Allegro Virtual Classes
Allegro Music is offering The Music Class® At Home, weekly 30 minute interactive virtual classes. Through our online platform, families will be able to sing, dance, and communicate with their teacher and classmates for an interactive music class experience.
Allegro Virtual Classes FAQ’s | Here’s everything you need to know!
You can also find out more here about what to expect at https://themusicclass.com/at-home.
What do I need to participate?
For our interactive classes you will need:
- An internet connection and your computer, phone, or tablet – We will host our interactive classes through the free web conferencing software, Zoom. Your teacher will provide you with a meeting link for each class that you can open either in the Zoom app or on Zoom’s website. We recommend that you use the app instead of a web browser. Download the Zoom app here.
- A safe space to conduct class; it’s best to enjoy our class in an area of your home that has enough space for you to stand up and dance and that is relatively free of distractions.
- It will be handy to have some instruments and stuffed animals around to use for our songs! Incorporate your children’s favorite stuffies into our songs!
What kinds of activities will we do?
You can expect to enjoy the same fun and engaging activities that we do in our in-person classes! Using instruments, simple household items and innovative lesson plans, we’ll be able to sing, shake, dance and play all from the comfort of our homes!
What about my concerns about too much screen time? We are very concerned about this as well! Making sure that we do not provide passive screen time for children was one of the motivating factors in figuring out how to do interactive virtual classes. The World Health Organization and American Academy of Pediatrics make a clear distinction between passive screen time and active screen time.
For example, video chatting with grandparents does not fall under the category of passive screen time; instead it is considered quality time interacting with others. Our virtual classes are an interactive time for you and your child, together with your regular teacher and classmates. Your teacher will still lead stand up songs, ask for substitutions ideas, and do individual tonal and rhythm patterns. Just like a regular class we want grownups at home to fully participate. We definitely understand this is new for everyone and encourage you to try it out to see how it works!
My infant is too young to focus on a virtual class, how is this educational?
Our goal is to facilitate the same learning experience for infants as we do in live classes, by leading parents on how and why to do the activities with their children. Virtual classes can work really well for infants with a little grown-up enthusiasm! Just like in live classes, the educational value (and fun!) for babies comes from their interaction with their caregiver. For example, your teacher will lead you to bounce your child to the beat because young children learn rhythm by being bounced. In addition, using your own instruments at home is definitely a safety advantage, so parents won’t have to worry about any germ sharing when their child tastes an instrument.
What if my child is too active to focus on a virtual class?We understand your concern. Virtual classes will be 30 minutes instead of 45, because 30 minutes is a more reasonable time frame to expect children to stay engaged using this platform. The lesson plans will include a variety of activities and instruments, including moments where children can be highlighted so their classmates can view them on the “big screen!” There will be music and dancing and crawling and jumping to try and encourage active kids to be active with the music! We recommend viewing the class in an area without too many other toys or distractions, and of course most importantly for parents to be doing the activities enthusiastically with their kids!
Allegro Outdoor Classes
- Minimum air temperature for Outdoor classes is a forecast of 45 degrees at the time of class. Our outdoor areas are covered, so we will have class if it rains UNLESS there is a storm with thunder and lightning. If the forecast temperature is less than 45 degrees or there is any other inclement weather, class will be held on Zoom that day.
- Families must bring a blanket or similar to sit on. (We have marked off spaces so that all blankets are at least 6 ft from each other.)
- Families must bring their own instruments so that no instruments are shared. Homemade instruments are welcomed. We will also have instrument kits available for purchase.
- Masks will be required on all adults at all times. Masks will not be required on children, but if your child is in the age range for the CDC recommendation for wearing masks, we strongly recommend masks for them. (CDC recommends children under 2 not wear masks.)
- No makeups or guests will be allowed to join outdoor classes.
- Families in outdoor classes will be able to schedule makeups in online classes.
- Do not attend class if you are feeling ill, are showing any symptoms of Covid-19, or if you have been exposed to anyone with Covid-19.
- Your teacher will wear PPE and will not touch any class participants.