Afm feb 2016 magazine by Austin Family Magazine

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FEBRUARY 2016

smart parenting • healthy homes

Serving Austin’s Families Since 1992

Get Ready for Kindergarten! A Teen’s Heart Transplant Journey Are Your Kid’s Teeth Healthy?

Ways to say “I Love You”

ARTÍCULOS EN ESPAÑOL

INSIDE THIS ISSUE!

CAMP GUIDE • CALENDAR

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FEBRUARY 2016

smart parenting • healthy homes

Give Your Preschooler a Kindergarten Jump Start

21 Ways to Tell Your Child “I Love You”

Thankful from the Bottom of Their Hearts

columns

calendar

en español

48 Museum Exhibits 48 Family Events 52 Parenting Events 53 Storytimes

42 Curva de Aprendizaje

in every issue

46 Asuntos Familiares

Family Connections

Meet George Jetson: Is a Smart Home in Your Future?

18 Lifelines

It’s Children’s Dental Health Month!

40 The Learning Curve

Don’t Let Test Anxiety Hold You Back!

43 Smart Screentime™ 44

My Daughter Can’t Stop Acting Selfish

Family Matters

Ten Things…for Black History Month!

45 Piensa Positivo

Emociones

Mi Hija no Puede Dejar de Actuar Egoísta

Product recalls

8 Around Austin 54 Kidzone Electromagnets

Where’s Jack?

Our films column has moved online! Find Jack Kyser’s take on films at austinfamily.com/category/films

extras 22 Summer Camp Guide 55 Focus on Doctors

Cover Shot Lizzie loves her friends and family. Cover photographed by Nichole Renee

My House Operates Firmly in the 21st Century

tune in

Catch Austin Family live on “Good Day Austin” every Friday morning and “Despierta Austin” the first Friday morning of each month.

¡No Deje Que la Ansiedad Ante los Exámenes lo Detenga!

Play It Safe

56 Just for Grins

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New items each week. Visit our website to register.

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® BY SHERIDA MOCK

February 2016

ebruary can seem like a hammock month, strung between the flashy excitement and renewal of January and the warm promise of March. So let’s fill that hammock with some cheer, shall we? For starters, give yourself a boost with Johnny Costarell’s story of resilience. This teen has undergone not one but two heart transplant surgeries, and he’s only 14 years old. His community really came together with support and encouragement to get him through a difficult time. And if you’re looking for new ways to tell your kids that you love them, give a glance at Kimberly Blaker’s article. My favorite: signing up for a class together—what a great bonding experience. Soon, it will be time to sign up for kindergarten, and on that note, Sandra Gordon provides a list of ways you can get your preschooler ready for “big school.” If your household includes students already enjoying “big school,” test anxiety might be an issue. Jennifer VanBuren has some ideas for gliding through the upcoming exam season with less worry. It’s also Dental Health Month, and Brenda Schoolfield brings us a timely selection of questions and answers from a pediatric dentist. Rounding out our February offerings, Betty Richardson has advice for parents whose child exhibits signs of selfishness, Richard Singleton weighs in on the home automation trend and Carrie Taylor compares her modern existence to that portrayed in a 1901 guide for housewives.

Volume 23, No. 11

PUBLISHER

Kaye K. Lowak

EDITOR

Sherida Mock: editor2003@austinfamily.com

COPY EDITOR Paula Halloum

ADVISING EDITORS

Dr. Betty Kehl Richardson, Barb Matijevich

CALENDAR EDITOR

Betty Kemper: calendar2003@austinfamily.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Sherida Mock, Dr. Betty Richardson, Jack Kyser, Richard Singleton, Jennifer VanBuren, Carrie Taylor, Brenda Schoolfield, Sandra Gordon and Kimberly Blaker

TRANSLATION TEAM

Maribel Ruvalcaba, Margo Vogelpohl and Rocio Barbosa

ART DIRECTORS

Layout Designer: Dena Steiner Ad Designer: Jason Suarez nr2003@austinfamily.com

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Nichole Renee

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:

Tel: (512) 733-0038

On the web at:

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 2016. All rights reserved. No portion of Austin Family may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.

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Play it product recalls

safe

Government Recalls Crib Mobiles and Bean Bag Chairs Skip Hop is recalling about 3,500 crib mobiles because the strap attaching the product to the crib rail can break, posing an injury hazard if the product falls on the infant in the crib. The recall involves the Skip Hop Moonlight & Melodies projection crib mobiles. The mobile has a white plastic arm that attaches to the side of the crib with four blinking, glowing leaves with stuffed animal attachments. Affected units were sold at Babies R Us, Buy Buy Baby and other independent juvenile specialty stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com and SkipHop.com from July 2015 to November 2015 for about $65. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled mobiles and contact the firm for instructions on receiving a $75 coupon toward the purchase of a new Skip Hop product. Ace Bayou is reannouncing the recall of about 2.2 million bean bag chairs because the zippers on the chairs can be opened by children who can then crawl inside, get trapped and suffocate or choke on the chair’s foam beads. Only 790 consumers have responded to the recall. The Consumer Product Safety Commission is extremely concerned that these recalled bean bag chairs are continuing to be used by children. Two children have died after suffocating on the chair’s foam beads. Affected units were sold at Bergner’s, Big Lots, Bon-Ton, Boston Store, Carson’s, Elder-Beerman, Herberger’s, Meijer, Pamida, School Specialty, Wayfair, Walmart and Younkers stores and online at Amazon.com, Meijer.com, Walmart.com and other websites from 1995 to 2013 for between $30 and $100. To prevent another death, consumers should check the outside zipper on their bean bag chair to ensure that it has a metal staple to disable the outer zipper. If it does not have a metal staple, take the recalled bean bag chair away from children immediately and contact Ace Bayou for the free repair kit to permanently disable the zipper. af 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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G O T O W W W. A U S T I N FA M I LY. C O M F O R W E E K LY U P D AT E S O F A R O U N D A U S T I N N E W S

Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day UT’s national award winning Girl Day returns Feb. 27 to give over 4,000 elementary and middle school students a chance to explore handson engineering activities, witness engaging demonstrations and interact with over 100 organizations. Last year, girls in grades 1 – 8 rotated through about 50 grade-specific activities, then attended an all-ages “Science in the Movies” show. Among the activities available were Bubble Shapes, Physics Circus, Nuclear Chain Reaction and Create Your Own DNA. “Girl day is not only the time where fun and science meet, like our famous liquid nitrogen ice cream,” says Cherrelle Thomas, a graduate student in the Department of Chemical Engineering. “It is also an event to inspire girls that they can acquire a career in STEM.” The popular event is free but requires advance registration, and typically fills up quickly. For more information or to register, visit bit.ly/1Gx27zB.

Special Olympics Winter Games Athletes from across the state have been training for weeks to compete in the 23rd annual Special Olympics Texas (SOTX) Winter Games taking place Feb. 4 – 7 in Austin, Georgetown and Round Rock. Approximately 2,500 athletes will compete in bowling, volleyball and

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powerlifting. In addition, the games include an opening ceremony hosted by Fox 7 meteorologist Scott Fisher, an athlete’s village, clinics, demonstrations, victory dance and closing ceremony. Competitions run from Feb. 5 – 7, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Volunteers are needed. For more information and a complete schedule, visit sotx.org/wintergames.

Must -Do This Month Celebrate Chinese New Year on Feb. 8. This is the year of the Monkey. Cuddle up with your little movie fans on Feb. 28 for the Oscar Awards.

Athletes compete in bowling at the Special Olympics Winter Games.

In addition, beginning Jan. 1, Texas drivers can opt to donate $5 or more to SOTX. The option will first appear when drivers renew vehicle registration at a county tax office or online in counties that offer online payment. For more information, visit sotx.org/giveus5.

Vince Young Visits Elementary School Former UT and NFL quarterback Vince Young surprised students at Copperfield Elementary School in December to celebrate the school, which had the highest percentage of students participate in a regional Kick the Flu campaign. E3 Alliance and Healthy Schools teamed up with nine Central Texas school districts to immunize 19,413 students in 132 schools. The campaign ran through October and November. Copperfield Elementary in Pflugerville ISD had the highest participation rate of any school in the region, with 47 percent of its students immunized against influenza.

It’s a leap year! Do something to mark your extra day on Feb. 29.

“We are very excited about all of our schools participating in the flu campaign to keep kids healthy and in school,” said Susan Dawson, president of E3 Alliance. “This is the second year Copperfield has won the flu immunization challenge. Clearly they are doing something right, and we want to celebrate that and share it with the region.”

Vince Young celebrates the success of the Kick the Flu campaign at Copperfield Elementary.

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Travis County Youth Show The Travis County Youth Show (TCYS) took place Jan. 14 – 17 at the Travis County Expo Center. After months of daily work, children ages 9 – 18 showed and auctioned off their animals and exhibits.

Children and goats leave the ring after judging at the Travis County Youth Show.

them responsibility; someone is relying on them for feeding and care.” Wenzel also noted that youth fair exhibits are becoming increasingly popular as areas of Travis County make the transition from mostly rural and more urban. Some children have no space to raise livestock, but they can still participate through the youth fair exhibits. This year, the TCYS included 1,700 youth fair exhibits such as art, woodworking, metalworking, plants, food crafts and quilts. TCYS is a nonprofit organization whose goal is to develop the character of youth through competitive livestock and youth fair exhibits. Wenzel said that about 50 board members and another 100 volunteer adults help make the show happen.

According to Troy Wenzel, past president of TCYS, this year’s show involved about 800 livestock and 1,700 youth fair projects. Animals included steers, rabbits, hogs, lambs, goats, chickens and turkeys.

The auction typically takes in about $430,000. Auction proceeds belong to the children, minus a small commission that pays for operating the show, said Wenzel. Some children use the funds to pay for the next year’s project, while others save the money for college expenses.

“These kids spend hours each day on their animals,” said Wenzel. “It teaches

A separate scholarship fund is supported by additional fundraising activities,

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said Trent Warwick of the Hill Country Austin 4-H. Since 2010, the organization has awarded 42 scholarships totaling $36,000. The show is open to all children living in Travis County who attend public school or are homeschooled. For more information, visit traviscountyyouthshow.org.

Children Work to Fit In The threat of being left out influences children to mimic group behaviors as a means to stay “in,” according to psychologists at UT. A recent study found that children as young as 5 years old are sensitive

Researchers at UT found that children who feel left out use imitation to fit in.

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emotional meeting for both the parents and teachers of children requiring special education. to being excluded, especially from “in-groups”—those to which they feel they belong—and will respond using imitation to re-affiliate with those groups. “When kids feel left out, they copy the behavior of others around them in order to appear more like them,” says Rachel Watson-Jones, lead author of the study and a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Psychology. “Whether it’s the way they dress, play, eat or activities they participate in, a child will imitate the behavior of others to appear as though they are part of that group.”

