Smart Start: 6 Years

Six year olds are ready for more elaborate group singing games and creative movement in response to listening experiences, fostering important social and spatial skills and critical thinking. Singing longer songs alone and in a group is an engaging part of every class, often using the new skill of singing from standard notation.

By age 6, children have developed increased ability to focus on tasks and an expanded ability to remember important information. They are better at long-term planning, and understanding symbolism. These talents are helpful for academic achievement and also helpful for musical achievement. In this class, the principles of music theory and music literacy are highlighted, and children gain further exposure to instruments and learn to use their singing voices. These enhanced cognitive skills also provide more opportunities to use music in a creative way, and children in this class are encouraged to contribute through musical improvisation, composition, and play.

Playing and composing or improvising music is an exciting focus for this session, as the children develop fine motor control and the ability to work with complex patterns. Musicianship and theoretical learning provide a solid foundation for, or powerful counterpart to, formal Royal Conservatory musical training.