Music Together®® is a fantastic early childhood music and movement program! I know this first-hand, not only as a teacher for 8+ years but also as the mother of a son who benefited from its curriculum. The impact of learning rhythm, movement, and melodies on a young child’s brain is well-researched. In these classes I have watched as babies grew up into toddlers and then into preschoolers. I have seen these babies sing the resting tone, I have heard preschoolers sing entire songs in tune and I have followed the beat-tapping feet of a toddler as he circled around the room. These are only some of the musical milestones that I’ve had the opportunity to witness in my classroom.
But over the years I have also seen children in my classes with challenges that simply made the classes too difficult for them to manage week after week. Sometimes I suspected that the transitions happened too quickly for them, and in other situations I could see that sound sensitivity was causing discomfort as a child had to leave the room for the loud or high-pitched songs. Maybe the group was too large for some. Many of these children were simply unable to continue with class.
This always upset me. I believe that Music Together is a class for everyone, after all it is called music together. I wanted to be able to support those families but lacked the knowledge and expertise to do so. I didn’t even know where to start.
This past year I was approached by a mother from one of our classes in Andersonville. Her name is Jordan Sadler, MS, CCC-SLP, director of Communication Therapy P.C. She’d seen children in her Andersonville Music Together class with some of these challenges. She also knew from her experience in the field, that music classes for kids like these were a void that needed to be filled. So, she came to me with an idea for a class.
After months of discussing and working out the details with Jordan and Music Together headquarters, the outcome is a brand new class for ages 0-5 that will be taught by Communication Therapy associate, Laura Allison, MA, CCC-SLP. In addition to her work as a speech-language pathologist, Laura has completed the intensive Music Together® training and will be combining her clinical skills with her musical ability to teach this class.
Here is the official class description:
MIXED AGE – Supportive Environment
This Mixed Age Supportive Environment Music Together® class will offer increased support to children exhibiting regulation disorders, speech issues, sensory processing disorders or developmental delays. They will attend alongside their typically developing siblings. Adaptations will be made so that each child can participate to the best of his or her ability. The instructor will use visual aids to accompany music and activities, adjusting sensory input as needed to maximize the engagement and enjoyment of each child. Communication between parents and the instructor will provide parents with strategies to increase engagement and participation of their children. It is our goal to offer an experience rich in music, movement and interaction in a fun and supportive environment.
I am excited to present another option for Merry Music Makers’ families. The 10-week class will start in January at the Communication Therapy clinic on Saturday mornings. If you or someone you know are interested in this class, please visit the registration page at the Merry Music Makers website! Registration opens on Monday, November 16. | 
