Today was my first day back for the new school year at one of the preschools where I teach music. Some of the children were nervous and cried, others were overjoyed, while still others were a bit apprehensive! Who IS this lady carrying a large, black box with something in it? (My guitar case seems quite ominous to some children who have never seen one before.) However, once I open up the case, remove the guitar and begin singing, the tears turn to smiles, the apprehension turns to joy, and the whole group figures out that this is going to be fun! Lots of fun! Within minutes we were laughing, singing, and sharing silly thoughts!
I then took my lovely frog puppet out of my teaching bag. The children’s eyes lit up! A FROG!! YOU HAVE A FROG!!!
I began my talk about what frogs eat. “Do you know what frogs eat? They eat bugs! They like bugs as much as you like brownies! But, do you know how they get bugs to eat? You know, they don’t allow frogs to go shopping at the Supermarket! Frogs have to catch their own food with their tongues– like this!” At that point I stuck out my tongue and imitated the large frog puppet I was holding in my hand. Suddenly one little boy raised his hand.
“Miss Fern, Miss Fern! I have an idea! Since they won’t let frogs shop for bugs in the Supermarket, do you think they might let them in at the small grocery store where my Mommy shops?”
I love my job!