Eileen Levine, M. A., founder and director, was inspired to develop Creative Play for Kids after being disappointed with the "mommy and me" programs she and her son tried. Eileen wanted to find a class that best suited the needs of her and her son. She looked for one that had just the right mix of music and movement activities, was fun, had an enthusiastic teacher, and was affordable. Much to her surprise, she couldn’t find one. So with the encouragement of her mommy friends and husband, she created her own.
Having worked as a child development specialist and an early childhood educator, Eileen combined her professional experience and understanding of child development with her new found appreciation for what moms wanted from such a program. She applied this to create an upbeat, dynamic, affordable, music and movement play program.
Creative Play for Kids first began in 2002 with one class per week in a downtown Greenwich Village location. Today, Creative Play for Kids is in multiple locations throughout Manhattan. In February 2005 Creative Play for Kids was featured on FOX 5's Morning Show "Good Day New York.”
Today, Eileen continues to teach many of the Creative Play for Kids classes. Additionally, Eileen has hired several wonderfully talented instructors who, when they are not teaching Creative Play for Kids classes, work in their respective fields as singers, dancers, actors, musicians, yoga instructors, and are students. All of whom bring their individual talents to Creative Play for Kids.
Eileen Levine holds a Masters Degree in Child Development and Educational Psychology from Columbia University. Eileen worked as a Child Life Specialist at Bellevue Hospital, counseled families in need, and worked as an early childhood educator in a variety of settings. Eileen is also a mom and resides in Manhattan with her husband and son.
Crista Kane came to Creative Play for Kids in 2008 as an assistant teacher and over time became a Creative Play for Kids teacher. When teaching, Crista incorporates her background as a professional equity actress/singer. She loves entertaining the children in her classes and loves to have fun.
Jessica Cermak joined the Creative Play for Kids team as an assistant teacher in the Fall of 2010. Jessica loves mixing her performing arts background with her love for children. She has taught play writing in NYC schools, toured public high schools in Detroit to introduce students to Shakespeare, as well as having extensive child care experience. Jessica brings her genuine enthusiasm, high energy, and smile to every Creative Play for Kids class.
Steven Mounier has been with Creative Play for Kids since 2008. Steven is our beloved guitarist and drummer. Steven loves being around the energy of the children and watching how they respond to music. What he enjoys most about working with Creative Play for Kids is the personal growth it has afforded him in his own life.