The Ruth D. Anderson Children’s Fund provides assistance to children who are physically or emotionally challenged, who are financially or educationally disadvantaged or who have lost a parent. This fund awards materials and relies on the voluntary, matching generosity of Kindermusik educators to provide free tuition so that children in need can participate in the Kindermusik experience.
Check back at the Minds on Music blog often as we begin adding some fantastic stories from our educators about the special little kids who can attend Kindermusik as a result of the RDA Fund.
To watch a story about just one of the many children who get to experience Kindermusik because of the RDA Fund, watch this touching video.
Dear Shawn,
I have been meaning to get this to you for some time now. Here is a testimony from Jett Brendel’s Aunty Trudy.
Trudy has been a loyal parent for 5 years now, as a parent of her own children Elle and Madeleine. Trudy first introduced Jett to a Family Music class in February 2009. Jett’s appearance was that of a ragamuffin who would hide, not participate but observe with hard eyes. Jett had absolutely no time or interest in myself or anyone else in the class. She was totally anti-social, and many times would sit in a corner on her own. Jett would be a tough nut to crack. Initially I thought we had no hope of reaching out to her.
However with some structure that my programs provided, some space, care and patience I knew that we could make a difference as a team. It was the structure of the program (the repetition of songs and instrument play) and the commitment Trudy gave to attending class each week that allowed me see the positive effect on Jett. The tough guard Jett had around her was being chipped away ever so gently.
In the July/August of 2009, Trudy proposed that we introduce Lauren to the toddler program. This is a class where the child does not have to share the attention of a carer or parent with another sibling. In the first weeks we saw further changes occurring in Jett under the care of Lauren. This care was naturally patient, kind and participatory.
By the end of September Jett began to smile, dance and clap with some hesitance at first. Her appearance was no longer that of a ragamuffin. I assumed that Jett was allowing someone dress her! It was not long after this when Jett began to sing and speak in class. The development in Jett’s trust in Lauren and myself was obvious.
By December she was not the Jett that I met in February. Jett had learnt how to socialise, have fun without biting, glaring or hiding. She had learnt to know when it was her turn to sing “Hello” and Jett became a sharer! During the last weeks of the final term for the year, Jett gave me a hug and a kiss. Jett had now begun to say “goodbye” to me. Jett was a happy little girl. Jett had made a complete turnaround.
In 2009, Jett was a recipient of the Ruth D Anderson fund. This has also been granted in 2010. Jett has thrived on the structure of this program and I know that Jett’s wellbeing can be further fostered by future attendance. It would undoubtedly benefit her whole development.
TESTIMONY FROM TRUDY
Dear Kathryn:
I just wanted to write and thank you for another fabulous year at Musikids. Specifically I wanted to express my heartfelt thanks for the fabulous turn around that we have experienced with Jett since she commenced with you this year.
Attending Musikids was the first ‘structured’ socialization activity that Jett has attended, and in your words she was ‘a tough nut to crack’. However, it was with overwhelming delight that our combined perseverance has paid off and she is now so engaged with both the program and you as the teacher. It is amazing that 10 short months ago if you even so much as looked at her she curled in a ball and went and hid in a corner – now she can’t leave until she’s given you a hug and a kiss and a ‘goodbye Kaffryn’. Her participation is has gone from mere observation to complete immersion and her delight with the program spills over at home with constant singing and dancing to her favorite songs.
I also wanted to express our thanks, on behalf of both myself and Jay, for the financial assistance you were able to provide to ensure that Jett could continue with the one-on-one structure of Our Time classes. The move to this structure from Family Time really seemed to be the turning point for Jett, and with three children enrolled in individual classes this assistance was greatly appreciated.
As you are aware, we are not sure what next year will hold for Jett, and we are desperately hoping that the routine and structure that she has responded to so well this year is not destroyed and she will be back to ‘jump’ next year!!
The Musikids program has made such a huge difference to this one little girl and her progress is truly a credit to your patience, professionalism and ability to find the ‘right buttons’.
Thank you Kathryn, from the bottom of my heart.
Yours sincerely,
Trudy Campbell
PS: I am a Maestro from Australia, and the Chairperson for the PKE Board here!
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