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Class Offers Rhyme And Reason

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By MICHELE SAGER

msager@tampatrib.com

Published: October 8, 2008

CARROLLWOOD - Grasping his mother's leg, 2-year-old Christoph Pierre nervously scanned the classroom.

His mother, Christine Pierre, admitted her son was a bit cranky this day and probably needed a nap. The boy finally joined the circle of other toddlers, all the time clutching his mother.

Just then, the teacher turned on some music, and the class began. Christoph's bad mood disappeared as he sang and swayed with the beats of the music.
Teaching parents how to use music to transform children's moods, learning habits and experiences is what this class is all about, according to teacher Christina Inke. She teaches "Making Music with Little Ones" at the Carrollwood Cultural Center.

"It's so important to expose children to music at an early age," Inke said. "What we do here helps with language development, social skills and hand-eye coordination."

Exposing children to music has many benefits, according the Children's Music Workshop, a national group that promotes music education. They cite studies showing how music helps improve a child's ability to reason, solve problems and develop other types of intelligence. It can help children learn numbers, letters and colors, since, when put to music, some things are better ingrained in memory.

For one hour a week, the toddlers combine singing nursery rhymes with dancing, puppets and other play.

During a recent class, students sang songs such as "Old MacDonald" while playing with puppets. The exercise taught the students about various farm animals and what types of sounds they make, Inke said.

The toddlers also danced with colorful scarves and pranced together with a parachute. The movements taught them about colors and working as a team.

One of the favorite activities was when Inke blew bubbles, and the children tried to pop them while music plays. Two-year-old Sydney Layton giggled as she chased the bubbles with a mallet trying to pop them before the other children.

Sydney's mother, Suzanne Layton, said her daughter enjoys the class.

"It really helps with her hand-eye coordination, and she really gets a workout in the class," she said. "She is exhausted by the time we're done."

Layton said she also likes how Inke explains the educational benefit behind each activity. Inke emphasizes parents don't need fancy equipment to incorporate music and physical activity for children.

With some songs she used sticks as musical instruments and used kitchen sponges rubbed together to make the sound of a train on tracks.

"I've seen this class make a big difference with all types of children," she said. "We have had children with ADD, shy children and children who struggled in group settings."

Inke said most children leave the six-week class wanting more.

"They may cry the first class, cling to their parents in the second class, but by the third they end up loving it."

Registration for the next session of the music class is open now. Classes begin Oct. 20.

CLASS INFORMATION

Making Music with Little Ones

10 to 10:45 a.m. Wednesdays (five weeks)

Cost: $45 for members/$50 for nonmembers

For registration information and a complete list of courses at the center visit www.carrollwoodcenter.org or call 813-269-1310.

Reporter Michele Sager can be reached at (813) 865-1523.

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