WHAT TO EXPECT IN A CLASS

Classes are age specific and last 45 minutes and have a variety of sections to offer maximum stimulation and learning for your child.

Adults play an important part in the classes too; children will respond well to plenty of praise and encouragement, helping them to gain confidence and self esteem, and will also look to you as a role model, especially in the areas of listening and following instructions.

OUR CLASSES

Jo Jingles offers a progressive course of sessions that encourages development throughout the different age groups.

Baby Classes

Jo Jingles classes offer a gentle and relaxed introduction to singing, musical instruments and songs to use at home. The emphasis is on lap songs with a lot of interaction and support from parent/carer. Babies will be encouraged to hold a variety of baby friendly instruments and learn how to make sounds with them. We begin with the parent/carer doing the actions for and with the babies, but be assured that they are learning all the time. In no time at all, your little ones will enjoy clapping and patting and will be pointing to different parts of their own bodies. They will be stimulated visually with colourful props such as streamers, wings and bubbles.

As children become confident walkers, they then progress into a Walking - 2 year’s class aimed at the next developmental stage.

Walking - 2 Years Classes

The essence of these classes is simplicity and there is a lot of repetition and familiarity to encourage confidence and learning. Children will continue to learn how to play percussion instruments, develop their hand/eye co - ordination (fine motor skills) and learn the important musical principles of stopping and starting. There is plenty of simple music and movement involving walking, marching, stamping etc, to develop their gross motor skills. Constant help and participation from parent/carer is needed.

2 - 3 Years Classes

This age group is a gradual progression aimed at enhancing early language skills and developing physical skills and control. Children are learning to mix sociably with others and how to share, take turns and to listen and respond to instructions. Within this age group we use many pre - school themes such as numbers, colours, the weather, which are visited in a fun way and learning is reinforced with songs and visuals. The children will become more adept at using the instruments and how to play in rhythm. The concepts of loud and soft as well as slow and fast are introduced here too. More movement is involved, designed to increase children’s imagination and creativity. At this stage parents and carers are giving support and plenty of praise and encouragement.

3 - 5 Years

By now, children are becoming more independent. Parents/carers still offer encouragement and support but the children will move away to participate in songs and activities independently more and more. Pre - school themes continue and there is a greater degree of difficulty in action songs, movement and instrument playing designed to develop children’s skills further. Musical concepts including pitch, notation and rhythm are introduced at this stage.

How To Book

Have a look at our timetable to see which classes may be most suitable for you and your child, then give me a call on 01455 611110 or e - mail me at sampreston@tiscali.co.uk to check on class availability and to arrange to come along to your first class!

Recommendations for parents/carers

I do hope that you and your child will enjoy all that Jo Jingles has to offer and would like to recommend that you have a look at the following suggestions to allow you both to get the most benefit from the classes.

  • Don’t expect too much of your child during the first class - they may need a few sessions to get used to the noise and activity, by which time they are usually participating with enthusiasm! Your child will also get the maximum benefit from the class when you are actively participating and adding your encouragement, so please remember that although it may be tempting to chat to the person next to you, it can be very distracting for the children ………and also the class teacher!
  • It’s very unusual for young children to focus for long periods of time, and to allow for this you will find that there is a lot of variety in what we do, combined with some repetition which is important for young children as they enjoy the familiarity and feel secure in knowing what to do.
  • When we are using musical instruments, children must always stay and sit with their parent/carer for safety reasons and also to encourage participation. It is vital that you do not allow your child to run around with instruments or props such as streamers. If your child insists on moving during this section of the session, please take the instrument/prop off them and continue using it yourself as this will encourage them to return to the activity.
  • If your child becomes distressed for any reason, it is usually best to offer a few quiet moments outside the room to settle down.

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