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, Hilltop Montessori School and the Windham Early Childhood Educators Coop.
Stay up-to-date on event activities at the Month of the Young Child Facebook Page
ALL MONTH LONG
Young Children’s Art Exhibits
Visit these places to enjoy the creations of our communities youngest artists!
- Memorial Park
- Brook Memorial Library
- The Harmony Collective
- Various storefronts along Main Street, Brattleboro
The BASICS
The Basics are five fun, simple and powerful ways to help all our children ages 0-3 grow to be happy and smart.
- Maximize Love, Manage Stress
- Talk, Sing, and Point
- Count, Group, and Compare
- Read and Discuss Stories
- Explore Through Movement and Play
Sign up to receive free FREE BASICS text messages that share brain boosting activities for infants & toddlers at bit.ly/basicsvt. More information about The Basics: www.thebasics.org
EES Diaper Giveaway – Early Education Services, 130 Birge St, Brattleboro
Contact Sandy Stark at sstark@wsesdvt.org
SPECIAL PROMOTIONS
Cheshire Children’s Museum – 149 Emerald St, Keene, NH
Free admission with voucher. Vouchers available at the Art Exhibit Opening event at Memorial Park on April 1st.
The Putney Food Co-op – 8 Carol Brown Way, Putney
The Putney Co-op is proud to kick off MOYC by offering a FREE COOKIE to children 8-years-and-younger on Sat,
April 1st. Store hours: 7 am to 8 pm
Bartleby’s Books – 17 West Main St, Wilmington
Mention “Month of the Young Child” and receive 25% off all children’s books on Sunday, April 23.
Everyone’s Books – 25 Elliot St, Brattleboro
15% off children’s books for the whole month – mention MOYC!
2023 EVENTS
Parents and Pastries
Sunday, April 2, 10:00-11:30 – 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
Storytime with Susan Hessey
Tuesdays, April 4, 11 and 18, 11:00 – Putney Public Library, 55 Main St, Putney
Join Susan for stories, songs and crafts. Pre-k/preschoolers, siblings and caretakers welcome!
Elephant and Piggy
Friday, April 7, 5:00-6:00pm – Westminster West Library, 3409 Westminster W Rd, Putney
Enjoy this theatrical storytime together!
19th Annual Young Children’s Art Exhibit Opening Event
Saturday, April 8, 10:00-12:30 – 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. Hands-on activities, refreshments, and information on resources in our community will be available. The Brattleboro Food Co-op, Southern Vermont Natural History Museum, The Nature Museum of Grafton, Cheshire Children’s Museum, Early Learning Express Bookmobile, and performances by local musicians Robin Morgan & Ernesto Sanchez. (Rescheduled from April 1st due to rain).
Tots Art Exploration
Saturday, April 8, 10:00-11:00 – River Gallery School, 32 Main St, Brattleboro
This hands-on class can help build confidence and self-awareness through manipulating materials and experimenting with various methods of sensory-based art-making. We will create something new that will engage your imagination and sense of fun. You’ll be amazed at what you can make together! All supplies provided. No art experience necessary! Please be prepared to get messy and fully immerse yourself and your little ones in the process. Register HERE.
Sandglass Theater Presents OMA: A Story of Celebration, Generations, and Storytelling in Yarn
Saturday, April 8, 1:00 – Hilltop Montessori School, 99 Stafford Farm Hill, Brattleboro
Oma says that knitting is not just pom pom hats and sweaters. Oma’s knitting contains whole stories! This new family show by Shoshana Bass and Jana Zeller is an intergenerational tale that revolves around Grandma or “Oma.” It is her birthday and all are preparing for the celebration. Come find out what happens!
Child Care For Vermont: Courage to Care Rally
Wednesday, April 12, 1:00pm – State House Lawn, 115 State Street, Montpelier
Right now, lawmakers are working on a bill to make long-term public investment in Vermont’s child care system that will revitalize our economy, support our children, families, and early childhood educators, and shape future generations. Join Let’s Grow Kids on the State House Lawn in Montpelier as we support our lawmakers in getting a child care solution over the finish line this year. Carpooling available. More information: www.letsgrowkids.org.
Musical Mornings
Thursdays, April 13, 20, and 27, 10:30-11:30 – Westminster West Library, 3409 Westminster W Rd, Putney
Two talented musicians will play and sing with young children and their caregivers.
Read & Imagine with Everywhere Philosophy
Friday, April 14, 10:00-11:00 – Winston Prouty Center, 209 Austine Drive, Brattleboro
What is a friend? How do we know when someone is a friend? And what might it mean to be a good friend? Join Everywhere Philosophy’s Dr. Mike and Bethany to celebrate friendship and the Month of the Young Child! We’ll think and talk about friendship together, and we’ll read Mike Curato’s wonderful story about companionship and kindness: Little Elliot Big Fun.
Spring Fling Party
Saturday, April 15, 10:30-12:00 – Whitingham Public Library, 2948 Route 100 S, Jacksonville
Stories, activities, crafts and snacks. Please RSVP: 368-7506
Explore Bunker Farm
Saturday, April 15, 10:00-11:00 – Bunker Farm, 857 Bunker Rd, Dummerston
Come meet the animals at Bunker Farm: cows, calves, pigs and piglets! Visit them, read to them, draw them, enjoy them! Basic art supplies provided. Stories available too. Just bring yourselves and dress for the weather. No RSVP needed.
