1) Why is Kindermusik the best choice for my child?
2) My child and I have a lot of fun in Kindermusik class, but sometimes I wonder...is she really learning anything about music?
3) How can young BABIES really benefit from their own music class?
4) My child loves Kindermusik class and sings all of the songs and does all of the activities at home, but when we are in class, he just sits there. Is this okay?
5) I feel my child is ready for private instrument instruction NOW. Why should I choose Kindermusik over private lessons?
6) What is your Sibling policy?
7) Can I Preview a class BEFORE I join?
8) Can I enroll my child in a class at anytime?
9) Is there a sibling discount?
10) What is your
snow/weather policy?
11) What is your Make-up policy?
12) What is your refund policy?
1) Why is Kindermusik the best choice for my child?
A Kindermusik class is a world of discovery and adventure. Kindermusik programs provide early childhood learning opportunities through innovative music and movement curricula and involve families in the joy of their child's development. From birth through seven years of age, your child can grow with Kindermusik without pressure to perform, only encouragement to explore, express and discover. In Kindermusik you will find a well-researched curriculum which provides the time and tools to help bring the power of music into your home and your child’s life. Kindermusik adds new concepts and challenges along the way to nurture and encourage your child’s early creative explorations. The Kindermusik class environment employs the best of developmentally appropriate practice as identified by the National Association for Education of the Young Child (NAEYC) which means:
- Content is integrated in activities that touch every aspect of children’s development across the learning domains (social, emotional, physical cognitive, musical, language)
- Content is presented through thematic connections that “speak” to children
- Content meets each individual child’s unique needs within his own culture environment.
Our Kindermusik classes at The Musik Nest are more than developmentally appropriate, they are a world of discovery and delight! Our fun and nurturing educators guide families through joyful music making using various musical instruments, unique puppets, colorful scarves, creative movement, dancing with rainbow streamers, and so much more.
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2) My child and I have a lot of fun in Kindermusik class, but sometimes I wonder...is she really learning anything about music?
To the casual observer, it might indeed look like we are just playing and having a great time. While our approach is necessarily playful, every aspect of the Kindermusik curriculum is built upon a solid musical and developmental foundation. While playing and singing, children are improving their rhythmic competency, developing a sense of steady beat, achieving the ability to match pitches, becoming acquainted with timbre, learning a repertoire of songs, experiencing many different instruments, increasing their ability to listen, and of course, gaining a love of music that will last throughout their life.
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3) How can young BABIES really benefit from their own music class?
When in infant is born, there are billions of cells and nerves in their brain that have no ability on their own. Through repeated, post-birth experiences these cells and nerves connect forming neural pathways. These neural pathways, or connections, are the foundation of the brain’s thinking and feeling. An infant is exposed to new situations everyday that affect these nerves in their brain. Listening to music helps to create and strengthen more neural connections in a baby’s brain because nerves that deal with the auditory system of the brain are being activated in order to hear and feel music with their entire body. The melodic and rhythmic patterns of music awaken and stimulate these neural pathways in the brain that help develop memory, problem-solving skills, and powers of abstract and creative thinking. From the baby who is just a few months old to the pre-toddler, the music activities in we enjoy in Kindermusik Village are ideal for your baby’s growing mind and body. Music immerses your baby in language, evokes movement, stimulates the brain, fosters physical coordination and balance, develops listening skills, and above all, creates a sense of joy and comfort for both you and your baby!
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4) My child loves Kindermusik class and sings all of the songs and does all of the activities at home, but when we are in class, he just sits there. Is this okay?
Absolutely! Your child is learning even though YOU don't see them participating. Pushing children to perform has no place in an Early Childhood program of any kind. We believe the parent is the child's most important teacher, and the home is the most important place for that learning to grow. When you think about it, success is clearly measured more by what a child does all the rest of the week than what he does in the 45 minutes at Kindermusik class. And remember that Kindermusik is about Process, not Performance. Every child can be successful in a Kindermusik class no matter what developmental level he is on. So if your child is simply observing the class when he is there, but having the time of his life at home, what is most important is he IS enjoying himself. For us, that is what’s most important!
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5) I feel my child is ready for private instrument instruction NOW. Why should I choose Kindermusik over private lessons?
