New Spring Offerings Engage Parents, Children in Reading, Sign Language

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Johnstown, PA (Mar. 3, 2015) – Spring into fun with The Learning Lamp’s new lineup of Parent and Child classes and Baby Signs. Each Parent and Child series has its own special theme specifically developed for 2-, 3- and 4-year-olds. Classes serve as an introduction to a preschool setting, as well as an opportunity for parents to become involved with their child’s education.

“The Parent and Child classes have a heavy focus on early literacy. Every series is developed with a book at its core,” said Erica Ponczek, director of child development and early learning at The Learning Lamp. “Developing the foundation for learning to read is critical for success in school.”

Parent and Child classes run from March through May. Classes are held on Fridays from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Greater Johnstown Career and Technology Center in Room F204. Our spring themes include:

• A Whale of a Tale: We’ll use ice cubes as paintbrushes, make polar bear masks and penguin mosaics! Mar. 6, 13, 20 & 27 (4 sessions). Tuition is $44 for the month.
• Think Spring! It’s time to get crafty as we make coffee filter butterflies and egg carton Easter chicks! April 10, 17 & 24 (3 sessions). Tuition is $33 for the month.
• Ocean Buddies: We’ll spend time crafting all kinds of ocean-themed art. Swim on by for a fun time! May 1, 8, 15 & 22 (4 sessions). Tuition is $44 for the month.

Also kicking off in March, The Learning Lamp’s spring sessions of Baby Signs! Baby Signs is a series of fun, interactive classes designed to help parents communicate with their baby through sign language. The program is designed for parents and children ages 6 months to 2 years. Sessions include:

• Baby Signs Introduction: Learn how to begin signing with your baby and effective ways to begin teaching signs at home. March 6, 20 & 27 (three sessions) Tuition: $10 for all three classes!
• Baby Signs: Sign, Say & Play I: Teaches signing through fun games and songs and introduces play activities that reinforce important language, cognitive and social-emotional skills. April 10, 17 & 24 (three sessions)
• Baby Signs: Sign, Say & Play II: Uses song and games to introduce 36 new signs associated with feelings, safety, outside, birthday and other themes. May 1, 8 & 15 (three sessions)

Baby Signs tuition costs only $50 when you sign up for both Baby Signs: Sign, Say & Play I and II. Otherwise, it’s $30 per series or $10 per class. Classes meet at The Learning Lamp at 2025 Bedford Street in Johnstown from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. on Fridays.

To enroll for either The Learning Lamp’s Parent and Child Classes or Baby Signs series, call 814-262-0732. Additional information is available on our website under Classes for Kids.

The Learning Lamp is a nonprofit organization with a mission to engage all children in the support they need to succeed. We deliver high quality programs that are affordable and accessible to families of all income levels. The Learning Lamp served 19,748 children from 88 school districts and 46 non-public and private schools and other organizations in 18 Pennsylvania counties and two counties in Maryland in 2014.

Our programs include: one-to-one tutoring; before/after school programs; portable classrooms aimed at building math and science skills; alternative education programs for at-risk students; evidence-based prevention programs; online learning and credit recovery; SAT preparation; educationally-focused child care; literacy-based preschool programs; and grant writing and project consulting for schools.