WORKING TOGETHER creating music stories

about placesSandra Kirkwood

MUSIC HEALTH AUSTRALIA

We come from different places

What are your favourite places? Can you draw pictures or show photographs about places you have been?

Australian plants and animals

Grevillea trees grow in Australia. Rainbow Lorikeets love to eat the sweet nectar.

Children can make sand pictures about Country

Mosman Festival, 2011. Photo courtesy of Mosman Council.

People dance about Country What kind of animal are they imitating? Do you know any songs about animals,

plants or places?

Mosman Festival, 2011. Photo courtesy of Mosman Council.

Everyone can join in

Mosman Festival, 2011. Photo courtesy of Mosman Council.

Working together: watching

When we play music together, I watch the leaders and adults They tell me what to do And I watch the children Sometimes I have to sit quietly

and wait for my turn

Getting ready Sometimes we get

dressed up to play music.

These are the special clothes we wear, and I do my hair like this

Photograph of man playing didjeridu. Courtesy Cordy Leopold.

At preschool or child care

Teachers show us how to sit in a circle for music class

We listen to the instructions Some songs have actions Our class plays music games.

My favourite music games/songs

When we play music, sing or dance together, we learn to co-operate with one another.

Why is it important to work together?

We get to know people better by playing music and singing along with them.

We can have lots of fun if we join in with music games and follow the instructions.

.We can learn a lot about music by watching and learning from adults and those around us.

Teaching OutcomesThis presentation helps children to learn to work together to sing, dance and take part in music stories. Learning the social skills involved with music making is essential for becoming part of a group and understanding social communication and appropriate behaviour. Music can be about country.• Children are encouraged to be observant and to spend time watching adults or musicians as they sing and play. This helps them learn how to behave.•Teachers/parents can help the children to co-operate in a group for singing action songs or playing musical games.• Many social skills can be demonstrated through group music making, such as waiting and taking turns. Keep instruments quiet when not in use.•Children may be able to contribute to creating or telling music stories which incorporate observation and experiences of the environment in which they live. •Consider going on walks around the local area and observe sights and sounds that can be included in music stories. Elders and cultural advisers may assist.• It may be possible to personalise lessons by including words in different languages, and photographs of family and friends making music together. • The songs can promote caring for country and protecting environment.Sandra Kirkwood, Music Health Australia www.musichealth.com.au B.Occ.Thy, B.Music, M.Phil 25 August, 2012