BELOW IS A SHORT GUIDE TO VARIOUS NYC BABY AND CHILD CLASSES LOCAL TO THE UPPER EAST SIDE
CLASSES IN THE 70s
74th Street MAGIC - (212) 737-3070 - EAST 74TH ST (YORK AND EAST RIVER)
This program offers classes in music, art, gymnastics, cooking and preschool alternatives for children 6 months to early teens. Classes of note for the early years:
45 minutes / 6 - 10 months, 11 - 18 months
Colorful mini-gym is the perfect environment for your child to explore movement, and develop gross motor skills, through a gently guided exploration of our specially designed equipment. Classes are grouped by age with a low student-to-instructor ratio. The 6 to 10 months class reinforces acquired movement skills while enhancing climbing, balancing, and social skills. The 11 to 18 months children progress to more advanced eye-hand coordination and muscle development. Music is played during the activities, and each class ends with group music time, fun with bubbles and playing with the parachute.
45 minutes / 6 - 18 months
It has been said that David Weinstone's children's songs, and Music for Aardvarks and Other Mammals classes, have changed the musical geography of kids' music. This is a class that incorporates a wide variety of musical activities, including singing, dancing, musical story telling, instrumental jam sessions and musical puppet play. The original material used in class uniquely reflects and celebrates the lives of children growing up in an urban environment, as well as more traditional themes universal to all children. Tons of fun, this experience will capture children's imaginations and touch their hearts!
After-School Art - (212) 535-1199 - 423 E. 75th STREET (YORK/FIRST)
Kids at Art - (212) 410-9780 - 1412 Second Avenue (between 73rd and 74th Street)
With fun, creative splattering classes for toddlers age 2-4, classes for the 5 and up set and special sewing and fashion classes for the older set, Kids at Art has something for everyone. Their fall semester is 15 weeks long and is $625 for an hour weekly class. Their are morning mommy and me art classes for 2-4, separation and drop off classes for ages 3-4 and even a fun lunch art class that included pizza and juice for 5 year olds. They also host birthday parties with art, karaoke and disco.
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American Youth Dance Theater - (212) 717-5419 - 428 E. 75th Street, 2ND FL. (YORK AND 1ST)
Pre-Ballet: Ages 2-6 - Fun and creative approach to learning the basics of ballet and creative dance. All classes except for Mommy-n-Me and Tiny Tots perform in Spring Junior Recital.
Mommy-n-Me
Tiny Tots Pre-Ballet I Pre-Ballet II Pre-Ballet III
Ages 2 1⁄4 - 3 accompanied by a parent or caregiver. Class is broken into two 9-week sessions. You may register for one or both sessions.
Separation class for ages 3-4 Nursery School (must be at least 3 1⁄2 years old by September ‘09) Pre-K Kindergarten
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Hands On - (212) 628-1945 - 1365 First Avenue (72ND)
Hands On! A Musical Experience, Inc offers age-appropriate children's music classes to infants, toddlers and pre-school children using a specially formatted, instrument-based music curriculum that introduces Hands On! students to popular folk tunes, lullabies, nursery rhymes, in addition to well-known classical excerpts. Hands On! classes are designed to include music, story, movement, and the exploration of various musical instruments, which children can see and touch. Each class is led by a trained teacher who sings songs and plays the instruments of the orchestra. A pianist accompanies the instructor at all times.
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CLASSES IN THE 80s
DramaZone Dance Studios (917) 690-0789 - 220 East 86th Street, Lower Level, New York, NY 10028
Just Wee Two®, created by Helen Beck and Ruth Broitman in 1982, is a fun-filled program for young children ages 8 months to 3 1/2 years and their mommies (daddies, nannies, grandparents...). Through activities such as music, arts and crafts, playtime, stories and snack, children are encouraged to explore, discover, interact and enjoy this special time in their lives. This program provides a unique opportunity for grownups to share this magical experience. There are three 11 week sessions - a fall, winter, and spring - and a six week mini-camp summer session. Call for information at (516) 433-0003 or (800) 404-2204 or email at info@justweetwo.com.
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Gymboree - (212) 452-9814 - 401 E. 84TH ST
Gymboree Play & Learn 1 0-6 months
Explore the senses and support visual and auditory development with tummy time, flashlight play, first songs and more. This baby class includes parent discussion time to help learn about your child's development.
Gymboree Play & Learn 2 6-10 months
Learn about cause and effect and build strength through play with ramps, slides and climbers. This infant class includes parent discussion time to help learn about your child's development.
Music I 6-16 months
Discover melody, pitch and rhythm while building a repertoire of joyful songs. Music classes are suitable for babies and infants.
