FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT JOLLY BABIES AND MUSIC WITH MUMMY PRE SCHOOL CLASSES GLASGOW
Q. Where are classes held?
A. Music with Mummy and Three Four Time classes are held at the Pro-Soccer Complex at Roulen Glen Park. Jolly Babies classes however are run from my home in Crookston, I consider it to be a more appropriate environment for babies to come in to.
Q. Why do your classes only run from home or small venues and not from larger venues like other pre school classes?
A. Music classes were traditionally held in the teacher's home or in a music room within a school or church, keeping our venues small and intimate is more relaxing, welcoming and non threatening, all of which are particularly important to very young children. Because I keep my class sizes small, it is possible for me to run my classes in this way and it is very much in keeping with the class material, which was first and foremost written with this traditional element in mind. From the feedback our teachers receive from parents and carers who attend their sessions, it seems that our small warm and cosy classes work very well indeed.
Q. Why do you keep your class sizes small?
A. It was always the intention of our parent company, 'Da Capo Music Partnership' that our Jolly Babies classes should be kept to an optimum of 6 (max 8), our Music with Mummy classes should be kept to 8 (max 10) toddlers and children and our Three Four Time classes should be kept to 10 (max 12) children. There are good reasons for this:
Firstly it allows for greater child/teacher bonding. It is very important for young children to be able to interact easily and directly with the teacher, this goes along way in helping them relax into the whole experience. The bigger the class the more difficult this becomes. In my classes for example I am able to give every child a chance of playing with the games/tasks/toys. I know who went first or, who got an extra shot or, who passed what to whom, and so I can ensure that every child gets equal chances. This may not seem much to us as adults but to a child it can mean everything to their confidence. Also because the group is small, I am not relient on the parents/carers to instruct the children, all direction comes from me directly to them and most of the interaction is between the children and I. This is an important relationship for your child to establish and understand in preperation for nursery or school.
Secondly it is less intimidating for children to mix in smaller groups particularly if it is their first real social experience. In a small group of 8 or 10, children get to know each other in an easy and relaxed manner. It's also a nice relaxed atmosphere for parents or carers who also may have reservations about joining a big group of people.
Q. Who wrote your class music and material?
A. 'Da Capo Music Partnership' class music combines well known children's songs and rhymes along with original compositions. David Cox is responsible for writing the class music. As well as holding a degree in music, teaching the clarinet, flute and saxophone David is also a professional jazz musician. David along with his wife Diane, who writes the class material, founded the 'Da Capo Music Partnership' in Hampshire back in 1992, making these classes one of the longest running pre school music programs in the U.K. today. Diane (originally an early year's educator) and David combined their talents and experience to produce this wonderful three tier program, consisting of Jolly Babies, Music with Mummy and Three Four Time.
Q. What are the benefits of your Three Tier Program.
A. Although each of the three class levels Jolly Babies, Music with Mummy and Three Four Time work very well individually, they were written in such a way as to provide a staged approach from one to the other. This continuity in musical development helps create a easy to follow path which children can progress through naturally. Recent developments to this program has seen the introduction of a new 'mini' stage between Jolly Babies and Music with Mummy called 'Moving Up'. These two 6 week themes allow for an even smoother transition for toddlers changing from Jolly Babies class into Music with Mummy.
Q. What structure do the classes take?
A. My Jolly Babies classes run for 30 minutes and are very much a bonding opportunity for the parent or carer. I like to think of the teacher as the facilitor, there to teach the songs, actions and movements to the adults and to ensure that everyone is relaxed and comfortable. Most of the interaction in the Jolly Babies class is between the parent/carer and the teacher and of course more importantly, between the parent/carer and baby. Sessions start slowly building to a stimulating middle section and then gently to a calming end. Their is an optional 30 minute social time at the end for parents to sit and have a chat if the wish to.
In Music with Mummy classes however it is the teacher who predominantly interacts with the children. I start this 30 minute class with the 'Hello Song' where I welcome the children and they in turn welcome each other to class. We then learn and recap songs, actions and movement from within the current theme. There is listening time to encourage the children to sit and listen to a specially chosen piece of music, and percussion time, where the children get to play a large and varied selection of percussion instruments, learning to stop and start in time to the music. I also build into each theme concepts such as 'High and Low', 'Loud and Soft' etc. I finish by encouraging the children to talk about what they have just learned and I announce what they willl be singing/learning about the following week. This gives them something to consider and get familiar with before their next class. There is also an optional 30 minute social time at the end this will be held in the bar area of Pro-Soccer at Rouken Glen Park, where parents can sit and have a chat if they wish to.
With my Three Four Time classes children have the opportunity to attend this 45 minute session on their own, this is perfect preparation for nursery or school as it gives children the chance to experience a social activity away from Mummy/Carer. It also makes this a perfect class to run within the nursery environment.
