How Do You Decide What Activities to Put Your Kids In?

Develop communication with all the Day Care Centers in your area. The name indicates you'll be teaching young children.

Try your local rec center and ask for a book on there activities. Also psaplano.org is a good place to go.

You might want to try and post flyers at your local Starbucks or at a local health club, i.e. YMCA, Park and Recreation department.

I would start with your church and immediate neighborhood. Local businesses may let you put up a flyer in thier business. You may also check with your local recreation center. They may put you in their facility and pay you. I put my child in things that I heard from word-of-mouth, found at church, or were offered through my City Parks & Recreation department (North Richland Hills).

Honestly...I actually don't appreciate flyers on the front door or my car...it just feels a little invasive you know. I usually check w/the local park & rec. Also, if you can find a way to get on-line...maybe a separate phone number so you can be in the phone book listing. Good luck to you!

T.- Our Primrose contracts in programs for the parents to sign the kids up for. The folks running each program come in on a certain day and the kids leave their regular class to attend. You might go directly to Pre-K schools and see if they will let you contract in. I think it's a great benefit and have enrolled my child in a weekly computer class, a kid's exercise class, and gymnastics. He has loved it and I have seen wonderful results from each one. I would love a music program and would sign up if it was put in front of me at his pre-school.

I have done kindermusik with my daughter, and I found out about it, and all the activities we've done, at local baby fares. I have a two year old, and I stayed home with her the first year and a half, so I was looking for things to do frequently. I also have gotten involved in, and shopped at the kids resale events that take place a few times a year and vendors are always there as well...ex: jbf.com. The local library also has had people come and advertise kids stuff too. Hope this helps!

Does your church have a Mother's Day out program? I'd ask if it's okay to leave a stack of flyers at the front desk and also if I could tape a couple up outside the preschool class doors. Do you go to the gym? I'd ask if I could have a stack on the counter in the childcare area where the mothers pick up their children. Your pediatrician's office is a great spot, too, since everyone in there is bored and reading every sign - I always read through all the brochures at mine. Speech and physcial therapy offices are a good place to stick them, too. I agree with the other responder who mentioned Dallas Child magazine - I just tried to throw out some free ideas. I truly pick up the flyers at the places listed above.

Good luck,
A.

I know that in addition to what others have mentioned that I get the ideas for activities from various other activities I am involved in. For instance, I do strollerfit, and they had info. on Kindermusik AND My Gym. I would suggest going to facilities that don't already have a music program, and see if you can leave material there or attempt to establish a relationship with those toddler/preschool type facilities.

Good Luck!

Regarding your question about advertising...I used to work in the direct mail industry. Keep in mind that most direct mail (i.e. junk mail) works best if you do it consistently or at least three times in a row and it can be expensive. Response rate is typically between 0.5% to 1% for mailings like Shopwise, Valpak, etc. See if a local gym in your area will let you put out flyers or maybe a daycare. Good luck!

I tend to get my info by word of mouth or if I find it somewhere else I'll ask around my playgroups for experience. For the Kindermusik class we're taking I looked up area teachers and then asked if anyone had experience with the ones nearby. I was able to find the best fit for my son that way.

I agree with Dallas Child. You might also try the Greater Lewisville ECPTA (http://glecpta.com/default.aspx) and Carrollton ECPTA (www.cecpta.org) and see about leaving flyers at the general meetings or becoming part of the children's program list.

I've seen Kindermusik classes offered as free try-it-out classes through the libraries. And, I've received e-mail invitations for try-it-out classes when friends already involved give my name.

Good luck!

I usually look in Dallas Child for ideas.