FAQs

What is School of Rock-a-bye Babies?
Do babies and toddlers really benefit from music classes?
What makes School of Rock-a-bye Babies different to other music classes?
What happens in a class?
What type of music is taught?
How long is a class?
How many children are in a class?
How much do classes cost?
Do you offer a sibling discount?
Do I need to pay per term or can I do pay-as-you-go?
Can I attend a trial class for free?
Are there classes all year round or just during term time?
Are there different age groups for different classes?
At what age should I start bringing my child to School of Rock-a-bye Babies?
What happens at a School of Rock-a-bye Babies party and nursery/playgroup session?
How do I use Song Bank?
What is behind School of Rock-a-bye Babies giving to charity?
How can I get a School of Rock-a-bye Babies class in my area?

What is School of Rock-a-bye Babies?

School of Rock-a-bye Babies is a unique baby and toddler music 'school' based in Maida Vale, London, introducing the fundamentals of music and music theory to babies and toddlers (alongside their carers) from the ages of birth to 4 years.
See more...

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Do babies and toddlers really benefit from music classes?

In one word: absolutely!

Studies around the world have proven that exposure to and participation in musical activities from birth (and even in the womb!) enhance development of motor-skills, language and meaning, coordination, memory, confidence and cooperation.

Have you ever noticed how toddlers love to dance when they hear anything with a good rhythm or a catchy melody? Or how about how a newborn is transfixed when hearing a lullaby? Or, have you ever tried to learn something by singing it instead (try French verb conjugation to 'Mary Had A Little Lamb'!). It's all about the music!

As human beings, we are born with a natural understanding of music. No matter how musical we may become as adults, our understanding and appreciation of music starts from birth and, depending on how it is nurtured, grows from there. Giving young children an environment in which they can explore and learn with music provides them with a solid developmental foundation. Plus, making noise is so much fun!

Follow the links below for more information on the benefits of music in child development:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/parents/yourchild/childdev_chart.shtml

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What makes School of Rock-a-bye Babies classes different to other music classes?

School of Rock-a-bye Babies classes will ROCK! They will be:

Really fun
Original
Constantly stimulating
Keeping music education and play at the root of everything taught

Your child will shake a rattle and roll!

School of Rock-a-bye Babies classes will involve the following:

__ • Exposure to different styles of music - in every class, your child will hear and learn a variety of different styles
__-_ of music which will enhance their overall musical development. Styles of music explored in classes will include:
__-_ many types of classical music, jazz, blues, rock-n-roll, folk, funk, soul, and world...to name a few.

__ • Real Instruments and Real Musicians - your child will have the opportunity see, touch and 'play' a variety
__-_ of musical instruments and meet many real musicians.

__ • Small Classes - all classes will have a maximum of 15 children (plus carers) and will be taught in a supportive
__-_ and stimulating environment. Smaller classes will allow Elizabeth to give your child more one-to-one time
__-_ and provide an opportunity for you and your child to get to know the other children and carers in the class.
__-_ After all, the classes need to be fun for you too!

__ • Progressive series of lessons - by attending a course and/or the different stages of School of Rock-a-bye Babies
__-_ classes, your child (and you!) will learn about rhythm, melody and harmony through play. Each SRBB stage
__-_ develops what is taught in the previous stage(s) to provide your child with a progressive and stimulating
__-_ and evolving programme of learning, that corresponds to his/her physical and mental development.

__ • Engaging Visuals - from funny shaped instruments to bubbles, scarves, puppets and lights, SRBB classes
__-_ will be full of visual aids that will engage your child with what s/he is learning.

__ • Games - classes will involve fun musical games which you will be able to play at home with your children
__-_ to strengthen their listening and motor skills and their understanding of playing together.

__ • Actions and Movement - every class will involve singing and listening to music with a variety of actions
__-_ and movement which will enable your child to develop his/her language and meaning, coordination
__-_ and memory skills.

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What happens in a class?

Each class will:

__ • Be themed around one of the three fundamentals of music - rhythm, melody, and harmony.
__ • Involve your child singing, playing and listening to time-honoured and original songs that relate to the theme of the day.
__ • Introduce your child to a new instrument to listen to and play with.
__ • Allow your child to play with a variety of musical instruments.
__ • Use a variety of stimulating visuals.
__ • Involve games, actions and movement.

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What type of music is taught?