IEP Education Program The Individualized Education Program (IEP) annual meeting—known in Texas as the Annual Review and Dismissal meeting—can be a challenging and

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by the

numbers

To help parents, teachers and administrators with the process, the Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas (DSACT) offers an educational program on Feb. 22 to cover the following:

1967

skills, practices and tools • Identifying to aid the IEP process of the Parent’s Guide to • Walkthrough IEP Facilitation and other resources Review of the three levels of facilita• tion used in Texas special education strategies to use in future • Facilitation IEP meetings

2,200

“Sometimes, it can be challenging for parents and educators to come to a consensus on what’s best for a child requiring special education,” says Peggy Wolf, education manager for DSACT. “This course offers parents and educators the perspective as well as the tools to help make well-reasoned, child-centered decisions in IEP meetings. Hopefully, the skills gained will allow for greater flexibility and options in making child-centered decisions.”

First human heart transplant performed. Source: History.com

Number of heart transplants in the U.S. annually. Source: Columbia University Medical Center

$1 million

Average cost for a heart transplant. Source: National Foundation for Transplants

The program will run from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Region XIII Education Service Center at 5701 Springdale Rd. Cost is $20 and includes lunch. TEA credit is available for teachers. To register, visit dsact.org.

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Give Your Preschooler a Kindergarten Jump Start

1. Let Your Child Take the Lead When playing with your child, it’s tempting to take over, as in: “Now it’s time to dress the baby doll. Now it’s time to give the baby a bath.” “Many adults think play should be a certain way,” Sungar says. But that’s too limiting. To enhance your child’s creativity and confidence, guide her instead. “While you’re playing with your child, narrate what your child is doing, ask questions about why she’s doing what she’s doing and what comes next, as in: ‘Now, you’re giving baby a bath. What’s baby going to do after her bath?’” Sungar says. Letting your child run the show gives her a sense of control, which helps develop her thinking skills and solve problems on her own. If she has a tough time getting the baby undressed, for example, don’t do it for her. “It’s critical to let kids explore, learn from their experiences and fix problems as they happen,” Sungar says.

by Sandra Gordon

You’ve picked up your child from her 2s, 3s or 4s program, with the rest of the day or the weekend ahead of you. Now what? It’s a common dilemma. “So many parents ask me, ‘What do I do with my child when we get home?’” says Elissa Sungar, a former preschool teacher and co-creator of Ifnotyouwho.org, a free website that guides parents through 300 short and fun daily activities to help them prepare their child for kindergarten. It turns out, there’s a lot you can do to help your child keep learning all day long, and it doesn’t involve workbooks or writing letters over and over. Instead, it’s about playing and interacting with your preschooler to develop the cognitive, physical, language and motor skills he’ll need to be ready for the “big school.” Kindergarten readiness is vital for a child’s long-term academic success. Consider: it’s estimated that of the millions of children who enter kindergarten each year, half are behind their peers socially and academically, which increases the risk of failure in school. Of the half who aren’t prepared, up to 40 percent won’t finish high school. “So much brain development occurs before age 6. You want your child ready for kindergarten, and you want your child’s classmates to be ready so they can challenge your child,” Sungar says. “We need everybody on board.” Parents play a major role in the process, and the subtle shifts in how you interact with your child can make a big difference. Here are three things you can do now to help your preschooler become a capable learner.

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2. Give Explicit Feedback Throughout your child’s day, give specific praise and negative feedback. Instead of saying, “good job,” for example, when your child shows you a picture he painted, you might say, “I like how you used the blue and the red paint. Those colors mix well together.” Similarly, if your child decides to stand up on a chair, instead of saying, “sit down,” say, “Please sit on your bottom. When you stand, you can fall off the chair and get hurt.” Get the idea? Providing pointed criticism and advice is more valuable than vague remarks, because it gives your child direction and helps build his vocabulary. The more words, the better. “The actual number of words kids hear each day is crucial to their long-term development,” Sungar says. Save one-word negative feedback, such as “No!” or “Don’t!” for safety issues, such as when your child runs out into the street or tries to touch a hot pan. It’s more effective if they hear “No!” or “Don’t!” less often.

3. Allow Free Play Each day, give your child the space to do her own thing. “Preschoolers need at least four hours per week—up to roughly half an hour each day—of unstructured play time other than preschool,” Sungar says. Down time allows children to think creatively and gives them a mental breather. Without downtime, kids can feel overwhelmed by the increased pressure to succeed at school, which can start as early as preschool.

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Overscheduled kids may not know what to do or how to play by themselves. If that’s the case, give your child options, such as “Would you like to draw or play with blocks?” Then, go do what you need to do and check back in with your child occasionally. Keep the TV turned off, as well as your smart phone or tablet computer. Even if your child’s favorite app is “educational,” your child isn’t learning through a physical experience when she’s using a screen. “Preschoolers learn a lot with their bodies and need to try something, fail at it and then try something new,” Sungar says. “When they’re just using their thumbs or index finger on a touch screen, they’re not using the muscles in their hands, for example, which are crucial for holding a pencil, using scissors and throwing a ball.” af Sandra Gordon is an awardwinning freelance writer who delivers expert advice and the latest develop ments in health, nutrition, parenting and consumer issues.

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21WAYS TO SAY

Edible Ideas Lovely Lunches. Add a shaped candy to your child’s lunch box. Stock up during after-Valentine’s Day sales so you don’t run out. Or use a large, heart-shaped cookie cutter to make heart-shaped sandwiches, toast and other treats. Your kids will love the shape and that you’ve eliminated the crust. Cupful of Love. Give your child a “World’s Greatest Son/Daughter” or “I Love You” cup, and use it when you serve hot cocoa or graham crackers and milk.

“Do” Lunch. Hit her favorite fast-food joint, go on a picnic or have lunch at school. (If you choose the latter, make sure your child won’t mind, to avoid social embarrassment.)

Written Word Poet and Didn’t Know It. Write a poem for your child. If poetry isn’t your thing, look up simple children’s rhymes and customize. Poems can be serious or fun, but either way, your child will love it.

Valentine Welcome. Welcome your child home with a valentine banner across your front porch. Snail Mail Surprise. Kids love to get mail, so

send a card or letter. Don’t forget to let her check the mail to discover the greeting herself.

Say It with Email. Send your child an email with a link to a fun website or a funny e-greeting.

Scrabble Greetings. Wish your child a “Happy Valentine’s Day” with a Scrabble tile message. For younger readers, spell out a simple phrase, leaving a space between words. For older kids, make them figure out your greeting. Intersect the words as you would in the game.

by Kimberly Blaker

Valentine’s Valentine’s Day Day is is aa perfect perfect excuse excuse to to show show your your child child just just how how much much he he or or she she is is loved. loved. Use Use these these creative creative ideas ideas to to show show how how much much you you care care now now and and throughout throughout the the year. year. 14

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C is for… Make a poster listing your child’s char-

acteristics. Put her name at the top and then list as many positive descriptive words as you can that begin with her initial. Use a thesaurus to find oodles of words. (Example: Cassandra, cute, caring, creative, crafty and curious.) Laminate or frame it and hang it in her room.

Poetic Praise. Give your child a poetry book writ-

ten especially for sons or daughters. To My Son with Love or To My Daughter with Love on the Important Things in Life, written by Susan Polis Schultz, offer encouragement and a new understanding of your love and commitment.

Do It Together Love is Silly. One thing kids love and do best is act silly, so loosen up and join in the fun. If being silly

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isn’t your style, practice up. Letting loose is a great way to de-stress and to let your child know he’s fun to be around.

Gift of Time. Finding time to read

to or play with your child isn’t always easy. Fortunately, quality—rather than quantity—is what matters most. Show your child you care by setting aside a few minutes each day to talk, read or play together.

Class Connection. As kids grow,

tape them to the backing of a frame using double-sided tape, then frame.

It’s in the Wrapping. Don’t wait for a special occasion to give a gift. Pick up something for your child and wrap it as a surprise. Don’t forget the ribbon (so it takes longer to unwrap) and include a gift card with a sweet message. Scrapbookin’ Fun

Put together a memory scrapbook.

Use photos, vacation postcards and ticket stubs. Dedicate each page to a holiday, event or theme. Include dates and any details you remember, along with cute sayings and stickers. af Kimberly Blaker is an author and freelance writer. Her articles have appeared in more than 200 newspapers, parenting and women’s magazines, and other publications.

together time becomes increasingly rare. Together, decide on an activity the two of you would enjoy. Sign up for a class or set a regular schedule for the activity and mark it on your calendar. Treat it as you would any other commitment.

Eventful Gifts. Secretly buy tick-

ets to a concert, ice show or sporting event your kids have been dying to see. On the day of the event, just say you’re all going out for dinner or some other concoction, then enjoy the surprise when you arrive at your true destination.

Make a Date. Plan a regular date

for one-on-one time. This works especially well for families with more than one child. Each parent should take a turn with each child and go play putt-putt golf, take in a movie, go roller-skating or spend an afternoon at the park. Set a regular schedule so your child can look forward to your dates together.

Gifts from the Heart For Her or For Him. Cut fresh flowers for your daughter, to brighten her room and her day. Clip sports cars from magazines for your son, and post them on a bulletin board in his room. Engrave Your Thoughts.

Have a necklace or bracelet engraved for your child. Be sure to include his name, your sentiments and whom it’s from.

Van Gogh in the Making. Sift

through your child’s art collection and select a piece to display. Matte, frame and hang it in a room—other than your child’s—for everyone to see.

Worth a Thousand Words.

Choose photos of your child from infancy to present, then trim them into different sizes and shapes. Overlap and Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market

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BY RICHARD SINGLETON

MEET GEORGE JETSON: IS A SMART HOME IN YOUR FUTURE?

he “internet of things” is starting to gather steam. Controlling lighting, alarms, temps and an array of other household tech will continue to grow in 2016. This new technology, known as home automation, is growing fast.

