This class provides time for interactions between dad and child or children. Boost your parent bond through planned activities, circle time, music, gym time and more. Relax and enjoy the parent discussion time while building a network of friends for your child and family. Separating. For children ages 1 to 4 years old by September 1, 2025.

Outdoor experiences naturally provide children with opportunities to develop their whole selves while also learning hands-on about the world around them. Children’s free time outside dropped by 38% between 1979 and 1999. “Unstructured” outdoor play today amounts to only about 30 minutes per week for each of our children. That’s barely 4 minutes per day. Research shows that when children have outdoor experience in nature, they are happier, healthier and do better in school. It also improves learners’ attention, levels of stress, self-discipline, interest and enjoyment in learning and physical activity and fitness. (Jeffers Foundation) ECFE Outdoor Learning/Nature-based play, will include but not limited to the following: digging holes, exploring, building stick forts, daydreaming in your secret spot or just “mucking around” in the woods. Class will happen all Fridays ECFE is in session, no matter the weather. Please dress for the weather and the bugs! Free class, no registration required! Class will be held at Cedar Ridge Outdoor Learning area. 8905 Braxton Drive, Eden Prairie, MN 55347 *Park in the general parking lot and walk to the left side of the building to the sign for Outdoor Learning and the path into the woods. Call 952-975-7200 with questions.

Our Family School program offers free English classes for adults, Little Eagles preschool for 3 and 4 year olds, and an infant and toddler classroom for younger children or children 5 and under who are not enrolled in preschool. Adult English classes are provided by Metro South Adult Basic Education, and children's classes are staffed by early childhood educators. For the 2025-2026 school year, Family School will take place in person during the mornings. Preschoolers who are 3 year old by September 1, 2025 attend morning classes at Lower Campus Preschool Center. Preschoolers who are 4 years old by September 1, 2025 attend morning preschool at your assigned elementary school. Adults and any other children 5 and under who are not enrolled in preschool will attend classes two days a week at Lower Campus Early Childhood Center. Adult classes are on Mondays and Wednesdays or on Tuesdays and Thursdays, depending on your English level. If you see a note that this class is full, please enroll anyway. Everyone who enrolls in the class will be on the waitlist until we receive a test score from Metro South ABE and place you in a specific class section. Nuestro programa Family School ofrece clases de inglés gratuitas para adultos, preescolar Little Eagles para niños de 3 y 4 años y un salón de clases para bebés y niños pequeños para niños más pequeños o niños de 5 años o menos que no están inscritos en preescolar. Las clases de inglés para adultos son impartidas por Metro South Adult Basic Education, y las clases para niños están a cargo de educadores de la primera infancia. Para el curso escolar 2025-2065, la Escuela de Familia se desarrollará de forma presencial en horario de mañana. Los niños en edad preescolar que tengan 3 años antes del 1 de septiembre de 2025 asisten a clases matutinas en el Centro preescolar del campus inferior. Los niños en edad preescolar que tengan 4 años antes del 1 de septiembre de 2025 asisten al preescolar matutino en su escuela primaria asignada. Los adultos y otros niños menores de 5 años que no estén inscritos en preescolar asistirán a clases dos días a la semana en el Centro de Primera Infancia del Lower Campus. Las clases para adultos son los lunes y miércoles o los martes y jueves, dependiendo de tu nivel de inglés. Si ve una nota que indica que esta clase está llena, inscríbase de todos modos. Todos los que se inscriban en la clase estarán en la lista de espera hasta que recibamos una puntuación del examen de Metro South ABE y lo coloquemos en una sección de clase específica. For assistance in English please call (952) 975-6940. Para asistencia en español llame al 952-975-7206. Kaalmada af Somali la xidhiidh 952-975-7254. Family School is a collaboration between Eden Prairie Schools Community Education and our partner Metro South ABE. Metro South is partially funded with a grant from the Minnesota Department of Education using state and/or federal funding, Minnesota Statute Section 124D.522 and/or CFDA 84.002, Adult Basic Education-Grants to States.

Three and four year olds are excited to explore the world and meet new friends! The preschool years are full of discovery, but can also be a parenting challenge. Your child will build positive self esteem, confidence, and independence while they are in the classroom. Parents will learn more strategies for successful and effective parenting. Separating. Select your class based on your child’s age as of September 1, 2025.

Attend class with all of your children or just one. There will be activities for all ages. Parent time will be sure to cover family relationships and topics that are important to all ages. Class includes parent-child time, circle time, and separation. Must register each child. Cost: See sliding fee scale on page 3.

Introduce your child to the joy of music through interactive songs, rhythms, and movement. Foster a love for music and creativity in a fun, nurturing environment.

