ECFE Class Descriptions
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Registration for ECFE Spring & Summer classes begins on March 21, 2022.
For all current Early Childhood Family Education class descriptions and additional information, please view our catalog pages:
ECFE Classes by Category
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Infant Classes
Baby & Me at Home and School
Status: Hybrid
Ages 10 weeks – 11 months | Non-separating
We are excited to offer these FREE classes weekly, alternating in person and online. The first session will be in person at Crystal Lake Education Center. You will have the opportunity to meet other parents with babies, explore our infant/toddler classroom and talk about the joys and challenges of parenting with our licensed parent educators. The second session will consist of a virtual Webex class where you can access the benefits of ECFE from the comfort of your own home. Subsequent classes will rotate between online and in-person. This is a flexible format to meet the varying needs of busy parents with infants. You may check out an ipad if you need a device to participate in this class.
Incredible Infants
Status: In Person
Ages Birth – 1 year | Non-separating
Welcome to ECFE! We have the perfect space for new babies to explore, sing, and play while you connect with other parents and a licensed parent educator. The questions never end during this amazing time in your child’s early development. Topics will vary from week to week based on parent input and feedback. Weekly weight checks are available. Space is limited and registration is required. Register for the sessions that best meet your needs.
Little Explorers
Status: In Person
Ages 9-18 months| Non-separating
As your little one moves from crawling to walking, come explore our classroom with activities just right for young toddlers. Meet other parents going through the same stage as you while you discuss the joys and challenges of parenting. You and your child will stay in the classroom together during the parent discussion.
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Toddler Classes
One-Year-Olds (year long options)
Status: In Person
Ages 12-24 months | Non-Separating and Separating Options
Learning takes place for one-year-olds as they are moving and exploring, often not far from their parents. Discuss the wonders and challenges of parenting during this exciting time with our parent educator. Your child will explore in our toddler room, learn with peers their same age and participate in a circle time designed just for one year olds!
Wonderful Ones | Non-Separating
Wednesday Ones | Separating
Busy Bodies
Status: In Person
Ages 15 – 30 months | Separtating
Join us as you and your toddler discover safe and age appropriate activities; including art, music and sensory play. Parents will gain knowledge and support from a licensed parent educator and other parents during discussion time.
Twos and Threes (year long options)
Status: In Person
Ages 2-3 years | Separating
Independence, language, problem solving and social skills are emerging during these ages. The classroom will foster all these developing skills, and you will value the parent discussion where you can learn, share and appreciate this stage of your parenting journey.
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Preschool Aged Classes (3-5 Years)
Messy Masterpieces
Status: In Person
Ages 3-5 years
Does your child enjoy getting messy while having fun? Do you love the fun but not the mess? Come for the mess and leave the clean-up to us. Join us for a class that includes many options to spark your child’s creativity. Each week you will be able to explore a variety of materials that promote creativity, appeal to multiple senses, and encourage curiosity.
STEAM Explorers
Status: In Person
Ages 3-5 years
This class provides parents and children opportunities to engage in hands-on learning. Materials and activities that promote Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Math will be the focus of this parent-child interaction time. This is a non-separating class without a parenting component.
Ready, Set, Grow
Status: In Person
Ages 3-5 years
This class is designed for families with children entering kindergarten in the next two years. Ready, Set, Grow provides parents and children with an introduction to school readiness skills through a fun, thematic approach to learning. Each month features stories, songs, and activities related to a theme that inspires curiosity and wonder. Parents will be provided with readiness information and ideas to support preschool development at home. Register for one month or all.
Stepping Stones
Status: In Person*
Ages 3-5 years
This 2 day per week class combines traditional ECFE and Preschool for the perfect blend of fun.
Day 1 - ECFE class includes time for parent/child interaction and parent education.
Day 2 - Drop your child off for their two hour preschool experience where children will practice sharing, taking turns, using manners, pretending, following directions and engage in early literacy and math experiences...all in a play-based environment.
Children are not required to be toilet-trained to attend this class.
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Birth to 5 Year Olds
Together at ECFE
Status: In Person
Ages 0-5 years
Are you or your little one ready for ECFE, but not ready to separate? This class will include all the ECFE classics, such as art projects, circle time with songs, and uninterrupted play time alongside your child. Staff are available to support you with questions you may have regarding child development.
Step into Learning
Status: In Person
Ages 0-5 years
Step into learning with your child as they explore and grow. Infants through pre-kindergarteners will have opportunities for sensory play, social interaction and build developmental skills. Grown-ups will have time to meet with a parent educator to discuss the celebrations and frustrations that come with the parenting journey.
Science and Sensory
Status: In Person
Ages 0-5 years
From magnets to slime to magic milk! We will explore different science and sensory themes each week. Recipes and information for extending ideas at home will be shared.
Music, Movement & MORE!
Status: In Person
Ages 0-5 years
Whether you have one child or more, infant to pre-kindergarten, this movement, art and music class introduces your young artists to an exciting variety of sensory experiences. Children will learn through play in a multi-age setting using different mediums, colors and textures. Create and enjoy music, rhythm, and movement together through parent/child activities, circle time, and large motor activities.