Don’t think boring and limited. This ain’t your grandma’s clapper. This is a revolution in the way we interact with our homes. The technology is still young, emerging and immature, but just like a college student back home for the holidays, there are signs just under the surface of a mature adult hiding in there. Before you dive into what’s available, think about what daily activities you do. What would help you do those better? What would you like to automate? What device in the house would you like to have more cloud-based control over? It’s

a hard question. You don’t know what you don’t know. This little exercise, however, might make the following options even that much more amazing to consider. Automation systems like Control4, HomeSeer, Savant and Crestron are some of the most popular options available. For about a thousand dollars, you can get a robust assortment of onetouch controls for your home. Turning on lights, opening the garage, deactivating your alarm and firing up your entertainment system at the touch of your phone is within your reach. Some systems allow you to integrate your washer, dryer, oven and even a generator to keep everything chugging along, in the event the electricity goes out. But before you plug into the future, note that there are lots of bugs to work out. If

money isn’t an issue, you’re adventurous and you don’t mind some tech frustrations, go for it. Early adopters are always needed, and this is exciting territory. If, however, you’re like most folks and want to keep things within budget, here are some other things to consider. You can start small. For instance, you can go with just one item, like an automated front door lock from Schlage Connect or the Hue lighting system from Philips. If you do start slow and plan to expand over time, consider compatibility. Automation is about convenience and efficiency. And, there’s nothing convenient or efficient about having a different app and a different user experience for every automated device in the house. Imagine if every light switch in your house was a different style. Not cool, right? Now imagine that every automated device in your house has a different app, different login and different connection to your Wi-Fi. Okay, now uncurl from your fetal position and promise me that you’ll not do that to yourself. One final consideration: should you allow your cable company to be your onestop-shop? They want to be. I don’t want to say that you should never do this, but at the end of the day, your cable company is probably going to lag behind in technology. It’s hard to do everything right. It’s a lot easier to be a jack of all trades and master of none. Until this technology comes of age and is as convenient, integrated and trustworthy as, say, your electricity provider, I’d stick with companies that demonstrate expertise in this area. Maybe your cable company has that. More likely, you’ll find it with a company that focuses almost exclusively on home automation. What an amazing world we live in. It’s not the Jetsons just yet. But, wow, it sure feels like it. If we could just add that robot to do the dishes, wash the clothes and take out the trash for us. Sign me up! af Richard Singleton, MACE, MAMFC, LPC, is the executive director at STARRY in Round Rock.

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BY BRENDA SCHOOLFIELD

It’s Children’s Dental Health Month! We Get Your Questions Answered Dental decay is a serious problem in children. About 1 in 5 young children has high levels of untreated cavities, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Parents are often unsure of how to promote good oral health, so we asked Dr. Anil Gudapati, DMD, to answer questions from local moms and dads. Dr. Gudapati is a board certified pediatric dentist practicing in the Austin area.

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When should I start brushing my child’s teeth, and when can she brush her own? As soon as your child’s teeth erupt, brush them with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Even wiping your child’s teeth with wet gauze goes a long way for toddlers. For ages 2 to 5, use a “pea-size” amount of toothpaste. Supervise brushing until age 7 to 8. Allow your child to brush her own teeth, making sure that you get a turn, as well. How often should my child brush her teeth and for how long? She says she is “finished” after about 30 seconds. Children should brush 2 times a day, for 2 minutes each time. Ideally, brush once in the morning and once before bedtime. To encourage your child to brush long enough, try the free “Toothsavers Brushing Game” app. What kind of toothpaste should I use for my toddler? Use toothpaste approved by the American Dental Association (ADA).

ADA-approved toothpaste meets strict standards for safety and effectiveness. The best choice will contain flouride. But don’t allow your child to swallow flouride toothpaste—teach him to spit it out. If your child can’t spit it out, use one without flouride until he learns. My 7 year old says adult toothpaste “burns.” What should we use? Children are unique in which flavors they can tolerate. Some don’t like mint flavor and say that it “burns.” But there’s a wide range of other flavors available. Just make sure that the toothpaste contains flouride and is ADA approved. Should my child floss? She refuses, and I have trouble because her mouth is small. Children should floss at least once a day with adult supervision. If your child’s mouth is too small for regular floss, you can use floss designed for children. It’s smaller, comes with a handle and is easier to manipulate. Flossing is the best way to clean in between your

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The American Academy of Pediatrics, the ADA and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry all recommend that your child visit the dentist no later than age 1. child’s teeth, an area the toothbrush can’t reach. How do I know if my child needs flouride treatments? Is flouride safe? Fluoride has been shown to be beneficial to teeth. In the right amount, fluoride is a leading factor in stopping cavities. But too little or too much can harm teeth. Little to no fluoride fails to strengthen teeth enough to resist cavities. Excessive fluoride ingestion by preschoolers can lead to dental fluorosis—a chalky white to brown discoloration of the permanent teeth. Consult with your pediatric dentist to see if your child needs fluoride supplements.

recommends a screening at age 7. By this age in most children, several permanent teeth have erupted, and your pediatric dentist can make an effective evaluation. Developing malocclusions or bad bites can be recognized as early as age 2 to 3.

Often, early steps can be taken by your pediatric dentist to reduce the need for major orthodontic treatment later. af Brenda Schoolfield is a freelance medical writer in Austin.

When should my child have his first checkup? Once a tooth erupts, it can develop a cavity. The American Academy of Pediatrics, the ADA and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry all recommend that your child visit the dentist no later than age 1. Does my child need to go to a pediatric dentist? Children need different approaches to guide their dental growth and development. Just as a pediatrician is trained to handle the unique medical needs of children, a pediatric dentist is trained to handle their dental needs. A pediatric dentist has an extra two to three years of specialized training and is best qualified to provide care to infants and children through adolescence. My toddler sucks his thumb. Will this cause problems when he’s older? Thumb and pacifier habits generally only become a problem if they go on for a very long time. Most children stop on their own. But if your child is still sucking her thumb when her permanent front teeth are about to erupt, a mouth appliance may be recommended. Do all children need braces? When do you know it’s time? Not all children need braces. The American Association of Orthodontists Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market

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af:

When did Johnny get his original diagnosis?

JoAnna: Johnny was born perfectly healthy, but when he was about 12 hours old, he went into distress. They were able to keep his heart going until he was almost 3. At that point, all they could do was a transplant. His blood pressure was so high, he was denied by the transplant board twice. The doctors really fought to get his numbers where they needed to be. But the surgery was perfect, and his recovery was great. He had that heart for 11 years, which is a good average.

af:

thankful

hearts from the bottom of their

by Sherida Mock

ohnny Costarell recently turned 14, but he’s already gone through two heart transplants. His first was at age 3, when his original heart gave out. Then in March 2015, it became clear that Johnny’s transplanted heart was failing. The Costarells went into crisis mode. His mother, JoAnna, quit her job to be with Johnny in Houston while he awaited a new heart. As the months dragged on, Johnny’s spirits flagged. But the community cheering for him at home rallied to keep him going, and Johnny received a new heart in November 2015. He and his mother spoke to us from his hospital bed at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston. The Costarell family is JoAnna, Johnny, Aimee, Sean and Ally. Photo by Amy Welson.

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When did you find out that Johnny needed a second transplant?

JoAnna: On March 17, 2015, he had his annual heart test. He went in feeling great. We were just at the Austin Fair and Rodeo two days before, and he was going on all the spinning, fast rides. But any time they would mess with his heart, it would stop beating. His heart actually stopped beating for four minutes. He went straight from there into ICU, where he was sedated for a few days to recover. They told us the only thing they could do was a second transplant.

af:

What was the community response?

JoAnna: It has been amazing. We are just so overwhelmed. Johnny’s school, Leander Middle School, sent us cards to cover an entire wall. They did a fundraiser and dedicated an entire week with different dress up days of all Johnny’s favorite things. They ended the week with a pep rally. You could pay $1 for a piece of duct tape and tape your favorite teacher to the wall. I was the receptionist at Leander High School. I had to quit my job, and they gave me an amazing bag of cards and goodies. The dance team gave gift cards and goodies. The Lady Lion volleyball team combined with Cedar Park High School’s volleyball team at their rivalry game in September. They pick a family in need to donate to every year, so this year they did it for us. We had another friend that started a t-shirt fundraiser. There were hundreds sold. It was very humbling. And another family friend started a GoFundMe page, which we were hesitant on, but when you’re down a

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job and you have an extra living expense and travelling—my husband and daughter were traveling hundreds of miles every weekend—we needed it. I don’t know where we would be if we didn’t have our community and all our friends supporting us.

af:

What are some of the challenges you’ve been going through?

Johnny: I was losing hope and didn’t feel the need to continue with school. JoAnna: We learned that was very common with transplant kids who have been on the wait list for quite some time. Texas Children’s was amazing at helping Johnny get through this. We just met with homebound school services today. Johnny: There’s some physical limitations. I can’t play football. JoAnna: Anything that would have a hard hit to the chest, he’s not allowed to do. But, pretty much anything else. He could do swimming, soccer. He was taking tumbling classes, and he did cheer at Leander Middle School.

af:

Any last thoughts?

JoAnna: I want to say that how thankful we are to everyone at Texas Children’s Hospital—the staff, nurses and doctors. Johnny is here today because the doctors and nurses here are such heroes. From the bottom of our hearts, we are so grateful to the donor’s family. What they gave during their time of grief is the ultimate gift. Their graciousness has allowed Johnny to continue living. DonateLife has been amazing. Ronald McDonald House is an incredible organization. I can’t say enough about them. And I’m glad that I started the Facebook page (Johnny’s Heart Journey). That was definitely not my personality, but there were so many people who were interested and had known Johnny. I thought this would be the easiest way to get the word out and keep people up-to-date. It turned out to be therapeutic for both Johnny and me, to see all the well wishes and love and prayers from so many people. It helped tremendously. I never thought something so simple could have helped us so much. af

How are you doing now?

Johnny: I’m doing good. I’m excited to get back on track. We’ll hopefully be back home around February 1. I’m looking forward to being with all my friends again. I look forward to doing high school cheer and tumbling. JoAnna: I’m just happy to say that we can start making those plans for the future.

“

I don’t know where we would be if we didn’t have our community and all our friends supporting us.”

johnnny

2004

johnnny learn

2015

About 124,000 people are awaiting organ transplants in the U.S. Visit DonateLifeTexas.org for information about tissue and organ donation. Ronald McDonald House Charities help families stay close to a child going through hospitalization. Visit RMHC.org for more information. February is American Heart Month. For tips to keep your own heart healthy, visit Heart.org. Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market

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2016 SUMMER CAMP GUIDE DAY CAMPS Pages 22-35 • OVERNIGHT CAMPS Pages 35-37 • SPECIAL NEEDS CAMPS Page 38

This month’s Camp Guide sponsored by: YMCA of Austin austinymca.org YMCA of Greater Williamson County ymcagwc.org

day camps 14th Annual Austin Film Festival Summer Camp 512-478-4795 www.austinfilmfestival.com Ages 9 - 18 Rocking workshops that promise to teach, inspire, and help kids and young adults create their very own fabulous, funny, thought-provoking, heartbreaking, award-winning (you never know!) short films.

