Music Practice In Early Years Prepares Sound Processing and Rhythmic Skills for Learning Languages.
Neuroscience evidence shows us that music processing and language processing networks overlap and that regular music practice in early years, covering a rich and varied provision of recorded music, singing and percussion activities, builds neural connections that support learning languages. This refers to the child’s first language and English as an additional language (EAL).
Our most recent project provides evidence that Boogie Mites music activities practised regularly throughout the pre-school and Year R stage support language development for a cohort with a high proportion of children with EAL.
The Lanyado Fund Project.
The Lanyado Fund approached Boogie Mites in Summer 2021 to explore funding a trial music project in primary schools in disadvantaged areas. Boogie Mites School Ready Music Programme (BM SR P) was a perfect fit for this project. We have worked with 5 schools in South London where EAL children were 50%+ of EYFS classes.
The positive, impactful outcomes of this project can be found in our evaluation report.
Teaching English as an Additional Language (EAL).
We have partnered with The British Council, Learn English Kids project, licensing ten of our original songs to this project for use by English teachers working overseas and children’s online access. The project even created animated videos for our original tracks, which you can find on their website:
Try Chocolate Cake – use your tapping sticks to tap out the syllables of words and insert your own foods into your rendition. We like “broccoli”, “strawberry”, “banana”.
Feedback from this platform indicates that Boogie Mites songs are found to work well in teaching EAL as the music is catchy and modern and the themes are not too childish for older kids.
Our Resources.
Our complete music training packs are being used by early years and primary teachers all over the world and they’re perfect for getting EAL children involved. Included in a downloadable practitioner pack: training videos, MP3’s of 20+ songs and comprehensive teacher notes linking to Early Years development. The purchase includes the license to use the programme for teaching children within the named setting. The complete music pack gives you everything you need to become an early years music expert in your setting!
Feedback from International Schools.
The Nord Anglia British International School, Bratislava, Slovakia
The British International School in Bratislava (BISB) started using Boogie Mites music programmes in 2014. They chose Boogie Mites because the programme was recommended by UK contacts and they wanted an English language music programme that was accessible to all nationalities.
5 years on, we spoke to Jude Marriott, Early Years Teacher and Leader at The British International School, Bratislava. She told us how they have been enjoying the programme:
“….As an Early Years Leader and Practitioner (with over 10 years’ experience), Boogie Mites has been the most successful music and movement programme I have used. The programme covers all areas of the EYFS, but I particularly value how it supports Communication and Language in our setting of over 30 different nationalities.
The songs and actions are easy to follow, even for the children who have no English at all. The EAL (ESL) children gain so much confidence because they are able to participate immediately, I really feel this helps contribute to how quickly they settle into our environment.
Most of our Nursery and Reception performances have involved Boogie Mite songs, too!! Parents love it!
I highly recommend Boogie Mites for any Early Years classroom, and particularly for an International setting.”
February 2019
The Child Development Centre Hong Kong – Louise Thomas, Programme Director.
“The Child Development Centre has been using Boogie Mites for over two years now. We use the Boogie Mites Music Programme to Support Phase 1 Letters and Sounds and have found this to be an excellent resource to support children’s early literacy development. Our issue in the past has been meeting the wide range of learners needs in a multilingual classroom. Boogie Mites has helped us to resolve this through fun and engaging music activities that directly match the Letters and Sounds learning objectives. The teacher’s notes are clear and easy to use and help with planning, especially with cross curriculum activities, in particular physical development. We genuinely feel that Boogie Mites has had a positive impact on children’s learning.”
You can purchase Boogie Mites Programmes via our website shop practitioner resources, and experience the same benefits as these schools.
If you’d like to read more about the International work we do, click this link: http://www.boogiemites.co.uk/about/international-learn-english-through-music/
Our January Webinar.
On January 15th 2024, we are teaming up with Early Years Consultant Sue Asquith, to deliver a webinar all about Music and EAL.
Music is a universal language. When people sing and dance together it breaks down barriers of language and culture, promoting confidence and bonding.
Join Boogie Mites Trainer Tasha, and Early Years Consultant Sue Asquith as they explore how music builds strong cognitive foundations for language development which can particularly support children and parents with English as an Additional Language.
Sue will look at statutory guidance in this area and examples of best practice, signposting resources, and Tasha will share 2 original Boogie Mites songs with different cultural roots or language.
For enquiries, email Boogie Mites Director Sue Newman: [email protected] or call 023 9281 7274.
Happy Boogie-ing!
