Kids VT, February 2011

Find Family-Sized

Fun & Value this Winter at Bolton Valley

What makes buildings stand up? What makes them come down? Explore the inner life of buildings of all kinds from houses to domes to skycrapers. Turn the crank a few times to Raise the Roof yourself!

I t’s all about buildings, right now, at ECHO!

With an annual snowfall of over 300” and a convenient access road only 10 minutes from I-89, now’s the time to visit Vermont’s favorite family mountain. 3 interconnected peaks, 71 trails, 3 terrain parks, 100km of Nordic and snowshoe trails, & lessons for both children and adults, mean something for everyone in your family. When the legs can take no more, head to our Sports Center with its heated pool and Indoor Amusement Center for video games, bounce houses, and other family-friendly fun

boltonvalley.com 877.9BOLTON

February 2011

What can iLearn?

14

The dos and don’ts of letting kids go mobile Teens Tapping Tablets

Mobile Computing Dos and Don’ts education apps We like

Penny Wise

19

The ABCs of saving for higher education

a Savings Timeline

Projected Tuition Costs

The 411 on the 529

sTAFF & coNTRiBUToRs

Publisher colby Roberts colby@kidsvt.com ext. 77 editor cathy Resmer cathy@kidsvt.com ext. 74

Creative Director don Eggert don@kidsvt.com ext. 71

associate editor Kate Laddison kate@kidsvt.com ext. 73

account executive Kristi Batchelder kristi@kidsvt.com ext. 72

Marketing & events Director

judy@kidsvt.com ext. 76

editorial in Kids VT is for general informational purposes. Parents must use their own discretion for following the advice in any editorial piece. acceptance of advertising does not constitute service/product endorsement. Kids VT is a proud member of the Parenting Publications of america. Kids VT distribution is audited for accuracy.

Da Capo Publishing shall not be held liable to any advertiser for any loss that results from the incorrect publication of its advertisement. If a mistake is ours, and the advertising purpose has been rendered valueless, Da Capo Publishing may cancel the charges for the advertisement, or a portion thereof as deemed reasonable by the publisher. Da Capo Publishing reserves the right to refuse any advertising, including inserts, at the discretion of the publishers.

Multimedia producer eva Sollberger takes you sliding in Milton in her weekly web video series “Stuck in Vermont.” The downhill action is totally tubular at Sharp Park, where kids and adults slide down Cobble Hill’s steep slope. Watch “Stuck in Vermont” on kidsvt.com.

Copy editors/Godparents Pamela Polston

Paula Routly

Proofreader Kate o’Neill

Production Manager Krystal Woodward

Designers Brooke Bousquet

celia Hazard

Rev. diane sullivan

Multimedia Producer Eva sollberger

Deputy Web editor Tyler machado

Office Manager cheryl Brownell

contributing Writers: Nancy Stearns bercaw, Kristina Creighton, erik esckilsen, Megan James, amy lilly, Ken Picard, Katrina roberts, Sarah Tuff

Photographers: andy Duback, Matthew Thorsen

illustrators: Mo Oh, andy Singer

soRTiNG

Sweet Dreams

THE 2011 VERMONT FLOWER SHOW

MARCH 4, 5, & 6

champlain valley exposition • essex junction, vt

• 3 days with over 40 FREE seminars and workshops

• Families will find a special room all their own devoted to hands-on craft/plant activities

• Family Entertainment: No Strings Marionettes, Tom Verner of Magicians Without Borders, Lady Slipper Fairy Story Hour

Grand Garden Display filled with the sights, smells, and sounds of Springtime! Be delighted, be inspired, be enchanted!

For more information call 888-518-6484 or visit www.greenworksvermont.org

Purchase tickets in advance at www.flynntix.org

Gardener’s Supply Company stores and all Price Chopper Stores

produced by presenting sponsors

family f UN for all ages !

PLANET KIDS PARK

New this year, Pla N et Kids Par K is a winter wonderland designed to introduce kids to the excitement of snow sports. t he park has rental equipment and experienced staff on site and that’s just the beginning! e xplore the snow volcano, snow tubing, climbing a tree fort and access to the Bonanza lift.

Weekends: $20 Peak Periods: $25

Like Our New Look?

NoTice aNyThiNg differeNT about this month’s Kids VT ? We hope you do. Just after they published the December/ January issue, Susan Holson and Kim Kropf sold Kids VT to the Burlington-based weekly newspaper Seven Days.

The new Kids VT team, pictured here, has spent the past two months reenvisioning “Vermont’s family resource” — with help from a lot of people who didn’t make it into this picture! We’ve been asking ourselves: What kind of information do Vermont families want and need? How do we package it to appeal to our families, friends and neighbors?

The result of our inquiries is in your hands. This month’s Kids VT is substantially different from what came before. For one thing, we’ve changed sizes. This new format is the same as Seven Days, which makes our production process more efficient and allows us to invest in creating local content.

And everything in this magazine is written by Vermont writers we know and trust. We asked them to craft stories about local people and places, and to reflect on their own experiences of raising families here.

We also redesigned the logo. The previous one showed a cartoon family consisting of a mom, a dad and a child. That image represents many Vermont families — but not all of them. There are families with one mom or one dad and blended families with stepparents and stepsiblings. Vermont has families led by grandparents or other caregivers, and families with two dads or two moms, like mine. We want Kids VT to speak to them all.

As different as our families may look, we have one thing in common — kids. We’re all doing our best to raise healthy, happy, well-rounded children. We’re all scrambling to make a decent dinner, or plan a memorable birthday party, or find fun ways to be active. We’re struggling with questions about our children’s future, from college-saving strategies to finding classes and camps that nurture their creativity.

We’re also trying to help kids navigate a rapidly changing world. As I was working on the cover story this month, I talked to a number of parents about the wisdom of letting their children use smartphones. All of them commented on how much technology has changed in our lifetimes. Over and over again, I heard them say, “It blows my mind.”

The Crew

How do you cope with all that? We think Kids VT can help. We don’t have all the answers, but we hope that by asking questions and sparking conversation, we can engage Vermont parents in a dialogue that benefits us all.

So, please, read this issue and tell us what you think. Next month’s Kids VT will have a letters-to-the-editor section, and we hope to fill it with your rants, raves and suggestions for how we can improve. We’d love to hear from you. Email us at ideas@ kidsvt.com.

Or tell us in person. Stop by the 14th annual Kids VT Camp & School Fair on Saturday, February 5, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Hilton Burlington. We’ll all be there.

Cathy resmer, editor cathy@kidsvt.com

as different as our families may look, we have one thing in common — kids.

Standing (l. to r.): Holden Batchelder, 6; Kate Laddison; Oliver Laddison, 3; Lily Roberts, 6; Colby Roberts; nola Roberts, 4.

Seated: Kristi Batchelder; Joshua Batchelder, 4; Cathy Resmer; ivy Resmer, 2.

nOt piCtuRed: graham Resmer, 5; Rose Roberts, 1 week!

matthew thorsen

THE BEAT

ATTRACTIONS

Building Excitement

BY CATHY RESMER AND AMY LILLY

Burlington’s ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center recently announced plans to expand; construction on the new facilities, which will include a lakeside pavilion and new science labs, begins this spring. The news dovetails nicely with ECHO’s engaging new exhibit, “Raise the Roof,” on loan from the Science Museum of Minnesota, which focuses on building design and structural engineering. Visitors learn about timber framing, the anatomy of joints and how insulation works. There’s a giant Lincoln Log building station, too. The centerpiece is a small domed structure — kids can stand inside and literally raise its roof by turning a hand crank. Even adults might want to give this one a whirl.

To coincide with the exhibit, the ECHO team also plans construction of a community igloo made of recycled plastic jugs. Bring one in to donate to the cause by February 19 and get $1 o the price of admission. There’s a limit of four per family per visit.

“Raise the Roof” is at ECHO through May 1. For hours and admission information, call 864-1848 or visit echovermont.org.

FOOD Tiny Treats

Looking for a creative, kid-sized dessert for a birthday party, holiday or special occasion? A new bakery in Essex has got you covered. My Little Cupcake specializes in irresistibly decorated, itty-bitty cakes that appeal to all ages. Baker Michelle Trudell has been selling her mini-cupcakes for two years at farmers markets and local stores. She and fellow baker Stephanie Lacayo teamed up to open My Little Cupcake in January, and business is booming. The women make 12 flavors daily, rotating among 60 di erent varieties. Never tried a salted-caramel cupcake? Now’s your chance. The Hot Chocolate (pictured), Lemon Squared and Swedish Fish flavors sound good, too. Too bad Maple Bacon is only available on Saturday.

My Little Cupcake, 4 Carmichael Street, suite 101, Essex. Call 872-7676 to find out which flavors are available or to place orders of two dozen or more.

(actual size)

BOOKS

History Lesson

Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave is a lyrical poem honoring a literate slave born in 1801. But Burlington author Laban Carrick Hill’s beautiful book is not the sort you open and read cold to kindergarteners through fourth graders. A glowing review in the November New York Times Sunday Book Review suggests that the story is “a gentle way for adults to introduce slavery to young children.”

Endnotes indicate that Dave is known to history only because the South Carolinian etched at least eight signed, twoline poems into some of the estimated 40,000 clay-fired pots he created during his lifetime. Little else is known about him, including why he was allowed to work as a pottery artist and how he escaped punishment for learning to read and write.

Hill’s and illustrator Bryan Collier’s approach to this di cult subject is to tell the story of the potter’s

craft: Dave shapes a jar in a series of collaged images that just won the 2011 Coretta Scott King Book Award for illustrators. Dave’s heartwarming 1857 poem ends the story. Sparely phrased and oddly punctuated — not unlike the poems of his nearcontemporary, Emily Dickinson — the couplet will inspire parsing by budding literary critics: “I wonder where is all my relation / friendship to all — and, every nation.”

TV Cool Kratts

Animal explorers Chris and Martin Kratt, cocreators of popular ’90s children’s programs “Kratts’ Creatures” and “Zoboomafoo,” return to the airwaves this month with “Wild Kratts,” a new series on PBS. Unlike the brothers’ earlier liveaction shows, “Wild Kratts” combines live footage with imaginative animated segments aimed at teaching 6- to 8-year-olds about animal biology and behavior. The cartoon Kratts wear “creature power suits” designed by their brainy pal Aviva, who helps them fly like geckos, impersonate crocodile eggs and dive deep enough to see a sperm whale fight a giant squid.

While you watch, remember that the New Jersey-born Kratts nurtured their fascination with all things wild on summer camping trips to Vermont. In fact, their production company is based in Isle La Motte.

“Wild Kratts” premiered in January and starts its daily weekday run on February 1 at 4 p.m. on Vermont Public Television.

CONTEST Lights, Camera, Action!

No doubt kids get sick of adults telling them to turn o the TV and go outside. So, this winter, the Vermont Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports is asking young people to deliver that message to their peers … by making a video. In the first Fit & Healthy Winter Challenge Video Contest, the state’s volunteer fitness advocacy group is inviting videographers ages 17 and under to make 30- to 60-second videos promoting exercise and healthy lifestyles. The segments should show kids how to “Move More,” “Eat More Colors” (i.e., fruits and vegetables) or “Turn O the Screen.” Entries must be uploaded to YouTube by March 15 to be eligible for the contest. Prizes include sports gear, lift tickets and a new Flip video camera.

Visit vermontfitness.org for rules, uploading instructions and deadlines, or email videocontest@vermontfitness.org.

SHARP PARK

Little Academy Preschool

Structured Theme based Preschool Program for 3-5 year olds, BFA Fairfax School Calendar

and P.M. Sessions Mon.-Wed. 8:30-11:30 & 12:00-3:00

Summer camps available for Preschool, Kindergarten, First and Second Grades. 5 week program 1x a week.

Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave by Laban Carrick Hill, illustrated by Bryan Collier. Little, Brown. Unpaginated. $16.99.

How Much Screen Time Is Safe for Kids?

Video scReens ARe ubiquiTous in cHildRen’s liVes: at home, in the car, on the playground, in the classroom. Whether kids are watching TV, surfing the Internet or texting friends, all that screen time can really add up — to a less than healthy lifestyle.

Dr. Lewis First, chief of pediatrics at Vermont Children’s Hospital at Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington, offers parents some simple advice: When it comes to screen time, less is more.

Kids VT: What kinds of problems do you see in kids regarding their computer, television and videogame use?

LEWIS FIRST: A number of studies show that too much of a good thing may not be good when it comes to the physical, mental and social wellbeing of our children and teenagers. We know that when kids exceed the amount of quality viewing time recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics — no more than two hours a day — it increases a child’s chances of being overweight and obese.

KVT: Why?

LF: For multiple reasons. For one, they’re sedentary, sitting down and not moving around. Two, they’re snacking — often on unhealthy foods. Three, they’re watching ads, oftentimes for products that are unhealthy and encourage them to eat more.

KVT: should children be a minimum age before they are exposed to view screens?

LF: Yes. The American Academy of Pediatrics [says] that children under the age of 2 really do not benefit from any exposure to screen time whatsoever. It’s recommended that you keep the television and video screens off at least until they’re into toddlerhood.

KVT: Are there psychological or emotional effects?

LF: Too much screen time has been associated with increased depression [and] anxiety, difficulty concentrating in school, and a decline in school performance. There’s no question that too much screen time makes it harder for children to pay attention and focus in school.

KVT: How does it affect children’s social skills?

LF: When kids sit in front of a screen for prolonged amounts of time or play video games by themselves, their social interactions become limited. Their ability to develop peer relationships, to understand what it’s like to interface with others, becomes more difficult. For teenagers, they’re more likely to engage in risk-taking behaviors because of what they’re constantly exposed to, whether it’s tobacco, alcohol, drugs or sexuality.

KVT: Are “exergames” any better?

LF: When you do these games, your heart rate goes up and you burn calories, but it’s the equivalent to a mild to moderate walk. It’s not as much as you’d get by playing the sport itself.

KVT: Are there upsides to excergames?

LF: We do know that when used in moderation, they may help a child’s sense of balance, agility and reaction time. If a child feels uncomfortable trying a sport for the first time, they can explore what it’s like to hit or throw a ball virtually, in the confines of their home.

KVT: does the size of the screen matter?

LF: No, because whether they’re looking at a two-inch or 20-inch screen, the focal point is the same. There’s nothing about the screen size that changes any of the risks physically, mentally or emotionally.

KVT: since electronic devices aren’t going away, what’s your advice?

LF: We have to work with our children and teens. You can’t say, “No television

or video games,” because kids will find a way to tunnel through at their friends’ houses, which gives you even less control over what they’re watching, doing or playing. The idea is not to say “no” but to set limits and controls on what kinds of things children or teens will watch and also give them choices.

