Mommy and Me Classes, Parent and Child Music Classes

We are happy to offer some of the most unique classes in a variety of creative arts. In addition to the popular standards such as tap, ballet, musical theatre, and drama, Starland is breaking new ground with state-of-the-art computer arts and off the beaten path young children's classes.

Are you Seeking Mommy and Me Classes in the Chicago area? Starland Kids offers a wide variety of mommy and me classes for preschoolers such as parent and child music classes, and Audreys own Preschool art studio, please view the courses offered by age group below.

Having a new baby is truly one of the most exciting times of your life. As a first time mother you face new situations every day. It’s crucial to know that your experiences are normal and reassuring to know that other women share them. Join our 8 week discussion group designed for new mothers to meet in a nurturing and supportive environment to share feelings about the joys and challenges of becoming a new mother and the transitions women go through as they begin the journey of motherhood.
Bring your baby (4 weeks to crawling)

Romp and Roll (6m-12m)
Liven up your child’s imagination with Starland’s unique “Romp and Roll” class designed to bring out the natural bond between movement and music. In this class, you and your baby will explore your senses of rhythm and melody while utilizing the colorful, cushiony climbers and equipment in a soft and safe environment, while our professional children’s musician plays live.

Strummin' and Jumpin' (-36m)
Imagine giving your child the opportunity to unleash their musical spirit every week to live music! Strummin' and Jumpin' does exactly that- and then some. In this class you and your child will explore the different realms of harmony and rhythm by experienced musicians LIVE. The teacher will bring children in to the magical world of music by playing instruments so that children get a true sense for the beauty of music. This unique class will provide your child with the tools to listen, sing and communicate as well as offer a natural environment to enhance the parent/child bond. Watch as your child develops with the wonderful stimulation of live music!

Preschool Art Studio (2-4yrs)
This “art studio” is a wonderful environment for the active energy level of a preschooler. Each week, class will begin with a short story to introduce young students to the class theme. Inspired by the story theme, students will move to different areas of the studio and create projects using a variety of materials. One week, for example, water might be the class theme. During this class, students would play at the water table; move to another area and use watercolor paints, and then come together in another area to construct water creatures made out of three dimensional materials. Preschoolers love the variety of this studio class and feel great pride in their art making.

Princess Ballerinas (2.5-3.5 yrs)
Learn to dance like your favorite fairy princess! In this unique class, students will enhance their balance & poise as well as hand/feet coordination through basic ballet skills. They have the added opportunity to dress up and implement the tools they've learned like a real princess! The dance skills build confidence and an appreciation for dance, and the play encourages children to express themselves through movement and music. Required Attire: Black leotard, pink or white tights and ballet slippers

Fairytale Theater (3-4yrs)
Using classic stories and nursery rhymes, this class introduces young children to the joy of telling stories on stage. The material is familiar and well loved for the comfort of the budding theater-student. We will explore an new story each day and encourage children to bring in their favorite stories and songs to class.

Baby BAMM (2yr-3yr)
Baby BAMM was created and designed specifically for Starland. Baby BAMM (Books, Art, Music, and Movement), brings every aspect of development into your little one’s life. The teacher leads the children with a different book, creates an art project, sings, and dances while incorporating a different theme every two weeks. Take this class with your child to learn, laugh, sing and build life long relationships with other parents and children.

Tap/Ballet (3.5yr-4.5yr)
A basic introduction to ballet technique for young minds. Utilizes beginning tap technique to explore and learn rhythm and counting in dance.

Ballet 2 (3.5-4.5)
(pre requisite for this class is princess ballet)
We will take the next step in pre-ballet incorporating fairy princess fun while spending more time on technique.

Kindergarten Prep ( AKA Stepping Stones)
In this class, your child will be taking meaningful 'steps' on their road to learning. S/he will be exposed to basic skills that will help prepare them for kindergarten. Through songs, rhymes, games and movement, we will cover such skills as: calendar, weather, counting, numbers, patterns, shapes, colors, letters, letter sounds, etc. Our goal is to make this a fun and exciting experience which will instill the love of learning for future school settings.

