Introduction to Music Class for Children

Music and Movement Class

In this class, I am using music as a tool to increase your child's confidence and creativity. There is no formal instruction or pressure to achieve a particular outcome. I am not trying to create mini-musicians. My goal for the class is to create an environment where children are free to explore and discover music, while they become more confident and creative.

Why Music Class?

Skills learned in my class:

• Motor Skills By playing instruments such as maracas, drums, and rhythm sticks, children practice fine motor skills. Grasping a mallet and playing a drum incorporate eye-hand coordination and fine motor strength. By playing rhythm sticks with both hands, children practice bilateral coordination- playing with both hands simultaneously- a skills that can be difficult for toddlers. 
• Attention/Following Directions The fingerplays and action songs we do in music class are great ways to help build your child’s ability to follow directions and develop attention skills.
• Speech and Language Development Singing is a wonderful tool for language building. Through song, we can practice articulation of sounds, vocabulary, and language expression.
• Self-confidence and creativity This may most important aspects of my class class. Watching a shy child begin to blossom and feel good about him/herself is one of the most rewarding parts of class participation. As children become more self-assured, they feel more comfortable expressing themselves in class, moving creatively to music, using their voices to sing, and participating with enthusiasm.

 
Each class contains:

• Greeting and Goodbye Rituals help children feel comfortable, recognized, and ready for learning. 
• Singing is a natural way for children to express their creativity and growing sense of rhythm and melody. 
• Movement activities help children develop coordination and rhythm.

Description of class:  

My music workshop provides a fun and informal setting where children can sing, play simple percussion instruments, dance, and more. Children are free to participate at their own pace and are encouraged to express themselves through music. Each class is 45 minutes long and full of songs, simple instruments and props which provide a great opportunity to foster your child's creativity and learn at the same time. All of these activities are designed to build many skills: Confidence, self control, and communication skills. Singing, imitating sounds, and rhyming  foster language skills. Listening and turn-taking encourages social skills.  Most importantly, your child will have fun in class!  

 

For more information, call me at 902-310-6391.


Check out a video from class:
 https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10100576052103835&set=vb.7412485&type=2&theater

Music therapy for children with special needs:

I am also offering music therapy for children with autism, speech impairment,  Down syndrome, social delays, physical handicaps, etc

Music is a powerful tool in the development of children with special needs.  More and more research has supported using music in a therapeutic way to foster growth and development in special needs children.

How Can Music Help Children with Special Needs?

• Speech and communication – Singing songs can help with language and speech skills.
• Fine and gross motor – Using simple instruments, like maracas, to address specific fine and gross motor skills.
• Social skill development – Children practice greetings, turn taking, eye contact, requesting, etc., through musical activities.
• Behavioral  – Creating songs and musical stories about appropriate behavior.
• Social-Emotional – Singing songs that teach a child how to identify feelings and how to cope with “big” emotions.
• Self-confidence- Children have fun with music and it can provide a boost to their self-esteem