Stuart Burr (pictured) is the music facilitator working with Cinder Ash Pre-School in Long Sutton. He said, 'This is not about being a musician.
It's about giving it a go, and everyone can join in regardless of their ability. The children learn to listen and gain social skills such as sharing and taking turns.'
The First Notes project is part of the Sound52 initiative, Lincolnshire's Youth Music Action Zone. First Notes is partly funded by Lincolnshire's Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership and Sound52 works in partnership with the Lincolnshire Pre-School Learning Alliance.
So far the project is already up and running in 38 early years settings in the county.
Nurseries and pre-schools can have a music facilitator working with them for free for eight weeks. After this time each setting also receives a resource pack full of ideas, songs, games and activities.
At Cinder Ash, Mr Burr has taken inspiration from the theme of transport to create songs and music with the children, introducing different musical instruments at each session. Jungle songs, stories and rhymes are included to complement different musical sounds.
Mr Burr is the project's only male facilitator and is keen to encourage other men to get involved. 'Men traditionally don't look after children and we need more male role models working with younger children. It's such a fantastic job,' he said.
If you are a pre-school or nursery in Lincolnshire and would like to get involved, contact project co-ordinator John Stafford at Sound52 on 01522 510 073 or e-mail info@soundlincs.org.
