|
Musical Aurora®: Opening the Doors of
Your Child’s Creativity through Music™
By: Claudette Munné
Creation and Inspiration of Musical
Aurora®
Working with children with special needs for many years has put
my creativity to the test. I have always embraced with care and
determination the many challenges presented by working with
special needs children. Throughout the years my experience has
forced me to think of creative and innovative ways to teach
music. This creative energy has been transformed into musical
games which aim to awaken the mind in many ways – Musical
Aurora®. These games allow me not only to teach music in a fun
way, but also to develop in children a different modality
through which they can learn. Through these games, children are
developing their working memory, verbal abilities, as well as
oral, visual and auditory learning. They are also improving upon
their motor skills, social skills, character building and
discipline.
My
passion for music has given me the tools to help children of all
ages and abilities succeed and feel within themselves a sense of
pride and accomplishment. Through teaching Musical Aurora®, I
have witnessed the truly great gift of childhood and the
greatness of music. Children will absorb anything that you give
them; they are thirsty for knowledge. That thirst represents my
greatest challenge. These young children (ages 2 to 5), present
and exemplify the true potential to achieve great things.
Regardless of intellectual ability, all children have the power
within themselves to strive for and accomplish anything they
truly desire. The most rewarding aspect of teaching this class
is the accomplishments made by these children. I firmly believe
that at this age music is the best vehicle to awaken a child’s
mind and its full potential. It is my mission to give the
students the best gift of music; the discipline of the mind and
soul. They will take this gift with them throughout the precious
journey of life.
Structure and Description of Musical
Aurora®
The
foundation of the principles used to create this class lies in
the belief that play is the child’s natural way through which he
or she first communicates with the world. Using play allows
children to learn through experience, facilitating a more
meaningful understanding of what is being taught. Children are
musical and playful by nature; they love jumping, singing,
tapping and clapping. Therefore any child, regardless of age or
ability, will thrive in this type of environment. This class is
a fresh take on music instruction that not only nurtures a love
of music within children, but also allows for the children to
develop who they are as individuals. It helps to mold their
character. In a day and age where standardized testing has
become a huge part of what our schools teach to children, music
instruction can be a great way to bring play and creativity back
into the lives of our children.
Musical Aurora® is a unique class designed for a maximum of five
children ranging in age from 2 to 5. Classes are then divided
into two different age groups; children age 2 to 3 ˝ and
children age 3 ˝ to 5. The class meets once a week for 45
minutes for the duration of the semester (usually from 17-20
weeks). Ear training, rhythm training, reading skills
development and music appreciation are the focal points of the
class. Through Musical Aurora®, children will learn the
fundamentals of music through games, songs and dance. In
addition, they will also be afforded the opportunity to have
hands on experience with instruments such as piano, violin,
guitar and cello. The children’s hard work over the course of a
semester culminates in an end-of-the-semester recital, during
which the children perform together as a group, singing songs
they have learned and rehearsed.
Benefits and Results
Musical Aurora® is a class developed and designed to help guide
the child to discovering himself. It is an electrifying journey
where both teachers and parents will be able to discover the
true potential of the child. Parents or caregivers are required
to participate in the class, making this a learning experience
for themselves as well as the children. Children will progress
very quickly. Musical Aurora® presents the perfect opportunity
for the child to discover what instrument will fit him or her
best. This is a key factor in a child having success with music,
because it is only when he or she enjoys the experience that the
child will do well.
Some
may question how children at this early age are able to identify
and learn the complex language of music. However, that is the
beauty that Musical Aurora® has to offer. The same way children
learn to develop oral language, they will develop an
understanding of music. Music is just another language, which
when taught properly and exposed to the child early on, will
become part of the child’s vocabulary. In one year’s time, the
children are able to read rhythms and notes; recognizing them by
ear. Early classes on music enhance children’s natural creative
impulses, helping them to develop the skills they need in order
to communicate, concentrate, coordinate, cooperate and express
themselves fully. The goal of Musical Aurora® is to awaken the
full creative and intellectual potential in each child.
|