KVT: How?

LF: A great idea is to say to them that screen time is a privilege that’s earned. It’s not a right. So, at the start of a week, parents can look to see what kind of programming is coming up and offer their kids a list of options. Say, “You get two hours a day after homework and chores.” If parents have the opportunity to record a program, they can play it back during their children’s designated screen time. Then, sit with your child and watch it together.

KVT: What else?

LF: Parents need to set rules on where the screen time occurs. No television or video games in the bedroom. None during homework and certainly none during meals, so there can be real conversation. It’s a great idea to have the computer or TV in a family room so, when it’s over, you turn it off so electronic background noise doesn’t become the norm.

KVT: What other resources do parents have?

LF: It’s important that parents pay attention to the ratings system and know that if they’re getting a video game for their child, it is not wrong to preview the game and know what it’s all about before handing it over to a child. There are Internet sites for families to review games, to understand what’s in the game and know whether there are language or violence issues. Rating systems allow parents to be more media savvy and help their kids get a better understanding of the world around them. Finally, parents should limit their own screen time and set a good example.

Wintertime Exercise Ideas

Sliding on Mount Philo

It’s a challenge to be active in winter. Our natural inclination as warm-blooded mammals is to curl up on the couch with some cocoa and a movie. Until June, say.

But, if you can convince your couch to let you go, getting out will pay off in fitness spades. Everything is a challenge in the winter outdoors. Even a walk turns into a snow-trekking adventure.

If you’re looking for something more exciting, take your kids sledding, or, as we call it in Vermont, sliding. This low-tech downhill activity requires very little equipment — just a backyard or neighborhood hill, some snow, and a sled.

Take it up a notch by heading to Mount Philo State Park in Charlotte. The park is closed in winter, but visitors can still walk, hike or snowshoe up the access road or the trails to the top of the 968-foot “mountain,” with its panoramic views of the Champlain Valley. Bring your sled and you’ll get a fantastically long ride down the road. Best of all, it’s free in winter; there’s no admission fee when the park is closed.

My husband, Kevin, and I recently drove to Mount Philo on a weekday afternoon for a bit of high-speed racing with our 3-year-old son, Oliver. It was a hit from the exercise perspective and scored high on the fun chart. Parents of young children may as well embrace the idea that they’ll be getting some exercise, too, during the sliding. Rather than dreading it, prepare for it and enjoy the fun.

You wiLL nEEd: A sled, preferably with a towrope. An inflatable sled will work on the bottom pitches, but a boat-style sled is better for the inclines. Bring a helmet if you want to tackle the steep stuff. And wear warm clothing.

whErE To pArK: in a lot at the base of the hill.

My son is currently in one of those barnacle-like clingy phases where he likes to be carried. And, when he’s bundled into a snowsuit — think Ralphie’s brother, Randy, in A Christmas Story — I can hardly blame him. I can hardly carry him, either. Enter the sled. We have one with a towrope, and we had to use it on the way up. Oliver did one of his trademark running dives onto it and we began our ascent, me feeling just a bit like a Sherpa.

BAThrooms: They’re closed in winter. Go before you go!

AGEs: All ages.

I got some serious exercise by stepping into the sled string and positioning it just above my hips. That let me walk, hands free, with a little extra resistance thrown in. In this case, it was about a 35-pound resistance. Combine that with a decently steep incline and I got a fantastic workout, far better and more fun than any treadmill.

We moved uphill for probably 30 minutes — the walking sessions broken by stops for my son to hop out of the sled and jump into snowy ditches or climb snow-covered rocks. We made it to the intersection of the Devil’s Chair Trail, not even close to the top. It didn’t

bother me that we didn’t reach the summit — I hadn’t set any particular expectations for how the climb would go. Any activity with your kids is more about the journey than the destination.

We slid downhill for about five solid minutes, with two short stops along the flatter stretches. These stops gave us an opportunity to clear the snow from Oliver’s face that had been thrown up by Kevin’s frantic foot braking on the steepest stretch. Consequently, Kevin suggests: Use your hands, not your feet, to brake.

Partway down, Oliver decided he wanted to switch sleds (small wonder), and he and I raced Dad all the way to the foot of the hill, taking the inside of the last curve to generally kick his butt. Mom is a superior sledder, as Dad has a bit of trouble controlling his slightly larger mass. But, as Oliver pointed out, “everybody wins, Mommy.”

Sliding at Mount Philo is fun, and great exercise. A good mix of strength-training and cardiovascular activity leads to a total-body workout — including a stretch of the vocal cords when you rocket down the steepest parts. You have to work pretty hard for that one trip down, but, to me, that’s the best way to slide.

indoors

Hopscotch

Yes, hopscotch is an outdoor game, but you can easily bring it inside. Doing something so unusual will appeal to your young child’s sense of mischief.

To get started, tape your “court” onto the floor. A typical hopscotch court has several numbered squares laid out in a line with a “home” square at the end. Some squares are “single,” and the hopper must hop on one foot, while other squares are side by side, and the hopper lands with both feet.

You wiLL nEEd: Tape, floorspace, a “marker.”

AGEs: can be adapted for any age, but generally 2 1/2-year-olds and older.

Painter’s tape works well for indoor courts, as it’s not especially sticky, but masking tape or other types will do, too. Older kids can help with the design.

Next, you’ll need something to use as a “marker” (throwing rocks in the house is not recommended). If you don’t have a beanbag handy, find a child’s sock and stuff it with filler (e.g., other socks).

Now you’re ready to play. In basic hopscotch, the player throws the marker into a square — without touching the boundaries — and hops through the court, skipping the square containing the marker. Get to the end and you’ve won. It’s straightforward, but the beauty of hopscotch is that it’s endlessly adaptable, so get creative!

The basic court has about 10 or 12 numbered squares, but you could choose to have more or fewer as you see fit. The court could become a path through your house, a fun thing to do on the way to the potty or a part of the nightly bedtime routine.

For young children, try using colored paper in the squares and have them identify the color they hop onto. For older kids, make a larger, more complicated court. Tricky squares could involve requiring a turn or hopping with eyes closed. For an extra challenge, try doing round-trips through the court, picking up the marker while balancing on one leg.

Parents can get involved, too — let your kids dictate the rules for the adults to make it more challenging.

Left to right: Kristin Degraff, 11; Cheryl Brownell; guinevere Brownell, 10 of Vergennes

✱ HOME COOKIN’ BY KRISTINA CREIGHTON

Pulled Chicken on Rolls With Apple-Broccoli Slaw

Pulled pork is a popular dish right now, but pulled chicken is much faster to make. I’ve made it for kids and for the residents of an elder home. Everyone loves it! Get your kids to help shred the chicken — it will keep them occupied and use up some of their energy. Plus, they’re much more likely to eat what they help to make. Start by putting the chicken on to cook. While it simmers, make the slaw.

APPLE-BROCCOLI SLAW

1/3 cup mayonnaise (no fat or lowfat is fine)

2 tablespoons cider vinegar

2 tablespoons sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon celery seeds

1 firm apple, pared (do not peel)

1 12-ounce bag fresh shredded broccoli and carrot mix

1. Place the first 5 ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Give it a good shake to combine.

2. Chop the apple fine and toss in a large bowl with the shredded broccoli and carrot. Pour the dressing over the apple and vegetables, toss, cover and chill while the rest of the meal is cooking.

PULLED CHICKEN ON ROLLS

4 skinless, boneless chicken thighs

Chicken broth or water

Ground pepper, to taste

1/4 cup barbecue sauce, or to taste

4 sandwich rolls

Both of these recipes can be multiplied for just about any amount.

You can buy skin-on thighs with the bones, and skin before cooking.

You can cook the chicken the night before, but reheat it before shredding.

Save the cooking liquid — strain it and put it in the fridge to flavor rice for another meal.

1. Remove the visible fat from the chicken thighs. Place in a shallow saucepan, in a single layer, and just cover with the liquid. Sprinkle some ground pepper over the whole pan, as much as you like. If you are using water, add 1 teaspoon of salt to the cooking liquid.

2. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer until the chicken is cooked through and tender, about 35 minutes.

3. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside to cool for a few minutes. If you are making it for the next night’s dinner, you could refrigerate it now.

4. When slightly cooled, take two forks and start mauling the chicken into shreds. Don’t leave any large pieces. (If you let it cool a little longer, you and the kids can do this with your hands, after a thorough washing.)

5. Mix the chicken with as much or little barbecue sauce as you like, and divide between four rolls.

Q oUT To EAT b y Ka T e Laddiso N

Mimmo’s Pizzeria

oUr rEcEnT rEsTAUrAnT AdVEnTUrE began with my family violating one of the cardinal rules of dining out with young children — avoid the dinner rush. Instead, we picked a busy St. Albans restaurant (Mimmo’s Pizzeria) on their busiest night (Friday) at their busiest time (6 p.m.). And, we happened to pick a night when a youth hockey tournament was in town, making the place a madhouse. Oops.

Of course, in a madhouse, no one notices your small child struggling to contain himself. My husband, Kevin, and I don’t eat out often because our 3-year-old, Oliver, is what you’d call “active.” Getting him to sit still is a challenge akin to containing a thermonuclear reaction. Sitting still in a restaurant … well, we just don’t try very often.

But our experience at Mimmo’s was terrific. We got started on the right foot when we called to check the wait time and they suggested we order in advance so that, even if the table wait was long, the food wait wouldn’t be. Great idea! I highly recommend trying this approach. You’ll need to be familiar with the menu — or find it online in advance — and it takes some of the spontaneity out of ordering, but I didn’t mind the trade-off.

When we arrived, the place was packed and the line stretched from the counter to the door, but we were seated within 10 minutes.

While we waited for a table, we watched the pizza makers throwing dough. Mimmo’s has a counter with stools overlooking the prep area. There’s also a small, comfortable padded bench in front of the window that looks out on the street. Plus, there’s a basket of toys, puzzles and games to keep kids occupied.

But it was the pizza that fascinated Oliver. Kevin must have gotten up six times before, during and after our meal to take him up front to watch the pizza dudes trying to keep up with the rush.

When our garlic-knots appetizer arrived, we sat down and pulled out the small toys that we always bring when we dine out. Normally, Mimmo’s provides diners with coloring supplies as well as a small ball of pizza dough to play with, but we missed out on the dough because we called ahead to order. Bummer.

Our food arrived in good time — a pasta dish for me with fresh vegetables in a white wine and garlic sauce, and a pepperoni pizza for Kevin and Oliver. Oliver ate a whole slice of pizza — quite an accomplishment for him. Kevin and I both enjoyed our meals, and we got attentive service despite the crowd. We asked for the check early, and I was able to take it to the register to pay, which eliminated further wait time.

CLASSES!

Apple Mania!

Tuesday, 2/8

3:30-4:30

Hands-on -- $20

Love to play with food?

Learn to make yummy applesauce, juice & baked apples!

*Pre-registration is required.

Great Granola Bars!

Wednesday, 2/23 3:30-4:30

Hands-on -- $20

Learn to make delicious granola bars, & enjoy yummy yogurt & granola parfaits while the bars cook! *Pre-registration is required.

FAmily-FriEndly AmEniTiEs: Kids’ menu, early opening and off hours, high chairs and booster seats, quick and flexible waitstaff, waiting area with games, activities at the table (pizza dough to play with!). oddly, the men’s room has a changing table, but the women’s room does not.

oUr bill For ThrEE: $35 + tip.

As we left, we found ourselves at the pizza station again, and one of the workers handed us a small ball of dough. You would have thought we’d been handed the keys to the city. Oliver was in awe. He played with the dough in the car and then at home for about half an hour. He didn’t want to leave the restaurant, and he didn’t want to stop “making pizza” and go to bed. Thanks a lot, Mimmo’s. Seriously, thanks a lot.

There are more than 7500 different types of apples?!

While we waited for a table, we watched the pizza makers throwing dough.

Jake Charron, 7 of St. Albans

Kyle dodson

Kids: Isaac, 11; Manny, 10; Julius, 8

I think our three boys first watched Star Wars when the oldest was 8 and the youngest was 5, and in the end I was pretty comfortable with that.

The approach I’ve taken with regard to allowing my sons to watch movies with increasingly “mature” content has been mostly intuitive and ad hoc.

One thing that has been most helpful is the fact that we’re a lowvisual-media family in general. For most of our boys’ lives we’ve had one 19-inch, cathode-ray-tube TV with no cable. My wife and I rarely watch TV. The boys have no video games. As a result of this, they love movies and will watch just about anything!

Once they moved out of the stage where Shrek was exciting, I tried to give them edgier fare by resorting to documentaries. We saw [Man on Wire], about Philippe [Petit] the tightrope walker, who walked between the [World Trade Center] twin towers. It had one scene with a naked groupie, but I’m OK with that. We saw The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill, and we saw The Cove, about the dolphin slaughter in Japan. My boys are big readers, so we always try to combine the movies with reading materials that give a deeper and broader analysis of the issues addressed.

Eventually our boys became interested in action movies and began to have access to more intense films — such as the Indiana Jones movies and the Star Wars series — at their friends’ and cousins’ houses.

Basically, the boys seemed to be at a place where their imaginations could handle the intensity of the action/violence, and the fantasy aspect made me feel like it didn’t pollute their minds with senseless, cold-blooded killings.

Jon Pizzagalli

Kids: Vittoria, 5½; Renzo, 3½; Carlo, 1½

I’m always amazed at how people of recent generations seem to feel compelled to have their kids’ childhoods mirror their own.

I adore the Star Wars series as much as the next thirtysomething (OK, 40-year-old), but I don’t need my kids to know who Han Solo is. They deserve to discover their own version of Han Solo, not Dad’s.

Joe manley Kids: Jake, 7½ ; Joey, 5½

That said, if my kids were to watch Star Wars, my 5 1/2-year-old daughter would wilt before Leia’s ship was boarded in the opening sequence: “Too scary.” My 3 1/2-year-old boy might last a few minutes longer, but I’m not ready for him to act out everything that happens in that movie yet, or bombard me with questions about blasters, etc. He understands that Dad “guns” animals when I go hunting, but we also talk about that when we’re eating what Dad has “gunned.”

I was 6 when I saw Star Wars in the theater, and I remember on the way home asking whether there was really a war going on in space. I had no idea what I had just seen.

So, to answer the question, I think that there’s a pretty high level of maturity that should be demonstrated by a child before being exposed to Jedis and stormtroopers. The classic “right vs. wrong” storyline is pretty heavy stuff when portrayed through armed conflict.

And don’t forget: No one tells the Empire’s side of the story — they’re just the bad guys.

