Tag Archives: Kids and Music

Five Things Every Parent Needs to Know about Musikgarten

First, why is parent education important? (After all, the benefits of Musikgarten are soooo obvious!) With many activity options for babies and toddlers available, parent education is your #1 defense against the natural tendency of families to try Musikgarten for a while and then leave to try something else. Parent education helps parents to feel included and it will separate your program from others out there.

Make sure every parent in your program understands the benefits of Musikgarten. The key to parent education is to do it early and often! Send out parent emails or newsletters weekly, post reminders in your studio if you’re able, and host free parent orientation, education sessions or webinars. Here are some lessons you should share:

  1. Class is for children AND parents. The words “music lessons” can conjure strict teaching methods or repetitive practice sessions that don’t exactly scream “fun!” Heather McEndree of Music for Me! at Cumberland Valley School of Music in Chambersburg, PA told us, “I share in my promotional materials that the classes for babies and toddlers are for parents and their children to experience and share music together, through singing, dancing, bouncing, and interacting with the music. The instruments at that level are at the appropriate developmental level for the children: rhythm sticks, shakers, and drums.”
  1. Parental involvement is key! Teacher Bobbi Morgan shared her observation, “I teach the same Family Music for Toddlers lesson for 7 different classes each week. When parents participate joyfully in a musical activity in class and continue the activity at home, the child comes to love it and know it.” To encourage parents to stay engaged at home Bobbi advises, “I ask parents to pick an activity that they and their child enjoyed in class and assign them to practice it daily as ‘homework.’” Let parents know how important they are to their child’s enjoyment and success in Musikgarten.
  1. Musikgarten is 100% KID-approved! Parents want to know their child is having fun, so let the kids do the talking! They’re ultimately your best testimonials. Share what you hear students say just like Cindy Freeman, an Early Childhood Music School Director in Williamsburg, VA, who sends out a parent newsletter with a unique feature she calls “From The Mouths of Babes.” Last month, Cindy included this observation, overheard in her Keyboard 2 class:

“Is class over already?” asked one of Mrs. Freeman’s students. “Wow! That was so short!” chimed another. “It just seems short,” explained Avery, “because we’re in a magical, musical place!”

What have you overheard that would help parents appreciate the benefits of Musikgarten? Share your idea with us and we may include it in an upcoming newsletter, blog or on Facebook!

  1. Musikgarten is more than just learning songs! Backed by scientific research, Musikgarten benefits children at each stage of early childhood development – cognitive, physical, social, and emotional. “When children are immersed in the magic of live music making they leave the environment not only craving more but also feeling a sense of well-being and wholeness,” notes teacher Cindy Freeman. Remind parents that studies show music education positively impacts language and literacy development; improved pattern recognition skills which are the basis for mathematical learning; and social and emotional development.
  1. Music Literacy is the cornerstone of Musikgarten. Even if you are just teaching Babies and Toddlers, remember that we are doing important work in terms of the children’s music aptitude and their potential to become musically literate. Talk about this often, as it is what sets your Musikgarten program apart from every other early childhood music program available.

Attend the next Musikgarten Coaching Live! Parent Education session  to learn more. Register now!

Why Musikgarten Teachers Have The Best Jobs In The World

Launching a blog is a lot like raising a child. It takes a village. It takes patience. And everyone has an opinion. But we actually wanted everyone’s opinions! After all, In The Musikgarten is your blog, written expressly to help you better enjoy, manage and grow your own Musikgarten.

This month, we reached out to Musikgarten teachers with a quick survey to gather ideas for the In The Musikgarten blog. Incredibly, we received hundreds of thoughtful ideas, suggestions, and personal stories that touched our hearts. We’ve spent hours poring over your responses, reading them aloud, making notes and planning posts that will cover the topics, stories and issues that matter most to Musikgarten teachers.

Here’s a preview of the topics we’re working on for you In The Musikgarten:

  • The latest news in music education research and science
  • Major business-building tips for minor budgets
  • Making beautiful music with social media
  • Classroom and behavior management methods that work
  • Teaching children with special needs and different abilities
  • Lessons learned from new and veteran teachers
  • “Shoring up” your summer enrollment
  • Interviews with Musikgarten leaders, teachers and families
  • Inspiring success stories from Musikgarten teachers

(… And so much more!)

Of course, we just have to share some of our favorite responses to one survey question, “What are the greatest joys of being a Musikgarten teacher?” (Hint, grab a tissue!) These are just a few reasons why we believe Musikgarten teachers have the best jobs in the world…

  • “It’s not just about kids and music or even teaching music. We’re educating and nurturing the whole child, mind, body and spirit.”
  • “I love seeing how children grow through each level of the program. Of course, the little hugs I get during class are an extra bonus!”
  • “Seeing children accomplish things that their parents had no idea they could learn so quickly.”
  • “Teaching, especially parents, that music is not just for a select group of people with specific talents, but it is for everyone.”
  • “As a professional musician, I am far too serious about measuring up to my often-unreasonable standards. Teaching children with Muskigarten reminds me of the joy of making music with others, not just for others.”
  • “Knowing that I’m fostering a lifelong love of music…”
  • “I always wanted to teach music, now I also have the freedom to make my own schedule.”
  • “Seeing the happiness in children’s eyes as they sing and play with quality music!”
  • “The number one thing is the interaction between parents and their own children and the other children in the class. It’s like we’re one big family!  I love watching the moms, dads, grandparents and caregivers ask each other for advice about many other things beside Musikgarten. I love this program!”

Why do you think Musikgarten teachers have the best job in the world? Share your comments below or tell us on Facebook!  Use the hashtag #musikgarten and we may use your inspiring comment in a future In The Musikgarten newsletter or blog post!

Mark Your Calendar!

Learning In The Musikgarten

Musikgarten Coaching Live! sessions are a one-hour, online interactive learning experience. Join us from home! Sessions are first come, first serve, and fill up fast! Learn more and register:

  • Getting Started – How to find students and get the word out about your classes. – 2/9
  • Meet Musikgarten – Find out more about Musikgarten, FREE. – 2/12
  • Parent Education – How to teach parents why music education matters. – 2/19

Blooming In The Musikgarten

March In The Musikgarten

Informative Webinars

  • Keyboard 2 – A continuation of the Music Makers Keyboard Book 1 webinar and will complete your certification for Music Makers: At the Keyboard. – 3/2 through 3/5
  • Dance with Me – This 3 hour-webinar is a continuation of the Family Music for Toddlers – Sing with Me webinar and will complete your certification for Family Music for Toddlers. – 3/16

Musikgarten Coaching Live!

  • Parent Education – How to teach parents why music education matters. – 3/9
  • Meet Musikgarten – Find out more about Musikgarten – FREE session. – 3/18
  • Getting Started – How to find students and get the word out about your classes. – 3/20

Celebrating In The Musikgarten:

March is…

  • Music in Our Schools Month

Thinking about becoming a Musikgarten Teacher? Terrific! Join us for a Meet Musikgarten session to find out more. Meet Musikgarten sessions are a chance for you to hear about Musikgarten from Jill Hannagan, long-time Musikgarten teacher and studio owner, teacher trainer, coauthor of the Music Makers: At the Keyboard Series, and Executive Vice President.