The way you measure a society’s soul is by the way that it treats its children.
Nelson Mandela
Issue No. 107 – 10th June 2011
Welcome to Kidz Newz especially to all new subscribers. Kidz Newz is a regular newsletter with information and teaching tips for anyone involved with young children. You are receiving this because you have attended one of my workshops, purchased a book, or you have requested to be on the mailing list. Thank you. Please forward this to anyone you feel it may be of interest to. Feedback is welcome.
PD Update
ECCPA Conference (Early Childhood Conference of Performing Arts), Genazzano FCJ College, Kew, Melbourne August 20-21, 2011
Music Helps Parenting
The following article appeared in the June edition of Helen Evans’ e-zine ‘Help 4 Every Parent’. (www.helenevanswriter.com.au) Although referring to parents, this information would apply equally to anyone involved with very young children, such as in childcare, family daycare, kindergarten or pre-primary. I reproduce it here with permission.
‘A special music program for young parents with their children at the Children’s and Families Research Centre at Macquarie University has had positive effects on parenting. The program was started for disadvantaged parents who were isolated in the community without a network of friends or support people.
At first the music was intended for the children with the parents present, but it soon became obvious that the parents wanted to be actively involved. Once they began to sing the songs and move to the music, the relationships between parents and children changed. These parents were not accustomed to doing things WITH their children. They did things TO their children. There was a definite barrier between kids’ play and adults’ activity, parents became more confident and observant. They reported to the research team what they had done during the time away from the centre, and what their child’s reaction had been. This also:
- strengthened social relationships between parents
- encouraged conversations and built self-esteem as staff reinforced the behaviours that were emerging.
The result was not only enjoyment of music by families, but better parenting skills.’
It’s nice to be vindicated by official studies. Quite apart from anything else, using music in your classroom or childcare setting is just plain fun. The learning involved is immeasurable. The spontaneous comments that come out as a result of them opening up in different centre of the brain through music, is wonderful to observe. I have just finished recording a DVD to go with my forthcoming book. The children involved (aged 3 and 4) had a great time. When filming was over they spent the rest of the day coming up to me and asking if they could ‘play horsies’ again or ‘play dinosaurs’ again or ‘play fairies’ again. They recognized the music immediately it was put on and knew exactly what to do after only one session. I had done no rehearsal whatsoever and just launched straight into the recording. The spontaneity of their remarks was wonderful (and often hilarious!).
Do encourage the parents in your setting to involve their children with music wherever possible. In case you don’t have a copy of my books on music and movement, they are available from my website by clicking here. There are lots of other resources there too.
If you are in the Perth area, you could let your parents know about the Kidz-Fiz-Biz classes starting next term.
Employment Opportunity
Looking for a part-time teaching opportunity? Love working with children? Love teaching music and movement? I am looking for people to train to run Kidz-Fiz-Biz classes. I have had 25 years in this industry (23 specifically with children) and want to start up more classes again due to ongoing demand. Good income and lots of fun. If this is something of interest to you now or in the future, please contact me at info@kidzfizbiz.com or phone 0410 642 781. I am especially looking for someone in the Northern Suburbs of Perth for the Ocean Reef class – ideally early childhood trained.
Quotes of the Week
“Music is never music alone but forms a unity with movement, dance and speech.” ~ Carl Orff
“Music speaks to people in a way that no other art form can and it’s the most accessible.” ~ Madonna
“A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song.” ~ Chinese Proverb
Entertainment
Watch this video of the spontaneous dance in Liverpool Station and see how others join in.
Watch this video and see how the spectators reacted.
Feedback
“Hi Marlene,
I did enjoy reading about that event. The course sounded amazing and to think so many took part. I have a friend who has three boys, the oldest is just 12. They are into everything and both parents take them to cricket or soccer at the weekends and never complain about running around or the time spent. The whole family does orienteering and those boys are so even tempered. They never seem to get moody like many kids. They are also very creative with their hands and minds, reading, writing and drawing, and making models of their own inventions. Their enthusiasm is evident and their parents are such good role models.” ~ Helen Evans (www.helenevanswriter.com.au)
About The Author
Marlene Rattigan B.A., Dip. Ed. (ECS), CELTA
Marlene Rattigan is an Early Childhood teacher, a teacher of English as a Second Language, and from 1987-2000 was a nationally accredited fitness leader. Her background is in music education. A keen interest in motor development in children led to the creation of Kidz-Fiz-Biz which she taught successfully for 13 years. Marlene also conducts workshops for children, teachers and parents at schools, in the community and at festivals. She has produced teaching manuals complete with audio CDs which are an extension of her ‘Kidz-Fiz-Biz’ program.
Kidz-Fiz-Biz
PO Box 6894, East Perth WA 6892, Australia
T: +61 8 9325 1204 M: +61 (0) 410 64 2781 E: info@kidzfizbiz.com
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Until next time … continue being a legend in your classroom.
Marlene Rattigan, Editor
Kidz Newz
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