Explore Create Discover
Status: In Person*
Ages 0-5 years
Whether you have one child or more, an infant or a 5 year old, this class offers an opportunity to learn in a multi-age setting. Learn together through parent/child activities, circle time, music, stories and parent discussion. Parenting topics will include the importance of everyday parenting.
I Love Series
Status: In Person*
Ages 0-5 years
Love ECFE and looking for more? This class brings together literacy and activities based on different themes each week for you and your child to explore together. The I Love Series will provide families with an opportunity to do an art project, time for classroom exploration and circle time with a story. The themes change weekly. Registration is for a month at a time. Sign up for each month or just the ones that work for your family.This is a non-separating offering without a parenting component.
Life with Multiples
Status: In Person*
Ages 0-5 years
On the go and into everything times two or more! Life with Multiples will provide opportunities for you and your children to play, explore and make messes while you connect with other multiple families. During parent discussion, we will talk about the unique joys and challenges you face with other parents of twins, triplets and higher order multiples.
Family Fun on Fridays
Status: In Person
Ages 0-5 years
Enjoy music, movement, art and learning activities geared to encourage your child’s growth, development and independence. Parent discussions will include setting limits, the benefit of routines and rules - as well as how to start them, developmental milestones and other topics of interest to the class.
Get Your Motor Running
Status: In Person
Ages 0-5 years
Come to ECFE and start your week with large motor activities. We will start class in one of our amazing large motor spaces, designed for climbing, biking, tumbling and more. Then we will move to the classroom for more fun including block building, sensory experiences, and play with our great selection of toys for all ages. Get those wiggles out inside when it's too cold to be outside. Activities are designed for ages 2-5, but younger siblings are welcome to join the fun.
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Parent Only
Mini Book Discussion
Status: In Person
Want to get the highlights of the book without having to read the book? This 3 week mini class led by a licensed parent educator is based on the book “Raising Good Humans: A Mindful Guide to Breaking the Cycle of Reactive Parenting and Raising Kind, Confident Kids” by Hunter Clark-Fields. Connect with other families as we examine how to regulate your stress response, how to become less reactive and how to respond in order to get more cooperation from your children. Additional online resources will be available to those who wish to enhance their learning outside of the classroom.
Parenting Time After Bedtime
Status: Virtual
Are you interested in the parenting portion of ECFE? Then this class is for you - parents only! After your kids are tucked in, parents will log onto a Webex meeting with a licensed parent educator. We will discuss various parenting topics throughout the semester and have time for parents to check in and ask questions each week. You may check out an ipad if you need a device to participate in this class.
Parenting with Conscious Discipline
Status: Virtual
As parents, we want to support our children during tough times. However, adults can’t help children navigate upset and reach a calm state unless we are composed ourselves. With a licensed parent educator, parents will discuss topics and methods specific to the ©Conscious Discipline Parent Curriculum. You may check out an iPad if you need a device to participate in this class.
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Special Topic
Preparing Your Child for a New Sibling
Status: Virtual or In Person
Parent Only
Are you expecting a new baby or has your child recently become a big brother or sister? Sign up to receive free resources on how to ease into the adjustment of adding another family member. A new sibling can have a big impact on your family. Understand how to prepare your older child, introduce the new baby and encourage a healthy sibling bond. Connect 1:1 with a Parent Educator if desired for support via a virtual or in-person meeting.
ECFE To Go Kits
Status: Virtual
Ages 2-5 years
Pick up a monthly theme bag packed with all it takes to create a special ECFE experience from home. You can pick up from our non-contact entry area or you may also request carside delivery. Enjoy sensory experiences, materials for four craft projects, movement activities, interactive games, songs, and rhymes, outdoor activity ideas, and a recipe to try together at home. Each monthly kit contains a link to a weekly story and circle time; join live on Wednesdays 12:30-12:50pm or access a recorded version.
ECFE+
Status: In Person
Ages Kindergarten – 3rd grade
ECFE doesn’t end when your child starts Kindergarten. A licensed parent educator will lead parent discussion with topics that relate to families with school-age children. School-age children will discover and learn with a licensed teacher who will engage them in math, science, and art explorations. Sibling care available for children pre-kindergarten age for additional fee. This class separates for the entire time.
Literacy Night (Theme Based)
Status: In-Person
Ages 0-5 years
Join ECFE for a fun-filled literacy night! Come to one or both events. Enjoy stories, activities, songs and games that promote literacy development. During separation, parents will learn about resources, tips, and tools to support literacy development at home. Children will create and take activities related to the book theme. A book related to the theme will be sent home with each family.
Books and Beyond
Status: Take and Make Craft/Virtual Story Time
All Ages
Heritage Library and ECFE present this fun spin on story time! Children of all ages will experience a story time at the Heritage Library & an art project sponsored by the ECFE Advisory Council. Registration required: https://bit.ly/22booksandbeyond
Family School
Status: In-Person
Ages 0-5 years
Family School is a program that combines Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) and English as a Second Language (ESL) at the Crystal Lake Education Center. Classes are free and provided for families with children from infants to the start of kindergarten. Adults and children attend Family School at the same time. While the adults learn and practice English, children play and learn with peers in the early childhood room. Class meets Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 12:15-2:15pm September - May. Contact us to learn more information.
