Zachary's Story

I’d like to introduce to you my friend Zachary. Zachary was one of the first children to attend the Village “Peek-a-Boo, I Love You” Summer Camp in July of 2005.

This month I attended the Kindermusik Convention in Greensboro, NC. I had the most awesome opportunity to share a precious story about this little guy with the author/composer of the song “Peek-a-Boo, I Love You”.

Zachary loves music with complete abandon. It truly is an awesome power in his life. He never had attended a music class but, his mom was doing a great job of incorporating music into his daily rituals. Since Zachary has Downs Syndrome some of his developmental mile-stones occur later than most children his age. I was able to see first hand just how much music empowers him during this class.

We were in our second class of Peek-a-Boo and the children were giddy with joy as I brought out the scarves for the moms to play a game of it with their little ones. Zachary sat in awe of the bright colors floating all around him and the smiling faces lighting up the room. The beautiful voice of his mom hiding under the scarf with him... Suddenly Zachary grabbed the scarf off his head and looked at his mom with a VERY PLAYFUL grin. Then he took the scarf and covered his face! His first peek-a-boo! He got it! Playtime was now something he could start learning to participate in and understand.

You can imagine the tears that brought to his moms eyes. The power to grow minds through song and play. Zachary is now attending Family Time this semester. He is a bundle of grins and the first to kiss a friend. Now he’s working on walking already. You should see him push the hay basket!

Thank-you Zachary for all the happiness you bring to class. You are a lovely, gifted, blessed child.