Early Childhood Classes
All Winter Early Childhood classes will be IN PERSON and the
AAPS COVID & Health Guidance will be followed.
Preschool Family Yoga with Carl
Sundays
NOON - 12:45PM
1/15/23 - 3/19/23
Ages: 3 - 5 years with Adult.
S-T-R-E-T-C-H! Move, breathe, smile, and laugh with your little one while reaping the many benefits of yoga. Developmentally appropriate poses, games, breathing, and meditation techniques will be practiced to build body awareness, release energy, and experience relaxation. Carl brings 14 years experience as a certified personal trainer and yoga teacher for all ages. Bring a yoga mat to share with your child (or two separate mats if that's more comfortable) and plan on some Sunday family fun! .Instructor: Carl Gunderson of Simple Holistic Fitness & Wellness.
10 classes.
Fun at One @ 9:15
Mondays
9:15AM - 10:15AM
1/9/23 - 2/27/23
Ages: Walking 12 to 24 months with Adult.
Welcome to the world of the one-year- old! We gather together each week to sing, play, and move with other families and same-age peers. Led by Jasmin Brown and modeled by adult participation, the group will have fun singing, dancing, and learning in addition to practicing important gross motor skills like walking backwards, marching, and jumping. New and familiar songs and props are shared during this active musical time. Class ends with a read-aloud book and stickers.
Instructor: Jasmin Brown.
7 classes. No class 1/16.
Fun at One @ 10:30
Mondays
10:30AM - 11:30AM
1/9/23 - 2/27/23
.jpg)
Ages: Walking 12 to 24 months with Adult.
Welcome to the world of the one-year- old! We gather together each week to sing, play, and move with other families and same-age peers. Led by Jasmin Brown and modeled by adult participation, the group will have fun singing, dancing, and learning in addition to practicing important gross motor skills like walking backwards, marching, and jumping. New and familiar songs and props are shared during this active musical time. Class ends with a read-aloud book and stickers.
Instructor: Jasmin Brown.
7 classes. No class 1/16.
Young Artists @ 9:45 - NEW
Mondays
9:45AM - 10:30AM
1/23/23 - 3/13/23
.jpg)
Ages: 2.5 - 5 years with Adult.
Come experience the joy of making art with young children! This class stimulates your child's imagination and sparks creativity. Children have opportunities to engage with a variety of mediums including paint, collage, clay, and printmaking. Weekly activities will focus on experimentation and finding joy in the process in addition to building some new skills and techniques through play. Alexia brings a wealth of educational experience to the classroom as a children's book author and illustrator. Activities are designed to meet the developmental needs of all children, so everyone can engage at their own level. Instructor: Alexia Andoni.
7 classes. No Class 2/20.
Young Artists @ 10:45 - NEW
Mondays
10:45AM - 11:30AM
1/23/23 - 3/13/23
Ages: 2.5 - 5 years with Adult.
Come experience the joy of making art with young children! This class stimulates your child's imagination and sparks creativity. Children have opportunities to engage with a variety of mediums including paint, collage, clay, and printmaking. Weekly activities will focus on experimentation and finding joy in the process in addition to building some new skills and techniques through play. Alexia brings a wealth of educational experience to the classroom as a children's book author and illustrator. Activities are designed to meet the developmental needs of all children, so everyone can engage at their own level. Instructor: Alexia Andoni.
7 classes. No Class 2/20.
Babies and Parents Together
Mondays
11:00AM - NOON
1/23/23 - 3/20/23
%20(1).jpg)
Ages: 3 - 12 mos (non-walkers) with Adult.
Gather each week to sing, dance, play and socialize. Class includes a teacher-led circle time with a routine of lap songs, nursery rhymes, movement, and stories. Babies will be thrilled to see other little ones on the laps of their parents or caregivers! Each week's class includes adult discussions focusing on parenting. While the babies play on their blankets or eat, the adults will have a chance to explore topics related to this age group including sleeping, eating, developmental milestones. Share the joy and challenges of parenthood with the same families week-to-week. This class fits best for non-walking babies. Instructor: Susanna Brown.
8 classes. No class on 2/20.
Movin' and Groovin' in the Gym
Mondays
4:30PM - 5:15PM
1/9/23 - 2/27/23
Ages: 18 months to 4 years with Adult.
