Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
Included here are many of the familiar games we often wish we had gathered together between two covers, but also a wealth of lesser-known, but equally worthy games. Both new and experienced teachers will be grateful to have so much material to choose from. This is an eminently practical book-the directions are clear, the drawings delightful and the keys singable. But what truly distinguishes this book from similar collections is the author's point of view. Drawing from her remarkable family experience and her many years as a Waldorf teacher, Anna Rainville comes to the enterprise with much love and wisdom. Her insightful and eloquent comments sing forth her firsthand delight in these games and ring with insight into the gifts of the material. She deeply understands the importance of these playful rituals as a way to bring the child's inner and outer life into accord and equally values their power to create a circle of community. In an age when children's play has been reduced to electronic sensation and organized athletics, a book like this is needed indeed to remind us of an older and truer form of childhood play.
Synopsis
Singing games carry a long and respected tradition of joyful music activity for children, adults, families, and communities. Singing and moving together in simple or complicated forms is, simply, contagious joy. Appealing to all ages--whether at home, in a classroom, or at a faculty meeting--singing games provide healthy opportunities for the lifting of spirits, sensory integration, and community building. In this active workshop designed for teachers, parents, grandparents, caregivers, and friends, participants will receive an introduction to the wisdom contained in singing games and learn a repertoire of singing games to be enjoyed in early childhood and early grades settings.
In these European-American singing games, readers will find similarities to forms, themes, and melodies in singing games from many cultures. Playing these games has a harmonizing effect on groups of all ages.
Anna Rainville includes games for classrooms, backyards, living rooms, seasonal festivals, birthday parties, picnics, block parties, faculty meetings, teacher workshops, conferences, and more.