Sumner Parent Magazine - Jan 2012 by Day Communications/DayCom Media

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sumnerparentmag.com JANUARY 2012

kids:

Is Online School Right for Your Child? Caught In the Act? What to Do If Your Childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a Cheater Spotlights: Giftedness, Enrichment and Tutoring

PLUS!

Survive Snow Days & Have a Blast, too

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contents what’s news 23 Local Briefs

The 2012 Summer Camp Adventure Fair, private school open houses, The Frist Center’s 2012 exhibit schedule and a local dad publishes a children’s book for charity.

31 Giving Back

Discover the winner of 2011’s Coach of the Year!

32 Hot Stuff

Talk it up with these family communication tools.

new parent

family life

34 baby food for thought

40 snow day survival guide When schools close on snowy days it doesn’t have to be stressful. Be prepared and you’ll learn to love ’em just like your kids do.

THE

77 CALENDAR 78

the dailies

what’s happening each day of the month

ongoing

on stage

parent planner

(registration required)

Learn the facts about feeding your Baby to ensure that he thrives.

37 baby bits

Learn to photograph Baby, tips for managing multiples and more.

smarter kids 44 education spotlights

Honing in on giftedness, tutoring and arts education, plus resources to support your child academically.

52 at school, online

Plenty of parents are turning to an online virtual academy for their children’s education.

55 that cheatin’ heart

Cutting and pasting is easier than ever — here’s what you can do to stop the shenanigans.

january 2012 7

VOL. 19, NO. 6 JANUARY 2012

the company on call 19 A bulging fontanel and eating disorders are handled this month in our doctor Q & A.

call 256-2158 Publisher

Stewart Day, ext. 130 stewart@daycommail.com

Editor-in-Chief

Susan Swindell Day, ext. 110 susan@daycommail.com EDITORIAL

Managing Editor/ Entertainment Editor Chad Young, ext. 115 chad@daycommail.com

Associate Editor Kiera Ashford, ext. 114 kiera@daycommail.com

Art Direction The editorial staff

Contributing Writers

Sandra Gordon, Deborah Bohn, Michael Hartnett, Ph.D., Tim Henschel, M.D., Christina Lohse, M.D., Robin S. Pearson, M.D., Gregory Plemmons, M.D., Rebecca Swan, M.D., Susan Youngwood

columns

departments

10 editor’s note

12 feedback

by Susan Swindell Day

Like us on Facebook and take a shot at our WINSday giveaway! Also, send letters, follow our blogs and more.

15 parent talk

Local parents on kids spitting in other kids’ faces AND teaching youngster how to swing by themselves.

102 snap shots

Your photos and ours of families exploring the Discovery Center at Murfree Spring in Murfreesboro.

20 kids’ health

Revealing flu facts.

97 chadderbox

104 snap to remember

Keane wishes everyone a Happy New Year.

Student art rocks! by Chad Young

ONLINE PARENTING DIRECTORIES For local resources and support, visit parentworld.com and click on “Directories.”

PRODUCTION

Production Director

Tim Henard, ext. 120 timhenard@daycommail.com

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Classifieds

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING 59

Camps, Summer Programs After-School Activities

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Day Communications, Inc. Mission Statement Our mission is to inspire and encourage engaged, involved parenting. It is our common belief that good parenting comes from understanding and meeting the needs of children and families within a connected community. We want all children to be safe, loved, healthy and supported, and we work each day to support the efforts of our parenting readers who feel the same way.

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NASHVILLE/RUTHERFORD/SUMNER/WILLIAMSON PARENT are published monthly by Day Communications, Inc. Offices are located at 2270 Rosa L. Parks Blvd., Nashville, TN 37228. Phone number: 256-2158; Fax: 256-2114. Email to: npinfo@daycommail.com. Although every precaution has been taken to ensure accuracy of published material, NASHVILLE/RUTHERFORD/SUMNER/ WILLIAMSON PARENT cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed or facts supplied by its authors. NASHVILLE/RUTHERFORD/SUMNER/ WILLIAMSON PARENT is copyright © 2012 by Day Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Subscriptions are $36 a year. Editorial submissions welcome. THIS PUBLICATION AUDITED BY

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C O U N C I L

8 january 2012

EIGHT YEARS IN A ROW!!!

Q&A Q A

Williamson Parent

Tooth Talk

Q Hey ADr. Snod and Dr. King, why is it necessary to place dental sealants on my child’s teeth, and do they really prevent cavities? Q A David J. Snodgrass Pediatric Dentist

John T. King Pediatric Dentist

If dental sealants were around in my generation we would have far fewer fillings, crowns, bridges, and dentures. Our goal as pediatric dentists is to help you raise your children cavity-free. Dental sealants are an excellent way to do that. Usually the first dental sealants placed are on the occlusal (top) surface of the permanent six year molars as soon as these teeth erupt into the mouth. As the bicuspid and twelve year molars erupt later, they too are sealed. The molar and bicuspid permanent teeth erupt with deep, developmental pits and fissures which are very difficult to keep clean even with proper brushing. When examined under an electron microscope, the bristles of the toothbrush are too wide to clean out these grooves. Food (especially hard, sugary substances) gets packed in these pits and fissures to provide a substrate for bacteria to create cavities. As soon as the molar and bicuspid teeth erupt, we clean the pits and fissures using a sandblaster-type instrument and seal them with an opaque, fluoride releasing sealant material. The material is applied as a liquid and cured to a hard substance with an ultraviolet light. It is designed to stay attached to the teeth; seal off and smooth the grooves; and release cavity-preventive fluoride throughout a child’s cavity prone years (diets high in carbohydrates). Along with regular six month dental check ups and fluoride treatments, dental sealants are an excellent way to prevent cavities. Dental sealants are easy to apply and maintain.

Q Dr. APete, my son will be getting braces soon. How much discomfort is there with braces? Q A

Peter Wojtkiewicz Orthodontist

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Most orthodontic patients can expect mild discomfort from braces. At the same time, most children and adults say that the process of putting braces on is painless. However, it is hours after the braces are placed that patients may feel slight pain. I always advise anyone who is starting orthodontics to take Ibuprofen, Tylenol or Advil prior to the first appointment so that any discomfort can be avoided. Taking these pain relievers for a few days after each orthodontic appointment significantly improves a patients tolerance to their new braces. I am often told that any unpleasant sensation from braces ceases after the first few visits. Discomfort from monthly adjustments also decreases as treatment progresses and teeth become straighter. While the mild pain experienced from braces at the beginning of treatment is unfortunate, I have yet to have a patient tell me that their beautiful smile was not worth all the effort.

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editor’s note

happy bombeck new year By Susan Swindell Day

rma Bombeck was a great American humorist who achieved wide popularity writing about homelife during the 1960s and ‘70s and who wrote best-selling books up until she died in 1996. Because she was so prolific a writer, she had a vast following of readers who looked to her for her wry insights, gentle chidings and laugh-outloud observations. To kick off the new year, and because day-to-day life with children is hectic and often stressful, we need to hold onto our senses of humor ... whether it’s the frustrations of our children’s educations, the new baby who won’t stop fussing, the dinner that’s burning on the stove or the walkway that needs shoveling ... life is filled with comedy. Here, for your amusement, a collection of Erma Bombeck quotes and ditties to set you on your way in 2012. Enjoy! “Have you any idea how many children it takes to turn off one light in the kitchen? Three. It takes one to say, “What light?” and two more to say, “I didn’t turn it on.” “Kids have little computer bodies with disks that store information. They remember who had to do the dishes the last time you had spaghetti, who lost the knob off the TV set six years ago, who got punished for teasing the dog when he wasn’t teasing the dog and who had to wear girls boots the last time it snowed.” “Mothers have to remember what food each child likes or dislikes, which one is allergic to penicillin and hamster fur, who gets car sick and who isn’t kidding when he stands outside the bathroom door and tells you what’s going to happen if he doesn’t get in right away. It’s tough. If they all have the same hair color, they tend to run together.” “No one ever died from sleeping in an unmade bed. I have known mothers who remake the bed after their children do it because there’s a wrinkle in the spread or the blanket is on crooked. This is sick.” “Giving birth is little more than a set of muscular contractions granting passage of a child. Then the mother is born.” “I’m going to stop punishing my children by saying, ‘Never mind! I’ll do it myself.’” “Never have more children than you have car windows.” “Children make your life important.” “I take a very practical view of raising children. I put a sign in each of their rooms: ‘Checkout Time is 18 years.’” Editor-in-Chief susan@daycommail.com

10 january 2012

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january 2012 11

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Like us on Facebook ... Tweet us ... E-mail us ... we’re here for YOU. Handwritten or e-mailed letters become the property of this publication and may be edited for length and clarity. Postings via Facebook may or may not be edited for clarity.

thank you! Dear Editor, The year 2011 was another fantastic year for Honeysuckle Hill Farm. We couldn’t have asked for better weather. Seventy thousand Middle Tennesseans enjoyed visiting the farm with their family and friends. We added several new attractions to the farm including a new Gemstone Mine, a Singing Chicken Show, a Tractor Tire Mountain, Rat Races, a new kitchen and restroom facility, and a new admissions building. This was all possible due to the support of our farm sponsors and partners. We look forward to growing again in 2012, and are eager to find new and creative ways to promote your business at the farm. We hope your family has a great holiday season. Jeff Alsup, Owner Honeysuckle Hill Farm

mom talk on facebook

Our editors post and discuss parenting topics with our online parents:

Do you have aggressive drivers in the car-rider pickup lane at your child’s school? What do you think about their behavior? Kendra Hackett Fox I can thankfully say no! The drop off and pick up at our school goes quite smoothly and parents are quite respectful!

12 january 2012

NEW POLL Are Parents to Blame for Their Child’s Obesity? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the obesity rate for children between the ages of 6 - 11 has tripled. Certainly many factors come into play, but parental responsibility is now front and center in the debate.

WHAT SAY YOU? Please go online to to voice your response.

Sarah LaSota Moore If more kids would walk or ride the bus, we wouldn’t have these crazy pick up lines in the first place. I know that some parents take kids to schools outside of their zone, but I doubt that applies to most cars in those lines. Some parents drive kids when they live down the street from the school. Alison Windsor Owen Sadly I think it’s just reflective of the culture we live in where people are in a hurry and get ugly with each other. You see that attitude all the time in grocery stores when people get angry at the cashier for taking longer than expected or if they have to wait in a long line. People need to take a deep breath and just relax and realize everyone else is having to wait too. Marlene Omara Maybe people take their kids to school cause the buses didn’t have seat belts and the bus drivers themselves (not all but a lot I’ve seen) drive like maniacs with our kids on them!

__ Yes, parents are to blame __ No, the child is to blame __ No, society is to blame

Wen Page Maybe they are rushed to get their other kid at a different school right after. Mindy Stephens YES! Very aggressive drivers in the morning and afternoon. We all have our lives to live, and I for one do NOT enjoy sitting and waiting either but my time is just as valuable as theirs and if they left a little bit earlier they might just find themselves a little less aggravated ... just saying.

HONK, HONK! When it’s time to pick up your child from school, are you courteous toward other drivers or do you push your way through?

Melissa Chichester My kids ride the bus, but there have been occasions where I needed to pick them up. I have never seen aggressive parents at either school. I have one in elementary and one in middle. There are even three different ways for pick up at the middle school so you don’t have to wait in the main line. The students are allowed to cross the car line (safely with a teacher there of course, stopping traffic) to parents waiting in the parking lot instead. There, parents form a second drive thru line or can park and the students just walk to their car (my preferred method).

What do you think about children wearing sagging pants as a way of fashion? As a parent, would you let your child’s pants sag? Carol Flory Shehan I detest it! NOT allowed in Wilson County Schools! Every time I see someone with their pants down, I instinctively say: pull your pants up ... to myself of course! There’s absolutely nothing attractive about it! April Johns Thankfully, Rutherford County schools don’t allow it so my boy will not sag. My oldest can’t stand it and will tell the boys who do it to pull up their pants. Callie Wise I can’t stand the fad of doing this. It’s not just the fact that I don’t want to see a kid’s underwear, but it’s sloppy. Most people only know you by your first impression and how you dress is part of that. Teachers will automatically assume something about their students the first day of school. Employers same thing. Most people decide within five minutes of meeting someone else whether that is a person they’d want to know better, whether as an employee or as a potential relationship. By dressing like this, these kids are shooting themselves in the foot. I’ve seen two instances of where saggy pants were a problem. One was a boy that mooned a crowd of people. Another I saw trip and fall because he was trying to run and hold onto his pants at the same time. It’s actually kind of dangerous, and if any of them have plans to rob a store or something, I don’t see how they can carry their stolen goods and get away. It seems counterproductive to me.

On OUR Cover: 2011 Cover Kid Asia, photographed in the studio by Rebekah Pope Photography.

WINSdays & giveaways january

Like us on Facebook for a chance to win weekly or monthly prizes, including a copy of the Wii game The Adventures of Tintin: The Game and to participate in WINSdays.

his month, we’re giving away a copy of the new release, The Adventures of Tintin: The Game (Ubisoft; $39.99) on the Wii platform. Inspired by the new feature movie, the game is Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and older and is also available on X-box 360, PS3 and Nintendo 3DS. Learn more about the game at tintinthegame.com. Also, make time to win a prize during our new WINSday events! Here’s how it works: Every Monday, we will post that week’s WINSday prize information on our Facebook page. Then, two days later, on Wednesday (get it? WINSday?) at a random time during the day, we will post, “What day is it?” The first fan to reply, “It’s Nashville Parent WINSday!” will win that week’s item. To be eligible to win, you must “Like” our Facebook page, and contestants can only win once every 60 days. To register for our random monthly drawings, log on to nashvilleparent.com and click on “Giveaways” under the Contests tab. One entry per person per prize. Good luck! BULLYING:

Sorry! In moving things around on this page spread, we inadvertently left the Cover Kid attributions off of our November and December issues. Our November Cover Kid was Carson, photographed at Ellington Agricultural Center by Kiera Ashford. Our December Cover Kid was Lily, photographed in our studio by Jennifer Rose Photography. We apologize for the error.