Storytime in the Courtyard
Monday, April 17, 3:00-3:20 – NEYT, 100 Flat St, Brattleboro
Enjoy a lively story or two in the outdoor performance space at New England Youth Theater!
Free bowling for families
April 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 2:00 – Brattleboro Bowl, 865 Putney Rd, Brattleboro
Early Education Services has reserved some lanes for free bowling! Must sign up in advance. Contact Sandy Stark at sstark@wsesdvt.org
Crafternoons
Monday, April 17 and Wednesday, April 19, 1:00-4:00 – Townshend Public Library, 1971 VT-30, Townshend
Come enjoy some crafty time together. Craft project supplies will be provided free of charge. Participants only need to bring their imaginations. No registration is required.
Explore Scott Farm Orchard
Tuesday, April 18, 1:00 – Scott Farm, 707 Kipling Rd, Dummerston
Come visit beautiful Scott Farm in Dummerston! Enjoy a short hike around the grounds, followed by a children’s art project. Please RSVP (802) 254-6868
Pop Up Adventure play day
Wednesday, April 19, 1:00-3:00 – SUSU commUNITY Farm, 94 River Rd, Newfane
Come for a fun welcome to spring! We’ll get messy together creating wildflower seed balls, featuring plant friends like sunflowers and calendula. You can take your magic muddy balls home or launch them to inspire new gardens everywhere! Snacks and water will be provided
Pajama story hour
Wednesday, April 19, 6:30pm – Townshend Library, 1971 VT-30, Townshend
Parent Tot Open Gym
Thursday, April 20, 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!
Music, Puppets, and a Whole Lotta Fun!
Friday, April 21, 10:00 – Boys and Girls Club, 17 Flat St, Brattleboro
Join Annie (formerly of the award-winning “Annies”) and Kora for a fun and interactive performance.
Story Yoga
Friday, April 21, 4:00-5:00pm – Westminster West Library, 3409 Westminster W Rd, Putney
Learn some new yoga moves while listening to a story
Explore Wild Carrot Farm
Saturday, April 22, 10:00-12:00 – Wild Carrot Farm, 511 Upper Dummerston Rd, Brattleboro
Enjoy hayrides, animals, and some seeds to plant. Happy spring!
Yoga with Rennea
Saturday, April 22, 10:00 – Timson Hill Preschool, 13 Timson Hill Rd, Williamsville
Pre-registration requested: (802) 348-6319
Earth Day Art Project
Saturday, April 22, 3:00-4:00 – Brattleboro Food Co-op, 2 Main St, Brattleboro
Please join us at the Co-Op for an Earth Day Art Project in collaboration with Brattleboro Museum and Art Center. To sign up, contact Lisa at education@brattleborofoodcoop.coop or go to wwwbrattleborofoodcoop.coop/calendar/
Boogie Down Kids presents… An Earth Day dance party for kids and their grown-ups!
Saturday, April 22, 2:00-5:00pm – Winston Prouty Gym, 60 Austine Drive, Brattleboro
With DJs Selector D and Nikos spinning uplifting tunes on the wheels of steel and a Versatile Styles 45-minute hip-hop class with Shadow Dancer! There will be hula hooping, balloons, snacks, facepainting and lots of free play! Bonus: The Village Closet is located in the same building and will be open the whole time! Everybody is welcomed and encouraged to come dance together at this free event, from the youngest to the eldest, smallest to the tallest! Let’s celebrate the earth and all her species!
Earth Day Celebration
Saturday, April 22, 12:00-1:00 – The Nature Museum of Grafton, 186 Townshend Rd, Grafton
Llive animals presentation from The Southern Vermont Natural History Museum.
Babes in the Woods
Tuesday, April 25, 9:30-11:30 – Bonnyvale Environmental Education Center, 1223 Bonnyvale Road, Brattleboro
Children ages 3-5 and their caregivers are invited to take a spring stroll and enjoy the woods at BEEC. We will meet the trees and look for clues of who lives in or nearby them. We will use all of our senses to experience the wonders of the woods. Bring your snack! Pre-registration is required at www.beec.org or by calling 802-257-5785.
Signs of Spring Nature Hike
Saturday, April 29, 10:00-12:00 – The Grammar School, 159 Grammar School Lane, Putney
Come explore the woods, pond, and stream right on our school grounds. Mud/rain boots and warm layers recommended!
Community Breakfast
Saturday, April 29, 9:00-1:00 – Townshend Church, 46 Common Road, Townshend
Breakfast hosted by Community, Hope and Action, with games & activities on the Common.
Young Childrens’ art exhibit closing reception
Saturday, April 29, 2:00-4:00 – Brooks Memorial Library, 224 Main St, Brattleboro
Come view art and enjoy snacks and refreshments and a little story time.
Pump Track & Nature Playground
Sunday, April 30 – Academy School, 860 Western Ave, Brattleboro
Bring your own bike and helmet for the pump track and come any time. If you would like to use a bike from the Bike Shed come 1:00-2:00. Sponsored by the Academy PTO.
Mud Madness
Sunday, April 30, 3:00-5:00 – Wonder In The Woods, 565 Green Mt Camp Rd, Dummerston
Come enjoy outdoor play with mud kitchens and a giant sand pile!
