Early Childhood Entrepreneur Marc Trachtenberg's Rock-A-Baby

Early Childhood Entrepreneur Marc Trachtenberg's Rock-A-Baby

Moms have been singing to their babies forever, and there have also been fun music classes for moms and babies forever, but early childhood entrepreneur Marc Trachtenberg has come up with a whole new approach.

Trachtenberg’s Rock-a-Baby (R-a-B) curriculum is different from other children’s musical education because the classes feature three puppets: Rhythm, Harmony and Melody. These characters represent the three cornerstones of music and lead the class with their playful banter, high-fives and singing. Held throughout New York City and various Rhode Island locations, classes are 45-minutes of bubbles, story telling and sing-a-longs to educate infants and toddlers.

A new approach to music and babies

After graduating New York University with a B.S. in Music Education, Trachtenberg saw a variety of children musical education classes throughout the city that were encompassing a new technique, moving away from child folk songs and beginning to incorporate classical music as well as rap and rock. Trachtenberg saw the direction this new wave of child education was taking and thought he could make it better. He began the Rock-a-baby classes in 2008, first in the New York, New Jersey region and then moving back home to Rhode Island with his new family in 2010, bringing his musical talents to the Ocean State.

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Each class begins with the R-a-B welcome song, introducing each pair of mommies and little ones. Next, the new theme for the class is introduced—outer space, for example. Each class is structured the same way, substituting songs and dialogue that fits the week’s theme, says Trachtenberg. “We want to teach about expectations and consistency,” he says. Each song incorporates new things for the babies to see, feel and play with, whether it is maracas, bubbles or big bouncy balls. The classes are then concluded with a goodbye song and a chance for any announcements. In one recent class, the big news was this: Sofia and Paige started to crawl. Trachtenberg shares that the mommies have just as much fun as the babies. R-a-B is as much as a bonding and educational experience as well as an entertaining one.

Rock-a-Baby in Rhode Island

R-a-B classes are held in Providence at the Jewish Community Center, in Warwick at Bellani Materinty, Barrington at Temple Habonim. Besides classes, Rock-a-Baby also performs at various events such as birthday parties. Trachtenberg is hoping to expand to new locations, such as East Greenwich and Lincoln. He is also hoping to target older age groups, but recognizes the scheduling conflict that affects children once they enter school around 4 years old. The company is releasing its second CD this summer, accompanied by a picture book with the help of a local artist. The new CD will feature both cover and original songs to bring the dancing and singing to be enjoyed at home.

For more information about Rock-A-Baby and local class schedules, go here.