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baystateparent FREE

DECEMBER 2015

Massachusetts’ Premier Magazine For Families Since 1996

HOW TO WRITE A TECH CONTRACT FOR KIDS DIY: 3 FRESH, EASY GIFT IDEAS

Mom, Get In The Picture!

WHY THE FORCE PULLS PARENTS, KIDS TO STAR WARS

149 FUN HOLIDAY EVENTS

R E T S E C R O W M U E S U M T R A

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table of contents DECEMBER 2015 VOLUME 20

1.

3

NUMBER 8

in every issue 7 8 9

things we learned

while making

BSP ONLINE MEET OUR CONTRIBUTORS SHOW & TELL: Power backpacks & Outwear Fashion

the december issue

10

Volumes above 85 decibels have the potential to cause hearing loss. Most electronic devices today have maximum decibel volumes of 100 to 115. Turn to page 10 for medical advice on how to manage volume control when your child is wearing headphones, which types are better for young ears, and more.

ASK THE EXPERT: Headphones & Kids: How Loud Is Too Loud?

11

THE THINKING PARENT: School Safety in 2015

16

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO: December Calendar of Family Events

28

VERY SPECIAL PEOPLE: New Doll Gives Barbie A Reality Check

44

DIVORCE & SINGLE PARENTING: Books for Kids Dealing with Divorce

46

FINALLY FOREVER: Adoptive Mom Asks for Compassion, Empathy

47

DECEMBER’S CHILD: Meet Emily

47

CIRCLE OF FRIENDS: Area Adoption Events

58

OUR DECEMBER FAVORITES: Facts, Finds & Freebies

62

TAKE 8: Jordan’s Furniture’s Eliot Tatelman

Lincoln Logs, which turn 100 in 2016, were created

by John Lloyd Wright, son of famous American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Learn how they came to be — along with other surprising fun facts about classic toys — on page 54.

Sign on the Dotted Line:

3.

2.

A study from the Journal of Pediatrics found that 75% of children surveyed owned their own mobile device by age 4. Technology is here to stay for most kids. Turn to page 38 and learn how you and your child can craft a tech contract that supports responsible use.

features 48

Hour of Code: International Event Gets Kids Excited About Computer Science

50

MCAS 2.0: Massachusetts To Administer New Standardized Test

52

Generations of Star Wars Fans Get Psyched for Movie Release

54

3 Iconic Toys Celebrate Major Milestones

56

Got A Minute? Get Your Kids Ready In The Morning With Three 60-Second Games

6 DECEMBER2015

Holidays 32

Game On! 11 New Family Game Night Finds

34

DIY: Inexpensive, Easy Holiday Hostess Gifts

36

Smile for the Camera: Why Mom Needs to Get in the Picture

38

Sign Here: Write a Parent/ Child Tech Contract to Avoid Overuse

41 42

Unplug & Still Enjoy Tech Toys Table Science: Entertain Little Guests with Simple Physics

13

Holiday Desserts that Pop, Plant a Pencil, Free Allergy App, Cool Cloth Napkins, and Green Cleaning

Cover Model Natalya, 12, of Barre Photo by Steven King

meet team

bsp ONLiNE

publisher KIRK DAVIS associate publisher KATHY REAL 508-749-3166 ext. 331 kreal@baystateparent.com

creative

1. Sign up to receive our weekly e-newsletter at baystateparent.com/newsletter or text BAYSTATEPARENT to 22828. It’ll take 30 seconds! If you’re already a subscriber, you are good to go!

2. Open the newsletter every Thursday, where the secret word of the week will be revealed in red.

Aurora, 9 & Arabella, 7

Elves are everywhere We asked readers to finish this sentence, “If I were an elf, I would….” and their answers were adorable.

From drinking maple syrup to helping those in need, here are a few of the winners who received tickets to go see Elf The Musical at the Wang Theatre. Congrats!

Win a weekend at Smuggler’s Notch

children can get in on the gift-giving.

See page 34 for project pictures and instructions. Be sure to visit baystateparent.com and view our video, which will show you step-by-step how to make these gorgeous goodies!

3. Email the secret word to SMUGGS@baystateparent.com. Use the secret word in the subject line and be sure to include your mailing address. The contest runs through Dec. 28, and there will be a new secret word every week in the newsletter. If you email us the new secret word every week, you will have multiple entries and chances to win! We will announce the winner in our Jan. 7 enewsletter.

Wondering what to get that special someone?

Enter to win this prize (valued at $2,500!) each week by sending us the This issue features three wonderful, unique, and affordable ways your secret word. Here’s how:

editor in chief MELISSA SHAW 508-865-7070 ext. 201 editor@baystateparent.com creative director PAULA MONETTE ETHIER 508-865-7070 ext. 221 pethier@holdenlandmark.com senior graphic designer STEPHANIE MALLARD 508-865-7070 design@baystateparent.com multimedia editor HEATHER KEMPSKIE heather@baystateparent.com

advertising director of sales REGINA STILLINGS 508-865-7070 ext. 210 regina@baystateparent.com account executive KATHY PUFFER 508-865-7070 ext. 211 kathy@baystateparent.com

Heather Kempskie, Multimedia Editor, heather@baystateparent.com

account executive JAMI GRAY 508-951-6626 jami@baystateparent.com

presidents KIRK and LAURIE DAVIS photographers STEVEN KING SHAWNA SHENETTE

Wishing You and Yours

Happy Holidays from all of us at

baystateparent

is published monthly with a main office at 22 West Street, Millbury, MA 01527 It is distributed free of charge throughout Massachusetts.

baystateparent.com Find us on:

BAYSTATEPARENT 7

DECEMBER CONTRIBUTORS

GIVE THE GIFT OF HEALTH YMCA of Central Massachusetts

It’s good to give!

Give a YMCA membership to the ones you love.

Gift cards available for the holiday season! www.ymcaofcm.org

Wendy Bulawa Agudelo is a mom of three, including a set of twins. She is an avid creator of seasonal family bucket lists, a culinary enthusiast, ice cream lover, and an involved champion for the special needs community. When not sweating her way through early morning boot camps, she writes, cooks, reads, does multiple loads of laundry, and welcomes young ladies to womanhood through her entrepreneurial venture, Period Packs. Unquestionably social, she can be found on Instagram (@mamawendyba) or Twitter (@ChiefMaxi).

Ruthie Briggs-Greenberg is an artist, author and illustrator whose second children’s book, Sea of Echoes, written by J. Mac Reed, was recently released. The mother of two is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, the Lewis Carroll Society of North America, the International Women’s Writers Guild, and the Laguna Plein Aire Painters Association.

Rachael Bottone is a graduate student clinician in the Mental Health Counseling program at Becker College. She provides counseling services to adults, children, couples, and families through the Counselor Training Clinic (CTC) at Becker College in Leicester. Visit mhcclinic.becker.edu for more information about available counseling services at the CTC. Michele Bennett Decoteau, is a writer and mom to a tween and a teen in central New England. In addition to writing on science, nature, and parenting topics, she is a hiker, and beekeeper. You can find her at MicheleDecoteau.com or @MBDecoteau. baystateparent Creative Director Paula Monette Ethier has been with us since Day 1 and is responsible for our award-winning design and covers. A veteran crafter and DIY enthusiast, Paula enjoys creating projects that are simple, practical, and inexpensive!

Joan Goodchild is a Shrewsbury mother of two and editor of a business publication serving security and risk professionals.

Doug Page is a Medfield father of two whose newspaper career started in high school. He's written stories, sold ads and delivered newspapers during the morning's wee hours.

He's covered stories as shocking as the crash of Delta flight 191 in Dallas many years ago to the recent controversy involving Common Core and standardized testing in Massachusetts.

8 DECEMBER2015

Michelle Perras-Charron is a freelance writer and mother to four school-aged boys in Western Mass.

A Navy brat and also the wife of a retired Air Force Captain, she has called many places home, including Sicily and Hawaii. She loves writing about people and all topics related to parenting. She also enjoys running and a strong cup of coffee.

Judy M. Miller savors time with her kids. She is a Certified Gottman Educator, adoptive parent and the author of What To Expect From Your Adopted Tween and Writing to Heal Adoption Grief: Making Connections & Moving Forward.

Sara Pokorny is a freelance writer from Amherst and puppy mom to Link and Piper. She loves eating and running (and really can't do one without the other!).

She will tackle any writing topic, but especially loves exploring things that are new to her. You can find her at vomitshermindd.wordpress.com or twitter.com/ sara_pkrny.

Attorney Irwin M. Pollack is founder and lead attorney of Pollack Law Group, P.C. (PollackLawGroup.com) and a divorced father himself. He shares insights and information about co-parenting on his weekly radio talk show, Talking About Divorce, which can be heard weekends on WRKO in Boston (AM 680), WTAG in Worcester (AM 580/94.9 FM), WXTK on the Cape (95.1 FM), and WHYN in Springfield (AM 560).

Massachusetts mom Leslie Reichert is known as the Green Cleaning Coach and is aiming to change the world — "one spray bottle at a time." A national lecturer and author of The Joy Of Green Cleaning, you can find her at greencleaningcoach.com, on Facebook (GreenCleaningCoach), Twitter (@ GreenCleanCoach), and Pinterest (cleaningcoach).

Mark Vecchiotti, MD, is Chief of Pediatric Otolaryngology at Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center, and director of the Pediatric Cochlear Implant Program at Floating Hospital. Dr. Vecchiotti is also an assistant professor at Tufts University School of Medicine.

Got a story idea?

Interested in contributing to baystateparent?

Contact editor@baystateparent.com.

EcoBSP.NYE2015.pro.pdf

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10:23 AM

SHOW & TELL Power Up Big Time This may be the closest any of us can come to being a Power Ranger.

Lifework’s ENERGI+Power Backpack (golifeworks.com) is super-charged with power sources hidden inside its many compartments, making you feel invincible against the criminal world of a dead battery.

Valued at $169, its owner can charge up to three devices simultaneously: think smartphone, laptop, tablet, etc.

The TYLT ENGERGI Battery Pack will work with the included cables or any USB cable you have on hand. There are charging pass-thrus to seven compartments, a protect pocket for your mobile devices and sunglasses, and a dedicated compartment for your tablet and laptop.

With more than 1,450 cubic inches of internal space and 13 total pockets, it’s designed to stand up when

placed on the ground. This backpack isn’t going to tear or get worn out: even with the most challenging crime-fighting adventures.

— Heather Kempskie, multimedia editor

What’s Better Than Buttoning Up? Outwear fashion just got very functional with MagnaMini (magnamini. com), a line of boys and girls jackets and vests that close via sewn-in magnets — no zippers or buttons. Super cute, these jackets and quilted vests easily shut with lightweight magnets that are strong enough to close and stay closed, but not so heavy as to weigh down the wearer.

The line was developed by Maura Horton, who was inspired when the effects of Parkinson’s disease prevented her husband from buttoning his shirt. Determined to help him remain independent, Horton developed a magnetically infused shirt in which the wearer could easily dress without needing finger dexterity. After developing a line of dress shirts for men and women, Horton expanded into kids’ outwear.

Once a child puts on the coat or

vest, all she has to do is press the front flaps together and the jacket snaps shut. The coats and vests come in several styles and colors, and start at $49.99.

— Melissa Shaw, editor-in-chief BAYSTATEPARENT 9

ASK THE EXPERT:

Children and Headphones: How Loud Is Too Loud?

BY MARK VECCHIOTTI, MD

Dear Reader,

My children are 7 and 11 and occasionally use headphones with a tablet or iPod. How concerned should I be about hearing damage?

I’ve seen headphones geared towards kids that limit the volume, should I make them use those?

You are right to be concerned about potential hearing damage from headphones, as the dangers are very real. Volumes above 85 decibels have the potential to cause hearing loss, and most electronic devices today have maximum decibel volumes of 100 to 115. Whether your child seeks out a higher volume or accidentally cranks it up, exposure to loud noises can cause harm.

Luckily, there are easy steps that parents can and should take to protect children from dangerously loud noises emanating from headphones, as electronic listening devices become increasingly pervasive.

Volume control

While electronic devices reach dangerously high volumes, most allow you to set a lower volume maximum. I recommend setting devices at either halfway to the maximum, or two-thirds at the most. Headphones with volume control features are also recommended.

Choosing the right headphones While parents are wise to choose headphones that allow lower volume settings, I also recommend choosing larger, higher-quality headphones that cover the entire ear, as opposed to earbuds worn inside the ear. Music streaming from earbuds has to compete with

external noise, often tempting listeners to turn up the volume.

Larger headphones that block ambient noise will allow your child to listen at a lower volume while still enjoying a crisp and clear sound.

Enjoying tunes as a family

Parents should consider occasionally having children listen to music from good-old-fashioned speakers, if streaming tunes throughout the home is an option. While headphones can be used safely, parents should still be conscious and aware of how frequently their children are listening and what it is they are enjoying.

Unfortunately, hearing damage is not your best argument if you disapprove of your child’s choice of music. Song volumes have more to do with the volume at which the studio chose to record than with the type of music itself. A country music album may have been recorded at a louder volume than a rock album.

Headphones aside, I have also noticed a recent trend of parents bringing children to concerts at a very young age. These shows can reach volumes of 100 to 120 decibels, potentially causing profound harm to a child’s ears. This does not mean that a family concert outing is out of the question, but your child — and likely the entire family — should protect their hearing by wearing earplugs.

Long-term damage

It’s important to know that hearing loss from loud volume will not always show up immediately.

Sometimes parents and children interpret a lack of symptoms to mean that high volumes are not causing damage, but this is unfortunately not the case. While children might have short-term hearing problems as a result of exposure to loud noises, long-term hearing loss from such exposure commonly shows up later in life. As adults, your children could experience acute hearing loss, an earlier onset of hearing troubles, or both.

Whether listening to music, watching movies, or streaming cartoons on an electronic device, parents can and should control the volumes at which their children are listening. It might be hard to convince children, tweens, and teenagers to take precautions to prevent future hearing troubles, but as with many issues, this is one in which parental guidance is needed. As your children grow up, such electronic devices are likely to become louder, more innovative, and more common.

Mark Vecchiotti, MD, is chief of Pediatric Otolaryngology at Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center, and director of the Pediatric Cochlear Implant Program at Floating Hospital. Dr. Vecchiotti is also an assistant professor at Tufts University School of Medicine.

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THE THINKING PARENT

School Safety In 2015

Inside the social psychological phenomenon that sparks parents’ worries

BY RACHAEL BOTTONE

R

ecently, I found myself having a cup of coffee in a restaurant in which several televisions blared Fox News and regurgitated the same news story about yet another school shooting. Sadly, the storyline barely roused the interest of the customers, as it has become all too common. A parent with a toddler and an elderly woman, who I assumed was the grandmother, were lunching beside me, and I couldn’t help but overhear their animated discussion about the “epidemic of school shootings.” The mother commented that she was afraid to send her son to preschool. She mentioned her support for the idea of arming school personnel and even suggested providing children with “bullet-proof backpacks.” The older woman nodded in agreement and added: “It was never like this back in my day. We all thought school was one of the safest places to send a child. But no more….”

Those comments sat with me all night, weighing heavier than the original story. Have we reached a place in history when school is no longer safe for children? When tragedy struck at Columbine, it felt like an unimaginable catastrophe. But in the past few years, similar tragedies have popped up in all pockets of the country, making parents wonder if children on school campuses are anything more than sitting ducks just waiting for the next triggerhappy offender to make a move. The incidents in Oregon, Arizona, and, closer to home, Connecticut, have left parents feeling vulnerable and afraid. In high crime districts, many schools have installed metal detectors. In suburbia, school doors are locked and visitors are screened before being allowed inside. Wellmeaning parents banter about gun control, bans on backpacks, and now — apparently — the desire to accessorize our children in Kevlar. But the question remains: Are we exposing children to excessive risk and danger when we send them to school?

According to statistics from the Department of Justice and National Center for Victims of Crime, the answer is a resounding “No!” In fact,

serious school violence has actually decreased over the past two decades. From 2001 to 2012, the number of serious violent crimes occurring in schools decreased by 64.2%, an 84.6% decrease from the peak in 1993. And of all the gun-related homicides in the United States, only .2% take place in schools. Many more mass shootings occur in public restaurants and malls. And yet, far fewer discussions take place around the risks inherent in taking a child out to eat.

So what explanation do we have for this discrepancy? A social psychological phenomenon known as the availability heuristic may be responsible. The availability heuristic is a mental shortcut we all use, wherein we gather the most readily available information and draw conclusions based on this information, rather than doing additional research or exerting mental strain to challenge information. The media feeds this tendency with their strings of sensational news stories about school gun violence (a far more emotional story than a mass shooting in a mall), and the result is a misperception about prevalence rates.

The problem with propagating

Coming in January: The Education Issue Our annual deep dive into the issues,challenges, and opportunities facing Massachusetts families.

Find the January issue at your favorite location starting January 1!

To advertise, contact Regina Stillings at 508-865-7070 x 210 or regina@baystateparent.com

misinformation about school shootings is that it leads to irrational fear and dramatic reactions, such as the prevalent “zero tolerance” policies we see in many schools.

Dr. Dewey Cornell, forensic clinical psychologist and violence researcher from the Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia, has studied violence for over 25 years. The May issue of the Journal of Orthopsychiatry contains a lengthy article by Cornell, discussing school violence. Cornell argues that prevention and intervention efforts should continue, and resources should be allocated to mental health and violence concerns; however, “Zero Tolerance” policies are not the answer. Instead, Cornell advocates for “behavioral threat assessment,” a model of intervention based on FBI tactics and promoting a more individualized response to threat and violence.

Zero Tolerance policies dictate everyone receives the same consequences regardless of how serious their misbehavior, be it drawing a gun in art class, writing a threatening note, or bringing a gun to school.

If a child goes an inch over the line or a mile, s/he will be suspended

from school or receive a similarly severe consequence. Threat assessment, in contrast, asks, “How serious is this behavior? What was the context in which it occurred? And what kind of measured response is appropriate?” School systems that have adopted Cornell’s threat assessment curriculum report decreased rates of suspension, bullying events, and violent acts that surpass the results of systems adopting Zero Tolerance policies.

At this time, research on structured prevention and intervention programs to address school violence is still in its infancy. Cornell’s research shows promise, but his model has only been implemented in a sample of Virginia schools, and more widespread application is needed.

However, his significant results should make us all question the policies in our own schools.

Is it safe to send your children to school? Yes, schools remain some of the safest spaces. But they will only remain safe when parents and administrators work together, and when the responses to issues of school violence are data-driven, thoughtful, and proactive rather than emotional and reactive.

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Baby, It's Cold Outside COntest

Enter to Win a

$500

Gift Certificate from your warm friends at

We all know it gets cold in New England.

Join baystateparent and in making it fun!

Guess the first day the temperature will drop to 0 degrees in the Worcester area.

1. Go to baystateparent.com/weathercontest or harringtonoilinc.com 2. take a Guess on what date the temperature will drop to 0 degrees More details and rules available at baystateparent.com/weathercontest 12 DECEMBER2015

Plant a…pencil?

Sprout is a new line of pencils that when too short to be usable can be planted. Plant the stub in anything from an outdoor garden to a planter on your windowsill, and within a month, the pencil will grow whatever is advertised on its wood, from herbs (basil, cilantro, mint, and more) to vegetables (cherry tomatoes, green peppers) to flowers (marigolds, forget-me-nots and more). Available in regular writing and colored versions, the plantable pencils cost $19.95 per pack. sproutworld.com

Bites Give your lunch the write stuff

Using Basic Science to Clean

BY LESLIE REICHERT

Free allergy app makes finding ‘safe’ food easy A new free app for Apple and Android smartphones takes the guesswork out of scanning food labels for allergy triggers. Users customize the ipiit food ambassador app to note their restrictions or dietary preferences. Once set up, scan a product’s bar code and ipiit will instantly display whether the food is “safe” for a user to eat.

