Frequently Asked Questions

(from parents about classes, policies, and procedures)

 

WHY IS THERE NO ORDINARY TIME – SUMMER SEASON?

At this time, Making Music Praying Twice does not offer a Summer Session, but we do offer a five day, one-week Summer Camp which uses a curriculum pulled from appropriate songs normally used throughout the year.

 

 

MY CHILD DOES NOT PARTICIPATE IN CLASS.  HOW DO I KNOW MY CHILD IS GETTING ANYTHING OUT OF THIS?

There are various reasons why your child may not participate at class time.  Learning style, social stress from the group dynamic, age, and parent modeling all come into play.  Your child is not expected to participate; she is expected to learn.  Some children learn by doing.  Some children learn by watching.  Some children will practice the musical skills demonstrated, but only in the safety of their own home.  The best thing you can do as a parent or caregiver is model enjoyment and participation.  Focus on the music and the task, not on the child.  Trust.  Your child knows how he best learns.  Unless she is destructive, dangerous, or disruptive, leave her alone.  Keep the focus on the music, do not turn it into a struggle or stress.  Your child will develop a better attitude about music, and will be free to learn according to his personal learning style.

 

 

WHEN IS MY CHILD TOO DISRUPTIVE?

There is so much freedom in our classes, it can be hard to know when to step in and correct your child.

 

Three and four year olds can be expected to stay "tuned in" to class a little more.

 

• Does your child want to sit on the sidelines and watch?  Fine.
• Does he want to turn the egg container into a drum?  Fine.  If its too loud or disruptive, the teacher will gently remove it. 
• Is she organizing a never-ending game of duck, duck, goose in the corner?  This will draw more and more children away from the musical focus of the class, so we need to redirect the children back to the group.  It is usually not long before instruments, toys, or manipulatives make an appearance and get the children back on task.  If the off-task behavior is very noisy or draws others away from the class, that is when we step in to bring the children back to "sit with mom".

 

Toddlers are free to wander the classroom.  Many toddlers will need to tune in and out of class to accomodate their attention spans and to give their brains time to digest what is being consumed.

 

• Toddlers may be unsafe with smaller babies or may throw instruments which can be dangerous.  This is your responsibility as parent.  Try to sing the directions or dance your child away from the baby.
• Toddlers may have tantrums or may announce that they want to "go home" in the middle of class.  You don't need to have big conversations with your child.  "I'm doing music class, now.  We'll go home after." 
• If a tantrum or screaming goes on for more than a minute or two, you can leave for a time out and discipline your child and return afterward.  This is generally not a problem in our class.

 

Babies are free to wander as well.  Your teacher will give any specific safety rules regarding special equipment.

 

• If a baby needs a nursing or bottle, that is fine.  Please avoid snacks until after class as it distracts the other children. 
• If baby is crying and won't stop, he may need a break from the stimulation, especially during a louder activity like bells or drums.  You can take baby out for a break, leaving older children to continue the class.  2-5 minutes usually does the trick.

 

 

SIMILAR CLASSES IN OUR AREA COST SO MUCH MORE!  WHY IS MMPT LESS EXPENSIVE?

Like other programs, we offer trained teachers, fun diverse equipment, and high quality materials (CDs and songbooks) to be used at home.  MMPT makes a point of being accessible to more families, socioeconomically.  Because we are parish-sponsored, our overhead is reduced which helps defray the costs.  As a matter of principle, we offer substantial sibling discounts unequalled in other programs, like you may see in any Catholic education environment.   We do not want larger families to miss the opportunity for early childhood music education due to financial strain.  Because we are for Catholic children, we want to be as accessible to as many of them as possible.  Our tuition-free Summer Camps are another way we address this issue.

 

 

WHAT IF MY OLDER CHILD NEEDS TO COME ALONG?

At MMPT we try to be very understanding that many Catholic families have other children to consider.  If your older child is off of school, he/she may join the class for the day.  Naturally, we expect older siblings to show proper Christian behavior, being careful and considerate of younger children. We prefer that big brothers and sisters "help" by modeling participation for younger siblings. Little ones can pick up the message that music is "uncool" from an aloof older sibling.  Otherwise, according to your comfort level, your child may sit outside the door or in a neighboring classroom and read or do homework.  It does help to give your teacher a "heads up" if your older child is coming along.

 

 

CAN I BRING A FRIEND OR RELATIVE TO THE CLASS?

• If you have a friend or relative interested in the class, they may come along for a demonstration class.  Please check with the teacher first to ensure that the class isn't too full.
• If relatives are visiting from out-of-town, your teacher will usually be open to inviting them to join the the class.
• If you find yourself watching another child, we would rather you bring your charge along than miss class for your own child.  Again, it is nice to mention it to the teacher first.  There is no charge for these special circumstances.  However, if you are regularly babysitting for another child, that child should be enrolled in the class.

 

 

WHO CAN ACCOMPANY MY CHILD TO CLASS?

Any parent, grandparent, or adult caregiver can bring your child to class.  A teen caregiver or mother's helper may come to help you with multiple children, but an adult must also be present.  The same caregiver need not come every time.  Whoever accompanies your child should understand the need for adult participation.

 

 

HOW MANY ADULTS MAY COME WITH MY CHILD TO A CLASS?

As many as wish to come and make music and pray with us may come.  In addition to moms, dads, and nannies, we've had grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts and uncles, and godparents.  There is a limit of 12 children per class, but no limit on adults.