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 section.

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 art forms, and more! Each week, the parent educator will lead discussions on topics you are most interested in, such as sharing, routines and rituals, temper tantrums, toilet learning, and child development.

Listen to the giggles as you and your toddler enjoy creative activities, sing songs, play with toys, explore new art forms, and more! The parent educator will lead discussions on topics such as sharing, routines and rituals, temper tantrums, toilet learning, child development, and self-esteem.

It is so exciting to see your child exploring his growing independence!  In these once-a-week ECFE classes, you will have time with your child during the first portion of the class.  Then, you and your child will separate into different classrooms.  The preschool curriculum gives her opportunities with social skills, reading, art, stories, science, and more.  Your child will discover rich and varied learning stations that will engage him while developing school-readiness skills.Meanwhile, parents have the opportunity to develop strong connections with other parents.  You'll learn strategies to support your child’s readiness for kindergarten, and the licensed parent educator will lead discussions on your hot topics, such as sibling rivalry, healthy communication, setting limits, and more.

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

Kelly Shay, certified yoga instructor specializing in classes for adults, pregnant women, children, and families. Enhance playful interaction between you and your baby. Baby Yoga provides stretching and exercises to strengthen growing muscles, along with the benefits of touch and relaxation. Babies ages 6 weeks to 9 months are welcome.  Please bring a baby blanket and a yoga mat or towel. A limited number of yoga mats will be available for families who do not have one.

Parent & Child (2-3 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.2-3 Year Olds & Parents Parents will discuss topics such as sibling rivalry, your child’s temperament, healthy communication, setting limits, and more. 

The 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.  Join us for these classes created especially for families who prefer evening options.Evening Infants & Toddlers Playtime Classes, 12-Week ClassesHave fun engaging with your infant or toddler in a variety of activities. Learn songs and games to play together. A licensed parent educator will be available to answer all your questions."How is my baby's brain developing? Is she eating enough? When will he begin to sit up, roll over, crawl, talk?" The questions never end during this amazing time of development. Our non-separating evening classes, for parents and infants together, are held once a week. While you and your baby connect and play, a licensed parent educator leads discussion on topics such as infant growth and development, transition to parenthood, sleeping, nutrition, and how babies learn and play. Registration remains open for classes that have already started (when space is available). Please contact us for a pro-rated fee 952-988-5000.

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