About the Style
Early Childhood Music Education
The Early Childhood Education Program is a small group program for children, that are pre-instrumental classes offered to very young children aged newborn until entry into an instrumental program, usually around 3 years of age.
The ECE program consists of a weekly class in which the child and a caregiver (i.e. parent, grandparent, guardian etc. who is supporting the child in the learning process.) participate together with the teacher in a group environment. There are generally 8-10 children and parents per class and the class meets once a week for an hour for a 9-week session.
This program prepares both the caregiver and child for lessons in the studio by teaching the caregiver how to work with their child in an unstressed environment, developing a sense of pulse/beat, rhythm and melodies through class activities and exposing both caregiver and child to a variety of instruments to aid choice of instrument. Ages and level of competency are mixed in the classes in order to expose children to the natural roles of leading, following and learning from one another.
- NOTE: Pricing is for the full 9-week session.
The Suzuki ECE program was developed by Dorothy Jones, a Suzuki piano teacher in London, Ontario, who worked closely with Dr. Shinichi Suzuki to achieve Dr. Suzuki’s goals of laying a solid foundation for life long learning. The following principles are the basic philosophies that Dr. Suzuki formed the instrumental method from and what the ECE program is built on:
- Every Child Can Learn – There are no limits to a child’s potential.
- Ability Develops Early – This is shown by much present day scientific research on the brain.
- Environment Nurtures Growth – Hearing and observing other children play instruments and sing, listening to music and receiving or hearing others receive positive comments can all affect a child’s learning.
- Children Learn From One Another – All students can serve as models for others, regardless of age or level.
- Success Breeds Success – Children do not tire of repetition. Old skills are always being polished in new ways.
- Parental Involvement is Critical – You are your child’s most important teacher.
- Encouragement is Essential – Each small step in the learning process should be celebrated. There is nothing more rewarding than honest praise for a job well done.