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Adderley Musical Theatre Summer Camp

Armstrong School of Music Summer Jazz Workshop

512-987-0190 Downtown @The Integrity Academy Barton Creek @ St. Michael’s Academy Four Points @ The Oasis www.theadderleyschool.com Ages 3 - 18 Students participate in one, two, or three-week age-appropriate singing, acting and dance camps, culminating in a final abridged version of a Broadway show.

404 Camp Craft Rd., West Lake 512-474-2331 www.acmsaustin.org Ages 12 and up Take a look into the intuitive nature of jazz piano through an overview of its language and structure. Pianists interested in exploring the world of jazz and improvisatory playing will love this 6-week workshop with Paul Matthews!

ATA Martial Arts Northwest Austin, Cedar Park and Round Rock 512-402-6461, 512-786-2387, 512-310-0131

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www.barrettsata.com, www.roundrockata.com Ages 3 and up We provide our students a strong foundation in essential character qualities such as courtesy, respect and discipline. In addition, our programs are designed to improve motor skills and enhance a student’s ability to pay attention and follow directions.

ATX Kids Club Summer Camp Adventures Central and South Austin 512-234-KIDS (5437) www.atxkidsclub.org Ages 4 – 12 Join us for one of the most active, educational and fun summer camp programs in Austin, with a different field trip every day!

Austin Dog Alliance 1321 W. New Hope Drive, Cedar Park 512-335-7100 www.austindogalliance.org Ages 5 - 15 Camp activities include learning dog training, tricks, agility and other dog sports. Campers learn about dog health, breeds, body language and more. Craft activities include making dog cookies and dog toys.

Austin Girls Choir Austin 512-453-0884 www.girlschoir.com Ages 8 – 16

Austin Girls Choir camps include instruction on vocal skills, note reading, basic harmony and fun songs, with simple choreography.

in a low-pressure, fun environment and become published authors.

Austin Nature and Science Center

13017 Bob Johnson Ln., Manchaca 512-282-0250 www.bearcreekstables.com Ages 7 – 16 Because horses are fascinating, a horse camp is one of the best sources of growth, self confidence and fun available to a young person.

2389 Stratford Drive, Austin 512-974-3880 www.austintexas.gov/ansc Ages 4 - 13 ANSC offers various extraordinary summer camp programs to groups of children in an environmental education-based curriculum. From nature studying, hiking and crafts to caving and stone tool making in older classes.

Austin Sports Arena Ultimate Indoor Sports Camp 3918 Gattis School Rd., Round Rock 512-251-7500 www.austinsportsarena.com/camps Ages 5 – 14 Campers have the option of enjoying either a full or half day of jam-packed activities designed for kids at any skill level.

Badgerdog Creative Writing Summer Camp Several locations across Austin 512-542-0076 www.austinlibrary.org Rising 3rd – 12th grade Led by professional writers, campers discover and practice the arts of poetry and storytelling

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Bear Creek Stables

Bits, Bytes & Bots Computer Adventures Various locations 512-415-4120 www.austintx.bitsbytesbots.com Ages 6 – 14 Offering fun and educational week-long, half-day technology camps in game creation, moviemaking, robotics, Scratch programming, Kodu Game Lab programming and Minecraft®. Low student to instructor ratio.

Blazer Tag 1701 W. Ben White Blvd., Austin 512-462-0202 www.blazertag.com Ages 7 and up Bring in your camp or field trip to Blazer Tag for some out-of-this-world fun!

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2016 SUMMER CAMP GUIDE Boost Writing Camp by Extra Credit! LLC 8820 Business Park Dr. #300, Austin 512-689-0236 www.extracreditaustin.com Ages 4 – 6 Spring break and summer options, pending interest and availability. For foundations to better handwriting. Pre-screening required. Details online.

Bricks 4 Kidz ATX Multiple greater Austin locations 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® mini-figures or accessory packs.

Cafe Monet Summer Art

Camp themes include bugs, pirates, superheroes, princesses, circus and zoo animals plus many, many more.

Camp Adventure by Kiddie Academy 1602 Medical Pkwy., Cedar Park 512-986-7355 www.kiddieacademy.com/cedarpark Ages preschool – school age At Kiddie Academy, we aim to make your child’s summer as educational as it is fun. Our Camp Adventure program and curriculum do exactly that, through themed events, activities and trips. With Camp Adventure, your child’s ordinary summer vacation is transformed into a fun and strong foundation for the future!

Camp Avalanche at Chaparral Ice Center

Westgate, Triangle and San Marcos 512-892-3200, 512-906-2200, 512-805-2800 www.cafemonet.org Ages 6 and up Hands-on lesson in creativity. Paint pottery, fuse glass or spruce it up on a wood plaque.

2525 W. Anderson Ln. #400, Austin 512-252-8500 x 160 www.chaparralice.com Ages 7 - 14 Our campers fill their days swimming, going to the park, going on field trips, doing arts and crafts and—of course—ice skating!

Camp Abrakadoodle – Kids with Imagination

Camp De Champs at Chaparral Ice Center

Leander, Round Rock, Georgetown 512-337-7017 www.abrakadoodle.com/tx-austin Ages 3 - 12 Art Camps are fun-filled, action packed events.

2525 W. Anderson Ln. #400, Austin 512-252-8500 x 160 www.chaparralice.com Ages 6 - 13 Camp De Champs offers 11 weeks of figure skating

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and hockey skating instruction. Kids receive two lessons daily, as well as public skating time, off-ice training, goal setting, arts and crafts and a new, optional performance recital on the Thursday evening of each week.

Camp Doublecreek 800 Doublecreek Dr., Round Rock 512-255-3661 www.campdoublecreek.com Ages 4 – 14 Camp Doublecreek is Austin/Round Rock’s Best Day Camp for 45+ years. It is an activity-based camp with free transportation from 12 different locations.

Camp on the Move 512-658-628 www.camponthemove.com Ages 7 - 14 A field-trip based day camp, a new trip each day. Schlitterbahn twice a week. Come join the fun.

Camp Switch Willo 4829 Switch Willo 512-920-0554 www.campswitchwillo.com Ages 5 - 15 We strive to instill in each child an appreciation for horses and the sport of riding. We educate riders in a relaxed, supportive learning environment, with an emphasis on safety.

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Challenger School Avery Ranch, Pond Springs and Round Rock 512-341-8000, 512-258-1299, 512-255-8844 www.challengerschool.com Ages PreK - 8th grade Our students learn to think for themselves and to value independence. Results are unmatched.

Cordovan Art School 3810 Gattis School Rd. #108, Round Rock 816 S. Main St., Georgetown 512-275-4040 www.cordovanartschool.com Ages 5 - 16 Experience the best art camps in the greater Austin area! Traditional, technical skills mixed with lots of fun! Ceramics, clay, drawing, painting, animals and more.

Country Home Learning Center 6900 Escarpment Blvd., Austin 512-288-8220 13120 U.S. Hwy. 183 N., Austin 512-331-1441 www.countryhomelearningcenter.com Ages 5 - 13 Children must have finished grade K to attend our summer camp program and field trips. (All ages, starting at 6 weeks, accepted for our year round program.) Join us for an incredible summer camp experience, featuring child approved special events, exciting weekly field trips and kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; choice special interest clubs.

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2016 SUMMER CAMP GUIDE Dance Discovery Central Austin and Avery Ranch 512-419-7611, 512-658-2996 www.dancediscovery.com www.averyranchdance.com Ages 3 - 14 Various themed camps include story time ballet, jazz, hip hop, gymnastics, yoga, arts and crafts and musical theatre. Each camp ends with a great show!

Esoteric Farm 15 minutes north of downtown Austin 512-272-4301 www.esotericfarm.com Ages 5 - 16 Daily horse-related games and activities and an indoor horse arena. Fun, active and affordable!

Extend-A-Care for Kids Summer Day Camp Locations in AISD, DVISD and HCISD 512-472-9402 www.eackids.org Ages 3 - 12 Weekly sessions consisting of sports, field trips, swimming, cooking, games and puzzles, reading, arts and crafts and more. Weekly themes are based on childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s literature.

Fantastic Magic Camp Locations throughout Austin 512-850-4677 www.magiccamp.com Ages 5 - 12 Kids discover their unique inner magic through

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learning magic tricks. Campers are surrounded by people, both young and old, who recognize and embrace that uniqueness.

French for Kids Ecole Jean-Jacques Rousseau 11607 N. Lamar, Austin 512-339-6000 www.austinfrenchforkids.org Ages 3 - 12 Where French immersion meets academic excellence.

Fun 2 Learn Code Austin and Round Rock (see web site for additional locations) 512-900-8380 www.fun2learncode.com Ages 7 and up Half- and full-day computer programming camps, including Minecraft mods in Java, Scratch programming, Python, game design, web development, robotics, circuits and stop motion animation.

Girlstart Summer Camp 1400 W. Anderson Ln., Austin 512-916-4775 www.girlstart.org Rising 4th - 8th grades Girlstart summer camp allows girls to explore science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in a fun, informal environment and equips girls with STEM skills they will use for life. Girlstartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s camp provides unique experiences that develop a strong conceptual understanding of STEM subjects and

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increase participants’ interest in STEM activities and careers.

Handwriting Club by Extra Credit! LLC 8820 Business Park Dr. #300, Austin 512-689-0236 www.extracreditaustin.com Ages 5 - 9 Summer class options, pending interest and availability. For better handwriting. Pre-screening required. Details online.

Heartsong 2700 W. Anderson Ln., Austin 512-371-9506 www.heartsongmusic.net Ages up to 9 Join us spring and summer for our Music Together classes for children and their caregivers.

Kiddie Academy’s Camp Adventure 2617 Kelly Ln., Pflugerville 512-989-7777 www.kiddieacademy.com/pflugerville Ages preschool – 12 years We aim to make your child’s summer as educational as it is fun. Our Camp Adventure program and curriculum do exactly that, through themed events, activities and trips. With Camp Adventure, your child’s ordinary summer vacation is transformed into a fun and strong foundation for the future!

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2016 SUMMER CAMP GUIDE KidsActing Locations throughout Austin metro 512-836-5437 www.kidsactingstudio.com Ages 3 - 19 Unleash your creativity this summer.

Learning Fun101 Locations throughout Austin metro 512-740-3024 www.learningfun101.com Rising 1st â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 5th grades Want your child to do something unique and absolutely cool this summer? How about having them learn to build and design robots using the LEGOÂŽ bricks?

Mad Science Locations throughout Austin metro 512-892-1143 www.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.

McKinney Roughs Nature Camp 1884 SH 71 West, Cedar Creek 512-303-5073 www.lcra.org/naturecamp Ages 5 - 15 Explore the outdoors and learn about wilderness skills and native plants and animals. Older campers enjoy swimming, a challenge course and raft trips.

