Youth & Family

Child and Caregiver Classes

Baby and Caregiver at Music Class

The EDCJCC’s Child and Caregiver Classes are designed to meet the developmental and social needs of infants and toddlers (newborns through age 4) and to provide meaningful and fun bonding experiences for parents and other caregivers. 

LGBTQ and straight, couples and single parents, Jewish and non-Jewish, people of any color or ability — all families are warmly welcomed.

Spots are still available for many Later Fall classes in November and December! Registration for winter and spring classes will open on Monday, November 27, at 10:00 AM.

Miram SzubinDirector of Children and Family Programming
(202) 777-3263

About our Classes

Click the blue arrow to the right of each class title to learn more about the class.

Explore art with your toddler! In this interactive class, your child will learn about colors, shapes, and textures through activities including finger- and brush-painting, collage, print-making, and drawing.

For children ages 18 months-4 years.

This weekly 90-minute program for toddlers and their grownups includes circle time, music, gross motor play, art projects, and free choice play, just like a typical preschool day. Children have fun while developing their social, emotional, and cognitive skills.

Note: The Friday class will also celebrate the Jewish Shabbat through songs and stories.

For children ages 15 months-3 years.

Power Tots dance classes expose children to the basic steps through stories and games. Children learn how to count music and are given the opportunity to find their unique creative expression. Skills learned include chassè, pivot turns, ball change, five positions, pliè, grand pliè, relevè, arabesque, and so much more! Our classes are great for boys and girls.

For children ages 2-5 years.

Ms. Michelle’s energetic and engaging classes combine music, movement, and creative play, which are all building blocks for self-confidence in physical and social development. Using a variety of different rhythm instruments and props as well as a broad repertoire of music, this class teaches age-appropriate musical concepts and basic gross motor skills through a dynamic, creative and interactive program.

For children ages 6 months-3 years.

Ms. Ky’s Gymnastics Playgroup will work on beginner to intermediate gymnastic skills on various types of equipment. Children will learn to become comfortable and confident with their bodies to help them execute and learn new skills such as forward rolls, backwards rolls, cartwheels, handstands, etc. For the Adult and Me classes, each child must have an adult with them to help guide and support their fun gymnastics experience and to ensure that everyone is kept safe.

For children ages 18 months-4 years.

Come gather round the guitar for a fun, playful, and interactive musical adventure with children’s entertainer Ari Jacobson. Children are ready to respond to rhythm and melody from day one, and your little ones will have so much fun clapping, stomping, jumping and giggling that they might not even notice the language, motor, and social skills they are developing! Through classic music from Baa Baa Black Sheep to the Beatles, infants and toddlers (not to mention their grownups) will learn and grow together as cognitive enrichment meets plain old musical good times.

For children ages 6 months-3 years.

Bond with your baby through music in this class for infants and their grownups. We will use age-appropriate songs, movements, games, and instruments to encourage development and attachment and to share ideas about how to stimulate your baby at home.

For newborns through almost crawling.

For 12-24 months: My Grownup & Me is an adult-child pre-soccer and movement program specifically designed for toddlers between 12 and 24 months. Our experienced instructors along with our puppet friends, Mimi & Pepe, take you and your little one through a world of exciting physical activity. Individual attention, positive reinforcement, and engaging original music help to develop pre-soccer skills that will have your toddler learning to balance, run, kick and play – all while having a blast!

For 18-30 months: Soccer classes at this age are an exciting physical learning experience allowing your child to improve their natural ability in a fun and engaging way, with aspects of caregiver participation incorporated into the curriculum. Activities are presented using imagery relatable to children at this age to support learning about the body and ball awareness. The primary focus of each 40-minute class is to introduce physical activities, rich language exposure, and movements such as running, hopping and jumping. Classes include fun dribbling and shooting activities to teach positive social interaction and the basic skills of soccer!

Create community for your little one in our Preschool Playgroup program! This program for tots and their caregivers will give your child the chance to experience Preschool fun and socialization and to develop independent skills while still having caregiver support and attention as needed. Preschool Playgroup meets three days a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, in a beautiful EDCJCC Preschool classroom filled with natural light, toys, sensory and building materials, imaginative play areas, and more. Daily activities will include purposeful play, art projects, circle time, music and movement games, yoga, snack time, and gross motor play, all facilitated by an experienced early childhood educator. Note: A caregiver must remain with each child at all times. We are happy to welcome twins and nanny shares who come with one caregiver for two children, but we cannot accommodate siblings or nanny share partners younger than 18 months.

For children ages 18 months-3 years.

Stroller Strides® is FIT4MOM DC’s an all-levels total-body conditioning workout designed for caregivers with kids in tow. Each 60-minute workout consists of strength training, cardio and core restoration, all while entertaining the little ones with songs, activities and fun! Your instructor is trained to meet you where you are mentally and physically, and create space for caregivers to build community. You’ll leave class feeling connected, successful & energized.

All adults are welcome to participate, as long as they have been cleared for workouts by their health care provider. Babies and tots of any age are welcome, as long as they can be worn or secured in a car seat or stroller as needed.

Tunes 4 Tots® teaches actual music concepts to even the youngest of children in a fun and interactive way! Through a variety of age-appropriate aural, visual, and physical activities, our engaging and research-based program prepares little ones for a lifetime of making music.

For children ages 6 months-4 years.

Yoga for Babies (8 weeks to almost crawling): Yoga for Babies contains dozens of unique yoga postures designed to support baby’s development. Each week is filled with calming, nurturing ways to enhance bonding and improve baby’s sleep. Babies enjoy yoga while on their backs, tummies, or held in loving arms. For caregivers, this is a special opportunity to meet other caregivers, get support, and learn about baby’s emerging personality. Most of the yoga is for baby, but you will also learn breathing and relaxation techniques as you practice a bit of yoga yourself. No yoga experience necessary.

Yoga for Tots (crawlers and walkers up to 24 months): Yoga for Tots combines unique toddler-friendly yoga poses with songs, stories, and games to create an enriching caregiver/child activity. Each class is personalized around your child’s curiosities as they learn yoga through social interaction, repetition, and play. In these sessions, toddlers and preschoolers learn how to relieve frustration, improve motor skills, and increase attention span by actively following directions. Help your tot build the foundation for a healthy and fit lifestyle while having fun!

Yoga for Tots (walkers 21 months-4 years): Yoga for Tots combines unique toddler-friendly yoga poses with songs, stories, and games to create an enriching caregiver/child activity. Each class is personalized around your child’s curiosities as they learn yoga through social interaction, repetition, and play. In these sessions, toddlers and preschoolers learn how to relieve frustration, improve motor skills, and increase attention span by actively following directions. Help your tot build the foundation for a healthy and fit lifestyle while having fun!

By registering for our classes, you agree to our policies regarding refunds, make-ups, safety, illness, and more.

headshot of Miriam Szubin

Miriam Szubin

Director of Children and Family Programming and Preschool Admissions

couple roasting marshmallows over small burners.

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