2024-2025 Class Times
9:00–9:40 AM Breakfast in Hutton Hall
9:45–11:30 AM Classes are Conducted
11:45–1:15 PM Newborn A & Parenting Exceptional Kids Classes Conducted
We meet at Saint Barnabas on the Desert
6715 N. Mockingbird Lane, Paradise Valley, AZ
NCPG classes, led by child development experts, provide valuable ideas and tools for each stage of a child's life—from pregnancy through elementary school. Many members form lifelong friendships as they progress through the age groups together each year. Classes are held on scheduled Wednesdays, September–May, covering the following age groups listed here: Class Progression.
NCPG
Member
Classes
September 11 & 25
October 16 & 30
November 13
December 4
January 15 & 29
February 5 & 26
March 19
April 2 & 30
May 14
Parenting
Exceptional
Kids Classes
September 25th
October 16th
November 13th
December 4th
January 29th
March 19th
April 2nd
April 30th
May 14th
Class Overview
Parenting classes for your family’s success
Newborn A
For children due September-March. Class lays the foundation for a successful transition into motherhood, covering newborn development, behaviors and needs. Feel free to bring your infant to class if born during the school year.
Newborn B
For children born April-August, ages 0-5 months old. Class focuses on your baby's first six months, celebrating milestones, establishing bedtime routines, and introducing new foods. You are welcome to bring your 0-6 month-old infant to class.
Class 1A/1B
This class celebrates and explores every aspect of your child’s first year and beyond as mobility and exploration has begun. New behaviors and milestones will be discussed such as sleeping, language development, social skills, discipline, preschool readiness and sibling preparation.
Children are 6-17 months old
Class 2A/2B
Designed to provide comprehensive support for parents, as they navigate their children's key developmental transitions during toddlerhood. This class focuses on preparing for preschool, mastering potty training, transitioning from crib to bed, and managing behavioral changes, all while fostering healthy social interactions.
Children are 18-29 months old
Class 3A/3B
Focused on addressing the power dynamics between parent and child, offering practical and effective parenting strategies that respect a child's growing need for independence. This class also covers sibling interactions and the broader dynamics within the family, helping parents foster a harmonious home environment.
Children are 30-41 months old
Class 4A/4B
Dedicated to enhancing children's social development, addressing key issues such as anger management, conflict resolution, and peer relationships. This class also covers important topics like establishing family rules, fostering self-confidence and self-reliance, and promoting both cognitive and physical development.
Children are 42-53 months old
Pre-K/Jr. Kindergarten
Designed for parents of children preparing to enter kindergarten. This class helps parents navigate the next steps, including selecting a school that best fits their child's and family's needs, exploring math and reading tools to support kindergarten readiness, and fostering self-confidence and independence in their child.
Kindergarten
This class offers support, encouragement, and a sense of community as moms and their children transition into elementary school. This class focuses on nurturing a child's autonomy, teaching them to set appropriate boundaries, fostering self-awareness, and encouraging a sense of responsibility—all while sharing in the joys and challenges of this important stage.
Elementary
(Grades 1-3 & 4-6). This class offers guidance on parenting increasingly independent children. Topics include school partnerships, bullying prevention, nutrition, deepening parent-child relationships, digital age parenting, fostering innovation, and encouraging autonomy. Classes may be divided based on enrollment to ensure age-appropriate content.
Parenting Exceptional Kids*
Designed for parents of children with suspected or diagnosed learning differences, such as Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, ADHD, and Autism. This inclusive class covers developmental milestones, evaluations and assessments, navigating the school system, setting up therapies and resources, and providing parent support.
*Please note that registration for this class does not include a full NCPG social membership and does not replace enrollment in age-specific classes.
Class Progression
For 35 years, North Central Parenting Group has utilized a class progression system that benefits both members and instructors. Parents are grouped based on their oldest child’s age to ensure classes are tailored to developmental stages. For example, parenting a 3-month-old differs significantly from parenting an 11-month-old, so classes for younger children have narrower age ranges. As children grow older, the age range in classes expands.
Class Placement Protocol
Newborn A through Class 4B. Placement is based on the birthdate of the oldest child. In some cases, members may request placement based on a different child, subject to approval by the Membership Co-Chairs and Executive Board.
Enrollment Impact. If a class reaches full capacity, members may be offered a spot in a class one age group above or below, depending on availability. Special requests for placement outside the designated age group are not accepted.
Pre-K and Older. From Pre-K/Jr. Kindergarten onward, placement is determined by the child’s GRADE rather than age. Enrollment in the specified grade is required for class placement. For example, a child must be in Kindergarten to join the Kindergarten class.
Exceptions. If adhering to these policies prevents an existing member from remaining with their current group, exceptions can be made. For example, if a member is placed slightly outside of their child’s age group due to space restraints in the year that they joined, that member will be permitted to remain with that group as they continue on in NCPG. These members are also welcome to request placement that more closely aligns with their child’s age or grade if space permits during a subsequent year. However, once moved, these members cannot choose to repeat a class to return with their original group.
Special Requests. Requests for specific teachers or having friends in class will not be accommodated to maintain class integrity and ensure appropriate age and grade groupings.
For questions about class assignments, please contact membership@ncpgaz.org