Melody Makers

Melody Makers is a locally owned business that introduces music and art to infants and children. This year, at the recommendation of another mom, I enrolled my daughter in the Melody Makers' summer program, Gigi Jingle Class. This class introduces music to children ages one month - thirty-six months. It has been a real hit with V! The class is named for the soft-spoken Giraffe puppet, Gigi, who makes her appearance at the end of each class to sing a song with the children. Each child attending also takes a turn petting Gigi. 

Prior to Gigi's appearance, the class sings songs and plays different musical instruments with a few of Gigi's other puppet friends. Drums, clappers, castanets and jingle bells are a few fun instruments children get to play. The class also listens to a few minutes of one classical piece of music. So far V has been exposed to "Water Music" by George F. Handel and "Stars and Stripes Forever" by John Phillips Sousa. For an added sensory experience, both pieces were accompanied by bubbles from a bubble machine the instructor waved across the room. Last week we enjoyed "The Swan" by Saint-Saens, while we threw and blew white feathers across the room.

To encourage gross motor skills, we also sing songs while playing with streamers, bean bags or just moving your body as the music suggests.

As you can tell, each 30 minute class has new and fun ways to experience music. Classes are small in size with no more than 10 children and one accompanying parent. Although, some children bring one parent and two adoring grandparents, or both parents. The joy is contagious, and can be hard not to share with someone else.

The cost of the class is $100, and meets once a week for 10 weeks. I think on some days I have enjoyed the class more than V. On two occassions she seemed reserved, or just sleepy. Her favorite musical instrument to play with has been the drums. She was especially awestruck by the Swan puppet and the feathers last week.

I'm so thrilled that my friend recommended this class to us. I wouldn't have thought to look into something like this. Please check out Melody Makers online to learn about their other music, art and other learning enrichment workshops.