New Years Eve Balloon Drop at Jammin' New Year's 2016!!

New Year's Eve is coming soon!  Are you having a hard time figuring out how to usher in the New Year with your wee ones? 

Kids huddle around a magical campfire to "roast" marshmallows at last year's Jammin' New Year's Eve bash.

Your present situation doesn't lend itself to a couple's night on the town (good luck finding a babysitter!).  And staying up until the stroke of midnight with a baby and/or toddler is simply not going to happen.

Not to worry.  Parent Talk has got you covered with a terrific option that lets your whole family celebrate the new year together -- Jammin' New Years 2016!!

On the last day of 2015, head over to the Wellesley Jammin' With You Performance Center for music with Josh and the Jamtones, Jimmy Jamz, puppet shows, karaoke, crafts, and even a balloon drop!

Balloon drop!

Where else on New Year's Eve can your child draw on the wall, do crafts, hang with friends and family, listen to good kid music, dance, and eat yummy food (pizza and drinks are available for purchase) all in one place, and possibly all at once?  At Jammin' New Years 2016, that's where! 

The cost of such fun is only $30 per family.  There are even two options to make it easier to attend -- one party beginning at 10:30 a.m. and another party beginning at 1:30 p.m.  Lastly, parents who register and volunteer will earn a free slice of pizza and a drink for their kids who attend!  Volunteers can sign up at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0b4eaaad23a4f58-jammin.

These kids are happy doing crafts, but if they tire of that, they can simply turn around and draw on the wall!

My family is already signed up.  Still need to register?  Just click here . . .  and see you there!

About the Author
Darlene W. Cancell is an attorney turned stay-at-home mom, and most recently, the blog coordinator for Parent Talk.

Dance Classes for Two to Three Year Olds

Ready to enroll your toddler in a dance class?  If you have a toddler who loves to move while being creative, silly and social, then consider the world of dance.  Dancing is a fun and interactive way for children to grow and develop in all levels.  Here are a few points to ponder when choosing a dance class.

Source: LINX

 

Pick a dance studio that focuses on the needs of two to three-year-old children

We all know toddlers need to have fun to stay engaged.  While the right dance class should be entertaining, it should also help develop your toddler's motor skills, flexibility, musicality and self-confidence.  Toddler-focused dance classes can incorporate ribbons, scarves, maracas, wands and hula hoops to keep your child engaged while promoting physical and social awareness.  It’s important to explore the different ways our bodies can move and the many shapes they can make.  Tapping into your child’s love for music and sound helps to form the foundation for a healthy love of dance and music for years to come. 

Many three-year-olds are ready for a dance class without mom, so check whether your dance studio has On My Own class options.  However, while On My Own style dance classes foster independence, some parents still want to watch all the fun.  A parent-friendly studio may be set-up to allow for one-way parent viewing.  Also, check whether there are opportunities for student performances.  When a child is ready, a recital or other performance in front of a group can encourage self-confidence and a sense of pride and accomplishment. 

Source: LINX

Parent Participation

Two-year-olds typically are more comfortable learning with a partner with whom they already connect and trust.  Separation from parents can sometimes be difficult for toddlers.  Most importantly, most children at this age have not yet experienced copying movements and following a teacher's directions.  Dance classes for toddlers should be structured to allow parent participation throughout the class while also allowing a child and parent to separate from each other.  Parents or caregivers should be encouraged to provide comfort and guidance at whatever level they are comfortable with, to help make their child's first structured dance experience a success.

What to expect in class

Warm up, circle time activities are a great way to ease dancers into the class. Parents may be encouraged to join in the fun, using engaging props like scarves and shakers.  A large, creative, movement activity can round out the class as children focus on the teacher for instruction.  This may be followed by parent participation as the exercise evolves.

Source; LINX

Know your teacher

Why not schedule a time to talk to the dance instructor at the studio?  Find out if your class is taught by a dance professional who is experienced with two and three-year-olds.  If so, you can have some assurance that your child will receive the proper guidance as he or she attempts only movements for which he or she is both mentally and physically ready. 

Look for a dance studio that will grow with your child

As your child gets a little older, he or she will have an increased ability to focus, which is needed to have fun with a routine.  Children can start to have this ability around age three.  At this point, classes can focus more intensely on ballet, tap, hip hop, jazz, and leaps and turns.  Staying with the same dance studio is a benefit to your dancer because he or she is already comfortable in the learning environment.  Your child can build on existing friendships while making new ones.  Choose a dance studio choice that will help grow your child’s love for dance and creative movement for years to come!

