What makes Kling Klong different from other early education programs?
Kling Klong is like children are: groovy, funny, versatile and, sometimes, even a bit cheeky. We don’t want to produce perfect little child prodigies, we want to promote natural musicality and humanity. Our extensive program is thought out and tried down to the smallest detail both in theory and practice, including a unique range of songs, games and activities. We fearlessly combine rock and classical music and let things get a bit louder one moment and are quiet and concentrated the next. All the while, our pedagogically trained course instructors follow the principle: “People before music.”
Kling Klong is down-to-earth, educationally valuable and, most of all, fun!
Why should my child wait until school age before learning musical notation?
Reading and writing sheet music is a helpful tool in music. The same way a child learns how to speak first and then starts writing in school, musical notation comes later: First we help the child’s natural musicality unfold (feeling for rhythm, auditory sensitivity and the singing voice), and then, once he or she reaches school age, we offer the musical basics course, which also involves musical notation.
Why should children not specialize in an instrument before the age of 7?
Few children have the fine motor skills required to specialize in a specific instrument before turning 7. Additionally, children often don’t have the maturity required to practice on an independent and continual basis. This is, however, necessary, and often leads to children turning away from music sooner or later.
Children who benefit from Kling Klong first, however, usually make very good progress when working with an instrument from age 7 onward. They usually even surpass those of similar age who start two years earlier.
Some Kling Klong branches offer recorder lessons for this age group while others are attached to a Modern Music School offering drums, bass, guitar, keyboard, saxophone and singing lessons.
What instruments are used at Kling Klong?
We mainly work with child-appropriate rhythm instruments from various manufacturers. These include drums of different sizes, claves, rattles, and much more. The musical basics course covers rhythm instruments and the keyboard. We provide all of these – you need not buy your own.
How can I see the effects of my child’s studies at Kling Klong?
The most important improvements are not visible at first sight – such as the development of auditory precision or the refinement of sensomotorics. We make a point of excluding “learn-and-show” exercises (such as rehearsed dances or pieces on the glockenspiel or recorder).
Nevertheless, the children learn plenty of new songs and musical games while with Kling Klong. Some children like to present these at home or at kindergarten, though those who do not want to do this should not be pressured.
You are welcome to come and see individual Klong Klong classes – the final class of a course, for instance – and see your child in action.
How does my child seamlessly join an already existing group?
The important thing in such a situation is fast integration into the group. Our course instructors have the pedagogical know-how to make this happen gently and carefully.
Since every Kling Klong lesson is self-contained, your child will never feel like it has to catch up. He or she will intuitively pick out those games and activities best suited for his or her individual phase of development. This will help your child feel at ease in the group in no time.
How do I know what happens in a course?
We will send you a letter containing an overview of what will happen for every new course. This will enable you to know exactly what your child is dealing with at Kling Klong. If you have any questions, you can, naturally, always ask the course instructors.
Which courses can my child participate in without being accompanied by an adult?
The Gorilla courses (3 to 6 years) and the courses for school children are principally conducted without parent supervision. This is the only way for children to fully immerse themselves in their activities.
The courses for Chimps (1 ½ to 3 years) require one adult per child to come along to the course.
I am uncertain whether my child will want to continue with Kling Klong once I sign it up. What can I do?
Since we know that children sometimes change their minds quite quickly, we offer you comfortable course lengths: Registration for Kling Klong is only binding for any given 12-week course. You can decide to quit Kling Klong up until the 9th class of any course. This way you have a high degree of flexibility concerning how long your child should stay with Kling Klong. Naturally, re-joining Kling Klong after a period of intermission is easily possible.
When are the appointments for free trial sessions?
You and your child can visit any class of a running course as a trial session and make your decision on signing up afterwards. To make an appointment, simply contact your local principal (via telephone or e-mail).
Apart from that, we offer trial sessions on a regular basis before a new group starts a course. You can make appointments for these trial sessions through your local principal as well.
What is the information evening for parents about?
Its theme is “All children are prodigies. If we let them.” This event is for all those who want to know more about education, talent and musicality.
We report about the newest developments in the related sciences and describe the experiences we have had with these topics at Kling Klong. You can get an idea of our concept and its background and ask questions about it at the same time.
What is the one-time processing fee for?
This one-time fee of € 15 covers all the costs for administration, correspondence and materials and is charged only upon initial registration.
Do I need to purchase further material for my child?
You need buy neither notebooks nor instruments nor other equipment – nothing. Everything is included when you register your child for a course. Every child also receives a Kling Klong stuffed animal as a present upon registration.
How much is a course and what methods of payment are available?
Every course consists of 12 lessons (45 minutes each) and has a total cost ranging from € 69 and € 78 (depending on your location) per child. The Musical Basics Course for school children costs between € 90 and € 99 due to the lower pupil numbers per course and the higher costs for materials. The exact fees for each course can be found on your local branch’s website. The one-time processing fee of € 15 is the same everywhere.
The fees can be paid by direct debit from your account either as a whole or in three monthly rates. You can also transfer the course fee in one sum. Either way, the processing fee is charged only once, at initial registration.
I have had or have experience in the field of education and would like to conduct Kling Klong courses. What can I do?
We are glad to hear that you want to work at Kling Klong. Course instructors are often in demand at our local branches. You can also become a franchise partner and start your own branch. Either way, you should contact us if you’re interested so that we can send you further information and make an appointment to get to know you.