SRBB's classes involve singing and listening to a variety of time-honoured and original music!

Styles of music explored in classes will include: many types of classical music, jazz, blues, rock-n-roll, folk, funk, soul, and world...to name a few!

From Bach to The Beatles, Mozart to Miles Davis, Nursery Rhymes to Nelly Furtado, Stravinsky to The Shins: babies and toddlers love all sorts of music! By attending School of Rock-a-bye Babies classes, your child will be exposed to a wide variety of music and musical styles from which to begin his/her musical education.

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How long is a class?

The taught element of each class is 35 minutes. There is also time built in before and after the 35-minute teaching time to enable you and your fellow carers (and their children) to get to know each other, if you wish.

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How many children are in a class?

There are a maximum of 10-15 children/class depending on which class and/or venue.

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How much do classes cost?

__ • £115 / term of 12 classes (£135/term Rock'n'roll Pre-school)
__ • £63 / term of 6 classes
__ • £12 per class on a 'drop-in' basis **

__-_*Only if space available following full-term bookings.
__-_** If space is available on the day. Email info@schoolofrockabyebabies.com the day before to reserve a drop-in spot.

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Do you offer a sibling discount?

Yes! Younger siblings aged up to 8 months are FREE, and, for multiple-birth siblings (i.e. siblings of the same age),
a 50% discount applies after one full-price child is paid for. Otherwise, as SRBB classes are tailored to and taught to specific age groups, it is not possible offer a sibling discount for classes. However, why not consider having SRBB come to you? If you and your friends have more than one child under three, SRBB will be happy to teach a broader class or series of classes to any group of children of mixed ages in your home.

See the Parties/Groups Page for more information

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Do I need to pay per term or can I do pay-as-you-go?

School of Rock-a-bye Babies classes are structured classes that build on musical themes and ideas throughout a term. In order to get the most out of the classes in each stage, it is recommended that your child attends a Full Term course of 12 classes.

Book early to avoid disappointment!

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Can I attend a trial class for free?

Yes! We think it is important for your to see if School of Rock-a-bye Babies classes are for you. Come along for a taster session and see what you think.

Please fill out our on-line application form.

Someone will get back to you within 3 business days to schedule your trial for the earliest possible date.

Please note: free trials are dependent on space and availability and must be booked in advance.

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Are there classes all year round or just during term time?

SRBB classes are offered all year round (with some time off for holidays every now and then)!
Please check the calendar on the Classes Page for the current schedule of SRBB classes being offered in your area.

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Are there different age groups for different classes?

Classes are divided into three age groups/stages in order to best suit your child's learning at his/her stage of physical and mental development:

__ • Birth to 9 months - Baby City Rollers
__ • 9 to 15 months - Toddling Wilburys
__ • 16 months to 2 years - New Kids on the Rock
__ • 2 to 4 years - Rock N' Roll Pre-school

Each stage provides a different level of musical learning for your child. Why not take your child through each stage to give him/her the best start to his/her musical education?!

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What age should I start bringing my child to School of Rock-a-bye Babies?

Learning and loving music can start at any age! Feel free to bring your child to School of Rock of Rock-a-bye Babies classes at any age from birth to 3 years.

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What happens at a School of Rock-a-bye Babies party and nursery/playgroup session?

School of Rock-a-bye Babies party and nursery/playgroup sessions are one-off musical experiences especially tailored to your occasion and your group. Find out more...

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How do I use the Song Bank?

The Song Bank allows you and your child to listen and sing along to SRBB hits at home! You will find downloadable MP3s and lyric sheets of the original songs we sing in class. The Song Bank will soon include recordings of many nursery rhymes and action songs as well as original SRBB game songs - watch this space.

And, don't forget to buy yourself a copy of the first SRBB CD via the eShop - you won't be disappointed!

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What is behind School of Rock-a-bye Babies giving to charity?

School of Rock-a-bye Babies believes that all children have the right to benefit from early education in music. As such, SRBB gives a percentage of all profits to a variety of different musical charities to give every child a chance to rock!

Please look at the Giving to Charity page on the website to find out more.

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How can I get a School of Rock-a-bye Babies class in my area?

School of Rock-a-bye Babies is always looking to expand!

If you are interested having School of Rock-a-bye Babies classes in your area or opening your own SRBB franchise, please telephone 07702 815 080 or email elizabeth@schoolofrockabyebabies.com to discuss opportunities in your area.

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