TODDLER IN TOW Keeping Porirua parents in "the know" on what our city has on offer!
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Parenting Classes

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Both Mana Parents Centre & the local Plunket rooms run various classes for parents, from toilet training, to starting baby on solids, to using baby sign language. See below for upcoming classes in the area.


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Little Learners

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Little Learners is a programme designed for babies, toddlers and preschoolers and their parents. Children enjoy hands-on, fun, independent activities which gently build the foundations for future learning. Parents learn about the latest educational philosophy such as Montessori and how they can transfer these experiences into their own home.

Next programme is in May, Eastern Suburbs, followed by Northern Suburbs in June.

Only 15 children per programme! Book now!

Little Learner Phonics

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Little Learner Phonics preschool phonics classes are now running in your area.
You and your preschooler will learn how letters and sounds work together to create words. By using the award winning educational Jolly Phonics system alongside songs, stories, puppets and crafts, each class is designed to engage your little learner in the world of early literacy in a fun and memorable way. We will explore a new sound a week, blending these sounds to form words and letter formations.
These activities are designed to build early literacy knowledge so your little learner will be able to engage with sounds and print from the first day at school and you are welcome to join at any time. Little Learner Phonics is fun, interactive and educational and many of our classes are filling up fast, it is advisable to get in contact to book your spot. Each class is limited up to 8 - 15 parent/ preschooler team per class.

To register your interest, please contact Lydia Grove on lydia@littlelearnerphonics or on 020 4069 0971.
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Classes run in 9-week terms throughout the year in line with the school terms as much as possible. You may join class at any time during the term providing there is availability. You are welcome to come to one free taster class as an introduction to this fun and educational class, please call in advanced to reserve your place. Classes cost $20 per class or $15 with a valid Community Services Card. There is a siblings discounts for more than one child as well, please contact Lydia to discuss. Term fees are $180 or $135 ( 9 weeks).

- Newtown on MONDAYS 
(Newtown Community Center, Drama Room, Cr of Colombo and Rintoul Street) 
10:00am - 10:45am (2.5 – 4.5 years old) 
11:15am - 12.00pm (3 - 4.5 years old)

- Karori on WEDNESDAYS 
(Karori Kip McGrath facilities, 6 Gipps Street St, Karori ) 
10:00am - 10:45am (3-5 years old)

- Karori on FRIDAYS 
(Karori Kip McGrath facilities, 6 Gipps Street St, Karori ) 
10:00am - 10:45am (2.5 – 4.5 years old) 
11:15am - 12.00pm (3 - 4.5 years old)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LittleLearnerPhonics
Website: http://littlelearnerphonics.com/

Plunket Classes

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Parenting education programme PEPE
PEPE (Parenting Education ProgrammE) is a Plunket-developed national programme which consists of a series of five courses, aimed at supporting parents in their parenting role through the different stages of their child’s early development.

The transition to parenthood is a time of many changes. PEPE groups can play a significant role in helping parents through this process.

All PEPE courses are designed to support parents in their parenting role, build parent confidence, and connect parents with other parents and local support and resources in their area.

Currently the PEPE programme consists of a series of five courses, free to all participants:

  • Your New Baby – Parenting in the first six weeks
  • Your Growing Baby - Parenting from 6 weeks until baby is rolling or crawling
  • Your Moving Baby - Parenting when baby is moving but not yet walking
  • Your Active Toddler – Parenting from around 14 months to around 2.5 years
  • Your Curious Young Child – Parenting from 2.5 years until your child is at school
We also have a dads only course available in some areas, called Dads4Dads. This course is designed for fathers of children under 1 year old, facilitated by dads and covers key issues that relate to parenting and fatherhood.Plunket runs a range of classes around the Wellington region. Below are those for the Kapi Mana area. 
For more information and bookings call 460 4660


If you  are wanting courses for the Hutt Valley and Wellington City see the documents below:

hutt_valley.doc
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wellington_area.doc
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Mana Parents Centre Classes

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Mana Parents Centre
In addition to Childbirth Education (Antenatal) Classes, Mana Parents Centre offers an extensive programme of Parent Education classes to our members and the wider public. The range of classes caters for parents before the birth of their child, through major milestones of the first year and beyond.

​Most classes are held in our rooms at Pember House, 16 Hagley Street, Porirua or at in the boardroom at our National office or the PORSE Mana Offices (both located in the Bridgepoint Complex, Marina View, Paremata). Mums and Bubs workouts are held at North Porirua Baptist Church in Whitby.
Babies are welcome at all Parents Centre classes – feeding and changing facilities are available.
Bookings are essential for all classes – book online at www.manapc.org.nz. We recommend you book as early as possible for all classes. Payment in advance via direct credit to our bank account is needed to confirm your place on the course (instructions automatically sent via email after bookings made on the website)
Want to attend a class for free? Each class needs a coordinator to arrive 30 minutes before the class to set up the room, then collect feedback forms, and lock up afterwards. Please send us an email if you are available to coordinate any of our classes.
 
