Valley Parent October/November 2023

Parent 2 PAR E NT Parent Valley

Warning: seasonal whirlwind ahead—Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Christmas. If you’re feeling unprepared about the impending Halloween hurricane, do not panic. Your child will keep you on track. Costume planning is no doubt the topic of conversation at the breakfast table, on the playground and the dinner table. As a parent, I understand you may have your own thoughts on which costume you would prefer your child to wear, but you know what they say about best laid plans.

When my daughter was younger, she had a mop of curls, and I had a clear vision of her skipping around the neighborhood in a Little Bo Peep costume complete with a shepherd’s crook. Nope, not happening. I broke a lot of my parenting promises to myself that Halloween with pleads and bribes to make my little fantasy come true. I’m thankful for that stubborn personality who demanded that she wanted to be Ariel—again. That worn out, threadbare costume was her favorite. Who was I to decide what she should be? There’s probably only the first two years of their lives when you get to indulge yourself in dressing them up as a little peanut, cabbage or a pea in a pod. If they won’t comply with your costume requests, invest in one for yourself. It’s liberating and fun for you too. Read our article on neighborhood contests and organize your own—you may be a winner.

Thankfully, Thanksgiving moves in like a gentle breeze and gives us pause for thought. Time to take stock of all things that are present and to be present. Whatever your Thanksgiving looks like, I hope it includes annual family traditions, time spent together and tangible memories. Thanksgiving is one of my favorites of the year. Being from the UK I’ve fully embraced this holiday and the food that makes for a wonderful day. In our extended family—it’s potluck, and I’m always down to bake the sweet potato soufflé with toasted marshmallows because heaven forbid it’s not on the menu. While gratitude is not a seasonal skill, Thanksgiving does give extra emphasis on being that role model and adopting practices to cultivate gratitude in your child. The article on page 10 gives pointers on encouraging a sense of gratitude.

The dishes from Thanksgiving are barely loaded in the dishwasher when the next whirlwind begins brewing. Hanukkah and Christmas will be here before we know it. Button down the hatches, start making that list and check it twice. Choosing to shop local is so very nice!

Jodi Saunders Editor & Publisher

Publishers

JODI & GERALD SAUNDERS

Editor

JODI SAUNDERS

jodi@columbusandthevalley.com

Advertising Sales

MARGIE RICHARDSON margie@columbusandthevalley.com

JULIE JERNIGAN, sales assistant salesassistant@columbusandthevalley.com

Graphic Design

SIXTY TWO GRAPHIC STUDIO

Contributing Writers

KIMBERLY BLAKER

BRETT BUCKNER

DR. BRITNEY FARMER

JILL MORGENSTERN

Photography

RITCHIE WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY

P. O. Box 229 Columbus, GA 31902 706-324-6214 • fax 706-324-6216

www.valleyparent.com

VALLEY PARENT MAGAZINE is published monthly by Valley Life Ventures, LLC, dba COLUMBUS AND THE VALLEY MAGAZINE, P. O. Box 229, Columbus, GA 31902. The cover and contents are fully protected and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of COLUMBUS AND THE VALLEY MAGAZINE. We are not responsible for loss of unsolicited inquiries, manuscripts, photographs or other materials. They will not be returned unless accompanied by return postage. Editorial contributions and letters should be addressed to VALLEY PARENT MAGAZINE, Post Office Box 229, Columbus, GA 31902. Copyright ©2023 by Valley Life Ventures, LLC trading as COLUMBUS AND THE VALLEY MAGAZINE. Subscriptions are available by mail for $25 per year. Call 706-324-6214 to subscribe. Postmaster: Please send address corrections to: Post Office Box 229, Columbus, GA 31902.

The 5 W's of ADHD

ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER

WHO can be diagnosed with ADHD?

