Early Childhood Programs
Music Classes for Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
The Wisconsin Conservatory of Music’s innovative Early Childhood music education programs engage children ages 0–4 in joyful, play-based learning that builds both musical and cognitive skills. Through singing, rhythm instruments, and movement, children explore foundational musical concepts such as high and low sounds, soft and loud dynamics, keeping a steady beat, and singing on pitch. Song games introduce musical form, rhythm, and melodic patterns, while also strengthening fine and gross motor skills, listening, sequencing, and social development.
Our Early Childhood Music Classes
The Wisconsin Conservatory of Music provides access to music education for all students of every age and skill level. At WCM, we believe in meeting our students where they are, not the other way around.
Smart Start™: Babies A
For Children ages 6 weeks -12 monthsSing, play, and bond with your little one while building early rhythm, movement, and listening skills. This joyful class nurtures musical curiosity and helps caregivers connect through music.
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Smart Start™: Babies B
For Children ages 12-24 months.This lively class channels babies’ energy through music, movement, and play. Together, you’ll build coordination, memory, and social skills while deepening your bond through joyful musical activities.
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Smart Start™: Toddlers
For Children ages 24-36 months.Channel your two-year-old’s energy through music and movement that builds coordination, focus, and early musical skills. Caregivers join in as kids sing, drum, and play their way to confidence and connection.
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Smart Start™: Preschool
For Children ages 36-48 months.Three-year-olds sing, dance, and play instruments as they build musical skills like pitch, rhythm, and dynamics through joyful, play-based learning. As their voices and minds grow, they explore patterns, creativity, and collaboration.
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Smart Start™: Junior Musicians
For Children age 4Children explore ukulele, recorder, and drumming while building core musical skills. With instruments provided in class, they learn to match rhythms, sing melodies, and begin reading music—all while strengthening focus, memory, and creative thinking.
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Next Steps for Young Musicians
For Children age 4+After Smart Start, children ages 4+ can continue their musical journey with many options at WCM. Choices include Piano Safari, Suzuki Strings, private lessons on a wide range of instruments, and group classes or ensembles designed to spark creativity, build confidence, and nurture a lifelong love of music.
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Early Childhood Music Builds Four Key Cognitive Skills
Our classes strengthen these key skills by guiding children through an intentional, hands-on sequence of songs and activities with highly trained teachers.
Attention
Concentrate on a mental or physical item.
Memory
Easily store and recall things in the mind.
Perception
Make sense of the world.
Cognitive Flexibility
Adapt, innovate, and create.
A study in the peer-reviewed journal Music Perception showed that children who participated in Smart Start™ demonstrated increases in vocabulary size, pre-reading abilities, and singing ability after their first year, with similar levels of growth in years two and beyond.
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Family Discount Program
Save on classes and private lessons when enrolling multiple family members. Receive a 5% discount for 2nd and 3rd siblings and a 10% discount for 4th and additional siblings! Your discount will be applied on the final checkout screen, once you have selected your courses.
Meet Our Early Childhood Faculty
