Baby Class
Teacher: Milda Snow
Age: 0–3 years
Time: Saturdays, 9:00–10:30 am.
(Unless otherwise noted on the school calendar)
Welcome to Our World of Music!
Music for Little Ones’ Growth
Music is important for a child’s development from the very first years of life. Through singing, listening, repeating, and movement, children develop their listening skills, memory, language abilities, sense of rhythm, coordination, emotional awareness, and social skills. Musical activities also stimulate and develop the brain, helping little ones grow into curious, capable, and bright children.
In our Baby Class, all of this happens through Lithuanian songs, nursery rhymes, and rhythms. Many of these songs have been sung in Lithuania for generations—perhaps some of them were also sung by us when we were children. Now we have a beautiful opportunity to pass this Lithuanian musical treasure on to our little ones while nurturing their love for the Lithuanian language, music, and Lithuania.
A Class Inspired by the Suzuki Method
This class is loosely based on the Suzuki Method, which I have adapted to Lithuanian songs, nursery rhymes, and rhythms.
Dr. Shinichi Suzuki was a Japanese violinist and teacher who spent many years studying how children learn and developed this wonderful method based on children’s natural way of learning.
Parent Involvement
During the lessons, it is very important for parents to sing along with the teacher, clap or tap to the rhythm, move, move their little ones, use different facial expressions, and actively participate.
Parents are their children’s first and most important teachers. The more songs and music a child hears at home, the more naturally they learn.
Perhaps one day, completely unexpectedly, you will hear your little one humming or singing one of our Lithuanian songs. Children may begin singing even before they begin speaking.
Repetition Is Very Important for Children
These lessons may seem a little repetitive to adults, but for children, familiar routines and repetition provide a sense of security and help them learn more easily and absorb new skills and information.
Listening and Learning from More Advanced Students and Performers
In the Suzuki Method, it is important that young children not only make music themselves, but also listen to and observe more advanced students and performers. From time to time, we will invite them to perform for our Baby Class and demonstrate how to perform a piece, behave on stage, bow, and receive applause.
By watching and imitating older performers, little ones develop their attention, memory, listening skills, and musical abilities. At the same time, they naturally build confidence and a desire to improve.
Stage Etiquette and Performances
The Suzuki Method encourages children from an early age to perform, look neat and presentable on stage, bow beautifully, and learn to accept and enjoy applause. These experiences help children develop confidence, courage, and self-expression from a young age, while learning to take joy in their efforts and accomplishments.
Throughout the year, our Baby Class will have several wonderful opportunities to perform and take part in celebrations that are important to Lithuania, such as Kūčios (Christmas Eve), the February 16th and March 11th commemorations, and Mother’s Day celebrations.
Performances for little ones are not about perfect execution. The most important thing is for the child to feel safe, experience joy, and have the courage to be in front of an audience.
Every performance by a child—even the smallest one—is a beautiful experience that helps them learn to express themselves, be comfortable among others, and feel proud of what they have learned.
Baby Class – For Children and Moms
This class is not only for the little ones. It can also be very meaningful and valuable for moms.
When raising a young child, sometimes we simply need someone to talk to—to share our joys, worries, and everyday challenges with. That is why we leave time after class for coffee and friendly conversation.
Connecting with other moms who are raising children of a similar age provides support, connection, and the very important feeling that we are not alone. Sometimes, one conversation with another mom who is going through similar experiences can mean so much.
A Few Requests
If your little one does not want to sit in the circle, listen, and would rather run around and explore—that’s okay! Even while playing, children are watching, listening, and learning. Every child has their own pace. Let’s allow children to be children—with patience, love, and without pressure.
We kindly ask that parents refrain from talking among themselves during the lesson. We also ask that children’s snacks be saved for after class (except for feeding babies).
Children can become distracted very quickly, so the moms’ attention and active participation during the lesson are very important to their learning experience.
And then—it’s time for coffee, conversation, and a cozy time together.
The Benefits of Songs and Activities
Below, I would like to briefly share the purpose and benefits of just a few—not all—of the songs and activities we use, so I don’t overwhelm you with too much information.
Although some movements, sounds, or games may seem very simple to us as adults, for a young child, each one is an important learning experience.
Through singing, moving, repeating, and playing, children develop their brains, attention, memory, coordination, language, and learning skills. Therefore, even the simplest clap, movement, or glance toward the teacher is a small but important step in a child’s development.
We are playing, but those little minds are working at full speed!
Rolling the Ball
Played along the Lithuanian folk piece “Klumpakojis”
Why is ball rolling used in Suzuki early childhood classes?
Taking turns and social interaction – Rolling the ball back and forth teaches children to wait for their turn. This is one of the first foundations of socialization and later participation in an ensemble or other group activities.
Developing attention and concentration – The predictable movement helps children focus their attention and anticipate what will happen next. This is an important cognitive skill.
Developing gross and fine motor skills – Rolling and catching the ball helps children develop hand-eye coordination, balance, and control of their movements.
Building connection and confidence – Rolling the ball together with a parent strengthens the parent-child bond. Rolling the ball between children encourages gentle cooperation and awareness of others.
Song: “Ku Ku”
Ku Ku, where are you?
(Child’s name) is here!
(Child’s name) is here!
Why is the “Kuku” song sung with children’s names in Suzuki classes?
Personal recognition – Using a child’s name helps them feel noticed, important, and included in the activity. It strengthens their sense of identity within the group.
Social development – Children learn to recognize their own names as well as the names of others, helping build a sense of community and belonging.
Language development – Hearing their name within rhythm and melody develops listening skills, word recognition, and early language abilities.
Musical development – Repeating the melody with different names allows children to learn pitch, rhythm, and phrasing in a playful way.
Up and Down
Moving up or down with your child according to the sounds played on a xylophone
Why does the Suzuki Method use this exercise with babies?
Understanding musical direction – Babies begin to connect movement with sound: when the music moves upward, their bodies move upward; when the music moves downward, they move downward.
Connecting hearing and movement – This helps children experience that sounds have direction and that music can be expressed and experienced through movement.
Spatial awareness – Babies begin to understand concepts such as high and low, going up and going down.
Preparing for musical thinking – At an early age, children learn primarily through their bodies. This exercise helps them internalize musical patterns and structures through physical experience.
Why Do Parents Alternately Tap Babies’ Left and Right Feet to the Rhythm?
In Suzuki classes, parents may gently tap the baby’s feet alternately—left, right, left, right—following the rhythm while singing the songs.
Developing a sense of rhythm – Babies physically experience rhythm through their bodies even before they are able to move to the rhythm independently.
Cross-body coordination – Alternating the left and right sides encourages coordinated movement and helps babies become more aware of both sides of their bodies.
Body awareness – Through gentle, repeated touch, babies begin to recognize their feet, movement patterns, and rhythm.
Preparing for movement – These experiences support the development of movement patterns needed for crawling, walking, and coordinated movement, all of which are connected to rhythm and a sense of timing.