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Early Elementary Music Education
Early Childhood Music
Piano Preparatory, Pre-piano,
Music or Piano Mommy & Me
Early Elementary Music, Piano Preparatory (Pre-piano), MUSIC Mommy & Me, PIANO Mommy & Me, Parent & Me
Early Elementary Music Education
Early Childhood Music
Goals of the Programs
The Early Elementary Music Education, Early Childhood Music programs are designed to encourage and prepare students to sing tunefully, to keep the beat and move rhythmically, to express creatively, to play the piano and/or another instrument, to make music together and with other people, and to perform music for others.
These skills are developed through active participation in music-learning, music-making, music-listening, fine and gross motor-movement activities, and creative-expressive activities over a period of time, which can span one to four years.
Students also will learn a large repertoire of traditional, historical, and contemporary children’s songs, folk songs, American patriotic songs, holiday songs, folk hymns, folk dances, and some Spanish and other language songs.
Each music class/lesson will facilitate these ten activities and learning objectives:
Introductions, “Hello” song, warm-up activities, stretching, tension-releasing, movement of limbs and fingers.
Vocal warm-ups, singing in head voice, the music alphabet, and solfege.
Singing in preparation for a performance. Song repertoire. Posture and stage presence.
Playing a variety of pitched musical instruments. Piano, ukulele, xylophones, bells, and handbells.
Movement warm-ups. Free and creative expression, experimentation with movement.
Movement in preparation for a performance. Dance repertoire. Posture and stage presence.
Book reading and/or music stories and concepts, active listening and participation.
Keeping the beat: Counting and clapping games, drums and percussion instruments.
Coloring music-themed images with crayons, building blocks, playing catch with balls, and other fine motor skills activities.
Wind down, quiet time, music listening. “Good-bye” song. Students and parents help clean up and put things away.
“Mommy & Me”
“Mommy & Me” Music and Piano
What do parents learn at Music and Piano “Mommy & Me”?
In Music and Piano “Mommy & Me” (or “Parent & Me”) lessons, parents learn to play the piano, or other musical instrument. Parents are the music students, along with their very young children (ages 0-2). Parents learn to play the piano, or other musical instrument, along with learning other musical knowledge and skills, and children learn by watching, listening, and to the extent possible, participating in the musical learning and activities.
If you are interested in Music and Piano “Mommy & Me” it is important to understand that you will be learning to play the piano (or other musical instrument)! And when you bring this music learning home, your child can enjoy “practicing” with you, and alongside you!
What do children learn at Music and Piano Mommy & Me?
Gross and fine motor skills.
To sing tunefully!
To keep a beat, and to move rhythmically!
To gain confidence and to express creatively.
When age and size appropriate, to play the piano, too!
The Music and Piano “Mommy & Me” curriculum developed by Dennis Frayne Music Studios and used at the Laguna Niguel School of Music encourages the following musical learning and experiences for young children and their parents (as age and size appropriate):
Children are encouraged to sing, to learn many songs, to “deep-dive” into the songs, and to perform some of the songs in formal and informal settings, including studio recitals. The songs range from popular children’s songs, contemporary pop songs, and traditional folk songs, to folk hymns, patriotic songs, and some Spanish-language songs. The songs are chosen for different reasons - sometimes because they are fun, sometimes because they are educational, or historical, and sometimes because the are tuneful. And, the songs represent the beginner repertoire that students will learn when they take piano lessons (it is a huge benefit for beginning piano and other instrumental students to know the songs they are learning to play on the piano or other instrument).
Children are encouraged to move, to clap, to properly beat drums, tambourines, and xylophones, to dance, and to express creatively with their whole bodies. These movement and rhythmic activities help students develop motor skills and increase self-confidence in expression and in “standing on one’s own two feet.”
Children are encouraged to learn a variety of helpful skills - musical skills, motor skills, and life skills. These skills include learning the alphabet, the music alphabet, solfege syllables (Do Re Mi), numbers and counting, colors, learning left hand from right hand, spatial up and down, left and right, understanding pitch direction, grasping the piano keyboard layout and patterns of white keys and black keys, developing hand and finger independence, catching a ball, learning some Spanish-language words and numbers, and more.
