Friday, 17 January 2014: Two Hundred and Ninety Two Days Old.

I took Ayla to her first music class today; a special program designed to help babies develop a love of music and language.

It was really fun! There was quite a few babies there around Ayla’s age, and lots of new parents like me too, so we all felt silly and awkward together.

Ayla seemed a bit overwhelmed at first, I don’t think she could work out whether to watch the other kids, listen to the “teacher” or play with the instruments.

And there were heaps of instruments; from egg shakers, to drums, to tambourines, bells, triangles, maracas… they just kept on coming!

The whole session was really interactive, we adults sang and danced with our babies so that we could role model music-making and fun at the same time.

By the end of the session Ayla seemed to be getting into it all, although she couldn’t decide whether to wave her hands around, clap or screech, or all three at once.

But after it was over and we got into the car, Ayla started singing (well, trying out new sounds really).

It was as if Ayla had learned how to sing during the session and she’d just been waiting on some privacy to practice.