Welcome!
Welcome to Jacob’s Ladder Productions and the home of Hummingbirds Music. This site offers a range of new and exciting music resources and teaching materials including Makaton nativity musicals, songs, hymns, prayers and music theory resources for children (and adults!) all written by teachers, musicians and composers: Rebecca Thompson (Makaton tutor) and Kevin Stannard.
Singing is one of the first creative experiences children have. It encourages self-expression and affords a deep satisfaction and enjoyment. This website is here to encourage children (and adults) to develop their love of singing by offering a range of new and exciting music resources.
Before appearing here, the songs are tried, tested and 'approved' by the children of St. Mary's the Mount School, Walsall and the children of various Coventry schools where Kevin and Rebecca teach music. This ensures that they are not only enjoyable but easy to learn and accessible for even our youngest singers.
Before appearing here, the songs are tried, tested and 'approved' by the children of St. Mary's the Mount School, Walsall and the children of various Coventry schools where Kevin and Rebecca teach music. This ensures that they are not only enjoyable but easy to learn and accessible for even our youngest singers.
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What is Down’s Syndrome Awareness Week?
World Down’s Syndrome Awareness Week, celebrated from the 18th to the 24th March every year, is a global event based around raising awareness for people living with Down’s Syndrome. |
Created by charity Down Syndrome International, World Down’s Syndrome Week has been backed by the United Nations.
The date of the event this year is 15th - 21st March. This week includes March 21st, which was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome, which is what causes Down's Syndrome.
How is Down’s Syndrome Awareness Week celebrated?
In connection with Down’s Syndrome International, different campaigns and awareness events are held on WDSW across the world, each one aimed at promoting ways to support the Down’s Syndrome community.
Social media is a popular way that campaigns are promoted, and, in 2021, the hashtag #lotsofsocks will be used to encourage people to wear multi-coloured socks, celebrating the 21st in particular as a day of significance.
The wider theme of this year’s event will be ‘We Decide’: inspired by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, this will focus on the right of participation for those living with Down’s Syndrome.
However, there are many different ways to celebrate WDSW, with many people all over the world creating their own activities and events.
The date of the event this year is 15th - 21st March. This week includes March 21st, which was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome, which is what causes Down's Syndrome.
How is Down’s Syndrome Awareness Week celebrated?
In connection with Down’s Syndrome International, different campaigns and awareness events are held on WDSW across the world, each one aimed at promoting ways to support the Down’s Syndrome community.
Social media is a popular way that campaigns are promoted, and, in 2021, the hashtag #lotsofsocks will be used to encourage people to wear multi-coloured socks, celebrating the 21st in particular as a day of significance.
The wider theme of this year’s event will be ‘We Decide’: inspired by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, this will focus on the right of participation for those living with Down’s Syndrome.
However, there are many different ways to celebrate WDSW, with many people all over the world creating their own activities and events.
Good to be different
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Sing it, sign it!
Signed song has become very popular in the last few years and many schools, including the school where Rebecca teaches, now have signing choirs. Combining sign and song enhances the experience of all participants and allows young people who have limited language and communication skills to reap the emotional & creative benefits that arise through the fusion of singing and signing.
An increasing number of mainstream schools also use Makaton within their setting on a daily basis where there are children with English as an additional language, where signs and symbols can act as a common thread between languages.
An increasing number of mainstream schools also use Makaton within their setting on a daily basis where there are children with English as an additional language, where signs and symbols can act as a common thread between languages.
The Makaton Language Programme was developed by the Makaton Charity and uses signs and symbols to help people communicate. It is designed to support spoken language and the signs and symbols are used with speech in spoken word order.
Some of the resources available on this sight include Makaton signing. However, if this isn't what you're looking for don't worry as ALL the resources work with or without the signing.
Some of the resources available on this sight include Makaton signing. However, if this isn't what you're looking for don't worry as ALL the resources work with or without the signing.
For more information about Makaton signing click here.
