|
General
Questions
 What can
I expect from class?
Music Together is designed for children ages birth
through age 7. At Music Together we believe that music ability is as
much a basic life skill as walking and talking, and that all children
can learn to sing in tune, keep a beat, and participate with pleasure
and confidence in the music of their culture. Music Together classes
nurture the child’s natural enthusiasm for music and
movement as we sing, dance, chant, and play instruments in an
informal setting that will enrich her musical environment and guide
her towards a lifetime of music-making enjoyment.Back to
the top
What
should I expect of my child?
As you participate in class,
listen to the CD together and try the activities at home. What kind
of response should you expect? Some children are spontaneous singers
and movers, others are careful and astute observers. In either case,
after sufficient listening and observing time at home and in class,
you may begin to notice your child singing or chanting parts of
songs, sometimes with words, sometimes without. However, even when
your child gives no response or seems uninterested in listening or
participating, important unconscious learning is taking
place.
Keep in mind the following
points:
-
Most children choose (wisely) to
observe more often than to participate actively in class. They are
taking in information, which they will act on later at
home.
-
Most children become accustomed
to the class routine and their classmates around the fifth or sixth
week. At this point, their participation is likely to
increase.
-
Children are assimilating
important music information whether or not they are outwardly
participating. At home, this means it may be important to play the CD
or sing the songs yourself even if your child seems to be unaware or
uninterested, especially during the first few weeks of
class.
Remember that you are the most
important model and teacher for your child. Your most effective role
is to participate and enjoy the class yourself, even though your
child might choose to sit back and observe. If you are enjoying
yourself, your child will soon wish to share that enjoyment with
you.
We know it might be difficult to watch other children
zealously participate in the group while your child does not. This is
especially true if your child performs all of his class favorites as
soon as you arrive home. Try to understand that he is very wisely
"practicing" in private and will make his public "debut"
when he feels more confident. Meanwhile, if you feel suddenly
overwhelmed with frustration by the lack of your child's
participation in class, just count to three, relax, and participate
yourself!
What should I expect of
myself?
Some parents are somewhat
disconcerted by the concept of being their child's most important
role model, especially when it comes to music! You may feel that you
are not particularly musical - perhaps you even describe yourself as
being "tone deaf". You may be great at singing but feel
unsure of yourself or "vague" when dancing or trying to
"keep the beat". Whatever the level of your technical
skill, remember the most important things you can model for your
child are simply pleasure, interest, and the desire to participate in
music activities.
Many adults feel deprived,
confused, or inadequate about their ability in music, as if they have
been denied something that should be effortless and natural. In fact,
this is often the case. As your understanding of your child's music
development grows in the coming weeks, you may also come to
understand that unfortunate circumstances in your own childhood music
experience may be at the root of some of these feelings. More
important, by participating with your child, you can begin to
rediscover within yourself the natural human musicality that is
everyone's birthright.
What about practicing at
home?
Play your Music Together CD at home. If there is a CD
player in the car, it's also great to play the CD while driving. Do
not limit its use to the car, though - children are less able to move
to the music while strapped into a car seat!
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".
Another way they "practice"
is through spontaneous, playful imitation of the songs and activities
they experience in class. These imitations will, of course, probably
not be "correct" but they will certainly be
fun!
Some children may not demonstrate interest in the
recording. Right now, they may have different developmental needs and
interests or simply have other current favorites. Perhaps they
haven't adjusted to the class experience yet and are holding some
enthusiasm in reverse! Just play the CD in the background, perhaps as
they play or take a bath. Their interest in both the class and the CD
will grow with familiarity.
The CD provides a way of
reinforcing and following up on the class experience of live adults
participating in live musical activities. The more you can continue
this kind of participation at home by singing the songs or doing the
chants and fingerplays yourself, the better it is, as long as you do
it in the spirit of fun and enjoyment. Nothing sets a better model
for your child than doing an activity you enjoy
yourself.
Remember to use the songbook,
even if you don't read music! Use it like a story book and "read"
the songs to your child, especially the ones with pictures. In time,
you might suggest that your child draw his or her own pictures for
the songs, especially for those that don't have
one!
Notice the effects of your child's experience in class
and note his listening habits with the CD at home during the week.
Write down or remember any questions you might have about your
child's responses and then ask your teacher and discuss with other
parents in class.
Why aren’t there
separate classes for different age groups?
In the 1980s Music Together
pioneered the development of the mixed-age approach in early
childhood music. In each class we strive to create a musically rich,
developmentally appropriate environment where the whole family can
enjoy music and nurture skills at the level right for each child.