Winter is a great time to find indoor space to move and groove like the well-equipped gym and motor room of the Westerman Preschool. We begin each week with some warm-up songs and circle-time movement, and then children enjoy free exploration and play alongside their adults and peers. There is wall climbing, tunnel crawling, beam balancing, sliding, swinging, and riding all kinds of vehicles. Join us each Monday afternoon in this active and social class to burn that extra winter energy. Water bottles are encouraged. Instructor: Jasmin Brown.
7 classes. No class 1/16.
Music Together Mondays
Mondays
5:30PM - 6:15PM
1/9/23 - 3/20/23
Ages: birth-5 years with Adult.
This is the original Music Together® class that encourages children and families to experience the joy of making music together. In our classes, children interact with peers of different ages at their own level in singing, moving, listening, observing, chanting, or exploring musical instruments. Younger children enjoy watching and imitating older ones and older children learn by leading younger ones. Registered families receive the Sticks Collection songbook + access to download music. CD purchase is additional and optional. Instructor: Stephanie Urban.
9 classes. No class 1/16 and 2/20.
Exploration Zone Tuesdays @ 9:15
Tuesdays
9:15AM - 10:30AM
1/17/23 - 3/21/23
.jpg)
Ages: Walking - 5 years with Adult.
Our fabulous playroom offers so much to toddlers and preschoolers. We have a wide variety of free-play activity centers to explore: art and sensory experiences, dramatic play, puzzles, blocks, climbing, books, playdough, puppets, and much more. Adults help children find engaging choices each week to practice social skills. After a quick group cleanup, we end our time together with a circle time of songs and stories, featuring ExZone favorites and new thematic material weekly. This class works well for all ages! Instructor: Sara Callaghan. 9 classes. No class on 2/14.
Music Together Tuesdays @ 9:30
Tuesdays
9:30AM - 10:15AM
1/17/23 - 3/21/23
Ages: birth-5 years with Adult.
This is the original Music Together® class that encourages children and families to experience the joy of making music together. In our classes, children interact with peers of different ages at their own level in singing, moving, listening, observing, chanting, or exploring musical instruments. Younger children enjoy watching and imitating older ones and older children learn by leading younger ones. Registered families receive the Sticks Collection songbook + access to download music. CD purchase is additional and optional. Instructor: Stephanie Urban.
10 classes.
Music Together Tuesdays @ 10:30
Tuesdays
10:30AM - 11:15AM
1/17/23 - 3/21/23
Ages: birth - 5 years with Adult.
This is the original Music Together® class that encourages children and families to experience the joy of making music together. In our classes, children interact with peers of different ages at their own level in singing, moving, listening, observing, chanting, or exploring musical instruments. Younger children enjoy watching and imitating older ones and older children learn by leading younger ones. Registered families receive the Sticks Collection songbook + access to download music. CD purchase is additional and optional. Instructor: Stephanie Urban.
10 classes.
Exploration Zone Tuesdays @ 10:45
Tuesdays
10:45AM - NOON
1/17/23 - 3/21/23
Ages: Walking - 5 years with Adult.
Our fabulous playroom offers so much to toddlers and preschoolers. We have a wide variety of free-play activity centers to explore: art and sensory experiences, dramatic play, puzzles, blocks, climbing, books, playdough, puppets, and much more. Adults help children find engaging choices each week to practice social skills. After a quick group cleanup, we end our time together with a circle time of songs and stories, featuring ExZone favorites and new thematic material weekly. This class works well for all ages!
Instructor: Sara Callaghan.
9 classes. No class on 2/14.
Alphabet Adventures - NEW
Tuesdays
12:45PM - 1:45PM
1/17/23 - 3/21/23
Ages: 3 and 4 years without Adult.
This beginning literacy class provides preschoolers and their parents a rich classroom setting to focus on the building blocks to reading. Tasia Sprovach, who has early childhood and elementary education degrees, creates an environment to develop your young child's love for literacy by incorporating whole-brain learning styles at an age-appropriate level. Each class includes interactive storytimes, hands-on/kinesthetic activities, phonics-based methods, movement, and independent play centers. Children experience the basic fundamentals of letter and sound recognition at all different levels in a group setting. Instructor: Tasia Sprovach
8 classes. No class on 1/31 and 2/7.
Life on Our Planet: Nutty Science - NEW
Tuesdays
5:15PM - 6:00PM
2/7/23 - 3/14/23
Ages: 3 - 5 years with Adult.
Join the Nutty Scientists as we explore the joys of our planet by learning about many types of animals and where they live! Discover many of Earth's wonders, from the sky to the sea, and even creatures that roamed the earth before our time. With a mixture of art, science and sensory activities, this class is for a student accompanied by a grown-up. It is never too early to inspire your child's passion for science.
