sparkle

thanks Jessie, that may well be just what I'm looking for- we've enjoyed fairy tales here before, but I've not looked into the Philip Pullman version but have been recommended to him before as a good writer. Any more suggestions greatly appreciated!

What stories do your 7/8 year olds enjoy for a bed time story? I'm need some new ideas for one of my children! I'm particulary interested in short story collections and picture books with a lot of text- ie picture books for older children. Many thanks in advance!

I can now confirm.... All classes on Wednesday mornings, in the room upstairs at Dulwich Library. FIRST CLASS OF THE TERM- NEXT WEDNESDAY 19th SEPT. 2-3 year olds- 9:45-10:15 (a few spaces left) Baby (pre-crawling babies)- 10:25-10:55 (very few spaces left) I need to know who's coming, so please drop me a line if you fancy a free trial for either of the above classes. Thanks! www.sparkle-music.co.uk

I run music classes (Sparkle Music). At the moment I'm running (separate) classes for babies and 2-3 year olds. I ask people to book a 6 week term at a time as classes are limited in number, progressive and regular attendance means the mums and children can learn a nice bunch of songs, and of course some musical skills. After a free trial my classes work out at ?5 per class.

Yes, I remember you! You're very welcome to come with Dorothy- I can't believe she's going to be 2! Classe are now on Wednesdays, same place at Dulwich Library. Times to be confirmed, but will be sometime between 9:30 and 11:30. First class September 19th. a

I'm starting a new Sparkle Music term this September, 19th. I run classes for specific age groups: one for young babies (pre-crawling), one for 2 year olds and one for 3 year olds. All classes are inspired by the 'Kodaly Method': In the 2 and 3 year old classes children learn the essentials of music through singing and movement. They feel the beat, move to the rhythm and hear, and begin to sing songs, helping them learn about pitch. This lays the ground for them learning to become musically literate. All classes are full of action songs and rhymes, musical storytelling, moving to the sounds of live instruments, exploring percussion, playing with puppets, musical role play..... The baby class is a gentle class for young babies, where parents can learn a wide repertoire of songs all with their own activities which they can then do at home. Classes are a chance to enjoy a shared musical expereince, meet other mums and explore sounds with their babies. It is amazing what young children can learn when taught this way, whilst they have so much fun! Please let me know if you have any questions or would like to come along for a free trial. Classes will run on Wednesday mornings, in the room upstairs at Dulwich Library Thanks! Anna www.sparkle-music.co.uk

Apenn, The Kodaly 'method' is all about thorough learning of musicianship. It teaches 'inner hearing' ie the ability to hear written music in your head (sight sing), and write music you hear (dictation). It teaches this through relative solfa, so that you can hear and sing all the different intervals in any key. It also teaches rhythm through rhythm sylables ti-ti, ta etc, sense of pulse etc. All is taught through singing and depending on the teacher , lots of movement and singing games. Musical concepts are learnt step by step and 'subconsciously' first: eg you learn a new song and after perhaps lots of singing of it, perhaps as a round too or in parts, clapping the rhythm, pulse etc you will be made conscious of a new musical elemet, a new interval or rhythm etc. Thus you feel the new idea, you hear the new interval and are able to reproduce it before you learn it's official title. I think it's an amazing way to learn music. It teaches you much more than names and intellectual things about this note is half this note etc. How many musicians can hear the music they see in their head before they read it?! It also works really well with young children: there are so many lovely songs and games they play and enjoy whilst they are learning useful music skills. I've been doing it with my own children (and running groups where I can) for a few years now, and the progress they have made is fantastic and really clear to see. So often children are given songs to sing which they can't possibly sing in tune, and with terrible backing tracks which drown out the melody and the children's voices. If you really children to learn to sing (and get real pleasure from it), this is the only way! Bit of a ramble. Hope it makes sense!

dear theratprincess, I'll send you a pm with some ideas. You certainly don't need to be professional to teach Kodaly. Please don't be put of doing some things just because you may not have the higest qualifications in music. Kodaly teaching does go up to as high a musical level as the teacher can take it to, but for teaching children you'd be more than qualified I'm sure. For the younger children it's more about carefully crafting activities that they can do, and then helping them progress at an appropriate level. I think that's the main skill, and of course being able to sing in tune, have a good feeling for pulse and a good knowledge of rhythm.

This is probably not much help, but the music groups I've been running in East Dulwich (on Fridays!) are based on the Kodaly method. Within that I use some colourstrings songs too. I started these classes because I couldn't find anything locally that used these 'methods' either. Hall hire is expensive, and I think a lot of people are looking for music classes that entertain, rather than teach, so classes of this sort are harder to sustain. Anyhoo, at the moment I'm having to stop the classes for other work. I hope to start them again sometime soon, hopefully September. The classes are divided into different age groups. I'm not sure of your musical background but have you thought about teaching it yourself if you can t find anything local? It's ideal to go to a class in many ways, as there are lots of nice games the children play together etc, but with the lack of local classes, I've been doing it at home with my children. If your interested, there are lots of good resources out there I'd be happy to tell you about, and some fantastic teachers to get into contact with too. edited to add: The Kodaly method is indeed a fantastic way of teaching music. It is based around games/ movement/ singing, which the children really enjoy, and through this the children not only learn the core skills of music, but learn them so well. They will gain better musicianship skills than many adult musicians have! There is a nice group in West Dulwich I think only on Tuesdays though, called 'sound sense'

Thanks so much for all the useful information, lots of leads to follow. How did you all get to these places? Did any of you drive? If so did you stop over? catgirl when you booked direct with the campsite did you end up in an area with other English holiday makers (am all up for trying out my gcse french, but hope the small ones can make a few friends, and imagine that's a little easier with the same language!) Also can you tell me about the campsites you went to in the Loire? Do the campsites have much shade? thanks!

