We’ve all been there…you walk into a new situation where you don’t know anyone. You don’t know what you’re supposed to do, where you’re supposed to go. It can be downright stressful!
At Gymboree Play & Music, our teachers are trained to remove that “new kid” stress. They not only facilitate the activities in your child’s class, but they talk you through the “in’s and out’s” of our locations. They help ease any nervousness you or your little one may be feeling, and connect you with other adults who can help guide you through the class experience.
Our programs are all about supporting your child’s development, but the adults are equally important to us! Your involvement in, and enjoyment of, our programs is a vital component in your child’s growth and success.
Not only do children in our programs make “first friends”, but thousands of families have made friends for life with people they met in our classes. Find a Gymboree Play & Music location near you, and join our community today!
It’s no secret that a baby’s brain develops at an astonishing rate during the first few years of life. The most pivotal time for brain development is between birth and three, and 90% of brain development happens by age five!
Brain development (and cognitive and social-emotional development) is supported by building strong attachments, or bonding, with a primary caregiver. A good initial bond is a big contributor to a child growing up to become happy, resilient and independent as an adult.
That’s why having a loving, trusted adult participate in our classes – whether a parent, grandparent, auntie or uncle, or beloved caregiver who is like a member of the family – has been a cornerstone of our programs for over 45 years.
We understand how important it is to have that extra confidence boost that is provided by having the support and encouragement of someone the little one has bonded with.
Join our extended family now, and see how much fun you and your little one can have while playing and learning together.
We all know gentle sounds and lullabies are a way to soothe babies and create bonds. But beyond bonding, music serves a higher purpose in the early development of babies and children.
Music Classes Help Your Child Build a Solid Developmental Foundation
A 2017 study on Music Interventions and Child Development revealed that the impact of music has indicated positive effects on a variety of skills. Their findings suggest musical interventions may the potential to support educational processes and development of children. Based on our findings there are at least three distinct ways music can support your child’s growth.
Language Development : Research shows children in transition from kindergarten to school develop fundamental skills important for the acquisition of reading and writing. Previous research pointed toward substantial correlations between specific language- and music-related competencies as well as positive transfer effects from music on pre-literacy skills.
Strengthened hand-eye coordination : Whether its playing the violin, strumming the strings of a guitar or shaking a maraca, musical instruments are known to enhance dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
The opportunity to develop motor skills is higher in young children and in our classes children interact with different instruments which are beneficial in developing these skills.
Improved Mental processing : One of the lesser discussed benefits of music exposure to younger children is its ability to process events. In 2020 Neurologists found that have found that Musically trained children perform better at attention and memory recall and have greater activation in brain regions related to attention control and auditory encoding, executive functions known to be associated with improved reading, higher resilience, greater creativity, and a better quality of life.
Although these are just a few benefits, we know our classes can have a life-long impact on your child’s development. Learn more about our class offerings below and how they can help your child.
For Children Ages 6 months to 16 Months
Our Music I class is for children that are learning through listening and watching, moving, and “singing” with coos and babbles.
What to expect in class: Experience music from all around the world– music from both past and present, near and far! From The Beatles to Bach! In Music 1, children will delight in the sound of instruments, and “singing” through musical baby talk. They’ll enjoy being sung to, experiencing new sounds and the anticipation of surprise!
Benefits:
Physical: Sensory exploration time is supported while children practice their motor skills, which is crucial for your baby’s overall development.
Cognitive: Music-play helps activate parts of the brain responsible for music and speech processing. It creates an early appreciation of music and supports language development.
Social: Through music, you can hear and feel emotions. Tunes can be happy, sad, or angry! This supports social development in understanding emotions in a new way.
Adults: You get to engage with your little one making emotional connections and strong bonds. Being involved in your child’s play helps both of you feel more connected.
For Children Ages 16-28 Months
Our Music II class is for children that are ready to learn through a progression from receptive to expressive musical behavior.
What to expect in class: Experience music from all around the world-music from both past and present, near and far! From The Beatles to Bach! In Music 2, children will begin to experiment with ways to play musical instruments, accompany a song with rhythm, and act out lyrics through movements using both gross motor and fine motor skills. Children know so much about music at this stage, and are at the beginning stages of being able to express themselves musically!
