Description

First Steps in Music with Infants and Toddlers Online 

Online Course – Live on Zoom Friday evenings: January 30 – February 20, 2026 7:00–10:00 PM US-Eastern Standard Time (New York) (4:00–8:00 PM Pacific – Los Angeles)

Workshop Description

Research underscores the significance of music in the development of children’s brains, and this session provides educators, leaders, and caregivers with the skills and knowledge necessary to nurture music in very young children. Bron and Connie, authors of Everyday Music Making for Babies, will share their extensive experience and insights on effective ways to teach babies and toddlers in various settings, including parent-child classes, at home, and in daycare or preschool environments.  Participants will experience a rich “banquet” of developmentally appropriate songs, rhymes, and musical games designed for infants and toddlers, including:

• Bounces
• Wiggles
• Tickles
• Tapping and clapping
• Simple songs
• Circle games and dances
• Lullabies
• Keeping the beat and choreographed movement ideas 

Session Objectives

Participants will learn:

1. Philosophy, Research, and Pedagogical Techniques: Research findings and pedagogical techniques will be discussed, giving participants a solid foundation to create their own strategies.
2. Developmentally Appropriate Musical Activities: Learn bounces, wiggles, tickles, tapping/clapping, simple songs, simple circle dances, lullabies and peek-a-boo games.
3. Key Musical Developmental Milestones: Learn about milestones in musical development that inform the creation of successful lesson plans.
4. Use of Folk Songs, Rhymes, and Classical Music: Participants will learn how these materials can be effectively incorporated into musical activities to nurture the musical minds and abilities of infants and toddlers.
5. Real-World Experience: Practical insights and examples will be shared, including anecdotes, videos, case studies, and valuable tips.

Expect to leave the session with a well-rounded understanding of the philosophy, research, and practical techniques for introducing music to infants and toddlers, with a focus on achieving Tuneful, Beatful, and Artful outcomes.

Fame-Hosted Course and Event Absence and Refund Policy

FAME-hosted In-Person and Online Events: If, prior to the start of the course, a participant can no longer attend, a refund can be requested. A $25 processing fee may be assessed.

Online Courses and Events: Participants are expected to attend the online course or event live each week. In the event of an emergency (e.g., illness, personal, etc), please contact the moderator directly. Once the course has begun, refunds will not be issued for missed sessions.

About the Instructors

Connie Greenwood is a FAME-endorsed First Steps in Music teacher, teacher trainer, mentor, and advocate. She has taught birth to preschool music classes for over thirty years and brings a wealth of experience. Connie runs her own music business, Greenwood Music Services, LLC, and presently teaches preschool and kindergarten music classes in several schools as well as First Steps in Music parent/child classes. She served as the lead teacher in the successful First Steps in Music program through the Hartt Community Division in West Hartford, Connecticut for over 20 years.

Ms. Greenwood has taught Kodaly Methods Level 1, First Steps in Music Teacher Trainer Courses and college-level Music and Movement Development classes for non-music majors at the University of Hartford. Ms. Greenwood enjoys giving workshops to help preschool teachers learn how to incorporate joy-filled music in their day. She has directed and conducted a children’s choir for over 20 years and is very active in her church music program. Connie frequently plays guitar, piano, dulcimer, or autoharp when accompanying herself and her enthusiasm for children, music and teaching is contagious.  

Ms. Greenwood completed her Bachelor of Music degree from the Hartt School at the University of Hartford and worked with Dr. John Feierabend in the early development of the First Steps in Music Curriculum. She taught K-2 and elementary choir in the West Hartford Public Schools. Connie graduated from the University of Hartford with a master’s in music education, Kodaly emphasis degree. She completed her Kodaly Levels, Conversational Solfege Levels, and her First Steps in Music Certification. Connie is a founding member of the FAME organization and has served as Secretary of the Board of Directors. She is honored to be featured in the DVD, First Steps in Music for Infants and Toddlers in Action (GIA, 2018), she is a contributing writer to the book Feierabend Fundamentals (GIA, 2018) and wrote the First Steps in Music Parent Handbook (GIA, 2018). Connie also partnered with Carnegie Hall’s Lullaby Project and supported young families by organizing a team of musicians (including herself) who composed and recorded 13 original and personal lullabies.

Ms. Greenwood has raised four tuneful, beatful, and artful children with her supportive husband and is now excited to be sharing interactive musical activities with her seven precious grandchildren. To relax, Connie enjoys gardening, drinking coffee with friends, and cooking for her family.