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parent talk we ask, local parents answer

My child has started spitting in other kids’ faces. What should I do? Here’s what local parents say: Renita Bridgeforth At the age of 5 years they defiantly know better. So I think that calls for a spanking. I rarely use spanking to get my point across, but spitting is simply not acceptable. Beckyjayne Popejacobs Probably something I can not put on here! Camille Hynds I agree ... No “warnings” for this one. That’s a spankable offense! If my 5-year-old did that, I’d hope to have enough composure to explain why there’s no excuse for that behavior. (Instead of just reacting with anger at the act.) “How would you feel if someone spit on you?” It’s nasty and something you just don’t do. How would a kid even know to do that, without having watched it from someone?! Bekah Wells I would ask them why (even if I don’t care why they did it) and then after the very creative answer I would receive, I’d excuse myself and which ever child it was to the nearest restroom (if still in public) or their bedroom (if at home). Then, after a brief discussion as to why spitting is not acceptable under any circumstances, would give them a dose of loving correction on their rear. Pamela McMahon Ferguson Soap in the mouth. David Black Allow them to choose which hand is going to spank them and proceed. Age 5 is well deserving of a spanking for something of this magnitude. — compiled by Kiera Ashford (for more “Parent Talk,” please turn the page)

january 2012 15

parent talk Pushing your toddler on the swing is fun, but should he also learn to swing solo? Here’s what local parents say: Kelly B. of nashville Sitting upright and kicking your legs back and forth won’t get a swing moving. It’s all about shifting your weight. Kelly recommends letting kids experiment with leaning forward and backward or just wiggling around in the swing to feel what happens. “We kind of played Simon Says,” Kelly explains. “I told my daughter to move in every direction, side to side, lean back, pull the chains and touch the clouds with her feet. Once she got comfortable moving around in the swing and controlling it, everything fell into place and it clicked!” Amy H. of Brentwood Get in the swing next to your kiddo and have them mimic your motions. Amy says, “My son thought it was hilarious to see me in the swing, but I secretly know it helped him get the rhythm of leaning back and kicking up to move forward. I can explain things until I’m blue in the face and he won’t really listen. But being a boy, he’s great at watching and imitating a physical motion.” Jennifer G. of Franklin The hardest thing about swinging is getting started. When Jennifer was pregnant with her second child, she realized she’d soon need both arms for the new baby, so she implemented a one-push rule with her 4-year-old to launch him down the road of swinging independence. “I’d give him a tremendous push, then I’d cheer him on, chanting ‘Out and up! Down and back!” she says. “He was kind of lazy at first because he was used to just sitting there. But once I held firm on the one-push rule, he quickly figured out that the fun ended in a few minutes if he didn’t start trying.” deborah b. of Franklin Statistics show that most kids can swing themselves by the time they’re 5 years old. That’s also when most kid go to kindergarten. Coincidence? I think not. No teacher in her right mind will push 20 kids every day at recess, so they learn to do it themselves. You can get the same result with a 3-year-old by simply saying, “I’m busy right now.” Or “My arms are sore today, but I’ll talk you through it.” Is that asking too much of a little one? No way! When left to their own devices, young children can dismantle electronics, escape Houdini-like from car seats and download apps to your iPad. If you can put up with some initial protests, they’ll teach themselves to pump a swing too! — compiled by Deborah Bohn

16 january 2012

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By Robin S. Pearson, M.D. Rivergate Pediatrics, PC

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Ask us your pediatric health questions on Facebook.

baby’s soft spot

Our baby’s soft spot on the top of her head sometimes bulges out. Should we worry?

The soft spot of the newborn is the anterior fontanelle. With normal development, the skull is actually a puzzle of bony plates that grow together. At birth, babies have a larger soft spot in the front and a tiny soft spot in the back. The anterior fontanelle is usually small by six months of age and completely closed by 18 months. The posterior fontanelle closes by 4 months. There are diagnoses that are associated with an especially large soft spot. The most common of these is prematurity. Delayed closure of the soft spot is associated with hypothyroidism and other medical conditions. A full or bulging fontanelle could be a physical sign of increased pressure, such as seen with meningitis. With excessive fluid loss, the physical examination of an infant can demonstrate a depressed soft spot. In Hispanic culture, the expression caida de mollera means that the soft spot has fallen in response to dehydration. The important part for parents to notice is what their own child’s head normally looks like and feels like. When the infant is sick or does not act normally alert, contact your pediatrician right away. A soft spot can feel full or sunken and in a well infant absolutely nothing could be wrong. Your pediatrician should examine your baby regularly at check-ups and any time you notice a change.

young girls and eating disorders

My 13-year-old is embarrassed about her weight. While she’s not heavy, she’s dieting and exercising excessively. Should I be concerned that she has an eating disorder?

We need to protect the self esteem of our children. When they express self doubt or criticize themselves it is most important that we let them know their feelings have value. Body image should be treated gently. Equally important is providing and encouraging good nutrition and a lifestyle of regular physical activity. These areas of emotional and physical development can best be encouraged as part of an annual wellness exam in your medical home. Your pediatrician can show you and your child how her growth changes from year to year. If there are areas that would benefit from modifications, this is a positive safe place to hear encouragement and practical suggestions. Your pediatrician is also available to hold families accountable for changes they agree to make and to monitor progress towards healthy goals. Eating disorders are serious medical conditions. Make an appointment with your pediatrician as soon as you notice any behaviors in your child that concern you. These issues are best handled in a preventive model with annual visits with a doctor who knows your child well.

january 2012 19

kid’s health

By Susan Day

Why do kids end up hospitalized with the flu? Discover a few things you don’t already know.

revealing flu facts What’s the main reason why children end up hospitalized for the flu, and how can a parent prevent that from happening?

Is it possible for a baby younger than 6 months to get the flu and if so, how is it treated?

A new study suggests obesity hinders the flu vaccine. Is that true for children as well?

Influenza is a respiratory illness and the most common reason for hospitalization is pneumonia, either from the primary viral infection or from bacterial secondary pneumonia, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). An average of 20,000 children younger than 5 years old are hospitalized annually for flu-related illness. Most healthy children fight off the flu with ibuprofen or acetaminophen, but if your child is having symptoms like chest pain with breathing, is working hard to breathe and is not eating, drinking and urinating, you should be concerned. The best way to prevent the flu is to have your child vaccinated each year.

Infants younger than 6 months are at the highest risk of complications since their lungs are small and their immune systems are not mature. The CDC reports that moms who are vaccinated when they are pregnant show a decrease in both hospitalizations and deaths from flu in their infants younger than 6 months of age. It is important for people caring for infants to be vaccinated. Treat the symptoms of flu in infants by keeping them well hydrated, either with their regular liquid feedings or an oral rehydration solution and keep nasal passages clear with humidifiers and normal saline nose drops.

Of the 115 pediatric deaths from flu last year, 46 percent were younger than 5 and two of the 115 were obese. While doctors say the study, published in the International Journal of Obesity, warrants further research, the findings add to a growing body of evidence that shows that obesity itself suppresses the immune system in both adullts and children. Morbid obesity (defined as a body mass index [BMI] greater than 40) is among the conditions identified as placing people at higher risk for complications from influenza by the CDC. With children, the BMI changes with age, so greater than 95th percentile for age is used.

Seasonal flu, swine flu or the common cold? Learn the difference at nashvilleparent.com and click on “Kids’ Health” 20 january 2012

Is your family ready for an emergency? Start the year off right by following these simple tips to create your Safe Escape emergency plan: • Store enough drinking water (three gallons per person) and non-perishable food items to last your family at least three days.

CREATE AN EMERGENCY KIT

• Make copies of important paperwork (insurance and benefits cards, immunization records, driver’s license, birth certificates, financial records, etc.). • Include other basic supplies such as a flashlight, extra batteries, a first aid kit, warm clothing, blankets and a battery-operated radio.

DEVELOP YOUR EMERGENCY PLAN • Involve your children in creating your emergency plan—ask for their feedback and ideas. • Identify safe places in your home for different emergencies. • Identify a meeting place for the family outside of your home in case of a fire or other emergency. • Include phone numbers of any family members or friends your children should contact. • Use pictures to illustrate your emergency evacuation routes, making sure you include two exits from every room in the house (a door and a window). • Make sure your children understand how and when to call for help. • Make sure your children know their first and last name, as well as their address and phone number. • Talk to your children’s school about their emergency plans

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!

Help your children become comfortable with what to do in an emergency by practicing your plan at least twice a year For more information about emergency preparedness contact (7233) the Safe Escape program at Children’s Hospital by calling 615.936.SAFE or visiting www.ChildrensHospital.Vanderbilt.org/safety

A quick lesson in safety from:

Taking Good Care of Your

KIDS Is Our Job

VIP MidSouth, LLC specializing in the care of Pediatric and Adolescent Patients for over 26 years

Along with high expectations in our challenging academic program, we want our students to embrace a sense of integrity and respect for others.

Hendersonville Children’s Clinic 105 Glen Oaks Drive, Ste 102

Portland Children’s Clinic 105 Redbud Drive, Ste D

824-1142

323-1640

Gallatin Children’s Clinic 648 Hartsville Pike

Lafayette Children’s Clinic 306 West Locust Drive

Pre K -8th, Independent school

451-9246

688-7012

Open Door Days January 16, February 20, March 1st

White House Children’s Clinic 128 Raymond Hirsch Pkwy., Ste 1

Springfield Children’s Clinic 426 22nd Ave. East

672-8118

384-0600

Call for Reservations 615-452-1914 www.sumneracademy.org

www.ourVIPKIDS.com

Saturday, March 24 9am – 2pm Mini Seminars * Vendor Booths * Tours Health Information * Face Painting Refreshments and giveaways*! *one door prize per family

555 Hartsville Pike, Gallatin 615-328-8888 www.MySumnerMedical.com 22 january 2012

24 local briefs | 31 giving back | 32 hot stuff

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what’s news

A local boy enjoys horseback riding at YMCA Camp Widjiwagan — come meet Widjiwagan reps at the 2012 Summer Camp Adventure Fair

plan now for our summer camp adventure fair!

ow’s the time to plan your child’s summer activities, so come out to CoolSprings Galleria on Saturday, Feb. 4 for Nashville Parent’s 2012 Summer Camp Adventure Fair, sponsored by Brentwood Pediatric Dentistry. Meet with reps from more than 100 residential camps, local day camps and summer programs for ages 8 - 16 spanning the spectrum from arts to sports to science. “The Summer Camp Adventure Fair is an easy, one-stop event where families can get information and meet directors from fantastic summer camps and programs here in Middle Tennessee and our surrounding states,” says Nashville Parent Publisher Stewart Day. “The chance to meet camp directors one on one and to save big on registration costs make it an exciting day for families.” The Summer Camp Adventure Fair takes place from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., and admission is free. Learn more at nashvilleparent.com.

local briefs

local dad writes children’s book for charity

cal dad Al Andrews, a Franklin father of two, dreams of becoming a philanthopist, but says “I’m not rich,” referring to himself as an “improbable philanthropist.” To fuel his passion, Andrews wrote and self-published his first children’s book. The Boy, The Kite, & The Wind (Improbable Philanthropy; $16.95), a delightful story, beautifully illustrated by Jonathan Bouw. Andrews says the book started as a poem a few years ago inspired by kite-flying excursions when his two boys were little ... but they always returned home kiteless. Andrews’ story focuses on the awe of the wind’s invisible force and how it can encourage one’s heart to soar with hope. His philanthopic pursuits in tact, when you purchase a copy of the book you’ll help other children in need as 100 percent of the net proceeds benefit organizations including Compassion International, The Red Cross, World Vision, Show Hope and more. To order a copy of the book, visit theboythekiteandthewind.com.

sumner medical opens pediatric unit

Sumner Regional Medical Center (SRMC) has a new, 10-bed Pediatric Care Unit serving infants and children up to age 18, staffed by Vanderbilt Integrated Provider physicians. Jan Moser, R.N., director of pediatriacs at SRMC says the unit’s décor is inspired by children with brightly colored rooms, complete with PlayStation units and flatscreen televisions. In addition, a newly designed activity room features toys and games to keep children entertained while they’re in the hospital. SRMC is located at 555 Hartsville Pike, Gallatin. Learn more at 328-8888 or mysumnermedical. com/pediatrics.

The winter semester of Sumner Music Together begins this month for infants through 5-year-olds and their parents. The semester includes 10 weekly 45-minute classes, a parent guide/DVD, two CDs and a songbook. Classes begin the week of January 9. Choose Wednesdays 10:15 - 11 a.m., Thursdays 9:45 - 10:30 a.m. or Fridays, 9:45 - 10:30 a.m. Cost is $169 with discounts for additional siblings (9 months and younger are free with a registered sibling), and those interested can participate in a free trial class. Music Together takes place at the American Academy of Dance, 108 Business Ct., Hendersonville. To learn more or to register, contact Director Angie Trottman at 973-6554 or visit sumnermusictogether.com.

24 january 2012

new group for lgbt parents starts this month A new group, Nashville LGBT (lesbian/gay/ bisexual/transgendered) Parents, kicks off this month for Middle Tennessee LGBT parents who have infant and school-aged children. The inaugural event takes place Friday, Jan. 27, and features a soup dinner. Children will make cake pops. The group will meet monthly and participate in different activities like dinner nights in private homes and at restaurants, playground and play place gatherings, family outings, weekend picnics and educational events. There is no membership fee. The inaugural event takes place at 6:30 p.m. at a private home in Nashville. Learn more at 297-9355 or nashvillegayparents.com.

Sumner P

aders Poll Re

t • Annua en l ar

KARATEFORKIDS! confidence * self-esteem * self-discipline * respect

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CLASSES FOR ADULTS TOO

1647 Mallory Lane, Ste. 102, Brentwood, TN 615-377-3444 www.mpactsports.com

gymnastics • cheerleading martial arts & much more!

