Glasgow Children’s Music School
I’d heard all the claims that music was great for babies’ development, and how classical music can even make them smarter…and although I didn’t knock it, I’m not sure I was 100% convinced either. That was until I watched my baby’s eyes light up at my TV screen when Elton John and Brandon Flowers began their rendition of Tiny Dancer at Glastonbury. Music can have a powerful, transformative effect on people—especially little brains.
The Benefits of Music
Studies show that music contributes to better memory and cognitive skills because it releases endorphins, the so-called “happiness hormone”. But making music, not just listening to it, is particularly beneficial for their fine-motor skills. It also teaches them how to listen, take turns, and work as a team, so finding a good music class for your little one is a great way to expand their language and development through play.
One of our favourites so far is The Glasgow Children’s Music School, a specialist music school with a base in the West End. The GCMS founder, Katie Hepburn, warmly welcomes us to the toddler class in Maryhill Burgh Halls. We sit in a circle as she opens the session with a gorgeous lullaby on the violin, before moving onto songs & rhymes with knee bouncing, rocking, swaying, and encouraging all the rhythm and self-expression we can muster!
‘Babies are born musical!’ says Katie. ‘They have an innate understanding of pulse, rhythm, and pitch which are the building blocks of music.’
With classes aiming to nurture children’s musicality, all songs and games are chosen carefully to match their developmental stages. ‘Songs and rhymes help children to “catch” the sounds and patterns of speech and language, whilst rocking, swaying, and marching develops coordination and balance.’
Happy Responses
After Katie’s puppet has made a brief appearance—injecting lots of smiles and giggles into the session—we move onto the percussion instruments which includes shakers, bells, claves, and wave drums. ‘Our classes for babies and toddlers follow a similar structure each week. The predictable pattern helps children feel confident and creates space for them to learn and join in,’ says Katie.
I look around the room and notice how responsive the toddlers are to the sounds. One little one is shaking his shaker like it’s nobody’s business, whilst another is bouncing up and down on her mum’s lap to the beat of the tunes. It’s clear the see how happy music makes these young children, and that happiness is spilling out to the adults, too, as they watch their kids grow in confidence week-by-week.
With 20 years of teaching experience, Katie opened the GCMS in 2013. ‘The school has grown organically over the years, and we now teach over 200 children each week. A good quality music class can benefit a young child’s development in just about every way possible! At the GCMS we aim to create a warm and welcoming environment for parents/carers and their children to have fun and enjoy spending time together.’
Well, from our experience, they’ve certainly done that! After exerting all their musical energy and creativity, the toddlers are intently listening to the violinist play some live wind-down music accompanied by Mr Teddy!
Glasgow Children’s Music School is open 7 days a week and offers a free trial class to all baby, toddler, preschool and primary 1’s. They also offer music lessons in violin, piano, and guitar to school-aged children. So, what are you waiting for? The beat is calling!
To give your baby or child the best musical start, you can book on their website:
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