Parents & Kids

REMINDER: Presentation TONIGHT on ‘Decoding the SAT and ACT’ College Admission Tests

Expert Talks on ‘Social Anxiety and Generalized Anxiety Disorder’ in Youth at Darien Library on Jan 8

Register Soon for Winter/Spring Dance Classes at Darien Arts Center

Kids and New Year’s: ‘NOON Year’s Eve’ Event Tuesday at Library and Check Out These Old Postcards

Don’t Let Those Smart Toys You Got Your Kids Outsmart You: Tips From the BBB

IMAX Movie on the Great Barrier Reef, Coral Rescue Exhibit Now at Maritime Aquarium

Let the Depot Elves Help You Wrap Christmas Presents This Friday Through Monday

Girls in 7th, 8th Grades Invited to Join Depot’s 2nd Session of ‘Garden Club’ (It’s Not About Gardening)

Count Down to Noon at New Year’s Eve Celebration for Families at Maritime Aquarium

‘An Old Fashioned Holiday’ Event Postponed a Day to Sunday, Dec 15

The Children’s School Hosts an Open House on Friday, Dec 6

Register for Classes with Blue Wave Wrestling Club for Kids Ages 7 to 14

Author Talks on Wednesday About One of the Greatest Gifts You Can Give Your Children: Reading Aloud to Them

You Can Register Now for Darien Arts Center Winter and Spring Classes for Adults and Kids

You Can Apply Now for Darien Schools’ Early Learning Program

Education

By DARIENITE.COM | January 4, 2020

Healthy Living

By DARIENITE.COM | January 2, 2020

Classes

By DARIENITE.COM | January 1, 2020

Holidays

By David Gurliacci | December 30, 2019

Parents & Kids

By DARIENITE.COM | December 25, 2019

Education

By DARIENITE.COM | December 21, 2019

Darien Depot

By DARIENITE.COM | December 19, 2019

Darien Depot

By DARIENITE.COM | December 19, 2019

Holidays

By DARIENITE.COM | December 17, 2019

Holidays

By DARIENITE.COM | December 14, 2019

Education

By DARIENITE.COM | December 3, 2019

Parents & Kids

By DARIENITE.COM | December 2, 2019

Education

By DARIENITE.COM | November 18, 2019

Classes

By DARIENITE.COM | November 15, 2019

Education

By DARIENITE.COM | November 14, 2019

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

Join Lynn Carnegie, founder & CEO of Carnegie Prep, for a presentation on “Decoding the SAT and ACT” college tests on Thursday, Jan. 9 at the Depot Youth Center. — an announcement from the Depot Youth Center and Carnegie Prep

Find out how to interpret PSAT scores, the difference between the SAT and the ACT, where to take these tests, and how to prepare for them. Carnegie’s presentation will run from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the Depot at 25 Heights Road. __________

This article originally was published Jan.

Troubled Teen Parent Support Group Anxiety Substance Abuse Suicide Counseling Social Problems Turnbridge Life Solutions Center of Darien

Youth today worry about academics, sports, college. When is it too much? The Darien Special Education Parents Advisory Committee and Darien Library invite you to a presentation Jan. 8 on “Social Anxiety & Generalized Anxiety Disorder” by national expert Jerry Bubrick, PhD. — an announcement from Darien SEPAC

The presentation takes place from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, Jan.

Registration is open for Darien Arts Center winter/spring dance classes, beginning Jan. 20, with a wide variety for all ages and skill levels. Don’t wait too long — classes fill quickly. — an announcement from Darien Arts Center

Classes for ages 3 & up include Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Teen Lyrical, Adult Lyrical Jazz, Teen Contemporary, Modern, Broadway Dance, Pop-Pilates Tap and Pointe. Different Levels:

—In the introductory program for ages three to five, students explore rhythm, music, creative expression and basic coordination skills in addition to dance vocabulary and basic positions.

Families are welcome to join Darien librarians in the Children’s Library for a fun countdown to “noon” as we get ready for the new year! Kids and New Year’s celebrations have been celebrated for a long time. We’ve added a small, online exhibition here of early 20th century postcards

Decorate a craft and have a snack as we celebrate together. Say farewell to 2019 and hello to 2020! No registration required.

The Better Business Bureau CT urges parents to check out the connected toys and games they buy for their children. You may be surprised to find that, with some toys, privacy is not included. Don’t let your children’s smart toys outsmart you. Do you homework before bringing a smart toy home. — an announcement from the Better Business Bureau of Connecticut

Teddy bears once filled with stuffing are now hard-wired with smart technology.

Great Barrier Reef green sea turtle IMAX aquarium 2019

Plunge in for an IMAX movie adventure into Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and also visit actual live corals saved from a ravaged Florida reef this winter at the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk. — an announcement from the Maritime Aquarium; information about tickets and times are below in the “If You’re Going …” section. The IMAX movie “Great Barrier Reef,” which opened in mid-December, offers a giant-screen exploration of one of Earth’s greatest natural wonders and introduces audiences to scientists and volunteers working to preserve it. The film is a timely addition, as the Maritime Aquarium displays a new collection of corals that — it’s hoped — one day will help to save the Florida Reef Tract, America’s largest bank reef.

