| FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What should I expect of my child in class?
The learning capacity of very young children
is simply astounding! In the first few years of life, learning is a
child’s job and it is accomplished primarily through play. With
the Music Together® approach, children have fun and become engaged in
class activities using their own particular learning styles. Some
children may quietly and wisely observe, absorbing the experience from
the comfort of their mother’s or father’s laps. Kinesthetic
learners who need to move for optimal learning may explore the room
(often while the rest of us are sitting down!) Others may experiment
freely with singing and imitating the teacher’s movements.
Your child will participate in his or her
own unique way, free from any pressure to perform. Over time, you will
witness your child moving through the different stages of tonal and
rhythmic development, integrating music-making into everyday life and
eventually achieving basic music competence, the ability to sing in tune
and with accurate rhythm.
What should I expect of my baby in class?
It is never too
early to start a child in Music Together classes. You should
expect many of the same things that you would expect of an older child.
A baby's vocalizations may be shorter in duration, but their coos
and babbles are practice in singing. A baby's movements will
slowly accumulate from a few to many organized motions in response to
the live and recorded music that we make in class.
If you choose to have your child in either the mixed age class or
babies class setting, you will find that your baby will coo and respond
physically to you and the others in class, both children and adults.
Your baby will be watching you and feeling the rhythm of the
music through your movements to the music and your assisting them in
playing instruments and manipulating props. Your baby will be
hearing you and the others sing and chant throughout the class time.
What should I expect of myself?
You are the most important model and teacher
for your child. Your most effective role will be to relax, have fun,
and participate fully in the class activities yourself, regardless of
your own perceived music ability. If you personally feel a bit "musically
challenged," please do not worry! The most important things you can
model for your child are simply pleasure, interest, and the desire to
make music.
Is my child too young/too old for class?
The Music Together curriculum is written for
children ages birth to 6 years of age in a mixed- age setting with
parents or caregivers. There is no child too young for the class.
Even the tiniest of infants have reactions to and
responses to the musical stimuli. Because the class is a
mixed-age class, the older students have the chance to share their
"expertise" and knowledge. They get to be role models for the
younger students. Likewise, the younger students are marvelous
students for the older children. This approach is based on
research from music education, early childhood development, and family
relationships, as well as our 20 years experience in the field.
What should I do with the CDs and Songbook?
Take
them out of their packaging and listen to the CDs. Listen in your
house, at the grandparents' house, in the car, with your neighbors.
There is no wrong time to have a little music. Do not limit
yourself to listening to music in the car as it is more difficult to
move when you are strapped into a seatbelt. Many children will
want specific songs repeated again and again. Try to accommodate them
by replaying their favorite track. They crave the repetition because it
is necessary for their development. Repetition is one way they
"practice".
Remember to use your songbook just as you would use any picture book.
The woodcut illustrations in the songbooks are wonderful for
storytelling or coloring. The lyric pages can be read just like a
storybook. There are many activities listed in your songbook as
well. Try some of these at home.
How can I learn more about Music Together?
Call me (Cathy) at 612-408-4843. I would be happy to
discuss the program in more detail. You can also visit the Music
Together national web site at www.musictogether.com where you will find an in-depth description of how the program was developed and the research upon which it is based.
|
