'mainly music'
'mainly music' equips churches to run pre-school music groups with an emphasis on fun and a focus on relationships. These are not music classes, although there are many learning opportunities, but rather a place for parents and carers to enjoy music together with their young children. Started by a mum in New Zealand in 1990, 'mainly music' has spread to Australia, South Africa, the United States, and is just getting established in the UK.
Sessions consist of a welcome followed by half an hour of music - including action songs, dance and creative movement. This part is all about having fun together and so things can get quite lively! Instruments and props are often used, for example - paper plates held as steering wheels or banged together while enjoying the music of the 'Can Can'. Words are displayed on a screen for the parents to follow and they can buy CDs of the songs to continue the fun at home.
Following the music time, there is snack time, and then free play with toys to entertain the children, while the adults enjoy coffee, tea and homemade cakes. An essential part of 'mainly music' is making the mums feel special - so providing homemade cakes is an important part of this.
Running your own 'mainly music' group
You don't need a huge amount of space to run a group, as everyone stays together throughout the session. And musically, all that is needed is a leader who is capable of holding a tune, because all the material, including vocals, is provided on the CDs. People have said, 'I'm not musical - but I can lead a 'mainly music' session'.
Setting up and running a group is a big commitment, as mainly music requires a team of six members, each with a clearly defined role, for each session run. This is because the focus is on building relationships and this cannot be achieved if the team is spread too thinly. There also needs to be a commitment to learn the materials before running the sessions and, of course, to bake homemade cakes each week (though you could ask church members to get involved with this).
On the plus side, 'mainly music' provides comprehensive resources and ongoing support for the team to make running the sessions as easy as possible.
When you set up your 'mainly music' group, you are sent the first 'Orange Pack' (a total of four packs are provided over the first two years). The 'Orange pack' contains around 30 songs on CD, plus rhymes and songs that don't need musical backing, along with words for the parents, suggested actions, information about learning objectives to help parents understand what they're doing, and some props for use in running the sessions. A training DVD is also provided and there is information for each of the different roles of the team members.
Groups are expected to pay a subscription to 'mainly music', then in return you receive quarterly communications to keep the team up to date. These include sample sessions, though you are also free to put together your own programme from the material provided. It also enables you to access their extensive range of professional-looking products, including t-shirts, CDs and newsletters, all of which help parents to feel they are attending a well-run group and mean that you do not need to 'reinvent the wheel'.
The Christian faith is integral to 'mainly music'. A couple of songs in each session will have Christian content, such as 'God made me, I'm special you see, there's nobody else like me.' Or 'God made my feet, God made my hands'. And it is this, combined with the obvious love and care of the leaders that makes mainly music a very attractive combination!
You can read about the success of the 'mainly music' Christmas party in Bristol here.
A word to parents - from Jo Hood, founder of 'mainly music'
Here is Jo Hood's vision for parents and their children:
"My dream for 'mainly music' is that it becomes known as a place of connection. I want you to be able to connect with your young one. The session is designed to be interactive between you and your child.
"I'd love to know that you've connected with others who are at a same life stage. Whether you're parenting for the first time or the number of your children fills a mini van, connecting with adults is pretty important. Being able to finish a conversation - or even a sentence! Knowing you're not alone in this role of 'parent'.
"I'd love to be sure that your child connects with the music. We're not music teachers. However, LOTS of educational concepts happen in the session; numeracy and literacy skills, gross and fine motor skill development, concepts, imagination, following instructions, and lots more.
"And finally, I'd love you to connect with the local church who make this happen. Churches are more than a place of spiritual nurture; they're a place of community and friendship. Many churches can provide practical assistance - like marriage ceremonies and baby dedications, as well as a place for you and your family to explore God. They can help through tough times - like conducting funerals, or counselling, or food parcels.
"It's my dream that these points of connection for families with young children become available all over New Zealand and, in the future, all around the world. Enjoy!"
Jo Hood's quotation is from the 'mainly music' website.
Visit www.mainlymusic.org.uk for more information, to contact them about setting up a group, or to order resources.
Last Updated 23 February 2010
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