The short answer is anyone! It is one of the most common childhood diagnosis’ made, with 9-15 percent of school-aged (K-8th) children being diagnosed. The symptoms should be identified before 12 years old. Boys are diagnosed at a higher rate than girls with a ratio of 4:1, according to the Healthcare Research and Quality in Rockville, Maryland. A.K. Smith of SUNY Upstate Medical University says, a child is 2-8 times more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD if an immediate family member (parents, sibling) also has ADHD.

WHY is it important to identify and treat ADHD as early as possible?

If you have concerns about ADHD for your child, it is important to seek evaluation early to remove any barriers to learning that your child may currently experience. During the early education years, children are developing their own opinions and relationship to learning. If that relationship is soured too early, there may be echoes of this that can lead to low self-esteem and lack of confidence. The caregiver’s benefit can be decreased frustration that is alleviated by knowing how their child learns best and being able to deliver instructions that their child can coherently receive. At this crucial age, a child wants to develop mastery of their environment and to learn the building blocks of education that they continue to use as they promote. Removing barriers to learning, such as poor attention or excessive hyperactivity, will allow your child to level the playing field in their pursuit of educational mastery.

WHAT does ADHD look like in kids?

According to the name, there are three different types: a solely inattentive type, a solely hyperactive type or a combination of both (the most common). The inattentive type is marked by a pattern of having difficulty keeping their attention on one subject, making careless mistakes and/or trouble focusing on multistep commands (i.e. grab your folder, put it in your backpack and put your shoes on). This type can be subtle and go unnoticed. This can look like a child starting many different projects or only

completing a portion of the assigned tasks. The hyperactive type is marked by a pattern of difficulty staying seated when that is expected, trouble playing quietly while alone or excessive movement or fidgeting. This is stereotypical when thinking of the portrayal of ADHD in the media. This type can be disruptive within the home and school setting. The combined type is a mixture of both inattentive qualities and hyperactive qualities. For the diagnosis to be made, a child must exhibit these qualities in two separate settings (usually home and school). For home schoolers, information regarding the child’s behavior can be collected from extracurricular instructors, youth group leaders, babysitters and/or camp counselors.

WHEN should parents seek a professional opinion for diagnosis and treatment?

If a parent or teacher has identified a pattern of behavior in a child that is causing a disruption to the child’s home or school life, they should seek a professional opinion. School administrators and teachers are not allowed to diagnose, but they are able to share their observations from the school setting when that child is compared to same age peers. The type of professional that can diagnose ADHD include primary care physicians, psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, psychologists, social workers and licensed professional counselors. As previously mentioned, observations of child’s behavior will be gathered from two different settings. Gathering the history can take time, however, during the initial visit guidance may be given towards the diagnosis or determine if another diagnosis is more appropriate.

WHERE can parents and caregivers find treatment options?

The treatment options for ADHD usually include a daily medication called a stimulant as first line treatment. This medication stimulates the part of the brain that

by Dr. Britney Farmer

underperforms in ADHD. Contrary to its name, it does not make children with ADHD more hyper. After a professional has determined the diagnosis of ADHD, a physician can prescribe the medication and provide follow up visits to ensure that children remain healthy while on the medication. Additionally, Debra Burdick mentions many non-medication options in her book ADHD: Non-Medication Treatments and Skills for Children and Teens. Some of her tips include giving effective parental commands, diet changes, natural supplements and creating a distraction free homework space. Many caregivers engage in a treatment combination of environmental changes and medication management vp

Dr. Britney Farmer is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist originally from California currently living in Columbus. Practicing at Martin Army Community Hospital, she takes care of Department of Defense soldiers and their families. Farmer has a passion for children with mental health disorders, learning disabilities and autism.

ON THE COVER

by Ritchie White Photography

What do you love most about Halloween? Trick-or-treating

What's your favorite candy? Sour Patch Kids

Walk through a haunted house or take a hayride through a pumpkin patch? Haunted house

What is your favorite Halloween movie? The Nightmare Before Christmas

“This is what teachers do.”

After 20 years as a teacher and now director of the Sylvan Learning Center, Kimberly Voltz understands what students need to succeed.

