April is Month of the Young Child
Join us to celebrate young children and the caregivers with free family-friendly activities throughout Windham County, Vermont!
Month of the Young Child is a fun-filled month celebrating early learning, young children, their teachers, families, and communities. It’s annual celebration, originally inspired by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) in 1971, with the purpose of focusing public attention on the needs of young children and their families and to recognize the early childhood programs and community organizations that meet those needs.
Locally the celebration is organized by the Winston Prouty Center, Early Education Services, West Bee Nursery School and the Windham Early Childhood Educators Coop.
Stay up-to-date on event activities at the Month of the Young Child Facebook Page
Little Explorers Nature Playgroup
Fridays, April 5, 12, 19, 10:00 to 11:30 am
BEEC, 1223 Bonnyvale Road, Brattleboro
We will explore and be curious together, and engage in discovery, wonder and play. We will also enjoy seasonal songs, stories, and crafts. For children ages 3-5 and their caregivers; littles in tow are welcome. Please sign up at www.BEEC.org, to let us know you’re coming, and to receive notification if we are meeting at a different location due to muddy roads.
20th Annual Young Children’s Art Exhibit
NEW DATE: Saturday, April 13th, 10:00-12:00 (rescheduled from April 6th)
Living Memorial Park, 61 Guilford St, Brattleboro
Come enjoy the work of our community’s youngest artists! Early childhood educators will be displaying their students’ artistic creations. Refreshments, musical performances and activities hosted by Cheshire Children’s Museum, Green Mountain Creamery, Brattleboro Food Co-op, Southern Vermont Natural History Museum, and the Early Learning Express Bookmobile.
Vernon Open Gym
Saturday, April 6, 12:30-3:00
Vernon Elementary School, 381 Governor Hunt Rd, Vernon
Family Yoga
Saturday, April 6 & Friday, April 26, 9:30-10:15
Townshend Public Library, 1971 VT-30, Townshend
Join Brittany Frost for fun, family-focused sessions. Bring a yoga mat if you have one. These 45-minute sessions will take place in our Kids’ Room. Contact Karen at: 365-4039.
Parents and Pastries
Sunday, April 7, 9:00-11:00
Signal Pine Playschool, 22 West Hill, Putney
Families, please join us for pastries from Paradox Pastries and outside play. Rain or shine, please RSVP to signalpineplayschool@gmail.com.
Eclipse Viewing – EVENT CANCELLED – the public is welcome to the Hilltop campus to view the eclipse, but there will be no formal gathering.
Monday, April 8, 2:30-4:30
Hilltop Montessori School, 99 Stafford Farm Hl, Brattleboro
30th Annual Early Childhood Day at the Legislature
Wednesday, April 10, 7:30-2:30
Capitol Plaza Hotel, Montpelier, VT
Join the Vermont Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance, early childhood professionals, parents, employers, and policymakers in person to meet with legislators about early childhood issues, attend workshops on current topics, network and exchange information. Limited number of stipends available to cover the cost of registration. Contact Sarah at 257-7852 or sarah@winstonprouty.org for more information.
Family Poetry Party
Friday, April 12, 4:00-5:00pm
Dover Free Library 22 Holland Rd Suite 1, Dover, VT
Come listen to poetry read aloud, peruse the poetry books available in the Children’s Library, and create poetry with your kids! Contact Kendra at: dflchildroom@gmail.com
Kids Cooking Class
Saturday, April 13 at 10:30-11:45 and 1:30-2:45
Brattleboro Food Co-op, 2 Main St, Brattleboro
Space is limited so registration is recommended. Please list kids’ names, ages and dietary needs in the comments. Register at https://brattleborofoodcoop.coop/events.
Explore The Bunker Farm
Saturday, April 13, 10:00-12:00
857 Bunker Rd, Putney
Take a tour of Bunker Farm! Come see cows & pigs and take a walk through a busy greenhouse and enjoy a short walk into the sugar woods. Register at 802-282-8722 or thebunkerfarm@gmail.com.
Community Breakfast
Sunday, April 14, 7:30-9:00
First Congregational Church, 880 Western Ave, Brattleboro
Storybook Walk
Starting April 15
Winston Prouty Campus, 60 Austine Drive, Brattleboro
Can you hop like a bunny? Can you buzz like a bee? Discover the signs of spring as you walk along the forested trails at Winston Prouty’s Storybook Walk featuring In the Tall Tall Grass by Denise Fleming. The Storybook Walk is open for families to enjoy dusk-dawn, seven days a week. Sponsored in part by Brattleboro Primary Care Pediatrics.
Parent Tot Open Gym
Thursday, April 18, 10:00-11:45
Gibson Aiken Center, 207 Main St, Brattleboro
Open Gym is a place for parents and tots to come together and enjoy playing with playhouses, cars, toys, tunnel, a play kitchen, big rubber balls and more!
