Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools Community Education Services

Spend some evening time bonding with your amazing baby within a comfortable, supportive environment. A licensed parent educator will support your ride on the new baby roller coaster. Whether this is your first baby or your fifth, each child is unique and so is this season of your life.

Toddlers are natural investigators and this class is designed to bring out the best of their new found abilities! Weekly age-appropriate explorations will allow them to discover new things in their world and give you a chance to learn more about how environmental education, science, technology, engineering and math (E-STEM) can be easily incorporated into your toddler’s day. There will be no formal parent discussion in this class, but a licensed parent educator will be on hand to support you in your parenting role.

Your little one is starting to explore their world and we are providing a safe space for them to explore to their heart’s content. Each class will offer a different setting for your little mover to discover. Parents will discuss the joys and challenges of living with a little one on the go. A licensed parent educator will be on hand to offer tips.

Foster a love for all things nature in this class. Our licensed children’s teacher is experienced in teaching nature preschool and will bring her knowledge into the ECFE classroom. Dress for the weather when attending this class.

Join our licensed nature preschool teachers for a fun experience in the great outdoors. Choose one class or attend all of them; it’s completely up to you. Each class will be new and exciting. Dress for the weather. October: Fall Color Fun (Jeffers Pond) Join us at Jeffers Pond for a Story, Fall color scavenger hunt and Nature Play in the woods. We will meet by the flag pole in the upper level parking lot at 4:00pm. If you have rain boots, bring those for exploring the creek. November: Animals in Winter (McColl Pond) Join us at McColl Pond ELC in Savage to investigate how Minnesota animals prepare for Winter. We'll read a story and go for a walk looking for animal signs. We'll have time to engage in Nature Play as we pretend to be Minnesota animals getting ready for winter. December: Flashlight Hike & Campfire (Jeffers Pond 5:30-6:30pm) What does Jeffers Pond look like in the dark? Join us for a headlamps & flashlight walk while we explore the forest in the dark. We'll finish with a story around the campfire followed by roasting marshmallows. January: Snow & Ice (McColl Pond) Together through a story and hands-on activities, we'll investigate snow and ice at McColl Pond Environmental Learning Center. Students will have the opportunity to paint, build and play with snow and ice. A Parent-educator will be attendance to answer questions and provide resources.

The world is a one-derland of fun when you are one! Everything is new and exciting and all experiences offer opportunities to learn. Join this non-separating class for helpful strategies to support the transition from baby to toddler from a licensed parent educator, children’s teacher and a group of your peers.

VIRTUAL - THESE CLASSES WILL NOT MEET IN-PERSON Choose a topic that you are interested in learning more about and discussing with a licensed parent educator. Attend one, two or all four. September 28 - Parent Self Care You take care of your family but it’s very important to take of yourself as well. This class will give tips on how to do that as well as discuss why it is so vital to being a good parent. October 26 - Screen Time and Technology Most parents were worried about the screen time their children were receiving, but the pandemic only increased those worries and our children’s exposure. Discover the pitfalls and strengths of technology in this class November 9 - Conscious Discipline Discuss Dr. Becky Bailey’s innovative parent approach in this class. January 11 - Gratitude and Values Being mindful has become a buzz word in the recent year, but what does that mean. In this class you’ll explore that and more.

If family circumstances have prevented your child from participating in a traditional preschool experience, this unique evening class might be just right for you. Specifically designed for children ages 3 to 5, Preschool Express provides an opportunity for children to practice school readiness skills and for the adults in their lives to prepare for the transition to kindergarten. We’ll take a gentle approach to separation, with time for parent-child interaction and tapering off to an independent preschool experience. All the while, we’ll be working on building self-confidence in the classroom setting, pre-literacy and emerging math and science knowledge, social and emotional competence and speech and language development.

Children LOVE stories and they all have their favorites. Let us take over the story telling in this fun and creative class. Each week will have different themed activities based on a familiar or new children’s book.

For two’s, the world is their stage and we are the players. Come explore, engage and learn about our great big world along with your child. In this gradually separating class, your two year old will feel supported and secure while developing identity and sense of self. A licensed parent educator and children’s teacher, along with your peers, will support your navigation through the growing independence of your child.