ART & STEM CLASSES

LEARNING EVERY DAY

Toddler’s first class, learning with Legos, music, and arts—there’s a lot more than sports at the Y, giving kids the chance to exert energy, try new things, make new friends … and be kids! In our preschool arts and enrichment classes, kids learn, play and grow with other children under the careful guidance of specially trained staff.

Preschool Art and Literacy

We offer Art-Book-Cook class for ages 3-5, in which a new story comes to life each week. Kids enjoy story time, followed by working together to make a snack and a craft–each tied in to the theme. We focus on early literacy skills and the joy of learning.

Preschool Music

Introduce your child to music and join him or her in the Me, Mommy & Music class for ages 1-3. This is a class filled with songs and creative movement.

Toddler Movement

The Y is the starting point for many youth to learn about becoming and staying active and developing healthy habits–don’t miss our Toddler One, Toddler Two, and So Big classes for ages 1-3. Not only are they fun, but kids grow cognitively and physically while learning to be a friend and take time out to listen to instruction.

Kindergarten Prep

Children are given the opportunity to learn through exploration in a variety of activities like art, games, and princess stories and crafts. Focus is on educational enrichment such as shapes, sounds, letters, numbers, fine and large motor skills, as well as social skills. We even offer Spanish for preschoolers.

Youth Theatre

The Y makes sure that every child has an opportunity to envision and pursue a positive future and our popular drama program–run at the Mansfield Arts & Education Center–allows kids’ lights to shine. In our Broad-Y Academy, for ages 7-14, and our Theatre Institute, for high school students, kids become part of a cast, hone acting, singing, and stage production skills, and grow as artists. Auditions take place in January or February for our April show; in March for our June show; in September for our November show; and in November for our February show.

Youth Cooking

We offer Healthy Chef classes for ages 3+, allowing youth to cook with their peers with a focus on good nutrition and food safety. Grouped by ages (we offer a preschooler-aged class and two school-aged sections), this is a chance to learn recipes chosen and tested by our staff nutritionist in a developmentally appropriate way. Youth grow confidence in the kitchen while fostering good eating habits. A yummy creation will be made and enjoyed at the end of each class! Register for Healthy Chef

Building and Teams

Our Little Builders program gives kids ages 3-5 an opportunity to be creative, solve problems, and be part of a team.

Science

Children in our Little Wizards class for ages 3-5 gain hands on experience through experiments in a variety of science related topics.

Early Adventures

Extend your learning through experiences shared with friends. At the Y, kids ages 3-7 in our Farm Friends class enjoy animal visits, learn about farm life and how to take care of animals.

Bloxbuilders Series (STEM)

This 7-week course focuses on building, constructing & engineering games and toys using the Goldiblox kits. Participants will catch the engineering bug and love playing with the models they create! Participants will even take home their very own pet project.

Fairy Tales Series (STEM)

This 7-week course brings the fairy tails of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, The Three Billy Goats Gruff, and The Three Little Pigs to life! Participants will spend two weeks on each story. Participants will create and build in order to problem solve ways for characters to find their happy ending.

3D Printing (STEM)

Use a 3D printer and bring your ideas to life! Futurologist Jeremy Rifkin claimed that 3D printing signals the beginning of a third industrial revolution succeeding the production line assembly that dominated manufacturing starting in the late 19th century. Learn how 3D printing works and explore how to use it as a tool to create.

Aquaponics (STEM)

Learn about the captivating world of aquaponics and create a small aquaponics farm. Biology, design, engineering, materials science, computer science, and environmental science interact to create a sustainable, symbiotic relationship between nature and machines for personal and commercial farming.