Staff Development
Trainings
Workshops-Keynote
WHAT ? ME, TEACH MUSIC ?
One can have the best of materials, but without the confidence and skills necessary to present them, they may not be utilized. Let me help your staff learn the value of music in a young child's life along with the how and why of presenting music and movement with young children everyday, all year long.
ABOUT THE CLINICIAN
Gari Stein is the founder and director of Music For Little Folks: a music school in Ann Arbor Michigan for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and the grown-ups who love them. She also takes her program, based in Traditional Folk Music into local daycare homes, center, preschools, K-2nd Grade, conducts staff development for teachers, administrators, therapists, librarians & parents and leads interactive concerts and family programming.
Educated in Child Development, Psychology and Dance, Gari has been working with young children & their families, therapists, social workers and educators since 1963. An enthusiastic clinician and grandmother, she is passionate about providing a rich musical environment for every child.
Bringing a wealth of knowledge about child development and numerous activities to her trainings, Gari's interactive presentations and unique style also address the comfort level of the attendees. "You can have the best materials available, but if you aren't comfortable in presenting them, what good are they? Many professionals, regardless of their education or expertise, tell me that music is their weakest area." Gari helps participants find their singing voices and dancing feet, offers encouragement and instills confidence in their ability to incorporate music into their programs, everyday, all year long.
A popular clinician, Gari has presented throughout the Midwest, at state and regional AEYC, Head Start, Infant Mental Health, Family Day care, NAEYC, Library Associations and Young Authors Conferences. Gari also offers her curriculum Based in Traditional Folk Music on CDs, Cassettes and Video for educator support.
WHY DO WE NEED THIS TRAINING?
All children are born with the potential to be musical and seem to be pre-wired for music. Hearing has been shown to be the 2nd sense to develop in utero. Along with the motion and rhythms of the prenatal environment, infants enter the world ready to move. Music affects all aspects of total development and is part of a child's everyday life, even if they do not have planned music time.
Early musical experiences are now considered to be intuitive and the current research is bursting with the positive impact on children's cognition, emotional well-being and social success. You will often hear children singing to themselves to self-comfort starting at a very young age.
Music and movement for young children are indispensable teaching tools and should be part of every teacher and provider's training. But except in rare cases, they are not. Many professionals are often afraid to be musical, afraid of their singing voices or of losing control of the group. Classroom management is covered in depth.
The search for materials can be frustrating and often educators rely on recorded music that may not be appropriate for young children. Much of the commercial music geared to our youngest population is too busy, too loud, too fast. Educational workshops are often entertaining, but may be lacking in age appropriate developmental curriculum. A step-by-step approach is provided for teachers to easily incorporate a comprehensive musical program everyday, all year long, whether a non-musician or seasoned singer.
WHY DO MUSIC EVERYDAY?
Music is an art form and should be enjoyed for its aesthetic and enriching contribution. It can also positively affect learning, literacy and listening. Research supports the early years as an optimal time for developing ones musical potential. Studies tell us musical experiences positively affect cognition, as well as emotional well-being and social success. For some children music may be their only form of self-expression. Why appropriate musical experiences are so important in every early childhood program and what appropriate musical activities can do for young children, will also be covered in depth.
By providing musical experiences everyday, staff can also benefit by reduction in stress, being re-energized with heightened efficiency and productivity.
OBJECTIVES
- acquaint attendees with research findings...
- provide appropriate musical materials....
- address attendees comfort level in implementing program...
- help in getting started...
- keeping children engaged...
- value of individual learning styles...
- identify ways to manage/not lose control of group...
- emphasize acquisition of listening skills-even in infants...
CONTENT
- goals of making music...
- importance of doing music everyday...
- components of music/movement curriculum...
- developmental characteristics of children...
- impact of music on total development...
- effect on brain development...
- relevance of research findings...
- support of phonemic awareness...
- steady beat and continuous flow...
- appropriate materials/implementation...
- emotional and social success...
- basic format/lesson plan-sample session
- using music spontaneously and for transitions...
- enhancement of listening skills...
- preservation of traditional folk music...
INTENDED OUTCOMES
- realize impact of music on children/staff...
- find one's singing voice/comfort with movement...
- inspired to try more music on daily basis...
- implement curriculum/use spontaneously/transitionally...
- enhance sense of community/incorporate parents & grandparents...
- be conscious of teaching style...
- use music as teaching tool...
- provide rich musical environment...
- feel confident with group management...
- give all children the gift of making music...
PRESENTATION OVERVIEW
From the following titles a keynote, workshop, seminar, evening activity or family program can be tailored to meet individual needs. Educational sessions include extensive handouts, short lecture segments with overhead and lots of fun, hands-on, easy to learn, interactive activities.
For more complete descriptions & information of individual titles and numerous comments from participants please request a brochure to be sent to your mailing address.
- NEW KEYNOTE-More Than Music: Birth-8...Much more than singing & dancing happens at music time. An inspiring and enthusiastic presentation of how music is a unique opportunity to enhance the parent-child bond, nourish brain development, help children self-comfort-listen and learn, nurture emotional well-being and contribute to social success. Research studies will be cited, family anecdotes and classroom experiences will be shared, numerous hands-on ideas will be presented. Toes will tap and spirits will be lifted.
- Back To The Basics: Preschool-Kindergarten/Keynote
- But I Can't Sing A Note!!! Music & Movement for Infants-Preschoolers or Preschool-Kindergarten...
- Rock-A-Bye Babies: Music & Movement For Infants & Toddlers & Beyond...
- Mommy-Daddy Sing With Me!!! Musical Activities for Parent/Caregiver Enrichment...
- Put on Your Listening Ears!!! Using Music & Movement to Develop Critical Listening Skills-Toddlers-2nd Grade...
- Songs-Stories & Singing Games: Enhance Circle Time or Anytime-Toddlers-2nd Grade...Music, Movement & Make Believe: Exploration of Movement, Art, Drama & Literature for Pre-K to 2nd Grade...
- Sing-A-Song & Dance Along!!! Interactive Concert or Family Program...
- Songs of the Seasons: Celebrate the Seasons through Songs and Stories...
- Just For You: Relax and Rejuvenate with movement activities for attendees...
