So last Saturday morning in class, I was reminded how music finds its way into the mind.  Cathy, my teaching apprentice, was leading a free dance.  It was one of her favorite songs to dance to with her own daughters and was a nice waltz.  Now, she didn't say it was a waltz; we just all started moving around the room and enjoying a lovely moment of dancing!

My friend Aiden, who is three and has multiple challenges due to a rare syndrome, says to his mom, "It's a waltz!"  Now Aiden has visual, auditory, speech, and physical impairments.  His parents have worked so hard to learn all they can and to advocate for his needs so he can grow and develop to his potential.  He has made amazing progress from when I first met him and is part of a beautiful loving family.  He is engaging and funny and the whole class falls in love with him everyday.  Not because of the challenges he faces, but because he's a charming, loving little boy who shows everyone that each child is perfect in their own way.  He is truly a child with a disability, not a disabled child. 

How did he know it was a waltz? There were grown ups in the room who couldn't have said that!  His mom said that she'd been waltzing with him since before his birth and he learned through her body to his how a waltz feels.  I tell parents in class all the time to move to the beat and allow their children to choose if they are dancing on their own or being held.  "On the floor they watch our feet - in our arms they feel the beat" Either way we are modeling and they are learning. 

Thanks Aiden for reminding us how very important it is to sing and dance WITH our friends and family anywhere and everywhere!