Structure & Benefits

Each week the classes follow a similar structure in order for the children to feel settled and well acquainted with a routine. They will quickly learn to recognise when it is time to return instruments, sit quietly or stand for movement and dance.

I don’t insist on children being confined to the lap as I think it is important that they are free to express themselves and some children need to move. This is fine as long as it does not become disruptive.

There are old favourites and new songs along with songs to suit the time of year. My repertoire ranges from traditional to modern songs along with original ones penned by myself.

Each week we have songs to suit a particular percussion instrument which we play together and we often play an assortment of these for our band song.

Depending on age there are lap songs, finger rhymes, action songs, movement and dance, listening exercises, stories using music, circle songs and I use a variety of colourful props to help the children to engage and just have a lot of fun.

Musical concepts such as pitch, tempo and rhythm are also part of the framework of the classes from an early age.

Educational themes such as the changing seasons, Christmas, Halloween, food, animals, mini beasts, transport, our bodies, the ocean etc are brought into the classes regularly.

I adhere to the Curriculum for Excellence ensuring that the children are learning through play and feel free to express themselves. There are plenty of opportunities for them to develop language skills, creativity and co-ordination skills along with numeracy and literacy. These all contribute to healthy growth and development, knowledge and understanding and capacity to learn.

Music making is incredibly beneficial to a child – intellectually, creatively, physically, socially and emotionally. It is a whole brain activity and involves the whole child – the child’s desire for language, the body’s urge to move, the brain’s attention to patterns, the ear’s lead in initiating communication, the voice’s response to sounds, as well as the eye-hand coordination associated with playing musical instruments.

For you the parent/carer

I will provide you with a vast repertoire of songs and material to share with your child. You can use these songs as a way of structuring and organizing daily tasks, not to mention the fun that can be had with them.

Bonding. Interactive songs encourage a lot of hugging, tickling, bouncing and touching – all the things your baby/child loves. Using the songs regularly can help strengthen your relationship, facilitate greater communication between you and your child, aid psychological well being and ease the structuring of routine daily life.

Socially. At the PPC you will find other parents/carers to chat to and have time to develop friendships in the social time after the class with tea/coffee and biscuits. (applies to all classes apart from the 3-5 year olds)

Community. Whether you live in the area or not you will find a great sense of community offering support and cohesion, bringing parents and children together from all over the world.