Love Music?
Scientific research has shown that exposure to music, even in the womb, can have an amazing effect on babies and children. Playing musical instruments and moving to music both help to develop children's coordination, balance, motor skills and hand-eye coordination. These skills are in turn beneficial in many other areas in life including speaking, listening skills and even kicking a ball.
Interested in researching more about the positive effects of music on babies and young children? We recommend the following organisations...
Music Together Programme
Joanna went along as a parent to classes and found the experience so rewarding for her son she trained as a Music Together teacher . Music Together is the foremost music education programme in the USA. The programme from The Centre for Music and Young Children at Princetown University has 20 years+ of music research with young children supporting its training programme.
Also have a look at the BBC link below and www.soundbeginnings.co.uk who sponsor the annual toddler concert which forms a highlight of the Newbury Spring Festival programme for the younger audience.
Music Therapy
Music is so beneficial it is regularly used professionally as Music Therapy to focus on communicative, emotional, cognitive, physical and social needs of individuals. In Berkshire we have one of the UK's leading centres for music therapy at the Mary Hare school. Additionally they now offer a full programme of performing arts. See charity & community.
A fantastic resource not only for music but also for national and local events in your area. Resources include the Parents' Music Room to help you 'Motivate your child with Music' through fun games, activities, events and help with choosing and learning an instrument.
Looking for alternative ways to relax the children at bedtime? Why not try Classic fm for Smooth Classics at 6.