First Steps in Music
This course bridges research to practice by demonstrating how a "natural" curriculum, rich in the repertoire of traditional children's songs, rhymes, games and dances, can develop young children's musical intelligence, singing and movement skills, and expressive sensitivities. A model of parents and children playing together in the years from birth to age three will be presented as well as a curriculum for 3- to 8-year-old children in classroom settings. Objectives for this course include introducing effective psychological principles, techniques, and materials to aid in the discovery and maximization of the innate music potential of children in preschool and the early elementary grades; developing teaching skills appropriate to the developmental abilities of children in grades N-2; and developing the ability to design curriculum appropriate for grades N-2.
The First Steps in Music curriculum is designed to prepare children to become musical in by being Tuneful, Beatful, and Artful. First Steps in Music for Infants and Toddlers provides developmentally appropriate activities that are well suited for children under three years old with their caregivers. First Steps in Music for Preschool and Beyond provides activities for children as young as three but appropriate for any aged child that needs to further develop their tuneful, beatful, and artful abilities. Folk songs and rhymes as well as classical music are the primary source materials that are used to develop their musical minds and abilities. Created by Dr. John Feierabend, this pedagogical approach contains everything you need to lead a music class for preschool and early elementary students, including: Echo Songs, Call-and-Response Songs, Simple Songs, SongTales, Action Songs, Circle Games, Beat Motion Activities, and more. Ample time will be spent on exploring complete lesson plans for a three-year curriculum. Participants who successfully complete this course will receive an official certificate of completion from the Feierabend Association for Music Education.