kids classes

music | crafts/creative | nature | ice skating | sports | gyms | swimming | dance | yoga | ASL |

general

Preschool Classes MSCR Offers

Looking for some fun and learning for your preschooler? Madison School & Community Recreation  offers fun, inexpensive programs to spark interests and build social skills!

Children learn new skills through a variety of fun, age appropriate activities.

For more information or to register check out MSCR’s Program Guide or visit www.mscr.org.

Bean Sprouts Cafe in Middleton has many innovative programs and classes for kids and their grown-ups. Don't miss their story & snacks, kids cooking classes, and their kids eat free specials!

Story & Snacks: Interactive storytime with book-themed snacks! Free!
Monday and Wednesdays from 10:30-11:00.

Be sure to visit their website for the latest classes, story times, and special events.

music

Prairie Music Academy offers music studies for the whole family, from newborns to adults. With an emphasis on developing well rounded musicians, we offer a variety of musical opportunities for our students. We believe that music can be an enriching form of self-expression and that it is never too late to begin. Private lesson instruction is available for piano, voice, strings, flute, guitar & mandolin. In addition to private lessons, our group program includes music & motion classes for young children ages birth to five, as well as beginning group classes for guitar & piano. Call us today to experience the many benefits & fun of making music!

For more information, please contact:
Address: 395 East Linnerud Drive , Sun Prairie
Website: www.prairiemusic.org
Email: info@prairiemusic.org
Phone: (608) 834-9550

We are currently accepting registrations for our 2009-2010 school-year programs. Private lesson offerings include piano, voice, guitar, mandolin, fiddle, violin, cello, and percussion. Group classes include two children's show choirs, group piano classes, and early childhood music classes. Prairie Music Academy celebrates 10 years in Sun Prairie this year! Call us at 834-9550 or email us, info@prairiemusic.org, to learn about our 10-year anniversary specials in the show choir and early childhood music programs!

Rhapsody Arts Center
271 S. Main St, Verona, WI 53593 (608) 848-2045 www.rhapsodyarts.org

Rhapsody Arts Center is a comprehensive community arts school serving the Verona and West Madison areas. Group classes include early childhood music, beginning piano, guitar, and voice, acting for children, and much more! We offer private lessons in piano, strings, winds, brass, percussion, voice and composition as well. Rhapsody employs a board-certified music therapist, who provides private therapy sessions in addition to group music therapy. Our separate art gallery building at 109 Main St hosts art classes for kids and adults, and displays new art exhibitions each month.

Find out why 400+ families have chosen Rhapsody for fine arts instruction-call us or visit our website today!

Alena Harrison Piano Studio - Offers piano lessons for children or adults, ages 5 and up, on Madison's West Side. Relocating this Fall from Crestwood neighborhood just five minutes to the west, to 814 North Gammon Road - close to Memorial High School, Jefferson Middle School, and Middleton. Daytime or evening hours are available. Combines a supportive, positive, fun, one-on-one teaching environment with clear, manageable objectives, and encouragement in the use of imagery, creativity, and expression. Mixes in music history, technique, theory and ear training, and trying out a variety of genres to find the style you really love to play to create a well-rounded musician who enjoys sitting down to play. Two recitals per year, and access to other events and competitions (as desired by the student) provide lots of chances to gain experience at performing. My background includes a Bachelor of Music from the UW-Madison and fifteen years of private teaching experience.

Contact Information:
E-mail: alena.harrison@gmail.com
Phone: (608) 236-0739

MUSIC FOR YOUNG CHILDREN offers group instruction in piano for children ages 3-6. Keyboard playing, singing, rhythm, movement, ear training, theory and ensemble are all included in our educational and enjoyable atmosphere. Classes involve parents and children in exciting game-oriented activities which lead to a lifetime of musical enjoyment. Summer is a great opportunity for your and your child to experience the benefits of our program and to have a lot of fun. Continuing classes are available in the fall. Located at the Westgate Mall, we are now accepting enrollments for Summer (July) and Fall (starting in September). For more information please call Jean at 608-271-6177 or e-mail to mycmadsn@centurytel.net

Music Carousel, LLC is a music program which offers playful and creative music and movement classes for children ages birth through four years and their parents or care givers. Classes are led by a dedicated professional musician and feature the acclaimed Music Class™ songs and activities. Your child will be introduced to a wide variety of musical scales, rhythms, instruments and styles that help stimulate their musical growth. Additionally, your family receives our CDs and songbook to help your child continue to develop his or her musical abilities at home. Call Martha Vallon at 852-3800 or email musiccarousel@tds.net. Call today to participate in a free trial class!
Class location: Asbury United Methodist Church, 6101 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin

