Rachel’s Music Together—Intergenerational Class

From babyhood through the age of five, Music Together® nurtures each child’s natural musicality. In family classes, grownups and their children come together to sing, dance and explore child-friendly instruments.

The Music Together program began in 1987 and is offered all over the world! Each semester, families experience a new collection of award-winning music and receive a CD, songbook and access to online resources to support music making at home.

Early in life, music has tremendous power to support the developing child in all their growing capacities. In addition to being enjoyable for its own sake, it forges unique connections in the brain, integrating mind, body, and emotions. It enhances a child’s language, cognitive, emotional, social, physical development as well as their learning habits and dispositions. Music Together is a research-based program and supports all of these areas of development!

One of the most magical ways to experience the program is through Intergenerational Classes. Each week, enrolled families meet with seniors, sometimes called “Grandfriends” as an extended musical family. The elders of our communities grew up and raised families at a time with less invasive technology, when informal music making was common. They have rich musical experiences to share. And, just as music-learning supports children’s development, it also greatly enhances the well-being of seniors. Neuroscience researchers and music therapists have long studied the role that music plays in the health and aging experiences of seniors.

Another benefit of these special classes are the relationships formed between seniors and families. Many young children do not have regular access to their grandparents. Families are more spread out and the distance can make it difficult to spend quality time together.

Rachel DeMicco, Center Director of Rachel’s Music Together will be offering two free classes at Mrs. Bush’s Personal Care Home for families interested in experiencing this special musical program! One on Wednesday, February 24th at 10:15 and one on Wednesday, March 16th at 10:15. Space is limited so families should contact Rachel at (570)778-6128 or go to www.mtwithrachel.com to sign up for a free class.