Early Childhood Family Education 2017-2018 Catalog | Page 2

Early Childhood Family Education( ECFE)

• ECFE offers classes for parents and their children ages birth to 5 years old( before kindergarten).

• Programs are designed for parents and their infants, toddlers and preschool aged children.

• Classes help strengthen family relationships and provide information and resources to parents in their journey to help their children grow and develop to their maximum potential.

• Programs strive to build a strong foundation for families by forming a partnership between home and school.

A typical ECFE class includes three components:

1. Parent-Child Time

You and your child spend time together enjoying activities designed to enhance their learning. You will leave with new ideas for things to do together at home.

2. Parent Time

Meet with other parents and a licensed parent educator to discuss topics such as development, temperament, discipline and getting ready for school. The parent time takes place in a separate room or in a designated area of the children’ s classroom for non-separating classes.

3. Children’ s Classroom

While you and other parents participate in parent time, children learn through play in the classroom with a licensed early childhood teacher and a paraprofessional. Children will enjoy music, art, stories, large and small motor activities as they interact with other children.

ECFE is for your child AND for you!

Early Childhood Family Education is based on the idea that the family provides a child ' s first and most significant learning environment and parents are a child ' s first and most important teachers.

Why attend ECFE? Our parents tell us:

It’ s good for children. Your child will:

• Experience a safe place to learn and get ready for preschool, kindergarten, and beyond.

• Have an opportunity to socialize with other children and develop relationships with new adults.

• Participate in activities and challenges that contribute to healthy social, emotional, and physical development.

It benefits parents AND children. Together you will:

• Learn skills and routines that can easily be adapted for use at home.

• Have special and meaningful time focused on each other.

• Experience a successful transition into kindergarten.

It’ s helpful for parents. Parents will:

• Make connections with other parents in your community, gain support from one another and benefit from the understanding that“ I am not the only one going through this” in an environment where parents can be real and honest about parenting challenges.

• Learn how they can better help their children now and in the future.

• Understand the school system and how the educational system works here. It prepares parents to be involved in their child’ s education beginning in the early years, which helps children do better in school.

E C F E

651-702-8411( 651-788-3664 Español)