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the voice of the abingtons abingtonsuburban.com | january 12, 2017
Care givers in the area agreed to take part in Project Santa |PaGe 2
Area students helped a University of Scranton toy drive |PaGe 9
Local winemakers were highlighted by county officials |PaGe 10
Music for LittLe ears
Comm again hosts ‘Tots & Toddlers Music Time’ by Linda Scott
that instrument. The program is educational and a benchmark to see how other SPEciaL to tHE abinGton SUbURban children are developing.” “I use movement, singing, music The Waverly Community House will making with instruments and singable soon be filled with the sound of instruments and voices of children singing. Tots stories. Each set of Tots and Toddlers and Toddlers Music Time with instructor Music Time classes uses age appropriate Cheryl Mozdian begins on Thursday, Jan. music activities to engage the children in socializing, learning and exploring 19, and now is in its fourth year. music,” Mozdian said. “I taught public school music for 15 The program uses lollipop drums, mayears but changed direction and returned racas, bells, cymbals, boomwackers and to school for a degree in music therapy egg shakers. In addition, stretchy bands, a and opened my own music therapy busiparachute, books, scarves and other props ness,” Mozdian said.“I had experience are used. with special-needs children as an educa“The children love playing the drums. tor. The education I received at Maywood That is the most requested instrument. I University really helped me to feel more am constantly adding new instruments prepared to help children with special as I find ones appropriate to children,” needs. I was interested in helping children and adults with special needs to use Mozdian said. “They also love being there with a parent or other family member. music to enhance their communication, The opportunities for them to make social and emotional skills.” music together and bond are my favorite “Miss Cheryl has a good rapport with moments in my class.” the children and exposes them to all “My son Andrew was 18 months old things to do with music,” said parent Canwhen he participated last fall. He loved dance Beach. She and her 3-year-old son it, played the instruments and danced to have attended the program before and the music, said parent Jenn Burr. “Cheryl are looking forward to attending again. uses age appropriate activities and does a “My son really likes Miss Cheryl and she teaches other concepts such as colors and good job engaging the children.” “I think moms of children this age opposites and plays a guitar during the are looking for fun activities they can do program. This is the first time he is exposed to someone playing an instrument with their child and for opportunities for their child to play with other children,” and sees how much they enjoy playing Mozdian said. “I think parents are more aware of the benefits of using music with little children and it enhances their development now faced with many choices of worthwhile activities. The classes are designed to engage the most active child to TS_CNG/SUBURBAN/PAGES [S01] | 01/11/17
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Jonathan Rosenstein seems very impressed with music therapist Cheryl Mozdian.
PHOTO MICHAEL J. MULLEN / COURTESY OF THE TIMES-TRIBUNE
the mildest child. There is something that will meet the needs of every personality.” Classes are designed for children from 6 months to 5 years old and run 45 minutes in length. Classes will take place on Thursday evenings at 6 p.m. for children 6 months to 5 years old and Saturday mornings at 10 a.m. Fridays classes are sched-
uled for 9:15 a.m. for 2- to 5-year olds and 10 a.m. for tots 6 months to 2 years. The fee is $55 for the six-week session and the classes will be held at the Waverly Community House in the scout room For more information or to print out a registration form, visit the Comm’s web site waverlycomm.org or call the Comm at 570-586-8191, ext. 2.