Good DJ!

While at a party this past weekend I had the opportunity to clown around while listening to some nice, appropriate children’s music.  You’re probably thinking, big deal this must happen to you a lot.  On the contrary, in my 35 plus years of clowning around, the music choices of the various DJs have been, shall we say, rather disgusting.

Now don’t get me wrong, I love music.  Music is an important part of my everyday life in the classroom, in the pool/gym, in the car, and at home. Music boosts your energy and your mood.  Howard Gardner even includes music in his eight categories of intelligence.  Click HERE for more information. 

What I object to is the choice of music often played at children’s parties.  I perform at birthday parties where the DJ must think he is at a night club.  Sometimes I happen to catch the lyrics and I find them downright embarrassing.  They include profanity—words I wouldn’t say in front of my mom—as well as narration that describes women as worthless beings to be treated in unmentionable ways.  Even worse—the children sing along!  I ask them if they know what the song is about.  I even ask the grownups if perhaps the music might be inappropriate for the young audience. No one, except for me, seems concerned.

This recent party was a refreshing change.  The DJ played all of the traditional favorite children’s songs:  “If You’re Happy and You Know It,” “The Hokey Pokey,” and more.  It was loud and I had to read the children’s lips to see what balloon they wanted me to make for them but we all had a good time singing along.

Do you have a favorite childhood song?  Do you think the Hokey Pokey is what it’s all about?  Leave me a comment.  I’d love to hear from you!