Testimonials
Comments from previous Stepping into Music Trainees:
‘It’s the future of learning and at last I feel we could be getting somewhere with this approach. These are great building blocks for early years settings and I feel lucky to be part of this approach to learning.’
‘Fantastic fun, physical, practical, appropriately challenging activities for children, based in music with cross-curricular applications. Every Early Years setting should have access to this approach.’
‘This is the course I’ve been waiting for.’
‘Wonderful! A thoroughly life enriching experience.’
‘I loved working with other trainees. We learnt a huge amount from each other. I was able to draw on his experience of working with children in different music workshops and he found it really useful being partnered with someone who has taught young children for many years.’
‘I have worked with children for years and have always enjoyed reading / telling stories and singing rhymes with them. This training has given me an insight into the vast techniques that can be used to develop these sessions. I have gained more confidence to try new things with the children and personally, I have taken up guitar lesions!’
‘Before I began working with young children, I had not always found it easy to communicate with them. I often became frightened that I may inadvertently upset them in some way. Having observed the way in which the children responded to the music sessions and having learnt about the way in which children learn and like to be taught, I began to feel more relaxed and able to relate better. I can now fully enjoy the company of young children and take enormous pleasure in being able to share the things that I enjoy and that I have learnt with them.’
‘I am proud and humbled to have been able to participate in the SiM programme. I look forward to being able to share my experiences and the music in an effective way in the future.’
‘It’s the best musical training and experience I have ever had in music. Every musician lacks something if they have never experienced Dalcroze.’
‘It has made me want to learn and develop more musically myself and helped me to value my own and others’ creativity.’
‘I am now able to run effective music sessions within my setting and I am able to venture out of my setting with an accredited qualification which enables me to show I have the necessary skills to run music sessions.’
Comments from early years settings were sessions have been delivered:
‘The workshops were excellent. The quality was always high and the children responded extremely well to all the activities they were led in. It was the first time I had seen Dalcroze employed with children and it was great to see.’
‘Sessions were effective in terms of the children’s all round development – areas of the Birth to 3 Matters Framework and Foundation Stage Curriculum. The delivery was very effective and professional.’
‘As many activities follow a repetitive format, they will be extremely beneficial to those with English as an additional language and those with special needs.’
‘I have never seen such cross-curricular benefits from a music session. There were opportunities to learn about numeracy through music and song, and the range of learning was very extensive.’
‘One mother commented that her child sings at home all the time now and wants her to join in.’
Observations of children taking part in sessions:
‘Known for this aggression and rough behaviour in class and playground, X showed his softest and most gentle side during a very long, slow, gentle piece of music with scarves and other similar activities.’
‘X was very suspicious at first, with an appearance of neglect and apparently very difficult circumstances at home. Initially reluctant to take part and especially to move, he eventually ended up helping to set up, to dance in the circle, to volunteer ideas and best of all, singing loudly and clearly.
‘A baby of six months sitting on the lap of a staff member astonished us with her sounds and signs of independence and learning.’
Comments from participants of other aspects of Stepping into Music training (INSET, Development Days etc):
‘The staff gained so many ideas about incorporating music and movement into learning. We would really like to use this throughout the setting.’
‘We have learnt many simple ideas that can be easily adapted and developed. It has shown us a new perspective on what we already do and what we can do to extend it.’
‘A very enjoyable day – lots of good ideas and activities to take away and use in the classroom. Lots of hands on activities and a good balance of things to do with the children and activities aimed at personal development.’
‘This approach should be more widely recognised within early years settings.’
‘Absolutely brilliant! I got to take away a number of ideas that I had never even considered before that will be great to re-create in our nursery.’