Instructor: Nutty Science Staff. 6 classes.
My Big Messy Art Class
Tuesdays
6:30PM - 7:15PM
1/10/23 - 3/14/23
Ages: 3.5 - 5 years with Adult.
Dress for mess and artistic success! Inspire your child's creativity and help build fine motor skills through this process-based art class. Nina has a Master's of Fine Arts degree and loves guiding young children to find their inner artist. Your child will smear, squeeze, splatter, and otherwise explore endless possibilities using a variety of materials including paints, doughs, crayons, chalk, collage, and found/recycled items. Each class is fresh and unique as Nina never repeats the same art project twice! Get ready for a messy, good time with your child while building an artistic community of peers.
Instructor: Nina Gilmore. 10 classes.
Exploration Zone Wednesdays
Wednesdays
10:00AM - 11:15AM
1/18/23 - 3/22/23
.jpg)
Ages: Walking - 5 years with Adult.
Our fabulous playroom offers so much to toddlers and preschoolers. We have a wide variety of free-play activity centers to explore: art and sensory experiences, dramatic play, puzzles, blocks, climbing, books, playdough, puppets, and much more. Adults help children find engaging choices each week to practice social skills. After a quick group cleanup, we end our time together with a circle time of songs and stories, featuring ExZone favorites and new thematic material weekly. This class works well for all ages!
Instructor: Susan Bellisario.
9 classes. No class on 2/15.
Outdoor Adventures with Andrea
Wednesdays
10:00AM - 10:45AM
2/8/23 - 3/15/23
Ages: 2.5 - 5 years with Adult.
Is your family ready to enjoy a First Steps class in the best classroom of all - the outdoors? Andrea's family completed the 1,000 Hours Outdoor Challenge in 2019, so with that enthusiasm, she designed this class to bring families together safely during the winter months of the pandemic. Trek through the woods completing scavenger hunts, creating nature-based art or learning new sports and games all in the company of other children and parents. Class includes storytime and songs during gathering time.
Instructor: Andrea Nance.
6 classes. Weather make-up 3/22.
Little Bouncy Boppers
Wednesdays
9:45AM - 10:30AM
1/18/23 - 3/15/23
%20(1).jpg)
Ages: 12 months - 30 months with Adult.
This class for older babies and toddlers and their adults focuses on movement for building your child's body and brain in the dance studio of the CAB. Each class includes repetitive welcome songs to practice waving, clapping, stomping, and other gross motor movements. Dancing together and moving to the beat is more fun with rotating props such as scarves, shakers, balls, and stuffed animals. Get to know other participants and peers in a friendly and enriching environment designed to beat the winter blues!
Instructor: Tasia Sprovach.
8 classes. No class 2/1.
I Like to Move It, Move It
Wednesdays
10:45AM - 11:30AM
1/18/23 - 3/15/23
Ages: 2 - 4 years with Adult.
Gather together, get moving, and get on your feet! Join Tasia each week in an active, upbeat class with other families using the dance studio of the CAB. Children and adults sing and dance while being introduced to new musical material each week. Class includes rotating activities like parachute play, hula hoops, balls, and tunnels. Social interaction between families and children is encouraged to build community and make new friends. Instructor: Tasia Sprovach.
8 classes. No class 2/1.
Who Let the Dads Out? Playgroup - NEW
Wednesdays
5:45PM - 6:30PM
1/18/23 - 3/8/23
Ages: infant - 4 years and a Father.
Dad, Papi, Baba, Appa, Papa, Daddy, Chichi, Abba. No matter what name your child uses, this group is for you. Make Wednesday evenings a special time for you and your baby, toddler or preschooler in our big playroom. Enjoy play-doh, blocks, puzzles, puppets, vehicles, the big slide and a few songs along side your kiddo in a casual and comfortable setting. Ted Austin, First Steps parent of a one-year-old daughter, leads the group and is ready to share the happiness and joys of fatherhood and do some "dad bonding" in this newly-designed class.
Instructor: Ted Austin. 8 classes.
Jump Into Speech for Toddlers @ 9:30
Thursdays
9:30AM - 10:30AM
1/19/23 - 3/9/23
Ages: 15 - 27 months with Adult.
