Classes
Designed and facilitated by early childhood experts, our classes incorporate multi-sensory play, books, music, art, movement and the natural world to inspire development, discovery and creativity.
If you’re interested in a full class, add yourself to the waitlist.
For private groups, email Loren@wearezenhippo.com.
Artful Beginnings
There are so many milestones in a baby's first year. In this class we will encourage, celebrate, and memorialize those together! As the group sings, moves, and explores a variety of sensory materials, the teacher will help you artfully document new experiences and create a keepsake book that you’ll enjoy together for years to come. Caregivers will also learn about early childhood development, discuss parenting, and connect.
6–15 months
Baby Connect
This infant/parent class is designed to provide the connection, tools and support needed in the first six months. Each week the group will discuss parenting topics, sing songs, practice tummy time, explore sensory-rich materials and learn massage strokes to calm baby, promote circulation, and relieve common discomforts. Miss Loren, a mom of three and certified educator of infant massage with masters in both teaching and social work will lead the class. We'll also be joined by a variety of pediatric specialists, like a sleep consultant and a speech and language therapist, throughout the 10 weeks.
4 weeks – 6 months
Hippo Hop
Join us as we hop around the globe in this playful introduction to dance. Each week we will nurture natural rhythm as we explore movement, music, instruments, language, crafts, and dress from around the world. From Flamenco to Folk, we’ll cover a wide range of dance as we foster motor skills, musicality, creativity and curiosity. Let’s groove!
1.5 – 3+ years
Hola Amigos
¡Uno, dos, tres... vamos a jugar! Early childhood is a critical time for language development because of the brain's elasticity and rapid growth. In our Spanish language class, we'll use music, books, movement, and hands-on materials like dough and puppets to introduce your child to Spanish or sharpen skills practiced in the home. With a mix of repetition and novel materials from week to week, our bilingual teacher will keep your child engaged in learning through play.
1 – 3+ years
Let’s Build
Calling all architects, contractors and engineers. Put on your construction hats and get ready to build! From animal habitats to rocket ships, each week your little one will explore a new theme through a variety of building and sensory materials, music, movement and a read-aloud. Designed to foster creativity, frustration tolerance, motor skills and more your child will be fully engaged in purposeful play.
1 – 3+ years
Nature Sense
Inspire creativity, activate the senses, and foster environmental stewardship in our hands-on nature-themed program. Get ready for exploratory play with bugs, land animals, sea creatures, and more. We’ll learn about the wonders of Mother Nature—from land to sky, glaciers to gardens—through books, music, movement, and play. Dress for a mess!
1 – 3+ years
Off the Page
Calling all bookworms! Join us as we bring Eric Carle’s timeless children’s books to life with multi-sensory play, music and movement. With their simple illustrations and repetitive language, these books are ideal for early childhood. Each class, we'll begin with open-ended exploration of materials inspired by the book of the week. Together, we’ll then read, sing, and dance. Dress for a mess!
1 – 3+ years
Pretend Play
Step into an immersive world of pretend! Each week we’ll have a novel set up to inspire imaginative play, in which children assign, take on, and act out roles. This type of play is critical as it provides children with a way to explore and understand their world, learn new social skills, explore feelings, and build vocabulary. We’ll take a trip to the market, diaper our babies, bake cakes, examine furry patients and so much more. We’ll also sing on topic songs and read books to deepen our learning.
1.5 – 3+ years
Sunshine Yoga
TODDLERS: Let’s flow! In this fun, interactive class, we’ll playfully introduce your toddler to yoga and mindfulness. Each week we’ll begin with creative art and then practice yoga using music, stories, games, and hands-on materials. Together, we’ll develop body awareness, coordination, balance, creative expression, self-regulation and more.
0 – 6 months
1.5 – 3+ years
Tots in Tune
Let’s sing! Connect through music as we sing along to cherished nursery rhymes and popular songs accompanied by live guitar. Each week, we’ll dance, use instruments and make new friends. You’ll be amazed at how creating, singing and playing music will enable you to tune into your little one. 4 months - 3+ years
6 months–3 years
Talking with Tata
Enhance your child’s communication skills through music, movement, and sensory play with experienced pediatric Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP), Miss Leslie. Developed by an SLP in New York, this program has a cult following for good reason- it will help your little one meet developmental milestones and give you the tools to create a language-rich environment at home.
4 – 12 months
TasteBuds
BABIES: Join us for an introduction to infant feeding with Laura Grazioli, pediatric Registered Dietitian and mom of two. Together we’ll prepare a variety of age-appropriate foods that are rich in essential nutrients, while also exploring various textures, flavors, and creative meal ideas to stimulate your baby's taste buds. We’ll also sing songs, use kitchen tools, and read books about food to create a playful, stress free foundation to eating. We strive to include only organic and seasonal ingredients. This class is also nut, meat, and fish free.
2 – 3+ years
5 – 12 months
TODDLERS: Broaden your toddler’s knowledge of and interest in food at our playful cooking class. Involving children in cooking helps build confidence and skills in key developmental areas. As they identify, develop and refine their senses it also lays the foundation for healthy eating habits. Together we will read stories about food and cooking, sing songs, play with age-appropriate kitchen tools, and sample new tastes and textures. We strive to include only organic, seasonal ingredients. This class is also nut, meat and fish free.
The Great Create
Paint, press, roll, dip, mix and more in this art class designed for little fingers. Each week, we’ll seek inspiration from music, books, and nature as we explore paint, watercolor, dough and more in an open play format. As your child experiments with different tools and materials they will experience the joy of creativity and discovery, while also enhancing the development of fine motor and other key skills. You’ll be amazed at what your little one creates!
2 – 3+ years
Toddlers in the Wild
Run, jump, crawl, catch, leap and more with Miss Shanele, doctor of chiropractic with a master's in sports medicine, in this active class designed for toddlers. Using functional movements inspired by how animals move in the wild, we will explore the garden and develop gross motor skills. As we prowl like tigers, wiggle like crocodiles, and march like dinosaurs, your child will also practice following directions, taking turns, and engaging in cooperative play. Get ready for fun animal stories, songs, and lots of movement!
1 – 3+ years
Tracie’s Music Together
Hello everybody! Break out your tambourine, get in touch with your inner musician and connect with other families at this engaging music and movement program. Known to develop innate musicality, the curriculum is informed by decades of research. Children learn by watching and listening to the adults they love, so at Music Together your role is essential. That’s why you’ll receive a music book and app at the first class so you can listen and sing-a-long at home and in class. Without a doubt, you’ll be singing the catchy, beautiful songs all the time and quickly notice how your little one lights up when you do.
4 months – 3+ years