Classes

Our mixed age Family style classes are for children ages newborn to 5th birthday. 

This is the essential Music Together® class, one that a child can attend from birth to age five through all nine song collections. This basic class follows the recommendations of child development researchers—grouping children of a variety of ages because this fosters 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, or exploring musical instruments. Any caregivers—parents, grandparents, nanny—can bring the children. The whole family is welcome for this important family music experience. 

Enhancing Learning Through Multi age Grouping

Interest in the potential benefits of multi-age grouping  (at least a two year span) has increased steadily again in recent years. The growing interest is due to a greater focus on the importance of the early years in efforts to restructure the educational system (Stone, 1995; Katz, 1992; Anderson, 1992; Willis, 1991; Cohen, 1990) and an awareness of the limitations of graded education. 

In our multi age classrooms gifted children are challenged to achieve to their potential because there is no limitation of a segregated-level curriculum. Special-needs children in mixed-aged grouping typically find that their individual differences are accepted and their contributions are recognized .  Music Together uses developmentally appropriate practices which are teaching methods and curriculum components that are based on a child's developmental abilities.Such practices include active learning experiences, and varied instructional strategies. 


Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children from Birth Through Age 8. This document outlines educational practices based on knowledge and theories of how children learn and grow. These practices are reflected in the position statement of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Music Together LLC is a frequent presenter at NAEYC conferences around the USA.

So don’t hold back.  Enjoy the mix of ages and stages in the room! The music can and should be interesting! Be a beloved adult who sings and dances for your child. It’s good for your soul and good for your child’s developing brain. 

Will my toddler/preschooler be upset if there are babies in the room?

No.

  • We've worked with 1000s of children, and toddlers and preschoolers behave like big brothers and sisters in the presence of babies.
  • The research shows that all children learn best in a MIXED AGE environment
  • Our focus is on LEARNING not on PERFORMING. Your child should be interested in exploring and experimenting on his/her own time in his/her own way. By having children of different ages/stages in the room together, your child will do what makes sense for him/her when it is appropriate. There is NO PERFORMANCE pressure in a Music Together®class
  • Some younger children are more advanced musically than their older friends... especially if they began taking Music Together classes as young infants. A preschooler who is more advanced socially or physically will not be threatened by a younger child who might be doing some musical things that are more advanced.

Do I want my preschooler/toddler in a music class with infants?

Yes!

  • Humans aren't generally born in litters. Instead, children have evolved to learn best in a MIXED AGE environment.
  • Your child is learning in a developmentally appropriate way- he/she is watching and perhaps participating, while the babies are watching your child (as well as the grown-ups.)
  • Your child is alternating between being delighted by the babies and ignoring them. That's what bigger kids do when their with babies. It's the natural order.
  • The grown ups are modeling how to sing and dance and follow directions- your child is watching and maybe also modeling for the babies! Your child is alternating between being a baby him/herself and taking a leadership role.
  • Rest assured, your child is learning. There's a lot going on in class musically, and whether or not babies are there is probably weighing heavily on your mind, not your child's!
 Is this a Mommy and Me Music class? Or can I sit back and watch?

You've got to participate! Music Together is an “Adult and Me” activity where participation from the grown-ups is a must.

  • children learn best from having the adults with whom they have a bond model the music making for them. That’s why our Music Together classes rely on the adults to sing and dance. The children learn by watching and soon enough by experimenting themselves.
  • Music Together is an INFORMAL learning environment.  For the CHILDREN, activities are FREELY CHOSEN- but in order for them to understand what is going on, they have to see YOU DOING IT!
  • Music Together is a NON-PERFORMANCE oriented program.  We don't make the children do anything!  But you have to copy the teacher :-) to model the behavior.  When your child does something musical or reaches a musical milestone, we celebrate it! 
  • Your child may choose not to participate in class- and surprise you by doing everything at home!  Wonderful!  But if you don't model the behavior in class, your child may wrongly learn that only teacher sings and dances.  He/she may not be inspired to try to do it him/herself!
  • Special note for preschoolers: 

  • Your preschooler is beginning their journey of learning separately from you.  It's important to find activities where you can still participate together. In a few years- soon enough- your child will be doing so many things on their own. Treasure this time when you can still learn and play together.

    My child has just started preschool and I'm trying not to overload them......

    Wait! if your child was doing Music Together® before pre-school why deprive them of an activity that is familiar and comforting? In a time of change when they are starting preschool,  it is even more important to maintain their regular routine. A Music Together class is only 45 minutes a week. Is your child's schedule really so overwhelming that they can not longer fit that in?

    If Music Together was not part of your child's daily life before preschool consider adding it now as a way to keep a playfulness in you child's learning and as an activity that the whole family can enjoy. If you have more than one child Music Together is a great way to combine all siblings in one class and resonates as an activity you can all repeat at home. We have a sibling discount of almost 50 % (Note- does not apply at city of San Ramon classes)  and siblings under 8 months on first day of session are free for the whole session!

I still have questions you haven't answered.................

We adore talking about Music Together! Email us your inquiry: [email protected]