Anyone who’s heard the enthusiastic strains of a pots and pans band knows how much little ones enjoy music and rhythm. It’s great to encourage this from an early age and it seems you can’t start them early enough – babies are aware of sounds in the womb and as soon as they’re born respond to music and singing.
We can’t recommend Lynne O’Malley’s Rhythm Time classes in Skipton (at the baptist church, Otley Street) highly enough – as they’ve grown, our little ones have nodded and bobbed their heads and developed their musicality under Lynne’s brilliant guidance.
Rhythm Time is more than just a sing-a-long and uses music and activities to encourage children’s development through structured but fun learning. Because children develop at different stages there are three courses on offer – babies; toddlers; and pre-schoolers. And because each child is different within the group, Lynne takes care and time to make sure each and every one gets something out of all the classes.
The action-packed classes involve a lot of unaccompanied singing which helps the babies and children to start vocalising and sing in tune (without any judgement along the way!) The courses have been specially developed to stimulate language growth and memory. Lynne crams a lot in to the 30 minute classes and always responds to requests from the group – when asked if she could get the class moving to burn off a bit of energy – that’s exactly what she did and they loved it! Lynne has a really intuitive way with the children and even the most strong-willed (and aren’t they all from time to time!) seem to calm down with her and listen to her requests.
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| Rat-a-Tat making an appearance! |
The aim is for the little ones (and accompanying adults!) to really enjoy themselves while learning that making music as a group is a wonderful experience. As they develop each week, so does their confidence, co-ordination and creativity. One of the highlights for many children is meeting (and cuddling!) Rat-a-Tat, the Rhythm Time mascot (aka hand puppet!) who makes an appearance at each session. Some of the children literally leap into the air when they see him and it's been difficult to prise some kids away from the cuddling him!
Another highlight in the babies group is a relaxing session towards then end where the lights are turned down and Lynne plays some soothing music while the babies lie on a patchwork blanket and watch bubbles float down from the sky. There really is a magical atmosphere and most of the mums we’ve spoken to said they felt emotional to see the little ones’ faces filled with wonder, transfixed on the bubbles!
We are so lucky to have such a creative Rhythm Time group here in Skipton – it’s obvious from the classes how passionate those taking the classes are and how well all the little ones respond to it. You can attend a free first trail session to see if you like it and for more information can contact Lynne on 07789 895894. In the meantime…dig out those pots and pans!x
