Our workshops are an excellent opportunity to learn developmentally appropriate songs, rhymes, dances & movement activities. Update your skills, gain new ideas, increase confidence & keep in touch with current research, in a creative, relaxed, fun way. Our wellbeing workshops for children or teachers introduce simple and enjoyable ways to support health and relaxation. Carol and Gary are available to lead workshops day or evening at your centre, for your network group or at your conference venue.
New Workshop Topics 2011
OUT OF THE BOX
Using Creativity, Intentional Teaching & the EYLF in Music
How can music be a valuable part of the EYLF?
In this workshop we will use the metaphor of boxes to explore “belonging, being and becoming” through music.
Boxes can be fun, enticing and bring pleasure. They can be great for exploring….or they can be places to lock things in, hide things away or help us be neat and tidy. In these music activities, boxes will be the opportunity to open up some musical magic that support the outcomes of the EYLF. This workshop will include rhymes, songs dances and activities with varied props, instruments and found objects.
HAPPY BEATS
Planning Strategies for Music (2-5 years)
Music is a fantastic learning tool for young children. We can assist children’s grossmotor, fine motor, aural (listening), language and Social skills. Music also taps into children’s innate musical intelligence and their pleasure in playing and creating in a musical way.
Young children need to move,rhyme, sing and experiment with making sounds on found objects or simple percussion instruments. If we can plan for varied, progressively challenging activities we will support maximum learning opportunities.
This workshop will use, rhymes, fingerplays, touch activities, easy action songs and varied props to explore beat, rhythm, rest, dynamics and melody as well as creating our own dance.
Other Topics include:
MAKING MUSIC A MULTI-SENSORY EXPERIENCE
Motion is a child’s first language and sensation is their second. Only when the two are fully integrated (sensory motor integration) does a child have the foundations for learning. Introducing games, songs and rhymes using ribbons, parachute, scarves, and beanbags. Activities in this workshop will encourage sensory motor integration, eye tracking, motor timing skills and fine motor control.
SONGS & DANCES AROUND THE WORLD
For Young Children (0-8 years)
Introducing songs, games & dances from diverse cultures. Build a repertoire of easy, fun songs and dances from around the world including Aboriginal songs. Includes percussion activities and ideas for concerts or special occasions.
YOGAPLAY & RELAXATION
for Young Children (3-8 years)
For teachers interested in introducing the benefits of yoga into a classroom setting with 3-8 years. Yoga poses & sequences can be a playful, non-competitive way to aid children’s need for strength, flexibility, balance, co-ordination and relaxation. Our emphasis in this workshop is on creative play & varied movement activities.
BRAINDANCE
Movement Milestones for Fun & Learning (0-8 years)
Motion is a child’s’ first language & the more eloquent he or she becomes in this language, the quicker they develop powers of expression, exploration & development. BrainDance describes the eight movement patterns humans move through in the first year of life to wire the central nervous system. We will revisit these movement patterns to music, to assist brain function & promote learning for young children.
MAKING MUSIC FUN
(0-5 years)
Lots of easy ideas to make music a fun, learning experience. Teachers and carers don’t need to be experts, just enthusiastic, to help children learn through music play. Using action songs, simple dances and percussion ideas, this workshop builds confidence and skill in playful music making.
RHYTHM, RHYME & BEAT
Using Orff Schulwerk with young children Carl Orffs’ creative & fun based music education approach provides a wonderful foundation for music & movement activities adaptable for all ages & abilities. Children sing, move, play & create in an safe and expressive environment, developing their skills of listening, co-ordination, vocal expression & social interaction.
TOUCH, SOUND & MOVEMENT
For Babies (0-3 years) or Children with Special Needs
Music activities to feed the growing brain. This workshop is for parents, carers and teachers who wish to use music to support optimum learning for babies & toddlers through rhymes, songs, movement & touch activities. Music for Children with additional needs Research shows that early intervention through music can help many children communicate more effectively and start to explore their individual potential for learning. Activities are simple and BrainDance patterns will be covered to give a helpful checklist of movement milestones.
SINGASONGALONG
Singing, Young Children & You
Singing is something babies do naturally. They sing by playing with their voice before they learn to speak. So how do we support this intrinsic musicality in children as they grow? This workshop looks at the stages of learning to sing for children, how we can gain more confidence with our voices to help children sing and appropriate activities for children 2 – 5 years.
We will use games for vocal warmups, nursery rhymes, easy and fun singing activities that help us play with our voices and help children do the same.
HEALTHY BODIES – ACTIVE BRAINS
Wellbeing to Maximise Children’s Learning
How can we give children the best start to be healthy, active learners for life? Topics include: nutrition, relaxation, movement and creating a safe learning environment. This workshop uses practical and fun ways to promote wellbeing based on current sociological & educational research and modalities such as BrainDance, Tai Chi, Yoga and Psychology.
WELLBEING - For Teachers, Carers and Parents.
How to Thrive rather than just Survive
Teachers & carers are often so busy providing for the emotional, physical & educational needs of the children in their care, they often do not have the time or resources to successfully look after their own physical & emotional needs. This workshop uses practical and fun ways to promote wellbeing based on current psychological & sociological research and modalities such as BrainDance, Tai Chi, Yoga, Psychology & Somatics.