We have two boys, just about 8 and 6. It’s definitely different with the second one. I feel like we were very cautious with Jake, and tried to determine what movies were “age appropriate.” Joey, on the other hand, wants to be just like “big” brother. I think we’re still cautious with Jake, but if Jake is ready, Joey is also ready, even though he’s two years younger. Now, what is age appropriate, and, specifically, when did we feel Star Wars was age appropriate? When choosing films, we try to stay away from violence, specifically graphic violence. Most cartoons have some sort of violence, but it’s typically not graphic. There is also the distinction between stories that are based in fantasy compared to a “real world” setting. Obviously Star Wars has violence — quite a bit, considering there is usually a war going on — but it’s based in a fantasy world, and I believe my kids understand the difference.

I feel comfortable enough that my kids will choose not to watch something if they’re not ready for it. We still haven’t watched all of the Harry Potter series yet.

So, when did we decide that our kids were ready to watch Star Wars? We didn’t. They watched it at someone else’s house first and told us how much they liked it.

— INTERVIEWS compIlEd by ERIk ESckIlSEN

“Go Ask Dad” is a monthly feature in which we ask fathers to answer a question. Got a question, or a pop you’d like to hear from? Email us at ideas@kidsvt.com

: How do you know if your kid is ready to watch Star Wars?

I was 6 when I saw Star Wars in the theater.

Jon Pizzagalli

Traditional Paper Folding

JAcob ZimET HAs bEEn Folding pApER for seven years. That may not seem like a long time, but it’s more than half his life. At age 12, the Randolph origamist has participated in worldwide conventions and taught the craft all over his hometown and beyond. At the end of this month, he’ll lead a workshop at Studio Place Arts in Barre.

Jacob comes from a family of paper-folding fanatics; his dad, Matt Zimet, got Jacob and all three of his siblings hooked on origami. They started by following diagrams in origami books, which show where and how to fold to create simple structures. Once familiar with the technique, the kids began diagramming their own objects.

“It’s planar geometry,” Eva Zimet, Jacob’s mom, confides. “They don’t even know they’re doing math.”

Educational uses aside, origami is a fun distraction for kids of all ages. Kids VT spoke to Jacob about his illustrious origami career.

Kids VT: What do you like about origami?

JACOB ZIMET: I like to use my hands. Folding it is fun. I can do pop-up books, too.

KVT: is there a special type of paper or tools you work with?

JZ: Yeah. [It’s called origami paper]. It tends to hold a crease better than regular paper, and it’s thinner, slightly, so you can fold it and it doesn’t bulge. It sometimes helps to have a bone folder, too, because you can make very sharp creases, and you can poke with it. But other than that, you just need your hands and the paper.

KVT: What kinds of things did you fold at first?

JZ: I made the traditional models: a crane, a fish. Some of the folds can be hard. If you have an eight-sided thing, you have to poke it with a bone folder.

KVT: When did you start teaching?

JZ: I’ve been helping with workshops for about four years. There are these conventions all over the place

learn the art of origami at “peace cranes & polyhedra: Traditional paper Folding,” taught by Jacob Zimet at studio place Arts in barre. February 26 & march 5, 1-4 p.m. $5 material fee for one class, $8 for both. space is limited; call in advance to reserve a spot. info, 479-7069. studioplacearts.com/classes.html.

every year and origamists come to them. They’re all mathematicians, too. We went last year [to an origami convention] in New York City. It was really cool. I was really impressed with the models that the origamists made.

KVT: What was the coolest thing you saw there?

JZ: There was a soccer field, with a goal, a soccer ball and a goalie trying to catch the ball. It was all out of one piece of paper.

KVT: Whoa. did you make anything that complicated?

JZ: I made a guy sitting on a bench, reading a book. The piece of paper always starts out pretty big and it always shrinks a lot. That one started at 15 inches and went down to five inches.

KVT: do you have a favorite thing you like to fold?

JZ: I really like a devil. It has horns and wings and it’s pretty cool.

KVT: i heard you folded paper with some visiting Japanese artists at studio place Arts last fall and they were impressed with your skills. [spA’s executive director sue Higby says they “kept referring to him with great reverence as ‘the professor.’”]

JZ: Yeah … that was kind of flattering.

Right hand: “Man on a Park Bench” (designer: Michael Assis). Left hand: “Chess Board“ (designer: John Montroll). Both folded by Jacob Zimet.

— MegAn JAMes

What Can iLearn?

The dos and don’ts of letting kids go mobile

By caThy ResmeR

BOOKS ARE A BIG PART of Meredith Farkas’ life. The 34-year-old librarian is the head of instructional initiatives at Norwich University, and she’s an adjunct faculty member at San José State University’s School of Library and Information Science. The Barre resident is also an author and a frequent presenter at library conferences around the world.

Not surprisingly, her 20-month-old son, Reed, loves books, too. But lately he’s been picking up vocabulary words from an unexpected source: his iPhone.

When Farkas and her husband, who owns a small software company, recently upgraded their iPhones, they decided to let their son use an old one. “It’s nice to have sort of an expendable one that just has kids-type apps,” Farkas says, seeming a little embarrassed — iPhones aren’t cheap, after all. A new one costs upwards of $400. And that’s just for the phone; there’s a monthly charge for its use, too.

Reed uses apps to learn vocabulary words, and Farkas is convinced the interactive tool is helping him. “He’s obsessed with the word ‘X-ray’ right now,” she says, citing its use in his favorite flash-card app. He plays shape games, too. “He didn’t know what a diamond was before,” she explains, and now he’s like, ‘Diamond!’”

Farkas is not alone in letting her son play with a smartphone — a cellphone that connects to the Internet and runs applications. Sales of iPhones and Androids, and web-enabled mobile devices such as the iPad and iPod touch,

have skyrocketed in recent years. As parents get their hands on these new toys, they’re often passing them along to their kids to try.

Sarah Hanson, a 24-year-old o ce manager in South Royalton, lets her 2-year-old son play with her iPhone, too. “The kids want to play with the phones,” she says. “They see you on the phone, they see you playing with the smartphone, and they want to play.”

The amazing thing is that they can play — these touch-screen devices are ridiculously easy to use. Parents who let their toddlers tinker with an iPhone inevitably boast about how quickly their children figured out how to make it work.

Of course, because smartphones are so new, no one’s really sure how smart it is to give them to kids. In this month’s “Ask Dr.

Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute of Drug Abuse, told the New York Times that technology is “rewiring our brains.”

But, as parents become reliant on these devices, it’s hard to argue against teaching kids how to use them responsibly, especially given the increasing importance of technology in our lives. “I want my child to be technologically literate,” Farkas explains. “I want to expose him to the world around him.”

Warren Buckleitner, educator and editor of Children’s Technology Review, takes it a step further. A December article in the Detroit Free Press recorded his response to a parent of a 6-year-old, who asked if the child should get an iPad. “Think of devices like the iPad, and its little brother, the new, camera-

First” (page 8), for example, pediatrician Lewis First explains that the American Academy of Pediatrics thinks kids under 2 should never use them. Older kids should have no more than two hours of screen time a day — including TV and computer use, he suggests.

Increasingly, scientists are warning that overexposure to digital devices can lead to all sorts of unhealthy consequences, including decreased attention span, lack of focus and antisocial behavior. In June, brain scientist

MOBILE COMPUTING DOS AND DON’TS

DO check out apps before you let kids play with them. There are more than 300,000 options in Apple’s App Store, tens of thousands of which are in the “education” category. You could spend hours wading through them on your own. Better yet, ask your family and friends. Put a request on Facebook. Pick from the App Store’s “Most Popular” lists or find independent recommendations online. Coolmompicks.com is a great resource, as is the Children’s Technology Review. Once you’ve downloaded the app, try it out first, to make sure

it’s appropriate for your child. Then sit down and play, to see how they’re using it.

DO organize your kids’ apps on one page, so they can see them at a glance. It’ll make Peekaboo Barn and My Underwear easier for them to find.

DO put your iPhone on “airplane” mode before you hand it over. That will keep your child from sending and receiving information on the phone. Unfortunately, it will also keep you from receiving calls and text messages — a

equipped iPod touch, as the bicycle of the digital age,” said Buckleitner. “These devices are at the center of a modern child’s play. They capture and manage information.”

How do you responsibly introduce mobile computing devices to young kids? And what can kids do with them? Below are some common-sense suggestions, followed by a list of tried and tested educational apps (page 17) that Vermont parents, kids and Kids VT sta ers recommend.

small price to pay to keep your son or daughter from mistakenly dialing your friends or emailing your boss.

DON’T give your 5-year-old your iTunes password. If your kids want an app, they need to ask first.

DO set limits. Even iPhone enthusiasts say that moderation is key. Carey Bunker, a Brandon mom of three boys, 9, 6 and 2 1/2, says she lets her youngest son play with a flashcard app when the family goes out to a restaurant to keep him from getting

too fidgety. But, she adds, “You don’t want to use it too much. You don’t want to rely on it.” If you’re at home, try setting a timer for five to 10 minutes. When time’s up, time’s up. And make your kids earn the privilege of using these toys. If they don’t behave, they don’t get to play.

DO use your smartphone to make nursing easier — for yourself. The iPhone, says Farkas, is “fabulous for breast feeding. That’s when I found it really useful.” Way easier than reading a book or surfing on a laptop.

DON’T use it as a substitute for reading actual books to your kids. Bunker and Farkas both have Dr. Seuss books on their family iPads, but neither of them raves about the interactive e-book apps. “He’s much more impatient with it than he is with reading the actual book,” says Bunker of her youngest son. “In some ways, it’s a little bit of a distraction.” Farkas agrees: “I would probably want to give up technology if he weren’t excited by books.”

Some Franklin County students use iPads in class. Read about it on p. 17.

These devices are at the center of a modern child’s play. They capture and manage information.

WARREN BUCKLEITNER, EDITOR, CHILDREN’S TECHNOLOGY REVIEW

Teens Tapping Tablets

mosT primary, middle and secondary schools haven’t rushed to embrace mobile computing technology. Some ban iPads or require students to turn off smartphones during the day, either because the devices are a distraction or because students are using them inappropriately. Cyberbullying and sexting have emerged as serious concerns for parents and educators in Vermont and around the country.

But students are finding ways to use these tools productively. In fact, at two schools in Franklin County, they’re required to: Seventh and eighth graders in Bakersfield and sixth, seventh and eighth graders in Berkshire got their own iPads this year.

Robert Gervais, Technology coordinator for Franklin Northeast Supervisory Union, says the schools had wanted to purchase MacBooks for the students, but the laptops were too expensive. The iPad, introduced last April, was cheaper — roughly $500, compared to more than double that for a laptop. The schools bought 90

iPads using a combination of local, state and federal funds, including federal stimulus grants.

Five months into the experiment, Gervais says he is pleased with the results. He calls the iPad “a phenomenal piece of hardware” and raves about the flexibility of the available apps. “Whether it was science or math or social studies,” he says, “it’s a cliché, but really, there is an app for that, for just about anything.”

A former middle-school science teacher, Gervais particularly favors an astronomy app and the Seismometer (see sidebar below).

He adds that, so far, the tablet computers have actually improved behavior in the classroom, because the kids know that if they misbehave, they’ll lose their iPad privileges. Students have to earn the right to bring the devices home. The schools also keep the iPads linked to a central iTunes account, so students can’t download unapproved apps.

On the positive side, students now have access to information that allows them to research topics instantly.

educaTion apps We liKe

That connectivity is what appeals to Basundhara Mukherjee, a 14-year-old freshman at South Burlington High School. Basundhara is an überconnected kid. Her dad works for a software company, and her mom, Bibi, organized a web marketing summit in Burlington last fall.

Basundhara has an iPod touch and an iPad. “I take my iPad almost everywhere,” she says. “I have it with me almost all the time when I’m reading something.” Basundhara uses the iPad as a dictionary to look up a word in English, or in French, which she’s studying. “I don’t think I’ve ever used an actual dictionary at home,” she confesses.

Apple allows anyone to make applications that run on its devices. Creative programmers have come up with an astounding array of options, many of which combine text, sound and video. Here are a few that we like, and that Vermont parents and kids have recommended to us. And remember — these should enhance, not replace, your child’s real-world education.

monKey preschool lunchbox

cost: 99¢

ages: aimed at children 2-5, rated 4+ devices: iPhone, iPod touch, iPad

Preschoolers help an animated monkey pack his lunch by playing six mini-games that rotate upon completion. Kids practice counting, matching, recognizing letters and colors, spotting the difference and putting together a fourpiece jigsaw puzzle. also, they practice putting fruit in their lunches! This is my 2 1/2-yearold daughter’s favorite app.

if you like this, try: Peekaboo barn, My underwear

counT TV

cost: $2.99

ages: aimed at children 2-5, rated 4+ devices: iPhone, iPod touch, iPad

This “Sesame Street” app combines oldschool TV footage with 21st-century touch-screen technology. The Count invites kids to pick a number from one to nine. each corresponds with a retro “Sesame Street” clip. The app stops the footage mid-sequence and asks kids to touch the objects and count along with the Count. “It’s awesome,” says librarian Meredith Farkas. “It’s the best app. I just discovered it, and my son has been obsessed with it ever since.”

if you like this, try: Toddler Flashcards, elmo’s Monster Maker

maTh ninja

cost: $1.99

ages: aimed at children 7 and up, rated 9+ for cartoon, fantasy violence devices: iPhone, iPad

Getting kids to like math doesn’t have to be a battle, at least not between you and your child. In this app, players impersonate “Math Ninja” Haruku. The game instructs players to “use a combination of action, strategy, and quick wit to defend your treehouse against a hungry tomato and his robotic army!” The catch: Players have to solve a few addition, subtraction, multiplication or division problems first.

if you like this, try: PopMath basic Math

She also uses it to keep up with the news — via apps from the New York Times and CNN — and to prepare for the SAT (see sidebar below). Yes, already. She has a real computer, but she also uses her iPad’s Microsoft OneNote Mobile app. “It’s like a condensed version of Microsoft Office on the iPad,” she explains. “It’s good for having it with you while you’re traveling. I like to write a lot.”

Basundhara says the devices “make it easier” for her, but she also sees how she’s come to depend on them to find answers. “I feel like that could almost be a bad thing,” she concedes.

But being comfortable in the digital realm also gives her an advantage, Basundhara points out. Her teachers, she says, are “enthusiastic” about these devices. From where she’s sitting, it looks as if they’re going to become more integral to education, not less. In the future, she says, “I feel like it’s going to revolve around this stuff.”

— CATHY RESMER

GosKyWaTch planeTarium

cost: $3.99

ages: aimed at kids old enough to read and be curious about astronomy, rated 4+ devices: iPhone, iPad

Can’t find Orion?

