Welcome to the formative years.
Here at the J, we believe it’s never too early to get involved! Our youngest community members are the heart of our center, and we love offering programs that help accelerate their J journeys.
Jewish Baby University 2.0
JBU 2.0 is specifically designed for families welcoming another baby. A shortened version of our program JBU, because you have done this before and this time you have another child to consider. JBU 2.0 meets 3 times, twice without your older child and then one sibling class designed just for them to get them ready to meet their new baby sibling.
Class 1: Birth Refresher. Get a refresher on all things related to labor and delivery. This class is not the full prepared childbirth but more of a quick overview and time for question/answer to ensure that you feel prepared for a great birth experience.
Class 2: Parent education: Get together to discuss all the ways to help make this as smooth a transition process as possible. Hear from a family that recently welcomed their second baby and what worked for them and what they have learned. Rabbi Kaye from Rose Hospital will join at the end of the class to provide a refresher on Jewish baby naming ceremonies and answer any questions you have regarding welcoming another baby into your home.
Class 3: Sibling prep class: We will get those siblings ready by talking about welcoming a new baby, reading a book together, practicing holding baby dolls with parents, and going over typical baby needs. The last hour of the class will be dedicated to creating a gift for the new baby with our amazing art teacher, Amy Berlin! All new siblings will get to leave with a gift for themselves and one for baby.
DATES & TIMES:
May 12: Prepared Childbirth Refresher (virtual)
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
May 19: Bringing home a sibling parent education (virtual)
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
May 23: Sibling Prep class for older sibling (age 2 to 6)(in person at the JCC)
9:30 am – 12:30 pm
LOCATION:
Virtual:
Zoom
In Person:
JCC Denver
350 S. Dahlia Street
Denver, CO 80246
COST:
$72
Practice Preschool
A twice weekly family classroom experience that encourages your toddler’s growth, exploration, socialization, and discovery while sharing early childhood education tools to help you grow as a parent or caregiver.
The program provides a gradual separation experience for children getting ready to enter a typical preschool program. Parents and caregivers actively participate in the program with their children and slowly build up to the expected separation. As a bonus, the lead teacher is a social emotional coach and will help provide guidance to prepare you and your child for big transitions and new experiences.
Parents need to remain on site during class and their participation in the classroom will be co created with the lead teacher.
Through play, relationship building, and open ended exploration, children are offered the space for their development to thrive while creating a shared community for families raising toddlers. With activities including music, story-time, art, and outdoor play, teachers gently encourage children to try something new. Over the course of a full session, children build confidence and resilience, in an environment where cognitive, social/emotional and spiritual growth flourish, helping to lay a solid foundation for building executive function and a love of learning.
This is a non-licensed program and is unaffiliated with the JCC Early Learning School. Registration is required.
DATES & TIMES:
Spring Session:
April 20 – May 27
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 – 11:30 am
Summer Session:
June 15 – July 29
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 – 11:30 am
LOCATION:
JCC Denver
350 S. Dahlia Street
Denver, CO 80246
COST:
$420- Spring Session
$490- Summer Session
Soccer Shots (2–5 years)
Through fun games, songs and positive reinforcement, children will begin to experience the joy of playing soccer and being active.
2–3 year olds: A high-energy program introducing children to fundamental soccer principles, such as using your feet, dribbling and the basic rules of the game. Through fun games, songs and positive reinforcement, children will begin to experience the joy of playing soccer and being active.
3–5 year olds: Utilizing creative and imaginative games to focus on basic soccer skills like dribbling, passing and shooting. We also highlight a positive character trait each session such as respect, teamwork and appreciation.
DATES & TIMES:
April 18 – May 30
2–3 year olds classes are held Sundays from: 9:00 – 9:30 am or 9:35 – 10:05 am
3–5 year olds classes are held Sundays from: 10:10 – 10:40 am or 10:45 – 11:15 am
LOCATION:
JCC Denver
350 S. Dahlia Street
Denver, CO 80246
COST:
$108
Anti-Bias Toddler Book Club (3–5 years)
In this class, we will learn about all the beautiful people in our world! Our country has a long history of systemic racism and biases. We will provide some groundwork for our young children to begin breaking down some of these biases and creating a world that is more loving, empathetic, and fair for everyone. Learnings will be guided by children’s picture books portraying various families and people and celebrating similarities and differences. In addition to lots of reading and discussion, we will create artwork, play games, and write stories and puppet shows. This will be a drop-off class (parents must stay on-site) but parents will be given a resource list to continue the work at home.
