Cheryl Hornstein, Director of Let’s Play! Music Together in Eagan has been talking to parents about their music classes. “Parents are looking for activities to help get through the winter months with their small children,” she said. “Music classes are the place to be for many south metro families. There is nothing like singing and dancing with your child to pick you up on a cold, grey day.”
Lakeville parent Jackie Brezinski, who has been coming to “mixed age” music classes since 2007, says, “My experiences in Let's Play Music Together have been nothing but positive. The ability for me to take a class where all my children can participate at once, regardless of their ages (now 7, 4, 1), has been great. The younger children really learn a lot from the older children and love imitating what they sing and do. This particular class has made music so much fun for my children and me, and I have found myself signing up semester after semester. I recommend these classes to anyone who wants a wonderful music experience!”
“The way we play and do music can bring out and nurture children’s inborn capabilities to respond to and make music, even as babies,” Cheryl Hornstein continued. “This program strengthens bonds children have with parents, siblings, caregivers, and other members of the extended family. Music Together classes also foster children’s development in the cognitive, language, physical, and socio-emotional domains. It’s such a fun, rich experience.”
Eagan parent Kritsyn Rupp started bringing her daughter to class as an infant. “Since music is an important part of our lives, we were excited to participate in age-appropriate music activities and enhance her learning and sensory experience. The first thing we noticed was how excited she was, smiling or babbling, as she watched older children participate in class. As she got older, she really responded to the music, imitating what she saw others do. Because we introduced music at an early age, she attends more intently to the music around her. When we’re grocery shopping or at a restaurant she’ll often clap or dance to the music she hears in the background. The CDs we received as part of our class are part of our redirection intervention when she’s upset, especially in the car. All we have to do is press “play” and she stops crying to listen to “her” music. I would definitely recommend other parents enroll their children in a mixed age Let’s Play! Music Together class.”
Let’s Play! Music Together offers classes 5 days per week, through the Eagan Parks and Recreation Department. Classes are held at the Eagan Community Center and Rahn Park Shelter Building. Winter session begins the week of January 14th. Free demo classes are available for those who want to see what a class is like. To register for classes call Eagan Parks and Recreation at 651-675-5500 or visit their website. For more information on class schedules and locations please visit www.lpmusictogether.com
