Our Program and Classes

Wiggle And Giggle Music class details and times, change from term to term depending on numbers. Classes are always run in the morning between 8:40am to 12:00pm. We have a maximum of 12 in a class to ensure each child is allocated an instrument.

CLASS LOCATIONS

Mondays - Killarney Vale
Tuesdays - Sprinfield & Berkeley Vale
Wednesdays - Mardi
Thursdays - Blue Haven & Toukely
Fridays - Springfield

We also have a special introductory rate for all under 12 month classes of $7 per lesson

All classes are now run in partnership with the Benevolent Society and Central Coast Schools As Community Centres and are at the reduced rate of $9 per lesson. All classes payable by the term upfront.

To avoid disappointment please phone to check class details and times before attending as many of our classes are fully booked.

Wiggling and giggling is just the start when it comes to our music classes.

At Wiggle & Giggle Music we aim to bring the best out of your child by singing, performing, playing instruments and lots more, but our ultimate aim is to simply have fun and enjoy music making!

Unlike other pre-packaged music classes, Wiggle & Giggle Music have designed their own unique program, specifically designed to meet the needs of young children.

As trained and experienced musicians and teachers, Wiggle & Giggle Music teachers have the flexibility to tailor classes to the individual needs of the students, as well as being able to change course and "go with the flow" based on the dynamics of the group.

In consultation with early childhood experts and practitioners we endeavour to provide units based upon the latest research and studies.

Wiggle & Giggle Music also regularly seek and encourage feedback from parents and carers. This allows us to find out what the children enjoy the most and also gives parents and care givers the opportunity to suggest ideas or discuss any concerns they may have. This also ensures we are meeting the needs and expectations of all.

Through rhymes, songs, puppets, instruments and imagination your child will discover an exciting and enjoyable world of music. Based upon familiar rhymes, tunes and melodies, Wiggle & Giggle Music have created a whole repertoire of songs and verse revolving around the central themes. Classes cover a wide range of focus, from fine and gross motor skills, numeracy, rhythm and movement to singing, dancing and just having fun.

The use of traditional nursery rhyme melodies and verse allows the child to become accustomed to the pitch of the tune, whilst also learning new words and lyrics. Studies have shown that melodic and rhythmic repetition can improve a child's learning capability, such as logic, language and sensory-motor skills and memory.

"Scientific studies have shown that children who have recited nursery rhymes in their younger years, end up being better readers and doing better in school [when they are older]. By being exposed to nursery rhymes, you are also teaching children to listen. The brain gets ready to read and translate from the heard word to the written word later on."
Diamant-Cohen- author of the award-winning, infant and toddler early childhood literacy program called Mother Goose on the Loose.

At Wiggle & Giggle Music, we employ this method of teaching throughout the core units. Children are encouraged to clap along and respond to the music using movement and instruments. Just clapping along to a piece of music can increase the child's capability to solve problems! There is also the social side of music making and we encourage children to interact with one another in their music making whilst learning important social skills such as sharing (especially when it comes to playing the instruments).

"Parents can make a powerful contribution to children's language and communications skills. It's enjoyable and is also helping them to develop literacy skills."
Neil McClelland director of the UK's National Literacy Trust

"A recent survey of 121 head teachers found that more than half said parents should be encouraged to teach their children nursery rhymes to boost their language skills. In 2001, a five-year study at London University found that children having fun, by enjoying nursery rhymes and songs was the best way to give them a head start at school."
Daily Mail 2003

Singing nursery rhymes is such an important part of a child's development, which is over looked by many of today's parents in favour of toys the child can interact with. However it is this 'interaction' with parent and the rhyme itself, that can help the baby develop language and literacy skills. These are everyday skills needed to progress in education and society and are found to be lacking in a lot of today's children.

Tony Stead, senior national literacy consultant for Mondo Publishing in New York, described research showing that in 1945, the average primary school student had a vocabulary of 10,000 words. Today's child has 2,500 words."That is disastrous," Mr. Stead said. "So many parents are not reading to their children anymore." A lot of problems, he added, come from children not memorizing rhymes, the bread-and-butter of traditional early children's literature. "Listening comprehension precedes reading comprehension,"

These first few years are a child's most important. It shapes who they become in later life, it shapes their character and through enjoying music, babies and children can improve their learning. Research shows children learn more in their first eight years than they do in the rest of their lives! That's an incredible fact and we aim to make the most of it by teaching your child, not only the enjoyment to be had from music making but children will discreetly learn skills that will enhance their learning capabilities for life.

Studies have even shown that babies can 'hear' inside the womb and that they are already 'learning' and beginning to memorise rhythmic and melodic patterns in your voice and types of music that they are exposed to whilst you are pregnant. They've even found that babies can discriminate between different genres of music and even display a preference for music that they have been exposed to in the pregnancy. It is therefore important for this learning to continue after birth.

'Every child is born with musical ability, but if it's not tapped into early enough then it can fail to develop.'
Music Council of Australia

SO GIVE YOUR CHILD'S CREATIVE SIDE AND EDUCATION A JUMP START WITH WIGGLE & GIGGLE MUSIC AND START WIGGLING AND GIGGLING TODAY!

Click below to see information relating your child's age group.

0 - 2 years

This class focuses on bonding between baby and parent/guardian and introduces them to nursery rhymes and play. It is the interaction between the parent and caregiver that helps the baby develop language and literacy skills.

Through listening, rhythm games and songs, your baby will experience the feel of moving in time, they will learn to listen to sounds with discrimination, whilst also getting familiar with the idea of the up and down-ness of sounds. Unconsciously your baby will develop the main skills of music.

Below are some of the class activities covered;

Movement activities such as rocking, patting, bouncing and clapping
Singing nursery rhymes and songs
Finger play
Exploration of sound using instruments such as wrist bells and shakers
Puppets

2 years - 3 years

This class continues with the interaction of baby parent/caregiver and often you will find that your child will look to you for support and encouragement. At the same time independence starts to kick in and it maybe that your child just wants you to watch. All this is fine and we encourage you to allow whatever happens to happen.

Reading is an important aid in your child's development and we now incorporate this into the class. Each book ties in with the current theme.

At this age, your child will have a wide range of pitches and they will successfully imitate the sounds that you make. This class continues with nursery rhymes and play, as it is the repetition of language in beat rhythms and songs that increases your child's vocabulary. The class also introduces high and low, loud and soft, fast and slow and other expressive qualities in music.

Toddlers love what they know, so we continually use familiar nursery rhymes, with new lyrics. Introduction of a wide range of music is also introduced, along with movement activities which involve the imagination.

Below are some of the class activities covered;

Movement activities
Songs with actions
Singing nursery rhymes and songs
Use of prompt cards when singing songs
Finger play
Exploration of sound using instruments such as bells, maracas, drums and tapping sticks
Puppets

3 years - 5 years

At this age children are very much independent with many attending pre-school on a regular basis. Children of this age still look to their parent/care giver as a role model and how much interaction will be determined by the individual child. However, it is still important that the parent/care giver stays for the class.

At this age children love music and movement. Their imaginations take them to all sorts of places and they have the ability to improvise making up their own words to songs. They love stop and go activities, songs with actions and anything silly.

We also continue with nursery rhymes and play, as it is the repetition of language in beat rhythms and songs that increases your child's vocabulary, literacy and numeracy skills. The class also introduces high and low, loud and soft, fast and slow and other expressive qualities in music.

Movement activities
Songs with actions
Singing nursery rhymes and songs
Use of prompt cards when singing songs
Numeracy activities
Finger play
Exploration of sound using instruments such as bells, maracas, drums and tapping sticks
Puppets