Download this elegant app, point your iPhone or iPad at the sky, and see the names and silhouettes of the stars and constellations visible from your location. Point at the ground, and you’ll see what’s visible in the opposite hemisphere. The app even has a red-light mode so it won’t interfere with your starwatching.

if you like this, try: NaSa app HD, Seismometer

saT Vocab challenGe Vol. 1

cost: $4.99

ages: Teens preparing for the SaT, rated 4+ devices: iPhone, iPod touch, iPad

SaT prep is almost fun with this app from the Princeton review. Four games test your knowledge of synonyms, antonyms, connotations and definitions of 250 words. Which is the best synonym for “levity” — altitude, boldness or mirth?

The app store rating system has four age-based ratings:

4+ : no objectionable material.

9+ : some cartoon violence or more suggestive, horrorthemed content.

12+ : cartoon violence

+ some bad language

+ simulated gambling.

17+ : adults only.

Quick, you have 10 seconds to decide!

Don’t know? Shake your phone in frustration to pass and move on. SbHS freshman basundhara Mukherjee says this app is “very simple to use, straightforward and helpful.”

if you like this, try: Wolfram algebra Course assistant, Wolfram Calculus Course assistant

Basundhara Mukherjee

Penny Wise

The ABCs of saving for higher education

IT’S THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM.

No, not that plastic pachyderm you’ve been tripping over all week as you shuttle kids to preschool, play dates and soccer practice. We’re talking about the figurative elephant that so many parents, even supposedly frugal Vermonters, avoid discussing: saving for their children’s college education. Maybe private school, too.

You’re forgiven. It’s an overwhelming topic, one that can sink the savviest savers among us. “The number of di erent approaches and attitudes toward saving for education is staggering,” admits Rebecca Walsh, a wealth manager at Pathway Financial Advisors in Burlington.

Walsh is well schooled on the subject; her husband, Patrick Walsh, is an assistant professor of economics specializing in the economics of education at St. Michael’s College, and they’re raising two young children. Here, she and other Vermont financial experts share their two cents on how Green Mountain moms and dads can find the green to send their kids to school.

Who should pick up the check?

Ah, the $64,000 question. (An expression, to be sure, but also a good ballpark figure of what a year of private education might cost soon; see “Sticker Shock” sidebar, page 21.) The answer depends on a number of factors, including your upbringing, financial beliefs, realistic resources and familial relationships.

As Walsh explains, parents’

Set up a regular savings plan, even if it’s only $1 per week. With many years until college, riskier investments are OK at this point.

thoughts on paying for private school or college typically fall into one of four categories:

• Students should foot the entire bill themselves.

• Students should focus on education, and therefore parents should pay for it.

• Students and parents should share education costs (not necessarily equally).

• Students and parents should depend on financial aid.

It’s a good idea to figure out where you are on this spectrum, and discuss it with your children.

And it might be smart to ask them to pitch in. “There are good reasons to have children ‘buy in’ and have some skin in the game,” says Pat Sokolowski of Burlington’s Sokolowski Investment Advisors. Talking about money matters with kids can help them take more responsibility for creating a sound financial future.

“Summer jobs, work-study programs and student loans are often excellent ways to have the child participate financially,” she says.

But don’t wait for your kids to be old enough to understand the importance of having a job; the sooner you can begin planning, the better.

Laying the foundation

Getting started doesn’t necessarily mean coming up with a magic number to save, suggests Walsh. “Rather than sitting down and saying, ‘How much

BY SARAH TUFF

Continue to save, and speak openly about finances with your children. Instead of saying, “We can’t afford” a toy or a meal out, explain, “We choose to save our money for other things.”

should we put away for college?’” she says, “parents should ask, ‘What do we need to do to get our financial house in order?” That includes

• making a spending plan;

• building a safety account with three to six months of necessary expenses;

• paying down consumer debt (not necessarily mortgages or student loans if the interest rates are good);

• adequately insuring your house, your health, and your income (disability and life insurance can help protect your income); and

• investing for retirement.

The last point might seem less important than the others — after all, retirement comes after your kids go to college, right? But experts point out that robbing your retirement account to pay for education is foolish, as your kids have more ways to find funds for school than you do for sailing o into the sunset.

Parents should have a set goal of what they can reasonably expect to pay for college.

Families should decide exactly how much of the financial burden of college should go to parents and how much should go to the child. Investments should be low risk during this period.

TipHave a child exiting diapers or entering kindergarten soon? Instead of rejoicing in the new cash flow, pay into college savings what you had been paying for Pampers or for childcare.

PENNY WISE, P. 17 »

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The nitty-gritty

Once you’ve decided to start saving (um, now), there are two basic decisions: how much, and how. How much depends on how old your children are. Parents of a newborn could put away just $100 per month and see $48,000 at the end of 18 years, assuming they get an 8 percent average return.

As for how to save, one of the most popular options lately is a 529 plan, named for Section 529 of the national tax code and operated by states and educational institutions. “These plans offer a great vehicle for most parents, since the investments grow taxfree and withdrawals are not taxed as long as they are used for qualified educational expenses,” says Sokolowski.

There are two basic types of 529s: prepaid tuition and college savings plans. The first allows you to lock in tuition prices at eligible schools. They’re often guaranteed by the state and have residency requirements. College savings plans have fewer restrictions but aren’t backed by the state, so your investment could lose value. See the sidebar below for a more detailed comparson.

Walsh reports that Vermonters have access to 77 different types of 529 plans, and the best ones aren’t necessarily found in state. “Parents who primarily want a wide, low-cost investment selection are probably best served by 529s outside of Vermont,” she says. “Parents who are more concerned about fees and could really benefit from the tax deduction may want to choose the Vermont 529.”

If your child is planning to apply for financial aid and has other relatives contributing to a 529 account, you should not elect to be the custodian of the account, advises Walsh. “This

Ready for some sticker shock?

strategy could improve the chances of a child receiving financial aid,” she says, “because 529 accounts controlled by someone other than the parent or child are not considered an asset available for education funding.”

But keep in mind that, while it’s perfectly legal to appoint someone else as custodian of a 529, it may not always be the wisest choice, especially if Grandma has a thing for Vegas. “Someone could walk off with the money,” admits Walsh, adding that there’s a 10 percent penalty for withdrawing funds for noneducation purposes — which may not be enough of a deterrent for sticky fingers.

Roth IRAs, named for their creator, Sen. William Roth of Delaware, are also a good choice for both college and retirement. Parents should aim to contribute their maximum each year. “Savings put into a Roth come out without penalty if used to pay for qualified higher-education expenses,” says Walsh, who adds that taxable savings and investment accounts are the next logical steps, after Roths and 529 plans, for college and private school.

Aid and a-betting

Wait a second — what about that “no saving” school of thought? Could having money socked away work against you when you apply for financial aid?

The short answer is no.

“Financial aid is meant for those people who legitimately need help with the costs of higher education,” says Sokolowski. “There are many elements of a family’s financial situation that are reviewed when applying for financial aid, and the savings set aside for college is just one of them.”

The 411 on the 529

There are two basic types of 529 plan — prepaid tuition plans and college savings. Here are some of the differences:

Prepaid tuition plan: Locks in tuition prices at eligible public and private colleges and universities.

college savings plan: no lock on college costs.

PTP: most plans have age/grade limit for beneficiary.

cSP: no age limits. open to adults and children.

PTP: All plans cover tuition and mandatory fees only. some plans allow you to purchase a room-and- board option or use excess tuition credits for other qualified expenses.

cSP: covers all “qualified higher education expenses,” including tuition, room and board, mandatory fees, and books and computers (if required).

if you haven’t checked the price of a degree in philosophy lately, it’s time to face reality — and then it’s time to face the reality down the road. “Since 1958, tuition costs have been rising by between 6 and 9 percent per year,” says Sokolowski. “using the average increase of 8 percent, current tuition costs will double every nine years.”

* boarding ** in-state, not including room and board and other fees

† in-state, average room and board and other fees

†† comprehensive

Instead of not saving, suggests Walsh, parents should find the best way to increase their family’s net worth in anticipation of college costs. “Parents should not start thinking about how best to qualify for financial aid until freshman year of high school.”

If you’re afraid of goofing up, meet with a financial planner, and keep in mind that you’re far better off tripping over the elephant now than not being able to budge it when your children are accepted to Harvard. “The biggest mistake we see is parents underestimating the cost of college and not

PTP: most state plans require either owner or beneficiary of plan to be a state resident.

cSP: no residency requirement. However, nonresidents may only be able to purchase some plans through financial advisers or brokers.

PTP: many state plans are guaranteed or backed by the state.

cSP: no state guarantee. Most investment options are subject to market risk. your investment may make no profit or even decline in value.

starting to save soon enough,” says Sokolowski. “Even small amounts, when set aside on a regular basis, can grow to a nice nest egg for college over the span of 18 years. We strongly recommend setting a concrete goal and planning.”

Sarah Tuff is the editor-in-chief of Ski racing Magazine, and a frequent contributor to Seven Days. She and her husband live in Shelburne. They’re using 529 plans, a piggy bank and a sock drawer to save in hopes that one of their children might attend Tuff’s alma mater, Middlebury College.

PTP: most plans have age/grade limit for beneficiary.

cSP: no residency requirement. However, nonresidents may only be able to purchase some plans through financial advisers or brokers.

PTP: most plans have a limited enrollment period.

cSP: enrollment open all year.

Source: U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Smart Saving For College, Financial Insustry Regulatory Authority

Ramping Up for Camp

THE SNOW IS STILL FALLING and the water’s still frozen, but now is the time to start thinking about signing up your kids for summer camp. They’ll be trading snowsuits for bathing suits before you know it.

Luckily, Vermonters have lots of options. Day, sleepaway, outdoors, indoors, arts focused, sports focused, academic enrichment, digital media, special needs — you’ll find information about these kinds of camps and more on the following pages and on our website, kidsvt.com.

Better yet, come to the annual Kids VT Camp & School Fair on Saturday, February 5, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Hilton Burlington. Representatives from more than 50 camps and schools will be on hand to provide information and answer questions from parents and potential students and campers. There’s no better way to get a sense of the camp or school experience, other than visiting the campus itself. Admission to the fair is free, and everyone who attends will be entered to win a Hammerhead sled and a season’s pass to Pico Mountain. Need help picking the right camp? Wondering what’s so great about camp, anyway? Look for answers in next month’s Kids VT Camp Issue, coming to a newsstand near you on March 1.

1

Counselor/Camper

Located

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© Photo: Janice A. Bauch

Camp Sangamon and Camp Betsey Cox

Pittsford, Vermont

Brother-Sister Camps in a rustic setting.

Our all-elective program encourages independence, self-confidence and decision making. Cabin life promotes community and team work. 90 campers, ages 9-15, 45 staff. 2, 3, 5 and 8 week sessions

Riding-Woodshop-Farm-Garden-Pottery-Archery-Trips-Weaving-ArtRocketry-Tennis-Swimming-Canoeing/Kayaking-Team Sports-SailiingLow Ropes-Mountain Biking-Rock Climbing-Drama-Outdoor Skills

Camp Sangamon

tel: (888) 345-9193

email: sangamonvt@aol.com

www.campsangamon.com

Camp Betsey Cox

tel: (866) 213-4717

email: info@campbetseycox.com

www.campbetseycox.com

FEBRUARY CALENDAR

Skating Party

Your favorite hiking and biking trails might be impassible in winter, but now is the best time to travel the longest ice-skating trail in the U.S., located at Lake Morey in Fairlee. February 11 through 13, the four-mile course is the setting for SKATE VERMONT, a weekend-long celebration hosted by the Lake Morey Resort. Activities include sledding, sleigh rides, a speed-skating marathon and a torchlight skating parade. Several local restaurants will participate in the second annual Taste of the Lake culinary tour on Saturday, February 12. Bundle up and sample dishes as you skate around the lake.

SKATE VERMONT: Friday, February 11, through Sunday, February 13, Lake Morey Resort, Fairlee. Taste of the Lake tickets must be purchased in advance. $10/person, under 5 free. Other events free. Schedule and info, 800-423-1211.

Submit

Public Ice Skating

Burlington: Public skating on the Olympic rink at Leddy Park Arena. Tuesday-Friday, 8:3011:15 a.m. Times and dates subject to change, especially during school vacations. $4 adults, $3 students. Skate rentals $3. Info, 862-8869.

Milton: Open skating at the Ice Barn. MondayFriday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 5-7 p.m. $6. Skate rentals $2. Info, 893-4237.

St. Albans: Open skating for all ages at the Collins Perley Sports and Fitness Center. Sundays through March 6, 12:15-1:45 p.m. $5 adults, $3 children under 18 or adults 55 and over. Info, 524-1500, ext. 266.

South Burlington: February 1-19: TuesdayFriday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; Saturday, 4-5:30 p.m.; Sunday, 1-2:30 p.m. February 20-March 31: Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; Sunday, 1-2:30 p.m. No public skating February 21 and 28. $4 adults, $3 students, $1 ages 5 years and under/ seniors. Skate rentals $3. Info, 658-5577.

Waterbury: Public Skating at the Ice Center. Monday-Friday, 10:15-11:45 p.m. Sunday, 2:153:45 p.m. Adult skate rentals $5; 12 and under $3. Info, 244-4040.

1 TUESDAY Arts

Craftacular Tuesdays: Creative kids get caught up in low-tech projects. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 3:30-5 p.m. Free. Info, 223-4665.

Creative Tuesdays: Artists engage their imaginations with recycled crafts. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 3-5 p.m. Kids under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. Free. Info, 863-3403.

Itty Bitty Drop-In Art: Emerging artists explore with myriad materials. Play with salt dough, make a tempura painting or create a collage. Studio V, Vergennes, 9-10 a.m. Ages 2-5, preregister, $5 first child with an adult, $2 each additional child. Info, 349-2214.

Music Together: Help your child bounce, sing, dance, jump, drum, tap, click, wiggle and gallop his or her way to the development of pitch, rhythm and musical awareness. Hoehl Studio Lab, Flynn Center, Burlington, 9:30-10:15 a.m. Ages birth-5. $120/12 weeks plus $38 materials fee. Info, 652-4548.

Tadpole Preschool Drop-In: Young artists express themselves through art projects for early learners and draw, work with clay, create collages, paint murals and more. Parents must accompany children. All materials provided. BCA Clay Studio, Burlington, 9:30-11:30 a.m. $6 parent/child pair, $3 additional sibling, $5 BCA members. Info, 865-7166.

Library & B ks

Tuesday Open Computer Time: Hang out, play, browse the web. Settlers of Catan also available. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 3-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 865-7216.

Nature & Science

Preschool Discovery Program: Three- to 5-year-olds distinguish fact from folklore in a Groundhog Day celebration. North Branch Nature Center, Montpelier, 10-11:30 a.m. $5. Info, 229-6206.

