What if there was an activity that could grow and improve neural networks like no other activity?
What if that activity could be started from birth and the earlier it is started the better the effect?
What if this activity was fun, engaging and something that children enjoy being involved in?
What if practitioners and parents could be trained and resources provided to deliver this activity as part of everyday activities in the setting.
GREAT NEWS! There is such an activity – active music-making – involving listening and playing with rhythms, melodies, timbre, pitch, tempo, dynamics, patterns and sequencing of sounds and actions.
Boogie Mites have spent the last 15 years writing songs, compiling music programmes and developing training that equips early years practitioners with the knowledge, confidence and resources to empower them to lead effective music-making. Over the lockdowns, we have added online training options making it more affordable and accessible to all.
Our programmes are easy for non-musicians to follow, our training enthuses practitioners, giving them the motivation to get started straight away. Our motto is: You Can Do It! And now more than ever You Must Do It! Neuroscience studies provide evidence that music intervention can help to reverse the cognitive issues relating to disadvantage – contributing to closing the school ready attainment gap – particularly for literacy and maths. This is even more vital since post-pandemic lockdowns.
Music-Making Strengthens Foundations For Literacy
In an article written by our Director, Sue Newman, featured in Every Child Journal, we reviewed the evidence from neuroscience research which showed that active music-making strengthens children’s auditory processing system and in turn strengthens the foundations for literacy.
Music-Making Benefits PSED, C&L, PD, Maths, KUW And EAD Too!
Upskilling the Early Years workforce to lead effective music-making not only benefits children’s literacy development but also supports development across the EYFS. You can read about the way music links to the revised EYFS and Birth To 5 Matters Guidance in our August 2021 blog series here.
Boogie Mites Core Music Programmes And Online Training Options
Our music and movement programmes include online training modules. Our core programmes for each age group include 20+ songs and practitioner notes. They can be purchased as an online resource package or you can add a physical CD and A5 flash cards. You can also add a 6 week online guided course with a live zoom at the start and end of the course, with additional access to a support group throughout the 6 weeks.
See details for each programme training package below:
- Boogie Mites School Ready Programme (3-5 years)
- Boogie Mites Minis Programme (2-3 years)
- Boogie Mites Teenies (under 2’s)
Onsite Training Options
Get started with a training workshop for your team.
Our onsite training is a great team-building session which helps to motivate your staff. The 6-week course can be completed by all the team via the online resource package.
In a 3-hour inset or Saturday training session for your team we can then cover:
- Neuroscience evidence
- EYFS links
- Letters and Sounds Phase 1 links (Boogie Mites School Ready Literacy Programme)
- 20+ songs in the music programme
The whole team will be energised and ready to start the online training modules over the following 6 weeks, practising 4 or 5 new songs each week. We can offer an end of course zoom session as part of a team meeting that will support the longer-term implementation planning. With good project management, you can embed the music provision and plan for sharing with parents and the wider community within just a few months.
We can also offer a full inset day training, conference training sessions, cluster training for groups of settings or train the trainer for bigger nursery groups.
