by Author Sue Newman

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New Research Demonstrates The Power Of Music To Support Learning In The Early Years

Read how a new research study shows that active music making impacts parent and practitioner knowledge, confidence and practice bringing positive outcomes for children’s development.

As a Youth Music member you will be well aware of the benefits of music making in early years. A wealth of research links active music making with brain development and many studies indicate that listening to music and singing use the same auditory and cognitive skills that support language development and phonemic awareness. And it’s not only the academics who are taking about it. Last week Alex James from Blur appeared on BBC Breakfast News to highlight the importance of active music making for brain development in children from birth to 7 years. 

Boogie Mites offer the following summary of why music is such an effective tool for learning. Download Our Free Report:  

Two BIG national targets are:

1.    Improve school ready outcomes for children 2.    Get parent involved in the home learning environment. 

We know that active music making in early years can achieve these outcomes but how do we give practitioners and parents the confidence and motivation to introduce creative music making, to get involved and carry on practice in the setting and at home every day? Recent research indicates that music practice has declined in quantity and quality in early years settings Ouvry(2012). So we have a job to do! How do we support practitioners and parents to gain the resources, confidence and motivation to introduce creative music making in the setting and at home every day? Life is busy! Practitioners and parents lack music confidence and do not have the time to resource new songs and music activities, to make the most of the power of music to best support the twin goals improving school ready skills and parent engagement?

This is where Boogie Mites comes in. Boogie Mites have spent the past 10 years creating, testing and evaluating a huge range of active music making resources so that you don't have to! Fun original songs set within a holistic creative context, with tips for delivery and progression and with links to the EYFS.

New research study provides evidence

Boogie Mites commissioned a research study to provide evidence that Boogie Mites Music programmes for parents and practitioners achieve the following outcomes:

1.    Support children’s development of communication, social and physical skills (as perceived by parents) 2.    Influence parental knowledge, confidence and involvement in children’s learning 3.    Influence practitioners knowledge, confidence and practice

We are delighted to share the positive findings of the study. You can read the full research report or summary:

Watch this three minute interview with Nicky Fairchild, Early Years Status Programme Coordinator at Chichester University to hear how exciting she found the parental involvement findings:

Free Music Resources For You To Try

If you would like to try out some of our catchy tunes and watch how we use simple homemade props and easy-to-follow actions, then here are some free resources for you to try out in your setting. The resources are part of the I CAN Chatterbox Challenge, which helps to help raise funds to support children’s communication skills – sign up if you haven’t already! Click here for your Free Resources.  

You can see that not only are these musical activities fun and easy to do, but they have multiple learning benefits across the Early Years Foundation Stage, promoting the 3 Prime Areas, most importantly promoting ‘school ready’ language and listening skills, with links to the 7 Aspects of Letters and Sounds Phase 1.

We can offer training to practitioners or parent education programmes. We even have video training so that you can watch and learn from our experienced music leaders.

•    Do You Work In A Setting? With the Letters and Sounds Complete DVD/CD training pack you can learn new songs and activities to support school ready skills. The training DVD means that you can watch and learn from Boogie Mites tutors as they deliver each song AND easily share this inspirational resource with your colleagues in your setting. "I found the training video useful for demonstrating the songs and for understanding how they linked with the different aspects of Letters & Sounds". Louise Waldram, St Marys Caddington, Bedfordshire, UK.  

•    Are you a freelance practitioner?  Take a look at our specialist music programme licensee offer  here: 

If you have any questions or would like information about our training and resource packs, please email me at sue@boogiemites.co.uk or call me on 023 92 817274.