Little Folkies Early Childhood Music Program offers 40-minute classes that include finger play, hand movement, singing, dancing, rhythmic play, musical games, rhythmic dance and movement, and call and response. Children and adults take part in hands-on instrument jamming on kids’ wooden instruments, including foot-stomping and hand-clapping to a wide repertoire of original and traditional folk, old-time, and bluegrass songs for children. Classes use live, acoustic music and follow an arc built around upbeat original and traditional folk tunes. • Ages: 0–5 years old • Schedule: 40-minute weekly classes Little Folkies Early Childhood Music Program started in 2009 in San Francisco by Irena Eide as a family folk music class for parents and babies, toddlers, and preschoolers ages 0–5. The program offers weekly classes at multiple locations throughout the United States. Instructors are described as engaging, sweet, energetic, amazing musicians and dedicated music teachers. The program’s mission is to nurture the love for music that everyone has and to inspire families to sing and play. It offers an alternative to the digital world with live, acoustic music, a collection that orbits around the earth’s seasons with a new collection of music for each season, and a comprehensive teacher training program, including Little Folkies Online Teacher Training. Little Folkies can also bring its music offerings to birthday parties, preschools, and private lessons. Little Folkies is a multi-award winning family folk music class, and its folk-based music curriculum is featured by Smithsonian Folkways. The program has a 4-volume song collection available on Smithsonian Folkways. According to parent testimonials, families describe Little Folkies as the highlight of their week, note that the songs have become part of their daily routine, and share that they plan to keep signing up for future sessions. Last updated December 12, 2025.

Local music programs in San Francisco, CA