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Each semester, our experienced
and caring instructors conduct age-appropriate activities with the goal
of introducing young children to basic musical concepts. Through the use
of percussion instruments, movement activities, listening exercises, and
singing, our early childhood students begin to learn important concepts
such as pitch, dynamics, and timbre. Additionally, motor control and inner
hearing are also developed, enabling a natural transition to instrumental
lessons. At Bloomingdale, we strive to make our classes educational and
fun for both students and parents.
What makes Bloomingdale School of Music’s Early Childhood Program
unique?
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Our teachers are musicians. They are trained
and certified in early childhood educational methods and are also
instrumentalists who complement their teaching with musical demonstrations.
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Our classes are age-appropriate. Children
develop at different rates, particularly when they are very young.
The motor skills of a six month old are different from a 20 month
old. Therefore, we structure our classes to specific age groups.
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Our classes build skills. From Baby’s First
Music Class through Dalcroze, Bloomingdale School of Music’s
Early Childhood Program builds skills from one class to the next,
ultimately preparing each child for instrumental instruction at the
school. |
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EARLY CHILDHOOD
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Will my child learn how to play an instrument in one of these classes?
Early childhood classes at Bloomingdale prepare students for group and private
instrument study. In these classes students learn musical concepts such as tempo,
dynamics, rhythm, pitch, and use specially designed children’s percussion
instruments. All the skills gained in Bloomingdale’s early childhood classes
will help young children have a successful and smooth transition into instrumental
study.
Can I take a trial class?
Bloomingdale does not currently offer trial classes for early childhood courses.
The first class in a new environment with strangers can often be stressful, especially
for children who have never taken a group class before or have never separated.
Bloomingdale’s early childhood classes are a cumulative experience in which
the students grow and learn together and one 45-minute trial session is not a
true indicator of a child’s educational experience in the semester-long
course. Bloomingdale’s registration staff is always eager to speak with
any parents regarding specific early childhood questions and a video presentation
by one of Bloomingdale’s early childhood faculty members is available online
at bsmny.org.
During the semester my child will be old enough for the next level
class. Which class should I register for?
Parents should register their children for the class that is age-appropriate
at the beginning of the semester. If a baby who is 10 months in September outgrows
Baby’s First Music class, for example, faculty members will recommend that
the student switch into Toddler’s First Music class. However, since the
age ranges of all Bloomingdale’s early childhood classes are relatively
small, children mature and develop together over the course of the semester and
are generally well matched. |
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