As an early childhood music teacher, I am often asked to recommend the most
At first glance, The Cycle of Seasons looks a lot like music classes for toddlers. There are parents and children sitting around in a circle singing a hello song, doing a finger play, or perhaps echoing patterns. But in just a few minutes, both the look and feel of the class begins to change, and the resemblance to earlier classes is much less apparent. Depending on the personality of the class, your child may leave you and move closer to me to hear the story, for the listening lesson, or the movement activities. S/he may engage in all of these actions on his/her own, or s/he may pull you in for one or more of them. We encourage you to let your child set the parameters regarding your participation at this point; come willingly if s/he invites you, and bask in her/his independence if s/he does it on her/his own. And don’t be surprised or resistant if s/he changes her/his mind mid-way through the activity!
The Cycle of Seasons is designed to accommodate the “emerging independence of the three-year-old child”, and while you may not be familiar with this term, we’re
So go ahead and let your child set the agenda (within reason!) for the role you play in this class. If you are watching your child participate without you, you can take credit for raising a self-assured three-year-old. And when s/he returns to you, welcome her/him with open arms and enjoy the moment! If, on the other hand, your child constantly wants you as a partner, relish the time together; before you know it, you will hear the familiar cry of the three year old: “I want to do it myself”!
Ann Engberg, Musikgarten Teacher at Hunterdon Academy of the Arts