For
Parents
Our philosophy
At Music Works
Magic, we understand that the voice is our first instrument and
that if you can sing in tune, you know how to listen and recall the
sounds that you hear.
And, if you want
your child to learn to play an instrument, it’s vital they master
their first instrument - the voice - and learn to sing in tune.
Good musicians always sing.
This process can
begin with babies. We don’t wait until our children are old enough
before we talk to them. We speak to them in-utero - indeed we can
sing to them in-utero.
Babies have musical
memory from as young as 22 weeks. It’s wonderful if children can be
surrounded by a community, or group that can sing together,
vocalise and interact through music.
Researchers have shown that a strong musical education provides
so much more. Music develops self-discipline, improves
organisational skills, builds team work, promotes responsibility
and develops higher thinking skills. As music reading uses the same
portion of the brain that is used in mathematical thinking, the
child who is skilled at music excels at problem-solving, evaluation
and analysis.
So why not get your child involved in our music program, in our
early years program, learning a musical instrument or being part of
our ensemble program? Adults too can take
advantage of our instrumental
program.
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1. Our teachers sing
live
Recordings
can be fun to listen to but in a music class it is vital that the
teacher can be a good model for the children. The children need to
hear their teacher sing and hear their own voices. The teacher must
be able to guide young children through a range of activities that
include warming up, vocalising and exploring the range of the
voice.
2. Our teachers help children explore
their voices
If adults sing in an adult friendly
pitch, down low, this is not going to serve your child best. The
best programs have the teacher singing up high and exploring the
whole range of the voice not just the lowest notes we can produce.
These will serve to turn your toddlers into droners. They will
confuse their singing and talking voices.
3. Our program includes a range of
traditional children’s songs as well as songs specifically written
for children.
4. Our program includes movement,
both creative and non-prescribed and folk dances.
5. Our
program provides the opportunity to develop a strong sense of beat
from birth and to develop rhythmic skills for older
children.
6.
The children encouraged to be good
listeners.
Good listeners become good learners and with the right experiences
good musicians.
7. Our program provides opportunities for
audiation or inner hearing.
This
is a process where we hear the sounds in our heads. this process
ensures that the children hear the sounds they will produce in
their heads before sounding them out. This helps to develop greater
accuracy in singing.
8. Our program uses instruments in a
carefully guided fashion and only once the children have a
repertoire of song to play along to.
If making more and more noise is the sole purpose of the
instruments then one would have to ask what’s the
point?
9. Our program helps children
identify different timbres or sounds of the various
instruments.
At Music Works Magic we want the
children to use their listening and audiation skills to play the
instruments with greater awareness of sound produced, sensitivity
and accuracy.
10. Our program takes account of the
diversity of the children.
It’s important to remember that each child learns differently
at a different pace. Many children need to explore a room and feel
comfortable and familiar in a space and with a group and repertoire
of songs before they will interact and participate.
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'In
singing with my grandson in your classes I've found my own singing
voice. I've never been able to sing in tune until now!' (L. R.
grandmother)
We
loved singing along to your Cds every day. Our daughter has
memorised every song and we witnessed her finding a singing voice
as opposed to a talking voice as the week progressed. One night
however after our 4yr old daughter returned from a bathroom visit
we had to draw the line. No Cds after bed time, after being woken
by your cooee song echoing down the corridor... It was 4am!
(P.H. parent)
I'm
not sure who enjoys these classes more.... Jess or me! (J.T.
parent)
There are many ways in which as a parent or care-giver,
you can support your child on their musical journey of
discovery. In fact, parents play a vital role both inside the
class and at home.
Human beings learn by trial and error and by repetition. Both
you and your child will benefit from our music program even more if
you play an active role. Our vocal exploration work and puppetry
ensures that everyone finds a singing voice in a non-threatening
fun filled way.
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In
class
- Actively
participate in the song, dance, creative activity alongside your
child.
- Your child doesn't
need personalised instruction. We try and minimise talking in the
class. Our teachers give very little verbal instruction. Everything
is modelled for the children. The best way to encourage and help
your child to participate is to do just that.
- Recognise that by
engaging in the class, you are also modeling the behaviour you wish
to see in them.
- Remember, with any
new experience, including music, it often takes children a few
weeks to warm to a new environment, new group and songs. Therefore,
don’t be too concerned about your child’s participation or lack
thereof in those early weeks.
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At
home
- Practice the songs
your child has learned that week at home, in the car, walking in
the park or wherever you both feel comfortable
- Sometimes you
might enjoy taking turns at choosing which song or which verse to
sing and using our props, or your own to create your own
magical musical experiences at home.
- Play our
CDs at home – these will reinforce your child’s listening
skills and reinforce their ‘singing voice’ as they sing
along.
- Remember, the more
you can relax in class and join in, the more your child is likely
to do the same.
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