Here’s a song for our times. Based on the old melody Polly Wolly Doodle.If you sing the chorus two times you’ll get the required twenty seconds of washing. Wash Your Hands Apple Music With the great Wes Cash on Conga drum. And a corresponding video. Wash Your Hands Chorus Washa washa washa washa Washa wash …
Nearly 30 years ago I visited Egypt as part of a Middle Eastern tour/trip. I loved the warmth of the people and the sense of old and deep culture. I don’t mean the pyramids, although those were amazing in their own way. I mean the markets, the rhythm of conversation, and an accepting, curious, connected …
I recently keynoted an early childhood conference in Greenville, NC. The topic was literacy and young children. I think it’s fairly common knowledge among those who work with young kids that there are those who mistakenly want to push explicit literacy instruction into earlier and earlier ages. The problem is that many or most children’s …
This is a great NPR story that summarizes much of what I have learned about kindness and how we raise children. Very worth a listen/read. Here
I wrote this song as part of a large project with my friend Sarah Sprague. Songs to teach English to children in Brazil. Sarah does fantastic work in early childhood. A simple song to teach a simple yet important idea. © Stuart Stotts 2010
Here’s a study with interesting implications for young children and screen time. For many years I’ve been concerned about the effects of screen time and digital devices on children, especially young children. My position has been that young kids are best served by being outside, using gross motor skills, and playing with others to learn …
Read this post if you are an early childhood teacher or advocate or parent or educator. It’s unbelievable.
Once again singing at the family care center room. Young kids, 1-4. Chaos. A certain amount of stress. I’m singing some, letting kids strum my guitar, telling them to be gentle, passing around rhythm instruments. A song evolves. I’ve known for years how young kids love to play what I call “Sleep, Wake Up!” The …
I was working in a family care room, where grown-ups and kids hang out during the day. I arrived with a bag of simple instruments and my guitar, prepared for uncertainty. The kids came and went, their attention wandering to superhero toys or Lincoln logs, and then coming back to the music. They wanted familiar …
I wrote this song as part of last year’s crop of kindergarten songs. Tom changed a crucial line to make it work, and in this video he has also made it zipper song with movement. He’s such a master. Today he and I are going into the studio to record some of these songs that …