Over 300,000 products have been loaded into the ipiit database and the app can be customized for up to 15 preferences, such as almonds, egg, gluten, lactose, milk protein, celery, wheat, artificial color and sweetener, corn syrup/high fructose corn syrup free, and more. ipiit.com

Pack your child’s lunch (or yours!) with earth-friendly cloth napkins that are also super cute and retro. Leafcutter’s Notebook “Paper” Napkins are made from 100% organic cotton and are silkscreened on 8.5 x 11 inch pieces of fabric that are the same size as the notebooks you remember from your school days. There’s even three carefully sewn buttonholes in the margin for authenticity. A great idea for holiday teacher gifts! A set of two costs $17.50. leafcutterdesigns.com

Greening your cleaning is twofold. It’s getting back to basics, as well as using science. Once you know what the basic ingredients do, you are able to become a “scientist” and mix up your own cleaners. You don’t need a degree in chemistry to make your own cleaners; I will show you what you need to know! This is what each ingredient in my “basic four” will do for you.

The Green Cleaning “Basic Four” Baking soda, it’s a natural lifter: If you want to lift dirt off a surface, use baking soda. Baking soda is the ingredient in a recipe that reacts with moisture and heat and makes a cake rise. It will work the same way for cleaning. If you have a pan with burnt-on food, add a tablespoon of baking soda and hot water to the pot and put it back on the burner set on low heat. The food will lift right off!

Salt is a natural scrub: If you are looking for something to scrub off dirt or grime, think of salt. It’s

aggressive and a great scrubbing agent. You can use table salt to scrub the inside of your sink, or if you have a lot of dirt, use kosher or sea salt. And salt will soften water, which makes it work as a perfect solvent.

White vinegar is a natural acid: Vinegar is wonderful for cutting through grease and it kills 98% of the bacteria! Not bad for something you can eat. Use vinegar to cut through your dog’s nose prints on windows or to disinfect counters. It is great for cleaning greasy stovetops. But remember, it is a natural acid, so be careful not to use it on shiny floors or sealed counter tops.

Borax is a natural booster: I love Borax. It’s great for boosting the power of all these other ingredients. If you are having troubles removing something, try adding a little Borax! If you want to avoid using Borax, you can also use oxygen bleach. It’s another great booster and actually turns into water once it has done its job.

Other Natural Cleaners Lemon juice is a bleach: Lemon juice is a natural bleach that you can use in laundry to whiten your whites. Add lemon juice to your rinse cycle and it will leave your towels smelling lemony fresh and bright white. If you really want your whites to pop, use lemon juice in the rinse cycle and then take them outside to dry in the sunshine.

Hydrogen peroxide is a safe disinfectant: Hospitals use hydrogen peroxide to kill bacteria.

And the best part is that after it has been exposed to air and light, it turns into water. You don’t have to worry about exposing your food to nasty chemicals if you use hydrogen peroxide to disinfect your countertops.

Oxygen bleach takes the place of chlorine: If you’re looking for a safe substitute for your chlorinebased bleach, consider oxygen bleach. Not only is it safe on colors but it also whitens and brightens without harsh chemicals.

BAYSTATEPARENT 13

10 Ways Children Can Help in the Kitchen Mom and author of the award-wining cookbook The Warm Kitchen: Gluten-Free Recipes Anyone Can Make and Everyone Will Love, Chef Amy Fothergill (amythefamilychef.com) says a parent’s #1 job in the kitchen is to keep kids safe. She offers up the following ways kids can help in the kitchen, improve their cooking skills, and stay safe.

1. Make salad/rip lettuce: Make sure little hands are clean and then get them to work. Children can rip lettuce with their hands, spin the salad spinner, or add veggies to the bowl.

2. Mash things that are not hot: Things that can be mashed: cauliflower, butternut squash, broccoli, bananas, or even strawberries for shortcake.

3. Cut with a plastic knife: Make sure what they are cutting is soft, like melon, a peeled cucumber, broccoli, mushrooms, etc.

4. Stir a sauce: If you are making a sauce either for dipping or for a marinade, let your child watch you measure and then allow them to mix it up. You can pour the ingredient into a cup or spoon and the child can pour it into the bowl. Children love to use whisks!

5. Baste meat: Although this is an activity that requires more supervision (no finger licking allowed!), using a brush to baste chicken, fish, or beef is a lot of fun!

6. Roll meatballs: You don’t want to do this with a child who is too young and who might eat the raw meat or lick their hands; supervision is most definitely suggested (ages 7 and up).

7. Measure flour and/or ingredients: When you are making things like pancakes, waffles, muffins, or even cookies, it’s really OK if not everything is exact. Kids can learn how to level off the flour, baking soda or powder, measure sugar, and use a liquid measuring cup. A lot of this takes patience when they are young, but will pay off later.

8. Roll dough: There’s a reason why play dough is so popular; kids love to roll things. Now, maybe you don’t want them rolling your famous holiday pumpkin pie, but there’s always something they can do with the extra pastry or pizza dough or even cookies. They can use a regular rolling pin, a kid’s one, or just their hands. Just keep an eye on what goes in their mouth if the dough has anything raw in it like eggs.

9. Mix a batter: Whether it’s pancakes or pudding, give them the whisk, paddle, or spatula and let them go to town. Just make sure the batter stays in the bowl!

10. Decorate cakes or cookies: Make cake and cookie decorating more fun and less like Cake Boss. Let them add color, candy, frosting, etc. Just be careful to not overdo it on the sugar!

It’s not the first ingredient when you think “dessert,” but dry mustard powder provides a flavor boost to a variety of meals, from veggies and meats to cocktails and desserts. Check out the delicious recipe below from Coleman’s and enter to win a sweet (or savory) Coleman’s prize pack, featuring an apron, dry mustard powder, and prepared mustard.

Email win@baystateparent.com with Colemans in the subject line for your chance to win!

Coleman’s Mustard Gingerbread Cake Ingredients • 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, room temperature • 2/3 cup unsulphured molasses • 2/3 cup packed brown sugar • 2 large eggs • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour • 1 tsp. baking soda • 2 tsp. ground cinnamon • 2 tsp. ground ginger • ¼ tsp. ground cloves • ½ tsp. salt • 1 ½ tsp. Colman’s Dry Mustard Powder • 2/3 cup hot coffee Preparation 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-inch square baking pan.

2. Using an electric mixer, beat together the butter and brown sugar until light and creamy. Beat in the molasses and eggs until well combined.

3. Reduce speed to low and sift in the flour, baking soda, spices, Colman’s Dry Mustard Powder, and salt. Mix until smooth, then add 14 DECEMBER2015

hot coffee and stir until combined. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake until a wooden pick or skewer inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean, 30 to 40 minutes.

4. Cool on a rack. Cut into 9 squares. Top with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream or dust with powdered sugar.

Holiday Desserts That Pop! Holiday Wreath Popcorn Treats Yield: Serves 8 (5-inch wreaths) Ingredients

Jingle Balls Yield: 12 Cups Ingredients • 12 cups popped popcorn • 6 tablespoons butter or margarine • 3 cups mini marshmallows

• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract • Assorted colored sugars

• 3 quarts popped popcorn • 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter or margarine • 3 cups miniature marshmallows • 3 tablespoons (1/2 of a 3-ounce box) lime gelatin dessert mix • Decorations: small red candies, jellybeans, red fruit leather, etc.

Directions

Directions 1. Spray large mixing bowl lightly with cooking spray. Add popcorn.

2. Spread plastic wrap on cookie sheet; set aside.

3. In medium saucepan, melt butter and marshmallows; stir until mixture is smooth. Stir in peppermint extract. Pour over popcorn, mixing until well coated. Let cool 2 minutes.

4. Spray hands with cooking spray and form popcorn mixture into 3-inch balls.

5. Gently press colored sugar onto balls. Let sit on prepared cookie sheet until cool and set.

1. Spray a large mixing bowl lightly with cooking spray and place popcorn inside.

2. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Stir in marshmallows and gelatin dessert powder until marshmallows are melted and mixture is smooth. Pour over popcorn and mix well until coated.

3. Spray hands with cooking spray and press firmly to form into 9-inch logs and then bend to form ‘wreaths’.

4.Place ‘wreaths’ on wax paper.

Press candy decorations onto wreath to decorate; add a ‘ribbon’ cut from fruit leather. Serve immediately or wrap individually in plastic wrap for storage. Add a ribbon tie to plastic wrap as a decorative closure.

Clean-up tip: Soak saucepan before cleaning.

Recipes courtesy of www.popcorn.org

Please join us on Dec 5th & 6th for our

Holiday Open House 10 am to 6 pm

• Winter hayrides • Holiday crafts • Make your own s’mores by the campfire • Mulled cider • Hot chocolate • Shop for your holiday trees and decorations

A fun filled day at the farm

Taste of Local

Dec 14th & 15th • 10 am to 6 pm A wonderful opportunity to sample everything made local. Pies, breads, cakes, tea breads, cheese, meat, pasta,cookies, brownies and so much more! A great opportunity to shop for local yummy gifts!

Check out our website for updates on our NEW ice skating pond opening this winter 2016!

“YOU WANT FRESH YOU WANT LOCAL”

294 Chase Rd Lunenburg 978-582-6246 www.lanniorchards.com 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. 7 Days a Week

BAYSTATEPARENT 15

OH,

THE PLACES YOU’LL

Congratulations! Today is your day. You’re off to Great Places! You’re off and away!

- dr. seuss

Photo by Michael Blanchard Photography

GO ESCAPE The Velveteen Rabbit. Boston Center for the Arts, Boston. Dec. 5-20.

GO JAM Rockapella. TCAN: Center for Arts, Natick. Dec. 12, 8 p.m.

16 DECEMBER2015

GO REVOLT Boston Tea Party Reenactment. Griffin’s Wharf, Boston. Dec. 16, 7:30 p.m.

GO FARM Afternoon Chores and More.

Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, Lincoln.

Dec. 19, 2:30 p.m.-4 p.m.

Photo Courtesy Boston Children’s Theatre

GO

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO! MELTDOWN WARNING: Before you pack up the mini-van, please confirm your destination.

Although we’ve done our best to ensure accuracy at press time, things can and do change…

1 Tuesday

Meet the Scientists. Science Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 6 p.m.-8 p.m.

Talk to real scientists and do the hands-on activities they’ve developed. Learn about biology, neuroscience, engineering, and forensic anthropology. Free. discoverymuseums.org.

Bead Patterns. Children’s Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Organize a collection of beads by sorting them into different categories and create a bead pattern to design a necklace. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $11.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

3D Printing for Kids. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m.

Learn how 3D printing works by using Tinkercad to design your own three-dimensional creation.

For students in grades 2 to 5. Register ahead.

Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

The Dance Inn-Holiday Magic. Regent Theatre, 7 Medford St., Arlington. 7:30 p.m.

Enjoy talented dancers, wonderful choreography, terrific holiday songs, and more family fun.

Reserve ahead. Adults $17, children $12. regenttheatre.com.

ZooLights. Stone Zoo, 149 Pond St., Stoneham. 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Enter a winter wonderland of tree-lined paths lit by thousands of twinkling lights, with the opportunities to meet a reindeer up close during nightly photo opportunities. Continues through the month.

Monday-Thursday: Members: $7; $4 on Member Mondays; non-members: $8; free for children under 2. Friday - Sunday: Members: $8; nonmembers: $9; free for children under 2. zoonewengland.org.

Disney’s The Little Mermaid. The Strand Theatre, 543 Columbia Rd., Dorchester.

7:30 p.m. A live action production of the classic Alan Menken-scored Disney musical following the story of a rebellious mermaid fighting for her love. Through Sunday. $25-$45. fiddleheadtheatre.com.

Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer The Musical. The Shubert Theatre, 270 Tremont Street, Boston. 7 p.m. Through Dec. 6. The original television classic comes to life onstage.

Tickets start at $38. citicenter.org Elf: The Broadway Musical. Citi Performing Arts Center, 270 Tremont St., Boston. 7 p.m.

Through Dec. 6. The Broadway musical production of the holiday hit movie. Tickets start at $35. citicenter.org.

2 Wednesday Messy Masterpiece: Paint Like Seurat.

Children’s Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Explore some of George Seurat’s masterpieces on his birthday and then try your hand at creating your own work of art inspired by pointillism. Free with admission.

Members free, nonmembers $11.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Photo by Joan Marcus

ASD Friendly Afternoons. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. 1:30 p.m.4:30 p.m. An afternoon specially designed for families with a child with an ASD, including a dedicated room for children to take a break.

Register ahead. Free. discoverymuseums.org.

School Readiness Friday Night. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston.

6 p.m.-8:30 p.m. An evening of school readiness activities, circle time, story acting, science exploration, manipulative games, scissor skills, and more to practice Kindergarten readiness skills.

Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $1, children under 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

GO BUDDY Elf: The Broadway Musical.

Citi Performing Arts Center, Boston. Dec. 1-6.

Winter Reimagined. Tower Hill Botanic Garden. 11 French Drive, Boylston. 11 a.m.9 p.m. A dazzling display of winter lights indoors and out. Fifteen miles of lights, decorated trees, fire-pits, thousands of handcrafted ornaments, children’s activities, live music, and more.

Members free; non-member adults $15; seniors $10; youth 6 to 18 $5; children: free. Sundays and Tuesdays 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., closed Mondays, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Through Jan. 3. towerhillbg.org.

Build Your Own Weather Station. Science Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton.

1 p.m.-4 p.m. Drop-in to build your own barometer, thermometer, anemometer, and more. Spend the afternoon building tools that measure the weather from things you find around the house.

Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $11.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

3 Thursday Magic Show. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 4 p.m.-5 p.m. An interactive magic show that engages and entertains kids with magic and comedy, performed by magician Ryan Lally. For ages 5 and up. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Blink! A Light & Sound Extravaganza.

Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston. Nightly performances start at 4:30 p.m, through Jan. 3.

Featuring the music of the Holiday Pops, Blink! is a state-of-the-art light-and-sound outdoor extravaganza. Free. faneuilhallmarketplace.com

4 Friday Music and Movement with Miss Bernadette. Children’s Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 9:30 a.m.-10 a.m. Explore sound through singing and playing: move, make music, listen, learn, and get a sensory workout.

Free with admission. dicoverymuseums.org.

Nature Playgroup. Children’s Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10 a.m.10:45 a.m. Enjoy time outdoors with your little one during this outing, including games, songs, special art projects, and exploration. Designed for ages 2 to 5. Free. discoverymuseums.org.

Sing Me a Song. Morse Institute Library, 14 East Central St., Natick. 10:30 a.m.-11:15 a.m. Join Fran Friedman as she presents a morning of musical fun through an uplifting, fun-filled performance. For ages 2 and 3. Register ahead.

Free. morseinstitute.org.

Bright Nights. Forest Park, 200 Trafton Rd., Springfield. Nightly through Jan. 3, 5 p.m.9 p.m. (closed Dec. 25). Make the four-mile drive through Forest Park, illuminated with 650,000 sparkling lights. $18 per vehicle Monday-Thursday, $21 Friday-Sunday and holidays. brightnights.org.

Parents Night Off. South Shore Natural Science Center, 48 Jacobs Ln., Norwell. 6 p.m.8 p.m. Drop your child off for an evening filled with games, movies, crafts, and more, where pajamas are always permissible. Register ahead.

Members $10, nonmembers $12. southshorenaturalsciencecenter.org.

5 Saturday Teen Birders: The Birds of Drumlin Farm.

Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, 208 South Great Rd., Lincoln. 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Meet and learn about the birds at the Wildlife Care Center, as you encounter birds, learn how to take care of birds, and assist with daily chores and animal enrichment projects. Suitable for ages 12 to 16.

Register ahead. Members $15, nonmembers $18. massaudubon.org.

Holiday Open House & Woodturners’ Exhibit & Sale. North River Wildlife Sanctuary, 2000 Main Street (Route 3A), Marshfield.

10 a.m.-3 p.m. Enjoy complimentary cider and home-baked treats, tours of the Nature Center, and activities for kids in the Discovery Room, as well as artisans creating onsite and answering questions. massaudubon.org.

Origami Ornaments. Worcester Public Library: Main Branch, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester. 10 a.m.11 a.m. Learn to make ornaments using origami during this fun, festive activity. Free. worcpublib.org.

Science on Saturday. MIT Museum, 265 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge. 10 a.m.11 a.m. Enjoy this 60-minute presentation with fun demonstrations in which students can volunteer and explore nuclear science and engineering. Free. mit.edu/museum.

Chain of Lights. Sutton Town Center, 307 Boston Rd., Sutton. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Enjoy this annual holiday tradition, traveling around the town for festive holiday crafts, fairs, food, specially designed kids activities, and more. Free. suttonma.org.

Saturday Family Tour. Worcester Art Museum, 55 Salisbury St., Worcester. 10:30 a.m.-11 a.m.

BAYSTATEPARENT 17

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO! winter bird flocks. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $11.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Happy Birthday, Mrs. Norris. Norris Reservation, Dover St., Norwell. 12 p.m.2 p.m. Celebrate Mrs. Norris and her love of nature, music, and dancing, during this fun afternoon event. Members $10, nonmembers $15. thetrustees.org.

Santa Day. Southborough Community House, 28 Main St., Southborough. 12 p.m.-3 p.m.

Watch Santa Claus arrive by helicopter at St. Mark’s School before sharing his lap and a photo, during a day of crafts, live holiday music, and refreshments. Children $5, families $10.

(508) 361-2083.

GO MEET Meet the Scientists. Science Discovery Museum, Acton.

Dec. 4, 6 p.m.-8 p.m.

Enjoy brief intergenerational tours filled with a special winter theme. Free. worcesterart.org.

Beyond the Spectrum. Museum of Fine Arts: Boston, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston. 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Children on the autism spectrum are invited to explore stained glass, learn about the decorative, colorful art, and make their own stained glass-style panel that can reflect the light of a window. For ages 8 to 12. Register ahead. $9. mfa.org.

Josh and the Jamtones. TCAN: Center for Arts, 14 Summer St., Natick. 11 a.m. Enjoy a seamless mix of roots, reggae, ska, pop, punk, New Orleans, and other styles of music during this family-favorite concert. Adults $10, children $8. natickarts.org.

Holiday Pops Kids Matinees. Symphony Hall, 301 Mass. Ave, Boston. Also Dec. 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 24, 11 a.m. These special family concerts include a children’s sing-along and postconcert photos with Santa. Tickets start at $38, children under 2 free. bso.org Saturday Family Make Art. Worcester Art Museum, 55 Salisbury St., Worcester. 11 a.m.11:30 a.m. Partake of this “Winter Wonders” themed hands-on artmaking activity designed to be enjoyed by the entire family. Free. worcesterart.org.

Backyard Birding. Science Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Learn more about birds and see what you can spot at the feeders during this drop-in activity embracing

Chickadee Birders: Winter Bird Crafts.

Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, 208 South Great Rd., Lincoln. 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Enjoy an afternoon of creating bird crafts for attracting and feeding birds, and for sharing as gifts.

Suitable for families with children ages 7 to 11.

Register ahead. Members $10, nonmembers $12. massaudubon.org.

The Velveteen Rabbit. Boston Center for the Arts, 527 Tremont Street, Boston. 2 p.m. The newly enhanced production by Boston Children’s Theatre. Performances through Dec. 20 featuring young actors from area communities. Tickets start at $20. bostonchildrenstheatre.org.

