Music and Motion aimed to get families up and moving
By Stephen Finn
The Sun
Last Monday was the first session of the new year for Burlington Township School District’s Family Learning Series. The learning series includes a variety of extracurricular activities in which parents and their children can participate.
“The program allows time for families to learn and work together in an enjoyable and fun atmosphere, while increasing positive dialogue between school, parents and kids,” said Director of Human Resources and Community Relations for Burlington Township Schools Liz Scott, in a message sent to parents.
According to Scott, the series provides families with a way to become more involved in their child’s academic education, and most importantly gives parents an opportunity to spend one-on-one time with their child.
The first session of 2019, Music and Motion, took place at B. Bernice Young Elementary School. The class was headed by the school’s music teacher, Kathleen Weipert, and kindergarten teacher Andrea Leibowitz.
Weipert has run Music and Motion night for the past three years.
“The parents can learn about what we’re doing in school, and the students get another opportunity to sing, dance and move along to the music,” said Weipert.
Leibowitz has a degree in music and likes to incorporate her musical background into her lessons with her kindergarten class.
“We try and do all sorts of motions. We play games with them, we do a little sign language with a few of the songs,” said Leibowitz.
Weipert and Leibowitz believe music is an important part of a child’s early education, and that its connection to movement speaks to something inherent in all people.
“Movement goes with music because music makes you want to go. Music is important to people, it brings people together, it’s good for our brains,” said Weipert.
“Burlington Township has a pretty big music and theater program as the kids get older. This is where it starts,” said Leibowitz.
Attendance for this particular session turned out less than expected. In fact, resident Tracey Smith and her son Jason, a kindergartener at Young School, were the only ones to show.
Weipert and Leibowitz chalked it up to cold weather keeping people home, and the show went on. Young Jason certainly didn’t mind having everyone’s undivided attention during what turned out to be a night of music and fun just for him and his mother.
Jason played a xylophone, banged on some drums and led the small group in song and dance. Leibowitz led a special song, “Teaching Peace,” in honor of Martin Luther King Day, that incorporated sign language motions along with the lyrics.
Jason’s mother Tracey appreciated the opportunity to participate in a fun activity with her son in a familiar setting.
“It’s something different and fun for him to do besides your typical sports. It’s nice to come out, have fun and you know it’s going to be a good environment,” said Tracey.
As a mother, Tracey knows the value of keeping kids active and would like to see more music and motion incorporated into the school day.
“Movement especially, because now they sit so much in class. I wish they could move more,” said Tracey. “With music, they’re not exposed much unless they’re in the car and their parents are listening to whatever, but this is something where they can be creative and play on an instrument and it sparks that excitement.”
The family learning series will continue with sessions planned through April. Parents of elementary students in the district can contact the school at (609) 386–3520 for a full schedule. Programs run from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The next sessions are Family Art Night, Jan. 24, at Young School, and Family Reading Night, Jan. 29, at Fountain Woods Elementary.
