Chicago educator Dwayne Reed’s music video “Welcome to Kindergarten” is going viral and proving once again that teachers are absolutely amazing. In the now-viral Instagram video, Reed wears a bow tie, plays guitar and sings his kindergarten song in an empty classroom.
Her sweet voice sings: “Welcome to kindergarten, where we can learn and play. Get ready for all the fun we will have today.” After finishing with the chorus: “I’ll do my best and work hard. Be nice in every way. We’re ready for all the fun we’re going to have today”—Reed launches into a rap about all the great things happening in the Kinder garden.
“Lots of fun, lots of games, we’ll learn to write our first and last name. We read sight words like ‘I’m good’ and share our supplies like all friends should.”
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Reed’s video shows the interior of a typical kindergarten classroom, filled with colorful pictures, a blackboard, and lots of books. The video features the books “KINDergarten” by Vera Ahiyya and “The King of Kindergarten” by Derrick Barnes (who has also written “The Queen of Kindergarten”). Reed also demonstrates some of the things children will learn and do in kindergarten, such as tying their shoes and playing at recess.
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Reed, who is dean of students at a Chicago elementary school and a former fourth- and fifth-grade teacher, said TODAY that the music video is an honor for “angel” kindergarten teachers.
“Can’t Say Enough: Kindergarten Teachers [are] tremendous,” Reed told TODAY. “I’m not doing anything they haven’t always done, I’m just putting it in front of a camera with music.”
Nonetheless, Reed’s kindergarten song is sure to calm some first-day nerves for kids and parents alike. “The kindergarten (year) can be really scary,” said Reed, who has a 5-year-old son. “I see it, the children are crying and so are the parents.”
Among Reed’s tips for calming those back-to-school nerves? Read books about school together, make the first day special, and acknowledge our emotions and fears.
“It’s okay to cry,” Reed told TODAY. He also recommends that parents talk to their children about any concerns or fears they may have.
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This isn’t Reed’s first brush with viral music video fame. He is also known for his “Welcome to 4th Grade” music video, which he shot in 2016 during his first year of teaching.
“Welcome to 4th Grade” went VIRAL ✨ four years ago today! I have learned a lot as a teacher since then. 👨🏾💼 pic.twitter.com/cLo6Ssvcob
— Dwayne Reed (@TeachMrReed) August 21, 2020
Not surprisingly, Reed’s “Welcome to Kindergarten” music video has been applauded by parents and teachers alike. It is also available on Spotify if you want to listen to it on repeat with her students or children.
Regardless of whether you have a child starting kindergarten, heading off to college, or something in between, Reed’s sweet and catchy music video will capture their heart. My own children are in seventh and tenth grade this year, and I still found myself smiling with tears in my eyes as I recalled all those emotions from the early days of kindergarten. Even if you have a baby or toddler and kindergarten isn’t on the horizon, Reed’s fun song, colorful classroom, and warm personality can get kids excited about starting a new daycare or preschool, too.
Reed’s music video makes it nearly impossible not to get excited about the upcoming school year. As she sings in her “Welcome to Kindergarten” music video, “With you, the future is bright.”
Source: www.mother.ly