West Midlands Regional Launch of Early Years Sounds of Intent

We are delighted to announce that the Sounds of Intent in the Early Years (SoI-EY) music project, for those working with and caring for young children, is now underway. Thanks to the support of the National Foundation of Youth Music, SoI-EY materials are being made freely available to every Children’s Centre in England, and to a number of other organisations, including Music Hubs. The project is a joint initiative of the University of Roehampton; Soundabout, a national charity that seeks to unlock the potential of children through music; and the UCL Institute of Education. 

The innovative SoI-EY materials are based on new research showing how children develop musically and setting out the best ways in which adults can promote that development. We passionately believe that offering young children appropriate musical experiences is not an option: the latest findings from the field of psychology make it clearer than ever before just how important early musical engagement is in underpinning language and communication skills, social development, learning and well-being. SoI-EY is designed to be fully inclusive, for all children, irrespective of their abilities, needs, preferences and cultural backgrounds. 

Our research also shows that there is no need to be a ‘trained musician’ in order to give children the best possible start in music – with the right support, everyone can do it – and over the next three years, we will be offering professional development opportunities and sessions with children in the early years and their families, modelled on the SoI-EY approach, in Children’s Centres across England. All costs will be met through the Youth Music grant, so there will be no charge to those who participate. The work that is undertaken will feed into the online SoI-EY resource (to be found atwww.eysoi.org), which will continue as a freely available source of information, ideas and materials on completion of the project. 

To book a free place please visit and book online

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sounds-of-intent-in-the-early-years-west-...

Telford and Wrekin Music email tracy.hall@telford.gov.uk