Have you ever wondered what you can do to nurture the musical growth of your child, regardless of your own musical ability?  At WEMS we are pleased to include Music Together® as a part of every child's Montessori program.  Music Together is a nationally recognized, research-based, developmentally appropriate early childhood music program that strongly emphasizes and facilitates adult involvement.  Developed over 20 years ago as an educational project of the Center for Music and Young Children® in Princeton, NJ, the Music Together approach seeks to help families rediscover the pleasure and educational value of informal musical experiences within the context of daily life.
 

Originally designed as a music program for infant, toddler, preschool and kindergarten children and their parents or other primary caregivers, Music Together has evolved to fit into a school setting as well.  At WEMS, the Toddler and Primary Programs will have a Music Together class once every week.  Music for our Elementary Program is integrated into the Arts Curriculum with additional weekly rhythm and singing instruction from specialist Dr. David Eslick, as well as an opportunity to take guitar and piano lessons.

Miss Jen and Ranny's class have music on Thursday, taught by assistant teacher Ellen Depue, who is also a Music Together-trained instructor. Miss Vickie's class has music on Wednesday. Miss Kelley's class has music on Tuesday. The afternoon class works on a Music Together-based program, with some additional study of the Montessori bells, rhythm patterns, musical instruments and classical compositions. The Toddler classes have music on Tuesday and Thursday.

Classes enjoy songs and rhythm chants from a Music Together song collection.  Activities include fun and interactive ways to focus on tonal and rhythmic elements of music, small and large movement, instrument play and improvisational opportunities.  Because participation and modeling of parents and caregivers is essential to a child's musical growth and because musical growth is encouraged in a musically rich environment all classrooms will be provided with Music Together materials.  For this same reason each WEMS family will be given two different Music Together collections each year. These materials include two professionally recorded CDs, a songbook with illustrations and activities, and a guide designed to help parents understand and enhance their child's music development.  Music Together will help you discover new and fun-filled ways to experience the joy of moving and making music as a family.