HALL OF FAME: ACTIVITIES: SouthFlorida.com

BEST OF THE BEST PLAYGROUPS & CLASSES

AMANDA'S PLACE
Pompano Beach, 754-322-9911
Dania Beach, 954-920-9838 www.amandasplace.org
Always a Kids' Crown favorite, Amanda's Place gives children a start in life and helps parents become better moms and dads. Staff members know that teaching parents as well as children is essential because, as parents quickly learn, parenting can be very challenging. Amanda's Place offers child-development information and support continuously in addition to a full schedule of age-appropriate classes for parents and young children, including special daddy-and-me classes. Visit web site for class schedules and fees.

GYMBOREE
Multiple locations in Miami-Dade, Broward
and Palm Beach counties
www.gymboreeclasses.com
Gymboree focuses on a child's development while helping parents understand their children's growth. Programs are offered in seven age groups from newborn to 5 years old and offer a progression of developmentally appropriate play, music, art and fitness classes. Babies start in classes that focus on trust and love between parent and baby. As they begin to communicate, their classes take a different, more verbal turn. Children are taught to use communication skills to get their wants and needs across. As they grow, children travel through problem-solving, and logical and creative-thought processes with classes that coincide with their development. Visit web site for programs and fees.

MOMS CLUBS
Multiple locations in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties
www.momsclubs.org
Meet other at-home mothers, and find other at-home children for your children to play with at this organization just for at-home moms. This support group has more than 2000 chapters nationwide and internationally. Members choose the activities, which can include playgroups of all kinds, book clubs, recipe clubs, babysitting co-ops and a monthly Moms Night Out. Chapters also perform service projects to benefit other moms and children in their communities. Find a chapter near you on their web site, or they'll help you start your own. Fees are nominal.

BEST OF THE BEST CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES

MY GYM
Multiple locations in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties
www.my-gym.com
My Gym offers safe, fast-paced, entertaining, age-appropriate activities that ultimately build a positive self-image in kids as they acquire coordination, strength and balancing skills. The belief here is that a love of physical activity will lead to a happier, healthier life. And, what kid doesn't love romping, stomping, climbing, sliding, swinging and singing? One of the really cool concepts at My Gym is the constantly changing environment. Children arrive to a completely different gym setup each week and participate in a new class program to keep them interested and fascinated. A variety of programs for ages 6 weeks through 13 years are available. Visit web site for programs and fees.

THE FAMILY CENTER PARENTING PLACE
Nova Southeastern University
Davie, 954-262-6900,
www.nova.edu/msi/pplace
With more than 150 classes for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarteners and adults, there are few places with more choices and assistance for new parents and parents of young children than here. An extensive and extraordinary range of programs for moms, dads, caregivers and little ones from birth to age 5 include preschool, parent-baby and parent-child classes. Specialty classes include cooking, music, movement and art to name just a few. A free 14-week program for parents and their newborn is also offered, as well as parenting classes and therapeutic programs. Visit web site for programs and fees.

YMCA
Multiple locations in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties
www.ymca.net
It really is fun to be at the YMCA. A balance of activities is offered in a safe and caring environment where kids feel comfortable and confident. Organized sports include basketball, flag football, softball and soccer. Fitness activities incorporate academic-enrichment components, and character education is always the main focus in any program area. Programs for kids with disabilities, alternative programs, multicultural and leadership programs make this place a winner in everyone's book. As the largest nonprofit community service organization in America, the Y is at the heart of community life across the country with programs available for all people of all faiths, races, ages, abilities and incomes. Financial assistance ensures that no one is turned away for lack of ability to pay.

BEST OF THE BEST TUTORING CENTERS

HUNTINGTON LEARNING CENTERS
Multiple locations in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties
www.huntingtonlearning.com
Huntington believes that students who struggle look at the learning experience as a threat rather than a challenge. Often they deal with this threat by daydreaming, acting out or tuning out. This behavior goes on in school and at home and affects the whole family. Huntington helps students improve their academic performance, skills, confidence and motivation by individually diagnosing what is keeping a child from doing his or her best and creating a program of instruction to fit that child's needs. Tutoring is available for ages 5 to 17 in reading, writing, math, study skills, phonics and other related areas.

SYLVAN LEARNING
Multiple locations in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties
888-338-2283, www.tutoring.sylvanlearning.com
Sylvan gets results by working on confidence and study skills in children and teens. Tutors accommodate family's unique needs and schedules, and many centers offer live online tutoring programs in reading and math. Help is also provided for ACT and SAT prep classes and state-mandated tests. First, children are asked to take a test that identifies their skills and needs. Next, a representative develops a unique program for the child to achieve his or her goals. Teachers and administrators give encouragement and boost confidence while keeping parents informed every step of the way.

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