The class your kids can’t wait for — and your teachers will thank you for.
The joy of music — with a whole lot of learning built in.
Weekly music classes for preschools and early childhood programs that bring children the gift of music — and along the way, build the regulation, language, motor, and social skills your program is working to develop. Taught by trained Musically Minded educators who know how to reach young learners.
In Classrooms
Hear from Jocelyn — in under 2 minutes.
Curious what music classes could look like in your program? Take a moment to meet me and see what makes Musically Minded different.
Music isn’t an extra. It’s how young brains learn best.
You already know that young children learn through movement, repetition, and joy. Music delivers all three at once — in a way that worksheets and seat-time simply can’t.
Through song, children build the exact skills your program is working to develop: phonological awareness, vocabulary, self-regulation, fine and gross motor coordination, social connection, and confidence.
And they don’t even know they’re learning. They just know it’s their favorite part of the week.
- Build phonological awareness through rhyme, rhythm, and song
- Develop fine and gross motor skills with purposeful movement
- Practice self-regulation, listening, and following multi-step directions
- Expand vocabulary and oral language through repetition and play
- Strengthen social skills, turn-taking, and group cooperation
- Experience joy, belonging, and the magic of being in a classroom community
Done-for-you music instruction your program can rely on.
When you bring Musically Minded into your school, you’re not just adding music — you’re adding a research-backed early learning experience taught by trained educators.
Trained Musically Minded teachers
Every class is led by an educator trained in the Musically Minded method — early childhood specialists who know how to manage groups, hold attention, and turn music into measurable learning.
A curriculum aligned to early learning standards
Each class supports the developmental skills your program is already working on — literacy, language, motor, social-emotional — woven through a music-first experience kids beg to come back to.
A predictable, easy-to-schedule program
Weekly classes that fit into your existing schedule with no prep work for your teachers. We bring the songs, the props, the energy — your team gets to enjoy it right alongside the children.
Skills that follow them into kindergarten and beyond.
Every song is an invitation to grow. Here’s what children build through a year of Musically Minded.
What program leaders are saying.
I am so very grateful for the beautiful energy Ms. Jocelyn provides our program. We have been able to reach and maintain important connections with our learners. Thanks to her, our spirits are bright and lively through her music classes.
I want to give a shout out to the wonderful Keisha! She joins us each Friday and it’s a highlight of our week. The kids love her and I just wanted to let you know how much we appreciate her and what a wonderful job she does.
Hi, I’m Jocelyn — and since 2003 I’ve watched music change young children’s lives.
From social-emotional learning to early literacy and everything in between, I’ve seen what happens when children are given music as a vehicle for learning: they show up more engaged, more regulated, and more themselves.
I founded Musically Minded so more programs could offer that experience — without having to build it from scratch. My team and I have reached thousands of children through weekly music classes in preschools and early learning programs, taking care of the planning, the props, and the magic so your teachers can focus on what they do best.
Curious how music could change your classroom?
Let’s talk. In a quick 20-minute call, we’ll explore what your program needs, what your children love, and whether Musically Minded is the right fit for your school.
Book a 20-Minute Discovery Call →No pressure, no pitch — just a real conversation about your kids and your classrooms.
Jocelyn Manzanarez
Introducing
Increase Engagement.
Reduce Behavior.
Strengthen Early Learning.
Using the Engage, Move, Learn™ Framework, Jocelyn helps early learning programs create learning environments that foster whole child, play-based learning — where every child is engaged, regulated, and ready to grow.
Not sure where to start? The free training is a great first step.
A Message From Jocelyn
See the Framework in Action
Watch this short introduction to the Engage, Move, Learn™ Framework and how it creates thriving, play-based learning environments.
"Hi, I'm Jocelyn Manzanarez.
In many early learning classrooms, teachers are spending more time managing behavior than supporting learning — and it doesn't have to be that way.
I partner with early learning programs to help teachers create learning environments that foster whole child, play-based learning — where every child is engaged, regulated, and ready to grow.
