Musikgarten

Musikgarten is the leader in early childhood music education—for children and teachers. The Lebanon Valley College Musikgarten Program offers a complete multi-year educational program that helps infants, toddlers, and children develop a deep love of music and the ability to express it.

In addition to in-class instruction, home materials are used to reinforce lessons and involve the entire family in the Musikgarten fun. CDs and downloads of the songs sung in class, age-appropriate instruments, and parent guidebooks are provided to every student.

There are many benefits children gain by taking part in our music and movement program, encompassing musical, physical, emotional, social, and cognitive growth. Our curricula support the learning process and strengthen these benefits.

Musikgarten includes nature as part of the classroom. We believe in the benefits of teaching children to value and respect our natural environment. Even the products and packaging of our home materials are environmentally conscious.

Please see the schedule for the classes that we are offering.  We offer the following classes in the fall and spring:  

Family Music for Babies: Recommended for children ages newborn to 18 months old. This is an eight-week program with a 30-minute weekly class and is taken with an adult caregiver. Each class features bouncing and rocking songs, wiggle and peek-a-boo games, and other fun activities for the two of you. Musikgarten’s musical play for babies:

• Increases your baby’s curiosity about music
• Develops listening skills and a sense of beat
• Establishes a foundation for singing and musical thought
• Helps you form a closer bond with your baby
• Gives you and your baby a chance to interact with other parents and babies

Family Music for Toddlers: Recommended for children 16 months to 3.5 years old. This class is attended by an adult caregiver. It is a 12-week program with a 30-minute weekly class. These weekly classes are action-filled for toddlers–full of energy, often on the move, always exploring and learning–and their parents. Together you’ll sing, chant, move, dance, listen, and play simple instruments, all activities that bridge the natural connection between music and movement through four wonder-filled semesters. Each lesson features movement activities for coordination, body awareness and control, exploration of space, and instruments such as rhythm sticks, jingles, rattles, drums, and resonator bars.

Cycle of Seasons: Recommended for children 3 to 5 years old. This class is a 12-week program with a 45-minute weekly class. This class is taken without an adult caregiver present until Gathering Time at the end of each class. Celebrate your preschooler’s growing independence and love of the outdoors with activities involving the four seasons in The Cycle of Seasons. Developed to build attention and self-expression, activities include singing, chanting, moving, focused listening, musical games, exploring musical instruments, creative movement, and storytelling. The Cycle of Seasons nurtures your growing child’s ability to use language and participate in dramatic play within a musical context.