Have time to shop but no time to wrap? The Darien Depot Youth Center’s elves are back to wrap presents for residents just before the holidays. Drop off unwrapped and labeled presents at the Depot and we will handle the wrapping. A minimum $20 charge is required, but keep in mind that it helps the Depot run programs.

The “Holiday Wrap-Up” runs from:

3 to 8 p.m., Friday, Dec. 20, and 10 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, Dec.

The Garden Club Jan March 2020 poster wide

The Depot invites 7th and 8th grade girls to join the Garden Club, a group that will help them “water their beauty within while equipping them with the tools to form healthy roots as they blossom into flourishing young ladies!” “Based on the book Water Yourself by Shannon Malkin Daniels, this club will help girls learn to make time for themselves, weed out the bad and make room for the good,” says the poster for the club (see below). — an announcement from the Depot Youth Center
The second session runs from 3:30 to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays from Jan. 8 to Feb. 12, 2020 at the Depot Youth Center.

On Dec. 31, count down to 12 o’clock — 12 o’clock noon — in a special “Noon Year’s Eve” celebration geared for families at The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk. — an announcement from the Maritime Aquarium

The aquarium’s “Noon Year’s Eve” party offers fun midday activities for families with younger children who want to celebrate the end of 2019 together, but not at the stroke of midnight. Guests also can “string” in the new year on New Year’s Day during a performance by a string quartet from the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra. “‘Noon Year’s Eve’ is a fun way for parents and children to count down to 2020 together, but without the kids needing to stay up way past their bedtimes,” said aquarium spokesman Dave Sigworth.

Due to inclement weather Saturday, the “An Old Fashioned Holiday” event at Tilley Pond Park, originally scheduled for Saturday, instead will take place Sunday, Dec. 15, the town Parks and Recreation Department announced. — an announcement from the Darien Parks and Recreation Department

The free event will still take place from 3 to 5 p.m. and still include decorative lights covering the warming hut (already up!), candles surrounding the sidewalk pathways lighting your exit, two roaring fires to warm your chill and holiday music playing. Also: festive treats for purchase (hot cider, hot cocoa, chocolate covered marshmallow Santas, apple cider doughnuts, gingerbread men, ribbon candy, peppermint lollipops), FREE activity stations for the kids (ornament creating, cookie decorating, writing letters to Santa and visits from a couple special guests) and even some holiday caroling! Caroling will be led and begin at 3:30 p.m. We hope to see you Sunday and get you in the holiday spirit!

The foundation for all learning is established in the early years of a child’s life, ages 3 to 8, which is why The Children’s School’s aim is to nurture the hearts and minds of young learners for more than 55 years. The school invites you to meet the team of extraordinary teachers who make early learning joyful for each child at its open house on Friday, Dec. 6 from 5 to 7 p.m.

— an announcement from The Children’s School
Because of its focus on this important developmental age, the school has an unmatched understanding of how to imbue children with bedrock intellectual curiosity as well as confidence in their abilities. Good habits of mind, including fundamental skills in math, reading, writing and oral expression, are part of what the school instills in its students, but so are good habits of the heart, which start with cultivating the value of respect for others as well as for oneself. The Children’s School accomplishes these objectives by offering the incalculable benefits of a small, thoughtfully prepared learning environment in which each child is known well by the staff.

Darien High School Wrestling coach Joe Testa will be offering wrestling classes at Darien High School this winter. — an announcement from Blue Wave Wrestling Club
Goals are to develop wrestler’s skills in scholastic wrestling. Emphasis on technique, match preparation, mental preparation, goal setting, conditioning, and weight training. Requirements: Every Wrestler must have a USA Wrestling Card and wrestling shoes. Copy of your current card must be presented at 1st session.

The Children’s School invites you to attend a presentation by Meghan Cox Gurdon: “The Enchanted Hour: The Power of Reading Aloud” on Wednesday night, Nov. 20. — an announcement from the Children’s School

What’s the secret to raising children who are smarter, happier, healthier, and more closely attached? One answer, according to Gurdon — and a wealth of scientific research — is a family habit of reading aloud. This ancient practice engages the heart and mind in complex narratives, serving as a fast-working antidote to fractured attention spans.

Dance Class Darien Arts Center Winter-Spring registration 2019-2020

Registration is open for classes for all ages in dance, visual arts, martial arts, music and theatre at the Darien Arts Center. Winter/spring classes begin in January. — an announcement from Darien Arts Center

To register for classes, visit the Darien Arts Center website or call (203) 655-8683. The DAC is located at 2 Renshaw Road, behind the Town Hall. DANCE:
The DAC dance program offers students from the age of 3 through adults, the opportunity to train in one of the finest dance spaces in Fairfield County and to participate in multiple performances throughout the year.

« August 2022 »

Darien school district’s Early Learning Program is accepting applications for its admissions lottery now through Jan. 3, 2020. ELP is open for students turning 3 years old and 4 years old for the 2020-2021 school year. Click here to apply. You can learn more by coming to these “open house” events in December:
—Thursday, Dec.