September 2020

What should I look for in a music course?

Research shows that when children learn their "do-re-mi's" it helps them excel in their ABC's. They found that learning music facilitates learning other subjects and enhances skills that children inevitably use in other areas. Mary Luehrisen, executive director of the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation shares, "A music-rich experience for children of singing, listening, and moving really brings a very serious benefit to child's development as they progress into more formal learning."

Let's start at the very beginning, a very good place to start... 

Parents often ask me what they can do to help their children with music learning. Here are a few points to ensure your child's success:

#1:Start children when they are young. Don't wait! They are learning a language, it's best to find a curriculum that works with young children so you can take advantage of the early learning window. 

#2: Seek out a substantive course. A complete musicianship course goes beyond the informal music playtime. It's designed for young children and is carefully planned and sequenced. 

#3: Play in class! Make sure the instruction includes child's play. It must be fun and exciting as they participate in class. They'll find it encouraging to use play as the medium for learning complex musical skills and concepts.

Are group lessons an optimal option for young children?  Learning happens when kids are having fun and groups offer an easy environment for playing fun games. It's natural to plan fun and playful games when you have friends there to play with! Read more about group lessons here...

Puppet shows or fingerplays Fingerplays: songs or chants that include actions for hands and fingers. Children doing fingerplays will bond with parents, and they don't even realize they are learning literacy and music skills as they chant and play. Check out this huge list of chants and actions you can do with your child.

Sharing musical success!

I recently started my fall classes and I get so excited every time I start teaching a new group of children! They are so eager to learn and I see such growth throughout the year. Check out what my young students are doing: 

1st year students: 4-6 year olds
My Red Balloon students are taking simple voice lessons. Yes, you heard me right, voice lessons for the young child because we believe the voice is the first instrument and they must be able to sing in tune. They mimic our "Echo Ed" puppet in class and we are teaching them to sing in tune and match different pitches.

2nd year students: 5-7 year olds
I love that my 2nd year green turtle students are learning about the keyboard layout. (2 black keys and 3 black keys.) This will help them to eventually name all the white notes on the piano. 

3rd year students: 6-8 year olds
The third-year purple magic students are working hard, too. This week we learned about "accidentals" and they are starting to play flats, sharps, and naturals. They learned that a flat or a sharp can change the key signature. It was so much fun!

Come check out a FREE music class!

Contact me to watch a video of a class already in progress - there is still time to jump in for the year!