ROCK CITY CLASS UNSUITABLE FOR PRESCHOOLERS
1. The class times for the Rock City class are 11:30, 4:30, and 6:30. Preschoolers are usually hungry and eat lunch about 11:30 and then usually nap after lunch. A 4:30 class is usually when parents and preschoolers are arriving home from the day and starting dinner. Preschoolers are tired at this time too. A 6:30 class is when most preschoolers are getting in a bath and getting ready for bed. I know for the most part, preschoolers are in bed by 8:00 pm. None of these times for classes are appropriate for preschool aged children.
2. There is no where for parents/nannys/caregivers to sit and watch their child learn music. The school is set up with a lobby in the front of the school while the class is around and corner and in the back of the class. I stayed and watched a class through a glass window.
3. The music teacher conducting the class has zero class management nor training in teaching preschoolers/early childhood classes. I have written my experience below and there I have pointed out many examples of why I make these statements.
4. The lesson given in the class my son attended that I observed was too advanced for preschoolers. Christy, the music teacher, was teaching preschoolers (ages 3-4) HOW TO READ MUSIC! Preschoolers can't even read English yet, why on earth would they be able to read something as abstract and advanced and musical notes.
5. The classroom in which the class is conducted isn't appropriate for children. It is set up like a stage with professional music equipment which the children are not allowed to touch or handle. I understand why since musical instrument are very expensive and fragile but this is my whole point. The school is not set up or equipped to handle preschoolers.
6. The school requires you to pay $19.00 just to try the class.
If all of this doesn't convince you that the school needs a major reevaluation of it's preschool program, please read my experience that as been sent and read by the school's owner, Rick Walker.
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to express my major disappointment in a class my son attended today to someone who can do something.
My son was at the 11:30 preschool class with Christy. Firstly, there is no place for the parents to sit and watch their child. Every other art, dance, music, and baseball class my child has attended has seating for parents to watch. Secondly, Christy has zero management or preschool/early childhood training. I am sure she is a fantastic musician and music teacher to older kids but she clearly has no experience dealing with young children - which the class is for. The room is set up like a stage and has professional instruments and is unsuitable for children in the first place. Christy handed the children a xylophone without any explanation of what it was or what they were going to do with them. After she gave them the instruments, the children naturally started playing with them and it was then she said they couldn't play with them yet. In any sort of lesson with children, the first thing they want to do is explore and play with it. Once they have done that, they are more ready to listen and learn. Even with this horrible teaching method, my son still listened and followed directions. However, there was one child in particular that was uncontrollable. When he would not follow directions, Christy threaten all the other kids (who were following directions), that NO ONE was going to be able to play. Also, Christy spent 75% of the class time chasing after that same child. He was jumping on and off the stage, touching the guitars, opening and shutting the classroom door. She gave him no warnings of "if you touch the guitars again, you will have to sit out for 5 minutes". Basic stuff! Every other child in that class was following directions but they were not able to play or get the full class time because of that one child. Christy should have reached out to the boy's mother and explained he is not ready for the class. Also, Christy dumped a bunch of tubes in the middle of the class once again with no explanation of what they were or what they were going to do with them. The preschoolers did what all preschoolers do and started playing with them like swords. The menace child started hitting every other kids with them. After about 30 minutes of watching this debacle my friend (who also was trying the class today with her son) and I pulled our kids out of the class."
The owner called both of us and apologized. He stated that classes are not usually conducted this way. I am not sure how since he doesn't have music teachers equipped with the proper training in dealing with preschoolers. We are not going back despite his apology. There are many, many music classes in our area that are appropriate for preschoolers. I hope this helps.
Kristy Morgan
Mom and Kindergarten Teacher read more
