Medical Center Exhibit Fundraising Underway

Here's your chance to bring back one of Habitot's most popular exhibits - the Medical Center with its ever-so-cute Veterinary Wing filled with stuffed puppies and kitties, little kennels and X-ray equipment. There's also an ambulance, baby receiving station and plenty of costumes and equipment for "playing doctor." Not only is this exhibit fun, it's also very helpful for young children who have medical issues, or who are afraid of injections - play makes the real thing easier. We need to raise $5,000 for refurbishing, purchasing new costumes, transporting and installing the exhibit- we're aiming for summer if you can help us now.
Click here to see exactly how we'll use your donation.

Military Families Enjoy Free Admission, May 28 - Sept 2

Habitot has joined more than 1,500 Blue Star Museums across America in offering free admission to all active duty military personnel and their families from Memorial Day, May 27, through Labor Day, September 2, 2013.

“This is both an opportunity to thank military families for their service and sacrifice, as well as a chance to create connections between museums and these families that will continue throughout the year," said NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman. "Especially for families with limited time together, those on a limited budget, and ones that have to relocate frequently, Blue Star Museums offers an opportunity to enjoy one another and become more fully integrated into a community.

Note: Throughout the rest of the year, Habitot offers discounted admission ($5 per person) to active duty military personnel and their families. Blue Star Museums is a collaboration among the National Endowment of the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and museums throughout the country.

Judges Selected for "Preschool Teachers" Awards

An exemplary panel of judges will review this year's preschool teacher nominations for Habitot's "Preschool Teachers Make a Difference" Awards. They include
Dr. Stacy Thompson, former Department Chair and Faculty of Child Development at Merritt College, member of the Advisory Panel on Oakland Head Start, and current Dean of Academic Pathways and Student Services at Merritt College; Tanya Smith, Senior Quality Counts Coach for Alameda County First 5, which mentors and coaches teachers in licensed childcare centers; and Laura Arellano of Growing Light Montessori preschool and a 2012 Preschool Teachers Make a Difference Winner. Thank you, judges, for your time and thoughtfulness in selecting this years' winning teachers.

It's not too late to nominate a preschool teacher. The deadline is May 31 at 5:00 pm. For more information or to nominate online, click here.

We'd also like to recognize and thank our media sponsors and underwriters: Red Tricycle, Folkmanis, Oogiah, AskANanny, Do A Dot Art, Savvy Source, Parents' Press

Japanese Children's Day, Kodomo-no-Hi
Saturday, May 4
9:30 am – 4:30 pm

In the Art Studio, create Koinobori, paper wind socks in the shape of carp that represent father, mother and children in preparation for tomorrow's celebration of Japanese Children's Day which historically occurs on the fifth day of the fifth month. Japanese Children's Day celebrates children's personalities and their happiness.

Cinco de Mayo
Monday, May 6
9:30 am – 12:30 pm

Following yesterday’s community event, celebrate Mexican heritage and pride in Habitot’s Art Studio, creating traditional Mexican paper flowers with multicolored tissue paper and pipe cleaners and add them to our Tree of Life sculpture, a prevalent motif in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica among the Maya, Aztec, Izapan, Mixtec, Olmec, and others. The Habitot Grocery Store will be transformed into a Mercado, or Mexican market, where Mexican fabrics, tropical flowers and frutas y verduras can be "purchased."

Mother's Day Parents' Night Out
Sunday, May 12
5:30 am – 9:30 pm

Drop off your kids, 2-7 yrs, for play and fun while parents enjoy a romantic evening out. $35 per child, $25 for siblings. Pizza for dinner included. Space limited. To reserve call the Reservations Desk at 510-647-1111 ext.14

Lunch Beat – $7 per child drop-in
Fridays • May 3, 10, 17
12:10 pm

Our friend Venus French is the local leader of the Lunchbeat phenomenon, one of the global freestyle dance movements that use natural rhythms and creative movement - a perfect for tots and a great way to wrap up your visit to Habitot. Bring a brown bag lunch and eat with us in the Classroom Annex following Lunch Beat. FREE fruit smoothies for all participants.

Every 4th Friday*
Now Year-round!
Lower Price for Siblings!

*Except for November and December; the 3rd Friday of the Month.

New teachers, new days, and new actvities for Spring 2013!

• Monday • Wednesday • Thursday • Friday
• 10:00 - 10:30 am

• $7 Drop-in ticket (purchase at front desk by 9:55 am)
• 8-class passes $50 (a $6 savings!)
• Class passes do not expire.

For children age 12 months and up
Parent or caregiver participation required in all classes.

• STORYTELLING & ART MONDAYS:   Puppet Playtime with Toni
• MUSIC WEDNESDAYS:   Música with Mariela
• COOKING THURSDAYS:    Breakfast Club
• MUSIC FRIDAYS:    Kid's Band

• Registration required
• 5 weeks/$50 (Special pricing)

You and child are sure to love this engaging, structured playgroup led by Amy Feldman, a specialist in early learning and development. We will practice being a part of a group, work on our growing social skills and have fun following directions as we play. Activities will include art, science, storytelling and lots of pretending! This is a great way for your child to make some new friends and get ready for preschool. Parents and caregivers will play along with us and will have a chance to ask questions about age-appropriate behavior and child development.

For class descriptions and more information

Mamas & Papas (for LGBTQ Families)
Wednesday, May 1
5:30 - 7:30 pm
Join our free, drop-in support group for LGBTQ families and their 0-5 year old children, presented in partnership with Our Family Coalition. While parents engage in lively and supportive conversations facilitated by Habitot and Our Family staff in our classroom annex (Habitot, Too), children play (with supervision) in the Museum.

Caregiver Café
Tuesday, May 14
10:00 - 11:30 am
Share some coffee and pastries, connect with other caregiving professionals and talk about the fun and challenges you face in raising others' children. Habitot staff will occupy your charges at nearby tables with art activities and puzzles while you take part in a facilitated group discussion. We hope to bring in outside experts to share their expertise on topics of interest. Free museum admission for all attendees following Caregiver Cafe let's you put new ideas into action.