Music Together®® of Exeter
Class Policies – Fall 2010
Terry Taylor, Director,
603-969-4693
www.mtexeter.com
http://www.musictogether.com/
Welcome! Please note the following information and save for future references.
Class Schedule: Your class session runs for 10 weeks. Classes are about 45 minutes long.
Attendance and Preparation: It is important that we start the class no later than 5 minutes after our scheduled class time so please try to arrive a little early. It takes the children a few minutes to settle-in (wash hands, use the bathroom say “Hello” to friends…) and it is also very important for them to have the ritual of hearing their name sung in the Hello Song.
Please leave your coats, shoes, and any unnecessary personal belongings, in the waiting room. It is easier and less distracting for the children to be free of things they may trip on or fight over. For early walkers, bare-feet, non-slip socks or slippers are better than regular socks. Slippers are a good idea in the winter for everyone!
In the winter months, colds are common and spread easily. We recommend washing hands before and after class. You will find hand-sanitizer, wipes and tissues available in the classroom. If your child puts a prop or instrument into their mouths (often age appropriate) please put that prop or instrument into our “gooey” basket for sanitizing after class.
Class Cancellations: In the event of snow or hazardous driving conditions, all Music Together classes will be canceled. We usually follow the SAU16 school system but not always! CHECK THE WEBSITE on the homepage for NEWS! A class may be added on at the end of the session to make up for canceled classes or you may schedule a make-up class on another day. Please be sure we have your current phone, cell phone, and email address on file so you can be easily notified of cancellations if necessary. it is not always possible to reach families in time to let them know that classes are canceled. Our website will have NEWS posted early in the AM of any day that the driving appears hazardous or in the event of unpredictable weather or events.
Illness or possible illness: Please do not come to class if you or your child is sick or you suspect a sickness coming on. We do have several very little babies and want to be diligent in providing a comfortable, safe place to enjoy our class time together. Any indication of fever, infection or possible contagious illness and the child should not be brought to class. If you have any doubt at all then please choose not to come and plan to use your make-up days. It is also helpful it you can notify us if you will be absent from class.
Make-up Classes: For your convenience, THREE make-ups per registered child are available. Make-ups must be taken in the session that the classes were missed. Make-ups are scheduled in advance by signing up in the make-up book located on the studio. Only two make-ups can be scheduled per class per day. You are welcome to schedule a make-up in the beginning of the session as a plan to miss a later class date. You can also request a make-up by email: terrytaylor22@comcast.net. . No credit can be given toward the next session for missed classes except under exceptional circumstance such as serious long-term illness; upon the discretion of the director. There are no refunds.
Class Participation: YOU are your child’s most important music teacher! The children learn by watching you participate in the music making process. Our program is a “process” oriented program. We do not have goals or expectations for the children rather we want to provide a rich musical experience that demonstrates families’ making-music together. You do not need any prior music experience. Your teacher will guide you in through a variety of activities and show you how to share them at home with your family during the week. If you do have experience with music or if you play an instrument and you are willing to accompany a couple of songs during the session, please let your teacher know!
Do not make your child DO anything during the class, except follow the rules on safety ( no running..etc.. ) They will probably just watch for the first few weeks. When they finally do participate in their own time at their own level, it will be magical! Your teacher will help you understand your child's musical development and the musical milestones that the children reach. If you have questions about you child’s participation level or any part of the program at any time during the session please ask your teacher. They will be happy to answer your questions. If time is restricted because another class is arriving then they will be give you a phone call at a suitable time to discuss your concerns.
Please do not socialize during our class time! We have just 45 minutes a week to create a musical experience for the children. Please avoid socializing during the class. There is important learning that we reinforce between songs when we keep the children (and parents) in “musical thought” by sharing tonal patterns, rhythm patterns and even the occasional “planned silence”. Talking interrupts that process. It also distracts the children and your teacher. Because we realize it is difficult not to talk when we are sitting in a group of friends and we have created “snack-time” after class for all your talking needs.
After-Class Snack: Please notify us if your child has any food allergies. An optional snack is available after class in our Mixed-Age classes. Snack is usually apple-cinnamon rice cakes and plain water. You are welcome to leave after class if you prefer not to participate in snack-time. Please feel free to bring a sip-cup in after the class if needed. There is no food or drink allowed in the classroom during class.
Snack is not available for our evening or baby classes. The mothers in the babies usually bring a bottle or appropriate snacks depending on their baby’s age. We welcome nursing at anytime before, during or after snack time.
Class Size: Class size is normally between of six and twelve registered children. Make-ups and visiting siblings and family members will contribute to a larger class size. We are a family- friendly program that welcomes and encourages visits from Grandma’s, Grandpa’s or anyone else who is visiting or home from school for the day. It is helpful if you notify your teacher ahead of time if you know ahead of time that a guest will be visiting.
If your child is near 2 years old please discuss this with them before class. We will remind the children that skipping, hopping and dancing are fine but running is for outside time! This can be difficult for the 2-4 year old who seems to want to run all the time and who will forget often. We will offer gentle reminders but in the rare event that a child refuses, it is OK to reinforce the message by taking them out of class for a few minutes.
CD, Tape, Songbook and Parent Guide: Play your tape/CD at home or in the car as frequently as possible, especially during the first two weeks of class. Make it available for your child to listen to while she/he is playing or before nap or bedtime. Use the songbook to help you remember the songs or to play along if you play an instrument. At bedtime or nap-time, try using the songbook instead of a regular book. Although it is important to listen to the CD often, by week 5 we hope you will try to make music with the songs at home, without the use of the CD. If possible, create a “play-along” basket for your family. Kitchens are a great place to find wonderful sounding play-instruments or you can ask your teacher for recommended sources to start an instrument collection of your own.
Parents new to Music Together will receive Music and Your Child: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers. Please take the time to watch DVD early in the session! If you are a Nanny or participating Grandparent, ask about getting a copy of the CD for yourself so that you can become familiar with the music, too.
Instruments and Additional Materials: Egg shakers, rhythm sticks and assorted other instruments like the ones we use in class, are available for purchase for use a home or as gifts. To order anytime visit our website store: www.musictogether.com or call Music Together 1-800-728-2692 x345
Safety:
This is a Parent/Child class and you are responsible for the safety of your child, but we must work cooperatively to ensure the safety of all the children. To keep the classroom a safe place for all, there is NO RUNNING in our studio before during or after class.
