Music Exploration for Curious Young Learners
Ready, Set, Play! is Silver Music’s signature early childhood program for children from 18 months through age 6. Designed with care and intention as a systematic introduction to music-making, our classes guide children toward a joyful, confident relationship with music – one that not only supports future music study but broader learning and self-expression.
Ready, Set, Play! Approach
Ready, Set, Play! Classes incorporate elements of the Suzuki Method and the Dalcroze Method of music education within a nurturing environment perfect for very young children.
The repetition, listening, imitation, structure, and small steps of the Suzuki Method are combined with the improvisation, musical discovery, and movement and rhythmic emphasis of the Dalcroze Method to offer children a broad range of experiences.
Our classes introduce violin, viola, cello, flute, and piano in addition to other elements of music study. Students play rhythm instruments, listen and move to music, read and write rhythms, and sing. Repetition of songs and activities from week to week allows children to gain confidence as they achieve mastery of musical skills. These classes encourage and prepare young children for instrumental study in a fun, relaxed, and supportive environment.
Children learn through hands-on experiences. Across all age groups, children engage with:
- Live instrumental music
- Movement and rhythm activities
- Singing, vocalizing, and musical storytelling
- Note-reading (even our youngest toddlers enjoy pointing to notes in rhythm)
- Hands-on instrument exploration and improvisation
- Individual musical instrument turns in every class
- Ensemble-style music-making with peers
Classes at Silver Music locations meet for 45 minutes. Classes in partnership with schools may vary in length.
What Children Gain from Ready, Set, Play!
Ready, Set, Play! supports children’s musical growth alongside their social, emotional, and cognitive development. Whether or not a family chooses to go on to study an instrument more formally, participation in RSP classes gives children a strong foundation across multiple instruments and gives parents a window into their child’s interests as well as areas of strength.
Across all age groups in RSP classes, children develop:
- Comfort and confidence in a music classroom
- Strong listening and attention skills
- Work on rhythm, coordination, and musical awareness
- Confidence expressing themselves through sound and movement
- Positive experiences participating individually and in groups
- A joyful, lasting relationship with music
Ready, Set, Play! classes give children the opportunity to explore the beginning steps of each instrument before choosing one to pursue more seriously, while building a strong foundation for future study. Along the way, children develop confidence, self-expression, pattern awareness, and the ability to connect and collaborate with others. We encourage both children and parents to enjoy this stage of exploration, allowing interests and readiness for more formal instruction to develop naturally.
Progression & Experience
Ready, Set, Play! is designed as a continuous early childhood music experience that grows with the child. Classes are offered in age-based groupings to support different stages of development; however, placement is guided by the individual child based on their comfort, curiosity, and readiness.
Across all classes, children engage with:
- Live instrumental music
- Singing and vocal play
- Movement and rhythm activities
- Hands-on exploration of child-sized instruments
- Warm, predictable musical routines
As children grow, these same experiences take on new meaning — supporting listening, coordination, collaboration, and musical confidence over time.
Fall, Spring, & Summer
We have Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters, and you may enroll for a session at a time for your scheduling convenience. Most students continue in the same class for the Fall and Spring Semesters (15-18 weeks), and many children continue in our shorter Summer Session (8 weeks).
Most students continue in RSP classes for two or three years, depending on the age when they began, as they grow in ability, focus, and interest. New children are welcomed and supported, while returning children model routines and musical skills.
Class Experiences by Developmental Stage
Ready, Set, Play! offers class experiences that reflect common stages of early childhood development. Age ranges are approximate, and teachers work closely with families to help determine the most supportive fit.
> 18 months to 2.5 years: Early Exploration & Comfort
At this stage, children are becoming comfortable with the music classroom itself. Familiar songs, repetition, and predictable routines help children feel secure and open to musical exploration. Early listening and ear-training begin here and continue throughout the Ready, Set, Play! experience.
Children explore music through:
- Listening to live instrumental sound
- Moving their bodies in response to music
- Vocalizing, singing, and using rhythm instruments
- Observing and participating alongside a trusted adult
- The invitation to touch and explore various instruments
In a typical class, children use rhythm sticks, resonator bells, drums, egg shakers, and scarves, along with sung, recorded, and live music. Children are invited to touch and play a string instrument and/or the piano each week. We move and respond to orchestral pieces, such as Saint Saens “The Carnival of the Animals”.
