mainly music also assists the mothers in connecting with other mothers. The women targeted by the mobile leaders don’t feel immediately comfortable attending community mainly music classes, so the leaders initially take the songs and the dance to them. Through this introduction it is hoped they will feel comfortable attending local mainly music sessions in the community when they leave the centres.
Mrs Hood says this is being achieved, with a pleasing number of these women continuing their involvement with mainly music.
“We feel that what we offer is helping mums, children and society. It is about community development as it is helping to grow healthy families and establish support networks.”
Leaders of mainly music leaders work as volunteers, although those involved in the mobile sessions – there are currently five mobile music leaders in New Zealand — are paid. This number will increase if the organisation is successful in attaining more funding and donations.
Businesses, organisations and individuals able to assist with this can contact Mrs Hood at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
mainly music has been up and running in New Zealand since 1990 when it was established to help mums and their pre-school children connect in a fun environment through music. There are about 450 mainly music groups involving as many as 17,000 families who meet once a week in New Zealand. The organisation’s value is being recognised overseas with 10 other countries establishing classes.
mainly music is about the joy of music, creative dance, rhyme and rhythm and assists children’s gross and fine motor skill development, feeds their imaginations, and helps with mathematical, language and pre-reading skills.
It also benefits social skills according to the organisation.
