Don't Fret! School Readiness Music Program
Don’t Fret is a music program that has been developed by a registered music therapist for children preparing for school.
The goal of the program is to develop the social and emotional skills needed to be ready to start at kindergarten. The program is designed for preschool aged children and focuses on building resilience, relationship skills, emotional regulation, self-expression, and social awareness. The program will also cover some foundational skills for school readiness such as attentive listening, being listened to, following multi-step instructions, being a leader, turn-taking, sharing, having an awareness of others, communicating with others, impulse control and concentration. All of this takes place in a 45-minute music class that is full of fun, laughter and music making!
What does a Don't Fret! music group look like?
The Don’t Fret music group is a hands-on program that involves lots of active music making using a variety of different percussion instruments, voices and drums. The group facilitator will provide live music and lead the group through a program of structured activities that may include:
- Singing songs
- Playing instruments
- Drumming
- Movement to music
- Music listening
- Relaxation and regulation
- Singable books
- And most importantly - Fun!
About our Teacher - Meet Stef Tuyl
Stephanie is a Registered Music Therapist and a Community Music Teacher at the Conservatorium. Music therapy has provided the opportunity to combine passions of playing music and connecting with people while working towards individualised goals for improving health, functioning, wellbeing and personal growth. Stef is the Early Childhood Music program coordinator and runs several of our community choirs including the BrainWaves Stroke Choir and ‘The Unforgettables’ dementia choir.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.