In September of 2012, I started a pilot project in my own community of Mercer Island, in Washington State. Here I am creating, testing, and documenting singing events that foster early learning, and specifically early literacy, while building community and connecting children to their communities. The goal is to create a national model any school, library, family, or community can use- free of cost.

The work will be done. All you have to do is use it!

Thanks to the support I’ve received from local businesses, schools, and organizations, it is working, and together we are building that model!

 

      Partnerships with Sing With Our Kids Project
If you live on Mercer Island, please support these local businesses that have supported Sing With Our Kids by holding singing events in their stores, and promoting project events.

Project events are free and open to the public. They are usually scheduled no more than a month in advance, so check the calendar often to see what's happening. Or better yet, sign up to get e-mail updates and you won't miss a thing!
Here are just some of the events we've held since the project was launched:

Two annual local parades to promote community project
Monthly appearances at Island Books pajama story times
12 Ring Around the Rosy Events a local park
Weekly story times at Mercer Island Library, for infants through
      pre-schoolers
Parent talks on benefits of singing in supporting early learning
Music workshops for grandparents at Mercer Island Library
Ongoing partnerships with Country Village Day School and
      Emmanual Day School to refine project materials to prepare for
      all-Island participation.
Two years of neighborhood caroling events around the island
Free guitar classes for parents and teachers
Flash Mobs at Island Books and Farmer’s Market
Campfire Sing-Along at local parks
“Best Ever Books that Sing” presentations for teachers and
      parents at Island Books
Staff training at BCC on Books that Sing and Why the are
     important
Family Sing-Alongs at Mercer Island Library
Felt Fun Classes at Mercer Island Library
Weekly Do It Yourself (DIY) music co-op
Maypole dances and parachute Play

 


Our first Community Ring Around the Rosy Event on Saturday September 29 was a huge success! Wonderful families including grandparents and even a BIG dog. Scarves, and parachute, and instruments and SINGING! It was everything I've been envisioning for the project. Early learning through community singing! It was great- thank you families!!