Early Childhood Centenary Conference

Music in Early Childhood Education

Waldorf UK is delighted to host a centenary conference open to all Early Childhood teachers, practitioners and students.

Welcoming Philipp Reubke from the Pedagogical Section of the Goetheanum as our keynote speaker, we have a host of workshops during the course of the day, led by experienced and valued members of our community.

Join us for a full day of celebration and learning at St Paul's Waldorf School, which culminates in afternoon tea and a wonderful performance of the fairytale "The Firebird and Princess Vassilissa" by the Peredur Eurythmy Ensemble.

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Workshops:

The Town Musicians: homemade instruments for a town band with Jill Taplin, NESWEC

The Town Musicians (of Bremen, Buxton, Newton Abbott, Kirriemuir - depending on where you live) is a much loved fairy tale of the Brother Grimm, with other versions in other cultures around the world. It is a story about working in harmony. We will make a set of homemade instruments for our own band. There is no need to buy anything expensive to participate! By upcycling things from the recycling bin, we will create a band to deepen the children's connection to this important story, and to work on their self-regulation. Our workshop will end with a performance of this story as a puppet play, with band accompaniment.

Using Instruments with Children with Julia Allan, St Paul's Waldorf School

In this workshop, we will explore the different qualities of sound by a variety of instruments, consider how they may find their place within the Kindergarten, and discover ways in which children can take an active role in playing and engaging with these instruments.

Singing with Babies with Dorothy Marlen, Gentle Beginnings, York

This workshop explores the range of songs that can be sung to babies and brought to parent and baby groups. We concentrate on babies up to walking and becoming toddlers - 18 months or so. We will look at what Waldorf early years pedagogues have said about the importance of singing to babies and the rhythmic magic of lullabies and traditional nursery rhymes. We will explore the importance of using simple gestures with songs including songs to ease transitions,and the touching, healing songs and rhymes developed by Wilma Elersiek. We will look at the mood of the 5th and the pentatonic scale and learn some pentatonic songs. Lullabies and songs from all around the world are welcomed from participants and hopefully we will all leave with a rich collection to share with the parents we support.

Singing with the 2-year-old child: Meeting the young child through song with Amelia Errazuriz & Anna Schmidt, Michael Hall Waldorf School

The two-year-old child has unique developmental needs that differ from those of the older Kindergarten child. In this workshop, we will explore how song, rhythm, movement, and imitation can support healthy development and create a warm, nourishing environment for the young child. We will share practical ideas for singing with two-year-olds as well as a seasonal ring-time suitable for early childhood settings and parent and child groups.

Voice & Harmony Singing with Sophie Sterckx, Choir Leader and Choral Composer, Stroud

Sophie will lead an engaging and uplifting singing workshop including an introduction to breath support for singing, vocal work and some beautiful soaring rounds and songs in heartwarming harmony. Songs will be taught by call & response so no music reading skills are required.

Workshop on the Pentatonic Harp with Katharina Bues, Anthroposophical Music Therapist, Forest Row

In this workshop, we will use the pentatonic harp; to refresh our technique, including tuning, and to engage in many different and playful ways such as improvising, listening, accompanying a poem and learning a song which we can all play and sing together at the end. Please bring your own pentatonic harp, along with any of your urgent questions about the instrument and playing

The Joy of Sound: Instruments for Young Hands with Hannah Mustafa, Mercurius UK

Work, storytelling, circle games: three fields of possible use of music in early childhood with Philipp Reubke, Pedagogical Section, Goetheanum

If you would like biographies on the workshop leaders, please email admin@waldorfeducation.uk who will forward you this information.

Early Bird Discounts:

If booking between 1 August and 30 Sept, apply code Early10 for a 10% discount.

Cancellations and Refunds: We understand that plans can sometimes change. In the event of you needing to cancel your booking, refunds may not be possible. Where a refund can be offered, any costs already incurred in relation to the event will be deducted from the refund amount.

Ticket transfers may be permitted depending on the situation.

All refund and transfers requests should be submitted to Valerie at businessops@waldorfeducation.uk, who will be happy to assist.