Early Years Music Groups

I have trained as both a speech & language therapist and a musician. Since 1986 I have worked as a music specialist at Sutherland House School for children with autism, helping the children’s social and communication development through an approach known as Musical Interaction.

I have run courses, workshops and in-service days around the UK on using music with young children, with a focus on developing communication. I have run many training days for ICAN, a national educational charity (www.ican.org.uk), and have trained Sure Start workers to run music groups for very young children and their parents.

I set up the Early Years Music Groups in 1996, to bring some of the ideas and skills I had developed in my other work into my local community. I also now run the Speech, Sign and Song Club on Wednesday afternoons in Beeston, with my colleague Roma Seth. This is a music group for under 5s who have communication difficulties and may find it hard to take part in other community activities.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can’t I find the online application form?

You can only apply once you have registered as a user and are logged in on this site. Please do this by clicking on Login/Register at the top right of any page on this site.

Can I bring my older child, who is ill today/has an inset day?

I’m sorry but I can’t accommodate older siblings in the groups. I can’t let them join in because of numbers and insurance, and even if they are quiet and can occupy themselves, their presence is distracting for the children in the group. Please don’t create an awkward situation by turning up with an older child. Imagine if several people did it on the same day…

Which age group should I book?

If your child is turning 2, you should generally apply for an older group. Between 18 months and 2 years, they could be in either group. The older groups always have a few younger children in too; mainly siblings of the older ones.

What’s your instrument called?

I play an autoharp: I often shorten it to ‘harp’ when talking to the children. It’s a type of zither with automatic chord buttons, which are labelled. It’s really easy to play, though I have had to stop jumping, dancing, running and hopping whilst playing it, owing to a shoulder problem! UK Autoharps (www.ukautoharps.org.uk) provides information and courses for everyone from beginners to advanced players. In the USA there are huge international Autoharp contests and festivals.

Where can I take my child for music when he or she is  3?

There are several other musical activities available for children over three. Sue Lake runs Music Makers locally for 3-6 years, and Roma Seth does Rockabillies in Attenborough and Toton for 0-5 years. The Rhythm Club in West Bridgford for 3-5s is lead by Sam Cocking. These and other groups can be found in the Under 5s section of ‘What’s the Buzz’ magazine. You can pick this up at libraries, schools and community venues around Nottingham, or read it online: www.buzzguides.co.uk

Why don’t you put on more groups?

This isn’t my only work! I am involved in the Speech, Sign and Song Club on Wednesdays and am also employed for two days a week as a music specialist at Sutherland House School for children with autism, using and developing an approach called Musical Interaction.

Why don’t you make a CD of songs you use in the groups?

Most of the songs I use are written by other people, though they often get modified by the children’s ideas and responses. Some come from ‘Game Songs with Prof Dogg’s Troupe’ by Harriet Powell – a book and CD are available (published by A & C Black). Some are from the  CDs mentioned below. I have made up some of the other songs myself, but most are traditional or from books.

Where can I get CDs of the music you play between sessions?

I often play Songs for Under 5s, produced by the excellent Early Years Team at The Sage Gateshead. Several people have commented on how good they are. They cost £8 each or £20 for the set of three. (Contact Britta Koerber at The Sage Gateshead, St Marys Square, Gateshead NE8 2JR.) I also sometimes play Dreamland: World Lullabies and Soothing Songs, produced by Putumayo, and the great CDs produced by Playsongs Publications,  with really good folk-style singers and instrumentalists. (Tel. 01799 599054. Website: www.playsongs.co.uk  Email sales@playsongs.co.uk.)

How can I keep up to date with information about the Early Years Music Groups?

If you subscribe to the Blog, you will get an email whenever I put up a new post. Here’s how to do it in three simple steps…

1. While you are logged in to this website (using the username and password from when you registered), you should see the option ‘My Account’ – click this.

2. You should then see your profile. On the left hand side you should see the navigation bar and under ‘Your Profile’ there should be a link named ‘Subscriptions’ – click this.

3. Here you will see your current subscriptions to the EYMG blog. To subscribe to the regular blog tick the box next to ‘Blog’ and then click ‘update preferences’. Next time an entry is added to the blog you will be emailed.