Dr Amanda Niland is a Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood at the University of Sydney and Programme Director of the Master of Teaching Early Childhood. Amanda has extensive experience as an early childhood teacher, music specialist and early childhood intervention teacher. Amanda is passionate about inclusion and the use of music to support positive relationships and a sense of belonging for all children. Amanda’s research focuses on creativity, the arts and inclusion. She has published peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, monographs and books for educators as well as two picture books.
Singing and belonging: music as a key to inclusion
Have you ever noticed how a simple song or dancing to music can lift the mood for children and educators? Are you looking for some practical musical strategies you can use to nurture relationships, positively guide children’s behaviour and support a sense of belonging for everyone?
Learn about how you can use music:
- to nurture relationships between educators and children, and between peers with diverse ways of being
- to ease stress and anxiety for adults and children and support self-regulation
- as a responsive, inclusive communication tool
- to create an inclusive community through the routines and transitions of the day
Have a musically inclusive day: Tips and strategies for enhancing inclusion through music
Have you been wondering about ways to build inclusive strategies into your music-making? If you’ve discovered the power of music to bring children together and build joy into your setting and would like to explore more ways to include children of all abilities, then this webinar may help. Learn practical ideas for songs, music resources and teaching strategies to support all children’s participation, learning and wellbeing.
Ideas shared will include:
- Responsive singing strategies
- Adaptations to include children’s diverse ways of communicating
- Strategies for using music in 1:1 interactions to build relationships
- Suggestions for using musical instruments and other sound makers
- Strategies to allow children to use their agency and to value all children’s ways of participating
- Strategies to support “just right” arousal levels during and after musical activities
- Suggestions for useful, high quality online music and song resources
These workshops aligns with the National Quality Standard:
- Quality Area 1: Educational program and practice.
- Quality Area 3: Inclusive environments.
- Quality Area 5: Relationships with children.
- Quality Area 6: Collaborative partnerships enhance children’s inclusion, learning and wellbeing.
Professional Standards for Teachers:
1.5 hours/webinar of elective PD towards maintaining NESA accreditation can be claimed under:
- Standard 1: Know students and how they learn.
- Standard 3: Plan for and implement effective teaching learning.
- Standard 4: Create and maintain supportive and safe learning environments.
- Standard 7: Engage professionally with colleagues, parents/carers, and the community.
