Afm 2015 feb magazine by Austin Family Magazine

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inside 2/15

austinfamily

smart parenting • healthy homes

columns

calendar

15 Family Matters Give “Scary” Boyfriend a Chance to Prove Himself

56 Family Events 59 Parenting Events 60 Story Times

22 The Learning Curve Can Arts Education Find a Fit in Public Schools?

in every issue

26 Family Connections Recover That Old Puppy Love With Modern Conveniences

7 8 54

30 Lifelines Sleep Apnea: Not Just an Adult Problem 57 Ten Things…for Kindergarten Readiness 63 Films Into the Woods

32 features

Play It Safe Product Recalls Around Austin Kidzone by Thinkery Make a Special Valentine

extras 36 Summer Camp Guide 2015 55 Focus on Doctors 62 Smart Screen Time

Sleep-Away Camps Combine Growth and Fun

Ten Years On, Brandon Medina Still Kicks It

Calling All Room Moms: A Valentine’s Day Party Plan

Is So-Called Kindergarten “Redshirting” a Good Idea?

artículos en español 16 Dele al “Espantoso” Novio la Oportunidad de Demostrar Cómo Es en Realidad 24 ¿Puede la Educación de las Artes Encontrar un Lugar en las Escuelas Públicas?

64 Humor It’s a Flower-Candy-Teddy Bear Extravaganza

61 Piensa Positivo Dolor y Placer

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Victoria, a 10th grader, graces our cover for the second time. She was a Cover Kid winner and appeared on our March 2013 issue. Cover photographed by Tiffany Corbett of Studio213.net

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austinfamily®

editor’s note by Sherida Mock

February 2015

Seems like we’ve just gotten used to the New Year, and it’s already time to start making plans for summer camps and even—yes, it’s true—for the fall school year. Some districts will begin registering for pre-K and kindergarten as early as the first week in March. With that in mind, this month we’ve brought you a Camp Guide brimming with choices and a trio of great articles to help with those important decisions. Steve Baskin writes about the benefits of sleep-away camps, and Lindsay Evans discusses the pros and cons of “redshirting,” or delaying the start of kindergarten. Just for good measure, we’ve assembled Ten Things for Kindergarten Readiness, as well. February also means that soccer season is right around the corner, and what a delight it was to catch up with Brandon Medina, a former Austin Family cover kid, who is all grown up and still immersed in the sport. I hope you enjoy discovering where life has taken him. This is the month of Valentine’s Day, and we have a couple of writers giving a personal spin to the holiday. Richard Singleton, our technology columnist, shows you how apps can lend a hand in planning your celebration, while Carrie Taylor, our humor columnist, has had enough with the holiday promotions. With so much going on this month, February promises to keep us busy. Just remember to take a little time for yourself as well. Stay warm, and have a happy Valentine’s Day!

Volume 22, No. 11

PUBLISHER Kaye K. Lowak EDITOR Sherida Mock editor2003@austinfamily.com COPY EDITOR Paula Halloum ADVISING EDITORS Dr. Betty Kehl Richardson Barb Cooper CALENDAR EDITOR Betty Kemper calendar2003@austinfamily.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Sherida Mock, Jack Kyser, Jennifer VanBuren, Dr. Betty Richardson, Richard Singleton, Carrie Taylor, Sara Rider, Steve Baskin, Pam Molnar and Dr. Lindsay Evans TRANSLATION TEAM Maribel Ruvalcaba, Margo Vogelpohl, Pilar Korgel ART DIRECTOR John Franzetti jfranzetti@att.net AD DESIGN and PRODUCTION Jason Suarez nr2003@austinfamily.com STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Studio213.net ADVERTISING SALES Kaye K. Lowak kaye2003@austinfamily.com Greg Lowak greg@austinfamily.com BUSINESS & DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Greg Lowak greg@austinfamily.com We are dedicated to serving the Greater Austin area by providing up-to-date information and ideas that promote smart parenting and healthy homes. We promote our clients’ businesses by increasing their customer bases and enhancing their public images. Austin Family is published monthly by KKKemper Inc. Mail Address: P.O. Box 7559 Round Rock, Texas 78683-7559 Phone Number: (512) 733-0038 Web: www.austinfamily.com Advertising rates are available upon request. While we use great care in creating our display ads, mistakes can happen. Austin Family and the publisher are not liable for any damages arising from any typographical or mechanical errors beyond the cost of the ad. Austin Family does not necessarily endorse any of the advertisers, products or services listed in this publication. We do not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Subscriptions are available for $25 per year. Copyright 2015. All rights reserved. No portion of Austin Family may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.

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play it safe: product recalls

Government Recalls Bean Bag Chairs, Play Yards and Monkey Toys Comfort Research is recalling about 125,000 vinyl bean bag chairs because the zippers on the bean bag chairs can be opened by children, who can then crawl inside, become entrapped, suffocate or choke on the bean bag chair’s foam beads. The recall involves vinyl polystyrene-filled bean bag chairs with a single zipper on the exterior cover. The round chairs measure 88 to 98 inches in diameter. Affected units were sold at Burlington Coat Factory, Kroger, Meijer and other retail stores nationwide and online at Amazon, Bean Bag Company, Groupon, Kohls, Target, Toys R Us, WalMart, Wayfair and other online retailers between January 2010 and October 2013 for between $30 and $40. Consumers should immediately take the recalled bean bag chairs from children and check them for zippers that can be opened. Consumers can contact Comfort Research for instructions to permanently disable the zipper. Dream On Me is recalling about 10,000 Incredible Two-Level Deluxe Adjustable Height Play Yards because the play yard’s rails can collapse, presenting a strangulation hazard to young children. The recalled play yards have model numbers starting with 436A, 436B, 436O, 436P and 436R and are made with a steel, powder-coated frame base with rolling, hooded casters and have a fabric and mesh covering that comes in a variety of colors. The play yard includes a changing top, a toy bar with soft toys for entertainment, a side pocket for storage and a carrying case. Affected units were sold online at Amazon, Kohls, Toys R Us, WalMart, Wayfair and other online retailers from March 2010 through January 2014 for about $60. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled play yards and contact Dream On Me to receive a free repair kit. Giggles International is recalling about 13,000 animated monkey toys because the battery compartment can reach temperatures up to 230 degrees Fahrenheit, posing a burn hazard. The recall involves Giggles International Animated Sing-Along Monkey toys. The monkey is made of brown and beige plush material and is about nine inches tall. The toy is designed to hold a song book titled “Five Little Monkeys” and to sing the song when activated. Affected units were sold exclusively at Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores nationwide from September 2014 to October 2014 for about $25. Consumers should immediately take the animated monkey away from children, remove the batteries and return the toy to any Cracker Barrel Old Country Store or contact Giggles International for a full refund. The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission works to protect the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products.

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Around Austin Go to www.austinfamily.com for weekly updates of Around Austin news

Must-Do this month Shop for furniture. Experts say February is the best month to buy. Most retailers are clearing out old styles to make room, and you could save 30 to 60 percent on “as is” floor samples. Celebrate Black History Month with one of the many events and activities around town. Here’s a start: check out the Carver Museum in Austin or the Calaboose Museum in San Marcos. Get cooking. Our favorites: Feb. 20 is National Cherry Pie Day, Feb. 23 is National Banana Bread Day and Feb. 26 is National Chili Day.

12,000

BY THE NUMBERS

Number of day and resident camps in the U.S. Of those, 47 percent are primarily overnight camps, 28 percent are primarily day camps and 26 percent offer both day and overnight camps. Source: American Camp Association

Special Olympics Holds Winter Games Special Olympics Texas will be holding its Winter Games Feb. 5-8 at locations throughout the Austin area. More than 2,500 athletes are expected to compete in bowling, powerlifting and volleyball events. Opening ceremonies for the fourday competition will occur Feb. 5 at Round Rock High School and feature the Parade of Athletes, singing of the National Anthem and lighting of the torch during the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR), along with a variety of entertainment and live music. Bowling competition will take place at Dart Bowl, Highland Lanes, Mel’s Lanes and Westgate Lanes. Powerlifting will take place at Round Rock High School, with volleyball taking place at Austin Sports Center. Special Olympics Texas is a privately funded non-profit organization that changes lives through the power of sport by encouraging and empowering people with intellectual disabilities, promoting acceptance for all and fostering communities of understanding and respect. Special Olympics Texas provides continuing opportunities for more than 44,500 children and adults with intellectual disabilities throughout the state to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy and friendship. To learn more, visit specialolympicstexas.org. Pflugerville ISD Collects 1.5 Tons for Food Banks Pflugerville ISD announced that its families and staff members collected approximately one and a half tons of food items for local food banks in advance of the holiday season. This is the eighth annual food drive spearheaded by the district’s food services department to benefit community food pantries in the Pflugerville area. Food Services Director Geoff Holle said the district has collected more than 10,000 pounds of food in the last eight years, with an annual goal of 1,000 pounds. This year, through campus generosity, leadership and competitive spirit, the district was able to collect 3,800 pounds of donated food. “It takes a collaborative effort to collect nearly two tons of food to donate to local community partners,” Holle said. “On behalf of those who have received

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and those who will receive food because of you, your teams’ and your students’ generosity, a huge ‘thank you’ for always setting the bar and exceeding it when it comes to our children and community, no matter the task.” For the first time this year, Holle provided a resource page for teachers who wanted to incorporate the food drive into classroom curriculum as a service-learning project. Many campuses held grade-level competitions, along with competition between campuses, to raise the record amount of food items.

The Signing Connection’s Amy Joines leads the class and is certified through Signing Time Academy as a baby sign language instructor. She was awarded Instructor of the Year from the Signing Time Academy in 2013. Participants can register by visiting recconnect.sanmarcostx.gov, by calling 512-393-8280 or by visiting in the San Marcos Activity Center.

“We encouraged teachers to use this opportunity as a service-learning project, with the objective to educate and enlighten about the needs of our community,” Holle said. “This project reinforced the importance of compassion, respect and fairness for those families, neighbors and friends who may feel the pains of hunger.”

Umlauf Museum Features Touchable Art The Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum has the largest touchable sculpture collection in Texas, museum officials announced in late December. The collection is important to visually impaired visitors as an avenue for arts education.

City of San Marcos Offers Baby Sign Language Classes The Signing Connection and City of San Marcos Parks and Recreation have announced a continuation of weekly Baby Sign and Play classes in 2015. The classes are held Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. for $7 per child at the San Marcos Activity Center, 501 E. Hopkins Street. Parents accompanying a child attend at no cost. Children ages 0-5 years old and their families learn basic sign language and provide the family with a new way to verbalize wants, needs and daily communication. The classes focus on a different topic each week.

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“I was a summer intern through the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services’s Division for Blind Services,” said Patricia Morales, 17. “The Umlauf has been a big part in my life, and I hope to see more conservation workshops in the future. Working with everyone at UMLAUF and knowing they supported me 100 percent made work very fun and educational. Their great attitudes and support helped me remember that even though I was disabled, I was still a big part of Umlauf, and I was welcomed there with open arms.” continued on page 10

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continued from page 9

The touchable sculpture collection is accessible to all visitors, and the museum provides free tours tailored to students of every ability, including students of independent school districts, Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Texas School for the Deaf, Communities in Schools (CIS) programs, and other community organizations for special needs students. The Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum is home to the largest collection of American sculptor Charles Umlaufâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work. In 1985, Umlauf and his wife gifted their home, art studio and 168 sculptures to the City of Austin for public enjoyment and education. The garden and museum are located at 605 Robert E. Lee Rd. near Zilker Park. Austin Diaper Bank Sets Goal to Serve More in 2015 Austin Diaper Bank announced in January that it has provided over 100,000 diapers to babies and seniors in need since its founding in summer 2013. In May 2014, the organization achieved its original goal to secure an independent space by leasing office space in north central

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Austin. Officials said the space has allowed the organization to welcome volunteer groups and store up to 40,000 diapers for the community, but it leaves little room for the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual distribution of 250,000 diapers, which allows Austin Diaper Bank to receive free diapers from Huggies and to meet the needs of the Austin area. The group says its goal for 2015 is to raise $50,000 to establish professional, full-time leadership, because since its inception, founder Beverly Hamilton has governed the organization on very little funding. Austin Diaper Bank is dedicated to providing diapers to Austin families in need to strengthen the community as a whole. The group partners with social service agencies of all kinds to distribute the diapers; it does not distribute to individuals. Simon Youth Foundation Seeks Applicants for Scholarships For a fifteenth straight year, Simon Youth Foundation, a national nonprofit that provides educational opportunities for at-risk high school students, will award a college scholarship to one student from every community that is home to a Simon property. Simon Youth Foundation Community Scholarships are awarded through the Simon Youth Scholarships program and

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in partnership with local Simon properties. The application period ends on February 25.

In 2014, the Simon Youth Scholarships program awarded $1.1 million to more than 300 students nationwide.

Locally, students can pick up a copy of a scholarship application at the Simon Guest Services Center at Round Rock Premium Outlets and San Marcos Premium Outlets. Students can also apply online at www.syf.org.

“Our mission is to ignite hope for a brighter future in students, and our Foundation is proud to award scholarships that will remove some of the financial obstacles that would otherwise prevent a student from achieving the dream of a college education,” says J. Michael Durnil, Ph.D., the President and CEO of SYF.

Any student who will be graduating in the class of 2015 and lives within 50 miles of a Simon property is eligible. Properties in the Austin area include Barton Creek Square, The Arboretum, Gateway Center, Lakeline Mall, Lakeline Plaza, Lakeline Village, Round Rock Premium Outlets, San Marcos Premium Outlets, and The Shops at Arbor Walk. The program will award a one-time scholarship of up to $1,500 to students who plan to enroll in an accredited college, university, vocational or technical school. In addition, ten regional awards called “Awards of Excellence” will be given to top candidates. The regions eligible are Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Dallas, Indianapolis, Miami, New York, Orange County (CA), Orlando, and Seattle/Tacoma. Students from these areas will have the opportunity to win a $2,500 scholarship that is renewable for up to three years. Another “Award of Excellence” will be given to the top candidate from among the scholarship winners that represent each of the nationwide Premium Outlets® locations. That student will win a $2,500 scholarship which is renewable for up to three years.

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The 2015 SYF Community Scholarship recipients will be selected by International Scholarship and Tuition Services, Inc. (ISTS), a third-party administrator. Students are selected based on a variety of criteria, including financial need, academic performance, leadership skills and participation in school and community activities. Those students who are the first in their family to pursue a post secondary education will also be given close consideration. Recipients will be notified the week of May 4.

