Musikgarten and Piano lessons at the Ellen Johansen Music Studio

10/03/2020

Musikgarten and Piano lessons at the Ellen Johansen Music Studio's cover photo

09/20/2020

Musikgarten at Karen Haughey Music Studio

Make music and sing today.... ❤️

08/28/2020

The Best Music Classes for Children in East Hampton, NY. Early childhood music classes that lead to group piano lessons and musical fluency for all.

Music makers at the keyboard book 1 class for 7 and and 8 year olds start this september on thursday. Register now and reserve a space. Your child not seven yet? pre-piano classes also available. The ear is fully ready even if the hand isn’t
https://www.makingmusik.com/EllenJohansen/DisplayPage.php?sID=3066&pID=classes

Music Classes for young children from birth through age 9. Develops music skills in children needed to begin a successful musical journey toward piano playing and musicianship. High quality home material and music selection. Ellen Johansen has taught music to children for 30 years. Come for the fun....

07/20/2020

Balancing Digital Media for Children at Home - In The Musikgarten

https://teacherblog.musikgarten.org/balancing-digital-media-for-children-at-home/

I hope you are managing your children's screen time. Our online classes are not sedentary but rather are active participation. If you, the parent, are doing the activities alongside your child, you are creating a totally different space in your home environment.

How much screen time at home is adequate for my child?

07/11/2020

I just got this inquiry:

Hi Ellen.
Wondering if you have any recommendations for
younger children. My almost 6 year old has been begging
for lessons, whenever she has a spare moment she runs
to the piano and sits and "plays" and we cannot find
anything out here. Normally I'd hold off, but i'd really love
to start while she's so motivated. Would appreciate any
feedback. Thanks!

My Answer:
It is alway a great pleasure to hear about a young child begging for piano lessons. As a piano teacher for over 35 years, this is music to my ears and hopefully yours as well. I always think in the long term because this adventure can continue through their school years, college years and if she is fortunate and motivated throughout her whole life giving her the gift of music. Isn't this a wonderful thing?

So as a piano teacher I look for two basic foundation skills before I place a child in front of a piano or keyboard. These skills are part of what we call functional musicianship - Rhythmic skill (be able to keep a steady beat) and Tonal Skill (be able to sing in tune). These will be the drivers for her future music studies. A five - six year old loves to explore the keyboard and make small melodies, they love to press down the keys and explore the varying sounds they can create. They love to count the black and white keys and make high and low sounds. But the discipline to actually sit at a piano and "complete" an assignment or to "practice" what a teacher assigns is so much easier at around age seven. This is the optimal time to offer formal piano lessons. BUT, but but, this essential time is for creating the foundation I spoke of above and I do this through my Music Makers program. I give the children ample opportunity to develop these essential skills in a creative, nature based curriculum developed specifically for this age and my students LOVE this program. Best of all, the program integrates piano/keyboard studies at the right time when their hands can sustain a proper hand position and they are playing with rhythmic and tonal patterns they sung and moved to in my classes.

So my suggestion is to let her explore that piano and assure her that the music class she can join will prepare her for piano soon. It's like learning to swim before swimming across a pool. Got to have a pool and a bathing suite and those basic skills of keeping your head above water!

The program I will be offering will be on Monday afternoons after "school" (I won't get into that subject here) and it will be most likely online. I started teaching my studio classes and piano lessons online at the beginning of lock down and have found that the children are continuing to enjoy the program as well as participate fully. It's not like other programs of study in that we continue to sing, dance, play musical instrument, write and read notation, and improve our listening skills. It's a lot more work for me but I have watched the children in my classes continue to flourish in their home environment, so I continue to offer my programs. When it is "safe" to move the class back into the studio, I will carefully consider this.

Thanks for reading my response to this point in the email. I hope you consider my program. For more information about Musikgarten, the curriculum, I suggest looking into
Musikgarten.org and read everything about it for parents.
https://www.musikgarten.org/for-parents

I have taught this program for over 25 years and watch my own children, teenager students and my college grads continue to explore and create music in their lives with joy and passion. And I am starting the next generation of children (the children of my students) and love teaching music and piano every moment that I can.

