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Ruth Churchill Dower

Early childhood educators, special education professionals, cultural educators and artists will gain in-depth knowledge on how young children learn through music and singing, including techniques and resources to harness their artistic and creative potential.

The Creative Teacher programme is made up of eight separate courses, each of which can be watched as a stand-alone course or as part of the whole programme. It is recommended to watch at least the first course in addition to any other you choose, if not purchasing the whole programme.

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Early childhood educators, special education professionals, cultural educators and artists will gain in-depth knowledge on how young children learn through music and singing, including techniques and resources to harness their artistic and creative potential.

The Creative Teacher programme is made up of eight separate courses, each of which can be watched as a stand-alone course or as part of the whole programme. It is recommended to watch at least the first course in addition to any other you choose, if not purchasing the whole programme.

This is the SIXTH course in the programme and sets out the foundations for using music and singing with young children up to five years old.

In this course you will learn:

  • How children are musically attuned from birth

  • The importance of musical improvisation for confidence building

  • The sensory and somatic fulfilment of using percussion instruments instead of words

  • How the Positive Emotional Attractor (PEA) in the brain is triggered through singing

  • How music supports maths, language, social and emotional development

  • Real world examples of young children building musical attunement with their adults

  • The joy of using recycled percussion instruments and singing in the outdoors

  • The magic of group singing, especially for children with high anxiety levels

  • A personal story illustrating children's creative musicality

  • Further reading and resources to support you in developing a culture of creativity

Join me on this adventure and discover how to bring to life your own and your children’s awesome creative talents.

Enroll now

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction
Music and Singing
Music for physical, sensory and emotional regulation
Music for maths, language and mutuality
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores techniques to harness children's artistic and creative potential, which is highly relevant for educators working to foster creativity in young learners
Examines how music supports maths, language, and social-emotional development, which are key areas of focus in early childhood education curricula
Highlights the importance of musical improvisation for confidence building, a valuable skill for educators to cultivate in young children
Belongs to a series of eight courses, suggesting a comprehensive and detailed exploration of creative teaching methods for early childhood education
Recommends watching the first course in the series, which may require learners to invest additional time and effort to gain a foundational understanding

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Reviews summary

Practical music integration for early years

According to students, this course offers incredibly valuable and immediately applicable content for early childhood and special education professionals seeking to integrate music and singing into their practice. Learners particularly highlight the focus on emotional regulation, social development, improvisation, and using everyday objects for percussion. The real-world examples and personal stories are noted as inspiring. While a few found some theoretical sections a bit dense or wanted more specific age-group activities, the course is generally seen as a well-structured and excellent resource providing practical tips.
Focuses on core concepts like attunement and improvisation.
"appreciated the focus on improvisation and using simple, recycled instruments."
"Learning about how music supports sensory and somatic fulfillment was eye-opening."
"The module on group singing for anxious children provided concrete strategies I can use."
"The focus on attunement and improvisation is spot on. I loved... using everyday objects for percussion."
"Useful concepts, particularly the connection between music and language/maths development."
Real-world examples and stories resonate with learners.
"The real-world examples were particularly inspiring."
"I loved the personal stories and the focus on using everyday objects for percussion."
"The practical tips and examples more than made up for it."
Provides immediately applicable strategies for educators.
"found the content on using music for emotional regulation and social development incredibly valuable and immediately applicable in my classroom."
"Good for practitioners looking for fresh ideas."
"Learning about how music supports sensory and somatic fulfillment was eye-opening... provided concrete strategies I can use."
"I learned how to use practical tools and strategies that I could apply immediately to my work with children."
Parts are theoretical; some wished for more specific examples.
"Some of the theoretical sections felt a little dense..."
"I felt some parts were a bit repetitive, and I was hoping for more specific examples of activities for different age groups within the 0-5 range."
"It was okay, but not as practical as I'd hoped in every module."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in The Creative Teacher 6: Attuning through Music and Singing with these activities:
Review Child Development Theories
Strengthen your understanding of child development theories to better grasp how music and singing impact young children's learning and emotional regulation.
Show steps
  • Read summaries of key child development theories.
  • Reflect on how these theories relate to musical development.
Compile a List of Recycled Percussion Instruments
Create a resource list of readily available recycled materials that can be used to create percussion instruments, promoting creativity and resourcefulness in music education.
Show steps
  • Brainstorm a list of potential recycled materials.
  • Research how these materials can be used to create different sounds.
  • Document your findings with pictures and descriptions.
Read 'The Mozart Effect: Tapping the Power of Music to Heal the Body, Strengthen the Mind, and Unlock the Creative Spirit'
Explore the potential benefits of music on cognitive abilities and emotional well-being, providing a broader context for understanding the course material.
Show steps
  • Read the book, focusing on chapters related to child development.
  • Note down key insights and potential applications in your teaching practice.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Improvisation Exercises
Practice musical improvisation techniques to build confidence and spontaneity in using music with young children.
Show steps
  • Choose a simple melody or rhythm.
  • Experiment with variations and embellishments.
  • Record yourself and analyze your performance.
  • Repeat daily for 15 minutes.
Develop a Musical Activity Plan
Design a detailed musical activity plan for young children, incorporating elements of improvisation, sensory exploration, and group singing to reinforce learning from the course.
Show steps
  • Choose a specific age group and learning objective.
  • Select appropriate songs, instruments, and activities.
  • Write a detailed plan with step-by-step instructions.
  • Include adaptations for children with different needs.
Read 'Music and the Child'
Gain a deeper understanding of music education principles and practical strategies for incorporating music into early childhood education.
View Music and the Child on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the book, focusing on chapters related to early childhood music education.
  • Identify key concepts and strategies for your teaching practice.
Share Musical Activities with Peers
Share your musical activity plans and experiences with other educators, providing support and feedback to reinforce your learning and build a collaborative community.
Show steps
  • Join an online forum or local educator group.
  • Share your activity plans and ask for feedback.
  • Offer constructive criticism to others.