Long Term Support
Boogie Mites aim to offer long term music support to each setting that purchases a programme package. This includes:
- Lifetime access to the online training modules so that they can be revisited anytime and included as part of an induction for new staff
- Monthly newsletters with updates on research and ideas
- Update of online resources as EYFS or other guidance is updated
- Additions to online resources as new music activities are found to enhance the programme
- Support with parent involvement initiatives and options for sharing resources with parents via an annual renewable license arrangement or parent discount code
Hear What Practitioners Say About Boogie Mites Training
Online Guided Training Course:
“This course has really given me the opportunity and tools to bring music back into the classroom with purpose. Learning through music now has a completely different meaning for me.” Kirsty Bard, The Lake House Nursery, March 2021
“Our music sessions were stale and a bit flat, these Boogie Mites sessions have really improved our music, with the reassurance we are meeting the Letters and Sounds requirements. Such good value!” Kirsty Winwood, Rainbow Nursery, March 2021
“Course was a lot of fun, Tutor was so enthusiastic, made me smile, made me feel happy about letting myself go and just having lots of fun in what I do.” Usha Ahir, Cliffehouse Nursery, March 2021
Inset Training:
“Very good and well presented throughout the training. I really liked all the songs that were sung and the actions to them were really fun. Thank you for all your hard work!” Christina Saetta, Longwood Primary School, September 2021
“The session was very good and entertaining. I have learnt a lot about how to present music to children using different props, tones etc. I’d love to have this training again in the future.” Bina Patel, Longwood Primary School, September 2021
“Very good I have learnt a lot during the training. We should have more training like these. I love the songs, movements and all the active activities. Thank you, I’d love for Liv to come back again.” Sharon Tarara, Longwood Primary School, September 2021
“Excellent interaction from the course leader and staff. Lots of new ideas.” Eulani Tomazivi, Longwood Primary School, September 2021
“I’ve been so impressed with the way you train and support the staff and the enthusiasm that is contagious. We are looking forward to a long-term relationship with Boogie Mites and to learn many more new songs.” Rikke, Manager, Saurus Nursery Group, September 2021
Cluster Training:
“A brilliant course which was delivered very well. I feel very enthusiastic about what I have learnt and look forward to sharing it in my setting.” Trainee, Spring Nursery Cluster Training, 2019
“This was an excellent training session full of motivation and involvement. I think this will be fantastic to implement into the daily routine encouraging confidence.” Trainee, Spring Nursery Cluster Training, 2019
“Children will have the opportunity to enhance literacy, maths and physical skills whilst having fun. The programme is a very excellent idea, beneficial to children and practitioners.” Trainee, Spring Nursery Cluster Training, 2019
EYPP Funded Training:
“Due to the inclusive and group-focused nature of the programme, we considered that it would be the most cost-effective way of utilising our EYPP money as our staff would have opportunities to develop skills for all current and future children. The aim was to extend practitioners understanding of language development and foundations for literacy development in the Early Years Foundation Stage through training and implementing the music programmes for the 2-3’s ( Boogie Mites Minis) and the 3-5’s (Boogie Mites School Ready Programme). Boogie Mites has been incorporated into the daily routines across all ages. To assess the impact of the implementation of regular Boogie Mites activities on children’s development, providing evidence of the outcomes of the EYPP investment, a study of quantitative and qualitative (case studies) was undertaken in November 2016. The management software provides an attainment graph which allows us to estimate the average rate of development for different periods. Since the introduction of Boogie Mites, the results show a marked increase in the rate of development for both boys and girls at the nursery compared to the previous year. Girls and boys across the settings have shown an average development rate increase of almost five months in comparison to the same period the previous year. Staff perceive that this increase in development rate compared to the same time last year can be attributed, at least in part, to the introduction of the regular Boogie Mites music-making practice. The case studies of individual EYPP funded children also identified a positive impact on development.” Cat Baker, Quality and Curriculum Manager, Paint Pots Nursery Group
Conference Training:
“There were more than 200 practitioners from all of Tops nurseries present and they have all implemented Boogie Mites Minis Programme over the year. The session linked well with the theme of the Conference which focused on neuroscience evidence impacting early years practice. The Boogie Mites session got everyone moving and joining in. The feedback was excellent with practitioners finding they took away new ideas and motivation for developing and prioritising their music provision. They enjoyed an instrument making session using recycled materials later in the day. We look forward to working further with Boogie Mites as we introduce music to support school readiness and parent involvement.” Amy Alderson, Operations Director, Tops Day Nursery Group
Bespoke Training Projects:
“I have just completed the suite of Boogie Mites training. It is such a great resource and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is great to see the children engage with the music and instruments. Thank you to all who were involved – I am really proud that this is available for our staff.” Gemma Pawson, Bright Horizons, Head of Professional Development
We’d love to hear from you, to find out more and to discuss Boogie Mites music and movement training further email [email protected]
