Little Star Studio Set For Fall

Ginny Mahr is ready for the switch from summer to fall.

The teacher with Little Star Studio in Forks Township is wrapping up her six-week summer session of her "Music and More" class this Thursday. Then she will begin teaching three different classes each week during the fall.

"I look forward to teaching all year round," Mahr said. "With the school year starting, the children are here from the fall and stay through May. I've really made some nice friendships. It's a dream job."

A boom box blasts a silly little song with the lyrics "fruit salad, yummy, yummy" as children in the class bounce on a trampoline, play with toy cars and vacuums and build blocks.

After playtime, everyone gathers in a circle as Mahr addresses the children and parents.

"Today is our last class. I'm very sad about it," she said. The theme of the last class is pets. Then the group breaks into the "Hello" song.
Classes, though, will be similar in the fall.

will begin offering "Mommy & Me" style programs designed and instructed by certified teachers in a few weeks.
Fall sessions begin on Sept. 12 and consist of eight classes at a cost of $107 per child and $93 for a sibling or additional program. Classes last about an hour.

Little Star Studio offers classes that combine music with crafts for young children.

"The classes are really important for the kids," Mahr said. "They learn motor skills through painting and Play-Doh and socialization. They're also learning boundaries, like how to sit in a circle. By the end, the kids could teach the class themselves. The structure is always the same."

Desiree Kratzer started Little Star Studio out of her home in 2001 to fulfill the needs of her son, who had developmental delays.
After attending other area programs, Kratzer developed her first class "Music 'n' More" -- which combined all the things she loved about the other programs into one class.

Those features included a parachute and bubbles, instruments, dancing, singing, storytelling, finger plays and social activities.

Kratzer believes she is providing a service to the community by offering the programs, which are often recommended by therapists who feel the classes help address essential language and motor skill needs.

Kratzer does not charge registration or membership fees and offers flexible makeup classes.

For additional details on the programs, instructors and policies, visit www.littlestarstudio.com. To register, contact Kratzer at 610-515-8787 or email at little star@rcn.com.

The fall class schedule includes:

* Tumble 'n Tunes (ages 1 1/2 and up to 5) -- This class features gross motor "stations," including the trampoline and balance beam, and introduces children to gymnastics in a fun and safe way. In addition, children will enjoy a playtime, instruments, music and movement, fingerplays and the parachute and bubbles.
Offered Mondays at 9:45am with Miss Ginny
(Class Dates: 9/12, 9/19, 9/26, 10/3, 10/10, 10/17, 10/24, 10/31)

* Create, Move & Groove (for ages 1 ½ up to 5) -- This combination class starts with climbing, sliding and jumping on various equipment, including a trampoline. Children will then play with Play-Doh, paint, color and create their own little masterpieces. Afterward, kids will enjoy music with instruments, dancing, a parachute and bubbles.
Offered Wednesdays at 9:45am with Miss Ginny
(Class Dates: 9/14, 9/21, 9/28, 10/5, 10/12, 10/19, 10/26, 11/2)

* A Little Dance & Rhythm (for ages 3 up to 5) -- Introducing the school's newest program that teaches basic ballet, tap and creative movement. Students will learn proper techniques, stretches and locomotor movements to improve coordination and balance and explore movement freely using songs, props and instruments.
Offered Thursdays at 4:30pm with Miss Jerri
(Class Dates: 9/15, 9/22, 9/29, 10/6, 10/13, 10/20, 10/27, 11/3)

* Music ‘n More (for babies up to age 5) -- If your child loves music, this is the class for you, the school says. Each class is based on a fun theme and includes instruments like rhythm sticks, maracas and drums, scarves & streamers, a story, fingerplays, music & movement, a huge, colorful parachute, a guitar singalong and lots of bubbles.
Offered Thursdays at 9:45am with Miss Ginny
(Class Dates: 9/15, 9/22, 9/29, 10/6, 10/13, 10/20, 10/27, 11/3)

* A Little Preschool (for ages 2 ½ up to 5) -- Make new friends and develop a longer attention span in this theme-based “mini-preschool” program. Lessons that focus on preschool concepts will be reinforced through stories, circle time, crafts, music & movement, games and more. Children will even receive a little homework assignment at the end of each class.
Offered Fridays at 10:30am with Miss Dawn
(Class Dates: 9/16, 9/23, 9/30, 10/7, 10/14, 10/21, 10/28, 11/4)