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Monkey Kung Fu South Austin 512-835-4404 www.traditionalmartialartsacademy.com Ages 6 - up Each child will receive daily instruction of Nunchaku and Monkey Kung Fu, plus time in inflatable playground.

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

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

NWA Kickball 3701 Far West Blvd., Austin 512-736-7364 www.nwakickball.com Ages 4 - 18 A girls-only league providing a fun, organized sports program. Five age divisions. Season runs March-May. Located at Far West Blvd. and Hart Lane.

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2016 SUMMER CAMP GUIDE Paramount Theatre Summer Camps On-site at the Paramount and Stateside Theatres in downtown Austin and at remote sites across Austin 512-692-0526 www.austintheatre.org/camps Ages 6 - 17 The Paramount Academy for the Arts offers camps focusing on musical theatre, playwriting, acting, design, stand-up comedy, filmmaking, songwriting and robotics.

Quarries Camp 11400 N. Mopac Exwy., Austin 512-241-0233 www.quarriesrec.org Grades K - 6 We provide fun all summer long by taking campers on local field trips and planning fun and creative adventures on our campus!

Rainbow Station’s The Village Summer Program 11651 W. Parmer Ln., Austin 512-260-9700 www.rainbowstationaustin.org Ages infant – 12 years An entire facility dedicated to school-age children. Full-day camp offers weekly mini courses, swim lessons, sports and weekly field trips.

Rio Vista Farm 13013 Fallwell Ln., Del Valle 512-247-2302 www.riovistafarm.net Ages 7 - 16 Austin’s originator of English riding camps.

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Daily lessons taught by professional trainers, lots of horse time/care, arts and crafts and swimming for hotter afternoons. Friday horse shows for parents to attend.

Round Rock Express Baseball Camps Dell Diamond 512-255-2255 www.RoundRockExpress.com Ages 6 and up The Round Rock Express baseball camps offer big league quality instruction on the fundamentals of baseball. Express camps are open to all skill levels, developing the complete athlete by focusing on physical skill sets, leadership and mental skills.

“Layla y la Ballena” Spanish Immersion 8707 Mountain Crest Dr., Austin; 2700 W. Anderson Ln., Austin; 107 Ranch Rd. 620 S. #200, 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.

Spicewood Country Camp 6102 Spicewood Springs Rd., Austin 512-345-2992 www.spicewoodcountry.com Ages 3½ – 10 Nine shady acres in northwest Austin with animals, music, swimming, crafts, sports and horseback riding.

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2016 SUMMER CAMP GUIDE S.A.S. St. Andrews Episcopal School 1112 W. 31st St., Austin 512-299-9700 www.sasaustin.org Ages 4 - 18 We offer camps for aspiring artists, athletes, scientists, musicians, chess enthusiasts, cooks and more.

St. Dominic Savio Catholic High School Summer Camps 9300 Neenah Ave., Austin 512-388-8846 www.saviochs.org/parents/summer_camps.cfm Grades 1st - 12th St. Dominic Savio Catholic High School is offering numerous camps this summer such as: art, music, robotics, soccer, volleyball and Lone Star Hoops basketball.

Stepping Stone SchoolÂ at the Brainery! 17 locations in the Austin area 512-459-0258 www.steppingstoneschool.com Ages 5 - 13 Every day during the summer the lesson will focus on a different country. Your children will participate in activities that teach them about the history and culture of the country of the day.

Sylvan Learning Centers North Austin/Cedar Park 512-336-1818, South Austin 512-441-3989 Round Rock 512-310-7890

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West Austin 512-323-6448 Hays County 512-262-7035 Georgetown 512-869-7323 www.sylvanlearning.com Grades 1 – 6 Have fun and stay sharp this summer with brand new camps at Sylvan Learning.

Synergy Dance 2314 Bee Cave Rd. #C1, Austin 512-327-4130 www.synergydancestudio.com Ages 2 and up Dance camps include ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, tumbling, theatre, crafts and a performance on Fridays. Dance intensives for beginner to advanced.

TechShop Design & Build Summer Camp 120 Sundance Pkwy Ste 350 Round Rock 512-900-4664 Ages 8 - 17 Design and build a Kano computer. Kano is a computer you build and code yourself. It is a project designed for children to learn the basics of computer science.

TexARTS Summer Camps 2300 Lohman’s Spur #160, Lakeway 512-852-9079 ext 104 www.tex-arts.org Ages 2 - 18

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2016 SUMMER CAMP GUIDE Musical theatre, dance and visual arts camps including a musical theatre intensive, weekly â&#x20AC;&#x153;best ofâ&#x20AC;? musicals, mini camps for ages 2 - 4 and visual arts camps.

The Magnolia School 2903 RR 620, Lake Travis 512-266-9620 www.themagnoliaschoolatx.com Ages 3 - 11 Full or part time camps, featuring morning academic booster with language arts and handwriting, reading and math. Plus afternoon weekly themed camp activities. 7:30-5:30, Monday through Friday.

Westlake Athletic & Community Center Westlake 512-934-1106 www.wacctexas.com Grades K and up Keep your kids active throughout the summer, without baking under the summer heat. They make new friends, learn new skills, discover and experience growth in a variety of sporting events.

YMCA of Austin Summer Day Camp 22 locations throughout Travis, Hays and Bastrop counties 512-236-9622 www.AustinYMCA.org Ages 4 - 14 Safe and enriching summer day camps. Enjoy field trips, swimming, games and more in a character rich environment with the YMCA of Austin.

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YMCA Williamson Co. Hutto 512-846-2360, Burnet 512-756-6180, Cedar Park 512-250-9622, Round Rock 512-615-5563 www.ymcagwc.org 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.

Young Entrepreneurs Club 1900 Cypress Creek Rd., #101, Cedar Park 512-996-9260 www.educenter4me.com Ages 5th - 9th grade Watch for details to come.

ZACH Summer Theatre Camps 1510 Toomey Rd., Austin 512-476-0594 x236 www.zachtheatre.org/education Ages 3Â˝ - 18 Weekly camps, June 6 through August 19, include acting, dance, voice, comedy, improv and creative drama for beginners to pre-professional students.

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OVERNIGHT camps Camp Lantern Creek for Girls 4045 N. FM 1486, Montgomery 936-597-8225 www.camplanterncreek.com A unique girls sleep away summer camp that was created so girls can create

FPO Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market

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2016 SUMMER CAMP GUIDE

D THIS “I WISH I HA A KID.” S t WHEN I WAU Pa ren –Moolah

s mp that give week-long ca s! ill sk A super fun ey on -life, real-m your kids real

their art, find their voice, try new skills, be cheered on whether they succeed or fail, get dirty, push boundaries, love nature and so much more.

Camp Stewart for Boys 612 FM 1340, Hunt TX 830-238-4670 www.CampStewart.com Boys ages 6 - 16 “Low-tech,” wholesome fun, growth, 70-plus activities. Ragsdale family owned, operated. Outstanding role model counselors, worldwide enrollment, home-style cooking. North Fork, Guadalupe River.

Expedition Education Texas and Global adventures 512-638-9722 www.expeditioned.com Ages 8 and up Imagine a summer camp that isn’t site-based. We’re an exploring, learning, doing, connecting, road-trip taking summer camp.

Heart O’ the Hills Camp 2430 Hwy 39, Hunt, TX 830-238-4650 www.HOHcamp.com Ages 6 - 16 Care-free all-girls atmosphere, Guadalupe River, air-conditioned. Family style dining. Worldwide enrollment, personable! More than 40 activities. Ragsdale family owned, operated.

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Newkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Adventure Camp 325 Mission Valley Rd., New Braunfels 830-625-9105 www.texasadventurecamp.net Ages 9 - 16 A fun, adventurous week that includes high ropes, zip lines, campout, Schlitterbahn, paintball, rock climbing, caving, archery, swimming, tubing, rafting, a dance and much more!

Pine Cove Columbus 877-4PINECOVE www.pinecove.com Ages 2nd-11th grade A week packed with fun activities, daily Bible studies, crazy skits, theme nights and so much more.

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.

Vista Camps â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Rio Vista for Boys and Sierra Vista for Girls Ingram, TX 830-367-5353 www.vistacamps.com Ages 6 - 16 We provide a safe, wholesome, fun-filled learning camp experience to every boy and girl since 1921.

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2016 SUMMER CAMP GUIDE YMCA Twin Lakes Overnight Camp 204 E. Little Elm Trail, Cedar Park Grades 3rd - 8th New cabins have bathrooms and A/C. Experienced counselors, nutritious meals and new friends. All the activities you love and a whole lot more!

special NEEDS camps 10 day Reversing Dyslexia Summer Camp 12412 Mossy Bark Trail, Austin, tX 78750 www.ReversingDyslexiaCamp.com 512-331-0668 Ages 6-18 Two for one Benefit: Improve Dyslexia, ADHD and allergies with Books Neural Therapy and have a fun 10 day summer camp experience at the same time.

Summer Wonders 3901 Shoal Creek Blvd., Austin 512-203-4540 www.summerwonders.org Ages 4 - 13 A program for gifted students to explore diverse subjects through an integrated, hands-on approach, presented in a fun, creative manner. af

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veryone gets nervous for a test from time to time. Any exam—a driving test, the SAT or an elementary-school standardized test—can cause some anxiety. A low level of stress is natural and can help you feel alert and energized. But when stress becomes debilitating, it is time to take action.

B Y J E N N I F E R VA N B U R E N

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According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, symptoms of test anxiety can include physical, emotional, behavioral and cognitive symptoms. Some common physical symptoms include headache, diarrhea, shortness of breath, dry mouth, light-headedness, rapid heartbeat, excessive sweating and even fainting. Test anxiety can lead to a full-on panic attack, categorized as a sudden onset of intense fear and anxiety. Sufferers may feel like they are unable to breathe or are having a heart attack.

DON’T LET TEST ANXIETY HOLD YOU BACK! 40

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Cognitively, students may completely blank out on answers, even if they studied the subject and knew the answer the night before. They may have racing thoughts and negative self talk, as well as trouble concentrating. Emotional symptoms range from fear to anger to disappointment. A person with test anxiety may feel helpless and overwhelmed. Behavioral symptoms can be as extreme as students “dropping out” or skipping class to avoid discomfort and fear. During a test, students may fidget or find it difficult to get physically comfortable. Students may suffer from depression or low self-esteem.

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How to Prevent Test Anxiety The Mayo Clinic presents strategies for facing test anxiety head on. There are components of test taking that are out of your control, such as what is on the test, where and when the test takes place. There are many things you can do to help ease anxiety.

