What is Music Together®?             top
Founded in 1985 by Kenneth Guilmartin, a composer and early childhood educator, and developed with co-author Dr. Lili Levinowitz, Music Together® is a nationally recognized early childhood music program for children ages birth through four years of age and their parents or caregivers. It began as an educational project of the Center For Music and Young Children in Princeton, NJ and through ongoing research and development, the program continues to evolve and expand.

What is the Music Together philosophy?             top

1. All children are musical.

2. All children can achieve basic music competence, which is the ability to sing in tune with accurate rhythm.

3. The participation and role modeling of parents and caregivers is essential to children's musical growth regardless of parental musical abilities.

4. Playful, developmentally appropriate, non-performance, yet musically rich environments invite parental and child participation, thereby creating the most beneficial musical setting for promoting children's growth.

What are Music Together classes like?             top
Up to twelve children and their parents or caregivers meet weekly in a 45-minute class to sing songs, dance, play with simple musical instruments, and have fun with chants, fingerplays, rhythm games and a rich variety of other music and movement activities. Classes are informal and designed to be lots of fun, so the adults, regardless of their musical ability, feel comfortable and encouraged to sing, dance, and play as part of the group - giving the children a joyful experience of group music-making. The children are free to participate, or not, in any manner which suits them that day - some may choose to "just" sit and watch, absorbing and studying the rich musical environment, while others may choose to move and sing for different portions of the class. Click here to see a Music Together class video clip.

What is included in my tuition?             top
Tuition includes the weekly 45-minutes classes (each session has a different number of classes – usually 10-12 during the school year and 6-8 in the summer) plus each family is given two professionally recorded CD's and an illustrated songbook, containing all the songs we'll be singing during the semester, to take home to share the joy of music-making every day!

Why a mixed-age class?             top
In the 1980s, Music Together pioneered the development of the mixed-age approach in early childhood music. In each class we strive to create a musically rich, developmentally appropriate environment where the whole family can enjoy music and nurture skills at the level right for each child. Mixed-age classes also provide a rich learning environment because children of different ages thrive when they interact with each other: the babies are often fascinated by the older child, and the “big” children enjoy helping and sharing with the “little” ones. This approach is based on research from music education, early childhood development, and family relationships, as well as our 20 years experience in the field.

What makes this different from other programs?             top
Music Together promotes the idea of "making music together as a family" in an informal setting rather than a performance-based program where the child is required to meet certain expectations. The class takes place in an environment where no expectations for achievement are placed upon the child. Furthermore, we do not expect to teach young children knowledge "about" music – rather, we strive to provide them with very rich and diverse musical experiences. Very young children really learn best when given the chance to experiment and play on their own.

Is it really okay for my four-year old to be in             top
a class with two-year olds and infants?
Role modeling is one of the basic ways that we learn throughout our lives. Music Together promotes mixed-age classes for this reason as well as others. At the age of three or four, our children suddenly realize the concept of a "right and wrong" way of doing things. You may see your child become suddenly withdrawn or inhibited as they are beginning to feel self-conscious when they are in a group of their peers. Mixed-age classes tend to take the pressure off and offer the older child a chance to be a leader in the class and give unique and individual ideas that the younger children may not be able to convey. The younger children often validate the older child's idea by following along readily and look to them for the next idea or suggestion. It is through this growing process that we have found mixed-age classes truly do promote learning, comfort and independent expression while continuing the fun and helping the older child to develop and grow as well.

Why should I start my child so young?             top
Research shows that babies can hear us even before they are born, recognizing the sound of their mother's voice at birth. It also shows that while music is inherent in all of us, babies who are exposed to music from an early age onward, tend to develop their musicality, while others who are not exposed to it, tend not to. There is a window of opportunity for maximizing each child's lifetime musical ability that begins before birth and essentially diminishes by age five.

Is it the same music each session?             top
Each session, classes concentrate on a collection of approximately 30 songs. Music Together has developed 9 different song collections, with a “best of” anthology during the summer sessions. It would take 3 years to repeat a song collection! The songs collections have been designed to offer a wide experience of different rhythms, tonalities, styles and instruments. They are a mix of traditional songs, world music, instrumental play-alongs, original music and rhythmic chants. The music is not your typical “kiddie music” and is enjoyable at an adult level, as well.

As a parent, what is my role in class?      top
Enhance your child's experience in class by remembering to sing, sing, sing. Your active participation is the key to your children learning and growing musically. Support the creation of a music only environment while in class by not talking to your children or other adults during the 45 minutes. Since it is difficult for a young child to mask out adult conversation please wait to socialize till after class, and instead contribute to the creation of a musical environment for the children to absorb.

Try not to give verbal directions. It can be tough to restrain the impulse to give your child directives such as "Do what she is doing, hold your instrument this way” but children respond best by just seeing and hearing you doing (and enjoying) it yourself! Wandering toddlers is fine, but If you want your child to come back to you, avoid calling to him from across the room. If necessary, redirect your child physically back to you or the circle. Of course watch out for your child’s safety, but mostly your job is to just relax, and have fun!

