Enrichment
CPSC provides a variety of enrichment programs as part of the children's overall experience at the center. Some of our programs, such as Singing with Chaia and Hot Shots, are woven into the weekly schedule as part of our standard curriculum. In addition, we offer optional activities including dance and language lessons (parents must register separately for the optional programs).
Singing with Chaia
Chaia May-Pienknagura offers a mixture of classic folksongs, original songs, vocal exercises, and movement activities that incorporate the latest brain research on how to maximize focus, concentration, and emotional engagement. Chaia's songs, accompanied by her guitar or percussion instruments, try to reach from the silliest to the deepest issues such as death, separation from parents, sibling rivalry, anger and how to empower children without taking the adults' power away.
For the children, Chaia brings in puppets, instruments, scarves, stories and other props to stimulate the children's imagination and extend their movement repertoire. She has 22 years of experience songleading and teaching in the Bay Area, speaks three languages and sings in four. She has produced multiple CD's and DVD's and instructional information for teachers and parents as well as frequently lectures to pre-school directors and teachers across the country on incorporating movement to help classroom teachers mainstream special needs children. Chaia is trained in Orff-Shulwerk, Baby Suzuki, Music Together and has taken myriad other classes, including up to a supervisory level in Early Childhood Education. (No additional fees charged for participation)
Hot Shots with Mr. Dave
Dave Clapper offers a large-motor development program to all CPSC children 2.5 years of age and over. Once a week, Dave provides small groups of children with an enormous variety of activities which encourage the development of a healthy and active life style. The children work with balls, hoops, large tubes, and an endless variety of other creative equipment and play all sorts of fun games. While the children are enjoying these activities, they also learn to listen and follow directions. Dave has been with CPSC from our very early years in the 1980s. Dave is an absolute favorite and the children look forward to his weekly visits! (No additional fees charged for participation)
Spanish, French and Mandarin Lessons (optional)
Preschoolers can register for Spanish, French and Mandarin lessons, offered once each week by the IES Language Foundation. Parents must register directly with IES for these play-based and fun second language lessons.
Dance Connections (optional)
Cindy Ginanni of Dance Connections offers dance classes for preschoolers on the Cubberley Community Center campus. While there is no formal affiliation between Dance Connections and CPSC, many of our preschool children sign up for once a week dance classes. Cindy collects the children for dance class and signs them out. After the class she escorts them back to CPSC and signs them back into our care. These dance classes are an option for CPSC parents of children 3 years old and up. Registration materials may be found online at Dance Connection Palo Alto.
Peninsula Piano School (optional)
Piano lessons are offered at the Cubberley Community Center by the Peninsula Piano School. Several CPSC children accompany a piano teacher to take lessons in a music room and return to CPSC when they are done. Please sign up at the Cubberly Community Center's main office.
