"Colleen explains -- in the most reasonable and logical way -- why so many 'must-have' products are not only unnecessary but can actually hinder your child's development. Her advice is simple and easy to implement, and always mindful of the demands of modern parenting. She's amazing."   

- client/local mom Stephanie Hinkaty 

 

Licensed physical therapist, Colleen Pecylak, was working with a young client - a little boy - and his mother a couple of years ago when she had the light bulb moment that led to the creation of our newest course offering at The Purple Crayon, Babymoves. "The mom and I were friendly, and she was pregnant with her second child so every time we met I would remind her, 'You're going to do tummy time with this next one, right?'" Colleen recalls. "One day she said back seriously, 'Absolutely. I learned my lesson.'" The mom's response really struck a chord with Colleen, who felt a parent shouldn't have to go through helping a child with developmental issues in order to 'learn a lesson': "Somebody should be telling you this beforehand."

 

Babymoves is a 3-week informational and interactive  session for expectant parents and parents with infants up to 6 months to learn from Colleen Pecylak's wealth of experience. She has been a licensed physical therapist working in pediatrics for 19 years and, in addition to her one-on-one Early Intervention jobs, she has worked in local school districts and at facilities such as Blythedale Children's Hospital and the Westchester Center for Educational and Emotional Development, where she was the Head of Physical Therapy. In her work, she has started to see many children's developmental milestones happening later, in response to changes in the way we parent, from important medical recommendations (putting babies to sleep on their backs) to the not-so-necessary products we all have (excersaucers, walkers, swings..). "I always say that what has made our lives convenient has made babies' lives too convenient."

 

But sorting through all the recommendations and advice can add up to a job many new parents don't have the experience or time to do on their own. At Babymoves, topics will include:

"Tummy Time": when you should start, why it's important, what to do if your baby doesn't like it.   

Movement milestones: what your baby should be doing at different stages and how to encourage them to move.   

Products and toys: which ones are harmful, which are OK, and WHY.

 

"The why of all this," Colleen says, "is my favorite part." She explains that she has seen over and over again with her clients that if parents understand why they should - and shouldn't - do certain things with their infants, then they are much more likely to follow through with these instructions, and more likely to be creatively engaged with their child's development.   

  

So bring your questions - and your babies! - to Babymoves   

 

Sundays, April 15th, 22nd, and 29th, 10:30 am

FIRST-TIME DISCOUNTED RATE: $90 for 3 sessions

Register here!

 

AND, if you have an older-than-6-months baby and would be interested in a Babymoves class specifically for your little one's age group, or if you can't make all the dates above, please let us know!

 

Lunchpad!

Every Tuesday at 12 Noon

Join us, and feel free to invite others. 

Just bring your ideas and creativity--AND one ingredient for our communal salad!

Our first-ever Battle of the Teen Bands is shaping up to be a riotously fun night out, no matter how old you are!

 

THE BATTLE BEGINS SATURDAY, MARCH 3 

 

The line-up of VIP judges is set:  

celebrated poet and author, Kwame Alexander 

long-time music industry professional, Barb Prisament 

AND 

famed music producer/engineer, Steve Addabbo 

 

We have extended the submission due date to February 22nd. It's not too late - submit now!

The submissions are being narrowed down to four acts, who will battle it out on our stage. The winner will be crowned Teen Band Champion... and along with the glory of winning, they'll receive a professional recording of their live set - fully mixed and mastered!