At what age can my child start Blooming Rhythms? Any! Designed by a board-certified music therapist with over a decade of early childhood music experience, our Blooming Rhythms program is for children up about age 6. Each class is tailored to meet the developmental needs of that particular age group. Because each class is taught by a board-certified music therapist, the classes are further adapted to meet the needs of the individual children enrolled- that means no two classes will be identical.
What happens in a Blooming Rhythms class? Class activities vary depending on your child’s age. Most classes involve a mix of singing, instrument play, dancing and movement, story time, and other activities (such as crafts). Activities are designed to develop and strengthen your child’s physical and neural functions, social-emotional skills, early literacy and early math, and much more.
Will my child learn to play an instrument during Blooming Rhythms classes? We firmly believe, and research supports, that a solid foundation of basic musical training is the best path for children. This is why we start with concepts like steady beat and fine and gross motor skills. Our Blooming Rhythms for Big Kids program introduces more core concepts of music theory, such as writing rhythms and beginning note reading skills. It also introduces a variety of instruments from each instrument family. We believe this is a great way to instill a love of music and encourage further music and instrumental instruction. Starting a child on a finger-based instrument too early, while his hands and fingers are still growing and developing, could actually do more harm than good. We believe that by giving your child a strong music foundation in our early childhood enrichment classes, coupled with waiting until your child is developmentally ready from a physical and mental standpoint, you child will have more success when it’s time for formal lesson instruction.
Do I have to attend the classes with my child? Most of our classes require that a parent or caregiver accompany the child. Our classes are specifically designed to spark interaction between adult and child. You are your child’s first and best teacher, and Blooming Rhythms tries to strengthen that bond. In our classes for older ages, the children spend most of the class with just the teacher, but parents are included in a portion of every Blooming Rhythms class.
Can my child’s babysitter, grandparent, aunt, etc. bring my child? We know parents have a lot of responsibilities and may not be able to attend on a regular basis with their child. If neither parent is available to attend classes with the child, another caregiver is welcome to attend instead.
What if my child doesn’t participate in class? Children learn in different ways. Simply because a child appears shy in class, that doesn’t mean he or she is not learning. We hear from parents all the time whose children are quiet in class, but when they get home the child sings the songs and does the activities! Just remember that the home is the most important learning environment and you are your child’s most important teacher. The classroom is intended to give you tools to bring the music and learning home.
Can my infant really learn anything in a music class? Most of us underestimate what goes on in those tiny bodies. Their brains are filled with billions of neurons just waiting to be connected through sensory stimulation. Rich sensory environments create neural pathways and repetition reinforces and strengthens them. At Blooming Rhythms, we offer a developmentally appropriate level of stimulation through music, movement and sensory experiences. The baby’s brain does all the work, building connections and ultimately, building a greater capacity for later learning. In our Blooming Rhythms for Littles class, we dance in a social setting to allow infants to understand and anticipate patterns, which preps their brains for math and musical theory. We play with steady beat, which underlies our ability to pick up the pattern of language. This is vital, because unless children can pick up the language patterns, they cannot learn to read and write. The bonding and comforting activities we show you in class help you and baby to work through all the natural stresses that occur with growing and developing. Music increases coordination and balance, promotes literacy and language, cultivates listening skills, and encourages delightful and rewarding interaction with your baby!