That Music Book - two-part course for educators

This is a professional learning session for early childhood educators and tertiary students.

Part 1 - Music every day in every way

Presented by Louise Dorrat

Music has a greater impact on language development and cognitive functioning than any other activity, particularly during the first seven years of life (Collins, 2012). Music benefits the brain through voice, poetry, stories, rhymes and chants.

This practical workshop will give you the skills to be able to incorporate music, along with dance and drama into your everyday curriculum.

Become musically literate
Investigate beat and rhythm with children of all ages and abilities
Using good quality musical instruments
Learn catchy rhymes and discover simple props

Part 2 - The magic of making music

Presented by Dr Red Ruby Scarlet

Making music is easy. The magic that comes from the experience of creating music with children is the most fruitful cognitive learning opportunity that exists on the planet.

In this workshop Red will bring to life snippets of her current teaching practices that include composing music with children, choreography with children, scripting plays and creating characters, and learning to play musical instruments (piano and guitar) in the context of an enquiry-based approach to curriculum. Red will share their pedagogical stories and then work with the educators to make music, script plays, create characters and choreograph movement.

This joy filled experience is ensconced in how the dramatic arts are responsive to immediate environments (like being with Country). Traditional forms of making music, dance and drama are whispered through the workshop alongside contemporary and cross-cultural ways of creating beautiful authentic pieces of dramatic art that tell the story of places, times and people that are significant and special.

Event details

Suitable for early childhood educators
Monday 7 August AND Monday 21 August 2023
7pm to 9pm
Presented by Louise Dorrat and Dr Red Ruby Scarlett
$106 per person (GST inclusive) *Please note this is a two-part course and sessions cannot be booked separately.
Karralyka, Mines Rd, Ringwood East

About the presenters

Louise Dorrat studied drama, voice and dance and performed professionally in children’s theatre before changing career to early childhood 35 years ago. She has a long history of teaching the creative arts to preservice teachers at a number of universities including IKE (Institute Koorie Education), Swinburne and Victoria University. Louise facilitated music and movement sessions to children and their parents to demonstrate how easy it is to encourage children’s involvement in the creative arts. She majored in drama in her post graduate studies and recently toured ‘The NQF The Musical’ around the country with her favourite Dramaturgical Thespian – Dr. Red Ruby Scarlet.

Dr Red Ruby Scarlet is an activist, early childhood teacher-researcher, consultant, artist and academic. She holds numerous degrees in early childhood education and performing arts. Red has worked in early childhood for 30+ years and is devoted to creative, imaginative, inclusive practices that promote dignity and integrity in early childhood. Red has developed curriculum and learning frameworks nationally and internationally. She has won numerous awards for her teaching and advocacy.

Red has published ‘teacher-research’ projects she has led and contributed to across the world. She is committed to raising the voices of early childhood teachers and educators through telling and writing their own stories. Her books include The Anti-Bias Approach in Early Childhood (3rd Edition), Fair’s Fair: How to Tackle Bias in Education & Care Services (with Lisa Bryant), The Aboriginal Early Childhood Practice Guide (with Jessica Staines) and Becoming With Art in Early Childhood, That Music Book (with Louise Dorrat & Benny Thatcher).

She has always been part of diverse educational communities and is a highly sought leader and mentor in the early childhood profession.

Red is also the Creative Director of MultiVerse – an organisation devoted to consultancy, creating professional development and resourcing for early childhood that is committed to inclusive and innovative pedagogical approaches to curriculum. Red is the Founding Chair of the Social Justice In Early Childhood Foundation. Red is the co-writer and performer of wildly popular “The National Quality Framework:The Musical!”

Additional information

If ticket holder is unable to attend, they may give their ticket to another person.
Refunds are only available if the ticket holder is unwell.
Certificates of attendance will be emailed after the session.

For more information, please contact Cathie Wills on 03 9294 5740 or email childrens.services.events@maroondah.vic.gov.au

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