By observing young children, it becomes clear how much they enjoy music. When they hear unfamiliar sounds, they become incredibly curious; and when they are introduced to musical instruments, they show interest in learning more and exploring them.

Taking advantage of children’s natural interest in music, we created the Musical Gatherings for babies and toddlers as part of our baby.Living project, with the goal of using music to leverage new possibilities of experience and development for the little ones.

Vinícius Medrado is in charge this beautiful work. He is a music and Brazilian culture teacher at be.Living. We spoke with him to share more of this unique experience with you. 

bL: How do the Musical Gatherings for babies and toddlers work in practice?

Vinícius: Music is an invitation to play and explore in a variety of ways: playing and experimenting with different instruments, dancing and producing sounds with the body, singing, and having fun. Through sounds and music, children are encouraged to make new movements, explore objects and instruments, interact in various ways with their caregivers, with me, and potentially with other babies as well. The songs and the sounds of the instruments create a cozy and loving atmosphere.

bL: How is the experience of working with babies like?

Vinícius: Babies are incredibly special. They connect with the ideas, songs, and games in their own unique way… Some enjoy exploring the environment, others connect with the objects presented, while others prefer to observe first. As time passes and bonds are created, we will offer a variety of activities for children to explore and experience new opportunities.

bL: In a sense, you are a mediator between the babies and the caregivers who attend the workshops, right?

Vinícius: Yes. As I introduce songs and instruments, I also become a mediator between babies and their caregivers, as adults broaden their repertoire of songs and sung games to interact with the little ones. These adults are also invited to share songs and musical activities they do with babies at home, making these gatherings even more enriching. The workshop is an invitation to reunite with our beloved babies and our inner children!

bL: What are the benefits of music for the cognitive, creative and emotional development of the babies?

Vinícius: A number of studies discuss the benefits of music for child development. With nearly two decades of experience as an art educator, I have come to understand the power of music to express emotion, to bring joy, and to invite us to dance, to play, and to sing! Think about how the world would be like without music… If music is so important and special to us adults, just imagine how much more meaningful it is for babies and young children who are just getting to know the world and are open to all kinds of stimulation. For the little ones, a well-developed musical work not only brings joy and pleasure, but also expands their motor repertoire through exploration of instruments, sharpens their hearing, speaking, and singing abilities, and encourages their creativity and interaction!