Mixed-age classes also provide a rich learning environment because
children of different ages thrive when they interact with each other:
the babies are often fascinated by the older child, and the "big"
children (3- and 4-year-olds) enjoy helping and sharing with the
"little" ones. 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.
Because children aged 5, 6, and 7 are developmentally
so different from the children birth through 4,
Music Together does offer a class beyond the mixed-age class created
specifically for this older age group. Children 5 through 7
are ready for more independence and new challenges and are both more
social and more comfortable with a structured classroom setting.
Music Together Big Kids™ classes are designed to meet the
needs of 5- through 7-year-olds, whether or not they have
participated in Music Together mixed-age classes
before.
What
should I be doing in class?
Enhance your child's experience
in class by remembering to sing, sing, sing! Your active
participation is the key to your child's musical growth. Support the
creation of a music-only environment while in class by not talking to
your child or other adults during the 45 minutes. Since it is
difficult for a young child to screen out adult conversation, please
wait until after class to socialize. We need you to contribute to the
creation of a musical environment for all the children to
absorb.
Try not to give verbal directions to your child. It can
be tough to restrain the impulse to say, "Do what the teacher is
doing!" or "Hold your instrument this way," but
children respond best by watching and listening to you and doing
things by themselves! Wandering toddlers are fine, but if you want
your child to come back to you, avoid calling to him or her from
across the room. If necessary, redirect your child physically back to
you or the circle. Please do watch out for your child’s
safety, but mostly, we want you to just relax and have
fun!
How should we use the
Music Together materials?
Play your CD at home and in the
car as frequently as possible, especially during the first few weeks
of class. Make it available to your child to listen to while playing
or before nap or bedtime. Use the songbook to help you remember the
songs or to play along if you play an instrument. Try using the
songbook at storytime instead of a regular book, and sing through the
songs as you go along. Looking at the printed notes on the page will
help children understand that music is something that can be read,
like words. Familiarization with notation will help them when they
are more ready for formal music instruction, typically when they
enter elementary school.
New Music Together parents
receive our introductory DVD "Music Together at Home: Helping
Your Child Grow Musically." During class your teacher will refer
to topics and point out examples of things covered in the video. We
are also happy to discuss your child's individual progress in
obtaining music competence at any time outside class. If you are a
returning student and it has been months or years since you have read
the Parent Guide or seen the new DVD, reread it or ask for a copy of
the DVD today! You may be surprised how valuable it is, especially
after having personal experience observing your child's music
development.
Class
Policies
Can
I bring my unregistered older child to class?
Throughout the semester, Music
Together classes may be in session when older children have a school
holiday. Older siblings of registered students may occasionally visit
provided that the visit is authorized by Matt Yaeger, the center
director. Visitation spots are available first come, first served.
What if I miss a class during
the semester?
Families are allowed three
make-ups per 10-week semester and one make-up during the summer
session. Make-ups may be taken at any of our locations and are
scheduled online, as are make-up cancellations. Make-ups do not carry
over from previous semesters. Registered families receive
instructions for scheduling and canceling make-ups on the first day
of class.
If
my or my child's schedule changes, can I switch to a different
class?
Changes can be made depending on class availability.
Please contact Matt Yaeger, the center
director.
What
if I need to withdraw from class?
Families who want to withdraw
from class must do so before classes begin in order to receive a
refund of tuition, less the $20 nonrefundable registration fee. The
tuition fee cannot be refunded after classes begin. Families are
responsible for class attendance. Nonattendance does not constitute
withdrawal from class.
What
if I start classes after the semester begins?
Late registration will be
handled on a case-by-case basis. Please contact Matt Yaeger, the
center director.
Can
we eat in class?
Please feel free to nurse or bottle-feed your child in
class as needed, aside from that please only bring water in the
classrooms and refrain from snacks.
Is it OK for more than
one adult to come to class?
Any number of adult caregivers
are welcome to attend class at any time; there is no need to ask!
Whole-family music-making in your home is extremely valuable to your
child's musical development, and attending class occasionally helps
the other family members to join in at home.
May
I bring a camera to class?
As our classes are participatory
and educational experiences between adults and children, we ask our
families to refrain from taking photos or videos during class time.
However, we welcome the taking of pictures before or after
class.
Can
I bring my child's toys to class?
Unless specifically asked by an Instructor to bring
things to class, bringing your child's toys, dolls, and things of the
sort is discouraged. It can detract from you child's participation in
the class, as well as serve as a distraction and source of conflict
for other children.
What is the best form of
payment?
Paying in
full through our online system or by check is encouraged. Payment
plans are permitted on a case-by-case basis and must be discussed and
approved by Matt Yaeger, the center
director.
|
