Holiday Specials December 6-15

Winter Term January 3rd – March 10th

No ECFE classes on January 16th

Community Learning Center | 912 First Ave NE Austin, MN 55912 | 507-460-1709

NON-SEPARATING BABY CLASSES Baby & Me Birth – 12 months Free Being a parent of a newborn is a time of excitement and wonder. This class will include parent and baby activity time, parent discussion, and time to connect with other parents. Parent discussion will focus on attachment, sleep, feeding, child development, adjustments to parenting, and calming techniques. Thursdays, 11:00 – 12:00 pm January 5 – March 9

Night baby classes will resume in the spring beginning March 27. We provide gift packets for new parents. Call us to receive information and resources to support you and your family with your new bundle of joy.

TODDLER CLASSES

Tiny Tots – non-separating $40/family 11 – 23 months Young toddlers love to play and explore as long as parents are near. The ECFE room offers lots of fun opportunities for exploration and

discovery. Children learn through play while you discuss toddler parenting topics in another part of the room. Sibling care is available. Mondays, 9:00- 10:15am January 9 – March 6 (No class January 16)

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Tremendous Two’s - separating $40/ family 24 – 35 months Two year olds are filled with wonder and excitement. Their development explodes as they discover the world around them. Explore fun and creative ways to enjoy parenting and playing with your children. Parent education time takes place in a separate room with helpful resources and topics. Enjoy this parent networking time while children continue activities with ECFE staff. Sibling care is available. Wednesdays, 8:45- 10:15am January 4 – March 8 Fun, Two, Three – non-separating $40/family 24-42 months (2-3 ½ years) If your child is having separation anxiety, consider the NEW Fun 2,3 class. Explore fun and creative ways to enjoy parenting and playing with your two and three year old! Mondays, 10:45–12:00 pm January 9 – March 6 (No class January 16)

PRESCHOOL AGE CLASS STEAM Exploration (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics) – non-separating $40/family 36-60+ months Your preschooler will explore, plan, and create in this interactive design class. We will tap into your child’s creativity, imagination and understanding of how things work. This class will be hands on with active participation from parents and children. Wednesdays, 10:45-11:45 January 4 – March 8 (No class February 8)

MULTI-AGE CLASSES Mis Hijos y Yo $40/family Birth – 5 years This class is taught in Spanish. Parents and children will explore a wide variety of sensory activities. Learn about your child’s growth and development, share ideas with other parents and staff and have fun playing. No sibling care. Tuesdays/Martes, 11:00- 12:30pm January 3 – March 7

Separating/ Separados Esta clase se enseña en español. Padres y hijos van a explorar una amplia variedad de actividades sensoriales. Los padres tendrán la oportunidad de aprender sobre el crecimiento y desarrollo de su hijo, compartir ideas con otros padres y con el personal, y simplemente divertirse jugando con sus niños

Back Packer Book Club FREE Birth – 5 years Join us at the Austin Public Library for a variety of story time fun and activities. Bring your backpack and library card to take home more reading fun. No sibling care. Wednesdays, 12:30-1:15 pm January 4 – March 1 (No class February 8) Fun with Nature $20/family Birth-5

Join ECFE for outdoor fun at the JC Hormel Nature Center. Dress warm for outdoor animal tracking, snow play and winter exploration. No sibling care. January 27 – please bring sled!

Fridays, 10:00 - 11:00am January 13, January 27, February 10

Flourishing Families $40/family Birth – 5 years non-separating Parents and children will explore a wide variety of sensory activities together. You will learn about children’s growth and development while sharing ideas with other parents. No sibling care. Tuesdays, 9:00 – 10:15am January 3 – March 7 Dad, Grandpa and Me $20/family 2 ½ - 5 years There is a special bond between men and their children. This class provides an opportunity to build upon that relationship and enjoy some special activities and time together. Monday, February 6 – 5:30-6:30 Winter Exploration – CLC Monday, February 13 – 5:30-6:30 Sledding Fun! – Skinners Hill Monday, February 20 – 5:30-6:30 Game Night in the Gym – CLC Date TBD Basketball Experience - TBD

