Though it took a little while to get everyone settled on the carpet at the start of class today, excitement was in the air in anticipation of a 4th birthday. We celebrated with a Happy Birthday parachute and some special request songs (lots of frog and bouncing related ones, as per usual). Today seemed like a particularly great day for parental engagement, as the parents were not only participating in the songs more than usual (and adding some well timed clapping), but I could also see them connecting with their children through the songs and taking joy in their children's excitement, which is what it's all about!