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Kidville - (212) 848-9415 - 163 E 84TH STREET
Little Maestro's: Age newborn - 12 months
“Register your baby at birth for the hottest music class for tots,” says the New York Post. Little Maestros, named the best music class in NYC by Nickelodeon’s Parents' Pick Awards and by the lilaguide: the word-of-mouth survival guide for new parents, is a music performance class where music and friends are made. Each class features four live musicians who sing and play guitar, piano, and drums. Little Maestros takes children on a fantastic musical journey each week. You and your child will love our musical story times, songs of all kinds, imaginative play, language development activities, puppet shows, and “bubble music.” Come and join the fun!
(45 minutes)
Wee Wiggle Giggle: Age 4-12 months
Come Play! We'll share cool toys and books in this stimulating program for Kidville's littlest members. Our sign language segment gives babies an introduction to language development, and even the tiniest wigglers enjoy exercises and games with their group of new friends. We close the fun with a visit from Kidville's own musicians to get those babies dancing! (45 minutes)
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Jodi's Gym (212) 772-7633 - 244 EAST 84TH STREET
Mommy & Me Gym: (9 months - 3 years)
Come join us for 40 minutes of non-stop action. Our enthusiastic teachers will lead you (or a caregiver) and your child through an exciting class filled with running, jumping, swinging and stretching. Our safe, colorful, state-of-the-art facility will make every toddler want to jump for joy! Class time includes free play, circle time, bubble time, parachute play and supervised exploration in our fun and fantastic gym…just the right size for tiny tumblers!
Mommy & Me Gym and Music Combo (12 months-3 years)
A wildly popular and fun-filled class for the child who loves to both move, groove and munch. Our special 75 minute class combines all the fun of a Mommy & Me Gym class (see previous outline) with an incredible 30 minute music class. One of our dynamic music teachers will lead you through a singing and dancing extravaganza, loaded with shakers, streamers and silly songs. A yummy snack and story top off the mix.
Tumbling Tots (3-5 years)
Do you have a preschooler who is always on the move? Our one hour fun-tastic gym program will have them head over heals with delight. The fundamentals for gymnastics (and all sports) are developed as children improve their skills on balance beams, bars, rings, tumbling, floor work, vault, tumbletrak, our space bouncer and so much more! In a class filled with giggles and laughter, your child will develop self confidence while experiencing the joys of gymnastics. You just won’t find a more attentive and caring staff anywhere! Student/Teacher ratio is 6 to 1. Children are grouped by age.
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Musical Kids International - (212) 996-5898 - 1296 LEXINGTON AVENUE (87TH and 88TH)
Play, Sing & Jump (6 months - 5 years, months by age groups). This class introduces children to a wide array of musical activities. These include free and active movement, singing and chanting in a variety of tonalities and meters, exploration of simple percussion instruments and the use of props for improvisation. Children and adults will be encouraged to listen, play and dance to traditional music from the USA and other countries. A fun musical experience! (45 min.)
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Rhinelander Children's Center - (212) 876-0500 - 350 E. 88TH ST (1ST AVE)
Rhinelander Center’s Early Childhood Program offers young children a warm and nurturing first “classroom” experience. Classes are designed to engage cognitive, social and physical skills. Children learn to work independently and as part of a group. Through art, music, movement, indoor and outdoor play, children develop fine and gross motor and communication skills. During classes, parents, caregivers and children make new friends in the neighborhood. Caring teachers strive to foster a love of learning.
Classes are for children 11 months through 5 years of age. Most classes enroll children within a six-month age span to ensure that activities build confidence and are developmentally appropriate. Three sessions are offered annually: Fall, Spring and Summer.
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CLASSES IN THE 90s
The Art Farm - (212)410-3117 - 419 E. 91ST STREET
Ages: 6 months and up. With a philosophy that “the farm brings out the best in all of us”, the Art Farm program focuses on nature, animals and art. At first only available in the Hamptons, The Art Farm in the City opened in 2001 and offers preschool, playgroup, mommy and me classes, summer camp and unique birthday parties.
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The Diller-Quaile School of Music - (212) 369-1484 - 24 E. 95TH ST. (MADISON and FIFTH)
The Early Childhood Department – instituted in the early 1960s – offers an extensive selection of courses for introducing small groups of young children and their families to the joys of music and art. By engaging in developmentally appropriate group music experiences (listening, singing, moving, playing percussion instruments, and eventually reading and notating music), students are given the foundation for a comprehensive music education and the tools to express themselves artistically. Key to the Diller-Quaile approach is the collaboration among teachers and students, which creates a unique musical environment within each class session.
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