The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame + Museum


Toddler Rock

Toddler Rock serves more than 300 children each week to improve their socialization, literacy and language skills through the use of popular music.


Since 1999, the Rock Hall has partnered with the Beck Center for the Arts and Head Start to serve Cleveland's underserved three to five year olds. Toddler Rock has grown from serving 10 kids each week to now more than 300. Dr. Deforia Lane, a nationally known music therapist, leads an additional eight music therapists who spend an hour with the toddlers every Tuesday and Thursday before the Rock Hall opens (except for a summer break period).

Using Standardized Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) as a pretesting assessment tool, recent research indicates:

  • 63% improvement in picture recognition
  • 50% improvement in alliteration
  • 43% improvement in rhyme

 

In addition, the Toddler Rock program has also been recognized by the following:

  • Semifinalist for Coming Up Taller, nominated by the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities.
  • Distinguished as one of the top 50 arts-humanities-based programs in the country serving youth beyond the school hours.
  • Ohio Museums Association’s Institutional Excellence Award
  • NBC’s the Today Show

 

 


Toddler Rock Highlights

Photo Galleries



Toddler Rock has been a testament to the wonder and efficacy of music.  There is a palpable burst of energy when 300 pairs of little feet skip through the huge glass doors into the lobby embellished with cars, guitars and neon signs pointing the way to music and learning.  I love to watch the eyes of the children when they recognize the letter of the day on one of the Rock Hall walls or when they shout out "That's my acoustic guitar!" as they pass an exhibit, or "that's Otis Redding in that picture.”  I know then that we are impacting their mind, their spirit and their future.
- Dr. Deforia Lane, music therapist - Toddler Rock
“The Jackson Five sang about the ABCs. Aretha Franklin taught us how to spell RESPECT. So why not teach your toddler the basics with a beat…now that’s a good idea!”
- Meredith Vieira, host of The Today Show speaking about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum’s Toddler Rock program