FEBRUARY 2016
READY FOR A PET?
WHAT TO CONSIDER BEFORE YOU ADOPT
GAME OVER!
KEEP AN EYE ON CONCUSSIONS
PLUS LET’S TOUR THE WHITE HOUSE M E M PH I S PA R ENT.COM
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There’s a reason your primary doctor is primary. Adult and Pediatric Medicine Whether you’re 18 or 80, good health starts with your primary care physician. The person who knows your history, your family and your health needs better than anyone. Someone who can refer you to a specialist if you need one. So take the smartest approach to your health. Let us
Sailaja Raju Family Practice
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help you find one that’s right for you.
Call 888-812-3672 to make an appointment today. memphisdocs.com/stayhealthy
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Speech Therapy Physical Therapy Occupational Therapy Developmental Therapy Join our Feeding Groups! Call to register: www.brightsong.net ph: (901) 309-3077
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THIS MONTH O U R C OV E R K I D
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Is Your Family Ready for a Pet? by Jan Pierce with Stephanie Painter, and Aisling Maki
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Know When To Sit It Out - Concussions by Kristi Cook
Emma (5), with mom Sara Casey, & dog Penny PHOTO by Marci Lambert CLOTHING by Cotton Tails
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Three Surprising Benefits of Summer Camp
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by Stephanie Painter
by Heidi Smith Luedtke
Every
HERO needs a
A House We Can All Call Home – Touring the White House
DEPARTMENTS 6 Around Town Junior Achievement website, food allergy support, Mid-South Scholastic Art show
mentor, every mentor OUR STAFF needs a GUIDE. 7 Dear Teacher Math test anxiety, reading delays
8 Media Notes Black History Month: Books about African Americans in the arts 10 Health Matters Don’t overdo antibiotics 25 Family Table Buttery biscuits
Editor Jane Schneider
Art Director Bryan Rollins
Advertising Art Director Christopher Myers Graphic Designer Dominique Pere
Advertising Manager Sheryl Butler Account Executive March Gates Production Operations Director Margie Neal Calendar Editor Meena Viswanathan Copy Editor Shara Clark
memphisparent.com
Favorite activity: Reading, doing theater Newest talent: Piano lessons Next big thing: Acting in The Jungle Book at school
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE Memphis Parent strives to provide information of value to all who are invested in our children’s future.
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26 Early Years Attachment, stop thumb-sucking 28 February Calendar and Events 38 Favorite Moments Kid funnies and cute pics of your kids
Memphis Parent is published by Contemporary Media, Inc. Publisher/CEO Kenneth Neill Director of New Business Development Jeffrey A. Goldberg Editorial Director Bruce VanWyngarden Chief Operating Officer Molly Willmott Events Manager Jackie Sparks-Davila Marketing/Communications Manager Kendrea Collins Email Marketing Manager Britt Ervin Distribution Manager Lynn Sparagowski Controller Ashley Haeger IT Director Joseph Carey 460 Tennessee Street, Suite 200 Memphis, TN 38103 p: 901.521.9000 • f: 901.521.0129 Send advertising queries to: sheryl@memphisparent.com Visit us online at memphisparent.com
EDITOR’S NOTE
MAKING THE BEST OF A SNOWY SITUATION JANE SCHNEIDER
janes@memphisparent.com Follow me @membelle
How did you get to spend the Snowpocalypse of mid-January? My hope is that you got to be at home with your kids as we collectively hunkered down for the first big snowfall of 2016. How the anticipation built as we marched toward Friday of that week! I remember hearing the early predictions (was that Tuesday or Wednesday?) calling for upwards of five, perhaps six inches of snow. Six inches of snow? Blizzard-like conditions? The weathermen seemed almost giddy in their forecasts. I remember thinking this news sounded rather optimistic, but then, I didn’t want to not believe either. After all, blizzards are as rare as hen’s teeth here in the Mid-South. The kids, of course, were beside themselves with excitement, what with the promise of sledding and snowball fights looming in their future. I remember a sizeable snowfall we had one January when Evan was 11 or so; there was so much of the white stuff that he was able to build a twofoot high snow fort in the front yard. He and his friends hid behind its walls for hours, launching snowballs and imagining themselves somewhere far from our tidy, Midtown neighborhood. That glorious structure lasted for more than a month, gradually shrinking in the bright winter sun
until all that remained was a muddy lump of ice in the center of our yard. Toward the end of the week, a friend posted a video on Facebook of a faculty member at St. Mary’s Episcopal School wearing a sandwich board that read “Snow Day.” As he slowly processed down the school hall that Thursday afternoon, he passed classroom after classroom, leaving in his wake a squall of delighted, squealing schoolgirls. “Snow day! Snow day! Snow day!” they chanted. Next came the tsunami of school closing announcements in my inbox. It seemed all of Memphis was shutting down in anticipation of this wild winter storm. To say we were excited is an understatement. It wasn’t until Thursday night that forecasters began to backpedal just a bit, paring down the gaudy snowfall totals they had originally posted. But by then, it was too late; the cow had already gotten out of the barn. Expectations were high. This storm was ours. Yet, as I walked my dog late Thursday night, a light mist was falling and I could barely see my breath. The sky should be spitting snow, I thought, but it wasn’t nearly cold enough for that. Gradually, a fresh wind began to build out of the north, a
promising sign. As I returned home, I held out hope that the wintery weather was really on its way. When I awoke the next morning (secretly as excited as those St. Mary’s girls), I looked out my window to discover the backyard blanketed in a fine layer of snow. Every tree limb was crisply outlined against a dove grey sky, with tufts of snow collected on leaves and shrubs that turned them into plump bolls of cotton. Granted, it wasn’t the piles of snow that had been predicted, nothing close to the blizzard that buried much of the East Coast. Nonetheless, we made the best of our snowy situation. Parents ferried kids to hills across the city where they could careen down on their sleds with wild abandon. Snowmen popped up, looking trimmer than in years past, but building them was just as much fun. And other winter-day activities slowly evolved, too: Families played Monopoly and Legos together, hosted bowling parties, baked cookies, and played hide the thimble. Relaxation on this snowy day took many forms. Most importantly, it gave families a chance to take a deep breath and simply be thankful — for time together and an unexpected day off.
Join us for
PREVIEW DAY CORDOVA LOWER S C HOOL C AM PUS Thursday, March 17 9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m. 18 months–Grade 6 | 8360 Macon Rd.
EA S T M EM PH IS LOWER S C HOOL C AM PUS Tuesday, March 22 9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m. 18 months–Grade 6 | 1106 Colonial Rd.
RS VP
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SERVING 18 MONTHS–GRADE 12 Harding’s unique culture represents an organic slice of Memphis and God’s kingdom. From a rigorous lower school curriculum to a rich offering of advanced placement and dual-enrollment opportunities in upper school, our students are strategically positioned for unlimited collegiate opportunities. Our most treasured task is helping students develop the courage to employ their unique gifts for God’s transformative work wherever they are.
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AROUND TOWN
WHICH CAREER IS BEST FOR ME?
Junior Achievement website helps students shape their dreams
ST. GEORGE'S INDEPENDENT SCHOOL STUDENT MAYYADAH ALZABEN TAKES A BREAK FROM READING UTILITY METERS DURING HER SCHOOL'S VISIT TO JA BIZTOWN.
Teenagers are often encouraged to think about their future during high school. Junior Achievement hopes to provide assistance with their new, interactive website, JA My Way. Through games, rewards, and information, the interactive site is designed to help students age 13 to 17 consider their talents and possible career paths. To gain access to the site, teens must register online and answer a personality quiz. Once on the JA My Way website, students can: • Take a personality quiz to help determine career paths • Learn about jobs • Create and store a resume • Learn how to start a business • Gain helpful tips on managing money The site also includes useful information on the costs of car ownership and attending college. “Now, more than ever, teens need ideas, guidance, and direction when it comes to determining their futures,” says Larry Colbert, president and CEO of Junior Achievement of Memphis and the Mid-South, Inc. “JA My Way is designed with today’s teens in mind… to help them explore their futures.” Junior Achievement is dedicated to educating and inspiring young people to value free enterprise, business, and economics to improve their quality of life. The website is made possible by a grant from Citi Foundation and OneMain Financial.
AT&T JOB MENTORING PROGRAM GIVES STUDENTS HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE DURING JA JOB SHADOW.
LIVING WITH FOOD ALLERGIES New support group reaches out to families
When Kelly Barnett first received word that her 2-year-old son Cameron had been diagnosed with a severe nut allergy, she was floored. “The amount of the peanut allergen was so minute,” she says, remembering the first episode that brought an EMT to her door after her son’s food had shared a plate with a peanut butter cracker. “It wasn’t like he had a huge amount, it was just a trace.” But as those knowledgeable about food allergies will tell you, it doesn’t take much to cause an allergic reaction. Once Barnett received the diagnosis that, in fact, both of her children were allergic, she quickly realized there weren’t many places for parents like her to turn. With something so close to her heart, she launched the Food Allergy Alliance of the Mid-South (FAAM), an advocacy group for families with food allergies. “It can be very stressful to live well on a daily basis, trying to safely attempt ‘normal’ things like dining out or a play date at a park, activities most families take for granted,” says Barnett. “That’s why an organization like FAAM can be so beneficial to our local food allergy community, to offer opportunities for support, education, and advocacy; to give those who suffer from food allergies, as well their families, a voice in the Mid-South.” FAAM is hosting its kickoff meeting at St. Francis Hospital-Bartlett to discuss food allergies. Their guest speaker will be Dr. Jay Lieberman, a noted allergist with Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital. For details, go to faamidsouth.org or visit FAAM on Facebook. FAAM Meeting Monday, February 8, at 6 p.m. St. Francis Hospital-Bartlett, Magnolia Room Guest speaker: Dr. Jay Lieberman on Immunotherapy & Food Allergies • faamidsouth.org
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For more information, visit jamemphis.org or call 366.7800
EMERGING ARTISTS ARE RECOGNIZED At the Mid-South Scholastic Art Awards exhibition
The artistic efforts of students from across the Mid-South are on display this month, as winners are announced for the Mid-South Scholastic Art Awards. In late fall, teachers submit the best work of their middle- and high-school art and writing students (grades 7-12) for this prestigious competition. The resulting show opens at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art on Saturday, January 30, and runs through February 28. Best-In-Show Senior Division The annual juried exhibition, Anna Schall presented by the Brooks Museum Apathy Drawing & Illustration Category League and Memphis Brooks Museum White Station High School of Art, is an affiliate of the Alliance for Teacher: Charles Berlin Young Artists and Writers. The competition recognizes excellence in fine arts, including painting, drawing, photography, ceramics, fashion, multi-media, and writing. Top winners receive cash prizes and scholarships, along with a chance to attend an awards ceremony in New York City. The local awards ceremony takes place Saturday, February 27 where the Gold Key, Silver Key, and Honorable Mention winners will be announced. • brooksmuseum.org. Mid-South Scholastic Art Awards show January 30-February 28 Memphis Brooks Museum of Art
DEAR TEACHER By Marge Eberts and Peggy Gisler
Now Taking Applications for 2016-2017!
An International Baccalaureate World School
MY KID HAS THE TEST-TAKING JITTERS Help for the student who freezes up on math tests
I’ve read that math anxiety can become a real phobia. We have strengthened our fourth-grader’s basic math skills at home, so she can handle homework fairly well. However, she still panics when faced with taking a test and can scarcely answer a question. How can we help her do better? Test anxiety is often a form of performance anxiety, and its symptoms — headaches, stomachaches, butterflies — may be present before or during a test. Performance anxiety can also surface around those events where your child anticipates being judged or knows her performance really counts. Children who worry or are perfectionistic tend to have trouble with test anxiety. You have taken the first step in helping your child grasp basic math skills. Now you need to help her learn to unfreeze her mind when she is being tested. Before a test, be sure your child is adequately prepared by completing homework and studying for the test. When in the classroom, instruct your child to begin by looking over the entire test to find one problem she can answer. Once that is completed, look for a second one. By solving a few problems, your child can steadily build confidence in her math abilities, and she’ll be ready to go back to the start of the test to solve those problems that initially seemed impossible. Should she get stuck on a problem, teach her to draw a picture of it to make the solution easier or to use smaller numbers to solve it. If testing continues to be a problem, consult with your school guidance counselor or a tutor to learn helpful coping skills.