Health & Behaviour courses (www.manapc.org.nz/education-and-classes/health-behavioural/)
CPR & First Aid
Recommended for all expectant parents, parents and caregivers.
In just two hours you can learn vital lifelong skills that could save your child’s life! Learn the two different techniques needed for babies and children, and what to do in a choking situation. This course will also cover all the basic first aid knowledge every parent needs.
From managing high temperatures, to knowing what to do for everything from bleeding and burns to poisoning.
Classes are taught by a qualified tutor from FETS (Fire Emergency Training Services).
Baby Sign
This workshop introduces parents to sign language for hearing babies, a wonderful, easy to use, early communication tool.
Parents are taught when to start signing, how signing is implemented and how to recognise when their baby has grasped the concept.
Positive Discipline and Tantrums
Most challenging behaviours occur for a reason, often because a child is trying to communicate needs or to express frustration. By looking beyond problem behaviours to understand why the behaviour occurs we can develop simple management strategies to modify the behaviour.
Brainwave Trust
A fascinating seminar where you can gain new insights into how your little one’s brain works and is developing. It focuses on the importance of the first three years of life and covers how the brain develops, how brain connections are formed, critical periods for learning skills, and how experiences shape the brain.
Recommended for expectant parents and those already with children.
Creative Play
Covering the relationship between brain development and movement, these sessions provides practical ideas, games and songs for getting young children active.
Learn what toys to introduce at which stages in your child’s development.
 
Play & Exercise (http://manapc.org.nz/education-and-classes/play-and-exercise/)
Water Babies
NZ is an island, surrounded by the sea, and we all love to spend time at the beaches, rivers, lakes and swimming pools. Learn how to help your baby be confident in the water. This class will cover practical ideas and games for lots of water-based fun.
A voucher for three FREE swimming lessons and a Huggies Little Swimmers pack are included.
Mums & Bubs Workouts
9:45am Babies (newborn to 2yrs)
10:30am Combined (Babies and beyond)
Class Information:
Suitable for all, including mums that have passed their six week checks after a c-section
Designed and run by Leigh Walker, a qualified personal trainer who tailors each session to suit participants and their fitness levels
Optional participation by your children, usually by acting as your “weights”
10-15 people per class
Note: Church events will always take precedence, in which case classes will be moved downstairs, outside (weather permitting) or cancelled
Term fee of $45 for members and $55 for non-members​
A group discount of $5 per person is also available for 4+ people signing up together, so why not get your coffee group girls together for some guilt-free fun!
 
Conscious Parenting Programme (http://manapc.org.nz/education-and-classes/conscious-parenting/)
Magic Moments
A 3 week practical, experiential and evidence-based programme, developed by Parents Centre in conjunction with the Ministry of Social Development.
As part of the Parent Centre Conscious Parenting series, Magic Moments is an interactive and informative programme with loads of tips and strategies to help in parenting children of all ages.
This course focuses on effective discipline, what works and what doesn’t, communication with children, parenting styles and how these may encourage the type of behaviour you would like to see from your children. Participants will leave the programme with a larger parenting tool box, gaining insights from others and reflecting on what is already in place. All this leads to parents & caregivers building stronger relationships with their children.
 
Antenatal (Childbirth Education) & Postnatal Courses
Childbirth Education
Welcome to this exciting step on your Parenting journey. We welcome families of all shapes, sizes, colours and flavours on our 7 week courses. Join our QUALIFIED and experienced Childbirth Educators and a group of other expectant Parents one evening a week and come away with the knowledge you’ll need to make decisions and choices for yourself and your baby, plus a fledging support network (“Coffee Group”) that will be yours to get to know and grow with.
Courses are held in our rooms in Pember House, on a Monday or Tuesday evening each week for 7 weeks. Courses commence on a regular basis. Spaces are limited and early bookings are recommended. Check out further information and the simple bookings process on the website (http://manapc.org.nz/education-and-classes/pregnancy-and-childbirth/)
Baby And You
This four week programme follows on from your childbirth education class, after the birth of your baby and focuses on helping you adjust to the change in lifestyle and the many new demands of parenthood. Classes are held once a week at a time to be organised with your Educator.
Baby and You is run as a discussion group, giving you the opportunity to discuss what your particular situation and challenges are with your newborn. Because all babies are unique with varying needs and personalities, the Baby and You forum will allow you to discuss your baby’s individual behaviours, and receive tips, advice and potential strategies which you can adapt to your own situation.
New mothers have found Baby and You to be a wonderful source of support and encouragement for those first weeks after the birth of their baby. We also welcome dads who may be the primary caregiver or who are on paternity leave. Baby and You classes are designed for parents with babies up to about 12 weeks of age. The forum also gives you a chance to make contact with other new parents and be able to form a “coffee group” so that the support continues long after the Baby and You class finishes.
Led by trained childbirth educators, the topics which are covered include:
A reflection on the birth experience; Feeding; Sleeping; Coping with crying; Lifestyle changes and looking after yourself; Infant massage; Physical development; Social and emotional development; Age appropriate toys and activities
* This course is only available for current Mana Parents Centre Members. Membership fee $80/1st year or $49 to renew for 2nd or subsequent years.
Bigger Baby And You
A three week follow on course for parents and babies aged 4 months +.
As babies change from 4 months onwards becoming more aware of the world and themselves you may need new strategies for sleep, feeding and play. This course gives you options to try, an understanding of how your baby is developing and a chance to share with others going through the same stage.
Each session will include Q & A time to ensure your questions are answered, rather than what we think you need to know!
Specific topics covered will include sleep, teething, starting solids, play & child development
Facilitated by qualified Childbirth Educator, Chris Kelly
Babies can sleep in capsules / buggies or kick around on blankets; Morning tea provided; Changing and feeding facilities available
* This course is only available for current Mana Parents Centre Members. Membership fee $80/1st year or $49 to renew for 2nd or subsequent years.
 
 
Mana Parents Centre is a not-for-profit, volunteer run organisation. Further information about becoming a member or volunteering with Mana Parents Centre is available on our website (www.manapc.org.nz) or leave a message on 04 237 MANA (6262)


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