Capturing Fur, Feathers, and Scales with Pencil and Paper. Harvard Museum of Natural History, 26 Oxford St., Cambridge. 2 p.m.-3 p.m. Explore animals through a variety of specimens in classrooms and galleries and learn how to capture different animal textures on paper using realistic drawing techniques. For ages 9 to 13. Register ahead. Members $25, nonmembers $35. hmnh.harvard.edu.

Holiday Sculptural Ornament Workshop. deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum,51 Sandy

Pond Rd., Lincoln. 3 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Create an ornament of your own design inspired by winter at deCordova. For ages 10 and up. Register ahead. Member adults $40, ages 10 and up $25; nonmember adults $40, ages 10 and up $35. decordova.org.

Family Wreath and Ornament Party.

KITCHEN at Boston Public Market, 100 Hanover St., Boston. 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Kick off December with an evening of holiday crafts. Make wreaths, ornaments, and festive décor from local and natural items. Register ahead. Member families $30, nonmember families $40. thetrustees.org.

6 Sunday Families in the Farm Kitchen. Appleton Farms, 219 County Rd., Ipswich. 10 a.m.11:30 a.m. & 1 p.m.-2 p.m. Get back in the kitchen by baking a delicious holiday treat to take home with you. Recommended for ages 5 to 8. Register ahead. Member families $20, nonmember families $40. thetrustees.org.

Tumble, Twist, and Flip Over Chanukah.

Tumble-N-Twist Gymnastics Center, 808 West St., Stoughton. 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Kids are invited to “light up” like Chanukah candles at this interactive Chanukah gymnastics party, enjoying games and activities with our littlest tumblers.

Dance and sing to holiday music, create a menorah masterpiece, and have some holiday treats.

For children under 6. Advance $20, walk-ins $25. bostonjcc.org.

Magic by Scott Jameson. Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline.

10:30 a.m. Join magician and juggler Scott Jameson for an extraordinary performance that will have you laughing out loud and perched on the very edge of your seat, during this familyfriendly performance. Recommended for ages 2 and up. Adults $12, children $9. coolidge.org.

23rd Annual White Christmas Celebration.

West Brookfield Town Common, 2 East Main St.,

For more events, visit baystateparent.com Looking for parenting support?

UMass Memorial Medical Center and New England Prenatal and Family Education offer classes for expecting women, new moms, their families and support persons.

Call 1-855-366-5221 or visit umassmemorial.org/healthymoms UMassMemorial Medical Center

18 DECEMBER2015

Find holiday break fun!

Visit baystateparent’s Ultimate Holiday School Vacation Guide at baystateparent.com/holidayvaca

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO! West Brookfield. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Join in celebrating the season with the town of Brookfield, featuring a puppet show by Pumpernickel Puppets, an Elf Hunt, gift sale, refreshments, a sing-along, tree lighting at 5:45 p.m., and more.

Free. (508) 867-7703.

Drop Into Art. Danforth Art Museum and School, 123 Union Ave., Framingham. 2 p.m.4 p.m. Explore art through hands-on activities with our teen and adult docents in the Children’s Gallery before creating your own art inspired by what you saw. Free. danforthart.org.

Christmas on the Common. Bridgewater Town Common. 12 p.m.-4 p.m. Bring the family to meet Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, pony rides, holiday music, craft fair, food and hot drinks. Free. bridgewaterbiz.biz

A Holiday Tea. USS Constitution Museum, Charlestown Navy Yard, Charlestown. 2 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Dress up, bring your dolls, and enjoy an afternoon tea party hosted by the USS Constitution Museum, as you steep yourself in American History and learn about American Girl Caroline Abbott, with dancing, gingerbread cookie decoration, and our annual tree lighting.

Reserve ahead. Members $20, nonmembers $25. ussconstitutionmuseum.org.

An 1820s Holiday House. The Old Manse, 269 Monument St., Concord. 12:30 p.m.-4 p.m.

Enjoy an 1820s holiday celebration in the Manse decorated for an early American Christmas, with warm cider and crafts. Members $10, nonmembers $15. thetrustees.org.

Holiday Craft Making. Governor Oliver Ames Estate, 35 Oliver St., Easton. 1 p.m.3 p.m. Make cards, a natural bird feeder, holiday decorations, and more. Member families $10, nonmember families $20. thetrustees.org.

Wreath Raising. Weir River Farm, 227 East St., Hingham. 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Bring your family down to Weir River Farm for the perfect way to celebrate the season, as we share a cup of cocoa, make a festive holiday craft, and watch our finished wreath being hoisted up and illuminated.

Members free, nonmembers $5. thetrustees.org.

Festival of Lights. Farandnear, 156 Center Rd., Shirley. 3:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Enjoy a gumdrop tree and menorah lighting, lantern making, cranberry stringing, hot cocoa, music, and more during this celebration of the season. Members $5, nonmembers $10. thetrustees.org.

7 Monday Festival of Lights. La Salette Shrine, 947 Park St, Attleboro. 5 p.m.-9 p.m. weekdays, 2 p.m.-9 p.m. weekends, through Jan. 3. More than 300,000 lights illuminate over 10 acres. Free. lasalette-shrine.org

8 Tuesday

Under the Night Sky Storytime. Powisset Farm, 37 Powisset St., Dover. 4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Hear favorite starry night stories and find out how to locate constellations as we read outdoors under the night sky. Free. thetrustees.org.

Feeling Blue. Children’s Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Help mix and name your own very shade of blue as we explore hues from baby to cornflower to azure, navy, and cerulean. Free with admission.

Members free, nonmembers $11.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

9 Wednesday Snowflakes and Snowmen Preschool Story Time. Gore Place, 52 Gore St., Waltham. 10 a.m. Hear stories about snow and winter, tour the beautiful 1806 mansion decorated for the holidays, and enjoy a related craft activity. For ages 3 and 4. Register ahead.

Member children $5, nonmember children $10. goreplace.org.

Matt Heaton Family Singalong. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton.

10:30 a.m.-11:15 a.m. Matt Heaton, the Toddlerbilly Troubadour, brings infectious energy to this parent and kid-friendly performance with panache. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Whooo’s Not Afraid of the Dark. Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, 208 South Great Rd., Lincoln. 3:30 p.m.-5 p.m. Come and meet animals that love to be out at night, search for their daytime resting places and figure out why they don’t need a flashlight when the sun goes down.

Suitable for families with children ages 5 to 12.

Register ahead. Members $12, nonmembers $15. massaudubon.org.

Dinosaur Discoveries. Children’s Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10 a.m.-11 a.m.

Touch a real dinosaur fossil and pretend to be a paleontologist digging for dinosaur bones in our mock excavation site. Free with admission.

Members free, nonmembers $11.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Holiday Party at Bradley. 2468 Washington St., Canton. 4 p.m.-6 p.m. Visit the Bradley’s beautifully decorated estate and gardens, tour the grounds, see the lights, and enjoy the holiday cheer with family and friends. Members $15, nonmembers $25. thetrustees.org.

ARTfull Play. deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum,51 Sandy Pond Rd., Lincoln. 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Fill your day with art and play through this specially designed activity, a unique engagement with art, books, materials,in the New envi- England, It’s winter ronment, and new friends.let Forus ageshelp 2 to 5.you Free learn to with admission. Members free, nonmembers $14, children 12 and under free. decordova.org.

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BAYSTATEPARENT 19

18 - 20

DeceMber 26 - January 3

cHristMas vacation WeeK sleDDing snow permitting

What’s the Weather Wednesday. Science Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 2 p.m.

Join this program that depends on the weather, from frozen bubbles to rain painting, to snow forts, as you play with Mother Nature. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $11.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Hanukkah: The Festival of Lights. Museum of Fine Arts: Boston, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston. 5 p.m.-9:45 p.m. Enjoy an evening of art and activities celebrating Hanukkah as part of the 8 Nights, 8 Windows project from New Center NOW. Learn about the MFA’s collection of Judaica, sketch in the galleries, join in a candlelighting ceremony, and more. Free.

8nights8windows.com.

10 Thursday Harp and Violin Demonstration/Class.

Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton.

11 a.m.-12 p.m. Bring your child to sing, dance, and move with us. Look at these fantastic instruments up-close, learn about rhythm, scales, and more. For ages 3 and up. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Take Aparts. Science Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 2 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Grab a screwdriver and discover resistors and capacitators, uncovering the inner workings of everyday electronics. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $11.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

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outDoor activities

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO!

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Hindi Bilingual Story-Time. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 4 p.m.4:30 p.m. Enjoy this special bilingual story-time with stories, songs, and movement presented in English and Hindi. For ages 3 to 5. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Zumba. Worcester Public Library: Roosevelt Branch, 1006 Grafton St., Worcester. 4 p.m.5 p.m. Get your exercise today in the best way — dance with Zumba on the big screen. For ages 8 and up. Free. worcpublib.org.

sPecial PerForMances

Holiday Lantern Walk. East Boston Greenway, East Boston. 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m. Learn to make a simple, festive lantern and be part of a candlelit procession down the greenway. Register ahead. Member adults $5, nonmember adults $10, children free. thetrustees.org.

Inside Out. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 7 p.m.-8:45 p.m. Come enjoy this film from Pixar, exploring the mind of a young girl, as her emotions go awry and go on a journey to retrieve her memories. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

11 Friday Exploring Nano: The Smallest Science.

Science Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton.

11 a.m.-2 p.m. Hands-on educational activities about nanoscale science, engineering, and technology, using kinetic sand nano parts, colorful thin films, and more. Free with admission.

Members free, nonmembers $11.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Puppet Pals. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 1 p.m.-2 p.m. A special story-time filled with songs, a craft, and plenty of puppet friends. For ages 3 to 5. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

The Farm Nissie. Appleton Farms, 219 County Rd., Ipswich. 4 p.m.-5:30 p.m. The Nissie — a farm elf from Scandinavian folklore — will visit Appleton Farms for crafts, cookies, hot chocolate, and carolers. Register ahead. Member families $15, nonmember families $25. thetrustees.org.

Second Fridays. MIT Museum, 265 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge. 5 p.m.8 p.m. Enjoy the culture of math in conjunction with MIT Museum’s MoSAIC Fest. Free. mit.edu/museum.

Especially for Me! ASD Friendly Evening.

Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton.

5 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Explore both museums during this special free evening for families with children on the autism spectrum, including a music therapy workshop from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. and dinner provided. Register ahead. Free. discoverymuseums.org.

‘From the Top’ Live Performance. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston.

6 p.m. & 7 p.m. An interactive musical presentation with young classical musicians from National Public Radio’s program ‘From the Top.’ Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $1, children under 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

ChristmasTime. Robinson Theatre, 617 Lexington St., Waltham. 7:30 p.m. Begin your Christmas tradition with a choir of carolers presenting a Victorian Christmas and delight as the young ballerina Clara dances to visions of sugar plums in Teddy Bears’ Nutcrackers, during this yuletide magical performance. $35-$63. reaglemusictheatre.org.

12 Saturday Morning with Santa. Concord Museum, 53 Cambridge Turnpike, Concord. 10 a.m.12:30 p.m. Enjoy a delightful visit and photo with Santa, as well as a number of engaging seasonal crafts and activities including face painting, treasure hunts, cookie decorating, letters to

For more events, visit baystateparent.com 20 DECEMBER2015

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO! Santa, and more. Members free; nonmembers $10; children $25. concordmuseum.org.

Santa Claus Saturday. Franklin Park Zoo, 1 Franklin Park Rd., Boston. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Make your holiday season extra merry and meet Santa at Franklin Park Zoo, with photos, winterthemed arts and crafts, holiday themed enrichment for the animals, and more festive fun.

Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $20, children 2 to 12 $13, children under 2 free. zoonewengland.org.

MoSAIC Fest. MIT Museum, 265 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Explore a pop-up math art exhibit, participate in interactive workshops, and enjoy presentations about the art and culture of math. Free. mit.edu/museum.

Ben Rudnick and Friends 14th Annual Holiday Extravaganza. Regent Theatre, 7 Medford St., Arlington. 10:30 a.m. Hear a unique spin on everyone’s favorite Christmas and Chanukah songs, filling the air with family-fun holiday cheer. Reserve ahead. Adults $10, children 12 and under $8. regenttheatre.com.

Karen K and the Jitterbugs Holiday JamBrrrr-ee. Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline. 10:30 a.m. The holidays have hit the Bug Out fort of Karen K, and she wants you to join her and her Jitterbug friends during this multi-cultural celebration of family, friends, and the true meaning of the holidays. Adults $12, children $9. coolidge.org.

Kitchen Science. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Mix, build, predict, and experiment with materials and ingredients found in the kitchen. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $16, children under 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

Castle Hill Children’s Christmas Party.

Castle Hill on the Crane Estate, 290 Argilla Rd., Ipswich. 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Treat your family to a magical Castle Hill Christmas Party filled with refreshments, crafts, a treasure hunt, and of course, a special visit with Old Saint Nick.

Member children $20, nonmember children $30, adults free. thetrustees.org.

Holiday Pops Concert. Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra, Memorial Hall, 83 Court Street, Plymouth. 3 p.m. & 8 p.m. Dec. 13 performance at 3 p.m. Tickets start at $20. plymouthphil.org Rockapella. TCAN: Center for Arts, 14 Summer St., Natick. 8 p.m. The a cappella powerhouse performs hits from their acclaimed album, enchanting young and old alike with remarkable harmonies during a breathtaking vocal performance. Members $40, nonmembers $45. natickarts.org.

13 Sunday

TickeTs on sale noW

Dec. 4 - 6, 11 - 13 and 18 - 20

Bolshoi Ballet: Jewels. Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline. 10 a.m.

Enjoy this captivating ballet performance created as homage to the dance schools that adopted Balanchine’s style, each represented by a contrasting jewel. $20. coolidge.org.

Flip Over Chanukah. Energy Fitness, 1 HF Brown Way, Natick. 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Create your own miracles at this Chanukah celebration where your kids will flip, jump, and tumble through holiday-themed gym activities, with songs, crafts, and snacks included. For ages 2 to 6. Advanced $20, walk-ins $25. bostonjcc.org.

Chanukah Cookie Baking Mitzvah.

Congregation Sha’aray Shalom, 1112 Main St., Hingham. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Do a Chanukah mitzvah (good deed) by baking cookies to bring to a senior living residence, with light bagel lunch and sample cookies included. For children up to age 5. Register ahead. $20. bostonjcc.org.

ARTfull Explorations. deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, 51 Sandy Pond Rd., Lincoln.

1 p.m.-3 p.m. Fill your weekend with art and family through group explorations and engagements inspired by the themes and artists of the day. Recommended for ages 5 to 12. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $14, children 12 and under free. decordova.org.

Gingerbread House Building. Appleton Farms, 219 County Rd., Ipswich. 1 p.m.-3 p.m.

Take a break from the busy holiday season and enjoy family time building your own gingerbread house in the beautiful Carriage barn, with drinks and supplies included. Register ahead. Member children $25, nonmember children $35. thetrustees.org.

Hands-On History. Concord Museum, 53 Cambridge Turnpike, Concord. 1 p.m.4 p.m. An afternoon for kids and families to learn together through crafts, history hunts, and special gallery activities. Free with admission.

Members free; nonmember adults $10, children age 5 to 17 $5, children under 5 free. concordmuseum.org.

TaKE YouR PHoto

WitH santa NighTlY tree

ligHting live Musical PERfoRmaNcES

hoRSE-DRawN

sleigH riDes weather permitting

HoliDay Feast iN BullaRD TavERN

additional fee and reservations required PRESENTED BY

Castle Hill’s Holiday Choral Concert.

Castle Hill on the Crane Estate, 290 Argilla Rd., Ipswich. 3 p.m.-4 p.m. Take a break from the bustle of the holidays and enjoy the beautiful voices of Cantemus Chamber Chorus, enchanting you with this beautiful holiday program, with cookies and cider to follow. Registration recommended. Members $25, nonmembers $35. thetrustees.org.

For more events, visit baystateparent.com BAYSTATEPARENT 21

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO!

14 Monday

16 Wednesday

Hamlet. Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline. 7 p.m. Academy Award-nominee Benedict Cumberbatch takes on the titular role of Shakespeare’s great tragedy, as performed for the National Theatre. $20. coolidge.org.

Dance and Movement Class. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 10 a.m.10:45 a.m. A music and movement class for toddlers and preschoolers presented by the Joanne Langione Dance Center. For ages 2 to 5. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

15 Tuesday Flying Paper Airplanes. Children’s Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Drop-in, create, and decorate your own paper airplane and then put them through a flight test. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $11.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Local Fruit Smoothies. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 2 p.m.-3 p.m. Enjoy learning about healthy eating, and working in small teams create the best-tasting fresh fruit smoothies using local fruits, yogurt, and juices, during this Food Network Challenge-structured event. For student in grades 2 to 5. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Pasta Party. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 4 p.m.-5 p.m. Learn how professionals make handmade pasta and cheese-filled ravioli, as we make pasta to bring home, cook, and enjoy. For students in grades 6 to 12. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Get the Wrapping Paper. Children’s Discovery Museum, 117 Main St., Acton.

10 a.m.-11 a.m. Don’t run out of wrapping paper — learn how to use stamps, brushes, and fingers to make a one-of-the-kind, personal, and beautiful sheet to wrap a special gift. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $11.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Flying Reindeer Winter Workshop. Science Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton.

2 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Create helicopters and hoop gliders to give reindeers some high-flying power during this festive activity. Free with admission.

Members free, nonmembers $11.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

The 242nd Anniversary Boston Tea Party Reenactment. Old South Meeting House, 310 Washington St., Boston. 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

Gather at Old South Meeting House, where the colonists met in 1773, with colonial agitators like John Hancock, Paul Revere, and other Loyalists to debate the tea tax, demand liberty, and pro-

ceed to Griffin’s Wharf by fife and drum. Tickets: $25. osmh.org. Tea Party starts at 7:30 p.m. at Griffin’s Wharf, free.

17 Thursday Feed the Reindeer. Children’s Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10 a.m.-11 a.m.

Pack a bag of goodies that can be left out for a quick snack and energy boost for Santa’s hardest workers before their annual visit. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $11.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Pole-r Mission. Science Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 2 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Try your hand at designing mini-fishing poles and different hooks that can grab capsules of water.

Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $11.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Winter Sunset Walk. Norris Reservation, Dover St., Norwell. 3 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Walk, watch the sunset, and sip cocoa at the boat house with winter on its doorsteps, as you stroll along the trails this evening with a lantern in hand.

Members $10, nonmembers $15. thetrustees.org.

The Barbara Cassidy Band. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 7 p.m.-9 p.m.

Enjoy this relaxing performance of holiday and

folk songs, filled with original and Irish traditional music and more. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Jane Eyre. Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline. 7 p.m. The acclaimed re-imagining of Bronte’s masterpiece, first staged at Bristol Old Vic last year, that follows a former destitute orphan as she faces life’s obstacles head-on. $20. coolidge.org.

18 Friday Sled Stoppers Workshop. Science Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 2 p.m.-4:30 p.m. In case you have a runaway sled you need to slow down, come design a parachute to help your sleigh float safely to the ground. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $11.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Rock Off Main Street. TCAN: Center for Arts, 14 Summer St., Natick. 7:30 p.m. Musicians of all-ages perform an eclectic mix of music from pop, to emo, to indie. $8. natickarts.org.

Pajama Party in PlaySpace. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 7:30 p.m.

Toddlers and their siblings are invited to wear their pajamas to the museum for a night filled with games, songs, and picture stories. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $1, children under 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

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OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO!

