10/27/2026
Let's talk engagement!
Children engage in activities in a WIDE variety of different ways. After observing their child in a group, I often get a question along the lines of "Was my child engaged enough?" The answer is almost always YES!!
I think parents often get caught in a comparison trap, comparing how their child engages in music to how other children are engaging in music. This is a dangerous trap! Every child is different and comes to class with different experiences, different challenges, and a different personality.
When your child is running around the room, it doesn't mean they're not engaged. When your child is not doing the hand motions, it doesn't mean they're not engaged. When your child is not following EVERY SINGLE DIRECTION, it doesn't mean they're not engaged.
Engagement is what's important in our classes and it looks different for every child. Engagement can happen from across the room or 5 inches from my face. It can happen when they're playing instruments and when they refuse to play instruments. Engagement doesn't require eye contact. Engagement happens in the brain and if you don't know what to look for, you might not notice it!
Don't get caught in the comparison trap. With a bit of explanation, you will likely find you're comparing a younger child to an older child, an only child to a child with 3 siblings, or a child attending their first class to a child that's been attending for a year. And even when comparing two children that look very similar on paper, you will find that development and engagement are not black and white. Every child is different and we want to engage children at their level.
Engagement looks different for every child. Talk to us if you’re concerned about your child's level of engagement.
Do you have a question about child development, music, or our services? Leave your questions in a comment below or email us at [email protected].
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