About Joan Schubert MusicChild Creator And Teacher

Joan Schubert has a music degree from The University of Texas at Austin.  She also has several years of pedagogy in early childhood Suzuki method education. 

Joan has played professionally in chamber music groups in the United States as well as Europe and run a community music school for four years.

Joan believes that sharing music in all ways improves our lives and our world. 

To book music classes for young children, contact Joan at music.child@ymail.com

Getting Excited About Other Instruments



Remember that it is a great idea to keep introducing many types of instruments and musical styles to your child via public radio, internet pictures, and appropriate videos on YouTube. There are also great musical programs on public TV so that a family may watch together and perhaps take in a Celtic music concert, a bluegrass duo, or a rock band. Fun discussion often comes up if a banjo is played or timpani drum is boomed.  

Celebrations!

 

 

 

                                     A delicious celebration

Remember to celebrate the “little stuff”! Little stuff may include complimenting your child for singing, taking good care of their instrument, and hugging you after practicing.
All of the above are self-esteem builders and connectors to learning in other walks of life: counting of music leads to good math skills, reading symbols leads to good computer skills, reading the Italian directions in music leads to language skills, etc.
Enjoy your musical journey!

 

 

 

You Be The Teacher And I'll Be The Student





Sometimes it's fun to change roles during practice sessions with your child.  You might say to your son or daughter, "Okay, today you get to be the teacher."  "Come and sit in this special chair and I'll play your instrument today."  "You tell me what I'm doing well and not so well."  This can be a great insight to both you and your child!  Even if you, the parent, play the instrument terribly, it will still be lots of fun and give both of you clarity about what it's like to be in "each other's shoes".

MusicChild Classes



Joan Schubert 
Creator of MusicChild

The dynamic classes that are MusicChild are conducted in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area at local pre-schools, learning centers, and Montessori Schools.  Joan Schubert, founder and teacher, travels to various locations complete with her suitcase full of percussion instruments: maracas, rhythm and rain sticks, tambourines to teach children age 18 months to 5 years of age.

The fun and learning doesn't stop there!  We play musical games, sing, chant, learn about different instruments, and the list goes on.  Free demonstration classes available for your center now.
 

Prices For Classes

$80 per visit            Usually includes 20 minute toddler classes and

                                 30 minute classes for children age 3 - 5

 

Packages

$75 per visit            A discount of $5 per visit if buying 10 or more classes per year

 

Let your students creatively and musically soar!  Your program will be enriched and your

parents will note one more reason to choose and stay at your school.

 

music.child@ymail.com

Recent clients include:  Discoveries For Children Montessori School, Small World Learning Center, St. David's Center, Evergreen Montessori School, Minnesota Valley Unitarian Universalist Church

                                

                               

Appropriate Rewards For Your Child

 

Like any human being, we like to be rewarded for our hard work now and then. Rewards can be incentive for paying attention, keeping a quiet body while having a lesson, following directions, and practicing. Rewards aren’t always necessary but as a parent, you may decide that your child has earned a little extra attention, ice cream, stickers, or a pat on the back for doing a stellar job. Here are some ideas for appropriate rewards.

1) A hug
2) Verbal rewards such as saying, “I am so proud of
you!”
3) A sticker or a few stickers
4) A sweet treat such as a cookie or piece of candy
5) Making their favorite food
6) Setting up a playdate with someone special
7) Visiting a new playground
8)Watching a special TV program

Well, you get the idea! Whatever the reward, make it happy and healthy for your family.

Practicing With Your Child

Hey Parents,
Please remember that you are choosing to give the gift of music to your child. There may be extra patience involved on your part when practicing with your child; so, please try to set an appropriate time for yourself and your young musician. That means a quality time slot where you both are alert, are not hungry, and in a good mood.

FUN HINTS FOR PRACTICING WITH YOUR CHILD

• Play some music of your choice on your CD player before starting your practice session. Music is infectious and it usually puts the young musician in the mood to practice
• After putting some music on your CD player, try dancing with your young musician to enjoy lightening up as well as feeling the beat
• “Bookend” your practice session with something that feels good to both of you which perhaps could be enjoying a little snack, reading a favorite book, snuggling with a stuffed animal, playing a game, etc.
• If one or both of you start to get frustrated or angry, gracefully end the practice session by saying something like, “Oh, I see that it is time to take a break from playing for now. Good work on that tricky fingering and we’ll try it again later.” A hug and a smile would be in order.