by Author Phoebe Cross

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Blog - "Access & Inclusion - Starting in the Early Years" with Made with Music

Our second Empower Hour session was facilitated by Kathyrn and Hannah from Made with Music. For anyone who missed it, this blog summarises some key things that were discussed.

Early Years Communication

  • Communicating - under 5s try different communication methods if the first isn't understood. 

  • Supporting - under 5s learn about different people's needs by watching others' behaviour.

  • Audio Describing - under 5s who can speak naturally audio describe as they go. 

  • Sharing - under 5s always want their significant adults to be involved in the music making. 

  • Responding - everyone's individual response to music is different and valid. 

Communicating - Practical Ideas

  • Use free online videos to learn some signs for common words.

  • Use a 'go to' box with images for songs or props related to songs.

  • Use all the senses when communicating, have a visual cue as well as describing what you can see verbally, using sign and have something to touch where possible. 

Supporting - Practical Ideas

  • Take instruments and props to people and demonstrate choice by showing what they are choosing between.

  • Visual cues to look at if they are feeling overwhelmed by the choice of objects (flash cards/sticky notes/PECS cards).

  • Encourating participants to help each other. 

Audio describing - Practical Ideas

  • Practice building audio description in to everything you do so it doesn't feel as forced or unusual. 

  • Watch videos of yoga or pilates teachers online - they are experts at natural audio description as participants are often upside down or looking in a different direction. 

  • Think about social media content you produce - is it accessible if you can't see (or hear?).

Sharing - Practical Ideas

  • Welcome adults as well as children to the sesisons.

  • Give adults specific roles and permissions to join in.

  • Think about access and inclusion for adults too - what would make you feel comfortable in a session? 

Responding - Practical Ideas

  • Include space for all kinds of responses to music as all are valid. 

  • Don't forget that music is a form of self-expression - we don't all have to respond in the same way. 

Additional Resources

Colours: https://youtu.be/HFrXmciKybg

Seasons: https://youtu.be/hAT6EVpP8j8

Mini-Gigs: https://youtu.be/SX8sN7FH-1U

Audio Description: https://youtu.be/5s1NsgtDcYo

Paralympics Ad Breaks in partnership with RNIB: https://youtu.be/A5k2QF7n9SY

 

You may be interested in this funded doctorate: A study of diversity and music-making in early childhood: Towards inclusive research and practice.