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Extra-curricular activities

Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

Teaching PRE-SCHOOL MUSIC sessions - anyone?

20 replies

captaincogsworth · 03/01/2010 20:53

I am keen to begin teaching some pre-school music sessions but not really sure where to start. I have been in contact with several companies who franchise but too 'full-on' for me.

Any advise from anyone who already does this type of thing would be FANTASTIC - thank you.

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captaincogsworth · 03/01/2010 20:54

Advice I mean obviously!!

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captaincogsworth · 05/01/2010 14:28

Anyone??!!

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violincjj · 05/01/2010 14:33

Hi I do this but not with a franchise. When my own kids were preschool age I ran sessions at home for carers/children but now mine are all at school I only do nursery sessions. I start from about 16 months and we do a mixture of action songs, movement, percussion instruments, kodaly style games, lots of fun. I play my violin and sing, when I get to nursery each week the kids start the hello song before I am even unpacked - and they sing it in the right key! Magic! Ask me what you'd like to know.

ShellingPeas · 05/01/2010 17:34

I've been running pre-school music classes for around 6 years now, under my own direction, not as part of a franchise.

I would imagine your approach to setting up a group would depend on your background - I'm an instrumental musician and teacher (although I can sing a bit too), so my classes tend to be more instrument and movement based, rather than focusing purely on singing.

You mention the franchises are a bit 'full on' for you - do you mean their business approach or their lesson/music style? I have heard the some franchises push their franchisees hard to build up their business, as it makes more money for the franchise.

What kind of things do you want to know?

thirtypence · 06/01/2010 06:37

My advise would depend on your own musical training, the age of your own children, whether you live in a city, town or small village...

More info please.

cheeselover · 11/01/2010 14:37

I used to do a bit of this, and learned lots through the British Kodaly Academy's courses on how to do it.

I'm not doing it at the moment but my son is doing a colourstrings musicianship class once a week (he's 6 months) and it's great fun. The lady organises it herself and it's quite relaxed.

captaincogsworth · 11/01/2010 20:42

Sorry - I've been missing for a while!!
My children are both pre-school. I play two instruments and sing reasonably well. I was a music teacher in primary school.

Yes I felt the franchises were a bit full on in what they expected finacially from each class and the number of classes to be run. Quite pressured to perform. Also they cover a HUGE area and I only want to start part-time.

I am used to planning and teaching music to children over 5 and could do that easily but need some help with a) age appropriate games/ movement activities for younger children and b) what legal requirements do I need? Obviously public liability insurance but what about licence for playing/ using music etc. etc.

Also, structure - I guess for younger children it's good to have the same or similar structure each session.

Can't belive after all of these years teaching music I feel like a complete novice again!!!!!

Thanks for all your replies and offers of help.
MASSIVELY appreciated.
Cogs.

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captaincogsworth · 11/01/2010 20:43

Small town thirtypence.

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TheHouseofMirth · 11/01/2010 21:05

Captaincogsworth I used to be General Manager of a pre-school children's activity company. Not music but similar principles. If you want to email me at [email protected] I'm sure I can give you lots of non-music related pointers about setting up.

captaincogsworth · 13/01/2010 19:30

Have done HofM - thank you.

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thirtypence · 15/01/2010 01:24

As for structure I always have the same hello song with the childrens' names and they get to tap a rhythm on the drum as it's their turn. Then I do three short songs - one action, one finger play and one call and response each week for the 10 week term. Then I do different things in the middle and always finish with the same couple of songs and the parachute. The structure relaxes everyone - including me - into the session and means that children get to be expert in a few songs.

ShellingPeas · 15/01/2010 13:56

Legal requirements/recommendations:

Public liability insurance - definite must, although not legally required

CRB check is helpful, but again (at the present time) not required if you have the parents present at all times.

Music licences - Public Performing Licence (PPL) and Performing Rights Society (PRS) are the bodies to approach for this if you intend to use other people's music. (I have created all my own backing tracks and don't use other people's music any longer so have sidestepped this issue - hooray!)

There's loads to cover regarding class structure etc. I once wrote an article for this and I will see if I can drag it out and cut and paste it on here.

captaincogsworth · 15/01/2010 15:42

You are both fab - thank you. Yes please - if you could find that article it would be BRILLIANT ShellingPeas!

