PRE-K Parent Forum – Do you have a child who is or will be age three by September 1, 2016? Are you interested in FREE Preschool? Do you understand the new law, ACT 166 and how it will affect your family?  We are hosting a Parent Forum on Saturday, March 5th at 1 p.m. in the Thatcher Brook Primary Cafeteria (47 Stowe Street, Waterbury). This forum is for all parents and caregivers of children looking into preschool for 2016-17 regardless of what town you are from. Melissa Riegel-Garrett, Pre-K Coordinator from the VT Agency of Education and Reeva Murphy Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Children and Families, Child Development Division will facilitate and answer any and all questions. This is the first year of implementation of this new law and there are many questions and concerns. This is a perfect place to get a clear understanding of Act 166 and how these changes will affect your family.
Dabble Days - The Children's Room Weekend Family Playdate Series continues with “DABBLE DAYS" on Saturday, March 12th from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Thatcher Brook Primary School (47 Stowe Street, Waterbury). Families are invited to join us as we explore a variety of art mediums–painting, collage, cutting & pasting, structure art, murals, modeling clay, rice table and good old fashioned coloring! Hearthworks from Stowe will offer up a special craft as well! This event is geared toward children ages birth to 10. There will be a relaxing infant zone and we will offer a healthy snack. This event is free and open to the public. Funding is provided by a Small and Inspiring Grant from The Vermont Community Fund. Hope to see your there!
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Little Feet Soccer Clinic - The Children’s Room is teaming up with Thatcher Brook Primary School to offer a FREE four part Soccer Clinic for 3 to 5 year old children. With the support of their parents/caregivers, children will be invited to participate in a playful exploration of the sport of soccer. There will be a warm up in the beginning followed by various age appropriate activities/games (Red light Green light & Catch the Coach) that let the children begin to learn the basics of ball handling while they develop social skills around group activities such as waiting in line, following directions, cheering each other on and so forth. All you need to bring is comfortable clothing, sneakers, and a water bottle. The clinic dates are Sundays, March 13 & 20 and April 3 & 10 in the morning from 10 to 11. We ask that you commit to all 4 sessions as space is limited to 16 participants. We will meet in the Thatcher Brook Primary School Gymnasium. Space is limited and registration is required. Please emailchildrensroom@wwsu.org or call 802-244-5605 to secure your spot. This program is partially funded by Central Vermont Building bright Futures.
NEW!! Afternoon Playgroup for Morning Nappers - We have had numerous people ask for an afternoon playgroup. Some little ones do better with morning naps and all the playgroups and story times are in the morning, right at naptime. So let’s give it a try. We have set aside a few afternoons in March to try it out. Join us on Friday, March 4th, Thursday, March 17th and Tuesday, March 29th for an afternoon story time, craft and snack at 1 p.m. This will be test month. If these story times are well attended, we can look at picking a re-occurring weekday to host them moving forward.
 AB2, Active Bodies, Active Brains - These are FREE Interactive Music and Movement Classes offered by Laurie Flaherty & Rachel O'Donald from AB2. Session three will be Mondays, March 7, 14, 21, April 4 & 11 (begins promptly at 9:30 a.m.) This class will focus on early literacy skills paired with the elements of dance. Each week we will explore a different movement concept and link that concept to a story which we will act out. A wide variety of props and instruments will also be used to build the body/brain connection. Although this class is geared to children ages 3-5, younger siblings are always welcome to attend and will benefit from the class. This Program is made possible with funding from Central Vermont Building Bright Futures in collaboration with The Children's Room and Thatcher Brook Primary School. Join us in the room for free play afterward and open gym at 11:15 if you like.
Sugar on Snow – We are off to Morse Sugar Farm in Montpelier (1168 County Rd) Come along with us on Friday, March 25th as we check out how the sweet sap turns into syrup and enjoy a mouth watering helping of sugar on snow, complete with doughnuts, and a pickle, the Vermont way! We will take a short walk and meet their two miniature goats out back. This visit requires a pre-registration. Please call 244-5605 or email me at childrensroom@wwsu.org to register. The admission is free, but the cost of the sugar on snow is $3.00/serving.  Go to www.morsefarm.com  for more info.

