Music matters for your child

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Communication Skills

A recent study by the Institute of Education brought the very good news that playing classical music to young children improves their listening skills, concentration and self-discipline.
We love to sing at Little Notes and often notice how the natural rise and fall of song leads to children becoming expressive in their speech and, later, reading. With an emphasis on musical pulse during our sessions, children are given a natural boost in fluency when speaking and reading.
At our newborn classes, parents have a lovely time singing simple songs, perhaps to a repeated syllable (often of the baby’s choice!). This communication develops as the children grow, with many of our songs based on questions and answers, creating vital interaction within families. Most importantly our musicians communicate with an international language using their instruments. You will be amazed at your child’s response.

Physical Development

We love to link sound to physicality, whether it’s encouraging a newborn baby to watch a bell as it moves to Mozart or older children being elephants, swishing to Saint-Saens, or tip-toeing like spiders to J.S. Bach!
Activities are designed to encourage physical development for each age group and the skills of the class leader mean that activities are able to grow organically during a class, particularly when child-led. Sometimes, it seems that everyone just needs to work off excess energy and we love that kind of challenge!

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Little Notes image>

Social Skills

Little Notes classes begin and end in a circle of families with similar-aged children. During the class, there will be activities for families to enjoy on their own and moments for the whole circle to explore together. This builds a great sense of community within each session, with turn-taking, sharing, laughing and relaxing. At the core of the Little Notes class, of course, is the inspirational relationship between the children and their excellent lead musician.

 

Brain Development

In recent years, there has been much research in the news highlighting the benefits of music-making for a child’s cognitive development. Musical activity can equip children with a more developed auditory complex, enabling them to discriminate between a greater number and type of sounds (helping with speech and reading, for example). Music-making can influence motor and sensory development of the brain and, perhaps most importantly, releases dopamine and endorphins when responding to music, so it feels good too.

Little Notes image
Little Notes image>

Creativity

A Little Notes session becomes a creative playground for you and your child: a vital 40-minute slot in the week, set aside to enjoy being creative together. Each session follows a unique plan designed for your child’s age but is full of space for spontaneous play. In this safe and supportive place, children flourish as individuals in their response to the stimulus provided, whether it is an instrument, song or piece of music. Adults are actively encouraged to engage with the activities and to enjoy having fun too!
Away from phones and screens, the session becomes a safe, musical bubble in which to play and explore.

Family Bonding

Families tell us that Little Notes becomes a very special part of their life, forming the soundtrack to their early years experience together.
Our classes are full of joy and there’s always an opportunity to get up and move around the room, enjoying live music and our Special Piece. A great opportunity to release all those much-needed endorphins, for you and your child. It’s no great surprise to us that families regularly tell us they feel much better after coming along to a Little Notes session!

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20%

of kids learn to play music.

70%

of adults wish they had.

100%

of Little Notes leaders are ready to bring music to life.