New Kindermusik Classes Offered to Families

Marion County parents and caregivers have an opportunity to learn more about their children's developmental process and to bond with them through fun, musical play. Beginning this month, Kindermusik classes will be offered through the Community Education Program of Pierpont Community & Technical College of Fairmont State University.

The classes, designed for newborns to 7-year-olds, are pressure-free and feature research-proven, developmentally appropriate activities and materials. These 15-week classes will be offered Jan. 29 through May 9 at White School, 601 Locust Ave., Fairmont. Rebecca Ashcraft, owner of Stella Nina Studio in Shinnston, will teach the Fairmont classes.

"We haven't had anything like this in our county," said Ron Weist, Director of Community Education. "There are people on wait lists in Clarksburg, Bridgeport and Morgantown for this same program. We're very excited to be able to offer Kindermusik to Marion County families. We expect this to be a very popular program."

Kindermusik International has more than 25 years of experience creating curricula based on new and proven research in child development. The award-winning books, CDs, games and instruments nurture skills in the whole child: cognitive, physical, social, emotional and language. For more information on Kindermusik, visit www.kindermusik.com.

Following are the different Kindermusik classes that are available through Pierpont C&TC's Community Education Program:

Village (Newborn 1 ½ years)
Finally, you can learn the words the all those nursery rhymes and lullabies you've been humming since your baby was born. Explore how each song enhances your baby's daily rituals and "what-to-watch-for" every step of the way.
Cost: $187
Section A: Wed. 9 a.m.  9:45 a.m.; Section B: Mon. 6 p.m.  6:45 p.m.

Our Time (1 ½ - 3 years)
We'll start with easily imitative words and motions, then gradually introduce new games and songs that help toddlers learn to control their bodies, speak their mind and guide them on that all-important search for independence.
Cost: $187
Section A: Wed. 10 a.m.  10:45 a.m.; Section B: Tues. 6 p.m. 6:45 p.m.

Imagine That! (3-5 years)
Your preschooler will build a musical and verbal vocabulary through storytelling, active movement and dramatic expression. In a musical classroom that respects your child's individual learning style, you'll watch as he or she becomes self-sufficient in a room full of friends.
Cost: $187
Section A: Wed. 11 a.m. 11:45 a.m.; Section B: Mon. 7 p.m.  7:45 p.m.

Young Child (5-7 years)
Your child will develop a strong musical foundation by learning concepts, the language, notation and vocabulary of music and its greatest composers. With exposure to three core instruments  stringed, wind and keyboard  he or she will have a good beginning for a lifelong love of music. Cost: $242
Tues. 7 p.m.  8 p.m.

To register for these classes, visit http://www.pierpont.edu/ce/. For more information, visit the web site or call (304) 367-4913.