Art Exploration – Expand your Artistic exploration with us on March 10th and 18th at 10 a.m. as we create crafts with Shamrocks and Macaroni, followed by Open Gym at 11:15.
Gymnastics: The first is Monday, March 7th to the Central VT Gymnastics. Located in Moretown, minutes from TBPS, we are invited to enjoy their open gym time at reduced rate of $5/child. Go to http://www.anissasacrobats.net/ for more information.
 Swimming: Join us for a visit to the pool on Monday, March 21st at 10 a.m. It’s up to Stowe to The Golden Eagle Pool for some fun in the pool.  We are invited for some open pool time at the reduced rate of $5/person. This facility is clean and inviting. Floaties are allowed and there are some large stairs for the beginner swimmers to take their first steps with.  Hope to see you there! Go tohttp://www.goldeneagleresort.com/ or more information.
 Music and Movement, Art Exploration and Open Gym are scheduled throughout the month for your enjoyment.  The Children’s Room is open every day that school is in session from 8 to 4 PM. We are located at 47 Stowe Street, Waterbury.

Welcome to February and all this crazy weather. Freezing or balmy, we have some fantastic activities and events planned. Here are  some “don’t miss” events for February and beyond.
 
Weekend Family Playdate Series continues with Big Toy Night!!  Saturday, February 6th marks the return of one of our traditional get togethers for families of children ages birth to six and a great way to overcome cabin fever.  Children are invited to bring their trikes, bikes, scooters, and push toys that have been put away for the winter and ride around the indoor track!  There will be crafts for kids to enjoy and an infant area for those little ones who can't yet ride.  Come to the Thatcher Brook Primary School Gym in Waterbury from 4-6 p.m. with your children, their helmets, big toys, and an appetite for fun! Pizza and drinks are free.  Potluck desserts and snacks!   Join us for an evening of fun!  This great event is partially funded by Central VT Building Bright Futures and the Small and Inspiring Grant from the Vermont Community Fund.
 
AB2, Active Bodies, Active Brains - These are FREE Interactive Music and Movement Classes offered by Laurie Flaherty & Rachel O'Donald from AB2. The second of three sessions continues on Mondays, Feb. 1, 8 & 15. This session is geared toward walking to age three. Dancing together with your child while exploring movement activities and practicing skills that will be fun and educational. This class will help to build the body/brain connection in children. Movement concepts will be explored using a wide variety of music, props, and rhythm instruments. Older and younger siblings are welcome to attend. Session three will be Mondays, March 7, 14, 21, April 4 & 11. This class will focus on early literacy skills paired with the elements of dance. Each week we will explore a different movement concept and link that concept to a story which we will act out. A wide variety of props and instruments will also be used to build the body/brain connection. Although this class is geared to children ages 3-5, younger siblings are always welcome to attend and will benefit from the class. This Program is made possible with funding from Central Vermont Building Bright Futures in collaboration with The Children's Room and Thatcher Brook Primary School.
 
Art Exploration – Expand your Artistic exploration with us on February 5, 11 & 19 at 10 a.m. as we work on crafts like, Polar Bears, Valentines and Penguins, followed by Open Gym at 11:15.
 
Gymnastics – The first is Monday, February 1st to the Central VT Gymnastics. Located in Moretown, minutes from TBPS, we are invited to enjoy their open gym time at reduced rate of $5/child. Go to http://www.anissasacrobats.net/ for more information.
 
Swimming – Join us for a visit to the pool on Monday, February 29th at 10 a.m. It’s up to Stowe at The Golden Eagle Resort for some fun in the pool.  We are invited for some open pool time at the reduced rate of $5/person. This facility is clean and inviting. Floaties are allowed and there are some large stairs for the beginner swimmers to take their first steps with.  Hope to see you there! Go to http://www.goldeneagleresort.com/ or more information.
 
Music and Movement – Tuesday Playgroup and Open Gym are scheduled throughout the month for your enjoyment.
 