I suppose as long as I'm not using CDs to sing along to I don't have to worry but I wanted to play some classical tracks for movement every now and again - I know that lots of classical music is out of copyright - I wonder if that still applies for playing?

The more I find out the more I realise I don't know!!

I am already CRBed so that's no prob and public liability I would definitely get - any good suggestions of companies?

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ShellingPeas · 15/01/2010 17:01

I think the standard ones are Michael Morton and Blackfriars. I got mine PLI from Blackfriars, cost about £90 for £2m cover for a year.

I need to go on the other computer to find the article... hopefully post when I can bump DS off Club Penguin.

I think you have a similar background to me - I was a music teacher, play a number of different instruments and sing a bit, so if you pitch (no pun intended) your classes right you should do well. I think if you have the background and the confidence to work on your own you don't need a franchise.

ShellingPeas · 15/01/2010 17:22

A quick C&P - not the full article but a bit of it. There lots more to do with finding halls, advertising etc but it's a bit long in one go!

"Sessions (approximately 45 minutes for toddlers and pre-schoolers) are broken down into an underlying structure which is repeated each week. Although the themes and songs change weekly, the structure is the same so the children are aware of what happens next and are confident in the class.

Each session consists of:

a welcome song where all the children are greeted by name;

an original "song of the term" which tends to be a gross motor skill song e.g. hand clapping, foot stamping, bouncing/jumping. This is repeated for 5 weeks before changing;

the weekly themed section using mostly familiar action songs and nursery rhymes;

a listening section which features live music on a variety of instruments. This sometimes includes movement or 'active listening' where the children can respond to the music play by using scarves or ribbon sticks;

a ?musical element? section using percussion instruments and looking at a particular musical element each week (e.g. tempo, rhythm, beat, dynamics etc);

and finally the really fun part with some games with a play parachute or stretchy lycra sheet, movement activities (ribbons, scarves, balls or hoops) and a bubble machine.

Then it's the goodbye song and everyone leaving."

I?ve done lots of experimenting over the past years and I think I know what my class members want but this is something you will need to do by trial and error to find what works for you.

cheeselover · 16/01/2010 13:10

WIth the public liability insurance, the company I insure my instruments with, New Moon also does PL insurance, at good prices (google should find them). Or if you're in the MU/ISM they cover third party insurance for you.

captaincogsworth · 09/02/2010 22:45

This has all been SO helpful - I am really keen to get on and start something up ASAP.

ShellingPeas - that C&P is FANTASTIC thanks. The bubble/movement bit is what phases me a bit. I would LOVE to get the parachute out and have lots of PE type games but what kind of musical things do you do with it?

Any help with that side of things would be brilliant too.

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maggiethecat · 11/02/2010 01:02

Violincjj where are you based? your class sounds very interesting. I'm also quite keen on anyone who uses Kodaly as I think that it's so good for aural development.

ShellingPeas · 12/02/2010 15:21

Captain - for movement ideas there is a Lynn Kleiner book here which I have adapted to suit my own means. And all the Lynn Kleiner books are useful resources for working with early years - they are loosely based on Kodaly and are very simple and effective.

Generally, with the parachute I tend to use quite a lot of classical and/or instrumental music - children react to changes in tempo or dynamics by shaking or floating, or bouncing various things on top. You can also do circle dances and folk dances using the parachute, incorporating walking, shaking, jumping etc. Rhymes like Five Fat Peas in a Pea Pod are good, and I have also used some action songs like B.I.N.G.O. with a bouncing toy or puppet in time with the music.

If you want to run through anything in greater detail I'm happy to let you have my email address and give you the 'benefit' of my wisdom!

captaincogsworth · 22/02/2010 13:45

I've got the Kids make Music; Babies Make Music Too book by Lynn Kleiner - some lovely ideas. I'll check out that movement one too thanks.

Joined a music session with my LO for a few weeks in another area which will, hopefully, give me the push to know that I can do it too!

Definitely not going to go down the franchise route as everyone on this thread has given me the confidence that it can be done on your own - and, too right, why would you want some of your hard-earned profit to go to somebody else!!!

Quite excited about buying puppets and parachutes etc. Must not get too carried away to begin with - easy done though! I will need to be sensible and business-like and set a budget I think!!

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