Grown-ups and little ones can enter the world of music together in Little Swallows, a new preschool program for children 6 months to 4 years at Swallow Hill Music Association, 71 E. Yale Ave. Sessions involve sing-alongs, finger games, circle dances and rhythm instruments, directed by professional instructors. Register now for the next eight-week sessions, starting the week of Jan. 5. Parents and young music buffs, ages 2-10, can sing, dance and finger-play in the next Children’s Sing-A-Long, Sat., Jan. 24, 10:30-11:15a.m. The casual, monthly gathering provides shakers, rhythm instruments and instructors. Registration requested. The Julie Davis Music School also offers instruction inguitar, recorder, music theatre and more. Info/registration, call 303-777-1003 or visit www.swallowhill.com.
Join the class of 1899 in Broadway School: Primer and Penmanship, an upcoming Let’s Make History program for families, Sat., Jan. 10, at the Colorado History Museum, 1300 Broadway. The museum’s Saturday offerings include a guided exhibit tour at 1p.m., and program at 2p.m. Free with admission: $7 adults; children 12 and under are free on Saturdays. Other programs: Jan. 3, Mining is Dynamite!; 17, Life of the Mountain Man; 24, Chinese New Year; 31, La Gente (Hispano history); Feb. 7, Hitting the Slopes. Info: 303-866-3682 or www.coloradohistory.org.
Investigate the world of Colorado International School, 4100 E. Iliff Ave., at an Open House, Sat., Jan. 10, 10a.m.-2p.m., featuring special guests, refreshments and kids’ activities. The preschool through 8th grade independent school offers day and enrichment programs in Mandarin, Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Russian, Italian, Farsi and Arabic, as well as unique summer day camps like Keystone Science Camp. Info: www.coloradointernationalschool.org or 303-282-6666.
Learn to sew a quilt, knit a purse, pound a drum or stamp a card at workshops offered at Caboodle Gifts, 1515 S. Holly St. Create a small “sampler” quilt containing six different block patterns in Make Your First Quilt, held six Sundays, 2-5p.m. starting Jan. 11. Learn to choose, cut & assemble fabric, and pick batting. Cost is $135 plus materials; access to a sewing machine required. A drum circle class, facilitated by RhythmVision, is set for six Sundays, 12:30-1:30p.m., starting Jan. 11. Bring or borrow a drum. Ages 8-adult. $50. Learn to Knit – for boys and girls, 10 and up – takes place Sat., Jan. 17 & 24, 1-2:30p.m. (with optional follow up class Sat., Feb. 7). For $30 (bring your own wool and needles), pick a purse or scarf pattern, learn to read it, as well as cast on, bind off, knit, purl and change colors. On Sat., Feb. 7, 3-5p.m., create six different cards and envelopes, and pick up skills to make more in Make Your Own Stamped Cards. Limited to eight, for ages 12 and up. $15. Plus, watch local glass blower Brad Chadez demonstrate his craft Sat., Jan. 31, 6-9p.m. Free, light refreshments served. Register at the store or by emailing caboodlellc@gmail.com. Call 303-759-3966 or visit www.caboodlegifts.net for info.
Want to peek through a window into your baby’s mind to reduce frustration and temper tantrums? Check out Signing Smart Play Classes for kids 6 months to 2 years and their parents/caregivers, starting the week of Jan. 12 in south Denver. Visit www.SigningChild.com or email rina@signingsmart.com for details.
Iliff Preschool, Kindergarten & School-Age Summer Camp is now accepting reservations for Summer Adventure Day Camp (for children who have completed kindergarten through age 12). Reserve space by calling Carol at 303-757-3551; applications available in February at www.iliffpreschool.com.
Kids 3-5 and their parents are invited to smudge, squiggle and splatter at Create Playdates at the Denver Art Museum, 100 W. 14th Ave., second Wednesdays, 11a.m.-1p.m. Drop in and meet up with other tots for artmaking in Duncan Pavilion, story time throughout the museum and scavenger hunts in the galleries. New themes every other month: Smudge, Jan. 14 & Feb. 11; Squiggle, March 11 & April 8; and Splatter, May 13. Free with general admission (five and younger free). Email rlevy@denverartmuseum.org or call 720-913-0073 for details. Free admission for kids (18 and younger) and special Winter Break activities continues through Jan. 4. For general info, call 720-913-0048 or visit www.denverartmuseum.org.
Steele Elementary, 320 S. Marion Pkwy., will be holding an Open House for the 2009-2010 school year on Thur., Jan. 15, 8:30-10:30a.m. Meet in the auditorium by 8:30a.m. for a presentation, questions about the school and the choice process. A tour will follow the meeting. Parking can be found on Marion Parkway, Lafayette St. and Dakota Ave. (Pay attention to street parking signage to avoid parking tickets.) Contact Steele at 303-744-1717 with questions.
