Pied Piper: Musical Activities to Develop Basic Skills [Paperback]

John Bean (Author), Amelia Oldfield (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 2001

It is widely acknowledged that music is of great value for people with learning difficulties. It can be used as a catalyst to help those with special needs acquire and improve basic skills and thereby to communicate better. With clear aims and easy-to-follow instructions, Pied Piper describes 78 enjoyable music activities for groups of children or adults who may have learning difficulties. The emphasis is on using music, rather than learning songs or rhythms, so group members do not need any special skills to be able to participate. Full details are given about any equipment required for the games, as well as suggestions for variations or modifications. The authors are experienced music therapists and have uses these activities on numerous occasions. Designed to encourage people to develop their own ideas and musical activities, this collection will be a source of inspiration and practical advice for anyone working with people with a range of special needs including carers and group leaders.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John Bean studied the cello at the Royal Academy of Music and completed his music therapy training at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London. For twelve years he held the position of senior music therapist for Leicestershire Education Authority. He has also worked as a professional cellist in symphony orchestras, chamber music groups and as a cello teacher. He now employs these skills in freelance work. John is married with three children. Amelia Oldfield has worked as a music therapist in Cambridge with a variety of client groups for the past twenty years. She was the joint initiator of the MA in music therapy training at Anglia Polytechnic University, where she is a part time senior lecturer. She has been involved in three major music therapy projects and is currently investigating music therapy with children with autism. She writes and lectures extensively on many aspects of music therapy. She has four young children and plays the clarinet in local chamber groups and orchestras.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Jessica Kingsley; 1 edition (March 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1853029947
• ISBN-13: 978-1853029943
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,318,317 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Essential Children's Musical Activities Resource Book, January 19, 2000

By 

Alison Kamsika - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pied Piper: Musical Activities to Develop Basic Skills (Paperback)

In this book Amelia and John describe loads of different musical activities and games that are easy to use and fun for all involved. The games are aimed at children, but it's possible to adapt them to suit the needs of different groups. There is a clear guide to useful musical resources, but many of the activities do not require lots of musical instruments.

The great thing about the activities described is that as well as encouraging musical creativity, Amelia and John also describe developmental goals associated with the games. These include developing social, communication and motor skills. Don't worry - the book is not a theoretical therapy manual and the activities are presented clearly in an easy-to-follow format that allows you to get straight to the practicalities and purpose of each game. There are also plenty of nice illustrations.

This book could be useful and inspirational to all sorts of people working with children or people with developmental disabilties - nursery teachers, school teachers, occupational therapists, activity group leaders, parents and carers.

As a music therapist working with children with special needs I frequently refer to the book for ideas - so far all the activities I've tried have worked well in practice!