Supporting emotional social and spiritual health and wellbeing

Supporting emotional, social and spiritual health and wellbeing in children through songs

Actions and Signing with Fischy songs fischymusic

fischymusic Sign Language The signing we use with some Fischy songs is based on British Sign Language (BSL). BSL is the first or preferred language of deaf people in the UK. The language makes use of space, and involves movement of the hands, body, face and head. Its structure is different from English. Actions Other Fischy songs feature actions and dance moves, which we devise to complement the music and words.

Why do we use movements with songs? fischymusic • Focuses our attention (important for children!) • Adds another layer of meaning and accessibility to the song • Makes music a whole-person activity • Participation and enthusiasm increased by suitable movements • Movements help ‘place’ the lyrics and give security in singing

fischymusic Linking songs to emotional development “Words make you think a thought. Music makes you feel a feeling. A song makes you feel a thought. ” E. Y. Harburg American lyricist, librettist and song writer 1896 - 1981

fischymusic What is going on when we sing? 1. Belonging and community • • Comfort Being drawn closer to God and to each other Strong emotional bonds Expression of a wide range of emotions, to God and to each other Relief of tensions A “feel good” effect with endorphins released in the brain Reminder that we are not alone

fischymusic What is going on when we sing? (continued) 2. A sense of autonomy: • • • providing structure or liturgy invigorating us giving worshipers a sense of shared purpose releasing oxytocin, a neurochemical involved in establishing trust providing repetition that gives predictability

fischymusic What is going on when we sing? (continued) Confidence and self-belief: • allowing the group to maintain loud voices for a long period of time • giving the impression that your group is bigger and more influential than it might seem • Lifting our thoughts and our feelings beyond ourselves to God

fischymusic Fischy Tips for singing with children 1. You don’t have to be a fantastic singer to be a good song leader • Some of the best singing leaders and ‘enablers’ that we have come across have average voices. It’s their enthusiasm, confidence, and preparation that make things work. • Try not to worry about your voice when you demonstrate a tune. Keep your nerve and don’t be self-critical – your group will probably not even notice any flaws! • Think of your singing voice as an extension of the speaking voice that you use confidently every day with your classes. The more you sing the better it will get.

fischymusic 2. Try and do some kind of ‘warm up’ before singing • ‘Echo’ warm up: perform 4 ‘hits’, such as hand claps, snaps or taps on your leg, and get the group to ‘echo’ these back to you within the beat. Vary the rhythm and difficulty as you go along. Add rhythmic vocal noises such as ‘Yeah’, Ooh’ or ‘Hmmm’ as you get more confident • Before you start the worship time, teach any new songs that you will be using, this both helps with the ‘warm up’ and keeps the flow in the worship • By doing a ‘warm up’ well, you are establishing trust and confidence as well as setting the tone for the worship time

fischymusic 3. Learn the song really well yourself before teaching it to others • Baths and showers are great places to practise! • Try to learn the song so well that you are not totally reliant on the words and music in front of you. This frees you to watch and encourage the group with confidence • Work out clearly how you are going to teach a song before you introduce it to the children. You may know it well, but breaking it into manageable sections and teaching it coherently is a separate job • If using recorded music to lead children, use the full words version until you feel confident. Once you all know it, graduate to the ‘karaoke’ backing track to enjoy the sound of your own voices

Songs used in session Welcome everybody ideal starter Build up all rounder Down to earth Jesus, the down to earth King Bring it all to me communion, invitation to worship Wonderful World celebration of some of the wonders of world When people are cruel Easter song, Jesus’ response to bullying Stronger All rounder but can be used at Easter