Fundamentally Music offers music class for children ages birth - 4 years old. The classes are 45 minutes long and are offered in sessions of 10-12 weeks. The classes are based on a standard curriculum offered by a company called The Music Class.
Class sizes are limited to about 12 kids, and parents are expected to attend and participate. The classes are instructor led, and the kids learn several songs and activities that focus on movement, musical instruments, imagination and repetition.
Like most specialty classes for kids, Fundamentally Music offers a trial class so that you can see what it's all about, and also see how your child responds to the format, activities and other kids in the class. My son is two years old, and we've also tried classes at the Motherhood Center and Gymboree. We selected Fundamentally Music because the pace of the class was very quick, so your toddler won't get bored by a long song. There was also high energy in our trial class, and the kids (including ours) seemed to be having a great time.
Veronica Sisman is the administrative contact for Fundamentally Music and she is very easy to work with. She helped us register for our trial class, and provided the details for signing up at a prorated price since we would only be attending the last five classes of the session. You can settle your account online, which makes payment quite convenient. Their makeup policies are also pretty straightforward. We gave notice that we would have to miss a class since our son was ill, and we were able to get into a makeup class within the week.
As far as the activities in the class, kids are able to have hands-on access to egg shakers, drums, bells, maracas, cymbals, and more, in a coordinated fashion. There is also a segment with rhythm sticks, which I think is my son's favorite part, and a giant parachute, another big hit. The classes are most fun when the parents learn the music and participate and sing as well (instead of making the teacher do all the work).
The only negative I have noticed so far is that we're in the last class of the day, and some of the kids are kind of rowdy. I'm not sure whether that's just a unique characteristic of the kids in our class, or whether it's a side effect of being in a late class (long day, hyped up kids). It's nothing major though, and the teacher keeps it all under relative control.
All in all, a great way to introduce your child to music, and maybe even learn a little something yourself.
NOTE: If you happen to be on a baby-making spree like I am, you'll be happy to know that your child under 9 months is free with their older sibling's paid tuition. read more
