All Children are Musical: Music Together® in Columbus, OH

My children have been taking music classes since they were small babies. There are a number of music classes for very young children offered through Music Together that are not only fun, but teach your child a very valuable lesson: to be musical. I am not trying to raise the next Mozart or Madonna, but I do want my kids to be musical. Musical, which I learned from our teacher Miss Sarah (who just opened Bloom! Music and Movement Centre offering Music Together classes) means that your child can keep a steady beat and sing in tune. And *get this*: ALL children are musical when they are born, but it is how and if you nurture it.

Music Together is a mixed-age music and movement program for families. Children can be 0 – 5 years old, and generally there are about six to twelve kids per class and their caregivers. The sessions are 10 weeks and each class is 45 minutes in length. Families learn songs, rhythmic rhymes, chants, play instruments, dance, and do other movement exercises. On the first day, each family gets a packet of information. Included are two CDs (one for your car and one for your home) containing the music and rhymes taught in class – my kids LOVE listening to them and always sing along. Music Together has a research based curriculum that, and I quote from Miss Sarah’s site, “develops music skills; nurtures creativity, self-expression, and confidence; and provides social, emotional, cognitive, and physical developmental benefits.”

I have been taking my kids to Music Together for a few years with Miss Sarah, and my children who are two years apart were together in the same class. Some music programs divide by age, which is fine, but makes it a little more difficult for people who have multiple children of various ages. At home, my children sing, chant, make up their own songs, and play “instruments” they make out of sticks or other toys, and I believe it is because I have made music a part of their lives. Miss Sarah mentioned that “if children learn music at young ages it is in their bones.” There are also studies out there that state musical instruction may aid in literacy. Studies show that language, reading, and even math skills may come easier to children who have studied music (example of research: Science Daily, 2009). I find that a bonus!

If you are interested in taking your children to Music Together, classes are offered all over Central Ohio. My kids and I have driven to New Albany, Westerville, and downtown for classes, because it is worth it. Here are some tidbits that are hopefully helpful:

• Register online with Miss Sarah at Bloom! Music and Movement Centre (other locations offered in the Columbus area).
• Find other Central Ohio class offerings at the home Music Together site.
• Can pay online and many teachers take checks the first day. Just ask!
• Wear comfortable clothing. Don’t worry about shoes because you and your child will take them off before class.
• In the winter especially, wipe/spray your children’s hands with anti-bacterial spray after class. Instruments get washed, but there is a lot of sharing.
• Do not worry if your child doesn’t sit still – the mere fact that they are immersed in music and see others participating is awesome.
• Most young children stick the instruments in their mouths – that is what the yuck bucket is for.
• Play your CD in the car all the time! Kids do not get tired of the songs!!