LEARNING MADE ‘SUPER FUN’

By Wes Clement/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF

More than 1,000 pre-schoolers armed with plastic clappers sang and danced Friday morning when the Atlanta-based “Super Fun Show” came to town.

The show’s creator, Shawn Brown, led an energetic time of learning that engaged the children in songs related to common early childhood education topics.

The show featured a wide range of “happy music” about eating vegetables and drinking plenty of water, counting to 100, counting in Spanish and a variety of other pre-school relevant subjects.

“For me it’s fulfilling destiny. Six years ago I discovered this is what I was born to do,” Brown said before stretching in preparation for the show. “Sometimes you can have your dream right in front of you and not even realize it.”

Part of Brown’s style of teaching is getting the kids to move around and dance for exercise, he said.

The event was held at the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, 2906 E. Harding Ave.

“This is a collaboration between the different preschool agencies. We have invited all of the preschools in Jefferson County and all HIPPY (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters) kids,” Linda McNulty, HIPPY program coordinator said.

The Parents as Teachers organization and Child Care LINKS (Learning, Information, Networking Kids Services), and HIPPY worked together to organize the show.

Organizers were able to book Brown while he was in Arkansas to speak at a HIPPY conference, McNulty said.

Much of what he does is teaching early childhood teachers how to make learning enjoyable and exciting.

“Young children learn best through play,” LINKS Director Elaine Davis said.

In 1985 Brown released a song called “Rappin’ Duke,” a rap in the voice of John Wayne which achieved a fair amount of popularity. He also worked as a comedian during his earlier days.

Brown’s wife, Sheryl Brown, said he has written a children’s book entitled “You’ve Got Five Senses” that will be released soon and a “Super Fun Show Aerobic Jams” DVD is in the works as well.

“Super Fun Show” is based in Atlanta employing several other male “edu-tainers” who work with children within the city and surrounding area, Sheryl Brown said.

“Some of the children have fathers, but they are not present. The men can show them a positive male role model,” she said.