Target population (age): Care-providers / Children (3-6)
Maximum # of children / group: Workshop Participants (35) / Children (100 each location)
Type of program:
A one day residency consisting of four presentations:
First, three mini-concert performances for selected locations. (These locations can be determined by lottery among the workshop participants, or by any other fair means.) These concerts of music and storytelling are designed especially for very young children. They will feature an introduction to 8 musical instruments, constant participation by the children, and Timmy's demonstration of various techniques to be discussed in the workshop. Care-providers are welcome to invite others to their location, to maximize the number of participants.
Then, an (evening) in-depth participatory workshop for teachers and child-care providers, emphasizing a variety of methods and techniques for using music to enhance both the learning and play environments of young children.
Duration of program: Workshop (up to 2 hours) / Concerts (45 minutes each)
Description of program:
The workshop can be scheduled for up to two and a half hours in length, depending on feasibility for the sponsoring organization. Teachers and care providers will learn techniques and specific activities which they can take back and use immediately (and on a continuing basis) with their children. Printed resource materials will be provided.
The concert will involve children in singing, hand motions, keeping rhythms, possibly a sit-down square dance and/or a "Bear Hunt". Listening skills will be developed as several folk instruments are introduced. Group participation will be emphasised.
Major goals and objectives of program:
To make teachers and child-care providers more comfortable with various uses of music as an important and effective tool in child development. They will leave with a deeper understanding of how and why music can be such a positive and powerful influence in a child's first five years.
To give children a positive impression of the fun of participating in music. To reinforce and to bring out a love of simple folk songs, and to enhance their ability to listen to musical details, and to enjoy participating in organized musical activities.
Credentials:
Timmy Abell has completed the training seminar, "Artists as Educators", administered and taught by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. He brings a wealth of material suitable for young children, and over 20 years experience with young audiences. Timmy has completed this residency numerous times with the Technical Assistance Center in Winston Salem, NC; also with Resource and Referrel Centers in Caldwell County and Ashe County, NC; also for teachers in various school systems in NC, SC, VA, AL and Texas.
Equipment / supplies / support materials used in program implementation:
It will be necessary for the teachers and care providers to have access to either a cassette player, or preferably a CD player, at their facilities in order to properly follow up with the workshop activities.
Timmy's workshop hand-out materials are quite extensive, and include printed explanations of all presented activities as well as extensive resources for future reference.
One of Timmy's award-winning recordings will be given to each facility represented at the workshop. Other recordings will be available for purchase.
Ways in which the child care provider can prepare their children for this program:
Any use of music, either to create background atmosphere or used in group singing or other play activities.
Activities the child care provider can use to integrate and extend the goals and objectives of this program into the learning environment (post enrichment):
Language & Literature:
- Many folk songs came from poems. Present the poem first, then the song.
- Ballads are songs which tell a story. Listen to a ballad, then discuss the story.
- Memorize the words to a simple folk song.
Science & Math:
- Talk about music and musical instruments, vibration, how instruments work.
- Create various rhythms, clapping hands, etc. and count the beats.
- Collect objects which will represent various families of musical instruments: blade of grass, coke bottle, comb with waxed paper, rubber band, spoons.
Music & Movement:
- This entire project involves many ways to incorporate music and movement into the daily routine.
Creative & Dramatic Arts:
- Children can make a project of memorizing and performing songs for the group.
- Children can make up new verses for simple folk songs.
- Children can rehearse acting out the story as a ballad is playing, then perform.