Parenting Press- Winter 2021 by Moorhead Area Public Schools

Winter 2021

Reading Corner Check out our top three books to read to your little one this winter!

CONNECT & SHARE WITH PARENTS Classes open to everyone in the FM Metro

Get Ready for School Discover three helpful tips to prepare your child for kindergarten.

Parenting PRESS

Register For Class Classes fill quickly, make sure to register and secure your spot! Register online or over the phone. Visit www. moorheadschools.org/CE or call (218) 284-3400 to sign up for a class.

Age Requirements Your child must be the required age for the class by the first day of the class. State funding requires that only children ages birth through kindergarten entry may participate in our program.

It’s time To Reconnect This Winter Parenting can be an amazing, joy-filled experience; it can also be overwhelming and frustrating. Parents are often hungry for information, ideas and tips for working through new challenges. In order to find the most helpful and valuable information, it is important to use high-quality sources. But how? Here are a few go-to sources for research-based parenting information: • Healthy Children is a website by The American Academy of Pediatrics and presents pediatricianapproved information and guidance. • Zero to Three is a national nonprofit organization that informs, trains, and supports parents and professionals. • CDC The Centers for Disease Control has a lot of information about parenting. Their Milestone Tracker App is awesome! • Help Me Grow has many resources about the development of young children. In addition to online resources, every parent needs personal connection and support. We invite you to reconnect this winter through Early Childhood Family Education classes. These are a wonderful resource for parents and provide an easy way to meet other parents going through similar joys and struggles. Sign up for a class today to meet other parents and find tips and tricks from our licensed parent educators. Check out the upcoming class offerings on the following pages. Joelle Hofer Early Childhood Coordinator

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Class Fees Class fees are indicated with each description and are payable upon registration. All families are welcome. Families that live in the Moorhead School District receive a discounted rate, indicated by ($)*. Fee is per family except where noted. If you need financial assistance and live in the Moorhead School District, please call (218) 284-3400 for scholarship information. NOTE: We are using a “Pay and installment plan” procedure. You are paying for half of the course at registration and your credit/debit card or checking account will be charged the balance on 02/15/2022.

Cancellations Weather-Related Cancellations Check online at www.moorheadschools.org or listen to the radio or television to receive the latest update on any storm-related cancellations or late starting time for classes. Cancellation Policy Unless otherwise specified, if you have to cancel, we can give a full refund only if you notify the Community Education Office at least 48 hours prior to the first class meeting. Refunds after a class has begun will be given only in extreme circumstances. In the unlikely event your class is canceled, we will give a full refund.

Vista Center for Education 2777 34th St. S., Moorhead P: 218-284-3400 E: communityeducation@moorheadschools.org

Family Connections Classes (birth - kindergarten entry)

Class Structure: Parents and children spend the first hour together working on activities the teacher and room provides. Then we transition into circle time, which may consist of music, finger plays, movement activities, books, flannel board stories, puppets and anything else our teachers can dream up! The second hour parents discuss topics of interest with each other and a licensed parent educator. Children enjoy play time, remaining with a licensed early childhood educator. You know your child best. If your child is not ready to separate, you can stay with your child the entire class.

Featured Class NEW Yea, I Don’t Nap!

EPC178A - Nancy Fix-Shelton & Jen Krause 7 Mondays, 1/10-3/7, 12:45-2:30 pm Vista- Room 104, $84 ($70)* No Class: 1/17 and 2/21

Wednesday EPC121H - Nancy Fix-Shelton & Jen Krause 9 Wednesdays, 1/12-3/9, 10:30 am -12:15 pm Vista- Room 104, $108 ($90)*

Thursday Tuesday EPC121B - Nancy Fix-Shelton & Dani Wright 9 Tuesdays, 1/11-3/8, 8:30-10:15 am Vista- Room 104, $108 ($90) EPC121C - Rachel Stalberger & Jen Krause 9 Tuesdays, 1/11-3/8, 8:30-10:15 am Vista- Room 105, $108 ($90)* EPC121D - Shanna Fischer & Jill Christopherson 9 Tuesdays, 1/11-3/8, 8:30-10:15 am Vista- Room 102, $108 ($90)* EPC121E - Nancy Fix-Shelton & Dani Wright 9 Tuesdays, 1/11-3/8, 10:30 am-12:15 pm Vista- Room 104, $108 ($90)* EPC121F - Rachel Stalberger & Jen Krause 9 Tuesdays, 1/11-3/8, 10:30 am-12:15 pm Vista- Room 105, $108 ($90)* EPC121G - Shanna Fischer & Jill Christopherson 9 Tuesdays, 1/11-3/8, 10:30 am-12:15 pm Vista- Room 102, $108 ($90)*

