Puppets And Props In The Music Room: Tamara O’Brien Interview

In this episode, I chat to Tamara O’Brien, an award-winning composer, creative educator and teacher trainer for early childhood and primary music, dance and drama. She provides engaging and practical workshops for teachers and childhood carers through her company, Music For Children. Speaking to me from Frenchs Forest just north of Sydney, NSW, Tamara tells me how she uses puppets and props in the music room to help children emerge from their shell and grow with confidence, while learning at the same time. Episode highlights: How Tamara started her puppet journey - two former students inspired her use of puppetsHow ‘Sylvester the Sock’ was bornAudiation explained - the process of inner hearingHow Tamara uses audiation in her teachingTamara’s use of Magic Lips - something she picked up in one of her pre-schoolsOther daily items that can be used for teaching rhythmsHow Tamara uses buttons to teachHow Tamara uses ribbons to teachOther types of props Tamara makes out of everyday itemsBuilding her puppet collection - a 15+ years processAn example of Tamara’s dragon songWhy making eye contact with the child’s puppet, not the child, is important when interacting and teachingHow puppets can help inspire creativity and boost confidence in childrenShyness vs confidence - how Tamara deals with different characters and personalities in childrenTeaching in the UK and how children’s responses to puppets differWhy Tamara enjoys teaching with puppetsRecipe: James Morrison: Chermoula Chicken on a bed of cous cous with chilli JamQuote “If I were not a physicist I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music.” Albert EinsteinUseful Links:Tamara puppet activity video (free)- https://www.bushfirepress.com.au/primary/professional-development/puppets-and-props-in-the-music-room-pd/Tamara’s Orff resources (with free activities)  - https://www.bushfirepress.com.au/primary/music/orff-resources/Tamara’s downloadable Orff resources - https://www.bushfirepress.com.au/music-room-connect/Tamara O’Brien on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamara-o-brien-17999b6/ Music For Children Website - http://www.musicforchildren.com.au/ [email protected] Press website - https://www.bushfirepress.com.au/Mark Leehy LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-leehy-5b061b13/Bushfire Press Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/bushfirepress.community/Bushfire Press Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/user/bushfirepressBushfire Press Twitter - https://twitter.com/bushfirepress