Eat, drink and sleep. This is where

you have the most control. A brain needs fuel to function, so give it healthy foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, rather than processed foods. Avoid sugary food and drink that can cause an energy crash during the test. Avoid caffeine, which can trigger anxiety. Start studying early, so there’s time for a good night’s sleep.

a modified test or having the test read out loud. Some students take their test in a resource room, which may be more comfortable.

Talk it out. A school or private

counselor can help you talk through feelings and thoughts about test anxiety. There are also strategies you can follow during the actual test: Find a comfortable position. Read the test directions carefully. Take the test one question at a time. If you go blank on a question, mark it and come back to it later.

Take deep breaths and tell yourself that you are in control. Don’t panic if other students finish the test before you. Complete the test on your own time, and remind yourself there is no bonus for finishing early. Practice positive self-talk to combat any negative thoughts. Remember, some anxiety is natural and can be helpful, but don’t let it keep you from functioning at your best. af Jennifer VanBuren is a Georgetown educator and mother of three.

Practice good study skills. Ask the

teacher, tutor or counselor for ideas on how to best prepare. The teacher might provide study guides or be willing to offer clues as to what topics to focus on.

Be prepared. Don’t wait for the

night before to study. Create checklists, note cards and review sheets. Keep up with the workload, so you don’t have the extra stress of missed assignments. Maintaining good grades on assignments reduces the stress of having to “make up” for missed work by scoring high on the test.

Practice relaxation techniques.

Use progressive relaxation, in which you do a body scan and consciously relax your whole body, one part at a time. Deep breathing and positive imagery can help you get a good night’s sleep before and relax during the test.

Get moving. Exercise is a great stress reliever and can help you focus during study and test time. Build a relationship with the teacher. Ask questions along the

way, so that by test time, you have more confidence in the material. Let the teacher know you have test anxiety. For younger students, set up a parent conference and come up with strategies in advance.

Identify learning disabilities.

Test anxiety may be a sign there is something else going on, such as ADHD or dyslexia. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, the school can arrange for accommodations, such as extra time, Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market

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B Y J E N N I F E R VA N B U R E N

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¡NO DEJE QUE LA ANSIEDAD ANTE LOS EXÁMENES LO DETENGA!

odos se ponen nerviosos ante un examen de vez en cuando. Cualquier examen—ya sea de conducir, la evaluación SAT o una evaluación estandarizada en la primaria puede causar un poco de ansiedad. Un nivel bajo de estrés es natural y puede ayudarle a sentirse alerta y con energía. Pero cuando el estrés se convierte en debilitación, es hora de tomar medidas.

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smart

screentime™ by Ben Kramer

The world keeps getting brighter—and that’s not my sunny outlook speaking. More LED screens than ever are directed at our eyeballs, especially those we hold inches from our faces. The blue-white light from these screens mimics that of midday sunlight. If it hits human eyes after dark, it can disrupt bedtime and sleep. One study shows that young people who view LED screens before bedtime sleep on average 15 minutes less per night than those who don’t. What can you do? Provide kids a “screens off” buffer of about 90 minutes before bedtime. I’ve done this at home and noticed immediate, dramatic effects in both the time my kids take to go to sleep and how refreshed they are come morning. The complaining is also immediate and dramatic, so I tend to relax the rules on non-school days. Alternatively, you can install software on your devices that adjusts screen light and intensity over the course of the day, or a physical screen that filters white light. This benefits all users in the home, and a “screens off” time is probably wise for adults, too.

KLRU’s new space-themed show READY JET GO! premieres Monday, February 15. af Benjamin Kramer, Ph.D., is the director of education for KLRU-TV, Austin PBS. Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market

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BY BETTY RICHARDSON

Our 10-year-old daughter gets angry when she doesn’t get her way or what she wants. She doesn’t want to share with others. She resists doing chores and homework. She is jealous when her 6-year-old sister gets attention. Why does she behave this way? What can we do to help her?

I suspect that when your older daughter was an only child for four years, your world revolved around her. She was so special. Then along came Sister, and she was expected to share your time and attention— but she probably didn’t like it. I suspect she started developing some behaviors associated with selfishness.

children. It’s an oft-repeated theme by professionals working with families. So, how can you help your daughter be less angry, jealous and defiant, and more loving, gentle and considerate? Here are some suggestions:

1. Use consequences for undesired

behavior. For example: If homework is not done and turned in, no electronics, including the phone, for a given period of time. If clothes or belongings are left on the floor, hold them for ransom or put them in a box marked “Donations,” and see how fast they get put away.

Richard Fitzgibbons, in his article “Selfishness in Children” (bit.ly/1St3Duc), makes some interesting and important points:

•

Selfishness is one of the major causes of excessive anger and defiant behaviors in children and teenagers.

•

A selfish child creates a lot of stress in others, including parents, siblings, peers and teachers.

2. Put expectations in writing. Start a

communication notebook (an inexpensive spiral notebook will do) so you can tell your child once about your expectations, rather than telling her over and over.

• Selfish children can be misdiagnosed as having ADHD, due to the hyperactivity they display when they fail to get their way or the attention they demand.

should be expected of each family member. Write down age appropriate chores, and get your child to sign off on them. Extra chores deserve pay, but not the “part of the family daily or weekly chores.”

Fitzgibbons is not alone in identifying selfishness as a major cause of anger in

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5. Model and teach your child how to “lift others up,” encouraging and helping others to succeed rather than complaining about people in their lives and hoping they will fail.

6. Help your child understand

the difference between needs and wants.

In order to help your daughter change for the better, you and your husband need to agree to work together as parents, and you may need to make some changes in your own behavior.

3. Establish chores. Doing chores

• People of any age that tend to be selfish can and do display anger when they don’t get their way or what they want.

job” or a treat. If rewarded, a child may work for rewards and not out of empathy or kindness. Volunteer with your child to serve less fortunate people. Being kind and respectful are important parts of being unselfish.

4. Model and expect good behavior— manners, kindness and respect— and don’t reward her with “good

While parents are often generous with their children, they can model selfish behavior with a spouse, relatives and friends. If you look closely, you might see your own selfish behavior mirrored back in your child’s behavior. af 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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10 THINGS

For Black History Month!

Visit the George u Washington Carver Museum at 1165 Angelina St.

Go online and visit v bit.ly/2327kvv for a list of events.

the African wAttend American Community

PIENSA POSITIVO

by Leslie Montoya, host of Despierta Austin

Emociones Cada una de nuestras emociones—incluso las negativas, como el miedo, la tristeza, la culpa y hasta el coraje—tienen una función ya sea para protegernos o hacernos accionar ante algun evento. El problema es que en vez de entender porque las sentimos, el ser humano se deja manejar y llevar por sus emociones sin aprender a como usarlas para su beneficio. Por ejemplo, el coraje es como energía, se puede transformar en valentía para enfrentar momentos retadores. La tristeza nos ayuda a conectar o tener empatía con las personas que están pasando por algun momento difícil. Cada una de nuestras emociones tienen una función. Aprende a usarlas o dejarlas fluir naturalmente para nuestro crecimiento y beneficio. ¡Piensa Positivo!

Emotions All our emotions—including the negative ones like fear, sadness, guilt and anger—have a function: to protect or make us react to an event. However, instead of understanding our emotions and using them to benefit us, we allow them to control us. For example, anger can be seen as energy transformed into courage to face challenging moments. Sadness can help us connect with or give empathy to people going through a difficult moment. Every emotion has a purpose. Learn to use them and let them flow naturally for our growth and benefit. Think Positive!

Heritage Festival on Feb. 28.

preschoolers, read xFor “Welcome, Precious” by Nikki Grimes.

ages 4 to 8, read yFor “The Colors of Us” by Karen Katz.

ages 6 to 11, read “A zFor Pride of African Tales” by Donna L. Washington.

the Texas State {Visit Library’s “Forever Free” exhibit online at bit.ly/1ZxXAtH.

ArtSpace Round |Enjoy Rock’s “Celebrating

the Words of African Americans” at 231 E. Main Ave., Round Rock.

the Capitol }Visit Rotunda’s “Barbara

Jordan” exhibit starting Feb. 21.

the LBJ Presidential ~Visit Library’s “Civil Rights”

exhibit in person or online at 2313 Red River St. or LbjLibrary.org.

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BY BETTY RICHARDSON

Nuestra hija de 10 años de edad, se enoja cuando no consigue lo que quiere o cuando las cosas no son a su manera. Ella no quiere compartir con los demás. Se resiste a hacer las tareas y sus deberes. Es celosa cuando su hermana de 6 años de edad, llama la atención. ¿Por qué se comporta de esta manera? ¿Qué podemos hacer para ayudarla?

Sospecho que cuando su hija mayor era hija única durante cuatro años, el mundo giraba a su alrededor. Ella era muy especial. Luego llegó su hermana, y se esperaba de ella que compartiera su tiempo y atención—pero a ella probablemente no le gustó. Sospecho que entonces ella comenzó a desarrollar algunos comportamientos asociados con el egoísmo.

causas de la ira en los niños. Es un tema muy repetido por los profesionales que trabajan con las familias. Así que, ¿cómo puede usted ayudar a su hija a ser menos enojona, celosa y desafiante, y más amorosa, amable y considerada? Aquí hay algunas sugerencias:

1. Utilice consecuencias para el

Richard Fitzgibbons, en su artículo “El egoísmo en los niños” (bit.ly/1St3Duc), hace algunos puntos interesantes e importantes: egoísmo es una de las principales • Elcausas de la ira excesiva y comporta-

mientos desafiantes en niños y adolescentes.

niño egoísta crea mucho estrés • Un en los demás, incluidos los padres,

hiperactividad que muestran cuando no pueden salirse con la suya o no reciben la atención que exigen.

personas de cualquier edad que • Las tienden a ser egoísta pueden mostrar o muestran ira cuando no consiguen lo que quieren o salirse con la suya.

Fitzgibbons no está solo en identificar el egoísmo como una de las principales

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comportamiento no deseado. Por ejemplo: Si no hace la tarea y la entrega, no le permita usar ningún aparato electrónico, incluyendo el teléfono celular, durante un período determinado de tiempo. Si la ropa o pertenencias se quedan en el suelo, escóndaselas para pedir rescate o póngalas en una caja marcada “Donaciones”, y vera que tan rápido consigue que las guarde.

2. Póngale las expectativas por escrito.

hermanos, compañeros de clase y maestros.

niños egoístas pueden ser mal di• Los agnosticados con ADHD, debido a la

4. Modele y espere un buen compor-

Inicie un cuaderno de comunicación (un cuaderno de espiral barato será suficiente) para que pueda informarle a su hija sólo una vez acerca de sus expectativas, en lugar de decirle una y otra vez.