19 Saturday Critter Day. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Learn about animals during this day of live animal programming, as we explore the theme of “Animal World Experience.” Free with admission.

Members free, nonmembers $16, children under 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

Karen K and the Jitterbugs. TCAN: Center for Arts, 14 Summer St., Natick. 11 a.m. Bug out with Karen K in her imaginary backyard fort where she makes music during this upbeat, genre-swirling performance. Adults $10, children $8. Natickarts.org.

Family Yoga Class. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 12 p.m.-1 p.m. An afternoon class filled with cooperative games, age-appropriate poses, parent-and-child partner poses, breathing exercises, and more. For ages 3 to 12 with caregiver. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Wild Animals in Your Neighborhood.

Science Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton.

12 p.m.-2 p.m. Check out native animals up close with a trained naturalist during this drop-in activity and learn how local wildlife prepares for and survives winters. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $11.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Winter Neighborhood Celebration.

Francis William Bird Park, 251 Washington St., Walpole. 1 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Usher in winter with hot cider, games, prizes, contests, and more for the entire family. Free. thetrustees.org.

Photo Courtesy USS Constitution Museum

A Candlelight and Holly Evening. Gore Place, 52 Gore St., Waltham. 7:30 p.m. Enjoy a night of food, music, and holiday spirit during this entertaining 19th-century themed program, with plenty of holiday merriment. Members $18, nonmembers $20. goreplace.org.

Holiday Cookies and Hot Apple Cider.

Powisset Farm, 37 Powisset St., Dover. 2 p.m.4 p.m. Get into the holiday spirit with a kidcentric cookie decorating party, with gingerbread girls and boys, as well as sugar cookies waiting for icing and sugar. Recommended for ages 10 and under. Members $40, nonmembers $45. thetrustees.org.

Afternoon Chores and More. Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, 208 South Great Rd., Lincoln. 2:30 p.m.-4 p.m. Help with afternoon chores on the farm: feed the animals their afternoon meal, help settle them in for the night, collect eggs for the day from the chickens, and enjoy a seasonal treat. Suitable for families with children ages 4 to 12. Register ahead. Members $13, children $16. massaudubon.org.

GO SOCIALIZE Holiday Tea. USS Constitution Museum, Charlestown.

Dec. 6, 2 p.m.-4:30 p.m.

20 Sunday The Muppet Christmas Carol. Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline.

10:30 a.m. Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, and all the hilarious Muppets present this merry, magical version of Charles Dickens’s classic tale, starring Michael Caine as Ebenezer Scrooge. Adults $8, children $6. coolidge.org.

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OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO! New England Philharmonic Chamber Players. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Enjoy an assortment of 18th and 20th century quintets performed by the New England Philharmonic Chamber players, with a mission to perform music of living composers.

Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Boston Area Chantey and Maritime Sing.

USS Constitution Museum, Charlestown Navy Yard, Charlestown. 2 p.m.-5 p.m. Listen, learn, and lift your voice in a rousing chorus of sea chanteys at the USS Constitution Museum. Free. ussconstitutionmuseum.org.

Illumination Night. Rocky Woods, Ward Reservation, 64 Rocky Woods Reservation Entrance, Medfield. 4 p.m.-6 p.m. Celebrate the solstice and the shortest day of the year with your favorite lantern. Walk around the woodland in candlelight before warming up by a roaring fire with hot chocolate and s’mores. Member adults $10, children free; nonmember adults $25, children $5. thetrustees.org.

Illumination Night. Governor Hutchinson’s Field, 196 Adams St., Milton. 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m.

Celebrate the winter solstice by lighting the dark sky. Enjoy a campfire and some treats, and then light the trees at Hutchinson’s Field to be enjoyed throughout the darkest days of the year.

Members $5, nonmembers $10, children free. thetrustees.org.

Winter Solstice Celebration. The Old Manse, 269 Monument St., Concord. 6 p.m.-8 p.m.

See the Old Manse back lawn as it is filled with candles, torch-lit pathways, singing, ceremonies, and light refreshments during this warm community gathering. Free. thetrustees.org.

21 Monday Ornament Making. Children’s Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10 a.m.-11 a.m.

Make a colorful and unique ornament to bring some cheer to cold and cloudy days. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $11.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

MFA Playdates. Museum of Fine Arts: Boston, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston. 10:15 a.m.11 a.m. Bring your toddler and enjoy story time and looking activities in the galleries, followed by art making. Recommended for ages 4 and under.

Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $25, youths age 7 to 17 $10, children age 6 and under free. mfa.org.

Nature Journaling. Science Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Drop in and explore the natural world through science, art, and writing. Take a nature walk to observe

and record all the color and activity of the outdoors during this first day of winter. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $11.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Solstice Stroll through the Dunes. Castle Hill on the Crane Estate, 290 Argilla Rd., Ipswich. 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Take a leisurely hike through the dunes of the Crane Wildlife Refuge to celebrate the solstice, warming up afterwards with hot cider and refreshments. Register ahead.

Recommended for ages 15 and older. Members $25, nonmembers $35. thetrustees.org.

22 Tuesday Family Singalong. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 10:30 a.m.-11 a.m.

Join the Children’s librarians for fun songs and movement. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Snow Globes. Science Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Take a sprinkle of snow and a dash of creativity and make your own mini snow globe. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $11.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Winter Solstice Tree Lighting. Francis William Bird Park, 251 Washington St., Walpole. 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Grab a cup of hot cider or hot chocolate and enjoy a tree lighting ceremony to celebrate the arrival of the winter season. Members free, nonmembers $5, children free. thetrustees.org.

23 Wednesday Everyday Engineering: Cup Towers. Science Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton.

11 a.m.-2 p.m. Engage in everyday engineering as you construct and create with repurposed and recycled materials, and challenge yourself to build a one-of-a-kind tower made entirely out of cups. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $11.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Music for the Holly Days with the Moody Street String Band. Gore Place, 52 Gore St., Waltham. Guitars, fiddle, banjo, accordion, and more, the Moody Street String Band invites you to the performance of a rousing concert of traditional tunes from England, Ireland, Scotland, and America, with a special holiday sing-a-long.

Members $10; nonmembers $15, children 5 to 12 $10. goreplace.org.

25 Friday Sing-A-Long Sound of Music. Regent Theatre, 7 Medford St., Arlington. 6 p.m.

For more events, visit baystateparent.com 24 DECEMBER2015

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO!

Children’s Performance Series

PETER & THE WOLF and HANSEL & GRETEL February 24, 2016 10:00 AM A special public and private school show.

Interested schools should contact TheHanoverTheatre.org or 877.571.SHOW GO BUILD Bricktacular. Winter Wonderland Creative Challenge, LEGOLAND Discovery Center, Somerville. Dec. 19 & 20, 24 & 25.

Screenings daily through Dec. 29. Join in this Regent Family Holiday Tradition, as guests sing along to this classic Julie Andrews musical movie loosely based on the actual story of unexpected love as Nazism in Austria begins taking hold.

Reserve ahead. Through Tuesday. Members $10; nonmember adults $15,children $12.50. regenttheatre.com.

26 Saturday December Vacation Week at the Museum.

Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Enjoy creative arts, STEM explorations, cultural events, performances and playful learning for the whole family during Winter Break. Through January 3. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $16, children under 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

Boxing Day Celebration. The Old Manse, 269 Monument St., Concord. 12 p.m.-5 p.m.

Enjoy a grand sale of British goods and foods, including treacle sponge pudding, chocolate digestive biscuits, and potato crisps, in celebration of this traditionally British occasion. House tours: members $5; nonmember adults $10, families $25, children ages 6 to 12 $5, children under 6 free. thetrustees.org.

45th Annual The Christmas Revels. Sanders Theatre, Harvard University, 45 Quincy St., Cambridge. 3 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. Celebrate the

season with family and friends as this exhilarating annual tradition explores a journey to the ancient Celtic nation of Wales. Adults $25-$52, children $13-$38. revels.org.

27 Sunday LEGO Zone. Science Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Try your hand at one of our challenges or construct something from your own imagination. Through Monday. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $11.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

28 Monday Duplo Zone. Children’s Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Use your imagination to build, stack, and sort our enormous collection of Duplo plats, bricks, and special pieces. Through Wednesday. Free with admission.

Members free, nonmembers $11.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Dragons and Dreams. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 2 p.m.-2:45 p.m. Join ScienceTellers and learn about the science of fire and ice through the tale of “Dragons & Dreams,” exploring a faraway world with castles, kings, dragon keepers, ice sorceresses, and the powerful Horn of Fire. For students in grades K to 5.

Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

For more events, visit baystateparent.com

JENNIFER AGBAY, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR BAYSTATEPARENT 25

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO! The Pirate Princess. Loeb Drama Center, 64 Brattle St., Cambridge. 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.

From the creators of the A.R.T.’s hit ‘The Light Princess’ comes a swashbuckling adventure on the high seas, when a giant sea monster destroys their ship, twins Violet and Victor are torn apart from one another, and must use crafty bravery to reunite. $20. americanrepertorytheatre.org.

Trivia Nite @ the Library. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 6:30 p.m.8:30 p.m. Come alone or with friends to form teams up to 6 people as you test your mastery of useful and useless information. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

29 Tuesday Holiday Troubadours. John F Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Columbia Point, Boston. 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Take a musical journey around the world in this multicultural celebration with instruments, songs, and dances from different nations. Register ahead.

Free. jfklibrary.org.

Marble Runs. Science Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Engage in some everyday engineering as you construct and create tracks out of tubes, cardboard, and other materials to send marbles on a fun ride. Through

Wednesday. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $11.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Card Corner. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 3 p.m.-4 p.m. Come and play your favorite trading card games as you battle your way to the top. Bring your own decks or use one of the library’s. For ages 6 and up. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

LittleBits DIY Club. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

Enjoy LittleBits, the easy-to-use electronic building blocks that empower students to understand the world around them and create inventions

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30 Wednesday Morningstar Access. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 8 a.m.-10 a.m. Children with special needs are invited to the museum for a special opportunity to visit the Museum at a time when there are only a few other visitors. Register ahead. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $16, children under 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

Hexbugs. Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Join us to create habitats for your Hexbugs — robotic creatures that react to their environments — to do battle and race. For ages 5 and up with an adult. Free. newtonfreelibrary.net.

Kwanzaa Celebration. Worcester Public Library: Main Branch, 3 Salem Sq., Worcester.

6 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Join us as we celebrate this African-American and Pan-African holiday of family, community, and culture. Free. worcpublib.org.

31 Thursday Bessie’s New Year’s Eve Party Prep.

Children’s Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 10 a.m.-11:45 a.m. Get ready to shake, rattle, and roll into the New Year by making party hats and noise makers. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $11.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

Happy Noon Year. Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Start your celebration with costumes and decorations and join us as we countdown to the “Noon” year.

Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $16, children under 1 free. bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

Bessie’s New Year’s Eve Pajama Dance Party. Children’s Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. 11:45 a.m. Dust off your dancing shoes, put on your finest PJs, and help us count down to 12 o’clock (noon, that is) with a dance party. Free with admission. Members free, nonmembers $11.50, children under 1 free. discoverymuseums.org.

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Zoo Year’s Eve. Stone Zoo, 149 Pond St., Stoneham. 4 p.m.-5 p.m. Join in the reindeer parade led by Stone Zoo’s reindeer, enjoy early entry to ZooLights, and participate in more festive fun including snowman costumed characters and ice sculptures. Free with admission. Members free; nonmember adults $16, children ages 2 to 12 $12, children under 2 free. zoonewengland.org.

The Ultrasonic Rock Orchestra New Year’s Eve Spectacular. Regent Theatre, 7 Medford St., Arlington. 9:30 p.m. Enjoy this 12-person Boston-based band who have been rocking the dynamics of classic ’60s and ’70s British Rock into a unique nuanced performance. Reserve ahead. $25. regenttheatre.com.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS BAYSTATEPARENT 27

VERY SPECIAL PEOPLE

Try This Doll On For Size ‘Lammily’ Sports A Realistic Body Shape And More

BY WENDY BULAWA AGUDELO

A

Photos Courtesy Lammily LLC

new, more inclusive doll is making waves this holiday season, one that aims to represent real women and engage and inspire girls.

Nickolay Lamm, a 27-year-old male artist and designer from Pittsburgh, spent years researching true-life depictions and perceptions of the human body, the result being a more realistic female doll that mirrors today’s woman: Lammily (a hybrid of “Lamm” and “family”). Lammily was created with a vision to be true to oneself in a world that subliminally or aggressively pressures conformity. The doll was fully funded

through one of the most widely discussed and publicized crowdfunding campaigns to date.

Dubbed the world’s first “average is beautiful” doll, its 2014 campaign netted $100,000 in one day and $500,000 in a month.

Lammily champions a crystal-clear message: “It’s not what you look like, but what you do that defines you.”

The doll’s instant popularity has been driven largely by negative body image concerns experienced predominantly by females and those frequently reinforced though airbrushing, Photoshopped images, and the world’s most popular doll,

Barbie. Critics say Barbie represents an unattainable reality, and in doing so has caused generations of young ladies to pursue an elusive “ideal.”

Failure to achieve these contrived standards have been thought to be at the root of negative body image issues and their serious consequences for many young women.

Rehabs.com, a site for locating mental health treatment centers in the U.S., drew attention to links between negative body image in young girls and Barbie. According to the site, 4 out of 5 10-year-olds say they are afraid of being fat, and half of girls aged 9 and 10 claimed they felt better about themselves when they were dieting.

Throughout Lammily’s crowdfunding campaign, criticism surfaced relative to the use of the word “average” in its slogan. In response, Lamm says the word choice was meant to be inclusive to all rather than a standard that excludes. His goal was to highlight the fact that reality is beautiful, life is beautiful, and that a line of dolls should exist to reflect this fact.

“Every one of our bodies is different, so we should not be aspiring to some idealized standard,” Lamm

said. “I’m reminded that there are some things that are just a mirage and not worth emulating. Moreover, I’m reminded that there is beauty in embracing all the aspects of who you are and in staying true to you.”

Lamm created Lammily as an option to predecessors with an underlying belief that Barbie and others represent an outdated vision of what today can be construed as a “perfect woman.” In contrast to Barbie, Lammily is shorter, wider and properly proportionate, with real-world curves. Her feet are flat and not permanently bent to fit into high heels. The outfits she comes with are sporty yet fashionable, her joints bend and she wears minimal makeup so that her natural beauty shines through.

According to Lamm: “I wanted to show that a doll didn’t have to have distorted proportions to be beautiful. She can be made with average proportions and be beautiful. The girls I showed it to say she’s cute!”

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(youtube.com/watch?v=Jue_ JlxnPGM) Lammily has also made a concerted effort to embrace differences in physical abilities. Through its Website (lammily.com), the company delivers step-by-step instructions on how to make supportive accessories for a Lammily doll such as a wheelchair, cochlear implant, and forearm crutches. “I want Lammily’s accessories to be reflective of real life in miniature form, where children can explore reality in depth,” he said.

Also sparking a departure in the way of doll accessories are the separately sold, add-on packages for Lammily that include stick-on glasses, tattoos, stitches, cellulite, scars, casts, mosquito bites, grass stains, freckles, acne, and moles. (Dolls cost $25, accessories start at $7.)

Lammily is the brand name for the doll line, but the company hopes each recipient will give the doll its own name and then complete her official passport. This can be printed from the company’s Website, making it even more personal and customized.

Taking the doll from play-only scenarios to one supportive of education, Lammily this fall introduced a “Period Party Pack” for parents seeking to bridge early conversations about puberty using Lammily as a catalyst for communication.

Dr. Jennifer Ashton, a practicing board-certified OB-GYN and member of CBS’s “The Doctors” said: “To start teaching girls who are playing with dolls about their reproductive health, their menstrual cycle, their periods, is something that we need so desperately, not only as a mom, but as a gynecologist.” Lammily also created a humorous viral video (youtube.com/watch?v=lUIs5ZC37d8) to coincide with the Period Party Pack accessory launch.

In the past year, Lamm has all but abandoned other artistic projects to focus completely on Lammily and its forward momentum. He plans to expand the doll line to include different ethnicities and healthy body shapes, and will explore special edition dolls based on inspirational role models including athletes, actors, and leaders. A line of male dolls is also on the drawing board.

SEVEN HILLS CHARTER PUBLIC SCHOOL

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Application Deadline: February 5, 2016 Location: Seven Hills Charter Public School, 51 Gage Street Worcester MA EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR CERTIFIED TEACHERS

The Seven Hills Charter School is a tuition - free public school serving Worcester's children. With no admission test, the school serves a student body that is representative of Worcester's diversity. Seven Hills Charter Public School does not discriminate based on gender, race, religion, gender identity, cultural heritage, linguistic background, political beliefs, physical or mental ability, sexual orientation, marital status, or national origin. In the event that there are more applicants than seats, a lottery will be used to select students.

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HOLIDAYS, HERE WE GO! 32 34 36

Game On! 11 New Family Game Night Finds DIY: Inexpensive, Easy Holiday Hostess Gifts Smile for the Camera: Why Mom Needs to Get in the Picture

38 41 42

Sign Here: Parent/Child Tech Contract to Avoid Overuse How Kids Can Unplug & Still Enjoy Tech Toys Table Science: Entertain Little Guests with Simple Physics

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HOLIDAYS, HERE WE GO!

Family Game Night FINDS

BY MELISSA SHAW

Rory’s Story Cubes — Batman gamewright.com Ages 8 and up 1 or more players, $9.99 A new version of Gamewright’s popular pocket-sized creative story generator, this Batman-themed set lets players create their own unique stories about Batman, his gadgets, Gotham villains, and locations with each roll of the dice. Kids can play solo or in a group. There are no points, wrong answers, or limits to the imagination!

LINKEE northamerica.playlinkee.com Ages 14 and up 2 to 30 players, $24.95 With this shout-out party game, players answer four questions on a card and spot the link between the answers faster than the other teams. First player with the correct answer wins a letter. Collect enough letters to spell LINKEE and win the game. Creators say the game is “anti-genius: there’s a question on every card that someone can answer.”

32 DECEMBER2015

Not all winter fun is found outdoors.

The season is a fantastic time to gather everyone around the table and try a new board game. Family Game Nights are wonderful ways to unplug, make memories, and just plain have fun.

And, if you want to get technical, board games also teach kids (and adults) key skills such as strategic thinking, problem solving, visual perception, creativity, imagination, focus, social skills, and much more.

(Psst — These games also make great holiday presents!)

Outfoxed gamewright.com Ages 5 and up 2 to 4 players, $17.99 Players work together, unveiling and deciphering clues, to determine which fox stole Mrs. Plumpert’s prized pot pie. Like a junior version of Clue, this is a kids’ game adults will actually enjoy playing and the cooperative nature makes it a good choice for any little players who have a hard time losing in competitive games.

Gobblet Gobblers blueorangegames.com Ages 5 and up 2 players, $24.99 Children can start thinking strategically and challenge their parents with this cute game from Blue Orange. All you have to do to win this wooden Tic-Tac-Toe style game is line up three of your Gobblers in a row. But that’s easier than it sounds because your Gobblers can be gobbled up by your opponents.

Schmovie schmovie.wordpress.com Ages 8 and up 3 or more players, $19.95 ZIP IT bananagrams.com Ages 7 and up 2 players, $12.99

No movie trivia, just laughs. In this game of creativity, imagination, and laugh-out-loud fun, players strive to invent funny titles for made-up movies based on a film genre combined with an outlandish premise. What would you call an action film about a killer sandwich? Rye Hard? Beauty and the Beef? Despicable Meatballs? A fun party game that can be enjoyed by the family or just the adults after the kids go to bed.

