My 8-month-old daughter and I started attending Whirligig Music Together classes in March of 2011…read more Our wonderful teacher, Moni Kiraly, always encouraged us to participate in silly, fun, and age-appropriate (for the baby!) ways. I always felt comfortable singing, dancing, and playing the little percussion instruments and kazoos in class. I loved Moni's habit of bringing in a variety of "serious" orchestral instruments to play for us each week, too. (They seem serious to me, though Moni would never describe them in such an intimidating way!) I think my baby especially enjoyed the deep resonance of the tuba and I loved the sound of the accordion. Moni also encouraged us to spend time singing and making music together at home every day. At first, I thought this sounded a bit like homework, but it was naturally something my husband and I enjoyed doing with the baby in the morning, at bedtime, and in the car throughout the day.
Thinking back, I believe it was after that first class that my baby started clapping for the first time. She clapped almost every time she heard music after that and surprisingly keeps very good rhythm, which Moni pointed out was something babies are often naturally good at. My daughter also rocks back and forth or side to side while sitting or standing and nods her head in time to the beat of music we listen to. At hom, we play together with a little egg maraca, a baby tambourine, a xylophone, and lots of drum-like empty coffee and yogurt containers. Sometimes my daughter drums with me, and sometimes she accompanies me with her clapping, but she's always engaged and interested in the music making fun.
Just before our second to last class of the semester, when she was almost 11-months-old, my daughter started singing a basic chorus from our Music Together CD, which we listen to and sing along to every day. She has been doing this each day since, all day long, and I usually try to join in with a harmony when I notice her doing it. On a practical note, I've also noticed that she can usually be very quickly calmed when I start singing to her while she's upset, such as when we're waiting around for the pediatrician, changing clothes or diapers, or sitting in the car during long trips. Moni mentioned this "magical" use of music and it really does work!
I admit I find the Music Together CD pretty fun to rock out to, even when I'm in the car by myself. I also love the group jam sessions during our Whirligig classes and I really let myself enjoy it, especially since Moni tells us that our genuine enthusiasm and joy for making music will transfer to our kids. I've really enjoyed the course, had lots of fun singing and playing with the other parents and children, and truly look forward to making music with my daughter for many, many years to come! Moni has been a wonderful, inspiring, supportive, and informative teacher who is obviously quite gifted when it comes to working with kids and babies. I feel so fortunate that we found and were able to participate in this class!