3. Establecer quehaceres en la casa.

Hacer los quehaceres de la casa debe esperarse de cada miembro de la familia. Escriba los quehaceres apropiados a las edades, e indíquele a su hija que debe marcarlos cuando lo termine de hacer. Los quehaceres especiales merecen una paga, pero no los “quehaceres que hace la familia a diario o semanalmente.”

tamiento—modales, amabilidad y respeto—y no la recompense con “buen trabajo” o una golosina. Si se recompensa, un niño puede trabajar por recompensas y no por empatía o bondad. Anótense de voluntarios con sus hijos para servir a las personas menos afortunadas. Ser amable y respetuoso son partes importantes de ser desinteresado.

5. Modele y enseñe a su hija a “levan-

tarles el ánimo a los demás” alentando y ayudando a otros a tener éxito en lugar de quejarse de la gente en sus vidas y deseando que fracasen.

6. Ayude a su hija a entender la diferencia entre necesidades y deseos.

A fin de ayudar a su hija a cambiar para bien, usted y su marido tienen que estar de acuerdo en trabajar juntos como padres, y puede que tengan que hacer algunos cambios en su propio comportamiento. Mientras que los padres suelen ser generosos con sus hijos, pueden modelar comportamiento egoísta con su cónyuge, parientes y amigos. Si usted mira de cerca, podría ver su propio comportamiento egoísta reflejado en el comportamiento de su hija. af 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.

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February 2016 C O M P I L ED BY BETTY KEMP ER

++ Denotes event occurs on multiple dates

Museum Exhibits

Museum Exhibits page 48 Family Events page 48 Parenting Events page 52 Storytimes 53

calendar

MAKING THE GRADE: AUSTIN’S FIRST PUBLIC SCHOOLS Through Mar. 27. Austin History Center, 810 Guadalupe St. FREE. austintexas.gov or 512-974-7480. THE CRUSADER BIBLE: A GOTHIC MASTERPIECE Through Apr. 3. Blanton Museum of Art, 200 E. MLK Blvd. $5 youth; $9 adults. blantonmuseum.org or 512-471-7324. SHAKESPEARE IN PRINT AND PERFORMANCE Through May 29. Harry Ransom Center, 300 W. 21st St. FREE. hrc.utexas.edu or 512-471-8944.

Family Events Monday 1 STORYWALK 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Feb. 15. Trail behind City Hall, 1102 Lohmanns Crossing Rd., Lakeway. FREE. lakeway-tx.gov or 512-314-7532.

Tuesday 2 FAMILY ACTIVITY NIGHT: LAUGHTER YOGA 6:30 p.m. Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd. FREE. westbanklibrary.com or 512‑327‑3045.

Wednesday 3 COMMUNITY NIGHT ++ 5 to 8 p.m. Thinkery, 1800 Simond Ave. Donation. thinkery.org or 512-469-6200.

FUMP Family Music Festival, Feb. 6 AUSTIN BARN DANCERS ++ 7:30 to 9:45 p.m. Hancock Rec Center, 811 E. 4th St. FREE. austinbarndancers.org or 512‑453‑4225. TRIBES ++ 7:30 p.m. ZACH Theatre, 1510 Toomey Rd. $25 and up. zachtheatre.org or 512‑476‑0541.

Thursday 4 FIRST THURSDAY 5 to 10 p.m. S. Congress Ave., Barton Springs Rd. to Elizabeth St. FREE. firstthursday.info. STARRY NIGHTS AT GIRLSTART 5:30 to 7 p.m. Girlstart, 1400 Anderson Sq. FREE. girlstart.org. CONTINUING: Tribes see Wednesday 3.

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 5th 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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Friday 5 DADDY DAUGHTER DANCE 6 to 9:30 p.m. Cedar Park Rec Center, 1435 Main St., Cedar Park. $20 per couple; $7 additional daughter. cedarparktexas.gov or 512-401-5528. FIRST FRIDAY 6 to 8 p.m. Williamson Museum, 716 S. Austin Ave., Georgetown. FREE. williamsonmuseum.org or 512‑943‑1670. CONTINUING: Tribes see Wednesday 3.

Saturday 6 FUMP FAMILY MUSIC FESTIVAL 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1300 Lavaca St., $10, fumpmusicfest.com GROUNDWORK MUSIC 10 a.m. Strange Brew, 5326 Manchaca Rd. FREE. strangebrewaustin.com or 512-828-7636. AUSTIN HUMANE SOCIETY PUPPY BOWL 12 to 2 p.m., 124 W. Anderson Ln, FREE. community.austinhumanesociety.org.

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MADRONE CANYON HIKE 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd. FREE. westbanklibrary.com or 512‑327‑3045. NATURE PLAY HOUR ++ 10 to 11 a.m. Lady Bird Wildflower Center, 4801 LaCrosse Ave. $10 adults, $4 youth. wildflower.org. WILD BY NATURE 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. McKinney Roughs Nature Park, 1884 SH 71 W., Cedar Creek. FREE. lcra.org/mckinneyroughs or 512‑303‑5073. PIPPI LONGSTOCKING ++ 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Scottish Rite Theater, 207 W. 18th St. $8 child. scottishritetheater. org or 512-472-5436. TOMÁS AND THE LIBRARY LADY ++ 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Zach Theatre, 202 S. Lamar. From $13. zachtheatre.org or 512‑476-0541. GIANT CHESS ++ 12:30 to 3 p.m. Wooldridge Square Park, 900 Guadalupe St. FREE. giantchess.org. DADDY DAUGHTER DANCE 5 to 10:30 p.m. Clay Madsen Rec Center, 1600 Gattis School Rd., Round Rock. $7 $10. roundrocktexas.gov or 512 341‑3361. FATHER-DAUGHTER DANCE 6 to 8 p.m. Hancock Rec Center, 811 E. 41st St. $10 per couple. austintexas.gov or 512-453-7765.

CONTINUING: Tribes see Wednesday 3.

Sunday 7 SCHOLAR SHIP SCIENCE AFFAIR 2 to 4 p.m., 6001 W. Parmer Ln. FREE. thescholarship.rocks. FREE FIRST SUNDAYS All day. Bullock Museum, 1800 N. Congress Ave. FREE. thestoryoftexas.com or 512‑936‑8746. TEXAS WILDLIFE DAY 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Texas Memorial Museum, 2400 Trinity St. FREE. tmm.utexas.edu or 512‑232‑5511. PIPPI LONGSTOCKING ++ 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. Scottish Rite Theater, 207 W. 18th St. $8. scottishritetheater.org or 512-472-5436. SUNDAY FUNDAYS: POP-UP BOOKS 1 to 4 p.m. Neill-Cochran House Museum, 2310 San Gabriel St. FREE. nchmuseum.org or 512‑478‑2335. TRIBES ++ 2:30 p.m. ZACH Theatre, 1510 Toomey Rd. starting $25. zachtheatre.org or 512‑476‑0541.

Faerie Tea Party, Feb. 14 have special needs. Easter Seals of Texas, 8505 Cross Park Dr. 512-478-2581. CONTINUING: Tomás and the Library Lady see Saturday 6.

SIB KIDS CLUB ++ 6 to 7 p.m. for kids 6 to 10 with siblings who

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Thursday 11 SCIENCE THURSDAY 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bullock Museum, 1800 N. Congress Ave. FREE. thestoryoftexas.com or 512‑463‑6712. CONTINUING: Tribes see Wednesday 3.

Friday 12 James and the Giant Peach, Feb. 19 – Apr. 10 Tuesday 9 FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT: SHAUN THE SHEEP 6:30 p.m. Twin Oaks Branch, 1800 S. 5th St. FREE. library.austintexas.gov or 512‑974‑9980.

Wednesday 10 CONTINUING: Austin Barn Dancers see Wednesday 3; Community Night see Wednesday 3; Tribes see Wednesday 3.

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VALENTINE BALL 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Avery Ranch Dance Discovery. 10526 W. Parmer Ln., Ste. 305. Reservations required. 512-658-2996. CONTINUING: Tribes see Wednesday 3.

STACI GRAY 10 a.m. Strange Brew, 5326 Manchaca Rd. FREE. strangebrewaustin.com or 512-828-7636. SECOND SATURDAYS ARE FOR FAMILIES 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Laguna Gloria, 3809 W. 35th St. FREE. thecontemporaryaustin.org or 512‑458‑8191. UGANDAN KIDS CHOIR 12 p.m. One World Theater, 7701 Bee Caves Rd. $12 child. oneworldtheater.org or 512-330-9500. CONTINUING: Tribes see Wednesday 3; Giant Chess see Saturday 6; Nature Play Hour see Saturday 6; Pippi Longstocking see Saturday 6; Tomás and the Library Lady see Saturday 6.

Sunday 14 Saturday 13 BRIGHT LEAF GUIDED HIKES ++ 9 to 11:30 a.m. Bright Leaf Preserve, 2222 and Creek Mountain Rd. FREE. brightleaf.org or 512‑459‑7269. HANDS ON HISTORY 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Williamson Museum, 716 S. Austin Ave., Georgetown. FREE. williamsonmuseum.org or 512‑943‑1670.

Valentine’s Day

FAERIE TEA PARTY 11 to 1 p.m. or 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Rd., $16 or $18. zilkergarden.org. CONTINUING: Tribes see Sunday 7; Tomás and the Library Lady see Saturday 6; Pippi Longstocking see Sunday 7; SIB Kids Club see Sunday 7; Bright Leaf Guided Hikes see Saturday 13.

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Chinese New Year Celebration, Feb. 20 Wednesday 17 AUSTIN ENERGY REGIONAL SCIENCE FESTIVAL ++ All day. Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd. sciencefest.org. CONTINUING: Austin Barn Dancers see Wednesday 3; Community Night see Wednesday 3; Tribes see Wednesday 3.

Thursday 18

Saturday 20

HOMESCHOOL DAY 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bullock Museum, 1800 N. Congress Ave. FREE with admission. thestoryoftexas.com.

CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATION 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Chinatown Center, 10901 N. Lamar. FREE. chinatownaustin.com.

THIRD THURSDAY 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Blanton Museum, MLK and Congress Ave. FREE. blantonmuseum.org.

LIBERTY! EQUALITY! AND FIREWORKS! 2 p.m. LBJ Library Auditorium, 2313 Red River St. $6. pollyannatheatrecompany.org or 512‑743‑7966.

CONTINUING: Tribes see Wednesday 3; Austin Energy Regional Science Festival see Wednesday 17.

QUE PASTAS 10 a.m. Strange Brew, 5326 Manchaca Rd. FREE. strangebrewaustin.com or 512-828-7636.

