What happens at a Jo Jingles class?

Jo Jingles classes are carefully structured, children like routine so we tend to follow the same structure in each class with varying levels of difficulty depending on the age of the group.  Some weeks different educational themes are introduced (e.g. animals, colours) using well-known nursery rhymes and action songs.  We also make use of toys, pictures and books to explain the topic we are covering.

At Jo Jingles, parents and carers are actively encouraged to have fun with the children - the more enthusiastic you are, the more your child will enjoy the classes.

Our aim is to help develop language and numeracy skills with the help of the songs that we sing.  The music and movement section is aimed to improve physical co-ordination.  The little ones gain confidence and independence by coming up to choose their instrument and listen to a story.  It's also a great way for them to interact with other children and develop social skills.

Above all we intend to it's about having lots of fun with music during the 45 minute session.  We sing a welcome and goodbye song every week and Jo is featured in all classes!

"Singing songs to your child widens their vocabulary and improves listening skills, both of which make learning to read easier". Professor John Sloboda, Keel University.

Age Guideline

Class numbers are normally restricted to a maximum of 15 children per session so that the children have plenty of room for playing their instruments.  We always have two sets of instruments at a session and may also use streamers and wings and beanbags.

6 months - walking 

It's never too soon to introduce your child to music and what a fantastic way to encourage your child's early enjoyment of those favourite nursery rhymes!

Parents are doing all the work in this class but most find it a very enjoyable way to have fun with their babies whilst learning some songs and actions to do at home as well.  It's also a great way to meet other new mums.

Walking - 2 Years

Children of this age need to be encouraged and see your enthusiasm.  Forty five minutes is a long time for little ones to sit down, so our programmes are very fast moving, hopefully keeping their attention.  With this age group we start to introduce basic musical skills.  The children are encouraged to listen with their ears and stop playing the instruments when told.  We use lots of circle songs in our movement sections.  This age group will do "songs on laps" where the children can have a bounce and a cuddle.

2 -3 Years

Children are encouraged to do a little bit more on their own but generally parents need to help and guide them. We often introduce basic pre-school learning themes such as numbers, colours, and the weather, all of which are done in a fun way, and reinforced with the use of visuals. The children will become more adept at using the instruments and begin to learn how to play in rhythm. Musical concepts such as loud and soft, fast and slow are introduced here.  In this age group we are also trying to teach the children not only more musical skills but social and language skills all of which they will be encountering at nursery or playgroup.

3 - 5 Years

This group does a similar programme to the 2-3 year olds but basic music theory is introduced at this level with topics such as notation, pitch, orchestral instruments, rhythm and some classical music appreciation. There is a greater degree of difficulty in the action songs, movement and instrument playing, with children learning to play as a band.  We also provide fun "homework" in the form of a picture to colour-in or dot-to-dot etc. The children are given a folder and a star chart at the start of term and they are encouraged to do their "homework" each week thus actively reinforcing that which we have learnt during the lesson.