May 24, 2019 -- Roxboro Elementary kindergartners were very excited for one music class in particular back in April. It was Bring-A-Guest Day, a special year-end event when each kindergartner invites a parent, grandparent or other loved one to attend music class with them.

Teacher Jenna Tucker uses event this in lieu of a formal kindergarten program, which, she says, “requires little 6-year-old bodies to perform 30 minutes of memorized music, following two to three months of rehearsing.” Instead, children have the opportunity to sing, dance, and play instruments and games with their loved ones, sparking a shared joy for making music. 

According to Ms. Tucker, “research shows that the most developmentally-appropriate way for students to learn music is through a more active approach, and so we adhere to the philosophies of Sing, Say, Dance, Play."

This also gives her an opportunity to meet the family members of her students, something usually reserved for classroom teachers. Plus, the little ones love showing off their school, their teacher, and especially their musical skills to their loved ones.