| Thu, Feb 7 |
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A Good Night's Sleep - Why it's Important and How to Get There
Learn the essentials of sleep for children and how sleep has a direct impact on daytime behavior. Up to date brain-based research will provide you with the knowledge to help your children get to sleep and stay asleep. Discuss strategies for children who refuse to go bed, children who get out of bed, and children who wake up during the night. Listen to real-life stories of families who took the stress out of bedtime while teaching their children the skill of a good night’s sleep. This is an adult only event - no childcare is available. About the presenter: Angela Klinefelter, MS, is a licensed teacher of parents and children. She has a Master's Degree in Child and Family Studies and Marriage and Family Therapy and has 20 years of experience working with children and families. She is currently working as a parent educator and home visitor for the St. Cloud School District Early Childhood Family Education Program and is also the Project Manager for Greater St. Cloud Area Thrive. Angela teaches for St. Cloud State University for the Child and Family Studies Department and is an online instructor for the Center for Early Education and Development at the University of Minnesota. Angela specializes in the area of social emotional development of young child and the enhancement of parent/child relationships. -
A Taste of Preschool
A new twist for those young preschool-aged children and their siblings! All children will enjoy classroom activities with their parents, but the fun really begins when parents go to their parenting discussion and the big kids (ages three through five) get to "practice" going to preschool in the classroom while the younger siblings play in the sibling care classroom. There will be learning activities in small and large groups similar to those in preschool. Discussion topics will focus on helping children learn preschool skills as well as topics that foster growth and development. -
Babies, Babies, Babies
Join other parents to play and learn in a baby-safe environment. Babies will have fun with activities and songs; parents will learn about development, early learning activities, sleeping and eating. Parents/caregivers and babies remain together for the class. -
Building Math into Everyday Life
A workshop for home and center-based child care providers sponsored by Anoka-Hennepin Child Care Collaborative.Learn easy ways to build a strong math foundation with young children.Early math experiences make a HUGE difference in future math and literacy achievement! Discover engaging ideas and materials to help draw out mathematical concepts from the everyday experiences of preschoolers. Bring a notebook and pen. This course meets the licensed family child care annual training requirement (Develop Event ID: 182219). This is an adult-only event – no childcare is provided. -
Buildings & Bridges & Trucks, Oh My!
Enjoy fun-filled activities that encourage the use of familiar objects to make observations about how things work or are built. Whether building a sturdy tower of blocks or creating a solid foundation with play dough, you and your child will have fun while they learn. Discussions include how to encourage your child's learning in their everyday world. -
Class Under Glass
Studies prove that spending time outdoors builds confidence, promotes creativity, provides unique stimulation, and gets children moving, all while reducing stress and fatigue. Parents and children will learn about the outdoors and nature, both in and out of our greenhouse, through artwork and sensory experiences. Class will be spent inside and outdoors - even through the winter months. -
Coffee & Conversation
As your children grow and change, so do their interests, needs and behaviors. Are you noticing how you parent might need to grow and change too?Meet with other parents of preschoolers to third graders, along with a licensed parent educator, for coffee and conversation. Join us for friendship, sharing of ideas, information, strategies and support. Bring your own coffee or you can purchase coffee or other beverages in the Gathering Place.*Childcare is available for children ages birth to kindergarten - $5/child. Registration is required. -
ECFE 2.0
If you’ve been in ECFE classes for more than a year or perhaps you have two children and are ready to move beyond toilet learning and toddler tantrums, then this is the class for you! As you transition from parenting little ones to bigger kids, it's time to shift discussions to a focus on preschool and early elementary school parenting. *For Anoka location please bring an age-appropriate snack & beverage for your child(ren). -
Everyday Parenting
Everyday parenting brings everyday questions. How do I...? What's typical? Why does he...? Am I...? Why doesn't she...? How do I do...? The list is never-ending! Join us to discuss your child's development and get answers to your everyday parenting questions. You'll discover simple, effective responses to the everyday challenges that we all have. Plus, you and your child will benefit from playing and learning together. -
Family Patterns and Roles: The Impact on Behaviors