Science and Stories: Shadows: Join ECHO sta to explore groundhog-related questions and have fun with shadows. ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center, Burlington, 11 a.m. Free with admission. Info, 877-324-6386.

2 WEDNESDAY

Co unity

Cookie Decorating: Youth serve up freshly baked sugar cookies with sprinkles, frosting, sugar and nuts. Panadero Bakery, Burlington, 10:30-11:30 a.m. All ages. Free. Info, 863-8278.

Education

Breast-Feeding Basics: Learn how to get started and how to know when it’s going well, and when to seek help. Fletcher Allen Health Care, Burlington, 6:30-8 p.m. Preregister. $20. Info, 847-1245.

Library & B ks

High School Book Group: Join other high schoolers to discuss plays, graphic novels, novels and short stories. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 5-6 p.m. Free. Info, 865-7216.

Middle School Book Group: Middle schoolers muse on the merits of good books. Manga, graphic novels, short stories and more. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 4-5 p.m. Free. Info, 865-7216.

3 THURSDAY

Arts

Pollywog Preschool Drop-In: Budding artists explore in a creative and social multimedia environment. Work with homemade playdough, paint, yarn, ribbon, paper and more. Parents must accompany children. All materials provided. BCA Center, Burlington, 9:30-11:30 a.m. $6 parent/child pair, $5 BCA members. Info, 865-7166.

Co unity

Kids Night Out: Great time for kids, and a night o for parents. Games, movies, snack, lots of running around. Supervised by recreation department sta . St. Albans City Hall Gymnasium, 6:30-9 p.m. Ages 5-14. Preregister. $8 residents, $10 nonresidents. Info, 524-1500, ext. 266.

Mom’s Matinees Movies just for parents with infants. No pressure to be quiet; baby-friendly volumes and dimmed lights. Palace 9 Cinemas,

South Burlington, doors open at 10 a.m. $7; ages 2 and under free. Info, 660-9300.

Health & Fitne

Postnatal Yoga: Relaxation techniques and breathwork are used to support women through the emotional challenges of motherhood. Appropriate for women with babies six weeks to crawling. Evolution Physical Therapy & Yoga, Burlington, 10:25-11:40 a.m. $14. Info, 864-9642.

Prenatal Yoga: Supports women in all stages of pregnancy. No experience necessary. Evolution Physical Therapy & Yoga, Burlington, 5:45-7:15 p.m. $14. Info, 864-9642.

Library & B ks

Homeschoolers Book Group: Monthly discussion group for homeschooled children. St. Albans Free Library, 1 p.m. Openings in 11 and up group. Preregister. Free. Info, 524-1507.

PJ Story Time: Come in pajamas to listen to a story and make a craft before bedtime. Fairfax Community Library, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Birth to age 6. Free. Info, fairfaxsx6@hotmail.com.

Red Clover Book Group: Children discuss their favorite Red Clover books. K-4th-grade readers focus on one book and enjoy a related project or activity. Students vote for their favorites on March 31 to send in to the statewide tally. Cobleigh Public Library, Lyndonville, 1:30 p.m. Free. Info, 626-5475.

CALENDAR SPOTLIGHTS AND LISTINGS WRITTEN AND COMPILED BY KATE LADDISON

Thursday Open Computer Time: Hang out, play, browse the web. Settlers of Catan will also be available. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 3-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 865-7216.

Writing Group: Join other students in writing and workshopping your poetry. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Grades 7-12. Free. Info, 865-7216.

4 FRIDAY Arts

Comics Club: Doodlers, writers and readers alike have fun with the funnies. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 3:30-5 p.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.

Family Clay Drop-In: Make a little clay! Learn wheel and hand-building techniques while hanging out with the family. Sta will give demos. BCA Clay Studio, Burlington, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Ages infant and up. $6 participant, $5 BCA members. Info, 865-7166.

Friday Night Teen Clay Drop-In: Teens don old clothes and get creative. Sta demonstrates hand-building of projects; wheels are available to make cups, mugs, bowls and more. BCA Clay Studio, Burlington, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Ages 13-18. $6 participant, $5 BCA members. Info, 865-7166.

Tadpole Preschool Drop-In: See February 1.

Fairs & Festivals

Colchester Winter Carnival: Play your way through indoor and outdoor activities all weekend, including a talent show, an ’80s-themed costume contest, sleigh rides, face painting, dunk tank and concessions. Colchester High School, kicks o with dinner at 5:30 p.m. All ages. $4 admission bracelet before noon; $5 thereafter. Info, 264-5640.

Getting the Blues

The multimedia phenomenon BLUE MAN GROUP has come to Vermont — in the form of a traveling exhibit at the Montshire Museum. “Blue Man Group — Making Waves” opened the last week in January and continues at the Norwich museum through May 8. It explores the intersection of sound and science, and features “found object” instruments similar to those used in Blue Man Group stage shows, including tube phones, a “slideu-lum,” a sand drum and PVC pipes. Kids learn how sound is created while building their own instruments and “seeing” the music they make on the spot. And, no, they don’t have to paint themselves blue to participate.

‘BLUE MAN GROUP — MAKING WAVES’: Through Sunday, May 8, Montshire Museum, Norwich. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission: $12 adults, $10 children 2-17, free for members and children under 2. Info, 649-2200.

Health & Fitne

Friday Night Kids Club: Enjoy an evening out while your kids climb the walls and play on the ropes course with sta . Petra Cli s Climbing Center, Burlington, 6-9 p.m. Preregister. $25 with all equipment included. Info, 657-3872.

Nature & Science

Science and Stories: Shadows: See February 1.

Ongoing Playgroups

MONDAYS

Burlington Early Months Playgroup: A mother-infant group for moms and their first babies during the first few months after birth. Baby massage, lullabies and sharing of calming techniques and more. VNA Family Room, St. Joseph’s School, Burlington, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free. Info, 860-4420.

Cambridge Playgroup: Kids get to play while parents meet others and learn about community resources.

Cambridge Elementary School, 9:3010:30 a.m. Free. Info, 652-513.

Colchester Twins Playgroup: For twins ages birth-5 with caregiver. Colchester Village Meeting House, 9:30-11 a.m., first and third Mondays. Follows school calendar. Free. Info, 878-1018.

Jericho Playgroup: Join us for crafts, playtime, stories, songs, local information and connecting with others. Jericho Community Center. 9:30-11 a.m. Ages birth-5 with caregiver. Follows school calendar. Free. Info, 899-2228.

Morrisville Playgroup: Kids get to play while parents meet others and learn about community resources. Morrisville Elementary School. 9-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 652-5138.

Richmond Pajama Time: Stories with Douglas while decked out in your bedtime best. Richmond Free Library, 6:30-7 p.m. Ages 2-6. Free. Info, 434-3036.

St. Albans MOPS: Crafts and group play for kids while moms enjoy a speaker. Church of the Rock, St. Albans, 8:45-11 a.m., first and third Fridays. Ages birth-6. Free. Info, 524-7047.

South Burlington Playgroup: Time for free play, songs, stories and a snack. Leo O’Brien Civic Center, South Burlington, 9:30-11 a.m. Ages birth-5 with caregiver. Free. Follows school calendar. Info, 660-8833.

Williston Gym Time Playgroup: Young bundles of energy play in an environment encouraging both fine and gross motor skills. Green Mountain Gymnastics, Williston, 8:30-11 a.m. Follows school calendar.

5 SATURDAY Arts

An Evening of Celtic Music and Dance: Traditional music of Scotland and Ireland on harp, bagpipes and drum. Good Shepherd Church, Jericho, 7 p.m. $10, $8 students 13-18, free for children under 12. Info, 878-3840.

Saturday Drama Club: Come put on a show in three hours. Very Merry Theater, 333, Burlington, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Ages 6-12. $15 or whatever you can a ord. Info, 863-6607, info@ verymerrytheatre.org.

Saturday Kids Drop-In Art: Drop in any week and create a themed art project. Shelburne Art

Ages 1-6. Limited to Williston/St. George families, capped at 50. Info, 862-5954.

Winooski Fathers and Children

Together: Evening fun and dinner for dads and kids up to first grade. Winooski Community Center, 5-7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 860-4420.

Winooski Wellness Playgroup: Playtime focusing on healthy eating and active play. Sponsored by Building Bright Futures. O’Brien Community Center, Winooski, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Follows school calendar. Ages birth-5 with caregiver. Free. Info, 655-1422.

TUESDAYS

Alburgh Playgroup: Children and caregivers enjoy lively music and movement. Alburgh Elementary School, 12:15-1 p.m, every other Tuesday. Free. Info, 527-5426.

Burlington Fathers and Children

Together: Evening fun for dads and kids up to first grade. St. Joseph’s School, VNA Family Room, Burlington, 5-7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 860-4420.

Burlington Family Play: Big Room: Activities for parents and children ages birth-5. Work on your GED or

Center, 10-11:30 a.m. All ages. $12 first child, $10 additional sibling. Info, 985-3648.

Co unity

PHAT Day at Smuggs: Learn to Protect Your Head at All Times (PHAT) with information about helmet safety on the slopes. Smugglers’ Notch base lodge, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Info, 644-8851.

Fairs & Festivals

Burlington Winter Festival: Snow-carving competition and ice walk; family activity expo; Vermont Special Olympics Penguin Plunge. Burlington Waterfront, Hilton Hotel, ECHO

high school diploma or take ESL classes or parenting workshops. Baby Room: Learn about child development, baby signs and baby massage. Both sessions run simultaneously. VNA Family Room, St. Joseph’s School, Burlington, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 860-4420.

Burlington Music With Robert: The host of a weekly folk- and worldmusic show on VPR explores tunes with music lovers of all ages. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 865-7216.

Charlotte Gym for Tots: Open gym with tumbling mats, rider toys, hula hoops, cones and balls of all sizes. No food or black-soled shoes. Charlotte Central School, Multipurpose Room gym, 11:25 a.m.-12:30 p.m., February 8 and 15. Ages birth-6 with adult. Free. Info, 764-5820.

Essex Summit Street Playgroup: Stories, songs and simple crafts. Preschool room, Summit Street School, Essex. 9-11 a.m. Ages birth-5 with caregiver. Preregister. Free. Info, 316-4775.

Fletcher Playgroup: Kids come to play and interact. Games, toys, arts and crafts, snacks, and resources. Elementary School Gym, Fletcher,

9-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 849-9368 or 782-3370.

Hardwick Playgroup: Children get out and play while community parents meet each other. Village Center Hardwick Elementary School, 8:15-10:15 a.m. Free. Info, 652-5138.

Johnson Baby Chat: Playgroup for the youngest members of the community and their caregivers. Socialize while learning about development expectations. Local specialist in child health available. Church of the Nazarene, Johnson, 10-11:30 a.m., fourth Tuesdays. Free. Info, 888-3470.

St. Albans Playgroup: Children and their caregivers socialize. St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, St. Albans, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 527-5426.

South Burlington Playgroup: See Mondays.

South Hero Playgroup: Free play, crafting and snacks entertain children and grown-up companions. South Hero Congregational Church, 10-11 a.m. Info, 527-5426.

Swanton Playgroup: Ages birth-6 welcome for age-appropriate crafts, play and snacks. Babcock School, Swanton, 9:30-11 a.m. Follows school calendar. Free. Info, 868-7087.

Lake Aquarium and Science Center, Burlington, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Info, 864-0123.

Colchester Winter Carnival: See February 4, 7:30 a.m.–6 p.m.

Great Ice in Grand Isle: Enjoy the ice during this winter event that spans two weekends in February. Cold-weather fun includes skating, ice bike races, an ice golf tournament and a kids ice fishing tournament. City Bay, North Hero, (across from Hero’s Welcome General Store). All ages. Free. Info on ice conditions, 372-4161, or localmotion.org for listing of events for both weekends.

Indoor Winter Craft Fair: Small sampling of the region’s artisans and more than 35 local crafters. University Mall, South Burlington, Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. Info, 863-1066, ext. 11.

Kids VT Camp & School Fair: Vermont’s family newspaper hosts its 14th annual fair. Gather information and meet with representatives of schools, summer programs and camps. Hilton Hotel, Burlington, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. All ages. Free. Info, 985-5482.

Health & Fitne

Beginner Ballet for Special Needs Students: Ballet class with Sidra Ho man. Jazzercise Studio, Waterbury, 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Children ages 4-7 who can function well in group setting. Preregister, but drop-ins may be accepted. Donations. Info, 244-8600.

Library & B ks

Read to a Dog: Kids share stories with an adorable pooch from Therapy Dogs of Vermont. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 10-11 a.m. Ages 5 and up. Free. Info, 865-7216.

6 SUNDAY Arts

Sunday Afternoon Music Series: Enjoy a variety of music each month in a concert setting. Reading Room, Deborah Rawson Memorial Library, Jericho, 2-3:45 p.m. All ages. Free. Info, 899-4962.

Fairs & Festivals

Colchester Winter Carnival: See February 4, 10:50 a.m.-12:50 p.m.

Great Ice in Grand Isle: See February 5. Indoor Winter Craft Fair: See February 5, noon-6 p.m.

Health & Fitne

Lollipop Ski Race: Young skiers don racing bibs for a fun zip down the Mighty Mite hill. Cochran’s Ski Area, Richmond, 1 p.m. Free with purchase of a $14 youth lift ticket.

Postnatal Yoga: See February 3, 10:05-11:30

a.m.

Prenatal Yoga: See February 3, 12:15-1:30 p.m.

Library & B ks

Read to a Dog: See February 5, 1-2 p.m.

7 MONDAY

Arts

Music Together: See February 1.

Co unity

Teen Advisory Board: High schoolers help decide what goes into the Young Adult Collection and plan teen activities. Could count toward community service. Fletcher Free

Library, Burlington, 4-5 p.m. Ages 14-18. Free. Info, 865-7216.

Health & Fitne

Itty Bitty Public Skating: Intro to skating for young children and their caregivers. Instructor on the ice o ers support and lead games and activities. Younger siblings may be pulled in plastic sled or parked in a stroller. Leddy Park Arena, Burlington, 10-11:30 a.m. $8 family, $70 10-visit card. Skate rentals $1 per pair. Info, 862-8869.

8 TUESDAY

Arts

Craftacular Tuesdays: See February 1.

Creative Tuesdays: See February 1.

Itty Bitty Drop-In Art: See February 1.

Tadpole Preschool Drop-In: See February 1.

Library & B ks

Tuesday Open Computer Time: See February 1.

9 WEDNESDAY

Arts

Moving & Grooving With Christine: Move to the rhythms of rock and roll and world-beat music. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 11-11:30 a.m. For ages 2-5 years, but all are welcome. Free. Info, 865-7216.

Music Together: See February 1.

Co unity

Cookie Decorating: See February 2.