Come have a ball

WITH US IN 2012!

gs & Drawin ays of Giveaw E My M O S E AW Prizes! Gym to Register ym G win a My Party! Birthday

My GYM is having an open house party!

Mon., Jan. 16th 9am-1pm at BOTH Locations

lIFETIME FAMIlY

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Finess Made FUN! My Gym of BRENTWOOD 330 Franklin Road (Near TJ Maxx)

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204 N. Anderson lane

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january 2012 25

local briefs

frist announces 2012 exhibit schedule

isual art is a wonderful way to engage your child’s mind and stimulate his brain. The Frist Center for the Visual Arts is a tremendous place to involve your kids in the quest for art, and its 2012 exhibition schedule offers a wide range of offerings: To See As Artists See: American Art from the Phillips Collection (Feb. 3 - May 6), Answers to Questions: John Wood and Paul Harrison (Feb. 3 - May 6), Fairy Tails, Monsters and the Genetic Imagination (Feb. 24 - May 29), Creation Story: Gee’s Bend Quilts and the Art of Thornton Dial (May 25 - Sept. 3), Bill Traylor: Drawings from the Collections of the High Museum of Art and the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts (May 25 - Sept. 3), Edward Burtynsky: The Industrial Sublime (May 25 - Sept. 3), Constable: Oil Sketches from the Victoria and Albert Museum (June 22 - Sept. 30), Carrie Mae Weems: Three Decades of Photography and Video (Sept. 21 - Jan. 13, 2013), Brian Alfred: It’s Already the End of the World (Sept. 21 - Jan. 13, 2013) and German Expressionism: Masterworks from the Detroit Institute of the Arts (Oct. 19 - Feb. 10, 2013). The Frist Center is located at 919 Broadway, Nashville. Hours are Mon - Wed and Sat 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Thu - Fri 10 a.m. - 9 p.m., Sun 1 - 5:30 p.m. Admission is $10 adults, free ages 18 and younger. Call 244-3340 or visit fristcenter.org.

Fairy Tales, Monsters, and the Genetic Imagination, an exhibit of works by contemporary artists who invent humanlike, animal or hybrid creatures to symbolize life’s mysteries, runs Feb. 24 - May 29 at the Frist Center.

the ticker... THE NORTHEAST PRIVATE SCHOOL FAIR, hosted by

Sumner Parent Magazine will take place Saturday, March 3 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Vol State Community College (1480 Nashville Pike, Gallatin). The free fair specifically caters to independent schools and families in the northeast portion of Middle Tennessee. Booths are still available. Call 256-2158 or visit sumnerparentmag.com to learn more.

HEALTHY COOKING CLASSES are now available

every Tuesday at Indian Lake Weight Loss & Medical Wellness, 133 Indian Lake Road, Ste. 204,

26 january 2012

Hendersonville. Each week, the class presents a complete healthy meal and how to cook it, then participating families can sample the eats. The class meets at 6 p.m. and costs $5 per person. Registration is required. To learn more or to register, call 822-9002 or visit sumnerdietrx.com.

BUDDY BREAK at First Baptist

Church of Hendersonville (106 Bluegrass Commons Blvd.), the monthly respite program where parents can take a break and their special needs children can socialize and enjoy supervised activities has a new snow policy. If Sumner County schools are closed or close early on a Buddy Break

night, then Buddy Break will be canceled. Upcoming nights are Jan. 20, Feb. 17 and March 23 from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. Admission is free, and registration is required two weeks prior. Call 447-1323 or visit firstbaptisthendersonville.com.

ADVENTURE SCIENCE CENTER hosts CampQuest on

Monday, Jan. 16 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day). Students in grades K - 6 can spend the day out of school at the center participating in hands-on activities and educational experiments. The camp takes place from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. and costs $45 for members, $55 non-members. To register, call 862-5160 or visit adventuresci.com.

A NIGHT FOR NEWBORNS, presented

by Baptist Hospital and Middle Tennessee Medical Center, is a fundraiser for Nurses for Newborns. The organization provides services to babies born with medical issues, born to teen moms or born to mothers with disabilities. The event features dinner, entertainment and silent and live auctions. Tickets are $75. The evening takes place from 6 - 9:30 p.m. at the W.O. Smith Musical School, 1125 Eighth Ave. S., Nashville. Call 260-8241 or visit nfnf.org.

What are you doing the next 10 Saturdays? Become a Dental Assistant in your spare time! Our Dental Assistant Course is the right choice if you: • are looking for a new career direction • aren’t satisﬁed in your present entry level job... • need ﬂexible, family friendly working hours

Your child’s good health

is our priority Located across I-65 from Cool Springs Galleria in Franklin (near the Marriott Hotel), Southern Pediatrics provides the best in pediatric care. We’re taking new patients, have sick and well waiting areas and accept virtually all insurance plans.

Dr. Garbriela Morel, FAAP Dr. Gordon B. Davis, FAAP Dr. Mark D. Hughs, FAAP

www.SouthernPeds.com Call (615) 778-1840 now for an appointment.

• Led by a team of working dental professionals in a professional environment with modern digital radiology. • 10 consecutive Saturday instruction times make it easy to learn on “off” time • Liscensed by The Tennessee Higher Education Commission. • Tuition loans available

740 Cool Springs Blvd. • Suite 140

After course completion, graduates receive: • A Certiﬁcate in Dental Assisting • Letter of recommendation • Certiﬁcation in Dental Radiology • Job placement assistance

dent Area qu ists n assisalifiedeed NO tants W!

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Dental Staff School Now In Partnership with Dr. Chad Follis and Dr. Darby Follis, A A Premiere Cosmetic Dentist in Nashville NO ct CALW! “Your solution for a confident smile!” L! 4085 Mallory Lane, Suite116, Franklin, TN 37067

678.819.3919 january 2012 27

3 CTP_ad.qxp:Layout 1

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Vanderbilt Kennedy

Clear Talk Project Language intervention for children with Down syndrome, 5-12 years, whose speech is difficult to understand

Get the body you always dreamed of. Come experience this hot, results-oriented method taking the nation by storm!

• 1-hr therapy sessions, 2 per week for 6 months • No cost for intervention or assessments

The Pilates Place in Bellevue is now offering BarreAmped classes in addition to Pilates and yoga.

www.thepilatesplace.us Find out what Kelly Ripa, Kelly Osbourne, Zooey Deschanel and Madonna are raving about! (615) 579-3959 • 358 Bellevue Road, Nashville, TN 37221

(615) 343-1725 elizabeth.gardner@vanderbilt.edu

Holly Tree Care MIA

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©ISTOCKPHOTO.COM | EVAFOTOGRAFIE

Visit our website for details and class times

local briefs

private school open houses Sneak a peek into area private schools this month at one of these open houses: BAMBINI VILLAGE MONTESSORI (1140 Cason Lane, Murfreesboro; 405-4778; bambinivillage.com) Saturday, Jan. 28 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. ... DAVID LIPSCOMB CAMPUS SCHOOL (Elementary: 4517 Granny White Pike, Nashville; 966-6320; Middle and High: 3901 Granny White Pike, Nashville; 9666409; dlcs.lipscomb.edu) Sunday, Jan. 29 from 2 - 4 p.m. ... DAVIDSON ACADEMY (1414 Old Hickory Blvd., Nashville; 860-5300; davidsonacademy.com) Thursday, Jan. 19 at 6 p.m. ... DONELSON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (300 Danyacrest Drive, Nashville; 883-2926; dcawildcats. org) Ambassador Guided Campus Tour is Wednesday, Jan. 18 from 8 - 10 a.m. ... EZELL HARDING CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (574 Bell Road, Antioch; 367-0532; ezellharding.com) Sunday, Jan. 29 from 2 - 4 p.m. for grades pre-k - 12 ... FRANKLIN ROAD ACADEMY (4700 Franklin Road, Nashville; 832-8845; franklinroadacademy.com) Saturday, Jan. 28 at 9 a.m. for grades pre-k - 12; call to register ... GOODPASTURE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (619 Due West Ave., Madison; 868-2600, ext. 212; goodpasture.org) Sunday, Jan. 29 from 1 - 3 p.m. ... GREEN HILLS CHILD DEVELOPMENT (3420 Belmont Blvd., Nashville; 383-3373; greenhillschild.com) Saturday, Jan. 14 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. ... HENDERSONVILLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (355 Old Shackle Island Road, Hendersonville; 824-1550; hcacrusaders.com) Thursday, Jan. 19 from 9 - 11 a.m. and Tuesday, Jan. 31 from 9 - 11 a.m. ... OUR SAVIOR LUTHERAN ACADEMY (5110 Franklin Road, Nashville; 833-1500, ext. 302; oslanashville.org) Wednesday, Jan. 25 from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. (call for reservations) ... ST. EDWARD SCHOOL (190 Thompson Lane, Nashville; 833-5770; stedward.org) Sunday, Jan. 8 from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. for pre-k and kindergarten; call to RSVP ... SAINT JOSEPH SCHOOL (1225 Gallatin Road, S., Madison; 865-1491; stjosephnashville.org) Sunday, Jan. 22 from 12 - 2 p.m. ... THE WEBB SCHOOL (319 Webb Road E., Bell Buckle; 888-733-9322; thewebbschool.com) Monday, Jan. 16 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.; call to register.

savvy mama: find a great sitter No more complaining that you can’t find a sitter! Follow these easy steps then make plans with your loved one for a movie! • Ask mom friends, neighbors and your pediatrician’s office for recommendations. • Narrow the list to those who have at least three years of child-care experience and CPR training, then check that their references are recent and impeccable.

• Set up interviews. Ask several “what if” questions to test how candidates will handle various situations. “What if my 2-year-old throws a fit when I walk out the door?” (A sitter should be able to tell you how she’d calm a fussy infant, provide comfort, keep kids entertained, and handle an emergency.)

• Pay attention to her behavior during the interview. Does she establish eye contact? Listen to the questions and answer them thoughtfully? Does she seem self-assured and in control? If she’s resourceful and reliable, and if the chemistry’s right, you’ve found a prime candidate.

unleash creativity at watkins

egistration is open for the “Unleash Your Creativity” winter/spring 2012 session at Watkins College of Art, Design & Film’s community education division. More than 40 classes for youth, teens and adults are available taking place February through April. Choose topics like drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, woodworking, film production, graphic design, sewing, printmaking, photography and more. Registration deadline for adult classes is Jan. 23. Deadline for youth and teen programs is two weeks prior to the class. Fees vary based on your option. Scholarships are available for ages 11 - 18. Watkins is located at 2298 Rosa L. Parks Blvd., Nashville. Download the spring catalog at watkins.edu/community or call 383-4848.

january 2012 29

THE AREA'S BEST CHILDCARE

FAMILY CARE CONNECTION

Useful Speech Study

We are recruiting children with autism, and their parents, for a study investigating questions about what things affect the development of useful language. Children who participate in this study will come to the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center with a parent for 7 clinic appointments over a 16-month period. For information about participating with your child in assessments of language, social, and play skills and for more information about the Useful Speech Study, please call or email:

for a few hours or full time Member International Nanny Association

You and your child may be able to participate in the Useful Speech Study if: • you suspect your child may have autism or your child has been diagnosed with autism • your child is between the ages of 24 and 47 months and • your child uses no words or very few words to communicate with others

371-0600

www.FamilyCareConnection.net

Useful Speech Study

Nashville's oldest, largest & most experienced nanny agency!

Does your child have autism? Do you suspect your child may have autism? Are you interested in how your child’s language, social skills and play develops?

Elizabeth Gardner, Project Coordinator elizabeth.gardner@vanderbilt.edu

(615) 343-1725

Dr. John M. Burney OB/GYN

W NO N! E OP

Dr. John M. Burney in Association with Franklin Healthcare for Women. Dr. Burney practices the full scope of OB/GYN. • We are accepting new patients. • Same day appointments are available. • We accept most insurance plans.

4323 Carothers Parkway Suite 203 Franklin, TN 37067

(on the 2nd floor of Williamson Tower)

Office: (615) 599-4465 www.johnburneyobgyn.com facebook.com/johnburneyobgyn Fax: (615) 599-7915

30 january 2012

For children ages 0 -12 years!

JOIN US FOR PLAYTIME OR TO RESERVE YOUR PARTY CONTACT US AT INSIDEOUTPLAYPARK@COMCAST.NET TODAY! Park.com

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giving back

non-profit news

Coach Bryan Richter (center, wearing glasses) with the Diamond Jaxx softball team last July at the World Series in Panama City.

Announcing 2011 Coach of the Year! Bryan Richter

ashville Parent proudly announces Coach Bryan Richter as the 2011 Coach of the Year. Coach Richter led the Middle Tennessee Diamond Jaxx from 2004 - 2010, and has coached the Diamond Jaxx Fastpitch softball team (now called TN Xplosion 98) since July 2009. An overwhelming amount of nominations came in for Coach Richter from parents and team members with a common theme of love and adoration for him and his tireless commitment to the team and his positive leadership of the girls. “He is very positive with us and always models true sportsmanship rather than preaching about it,” says Faith Martin. “He is one of those coaches of a lifetime, not just a coach of the year,” she adds. Richter will receive a special presentation to commemorate his achievement and he joins our list of past Coach of the Year recipients including Anthony Roselli (Franklin Cowboys), Joyce Segelhorst (Special Olympic Athletes), Amy Caulkins (Excel Aquatics) and Rick Ryan (Challenged Athletes Playing Equally).

alive offers grief support Adults and children grieving the loss of loved ones can find group support through Alive Hospice. Several groups begin this month, and registration is required by Monday, Jan. 9. Meetings take place in Brentwood, Hendersonville, Murfreesboro and Nashville and include Loss of Spouse, Children Experiencing Loss, Parents’ Loss of Children, Loss of Parent, Sibling or Other Loved One and more. Participation is $40, but the fee may be waived due to financial need. To get specific dates, locations and times, call 963-4732 (Brentwood and Nashville), 346-8637 (Hendersonville), 907-1677 (Murfreesboro) or visit alivehospice.org.

newborns in need seeks local volunteers Newborns in Need provides customized clothing and other items for premature babies. The nonprofit also assists low-income parents with essential baby items. The organization seeks volunteers to knit, crochet, sew or quilt store-bought items as well as donations of baby items including blankets, Onesies, outfits, diapers, burp cloths, wipes, strollers and more. Those interested in helping can also host a diaper drive or baby shower for Newborns in Need, or simply make a financial donation. Learn more at 718-683-4661 or visit newbornsinneed.org.

january 2012 31

hot stuff

talk it up

Embrace a tech-free zone every night at home and get into communication with your kids.