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by Steve Baskin

When most people think about the benefits of sleepaway camp, they think of fun and friends—and with good reason. Where else can a child ride a horse, create a ceramics masterpiece and water ski, all in the same day? Camp is also a friend-making machine. My mother once observed that all children arrive at camp with one thing in mind—they want to make a new friend. Many adults count camp as the happiest days of their childhood. But the right summer camp experience is about so much more than fun. Quality camps provide lasting benefits that create a long-term advantage for the children that attend them. The best summer camps are partners in your parenting process. Raising a child is way too important to do alone. My wife and I have four children, and we deeply value the teachers, coaches, mentors and other adults that help our children grow into (we hope) exceptional adults. Our children certainly love us, but they get tired of hearing advice from us. When another adult— particularly a cool and engaged one—reinforces our values, they hear the message with new ears. The right sleep-away camp makes an excellent partner and is effective in addressing the challenges faced by today’s children. Here are some reasons why.

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Camp Is Tech-free

The average American teen spends over 52 hours each week looking at electronic screens. While much of this time can be productive, it has reduced the amount of time that children interact face-to-face. When face-toface time becomes screen-to-screen time, our children lose the ability to practice critical interpersonal and character skills. All of us—parents and children alike— are a little too connected to our electronic devices. At camp, children put down the devices and hone their interpersonal skills. Screen-to-screen texting becomes face-to-face chatting and arm-in-arm strolling. Camp may be the only place a child is tech-free for multiple weeks and is thankful for it. The campers’ experience is immersive, and they can’t pick up technology when they return home at the end of the day.

Camp Provides Cool Role Models

I hate to break this to my fellow parents, but we are not that cool in the eyes of our children. It is natural for children to seek out role models beyond their own parents. The question is not whether they will seek out different role models, but who those role models will be. In a vacuum, pop stars and athletes become the role models. At camp, the heroes are upbeat, fun and talented college students committed to impacting their campers.

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I know that “hero” is a strong word, but we are amazed at the counselors we see every summer. Many were once campers themselves, but others come from around the world. What they share is a deep desire to help children grow.

Camp Builds Confidence

One of the best ways to grow is to take “reasonable risks” and learn new skills. If you think about it, virtually every meaningful growth experience of your life involved trying something new and unfamiliar. Learning new skills helps expand our belief in ourselves and makes us feel more capable. At camp, every camper encounters new activities that foster growth. Children who are comfortable with athletics get some exposure to creative activities, while artistic children can find a physical activity that they enjoy.

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Camp Builds the Skills That Predict for Success

A huge body of research has defined a set of skills that are more important than IQ or test scores in predicting for future success. These include communication, teamwork, leadership, creativity and â&#x20AC;&#x153;grit.â&#x20AC;? These skills have always been important, but the modern world has made them even more so. Specific knowledge is less important because we have portable computers in our pockets. Teamwork and communication are critical to success. Creative thinking is rare and valuable.

Camp Teaches That Growth Follows Failure

In school, failure is dreaded. We do not want our children to fail tests or projects; we want them to soar and succeed. But innovation and creativity require a willingness to try new things and, yes, occasionally fail. We want our children to know that they can fail, bounce back, try again and ultimately triumph. At camp, no one really cares if you reach the top of the climbing wall or get up on a wakeboard. These shortcomings do not show up on a childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s permanent record. Campers learn perseverance and resilience while having fun.

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The wonderful news is that research also reveals that these skills can be taught. The best and most forward thinking camps put a heavy emphasis on these skills and train their counselors to foster these skills in their campers. Since camp counselors do not have to work on specific curriculum (such as algebra or grammar), they can focus on group dynamics, conflict resolution, leadership skills, resilience and collaboration. Few experiences provide such a rich combination of growth and fun as a sleep-away camp. Parents who take the time to find the right camp-partner will see the benefits for years to come. _______________ Steve Baskin and his wife operate a summer camp for boys and girls in the hill country of Central Texas.

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family matters by Dr. Betty Richardson

Give “Scary” Boyfriend a Chance to Prove Himself

Our daughter Sara is 15 and a sophomore in high school. She is a good student, and up to this point, she has been an easy child to raise. However, recently she seems to be attracted to kids who pride themselves on looking different and not being well-engaged in school. She wants to date Ben, a boy who is a junior. He has long hair, two piercings in one eyebrow and some kind of spacer to help make a big hole in his ear. I don’t like him, and I don’t want my daughter to date him or hang around with his “on the fringe” friends. I worry that Sara won’t be able to tell him “no” when it comes to intimacy or possibly drugs. Is he on drugs? I don’t know. Can we tell her she can’t date or even hang out with this guy?

A. You could tell Sara she can’t date or hang out with Ben and his friends, but this probably would intensify her efforts to be with him and would likely close communication with her about him—and other issues as well. Why not approach this in a way that keeps communication open with your daughter and still keeps her safe? I suggest talking with Sara in a positive way; trust that you raised her well, and that there’s something she sees Ben. (This may not be true, but you will get information from her if you talk to her as if you are interested.) Ask her what she likes about him; ask why he likes piercings, etc. Open up about what puts you off about his looks, but indicate that you really want to get to know him for the reasons she likes him, and that’s why you want him around the family for a while. One idea is to tell your daughter that Ben has to come to the house to visit several times before you will even consider saying yes to dating. Invite him to supper, homework sessions in your home, family game night, and perhaps going with the family to a sports outing. Discuss rules with Sara and Ben, such as being in sight at all times and fully participating in family activities. Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market

Find out what Ben’s good qualities are, as well as what his family is like and—even if they are dysfunctional— consider that he might be able to succeed in spite of his family, especially if you help mentor him. Discuss his goals with him, and encourage him. With some respect, acceptance and encouragement, he might decide to do well in school and to be involved in acceptable activities. On the other hand, you may find him to be worse than you suspected and your daughter will, under supervision, recognize it for herself. It’s next to impossible to choose your children’s friends when they get to preteen and teen years and later. When you deny them access to someone you disapprove of, it’s highly likely they’ll rebel and find ways to secretively be with that person. I checked with one of my favorite high school teachers about her thoughts on situations similar to yours. Here’s what she had to say: “Maybe he (Ben) treats her (Sara) really well; I’ve had some of the ‘scariest’ looking kids in various classes turn out to be the absolute sweetest kids, almost like they are so good that they wear the ‘scary’ outer to tame the ‘sweet’ down below. I love it when they blow my assumptions and prejudices away.” Betty Richardson, Ph.D., R.N.C., L.P.C., L.M.F.T., is an Austin-based psychotherapist who specializes in dealing with the problems of children, adolescents and parents.

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family matters by Dr. Betty Richardson

Dele al “Espantoso” Novio la Oportunidad de Demostrar Cómo Es en Realidad

P. Nuestra hija Sara tiene 15 años de edad y es estudiante de segundo año de preparatoria. Es una buena estudiante, y hasta este momento, ha sido una hija fácil de criar. Sin embargo, recientemente parece que le atraen los muchachos que se enorgullecen de verse diferentes y no están enfocados en la escuela. Quiere salir con Ben, un muchacho que está en tercer año de preparatoria. Tiene el pelo largo, dos perforaciones en la ceja y un tipo de separador que ayuda a hacer un agujero grande en la oreja. No me gusta, y no quiero que mi hija salga con él o que ande alrededor de ese tipo de amigos. Me preocupa que Sara no sea capaz de decirle “no” cuando se trate de intimidad o posiblemente drogas. ¿Él está usando drogas? No lo sé. ¿Le podemos decir que no puede salir o andar con este tipo?

R. Usted puede decirle a Sara que no puede salir o andar con Ben y sus amigos, pero esto probablemente podría intensificar más el que ella quiera estar con él y probablemente hasta cierre la comunicación con ella sobre él—y de otros temas también. ¿Por qué no aborda esto de una manera que mantenga la comunicación abierta con su hija y la mantenga segura? Sugiero hablar con Sara de manera positiva; confíe que la crió bien, y que hay algo que ella ve en Ben. (Esto puede no ser cierto, pero obtendrá información si usted habla con ella como si estuviera interés.) Pregúntele que le gusta de él; pregúntele por que le gustan las perforaciones en la piel, etc. Platique con ella sobre lo que no le gusta a usted sobre 16 | February 2015 | austinfamily.com

su apariencia, pero indíquele que usted realmente quiere llegar a conocerlo por la simple razón que a ella le gusta, y por eso lo quiere alrededor de su familia por un tiempo. Una idea es decirle a su hija que Ben tiene que venir de visita a la casa varias veces antes de que usted incluso considere decir sí a las citas. Invítelo a cenar, hacer tareas en su casa, noche de juegos familiares, y tal vez ir con la familia a un evento deportivo. Hable de reglas con Sara y Ben, como estar a la vista en todo momento y participar plenamente en las actividades familiares. Descubra cuales son las buenas cualidades de Ben, además de cómo es su familia—aunque sean disfuncionales—considere que él puede llegar a tener éxito a pesar de cómo es su familia, especialmente si usted lo ayuda con algunos consejos. Hable sobre las metas que tiene él, y anímelo. Con un poco de respeto, aceptación y aliento, View the magazine online at austinfamily.com

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podría decidir mejorar en la escuela y participar en actividades aceptables. Por otro lado, es posible que sea peor de lo que sospechaba y su hija, bajo supervisión, lo reconocerá por sí misma. Es casi imposible elegir a los amigos de sus hijos cuando llegan a la edad de la preadolescencia, la adolescencia y más grandes. Cuando se le niega el acceso a alguien que usted desaprueba, es muy probable que se rebelen y encuentren maneras en secreto de estar con esa persona. Hable con una de mis maestras favoritas de preparatoria sobre sus pensamientos en situaciones similares a la suya. Esto es lo que tenía que decir: “Tal vez él (Ben) la trata (Sara) muy bien; He tenido algunos estudiantes con un aspecto “espantosa” en varias de mis clases los cuales terminan siendo muy dulces, casi como que son tan buenos que llevan un “espantoso” exterior para dominar lo “dulce” que son por dentro. Me encanta cuando me prueban estar equivocada con mis suposiciones y prejuicios.” Betty Richardson, Ph.D., R.N.C., L.P.C., L.M.F.T., es una psicoterapeuta situada en Austin que se especializa en el tratamiento de los problemas de los niños, adolescentes y padres.

No Other School Teaches Them To

SHINE Like This.

Elementary Schools in your area: Cathedral School of St. Mary

When you choose Catholic School for your children, you surround them with a

Holy Family Catholic School St. Austin Catholic School St. Gabriel’s Catholic School St. Helen Catholic School (Georgetown)

community

St. Ignatius Martyr Catholic School

that a shares your

St. Louis Catholic School

faith and your

St. Mary’s Catholic School (Taylor)

values. Here, your children will learn to shine—with a light that they will carry with them into the world.

St. Theresa’s Catholic School Santa Cruz Catholic School (Buda) High Schools in your area: St. Dominic Savio Catholic High School St. Michael’s Catholic Academy San Juan Diego Catholic High School Learn more about Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Austin www.CSDATX.org

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austinfamily.com | February 2015 | 17

Ten Years On,

Brandon Medina

Still Kicks It by Sherida Mock

This month, we put the spotlight on Brandon Medina, who graced the cover of our September 2005 issue. Turns out, Medina has never put down the soccer ball. He is one semester away from a bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in sports science and athletic training, and this month he and his father Tim open Austin Soccer Apparel, a gear and clothing store focused on all things related to The Beautiful Game. We sat down with Medina to catch up on his memories of the cover shoot and what heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been doing lately.

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AF: What do you remember about the cover shoot? I remember going into Soccer Zone, and there were a couple of cameras. I did a few things to get the feel, a few juggling moves, just playing around, passing, shooting. I remember trying to take it as naturally as possible, but it was fun. It felt awesome; really, really cool. I do remember seeing myself on the cover. It was me and my buddy Zach. We both looked at each other and went, “Wow, we’re on the front of a magazine!” AF: What drew you to soccer? My dad was a commissioner at Town & Country Optimist Club. He just stuck me into the sport. I did okay from 3 to 4 years old, and when I was 5 and 6 is when I fell in love with it. It took some energy out of me; I got to blow off some steam. I caught on to how unique soccer is. Every goal is so valuable and powerful. The crowds are so loyal. It was just the most energetic sport I’ve ever continued on page 20

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been introduced to. I wanted to know more. AF: Do you follow professional soccer? Oh, yes, I do. My favorite team is Chelsea FC, the “Blues.” I am a strong supporter. My car is Chelsea blue, and I have a Chelsea decal sticker, and my laptop is blue. I love all teams, though. I don’t have a team that I hate or dislike. I can’t support Manchester United, because they are the rival team. I love all leagues; I love international teams. I even love the lower-level leagues, the leagues below the English Premier League. I love

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watching MLS, which is fixing to blow up in the United States. I can’t wait for that.

synthetic or leather—we can custom fit it on you. We will have a heat press, so we can put numbers and names on jerseys and t-shirts. The grand opening will be February 7.

“I caught on to how unique soccer is. Every goal is so valuable and powerful. The AF: What do you do outside crowds are so loyal. It was of starting this business? just the most energetic sport I’ve ever been introduced to. I wanted to know more.” – Brandon Medina

I’m very busy, so I don’t play soccer as much as I used to. But I either play pickup soccer, or I spend time with my lovely girlfriend. I take my beagle for walks. I hang out with family. I love movies.

AF: Tell us about the new store. I saw Austin growing and the potential for a top-level, premier soccer store. We have the Lonestar Soccer Club, which is affiliated with one of the biggest clubs in Texas. I want kids to come in and be blown away by what we offer. I want to supply them with what they need to go out and have fun. It’s called Austin Soccer Apparel, or ASA. We love the name; it’s easy to remember. The location is fantastic. The store is in The Hub shopping center, where US 183 and Toll Road 45 intersect. I love the size of the store. We have a lot of amenities like a 12’ by 20’ soccer field. You can actually test your products: try on a shoe, whack the ball or shoot at a goal. We can weigh the ball and check the PSI. We’re going to have a heat steamer, so if you have a top-level boot [soccer shoe]— Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market

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the learning curve by Jennifer VanBuren

Can Arts Education Find a Fit in Public Schools?

here are countless articles that address the educational merits of including art education in the public school system. With the emphasis of many schools being placed on standardized testing, some believe that if objectives are not measured in the test, they are not important. What if you were told that it does not matter how art education affects test scores? That art for its own sake is what matters? Some may agree wholeheartedly, while others will be quick to deny the assertion. This article will address the benefits of art education, both in and out of public school systems, in relation to test scores as well as other developmental and social benefits. Hopefully, there will be something for everyone with which to relate.

