John Webb composer and animatuer

We all started with early years – it’s absolutely fundamental to who we are, how we interact with the world and (from an educator’s point of view) what we want to learn and how we go about doing so. EY education confronts basic teaching issues of learner motivation, the role of the adult, learner-led independence and exploration, and the difference between Knowledge and Know-how.

Most important to my EY practice is the exploration of the links between adult-initiated and child-initiated music-making: the way one affects the other. This requires the leader:

• to create space for children to explore freely
• to be flexible enough to respond to children’s exploration without dominating it
• to lead adult-initiated activities which change direction due to children’s responses and ideas
• to lead activities which inspire children to develop skills in their own play.

As an example, here are three improvised songs by 3 year olds. One child responds to a finger puppet to create a song. Two others hear this and copy, inventing their own versions:

My work in Early Years has included:

• Leading Wigmore Hall’s Chamber Tots for more than 12 years

My work in Early Years has included:

• Designing and leading teacher training for Early Years practitioners for music hubs, arts and other organisations

My work in Early Years has included:

• Being a core member of LEYMN (London Early Years Music Network)
• Being a mentor for young EY music leaders for LEYMN

My work in Early Years has included:

• Writing articles on Early Years practice
• Presenting at conferences for LEYMN, MERYC and various music hubs
• Working for Southwark Music Hub

Interview as part of a video on musicians working:

What’s that noise? Made for Sound Connections