THE CHAMPION CENTRE
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LEARNING THROUGH MUSICAL PLAY

Our Learning through Musical Play programme recognises that each child has an inherent musicality regardless of disability.  Music is the child's first language. It is a language of the emotions. A baby is born to be a 'musical play partner' and can take the lead and interact musically from birth (Trevarthen). When a parent copies the gestures and sounds that their baby gives, this validates their baby's offerings. Musical activities can calm and regulate child and parent, support relationships between parents and children, and provide a nurturing environment with opportunities for learning and development. 

The programme engages children and their parents in playful activities that support each child’s individual developmental goals and also gives parents strategies they can use at home to support daily living. Both individual and group activities allow children to express their sense of self and be a leader.  Music is a powerful non-verbal form of communication which helps children to feel included and safe. 

The Art of Musical Intervention video gives an idea of the thinking behind the music programme and why it is so effective in supporting children's development.
  • Further information about our music programme:
           Some of the work of the music programme can also be seen in the article 
           Approaches: Music Therapy & Special Music Education, (July 2013).
  • Julie Wylie's CD's: If you purchase one from the Champion Centre, Julie donates $5.00 from every sale to the Centre. Click here for a list of CD's available or contact us for more information.
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Research snapshot: Music Beyond the Music Room
Purposeful actions (tying shoes, closing doors, giving a hug) have a shape: a beginning and middle and an end. And so does a musical phrase. In addition, almost any action can be enhanced musically by adding elements such as rhythm, pitch, or dynamics; or by modifying the tempo (speed) or timbre (sound texture). We know that the music specialists at the Champion Centre use music to support children’s developmental progress; but what about the other therapists?  Are they using music or making their actions and activities with children musical?  Well, yes, they are!  Almost all of them!
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For her Honours project at the University of Canterbury, Naomi Harmer spent 6 weeks at the Champion Centre observing 27 of the sessions run by Occupational Therapists (OTs), Physiotherapists (PTs), Early Intervention Teachers (EITs), and Technology Supported Learning Specialists as they worked with children and families. She made a note of every activity where one or more of the elements of music occurred and how long that activity lasted. Time spent on musically enhanced activities was greatest among the sessions conducted by the technology supported learning specialists (on average 64% of each session), because so many of the programmes they used came with a music sound track. The PT and OT sessions came next, with musical components, on average, more than half of the time (64%); and the EITs added musical elements just over a third (35%) of the  time.  Many of these therapists clearly knew they were being musical and were consciously adding elements of music to their work; while others were surprised but pleased to learn that they were! ​
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OUR PROGRAMMES
Speech and Language Therapy
Early Intervention Teaching
Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
Music
Technology Supported Learning
Learning through Play
Education Support and School Transition
CONTACT
PHONE +64 3 383 6867
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The Champion Centre is administered by the Christchurch Early Intervention Trust, and is registered with the Chartities Commission (CC22708). Gifts of over $5 are eligible for tax rebates.
© 2019 The Champion Centre
  • Home
  • What We Do
    • Our Services
    • Our Programmes >
      • Monitoring Programme
      • Family Support
      • Speech and Language Therapy
      • Early Intervention Teaching
      • Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy
      • Learning through musical play
      • Feeding experiences programme
      • Relating and Communicating Programme
      • Technology Supported Learning
      • Learning through Play
      • Transition to School
      • Early Intervention Educators
    • Advocacy
  • Who We Are
    • About Us
    • History
    • Our model of practice
    • Centre leadership
    • Board of Trustees
    • Annual Reports
    • Our staff
    • Champion Centre Newsletter
  • WAYS TO HELP
    • How you can help
    • Donate Online
    • Champion Foundation Trust
  • Our News
    • Champion Connection
    • WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
  • RESOURCES
    • Resources for families
    • Resources for professionals
  • SHOP
  • Contact
❤️ DONATE   SUBSCRIBE