Ahhh, the Routine of Fall! by Wendy Ensz

Bittersweet. Summer vacation ends; the new school year begins. What I love about summer: the warmth, down-time for my teenage boys, visitors from out-of town, and lots of sunlight. What I love about Fall: ROUTINE! Yes, I am certainly one who likes a set schedule, structure, and consistency. Perhaps one reason why teaching music to young children is my passion, is that the lessons provide a balance of what I love about both Summer and Fall.

Summer in music class exists all year long. There is warmth in the friendships that develop between children, grown-ups, and teachers. There is down-time, in class during exploration or rocking times, and out of class when the children are choosing to listen, enjoy, and create their own music, any music! There are visitors, as families can make-up Kindermusik classes they miss, meaning we all get to make new friends and live new group dynamics. And there is sunlight – nothing is more bright than a child making music from his or her heart.

Routine? YES! Kindermusik classes meet once a week, at the same day and time, for the entire semester. A hello song begins the class, and a goodbye song (and for the younger children, George the monkey!) ends the class. In between is some mixture of structure and un-structure, but all with the following musical aspects: singing, listening, moving – LOTS of moving!, creating, playing instruments, and reading. And all of these activities consistently revolve around the “follow the child” philosophy.

While I plan to cherish every possible moment this last week of summer, I also greatly anticipate our Fall Kindermusik session. Below is the upcoming Kindermusik class schedule; registration is only a click away:  http://brightbeginnings.kindermusik.net/ . Ahhh, the routine of Fall!

DAY / TIME / LOCATION / START DATE

Multi-Age &/or Family Time
Hello Weather, Let's Play Together
(Newborn – 7 Yrs.)
Mon. 6:00-6:45 p.m. Hillcrest 8/30
Wed. 6:00-6:45 p.m. First Pres. 8/25
Thr. 9:10-9:55 a.m. First Pres. 8/26
Sat. 9:10-9:55 a.m. First Pres. 8/21
*For Preschool Age class times, see below.
-------------------------------------
Village - Zoom Buggy
(Newborn – 18 Mos.)
Mon. 9:15-10:00 a.m. C. Baptist 8/23
Tues. 6:00-6:45 p.m. First Pres. 10/5
Thrs. 9:00-9:45 a.m. C. Baptist 8/26
-----------------------------------
Sign & Sing - Session A [Unit 1]
(Newborn – 18 Mos.)
Mon. 9:15-10:00 a.m. C. Baptist 11/8
Tues. 6:00-6:45 p.m. First Pres. 8/31
-------------------------------
Our Time - Milk & Cookies
(1 ½ – 3 Yrs.)
Mon. 10:15-11:00 a.m. C. Baptist 8/23
Mon. 6:55-7:40 p.m. Hillcrest 8/30
Wed. 9:00-9:45 a.m. C. Baptist 8/25
Wed. 9:50-10:35 a.m. C. Baptist 8/25
Thr. 10:00-10:45 a.m. C. Baptist 8/26
Thr. 6:00-6:45 p.m. First Pres. 8/26
Fri. 9:15-10:00 a.m. First Pres. 8/27
------------------------------
Imagine That!-
Hello Weather, Let's Play Together
(3 – 5 Yrs.)
Wed. 10:40-11:25 a.m. C. Baptist 8/25
Thr. 10:05-10:50 a.m. First Pres. 8/26
Thr. 7:00-7:45 p.m. First Pres. 8/26
Fri. 10:15-11:00 a.m. First Pres. 8/27
*For Multi-Age class times, see top of column.
-------------------------------
Kindermusik for the Young Child
(4 ½ – 8 Yrs.)
Semester One:
Mon. 11:35 a.m.-12:35 p.m. C. Baptist 8/23
Sat. 8:50-9:50 a.m First Pres. 8/21
Semester Three:
Mon. 4:45-5:45 p.m. Hillcrest 8/30
Sat. 10:15-11:15 a.m. First Pres. 8/21
----------------------------------
Keyboard Adventures
(6 ½ – 9 Yrs.)
Semester One:
Tues. 7:00-7:45 p.m. First Pres. 8/31
Sat. 11:10-11:55 a.m First Pres. 8/21
Semester Three:
Tues. 5:00-5:45 p.m. First Pres. 8/31
Sat. 10:15-11:00 a.m. First Pres. 8/21
----------------------------------------------