As a parent, what is my role in class?

Sing, dance, and have fun! You might be surprised to hear that you are your child's most important music teacher right now—and it doesn't matter whether you think of yourself as a great singer or dancer. Young children develop dispositions for certain behaviors, including learning to love music, by observing and imitating their loved ones. Simply by participating enthusiastically during class and playing with the ideas at home, you'll give your children the modeling they need to learn to love to make music. Please wait to socialize or use your cell phone until after class and instead help us create a music-only environment.

What's expected of my child in class?

At Music Together^®, children are never required to sit in the circle or expected to conform to an adult's idea of participation. We know that children learn differently from adults. They learn instinctively and constantly, through observation, interactions with adults and older children, and through imitation, play, and, especially, movement. One hallmark of Music Together is the insight that children will naturally develop music ability simply when they are immersed in a community of families all making music.

Children's responses depend on their most dominant learning style and temperament as well as their age and developmental level. Some might follow the teacher right away. Many will simply want to watch and absorb, particularly in the first few weeks of class. Some might crawl or toddle around; others are stimulated by the music and respond more actively, running, jumping, or dancing. All are perfectly natural responses to the new, musically rich environment. Throughout the semester, your teacher will help you tune in to how your child learns best so you can support their music development in class and at home. Feel free to ask if you have questions!

How should we use the Music Together^® materials?

Play your songs frequently, especially during the first few weeks of class. Make the music available for your child to listen to while she is playing or before nap or bedtime. Create your Music Together account and download the Music Together app for digital versions of the songs and more activity ideas to try! 

Use the songbook to help you learn the songs and get new musical activities to use at home. If you play an instrument and want to play along, the music notation is available in the Family Music Zone^®  Try using the songbook at storytime!

What is the class size?

Each class has between 6 and 12 registered children, plus their caregiver(s).  Infant siblings 8 months and under do not count in the class numbers. Sometimes we must cancel or combine a class due to low enrollment. If we cancel your class before it is slated to begin, we will make every effort to place you in another class.  If we cannot place you in another class, then we will refund your tuition payment in full.  If we cancel your class after the semester begins, we will negotiate your refund on a case-by-case basis. 

When can I expect a class confirmation?

You will receive a class confirmation email immediately after you register and pay for your class. 

What if I miss a class during the semester?

Each family is allowed two makeups per semester. Makeups are available at any location.  To schedule a makeup, click on "Make Up Scheduler" on the home page of the website. Please note:  makeups do not carry over term to term and need to be completed during the current semester.  Makeups are on a space-available basis and do fill up (especially at the end of each term), so try to book in advance. Please visit our Make Up Classes page to learn more. 

What if I need to withdraw from a class?

No refunds are given after the session begins.  If you cancel after the start date, you can get credit for a future semester.  If you cancel before the session start date, you will get a full refund. 

Can I switch to a different class?

Requests for class changes must be initiated within the first three weeks of the semester. Depending on class availability, changes are made at the discretion of the center director and teachers involved. Changes are not made after the third week of the semester.

What if I start classes after the semester begins?

Always B Creative welcomes families at any point during the semester! ABC will pro-rate tuition for you. 

Can we eat in class?

Please feel comfortable nursing your child in class, but we ask that you not bring food or drink (except for water in a closed container) into the classroom. Fewer distractions allow more opportunities for children to engage in musical activities.  In addition, we want to protect any children who have allergies to food products such as peanuts or milk.  We also encourage you to remove your child's pacifier so (s)he is free to experiment with sounds during class. 

Can I bring my sick child to class?

Please keep your child home if sick.  Take advantage of our liberal makeup policy and make up the class when your child is well again.   Do not bring a child with fever, a rash, a hacking cough, a streaming nose, oozing eyes, or lice or nits to class. If you are in doubt about whether you should attend class, please consult your child's doctor.  

We have many pregnant women and newborns in our classes (some only weeks old) and we want to assure you we are taking every precaution that our classes stay healthy and that those who are at most risk, if exposed to measles, are protected. Although we do not have a policy in place with regard to vaccinations (legally we can not discriminate), we do have a very strict sick policy in place and are taking every precaution to keep all the instruments and the classrooms we use, clean. 

We take the utmost caution and clean everything after class, to prevent any illnesses from spreading.  

May I bring my phone to class to take videos/pictures during class?

We ask that families refrain from taking photos or videos during class time.  Music Together is very much about creating community and it is very hard to do so if people are on their phones.  We want the entire family to participate in class and phones become a hindrance to participation.  In addition, picture-taking easily distracts the children from the musical activities.  We do, however, welcome the taking of pictures before or after class.

If a caregiver is bringing your child to class, please let them know of our policy.

Will classes be cancelled in inclement weather?

Always B Creative follows NYC school district's policy with regard to weather cancellations.  Should the public schools close due to inclement weather, our classes will be closed as well.  We will alert you to cancellations by email and on Facebook as well. 

What is your OUTDOOR weather policy? 

In the event of inclement weather the classes will be held on Zoom. This can occur if there is heavy precipitation, thunder, or a "feels like" temperature below 40º F in the forecast. ABC will make a determination 2 hours before before the class start time, and will notify enrolled families via text, and email.

Please know that while ABC will do everything in their power to make a decision based on the most up-to-date weather forecast, the weather may change in unpredictable ways. If an unpredictable change in the weather does occur, we will proceed with the outdoor class as scheduled, as long as conditions are safe. 

Can I bring a guest or an unregistered older sibling to class?

Music Together® classes may be in session when older children have a school holiday, and we always look forward to singing with our siblings and incorporating them into our Mixed Aged classes.  In addition, both or either parent, grandparents or caregivers are welcome to attend class at any time--no need to ask!  Whole family music-making in your home is extremely valuable to your child's musical development, and attending class occasionally helps the other family members join in at home. 

Why aren't there classes for specific age groups?

Classes with children of different ages have intellectual and social benefits for both younger and older children. In fact, it's the learning environment recommended by many early childhood researchers. Older children learn empathy and awareness of others, while developing leadership qualities and gaining self-confidence. Younger children learn by imitating the older ones and often show more complex behaviors earlier than usual. Even babies benefit by being in an environment that gives them lots of opportunities to observe the behavior of children of varying ages. Plus, it allows everyone—siblings, parents, grandparents, caregivers—to share in the musical experience together!

Do you offer gift certificates?

Gift certificates toward classes can be purchased at any time. They make fabulous baby shower, birthday, or holiday gifts. Please contact us if you’re interested in purchasing one.