High Expectations
The classes were very short. It was strange that we needed to bring our own instruments. Kids were discouraged from walking/moving around which is so natural for them at this young age. The environment was not very safe for them to explore, which large stacks of chairs that could fall on them. The emails had way too much information to read and the key things were buried and hard to find. The classes didn't offer much that I couldn't do at home. I went in with high expectations as my child loves music, I was a little disappointed.
Reply from Mini Maestros - Surrey Hills
Thanks for taking the time to leave a review. We are sorry to hear that our class did not meet your expectations. Our classes run for 30-40 minutes, depending on the age group. The duration is set with regard to optimum attention times for babies and pre-school aged children. During the class there is a lot of structured movement. Activities are intentionally planned so that children enjoy a range of action songs, dances and movement activities in between lap plays, instrumental activities and other seated focusing work.
Our Surrey Hills classes are held in a big room. The circle area for the children and their carers is set at a safe distance from any furniture and the room satisfies our risk assessment criteria for a space where children are supervised by their carers and the teacher.
As we all adapt to life in the COVID crisis, a number of things have had to change concerning our program in order to keep people safe. This includes asking students to bring their own instruments, moving around the classroom in a manner that maintains social distancing requirements and providing extra information about our COVID-safe requirements in our communications. It is a frustration to all that our lives have been made more complicated, but also a great joy that we have been able to continue the fun and learning throughout the crisis in a safe and responsible manner.
Although many parents can enjoy music at home with their children, Mini Maestros classes do two important things:
1. the varied repertoire has been carefully selected with particular developmental outcomes in mind which may not always be apparent to the untrained eye or ear: for example activities which help develop children’s speech, listening and language, and for the older children, activities which help develop left-to-right reading skills. Our Online Course, provided to every full enrolment in 2021, really focuses on these elements. Designed for the parent or carer to watch and participate in together with their child, the Online Course will teach a parent or carer how to nurture different aspects of their child’s development; and
2. our in-person classes and Zoom sessions enable babies and young children to learn in a social setting. Babies and toddlers will learn by watching others and will actively join in when they are developmentally ready.
We are sorry that your expectations were not met. We hope that your child enjoyed the music and activities, and that their love of music is something that nourishes them throughout their life. 🎶🐝💕 Mini Maestros