Despite having teaching in her blood, Kimberly Voltz rebelled—not wanting to follow in the footsteps of her family.

Instead, the Dublin, Georgia native graduated with a degree in finance from Auburn University, but the calling simply grew too loud to ignore.

“I tried not to go the teaching route,” Voltz said. “Teaching is in my family—basically everybody on my mom’s side was a teacher or worked in education.

“I couldn’t really fight it. I was just meant to be a teacher.” Voltz returned to Auburn to receive her teaching degree. Now, some 20 years later, countless student’s lives are the better for her decision.

Voltz’s teaching career began at Chattahoochee County, where she taught for a year, before moving to Richards Middle School to teach sixth grade.

Teachers seem to either love working with middle schoolers or they don’t. For Voltz, it was where she belonged.

“I just love working with that age range because their brain is just wired differently,” she said. “Every day is going to be extremely different. They’ll have tons of best friends one day, then a whole new set the next day.

It’s an age that I ... just sort of love the chaos and the unsteadiness it brings. It made it interesting to go to work.”

Voltz taught at Richards Middle School for 10 years, then, after the birth of her first child, spent eight years at Columbus

State University teaching education classes before accepting a position at Brookstone. Then, in 2015, Voltz took something of an unexpected turn when she accepted the position of director of the Sylvan Learning of Columbus and Fort Moore in 2015.

“It just sort of found me,” Voltz explained. “It was a new opportunity that felt right. I’d spent my life in the education world, but this was also about taking over a business. There wasn’t really a principal or a headmaster to go to—it was just me, so there was a lot of figuring things out and wearing a lot of hats.”

Sylvan Learning of Columbus and Fort Moore provides individualized tutoring for students of all ages. It’s stated goal “focuses on building academic confidence, igniting intellectual curiosity and inspiring a love for learning—all of which make a big impact in school and in life,” according to the Sylvan website.

By employing team of experienced teachers, Sylvan tailors its programs to each child’s specific needs.

“Our research-based Sylvan Method blends the best of adaptive learning technology and curriculum with our personalized

teaching approach,” according to the site. “The outcome? Our teachers ensure your child’s unique academic goals are met.

“You’ll love seeing confidence, motivation and focus grow every session.”

For example, if a third-grade student is having trouble and his parent chooses Sylvan, the first step is a comprehensive assessment. After discussing the results, Voltz and her team discuss goals for the student and then create a comprehensive tutoring plan to reach those goals.

“Every student here ... everything they do with us, is very individualize,” she said. “It’s not cookie-cutter.”

Sylvan also provides ACT and SAT prep, as well as help with studying for the GRE by working closely with the Bridge program of Columbus.

“Really, anything education-wise that someone needs, we can help,” Voltz said.

Sylvan Learning of Columbus and Fort Moore provides flexible and affordable options so learning can fit into any schedule and budget.

One challenge that Voltz and her staff face is the ever-changing

teaching methods.

“You have to in a business like this, when working with so many different schools,” she said. “It’s important to keep up with what all is expected of children. And especially since COVID, so much has changed, and has created a huge learning gap for some students, particularly in reading.”

When weighing the option of tutoring, Voltz offers signs to look for.

Teachers are all certified and “well trained in working with students.”

“It’s all about paying attention to what the child is struggling

The Perfect P A R T Y G U I D E

“This is what teachers love to do—seeing the difference they can make in a child’s life. It’s special.”

-Kimberly Voltz

with, both at school and at home,” she said. “Are things hard in the classroom? Is homework taking an especially long time? When you talk to your child about school, does there seem to be a disconnect, like they can’t talk about it easily?

“And of course, listen to what the teacher has to say.”

While there can be a stigma attached to outside tutoring, Sylvan is not what most people expect.

“People think that kids—all ages and grades—are sitting together at big tables all doing the same type of work with only passing supervision,” Voltz said. “But it’s not like that at all. “We take each student’s needs into consideration.”

