Kindermusik with Jenny: I'm with the band

Monday, June 4, 2012

I'm with the band

Parenting Magazine mentions Kindermusik as the best place to start your little ones in music. Of course we know that, but it's nice to hear it somewhere else! :D

Kids lovemusic. They sing, they boogie, they bust out the ol' air guitar. And they boost brainpower in the process: “The pattern recognition in learning music as well as the discovery aspect are enormously helpful later with math and science,” notes Lindley Schmitt, a veteran children's music instructor at the University of Puget Sound's School of Music, in Tacoma, WA. But when are they actually ready to rock an instrument? Here's a sound, er, reality check:

Xylophone

Age to start: 4 years

Skills needed: Mallet wielding!

Where to learn: Kindermusik classes (kindermusik.com) are loads of fun because kids learn by singing and playing games with other preschoolers. The Kid's Xylophone app by Goatella is pretty cool, too. ($1; market.android.com oritunes.com).

Piano and Violin

Age to start: 4 to 5 years

Skills needed: A love of patterns and rhythm. Does your child enjoy a game of Memory or like to sort his Hot Wheels cars by color? Then he's probably good to go.

Where to learn: The Suzuki style of teaching is big on parent involvement;suzukiassociation.org.

Guitar

Age to start: About 7 years

Skills needed: Hand strength and dexterity should be naturally developed enough at this age. Coordination helps, too. See if your kiddo can rub her belly and tap her head while walking with ease.

Where to learn: Childrensmusicacademy.org has age-based classes.

http://www.parenting.com/article/musical-instruments-for-kids

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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.