Music matters

All children are musical. They learn fast when lessons are sung, rather than recited.

Music's melodic and rhythmic patterns awaken and stimulate learning pathways in the brain. This helps develop memory, math skills, and powers of abstract and creative thinking.

Because of this, Ms. Jacqueline Hayley Limtin, president of Sage Preparatory School and Cambridge School Cebu, incorporates in their various programs Musikgarten, a highly acclaimed and fastgrowing brand in early childhood music and movement education with 30 years of research on child development and psychology.

Miss Jacqui along with Musikgarten Philippines president Michelle Nikki Junia, who is a US- licensed Musikgarten educator, disclosed the many benefits if parents are to enrol their children in the said program .

"Movement is a nature of the child, so rather than hushing them or telling them to shut up, we at Sage-cambridge School sees the need to develop that in balancing both the intelligence quotient and emotional quotient of children. We encourage not just the development of smarts, but more confident and articulate students," Ms. Jacqui said.

"Music plays a significant role in stimulating kids to learn. Basically, kids want an environment that would make them more creative. Music should not be treated as mere entertainment, but as a good stimulus in opening minds of children," Ms. Michelle added.

Early music and movement education affects language development, self expression, memory skills, concentration, social interaction, fine motor skills, listening, problem solving, teamwork, goal setting, and coordination.

As a child learns to play music, other areas of development - creativity, family bonding, self-esteem, confidence, emotional development - are also positively benefited. Why Musikgarten? Its unique, non-traditional and progressive approach to learning complements the inquiry- based teaching and experiential learning approaches in teaching kids at Sage-cambridge. It provides the building blocks in the introduction of others skills, like in math and the languages, needed in the total growth of the child.

Classes come in four groups: babies, toddlers, prep, and playgroups. For newborns to 18 month olds, fun and purposeful activities are offered in the Family Music for Babies class that include chants, bouncing and rocking, peek-a-boo games, dancing and movement.

Familymusic for Toddlers (1.3 to 3.5 years), toddlers are to sing, chant, move, dance, listen and play simple instruments. This class channels toddlers' energy and productivity, facilitates expressions of feeling, develops memory through repetitive exercises and focused listening.

Cycle of Lessons (3-5 years) builds on the child's growing independence and competencies. The dramatic play through stories and poetries enhance creative imagination. Activities such as movement, singing, listening, call and-response prepares them for future learning.

Sage Prep School and Cambridge School is in Lahug, Cebu City (along the road going up to Marco Polo).