WHEN WORDS DON’T MAKE SENSE Know the signs of early reading problems
My child is not making great progress in reading. What are some indications that a student is falling behind as a beginner reader? Reading is a challenging skill to learn. Be on the lookout for these warning signs. PRESCHOOL: • Doesn’t know how to hold a book. • Can’t tell the difference between letters and squiggles. • Doesn’t recognize his or her own name. • Only says a small number of words. • Doesn’t like rhyming games and can’t fill in the rhyming word in familiar nursery rhymes. KINDERGARTEN: • Cannot tell the difference between the sounds that make up a word (phonics). • Is slow to name familiar objects and colors. • Cannot remember names and sounds of the letters. • By the end of kindergarten, your child cannot write most of the consonant sounds in a word (it is normal for vowels to be missing until later).
1ST & 2ND GRADE: • Has trouble pronouncing new words and remembering them. • Has trouble blending sounds together to say words. • Says reading is easier for his or her classmates. • Is falling way behind classmates. • Cannot sound out unknown words. • Avoids reading. • Resists reading aloud. 2ND & 3RD GRADE: • Starts to withdraw. • Has some troubling behavior. • Seems to guess at unknown words. • Does not get meaning from reading.
Source: Kyla Boyse, R.N., University of Michigan Health System. • med.umich.edu/ yourchild/topics/dyslexia.htm. Send questions and comments to dearteacher@dearteacher.com or ask them on the columnists’ website at dearteacher.com.
EARLY EXPLORER EXPERIENCES First Wednesday of the Month February – May from 8:30–9:30 a.m. Sign up for an upcoming event: www.lausanneschool.com/EEE Make plans to bring your little ones to a special hands-on experience each month in the Lausanne library and explore how enhanced literature, language, art, music and science studies in early childhood and lower school create greater connections for students in the classroom and a stronger knowledge base for success in upper levels of study. Activities will include story time and a special activity followed by time playing in Lausanne’s new Outdoor Discovery Center.
MONTHLY ADMISSION PREVIEWS AT LAUSANNE February 24 | March 23 | April 20 RSVP for an upcoming preview: www.lausanneschool.com/previews Each month you’ll find division-specific presentations designed to help you learn how Lausanne can empower your child as an individual and prepare him or her for college and for life in a global environment. Help your child start ahead, come visit Lausanne as soon as you can! Please RSVP for the All-School Previews so materials can best be prepared for you and your child. Individual tours are also available!
THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE EXPERIENCE Lausanne is the only PK – 12th grade independent International Baccalaureate World School in Tennessee, giving students a competitive advantage in the college admission process. The Lausanne curriculum is vertically aligned from PK-3 through 12th grade to provide students with a well-rounded academic experience that develops criticalthinking, strong research and communication skills from an early age. The wide range of classes and co-curricular programs allow students to engage in a joyful and challenging academic environment while pursuing and developing special interests. Take a look at Lausanne’s college and university placement to see the end result of this exciting process, www.lausanneschool.com/colleges.
Lausanne, where we empower individ uals to be ”The Real Me”! Watch how! admission@lausanneschool.com | 901.474.1030 | Memphis, TN www.lausanneschool.com ME EM MP PH H II S SP EN M PA AR RE NT T .. C CO OM M
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MEDIA NOTES
LISTEN AS WE TELL OUR STORIES By JANE SCHNEIDER and MEENA VISWANATHAN
Sojourner Truth’s rise to the national stage during the Civil War was based on her storytelling abilities. Her public speaking often held audiences in rapt attention as she told of her escape from slavery as a young woman. Her story helped move the country toward emancipation. The arts have long been a way for African Americans to share their worldview and make change. In celebration of Black History Month, we highlight a few picture books that highlight the poetry, art, photography, and music of famous African Americans, individuals whose work shed light and celebrated the black experience — paving the way for others to do the same.
Gordon Parks – How the Photographer Captured Black and White America
by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Jamey Christoph
Though a composer and filmmaker (Shaft), novelist and poet, Gordon Parks is best known for his photographs. Here, author Carole Weatherford chronicles the photographer’s early life. Parks didn’t start taking pictures until he was 25. But what he captured through his lens — the everyday lives of black America — was riveting and fresh. He also began shooting fashion and by the 1940s, became the first African American photographer to work at Vogue and Life magazines. — JS
Love to Langston
by Tony Medina, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie
Author Tony Medina presents an interesting array of poems by poet Langston Hughes that reflect the experiences that shaped the poet’s life and writing. The broad brushed illustrations by R. Gregory Christie add energy and detail to Hughes’ poems. — JS
Alvin Ailey
by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Brian Pinkney
The joy of movement captured the imagination of Alvin Ailey early in his boyhood. A chance encounter, watching a professional black dance troupe rehearse from the back of a theatre, lit his passion and Ailey began to dream of a life of dance. The author reveals how he made his dream a reality, eventually creating the Alvin Ailey Dance Company. — JS
Draw What You See – The Life and Art of Benny Andrews by Kathleen Benson, illustrated by Benny Andrews
Artist and teacher Benny Andrews not only became established as an important painter, but fought for equal rights for people of color in the art world. His illustrations prove vibrant and rich in detail. – JS
Trombone Shorty
By Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews, illustrated by Caldecott Honor winner Bryan Collier
In this inspiring autobiography, New Orleans musician Troy Andrews traces his upbringing and how he got the nickname “Trombone Shorty.” Andrews didn’t have a lot of money, but always felt rich thanks to his brother James’ passion for the trumpet and a chance meeting with bluesman Bo Diddley. These events laid the foundation for his musical journey. While Andrews describes creating his own musical gumbo, illustrator Bryan Collier uses balloons as a metaphor to show how horn music can fill the air and help the listener soar. This homespun tale subtly suggests never giving up on your dreams and advocates for passing on one’s legacy to the next generation. — MV
Bring Me Some Apples and I’ll Make You a Pie – A Story About Edna Lewis Written and illustrated by Robbin Gourley
Robbin Gourley’s first picture book reflects her own love for Southern cooking by sketching the childhood of pioneer chef Edna Lewis. The story opens on a farm and takes us through the four seasons, showing how Edna’s family prepared for each harvest. Playful siblings perform chores, connecting fruits and vegetables to the delicious meal possibilities they’ll enjoy at day’s end. Life on the farm would influence Lewis as a chef and this book makes that farm-to-table connection. A yummy bonus: Five recipes of Edna’s favorite dishes. – MV
When the Beat was Born – DJ Kool Herc and the Creation of Hip Hop
By Laban Carrick Hill. illustrated by Theodore Taylor III
Laban Hill shares how DJ Kool Herc invented hip hop and used music to make a difference in his Bronx neighborhood. • Ever since Little Clive lived in Jamaica, he dreamed of becoming a DJ. He carried this passion to New York City, where he moved at the age of 13. His basketball talent earned him the title ‘Kool Herc,’ but he used the new moniker to jumpstart his music career. • When his father brought home a huge sound system, Kool Herc’s life changed forever. He experimented at home, then took his turntables to the streets, creating long breaks for dancing and calling out kids to share their moves. • Theodore Taylor’s lively illustrations show DJ Kool Herc’s quest for music by portraying towering records and giant boom boxes that fill up each page. This memoir sends a powerful message of how American culture can move people in a most remarkable way. — MV 8 8
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Through a challenging academic curriculum and a supportive environment we cultivate a love for learning that inspires girls to reach their full potential.
APPLY ONLINE TODAY! www.saa-sds.org For more information contact us at 901-767-1356 or Admissions@saa-sds.org. ST. AGNES ACADEMY-ST. DOMINIC SCHOOL 4830 Walnut Grove Road • Memphis, Tennessee 38117
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MORE THAN FINDING THE KEY, IT’S FINDING YOURSELF. At Briarcrest, we believe in the journey of discovery. The stops and starts. The challenges and the breakthroughs. Whether it’s academics, athletics, fine arts or missions, we are with your student all of the way. To schedule a tour, call 901.765.4605 or visit www.briarcrest.com.
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INTERNET CAT VIDEO FESTIVAL SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14 2 PM & 4 PM $9/$5 BROOKS MEMBERS AND STUDENTS WITH VALID ID/FREE WITH VIP FILM PASS. All ages. 10
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HOME SCHOOL DAY THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18 EXPLORING OUR ENVIRONMENT… Discover various themes of ecology through art with our upcoming Home School Day. Children will enjoy art making activities, a guided tour, and scavenger hunts while parents enjoy our educational family guides.
brooksmuseum.org
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Through a commitment to academic excellence and a dedication to Study, Prayer, Community and Service — we prepare boys to be leaders who will make the world a better place.
Five reasons to avoid the overuse of antibiotics By DR. SANDY ARNOLD
It’s that time of year when we feel like we are constantly sniffling, sneezing, and coughing. Many infections circulate during the cold and flu season. Some happen all year-round but are more easily spread during the winter months when we are spending more time indoor which causes more crowded conditions. Those crowded conditions allow certain types of infections to thrive and spread. Most of these are respiratory tract infections and are caused by viruses, not bacteria. This includes colds, sore throats, flu, and bronchitis, as well as many sinus and ear infections. In addition, some stomach viruses are more common this time of year. Because these infections are caused by viruses, antibiotics are not needed and should not be requested. Here are the top five reasons why you should avoid taking unnecessary antibiotics. ANTIBIOTICS WILL NOT CURE YOUR INFECTION. Antibiotics treat bacterial infections, not viral infections. If you have a test for strep throat and it is positive, you should take antibiotics. If you have an ear infection that is not improving in 48 hours, you should take antibiotics. Colds get better on their own.
APPLY ONLINE TODAY!
ANTIBIOTICS WILL NOT MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER FASTER. Antibiotics do not help viral infections go away more quickly. But, you say, I always get better when given an antibiotic. What’s actually happening is that you are getting better on your own, which is the normal way the body responds to viral respiratory infections. Remember, it can take 10 to 14 days for all cold symptoms to go away. This is completely normal. It is also normal for the mucus from your nose to turn green during a cold. This does not mean you have a bacterial infection. TAKING ANTIBIOTICS YOURSELF WILL NOT KEEP FRIENDS AND FAMILY FROM GETTING SICK. Colds are caused by viruses, and viruses spread easily from person to person. Antibiotics, which have no effect on viruses, will not change this. ANTIBIOTICS CAN CAUSE UNPLEASANT AND SOMETIMES HARMFUL SIDE EFFECTS. Antibiotics are very useful medications when you really need them; however, they are medications, just like blood pressure or cholesterol medications, and can have side effects that include diarrhea, rash, yeast infections, or allergic reactions. When an antibiotic is necessary, these risks are acceptable, as the benefit outweighs the potential harm. With viral respiratory infections, the risks outweigh the benefits, as antibiotics do not speed recovery or prevent serious complications. USE OF ANTIBIOTICS CONTRIBUTES TO ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE IN YOUR COMMUNITY. Everyone carries bacteria that can cause disease as a part their normal healthy bacteria. When you take antibiotics, all of the bacteria are exposed to the antibiotic, and this can lead to antibiotic resistance in these bacteria. We all share our bacteria with each other, especially children, and this can lead to the spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria in our communities. We must always balance the benefits of antibiotics (when they are necessary) against the harms they cause and should not use them unless they are really needed. Read more kids’ health tips at Le Bonheur’s Practical Parenting blog, lebonheur.org/kids-health-wellness/practical-parenting/
www.saa-sds.org For more information contact us at 901-767-1356 or Admissions@saa-sds.org. ST. AGNES ACADEMY-ST. DOMINIC SCHOOL 4830 Walnut Grove Road • Memphis, Tennessee 38117
WWW.SAA-SDS.ORG
LEARNERS TO LEADERS A Catholic tradition since 1851
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COVER STORY
IS YOUR FAMILY
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, consider animal adoption with care.
