Piccolo Training and Resources

Why is it important to introduce babies and children to music?

The value of music and song in a child's development is well documented in the areas of emotional and social development, physical coordination and speech and language acquisition. For many people the prospect of incorporating songs, rhymes and music into their work with children can be daunting. It needn't be. With practice, good resources, appropriate training and the belief in everyone's ability to participate in and enjoy music, anyone can bring to life music and song for children. Music and movement, songs and rhymes are key tools in delivering several aspects of the Early Years Foundation Stage:

In particular these areas of learning which form four of the six Early Learning Goals:

• Personal Social and Emotional Development (PSED 2, 3 and 4)
• Communication Language and Literacy (CLL 1, 2 and 3)
• Creative Development (CD 2 and 4)
• Physical Development (PD 1 and 2)

Research shows that music and song is good for babies and young children on many levels. Children and carers love it as a shared activity and you can help them enjoy this area of learning, and make it more fun for yourself too! So perhaps you are.....

• Looking for new ways of singing with children?
• Looking for new songs & ideas?
• Want to make your song, rhyme or play session 'the place to be'?
• Want to learn some clapping running and singing games and have fun?
• Need to boost your confidence?
• Want to set up your own music group or business?
  

If so please contact us to discuss your training requirements or see our calendar for workshops already programmed. You could also look at our training resources page for details of training products and prices; this includes manuals and interactive training CDs which work well as stand alone resources, or as a means of continuing development after attending one of our workshops or seminars. In particular, our Wriggle and Giggle Picture song book, published in March 2006, is available with a companion training manual, and staff training workshop. This provides a spring-board for organisations to bring more music/song into their settings. Good discounts on the book are available for bulk orders.

In addition we have a 4 week 'kick-start' package priced at £435 aimed at playgroups or pre-school settings, where we visit for 4 consecutive sessions and provide resources. We can timetable in a few of these packages each academic year, so please contact us well in advance if you would like to consider this option.

You may be able to apply for a grant for your project, and one organisation worth investigating on this front is Youth Music (see www.bongoclub.org.uk/practitioners/articles/funding-for-music-making-projects.)

Why come on our training?

Piccolo training workshops are 'hands on', practical and great fun, giving people the chance to try out new ways of singing and making music with young children, in a relaxed and unintimidating environment. We can cover techniques for encouraging participation, (by both adults and children), teaching lots of new songs, or adapting songs you already know, how to enhance storytelling through songs and actions, planning successful singing/music session for under fives, and lots more! Training can be tailored to suit your needs. We can also help you if you are running your own business on similar lines to Piccolo or if you want to do so, but need help with the practical side of things.

Piccolo's clients, including SureStart employees and managers, teaching and nursery staff, playleaders and health professionals, speech therapists and social work professionals favour our informal but informative style.

To find out what people think of our workshops, see What our Training Clients Say.

Please contact us if you have any queries or want to discuss a possible package or programme of training to suit your needs. We can then give you an enquiry form to complete and help us work out what sort of package would suit you best.