Let's Play Music (ages 4+) is an introductory music & piano course. This age-appropriate school-year curriculum is packed with full-body movement and fun games, but wondrously introduces advanced theory concepts. In Year 1, your child will learn to match and sing on pitch, recognize and transcribe simple melodic patterns, read and play simple musical patterns on tone bells, recognize and enjoy themes in favorite classical pieces, and so much more! Parents attend the 45 minute class every other week to enjoy and learn the activities, while initiating the road to independence on the off-weeks. Well-designed homework and assignments help students prepare for future practice routines.

REGISTER NOW for the 2009-2010 school year. Classes will be offered Monday 9:00 AM, Tuesday 9:00 AM, or Saturday 3:00 PM. Childcare available for siblings on parent weeks. Call for trial class dates.

Let's Play Music - weibelfamily@gmail.com - Home studio near Old Sauk & Gammon Road, Madison

Kindermusik with Laura
Classes taught in Oregon and Stoughton by Laura Kronser, certified kindermusik instructor.
Come share the fun of helping your child discover the music in themselves. Each class is full of activities that are designed to meet your child at his/her stage of development. With award winning music, dances, books, and games you will help your child to develop his/her cognitive skills, listening skills, motor skills, language skills, and social skills as well as the bond between you, at the same time that you are both having a great time. What a great way to chase away those winter blahs!
Contact me to find out how you can come preview a class! Kronser6@charter.net or call Laura at 608-692-8821

Kindermusik with Debbie- The Kindermusik® program is a developmentally appropriate series of four curricula created by a team of early-childhood and music specialists. Each Kindermusik program step uses the latest research on music and child brain development. Kindermusik's award-winning CDs, books, games and instruments nurture skills in the whole child: physical, social, emotional, cognitive and language. Call to come and visit a free class and experience the joy! (608) 274-6635, www.youngstir.com/debbie, e-mail:kindermusikwithdebbie@gmail.com
New Location:: 5210 Odana Rd. Madison 53711 (Near Whitney Way and the beltline)

Madison Academy of Music - Offering music classes for children of all ages, including Kindermusik® classes, for parents and children ages newborn through seven. These classes use the curricula from Kindermusik International, which has more than 25 years of experience creating curricula based on new and proven research in child development. Kindermusik's award-winning books, CDs, games, and instruments nurture skills in the whole child: cognitive, physical, social, emotional, and language.

Music Together
772-1522 - www.musicaltots.com
Black Belt America - 6701 Odana Road
Sun Prairie Park and Rec Dept. - new building on West Main Street and corner of County C

Music Together is an powerful action-packed, research-based music curriculum for kids 0-5 w/parents that children love. Families gather together once a week for 45 minutes in a 10-week semester that goes all year long. We sing, dance and use a myriad of musical instruments. The Center Director, Jo Severt plays guitar and piano, has a degree from the UW (BA-Piano), comes from an intense musical background and also teaches piano in Madison. First class is free. Call Jo at 442-0519 or e-mail jokat@tds.net to set up a demo class.

Baby's Musikgarten@ Meriter - Discover music in a playful way with your baby, age 0-16 months! This innovative class will teach parents songs and rhythmic chants that babies love. Half hour music,and 15 minutes mom's conversation time. Family materials, instrument kits, and CDs will be available for purchase

BCG Music - Our classes help you and your child develop a strong musical bond through singing, chanting, moving, dancing, listening, and playing simple instruments. Musical play activities are designed to increase your child's curiosity about music, to develop listening skills and a sense of beat, and to establish the foundation for singing and musical thought.

Kindermusik® by Musical Pathyways- Kindermusik ®, the premier music and movement program for children newborn to seven years of age, is a developmental music program which through joyful music-making between the parent, child and teacher seeks to promote cognitive, physical, language, social and emotional development in young children. While geared toward your child's developmental stage, each class offers participants the opportunity to sing, play instruments, dance, explore literature and learn to listen in an active, intent way. The program is based on the belief that all children are musical and that the parent is the child’s most important teacher.

