With the coming of the New Year, many families are starting to look ahead to mid-winter and spring enrichment classes for their children. While we offer a very comprehensive classes guide twice a year (in September and January—so be sure to tune in next month), we wanted to take the opportunity now to ask the founders, owners, and directors of some stellar enrichment and activity programs for their advice on how to choose a class that’s a great fit for your child. From tips on playing to your child’s strengths to important questions to ask, these pearls of wisdom are sure to help you in your search for the perfect program.
74th St. MAGIC: “An important piece of a preschool enrichment program is the ability to foster individual development while teaching boundaries, routine, and sequencing. I always tell parents to look at the children’s art projects. If each child’s work looks unique but overall it’s cohesive, then the teachers are probably on the mark encouraging creativity within structure.” –Julie Wolf, Director, 74magic.com
Advantage Tennis Clubs: “With all of the specialty classes that are available for young children, how do you select the best one for your child? Three words: Try something new. Since you may have already tried an art, craft, or music experience for your child, consider a movement class that educates your child’s body as well as their mind. Developing your child’s love for movement can last a lifetime as your child grows and feels comfortable about new physical challenges. Select a movement class that allows you or a caregiver to learn and move together. Remember: Try something new!” –Jonathan Lipsit, Tennis Education Director, advantagetennisclubs.com
The Art Farm in the City: “When you’re picking a class for your child, know what you want to get out of it before you start exploring your options. Do you want them to gain socialization skills, [learn] how to function in a group setting, and interacting with their peers? Do you want them to be building their gross motor skills and getting their energy out during a gym class? Or expanding their small motor skills in an art class? Also, put them in programs they enjoy and want to be a part of—not always what their friends are doing.” –Valentina Van Hise, Director, theartfarms.org
Asphalt Green: “You live in New York, so the opportunities available to your children are unlimited. The hours in the day are limited, so you’ll need to make some choices. But don’t sweat it! You’re not making a lifetime commitment. Add activities slowly, and whatever your child does, praise their progress and their effort.” –Jeff Ward, Chief Programs Officer, asphaltgreen.org
Atlantic Acting School: “As a parent, I look for early enrichment programs that are both structured and imaginative, and provide an opportunity for my children to meet kids from other schools. Acting classes, in particular, give kids the chance to expend energy before they get home at night as it is a highly creative outlet. I also look for programs in which my kids can progress through various class levels so they can build upon what they’ve previously learned. Of course, most importantly, the class needs to be fun in order to capture the attention of our energetic youth.” –Mary McCann, Executive Director, atlanticactingschool.org
Broadway Dance Center: “Most reputable programs for young dancers will have a fair refund policy or allow families to do a trial class. For my program, we give students five weeks to make sure the program is a good fit and to receive a pro-rated refund if necessary.” –Allie Beach, Director, Children and Teen Program, broadwaydancecenter.com
Chelsea Piers: “Finding a facility where kids can advance through different levels of a sport as they grow can make all the difference in the overall class experience. A familiar environment, combined with a consistent group of coaches, ensures that kids feel comfortable and parents can relax knowing their child is safe. At the Field House, our classes are designed to introduce young athletes to the fundamentals of a sport and provide a path that allows each child to advance to higher levels at their own pace.” –Debbie Gleicher, General Manager, the Field House at Chelsea Piers, chelseapiers.com/fh
The Craft Studio: “I notice that parents tend to sign their kids up for classes that their school friends sign up for—always together as one big group. While there are tons of positives to kids being around the same core friends, I think there’s something to be said for having your child explore an interest that their friends may not be into. Besides the benefit of expanding their social circle, it also might give kids a chance to thrive in an activity they might have missed out on if their ‘group’ didn’t choose it…I have seen rambunctious boys thrive and excel in a sit-down art class and girly ballerinas go nuts in a science and construction class.” –Lindsey Peers, Owner, craftstudionyc.com
