Kindermusik with Jenny: Play Time

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Play Time

As parents we feel the need to make sure our child is entertained. I know I sometimes find myself feeling guilty when I leave my 3 year old to his trains while I do the dishes, the laundry, the cleaning, etc etc etc. But truly, making sure our children have enough open play time is vital to their development. So if your child is happily playing, don't feel the need to swoop in and rescue them. Read the article below for more info on the benefits of unstructured play time.

"Play is a natural activity for children. The child a play is self-motivated and actively engaged. Whereas games are governed by rules, the value of play is that it provides freedom from evaluation and judgment. The freedom of a playful atmosphere fosters intellectual development as well as self-construction and the development of personality.

Tips for parents: There are many things we as parents can do to inspire play. Just making sure your child has lots of time for free play is an important first step. You might also want to look at the play areas – inside and outside – and ensure that they are safe and inviting. Finally, consider adding some very simple toys and props to the playroom – things like wooden blocks, cardboard boxes and tubes, blankets, dress-up clothes, etc. will all help your child make his imagination come alive through his play."

- Contributed by Theresa Case, whose Greenville, SC program, Kindermusik at Piano Central Studios, is proudly among the top 1% of Kindermusik programs worldwide.

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Each class is a 4 week unit, classes are 30 min. in length.

Tuition + home materials = $50.00.

Home materials include access to Kindermusik@Home digital materials and one instrument.

Sibling discount = $15 per additional sibling.

**All Kindermusik classes are offered by demand. The following classes are available:

Village
For ages 0-2 years
Village is for lap babies, crawlers, and walkers. It incorporates the most current research on early childhood development and provides families a special place for learning and connecting with other parents and babies through music and movement. Parent participation is expected.

Wiggle & Grow
For 2 and 3 year olds
This music-filled class celebrates the unique joys of your growing child. Each week your child will love singing, dancing, and playing instruments with you and her new friends and you’ll love helping her practice a wide variety of abilities such as gross and fine motor skills, turn-taking, social skills, and active listening. In class, we’ll also share tips and ideas for using music throughout the week. Plus, the fun (and learning!) continue with the Kindermusik@Home digital home materials, including music from class, musical activities, and each month’s story. Parent participation is expected.

Laugh & Learn
For 3 and 4 year olds
Each week in class we combine your preschooler’s natural love of music, storytelling, and imaginative play with age-appropriate activities that introduce early music concepts and foster independence, social and emotional skills, language growth, and self-control. We also connect you with other parents who share in the wonder of parenting a preschooler. Parents join class for the final activities. The Kindermusik@Home digital home materials bring the music, activities, and each month’s story everywhere you go. The repetition enhances the learning—and the fun! Partial parent participation is expected.

Move & Groove
For 4-6 years old
From the moment you became a parent, you wanted the best for your child. In class, we engage your child in music and movement activities that also promote language, social and emotional skills, early math and early literacy, physical coordination, creativity, and more. Plus, your child will learn basic music vocabulary and notation—all setting the stage for future school success and formal music lessons. Parents join the fun for the final activities. The Kindermusik@Home digital home materials extend the benefits all week long with music from class, activities for the whole family, and each month’s story. Partial parent participation is expected.

Family Time

For children (and parents) of all ages
Family Time brings adults and children of all ages together, providing a dynamic and integrated musical learning experience for everyone. Parent participation is expected.