Clare is a qualified music educator and violinist who has worked in the public and private school systems for the past 20 years. Combining her experience in classroom environments and her passion for community development, Clare has developed a unique curriculum that engages young children and their families in shared musical experiences.

Song Play sessions are designed to encourage subconscious learning whilst bonding families through creativity and play. Clare holds qualifications in Kodály and Orff musical pedagogies as well as a Bachelor of Music from the University of Melbourne and a Graduate Diploma of Education. Clare also teaches Violin at Eltham High School and has started a string program at Eltham East Primary School.

For many participants, the best part about Song Play is that it is an enjoyable and rewarding family activity! Developing a strong bond between carer and child is a focus of the program, and many families comment that music becomes a fun and regular part of their daily lives after attending Song Play.

Early musical training for children also offers numerous benefits that contribute to their overall development. Engaging in musical activities at a young age can enhance cognitive skills and research has shown that children who receive musical training demonstrate improved memory, attention, and problem-solving abilities. Learning to sing helps children develop their auditory processing skills, which can positively impact their language and reading skills as they grow up.

Participating in group musical activities fosters social and emotional development in children whilst also encouraging teamwork, cooperation, and communication. Children learn to listen to others, take turns, and work together towards a common goal. Making music allows children to express their feelings and emotions in a creative and constructive manner while providing an outlet for self-expression and emotional regulation.

Musical beat tracking, finger play, and hand actions work towards developing hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. These activities help children with dexterity and coordination, which can have a positive impact on their overall physical development. Engaging in activities such as dancing or playing percussion instruments can improve gross motor skills and body awareness.

The Song Play course includes:

Singing Skills

• Learning to sing songs with only two or three tones within the appropriate pitch range to develop in-tune singing
• Vocal exploration – imitating sounds and creating sounds for physical shapes

Aural Perception

• Recognising high and low sounds with matching spatial/body awareness of a physical distance between high and low
• Soft and loud relationships in songs and speech
• Melody identification of known songs
• Inner hearing – hiding sounds or songs rather than singing aloud

Rhythmic Skills

• Learning to maintain a steady beat in a variety of ways
• Clapping or tapping rhythms
• Fast and slow concepts
• Use of body percussion and instruments
• Moving to the beat, following body actions and finger play

Percussion Instruments

• Using a drum
• A variety of small auxiliary percussion instruments
• Guiros
• Finger cymbals

Introduction to Musical Form

• Moving and responding to the musical forms of known songs

Listening to Music

• Listening to in-tune singing, instrument playing, and recordings

0-2.5 years: 9.15am – 10am
2.5-5 years: 10.15am – 11am’

Cost per term (8 weeks): $176 (includes Song Play musical pack for participation)

Term One
5 February 2025
12 February 2025
19 February 2025
26 February 2025
5 March 2025
12 March 2025
19 March 2025
26 March 2025

Term Two
23 April 2025
7 May 2025
21 May 2025
28 May 2025
4 June 2025
11 June 2025
18 June 2025
25 June 2025

Term Three
23 July 2025
30 July 2025
6 August 2025
13 August 2025
20 August 2025
27 August 2025
10 September 2025
17 September 2025

Term Four
8 October 2025
15 October 2025
22 October 2025
29 October 2025
5 November 2025
19 November 2025
26 November 2025
3 December 2025

Starting from Term 1, 2025, the Song Play enrolment process will no longer involve a ballot.

Here’s how the new process works:

• Reenrolment for Current Families: Families currently enrolled in a term will have the first opportunity to secure their place for the next term.
• General Public Enrolment: After the reenrolment period, the enrolment link will be made available to everyone who has signed up to the Song Play mailing list on a first come, first served basis.

Register Now

Sign up here to ensure you receive the enrolment link and the most up to date news about Song Play.