Fun way for children to innately learn music

New curriculum offers fun way for children to innately learn music

July 2016 – Children’s innate ability to learn to play music from a very young age is behind the newly-refreshed teaching philosophy of a South Christchurch music school.

Christchurch Music Academy, previously known as the International Music School Christchurch, has just updated its teaching materials to a more fun and engaging curriculum. However, it still focuses on the same immersion-based approach to music education it has followed for the past decade, says director Katie Anstiss.

“We take an aural and holistic approach to learning music, based on the globally-renowned Yamaha model. Instead of focusing too heavily on rote-learning, we start early by immersing kids in music by vocalising sounds and rhythms first, the same way kids learn to speak.”

It is well known that children can pick up a second language very easily at a young age holistically, through listening and vocalising. Music education is no different, Katie says.

“Our approach gives young children an innate sense of ‘musicality’ and a highly-developed aural capability. This means we can turn out young musicians who have a far more comprehensive musical understanding – and most importantly, they have developed this understanding in a fun, no-pressure environment.”

Christchurch Music Academy’s focus on having fun with rhythms and sounds has led it to adopt the new curriculum, with full-colour books, new techniques and a streamlined lesson progression, says Katie.

“We’re still following the same aural and holistic approach to teaching music, but I believe our new course materials are far superior to anything else available in Christchurch right now when it comes to music education for children. It’s a positive, constructive, fun and engaging approach that really works for kids.”

The new course materials were co-written by Mark Gibson, a music education specialist and piano examiner; and Morna Robinson, an early childhood music education expert. Both are based in Australia and have vast knowledge and experience of children’s learning, Katie says.

“There are several new tips and tricks which our students have responded really well to. For example, there are some really fun new ways to teach things like correct finger technique for piano, which work well for very young children and is appropriate to their level of motor skill development.”

Before adopting the new materials, Katie travelled to Australia to meet the authors to ensure it was the best solution for Christchurch Music Academy. “I spent a lot of time meeting Mark and Morna and seeing the course materials in action. So far we’ve found it really works – the kids love it and the teachers do too.”

ENDS

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