Mother Goose on the Loose

Hardin County Schools and Elizabethtown Independent Schools are collaborating to present “Mother Goose on the Loose,” a summer project that encourages parents of young children (entering kindergarten or younger) to help children recognize sounds, rhyme and rhythm. 

Officials from both school districts hope it engages parents and young children to spark a passion for reading.

Shortly after the beginning of each school year, Kindergarten teachers perform assessments to determine each student’s academic strengths and areas for focus.  Recent data from these tests, the Brigance Assessments, indicates that fewer students are coming to school with “phonological awareness.” 

Phonological Awareness is the ability to hear, identify and manipulate the sounds in spoken language, encompassing various levels like word awareness, syllable awareness, rhyme and rhythm.  It is a crucial foundation for literacy, helping children learn to read and spell. 

“We talk with our educational colleagues often,” North Park Elementary Schools Principal Laura Beth Hayes said.  “Our friends at Elizabethtown Independent Schools are encountering the same challenges.  This is not a Hardin County problem, an Elizabethtown problem or a Kentucky problem.  It’s a societal challenge.  And, we hope this cooperative project will help students who live anywhere in Hardin County.”

Mother Goose on the Loose seeks to break down one small barrier – the absence of nursery rhymes.

“Nursery rhymes are proven to help children with phonics, introduce words, ideas and open up new avenues of development,” Panther Academy Principal Carla Kuhn said.  “The rhyme, rhythm and repetition in nursery rhymes is essential.  Nursery rhymes have lost their place in our society.  This project will bring them back to the forefront and underscore their importance.”

Community leaders and local elected officials will record nursery rhymes for play on the school districts’ social media pages.  CLICK HERE to see and hear community leaders read a nursery rhyme.  A copy of each nursery rhyme will be available on cards (attached by a ring) at sites where “porch geese” are located.  “Porch geese” will be on display at the following locations:

• Cecilia Valley Elementary School
• Creekside Elementary School 
• GC Burkhead Elementary School
• North Park Elementary
• Panther Academy
• The Hardin County Public Library

CLICK HERE to interact with the Mother Goose on the Loose Facebook page. 

There will be a table at “back-to-school” festivals where children can come to recite a nursery rhyme in exchange for a “Mother Goose on the Loose” T-shirt and a free book.

“I applaud our school districts’ leaders for working so hard to help our local children have a stronger foundation for learning,” EIS Superintendent Paul Mullins said.  “Reading is the most essential skill for continued learning and this project reinforces that.”

“It doesn’t matter in what school’s boundary a family lives,” HCS Superintendent Teresa Morgan said.  “All that matters is that the families have access to strong opportunities for learning and growth.  Mother Goose on the Loose provides our children with a fun way to spend their summer while developing their phonological awareness skills.  We ask that everyone share this information with their neighbors, family, and friends.  Strong participation is needed to have a huge impact.”