ABOUT THIS CLASS
Get ready for a gobble-tastic engineering adventure! In this Family STEAM class, little learners and their grown-ups will design and build creative “turkey traps” inspired by How to Catch a Turkey. Using everyday materials, kids will explore problem-solving, simple machines, and imaginative design while testing out their own clever contraptions. Perfect for ages 0–5 with a caregiver, this class is all about hands-on discovery, laughter, and holiday-themed creativity.
Perfect for ages 0–5 with a caregiver, this class combines curiosity, creativity, and a little “mad science” magic to make learning unforgettable. All sessions include music, bubbles, and parachute time as well!
CLASS DESCRIPTION:
Spark your child’s curiosity and dive into the exciting world of science, technology, engineering, art, and math! Family STEAM Class at Avis South Shore JCC is a once-a-month, exclusive class that brings a fresh theme to every session, filled with hands-on activities that ignite exploration for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers.
For babies, the focus is on sensory experiences that engage their developing brains and introduce basic STEAM concepts through materials they can touch, feel, and explore. Toddlers start experimenting with simple cause-and-effect experiments, building motor skills while discovering how things work. Preschoolers dive deeper into creative challenges, where they’ll build, design, and problem-solve with interactive materials that encourage critical thinking, teamwork, and imagination.
Rooted in Family Life Education principles, Family STEAM Class brings families together to actively collaborate on projects, from constructing simple structures to exploring color mixing or experimenting with textures. Each session encourages families to ask questions, explore new ideas, and celebrate their discoveries as a team. By the end of each class, families leave with a sense of accomplishment and a fresh spark of curiosity to keep exploring at home.
PRIMARY DEVELOPMENTAL FOCUS OF THIS CLASS:
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STEAM activities encourage children to ask questions, hypothesize, experiment, and observe results, helping to build early scientific thinking and problem-solving skills.
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Integrating art and design into STEAM lets children explore open-ended creation, imaginative building, and personal expression.
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Manipulating tools and materials alongside a grown-up, developing hand-eye coordination and dexterity.
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Activities with shapes, structures, balance, symmetry, and pattern recognition introduce spatial concepts and early geometry thinking.
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Counting, sorting, measuring, comparing sizes or volumes, and sequencing build early numeracy and logic skills.
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When experiments don’t go exactly as planned, children learn persistence, trial-and-error, and the idea that mistakes are part of learning.
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Talking through steps, describing observations, comparing outcomes, and sharing ideas with caregivers or peers supports vocabulary, reasoning, and narrative skills.
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Collaborating on builds, working together to solve a challenge, sharing materials, and celebrating successes all support cooperation, empathy, and social interaction.
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Hands-on STEAM activities tap into children’s innate curiosity and encourage them to explore how things work, fostering a love of learning.
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Because caregivers participate alongside children, this STEAM format strengthens family engagement, encourages shared discovery, and builds meaningful connections through joint problem-solving and conversation.
WHAT GROWN-UPS CAN EXPECT
Hands-On Discovery: Watch your child explore science, technology, engineering, art, and math through playful, age-appropriate activities that spark curiosity and creativity.
Developmental Milestone Focus: See growth in areas such as problem-solving, critical thinking, early math and literacy, fine motor coordination, and social interaction—all seamlessly woven into STEAM exploration.
Shared Learning: Enjoy meaningful moments of discovery together as you and your child experiment, build, and create side by side, strengthening family connections through play.
Expert Guidance: Gain confidence from the support of experienced program leaders who guide activities, explain concepts in parent-friendly language, and highlight your child’s developmental progress.
Consistent Engagement: Bring ideas from class into your home routines, reinforcing curiosity, exploration, and learning well beyond the classroom.
PROGRAM LOCATION - SOUTH SHORE
Happy Day Play at Avis South Shore JCC (Grown Up and Me Program)
1297 Arthur Kill Rd
Staten Island, NY 10312
ROOM LOCATION: This class takes place in Community Room.
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.