Mixed-Age Music Classes
Babies through 5 years
The cornerstone of the Music Together® program is our Mixed-Age music class, for children from birth through age 5—and the grownups who love them®! Gathering babies, toddlers, and preschoolers together makes each class fun for all. There are lots of group activities for kids out there, but Music Together offers a true family music class for the youngest infant to the oldest great-grandparent, and everyone in between. Imagine an extended family with a dozen or more kids and a bunch of caring adults, and you'll get the idea!
Each week, a trained Music Together teacher leads the class in singing, dancing, and playing songs that range from tender lullabies to boisterous jams using child-friendly percussion instruments. Our award-winning music, illustrated songbook, and other print and online resources will help you continue the music-making fun at home and nurture your child's musical growth—even if you don't think of yourself as a great singer or dancer. Like parenting, making music requires no previous experience or expertise, just a willingness to get down on the floor and get silly with your child!
The Rationale for Mixed-Age Classes
Music Together was the first early childhood music program to offer music classes for mixed ages. Child development researchers have known for a long time that the natural, family-style environment of mixed-age classes is the best way for young children to learn. In our experience, it works! In Mixed-Age classes, the older children love to show what they know, and the younger ones love to watch and imitate. The relaxed, no-pressure environment lets all kids learn at their own pace.
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Babies Class
Newborns through 9 months
You might be wondering what your newborn could possibly take away from a music class and how old they have to be before they can benefit. At Music Together®, we know it's never too early to get babies started in class! Your little one is a natural-born music-maker, ready to start learning music at birth.
As in everything, you are your baby's first and best teacher. But don't get nervous! When you sing in the car and dance in the living room, you're showing your baby how to make music and that making music is important to your family. That's all your baby needs from you—musically, at least! (Food, clothing, and shelter are useful, too.)
In the Music Together Babies class, for infants from birth through 8 months, you'll learn a lot of fun musical activities for babies. You'll also learn to recognize which of your baby's behaviors are musical so that you can support their development at the time when your baby's brain is at its most receptive.
The Babies class has other benefits, too! Singing and dancing with your baby is a beautiful way for the two of you to bond. And making music with other parents of newborns is a great way to make new friends in your community who are as sleep deprived as you!
Music Together Generations
Babies through 5 years, their Grown-ups and Grandfriends!
If you’ve ever wished for an extra set or two of grandparents, then we have a class for you! The Generations music class is a Mixed-Age Music Together class with the sweetest twist: the addition of senior participants. Kids and their grownups visit their “Musical Grandfriends” at a local retirement home or senior center and spend time making music as a large extended family.
These intergenerational music classes for seniors and children are popular retirement home activities because the fun songs and children’s liveliness and laughter help to brighten up everybody’s day. Making music together connects people in ways that few other activities can, and this type of class bridges the generations by helping seniors, staff, parents, and kids form new and satisfying relationships.