Moves & Grooves

From newborns to those who are ready for more advanced music and dance training, every class is designed to be appropriate for your child’s current developmental level. In addition, our teachers take the time to tailor activities to best fit your child’s needs. We’ve provided a description of each of our current classes under the heading on this website, as well as some helpful guidelines for a child who may be in that “in-between class” age.  

Moves & Grooves acknowledges that you are your child’s first and most important teacher, and our music and dance classes will empower you with the knowledge and tools to bring the love of learning to your child. Our child and parent classes provide you both with “quality time,” offering you a place to create special memories and gain new insights into your child’s development. Not only will your child blossom in this environment, but you will come to appreciate the support and friendship from the other adults in class. No other single activity you can give your child offers the integrated, creative, child-centered experience that we do. You can connect with other parents and see how music and dance makes parenting easier!  

Of course; we would love to have you visit us! Taking a Free Preview class is great way to get to know us and to learn what Moves & Grooves has to offer you and your child. You may schedule a visit to any open class right online.  

Yes, we’d be delighted to have you join us anytime! The Moves & Grooves classes are structured so that you may join at any point during the session. If you enrol after the session has begun, your tuition will be prorated. Just call or email us for more information.  

We’ve learned that infants are born with billions of nerve cells and a nearly unlimited potential for connections between those nerve cells. Every time an infant has a sensory experience, neural pathways are formed; the greater the number of neural pathways, the greater the brain power. Rich sensory environments are vital to the brain development of infants. In a Kindermusik Village class, we dance in a social setting to allow infants to understand and anticipate patterns, which preps their brains for math and musical theory. We play with steady beat, which underlies our ability to pick up the pattern of language. This is vital, because unless children can pick up the language patterns, they cannot learn to read and write. The bonding and comforting activities we show you in class help you and baby to work through all the natural stresses that occur with growing and developing. Music increases coordination and balance, promotes literacy and language, cultivates listening skills, and encourages delightful and rewarding interaction with your baby! Salsa Babies offers a great workout, a chance to socialize with other moms, and an opportunity to introduce your child to music and movement. Not to mention, it’s perfect for people who have always wanted to learn to dance, but could never convince their partner to take lessons! Classes are appropriate for babies approximately 6-8 weeks of age and up, as long as you are comfortable supporting your baby in a carrier for the duration of the class. All levels of fitness and dance experience are welcome.  

Not to worry! Your child is learning even though YOU don’t see him/her participating. Pushing children to perform has no place in an Early Childhood program of any kind. We believe that you – the parent – are the child’s most important teacher, and home is the most important place for that learning to grow. When you stop and think about it, you already know that success should be measured more by what a child does all the rest of the week than what he/she does in the 45 minutes at Kindermusik or Creative Dance class. It is about process, not performance. Every child can be successful in a Kindermusik or Dance, no matter what developmental level he/she is on. So have fun dancing, singing, and playing instruments together at home the way we do in class! Before you know it, the same thing will happen at the studio.  

Absolutely! Autistic children, children with speech difficulty or delays, children with Down’s syndrome, hearing impaired children and those with other physical, emotional and learning disorders have generally thrived AND improved with Kindermusik classes. What the program can do for children with special needs is ten-fold greater than even what it does for those without disabilities. NOTE: we can meet the needs of your child best if you let us know of any special needs or concerns when you register your child.  

Our policy differs from many other studios in this regard. We believe Kindermusik is a “family activity”. Therefore, if a sibling is enrolled in their own class, you may bring that sibling to their sibling’s class, as long as you contact us first, and they are not disruptive to a younger sibling’s class. If a child has their own class to look forward to, they can more easily sit with mom and participate with bouncing, rocking or dancing with brother or sister. Infants are welcome in a sibling’s class at no charge until they are mobile. (Which means they can go get their own rhythm sticks!) All siblings are always welcome to participate in “family time”, at the end of each Imagine That! or Young Child class. Please contact us if you have any other questions.  

