Open House at the New Park ‘N Play

The New Park ‘N Play, located in Ramsey, NJ, will be hosting an Open House for all interested families Monday, November 8th through Thursday, November 11th. Run by volunteer parents, the Park ‘N Play is a non-profit indoor play center whose goal is to keep infants, toddlers, and preschoolers active and social during the cold winter months.

Apple Montessori (Mahwah)

Apple offers a Montessori education for your child from infant to elementary school (age 6 weeks to 6 years). Located in the original Mahwah school it has beautiful classrooms, a gym and playgrounds.

The offer an arrange of times and days from full time school + day care to half days. They also offer Fastrack, Dance and Summer camp.

While in the Preschool program, your young child, from the age of two to five years old, the Kindergarten year, will begin the “approach to learning program.” The Preschool classroom is adapted to the developmental needs of each child, providing a variety of choices that engage the child’s natural curiosity and intellect. Activities emphasize the process of discovery, enabling each child to explore the world through multi-sensory materials. The Preschool Curriculum includes the following areas:

• Practical Life focuses on daily living activities that help develop a sense of accomplishment and self-esteem.
• Sensorial materials encourage children to use their five senses to develop classification and discrimination skills.
• Science & Geography create opportunities to explore and develop concrete foundations for understanding the world.
• Mathematics provides a hands-on approach to number concepts, quantity and operations.
• Language is designed to give children a firm grounding in perceptual-motor, pre-reading, and pre-writing readiness skills. Your child will progress through various stages to the ultimate goal of establishing the skills necessary for success in reading and writing.
• Art & Music develop the child’s creativity and sense of beauty through expressive use of materials and activities.

A key principal of the Preschool Program is the multi-age classroom. We know that children progress at different rates in different areas. Providing a two to five year span of materials and activities allows each child to work at the pace and level best suited for their individual interests and abilities and lets each child find peers with whom the child can share his or her interests. The younger children have role models in the older children, and the older children acquire additional confidence by being the classroom elders. “Teaching” or caring for a younger child is an excellent way to consolidate one’s own learning. The Kindergarten children take great pride in being the leaders of the classroom!

Materials used in the Preschool program bring abstract principles to life. There are objects to sort and sequence, beads to add or subtract, letters to touch and trace, and real dishes to wash. The children engage in meaningful activities not just pretend ones. They practice tying their own shoes and hanging their own coats. They peel, chop, and serve carrots or apples instead of “playing” with plastic imitations. Good manners and social interactions are very much a part of each activity because the Montessori Preschool classroom is a mini-society that belongs to the children.

The Preschool program is offered as either a half day or a full day program. A half day session will be from 8:30 to 11:30 AM or from 12:30 to 3:30 PM. The full day program runs from 8:30 to 3:30. The children play outside (weather permitting) in the morning, after lunch, and again in the afternoon. Kindergarten aged children stay indoors in the morning for reading group rather than play outside. Younger children nap after lunch instead of going outside but are in the playground later in the afternoon. Full day children may bring a lunch from home or you may choose to purchase a hot meal from the independent catering company that provides this service to our students.

Apple Montessori Summer Camp

Ages 2  - 12

SummerCamp Locations
Edgewater | Towaco | Oakland | Kinnelon | Randolph | Morris Plains | Wayne | Edison | Mahwah

Summer Camp July - August

Swimming
All campers will have daily swim lessons. The instructor will coach them in water skills, proper swimming strokes, and most importantly, water safety. Our heated swimming pools are ideal for all ages. The enlarged shallow water area allows all ages to stand in the water safely to develop a sense of security and confidence. Red Cross certified personnel are present at and in charge of all pool activities.

Arts and Crafts
The arts and crafts program is probably the most popular. Projects are selected for individual age groups to challenge the imagination and develop critical skills such as cutting, pasting, and painting. Campers love to design their own T-shirts or handmade puppets. Each artist is proud to bring home their own personally created items.

Computer
Introduction to basic computer skills is just the beginning for our campers. The children will be learning the parts and functions of the computer. They will have time to use our carefully selected software and games to reinforce basic early childhood learning skills in colors, numbers and letters, and much, much more! They have a great time while practicing the fundamentals of computing.

Cooking Class
The science of cooking is fascinating to all children. They love to see their own cupcakes double in size as they bake in the oven. How does the Jell-O that they put in the refrigerator as a liquid come out as a jiggly gel? Who can explain the wonder of popcorn? All those questions and more are explored all summer long. The children make many treats and the best part is sharing and eating all the goodies

Field Trip
All children who attend the full-day camp session and who are four years old or older may participate in various field trips throughout the summer. In the past we have taken the campers to local minature golf programs, bowling alleys, museums, and other local attractions. In addition we bring many special events to the camp. We have been visited by petting zoos, pony rides, clowns, magicians, and other performers and presenters. All campers are included in these events regardless of age. Finally many special theme days, such as crazy hat day or Disney day, make each day at camp new and exciting!

Music
Music and dance are enjoyed by all age levels. The campers are able to learn about all types of music from classical to Broadway tunes and even modern pop. The children may participate in a play which has been enjoyed by all or create their own instruments and participate in a marching band! During the dance sessions we all shake, rattle, and roll! The children enjoy self-expression through creative dance movements. It wouldn’t be camp without the Twist, the Bunny Hop, the Limbo, the Macarena or the Chicken Dance

Organized Sports and Games
Our playground offers equipment that will encourage exercise, stimulate the imagination, and expand your child’s social skills. In addition to the playground equipment, we are also equipped with bicycles and safety helmets for the children to enjoy.

