Children can 'Grow With Music' this summer 

HUNTINGTON, W. Va. - Children ages birth to 5 and their parents can participate in “Grow With Music,” a developmental music program this summer. Sessions begin the week of May 26 and will continue through the week of June 23, according to Joni Pappas, director of the program, which is offered through the Speech and Hearing Clinic at Marshall University.

Classes are available for babies from birth to 18 months; toddlers from 18 to 36 months; and children from 3 to 5 years of age. Parent participation is required in the classes for the baby and toddler categories and optional for the 3-5 year category. Classes take place in the early evenings Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Daytime sessions may be added according to demand, according to Pappas. A maximum of 10 children is accepted per class.

“Music is very motivating for children of these ages,” Pappas said. “We assist them in learning through play.” She noted that children with special needs are welcome.

Pappas said the 45-minute sessions are designed to enhance a child’s cognitive, social/emotional, speech/language and physical development by using age-appropriate music activities and movement. Emphasis is made on American folk music, with which most of the parents will be familiar, and virtually all of it will be performed live.

Pappas is a board-certified neurologic music therapist specializing in early childhood intervention, special education and older adults. Her private practice has included work in numerous pre-schools, early childhood centers, special education programs, nursing homes and rehabilitative centers in Iowa, Mississippi and Indiana. She also is a music educator, having taught pre-K-12 general and choral music in Dubuque, Ia. She is currently serving as adjunct faculty for the Department of Music at Marshall.

For information on “Grow with Music,” persons may visit the program’s Web site at www.marshall.edu/commdis/music, contact Pappas by e-mailing pappasj@marshall.edu, or call her at (304) 697-0211.

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