Early childhood music classes in Highland give kids head start in learning, socializing

Heather Netemeyer possesses an extensive musical portfolio.

Her resume includes playing piano since the age of 7, graduating from the University of Illinois with a music education degree, working as a music teacher at Belleville East for seven years, and serving as a childhood music teacher the past several years, among other experiences.

She’s now imparting that wisdom on the youngest of the young, offering childhood music classes to children age 0-5. Netemeyer teaches classes at 11 a.m. Wednesdays at Highland Music School, 409 Pine St.

“I love teaching kids of all ages,” said Netemeyer, 37.

The sessions run 45 minutes and focus on music and movement, singing songs, playing instruments and different targeted listening examples.

“For instance, the kids will listen to the sound of a clock ticking and an alarm clock ringing,” Netemeyer said. “That helps them focus on their listening at that age because children have so much media coming at them these days.”

Netemeyer said most music they do is simple singing based on folk songs and nursery rhymes.

“It’s very sequential,” she said. “We’re working on these building blocks of music and working from there.”

The sessions have another purpose: Getting kids interacting with their peers.

“A lot of what they’re learning is from the music, but also the social interaction of working with other kids, learning to share and a sense of community,” she said. “I really like to see kids coming out of their shell a little bit. If they’re shy at the beginning, it’s neat to see them grow and become more independent as class goes on.

“The parents are really happy with that when they see the growth in their kids.”

The first two classes have gone extremely well. Week one saw six students, but then illness lowered the total for week two.

“We want this to be a positive experience for the kids,” Netemeyer said.

Wanting a convenient, closer option for her children regarding early childhood music programs, Netemeyer first created a childhood music program in 2013. She since has become a certified Musikgarten teacher. Netemeyer explained Musikgarten is a research-based program with various curriculum for children, from baby to school age. All this ultimately led to her most recent endeavor.

Netemeyer praised Highland Music School creator Angelina McLaughlin-Heil for securing top-flight professionals who excel at teaching all different instruments. The brainchild for the classes actually was McLaughlin-Heil, who gives violin lessons to Netemeyer’s children.

“She said I should teach one of my classes here ... and I said, ‘that sounds awesome,” Netemeyer said. “There’s something for all ages at Highland Music School.”

Price for the 16-week session — which began Jan. 15 — is $155. However, people can still join and have the cost prorated. Included in the cost are class materials such as a CD, a book and instrument. Netemeyer plans to do a summer session, approximately four-eight weeks.

For more information or to sign up, contact Netemeyer at heather.netemeyer@gmail.com; her Facebook group called Heather’s Musikgarten or the Highland Music School at https://highlandmusicschool.com/.

About Heather Netemeyer

Netemeyer went to high school in New Jersey before making the trek west to U of I. There, she met her husband, Seth, who resided in the the metro-east.

They have two children — a girl, 8, and boy, 6. The family lives in Trenton.

Frequently Asked Questions about Early Childhood Music Classes

Q: Isn’t my baby too young to participate in a music class?

A: Babies of all ages benefit in many ways from participating in a research based music class with their caregiver. A study by the University of Washington’s Learning and Brain Sciences reveals that a series of musical play sessions with 9-month old babies showed an improvement in brain processing of new speech sounds. It is the first such study to suggest that recognizing rhythmic patterns in music can also help babies to detect rhythmic patterns in speech, concluding that engaging in musical experiences at an early age can have a more global effect on cognitive skills.

Q: What exactly goes on in an early childhood music class? Do you just sing songs?

A: We do sing songs! But we also play instruments, dance, engage in thoughtful play, and listen and respond to rhythmic and tonal examples. Through all of these activities we are making crucial neural pathways and strengthening them through repetition.

Q: My children listen to lots of music. Isn’t that enough?

A: While music has been known to soothe infants and help to create a bond between caregiver and child, a study from Northwestern University revealed that simply listening to music at an older age does not have the same cognitive benefits as being actively engaged in a music class. Researchers found children who regularly attended, as well as participated in music classes showed larger improvements in how the brain processes reading and speech than less involved children. The role of music and movement in children’s learning and growth is well documented.