You Should be in Stories
Imagine yourself right in the middle of a castle! An ocean! Or a pirate ship! In this exciting class, your children won’t just listen to a story—they’ll experience it! This class turns storytelling into action by inviting children to play the characters in the stories they are read. And after their big story performance debut, they are treated to a whole half hour of educational and fun theatre games! At the end of the trimester, the kids can perform a story for their parents and show off all they learned.

Yoga
This class will teach children the blending of mind, body and spirit. We will explore our world, animals and plants, through postures named for them. Including tree pose, cat pose and downward facing dog. We will include games and visualizations to keep the practice fresh. This class will help children develop strength, flexibility and coordination. Yoga will encourage relaxation, mindfulness and compassion. Children will learn to be in their body as well as appreciate it.

Playmakers
Does your child love to dress up, pretend and act our his/her own stories? Join a class where your child's ideas are put on stage for all to see! We will start from scratch, make up our own show, make our costumes, background and programs, all in preparation for you to see!

Half Notes
Do you know that Mozart wrote his first pieces before the age of 5? Your little one has music inside them too! This class will introduce young students to the basics of musical structure through rhythm games, songs and play. Your child will learn early note reading, train their ear to recognize instruments and write their own songs, all while laughing, shouting dancing and having fun. This is a great pre-cursor or companion to formal lessons on an instrument.

Kinder Drama
This program you won't want to miss! Story-books-and-pretending time for young children, focusing on child development through the arts in this hands-on class. Each week we'll do different characters, play musical games, participate in creative movement, make puppets, costume pieces and special props related to the story, and just let loose with all that energy and imagination! Language skill and reading-readiness opportunities to build self-esteem and self-confidence. Small, limited class size. Instruction by writing and drama teacher. Possible short performance for last class for family and friends.

Spanish
Early exposure to a second language is an excellent way to expand your
child's communication skills. Join us as we become familiar with the sounds
and structure of the Spanish language through songs, games, and a variety of
fun-filled activities. The students will learn a basic vocabulary that they
can begin to use right away! At each class we will also take a peek into
the different cultures of the many Spanish speaking countries. We will end
our course with a mini-fiesta!

GYM
The perfect class to let your child's energy explode! Exercise, sports, team building skills, races and fun are all thrown into to Starlands very own GYM class. Every week introduces your child to tons of new games and great skills.. Get ready to be out of breath!

Little BYTES
Watch as you see your child's comfort and control in using the computer increase weekly, all the while holding true to our creative edge. With use of fun and educational websites, Jump Start, and Kid Pix software your child will learn at their own pace and ultimately learn the initial essentials of typing/spelling, math, science, reading, critical thinking and art! In this class, children become comfortable using the computer for creative purposes. Little BYTES can be taken more than once because each child has their own computer and can progress at their own pace.

Science
Is your child always asking questions? Does s/he always want to know just how and why things work? In this class, a mini MENSA for your ever-inquisitive child, s/he will explore science and the arts in a fully hands-on, very interactive environment. Experience bubbleing lava, natural wonders, sensory observations, and a variety of scientific experiments to amaze and enjoy. A new adventure every week!

High School Musical Dance
Learn choreography based on the movie! Sing the songs as we dance. This class is a musical theatre class where we will also act like the characters from this popular musical.

Hannah Montana Dance
This rock star class will be filled with singing and dancing based on the T.V. show hannah Montana. We will also do the some character work as find our inner star!

Hip Hop
Students will learn movements that has elements of poppin', locking, and breaking as well as freestyle movement to give students the opportunity to develop their own sense of style.

Musical Theater
This class is a combination of regular drama with music and dance. In this class we will play drama and music games, put on plays, and learn songs and dances which we'll incorporate into our plays. The music and dance moves are appropriate for both boys and girls, and this fun class will open their minds to not one, but three of the main theatre arts. The children will learn real, professional vocal and dance warm-ups and is sure to be a hit!
Sample class:

First 7 mins.: vocal or dance warm-up
next 23 mins.: learning a song & dance
next 15 mins.: learning a play
last 15 mins.: acting out a play (incorporating song & dance that was learned)

Wee Play
Wee Play® and Kids Play® are comprehensive theater arts classes. Each 90-minute class becomes three “mini-classes” as the children explore:

Through games, exercises, song, and dance, the children are guided through the creative process and introduced to the discipline of each subject. Wee Play curriculum is designed to engage children in the fun of theater while constructively guiding their growth in interpersonal skills, self-awareness, self-esteem, and cooperation.

