What do we offer at Jo Jingles and why have different age groups?
Jo Jingles classes combine structured learning with having fun in a happy, safe and informal environment. Babies are able to start at the age of 6mths and children can continue up to the age of five.
The age groups available are:
- 3 - 9 months
- 9 months - under 2s
- over 2s
- and 3 - 5 yrs.
Children can start at any stage of the term and they will learn different skills in each age group, whilst having lots of fun with their parent/carer. There is usually a maximum of 15 per class.
Every session in every age group includes playing two different percussion instruments, two lots of music and movement and lots of visuals and hands on props, such as streamers, wings, bean bags and the ever popular parachute. The different age groups allow us to make sure that what we are doing is relevant to the age of the children attending and helps to develop language, listening and social skills. It also helps to improve their hand and eye co-ordination and concentration.
The class teacher works with her Jo Jingles doll, who is everybody's friend and is much loved. |
How do the age groups differ?
3 mths - 9 mths - This is particularly good for babies who are not yet walking, as the class teacher works very closely with the parents/carers using Jo Jingles as her baby. The parents and carers can see exactly how they can have fun with their babies using music and movement and we show how stimulating it can be for them. If there should be twins in the class, the teacher will work with one of the babies where possible. Children are never too young to be introduced to music, which becomes very apparent in this age group!
9 mths - under 2s - Babies from 9mths are welcome into this age group if they are quite active and need a little more than the baby group. There is of course a big difference within the age group, but as the parents/carers work with their children throughout the class, it is not a problem. It is important to remember that, the more enthusiasm shown by the grown - ups, the better the response from the children, who also enjoy watching each other!
Over 2s - This age group can suit all ages, and is ideal for parents/carers who have two children of different ages and who only want to, or are only able to, attend once a week. In this age group, the grown - ups are still very actively involved in everything we do, but there is scope for the children to participate on their own, which encourages independence and confidence building. Most weeks we have a theme and the children are encouraged to look at Jo's "Theme Board" before and during the session to see if they can guess what we will be singing about and whether their favourite songs are going to be included. It is a good focal point too.
3 - 5 yrs - Children can remain in this age group right up to starting school and although parents/carers are not required to participate in general, they remain with their children and are expected to support them and show appreciation of what their children can do on their own. The children respond even more to the "Theme Board" and this encourages them to discuss it with their parents/carers and the teacher. In this age group, they have "homework" to take home and colour in to remind them of what they have learnt in the class with regards to music theory i.e. notation and pitch, music appreciation and other areas of music such as dynamics. The feedback from parents whose children have attended this age group is that they have a really good understanding of basic music, especially if they learn to play an instrument later on. |
Pepper Nurse Foundation
During our Summer Term 2009 we raised £115 for the Pepper Nurse Foundation from our "penny pot" and also from collections at the Penn Street Beer Fest in June, where Jo Jingles entertained with the help of Big Jo. A huge thank you to all who contributed to our fundraising. The Pepper Nurses provide nursing care for sick children and support for their families in Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire. They do an amazing job and has been a very worthwhile charity to support.
www.pepper.org.uk
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Jo Jingles Beaconsfield recently raised £60 through our penny pot for The Thomas Ball Children’s Cancer Fund
www.thomasball.org.uk
The Thomas Ball Children's Cancer Fund was founded in 1999 by Thomas Ball, then aged 9 and himself undergoing treatment for neuroblastoma stage four which had been diagnosed some 20 months earlier. Neuroblastoma is a rare aggressive childhood cancer and only about 80 - 100 children each year are unfortunate enough to have this disease, but the outlook for these children is poor.
Thomas lived locally (Holmer Green/Prestwood) and once he was in remission his thoughts turned to raising money for research into neuroblastoma. Recognising that the community were keen to support him prompted the start of "The Thomas Ball Children's Cancer Fund". Hundreds of children locally and nationally have benefited from Tom's Charity, particularly with holidays at "Tom's Retreat" a chalet on the coast in New Milton, Hampshire.
The main objective of tbccf is to relieve sickness and distress among children suffering from cancer and members of their families. We do this in any way that the trustees feel will be beneficial to the sick child, usually in the form of medical equipment, holidays, special gifts and research. |
Angus Day
In September 2006, shortly before his second birthday, a beautiful little boy called Angus Lawson died in a tragic accident. Click here to read about Angus Day. |
Barnardo’s Big Toddle
Click here to read all about the our rather damp big toddle! |
Parties for Children 1 - 5 years
 A
Jo Jingles party provides an hour's entertainment and during this
time there will be two instruments, music and movement, streamers
and other props such as the parachute (very popular), Lycra, bean
bags and bubbles. You may also like to have a story or sounds game
to allow the children a few minutes to sit down and rest. If you wish
to have a game of Pass-the-Parcel, this can be part of the programme
and for children of 5 years, some simple prize games can be included.
