Frequently asked questions
Questions about our programs, enrolling, or what to expect? Here are the ones we hear most. Do not see yours? Just reach out.
In class we sing, dance, chant, and play along with instruments to a variety of musical styles, melodies, tonalities, and rhythms. You and your child will also participate in creative movement, improvisation, and finger and lap play songs. Most important of all, we have fun while creating a rich and lively musical community.
Nothing at all. Leave your instruments at home, we have got you covered.
Because you are your child's most important role model, they learn best by watching and listening to you. Your participation as a music-maker is vital to your child's developing love of music. Plus, music class is so much fun. Sing out!
In the 1980s, Music Together pioneered the mixed-age approach in early childhood music. In each class we create a musically rich, developmentally appropriate environment where the whole family can enjoy music and nurture skills at the level right for each child. Mixed-age classes also provide a rich learning environment because children of different ages thrive when they interact with each other. This approach is based on research from music education, early childhood development, and family relationships, as well as our years of experience in the field.
All children are musical. The same way a child has the innate ability to speak and understand their native language, they have the ability to do the same with the language of music. Do you wait to talk to your child until you are sure they can answer back? They talk when they are ready, because they have been immersed in language from birth. They walk when they are ready because they felt your movement while in your arms. Giving a child that same kind of immersion in musical experiences provides them opportunities to learn to sing in tune, keep a steady beat, and develop their own special way of expressing music through movement.
No. We promise you will not hurt your child's musical abilities by singing to them, even if you are not always in tune. They will hear plenty of in-tune music through other mediums, but your voice and your presence are most precious to them. What you and other primary caregivers do, they want to do too. Although we, as teachers, help your child learn skills, your child gains the positive disposition toward active music-making from you.
- Arrive on time. This helps you and your child settle in. Hearing the Hello song is important to your child.
- On your way to class, talk about where you are going, listen to your music, and remind your toddlers to use walking and dancing feet in class. Running can be unsafe and contagious.
- In class, be present, participate, keep it musical, and have fun.
- Catch up with friends after class. Talking during class can be disruptive to your child's learning and to others in the music space.
- Outside of class, listen to your music, use your songbooks, make up silly songs, and share music you love with your little ones.
Look at our class schedule and find a time and location that works for you and your child, then register. If you like, schedule a drop-in visit first.
You can make up any class you miss at any time within the same session. Use our online make-up scheduler to book your family's make-up, one per family even if you have more than one child enrolled. See our enrolled families page for the full policy.
We highly recommend starting at the beginning of the session so your child gets the most out of their music class experience. If there is space in the class you are interested in, you may join at a pro-rated rate. If the class is full, you may add yourself to the waitlist by selecting the Waitlist button. Fingers crossed a spot opens for you. We will let you know as soon as possible if it does.
Yes, space permitting you can switch to a different program. To make the change, contact director@songbirdsmusic.com. There is a $42 service fee.
Music Together and Canta y Baila Conmigo are two completely different programs, each with their own music, family materials, and class structure. This service fee is collected by Songbirds Music but passed directly to the program you are switching into. We are happy to accommodate the change but cannot absorb the cost as a licensee.
There are many different learning styles. Some children are visual learners who watch before they experiment. Others are aural learners, listening even when across the room. Kinesthetic learners need to move. A child's learning happens in a multi-layered way, through active participation, watching others, experimenting with instruments, and simply being there and listening to you sing. Instead of waiting for your child to do something, let yourself go and do it yourself. Then watch and listen at home, and you will see and hear how much they are absorbing.
You are in the right class. Let your children experience class in their own way. As long as your child is being safe, they are welcome to move about the space, or not, however they please. Trust the process and your child. They will pick up a lot more than you think. If your child needs redirection, the best thing you can do is get up and dance with them. You are always welcome to step away for a quick break and return when your child is ready.
Please silence your cell phone, respect the privacy of the families and teachers, and be present. Snap the occasional picture or short video of your cutie. Note: our music and materials are copyrighted, so long videos are not permitted. Please share these best practices with grandparents and class visitors, and tag us @songbirdsmusic.
Not only may you, we encourage it. Research shows preschoolers learn best in a mixed-age environment. The little ones learn by watching and imitating the older children, and the older children love being the big sibs and showing the little ones how it is done. This family-style environment facilitates participation for every child, at whatever developmental stage they are in.
We are all about family music making. That means moms, dads, spouses, partners, grandparents, aunties, and uncles are all welcome. Note: cousins and nanny shares must register separately.
Our studio, also known as the Nest, is in Point Loma / Liberty Station inside the Dorothea Laub Dance Place, at 2650 Truxtun Road #109, San Diego, CA 92106.
The parking lot entrance is on Dewey Road (Lot P). You can also park in Lot R across from the Dance Place, or on the street. There is a stroller ramp on Dewey Road right outside the studio. Please arrive early to allow time to park, walk, check in, and settle into the space.
If you or your child is not feeling well, take the time to rest and stay home. We have a no-tolerance policy for any child or participating adult who comes to class showing symptoms of illness. When in doubt, err on the side of caution. Our make-up policy is very generous.
This goes for our teachers too. If we need to cancel or reschedule classes, we will notify you as soon as possible by text and email, and any missed class dates will be added to the end of the session. Songbirds Music follows CDC and State of California guidance.
There are nine Music Together song collections and a growing number of Canta y Baila Conmigo collections. A different collection is used each semester, so when you register for your next semester you can look forward to new songs and chants, taught with the same kinds of activities, plus a brand new songbook. Because your child will be at a different place developmentally, each activity will be exciting to them, whether for its familiarity or because they grasp it in a new way.
We love you and your musical family too, and positive reviews are music to our ears. Leave your feedback on Google or Yelp, or send us a video review, a social media shout-out, an email, or an old-fashioned letter. Word of mom and dad is the bees knees. Tell your friends, family, neighbors, nannies, and preschools, and ask us about our referral program.
Still have a question?
We would love to hear from you. Call, text, or send us a note and we will get right back to you.