Tell me about Mini Maestros or something similar?

[Miss.September]

We're looking at getting DD involved in something to do with music. We don't go to playgroup or mother's group and she doesn't see other kids often. She LOVES music, loves to sing, muck around on any instrument (she calls everything a trumpet). She sings to both adult and kids songs, and dances around. I know that all kids love this, but she'd do it all day every day if there were no other distractions.

I've been looking at the mini maestro site, they have classes locally and on a Saturday morning which means DH could come too (and he's really excited about that), but I'm still waiting for them to get back to me. What's around that's like this for toddlers? And if you go to classes with your toddler, what's good/bad about them?

[Purple Penguin]

we did mini maestros for a year and a half and DD1 loved it.

[feeb]

I looked at that but days didn't work for me (when I only had DS1) so we did gymbaroo which was great!!! Music and activity.

[FabFiona]

We did mini maestros for a while before I went back to work. It was great! We had two different teachers and one was definitely better than the other.

The group near my place offered free trials. It's worth doing that before enrolling for a term to check the vibe of the place.

We've done gymbaroo and mini maestros. Gymbaroo where we go is definitely more focused on motor skills rather than music. There is music, but it's not the focus.


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[Astrid]

Definitely do a free trial. I tried 2, Mini Maestros and I think Hey Di Ho. Really disliked the second and found the lady who ran the Mini Maestro's one just seemed to have a really good rapor with the kids. The other lady was like scary old school teacher!

DD1 loved it, but did want to dance more than sit there and bang sticks. Often she would hand her instruments back and do a bum dance in the middle of the circle

[~Hestia~]

We do Hey Dee Ho which sounds very similar to Mini Maestros. Moo loves it, I think it's fun too! He's in the babies group where he'll stay until he's 2 years old I think. We sing songs, play with instruments, do nursery rhymes, we've started learning simple sign language to go with some of the songs, we play with parachutes & finger puppets, we walk around the room stomping/tip toeing etc. What I like about it is it doesn't matter if they don't join in all the songs etc. Moo often mucks around with her felt board or he runs around with other kids for a little bit. They get a biscuit after the class & the teacher bring out a box of toys so they kinda wind down.

For me who didn't really know many kids songs or nursery rhymes it's been great!

It is exxy but if you have to miss a class it gets taken off next terms fee. There is an option to go casually too. I'm pretty sure the first class was free.

[OceanPrincess]

Pac, we do mainly music - it's a music-based Playgroup. I understand all groups run a bit differently but ours is run like this: half an hour of free play/craft, half an hour or singing and dancing, morning tea (fruit - everyone brings a piece and it is cut up by one of the team and we share amongst all the kids) then another 15mins or so of calm songs/rhymes to wind down.

We've been going since DD was about 10mths (I'm part of the team) and she loves it. She really is getting so much more out of it at this age - I think 2 is a perfect age to be starting something like that!

Have a look at the mainly music website - there'll be a contact somewhere on the page if you're interested. Ours is also pretty cheap, $4 a session I think.

PS - I was out your way visiting a friend today. Wondered if I might have driven past your house... And every woman I saw while we were out and about with a DD around the age of your DD I thought "wonder if that's Pac???"

[Miss.September]

I like the idea of the free trial, thanks for the suggestion. I'll see what's on offer (and see if we like the teacher too lol)

OP - I've had a look at the site, looks good, but the session times don't have one on a Saturday and its something DH really wants to try and get involved in, so we'll see how we go. I was out the front of my place today for a bit with DD doing some gardening. If you saw a woman in a tracksuit with a set of plant cutters and crazy hair, you found me

[FabFiona]

Now that I think about it, a few friends from mothers group do Mainly Music and they love it. I've not been myself just passing on the recommendation.


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[~ Zarava Flutterby ~]

Hmm thee is one of those mainly musics in the next town from me

[Emma09]

Hmm thee is one of those mainly musics in the next town from me

We do mainly music also- it's on Thursday in Lalor....
Great value for money at $1.50 per session with a snack AND an art activity thrown in with the singing and dancing.


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[~ Zarava Flutterby ~]

$1.50 a session, then do you just provide a snack and everyone shares?
Hmm how far is Lalor from my place

[*EJ*]

We do Mini Maestros here. DS1 has done it since before he was 12 months old and DS2 started when he was 12 months old. It's the only 'activity' as such that we've ever done and i love it.

There is so much learning going on in the time that you're there it's great for the kids. It's all relevant to age so the littlies could just be getting a feel for different noises and ways their little arms, legs and hands coordinate. As they get older they go more into fast, slow, loud, soft (and the musical terms for these), up, down, taking turns, listening to other adults instructions so many good things... DS1 is now using a chime bar and learning to pay little tunes.

The teacher we have is fantastic, she loves the kids and loves what she does. If you're still waiting for a call back maybe try again. I know they are in pretty high demand in some places and there are waiting lists. But for whatever reasons kids come and go through all times of the year so you may not have to wait too long.

Oh and they do a little concert at the end of the year and it's such a great thing to see your little one up on stage feeling so special and proud of themselves Great confidence building

Have fun

[Emma09]

Lalor is 5-10 mins from me.
The snack is provided by them.
Only downside is this mainly music is run by born again Christians and held at there church.
They don't force religion on you- but the message is still there KWIM?
That side of things doesn't phase me.
You don't need to book for this one, just turn up


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[~ Zarava Flutterby ~]

Hmm maybe once i have a new car, i should get HotI to come for a drive, i might even squeeze in a 3rd seat and we would only need 1 car
Maybe we should do a BB meet there

[Emma09]

Sounds great!
It starts at 10- I haven't been for 2 weeks as Z hasn't been feeling the best



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[meow]

You could perhaps look into dance classes too if she's that interested in movement. Sometimes the music classes can focus on sitting down skills which wont work for all children. There are gorgeous creative dance classes at the Bhava centre in warrandyte.

I'm all for a couple of classes/playgroups a week from 2-3 years old. They're usually just 30mins-1hour and not too much for little ones.

[Miss.September]

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. I've contacted Mini Maestro's again about their Saturday morning class, hopefully someone will get back to me soon. It sounds like a lot of fun