Have any of you been on a Eurocamp holiday on the continent? Or another similar style holiday? Would you recommend it? Or would anyone recommend a different type of summer holiday for a family with under 10s? any thoughts gratefully received!

Sue, The Sunday event was fantastic- such talented musicians. It really was a great afternoon for both our children and us. Just like nunheadmum says, it's hard to get out in the evening, so live music events in the day our whole family can enjoy are very welcome. The cake was great too!

What a fantastic idea! I'd love to come, but I can't do Mondays. Please do another day too!

hello there, I run 'Sparkle Music' on Fridays- lots of singing, moving, actions and instruments to enable young children to explore the wonderful world of music in a fun way. All my classes run on Fridays: I do a baby class at 10:30, a 2-3 year old class at 9:45 and a 3-4 year old class at 2pm. All in East Dulwich. Anna www.sparkle-music.co.uk

Just to add as some people have been asking- it's absolutely fine to stay with your child at the class, I just wanted to let you know that if you and you're child are happy, you'd be welcome to leave them too! Anna

Dear David, Yes, looks like there is enough interest, so the class will start on Friday 16th September. Please let me know if you'd like to come along to that, so I can hold you a space. Many thanks Anna

You're very welcome to join in January. Or, I also run a class for 2 year olds (see thread in the family classified section) which lead onto the 3 year old class. It's Friday mornings, at Dulwich Library maybe that could suit for the mean time? Anna

Thanks for your interest! I'm hoping to use the Goose Green Centre. Would that suit you?

Thanks Pebbles! Pippa and catgirl I've sent you pms. Thanks Anna

Thanks for the reply. I had hoped to have a later slot because of nap time issues, but unfortunately this is the only slot I can find so far, in a hall which has a piano. Drop in is a bit difficult for my classes, as I teach songs and skills over the weeks, children need to be there as many weeks as they can get the best from the classes. Thanks for the ideas, and giving me another perspective- I need to know who's out there! Anna

Something I forgot to add to the initial post was that I'm hoping that once children feel settled in the class, parents would be able to drop them off for the half hour. Would that help persuade a couple more of you?! Please do let me know if there is anything you are unsure about in my description or if you have any further questions.... For anyone interested in music education theory, classes are based around the ideas of Kodaly and Dalcroze. The first class is free, so come on, give it a try! Thanks! Anna

Hello all, I am a primary school teacher, and I run Sparkle Music here in East Dulwich, which currently includes classes for babies and 2 and 3 year olds. I'd like to start up a class for 3 and 4 year olds. I have a small number of children moving up from the 2/ 3 year old class, but need a few more to make the class viable. Would any of you lovely ed'ers be interested? The classes will probably run Fridays, 2-2:30 at a hall in East Dulwich- am hoping the afternoon would suit most people as it seems most put their children in nursery in the mornings. The classes: They will teach children essential music skills such as pulse, rhythm and pitch, all through action songs, musical role play and musical games. There will be singing, moving to music and playing percussion instruments. Some weeks may be themed, others just a bunch of fun muscial games! All activities are tailored specifically for 3 and 4 year olds, and will start them on the road to musical literacy and the skills necessary to learn an instrument. ALl in all they will learn music musically! Please let me know if you'd be interested. I'd love to run these classes if I can. Or if you have any questions. thanks Anna www.sparkle-music.co.uk

Make snakes out of egg boxes- cut around the egg cup bits, paint/ put upside down so flat bit is at the top and piece hole through the sides, put string through them all like making a necklace, maybe some stick on eyes for the front... hope that makes sense. It worked really well in our house, and you can add more egg box bits as the weeks go by and make it as long as you like! make your own playdough- really simple- think we do something like 2 cups of plain flour, 1 cup salt, 2 teaspoons cream of tartar, 1-2 tablespoons cooking oil, 1 cup boiling water. lasts for ages in an air tight cup. cornflour gloop- as nappy lady suggested- so much fun!- don't think it really matters how much water to cornflour you use, then add colour we also make this slime which is like the slime you can buy- doensn't leave fingers sticky and can be easily wiped up. can look up the recipe if anyone interested? Includes pva and also borax (Which by itself is an irritant, but is fine all mixed in- you can buy it from a j farmer) those big cardboard crates they store the fruit in at Sainsburys are great for using as cars/ boats to move around on the floor making a den with bed sheets and tables and chairs making hats/ crowns out of old cereal boxes

The Tiger That Came to Tea is a fab book- it is a picture book, but is written very well (by Judith Kerr). I've happily read it many a time! As for chapter books mine really enjoyed The Faraway Tree- an adventure in every chapter! Is a bit old fashioned and maybe not the best written(?) but fun stories, and the chapters are short enough to keep a 5 year old interested.

We used to go to the Plough when little sparkle was a baby, was a nice place to hang out then. They still, I think, have a box of toys there are seem pretty happy to have mums and little ones in, and on a Friday afternoon I don't htink it's that busy, so I'm sure a bunch of us could meet informally there even if the 'official' group isn't running. Although I'm not sure how many running toddlers could fit in there before it got too much. We'd be up for meeting there to see how it goes, or the park if the weather is good.