Now serving Madison with 2 locations: Fitchburg & Waunakee
Waunakee classes held at First Presbyterian Church classrooms, 5763 County Road Q, Waunakee WI 53597
Fitchburg classes held at All Saints Lutheran church classrooms, 2951 Chapel Valley Road, Fitchburg WI 53711

crafts/creative

PARENT/CHILD ART
A great introduction to art featuring simple, easy to do projects for children and parents. Wear a paint smock or old clothes. Parent must enroll and participate with child(ren). Fee is per person.
MSCR @ Warner Park

The Monroe Street Fine Arts Center is a nonprofit community school of the arts. We will turn 10-yrs-old this February! We are well known in the community for offering high quality classes in art, drama and music for children. We have private and group classes, wonderful professional artist instructors, small classes, and the mission of being accessible and inclusive. We are located on the near west side of Madison, in the lively Monroe Street shopping district. We have accessible parking, are right across from Wingra Park (and Michael's Frozen Custard!) and our fine arts center is bright and cheery and filled with light. 2526 Monroe Street (608) 232-1510

nature

Aldo Leopold Nature Center. Public programs, teaching training programs, interpretive trails for families. 300 Femrite Drive, Monona. (608) 221-0404.

ice skating

Capitol Skating School. Ice skating classes/private lessons, tots through adults; Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Tuesdays; hockey/powerskating clinics and daily figure skating sessions. Summer sessions through August. (608) 833-3922, (608) 244-5593.

sports

The BLAST Functional Martial Arts and Fitness is the only martial arts school that teaches Jeet Kune Do in Wisconsin. Our school offers parent and child martial arts classes, which allows you as a parent to not have to be a spectator but to fully engage and be apart of what your child is learning, and you will learn along the way as well. We provide a fun atmosphere and they will learn something new every time they come! The Blast offers classes for children as young as 2. The youngest class is for children ages 2-4, with a parent. The LIttle Warriors classes are for children ages 5-8.
Here are some of the benefits to Martial Arts
- Increased Confidence
- Increased Self Esteem
- Self Control
- Exercising and getting in shape
- Working as a team
Call us at 445-6176 or email us at info@theblastma.com and sign up today! The BLAST Functional Martial Arts and Fitness 207A. Cottage Grove Rd. Madison

Keva Sports Center - My First Sports. My First Sports (Ages 2-6) are a series of age-based classes focusing on key early elements of participation, like teamwork fundamentals and most importantly…having fun! Featuring multi-sport and sports specific classes, our “kid-friendly” instructors make classes a great first time experience, helping encourage early enthusiasm. Keva also offers classes ages 7-14 as well as youth leagues- Call for information regarding, flag football, basketball,soccer, and volleyball.

608.662.PLAY

gyms

The Little Gym - With locations in both Middleton and Fitchburg, the Little Gym offers
gymnastics classes for children from 4 months to age 12. There’s a program filled with movement, music, learning, cooperation and fun that’s right for your child. Children are allowed to progress at their own pace, developing their confidence as they develop their skills. We offer bright, colorful, cheery and clean locations with professional instructors. Call 608.836.3028 in Middleton or 608.442.0608 in Fitchburg to schedule a free introductory class.

My Gym Class at YMCA West. 10-11 a.m., drop-in class for ages 2-5, includes structures and free-play time with dances, games and songs. Child care groups welcome. $4.50 per child. YMCA West, 5515 Medical Circle (608) 276-6606.

swimming

MATC Youth Programs - Swimming. Our competition size pool is perfect for laps, fitness training, classes, corporate events, private parties and so much more! The MATC Pool is open to MATC staff, students, as well as our neighbors and community members! Visit the website for classes, schedules and fees!

Kittelson Swim School - Kittelson Swim School provides swim instruction for infants, toddlers and youth in a positive, nurturing environment. Our Little Dippers classes start as young as 6 months old and provide a wonderful bonding opportunity for you and your baby in the water. Classes are held in our warm water pool which allows for a comfortable and relaxed environment for everyone. At age 2, children can enter our Tadpole Swim Program with is led by an instructor in a class size of 4 children. These small classes enable each child to have more individual time and attention. Dan Kittelson has developed this research-based swim program in which children can build on their skills and progress through each swim level. The program is based on a confidence building curriculum so that children feel successful about their accomplishments. We are located on the westside in Fitchburg , 5200 Anton Drive and on the eastside in Sun Prairie, 605 Chase Blvd. Both locations can be reached at 441-KITT (5488).