We usually recommend that babies be no younger than 6-8 weeks old before starting the class, just so that they have some neck control. As well, moms should be ready to start exercising again by that time, and have their physicians consent. There is no upper age limit, and while most babies in the class are under 12 months, it is not uncommon to find older babies as well. The basic guideline is that both mom and baby should be comfortable using a baby carrier for the duration of a 45-minute class. It is an individual decision depending on various factors including fitness level, type of carrier, and size and weight of baby regardless of age.  

Salsa Babies classes are designed to accommodate all levels of fitness. We know that some new moms are in excellent shape, whereas others who have had C-sections or more difficult pregnancies may need to ease back into physical activity at their own pace. We teach a basic program and offer adaptations for those looking to increase the intensity.  

Preschool Dance Classes: We do not have a specific dresscode, though we do recommend comfortable clothing such as t-shirts and shorts or track pants (not jeans), and dance slippers or bare feet (for themed classes), and clean indoor running shoes (for hip hop). Kindermusik:  We recommend comfortable clothing, bare feet, socks, or indoor shoes or slippers.  Barefoot is best for baby. Babies learns through their senses, especially on the bottoms of the feet.  

It is best to come to class prepared to move around. Comfy clothes, running shoes, or if you have them, dance sneakers work well.  It is strongly recommended to bring a bottle of water for yourself in addition to any baby items you require. Because the baby is worn against your body, you can both get a little sweaty by the end of class, so you may wish to dress the baby in layers or bring a change of clothes. Of course you’ll need a baby carrier. There is a wide range of carriers out there, from wraps to backpacks. Whatever is safe and comfortable for you and your baby is fine.  

If your child misses a class, we are happy to accommodate up to two make-up classes per semester. These classes must be made up during the same semester, unless special arrangements are made. Please contact Sheena or Cheryl either before or after your missed class to arrange to attend any open class.  

• We accept payment Visa and Mastercard, online @ movesandgrooves.ca
• For payments by Visa or Mastercard over the phone call 780.257.5556
• Payment by Visa, Mastercard, cash, or cheque can be made in person
• Cheques can be to Moves & Grooves Inc. and mailed to:

Full refunds will be issued for classes cancelled by Moves & Grooves. Tuition refunds will be given for withdrawals prior to the 3rd class and prorated for classes taken. The cost of materials and a $25 processing fee is non-refundable.  

If the school district is closed due to inclement weather, your class will be cancelled for the day. A makeup class will be scheduled for the end of the semester. If you cannot attend this makeup, you may makeup any missed days due to inclement weather at any open class. This policy is in addition to the two makeups allowed per semester for classes you miss due to other reasons.  

At Moves & Grooves we offer a range of programs for your child: Kindermusik introduces your child to the joy and adventure of music and then moves at his pace, pausing to engage his interests, nurture his gifts, and celebrate his discoveries. From birth through age seven, with the caring guidance of a trained and licensed Kindermusik educator, your child can grow and learn without pressure to perform, only encouragement to explore and discover. You’ll witness a developmental evolution in language skills, literacy, listening, problem solving, social skills, self-esteem and a love of music! Kindermusik uses the power of music to develop the individual your child was born to be. Research tells us that music is the only activity that stimulates every area of the brain simultaneously –which is why Kindermusik carefully creates each class using music as the key to unlocking the brain, and then gives you At Home Materials – high quality, musically diverse CD’s, beautiful literature books, specially designed instruments and creative activities – that will complement and extend your child’s learning at home. Dance in a group setting your child will have the opportunity to explore their creative side through the art of movement and musicality, in a fun and friendly environment. These dance classes will develop your child's coordination, motor skills, internal rhythm, while allowing them to build social skills and self-confidence in a structured setting. The confidence and independence your child will develop with carry forward into their school years. Our Salsa Babies classes offers moms a great workout and our Salsa Tots classes combine movement and play with lively rhythms that parents and kids can both enjoy!