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Most of us can look back on our childhoods and bring up some great memories of a beloved family pet. Remembering a loyal dog or clever cat, perhaps even a canary or gerbil, may bring a smile. Most likely you’d love for your kids to have these same kinds of positive experiences with an animal friend. Here are some guidelines to help you determine whether or not your family is ready for a pet. GET EVERYONE ON BOARD
As wonderful as pets can be, choosing one when a family member is not in favor of the move or is unprepared to care for an animal can be a recipe for disaster. Don’t assume their mind will be changed once a dog or cat is brought home as a ‘surprise.’ While there are numerous benefits for children who are raised with animals, there are also big responsibilities in the proper care and feeding of a pet. The entire family should embark upon this venture together.
WEIGH BENEFITS AND RISKS
There are many benefits of having pets as part of the family. Children who have animals around are learning important lessons in responsibility. Animals must be fed on a regular timetable and children with that chore will learn valuable lessons in unselfish and caring behavior. They’ll learn to monitor their own behavior by treating animals gently and lovingly. They’ll learn compassion when an animal needs their care and may even gain communication and social skills as they play. Animals provide lessons about life as they are born, grow to adulthood, and even when they age and die. They provide a tangible connection to the real world and children learn to respect life through observation and personal experience with them. Animals are also a source of great comfort to us because of their unreserved love and affection. What sort of animal would your family enjoy most? Dogs need room to run and require regular exercise. Cats need less in the way of running room, but still need places to sleep and eat without interruption. Even small animals such as gerbils, hamsters, and mice need a living space that can be regularly cleaned and require exercise. Who will provide this care? Is there money in the family budget to buy food and bedding on an ongoing basis? What about vet expenses?
A WORD ABOUT GUINEA PIGS By AISLING MAKI
CHILDREN WHO HAVE ANIMALS AROUND ARE LEARNING IMPORTANT LESSONS IN RESPONSIBILITY.
EMMA & EVA WITH THEIR DOG, PENNY.
DETERMINE WHO WILL PROVIDE CARE
How old is the youngest family member? If there are babies or toddlers in the home, who will supervise when the animals are indoors with them? Toddlers may want to pull tails and play chase with the animals around the house. Who will be there to teach gentle petting of heads and to make sure animals aren’t teased or abused in any way? Are your older children involved in many after school activities such as music lessons or sports that require the family to be away much of the afternoon? If so, who will have the time to care for the family pet that needs a lot of exercise? Who will petsit when you head away for vacation or Christmas? Consider all of those questions before you choose a pet.
MAKE A PLAN
The purchase of a pet with all the necessary supplies can make for a memorable family gift. If the time is right and everyone is on board, spell out all the tasks involved in adding this new family member. Once you’ve found suitable answers, you’ll be able to more fully enjoy the satisfaction of including a furry friend in your family’s life. Jan Pierce, M.Ed., is a retired teacher and the author of Homegrown Readers: Simple Ways to Help Your Child Learn to Read. • janpierce.net
A happy, socialized guinea pig squeaks, chirps, whistles, and hops in the air when excited. They are quite easy to care for, requiring grass hay (available at Petco), pellets, fresh produce, and daily floor time, a must for exercise and socializing. Not enough exercise or too small a cage can lead to joint and muscle problems Guinea pigs are pack animals, so regular social interaction is imperative to their well-being. Without it, they’re likely to become depressed or aggressive. My piggy, Little Lenny Bruce, never bites because he receives plenty of attention from my 8-year-old daughter and me and enjoys sitting in our laps and being petted. He also squeaks loudly when he hears his name and will follow me. In fact, he’s become a bit of a social media star because we post so many photos and videos showcasing his personality. Vets recommend getting a pair of same sex piggies because companionship is vital. The downside to having a male is giving him “boar cleanings,” which entails cleaning their nether regions monthly. (Youtube videos show how this is done.) Sadly, some piggies wind up for sale on Craigslist. The reasons for rehoming are generally either “we don’t have time” or “my kids lost interest.” I’m a working single parent. If I can make time, so can you. In my opinion, giving away a pet because your children loses interest shows them it is okay to be irresponsible and break your commitment to the life of another living being. People with this mindset should not be pet owners. Do your research before making what should be a lifelong commitment. And if you’re thinking about a guinea pig, consider adoption.
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FERRETS AND LIZARDS AND PIGGIES, WHY NOT? By Stephanie Painter
SOME EXOTIC CREATURES ALSO MAKE FINE PETS Dogs and cats have proven charms, but some families are welcoming exotic pets into their homes. “Twenty years ago, most reptile owners were younger people who didn’t have kids. That has really changed,” says Dr. Shannon McGee, a veterinarian with Collierville Animal Clinic & Surgery Center. McGee’s practice involves canine and feline surgery along with reptile, bird, and exotic animal medicine. “Lots of families now have snakes and tortoises and other exotic pets such as ferrets, guinea pigs, and rabbits.”
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WHAT EXOTICS NEED Caring for a ferret or tortoise may broaden your appreciation of a new species, but owners must understand an exotic pet’s needs. “The biggest problem with exotics is that you can buy on a whim and not realize how specific the care requirements are. All exotics have specific temperature, humidity, and shelter requirements.” For example, a tropical lizard requires warmth with high humidity. “Bearded dragons require higher temps and lower humidity, and chameleons need a narrow 10- to 15-degree cool temperature range with humidity or they waste away,” says McGee. Consider that reptiles require basking areas for sunbathing. You can purchase full-spectrum UV lighting to meet these needs. It’s also important to know that exotic pets require hiding spots. “Without a good hiding spot, exotics get stressed,” he says. Proper feeding is another consideration. If you buy a bird, you’ll need to provide fresh fruits and vegetables. “You can buy good pellet mixes for birds, but birds do better with fresh fruits and vegetables such as apples, oranges, grapes, corn, and green beans.”
You’ll discover that you can form relationships and ‘bond’ with exotic pets. Mom Samira Murray says her family’s favorite pet was a ferret named Petunia. She was quite affectionate and very smart. She learned how to use a litter box, walk on a leash, and to come whenever a clicker was sounded. “Petunia was inquisitive and loved to play hide and seek,” says Murray. “She was very sweet.” Adds McGee, “As with any pet, the quality depends on how much time you spend interacting with them.” To start, avoid an exotic with a narrow temperature range and specific diet requirements. Guinea pigs and King snakes or rat snakes make good starter pets. “Guinea pigs are wonderful creatures,” notes Aisling Pa’draigin Condon Maki, whose daughter has had a piggie for two years. “I’ve been surprised to discover how talkative they are.” McGee’s daughter has successfully cared for frogs as well as a tarantula. Remember that pets should be age- and temperament-appropriate for a child. “Kids can injure very small exotics, and rabbits don’t do well with an active, noisy child,” he says. “Snakes are deaf, so they’re good for loud kids.”
TAKE GOOD CARE Dr. David Hanan is an avian and exotic animal veterinarian with Memphis Veterinary Specialists in Cordova. Hanan also stresses the importance of proper husbandry. “Ninety percent of problems are directly related to improper nutrition and husbandry with temperature, lighting, and not providing a hiding area,” says Hanan. He recommends scheduling a yearly exam for all exotics. “Exotics don’t advertise their illnesses and people don’t always pick up on the fact that they are sick. Know what is normal for the species.” “These are captive-bred wild animals. Ask yourself; can I provide a good home? With younger kids, avoid SMALL SPACE, SMALL PETS hedgehogs or sugar gliders that So you’ve done your homework and have prepared an optimal environment require more care and knowledge.” And if you buy a hamster or gerbil, for your new pet. Now, enjoy the perks. help your child care for the pet. “Smaller exotics fit in with busy “Often, hamsters and gerbils are households,” says McGee. “They treated as ‘disposable’ pets. They’re require less socializing time, eat less, sentenced to life in a cage in a kid’s and require no walking. Most exotics room, and children are put in charge of don’t require heartworm, flea, tick caring for them.” Pets left alone can prevention, or routine vaccinations. become less sociable. Keep your pet in [Note that ferrets require some vaccines.] Exotics are usually small and a visible space where they can be a part of family life. can live in smaller spaces.”
ANIMALS ILLEGAL TO POSSESS BY TENNESSEE LAW Wild, native species including bats, hawks, skunks, owls, song birds, raccoons, venomous snakes, turtles, alligators, and bobcats Source: Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency • tn.gov/twra
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OTHER VOICES
ROMANCE AFTER KIDS? FORGET ABOUT IT… One mom wonders how this heartfelt holiday got hijacked By LARA KRUPIKA • Illustration by DERRICK DENT Dear Cupid, Forgive me for butting in on your business (this being a hectic time of year for you and all), but I had to write. Something’s been bothering me in the years since I became a mom: If you haven’t noticed, your holiday has been hijacked. By other little people who don’t sport wings and a bow and arrow. Three reside right here in my house and they’re not remotely ready for the notion of romance (although the 14-year-old thinks she is). Yet they’ve co-opted what should be a celebration between couples for their own purposes. For instance, have you ever noticed on February 14th how my husband hurries to leave love notes on the breakfast table for our daughters, and, in his haste, forgets to even tell me goodbye? And the grandparents send along cards and candy hearts for the kids while the love of my life gives me ... nothing? It seems your powers of attraction have been redirected, causing parents to overexert themselves in being sure — on this day of days — that their children know they are cherished. They’re moved to gush over their offspring (whom they already cuddle and coddle), showering them with hugs and gifts and attention while only giving their co-conspirator in this scheme we call “family” an exhausted peck on the cheek and a quick, ‘Love ya, hon!’ I'm not sure that’s what you’re aiming for, Cupid. I’ll admit, I’ve been guilty of this hijacking myself, reduced to tucking frilly cards in lunch boxes, writing chalk-marker messages on the
patio window, and decorating heart-shaped sugar cookies. Yet for once, dear Cupid, I’d like to awaken to flowers on my dresser and champagne in the fridge. I’d be thrilled to break out a dress and heels for a dinner on the town at a place that doesn’t serve chicken fingers or mac and cheese. I could use a special day where the cards and wishes flowed just between my sweetheart and me. Actually Cupid, what I really wish is that you’d given me a warning about the influence over endearment held by babies and children. A headsup for what was to come. I would have squeezed in more romantic fondues or steak-and-seafood dinners. I would have taken more chilly moonlit strolls and splurged on that carriage ride. I would have fussed more over gifts of tenderness in that brief span of time. Then again, in those days, I probably wouldn’t have believed your warnings. After all, I was too smitten to imagine bringing little people into our lives could do anything but multiply our devotion to each other. Which in a way, it has. I have so much more to appreciate about my husband now. Like the way he can create a fishtail braid of a girl’s tresses. Or how he gently glues the heads back onto tiny plastic princess dolls. And have you seen how he bristles with a show of manly protection over the mention of a boy by our tween-aged daughter? Yet for all the devotion and love flowing in our household, I wish I could, for one Valentine’s Day again, be the center of someone’s world — to attract, again, all that affection to myself. Which
YET FOR ONCE, DEAR CUPID, I’D LIKE TO AWAKEN TO FLOWERS ON MY DRESSER AND CHAMPAGNE IN THE FRIDGE. is why you should do something to reclaim your holiday for romance. So what do you think, Cupid? Will you take back Valentine’s Day from the youngsters? If not, I’ll settle for a box of chocolates, a candlelit dinner at home with my husband, and a snuggle in front of the fireplace. Let the kids wash the dishes and clean up the kitchen. After all, we have to give them some way of participating in the holiday they’ve hijacked — in the name of love.
Lara Krupicka is a parenting journalist and mom of three who enjoys doting on her husband of 19 years when she’s not focused on the kids. ME EM MP PH H II S SP EN M PA AR RE NT T .. C CO OM M
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FEATURE
KNOW WHEN TO SIT IT OUT
Be smart when it comes to spotting and treating concussions By KRISTI COOK
Every parent knows that bumps and bruises are a part of childhood. However, the impact of concussion, once considered a mild injury, has been making headlines recently as ongoing research uncovers the potential risks of multiple concussions. We asked local medical experts to weigh in on this important topic. WHAT DOES CONCUSSION LOOK LIKE? “A concussion is a diffused injury to brain tissue; it’s like a bad bruise,” explains Dr. Jeannine Hogg, pediatric hospitalist with Spence and Becky Wilson Baptist Children’s Hospital. Caused by a blow or jolt to the head, neck, or body that jostles the brain rapidly back and forth, concussion is a traumatic brain injury that requires correct diagnosis and treatment to better ensure proper healing. The severity of a concussion used to be based on a loss of consciousness. But now doctors know differently. “We assume it’s a concussion if the child loses consciousness, but anytime there’s a direct blow to the head, face, or neck, you can have a concussion,” says Hogg. Whether your child is hit playing sports or falls from a swing at recess, Hogg advises having him evaluated any time there’s been a direct blow to the head. Symptoms such as dazed or confused behavior, slurred speech, frequent vomiting, or an ongoing headache, may appear immediately or within four to eight hours of the event.