Fun Shops Family Gym Time Free Birth-5 years Young children need to move to learn. So, move on over to the CLC gym and explore SMART activities to strengthen fine and gross motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Registration required! Tuesday, January 10th – 5:45-6:30 PM Tuesday, February 7th – 5:45-6:30 PM

Friday, January 6th – 9:30-10:15 AM Friday, February 3rd – 9:30-10:15 AM

Holiday Baking $5/family per class 2 ½ - 5 years

Enjoy the smells and tastes of holiday baked goods. See what the CLC’s toaster oven can make for you! Make and take an art project too. Wednesday, December 14th – Cookie Cut-out and Decorate – 9:30-10:30 AM Monday, February 13th – Bread and Dip – 2:30-3:30 PM

Santa’s Workshop Free! Families with children birth-8 years

Children and families will enjoy music, projects, sensory play and treats in our holiday wonderland. A book fair is available to purchase those special gifts. Santa will be available for visiting and photos, please bring your own camera. Open to the public. Thursday, December 8th – 5:00-7:00 PM

Our Mission Austin Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) builds and supports the skills and confidence of parents, strengthens families and provides a safe educational environment to promote the healthy growth and development of families with children birth to kindergarten. Financial Aid Sliding fee and scholarships are available for any family that qualifies. Call the main office for more information, 507-460-1709 Sibling Care Quality childcare is provided FREE for families who need care for siblings ages birth – five while participating in an ECFE class with another child. Sibling care is sponsored by the ECFE Advisory Council. Pre-registration of at least 48 hours is required to provide appropriate staff. Family Lending Library contains a wide variety of educational resources, equipment, fun toys and games. A $5.00 annual fee allows unlimited access. Family Lending Library is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club.

Registration Information Register online with a credit card at

http://austin.revtrak.net. Registrations can also be made through the mail or in person at the Community Learning Center, 912 1st Ave NE. Registration form can be downloaded at www.austin.k12.mn.us/clc Phone registrations are accepted with the use of a credit card, 507-460-1709. All classes require pre-registration unless stated and payment must accompany registration to reserve your space in the class. Class sizes are limited and enrollment is on a first-come basis. Children must be of age by the first day of class to be accepted into age specific classes. Inclement Weather * When Austin Public Schools is delayed due to weather, morning ECFE classes before 10:45 are cancelled. Afternoon and evening classes will be held as scheduled.

*When Austin Public Schools closes early, all classes scheduled to begin after 10:45 am are cancelled. *When Austin Public Schools is closed there are no ECFE classes.

SPECIAL HOLIDAY CLASSES Austin Holiday Fun Tour $20/family 2 ½ - 5 years Come and explore the Austin community with us during the holiday season. These four interactive adventures are an opportunity to enjoy the holidays at local Austin sites. Registration includes all 4 days. Sweet Reads (407 North Main Street) Tuesday, December 6th, 9:00 – 10:30 am Kick off the holiday season at Austin’s newest bookstore. Our time at Sweet Reads will be spent in fantasy and adventure. Literacy characters will come to life as we explore new and favorite stories. Who knows we may even be visited by some special storybook characters. Cedars of Austin (700 1st Drive NW)

Thursday, December 8th, 9:00 – 10:30 am Join the residents of the Cedars for an intergenerational experience that includes food and fun. The Cedars of Austin is a senior living community with active residents that love to share

their stories and hear about the activities of young families. Historic Hormel Home (208 4th Avenue NW) Tuesday, December 13th, 9:00 – 10:30 am There is nothing more festive than a tea party at the Historic Hormel Home. The home will be decorated for the Christmas season and participants will enjoy a festive morning with songs, snacks and activities.

Mower County Historical Society (1303 6th Avenue SW – Fairgrounds) Thursday, December 15 – 9:00 – 10:30 am Step back in time at the Mower County Historical

Society. The historical society was formed in 1947 and is comprised of 12 historical buildings with information and artifacts dating back to the beginning of Mower County. Did you know that Mower County was officially formed on March 1, 1856? Participants will learn what it was like to live before the modern conveniences of today.