The world of music to the eyes and ears of a child is a combination of rhythmic movements and many different kinds of sounds: high, low, fast, slow, loud, soft and a realm of new vocabulary. Maraca Jacks explore this world in an original and exciting way. Young children have a natural feeling for music and love to use it as a means of expression. At Maraca Jacks they are able to have fun and learn at the same time. The skills developed are based on the National Curriculum and will give a child a confident head start when they start at school. What goes in to a 45 minute workshop? SINGING During each 45 minute session, we sing nursery rhymes and simple action songs suited to the age group of the children, also some songs which are unique to Maraca Jacks. New songs are introduced throughout the term to keep older children’s interest and all their favourites get enough repetition to help even the youngest child feel confident about joining in. EXPLORING SOUND Each week different hand held percussion instruments are introduced. Children are taught how to hand them correctly and encouraged to try out different types of sounds with them. Stillness and keeping their instruments quiet sometimes is an important skill which needs to be encouraged by the parent/carer to assist the workshop leader in maintaining class control!! THEMES Each week the workshop has a theme, ie. Nature, numbers, shapes, animals, transport, everyday sounds and simple music theory. MOVEMENT We often link into each theme a short imaginative movement exercise of mime activity. Adults are encouraged to join in with us. An opportunity to get down on all fours and pretend to prowl gracefully like a tiger with your child can be fun and incredibly therapeutic! It is usually parents that participate with actions, singing, movement exercises that see the greatest growth in their child’s development over the weeks. A child will respond well to the workshop leaders instructions if he/she can detect your own enthusiasm. STORYTIME Towards the end of each workshop, children learn the art of sitting and listening quietly as a group. Stories develop an appreciation for rhythm and rhyme and usually expand on that week’s theme. After story time, children say good bye to Maraca Jack and are given a colouring picture to take home.