What is MusikMakers Maestro for Schools?
MusikMakers Maestro for Schools is a series of music programs that have been developed for children beginning their first full-time year of school. The programs use musical activities to develop listening and communication skills, creativity, coordination and an understanding and love of music.
What are the benefits of a MusikMakers program?
MusikMakers programs have been developed specially for Australasian children. The authors are Australian educators with long experience in early-childhood music education. While the programs are Australian, they also make use of songs and stories from many different cultures.
Research in Australia and many other countries has shown conclusively that children derive great benefit from exposure to regular musical activities at an early age.
Studies demonstrate enhanced and accelerated development of:
- Listening skills
- Language
- Reasoning ability
- Spatial awareness
- Cooperation
- Social skills
- Coordination
- Confidence and self esteem
- A lifelong appreciation of the joy of music
Even if a child does not continue with music, musical activities in the early years provide an excellent foundation for formal learning.
What do children do in a MusikMakers class?
MusikMakers programs are interactive and activity-based. All activities used are appropriate to the children's stage of mental and physical development. Each child's interest and enjoyment is maintained through:
- Vocal play
- Drama
- Active listening
- Creative dance
- Singing
- Sound exploration
- Movement
- Beat activities
- Introduction of Kodály rhythm names
Each lesson is reinforced and complemented by an activity for children to complete during the week.
The Classroom Teacher
The Maestro Program may be taught collaboratively by the classroom teacher and the music specialist. New concepts can be taught by the music specialist with the classroom teacher reinforcing and complementing these concepts through singing songs and completion of the worksheet or activity.