ABOUT THE PROGRAMME
These are group music classes which are about an hour long, with a maximum of 10-12 children per class. Classes follow a carefully designed music curriculum specially curated for young children through research and consultation. Classes use a range of music including traditional folk songs, lullabies and rhymes, both in English and te reo Māori which aims to nurture child development, parent-child bonding and develop their readiness for learning.
During class, children and parents have the opportunity to sing, move, and play instruments with others, with resources offered to help support musical play at home. Classes use music to develop the whole child, including their social, emotional, cognitive, kinaesthetic, and musical skills. Storybooks and visual aids are used to explore the songs and rhymes, as well as instruments, giving children the opportunity to use many senses in their learning - visual, auditory and touch.
Instruments utilised throughout the class include, a lollipop drum, specially designed woodblocks for small hands, a glockenspiel, a xylophone, shakers, a rainstick, and small drums, among other equipment. Some classes have the opportunity to listen and play the violin, cello, piano, and guitar. Our teachers have small versions of these instruments just right for young children.
Classes follow a flow, giving children a known structure to develop their skills. The flow of class allows for growth as children have a safe environment to explore their abilities.
The Suzuki Co-op is part of The Twinkle Foundation.
The Twinkle Foundation is a collective of Suzuki teachers in Aotearoa, New Zealand who teach an educational music programme for 0-5 year olds and their parents. Our values and principles underpin our teaching, following the philosophy of Dr Suzuki and concepts of DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility).
You can find more information about the foundation here.