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Bracknell Standard

February 22 2007

MUSICAL AND ENERGETIC FUN

Free-spirited: Bracknell Forest’s MAD Academy host interactive and educational workshops for young tots

By Lorna Catling

Participants at dance and music sessions for you children in the Bracknell Forest area have welcomed a new branch leader this month. Helen Clark took over the role of running the Bracknell Forest franchise of the MAD Academy from Lynne Roxbee-Cox at the beginning of February.

The franchise is part of the MAD Academy which organises energetic music classes for children aged between three months and four years, across Berkshire, Wiltshire, Buckinghamshire and Surrey.

The classes are split into age groups and children take part in music and dance-themed exercises designed to be fun and educational.

Mrs. Clark, a mother of two from Sandhurst, said: “When my youngest child reached seven months I decided I wanted to go back to work but not my previous office job. I wanted to be able to fit work around my family and do something that would provide greater involvement in my local community. MAD Academy allows me to do this and has the added bonus of letting me invest in something that I truly love.”

Mrs Clark is supported in her new position by Kelly Doran, who has been a MAD Academy instructor for the last year.

Mrs Doran said; “I did years and years of drama and theatre when I was younger and then went into a sales job. When I had my children I wanted to do something fun that fitted around them and this is perfect. I really love my work, I honestly don’t think you could ask for a better job.”

Parents who bring their children along to the classes are encouraged to join in with the activities which range from shaking musical bells in time with a song, identifying different sounds, playing counting step games and dancing to nursery rhymes.

Mrs Doran said: “We try to make the classes free-spirited but still a little educational. These children can run around and play with the instruments, but they are also encouraged to learn basic rhythms and we always have a textures session with the baby group.”

The classes have a very personal feel as each child is welcomed by name and a special hello and goodbye song is sung at the appropriate time. Judging by the smiley faces that fill the Birch Hill Scout Hall during the classes, the children certainly seem to appreciate the enthusiasm and fun of the group.

Susan Cherry, from Eversley Cross, who attends the classes with her three-and-a-half year old son Luke, said: “Luke loves coming here because he can run around and there is a really happy atmosphere. He has made friends with other children in the group and as soon as my younger son, Noah, is old enough I will bring him to the classes with Luke.”

Suzanne Hatch, from Bracknell, who has been attending the classes with her two-year-old daughter, Jessica, for three terms, said: “Jessica just loves coming here, she gets excited as soon as we come round the corner and see the Scout hut. It’s a really lovely thing to be able to do with the children.”

Classes are run throughout Sandhurst, Bracknell, Crowthorne, Finchampstead and Wokingham on weekdays during term time only, but there are plans to introduce Saturday morning classes.

Anyone interested in joining in with the group should contact Helen Clark on (0118) 9892492 or email Helen.Clark@MADacademy.com

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