Fine Art with Miss Heather
Children have fun learning the Elements of Art such as texture, form and color theory while using different mediums including watercolor, acrylics and pastels.
We will also explore different artists and their styles.
The last day of each session we will have our own art gallery opening where the children will show off their artwork.
Miss Heather is the 5 day Bluebird assistant. She studied Fine Arts at Raritan Valley Community College and was accepted into Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers. Heather’s love of art started when she was in preschool making pictures with tempera paint and wearing her father’s old flannel as a smock.
Science with Miss Sherry
Children learn about science in terms of exploring, discovering, and nurturing their curiosity about the world around them. We will learn by asking simple questions that bring meaningful information to our students. These questions lead to activities that encourage children to explore, discover, and draw conclusions.
Miss Sherry is a Bluebird teacher and has been at the Giving Nest since 2006. She is a graduate from Kutztown University with a degree in Micro/Cell Biology. Miss Sherry worked at The Waksman Institute of Microbiology located on the Rutgers Busch campus before joining us here at The Giving Nest. She is very excited to teach the children about science and help them to explore the world around them.
Computers with Mrs. Roesch
The children learn the basics of computers while using interactive games. The lessons will help build technology skills while fostering creativity and confidence. We will build a computer vocabulary and reinforce learning concepts we introduce in their classroom while interacting with other students in a small team environment.
Mrs. Roesch is a Bluebird teacher and has been at the Giving Nest for 8 years. She is very excited to teach the children Computers as they explore the endless possibilities of technology.
Watchung Giving Nest Enrichment
Gymnastics with Miss Tara Wednesdays
Gymnastics is an introductory co-ed gymnastics class with a creative movement structure. Boys and Girls will be exposed to different gymnastics techniques focusing on the forward roll, balance and tumbling.
Miss Tara is the Assistant director here at The Giving Nest in Watchung. She is very active and has enjoyed taking many Gymnastics classes throughout her childhood. She participated in the gymnastics squad all through High School at Watchung Hills Regional and was the Captain of the gymnastics squad her senior year. She also taught gymnastics at a local gym during the summer. Miss Tara is excited to share her love of gymnastics with the children.
Legos With Preschoolers
Each week the children will work on fun and exciting lego models with Miss Sherry, all while using gross motor skills, hand eye coordination, cognitive problem solving with determining sizing and piece placement. There will be individual and group projects that will be displayed at the end of the session!
Miss Sherry is a Bluebird teacher and has been at the Giving Nest since 2006. She is a graduate from Kutztown University with a degree in Micro/Cell Biology. Ms. Sherry worked at The Waksman Institute of Microbiology located on the Rutgers Busch campus before joining us here at The Giving Nest.
Book Club
Encourage the love of reading by signing your child up for the Giving Nest’s preschool version of a book club.
Each week the children will read a different book in class and then create an arts and crafts project or participate in a fun activity based on that book.
The class will be taught by Miss Annie. Miss Annie has worked with children for six years here at the Giving Nest and is currently teaching the three day Duckling class. She is very excited to pass along her love of reading, which she developed at a young age as well.
Soccer is an introductory co-ed soccer class that introduces basic soccer skills and techniques. Boys and Girls will be exposed to different techniques focusing on ball handling and making goals.
Miss Tara has taught at the Giving Nest for many years and is now the assistant Director here at the Watchung location. Miss Tara is very active and has enjoyed playing soccer for many years. Miss Tara is excited to share her love of soccer with the children.
Soccer with Miss Tara (not offered for fall session)
Golf
Coach Ross’ vision is to bring a fun and educational aftercare sports program to the children at the Giving Nest. The children will have the experience of learning the fundamentals of golf and having fun at the same time. Coach Ross has been trained by Coach Greg Skollar who started Kids Sports Time in Atlanta five years ago!
Coach Ross supplies everything for your child including age appropriate kid size golf clubs, foam and low compression balls, T’s, greens and of course lots of FUN!
Coach Ross has been in the corporate world for over 30 years. However, his passion in sports and the enjoyment of coaching his daughter Amanda in soccer when she was little has been the most rewarding experience. In fact Amanda is not only a coach of Kids Sports Time, but a graduate of the Giving Nest.
Basketball with Mr. Justin (not offered for fall session)
Basketball is an introductory co-ed basketball class that introduces basic basketball skills and techniques. Boys and Girls will be exposed to different techniques focusing on ball handling and shooting baskets.
Mr. Justin worked at The Giving Nest in aftercare 16 years ago. He loves working with children and playing basketball. Mr. Justin is very active and has played basketball when he attended Watchung Hills Regional HS. He was on the basketball team and was also the team captain while he played. Mr. Justin is excited to share his knowledge and love of basketball with the children.
