Music Classes for Babies & Toddlers

A few weeks ago I was at the office taking a break from work and chatting with co-workers when the topic of music classes for babies came up. I was very surprised to find out that most my business colleagues who happened to be females laughed at me when I commented that I take my 18 month old to her music class. I am fortunately very convinced and informed of the many benefits that music provides to early life and was able to provide information they did not know.  Throughout history, in all cultures, music has been an integral part of human life. Music researchers have found correlations between music making and some of the deepest workings of the human brain.

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Research has linked active music making with increased language discrimination and development, math ability, improved school grades, better-adjusted social behavior, and improvements in spatial-temporal reasoning, a cornerstone for problem solving. Jackie Silberg summarizes greatly why music is important for children. She states that when kids listen to familiar words in songs, the neutral transmitters in their brains are firing away, and their brains are building connections to the sounds they are hearing and the words they are singing. Singing songs and reciting poems and rhymes with children helps them develop early literacy skills. Same applies with listening: music encourages the ability to listen and thus to concentrate. Songs encourage speech and auditory discrimination. Through music, children learn to hear tempos, dynamics, and melodies. Listening for loud and soft, up and down, fast and slow encourages auditory development in the brain. She states that music is a wonderful way to address the many needs of children because music is nonjudgmental. There is no right or wrong, it just is what it is. Listening to different types of music nurtures self-esteem and encourages creativity, self-confidence, and curiosity. Music also plays a big part in relieving stress as singing together creates a feeling of safety and makes learning in a classroom much easier.

Anyway, research does not have to tell me much. As a mom, I have seen it for myself. My 18 month old stops crying to the sound of music and that says something. Also, I have noticed that the music class also allows me to bond differently with my baby girl and happens to be my music class as well. I have to admit it; I have so much fun too! There are wonderful music teachers in the area. Guadalupe Figueroa has many different classes and locations in Brickell and Key Biscayne. Her classes are bilingual and you can even start a private group with friends if interested. Call Guada at: 305.798.0419 or check the joyofmusic.com for more info.

Ashley Cramer is another heart full of music, she is energetic and fun. She just relocated to the Miami Design district area and usually holds morning classes. She is passionate and thrilled to spread her love of music and movement to children and grown ups in Miami. We will post Ashlee Cramer ‘s future schedule shortly. In the meantime take a look at one of her classes!

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