Music and Play, Every Day

From our friends at Music Together® of Portland

Early childhood is a remarkable time in human development, in which children’s brains, bodies, and abilities are growing more rapidly than at any other time. It is also a time when our littlest humans are forming their most significant life-long relationships; they are learning the sense of love and belonging that comes with being in family and community, and how to connect and communicate with their world. More and more, research is showing that very young brains are forming the neural pathways that will serve them for a lifetime of thought, learning, communication, and belonging. Research also shows that a magical process of play—in which practice and experimentation lead to discovery and mastery—is a child’s context for this early learning and development. Parents and caregivers are an essential part of their children’s play. Engaging a young child in a way that sparks delight and curiosity inspires all kinds of learning!

The teachers at Music Together of Portland know that play and learning go hand-in-hand, and play is inspired by the environments and everyday experiences to which children are exposed. A little bit of music-making every day goes a long way! A rich musical environment during early childhood inspires the continuous playful experimentation that leads to musical discovery and understanding. And because a child’s most beloved grown-ups are also their most important teachers, parents and caregivers are essential to a child’s musical learning and growth.

Music Together of Portland’s Fall session runs September 23 – December 7. Registration opens September 3. Try a free class, and discover the power of family music-making during your child’s early years!

It’s never too early to start singing, dancing, and playing musically with your little one! Music Together classes are informal, engaging, and fun for the whole family! You’ll sing, dance, and explore all sorts of silly ways to play musically with your little one. You’ll be having such a great time, you may not even realize you’re also giving your child access to the basic music skills they need for a lifetime of successful music making, during the time when their brains and bodies are most receptive to learning.  

Infant Classes

Babies are born sounders and movers and are primed to respond to music, just like they’re primed to respond to language. They’re even taking in sounds and rhythms before they make their big entrance! Music Together Infant classes are uniquely designed for you to learn how to make music with your little one (0-8 months.) Bonus…you will learn some excellent parenting tips and get to know a community of other new parents!

Mixed-Age Classes

Gathering babies, toddlers, and preschoolers together in a Mixed-Age music class creates a true family music class, fun for the youngest infant to the oldest great-grandparent, and everyone in between!

Generations Classes 

The Generations class is a Mixed-Age Music Together class with the sweetest twist: the addition of senior participants. Music Together families love to visit their “Musical Grandfriends” at Providence ElderPlace! The fun songs and children’s liveliness and laughter help to brighten up everybody’s day. Making music connects people in ways that few other activities can!

Music Together con Español

If you love the idea of a Music Together class but also quiere probar algo nuevo—want to try something new—then Music Together con Español may be just what you’re looking for! MTCE is a bilingual English/Spanish family class for Spanish speakers looking for a more accessible way to experience Music Together, and for families who want some exposure to the Spanish language through music. For all families, it’s Music Together con un giro—with a twist!