Reading, Writing and Math

Once touted as the 3R’s of education—reading, writing and ‘rithmatic—there are proponents for bringing education back to the basics. Whether or not one agrees to this philosophy, it would be hard to disagree with their importance. In 2002, The Arts Education Partnership pulled together data from 62 different studies. In their analysis, they summarized that children who are exposed to fine arts are often more proficient at reading, writing and math. The researchers gave the disclaimer that arts education is not a cure-all for ailing schools, but believe it can be one valuable component in 22 | February 2015 | austinfamily.com

bringing positive changes. The cumulative data also showed that students who receive more arts education also perform better on standardized tests, have improved social skills and are more motivated.

Graduation Rates

When measuring the success of a school system, its graduation rate is always considered. How could the arts improve graduation? Possibly because participating in fine arts and performing arts programs gives students a reason for wanting to show up to school. Students who struggle in academic subjects can find joy and motivation in arts based classrooms. When students are given a reason to show up every day, all teachers have the opportunity to reach these struggling students. Arts education helps not only with graduation rates, but also reduces truancy and delinquency. In 2009, The Center for Arts Education reported that the schools with the lowest access to arts education also had the highest dropout rates, and the schools with the greatest access to arts education had the lowest dropout rates.

Students at Risk

Children from families of low socio-economic status often have less access to art education. A 2012 research report from the National Endowment for the Arts demonstrated that atrisk youth who are given access to arts education in or out of View the magazine online at austinfamily.com

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school not only have increased academic outcomes, but they also have higher career goals and are more civically minded. The study found those subjects involved in arts education to be more likely to complete a high school calculus course, play sports and qualify for academic honor societies.

Good For Students, Good for Teachers

“That’s not the kind of argument that gets a lot of traction in a high-stakes testing environment,” said Douglas J. Dempster, dean of the College of Fine Arts at the University of Texas at Austin. In these days of high-stakes testing, it is easy, yet short sighted, to write off the arts because they do not necessarily provide students with skills, knowledge and processing that can

be quantified. Does this mean the arts are not important? Do we really need to prove the worth of art in our society and culture? The history of the arts and the history of man are inextricable; the arts are an intrinsic part of our human experience. Jennifer VanBuren is a Georgetown educator and mother of three school-aged boys.

In 1999, a study called “Learning In and Through the Arts” showed that both students and teachers were happier in schools with high levels of art education. The students were found to have strong abilities to express their thoughts and ideas, exercise their imaginations and take risks in learning. The teachers described their students as more cooperative and willing to publicly display their knowledge.

Art for Its Own Sake

After reading these studies, it may seem like a “no-brainer” assertion that arts are valuable to education. But in 2000, two researchers clouded the picture with a study that determined arts classes do not have a significant effect on core academics. The researchers, Ellen Winner and Lois Hetland, both arts education advocates, believe that art should be taught in schools, not because of the impact on academic performance, but because of other, often immeasurable benefits. “We feel we need to change the conversation about the arts in this country,” said Ms. Winner, a professor of psychology at Boston College. “These instrumental arguments are going to doom the arts to failure, because any superintendent is going to say, ‘If the only reason I’m having art is to improve math, let’s just have more math.’ Do we want to therefore say, ‘No singing,’ because singing didn’t lead to spatial improvement? You get yourself in a bind there. The arts need to be valued for their own intrinsic reasons. Let’s figure out what the arts really do teach.” The researchers discovered that students who study the arts are more playful and more able to learn from mistakes, make critical judgments, envision and persist. Students learn that there is more than one solution to a problem and more than one answer to a question. Experiencing the arts can evoke empathy and compassion.

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¿Puede la Educación de las Artes Encontrar un Lugar en las Escuelas Públicas? by Jennifer VanBuren

ay un sinnúmero de artículos que abordan los méritos educativos para incluir la educación de las artes en el sistema escolar público. Con el énfasis de que muchas escuelas serán colocadas en los exámenes estandarizados, algunos creen que si los objetivos no se miden en la prueba, que no son importantes. ¿Y si le dijeran que no importa como la educación de las artes afecta los resultados de las pruebas? ¿Qué el arte por sí mismo es lo que importa? Algunos pueden estar totalmente de acuerdo, mientras que otros se apresuran a negar la afirmación. Este artículo se tratará sobre los beneficios de la educación de las artes, tanto dentro como fuera del sistemas escolares públicos, en relación con los resultados de las pruebas, así como otros beneficios sociales y de desarrollo. Con suerte, habrá algo con lo que todos podrán relacionarse.

Lectura, Escritura y Matemáticas

Una vez ofrecido como las 3R de la educación—lectura, escritura y aritmética—hay proposiciones de regresar la educación a sus conceptos básicos. Esté o no de acuerdo con esta filosofía, sería difícil no estar de acuerdo con su importancia. En el 2002, La Asociación de Educación de las Artes, juntó datos de 62 estudios diferentes. En su análisis, resumen que los niños que están expuestos a las bellas artes son a menudo más competentes en lectura, escritura y matemáticas. Los investigadores dieron el aviso de que la educación de las artes no era un remedio total para las escuelas en crisis, pero creen que puede ser un componente valioso para traer cambios positivos. Los datos acumulados también mostraron que los estudiantes que reciben más educación de las

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artes también mostraban un mejor desempeño en los exámenes estandarizados, tienen mejores habilidades sociales y están más motivados.

Tasas de Graduación

Al medir el éxito de un sistema escolar, siempre se considera su tasa de graduación. ¿Cómo podrían las artes mejorar la graduación? Posiblemente porque al participar en las bellas artes y el participar en programas de artes les da a los estudiantes una razón para querer presentarse a la escuela. Los estudiantes que tienen dificultades en las materias académicas pueden encontrar alegría y motivación en los salones de arte. Cuando a los estudiantes se les da una razón para presentarse todos los días, todos los maestros tienen la oportunidad de trabajar con estos estudiantes con dificultades. La educación de las artes contribuye no sólo con las tasas de graduación, sino también reduce las faltas y la delincuencia. En el 2009, el Centro de Educación de las Artes informó que las escuelas con el menor acceso a la educación de las artes también tuvieron las tasas más altas en la deserción escolar, y las escuelas con el mayor acceso a la educación de las artes tenían las tasas más bajas en la deserción escolar.

Estudiantes en Riesgo

Los niños de familias de bajo nivel socioeconómico a menudo tienen menos acceso a la educación de las artes. Un informe de investigación del 2012 del Fondo Nacional de las Artes demostró que jóvenes en riesgo que se les da acceso a la educación de las artes, en o fuera de la escuela, no sólo tienen mejores resultados académicos, sino que también tiene metas más altas en carreras

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y una mentalidad más cívica. El estudio encontró que los sujetos involucrados en la educación de las artes son más propensos a terminar una clase de cálculo en la preparatoria, jugar deportes y calificar para la sociedad de honor académica.

Bueno para los Estudiantes, Bueno para los Maestros

En 1999, un estudio llamado “Aprendiendo en y a través de las artes” mostró que tanto los estudiantes como los maestros eran más felices en las escuelas con altos niveles de educación de las artes. Se encontró que los estudiantes tenían habilidades dinámicas para expresar sus pensamientos e ideas, ejercitar su imaginación y tomar riesgos en el aprendizaje. Los maestros describieron a sus estudiantes cooperaban más y estaban más dispuestos a mostrar públicamente sus conocimientos.

de alto riesgo,” dijo Douglas J. Dempster, decano de la Facultad de Bellas Artes de la Universidad de Texas en Austin. En estos días de exámenes de alto riesgo, es fácil, mas poco visto, para amortizar las artes, ya que no necesariamente proporcionan a los estudiantes con las habilidades, el conocimiento y el procesamiento que se pueden cuantificar. ¿Significa esto que las artes no son

importantes? ¿Realmente necesitamos probar el valor de las artes en nuestra sociedad y la cultura? La historia de las artes y la historia del hombre son inseparables; las artes son una parte intrínseca de nuestra experiencia humana.

Jennifer VanBuren es una educadora de Georgetown y madre de tres niños en edad escolar.

Arte por su Propio Bien

Después de leer estos estudios, puede parecer una afirmación “sin dificultad” que las artes son valiosas para la educación. Pero en el año 2000, dos investigadores empañaron la imagen con el estudio que determina que las clases de arte no tienen un efecto significativo en las clases académicas básicas. Los investigadores, Ellen Winner y Lois Hetland, ambos defensores de la educación de las artes, creen que el arte debe enseñarse en las escuelas, no por el impacto en el rendimiento académico, sino por otros, a menudo inconmensurables beneficios. “Sentimos que tenemos que cambiar la conversación sobre las artes en este país”, dijo la Sra. Winner, una maestra de psicología de Boston College. “Estos argumentos instrumentales van a condenar a las artes al fracaso, porque cualquier superintendente va a decir, ‘Si la única razón por la que estoy tomando una clase de arte es para pasar matemáticas, mejor tomaré más clases de matemáticas.’ ¿Queremos por lo tanto decir, ‘No al canto,’ porque el canto no condujo a una mejora espacial? Te metes en un aprieto. Las artes tienen que ser valoradas por sus propias razones intrínsecas. Vamos a averiguar lo que las artes realmente enseñan.” Los investigadores descubrieron que los estudiantes que estudian las artes son más juguetones y más capaces de aprender de los errores, hacer juicios críticos, imaginar y persistir. Los estudiantes aprenden que hay más de una solución a un problema y más de una respuesta a una pregunta. Experimentar las artes puede evocar la empatía y la compasión. “Este no es el tipo de argumento que recibe mucha tracción en un entorno de exámenes

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austinfamily.com | February 2015 | 25

family connections by Richard Singleton

Recover That Old Puppy Love With Modern Conveniences

My earliest Valentine’s Day memories live in the blissful wonderland of elementary school. I remember a particular shoebox that I decorated in the first or second grade—the ones that we made to hold our stash of mushy, anxious scribbles. My box was crimson red with massive pink and white hearts. Not very masculine…but that wasn’t the point: I was eight and enamored. I wanted my valentine box to be an unfettered expression of puppy love. Even though most of those little notes were plain, there were always those special valentines. They only had your signature on them, perhaps a word or two if you could muster the courage. Deep down, however, if only in our imaginations, these “special” cards were encoded with a hidden tenderness, a nascent “check yes or no” that we’d learn about in the wiser years of fifth grade. Of course, back then, we weren’t a swarming hive of social media bees, buzzing from app to app in search of connection. In was an age of innocence, a time of #2 pencils, Crayolas and Elmer’s glue. In other words, it was magical! I hope some of that magic still lives on in you. Just because we’ve “come so far” doesn’t mean we can’t go back and capture some of that old pixy-dust and sprinkle it freely—igniting romance, inspiring affection and empowering relational growth.

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Perhaps, like me, you need suggestions to keep the magic in your mojo… especially since your modern valentine’s box is now made by Apple and sits on the distant corner of cyberspace, instead of that elementary school desk. Some Don’ts • We’ve become wired to wield our phones like wild west outlaws, drawing them into action with lightning speed. You’ve appropriately made reservations at a restaurant where the lights are dim and the drinks are sophisticated; don’t ruin the romance by checking your Facebook timeline or Tweeting the latest sports gossip. Embrace the evening. Gaze into his or her eyes. Tell the stories of old beginnings and new horizons. Go slow. Listen. Smile. Learn. Converse. You won’t regret it. • Don’t rely on technology to bail you out of poor planning and forgetfulness. Have a pulse. Have a purpose. Have a plan. Use technology wisely, not weaselly. Some Dos • Do use a growing list of apps to help plan your special evening. These apps can help you reserve a table, order flowers or find a romantic movie. Inc. Magazine recommends these: Helpful Romantic, Fingle, Red Stamp, Crowded Room and Open Table. Mashable agrees and adds a few more to their “best” list: Love Poems, Flixster and Gravy. • Do post mushy Facebook professions of love, enduring commitment and utter relational ecstasy.

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Sure, it can be a tad hyperbolic, but it should also be visionary and real. You don’t have to be Shakespeare; just be sincere. • Do rekindle the magic. Like that pesky iPhone battery, all relationships need an ongoing jolt of juice. Mashable recommends the 30 Day Relationship Challenge. It’s free. They note: “This app challenges couples to do something sweet for each other for 30 days in a row. Its goal is to make relationships stronger, and can be used after Valentine’s Day as a jumping off point for daily romantic activities.” • Ultimately, during this month of fairy-tale love, be realistic: turn off the tech and turn on the charm. Get back to the basics of glitter, glue and grins, back to the dreamy visions of childhood, back to a time when a simple glimpse could set your mind racing as to what it would be like to hold a hand, share an embrace and land a peck on the cheek. May love be yours in abundance this year, and may the magic of your childhood come alive in its ever maturing, ever growing experience of what it means to truly love beyond the limits of paper, pen and pixels. Richard Singleton, MACE, MAMFC, LPC, is the executive director at STARRY in Round Rock.

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Calling All

A Valentine’s

very February 14, thousands of students celebrate Valentine’s Day with a classroom party. They exchange Valentine’s cards, make a craft and play a few games. As a Room Mom, you might find it hard to come up with ideas that the kids have not seen before. If you are still struggling with ideas for your child’s classroom party, look no further.

Crafts

Valentine’s Day Vases – Purchase vases from the dollar store, along with glue, paint brushes, Epson salt and red food coloring. Before the party, mix the Epson salt with the food coloring to give the salt a pink glow. Set up a station to include 6 gallon zip bags filled with the Epson salt mixture. Have the kids paint the outside of the vases with glue and when the vase is covered, place inside the zipped bag. Move the mixture around to cover the vase evenly. This works well with votive candles, too. Family Bracelet – The kids can make this project for their best valentine (Mom) or the girls may want to keep it for themselves. Purchase elastic string and beads to make a family bracelet. Choose bead colors to correspond with birthstone colors – red for January, purple for February, etc. – and let the kids choose the bead colors for their family members. Find heart shaped spacer beads to complete the design. Corkboard Frame – For this project, you will need thick corkboard cut into 4 squares, clear pushpins and colored yarn. Have the kids arrange the pushpins in the shape of a heart and wind the yarn around the pushpins to form a heart shaped frame. Ask the parents ahead of time for a photo of their children and have them available for the kids to put in the middle of the frame. Embellish the rest of the frame with foam stickers or jewels.