REST IS KEY Despite the common misconception that concussions ‘go away’ rather quickly, Hogg says healing can take up to several weeks, depending on the severity of the injury. During this time, concussed kids may sleep more than usual, have difficulty with schoolwork, be more aggressive, become more easily frustrated, and experience headaches. To help your child heal, experts advise limiting activities such as schoolwork and screen time and avoiding more vigorous activities such as sports and exercise. TEACH KIDS TO SIT IT OUT – HERE’S WHY Possibly the most difficult aspect of treating concussions is convincing your athlete to slow down for a period of time. Even worse is telling them they can’t play or practice a favorite sport. Yet Hogg warns parents and kids alike, “If your child returns to play, he can be reinjured and there can be [the risk of] permanent or long-term damage.” While long-term damage is being studied in adults, what that looks like ME EM MP PH H II S SP EN M PA AR RE NT T .. C CO OM M
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OTHER VOICES in children is still unclear, notes Dr. Paul Klimo, a neurosurgeon at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, “We have a good understanding of the symptoms of a concussion, but we are trying to determine what the longterm impact of such injuries are. This is even more challenging in children, because the child’s brain is developing, so does it make it more susceptible to injury? We just don’t know.” Beth Hussey has seen the results of multiple concussions up close. Her daughter Gracie experienced her first diagnosed concussion at age 7 while playing competitive soccer. Other concussions were detected through the years and treated. Hussey also believes some may have been missed or mistaken as symptoms of dehydration, since both injuries share similar symptoms. However, like many kids, Gracie was also reluctant to report her symptoms to her mom or coach for fear of sitting on the bench. “I think [kids] don’t really take time to reflect and respect the symptoms like they should because they want to stay out there playing or don’t want to miss practice,” says Hussey. Gracie has experienced some cumulative effects, such as memory problems. Because of this, she left contact sports at age 13 in order to give herself time to properly heal. Now, Gracie and her mother share her story to help other athletes and parents understand the importance of recognizing concussions and knowing when to sit it out. Nick Signaigo, who played football for Alabama State (’00-’01) and Mississippi State (’03-’04), understands the athlete’s apprehension. “Back in high school, I would hit and knock myself out and go right back in.” One reason he thinks kids don’t want to report hard hits is that it gives backup players a chance to play. “The high school kids are thinking about dreams and aspirations of playing in college. So if you give your job up, you’re not going to be able to get in and prove yourself to the scouts,” says Signaigo. This ball player’s message to families? “You can’t play scared. You’ve got to play full out, 110 percent. But then, if something does happen, you’ve got to know when to take yourself out of the game. You’ve got to be smart.”
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WHEN TO SEEK FURTHER TREATMENT In most cases, concussions heal properly, leaving no residual effects when recognized early and treated with rest. However, Dr. Sarah Richie, neuropsychologist and owner of Memphis Neuropsychology in Memphis, says multiple concussions can have a cumulative effect, with more prolonged issues potentially affecting memory, attention, concentration, and organizational skills. Parents may notice their child is steadily having trouble in areas not previously experienced, such as performing tasks more slowly or having more errors in schoolwork. “When parents see that, although the child may looked recovered and not have any of the confusion, disorientation, cloudy vision, or headaches, there could be some things that are higher order cognitive functions that are not back to normal and are affecting them in their daily world,” says Richie. If parents notice these changes, they should seek further advice. If a concussion is suspected, follow up with your physician. But know that having a concussion doesn’t mean every child will experience long-term effects. “It’s a case-by-case basis. It’s important to treat each child as an individual and see what they are up against,” says Richie. Mike Mitchell, one coach for Holy Rosary’s fifth- and sixth-grade football program, advises parents to ask questions of your team coach to ensure your child is playing in a safe environment. DOES THE COACH Put the player’s health ahead of winning? Teach safety practices? Encourage players to report their injuries? Play just to win?
WISE UP Signs of a concussion include:
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FEATURE
THREE SURPRISING BENEFITS OF SUMMER CAMP Considering sleep-away camp this year? A week apart from family lets your kid savor his own independence and gain other essential personal skills By HEIDI SMITH LUEDTKE
Time at camp may be all it takes to spark a little self-determination in your kid. I know, it sounds too good to be true. Your school-age slacker — the one who expects you to find his homework and pack his lunch — might start doing some things for himself. And your often-bored tween might come home with more pep in her step. Psychologists use self-determination theory one regularly scheduled activity to the next with (SDT) to explain why some experiences make us no unstructured time in between. Camp puts feel engaged and excited while others drain and kids in charge of their own activities. Maybe your deplete us. The premise is simple: When an daughter will take a hike. Maybe she’ll paint activity meets our needs for autonomy, pottery. Maybe she’ll write you an email. It is up competence, and relatedness, we are energized to her to decide how she spends her free time. and empowered. Kids’ basic needs are no One thing is certain: She won’t sit around whining different from adults’. about having nothing to do. And if she does, you Kids want to do things for themselves. They won’t be there to hear it. crave a sense of accomplishment and routinely seek feedback. (“Look what I made, Mom!”) And BUILDING COMPETENCE kids thrive on connections with loved ones and The need for competence is satisfied when kids peers. Feelings of belongingness boost their learn new things and get positive feedback about self-worth. Summer camp offers loads of their efforts. Your kid might choose a camp opportunities to meet all these needs. And that focused on art, science, sports, or music. Or he should make kids (and the parents who love may opt for a good, old-fashioned sleep-away them) very happy campers indeed. experience, complete with rowboats and camp fires. Some camp activities may be outside your FINDING AUTONOMY kid’s comfort zone. Stretching is good. The need for autonomy is satisfied when kids Your child may be unsure she can cross the control their own lives. At camp, your son will slippery log over the creek. She may tremble have endless opportunities to care for himself. with excitement about her role in the theater Staff won’t select his clothes, organize the production. Peers and counselors will coax her contents of his locker, or remind him to put on along and give constructive advice. By the end of deodorant. No one will delay dessert until he camp, she’ll be the star of her own adventure eats his veggies. Independence is what camp is stories. all about. Don’t worry. The world won’t stop if If your kid is an experienced camper, your son wears the same shirt three days in a row. encourage him to share what he knows with His peers will speak up if he gets super stinky. newbies. Being an ambassador or mentor affirms During the school year, many kids jump from kids’ competence in a big way. Teaching a peer
how to trim a sail or chip a golf ball out of the tall grass will take your son’s skills to a higher level. His confidence will soar in response. CREATING CAMARADERIE Your biggest concerns about summer camp may center on the social scene. Your child may not know anyone on arrival. That’s okay. Camps create connections in many ways. Your kid may instantly bonded with bunkmates because they share a home base. Family-style dining and friendly competitions encourage interaction, too. The pursuit of shared goals — like building a robot or putting a frog in the counselor’s sleeping bag — cements kids’ camaraderie. Extroverted kids may make lots of friends at camp. Less sociable souls may not. What matters most is that kids have opportunities to talk, play, and live with a diverse group of peers. They won’t all become fast friends. Learning to navigate the choppy waters of friendship formation is a big part of the camp experience, too. Your kid’s social skillset will expand, even if she doesn’t find a new BFF. No matter what your kid takes to camp, he’ll come home with a suitcase full of memories and a renewed sense of self-determination. You’ll see it as soon as he wakes from his long post-camp nap. Really. ME EM MP PH H II S SP EN M PA AR RE NT T .. C CO OM M
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FEATURE
A House We Can All Call Home By STEPHANIE PAINTER
In honor of President’s Day, writer Stephanie Painter reflects on her family’s White House tour Following the winter holidays, I pose a question for my children: “Where do you want to vacation next summer?” Each year, they advocate for a week at the beach and a long weekend in Washington, D.C. Are you surprised teenagers would beg for multiple trips to the nation’s capitol? My daughters aren’t being groomed for internships on Capitol Hill, nor are my husband and I political wonks. However, the four of us find a stimulating home away from home in our nation’s capitol, discovering new sites to explore in this interesting city each visit. We love enjoying the breathtaking view from atop the Washington Monument and biking through the maze of memorials on the National Mall. There’s also fun window-shopping to be had in Georgetown. Yet despite having vacationed there twice, we still hadn’t managed a visit to the White House. So five months before our scheduled trip, I submitted a tour request through Congressman Steve Cohen’s office. Several weeks before our departure, we received approval: “We're on our way to the Red Room!” I announced with delight.
favorite rooms. Though the White House was rebuilt after the British burned it in 1814, John Adams would still recognize the structure if he were to come across it today. Along the self-guided tour, you’ll find descriptions of furniture and artwork posted in each room. Secret Service officers also provide extra historical information, we discover. The public tour covers rooms in the East Wing and main White House residence. First, we peek into the impressive Vermeil Room, which contains a massive 1,575-piece silver collection from the 18th- and 19thcenturies. We learn that the ground-floor rooms were once the domain of White House servants, who probably used this room as a bedroom or storage space. Across the hall, the library holds 2,700 works, all by American authors. I long for a library card that would allow us to explore the many titles. In the China Room, we search for our favorite presidents’ china and glassware. (I imagine dining with F.D.R.) We admire side chairs once used by President George Washington, ones that traveled here from earlier presidential residences in New York and Philadelphia.
A GLIMPSE INTO HISTORY On July 1, we arrived early for our morning tour. While waiting in line, my daughter checks online news and learns that photography is permitted on tours, effective today. Like the film character Forrest Gump, we have lucky timing, and once inside the White House, we snap photos in our
THE EAST ROOM’S LEGACY Upstairs, we tour the East Room, the largest room of the residence and one with a fascinating history. Today, press conferences and bill-signing ceremonies are held here, but during the Civil War, the room rang with the clatter of Union soldiers. It would later hold the nation’s sorrow
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“I happen temporarily to occupy this big White House,” said Abraham Lincoln. “I am a living witness that any one of your children may look to come here as my father’s child has.” following Lincoln’s assassination, when the Great Emancipator lay in state here for public viewing on April 18, 1865. Today, we gather with other tourists near the window, excitedly peering down at the lawn as someone boards a helicopter, perhaps President Obama, though no one can say for certain. After the helicopter leaves, we head to the Green Room, a favorite White House parlor and at one time the dining room of Thomas Jefferson. Here, we find the first work by an African-American artist to be added to the permanent White House collection, Henry Ossawa Tanner’s “Sand Dunes at Sunset, Atlantic City.”
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Sensory learning, neuromuscular activities, and spatial awareness, otherwise referred to as, WHITE HOUSE CHRISTMAS TREE Of course, the girls wonder what room holds the official White House Christmas tree. We learn that it stands in the Blue Room, honoring the courageous service of troops, veterans, and military families. The grand tree is trimmed with ornaments decorated by military children living on U.S. military bases all over the world. Many are cards with children’s notes of thanks to the troops. The State Dining Room boasts a commanding portrait of Abraham Lincoln, along with a table that seats 130 guests. “I love seeing where foreign dignitaries come and eat meals,” remarks my 16-year-old. Carved into the fireplace mantel is a quotation from a letter by John Adams: “I Pray Heaven to Bestow the Best of Blessings on THIS HOUSE and All that Shall hereafter inhabit it. May none but Honest and Wise Men ever rule under this Roof.” These moving words remind us of the fine ideals and democratic spirit we see displayed throughout the residence. We have spent only an hour here, but leave with a deeper appreciation of our nation’s history. We’re also reminded that this home belongs to all of us. “I happen temporarily to occupy this big White House,” said Abraham Lincoln. “I am a living witness that any one of your children may look to come here as my father’s child has.”
