How to Get Involved
Stepping into Music aims to provide young children and their parents with increased access to the proven benefits of music and movement activity. There is currently a lack of skilled and experienced practitioners to lead and deliver such activities in early years settings across the country, and we would like to help address this shortfall by offering a flexible range of training opportunities for musicians, dancers and the early years workforce. Our approach is unique, in that our training is open to all, regardless of previous musical experience.
Stepping into Music is currently planning for future courses and events. Please request to be added to our email marketing list if you are:
- A professional or community musician / dancer and would like to offer music and movement activity as part of your practice.
- A member of the early years workforce and would like to develop your music and movement skills and offer this kind of activity to the children in your care.
- A music or dance teacher who would like to offer music and movement activity as part of your practice.
Please see the 'contact us' section for information on how to be added to our marketing list.
Stepping into Music can deliver training to arts, education and early years organisations wishing to work with us. Please contact us if you :
- An early years or children’s organisation and would like to provide your staff with fantastic and challenging accredited development opportunities.
- A local authority agency or music service and would like to work with Stepping into Music to develop early years music and movement opportunities for young children and babies in your area and accredited training options for the creative and early years workforces.
- An arts organisation that would like to develop their early years programming by including music and movement activity.
- A higher or further education institution, which would like to expose students to the benefits of this sort of activity for young children and babies.
Please see the 'contact us' section for information on how to get in touch with a request for organisational training.
The most recent phase of Stepping into Music was able to offer the following opportunities. Please contact us if you are interested in SiM replicating one of these opportunities for your organisation:
Accredited Training Programme
As a core strand of SiM's innovative work during the 2008-2011 phase, the Accredited Training Programme was a unique and inspiring professional development opportunity open to trainees from a variety of background, regardless of previous musical experience.
The training programme consisted of:
- Three off-site weekend courses across a 12-month period
- Observation of experienced Dalcroze leaders in Early Years settings set up by the trainees e.g. Sure Start or family centres, nurseries or infant schools
- Sessions led by the trainees with leader support
- Written assignments and portfolio
With all activity based on Dalcroze principles, key areas of study include:
- Exploration of a range of musical concepts
- Motor and co-ordination skills
- Expressive movement using the whole body
- Listening and response skills
- Creative and imaginative skills
- Social and personal skills.
The qualification was formally accredited by Canterbury Christ Church University and successful trainees were awarded a Certificate in Early Years Music and Movement at Higher Education level 4 or 5 (depending on prior qualifications and experience).
In-Service Training / Staff Training Workshops
INSET and training workshops for staff at playgroups, nurseries, children’s centres, schools and other children’s organisations are available. They are designed to provide extensive information about SiM and Dalcroze principles, as well as practical ways in which music and movement activities can be incorporated into the day-to-day life of the setting.
Development Days
Development Days are a direct learning and professional development opportunity for early years, music and dance practitioners, providing practical sessions as well as a valuable opportunity for exchanging ideas and sharing best practice. Participants will find out more about Dalcroze and the benefits which involvement in the wider programme could provide. We are keen to secure attendance and contributions from other local providers / agencies and in many cases to develop these events in partnership as a local opportunity to discuss, develop and enhance early years music-making. Development Days represent an opportunity for all participating agencies to contribute constructively to the national debate about early years music and movement provision.
Each day will consist of:
- A comprehensive introduction to Dalcroze principles in early years contexts
- Practical sessions, accessible to all participants
- Observation of SiM sessions (via multimedia or taster activities in local settings)
- Sharing of ideas, experiences and best practice
Other learning opportunities
Flexible learning options are available via SiM, including short-term courses, taster sessions or mini-projects.