Monart
The Monart philosophy of art is based on the methodology described in the book “Drawing with Children” by Mona Brooks. In a nurturing and supportive environment students are taught there is no right or wrong way to draw. Students learn to take things apart and put them back together through the five basic elements of shape and then to combine them to create their own unique drawings. Drawing is a teachable skill. Just as musicians learn the notes on a scale your children will learn the basics necessary to draw what they see with confidence. With the Monart method everyone is given enough structure to be successful and enough freedom to be creative.

Monart Intermediate Drawing
After learning the basics, students are able to work more independently and develop their own personal style. Using different mediums, such as pastel, colored pencils, and water color emphasis is on technique and creative approaches to their art. Recommended ages 9 and older.

Mixed Media
Mixed Media: students will experiment with a variety of two dimensional materials like papers, paints, photographs and many other collage items. We will learn some printing techniques and look at the works of other collage and assemblage artists such as Robert Raushenberg and Jasper Johns.

3-D extravanganza
students will use many different sculputure materials. They will experiment with everything from found objects to clay to plaster and wire. Skills in armature and structure will be developed.

Theatre Workshop
The theater is acting, yes, but it is SO much more! Join us as we explore the ins and outs of performing arts through playwriting, acting, directing, set design and history. Choose a script or story to work on throughout the session as we discover how a theatre really works. From the Page to the Stage!

Jazz Funk
This class combines fresh & fun jazz combinations with technique while dancing to their favorite music!

Acrofabulous Circus arts
In an Acrofabulous Circus Class, students will have the opportunity to learn a variety of circus arts, which are often seen in most professional circuses. Each session will be unique, and may include
aerial and acrobatic training in Trapeze, Spanish Web, Silks/Aerial Fabric, Tumbling, Adagio Acrobatics, Physical Comedy and Stage Presentation. Additional focus will be on apparatus-based circus arts such as Diabolo, Juggling, Rolling Globe walking, Poi, Balancing Acts, and more. Other skills which may be introduced may also include lessons in Unicycle, Contortion, Aerial Straps, Clowning, Cloud Swing, Rola Bola, Lyra and more. For the last class of the session, students will have the opportunity to show their loved ones & friends the exciting new talents they have developed during a show and share session.

Singing and Songwriting
This class will introduce students, age 8-11 to classic song structures, as are illustrated by songs, from The Beatles to High School Musical. Students will learn and sing songs by these artists, paying close attention to melody, harmony and learning how to apply strong melody and harmony to their own songwriting. Students will also learn all the basic parts of a song (verse, chorus, bridge, etc.) and what makes each of those parts strong and successful ingredients to the songwriting process. Ultimately, students will go through their own songwriting process, using the principles introduced in class. Lisa Zarov, class instructor, will assist this process and accompany students on guitar.

Ability to read music is not at all necessary. An inexpensive handheld tape recorder or digital recorder is required.

Hip Hop I
Students will learn movements that has elements of poppin', locking, and breaking as well as freestyle movement to give students the opportunity to develop their own sense of style.

Whole Notes
Do you know that Mozart wrote his first pieces before the age of 5? Your little one has music inside them too! This class will introduce young students to the basics of musical structure through rhythm games, songs and play. Your child will learn early note reading, train their ear to recognize instruments and write their own songs, all while laughing, shouting dancing and having fun. This is a great pre-cursor or companion to formal lessons on an instrument.

High School Musical Dance
If your child loves dancing and singing along to Disney’s “High School Musical”, this class is for them! This high energy class gives students the opportunity to learn the dances and sing along to the songs from this popular movie. The class will culminate with a performance for family and friends.

Improv
This fun, expansive class brings together imagination and spontaneity through off-the-cuff acting. Every class will incorporate fun acting games and exercises with imaginative thinking and impromptu scenework. The children will create their own plays, focusing on quick thinking and convincing acting rather than on scripted line memorization. At the end of the session, they will give their parents a performance to reflect what they have learned.

Improvisation and comedy
An exciting and hysterical way for kids of all levels to be silly on stage and exercise their bodies and minds.Students will have a chance to experience the basics of comedy, sketch, slapstick, characters, improv etc. We will play Improvisation games as well as create our own scenes and jokes on stage. And at the end of the session we will perform a variety show for family to come and enjoy. This class will be more fun then a barrel of monkeys!

