Family Programs Weekly Schedule
BabySTEPS™: Early Childhood Music Education
(for children ages 6 months to 3.5 years)
In BabySTEPS™ (Starting Together the Educational Process) our nationally replicated early childhood program, parent/caregivers join their babies and toddlers in a joyful setting of singing, movement games, and playing rhythm instruments. Each class level builds skills that the parent/caregiver experiences and models and, when ready, the child imitates. This sequential curriculum allows each child to build music skills in early childhood to advanced levels in grade school and high school.
The Suzuki-Orff Approach
Integration of the Suzuki and Orff methods
The Orff approach allows students to experience various elements of music, such as tempo and rhythm, in a child-centered way of learning by hearing the language of music followed by music making using a variety of instruments.
Through the Suzuki method, students participate in private lessons and experience playing music on their instrument of choice by ear before learning to read music.
The integration of these two approaches provides students with the ability to understand the essential components of the musical language before they learn to read music, just as we learn our native language. Reading is introduced around the same time that students learn to read their native language.
Caregiver Participation
Because the Suzuki and Orff methods begin at an early age, caregiver participation is necessary in order to ensure the child is successful. The child, caregiver and teacher form a triangle of learning where the caregiver learns along with the child and is able to reinforce concepts and assist with practice between classes or lessons. The triangle of learning helps to develop a unique trust between child and caregiver in the learning process which has proven to be beneficial in all aspects of learning.
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