Teacher Training & Certification
Bring the joy of Little Folkies to children and families.
Learn to lead meaningful musical experiences rooted in folk music, play, and connection. Explore how children participate at different developmental levels—and how to engage each child with warmth, confidence, and care.
Start with the training. Apply for certification when you’re ready to teach Little Folkies. Explore becoming a Location Partner if you’d like to bring the program to your community.
1. Take the Training
Open to everyone
Learn folk songs, child developmental levels, and practical ways to engage children and caregivers.
2. Get Certified
Application required
Prepare to teach Little Folkies and meet higher standards for musical skills, engagement, and class leadership.
3. Become a Location Partner
Bring Little Folkies to your community
Explore starting a local program rooted in music, play, connection.
1. Take the Training
Open to everyone.
Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, educator, musician, or someone who loves making music with children, you’re welcome to take the Little Folkies training.
Deepen your understanding of the Little Folkies approach and develop practical ways to bring singing, rhythm, movement, and play into your time with children.
Learn how children engage at different developmental levels.
A baby listening and watching, a toddler moving around the room, and a preschooler singing along may all be participating in meaningful ways. Learn to recognize different forms of engagement and respond to children’s developing abilities, interests, and needs.
Explore how to:
Invite participation through songs, rhythm, movement, repetition, and play.
Adapt your approach for different ages and developmental levels.
Recognize listening, observing, moving, and experimenting as forms of engagement.
Support children who need time to warm up or prefer to participate in their own way.
Engage caregivers as active musical partners.
Create a welcoming environment that encourages connection and musical exploration.
Learn a repertoire of over 70 children’s folk songs.
You don’t need to apply for certification to take the training. Training is a place to learn and grow; certification is a separate step for those who want to teach Little Folkies.
2. Get Certified
Apply to become a certified Little Folkies teacher.
Ready to bring Little Folkies to children and families as a teacher? Certification is an application-based pathway with higher standards for musical skill, teaching practice, and understanding of the Little Folkies approach.
Completing the training does not automatically lead to certification. Applicants must demonstrate readiness to lead engaging classes and meet Little Folkies’ teaching and musical standards.
Certification focuses on your ability to:
Lead songs and musical activities with confidence.
Understand children’s developmental levels and adapt your teaching accordingly.
Engage children and caregivers with warmth, clarity, and responsiveness.
Guide a group while making room for different ways of participating.
Represent the Little Folkies approach with care and consistency.
Certification is for people who want to develop their teaching practice and take responsibility for the quality of the Little Folkies experience they offer.
3. Become a Location Partner
Bring Little Folkies to your community.
Interested in offering Little Folkies in your area? The Location Partner pathway is for people and organizations who want to explore establishing a local Little Folkies program.
This is a separate conversation from taking the training or becoming a certified teacher. We’ll explore your community, your goals, and whether a partnership is a good fit.
A Little Folkies location should offer families a welcoming place to make music together, with teaching that reflects the program’s musical approach and respect for children at every developmental level.
Get in touch to discuss your interest in becoming a Location Partner and learn about the requirements and next steps.
Find your next step
Want to learn? Take the training—everyone is welcome.
Want to teach Little Folkies? Explore the application-based certification pathway.
Want to bring Little Folkies to your community? Ask about becoming a Location Partner.
Questions about which path is right for you? We’d love to hear from you.