Great when traveling, ZIP IT is a two-player word race game. Take 12 cubes and race against your opponent to build a word grid. Points are counted on the carrying case (via the zippers), and the first person to 10 wins. Rounds can be played anytime, anywhere, and in as little as 20 seconds.

Wink blueorangegames.com Ages 8 and up 4 to 8 players, $14.99 This fun party game promises to deliver “crazy laughter, awkward stares, and a healthy dose of paranoia.” Players strive to collect points by covertly winking at their secret partner (which changes each turn) without being detected by the other players. Catch someone in the act of winking and you can use an Accuse Card to steal his or her points.

Crazy Legs endlessgames.com Ages 4 and up 2 to 4 players, $11.99 Not all board games require sitting at a table. With Crazy Legs, families can stay active and have fun. Each space on the game board represents a new physical challenge where players can jump, twist, shake, and exercise their way to victory!

Spot It! Shopkins blueorangegames.com Ages 5 and up 2 to 8 players, $12.99 The popular Spot It! series takes on the also-popular Shopkins tiny toy franchise in this game in which there’s a match between every two cards. Which player will be the first to spot it?

Sneaky Cards gamewright.com Ages 12 and up 1 or more players, $8.99 Spread art and intrigue to an unsuspecting public with a game that encourages you to “Play It Forward.” Inside each box is an interactive scavenger hunt that will inspire creativity and reward audacity. Take a selfie with a stranger, create a collaborative doodle, become a flash mob of one.

Complete each objective and then pass the card along to an unwitting accomplice, who now becomes part of the game!

The Reading Game thereadinggame.com Ages 4 and up, $34.95 2 or more players Parents and teachers can boost skills for emerging or struggling readers with The Reading Game, a mix of fast-action memory card game, picture flashcards, and storybooks that builds confidence and reading enjoyment — frustration-free.

BAYSTATEPARENT 33

HOLIDAYS, HERE WE GO!

Inexpensive,

Easy DIY

Holiday Hostess Gifts

BY PAULA MONETTE ETHIER December is a perfect time to indulge your creative side with these simple, personal, and inexpensive gifts. Whether it’s for a hostess or someone special in your life, these three projects are fun for kid crafters and their parents.

Cheese Tray/Message Board Supplies • 12” x 12” piece of slate (can be purchased at any big box hardware store) • Non-toxic chalkboard paint, must be writeable and erasable (we used Rust-Oleum) • Disposable paintbrush • 4 self-adhesive felt pads • Large plate stand (optional) Directions 1. Clean slate with soap and water, let air dry.

2. Coat one side with chalk paint using disposable paintbrush (don’t forget to paint the edges).

3. Let dry overnight, then repeat

steps 2 & 3 twice. Wash brush thoroughly between coats.

4. After the third coat, let slate dry for 48 hours before you use/ write on it.

5. For use as cheese board, attach felt pads on each corner of wrong side.

6. For use as message board, place on plate stand.

7. Hand wash only.

Tip: When choosing a slate, look for one with the smoothest surface (for future ease of writing).

Cost: $15, with plenty of chalkboard paint left over for more slates. Average cost per project: $3.50.

Video instructions at baystateparent.com

Trivets

Serving Spoons & Fork

Supplies

Supplies • Serving spoon/fork • 1 large bead that is flat on one side and 2 smaller beads with a holes for threading (for every utensil you plan to decorate) • 20 gauge silver wire • Needle nose pliers/scissors • Duco cement Directions: 1. Wash utensils and beads. Let dry.

2. Thread one small bead onto the wire leaving two inches of wire extending from the end. Take the loose end and wind it into a design with your fingers or pliers.

3. Measure wire approximately 4 inches from the bead and cut.

4. String the second small bead on the wire and wind two 34 DECEMBER2015

inches of the wire into a decorate design. Align both beads so they’re close to the decorative ends of the wire.

Place the wire against the backside of the utensil and wind around to the right side, with the beads resting on top of the handle. Leave room in between the beads for the larger flat glass bead.

4. Apply a small amount of cement to the flat side of the large bead and place in between the smaller beads on handle. Hold flat bead in place for a couple of minutes.

5. Thirty minutes later, cement wire ends and smaller beads to utensil.

6. Hand wash only.

Cost: $15, with plenty of wire and beads left over.

Average cost per project: $10.

• 6” x 6” white ceramic tile (can be purchased at big box hardware stores) • Mod Podge Matte Sealer, Glue and Finish • Mod Podge Spray Matte Sealer • Disposable paintbrush • 4 self-adhesive felt pads • Computer photo paper • Computer • Printer • X-Acto knife & sharp blade • Ruler • Scanner (optional) • Small picture frame stand (optional) Directions

software, add a thin rule to the box. Add art work to box and print onto photo paper.

4. Cut along rule to form the 6x6 image.

5. With tile smooth side up, paint with two coats of Mod Podge – one coat horizontal, another vertical.

6. Apply artwork to tile and press down to secure.

7. Dry overnight.

8. Apply two coats (horizontal and vertical) of Mod Podge on top of artwork. Let dry overnight.

Repeat once more.

9. Once dry, spray tile with a coat of matte sealer, let dry.

10. Attach felt pads on each corner of opposite side.

11. Hand wash only.

Tip: Use as trivet for warm or cold dishes, do not use as a hot plate or spoon rest. Trivets can also be set on a small plate stand as a decoration.

Cost: $12, with plenty of Mod Podge sealer and 1. Clean tile with soap and water, let air dry.

2. Create your own design or scan child’s artwork. spray left over for more tiles. Average cost per project: $3.50 3. Create 6x6 box in word processing or design

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HOLIDAYS, HERE WE GO!

Mom! Get In The Picture!

BY MICHELLE PERRAS-CHARRON

A

photo is more than a piece of paper or a memory — so much more. It’s a moment in time, a place captured, standing still. It’s the smell of mom’s hair, the warmth of her hand wrapped around yours, or the crispness of dad’s shirt.

Growing up, my Dad always had a beard and wore Aqua Velva. The beard is gone, and he’s traded in his aftershave for something milder (thankfully), but when I look at a photo of him about to push 4-year-old me on the park swing, the feel of his scratchy beard and the strong scent of his aftershave come right back to me. I don’t have many pictures of my Dad and me from my childhood, but when I see this photo, it’s all I need to take me back. Pictures can be powerful.

Today, moms are often missing from photos. Repeatedly. Often purposefully. Many don’t want to be in the picture, or they’re just too busy making sure everyone else is. They’re armed with the camera to ensure every family moment and milestone is captured because they want their kids to have those

36 DECEMBER2015

memories. But what happens when one of the most important people in that child’s life is consistently missing from the photo?

“We really owe it to our kids to be in the picture,” says Veronica Morrissette, a professional photographer and mother of four in Whitinsville. “The picture doesn’t tell the whole story if you’re not in the picture.”

“Kids and families need to see how that Mama loves those kids. Those kids need to see themselves with their Mama, not just looking at her through a lens!” adds Keri Gavin, a North Shore family photographer and mother of two. “Mamas love with everything they have — they deserve to document that too!”

Gavin, who photographs families and children via her business, Keri Jeanne Photography (kerijeanne. com), explains that it’s just as important for moms to have those photos to look back on because, despite our intense desire to forever remember just how our kids were when they were small, the reality is that today’s parents are busy and before they know it, their children will be starting high school. Gavin sums it up

poignantly with the title of a blog post she wrote earlier this year, “You think you will, but you won’t.”

“We think we will remember the way their arms feel wrapped around our neck, but in the chaos of dayto-day life we can forget,” she says.

“With the glance of a photo, it all comes flooding back. Moms deserve that.”

“It is my personal hope that every Mama has a photo with her child that she is in love with,” she adds.

Photographers agree that moms M.I.A. from pictures is not a new phenomenon, it’s simply more evident due to online sharing of photos today.

“Friends and family are constantly sharing and tagging us in photos from every event, milestone, and candid moment,” says Eli Dagostino, a Martha’s Vineyard photographer and creator of Camera Confident, an online tutorial that offers 10 tricks for people who hate to have their picture taken.

He believes the main reason many people, not only moms, cringe at having their picture taken is simply a lack of confidence.

“Confidence is not something

everyone is instilled with,” he says.

“Today we’re surrounded by cameras, and when you see a photo of yourself that you don’t like, you’re not confident.”

Morrissette frequently works with moms during senior portrait sessions and says she has found two main reasons why moms don’t want to be in the photos: concern over how they look (lack of confidence) and anxiety over having their picture taken.

“Adults are very self-aware and self-conscious in front of the camera,” she says. “Children don’t feel awkward; they’re more free to be themselves.”

When shooting a senior portrait, Morrissette insists that the mom get in one photo with her senior at the end of the session. She says many moms protest, feeling unprepared and concerned about how they look, yet when Morrissette prevails and gets that shot, it ends up being their favorite photo of the shoot.

“You’re going to see yourselves together and that’s going to tug at your heart. You look at [the picture] as a whole, not just yourself,” she adds.

Advice from the pros Dagostino shares two tips, which he says go a long way towards feeling more confident and comfortable in front of the camera lens.

“When taking a picture, first push your chin out, and then down,” he advises. Admittedly, this feels awkward, but this simple manipulation of your body helps to define bone structure in your neck and clavicle and takes five years off your age, he says.

“It’s simple, but makes a huge difference,” he adds.

For those who feel stunned or tend to freeze up when the lens angles towards them, Dagostino says addressing what goes through your mind at that moment can make a huge difference.

“Have a fantastic visualization available in your head to access that just makes you beam,” he says.

“It could be a moment, a person, or thing.” Dagostino explains oftentimes people want to be joyful for a picture, but there are times when that’s difficult. In those moments, a visualization or joyful memory to pull from can be very helpful.

Dagostino, who specializes in weddings and portraits, developed the idea for Camera Confident after hearing the same comment over

and over from clients: “I hate the way I look in photos.” The course teaches people how to be instantly photogenic and love the way they look in photos and selfies, simply by focus-

portrait, Morrissette (veronicamorrissettephotography.com) recommends going all out to help address any anxiety or shaky confidence.

Visit the hair salon, purchase a new

“Kids need to see themselves with their Mama, not just looking at her through a lens!”

– KERI GAVIN, KERI JEANNE PHOTOGRAPHY

ing on ways to manipulate the mind, body, or face when having a picture taken, he says. (A free preview can be found at elidagphoto.com.)

If taking part in a planned family

outfit — whatever it is that makes you feel more comfortable.

“It makes you feel more confident when you know you look put together,” she says.

She also suggests choosing a photographer who has a relaxed style to help make the session more fun and enjoyable for all involved.

And when all else fails, get a selfie stick! Morrissette says this is a fun, goofy, yet inexpensive way to capture family moments — mom and/or dad included. Don’t worry if everyone doesn’t look at the camera at the right time. Pictures don’t need to be posed. All of the pros agreed that candid photos can sometimes be the best of the lot.

“We have to be OK with Johnny not looking at the camera,” Morrissette says. “Let’s get him how he is at that point in time, because they change so much.”

For moms out there still feeling apprehensive, remember that your children are going to look back on these photos someday (because hopefully you’ve printed them) and they’re going to wonder where mom was. Seeing mom in the photo, as well as dad, cements those shared memories of time spent together.

No child cares about how their mom’s hair looked or how much she weighed at any given point in time.

All that matters is that she was there. Because, as Morrissette reminds us: “Your family loves you, exactly how you look today.”

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de i u G o t t c a ) r t e s n o U y C id Over l i m a F d o v a es an A i e r a k d d ers oun Ma Use (An les, b e that cov u r h lis on h estab u create c n a e c o s y T ur kid . How do ? y e ith yo og w us tract g technol le device n o c sin sib ital A dig tions for u fe, respon ta sa expec bases for e all th HILD AN

BY JO

DC

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If

you’re raising a child today, chances are he or she will start to learn to use a mobile device within the first few years of their life. In fact, a recent survey from the Journal of Pediatrics found that three-fourths of children surveyed owned their own mobile device by age 4. The same survey also reported that 20% of 1-year-olds own a tablet computer and 28% of 2-year-olds can navigate a mobile device with no help.

With device use now almost a near cer-

tainty in childhood, experts say a digital contract — an agreement between parent and child on appropriate device use — is key to safe, healthy computing.

“Today’s kids are digital natives,” said Amy Lupold Blair, owner of Resourceful Mommy Media and author of Raising Digital Families For Dummies. “Unlike their parents, they’ve been exposed to technology since birth. Because of that, children tend to be on the cutting edge of new media and devices. Screen time

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Magic, Color, Flair: the world of Mary Blair Through February 21, 2016 Magic, Color, Flair: the world of Mary Blair is organized by The Walt Disney Family Museum, San Francisco, CA. Support for this presentation at The Carle is generously provided by Random House Children’s Books.

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often begins when they wake in the morning, continues throughout their school day, and picks up again when they return home. It’s easy for kids to be overexposed to screen time and at risk for inappropriate use of technology because of the amount of access they have, combined with an intuitive knowledge of how technology works. Creating a family digital contract provides clear, specific, ageappropriate boundaries so that kids can safely enjoy and utilize technology.”

Tom Ahern, a father of five who lives in Wellesley, said he and his wife knew early on they would be putting a contract or agreement in place for their kids’ device use.

Ahern said details of his contracts include amount of time on the computer, iPad or iPhones, allowable Websites and apps, allowable locations for using devices and, most importantly, password access for the parents.

“It was always a question of when we would allow access to devices and how stringent the rules would be,” Ahern said. “We also felt that it was important for our kids to earn additional privileges, such as access to social media accounts and Instagram. It also helped to sit down and have straight-up discussions with the kids about our concerns and the dangers that come from putting your life out online for all to see.

That’s an ongoing conversation that does not stop after the permission is granted.”

Putting Together the Contract What goes into a digital contract will vary from family to family, but Marti Weston, author of the MediaTechParenting digital parenting blog, believes a good one outlines clear expectations about limits for the young user and spells out potential problems.

“A contract clarifies that the parents own the device, not the child,” Weston said. “It specifies where charging will occur and sets any time limits, text limits, and where the device can be used. Spelling out a clear family app downloading policy is another important part.

Going over the family values and describing how a person relates to other people via the device is another important part of the contract.

Parents may also want to consider specifying when the family will have device-free times.”

And, of course, if rules are violated, there needs to be consequences clearly outlined in the contract, as well.

“Parents should not only list consequences for the breaking of specific policy rules, but they should also include guidelines for when a

device is damaged, lost, or a child incurs overage charges,” Lupold Blair added.

Including consequences for agreement violations means there aren’t any surprises for his kids if the rules are broken, Ahern noted.

“By setting the foundation for what is OK and not OK, it also has allowed us to have very honest discussions when there are slip ups or, shall we say, ‘deviations’ from the rules,” he said. “We are fortunate in that our kids are pretty good at respecting the line — not perfect, but pretty good. Having that agreement started us down the road on the right path.

It also has made the eventual discussions about penalties a lot easier.

When there have been a breaking of rules, there’s really not much of a debate about why their iPhone is sitting in a drawer for the next week or two.”

But just as technology use changes frequently, so, too, must a digital contract evolve with your child.

What is applicable to the technology habits of a 10-year-old might not be relevant to a 16-year-old. Parents must make a digital contract a living document that can be modified and updated as needed.

“Pointing out that a contract can be revisited and revised when life changes is reassuring to children, so they know that they can prove that they can live by the contract but also propose changes,” Weston said.

“Parents have to stay on top of what is becoming popular with kids, what is potentially damaging; Snapchat, Poof, Kik, YikYak, Omegle, to name a few,” Ahern said. “Have ongoing discussions about their use of phones, tablets, and computers.

The toughest part is accepting that this is the medium by which most kids communicate today; whereas we would pick up the phone or wait to talk to our friends at school, today kids having running text chats all day and into the evening. So, accept that this is a part of how a 13-year-old communicates, but help them build a fence around the places we don’t want them to go.”

Lupold Blair believes having a contract in place with her children has helped them to clearly understand what is appropriate and what isn’t, thereby taking the guesswork out of navigating devices each day.

“The kids don’t feel like they need to ask constantly regarding use of devices such as iPads, the Wii, and the computer because it’s very clear to them what is and is not allowed,” she said. “We also felt safe providing our middle school daughter with her first smartphone because she clearly understood the rules before receiving the phone.

Our hope is that we’re laying the groundwork for future responsible and safe use of technology as our children grow older and are given more digital freedom.”

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Abby Kelley Foster Charter Public School NOW ACCEPTING LOTTERY APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2016-2017 SCHOOL YEAR DEADLINE: FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2016 at 3:00 pm • Classical liberal arts K-12 public school aimed at academic excellence, musical competence and character formation • Level I school district consisting of 1,426 students • Uniform Policy for all grades • Full day Kindergarten • Middle School and High School athletics • International Baccalaureate Programme offered in High School

1. Include limits, allowances, and clear rules Amy Lupold Bair, owner of Resourceful Mommy Media and author of Raising Digital Families For Dummies, said a digital contract should include: • Screen time limits by device • A list of devices included in screen time limits • Rules regarding screen time outside of the home • Mobile phone use limits and guidelines, including approved contact lists for the youngest users • App purchase and use guidelines • Email use rules • A list of approved/banned Websites • Rules regarding social media use • Guidelines for gaming, including participation in online multi-player games • Specific guidelines for use of devices in private locations such as bedrooms • Consequences for breaking any rules 2. Set clear consequences “The part that addresses consequences should be a joint parent/ child endeavor so that a child plays a part in decisions about what might happen,” said Marti Weston, author of the MediaTechParenting digital parenting blog. “And consequences should be more creative than just taking away a device when something goes wrong — kids live in fear of this. Giving some thought to this is better for everyone. Kids make mistakes, that’s how they learn. By working together parents, and children can address potential problems and then together figure out and

agree to a set of possible consequences.”

3. Be consistent “You have an agreement, and if the rules are broken, then you need to be consistent with all the kids the same way,” said Tom Ahern, a father of five from Wellesley who uses digital contracts with his kids.

4. Evolve and update as needed Technology is always changing — and so should your parent/child digital contract.

“There are as many challenges as there are new social networking and texting apps that come out every week. Parents have to stay on top of what is becoming popular with kids, and what is potentially damaging — Snapchat, Poof, Kik, YikYak, Omegle, to name a few,” Ahern said.

“Pointing out that a contract can be revisited and revised when life changes is reassuring to children, so they know that they can prove that they can live by the contract but also propose changes,” Weston added.

— Joan Goodchild

ENROLLMENT OPEN HOUSE

Friday, December 4th and January 8 at 9:30 am in the Elementary School Lottery applications accepted for grades K-6 OPENINGS AVAILABLE FOR KINDERGARTEN (All applicants for grades 1-6 will be placed on a waitlist.)

Applications available on our website and Elementary School office Website: www.akfcs.org / Email: admissions@akfcs.org 10 New Bond Street, Worcester, MA 01606 The Abby Kelley Foster Charter Public School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability or homelessness and all students have equal access to the general education program and the full range of any occupational/vocational education programs offered by the district.

40 DECEMBER2015

Get out of the house on winter break! baystateparent’s Ultimate Holiday School Vacation Guide offers dozens of ideas!

baystateparent.com/holidayvaca

FUN

Holidayat Events Marini Farms Special Events Dec 12, 13 & 19

8 Ways To Unplug and Still Enjoy Tech Gifts Over The Holidays FROM THE CAMPING AND EDUCATION FOUNDATION The holidays are a fun time filled with many new and exciting things.

