Leeson Park School Of Music

Frequently Asked Questions

Question : What is the best age for my child to start Music Kindergarten classes?

Answer : As early as possible. The great Hungarian composer and educator Zoltan Kodály was asked when the musical education of a child should begin. He replied: "Nine months before birth". He later revised his opinion to: "Nine months before the birth of the Mother". Geza Szilvay, the originator of Colourstrings, thinks that children from the earliest age should be provided with a 'musical upbringing'. Music should be part and parcel of daily life. Singing and listening to music should become as natural for the young child as speaking.

Question : I would love to send my young child to your classes but neither I nor my husband is musical or sing particularly well. Will this be a problem for our child?

Answer : Although learning to sing in tune is a very important part of the Music Kindergarten programme initially it is not a problem if parents do not feel confident in this area. If you are attending the class with your child (Music Kindergarten Stage 1) you will have an opportunity to develop your own skills alongside those of your child. For parents of children who attend on their own (Music Kindergarten Stage 2), listening to the Singing Rascals tapes can really help you to develop a more accurate sense of pitch. Learning to sing well and with confidence is something which takes time and practice. Our voice is a muscle and we need to use it frequently to develop its abilities. We also plan to organise special classes for parents where they can learn basic music rudiments through singing.

Question : I have a five and a half year old child who I would like to enrol in your programme. He has had little or no previous exposure to this type of training. Will he be in the same group as five and a half year olds who started when they were 2 or 3 years of age?

Answer : All our Music Kindergarten classes are age specific. All new children begin with in a beginner's programme and are not mixed with children who have already attended classes at the school.

Question : How can I best help my child at home and provide a good environment for both his love of music and abilities to develop?

Answer : Sing the songs, say the rhymes and weave them into your daily activities as playfully as possible. If you are enthusiastic about the songs, rhymes and games, your child will catch this enthusiasm. Singing to your child is vitally important both musically and emotionally, even if you think you don't sing particularly well. While the Singing Rascals tapes are very useful and we recommend daily listening to them there is no substitute for live music. As you sing the songs or listen to them on CD, clap the beat or march round the room. With gentler melodies rock from side to side. Think about investing in some simple percussion instruments to add a nice accompaniment, even the youngest children will enjoy this. Act out the drama of the song, perhaps with puppets.

Listening to music is a very important aspect of developing your child's overall response to music. There are many fine recordings available for a very reasonable price in the Naxos range. Start with short extracts and build up as your child's enjoyment and enthusiasm grow. Set your radio to Lyric FM especially when driving.

 

Contact us on 01 – 496 7890 or enquiries@lpsm.ie