Early Childhood

Early Childhood

Develop important physical, social, creative, and emotional skills

Research shows that early childhood provides a critical window for developing many important physical, social, creative and emotional skills.

To make the most of this time when your little one is prime for learning, the Park District offers a variety of programs. From music and art to computers and cooking, we have something that will interest your child and inspire them.

In some classes, children and their parents or caregivers can enjoy quality time together. In others, children can learn independence while their special adult is not present. All early childhood classes are led by caring and expert staff who design age-appropriate activities to ensure your child has the best possible experience.

Youth Athletics

Don't miss our Parent/Tot Athletic classes!

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Programs with Adults

2130027 / Toddler Tales

Join us for a fun and interactive toddler book club with Olivia Hallagan from Park Ridge Speech Therapy! This class focuses on early literacy skills through playful storytelling, songs and activities that support language development. Foster your child's love of books while building the foundation for strong communication and reading skills - perfect for curious minds and growing voices!

2130100 / Friday Drop In Punch Card

Save time and money and purchase a punch card and receive 5 classes for the price of 6! Play in the gym! This pay-as-you-go class features the bounce house, ride on toys, push toys and balls. Grown-ups are responsible for their children.

2130102 / Tot Rock

This interactive music, movement and imagination class has everyone on their feet! All class procedures are designed to keep staff and students safe. Activities include songs and rhymes, rhythm and coordination, fine and gross motor, imagination and sensory, listening and following directions skills. With a focus on STEAM learning, this program is a unique combination of music and learning. Don’t miss out! Join us for musical fun that really can’t be "beat"! www.rockitkids.com No class Nov 29

2130103 / Kid Rock I

This interactive music, movement and imagination class has everyone on their feet! All class procedures are designed to keep staff and students safe. Activities include songs and rhymes, rhythm and coordination, fine and gross motor, imagination and sensory, listening and following directions skills. With a focus on STEAM learning, this program is a unique combination of music and learning. Don’t miss out! Join us for musical fun that really can’t be "beat"! www.rockitkids.com No class Nov 29

2130127 / Toddler Talk

Learn how to help your little one move from gestures and sounds to spoken words and phrases. Engage in language-rich play, music and literacy activities and practice language enhancing strategies. Early communication is so important for you and your little one! Learn what to expect and how to elicit baby’s first gestures, signs, and words and start communicating with your little one today. This class is taught by Olivia Hallagan, a pediatric speech-language pathologist who specializes in early language development. Join us in this fun and engaging new class while learning the strategies for language development through play, music, books, and movement. Visit our website at parkridgespeechtherapy.com to find out more about speech and language.

2130129 / Baby Rock

Wiggle and giggle with Baby Rock, a unique combination of sensory expereincces with stimulatng music and exercises to help strengthen and stretch your baby. Acivities include singalongs, exposure to simipe instruments and sensory props, bean bag massages, motion exercises and bubbles. Please bring a blanket or mat and get ready for a rockin' good time with your tiniest dancer! www.rockitkids.com

2130137 / Kitty Music 6-16 months

Give your child the gift of experiencing and making live music with Jennifer McCormick from Kitty-Orca Piano & Music! Her music classes honor the fact that all children are musical! Miss Jennifer leads kids and their grown-ups in musical fun to wiggle their way to move, dance, sing, and play! Experience guitar, ukulele and voice in classic and new songs. Kids play with rhythm sticks, jingle bells, scarves, shakers, triangles, and sand blocks. Classes teach genuine music and child development skills including rhythms pitch, listening, turn taking ensemble language and fine and gross motor skills to create a foundation for a lifetime of music making. Each week’s class also include puppets, parachute play and kid’s all time favorite… bubble time! Every child present over 6 months must be registered. If you want to bring siblings, please register them both for the older class. Make-ups offered for missed classes. Come make music memories together.

2130147 / Tots & Tunes 12-30 months

Give your child the gift of experiencing and making live music with Jennifer McCormick from Kitty-Orca Music & Piano. Miss Jennifer leads kids and grownups in musical fun to wiggle their way to move, dance, sing, and play! Sing along to guitar and ukulele in classic and new songs as kids play with rhythm sticks, jingles, scarves, shakers, triangles, and more. More than just entertainment, Kitty-Orca classes teach genuine music and childhood development skills including rhythms, pitch, listening, turn-taking, ensemble, language, and fine and gross motor skills. All of these skills combined create a foundation for a lifetime of music-making! Classes also include puppets, parachute play, and kids’ all-time favorite Bubble Time! Visit the Kitty-Orca website at www.kittyorcamusic.com/early-childhood-classes to find out more about how early childhood music helps children grow. Every child present over 6 months must be registered. Want to bring siblings? Register them both for the older class. Make-ups offered for missed classes!

2130157 / Orca Songs 30-48 months

Give your child the gift of experiencing and making live music with Jennifer McCormick from Kitty-Orca Music & Piano. Miss Jennifer leads kids and grownups in musical fun to wiggle their way to move, dance, sing, and play! Sing along to guitar and ukulele in classic and new songs as kids play with rhythm sticks, jingles, scarves, shakers, triangles, and more. More than just entertainment, Kitty-Orca classes teach genuine music and childhood development skills including rhythms, pitch, listening, turn-taking, ensemble, language, and fine and gross motor skills. All of these skills combined create a foundation for a lifetime of music-making! Classes also include puppets, parachute play, and kids’ all-time favorite Bubble Time! Visit the Kitty-Orca website at www.kittyorcamusic.com/early-childhood-classes to find out more about how early childhood music helps children grow. Every child present over 6 months must be registered. Want to bring siblings? Register them both for the older class. Make-ups offered for missed classes!

