Wiggleworms®
Ages 6 months to 3 years
Since 1985, the Old Town School of Folk Music's celebrated early childhood music program has welcomed young children and their families to the world of music. Each week, in music-rich environments at our schools in Lincoln Park and Lincoln Square, at our branches in Hyde Park, Evanston, Glencoe, Western Springs and Naperville, and through our outreach partnership in Lawndale, over 2000 infants, toddlers, and preschoolers and their parents, grandparents, and special caregivers join in the fun of playing music!
In this unique early childhood music program, Wiggleworms teachers lead grownups and children in musical play with traditional and original songs while accompanying the class on acoustic guitar, autoharp or ukulele. Children sing, dance, learn finger plays and story songs, and explore rhythm instruments especially designed for little hands. Early childhood is the perfect time for exposing children to these significant experiences with the language of music. Classes are designed for developmental age groups and activities expand as the child grows. Classes are limited to 12 children with their parent or caregiver. All Wiggleworms classes are 45 minutes. Throughout the Wiggleworms program, young children and their families enjoy musical time together and develop a lifelong love for making music. For additional information, including classroom guidelines, download the "Welcome to Wiggleworms" PDF.
Click for schedule and registration info:
6 to 12 months | 12 to 24 months | 2 years | Mixed Age Siblings | Bonjour! Wiggleworms | ¡Hola! Wiggleworms
Lullabies
Ages birth to 5 months
Begin your journey with a soft place to land each week. Together, we sing and gently move with the babies. Through call and response, families learn new songs and recall childhood favorites to share with baby all day and all night. As the room fills with cooing and melody, classes enjoy finger play songs, gentle dancing, and beautiful lullabies. This class is 30 minutes long. Families bring a blanket for baby. Nursing, bottles, sleeping, giggling and crying welcome.
Click for schedule and registration info.
Meet the Instruments
Ages 3 and 4 years
In Meet the Instruments, children will explore the world of music - each week singing, dancing and playing instruments such as rhythm sticks, hand drums, tambourines, ukuleles, triangles and more! The teacher leads the group in exploration of musical concepts such as melody, dynamics, tempo and rhythm while introducing special "big kid" instruments and songs. Class size is limited to 10 children each with a grownup.
Click for schedule and registration info.
Click here for other music classes your preschooler can take.
Wiggle-N-Strum
For parent with child through 3 years
Grown-ups, it's time to join your children's musical play and strike up the family band! Learn the basics of the baritone ukulele while your little one backs you up on percussion instruments. The baritone ukulele is a wonderfully accessible instrument to have in the home--and a perfect place to begin your musical journey on a stringed instrument. The chord formations translate directly to the 6-string guitar. You will leave the first class playing a song and throughout the class you will build your repertoire of joyful songs to share with your family.
Click for Wiggle-N-Strum
Click for Wiggle-N-Strum: Continuing

LOCATIONS

Lincoln Park: 909 W Armitage Ave. classes | map
Lincoln Square: 4544 N Lincoln Ave. classes | map
Hyde Park: 5020 S. Cornell Ave. classes | map
Hyde Park: 5480 S. Kenwood Ave. classes | map
Evanston: 2120 Lincoln St. classes | map
Western Springs: 5250 Wolf Rd. classes | map
Naperville: 200 E. Fifth Ave. classes | map
Glencoe: 319 Park Ave. classes | map
Instituto Cervantes: 31 W. Ohio classes | map
Wiggleworm Songs for Beginning Guitarists
For parents
Dust off that guitar in the closet! In this course, grown-ups will learn to tune, learn a few chords, and begin building a repertoire of songs for the whole family. Each week, we tune and practice together - using voices and ears and strings.
Click for Wiggleworm Songs for Beginning Guitarists.
Orgullo Bilingue
Check out a wonderful song created by a songwriter from California, Francisco Herrera. We just can't stop singing "Orgullo Bilingue!" We think is perfect for ¡Hola Wiggleworms!
Click here to find the song on CDBaby and more about Francisco Herrera.
MEET THE TEACHERS
Click for bios on all of our great Wiggleworms teachers
Read about the class in Chicago Parent!
Visit us on Facebook.

Search Wiggleworms







Important Information
  • Classes are limited to 12 children for safety and comfort.
  • Once per session, siblings or friends of the appropriate age group may visit classes that are not at capacity. Advance reservations are required. You are welcome to bring babies under six months to an older sibling's class at no extra cost.
  • 4 make ups per 16 week session are allowed and must be used in the current session only, 7 days a week. (2 make ups for 8 week sessions). Call 24 hours in advance to schedule a make-up.
  • Schedule your Wigglworms Birthday Party here.