Music Together for Toddlers and Babies with Kat Fritz

http://www.musictogetherwhidbey.com/ (Whidbey Island Class Info)
http://www.musictogether.com/ (Information on the philosophy, research, development, classes around the US)

"All children are musical" is the idea behind the Music Together classes on Whidbey Island. And children learn best in their early development when they are with those adults who are closest to them: parents, grandparents, and other caregivers. So parents attend and take part in the entire class, singing, dancing, and playing. . . and children quickly join in as they watch mom and dad having so much fun!

OUR FAMILY LOVES THIS CLASS!

Above: All the instruments are out to play

Play scarves, the kids' favorite!

Peek-a-boo!

The itsy bitsy spider climbed up the water spout, down came the rain . . . .

Here is the beehive (blanket) but where are the bees? Hidden away where nobody sees . . . watch and you'll see them come out of the hive, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 . . . buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz (everyone runs out from under the blanket). Back in the beehive (under the blanket) . . . and AGAIN!

The beehive, another kid favorite (above)

Above: the red sticks instrument

We have been going to a wonderful class for toddler and babies for 2 years now! It is "Music Together", a class that helps children and parents unite in the celebration, singing and playing of music. Each week we meet for 45 minutes, form a circle and begin with a hello song, "Hello everybody, so glad to see you! Hello everybody, we're so glad to see you! Hello to Marina, so glad to see you, hello to Stella so glad to see you . . . " Until every child is greeted in verse. The class then goes through a range of songs in the current CD which has a certain musical focus like "bongos", "sticks", "drums" and so on.

There are certain songs where different instruments or props are used including colorful play scarves, egg shaped shakers/rattles, sticks, and one big box of instruments of all kinds for a chaotic and playful song. Children and adults love the colorful scarves that they use to dance to the music or play peek-a-boo. The instruments provide a fun time for children and adults to experiment using them in unusual and fun ways. Kat uses many of the songs to have parents and kids get up and dance around or act out parts of the song.

I love how Kat connects with the children, relates to them and inspires their creativity and musical expression. When my first daughter, Marina, was about 1 year old she had so much trouble letting go of the instruments that she would cry for a long time whenever it was time to put something away. Kat let her keep them as long as she wanted and within weeks she was returning them happily when the songs were over. It is this kind of safe environment that has fostered her love of music and dancing. At 3, she now takes 2 dance classes and theater class in addition to her music together class. And she looks forward to each one! I often observe her singing out in public without a care in the world. I believe this is a result of several years of music together classes. She is comfortable expressing herself musically in front of adults and kids.

So if you have kids ages 0-5, try out the Music Together class by Kat Fritz! And checkout her website: http://www.musictogetherwhidbey.com/index.htm

Above: Post Music Class at Kiichli's Bagel's (right next door), yummm