Milford Square Music Studio

Kindermusik Curricula Unit Descriptions

Winter/Spring 2016

Age Newborn – 18 months (Fridays at 9 am)

Age Newborn – 18 months (Fridays at 9 am) – two themes per semester

Hickory, Dickory,Tickle, and Bounce

Research shows the more you expose your baby to nursery rhymes and songs, the stronger those emerging language-learning skills will be. That's why these Mother Goose-like stories and rhymes are the main theme of this class. Plus, you'll develop research-proven communication strategies with your child through listening activities, speaking "parentese," and sign language.

Home Materials: CD of beautifully arranged nursery rhyme and songs from class, a rhyming picture board book—Hickory, Dickory, Tickle, and Bounce, a set of Art Banners, and an instrument for music-making at home.

 

The Rhythm of My Day

This class will help you bring more rhythm and routine to your baby's day, as well as help develop lasting learning skills. We'll show you how and tell you why music can help your little one soothe into the day’s schedule and help build a strong body and mind network for learning. You can bring home those same stress-free play and relaxation techniques from class, and incorporate them into your daily routines.

Home Materials: CD of beautifully arranged songs from class, The Rhythm of My Day—a colorful picture board book with class themes, a set of Art Banners, and an instrument for music-making at home.

Age 18 months – 3 years (Fridays at 10 am)

Fiddle-dee-dee

We'll meet many animal characters in our books, activities, and songs—each specifically chosen for a toddler's emerging interests and physical skills. With silly, bumpy lap bounces we'll help toddlers develop rhythm while further developing their ever-emerging language skills. With a special stringed instrument emphasis in the music from class, parents can bring home the violin, cello, and orchestra sounds to help their toddlers stay happy and engaged learners at home, too.

Home Materials: Double CD featuring songs from class; two interactive storybooks—This Little Piggy Played the Fiddle and Animal Serenade to develop early literacy skills; Home Activity Book, and a pair of Fiddlestick instruments.

Age 3 – 5 years (Fridays at 11 am - 11:45)

Cities! Busy Places ~ Friendly Faces

In this unit, sidewalks, elevators, skyscrapers, and world-traveling photographers are the theme. Learning through the pretend play that preschoolers adore, we'll be rhythmically busy playing storytelling games and handcrafting city "buildings" from wax paper at home so we can make a cityscape in class! Plus every activity has some at-home adaptations so the parent can take part in the learning. With a pair of resonator bars as a featured instrument, and a multicultural, jazzy collection of music, preschoolers will develop the social and intellectual skills they'll need in school.

Home Materials: Two books—Razupazu Toto and Down Our Street, Cities! Game Board Set, Two Home CDs—collection of multicultural and jazzy music heard in class, Family Activity Book, and a pair of resonator bars as the featured instrument.

(Monthly unit descriptions - each month your student will get a new home kit)

Age 2-6 years (older siblings of Village or Our Time students and students, age 2-6 years, on their own: Fridays at 9 am or Fridays at 10 am)

Rhythms of the Land In class we’ll explore the rhythms and sounds of Native American music. As we investigate, compare, and contrast a wide variety of drums and the materials they’re made from, your preschooler develops the investigative vocabulary needed in the sciences. When you repeat rhythm patterns at home and share the activities in your Home Kit, your child gets an early start in math, too.

Home Kit: Jingle Stick instrument, Home CD, and magazine-style Family Guide (includes the class story Pedal Pump, Pedal Pump)

Sounds Abound This month, we’ll explore all the sounds we can make with our mouths, bodies, hands, plus everyday objects we can find around the house. Your preschooler develops an early understanding of how one material can be used to make something else. Activities in your Home Kit help you bring these big ideas home when you take part in the listening, turn-taking, and sound-effect making activities.

Home Kit: Home CD and magazine-style Family Guide (includes the class story If I Had a Big Blue Boat)

Dance With Me: This month, we’ll feature the music and dance of “one-two” rhythms and “one-two-three” rhythms. In class, we’ll hear real instruments from the ballet and learn a few dance steps, too. Activities like dance, where your child follows a short sequence of instructions, helps to strengthen memory and his ability to follow directions. At home, play the CD in your Home Kit and let your preschooler show you a new step or two.

Home Kit: Pair of lumi stix, Home CD, and magazine-style Family Guide (includes the class story Dance of Our Own)