For most kids, opening up presents and finding a new gaming console or tablet is more than enough to send them to the moon. However, this excitement can sometimes lead to obsession.

From countless hours staring at a screen to forgetting what the outdoors looks like, it may be crucial for parents to find the perfect balance between enjoying a new gift and unplugging. A recent study estimates kids ages 8 to 18 spend an average of 7.5 hours a day with cell phones, computers, television, and other electronic devices. That means the only things keeping kids away from electronic devices are eating, sleeping, and school.

Here are eight ways to help a child unplug and strike a healthy balance between enjoying tech gifts and his or her family.

1. Negotiate an agreement. Include in each new tech product a contract for your kids to look over. In the contract, you should include how many hours they are allowed to use it daily, where it belongs during off hours, and other responsibilities.

2. Get outside. Plan family outings to give tech a break. Whether it is a family snowball fight or taking a sleigh ride, make it known that this is family time. Show your kids that family time does not have to be boring. Enjoying the winter weather can be a fun time for the family.

3. Family First. Talk to your kids about the importance of the holidays and spending time with family. While your kids may be traveling from one family holiday party to the next, their gadgets are not welcome. Allow your kids to use their gadgets in the car, but

upon arrival, make sure the tech is tucked away.

4. If no creatures are stirring … don’t check your email. Remember, your kids learn their media habits partly from you. Use quiet time to reflect on ways you can maximize the benefits of technology without letting it take over your family’s life.

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5. Talk to your kids. Have a family discussion about what activities they like doing best during the holidays. Then do the activities together sans gadgets.

Private Parties Let us plan a private party for you

6. Set aside time for them to play outside with their friends. Talk to the parents of your kids’ friends about organizing play dates and activities to keep kids entertained without screen time. Look up fun local winter events (baystateparent.com has nearly 150 listings starting on page 16.) and bring the clan along. Local outdoor ice skating rinks are a fun way to celebrate the winter season.

7. Turn off notifications. Turn off notifications and sounds while your kids are not using their devices.

When the devices are turned off, there should not be any distractions or reminders to make kids want to use their device.

8. Wildlife in your own backyard.

With cool winter weather, take your kids out looking for animal tracks.

The whole family can have fun trying to identify the tracks and may also be lucky enough to see some wildlife.

The Camping and Education Foundation’s (campingedu.org) mission is to develop young men and women in body and spirit through wilderness experiences that celebrate a love of the outdoors.

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Have a Side of Physics with Your Potatoes: Holiday Table Science Experiments

BY MICHELE BENNETT DECOTEAU

As the smell of turkey wafts through the house and the littlest guests become restless, you can entertain and learn a bit about physics at the holiday dinner table. Most of these experiments can be done with the tools at the table, but a couple take a little preparation.

The Two-Fork Balance Use a little physics to wow the cousins and get two forks to balance on a toothpick off the rim of a glass. Find out how to do it and build upon the theory with additional challenges listed below.

Gather: Two forks that are the same size, a toothpick, and a glass.

Intertwine the tines of the forks so they are snug. You should be able to pick up one fork without the other falling off. This is going to be tricky for the youngest engineers, but worth getting right. Now, stick the toothpick about halfway between the two forks right through the tines. It is important to get this as close to the center as possible, but if it is not perfect, this will still work.

Carefully place the toothpick on the edge of the glass. You will need to move it back and forth a bit to find just the right spot before letting go. Once you find the sweet spot and let go, the two forks, which are relatively heavy compared to

The Density Test The density of liquids is fun to play with and very accessible even for young children. Most folks understand that oil floats on top of water, but what happens if you add other liquids? Do they float on the water or sink beneath?

Gather: A clear glass (or a clear glass jar with a lid for extra fun), a few drops of food coloring, and various liquids, such as cooking oil, water, honey, dish soap, corn syrup, or milk.

Add some water to your container and a few drops of food coloring.

It will help everyone easily identify the water during the experiment.

Slowly add the cooking oil. What happened? The oil is less dense than the water, so it floated on top.

Now try milk. What happened?

Make as many layers as you have liquids.

For an extra challenge, carefully drop in a button, cork, or a small plastic toy brick.

42 DECEMBER2015

Science Moment: Different liquids have different density. Density is about mass and volume, or about how much of something is in a given amount of it. One way to think about density is the old joke about which weighs more: a pound of feathers or a pound of rocks? They both weigh the same, so they would have the same mass but the space the feathers take up is far greater. Feathers are less dense than rocks.

The Marshmallow Catapult Before even thinking about this demonstration, get Grandma’s permission! Catapults are a super fun way to explore fulcrums and levers — and to fling things at each other.

Gather: Plastic spoons, craft sticks, rubber bands, corks, and minimarshmallows Rubber-band your spoon to a craft stick. Attach it under the bowl of

the toothpick, will balance off the edge of the glass.

For an extra challenge, and only with adult supervision, you can take a match or lighter to the toothpick and light it. Yes, light the toothpick. It will burn down, but only to the edge of the glass.

Science Moment: This demonstration is about finding an object’s center of mass. The object here is the two-fork contraption, but it could be anything. You could do it with a knife or a serving spoon, however finding the center of mass and sticking those on a toothpick is fairly tricky.

The toothpick stuck in the tines simply adjusts the center of mass of the forks so you can balance outside them.

With the littlest guests, try balancing a spoon on their finger. By moving the spoon around, they can find the spot that is the center of mass for a single utensil.

the spoon. Next, attach a second craft stick to the bottom of the first stick near the handle end of the spoon. Now you have a spoon attached to one craft stick and that stick attached to another stick.

Carefully slide the cork between the two sticks, so from the side you see the round ends of the cork. Now you have a catapult.

Starting at one end of the table, see how far you can launch a marshmallow. Put the marshmallow in the bowl of the spoon and gently pull the bowl back with your finger.

Let go and the marshmallow will launch. How can you adjust the catapult to help the marshmallow go farther? [Hint: the cork has a sweet spot that will help the projectile achieve maximum distance.] Can you improve your accuracy and try to get the marshmallow into a cup?

Science Moment: Catapults are very simple machines that demonstrate a huge amount of physics, math, and history. First, the easy part: The stick with the spoon is a lever and the cork is a fulcrum. These are two

of the six simple machines that also include the wheel/axle, incline plane, wedge, pulley, and screw. Another example of the lever-and-fulcrum team is a teeter totter. Now for the harder part: potential and kinetic energy. The lever has loads of potential energy when it is pulled back, which will turn into kinetic energy at the point of release.

Bonus Food Science Ideas Put cranberries in water or see if cranberries bounce. Another cool thing to try with cranberries is to toss a dried cranberry and a fresh cranberry into a carbonated beverage. What happens to them?

Science is best served to kids with a curious adult on the side. Kids always respond to an adult who is excited and willing to take the journey with them.

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To find out more about the services offered at the LaChance Maternity Center visit www.heywood.org.

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Recommended Books for Children Encountering Divorce

BY ATTY. IRWIN POLLACK

l

W

hether it happens during the holiday season or early in the new year, thousands of children will find themselves experiencing unexpected life changes due to their parents’ divorce.

Age-appropriate books can help children — even teenagers — better understand what divorce means and cope with their feelings. Books can also give the entire family an opportunity to talk about their changed family situation.

Our divorce and co-parenting attorneys read scores of books in search of the ones we consider to be the best; we review our favorites, swap books, and continue to look for the best of the best.

Here’s our Top 10 list of those we consider to be keepers — the ones we’ll never forget.

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n.com

For Preschool & Early Elementary School Children • Mom’s House, Dad’s House for Kids (Isolina Ricci) is packed with practical tips, frank answers, easy-to-use lists, “train your brain” ideas, reproducible worksheets, and things to try when words just won’t come out right.

Children learn how to deal with parents living apart, different 44 DECEMBER2015

schedules, and dueling house rules; how to settle in comfortably at one home or two; and how to stay out of the middle when parents fight.

Young children can’t get their parents back together, but they can help themselves get stronger and go on to succeed in life. This book shows them how.

• Dinosaur’s Divorce (Marc Brown) helps young readers understand different divorce words and what they mean; reasons why parents divorce; different parenting scenarios; how

celebrating holidays and special occasions are the same — including some ways that they may be different; how to tell their friends about divorce; and what it’s like to live with stepparents and, potentially, new sisters and brothers.

• Two Homes (Claire Masurel) At Mommy’s house, Alex has a soft chair. At Daddy’s house, Alex has a rocking chair. In each home, Alex also has a special bedroom and lots of friends to play with. But whether Alex is with mommy or with daddy, one thing always stays the same – Alex is loved. The gently reassuring text focuses on what is gained, rather than what is lost, when parents divorce. The book’s sensitive illustrations depict two unique homes in all their small details and firmly establish Alex’s place in both of them.

For School-Age Children • At Daddy’s on Saturdays (Linda W. Girard) is especially appropriate for children who have been told about separation plans in which they will live primarily with their mother and visit their father regularly. The book reassures children that they will have an ongoing relationship with their father after he moves out of the family home.

• Smart Girl’s Guide to Her Parents’ Divorce (Nancy Holyoke) Topics range from how to deal with negative emotions, family changes, and new living arrangements, to tougher issues such as violence and financial troubles. The text has a compassionate tone and sprinkled throughout are answers to questions that readers might have, as well as snippets of advice from girls who have found what works for them.

For Tweens • Who’s in a Family? (Bob Skutch) This book depicts a variety of nontraditional families, including interracial, single-parent, and those with gay and lesbian partners as parents.

Regardless of their differences, or when parents separate, all of the families have love in common. The book features a blank page at the end, so your child can draw a pic-

ture of his or her own family.

• The Big D: Divorce Through The Eyes Of A Teen Student Workbook (Krista Smith) Divorce changes families, but it does not have to destroy them. The Big D offers hope and help to teens and their families.

Children learn that their parents’ divorce does not have to define their future. Teens and pre-teens can learn how to process their feelings and hurts and find themselves emotionally healthier. It is filled with many practical high-energy activities and hands-on tools to help teens process their feelings.

Real People. Real Learning. Real World.

For Teens • Yours Truly (Judie Angell) tells the story of a girl who struggles with growing up after her parents separate. She experiences difficulties in school, tries cigarettes and alcohol, and experiments with sex, but ends up a perceptive and mature young lady. What makes this book so good is the girl’s inner self is presented in an accurate manner.

• How It Feels When Parents Divorce (Jill Knopf) This book can be helpful to pre-teens and teens. It shares the experiences and feelings of children whose parents have gone through divorce. It helps children understand the emotions they are likely going through and how many of their peers are experiencing the same.

• The Divorce Helpbook for Teens (Cynthia MacGregor) tells teenage readers that there aren’t any easy answers on how to get through it all, but this book gives readers several ideas about how to handle the tough questions and issues they face. Chapters include, “It’s Not About You – It Just Feels Like It Is,” “Unfair Tactics,” and “A Life Full of Changes.”

We’ve shared the books we love and hope you will return the favor.

Share with us your favorite books so that we can pass these on during the months to come.

Feel free to call me with your A-list of books that help families cope with the changes divorce may bring. My direct line is (781) 708-4527 or drop me an email at Irwin@ThePLGFirm.com.

Come See How We Are Making It Real for Students Grade 6 to 12.

Visit to talk with our students and faculty and get to know us! Call 508459-5841 to schedule a tour or explore us at www.WorcesterAcademy.org Priority Application Deadline:

Have A Great Winter Break!

For Fun Ideas Head To

baystateparent.com/holidayvaca BAYSTATEPARENT 45

FINALLY FOREVER

Have You Ever Thought About The Fact

YOU’RE NOT ADOPTED?

Finding Compassion And Empathy For Those Who Are

BY JUDY M. MILLER Adoption — it touches me every single day. You see, three of my four children are adopted.

Perhaps you also have personal experience with adoption. The Donaldson Adoption Institute estimates that over 100 million people in the U.S. have a connection with adoption.

Yet those who have been adopted, as well as the parents that brought them into this world and the families they are adopted into, face discrimination daily.

As a parent who has adopted, I am often asked adoption-related questions or I find that others willingly share their opinions about adoption — without any prompting on my part. Because I am an adult, have years of parenting experience under my belt, and work as an adoption professional, I can confidently navigate most situations quite well.

Although I have “armed” my kids — taught them to have several plans of action for the comments, questions, and stares that often accompany adoption — I worry. The questions, comments, and stares occur with increasing frequency as my kids navigate their roads to adulthood, when they are also working through identity issues (similar to all moving through adolescence) and tackling what it means to be adopted. As tweens and teens, my kids are more

vulnerable to the questions, comments, and ogling (since we are a multi-racial family) because they spend more time with peers or are in the “firing line” of those who may or may not know them or have compassion for adoption.

Compassion is the ability and desire to feel and understand another with great empathy; this enables humans to interconnect and provide understanding and support for one another. Judgment falls to the wayside.

For those of you who are not adoptees or do not parent adopted children, have you deliberated on what it is like to not have been adopted?

Have you considered the benefits that you derive from your non-adoptee status?

I am a non-adopted person. In reflecting on this “invisible” status, I realize that I take much for granted: I know exactly when and where I was born. I know how my mother gave birth to me, how long she labored before expelling me in the world under the bright white lights of the sterile surgical suite. I know I was wanted and that my parents enjoyed creating me.

I have had no problem getting my birth certificate, before I married my husband or when we adopted our children. All of my birth information

is on my birth certificate; nothing is redacted. My birth certificate is not a delayed birth certificate.

I know my story. And when I have craved to know more, I have been able to ask my parents and grandparents, read family letters, and explore the genealogy contained within the front pages of my mom’s family Bible.

I relentlessly peppered my grandmother with questions about her father and was eventually rewarded with a fantastical black sheep family story. Such information provided me with history that fascinated me and helped me to understand her and appreciate the fortitude of my family.

I see myself reflected back in the shared physical characteristics of my brothers, nieces, nephews, and the son born to me. People have always shared how they can pick us out of a crowd. I know that my dimples, curly hair, and ruddy complexion come from my father, and my stature, smile, and eyes are gifts from my mother, whom I resemble more and more as I age. I share left-handedness with my maternal grandfather, who died when my mom was just 2 years old.

I know my medical history and the issues and diseases that occur frequently within our family gene pool.

I know what my mother, brother, and grandparents died from. I know about

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the fertility and female health of the women in my family. I can provide answers in confidence when asked by my physicians.

I am not wary of others when they inquire about my family. I am not concerned about being judged by the moral or political biases others hold about adoption, my birth mother/ parents, birth country, or culture of origin.

I do not wonder whether I should share my status as adopted. I am not asked a range of questions about adoption or expected to be a bridge for parents who adopt or for people of my race or ethnicity.

I am not expected to feel gratitude for being part of my family. I am not made to feel that being curious about where I come from or seeking answers make me ungrateful or “angry.”

The non-adopted cannot walk in the shoes of those who have been adopted. However they can, through reflecting on their non-adopted privilege, begin to understand and develop the tools of empathy and compassion for those who have been adopted. The non-adopted can intentionally work to be considerate of adopted persons, their birth parents, and the families who have adopted. They can think before they speak or act.

Thursday, Dec. 10 — Northern Region Adoption Info Meetings, Jordan’s Furniture Reading: IMAX Conference Room - 50 Walker’s Brook Dr., Reading. 6 p.m. RSVP: 978-557-2734.

Thursday, Dec. 10 — Family Support Group, Jordan’s Furniture Reading: IMAX Conference Room - 50 Walker’s Brook Dr., Reading. 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Open to families from all regions who are waiting, matched, or placed with a child. This is safe space for families to share their thoughts on the adoption process and receive guidance and support from other families. RSVP to 978-337-6500.

Monday, Dec. 14 — Southern Region Adoption Info Meetings, Mass. Department of Children and Families, Police Station, 1492 Washington Street, Canton. 6 p.m.-8 p.m. RSVP to 508-894-3830.

Wednesday, Dec. 16 — Boston Region Adoption Info Meeting, DCF Boston, 451 Blue Hill Avenue, Dorchester. 4 p.m.-5:30 p.m. 617-989-9209.

Wednesday, Dec. 16 — Post Adoption Support Group, Emerson Hospital, Community Agencies Building, Concord. 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. A support and education group for parents of adopted children ages birth through 8. This month’s topic: “Transracial Parenting — Your Child’s Culture.” For more information call 978-287-0221, ext. 218.

Thursday, Dec. 17— Southern Region Adoption Info Meetings, Morton Hospital, 88 Washington Street, Taunton, Margaret Stone Conference Room, first floor.

6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. RSVP: 508-894-3830.

Ongoing — Federation for Children with Special Needs Parent Trainings. Free and open to the public, these trainings cover a range of topics: Effective Communication and the IEP, Basic Rights in Special Education, Understanding My Child’s Learning Style, and more. Visit fcsn.org/ptic/workshops/schedule for a schedule and descriptions.

Ongoing — Group for Adoptive Parents. Adoption Associates, 34 Lincoln Street, Newton. For parents of children in elementary or middle school, this monthly group focuses on understanding the impact of loss and trauma; learning to manage difficult and challenging behaviors; strengthening the family bond while preserving identity; and more. For more information, contact 617-965-9369 or info@adoptionassociates.org.

Ongoing — Group for Adopted Teens. Adoption Associates, 34 Lincoln Street, Newton. For adopted children ages 14-19, this group focuses on identity development, self-esteem improvement, confidence building and communication skills. Participants will use conversation to reflect upon the experience of adoption and belonging. For more information, contact 617-965-9369 or info@adoptionassociates.org.

Ongoing — Group for Adoptive Parents of Teens.

Adoption Associates, 34 Lincoln Street, Newton. This monthly group focuses on understanding the impact of loss and trauma on children ages 14-19; learning to manage difficult and challenging behaviors; strengthening the family bond while preserving identity; and more. For more information, contact 617-965-9369 or info@adoptionassociates.org.

If your group or organization is holding an adoption information or support group and would like to have information posted for readers of baystateparent, please email editor@baystateparent.com.

DECEMBER’S CHILD

CIRCLE OF FRIENDS

EMILY

Thirteen-year-old Emily would like to be a hairdresser when she grows up. This beautiful girl of Caucasian descent loves to watch movies, take dance classes, and play on her iPad. She can be shy yet funny and is a “people pleaser.”

Emily can struggle academically as she has experienced absences due to several moves. She likes consistency and knowing what to expect.

There is an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) in place for her academic needs.

Legally free for adoption, Emily does not want a home that is very busy or has dogs. She has been able to voice that she does not want a

family that goes on many trips or hosts many parties. Emily would do well in a single- or two-parent home with childcare experience and one that is open to maintaining contact with her two adult sisters.

For more information about Emily, or the adoption process in general, please contact Department of Children and Families Adoption Supervisor Grace Kirby-Steinau at (508) 929-2033. The DCF Adoption Office in Worcester holds monthly informational meetings about the adoption process. Please call (508) 929-2143 for specific information about the next meeting.