SwimWest Swim School- Come splash with us year-round in our warm water pool! We offer swim lessons throughout the week for all ages and abilities. Our Parent-Tot classes are for children 5 to 24 months of age. It is a great way to acclimate your child to the water and to meet other moms and dads with small children. We also offer a Little Snapper class, starting at 2 years of age, in which parents gradually work their way out of the pool which is perfect for 2 year olds who need a little transition period before they go on their own with an instructor.
Our mission is to provide children with an exceptional aquatic experience and to supply all children and parents with essential water safety skills.
Contact us or visit our website for more information on Lessons or Family Swim times.
www.swimwest.com SwimWest on Deming Way: 831-6829 SwimWest Fitchburg: 276-SWIM.
SwimWest on the East Side at the Crowne Plaza, located at 4402 E. Washington Avenue, 608-512-5071.

YMCA of Dane County - Offering a variety of parent/tot and kids swimming classes at locations throughout Dane County.

Madison School & Community Recreation Center - For most parents, having their children learn how to swim is a high priority. For years MSCR has met this need by providing swim lessons and open swims for the public at the 5 indoor facilities owned and operated by Madison Metropolitan School District, plus our summer outdoor pool site. From tots to seniors.

Prairie Athletic Club, Sun Prairie - Prairie Athletic Club swim lessons are American Red Cross certified and taught by Water Safety Instructors. Classes for kids of all ages.

dance

The Cashel Dennehy School Of Irish Dance has been bringing the art and love of Irish dance to Wisconsin since 1983! We are very proud of our Madison location which has been around for almost 10 years! In just their first year with Cashel Dennehy, your dancer will get the opportunity to learn the Irish Jig and Reel, have a special Debut, march in parades, perform in venues all over the Madison area, compete and perform at Milwaukee's Irish Fest - the largest Irish Festival outside of Ireland! At Cashel Dennehy everything is optional - a child never has to perform or compete at any level or age. Our family-oriented school's biggest focus is having fun!!! Classes in Madison are held at the Monona Academy of Dance which is conveniently located right off the beltline at 6328 Monona Dr. Classes are held on Sunday afternoons and Wednesday evenings. We offer a variety of times for classes at many levels so that Irish dance can fit into your schedule!

For more information on the Cashel Dennehy School of Irish Dance, including Registration Materials for Summer or Fall, how you can come visit us, our knock-your-socks-off performances and much more please visit us at: www.casheldennehy.net or contact us at info@casheldenney.net or (608) 839-1842.

Summer Youth Arts Programming from TAPIT/new works
It’s fizzy and fun and educational, too. It’s bubbles, a dynamic summer enrichment program in visual arts, movement and creative drama, designed specifically for children ages 5-6. Running Tuesdays and Thursdays, July 21 – August 6, from 2 to 3:30 pm at TAPIT/new works at 1957 Winnebago St, this active and child-centered program affirms the artistic expression of young children and promotes their individual development through quality arts education. Call 608.244.2938 or email info@tapitnewworks.org to register or for more information.

A CIRCLE OF CHILDREN: Creative Dance for Kids, ages 5-8, with Ann Wingate, MA, ADTR-DTRL. Hancock Center for Dance/Movement Therapy, 16 N. Hancock St , Madison . Visit www.hancockcenter.net or call 608.251.0908 for more information.

Leap! Stretch! Turn! Dance is a great way for children to get moving and express themselves. The School of Madison Ballet (SMB) provides dancers, ages two through adult, with a positive experience in a professionalatmosphere. The Children's Division features classes for children ages 2 - 6 including Me & My Parent, Creative Movement, and Pre-Ballet. The curriculum develops rhythm, coordination, posture, and group interaction in young dancers. Registrations are accepted at any time. Call about a Free Trial Class.

School of Madison Ballet
160 Westgate Mall, Ste I Madison, WI 53711
(608) 278-7990 | smb@madisonballet.org | www.madisonballet.org/smb

CREATIVE MOVEMENT FOR YOUNG CHILDREN with Donna Peckett - A nurturing introduction to dance, movement, and drama using storytelling, song, and music to spark a creative physical response FOR AGES 3–6 • CALL FOR CLASS INFORMATION
@ TAPIT/new works -- 1957 Winnebago Street p: 608.244.2938 e.info@donnapeckettcreativearts.com

Move Out Loud Studio is an exciting new creative movement, yoga and dance studio for toddlers through age 15 on Madison's west side. It was created out of our love for children and our passion for expression through movement, and is an environment where music and movement are used to contribute to cognitive, physical, social-emotional and language development of children. Check out our website at www.moveoutloud.com or call us at 508.513.MOVE (6683) for more information on classes or to register! 6506 Schroeder Road

