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Where Curiosity Meets Confidence
In Little Steps, children are encouraged to explore ideas, experiment, and express themselves in a safe, guided environment. By trying things on their own and sharing their ideas, children begin to trust themselves and their abilities.
Through this balance of freedom and gentle structure, they build confidence, independence, and a love of learning—taking confident steps toward preschool readiness.
As accredited Kindermusik® educators, we’ve seen firsthand how music and movement spark children’s growth—bringing learning, connection, and joy together in the most natural way.
A place where children build independence
while feeling deeply supported
Little Steps At-A-Glance
Ages:
3- and 4-year-olds
Must be 3 years old by September 15
Toilet independent
Schedule:
Tues, Wed, Thurs | 12:30-3:00 pm
September through May
Group Size:
10:1 Child to Teacher Ratio
Little Steps is limited to 10 children, allowing for individualized attention, smooth transitions, and a calm, connected classroom environment.
Location:
835 6th Street, Unit 2,
Nevada, IA 50201
Teacher:
Brooke holds degrees in Early Childhood Education and Special Education and brings 10 years of public school teaching experience before joining the Tuneful Journey team in 2023. Her natural ability to connect with children helps them feel comfortable as they build confidence, independence, and a love for learning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Little Steps a preschool?
Little Steps is a music-and-movement–based enrichment program designed to support preschool readiness through play, creativity, and small-group learning. It operates as a license-exempt enrichment program under Iowa guidelines due to its limited hours and specialized structure. Children gain meaningful, hands-on practice with the skills that help them feel confident and prepared for preschool—especially those who missed the preschool cutoff and would benefit from extra readiness time.
While licensing is not required, we intentionally follow clear supervision, safety, and operational procedures to maintain a well-structured and nurturing environment for children.
Where will Little Steps be held?
Little Steps takes place at a new Tuneful Journey location at 835 6th Street, Unit 2, Nevada, IA. The space features one open main room designed for music, movement, and small-group learning, giving children plenty of room to explore while maintaining clear visibility for safety. Defined areas support movement, play, projects, and crafts. While there is no dedicated outdoor play area, large-motor movement is intentionally built into our daily rhythm through music and movement activities throughout the 2.5-hour session.
How is Little Steps different from weekly Kindermusik classes?
Little Steps offers extended, small-group time—2.5 hours per session, three days a week—giving children the opportunity to practice social skills, independence, and early learning concepts more deeply. Weekly Level 3 and 4 Kindermusik classes remain available and valuable, offering ongoing music-and-movement enrichment that complements preschool or other early learning experiences. Families may choose one or both options based on what best supports their child.
Will my child learn letters and reading skills?
Yes, but in an age-appropriate way. In Little Steps, music and movement bring learning to life as children build the foundational skills that make reading possible. Songs slow language and build vocabulary, while rhymes and sound play develop phonemic awareness. Movement and instrument play support listening, rhythm, and steady beat, which are important for timing, sequencing, and hearing patterns in language—skills that support early reading development.
Writing stems from a series of lines, patterns, and shapes. Our intentional activities weave together visual, movement, and sound experiences, along with other fine motor activities, to help children recognize and create these as a natural first step toward writing letters and numbers.
All of this prepares children to enter preschool ready to learn letters, begin reading, and write with confidence.
Who is Little Steps a good fit for?
Little Steps is a wonderful fit for children who:
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are curious and enjoy exploring
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are beginning to build independence
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benefit from predictable routines
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enjoy music, movement, and hands-on activities
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are preparing for preschool
Still have questions?
If you're interested in Little Steps but would like to learn more before registering, we’d love to connect with you.
