Hopkins Community Education

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

Enhance your child's brain development through stories, songs, sensory experiences, and play!. Enjoy reading/telling stories, singing songs, and doing sensory movement with your child. Join us for the fun!  Sibling care for older siblings through age 5 available; $5/child.

Enhance your child's brain development through stories, songs, sensory experiences, and play! Enjoy reading/telling stories, singing songs, and doing sensory movement with your child. Join us for the fun!

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.

Parent & Child (3-5 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.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. Your child’s classroom will have interesting learning stations that will engage them while they develop school readiness skills. Parents will discuss topics such as sibling rivalry, overindulgence, your child’s temperament, healthy communication, setting limits, and more. Parents may choose from options listed below regarding separation from their child during the parent discussion portion of the class.This is a separating class

1-2 Year Olds & Parent 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.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! 

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 form 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.

The questions never end during this amazing time of development!  Our licensed parent educators have the knowledge and experience to field all of your important questions. 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.  Perfect for parents on maternity/paternity leave, sections #107 & #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

Do you wish you had a group of parents you could talk with to discuss the joys and challenges of raising your 3-6 year-old child? Do you want the Parent Education benefit of an ECFE class but cannot commit to a weekly session? Meet and connect once a month with other parents and dive deep into your hot parenting topics. This parent-only class will be led by Angela Hart, M.Ed., licensed parent educator. The full 1½ hours will be devoted to learning and sharing ideas and connecting with other parents during supportive group discussions.