A1: The most crucial time of brain development occurs during the first 5 years of a child’s life. Beginning at birth, children benefit from a rich musical environment. Through singing and vocal play, a child’s speech can be cultivated and developed at an earlier stage. Through instrument play and creative dancing, a child’s fine and gross motor skills can be developed. Through active listening and aural training, a child can learn to concentrate more effectively.
Also, research shows that a child’s potential to learn music is optimal at birth. However, if a child is not given the opportunity to acquire a foundation for learning at an early age, this potential will diminish as the child grows older, and can not be recaptured once it is gone. By exposing your child to music at the earliest possible age, you are giving your child the most precious gift - the opportunity to establish a solid foundation for successful future learning.
A2: It is because there is a wide range when it comes to the qualifications of early childhood music teachers and curricula. Since young children's initial experiences with music will affect their future learning, we recommend that you ask the following questions when choosing a music teacher/program for your child:
At MagicBean Academy, we offer Kindermusik classes taught by a professional music teacher who is also a licensed Kindermusik educator. The curriculum of Kindermusik has been researched and developed by music education specialists. Also, our high-quality “home materials” help you continue the learning process into the home. MagicBean Academy will give your child the best possible start in life!
A3: Yes! Preview classes are available for new students only at no cost and no obligation. Simply call 604-837-9088 to schedule a time with us ahead of time to ensure a class is not overcrowded.
A4: How a child behaves in class will be affected by the child’s day-to-day temperament, learning style (kinesthetic, aural or visual), experience with music-making in a group setting, and the level of the parent’s participation in class.
Many children feel shy when in a new environment with unfamiliar faces. It’s quite normal for a child to only observe, or even refuse to stay when attending the first couple of classes. Usually after several weeks of classes, children will start to bond with the teacher and other chidlren, and will feel more relaxed and comfortable participating in class.
A5: Please visit the Transitional Ages page for guidelines that may help you decide which class is best for your child.
A6: Our Family Time class is designed for families with two or more children. Please sign up for the Family Time class if you would like to bring all your children to one class. Village and Our Time classes are unable to accommodate non-enrolled siblings because of limited class size. It is ideal for a parent to bring only the enrolled child to class in order to give full attention to that child and fully participate in class.
For Imagine That classes: siblings are welcome to participate in the last fifteen(15) minutes of “sharing time”. However we understand that occasionally you may have to bring a sibling due to emergencies. In that case, it is fine to bring another child to class once or twice a semester for emergencies.
This applies only to children who are old enough to sit and read quietly in the waiting area by themselves and do not disturb the class.
A7: Many of our classes fill quickly since the class size is small. You can join a class once a session has started only if there is still space available. Village, Our Time, and Imagine That! are non-sequential so as long as a class has room, you and your child can join in at any time. We prorate classes and only charge for the remaining part of the semester. The tuition portion will be pro-rated. The materials cannot be prorated.
A8: Attending class every week will help your child develop good learning habits for future learning in school. Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes. No refund or credit will be given for student-initiated missed classes. Teacher-initiated missed classes will be made up at the end of the semester.