One of the most important gifts that we can give to our children is a deep love and appreciation for the arts. The world of the young child expands when he is shown new ways to express his thoughts and feelings as he develops natural talent and ability.
Research has shown that instilling this appreciation during the early years through study, practice, and exposure helps children in a variety of important ways – improved cognitive skills, higher emotional intelligence, refined motor skills, and a heightened awareness of the environment through the senses. At this young age, creating a piece of art strengthens eye-hand coordination and also builds focus and concentration.
Dr. Suzuki stated “Man’s ultimate direction in life is to look for love, truth, virtue and beauty” and therefore a major emphasis of the Suzuki philosophy is to nurture a child’s appreciation of the arts and the beauty to be found in them.
The appreciation for art and beauty has been incorporated throughout our curriculum and our environment:
Environment: An appreciation of the visual begins with the careful design of the building to create a serene environment that is aesthetically, one that reinforces the concept of beauty through the components of structure and design. The color, textures, and ambience of the school have the feel of a gallery with design elements that will draw the child to them.
Art Program: The Suzuki art program teaches the fundamentals of technique, color and design through the study and comparison of the Masters. The focus of the art curriculum is to develop an appreciation and love of art. During the school year, the children participate in a major art project based on a master, a visiting exhibition, or the interests of the classroom.
Appreciation of the many forms of artistic expression: Throughout the year we travel with the children to visit theaters, galleries, museums, the countryside, and certain cultural events. These field trips begin in the Primary Program; in Level II and in the Pre-Primary classrooms, we invite special visitors to entertain and delight the children with music, puppet shows, folktales, and magicians.
Music in our environment: Music is heard through the common areas of the school during all hours in keeping with the welcoming atmosphere of the architectural design.
Music Instruction: The school offers year-round classroom music lessons with a Suzuki music instructor to all of our children; for those children in PrePrimary through Kindergarten, , music readiness classes are available; for older children in Primary and kindergarten, individual piano and violin lessons are offered. These lessons emphasize the following concepts:
- Rhythm: Learning to react in a structured manner - keeping a beat, recognizing and repeating rhythmic patterns.
- Rhythmic: Relating gestures and motions to music.
- Singing: A child's own voice is his or her best musical instrument - although children rarely develop a singing voice before the age of five or six, we work to help each child develop his or her ability to vocally duplicate sounds, and to find his or her own voice.
- Musical terminology: Recognizing and understanding such concepts as high and low, loud and soft, or fast and slow.
- Instrument playing: Reproducing instrument rhythms used in beginning Suzuki-method piano and violin lessons.
Performances and Plays: Periodically throughout the year, the older children develop and perform plays for both parents and other children in the school. These plays are based on seasonal celebrations or on a favorite book or story.