Developing confidence to engage children in creative music and movement learning

The Creative Arts offers endless opportunities for children to engage in creative thinking, individual expres- sion, and collaboration. It allows them to create meaning and make sense of the world through singing, moving, and creating in ways that express who they are in response to their world/s. Through the Arts, children can think with freedom, take risks, express themselves beyond bounda- ries, and connect with others in purposeful ways, building a better world. The provision of meaningful music and movement learning experiences is often obstructed by a lack of teacher confidence. This paper provides a glimpse of the theory that underpins my process of working with teacher education students at an Australian university. My practice is about offering activities and ideas that students can apply in their own practice. More importantly, it is about challenging students through positive and embodied experiences of their own creativity and building their skill and confidence.