Wild Carrot Farm
Saturday, April 20, 10:00-12:00
Wild Carrot Farm, 511 Upper Dummerston Rd, Brattleboro
Enjoy hayrides, animals, and some seeds to plant. Happy spring!
Super Fun Bike Day
Saturday, April 20, 10:00-1:00
Memorial Park, 61 Guilford St, Brattleboro
Join the Brattleboro Recreation and Parks Dept, Brattleboro Fire & EMS Dept, Brattleboro Police Dept, and local Kiwanis members for helmet fitting, safety information, bike rodeo, and of course and more! Free helmets sponsored in part by the Windham Early Childhood Educators Coop. Bring your bikes and enjoy the fun!
Boogie Down Kids Presents ~ Mother Earth
Saturday, April 20, 2:00-5:00
Winston Prouty Gymnasium, 60 Austine Drive, Brattleboro
In honor of Earth Day and the Month of the Young Child, let’s dance, sing, hula hoop, play with balloons, and paint our faces! DJ Selector D will spin joyful music, and Shawn of Versatile Styles will lead us in hip-hop movement and dance! The Village Closet will also be open to peruse for free, gently used children’s clothes and toys.
Exploration of Art Materials!
Saturday April 20, Drop-in between 10:00-11:30
River Gallery School of Art, 32 Main St, Brattleboro
The studio will be filled with materials of all kinds ranging from recycled cardboard tubes, bubble wrap and large plastic containers to crayons and markers that children will be able to experiment with on two-dimensional surfaces. Children and grown-ups are invited to color, build and explore the possibilities and limitations of each art material. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Parent Child Center HUB Grand Opening and Family Festival
Sunday, April 21, 1:00-3:00
Old School Community Center Gym, 1 School St., Wilmington
Food, children’s music, crafts, face-painting, and much more! Contact Sandy Stark at: sstark@wsesdvt.org
Pajama Storytime
Tuesday, April 23, 6:30-7:30
Brooks Memorial Library, 224 Main St, Brattleboro
Wear your pajamas and join us for a craft and snack, followed by our favorite bedtime stories and a lullaby or two! Fun for all ages. Children’s Room: 254-5290 ext. 121
PJ Story hour
Wednesday, April 24, 6:30
Townshend Public Library, 1971 VT-30, Townshend
Lead Poisoning Prevention Workshop for Parents/Caregivers
Thursday, April 25, 6:30-8:00 on Zoom
Learn about the long-term consequences of lead exposure in young children and how to prevent it from happening. Must sign-up to get the Zoom link and a lead poisoning prevention toolkit. Contact Sandy Stark at: sstark@wsesdvt.org or at 246-2062
Yoga with Prema
Saturday, April 27, 10:00am
Timson Hill Preschool, 13 Timson Hill Rd, Williamsville
Pre-registration requested. Contact Kristina: director@timsonhill.org
Family Bingo
Sunday, April 28, 2:00-4:00
Whitingham Free Public Library, 2948 VT Route 100, Jacksonville
Contact Kristine at: whitinghamvtlibrary@hotmail.com
ONGOING EVENTS
Prouty Parenting Groups
Playgroup – Tuesdays, 9:30-11:00
Parent-Baby Group – Tuesdays, 2:00-3:30
Winston Prouty Center, Thomas Hall, 209 Austine Drive
Join Winston Prouty’s early childhood specialists and other families in the community to play and learn together! No registration required.
Early Education Services Playgroups
Tuesdays, 10:30-12 :00 at Townshend Public Library
Thursdays, 10:30-12:00 at Parent Child Center HUB, Wilmington Old School Community Center
EES playgroups provide an opportunity for parents and children to connect, access resources, and have fun! Contact Sandy Stark at: sstark@wsesdvt.org or at 246-2062
Rhyme Time
Wednesdays, 10:30
Brooks Memorial Library, 224 Main St, Brattleboro
Join us for 30 minutes of stories, songs, and fun!
Sing and Dance with Robin
Thursdays at 10:30
Brooks Memorial Library, 224 Main St, Brattleboro
This lovely class is an enriching musical experience for toddlers and preschoolers, designed to support healthy cognitive, physical, and social development. Children will sing, clap, stomp, dance, and play along with the curriculum of traditional and modern folk songs. Parents will be encouraged to fully sing and participate with their child in the class.
Nature Playground
Academy School, 860 Western Ave, Brattleboro
Families are welcome to enjoy the school’s outdoor playground during after school and weekend hours.
1000 Books Before Kindergarten
Brooks Memorial Library, 224 Main St, Brattleboro
This program is a fun, exciting, and free way to start your child on the path to success! Any child ages birth to 5 years can participate. Learn more details and pick up a folder from the Children’s Room
Young Children’s Art Exhibit
Brooks Memorial Library & Memorial Park
Early educators display their students works of art for all to enjoy throughout April.