A workshop for home and center-based child care providers sponsored by Anoka-Hennepin Child Care Collaborative.Families play an essential role in the emotional, physical, and social development of individual family members. Research has found that the family's functioning impacts the child's development and behaviors. Families that function in a healthy manner are well equipped to deal with the many normal changes and unexpected crises that confront them throughout their lifetime. By understanding the family patterns and dynamics, providers are able to support families and their functioning in order to help children grow in healthy and supportive environments. You will discuss skills and strategies to support the families they work with.This behavior guidance course meets the licensed family child care annual training requirement (Develop Event ID: 181714). This is an adult-only event – no childcare is provided.About the presenter: Tracy Schreifels, MS, LMFT, IMH-E (III) is the Mental Health Specialist for Reach Up Inc., a Head Start and Early Head Start agency in St. Cloud, MN. Prior to this position she taught preschool for eight years and has had experience working in a day treatment program for preschool children. She provides in-home family therapy and classroom support for children identified with challenging behaviors as well as reflective consultation and therapeutic parent education groups. Tracy also teaches online for the Center for Early Education and Development at the University of Minnesota and provides trainings around the Midwest. -
Fun With Dad
Enjoy a room filled with fun activities for you and your child(ren). Spend time with other fathers, talking and sharing ideas about raising children. -
It's Not About the Broccoli
We all strive as parents to get our children to eat a variety of foods that are healthy. Learn how focusing on nutrition can sometimes unmistakingly lead to bad habits and messages that create picky eaters and children who may grow up to have an unhealthy relationship with food. Discussion time will focus on information from the book, "It's Not About the Broccoli," by Dina Rose, Ph.D. Come away with strategies on how to create new habits and healthy messages to lay the foundation for variety in your child's daily diet. -
Jumpin' in the Gym
Come wiggle, jiggle and jump in this fun and active class. Children can burn off some of their extra energy in the gym as they run, jump, ride, slide, swing and climb. Besides the time jumpin' in the gym, we'll also have fun exploring some classroom activities. A licensed parent educator will guide parenting discussions on the power of play and other topics. -
Let's Get Messy!
Develop your child’s curiosity and learning through messy play and creative exploration. You and your child will benefit from the hands-on exploration of art materials while they create their own messy masterpieces. Join us for all of the fun without the stress of cleaning up! -
Math Rocks!
Setting the table, sorting socks, and playing with pots and pans are everyday activities that help develop math skills in young children. Children will explore fun activities with math each week. -
Movers & Doers
Learning activities designed for children on the move. Parenting discussion occurs in the classroom so children can practice independence with a parent/caregiver nearby. Topics include responding to new behaviors, encouraging language development, preventing temper tantrums and more. -
Oh Baby! Open House
Oh baby, what a special time for you! Join other parents and their babies in a room filled with activities and information geared just for the little ones. No charge, but pre-registration is necessary. This class is geared to newborns (birth-9 months) with their parent/guardian, older siblings cannot be accommodated. -
Open the Door, Let's Explore
Explore and discover the world outside through experiential, hands-on activities. Parenting discussion will include how to help children learn through common everyday experiences. Weather permitting, we will go outside to our nature area for outdoor activities. Dress for outdoor play every week. -
Parenting Across Generations
Whether you are a full-time caregiver grandparent, occasionally care for your grandchild, or are raising others' children, this class is meant for you! Adults and children will have the opportunity to paint, play, sing and read together. Adults will also have time to talk with other caregivers about their role. A Family Support Specialist from Lutheran Social Services will be available at each class with resource information and community support. -
Parenting with Wit & Wisdom
The focus is on helping your child develop their own self-discipline. Discuss how to parent strong-willed children, effective alternatives to time-outs, bribes, and threats, and how to help children resolve disputes and serious injustices such as bullying.Discussion time will focus on information from the book, "Kids are Worth It," by Barbara Coloroso. Come away with strategies and practical suggestions for helping your child to be responsible, resilient, and resourceful -- not because you tell them to, but because they want to. -
Parents, Kids & Preschool
This preschool class meets two days a week. The first day, parents and children attend together. The second day is for children only. Parent attendance is expected in order for child to participate in the child-only day. Activities are aligned with Anoka-Hennepin Schools kindergarten curriculum to enhance the development of social skills, math, literacy, music and science. Parenting topics include getting ready for kindergarten, setting limits, bedtime and more. Sibling care is available at most sites only on the parent/child day of class. Andover Preschool and Family Place does not offer sibling care. -
Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids
If you are tired of power struggles, tantrums and searching for the right "consequence" join us for this class. Using Dr. Laura Markham's book "Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids" as our guide, we will look at ways to transform parenting in a positive, proven way. -
Positive Discipline
Learn to respond to your children in sensitive and caring ways through observation and reading cues. Explore a variety of skills that can help nurture and guide children through their early years. -
Preschool Here I Come!
It is an exciting time when your child starts preschool! This is the time to practice getting ready for preschool by listening to stories, singing, painting and making new friends! Parenting discussion will focus on preschool skills as well as other topics.
