Kindermusik of Fairfax Curriculum

Curriculum Summary

NEWBORN TO 18 MONTHS OLD

The benefits of music begin for children from the earliest days of infancy. The Kindermusik Village program, designed for babies newborn through 18 months focuses on the infant-parent relationship while creating a happy, nurturing musical environment. Lap babies, crawlers, and walkers participate at their own level as they explore the world through music and movement. The class time begins with a gathering time and proceeds calmly into a "lesson" facilitated by the teacher.

The teacher will model activities while giving information about the specific developmental needs that are being addressed. These "Foundations of Learning" will also be given out in written form each week so that nothing is missed. Each Village unit home packet includes: A home CD, a board book, two full-color wall banners, a baby journal, and a vinyl see-through bag to hold everything. All classes at Musical Progressions are enhanced by a beautiful Yamaha Conservatory Grand piano. Recordings are wonderful, but it has been proven that the live sound experience stimulates even more brain development, and so it is used instead of recordings at Musical Progressions whenever possible.

1.5 TO 3 YEARS OLD

Your child's developing ability to feel, cope with and express all her emotions is so very important at this age. You'll see how the activities we do in Our Time address the emotional characteristics and tendencies of this stage that we sometimes call the "rubber band" stage. We'll honor your child's desire for freedom and the chance to explore and experiment while we also make sure she feels safe and supported. The activities will encourage her to be creative, to initiate her own ideas and to respond in her own ways, while your active participation will give her the security she needs.

In Our Time, "Exploration Time" facilitates her discovery of instruments, textures, sounds and movement. Language skills are fostered with singing and vocal play. Creative dancing to different musical "moods" affirms her urge to move. The anticipation and rewards of listening are introduced, and with turn-taking activities, social skills blossom. Essentially, Our Time provides the safety of training wheels for the bicycle of pre-school!

3 TO 4.5 YEARS OLD

Kindermusik Imagine That

Kindermusik Imagine That! provides a carefully integrated curriculum of music, movement and pretend play where your child’s unique interests will be fully engaged in an environment that invites the development of the whole child – allowing for curious young minds, bodies and voices to reflect, compare, make choices, express opinions, solve problems, sing and move. For the preschool age child, every day is a new discovery waiting to happen.

With Imagine That!, you and your child can explore those discoveries together. No two Imagine That! classes are ever the same – class activities grow and change based on children’s active participation. By creating an environment in which children contribute ideas, express opinions and offer personal preferences, Imagine That! nurtures development and learning while recognizing that individual differences are not only acknowledged but treasured.

4.5 TO 7 YEARS OLD

Between the ages of 4 and 7 years, children are ready to learn the fundamental musical concepts involved in instrument instruction, vocal study, and music composition in an encouraging and fun, yet structured environment. Kindermusik for the Young Child® provides a group approach to music education which offers children a unique opportunity to develop a working knowledge of voice development, rhythm, notation, musical symbols and simple pre-keyboard, string and woodwind instruments.

Explore and learn to play a variety of instruments including rhythm sticks, resonator bars, drums, glockenspiels, dulcimers, and recorders. The introduction of each instrument is presented purposefully to ensure just the right amount of motivation, challenge and success for each child.

4.5 TO 7 YEARS OLD

Build critical vocal development skills through singing, games, listening and echoing activities. Many children become accurate singers between the ages of 4 and 7 years and realize their first "instrument" as their own voice. The learning and repeating of songs and patterns is fundamental to the development of good musical memory.

Explore the world through creative movement. Movement is essential in all learning. The integration of a variety of movement activities is designed to compliment musical learning and is based on a variety of approaches such as Laban, Dalcroze, Wiekart, and Gilbert. Children also learn about the rudiments of ballet, jazz and tap dancing as well as explore Mozart and other classical musicians.

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