Teaching Services

EARLY CHILDHOOD MUSIC CLASSES

Introduction

In the summer of 1991, Rosine Katan took a weekend workshop on reclaiming one’s own Inner Child with the pioneering family systems educator, John Bradshaw. At the time, Rosine had never heard of an “Inner Child”, but she’d heard John Bradshaw lecturing about family systems on Public Television and was intrigued with his presentation.
In the summer of 1991, the weekend workshop Rosine attended turned out to be the catalyst that forever changed the way she understood Early Childhood Human Development.

Three months later, Rosine Katan walked into the field of Early Childhood Music Education. Literally. Whenever she’d take a walk around the block, she’d pass in front of the neighborhood church which displayed a sign advertising Early Childhood Music Classes with “Musical Munchkins”. When she’d glance through her local newspaper, she’d pass another advertisement for “Musical Munchkins”. And when she’d drive down the main street of her hometown, she’d pass a Girls Scouts house displaying another sign for “Musical Munchkins” classes. So what’s a “Musical Munchkin” anyway?

As a trained musician, the idea that a two-year old could master any musical task seemed absurd to Rosine. If someone would’ve told her that a two-year old can learn to recognize the difference between a quarter note and an eighth note, and demonstrate that difference on a musical instrument, she wouldn’t have believed it.

Out of curiosity, Rosine went to observe a Musical Munchkins music class for two-year olds taught by one of the co-creators of Musical Munchkins, Eileen Oddo. After observing one class, Rosine returned a second time. From that point forward, Rosine realized how mistaken her assumption had been about teaching music skills to toddlers.  She witnessed two-year olds having an enormous appetite for learning, focusing, and enjoying many facets of music making, while taking great pride in all of it.

Rosine then realized she wanted to learn how to teach music fundamentals to toddlers. Appreciating Rosine’s newfound enthusiasm for Early Childhood Music Education, Eileen Oddo introduced Rosine to the other co-creator of Musical Munchkins, Chris Patella.

Rosine was soon experiencing the great fortune of being trained by two master teachers, Eileen and Chris, in how to become an Early Childhood Music Educator. After a year of extensive teacher training seminars, observation, and internships with the Musical Munchkins curriculum, Rosine was offered a staff teaching position with the program.

Her first teaching assignment was to adapt the program so she could teach music to learning disabled children at four WARC schools. Rosine’s first group of children included those suffering from autism, those suffering with Down’s syndrome, children born addicted to crack and/or alcohol, and children labeled with various learning disabilities.

While Rosine felt confident in her musicianship and teaching skills, she realized she knew nothing about children with developmental disabilities. She decided to trust her intuition that music would speak to the emotional intelligence of each child in all her classes. Using that approach, Rosine discovered that music can be a form of medicine which soothes, uplifts, and restores equilibrium.

After her assignment teaching learning disabled children, Rosine went on to teach the mainstream Musical Munchkins curriculum to over 1,000 babies, toddlers, and preschoolers for the program’s group classes and library programs.

Currently, Rosine Katan offers Musical Munchkins music classes and nursery school programs in the Yorktown / Cortlandt, New York area.

The Program

Unlike other early childhood music programs, the Musical Munchkins curriculum is age-specific. Babies, 1 year-olds, 2 year-olds, 3 year-olds, and 4 year-olds each have their own 32-week curriculum designed to support the human developmental process specific to their age.

Within each 45-minute class, beat-keeping, eurhythmics (rhythmic movement activities), instruments (including shakers, woods, drums, resonator bells), singing, puppets, and creative play with props are all integrated into a progressive curriculum.

Since every year during the first five years of early childhood development presents its own particular set of developmental tasks to learn (see Rosine's webpage on Adult Workshops addressing Early Childhood Human Development), music is an ideal vehicle for nurturing that process.

Classes for Babies focus on nurturing sensory development.
Classes for 1 year-olds focus on nurturing exploratory development as new locomotor skills emerge.
Classes for 2 year-olds focus on nurturing the budding independence and
individuality so natural for this age.
Classes for 3 year-olds focus on nurturing the imaginary play essential to
healthy early childhood development.
Classes for 4 year-olds focus on nurturing the capacity for learning more complex rhythmic movement and instrumental activities, as well as exploration into musical notation.

While every Musical Munchkins teacher has her own approach to teaching the curriculum, Rosine Katan’s style is guided by the motto, “Nurturing Early Childhood Development Through Music.” Rosine’s dominant priority in teaching early childhood music classes is to create an atmosphere of emotional safety for all class members. When children and adults feel comfortable enough to relax into their bodies, they are more likely to experience music on sensory, emotional, and cognitive levels.

Classes for Babies, 1 year-olds, and 2 year-olds include the parent or primary caregiver for each child, so that each music class can be experienced as a community event for both children and adults. As a result, infants and toddlers can have their own age-appropriate learning experience, while adults can remember how to play, be silly, and bond more deeply with their child.

By the age of 3 and 4, most children are ready to experience a 45-minute music class with only their peers and teacher, without needing their parent beside them. If necessary, however, children can have their parent nearby until they feel comfortable enough to separate for the duration of the class.

To inquire about Rosine Katan’s availability for private group classes and nursery school programs, or for more information about Musical Munchkins, visit the website, www.musicalmunchkins.com.

Early Childhood Music Teaching Referrals

“My daughter was about 18 months old when we took our first Musical Munchkins class with Rosine Katan. We stayed with Rosine for the next three years of classes. Rosine is a wonderful teacher for young children. She has an amazing way of engaging a wide variety of children for the full 45-minute period. She so clearly understood that different children had different interests and capabilities and would find a way to integrate all into the class at some point or another. Additionally, the joy she took in the children was always so evident.”

— Patricia R.

“My son and I were enrolled in the Musical Munchkins programs for one-year olds and two-year olds taught by Rosine Katan. I recommend Rosine as an early childhood music educator because she was able to connect with children in the class through music, song, and games. My son particularly enjoyed it when Rosine played guitar and sang during the class. I particularly appreciated the variety of activities built into each session making each week a special bonding experience with my child.”

— Anna R.

“My son and I were enrolled in the Musical Munchkins program for one-year olds taught by Rosine Katan. Rosine is energetic and enthusiastic with children. She knows how to keep them entertained and engaged during class. My son really enjoyed using the different types of instruments or props Rosine had for the children. I particularly appreciated that my son was able to interact with other children his age, and I was able to use the songs, activities, and movements at home with my son.”

— Jaclyn V.

“Rosine is a lovely and talented teacher whose gentle approach and genuine warm style shows through on the beaming faces of her pupils. My children and I loved joining her in class and will miss the way she encourages children to appreciate and explore music and play in a fun and happy way. I also admire the way she was always able to make each and every child feel comfortable, special, and appreciated. She is one of those teachers who will not be forgotten.”

— Rachel DB

“My son and I were enrolled in Musical Munchkins with Rosine Katan teaching
the programs for one-year olds and two-year olds. My son enjoyed Rosine’s gentle approach as well as her enthusiasm in teaching about musical instruments. She has a great knack for encouraging the children’s curiosity of musical instruments. I particularly enjoyed how Rosine taught music fundamentals in such a warm and loving manner.”

— Marianne P.

 
For more information, please send Rosine Katan an e-mail at: muir004@aol.com

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