ARTICULATE ACCOMPLISHED CONFIDENT FOCUSED GUIDED PREPARED ACCOMPLISHED CONFIDENT FOCUSED GUIDED PREPARED ARTICULATE CONFIDENT FOCUSED GUIDED PREPARED ARTICULATE ACCOMPLISHED FOCUSED GUIDED PREPARED ARTICULATE ACCOMPLISHED CONFIDENT hrewSbury onteSSoriCONFIDENT chool GUIDED PREPARED ARTICULATE ACCOMPLISHED FOCUSED An Authentic Education Preparing Young PREPARED ARTICULATE CONFIDENT PeopleACCOMPLISHED for Today’s Changing World FOCUSED GUIDED ARTICULATE ACCOMPLISHED CONFIDENT FOCUSED GUIDED PREPARED ACCOMPLISHED CONFIDENT FOCUSED GUIDED PREPARED ARTICULATE CONFIDENT FOCUSED GUIDED PREPARED ARTICULATE ACCOMPLISHED FOCUSED GUIDED PREPARED ARTICULATE ACCOMPLISHED CONFIDENT GUIDED PREPARED ARTICULATE ACCOMPLISHED CONFIDENT FOCUSED PREPARED ARTICULATE CONFIDENT FOCUSED GUIDED JanuaryACCOMPLISHED 23, 2016 • 1:00-3:00pm ARTICULATE ACCOMPLISHED CONFIDENT FOCUSED Snow date: January 24th GUIDED PREPARED ACCOMPLISHED CONFIDENT FOCUSED GUIDED PREPARED ARTICULATE CONFIDENT FOCUSED GUIDED PREPARED ARTICULATE ACCOMPLISHED FOCUSED GUIDED PREPARED ARTICULATE ACCOMPLISHED CONFIDENT GUIDED PREPARED Shrewsbury ARTICULATE ACCOMPLISHED CONFIDENT FOCUSED Montessori School PREPARED ARTICULATE Age ACCOMPLISHED CONFIDENT FOCUSED GUIDED 2.9 through Grade Six 55 Oak Street, Shrewsbury, MA 01545 ARTICULATE ACCOMPLISHED CONFIDENT FOCUSED GUIDED PREPARED 508-842-2116 ACCOMPLISHED CONFIDENT FOCUSED GUIDED PREPARED ARTICULATE Montessori Children’s House of Auburn CONFIDENT FOCUSED GUIDEDAges PREPARED Three-Six ARTICULATE ACCOMPLISHED Bryn Mawr ARTICULATE Avenue, Auburn, MA 01501 FOCUSED GUIDED135PREPARED ACCOMPLISHED CONFIDENT 508-832-9262 GUIDED PREPARED ARTICULATE ACCOMPLISHED CONFIDENT FOCUSED admissions@shrewsburymontessori.org PREPARED ARTICULATE ACCOMPLISHED CONFIDENT FOCUSED GUIDED www.shrewsburymontessori.org ARTICULATE ACCOMPLISHED CONFIDENT FOCUSED GUIDED PREPARED ACCOMPLISHED CONFIDENT FOCUSED GUIDED PREPARED ARTICULATE CONFIDENT FOCUSED GUIDED PREPARED ARTICULATE ACCOMPLISHED ARTICULATE • ACCOMPLISHED • CONFIDENT • FOCUSED • GUIDED • PREPARED

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OPEN HOUSE

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Worldwide Event Encourages Kids to Try Computer Coding Dec. 7-13 In its third year, the Hour of Code initiative aims to make computer science more accessible to students and professionals from all walks of life

BY JOAN GOODCHILD

48 DECEMBER2015

Website, Code.org, offers tutorials and suggestions for events and partners with local groups like MassCAN (masscan.edc.org) to provide information for teachers, librarians, and parents on how to organize Hour of Code activities both in and outside of school.

From there, local schools and companies tailor programs to fit their needs — and ideas for workshops and activities run the gamut. In the Shrewsbury Public School system, for example, Litza Rivera, an instructional technology support specialist with the district’s IT Department, is once again planning to issue a series of “coding challenges” for interested students. Last year, the challenges involved posters featuring popular movie characters hung around the middle and high schools, which encouraged students to try and solve coding problems. Students emailed Rivera their answers to see how they had done.

“The challenge was a simple one,” Rivera said. “Just answer a couple of questions, and if they were inter-

ested, they could follow the links for related coding experiences.

Sometimes you just need to open the door of opportunity and give students a peek!”

That look behind the sometimes confusing and scary curtain of computer science is what Shereen Tyrrell, a consultant with the Mass Technology Leadership Council (MassTLC) Education Foundation, believes is the movement.

“In my opinion, most parents and teachers believe computer science is a profession for only a few students,” Tyrrell said. “It’s something most of us don’t have experience with. As a result, they don’t think about introducing kids to coding.

But in today’s world, coding is a tool, a language, a way of solving problems that is used everywhere.

It’s a valuable skill, and easier and more fun than most kids — and parents — think it is.”

MassTLC (masstlc.org) is focused on engaging industry professionals to support the work of schools and community organizations.

Tyrrell and her team work with Boston Public Schools to bring more than 100 high-tech volunteers to Hour of Code events at BPS schools. MassTLC also works with the Computer Science Teachers Association to organize events throughout the state. This year, many companies in the state will host events, including Microsoft, which Tyrell says will host a kick-off event Dec. 5 at its NERD Center in Cambridge (microsoftnewengland. com).

“Connecting professionals with students can have a profound impact,” Tyrrell noted. “Often students have never met someone who has a job using computer science. They see new possibilities when they can relate to a professional programmer.”

To learn more about taking part in Hour of Code, or even how to host a coding event, check out Code.org for ideas and activities happening around Massachusetts this month.

Photo Courtesy of Code.org

S

tudents, educators, and technology professionals will be speaking in code this month — computer code, that is. December 7-13 marks the third-annual “Hour Of Code,” a worldwide movement designed to recruit millions to try one hour of computer science.

Schools and organizations around the Bay State will be taking part by hosting events and challenging people from all backgrounds to give coding a try. Billed as “the largest learning event in history,” more than 72,000 Hour of Code events are scheduled to take place that week worldwide.

The movement was originally launched to make coding — and computer science in general — more approachable and less daunting. The goal is to show that anybody can learn the basics of computer coding.

“The Hour of Code is explicitly designed to both demystify computer science and to tap into students’ natural curiosity about technology by engaging students in a cool and fun hands-on introduction to computer science, where students can fairly quickly and easily experience success in coding,” said Jim Stanton, executive director of the Massachusetts Computing Attainment Network (MassCAN).

The local nonprofit is dedicated to expanding computing education opportunities in Massachusetts and is helping to promote Hour of Code events.

“The Hour of Code is also designed to make clear that everyone — girls and boys, students of all races and people of all ages — can have fun and experience fun and success doing the coding exercises available on the Code.org Website,” adds Stanton. At Code.org, kids can learn to code via tutorials themed with kid favorites such as Minecraft, Star Wars, Frozen, Flappy Bird, and more.

Hour of Code was an idea and initiative first launched in 2013 by Code.org, a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding participation in computer science by making it available in more schools and increasing participation by women and underrepresented students. Its

“In today’s world, coding is a tool, a language, a way of solving problems that is used everywhere. It’s a valuable skill, and easier and more fun than most kids — and parents — think it is.”

– SHEREEN TYRRELL, MASS TECHNOLOGY LEADERSHIP COUNCIL EDUCATION FOUNDATION

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Board of Education Accepts New Standardized Test for 2017:

‘MCAS 2.0’

BY DOUG PAGE

The Massachusetts Board of Education (BOE) has settled the contentious debate over which standardized test Bay State public school children will take by splitting the difference, approving Education Commissioner Mitchell Chester’s recommendation to use a hybrid test, composed of questions from the controversial, Common Core-aligned PARCC exam along with those from the homegrown MCAS test.

Dubbed “MCAS 2.0,” the new exam, which assesses English and math skills, was approved in an 8-3 vote by the BOE last month and is expected to debut in March 2017. It replaces the MCAS test, taken annually by the Commonwealth’s public school children since 1998, and removes the possibility of administering the full PARCC exam. MCAS 2.0 is expected to be an online-only test by 2019, Chester said in his recommendation.

School districts that need to improve their technology infrastructure to administer the digital version of the new test could face a financial outlay of between $5.5 and $14.7 million, Chester wrote in an Oct. 10 memo to the BOE. Chester said his Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), which oversees the Commonwealth’s K – 12 public schools, will provide districts with information on funding sources so they can purchase new computers and tech upgrades.

In the meantime, Chester said, a paper and pencil version of MCAS 2.0 will be available through at least 2018.

“I was very pleased to have a very strong vote in support of the recommendation,” Chester said after the vote. “I just think it bodes well for the future of the Commonwealth and for the education system going forward.

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assessment for 18 years now and so this clears the path and builds on what we’ve done well.”

“PARCC and MCAS are two strong assessment systems with different, and often complementary, strengths and weaknesses,” state Secretary of Education James Peyser said prior to the BOE’s vote. “Developing a nextgeneration hybrid test is not simply a compromise and it is certainly not a political decision. By incorporating the best of both MCAS and PARCC, we can develop, maintain, and improve a stronger assessment system than would be possible with either test on its own.”

Massachusetts Teacher Association President Barbara Madeloni disagrees.

“This is a political deal that was made in order to pretend that we’re not doing PARCC,” Madeloni said following the BOE’s decision. “We’re hiding PARCC in MCAS and we’re doing this to protect the PARCC consortium.”

PARCC, an acronym for Partnership for Assessment of Readiness of College and Careers, is a consortium consisting of Massachusetts, six other states, and the District of Columbia, and is led by Chester. Just five years ago, 24 states were members of the consortium, yet the organization has seen its membership dwindle sharply as the test — and Common Core — have come under

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heavy criticism from parents, educators, and experts across the country.

“The Commissioner’s recommendations, as I have read them, leave many questions regarding implementation and objectives unanswered,” said State Rep. Marjorie Decker, (D-Cambridge), a PARCC critic who sponsored legislation earlier this year to impose a three-year moratorium on administering the PARCC test in Massachusetts. Decker also wants to remove the current requirement that students earn a passing score on the 10th grade MCAS exam to earn a high school diploma.

“It seems more like an attempt at addressing a political conundrum,” she added. “The question remains: How do we create assessments to close the achievement gap and ensure that one-third of students who pass the MCAS do not have to also take remedial courses in community college?”

The only change to the Commissioner’s recommendation was an amendment passed by the BOE to hold schools harmless if their students score poorly the first time they take the new test in 2017. But all schools, the board determined, will be held accountable for their test results in 2018, when they must maintain specific performance levels or face repercussions from the state if district averages fall below acceptable scores.

Following the vote, Chester said

it’s currently unknown how much time students will have to complete the new test. He’s also unsure of the breakdown between the number of PARCC questions and those from MCAS. As for the next round of testing, due in March 2016, Chester recom-

“By incorporating the best of both MCAS and PARCC, we can develop, maintain, and improve a stronger assessment system than would be possible with either test on its own.”

– JAMES PEYSER, STATE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION

mended that school districts continue using whichever standardized test (MCAS or PARCC) they administered earlier this year. Children taking the MCAS test in March could see some PARCC questions.

Massachusetts must administer one standardized test annually in order for its public schools to con-

tinue to receive funds from the U.S. Department of Education.

In October, Chester told the BOE that Louisiana is one example of a state that tested its public school children using a hybrid standardized test, which included questions from controversial PARCC test as well as ones unique to the Pelican State.

But according to a spokesman at the Louisiana Department of Education, the first time children will take such a test will be in March 2016.

The PARCC exam “is a substantial advancement. PARCC provides more opportunity for critical thinking, application of knowledge, research, and connections between reading and writing,” Chester said in his recommendation to the BOE, backing a MCAS-PARCC hybrid.

He also noted the PARCC exam is aligned with Common Core, which the BOE accepted as the Commonwealth’s new education standards five years ago.

He further proposed that the state requirement that 10th grade students achieve a passing score on the MCAS to qualify for a high school diploma remain “unchanged at least through the Class of 2019.”

Cost Concerns

According to Chester’s October 10 memo to the BOE, of the state’s

1,860 public schools, more than 96% “do not meet the ‘next-generation’ standard” for digital learning and could face charges between $162.5 to $363.1 million to improve their technology and add new computers.

Dover, N.H-based Measured Progress develops the current version of MCAS, but it’s uncertain if they’ll create the new version of the exam; DESE spokesperson Jacqueline Reis said the state will accept bids for the project.

“It [the developer] could be Pearson, Measured Progress, or someone else,” she said.

“We think now is the perfect time to hit the pause button on using test results to make high-stakes decisions such as high school graduation, teacher evaluation, and school and district ratings,” said Lisa Guisbond, executive director of Citizens for Public Schools, reacting to Chester’s recommendation.

Donna Colorio, who leads Common Core Forum, which seeks a public referendum to accept or reject Common Core for the November 2016 election, said: “It’s important we make sure the next version of MCAS is not a simply a rebranding of PARCC, but actually an updated MCAS reflecting our high pre-2010 standards” (before Common Core was accepted by the BOE).

For more information regarding the build up to this decision, visit baystateparent.com/mcas.

BAYSTATEPARENT 51

Star Wars Turns Parents Into Kids Again

Inside The Multigenerational Appeal of Star Wars

BY SARA POKORNY

“Do or do not. There is no try.”

“I find your lack of faith disturbing.”

“May the Force be with you.”

It

would be hard to find someone who had no idea where any of those phrases came from. They’re a part of pop culture history.

They are also a small fraction of the behemoth that is Star Wars, a cinematic franchise that began in 1977 and holds strong to this day, surviving through several generations and now being celebrated with yet another installment to the epic story: Star Wars: The Force Awakens, in theaters Dec. 18.

For the men who run The League of Extra-Nerdy Parents (lxponline. com) — a podcast that focuses on nerdy movies, video games, events, and projects, all with a family flair

52 DECEMBER2015

— the excitement is rivaling that of what they felt when they were privy to the original releases years ago. That’s due to some very small — or should we say, young — reasons.

“We get to take our kids, finally,” said Mike Gianfrancesco, who goes by the nickname G-Man on the podcast. He has a 4-year-old son, Logan, who loves Star Wars already.

“This is my son’s 1977. My dad took me when I was 7 and now I get to take him when he’s 4, and 6, and 8, because there are more movies coming. It’s going to make the movie better because I’ll live it through him. It’ll be just like when I was 7 and looking at it with a

child’s eyes.”

The nostalgic feeling coupled with the chance to share it with a new generation is what’s pulling many original fans to the new movie.

“It’s almost a cliché, where, like, a dad tries to show his kid this lame hobby he has” Jon Eric Schneiderhan, also known as J.E. on the podcast, said with a laugh.

He has a 6-year-old son, Hunter, and 12-year-old daughter, Kendall.

“But how lucky are we that we get to show our kids this and they can see where it came from, and now we all have something new?”

“It’s important for me in that I want my kids to experience the kind of wonder I had when I

first saw the movie,” added John Hoffman (known on the podcast as Hoff) of his need to expose his kids to the Star Wars universe. He has a 9-year-old son, Henry and 5-yearold daughter, Rachel. “It’s a hero’s journey, especially [Episodes] Four, Five, and Six. It’s very optimistic and exciting. I want them to get that sense of wonder, that love of storytelling, that hopefulness.”

Dad and fan Chad Eadie of Springfield admits to being a little nervous the first time he showed 1977’s A New Hope to his 9-year-old son Jake.

“I had loved it so much as a kid, all three of the films, and I just didn’t know what to do if he didn’t

like it. I don’t know. I may have been devastated,” he said.

Luckily, Chad never had a chance to know that feeling.

“It’s a great story,” added Jake, who notes that he really loved it when he watched it for the first time last year. Since he has seen all six movies. “I think it’s pretty cool they could do what they did in that movie, because I feel like it’s a pretty old movie.” (It should be noted that Chad started to open his mouth to defend surely not only the movie’s age but his own, but thought better of it and let his son continue.) “I like good guys vs. bad guys. Darth Vader is a pretty great bad guy.”

Therein lies one of many answers as to what makes Star Wars so great: the story.

“I feel like it was one of the first kind of soap opera thing we got to see,” said Mark DaPonte, who goes

by Fonz on the LXP podcast. He has two sons, 4-year-old Alex and 9-year-old Luke. (Yes, Luke.) “It had a cliff hanger. I also remember distinctly seeing The Empire Strikes Back and hearing rumors….I mean, this was like what spoilers were back then. I remember hearing Darth Vader was Luke’s father, and then I really wanted to see the new movie.”

Some think its appeal is partly due to luck and good timing. “[Director George] Lucas was the first one to the table, he was the lucky, smart guy,” Gianfrancesco said. “He brought science fiction, fantasy, and space opera to the world before anyone else thought of it. He captured our imaginations, and not because Star Wars is that great of a movie. The dialogue wasn’t really the best and the acting was OK — it was the effects. It didn’t have to make sense. It was just something we’d never seen before and it survived because of the legacy. The prequels should have killed it, but the franchise prevailed. It was a smart move, it was lucky, and we just happened to get caught up in the wave of this-isnothing-like-I’ve-ever-seen-before.”

It’s clear in talking to kids that simpler things grab their attention — the look of a character or a weapon.

“Chewbacca is awesome,” said 10-year-old Ryan Rabel. “And the lightsabers. They come in all different colors and are just so cool. We should be able to make something like that with the technology we have today.”

Ryan’s mother and father, Laura and Nick, all of Belchertown, showed him the movies as soon as they heard a new one was on the way. As lifelong fans themselves who were 8 and 7 at the time A New Hope was released, they knew they had to get their son in on the fandom. Ryan brought

them into it a little deeper when he got them into the Clone Wars film, a computer-animated 2008 movie that takes place within the Star Wars saga. It’s one of many ways the universe has expanded over the years.

Schneiderhan feels that the Star Wars franchise is not only well aware of the fact that kids of fans from way back are also watching, but in a sense has also been working to tailor the universe and all that comes with it for these children all along.

“There have been all these childfocused series, cartoons, and video games,” he said. “There’s no doubt in my mind that this movie will be tailored to our kids just as much as it is to us, and I don’t think that was by accident.”

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Take a trip down memory lane – and bring the kids Iconic toys celebrate big milestones

BY SARA POKORNY

There is something to be said about digging through childhood toys and feeling the flood of memories that come with them. It’s even better when your own child is playing with the exact toy you had as a kid, and you can experience that joy all over again through them.

The holiday season is prime time to invest in classic toys for your children, and this year you can do so by celebrating several that are having a birthday, of sorts. Raggedy Ann, Lincoln Logs, and Etch A Sketch are all celebrating the decades they’ve been around and the impact they’ve had on so many generations. Take a trip down memory lane with us as we take a look at each, how far they’ve

come, and the staying power that will keep them going far into the future.

Raggedy Ann This year the highly recognizable and lovable rag doll is celebrating 100 years of introducing kids to the world of being able to carry their best friend everywhere they go.

With bright red hair, big doe eyes, an unmistakable triangular nose, and a squishy body that can take the hardest of hugs, Raggedy Ann has brought joy to millions for a century.

How did she come to be? Raggedy Ann was created in 1910 by Johnny Gruelle for his daughter, though it was officially patented and turned into a doll in 1915. Gruelle’s daughter Marcella found an old faceless rag doll in their attic, which she brought to her father – and history was made.

“Gruelle drew the classic Raggedy Ann face that we know and love today on her,” said Dee Dee Valencia, product manager at Aurora World Inc., the latest in a line of companies to produce the Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls. “In looking for a name, he pulled a book of poems by James Whitcomb Riley from his bookshelf and combined the names of two poems: ‘The Raggedy Man’ and ‘Little Orphan Annie.’”

How has she changed throughout her lifetime? Raggedy Ann had 54 DECEMBER2015

humble beginnings as a handmade doll sold by the Gruelle family themselves before being turned over to mass production. Over the past 100 years, seven different companies have been licensed to make the dolls, each developing a slightly different look. She now comes with carrying purses and is made in holiday looks and varying outfits, and even has a brother, Raggedy Andy. And, yet, not much has really changed. “She has always maintained her core features,” Valencia said, “the red yarn for hair and triangular nose.”

