Family Music
For Babies
(0-18 months)
Family Music
DESCRIPTION
Bonds the child and parent/caregiver. Introduces playful musical activities.
- Bouncing and rocking songs.
- Wiggle and peek-a-boo games.
- Singing, dancing and moving.
Teacher plays the role of coach. Parents learn ways to play musically with their babies in arms.
BENEFITS
- Nurtures a bond of love and security.
- Increases child’s curiosity about music.
- Develops child’s listening skills and sense of flow and beat through movement.
- Provides model for both parent/caregiver and child.
Family Music
For Toddlers
(18 mo.-3 yrs)
DESCRIPTION
Once babies start walking, everything changes.
- Children explore and experiment with the world of sound more on their own.
- These “learners in constant motion” get to sing, chant, move, dance, listen and play simple instruments.
Stimulates musical interaction between child and parent.
BENEFITS
- Channels toddler’s energy productively.
- Facilitates expression of feelings.
- Assists memory through repetition.
- Develops further musical aptitude and focused listening.
The Cycle of
Seasons
(3-4 yrs.)
DESCRIPTION
Musical celebration of the four seasons.
- Activities build on the child’s growing independence and competencies. Nurtures three year olds’ ability to use language.
- Capitalizes on the child’s delight in dramatic play within the musical context.
Lessons include: songs, movement activities, exploration of instruments and imaginative stories for children to make their own.
BENEFITS
- Enhances moving, singing and talking skills.
- Develops listening, focused attention and self-expression skills.
- Taps into the child’s vivid imagination.
- Lays foundation for creative development via story-telling and play-dance response to poetry
Music Makers:
At Home in the World
(5-6 yrs)
DESCRIPTION
Part 1 of a sequential two-year program to give child solid music making foundation.
- Training the ear.
- Coordinating body and voice.
- Establishing fundamental musical skills.
- Dramatizing folk tales.
BENEFITS
- Establishes foundation for music literacy.
- Expands listening capabilities through introduction of orchestral instruments.
- Builds self-discipline and social skills through ensemble development.
- Promotes independent and group involvement.
- Builds skills that impact all academic learning.
Music Makers:
Around the World
(6-7 yrs)
DESCRIPTION
Part 2 of a sequential two-year program to give child solid music making foundation.
- Singing, ear training, playing instruments, ensemble work and creative movement.
- Children explore the music of other cultures: Amerindian, African-American, British and German.
- More focus on writing and reading music.
BENEFITS
- Enhances cultural awareness.
- Advances listening, voice and body movement, as well as music literacy.
- Accentuates symbolic thinking, concentration, memory and self-expression.
Music Makers:
At the Keyboard
YEAR 1
(7-8 yrs)
DESCRIPTION
Introductory method for groups of young beginners.
- Features a variety of activities which lay the foundation for success at the keyboard.
- Builds on songs children have come to love.
- Aural approach to music literacy provides a natural pathway to reading.
- Approaches music reading both aurally and visually.
BENEFITS
- Lays groundwork for keyboard success.
- Fosters excitement and pride in making music both independently and with others.
- Maintains holistic approach to music learning.
Music Makers:
At the Keyboard
YEAR 2
(8-9 yrs)
DESCRIPTION
Part 2 of the keyboard program.
- Introduces much-loved piano repertoire.
- Develops comprehensive musicianship at the keyboard.
BENEFITS
- Enhances musicianship.
- Refines body control and ear tuning.
- Continues to build foundation for life-long instrument playing.