Williston Gym Time Playgroup: See Tuesdays; no meeting on February 22.

WEDNESDAYS

Bolton Playgroup: Crafts, playtime, stories, songs, local information and connecting with others. Smilie Memorial School, Bolton, 8:15-10:15 a.m. Follows school calendar. Ages birth-5 with caregiver. Free. Info, boltonplaygroup@gmavt.net.

Colchester Playgroup: Free play and socialization for kids and caregivers. Colchester Village Meeting House, 9:30-11 a.m. Follows school calendar. Ages birth-5 with caregiver. Free. Info, 879-0900.

Enosburg Playgroup: Come enjoy circle time, free play and a craft. American Legion, Enosburg, 9-11 a.m. Please bring a snack for your child. Free. Info, 933-6435.

Essex Summit Street Playgroup: See Tuesdays.

Essex Welcome Baby Playgroup: Connect with other parents and babies. Essex Junction Teen Center, Municipal Building, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Ages birth-1. Free. Info, 846-7621.

Fairfax Global Village: Parents and children explore the language of di erent cultures. Free play, games, stories and conversation.  BFA Fairfax Health Room, 10-11 a.m. Follows school calendar. Families with children birth-6. Free. Info, 527-1941.

Hinesburg Playgroup: Toy-filled environment for tots including craft table, circle time and snack.

Hinesburg Town Hall, 10-11:30 a.m. Follows school calendar. Ages birth-5 with adult. Free. Info, Brandy, 482-6401.

Hinesburg Playgroup for Dads: Evening fun includes dinner for dads and kids up to first grade.

Preschool, Hinesburg, 5-7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 860-4420.

Milton Baby Playgroup: New moms, dads and babies gather to socialize, drink co ee and watch the little ones play. New Life Fellowship Church, Milton, 10-11 a.m. Follows school calendar.

Ages birth-12 months. Free. Info, 893-1457.

Richmond Playgroup: Crafts, playtime, stories, songs, local information and connecting with others. Richmond Free Library,

8:45-10:15 a.m. Follows school calendar. Ages birth-5 with caregiver. Free. Info, playgrouprichmond@ yahoo.com.

South Burlington Playgroup: See Mondays .

Westford Playgroup: Stories, songs and play. Westford Library, 10 a.m.-noon. Follows school calendar. Ages birth-5 with caregiver.  Free. Info, 238-5127.

Williston Gym Time Playgroup: See Mondays.

THURSDAYS

Alburgh Family Center Playgroup: An opportunity to play and chat. Alburgh Family Center, 9:30-11 a.m. Follows the Grand Isle Supervisory Union school calendar. Free. Info, 796-3013.

Burlington Family Play: See Tuesdays.

Essex Playgroup: Free play, stories and circle time. Maple Street Parks & Recreation, Essex, 9-11 a.m. Follows school calendar. Ages birth-5. Free. Info, 872-9580.

Huntington Playgroup: Playtime, crafts, stories, songs, local

information and connecting with others. Brewster-Pierce Memorial School, Huntington, 2:45-4:45 p.m. Follows school calendar. Ages birth-5 with caregiver. Free. Info, 434-3269.

Morrisville Baby Chat: Playgroup for the youngest members of the community and their caregivers. Socialize while learning about development expectations. Local specialist in child health available. Congregational Church, Morrisville, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 888-3470.

St. Albans MOPS: Crafts and group play for kids while moms enjoy a speaker. Church of the Rock, St. Albans, 6:30 p.m., first and third Thursdays. Ages birth-6. Free. Info, 524-7047.

South Burlington Playgroup: See Mondays.

Winooski Playgroup: Stories, songs and playtime. O’Brien Community Center, Winooski, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Ages birth-5 with caregiver. Free. Info, 655-1422.

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Library & B ks

High School Book Group: See February 2.

Middle School Book Group: See February 2.

Nature & Science

Science and Stories: Owls: Learn all about the little hooters, pick apart an owl pellet make an owl creation. Echo Lake Aquarium and Science Center, Burlington, 11 a.m. Free with admission. Info, 877-324-6386.

10 THURSDAY

Arts

Pollywog Preschool Drop-In: See February 3.

Co unity

Father-Daughter Gala: An evening of elegance for dads and their daughters. Attendees are treated to refreshments, music and dancing. Uncles, dads, granddads and friends can serve as escorts. Chow! Bella, St. Albans, 6-8:30 p.m. $45 pair, $15 additional child. Info, 524-1500, ext. 266.

Mom’s Matinees See February 3.

Education

Empower Your Teen to Build Healthy Relationships: Tony Moulton of the Women’s Rape Crisis Center in Burlington talks with parents about the best ways to discuss healthy relationship building with their teens. New Life Christian Fellowship, Milton, 6-7 p.m. Info, miltonyouth.org.

Health & Fitne

Itty Bitty Public Skating: See February 7. Postnatal Yoga: See February 3.

Prenatal Yoga: See February 3.

Library & B ks

Lego Club: Kids have creative building time with other kids. Legos provided. St. Albans Free Library, 3-5 p.m. Free. Info, 524-1507.

Red Clover Book Group: See February 3.

Thursday Open Computer Time: See February 3.

Writing Group: See February 3.

11 FRIDAY

Arts

Comics Club: See February 4.

Family Clay Drop-In: See February 4.

Friday Night Teen Clay Drop-In: See February 4.

Tadpole Preschool Drop-In: See February 1.

Fairs & Festivals

Great Ice in Grand Isle: See February 5.

Milton Winter Festival: Community members participate in a weekend full of sleigh rides, a party in the park, a bonfire and fireworks. Bombardier Park, Milton, 6:30-8 p.m. All ages. Info, 893-4922.

Skate Vermont: See spotlight on p. 29. St. Albans Winter Carnival: See spotlight on p. 34.

Health & Fitne

Friday Night Kids Club: See February 4.

Nature & Science

Science and Stories: Owls: See February 9.

Ongoing Playgroups

CONTINUED FROM P. 31

FRIDAYS

Burlington Crawlers, Waddlers and Toddlers: Learn about development stages, share with other parents, play, move and have fun. VNA Family Room, St. Joseph’s School, Burlington, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 999-5100.

Colchester Playgroup: See Wednesdays.

Essex Town Hall Playgroup: Community playgroup and circulating toy library. Essex Town Hall, 9-11:30 a.m. Schedule varies, call to confirm. Ages birth-5. Free. Info, 872-9580.

Fairfax Community Playgroup: Children enjoy free play, a craft, circle time and a provided snack. BFA Fairfax Health Room, 9-10:30 a.m. Follows school calendar.

Families with children birth6. Free. Info, 527-1941.

Fairfield Playgroup: Playgroup for children and their caregivers. Bent Northrop Memorial Library, Fairfield, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Ages birth-6. Free. Info, 827-3945.

Georgia Playgroup: Playing and socializing with kids and their caregivers. Georgia Youth Center, 9:30-11 a.m., second and fourth Thursdays. Ages birth-6. Free. Info, 527-5426.

Montgomery Tumble Time: Allow little ones to expend some of their abundant energy. Lots of toys and space to run in the gym. Play mat for babies. Montgomery Elementary School, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 527-5426.

Shelburne Playgroup: Bring a toy to share and a snack for your child. No beef, tree nuts or peanuts. Trinity Episcopal Church, Shelburne.  9:30-11 a.m. Follows school calendar.

Ages birth-5 with caregiver. Free. Info, 985-2382.

St. Albans MOPS: See Thursdays, 8:45-11 a.m., first and third Fridays.

Stowe Hometown Playgroup: Children have fun while parents meet caregivers and learn about family resources. Stowe Elementary School, 9:30-11 a.m. Preschool ages. Free. Info, 888-5229.

Swanton Community Playgroup: Ages birth-6 welcome for age appropriate crafts, free play, stories and snacks. Holy Trinity Church, Swanton, 10-11:30 a.m. Follows school calendar. Free. Info, 868-7087.

Underhill Playgroup: Crafts, playtime, stories and songs, as well as connections with other area families and caregivers. Underhill Central School, 9:30-11 a.m. Follows school calendar. Ages birth-5 with caregiver. Free. Info, 899-4415.

9 WEDNESDAY (CONTINUED)

Wise Guys

You’ve gotta love an animal that hunts down pesky mice, shrews and voles and enjoys the night life. Meet some of these feathery friends at the OWL PROWL at Shelburne Farms. Presented in partnership with Outreach for Earth Stewardship, the Owl Prowl will teach participants ages 10 and up how to hoot like an owl, and then give them an up-close-andpersonal meeting with an OFES “ambassador” bird. The first part of the program takes place outside, so be sure to dress for the weather.

OWL PROWL: Saturday, February 19, Shelburne Farms, 7-9 p.m. Ages 10 and up. Preregister. Members: $10 parent and child, $5 each additional child. Nonmembers: $12/6. Info, 985-8686.

12 SATURDAY

Arts

Create Valentine Cards: Crafty kids create heartfelt cards. St. Albans Free Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 524-1507.

Saturday Drama Club: See February 5.

Saturday Kids Drop-In Art: See February 5.

Co unity

Play Date: Farm & Food Fun: Kids explore theme-based activities in the education center at a leisurely pace with a sta member. Adult chaperones required. McClure Center for School Programs, Shelburne Farms, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Members: $3 child. Nonmembers: $5 child. Info, 985-8686.

Fairs & Festivals

F-f-frozen Chosen Regatta: Put on your thinking caps and build the wackiest self-propelled ice-racing machine you can think of. Prizes will be awarded in several categories. Part of Great Ice in Grand Isle (see February 5). City Bay, North Hero, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Preregister. $20 entry fee. Info, localmotion.org.

Great Ice in Grand Isle: See February 5.

Milton Winter Festival: See February 11. Community breakfast, 9-11 a.m.

Skate Vermont: See spotlight on p. 29.

St. Albans Winter Carnival: See spotlight on p. 34.

Health & Fitne

Beginner Ballet for Special Needs Students: See February 5.

Library & B ks

Read to a Dog: See February 5.

Williston Gym Time Playgroup: See Tuesdays; no meeting on February 25.

Wolcott Playgroup: Young kids get to play out some of their energy in a constructive environment. Depot Center Preschool, Wolcott, 9-10:30 a.m. Follows school calendar. Info, 888-1771.

SATURDAYS

Fairfax Open Tot Gym & Parent/Infant Play: Free play activities include slides, jump ropes and rope swing. Infant area with books, toys and tunnel time. BFA-Fairfax Elementary School Gym, 10-11:30 a.m. Follows school calendar. Families with children ages birth-6. Free. Info, 527-1941.

Franklin Playgroup: Playgroup begins with a story followed by a snack and projects. Franklin Central School, 10-11 a.m., second Saturdays. Ages birth-6. Free. Info, 285-6678.

Morrisville Baby Chat: See Thursdays, Lamoille Family Center, Morrisville, 10-11:30 a.m., second Saturdays.

North Hero Tumble

Time: Children and adult caregivers enjoy stations and free play around the gym with a snack provided. North Hero Elementary School, 10-11:30 a.m., every other Saturday. Free. Info, 527-5426.

Williston Gym

Time Playgroup: See Tuesdays, 12:30-2 p.m., February 12 and 26 only.

13 SUNDAY

Fairs & Festivals

Great Ice in Grand Isle: See February 5. Milton Winter Festival: See February 11, 12:302:30 p.m.

Skate Vermont: See spotlight on p. 29.

St. Albans Winter Carnival: See spotlight on p. 34.

Health & Fitne

Prenatal Yoga: See February 6, 10:05-11:30 a.m.

Postnatal Yoga: See February 6, 12:15-1:30 p.m.

Library & B ks

Read to a Dog: See February 5, 1-2 p.m.

Nature & Science

Critter Craft Day: Snuggle up by the woodstove and create crafts inspired by nature. Education Barn, Green Mountain Audubon Center, Huntington, 1-3 p.m. Ages 3 and up with adult companion. Members: $12 adult/child pair, $4 each additional child. Nonmembers: $14 adult/ child pair, $5 additional child. Info, 434-3068.

St. Francis Xavier School

Quality Catholic education since 1862

MONDAY Arts

14

Music Together: See February 1.

Co unity

Teen Advisory Board: See February 7.

Health & Fitne

Itty Bitty Public Skating: See February 7.

Ongoing Exhibits

An Indoor Walk Through Time: Escape Vermont’s cold outdoor weather with an indoor tour of Vermont history at this multimedia exhibit spanning the years since 1600. Walk through time and experience an Abenaki wigwam, a re-creation of the Catamount Tavern where Ethan Allen’s Green Mountain Boys gathered, a railroad station, and a WWII living room. Permanent exhibit at the Vermont Historical Museum in Montpelier. Info, 479-8510.

Blue Man Group — Making Waves: See spotlight on p. 31.

Raise the Roof (see image left): Explore the inner life of buildings — what holds them up and what it takes to bring them down. Handcrank the Dome Structure and see a building come together before your eyes. Through May 1 at the ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center, Burlington. Info, 864-1848.

Winter Weekends: Warm up your winter with a visit to the dairy farm, check out the animals, the farmhouse and other activities. February 5-6 and 12-13, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. each day at the Billings Farm & Museum, Woodstock.

Sleigh Ride Week (see image left): Farmhouse fun begins with snowy wagon rides, cookies and spiced cider. Saturday, February 19–Sunday, February 27, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m., at Billings Farm & Museum, Woodstock. Info, 457-2355.

Serving Pre-K through 8th grade For more information, please contact us at: St. Francis Xavier School 5 St. Peter Street Winooski, Vermont 05404 (802) 655-2600 www.edline.net/pages/sfxwinooski

14 MONDAY, P. 34

Duct Tape Downhill

Test your Vermont ingenuity by building a sled out of nothing but cardboard and duct tape in the ST. ALBANS WINTER CARNIVAL Duct Tape Derby. Dig through your recycling bin, dress in your funniest costume and hope that the terrain at the Hard’Ack recreation area doesn’t eat your sled for lunch. The derby is just one of several creative and constructive contests that take place during St. Albans Winter Carnival weekend. Attendees can also vie for top honors in a snowman-building event, try out the “Amazing Race,” or take part in snowboarding competitions, Nordic walking demos, a pond-hockey tournament, sleigh rides and fireworks.

ST. ALBANS WINTER CARNIVAL: Friday, February 11, through Sunday, February 13, Hard’ack, St. Albans. Some preregistration required. Most events free. Full schedule and info, 524-1500, ext. 266, or stalbansrec.com. Entry fee for the Duct Tape Derby is $10 for St. Albans residents, $12 for nonresidents. Registration for the Duct Tape Derby begins at 2 p.m. on Sunday, February 13; race time at 2:30 p.m.

