American Sign Language (ASL) Program
American Sign Language is available to all students as a part of their curriculum. Why do we teach American Sign Language to hearing infants and children? Sign language is one of the most powerful tools possible to promote your child's educational development. Infants as young as 7-8 months can learn and use signs to communicate their needs! In a short time they will be able to master dozens of signs.
It is widely accepted that the area of the brain used to learn language is highly receptive in children. Active use of this part of the brain only increases the natural ability to learn - be it English, Spanish or the written word.
Happy Feet Dance Program
 Children's Discovery is proud to offer dance lessons to its students! Happy Feet Dance Company brings its upbeat and popular program to us once a week during your child's free time. This high-energy program is designed to give your child professional dance lessons without the hassle of nights and weekends spent away from home and driving back and forth from a dance studio. Dance classes are offered to all students that are 3 to 6 years of age. The program includes tap, jazz, ballet, rhythm and movement instruction. We will work on coordination, balance, beginning dance technique and so much more! Classes are focused on boosting self-esteem and having tons of fun! There are 2 exciting recitals: one during the holidays in December, and the year-end in May with our Annual Spring Recital held at Little Canada Elementary School. This exciting show features dazzling costumes and props, and it is the highlight of the dance year!
Happy Feet Dance Company Owner and Instructor, Jenny Hansell, has been with Children's Discovery for many years. Jenny also has 12 years of teaching experience and 20 years of dance training. She teaches classes across the north metro at various child care centers, elementary schools, and is the Dance Director for the cities of Vadnais Heights and St. Anthony. Please feel free to contact Jenny with questions or for more information about the dance program at 763-784-4151.
Kiddy Keys Program (Vadnais Heights Only)
Kyle Witherow teachers KiddyKeys at the Vadnais Heights CDA location. KiddyKeys is a modern and engaging approach to teaching music to preschool children. KiddyKeys® music education program prepares children to move confidently into piano lessons if desired, with a technically sound foundation. And that's not all. With KiddyKeys, children have so many learning opportunities - all in the name of fun! Here's a sampling of what children will learn:
- Rhythm and movement exercises that develop small and large motor skills
- Recognition of notes and note values
- Counting exercises to help recognize numbers and develop math skills
- Memory skill building through repeated music terminology
- Introduction to the music staff and piano keyboard
- Creative development through improvisation, composition and keyboard exploration
- Development of verbal skills through group interaction
- Improved hand-eye coordination through hands-on experience with rhythm instruments and the keyboard.
- Reinforcement of listening skills by discerning high and low, loud and soft sounds.
- Recognition of the music alphabet, colors, and shapes with worksheet activities
- Music story time focusing on composers, music terminology, and character development.
- Weekly life lessons incorporating positive emotional and social skills to build self-worth.
 Teach Me Spanish! (Little Canada Only)
Teach Me Spanish! offers preschool through Kindergarten aged children the opportunity to build Spanish vocabulary and expressive abilities. During class, your child will enjoy many fun and challenging activities, including:
1. Learning every-day, practical Spanish words. We will cover basic vocabulary for colors, numbers, greetings, family members, body parts, pets, clothes and food as well as theme specific vocabulary throughout the year. We will also learn basic conversational phrases through songs and rhymes.
2. Your child will hear Spanish spoken fluently and will practice Spanish by speaking with other children and the teacher.
3. We learn through music, rhythm and movement, engaging games, and through the use of picture cards & stories reinforcing vocabulary.
Every week, your child will receive a take-home activity sheet or word cards which will help reinforce what was taught in class. Your child will also periodically construct books or special projects to further practice his or her language skills at home. The age-appropriate instruction of each session will build your child's curiosity in enhancing his or her Spanish skills-a strength that can be applied to all future learning.
After each class, you will receive a family note outlining what we did in class, ideas to reinforce vocabulary use at home and, of course, the phonetic spelling of each new word so you can learn along with your child if you wish!
“Teach Me Spanish!” Company Owner and Instructor Maria Bloomberg created the “Teach Me Spanish!” program in the winter of 2002 when she saw a specific need for programs focused on teaching Spanish to Preschool and School-Aged students. She holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in Spanish and International Business from St. Cloud State University. She has lived abroad in Costa Rica, Central America where she studied and worked with young children. She has also had the wonderful opportunity to travel to many Latin American countries and Spain over the years and was able to spend the summer of 2010 in Costa Rica with her family. She offers classes at many different child care centers in the Twin Cities area and offers special summer camps for school-age students.
For more information, please feel free to contact Maria directly by email: mariabloomberg@gmail.com or by phone: 612.710.4518
Special Music Program (Little Canada Only)
 Beth Wiskus, MA, MT-BC, NMT is a Neurologic Music Therapist with SPECIAL MUSIC, Inc. She offers music classes at the Little Canada CDA location for the trannie, toddler, preschool and Pre-Kindergarten classrooms. Each class runs for about 30 minutes and incorporates: - Music and Movement
- Singing
- Song Writing
- Interactive Instrument Play
Beth is a Board Certified Music Therapist with her BA in Music Education from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN and her MA in Music Therapy from the University of MN. She also has her advanced training as a Neurologic Music Therapist. Beth has over 15 years of experience specializing in working with children with special needs ages 2-17. She has run music groups for daycare centers as well as early childhood sites for many years. Beth currently has two children attending Children's Discovery Academy.
Step Up To Soccer
When: One class per week for eight weeks starting in June.
Where: At Children's Discovery Academy.
Who: We only hire coaches with educational or working experience with young children who share our developmental principles.
Materials: The coach brings all the balls and equipment. The children just need comfortable loose clothing, tennis shoes and socks.
Our Curriculum: Based on 20+ years of field experience we designed curriculum for 3 key stages of development: young preschool (3-4.5), preschool (4.5-5.5) and early school age (5.5 and up).
Register On Line! Click the 'Register for Classes' link at www.childrenslearning.com Refer to your Soccer Fact Sheet (provided by Children's Discovery Academy in April/May) for specific instructions.
Swimming Lessons
Children are bused from Children's Discovery Academy to the Maplewood Community Center. The Maplewood Community Center Water Safety Instructors are trained and certified by the American Red Cross in Water Safety.
Tumble Fun Bus
It's a full sized school bus that has been renovated into a children's gymnastics center that comes right to Children's Discovery Academy. Some of the many items included in the bus are:
- Bars
- Rngs
- Mini springboard
- Parachute
- Vault
- Trampoline
- Bean
- Ball pit
- Zip line
- Monkey bars
- Ciimbing mountain
- MUCH MORE
Gymnastics has been proven to not only improve children's health but also help develop such areas as balance, strength, weight control, confidence, mental health and motor skills.
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