Sincerely,

Ellen Johansen

07/10/2020

What makes Musikgarten so special - A parent's perspective: Vol. 1

https://youtu.be/koRPthggCHk

This is the first in a series of three videos and features a parent, Audrey, sharing why she thinks Musikgarten is so great for parents and children. http://...

07/10/2020

Got a Toddler? Go at three or Four year old? I invite you to join one of my wonderful Tuesday morning music classes this summer. You don't need to leave the safety and comfort of your home.... my classes are all online and the children and parents are having a great time while developing a musical foundation for their children.

07/10/2020

Musikgarten and Piano lessons at the Ellen Johansen Music Studio's cover photo

02/02/2020

Slow and steady on learning letters. There is no rush.

This is my most widely shared post. And rightly so, it’s an important one. These are “prewriting patterns”, with the average (not prescribed) age at which children are developmentally ready to achieve these patterns listed below them in years and months. Being able to process visual information and produce a movement in response (e.g. copying these prewriting patterns or letter formations), is known as “visual motor integration”. ⠀
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Note that an X is not typically achieved until 4 years 11 months, and a triangle at 5 years 3 months. If a child can’t form these basic shapes...then they probably won’t be able to form letters. ⠀
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It is quite concerning then that there are 3 year 7 month olds starting formal schooling, where they’re expected to write. Not only are their visual motor integration skills not developed enough, their hands are also physically under-developed. In addition, recognising letters, understanding phonics and beginning to read are all needed in order for a child to write meaningfully, skills which children starting kindy typically don’t have. We also know that when a child learns something that doesn’t hold meaning, it‘s unlikely to stick. ⠀
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So if you have a 3-4 year old who spontaneously asks or attempts to write letters, that’s great; otherwise, there is no need to initiate or worry about this. Unfortunately there is a misconception, particularly with the way that the current curriculum stands, that earlier is better. Earlier is not always better.⠀

Source: Beery Buktenica Test of Visual Motor Integration, 6th Edition
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#visualmotorintegration #vmi #letterformations #prewriting #writing #kindy #schoolreadiness #earlierisnotbetter #toomuchtoosoon #letthembelittle #letthemplay #prewritingskills #foundationskills #phonics #phonologicalawareness #earlyliteracyskills #literacy #earlyreaders #reading #occupationaltherapy #paediatrics #paediatricot #kidsofperth #perthkids #schoolbasedtherapy #teacher #teachersofinstagram #australiancurriculum #schoolholidays #knowledgeispower

12/12/2019

Schoolchildren should dance more in schools, say researchers

We dance in our music classes.

The latest research findings and Finland’s core curriculum encourage children to get off their desks and learn through physical activity and movement, but the process of adopting the new meth…

10/28/2019

Want happier, calmer kids? Simplify their world.

https://www.greenchildmagazine.com/simplify-for-happier-calmer-kids/?fbclid=IwAR1k-4rUDBX58NeRt8PPRt__fbZlVqDNyhqe0AZK1Dn5MssqelVXqc-mlr8

When we simplify, we gain physical and mental space. As you decrease your child’s toys and clutter, you increase their attention and capacity for deep play.

09/22/2019

We were just exploring this piece in my book 5 music makers group. I can’t wait to share this with the children.

09/21/2019

The Music Factory

This is so sweet. Her pacing is perfect and she is so sincere. One of my favorite poems

Our Music Makers at Home students (ages 4.5-6) study music with a nature-based curriculum. They are learning about where different animals live, and this fingerplay builds on that, plus develops motor skills, memory, and language!

09/03/2019

Classes start next Monday. Register today!

07/17/2019

Why turning 7 is HUGE! | Embrace Your Brain

This why I like to encourage my parents to wait on the keyboard component in my studio. In other words, staying music makers at home in the world or music makers around the world programs which are pre piano programs artfully appropriate for the five and six year olds. When the child turns seven they have those two wonderful years to prepare them for the desserts of the music makers at the keyboard program.

Does thinking have a voice? It does if you can hear yourself think. That miracle comes with the brain changes at age 7. But it needs protection.

07/02/2019

What a fun way to share about music classes this summer. Perfect intro for our summer classes in the hamptons.

