn best with visual
> cues), you will then begin to have an idea about sequencing your service
> to meet the needs of all of the young children who have come to pray
> with you. Doing an hour is a piece of cake! You will be able to fit all
> the basics (or whatever you consider most important) into the service,
> AND you will have time for lots more, from fun dinosaur songs to
> interactive stories to mini-bibliodramas to reading picture books.
>
> And by the way, I totally understand that many don't make the decisions
> about how much time is allotted for Tot Shabbat services. And I ask why
> not? Who is better able to make these decisions than the very person who
> studies, prepares, and leads these services? Who better to advocate for
> the young children in your congregation? If you are adequately prepared,
> if you do your homework, if you create exciting, developmentally
> appropriate services, then you should have a say in the length of your
> service. The decision shouldn't be made based simply on how long the
> room is available, or some other arbitrary reason, but rather on WHAT IS
> BEST FOR THE CHILDREN!!!
>
> Okay, I'll get off my soapbox. To conclude, please don't dismiss a song
> because you think it is silly. First learn about what best suits the
> needs of your young congregants, then figure out how you will meet those
> needs.
>
> All the best,
> Ellen (and Peter)
> -----
> Peter & Ellen Allard
> Specializing in Music for Young Children
> *******************************
> For information on our award-winning recordings, children's concerts,
> and teacher workshops/keynotes, please visit
> http://www.PeterandEllen.com
> or call tollfree 1-888-746-4481
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Carol Boyd Leon [mailto:cbleon (at) hotmail(dot)com]
> Sent: Monday, December 29, 2003 8:47 PM
> To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
> Subject: [HANASHIR:16394] Re: dinosaur song
>
> It turns out that I DO include Doug's "Thank You God" in each of my Tot
> Shabbat services, but it's got a much different feel and mood than the
> dinosaur song. In fact, I manage to include 3 songs which all at least
> mention candles-wine-challah as I feel those are important Shabbat
> associations for tots to make and repetition, particularly for young
> children, is very valuable.
>
> I start with my "Shalom Shabbat Shalom" so kids get practice reciting
> the 3
> blessings in their entirety (which otherwise they wouldn't get to do
> because
> most of my Tot Shabbat services are on Saturday mornings), we sing
> Doug's
> "Thank You God" near the end of the service as a time to cuddle-up with
> parents and give thanks to God for the many blessings in our lives, and
> we
> sing "The Dinosaur Song" during the oneg Shabbat when it's time to
> simply
> have fun. Plus the service includes many of the "basics" -- Bar'chu,
> Sh'ma,
> Mi Chamocha, Oseh Shalom, Torah songs, etc. No problem fitting 'em all
> in.
>
> -- Carol
> Carol Boyd Leon
> Songwriter/Songleader/Music Educator
> CBLeon (at) hotmail(dot)com
> www.geocities/com/CBoydLeon
>
> ... I think we need to consider how much time we have with these kids
> and
> consider whether there are better song choices to accomplish the same
> goals
> for what we're teaching. Doug Cotler's "Thank you God" would fulfill
> the
> content needs that the dinosaur seems to be being used for. I would use
>
> that instead personally.
> Abby
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> Working moms: Find helpful tips here on managing kids, home, work - and
>
> yourself. http://special.msn.com/msnbc/workingmom.armx
>
>
>
>
>
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