CLASSES AT RIVER & ROOT
we believe the best classes grow from the community itself
designed with little ones in mind
Our classes are designed for children ages 0–4 and their caregivers, with offerings that support:
Connection between caregiver and child
Early development through play-based learning
Creativity, movement, and exploration
A sense of community among local families
Each class reflects the unique strengths and passions of the educator leading it, while staying rooted in the same shared goal: creating meaningful, engaging experiences for both children and their grown-ups.
Built With You, For You
At River & Root, we believe the best classes grow from the community itself.
We invited local moms, educators, and caregivers to share their passions and ideas, and the result is a lineup of classes designed by families raising little ones right here in South Jersey. From music and art to movement, science, and early learning, each offering reflects what families truly want and need.
These are not one-size-fits-all programs. They are community-built experiences shaped by real life with young children.
Many began as demo classes where families joined, shared feedback, and helped shape what they’ve become. That spirit continues to guide us as we grow.
Built with you, for you.
PLAY & LEARN
Each Play + Learn session includes:
A 45-minute guided class
45 minutes of open play in our Montessori-inspired indoor space or outdoor play space (weather permitting)
You’ll book one 90-minute session that includes both class and play — no need to book separately.
Families are welcome to stay and play after class or head out if that better fits your day.
Our Spring Class Series starts the week of April 13th and runs 6 weeks ending the week of May 18.
Book the full 6-week series by Sunday, April 12 and save $45
Drop-in classes available when the series is not full
Note: We are not currently running classes through the summer***
CLASS DESCRIPTIONS (ON PAUSE FOR JULY)
The wonder lab
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18 months - 4 years old
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Led by Ms. Christina- educator, science and nature enthusiast, and proud boy mom to a curious 3 year old, bringing a love of learning, wonder, and play to every experience.
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The Wonder Lab is a calm, nature and science-inspired class designed to spark curiosity in our youngest learners. Through open-ended sensory play and simple, hands-on experiments, children explore the world around them in a way that feels safe, joyful, and deeply engaging.
Led by Ms. Christina, each session invites little ones to touch, pour, mix, observe, and discover while building early science awareness, sensory integration, and confidence. Using thoughtfully prepared materials and gentle guidance, children begin to notice things like temperature, texture, cause and effect, and the natural environments animals live in, all through play. Whether we’re creating tiny snowstorms, exploring leaves and soil, or mixing bubbling potions, each session gives children a chance to wonder, experiment, and connect with the world around them in a meaningful way. -
Mondays at 2pm
art journaling
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2-4 year olds
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Led by Ms. Sarah, an art and special education teacher, outdoors and gardening enthusiast, and mom of two.
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In this class, caregivers and children ages 2-4 will practice mixed media, process-based art together. Participants will learn more about how to use sensory exploration and artmaking for emotional regulation.
By the end of this workshop series, you will have a keepsake journal to continue to practice and preserve memories with your children. When the weather is warmer, we will be outside to incorporate nature. Bring layers and clothes that you don’t mind getting messy.
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Tuesdays at 11:30am
LITTLE MUSICIANS CIRCLE
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0-4 years old
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Led by Ms. Siobhan, professional musician, music educator (BM), and mom of two, bringing a passion for musical development, connection, and community to every class.
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During Little Musician’s Circle, families will get to make music together through singing, playing and dancing while using a wide range of musical styles, genres and some pop favorites. They will be able to explore a variety of instruments and props to enhance their musical and sensory experience. No musical background required.
The class is led by Ms. Siobhan, a professional musician and music educator (BM) who has a passion for highlighting musical milestones as well as fostering community between families of little ones.
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Wednesdays at 5pm
BABY MUSIC CIRCLE
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Babies 0-crawling
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Led by Ms. Siobhan, professional musician, music educator (BM), and mom of two, bringing a passion for musical development, connection, and community to every class.
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A joyful introduction to music for you and your baby
This gentle music class invites caregivers and their non-walking babies to explore sound, rhythm, and connection together through singing, movement, and play. Designed specifically for early infancy, the experience focuses on bonding, sensory exploration, and supporting early musical development in a warm, welcoming environment.
Led by Ms. Siobhan, a professional musician and music educator (BM), each session incorporates a variety of musical styles, familiar songs, and playful interactions. Babies will listen, babble, move, and engage while caregivers sing, sway, and participate alongside them.
Families will explore a range of instruments and props to enhance the musical and sensory experience, with no prior musical background needed. This class is all about connection, confidence, and enjoying music together during these early months.
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Mondays at 5pm (Please note: you can arrive as early as 4:30pm for open play if that works better for your baby, play a little before the class starts if you prefer!)
MINI NATURE SCHOOL
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18m-4 year olds
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Led by Sarah Abbott, a pediatric occupational therapist (MOT, OTR/L), mom of two, and founder of Bright Pathways OT. She specializes in child development, sensory processing, and feeding. She’s passionate about helping little ones grow, regulate, and thrive through play-based, nature-rich experiences, while supporting parents with simple, effective strategies.
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A gentle, play-based outdoor experience inspired by nature and early childhood development
Mini Nature School is a two-hour outdoor class designed to give little ones a meaningful, hands-on experience with nature, play, and early learning. Each session blends music, movement, sensory exploration, and simple science activities in a way that feels engaging, flexible, and developmentally appropriate.
