EARLY CHILDHOOD
Early Childhood Programs
TBZ’s Early Childhood programs encourage family learning and foster early environmental awareness. We invite young children to discover the natural world through gently structured play, art, stories, animal visits, and more. Early Childhood programming is offered monthly throughout the school year. Age restrictions apply; Pre-registration required. Zoo admission is not included with registration. For additional program information, please contact mhunt@parks.essexcountynj.org or at 973-731-5800 x103.
Turtle Back Hatchlings Program
Age group: 6 – 24 months old with a caregiver
Time: 10:00 – 11:00 AM
Where: Virtual Only for Spring 2021
Description: Learn how to meet and greet some of our small, friendly animals up close in the classroom and learn how to touch animals gently. Your child will also enjoy sensory interactions with feathers, turtle shells, puppets, and more in a lightly structured program. All children must be accompanied by an adult who is prepared to take part in the activities. For everyone’s safety and enjoyment, unregistered children (including siblings) may not attend. Virtual programs are via the Webex platform (free from Cisco).
SESSIONS: Each session features classes with a different theme, so you can attend one or all three!
CLASSES: Each class offered within the same session covers the same content.
Registration: $10 per child per class. Admittance of one caregiver ONLY included per ticket. Advanced registration and payment are required. No refunds for cancellations requested within one week of your registered session. After registration, we will email you the appropriate links to log-in to the program.
Spring 2021 Dates:
Session 1: Classes on Sunday, March 7; Monday, March 8
Session 2: Classes on Sunday, April 11; Monday, April 12
Session 3: Classes on Sunday, May 2; Monday, May 3
Turtle Back Zoo Tots Program
Age group: 2 & 3 years old with a caregiver
Time: 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Where: Virtual Only for Spring 2021
Description: This program is designed for toddlers and adults to discover the natural world together. We will use the alphabet to explore different animals in our zoo. Each day you will discover a different animal type such as mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects. Stories, projects, and special animal visitors in the classroom enhance your class experience. All children must be accompanied by an adult who is willing to take part in the activities. For everyone’s safety and enjoyment, unregistered children (including siblings) may not attend; programs are moderately structured. Virtual programs are via the Webex platform (free from Cisco).
SESSIONS: Each session features classes with a different theme, so you can attend one or all three!
CLASSES: Each class offered within the same session covers the same content.
Registration: $10 per child per class. Admittance of one caregiver ONLY included per ticket. Advanced registration and payment are required. No refunds for cancellations requested within one week of your registered session. After registration, we will email you the appropriate links to log-in to the program.
Spring 2021 Dates:
Session 1: Classes on Sunday, March 7; Monday, March 8
Session 2: Classes on Sunday, April 11; Monday, April 12
Session 3: Classes on Sunday, May 2; Monday, May 3
Zoo Explorers Program
Age group: 4 & 5 year olds (without caregiver)
Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00am for Virtual classes (Saturdays), 10:00 AM – 12:00pm for In-Person classes (Sundays)
Where: Virtual on Saturdays; In-Person at the Berson Education Center on Sundays
Description: Join us as we use movement, stories, games, and crafts for these interactive, science-based lessons to learn about the wonderful and fascinating world of animals. Supervised outings to specific areas of the Zoo that support the lesson are included as weather permits. This program is Virtual on Saturdays and is a drop-off program on Sundays. Virtual programs are via the Webex platform (free from Cisco).
SESSIONS: Each session features classes with a different theme, so you can attend one or all three!
CLASSES: Each class offered within the same session covers the same content.
Registration: $30 per child per class for In-Person; $15 per child per class for Virtual. Advanced registration and payment are required. No refunds for cancellations requested within one week of your registered session. After registration, we will email you the appropriate links to log-in to the program.
Spring 2021 Dates:
Session 1: Classes on Saturday, March 13 (Virtual); Sunday, March 14 (In-Person)
Session 2: Classes on Saturday, April 17 (Virtual); Sunday, April 18 (In-Person)
Session 3: Classes on Saturday, May 8 (Virtual); Sunday, May 9 (In-Person)