The kids aren’t listening!

Here’s a download of content from our toolkit that helps support engagement and attention.

Overall, it’s a focus on attunement. Pausing, taking what we call a ‘slow-look’ and noticing the child’s play and cues before you join them.

We mention the word attention in the document. There’s many types of attention. And I want to stress that this content isn’t about having perfect kids, lined up in a row, doing what you ask. This is more about engagement and interaction and sharing play that can support everybody’s needs.

It’s child-led play however, I’ve found that in a group, you need some techniques to help you hold it all together so you’re not burnt out doing cartwheels and handstands just because they do!.

I’m a music therapist, offering group music therapy programs for children in their early years for almost 10 years now. These are the main learnings from my practice and my research work that I keep in mind when I’m first meeting a group.

Once you’ve learnt what works best - the tempo to play at, the sounds that do or don’t work, the type of play, the toys, the space you’ll play in - you can pretty much meet everyone’s needs.

By sharing this content, I’m advocating for and supporting integrated, inclusive learning and play spaces. Especially because, more and more exist in our world and everyone needs some tips so that all the kids and you, can learn, play and have fun together.

If you want to know more, or need some 1:1 time to talk through this, you can book a consult - a 15 minute chat. Just go to the top left of the page and enter your details there.

Best wishes,

Anita