I have learned over the years that a child who indicates a strong interest in playing the piano (or any other instrument) must have more than just this interest to sustain them. They must be ready to accept the rules, guidelines and suggestions of the teacher. Additional considerations include fine motor control as well as the maturity and attention span necessary for daily individual practice. Will the child happily focus for 15-25 minutes on a series of directed tasks? Will the parent devote the time it takes to direct a very young child in this activity?
Since I have started teaching Kindermusik, I reply with total confidence that the best time to start formal lessons is when they have graduated from Kindermusik! In Kindermusik for the Young Child, we build on a strong foundation of movement, vocal development and listening and incorporate the principles of Suzuki, Kodaly, Dalcroze and Orff, as we learn notes of the treble staff, rhythm patterns, instruments of the orchestra, musical terms and composers, all in a fun, social environment that ensures your child will stay motivated and have a strong and happy experience with music lessons. The environment is focused on process, not performance, and is much less intimidating for the child than formal lessons. You can be assured that it is never “too much, too fast.” Parents of Kindermusik graduates and piano teachers are unanimous in their endorsement of the Kindermusik program for 4-7 year olds, for the marvelous preparation and confidence it gives them for formal lessons.
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6) What is your Sibling policy?
At The Musik Nest, we make every effort to accommodate families regardless of sibling/sitter needs. We welcome infants in Baby Bjorn’s or car seats,
who are up to 12-months old, while their older sibling attends class. Due to space considerations and unique class settings during each Kindermusik class, and in order to be fair to the other families enrolled, there is a $12.00 per class fee for babies who are mobile,
able to participate, and are no longer in a baby carrier during class. All siblings are welcome to join our Imagine That! and Young Child classes during the “Family Sharing Time” at the end of each class. If a sibling is enrolled in their own class, you may bring that sibling to your other child's class
with you if it is Our Time. Invariably, if the older sibling is not enrolled in their own class, they will make their brother or sister's class their “own” which can be frustrating and confusing for the older sibling. However, if they have their own class to look forward to, they can more easily sit with mom and participate with brother or sister. Please contact us if you have any other questions regarding our sibling policy
and we will make every effort to accommodate you.
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7) Can I Preview a class BEFORE I join?
Yes. In fact, we encourage this! Coming to a free preview class is an excellent way for you and your child to experience a class and to see what Kindermusik is all about. It is a great way to meet the teacher and see the teaching style of the teacher, and to experience the activities we enjoy in class. To schedule a free preview, please call us at 425-427-0984.
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8) Can I enroll my child in a class at anytime?
Absolutely! Our classes are structured so you can join an ongoing class at anytime. If you enroll after a session has begun, your tuition will be prorated.
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9) Is there a sibling discount?
Yes! The first child will pay full tuition and
materials fees. All additional children will receive $20.00
off the total tuition, $10.00 off the total tuition for our
5-week summer classes, and 50% discount on materials if children are in the same class. If children are in different classes/subjects, full materials fee will be required for both.
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10) What is your
snow/weather policy?
If Issaquah school district is closed due to
snow, wind or rain, then we are closed. If schools are open
or running late, classes will be operating on schedule. We
will always leave a message on our voice mail specifying
whether we are open or closed. You can also visit
www.schoolreport.org or tune into the local morning news.
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11) What is your Make-up policy?
In the event that you miss a class during a session, as a
courtesy we offer up to three scheduled make-up classes per session.
Make-ups are subject to availability and must also be
scheduled within your current session.
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12) What is your refund policy?
Like
other activities your child is enrolled in, whether
swimming, gymnastics or dance, when you register we reserve
a space in the class for your child for the entirety of the
session. As classes have a maximum number of children we can
accommodate, we unfortunately turn away families
interested in enrolling because your space is entirely
committed to you and your child. Therefore, once the session
begins, the tuition and materials are non-refundable. If
your request to withdraw is received a minimum of five business days
prior to the start of the session, we offer 100% refund less a $35.00
processing fee. In
general, as you will find with other activities your child
is involved in, we do not give refunds or credits as soon as
the
session begins. There are of course special
circumstances such as a move out of
the area, but these are dealt with on an individual basis.
If you would like to enjoy a free preview before enrolling,
we are happy to schedule a visit for you and your child in
one of our classes. For more information on free previews,
contact us at
425-427-0984
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