As a parent, what is my role in class?
Sing, dance, and have fun! You might be surprised to hear that you are your child’s most important music teacher right now and it doesn’t matter whether you think of yourself a great singer or dancer.
Young children develop dispositions for certain behaviours, including learning to love music, by observing and imitating their loved ones. Simply by participating enthusiastically during class and playing with the ideas at home, you’ll give your children the modelling they need to learn to love to make music. Please wait to socialize or use your phone until after class and instead help us create a music-only environment.
What’s expected of my child in class?
At Music Together®, children are never required to sit in the circle or expected to conform to an adult’s idea of participation. We know that children learn differently from adults. They learn instinctively and constantly, through observation, interactions with adults and older children, and through imitation, play, and, especially, movement. One hallmark of Music Together is the insight that children will naturally develop music ability simply when they are immersed in a community of families all making music.
Children’s responses depend on their most dominant learning style and temperament as well as their age and developmental level. Some might follow the teacher right away. Many will simply want to watch and absorb, particularly in the first few weeks of class. Some might crawl or toddle around; others are stimulated by the music and respond more actively, running, jumping, or dancing. All are perfectly natural responses to the new, musically rich environment.
How should we use the Music Together materials?
Play your songs at home and in the car frequently, especially during the first few weeks of class. Make it available to the music available for your child to listen to while she is playing or before nap or bedtime. Download the Hello Everybody app from the App Store or Google Play for digital versions of the songs and more activity ideas to try!
Link for iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/hello-everybody/id1019486012
Link for Google Play https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.musictogether.hello_everybody
Use the songbook to help you learn the songs and get new ideas for musical ideas to use at home. The music notation is in the book if you play an instrument and want to play along. Try using the songbook at story time instead of a regular book and sing through the songs as you go along.
What is the class size?
Each class has between 6 and 12 registered children, plus their caregiver(s).
What if I miss a class during the semester? When we offer more than one class we will offer makeup classes during each semester session. Please contact us at info@musictogetheralpine.com to ask about scheduling a make-up class in the future.
What if I start classes after the semester begins?
Music Together Alpine welcomes families at any point during the semester!
Can we eat in class?
Please feel comfortable to nurse or bottle-feed your child in class, but we ask that you not bring food or drink into classrooms other than water.
Can I bring a guest or an unregistered older sibling to class?
Music Together® classes may be in session when older children have a school holiday, and it is natural to want to bring them with you to class. All guests must be prearranged with the teacher to ensure adequate space in the class.
Is it OK for more than one adult to come to class?
Yes, parents, grandparents, or caregivers are welcome to attend class at any time—no need to ask!
Why aren’t there classes for specific age groups?
Classes with children of different ages have intellectual and social benefits for both younger and older children. In fact, it’s the learning environment recommended by many early childhood researchers. Older children learn empathy and awareness of others, while developing leadership qualities and gaining self-confidence. Younger children learn by imitating the older ones and often show more complex behaviours earlier than usual. Even babies benefit by being in an environment that gives them lots of opportunities to observe the behaviour of children of varying ages. Plus, it allows everyone—siblings, parents, grandparents, caregivers—to share in the musical experience together!
