What Is a Mother Goose Time Preschool?

Mother Goose Time curriculum

A Mother Goose Time preschool involves a curriculum focused on play-centered learning for infants, toddlers, preschool, and pre-K students. Families, teachers and the natural environment are integrated to encourage and foster curiosity, exploration and discovery. The program promotes hands-on experiences and development of 35 skills within the following areas:

• Social and Emotional Development
• Physical and Motor
• Language and Literacy
• Math and Reasoning
• Science
• Social Studies
• Creative Arts
• Second Language

The Mother Goose Time curriculum focuses on monthly themes, including topics such as space and weather. Within each theme, children participate in imaginary play and engaging activities to reinforce the lessons, while also enjoying stories and songs to accompany the theme.

Who created Mother Goose Time preschool programs?

Mother Goose is a name commonly heard in nursery rhymes. The name "Mother Goose" can be traced all the way back to the 1700's when John Newberry is believed to have published a group of nursery rhymes titled "Mother Mother Goose's Melody". There is also a book of the same title, published by Thomas Carnan, Newbery's stepson and successor in 1781.

Obviously, Carnan and Newbery were onto something because the name "Mother Goose" has stuck around and continues to be used in children's literature today. 

Is the curriculum based on the nursery rhyme character?

Mother Goose Time is the name of the preschool curriculum, created by Experience Early Learning that can be used in daycares, preschools or even with homeschool families. There doesn't seem to be any relation between the Mother Goose stories and the curriculum— they probably just liked the name.

Benefits of Mother Goose Time

There are a handful of theories circulating as to whether a real “Mother Goose” existed, but in any event, children and adults enjoy the rhymes penned by the moniker day in and day out. Some preschools integrate a significant amount of nursery rhymes and related activities into the educational experience. These stories are believed to aid in the development of literacy and language skills in young learners. Additional benefits of a Mother Goose Time program include:

• Listening Skills
  Perhaps in part because of the sing-song nature of the rhymes, children are drawn to hearing nursery rhymes. Use of this learning tool can aid in the development of listening skills.

• Memorization
  The rhyming sounds in nursery rhymes help build language and memory skills. Children start to hear similar sounds, which can assist them as they start to read and write in later years. 

• Creativity and Sequencing
  As with reading, nursery rhymes help to develop language skills, including sequencing and abstracts. Children learn vocabulary by hearing words repeatedly while talking, reading, and practicing songs and nursery rhymes.

• Motor Skill Development
  Several nursery rhymes may include movement, which promotes utilization of fine and gross motor skills. Finger play exercises of Mother Goose stories can also be used to encourage motor growth.

• Conversation
  In general, literature is a wonderful conversation starter with young children, and nursery rhymes are no exception. Language skills are often enhanced through various discussions and dialogues that accompany children’s stories and rhymes. 

• Basic Math Skills Enhancement
  Have you ever noticed how many nursery rhymes focus on counting? Think “One, Two, Buckle My Shoe.” These rhymes help to establish basic math concepts in young learners.

• Social Skills Adaptation
  With the sing-song nature of nursery rhymes, many short stories are set up to possibly be recited by multiple persons. This structure encourages memorization skills, and it also reinforces sharing and learning to take turns.

Additional resources for Mother Goose curriculum

Once you have the curriculum, there are many options for supplementing it with music, toys and other products that are meant to go along with the curriculum. 

• Mother Goose Time music CD's and DVD's, the perfect addition to your Mother Goose Time curriculum. 
• Teacher Tools- from daily sheets to circle-time ideas, there are lots of resources for teachers to use alongside the Mother Goose Time curriculum.
• Curated toy bundles- The folks behind Mother Goose Time curriculum have also put together toy bundles, that go along with the curriculum and make it super easy for teachers (or parents!) to implement the curriculum with their children. 

The Mother Goose Time concept creates a platform for children to express themselves through a variety of channels. It enables an early start to self-discovery, creativity and healthy decision-making through hands-on experiences. Explore preschools in your area that offer a Mother Goose Time curriculum.