Trinity Academy of Irish Dance, The Trinity Academy of Irish Dance has locations in Madison/Verona, Waukesha, Wauwatosa, Whitefish Bay, Milwaukee, Germantown, Grafton, Pleasant Prairie and Appleton. From the first class, dancers learn poise, confidence, discipline and balance through teamwork and leadership. Dancers determine their own level of participation, whether it be competitive or purely recreational. Instructors use a distinct, noncompetitive teaching method that places children on a “journey” through Ireland , teaching the beauty of the dance form as well as cultural and life lessons along the way. This is a fun, healthy form of exercise for dancers ages 4-12.

Students ages 4-5 begin in our River program, which is designed to introduce dancers to the unique and exciting world of Irish dance. Girls and boys will learn basic stretching, foot placement, drills and a step of the reel. Classes run 45 minutes once a week from September through August. Students and families are also invited to participate in optional extracurricular dancing activities and family events. Special boys promotion available! For more information and to redeem ONE FREE IRISH DANCE CLASS, visit our website at www.trinityirishdancers.com or call 877-326-2328.

The Little Gym - Dance If your child loves to leap and twirl about the living room, then we have just the program for them. Children’s dance class at The Little Gym (for children 3-12 years old) is the perfect way to introduce your child to the world of dance and creative expression. Our unique dance class curriculum combines ballet, tap, creative movement and gymnastics to improve balance, posture and grace. Your child will learn the basic steps and positions while building flexibility, strength and coordination. Our music increases their listening skills while improving rhythm and poise. Call 608.836.3028 in Middleton or 608.442.0608 in Fitchburg to schedule a free introductory class.

yoga

New at Jewel in the Lotus Yoga~
Tiny Trees Yoga for pre-school (ages 3-6) ~ Monday 9:00-10:00am A fun, warm, and creative environment for children to explore and learn the foundations of yoga through movement, music, art, stories, and dance. Expect to bark like a doggie in downward dog and meow and moo during the cat and cow pose!

Tiny Trees Yoga for grades K-5 ~ Thursday 4:30-5:30pm We will discover our inner light through practicing poses and understand and react to our bodies growing and changing needs. Classes will incorporate storytelling, art, music, and silliness to teach children about movement, anatomy, ecology, math, and language. Tiny Trees Yoga is designed to make learning fun and to enable children to take their lessons off the mat and into their school and home life.

Location & Contact Info:: 821 East Johnson Street, tinytreesyoga@charter.net

ASL - American Sign Language

BABY SIGNS® with Tamara!!!
- Sign, Say, & Play™ Class is a six-week series-offering parents & babies a fun environment for learning all the basics of signing! The combination of rich classroom experience and the proper tools for learning at home give you & your baby a great start in a loving and supportive way. For children ages birth to three years and the parents/caregivers who love them. Price includes the Sign, Say & Play™ Kit, which includes 8 Baby Signs® Resources to make signing at home fun and easy !
- BABY SIGNS® Parent Workshop is a one-time class especially designed for expecting parents, & parents of children from birth to 24 months. You will learn all you need to know to begin signing with your baby at home. Early childhood educators, parent educators, social workers and health specialists are also welcome. The price of this hands-on, fun workshop includes the Baby Signs® Parent Kit, to help you incorporate what you learn in class into your daily routines with your baby.

For more info. or to register, contact:
Tamara Smith, Independant Certified Instructor - TryBabySigns@Gmail.com 608-831-2068

SIGN, SING & PLAY!!! 
A 12 week course offering parents and babies a wonderful way to learn the most helpful ASL signs; featuring real American Sign Language! Ages: 6 months old--3 years/ + caregiver

A 12 week course offering parents and babies a wonderful way to learn the most helpful ASL signs.
-- Learn over 80 ASL signs through familiar songs, toys, and loving playtime with your child.
-- Learn strategies to help your child learn using research proven teaching methods.
-- Ease your child's frustration by helping her communicate her needs.
-- Communicate with your child, even before she can form words.
-- Enhance long-term learning (i.e. Hearing children who know signs, learn language almost twice as fast!)

Held at Kindermusik with Debbie  274-6635.   youngstir.com/debbie   email: kindermusikwithdebbie@gmail.com
New Location: 5210 Odana Rd. Madison 53711 (Near Whitney Way and the beltline)