Gymboree or Kindermusik?

Hi A.,
I thought I would respond to this, being that I was one of the music teachers at Gymboree until late Oct (when I went on maernity leave - havent gone back yet and am not planning on it for a while anyway, or until they call me to sub!) and I am also certified to teach Kindermusik (I am actually a music therapist so I chose to get paid more for that then be a Kindermusik teacher!).

Anyway, at Gymboree it really depends who your music teacher is - everyone is VERY different. If they go strictly by the lesson plan, then it is a little dry for my taste - I always added some flair to make it not to so cut and paste. I would suggest trying out different music classes/teachers if you can. You will be able to tell a difference! And with Gymboree, there are specific "goals" for each music style, which the teacher should be explaining to you why you are doing a specific activity - like "we are singing this song to introduce melody, imitation, etc etc". With Gymboree, you also do not have to purchase the instruments or props like Kindermusik.

I really enjoyed the Kindermusik plans. I think that Kindermusik is just as well-layed out developmental wise as Gymboree. I don't necessarily see the "clique-ishness" at Kindermusik as I do between the moms as at Gymboree, and sometimes it was somewhat difficult to get the parents involved at Gymboree because they were talking to each other so much about playdates, etc, but I suppose that is true everywhere you go! At Kindermusik, you have to purchase items for the class, but on the upside, they are very sturdy, can be used for long term in the program. I think that in Kindermusik, you get a better understanding of what you can do with your child since you have the bought resources at home with you, so you can just read and listen/interact with your child to the music. With Gymboree, you can purchase CDs with the music on it, but they dont give you too much info as to what to do with it as the teacher is supposed to be portraying it in the class. In the play classes though, they give you a nice long paper to tell you all the info you need! Too bad the music class doesnt have this type of paper!

Pricewise, it depends how you look at it. With Gymboree- you pay the fee per month, and for a few dollars more you can go to all the classes you want/that are offered for your child's age.
With Kindermusik, it depends on where you go pricewise, since everyone is "independent" and can charge however much they want. My friend used to run Kindermusik classes last year and her prices were significantly less then Gymboree, even with purchasing the products.

So, I dont know if this has helped you decide either way, but I guess it can give you some more info!

Hi, A....I think both can be very valid activities, depending on what you are looking for. I am a Kindermusik educator in St Louis MO www.kmwithlori.com familiar w/Gymboree.

Kindermusik is music focused, concerned w/the development of the whole child. Music is used as the tool for listening, singing, movement/physical (fine and gross motor)... There is no fancy gym equipment and it is not a playgroup. There is a very loose structure and lesson plans the the licensed educator follows. You also receive home materials to continue the experience at home w/the family, where the most important learning occurs. Parents are involved in the entire class or part of the class and Kindermusik believes the parent is the child's most important teacher.

Gymboree is physical focused concerned w/the whole child, w/music added. Music is not typically the focus. Gymboree to me, tends to be more of a playgroup, w/very little structure.

You might wish to sample a class at your local studios - ask about previewing a free class. ~L.

In response to Heather's comment....
I am sorry that you had a bad experience w/Kindermusik. I have been an educator since 1995. www.kmwithlori.com If your educator did not let a walking child walk in the room (but no running) and children were constantly being told to sit down (especially in the younger classes...below 3 1/2), and instruments were 'delicate,' then something was not quite right w/that program.

In my classes, 'walkers' are free to roam, as long as they are not running and not distracting others and not causing harm to the room. Just being in the room in a musical environment, observing and listening to all that is going is beneficial.

Instruments should be egg shakers, rhythm sticks, bells, drums, scarves...nothing too 'delicate.' I have never told a child/parent not to explore the instrument as it is too delicate! Now I don't allow stomping w/feet on drums, however. ;o)

I am sorry you had a bad experience.
Kindest,
~L.

If you like Gymboree, stick with it. The programs are somewhat similar, but Gymboree focuses mostly on the mental and physical developmental milestones of the child, as opposed to professing to teach musical talent. Gymboree uses musical activities to work on things such as bi-lateral coordination (e.g., shaking 2 maracas to work both sides of the brain), non-locomotor activities (using the arms/hands and not feet when the children are younger), and other developmentally-appropriate activities. They divide the classes (1,2,3) based on the physical and cognitive development of each age range, and they are constantly evaluating and upgrading their program to incorporate the latest research.

