Music for Young Minds
Mary Margaret Wilson
Director
Emme Whisner
Administrative Assistant
Music For Young Minds (MFYM) 9-week sessions
Children and one caregiver will participate in a variety of activities to develop basic musical skills! (Space in classrooms is limited so kindly keep it to one caregiver per child and only children who have registered may attend.) All of our Lead Teachers are current Music Majors at the University of Delaware who have received certification in Early Childhood Level 1 through the Gordon Institute of Music Learning (GIML). The GIML method approaches music learning as one learns spoken language - through aural experiences before written notation. In the earliest years, children will experience more melodic and rhythmic patterns than they will lengthy songs with lyrics. This is intentional to expose children to musical patterns on which future songs will be built. The pedagogical approach is sequential over the span of a child’s early years so families are encouraged to continue to enroll in each section as their child grows older. For more information on GIML Early Childhood instruction, please visit the GIML website.
The caregiver stays in class and participates with their child. Although we love to see families make new friends at CMS, please keep in mind that class time is not intended to be social time between parents. Adults are encouraged to socialize with each other before or after class, so that during class they can engage with their child under the music teachers’ guidance. Please keep in mind that classes are held in University classrooms which are not fully “baby-proofed.” Parents/Caregivers are responsible for overseeing their child’s behavior and safety; the teacher is responsible for teaching music.
Activities include:
- Singing
- Chanting
- Dancing and Movement
- And more!
In addition to in-class activities, we highly encourage music exploration in the home! Those who register will be given information on how to apply class materials at home.
All classes are held in the Amy E. DuPont Music Building on the University of Delaware campus.
Enrollment is only confirmed, and thus a child’s spot in class is only reserved, after both registration AND payment are received. Registration and payment are 2-step processes. After registering, you will receive an email with a link to payment. Enrollment is confirmed in order that payments are received. Classes are intentionally limited in size so that teachers can give individualized attention to each child so please register and pay early!
Registrations will only be processed if the child’s age aligns with the indicated ages for the selected class. If you are enrolling siblings of varying ages, each child should be registered for the class that suits their age at the time of registration.
Music for Babies: Birth - 18 Months
Music for Babies brings the joy of music and movement to the lives of very young children and their parents or other caregivers. Weekly classes consist of singing and other vocal activities, movement, listening, and simple instrument playing. Through these activities, our teachers and assistants aim to create an environment in which the child’s musical instincts are nurtured and fundamental musical skills are developed.
Dates: Saturdays, 9/27 - 12/6; no classes 11/22 and 11/29 (if a class is cancelled due to inclement weather, there will be a make-up class on 12/13)
Time: 9:30 am - 10:15 am
Location: Amy E du Pont Music Building, 100 Orchard Rd., Newark, DE 19716
$145 registration
Birth through 18 months and a parent/guardian
Yes! All of the MFYM classes are meant to be a shared experience between the child and their grown-up. The parent/guardian is expected to engage with the child in a musical way while supervising the child's well-being. Children are not to be left unattended by their parent/guardian.
Music for Toddlers: 18 months - 3 years
Music for Toddlers continues to focus on bringing music and movement to the lives of toddlers and their grown up. Children and caregivers will participate in fun, child-centered activities that include singing melodic patterns and simple songs, movement activities, listening, and auxiliary instrument playing. Using these activities, our goal is to help children develop a comfortable and foundational relationship with music to prepare them for further musical exploration!
Dates: Saturdays, 9/27 - 12/6; no classes 11/22 and 11/29 (if a class is cancelled due to inclement weather, there will be a make-up class on 12/13)
Time: 9:30 am - 10:15 am
Location: Amy E du Pont Music Building, 100 Orchard Rd., Newark, DE 19716
$145 registration
18 months - 3 years and a parent/guardian
Yes! All of the MFYM classes are meant to be a shared experience between the child and their grown-up. The parent/guardian is expected to engage with the child in a musical way while supervising the child's well-being. Children are not to be left unattended by their parent/guardian.
Little Music Makers: 3 years - 4 1/2 years
Little Music Makers focuses on the musical development of young children within a child-centered environment. This class will help children develop a fundamental understanding of music by providing a rich musical environment, including singing, rhythmic chanting, playing instruments, and stylistic movement. With these fun activities, teachers and children will begin to engage in improvisation, allowing children to express their own musical ideas. Our teachers aim to use fun-filled activities to prepare children for formal music learning!
Dates: Saturdays, 9/27 - 12/6; no classes 11/22 and 11/29 (if a class is cancelled due to inclement weather, there will be a make-up class on 12/13)
Times: 10:30 am - 11:15 am
Location: Amy E du Pont Music Building, 100 Orchard Rd., Newark, DE 19716
$145 registration
3 years - 4.5 years and a parent/guardian
Yes! All of the MFYM classes are meant to be a shared experience between the child and their grown-up. The parent/guardian is expected to engage with the child in a musical way while supervising the child's well-being. Children are not to be left unattended by their parent/guardian.
Hands on Music: 4 1/2 years - 6 years
This class will continue a child’s musical development by bridging the gap between informal and formal music learning and preparing them with the aural foundation for instrumental instruction. Teachers will provide instruction on beat competency in various meters through the use of rhythmic poems/chants and instrument playing. Teachers encourage free movement through creative movement activities and we work on the development of listening skills. Children will also learn to develop and expand their singing voice through the exploration of music in various genres. Hands on Music provides the opportunity for further instrument exploration, such as tone bars! They will be given both individualized and class instruction while learning musical skills and most importantly, having fun!
Dates: Saturdays, 9/27 - 12/6; no classes 11/22 and 11/29 (if a class is cancelled due to inclement weather, there will be a make-up class on 12/13)
Times: 10:30 am - 11:15 am
Location: Amy E du Pont Music Building, 100 Orchard Rd., Newark, DE 19716
$145 registration
4.5 years - 6 years and a parent/guardian
Yes! All of the MFYM classes are meant to be a shared experience between the child and their grown-up. The parent/guardian is expected to engage with the child in a musical way while supervising the child's well-being. Children are not to be left unattended by their parent/guardian.