THE ART OF CHILDREN’S CONVERSATION

TAOC; $14.95; taoc.com.au Ages 4 and older can enjoy this fun game that facilitates bonding, integration and attachment. Two hundred conversation-building questions help kids learn to be better communicators while learning about others and themselves.

Look! 15 Talk-to-baby flash cards

Sterling Publishing Co.; $10.95; beginsmartbooks.com Get Baby’s brain juices flowing with these board flash cards from the Begin Smart series. Each card depicts everyday objects with their corresponding words. Talk to Baby and show him the card to engage in early visual activity, visual stimulation, object recognition and more — all the while bonding with your little one.

Tabletopics

redenvelope.com; $29.95 A pretty acrylic box holds a collection of thoughtprovoking questions. The Family Edition set includes 135 cards to promote family bonding but are meant for ages 12 and older.

YOUR CHATMAT

yourchatmat.com; $24.95 - $26.95 Tired of those dinners where you try to talk to your kids but can’t? Let a Chatmat get things started. Chatmats are simply that — placemats you can use at the table (available for various ages of kids) to stimulate lively discussions. One set ($24.95 - $26.95) includes 12 paper mats to a pack with mats measuring 17-and-a-half by 12 inches; certain models are sold as a pack of four laminates for $24.95. Check out all the colorful styles and variations where no question is repeated in a set to really keep the ball rolling. Head to yourchatmat.com or call 1-855-242-8628. Shown is a Chatmat for elementary school kids called “My School Day.”

32 january 2012

— products reviewed by Kiera Ashford, Susan Day and Chad Young

Woodmont/Green Hills Area

Now enrolling 6 weeks to 5 years

Please call 297-9256 or e-mail msrccc@bellsouth.net for more information. www.cooperativechildcare.org

ÂŠ EKATERINA MONAKHOVA | ISTOCKPHOTO.COM

Through parent involvement & creativity, we provide an education which enriches the lives of our children

january 2012 33

babyforfood thought By Sandra Gordon

Help your baby to thrive by understanding the best ways to get healthy nutrients into his adorable little self!

ou want to breastfeed but you think maybe a bottle now and then ... you wonder about formulas and marvel at the various brands on the baby aisle — and then there’s the baby food. To help you sort through the questions you have of how best to feed your baby, we rounded up top pediatricians and baby experts to answer your burning baby food questions. Bonus: The answers might even save you money!

Q: Is it safe to switch from Similac to the store-brand infant formula? I hear the store brand is so much cheaper. A: It’s definitely safe to switch from name-brand

infant formula to the store brand and it is a lot bet-

ter for your bottom line, too. Store-brand formulas, labeled with the names of retail-store brands, such as Target (up & up), Wal-Mart (Parent’s Choice) and Babies R Us (Babies R Us), are as nutritionally complete as national brand formulas, yet cost up to 50 percent less — which can add up to a savings of $600 per year. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), all formula marketed in the United States must meet the same nutrient specifications, which are set at levels to fulfill the needs of infants. Although infant-formula manufacturers may have their own proprietary formulations, brand-name and store-brand formula must contain at least the minimum levels of all nutrients specified in FDA regulations, without exceeding maximum levels, where those are specified. Skeptical? Compare nutrition information on the labels for yourself and talk to your pediatrician before switching types of formula, such as from regular (cow’s milk) formula to soy formula.

Q: Is it safe to put a partially eaten jar of baby food back in the fridge for next time? A: You can stash it in the fridge for later as long

as you haven’t fed your baby from the jar (or yogurt container). If that’s the case, toss it. Harmful bacteria from your baby’s mouth can grow and multiply in the jar. If your baby typically doesn’t eat a full jar, spoon a portion into a bowl and put the jar in the refrigerator for later, but keep in mind that the clock is ticking. Opened jars of fruits and vegetables will keep for up to three days in the fridge. Meats are good for one day. You’ve got two days, tops, for meat and vegetable combos. Date open jars with permanent marker on the lid so you’ll know what went into the fridge and when.

Q: How long can I leave infant formula or pumped breast milk out? A: You can leave prepared infant formula or

pumped breast milk out of the refrigerator (without a cold pack) for two hours. If it has been sitting out longer than that, you’ll need to throw it out. That includes other perishable items, too, like baby food, dairy products and meat. But play it safe and throw them out after an hour.

Q: Are there any special dietary recommendations for breastfeeding, like there are when you’re pregnant (such as avoiding soft cheese and raw fish)? A: There are, but not many. When you’re breast-

feeding, you’ll need to continue avoiding fish high in mercury, just as you did during pregnancy, as per U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommendations. Don’t eat shark, swordfish, king mackerel or tilefish because they contain high levels of mercury. And if there’s a family history of serious food allergies, such as peanuts or shellfish, you may be advised to avoid both, even if it’s your partner who is allergic. “Otherwise, you can go ahead and eat your normal diet,” says Jennifer Trachtenberg, M.D., a pediatrician and author of Good Kids, Bad Habits: The Real Age Guide to Raising Healthy Children (William Morrow Paperbacks; $21.95). If you’ve heard that avoiding drinking milk yourself can prevent your baby from becoming gassy, or that sticking to a bland diet prevents colic, don’t believe it. That’s just not true, Trachtenberg says. Similarly, you don’t need to avoid soft cheeses like feta, Brie and Camembert, or sushi or sashimi like you did during pregnancy because the bacterium that may be found in these foods that could cause infection doesn’t transfer to breast milk. Caffeine and alcohol also aren’t off limits if your baby is healthy and not preterm or past due, “but moderation is the best thing,” she says. Ask your baby’s pediatrician for advice if you want to consume either.

Q: Do I need to shell out for a bottle sterilizer or is the dishwasher good enough? A: The dishwasher will do the job, especially if

you have city (not well water), which is chlorinated, says Trachtenberg. Just wash your bottles in the top rack of the dishwasher, or wash them in hot tap water with dishwashing detergent and then rinse them in hot tap water. If you have well water or nonchlorinated water that doesn’t meet current safety levels, talk to your pediatrician. Instead of relying on the dishwasher, you’ll probably be advised to use a sterilizer or to boil bottles in water for five to 10 minutes before using them.

Q: When preparing infant formula, can I just use tap water or do I need to buy bottled water? A: You can use tap water to prepare infant for-

mula unless you have your own well, experts say. (Yes, we’re back to that pesky well issue again.) If you have well water, before making infant formula, have it tested. Contact the Tennessee Department of Health and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s water supply division at 532-0191 (they should have a list of available certified labs). All babies younger than 6 months of age are at risk of nitrate poisoning, according to the EPA, which can cause a condition called methemoglobinemia or “blue baby syndrome,” which robs the blood of oxygen. Public water supplies are tested regularly for nitrates. If your water doesn’t meet EPA’s standard for nitrates and your baby is younger than 6 months old, talk to your pediatrician. You can’t eliminate nitrates by boiling water. It actually concentrates the levels. So you’ll probably need to use bottled water. You’ll also need to be concerned about lead. Whether you have city or well water, your baby can still be exposed to lead from the pipes in your home. To avoid exposure to lead, as a general rule, use water from the cold tap for making baby formula, drinking and cooking. Also, if you haven’t turned the water on for six hours or more, the EPA advises letting it run for a minute or more first before filling your baby’s bottle.

new parent pudding, cookies, candy, cakes and sweetened drinks such as iced tea and soda. And don’t give your baby hot dogs, peanuts, whole grapes, berries, raisins, hard candies and popcorn (radar: choking hazard).

Q: Besides infant formula or breast milk, what else can my baby drink during his first year? A: You’ll need to keep feeding your baby formula

or breast milk through the first year, even when your baby starts eating solid food. But when your baby is 6 months old, you can add 100 percent fruit juice (check the label to make sure) to your baby’s repertoire. Go easy though. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends limiting 100 percent fruit juice to no more than four to six ounces per day from 6 months to 6 years of age, and making it part of a meal, not a snack. Too much juice can cause diarrhea and gas, contribute to tooth decay and fill your baby up so that he has less room for more nutritious foods. To limit juice, offer one to two ounces at a time in a sippy cup, not a bottle. The juice should be pasteurized (flash-heated to kill pathogens). Fresh-squeezed juice isn’t pasteurized. And keep in mind that juice fortified with calcium isn’t a substitute for formula or cow’s milk, which your baby can have after his first birthday.

Q: What’s a great way to save money on baby food?

Q: How can I help my baby switch from infant formula to cow’s milk?

A: Make your own! The main difference between

A: After your baby’s first birthday, it’s safe to

baby food and regular food is that it’s pureed, but a small hand grinder or a blender can take care of that. If you do buy jarred baby food — especially convenient when traveling — you’ll save by choosing single-ingredient meats, vegetables and fruits, then mixing them to your baby’s liking instead of buying ready-made combos, like herbed chicken with pasta. When your baby is ready for “solid” food (typically around 4 to 6 months), always introduce one food at a time and wait three days. Start with iron-fortified infant cereal mixed with breast milk or formula. Then, slowly introduce pureed vegetables, fruits and meats according to your pediatrician’s time table. If your baby doesn’t have a reaction such as diarrhea or rash to a certain food, the coast is clear to add another food to his menu. Don’t spike your baby’s food with sugar or corn syrup and no honey for the first year. Also during your baby’s first 12 months, steer clear of foods loaded with fat and sugar, such as bacon, lunch meat, hot dogs, French fries, creamed veggies,

make the switch from infant formula or breast milk to whole cow’s milk. But if your baby’s not buying it, try introducing whole cow’s milk gradually. Over several weeks and months, add a little whole milk to the formula you prepare and slowly increase the proportion of milk to formula until your baby is drinking straight cow’s milk. Don’t buy low-fat milk, thinking it’s healthier. A baby’s rapidly-developing brain thrives on the high percentage of butterfat whole milk contains. Just think: A child’s brain grows to 80 percent of its adult size by age 3 and much of that development happens by age 2. After your child’s second birthday, brain growth begins to subside. That’s when it’s time to switch to foods low in artery-clogging trans and saturated fat, such as low-fat and nonfat milk and yogurt. For more on what to feed your baby, visit kidseatright. org. J

Sandra Gordon is a freelance writer.

january 2012 35

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By Susan Day

photographing love

our baby’s first year of life will whiz by and that’s why it’s so important to take as many pictures as possible — you will want them! With Me Ra Koh’s new book, Your Baby in Pictures (Amphoto; $19.99) you’ll discover ideas and tips for photographing your child like never before. Koh offers easy-to-understand techniques to use with your infant that will inspire you and leave with you precious mementos whether it’s your first or fourth child ... If you are wondering about your baby’s future in these difficult economic times, perhaps a good read for you will be Building Resilience in Children and Teens by Kenneth R. Ginsburg, M.D. (American Academy of Pediatrics; $15.95). This second edition of the best-selling book shows parents how to raise a child up strong through good times and bad and with seven crucial “Cs” — read the book to find out what they are! ... Now that your hands are full, have fun with the charming 2012 Do it All Mom Magnetic Calendar (Orange Circle Studio; $14.99). Fun to use and pretty, too, it will have you on top of everything lickety split!

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everything for the parents-to-be FALL/WINTER 2011 - 12

RUTHERFORD COUNTY EDITION

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f I could, I would give you wings ... to fly up and down in the air ... and you would reach the rainbow’s end ... wings will take you there!” So sings Katherine Dines in the song, “Wings,” found on this best-selling collection of children’s lullabyes, A Child’s Gift of Lullabyes (New Haven) circa 2002, including numerous children’s recording artists. It’s a soothing classic ... and one many new moms and dads will love listening to as they rock their babes to sleep or simply change a diaper. Find it new at amazon.com for $9.85 or uesd starting at $5.18.

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MONTHS TO GROW ON: Sleeping Reaching Sitting Crawling Standing Eating Playing Walking & More

new baby

savvy parent

reparing for a new baby? Don’t miss the current issue (on stands now) of the fall/winter Baby Guide! Loaded with all kinds of local information just for new and expectant parents, The Baby Guide is brought to you by yours truly and arrives twice each year, in the spring and fall. Look for it when you’re out and about!

GIVEAWAYS!

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january 2012 37

baby bits

Must Haves for Managing Multiples

have two singletons and one set of twins and I’ve discovered a few life-saving tricks to multiple mommying. I hope these will help you out, too:

Magnetic notepad on the fridge

Let me tell you, this $1 item has saved my sanity many times. The trick is to run to the fridge immediately after realizing what the needed item/ errand is. Write it down, quick, before another request comes in for strawberry milk, juice, animal crackers, first-aid, bathroom assistance, to break up a fight, fix a toy and on and on and on.

Extra laundry baskets

I have a laundry basket that doubles as a “stuff” transporter. It is used to carry items to and from day care, preschool, friends’ houses, beach day, playgrounds, etc. With so many little ones and all of their little stuff, trying to keep track of it all is mind boggling at times. After losing the best blanket on planet earth and the hysterics that followed, I had to come up with something. I know some people think it is strange and it became kind of a joke at preschool. I sometimes walk in the door and hear, “Mrs. Mitchell is here with her laundry basket!” but I (almost) always leave with everyone’s lunch boxes, sippy cups, blankets, school work, art projects, home work, rewards from the treasure chest and dirty clothes it seems to help the

38 january 2012

By Heather Mitchell

kids, too. They know if they want it to come home, it better be in the basket. When we walk into the house, the basket comes with us. Everyone’s shoes come off the feet and go into the basket. Lunchboxes cleaned out and into the basket. Take home folders emptied and back into the basket. The basket has its assigned place in laundry room and there it stays, until the next day.

