Since its release in August 2020, approximately 200,000 children in over 1,200 schools in 24 countries have accessed Inspire-works’ #BodyPercussion #RecoveryCurriculum.
In April 2020, Inspire-works received a grant from the Arts Council England Emergency Response Fund to create several free-to-access projects, including the #BodyPercussion #RecoveryCurriculum.
At the beginning of the COVID-19 lockdown, national conversations were emerging about a) how important music would be to improve the mental health and well-being of children during and after lockdown, and b) how COVID-19 restrictions would limit the use of instruments and singing in the classroom. In response to this, Inspire-works facilitators saw the need to use their experience of leading rhythm workshops and their qualifications in improving mental health & well-being to create a fun, flexible resource using body percussion that could help children and staff improve their sense of well-being upon the return to school in September 2020.
Above image: Year 8 class at Parmiter’s School, Hertfordshire participating in a Rhythmic Breathing Exercise.
Based on Professor Barry Carpenter’s ‘5 Losses’ in his Recovery Curriculum, the #BodyPercussion #RecoveryCurriculum uses peer-reviewed, evidence-based fun and engaging exercises inspired by the latest developments in neuroscience. They have been proven to reduce stress and anxiety, boost the immune system and improve creativity.
This flexible resource consists of 30 body percussion videos which are differentiated for ages 5-14 year olds, an extensive leader pack and live leader training via Zoom. The body percussion exercises focus on 5 areas, each developing different positive neurological connections: Rhythmic Relaxation Exercises, Rhythmic Ice-Breakers, Rhythmic Declarations, Rhythmic Grooves & Rhythmic Reflections. The rhythmic patterns are inspired by many different cultures such as South African gumboot dance, Colombian salsa, Cuban tresillo and hip hop.
Above image: 82 teachers signed up to the #BodyPercussion #RecoveryCurriculum Leader Training via Zoom in September.
It maps to both Arts Award Discover & Arts Award Bronze and includes ideas for extension activities such as composition and improvisation. There are Conversation Starters to encourage further emotional engagement and responses from the children and a completely different set of video resources to use with colleagues to boost morale and reduce stress.
The #BodyPercussion #RecoveryCurriculum has been featured in the Unicef UK Action campaign, Musician’s Union article, #CanDoMusic campaign and an article in the Daily Telegraph.