FirstSounds^©

Rhonda Plourde, Director of FirstSounds, a prenatal music and family bonding class.

"When is the best time to begin a child's music education?

Nine months before the birth of the mother!"

Zoltan Kodály

Prenatal Music?

Yes, prenatal music!

♫ By the sixteenth week of gestation a baby can hear sounds outside of the womb.

♫ By the twenty-fourth week a baby can make sense of those sounds.

♫ Musical sounds are powerful and can help create family bonds, before the baby's arrival, which will enhance family life once the baby is here.

Now, you may think that you do not have a  “singing voice” or you are “tone deaf,” but to your baby YOURS is the most beautiful, comforting voice in the world!

Your baby does not care if you sing like  Celine Dion, Josh Groban, Ella Fitzgerald, or Stevie Wonder. Your baby loves your voice because it is yours! Those who love her are the most significant persons in her world and theirs is the sweetest voice to be heard!

A FirstSounds^© class will teach you how to create an everlasting bond through:

♪ Active participation in creating a musical environment, whether it be one of a soothing, tranquil, or playful nature.

♪ This is done through singing, gentle  movement, tactile stimulation, simple instrument play, and focused listening.

“When the nurse handed me my baby I  cradled her in my arms. As I stared at her and sang the lullaby I’d been singing in the past weeks she looked at me, like she knew she was safe, and knew I was her Mommy.”  Nikki, Mom to Elizabeth

“When I sing with my toddler my baby dances too. I was having a stress test in my third trimester, and the baby was being real still. The technician was going to get some ice water to see if we could stimulate some movement in order to complete the test. My toddler was becoming antsy so we started singing a favorite song. All of sudden the baby stared dancing and no ice water was needed!”

Tracy, Mom to Ella & Sophia

Why Prenatal Music?

♪ “What is the advantage of the musical stimulus? Mothers discovered personal characteristics they were unaware of...about their musical knowledge and preferences, as well as their doubts, fears, and hopes.”The Maternal Womb: The First Musical School for the Baby, by Professor Ruth Fridman, Former President of International Music Society for Prenatal Development

♫ "If babies who were prenatally stimulated hear familiar music, they usually turn their heads in the direction where the music is coming from. Such babies can change their facial expressions while listening to these rhythmic sound variations, perhaps even smile and increase their sucking. Gabriel F. Federico, M.T. 

♪ “Repeated exposure to the same song and  to its mother’s voice has notable benefits to the child, and another beneficiary is the expectant mom (mom-to-be). This time of relaxation and focus on the coming of the baby produces calming chemicals in the blood which are transferred to the baby through the placenta. These chemicals allow baby and mother to share the bonding experience, laying a foundation for later learning." http://www.expectantmothersguide.com/library/houston/bonding.htm

♫ Thomas Verny, M.D., says in his book, The Secret Life of the Unborn Child, “...a pregnant woman who spends a few minutes each day listening to soothing music could make her child feel more relaxed and tranquil.”

Who can participate in this wonderful experience?

Expectant Moms & Dads, siblings, Grandmas or Grandpas are welcome to join the class – anyone who wants to have a strong bond with the baby upon arrival.

During the classes, we will be singing songs and gently moving to music, learning about tactile stimulation, ways to soothe oneself and baby, and developing strategies for family bonding that will last a lifetime.

When is this amazing class available?

Wednesdays 1:00PM 

Thursdays 1:00PM 

Where is this delightful class being held?

Exclusively at: 

Main Street Martial Arts

1282 North Main Street

Providence RI 02904

401.274.7672 

firstsounds@gmail.com 

Main Entrance and Parking are in the behind the building. Turn at the Midas, drive around, and see Main Street Martial Arts above the door. Welcome!

Who is the incredible person behind the conception of this progam?

While working in family music classes Rhonda became intrigued with the experiences of the children attending the class in utero, with their older siblings. This led her to the work of Dr. Lorna Zemke and other prenatal music pioneers. From studying their work, and her own experiences with expectant Moms, Rhonda developed the FirstSounds© curriculum.

Rhonda is the owner and director of South  Coast Music Together. In March 2006, Rhonda earned Music Together Certification Level I for outstanding achievement in teaching, musicianship, program philosophy, and parent education. In 2005, Rhonda received her Level I certification from the Early Childhood Music and Movement Association. 

This is a priceless experience for my family, how do I compensate Rhonda?

This cost is per expectant mother, and anyone who wants

Please Register Now for the Fall 2010 Session:

Section I or II