Patience/a sense of humor

I remember one evening I was feeding the twins in their high chairs. One was happy with a glob of food dribbling all over the place while the other one was crying for more. I fed the crying one. Now that one was happy but by then the other one had swallowed his glob and was crying for more. Scoop food, shovel in mouth, scoop food, shovel in mouth. One happy, one crying. One happy, one crying. Back and forth and back and forth. I took a deep breath and hollered to my husband (who was in the kitchen making dinner for the rest of us), “Get the camera out, honey. Someday this will be funny!” During the photo shoot, something happened. Things settled down again. We all found some patience to get us through to the next event. Somehow, we all managed, and continue to do so every day. Heather Mitchell is a sleep-deprived, yet loving, wife, mother of 4, healthcare professional and writer. She spends her spare time playing at the local parks and playgrounds.

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Snow Day

follies! Uh-oh! School’s closed and the kids are underfoot. That’s OK — you’ve thought ahead and have lots of snowday activities at-the-ready, right? Well, NOW you do! By Chad Young

at home CREATE INDOOR SNOW FAMILIES With the clay you have on hand, roll snow people out and attach hats, eyes and buttons in different colors. Use tiny twigs (or toothpicks) for arms, red hot candies for the nose and scraps of old fabric for scarves. Make several in different sizes to complete your family.

MAKE SNOWFLAKE STREAMERS Fold white paper several times then cut different shapes around the edges. Unfold, then string them on yarn and pin up.

INDOOR PICNIC LUNCH

MOVIE MANIA

Pretend it’s warm out and pack a picnic lunch, then spread a blanket on the living room floor (TV off), let the kids bring out their stuffed animals to enjoy together time.

If you don’t have access to instant streaming of movies through Netflix or an On-Demand movie service, anticipate the impending weather and rent a movie ahead of time. Pile pillows and blankets on the floor in front of the TV and hunker down (don’t forget the popcorn and snacks!). Sick of winter? Rent movies with a summer feel and prepare snacks accordingly.

BOARD GAMES & PUZZLES Don’t let being stuck inside be the catalyst for turning on the tech. Dust off your family’s board games and puzzles for all to enjoy. Put on music and brew up hot cocoa and let the games begin!

PUT ON A SOCK PUPPET SHOW With spare single socks from your sock drawer, along with other fabric pieces and fabric glue, create sock puppets. While the glue dries, create a “script” and then put on a show!

EASY BAKE What better excuse to fire up the oven and bake a batch of goodies than during a snow day when the kids are home? Break out your favorite recipe, or visit nashvilleparent.com and click on Snow Day Follies for a list of options ranging from gourmet cookies to caramel corn.

ARTS & CRAFTS

SCAVENGER HUNT

READ

Haul out the crayons, paper, glue, clay, fabrics, etc., and let your kids get creative with their favorite medium. Consider choosing a theme (like winter), and when they are finished, put together a mini exhibit in the house for them to show off to family and friends.

This takes a little pre-planning, but it’s easy enough to pull off if you’re up before the kids and have time to hide several items around the house and write out a list of clues then see how many hidden treasures they can find.

Pull a beloved favorite off the shelf or download a new one onto your tablet and spend a warm, indoor afternoon cuddled up with your little one sharing a great book.

FORT FUN

GET MOVING Avoid the couch potato trap and join your kids in a little indoor exercise. Put on your favorite music and have a dance-a-thon or play indoor games like Bean Bag Catch, Musical Chairs or Duck, Duck Goose.

All you need is a lot of little white balloons blown up and pile them all in the middle of the livingroom floor. All at once, everyone runs into the living room and begins tossing them up into the air ... or at each other. You can even build a fort to hide behind. You can also substitute the white balloons with balled up white tissue paper.

Winter weather sparks the feeling of hibernation, so let the kids pull out spare blankets, sheets and pillows to build a fort — they’ll think you’re so cool!

family life

SNOWBALLOON FIGHT

Chad Young is managing editor for this publication.

away-from-home fun:

our top 10 picks of places to go when it’s safe to hit the streets Adventureworks 1300 Narrows Road, Kingston Springs 297-2250 • adventureworks.com Brave the cold and watch the winter scenery fly by during a 90-minute, guided zip line tour on nine lines. Spend New Year’s Day doing the Polar Bear Zip from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Reservations required. Cost is $54 adults, $42 ages 17 and younger. Family pricing is available. Adventure Science Center 800 Forrest Park Drive, Nashville 862-5160 • adventuresci.com Little ones can have fun exploring the Animal Secrets exhibit through Sunday, Jan. 15. A new exhibit, Cyberchase: The Chase is On!, which explores math skills, opens Saturday, Jan. 21. Cheekwood 1200 Forrest Park Drive, Nashville 356-8000 • cheekwood.org The Museum of Art and the Learning Center host the amazing exhibit, Visions of the American West: Masterworks from The Buffalo Bill Historical Center. Kids can enjoy seeing a variety of paintings and artifacts (including a giant Indian headdress). Discovery Center at Murfree Spring 502 S.E. Broad St., Murfreesboro 890-2300 • discoverycenteronline.org Middle Tennessee’s largest hands-on museum for kids features a variety of areas for all ages to explore, including Farmers’ Market, Creation

Station, Kids Build Keva, Waterworks, Wheels and more. Frist Center for the Visual Arts 919 Broadway, Nashville 244-3340 • fristcenter.org Kids (free admission for ages 18 and younger!) can have hours of hands-on arts fun in the Martin ArtQuest gallery, and while at the Frist, check out the exhibit, Connecting Cultures: Children’s Stories from Across the World. Incredible Dave’s at RiverGate Mall 1000 RiverGate Pkwy., Goodlettsville 543-2906 • incredibledaves.com Kids can enjoy 55,000 square feet of fun including bowling, inflatables, cosmic bumper cards, Euro bungee, climbing maze obstacle course, X-box/Wii lounge and more. Indoor Ice Skating A Game Sportsplex 215 Gothic Court, Franklin 771-2444 • agamesportsplex.com — and — Centennial Sportsplex 222 25th Ave. N., Nashville 862-8480 • nashville.gov/sportsplex Hit the ice at either center. A Game offers daily public sessions ($6 adults, $5 ages 12 and younger, $2.50 skate rental), while Centennial Sportsplex offers sessions most days ($7 adults, $6 ages 12 and younger, $2 skate rental). Visit websites for times.

Nashville Children’s Theatre (NCT) 25 Middleton St., Nashville 254-9103 • nashvillechildrenstheatre.org Warm up with NCT’s show, The Watsons Go to Birmingham — 1963, running Jan. 17 - Feb. 12. For ages 8 and older, the production is based on the Newbery Medal-winning first novel by Christopher Paul Curtis. Opening night show time is 6:30 p.m., remaining performances are Sat and Sun at 2 p.m. Tickets are $19 adults, $12 children. Regal Opry Mills Stadium 20 and IMAX 570 Opry Mills Drive, Nashville 232-5014 • regmovies.com Get out of the cold, grab a bucket of popcorn and enjoy a family friendly film in the newly reopened theater on a regular screen or a bigger IMAX experience. Beauty and the Beast 3D opens Friday, Jan. 13. Warner Parks Nature Center 7311 Hwy. 100, Nashville 352-6299 • nashville.gov/parks/wpnc All ages can enjoy outdoor winter nature programs this month including “Wandering Warner Woods” on Saturday, Jan. 7, “Feed the Birds” on Saturday, Jan. 14 and the “Winter Star Party” on Saturday, Jan. 28. Programs are free and require advance registration (find a complete list in “The Parent Planner” section of “The Calendar,” on page 98.).

january 2012 41

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smarter kids — a special section —

44 Spotlights & Local

Resources on Education and Enrichment

52 Online Education: Is it for Your Child? 55 That Cheatin’ Heart

smarter

kids

— atospecial section — Your guide local resources plus spotlights on giftedness, tutoring and arts education.

spotlight:

strategies for parents of gifted children By Susan Youngwood

ou may not know the best way to educate your gifted and talented child to make sure he’s challenged at school. “Often intellectually gifted students are bored at school and may even become underachievers,” says Linda F. Clark, Ed.D., principal at The Discovery School in Murfreesboro. That’s where the teacher can really make a difference. “A skilled educator will extend the regular curriculum and go deeper without accelerating beyond the grade level,” Clark says. “The teacher might add research or suggest a related project when standards are met quickly. Beyond that, there are many resources out there. The best scenario for meeting individual needs is a team approach, including parent, teacher and student,” she adds. Here are some suggestions for parents to get more involved with their gifted child:

Parent Strategies • EXPECT A LOT. Accept and praise your child’s talents and expect a lot from him. Keep a portfolio of his work — drawings, writings, vocabulary, other achievements — and date things. Bring this journal to school meetings to show what your child can do. • Become educated. Get current studies (see our resource list) and keep them on hand so you know what to suggest to your school.

• Talk to your child’s teacher. If you think your child’s placement or curriculum is not appropriate, discuss it. Don’t say, ”My son is bored.” Instead, have specific examples of what he likes to learn and how. Stay positive — focus on what is needed and not on what the school and teacher are doing wrong. Offer to arrange special resources, such as other school staff (art teachers, teachers at other grade levels, librarians), or materials. • Demand high standards. If your child always get high grades, look at the classwork more carefully. Is he getting As too easily? Maybe he is not being challenged. Ask for more appropriate work. If children are not doing what they are capable of doing, they shouldn’t get an A. • INSPIRE other parents. Enrichment programs in many schools start when parents organize and lobby their school PTO. • Seek enrichment opportunities outside of school, such as summer camps and courses at local colleges. Visit museums and go to plays and concerts. If your child reads at a high grade level, make sure he gets appropriate books — librarians can help you identify these easily. • Access ONline courses and materials. • Start a support group for kids, to talk about what it means to be more advanced and to share resources. Help your children develop relationships with their intellectual peers. • Set up mentor programs with people in the community or internships at local businesses. Susan Youngwood is a writer and mother who contributes to numerous magazines across the country.

smarter kids

education for gifted kids The Discovery School 1807 Greenland Drive, Murfreesboro 895-4973 cityschools.net/discovery/home Discovery School is a public school that is part of Murfreesboro City Schools serving high achieving students in grades K - 6.

Vanderbilt’s Programs for Talented Youth at Vanderbilt University 2201 West End Ave., Nashville 322-8261 • pty.vanderbilt.edu Offers several enhanced learning opportunities, some of which are spring, fall and summer programs for gifted children in grades K - 12. There is also the Weekend Academy for grades 7 - 10 that features an overnight stay on campus and six fast-paced, rigorous courses on topics not usually included in school.

Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) 1301 East Main St., Box 38 Murfreesboro 898-2223 • gsfta.com MTSU offers a month-long summer program that provides high quality arts education for gifted and talented students in grades 11 - 12 in the state of Tennessee. Students are selected in competitive auditions during January or February. Those eligible are Tennessee residents who attend public, private and home schools within the state. There are more Governor’s Schools located throughout Tennessee in many different subjects. For a complete list of governor’s schools, visit tn.gov/ education/govschools.

online resources Bartlett’s Quotations bartleby.com/bartlett

The preeminent Internet publisher of literature, reference and verse that provides access to all kinds of information free of charge.

Discovery Education discoveryeducation.com

Virtual Classroom mrdowling.com

Browse the world with click-throughs. Find facts, maps, world history and more.

Dositey dositey.com

Brain boosters, worksheets and assistance in all academic areas.

Offers lessons and practice sessions in short, stepby-step interactive activities for all grades in reading, math and more.

Fun Brain funbrain.com

Starfall starfall.com

Games and more organized for grades K - 8 plus Web books and comics, fun blogs and sections for teachers and parents.

Homework Help homeworkspot.com

A reference desk, current events, quick facts, puzzles, games, online adventure travels and links to other great sites.

The Internet Public Library ipl.org

The first online public library, find subject collections, reference materials, a reading room with magazines and newspapers, exhibits, searching tools, unique articles and more.

KidsClick kidsclick.org

A Web search page organized by librarians, kids can literally sift through everything from facts and references to weird and mysterious, sports, entertainment and of course, academics.

This interactive site teaches children in grades PreK - 2 how to read with the use of systematic phonics.

Wonderville wonderville.ca

Children can learn the great mysteries in science through activities, comics, games, videos and more.

Ace on the Case: Secrets@Sea secretsatsea.org

Children in grades 4 - 7 can learn a lot about marine life through this mystery solving activity.

Sesame Street Games sesamestreet.org

Learn with your favorite Sesame Street characters in reading, math, thinking skills and more through interactive, fun games.

Funschool funschool.kaboose.com

Kids grades PreK - 6 can play lots of games, make crafts and more.

By law, each of the school districts must provide something for students of enhanced academic levels. (please turn the page)

january 2012 45

Volunteers Needed!

Think Your Child May Stutter?

Who: • 3- to 5-year-old children and their parent(s) • Girls and boys who do or do not STUTTER Benefits of Participation: • Speech-language scores, consultation, and service referrals • Monetary compensation

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Now relaunching to serve Nashville and Middle Tennessee.

