ABOUT THIS CLASS

Welcome to Animal City! Little ones run the town through dramatic play, take a turn at the bunny cop and sloth DMV pretend stations, and try on jobs at the critter career dress-up corner. They'll crawl through the rainforest district tunnel, feed the animals, and sort critters in our sensory bins. Open play, parachute, and bubbles round out the morning.

CLASS DESCRIPTION: Family Open Play is a walk-in morning of themed play in our no-pressure learning gym, where little ones move freely, explore safely, and build confidence alongside their favorite grown-up. Each week brings a new theme, an age-appropriate play setup, optional guided play activities, and our signature welcome song, parachute, and bubbles, all designed on the Family Life Education framework to support babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and their families (included big helper old siblings!) at the same time. It's pay-as-you-go at one price per family with no commitments.

INSTRUCTOR: Family Open Play is designed and led by our founder, Ms. Kaitlynn, a Family Life Educator. It's built on the Family Life Education framework, her background in child development and family support, and her years leading organic content strategy for the world's leading pregnancy and parenting brand, What To Expect. Each week, Ms. Kaitlynn sets up the themed play space, leads the welcome song, parachute, and bubbles, and offers optional guided activities while your family explores at its own pace. Her warm, low-pressure approach gives every child room to move, choose, and build confidence, with their favorite grown-up right beside them.

Simply purchase a class pass or bundle and show up to your class of choice. Reservations are not required.

PRIMARY DEVELOPMENTAL FOCUS OF THIS CLASS:

• Physical Motor Skill Mastery

  Engage in activities promoting the development of fine and gross motor skills for the little ones, alongside opportunities for physical play for older siblings and family members.

• Cognitive Development

  Explore cognitive play stations designed to challenge and stimulate young minds, providing an enjoyable learning experience for children and sparking engaging discussions for parents and caregivers.

• Multi-Generational Connection:

  Cherish moments of connection between generations as grandparents, parents, and siblings come together in a shared space. Strengthen family bonds through laughter, shared discoveries, and the joy of collective play.

• Community Building

  Form connections with other families on a similar journey, creating a supportive network where experiences and insights can be shared. 'Family Open Play' is not just a class; it's a community of families growing together.

WHAT PARENTS CAN EXPECT:

• Celebrating Milestones: Acknowledging and celebrating each small victory with your child, reinforcing their sense of accomplishment.

• Community Support: Connecting with other parents, sharing experiences and insights, creating a supportive network.

• Observation and Adaptation: Paying attention to your child's cues during activities, adapting and personalizing the experience to meet their unique needs and learning how to do so at home.

• Responsive Parenting: Learning to respond to your child's exploration with positive reinforcement, fostering a secure attachment.

• Quality Time: Cherishing the moments of connection during class, and extending these bonding experiences through activities and further learning at home.

• Consistent Engagement: Incorporating elements from class into your daily routines, providing a consistent and supportive environment for your child's development.

PROGRAM LOCATION - MID ISLAND

Happy Day Play at JCC Bernikow (Grown Up and Me Program)
1466 Manor Rd
Staten Island, NY 10314

ROOM LOCATION: This class takes place in the 2nd floor gym.

 

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU GET THERE

When you arrive, please go to the front desk and tell the JCC member that you have arrived for a Happy Day Play class. They will direct you to the room.

Upon entry, please present your confirmation to a Happy Day Play staff member. If you have not registered, you can do so at the start of class by scanning the QR code and registering online.

For play and music classes, please remove shoes and leave on socks. Strollers are permitted but must stay parked outside the classroom. If your baby needs to be nursed or have a bottle, we encourage you to do so to keep them comfortable. All other items with the exception of light blankets and pacifiers should be left with your personal belongings. Your personal belongings will remain visible to you the entire duration of class.