Mommy and Me Music Class
Darah and I attended a Music Together class when she was 18 months old. It was one of the most enjoyable things I’ve done with Darah. In Music Together, we sang a lot of fun songs, did a lot of dancing and silly movements, played with cool instruments, and just had a really good time! The teacher encouraged the parents to get very involved during the classes, and we all just fed off the teacher’s high energy and zany personality. For the past six weeks, I have had the wonderful opportunity of attending a Kindermusik class with Darah (now 3 1/2) and Connor (17 months old). At first, I was going to attend with Darah only, but due to the difficulty in arranging sitting for him during our class, I decided to sign him up as well. Kindermusik is very similar to Music Together, however the Kindermusik class seemed to explore the body and movements while singing or listening to music, while Music Together seemed to explore the actual music more. I think you get just as much out of both of the programs, just a little different.
The first week of Kindermusik was difficult because Connor didn’t want to attend to anything we were doing and I was split between both children. If I think hard about it though, none of the children were perfectly attending to the class, so I think I probably was more stressed out about it than necessary. Since that first week, the kids have grown so much in their music exploration. Darah really never had much of a problem attending to the group songs and activities like Connor did, but she still has learned how to follow the direction of the teacher, move fast-and-slow, start-and-stop her instrument or movement, transition between songs and activities. Connor, though has grown up so much during our class. The first session, he threw major temper tantrums when it was time to transition. When we would put up the maracas, he would cry and run away with his maracas. When the teacher started singing her “drums away” song, he would grip his drum even harder while crying. I left thinking he just wasn’t mature enough for a group activity like Kindermusik. By week two, he got a little better about it, and even though I would have to pry each instrument away from him when it was time to transition, the crying didn’t turn into all out temper tantrums. By week three, though, he would start putting his instrument up when the teacher started singing the transition song. There were still tears, but he was following direction. Last week, he actually seemed to look forward to the transition to see what was coming next. He eyed the hoola hoops the whole time and every time the transition song would start, he’d clean up and run over to the hoola hoops, hoping this was the transition that was going to lead to them. There were still some tears, but he was in no way uncontrollable, and I loved that he was following direction so well.
The last six weeks has been a very enjoyable time for me and my children. I am so glad that I didn’t find a babysitter for him during the music class and went ahead and signed him up as well. I’m sad that this session is finishing, but you better believe we’ll be signing up for another one!
I strongly recommend you find a Kindermusik or Music Together or Gymboree music class in your area to try. Most locations will let you try out a class for FREE!!
Have you been to a Mommy and Me Music class? What did you think? What other fun activities have you done with your baby or toddler?
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I am glad that you kept your son in the class. When something like that happens many parents take their children out of the class, not allowing them to learn how to deal with the situation. I used to teach early childhood music education (BAmus, GradDipECME) and this happened a lot. Parents get so worked up about how their child is not being ‘perfect’ and what everyone else thinks. The best thing for them is to keep ‘trucking through’.
As for the different music programs; the only programs I had heard of was Kindermusik (and Gymboree) the only criticism I have of them is that there is not enough training. Anyone can sign up and take the class, after a weekend you can teach. The Music Together seems to train the same way but I do think that their philosophy is right on track.
Why is it that a teacher (of any subject) for children over the age of 5 needs a University degree but for children under the age of 5 (which is the most important time) only needs a weekend course?!?
i think these classes are great for kids socially, and a wonderful way to introduce music. i my son in a similar class when he was 2, and now at 5 he takes piano lessons and loves it. i hope to instill a life long appreciation for all kinds of music. i can already see the benefits.
Helen raises an interesting question at the end of her comment – we’ll have to ponder that one!!
Dear Helen and Dawn,
I have the answer to your question about training for educators. In Kindermusik, which is what I know, educators must take full-training sessions that takes over two months of weekly sessions with about 5 hours of class study each week. After that, teachers are required to complete on-going professional development to maintain licensure. Some teachers move on to higher levels of licensure becoming board certified through accredited study. Most Kindermusik teachers have at minimum a BA in Music Ed, Early Childhood Ed, or Psychology. Many have Masters degrees in Music or Education. Some have doctorates in early childhood or music. many attend regular Orff study, NAEYC events, and many have licensure to teach public school in their state. I hope this answers your question about Kindermusik training!
I should add that I did say Most educators meet those standards. Kindermusik has instituted guidelines for ongoing training that will make certain that a consistent level of training and education is provided. Always check the website and call an educator to find out their qualifications and to make sure that the class is a good fit for you and your child.