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Activities: • Watching videos, storytelling, measurement of speech and language • Parent questionnaires To participate, contact Chagit Clark at:

stuttering@ vanderbilt.edu or

(615) 936-5126

www.childhoodstuttering.org

Interested in Your Child’s Speech and Language? Photo ©TatyanaGl, istockphoto.com. Graphic services by the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, NICHD Grant P30 HD15052, 02/2010. kc.vanderbilt.edu

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spotlight:

smarter kids

if he needs a tutor

“M

ake kids feel like a success and feel good about themselves and their efforts and they’ll be able to learn,” says Susan Webber, a Nashville mom of three boys, ages 9, 11 and 15. “I didn’t really grasp that until my second child struggled in school. My first boy was very focused, so I was kind of caught off guard when Zach brought home failing grades,” she adds. Everyone wants their kids to be capable academically — most parents demand even more — and it’s never easy when you discover a problem. Whether it’s for lack of studying that a child fails, disorganization, or simply not enough time in the day, parents have to take command when education hits the skids. Often a call or an email from your child’s teacher will be the first red flag, and many times teachers will offer extra support to help your child get on track, but if that’s not enough, you have to get serious. Enter the tutor. “We could never convince Jake that he was smart,” Webber says. “Our tutor worked with him at a quiet desk in our family room and showed him that he was. That’s when his confidence started to turn around,” she adds. But often parents have no idea where to start when looking for a good tutor for their child. Do you just call any center? Ask friends for references? Yes. But you need to know what to look for. “The best tutors have certain characteristics in common,” says Robert Fitzpatrick of Brentwood’s Huntington Learning Center. Fitzpatrick suggests: 1. Whether interviewing an independent tutor or a center, ask about the program that will be used to help your child. Will your tutor work with your child on his homework? On tests that need improving? What materials can be added to aid in your child’s success? 2. Seek tutors with a history of success. Ask for references. 3. Seek one-on-one instruction rather than a group situation. 4. Be sure your tutor has a background check and learn about his educational experience. What kind of certification does he have? 5. Look for a passion for teaching and children. To successfully reach students, a tutor must be able to work effectively with kids and build an easy rapport; in other words, your child should like your tutor! Going forward, remember that it can be confusing for kids to get directions from so many people at once: teachers, parents, tutors. Make sure everyone’s on the same page. “I worked hard to stay in tune with Jake’s teachers,” Webber says. “I think it’s the parent’s responsibility to form relationships with the people who are educating your kids, so you know what they are working on and how you can add to the process.” Tutoring should be directed at building confidence and self-esteem — that’s what helps kids achieve maximum success. There are many resources in Middle Tennessee at your disposal to the betterment of your child’s education, so use them and be a positive force in your child’s education! — susan day

academic support learning centers, tutoring centers and test prep Achieve Learning 1945 Mallory Lane, Ste. 155, Franklin 771-1226 • achievelearningnow.com Offers programs for students with accelerated goals as well as for students needing help. Programs include a reading program for grades K - 12, early reading for PreK - 1, upper level math, math and tutoring.

Club Z! Tutoring 866-44-TUTOR • clubztutoring.com In-home tutoring for ages 3 and older includes all core subjects, foreign languages, ACT/SAT test prep, music lessons and more to help improve grades, raise test scores and learn productive study skills.

Dyslexia Centers of Tennessee 221-3941 • dyslexiacentershelp.com Child and adult testing for dyslexia and one-onone or two-on-one training with therapy designed to retrain the brain to work with each child’s individual needs to improve reading levels.

Expressways To Learning — TN Franklin, Goodlettsville and Hendersonville 851-9703 • expresswaystolearningtn.com Teaches and addresses the needs of dyslexia, autism, ADD/ADHD and gifted students. Specializes in “Learning Differences.”

Hermitage Learning Center (HLC) 3441 Lebanon Road, Ste. 119, Hermitage 874-1400 • tutoryou@comcast.net hermitagelearningcenter.com HLC offers one-on-one tutoring, psycho-educational testing, assessment, ACT/SAT test prep.

Homework Hotline • 298-6636 Staffed by educators, Middle Tennessee kids needing assistance can call between the hours of 4 - 8 p.m. Mon - Thu. (please turn the page)

january 2012 47

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smarter kids academic support (cont.) Huntington Learning Center 95 Seaboard Lane, Ste. 106 Cool Springs • 376-8000 brentwood.huntingtonlearning. com Grades K - 12 get supplemental help in reading, writing, math and phonics as well as one-on-one ACT/SAT/ISEE test preparation.

Huntington Learning Center 112 Saundersville Road, Ste. 208B, Hendersonville 851-9099 • hendersonville.huntingtonlearning.com Students ages 5 - 18 get supplemental help in reading, writing, math and phonics as well as SAT/ACT test preparation.

Kumon Math and Reading Centers 877-586-6673 • kumon.com Bellevue • 646-3243 Brentwood • 260-4337 Franklin • 790-0407 Hendersonville • 264-5733 Murfreesboro • 893-6284 Using techniques designed more than 50 years ago in Japan to help children develop their full potential in math and reading, the center teaches preschool and higher in remediation or enhancement.

Learning Lab of Brentwood 5500 Maryland Way, Ste. 110 Brentwood • 377-2929 — or — Learning Lab of Cool Springs at Pediatric Associates of Franklin 570 Bakers Bridge Ave. Franklin • 790-3200 ext. 116 — or — Learning Lab of Green Hills 3815 Cleghorn Ave. Nashville • 321-7272 mylearnlab.com Educational support for all ages in all academic areas, organization and study skills, computer skills, ACT/SAT/ ISEE prep, speed reading and foreign languages as well as comprehensive educational testing.

LearningRx 2615 Medical Center Pkwy., Ste. 1584, Murfreesboro 867-8717 learningrx.com LearningRx provides cognitive skills training that empowers every child to learn faster and easier. LearningRx identifies and strengthens the skills behind how students learn. They offer assessments and life-changing training for students of all ages who want better listening, reading and processing skills.

Mathnasium 420 Cool Springs Blvd., Ste. 100 Franklin • 807-1065 — or — 131 Maple Row Blvd. Hendersonville • 469-2180 — or — 3580 N. Mt. Juliet Road Mt. Juliet • 469-2180 mathnasium.com A learning center where students in grades 2 - 12 can go year round to boost math skills. Members pay a monthly fee and can drop-in any time.

NewPoint Learning Center 2207 Crestmoor Road, Ste. 205 Nashville • 298-4112 newpointlearning.com Assistance to students in grades PreK - 12 in all subjects. The center provides tutoring, study skills, ACT, and SAT preparation, and college planning.

Sylvan Learning Nashville-Green Hills 2000 Richard Jones Road, Ste. 178, Nashville • 292-3900 — or — Rivergate 110 Glancy St., Ste. 211 Goodlettsville • 860-9111 — or — Franklin 1227 Lakeview Drive, Ste. 4 Franklin • 790-8775 sylvanlearning.com Sylvan offers a choice of tutoring programs that is personalized to the academic needs of your child as well as your household schedule and budget.

Your Nashville Tutor 656-3532 • yournashvilletutor.com Affordable in-home tutoring for children in grades K - 12 in elementary math and reading, middle school math, Algebra 1 and 2, Geometry and homework help.

Tutor Doctor 900-5174 tutordoctornashville.com Students challenged with learning disabilities can improve their educational learning with elementary and middle school tutoring assistance.

Tutoring Unlimited 525-1266 • tutoringunlimited.com In-home one-on-one tutoring in all subjects including Spanish and Latin for grades K - 12. ACT/SAT test prep also available.

arts education Belmont Academy 1900 Belmont Blvd., Nashville 460-6346 • belmontacademy.net Operated under the Belmont University College of Visual and Performing Arts, the Academy offers private instruction for all ages in piano, traditional strings, guitar, banjo, mandolin, brass/winds, harp, percussion, Kindermusik and voice. The Nashville Children’s Choir includes four choirs for ages 8 through high school. Additional camps, master classes and ensemble and chamber music opportunities and summer sessions are available. The spring 2012 semester begins Jan. 9.

Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art 1200 Forrest Park Drive, Nashville • 353-9827 cheekwood.org Cheekwood’s education department offers a variety of classes for all ages year round. See the website for the full list of upcoming children’s classes. Cheekwood also offers Tuesdays for Tots and Backpack Adventures for children. New programming is expected this year.

Nashville Children’s Theatre 25 Middleton St., Nashville 254-9103 nashvillechildrenstheatre.org Tennessee’s only professional, non-profit children’s theater offers age-appropriate drama classes for ages 3 through grade 12 during winter and fall sessions on Thursdays and Saturdays. Classes and camps range from song, dance and movement for 3-year-olds to acting, character development, play writing and performing for older students, all of which emphasize the process of theater and the innate creativity of each child. The 2012 winter session begins Jan. 19.

Nashville Opera 3622 Redmon St., Nashville 832-5242 nashvilleopera.org The opera brings a performance of a current production (this year, it’s Sid the Serpent) to local schools. “In the Theater” allows for students to come to the opera for a dress rehearsal (open to middle and high school students only). “In the Community” brings Nashville Opera on Tour out and about with free performances. Free performances of Side the Serpent begin Feb. 11. For a full list of upcoming public performances, visit the website.

Nashville Symphony 1 Symphony Place, Nashville 687-6500 • nashvillesymphony.org The symphony’s Music Education City includes free programs for students in public, private and home schools for all grade levels. Music education is provided via classroom instruction, admission to dress rehearsals for classical series concerts, master classes and workshops (grades 4 - 12). In addition, the Curb Youth Symphony is available to students in grades 8 - 12. The symphony also hosts a Web site specifically for kids to learn more about instruments and other tidbits — nsokids.org. In January and February, the symphony offers a series of 15 free Young People’s Concerts to all Middle Tennessee schools. For a complete schedule and to register, visit the website. (please turn the page)

january 2012 49

smarter kids

arts education (cont.) Nashville Ballet 3630 Redmon St., Nashville 297-2966 • nashvilleballet.com Part of Nashville Ballet’s mission is to bring and introduce live dance to schools and other centers through a school and touring program and family and community programs. Mark your calendar for an upcoming performance by the touring company at the Nashville Public Library (Feb. 4 from 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.) Many children will enjoy the oneperformance only of Peter and the Wolf (Feb. 11). Learn about classes (at Nashville and Brentwood campuses) and additional offerings at the website.

O’More College of Design 423 South Margin St., Franklin omorecollege.edu The design college offers a Summer Studio in June and July. Watch the website for the schedule for 2012 to be released.

Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) 505 Deaderick St., Nashville 782-4000 • tpac.org/education TPAC’s educational component brings arts opportunities to all ages. For children, Humanities Outreach in Tennessee (HOT) has students coming to TPAC for professional productions complemented by teacher guidebooks and materials in addition to talkback sessions with performers and in-school visits. Wolf Trap places performing artists in head start and pre-school classes, weaving arts into curriculum for younger children.

Vanderbilt’s Blair School of Music 2400 Blakemore Ave., Nashville 322-7651 • blair.vanderbilt.edu Blair School of Music offers private and group pre-college instruction for grades K - 12. Programs include all choral instruments, piano, guitar, voice, dulcimer, fiddle, mandolin and banjo. Also available is chamber music, Suzuki instruction, group and beginning piano, interactive music theory (ages 12 and older), music history and literature (ages 12 and older), and Kindermusik (for ages newborn - 6 years). The Blair Children’s Chorus Program (BCC) is also available for grades 1 - 12 by audition. The Nashville Youth Orchestra Program (NYOP) is available by audition only for all levels of skill.

Watkins College of Art & Design 2298 Rosa L. Parks Blvd., Nashville 383-4848 • watkins.edu/community Community education classes for ages 4 - 18 teach art fundamentals in areas like drawing, soft sculpture, painting, clay, digital photography, screen printing and other media. The spring semester begins Feb. 18. Download a list of classes and registration form at the website.

50 january 2012

James Zimmerman, principal clarinet for the Nashville Symphony Orchestra, teaches a local student.

spotlight: arts education good for test scores

oes your child take classes in music, drama, dance or visual art? If your answer is no, you may want to rethink that. The U.S. Department of Education says the arts play a part in furthering “children’s intellectual development,” and the College-Bound Seniors National Report shows students taking classes in music performance and music appreciation score higher on the SAT than their non-musical counterparts. But it’s not just music. “The research is compelling about how education in the arts boosts brain power,” says Blair Bodine, director of education and community engagement at Nashville Symphony. “Students who receive music and other arts education test higher than those who don’t,” she adds. Bodine adds that the impact that arts education has on a child’s development, including discipline and focus, is easily transferable to other subjects. In 2006, the Tennessee Arts Commission launched a five-year Value Plus Schools initiative in six Title I schools across the state (including Bradley Academy in Murfreesboro). The program emphasizes arts integration where dance, music, visual art, theater and creative writing are primary pathways to learning. Interestingly, when the program began, the students in the six schools collectively averaged 79.6 percent proficient and advanced in math, reading/language arts, social studies and science as opposed to 86.1 percent in comparison schools. In 2010, Value Plus students showed 88 percent proficient and advanced while comparison students showed only a 1 percent gain at 87 percent. But aside from the academic benefits that arts education provides to children, the arts in and of themselves provide a world of personal benefit: The arts make you think. The arts make you feel something. The arts make you look. The arts make you laugh. The arts deliver the awareness that people are fundamentally the same. The arts say thing that words can’t. The arts develop imagination which is so critical to solving problems that happen in day to day living. If your child’s school offers a good arts’ education program, then great. If it does not, there are plenty of ways in our Middle Tennessee community to bring the arts to your child!

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smarter kids

At School, Online 52 48

52 january 2012

According to The New York Times, there are now around 250,000 cyberschooled students in kindergarten through high school in the U.S. Is it right for YOUR family?

