Tag: music

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Teaching Children Through Music Today to Create a Better Tomorrow

There are many articles written about the subject of music. At our Bonkers Beat Music Kinder, we see daily how children, as young as 2yo, are developing by learning through music.

The Australian Childcare Alliance Queensland (ACA QLD) just published an article, written by Galina; which is very close to her heart.

When music and movement are taught, children benefit greatly in many areas of life. Literacy, memory skills, concentration, social interaction, fine motor skills, listening, problem solving, teamwork and coordination are all positively impacted. We have many parents coming and sharing with us their positive feedback about their children’s development and how music connects their family and becomes part of their daily lives.

For all educators attending the 2015 National Childcare Conference in Brisbane, the program is packed with an array of exceptional speakers and workshops dedicated for educators, early childhood professionals, and approved providers. The conference’s theme is ‘Don’t Stop Believing’. It’s clearly emphasises the importance and the passion for the role that we, early childhood educators play and continue to believe in the contribution we make to the lives of young children.

For more information about the conference, visit: www.childcareconference.com.au

Galina will be presenting on Saturday and would love to meet as many of you as possible. So please say ‘Hi’ or visit her presentation to learn more about teaching through music.

To read her full article, follow the link  ‘Teaching Children Through Music Today to Create a Better Tomorrow’, or click on images below.

Screen Shot 2015-06-22 at 9.57.46 am Screen Shot 2015-06-22 at 9.58.03 am

 

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Spreading the Magic of Music

We were thrilled to be included in the latest edition of Kid Magazine.  It’s wonderful to have a chance to spread the word of music, yoga and wellbeing for children and this publication is a perfect outlet.

Aimed at families of young children we wanted to show how important those first few years are and how important music is for a child’s development.  Music is one of the few activities that involves the use of the whole brain and is closely connected to our wellbeing. Music has a universal and timeless potential to influence how we feel.

A study from the United Kingdom found that encouraging patients with active psychosis to express themselves through music improved their symptoms of depression, anxiety and social withdrawal. “It evokes feelings of contentment, reductions in anxiety, and feelings of calmness and security…”

Music affects the body in many ways, it is  powerful in helping children to develop social and emotional skills, become less stressed and enjoy learning.

In the article we identified a few reasons why it is so important that we encourage children to play and enjoy music and the benefits we see.

To see us on page 42, or to read the whole publication, click here – http://issuu.com/kidmagazine/docs/kid_magazine_issue_twenty_three?e=0/13288706

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WHY POETRY IS GREAT FOR CHILDREN

We all know that children love stories, and it’s fair to say that many children love stories even more when they rhyme. Even reflecting back on childhood we are all sure to recall a poem or two that has stayed with us over the years and that is just one of the amazing features of poetry.

Poetry for memory and language

Poetry is closely linked with recognising and memorising patterns both audibly and visually – that is, through both listening to the sound of poems being read and through reading them on paper firsthand. This style of information processing can also be helpful when children are learning maths and new languages.

Poetry for emotional development

By producing sounds and beats, poems allow even very young babies and children to experience language and storytelling on a less cognitive and more emotional level. Some studies also show that poetry contributes to building resilience in children and expanding their capacity to experience and understand emotions.

Poetry for physical development

Clapping, turning around, hands up in the air – many poems and rhymes work alongside simple, fun physical movement, much like music. At Bonkers Beat many if not all of our poems and songs have movements to go along with them that not only improve children’s understanding of the content but get the blood flowing!

These are just a few of the benefits of poetry for children. One of the most simple and convincing reasons to make sure you expose children to poems at a young age is the first thing we mentioned – children love them!

Here are some useful links you to similarly minded articles that discuss the amazing impact of including poetry in children’s lives:

What is your favourite poem? Do you have a childhood favourite? Which poems do you use in your centre? Share it with us on Facebook.

http://timbuktu.me/blog/why-do-children-love-poems/

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/roger-mcgough/the-importance-of-introducing-poetry_b_1618100.html

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/five-reasons-poetry-needed-schools-elena-aguilar

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From Stress to Harmony Through Meditation

It’s no secret that many of us, if not most of us, live very busy lives on a day-to-day basis. This can leave us feeling stressed, rushed, tired and disconnected. But escaping to peace doesn’t have to mean expensive day-spas or anything that will cost you more of your precious time than it’s worth. What if we said that as little as ten minutes a day can make a difference and it’s free?

Meditation is something that our Bonkers Beat philosophy values greatly. While our programs are designed with children in mind, we are also incredibly passionate about the merits of meditation for adults and the role it can have in helping parents and children reconnect in a positive, relaxing way.

Our free wellbeing event ’Harmony Night’ is coming up on April 29 at Bonkers Beat Music Kinder in Aspendale, Victoria. We welcome everyone to join us in learning about the positive impact that meditation, yoga and music can have on your life, your health and your children’s and how it can be incorporated each and every day.