HOW TO REQUEST A WHITE HOUSE TOUR
Public tour requests must be submitted through your member of Congress. The self-guided tours are scheduled on a first come, first served basis. Requests can be submitted up to six months in advance and no less than 21 days in advance. Submit your request as early as possible, as a limited number of spaces are available daily. All White House tours are free.
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Second molar (10-12)
If your child falls or injures their teeth it is important to make quick First molarcontact (14-18) with a pediatric dentist for treatment.
molar (9-11) Proud to be one of Memphis First Magazine’s As an office examine if(9-12) Canine/cuspid (17-23)that specializes in children, we canCanine/cuspid TOP Pediatric Dentists! Lateral incisor (10-16) damage to surrounding structures and teeth has occurred
and evaluate Central incisor (6-10)
Lateral incisor (7-8)
if additional treatment is needed. Central incisor (6-7)
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We specialize in making youryour child’s visit avisit fun and We specialize in making child’s exciting experience a fun and exciting experience. Callus ustoday todayto toschedule schedule an an appointment! appointment! Call
Bartlett Office Atoka Office 3071 Kirby Whitten 11664Office Hwy 51 Bartlett Office Rd. Atoka 3071 Kirby Whitten Rd. for LittleAtoka, 11664 TN Hwy 51 Big Hearts Smiles! Bartlett, TN 38134 38004 Bartlett, TN 38134 901.382.1564 Bartlett Office
3071 Kirby Whitten Rd. 901.382.1564 Bartlett, TN 38134
901.382.1564
Atoka, TN 38004 901.837.6000 Atoka Office
11664 Hwy 51 901.837.6000 Atoka, TN 38004
901.837.6000
Visit usVisit online bartlettpediatricdentistry.com Visit us online at at www.bartlettpediatricdentistry.com us online at www.bartlettpediatricdentistry.com
Proud to be one of Memphis Magazine’s TOP Pediatric Dentists!
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Pediatric Dentistry
Bartlett, TN 38134 901.382.1564
Atoka, TN 38004 901.837.6000
We specialize in making your child’s visit CHILDREN’S TEETH ANATOMY
WHAT IS THE BENEFIT OF SEEING A BOARD CERTIFIED PEDIATRIC DENTIST? a fun and exciting experience. As a group of dentists with diverse training and experience, we can offer your Age Tooth Comes In dental services available. Age Tooth ls Losthave child the best, most complete Pediatric dentists Call us today toinschedule an appointment! (months) (years) specialized training and experience pediatrics, cosmetics, and orthodontics. For example, after completing dental school, pediatric dentists receive an Central incisor (8-12) Central incisor (6-7) additional two years of expert training to care for children’s dental needs – incisor (9-13) Lateral incisor learningLateral everything about the development of the human mouth from(7-8) infancy Bartlett Office Atokadevelopment Office to adolescence. Special emphasis is placed on behavioral and Canine/cuspid (16-22) Canine/cuspid (10-12) 3071 Whitten Rd. Pediatric dentists 11664 51extensive treating children withKirby unusual anxieties. alsoHwy have First molar (13-19) Second molar (9-11) Bartlett, TN of 38134 38004 experience treating patients all ages with specialAtoka, needs.TN Once a pediatric dentist graduates from their residency program, they are eligible to become board-certified. This voluntary process includes extensive testing and is a Second molar (25-33) Second molar (10-12) demonstrationItof pursuit of and continued proficiency and is the verypediatric commondentist’s for children to fall have traumatic excellence.
Big Hearts for Little Smiles! 901.382.1564
901.837.6000
injury to their teeth. Visit us online at www.bartlettpediatricdentistry.com
molar (23-31) molar (10-12) WHENSecond SHOULD MY CHILD HAVE THEIR FIRST DENTALSecond VISIT? your child or injures theirrecommends teeth it is important to make The American If Academy of falls Pediatric Dentistry that a child should quick contact with a pediatric dentist for treatment. have theirFirst first dental visit by their 1st birthday. We at Bartlett Pediatric Dentistry molar (14-18) First molar (9-11) agree with this recommendation. Thisone allowsof our team to examine your child’s Proud to be Memphis Magazine’s mouth,Canine/cuspid educate parents on proper dental care, and answer any questions parents As (17-23) an office that specializes in children, we can examine if Canine/cuspid (9-12) TOP Pediatric Dentists! may have about their child’s oral health. We recommend seeing all of our children Lateral incisor (10-16)to surrounding structures and teeth has occurred damage incisor (7-8) every six months for exams starting at age 1, and we will Lateral typically attempt a and(6-10) evaluate if additional treatment is needed. child’s first cleaning around age 3. Central incisor Central incisor (6-7)
WHEN DO CHILDREN TYPICALLY SEE YOUR ORTHODONTIST? 5/13/15 Our office is one of very few in the mid-south that has a full time orthodontist We under specialize inroof. making child’s visit and pediatric dentists the same We feelyour that having both specialties in one office truly affords our patients the most comprehensive and highest a fun and experience. possible level of care available. Weexciting follow the American Association of Orthodontists guidelines of having a child’s first evaluation by our orthodontist at age 7. WhileCall most us children mayto require full bracesan in middle school, it is very today schedule appointment! important to have an evaluation at age 7 to determine if any orthodontic problem exists or is developing. Many orthodontic problems may be easier to correct if they’re found early. If early treatment is in order, the orthodontist may be able Office Atoka Office to achieve results Bartlett that may not be possible once the face and jaws have finished growing. 3071 Kirby Whitten 11664 Hwy 51 Big HeartsRd. for Little Smiles!
Bartlett, TN 38134
Atoka, TN 38004
901.382.1564
901.837.6000
11:56 AM
WHY BARTLETT PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY? Bartlett Office Atoka Office As soon as you walk office, us uniquely suited to 3071into Kirbyour Whitten Rd. you will see what makes 11664 Hwy 51 Bartlett, TN 38134has been designed Atoka, 38004 see young patients. Everything to be TN child-friendly, and it’s not at all like you901.382.1564 might visualize a general dentist’s office. Our office is specifically 901.837.6000 designed to stimulate and entertain children to make them feel comfortable and Visit us online www.bartlettpediatricdentistry.com Visit us onlineat at www.bartlettpediatricdentistry.com relaxed. Your child immediately senses that our office was created for their comfort. In the clinic, where your child will be treated, we’ve used an open bay concept, where children can see each other – they won’t be closed up in a tiny room. We have filled our office with a group of friendly and dedicated 5/13/15 team 11:56 AM to be one of Memphis members. Each of Proud them was handpicked because they know howMagazine’s to talk to, think like and bond with children. OurTOP missionPediatric is being able toDentists! talk to and connect with your child. We will also take the time you need to answer your questions and concerns as a parent, and to make sure you are well informed.
5/13/15 11:56 AM
FAMILY TABLE
SPREAD THE LOVE These hot, buttery biscuits are irresistible By LIZ PHILLIPS
It’s a bit presumptuous for a Yankee like me to write about biscuits in a Southern magazine, but I’m not going to let that scare me. I’m in a biscuitbaking frame of mind these days, and I’ve got the fanaticism of the newcomer on my side. My 12-year-old son ate five at breakfast this weekend. Even my dad, who’s really trying to lay off the carbs, succumbed. And those were my B-game biscuits. What more do you need to know? Some of you don’t need to know anything. You have the biscuit thing down. You learned to make them at your Mee-Maw’s side. Or you’re perfectly happy with the Pillsbury Dough Boy, thanks very much. But if you’re a biscuit lover with a tiny willingness to entertain new ideas and a kid or two who might reward your curiosity with a big “Thanks, MOM!” then read on. It starts with flour. Every year I buy a bag of White Lily self-rising flour for my Christmas pudding, and I barely use half. The remainder sits around all year, expiring before I can finish it. That’s because self-rising flour already has the baking powder mixed in, and baking powder has a limited shelf life before it loses its power to lift. So this year I decided to use the rest for the purpose for which it was intended: delicate, multi-layered Southern biscuits. It’s worth getting flour like White Lily or Martha White for biscuits. They’re both soft-wheat flours, which won’t develop the protein called gluten as readily as hard-wheat all-purpose or bread flours. Consequently, these biscuits are magically tender — as long as you refrain from overworking the dough. I made my first post-holiday batch for New Year’s Day to pair with ham. Using a technique I read about on Leite’s Culinaria, I cut cold butter in with a pastry blender, then patted my dough out flat and folded it like a letter, repeating this a few times to make biscuits that rivaled any I’d eaten at a restaurant. More recently, pressed for time, I threw together flour and butter in the food processor, then quickly folded in buttermilk and used a small ice-cream scoop to drop balls of dough onto some parchment. (These are the aforementioned B-game biscuits.) The resulting nuggets, craggy as rocks on the outside and fluffy as clouds inside, were irresistible. So I leave it to you. Painstakingly pat them out and use a heartshaped cutter in honor of Valentine’s Day. Or unceremoniously drop them in the pan. Either way, you’ll be spreading love.
Love Biscuits 2 cups self-rising flour, such as Martha White or White Lily 1 teaspoon sugar 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda 1⁄2 stick - 1 whole stick (I like everything buttery, but maybe you don’t) cold, unsalted butter, cut into thin pieces 3⁄4 cup buttermilk, plus up to 2 tablespoons more if needed 2 tablespoons butter, melted (optional)
Preparation Directions Heat oven to 450°F. Line a rimmed baking or cookie sheet with parchment or a non-stick mat. Whisk together flour, sugar, and baking soda in large bowl. Toss butter in dry ingredients to coat. Cut in butter with pastry blender or fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. (Or pulse together in a food processor ‘til you have pea-sized bits of butter, then pour it out into a good-sized bowl to mix in the buttermilk.) Add buttermilk; stir with fork until soft dough forms and mixture begins to pull away from sides of bowl. To make drop biscuits: Using a small ice cream scoop with a trigger or lever, portion dough onto lined pan, leaving an inch or two between biscuits. To make regular biscuits: With floured hands, gently knead dough on lightly floured surface just until smooth. Pat out dough to 3⁄4-inch thickness, then fold into thirds like a letter. Fold in half, pat again to 3⁄4” thickness, and repeat the process two more times. Pat one last time to 1⁄2” to 3⁄4” thickness, and cut with floured cutter. Press remaining scraps of dough together and cut as many more biscuits as you can. Place on prepared pan. Bake smaller ones 10-12 minutes, larger ones 12-15, or until golden brown. Brush with melted butter. Serve warm, maybe with butter and strawberry jam if it’s Valentine’s Day. ME EM MP PH H II S SP EN M PA AR RE NT T .. C CO OM M
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EARLY YEARS
TALK, CUDDLE, PLAY
Healthy attachment is key to your child’s security By MATTHEW TIMBERLAKE | The Urban Child Institute
What did Dar th expect after being emotionally absent for the first 18 years of his kids’ lives? There were no bottles given in rocking chairs. There was no time for a reassuring touch when they bumped their heads. He wasn’t able to build nurturing bonds with his children because he didn’t make a conscious effort to be with them, engaging in behaviors that help bolster a child’s emotional and social health. But we can do better. We can be the good guys. The trick is in understanding which habits create strong attachments and finding the right balance for your family. CONSISTENT CARE Children need a calm, consistent presence, both emotionally and physically. Routinely being with familiar caregivers nourishes your child’s social and emotional growth, giving them a dependable protector and creating strong attachments. Plan days to maximize the time children spend with special caregivers. Build in time to play together, time for cuddles and reading, time for taking walks. And talk, a lot. Give words to your actions, and your child’s. “You’re rolling a
Darth Vader was not a great parent. He used threats, mind games, and torture to get his kids to do his bidding. He was all: “Join the dark side and rule the galaxy with me or I will destroy you!” And his son was like: “Noooooo!”
ball to me. Good!” “Look at this leaf. It’s orange and brittle, with a bug on it.” Hold hands, offer a lap, squat to keep your faces at the same level, maintain eye contact. Maximize proximity and engagement. Put your phone down and exist in your child’s world, while sharing your own with them. Repeat daily. THE GOLDEN RULE Remember that children have points of view, fears, interests, and agendas, too. Treat them like you expect to be treated by others, even when your child has misbehaved and needs some redirection. Emotions are powerful and managing them is confusing. Children need coaching from a trusted adult that can help them understand their world. Falling into the ‘because I said so’ habits can be unconscious and easy. The reason he has to share the tangerine with his sister isn’t because you said so, it’s because it’s the right thing to do. Positive discipline is rooted in a sturdy, connected relationship between kids and caregivers. Describe what went wrong, correct the behavior,
comfort, and be consistent. YOUR OWN TIMELINE Bonding doesn’t happen the same way for every parent and child. Avoid comparing your experience with your baby with stories from your friends and family, or even your experience with your child’s older siblings. Instead, be thoughtful about how you spend time with your child, and be conscious of how your behavior is benefitting them. The bonds will develop in their own way as long as you are consistent with the investment of your attention. Imagine how The Empire Strikes Back would have turned out if Darth Vader had made bonding with his children a priority, rather than the complete subjugation of the known galaxy. If he’d been a more consistent, positive presence in Luke’s life, it never would have come to slicing the poor boy’s hand off and tossing him into a bottomless pit. The Sith Lord and commander of the Imperial fleet could have reached out to his son, not to crush his trachea with dark side powers, but with warm understanding.