All age levels will enjoy organized games and sports. Children will be learning the fundamentals of such sports as basketball, soccer, hockey and baseball to name a few. The games on the scooters seem to be everyone’s favorite. During organized games and sports the children learn to follow directions, take turns and of course, the value of being a “good team player”. Go Team! These activities also benefit the children by developmeng eye, hand and foot coordination.

Outdoor Play
Our awesome playgrounds offer equipment that encourages exercise, coordination, and group fun. Developing large muscle skills, eye-hand coordination, balance, and flexibility are the aims behind the activities, but to the campers, it’s just plain fun! The children benefit by learning how to get along with others,develop some of their own “rules” for play and have plenty of time to socialize within a group.

Science and Nature
The children will experience nature at its best. They may be planting their own garden and watching it grow or making paper to learn about the importance of recycling and taking care of our natural resources. The children will wait days, in awe, to see a butterfly emerge from its cocoon or learn about exotic animals that have come to visit camp for the day. We will conduct experiments on the five senses, the food chain, or any number of other topics. Curiosity and discovery are the theme!

Camp Sessions
Three/Five Mornings	8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Three/Five Afternoons	12:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Five Full Days	8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Morning DayCare	7:00 a.m. - 8:15 a.m.
Afternoon Daycare	3:45 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

If a child attends camp for the full day session, he or she may bring his or her own lunch and go outside for a leisurely picnic. You also have the option of purchasing lunches, monthly or occasionally, from the catering company that provides this service to our schools.

APPLAUSE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

APPLAUSE is a non-profit educational theater organization specializing in musical theatre; acting, singing and dancing classes and shows for children ages 3-18. Summer Musical Theater Camp 2009 will feature workshops in High School Musical 2, Grease and contemporary music from Hannah Montana, Jonas Brothers, Beyonce and Disney in June, July and August. Ms. Renna provides a unique opportunity for kids to perform in shows, creating special parts for each child. Sign up by the week or by the show. APPLAUSE is the resident theater company at the Saddle River Cultural Center.

Kathy Renna
21 Broadway, Suite B, Woodcliff Lake, NJ
201-362-4948
www.applauseperformingartscenter.org
Email kathyrenna@earthlink.net

Milk ‘n Cookies Playhouse keeps families entertained Saturday mornings

The Milk ‘n Cookies Playhouse is an unique series at Riverspace Arts in Nyack bringing the theater (and cookies) to children Saturday mornings. If you haven’t been to show be sure to check them out. Thank you for filling our Saturdays with fun and culture just like we were in New York City!

See the Calendar for more details:

SUKEY MOLLOY & THE CIRCLE SONG BAND - WINTER HOLIDAY CONCERT Sat., Dec. 13, 10:30AM
BOSSY FROG BAND Tue., Dec. 30, 10:30AM

PAPER BAG PLAYERS: 50TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW Sat., Jan. 17, 10:30AM

FERABA AFRICAN DANCE Sat., Feb. 28, 10:30AM
CHOCOLATE CHIP CHAMBER MUSIC - A PIRATE’S TREASURE OF TRUMPETS Sat., Mar. 21, 10:30AMPajama Party with THE BOSSY FROG BAND! Fri., Apr. 3, 7PM
CRAIG BABCOCK MIME Sat., Apr. 25, 10:30AM
WONDERED OUT LOUD PUPPETS Sat., May 16, 10:30AM
I AM NOT SILLY! Sat., May 16, 10:30AM

This series is in conjunction with Jeffrey Friedberg AKA THE BOSSY FROG who shared with me the story behind this series (below!).

The Story Behind Milk ‘n Cookies Playhouse at Riverspace Arts in Nyack
By Jeffrey Friedberg AKA THE BOSSY FROG
In November 1997, I was invited to participate in building a community arts center at the former Helen Hayes theater in Nyack - now known as Riverspace Arts in Nyack.  A group of local artists, musicians, administrators and miscelanious volunteers all put their heads together to try to bring the arts alive in Rockland County.

As a children’s musician and a father, I realized that there were very few venues in Rockland County in which I could take my kids to hear music, see shows and learn first-hand about the arts.  I wanted my kids and the kids in the community to experience the arts live and in-person.  Our kids spend so much time watching video and computer screens.  I wanted them to feel the excitement and get inspired by seeing living people doing amazing things in front of their eyes.
I came up with the idea of partnering “Family Entertainment” and cookies.  What we needed, I thought, was high quality family entertainment at a reasonable price.  Our first show, in December 2007, featured Tom Chapin, The Bossy Frog Band, Pure and Simple and Sukey Molly.  Over 450 people attended the show!!!  In our 2007-08 season we featured a silly circus, African drumming, musicians, and story tellers.  We averaged over 325 people per show.  And we gave away thousand of cookies and cups of milk in the process!

Now in our third season, we have a full slate of performers, including a mime, musicians, puppet shows, tap dancing and classical music for kids.  There has been a tremedous outpouring of support in the community.  Rockland ARC’s day treatment program bakes some of our cookies as part of their job training program.  And every November, our show is a benefit for the Rockland Parent Child Center.  Throughout the season, we provide complementary tickets to organizations that serve people who are not able to afford tickets to the theater.