MUSIC TOGETHER:
HOW TO GROW THE MUSIC IN YOUR CHILD
by Chené Koscielny
Did you know that all children are musical? Nurturing this not only develops the child’s musical ability, but supports his or her learning overall.
So, how exactly do you grow the music in your child?
It’s simple: by setting the example, says Robin Jossen, psychologist, musician and owner of the Music Together franchise in Geneva, who has a very different approach to music learning.
TAKE PART IN THE CLASS WITH YOUR CHILD
This is not the type of class where you drop your child off or sit outside the circle and take happy snaps. At Music Together the parents are very much part of the class. In fact, the parents are the teachers, says Robin, because children learn best from the powerful role models in their lives.
The music and movement classes are aimed at children aged 0-5 and follow a 3-year curriculum designed in collaboration with psychologists to focus on both music education and child development.
Classes build on your child’s natural enthusiasm for music and movement, but it’s not a linear programme and allows the child to develop at their own pace.
“The energy comes from the adults. It’s about spending quality time with your child every week,” says Robin.
Another adult, for example a grandparent or a nanny, can also accompany the child and often the Music Together class becomes their ‘special time’ together every week.
We know that children learn best through play and the idea is for your child to see you having fun and being silly and crazy and to learn that it’s OK for them to let go and be silly while enjoying the music too. Children learn from adults and at Music Together the focus is on teaching the parents how to teach their children, not just teaching music but teaching in the wider sense, while having fun, says Robin.
MUSIC BECOMES PART OF YOUR LIFE
The classes are designed to encourage parents and children to take the music home and have fun with it at home too.
Every family gets a CD and book with the lyrics and illustrations and an app and access to videos to encourage them to continue enjoying the music together at home. If the parent is a musician, he or she could get the notes to allow him or her to play the music.
“Music is like a language – it becomes part of your life and is not just something you practice once a week in a 45 minute class.”
MUSIC LEARNING SUPPORTS ALL LEARNING
“During a class, we ask parents (and children, but they do it naturally) to get out of their cognition (i.e. thoughts, ideas about how their child should behave, etc) and to connect to their senses, emotions and intuition.
“Making music works strongly towards children’s development, cognition, coordination, socialisation, self-confidence and much more. When parents can just BE in class with all their focus in the music, rhythm and movement, children start learning from them.”
During the class you, the parent, have an opportunity to observe the way in which your child learns, which helps you understand how best to help them with their learning process in later years.
WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF MUSIC TOGETHER?
The programme was first developed in Princeton 30 years ago and is now active in more than 40 countries across the world.
Robin, a true Genevois, who speaks perfect English, first came into contact with the franchise through his cousin who runs the franchise in Bologna, Italy.
As a psychologist and rock and pop musician, who had worked with children before, Robin instantly loved the concept and has built up the franchise over 11 years into a very successful business with 6 teachers offering more than 50 classes per week in Geneva and Nyon.
As a father of three children aged 11, 9 and 4, Robin is passionate about growing the music in children as he’s seen the difference it has made to his relationship with his own children.
SPRING TERM
The spring classes will take place from Monday, 25th of March to June 22nd, 2019 – 10 sessions
PRICE
CHF300 for the first child + CHF50 one-time new family registration fee
CHF80 for the second child (with a registered older sibling: 6 months and under are free / 4 years and over are free)
This Spring get 15% discount! Discount valid only for new families that register and send proof of payment before 25th of March 2019.
ENTER THE CODE: TTDG when registering.
Register here
WANT TO TRY A FREE CLASS?
During the week of 18-24 March Music Together is taking part in international TEACH MUSIC WEEK – opening 4 of its classes to new students so that they can experience the benefits of music and learn more about their musical curriculum.
The free trials will take place during the first week of the Spring term, but you should register during the Teach Music Week (18-24 March).
CONTACT US for more information and to register for a free trial.
SUMMER CAMPS
Music Together will also be offering Summer Camps – which will include Music Together classes, dance classes, arts and crafts, nature exploring and a music and dance show for parents on the last day of the camp.
WHEN
There will be 3 different themes:
- 1st week of July: Under the sea mysteries
- last week of July: Traveling in Space
- 3rd week of August: Adventures in Wonderland
WHERE
Usine Kluger, Rue de la Truite 4 bis, Jonction, 1205 Genève
PRICE
CHF490 – per week.
CHF390 – for the second sibling
HOURS
7h45 – 17h45
AGE
4 – 7 years old
MORE INFO
On this website.
