Class Guidelines for MusicalMe Classes

Welcome to MusicalMe, Inc.s' offering of Music Together! We are sure you will notice that your child will really enjoy this class, and the reason is that infants and very young children love music. They are drawn to it in a powerful way which makes our job very easy. However, there are a few things you as parents need to know that may not seem apparent.

Underneath all the fun and games, we are trying to accomplish two very important goals:
- We want your child to experience the joy of music-making as a life-long endeavor, and
- We want him or her to achieve Basic Music Competency (singing on pitch and keeping a steady beat).
This normally occurs after two years of Music Together classes (in some cases even earlier!) There are lots of two year olds out there who can do this as a result of being in Music Together classes from birth. Once the basic skills are achieved, your child can easily graduate to more formal lessons as early as age three.
Your job as a parent is to model the behavior you eventually want your child to imitate: shake those eggs, sing your heart out, follow the teacher. Don't worry if your child is reticent or not participating. Don't compare your child to others who are following exactly. Your child will still absorb what we are teaching, it just takes time and you need to be patient.

Children learn about music the same way they learn language. It doesn't happen in a 10-week semester. Think of music education as the same as language skill building: you don't expect them to speak in perfect sentences immediately! Resist the urge to make them "do it right". The only behavior you need to control is if they are disrupting the class (i.e. running, climbing on furniture or loud crying) or about to harm anyone. Relax and enjoy the musical activities. Your child will eventually learn to do the same.
The biggest challenge we face is that some parents think music class is really a play group - a chance for them to socialize. Not only does this disrupt the learning process by modeling the "wrong behavior", but it also makes it difficult for the parents who are trying to experience all that Music Together has to offer rather than visiting with their friends during class. Studies show that language actually interferes with music learning - so please try to resist the natural urge to add socializing chatter to the fray. Thanks!

HAPPY MUSIC MAKING!

Please talk with your teacher before or after class if you have questions.

Please read the following important information and save for future reference (especially for the schedule)! Do not hesitate to discuss the following information or any aspect of your family's experience in Music Together with us.

ATTENDANCE: In order to provide a smooth transition between classes, every effort will be made to begin and end classes ON TIME! Please arrive a few minutes before your class time! It will make your child's adjustment easier. If there is a preceding class still in session, please wait outside the classroom until the previous class is dismissed. When you do come into the classroom, please remove everyone's shoes, sign in by checking the column next to your child(ren)'s name on the Attendance Sheet, and make name tags for yourself and your child(ren). Please attend only the class for which you are registered, unless you have signed up for one of your two make-up classes.

FOOD/DRINKS DURING CLASS: No food or drink are allowed in the classroom at any time.

MAKE-UP CLASSES: Please refer directly to our Make Up Policy on this website.

HEALTH: If your child puts any of the instruments in his/her mouth, please place it in our "Wet Box", and we will clean it after class. For the consideration of all, please do not bring a sick child to class. If your child is not feeling well, please take advantage of our liberal make-up policy above. For more information about health and sickness, please refer to our detailed Health Policy.

** 24-HOUR HEALTH RULE **: All students (children & adults) must be clear of fever, diarrhea and/or vomiting for 24 hours before attending Music Together class. If you or your child has green mucus or a wet cough, please stay home until such illnesses are cleared up. If any of these symptoms are noticed in class, you will respectfully be asked to leave. We understand that this is a delicate, though important issue - our young children are especially susceptible to illness. Thank you in advance for your compliance.

SIBLINGS & FRIENDS: All students must be enrolled, unless they are 8 months and under AND attending with a registered sibling. In the case of an occasional special situation where you would like to bring a sibling or friend to class with you, you must first sign up on the Make-Up Sheet in advance to arrange and pay a guest fee for the extra child which is $15, payable to "MusicalMe, Inc.". Payment must be made and given to the teacher on the day you attend. We cannot extend this guest fee option to any unregistered families.

SAFETY: The classrooms are fairly childproof, and although children are allowed to move (not run) freely during the class, we depend on each parent/caregiver to supervise each child(ren)'s activity so accidents do not occur. Running is always a challenging issue - many children love to run in class, as it is their natural response to the music, yet running can also lead to big ouchies - and so we discourage running as much as possible.

PARENT EDUCATION EVENING: The Parent Education Evening is an important part of the Music Together curriculum. It is an information meeting, for parents and caregivers only, to discuss all aspects of the Music Together program, and answer any questions you may have about your child's or your musical experience. Attendance will greatly increase your understanding and appreciation of your class experience. Please plan on attending this fun and informative class for grown ups. In Santa Clara County, it will be held at the Saratoga Parks & Recreation Portable at 19655 Allendale, Saratoga. In Santa Cruz County, it will be held at our Santa Cruz classroom, 239 High Street. The date and time will be announced in your Music Together class, or you can check our Special Events Page.

CLASSROOM MATERIALS: Use of the materials makes a very real difference in your child's and your own experience of the Music Together program. This cannot be emphasized enough! Please read through your songbook and read it often with your child. You can use your songbook for reading, looking at the pictures, following the music on the CD, coloring and decorating with stickers. New families will also receive the Parent Education Guidebook. Please read at least one chapter each week. It's a good idea for returning families to review the guidebook frequently, too. Please listen to the music often, both in and out of the car. Using the materials is one of the best ways to bring your class experience into your home - the most important classroom!

PARTICIPATION: We are our children's greatest role models and as such we ask that you, or your caregiver, actively participate in class. In fact, adult participation is of the utmost importance. Please stay focused on the activities and keep chit-chat to an absolute minimum. Please don't activate or otherwise control your child(ren)'s movements. This is the best way to appreciate your child(ren)'s unique response, which may range from simply observing, to responding with their own gestures.

Class is fun, and more a resource than an end in itself, so please know that we do not require nor expect your child to participate in class. We do, however, require and expect you to participate and to be a model for your child, even if you don't feel particularly confident about your own musical ability. If your child sees you making music and having a good time, then he or she is more likely to develop that disposition. It's easy and enjoyable to participate in a Music Together class. So relax, let your child "be" and have fun yourself!

We look forward to spending the next six weeks with you, and to having fun making Music Together!

Sincerely,
Lizz, Tricia, Jackie, Josh, Katlynn, Theresa, Jonah, Louise, Polly, Gail & Elizabeth,
Your Registered MUSIC TOGETHER® Teachers

Class Guidelines for MusicalMe Classes

HAPPY MUSIC MAKING!

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