'Extra Special Music Group' to start
19 January, 2008
The Council has teamed up with specialist music provider Wendy Prevezer, thanks to a grant of £10,770 from Youth Music and a further 10% contributed by the Council to the project.
The children involved may have specific language difficulties, or additional needs associated with learning disabilities, autism, etc. The group is intended to be complementary to any pre-school educational support/speech and language therapy that the children already receive and is for those children who may find if difficult to access other pre-school activities due to their specific difficulties.
Parents take an active part
Twice during the year, up to eight families will be offered a place for 16 weeks, so that over the year up to 16 families may benefit. Parents will take an active part, staying with their children throughout. A trainee musician, in attendance at each session, will provide extra support as necessary.
The sessions will have a structured framework, with plenty of repetition from week to week and elements of variety and surprise. The approach will be interactive, the children’s own ideas and spontaneous actions or sounds being incorporated into each activity.
Puppets
Each session will normally include greeting songs, action songs (hand and finger/whole body), listening games, play with percussion, the use of multi-cultural songs, rhythms and instruments and other props including puppets.
Activities will be developed according to the children's preferences, enabling each one to contribute actively, make positive choices, have fun and gain confidence in communication and social skills, as well as learning some basic musical concepts and skills.
Each group will run for up to an hour, including short periods of unstructured play and exploration. There will also be consultation and discussion time for parents, depending on the needs of the group. The group's responses and feedback will influence each subsequent session.
Continue Activities
Following the sessions, parents will be encouraged to form small groups and continue some of the activities informally. They will be able to borrow some of the resources used in the groups. Activity sheets will be provided by the music leader, with songs and ideas for development. Additional consultation sessions by phone or in person will be offered.
A leaflet about the project is available by contacting Broxtowe Borough Council 09115 917 3695 or email clare.janes@broxtowe.gov.uk.
Participants may apply by application only. The application forms will be available from the 4th February and the deadline for applications is 18th February.
By Editor.