Which program is right for my child?
Children ages 0-2, perhaps age 3 should start with “Mommy & Me” Music and Piano.
When ready, students will advance to Pre-piano and then Piano Lessons. Children ages 4-5 (in some cases age 3) can start on their own, if ready. All students (and parent-student pairs) should register for an introductory lesson. At this lesson, students will engage in some musical activities and learn a song on the piano! This lesson will also provide us an opportunity to determine, with you, the best placement for your child, which might be “Mommy & Me” Music and Piano, Pre-piano, or Piano Lessons. For lessons other than “Mommy & Me,” individual private or group instruction may be available. “Mommy & Me” Music and Piano is only available as individual private lessons.
Children ages 6+ will start directly in Piano Lessons.
When signing up for an introductory lesson, please be prepared to provide us with your full scheduling availability. This will help us put together the best teacher and the best time slot for you and your family.
Read more below about our Early Elementary Music programs and learning goals and objectives.
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Early Childhood Music Education
Early Childhood Music Education
MUSIC “Mommy & Me,” PIANO “Mommy & Me,” PRE-PIANO
Goals of the Programs
The Early Childhood Music Education programs are designed to encourage and prepare students to sing tunefully, to keep the beat and move rhythmically, to express creatively, to play the piano or another instrument, to make music together and with other people, and to perform music for others.
These skills are developed through active participation in music-learning, music-making, music-listening, fine and gross motor-movement activities, and creative-expressive activities over a period of time, which can span one to four years.
Students also will learn a large repertoire of traditional, historical, and contemporary children’s songs, folk songs, American patriotic songs, holiday songs, folk hymns, folk dances, and some Spanish and other language songs.
Each music class/lesson will facilitate these ten activities and learning objectives:
Introductions, “Hello” song, warm-up activities, stretching, tension-releasing, movement of limbs and fingers.
Vocal warm-ups, singing in head voice, the music alphabet, and solfege.
Singing in preparation for a performance. Song repertoire. Posture and stage presence.
Playing a variety of pitched musical instruments. Piano, ukulele, xylophones, bells, and handbells.
Movement warm-ups. Free and creative expression, experimentation with movement.
Movement in preparation for a performance. Dance repertoire. Posture and stage presence.
Book reading and/or music stories and concepts, active listening and participation.
Keeping the beat: Counting and clapping games, drums and percussion instruments.
Coloring music-themed images with crayons, building blocks, playing catch with balls, and other fine motor skills activities.
Wind down, quiet time, music listening. “Good-bye” song. Students and parents help clean up and put things away.
Music Lessons from a Very Young Age
Starting music lessons at a very young age, even as toddlers, offers numerous developmental, cognitive, emotional, and social benefits that can have a lifelong impact. Early childhood music education helps develop essential skills such as listening, coordination, and memory, which are fundamental for both music and overall learning. Young children exposed to music develop stronger language and communication skills, as learning melodies, rhythms, and lyrics enhances their ability to recognize sounds and patterns. Research suggests that musical training can even boost early brain development, strengthening neural connections related to problem-solving, creativity, and emotional intelligence.
Music lessons at an early age also improve motor skills and coordination. Whether through playing simple instruments like drums, xylophones, or small keyboards, or through movement-based activities like clapping and dancing, young children refine their fine and gross motor skills. Playing an instrument strengthens hand-eye coordination, finger dexterity, and muscle control, all of which support other activities such as writing and sports. Additionally, engaging with music fosters emotional expression and confidence, helping children feel more comfortable expressing themselves and exploring their own creativity.
Socially, early music education helps toddlers and young children develop important teamwork and cooperation skills. Group music classes provide opportunities for interaction, taking turns, and playing together in rhythm, promoting patience, discipline, and social bonding. Music can also be a wonderful tool for stress relief and emotional regulation, helping young learners feel calm and engaged. Most importantly, introducing children to music at an early age instills a lifelong love for music, setting the foundation for future learning, whether in formal lessons, school ensembles, or simply enjoying and appreciating music throughout life.