EBL Coaching: “Follow your child’s interests! One of the best ways to foster learning and build upon a skill set is to delve into your child’s interests. If she likes art, sign her up for an enrichment class where she learns techniques and has creative freedom. If she likes building things and is curious about numbers, why not sign her up for a math enrichment program? If he shows an interest in cooking or music, run with those skills and find a class that best suits his interest and is age-appropriate. Just be sure to reinforce whatever is done during the classes at home, and that the activity is fun for your child!” –Emily Levy, Founder, eblcoaching.com
The JCC in Manhattan: “Choosing activities for our kids is about finding a place and space for them to grow, explore, and connect to themselves and others. I could choose a gymnastics class with the shiniest equipment that boasts about how they will turn my child into the next Olympian, or I can choose a gymnastics class with a teacher who will get to know my child, help her develop new skills, and build her confidence while also teaching her the value of being part of a group… Find a place that is teaching values and not just skills, and you’ll find an experience that’s truly enriching.” –Mara Braunfeld, Director of the Burt and Sandra Wasserman Center for Families, jccmanhattan.org
Jodi’s Gym: “Parents should ask the following questions when selecting a safe and healthy and age-appropriate gymnastics program: What are the qualifications of the teachers? Are they USAG safety- and CPR-certified and background checked? What is the experience of the program manager or director? There needs to be someone to set protocol who has extensive background, knowledge, and expertise in this particular sport. What is the curriculum—are there lesson plans? Are children working within their abilities? How carefully are students supervised—can teachers see all students in their groups at all times? How much time is spent waiting in lines or sitting (this should be minimal)? How is the gym set up? Are there always multiple staff members present in case of emergency? And finally, is the safety and wellness of all students top priority at all times?” –Jodi Levine, Founder, jodisgym.com
Karma Kids Yoga: “When considering classes and activities for your child, take a moment to reflect on the whole child—what motivates your child? In what types of situations are they most comfortable and relaxed? Then consider activities that will support your child emotionally, physically, socially, and academically. In choosing a class or activity, think about how your child will benefit. What will they get out of the experience? Also, take into consideration the time of day of the activity and the energy level of your child at that time. Choose activities that are engaging and that your child is excited to participate in.” –Shari Vilchez-Blatt, Founder and Director, karmakidsyoga.com
Kids at Art: “Look for a class that will be both educational and fun for your child. It’s not school, so they should totally enjoy it… It’s great to pick a class for you and your child to do together, but make sure it’s something that you love to do as well.” –Wendy Miller, Founder, kidsatartnyc.com
Let’s Gogh Art: “When I look for classes for my kids, my main criteria first is: ‘What do I think my children would enjoy and gain something from, even if it’s just a new friend.’ Then I think: ‘Have I heard good things from friends about a particular place or class? Have I seen kids come out of an art class with substantial looking projects? Do they have ample staff for the amount of kids they register, etc.?’ At the end of the day though, kids are easy to please, so as long as they’re in a safe and lively environment with a fun and caring staff, you can’t go wrong!” –Deanna Magenheim, Chief Creativity Officer, nyletsgoghart.com
SciTech Kids: “When choosing a program, select one that sparks your child’s imagination. Studies show that young children today do not spend enough time playing and tinkering. Select one class that encourages them to use their hands and think ‘out of the box.’ You’ll be surprised by the ideas that pop out of their imagination. Even the most resistant child will enjoy getting their hands dirty with Play-Doh to fulfill their creative impulses.”
–Kim Magloire, President, sci-techkids.com
TADA! Youth Theater: “It’s beneficial for parents to look for arts-based programs that allow children opportunities to explore their creative, social, and intellectual selves within a safe and playful space. This type of class nurtures the whole child.” –Rod Christensen, Director of Education, tadatheater.com
“For my kids, we try to see what might be missing in their experience or grow an under-utilized part of their personality. My older daughter is a natural performer, so in addition to TADA! classes in musical theater, we signed her up for soccer to gain more experience working in a team and being more aggressive.” –Amy Fiore, Managing Director, tadatheater.com
TLB Music: “Outside of the classroom, look for a venue with friendly and attentive staff that makes you feel at home, and look for a clean and safe environment for little ones. Other important factors to consider when choosing a class are flexible enrollment options and a liberal make-up policy to accommodate nap changes and sickness.” –Katia Asthalter & Carina Zimmerman,
Co-Founders, tlbmusic.com
