The Parent Nest
A guided play and connection series
Parenting is better together!
Join us for a four-week play-based program designed to support your baby’s development
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while building connection with other caregivers
Finding Your Village: Early Development Classes in a Museum Setting
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Navigating those early parenting days feels like a beautiful mix of wonder and worry. Between middle-of-the-night feedings and milestone questions, it's natural to feel both overwhelmed and amazed—sometimes in the same moment. While you're marveling at your baby's daily discoveries, you might also be wondering if you're doing enough, or wishing for a local community that truly understands this parenting journey.
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That's exactly why we created The Parent Nest at the Children's Museum of Discovery in Santa Cruz.
A Peaceful Morning Program for Infants and Toddlers
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Created specifically for infants and toddlers (from sitting age to 18 months), this four-week series takes place in serene morning hours before the museum opens to the public. In this distraction-free setting, your little explorer can safely investigate their world while you connect with other parents who understand exactly what this magical developmental stage is like.
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Research-Based Activities for Your Growing Baby
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Each 45-minute session nurtures your child's natural development through research-backed activities that:
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Build Neural Pathways Through Movement: As babies roll, crawl, and reach, they're forming crucial brain connections supporting physical coordination and spatial awareness.
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Develop Pre-Language Skills: Our musical activities introduce rhythm, repetition, and simple signs, laying the groundwork for communication long before first words appear.
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Enhance Sensory Processing: From our "Farm-to-Field" exploration to "Messy Magic" play, each tactile experience helps your little one understand their world through multiple senses.
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Foster Social-Emotional Growth: Through guided interactions, babies learn early social cues while parents discover ways to support emotional development during daily routines.
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Between activities, you'll have time to share parenting victories (and challenges!) with other local parents who get it.
Our experienced facilitator is there not just to guide activities, but to answer developmental questions and offer practical tips you can use at home.
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Join Our Parent Nest Community ~ A Home For New Parents in Santa Cruz County
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