Whirligig Music552

My 8-month-old daughter and I started attending Whirligig Music Together classes in March of 2011. 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!

Music Together is absolutely the best program you can give to your child! We tried so many other programs with our three kids (gymboree, kindermusik... you name it and we tried it), and MT is by far the best one. As a completely "non-musical", "non-singing" parent, I love how this program changed it. The songs are so sweet and catchy (but not at all cheesy, like music on most kids' cds), I love singing them with my kids! (there were a few times when I was driving in the car without kids and I found myself jamming to that CD without even realizing that I could listen to something else). My daughter loves to sing the songs and come up with new words for them (this program certainly promotes creativity and play). With each session I can see how my children change and grow musically and spiritually.

But I must say that a class is only as good as its teacher. This will be our 5th (yes, fifth!) session with Moni, and she is the best! She really connects with kids, she is very loving and enthusiastic, we always come home from the class uplifted and inspired. My children love her and adore her to no end, and I am just really happy that she is the one that they learn music from.

Bottom line - try a class, fall in love, get addicted, and SING!