One step in teaching self-control is teaching your child to wait.
Go to TUCI.org for a copy of the Parents Guide to Kindergarten Readiness. MG-17
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M ME EM MP PH H II S S P PA AR RE EN NT T
FE EB BR RU UA AR RY Y 2 20 0 11 6 6 F
THUMBS UP
WHAT AGE SHOULD CHILDREN
FIRST SEE THEIR PEDIATRIC DENTIST?
How to pull the plug on this common habit
AGE 5 AGE 3 AGE 1
By MEENA VISWANATHAN Thumb-sucking is very common among young children. Babies suck their thumbs to help them go to sleep, to calm themselves down, or simply because it feels good. It is more likely your child developed this habit in the womb and mastered it during infancy. “Thumb-sucking is a natural response to the need to suck to get nutrition,” notes Dr. Ellen Stecker, pediatrician with BMG River City Pediatrics. “It is often associated with security item, such as a blanket or stuffed animal.” Simply resting the thumb in the mouth for a short period of time is less likely to cause a problem. If your child is an aggressive thumb sucker, however, it could affect teeth alignment as well as the roof of the mouth. WHEN TO INTERVENE? “The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends guiding parents to help their child stop sucking their thumb by the age of 3 years or younger,” says Dr. John Acosta, pediatric dentist with Pediatric Dental Group. Preliminary evidence indicates some bite problems will persist. Besides, between the ages of 3 and 4, children develop reasoning skills and parents can use encouragement to help break this habit. “Intervention should be gentle and with the child taking a role in deciding how to remind herself,” suggests Stecker. “These ‘reminders’ should not be imposed on the child like a punishment but should be part of a mutually agreed upon plan. If the child is ridiculed or the thumb is forced away, the child will probably become more attached and less likely to quit.” TIPS TO BREAK THE HABIT The good news is most kids quit on their own by the time they reach kindergarten. However, approximately 15 percent of children persist into elementary school. “If the habit continues through age 6, the parent and child should work together to come up with a plan that is reasonable for the child to accomplish, while conveying understanding that this is a difficult task and how proud you are that he is working on it,” explains Stecker. The American Academy of Pediatrics says treatment is usually limited to children who continue thumb-sucking after turning 5. “Any treatment considered must be appropriate for the child’s development, comprehension, and ability to cooperate,” observes Acosta. As far as dental options go, there are numerous types, from at-home remedies to habit appliances. Use of a habit appliance is indicated only when the child says they want to stop but cannot. Remember this about thumb-sucking: It is more successful when your child wants to stop. If the habit is engrained and your child doesn’t want to, he’ll take off the sock, glove, or bandage, as well as products like ThumbGuard, Stopzit, or Mavala Stop. In those cases, the best option is to install a thumb-sucking appliance that cannot be removed by the child, says Acosta. It is attached to the upper molars with orthodontic bands. When a child tries to put his thumb inside the mouth, the wire loop comes off the orthodontic bands and covers part of the palate, thus making it uncomfortable to place the thumb into the mouth. This device puts no pressure on the palate or teeth. KEEP TEETH HEALTHY The AAPD recommends taking your child to see a pediatric dentist before his first birthday. Early dental visits can provide parents with guidance to help your child stop thumb-sucking by an appropriate age. Pediatric Dental Group offers complimentary dental exams for children under the age of 2.
HELP YOUR KID BREAK THE HABIT
• Offer praise when your child doesn’t suck his thumb instead of scolding him when he does. • If using the thumb when feeling insecure, recognize the cause of the anxiety and provide comfort, or help find a different way to self-soothe. • If thumb-sucking when bored, distract with a hands-on activity. • Your pediatric dentist can offer encouragement and explain what can happen to teeth if sucking continues. • If sucking persists, put a bandage or sock on the thumb at night. • For an older child, involve him or her in choosing a stopping method. Source: American Dental Association
Yes, that’s right! Actually within 6 months of their first birthday!
m xander Two) E e U e Frheildren Valuatients P C For $58 ails. New2/29/16. rred (a Call for nDley.t Expiresmay be insceus. O l fees al ca u a ition divid Add in in
Pediatric Dentists
Steven J. Fuson, D.D.S., M.S., John A. Acosta, D.D.S., Toddrick Smith, D.D.S., Ryan Wilson, D.D.S., Martha Wells, D.M.D., M.S.
Family Dentists
Clayton Floriani, D.D.S., Natalie Carruth, D.D.S.
Orthodontists
Bob Lorentz, D.D.S., M.S., Kyle Fagala, D.D.S., M.D.S., Gregg Bouldien, D.D.S., M.S.
Germantown
901.453.4382 Kirby
www.pdg4kids.com
901.453.4383
Olive Branch
662.985.6047 Southaven
662.985.6048
Friday, February 26th 8:00am-7:00pm
Saturday, February 27th 8:00am-12:00 noon Many items half price on Saturday ACCEPTED
Gently Used Name Brand Spring Clothing Children’s Shoes - Baby Equipment & Furniture Infant/Toddler Toys & Outdoor Toys
A Kids’ Music Class that Really Rocks Come Jam with Music for Aardvarks, Memphis!
An interactive music program for children 6 months to 5 years and their parents/caregivers
SPRING REGISTRATION BEGINS •FEBRUARY Straight from7TH New York City • Great music • Live guitar and storytelling, singing and dancing • Fun for parents too! • Great for birthday parties, special events, & school programs
Newcomers welcome to drop in for one FREE class
r inne now in Midtown, East Memphis, Collierville, and Cordova WClasses Classes in Midtown and East Memphis Visit theweb webatatwww.memphisaardvarks.com www.memphisaardvarks.com Visit us us onon the or contactususatat871-0227 871-0227or orinfo@memphisaardvarks.com info@memphisaardvarks.com or contact
ME EM MP PH H II S SP EN M PA AR RE NT T .. C CO OM M
27 7 2
CALENDAR
FEBRUARY CALENDAR by MEENA VISHWANATHAN
STOMP
Saturday, February 20 • The Orpheum • 2 & 8 p.m. STOMP, created by Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas, is known for incorporating one-of-a-kind pieces in its musical presentation. After the show, you will never look at shopping carts or plumbing fixtures the same way again. $20-$59. For tickets, call 525-3000.
2 • TUESDAY
Mini Masters. Dixon Gallery and Gardens. Tuesdays from 10:30-11:15 a.m. Parent-child workshop designed for toddlers features story time, art activity, and snack. $8/child. Call 761-5250 to pre-register and pre-pay by noon the day before.
Wild Lunch at Lichterman. Lichterman Nature Center. Tuesday through Saturday at noon. Watch the Backyard Wildlife Center’s animal keepers feed the animals. Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday: Box Turtle. Wednesday: Hawk. Friday: Snakes. Free with admission. 636-2210.
4 • THURSDAY
KidsTown Children’s Consignment. The Agricenter. Through February 6. Thursday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Shop for children’s needs including clothes, shoes, toys, baby equipment, DVDs, CDs, books, games, outdoor toys, and furniture. Free. Visit consignkidstown.com or call 569-5543.
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SmART Kids. Dixon Gallery and Gardens. Thursdays from 10:30-11:15 a.m. Children ages 4-5 are invited to explore art and horticulture activities. $8/child. Snack included. Reservations required. 761-5250.
5 • FRIDAY
12th Annual Eagle Festival. Reelfoot Lake State Park, Tiptonville, TN. Though February 7. Friday, 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Saturday, 6 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, 6 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Weekend festivities include special photography tours & hikes, art & photography contests, live Birds of Prey program, Discovery Park of America Dinosaur Program, children’s activities, eagle and waterfowl tours, and vendors. $5/person. Call (731) 253-9652 to reserve tours. • For details, reelfoottourism.com or (731) 253-2007.
Moon Mouse. The Orpheum. 6:30 p. m. Ages 8+. Lightwire Theater presents this cosmic adventure that celebrates differences. Regular admission: $15. VIP tickets: $30. For tickets, call 525-3000.
STREET BEAT. Buckman Arts Center at St. Mary’s School. 7 p.m. This award-winning show combines high energy acrobatics, urban dance, audience participation, and percussive everyday-objectsturned-instruments to create a one-of-a-kind theatrical performance. $25/adult. $20/child. 537-1483.
6 • SATURDAY
Family Studio. Dixon Gallery and Gardens. 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Drop in at the Dixon to create works of art, open-studio style. Free. 761-5250.
9 • TUESDAY
Caterpillar Club: Prehistoric Plant Trail: All About Dinosaurs. Memphis Botanic Garden (MBG). Also on Wednesday, from 10-11 a.m. Choose Tuesday or Wednesday session. Children ages 2-5 are invited to join for stories, music and movement, natureinspired art, and adventure hikes in My Big Backyard. Semester theme: Gardens at the Garden. 6-class semester fee: $75 Registration required. 636-4122.
DRIVE A TOYOTA FOR LESS THAN A CUP OF COFFEE A DAY!
* All advertised payments are closed-end leases based on 36-months/36,000-miles, and $4,999 due at signing with the security deposit waived; payments exclude dealer documentary fee of $499.50, state and local taxes, tags, registration, and title and insurance, and must have approved credit through Toyota Financial Services at Tier 1 Plus only. 2016 COROLLA S: $79/Month ($2.63 times 30-days = $79/month) / Model #1862 / 36 Months / 36-month payments total $2,844 / MSRP $20,330 / Lease-end purchase option $13,418 / Lease Factor 0.00060 / Adjusted Capitalized Cost is $19,300* based on dealer participation. 2016 CAMRY SE: $99/Month ($3.30 times 30-days = $99/month) / Model #2546 / 36 Months / 36-month payments total $3,564 / MSRP $24,979 / Lease-end purchase option $15,737 / Lease Factor 0.00035 / Adjusted Capitalized Cost is $23,300* based on dealer participation. 2016 RAV4 LE: $129/Month ($4.30 times 30-days = $129/month) / Model #4430 / 36 Months / 36-month payments total $4,644 / MSRP $26,402 / Lease-end purchase option $16,897 / Lease Factor 0.00060 / Adjusted Capitalized Cost is $25,200* based on dealer participation. Lessee may be charged for excessive wear based on Toyota Financial Services standards for normal use and for mileage in excess of 36,000 miles at the rate of $0.15 per mile. A $350 Disposition Fee is due at lease termination. Lease offers are good through February 29, 2016.
M E M PH I S PA R ENT.COM
29
CALENDAR
13 • SATURDAY
Family Tunes & Tales. At area libraries including Central Library, Bartlett, Cordova, Collierville, and Germantown. 11 a.m. Join the musical families of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra as they present a story set to music. Also enjoy an art activity. Free. 537-2500.
Where Learning Begins and Scholars Attend... • Infant, Toddler, Preschool & before- and after-school programs • Advanced Preschool Curriculum • Christian education • High Quality Infant/Toddler Program 1639 & 1643 Madison Ave. • Preschool Reading Program Memphis, TN 38104 • We Offer Gymnastics and Taekwondo & Office: 901-276-8781 Spanish www.theacademyonmadison.com • Game Room for before- and after-school programs Center Hours: 6:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Private Pay & DHS Certificates Welcome Open House for prospective parents every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. & Thursday evenings at 5:30 p.m.