While the individual attention is unique, what truly sets Sylvan apart is its teachers.

“We have fabulous, experienced teachers who love working in this type of environment because they’re doing what they love, working with students who need their help and watching them progress,” Voltz said. “Sometimes, when

you’re a teacher in a class with 30 additional students, it’s hard to experience that type of feedback.

“This is what teachers love to do—seeing the difference they can make in a child’s life. It’s special.”

Sylvan Learning of Columbus & Fort Moore is located at 5256 Armour Road, Columbus. For more information, call 706-405-2304 or visit https://locations.sylvanlearning.com/ us/columbus-ga. vp

Fun Neighborhood CONTESTS

from Ghostly Goodies to Petrifed Pumpkins

re you looking for some fun new ways to celebrate Halloween with your kids this year? How about a neighborhood contest? Costume contests are just one of the many options to get everyone in the spirit. So read on to see if one of these wicked ideas grabs you.

by Kimberly Blaker

Craziest Costume

Pass out fliers inviting all the neighborhood kids to meet at your house an hour before trick-or-treating begins. Give everyone a name tag when they arrive. Then each child and adult can fill out a voting slip. Include best costume, scariest, funniest, most creative and more. Hand out a special prize to the winners of each category. And don't forget a small consolation prize for all children who participate.

Creepiest Food

Hold a simple neighborhood potluck Halloween party. Each participating family should be instructed to bring a Halloween themed food or dessert. Place a numbered card next to each dish. Then have everyone fill out a ballot for the cutest, grossest, funniest and scariest food. Once the winners are announced, take photos of the families next to their creepy food. Then everyone can dig in and eat the yummy dishes and treats.

Most Ghoulish Yard

Invite everyone in the neighborhood to join in a decorating contest. You could have a few categories such as scariest, cutest, silliest and best overall. Set a decorating deadline for October 21. Provide delivery instructions on the flier so every house in the neighborhood can vote for the addresses they like best. Also, mention that neighbors should view all the homes after October 21 and deliver their votes to you by a specified date. Ask some of the participating neighbors to help you make up fun 'Scariest House' and other signs. Then post them in the yards of the winning homes.

Funniest Carved Pumpkin

Ask the neighborhood to join you in a carved pumpkin contest. You can schedule a date and time when everyone will meet with their pumpkins at your home or a neighborhood park. Suggest everyone

who participates pitch in $2 per pumpkin for a jackpot. To keep it fair, allow only one pumpkin per child. Prepare numbered cards in advance so each pumpkin will have its own number. Then have everyone fill out a voting slip. The carver of the winning pumpkin gets the jackpot. You could also pass out small goody bags for all the kids who participate.

Most Fun Halloween Game

Hand out fliers to everyone in the neighborhood or on your street to hold a Halloween game day. Ask each participating house to set up a Halloween kids game in their front yard. Participating homes can give out small prizes such as stickers or treats to each kid who plays their game. Kids can wander the neighborhood playing the games for the afternoon. When they're done, have each child fill out a ballot for the most fun Halloween game. Then post a chilling homemade sign in the yard of the winner.

Scariest Scarecrow

Ask your neighbors to participate in the scariest scarecrow contest. To keep the scarecrows safe until voting, set a specific day when the scarecrows should be displayed in everyone's yards. Have everyone in the neighborhood, whether they participate by making a scarecrow or not, hand-deliver their vote to you by the end of the day that the scarecrows are set out. Then deliver a fun Halloweenish homemade yard sign to the winning home. vp

Ways to Increase Your Child's Gratitude

As Thanksgiving approaches it’s natural to be thinking about gratefulness and how to encourage it in our kids. According to Harvard Health, gratitude is associated with greater overall happiness, can help people deal with adversity and even help form strong relationships. These are qualities we want for our children all year long. How do we cultivate a sense of gratitude in our children? Christine Carter in her book Raising Happiness says that “Gratitude is a learned skill to be practiced like kicking a soccer ball or speaking French.” Here are six ways you can help to build that skill in your child:

1

Be a Good Role Model

Model please and thank you just the way you’d want to see it in your children. Children are keen observers of how you treat others in your life and will naturally follow your lead. When eating out, for example, your server may or may not notice whether you thank them as they present your meal, but your children definitely will. The importance of being a good role model cannot be overstated and may be one of the most important ways to encourage gratitude, so keep your thank yous at the ready.

