Frequently Asked Questions

Chasing bubbles!

Being an Octopus is so much fun! “Creatures at the Ocean” Summer camp.

Bouncing like the Kangaroos at “Zoo Train” summer Camp.

Tamra at the Home Studio with some of the colorful instruments and props used in her Kindermusik classes.

Exploring a resonator bell.

A parent-child dance with scarves and a Maypole in a Village class.

Kindermusik classes intentionally promote literacy by fostering a love of reading and books. All infant, toddler and preschoolers receive books that correlate with the semester’s theme. School-age children are reading and writing rhythms and notes.

Why doesn’t Kindermusik cost less?

(Well, actually we do cost less than some kids music/play programs in the area! But read on!)

1. Leadership - Kindermusik is the leader in Early Childhood Music and Movement programs. Being a part of "KINDERMUSIK" ensures that you are getting an internationally tested and tried product that works and is the leader in the field. It is the "Designer" label as opposed to a local or "in-store" label. Our educators have more training and expertise.

2. Expertise - Kindermusik regularly consults with experts in the field of Early Childhood development, music and movement as they develop their curricula, such as: Don Campbell, author of The Mozart Effect; Melissa R. Johnson, pediatric psychologist; Anne Green Gilbert, author of Creative Dance for Children; Claudia Quigg, founder and executive director of Baby TALK; Mary Sheedy Kurcinka, author of Raising Your Spirited Child; Patricia Campbell, author of Songs in Their Head: Music and Its Meaning in Children’s Lives, and others. These experts, along with an amazing Creative Team, bring their knowledge and experience into your lives. No other program can boast of such backing. This is worth a lot.

3. Home Materials - The materials produced by Kindermusik International are of the highest quality. The CDs, Literature and other home materials are unsurpassed. The talented artists, musicians and arrangers make the music come alive. You only have to listen to one CD to know that this is not ordinary kid stuff. Music learning with the family in the home is a fundamental cornerstone of Kindermusik, and this is accomplished best through the use of home materials. Other programs may offer no or optional home materials (often of questionable quality) which makes it hard to continue the experience at home.

4. Expert Instruction - Few activities in the Salem-Keizer area can boast of such highly trained instructors as you will find at Kids & Music - in fact many people hired to teach classes to young children have no more than a high school diploma and sometimes have not yet even graduated from high school. Many have no more experience with children than babysitting or being a daycare provider. At Kids & Music you will have a true expert (who is also a parent) at your service.

· Tamra Burleson holds a Bachelor’s degree in music with emphasis in vocal performance and music education and a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology with emphases in both play therapy and school counseling. She worked as an elementary school music teacher for several years. She continues to attend workshops and seminars to expand her knowledge in the areas of child development, and play therapy, music education and special needs. She also has performed professionally in several vocal genres, including solo, small groups and large choruses, even the Portland Opera Chorus. Tamra has won numerous awards both locally and statewide. She has received many years professional vocal training and understands the development of a healthy voice as well as music pedagogy. Tamra is considered by the families she teaches to be the most enthusiastic teacher around with a genuine warmth and care for families in her community.

Some statements adapted from Wendy Jones - Kindermusik Educator

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Text Box: My child has special developmental challenges. Is Kindermusik for him/her? Children with Autism spectrum disorders, Down’s syndrome, hearing impaired children and those with other physical, emotional, speech and learning needs have generally thrived AND improved in our Kindermusik classes. What the program can do for children with special needs is often even greater than what it does for typically developing children. Both educators at Kids & Music have specific professional training in Special Needs and Child Development. Though our degrees are not in special education (Music ed, Music therapy, Counseling psych, with emphasis in children), we have more training in child development and special needs than any other early childhood music & movement team in town! Let’s talk!

Text Box: Why are most Kindermusik classes age specific? Shouldn’t they all be mixed? Kindermusik classes are the best of both worlds. We have classes include an age span large enough to reap the benefits of mixed-age groupings, yet provide close developmentally appropriate learning. In all but infant classes, Kindermusik employs an age range of 2 -2.5 years. For preschool children beyond infancy, there is a good body of evidence that a 2-4 year span is helpful for the social education of children. There is not yet a body of research that backs the use of larger age spans for whole-child development. Large-range mixed grouping utilized in an absence of solid knowledge of other good educational practices, large-range mixed age groupings are not recommended by researchers. “Mixed-age grouping is not a magic bullet, nor is it a technique we recommend that teachers use without consideration of complementary teaching and learning strategies.” Diane E. McClellan & Susan J. Kinsey (1999), Children’s social behavior as related to participation in mixed-age or same-age groups. Early Childhood Research and Practice, Vol.1(1). (http://ecrp.uiuc.edu/v1n1/mcclellan.html.)

Text Box: What research should I do about programs like this? Does the teacher have relevant education beyond training provided by the franchise? What degrees or advanced training does he/she have? Is the teacher . . . enthusiastic? child-centered? knowledgeable? able to communicate equally well with parents and children? Is the teacher experienced or a newcomer to the field? If the teacher is new, is he/she under face-to-face supervision of a highly qualified, experienced teacher? How recent was the teacher’s last background check? Is the curriculum . . . broad? active? hands-on? multi-sensory? developmentally appropriate? musically and culturally diverse? Does the program intentionally emphasize literacy, social, emotional, language, cognitive and physical development as well as music education? Does the teacher communicate how the activities foster this development? Do the home materials reflect these priorities? What are the home materials? Do they include family activities beyond listening to the music and doing motions? Is there a literacy-developing component? Is the music something the whole family can tolerate over and over? Kids & Music is striving to raise the bar in early childhood enrichment programs in Salem-Keizer. We desire to see every music program in town staffed by truly qualified educators deserving of a parent’s trust and respect. Help us continue to raise the bar by insisting on the best for your child.

Frequently Asked Questions

Rocking Time in a Village class promotes bonding between parent (or uncle in this case!) and child.

Can I stay with my child for the class?

Village and Our Time classes are for both caregiver(s) and child together. One caregiver should be present for each child enrolled (unless specifically arranged with your educator). The caregiver is an active participant with the child. Dads and grandparents, aunts or uncles (of a responsible age) are welcome to be the caregiver participant for Kindermusik classes.

In Imagine That! classes, caregivers and siblings join the classes for family sharing time during the last 15 minutes of class. Parents are optional for the first 30 minutes. Some children are more successful with their parent in the room - others are less successful. I will be happy to work together with you to help your child gain independence in the classroom.

In Young Child classes, caregivers and siblings join the class for the last 10 – 15 minutes for a family sharing time.

How many kids are in each class?

Class size is limited to 6 to 9 children. We carefully consider many factors, such as average age, temperaments, or the presence of children with special needs, when determining final class size. Our small class size means more attention is given to your family’s needs, a less chaotic atmosphere, and less exposure to illness.

Can I just visit a class?

Yes. You are invited to visit one class for free to observe and participate. At that time you can register for the remaining weeks, if you so desire. Tuition is pro-rated if you are joining after the beginning of the semester. Please call ahead to let me know that you are planning to visit, so we can have enough materials for your child to use during the visit.