Classical Music for Toddlers
Nursery Age 1 Curriculum Suggestions
by Katrina Lybbert


Classical Music Overview

Toddlers will really benefit from listening to classical music.  In the Nursery Age 0 Curriculum the classical music focus was on selections by Mozart.  For Age 1, I have now shifted the focus to selections by J.S. Bach.  Your toddler will still benefit from listening to Mozart as well and I would suggest playing the Mozart Effect Cds often. 

For each of the 24 lessons I have suggested a selection of classical music that my children and I enjoy.  You can choose different selections from mine if you have difficulty finding a recording.  I would, however, suggest keeping the pattern of alternating each lesson with music by J.S. Bach.

Another recommendation I have is to consider having your child take Suzuki music lessons at the age of 3 or 4.  The Suzuki method, in my opinion, is the best method for teaching young children to play an instrument.  It is also beneficial for character training.  If you are going to have your child take lessons, begin now by purchasing the Book 1 recording for the instrument of your choice.  Play this recording as background music daily.  Just as a child listens to speech for a year or two before speaking, listening to the music your child will play for a year or two before lessons will bring quick progress when the time comes.

The Suzuki method covers the following instruments:  Violin, Viola, Cello, Piano, Flute, Guitar (Classical), Harp, and Recorder (Soprano and Alto).  Before deciding which recording(s) to get for your child, make sure you will be able to find a teacher in your area for that instrument when the right time arrives.  Violin and Piano are the most popular.  Read up on the Suzuki method, suggested readings are listed below. 
 
 

Classical Music Resources

Suggested Reading

The Mozart Effect for Children by Don Campbell
Nurturing Your Child with Music by John M. Ortiz, PH.D.
Good Music, Brighter Children by Sharlene Habermeyer
Nurtured by Love: The Classic Approach to Talent Education by Shinichi Suzuki
Ability Development from Age Zero by Shinichi Suzuki
To Learn With Love: A Companion for Suzuki Parents by William and Constance Starr
 

Suggested Music CDs

Baby Needs Bach
Baby Bach  (Baby Einstein Company)
Bach for Babies: Fun and Games for Budding Brains
Build Your Baby's Brain Through the Power of Bach Volume 4
 

Suggested Web Sites

The Classical Music Archives

Thoughts on the importance of music for young children:
http://www.montessoriworld.org/Music/Singing.html

Parenting and the Suzuki Method

Suzuki Association of the Americas
 

Classical Music Lesson List


Lesson 1  Bach: Minuet in G, BWV Anh. 114 from the Anna Magdalena Bach Notebook
Lesson 2 Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Op. 43, Var. No. 18
Lesson 3 Bach: Prelude No. 1 from The Well-Tempered Clavier
Lesson 4 Grieg: Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, Prelude (Morning)
Lesson 5 Bach: Gavotte from French Suite No. 5 BWV 816
Lesson 6 Mendelssohn: Song Without Words, Book 5, Opus 62: Spring Song
Lesson 7 Bach: Minuet in G, BWV Anh. 116
Lesson 8 Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on Greensleeves
Lesson 9 Bach: Siciliano from Sonata No. 4 for Keyboard & Violin BWV 1017
Lesson 10 Pachelbel: Canon in D Major
Lesson 11 Bach: Air on the G String (from Suite No. 3 in D for Orchestra BWV 1068)
Lesson 12 Tchaikovsky: Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy
Lesson 13 Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 2, 3rd Movement
Lesson 14 MacDowell: Woodland Sketches No. 2, Opus 51: To a Wild Rose
Lesson 15 Bach: Double Violin Concerto in D minor BWV 1062 Second Movement
Lesson 16 Offenbach: The Tales of Hoffmann: Barcarolle
Lesson 17 Bach: Christmas Oratorio BWV 248
Lesson 18 Mozart: Piano Sonata in A Major K 331: 3rd Movement (Rondo Alla Turca)
Lesson 19 Bach: Andante from Concerto No. 5 for Keyboard & Orchestra BWV 1056
Lesson 20 Dvorak: Humoresque in G-flat Major No. 7, Opus 101
Lesson 21 Bach: Partita for Keyboard No. 1 in B-flat Major BWV 825 Prelude
Lesson 22 Beethoven: Moonlight Sonata
Lesson 23 Bach: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
Lesson 24 Chopin: Etude No. 1 Op. 10,1 in C Major

 
 


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