Preschool Music Class

Do you feel that your child is ready for a bit more of a challenge? 

The preschool program is intended for ages 3-5 years. We will build on the toddler class foundations and start to learn how to read music! We will learn the foundations of Keyboard instruments (chime bars) and string instruments (Ukulele) and further develop our knowledge of the musical concepts . There are heaps of new songs to learn, sing and play - all while continuing the rich phonetic learning that we established with the nursery rhymes and traditionals that are so critical for our children's speech and language development  at this age. 

The  program is designed to support the management of sociable group sessions where the children are involved in song, movement, dance, drama, improvisation, listening and playing instruments. Usually, one educator leads the group encouraging children and other adults present to fully participate in the songs, music and their related activities. A similar structure is revisited each time the group gets together so that children become powerful in predicting which activity will happen next. 

The songs are based on traditional melodies, many of them consisting of extremely simple tonal materials that are found in many cultures. They offer the perfect basis for developing an appreciation of music in its cultural and aesthetic diversity. The songs teach melodic shape, rhythm and timing, emotional expression and song structure. They provide familiar, repetitive musical forms that are easy to remember. 

Designed for children aged from three to five years,  the program offers action-packed courses with songs, games, simple musical instruments, dramatic play, mimicry, movement, dance, relaxation and literature as focal points. 

The songs, games and music develop:

•  social conventions 
•  coordination, timing and rhythm 
•  tactile learning 
• reasoning and mathematics 
• musical concepts (rhythm, melody, tempo, style, expression, timbre and form)
• practical musical skills (listening, singing, playing instruments, moving to music, improvising)
• drama, dance and mimicry 
• multicultural music appreciation 
• relaxation and well-being 
• visual learning 
• language and literature through song
   

Every lesson is structured the same way. Because routine and predictability are  so beneficial for our young learners, every lesson includes:

• social conventions
• body percussion
• finger play
• memory activities
• rhythm instruments
• melody and harmony instruments
• drama and movement
• games and dances
• music appreciation with the World Music Jam or Social Musicking
• story songs with visual media

This can only be answered by trialling a lesson; each individual child will respond differently at different stages. I would never presume to know how a child will go without meeting the child first! However, here are some general points:

• Do they love musical activities?
• Can they go for 45 min?
• Can they follow simple, age appropriate instructions?

You'll never know unless you try and, sometimes, it can take 3+ weeks for some children to adjust to a new group learning environment. 

If you've tried this class, and feel that your child would benefit from a more general music experience, then come along to the Family Class! The Family Class is for ages 0-5. Here we set the foundations for later musical learning.