Shoelaces, Pianos, Post it Notes

Last week I was asked to see if I was interested in developing some ideas and songs for kids in the pre-school age group.  It's been a while since I've been in that particular head space as my daughters are a bit older now. 

The last time I specifically wrote material for that age was when I wrote some piano pieces for Sesame Street but that was over 15 years ago.  

For those of you who don't know, I had studied early childhood education in high school. Following that I had studied to become an elementary school teacher in university. All the while I was making animated films, music and puppets with the idea that someday I would have a portfolio to show and perhaps one day work on The Muppet Show.  

I reminisced about the times I spent student teaching preschoolers and first grade and some of the challenges my students would face during the school day. 

I remember this one child in my first grade class who was particularly frustrated about being able to tie his shoelaces by himself when all his other classmates had already learned to do it. He would get so angry at his shoelaces (read: himself)... almost to the point of tears. I would have the kids practice tying their shoelaces each day just before recess and I tried to make a game (not a race) out of it. Slowly but surely, that one kid was able to do it.  But before that, he would get so upset about his "stupid shoelaces".  When you're that age, sometimes the littlest things feel so overwhelming that they could ruin your mood for hours. Come to think of it, I actually see this behaviour in some grown-ups also.    

That said, it's been percolating, and I woke up with a little idea in my head today. So I had to write it down, some simple charts and a few lyrics.  

My dear friend Ryhna has always said she believes I could make a collection of songs for children at some point. Who knows? Maybe it's time to put that on the pile of fun things to do! 

Anyhow, I don't know who needs to hear/read this at the moment.  But if there's a preschooler in your life...  This one's for them!  Stay tuned!

E