For children at this stage, attending class with a parent or caregiver provides a secure and familiar presence, allowing them to explore music with confidence and ease.
> 2 to 3 years: Growing Independence & Participation
At this stage, children begin to engage more independently while remaining supported by familiar routines and adults nearby. Music becomes increasingly social as children feel part of a musical community.
Children start to:
- Participate more actively in group music-making
- Learn rhythmic and melodic patterns
- Engage with instruments more intentionally
- Get practice taking turns and listening to other children play
In a typical class, children use rhythm sticks, resonator bells, and drums to explore musical concepts including rhythm, pitch, and sequences. We move and listen to orchestral music and live instrumental music, acting out stories and feelings. Children are introduced to the correct ways to hold the string instruments and play the piano, but exploration is invited and encouraged. We also introduce rhythmic notation, and children learn to point to the notes across a measure of music.
> 3 to 4 years: Focus, Curiosity & Musical Exploration
At this stage, children show growing focus and curiosity about how music works. Structure and repetition allow children to develop confidence and enthusiasm in their music-making, while also preserving playfulness and imagination.
Children may:
- Sustain attention for longer musical activities
- Explore instruments with greater care and intention
- Understand patterns in rhythm and pitch
- Enjoy engaging with familiar pieces of music through movement, singing, and playing in a group
In a typical class, children use rhythm sticks to master rhythms and simulate playing the string instruments, explore both pitch and rhythm with a set of resonator bells, create group improvisations with drums, and move to the Suzuki repertoire and orchestral music. We continue working on the correct way to play each instrument during individual turns, while still meeting children where they are developmentally. Children recognize more complex rhythms and may begin to write their own rhythms as well.
> 4 to 6 years: Confidence, Collaboration & Musical Expression
With familiarity and experience, children engage with music more confidently and collaboratively. Some children at this stage may begin to show interest in more focused instrumental study or gravitate toward a favorite instrument, while others continue to enjoy playing all of the instruments as well as the musical exploration aspects of the class.
Children often:
- Participate comfortably within the group
- Share musical ideas and take turns
- Listen to and respond to peers
- Express creativity through rhythm, melody, and movement
- Move to the beat, echo rhythms and melodic messages with increased accuracy
- Accept more detailed guidance from a teacher on how to hold the instruments correctly and do specific activities with each instrument.
In a typical class, we use resonator bells to work with both pitch and rhythm, learn and improvise short pieces, and play along with Suzuki repertoire. Instrument turns are extended as children are ready for more instruction from a teacher, and we may play in duets or small ensemble groups as well. Children also enjoy writing and playing increasingly complex rhythmic pieces on the piano and rhythm instruments.
Feedback & Readiness for Instrumental Study
We offer feedback about your child’s readiness for the next steps in music through individual conversations and information sessions through the year to help you decide if and when you might be ready to apply to our Instrumental Program in a chosen instrument (piano, violin, viola, cello, or flute).
→ Learn more about our Instrumental Program Application Process.
Helpful Resources
Suggested Listening at Home for All Ages
A primary goal in our classes is to familiarize children with great music, including the Suzuki recordings, which are used in almost every class. We recommend continuing this listening at home, as it helps develop the musical ear and rhythmic sense and may increase your child’s interest in and mastery of the class material.
You can download a Suzuki recording here in any instrument. We suggest starting with Volume 1 of Cello, Violin, Viola, Piano, or Flute. You can experiment with listening at different times of day (morning, bedtime, meals, car rides, etc.) and see how having a music listening routine affects your kids and family life, as this is something you will continue if/when your child begins instrument lessons in a few years.
Suggested Rhythm Instruments to have at Home
We use Rainbow Xylophones in our classes and recommend it as a high-quality rhythm instrument to have at home for your child to explore both pitch and rhythm. Rhythm Band Fluted Rhythm Sticks are also used in our classes to simulate playing the string instruments and practice rhythmic patterns. Many children enjoy doing various activities from the class at home. Making space for musical play at home paves the way for more formal practicing when your child is older and ready for lessons and daily practice with an adult.
