Lolita Harper
HILLSIDE DISTRICT -- They clapped, stomped, sang and shook their
groove thangs.
And although the toddlers in the Kindermusik program at Burbank First
United Methodist Church are still mastering their coordination and
speaking skills, the tuneful tots proved Monday that they can shake
maracas with the best of them.
For Zahra Beihold of Glendale and her 2-year-old daughter, Emily, a
previous class was so beneficial they enrolled for a second session.
"Developing the skills of listening, singing and dancing really
helped Emily with her verbal skills and communication," Beihold said.
Emily demonstrated her improved verbal skills during the "Who's in the
Forest?" song, when teacher Emelia Diaz asked her to identify the stuffed
animal she was holding.
"Giraffe!" the curly-haired pupil said as she popped up from her mom's
lap to grab it out of Diaz's hands. She then ran back to her mother,
clutching the giraffe as her temporary prize.
Kindermusik aims to introduce students to stimulating sounds and
rhythms while allowing parents or caregivers to spend valuable time with
the kids, Diaz said.
Although she has only taught at Burbank First United Methodist Church
for about a year, Diaz has taught piano, musical theater and voice for
decades.
"Children are such good imitators; it's really nice to see when a
2-year-old is responding," Diaz said. "There's lots of gratification for
the teacher and also for the parents, I'm sure."
Mary Seward, a member of the church and former parent participant, is
grateful to the Kindermusik class. She credited the class with
encouraging her son -- who suffers from multiple disabilities -- to sign
his first words.
Timmy, now 9, was enrolled in the class seven years ago, when the
program first started at the church. He loved the program, Seward said.
"We were trying to get him to sign the words 'Mommy' and 'Daddy,' and
up until then we had no luck," she said, tears welling in her eyes. "When
he saw the other kids doing the movements, he did them, too."
The Kindermusik program runs for 15 weeks. Class begins at 11:15 a.m.
Mondays at 700 N. Glenoaks Blvd. The cost is $80, which includes a free
CD containing songs that played during class. Although the program has
already started, the church will still take late sign-ups, Seward said.
First-time participants Jayme Scallon and her son, Michael, said they
had a great time in class.
"I think it's wonderful," Jayme said. "It'll really give Michael a
chance to use -- and improve -- his social skills."