By Nick Schmelzer

t usually starts with a question about my children. It goes something like this: Question: How many children do you have? Answer: Five. Question: Wow ... What are their ages? Answer: 8,6,4,2 and 1. Question: Wow ... So what grades are those? Answer: Second grade and kindergarten. Question: What school do they go to? Answer: They go to a virtual school. Question: Huh? A virtual school? Yes. A virtual school is a chartered online public school where the kids do their lessons in the home under the supervision of their mother or father (in our case, their mother) and their mother reports (via the Internet) to a teacher in another city. It’s like a public school — except the children stay home and their mother is their teacher. The virtual school provides us (for free!) with all the materials and a computer. It has worked great for our family. Then there is a long pause as the other person tries to get their mind around what you just told them. The long pause is usually followed by one of two responses: (1) a strange look, like you are some kind of religious zealot, or (2) a barrage of additional questions about virtual schooling. Technically, a virtual school is not the same as homeschooling because a virtual school is a chartered public school that has teachers, principles, guidance counselors, etc., and they must adhere to the various laws governing public schools because they get their money from the public school system. As far as the public school system in concerned, children in virtual schools are treated the same as children in the “regular” local public school. Homeschooling is completely independent of the public school system. Homeschooling families teach any subjects they want any way they want. Home-schooled children can take tests to get credit for a “grade” if they want to transfer into a public school or prove their level of education. In Tennessee, the Tennessee Virtual Academy (k12.com/tnva) is overseen by Union County Public Schools in Union County, Tenn., but virtually any Tennessee student can apply. At any rate, virtual schooling and home schooling each has its pros and cons. We chose to virtual school because we wanted to have the course materials provided to us. We also knew that we could supplement the public school curriculum we were provided with any other subjects we wanted (for example, in our case, foreign language and religion). We also wanted our children to be credited with grades within the public school system so the transition would be smooth when the children transferred to the local

“regular” public school. That’s right, we plan to transfer the children into the local public school system when they reach third or fourth grade. You see, the only reason we chose to virtual school in the first place was to get more time with the children before sending them out into the world. More time to laugh. More time to play. More time with brothers and sisters. More time as a family. Just more time. Children crave time with the family.

A Big Success

Our experiment with virtual schooling has been a huge success. My second grader reads at the fourth-grade level. My kindergartener reads at a second grade level. Both do math well beyond their “grade.” Both know more history, more science and more of just about everything taught in schools than their peers. We know this because we study what the local public school (the “real school”) is teaching children in comparable grades. We also know this because we compare our children to those in the neighborhood that attend the local public school. More importantly, these years are precious because my 8-year-old has spent two more years with his mother and his brothers and sisters than he would have if he had attended the local public school. He still believes in Santa Claus and the tooth fairy, and he has no idea what the middle finger means. He has never ridden the school bus, and we carefully control his friends. He is athletic. He is testing for his black belt next month. He plays soccer with a local team. He is also on a local youth wrestling team. He plays basketball with a team at the YMCA. He takes an evening art class, etc., etc. He is a normal happy little boy in every respect. Our 6-year-old is in the same situation. Meanwhile, our 4- and 2-year-olds are desperate to learn. They hang around in the classroom in our house during lessons and absorb much of what the two oldest are learning. My 4-year-old reads — because she sees her brothers reading and learning. My 2-year-old looks at books and goes with the flow of learning as part of the family activity and culture. It is nothing short of amazing. Other benefits of virtual and homeschooling include: (1) setting your own schedule (you are the teacher); (2) having a very flexible schedule (you are the teacher); (3) selecting/controlling the subject matter (you are the teacher); (4) having more time to influence the choices of the children; (5) having more time to reinforce the family as the most important social unit; and (6) watching your children learn and grow right in front of your eyes! J Nick Schmelzer is a father and freelance writer.

Thoughts from a Virtual School Parent 1. If you send your child to a local public school and do homework with that child, you are essentially homeschooling him. We never have any homework — because that is essentially what is done during class time. This makes us wonder what is going on during class time in the “regular” local public schools.

2. Children have an amazing capacity

to learn. We are amazed at how fast and how much children are capable of learning. This really surprised us. Basically, for example, we believe you could teach a third grader to read at an eighth grade level without minimal effort. We know. We are doing it.

3. Many (and perhaps most) people will think you are crazy, stupid or irresponsible for not sending your children to the local public school. Some (usually teachers) will openly resent and criticize you. Most will write you off as a nutcase or as strange.

4. A few people will admire your

courage and secretly tell you that they wished they had done it or could do it — then they will give the reason(s) why they can’t or don’t. We believe that where there’s the will, there’s the way. However, at the end of the day, it is a very personal family decision. We have nothing against the public school system. As stated above, we plan to send our children there when they get older.

5. It is not as hard as we thought it

would be. The first year was a little challenging. But once we figured out what worked and what did not — it became easier.

Learn more about Tennessee Virtual Academy at k12.com/tnva

january 2012 53

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smarter kids

That Cheatinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Heart Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a copy/paste world out there for plenty of kids looking to just get the work done with as little hassle as possible.

But what does that say about education? And what should YOU do if you catch your child scamming? By Michael Hartnett, Ph.D.

echnology has evolved to provide a vast wealth of information at anytime, anywhere, and cheating has never been easier. From kids in class receiving completed homework via a mass e-mail to answers popping up on iPhones during a test, cheatingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s now as simple as text messaging. Here are five ways to prevent your kids from falling to such temptation, assuring that they are attending school to learn rather than to learn how to cheat. (please turn the page)

That Cheatin’ Heart

Check homework every night. This advice may sound a little intense and age inappropriate by the time your child’s in high school, but how else can parents truly know what their kids are

doing at school and what they’re actually learning? A good sign that your son or daughter is cheating is the absence of substantive work. Naturally, he can claim that he didn’t have any homework, and while such a claim is possible, it is highly unlikely night after night. When students do not ever open textbooks or complete assignments from them, parents should be suspicious. Yes, teachers can give materials online or as attachments (and increasingly do so in this cyberage), but again your child should be able to show concretely how he completed his assignments, too.

Create a device-free zone of at least an hour a day for studying. This approach is particularly important to take during holidays and other vacations. Most tweens and teens

are so addicted to the Internet that their lives seem barren without being able to text message a friend or check online constantly about anything or everything. Yes, students can multitask, but can they unitask with the intense concentration that is often required to do an assignment well? Any hour a day by themselves without connections to cyberspace or to their friends is an hour of studying and learning they have devoid of cheating. It gives a great opportunity to improve their concentration skills without distractions, so necessary to achieve well on standardized tests like the SAT and to be better prepared for the demands of college and the workplace. Indeed, an argument older kids will make is that they need the Internet/ computer to complete whatever assignment is in front of them. They are often right, especially given the fact that they will type up many of their assignments, so much so that a laptop almost becomes an appendage of the student. However, kids can also greatly exaggerate their need for the computer and if you hold firm and fast to the one-hour rule, students will easily be able to fill that time with studying and still have enough time to use their various electronic devices to complete their assignments. In fact, they are more likely to allocate their time efficiently rather than dawdling in text chats with their friends because they need to use the computer more as a workstation tool than an entertainment and social center.

Give your child a practice test the day before an exam. If you know what your son is studying and see from what materials he’s working with, then you can deter-

56 january 2012

mine whether he is truly engaged in the learning process. If his materials are sparse and generated from websites, then you know he’s either cheating or performing poorly.

Talk to your kids honestly and realistically about cheating. That means you cannot be too self-righteous or judgmental about it. Acknowledge that cheating is prevalent,

and understand that you are asking for your child to be exceptional instead of conforming to a pervasive cheating culture. In other words, you will have to address some hard questions that every red-blooded American kid will eventually ask: “Mom, if I’m getting good grades and succeeding in school, what does it matter if I cheat? I’m learning how to succeed and thrive and isn’t that what school and life really about?” These questions become particularly challenging when your son or daughter complains about learning subject material far removed from his interests: “How is reading Hamlet going to help me become a computer programmer?” Unfortunately, a cerebral response about developing critical thinking and analytical skills probably won’t cut it with your older kids. Your best bet may well be to explain how skills in diverse fields make someone more adaptable and marketable. Explain how mental conditioning is similar to physical conditioning in that exercising the areas you are least interested in can increase strength and confidence overall, since by eliminating weaknesses. Will your kids embrace this argument? Probably not, but at least they’ll better understand why you are committed to their learning rather than their cheating, why you are checking their homework every night, why you are taking away the computer and cell phones an hour a night, and why you are giving them practice tests.

Avoid clichés. Do not tell your kids, “You know if you cheat, you are only cheating yourself.” That’s a pretty abstract notion and when kids are getting As cheating, then the cliché

seems even more obtuse. And I wouldn’t try, “Cheaters never prosper.” The truth is they do. Cheaters may be ignorant and morally corrupt, but your kids have seen plenty do well in school. Most kids, however, will buy the argument that cheating will only get them so far. Ultimately, you have your own tough question to ask them: “What knowledge and skills will you have after you’re done cheating away your school years?” Michael Hartnett, Ph.D., has been a high school English teacher, college professor, and SAT instructor/tutor for more than 20 years, He is the author of The Great SAT Swindle (Create Space; $19.99).

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Deer Run Christian Camps

3845 Perkins Road, Thompson’s Station 794-2918 camps.deerrunretreat.org • registration@deerrunretreat.org On 100 wooded acres just south of Franklin. Campers grow in character, respect, leadership and build life-long friendships. Six nights (Sun. p.m. - Sat. a.m.). Preteen to high school (completed grades 3 - 12). Activities include horseback riding, aqua park, kayaks, zip line, ropes course, climbing tower, paintball, night hiking, BB guns, archery, wiffle ball, wild water games, skits, worship, small group Bible study. Campers receive a t-shirt and DVD of their week. see our expanded listing online at parentworld.com

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3711 Reed Harris Road, Lewisburg 931-364-7656 hortonhaven.org • info@hortonhaven.org FB: HortonHavenChristianCamp Affordable and conveniently located one hour south of Nashville. One-week sessions for ages 8 - 11, 12 - 14 and 15 - 18. Campers participate in horseback riding, archery, air rifles, canoeing, crafts, swimming and many other exciting activities. Teens can experience our 45 ft. high zipline that spans 600 ft. Bible lessons are taught daily. see our expanded listing online at parentworld.com

Riverview Camp for Girls

757 CR 614, Mentone, AL 800-882-0722 riverviewcamp.com • info@riverviewcamp.com Voted #1 sleep-away camp seven years in a row in the Best of Parenting reader’s poll. Only two hours away from Nashville. One- and two-week sessions available for girls 6 - 16. Members of Christian Camping International and accredited by AEE and ACA. Traditional camp activities offered and facilities include a heated pool, tennis courts, climbing tower, horseback riding, bathrooms and showers in all cabins and more. Campers select six activities to take daily. 5:1 camper-to-counselor ratio. see our expanded listing online at parentworld.com

606 Valley View Ranch Road, Cloudland, GA 30731 valleyviewranch.com • info@valleyviewranch.com Horse lovers’ paradise since 1954! A’top Lookout Mountain, for 60 girls, 8 - 17; 1 - 9 weeks, 600 acres, English, Western, barrels, vaulting and trails. CHA instructors teach beginner to advanced riders. Spend 4 - 6 hours daily with your own horse. The Jones family are third generation horse lovers, camp administrators and equine educators making girls dreams come true. see our expanded listing online at parentworld.com

YMCA Camp Ocoee

111 YMCA Drive, Ocoee 423-338-5588 campocoee.com • info@campocoee.com Located in the mountains of southeast Tennessee, Camp Ocoee has been providing children with wilderness adventures since 1923. One-week sessions for boys and girls ages 7 - 17. 4:1 camper to staff ratio. Strong Christian environment. Activities include paintball, whitewater rafting, kayaking, climbing, mountain biking, camp outs and much more. see our expanded listing online at parentworld.com

YMCA Camp Widjiwagan

3088 Smith Springs Road, Antioch 360-2297 campwidji.org • dlogsdon@ymcamidtn.org Voted #1 overnight camp by Nashville Parent magazine readers. Offering one- and two-week sessions for campers rising grade 3 - grade 9. Serving young men and young women. At Widjiwagan campers will strengthen confidence, forge friendships and sharpen character through programs and activities that build independence and social skills. Activities include: water skiing, Wet Willy water slide, The Blob, sailing, soccer, basketball, alpine tower, zip line, archery, horseback riding and much more. see our expanded listing online at parentworld.com

LOCAL/DAY CAMPS Brentwood Academy Summer Camps

219 Granny White Pike, Brentwood 373-0611 x165 brentwoodacademy.com/camps • mike_vazquez@brentwoodacademy.com Brentwood Academy offers summer day camps for boys and girls beginning in Kindergarten through high school. We offer over 25 camps in the areas of sports, fine arts and academics. We have something to interest every child. Join us for a summer of fun! see our expanded listing online at parentworld.com

Camp Idyllwild

3139 Blue Buck Creek Road, Duck River 383-0589 campidyllwild.com • campidyllwild@gmail.com A unique day camp to inspire children with a love for nature. Eco-science and nature-based programs as well as traditional summer activities. Learn about animal habitats and ecology. Arts and crafts, organic gardening, archery, wall climbing, rappelling, pottery, wood and leather working, and caring for the camp’s three Alpacas. Bus transportation from Nashville and Franklin. see our expanded listing online at parentworld.com continued on page 61 ...

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16795 Hwy E, Rolla, MO 573-458-2125 myanimalcamp.com • director@bearriverranch.com Home to over 250 animals. Our 26 week-long courses include Jr. Vet, Adopt an Animal, culinary science, survival skills, crime science, pottery, arts and crafts, and much more. Our facility is top-notch with spacious, air-conditioned cabins, swimming pool and great food, all on more than 240 acres. Junior camps for ages 7 - 11. Senior camps for ages 12 - 16. see our expanded listing online at parentworld.com

Valley View Ranch Equestrian Camp

2012 Guide to Camps, Summer Activities & After-School Programs

Whippoorwill

Farm Day Camp

Boys and Girls ages 8-18

Session Dates

One-week sessions run from May 29- Aug. 3 Registration begins on January 9, 2012.

Horses Mtn Biking Archery Crafts Swimming

Imagine the perfect day... where adventure is at every turn and kids get to be kids. Campers ages 6-14 choose how to spend their own day. Activities include, kayaking, creekplay, horseback riding, arts & crafts, rappeling & climbing, archery and much more! Transportation provided from

Nashville, Brentwood and Franklin.