The Boards of Denver International School and Montclair Academy recently approved the merger of their respective co-educational, independent schools. The merged school will be known as Denver Montclair International School (DMIS), with an initial combined enrollment of about 350 students. DMIS will continue to operate from two campuses until June 2009, when it will consolidate its operations at its 6.4-acre campus located at 206 Red Cross Way in the Montclair subdivision of the Lowry neighborhood. DMIS will offer a global curriculum including full-immersion language education in French, Mandarin Chinese and Spanish to pre-school through 5th grade, as well as an English language section for 2nd through 5th grade students. More than 30 different nationalities are represented in the multiculturally diverse DMIS student body. DMIS also offers “need-based” financial assistance to encourage socioeconomic diversity. The school will also provide strong music, art, physical education and technology programs. The two schools have been working cooperatively this fall, sharing staff in areas of music, art, Spanish and language arts, while also hosting various joint community gatherings. Questions? Call DIS at 303-756-0381 or Montclair Academy, 303-366-7588.
Discover art which explores the world and lets the imagination soar with classes from Children’s Art School, offering Monday after-school and Saturday classes. Highlights: Drawing Discoveries (ages 7+), 9-11a.m., followed by A+ Advanced Art (ages 8+), noon-2p.m., Jan. 17, 24, 31 & Feb. 7; Harlequin and Pierrot – puppets, masks & paintings – (ages 5+), 17 & 24, 3-4:30p.m.; Painting Joys (moms & kids), 16 & 30, 10-11:30a.m.; Doing Art Together & Family Portraits, 31, 3-5p.m.; Comic Capers and Moving Pictures, 19, 26 & Feb. 2, 4-5:30p.m. Call for fees and details. Pre-registration required. Children’s Art School is located at 700 S. Franklin St. in St. John’s School. Info: 720-319-3813.
Open enrollment for Fall 2009 begins Jan. 19 at Emmanuel United Methodist Preschool, 2700 S. Downing St., 9-11a.m., on a first-come, first served basis. Emmanuel is celebrating its 35th year of service to the community. Classes include play, music, literacy, art, dramatics, science, cooking, outdoor play, special events, summer camp and global learning. Call to schedule a tour. Tuition discounts are available to residents through the Denver Preschool Program. Info: Jeanann Johnson at 303-758-1697.
Denver Christian Schools’ Van Dellen Preschool and K-8 will host a Kindergartners-to-be Information Coffee, Wed., Jan. 21, 9a.m. (childcare provided) and Kindergarten Through 8th Grade Information Night, Wed., Jan. 28, 7p.m., at 4200 E. Warren Ave. Call 303-757-8501 or visit www.denver-christian.org for details.
Come in out of the cold & snow for crafts and stories at a nearby Denver Public Library branch. All libraries will close Mon., Jan. 19, for the Martin Luther King, Jr., holiday. Byers, 675 Santa Fe Dr. After School is Cool! features, crafts, games, dance lessons and educational activities for kids and teens, every weekday, 4-5p.m. Limited to first 20 kids. Info: 720-865-0160. Eugene Field, 810 S. University Blvd. Storytime with Craft for all ages, Fridays, 10:15a.m. Bookbabies, Fri., 11a.m. Super Saturdays, all ages, 10:30a.m.: Jan. 3, Winter Wizard at the Magic Castle; 10, Reaction Action with Science Matters; 17, Three Little Pigs Balloon Show. Info: 303-777-2301. Central Library, 10 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy. Weekday children’s activities, 10:30a.m.: Tuesdays, Bookbabies I (0-6 mo.); Wednesdays, Tales for Twos & Craft (24-35 mo.); Thursdays, Preschool Storytime & Craft (3-5 yrs.); Fridays, Bookbabies II (early walkers). Saturdays at 2p.m. (all ages): Jan. 3, The Faerie Magic Show with Rosy the Wood Faerie; 10, No Way! magic show; 17, A Cowboy’s Tail; 24, Winter at a Magic Castle; 31, Eric West’s Music for Kids. Info: www.denverlibrary.org or call 720-865-1306. Decker, 1501 S. Logan St., Bookbabies (0-24 mo.), Mon., 12:30p.m. & Thur., 10:30a.m.; Tot Tales, Thur., 4p.m. Info: 720-865-0220. Schlessman, 100 Poplar St.: Bookbabies (3-24 mo.), Thursdays, 10:30a.m.; and All Ages Storytime, Tuesdays, 10:30a.m. Evolver Teens offers group activities each month: Wed., Jan. 14, 3:30-4:30p.m. Word Up Readers Book Club is for readers grade 5 and up, meeting fourth Wednesdays (Jan. 28), 3:30-4:30p.m. Info: 720-865-0000. Virginia Village, 1500 S. Dahlia St., hosts Tot Tales (2-3 yrs.) on Mondays, 10:30 & 11:15a.m.; Bookbabies (6-24 mo.), Tuesdays, 10:30 & 11:30a.m.; Preschool Storytime (3-5 yrs,), Fridays, 10:30a.m. Super Saturdays, 11a.m.: 3, Music for Kids with Eric West; 10, Rhythm Fun & More with Helen Trencher; 17, Magic of Winter Reading Show with Bill Andrews; 24, Stone Soup with Merry-Andrew Afoot; 31, The Big Balloony Show with Stuart Hayner. Info: 720-865-0940.
