socio-emotional

This month we’re moving on to setting up music sessions for children between 18 months and 3 years. Many child development experts, notably Piaget and Vygotsky, identified stages or zones when children are more able to learn new skills based on their previous abilities. In this series, I aim to identify the ways in which […]

Baby music sessions are so rewarding. While they can be tricky to run, they build precious bonding opportunities, especially valuable in the early days of pressure and newness. The key to creating magical, musical experiences is planning. This makes sessions look so easy because, like all good sessions, the participants don’t actually know what has

Running baby music sessions is one of the most fulfilling jobs I have ever done. Knowing the joy that you are bringing to little ones, the personal attention, the literal physical demonstration of love and care … is the most priceless, rewarding experience that I could ever describe. While children may not remember events and

Developing our series on using singing in developmental activities, we look at the older “babies” this month, 12-18 months old. While still very dependent on adult support and provision, little ones at this age are beginning to do things independently and practice new skills.  And they love singing and dancing to music! Physically, they are

This month we are developing our series on using singing to support development for specific age groups. This article introduces suitable songs for babies 6-12 months, based on generalised developmental skills and behaviour. We also provide ideas on how to extend these songs for children as they get older. In addition to general development, these

We’re starting this year with a new series on ways to use songs for specific age groups. Music is one of the most enjoyable ways to spend time with children, helping their overall development, working with their skills and interests, and pulling different skills together into a cohesive experience. Children grow so quickly and change

Christmastime is full of exciting events. The build-up really starts in October with Halloween, Diwali, Guy Fawks, Remembrance, Children in Need … the list goes on and on. While it breaks up the darker days and nights and gives us as adults something to look forward to, it can be an unsettling and exhausting time

We all know anecdotally that music makes us feel better. Throughout history, it has been helping young children relax off to sleep, helping us to unite and celebrate as we get older, while soothing older people during times of uncertainty. Since covid/lockdown, there has been even more research conducted on the effects of music on

Singing is the primary method of sharing music in education settings, especially in the early years. It has the ability to express and share celebration and adventure, joy and comfort. In recent months, we have been sharing the way that music can be used in medical and therapeutic ways and settings. It is helpful to

Parenting is a minefield of information, with parents often feeling overwhelmed and criticised for what they do and don’t do. Many even feel that advice is contradictory, with leading professionals having opposing views. Both academic and educational authorities have identified an “achievement gap” as the cause of communities with deprivation, so authorities are working towards