Volunteer

Volunteering can contribute to well-being in multiple ways, including increasing self-confidence, providing a sense of purpose and even improving physical health. There is also evidence to suggest that volunteering increases both gratitude and happiness. But there are even further benefits to volunteering. Depending on the activity, kids are given the opportunity to learn essential skills and increase their sense of responsibility.

Encourage Thank You Notes

4 5 2 3

Actual thank you notes seem to be going out of style as our forms of communication become almost exclusively electronic. However there is still something quite meaningful about writing and receiving a thank you the old fashioned way. If your child resists, try making sure he or she writes a thank you note before using a gift. This will encourage even the most reluctant child to complete the notes.

Chores

Believe it or not, doing chores can increase gratitude. By participating in housework, children get a first-hand look at what it takes to run a household. This can raise their awareness of what is being done for them on a day-to-day basis and can awaken a sense of gratitude.

Extending Thank You

According to the Raising Grateful Children Project at UNC Chapel Hill, 85 percent of parents prompt their children to say thank you. But going beyond common manners can help increase gratitude. Try asking children how a gift makes them feel, or why they think they received the gift.

6 7 8

Count Your Blessings

Whether it’s each night at dinner or as a bedtime routine, have children recount the best parts of their day. This can be a reminder that even a bad day had good points and help end the day on a positive note.

Let Them Earn Some of Their Possessions

Children can learn not only gratitude from earning some of their own possessions, but also a sense of responsibility. When they have worked for a toy or other item, they have a better sense of its value, potentially increasing their gratitude not just for that item but for their other possessions as well.

Look on the Bright Side

Look for the positive when things get hard. Asking yourself or your child what good could come out of a hard thing is a way to see the best in situations and can help increase gratitude. Next time things aren’t going as expected try and point out the bright side to your children. It might be helpful to your own mood too!

All of these skills can help build gratitude in your child, which can lead to a happier overall child as well as a more resilient one. These are great skills to build not just at Thanksgiving but all year round. vp

So Funny!

How do you fix a broken pumpkin?

With a pumpkin patch!

What kind of music did the Pilgrims listen to?

Plymouth Rock

What did the leaf say to the other leaf?

I’m falling for you.

Parent Valley FUN PAGE SPOOKY

What could these words be?

Calendar

See more local events at ValleyParent.com

OCTOBER

9-15 RushSouth Music Festival and Outdoor Games/ ICF World Freestyle Kayak Championships Info & tickets: RushSouthFest.com