About the Author
Grace Tummino is Marketing Specialist at LINX in Wellesley, a Parent Talk Platinum Level Partner and company that offers classes and camp experiences to help children have fun while they learn.

If you have comments or an experience to share related to this blog, please speak up!

"On My Own" Programs for Kids: When, Why and How to Start

Are you thinking about enrolling your child in “on my own” style activities but are not sure what age is best to start or what program to try first? 

Independent classes for kids can start as early as age 2 and provide a great way to prepare young children for the routine and socialization skills needed in preschool.

 

Examples of "On My Own" Activities and Recommended Starting Age

 

2 Years

Preschool Prep – This type of program is valuable because it encourages a child’s natural desire to explore through play and imagination while preparing little ones to become more independent. 

2 1/2 Years 

 

Art – Every kid loves to get messy and dive into his or her own creation. An art class will give your child exposure to different media, help foster independence, and enhance motor skills.   

Source

Multi-Sports – Children at this age do well with an introduction to fundamental skills across many different sports while having fun.

 

Math – Programs at this age use song and dance to create a fun learning experience focused on numbers and counting.

3 Years

Ballet, Tap, Hip Hop, Jazz, and Tumbling – These classes are popular and introduce technique while improving gross motor skills, coordination, balance and posture. 

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Theater – At a very young age, kids can have fun and build self-confidence through dramatic play and creative movement, while learning stage etiquette and performing stories.  

Yoga – Young children are capable of learning and practicing yoga. This type of class incorporates songs, games and stories to hold a child’s interest, build self-confidence, and promote relaxation. 

 

Half-Day Summer Camp – A half-day camp with a low ratio of campers to counselors will provide the right amount of summer fun, activities, and time to make new friends. The low ratio will ensure that your child gets the individual attention he or she needs to succeed within the camp group.  

Source

4 Years  

Beginner Martial Arts – Children can develop confidence, focus and self-control as they learn self-defense skills.  

Benefits of On My Own Programs

• Have fun while learning new skills
• Increase creativity and love of learning 
• Enhance motor skills
• Socialize
• Exercise 
• Build confidence and self-control

Deciding on a Program

With so many choices out there, you may not be sure what to start out with! Speaking from my own experience as a mom, I say, “Go for whatever they get excited about!” Try to really listen and pay attention to what your child enjoys doing, and then look for a program to add to the fun. 

When one of my daughters was very young, I noticed she would always, with no exception, hum or sing a tune while doing something at home that she really enjoyed. She got super productive one day, and proudly came to me with her “bakery” made from paper, crayons, scissors and glue! She actually spent hours on it. From this, I learned that she loved to express herself creatively, so I went with it. Over time, she took independent classes in dance, martial arts, art, piano, and more as her interests changed. 

Source

If your child gets excited about music and loves to move, you may want to start with a dance class. If he or she likes putting on little plays in the family room or sing without anyone listening, you might want to try a theater class. If the child loves to toss a ball around the house and play games of “catch” with you, a multi-sports class can be a great introduction to different sports, teamwork and self-confidence.  

What to Look for in a Program and Facility

Once you know what kind of program you want for your child, the next step is finding a facility that meets your standards. A good enrichment program will grow with your child. And the familiarity of using the same facility for multiple classes will help increase your child’s confidence to try new activities, as he or she gets older. You will want to seek out classes that offer different levels to best fit your child’s abilities. 

A search online in your area will provide some options, and the best way to get a feel for the program is to visit the facility and talk to the instructors. If the program doesn’t look fun, or if you and/or your child are uneasy after visiting, then you need to look for a better fit. Lastly, keep in mind that the staff of a good enrichment facility will make time for both you and your little one and answer all of your questions. You should be able to schedule a time to talk about the program or programs that are best suited for your child.  

From my own personal experience, I can see that what class children take isn't as important as whether or not they enjoy it. Having fun is the best way to learn something new, and each experience has so many benefits. We don’t need to focus on finding programs with the goal of producing artists like Van Gogh or world-renowned dancers like Baryshnikov. Activities at this stage in the game are all about raising confident, independent kids who are not afraid to try new things and be the best they can be. 

After all, my little singing artist is well on her way to a biochemistry degree, and I am certain that her childhood experiences have provided her with skills to succeed. They have helped to shape the fun loving, intelligent woman she is becoming. 

Good luck to you and your little one as you start this fun-filled journey.

About the Author

Grace Tummino is Marketing Specialist at LINX in Wellesley, a company offering classes and camp experiences to help children have fun while they learn.

If you have comments or an experience to share related to this blog, please speak up!