sparkle

Sparkle Music classes are back!! New term starts next week: Thursday 11th- East Dulwich Community Centre, 11:40am class for 0-24 months. Drop in, first class free, after that ?6 per class Sparkle is all about a genuine musical experience. Come along and learn a range of songs to enjoy with your little one. Action songs, bouncing, tickling, simple circle dances, relaxing songs. Live instruments, singing, instrument exploration. www.sparkle-music.co.uk https://www.facebook.com/Sparkle-Music-213686385503693/?ref=hl

Sparkle Music in East Dulwich classes are now drop in. No need to book or sign up. Just turn up and enjoy the class! First class is free, after that classes are ?6 each. Classes are Thursdays in the Large Hall, at the East Dulwich Community Centre, Darrell Rd, SE22 9NL. 0-2 year olds class: 11:40am; Baby (newborn to crawling) class: 12:20pm. Please message with any questions or check out www.sparkle-music.co.uk Thanks! Anna

Please note that the free trial class will now take place THURSDAY 14th SEPTEMBER (not 7th as previously advertised). Many thanks

***Please note edit: classes start 14th September, not 7th as previously advertised*** Morning all! I'm bringing Sparkle Music back to East Dulwich! On Thursday 14th September I'm running free trial sessions in the East Dulwich Community Centre (please book in advance as spaces are limited) 11:00am- 2-3 year olds 11:40am- 0-2 year olds 12:20pm- newborn- crawlers Sparkle offers weekly classes where singing, imagination and play combine to give your child a genuine musical experience and education. The young baby classes are tailored to parents with young babies, where you can enjoy bonding with your little one as you pick up new ideas for play and relaxation with your baby with songs, actions, live instruments and multi-sensory props. for more information/ to book a free trial contact anna@sparkle-music / check out www.sparkle-music.co.uk Thank you!

Can anyone recommend an ice skating rink/ roller disco in the area? thanks!

Has anyone had any part of their house repointed? We've had some quotes and they seem pretty high. Would anyone be weilling to tell me what they paid? PM me? Thanks!

thanks SEer- bit far right now but definitely one to think about in the future. Snowborder I think you've found just the one- thank you!

Hello This came up a while back, but I can't find it! Can anyone recommend an alternative to Eurocamp? I remember a couple of people recommending campsites which they said offered the same kind of activities/ accommodation but were a lot cheaper! Any advice appreciated. Thanks!

Hi I run Sparkle Music, and I run a specific class for 2-3 year olds on Thursday mornings. All songs/ music include activiteis to get the children fully involved: actions, lots of movement round the room, instruments, musical role play and stories. Classes are in Catford not far from the centre, a walk/ bus ride from Sydenham? anna www.sparkle-music.co.uk

thanks will look it up

Can anyone recommend a good go-kart track somewhere not too far away? The Burgess park one is closed! thanks

To get the new classes going in Catford, I'm running a 4 week free course for parents/ carers with pre-crawling babies. Classes are around 30 minutes. Lost of songs and activities to enjoy with your baby. Things to touch, feel, listen to, make sounds, generally enjoy quality time with your little one. Classes held in a dedicated music room in my home. Lots of buggy space! Starts this Thursday. Spaces limited. Please pm for details. www.sparkle-music.co.uk Thanks! Anna

Holbeach Primary school is probably bit far for most ed'ers but just in case any of you can help... If your kids attend/ are about to would you mind sending me a private message about your experiences? thanks!

Dear Mehala, You're very welcome to come along in January. The first class will something like Wednesday 8th Jan, but I'll need to confirm that. You can come along for a free trial for the first class to see how you like it. We now meet at my house in East Dulwich, Wednesday mornings. thanks anna

Thanks Pickle, I'm glad she enjoyed them! I think your baby may be a bit too old(!) The baby class is babies who arn't yet on the move. Next class up at the moment is for 2-3 year olds... it won't be long before baby pickle is old enough!

I am currently running classes- at the moment I'm doing a class for 2-3 year olds on Wednesday mornings. If there is enough interest I'l be starting up a baby class in the new year. Anna

thanks- lots of fab ideas. Roald Dahl is fantastic, and I've had my memory well jogged with ideas of Brain Jaques etc, so thanks all. The problem I have with one of mine- we get into a new book, read a few chapters over a few nights, and then they're bored with that one and want to move on! Can anyone suggest any picture books which are longer than a typical pre-school one? I'm thinking along the lines of 'The Minpins'- a Roald Dahl book I only discovered last year, fab picture book but with enough text to last for a few nights bed time reading. edited to add- also any ideas on the Moomins? I remember vaguely watching it on tv as a child. Are the books any good?

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.