Games

Musical Hearts – A Valentine’s Day spin on the two classic games: Musical Chairs and Hot Potato. Each 28 | February 2015 | austinfamily.com

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Room Moms: Day Party Plan

student gets a hinged clothespin, which they have to use to pass around a paper heart while seated in a circle. Like Musical Chairs, music plays as they pass the heart. If someone breaks the heart, drops the heart or holds the heart when the music stops, he or she is out. This game moves quickly! Matching Hearts – This is a whole class game. Write the name of a famous couple (like Mickey and Minnie) or other items that would go together (salt and pepper or hat and gloves) on each half of a heart. Mix up the halves and pass the hearts out to the students. Can everyone find their match in five minutes? How about in two minutes? Twisted Hearts – Kids love the game Twister. Create a Valentine’s Day version by taping 16 colored hearts on the floor. (Not enough room for 16? Make smaller rows or use fewer colors.) Create your own spinner or colored dice – 0ne with the heart color and the other with the words for right or left hands and feet. Plant a Kiss on the Mascot – Recreate your school mascot or shine a digital version on the wall. Make enough paper lips for each student. Blindfold the student and have a partner (like one from the Matching Hearts game) tell him or her where to place the lips. The closest lips win. Shakedown – Fill an empty, wide-mouthed plastic bottle halfway with candy hearts. Use super glue to attach another bottle mouth to mouth and tape around it to secure. For this game, have the kids roll the dice and then try to shake down all the hearts except that number into the other bottle. For example, if they roll a 3, they need to shake down most of the hearts into the next bottle, leaving three remaining in the first bottle. For an added challenge, give them a time limit or create two shakers and make it a race. ______________ Pam Molnar is a freelance writer and mother of three. She has been a room mom for 10 years.

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Non-Stop Fun Until the Bell Rings In the excitement of the party, kids can go through these activities fast! Looking for a quick game to pass the time until the party ends? Every room mom should keep these games in her classroom party arsenal. Heads Up 7-Up – Every child sits at his desk with his head down and one thumb up. seven children are chosen to be “It” and quietly go around the room picking one thumb to push down. When everyone is through, the seven go to the front of the room. Those who had their thumb moved stand up and guess who did it. If they are right, they switch places and get to be “It.” If they are wrong, the actual person who moved their thumbs gets to stay and play again. Four Corners – Choose four Valentine’s Day words like heart, cupid, love and valentine. A room mom stands in each corner of the room holding one of those words on a piece of paper. The teacher closes her eyes as the students pick one corner to stand in. The teacher calls out a word and those students standing in that corner have to sit down. Play continues until one person is left standing. Silent Ball – All the students are seated at their desks. Using a yarn ball, have the students throw the ball to each other. A student is out if it is a bad throw (not to the person), if someone drops it or if someone gets out of his or her seat to catch it. Students who are out have to get out of their seat and stand in the front of the classroom. Last one seated is the winner.

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lifelines by Sara Rider

Sleep Apnea:

Not Just an Adult Problem

“OSA occurs in about 1 to 3 percent of children,” says J. Brian Kang, M.D., who specializes in pediatric pulmonary medicine and sleep medicine. “The peak age at which OSA initially manifests in kids is between 2 and 6. This is the time that coincides with rapid growth of tonsils and adenoids.” According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), childhood OSA is often caused by enlarged tonsils, although there can be other causes, including childhood obesity. If not diagnosed and treated, OSA can lead to a variety of health and behavioral problems.

A Range of Symptoms

Although snoring is the symptom most often associated with sleep apnea, snoring by itself doesn’t always mean a child has sleep apnea—and snoring can be hard to pinpoint in children. “Snoring is one of the hallmarks of OSA,” says Dr. Kang. “But it can occur sporadically and be overlooked by the parent.” Because of this, the AAP advises pediatricians to always ask parents specifically about any snoring during a routine check-ups. Children with OSA can also have other symptoms.

“With a lot of these kids, you have very poor sleep quality,” says Dr. Kang. “They may have a high frequency of awakenings or abnormal behaviors in sleep—like sleep walking, sleep terrors, bedwetting and teeth grinding. These are clues to the possibility of OSA.”

ver the last decade, there’s been increasing awareness of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition that can cause people to stop breathing for short periods of time during sleep. According to the Mayo Clinic, anyone can develop OSA, although it is more common in people who are overweight or middle-aged or older. What many parents don’t realize, though, is that another age group can also develop OSA: children and adolescents. 30 | February 2015 | austinfamily.com

Another common problem? Daytime sleepiness, although the AAP cautions that this isn’t always the case in very young children. But the lack of quality sleep can impact a child’s health and learning.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder?

“Children with OSA may be at three times the risk for behavior and attention problems,” says Dr. Kang. “That may include hyperactivity, inattentiveness and impulsivity.” According to Dr. Kang, the symptoms of OSA can mimic ADHD. “Children with

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OSA may have ADHD—or they may just be exhibiting symptoms of their OSA that are similar to ADHD.” In either case, the impact on school performance can be about the same—and cause ongoing problems in the classroom.

Getting an Accurate Diagnosis

Because OSA can mimic other conditions, and because some symptoms can be hard to spot, it’s important for a child with suspected sleep apnea to have a thorough evaluation.

Dr. Kang cautions that because the treatment for sleep apnea can be somewhat complicated, it’s important for parents to have an accurate diagnosis.

have things like restless leg syndrome and periodic limb movement during sleep—both of which can cause sleeprelated issues and behavioral problems during the day. We have to look at all the possibilities. No one wants a child to have a tonsillectomy unnecessarily.”

“Although sleep apnea is considered the main sleep disorder, there are other sleep disorders that make for poor sleep quality and daytime behavioral concerns,” says Dr. Kang. “Kids can

Sara Rider is a native Austinite who has worked with physicians and hospitals throughout Texas. She frequently writes freelance articles on health topics for newspapers and magazines.

Or if children have asthma, it may make the asthma more difficult to control.”

According to the Mayo Clinic, a sleep study is the gold standard for diagnosing OSA. During a sleep study, special equipment monitors heart, lung and brain activity as well as breathing patterns. Arm and leg movements are also monitored, as is the blood oxygen level.

Treating Sleep Apnea

According to the AAP, treatment for OSA can range from surgery to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) to weight loss and nasal sprays for the milder forms of OSA. “Removing the tonsils usually solves the problem—that’s in about 80 to 85 percent of the cases,” says Dr. Kang. “Other options may include CPAP therapy.” CPAP therapy uses a mask connected to a small bedside unit by a flexible hose that sends a constant stream of air down the throat to keep breathing regular throughout the night. “You can use CPAP with children, but there are more steps, as you have to desensitize them to using the mask,” explains Dr. Kang. Children with mild sleep apnea may be able to use corticosteroid nasal sprays to reduce inflammation and alleviate any obstruction, adds Dr. Kang.

Future Health

Although convincing your child to sleep using a mask may not sound like something you’d volunteer for, sleep apnea is a serious problem and can lead to other problems if left untreated. “There can be other underlying medical conditions that make [untreated OSA] worse,” says Dr. Kang. “For example, children with underlying cardiac disease may develop pulmonary hypertension. Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market

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Is So-Called

Kindergarten

ur local school districts are ramping up for kindergarten registration, and many parents will be deciding whether or not their child is ready for kindergarten. Some will choose to keep their child in preschool for another year, even though they are technically old enough to start kindergarten. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a dilemma many parents of young children face, particularly parents of children who are on the edges of school age cut-offs.

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“Redshirting” a Good Idea?

Delaying a child’s entrance into kindergarten—often called “redshirting” after the collegiate practice of having athletes who are postponing play wear red shirts on the sidelines—has become more common, and is currently estimated at about 5 percent of students, according to a 2010 report from the National Center for Education Statistics. The uptick in redshirting likely corresponds to an increase in the rigor and structure of kindergarten curriculum, writes Laura Pappano in the Harvard Education Letter, Sept-Oct 2010. Parents may hope that holding their children back a year gives them a competitive athletic advantage. Malcolm Gladwell discussed such outcomes in his popular book Outliers: The Story of Success. He reports that Canadian boys born in early January (right after the January 1 cut-off) had a much greater likelihood of becoming hockey stars. But does this logic hold in academic settings? The short answer is: not really. Although some early studies hinted at a competitive advantage to being the oldest in a class, more recent investigations have revealed that redshirting can actually do harm in the long run. In fact, the National Association for the Education of Young Children strongly recommends against redshirting. What Does the Research Tell Us? Studies such as that by the National Center for Education Statistics in 2000 have found that older and bigger kindergarten students perform better— they are less likely to receive negative feedback from teachers, and fewer reported problems concentrating—but only initially. Such early advantages take a sharp turn downward and are essentially gone by 8th grade; by college, relatively older students consistently lag behind, according to research by M. Pellizzari and F. Billari reported in the Journal of Population Economics in 2012.

A 2006 study by J. Lincove and G. Painter (reported in Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis) found that redshirted children performed worse on standardized tests in 10th grade, were twice as likely to drop out of school and were less likely to graduate from college. The only positive outcome for redshirted children was that they were more likely to play varsity sports (again, that physical advantage). These results were further supported by a 2008 Harvard investigation— conducted by economists D. Deming and S. Dynarski in 2007 and reported in the Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association—which found that delayed academic entry resulted in lower rates of high school and college completion and lower lifetime earnings. It is important to note that these results are based on correlations (which don’t prove causation), and it’s possible that redshirted children were more likely to have delayed school entry due to learning or developmental concerns that then contributed to their increased negative outcomes. Perhaps even more convincing is a welldesigned 2007 investigation by E. Cascio and D. Whitmore, reported in The National Bureau of Economic Research. In the study, students were randomly assigned to kindergarten classrooms. Investigators then examined how a

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continued on page 34

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childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sÂ relativeÂ age in the class influenced long-term outcomes; they found that children who were older than their classmates scored significantly lower on achievement tests (both in kindergarten and in middle school), were more likely to repeat a year and were less likely to take college-entrance exams. So, why might a child who is relatively younger be at an advantage? The predominant hypothesis is that children who are surrounded by older peers get a developmental boost from the increased stimulation and challenge. Essentially, they strive to keep up with their older peers, and this increases their rate of learning and development, with lasting effects. This hypothesis is supported by research that finds that grades

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with mixed age levels have a positive effect for the younger students when the majority of the students are older. (This research was conducted in 1997 by F. Morrison, D. Alberts, and E. Griffith and reported in Developmental Psychology.) Younger children are able to level the playing field through consistent efforts in an intellectually and academically challenging environment.

How to Decide

The question parents should ask themselves is: “Do I want my child to have a short-term advantage or a longterm one?” While a younger 5-year-old in kindergarten may have to work a bit harder to keep up with older peers, that challenge creates an environment in which a child is pushing his or her limits and learning that through hard work and persistence, they can reach the level of their peers. The decision to redshirt your child is an individual one based upon many factors, such as finances, a child’s emotional development and fit with a kindergarten setting. While there are no certainties when it comes to how your individual child might be affected, based on current data, it would likely be wise to think twice about holding him or her back a year. If you have serious concerns about your child’s development and/or readiness for kindergarten, it is always best to consult with a professional to discuss your concerns and to carefully weigh the benefits and costs of redshirting for your child. ______________ Dr. Lindsay Evans is a postdoctoral psychology resident in Austin. She specializes in therapy and assessment for children, adolescents and adults. Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market

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Camp Guide Camp Guide Camp Guide

YMCA of Austin austinymca.org YMCA of Greater Williamson County ymcagwc.org

Camp Guide

This month’s Camp Guide sponsored by:

Check out austinfamily.com for Premium Camp descriptions DAY CAMPS Pages 36-52 OVERNIGHT CAMPS Pages 52-53 DAY CAMPS Allstar Sports Camp ASA 3918 Gattis School Rd., Round Rock 512-251-7500 www.austinsportsarena.com Ages 5 - 14 Your children will have a blast and develop their athletic skills by playing soccer, basketball, ultimate Frisbee, football, dodgeball, pickleball, floor hockey, kickball, roller skating and more! Each child receives world class coaching and instruction, as well as a camp t-shirt, and full-day campers enjoy lunch Monday through Friday. ATX Action Sports Camp Austin 866-465-7073 texasskateboardingclub.com Ages 5 - 15 Skateboarding fun. Sign up now.

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Austin Aquarium 13530 N. Hwy 183 512-222-5586 www.austinaquarium.com Ages all An awesome aquatic experience. Austin Film Festival 13th Annual Film Camp St. Austin Catholic School www.austinfilmfestival.com/youngfilmmakers-program/summer-film-camp/ 512-478-4795 Ages 9 - 18 Rocking workshops that promise to teach, inspire, and help kids and young adults create their very own fabulous, funny, thoughtprovoking, heartbreaking, award-winning (you never know!) short films. Austin Girls’ Choir Summer Camp 512-453-0884 www.girlschoir.com Ages 8 - 18 Watch for details on our summer program.

Austin International School Summer Camp 4001 Adelphi lane Austin TX 78727 www.austininternationalschool.org 512-331-7806 Ages 3 - 6 We are launching our new fitness camp, taught in French and Spanish! Our professional educators and native speakers will take your child on a new parcours every week, teaching coordination and healthy habits to keep kids’ bodies blooming! Join us for a full program of fun, laughs, and learning. Austin Parks and Recreation Summer Camps Locations throughout Austin 512-974-6700 www.austintexas.gov/summercamp Ages 5 - 12, preschool and teen summer programs at some locations. Austin Sailboat Rentals 20 N. IH-35, on Lady Bird Lake 512-431-1894 www.austinsailboatrentals.com Ages 6 - 15 Austin Sailboat Rentals sailing camps are

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Café Monet Summer Art Westgate Shopping Center and The Triangle, Austin, San Marcos 512-892-3200, 512-906-2200, 512-805-2800 www.cafemonet.org Ages 6 and up Art Camp @ Café Monet is a hands-on lesson in creativity! Pottery painting, mosaics, clay building, green projects and more! We offer four curricula. continued on page 38

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Bluebonnet Schools Summer Camps 3420 El Salido Parkway

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Bits, Bytes & Bots Computer Adventures Locations throughout Austin 512-415-4120 austintx.bitsbytesbots.com Ages 6 - 14 Fun-filled technology education programs in LEGO® NXT® Robotics, LEGO® WeDo® Robotics, computer game creation, stopmotion animation movie making and Minecraft® programming.

Bricks 4 Kidz ATX Greater Austin locations including Round Rock, Dripping Springs, Lake Travis 512-270-9003 www.bricks4kidz.com/atx Ages: 5 - 13 Build LEGO® models that move! Our themed enrichment camps feature motorized building, crafts, games, and creative building time. Campers take home LEGO® minifigures or accessory packs.

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Badgerdog Creative Writing Summer Camp Austin 512-542-0076 www.austinlibrary.org Ages incoming 3rd to 12th graders Have fun learning to write.

10321 Boulder Ln. 512-331-9009 and 512-219-5100 Ages 5 - 10 Kids love our amazing water park; spacious playing fields and outdoors arenas, field trips to fun places, delicious provided hot lunches and snacks, and interesting session themes. Parents appreciate our locked, secure facility location and hours; experienced counselors, provided sunscreen, indoor air-conditioned spaces, buses with child-sized seatbelts and our NAEYC accreditation.

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Austin Waldorf School - Camp Roadrunner and Summergarden 8700 South View Road, Austin www.austinwaldorf.org/summercamp 512-439-0139 Ages 4-12 Since 2000, our summer programs have delighted campers and their parents by providing unique, wholesome activities all summer long. June 15-August 7, extended care included.

