Mandarin for Preschoolers at HB

Hoff-Barthelson Music School invites parents of three and four year-olds who are interested in having their children speak Chinese in Music Classes to attend an Open House for its 2010-2011 Mandarin Chinese Music and Movement classes on Wednesday, May 26, 1:15 – 2:30 pm at the Music School, 25 School Lane, Scarsdale. There will be a demonstration class and a discussion period. This is an excellent opportunity to meet with Hoff-Barthelson’s extraordinary Mandarin Chinese Music Class teacher, Mimi Hsu, and to watch her conduct her current music class in Chinese. Participation in the Mandarin Chinese classes is designed for three-year-olds with a parent or caregiver in attendance. Four’s attend a drop-off class.

Hoff-Barthelson has added classes in Mandarin and Spanish to its extensive roster of early childhood group music classes in response to local cultural communities and their enthusiasm for music classes led in family languages.  In any language, The Journey of Musical Growth begins at an early age at the Music School, a premier community music school that has been one of Westchester’s most cherished cultural resources since 1944.  The faculty strives to instill a life-long love of music in their young students. HBMS preschoolers acquire a diversity of skills through music: the ability to focus and concentrate, to listen and observe keenly, and to become interested in watching and taking turns with their peers. Nurturing teachers develop their skills in music-making and help children to learn to love and appreciate music.

The HBMS preschool classes are designed to introduce young children to the elements of music in preparation for more formal study. In addition to the classes in Mandarin and Spanish, the School’s other preschool offerings include classes ranging from parent or caregiver in child classes for infants, toddlers, and two or three year olds to Getting to Know You: Exploring the Instruments for kindergarteners and recorder, as well as Suzuki lessons and classes for 5-6 year olds.

For more information about the Mandarin Chinese Open House and our Preschool Programs; Jocelyn Kenner, 914-723-1169 and jkenner@hbms.org