If you have additional questions, please send an email to Leah at leah@leahsmusicclass.com.

 

Q - Can you tell me a little bit about your CDs and Instructional Guides?

Leah's Music Class CDs and Instructional Guides are used by children, parents, and educators. The CDs offer clear-cut messages through short, uncomplicated songs and chants that are easy to catch on to. They hold children's attention, teach invaluable life skills and encourage active participation. The CDs and Instructional Guides help parents and educators use music and movement to engage children, teach listening skills, demonstrate life's lessons, encourage physical exercise, promote cheerful compliance and transform sour moods into happy times without bribing or threatening.

Leah's CD's include over 50 songs for over an hour's worth of listening, learning, singing and dancing opportunities. The first half of her instructional guides are devoted to the "why's" and "how's" of using music and movement with preschoolers and the second half offers all the song and chant lyrics and activity movement directions. To buy one of Leah's CD's or instruction guides, please visit the Purchase page.

 

Q - My child is only eight months old. Can infants benefit from Leah's Music Class?

Yes! It's never too early to begin exposing children to music. Studies show this to be true. I have seen infants only a few months old flourish in music class. In this case, parents should remember that they are doing a variety of things concurrently for their infant: 1. supplying a bonding experience for themselves and their child 2. learning how to use music to enrich their lives and that of their child 3. exposing their child to the enrichment of music and rhythm (a wonderful art form) 4. exposing their child to other children of various ages and backgrounds. While other parents and their children will be experiencing movement to the music (marching, dancing, moving around) and experimenting with musical instruments, parents of infants can hold their babies and sway with them to the rhythm, lay the baby on his or her back and gently move their arms and legs to the rhythm and hold the instruments for them at eye level so they can experience the sights and sounds of the instruments. There may be times when a tiny infant will feel slightly overwhelmed if he or she is tired but that could occur in any setting. A lot depends on the temperament of your baby and on your personality as well. Everyone is different.

 

Q - We took one of your classes last fall. Can we take it again?

Absolutely! Each session combines new chants and songs with some of those you have become familiar with already. The continuity will be wonderful for your child's growth and development and I think you'll find that music never loses its magic for young children!

 

Q - What should I expect of my child in class?

Let me be forthright and ask you to please leave your expectations at home. You'd be wasting your time and energy bringing your expectations along with you! Leah's Music Class is designed to be a special time for you and your little one(s) to experience the magic of music together. As long as your child is not being overly disruptive, they should feel free to participate (or not) at their own comfort level, not to your expectation level. Some children participate fully and others do not. However, those who appear to be in their own world during music class usually go home and sing the songs and / or do the motions when they think no one is watching. Parents of "go your own way" children such as these are often stymied when they see or hear their child "performing" the songs and / or movements at home but not participating in the expected way during class time. They are further perplexed and amazed when their child continues to enjoy the songs at home or in the comfort of his or her car seat when they are more or less alone, yet they clam up in the class environment. Each child has his and her own way of expressing themselves in public. Children should be allowed to experience music in their own way. When they are allowed to participate (or not) in their own way, they will associate music and movement with comfortable freedom as opposed to oppressive performance expectations.

 

Q - What value is there in having my four-year-old enrolled in Leah's Music Class?

There are so many benefits that it's hard to answer in short form! The classes will encourage your four year old to use his or her own form of self-expression through music & movement. Your preschooler will also benefit from enhanced language development, body awareness, muscular coordination, rhythmic proficiency, and self-confidence. In addition, you will be helping to set the stage for a life rich in the arts by introducing your child to the whimsical world of music and movement.

 

Q - My son is very shy and is language delayed. Will the other children accept him in music class?

A resounding yes! Leah's Music Class allows all children to develop their musical, physical and social skills in an unassuming, safe environment. Leah's mixed age classes promote a non-competitive environment where ages and stages are unimportant. Age and social diversity (in a mixed age music class) presents children with a powerful learning environment as well as a uniquely rich social experience. In this environment, parents can compare their child's progress with other children and students enjoy a less competitive and more nurturing environment in a mixed age scenario. Since ages and ability levels are mixed, a child who has been deemed "different" from other children his age is seen as merely being himself at Leah's Music Class. All children can thrive in a class setting that offers creative movement, experience with simple instruments, and age-appropriate musical skills through games. Leah's Music Class does not discriminate based on religion, ethnic background, level of education, ability, lifestyle, or zip code. Music is for everyone!

 

Q - What will I, as a parent, get out of music class?

For one thing, you should experience a newfound freedom and capability to create & share music. For another, the bond with your child(ren) will be enhanced. You will get ideas on how to compose your own special songs with your child(ren), and you will learn, intrinsically, how to use music to guide and educate your child(ren). You will also experience the joy of watching your child learn and grow both during class sessions and between class times as well. And, it's fun!

 

Q - How do your music classes promote parent - child bonding?

Bonding experiences between parents and their child(ren) run amuck at Leah's Music Class! Bonding opportunities have intentionally been built in to Leah's curriculum. Imagine sharing your child's glow as her face lights up upon hearing her name being sung in Leah's "hello" songs. And, Leah's finger- and toe-plays are not only fun, but they are also helpful for parents to use when their children are bored or upset (outside of class time, naturally!). They are incredibly easy and the kids pick up on them quickly. The older children often like to do the toe plays on their parent's toes (giving them the control). Bouncy songs give kids a chance to get physically close... children never seem to tire of getting a cuddle from their adult caregiver when they are in a fun and nurturing environment. Connections are also made during small motor movement chants and songs, where we sing songs and move our hands and arms, keeping our bodies low to the ground, and during our use of large motor movement chants and songs which playfully allow us to sway, dance, jump, hop, skip, march, etc (at this time, parents with infants become the "legs" of the infant) together. Children and their parents connect when scarves are used as various musical forms and a deeper sense of rhythm are taught through whole body movement. Kids love watching their parents let go while singing and moving freely. Adults and children connect during rhythm time through their experimentation with simple instruments. Parents and children also work together as a team when learning to use rhythm sticks and with echo songs. Putting away instruments together while singing clean up songs also promotes a sense of working together and unity. Parents and children alike love to use the clean up songs at home too! Leah's use of lullabies provides an extra dimension to the bonding experience as kids and their caregivers share a cuddle for a calming moment or two. Friendship and goodbye songs affirm the fun parents (and grandparents, nannies, cousins, etc) and kids have had together in class. And, last but not least, children get great exercise and participating with their parents encourages a life of continued physical activity together. Bonding opportunities galore are there for the taking at Leah's Music Class!

 

Q - I've heard that you teach Christian and Secular classes. We are Jewish - is there a class format for us?

Yes! Although Leah's secular classes do not include lessons associated with any particular "faith", they do focus on life skills (social / communications skills, following instructions, safety, friendship), listening and audiation skills (including speech and foreign language), cognitive skills (problem solving), memory skills and physical skills (fine and gross motor movement) to name but a few.

 

Q - How would you sum up your teaching style?

Two words: accepting and nurturing. Using my "no rules" approach (except where safety is concerned, of course) each child and parent is encouraged to learn in their own way. Simultaneously, I provide multi-sensory instruction that engages children through four pathways to the brain: visual, verbal, auditory and motor. My classes are broad in terms of the material and musical styles presented.