Ladybug Music Sydney: the best toddlers music classes on the Northern Beaches

Ladybug Music Sydney

My daughter was and is obsessed with Ladybug Music. Of all the activities, groups and programs I’ve done with my kids over the years this is most definitely one of the top 3 I would recommend any day of the week. It’s so high on my list of “best ever” it would be hard to knock if it’s pedestal.

I wish we had discovered this sooner, when we first got to Sydney so we could have done it longer!

Ladybug Music didn’t even know about this review until I had to ask for some photos – most of mine were blurry from trying to capture a dancing 2/3 year old.

This is one of the 3 activities on the Northern Beaches that I would endorse, if asked to, any day of the week!! 

I am writing this review up of my own accord and from my daughter’s and my personal experiences of these classes. Unfortunately, she has outgrown them otherwise we would still be there every Wednesday.

My siblings and I were brought up with music, my mom being very musical. We were always singing and harmonising and putting on shows. All four of us sang and played musical instruments growing up. My daughter has a similar love of music.

For me, what makes this program so good is that it is teaching the foundations of music. That coupled, with the incredibly talented (and patient) teacher makes for the perfect music class for kids.

If you want something for your little one that is more than just noise and chaos, this is the program you need to look at!

Ladybug Music Sydney

What makes Ladybug Music Sydney different

You wouldn’t believe it possible but the absolutely magic woman that runs Ladybug Music Sydney manages to fit 9 different sections into each of the music classes.  She is also so so calm. There are kids dancing, babies climbing into her lap and she just acknowledges them and then keeps the class going. I wish I was able to maintain my composure and control of the situation as well as she does!!

Each elements is purposive. The program is one of the things that makes Ladybug Music Sydney great.

The Ladybug Music website says the following of its approach:

Ladybug Music offers a research based, mixed age (infant – four years) class that exposes families to the richness of musical styles that reflect the wonderfully eclectic music of our time and culture.

When you sign up to the class, you will also get access to the music that is used in that term. The music itself is INCREDIBLE. Specially put together by the creators of Ladybug Music. Each song has a different beat and style to it. You’ll get one song that is a rap or hip hop song, punk rock, another that is a lullaby. It’s a really good compilation to expose children to the different types of music. And, it also means that no matter how different your children are to each other, they will have at least one favourite track on the album.

The music is really incredible for little ones who have an interest in music. It introduces them to so many different styles, temps, beats and rhythm. I’m really impressed with how my daughter’s love of music developed through this program.

The class programme

At the very start of the class, before the programme begins there is a bit of free play, I think. We’ve never really been early enough to experience that.

Once the class register is taken and the shoes and socks are off the programme begins.

Don’t worry if you’ve got an “active” child, it’s perfectly okay for them to run around like crazy. Sometimes it’s your child, sometimes it’s someone else’s child. It’s all perfectly alright!

As I said, there are 9 aspects to the class but these are grouped together in different sections.

Warming Up Into the Music 

The class starts with Rhythm call-and-response. Here the kids are getting to understand different rhythms while also learning about listening and repeating. It’s not that easy when you’re little. What I saw with my kids is how it helps train their memory. My daughter taught this to my son and they would play it as a game in the car.

Next up is the Hello song. This is still one of my daughter’s favourite songs. A year down the line. The basis of the song is hello but during it you mention each person in the class. My daughter LOVES when I sing it to her and name everyone we know.

Music with Co-ordination 

The Hello song comes with drumming which is a good opening for the more action type songs.

So next the kids do sitting action songs. Think incy wincy spider type songs but way cooler.  One of the ones we use to do was a song where the kids got to sit our their carers lap and they bounced along to the rhythm of the music. The point of this is to let the kids “feel” the music.

Shaker Songs come after that. Again there is a purpose – to enhance their co-ordination and spacial awareness. Thankfully, Clare doesn’t get flustered when there are demands for a pink shaker (because they clearly don’t work the same as the other colours).

Loved by all kids are the rhythm sticks songs. These are songs where the kids get to use drum sticks to find the beat. In this part they learn about temp, practicing fast and slow and dynamics (like crescendo.

Up to this point all the songs are sung by the teacher whilst she plays the guitar. It’s simply easy to follow music with everyone singing along together. 

Music and DANCE! 

There is now a change where the kids stand up and follow basic moves using their whole bodies.

Following the stand up dance, there is the scarf dance. This was my daughter’s favourite part. Some music is chosen and put on for all the kids to dance around to. Generally golden oldies, I treasure the memories I have of dancing with her. I hope that these will be etched in my mind forever!

The Calm Down 

After acting like maniacs the kids are brought down to earth. They are invited to blow out the light and then lie down to listen to a lullaby with the guitar.

This lullaby, like all the other songs, is included on the CD that you are given in the second class.

Ending Class 

The end of the class is introduced by the Goodbye song. A standard song sung each term, like the Hello Song and it mentions each of the kids in the class’ names.

At the end of the class, after the goodbye song, the kids get to touch the guitar or whatever major instruments were used in the class, if any. The class teacher is so comfortable with children, I’ve  never even heard her raise her voice, even when the odd child has got heavy handed with the guitar.

More Information about Ladybug Music Sydney

There are classes in Mosman, Fairlight, Neutral Bay and Lindfield.

You can join classes at any time in the term and the fees are then prorated. There are make up classes, up to two per term. Given some of the other activities we have done, this is really out of the ordinary.

Best of all, everyone can try a class for free. That way you can decide whether it’s right for your child before confirming for the term. 

You can get all the information you need from the Ladybug Music Sydney Website