"Music teaching begins in the nursery, in the cradle. For from the time that the baby's "five gateways of knowledge" begin to open and admit sense impressions, the little ears should be often greeted by sweet musical sounds. And we do sing to our babies. It is one of the wonderful results of motherhood that the woman who never sang before will find herself singing to her little baby. We all do it, but we do not think of it as music teaching; if we did we should not leave it off just when it is most needed. The child's musical education has two stages-one which we think about, and one which we don't think about. There is the stage of formal teaching, which must begin some day. And there is the long stage of informal learning, which is likely to be overlooked altogether. How is this to be done? By paying at least as much attention to ear training as to eye training during the early years. We are told that baby is to be taught to observe, and so we are always saying, "Look, Baby, look." Might we not a little oftener say, "Listen, Baby, listen"? We sing to the little ones to achieve a present purpose- but if we realized that by going on we are laying in a stock of material for future use, we would attend to nursery music as religiously as to nursery diet and hygiene." -Mrs. Spencer Curwen, Parent's Review
Folksong | Land of the Silver Birch
Land of the silver birch, home of the beaver
Where still the mighty moose wanders at will
Blue lake and rocky shore
I will return once more.
Refrain
Boom de de boom boom
Boom de de boom boom
Boom de de boom boom
Bo-o-o-o-m
Down in the forest, deep in the lowlands
My heart cries out for thee, hills of the north
Blue lake and rocky shore
I will return once more.
High on a rocky ledge I'll build my wigwam
Close by the water's edge, silent and still
Blue lake and rocky shore
I will return once more.
Land of the silver birch, home of the beaver
Where still the mighty moose wanders at will
Blue lake and rocky shore
I will return once more.
Conversation arose between us. Joyful recollections of a special day where father and son ventured out for a drive together, enjoying the delight travel brings. For in such travel, there is sure to be music. Son's ears listened with a natural appreciation and fondness of a new melody. On the day's playlist, traditional Peruvian music of the Andes. Body swayed. Head bobbed. In time, to the beat. Conversation moved to wonder. To this family, music flows through everything. A wide variety of tunes play throughout our days. The fact that music plays such an important role in Charlotte Mason's teaching methods makes me utterly happy. Composer study, hymns, folk songs all have a purpose in learning. And so, we begin intentionally listening to and singing these songs, adding even more variety to our musical palette.
You can find this school year's folk song rotation HERE. Ambleside Online is an incredible resource abundant in resources for the Charlotte Mason teaching method and curriculum.
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