Rhythm Kids® (4-8 years)

Rhythm Kids® Class Description

Rhythm Kids® is a music class JUST for your big kid, ages 4-8 years old. Parents are welcome to join us, but it is also a drop-off class. Just like our family classes, Rhythm Kids® is 45-minutes of musical learning and fun in each weekly class. The big focus in Rhythm Kids® is:  Creative expression through music! 


The Rhythm Kids® curriculum is designed to be used by "big kids" who are ready for more independent learning.  Ms. Kat & Ms. Reene will build off the creativity that bubbles out of children and craft each class to meet the children where they are. While many of the songs will be the same as our Mixed Ages collection, Rhythm Kids® classes include many new songs designed just for them.  A strong focus on hand drumming with a Djembe drum will foster a greater understanding and practice of rhythm.  Lots of call and response, independent vocals, creating rhythm patters and dance - we will challenge these kiddos to use their whole bodies to make Music Together®.  



Objectives of Rhythm Kids® Classes:

Foster confidence by establishing a "culture of contributing" where children can volunteer ideas and make meaningful contributions to the class

Understand, articulate and demonstrate basic djembe drumming technique

Understand, articulate and demonstrate musical dynamics

Understand, articulate and demonstrate basic music terminology

Continue pitch and rhythm competence

After taking 2 or more classes, we will begin to incorporate the following:

Identify and understand musical notation

Develop sight-reading techniques

Begin working on Solfege

Confident understanding of music vocabulary and notation recognition

Children of this age are ready for more independence in the classroom, so parent attendance in each Rhythm Kids® class is welcome but not required. Guided by take home materials, the entire family can continue the fun and learning at home and you can stay connected with what your child is learning in class. On her own in class your child will build life skills like leadership, decision-making and teamwork at the same time as she builds her music skills.

Classes are 45 minutes long.

You may attend any and all classes if you wish, though most families drop off.

We cannot accommodate younger siblings during the class if you attend with your Rhythm Kid, though, two siblings ages 4-8 can roll together. 

Children integrate and assimilate rhythm into their lives as they:

learn multicultural drumming patterns

develop new repertoire on various percussion instruments

explore movement and dance while singing song

play games based on music and drumming

make up story songs and gain confidence through solos, conducting and ensemble work.

Classes include:

Weekly, 45-minute classes

1 CD/`1 Collection Songbook

access to online in-home activity pages

access to online video tutorials and play alongs

Children will:

Learn, create, discover and explore music, movement and drumming

Enjoy age-appropriate ways to play rhythm instruments (shakers, tambourines, etc)

Sing solos, ensembles, and vocal play

Explore traditional drumming patterns through animal names and movement

Experience drumming, song, and dance from around the world (Mali, Puerto Rico, Turkey, Ghana, etc.)

 

Some FAQ about Rhythm Kids®: 

WHAT ACTIVITIES WILL YOU DO IN CLASS? 

By introducing developmentally appropriate activities such as drumming skills, instrumental solos and ensembles, choreography, harmony singing, and vocal development, your child will gain fluency in the language of music, which will lay the groundwork for successful formal training, should you choose to take that path.  

The Rhythm Kids® program has a unique ability to encourage children's participation in class. Children that may have been quiet participators in the past come out of their shells to engage enthusiastically and energetically.

WHAT IF MY CHILD IS ALREADY TAKING INSTRUMENTAL LESSONS?

Rhythm Kids® can be a wonderful accompaniment to lessons.  The play that your child will do in Rhythm Kids® will strengthen her musical skills in different ways than lessons will, by allowing her to express in her voice and body the rhythms and melodies that she hasn't yet mastered on her instrument. 

IS MIXED AGES OR RHTYHM KIDS RIGHT FOR MY CHILD?
If your child can repeat a rhythm pattern, click sticks or clap on rhythm for a few measures, enjoys singing and dancing, and loves making music, then your child is ready for Rhythm Kids®!  But - that doesn't mean he or she won't still enjoy our Mixed Ages class.  Children are only little once, and you may want to savor your time together in one of our family classes.  We LOVE having "big kids" in the Mixed Ages classes to serve as role models for the toddlers.  Children don't "graduate" from Mixed Ages into Rhythm Kids®.  Rather, enrolling your child in Rhythm Kids® is a choice you can make if you feel your child would enjoy the class.  There is special pricing available for families who wish to do both Rhythm Kids® and Mixed Ages.