Can Grandma, Dad, Or A Caregiver Bring My Toddler To Music Class?

We once had a grandpa come to class because his granddaughter's usual grown-up had to work that morning. He told us at the door he'd never been to a music class in his life. He sat down on the floor, put her in his lap, and started tapping the beat on her back with his hand. By the third song he was singing along with everyone else.

We hear some version of the same question every week: "Does it have to be me?" It doesn't. If your child trusts the grown-up, that grown-up can bring them.

Any grown-up your child trusts is welcome

Our Grown Up & Me classes are built for a child and a grown-up they know. That can be a mom or a dad. It can be a grandma or a grandpa, an aunt or an uncle, or a professional caregiver who's with your child during the week.

We want to say this plainly for dads and grandfathers: you belong in the circle. Some men tell us they expected a room full of moms and weren't sure they'd fit in. They fit in fine. Kids don't care who's sitting next to them as long as it's someone they know.

A lot of families split the week. Mom comes on Tuesdays, Grandma comes on Thursdays, and a caregiver fills in when things get busy. That's normal for us, and your child will still get a lot out of class no matter who brings them.

Whoever comes stays and joins in

We don't run drop-off classes. Whoever brings your child stays in the room, sits in the circle, and takes part. That means singing, clapping, bouncing, and passing out instruments.

Toddlers watch the grown-up next to them to figure out what's okay to do. When their grown-up claps, they're more likely to try clapping too. So it helps a lot when the grown-up in the circle joins in instead of watching from the side. If you'd like to know more about how our classes for this age work, you can read about our music classes for kids and toddlers.

A quick handoff note helps

If someone new is bringing your child, a short note or text can make the morning easier for both of them. It doesn't need to be long. A few things are worth sharing:

• Lap or not. Some kids want to sit in a lap the whole time. Others want to wander a bit and come back.
• Favorite spot. If your child likes a certain side of the circle or sitting near the door, pass that along.
• Favorite song. Knowing which song your child waits for gives the new grown-up something to look forward to with them.
• Snacks stay in the bag. We keep food out of the circle during class, so save snacks for after.

Two more things help a lot. Try to arrive a few minutes early so your child can settle in before the music starts. And ask your grown-up to put their phone away for the class. Kids pay more attention when their grown-up is paying attention too.

If your child clings to the new grown-up

Sometimes a child who's usually happy to move around will stay glued to Grandpa or Dad on a day when the routine is different. That's normal. A new grown-up in a familiar place can take a little getting used to, and most kids loosen up after a class or two.

The best thing the grown-up can do is stay close, keep singing, and let the child come out when they're ready. We wrote more about this in why your child sticks to your leg in music class, and it applies to any grown-up, not just parents.

No experience needed

Grandparents tell us all the time they're worried about "doing it right." They don't know the songs, they can't carry a tune, or they haven't sat on the floor in years. None of that matters. Our teachers lead everything and show the motions as we go, so there's always someone to follow.

If sitting on the floor is hard, just let us know. We're happy to help find a spot that works. If this is your family's first class, our post on your baby's first music class walks through what to expect, and it's a good thing to forward to whoever's coming.

The American Academy of Pediatrics also has a page of tips for grandparents who provide child care, which is worth a look if a grandparent is taking on more of the week.

Can two grown-ups come?

Usually it's one grown-up per child. If there's room in the class, two grown-ups can come along. Some families like to have a parent and a grandparent come together the first time so the handoff feels easier. Just check with us ahead of time so we can make sure there's space.

👉 Want to set up a class for your family, or have questions about who can come? Get in touch with us, or find a Rockness location near you.

See you in the circle,
The Rockness Crew
Rockness Music