Moving and shaking online
A kids’ music class has gone online to help parents during the coronavirus lockdown.
Music Makers and Shakers is an interactive music and movement class for children from the ages of four months to three years.
Written and devised by a former primary headteacher, the classes, held all across Lanarkshire including Motherwell and Carluke, have fun, engagement and learning at the forefront.
But all that stopped with the COVID-19 outbreak.
Music Makers founder Sheila Moore said: “We celebrated our fifth anniversary on March 18 but we had to close on March 17. It was heartbreaking.
“We didn’t know where we were going to go and I was gutted.”
Undeterred, Sheila and the Music Makers team have now moved online to help kids and parents who may be feeling isolated during the current crisis.
“I thought we would give it a try and if it didn’t work we would just have to accept it but we had 77 people tuning in,” she said.
“It gave us all a huge boost. I had sent the link to a few friends to try it out and got good feedback.
“Since then it’s just been incredible and we can’t thank everyone enough for logging on and supporting us.”
One of the positives of the online classes is allowing those who are self-isolating the chance to see their kids enjoying the classes.
Sheila added: “We do a number of classes in care homes and we also previously had a class at Wishaw hospital.
“It really brings a smile to older people seeing the kids enjoying themselves so we have been able to give parents a link to send to grandparents or other people who are self-isolating.
“It means it can bring families together during these times.
“I didn’t realise how much of a help it would be and it’s something we will be looking at in the future once this outbreak is over.
“We know a lot of grandparents or elderly relatives live far away from their grandkids so it could be a great thing going forward.”
Parents are also delighted with the online classes.
Sarah McNally said: “It’s not only given my daughter an opportunity to connect with her friends (and granny who can also join for free to see us) and provide 30 minutes of fun filled entertainment, but also helped to maintain a bit of consistency and normality in her otherwise very different routine.”
Ann Hughes added: “It’s great to see everyone on the TV which brightens our days. It gives us a routine and brings a sense of normality in our house.”
More information regarding the online classes are available on the Music Makers and Shakers Facebook page at www. musicmakersandshakers.class4kids. co.uk