A baby doesn't need to know anything about music to enjoy it: they understand it before they understand words. Your singing voice soothes them, they turn towards a rattle, and they move when something has a beat. A music class won't teach them to play an instrument; it gives them time each week to listen, move and share with other babies, and with you.
We see it every week in our playroom. Babies who only watched at first end up reaching for the drum as soon as they walk in.
What music does for your baby
They learn to listen. Telling a loud sound from a soft one, a fast one from a slow one, is the same listening they later use to pick out the words in a sentence. Songs repeat, rhyme and go slowly: they are the gentlest way to hear language.
They find the rhythm in their body. Clapping, swaying or tapping a drum in time means connecting ear and movement. At first it's chaos; within a few weeks they start to follow the beat.
They feel safe with you. In your arms, while you sing, your baby feels your voice and your breathing. It's time with nothing else to do but be together.
They discover other babies. Watching another child play, waiting for their turn with an instrument, laughing at the same moment. These are their first group experiences, in a small, calm space.
You take songs home. What you sing in class comes back at bath time, in the pram or at bedtime. Having your own repertoire changes the hardest routines.
And one important thing: you don't need to sing well. Your baby loves your voice because it's yours.
Our three music classes
We have three classes, each with its own teacher and its own way of approaching music. All of them are in small groups, in our downstairs playroom.
Music Therapy, with Alicia Keller
Sundays · 10:30 and 11:30 · babies 6 to 24 months
A class full of movement, in Spanish. Alicia fills the playroom with instruments, sound objects and colour, and the babies play, crawl and dance at their own pace. It's designed to support development in every area and to give you a moment that's just for the two of you. It's our Sunday class: perfect for the whole family.
Music & Movement in English, with Sing With Sylvie
Wednesdays · 11:30 Baby (6–24 months) · 17:30 Toddlers (18 months–3 years)
A high-energy class, bilingual in English and Spanish. Each week Sylvie brings different instruments and a new props for creative movement, and always ends with a percussion jam session where everyone plays. Sylvie is a singer-songwriter and has been teaching music to children for over 15 years. She studied and worked in the United States for several years before bringing her method to Madrid.
Music & Me, with Jasper Isaac
Thursdays · 11:30 Minis (0–3 years) · 17:30 Kids (2–5 years)
The calmest of the three, 100% in English, and the only one that continues up to age 5. Jasper arrives with his cello and gives children a real introduction to music: they hear an instrument up close, sing, play and learn by doing. The children are spellbound, and every class ends with bubbles.
Which one should I choose?
It depends on your child's age and what you're looking for.
|
If your child is… |
and you're looking for… |
we recommend |
|---|---|---|
|
0–3 years |
a calm first class, in English |
Music & Me Minis (Thursday 11:30) |
|
6–24 months |
lots of movement, in Spanish |
Music Therapy (Sunday) |
|
6–24 months |
lots of movement, in English and Spanish |
Sing With Sylvie Baby (Wednesday 11:30) |
|
18 months–3 years |
an energetic afternoon class |
Sing With Sylvie Toddlers (Wednesday 17:15) |
|
2–5 years |
a real introduction to music, in English |
Music & Me Kids (Thursday 17:15) |
If you're torn between two, message us or drop by the shop and we'll help you choose.
How to book
All classes take place in our playroom at Calle Palafox 20, next to Plaza Olavide. Places are limited to keep groups small.
- Schedule and bookings: on our calendar.
- Coming every week? We offer 4- and 10-class packs plus monthly and quarterly memberships at Packs & Memberships.