At Tam Tam, we know what school leaders and early childhood educators know best: children don’t learn in silos. They develop through rich, interconnected experiences—especially those that engage the whole body, brain, and heart. That’s where music and movement come in.
Grounded in the acclaimed Music Together® curriculum, Tam Tam’s in-school programs help young learners build foundational music skills and support their development across all learning domains. Our classes go far beyond entertainment: they are carefully designed, research-backed, and developmentally appropriate musical experiences that help children flourish in the classroom and beyond.
The Whole Child: Why Music and Movement Matter
Music and movement activities activate multiple areas of the brain at once, strengthening the neural connections needed for long-term growth. Here’s how our program supports core areas of early learning:
1. Language and Literacy
Singing strengthens phonological awareness, rhythm helps with syllabication, and rhyming games promote vocabulary growth. When children sing songs with repetitive patterns and varied syllables, they naturally build listening skills, pronunciation, and early literacy foundations.
2. Cognitive Development
Music is pattern-rich—through melody, rhythm, and repetition, children practice critical thinking, prediction, memory, and sequencing. Our classes provide scaffolded opportunities for children to listen, respond, and make choices, laying the groundwork for future academic learning.
3. Social and Emotional Growth
In our classes, children learn to take turns, cooperate, express themselves, and share joyful musical moments with peers and grownups. Group singing and dancing foster empathy, emotional awareness, and a sense of belonging. Even the shyest child finds a voice when everyone sings together.
4. Motor Skills and Physical Development
Clapping, tapping, bouncing, dancing, and playing instruments support fine and gross motor coordination. Our musical activities engage both sides of the brain, helping children build body awareness and bilateral integration—key skills for writing, self-care, and physical confidence.
5. Approaches to Learning
Our music and movement classes nurture curiosity, creativity, and persistence. Children learn to listen attentively, follow directions, and explore new ideas—all within a joyful, low-pressure setting. With consistent exposure, they develop the focus, flexibility, and confidence to try new things and stick with them.
Music as a Pathway to Equity and Inclusion
Tam Tam’s inclusive approach makes every child feel welcome and capable. Music is a universal language—it transcends spoken words and provides an expressive outlet for children of all abilities, language backgrounds, and learning styles. Our classes are especially supportive for multilingual learners and neurodivergent children who may benefit from predictable, multisensory routines and aural learning.
Why Schools Partner with Tam Tam
Tam Tam’s in-school music and movement program is:
- Rooted in research, aligned with early childhood education standards
- Led by highly trained teaching artists with a passion for young learners
- Culturally responsive, drawing from musical traditions around the world
- Supported with take-home materials, extending learning into families’ homes
- Designed to strengthen your school community—bringing children, teachers, and caregivers together through shared repertoire and joyful experiences
Whether your school is looking to boost school readiness, enrich the arts curriculum, or promote wellness and connection, Tam Tam’s music and movement classes are a developmentally powerful solution.
Let’s Bring Music to Your School
We partner with preschools, daycares, and early learning centers across NYC to offer weekly, hands-on, live music classes. If you’re a school leader seeking to deepen your students’ learning through joy-filled, brain-building experiences, we’d love to connect.
Let’s help every child in your school grow through music—joyfully, holistically, and together.