Welcome to MusicalMe, Inc.s' offering of Music Together®!
We are sure you will notice that your child will really enjoy this
class, and the reason is that infants and very young children love
music. They are drawn to it in a powerful way which makes our job very
easy. However, there are a few things you as parents need to know that
may not seem apparent.
Underneath all the fun and games, we are trying to accomplish two very important goals:
- We want your child to experience the joy of music-making as a life-long endeavor, and
- We want him or her to achieve Basic Music Competency (singing on pitch and keeping a steady beat).
This normally occurs after two years of MUSIC TOGETHER
classes (in some cases even earlier!) There are lots of two year olds
out there who can do this as a result of being in MUSIC TOGETHER
classes from birth. Once the basic skills are achieved, your child can
easily graduate to more formal lessons as early as age three.
Your
job as a parent is to model the behavior you eventually want your child
to imitate: shake those eggs, sing your heart out, follow the teacher.
Don't worry if your child is reticent or not participating. Don't
compare your child to others who are following exactly. Your child will
still absorb what we are teaching, it just takes time and you need to
be patient.
Children learn about music the same way they learn language. It
doesn't happen in a 10-week semester. Think of music education as the
same as language skill building: you don't expect them to speak in
perfect sentences immediately! Resist the urge to make them "do it
right". The only behavior you need to control is if they are disrupting
the class (i.e. running, climbing on furniture or loud crying) or about
to harm someone. Relax and enjoy the musical activities. Your child will
eventually learn to do the same.
The biggest
challenge we face is that some parents think music class is really a
play group - a chance for them to socialize. Not only does this disrupt
the learning process by modeling the "wrong behavior", but it also
makes it difficult for the parents who are trying to experience all
that MUSIC TOGETHER has to offer rather than visiting with
their friends during class. Studies show that language actually
interferes with music learning - so please try to resist the natural
urge to add socializing chatter to the fray. Thanks!
HAPPY MUSIC MAKING!
Please read the following important information and save for future
reference! Do not hesitate to discuss with us the
following information or any aspect of your family's experience in MUSIC TOGETHER.
ATTENDANCE: In order to provide a smooth transition
between classes, every effort will be made to begin and end classes ON
TIME! Please arrive a few minutes before your class time! It will make
your child's adjustment easier. If there is a preceding class still in
session, please wait outside the classroom until the previous class is
dismissed. When you do come into the classroom, please remove
everyone's shoes and make name tags for
yourself and your child(ren). Please attend only the class for which
you are registered, unless you have signed up for one of your two
make-up classes.
FOOD/DRINKS DURING CLASS: No food or drink are allowed in the classroom at any time.
MAKE-UP CLASSES: Please refer directly to our MAKE-UP PROCEDURE on this website.
HEALTH: If your child puts any of the instruments
in his/her mouth, please place it in our "Wet Box", and we will clean
it after class. For the consideration of all, please do not bring a
sick child to class. If your child is not feeling well, please take
advantage of our liberal make-up policy above. For more information
about health and sickness, please refer to our detailed HEALTH POLICY .
** 24-HOUR HEALTH RULE **: All students (children
& adults) must be clear of fever, diarrhea and/or vomiting for 24
hours before attending MUSIC TOGETHER class. If you or your
child has green mucus or a wet cough, please stay home until such
illnesses are cleared up. If any of these symptoms are noticed in
class, you will respectfully be asked to leave. We understand that this
is a delicate, though important issue - our young children are
especially susceptible to illness. Thank you in advance for your
compliance.
SIBLINGS & FRIENDS: All students must be
enrolled, unless they are 8 months and under AND attending with a
registered sibling. In the case of an occasional special situation
where you would like to bring a sibling or friend to class with you,
you must first sign up on the Make-Up Scheduler in advance and
pay the $20 guest fee, payable to
"MusicalMe, Inc.". Payment must be made and given to the teacher on the
day you attend. We cannot extend this guest fee option to any
unregistered families. **We are unable to accommodate guests in FULL classes, please sign your child and your guest up for a class where space is available.
SAFETY: The classrooms are fairly childproof, and
although children are allowed to move (not run) freely during the
class, we depend on each parent/caregiver to supervise each
child(ren)'s activity so accidents do not occur. Running is always a
challenging issue - many children love to run in class, as it is their
natural response to the music, yet running can also lead to big injuries
- so we discourage running as much as possible.
CLASSROOM MATERIALS: Use of the materials makes a very real difference in your child's and your own experience of the MUSIC TOGETHER
program. This cannot be emphasized enough! Please read through your
songbook and read it often with your child. You can use your songbook
for reading, looking at the pictures, following the music on the CD,
coloring and decorating with stickers. New families will also receive
the Parent Education DVD and Booklet. Please read this thoroughly; it's also a good idea for returning families to review the guidebook
frequently. Please listen to the music often, both in and out of
the car. Using the materials is one of the best ways to bring your
class experience into your home - the most important classroom!
PARTICIPATION: We are our children's greatest role
models and as such we ask that you, or your caregiver, actively
participate in class. In fact, adult participation is of the utmost
importance. Please stay focused on the activities and keep chit-chat to
an absolute minimum. Please do not control your
child(ren)'s movements. This is the best way to appreciate your
child(ren)'s unique response, which may range from simply observing, to
responding with their own gestures.
Class is fun, and more a resource than an end in itself, so please
know that we do not require nor expect your child to participate in
class. We do however, require and expect you to participate and to be
a model for your child, even if you don't feel particularly confident
about your own musical ability. If your child sees you making music and
having a good time, then he or she is more likely to develop that
disposition. It's easy and enjoyable to participate in a MUSIC TOGETHER class. So relax, let your child "be" and have fun yourself!
We look forward to spending the next several weeks with you, and to having fun making MUSIC TOGETHER®!