This is a Virtual seminar. After registration is complete, you will receive an online link to the Virtual Seminar. This video link will be available to view at your own time till June 1st. This class will focus on parent's role in supporting their child's emotional growth and intelligence. Using research from Gottman Institute, "Emotion Coaching: The Heart of Parenting", we will summarize the five-step method that builds emotional intelligence and creates positive, long-lasting effects for children from toddlers to teens. This is an abbreviated or review class of the popular five-week Emotion Coaching virtual class. Presenter: Karen Linscott: Parent Educator for EP School District

What's the big deal about going outside? Learn the benefits of nature experiences for young children from emotional wellness to fostering creativity, this class will discuss benefits and share resources around our area to get outside and explore as a family. Presenter: Max Melby Outdoor Center Supervisor Lead Naturalist for the City of EP

This class talks about the developmental responses youth may have to stress. We will discuss five mental health tips for families and resources in the community. Presenter: Renee Labat, youth Program Coordinator at NAMI Minnesota.

This is a Virtual seminar. After registration is complete, you will receive an online link to the Virtual Seminar.This video link will be available to view at your own time till June 1st. Screens are a big part of even our littlest kids' loves. This session will help parents and caregivers create a family screen time approach that balances real life with he latest research on the influence of screens on young children's development. This session will be a guilt free zone. Practical strategies will be shared to help you confidently navigate this important aspect of raising children. Presenter: Lisa Weir M.Ed. and host of the Mom Psych Podcast

This session is a discussion-based class that helps parents and caregivers identify values and messages they would like to share with their children, learn typical stages of sexual development for children and adolescents, and discuss effective communication skills to aid them in talking with their children about various sexuality topics. Our approach aims to build confidence so parents can communicate their values (whatever those may be!) and feel comfortable having conversations with their kiddos. Presenter: Caroline Hickey from myHealth, Community Engagement Coordinator.

In this class, we will discuss ideas about values around parenting styles, household tasks, childcare decisions, discipline strategies so everyone feels supported and on the same page on this parenting journey. Presenter: Erin Hocking, Family and Child Therapist with Washburn Center for Children.

This is a Virtual seminar. After registration is complete, you will receive an online link to the Virtual Seminar. This video link will be available to view at your own time till June 1st. In this seminar we will discuss healthy sleep routines and patterns. Gain knowledge and support for resolving sleep issues in young children. Presenter: Dr. Ben Ripa, White Children's Hospital Sleep Clinic

This five-week online class will focus on parents’ role in supporting their child’s emotional growth and intelligence. Using research from Gottman Institute, “Emotion Coaching: The Heart of Parenting”, we will discuss and explore the five-step method that builds emotional intelligence and creates positive, long-lasting effects for children from toddlers to teens. Zoom links will be sent via email upon registration. $27 per session*

In this five-week online class, we will discuss ways to be a more mindful parent by learning how to respond rather than react in stressful parenting situations. Mindful parenting means that you bring your conscious attention to what’s happening instead of getting seized by your emotions. Managing our own emotions and behaviors are key to teaching our children how to manage theirs. Parenting young children can be difficult; let’s support each other and learn skills to be more mindful of our responses to our children. Zoom links will be sent via email upon registration. $27 per five-week session

Are you struggling to get your child to listen, follow directions or manage their big emotions? Are you ready to learn some new strategies that will help you gain cooperation and connect with your child? Join us for this 9-week parent only on-line class that will give you the opportunity to reflect, create a plan, and practice new strategies in a safe environment with other parents. You will learn key strategies to promote your child’s social and emotional skills, understand your child’s challenging behavior, and use positive approaches to help children learn appropriate behavior. Positive Solutions for Families is an evidence-based workshop developed by the National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations and facilitated by a Parent Educator. Zoom links will be sent via email upon registration. $53 per nine-week session*

Do you have a preschool aged child and would like support with parenting your preschooler? Join other parents in a Parent-Educator led class to share the joys and challenges that come with this stage! This adult only class provides education, connection and strategies to support your child on the topics of development, cooperation, communication, problem solving, emotional intelligence, and more. Held in person at the Community Education Building, 8100 School Road. Course is free, no registration required! Child care available for a fee- please see sliding fee scale on page 3 (pre-registration required for child care)

READY! for Kindergarten is a nationally recognized program that has been shown to give parents and caregivers the skills and tools to help children enter kindergarten at or above grade level. This class will include training for parents on reading, writing, math and social-emotional skills that children need to thrive in school and is taught by a licensed early childhood parent educator. Every family that attends a READY! for Kindergarten session receives a high-quality collection of learning tools to further their child's progress towards school readiness. Additionally, there is a fall, winter, and spring session and each session offers new content and new toys, so register for all three sessions! The session is for the parent/caregiver ONLY. Please register yourself for the class and include any additional adults that will be attending with you. Childcare is available while parents are in the training session. Advance registration is required. Please note: READY! for Kindergarten is funded through a grant from The Foundation For Eden Prairie Schools (FEPS) and is only offered at no cost to Eden Prairie residents who meet the income requirement. This is a professional development opportunity for educators and caregivers to earn CEU credits, as well as for parents.