Parents & Kids

‘The Party,’ a Short Play About Dating Violence at College, To Be Presented Tuesday at Darien Library

Parents Invited to Hourlong Seminar on Getting 9th, 10th Graders Ready for College

Dance Party During School Break for Families With Kids 6+ Feb 20 at DL Studio

Depot Fundraiser to Recognize Individuals, Families Who Helped Open Its Doors 30 Years Ago

You Can Register Soon for Darien Nature Center’s Summer Camp Program

Four Grade 5 Students Recognized in Local DAR American History Essay Contest

8th Grade Chapter of SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) Starts Thursday at Depot

YWCA Parent Awareness Presentation: The Power of Play — Building Healthy Brains, Thursday, Jan 16

Red Cross Baby Sitting Course on Feb 2 at Depot Youth Center

‘Seven Ways to End Homework Battles’ — Free Parent Seminar Jan 23 at the Depot

Parenting Workshop on Talking to Children About Sexuality

REMINDER: Darien Library Hosts a Library/Harold W. McGraw Jr. Birthday Party: 2 PM, Saturday, Jan 11

Songs for Seeds, a Kiddie Rock Band, Gives 30-Minute Concert Friday Morning at Darien Library

Wear Your Jeans to the Depot Youth Center’s ‘Blue Jeans & Blazers’ Feb 8 Fundraiser

Visual Arts Classes for All Ages Start Soon at DAC, You Also Can Register for Spring Break, Winter Break Camps

Darien Library

By DARIENITE.COM | February 2, 2020

Darien Depot

By David Gurliacci | February 1, 2020

Charity Events and Opportunities

By DARIENITE.COM | February 1, 2020

Charity Events and Opportunities

By David Gurliacci | January 28, 2020

Parents & Kids

By DARIENITE.COM | January 27, 2020

Education

By DARIENITE.COM | January 21, 2020

Darien Depot

By DARIENITE.COM | January 21, 2020

Parents & Kids

By DARIENITE.COM | January 14, 2020

Darien Depot

By DARIENITE.COM | January 13, 2020

Darien Depot

By DARIENITE.COM | January 13, 2020

Education

By DARIENITE.COM | January 11, 2020

Darien Library

By DARIENITE.COM | January 10, 2020

Darien Library

By DARIENITE.COM | January 9, 2020

Charity Events and Opportunities

By DARIENITE.COM | January 8, 2020

Classes

By DARIENITE.COM | January 6, 2020

News and features related to parents, parenting or kids and families

Purple Ribbon Darien Domestic Abuse Council Domestic Violence

The Darien Domestic Abuse Council and Respectworks presents a short play exploring issues associated with relationship violence, sexual assault, consent, and bystander intervention. — an announcement from Darien Library

This unique, educational, interactive performance will take place from 7 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 4 in the Community Room at Darien Library. The content is considered suitable for those of High School age and older. About the Play

Presented by Deana’s Educational Theater (who also brought us “The Yellow Dress”), “The Party” explores the relationship between three characters, Jordan, Kyle and Allie, who are in college and enjoying campus life: Parties, games, and “hooking up” become a regular part of college life until one night something goes horribly wrong.

The Depot Teen Center invites parents to a one-hour, free seminar on essential steps to get your 9th and 10th grader ready for school and college admissions on Feb. 27. The seminar, presented by S4 Study Skills, runs from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Depot Youth Center, 25 Heights Road. In the seminar, parents will learn the important steps freshman and sophomores should take for a successful path to college. There is no charge for the program, but registration is requested.

Looking for a fun activity to share with your children during the February school break? The Community Fund of Darien is partnering with Dance on the DL to host a dance party for parents and boys & girls ages 6 and over. No previous dance experience required. — an announcement from the Community Fund of Darien
Come to DL Studio at Goodwives Shopping Center on Feb. 20 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. and dance away your winter blues for a great cause!

Wide Blue Jeans and Blazers fundraiser Darien Depot Youth Center 2020

Celebrating its 30th year, the Depot Youth Center — the oldest teen center in the nation — will be kicking the year off from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8 at the Country Club of Darien with its “Blue Jeans and Blazers” fundraiser. — an announcement from the Depot Youth Center

The event will feature live music with Jump the Gunn, dancing and delicious eats. There will be a special tribute honoring Depot founders Edmund von Schmidt and Carol Bishko. Going forward, the inaugural “Founders Award” will be given each year to a person who best exemplifies and supports the original Depot mission.

Victoria Heyne and camper Darien Nature Center

Summer fun begins outside! The Darien Nature Center’s Summer Camp program will run for seven weeks, from June 22 to Aug. 7, for children ages 3 to 8. — an announcement from Darien Nature Center, with added information from the Nature Center’s website

Each week will explore a different nature-inspired theme (such as Forest Friends, Adventures in Science, and Around the Campfire) and conclude with a performance on Fridays for families. Families may enroll à la carte by week.