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conveniently located in downtown Austin on Lady Bird Lake and are a lot of fun!

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Camp Doublecreek 800 Doublecreek Drive, Round Rock 512- 255-3661 www.campdoublecreek.com Ages 4 - 14 Camp Doublecreek is Austin/Round Rock’s Best Day Camp for 9 years running. Let your campers be challenged, encouraged and inspired as they engage in a variety of activities Doublecreek’s mission is that all campers leave at the end of the day knowing someone believes in them.

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Camp De Champs, Camp Avalanche 2525 W. Anderson Ln. 512-252-8500 x160 www.chaparralice.com Camp Avalanche for ages 7 - 14 Camp De Champs for ages 6 - 14 Two awesome skating adventure camps. Camp De Champs is a skating training class and camp Avalanche is a general adventure day camp with field trips and swimming with an emphasis on skating.

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Camp on the Move Austin area 512-658-6285 www.camponthemove.com Age 7 to 14 Field trip based summer camp with two trips per week to Schlitterbahn.

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Camp Jump! 2919 Manchaca Rd. and 2117 Anderson Ln. 512-593-6226 www.jump-austin.com Ages 3 - 10 Voted Austin Family magazine’s Most Fun Camp in 2011. Dynamic, theme-

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Creative Action 2015 Camps Central Austin, Lakeway, Steiner Ranch, Circle C 512-442-8773 www.creativeaction.org Ages 5 - 12 We offer theatre, dance, music, puppetry, film, visual arts and more.

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Cheer Station 12112 Broadwalk Dr. www.cheerstation.com 512-45-CHEER Ages 3 - 17 Austin’s favorite place to cheer for 6 years running.

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Challenger School Summer Camps 1521 Joyce Lane, Round Rock 512-255-8844, 512-341-8000 www.challengerschools.com Ages Preschool - 8th grade

Country Home Learning Center South Austin 6900 Escarpment Blvd Austin, TX 78749 512-288-8220 North Austin 13120 US Hwy 183 North 512-331-1441 www.countryhomelearningcenter.com Ages 5 - 13 Join us for an incredible Summer Camp experience! Child approved special events, exciting weekly field trips, kids’ choice special interest clubs.

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Capital Gymnastics Summer Camps Pflugerville, McNeil, Cedar Park 512-251-2439, 512-219-9930, 512-259-9995 www.capgym.com Ages 2 - teen Where kids go for fitness and fun. We offer spring break and summer camp.

Cordovan Art School Summer Camp 3810 Gattis School Road #108, Round Rock www.cordovanartschool.com Ages 5 - 16 Best art camp in the greater Austin area 4 years running! From “Talk with the Animals” to “Duct Tape Creations.” Traditional drawing, painting, ceramics and Broadway theatre!

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Capital City Guitar Camp 9905 Anderson Mill Road, Austin, TX 78750 417-300-4078 www.capitalcityguitarcamp.com Ages 8 and up A camp for all ages, beginners through advanced. Beginners receive a free guitar! Classes in ageappropriate technique, improv, theory, recording, performance and much fun. Great teachers.

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based gymnastics, games, activities, and arts and crafts keep kids coming back! Texas Licensed facility.

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Creative Brick Builders 220 Sundance Pkwy, STE 300, Round Rock and at additional locations in Greater Austin 512-388-9003 www.creativebrickbuilders.com Ages 5 - 13 Create, tinker, build, and explore! Creative Brick Builders offers classes, camps and workshops featuring engineering, electronic circuits, digital media, art, computers, handcrafts and more.

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Dance Discovery Central - 2110 White Horse Trail, & Avery Ranch - 10526 W Parmer Ln 512-419-7611, 512-658-2996 www.dancediscovery.com www.averyranchdance.com Ages 3 - 14 Various themed camps include Storytime Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Gymnastics, Yoga, Arts & Crafts, and Musical Theatre. Each camp week ends with a great show!

Camp Guide

Digital Media UT Austin, Rice, UT Dallas www.digitalmediaacademy.org Ages 6 - 17 Use code DMAAUSTINFAM15 when you register and save $50 on Jr. Adventure camps age 6 to 8 or Adventure camp age 8 to 12.

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Envision 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 703-584-9513, 877-587-9659 www.envisionexperience.com For over 30 years Envision has helped over 500,000 kids discover their talents, successfully complete middle, high school and college and make informed career choices.

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Esoteric Farm 15 minutes north of downtown Austin 512-272-4301 www.esotericfarm.com Ages 5 - 16 Eleven weekly sessions, daily horse-related games and activities, indoor horse arena; fun, active, affordable.

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French Summer Camp 11607 N. Lamar Blvd. 512-964-7733

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Extend-A-Care for Kids Summer Day Camp 10 locations in elementary schools in the Austin area (AISD, DVISD, HCISD) 512-472-9402 www.eackids.org Ages 3 - 12 Weekly sessions consisting of softball, basketball, soccer, field trips, swimming, cooking, games and puzzles, reading and literacy activities, arts and crafts and more. Weekly themes are based on literature.

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www.austinfrenchforkids.org Ages 2½ - 13 Where French immersion meets academic excellence.

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GENaustin Spring and Summer camps at various locations 512-808-4044 www.genaustin.org Ages Girls entering 4th to 7th grade Camps will help girls find their inner confidence and learn how to project a confident attitude and take risks, and explore healthy friendships by defining what it means to be a good friend.

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Girlstart 1400 W. Anderson Lane 512-916-4775 www.girlstart.org Ages 3rd - 7th grade Girlstart offers week-long summer day camps in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Girlstart camps include a balance of hands-on STEM activities, relevant technology, collaborative team building and informal camp fun!

iD Tech St. Edwards University plus other Texas locations www.idtech.com 888-709-8324 Ages 7 to 17 Learn code, game design, app development, web design, film, photography, and more. Iron Horse Country Ranch – The Motorcycle Summer Camp North Austin schools pickup to ranch. 512 917-5733 www.ironhorsecountry.com Ages 8 - 15 Weekly Day Camp. We are one of the only motorcycle camps in the country. Our staff is highly trained to get your child riding safely. We supply Honda motorcycles with all the gear. Resort-like camp with pool. Specialized training

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Heartsong Music 2700 West Anderson Lane, Ste. 320 512-371-9506 www.HeartsongMusic.net heartsong@heartsongmusic.net

Ages Birth - 9 Did you know that Music Learning Supports All Learning®? Join us this Spring and Summer for our Music Together® classes for children from birth to 5 and their parents/caregivers. Our research based program will nurture your child’s musical development as well as support her cognitive, physical, emotional, and social development. Our classes will also build your child’s confidence, self-esteem and creative expression! We offer a Big Kids program too, for 5 to 9 year olds. Mandarin, Spanish, swimming, music and more.

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Mad Science Locations throughout Austin 512-892-1143 austin.madscience.org Ages 4 - 12 Mad Science camps are filled with exciting, fun, hands-on science activities. Children become junior scientists for the week and experience a variety of science adventures.

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Magellan International Summer Camp 7938 Great Northern Blvd. 512-782-2327 www.magellanschool.org Ages 3rd to 7th grade

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KidsDance! Summer Camps and Programs Dancers Workshop 11150 Research Blvd. #107 512-349-7197 www.dancersworkshopaustin.com Age 2 - 10 The young-uns can test out their feet with halfand full-day camps with princess and rock star themes. More experienced dancers should register for summer intensives in ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop and more.

Linguistics Spanish Immersion Center 512-501-3883 linguisticacenter.com Ages All Childhood is the ideal time to learn Spanish and have fun.

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kidsActing Locations throughout Austin 512-836-KIDS www.kidsactingstudio.com Ages 4 - 19 Full scale productions, fun classes.

“Layla y la Ballena” Spanish Immersion 8707 Mountain Crest Dr. 2700 West Anderson Ln, 107 Ranch Rd. 620, S #300, Lakeway 512-299-5731, 512-299-5732, 512-466-2409 www.austinbilingualschool.com Ages 2 - 11 Children join together to make the story “Leyla y la Ballena” come to life. Every week is dedicated to a theme which is taught in an enthusiastic, fun-filled environment.

Camp Guide

Kiddie Academy Summer Camp 2617 Kelly Ln., Pflugerville 512-270-9988 kiddieacademy.com/pflugerville Creativity, laughter and imagination are all here.

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and drills with activities on the ranch. Children need to be able to ride a bicycle and we can do the rest. Your child will come alive! It is every child’s dream to ride a motorcycle and we make dreams come true. They will never want to go anyplace else! Register early to get the week you want, camps fill up.

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Enjoy adventure and discovery. Experience a new country and culture.

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Master Gohring Kung Fu & Tai Chi 6611 Airport Blvd. 512-879-7553 www.mastergohring.com Ages 4 and up Come check out our program for the entire family.

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McKinney Roughs Nature Camp 1884 SH 71 West, Cedar Creek 512-303-5073 www.lcra.org/naturecamps Ages 6 - 15 Explore the outdoors on 1,100 acres of woodland prairies and pine forest; nature study and exploration, wilderness skills, swimming, challenge course, raft trips, hikes. Austin shuttle available.

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MoolahU All over Austin 512-443-8851 www.moolahu.com Ages 7 to 18 Kids learn how to make and appreciate money by starting their own business.

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Mu Sool Won of South Austin Martial Arts 1901 W William Cannon Dr. #121 512-299-1873 www.mswsouthaustin.com Ages 5 - 15 All inclusive half day summer camp.

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Neill-Cochran House Museum Summer Camps 2310 San Gabriel St., Austin 512-478-2335 www.nchmuseum.org Ages Incoming 1st-incoming 6th grade Week 1 will find us in the 1920s and Week 2 in the 1930s.Â Soapbox race cars, mural painting, outdoor campsite, and more!

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NETS Entrepreneur Cedar Park 512-996-9260 www.educenter4me.com Inspire your kids through strategic learning activities.

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Nitro Swim Center Cedar Park/Round Rock, Bee Cave on Hwy. 71 512-259-7999 www.nitroswim.com Ages 6 months - adult The indoor Nitro Swim Center offers the highest quality swim lessons, non-competitive and competitive swimming around.

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Paramount Academy for the Arts The State Theatre 719 Congress Ave. 512-692-0524 www.austintheatre.org/camps Ages 4 years - 12th grade Make lifelong memories at the Paramount and Stateside Theatres! We offer a variety of camps for all ages including acting, singing, dancing and even stand-up comedy.

Quarries Camp 11400 North Mopac Expy. 512-241-0233 www.hpbc.org/quarries Ages 1st - 5th grade Quarries Camp is always FUN for campers, offering exciting on-site activities and weekly field trips during the entire summer. Rainbow Stationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s The Village Summer Program 11651 W. Parmer Ln. 512-260-9700 www.rainbowstationaustin.org

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Phoenix Arising Aviation Summer Camp 10435 Burnet Rd. Suite 108 512-588-2359 www.phoenixaviation.org

Ages 6 - 13 Weeklong programs in aviation and aerospace.

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swimming for hotter afternoons. Friday horse shows for parents to attend. Round Rock Express Baseball Camps Dell Diamond, Round Rock 512-255-BALL www.roundrockexpress.com Ages 6 and up Round Rock Express Baseball Camps Spring Break March 16-18 Camp 1 June 15-18 Half Day Camp 2 June 29-July 2 Half Day Camp 3 July 13-16 Full Day/Overnight Camp 4 July 27-30 Half Day RoundRockExpress.com Youngsters from all over central Texas will have the opportunity to hone their baseball skills.

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Rio Vista Farm 13013 Fallwell Ln. 512-247-2302 www.riovistafarm.net Ages 7 - 16 Austinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s originator of English Riding camp. Daily lessons taught by professional trainers, lots of horse time/care, arts and crafts,

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Ages infant - 12 An entire facility dedicated to school-age children. Full-day camp offers weekly mini courses, swim lessons, sports, weekly field trips and an end-of-summer picnic. Freedom of choice is the hallmark of our summer program.

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Full-day and overnight camps for ages 8 and up. Call for details.

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Spicewood Country Camp 6102 Spicewood Springs 512-346-2992 www.spicewoodcountry.com scschool@flash.net Ages 3½ - 10 Nine shady acres in Northwest Austin with animals, music, swimming, crafts, sports and horseback riding.

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St. Francis School Basketball Camp 300 E. Huntland Dr. 512-657-0817

Ages 8 - 13 For more information contact Dustin Armstrong at wolfpack85@icloud.com or to register contact Amber Brown at abrown@ stfrancis-school.org. Stepping Stone School 12 locations around Austin Metro area 512-459-0258 www.steppingstoneschool.com Ages 5 - 13 For children, summer should be all about having fun. But as parents, you want to ensure they don’t lose their academic sharpness between school years. The Brainery at Stepping Stone School provides a balance between a curriculum that challenges and engages your child and activities that exercise your child’s mind and body. This year’s summer camp will feature biweekly themes on the various biomes of the earth, including the ocean, frozen lands and deserts. Don’t let your child miss out on this captivating summer camp with its exciting Field Journeys, one-ofa-kind entrepreneur and philanthropy program, chess tournaments, swim lessons (at many campuses) and more!

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Summer Wonders 3901 Shoal Creek Blvd. 512-203-4540 www.summerwonders.org Ages 4 - 13 A non-profit program for gifted students to explore diverse subjects through an integrated,

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hands-on approach, presented in a fun, creative manner.

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Switch Willo Stables Summer Camps 4829 Switch Willo 512-331-8668 www.switchwillo.com Ages 6 - 14 Daily riding instruction, horse care and fun. An Austin Family Readers’ Poll Favorite. Visit our website for more details.

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Synergy Dance 3425 Bee Cave Rd. 512-327-4130 www.synergydancestudio.com Ages 2 and up, beginning to advanced dancers Dance camps for ages 3-11 including ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, gymnastics, theatre, crafts & a performance on Friday. Dance Intensives for Intermediate – Advanced dancers age 7 and up.

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TexARTS Summer Camps TexARTS Summer Camps 2300 Lohman’s Spur, Suite 160 512-852-9079 www.tex-arts.org Ages 5 - 18 TexARTS has an incredible summer planned, offering full-day, half-day and mini camps in dance, theater, voice and visual arts. This summer kicks off with the annual Musical Theatre Intensive. Students in this three-week, production-based intensive will work, at a pace

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equal to any professional theatre company, to rehearse, stage and perform their version of a Broadway musical. The TexARTS Summer Musical Theatre Intensive offers an extra perk as students will work with Broadway teaching artists in preparation for opening night. Past summers have seen sold out public performances of “Legally Blonde” and “Thoroughly Modern Millie.”

