Kids driving you crazy? Not sure what to do? If you have questions or concerns about your child's behavior and would like to talk to someone, we can help. We will schedule a phone call, informal online meeting or in-person visit with one of our parent and family teachers. Confidentiality and meeting your needs are our top priorities. Please email Krystal Erickson (krerickson@isd721.org) or Tara Lund (tlund@isd721.org), our ECFE Parent educators. They will then reach out to you.

Newborn Talk- Year Round Congratulations on the arrival of your baby! This class is for parents with babies 0-16 weeks.A nurse and parent educator will be available to answer questions about your newborn and provide support, connection and resources. Some topics include feeding, sleeping, attachment, development and returning to work. Plus, we will offer weekly baby weight checks! Free! No registration needed. 10:45AM-12:00PM (except holidays) Location: New Prague Early Learning, 410 Central Avenue North (door #1)Free sibling care is available.Questions? Please contact Krystal at 952-758-1754 or krerickson@isd721.org

All ages Back by popular demand!! The first Tuesday-Thursday of each month in October and May enjoy an Outdoor Story Walk with your child(ren) on your own schedule, during daylight hours. The Outdoor Story Walk will be at a local establishment. Parents and children will be able to get outdoors for some exercise, while also enjoying a story and lots of fun, related activities. Once you complete the walk, we invite you to sign our guest book and pick out a prize! This event is free. Donations are welcomed. However, registration is required so we have enough supplies. One week prior to Story Walk, you will receive an email with details about the walk (location of walk, book title, activities to do with your child related to the book and other important details.)

Join a parent educator in exploring and learning about our community! Sign up for one or all! These community field trips and park visits are planned activities for children ages birth-5 year. All children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. When registering, please indicate all children and adults attending. Special thanks to all of the community destinations for hosting our community's youngest explorers!! $5.00 per family 10/20: Cedar Lake Farm 11/17: Wagner Park, Elko New Market 12/8: Coborn's 1/12: Sugar Rose 2/9: Elko New Market Police/Fire Station 3/23: Uncle Earl's Pet Shop 4/20: Southside Park 5/11: Memorial Park

Congratulations! You’re having a baby! Now, what do you really need to know? In this two hour class, led by a labor and delivery registered nurse and a licensed parent and family educator, we give you clear, realistic, evidence-based essentials to help you feel ready for the big day (and the days that follow). In just two hours, you and your support person will dig into: Labor & birth, explained without the guesswork Pain-management tools and options (from breathing to epidurals and everything between) How partners can provide meaningful, hands-on support Tips for creating a birth plan that works for you Postpartum recovery truths you must know Newborn care basics and practical tips for easing into the life of parenthood Perfect for expectant parents with lots of questions and not a lot of time, this class delivers the need-to-know info to help you feel informed, prepared, and empowered. Registration is suggested but not required.

Once upon a time you loved her first. Before she knew what a fairytale was, you were the hero of her magical story. You crowned her your princess before she ever wore a tiara. And she twirled in your heart long before she could spin you around on the dance floor. And because you loved her first, you are cordially invited to the "I Loved Her First" Daddy & Daughter Dance. Dashing dads (and other special persons) come dressed to impress. Girls should wear their favorite sparkling dress. This enchanted evening includes light refreshments, music and dancing, corsages, photo opportunities, games and crafts. It's a tale as old as time and while she may outgrow your arms one day, she'll never outgrow the place you hold in her heart. This enchanted evening is for ages 3-10 years old (adult must accompany). The cost is $25.00 per person ($50.00/Dad + Daughter couple). $25.00 each additional person. Pre-registration is required. This event does sell out and we do not allow walk ins. Registration deadline: Friday, January 30 by 3:00 pm

Birth-12 months Parenting a baby is exciting and challenging. Join other parents and their babies for this special time together. Talk about feeding, sleeping, soothing and adjusting to parenthood. This is a non separating class. Sibling care is available during the daytime class for a small fee.

Birth-18 months Parenting a baby is exciting and challenging. Join other parents and their babies for this special time together. Talk about feeding, sleeping, soothing and adjusting to parenthood.

Your two and three year old is doing more and developing a unique personality. Come to the ECFE preschool room where parents and children participate in activities and circle time with an Early Childhood teacher before moving to a parent classroom for discussion. Parent topics will be centered around your interests and may include language development, potty training, tantrums and more. Sibcare is available.

Ages 1-5 Your child is busy, curious, changing and growing more independent every day. Enjoy music, movement and learning activities to encourage their growth and independence. Parent discussion will include talking about setting limits, home routines and rules, having realistic expectations and topics of special interest to you. Sibling care is available but you need to register for it.

Ages 18-35 months It’s a busy time for your child. They are growing and changing quickly. The children’s teacher will have wonderful development activities for you and your child to explore. After an engaging circle time, parents will separate to discuss parenting topics important and relevant topics. There may be a gradual separation depending upon needs of the children.

Study after study shows that when children spend time playing outside they develop confidence, language, curiosity, imagination, problem-solving and social interaction skills. The great outdoors provides unique stimulation and heightened sensory experiences that can't be replicated indoors. Together, parents and children will explore nature through a variety of experiential, hands-on outdoor activities. Dress for outdoor play and the weather as we will begin each class in our Outdoor Classroom at Falcon Ridge Elementary. After an outdoor circle time, children will stay outdoors with the classroom teacher while parents go indoors for a parent educator-led discussion about ways to support and engage your child in nature.

Want to start potty training, but aren’t sure where to start? Struggling with getting your child to go to bed or stay in bed? Worried about your child’s eating habits and nutrition? Concerns with separation or language development? We have just the resource for you!! Thanks to a generous gift from the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, we are able to provide resource bags full of great information to support parents and childcare providers. Each bag can be checked out for up to three weeks at no cost. The following is a list of 13 different resource bags available for check out: 1. Potty Training 2. Sleep 3. Sibling Relationships 4. Healthy Separation & Separation Anxiety 5. Teaching and Supporting Emotions and Feelings 6. Nutrition and Family Mealtimes 7. Language & Literacy Development 8. Tantrums & Challenging Behaviors 9. Boundaries & Setting Limits 10. Play Ideas + Importance of Play 11. Teaching Identity & Inclusivity (Celebrating Diversity & Special Needs) 12. Divorce, Co-parenting, Single parenting, Blended Families Please email parenteducator@isd721.org to request a bag on the topic of your choosing.

Ages 12-23 months You and your child will love playing together and exploring the toddler classroom with activities selected for this age. Enjoy the first half of class together playing, learning, and singing at circle time. After circle time, parents will go to a separate room to meet with the parent teacher to talk about healthy separation, positive parenting, setting limits and other issues important to the group. Sibling care is available however you do need to register your child for this.

Raising a child with unique learning and developmental needs comes with both challenges and rewards. This ECFE class is designed exclusively for parents of children on an IFSP or IEP, providing a supportive community to share experiences, learn from experts, and explore strategies to navigate parenting with confidence. Co-taught by an early childhood teacher, an ECSE teacher, and a parent educator, this class will offer guidance on advocacy, child development, and practical tools for home and school success. Join us for a time of learning from other parents of children with unique needs, connection, and encouragement.