Should Price be the first or only factor in choosing a music program for your child?

I've been getting quite a few calls of late from parents wanting to know why my Kindermusik classes and or lessons are so much more expensive (not by much!) than the local Park and Rec programs. Directly in question was my "All Keyed Up" Piano Encounters weeklong camp for young children. The price at my studio for this program is $160.00 for 10 hours. The price for the compared Park and Rec program was $55 for 4 hours (or $137.50 for 10 hours).

My first reply is always, I really can't answer that question as I'm not affiliated with the Park and Rec and/or the people who hold the programs, but I can tell you what I DO know.

These programs are priced lower because they are usually town, state or government subsidized. I myself did a program for special needs years ago in an adjacent town, and they charged families very little. Yet i was still paid my going rate.

In my program, there is a limit of 8 children, it includes music, a CD, a percussion instrument to work on steady beat at home, as well as a true evaluation as to whether your child is ready for private lessons. I pride myself on being honest about a students readiness, as it isn't good to set a child up for failure and discouragement if they truly are not ready.

In my program, you know that your child is working with a licensed and certified educator and musician.

What makes Kindermusik different from other young child music classes? Developmentally appropriate activities and tasks. We make sure that each program is appropriate for YOUR child. Even in our Family Class I make sure to go up to each parent and tell them how to use the activity or instrument in the appropriate way for their childs level. Children from Birth to 7 years of age aren't the same, and should be taught in developmentally appropriate ways!

Also, it is a struggle in these economic times, and sometimes those Park and Rec programs look 'just as good' and definitely look cheaper. Are you sure that program is being taught by an educator and or musician?

Is your child there to 'just have a good time' or to learn? Kindermusik through all it's levels teaches language skills, social skills, cognitive reasoning skills AND note reading and writing. Payment plans ARE available, just ask.

Dollar for Dollar, Kindermusik is still a great value at Kindermusik with Sandie. You receive at home materials including a CD (sometimes 2!) books, instruments and the comfort in knowing that your educator is indeed an educator and a musician!

School year semesters are LESS than $19.00 a week. We offer sibling discounts (almost 50% in our summer programs!) and the reassurance that your child will be learning and growing musically and developmentally.

Sing with you soon!

Sandie

www.musicboxwithsandie.com

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Why music is good for YOUR child....

Why music is good for YOUR child……

Yes, we’ve all heard it before. Bach for Babies, Mozart for Mommies, you name it, it’s out there. Music makes children smarter, Music helps with grades, Music helps with math skills. It’s almost overload. You see the studies, you glance over the titles….but do you really contemplate it for YOUR child?

A new Kindermusik Dad really got me thinking this week. Dad & Charlie came to visit an Our Time class. Charlie was a happy young man (26 months old). He was exploring every space, every nook and cranny of the living room (waiting area) the great room (class area) and the minds in motion area (aka my eclectic and not child proofed office, forgot to put the gate up!)

I continued to reassure Dad that this exploration was normal. That is was OK for Charlie to touch all of my bins out for the class. That I was happy he felt comfortable enough to go over to the kid sized table and chairs and sit and watch. He always rejoined when something new was brought out to explore. I gradually watched Dad relax, and not follow around so much. He sat on the floor, leaning back and watching his son. The more Dad relaxed, the more Charlie stayed in the class area. The more fun they both began to have….and before we knew it, class was over!

In talking with Dad later, his main purpose to join (and he did join!) was to give his son more social time with other children and families (OH YES!) to learn more about sharing and taking turns (YES AGAIN!) and to have a great time. I loved that this Dad was so ‘in tune’ to what his son needed.

So, what light bulb went off in my musical brain after this great start to a Kindermusik day?

I’m going to work even harder to get to know new families better. To find ways that Kindermusik (or music in general) will help each individual family and child. A child might have recently had a Birth to Three evaluation for fine or gross motor skills, or language delays. Music can help with that. A child might really need guidance processing sequences or routines. Music can help with that. A child might have been recently diagnosed as on the Autistic Spectrum. Music can help with that. A child might be recently adopted and or an only child and not know how to interact with other young people. Music can help with that. A family might be overstressed and just need a way to bond with each other in a fun yet educational way. Music can help with that too.

THIS….is why music is GREAT for YOUR child/children AND family.

Sing with you soon!

Sandie