Our Spring Music Together Class will begin shortly. Two classes are scheduled to start the week of April 4th and new families are welcome to try the class for a week or two before making a decision. The days will continue to be Monday afternoon and Thursday mornings. Monday's afternoon class is set up to work for families who attend the morning 5 day session (Ross or Amy's classes) children in either of Ayuko's classes, or younger siblings of children who are in the pm program (Dalia or Lisa's classes) The class runs from 12:45pm to 1:30pm which is enough time to pick up your morning program child at 11:30am and either have a lunch at a Dinkytown restaurant or bring a picnic lunch to the gathering space at the Newman Center, a few blocks away in Dinkytown. There is ample free parking in the Newman Center parking lot. Meanwhile, parents who drop a child off at the afternoon Lab School session at 12:30pm could easily arrive with a younger sibling, enjoy the Music Class and still have a little time to have a snack in the gathering space (or a trip to the Dinkytown Library) before picking up your child at 3:30pm.
Thursday's morning class from 10:00am to 10:45am is geared for children who attend the pm Lab School class (Dalia and Lisa) or the children in Ayuko's two day class. Parents with older siblings in Ross's or Amy's class have also made the class work by dropping off their older child at Lab School and then making their way over to the Newman Center with the younger brother/sister at 10:00am. Families in Dalia's and Lisa's class currently bring a picnic lunch and eat in the comfortable gathering space (where there are tables, a microwave and sink) and then make their way to the Lab School by 12:30pm.
Frances singing with 4th grade children in Santa Cruz, Brazil, Sept/10
The music is fun and structured in a way that allows children to interact at their developmental level. Parents have commented that they have witnessed their children use the music in a variety of ways at home. Parents (or grandparents or a care giver) have also participated regularly in the class.
Families who are considering the class and curious to see if the timing and "picnicking" works for them are encouraged to try a class during the first two weeks to see if it fits into their schedule. I hope you'll check it out! Sometimes the only way to know if an additional activity during the day is right for you and your family is to give it a try. Likewise, you may wish to see how your child responds to the experience of the class before making a commitment. I'd be happy to talk with you about your questions or concerns about the experience or connect you with some families who are currently in the class. Musical learning supports all learning for children and also provides a wonderful connection point for families. For more information on the Music Together program and philosophy, see the Music Together website.
See the following link to see a copy of the flyer and signup form for the class. Happy Spring!
