Of New Jersey
At Musical Munchkins, the most important ingredient to our classes is FUN! Your child will get his/her first introduction to music, (s)he will leave Musical Munchkins with a great ear for rhythmic and melodic sounds and, of course, (s)he will be joyfully singing!
Our classes include a variety of musical experiences such as singing, chanting, playing instruments and dancing. There is also time for musical stories, books and props such as stretchy bands, scarves and beanbags to encourage active participation. Our little musicians are exposed to many music styles from all over the world as well as beloved standards from our American heritage.
Since its inception in 1982, Musical Munchkins has received high acclaim, delighting toddlers and preschoolers as they explore their natural musical abilities. Classes meet once weekly for 45 minutes.
Click an age range below to view a detailed description of that specific program designed to meet and challenge your child' capabilities.
Babies (6-13 months) with Adult
Ones (14-23 months) with Adult
Two's (24-35 months) with Adult
Three's (young musicans I) without Adult
Four's (young musicans II) without Adult
Friends & Family (1 to 4 years) with Adult
Please note that, as each child is unique this is a general quideline of ages. Please call our experienced staff if you have a questioin as to which class will be best for your child. Each one of our age specific classes is based on our own carefully developed school year curriculum. The education is cumulative and prepares your child for a school environment. Through completing our young musicians classes, our students gain the independence and musical foundation they need to be prepared for instrument lessons of their own..
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Babies (6-13 months with adult)
Please note, that as each child is unique, this is a general guideline of ages. Speak to our experienced staff if you have a question as to which class will be best for your child.
Come and learn delightful musical ways to play with your baby, make friends, and nurture your baby's sensory development and natural musicianship. Babies love the gentle bouncing, instrument and prop play, peek-a-boo games and tickling rhymes included in our specialized 45-minute class. Live music accompanies our games and activities, keeping baby's attention while encouraging social interaction, language development and awareness. Smiles, giggles and coos are heard even from our youngest babies as they begin to recognize and anticipate meter, pitch and tempo changes in our songs. Our rhymes and chants are designed to stimulate and mimic the sounds babies naturally produce at this age and encourage them to produce new sounds. The class is for children up to 13 months of age who are not yet walking. You are encouraged to bring a light blanket.
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Ones (13-24 months with adult)
Please note, that as each child is unique, this is a general guideline of ages. Speak to our experienced staff if you have a question as to which class will be best for your child.
Look who's walking! Movement is the key ingredient at this stage as the children discover their mobility. Many more instruments are added to our repertoire such as gathering & lollipop drums, bells, tambourines, and a wide assortment of wooden instruments. Props such as balls, bubbles, scarves, crates, beanbags, soft blocks and canopies develop fine & gross motor skills and extend the child's movement vocabulary. Although we continue bouncing rhymes and chants "songtime" is introduced as children begin to sing along to their favorite songs. As the year progresses rhythmic sounds, movement games and the use of specially chosen instruments help toddlers to walk, play and sing successfully.
Although your child may turn 2 in the course of the year, the curriculum grows with your child to accommodate their needs going into the next developmental stage.
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Two's (24-35 months with adult)
Although your child may turn 3 in the course of the year, the curriculum grows with your child to accommodate their needs going into the next developmental stage.
Please note, that as each child is unique, this is a general guideline of ages. Speak to our experienced staff if you have a question as to which class will be best for your child.
I can do it myself - Independence Day is here! This is a wonderful age for making music, as children are eager to participate in independent activities while learning to observe and follow the example of the teacher. The children now have a choice of being with their grownup or sitting as a group with their teacher. Echo singing and call and response are encouraged to develop language, listening, and pitch matching skills. Twos are now developing a longer attention span and are able to follow directions during movement sequences as they learn the rhythmic differences between walk, run, tippy toe, gallop and march. Using our many varied instruments, children learn how to make "soft" and "loud" sounds, and when to play "fast" or "slow". Circle dances, creative movement, puppets, felt board activities, and songbooks provide a creative dimension to their music making experience. By the end of the year, children will be playing the full range of our vast instrument collection - drums, shakers, metals, woods, tambourines and resonator bells. All are designed to allow the children to accompany themselves while they sing and to fully express themselves rhythmically.
Through the use of various instruments, children will learn how to make “soft and loud” sounds and when to play “fast and slow.” They will start to play together as a group and learn to accompany themselves on various instruments as they sing.
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Three's (young musicans I) without parent
Please note, that as each child is unique, this is a general guideline of ages. Speak to our experienced staff if you have a question as to which class will be best for your child.
Mommies and caregivers wait outside!* At this age, most children are ready to increase their independence. We have a gentle approach to separation, and if the child is not ready, parents sit in the room as needed. In this class, we get into more musical notation. We begin to develop the use of musical notes, and music vocabulary. Imaginary music play is one of our favorite ways of getting 3’s and 4’s to broaden their musical horizons as they begin to learn that musicians play and sing together in ensemble. Learning how to be a conductor, acting out songs, learning simple dances, are some of their favorite activities. Solo singing, echo singing and group singing are all encouraged, to develop good pitch and vocal skills. So come join the fun as we continue to foster your child’s musical education!
*Parents and caregivers are required to remain in the building.
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Four's (young musicians II)
Please note, that as each child is unique, this is a general guideline of ages. Speak to our experienced staff if you have a question as to which class will be best for your child.
Our four-year-olds are very capable. In this class we will delve more deeply into musical concepts of tempo, meter and pitch, simple notation, the musical staff, and learning how to read and play simple rhythms. Street chants, rhythms and rhymes are great vehicles for beat and rhythm games. Learning how to be a conductor, acting out simple songs, orchestrating songs with our Orff percussion or ethnic instruments and learning simple dances from a wide variety of ethnic traditions, are some of the favorite musical activities of the year. Solo singing, echo singing and group singing are all encouraged to develop good pitch and vocal skills. So, come join the fun as we continue to foster your child’s musical education!
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Friend's & Family (1 - 4 years old with adult) Summer Only
Please note, that as each child is unique, this is a general guideline of ages. Speak to our experienced staff if you have a question as to which class will be best for your child.
This class offers musical activities that can be enjoyed by children of varying ages. We offer this class in the summer, when many families are looking for activities they can do together. We will sing, dance, play with props, instrument lessons of their own and have great summer fun!