Start your child on a musical journey
Children are never too young for music.
This is the philosophy of Maxine Hanofski, director of the Music Together Prairie Heartland (MTPH) program, who brings early childhood -music education to families in Regina and the surrounding -area. “All children are musical; we’re all born to make music,” rsaid Hanofski. “These early years are the crucial years. We also believe children can achieve basic musical compeatence. At the age of three, a normal, healthy child will be able to sing in tune and keep a basic musical rhythm.”
It is not just the toddlers that benefit from MTPH, however. Even some of the older adults accompanying the little ones experience a new appreciation for music.
“We have a lot of parents and grandparents who may not have had much music in their lives and don’t think they can make music or sing, but I prove them different,” said Hanofski.
MTPH offers musical education for newborns to kindergarten-age children, filling an early childhood need that cannot be met in the school system. This year, programs will be offered in Regina, White City/Emerald Park, Pilot Butte and Balgonie by either Hanofski or her trained teachers.
The Music Together program, based in New Jersey, licenses business owners/practitioners around the world. Hanofski was drawn to it as a former piano teacher; she was also involved in early childhood education, and was appointed to the provincial Early Learning Leaders caucus.
“In 2011, I was doing research on all the music programs out there. I took about three months and went through getting all the information about what the programs offer, and the training,” she said.
Once she encountered Music Together, she says she was amazed by the program and the philosophy.
“It totally aligned with our provincial government protocol of learning through play.”
At Music Together, children and their grown-up family members, can “sing, dance, clap, hop, wiggle and play instruments,” says the website. All family members are welcome.
“If parents have a three-year old and a three-month old, those children can be enrolled in the same class,” said Hanofski. “Everyone — grandparents, visiting friends, anyone who loves that child — can be involved in the class.”
Child-friendly early-year musical instruments tend to be big hits with the kids, including tom tom drums, maracas, shaker aids, rhythm sticks and bell instruments.
“Every class begins with the Hello song and ends with the Goodbye song,” said Hanofski. “Children learn quickly to be tapping their feet. The tiniest toddler can sit up and move their arms; it doesn’t take long before they’re cooing and playing along.”
It might be fun, but it’s also a big part of children’s development in many ways, she added.
“Music learning supports all other developmental areas. It helps children in all areas — physical, cognitive, language, emotional, social, spiritual — and that just means finding peace, finding joy.”
MTPH offers 10 to 12 classes per semester, with 12 children per class, in the Regina area, where Hanofski has a territorial agreement.
For more information, or to sign up for classes, visit http://www.musictogetherph.ca/.
This year’s fall semester begins the third week of September.