Your Child’s First Teacher Might Be a Music Teacher
By Ashley Trumbo
When we think of our children’s first teachers, many of us picture preschool or kindergarten. My 2 year old’s first teacher (since 3 months old) is Teacher Izi, a Music Together® (at Music House) teacher with a beautiful voice and a passion for early childhood music education.
The other day, one of our friends- who comes to Music Together® every Sunday with us- sent me a text that has stuck with me, while also perfectly capturing why these early experiences matter so much.
“Sometimes I wonder if [my child] enjoys going to Music Together® …but then out of the blue she’ll sing a song she learned in class or ask to listen to a “Teacher Busy” (her cute name for Teacher Izi) song.”
During class, her child watches quietly and doesn’t participate in obvious ways.
As parents, we sometimes wonder if our children are paying attention when they’re quietly observing. And of course, we should know this by now- they absorb everything.
It reminded me so much of my own child. She’ll suddenly begin singing songs from class and proudly announce, “Teacher Izi sings that!” We listen to Music Together® in the car everyday and she frequently comments... “Teacher Izi sings that song!”
At just two years old, one of the very first teachers she’ll ever remember is her music teacher.
Her first teacher is someone who sings beautifully, welcomes every child with warmth, encourages creativity, patiently teaches children to wait their turn, and helps them build confidence through play.
Those lessons may seem small, but they’re the foundation for so many bigger skills:
Listening
Taking turns
Following routines
Expressing themselves creatively
Building confidence
Feeling safe in a classroom
Learning from observing others
Teacher Izi at Music House, Humboldt Park, welcoming the class with Music Together®’s signature “Hello Song”
Long before children remember worksheets or homework, they remember how a teacher made them feel!
At Music House, that’s why we love our Music Together® program so much. Every class is designed to nurture not just musical growth, but social, emotional, and cognitive development through joyful music making. Teacher Izi, and our other Music Together® teachers, guide families through modeling, play, and doing- since our students will learn through observation and exploration, not through explanation, logic, or reason. Music is an art for feeling and listening, and many of the activities help to foster new ways to interact with the music we listen to.
Sometimes the most important teacher your child has isn’t the one they meet in kindergarten. Sometimes it’s the one who hands them a shaker, sings with them, and helps them discover that learning is something to love.
Looking for Music Together Classes in Chicago?
If you’re searching for baby music classes, toddler music classes, or Music Together® in Chicago, we’d love to welcome your family. Our classes are designed for children from birth through age five and the grown-ups who love them, creating meaningful musical experiences that last long after class is over. Sign up today!
