Music

Music and movement is a natural component in Montessori learning which is generally found and practiced in the Montessori Method of teaching. At Shepherd Montessori Private Catholic School we take this a step further. We understand that music provides a unique integration of body and mind. Exploiting this provision by promoting a very unique music program encourages the learning potential of each child.

Our Understanding

“We don’t hear music as it is, we hear it as we are”
–D. Elliot, Music Matters: A New Philosophy of Music

Music is more than art. It is a complex process of creative and critical thinking.

Our Teachings

The approach is simple. Reading + Writing = Performance. The relationship between a written note and the sound it makes is exploited. A written note is read, understood then played. A played note can be recognized, understood, and then written. Our approach to music instruction utilizes auditory and visual discrimination, and is fuelled by a child’s natural desire to draw. Soon a child’s individual manuscript becomes filled with his/her own musical notes, representative of what was learned and their own self expression. The child’s greatest pleasure is derived from their successful ability to read/write and perform their own manuscripts. This pleasure is continuously recycled as their manuscripts keep growing hand-in-hand with continued learning, creativity, imagination and self expression.

Outcome

The result of musical education is extremely encouraging. The effect on children is exponentially positive which includes and is not limited to:

  • Promotes development of brain and intellect
  • Enhances cognitive functioning
  • Increases attention and listening skills
  • Encourages the ability of self expression through creative and critical thinking
  • Enhances auditory discrimination used in language development
  • Increases hand eye co-ordination and fine motor skills
  • Increases recognition; music patterning can be found in mathematical concepts which reappear throughout education
  • Promotes spatial temporal performance and spatial reasoning

For more on the importance of music education please read the article Why Music? By Catherine McTamaney.

Our Enriched Music Program is directed by Mr. Frank Jirka. His beliefs and experiences have added to the methodology in our unique approach of music instruction. Mr. Frank is a master of piano and studied under the tutelage of Dr. Jaromir Kriz at the Prague Conservatory. He graduated from the Conservatory with high distinction and has performed a series of compositions on the Conservatory stage. Mr. Jirka is a brilliant musician who is equally passionate in his devotion to the education of the philosophy and teachings of music.

French

From birth we start developing auditory maps mostly due to language, shown by electrical measurements that identify which neurons respond to different sounds. As we grow, these maps become more permanent and unchanging. This is primarily why we find it harder to learn other languages as we get older. As young children, our brains are able to compartmentalize different sounds very easily, thus, increasing our auditory maps and ability to learn new languages more efficiently. At Shepherd Montessori it is our goal to exploit this early, fast growing learning curve and take full advantage of each child’s potential.

Our Understanding

“..the knowledge of two languages is greater than the sum of its parts.”
–Ellen Bialystok and Kenji Hakuta, In Other Words

Different languages force us to think in more complex and creative ways.

Our Teachings

Let us take the words “potato” and “apple”. In english these words are extremely well known. As english speaking people we can easy visualize exactly what a potato and apple are as we say the words. In french the word apple is pomme. Easily enough, through memory we are able to compartmentalize the french word pomme meaning the very familiar “apple”. However, let us now take potato. In french we say this one word as a series of words. In fact, it has its own phrase; pomme de terre. What was once so easily memorized must now be fully understood. Directly translated, pomme de terre is “apple of the earth”. A simple word in english is now related to a whole conceptual idea in french. Understanding the importance of words and phrases as conceptual ideas is the basis for our French Program at SMPCS. Teaching french to us, means guiding the student through a journey of conceptual learning. It is our belief that true knowledge of other languages can only be gained though complete, conceptual understanding.

Outcome

Learning a new language is both challenging and rewarding. Proven results concerning children learning a new language include but is not limited to:

  • Heightens sense of creativity
  • Promotes development of brain and intellect
  • Increases social and cultural awareness
  • Broadens individual auditory map
  • Enhances cognitive functioning
  • Increases attention and listening skills
  • Encourages the ability of self expression through creative and critical thinking
  • Enhances auditory discrimination used in language development
  • Promotes problem solving and spatial relations skills
  • Increases self-esteem
  • Increases vocabulary, pronunciation and grammar of parent language

For more on the benefits of french education please read the article The Benefits of Starting Young By Arc-En-Ciel.

We love to share with parents their child’s growth. We also believe and encourage the importantace of the relationship between mentor and the parent. Be prepared to expect:

  • Friendly, fun & safe environment
  • Qualified, caring staff
  • Parent/teacher interviews
  • Progress reports
  • Year end report cards
  • Individual program plan for each child

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