We invite you to join our District 196 ECFE family as we share and learn together this winter. In addition to our classes, we offer one-time weekly events for parents and children to enjoy together. Supporting early childhood development and parenting is our passion. We believe everyone deserves guidance through their parenting journey.
Babies: Birth Through 11 Months
Parents with Babies Only
Non-Separating
Babies sure bring change to every family! Join other parents of infants and learn how to make the adjustment to 'being a family'. This will be a relaxing and informative class. You can ask your questions, and we will share ideas with you about building a solid base for your family. We will also have time to sing songs and play some games.
Tue | Jan 9-Mar 19 | 3:30-5:00 p.m. | FREE* | 103-216A
Tue | Jan 9-Mar 19 | 5:30-7:00 p.m. | FREE* | 103-216B
Fri | Jan 5-Mar 22 | 8:45-10:15 a.m. | FREE* | skip Jan 19; Feb 9, Mar 8 | 103-216C
*Baby classes are free to District 196 families. Out-of-district families use Fee B.
Connecting with Nature in the Winter
Parents with Children Ages 3-5 Years
Separating, Siblings Welcome
A growing body of research links our mental, physical and spiritual health directly to our association with nature. In this class we will discuss ways children can interact with the natural environment and all the benefits of appreciating the great outdoors. Each class will start outdoors with a winter adventure such as sledding, snow building, tracks in the snow and exploring ice. Families will then come inside. Parents will gather in the parent room to learn more about the impact of nature on development while children explore engaging activities in the classroom. Please register ALL children, including siblings, who will be attending class.
Tue | Jan 9-Mar 19 | 1:00-3:15 p.m. | Fee A | Room 118 | 707-118
Managing Emotional Mayhem
Separating
Self-regulation is a foundational component to emotional well-being and lifelong success. The focus of this class is to become aware of your own emotional states. This awareness will help you learn skills to support the development of your own self-regulation, which in turn will help you coach the development of self-regulation within your children. Based on the book Managing Emotional Mayhem by Dr. Becky Bailey, this class will help lay the groundwork to achieve better self-regulation for ourselves and our children and see conflict as an opportunity for learning social and life skills.
Parents with Children Ages Birth-Prekindergarten
Fri | Jan 5-Mar 22 | 9:15-11:30 a.m. | Fee A | Room 215 | skip Jan 19; Feb 9; Mar 8 | 643-215B
Parents with Children Ages Birth-7 Years
Thu | Jan 4-Mar 21 | 5:45-7:45 p.m. | Fee A | Room 215 | skip Feb 8 | 643-215A
The Young Child’s Developing Mind
Parents with Children Ages Birth-7 Years
Separating
Have you ever wondered how parenting impacts brain development? We know the early years are a critical time for brain development. In this class, families will explore the brain and how it grows in the first seven years of life. Areas of discussion may include focus and self-control, perspective taking, communication, making connections, critical thinking, taking on challenges and self-directed engaged learning. Join us for this exciting class about how the brain develops in the early years and how early experiences with parents and caregivers can deeply impact that growth.
Tue | Jan 9-Mar 19 | 5:45-7:45 p.m. | Fee A | Room 215 | 407-215
Technology and Your Family
Parents with Children Ages Birth-Prekindergarten
Separating
Technology is evolving at a rapid pace, and along with it comes a bombardment of advice for parents. What role should mobile devices, computers, tablets, apps, games and other technology play in your child’s growth and development? Join this class to discuss ways to achieve balance as you navigate the digital world. Together we can explore and discern where technology is supportive of our families goals and also support change when necessary. This class will focus on recent research regarding the effects of screen media on young children and families.
Tue | Jan 9-Mar 19 | 9:30-11:45 a.m. | Fee A | Room 204 | 646-204
It Starts With a Story: STEM Edition
Parents with Children Ages Birth-7 Years
Separating
There is magic in a story, wonder in a good book and connection in time spent reading with someone you love. In this class, you and your child will enjoy time together with books, songs and interactive story-stretching activities designed to build your child’s vocabulary, strengthen your relationship and foster a life-long love for reading. This session, caregivers will come away with tips for choosing and using stories to encourage inquiry based learning while exploring science, technology, engineering and math.
Wed | Jan 10-Mar 20 | 5:45-7:45 p.m. | Fee A | Room 215 | skip Feb 7 | 405-215
Lottery deadline for District 196 residents is December 5, 2023.
Classes begin January 4, 2024.
Class fees are based on your family annual income and are determined by a sliding fee scale.
Register Today: ce.district196.org/ecfe |
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