Are Music Together classes appropriate for children with special needs?           top
Yes! All children are musical, and we welcome children with special needs.  Our classes are structured to offer a wide variety of musical activities and experiences, which children can process at their own pace and developmental level, regardless of age or individual need.  Further, research has shown that music can help to strengthen gross motor, fine motor, speech and socialization skills in all children and often proves an invaluable resource to parents, who through music find a deeper way of interacting with their child.

What is your refund policy?             top
Once you have registered, refunds will be granted as follows:

Two or more weeks prior to the 1st class:
Full refund

Prior to the 1st class held:
Tuition less a $30 cancellation fee

After the 1st class held and prior to the 2nd class held:
Tuition less a $30 cancellation fee less a $15 class fee per child registered

After the 2nd class held: No refunds (or credits) are given

In case of cancellation, please note that all Music Together materials must be returned in mint, re-sellable condition (e.g., CD’s in original plastic shrink wrap, etc.) or you will be charged an additional $40.

What if I can’t make it to every class?             top
Two make-ups are allowed per family per session on a space available basis. To sign up for a make-up, go back to the home page and click on the link at the bottom of the page. The access code is right next to the link so memorize it before you click!!

Can I bring my un-registered older sibling to class?             top
Throughout the semester, Music Together classes may be in session when older children have a school holiday and it is natural to want to bring them with you to class. Older siblings of registered students may visit 1 class only per semester, provided that the visit is prearranged with the school office. Visitation spots are available on a first come, first serve basis.

Can I bring guests to class?             top

Due to the size of some classes, we cannot allow any unscheduled child guests or siblings. Please call While They're Little (516-442-0302) to make sure that there is room in the class before bringing a child guest. If you bring a child guest or sibling without first clearing it with While They're Little, you may be turned away if the class will be overcrowded as a result.   Overcrowding is unpleasant and can be unsafe for the children.   The cost for a child guest is $25. Adult guests do not need to be scheduled ahead of time.   All guests need to fill out a Guest Registration Form (available in the classroom) to be able to participate in a class.

Can I bring Music Together to my preschool?      top

Yes!! We offer licensed Music Together in preschools and day care centers.  In a licensed Music Together preschool class, the children and teachers meet weekly with one of our teachers to do music and movement activities. The weekly classes are reinforced during the week by the classroom teachers. The children "bring the music home" and the parents become involved through the cd's and songbooks that go home, as well as regularly scheduled parent events at school.  The joy of extended family music at home and in school creates a natural circle of learning that builds parent/child, parent/teacher and parent/school relationships. We would love to discuss bringing this wonderful program to your school. Please contact us at wtlittle@optonline.net to schedule your preschool trial class.

When can I expect a class confirmation e-mail?      top
Confirmation emails are sent out from the While They're Little office once the class has met minimum enrollment. If the class has not met minimum enrollment, you will be notified of placement in your second choice.

Can I switch to a different class?      top
Requests for class changes must be initiated within the first three weeks of the semester, and are made at the discretion of the director, depending on class availability. Changes are not made after the third week of the semester.

How should we use the Music Together materials?      top
Play your CD at home and in the car as frequently as possible, especially during the first few weeks of class. Make it available to your child to listen to while she is playing or before nap or bedtime. Use the songbook to help you remember the songs or to play along if you play an instrument. Try using the songbook at storytime instead of a regular book, and sing through the songs as you go along. Looking at the printed notes on the page will help children understand that music is something that can be read, like words. Familiarization with notation will help them when they are more ready for formal music instruction, typically when they are school aged.

New Music Together parents receive our introductory DVD “Music Together at Home: Helping Your Child Grow Musically”. During class your teacher will refer to topics and point out examples of things covered in the video. We are also happy to discuss your child's individual progress in obtaining musical competence at any time outside of class. If you are a returning student and it has been months or years since you have read the Parent Guide or seen the new DVD, reread it or ask for a copy of the DVD today! You may be surprised how valuable it is, especially after having personal experience observing your child's music development.

May I bring a camera to class?      top
Occasionally classes at While They're Little are professionally photographed and/or videotaped. These photographs/videos are sometimes used for publicity or training purposes. Parents will, in instances where these images are intended for publicity purposes, be asked to sign the appropriate release forms. As our classes are participatory and educational experiences between adults and children, we ask our families to please refrain from taking photo or video during class time, however we welcome pictures before or after class.

Do you offer gift certificates?      top
Gift certificates for any amount towards Music Together classes offered by While They're Little can be purchased at any time. It makes a nice baby shower or birthday gift. Grandparents love to buy these for holiday gifts. Let us know if you would like it sent directly to the recipient or to the purchaser. Call the office at 516-442-0302 to purchase gift certificates.