Special thanks to Miss Beth of Studio 3 Music for allowing us to share this great post from the Studio 3 Music blog. This is a follow up to the first part of Luke’s story, which can be read here.
Two years ago I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Luke and his mommy, Melissa. They joined my class and Melissa shared Luke’s story with me. He is an amazing little boy. I know, I know, I know….you all think that I say that about all the terrific children I have in my class, which IS true, because I cherish each and every one of them!
But Luke’s story is just a little different. He is a special needs child, but I have to tell you that when you spend time with Luke, you are the one who feels special. Luke has been in class with his mommy for two years and this fall, I suggested to Melissa that we move him up to the next level. This is now a class that he stays by himself with me and his classmates for about 40 minutes and then Mom comes back and does a sharing time.
The first day he started his new Kindermusik class, he ran in and was so excited to see me and his classmates after our summer break. Most of the children in this class have been with Luke on his 2 year Kindermusik journey. The parents of all the children have built a community and treasure the relationship that Luke has formed with their children as much I do!
Luke is not able to communicate verbally, but he understands everything! Being in an 
Imagine That class now gives him the opportunity to express himself in different ways. Imagine That is a child directed class, meaning that I have songs and a lesson plan, but we arrive at those musical destinations by getting the children to interact with the “story”.
Last week, we were pretending to go the park, and I asked the children how they would like to get there. We had some great ideas about running, jumping, flying like dragons….then I asked Luke how he would like to move. He started spinning, and so we all spun our way to the park!
If I asked a question about what color the “tree house” should be, Luke is able to answer me by pointing to the green color on the wall. By the time we called parents back in to join us, Luke was sitting patiently on his ball (which of course is very hard to do, because it is so fun to bounce on the ball) just like the other children were doing.
We did some cooperative ball play with the parents and by the time it was we ready to sing goodbye, Luke had his hand on top of his head waiting for a stamp! As Melissa and Luke were leaving, I said to Melissa how fantastic Luke did in class. This time, I was the one with tears in my eyes as I had just seen how much Luke had grown in the past 2 years. Please take time to read Luke’s story. You will truly be glad you did!
-posted by Miss Beth, who is inspired by all the remarkable children she knows!
Studio 3 Music in Seattle, Washington, is in the world’s top 1% of Kindermusik Maestro programs.