DATES & TIMES:
April 21 – May 19
Wednesdays from 10:00 – 10:45 am
LOCATION:
JCC Denver
350 S. Dahlia Street
Denver, CO 80246
COST:
$18
Please consider an additonal $18 donation to an outside organization that supports marginilized communities. If you need suggestions please contact Rachel Wool at rwool@jccdenver.org
Signing Smart (5 months–2 years)
If you’ve been looking for a window into your infant or toddler’s mind, or for a way to reduce frustration and tantrums, then Signing Smart is your answer! Signing Smart children can begin communicating with signs as early as 5 months of age, tend to learn spoken words easier than non-signers, and show cognitive and linguistic advancements at age 4. Plus, it’s a whole lot of fun!
Signing Smart play classes are for children aged 5 months to 2 years, and are filled with songs and activities to engage parents, caretakers and children, as well as loads of developmental information to help you understand how your child learns and acquires language at every age. We learn over 150 ASL signs over the 10 week class session!
DATES & TIMES:
April 8 – June 16
Thursdays from 11:00 – 11:45 am
LOCATION:
JCC Denver
350 S. Dahlia Street
Denver, CO 80246
Weather permitting, the class will be held outside to allow for social distancing; when the weather is less cooperative, class will be moved to an approved indoor space.
COST:
$140 per child/session. Does not include the cost for the supporting take home materials.
“Our family loves the art classes at the JCC! Our daughter started in the Artistic Babes class and continued with Artistic Tots, because she loved getting messy and playing with all of the different supplies, materials, and colors. We enjoyed bringing home her “artwork” and even framed one of the pieces for her playroom. The teachers are patient, kind, and engaging. I would highly recommend the Artistic Babes/Tots classes!”
KIMBERLY O’HARA
Parent Education Series
The JCC Early Learning School and JCC Engagement Department want to help you create your village of support by providing some answers to those ongoing questions, and challenges that arise during parenting. The majority of the topics are geared towards baby to age 5 parenting. Our expert panel will be covering a wide range of topics from managing sibling dynamics to instituting an entirely different approach to behavior management.
DATES & TIMES:
March 18: Potty training with Audra from Clever Parenting
April 15: Anti-bias parenting-raising inclusive children
May 20: Car seat safety (what to look for in a convertible seat)
All classes will take place from 12:00 – 1:00 pm
LOCATION:
Zoom. Link will be sent after you register.
COST:
Potty Training Class: $18
Anti-Bias parenting Class: FREE for ELS Families; $5 for non-ELS Families
Car seat Safety Class: FREE for ELS Families; $5 for non-ELS Families
Registration required for each individual class.
Legacy Planning for New Parents
Join us to learn about Estate Planning when you are expecting a child.
Estate planning and creating a will is always important but increasingly more when a child is present. In this class Sarah Morris, of Sarah Morris Law will cover what happens if you do not have a plan, explanation of estate taxes, the difference between a will based estate plan versus a trust based estate plan, how and why to choose an attorney to prepare your plan, and more!
In this class we will cover:
- Nominating a guardian for your children and providing for other protections;
- Distributing your assets to those you choose rather than having the state do it for you;
- Understanding your different options between a will and/or a trust;
- The importance of a comprehensive legacy plan, including several documents and other considerations;
- Choosing those you trust to make decisions on your behalf, while you’re living but if you become incapacitated;
- A (very) brief overview the estate tax and how it might or might not affect you;
- How often to revisit and update an existing estate plan and what this entails; and
- How and why to choose an attorney to prepare and update your plan.
Couples are strongly encouraged to attend together. A well informed partner is invaluable support!
DATES & TIMES:
Thursday, May 13
Thursday, August 12
Monday, November 8
All classes will take place between 6:00 – 7:30 pm (includes time for Q&A)
LOCATION:
Virtual meetings until further notice
COST:
$18
*you only need to register one person, but we hope both partners will attend!
Together at Play and Song (0–5 years)
LinkAGES and Shalom Park present Together at Play and Song. Help our community address loneliness and isolation by bringing Elders and Children together virtually through music therapy. Sing/Dance/Play with Elders from the Shalom Park Community during individually scheduled 30-minute sessions. Instruments will be provided for these classes and technology assistance may be available as needed.
DATES & TIMES:
All dates and times will be scheduled according to families individual needs. If you have questions or would like to register please contact Mary Rose Thompson at Maryrose.thompson@shalompark.net
LOCATION:
Zoom
“The toddler art class was a wonderful experience for my family! My 2 year old loved trying out the wide range or materials and ideas that we would never have been able to replicate at home. Plus she could make a mess and I didn’t have to clean up! Even my 4 year old who normally has little interest in anything artistic was able to discover projects that sparked his creativity. We can’t wait to return!”