EPC121J - Nancy Fix-Shelton & Jen Krause 9 Thursdays, 1/13-3/10, 8:30-10:15 am Vista- Room 104, $108 ($90)* EPC121K - Shanna Fischer & Jen Krause 9 Thursdays, 1/13-3/10, 8:30-10:15 am Vista- Room 102, $108 ($90)* EPC121L - Rachel Stalberger & Dani Wright 9 Thursdays, 1/13-3/10, 8:45 -10:45 am Vista- Room 105, $108 ($90)*

Have Fun in the Snow! Materials: snow, kid safe scissors, paper, kitchen tools, spray bottles and/or food coloring. Check out these wonderfully winter themed crafts to do! 1. Cut out or draw unique snowflakes from paper. 2. Play in the snow. 3. Take a walk and listen to sounds. 4. Bring snow into your house. 5. Use kitchen tools in the snow. 6. Bring spray bottles outside with colored water inside to “paint” the snow. 7. Put snow in a cup - how long does it take to melt?

EPC121M - Nancy Fix-Shelton & Jen Krause 9 Thursdays, 1/13-3/10, 10:30 am-12:15 pm Vista- Room 104, $108 ($90)*

Did you finish your project? Good job! Tag us on social media with what you did.

EPC121N - Shanna Fischer & Jen Krause 9 Thursdays, 1/13-3/10, 10:30 am-12:15 pm Vista- Room 102, $108 ($90)*

@MoorheadCommunityEducation

EPC181A - Rachel Stalberger & Dani Wright 9 Thursdays, 1/13-3/10, 12 -2 pm Vista- Room 105, $108 ($90)*

Classes continued on page 4

Parenting PRESS

Friday

Hear From Our Families!

EPC121P - Nancy Fix-Shelton & Dani Wright 9 Fridays, 1/14-3/11, 8:30-10:15 am Vista- Room 104, $108 ($90)* EPC121Q - Shanna Fischer & Jen Krause 9 Fridays, 1/14-3/11, 8:30-10:15 am Vista- Room 102, $108 ($90)* EPC1201R - Nancy Fix-Shelton & Jen Krause 9 Fridays, 1/14-3/11, 10:30 am-12:15 pm Vista- Room 104, $108 ($90)* EPC121S - Shanna Fischer & Dani Wright 9 Fridays, 1/14-3/11, 10:30 am-12:15 pm Vista- Room 102, $108 ($90)*

Nature Class

Rediscover the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in in this hands-on class. We will celebrate the seasons and wonder about all the changes as we observe nature outside and inside our classroom. Vista - Room 105, all sections EPC109 - Shanna Fischer, Rachel Stalberger & Jill Christopherson, $108 ($90)* EPC109A - 9 Wednesdays, 1/12 - 3/9, 8:30-10:15 am EPC109B - 9 Wednesdays, 1/12 - 3/9, 10:30 am - 12:15 pm

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“ECFE allows me to teach my children social skills, that otherwise, I can’t teach them at home. ECFE also gives me the opportunity to talk to other families, and get support and suggestions about things I may be struggling with at home.”

“Attending classes helped me to improve my language. Because English is a second language, ECFE helps my children to learn and understand English, and get them ready for preschool. They also learn to separate from mom.”

“This program has been a game-changer for me as a parent. It’s a community of loving and caring teachers and parents coming together to support one another to create meaningful relationships with our children and each other. As a team, we work through tough topics in parenting, unite over common issues, and celebrate joys and accomplishments.”

Non-Separating Classes (birth - kindergarten entry)

NEW A Mover, A Shaker, A Delightful Mess Maker

Featured Class

(Birth- Kindergarten Entry)

Baby Beginnings

Develop your child’s curiosity and learning through music, movement, messy play and creative exploration. Music and movement will help children learn to express themselves in different ways. You and your child will benefit from the hands-on exploration of art materials while they create their own messy masterpieces. Join us for two fun sessions that will turn your child into a mover, a shaker and a delightful mess maker!!

(Birth - 15 months) Do you have a baby and want to connect with others going through the same experience? Join us Mondays, as we connect and explore the wonders that your baby brings to your world! *Even if it is nap time, join us and let your little one sleep as you connect. EPC176A - Shanna Fischer & Dani Wright 7 Mondays, 1/10 - 3/7, 11:15 am - 12:15 pm Vista - Room 102, $63 ($56)* No Class 1/17 and 2/21

Vista - Room 104, all sections EPC177 - Nancy Fix-Shelton EPC177A - 7 Mondays 1/10-3/7, 8:30 - 10:15 am $84 ($70)* No Class: 1/17 and 2/21 EPC177B - 7 Mondays 1/10-3/7, 10:30 am - 12:15 pm $84 ($70)* No Class 1/17 and 2/21 EPC177C - 9 Wednesdays 1/12-3/9 , 8:30 - 10:15 am $108 ($90)*

Afternoons at ECFE

Mystery materials make learning fun. Kids learn through their senses, one of the most important being touch! Introduce unique and uknown materials into their play. This will encourage them to experiement with new things and learn exciting and different textures. Check out our Calm Your Senses class on page 7.

