ECFE Classes

I live in Minneapolis and took the Parent Connection (infant massage) while my daughter was 3-6 months old, and the Incredible Infants while she was 6-9 months old. The first class was a life-saver! It was a fantastic way to get support from a very knowledgable instructor and other new moms in the community. I still meet up with moms that I met in this class. The second class was lots of fun with songs, a variety of educational toys, and again a great network of support with issues from sleep to feeding, safety, and discussion of the latest research in child development.

I highly recommend these classes. We hope to enjoy the toddler class this fall :)

PS we took both classes at Sullivan.

YES YES & YES!!!!!! ECFE (Early Childhood Family Education) is one of the best things and one of Minnesota's little secrets. It is the best. Whenever someone has come back with a bad exsperience, it has been because they have not selected the class that is right for them. There are many different programs.
~The first thing you would decide is if you are looking for a newborn class, birth to 3 or birth to 5 class.
~The next thing would be are you looking at a day class or evening class.
~The next is what type of personalities fit you.
~The final one is if you are looking for a class that seperates or stays together. Let me explain.....

The first months newborn class sort of brings together women whom have just delivered. They are usually school district funded but hospital base. This class is good to connect with new moms; but it does end after your baby is 6-9 months; so many times women are then again looking for a place to go.
The birth to 3 classes are great in that it focuses on the kids through toddler stage and many of the same issues are what all of the parents are faced with. The birth to 5 classes are nice when baby #2 arrives as you then can take both kids without a problem.

Day time classes tend to attract stay at home moms/dads or people whom work from home. The evening classes tend to attract the 9-5 type people working outside of the home as well.

Know that the neighborhoods attract people of that neighborhood. For instance Highland Park is a very different crowd than Frogtown in St. Paul. So choose your site.

The way all the programs work is the first 30-45 minutes the mom and the child is together singing songs interacting and doing projects. Then after this initial time, the kids seperate into age appropiate groups with childcare, preschool and elementary providers while the parents go into a parent group that is lead by a parent educator. In some classes, the children and the parents stay together the entire time. This is okay for some parents, but what I have seen is that the kids who are seperated from the parents tend to bloosom a lot more because they get a chance to explore without mom interjecting. Also more parenting topics get covered when there are not a lot of little ones to interject with the adults. So whatever combination fits your fancy; it is a great idea to participate. Good Luck.

BTW- I went through ECFE with both of my children whom are now in grade school. (((HUGS))).

I brought my son there when he was 2 and brought my niece, who was 5 mos old. Luckily they had room and there was a mix up when I registered (otherwise you can only bring your children or grandchildren). It was really great because the kids learned how to be on there own and got to socialize with their peers, and it is really nice to be able to go and socialize with other parents and talk about all that you are facing being a parent. Since I am home with them, besides playdates, they aren't around a lot of other kids their age, and I think it really helps with their social development. Especially if you are a first time parent, I highly recommend it!

I absolutely LOVED the Infant and Toddler classes. Met other parents/kids in the neighborhood and found new ways to deal with some issues - and my children got to play with fun new toys and playmates. We also got to do art projects that would have taken too much effort at home! It was a win-win. It's a nice social time too for moms (or dads) used to spending lots of time with a non-verbal infant! I took it at Lucy Laney in North Minneapolis, unfortunately, it's no longer there due to funding cuts, but even if you have to drive a bit -it's worth it!

I highly recommend taking these classes! I've been going to them since my son was 6 months. I met some really nice mom's. My son had some seperation issues and the instructors were really good with him. He does just fine now. I had no problems last year when i sent him off to preschool.

Absolutely! We have taken several classes through the Minneapolis school system and have had a wonderful experience each time. I wish I had known about it when my oldest was a newborn. We didn't start until she was nearly a year old. It is a great way to connect with other parents with kids around the same age. Like someone else mentioned, the only times I have ever heard people say negative things about the program has been when they didn't choose the right class, usually with respect to separation.

Michelle said it so appropriately -- YES, YES, YES.

Not only do you meet other parents/kids, but the education provided is fantastic. You learn from the professional parent educator and other parents in the room that are dealing with simular issues, or have dealt with the same issues.

You get additional positive reinforcement on situations that perhaps you were unsure in how to cope.

You develop an awareness of future issues that may arise and already have an appropriate aresonal to deal with the situation or to allow yourself and your child to grow to next stages.

You build a foundation and appreciation for why you even had kids and the role you take as the first educator to your child (most parents really over look or underestimate their roles as the primary educator to their child, and the importance of establishing values; ECFE provides you with the confidence to positively reinforcement in your own family and not be suckered into the commercialism or apparent "norm" of the rest of the community.

Go for it!!!

The previous posters said it so well. A friend recommended ECFE classes to me and I am so glad. I did the hospital based one a couple times and learned some tips that were sanity savers. Then my DH and I took our son together to an evening class as an infant. Later when I stayed home with him, I took him to daytime classes and eventually he did the ECFE preschool. I learned valuable information at each stage and the progra is so supportive of the parent/child bond.

Yes! Yes! Yes! I loved them and they were my lifesavers many times. My kids are now almost 9 and 12 and I still miss those ECFE classes. It can depend on the teacher and the make up of your class, but in general they are VERY helpful and enjoyable. I still run into people I met during those classes and many people form significant friendships. Go for it!

OH YES! I took my 2 younger kids (didnt know about it with my first) and the youngest is now going to kindergarten, so we are done with ECFE and I am so sad! It was a wonderful experience for my kids and for me. We love it and I HIGHLY recommend it.
S.