Led by Sarah Abbott, pediatric occupational therapist and founder of Bright Pathways OT, this class thoughtfully supports early development through play. With expertise in sensory processing and regulation, Ms. Sarah incorporates opportunities for children to build fine motor skills, explore sensory input, and grow confidence, while offering caregivers simple, practical strategies to use at home.
Each class includes circle time with songs and a story, followed by open-ended activities like art, sensory play, and hands-on exploration. Children also enjoy free play, snack time, and a guided activity such as planting, simple science, or a nature scavenger hunt, ending with a playful group experience.
Mini Nature School offers a balance of structure and freedom, creating a predictable rhythm while allowing children to explore and connect at their own pace.
This class is held fully outdoors. In cases of extreme inclement weather, we will move indoors. Additional guidance on clothing and preparation will be shared ahead of each session.
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Wednesdays from 9-11am
TINY TOTS & TUNES
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1-4 year olds
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Led by Ms. Heather, former children’s gym director and learning center director with over 15 years of experience, and mom of two, bringing a passion for music, movement, and playful connection to every class.
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Tiny Tots & Tunes is an interactive music and movement class designed for babies and toddlers together with their favorite grown-up. Led by Miss Heather, this class focuses on connection, early development, and fun through music, movement, and sensory play.
Each class includes singing familiar songs, exploring instruments like shakers and rhythm sticks, moving with colorful scarves, and enjoying gentle gross-motor activities such as bouncing, marching, and wiggling. Classes follow a predictable, comforting routine while allowing little ones the freedom to explore at their own pace.
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Thursdays at 10am
SPANISH LITTLE LEARNERS
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1-4 year olds
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Led by Mrs. Diana, native Spanish-speaking educator, children’s storytelling specialist, and mom of three, bringing language, music, and play-based learning to life for young learners.
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Spanish Little Learners is an interactive Spanish experience designed for toddlers and preschoolers who are ready to move, explore, and engage with language in a hands-on, playful way. This class blends storytelling, music, movement, and simple activities to introduce Spanish in a way that feels natural and fun.
Led by Ms. Diana, a native Spanish speaker and early childhood educator, each session encourages children to listen, repeat, sing, and move as they explore new Spanish words and phrases. Rather than a traditional sit-and-listen format, children actively participate through songs, gestures, and movement, bringing language to life through play.
Caregivers are invited to join alongside their child, creating shared moments of connection while building early bilingual awareness together. No prior Spanish experience is needed.
Spanish Little Learners helps growing children gain confidence hearing and trying Spanish in a warm, engaging environment rooted in play and connection.
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Thursdays at 5pm
TINY ART EXPLORERS
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1-3 year olds
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Led by Ms. Sarah, an art and special education teacher, outdoors and gardening enthusiast, and mom of two.
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In this class, children ages 1–3 will practice fine motor skills and self-expression through sensory-based, mixed media art experiences. Using a variety of textures, tools, and materials, little ones are encouraged to explore, create, and engage with the process of art-making in a way that feels playful and developmentally appropriate.
When the weather is warmer, we will take our art outdoors and incorporate natural materials and inspiration from the environment. Please plan to bring layers and wear clothes you don’t mind getting messy, as exploration and play are at the heart of this experience.
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Tuesdays at 10am
new mom circle
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Moms w/ non-mobile infants
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Led by Blair Herring, maternal health occupational therapist (MS, OTR/L), mom of three, and passionate advocate for helping moms feel calm, confident, and connected in the early months.
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This class is designed for moms and babies ages 0–crawling, offering a calm and welcoming space to connect, learn, and feel supported during the early months.
Each session starts with a simple introduction and a short, easy mindfulness or breathing exercise to help you slow down and feel more grounded. From there, we focus on a weekly development topic, using simple toys and everyday items to show easy ways to support your baby’s growth through play and interaction.
There will be time to practice with your baby, ask questions, and learn from other moms. As the group gets more comfortable, we’ll also make space to talk about what’s been hard and support one another.
We end each class with a simple closing moment, like a deep breath or short phrase, to help you leave feeling calm and connected.
This class is not about doing things perfectly. It’s about learning simple tools, building confidence, and finding support in this early stage of motherhood.
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Wednesdays at 11:30am
SPANISH FOR BABIES
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Non-walking infants
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Led by Mrs. Diana, native Spanish-speaking educator, children’s storytelling specialist, and mom of three, bringing language, music, and play-based learning to life for young learners.
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Spanish for Babies (and Grown-Ups Too) is a gentle Caregiver & Me language class that introduces infants and their caregivers to Spanish through music, movement, and sensory-rich play. This class creates a cozy, playful environment where babies and adults explore language together.
Led by Ms. Diana, a native Spanish speaker and early childhood educator, each session incorporates simple Spanish words, songs, and everyday phrases into familiar routines and interactions. Babies learn by listening, watching, and moving, while caregivers gain easy, practical ways to bring Spanish into daily life.
This class is not about memorizing or performing. It’s about early exposure through connection, helping build listening skills, confidence, and a foundation for future bilingual learning.
Spanish for Babies (and Grown-Ups Too) offers a warm, low-pressure way to experience language together while creating meaningful moments with your little one.
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Thursdays at 11:30am