Our Three Four Time classes are more challenging musically and children are encouraged to act out stories through music and song. These classes include important listening time and percussion time with more emphasis on how to correctly treat, hold and play the instruments. I also begin introducing musical terms such as piano (softly) and forte (loudly) integrating them into our stories and songs in a way that young children can understand and remember. At the end of class children have a 15 minute social time where they can have some water or juice and a biscuit, while waiting to be collected by their grownup.
Q. Why do your classes run in 6 week themes?
A. Young children in particular benefit from structure, repetition and consistancy and so changing the class content weekly is not the best approach. Running a theme over a six week period, whereby I introduce just one or two new songs or rhymes each week whilst recapping on the previous week/s, works very well indeed. This helps build familiarity, which is both comforting and boosts confidence, as children learn the sequence of songs, music, rhymes and actions which accompany each new theme. I carry one or two songs over from the previous theme into the new one, again helping to create familiarity and repetition. Everything I do in my classes is done for a very good reason. 'Da Capo Music Partnership' have been delivering this pre school program for almost 18 years and our class formula works very well indeed.
Q. My toddler/child does not seem to be settling into the class what should I do?
A. I could go on at length about how no two children are the same, and that what works for one may not necessarily work for another, but it's probably fair to say that as a rule of thumb most children settle after attending 3-6 classes, depending on age and individual temperament. However, as wonderful as it is that some children settle immediately some do take a little longer.
I now make a point of having a chat with all parents/carers prior to them bringing their baby or child along to class. This allows me the opportunity to find out a bit about the child, their likes and dislikes, and about their personality. Getting children settled quickly and happily into class ensures they gain as much from this wonderful experience as is possible.
If a baby or child comes to class and is distressed throughout (thankfully a rare occurrence), my advice would be to cut the session short and bring them back again the following week to see if they settle better then. There can be so many reasons why a baby or child is upset and often it has no bearing on the class itself i.e. having a cold, teething, lack of sleep etc. Bringing them back the next week will give you better gauge on how long it may take to settle them.
If you feel your child is not interested or paying attention in class (as sometimes happens) then helping them focus by taking an active role usually works best. Children take their lead from those most important to them, if Mummy is singing and dancing, then it must be a good thing to do! Also look out for signs at home. Have they suddenly taken an interest in a toy or object which has been used in class, Are they clapping or tapping where they hadn't before, maybe they are trying to sing some words or a tune or do an action from a song learned in class. These are all signs that your child is picking up what is being taught. Children can learn on many levels, they do not have to be sitting still to be learning, and indeed it is highly unlikely that a very young child will stay still for very long.
Q. What can a music class really teach a baby, toddler or young child?
A. There is much evidence to support that the introduction of music and rhythm to babies and children helps develop language and listening skills, coordination and confidence to name just a few. Indeed introducing music whilst still in the womb has shown to be beneficial in soothing babies after their born.
As well as the whole social aspect of taking your child along to a group such as Jolly Babies, Music with Mummy and Three Four Time they will learn how to interact and play along side other young children. They will also learn how to share, follow and carry out instructions and listen and pay attention. These are all worthwhile life skills which are easier to instil when learned at an early age. It's not just about singing songs and playing instruments, although these are clearly an important part of what your child will learn at my classes, it's also about using music and rhythm to help develop your child in other ways.
Q. I have twins/two pre schoolers, can I bring them along together?
A. I am always happy to accept one parent or carer with two children and I try and make this more cost effective by offering a 25% discount for a sibling/second child, however you do need to consider the logistics of bringing two children along if they are the same/similar age, under the age of two. In my experiece it is very difficult for a parent/carer to cope in class with two very young children. That said a child of around 18+ months who is fully mobile and a baby of around one year can work, but it can be hard going. My advice would be to come along to a class and see how you get on. If you are happy for me to assist you during the movement sections, then I am more than happy to help. In my experience, as a rule of thumb, as long as one or both children are over the age of two, you have a much better chance of you all enjoying and interacting fully in the class.
Q. What is the cost of the class?
A. The cost of both Music with Mummy and Jolly Babies classes is £4.00 per session with a 25% discount for a second child/sibling. Three Four Time is £5.00 for a 45 minute session which also includes water or juice and a biscuit at the end of class.
Q. Do I have to pay in advance?
A. Yes you do.
In order for me to secure your place I require a cheque for the full theme. This is cashed one week prior to the start of the theme.
Q. How do I reserve a place for my child?
A. Just call or e-mail me via my 'Contact Me' page on this website, stating your contact mumber and preferred day and time. I'll then call you to let you know about the current or next theme and I can explain a bit more about how we can work together to get your baby or child happily settled in to class. I will also supply you with a registration form and some class information.
Q. I'm still not sure?
A. Please give me a call and we can arrange for you to pop along to a class and see how your little one get on.