A: So many reasons! Kindermusik is the original music and movement program, created by experts and based on research in the field of child development. We have been doing this for over thirty years. While some music programs put children of all ages of together in one room, the majority of our classes are geared to specific ages. This means your child experiences class with "peers" and the activities match her developmental stage. The curricula focuses on each child's developmental level, starting from where your child is, regardless of his age, and providing activities that stimulate his mind, body, and sense of play. Your licensed Kindermusik educator will point out the benefits of these activities in class with you each week.

A: No child is too young to start Kindermusik. Our youngest students were 2 1/2 weeks old! No matter what your child's age, Kindermusik will help foster your child's overall development at every stage from birth to seven.

A: Most of our classes require that a parent or caregiver accompany the child. Our classes are specifically designed to spark interaction between the parent and child. You are your child's first and best teacher, and Kindermusik tries to strengthen that bond. In our classes for older ages, the children spend most of the class with just the teacher, but parents are included in a portion of every Kindermusik class.

A: We believe your child's most important teacher is you, so we give you great tools to continue the Kindermusik experience at home, including home materials such as CDs, downloadable music, instruments, literature and picture books, family activity books, and manipulative play sets in addition to informative parent e-mails each week that support your classroom experience with Kindermusik FOLs (Foundations of Learning) and ideas for ways to continue the learning at home. Kindermusik Home Materials are required and the cost is pro-rated into your monthly tuition payment.

A: Yes, we have many siblings participating in the same class. We just ask that they are both of the appropriate age for the class. There is a 40% discount for the second child if two children enroll in the same class.

A: Yes! Infants are always welcome as long as they are content in their car seat or carrier so your enrolled child can enjoy your attention during their special class. Infants are invited to join their older sibling's class without additional fee through their first birthday. Our Sibling Discount applies beyond that date. Please note that all siblings are invited to join the Sharing Time during the last 10 to 15 minutes of Imagine That! and Young Child classes.

A: Yes, you may enroll at any time during the year. Your tuition will be prorated, depending on what part of the month you enroll.

A: Absolutely. Please call or e-mail to set up a day and time to join us in a class. See our beautiful studios, meet the educators, talk with other parents and enjoy the Kindermusik experience with your child.

A: Children learn in different ways. Simply because a child appears shy in class, that doesn't mean he or she is not learning. We hear from parents all the time whose children are quiet in class, but when they get home the child sings the songs and does the activities! Just remember that the home is the most important learning environment and you are your child's most important teacher. The classroom is intended to give you tools to bring the music and learning home.

A: We firmly believe, and research supports, that a solid foundation of basic musical training is the best path for children. This is why we start with concepts like steady beat and fine and gross motor skills. Our students explore the sound, shape and texture of a number of age appropriate instruments which build on their curiosity, auditory discrimination, motor skills, coordination, language development and ensemble playing. In addition, our Young Child program, for ages five to seven, introduces stringed instruments (the dulcimer), keyed instruments (the glockenspiel and the piano) and wind instruments (the recorder). We feel strongly that this is the best approach to shaping the Mozarts and Bachs of tomorrow. Starting a child on a finger-based instrument too early, while his hand and fingers are still growing and developing, could actually do more harm than good. Simply put, Kindermusik is the best place to start your child's musical journey.

A: We welcome children with special needs and have found they thrive in the Kindermusik environment! We recommend discussing your child's needs with one of our educators.

A: We welcome adult guests in our classes and you are welcome to bring them at any time without notice. If you have a friend with a child who would like to try your class please give us advance notice so we can be sure there is enough room to accommodate them on that particular day.

A: If you need to withdraw from a class for medical reasons or extenuating circumstances, you may drop from the class at any time. If you notify us by the 20th day of the month then all future payments will be stopped beginning on the 1st day of the next month.

A: We do not offer refunds or credits for missed classes, but we ensure you have an opportunity to make up any absence by attending any of our other classes of the appropriate developmental level. Children in our Young Child classes may have a more difficult time making up their absences within the Young Child program, but you are welcome to enjoy an alternative evening or morning class or special event in order to make up your absence. When possible, a dedicated "Make-Up Day" will be scheduled on a vacation day. Make-up classes must be scheduled in advance to assure there is room in the class. Make-ups may be taken as long as you are enrolled in classes. We would appreciate advance notification if you know you will be absent from a class so we may open that spot up for someone else to schedule a preview or makeup class.

A: Weather cancellations will be announced on the studio's outgoing message phone 203-452-8252 by 7:30 am for morning classes and by 12:00 noon for afternoon classes and posted on our Facebook business page: www.facebook.com/musicforlittlehands.

A: We do not share your contact or family information with anyone for any reason. Your information (including email address) is used expressly for the purpose of communicating class updates to you. Only Music for Little Hands staff will have access to your contact information. At no time will your email address be visible to other parents during our weekly emails, and at no time will your email, phone or mailing address information be shared with any parties outside of Music for Little Hands.