Many will go and enjoy the session without recognising the underlying skills that are being taught and development that is being nurtured, but just enjoy the stimulation and fun that it brings
Singing Jo & Co’s main aim is to continue to support babies, toddlers and children in communities around the whole of the Island ensuring that generations will grow up finding happiness through singing, dancing and rhyme. Singing Jo & Co is a proven group that provides valuable preschool learning and positively impacts on children’s development and achievements. We visit communities around the whole of the Isle of Man and work with young learners, parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, childminders, aunties, uncles and friends to create a supportive network for everyone. Jo and her team also provide friendly support for parents and carers to help develop relationships, make new friends and to give confidence in supporting their young learners. We all learn together, have fun and promote a very important sense of well being amongst all who attend. Recently we invited elderly people from residential homes to join us which has been a huge success. We loved having a 98 year old lady shaking her maracas with us! Everybody leaves with a smile on their face!
Singing Jo & Co is a fairly new Charity Group which was established in March 2018 to support Early Learning across the Island. The lively action sessions are enjoyed by over 600 children, parents, grandparents, great grand-parents and carers each week, from birth to five years.
I was encouraged to set up the Charity after the success of Action Songs and Rhymes which was supported initially by The Children’s Centre. Myself and my team were overwhelmed by the enthusiasm for the group from regular visitors and by the generosity and support from the whole community. Our sessions are funded by sponsorship and donations from those taking part, but nobody is ever turned away, even if they can’t afford a contribution. The Judges from the Isle of Man Newspaper Awards for Excellence 2018 and 2019 said: “Provides valuable pre-school learning and positively impacts on children’s development” and “Jo brings passion and energy to the sessions where children learn whilst having fun.”