Adventures in Music, Movement & Wellbeing

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​EARLY CHILDHOOD RESOURCES
Gary and Carol are passionate about combining music 
& movement to promote fun, effective learning & wellbeing.
Their Early Childhood resources feature children’s songs & dances from
around the world, original songs & rhymes, as well as children’s yoga & relaxation.

Gary & Carol can provide:
Adventures in Music performances for children 2+6 years.
Professional development in music, movement & relaxation.
Workshop & presentations at centres & conferences for teachers, carers & parents.

“Brain compatible learning integrates music and movement…into a 
joyful educational environment that ensures optimal learner success”
Anne Green Gilbert

TRAINING

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.

MUSIC and the SMART BRAIN (0 – 3 years)
Babies and young children’s brains are wired to respond to music, they learn to “sing” before talking. Music has been the traditional way that love & learning has been passed to babies & brain research supports the learning opportunities that music offers. Music can support: critical windows of opportunity for brain development, emotional Intelligence, social skills, motor development, vision, language development and thinking skills. In this workshop we will focus on having fun with music & movement, so your enjoyment will engage the learning process. 

RELAXATION, MASSAGE and YOGA FUN (0 – 6 years)
In our busy world, many children experience little quiet or stillness and few opportunities to really relax. Relaxation supports optimal learning by allowing the thinking part of the brain to fully engage in play and learning activities. A stressed child remains on hyper-alert and best learning and wellbeing outcomes are compromised.
In this workshop we will look at the value of touch, massage and relaxation through stories, music & visualization. Movement and breath awareness in simple tai-chi style activities will be included and playful yoga stories, so children are encouraged to learn balance and flexibility to help with focus.
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OUT OF THE BOX
Music to support EYLF learning outcomes (0 – 6 years)
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
Music for fun & learning (0-6 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.
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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.

MUSIC, YOGA & SELF-REGULATION
In this workshop we will use songs, percussion & dramaplay activities & relaxation stories.
These ask children to listen, focus, remember & control their movements, assisting with self-regulation. New research has also linked quality music & movement programs with increased wellbeing & “positive neuroplasticity”. This makes a healthier & happier early learning environment.

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.

Adventures in Music, ​Movement & Wellbeing
creesgarycarol@gmail.com​
Carol: 0408 166 665