Three Is A Magic Number on Kid Tune Tuesday…

I remember watching “Three Is A Magic Number” on Schoolhouse Rock when I was a kid (not the year it premiered of course, 1973, because I was but a wee peanut in my mom’s uterus at the time.  I’m old, but not THAT old.)  Man, did I love Schoolhouse Rock.  Besides giving us such classics like “Three Is A Magic Number,” Bob Dorough and the writers of Schoolhouse Rock gifted us with “” (fitting for election day, no?),  ““, and “” among other musical gems.

And what parent doesn’t like a song that can teach school curriculum along the way?  I mean, if my kid asked me on the spot what a conjunction is, I’d probably stammer like the village idiot and quickly change the subject.  That’s what’s so great about Schoolhouse Rock.  It simplifies big ideas so that children and parents alike can gain a better understanding of concepts, but presents it in a groovy, retro package.

Perhaps the most recognizable rendition of “Three Is A Magic Number” is by Blind Melon.  You remember them, right?  They’re the ones that brought us the Bee Girl song “.”   Blind Melon’s trippy sounds certainly make me feel like I should be adorning bell bottoms, burning my bra and developing an aversion to showers.   Normally not my bag, baby, I think it’s a perfect fit for this song, and I absolutely love their cover of “Three Is A Magic Number.”

Yes, it is.  It’s a magic number.  Ask my 3 year old.  She who wants three carrots on her plate, or three cookies in her hand, or three expensive ponies.  Because she’s THREE.  Does that mean I get 39 massages?  39 margaritas?  39 vacations to Tahiti?

But back to my point.  This song weaves in mathematics so effortlessly that my son doesn’t even realize he’s doing multiplication and division while he’s singing along.  Then I can stand back, pat myself on  the shoulder, and take credit for the big brain on Mr. B when he can skip count by 3 at school.  It MUST be my superb parenting skills, right?

Oh, and I forgot the best part about this song for us right now.  My kids are 6 and 3.  Lately, they’ve been at each other’s throats, trying to one-up the other in that sibling competition I remember so well (you should have seen them negotiating the delicate territory of candy bartering last week).  But in this song, everyone wins! 3 is a magic number (my daughter’s age), but 6 is also magic because it can be divided by 3.  Boo-yah!

And now for the results (“Out of 5″ Sippy Cup Rating System):
MR B: Look, mom, my brain is getting bigger every time I sing this…
MISS P: 3!  I’m 3!  I’m magical! I would give this 5 sippy cups, but since I’m 3…
MOMMY:  Here, kids, go listen to this to figure out how to do your homework…