Babies and toddlers respond to music in a very instinctive way; all of their senses come alive as they naturally shake, bang and move to the beat of the music.  

Because babies and toddlers are so receptive to music at this early age, research has shown that there are many wonderful benefits to exposing them to Musical Activity Classes like those offered at Shake Rattle and Roly Poly.

Higher Brain Function

A musical environment engages a child and research indicates that neural connections are generated which stimulate higher brain functions and promote a childs ability to reason in a more abstract way  which aids them, later in life, to approach difficult subjects such as mathematics and physics with greater ease.

Self Esteem

Attending a weekly music class with a caregiver has a fantastic effect on a child's self esteem.  Babies learn primarily through physical touch so patting a rhythm on their back or gently bouncing them on your legs to action rhymes, enables them share a musical experience which is safe and comfortable. Exploring sound and rhythm with instruments while their caregiver watches and listens, encourages communication skills. Participating in folk dances and activities around the gathering drum promote a healthy sense of belonging and community.

Language and Literacy Development

In music class children are immersed in the art of story telling as songs are musically and dramatically acted out with puppets, felt characters and a cacophony of sounds. Listening to musical stories and learning to sing rhyme patterns with a steady pulse, enhances a childs ability to speak and later read. Memory is also developed as evidenced when babies and toddlers anticipate with glee, a special part in a song in which they are lifted in the air, twirled around or bounced.

Coordination and Awareness of Spatial Concepts

Participating in folk dances and exploring with percussion instruments gives children the opportunity to dance and play in a rhythmic environment. Coordination is developed as they learn to keep a steady beat which encourages skipping, jumping, marching and later, athletic ability. Dancing and bouncing fast and slow, up and down, in and out, side to side and high and low enable children to have a physical understanding of their environment and to gain visceral knowledge of spatial concepts.