University Park Mothers Club is a social, supportive, and educational group for families with young children living in the University Park neighborhood and surrounding area (Colorado Blvd. to University Blvd. and Yale Ave. to I-25). All families (dads, too!) with children ages 0-5 or expecting, are welcome. The group boasts more than 75 families and 150 children! Join today at www.uparkmoms.org or email info@uparkmoms.org for more information.
Wellshire Parents Day Out, an early childhood education program offered by Wellshire Presbyterian Church, 2999 S. Colorado Blvd., is offered Monday through Friday, 9:30a.m.-1:30p.m., Sept. through mid-May. Children at least one year old and walking, up through age 4, attend only one day a week for a fee of $80 per month. Call the PDO office, 303-691-0346, with questions.
Kindermusik means musical fun and fellowship for kids 6 weeks to 3 years, and their special adult (grandparents encouraged!) at Wellshire Presbyterian Church, 2999 S. Colorado Blvd. Held Wed., 9:45 & 10:30a.m. Caregiver must accompany children. Call Katy Fink-Johnson for details, 720-488-8076.
Washington Street Community Center, 809 S. Washington St., offers a full-time, play-based learning Qualistar preschool, emphasizing school readiness and the arts and the Discoveryland Enrichment Program, 9a.m.-1p.m.. Also: Kids Club before- and after-school and DPS Days Off programs. WSCC has served the community since 1967. Info: www.wscc-denver.org or 303-733-4643.
Improving moms’ lives through support, education and advocacy is the mission of Mothers & More, a secular, not-for-profit national organization. The Central Denver Chapter (#218) offers monthly activities like meetings, Margarita Club, play groups, family picnics, and provides email networks, newsletters and Care Committee Support. Visitors welcome at monthly moms-only events; email mothersandmoredenver@yahoo.com for details.
No mom was ever meant to mother alone. That’s the philosophy of MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers). The Corona MOPS is a local chapter that meets at Corona Presbyterian Church at 8th Ave. & Downing St. Join in for brunch, meeting other moms and speakers on diverse topics. Children’s program provided. Corona MOPS meets first, third and fifth Fridays of each month, 9-11:30a.m. Motherhood is a journey of its own, and supporting each other is fundamental. For info, call 303-832-2297.
Are you a Mod Mom? Do you have kids under 5? Are you expecting a new little one? Mod Moms – Moms of Denver – offers monthly get-togethers, playgroups, Mod Moms Unplugged, Bunko, book clubs and more, to build lasting friendships, have fun and support both mothers and children. Info: www.modmoms.org.
The MOMS Club of Cherry Creek/ Washington Park invites stay-at-home moms to meet with other at-home mothers and their children. The Club offers events every week, including play groups, outings, Bunko, Mom’s Night Out, walking groups and family nights. Find Cherry Creek chapter info: www.momsclubofcherrycreek.com or email momsclub_cc@yahoo.com. Washington Park chapter: email wpmc_membership@yahoo.com or visit www.momsclubofwashpark.com.
For All Single Moms – Families First offers a free Circle of Parents support group just for you! Discover proven methods for cutting down on the frustration of being a single parent in today’s hectic world. Unlock the knowledge you already hold and share your wisdom, create a support network and rebuild your self-esteem. Group meets first, third and fifth Thursdays, 6:30-8p.m., at Evanston United Methodist Church, 2122 S. Lafayette St. Free children’s group provided. Come build upon your strengths in a safe and nurturing environment. Info: call the Family Support Line, 303-695-7996, or Families First, 303-745-0327.
Challenge Fitness provides fitness and social opportunities for children with special needs (mild to moderate disabilities) at the Robert E. Loup Jewish Community Center, 350 S. Dahlia St. Kids can physically work out after school, stretch, develop balance and stamina, meet new people and learn life skills. Advance registration required; contact Parmet at 303-316-6309, or sparmet@jccdenver.org.
A new education program for children of 24 to 36 months has been launched by Colorado Bright Beginnings, a nonprofit helping parents shape their child’s future and readiness to learn. Program C continues the focus of its other two programs, providing an enriched, supportive environment that promotes early literacy, brain development and developmental milestones, health, safety and the critical importance of parent-child relationship building. For details, visit www.brightbeginningsco.org, or call 877-927-6935.
