Enjoying a Concert Lunch

Once a week, the children who stay for lunch enjoy a 'Concert Lunch'.  I read about this idea on the blog of Beautiful Sun Montessori in Aruba.  On Concert Lunch day, the children listen to a musical selection.  They do not talk, only listen and enjoy their meal.  I thought it would be difficult for the children to give up their chance to 'mix and mingle' at lunch but they absolutely love the Concert Lunch!  They will ask "Can we have a Concert Lunch?" and are thrilled when we say yes.

We have been exposing the children to different musical genres since our concert lunches began.  We have listened to Classical Music from Mozart, Steel Drum music I purchased in Barbados, sitar music from India, and their very favourite, the Wizard of Oz Soundtrack.

Our Concert Lunch Selections

At Christmastime we listened to some Christmas music including a cd of children's Christmas songs, Quithmuth (kid's Christmas), purchased at Restoration Hardware many years ago.  The children could not get enough of the song "I Want a Hippopotamus For Christmas".   They thought it was very funny and we all found ourselves singing it throughout the holiday season.

Quithmuth cd

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas

Only a hippopotamus will do  

No crocodiles

Or rhinoceroses-es

I only like hippopotamuses-es

And hippopotamuses like me too! 

The children react differently to the different styles of music.  You can see them swaying to the Indian music and moving their bodies to the beat of the steel drums, and we all love to sing the songs from The Wizard of Oz.

Enjoying A Concert Lunch

Try a concert lunch.  I'm sure you'll enjoy it too.