Favourite songs will be included where possible.
At the end of the entertainment, the Hokey Cokey is the last song
and everyone, including grown-ups, is encouraged to join in.
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Music parties with a difference for 6 and 7
year olds!
Everything in the programme is music related in some
way and includes a multi-instrument song, handbells (optional),
prize games, team games using props such as bean bags and hoops,
the parachute and Lycra, and action songs, with a mixture of traditional
and pop music. If you have a favourite pop artist or group, their
music can be requested.
Jo Jingles parties are lots of fun and very relaxed, and your child
does not need to have attended classes to enjoy it. If you wish
to have less than the full hour's entertainment, this can be arranged.
For details of cost and availability, call 01494 814174 or e-mail:
jjbeaconsfield@aol.com
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Our Barnardo’s Big Toddle Monday 18th June 2007
.jpg) I thought that it would make a change to do an outdoors sponsored event in the summer, and so I decided that Jo Jingles Beaconsfield would take part in the Barnardo’s Big Toddle. As our nearest official event was in Reading, I thought it best to just do our own. It was decided to keep it very simple and a date in June was chosen, because you can usually guarantee the weather – but of course, not this year! We chose The Rye in High Wycombe to do our toddle, the idea being to start at the swimming pool car park and walk in a meandering route of roughly half a mile to the other side of The Rye to the children’s park, where they could play and have a picnic. All did not go according to plan…………………….
.jpg) The weather forecast was not good and it had rained heavily overnight. I had to make a decision whether to cancel till the following week, but as it had not rained for a few hours, I decided to go ahead with it. Only a handful of families had decided to take part, but they were all willing to go for it - what’s a bit of rain anyway when you have a mac and wellies! But half an hour before our meeting time, just as I was about to leave home, the heavens opened………………..
I drove to The Rye car park in very heavy rain but as I arrived, the rain stopped and the sun came out! Someone was looking down on us that day. Seven families and my teachers Elisa and Marise turned up raring to go, plus my good friend Vanessa with Jack the dog, who lives at a local pub and who was being sponsored to walk with us! Jo Jingles came as well with a huge smile in his face! .jpg) It was decided not to walk across the park after all because it was rather water-logged in the middle after so much rain. So, we set off from the car park with me singing at the top of my voice “If you’re happy and you know it follow me!” and we walked the length of the dyke, accompanied by swans, ducks and moor hens. We stopped to sing “Three little ducks went swimming one day” and there was someone fishing so we sang “One two three four five, once I caught a fish alive.” Some of the children decided to roll down the wet grassy banks alongside the footpath – great fun! When we got to the boating area we sang “Row row row your boat” and then medals and certificates were awarded to the children.
By this time there were a few clouds gathering. Some of the families decided to chance it and have their picnics by the boats and the rest headed back to the car park. Half way back, one of the children got so excited because of the swans and ducks close by that he missed his footing and fell into the dyke. Mum could see it about to happen and wasted no time jumping in to get him out. Fortunately it was only a few feet deep and both mum and son took it all in their stride. We didn’t get a picture of the moment……………. Soon after we all went home, down came the rain once again. We were indeed lucky that day!
.jpg) The families who didn’t make it on the day did their own little walk and collected in their sponsor money and with a collection in the classes that week, we raised £700 for Barnardo’s. Thank you to all who supported our Big Toddle and hopefully next year the weather will be better and we can do it again.
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LOCAL LINKS
www.marlowopportunityplaygroup.org.uk
Marlow Opportunity Playgroup are primarily a playgroup for children with special needs between the ages of 1 - 5 who provide a happy and caring environment in which children can learn through play.
The Playgroup is managed by a voluntary Management Committee under charitable status and relies heavily on donations and sponsorship by local companies to continue operating.
www.sparkles.org.uk
Sparkles is based in High Wycombe and benefits children with Down's Syndrome and their families. Parents of attendees become members of the charity and are encouraged to assist with various aspects of the group. They fund the charity themselves with additional contributions coming from fundraising activities. The children get the specialist therapy that only comes with sound experience of Down's Syndrome and the parents receive tremendous support and guidance.
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