Did your child participate in Kindermusic or a similar class? At what age? Did you find it beneficial and?

Question

worth the cost?

Thanks!

Answer 1

I'm so excited you asked this question! My daughter is 13 months old, and is part of a class for children birth to age 4, called Music Together. She LOVES it, and I do, too. She started at 10 months, and I am amazed by what she has picked up. At the beginning of every new semester (which lasts 10 weeks, and costs $130.00 ~ class is once a week), you get a new CD with about 20 or so songs that you'll be doing in class. There are two songs they do every class ~ the hello song, and the goodbye song. The parents participation is important, and my daughter over time learned when to sway, clap on her lap, and tickle her lips and sing ooh. It's awesome to see her cavorting with the kids, dancing, and playing the instruments. I can't say enough how much fun it is for both of us! The moms and I all get a kick out of each others kids, singing, and dancing, and learning new things every week!

Answer 2

Kids have fun BUT I can tell you as a private piano teacher that I've gotten numerous kids that come in from kindermusic and similar programs that either

1. have parents that were highly unsatisfied with the program because once they finish it there is no where to go from there

2. the kids can not translate any rhythm skills or pitch skills they may have learned to an instrument or to reading music etc.. They actually seem behind in more ways than that of a beginner who never set foot into those classes

3. Those classes DO NOT always get taught by someone who is musically knowledgeable and therefore your child could be taught incorrectly.  Alot of these "canned programs" are set up so anyone, musically aware or not, can teach them to make money - and the classes are way over priced for what they are.

Your best bet is to find a piano teacher that teaches young children at 4 or 5 years old and do that when they are old enough for a year and decide if your child wants to continue. They will learn more in terms of rhythm, note reading and muscial skills and theory than they ever will in a canned program.