MySong Group Music and Movement Classes
Classes run fortnightly on Saturday afternoons in Balwyn 2.30-3.30pm.
About the classes:
Music Specialist and music teacher Jackie Bornstein has been successfully running group music classes at We Rock The Spectrum in Preston for the past 5 years and is now able to bring the classes to Melbourne’s east!
Jackie facilitates fun-filled Music & Movement classes for autistic/neurodivergent kids and kids with disabilities. Children are guided to participate in exciting musical activities that assist emotional regulation and motor skills development, and provide an environment that supports building connections, confidence and freedom of expression.
In a small and supportive group setting, children can enjoy exploring and sharing musical experiences through song, dance, and rhythm activities with the use of instruments, soft play materials, games and sensory items. The classes are suitable for speaking and non-speaking children.
See this review of Jackie’s classes by Busy City Kids: https://busycitykids.com.au/our-blog/2019/3/2/music-movement-classes-we-rock-the-spectrum-review
Accommodations:
Jackie will lead the class and be assisted by the incredible Emma Jean Wilson who has been working with disabled/neurodivergent children and with Jackie for the last 4 years. Emma has direct experience of Autism and ADHD, a deep understanding of individual differences and is an extremely creative, warm and gentle soul.
Children requiring one on one support will need to be supported by a parent(s) or their own support worker.
The first goal of the class is for children to feel comfortable in the space. We do this by placing very few demands on children (because of this hand-on-hand prompting is strongly discouraged unless your child requires this briefly due to OT recommendations for severe motor planning problems). Instead we encourage parents attending to model the activities for their children without any demands for them to participate until they feel comfortable.
There is no right way to participate in the class. So, the pressure is off kids and parents! Once children feel safe, they are more likely to join in. It is not unusual for some children to initially want to go in and out of the music room or to be in the group and not participate directly in the activities. There is a lovely gated playground directly out the front of the centre where children can go if they require a break from the class. After getting used to the space at their own pace and becoming more familiar with the activities in the class, children tend to increase their level of participation.
We also use visual aids (colorful posters) to help children with making choices (or for parents to model choices) and all our activities are adapted to the sensory needs of the particular children in the group (e.g. volume can be lowered, sensory input can be increased/decreased, no fluorescent lighting etc.).
We hold a space where children and parents never have to apologize for their child’s behaviour and excited noises and big emotions are totally fine (or quiet ones); that is often how our children naturally express themselves. As long as nothing is getting broken and no-one is getting hurt, all neurodivergent expression is welcome.
Payment:
New families are welcome to attend their first class as a trial free of charge. If families decide to continue with the classes, payment for the full term is required to secure a place for your child. If you need to stop coming to classes and Jackie is able to find a replacement for your spot, you will be refunded the remaining classes for the term.
Fees for the term are $140 -175 depending on the number of classes per term ($35 per class).
MySong One-on-One Music Classes
There is currently an opening for 30 minute one-on-one sessions held fortnightly on Saturdays in Balwyn. Two times are available starting April 26th: 1.15-1.45pm and 2-2.30pm. Contact Jackie: jackiebornstein@hotmail.com
My Song One-on-One Music Classes have been developed using a neurodiverity affirming approach to provide an opportunity for children to explore and enjoy music and build connections, confidence and freedom of expression through musical play interactions. Sessions are one-on-one and are suitable for non-speaking and speaking autistic/neurodivergent children and children with disabilities ages 2 to 16 years.
Emphasis is placed on building children’s involvement with and appreciation of music and building self confidence. This provides a foundation for music being a useful and pleasurable environment to share experiences with others, create, express and regulate emotions and manage transitions.
Musical tools utilized in the classes include nursery rhymes, fingerplays, recorded music and improvised musical songs/games incorporating puppets, books, sensory toys/objects, instruments and the body.
The broader goals of the classes are:
- Have fun and be yourself!
- Explore music, movement and instruments.
- Build confidence in self-expression, initiation of ideas, and enjoy sharing musical experiences.
Sessions run for 30 or 60 minutes and take place in Balwyn if there is an opening or in your home depending on your location and Jackie’s other commitments. Parents can participate in the class, supporting their child and learning techniques/ideas for use at home. Alternatively, Jackie can work individually with children and parents can join the class for the last ten minutes to enjoy music with their child and receive feedback.