Kindergarten Readiness with Mrs. Bruno
Mrs. Bruno’s tutoring sessions are designed to improve your child’s confidence in learning. This class is offered to our current Bluebird and Cardinal students.
Mrs. Bruno is our 5 day Cardinal Teacher Watchung. She has been employed at The Giving Nest for twelve years and has held positions in both the Martinsville and Watchung locations. Her experience includes teaching 3, 4 and 5 year old children. Mrs. Bruno is truly excited to work with your children and enhance their Kindergarten skills.
*Maximum of five (5) children per class
Let's Dance with Miss Sarah
Let’s Dance! is an introductory co-ed dance class with a creative movement structure. Boys and Girls will be exposed to different dance techniques focusing on Ballet, Creative Movement and Tumbling.
Miss Sarah majored in Dance Education at Rutgers University and is currently a preschool educator. She has been dancing from the age of 2 and has been a faculty member at Gotta Dance since 2004. Gotta Dance is a leading New Jersey dance school that offers education and opportunities to children of all ages. Miss Sarah will provide the same wonderful experience she had as a young dancer to her dancers at The Giving Nest.
Spanish with Mrs. Yusko (not offered for fall session)
Students learn the Spanish language through greetings, dramatization, colors, singing songs, animal recognition, counting and learning numbers, reading stories and playing games.
Mrs. Yusko has taught Spanish since 1999 and has been teaching Spanish to 2 to 5 year olds for over 15 years. She has also held positions as a teacher’s assistant and as a summer camp head teacher.
Mrs. Yusko's granddaughter currently attends The Giving Nest at our Warren location.
Children's Yoga with Mrs. Roesch
Children’s Yoga! is an introductory yoga class with a creative structure. Yoga helps the children to relax and strengthen their gross motor skills. Boys and Girls will learn fun yoga poses and stretches helping them to become strong and flexible.
Mrs. Roesch is a Bluebird teacher and has been at the Giving Nest for 8 years. She is very excited to teach the children Yoga poses including stretching, movement exercises and meditation techniques.
Cooking with Mrs. Roesch
Cooking can help young children learn and practice some basic math concepts and build language skills. The experience of creating meals can help build their self-confidence and lay the foundation for healthy eating habits.
Mrs. Roesch is our 5 day Bluebird teacher Mrs. Roesch enjoys sharing her love for cooking and baking with the students. For those of you that participated in last years program, we look forward to having you return to help cook many exciting new treats.
Our fun filled enrichment classes are offered in multi-week sessions throughout the year.
Classes are offered as an after school activity until 3:30.
Please visit or email Mrs. Amy in the office for schedule and more information.
Dinosaurs
Cooking can help young children learn and practice some basic math concepts and build language skills. The experience of creating meals can help build their self-confidence and lay the foundation for healthy eating habits.
Mrs. Roesch is our 5 day Bluebird teacher Mrs. Roesch enjoys sharing her love for cooking and baking with the students. For those of you that participated in last years program, we look forward to having you return to help cook many exciting new treats.
Music
The children will learn music theory, i.e. key signatures, note values, tempo, dynamics, treble/bass clef, etc… all while playing assorted games, using rhythm instruments and using motion and hands-on activities. This basic music theory will give your child the “edge” and basic music knowledge they need when they begin to play the musical instrument of their choice.
Mrs. Balla is our resident pianist for morning sing time as well as all of the school performances. Her love of music was instilled in her by her father at the young age of five. She has a special place in her heart for music and finds joy in sharing that love with the children. Mrs. Balla is the assistant in the four day Cardinal class and has been at the Giving Nest since 2005.
The children will learn music theory, i.e. key signatures, note values, tempo, dynamics, treble/bass clef, etc… all while playing assorted games, using rhythm instruments and using motion and hands-on activities. This basic music theory will give your child the “edge” and basic music knowledge they need when they begin to play the musical instrument of their choice.
Mrs. Balla is our resident pianist for morning sing time as well as all of the school performances. Her love of music was instilled in her by her father at the young age of five. She has a special place in her heart for music and finds joy in sharing that love with the children. Mrs. Balla is the assistant in the four day Cardinal class and has been at the Giving Nest since 2005.
Karate
Tennis
Teddy Tennis is a fantastic program which uses music, pictures, videos, stories and stickers to inspire and teach children to play tennis along with encouraging them to become active. Teddy Tennis offers young children educational and physical benefits:
*Inspire a love of sport
*Teach the essential tennis skills *Enhance coordination
*Improve confidence & self-esteem
*Teach the concept of fair play
*Lay the foundations for listening & learning *Speed up the learning process
*Functional skills development
But above all it is FUN!
Teddy Tennis combines music, videos, pictures, Teddy Bear stories and stickers into a totally interactive learning adventure using our software ‘Teddy Tennis Connect’. Teddy Tennis is a fully structured educational program with lesson plans designed to develop the essential skills of tennis at an early age
