Evaluation to date - WILD Music Project Update – July 2014
I wanted to share this recent piece of evaluation with my fellow early years practitioners to show how effective only 5 music sessions can be.
WILD Update
WILD is a specialist service based in Cornwall for young mothers aged 19 years and under and their children, and mothers aged up to 23 with extra needs. WILD aims to provide young mothers and their children with opportunities to develop their skills, improve self-esteem, make positive and healthy choices, protect themselves, participate as equal members of their communities and achieve their potential.
Music Sessions
I wanted to share this recent piece of evaluation with my fellow early years practitioners to show how effective only 5 music sessions can be.
We have recently collated our first piece of evaluation from completing our 5 music sessions in one of our WILD Young Parent groups.
The 5 Sessions are:
Session 1 – Nature theme, Introduction to music and singing
Session 2 – Animal theme, Introduction to instruments
Session 3 – Making instruments to play at home, and the positive science behind music
Session 4 – Everyday activities through song
Session 5 – A music fiesta
We have been following two children and two mums from each group, recording their ‘Well Being’ before and after each session, and recording their ‘Involvement’ in the music using the Leuven Scale
www.plymouth.gov.uk/documents-ldtoolkitleuven.pdf
The results show that each child and mum either improved or remained consistent in both their ‘Well Being’ and ‘Involvement’ throughout every music session, and the majority also showed a gradual increase throughout all the music sessions.
The second very positive piece of data was collected from all the mums regarding their music use and music involvement. This was captured before Session 1 and after Session 5.
Mums Results - Averages
Question
How confident do you feel about singing with your child at home?
Before 10
After 10
How often do you sing at home with your child?
Before 8
After 10
Do you like singing?
Before 6
After 7
How much do you know about how music can help your child’s development?
Before 6
After 9
How well do your children know the words to songs and can sing along?
Before 3
After 6
How well do your children tell you what they want using words or signs?
Before 7
After 9
How often does your child hear music or rhymes?
Before 8
After 10
How much does your child like making music and singing?
Before 8
After 8
Quotes from mums after Session 5
Mum 1 - He really loves music sessions. He tries to get involved and plays along with the instruments. It is good for me to learn songs and rhymes to sing at home. All this week he had been clapping his hands after learning to clap in the music session last week.
Mum 2 - He has really taken to doing more music things at home. Like banging pans, finding things to create music. I’ve really seen a difference in him in group while in music sessions.
Mum 3 - She has always really enjoyed music and since the sessions has gained more confidence. Her speech had developed very quickly and she has started singing along with me.
This programme of activity has been funded with thanks to a grant from the National Foundation for Youth Music.
For any further details on the project or the work of WILD please get in touch with becca.hulbert@wildproject.org.uk
WILD believes that young parents and their children have a right to a better future, equal choice, education and opportunity, and freedom from poverty.