Beverley has created the concept, characters, written the story and composed the music and songs for the musically interactive children’s audiobook “Adventures at Humminghive”. This unique, ready-to-use downloadable resource provides a fun-filled, interactive musical story for educators, care givers, and all staff in Early Childhood settings, parents and grandparents to use for young children. Principles and elements from Early Years Learning and Development and aspects of play based, musical play, guided imagery and guided listening are all incorporated.
The characters living in Humminghive model empathy, kindness, love, respect and social inclusion. The ethos is that of peace, harmony, equality, egalitarianism and a “voice” that rejoices in tranquility and harmony.
Mother Teena and Father Oliver Petunia together with their children Petal, Peter and adopted Hollyhocks portray family focussed living. Freddy Frog, Ginger Cat, the ducks, caterpillars and snails join in providing modelling where differences, diversity and problem solving is communicated through collaboration, negotiation and mutual respect. Each member of the society is supported in developing their own identity and the principles of positive engagement help to empower confident socially aware children. The butterflies and birds, the elders of the community, contribute by fostering attitudes of acceptance and self respect while exhibiting flexible thinking and adaptability.
Music beneficially impacts health by reducing stress. The autonomic nervous system, the endocrine psychological, cognitive and emotional processes are positively affected (Nyklicek, I. Khalfa,S. Burns J.L. Labbe E. Blood A.J. Zatorre R.S. Juslin P.N. Sloboda J.)
Hans Jenny, in his book, Cymatics, describes how forms and shapes are created by the changing of pitch. If crystals can be altered according to music, imagine the effect on our children. Music affects the heartbeat, pulse rate and blood pressure. The heartbeat responds to musical variables like tempo and volume (Campbell, Don 2001). It speeds up or slows down to match the tempo. This principle of “entrainment”, is used by Beverley in bringing the children (and adults) to a relaxed state. Music improves physiological and mental co-ordination, making it an extremely effective medium for development. (Sheppard, 2005). Sensory processing is the integration of sensory input as the vestibular system co-ordinates the movement of the body, affecting balance, visual spatial and auditory perception. (Kranowitz, 2006).
Beverley has balanced the music within “Adventures at Humminghive” with action songs (songs to move), quiet reflective mindful/guided listening, dances, songs about numbers, colours and the unifying signature song which begins and concludes each episode. Guided listening is a very useful tool to provide a basic understanding of the difference between active “listening” as opposed to passive ”hearing”. In the Meditative segment, “Inspiration for Meditation” the children are encouraged to watch their favourite soft toy rise up and come down on their tummies while listening to the music. The educator can use a triangle or slide whistle to imitate bird sounds, which is the focus for the children to direct their listening. The children can respond by using their hands to indicate a flying motion or their fingers to show the birds singing. Alternatively coloured scarves can be used should thy choose to fly or dance. This also provides an opportunity for the children to engage in a shared experience whilst choosing their own response. It is an expression of the ME and I -the individual within the US -the team (the children in the class). By the educator, teacher, parent or care-giver bringing this element into this segment, an opportunity is provided to introduce texture- the “thinness or thickness” of the sound as well as the introduction of timbre-“the tone colour” of that particular percussion instrument.
Beverley chose the inclusion of the mindful/guided listening segment being composed in the classical style. This is the result of very purposeful thinking and is in line with Quantum physicist Maseru Emoto who believed that every living thing pulsates with an energy field. Through experiments he observed the positive and negative changes in the formation of crystals and found that pure mathematical structures were formed when crystals were exposed to classical music and the words, ‘love” and “beauty” were spoken.
Through singing the songs, the children use their voice which is a direct extension of themselves. Their own individuality is expressed, fostering the development of their social relationship within the group. The songs are “happy “and positive, providing excitement and a shared experience to cultivate self confidence and esteem. Musical phrasing helps with the acquisition of language. Melodic patterns and inflection aid language development and comprehension. “Singing activates parallel brain circuits to those used for speech and the interpretation of speech”. (Sheppard, 2005).
The characters of “Adventures at Humminghive” communicate effectively by taking turns, being patient, sharing their thoughts, being tolerant, brainstorming possible solutions, co-operating, collaborating and compromising. Each member of the community is recognised for having an important role in their society.
Through discussion and role play, the children are able to express themselves allowing them to be actively involved in the story, as active communicators.
The children are provided with chances to apply thinking and learning skills regarding problem solving in a creative manner.
Throughout the interactions, moral reasoning, a sense of justice and fairness is introduced.
The children assert and grow their knowledge in how they approach unfamiliar situations with developing confidence, open mindedness and caring for others. They incorporate sensitivity and respect while considering the needs of others.
There is an understanding of the importance of personal and physical wellbeing for oneself and others.
The subliminal messages include the concept that the universal systems of the world are interconnected and inter-related. How the characters live affect all who live in Humminghive. This encompasses the waterways, the air, food sources, peacefulness, harmony and gratitude.