We’ve partnered with The Family Music Hub (TFMH) to launch a new training programme designed to help early years practitioners bring music into their everyday work with children from birth up to 5 years old.
Music is a powerful tool that helps young children express themselves, build confidence, and connect with the world around them - even before they can talk. It can help them develop their creativity, support emotional wellbeing and develop communication and social skills.
Together with TFMH’s musicians, we delivered training across three days between September 2024 and February 2025 to 23 practitioners from a variety of settings — including children’s centres, libraries, mother and baby units, settings that support children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and family support services.
The training helped them understand the benefit of music in the early years and provided tools and activity ideas that fit easily into everyday routines — from snack time to story time. It helped practitioners of all musical abilities feel confident using music in their work, even if they never thought of themselves as ‘musical’ before.
Music covered by the programme is from different cultures and features different languages, ensuring every child sees their own background reflected in the songs they hear.
Music is a shared experience that can bring families closer together. Our training encourages practitioners to invite parents and carers to join music sessions, helping them feel confident to continue musical play at home where they can continue to support their child’s development.
You might spot your local practitioners putting their new skills into action at children’s centres, libraries, or playgroups near you. Keep an ear out, you might just find yourself singing along!
Find your local children’s centre.