Flash Cards, Child Funny Poetry,
and Early Childhood Education

Over in the corner booth of the Family Room at Molly's Pub two young parents wait for their dinner, and so as not to waste the time, for time is money, are flipping flash cards at their heir apparent, who sits in his highchair, crayon poised, looking rather puzzled. The current card held up for his consideration says: "10²" and when he blurts out the oft-reinforced answer of "100" their joyous laughter resounds throughout the room, rather causing the other patrons to startle.

Looking up from her thinly-sliced cucumber sandwiches, lightly buttered, on white bread, with crust trimmed, our Martha, who runs the virtual Early Childhood Education Center next door, merely sighs, suppressing the urge to leap across the table and show the young fellow how to make confetti out of flash cards.

Mom and Dad, however, are delighted, in fact, so encouraged by this intellectual feat that they leave the child to chew his crayon in peace (a red one which tastes like cherry, non-toxic , of course) and gleefully continue filling out the form for Eton, to be followed some years hence by the one for Oxford.

She feels pity for such children whose parents have rather skewed priorities regarding early childhood education, feeling that they would do greater good stacking blocks, shaping clay, or reading the child funny poetry of Shel Silverstein, Dr. Seuss, or even a plethora of limerick poems.
Howsomever, Martha applauds their clear interest in the young master's education, for as a teacher she knows a secret: so long as a parent delivers their teaching with kindness, no matter what they actually say, the wee one will benefit from an adult's attention and interaction.

Nor was Molly herself immune to this strange propensity to use various forms of educational enrichment, having once shredded an immense Atlas of the World, laminating a dozen or so pages and using them as place mats for the children. They are still laughing. One never knows when Jay Leno may posit a geography question to one's offspring for his "jaywalking" segment and it seemed to Molly critical that they should know that there lies two oceans, one on each side of this great land. Practically speaking, such information ensures that one will not wind up inadvertently in Tibet or even Kalamazoo. Now actually, Molly was recently in Kalamazoo for a most happy occasion, but that is another story altogether, and I digress.

I waited all week for Show and Tell Day.
I brought something in and I've something to say.
We sit in our circle and each takes a turn
I wait and I wait and I try not to squirm.

Jim brought a slinky and Lee brought his kite
"Sit still says my teacher—let's all be polite."
I try to be patient, I try not to whine
But eleven more kids have a turn before mine.

Then finally it's my turn—It's finally here.
But teacher says "Sorry, we're out of time dear.
We're a little off schedule, but here's what we'll do—
On our next Show and Tell Day, we'll start out with you!"

I put on my jacket to go out and play.
I don't think I think much of Show and Tell Day.

Flash Cards for Early Childhood Education or Reading a Child Funny Poetry, whatever method the young parent chooses, they are to be commended for spending time with their offspring.

Perhaps I shall go and do likewise by ringing up one or two or three or more of my own , who are somewhat past the flash cards stage, yet no doubt require my advice regarding their own young heirs, for I have found a delightful childhood education software that promises to advance their grade level by months, possibly even years. And since it is never too soon to introduce cultural literacy, perhaps I shall send along a copy or two of Literati Limericks…

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Please do not forget to attribute to Jeannette Ramirez as author unless otherwise noted. Webmasters, thank you for supporting this project by linking. For the poem count at Here Be Limerick Poems visit our home page.