My Engage, Move, Learn™ Framework is built around three pillars: Engage — creating the conditions where children are ready and excited to learn. Move — honoring how young children naturally develop through active, play-based experiences. And Learn — turning that engagement into stronger early literacy, language, and kindergarten readiness.
When teachers implement these strategies consistently, classrooms become calmer, more joyful, and more productive learning environments.
Programs typically start with a foundational training, then add coaching to ensure it becomes part of daily practice.
If you'd like to explore what this could look like for your program, I'd love to connect. Use the link below to schedule a conversation."
The Challenge
When engagement breaks down,
everything else follows.
- Teachers spending more time managing behavior than teaching
- Students disengaged during circle time and instructional blocks
- Transitions that derail the entire classroom rhythm
- Inconsistent routines across classrooms in the same program
- Lost learning minutes that add up week after week
- Staff burnout from constantly putting out fires
"Young children are wired to move, explore, and engage — yet many classrooms are still asking them to sit still and listen."
— Jocelyn ManzanarezThe Solution
The Engage, Move, Learn™ Framework
A three-pillar instructional framework designed to prevent behavior issues before they start — by creating the conditions for whole child, play-based learning.
Pillar One
Engage
Capture attention before behavior issues begin. Create the conditions where children are ready, willing, and excited to learn.
- Increase focus during circle time
- Reduce off-task behavior
- Meet children's developmental needs
- More engaged students
- Fewer disruptions
- More instructional minutes reclaimed
Pillar Two
Move
Teach through the body, not against it. Embed learning into active, play-based experiences that honor how young children naturally develop.
- Support self-regulation & transitions
- Address sensory needs naturally
- Teach language + motor + cognition at once
- Improved classroom flow
- Reduced transition time
- Stronger readiness to learn
Pillar Three
Learn
Turn engagement into measurable learning. Strengthen early literacy and concept mastery.
- Strengthen early literacy foundations
- Support math, language & concepts
- Help students integrate learning into play
- Stronger early literacy indicators
- Increased concept mastery
- Improved kindergarten readiness
What Changes
Real outcomes for students, teachers,
and your program.
For Students
- Increased engagement during instructional time
- Fewer behavior disruptions and smoother transitions
- Stronger early literacy foundations
- Improved self-regulation and independence
- More time learning, less time managed
For Teachers
- Practical strategies they can use immediately
- Clear routines and shared instructional language
- Reduced daily stress and burnout
- Increased confidence and consistency
- A framework that prevents, not just reacts
What Educators Are Saying
Real results from real classrooms.
"My staff was so excited after your training. They were initially skeptical — some of these ladies have been here a long time and had been to many trainings. I promised them it would not disappoint, and I was right. The ideas have been flowing, and one teacher is even trying to learn the ukulele! We hope to schedule another training in the future."
"I can hardly wait to get back in my classroom! With this being my first year, I have felt a little lost — but now I feel like I have a clear direction and vision for how I want our days to go. You gave me so many great practical ideas. I am most excited about the felt board — I really think this will help my kiddos stay engaged!"
Meet Your Trainer
Hi, I'm Jocelyn Manzanarez
I'm an early childhood educator, music specialist, and professional development consultant with over 25 years of experience supporting young learners and the educators who serve them.
As the founder of Musically Minded, I partner with early learning programs to address one of the most common challenges in early education: student disengagement that leads to behavior issues and lost learning time.
Through the Engage, Move, Learn™ Framework, I help teachers create learning environments that foster whole child development — where play-based, brain-aligned instruction replaces behavior management with genuine engagement and joy.
I also teach in the Early Childhood Education department at Green River College and present nationally at conferences across the country.
Trusted By
Jocelyn has worked with programs you know.
From Bright Horizons and The Goddard School to Easterseals Washington and the Archdiocese of Seattle Catholic Schools — Jocelyn has partnered with programs across the country to build thriving, whole child learning environments.
Ready to Get Started?
Let's talk about what's possible
for your program.
Whether you're ready to book a training or just want to learn more, I'd love to connect. Start with the free training or jump straight to a discovery call.