Elizabeth Woodward (LTCL, ALCM, Cert Ed) trained in Brighton as a primary school teacher. After having her own family she developed her work as a piano and recorder teacher, and seeing a need and interest amongst other parents, playgroups and nursery schools, she set up music activity sessions for babies, toddlers and children under six. She has always passionately believed that children gain so much from early musical experiences that enhance their whole being; language development, manual dexterity as well as emotional and social growth. She still runs activities for toddlers, organises music activities for kids and continues to teach piano, lecture in pre-school music and now with the aid of her easy to use ebooks, help children learn to play the recorder.

The music downloads, ebooks and songs for children CDs on this website will be of enormous interest and benefit to anyone involved in bringing up young children. I know it will encourage all children, toddlers, parents, playgroups, nursery classes, childminders and carers to 'have a go' at an early learning music session.

"I like the variety of songs; in the nursery we have a wide age range so there is something for everyone" Mrs T, Nottingham

Why 'The Laxwood Way'? My other interest is genealogy, and this is just a way of incorporating my family name of which I am naturally very proud. Nearly 200 hundred years ago my Gt Gt Grandfather was a shoe maker. When the shoe making trade went slack he used to take his ten sons around the country performing as an orchestra, at weddings, concerts etc, giving the equivalent of a modern 'gig' up and down the country.

My Gt Grandfather too was as a band conductor. After his band had won all the local competitions they were not allowed to enter any more so that other bands had a chance!! My Grandfather carried on the musical tradition by being instrumental in setting up a travelling music service in the North East, laying the foundation for the modern peripatetic service. My Father never had a piano lesson in his life but could pick out anything on the piano and enjoyed playing in a jazz band.

There are many musicians in other branches of the family, and I find it fascinating to consider the logistics two hundred years ago, of moving a group of musicians around the country. Today, at the touch of a few buttons I can easily carry on the family tradition, with my musical downloads, ebooks, CDs, songs for children and toddler activities able to reach anyone in the world, allowing me to use fun music activities to educate, teach and develop thousands, perhaps millions of pre school children and toddlers whilst leaving a musical legacy of my own.

Music Is Fun began thirty years ago with a group of six children including Elizabeth's own young daughter and a few percussion instruments given to her by one of the parents.

The children were all toddlers and the sessions 'evolved' as Elizabeth developed ideas and songs that appealed to the children. Everything was based around songs, percussion, rhythm work, and listening. In order to provide something extra to help the children remember the content of the session there were always simple activities for toddlers or craft ideas undertaken.

By the time she moved to the Midlands she had two more children of her own, so once again she began to provide music for kids and toddler activities. As the children got older these developed so that they included easy theory around a fun theme, and learning to play the recorder. This has been the basis of countless toddler activities and childrens music groups Elizabeth has run in and around her village.

Her older groups have entered festival classes, and been praised for their original approach to music making. Scores of children have progressed on to other instruments, many continuing with Elizabeth as piano or recorder students. Some want to keep their music as a hobby and a relaxation while others want the challenge of exams. Of the hundreds of Associated Board candidates Elizabeth has entered she can boast a 100% pass rate.

Elizabeth also teaches adults. Some start from scratch others pick up a skill begun years ago. Here again lessons are always tailored to the individual pupils needs so if you live in Lincolnshire you can contact Elizabeth for further details.

"It's a gem of a job" says Elizabeth, "I enjoy each and every lesson as all the children and adults are different and no session is the same". Oh, and incidentally, although there have been many additions to the percussion box over the years, those original triangles and tambourines still come out each week and still look as good as new.

With this website you can now access the songs for children used in the early learning pre school and toddler activity groups, either as an inexpensive download, or by purchasing a CD. They come complete with a set of ten associated craft ideas and a 'before you start' leaflet with ideas for making simple instruments. Learn to play the recorder ebooks and theory ebook including songs are also available as downloads.