Nature & Science

A Day at the Farm: Children help feed the Jersey herd and churn butter, bake cookies, sled with jack jumpers, and ride a sleigh around the fields. Billings Farm and Museum, Woodstock, 9:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Ages 8-12. $30 memebers, $35 nonmembers. Info, 457-2355.

15 TUESDAY Arts

Craftacular Tuesdays: See February 1.

Creative Tuesdays: See February 1.

Itty Bitty Drop-In Art: See February 1.

Music Together: See February 1.

Tadpole Preschool Drop-In: See February 1.

Nature & Science

Science and Stories: Snowflakes: Explore the unique properties of snowflakes and create your own one-of-a-kind snowflake art. ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center, Burlington, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 877-324-6386.

16 WEDNESDAY

Co unity

Cookie Decorating: See February 2. Moving & Grooving With Christine: See February 9.

Ongoing Story Times

MONDAYS

Waterbury Toddlers-n-Twos: Active stories designed for ages 18-36 months and caregivers. Waterbury Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.

TUESDAYS

Barre Childrens Story Hour: Tots tune in for audible prose. Aldrich Public Library, Barre, 10:30 a.m. Ages 2-5. Free. Info, 476-7550.

Barre Kids Story Hour: Literature hounds show up for tall tales. East Barre Branch Library, Barre, kids under 3 meet at 10 a.m., ages 3-5 meet at 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 476-5118.

East Middlebury Preschool Story

Hour: Kids get silly with stories and songs. Sara Partridge Library, East Middlebury, 10:30-11 a.m. Follows

school calendar. Ages birth-5 with caregiver. Free. Info, 388-7588.

Essex Junction Toddler Story Time: Simple stories, songs and finger plays. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 9:10-9:30 a.m. Follows school calendar. Ages 18-36 months with an adult. Free. Info, 878-6956.

Essex Junction Tuesday Preschool Story Time: Little ones ages 3-5 enjoy stories, songs, rhymes, and fun activities. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 10-10:45 a.m. Preregister. Follows school calendar. Info, 878-6956.

Fairfax Preschool Story Time: Children hear stories, sing songs, and create a craft or do an experiment.

Fairfax Community Library, 9:3010:30 a.m. Follows school calendar.

Ages birth-6 with caregiver. Info, fairfaxsx6@hotmail.com

Education

Breast-Feeding Families’ Group: Get breastfeeding support from other parents and certified lactation consultants. Church of the Nazarene, Johnson, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Parentsto-be, new parents, experienced parents and children welcome. Free. Info, 888-3470 or 888-4651.

Healthy Sense Development in the Young Child: Focus on the four (inner) senses and the importance of their development in the young child. Intended for parents, caregivers, educators, farmers and anyone concerned with providing will-based opportunities through practical work, agriculture and nature. Orchard Valley Waldorf School, East Montpelier, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 456-7400.

Hinesburg Preschool Story Hour: Drop by for stories, songs and games. Carpenter Carse Library, Hinesburg, 11 a.m. Ages 3-5 with caregiver. Free. Info, 482-2878.

Hinesburg Toddler Story Time: Songs, stories and finger plays. Carpenter Carse Library, Hinesburg, 9 a.m. first and third Tuesdays. Ages birth-3. Free. Info, 482-2878.

Lyndonville Baby/Toddler Story

Time: Connect with library friends and enjoy stories, songs, storyboards and finger plays. Cobleigh Public Library, Lyndonville, 10 a.m. Ages birth-3 and caregivers. Info, 626-5475.

Montpelier Story Time: Books, singing, crafts and fun. Kellogg Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 10:30 a.m. Follows school calendar. Preschool ages. Free. Info, 223-4665.

Richmond Story Time: Story time at the Richmond Free Library, 10:30-11 a.m. Ages 2-6. Free. Info, 434-3036.

Library & B ks

High School Book Group: See February 2. Middle School Book Group: See February 2.

Nature & Science

Winter Warmth on the Farm: Children visit the livestock barns, bake cookies in the woodstove, dip candles, listen to fireside stories and enjoy sleigh rides. Billings Farm & Museum, Woodstock, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Ages 6-8. Program members: $20; nonmembers: $25. Info, 457-2355.

WEDNESDAYS

Essex Junction Wednesday

Preschool Story Time: Tots enjoy stories, songs, rhymes and fun activities. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 10-10:45 a.m. Ages 3-5. Follows the school calendar. Preregister. Free. Info, 878-6956.

Highgate Toddler and Preschool

Story Time: Listen to stories, sing songs, shake out your sillies and make a craft. Highgate Public Library, 10-11 a.m. Follows school calendar. Ages birth to preschool. Free. Info, 868-3970.

Lyndonville Preschool Story Hour, Winter Session: Listen to stories, learn about the letter of the day and focus on one of six early literacy skills. Cobleigh Public Library, Lyndonville, 10:30 a.m. Geared toward ages 3-5 and their families. Free. Info, 626-5475.

Middlebury Stories With Shoopie and Lily: Read to a Therapy Dog. Ilsley Public Library, Middlebury, 4-5 p.m. Free. Preregister. Info, 388-4097.

Middlebury Toddler Story Hour: Stories, songs, rhymes and crafts. Ilsley Public Library, Middlebury, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Follows school calendar. Ages 1-3. Free. Info, 388-4097.

Montpelier Story Time: See Tuesdays.

South Burlington Story Time: Sta read newly released board books and old favorites. Barnes & Noble, South Burlington, 10 a.m. Ages 1-3. Free. Info, 864-8001.

Swanton Story Hour: Come listen to stories, sing songs and do an easy craft. Swanton Public Library, 10-11 a.m. All ages welcome. Free. Info, 868-7656.

17 THURSDAY

Arts

Pollywog Preschool Drop-In: See February 3.

Co unity

Mom’s Matinees See February 3.

Education

Motivational Interviewing: Tools for Difficult Conversations: Denise Jolicour reviews the principles of motivational interviewing as applied to everyday communication with parents and guardians of young children. NCSS Family Center, St. Albans, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Childcare available. Preregister. Info, 393-6564.

Winter Parent Open House: Caregivers check out the school’s individualized instruction, teaching team and child-centered curriculum. Bellwether School, Williston, 6 p.m. Preregister. Free. Info, 802-863-4839.

Health & Fitne

Itty Bitty Public Skating: See February 7.

Postnatal Yoga: See February 3.

Prenatal Yoga: See February 3.

Nature & Science

Who’s Hooting: See February 16.

Winter Warmth on the Farm: See February 16.

Library & B ks

Red Clover Book Group: See February 3.

Thursday Open Computer Time: See February 3.

Writing Group: See February 3.

18 FRIDAY

Arts

Comics Club: See February 4

Friday Night Family Clay Drop-In: See February 4.

Tadpole Preschool Drop-In: See February 1. Teen Clay Drop-In: See February 4.

Education

Motivated Learning Through an Artistic Education: A short introduction to the visual arts and crafts in the Waldorf curriculum is followed by hands-on experience of form drawing. Orchard Valley Waldorf School, East Montpelier, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free. Info, 456-7400.

Health & Fitne

Friday Night Kids Club: See February 4.

Nature & Science

Science and Stories: Snowflakes: See February 15.

19 SATURDAY

Arts

Saturday Drama Club: See February 5. Saturday Kids Drop-In Art: See February 5.

Co unity

Daily Design Challenge: View the “Raise the Roof” exhibit, then use your engineering and architectural skills to try and become the engineer of the day. Build the tallest tower, construct containers to cushion eggs and make bridges out of drinking straws. ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center, Burlington. Free with admission. Info, 877-324-6386.

Sleigh Ride Week: Enjoy sleigh rides, sledding with jack jumpers, and tours of the dairy farm and farmhouse. Billings Farm & Museum, Woodstock, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. $12 adult, $11 ages 62 and over, $6 ages 5-15, $3 ages 3-4, free for ages 2 and under. Info, 457-2355.

Health & Fitne

Beginner Ballet for Special Needs Students: See February 5.

Library & B ks

Read to a Dog: See February 5.

Nature & Science

Owl Prowl: See spotlight p. 32.

20 SUNDAY

Co unity

Daily Design Challenge: See February 19.

Health & Fitne

Postnatal Yoga: See February 3, 10:05-11:30 a.m.

Prenatal Yoga: See February 3, 12:15-1:30 p.m.

Library & B ks

Read to a Dog: See February 5, 1-2 p.m.

21 MONDAY

Arts

Cabin Fever Arts and Craft Creatures Attack: Cure cabin fever with art projects and outdoor play in the village studios and courtyard. Campers explore a daily theme and put on a final exhibition. Shelburne Art Center, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Ages 8-13. Preregister. $55 day, $275 full week. Info, 802-985-3648.

Children’s Craft Programs: Youngsters get friendly with art supplies. Call for product details. Ages 3-12. Aldrich Public Library, Barre, 1-3 p.m. Free. Info, 476-7550, ext. 308.

Music Together: See February 1.

Co unity

Daily Design Challenge: See February 19.

Fundamentals of Animation Camp: This fiveday camp teaches animated youths the basics

and a craft. Ilsley Public Library, Middlebury, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Follows school calendar. Ages 3 and up. Free. Info, 388-4097.

Shelburne Story Time With Mary Catherine Jones: The musician and storyteller brings stories, songs and rhymes to the Pierson Library, Shelburne, 10:30 a.m. All ages welcome. Free. Info, 985-5124.

Waterbury

Baby Lap

Time: Story time for babies birth-18 months with songs, simple rhymes and stories. Waterbury Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.

guitarwithlessons dayve huckett musician, teacher, dad

Resident guitar teacher at the Elley-Long Music Center at Saint Michaels College, also teaches at Middlebury College. Ages 6-adult. Learn the music! www.dayvehuckett.net

THURSDAYS

Barre Kids Story Hour: Snacks and activities follow an hour of tales. LACE, Barre, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 476-4276.

Fairfax PJ Story Time: Little kids rock nightgowns and flannels as special guests read from books.

Fairfax Community Library, 6:307:30 p.m. Free. Info, 527-5426.

Middlebury Preschool Story Hour: Stories, songs, rhymes

Vergennes Story Time: Themed stories with American Sign Language and an activity. Bixby Library, Vergennes, 10:30 a.m. Preschool age. Free. Info, 877-2211.

FRIDAYS

Lincoln Children’s Story Time: Songs, crafts and other activities for children. Lincoln Library, 10:3011:30 a.m. Ages birth-5. Free. Info, 453-2665.

Montpelier Story Time: See Tuesdays.

Moretown Story Time: Stories,

songs, crafts and creative fun. Moretown Memorial Library, 11:15-11:45 a.m. Follows school calendar. Ages 3-5. Preregister. Free. Info, 223-2415.

Waterbury Preschool Story Time: A time for stories, puppets and fun songs. Waterbury Public Library, 10 a.m. Ages 3-6. Free. Info, 244-7036.

SATURDAYS

Burlington Story Time for Kids: Weekly time to listen to old and new favorites. Borders Books & Music, Burlington, 11 a.m. All ages. Free. Info, 865-2711.

Colchester Saturday Stories: Children of all ages enjoy picture books. Burnham Library, Colchester, 10-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 878-0313.

South Burlington Saturday Story Time: Sta read newly released books that will resonate with kids up to grade 2.  Barnes & Noble, South Burlington, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 864-8001.

21 MONDAY, P. 36

Fundamentals of Animation camp: This fiveday camp teaches animated youths the basics of animation for video including flipbook, sand, clay and cutout. Milton Elementary School, 5th/6th-grade cafeteria, 9 a.m.-noon. $50, $45 2010 Lake Champlain Access Television summer campers. Info, 893-4922.

Teen Advisory Board: See February 7.

22 Tuesday

Arts

cabin Fever Arts and craft creatures Attack: See February 21

craftacular Tuesdays: See February 1.

creative Tuesdays: See February 1.

itty Bitty drop-in Art: See February 1.

music Together: See February 1.

Tadpole Preschool drop-in: See February 1.

Community

daily design challenge: See February 19.

Fundamentals of Animation camp: See February 21.

Library & Books

Animal mask making: For animal week at the library, make a large animal headpiece. St. Albans Free Library, 1 p.m. Preregister. Free. Info, 524-1507.

Legos: Create a masterpiece for display at the library. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Ages 5 and up. Free. Info, 865-7216. Puzzles, puzzles, puzzles: Challenge yourself with jigsaw puzzles. Youth Area, Fletcher Free Library, Burlington. All ages welcome. Free. Info, 865-7216.

Tuesday open computer Time: See February 1.

Nature & Science

Winter Vacation day camp: Build forts and fires, create winter crafts, and tap, gather and boil sap. Education Barn, Green Mountain Audubon Center, Huntington, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Ages 6-12. Preregister. $50 per day or $135 for all three days. Info, 434-3068.

23 Wednesday

Arts

cabin Fever Arts and craft creatures Attack:

See February 21

school Vacation Kids class: Bring kids in to make a hemp bracelet using a simple flat stitch. Bead Crazy, Williston, 10:30 a.m. Ages 9 and up. Preregister. $15 child, includes materials and a snack. Info, 288-9666.

Community

cookie decorating: See February 2. daily design challenge: See February 19.

Fundamentals of Animation camp:

See February 21.

moving & Grooving With christine:

See February 9.

Education

school Vacation Fun — made in Vermont 1870-1910: Granite, marble, butter and lumber — compare different Vermont products and their impact on the farms and towns of

Big Bang

if you don’t want your kids to explode things at home, send them to ... the library? this month, kids ages 4 through 8 will explore the wonders of scientific explosions with “blow things up With Will,” a special program at the Fletcher Free library in burlington. “Will” is Will Sedlack, an americorps State member who’s been helping out at the FFl and is eager to help library-goers build volcanoes. “He’s a young, adventurous kid at heart,” offers youth services librarian rebecca Goldberg. She says Sedlack has free rein to work with kids on quicksand, invisible ink and other fun stuff, “as long as it’s not too terribly messy.” better to mess up the library than your kitchen, right?

BLoW THiNGs UP WiTH WiLL: Thursday, February 24, Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 10:30 a.m.-noon. ages 4-8. Free. info, 865-7216.

Vermont. Vermont History Museum, Montpelier, 1-3 p.m. Recommended for ages 6-12. Preregister. $5 student, $3 museum members, three or more children per family pay member rate. Info, 828-2180.

Library & Books

crazy Pet day: Author Deborah Straw tells how to take good care of pets, covering all facets of an animal’s life. A few live pets will be on hand to check out. St. Albans Free Library, 1 p.m. Free. Info, 524-1507.

High school Book Group: See February 2. middle school Book Group: See February 2. Puzzles, puzzles, puzzles: See February 22.

Nature & Science

Winter Vacation day camp: See February 22.

