Select Page

Wondering which ChIMES (Childhood Introduction to Music Education, with Smiles) class is right for you and your child? Learn more about the different ChIMES class offerings.

Which class is right for my child?

SDYS Childhood Introduction to Music Education, with Smiles!Not only are ChIMES classes fun for your whole family, but your child will be gaining skills that are crucial for early learning and school readiness. Activities with our teachers are playful and interactive, and the classes are personalized to accommodate all children, and encourage musical development and active participation. You and your child will sing and move, listen to a variety of music and instruments, play your own instruments, and learn about rhythm, tone, and other musical concepts.

Our ChIMES curriculum focuses on the child/caregiver shared musical experience. Actively participating in class and interacting with your child is the key to a fun and enriching experience!

ChIMES Level 1: Babies

Recommended for ages 0 up to 18 months

“Modeling”
Phase: Parents/caregivers are the primary models and teachers. Children observe and imitate, and begin to participate as they get older, develop more skills, and become more familiar with the class routine.

What to Expect: Singing, dancing, lap songs and bounces, peek-a-boo games, scarves and movement, basic rhythm activities, guest musicians and instrument show and tell, hands-on play with egg shakers, tambourines, and other instruments!

ChIMES Level 2: Toddlers

Recommended for ages approximately 18 months to 3 yrs old

“Exploring”
Phase: Children observe, imitate, and participate in more involved ways as they become familiar with the class routine and become more developmentally able to manipulate their voices, bodies and musical instruments. They begin to interact with others in class and it becomes more of a parent/child experience rather than parent-led.

What to Expect: Building on Level 1 skills, with more emphasis on singing and solfege (e.g. “Do-Re-Mi…”) as language skills emerge, introduction to harmony and intervals, dancing and large movement, creative expression, more advanced rhythm activities, guest musicians and instrument show and tell, instrument play with rhythm sticks, shakers, bells, drums and more!

ChIMES Level 3: Preschoolers

Recommended for ages approximately 3 – 5 yrs old

“Creating & Doing”
Phase: Children participate more fully and begin to generate their own ideas, sounds and movements. The class has transitioned from parent-led to child-led. Parents and caregivers still actively participate, but children in this class are more independent and also engage with their peers and teacher.

What to Expect: Building stronger ensemble skills through more advanced singing (including scales, solfege, intervals, two-parts), rhythm activities and movement; improvising and creative expression; new instruments (including pitched percussion like chime bars/glockenspiels and unpitched instruments like drums, wood blocks, triangles, etc); introduction to basic music notation and concepts through age-appropriate games and play.

San Diego Youth Symphony