Program keeps children active, aids development
In a second-floor room at Covenant Presbyterian Churh, 230 E. Jefferson St. toddlers and 2-year-olds are introduced to Johnny and Katie and Flip Flap Sugar Snap amid squeals and giggles.
It may look like they're having a lot of fun — and they are — but these tots twirling scarves and listening to stories are being exposed to social and language development through the subtleties of the Kindermusik program.
It works so well, parents have brought their whole families in succession to the class. Kindermusik has no bigger fan than Samantha Drohan who brought her child to class and later stayed on to teach it. That was more than 15 years ago.
“I was certified in the fall of 2002 and began my program in January of 2003. I've been doing it for 15 and a half years,” Drohan said.
She had her first exposure to Kindermusik in 1999, Drohan said, when she brought her oldest daughter, Olivia, then 2, to the class.
“Adele Armstrong was the teacher of the class,” Drohan said. “She taught in the North Main Street Church of God. She retired in 2002.”
Drohan said she decided take up the teaching reins after that.
“When my second child turned one and a half, I called to enroll her and was told she was no longer teaching. Naively I thought she had someone lined up to take over, but she didn't.”
Drohan said Kindermusik uses music and movement to help a child's development in pupils as young as three months and as old as 7.Kindermusik, whose name derives from the German for “Children's Music,” uses recordings, instruments and award-winning literature books along with traditional nursery rhymes and songs to aid cognitive, emotional, social, physical, and language development.There are CDs with songs for the parents to buy and take home.“We feel very strongly that the families have access to the music and activities because it makes the child more familiar with the music and more comfortable in class,” Drohan said.This is part of Kindermusik's aim of fully involving the parents.“It is special in that parents participate with their child as opposed to just watching them from a waiting room,” Drohan said“So you will find both adults and children singing, rolling around on the floor, exploring instruments and more at any given moment during our class.“We believe parents are the number one teacher. We want parents in class,” she said.The class runs 45 minutes once a week and is proving so popular Drohan will be opening a second location in Adams Township.Drohan said, “The program itself is wonderful. It's focused on childhood education and development. It's based on proven research.“It's very effective and important. Music is the vehicle to reach families. It makes it fun and special,” she added.
There is lots involved in the class. Toddlers grasp musical instruments, explore objects, use dance to explore motor movement. Stories are read, songs are sung.Classes range in size from four to 10 pupils and their parents.One recent class — five sets of mothers and children this night — begins with “gathering time” as the young pupils bash, pluck and strum a variety of instruments. It also allows the children to get acquainted with one another.Drohan musically gets the class under way by singing for the instruments to be put away.Parents are expected to sing, clap, sway and dance along with their children.Drohan said, “We check our egos at the door. It's an opportunity to be childlike again.”Today's lesson, she said, is about social development.“They are starting to notice others. They are taking their cues from you (the parent),” she said. “Empathy is really important because they will be starting preschool soon.”“We are trying to socialize them but getting them to sing, move and listen together,” said Drohan.That's to the great delight of the younger participants at least.There was bouncing and singing “Whoop Johnny,” simulated phone calls from grandparents and a story about “Flip Flap Sugar Snap.”Kindermusik has made an impression on the parents.Families come back again with younger siblings like Michelle Burd from Boyers, whose daughter Ashlyn, 3, is the third Burd child to take Kindermusik classes.Burd said, “I would say the socialization is excellent. It really creates a spark in her.”
Jennifer Kaiser of Butler watches as her son Jackson, 2, twirls a scarf during one of the class exercises.Kaiser said, “He has a lot of fun. He knows the music and takes in a lot more than you think.”Jessica Cooper of Butler, brings her daughter Lucy, 18 months, to class.Cooper said, “We love Kindermusik. It teaches great developmental skills, and Lucy makes friends and she loves to sing.”Sometimes the reason for coming to the weekly Kindermusik class isn't all about the child.Stephanie Shaffer of Butler brings her 3-year-old daughter, Romy, to the class.“I brought her when she was 18 months old because that was something we could do together. We needed the connection,” said Shaffer.“It's great for socialization and memorization of sounds,” Shaffer said. “I find myself listening to them (the Kindermusik CDs) where there are no kids around.”There's something about Kindermusik that gets under the skin and keeps parents bringing all of their children to the class.“I had taken my oldest to Kindermusik with Mrs. Armstrong and had a magical experience,” Drohan said. “I wanted to continue that for other parents.“So, I am celebrating over 15 years of teaching, just as Kindermusik International is celebrating its 40th anniversary.”For more information, call 724-290-5695 or visit www.kindermusikwithsamantha.com.
