Special Needs

Each Kindermusik class level is designed to give every child the most appropriate and stimulating environment to nurture their developmental needs. In fact, it is Kindermusik’s musical and developmental basis that makes the program such a natural and effective way to augment occupational, physical, or speech therapy.

Each child has his or her own developmental patterns of growth, and the special needs child is no exception. Instead of rushing ahead, Kindermusik celebrates and explores each stage, fostering joy and creativity and respecting a child’s unique pattern and pace of growth. As a result, Kindermusik classes provide a unique place where the child with special needs can actively participate with peers of all abilities without pressure to perform in any way.

Dr. Melissa Johnson, a paediatric psychologist and advisor to Kindermusik International, says that Kindermusik can be an effective part of the educational and therapeutic plan for young children with developmental challenges. She points out three reasons she sees Kindermusik as a wonderful resource for children with any variety of special needs.

1. It facilitates inclusion. Beyond just mainstreaming these children, Kindermusik offers them full involvement in community activities, while giving them the support necessary to succeed. For example, children with motor disabilities such as cerebral palsy or spinal bifida may not be able to participate in children’s activities that focus on developing excellence in motor skills. But Kindermusik activities are accessible or readily adaptable to these children’s capabilities.
2. It is based on a multimodal, multisensory design. Kindermusik curricula are enriched with stories, pictures, creative movement and a wide variety of interesting objects as part of activities that pull children into the interaction no matter what their preferred learning style and mode might be.
3. It nurtures the individual child’s emotional and social development. The emphasis on the joy and pleasure of music, on the sharing of this joy with one’s caregiver and peers, and the support of the child’s self-esteem make it particularly appropriate for children and families who face psychosocial stresses and difficulties.

Joshua Walker Scholarship Fund

The Joshua Walker Scholarship for Children with Special Needs is a non-profit initiative dedicated to the understanding that music is important in young children’s lives. Each year, we raise funds for those with special needs to experience the benefits of Kindermusik. If your family is in need, you may be able to access the JWSF and have your child’s tuition fees covered. Please read on to learn more and contact our office for an application form.

Who was Joshua Walker?

Joshua Walker was a student at Kindermusik of Cambridge for 3 years. He had a rare, medical condition known as Mitochrondrial Cytopathy and was not expected to live past 6 months of age. When he passed away in 2002, we created a scholarship fund in his honour. The fund allows us to provide Kindermusik tuition-free to approximately 10 local children with special needs every semester. Thanks to the generosity of the Preston Chapter IODE, local businesses such as Sutherland-Schultz, and our wonderful Kindermusik families, we are able to keep both the music and Josh’s memory alive.

Expressions Music Therapy Services

Generally-speaking, enrolling a child with special needs in Kindermusik’s group classes is the right thing to do. The main reason is that we place the child in the Kindermusik curriculum that matches his or her developmental stage, rather than his/her chronological age. However, there are times when one-on-one instruction is more appropriate. That’s where Angela Randall and Expressions Music Therapy Services come into play—literally! Angela is a registered Music Therapist, who is also a Kindermusik educator on our faculty, and she offers private music therapy sessions right on our premises, for all ages. For an assessment or more information, visit www.expressionsmusictherapy.com.