Key Learning Areas
0–2 year-olds
Children aged 0–2 learn most from mimicry and encouragement, so the early music environment must be stimulating and supportive. Parents are very active and involved in these sessions.
Children will be encouraged to develop their singing voices (and speaking voices!) through a range of fun and non-threatening singing activities including:
- songs based on daily activities
- songs to introduce new vocabulary
- action-based songs
- lullabies
- interactive (call and response) singing with parents
Parents will learn how to use these skills at home for maximum benefit.
Children will be introduced to musical concepts such as loud/soft, high/low, fast/slow and these will be reinforced in class activities. The concepts of rhythm and beat will be demonstrated using body percussion as well as a range of percussion instruments such as maracas, castanets and drums. Tuned percussion (glockenspiels and xylophones) will be introduced in group singing sessions.
Movement is a very important and exciting aspect of music education for
young children. They love moving to music or participating in action
songs and it is very important for the successful development of their
fine and gross motor skills that they are encouraged to do so.
Since most very young children primarily model their behaviour on that of their parent, we ask you to take an active role and encourage your child to sing and participate by modelling singing, participating behaviour. Please be aware that some small children will choose to observe rather then to participate in activities; this is perfectly normal behaviour. These children are participating passively by observing and usually sing at home or when with you alone. Every learning experience is different!
2–3 year-olds
As children grow and become familiar with our class format we will
build on the repertoire already established. We will add actions to
known songs such as Eency Weency Spider. This encourages authorship in
children and gives parents great ideas for using known tunes with new
words in home singing and play.
Children will be introduced to different kinds of music and invited to move and feel the story and emotions they perceive. We will observe characteristics of music and reproduce them in song and movement.
Remember! As long as you provide a good model for your child, such as beating or clapping in time or singing happily, they will mimic your behaviour and enjoy successful music development.
3–4 year-olds
Children are seeking independence in activities and class takes on a
more structured format, readying children for 'formal' individual lessons
and school. Parental participation may change during this time, however
we strongly encourage parents to remain active in all aspects of music
development.
We will focus on refining aural awareness of pitch and rhythm. We play lots of copycat games in which children are encouraged to imitate. Children are much more aware of their own voices and the different sound qualities they can produce.
Familiar songs are revisited with actions and added verses. At this age, most children are capable of singing and 'moving with meaning' simultaneously. Children will be invited to contribute ideas for songs and make choices about tempo, volume, leading/following and taking turns.
4 years and over
Children are now becoming capable of independent musical experience and activity and we encourage parents to stay active and involved. It is important that you continue a teaching role as children who continue with instrument-specific lessons will need a 'home teacher' to derive the most benefit from lessons.
We encourage lots of positive reinforcement and willing participation from parents!