Music classes to delight young children 9 months to 5 years of age
Most young children naturally respond to music—listening intently, singing along and moving to the beat—and our Early Childhood classes build on those natural instincts to develop and deepen enjoyment of music.
View our 2024-2025 schedule of classes here
Music and Movement Classes
Early Childhood classes support the development of children’s minds and bodies through an approach known as Dalcroze Eurhythmics. Classes are held weekly, incorporating games and exercises to stimulate the senses, feed curiosity and foster love and appreciation of music. Singing, movement, small percussion instruments, colorful balls, hoops, scarves and puppets make the classes lively, fun and engaging for even the youngest children, and helps them to develop:
- Keen inner hearing
- Rhythmic sensibility
- Sensory processing
- Focus
- Spatial awareness
- Fine and gross motor skills
- Social skills
- Sharing and working together
HOW TO REGISTER
Enrollment for most early childhood classes is ongoing throughout the year, and tuition is pro-rated based upon time of enrollment.
Go to our Registration Site.
![Young child rolling a green ball with her caretaker](https://hbms.org/wp-content/uploads/ECM-Website-PC-600x600px.jpg)
Children aged 9 months to 3 years attend classes with a parent or caregiver, who also participates in the fun—a joyful bonding experience!
![Three young toddlers, one boy and two girls, playing the xylophone.](https://www.hbms.org/wp-content/uploads/Child_Only_Classes_ECM_Page_Web_Young_Girls_with_Xylophone-sm3.jpg)
Child-only classes are open to students aged 3 and up who are ready to attend music classes independently.
![Young Asian toddler in a blue shirt playing the violin](https://hbms.org/wp-content/uploads/ECM-Website-FI-600x600px.jpg)
Children ages 3 and up may take the first steps in learning to play an instrument in our hands-on First Instrument and Pre-Suzuki Classes. Designed to prepare children for private instruction, these small group offerings in piano, violin, cello, flute, brass instruments, and guitar introduce the joy of making music with others while teaching basic playing technique, and developing foundational musical concepts including rhythm, pitch, and musical expression.
Before selecting their first instrument, children can learn about the different families of instruments by enrolling in our introductory class, Getting to Know You: Exploring the Instruments. This class invites professional musicians into the classroom to demonstrate instruments in the wind, string, and percussion families.
Learn more about our available programs by calling us at 914-723-1169 or request a welcome visit.