Pilot Project Journal Entry
Sing With Our Kids  EVENT JOURNAL
September 29th- October 20th, November 17th

EVENT TITLE: “Ring Around The Rosy”

EVENT DESCRIPTION We did this event about 6 times in the late summer into early fall. Families with children from babies to age ten or so, and grandparents, gathered to sing Ring Around the Rosy several times. Then we got out a parachute and sang Pop Goes the Weasel with a beach ball in the middle, tossing the ball in the air as we sang, “pop.” we did this several times. I also brought scarves for dancing, and finished by setting out a basket of rhythm instruments as we sang Everybody Loves Saturday Night.

TARGET GROUP families with babies and young children (and what turned out to be the official SWOK dog!).

LOCATION Mercerdale Park, located on a major but not too busy street, and next to a play area almost always being used by young children and families

HOW ADVERTISED SWOK website, Facebook, SWOK mailing list, Preschool Association online publication, community online

PREPARATION AND MATERIALS USED
Sing With Our Kids 6-foot banner on PVC stand
Bracelet rings to enable parents holding a child to be connected to the circle.
Parachute and beach ball
Basket of miscellaneous rhythm instruments.
1/4 sheet of paper with SWOK website and information to hand out

PROJECT GOALS
To give families the experience of singing together outdoors, with friends, neighbors, and strangers

EVALUATION

WHAT WORKED
Having the banner to let passersby know what was happening, and that they were invited to join in
The banner not only invited folks to the event, but gave them exposure to the project increasing
community awareness.
Holding the event in a highly visible location and next to a play area guaranteed there would be children!

WHAT DIDN’T WORK OR COULD BE IMPROVED

There was nothing I would have done differently, except to have had more of these events.

PERSONAL STORY / IMPACT

One dad said, with tears in his eyes, “This is what I want for my kids!”

People stayed and visited for at least an hour after the event each time. About half an hour after the first event, a mom whose older sons had gone to the adjacent skateboard park afterward to play, came back and said, “ I just wanted you to know my boys are over there singing away as they skateboard…. and I’ve never heard them sing before!”

Several parents came up and told me they didn’t know “Pop Goes the Weasel.” and it made them realize how few children’s songs they knew.

For me, this event embodied the full intent of the project; community singing together and making memories
for and with their children. There is something powerful about holding hands, walking in a circle, and singing with other people!