Career center

Learners who complete The Creative Teacher 6: Attuning through Music and Singing will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Children's Music Educator
A children's music educator is a passionate individual who teaches music to young children, fostering their love for music and encouraging their creative expression. The course on attuning through music and singing directly enhances your capabilities as a music educator. It provides techniques and resources to amplify the artistic and creative potential of the children you instruct. The course can also lead to insights into the importance of musical improvisation, the sensory and somatic fulfilment of using percussion instruments, and how the 'Positive Emotional Attractor' in the brain is triggered through singing. The real world examples and bonus lecture are useful as well.
Early Childhood Teacher
The role of an early childhood teacher involves creating stimulating and nurturing environments for young children to learn and grow. The course on attuning through music and singing directly addresses how children learn through music, offering techniques to harness their artistic potential. Grasping the importance of musical improvisation for confidence building and the triggers of the Positive Emotional Attractor (PEA) in the brain through singing can transform your teaching methods. The course's focus on real world examples and the joy of recycled percussion instruments can enrich your classroom activities, making learning more engaging and effective for young students.
Special Education Teacher
Special education teachers work with students who have a wide range of learning differences and disabilities, and this course can play a transformative role in your classroom. The course's insights into how children are musically attuned from birth, and the magic of group singing, especially for children with high anxiety levels, can enhance your strategies for creating inclusive and supportive learning environments. By understanding how music supports various aspects of development, you are able to tailor lessons to meet the unique needs of each student. Additionally, this course may provide valuable resources for fostering creativity and engagement among students with diverse abilities.
Creative Arts Therapist
Creative arts therapists use various art forms, including music, to help clients address emotional, mental, and physical health issues. A master's degree is typically required. The course explores topics such as how children are musically attuned from birth, the importance of musical improvisation for confidence building, and the sensory and somatic fulfilment of using percussion instruments. Knowing how the Positive Emotional Attractor (PEA) in the brain is triggered through singing is useful as well. The course's insights can inform your therapeutic interventions, helping you tailor music-based activities to meet your clients' specific needs.
Cultural Educator
Cultural educators teach and promote understanding of different cultures through various educational programs and activities. This course may be beneficial by teaching you about the nuances of musical expression in early childhood and how to harness creativity for cultural education. The course emphasizes techniques and resources to amplify the artistic and creative potential of young children. Understanding the importance of musical improvisation and the impact of group singing will enable you to create more engaging and culturally sensitive learning environments, enriching your students' understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures.
Arts Integration Specialist
As an arts integration specialist, you work to incorporate the arts into various subjects within the curriculum, enriching the overall learning experience for students. This course provides in-depth knowledge on how young children learn through music and singing. Learning the techniques for musical improvisation and exploring the sensory and somatic fulfilment of percussion instruments enable you to design creative and engaging lessons. The inclusion of real world examples, and the joy of using recycled percussion instruments and singing in the outdoors, may inspire you to develop new and exciting ways to weave music into different subjects, making learning more dynamic and memorable for students.
Community Arts Worker
Community arts workers facilitate creative activities within communities, often focusing on engaging marginalized groups and promoting social inclusion. This course may be highly relevant, providing tools and techniques for using music and singing to connect with young children and foster their self-expression. The course’s emphasis on nurturing creativity, building confidence through musical improvisation, and harnessing the positive emotional impact of singing will be invaluable in your community work. Additionally, the focus on using recycled percussion instruments and singing in the outdoors aligns with sustainable and accessible arts practices.
Early Intervention Specialist
An early intervention specialist works with infants and young children who have developmental delays or disabilities, assisting them in reaching their full potential. This course may be particularly valuable, offering insights into how children are musically attuned from birth and how music can be used to support their development. The course's exploration of musical attunement, the importance of musical improvisation for confidence building, and the impact of group singing may inform your therapeutic interventions. The sensory and somatic fulfilment of using percussion instruments instead of words will be useful in your development strategies.
