Franchising Opportunities

MAD Academy

Every child loves to sing and dance, but it is now recognised that music and movement have a powerful and positive influence on children’s cognitive and physical development.

Just listening to music activates areas in the brain used for speech, abstract reasoning and spatial awareness. However, actively participating - through singing, playing instruments or dancing - can actually strengthen a child’s neural pathways, helping them to fulfill their intellectual and physical capabilities.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Singing regularly can significantly improve language skills. Songs help children recognise and make the distinct sounds that form the building blocks of speech, while the rhythm helps break down the structure of words and language, making them easier to learn. Songs are also a rich source of new vocabulary for children.

Regular movement obviously assists the physical development of children - strengthening muscles, improving coordination, flexibility and balance, and developing spatial awareness. But it can also help brain development and learning. Getting the heart pumping sends more glucose and oxygen to the brain, facilitating mental functioning. It also stimulates the production of neurotrophin - a chemical in the brain needed to make connections between brain cells.

Educationalists and teachers already use the power of music and dance in their work with children and now, through MAD Academy, pre-school children too have the opportunity to benefit from this marvelous combination. Established in 2004, MAD Academy classes are a magical blend of choreographed dances and movement with fun and funky songs, as well as a variety of exciting games and activities.

The MAD Academy philosophy is one of free-spirited creativity combined with developmental learning. “We have a proven structure which allows children to learn and express themselves in a way that is appropriate to them,” says Helen Harrington, founder of MAD Academy. “Through our blend of music and movement, children develop language skills, motor skills, musicality, social and listening skills, not to mention confidence and self-esteem.” This last point is frequently echoed by mums, such as Angela Tough whose two sons attend classes in Norwich. “Joshua loves music and dancing and I thought it would help improve their confidence,” says Angela. “It was so good seeing William singing aloud in front of everyone. He wouldn’t normally do that. They both love to be active and it is good here because it is so energetic and we can all enjoy it as a family.”

DEVELOPMENT

And it’s not just the children who benefit from the joys of MAD Academy. Those who have chosen to become MAD franchisees also get a buzz from observing the development of children attending their classes.

Nikki Carr, who runs MAD Academy classes in the Windsor area, says: “It is such a wonderful feeling when a child has been nervous or shy at first and has taken several classes to begin to feel comfortable. Then, all of a sudden, they are right there with me, dancing their little hearts out. And when the mums tell me their children measure their week by counting their sleeps between classes, that is so special.” Of course, for the franchisees it’s not just about the delights of watching children grow and develop. Emma Lelliott, franchisee in Maidenhead, says: “At the end of the day, when I’ve finished bringing laughter and joy to everyone else’s children, I am still there at the school gate ready to pick up my own children and share some laughter with them.”

Trish Nawacki, who runs classes in the Reading area and was the first MAD Academy franchisee, says: “If you want to work with and inspire kids, and you want to run your own business and have fun, this is the opportunity for you.”

Sophie Hill, who will be starting classes in the Oxford and Bicester area this April, says: “I love the combination of music and dance - the vast majority of music groups in my area are more about music with a small amount of movement; MAD Academy offers something fun and different. I didn’t want to do just another music group - it was very key to me to find something that could differentiate itself from what’s already out there.”