The benefits of meditation are countless and incredibly valuable. In fact, here’s a link to 100 benefits of meditationif you still need convincing! Meditation is a fantastic way to increase children’s focus and concentration and to reduce stress and anxiety. It helps build self-esteem and confidence and encourages children’s imagination and creativity, helping them to explore their inner world, to focus and connect their mind and body.

Galina looks forward to sharing her latest findings in early childhood following her recent trip to the USA as a presenter at the CAEYC Conference (California Association for the Education of Young Children).

Physiological, psychological and spiritual rewards await and it’s simpler and less intimidating than you may realise. Even getting children involved is far easier than perhaps seems possible! You’ll learn all about this and much more at our upcoming Harmony Night.

You can book online here. And please, feel free to share the event with others. The more the merrier!

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Celebrating NAIDOC Week

It’s a special time around July each year when we celebrate NAIDOC Week around Australia – NAIDOC originally stood for ‘National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee’, who would organise the events for this week of celebration but has since become the name of the week itself.

From July 6-13, 2014 all Australians come together to take part in activities to celebrate and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

The NAIDOC website offers a range of suggestions to help you come up with ideas to join in the celebration of Australia’s Indigenous culture. Here are a few of our favourites:

  • Display Indigenous posters around your class room
  • Invite local Indigenous elders to speak at your school or workplace.
  • Listen to Indigenous music.
  • Research the traditional Indigenous owners of your area.
  • Study Aboriginal arts and crafts.
  • Read a Dreamtime story.
  • Create your own Aboriginal art.
  • Visit local Indigenous sites of significance or interest.
  • Learn the meanings of local or national Aboriginal place names.
  • Invite Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander dancers to perform.

The discussion of NAIDOC and Aboriginal culture fits well with our previous blog about music and its benefits, as song, music and dance are at the heart of Indigenous culture. Song is seen as a means of expression, along with the art of performance and dance to tell a story. They are so important to Aboriginal people and often are at the core of special ceremonies, often adding very special significance to the music itself.

It is interesting to note that while we often see music, art, performance, dance and storytelling as separate things, the Aboriginal viewpoint sees them as a whole. And what a wonderful perspective that is to have! In some instances, Aboriginal elders may sing and paint the story as they sing about it. The stories and music will often focus on community, culture and their relationship with the land.

Read more about Australia’s Indigenous ceremonies, Indigenous performers and NAIDOC Week via these useful links:

http://australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/austn-indigenous-ceremony
http://australianmuseum.net.au/Indigenous-Australia/

http://aboriginalart.com.au/culture/trade.html

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Attention Owners & Directors…

‘How Music & Wellbeing Programs Can Improve Your NQS Rating’

An assessment process is an exciting journey and not a destination. It is a journey where everyone can learn and grow professionally as well as personally. In September 2012, Bonkers Beat Music Kinder & Childcare Aspendale went through the National Quality Standard Assessment and Rating Process and received an outstanding result – Exceeding National Quality Standard.

By Galina Zenin of Bonkers Beat Music Kinder & Childcare

In this session Galina Zenin will share her experience and knowledge of the NQS Assessment and Rating Process. She will address sustainable practices and practical tools on how, through Music & Wellbeing Programs you can expand ‘Educational programs and practice’, enrich ‘Relationships with children’, build strong ‘Collaborative partnerships with families and communities’ and improve ‘Leadership and service management’.

This session will give everyone the opportunity to ask questions, share experiences and help each other to build confidence in the NQS Assessment Process.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

– Understand EYLF to extend children’s learning and development

– Effectively interpret and implement an approved framework

– Develop a strong sense of wellbeing by using music and movement experiences throughout the day

– Incorporate music and yoga into the daily routine across the service

– Effectively support children to work with, learn from and help others

– Engage families in music and wellbeing programs to provide consistency between the home and the service

– Promote a sense of community, multicultural and social identity

– Engage educators, families and children in the development of the philosophy which guided the service

– Evaluate the performance of the service, educators and co-ordinators and demonstrate a strong commitment to ongoing professional development

RECOMMENDED FOR: Owners / Directors of Childcare Centres

Date: Friday 1st February 2013

Time: 8.30am – 10.30am

Where: Room B 427 Centre for Adult Education (CAE) 253 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

Cost: $15 for CCCAV Members / $25 for non-members (Morning tea provided)

Book now at http://www.trybooking.com/CGIA

Use Promotion Code: cccav2013A to obtain discounted price

Place are Limited So-Do Not Miss Out!

For further information about Galina Zenin please visit www.musicearlychildhoodpresenter.com

For further information about the session, call Philippa or Jenny at CCCAV on 03 9532 2017

 

 

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