Budding Movie Makers
This is perfect for the child who is always videotaping the dog or your favorite early morning expression. Channel the raw talent. Are you living under the same roof as a future Scorsese or Altman? Learn the basics of creating a short film. Start with pre-filmed footage of a precocious dog, create a story board, edit, learn basic camera techniques such as zoom, pan, and dolly shots as well as fades and wipes on the computer. If time permits, record narration, add music, and sound effects. No Red Bull allowed in building. :)

Computer Animation
Stop watching cartoons and start creating them. In this class we will give you all the tools you will need to start creating animations with sound and special effects. Students who have taken this course can continue their animation degree with cartooning for the computer, and storytelling for animations. Click here to see examples of student's work

Musical Theatre Workshop
The Musical Theatre class is really a mock-rehearsal period culminating in a musical theatre showcase at the end of the course. Theatre games, acting and voice exercises, basic musical vocabulary will be taught, but all within the context of preparation for the showcase. This directs the children's energy toward a final product, and allows them to apply what they are learning immediately which helps them to retain it. Some of the shows featured will include: You're a Good Man Charlie Brown, Les Miserbles, Peter Pan and Annie. the dancing will include remedial tap, jazz, and "showchoir". The singing covered, will be child's belt, head, chest and choral style. There will be solo opportunities. The acting covered will be fabulous. Memorization and rehearsal required. Full session culminates in performance for family and friends.

Hip Hop II
Furthering the fun and movement developed in Hip Hop I, Hip Hop II encompasses movement that has elements of poppin', locking, and breaking as well as freestyle movement to give students the opportunity to develop their own sense of style. If you have already taken Hip Hop I but not yet 10, you can still take this course.

Theatre II
Kids who want to dabble in the performing arts will find this class invigorating. Discover four different mediums: Stand-up comedy, drama for stage and film, musical theatre, and improv/sketch. If you're unsure about what where your talents lie, this is the class for you. (prerequisite: Age or Theatre I)

Jewelry Making
Students will use a variety of materials to create their own unique jewelry and accessories. Some examples of projects are; handmade beads, beaded necklaces, hemp bracelets, jewelry boxes, edible jewelry and more....

Scripted Acting and Improv. Class Description
This is a fun, engaging acting class that focuses not only on improvisation (a carry-over from the last semester) but also on scripted dialogue. The children create their own scenes and stories using short scripts with easy vocabulary words, and write their own plays and deliver pre-written scenes. The students work individually and in groups and some of the work is delivering finished scenework and some is creating scenework entirely of their own. Join this class and get a feel for both ends of the acting spectrum-- canned and off-the-cuff!

Sample class:
3:45-4:00 - improvised monologues
4:00-4:15 - exercises with improv. and scripted dialogue
4:15-5:15 - scenework with scripted dialogue

Ever picture yourself on t.v. or in the movies? Love acting in front of the mirror? Come join our Acting On Camera class and get your feet wet in film! This is a typical acting class with a special twist: we play improv games and act out scenes, and every couple of weeks we get our acting filmed! We invent stories of our own, make story boards, and act on camera. Then we get to watch our own movies and learn from what we see! There is no better way to learn good acting than to do it, watch it, and redo it!

Sample Class:

4:00- Warm-up acting game(s) such as zip zap zop, Excuse me Mr. President, What are you doing?
4:15 -4:30- making up scenes in small groups
4:30-5- rehearsing and performing our scenes
5-5:30- filming or watching the film of our scenes, discussing what we saw, and re-enacting the scenes

Stroller Fitness $125 1.5 hr class
Enjoy time with your child all the while working out. This outdoor class will get your heart rate up, and your baby down for a nap. By utilizing a proven routine of cardio vascular, and weight training, parents will enjoy this time to get in shape without having to find a sitter. Children must be young enough to be in a stroller. Designed for moms of any fitness level, but focused on early postpartum moms, Outdoor stroller fitness combines strength training exercise with power walking drills to target all of the major muscle groups. The class includes abdominal exercises, mat Pilate's and yoga to lengthen, strengthen and tone targeted muscle groups.