Between 15 and 27 months, toddlers develop their vocabulary at an amazing rate. In this class, adults learn and practice strategies to enhance language learning with guidance from teacher and Speech and Language Pathologist Emily McGuire. During the first half of class, toddlers and adults explore and play in different stations in our classroom while making choices and interacting with peers. Areas may include block building, dramatic play, fine motor, gross motor, art, books, sensory awareness and more. The second half of class is Circle Time with songs, movement, partner activities, and "What's in the Box?" Returning families have dedicated time to practice already-introduced strategies in a classroom social setting.
Instructor: Emily McGuire. 8 classes.
Wonders of S.T.E.A.M. @ 9:45
Thursdays
9:45AM - 10:30AM
1/26/23 - 3/16/23
Ages: 3 - 5 years with Adult.
The Nutty Scientists have designed another junior scientist indoor lab! Our students explore a variety of activities with a grown- up doing fun, hands-on projects. Introduce science, technology, engineering, art, and math to the group! We may turn liquids to solids, experience the science of sound, or explore robots. It is never too early to spark your child's curiosity about science. Instructor: Nutty Science Staff. 8 classes.
Exploration Zone Thursdays
Thursdays
10:00AM - 11:15AM
1/19/23 - 3/23/23
.jpg)
Ages: Walking - 5 years with Adult.
Our fabulous playroom offers so much to toddlers and preschoolers. We have a wide variety of free-play activity centers to explore: art and sensory experiences, dramatic play, puzzles, blocks, climbing, books, playdough, puppets, and much more. Adults help children find engaging choices each week to practice social skills. After a quick group cleanup, we end our time together with a circle time of songs and stories, featuring ExZone favorites and new thematic material weekly. This class works well for all ages!
Instructor: Susan Bellisario.
9 classes. No class 2/16.
Jump Into Speech for Toddlers @ 10:45
Thursdays
10:45AM - 11:45AM
1/19/23 - 3/9/23
Ages: 15 - 27 months with Adult.
Between 15 and 27 months, toddlers develop their vocabulary at an amazing rate. In this class, adults learn and practice strategies to enhance language learning with guidance from teacher and Speech and Language Pathologist Emily McGuire. During the first half of class, toddlers and adults explore and play in different stations in our classroom while making choices and interacting with peers. Areas may include block building, dramatic play, fine motor, gross motor, art, books, sensory awareness and more. The second half of class is Circle Time with songs, movement, partner activities, and "What's in the Box?" Returning families have dedicated time to practice already-introduced strategies in a classroom social setting.
Instructor: Emily McGuire. 8 classes.
Wonders of S.T.E.A.M. @ 10:45
Thursdays
10:45AM - 11:30AM
1/26/23 - 3/16/23
Ages: 3 - 5 years with Adult.
The Nutty Scientists have designed another junior scientist indoor lab! Our students explore a variety of activities with a grown- up doing fun, hands-on projects. Introduce science, technology, engineering, art, and math to the group! We may turn liquids to solids, experience the science of sound, or explore robots. It is never too early to spark your child's curiosity about science. Instructor: Nutty Science Staff. 8 classes.
First Steps Parenting Group - NEW
Thursdays
NOON - 1:00PM
1/19/23 - 2/23/23
.jpg)
For: Parents of Children birth to age 5.
Are you seeking a place where you can talk about your parenting experiences? Make connections with other caregivers? Find support while sharing in the joys, challenges, and funny moments of parenting? Access developmental information and guidance? The new First Steps Parenting group will meet Thursdays for 6 weeks, providing a supportive community for parents to gather and share in the ups and downs of parenting young children. Susannah Keller is a long-time First Steps teacher and parent who has spent the last two decades working with young children and supporting their families. Group will be limited to 10 adults. Children under age 5 may attend and play in our classroom while parents meet. Instructor Susannah Keller.
6 classes.
Imagine Dance, Youngers
Thursdays
4:00PM - 4:30PM
1/19/23 - 3/16/23
.jpg)
Ages: 4 - 5 years without Adult.
Imagine Dance is an introduction to modern dance, improvisation, and individual creativity in the CAB dance studio. Dancers learn to move their bodies in different ways as Lesley interweaves dance, music, literature, and art for a holistic experience of the dance world. Class includes warm up floor work, locomotor, choreography, and improvisation. A studio performance will celebrate the end of the session. Lesley holds degrees in Children's Dance and English Literature. She has many years of experience teaching dance and the creative arts in Ann Arbor.
Instructor: Lesley Criscenti. 9 classes.
Imagine Dance, Olders - NEW
Thursdays
4:30PM - 5:15PM
1/19/23 - 3/16/23
.jpg)
Ages: 5.5 - 8 years without Adult.
