I have developed and run these classes for the past seven and a half years, and consider myself to be a very enthusiastic and experienced leader.
To give you a little insight into my background, I was born in Aberdeen, and graduated from Sandown College of Music in Liverpool in 1992, with a special interest in music therapy.
On return to Aberdeen, I took up the post of Music Therapist at Maidencraig House at Woodend Hospital in Aberdeen.
I became a full time instrumental instructor with Aberdeen City Council, teaching woodwind at various primary and secondary schools in the area.
During this period I was also director of the Aberdeen City Schools Jazz band.
With the birth of my children I moved to Hampshire in 1999, where I continued to teach privately, and first introduced my baby and toddler music classes.
Whilst in Hampshire, I also took up a post with Southampton City Music Services as a pre-school music specialist, with responsibility for curriculum leadership.
I have recently returned to Aberdeen and am currently running private classes for babies and toddlers, as well as individual tuition for youngsters and adults.
I passionately believe that wider access to this new and innovative music program is of great benefit to babies, mothers, and by strengthening social cohesion, the wider community. During my time running these classes I have found that some of the most fulfilling and all-round rewarding experiences have been with Down's Syndrome and special-needs babies. I feel that this is an area which, in itself, is calling out for expansion.
Since the introduction of the foundation stage for 3-5 year olds in September 2000, the demand for music for earlier ages has risen dramatically as parents, pre-schools, nurseries, playgroups and crèches discover the benefits and pleasures that music can provide, including boosting social awareness, confidence and self-expression.
Under the premise that it's never too early to start, "Babybells" is a programme where young children, including young babies, can experience fun music sessions which enable them to participate in the joy of listening and moving to music.
Babies are held by a carer or parent who gently and rhythmically moves their limbs in time with the music and in relation to the lyrics. By doing this, the baby absorbs the music, rhythm and language. This provides more structure and learning than a simple sing-a-long session.
The songs used in both programmes relate to daily activities with imaginative and thought provoking action songs to expand their language development and stimulate creative thinking.
There are songs encompassing creativity and musical expression as well as topics such as the body, animals, nature and social awareness. Percussion instruments are provided to encourage children to listen carefully to music and to each other and wait for their turn to play.
In songs such as "shake and stop" the children learn when to play their instrument and to listen for silences, when we all cease playing - this gives a foundation of self discipline.
Playing and singing with others in these classes helps with teamwork - and is very therapeutic for everyone involved - achieving a feel-good factor for both carer and child.
I believe that ALL children are born with some degree of musicality. Through experience I have started classes of new intakes with a wide ability range, and by the end of a term, a kind of levelling has happened, in that the children have mastered basic listening skills and are used to listening instinctively.
Songs and rhymes are the best musical "tools" for the very young children. We sing because it is such an enjoyable thing to do, but also because it is a release for emotions.
Through singing, children gradually gain self-confidence and develop their sense of rhythm and pitch as well as improving their literacy skills.
It is natural and instinctive for babies to respond to music. Babies are good listeners.
Study after study has proven that music education dramatically increases early brain development and improves overall academic performance - but music does so much more! Babies can develop into children, then adults who are keen to participate, have an improved sense of timing, can sing in tune and are eager to enjoy the pleasure derived from making music.
Key Benefits for children are:
- Encourages listening
- Helps language skills (language development)
- Strengthens social awareness
- Boosts confidence
- Inspires Self expression
- Stimulates creative thinking
- Advances co-ordination
- Increases memory function
- Awakens rhythmic responses
- Improves concentration
Key Benefits for carers are:
- Encourages community binding
- Helps reduce isolation
- Enhances social awareness
- Nurtures confidence
- Inspires self expression
- Stimulates creative thinking
- Strengthens bonds
Testimonials
"This is a fantastic Music Class. Karen really gets the children interested in sounds, music and song through different activities. Not only do the children love going and having a great time Rhianna has benefited from developmental and social skills through the enjoyment of Music. She has learned so much in the few months she has been going and loves the treat at the end where they dance and chase bubbles round the room. This class should be an absolute must for all children."
(Joanne Cameron, mother of Rhianna age 2.)
"I never realised how much enjoyment a 1-year-old would get from a music class, our twins were so excited after their first time they beamed with enthusiasm, if they could speak they would be asking to come back next week!
Karen is very passionate, her classes are stimulating and great fun, and her energy rubs off on all those around."
(Susan Dorward - Mum to Olivia & Euan 12 months.)
"Karen is full of energy and fun in her music classes, can't believe how much Noah has progressed Karen's talent makes it so much fun to lean. If I had to chose only one activity to take Noah to it would definitely be music class"
(Sarah-Jane Smith mum to Noah age 20 months)
"I have found the music classes to be of great benefit to my daughter as well as being great fun. Karen uses a mixture of action songs and quiet learning time to help the children develop an understanding of music and rhythm as well as introducing them to using, and listening to, a variety of different instruments.
My daughter appreciates the difference between different types of music-with loud and quiet, fast and slow and different beats as well as the class improving her discipline for listening and improving her vocabulary. Karen is hugely enthusiastic but firm and fair with all the children, helping to bring out the best in all of them. I would certainly recommend her class to anyone with young children."
(Lynne mum to Zoe age 2½)
"Aaron loves music class, Karen's enthusiasm and energy are contagious and you can tell she is passionate about her work. Although the classes are short a lot is crammed into the half an hour and it is fantastic to see the children really start to enjoy playing with the instruments and listening to the songs."
(Claire, mum to Aaron, 20 months)
"I am very happy to recommend Karen's music classes for children.
Karen is a warm, welcoming and friendly tutor who shows great enthusiasm for her teaching and makes each class stimulating and fun. She is excellent at tailoring the lesson to suit the ages and ability of the children. She is entertaining, upbeat and makes a real connection with each child, involving them individually as well as in group work. Each class includes singing, "action" songs, use of instruments, listening to classical music and free play, and Karen carefully mixes old favourites with new to ensure the children enjoy the experience as well as building their skills.
My son loves the class, when I tell him it's Tuesday and we are going to see Karen, I get the biggest smile of the week!"
(Louise Somerville, mum to Jack, 20 months)
"I have been attending the baby music group at Inverurie for just over 5 weeks. My son has just turned 1 and although I sometimes feel he can be a little young he seems to love the session and is already showing signs of what to do with each instrument! We both enjoy the session and feel that half an hour is an appropriate length of time for the age of the pupils and intensity of the session.
I have found Karen great to deal with and was offered a place easily. I have recommended her to many of my friends with babies and look forward to more sessions in the future!"
(Cara)
"Just a quick message to say how much both Archie and I enjoy the music class we have with yourself, so much so we bought him several musical instruments for his Christmas.
I'm sure that the classes have been very beneficial to Archie as it has helped him learn the names of parts of his body, several words and their meanings and also to say his own name. The social interaction with the other children as well as yourself has also helped him mix with others.
Thank you for making our Tuesday afternoons lots of fun!"
(Lorraine Glennie)