24 Thursday

Arts

cabin Fever Arts and craft creatures Attack: See February 21.

Pollywog Preschool drop-in: See February 3.

Community daily design challenge: See February 19.

Fundamentals of Animation camp: See February 21.

mom’s matinees See February 3.

Education

school Vacation Fun — New England’s Playground 1910-1930: Visit the museum’s tourist cabin and find out why tourists came to play in Vermont’s lakes and mountains. Vermont History Museum, Montpelier, 1-3 p.m. Ages 6-12. Preregister. $5 student, $3 museum members, three or more children per family pay member rate. Info, 828-2180.

Health & Fitness

itty Bitty Public skating: See February 7.

Postnatal Yoga: See February 3.

Prenatal Yoga: See February 3.

Library & Books

Blow Things Up With Will: See spotlight this page.

Lego club competition: The twice-monthly club gets spiced up with a competition. Create an animal and leave it on display until the next day for voting. Winner gets a Lego Ferocious Creatures set. St. Albans Free Library, 3-5 p.m. Free. Info, 524-1507.

Puzzles, puzzles, puzzles: See February 22.

Red clover Book Group: See February 3.

Thursday open computer Time: See February 3.

Writing Group: See February 3.

Nature & Science

Winter Vacation day camp: See February 22.

25 Friday

Arts

cabin Fever Arts and craft creatures Attack: See February 21

comics club: See February 4.

Family clay drop-in: See February 4.

Friday Night Teen clay drop-in: See February 4.

Tadpole Preschool drop-in: See February 1.

Community

daily design challenge: See February 19.

Fundamentals of Animation camp: See February 21.

Health & Fitness

Friday Night Kids club: See February 4.

Library & Books

Puzzles, puzzles, puzzles: See February 22.

Teen movie Night: Drinks and popcorn accompany a screening of Salt, featuring Angelina Jolie. Lincoln Library, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 453-2665.

26 saTurday

Arts

saturday drama club: See February 5.

saturday Kids drop-in Art: See February 5.

Community

daily design challenge: See February 19.

Library & Books

Read to a dog: See February 5.

27 sunday

Health & Fitness

Prenatal Yoga: See February 3, 10:05-11:30 a.m.

Postnatal Yoga: See February 3, 12:15-1:30 p.m.

Library & Books

Read to a dog: See February 5, 1-2 p.m.

28 Monday

Arts

music Together: See February 1.

Community

daily design challenge: See February 19.

Teen Advisory Board: See February 7.

Health & Fitness

itty Bitty Public skating: See February 7.

matchbox Valentines

Tired of handing out the same old storebought Valentine’s day cards? My partner, Ann-Elise, found this creative Valentine’s Day project on a craft blog a couple years ago. These matchbox Valentines are unique and easy to make. I gave one to everyone in my office that year, and some people still display them on their desks. They’re also inexpensive. We’re making 40 of them this year, and we spent less than $12 on supplies. The portion size is perfect for kids, too.

— CATHY RESMER

instructions

1. empty the matches out of all the matchboxes. you don’t need them.

2. Measure a matchbox and figure out how much fabric you’ll need to cover one. Our matchboxes were 2 inches by roughly 1 3/8. We cut our fabric into pieces that were 2 inches by 4 1/4 inches.

3. Spread out your fabric and cut the pieces you need.

4. Cut as many hearts from the paper as there are people on your list. The hearts should be small enough to fit on top of the matchbox so that the fabric still shows beneath.

5. Write the names of your Valentines on the hearts.

materials

• Small matchboxes; a pack of 10 is $1.59 at Price Chopper

• Fabric; we used remnants

• Tacky glue

• Scissors

• Ruler

• Paper or card stock

• Extra-fine marker

• Candies or stickers small enough to fit in the matchboxes

6. Place a matchbox facedown in the center of the fabric piece. Fold the sides of the fabric up and over and secure with a thin line of tacky glue.

7. Turn the matchbox over in your hand. Put a dab of glue on the top of the matchbox and place one of your hearts on the glue.

8. Squeeze the matchbox lightly between your fingers until the heart and the seam on the bottom have set.

9. When the glue is dry, slide the matchbox open and fill it with candy or stickers of your choice.

10. repeat steps 6 through 9 until you’ve covered everyone on your list.

Do your kids have the write stuff?

Encourage them to enter the 2011 PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest. This annual competition, sponsored by Vermont Public Television, invites children in grades K-3 to create original stories and illustrations.

A panel of local judges and experts will select 12 winners, three from each grade. VPT will announce the winners in late April, and will feature videos of students reading their stories on-air and online, at vpt.org and kidsvt.com. Contest participants will receive a certificate of achievement, as well as the opportunity to read their story aloud at “Storytime” celebrations held at locations throughout the state.

TO ENTER: visit vpt.org/writers or call 1-800-639-3351 for contest rules and an entry form. The deadline for entries is Friday, April 8

COMMUNITY PARTNERS:

• Ben & Jerry’s

• Everybody Wins! Vermont

• The Flying Pig Bookstore

• Kids VT

• Stern Center for Language and Learning

• Vermont Department of Libraries

• Vermont Humanities Council

SUPPORTED IN PART BY GRANTS FROM: Comcast and the Employee Community Action Council of the Employees of General Dynamics

This month on kidsvt.com, see the videos from last year’s third-grade winners:

Winner:

“The Adventures of Bob and Fred, a.k.a. Sherlock Holmes & Watson” by Nora Sylvester

Honorable mentions:

“The Turtle That Wanted Wings” by Elias Davis

“Animal Seasons” by Emma Neudecker

✱ THE PARTY PLANNER

The Birthday Swap

If the thought of another toy in your home makes you cringe, try the swap for your child’s next birthday party. The birthday swap downplays gift giving while focusing on the celebration — and the favors are included.

HOW IT WORKS: All guests, including the parent-host, bring a gift, wrapped but unmarked. When it’s time to open presents, all the kids take one from the collection. You can elect to have the birthday child go first and have selections opened right there at the party, or have guests take them to go — whichever you prefer. Bonus: The latter eliminates the present-unwrapping chaos that ensues when everyone wants to “help.”

WHAT TO SWAP: It’s best to plan a theme for the swap, and to set a price limit. Here are a few suggestions for themes and gifts in the $10-andunder range.

FOR TODDLERS: A book swap is a great idea. Ask guests to bring a favorite age-appropriate title. Suggestion: Look for your favorites in paperback.

FOR 4-7-YEAR-OLDS: Consider a game or puzzle swap with the same structure. Suggestion: UNO is a winner. For girls, a princess wand/crown swap can add a special touch to a costume party. I have three girls, but I hear that, for boys, Bakugans and Tech Deck mini-skateboards are all the rage.

FOR PRETEENS & TEENS: A DVD swap can be very cool, and older releases are easy to find and affordable.

— KATRINA ROBERTS

shannon lives in Sheldon and turns 10 on February 28. Shannon loves music, spelling, reading and writing.

Join the club!

To enter your kids, sign up for the Free e-newsletter at kidsvt.com, where you can get more great information for Vermont families. Just give us your email, your children’s names and birthdates and they’re automatically enrolled in our Kids VT birthday Club.

Joshua and Zachary live in Colchester and turn 5 on February 17. Joshua loves to take things apart and work with his hands. Zachary loves to read and is currently working on the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series.

Alex lives in Fairfield and turns 9 on February 12. His favorite subjects are history and science.

PuzzLe PaGe

– that scrambled word game! ®

By MIKE ARGIRION and JEFF KNUREK

The letters of these crazy words are all mixed up. To play the game, put them back into the right order so that they make real words you can find in your dictionary. Write the letters of each real word under each crazy word, but only one letter to a square.

GLUN LODL UBEC

©2011 Tribune Media Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

You are now ready to solve today’s Jumble For Kids. Study the picture for a hint. Then play around with the letters in the circles. You’ll find you can put them in order so that they make your funny answer.

Print answer here:

Kids Across/PArenTs down

enjoy fun time with mom, dad or your favorite grown-up. The across clues are for kids and the down clues are for adults.

A Fishy situation

Kids Across

1. What a fish makes when it jumps in a lake

6. Popular ‘fast food’ treat in england: fish and ____

PArenTs down

2. Water sign: In astrology, it’s a pair of fish

3. What fish release to make bubbles on a lake’s surface

4. Lend your voice to a round of “row, row, row your boat”

Jumbles:

Puzzles4Kids

Answer: JOB LUNG DOLLCUBE

When rabbits find flowers, they — GO TO “BED”

by HeLeNa HOvaNeC

riddle search — Post office

Search up, down and diagonally, both forward and backward to find every word on the list. Circle each one as you find it. When all the words are circled, take the uNuSeD letters and write them on the blanks below. read from left to right, top to bottom to answer this riddle: How can you send a turkey through the post office? aDDreSS bILL

riddle answer:

7. Good sports: Florida’s Marlins and San Jose’s Sharks, for example

9. Green slime in your aquarium

11. Fish, unlike humans and other mammals, are ____-blooded

12. Catfish have sleek ____, with no scales

14. The bony body part a fish uses to steer, stop and keep its balance

15. The river where an egyptian might go fishing

16. What the dealer gives each player in the game Go Fish

18. Though most fish lay eggs, these aquarium pets have their babies through live birth

21. Small lakes

23. What fish do in a school

24. Streams where minnows and tadpoles often live

5. Freshwater fish species (or bird’s foothold on a tree)

6. Oysters’ cousins (or slang for dollars)

8. Sea-savvy author of “Moby Dick”

10. Medieval Norsemen who threw lavish feasts after fishing and hunting

13. What some bass wear every day

16. Despite their name, Swedish fish are not fish, but chewy ____

17. Nemo’s relationship to Marlin in a popular Pixar pic

19. Huck Finn’s fishing rod

20. The Discovery Channel’s “Deadliest Catch” got millions hooked on watching crab fisherman on the high ____

22. Man-made barrier to a salmon’s upstream dreams

Does Your Child Have Asthma?

“Sophia

her mom and dad!”

— Sophia, 2, submitted by Mary Jane Oszurek, St. Albans

Macy, 4, submitted by Cathy Aikman, Richmond

The Valid Ide t Detect r

What do tests really measure?

my son daVid’s mind is liKe a wild pony. I don’t want to see it tamed by regulated thought, which probably means I’m in for a fight with everyone who tries to train him.

I recently attended my first parent-teacher conference at David’s school. Sitting on two tiny chairs with our knees hitting the table, his first-grade teacher showed me how David compares to the “standards.” He is equal or above on most things, but he fell short in one area: assessing the number of dots on a flash card.

My mind went numb. In all fairness, I’m not even sure what his teacher was really saying. I slipped into a Never Land of “below average” and “standards” and “dots.” Is she speaking English? I wondered. Do I?

She suggested that David might not have experience in this area because he was in Singapore last year. The rest of the class mastered the skill in kindergarten. Huh?

I guess David was too busy learning Mandarin and studying architecture and measuring in the metric system and building his own abacus. Unfortunately, the skill of dot identification was not on the curriculum in a place where the education system attracts the brightest kids from Taipei to Tasmania.

Ever since he could say one, two and three, David has had a knack for numbers. On car rides, he demands that we quiz him. He can multiply 45 × 2 and subtract 45 from 102. He also likes to divide up his genetic composition to describe his own self. His most recent equation is 1/4 fruit bat, 1/4 Asian, 1/4 Jewish and 1/4 vegetarian. I don’t tell him that it doesn’t work that way because maybe, one day, it will.

But suddenly I’m being told that he’s performing below the standard on some sort of dot assessment, or whatever it’s called. This ability sure will come in handy when the United States is bankrupt from war and China cashes in the treasury bonds we sold them. And David, whose mind might have been on the front lines of problem solving, won’t be able to play with numbers in his head anymore because it will be filled with standardized information.

David’s teacher, perhaps sensing my discomfort, did point out something special about his thinking skills at the very end of our half-hour discussion. She had given the kids an assignment to separate a handful of shapes into two categories. David put all the shapes that look the same right side up and upside down in one column and the rest in another.

“I’ve never seen that before,” she said, with hardly a trace of enthusiasm.

I sighed, knowing there’s no mechanism by which to score this kind of thought. It’s not his teacher’s fault. She’s a perfectly lovely person who works very hard indeed. And my son is certainly far from perfect. David has a tantrum if you try to get him to wear anything but sweatpants, and he has trouble with the concept of cause and effect. Whenever he misbehaves, he insists that it’s an accident — even if he’s poked another kid in the eye. Yet he’ll cry for hours in genuine remorse.

I left his school feeling trapped. Yes, David needs to function in a spotty world, but how can I protect his mind from mediocrity? When we’re at home, he invents things all day long. We don’t tell him what to play with or when. He builds with Legos a lot — for 12 hours straight on Christmas Day. He also writes books — mingling onions, math and swords — and illustrates them. He never, ever says that he’s bored. It’s like he’s dreaming all the time. Connecting dots that don’t exist.

In David’s latest book, “Facts About Aliens and Things,” he outlines a secret alien code. There’s your standard “G.G.S.,” which is green goo string. And there’s your average “P.T.E.,” which stands for p tooo ex, something the aliens say sometimes. The last page of the book reads, “Aliens have connections to earth benders,” and the back flap mysteriously credits “Rapid Studios.” He does seem to use dots well at the end of each abbreviation and sentence.

But on page 3, you’ll find the real treasure, the rare and remarkable “V.I.D.,” also known as the valid ideot detector, the description of which uses double-dotted colons. Illuminated as follows:

Length: Small

Texture: Meteil

Like a meteil detector

I asked David, who was busy with another creation, when the aliens might find such a tool useful.

“Mom, you’re distracting me.”

“A few more questions, David, and then you can go back to work.”

“OK.”

“Can an alien take a valid ideot detector to school?” I decided not to correct his spelling of the word “idiot.”

“No way.”

“Why?”

“Because it would shock everyone.”

Call me an ideot, but I detect a good idea here. Maybe it’s time for a jolt.

In all fairness, I’m not even sure what his teacher was really saying. I slipped into a Never Land of “below average” and “standards” and “dots.”

By n ancy sT earns Bercaw

Independent

Healthy

Promoting Balanced Lives Summer Camp 2011 CAMP EDGE

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• Athletic Activities

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• Climbing Wall

is a place of innovation, fun and fitness for school age children ages 6-12. We also offer a Camp Program for 5 year olds, which is run in conjunction with Camp Edge. Additionally, we offer more diverse and detailed activities for our older group of 9-12 year-old Campers. Our program offers a variety of indoor and outdoor activities including sports, craft projects, field trips and more! Our campers have an active summer playing and learning with their friends!

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• Group Sports (including but not limited to: baseball, soccer, floor hockey, basketball, kickball)