“Music is the universal language of mankind.” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Music plays a very important part in bringing people together and during this period of extended school closure the power of music could be transformational.

For teachers, parents and pupils, working from home brings about a new set of challenges.

Here are 7 free practical inclusive music resources for parents, teachers and students:

1.Soundabout Live!

Join Soundabout Live every Tuesday and Saturday at 2pm for an interactive music-making session for people of all ages with SLD and PMLD.

2.Amber Trust

AmberPlus is an innovative service offered by The Amber Trust.

It aims to enable blind or partially sighted children to engage with music by providing families and professionals with resources and ideas for music-making.

3.Singing Hands

Suzanne and Tracy would like to introduce you to the amazing world of signing with Makaton.

The focus is on learning language in a way that it is motivating, engaging and most of all, fun!

4.The Sensory Projects

A series of links with a wide range of inclusive resources applicable to a variety of settings.

5. SEND music guides and teaching resources

A series of short films demonstrating different techniques for teaching music activities to SEND pupils.

Deliver a story with songs, increase numeracy by using simple songs to teach and encourage children to explore music using objects and sensory materials.

6. Drake Music

Leaders in music, disability and technology. A good source of advice, guidance and support.

7. Sounds of Intent

Sounds of Intent is an assessment framework for those making music with children and young people with learning difficulties (ranging from PMLD to SLD to autism) Sounds of Intent is designed to help teachers and parents relate what they observe in music sessions with a child into more concrete statements and levels.

Summary

I hope you found these resources useful. Feel free to share this blog with anyone you think could benefit from it.

I have also written two other music blogs which might be of interest:

• 8 Free Primary School Music Resources for Parents, Teachers and Pupils
• 6 Free Secondary Music Resources for Parents, Teachers and Pupils

And, if you’re looking for non-music resources, you can see our huge collection here: Parent Resources

We will continue to post more resources and blogs in the weeks to come.

Stay safe.

About the Author – Adam Hickman – BMus (Hons), PGCE, HonRBC

Adam graduated from Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (formerly Birmingham Conservatoire) in 2008 with a BMus(Hons) degree where he studied classical guitar with Mark Ashford and Mark Eden. Upon graduation, Adam completed a PGCE in Primary Education at Birmingham City University and has since worked as a peripatetic music teacher and is currently Deputy Head of Music Service at Services For Education.

He has also worked as an External Examiner at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and coordinates and lectures on music education modules at both Birmingham City University and The University of Birmingham. In June 2019, Adam was awarded Honorary Membership of Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in recognition for his work in the field of music education. Adam is also active as a conductor and ensemble director through his work with the Birmingham Schools’ Training Guitar Ensemble and the National Youth Guitar Ensemble.