The Music Institute of Chicago is launching a research-backed music program for babies through age 5 at its Winnetka campus in September.
The program, called RCM Smart Start, was developed by the Royal Conservatory of Music and will be available in the Chicago area exclusively through the Music Institute, the organization announced Thursday, Aug. 27. The Evanston Roundtable first reported the news. Classes will also be offered at the Music Institute's Evanston and Lake Forest campuses.
RCM Smart Start places children in weekly, age-specific classes. Activities include movement, instruments, play, and music drawn from cultures around the world. The Music Institute says classes are kept small and expects them to fill quickly.
What the research shows
A four-year longitudinal study conducted at the Royal Conservatory of Music found that children in the program showed improved letter and number naming, stronger vocabulary, and better musical abilities. The study measured a 33% reduction in singing error among participants.
The curriculum targets four cognitive skills: attention, memory, perception, and cognitive flexibility. Those are building blocks for early literacy and school readiness, according to the Music Institute's announcement.
"Music is one of the most joyful and powerful ways young children learn," Shalisa Kline Ugaz, president and CEO of the Music Institute of Chicago, said in the announcement. She added that the program helps families nurture curiosity, confidence, and foundational cognitive skills in their children.
Who teaches it
The Music Institute's early childhood teachers hold additional certification in RCM Smart Start through the Royal Conservatory. Across the institution, 84% of faculty hold advanced degrees and most have at least 10 years of tenure. The nonprofit was founded in 1931 in a Winnetka farmhouse and operates campuses from Chicago to Lake Forest.
How to sign up
The Music Institute is hosting free Smart Start demo classes on Saturday, Sept. 12, at its Evanston East Campus, 1490 Chicago Ave. No Winnetka demo date has been announced.
Fall enrollment is open for RCM Smart Start and the Music Institute's full range of lessons across all ages. Families can register at musicinst.org/smart-start or call 847-448-8300. The Winnetka campus is at 300 Green Bay Road.