Darien’s Good Wife’s River Chapter of theDaughters of the American Revolution has announced the winners of the NSDAR annual Fifth Grade American History Essay Contest. — an announcement from the Good Wife’s River Chapter of the DAR

The first place winner is William Curtis, Ox Ridge School; second place winner is Madeline Galligan, Tokeneke School; third place winner is Quincy Kettell, Hindley School; and the honorable mention winner is Ellie Shpetner, Royle School. All participants are fifth grade students in the Darien school system. William Curtis’s first-place winning essay will be sent to the Connecticut State DAR essay chairperson and entered into the Connecticut state DAR Contest where the judging of the state competition will take place this spring. For the past three years, the Good Wife’s River Chapter Essay winner has gone on to win the Connecticut State Fifth Grade Essay Contest.

The Darien Depot is introducing an 8th Grade SADD Program starting this Thursday, Jan. 23, but he Depot says students who can’t show up on that date or the next four should not sign up. The program will meet one Thursday a month after school, from 3 to 4:30 p.m.

— an announcement from the Depot Youth Center

SADD’s mission is “to provide students with the best prevention tools possible to deal with the issues of underage drinking, other drug use, impaired driving and other destructive decisions.”

The national program was founded on the simple philosophy that “young people, empowered to help each other, are the most effective force in prevention.” The Depot already sponsors the Darien Depot Chapter of the National Program. All Eighth Grade students, whether private, public or home-schooled, are encouraged to join.

A presentation for parents on “The Power of Play: Building Healthy Brains” will be presented by Dr. Carol Weitzman, a professor at the Yale School of Medicine, on Thursday, Jan. 16 at 5:30 p.m. in Norwalk. — an announcement from the YWCA of Darien/Norwalk

This talk will present information about early brain development and the critical role that early relationships play. Weitzman will also briefly focus on potential threats to early childhood development. Parents will learn the importance of responsive parenting and we will brainstorm ways to enhance intentional, child-focused parent-child interactions.

Middle school students can learn the knowledge and skills necessary to safely and responsibly babysit younger children and infants at a Red Cross course being held Sunday, Feb. 2 at the Depot Youth Center. — an announcement from the Depot Youth Center

The training takes place from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

From the announcement:

“The training will help develop leadership skills […] and learning about basic child care, as well as basic first aid, “according to an announcement from the Depot. “Each class is limited to the first 20 who sign up. […] You may join a wait list if registration is full.

The Depot S4 Study Skills seminar for parents homework battles

Parents will learn how to motivate their student and end the homework power struggle in a one-hour, interactive free parent seminar on Jan. 23 at the Depot Youth Center. — an announcement from the Depot Youth Center
The seminar, “Seven Ways to End Homework Battles: Challenges and Solutons,” is presented by S4 Study Skills and takes place at 7 p.m. at the Depot, 25 Heights Road. Parents will leave knowing how to support their homework practice, and how to motivate them to action to get results without a meltdown. While there’s no charge for the program, registration is requested.

Poster parent presentation on talking about sex with children

Do you feel flustered or tongue-tied when the subject of sexuality comes up with your children? Are you uncertain about what words to use and what message to send? On Jan. 29, educator Deborah Roffman will be sharing her advice for having these important but anxiety-provoking conversations in her talk at The Children’s School, “Right from the Start: Sexuality Education in Early Childhood.”

— an announcement from The Children’s School

Roffman approaches the subject of sexuality with positivity and offers encouragement and guidance for parents on becoming their child’s most trusted resource about sex. To ease parents’ anxiety, she will focus on the five core issues to address: affirmation, information, clarity about values, setting limits and anticipatory guidance.

Families are invited to celebrate the annual birthday of Darien Library and our generous donor, Harold W. McGraw, Jr., starting at 2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 11 in the Children’s Library. — an announcement from Darien Library

The party will include face painting, art activities, and a musical performance by Evan Gottfried’s Family Music Extravaganza. Editor’s note: This article originally was published on Jan. 4.

Songs for Seeds, a kiddie rock band featuring interactive performances that appeal to all ages, will perform a 30-minute concert Friday morning in the Community Room at Darien Library. — an announcement from Darien Library

Performances include original songs and covers of top 40 hits from various decades that will have even the adults toe-tapping. Your little one will be ready to dance and sing during this high-energy concert! The concert, which runs from 10:30 to 11 a.m., is free and open without registration. All ages are welcome, but children must have a caregiver present.

Depot Blue Jeans and Blazers fundraiser image 2020

You’re invited to shake off those winter blues, get into your favorite blue jeans and come to the Depot Youth Center’s annual winter fundraiser “Blue Jeans & Blazers” on Saturday, Feb. 8. — an announcement from the Depot Youth Center

Blue Jeans & Blazers takes place from 7 to 11 p.m. at Country Club of Darien. The fundraiser supports programming at the Depot. The fundraiser features music by Jump the Gunn, “signature” cocktails and, of course, eats.

« August 2022 »

The Darien Arts Center has added several new offerings to its 2020 Visual Arts program for children and adults. New for children in Grades 1 through 4 is a “Paint the Masters; Winter Break Camp” that takes place from Feb. 18 to 20, and an “Introduction to Fashion; Spring Break Camp” for Grades 5 to 8 from April 6 to 10. — an announcement from Darien Arts Center

Returning classes for children begin in January and include Art Studio and Cartooning for Grades 1 to 5, Digital Photography for Grades 5 to 8 and Drawing and Painting for Grades 5 to 9. New Visual Arts offerings for adults include Glass Jewelry Making (Feb.