The Children’s Room is open every day that school is in session from 8 to 4 PM. Go to https://sites.google.com/a/wwsu.org/tbps/  for the school calendar.
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Hello All,

​Welcome 2016!! The New Year has arrived and we are planning some great activities for the month of January. The Children’s Room is hosting all kinds of fun family activities. Here are some of the highlights:

Weekend Family Playdate Series, Gymnastics Clinic - Sunday, January 24, 2016 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. - The Children’s Room is pleased to announce that Anissa Touchette from Central Vermont Gymnastics in Moretown will be setting up her equipment in the Gym at Thatcher Brook Primary School at 47 Stowe Street in Waterbury for a very special weekend playgroup for children, ages birth to six, and their families. With the support of their caregivers, children are invited to participate in a playful exploration of the sport of gymnastics. A healthy snack and craft will be offered. This is a free event and open to everyone. These Weekend Family Playdates are funded with The Small and Inspiring Grant Program through the Vermont Community Foundation. Look for an exciting Weekend Playdate every Month where Families can gather and build relationships while nurturing out most precious community assets, our little ones.

First ever “Babysitter’s Social” – The Children's Room will be hosting this special playgroup for parents and others to meet and network with each other while our little ones play. Everyone will have the opportunity to fill out a name card with your needs and/or experience. Are you are a qualified student looking for sitter opportunities or a parent looking for childcare swaps. Maybe an adult looking to work part-time for a family looking for occasional care in Waterbury, Duxbury and The Mad River Valley! If so, you should stop by and chat with each other. The Children's Room will not provide any screening or endorsements of individuals participating. We recommend each parent and/or sitter check references of potential matches. Refreshments will be served!

VT Humanities Council presents “Read with Me” with Morgan Irons – This program is an engaging and interactive workshops for parents and guardians of children from birth to age six who wish to learn what books are age-appropriate and how to engage children in conversation about books. Morgan will share the joy and importance of sharing picture books and conversation with the youngest children. Participants journey into the world of children’s literature, and through hands-on exploration of children’s books they are introduced to early literacy and related developmental issues. They discover ways to make books come alive through animated readings, rhymes, and extension activities that encourage language development and communication. Each participating household takes home a set of gift books to encourage daily reading as a family. This is a series of workshops that build on each other. They will be on Tuesdays, Jan 12, 19 and 26 from 6 to 7:30 in the Thatcher Brook library. Refreshments will be served. Childcare is available. Pre- registration is required. Call 244-5605 or email childrensroom@wwsu.org.

AB2, Active Bodies, Active Brains - These are FREE Interactive Music and Movement Classes offered by Laurie Flaherty & Rachel O'Donald from AB2. The second of three sessions will be held on Mondays, Jan. 25 and Feb. 1, 8 & 15. This session is geared toward walking to age three. Dancing together with your child while exploring movement activities and practicing skills that will be fun and educational. This class will help to build the body/brain connection in children. Movement concepts will be explored using a wide variety of music, props, and rhythm instruments. Older and younger siblings are welcome to attend. Session three will be Mondays, March 7, 14, 21, April 4 & 11. This class will focus on early literacy skills paired with the elements of dance. Each week we will explore a different movement concept and link that concept to a story which we will act out. A wide variety of props and instruments will also be used to build the body/brain connection. Although this class is geared to children ages 3-5, younger siblings are always welcome to attend and will benefit from the class. This Program is made possible with funding from Central Vermont Building Bright Futures in collaboration with The Children's Room and Thatcher Brook Primary School.

Driving Field Trips: We are off on two driving field trips this month.

• Gymnastics: The first is Monday, January 4th , to the Central VT Gymnastics. Located in Moretown, minutes from TBPS, we are invited to enjoy their open gym time at reduced rate of $5/child. Go tohttp://www.anissasacrobats.net/ for more information. 
• Swimming: It’s up to Stowe to The Golden Eagle Pool on Monday, January 25th at 10:30 a.m. for some fun in the pool. We are invited for some open pool time at the reduced rate of $5/person. This facility is clean and inviting. Floaties are allowed and there are some large stairs for the beginner swimmers to take their first steps with. Everyone needs to sign in at the Main Office of the resort prior to going to the pool. Hope to see you there! Go to http://www.goldeneagleresort.com/ or more information.

Playgroup: Every Tuesday at 10a.m. brings Free Play in our space, followed by “open gym” from 11:15 to 11:45.

Music and Movement, Art Exploration and Open Gym are scheduled throughout the month for your enjoyment.
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In addition to our programs there are some great local activities for families happening in January. Check out the following links for some other great local fun this month…..
http://www.stowewintercarnival.com/
http://www.waterburyrecreation.com/schedules-2015.html
https://www.facebook.com/events/380271348801218/?ref_newsfeed_story_type=regular