Early Childhood

Children start learning music and movement from birth. They listen, watch and experiment with sounds and movement, and eventually, they sing, chant and move rhythmically. Their mental capacities are awakened and their motor skills are developed by movement. The more music they hear and the richer the musical sounds they experience, the sooner and better they develop their own musical skills. This process mirrors the way in which children learn language.

Our Music and Movement classes playfully engage infants and toddlers in activities including singing and chanting, moving to music, playing assorted percussion instruments, pattern instruction and games that connect music to their everyday world. The goal of the curriculum is to increase children’s music aptitude through engaging and entertaining musical activities that will lay a foundation for lifelong music appreciation and participation. Children attend early childhood music class with a parent or caregiver.

Early Childhood Music & Movement: Classes for 6 Months to 41 Months Old

MUSIC & MOVEMENT 6 months - 33 months
Encouraged by an attending parent or adult, babies and toddlers are playfully engaged with songs and games that connect music to their everyday world. Classes focus on stimulating a child’s social, emotional and physical development in an informal and loving atmosphere. Featured music comes from folk tradition and includes chants, finger plays, bounces and movement.

Class Length: 15-weeks, 50 minutes
Instructor: Dayse Waissman
Cost: $330 per term

Babies (6-12 mo.): Mondays at 9:30am                                                Start Date: February 6, 2012
Older Babies (9-14mo.): Thursdays at 11:00am                                    Start Date: February 2, 2012
Toddlers (13-19 mo.): Tuesdays at 9:30 or Thursdays at 11:00am          Start Dates: January 31 or February 2, 2012
Almost/New Twos (22-25 mo.): Fridays at 9:30am                                Start Date: February 3, 2012
Twos (24-33 mo.): Thursdays at 10:00am                                              Start Date: February 2, 2012

MUSIC & MOVEMENT / STAY & PLAY 24 - 41 months
The fun continues with an additional 40 minutes of guided play! Our Stay & Play group follows the 50-minute Music and Movement class.

Class Length: 15-weeks, 90 minutes
Instructor: Dayse Waissman
Cost: $380 per term

Twos (24-33mo.): Mondays at 10:30am                                       Start Date: February 6, 2012
Almost/New Threes (33-37 mo.): Tuesdays at 10:30am               Start Dates: January 31, 2012
Threes (37-41 mo.): Fridays at 10:30am                                      Start Date: February 3, 2012

Younger siblings are welcome to join Early Childhood classes with teacher's approval.
Fees: 0 to 3 Months - Free; 4 to 6 Months 25% of class fee; 7-12 Months - 50% of class fee.

For more information on Early Childhood Music & Movement Programs click here.

BRIDGING THE GENERATIONS: AN INTERGENERATIONAL MUSIC CLASS New!
Join us for a special kind of music-making! This class combines all the elements of a regular music class, but it is set in a senior living facility, where the residents participate with us by singing, playing instruments, or simply watching. The class allows for and encourages interaction between the children and the seniors. With rhythm instruments, songs, play materials and movement, we create a rich musical experience for everyone.

Location: Goddard House in Brookline Assisted Living, 165 Chestnut St., Brookline

Teacher: Ruth Schechter

Ages: 3-5 years (younger siblings welcome)

Day/Time: Wednesdays 3:30 - 4:15pm

Dates: (January 11 - February 8): 1/11, 1/18, 1/25, 2/1, 2/8

Cost: $100 Siblings 60% discount - under 6 months free

To Register call Brookline Music School at (617) 277-4593

Parent Comments
Read what parents are saying about Music and Movement classes and teachers at BMS!

Dayse Waissman, Early Childhood Teacher

"Loved all the songs, movement and bounces! There is plenty of connection between parent, child and the whole class. This class was delightful for my child, my husband and me. Dayse is very open, flexible and always encouraging the children and parents to enjoy whatever it is they enjoy."
-- Baby Class

"I liked the way Dayse built her themes with variation and incorporated a little Spanish and other languages into her songs."
--Toddler Class

"Dayse just has this wonderful joy and warmth about music, life and the children. She also has a knack for keeping in touch with how each child is responding. We love her and can't wait for next semester to begin!"
--Two-Year-Old Class

"Dayse is so warm, loving and knowledgeable! We always leave class in a great mood, more flexible and happy! There is always something new, but not so much that the overall structure is undermined - great for the young ones!"
--Three-Year-Old Class

"We love the music and movement class and Dayse is a WONDERFUL teacher and loves the children very much!" - Toddler Class

"We like the variety and a balance between seated & standing activities. The inter-activity of each segment and Jeanne! We have tried two other music programs and this one is the best!"
-- Almost/New Twos Class