Imagine Dance is an introduction to modern dance, improvisation, and individual creativity in the dance studio at the CAB. Dancers learn to move their bodies in different ways as Lesley interweaves dance, music, literature, and art for a holistic experience into the dance world. Class includes warm up floor work, locomotor, choreography, and improvisation. A studio performance will celebrate the end of the session. Lesley holds degrees in Children's Dance and English Literature. She has many years of experience teaching dance and the creative arts in Ann Arbor. Instructor: Lesley Criscenti. 9 classes.
Fun with Friends - NEW
Fridays
9:30AM - 10:30AM
1/20/23 - 3/10/23
Ages: 2.5 - 4.5 years with Adult.
This newly-designed class provides children and parents a time to focus on social communication and interactions with one another in a fun, structured classroom setting. The pandemic has limited face-to-face opportunities for some families to learn and practice social emotional skills. Speech and Language Therapist Emily McGuire introduces a practical social theme each week such as feelings, taking turns, cooperative play, following directions, making friends and perspective taking. Class includes a short circle time presenting a thematic book, center-based activities around the room to explore, interactive partner games, songs, and more. Parents will receive tips and suggestions to practice and reinforce the strategies at home.
Instructor: Emily McGuire. 8 classes.
Exploration Zone Fridays
Fridays
9:45AM - 11:00AM
1/20/23 - 3/24/23
Ages: Walking - 5 years with Adult.
Our fabulous playroom offers so much to toddlers and preschoolers. We have a wide variety of free-play activity centers to explore: art and sensory experiences, dramatic play, puzzles, blocks, climbing, books, playdough, puppets, and much more. Adults help children find engaging choices each week to practice social skills. After a quick group cleanup, we end our time together with a circle time of songs and stories, featuring ExZone favorites and new thematic material weekly. This class works well for all ages!
Instructor: Sara Callaghan.
9 classes. No class 2/17.
Jump Into Speech for Babies - NEW
Fridays
10:45AM - 11:30AM
1/20/23 - 3/10/23
.jpg)
Ages: 7 -1 3 months with Adult.
Supporting early communication is a building block for future speech and language development. In this class, adults learn and practice strategies to enhance language learning with guidance from teacher and Speech and Language Pathologist, Emily McGuire. The first part of class includes open discussion and exploration with a focus on a featured toy or type of play/interaction as it relates to the building blocks of speech development. Class then moves to circle time with bubbles, songs, lap games, and partner activities that promote back and forth interaction between adults and babies. This weekly class is an excellent social time to meet other families in a fun classroom setting. Instructor: Emily McGuire. 8 classes.
Animal Art Workshop Printmaking - January
Fridays
5:00PM - 5:45PM
1/20/23 and 1/27/23
Ages: 2.5 - 6 years with Adult.
Create custom-designed T-shirts and tote bags for you and your child! Participate in the artistic process of printmaking inspired by animal themes-discussing, sketching, drawing, and designing all in a developmentally-appropriate setting. On Day One of the workshop, participants create drawings or designs on a mesh frame (silk screen). This drawing dries overnight. The next week, participants print their designs from the frame onto paper, T-shirt's and/or tote bags (adult assistance is needed). Please dress for an artistic good time in clothes that can get messy. Participants bring T-shirt/tote bags on Day Two of the workshop. Sajeev Visweswaran is a visual artist who partners locally with The Neutral Zone, Ann Arbor Art Center and The University of Michigan Museum of Art (UMMA).
Instructor: Sajeev Visweswaran.
2-part workshop.
Animal Art Workshop Printmaking - February
Fridays
5:00PM - 5:45PM
2/17/23 and 2/24/23
Ages: 2.5 - 6 years with Adult.
Create custom-designed T-shirts and tote bags for you and your child! Participate in the artistic process of printmaking inspired by animal themes-discussing, sketching, drawing, and designing all in a developmentally-appropriate setting. On Day One of the workshop, participants create drawings or designs on a mesh frame (silk screen). This drawing dries overnight. The next week, participants print their designs from the frame onto paper, T-shirt's and/or tote bags (adult assistance is needed). Please dress for an artistic good time in clothes that can get messy. Participants bring T-shirt/tote bags on Day Two of the workshop. Sajeev Visweswaran is a visual artist who partners locally with The Neutral Zone, Ann Arbor Art Center and The University of Michigan Museum of Art (UMMA).
Instructor: Sajeev Visweswaran.
2-part workshop.