Parenting Classes & Speakers

_ Parent Map Lecture Series featuring Dr. John Gottman and others.

Puget Sound Adlerian Society publishes a nearly 40 page listing of all the  parenting courses and support groups in the central Puget Sound area.

Bringing Baby Home: This class will share research based concepts and skills for enriching couple’s relationship to each other and their children and building a strong foundation for their family in the crucial early years.

Check the North Seattle Community College Parent Education site

Favorites

• Playdough recipes
• Small Group Ideas collected by North Seattle College faculty
• Articles about helping children adjust to new babies and sibling issues 
• Benefits of Outdoor Play
• Web site for a nationally syndicated radio talk show on children's issues, from birth on: Go to www.parentsjournal.com
• Six food mistakes parents make. Read the complete NY Times article here. 
• Toys to avoid by TRUCE (Teachers Resisting Unhealthy Children's Entertainment) toy guide:
• earthsky.com - Radio show about what you'll observe in the sky each night (assuming we're not covered in clouds) 
• Have fun finding songs, ideas and listening to some tunes, too, at Nancy Stewart's web site 

• Directions for making little books for children.  Use just about any kind of paper you want, just make sure it's not too heavy or folding becomes difficult
• Where to buy the water color that's used in the play dough and sensory tub (it's under Arts & Crafts > Paint)

Community Activities

_ Check out free monthly activities for childern ages 2 to 8 and their families at the UW Botanic Gardens. Visit Elisabeth C. Miller Library Family Programs at UW Botanic Gardens or call (206) 543-0415 for more details.

Seattle's Child Community Calendar check it out for fun family events around the community this month.

Little PEPperS... for Parents with Infants and Toddlers. Professional group leaders oversee fun and informative morning activities for parents and their children. Special emphasis is on parent support, parenting two or more children, pertinent discussion topics, singing, play and interactive activities. Come and bring one or both children. Still pregnant with number 2 or 3? We welcome you!

Looking for a fun activity with your toddler/preschooler to keep them active on a rainy day? Here are some favorite ideas from our community of creative parents: Munchkin Mondays Toddler Jump at the Bellevue Sky High Sports, Wear 'Em Out Open Gym at Northgate Community Center, Drop-in Jump Planet inflatable zone, Seattle Gymnastics Academy Daily Indoor Playground, at the Shoreline Recreation Center Spartan Gym Indoor Playground, a complete list of weekly Toddler Indoor Play Areas through all the Seattle Parks Department Community Centers, weekly calendar of Toddler Story Times at your local library including evening pajama story times, an indoor play space near the woodland park zoo- Sozo Seattle Indoor Play Space and the daily 11AM Mockingbird Books Story time, owned by a former Wedgwood parent.