Benefits: Physical: Sensory exploration time is supported while children practice their motor skills, which is crucial for your child’s overall development. Cognitive: Music play helps activate parts of the brain responsible for music and speech processing. It creates an early appreciation of music and supports language development. Social: Through music, you can hear and feel emotions. Tunes can be happy, sad, or angry! This supports social development in understanding emotions in a new way. Adults: You get to engage with your little one making emotional connections and strong bonds. Being involved in your child’s play helps both you feel more connected.
For All Ages
Our Family Music class is for children of all ages, at every stage who want to learn about music!
What to expect in class: Engage your little one in a multi-age music class which provides opportunities not only to learn musical techniques, styles, and about different instruments, but also supports social and emotional development.Benefits:
Physical: Sensory exploration time is supported while children practice their motor skills, which is crucial for your child’s overall development.
Cognitive: Music play helps activate parts of the brain responsible for music and speech processing. It creates an early appreciation of music and supports language development.
Social: Through music, you can hear and feel emotions. Tunes can be happy, sad, or angry! This supports social development in understanding emotions in a new way.
Adults: You get to engage with your little one making emotional connections and strong bonds. Being involved in your child’s play helps both you feel more connected.
In this episode of the Parent Pod, we spoke to Teri Weiss of Dreamworks Animation.
Teri Weiss is EVP, Television Development for DreamWorks Animation reporting to Chief Creative Officer, Television, Peter Gal. In this role, she oversees the creative development of a rapidly growing slate of original television projects, including the content for DWA TV’s groundbreaking multi-year deal with Netflix as well as Peacock, Amazon, Hulu,Universal Kids, and other leading broadcasters around the world. As part of the studio’s global initiatives, Weiss and her creative team are tasked with developing original animated programming inspired by characters from DreamWorks Animation’s iconic franchises and upcoming feature films, the company’s vast Classic Media library, and Universal Pictures, as well as projects based on original and acquired IP.
Weiss previously served as the EVP, Preschool Development and Current Series. Recent projects that Weiss oversaw in this role include Archibald’s Next Big Thing from Tony Hale, Dragons Rescue Riders and Where’s Waldo?, as well as the upcoming series Gabby’s Dollhouse, Rhyme Time Town, Go, Dog. Go! and Madagascar: A Little Wild.
Prior to joining DreamWorks Animation Television, Weiss worked at NBC/Universal where she was hired to head up kids content for Universal Kids Productions group after a 16-year stint at Nickelodeon where she served as EVP of Preschool original programming. She launched a series of hits, including Shimmer and Shine, Blaze and the Monster Machines, Dora and Friends, Paw Patrol, and Wallykazam! She also helped solidify Nick Jr’s leadership position with series hits Bubble Guppies, Team Umizoomi,and The Fresh Beat Band. Prior to Nickelodeon,
Weiss was a producer on Sesame Street, as well as Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? and Square One TV.
Raised in New York, Weiss graduated from John Hopkins University with a degree in International Studies. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, son, and daughter.
About
The Parent Pod podcast by Gymboree Play & Music is a weekly conversation that features various experts who are willing to share helpful tips for parents and grandparents on how to support their little ones during the first five years of life. Our podcast drives conversations around early childhood development and parenting strategies, with topics ranging from sleep training, and minimalist living to maternal mental health and postpartum depression.
In this week’s episode of the Parent Pod Podcast, we are discussing the art of Minimalism and how parents can bring minimalist values into their day-to-day life.
Diane Boden is the voice behind the top-rated podcast, the Minimalist Moms, where she spreads her ideas and interviews others in regards to living a life in the pursuit of less. Her goal is simply: think more and do with less. Diane has been featured on Minimal-ish Podcast, The Pure Nurture Podcast, The 29 Minute Mom and many others. She was featured in 614Magazine in August 2019. She lives in Columbus, Ohio with her husband and three children.
The Parent Pod podcast by Gymboree Play & Music is a weekly conversation that features various experts who are willing to share helpful tips for parents and grandparents on how to support their little ones during the first five years of life. Our podcast drives conversations around early childhood development and parenting strategies, with topics ranging from sleep training, and minimalist living to maternal mental health and postpartum depression.
