Our Parent and Me classes are for children who are 2 years old as of September 1st
Our Just for Me Class is for children who are 2 1/2 years old by September 1st

For the 2008-09 school year the Parent and Me classes will be offered on the following days. Please see the Registration Page for information regarding available spaces or waiting lists. (click here for 2007-08 information)

The Just for Me program is for children age 2 ½ (Age 2 on or before March 1st) to attend class independently one day a week. For a child who meets the 2 ½ year age requirement and is able to manage personal bathroom needs, the program may be paired with the Parent and Me class on Monday or Saturday to provide a 2-day a week program (one day with a parent and one day on their own).

In the Parent and Me program, parents attend the class with their child, allowing him/her to experience a school environment (often for the first time) while in the comforting presence of a parent. While children typically attend with their mom, dads are always encouraged to attend as well. Throughout the morning, parents have the opportunity to spend quality time with their child (without siblings), following the lead of their child throughout the room and participating in various hands-on activities.

The facilitator prepares the room with materials the children can explore, including a process based art activity, sensory materials including playdough to strengthen muscles in their hands and fingers, a variety of materials in the sensory bin including water or corn kernels, and a variety of other age and developmentally appropriate materials in each area of the room including: block area, dramatic play, library corner, science table, lego table, and manipulative/puzzle area.

The class then enjoys a nutritional snack, which is provided by the parents on a rotating basis (see Snack Guidelines for specific suggestions). The morning ends with the children and parents working together to clean up the materials and a brief circle time on the rug. During circle time, children can enjoy a variety of songs, finger plays, flannel board stories, instruments, or stories from the comfort and safety of their parent’s lap. While all children are encouraged to participate in circle time, the facilitator understands that not all children are ready for a more structured activity, and helps meet the child’s individual needs.

The facilitator understands that each child is unique and at a different stage of development. The facilitator encourages children and their parents to move at their own pace and helps meet the individual needs of each family. The facilitator is also available throughout class to help answer questions about stages of growth and development, early childhood education, or a variety of other issues parents are facing. Additionally, the facilitator moves throughout the room talking with parents as their child experiments with the various materials in the room to provide parents a better understanding of how their child is learning and the specific skills they master when working with various materials. Parents are also provided with a variety of articles on child development, the benefits of a hands-on curriculum, and other resources regarding early childhood education.

The Parent and Me program also offers parents the opportunity to network with other parents, utilizing their own experiences to share ideas, suggestions, and parenting tips that they have learned. It is a wonderful opportunity for parents to meet other parents experiencing similar issues to provide support and knowledge learned first hand from their own child. It is our goal that both parents and children will feel a part of a community who are working together to support the family unit and provide for each child’s development across each domain.

If you are interested in attending our Parent and Me program, would like to visit a class, or would like additional information, please feel free to contact the school and we will be happy to speak with you.

Send questions or comments about this web site to Webmaster@hinsdalecommunitypreschool.org. Last updated 05/14/08.

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