New summer short sessions for babies, mixed ages, and 3s & 4 start again in July along with fun 5-day camps for 4 1/2 to 7 year olds and Intro to Keyboard camp for 6 1/2 to 8 year olds!

http://www.eastdallaschildrensmusic.com/SummerCamp/SummerClasses.htm

#musikgarten #musiceducation #earlychildhoodeducation #earlychildhooddevelopment #musicclasses #summerclassesforchildren
#funmusicclasses #earlychildhoodmusic #preschoolmusic #babies #toddlers #musicgarden #pianokeyboardcamp

07/01/2019

The Science of Music: Creativity Wish List – How Music Inspires Children to Compose - In The Musikgarten

This summer we plan to compose a lot of music in my classes.

The Neuroscience of Music Creativity Wish List set provides insight and helpful instruction on how to inspire children to compose through music.

07/01/2019

Sunset at Long Beach

06/22/2019

My program is being honored as one of the best musikgarten programs in the country. I thank all my students for being part of this experience.

06/22/2019

we finished book 4 and we are so proud. #musiceducation #musikgarten #pianolessonsforkids

06/12/2019

I Hear the Mill Wheel sung by a Musical Two Year Old

I Hear the Mill Wheel sung by a Musical Two Year Old

06/11/2019

This was week 2 of our Summer session: Playing Outside. It was raining out.
There were no new activities introduced but the rain helped use explore the wet world outside. I hope you can find some mud and puddles to play in today with your young child.

We played the glockenspiel. I was quite impressed how my two year old students were waiting for their turn. Sharing and taking turns are important parts of school preparation; they are learning to cooperate in a fun, non-threatening environment at an early age.

06/07/2019

Daniel Gazmuri Bass

What fun. Should try this technique in class

Bobby McFerrin demostrando el poder de la la escala pentatónica en el World Science Festival www.clasesdebajoelectrico.com

06/05/2019

Final Mini musical for Music Makers at the Piano Book 6

Final Mini musical for Music Makers at the Piano Book 6

05/27/2019

Classes are forming for the summer months. Go to my website for the full schedule.

05/22/2019

Read about the underpinnings of my music classes by the author.

From Dr. Lorna Heyge – Musikgarten CEO, owner,

"The predictability of steady beat is a wonderful gift for young children. Infants and toddlers have a need for order, and bouncing, rocking, and swaying to the steady beat of music fees this need. As children grow, they anticipate the predictability of daily, seasonal, and yearly rituals. Musikgarten classes are full of songs, stories, and movement activities that allow children to act out the simple routines of daily life such as getting dressed, taking walks, or planting a garden, all in the context of joyful music-making!" - Musikgarten.org

05/08/2019

The Music Garden

We did a similar game. However every studio is unique. My little grasshoppers took turns playing triple rhythm patterns with bells while their parents moved and then they traded places. So much fun getting parents to hop.

One way to get a group of active 4 and 5 yr olds to review their triple rhythm patterns...

04/20/2019

I hope you are enjoying a musical weekend.

04/20/2019

I hope you are enjoying a musical weekend.

04/16/2019

Getting ready to hear the music of Handel in the Germany unit of music makers around the world. We spoke of Bach last time and the organ. This week we will Dance to the music from Handel’s Water Music. Then we will review the patterns we hear in Listen for bells. Just imagine! In October this class will be playing listen for bells on their keyboards.

02/08/2019

She helped write the program that I love to teach in my studio.

Mary Louise Wilson, co-author of our Musikgarten piano method books, stopped by to visit our students while in Miami last weekend! Fun Fact: Our own Ms. Alaina was one of Mary Louise's students when she went through the Musikgarten curriculum as a child!

12/29/2018

Studio is closed and will reopen Jan 5 2019

12/26/2018

The Twelve Days of Christmas, with Count von Count (Organ Solo) - Mormon Tabernacle Choir

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yMV04cziBh8

Purchase the full program on DVD, and CD: DVD: http://bit.ly/1kNJFgq CD: http://bit.ly/1NLJ2zo Count von Count joins tabernacle organist Richard Elliott duri...

12/18/2018

Leftovers from our December musicale. Sweet music from all my students and sweet cookies to celebrate the end of a musicale 2018