Kindermusik provides a one-of-a-kind bonding experience for parents and guardians with children from birth to age 3 through music and movement-based activities. Classes begin at Bachman Community Center Monday, Jan. 24.
Photo by Emily CrismanKindermusik is coming to Bachman Community Center, giving children from birth to age 3 their first taste of music education beginning the week of Jan. 24, with a special demonstration class scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 13 at 10 a.m.
“The intent is to develop emotional, cognitive and social learning processes through music activities,” said Jenny Parker, who previously taught the international music and movement program started in Germany for 10 years before taking on the role of Kindermusik director at First Baptist Church and now at Bachman.
While the Kindermusik curriculum reaches children up to age 7, the classes offered at Bachman include the Village program for children from birth to 18 months Mondays beginning Jan. 24 from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. and Thursdays starting Jan. 27 at 10 a.m., followed by the Our Time program for children 18 months to 3 years Mondays from 10:45 to 11:30 a.m. and Thursdays at 11 a.m.
The schedule is designed to correspond with area preschools and the semester’s classes will end in May, she said.
A parent, grandparent, nanny or other guardian accompanies the child to class, and the teacher communicates activities to the guardian as well as the skills the activity is intended to develop, and the parent then facilitates the child’s participation, said Parker.
“We want the parent to be their model,” she said. “It is a fabulous, one-of-a-kind bonding experience you just can’t get in another environment.”
Children are typically given some type of instrument, such as a squishy chime ball or wooden block, which they are allowed the freedom to play with as they wish for a period before being asked to accomplish a task, such as maintaining a beat or tracking the object with their eyes, said Parker.
“Watching how much they grow and learn in four months is what makes [the Village program] my favorite to teach,” she said.
Parker said participants will learn to listen to directions and respond to musical sounds, know the difference between high and low and start and stop, keep a steady beat and recognize instruments, and many are even able to match pitch.
The lessons learned in Kindermusik help children later when they learn to play instruments or sing in a choir, as well as assist in the development of everyday social skills like sharing, taking turns and being gentle with others, she said.
The $200 cost covers all course materials including CDs, books and instruments, which the child can continue to use at home, said Parker.
The Kindermusik program contains sufficient material for a child to remain at the same level for two years without repeating an activity, she said. While more advanced levels do build on activities learned at the previous level, Parker said the program is designed to enable a child to enter at the start of any semester.
Bachman Community Center is at 2815 Anderson Pike and can be reached at 886-4842. To learn more about the program, visit the Kindermusik website.