Friday 19 JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH ++ 6:30 p.m. Zach Theatre, 202 S. Lamar. From $26. zachtheatre.org or 512-476-0541. GRANDPARENTS DAY 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hill Country Science Mill, 101 S. Ladybird Ln., Johnson City. $6.50 kids; $8 adults. sciencemill.org. CONTINUING: Tribes see Wednesday 3; Austin Energy Regional Science Festival see Wednesday 17.

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CONTINUING: Tribes see Wednesday 3; Giant Chess see Saturday 6; Nature Play Hour see Saturday 6; Pippi Longstocking see Saturday 6; Austin Energy Regional Science Festival see Wednesday 17; James and the Giant Peach see Friday 19.

Sunday 21 COMMUNITY ART SUNDAY 2 to 5 p.m. Center for Creative Action, 2921 E. 17th St. FREE. creativeaction.org or 512‑442‑8773. CONTINUING: Tribes see Sunday 7; Pippi Longstocking see Sunday 7; SIB Kids Club see Sunday 7;

February 2016 l austinfamily.com

James and the Giant Peach see Friday 19.

Tuesday 23 PAJAMA STORYTIME 6:30 p.m. Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd. FREE. westbanklibrary.com or 512‑327‑3045.

Saturday 27 BIG DON KIDS SHOW 10 a.m. Strange Brew, 5326 Manchaca Rd. FREE. strangebrewaustin.com or 512-828-7636.

Wednesday 24

AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY HERITAGE FESTIVAL 1 to 5 p.m. Huston-Tillotson University, 900 Chicon St. FREE.

CONTINUING: Austin Barn Dancers see Wednesday 3; Community Night see Wednesday 3; Tribes see Wednesday 3.

PRIMAS 3 p.m. Barrientos Mexican American Culture Center, 600 River St. Pay what you wish. teatrovivo.org.

Thursday 25

CONTINUING: Tribes see Wednesday 3; Giant Chess see Saturday 6; Nature Play Hour see Saturday 6; Pippi Longstocking see Saturday 6; James and the Giant Peach see Friday 19.

MY DAD IS A PTERODACTYL 8 p.m. Barrientos Mexican American Culture Center, 600 River St. Pay what you wish. teatrovivo.org. CONTINUING: Tribes see Wednesday 3.

Friday 26 CONTINUING: Tribes see Wednesday 3; James and the Giant Peach see Friday 19.

Sunday 28 PEKING ACROBATS 12 to 3 p.m. The Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Dr. $26 and up. thelongcenter.org or 512-457-5119. CONTINUING: Pippi Longstocking see Sunday 7; Tribes see Sunday 7; SIB Kids Club see Sunday 7; James and the Giant Peach see Friday 19.

iParenting Events ANY BABY CAN offers free parenting classes in English and Spanish on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Postpartum support group meets on Thursdays. 6207 Sheridan Ave. FREE. anybabycan.org or 512-454-3743. YMCA offers a free Childhood Obesity Intervention Program on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays throughout the month.Various locations. austinymca.org or 512-236-9622. BRIDGES TO GROWTH offers a free Love and Logic early childhood parenting class on Wednesdays throughout the month. 7 to 8:30 p.m. 805 W. University Ave., Georgetown. georgetownproject.org or 512-864-3008.

Monday 1 SPECIAL NEEDS SUPPORT GROUP 11 a.m. Plaza Level Park at 111 Congress Ave. FREE. InternationalAutismMinistry.com or 737‑247‑8142. OPEN HOUSE: ST. AUSTIN CATHOLIC SCHOOL All day. 1911 San Antonio St., Austin. FREE. csdatx.org.

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Tuesday 2 LA LECHE LEAGUE MEETING 10 a.m. Christ’s Workshop, 212 E. Monroe. FREE. texaslll.org. SPARK HOMESCHOOLING GROUP 10:30 a.m. Wells Branch Library, 15001 Wells Port Dr. FREE. wblibrary.org.

Wednesday 3 LA LECHE LEAGUE MEETING 10 a.m. Austin Public Library North Village Branch, 2505 Steck Ave. FREE. texaslll.org.

Thursday 4 LA LECHE LEAGUE MEETING 7 p.m. North Austin Medical Center, Room 2B, 12221 N. Mopac Expy. FREE. texaslll.org.

BARNES AND NOBLE ARBORETUM 10000 Research Blvd. barnesandnoble.com • 512-418-8985 BARNES AND NOBLE BEE CAVE 12701 Hill Country Blvd. barnesandnoble.com • 512-263-7402 BARNES AND NOBLE BRODIE 5601 Brodie Ln. barnesandnoble.com • 512-892-3493 BARNES AND NOBLE LAKELINE 14010 U.S. Hwy. 183 barnesandnoble.com • 512-249-5644 BARNES AND NOBLE ROUND ROCK 2701 Parker Rd. barnesandnoble.com • 512-600-0088 BOOKPEOPLE 602 N. Lamar Blvd. bookpeople.com • 512-472-5050 CEDAR PARK LIBRARY 550 Discovery Blvd. cedarparktx.us • 512-401-5600

Wednesday 10

GEORGETOWN LIBRARY 402 W. 8th St. library.georgetown.org • 512-930-3551

LA LECHE LEAGUE MEETING 10:15 a.m. Will Hampton Branch Library, 5125 Convict Hill Rd. FREE. texaslll.org.

KYLE LIBRARY 550 Scott St. cityofkyle.com • 512-268-7411

Wednesday 17 TODDLER ENRICHMENT MEETING 10 a.m. Brentwood Park, 6710 Arroyo Seco. FREE. texaslll.org.

Monday 22 IEP EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Region XIII Education Service Center, 5701 Springdale Rd. $20. dsact.org or 512-323-0808.

iStorytimes Austin area libraries offer storytimes for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and families with children of all ages. In addition, there are storytimes in Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, American Sign Language and other languages. Contact your local library for more information about times and appropriate ages.

LAKE TRAVIS LIBRARY 2300 Lohman’s Spur laketravislibrary.org • 512-263-2885 LAURA’S LIBRARY 9411 Bee Cave Rd. westbanklibrary.com • 512-381-1400 LEANDER LIBRARY 1011 S. Bagdad Rd. leandertx.gov/library • 512-259-5259 PFLUGERVILLE LIBRARY 1008 W. Pfluger St. tx-pflugerville3.civicplus.com 512-990-6275 ROUND ROCK LIBRARY 216 E. Main St. roundrocktexas.gov • 512-218-7001 SAN MARCOS LIBRARY 625 E. Hopkins St. ci.san-marcos.tx.us • 512-393-8200 TAYLOR LIBRARY 801 Vance St. ci.taylor.tx.us • 512-352-3434 WELLS BRANCH LIBRARY 15001 Wells Port Dr. wblibrary.org • 512-989-3188 WESTBANK LIBRARY 1309 Westbank Dr. westbanklibrary.com • 512-327-3045

AUSTIN LIBRARY Branches throughout Austin library.austintexas.gov • 512-974-7400

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KID ONE Electromagnets! Early in the 1800s, people discovered that a currentcarrying wire created a magnetic field, and this effect was increased when the wire was shaped into a coil. Many home appliances use electromagnets; for example, household fans rely on electromagnets to spin.

What You Need

• • • • •

D-cell battery Wide rubber band 3-inch nail 2 feet of insulated copper wire, with a bit of each end’s insulation stripped away Several paperclips

What You Do Step 1:

Wrap the wire around the nail, making a nice, neat coil and leaving a couple of inches of wire unwound at each end of the nail.

Step 2:

Place the rubber band around the battery, so that the band crosses both terminals of the battery. This will be used to hold the wires in place.

Step 3:

Attach one end of the wire under the rubber band at the positive terminal of the battery. Make sure that the stripped end of the wire makes contact with the metal surface of the battery. Repeat this with the other end of the wire, attaching it to the negative end of the battery.

Step 4:

Pick up the paperclips with the electromagnet.

What Else to Try Do you think increasing or decreasing the amount of coils will affect how many paperclips you can pick up? What about increasing how many batteries are used? af Thinkery is an evolution of Austin Children’s Museum and Austin’s sparkling new home for “why” and “how.” It’s a place where science and families play side by side, where people connect with ideas by doing, making and experiencing. It’s a foundry for a new generation of innovators and creative problem solvers. And it’s a heck of a good time.

February 2016 l austinfamily.com

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doctors

Dr. Julio De la Fuente

Smileworks Orthodontics Dr. De la Fuente received his bachelor’s degree in biology from UTSA as part of the 3+4 program (3 years of college plus 4 years of dental school). He completed this exclusive and challenging program at the top of his class. Dr. De la Fuente is also a graduate of the orthodontic residency program at UTHSCSA. See ad on page 11

Dr. Linda Lopez

ADC Circle C 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 preventative, developmental and general pediatrics. See ad on page 56

Dr. Rachel Montgomery

Lonestar Pediatric Dental Dr. Montgomery graduated from Baylor University in Waco, and 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 her husband Marty and their precious boys. See ad on page 15

Dr. Marty Montgomery

Lonestar Pediatric Dental Dr. Marty Montgomery comes from a family where all the children were drawn to dental careers early in life. A graduate of 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 15

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 53

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’ 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 56 Pick us up at HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market

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just for by Carrie Taylor

grins

My Household Operates Firmly in the 21st Century Last year, my aunt passed on to me a book that once belonged to my great grandmother: “The Standard Book of Recipes and Housewife’s Guide,” edited by Alice A. Johnson, Janet McKenzie Hill and Dr. Henry Hartshorne. Beneath its faded crimson cover, I discovered a world where I would have failed miserably. Take, for example, this passage under a section titled “Diary of a Week’s Work:” [The lady of the house] should never consider it extravagant to supply herself with the best cooking utensils…and, if a good housekeeper, she will find both pride and pleasure in her jars of home-made pickles and preserves. I do indeed take pride in both having the best cooking utensils and still managing to create dishes that make my husband say, “It could be worse!”

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I try, I really do. I think my lady-of-thehouse forbears would appreciate my efforts. My husband loves fried shrimp, so one night I made him one. (The rest were lost in a tragic grease-based conflagration.) Another time I made dinner rolls that baked up to the size of double-stuffed Oreos. The problem is, I just get too excited at the thought of the end result. My brain glosses over the actual instructions. And let’s not discount the Motherhood Dinner Curse—in which my son picks the exact moment that I start to prepare dinner to unleash the rage and sadness he has accrued throughout the day. We may not eat cookbook-worthy meals or desserts at the Taylor house, but we do practice the Viking meal plan: plenty of meat, cheese and bread. It may not be fit for the households of the early 20th century, but they didn’t have Lunchables or delivery pizza, so what did they know, anyway? af Carrie Taylor is a native Texan and mother of one.

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