Parent/Child

Mixed-Ages. This is the essential Music Together^® class, one that a child can attend from birth through age five — and through all nine song collections. Child development researchers recommend mixed-age groupings because they foster natural, family-style learning. Younger children enjoy watching and imitating older ones; older children learn by leading younger ones; and adults are happy because the children in the family can go to class together. Each child participates at his or her own level in singing, moving, chanting, listening, watching, and exploring musical instruments. The class provides a variety of adult-child activities that are fun and offer new ways to play musically at home. Parents, grandparents, or nanny, individually or together, may accompany the children. The whole family is welcome for this important family music experience.

Babies. Every child’s music development benefits from early exposure to music and movement. Because the early months are so important, Music Together offers two options for babies. Infants eight months and younger at the time of registration may attend a mixed-age class, whether registered on their own or attending free with an older sibling. They may also be registered for the special “Babies Class” offered as a one-semester introduction to Music Together. The music activities and materials are specially designed for parents who want to learn as much as possible about music development in infants. Meet other parents of newborns and learn fascinating music activities you can recreate at home with your baby.

Threes and Fours. Although older children thrive in a mixed-age environment, here is another option for your family. (Discuss your child’s readiness for this class with the school directors.) In this family-style class, you and your child will experience class activities such as rhythm improvisation, independent singing, dance improvisation, and dramatic play. Teachers work with individual skill levels and interest. Younger siblings are welcome to attend the 3s/4s class with their older brothers and sisters.

Intergenerational. We know that children of all ages benefit from our family-style atmosphere. We are thrilled to be bringing our classes to the Atria Senior Living Center (westside) and Lenox Hill Senior Center (eastside), where children and their families will experience Music Together classes with the ‘mature’ population of our community. Elderly participants will observe and join in just as your children do. We look forward to witnessing the wonderful benefits afforded those who join these very special classes.