Children as experts

At Rachel keeling Nursery School we have always viewed our children as experts: they are experts in building, designing, imagining, cooking and painting.
We have planned a project to support deep learning around music and musicality. Children have been introduced to a range of instruments and have had opportunities to listen to music over time. Skilled staff have exposed children to musical notation and score sheets. We now have some children who are able to follow the patterns of the keys on the piano and play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. They joy and pride they, their friends and family show when they share it has been captured on film (see our film section). To further develop this, one practitioner has developed a programme to work with a small group and their families and learn to play the ukulele. Having high expectations of all children is essential to develop confidence and self-esteem. The ukes have gone home today for the first time to practice. The process has been considered and planned but may take a different route: maybe a performance around the fire at Christmas? Watch this space!