The Mother Goose on the Loose Blog

Focus group

| bilingual, children's music, early literacy, Mother Goose on the Loose, Positive Reinforcement, Spanish children's music
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Yesterday was a great Mother Goose on the Loose Day. We held a focus group at the Rosedale Library to get feedback on a new Mother Goose on the Loose planning tool. The session was magnificent and the feedback was invaluable. Thanks to all of the librarians and storytime presenters who participated, as well to Kathryn for her wonderful skills in organization and facilitation.

To make a great day even better, I also discovered that School Library Journal reviewed the newly produced Spanish/English MGOL CD: Escucha y disfruta con Mama Gansa. It’s the first time any of the MGOL CD’s have been reviewed. Getting the Spanish just right was my goal; since there are so many different versions of Spanish and choices of translations, I worked hard to insure that all of the translations were accurate, usable by all, and sung by the perfect singer. And I am delighted to say the review actually singles out the translations as well as the two singers, Evelio Mendez and Rahel, for praise. See the review below and smile!

 

Escucha y disfruta con Mama Gansa: Listen, Like, Learn with Mother Goose. 2 CDs. 49:14 min. with lyric booklet. Prod. by Mother Goose on the Loose. Dist. by CDBaby.com. 2009. $29.95. PreS-K-These 49 child (and teacher) friendly songs and activities in both English and Spanish have been written or adapted by Canadian music educator Barbara Cass-Begg. The brevity of the songs (some only 40 seconds for both English and Spanish versions) make these ideal for very young children as well as for “sponge” activities during (or just prior to) transition times. Some of the songs come from the English tradition (“Eency Weensy Spider,” for example) and some (“Bate, bate chocolate”) from the Spanish. In both cases, the translations are informed and accurate, using as close to a generic Spanish as can be employed while still respecting rhythm and flow, and fitting the English well to the tunes when the translation is from Spanish. Evelio Mendez’s Spanish renditions are clear, expressive, and engaging. Rahel, an Israeli singer and early childhood educator, has a clear, informal style that is instantly comforting. Preschool and kindergarten children will respond positively to these singable rhymes, whether familiar or not.-Ann Welton, Helen B. Stafford Elementary School, Tacoma, WA

 

Also, if any blog readers have listened to this CD and have great things to say about it, feel free to send a review to Amazon.com!

New rhymes for MGOL programs

| Positive Reinforcement
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While in Arizona doing some Mother Goose on the Loose workshops, I heard some wonderful variations on some of the traditional rhymes. I asked the librarian who recited them to me to write them down so I could share them with other MGOL enthusiasts, but unfortunately, she did not write her name down so I cannot give her the credit she deserves!  If you read this, please write back and let us know your name.

This reminds me of parenting small babies and being so, so tired. Mom and dad are ready to relax, but baby is full of energy. It is a new version of Mother and Father and Uncle John:

While in Arizona doing some Mother Goose on the Loose workshops, I heard some wonderful variations on some of the traditional rhymes. I asked the librarian who recited them to me to write them down so I could share them with other MGOL enthusiasts, but unfortunately, she did not write her name down so I cannot give her the credit she deserves!  If you read this, please write back and let us know your name.

This reminds me of parenting small babies and being so, so tired. Mom and dad are ready to relax, but baby is full of energy. It is a new version of Mother and Father and Uncle John:

Mother and father and baby Tom,

(bounce baby up and down on outstretched knees)

Went to bed, one by one.

Mother fell asleep,

(lean to side)

And father fell asleep

(lean to side)

But baby Tom went on and on and on and on…..

(bounce faster and faster)

 

Here’s a clapping rhyme to the rhythm of “Pease porridge hot.”

Pizza, pizza, hot.

Pizza, pizza, cold.

Pizza, pizza, in the box,

Nine days old.

 

My mama likes it hot.

My daddy likes it cold.

But I like it in the box nine days old!

 

Survey addresses early literacy connections

| Positive Reinforcement
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Via the ALSC listserv, Katie Ross  from Kanawha County (WV) Public Library and Saroj Ghoting alerted me to this survey conducted through the organization, Zero to Three. Since so much of getting a good basis for early literacy skills and healthy development is based on the connection between the young child and a nurturing adult, this survey helps by presenting different approaches that can be taken and a variety of ways in which to reach out to parents. Have a look for yourself and see!

http://www.zerotothree.org/about-us/funded-projects/parenting-resources/parenting-survey.html

Welcome to the new Website

| Positive Reinforcement
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Welcome to the new Mother Goose on the Loose Website. This new design will be much easier to navigate and update. One of the cool, new features is a map that shows where Mother Goose on the Loose programs (as well as programs that use elements of Mother Goose on the Loose) are taking place throughout the United States. If you’re holding a Mother Goose on the Loose program at your library or center, please click “submit your MGOL location”, complete the form, and we will post your program on our map.

Families with new babies, families that have moved to new locations, or families who are on vacation can use this map to find the closest library that offers their favorite program! In addition, library practitioners can see where similar programs are being presented across the US.

I’d love to hear comments from you about the new Website. In my opinion it is long overdue… what a pleasure it will be to not rely on basic html coding in order to update the Website.  Hurrah!