Posted by Carter White on July 05, 2006 at 15:11:17:
This past school year was my first year teaching music to a pre-school program (@ 70 students) in Gallatin, TN. For our graduation program, we performed 8 patriotic songs including our National Anthem. The ages of the children are 2, 3 and 4. My main goal was to have them stand still during the anthem with their right hand over their heart while the audience (their parents) sang "The Star-Spangled Banner." To my surprise, there were pre-schoolers that learned every word of the anthem. We did start learning our music about 4 1/2 months before the program but they also had to learn several other songs all for memory (since they do not read) and the choreography. While the children may not have understood the lyrics to our National Anthem at such a young age, I am very proud they are able to recognize our anthem and sing most of the words.