Happy New Year! Parents can start 2013 off right with their children by learning a few small lifestyle adjustments that can make a big difference for their family. For the month of January at Pretend City Children’s Museum, the calendar is packed with things that children can do and learn together that will benefit them inside and out. With the help of staff and hands-on activities, children will learn all about healthy living, eating right, exercise, and personal hygiene. Make sure to check out what is happening in the Art Studio, and during the Daily Lil’ Me Mornings and Engaging Afternoons to help your child get the most out of building a “New You,” this New Year!
Art Studio Sessions
Engage children’s natural curiosity as they explore healthy foods. Children are more likely to make healthy choices when adults have a positive attitude about food and wellness. Creative activities make learning fun, and these Pretend City art projects about nutrition and fitness allow children to explore healthy eating and apply their new knowledge.
Mondays – Exploring Fruits and Veggies: Infants (0-12 months)
Tuesdays – Make Your Plate: Young Toddlers (12-24 months), Toddlers (2-3 years)
Wednesdays – Just in Time: Preschool (4-5 years)
Thursdays – My Pyramid Fun: School Ages (6-8 years and up)
Fridays – Fit Art: Kindergartners (5-6 years)
Saturdays – Calendar Creations: Children of all ages
Sundays – Plants to Plates: Children of all ages
Daily Lil’ Me Mornings
Time: Monday – Friday 11:00a.m.; Saturday & Sunday 10:30a.m.
Lil’ Me Mornings activity times empower your family to create rhythms and routines based on Pretend City’s theme of the month. January’s Lil’ Me Mornings celebrate the growth and development of your child. Each facilitated activity incorporates an aspect of traditional preschool circle time.
Mondays – My Moving Body
Tuesdays – Squeaky Clean
Wednesdays – Super Duper Senses
Thursdays – My Bodyworks
Fridays – Fantastic Food
Saturdays – Fitness Fun
Sundays – Natural Nutrition
Engaging Afternoons
Time: Tuesday – Friday 3:30p.m.; Saturday & Sunday 2:30p.m.
This month Pretend City will offer:
Tummy Yummy Tuesdays
We Move Wednesdays
Think, Think, Think Thursdays
Fuel Up Fridays
Say It Saturdays
Bend & Stretch Sundays
Mondays, January 7-28: Hour of Parenting Power
Time: 11:00a.m.-12:00p.m.
Specifically for: Grown-ups
This New Year, give your parenting and family relationships a tune-up with some expert advice. Certified behavior and parenting expert Sandee Bandetini MS, MFT will meet with you one-on-one to identify your concerns and offer helpful solutions. Get a fresh start on such common family issues as:
- Mealtimes
- Managing tantrums
- Sibling relationships
- How to get “me” time
- Stress management for parents
RSVP: Required – 1 Family per 30 min session (2 sessions in 1 hour)
Fee: $10 per family
Monday, January 14: Baby Steps through Pretend City!
Time: 2:00-3:30p.m.
Specifically for: Infant (0-18 months) For the comfort of our infant guests, no older siblings please.
Think your baby is too young to do an art project? Think again! This Baby Steps event will show you how to do art activities with your infant to help improve development. Visit the Art Studio, Beach, and Grocery Store where you will find exclusive, infant and young toddler only age-appropriate, facilitated activities.
RSVP: max 60
Fee: $10 per adult; FREE for infants and Pretend City Members
Monday, January 21: Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Monday, January 21 – Pretend City Open Full Day (10:00a.m.-5:00p.m.) in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Time: 10:00a.m.-3:00p.m.
Today we celebrate Martin Luther King’s message of friendship and love as children explore the big ideas and images surrounding Dr. King’s legacy. Activities of the day will include:
A.M. Activity: Let’s Join Hands – Martin Luther King Jr. joined hands with people of all colors on his march to freedom. Create a wreath of hands to celebrate the similarities and differences of various cultures.
P.M. Activity: Cake of Dreams – Children will write or draw pictures of their dreams on clouds, adding to the décor of Dr. King’s Dream Birthday Cake. This cake will be displayed throughout the week to share the overflowing dreams of peace and tolerance with children.
About Pretend City Children’s Museum
Pretend City Children’s Museum features a small, interconnected city designed to “build better brains” through purposeful play, hands-on learning experiences, role playing, and educational programming. As a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization serving all children, it depends on community-based funding and guest support. Through 17 interactive exhibits and activities guided by a highly trained professional staff, children learn foundational math, reading and science skills, while fostering curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, problem solving, organization, teamwork, self-confidence and socialization. The museum is a unique community resource offering developmental screenings and tools for families, educators and community agencies working to ensure that each child gains the experiences needed to discover their potential and build toward a productive and fulfilling future. Pretend City Children’s Museum is located at 29 Hubble, Irvine, CA 92618. For more information, please visit www.pretendcity.org.