HIGH QUALITY CHILDCARE AND SCHOOL AGED CARE
Outdoor Woodcrafts
We Build FUN in Your Backyard! homesteadoutdoor.com
8390 Hwy 64 Bolivar, TN 38008 • For more info, call 731-658-4906 30
Mother-Daughter Valentine’s Tea. MBG. 2-3:30 p.m. Enjoy the afternoon with sampling of teas and sweets, then create a craft to cherish as a keepsake. $25. Space limited. Reservations required. 636-4131. Internet Cat Video Festival. Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. 2 & 4 p.m. Come check out who won the Golden Kitty Award at the hilarious series curated by the Walker Art Center. $9/$5 Brooks members and students with valid ID. Free with VIP Film Pass. 544-6200.
19 • FRIDAY
Contra-Tiempo. The Orpheum. 6:30 p.m. This multi-lingual Los Angelesbased dance company brings their newest work Agua Furiosa to entertain audiences. This thought provoking and visually stunning dance performance merges call and response, a live vocalist, water themes, fierce physicality, and the performers’ own personal narratives. Regular admission: $15. VIP tickets: $30. For tickets, call 525-3000.
HOMESTEAD Your destination for all your swing set needs!
14 • SUNDAY
M E M P H I S P A R E N T FFEEBBRRUUAARRYY 22001 166
perspective. $20/adult. $15/child. Reservations. 457-2780. Doktor Kaboom! Live Wire. Halloran Centre at The Orpheum Theatre. 7 p.m. Doktor Kaboom! explores the fundamentals of electrical energy and the history of humanity’s adventures in this interactive science comedy show. Regular admission: $15. VIP tickets: $30. For tickets, call 525-3000.
20 • SATURDAY
Spotlight Saturday: Our Collierville Community. Morton Museum of Collierville History. 10 a.m.4 p.m. Family-friendly program and crafts that sheds light on a new subject each month. Free. 457-2650. The Garden of Rikki Tikki Tavi. Playhouse on the Square. 10 a.m. & 2 p.m. Children ages 4-12 can enjoy this comical adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s classic that talks about sharing and cooperation. $10/adult. $5/child. Reservations required. 726-4656. STOMP. The Orpheum. 2 & 8 p.m. STOMP is known for incorporating one-of-a-kind pieces in its musical presentation. After the show, you will never look at shopping carts or plumbing fixtures the same way again. $20-$59. For tickets, call 525-3000.
Sing Along with The Muppet Movie. Germantown Performing Arts Center (GPAC). 6:30-8:30 p.m. The IBEX Puppetry presents this Disney’s My Son Pinocchio: Geppetto’s family-friendly interaction with the Musical Tale. Harrell Performing Arts Theatre. Through February 28. Friday & classic, timeless Jim Henson film. It’s full of surprises - like bubbles, Saturday, from 7-9 p.m. Sunday, from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Ages 7 and up. This new streamers, kites, confetti pops, and characters that seem to come right out musical tale retells the classic Disney of the screen and into the audience. story from toymaker Geppetto’s
St. Augustine Catholic School 1169 Kerr Ave., Memphis, TN (901) 942-8002
Forming tomorrow’s citizens through Christian values and academic excellence
St. Augustine Catholic School serves students PreK3-6th Grade. We nurture the whole child in the tradition of Catholic education by motivating students to be respectful, focused, and prepared. Contra-Tiempo. The Orpheum. 6:30 p.m.
$8/person, includes a goodie bag. 751-7500.
21 • SUNDAY
Youth Villages Soup Sunday. FedEx Forum. 11 a.m.2 p.m. At the 27th annual event, families can taste delicious foods from more than 50 restaurants, take part in an Oreo stacking contest, enjoy face painting, a magic show with Mr. Nick, inflatables, meet mascots from Memphis teams, and more. $30/adult. $10/child ages 6-10. Family Four Packs: $40 (available limited time online). For tickets, go to SoupSunday.org
23 • TUESDAY
Caterpillar Club: Sensory Garden: My Five Senses. MBG. Also on Wednesday, 10-11 a.m. Choose Tuesday or Wednesday session. 6-class semester fee: $75. Registration required. 636-4122.
26 • FRIDAY
Big Dipper Campfire Party. MBG. 6-8 p.m. Families are invited to join for campfire and stargazing activities. Learn about the winter skies with a real-time star show in the Guest House, share star stories, and discover how the Big Dipper helped people find their way. Plant a moonflower, take a night hike through the garden, and enjoy hot dogs, s’mores, and refreshments. $12. Reservations required. 636-4131.
Moby Dick. Halloran Centre at The Orpheum Theatre. 7 p.m. Germany’s award-winning Theater Triebwerk brings Herman Melville’s epic saga to stage. Three gifted actors use their bodies, ever-switching hats, and musical instruments to create excitement and suspense. Regular admission: $15. VIP tickets: $30. For
• Christ-centered • Academic excellence • Structured & nurturing environment • Tuition based on sliding scale • Balanced school year
tickets, call 525-3000.
27 • SATURDAY
IRIS Orchestra Family Concert. AMRO Music Store. 9-10:15 a. m. IRIS Orchestra invites children to come enjoy a 45-minute concert, interact with the musicians, and explore different musical instruments at the Instrument Petting Zoo. Free. 7517669.
ONGOING EVENTS MUSEUMS AND EXHIBITS Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. Mid-South Scholastic Arts Awards Exhibition. Through February 28. Annual juried art exhibition showcases art and writing from students grades 7 to 12. Wonder, Whimsy, Wild: Folk Art in America. Through February 28. 544-6200. PINK PALACE MUSEUM. Nature Unleashed: Inside Natural Disasters. February 6 through May 1. The science behind natural phenomena and the impact these have on human lives. 636-2362. CTI 3D GIANT THEATER. Journey to Space 3D. Through March 4. Prehistoric Planet: Walking With Dinosaurs 3D. Through March 4. Living in the Age of Airplanes in 2D. Through March 4. 636-2362. The Sharpe Planetarium is Now Open. Firefall. Through June 3. This show takes you through Earth’s violent journey and demonstrates how comets and asteroids shaped its surface.
• Technology-intergrated classrooms • Small group instruction and tutoring • Character education • Before and after school care • Athletics programs
For more information on enrollment or to schedule a school tour, contact St. Augustine at (901) 942-8002 or kelsey.bourquin@staug.cdom.org.
Discover the best kept secret in St. Anne Catholic School is a community of educators, parents and students — a community built on academic advancement and spiritual enrichment. Over our 75 year history, we have provided students with the tools to thrive in all walks of life, developing well-rounded individuals and life-long learners.
We innovate education through: • Comprehensive and challenging child-centered curriculum • Small classroom sizes and personal attention from instructors • Diverse and inclusive student body • Extensive opportunities for student involvement and leadership • Faculty interaction and engagement with parents and families • New student referral program • Economic tuition with financial aid opportunities
OPEN HOUSE
Thursday, Feb. 18th at 6 p.m. St. Anne is a co-educational school serving children from age 3 through eighth grade. PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE AT 901-323-1344 TO SCHEDULE A TOUR OF OUR SCHOOL.
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The Pool School’s UNDER THREE SWIMBOREE A NEW SELF-PACED, INTERACTIVE APPROACH TO PARENT/TOT SWIM LESSONS BEGIN YOUR CHILDS WATER EDUCATION IN A FUN, NONTHREATENING ATMOSPHERE Dorothea Lange: Grab a Hunk of Lightning. Halloran Centre at The Orpheum Theatre. Wednesday, February 24, at 7 p.m.
WATER TEMPERATURE 90 DEGREES YEAR AROUND CLASSES SATURDAY MORNINGS
Astronaut. Through June 3. Show explores what it takes to be an astronaut. Seasonal Stargazing. Through June 3. Hop through constellations, learn star names, and groove to planetarium space music in this full-dome, audio-visual experience. One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure. Through June 3. Big Bird and Elmo explore the night sky with Hu Hu Zhu, taking an imaginary trip to the moon. 636-2362
TO ENROLL, GO TO: WWW.SWIMPOOLSCHOOL.COM, CLICK ON ENROLL HERE CLASSES BEGIN MONTHLY
MORTON MUSEUM OF COLLIERVILLE HISTORY. Slaves and Slaveholders of Wessyngton Plantation. Through March 5. Free. 457-2650
FOR ADDITIONAL INFO CALL: 901-386-1999
OTHER PROGRAMS
MALLORY-NEELY HOUSE TOUR. Mallory-Neely House, 652 Adams. Fridays & Saturdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $7/adult. $5/child (ages 3-12). 523-1484.
Yummy Bunny Breakfast and VIP Easter Eggstravaganza Hunt Saturday, March 19 9:30-11am
SUMMER THEATRE CAMP REGISTRATION BEGINS. Bartlett Performing Arts and Conference Center. Registration begins February 16 and runs through the summer. Five camps for ages 8-13; one camp for ages 12-16. Each camp runs Tuesday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Camp calendar for young kids runs June 14-July 22. Each week features a different Disney story, including Emperor’s New Clothes, Alice in Wonderland, Treasure Island, Cinderella, and Aladdin. Week of June 28 is Teen Camp and features The Wizard of Oz in the Wild West. Performances take place each Friday. Fee: $125 plus a $50 deposit per camp. Visit bpacc.org or call 385-6440 to register.
Advance Tickets Required Members $15 & Non-Members $20 Sponsored by
CLASSES & WORKSHOPS
458-2678 or CMOM.COM
KALEIDOSCOPE CLUB. Dixon Gallery and Gardens. Wednesdays, 4-5 p.m. Ages 6-9. This after-school program explores a project involving horticulture, art, or literature. $8. Snack provided. Call 761-5250 to register.
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AFRO-CUBAN FEAST FOR VALENTINE’S DAY WEEKEND. Art Village Gallery. Saturday, February 13, 7-9 p.m. Celebrate Valentine’s Day with an Afro-Cuban feast presented by Nigerian chef Hilda O while enjoying art, music, and dance at the art gallery on South Main. For reservations, go online to: artvillagegallery.com/afro-cuban-valentines-day-dinner/
WE OFFER: COMPUTER CLASS, QUALIFIED TEACHERS, SMALL SETTING, HANDS-ON TEACHING, AND GREAT! CURRICULUM.
OPEN STUDIO. Dixon Gallery and Gardens. Fridays, 4-5 p.m. Ages 15+. Sketch from master works and learn how to advance your skills with guidance from an instructor. Walk-in program. Free with admission. 761-5250. GUY TALK. Methodist Le Bonheur Germantown. February 5 & 6. Parents only on Friday night from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Parent-child event on Saturday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Educational program designed for boys ages 9-12 and their parents to enhance communication between them about sexuality, family values, decision making, and responsibility. $60 for father-son pair. 516-6645. JUNIOR ARCHIVIST WORKSHOP. Morton Museum of Collierville History. On select Saturdays (February 6 & 13) from 11 a.m. until noon. Grades 4-8. A perfect program for young historians-in-training. Participants learn to sort through primary source documents related to individuals from the Slaves and Slaveholders of Wessyngton Plantation exhibit. Free. Register at SignUpGenius. com/go/30E0944A8AC2CA4FC1-junior or call 457-2650.
MOON MOUSE
DR. KABOOM!: LIVE WIRE
Friday, February 5, 2016 • 6:30pm Historic Orpheum Theatre
Friday, February 19, 2016 • 7:00pm Halloran Centre
CONTRA-TIEMPO: AGUA FURIOSA
MOBY DICK
Friday, February 19, 2016 • 6:30pm Historic Orpheum Theatre
Friday, February 26, 2016 • 7:00pm Halloran Centre
TO PURCHASE TICKETS: www.Orpheum-Memphis.com • (901) 525-3000 EDUCATION PROGRAMS SUPPORTED IN PART BY
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America’s Premiere Fire Museum! Visit the Memphis Fire Dogs at the Fire Museum of Memphis
118 Adams Avenue - Memphis, TN 38103 901-636-5650 Last admission taken one hour before closing. Open Mon-Sat 9a-4:30p - www.remuseum.com
Doktor Kaboom! Live Wire. Halloran Centre at The Orpheum Theatre. 7 p.m.
