Submitted by Paula Scott, Georgia
Idea posted December 16, 2002
Sometimes I am so tired when I get to my little ones in the afternoon! So I have devised a scheme to help things move along and ease up on myself.
I took a blank tape and put my quiet time song on it first (my kids always come in and put their heads down and listen to some quiet music). Then I put my listening activity, most often some type of story. Then I put 4 various songs back to back. After that, another "cool down" song (quiet time). (I see my kids every day - very small school here!)
I have noticed that this cuts out all the, "Did you know my dog did such and such...?" because the songs are back to back, and I am not digging around looking for a specific CD. They don't have time to raise their hands! They are up moving and singing again before they can even think about the frog in the kitchen incident last night! It keeps things moving along. Also, I can stop the tape to do any other special activity for the lesson of the day if I so desire. Or it can just be a singing day.
Now, granted, I don't do this every day, but some days I am just wiped out and this has become a lifesaver for me. I think I like it mainly because I don't have to stop to insert a CD. I am even thinking this would be good to leave with a sub.