What is one of Raggedy Ann’s greatest moments? “Her induction into the National Toy Hall of Fame in 2002,” Valencia said. “This is a true sign of her legacy that she left behind after almost 90 years at that point.”

How is this milestone being celebrated? Two types of special edition Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls are being released this year. “The first is called ‘Stars & Stripes’ and symbolizes a true Americana theme,” Valencia said. “The second is a special Holiday theme with classic bows, gingham stripes, and red and green coloring.”

Both dolls are available at specialty stores around the United States, Amazon, and Cracker Barrel. If you want one, don’t wait, as production has been limited to this year only.

So, where does Raggedy Ann go from here? “Raggedy Ann will continue to live out her legacy of love and grow with the next generation of children as she has for over 100 years,” Valencia said. “Now we look forward to the 100th anniversary of Raggedy Andy in 2020.”

Lincoln Logs Lincoln Logs, a part of the K’NEX family, has allowed children to create the homes of their imagination for nearly 100 years (the toy will hit the century mark in 2016). Simple in design and small in stature, Lincoln Logs are a classic construction toy. From the tin to the notable notches in each log, Lincoln Logs are a true piece of Americana.

How did they come to be? Lincoln Logs were developed by John Lloyd Wright, son of famous American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The idea came to him while working with his father.

“He was an architect in Tokyo while his father was building the Imperial Hotel,” explained Erica Schnebel, Lincoln Logs brand manager. “The foundation of the hotel was made with interlocking pieces, a process that made it earthquake-proof.” Upon returning to America, John formed The Red Square Toy Company and began marketing the toy.

How has it changed over the years?

There seems to be a common theme with toys that are a mainstay: They don’t really change much at all. There are sets that are a little more colorful or come in varying structures, but that’s about it. “The size of the logs are relatively the same,” Schnebel said. “Any changes made wouldn’t be noticeable to a consumer. Also, it’s still made of wood.”

Why has Lincoln Logs remained so popular over an entire century?

It’s all in the nostalgia and the need for parents to share that with their kids. “It’s a play pattern parents want to pass along to their children,” Schnebel said. “Mom wants to sit on the floor and build with her child just like her own mother did with her.” Lincoln Logs also serve to help children develop fine motor skills and encounter problem-solving scenarios.

Oh, and another important fact?

“They are definitely sturdy,” Schnebel said. “Parents know their kids aren’t going to just drop it and break it.”

How is the milestone being celebrated? In a pretty big way, actually, that

How has it changed over the years?

There have been many extensions of the line, some successful and some not. Ones that really took off include the Etch A Sketch Animator, an electronic version that allowed people to draw and then animate their drawing — a toy ahead of its time in 1986.

Etch A Sketch Color was also a popular version, and right now licensed variations are all the rage, from Frozen and Cars to Doc McStuffins.

What’s the most incredible thing the company’s seen drawn on one?

Killgallon said Etch A Sketch artists find their way to the company without realizing they’re even artists.

“I don’t think people really set out to become an Etch A Sketch artist, but they somehow discover they really have an aptitude for it,” he said. “We hear the story of the security guard with a lot of time on his hands, and people start to notice his art and say, ‘Hey, that’s really good!’”

Killgallon said he’s seen all types of drawings (even a rendition of the Mona Lisa) and is always amazed by those who have mastered the art of shading. goes far beyond the 100-year anniversary set currently being sold. “In 2015, we brought all manufacturing back to the United States,” Schnebel said. The line is being manufactured

by Pride Manufacturing in Burnham, ME. “It’s a big celebration for the company. It’s the first time in 40 years that’s [U.S. production] happening.”

Etch A Sketch It may look a bit like a TV, but the Etch A Sketch can provide hours of a totally different form of entertainment. The toy celebrated 55 years in July, a simple red square surrounding the first screen many of us became addicted to, backed by the simplest technology.

Where did the idea for Etch A Sketch come from? André Cassagnes of France was working in a factory as an electrician in the late 1950s when he stumbled upon the idea.

“He was working with switch plates and pulled off a piece of plastic film. He held it in his hand and it accumulated dust, so he used his finger to make drawings,” said Martin Killgallon, president of the Ohio Art Company, which manufactures the Etch A Sketch. “He went back to his garage and started tinkering around, trying to duplicate it. We have the original prototype: a 1.5-inch by 1.5-inch square window with a lever attached to the stylus that shows the etching of the aluminum powder on the screen.

You’re basically looking at the inside of an Etch A Sketch.”

What makes it stick after over a half century in production? “We say it’s the perfect toy,” Killgallon said.

“There are no loose parts, there are no batteries; it’s powered by imagination. It really sparks kids’ creativity and it’s all at a very reasonable price.

Even in today’s high-tech world, there’s still magic to this product.

People still say, ‘How does it do that?’ and sometimes I wonder if we even know how we do that.”

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Got 1 Minute?

3 art games to boost your child’s strategic thinking, problem solving, and visual recall

By Ruthie Briggs-Greenberg

Y

ou have 1 minute to engage your kid. It’s a Monday, you have to get him to school, and you’re only on your first cup of coffee. What can you do that will help him think better?

Do an art activity. What, you ask, is an “art activity”? It’s something that exposes kids to art. Why should you do it? According to the National Endowment for the Arts, children with more art experiences had higher GPAs than those who

lacked those experiences. How do you start? Pour that second cup of coffee, set the timer for 1 minute, and do one of the following: Game 1: (The timer is set, right?

Did you pour that second cup of coffee?) Ask Junior, “How many things can be done with spoons?”

Now, wait. If Junior hasn’t had breakfast, he might say, “I don’t know.” But, if Junior just had a bowl of sugary goodness, the answer

may be, “You can eat with spoons, dig with spoons… uhhhhh…” Then Junior may fall silent. This is where you say, “Keep going…” Junior may come up with one more answer, something involving, “You can fling a spoon.” The minute will pass.

What’s the answer? An unknown number of things can be done with spoons. Think outside the box, or in this case, the silverware drawer.

This idea of thinking beyond what is obvious frees your child’s mind to use his imagination. Imagination

leads to solutions.

Let’s get back to the spoons. If you weld spoons together, you could build a wall, and then you could make a house of spoons.

(No, it’s not cheating, I never said, “a spoon,” or that the spoons had to remain in their original form.)

The question leads your child, and you, to think strategically to solve a puzzle. This method of thinking creatively frees up your mind to design, imagine, and build ideas that don’t exist. That’s how art

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starts. You’ve spent a minute and engaged in strategic thinking.

Game 2: Grab a pencil and a piece of paper. Ask Junior to draw a bicycle with circles and lines. Did you set the timer for 1 minute? If your coffee has kicked in, you can try it, too. What does this game do for Junior? It makes kids think about design principles, how shapes fit together for practical use. If you want a hint, a very basic bike can be drawn using 5 circles and 11 lines. Wait a minute. “How is this art?” you ask? It is art because it involves organizing shapes and lines and creating a design. So you’ve just covered design, which fits under problem solving.

Game 3: Open the cupboard and let Junior look at it for 8 seconds. This is not the time to obsess over the fact that there is high fructose corn syrup in half of the breakfast cereals. Close the cupboard. Ask Junior, “How many colors can be made from the colors on the boxes inside the cupboard?” You’ll probably get, “I don’t know.” Who thinks about cereal boxes and art?

Ask Junior to open the cupboard and see if there is red, yellow, and blue inside. If so, you have the three primary colors. All colors can be made from the three primary

colors. Play a color addition game.

(Go on, the first part wasn’t even 20 seconds.) What is red + yellow?

Orange. Was there a yellow box on your shelf? A blue one? Sure there was, everyone has that blue box of pasta on the second shelf, so now you have yellow + blue. You get the picture. Now you’ve covered visual recall.

Wow, look at you, covering strategic thinking, problem solving, and visual recall all before your third cup of coffee! Junior used art, or thinking about art, to fire up those synapses before class. Thinking about art will carry over into other areas of study, such as math, language, and science. Ultimately, art allows individuals to create something from nothing by strategically analyzing a problem and solving them.

If you have 5 minutes, tour the world’s greatest museums online.

This may lead to conversations about the historical context in which that art was created, or the purpose of art. If you ask Junior what he thinks about a painting he’s looking at, he may say, “I don’t know.” That’s OK. School doesn’t train our kids to think of possibilities, it teaches kids to have answers. Get Junior thinking and he will come up with solutions to all kinds of life situations.

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What are you going to do with the kids on winter break?

Have no fear, our Ultimate Holiday School Vacation Guide is here starting Dec. 14!

Head to baystateparent.com/holidayvaca for our exclusive guide of fun places to go, things to do, and sights to see!

BAYSTATEPARENT 57

our december favorites sunday

monday

tuesday

wednesday

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{WIN}

Children ages 4+ can create their own Pet Portrait Studio with this open-ended STEM building playset from Build & Imagine.

Magnetic panels can be constructed any way the child engineer envisions. Magnetic dress-up characters and props will stick anywhere allowing for hours of creativity and storytelling. Visit baystateparent.com and enter today to win this $49.99 set.

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27{Fact} It’s National Fruitcake Day! Fresh fruitcake needs to sit and ripen for at least a month before it can be eaten. Unlike most cake and bread, fruitcake only gets better with time (or so they say).

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Zoonicorns are four magical creatures that visit the dreams of young zoo animals to help them through life lessons. Each Zoonicorn plush comes with a unique personality and a coordinating storybook. Enter today at baystateparent.com to bring home two Zoonicorns and a storybook.

15 {Fact} 22 22 Today is the shortest day of the year. Check out how low the sun appears in the sky at noon. And be sure to look at your noontime shadow.

Around the time of the December solstice, it’s your longest noontime shadow of the year.

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A Charlie Brown Christmas first aired on CBS 50 years ago today. The network hated the special, citing the lack of a laugh track and other issues, and vowed never to order another Peanuts special again. After the show was a huge, Emmy-winning hit, CBS changed its tune.

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{WIN}

Fun, sassy, and sporty-chic, Bixbee duffels are perfect for school, sports, or sleepover fun, as well as showing off the owner’s sparkle. Go to baystateparent.com today to enter to win!

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facts, finds and freebies thursday

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{WIN}

friday

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Why sled down hills when you can ride?

GeoSpace’s Ski Scooter glides down hills and even works on flat surfaces. The handle aids balance and directional control, and in dry, deep snow, Ski Scooter acts like a snowshoe, allowing riders to float on the surface. Learn how you can win one, a $49.99 value, at baystateparent.com today.

10 11 {WIN} 10 Ask Amy responds to 12 verbal prompts answering questions, providing words of inspiration, and motivating children to sing along or recite a variety of poems. Each 22-inch doll comes with a storybook and interactive phrase list that prompts Ask Amy to respond with positive messages aimed at promoting self-esteem and empathy. Head to baystateparent.com today for details on how to enter to win this $120 doll!

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saturday

55 {Fact} “Ugly” Christmas sweaters were first mass manufactured under the name “Jingle Bell sweaters” in the ’80s. The rise of Ugly Sweater parties has seen sales of such finery skyrocket and return to 1980s levels.

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Take a minute for yourself with this aromatherapy travel gift set from Hawaiian Essentials. A selection of the brand’s most-loved essential oil blends includes remedies for common ailments including insomnia, headache, insect bites, and hay fever. Visit baystateparent.com and grab your chance to win this set, a $45.95 value!

Starting on the date the prize appears, log on to baystateparent.com to enter for your chance to win.

BAYSTATEPARENT 59

Service Directory

Service Directory

The Budget Coach

Affordable Massage

Mary Ellen Regele, Head Coach It’s time to meet with the Coach!

Offering: Swedish Relaxation Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Hot Stone Massage and Prenatal Massage

508-792-9087

thebudgetcoach@aol.com TheBudgetCoachHelp.com

Hours Monday: 9am-2:30pm Tuesday: 9am-6:30pm Wednesday: 9am-6:30pm Thursday: 9am-6:30pm

Tax Preparation & Budget Planning Professional help for your personal finances Over 20 years experience managing budgets!

184 West Boylston St., West Boylston, MA • 508-853-1074

Party - Kids

Dance, Gym & Enrichment

Party - Kids YOUNG MINDS GROW THROUGH

Free Trial class with this ad, new students only

Our hands-on learning environment encourages your child to build creativity, confidence and lifelong friendships.

Magic Tricks Make Great Christmas Gifts.

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Stardust Gym offers a variety of children’s activities including: Gymnastics, Toddler Classes and Open Gyms (up to age 12)

Visit us online for more information.

612 Plymouth St., Rte. 106 ★ East Bridgewater 508-378-2223 ★ www.STARDUSTGYM.com

Great Magic For Ages 5 and Up

Magician C.J. Diamond

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Party - Kids

New Flavors Daily • Fresh Fruit Made from Scratch Gluten Free Every Saturday Parties • Weddings • Showers 60 DECEMBER2015

76 Otis Street (Rt 9 Eastbound), Westboro 508-366-1495

www.gymboreeclasses.com

Party - Kids

238 Millbury Ave., Millbury, MA

508-459-9600 TheQueensCups.com

Our Birthday Parties are so much fun for all!

Party - Kids

Sweet Treats

Big Joe

ENJOY CANDY

the Storyteller

Storytelling fun for Birthday Parties, Schools, Daycare Centers, Library Programs, Special Events and TV Featuring: • Original & Classic Stories • Puppets, Props and Surprises

With A Tradition

• Gift Baskets • Chocolate Lollypops • Candy Bars • Bagged Candy • Fudge • And So Much More • Chocolate Bark Can’t Decide? Try Our Eaton Farm Candy Sampler.

Hours: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Saturday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

www.eatonfarmcandies.com

For Bookings and Info Call: 617-713-4349 E-mail: BigJoe@BigJoe.com Visit me on the web at: www.BigJoe.com

Party - Kids All Ages.

Birthday Parties, Schools, Fairs, Day Care Centers, Etc.

30 Burbank Road • Sutton • 508-865-5235

To ADVERTISE, contact Regina Stillings at 508-865-7070 ext. 210

INDEX Abby Kelley Foster Charter School...................... 40 Applewild School................... 49 B.A.W. Inc............................ 25 Bancroft School.................... 63 Bay State Skating School...... 11 Big Y Foods, Inc......................4 Cake Shop Cafe.................... 15 Children’s Development Network, Inc........................ 29 City of Worcester.................. 23 Devereux Therapeutic Foster Care........................... 46 Earth LTD............................. 57 Ecotarium...............................9 Eric Carle Museum................ 38 F3........................................ 22 First Night Worcester............ 35 Fitchburg Art Museum........... 37 Fletcher Tilton PC.................. 28 FMC Ice Sports...................... 30 Harrington Memorial Hospital............................... 55 Harrington Oil...................... 12 Heywood Hospital................. 43 Jump Nation........................ 56 Kathy Corrigan’s Full Day Care Center................... 50 Kids in Sports....................... 10 Lanni Orchards..................... 15 Legoland Discovery Center Boston....................... 59 Mall At Whitney Field............ 39 Marini Farm......................... 41

Millbury Federal Credit Union......................... 40 Next Generation Children’s Ctr...........................5 Noble Expo.......................... 26 Oak Meadow........................ 51 Old Sturbridge Village......20,21 Pakachoag Community Music School......................... 44 Regent Theatre..................... 50 Seven Hills Charter School..... 29 Shawna Shenette Photography........................ 37 Shrewsbury Children’s Center.................................. 44 Shrewsbury Montessori School.................................. 47 Signarama Worcester............ 57 Smuggler’s Notch Resort....... 24 Spa Tech Institute....................3 The Learning Zone................ 53 UMass Memorial Medical Center............18,29,64 Wachusett Mountain............. 19 WCHS/Tower Hill Botanic Garden..................... 27 Wee Care for Little People, Inc........................... 55 Wheelock College Theatre..... 23 Worcester Academy.............. 45 Worcester Art Museum.......2,49 Worcester Kids’ Dentist......... 11 YMCA Central Branch..............8

www.rosalitaspuppets.com 617-633-2832

Party - Kids

Also offering Kids’ Nite Out

Stardust Gym offers a variety of children’s activities including: Gymnastics, Toddler Classes and Open Gyms (up to age 12) and The Best Parties Around

Wishing You and Yours

Happy Holidays from all of us at

baystateparent

Visit us online for more information.

612 Plymouth St., Rte. 106 ★ East Bridgewater 508-378-2223 ★ www.STARDUSTGYM.com BAYSTATEPARENT 61

TAKE EIGHT

with Jordan’s Eliot Tatelman Winter holidays are a time for traditions, and one beloved to many Massachusetts families is The Enchanted Village. The now 57-year-old Christmas scenes and mechanical figures were originally displayed in the windows of the Jordan Marsh Company in Boston’s Downtown Crossing, yet starting in the late ’90s, following the closure of Jordan Marsh, the displays could be found seasonally in several locations, then eventually not displayed at all. In 2009, Eliot Tatelman, president and CEO of Jordan’s Furniture (no relation to Jordan Marsh), won the Village when it went up for auction. Since then, his staff has restored the 59 mechanical figurines and 18 scenes to their former glory at Jordan’s Furniture’s Avon store, where they can be visited every holiday season.

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How did the idea of saving The Enchanted Village come about? There was an article in The Boston Globe that The Enchanted Village would be auctioned off the next day.

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What was it about The Village that made you decide to bid? Did you ever see it in its original Downtown Crossing location? It was such a natural fit…to go from Jordan Marsh to Jordan’s Furniture! Plus, I remember as a kid going with my family and I have some great memories. I couldn’t just let it fall apart, so I bid on it. I didn’t have any plans right away, but I knew that I needed to save it.

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What was the restoration process like for the pieces that needed work? The restoration of The Enchanted Village was a “labor of love” for the Jordan’s employees. Our designers re-painted faces and restitched clothing. Our engineers fixed the motors. It took our team about 8 months to re-furbish the display and everyone involved was very emotionally connected.

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Aside from The Village, what is a guest-favorite attraction? Polar Express 4D The Ride, a 15-minute experience, is always a favorite. The whole family also loves our Laser LITE Holiday Show, with laser lights and popular holiday songs. And we are seeing a lot of interest in our indoor skating rink, Enchanted Ice. All of the elements within The Enchanted Village attraction area are very popular. We see multigenerational families visiting together so that grandparents can introduce it to grandkids.

It’s great to see!

When’s a good time to visit to beat the crowds?

Weekdays have fewer crowds than the weekends.

What is your favorite Enchanted Village scene and why? I like the Ice Cream Shop display. It looks delicious!

Are there any new additions to the space this year? There will be a new “attraction” this year, but it’s a surprise!

Where does The Village live off-season? Same place.

We do not deconstruct it. We cover and protect it during the off-season.

BONUS guestion: How did the return of the muchbeloved Jordan Marsh Blueberry Muffins come to pass? I met the original baker! We use the original recipe. Again, it was such a natural fit to sell the original Jordan Marsh Blueberry Muffins at the new home of The Enchanted Village. People love them! They are not only delicious but they also spark other great memories.

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I want choice I want convenience I want compassion I want the best technology I want world-class care

I WANT IT ALL At UMass Memorial Health Care, you’ll find hundreds of caring, compassionate and skilled adult and pediatric primary care physicians across Central Massachusetts.

And because our doctors are part of the region’s premier health care system, access to a wide range of specialty care and our nationally recognized academic medical center is only a referral away.

To find a UMass Memorial primary care physician near you, call 855-UMASS-MD (855-862-7763).

UMass Memorial – Clinton Hospital | UMass Memorial – HealthAlliance Hospital UMass Memorial – Marlborough Hospital | UMass Memorial Medical Center 64 DECEMBER2015