IMMUNOTHERAPY AND FOOD ALLERGY: THE “NUTS” AND BOLTS PRESENTATION. Magnolia Room at St. Francis Hospital-Bartlett. Monday, February 8, 6 p.m. Dr. Jay Lieberman shares information on how to help those diagnosed with food allergies. Free. RSVP at faamidsouth.org CHILDREN’S FLOWER ARRANGEMENT WORKSHOP. Dixon Gallery and Gardens. Saturday, February 13, 10 a.m.-noon. Ages 11-14. Learn to artfully arrange flowers and create a bouquet. $20. Call 761-5250 to register. FREE PARENT EDUCATION WORKSHOP. Women’s Pavilion, Classroom 2 at Methodist Germantown. Thursday, February 18, 6:30 p. m. Memphis Birth Collective Parent Topic Night Series: Benefits of Prenatal and Infant Massage. Free. Learn more at memphisbirthcollective.com BACKYARD CHICKENS. Farm Park, Germantown. Saturday, February 27, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Learn how to set up your own chicken coop and care for chickens from hatching to maturity. Free. Pre-registration required. Contact: Joni Roberts, 757-7375.
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POSTPARTUM PLANNING WORKSHOP. Homecoming Postpartum Services. Sunday, February 28, 2-4 p.m. Topics include handling visitors and guests, preparing your relationships (friends, too) for baby, planning meals, taking care of mom, and more. $30/registration (includes up to two support persons). For details, visit homecomingdoula.com or call 412-1678.
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HOMESCHOOL CLASSES
HOMESCHOOL DAY: CUCKOO FOR CACAO. Memphis Botanic Garden (MBG). Wednesday, February 3, 2-3:30 p.m. Ages 5 and up. Hands-on learning experience for homeschoolers. $5/child. Garden admission not included. Call 636-4100 to pre-register.
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HOMESCHOOL DROP-IN DAYS: NATURE UNLEASHED. The Pink Palace Museum. Gallery drop-in event takes place second Thursday of the month (February 11) from 1-2 p.m. Components include Discovery Room presentation, Gallery Touch Carts, Scavenger Hunts, and/or Discovery Days programming in the special exhibit gallery. Free with admission. Parents are required to attend. 636-2389. HOMESCHOOL DAY. MEMPHIS ZOO. Monday, February 15, 1-3 p.m. Grades 1-8. This two-hour program includes animal visits, guided tour of exhibits, and hands-on activities. $18. Register at memphiszoo.org/homeschoolprograms#day or call 333-6576.
FUND-RAISERS
LOVE BLOOMS AT THE GARDEN. MBG. During the fall and winter months, staffers planted more than 30,000 bulbs in preparation for spring flower display. Support this labor of love with a donation in honor of your Valentine. $20 sends 1 Valentine card/$50 sends 3 Valentines/$100 sends 8 Valentines. Order online by February 6 at memphisbotanicgarden.com/valentines or call 636-4103 to order by phone. CIRQUE DU CMOM. Children’s Museum of Memphis (CMOM). Saturday, February 6, 7 p.m.-midnight. This annual fund-raiser celebrates the heritage of Cuba with “Havana Nights.” $150/person. 458-2678 x221.
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AUDITIONS
DANCE AUDITIONS. Ballet on Wheels Dance School. Saturday, February 6, from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Ages 12 and up. Open dance audition for Dreamgirls. Free. Register online at balletonwheels.org or call 870-4348.
THEATRE PERFORMANCES
DOCUMENTARY FILM: A BALLERINA’S TALE. Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. Wednesday, February 3, at 7 p.m. The documentary shares the inspirational tale of iconic ballerina Misty Copeland who made history by becoming the first African-American woman to be named a principal dancer at American Ballet Theater. $9/$5 Brooks members and students with valid ID. Free with VIP Film Pass. 544-6200.
LOVE SONGS TO MEMPHIS. Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music at The University of Memphis. Tuesday, February 9, at 7:30 pm. Joyce Cobb and Southern Comfort Jazz Orchestra kick off the Take a Seat Campaign for the new music center. Free. Reservation required. 678-2541. A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE & MURDER. The Orpheum. February 9-14. This Tony-award winning musical shares the uproarious story of Monty Navarro and how he sets out to become an heir to a family fortune. $25-$125. For tickets, call 525-3000. BOLSHOI BALLET PRESENTS THE TAMING OF THE SHREW. Malco Paradiso. Sunday, February 14, at 1 p.m. French choreographer Jean-Christophe Maillot brings his adaptation of Shakespeare’s comedy to the dance stage. $18/adult. $15/child. 682-1754. TED 2016: DREAM “OPENING NIGHT” LIVE. Malco Paradiso. Monday, February 15, at 7 p.m. Fathom Events and BY Experience presents the opening night of TED’s annual conference hosted by TED’s curator Chris Anderson. $10/person. 682-1754 BALLET MEMPHIS PRESENTS PLACES. Playhouse on the Square. February 19-21. Friday at 8 p.m. Saturday at 2 & 8 p.m. Sunday at 2 p.m. Performance features a mixed-repertory of three new works by Jennifer Archibald (Past). Joshua Peugh (Present), and Gabrielle Lamb (Future). $10-$72. Saturday, February 20, at 2 p.m. is Pay-What-You-Can Community Day. Reservations required. 737-7322.
Need a minute?
BOLERO! Saturday, February 20, from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at The Cannon Center for the Performing Arts and Sunday, February 21, from 2:30-4:30 p.m. at Germantown Performing Arts Center. Memphis Symphony Orchestra’s Bolero! is the fourth concert in the First Tennessee Masterworks Series. For tickets, call 537-2525 or email tickets@memphissymphony.org. DOROTHEA LANGE: GRAB A HUNK OF LIGHTNING. Halloran Centre at The Orpheum Theatre. Wednesday, February 24, at 7 p.m. The life story of Dorothea Lange, the photographer who captured the iconic “Migrant Mother” is portrayed through her granddaughter’s eyes. $10/person. 525-3000. THE BEACH BOYS: PET SOUNDS TURNS 50. The Cannon Center for the Performing Arts. Saturday, February 27, from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Memphis Symphony Orchestra’s homage to the The Beach Boys is the third concert in this Pop Series. For tickets, call 537-2525 or email tickets@memphissymphony.org.
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Kid Station Drop in & Play Center Visit: 579 Erin Drive, Memphis Call: 901-761-PLAY (7529) Click: www.kidstationonline.com 36 6 3
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OSCAR SHORTS. Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. Sunday, February 28. Live Action category at noon and Animated category at 3 p.m. Don’t miss this opportunity to check out the nominated films to the 88th Academy Awards. $9/$5 Brooks members and students with valid ID. Free with VIP Film Pass. 544-6200. STORY TIME AT AREA BOOKSTORES AND MUSEUMS Barnes & Noble Booksellers The Avenue Carriage Crossing Mall, 853-3264 Mondays at 11 a.m. Ages 1-6. Barnes & Noble Booksellers 2774 N. Germantown Pkwy. 386-2468 Tuesdays and Saturdays at 11 a.m. Ages preK-6. Curious George Visits for a Special Valentine’s Day Story Time. Sunday, February 14, at 11 a.m. Read Happy Valentine’s Day, Curious George and make fun valentines. Free. National Storytime: Dr. Seuss’ Birthday Celebration. Saturday, February 27, at 11 a.m. Children ages 2-8 can join in this celebration. Come pin the tail on Horton, decorate your own Cat in the Hat chapeau, and more. Free
International Story Time. Saturday, February 27, 11 a.m.-noon. Families are invited to “travel abroad” to celebrate the culture of a featured country, listening to stories, then enjoying crafts and refreshments. CORDOVA 8457 Trinity Road 754-8443 Celebrate the Chinese New Year. Saturday, February 6, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Celebrate the Chinese New Year welcoming the Year of the Red Fire Monkey. Who’s Got Your Heart? Thursday, February 11, 3-5 p.m. Teens sample teen love music while enjoying snacks. Family Movie Madness. Saturday, February 20, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Watch a movie while sipping hot chocolate or eating ice cream. Then make a dog puppet to take home. Fairy Tale Day. Saturday, February 27, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Celebrate National Tell a Fairy Tale Day wearing a fairy costume, sharing fairy tales, and learning all about the history of fairies. Refreshments served. FRAYSER 3712 Argonne 357-4115 Valentine’s Day Jewelry Making Program. Saturday, February 13, from 11 a.m.-noon. Teens create jewelry for parents or their significant others.
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder The Orpheum February 9-14 The Booksellers at Laurelwood 387 Perkins Rd. Ext. 683-9801 Story time with Miss Marjorie every Tuesday and Thursday at 11 a.m. Germantown Community Library 1925 Exeter Rd. 757-7323 Wild, Wild Wednesday. On select Wednesday (February 3 & 17) at 1 or 4:30 p.m. Ages 6-12. Participants exercise STEM skills, learn basic home economic practices, and enjoy fun literary experiences. Free. Tommy Terrific’s Wacky Magic presents Black Cowboys of the Old West. Saturday, February 6, at 11 a.m. Celebrate Black History Month as you learn about Bill Pickett, Nat Love, and Mary Fields of the Old West and enjoy magic tricks presented by Tommy Terrific. Free. Story Time at Knowledge Tree Mondays at Germantown location. Tuesdays at Horn Lake. Wednesdays at Summer Avenue. Thursdays at Cordova. Enjoy a story, snack, and craft each week from 10-11 a.m. Free. For details, go to theknowledgetree.com
Story Time at Morton Museum of Collierville History Fridays from 10:30-11 a.m. Features stories, songs, and activities related to Collierville with different themes each week. Free. 457-2650.
PARKWAY VILLAGE 4655 Knight Arnold 363-8923 Children’s Valentine’s Day Program. Thursday, February 11, from 3:45-5:45 p.m. Listen to a Valentine’s Day story and take part in a craft activity. Black History Project. Thursday, February 18, 3:45-5:45 p.m. Children perform a play and learn more about the key people in history.
MEMPHIS LIBRARY EVENTS For a complete listing of library events, stop by your local branch and pick up “Infodates,” the library’s monthly calendar, or go to memphislibrary.org
CENTRAL 3030 Poplar Ave., 415-2700 Gadget Lab for Kids. On Tuesdays from 4:30 p.m.6 p.m. Join Ms. Luna and learn about apps and games available on Kindle Fires and iPads. Read with Me, Sign with Me Family Story Time. Saturday, February 6, 11 a.m.-noon. Family story time and activity for deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing families in collaboration with Deaf Family Literacy Mid-South.
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KID FUNNIES
yond BC’s Be A n o s a ? Bows, w tch him f Mo’s r y. Did you ca o ) 4 1 ( ua Mo k in Jan the Tan
Braylen is just two-and-a-half, but he already loves to climb trees.
One afternoon I walked into my kitchen to find my 4-yearold daughter, Addy, and her 2-year-old brother standing naked by the stove. “Is there a reason you are naked?” I asked. “Yes,” replied Addy. “There’s a good reason.” “Which is...?” I said. “Because we are in the forest!” came the reply. ~ Thanks to Sarah Dear Tooth Fairy, I lost my tooth on 23 of October. It is now November 12. I lost my tooth in pizza. I lost both today. You owe me $1.00. Not to be hard but I need money. Love, Annisa
Aaqila (10) and Yasmeen love being best friends.
Dear God, Thank you for my baby brother. But what I prayed for was a puppy. Love, Joyce ~ Thanks to Buzzfeed fun keari (16 mos.), have Mom Michelle & Na cookies together. making gingerbread
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Emma (3), e n
joys the pri nce
ss phase of
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When serious injuries strike, you need experienced players to help. Josiah Crutchfield was hurt in an on-field collision. No one immediately realized his pancreas had been torn, and by the time he reached Le Bonheur, Josiah desperately needed surgery. Because our pediatric trauma team has the expertise to perform the specialized procedure, Josiah is now back on his game. lebonheur.org
Where Every Child Matters
Josiah Crutchfield East Memphis