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Thinkery Camps Thinkery 512.469.6200 www.thinkeryaustin.org Ages PreK - 5th grade Thinkery camps offer hands-on activities in science, technology, engineering, art and math as a platform for innovation. Each week, campers engage in fun challenges that inspire creativity.

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THE Y.E.T. Project www.yetraining.com 512-775-1886 yetraining@gmail.com Ages 12 - 15 Young Entrepreneurship Training project is a 6 week summer camp where students will create a LIVE company, develop an ACTUAL product, sell the product to a TRUE audience for a BONA-FIDE profit!

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YMCA of Austin 21 Locations in Travis & Hays Counties 512-236-9622 www.AustinYMCA.org Ages 4-14 Weekly sessions run June through August. Kinder, Theme, Sports and Adventure Camps offer swimming, field trips, games, crafts, character-building activities and more. Financial assistance available.

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YMCA of Greater Williamson County Summer Camps www.ymcagwc.org Round Rock 512-246-9622 Hutto 512-846-2360 Burnet 512-756-6180 Cedar Park 512-250-9622 Round Rock 512-615-5563 Outdoor Adventure Camps, K - 8th grade Excursion Camps, K - 6th grade Specialty Camps, K - 8th grade Kinder Camps, 3 years - K At the Y, we offer a wide array of summer camp options and activities that are designed to make summer fun, exciting, convenient and safe.

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ZACH Theatre Performing Arts Camps 1510 Toomey Rd. 512-476-0594 x236 www.zachtheatre.org Ages 3 - 18 continued on page 52

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ACT at ZACH! Explore acting, improvisation, singing and dancing. Put on a fun show for family and friends!

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OVERNIGHT CAMPS Camp Cedarbrook Rosebud, TX www.cedarbrooktexas.com Ages 2nd - 12th grade Central Texas Christian camp dedicated to building Christian skills through activities and relationships.

Camp Heart Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; the Hills 30 Hwy 39, Hunt, TX 830-238-4650 www.hohcamp.com Ages 6 - 16 Ragsdale family-owned and operated, airconditioned, Guadalupe River, family-style meals, character-building and skills. Camp Lantern Creek 4045 N. FM 1486, Montgomery, TX 936-597-8225 www.camplanterncreek.com Girls Ages 7 - 17

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Camp Rio Vista for Boys & Camp Sierra Vista for Girls Ingram, TX 830-367-5353 www.vistacamps.com Ages 6 - 16 Traditional, non-denominational summer camps, where our goal is to provide a safe, wholesome, fun-filled environment for every boy and girl. Brother/sister camps located on the Guadalupe River.

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Camp Stewart Hunt, TX 830-238-4670 www.campstewart.com Boys ages 6 - 16 Camp Stewart for Boys is a traditional residential camp for boys 6-16 founded in

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1924. Its focus is not only fun, but also personal development.

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Newkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Adventure Camp New Braunfels, TX 830-625-9105 www.newktennis.com Ages 9 - 16 Experience an actionpacked week this summer enjoying rafting, Schlitterbahn, paintball, rappelling and more.

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Rocky River Ranch Wimberley, TX 512-847-2513 www.rockyriverranch.com Girls ages 7 - 14 Rocky River Ranch is a rustic, residential camp for girls in Wimberley, the heart of the Texas Hill Country.

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Sugar & Spice Ranch Camp Bandera,TX 830-460-8487 www.texashorsecamps.com Ages 5 and up Bonding mothers and daughters through horses. You and your daughter will own horses for a week and do everything together as a team. All-inclusive week-long session and a great way to reconnect with each other.

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Ki d e n o Z

Make a Special Valentine It’s almost time for Valentine’s Day! What a great way to show those you love how much you care by creating something special, like a stained-glass heart made from melted crayons. Supplies: • Crayons (light and bright colors work best: pinks, purples and reds) • Hand-held pencil sharpener or scissors • Waxed paper • Cookie sheet • Permanent marker to write your own message • Optional: glitter to add a little shine Steps: • Peel the paper off of the crayons (try soaking them in warm water for better results). Use a pencil sharpener or scissors to shave the crayons over a large sheet of waxed paper set on top of a cookie sheet. Spread the shavings evenly on the waxed paper. The more shavings, the better.

• This step is for parents. Set the oven to 175 degrees and place the cookie sheet in the oven. Time may vary depending on how much shavings you use, but it should take about five minutes to completely melt. Keep checking on the progress every few minutes.

• Once the shavings have completely melted, take the cookie sheet out of the oven. Cool for another five minutes.

• After cooling, draw a heart and cut it out. Try different sizes to see how many you can make.

• After you’re done cutting out your hearts, decorate them for your Valentine. Add glitter, written messages or anything you desire.

• The hearts really start to shine when you hold them up to a light or place them in a window.

Visit the Thinkery’s blog at www.thinkeryaustin.org/blog for more fun and easy activities you can do at home.

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Focus On Doctors

Dr. Linda Lopez

ADC Steiner Ranch Dr. Lopez is from the Rio Grande Valley. She received her medical degree from University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston. She completed her internship and residency at University of Texas Southwestern in Austin. Dr. Lopez speaks conversational Spanish and enjoys preventive, developmental and general pediatrics. See ad on page 10

Dr. Rachel Montgomery

Lonestar Pediatric Dentistry Dr. Rachel Montgomery Graduated from Baylor University in Waco, followed up by attending The University of Texas Dental School in Houston. Her residency was spent at the Boston University School of Dental Medicine, with a specialty in Pediatrics. Rachel can most likely be found spending time with Marty and their precious boys. See ad on page 23

Dr. Marty Montgomery

Lonestar Pediatric Dentistry Dr. Marty Montgomery comes from a family where all the children were drawn to dental careers early in life. Graduating with an undergraduate degree from Baylor University, in Waco, Marty attended Tufts Dental School in Boston. He completed his residency at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, specializing in Pediatrics. See ad on page 23

Dr. Betty Richardson

Dr. Richardson earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in nursing, and a PhD in psych/mental health nursing. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist and a licensed professional counselor. She has over 30 years of experience working with individuals, couples, families, children and adolescents. See ad on page 61

Dr. Theresa Willis

ADC Steiner Ranch Dr. Willis is a graduate of the University of Texas, received her medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and completed her residency at Texas Children’s Hospital. Dr. Willis’s professional interests include developmental pediatrics, fitness and healthy weight in children and teens. She is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. See ad on page 10

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calendar

family events

Feb. 1 Peter and the Star Catcher

Feb. 7 Daddy-Daughter Dance

2/15

Sunday 1 National Freedom Day; Super Bowl Sunday First Sunday Family Day 12 to 4 p.m. Families with children 4 to 14 years old. Umlauf Sculpture Garden, 605 Robert E. Lee Rd. FREE. umlaufsculpture.org or 512-445-5582. First Sundays: Weatherfest 12 to 3 p.m. Bob Bullock State History Museum, 1800 N. Congress Ave. FREE. thestoryoftexas.com or 512-936-8746. Sunday-Fundays: Old-Fashioned Valentine 1 to 4 p.m. Neill-Cochran House Museum, 2310 San Gabriel St. nchmuseum.org or 512-478-2335. Peter and the Starcatcher Playing throughout February. 2:30 p.m. Sundays; 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays - Saturdays. Zach Theatre, 1510 Toomey Rd. Starting at $25. Zachtheatre.org or 512-476-0541 x 1. Jesus Christ Superstar Playing through Feb. 15. 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Georgetown Palace Theatre, 810 S. Austin Ave. $11 for children under 10; $15 for students and active military; $25 seniors; $27 all others. georgetownpalace.com or 512-869-SHOW. Monday 2 Ground Hog Day Chess Club 6 to 7 p.m. All levels welcome. Under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Cepeda Branch, 651 North Pleasant Valley, 512-974-7372, and Spicewood Springs Branch, 8637 Spicewood Springs Rd., 512-974-8840. library.austintexas.gov.

Feb. 20 Jugglefest

Feb. 28 African-American Community Heritage Festival

family events page 56 parenting events page 59 storytimes page 60 exhibits: visit www.austinfamily.com 56 | February 2015 | austinfamily.com

Tuesday 3 Lego Lab 3 p.m. Ages 5 and up. Ruiz Branch, 1600 Grove Blvd. library.austintexas.gov or 512-974-7500. Discovery! Austin Reptile Show 4:30 p.m. Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd. westbanklibrary.com or 512-327-3045. Pajama Storytime 6:30 p.m. Willie Mae Kirk Branch, 3101 Oak Springs Dr. library.austintexas.gov or 512-974-9920. Wednesday 4 High Noon Talks 12 to 1 p.m. Bob Bullock State History Museum, 1800 N. Congress. thestoryoftexas.com or 512-936-8746. Wednesday Night Contra Dancing 7:30 to 9:45 p.m. Everyone welcome. Hancock Recreation Center, 811 E. 41st St. FREE. austinbarndancers.org or 512-453-4225. African Safari 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. All ages welcome. Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main. FREE. roundrocktexas.gov/library or 512-218-3275. Lego Lab 3 p.m. Ages 5 and up. Southeast Branch, 5803 Nuckols Crossing Rd. library.austintexas.gov or 512-974-3800. Martian Math 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Grades 3–6. Registration

COMPILED BY BETTY KEMPER

required. Wells Branch Community Library, 15001 Wells Port Dr. wblibrary.org or 512-989-3188. CONTINUING: Peter and the Starcatcher see Sunday 1. Thursday 5 Big and Little Adventure: Terrific Teeth 9 to 10 a.m. Ages 3 to 4. Austin Nature and Science Center, 2389 Stratford Dr. $10 for Austin residents; $12 for non-residents. Austintexas.gov or 512-974-3888. Thursday Noon Concerts 12 p.m. Central Presbyterian Church, 200 E. Eighth St. FREE. cpcaustin.org or 512-472-2445. First Thursdays 5 to 8 p.m. South Congress Ave. from Barton Springs Rd. to Elizabeth St. firstthursday.info. Studio Spotlight 6 p.m. Ballet Austin, 501 Third St. FREE. balletaustin.org or 512-501-8703. CONTINUING: Peter and the Starcatcher see Sunday 1. Friday 6 National Wear Red Day Lego Lab 4 p.m. Ages 5 and up. North Village Branch, 2505 Steck Ave. library.austintexas.gov or 512-974-9960. First Fridays 5 to 10 p.m. Square in downtown Georgetown. thegeorgetownsquare.com/firstfridays or 512-868-8675. Friday Night Live 6 to 9 p.m. Grades 6-8. Farley Middle School, 303 County Rd., Hutto. $10 per student. hutto.org or 512-759-4030. CONTINUING: Peter and the Starcatcher see Sunday 1; Jesus Christ Superstar see Sunday 1. Saturday 7 Madrone Canyon Hike 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Back of the Laura Bush parking lot, 9411 Bee Cave Rd. FREE. westbanklibrary.com or 512-327-3045. English Conversation Group 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. All levels welcome. Wells Branch Community Library, 15001 Wells Port Dr. wblibrary.org or 512-989-3188. Tet Festival Austin 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cedar Ridge High School, Round Rock. $3. tetfestivalaustin.vacat.org or 512-947-8083. Chess Club 12 to 3 p.m. All levels welcome. Under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Cepeda Branch, 651 North Pleasant Valley, 512-974-7372 and Spicewood Springs Branch, 8637 Spicewood Springs Road,. library.austintexas.gov or 512-974-8840 Giant Chess 12:30 to 3 p.m. Wooldridge Square Park, 900 Guadalupe St. FREE. giantchess.org. Flash Gordon 2 p.m. Windsor Park Branch, 5833 Westminster Dr. library.austintexas.gov or 512-974-9840. Valentine Crafts and Fun 2 to 3:30 p.m. Ages 6 to 10. Bridges to Growth,

Austin Family is now making it easier for you to submit your calendar event. Go to www.austinfamily.com, click on “Submit your event” and send in your entry. The deadline is the 10th of each month preceding the month of the event. Events less than $15 usually are listed. For events more than $15, send details to kaye2003@austinfamily.com.

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805 W. University Ave., Georgetown. FREE. thegeorgetownproject.org or 512-864-3008. Mommy, Daddy and Me Book Club 3 to 4 p.m. Grades 1-3. George Washington Carver Museum, 1165 Angelina St. FREE. austintexas.gov or 512-974-4926. 12th Annual Daddy-Daughter Dance 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. for girls age infant through 7 years; 8 to 10:30 p.m. for girls age 8 and up. Clay Madsen Rec Center, 1600 Gattis School Rd., Round Rock. $10 per person. roundrocktexas.gov or 2183220 ext. 0. Austin Ballroom Dances 7:30 to 11 p.m. Go Dance Studio, 2525 West Anderson Lane. Free mini-lesson included with admission. Members $5; non-members $8. austinballroomdancers.org or 512-989-3939. Tributes Concert 8 to 9:30 p.m. AISD Performing Arts Center, Mueller Blvd. and 51st St. Adults $10; students and seniors $6. austinsymphonicband.org or 512-3457420. CONTINUING: Peter and the Starcatcher see Sunday 1; Jesus Christ Superstar see Sunday 1. Sunday 8 Boy Scout Day Bright Leaf Hikes 9 to 11:30 a.m. Bright Leaf Preserve, Creek Mountain Rd. brightleaf.org or 512-459-7269. Valentine Crafts in the Gallery 2 to 3:30 p.m. Kids, bring your families to this come-and-go event. Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main, Round Rock. FREE. roundrocktexas. gov/library or 512-218-3275. CONTINUING: Peter and the Starcatcher see Sunday 1; Jesus Christ Superstar see Sunday 1. Monday 9 Crafternoon 3:30 to 5 p.m. Supplies provided. Manchaca Road Branch, 5500 Manchaca Rd. FREE. library. austintexas.gov or 512-974-7379. Lego Lab 3:30 p.m. Ages 5 and up. Hawson Branch, 2500 Expedition Blvd. FREE. library.austintexas.gov or 512-974-8800. CONTINUING: Chess Club see Monday 2. Tuesday 10 Lego Lab 3:30 p.m. Ages 5 and up. Twin Oaks Branch, 1800 S. 5th St. FREE. library.austintexas.gov or 512-9749980. What’s That Jingle in Your Pocket? 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Yarborough Branch, 2200 Hancock Dr. FREE. library.austin.gov or 512-9748820. Wednesday 11 Lego Lab 3:30 p.m. Ages 5 and up. Carver Branch, 1161 Angelina St. FREE. library.austintexas.gov or 512974-1010. CONTINUING: Peter and the Starcatcher see Sunday 1; Wednesday Night Contra Dancing see Wednesday 4; Community Nights see Wednesday 4. Thursday 12 Lincoln’s Birthday Big and Little Adventure: Bugs and Spiders 9 to 10 a.m. Ages 3 and 4. Austin Nature and Science Center, 2389 Stratford Dr. $10 for Austin residents; $12 for non-residents. Austintexas.gov or 512-974-3888. Thinkery at the Library 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Ages 8 to 14. Windsor Park

