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Music helps children to facilitate language. Hearing, interpreting, understanding and speaking are parallel processes in music and language. Stefan Koelsch of the Max Planck Institute, Leipzig states: “When we listen to music we don't really know how rich is the semantic information that music carries. The brain computations are just the same for musical and linguistic information.”
Reported in New Scientist 28 th February 2004. It is also the case that music helps to develop mathematical skills, as it requires thought processes in space and time. It also improves memory, triggering kinaesthetic memories. Linking music and movement has several benefits. It gives children the opportunity to study in a way that suits their learning style. It raises fitness levels and body awareness, stimulates mental development and encourages motor coordination. Yoga positions are introduced to help balance, relaxation and poise. Research shows that signing can help communication in pre-verbal hearing babies, as well as those with dyslexia, autism, learning disabilities, communication difficulties, and speech or language impairments. Signing improves confidence and awareness of differences. http://www.Deafbooks.co.uk/downloads/earlyyearsarticledeafbooks.pdf is a useful and interesting article on baby signing.
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Music to Grow runs 40 minute classes on weekdays between 9.30am and 2.30pm, during school term time. Classes are held in local venues in Moreton-in-Marsh, Blockley and Chipping Campden. Each class is arranged around a theme. Grouped according to age, there are a maximum number of 12 children. Each class begins with a short talk on a health topic. For example, sun safety, hygiene, drinking enough water, tooth care, self-esteem. Rhymes from Dr. Seuss, Spike Milligan and others are used, along with the principles of pitch, dynamics and tempo.
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Crawlers (from 3 months – walking)
Gentle classes incorporate singing, dancing, puppets and instrument playing, with the use of especially designed baby ribbons and scarves, as well as ‘noisy toys' to stimulate eye tracking, coordination and motor skills. Baby Signing using sign language from Makaton for deaf and disabled people is integrated, to help communication between carer and child before speech. Names of animals and objects, as well as instructions and ‘doing' words are covered. Lap songs and action songs are an important part of the class. New songs are used for four weeks in a row to allow them to be learnt.
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Walkers (from walking – 2 1/2 years)
Classes are lively and energetic, with wiggling, shaking, clapping, waving, jumping and dancing. Scarves and ribbons are used to full effect to promote creativity and self-expression. Tuned and untuned percussion instruments are provided encouraging rhythm patterns, along with rhymes to try, music for listening and singing. Familiar rhymes help to develop speech, as well as nurturing listening skills and imitation.
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Skippers (from 2 1/2 – 4 years)
Classes challenge and motivate this group, using more than one instrument and increasingly imaginative games. Musical terms and signs are introduced as well as pitch, tempo and dynamics.
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Children learn to work together and take turns to lead conducting the group. Classes develop independence and the ability to evaluate choices. Time is given to playing games, exploring instruments, and continuing to work with speech and listening skills. Classes build on the foundation from previous year's activities.
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