The Zumbini® program is a child-focused journey into the world of music, movement, and dance, and the natural response music provokes in both children and adults. A Zumbini® class is a celebration of the power of music to enhance our lives, stimulate learning, inspire dance and movement, and strengthen the bond between parent and child. We recognize the inherent value of learning music and movement for its own sake and we celebrate all levels of participation, including exposure, rapt observation, and primitive sound/motion production. The Zumbini® program draws upon the natural link between music and movement.

The primary goal, or heartbeat, of the Zumbini® program is to introduce young children to music, movement, and rhythmic musical instruments. Contrary to what most of us believe, we are born with a natural aptitude for music and movement. The majority of us have the ability to reach musical proficiency, meaning relatively few of us are given more or less “talent” than anyone else. While we may think that only a select few have musical ability, in fact, only a very small, select few don’t. We just need exposure. For a child, this exposure is best in the form of play, and this is the environment that the Zumbini® class creates.

In early childhood “play is the primary vehicle for young children’s growth, and developmentally appropriate early music experiences should occur in child-initiated, child-directed, teacher-supported play environments.”iii

Fundamental to the program philosophy, the Zumbini® program does not impose upon participants any specific, measurable goal outside of the most basic program intentions: joyful participation!