Classes encourage development in the following areas:

• Enjoyment - most importantly its about having fun.
• Quality Time - regular time set aside for you and you child to enjoy with each other.
• Getting out and Having Fun - it's a chance to get out, meet other parents and toddlers in a small friendly environment.
• Speech Development - through the introduction of rhythm, pattern, tone and rhyme.
• Movement Skills and Coordination - playing instruments improve a child's motor skills and hand-eye coordination whilst moving to music will help develop balance and increase strength. Hopefully this will wear them out too!
• Language acquisition - especially through action songs, which enable babies to make connections and learn about language through gesture. Songs help a child acquire language by introducing new words ideas and ideas.
• Awareness of Number and Counting - we sing simple to introduce the children to numbers and help them learn to count.
• Learning about everyday activities and concepts - we have a new theme every half term such as "Spring", "Toys" or "The Family". Each theme is designed to help increase the children’s general awareness, to enable them to make connections, to stimulate discussion and to extend their vocabulary
• Development of Creativity and Imagination - pretending is a very valuable aspect of childhood and important aspect of the classes. For example; we pretend to splash in puddles, to visit a farm or to be a bouncing ball etc.
• Communication and Social Skills - for your child the classes are a great way of developing social skills and an opportunity to interact with other children. It is a chance for them to make friends too!
• Listening Skills - during classes we encourage the children to listen; to music, to sounds, to instructions and to each other. Listening skills are essential not only in music but in all areas of learning.
• Preparation for Nursery School
  • Group activity and cooperation - classes involve learning to take part in different activities as a group, learning about "joining in", "taking turns" and cooperation.
  • Concentration Skills - children are encouraged to focus on what is going on, listen to simple instructions and to try to remember song words and actions.
  • Confidence Building - there is the chance to experience a social situation with other children, to try new things, to contribute their ideas and to discover their own abilities. We do lots of clapping and praising and encourage the children whenever possible.
  • Understanding structure and routine - each class follows the same structure to help the children understand routine and the concept of completing one activity before moving on to the next.

Singing at home

There is no reason to stop enjoying singing and music when the class finishes. Music and singing can enhance parenting and family life and be a useful tactic when dealing with toddlers.

• Singing songs about everyday activities - getting dressed, going out, having a bath, getting ready for bed etc. This can help encourage children to do what needs to be done and can make these everyday activities more fun too.
• Involving Siblings - Singing and music is a good way for younger and older siblings to be involved with you and with each other.
• Involving The Whole Family - singing or saying rhymes is a great way to involve partners, grandparents and other family members. Nursery Rhymes cross through generational barriers and are a good way for everyone to enjoy time together.
• Providing Reassurance - a familiar song can help to comfort your toddler when they feel anxious. When you are away from your toddler you can ask whoever is caring for them to sing or recite a familiar song or rhyme to reassure them.
• Distraction Tactic - a song or rhyme is a great way to distract your toddler from a tantrum.
• A Free and portable activity - singing costs nothing and you can do it almost anywhere.