Friends of Crown Heights Educational Centers

10/08/2026

🎃October is National Book Month, and with Halloween right around the corner, it’s the perfect time to add a little spooky fun to story time!!

Whether your little one loves silly monsters, friendly ghosts, witches, or just a good Halloween adventure, there are plenty of fun books to enjoy together this month.
Here are a few Halloween favorites that are perfect for little readers! 👻📖

Getting Ready for Halloween by Vera Ahiyya
A group of children and their teacher get ready for Halloween at school. From classroom activities to costumes and a Halloween parade, the story captures the excitement of celebrating Halloween together.

🧹 Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson
A friendly witch and her cat set off on their broomstick, but along the way they meet several animals who need a little help. The witch invites them along for the ride, leading to a fun adventure about friendship and kindness.

🥕 Creepy Carrots! by Aaron Reynolds
Jasper Rabbit loves the carrots growing in Crackenhopper Field. But when he starts seeing the carrots everywhere he goes, he begins to wonder if they might be following him. A funny, slightly spooky story about a rabbit and some very suspicious carrots!

🌭 The Hallo-Wiener by Dav Pilkey
Oscar is a dachshund who gets teased because he looks different from the other dogs. On Halloween, his unusual appearance becomes part of his costume, but Oscar ends up showing that being different can sometimes be a strength.

👻 The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams

While walking through the woods, a little old lady encounters a series of spooky objects that follow her home. With its repeating phrases and playful story, it makes a fun read aloud for young children

🎃

10/05/2026

Happy World Teachers Day!!

Today, we celebrate the incredible teachers across
Friends of Crown Heights who show up each day with patience, care, creativity, and dedication.

From helping children learn new skills to encouraging their curiosity, building their confidence, and creating classrooms where they feel safe and supported, our teachers make a difference in so many ways.

To every teacher across all of our FOCH locations: thank you for the care you give, the lessons you share, and the impact you make each and every day.
Today, we celebrate all of you.

10/02/2026

The goes to the first day of preschool, where the city’s universal-2K program’s inaugural class joined The Friends of Crown Heights Educational Centers.

Read full article Curbed New York Magazine

Photos: Frankie Alduino
Interviews by: Maggie Duffy and Jeremy Rellosa

10/02/2026

With everything that comes with parenting, it’s easy to forget to make time for yourself. 💛 Here are a few simple self care tips to help parents slow down, recharge, and take care of themselves too.

1. Take a Moment for Yourself
When your little one is safe, give yourself a few minutes to breathe, stretch, take a shower, or simply sit quietly. Small moments of rest matter.

2. Let Go of Perfection
Some days will be easier than others. You don’t have to do everything perfectly. Your love, patience, and presence are what matter most.

3. Make Time for Something You Enjoy
Ask someone you trust to help with your little one so you can enjoy an activity that makes you feel good whether it’s taking a walk, reading, listening to music, crafting, or spending time with a friend. You deserve time to recharge and enjoy the things that bring you joy.

4. Enjoy the Fall Weather
Get outside with your little one! Take a walk, visit a playground, or explore the changing leaves together. Fresh air and a change of scenery can be refreshing for both of you.

5. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
Parenting can feel overwhelming, especially for first-time parents. Reach out to family, friends, or a trusted professional when you need support. You don’t have to do it alone.

09/28/2026

“I don’t want to.”
“I don’t want to do it.”
“I don’t want to!”
Sound familiar?

It’s easy to hear these words and think a child is simply being difficult. But sometimes, “I don’t want to” means something more.
Maybe they’re tired.
Maybe they’re nervous about something new.
Maybe they don’t know what to expect.
Or maybe they’re feeling something they just don’t have the words to explain yet.

For example, if your child says, “I don’t want to go to school,” there could be more behind it. Maybe they’re nervous about something happening that day, having a hard time with a change in routine, or worried about something they haven’t told you yet.
Instead of immediately saying, “You have to go,” try asking:
“What’s making you not want to go?”

Young children are still learning how to understand and express their emotions. Sometimes, their words, behaviors and even their resistance are their way of telling us something.
Sometimes, “I don’t want to” isn’t the end of the conversation. It’s the beginning.
You might be surprised by what comes next.

09/26/2026

09/24/2026

🍂 Happy first week of fall!

A new season means cooler days, changing leaves, cozy moments, and plenty of opportunities for children to explore, play, and enjoy the little things that make fall special.

Here’s to a season full of fun, discovery, and new memories! 🍁

09/21/2026

Hello from our 963 Park Place (KBNV) and 671 Prospect Place (KBOF) Educational Centers!

Our young scholars are beginning their second full week of school today. We are excited to welcome back all of our returning families and extend a very warm Friends of Crown Heights welcome to our new families! 💕 We look forward to a wonderful year ahead filled with lots of learning, growth, fun, and other memorable experiences together.

09/18/2026

As the school year gets underway, family calendars can fill up quickly with sports, classes, clubs, lessons, and other after-school activities.

While these experiences can be wonderful for children, more is not always better.

Children need downtime too.

Moving from school straight into activity after activity can become exhausting, especially while children are already adjusting to new routines, expectations, and longer days. When schedules become too full, something a child once loved can even start to feel like another obligation instead of something they enjoy.

Leaving room for unstructured time gives children a chance to rest, play freely, use their imagination, spend time with family, or simply do nothing for a little while.

As you settle into your family's fall routine, remember that your child does not have to participate in everything.

Sometimes protecting a little space in their schedule is just as important as filling it.

09/17/2026

Check out our recent feature in Business Insider

Read the full article at: https://www.businessinsider.com/nyc-free-childcare-2k-two-year-olds-launches-overwhelmed-demand-2026-9