How the transition process works at Kathy’s Music.
By Kathy Morrison, Director
We are committed to creating a Kindermusk experience where students are thriving. You will hear us say, our goal is not for a child to survive in class, but to thrive. To create that kind of experience, a child must be in a class that is developmentally appropriate. As the child grows and learns, they will promote up through the different levels of Kindermusik.
Is it time to promote up?
To that end, twice a year our team looks at each child in every Kindermusik class. With the help of our teachers, we look to see if the child is well-matched in their current class or if it’s time for a child to promote up to the next level. Given that we have hundreds of children enrolled, this is a mass undertaking and one that we are completely committed to because every child matters.
To move or not to move?
While age and birthdate is an indicator that a child may be ready for the next level, it’s not the driving factor. We have carefully developed a set of milestones and indicators that tell us it may be a good time to promote up to the next level. We do not rush children through the levels as we want each child to have an opportunity to develop mastery and to develop self-esteem by being the role model in class. So there are always choices and timing is everything!
How are parents involved?
If a teacher feels that a child may be ready to promote up, she will approach the parent or caregiver in class with an “invitation” to dialogue about next steps. Likewise, a parent may decide to reach out to their teacher and start the dialogue. The decision to move up to the next level is always a collaboration between parents and teachers to do what’s best for the child!
Your teacher will help identify available class times at the next level and facilitate the transfer in our enrollment system. It’s easy! Parent’s don’t have to do anything in our parent portal – we take care of those details for you. Your job is to celebrate!
What time of year can my child promote up?
For Kindermusik Levels 1-3, children can promote up any time during the school year or summer. As a school, we review all students in November to facilitate any mid-year transitions in January. We repeat the process again in April to facilitate transitions for summer or fall. For Kindermusik Level 4, our Young Child program, we recommend promoting up to this level by December 1st as this cumulative curricula builds from week to week
How can I prepare my child for a transition to the next level of Kindermusik?
If your child is moving up to Level 3 or higher, we recommend you talk about the changes that are coming before their first class. Set their expectations about what will be the same and what will be different. If your child is moving from Level 2 to Level 3, then reassure them that there will be special time with just the teacher for the first 30 minutes and that you will be close by! You are welcome to accompany your child in class for the first few weeks to help with the transition. Keep in mind: it takes 6 weeks to learn the rituals and routines of class, so this transition is a process!
We look forward to working with you personally as your child develops, grows, learns, and moves up in Kindermusik! It’s not more of the same. Kindermusik grows with your child. We can help!