Cossins Music School in the UK!
I'm excited to have her and hope she'll return again and again! So give a warm welcome to Melanie through comments and visits to her blog!
My son is two and a half and comes to one of the music classes for children. I run in Wakefield. I consider this a perk of what I do and I really believe music helps children in many ways. It helps them with language, reading and mathematical skills; it also builds confidence and learning to share and take turns. To sing or play an instrument and learn about music should be a basic human right.
Over the years many children have passed through my music classes and there is always one or two who find it more difficult to sit and listen. There is always that parent who is totally fed up because their child does not join in or appear to be listening.
Of course I will always say to that parent "don't worry its just a phase, they are still listening even if you don't think so". So why is it so hard to take my own advice? Those who stayed and persisted and come out the other side with amazing results - the had the breakthrough , where everything just suddenly clicked and their child started singing, joining in everything!
Perhaps he is attention seeking for me? Yes maybe however I take him to a structured gym class (Tumble Tots) and he is pretty much the same there. All the other children follow the teachers but not him, he does his own thing. To some extent I like that he does his own thing because he is being creative and exploring and it means he's an individual! Its hard work though and very frustrating!
Its the little things isn't it?
Last night we had a breakthough. My husband said to me our son could sing the end words of a song we did in class Cobbler Cobbler. I wasn't convinced as he doesn't speak very well as it is, he doesn't copy words like some other children do in parrot fashion but then one day a word will just appear in his vocabulary like....dinosaur!
He also doesn't like my singing and waves his hand in my face telling me "noise" - not a great start is it?
So the breakthough.... my husband starts singing...
Cobbler, Cobbler mend my....
my son finishes "shoe"
Get it done by half past ...... "two" (my son sings again!). I am amazed!
I know he can "dah dah dah" tunes like Postman Pat but this is the first time ever that he's sung part of the songs I teach in my music classes!
We've probably only sung Cobbler, Cobbler a handful of times but that absolutely confirms to me that whilst he is running around appearing not to listen it is actually all going in.
What was your breakthrough?
For more information on music classes for children why not contact me here.......
http://cossinsmusicschool.weebly.com/contact.html
Meet Melanie
I also have a Cache Diploma 3 in pre-school practice and a Professional Practice Certificate in the Kodaly Concept of Music Education (Early Childhood Music).
My Mission: To ensure all children's lives are filled with singing and musical literacy! I love singing and teaching and hope I can share my passion and enjoyment with everyone!