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Dear friend,

Music time is in the spotlight in this edition of the Playtime newsletter. As well as an article on why it's so important, you'll discover some top tips from classical musician and producer of Christian music for under-5s, Julia Plaut, and find instructions for making 'bangers and shakers'. Playtime even sent out a couple of 'roving reporters' to see (and hear) Christian toddler music groups in action. Let's get our groups rockin' and rollin' this year!

On a more serious note, in response to last year's article on recruiting new leaders, I was sent the story of Maureen Allen. As an older leader, her love for the children in her group really shone through. Sadly, Maureen - who was known as 'Auntygran' - died last November. I've included her story as a tribute to a dedicated lady, who didn't consider age a barrier to being a toddler group leader.

One last thing… please consider whether your group could 'adopt an M.P.'. With your help, this brand new initiative will enable every politician to see first-hand the vital, but often hidden, work that toddler groups do. Details on how to register your adoption are in the 'News' section. Show them that your toddler group rocks!

Best wishes
Fiona Burt's signature.
Fiona Burt, Care for the Family
www.engagetoday.org.uk/playtime

PS Save the date! The Playtime National Conference 2010 is taking place in Solihull, West Midlands on Saturday 25 September. Register your interest here and we will send you full details as soon as they become available.

Email fionaburt@engagetoday.org.uk or write to Fiona at Care for the Family, Garth House, Freepost (CF4636), Cardiff CF15 7GZ
"Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,
      Burst into jubilant song with music;
Make music to the Lord with the harp,
      With the harp and the sound of           singing." Psalm 98:4,5

 
Photo of Fiona Burt.

In this edition

  • Top tips on leading 'music time'
  • Discover why 'music time' is so important
  • 5 musical crafts
  • Start a Christian pre-school music group
  • Your Story - A tribute to 'Auntygran'
  • News
  • Events
  • Smalltalk - 'Make time for music!'

Top tips on leading 'music time'

Julia Plaut, classical musician and producer of top quality Christian music for under-5s, including 'God's wonderful world' and 'Thank you God for snails', shares her top tips to get your group rockin' and rollin'...

Music time is great! It develops a child's musical, language, co-ordination and sequencing skills. It also builds a relationship between parent/carer and child. And as a whole group, we can enjoy creating something musical that we couldn't do on our own.

Confidence in leading a music time can only really be gained by, yes, you guessed it … leading a music time! Everyone has their first time, but by your third or fourth week you will begin to relax enough to see what the children enjoy, and build on what you see is working well.

Read more...

 Photo of toddler playing with a toy guitar

Why is 'music time' so important?

If you are the sort of person who freezes at the thought of leading 'music time', be assured that it's not about a polished performance from the toddler group leader. Rather, it's the music, lyrics, actions, being together and having fun which make 'music time' so important.

Read more...

An illustration of a child playing a recorder while sat on a musical note

5 musical crafts

These musical crafts range from very simple bangers and shakers to the slightly more complex squonk, but all make use of household ‘junk’. Try running a music-themed ‘family fun time’ with different ages making different instruments. Come together at the end for a music session to try them out.

Click on the links for instructions:

Thumbnail of tin drum
Tin drum		 Thumbnail of some simple shakers
Simple shakers		 Thumbnail of a child playing a squonk
Squonk
Thumbnail of a paper plate tambourine
Paper plate
tamborine		 Thumbnail of an elastic band guitar
Elastic band
guitar
Photo of craft samples

Start a Christian pre-school music group

With the current rise in popularity of pre-school music groups such as 'Monkey Music' and 'Music with Mummy', it's great to see some churches able to provide wonderful Christian alternatives. These groups can successfully run alongside traditional parent and toddler groups to complement their activities, deepen relationships with existing families, and bring new ones in!

We have reviewed both the gentle 'Baby Song' and the more lively 'mainly music' resources for you. These are still relatively new to the UK, having been developed abroad, but we were kindly invited to join a session of each and we have included our stories and photos too. Finally, there are links for you to obtain more information should you be interested in starting your own group.

Read more about: Baby Song
mainly music

A photo of a parent and toddler group enjoying songs with actions

A tribute to 'Auntygran'

Maureen Allen loves being a toddler group leader, despite her age...

"I have been helping in our church mother and toddler group since 1986. I started by just standing in for someone one morning … and I have been involved ever since!

"Originally it was called Shoppers' Crêche. We offered love and support to any mums who wished to come in and we were quite happy if they wanted to pop out to the shops, library, etc. while we watched their baby. (Obviously we can no longer do this.)

Read more...

 Photo of Maureen Allen, aka Auntygran

News

Keeping you up to date with the latest news:

  • Do you have parents and carers of 5- to 8-month-old babies in your group?
  • Adopt an M.P.
  • Brighten up your toddler group
  • Put the cross back into Easter crafts
  • Special offer on Rob Parsons' The Sixty Minute Marriage book

Read more...

 A photo of a woman speaking through a megaphone

Events

  • 'The Growth of Love' Conference - Saturday 13 March
  • 9th Annual forum of CCCF - Wednesday 24 March
  • 'Mum's the Word' - a new event from Care for the Family

Read more...

 Photo of Parent and Toddler Group leaders having fun at a previous Playtime Conference

Smalltalk

This issue of Smalltalk' is about 'Make time for music!'.

Print off:

Colour PDF

Black and white PDF

 Photo taken from the front cover of this edition of Smalltalk
Care for the Family - A Registered Charity
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