Since the Mary Poppins musical played in Mackay earlier this year, the pre-kindergarten children at Goodstart North Mackay have been learning through song, dance and music.
Goodstart North Mackay has transformed a space in the centre to make a Mary Poppins musical stage.
Educational leader, Rachel Williams, said the stage encouraged children’s creative expression and imaginative play through music.
“Our lead educator in the pre-kindergarten room, Melissa Morris, has transformed a space in the centre to create a Marry Poppins musical stage. She’s done a wonderful job in creating an area that the children love and engage with every day,” Ms Williams said.
“Melissa has also gone above and beyond to support the children’s learning through music. The children are learning all of the songs from the Mary Poppins musical and are doing activities that relate to the songs.”
Research shows music ignites all areas of a child’s development including their, social and emotional, gross-motor and language skills.
By moving and dancing to music, children improve their gross and fine motor skills. Singing songs improves language and communication skills, and musical activities and games spark children's creativity and inspiration.
“We’re now in the process of creating tap shoes for the children as one of the songs in the musical is called ‘Step in time’ and revolves around tap dancing,” Ms Williams said.
“The centre has received wonderful feedback from the Mackay Musical Comedy Players Inc who performed the musical, and will be making a surprise visit to the centre, which we’re all very excited about,” she said.
Goodstart North Mackay has transformed a space in the centre to make a Mary Poppins musical stage.
Educational leader, Rachel Williams, said the stage encouraged children’s creative expression and imaginative play through music.
“Our lead educator in the pre-kindergarten room, Melissa Morris, has transformed a space in the centre to create a Marry Poppins musical stage. She’s done a wonderful job in creating an area that the children love and engage with every day,” Ms Williams said.
“Melissa has also gone above and beyond to support the children’s learning through music. The children are learning all of the songs from the Mary Poppins musical and are doing activities that relate to the songs.”
Research shows music ignites all areas of a child’s development including their, social and emotional, gross-motor and language skills.
By moving and dancing to music, children improve their gross and fine motor skills. Singing songs improves language and communication skills, and musical activities and games spark children's creativity and inspiration.
“We’re now in the process of creating tap shoes for the children as one of the songs in the musical is called ‘Step in time’ and revolves around tap dancing,” Ms Williams said.
“The centre has received wonderful feedback from the Mackay Musical Comedy Players Inc who performed the musical, and will be making a surprise visit to the centre, which we’re all very excited about,” she said.
There are many ways parents can introduce and encourage children in music. Here are some
examples to try at home:
- Use saucepans, wooden spoons, or bottles filled with rice to create homemade instruments.
- Listen to the radio in the car.
- Sing with chants and rhymes with your child like Incy Wincy Spider, This Little Piggy, and Jack and Jill.
- Have a family sing-a-long.
- Put on a favourite song and start dancing together. See how many moves you can come up with!