WHAT IS JO JINGLES

Jo Jingles pre - school music classes are ‘age specific’ for children aged 6 months - 4 years, and have been established nationally since 1996. Details of each age group are listed below.

Their aim is to provide a high quality fun and enjoyable music and movement session that will also complement learning and self - development through the weekly educational themes.

Being part of a national organisation means that your local classes are supported by a network of professionals providing the best research and support, ensuring you receive a pre - school activity that is of a high standard, and constantly reviewed.

Every week your local teacher will use musical activities to support varied topics, working alongside the pre - school themes of colours, numbers, farm, jungle etc, yet ensure that there is subtle repetition of your favourite songs included too.

Each 45 minute class will include:

• Playing child size real percussion instruments
• Movement and dancing
• Action songs
• Nursery Rhymes
• Use of other props – streamers, wings, teddies, parachute etc
• Interaction between youngster and their carer.

All styles of music are used – lively songs, quiet songs, fast songs and slow songs – and there is a mix of traditional nursery rhymes, familiar tunes and songs exclusively composed for Jo Jingles by a children's songwriter whose music is currently used by well known toddlers TV programs!

In each age group parents/carers attend with the children and are encouraged to actively participate and support the little ones. This adult support and enthusiasm is invaluable in helping to get the most out of Jo Jingles experience.

And Jo Jingles himself – well he is a doll!! And he becomes the little ones best friend. Smaller versions of Jo Jingles can be bought from the website or the class teachers. There is also a life size Jo Jingles who makes special appearances nationwide. See the news section for details of his visits to Essex.

What do the classes involve?

The classes incorporate a carefully structured routine appropriate to the ages of the children, which is designed to maximise their enjoyment and learning. A summary of each age group is given below.

However, every class is unique, depending on the mix of the children within it. We adapt our teaching style as appropriate to suit the particular mix of ages and abilities in each group

6 mth - walking class

Instrument time with Jo Jingles

Babies in this class quickly progress from passive enjoyment to becoming actively involved in clapping, jiggling to the music and experimenting with their voices.

The basic percussion instruments are used, and enable babies to experiment and get a reaction for their efforts, teaching basic hand co - ordination skills.

The classes also include a mix of fingerplay songs, lap songs, tickly songs and cuddly songs.

The simplest music skills are introduced even at this young age – starting and stopping, and using listening ears for the music.

1 - 2 yr class

You Put Your Left Leg In!

This class is more appropriate for babies who are walking confidently.

The toddlers will be introduced to a wider variety of percussion instruments.

2 - 3 yr class

Sleeping Bunnies

The instrument section is developed further by the use of musical dynamics – playing fast, slow, loudly, quietly, up high in the air and down low near the floor…

The action songs and movement section will be more varied with a progression in the co - ordination required.

A degree of independence in encouraged with the teacher often asking the children to come forward and sit at the front.

3 - 4 yr class

Musical Parachute Fun

These children are the Jo Jingles mature students!! Our veterans!!

The ‘theory’ slot is unique to this age group – this is a 5 - 10 minute slot in the class that follows a termly theme. It may take the form of a musical story, look at orchestra instruments or different styles of dance. We have even mastered playing familiar tunes with handbells!

Simple colouring ‘homework’ sheets are given out each week to complete at home and bring back to show the class the following week. This promotes discussion at home and reinforces elements of the theory module.

Siblings

Jo Jingles is a fun activity to be enjoyed by the entire family. Accompanying babies are very welcome in class – and as they get older and more mobile, they will want to participate too

At that point they may join their older siblings class at a discounted rate, subject to availability, or be enrolled in their own class, appropriate to their age group. We will be happy to advise you on which option to take.