4130102 / Tot Rock

This interactive class has everyone on their feet! We all learn together while engaging in active, creative, music-based activities, while using rhythm instruments and movement props. All class procedures are designed to keep staff and students safe. Activities are age appropriate by class and include songs and rhymes, rhythm and coordination, fine and gross motor, imagination and sensory, listening and following directions skills. Sing, dance, play, learn and imagine with us! www.rockitkids.com

4130103 / Kid Rock I

This interactive class has everyone on their feet! We all learn together while engaging in active, creative, music-based activities, while using rhythm instruments and movement props. All class procedures are designed to keep staff and students safe. Activities are age appropriate by class and include songs and rhymes, rhythm and coordination, fine and gross motor, imagination and sensory, listening and following directions skills. Sing, dance, play, learn and imagine with us! www.rockitkids.com

4130104 / Family Kid Rock

This interactive class has everyone on their feet! We all learn together while engaging in active, creative, music-based activities, while using rhythm instruments and movement props. All class procedures are designed to keep staff and students safe. Activities are age appropriate by class and include songs and rhymes, rhythm and coordination, fine and gross motor, imagination and sensory, listening and following directions skills. Sing, dance, play, learn and imagine with us! www.rockitkids.com

4130107 / Happy Hunters

Meet at the Maine Park Pavilion for a morning of exploration and fun. We will start with a circle time, story, a craft and a scavenger hunt adventure! Each week is a new theme. We may be hunting for colors, shapes, letters, characters, or nature items. Every adventure turns learning into an exciting game! Both Tuesday and Wednesday classes will have the same activities. No rain dates; refunds will be issued for class cancellations due to weather.

4130137 / Kitty-Orca Music: Kitty Music

Give your child the gift of experiencing and making live music with Jennifer McCormick from Kitty-Orca Piano & Music! Her music classes honor the fact that all children are musical! Miss Jennifer leads kids and their grown-ups in musical fun to wiggle their way to move, dance, sing, and play! Experience guitar, ukulele and voice in classic and new songs. Kids play with rhythm sticks, jingle bells, scarves, shakers, triangles, and sand blocks. Classes teach genuine music and child development skills including rhythms pitch, listening, turn taking ensemble language and fine and gross motor skills to create a foundation for a lifetime of music making. Each week’s class also include puppets, parachute play and kid’s all time favorite… bubble time! Every child present over 6 months must be registered. If you want to bring siblings, please register them both for the older class. Make-ups offered for missed classes. Visit the www.kittyorcamusic.com to find out more about how early childhood music helps children grow. Come make music memories together.

4130138 / Kitty-Orca Music: Tots and Tunes

Give your child the gift of experiencing and making live music with Jennifer McCormick from Kitty-Orca Piano & Music! Her music classes honor the fact that all children are musical! Miss Jennifer leads kids and their grown-ups in musical fun to wiggle their way to move, dance, sing, and play! Experience guitar, ukulele and voice in classic and new songs. Kids play with rhythm sticks, jingle bells, scarves, shakers, triangles, and sand blocks. Classes teach genuine music and child development skills including rhythms pitch, listening, turn taking ensemble language and fine and gross motor skills to create a foundation for a lifetime of music making. Each week’s class also include puppets, parachute play and kid’s all time favorite… bubble time! Every child present over 6 months must be registered. If you want to bring siblings, please register them both for the older class. Make-ups offered for missed classes. Visit the www.kittyorcamusic.com to find out more about how early childhood music helps children grow. Come make music memories together.

4130139 / Kitty-Orca Music: Orca Songs

Give your child the gift of experiencing and making live music with Jennifer McCormick from Kitty-Orca Piano & Music! Her music classes honor the fact that all children are musical! Miss Jennifer leads kids and their grown-ups in musical fun to wiggle their way to move, dance, sing, and play! Experience guitar, ukulele and voice in classic and new songs. Kids play with rhythm sticks, jingle bells, scarves, shakers, triangles, and sand blocks. Classes teach genuine music and child development skills including rhythms pitch, listening, turn taking ensemble language and fine and gross motor skills to create a foundation for a lifetime of music making. Each week’s class also include puppets, parachute play and kid’s all time favorite… bubble time! Every child present over 6 months must be registered. If you want to bring siblings, please register them both for the older class. Make-ups offered for missed classes. Visit the www.kittyorcamusic.com to find out more about how early childhood music helps children grow. Come make music memories together.

Programs without Adults

2130134 / Rockwall Climbing

Walls are meant for climbing! Test your strength and adventure in this new class! Hot Shots instructors will be supervising the children as they climb up and across the rock wall in our gym. All kids must wear gym shoes. In order to climb, your child must bring a bike helmet. No class Apr 3

2130201 / Twos on the Move

Each week we explore a new fun-filled theme while developing socialization, large and fine motor skills and getting lots of support from our teachers. This program involves both individual and group interaction and helps your child to overcome separation anxiety, learn to play with friends, and start their road to preschool. Children do not need to be potty trained for this class, but please know that we do not change diapers. If your child soils their diaper/pull-up and needs to be changed we will call you.

2130202 / Stepping Stones

Did your child miss the cut off for preschool? Then sign up for Stepping Stones! This program provides hands-on activities through art, music, manipulative techniques, and dramatic play to enhance your child’s independence through learning in a preschool setting.

4130113 / Baby Rock

Baby Rock is the newest member of the Rock 'n' Kids family! A unique combination of sensory experiences with stimulating music and exercises to help strengthen and stretch your baby. Activities will include sing-a longs, exposure to simple instruments and sensory props, bean bag massage, motion exercise, bubbles, and more! Please bring a blanket or mat and get ready for a rockin' good time with your tiniest dancer! Class is designed for babies that are not yet walking. Learn more at www.rockitkids.com. An adult must accompany their child.