21 Family Saturday at the Columbus Museum Info: ColumbusMuseum.com

21 Frank's Glizzy Fest Info: Facebook.com/FranksAlleycsg

22 The Rainbow Fish at Gogue Performing Arts Center Info & tickets: GogueCenter.Auburn.edu

23 STOMP at RiverCenter Info & tickets: RiverCenter,org

28 Fall Festival at Ft. Mitchell Info & tickets: VisitFortMitchell.org

NOVEMBER

1 Fall Food Truck Festival in Uptown Columbus

Info: AlwaysUptown.com

4 YMCA Fall Festival

Info: ColumbusYMCA.com

9 Disney on Ice at Columbus Civic Center

Info & tickets: CivicCenter.ColumbusGa.gov

10-19 The Lion, the Witch and The Wardrobe at the Springer

Info & tickets: SpringerOperaHouse.org

11 Mini Makers with Columbus Museum

Info: ColumbusMuseum.com

17 Fantasy in Lights begins at Callaway Gardens

Info & tickets: CallawayGardens.com

28 Open Rehearsal with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra

Info: Cso.org/open-rehearsals

Academy Dance Center

Acute Care Express

All About Kids Learning Center

Devica Alappan, MD

Angel Academy

Aranas & Stitt, OB/GYN

Bare Ware Pottery

Basilio Pediatrics

Behavioral Health Partners

Bluebelle Artist Market

The Blushing Brunette Boutique

Julie Braddy-Roberts, MD

Regina Carpenter, MD

Center Pharmacy

Central Christian Church

Central OBGYN

Chambers OB/GYN

Ritu Chandra, MD

Chick-fil-a Bradley Park

Childcare Network (Hamilton Rd)

Clement Arts

Columbus Children’s Dentistry

Columbus Clinic

Columbus Museum

Columbus Pediatrics

Columbus Public Library

Columbus Regional Family Practice

Columbus Roberts Center

CSU Elizabeth Bradley Turner Ctr.

Curves for Women (Phenix City)

Curves for Women (Veterans)

Dinglewood Pharmacy

Divine Childcare Learning Ctr.

James Dorchak, MD

Easter Seals

Miranda Y. Edwards, MD

Fairview Baptist Preschool

The Family Center

Family Physicians of Columbus

First Baptist Church Child Dev./PC

Foot & Ankle of West Ga.

Fort Benning Housing Services

Fountain City Coffee

Generations Knowledge & Care Ctr.

Goo Goo Car Wash (Manchester Exp)

Great Beginnings Child Care

Greystone Falls

Greystone at Columbus Park

Greystone Inverness

Growing Room

Growing Room Too

Hollywood Connection

Imagination Station

Imagination Station Too

International Friendship Ministries

Joyful Journeys Childcare

Just for Kids

Kool Smiles

Mark Lawrence, DDS

La Bella Party and Tea

Lil’ Rascals Resale & Boutique

Little Angels Child Dev. Ctr.

Little Paws Preschool

James Lopez, DMD

Thomas Malone, MD

Mathnasium

Mica’s Child Development Ctr.

Mickayla’s Place

Midtown Medical Center

Midtown OBGYN

Mildred L. Terry Library

My Gym

Necco Foster Care

North Columbus Library

Northside Recreation Center

OBGYN Associates

Pick up your copy of the latest Valley Parent at one of these convenient locations: Distribution

Lirio E. Palmos, MD

Panvelkar & Panvelkar, MD

Pastoral Institute

Pediatric Rehab

Pediatrics at Brookstone Ctr.

Phenix City-Russell County Library

Pierce Chapel Methodist Preschool

Polka-Dots Early Childhood Dev. Ctr.

Preppy Pets

Project Launch

Puddle Jumpers Child Enrichment Ctr.

Rising Star Child Development Ctr.

Rivertown Pediatrics

Russell County DHR

Second Avenue Animal Hospital

Jeffrey Serff, DMD

Smile Doctors

Smiths Station Baptist Church

Smiths Station Pharmacy

St. Francis Gift Shop

St. John AME Church

St. Luke Early Learning Ctr.

St. Mark UMC Child Dev. Ctr.

Lisa Alexander Strickland, DMD

Summerville Baptist Preschool

Sylvan Learning Center

Nora Tan-Ngo, MD

Toni’s Dancing Studio

TSYS Childcare Center

Uptown Pediatrics

West Georgia Pediatrics

Wynnton UMC Pre-school

ZÖe Pediatrics

Valley Smiles

Send your photos and captions to ContactUs@ValleyParent.com.

Connor, 10, and Amelia Regan, 8, were all set for their first day of school.

Chloe Leonard cheers on the sidelines for Calvary Christian School.

Price Devlin, 10, Delaney Devlin, 9, and Whit Sullivan, 15 months, are game day ready.

Reagan McNew, 3, loved dancing in the bubbles on Broadway in her princess costume.

Violet Luker and her dad Drew enjoyed an Uptown concert.