Kindermusik--What Are Your Thoughts?

I feel that it is very cruel to make a 2 yr, old, sit 45 minutes long. I can't imagine any active 2 year old sitting 45 minutes for much of anything. Let toddler enjoy his new life by being active, and find another activity that he could enjoy and relate to. You can play developmental music that is age appropriate while he is playing, resting or sleeping, in the car, hum it to him while rocking him in a chair or one or one time together.

Dear M.C.

Hello!! I teach Music Together classes in Canton and opened my center-"Harmony and Me" in Spring '07. I was trained in '03 by one of the 2 founder's of Music Together(a professor at Rowan University) and have been teaching since '03. I have also been a Mom participating in class since '99 and have gone through the Music Together program with both of my daughters.

In our classes your child is free to move about the room (a distraction free dance studio) as we sing and dance and use instruments in our circle. No one is ever restricted from moving (I encourage safe behavior-no running or throwing instruments). Many children are kinesthetic learners and toddlers are often doing what is developmentally appropriate for them ( alot of movement)! Our classes are experiential, and my focus is nurturing each child and making a musical environment that feels safe and loving. This is family-style music making and siblings are welcomed!

I would be happy to talk further with you about Music Together's philosophy. My website is www.HarmonyAndMeKids.com my telephone ####-###-####.

M. Regan, Director, Harmony and Me

Yeah, I have to agree...how can a 2 year old be too active? I'd worry if he wasn't! There is no way a toddler can even grasp the concept of sitting through a class! Def. need to find a different teacher.

Did the teacher actually ask you to leave and give you a refund?!?!?! I had my son in Kindermusik at 2, he's now 5, and he NEVER sat through a class. It was never a structured class. The teacher always had a plan for what she wanted to do but she never ever expected the kids to sit. They were moving the entire time. They'd sing and dance and use different props and instruments. She changed the activity with each song. I would find a new teacher for the program. And then get on the Kindermusik website and complain to the headquarters about the first one. From the sounds of it she's not what the want representing thier company. Good Luck!

I just became a Kindermusik educator and in the training we are taught to expect kids to all react differently in class. Even kids who run around the whole class will still get something out of it and can participate in their own way. If you are concerned by his behavior, you could maybe take him for a short walk to calm him down. Also, the first class can be difficult because he's just not used to this new experience. I've found that kids become more comfortable each time they come back when they start to understand what to expect in class. I would talk directly to the teacher about your concerns. It's such a great program, I'm sorry you've had a negative experience. By the way, I teach Kindermusik in Fenton if anyone's interested. Feel free to call if you have any questions ###-###-####.

If you are still interested in possibly attending a music class, I highly recommend a Music Together class. I don't know where you live, but they are located in different areas. There are two that I know of: one in Farmington Hills (www.MusicMakersCenter.com) and one in Canton (www.HarmonyAndMeKids.com). If neither of these are close to you, you can try an internet search using Music Together. It is a national and international program. If you don't come up with anything on your search that is close to you, try contacting one of the instructors at the websites I gave you and they might be able to help you out in finding a class close to you. The classes are wonderful. I have been attending them with my three children for almost seven years now. They are mixed age classes for children ages 0-5. The classes are structured, however they have a much different philosophy on how children learn and absorb music. The children are not expected to sit still during class and are free to roam and explore, just encouraged to not be disruptive. In fact, if a child chooses to stand and look out the window, the instructors feel that the child is still absorbing the music and class around them. All of my children have loved Music Together and I feel fortunate to have met the fantastic instructors.

A 2 year old should not sit through a 45 minute class-- s/he should be up and active and playing while enjoying the music. My son takes Music and Me classes at his pre-school and the kids are up dancing and involved in activites with instruments throughout the entire class. I put my son in a gymboree music class at nine months- they have different age groups and it was very interactive-- you might want to try that. No normal 2 year old will sit through a class for 45 minutes. It's good he is active and you should encourage that.

Good luck.

I think it depends on the teacher. My son was in it for a year, two double length semesters, and attained the nickname "Busy Ben" from the other mothers as the kid would NOT sit still. He would sit for half of story time and one song at a time, but in between activities he was running around or hanging out under tables or checking out other people's shoes. The teacher was cool with it... and on days when he was really nutty we sometimes left early or took walks in the hall and came back in when he was ready to go and no one cared. No two year old can sit still that long and she should know that.

That's ridiculous! When my first son was that age, I thought about it too, but knew there was no way he'd sit through it so I decided against it. Do they forget that these are toddlers who like to explore?