Our birthday present for Monroe's first year was a set of classes at Toddle Tunes in Los Angeles. Of course, the word "classes" is being used here in the loosest of senses... at Monroe's age, it is all about just goofing off and playing around with instruments and music!We liked Toddle Tunes better than any other music classes in town because they employ real musicians with actual talent. They also reserve a part of class each week to let the toddler touch the real instruments!
They use stuffed animals to bring the songs to life. They adapt kids' classics to the theme of the week. This giraffe was part of the African Rhythms week.
The kids play some kind of small, kid friendly instrument each week. So far, we've done drums, percussion, and little bitty banjo-thingies. They also get to touch the "real" adult instruments played each week. Monroe loved to play the cello, but she seems to be really afraid of woodwinds--she cried when offered a bass clarinet and then she cried again the next week when offered a saxophone!
Monroe likes the beginning of class where we just goof off with the xylophones.
Here's a movie from today's class that gives a good idea of what it is like (although there are usually less people!)And finally, here's an adorable Monroe trying her hand at the miniature guitar!
This gives me lots of great ideas for Christmas presents! What a fun time for all of you!
ReplyDeleteAs is always the case, Monroe videos leave me wanting to see what happened next! I love it when they hand her the sunshine, and she starts bopping with the music, then raises it when they instruct the kids to do so. And finally, at the end, when she goes to interact with the baby next to her, I see her naturally friendly and curious nature coming out. Eben and Melissa, you are doing a great job as parents!
ReplyDeleteI believe children are born musical and I am so glad you are giving her this opportunity to develop it.
ReplyDelete