Students given tips by experts

Musical pair stage workshops for Tyne Metropolitan College students

CHILDCARE students have been learning how to strike a chord with youngsters after being given expert advice.

Anna Scantlebury and Abi Cotton of Piccolo, a musical activity group for children, were invited to stage two workshops at Tyne Metropolitan College, where 100 full-time and 600 part-time students have embarked on a wide range of childcare qualifications.

The workshops were made possible thanks to special funding made available after the college was named as a Centre of Vocational Excellence and Tynemet's £5.5m Riverside Centre in North Shields has the best facilities in Europe including eight training suites and an on-site nursery.

Part of the college's Centre for Professional Care and Education, it trains students who work with children from birth to eight years old.

Kirsty Parker, 18, from North Shields. has already completed a one-year certificate in childcare and is now on the two-year cache diploma in childcare and education.

"The music workshops have been a brilliant experience," she said.

"I want to work with children with disabilities when I leave college, and music and drama is particularly important in that area of childcare so I really appreciate this opportunity.

"I've picked up some great ideas from Piccolo, particularly about telling stories through music, and can't wait to put them into practice."

Lee Southern, 18, is planning a career as a nursery nurse and added: "I love music and this workshop has been amazing.

"Everyone had really let themselves go by the end and had a great time."

Tyneside-based Piccolo was set up when Abi and Anna were unable to find a similar music and singing group aimed specifically at pre-school children.

"Singing with children and in a group can build self confidence and create the foundation for social and co-ordination skills, language development and ultimately reading and writing," said Abi.

"Our main aim is to have fun in informal and interactive music sessions and we have been delighted with the response since we started in 2000.

"We work with an average of 250 children a week during term time but find it difficult to meet the demand.

"So we are delighted to have the chance of working with students who will then be going out to nurseries and schools around the region.

"Everyone seems to have enjoyed it and grown in confidence as the session progressed."

Linda Jordan, head of childcare and education studies at the college, said. "This has been a great opportunity to learn about making music with very young children.

"Not only have the students gained a lot of very useful information, but it has also boosted their confidence.

"Even those students who thought they weren't very musical now feel much more at ease about singing and working with music."

For more information on childcare courses at the college call (0191) 200 5200 or visit the web site at www.tynemet.ac.uk.