Music Wonderland: Age 3

Music Wonderland is a 9 month program intended to channel students into the Junior Music Course. One parent is required to attend. The course establishes the foundation for musical ability through listening, singing, and keyboard activities. Students attend one 45 minute lesson per week. Upon completion of Music Wonderland, students continue in the Junior Music Course.

A parent, guardian, or caregiver is required to attend each class with his or her child to serve as a learning partner. Parent meetings, which are held periodically during the school year, cover subjects such as how to participate in class and how to assist at home. Children do not attend the parent meetings.

Age Requirement: To enroll in Music Wonderland, children must have reached their 3rd birthday by September 1 for fall semester classes and by February 15th for a spring semester start. This requirement helps ensure that children are enrolled in a course for which they are developmentally ready.

Grouping: Students are grouped according to age and maturity. Classes are occasionally regrouped to provide the best learning environment.

Curriculum
Listening Ability
As this is a most significant period of aural development, a rich and varied array of listening activities develops sensitivity and listening ability and enables students to perceive music's power to vividly express images and emotions.

Social Development
Because of the importance of the parent in the life of a child this age, interaction between parent and child is an important focus in the group lessons. Also, through the group lessons children develop the basic skills of relating to other children and adults.

Keyboard Experience
Children experience sound through the keyboard and are introduced to the fun of keyboard playing. Appropriate to this stage in their physical development, initial playing activities engage the use of large motor skills.

Cultivation of the Imagination
Recognizing the significance of fantasy, play, and the imagination in the learning of children of this age, the activities, textbooks, and music are filled with suitable colorful, playful imagery, sounds, and subjects.
 
Instructors: Yamaha instructors must pass comprehensive musical examinations and attend regular Yamaha-sponsored seminars in order to gain and retain their teaching certification. Instructors are periodically observed and evaluated by Yamaha representatives to assist in improving and refining their teaching skills.

Class Attendance: Only enrolled students and their parents may attend the class sessions. In order to maintain an effective classroom environment, we ask that parents arrange childcare for other children. Guests may occasionally be invited with advance permission from the instructor.

Please be on time for class so that your child may benefit from a full lesson. It is recommended that parents bring a pencil and notebook to make notes in the music and the home assignment.

Keyboard Rental or Purchase: Music Wonderland students are NOT required to have a keyboard at home for practicing.