Did you know that early music education can have a ton of benefits for your children? Aside from simply being a fun bonding activity, research shows that participation in music-making can improve your child’s cognitive development, motor skills, and even social and emotional growth. Ready to jam out together? Here are my recommendations for baby music classes in Boston.
Multiple locations throughout Boston
Started by local mom Sara Wheeler, Little Groove’s classes are all about encouraging kids to grow their creativity by exploring music. They offer two primary class types. For kids 3 to 16 months old, Little Groove’s Baby Wiggle Class will be just right, teaching your child basic motor skills and music theory as they play with instruments alongside you. For children up to 4 years old, the Little Groove Class is a better fit. Its goal is to get kids to begin to do things independently, and the class teaches musical dynamics like loud and soft or fast and slow, as well as things like rhythm, counting, beats, and even time signatures. Little Groove can also host birthday parties! It’s worth keeping an eye on their website, too, as Little Groove often puts on free 40-minute concerts for families in the Boston area.
Multiple locations throughout Boston
Groovy Baby Music has been moving and grooving with Boston kids for over twenty years. Their primary Music Together class is meant for children up to age 4 and focuses on the combination of music and movement. Classes tend to be 45 minutes long and can include interactive props, take-home instruments, and jam sessions. Groovy Baby Music also offers its Canta y Baila Conmigo classes, which highlight the rich musical heritage of Spanish-speaking cultures. This class is a great option for parents looking for Spanish immersion programs, too! Groovy Baby Music also does birthday parties.
The Children’s Music Center of J.P. offers a variety of classes to help your kid start their music journey on the right note. Their first class is for children under one year old, allowing you to bond with your baby as you enjoy making music together. For children up to 4 years old, the Children’s Music Center offers both indoor and outdoor family classes, depending on the season. Each class is 45 minutes long and is meant to be attended by both parent and child, allowing you to take an active role in your child’s development. The Children’s Music Center is also affiliated with the Brookline Music School, so your child can smoothly continue with group lessons or even private piano lessons once they get a little bit older. Scholarships are available for families with financial need.
Multiple locations throughout Boston
Music Together at the South Shore Conservatory is all about bringing families together through music, dance, and play. Targeted at children ages 0-5, these 45-minute classes feature various movement props and percussion instruments to spark curiosity in your little ones. In fact, the SCC became known for its Drum Song Collection, which features 24 catchy songs accompanied by a memorable cast of characters. The SCC also runs a separate Music Together Babies class. Meant for babies up to 8 months old, this class is designed to teach parents how to use music to encourage development and familial connections. Concepts used in this class include “sound layering” and “dancing for baby,” and the program provides a smooth transition into the SCC’s Music Together classes for older children.
127 Mount Vernon Street, Boston MA, 02108
For an interactive approach, head to Hill House. Their Little Groove Music class, catering to children up to 5 years old, is all about teaching music through sound, sight, and touch. In addition to listening to songs, children get to use real instruments like drums, tambourines, and shakers. There is also plenty of time for play with toys like puppets, scarves, and even a giant parachute! All of Hill House’s Little Groove classes come with a downloadable instruction manual and two music albums, so families can continue the fun at home, too. For parents wanting something even more immersive, Hill House’s ABC Spanish in Motion course may also fit. Focusing on Spanish-language music and Latin-American culture, this class uses listening, exposure, as well as call and response activities to expand your child’s horizons.
94 Rowe Street, Newton, MA, 02466
Rock out with Rock-A-Baby! For a genre-busting musical experience, try one of Rock-A-Baby’s signature classes. Highlighting the key areas of melody, rhythm, and harmony, each week introduces a new theme so that kids can learn about everything from Beethoven to rap. Classes focus on music and dance and use both live and recorded sound. You can also book the Rock-a-Baby band for events, parties, and 45-minute concerts.
First Congregational Church, Winchester, MA, 01890
Run by Marcos and Shon, two enthusiastic professional musicians, Rockabye Beats puts the fun in music fundamentals. Their original music is meant to be enjoyable for the whole family, all while teaching kids core ideas like melody, rhythm, tempo, and pitch. Marcos and Shon also recognize that music is a fantastic way to introduce your child to a new language; many of their songs feature Spanish to promote language acquisition. In addition, Rockabye Beats loves to foster community. Catch Marcos and Shon at one of their live shows, or book them for a memorable show at your child’s party.
Regardless of whether your child goes on to be the next Mozart, music education can have a big impact on your child’s development. I highly recommend these baby music classes in Boston to start sparking that curiosity early. Plus, dancing with your kid is always a great time!
Before your baby grows up, let’s freeze those newborn moments with photography. As your Boston newborn photographer, I love capturing those precious first moments with my camera. Be sure to book your session before your little bundle of joy arrives. I promise you won’t regret it!