THE CLASS PHILOSOPHY:  Our philosophy is that music can be a powerful tool to teach kids’ skills.  The music classes we provide have been designed by early childhood specialists including special educators, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists and music educators to embed developmental skills training and support.  The music and movements are specifically designed to foster social skills, language development, and sensory integration. Our classes also work to build community and togetherness for children living in at-risk environments.

THE CLASS STRUCTURE: Our Music classes are most appropriate for children from birth to age six. Our classes are led by two teachers for 45 minutes in duration over four 12 week periods (one year).  Children have the opportunity to sing, dance, play instruments, make up songs, and rhythms,  and express themselves through music. In turn, this helps improve self-esteem, creativity, motivation, teamwork and developmental skills.

THE CLASS SETTING:  Classes are delivered in the day care classrooms of our partner shelters.  This includes homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters, teen parent programs, substance abuse recovery facilities and more.  Parents, teachers and caregivers are welcome to participate.  Classes are designed for both typically developing children and special needs children in self-contained and integrated settings.

THE RESEARCH: Research and statistics have shown that the introduction of music to children at an early age provides enormous advantages.  In addition to increasing creativity, music classes can help develop concentration, coordination, increase math and cognitive skills, increase memory, foster language and verbal skills, improve motivation, confidence and teamwork.  Children of affluent, aspiring parents generally get exposure to music whether the public school system provides it or not.  Low-income children, often, do not.  “Arts education enables those children from a financially challenged background to have a more level playing field with children who have had those enrichment experiences,” says Eric Cooper, president and founder of the National Urban Alliance for Effective Education.