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Watertown TAB & Press, MA
Nov 10 2006
Mayrig & Me
By Jillian Fennimore/ Staff Writer
Friday, November 10, 2006
Whether the sound a dog makes when it barks is "huff huff," ''ruff
ruff" or "how how" in Armenian, attentive toddlers at St. Stephen's
Armenian Preschool easily learn to make that connection once they see
a stuffed puppy dog in the arms of their teacher.
Sitting with legs crossed on the floor of a colorful classroom,
parents and their children watch a teacher make a sparkly fish float
from face to face of each student, and a bird flutter to the sound of
the music.
Well into the school's inaugural preschool program "Mayrig & Me"
- an Armenian toddler music and movement class first of its kind in
Watertown - turnout has been high and skills are certainly growing.
Mayrig may mean "mother" in Armenian, but Assistant Principal
Heather Krafian said they have welcomed fathers and grandparents into
the mix, too.
"It really varies," she said.
With an age range from 17 months to 3 years of age, Krafian said
they first estimated about six to eight children per class, but now
have 13 in both morning classes each Wednesday.
The new program, which kicked off its fall session on Oct. 18,
plans to end on Dec. 22, with winter classes slated to start the
third week in January.
Funded with support from the Watertown Family Network, and a
grant from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care,
Krafian said the program targets listening and Armenian language
skills, rhythm and beats, along with creativity and physical
coordination through an engaging musical experience.
"If children are not fluent in Armenian, they get the exposure
here," she said.
Mayrig & Me instructor Maro Arakelian holds one-on-one
interactions with the children, while incorporating instruments and
props, speaking and singing in Armenian and witnessing their change
in demeanor and confidence.
"They are very active now," she said. "I see them as more social,
getting up and moving across the room."
Arakelian also teaches "Music & Movement" to preschool students
at St. Stephen's, in addition to a bi-weekly music class.
Nov 10 2006
Mayrig & Me
By Jillian Fennimore/ Staff Writer
Friday, November 10, 2006
Whether the sound a dog makes when it barks is "huff huff," ''ruff
ruff" or "how how" in Armenian, attentive toddlers at St. Stephen's
Armenian Preschool easily learn to make that connection once they see
a stuffed puppy dog in the arms of their teacher.
Sitting with legs crossed on the floor of a colorful classroom,
parents and their children watch a teacher make a sparkly fish float
from face to face of each student, and a bird flutter to the sound of
the music.
Well into the school's inaugural preschool program "Mayrig & Me"
- an Armenian toddler music and movement class first of its kind in
Watertown - turnout has been high and skills are certainly growing.
Mayrig may mean "mother" in Armenian, but Assistant Principal
Heather Krafian said they have welcomed fathers and grandparents into
the mix, too.
"It really varies," she said.
With an age range from 17 months to 3 years of age, Krafian said
they first estimated about six to eight children per class, but now
have 13 in both morning classes each Wednesday.
The new program, which kicked off its fall session on Oct. 18,
plans to end on Dec. 22, with winter classes slated to start the
third week in January.
Funded with support from the Watertown Family Network, and a
grant from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care,
Krafian said the program targets listening and Armenian language
skills, rhythm and beats, along with creativity and physical
coordination through an engaging musical experience.
"If children are not fluent in Armenian, they get the exposure
here," she said.
Mayrig & Me instructor Maro Arakelian holds one-on-one
interactions with the children, while incorporating instruments and
props, speaking and singing in Armenian and witnessing their change
in demeanor and confidence.
"They are very active now," she said. "I see them as more social,
getting up and moving across the room."
Arakelian also teaches "Music & Movement" to preschool students
at St. Stephen's, in addition to a bi-weekly music class.