Building Bright Futures of Colchester

Building Bright Futures of Colchester (BBFC), formally known as Colchester Early Childhood Connection is thrilled to announce the continuation of our grant from the Building Bright Futures of Chittenden County - Vermont Success by Six Initiative and Department of Human Services.

Vermont’s Future Starts with Today’s Children

PLAYGROUP
Ages Birth - 6

A great opportunity for parents and their children to connect with other parents while children engage in a group experience. Class will not meet February 29, March 2, April 25 & 27.

#290000A Wed & Fri 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. Jan. 11 - Jun. 1

FACILATATOR: Building Bright Futures of Colchester
LOCATION: Colchester Meeting House, Downstairs
FEE: FREE

BABY MUSIC
Babies 6 weeks - 12 months

This fun, interactive, music & movement class offers wonderful cognitive, social, & physical benefits and is designed to enhance your baby's natural sense of rhythm and love of music! Meet other parents and learn many delightful "take-home" activities and songs which will stimulate and enrich your child's ever expanding world! Age appropriate activities will include knee bounces, finger plays, scarf "peek-a-boo" songs, coordination exercises, baby dances with colorful ribbons, guitar sing-a-longs with instruments, parachute activities and lots and lots of bubbles! As an early childhood music educator, Ellie Tetrick (of The Heartworks Preschools and Ellie's Preschool Parties) combines over 20 years of experience teaching Gymboree, Kindermusik and preschool music with her love of children to help parents entertain, engage and enjoy their babies at this very special stage of their lives! This class is for babies with guardians only. (Please, no older siblings.) Class will not meet on February 4 or March 31. Minimum: 8, Maximum: 16.

Session A
#290005A Saturdays 11:00 - 12:00 p.m. Jan. 14 - Feb. 25

Session B
#290005B Saturdays 11:00 - 12:00 p.m. Mar. 10 - Apr. 21

INSTRUCTOR: Ellen Tetrick, Ellie’s Preschool Parties
LOCATION: Colchester Meeting House, Upstairs
FEE: $40 residents/$45 non residents

*This reduced rate is made possible by Building Bright Futures of Colchester, thanks to a grant from the Vermont Success by Six Initiative

TODDLER MUSIC
Toddlers 13 - 36 months

Toddlers love to MOVE…and this fun, interactive music and movement class offers activities designed just for this energetic age group! While gaining social, verbal and physical benefits, your child will engage in activities such as simple coordination "ball games", cooperative circle songs and creative dancing. In addition, toddlers will explore early rhythm skills as they jump, march, rock and stomp to the music or play with rhythm sticks, drums and shakers. Age appropriate activities will also include knee bounces, finger plays, "peek-a-boo" songs, colorful ribbons, scarves, guitar sing-a-longs with instruments, parachute activities and lots and lots of bubbles! Please, no older siblings. Class will not meet on February 4 or March 31.
Minimum: 8, Maximum: 16.

Session A1
#290005A1 Saturdays 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Jan. 14 - Feb. 25
Session B1
#290005B1 Saturdays 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Mar. 10 - Apr. 21

INSTRUCTOR: Ellen Tetrick, Heartworks Preschools
LOCATION: Colchester Meeting House, Upstairs
FEE: $40 residents/$45 non residents

*This reduced rate is made possible by Building Bright Futures of Colchester, thanks to a grant from the Vermont Success by Six Initiative

SCOTT NOYES: POWER STRUGGLES - UNDERSTANDING THIS POTENT DYNAMIC
Parents of children ages 2 - 8

Power struggles come from a variety of components: fatigue, stress, frustration, helplessness or the quest for autonomy and power. This presentation looks at avoiding responses that provide short-term relief, but long-term grief. We will explore why effective reactions to children’s power struggles come from understanding not simply the behavior but also the function of the altercation, mainly the child’s needs and feelings. Surprisingly the answer to power struggles is not avoiding them, but rather to take out the defiance and learn from them. Our goal will be helping children advocate for themselves by having conversations which increase their autonomy and balance new privileges with new responsibilities. No more ineffective responses, bribing, sulking, threatening, lecturing, controlling, pressuring, guilting, or shaming children when power struggles arise.
Minimum: 10, Maximum: 75.

Parent Workshop:
#281004A Thursday 6:45 - 8:45 p.m. February 23

Childcare:
#281004B Thursday 6:45 - 8:45 p.m. February 23

LOCATION: Colchester Meeting House, Upstairs
FEE: FREE

ELLIE'S PRESCHOOL PARTY
Ages 1 - 5

With over 20 years as a preschool music teacher and party entertainer, Colchester resident, Ellie Tetrick specializes in engaging children ages 1-5. Join Ellie at the Meeting House for 45 minutes of interactive music activities including a guitar sing-along, dancing with colorful ribbons & scarves, movement to music, parachute activities and lots & lots of bubbles! PARENTS MUST ATTEND. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED IN ORDER TO ATTEND. Maximum: 35 children.

#290006A Saturday 10:00 - 10:45 a.m. March 31

FACILATATOR: Ellen Tetrick, Heartworks Preschools
LOCATION: Colchester Meeting House, Upstairs
FEE: FREE