We are all aware that drumming and music is beneficial for young children. But did you know that children benefit from a lot more than just drumming when Little Fox visits?
The Talking Stick
Sitting in the middle of the semi-circle of children aged between 3 and 5 years old, Little Fox began the session with the Talking Stick. Intrigued and wondering when the stick would talk, the children listened carefully to whoever held the Talking Stick so they could hear everyone’s favourite animal. Anticipation was building in the circle, as some children noticed their favourite animal was also other people’s favourite, and other children were simply bursting to have their turn to share their favourite that could be perceived as obscure, creepy, crawly or even slimy!
Tracey, early childhood educator, loves the Talking Stick the children made for their group after Little Fox visited; she still uses it long after the session to encourage the children’s abilities to listen to others.
What happens during a Little Fox Drumming incursion?
Here is Part 1 of the true Little Fox Drumming story:
In a time not so long ago, Little Fox visited a childcare centre in a quiet suburb of Melbourne. The children were surprised when Little Fox arrived, and the excitement soon started to build when he wheeled in his drums and his big bag of other instruments and artefacts.
Sitting in the middle of the semi-circle of children aged between 3 and 5 years old, Little Fox began the session with the Talking Stick. Intrigued and wondering when the stick would talk, the children listened carefully to whoever held the Talking Stick so they could hear everyone’s favourite animal. Anticipation was building in the circle, as some children noticed their favourite animal was also other people’s favourite, and other children were simply bursting to have their turn to share their favourite that could be perceived as obscure, creepy, crawly, or even slimy!
Let the drumming begin!
The children were up on their feet, dancing fast and then slowly and laughing, and becoming Australian and African animals; roaring, scratching, growling, slithering, jumping, and even standing as still as a tree. Happiness abounded, with every child joining in and moving to the mesmerizing rhythms of Little Fox’s Native American Hoop Drums and African Djembes.
Then….. everyone took turns playing Little Fox’s drums with him and some of their friends, while the teachers and the rest of the group became the audience. All the children loved playing in Little Fox’s groups equally as much as they loved watching their friends play with him too. Everyone was sharing and having fun!
Many of Little Fox’s songs tell a story, and when paired with melodies that melt into the music the children often find themselves singing or humming those songs long after Little Fox has left the building. And sometimes even days afterwards……
Part 2 of the true Little Fox Drumming story:
At home that evening after Little Fox Drumming came to her centre, Briana, who was almost five, sang the Mother Earth song to her mum after they finished dinner. Briana’s dad joined in, and instead of drumming on a djembe or hoop drum, Briana and her dad clapped their hands. Then the whole family joined in, and everyone was happy to hear what a fun day Briana had at kindergarten. Briana drifted off to sleep that evening remembering Little Fox singing the Mother Earth song while he was playing his drum, and she felt happy.
The next day, it was almost time for Briana’s mum to go to the hospital to have her little baby brother. Briana had waited so long for this day to arrive, and was sad that her mum was having pains in her tummy. While they were waiting together on the couch for the right time to leave for hospital, Briana started humming the Mother Earth song because she remembered Little Fox saying it was a song that was sometimes sung at special times. This was a special time, and her mum seemed to enjoy her singing, so she kept it up. Briana decided to sing to her baby brother too, so she gently leaned down towards her mummy’s tummy so her brother could hear her. Briana’s mum loved her singing so much that she said it helped her a lot while her brother was being born; there was so much love in the room.
Dane, Briana’s brother, went to the same childcare centre when he was old enough, and one day was lucky enough to also have a visit from Little Fox! Briana and Dane’s mum knew Little Fox would appreciate their story, so she asked the staff to tell him.
This true story is one that Little Fox will always hold dear to his heart, and it couples as evidence of Little Fox bringing much more than just drumming ♫ ♥