Music Therapist
As a music therapist, you use music-based interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship. This course may support your practice by enhancing your understanding of how young children are musically attuned from birth, and the sensory and somatic fulfilment of using percussion instruments. The exploration of how music supports maths, language, social and emotional development can inform your therapeutic approaches, allowing you to tailor interventions that resonate deeply with your clients' needs. This attuning through music and singing course provides further reading and resources to support you in developing a culture of creativity in the important work you do as a music therapist.
Preschool Director
A preschool director oversees the daily operations of a preschool, ensuring a safe and enriching environment for children. This course can help guide your leadership by providing insights into using music and singing to foster children's creativity and development. Understanding the significance of musical improvisation for confidence building and the impact of group singing, especially for children with high anxiety levels, can inform your strategies for promoting a positive and supportive atmosphere. The course also highlights practical techniques and resources, such as using recycled percussion instruments and incorporating music into outdoor activities, which you can implement school-wide.
Early Learning Consultant
Early learning consultants work with schools and educational organizations to improve the quality of early childhood education programs. This course may enhance your expertise by offering unique perspectives on how music and singing can be integrated into the curriculum to support children's development. The course's exploration of musical attunement from birth, the impact of music on emotional regulation, and the connection between music and cognitive skills can inform your recommendations. The course's resources can help you advise educators on creating engaging and developmentally appropriate music-based activities.
Music Instructor
As a music instructor, you have the opportunity to impart your musical knowledge and passion to students of all ages and skill levels. This course may be useful in your work with young children, as it provides a strong foundation in understanding how they learn through music and singing. The course’s focus on techniques for harnessing children's artistic and creative potential, the importance of musical improvisation for confidence building, and the sensory and somatic fulfilment of using percussion instruments may enhance your teaching methods. The inclusion of real world examples and bonus lecture are useful as well.
Childcare Provider
Childcare providers are responsible for the well-being and development of children in a variety of settings. This course may provide valuable insights into how music and singing can be used to create a nurturing and stimulating environment for young children. The course’s focus on the sensory and somatic fulfilment of using percussion instruments, and how music supports maths, language, social and emotional development, may make you a more capable and confident caregiver. You can also use what you learn about the magic of group singing to help children suffering from high anxiety levels.
Camp Counselor
Camp counselors supervise children in a recreational setting, ensuring their safety and creating fun and engaging activities. This course may provide valuable insights into how music and singing can be used to create a positive and inclusive atmosphere at summer camp. This course may also lead to understanding how group singing, especially for children with high anxiety levels, and the joy of using recycled percussion instruments and singing in the outdoors may enhance your ability to connect with campers and create memorable experiences. The bonus lecture will provide a plethora of learning opportunities.
Drama Teacher
Drama teachers are responsible for instructing students in the art of theater, fostering their creativity, and developing their performance skills. This course may bolster your teaching strategies by providing insights into how music and singing can enhance dramatic expression and emotional connection. The course may also provide details on the impact of group singing, especially for children with high anxiety levels, and the importance of musical improvisation for confidence building. Combining musical elements with dramatic techniques can create a well-rounded and engaging learning experience for students.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in The Creative Teacher 6: Attuning through Music and Singing.
Provides a comprehensive overview of music education for young children, covering topics such as musical development, curriculum design, and assessment. It offers practical strategies for incorporating music into the classroom and fostering children's musical creativity. This book is commonly used as a textbook in music education programs. It adds depth to the course by providing a theoretical framework and practical guidance for using music in early childhood education.
Explores the profound effects of music on cognitive abilities, emotional well-being, and physical health. It provides a broad overview of how music can be used to enhance learning and creativity, particularly in children. While some claims may be overstated, it offers valuable insights into the potential benefits of incorporating music into educational practices. It serves as a good introduction to the field.

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