About Teacher Susy

Biographical Information For Susan Porter

     Susan Porter has been working with young children since 1996. She was a full-time toddler teacher at Creative Kids for two years, where she led music time and storytelling. Susan has entertained children at hundreds of birthday parties. Trained in acting and singing, she has performed in musical theater, plays, and voice-over work. She is an accomplished flutist, singer, and guitar player.

Susan also has extensive background in child development. She is a member of the ECMMA (The Early Childhood Music and Movement Association), and continues to further her education and skills by attending conferences, workshops, and trainings throughout the year. She stays current with the latest research, publications, and books concerning education, theories of learning, and musical pedagogy. Susan has completed advanced trainings with “Music Together” and “Musikgarten”, both national, research- based music education companies. Susan uses these resources in her teaching. CD’s of this music can be ordered if you would like to “bring the music home”!

Susan’s Teaching Philosophy

Susan’s philosophy concerning the infant and toddler learners is that music-making is an experience that is geared towards the joyful process of creating rather than perfection, performing, or the end product. The emphasis in class is on creativity, experimentation, exploration, and enjoying musical experiences. At this early age, with fine motor skills still developing, the value of music is to ignite their inner rhythm, increase their awareness of basic fundamentals (like high and low, fast and slow), and to give them positive experiences that lead to a lifelong interest and involvement in music. The benefits of early exposure and involvement with music are significant and include enhancing cognitive, motor, memory, and social - emotional skills, as well as language acquisition. Bonding with mom and dad (or caregiver) is key, as music provides an intimate and unique way to connect with each other.

There is no “right or wrong” way to play an instrument at this stage. As the children get older and their abilities, attention span, and cognitive skills advance, then we can begin to work on control, making the music louder, softer, slower, faster. Children progress naturally if they have the basic confidence, security, and freedom to do so at their own pace, in their own way. Susan’s highest priority is that the children feel safe and comfortable in the class environment. The environment is set up in a way that the children can interact with, touch, and explore the instruments and props. All class materials that Susan uses have been tried and tested over the years for durability, quality of sound, and safety.

 

Class Description

     A wide variety of musical instruments are used during each class, including Remo drums, tone blocks, claves, guirro tone blocks, finger cymbals, bells, shaker eggs, and resonator bells. High quality props such as scarves, rainbow streamers and hoops are also used to help motivate children to move expressively and freely.

In addition to high quality children’s music, Susan also incorporates classical music into her program, making it fun, enjoyable, and accessible for even the youngest of students. She incorporates creative movement and dramatic play. Some of our favorite pieces are: “In The Hall Of The Mountain King” by Grieg, Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite”, “The Carnival Of Animals” by Saint Saens, “Overture to William Tell” by G.Rossini ,Leroy Anderson’s “The Syncopated Clock”, and “The Musical Typewriter”.