Branch, 5833 Westminster Dr. FREE. library. austintexas.gov or 512-974-9840. Lego Lab 3:30 p.m. Ages 5 and up. Yarborough Branch, 220 Hancock Dr. FREE. 512-974-8820. library. austintexas.gov. Lego Lab 4 p.m. Ages 5 and up. Cepeda Branch, 651 N. Pleasant Valley Rd. FREE. library.austintexas.gov or 512-974-7372. CONTINUING: Peter and the Starcatcher see Sunday 1; Thursday Noon Concerts see Thursday 5. Friday 13 Lego Lab 3:30 p.m. Ages 5 and up. Terrazas Branch, 1105 S. Fifth St. FREE. library.austintexas.gov or 512974-3625. Valentine’s Day Bash 4:30 to 6 p.m. Ages 12 to 18. Friends Room 218, Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. Eighth St. library.georgetown.org or 512-930-8130 x 8710. Belle Redux, Ballet Austin 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday. The Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Dr. Starting at $15. thelongcenter.org or 512-474-5664. CONTINUING: Peter and the Starcatcher see Sunday 1; Jesus Christ Superstar see Sunday 1. Saturday 14 Valentine’s Day Hands-on History 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Williamson Museum, 716 S. Austin St., Georgetown. FREE for children of all ages. williamsonmuseum.org or 512-943-1670. Second Saturdays Are for Families 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Recommended for ages 2 to 11. Laguna Gloria, 3809 W. 35th St. $10 per family; $5 for member families. thecontemporaryaustin.org or 512-458-8191. CONTINUING: Peter and the Starcatcher see Sunday 1; Jesus Christ Superstar see Sunday 1; Giant Chess see Saturday 7; Bright Leaf Hikes see Saturday 8; Chess Club see Saturday 7; Belle Redux see Friday 13. Sunday 15 Live Music at the Library 2 to 4 p.m. George-wn Public Library, 402 W. Eighth St. FREE. library.georgetown.org or 512930-3551. Second Annual MapJam Noon to midnight. All ages. Five locations across East Austin. FREE. kutx.org/mapjam. CONTINUING: Peter and the Starcatcher see Sunday 1; Jesus Christ Superstar see Sunday 1; Belle Redux see Friday 13. Monday 16 Presidents’ Day PBS Kids The Cookie Thief 1 p.m., KLRU Studios, klrukids.org Tuesday 17 Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras Kid Sheriff and the Terrible Toads 10:15 a.m. Carver Branch, 1161 Angelina St. FREE. library.austintexas.gov or 512-974-1010. Lego Lab 3:30 p.m. Ages 5 and up. Windsor Park Branch, 5833 Westminster Dr. FREE. library.austintexas. gov or 512-974-9840. Lego Lab 4:30 p.m. Ages 5 and up. Manchaca Road Branch, 5500 Manchaca Rd. FREE. library. austintexas.gov or 512-974-8700.

Ten Things... for Kindergarten Readiness Local school districts are beginning to register children for next fall’s kindergarten classes. Most experts agree that the following are signs of general kindergarten readiness:

Understands and follows twoand three- step instructions.

Goes to the bathroom independently.

Manages zippers, buttons and shoes.

Identifies some letters of the alphabet and can count to 10.

Can hold a pencil and cut with scissors.

Shows an interest in books and storytelling.

Is receptive to learning new things.

Gets along with other children by sharing and taking turns.

Demonstrates an ability to work with others through compromise and communication.

10 Identifies basic shapes.

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Wednesday 18 Ash Wednesday CONTINUING: Peter and the Starcatcher see Sunday 1; Wednesday Night Contra Dancing see Wednesday 4; Community Nights see Wednesday 4. Thursday 19 Chinese New Year Kid Sheriff and the Terrible Toads 10:15 a.m. Ruiz Branch, 1600 Grove Blvd. FREE. library.austintexas.gov or 512-974-7500. Third Thursdays Art and Activities at the Blanton 12 to 7:30 p.m. Blanton Museum of Art, Congress Ave. and Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Admission and programs on Thursdays are FREE. blantonmuseum.org. Tween Gaming at the Library 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Ages 8-12. Round Rock Library, 216 E. Main St. FREE. roundrocktexas. gov or 512-218-7034. Austin Energy Regional Science Festival 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. Public viewing for Junior and Senior Division. Check website for other times and events. Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd. sciencefest.org. Blue Man Group 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday; 4 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. The Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Dr. Starting at $29. thelongcenter.org or 512-474-5664. CONTINUING: Peter and the Starcatcher see Sunday 1; Thursday Noon Concerts see Thursday 5. Friday 20 22nd Annual Jugglefest 5 to 10 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday

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and Sunday. Texas School for the Deaf, 1102 S. Congress Ave. 3-day wristband (all ages) $20; 1-day all ages $10; family gym pack (up to 4 people) $20. juggling.place.org/jugglefest. Julius Caesar 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 5:30 p.m. Sunday. City Theatre, 3823 Airport Blvd., Ste. D. Kids 10 and under $10; students $15; seniors $18; all others $20; Thursdays, all seats $15. citytheatreaustin. org or 512-524-2870. CONTINUING: Peter and the Starcatcher see Sunday 1; Blue Man Group see Thursday 19. Saturday 21 Austin Energy Regional Science Festival 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Exploring Science Day; 2 to 4:30 p.m. Public viewing for Elementary Division. Check website for other times and events. Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd. sciencefest.org. 45th Annual Williamson County Gemboree 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Community Center, San Gabriel Park, 445 E. Morrow St., Georgetown. Adults $3; youth 6-15 $2; under 6 FREE. wcgms.org or 512-930-2768. th 11 Annual That Takes The Cake 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Round Rock Sports Center, 2400 Chisholm Trail Dr. $10 online; $12 at door; under 12 FREE. thattakesthecake.org or 512-218-7094. Chinese New Year Dragon/Lion Dance 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Parking lot will be blocked off for the dancers, so please carpool, bike or walk if you are able. FREE. Wells Branch Community Library, 15001 Wells Port Dr. wblibrary.org or 512-989-3188. Illuminate Austin Walk 5 to 5:45 p.m. Art and kid activities; 6 p.m. Race begins. Mueller Lake, Park and Hangar, 4550 Mueller Blvd. illuminateatx.org.

CONTINUING: Peter and the Starcatcher see Sunday 1; Austin Ballroom Dances see Saturday 7; Giant Chess see Saturday 7; Chess Club see Saturday 7; Austin Energy Regional Science Festival see Wednesday 18; Blue Man Group see Thursday 19; Julius Caesar see Friday 20; 22nd Annual Jugglefest see Friday 20. Sunday 22 Washingtonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Birthday; First Sunday in Lent Sunday Movie Matinee: The Jungle Book 2:30 p.m. Yarborough Branch, 2200 Hancock Dr. library.austintexas.gov or 512-974-8820. CONTINUING: Peter and the Starcatcher see Sunday 1; Blue Man Group see Thursday 19; Julius Caesar see Friday 20; 22nd Annual Jugglefest see Friday 20; 45th Annual Williamson County Gemboree see Saturday 21; 11th Annual That Takes The Cake see Saturday 21. Monday 23 CONTINUING: Chess Club see Monday 2. Tuesday 24 Crafternoon 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Homeschool; 4 to 5 p.m. after school. Supplies provided. Faulk Central Library, 800 Guadalupe St. FREE. library.austintexas.gov or 512-974-7400. Wednesday 25 Kid Sheriff and the Terrible Toads 10:30 a.m. Terrazas Branch Library, 1105 S. Fifth St. FREE. library.austintexas.gov or 512-974-3625. Culture Nights 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. AGE Cafeteria, 3710 Cedar St. austinpowwow.net. CONTINUING: Peter and the Starcatcher see Sunday 1; Wednesday Night Contra Dancing

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see Wednesday 4; Community Nights see Wednesday 4. Thursday 26 Kid Sheriff and the Terrible Toads 10:15 a.m. Windsor Park, 5833 Westminster Dr. FREE. library.austintexas.gov or 512-974-9840. Black History Month Program 6 p.m. All ages. Virginia Brown Rec Center, 7500 Blessing Ave. austintexas.gov or 512-974-7865. The Three Little Pigs 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Ages 3 and up. Zach’s Theatre, Kleberg Stage, 1510 Toomey Rd. zachtheatre.com or 512-476-0541. CONTINUING: Peter and the Starcatcher see Sunday 1; Thursday Noon Concerts see Thursday 5; Thinkery at the Library see Thursday 12; Julius Caesar see Friday 20.

SPARK 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Parents and children ages 2-10. Wells Branch Library, 15001 Wells Port Dr. wblibrary.org or 512-989-3188. Anger and Children 7 to 9 p.m. Bridges to Growth, 805 W. University Ave., Georgetown. $15 per person. thegeorgetownproject.org or 512-864-3008. Wednesday 4 Babytime 10 to 11 a.m. For parents and their babies age 0 to 12 months. Bridges to Growth, 805 W. University Ave., Georgetown. FREE, but preregistration required. thegeorgetownproject.org or 512-864-3008. La Leche League Central Austin 10 a.m. North Village Library, 2500 Steck Ave. texaslll.org.

Friday 27 CONTINUING: Peter and the Starcatcher see Sunday 1; Julius Caesar see Friday 20; The Three Little Pigs see Thursday 26.

Thursday 5 La Leche League North Austin 7 p.m. North Austin Medical Center, 12221 N. Mopac Expy Room 2B. texaslll.org.

Saturday 28 Lung Force Walk 9 a.m. Dell Diamond, 3400 Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock. action.lung.org/site. Family Rock Climbing 9 a.m. to noon. Camacho Activity Center, 35 Robert Martinez Jr. St. $4 per Austin resident; $5 per non-resident. austintexas.gov or 512-391-1863. 16th Annual African American Community Heritage Festival 1 to 5 p.m. Huston-Tillotson University, 900 E. Chicon St. austinheritagefestival.org. CONTINUING: Peter and the Starcatcher see Sunday 1; Giant Chess see Saturday 7; Chess Club see Saturday 7; Julius Caesar see Friday 20; The Three Little Pigs see Thursday 26.

Wednesday 11 Toddlertime 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. For parents and their toddlers age 9 months to 3 years. Bridges to Growth, 805 W. University Ave., Georgetown. FREE, but preregistration required. thegeorgetownproject.org or 512-864-3008. La Leche League South Austin 10:15 a.m. Will Hampton Branch Library, 5125 Convict Hill Rd. texaslll.org

parenting events

Saturday 14 Parents’ Morning Out 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. For children with special needs, ages 2 to 5. Bridges to Growth, 805 W. University Ave., Georgetown. FREE, but preregistration required. thegeorgetownproject.org or 512-864-3008.

Mondays Clases de Crianza con Cariño en Español 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Any Baby Can, 1121 E. 7th St. FREE. anybabycan.org or 512-454-3743. TUESDAYS and THURSDAYS English Parenting Classes and Clases de Crianza con Cariño en Español 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Any Baby Can, 1121 E. 7th St. FREE. anybabycan.org or 512-454-3743. Thursdays Clases de Crianza con Cariño en Español 9 to 11 a.m. Any Baby Can, 1121 E. 7th St. FREE. anybabycan.org or 512-454-3743. Postpartum Support Group 10 to 11:30 a.m. Any Baby Can, 1121 E. 7th St. anybabycan.org or 512-454-3743.

Thursday 12 Austin Eco Bilingual School Open House 9:30 a.m., 8707 Mountain Crest Dr., 2700 W. Anderson Ln., 107 Ranch Rd. 620, austinbilingualschool.com

Monday 16 Ups and Downs of Being Three 7 to 9 p.m. Bridges to Growth, 805 W. University Ave., Georgetown. $15 per person. thegeorgetownproject.org or 512-567-8281. continued on page 60

Saturdays English Parenting Classes and Clases de Crianza con Cariño en Español 3 to 5 p.m. Any Baby Can, 1121 E. 7th St. FREE. anybabycan.org or 512-454-3743. Monday 2 Stepping Stone School Open House Specials 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. All locations, steppingstoneschool.com or 512-459-0258 Tuesday 3 La Leche League South Austin 10 a.m. Christ’s Workshop, 212 E. Monroe. texaslll.org.

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Tuesday 17 Baby Sign Language 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Bridges to Growth, 805 W. University Ave., Georgetown. $10 per person. thegeorgetownproject.org or 512-567-8281. Sci-Tech Preparatory School Open House 6 to 7 p.m., 6405 S. IH 35, sci-techprep.org or 512-220-9186 Wednesday 18 Babytime 10 to 11 a.m. For parents and their babies age 0 to 12 months. Bridges to Growth, 805 W. University Ave., Georgetown. FREE, but preregistration required. thegeorgetownproject.org or 512-864-3008. Tuesday 24 Anxiety and Children 7 to 9 p.m. Bridges to Growth, 805 W. University Ave., Georgetown. $15 per person. thegeorgetownproject.org or 512-864-3008. Wednesday 25 Toddlertime 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. For parents and their toddlers age 9 months to 3 years. Bridges to Growth, 805 W. University Ave., Georgetown. FREE, but preregistration required. thegeorgetownproject.org or 512-864-3008. Family Support Group 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. For bi-lingual or Spanishspeaking families. Bridges to Growth, 805 W. University Ave., Georgetown. FREE with childcare, but pre-registration required. thegeorgetownproject.org or 512-864-3008.

story times

Public library storytime events listed here are FREE unless otherwise noted. Programs subject to change. Please contact before attending. Austin Public Library story times are too numerous to list in our calendar, but include storytimes for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and all ages. In addition, there are dual language, Spanish and French language story times. Visit library. austintexas.gov for dates, locations, age groups and times or call 512-974-7400. Mondays Baby Time 10 a.m. Ages 3 to 5. Pflugerville Public Library, 1008 W. Pfluger St. pflugervilletx.gov or 512990-6375. Infant Storytime 10:30 a.m. Birth to 1 year. Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd. westbanklibrary.co or 512-3273045. Bookworms 10:30a.m. Ages 0 to 18 mos. 11:15 a.m. Ages 3 to 6. Wells Branch Library, 15001 Wells Port Dr. wblibrary.org or 512-989-3188. Bilingual Storytime 11 a.m. Pflugerville Public Library, 1008 W. Pfluger St. pflugervilletx.gov or 512-990-6375. Storytime at the Story Nook 11 a.m.; 1 and 3 p.m. Thinkery, 1830 Simond Ave. Included in museum admission. thinkeryaustin.org or 512-469-6200. All Ages Storytime 12:30 p.m. Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd. westbanklibrary.com or 512-327-3045. Evening Storytime at the Library 6:30 to 7 p.m. Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main St., Round Rock. roundrocktexas.gov. Tuesdays Baby and Me Storytime 9:30 a.m. Ages 0 to 12 mos. Georgetown Public Library, 420 W. 8th St. library.georgetown.org or 512-930-3623. Baby and Me 9:30 a.m. Ages 24 mos. and under with parent. Leander Public Library, 1011 S. Bagdad Rd. leander.lib.tx.us or 512-259-5259. Storytime 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Pflugerville Public Library, 1008 W. Pfluger St. pflugervilletx.gov or 512-990-6375. Tales for Tots 10:30 a.m. Toddlers ages 2 and 3 yrs. Lake Travis Community Library, 2300 Lohman’s Spur, Suite 100. laketravislibrary.org or 512-263-2885. Reading Dog R.E.A.D. Program 11 a.m. Pre-readers and readers welcome. Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd. westbanklibrary.com or 512-327-3045. Storytime at the Story Nook 11 a.m.; 1 and 3 p.m. Thinkery, 1831 Simond Ave. Included in museum admission. thinkeryaustin.org or 512-469-6200. Bilingual Signing Storytime 10:30 to 11 a.m. Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main, Round Rock. roundrocktexas.gov/library or 512-218-3275. Storytime and Craft 6 and 7 p.m. Families with kids of all ages. Tickets required. Limit of 24 kids per class. Wells Branch Community Library, 15001 Wells Port Dr. wblibrary.org or 512-989-3188. Pajama Storytime 7 p.m. Willie Mae Kirk Branch, 3101 Oak Springs Dr. library.austintexas.gov or 512-974-9920.