(Birth - Kindergarten entry) Join us Tuesday afternoons for some afternoon fun! This class will run a little differently than our typical non-separating classes. You will leave these sessions with ideas on how to foster your child’s learning at home! EPC122B - Rachel Stalberger 9 Tuesdays, 1/11 - 3/8, 3-4:30 pm Vista- Room 105, $81 ($72)* Classes continued on page 7

Parenting PRESS

The Reading Corner Check out our top three books to read to your little one this winter!

Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner Have you ever built a snowman and discovered the next day that his grin has gotten a little crooked, or his tree-branch arms have moved? And you’ve wondered . . . what do snowmen do at night? This delightful wintertime tale reveals all!

Kindergarten is a big adjustment for your little one! We are here with three tips to help prepare your student for school. Join us for our Keys to Kindergarten event to learn even more about how to prepare for your child’s first year of school. Registration opens in January.

Ten Ways to Hear Snow by Cathy Camper One winter morning, Lina wakes up to silence. It’s the sound of snow -- the kind that looks soft and glows bright in the winter sun. But as she walks to her grandmother’s house to help make the family recipe for warak enab, she continues to listen.

Sneezy the Snowman by Maureen Wright and Stephen Gilpin B-R-R-R-R! AH-CHOO! Sneezy the Snowman is cold, cold, cold. To warm up, he drinks cocoa, sits in a hot tub, stands near a warm fire–and melts! But the children know just what to do to build him up again–and make him feel “just right”.

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Get Ready for Kindergarten

Set a Sleep Routine Set up a regular bed time and wake up routine. The National Sleep Foundation recommends children 5 years of age get between 9-13 hours of sleep every night. Also, make sure to cut off screen time one hour before bed.

Develop Consistent Daily Routines Setting up a daily routine is very important. Let your child pick out their clothing the night before, choose a spot for the backpack or make lunch for the next day together.

Incorporate Reading Into Your Daily Routine Children love to read with their parents! Establish a routine of reading with your child for 20 minutes every day to get your child used to sitting and listening.

Helping your child foster wonder. Help your child wonder about where the squirrels get their food or where the city trucks haul the snow. Visit about sounds you hear when taking a walk in the snow; look for tracks made by people, animals, and vehicles. Imagine the size, color, or age of the creatures who made the tracks! Check out our Nature class on page 4.

Your Family Counts! If you have... • Recently moved into our district or

Stay Informed

(Birth-age 5) Fun for SPUD staff and their little sprouts! Do you work for the district, but haven’t had time to take an ECFE class? Check us out! Parenting is challenging for everyone. Take the time to meet staff across the MAPS district in this session which will prove to be messy, creative and sciency. EPC155A - Nancy Fix-Shelton & Jill Christopherson 9 Thursdays, 1/13 - 3/10, 4-5:30 pm Vista- Room 104, $45 MAPS employees

NEW Calm Your Senses

(Birth - Kindergarten Entry)

• Had an addition to the family

Be Counted

ECFE for MAPS Staff

Visit...

moorheadschools.org/census

During this calming class, reconnect with your child after a busy day. Let’s settle down, read a book and calm our bodies with soothing sensory play. Feel free to have children come in their jammies. * Course fee includes cost of sensory supplies. EPC179A - Nancy Fix-Shelton 7 Mondays, 1/10 - 3/7, 5:30-7 pm Vista- Room 104, $98 ($91)* No Class 1/17 and 2/21

Parenting PRESS

Independent School District 152

Non-Profit Org U.S. Postage PAID Fargo, ND Permit No. 391

Early Childhood Family Education Community Education 2777 34th St. S. Moorhead, MN 56560

@MoorheadCommunityEducation Parenting Press Published three times a year by Early Childhood Family Education, a Community Education program of Moorhead Area Public Schools Joelle Hofer Early Childhood Coordinator Brenda Richman Executive Director of Community Engagement & Public Relations Brandon Lunak Superintendent Early Childhood Family Education’s mission is to strengthen families and support parents in providing the best possible environment for the healthy growth and development of their children.

Jump Start Preschool Set your child up for success - enroll in Jump Start today!

moorheadschools.org/CE