Contrary to some of the other responses, many Gymboree music teachers DO have a strong vocal or instrumental background! In St. Louis, they have had a professional opera singer, a semi-pro musical theatre actress, people with a degree in Music Education, a music therapist, and they currently have a teacher who has a Masters in teaching voice (she teaches piano as well, outside of Gymboree). Typically Kindermusik has people who play some basic instrument, but does not have that level of teaching/educational background, but all sites vary--even within the same town! So, check out what your area has to offer. Feel free to ask both the Kindermusik and the Gymboree people about the background of their program and their teachers. Try to see though the "fluff" and get to what the core of the program is about. Don't be fooled by a glossy brochure or a cool website, or cute terms for classes.

I had Rachel as a teacher when my child was at Gymboree, and I had some other teachers as well, and I found all of their classes to be fun and educational. The curriculum seemed to be pretty consistent among the various teachers' classes, but each teacher had their own style/approach.

And, the other poster who mentioned the Gymboree equipment did not understand that the equipment is not used in music class, that is for the other classes. The items used in Music class are developmentally appropriate, and are available for sale, but you do not NEED to buy them. So, if you want take-home materials, you can get them, but you can also come up with your own stuff if you want to. Sometimes you might get ideas for your own activities by talking to the teacher. My Gymboree music classes definitely had a structure to the activities, and was not a play group, I think that poster got the Play & the music classes confused a bit, as she did not sound that familiar with the Gymboree I went to.

Ask your Gymboree teacher or the site manager about what goes into the Music program. Hopefully, they can explain how the program was developed by people with PhDs in Early Childhood education, and has over 30 years of experience in working with children under age 5. Ask the Kindermucik people what went into their program and what the background is. Maybe they have a broader approach, or offer a wider range of ages. Is that better?

If you have another child, try Music Together. I have heard some good things about them, but I believe they are more about having fun with music rather than using music to build neural pathways, work on developmental accomplishments, and all that other fun neuro-motor-spatial-temporal stuff that Gymboree talks about. Some Gymborees offer Family or Sibling Music.

Most of all, evaluate the music program on its own merits, not just what your friend does. That's what playgroups are for - playing with friends; music class is for music or learning about music. I have seen so many other moms pick a music program because their friends did it, and they basically wasted their money on a bunch of nonsense instead of finding a program that meets and develops the needs & interests of the child.

I have had experience with both Gymboree and Kindermusik and both are good programs. The Kindermusik teachers actually have a musical background and can sing, the Gymboree teachers probably don't. Kindermusik has a theme, like sailing, and that is what all the classes are based on. They use the same songs each time so the kids learn them. Gymboree tries to expose the kids to all different kinds of music, so it would probably be different each week. The one thing nice about Gymboree is that you would be eligible for there extra programs by going to the music class.

I haven't heard of a BIG difference...it's just something for you & child to do. The question is are you satisfied with what your getting? It's okay to be & do different from other's, it doesn't make you more/less of a Mom. Enjoy these years that you can be a SAHM & don't sweat the small stuff. Good luck to you & be BLESSED!

I would go for the kindermusik. I tried the gymboree out and found my daughter got more out of music classes than gymboree. My daughter (who is now 3) and I actually took Music Together classes-that was about 2 years ago and she still sings the songs that we sang in class. It got me singing with her too which always was helpful when she was tired or upset. I know there is a place that offers music together in overland park.
Hope that helps!

I did not have a good experience with Kindermusik. My daughter is very hyperactive and has a speech delay. She loves music. I find Kindermusik to be a lot of sitting and that was very difficult for my daughter. The kids were constantly being told to sit down, be quiet, and were not allowed to freely play with instruments because they were 'delicate'. My daughter was 2 so I was really surprised that the class was so strict. I thought it would be more playful and fun.

I opted for a Music and Movement class. It allows the kids to dance, act, and tumble to different kinds of music. It was more appropriate for our child.

I have heard mixed reviews on Kindermusik. Some parents love it, but it was not for us.

When my daughter was younger, they had Kindermusik at her daycare. She loved it and the teacher, Ellen. The music was great, plus with some of the songs they were learning something also...i.e. Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes--body parts. Discovery Toys currently has exclusive selling rights to 20 of the Doe-Re-Me line that Kindermusik has used. You can see what I have to offer at: www.discoverytoyslink.com/boyoachum