WHAT MIGHT AN INFANT/TODDLER MUSIC AND MOVEMENT CLASS LOOK LIKE?
Repertoire used in classes for infants and toddlers with their parents can be the same. The response we expect from infants, however, will differ from that of toddlers. During the first 12-18 months, infants are mostly passive during the activities. Between the ages of 18-24 months, toddlers take a more active role. The goal is to present appropriate experiences often enough during the infant months so that when infants become toddlers they will respond naturally. If children are to acquire a sense of beat, they have to experience the feeling of beat while the mind is still organizing. If children are to acquire an accurate singing voice, they must hear much accurate singing. If children are later to respond in an expressive manner to music through singing and movement, they must have music and movement presented to them in an expressive manner during their early years. One hundred years ago these needs were addressed in the home. Through interviews with the elderly it has become appar