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Wednesdays Wobbles Storytime 9:30 a.m. Ages 1 to 2 yrs. Georgetown Public Library, 420 W. 8th St. library.georgetown.org or 512-930-3623. Toddlertime 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. 18 to 36 mos. Round Rock Public Library, 216 Main St. roundrocktexass.gov/library or 512-218-7011. Toddler Time 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. 3 yrs and up. Round Rock Public Library, 2106 Main St. roundrocktexas. gov/library or 512-218-7011. Pre-K Storytime 10:30 a.m. Leander Public Library, 1011 Bagdad Rd. leander.lib.tx.us or 512-259-5259. Tot Time Storytime 10:30 a.m. 3 yrs and up. Westbank Library, 1309 Westbank Dr. westbanklibrary.com or 512-327-3045. Baby Storytime 10:30 a.m. 3 to 24 mos. Lake Travis Community Library, 2300 Lohman’s Spur, Suite 100, laketravislibrary.org or 512-263-2885. Story Pals Storytime 10:30 a.m. 3 yrs and up. Georgetown Public Library, 420 W. 8th St. library.georgetown.org or 512-930-3626. Storytime at the Story Nook 11 a.m.; 1 and 3 p.m. Thinkery, 1830 Simond Ave. Included in museum admission. thinkeryaustin.org or 512-469-6200. Storytime in the Winter 10 to 11 a.m. 2 to 6 yrs. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave. $3. wildflower.org or 512-232-0100. Thursdays Wobbles Storytime 9:30 a.m. 1 to 2 yrs. Georgetown Public Library, 420 E. 8th St. library.georgetown.org or 512-930-3623. Babytime 9:30 a.m. 12 to 18 mos. Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main St. roundrocktexas.gov/library or 512-218-3179. Infant Storytime 10:30 a.m. Birth to 1 yr. Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd. westbanklbrary.com or 512-327-3045. Spanish Storytime 10:30 a.m. All ages. Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd., westbanklibrary.com or 512-327-3045. Preschool Storytime 10:30 a.m. 3 yrs and up. Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main St. Round Rock. roundrocktexas.gov/library or 512-218-7012. Toddlertime 10:30 a.m. 18 mos to 3 yrs. Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main St. roundrocktexas.gov/ library or 512-218-7011. Story Pals Storytime 10:30 a.m. 3 yrs and up. Georgetown Public Library, 420 W. 8th St. library.georgetown.org or 512-930-3623. Storytime at the Story Nook 11 a.m.; 1 and 3 p.m. Thinkery, 1830 Simond Ave. Included in museum admission. thinkeryaustin.org or 512-469-6200. Crafternoon 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. Grades K to 5. Pflugerville Public Library, 1008 W. Pfluger St. pflugervilletx. gov or 512-9900-6375.

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PIENSAPOSITIVO Dolor y Placer De acuerdo al motivador Anthony Robbins, cada una de las decisiones que tomamos están influenciadas por una de las dos fuerzas más poderosas que mueven al ser humano: la fuerza de evitar el dolor o la fuerza de sentir placer. Un ejemplo muy cómico que da el mismo Robbins es con las mujeres y el maquillaje. La razón de maquillarse, para algunas mujeres, es para sentirse atractivas o verse bien. Así pues, son movidas por la fuerza de buscar el placer, mientras que otras solo lo hacen para evitar comentarios como “¿Que te pasó? No te ves muy bien.” En realidad, buscan evitar el dolor de escuchar estos comentarios. ¿Por qué es importante saber esto? Porque con el enfoque correcto podemos usar estas dos fuerzas a nuestra conveniencia. Por ejemplo, si tu propósito es bajar de peso pero tienes la tentación de comer algo no muy saludable, enfócate en el dolor que tendrás si caes en la tentación, y no en el placer momentaneo de comerte lo que te hará subir de peso. No dejes que estas dos fuerzas te dominen sino tú dominalas. Piensa positivo. Pain and Pleasure According to the motivational speaker Anthony Robbins, human beings are moved by two powerful forces: the need to avoid pain and the desire to seek pleasure. A typical example given by Robbins is the relationship between women and make-up. Many women wear makeup to look and feel pretty. In other words, they are moved by the force of seeking pleasure by wearing makeup. While other women wear it to avoid feeling pain with comments from others such as “Wow, are you okay? You do not look very well.” Now, why is it important to know this? Because anyone can benefit from these two forces with the right focus. For example, if you want to lose weight but you are tempted to eat an unhealthy treat, you have the choice to focus on the pain of not losing weight or on the pleasure of enjoying a tasty but unhealthy food. Do not let these two forces—pain and pleasure—control you. Remember: you are in charge of your decisions. Think Positive.

by Leslie Montoya Host of Despierta Austin

Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market

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Wednesdays Arts and Crafts 6 to 7 p.m. Ages 8 and up or with an adult. Seating limited, tickets available at kids desk starting at 5:30. Wells Branch Community Library, 15001 Wells Port Dr. wblibrary.org or 512-989-3188.

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Fridays Baby and Me 9:30 a.m. Children 24 mos and younger with their parents. Leander Public Library, 1011 S. Bagdad Rd. leander.lib.tx.us or 512-259-5259. Babytime 9:30 a.m. 12 to 18 mos. Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main St. roundrocktexas.gov/ library or 512-218-3279. Briarcliff Storytime 10 a.m. All ages. Briarcliff Community Center, 22801 Briarcliff Dr. laketravislibrary.org or 512263-2885. Toddler Time 10:30 a.m. 18 to 36 mos. Wells Branch Community Library, 15001 Wells Port Rd. wblibrary.org or 512-989-3188. Toddlertime 10:30 a.m. 18 mos to 3 yrs. Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main St. roundrocktexas. gov/library. Children’s Storytime 10:30 a.m. 0 to 5 yrs. Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. 8th St. library.georgetown.org or 512-9303551. Storytime at the Story Nook 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. Thinkery, 1830 Simond Ave. Included in museum admission. thinkeryaustin.org or 512-469-6200. Preschool Storytime 11:15 a.m. 3 to 5 yrs. Wells Branch Library, 15001 Wells Port Dr. wblibrary.org or 512-989-3188. All Ages Storytime 12:30 p.m. Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd. westbanklibrary.com or 512-327-3045.

Tuesday 3 Children’s Story Time 10 to 10:30 a.m. All ages. French Legation Museum, 802 San Marcos St. frenchlegationmuseum.org or 512-472-8180. Saturdays Baby Bloomers 9 to 10 a.m. Ages 0 to 3 yrs and their caregivers. Thinkery, 1830 Simond Ave. Included with museum admission. thinkeryaustin.org or 512469-6200. Family Storytime 11 a.m. Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main St. roundrocktexas.gov/library or 512-218-3279. Storytime at the Story Nook 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. Thinkery, 1830 Simond Ave. Included in museum admission. thinkeryaustin.org or 512-469-6200. Story Time 11 a.m. All ages. Wells Branch Community Library, 15001 Wells Port Dr. wblibrary.org or 512-989-3188. Tuesdays Bilingual Storytime 10:30 a. m. Ages 3 and up. First week-Chinese; Second week–Spanish; Third week–American Sign Language ages 1 to 6; Fourth week-Spanish. Room B, Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main St. 512-218-3275 or roundrocktexas.gov/library.

Saturday 14 Vietnamese Storytime 11 to 11:30 a.m. All ages. No registration. Wells Branch Community Library, 15001 Wells Port Dr. wblibrary.org or 512-989-3188. BOW-WOW READING Sunday 1 and 15 1 p.m. Recycled Reads Bookstore, 5335 Burnet Rd. library.austintexas.gov or 512-974-7460. Saturday 7 and 21 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main, Round Rock. Roundrocktexas.gov/ library or 512-218-3275. Tuesdays 11 a.m. Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd. 521327-3045. westbanklibrary.com. Saturdays 12 to 2 p.m. Georgetown Public Library, 402 W Eighth St., Georgetown. library.georgetown.org or 512-930-3551.

Smart Screen Time

This is the last in a five-part series discussing KLRU’s Smart Screen Time™ initiative, an outreach effort encouraging healthy practices in a world full of digital media. Happy New Year! I’m guessing that many kids are holding new digital devices—some for the first time, others as upgrades. As a professional educator, I am thrilled with the research that goes into our PBS Kids programming, including the shows, online resources and apps, to ensure that they actually promote learning. That said, I believe that tablet-based technologies are still, in a sense, in their infancy; they favor media consumption over production and game-playing over original creations. With that in mind, I want to emphasize that none of our educational programming achieves its full potential until kids move off of the programs and games and on to the real-world skills those tools are meant to foster. For early learners, chief among those skills is reading. In the world of children’s e-books, we are seeing a proliferation of interactive books. These often contain “Easter eggs:” little animations and other gadgets that accompany the text. We know that an immersive reading experience can occur with an e-book in the same way as with a traditional-format book. The key is to sink into the storytelling experience, letting the narrative lead the way. Easter eggs can be a lot of fun, but they can actually interrupt narrative flow. As children’s books become increasingly available in electronic format, I recommend two separate moments with each text: first read the story cover to cover, and then discover all the embedded fun. And if the story’s good, go back around for a second read! A great example of this is Sesame Street’s app The Monster at the End of the Book. Happy New Year, happy viewing and happy reading! Benjamin Kramer, Ph.D., is the director of education for KLRU-TV, Austin PBS. KLRU’s Smart Screen Time™ initiative is an outreach effort encouraging healthy practices in a world full of digital media. To read all articles in this series, visit klrukids.org and click on the Smart Screen Time button. To read all five tips, visit klrukids.org and click on the Smart Screen Time button.

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films by Jack Kyser

Into the Woods Rated PG Starring Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, Anna Kendrick, James Corden, Chris Pine, Christine Baranski, Tracey Ullman and Johnny Depp Austin Family critical rating: HHHH of HHHHH Austin Family Family-Friendly rating: HHHHH of HHHHH There’s much to admire and enjoy in director Rob Marshall’s movie, which tells the story of a Baker (Corden) and his Wife (Blunt), who are unable to have a child because of a curse from a Witch (Streep). The Witch gives the couple a chance to reverse the curse, which involves going into the woods and meddling in the lives of Cinderella (Kendrick), Little Red Riding Hood (Crawford) and Jack (Huttlestone) and his Mother (Ullman). Individual numbers are outstanding. Agony, performed by the two Princes, is hilarious, and Blunt’s Moments in the Woods is stunning. The main problem is the film’s transition between acts I and II. By the beginning of the second act, the characters have grown disenchanted with their lives. The Baker and his Wife have a baby, but there’s something missing in their marriage; Cinderella finds life with her Prince (Pine) to be less than she’d hoped. The problem is that we haven’t seen the characters settle into their dissatisfaction. The musical’s radical notion of what comes after “happily ever after” is lost entirely. Major character deaths carry little weight, as well, mainly because Marshall seems reluctant to take them all the way. When certain lead characters die, it’s confusing—I wasn’t sorry I lost them, because I wasn’t sure that I did lose them. “Sometimes people leave you, halfway through the woods,” Kendrick sings in the beautiful and touching No One Is Alone. But it doesn’t carry the same significance if you don’t give the character deaths the weight they deserve. Streep, Blunt and Kendrick are so good and so moving that it makes you wish Into the Woods made more emotional sense in its second half. As it is, this is a sometimes lovely adaptation of an incredible musical.

Jack Kyser is a graduate of Austin High School and 2013 graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market

Come to the movies at

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humor

by Carrie Taylor

It’s a Flower-Candy-Teddy Bear Extravaganza Valentine’s Day is near, which means all stay-at-home parents who watch daytime TV have something to look forward to: Valentine’s Day commercials. There is just something so American about watching the same ads every year, recycled with new actresses—the blond or brunette swooning over a giant box of butt-enlarging sugary treats or a bouquet of bubblegum pink daisies whose artificial coloring turns the vase water into liquid cotton candy. Who are they targeting? Oh, the giant bouquet: it’s every mom’s dream, right? Because hooray! There is nothing we love more than the gift of floral life to add to the collection of little people we must try to keep alive. And do not get me started on the chocolate, which we’re supposed to believe smoothes over anything. Put my favorite cast iron skillet in the dishwasher and leave it there overnight to form a constellation of rust stains? No problem, some chocolate will fix it. Forget to set up the gate on the stairs, allowing the dogs

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to mark their territory all over the guest bedroom? Golly gee, these chocolate truffles will make it all better. Clog the toilet and blame it on me when guests were over? A few Hershey kisses will make it all go away. To top it all off, I know it is impossible for my husband to forget to shower me with sugar and floral arrangements, unless he is color-blind. Because every store in America turns a rosy shade of red as soon as we enter into the New Year. Basically, he has no excuse not to bring me home a life-size teddy bear complete with a singing telegram: “I wuuuuv you!” So thank you, modern Mad Men, for getting me like no one else gets me. Especially now that I am a stay-at-home mom, I can relate more than ever to daytime TV commercials. Now, if you will excuse me, I have a full day ahead of me of ironing my multiple sets of Capri pants and cardigan sweaters. Carrie Taylor is a native Texan, freelance writer and mother of one precious baby boy.

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