Hopkins Community Education

Meet and connect once a week with other parents and their toddlers to get your questions answered by our licensed parent educator in these ongoing ECFE classes. This is the perfect way to meet other parents, learn from others, and discover what is right for you and your family with the guidance of a parent educator and research-based information. Enjoy playing and learning with your toddler as you sing songs, read books, and get your fingers into art, and more! Non-separating classes: #202, #205. Gradual-separating classes: #201, #204, #206. For an evening options, see classes #110, #207,  in our Evening ECFE classes section.

Your child is exploring his growing independence. This class will give your child opportunities to practice social skills, cooperative activities, reading, art, sensory experiences, stories, science, and more that will enhance their other preschool experiences. Your child's classroom will have interesting learning stations that will engage them while they develop school readiness skills.Parents have a unique opportunity to develop strong connections with other Hopkins Public Schools parents and learn strategies to support their child’s readiness for elementary school in this class.  Discussion topics include sibling rivalry, overindulgence, your child's temperament, healthy communication, setting limits, and more.At the beginning of each class, children and parents play in a classroom environment designed to promote children’s exploration, curiosity and discovery. Following time together, parents meet in a separate classroom with a licensed parent educator for discussion on topics related to child development, parenting and school readiness. Your child remains in the classroom during this time with a licensed early childhood teacher and engages in activities that support love of learning and preparation for kindergarten.These classes are separating

Join us for an introduction to Baby Sign Language! It is a great way to communicate with your baby and a strategy for avoiding frustration. The book, Baby Signs: How to Talk With Your Baby Before Your Baby Can Talk, by Linda Acredolo and Susan Goodwyn, will be the basis for the workshop. Discuss the way baby signs can help you understand what your baby needs, learn some signs that will help get you started, and end with songs and finger plays that incorporate baby signs. This class is for parents and babies 4-15 months old. This is a free class, but registration is required.Presenter:  Angela Hart, Med., ECFE Parent Educator

Join Kelly Shay, certified yoga instructor with advanced prenatal and postnatal training for a delightful yoga class designed for both you and your baby. Bond with baby using massage, simple songs, and a gentle yet strengthening yoga sequence designed for postnatal bodies. It is great for moms over six weeks postpartum, as well as any other caregivers (dads, grandparents, nannies…) looking to connect in a new way with baby. Class is designed for babies 6 weeks to 9 months (or just crawling). Please bring a baby blanket and a yoga mat or towel (a limited number of yoga mats will be available for families who don't have one). Limited childcare available. 

Parent & Child (2-5 Years Old) 12 Week Evening ClassesThe questions don’t stop just because you can’t come to a daytime class. Our evening classes use the same format as our daytime Child & Parents classes.There is so much fun to be had as your child interacts with the world at ever-increasing levels! Listen to the giggles as you and your toddler enjoy creative activities, sing songs, play with toys, explore new are forms, and more! Each week the licensed parent educator will lead discussions on topics you are most interested in such as: sharing, routines, temper tantrums, toilet learning, and child development.Non-separating Class.

How is my baby's brain developing? Is she eating enough? When will he begin to sit up, roll over, crawl, talk? What about transition to solid foods? How can I get him to sleep?The questions don't stop just because you can't come to a daytime class! Join us for these classes created especially for families who prefer evening options.Meet once a week and connect with other parents and their infants to get your questions answered by our licensed parent educators. This is the perfect way to meet other parents, learn from others, engage with your child, and discover what is right for you and your family when it comes to all those big questions.Registration for 1 class session only is available as well for $5 per family.

Kara Quist, Pediatric Physical Therapist and Certified Infant Massage Instructor Infant massage encourages longer sleep patterns, promotes attachment, enhances healing, and can help relieve colic, reflux, teething, and gas. Babies birth to crawling are welcome. Limited childcare is available; $5 per child at Harley.

How is my baby's brain developing? Is she eating enough? When will he begin to sit up, roll over, crawl, talk? What about transition to solid foods? How can I get him to sleep?Meet once a week and connect with other parents and their infants to get your questions answered by our licensed parent educators. This is the perfect way to meet other parents, learn form others, engage with your child, and discover what is right for you and your family when it comes to all those big questions.Perfect for parents on maternity/paternity leave, sections #107 and #108 are short, 7-week sessions - sign up for one or both!

Bumps, scrapes and bruises.  All children get them!  Learn basic first aid tips and how to treat life threatening emergencies such as choking and allergies.  Tina Goralczyk, BS, RN, PHN, has more than 15 years of experience as both a pediatric and public health nurse.  She is also a certified American Heart Association instructor for first aid and CPR.  * This introductory class does not offer individual certification.Parents of newborn through age 5 years

Join MacPhail Center for Music as we explore music and movement through play based engaging activities! Together we will sing, play and learn! Appropriate for ages birth – 8 years.

Our same great ECFE format for native Spanish speakers. Explore the classroom, sing songs, read books, create art, and more!  Connect with other Spanish-speaking parents on topics such as discipline, nutrition, the importance of play, and language development. Available to Hopkins District families only. These classes are grant funded and offered at no cost. A Spanish interpreter participates in the Spanish class.