A Paid Advertising Directory

Horton Haven Christian Camp

www.whippoorwill.com • whippoorwill@starband.net 7840 Whippoorwill Lane Fairview, TN 37062 • 615-799-9925

Zipline Canoeing Bible Lessons Climbing Walls Conveniently located 1 hour south of Nashville

(931) 364-7656 hortonhaven.org

Accredited by American Camping Association Members of Christian Camp and Conference Association

give the

gift Riverview of

• Susan & Larry Hooks, Owners and Directors • Donna Bares, Assistant Director

This gift includes… s’mores, campfires, tennis, archery, swimming, canoeing, ropes course, climbing tower, chorus & drama, gymnastics, dance, cheerleading, horseback riding, crafts, pajama breakfast, tribe scavenger hunt, buffalo rattle, adventure, inspiration, character and confidence building... new friends and making great memories!

To find out more go to www.riverviewcamp.com or call 800-882-0722 for a FREE catalog and DVD 60 january 2012

2012 Guide to Camps, Summer Activities & After-School Programs

Camp St. Cecilia

4210 Harding Road, Nashville 298-4525 stcecilia.edu • pikea@stcecilia.edu Camp St. Cecilia offers camps in arts, athletics and academics for girls ages 4 - 17. New camps this year include lacrosse, babysitter training, science olympics, core conditioning, dance and service. Come be a Scarab this summer at St. Cecilia Academy! Morning and afternoon sessions available. Visit our website for more information. see our expanded listing online at parentworld.com

Cheekwood Summer Camps

1200 Forrest Park Drive, Nashville 353-9827 cheekwood.org/education/summer_camps • kterrell@cheekwood.org Give an experience of a lifetime in Cheekwood’s museum of art, botanical garden and art studios. Cheekwood brings hands-on fun into our educational programming. Make creative artwork or get your hands dirty gardening. Our staff provides interactive projects and quality materials for your camp to explore and have fun.

Dance and Drama at Franklin School of Performing Arts

1885 Gen. George Patton Drive, Franklin 377-9606 franklinschoolofperformingarts.com • info@franklinschoolofperformingarts.com Featuring one week summer camps: Ballet Princess (ages 4 - 8); Dance Sampler (ages 6 - 10); Jazz and Tap (ages 7 - 12); and Hip-Hop and Street Dance (age 6 - 13). Also offering weekly classes in acting, creative movement, ballet, jazz, tap, modern, fitness for kids (ages 8 - 12) and stretching (ages 10 - 18). Celebrating our 21st year! View our website for camp details.

Deer Run Christian Camps

A Paid Advertising Directory

3845 Perkins Road, Thompson’s Station 794-2918 camps.deerrunretreat.org • registration@deerrunretreat.org Grades K - 5 and Adventure Day Camps grades 6 - 8. On 100 wooded acres just south of Franklin. Mon. Fri., 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., extended care available. Bus service from six locations. Aqua park, kayaks, zip line, kickball, BB guns, archery, crafts, climbing tower, creek wading, worship, interactive Bible study. Adventure Camps include 3-D archery, Leap of Faith, paintball, tree climbing with ropes and harnesses, outdoor education and survival skills. Campers receive a t-shirt and DVD of their week. see our expanded listing online at parentworld.com

Franklin Road Academy

4700 Franklin Road, Nashville 831-0769 franklinroadacademy.com • martinj@franklinroadacademy.com With new and exciting camps, Summer FRA is the place to be for your camp experience! Camps for preK - grade 8, as well as adults. Offering the ultimate in scheduling flexibility with week-long, half-day camps including sports, enrichment, arts and academics. Half-day camps can be combined to make a full day and create a one-of-a-kind camp experience. Extended day service offered for before and after camps. see our expanded listing online at parentworld.com

Harding Academy Summer Programs

170 Windsor Drive, Nashville 948-7005 hardingacademy.org • jankowskia@hardingacademy.us Harding offers week-long day camps for children preK - grade 8. Camp favorites include film, theater, Mr. Bond’s science adventures and camps that are wacky and fun. Our popular athletic camps include volleyball, football, soccer and lacrosse for all skill levels. Camps run from Jun. 11 - 29 and Jul. 9 - Aug. 3. see our expanded listing online at parentworld.com

Horton Haven Christian Camp

3711 Reed Harris Road, Lewisburg 931-364-7656 hortonhaven.org • info@hortonhaven.org Come out and explore! Each day is filled with laughter and adventure. Activites include inflatable water slides, bible lessons, crafts, guided horseback rides, swimming and much more. Choose from three oneweek sessions or come back for all three (Jun. 25 - 29, Jul. 19 - 23 and Jul. 16 - 20). Space is limited. see our expanded listing online at parentworld.com

iD Tech Camps

internaldrive.com • info@internaldrive.com 888-709-TECH (8324) The world’s #1 tech camp. Ages 7 - 17 create video games, apps, programs, websites, movies, 3D animations, robots and more. Week-long day and overnight summer programs held at over 70 prestigious universities including Vanderbilt University. Special teen programs include iD Gaming Academy, iD Visual Arts Academy and iD Programming Academy. see our expanded listing online at parentworld.com

Nashville Shores

4001 Bell Road, Hermitage 889-7050 nashvilleshores.com • info@nashvilleshores.com Nashville Shores Summer Camp is a program for children ages 5 - 12 featuring crafts, educational games, junior lifeguard classes, swim lessons, nature activities, lake sports and fun time in the water park. The summer camp is a day camp that is one week long, Mon. - Fri. Visit our website for more information. see our expanded listing online at parentworld.com continued on page 62 ...

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2012 Guide to Camps, Summer Activities & After-School Programs

University School of Nashville

Ready for Summer ?

We are! n

Camps held in Nashville, Antioch and Franklin 484-0855 readyforspanish.com • info@readyforspanish.com Weekly enrichment camps explore the Spanish language, customs and cultures. Students develop vocabulary and apply their knowledge through games, songs, dances, crafts, sports, stories and dialogs. Students develop the vocabulary necessary to carry out activities based on the weekly theme. Students also participate in academic sessions that challenge them to think critically and enhance skills. see our expanded listing online at parentworld.com

June 4-July 20 weekly offerings for grades K-12 half day and full day sessions

Travellers Rest Plantation

636 Farrell Pkwy., Nashville 832-8197 travellersrestplantation.org • tonya@travellersrestplantation.org Travellers Rest’s summer camps are one of Nashville’s best hidden treasures full of adventure, creativity, mystery, and fun! Learn the mysteries of the past with History’s Mysteries camp. Put a stitch in time with our great sewing camp. Become a museum leader in the Junior Docent program. Or embark on an adventure with Civil War and Frontier Adventure camp! see our expanded listing online at parentworld.com

University School of Nashville

USN Summer Camps (University School of Nashville)

2000 Edgehill Avenue Nashville, Tennessee 37212 615/566-7046

A Paid Advertising Directory

545 Beech Creek Road, Brentwood 370-4672 owlshill.org • owlshill@bellsouth.net Owl’s Hill Camps offer “Summer As It Used To Be!” Camps include Screech Owl (ages 5 - 7), Nature Ranger (ages 8 - 11) and Adventurers (ages 5 - 11). All feature nature-related activities, catching tadpoles, building forts and wildlife programs featuring live animals. Sessions are small so campers get personal attention. see our expanded listing online at parentworld.com

Ready for Spanish

USN Summer Camps n

Owl’s Hill Nature Sanctuary

www.usn.org/summer

2000 Edgehill Ave., Nashville 566-7046 usn.org/summer • jkleiner@usn.org Make USN Summer Camps your choice for a fun and enriching experience this summer. Many of the camps are led by members of our talented faculty who bring their expertise and varied passions to diverse programming in sports, academics, the arts and technology. Flexible morning and afternoon scheduling allows either full- or half-day experiences. After-care available from 4 - 5 p.m. see our expanded listing online at parentworld.com

Whippoorwill Farm Day Camp

7840 Whippoorwill Lane, Fairview 799-9925 whippoorwill.com • whippoorwill@starband.net Celebrating our 40th summer! Campers choose their own activities. Daily activities include creek play, horseback riding, arts and crafts, zip line, rappelling and more. We provide a safe and fun environment where campers enjoy the wonder of the outdoors and make lifelong friendships. Bus transportation is provided from Nashville, Brentwood and Franklin. see our expanded listing online at parentworld.com

Spring Open House Saturday, January 7th 12-2pm

YMCA Camp Widjiwagan

3088 Smith Springs Road, Antioch, TN 37013 360-2297 campwidji.org • dlogsdon@ymcamidtn.org Voted #1 Day Camp by Nashville Parent readers 14 years in a row! Serving boys and girls rising grade 1 - grade 8. Camp Widjiwagan is just minutes from downtown Nashville. Bus transportation is available. Activities include water skiing, banana boating, swimming, canoeing, sailing, kayaking, Tom Sawyer swing, The Blob, 150 ft. Wet Willy water slides, equestrian school, street hockey, alpine tower, zip line, fishing, tennis, basketball, soccer, crafts, lacrosse, archery and much more. see our expanded listing online at parentworld.com

SUMMER ACTIVITIES AND AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS Above The Rim Basketball Academy

in the Holloway High School Gym 619 S. Highland Ave., Murfreesboro 390-0982 abovetherimgym.com Offering year-round after-school basketball programs for individuals and groups ages 6 - 17. We take skills to a higher level, stressing fundamentals and shaping character. Developmental program for boys and girls ages 7 - 16. All skill levels welcome. Travel basketball program also available. AAU Member.

Advantage Models and Talent

www.bellevuedancecenter.com

662.8553

tap • jazz • ballet • modern hip-hop • ages 3 - adult • birthday parties

Lauri Gregoire, Director, BPA in Dance from Oklahoma City University

230 Franklin Road, Ste. 802, Franklin 790-5001 advantagemodel.com • info@advantagemodel.com Dream of being on TV, a fashion model, on Broadway? Start experiencing your dream! We help talent realize their potential in an encouraging environment through quality training, superior representation and successful placement. Modeling classes: Walk the Runway, photo posing, nutrition, interview skills and etiquette (ages 3+). Acting for TV classes: commercials, monologue, scene study, cold read (ages 7+). continued on page 66 ...

62 january 2012

P R O G R A M S

F O R

T A L E N T E D

Y O U T H

Developing talent in gifted studentsâ&#x20AC;Ś

Harding Academy Summer Pr8grams

June 11â&#x20AC;&#x201D;29 and July 9â&#x20AC;&#x201D;August 3, 2012 Enrichment and athletic offerings morning and afternoon sessions

Saturdays Jan 21 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Feb 25, 2012 SUMMER 2012

Session I: July 9 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 13 Session II: July 16 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 20

SUMMER 2012

March 3 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4, 2012

Session I: June 10 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 15 Session II: June 17 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 29 Session III: July 8 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 27

A two-day residential program for students in grades 7â&#x20AC;&#x201C;10

A residential summer program on Vanderbiltâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s campus for rising 8th â&#x20AC;&#x201C;12th graders

Summer and Saturday academic programs for students in grades Kâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; 6

and those who work with them FOR EDUCATORS s 0ROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS IN CURRICULUM INSTRUCTION AND DIFFERENTIATION s $IFFERENTIATING )NSTRUCTION FOR 'IFTED ,EARNERS IN THE 'ENERAL #LASSROOM Â&#x2C6; -ARCH n s WEEK TEACHER OF GIFTED EMPLOYMENT STANDARD CLASSES Â&#x2C6; *UNE n

s 0ARENT ,ECTURES

s 3TUDENT !SSESSMENT AND 0LANNING

pty.vanderbilt.edu

(615) 322-8261

Our popular athletic camps include volleyball, football, soccer, and lacrosse for all skill levels. Contact Amanda Jankowski at jankowskia@hardingacademy.org www.hardingacademy.org and click on Summer Programs

A Paid Advertising Directory

FOR PARENTS s 3UPPORT 'ROUPS

Harding offers one-week long day camps for children PK through 8. Camp favorites include film, theater, Mr. Bondâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s science adventures, and camps that are wacky and fun!

peabody.vanderbilt.edu

615.794.2918 CHRISTIAN CAMPS

Day, Adventure, andOvernight

Day Camps: Grades K-5 aDventuRe Camps: Grades 6-8 oveRnight Camps: Grades 3-12

eaRLy RegistRation DisCount enDs 3/15

2012 Guide to Camps, Summer Activities & After-School Programs

V A N D E R B I L T

SUMMER

CAMP AT DEER RUN

Day Camp & aDventure Day Camp OptIOnS:

extenDeD CaRe & bus tRanspoRtation

6 bus locations including south Nashville, Murfreesboro, Franklin, & Spring Hill

Camps.DeerRunRetreat.org 10 miles south of downtown franklin

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A Paid Advertising Directory

2012 Guide to Camps, Summer Activities & After-School Programs

SPANISH!

MOBILE MUSIC THERAPY

Summer Camp

Serving Franklin Murfreesboro Smyrna

Spanish Language Instruction for Children

Explore the Spanish language, customs and cultures this summer. Nashville, Antioch and Franklin info@readyforspanish.com

ReadyForSpanish.com

2012 Guide to Camps, Summer Activities & After-School Programs

READY FOR

Regular & Adaptive Guitar, Piano & Interactive Music Groups for Children with Learning Disabilities

615-715-1232

www.boltonmusictherapy.com

SOCCER

more information at watkins.edu/community â&#x20AC;˘ 615.383.4848

AGES 3 TO 18

Register for Recreational Soccer Now through February 19, 2012! HYSA is the largest comprehensive youth soccer program in Tennessee with over 2,300 boys and girls on recreational and select teams.

615-662-1466

Nashville, Tennessee

Season Begins March 10, 2012 Sign up online at www.hysa-tn.org photo by D image

january 2012 65

A Paid Advertising Directory

Celebrating 21 Years of Youth Soccer

2012 Guide to Camps, Summer Activities & After-School Programs A Paid Advertising Directory

Barfield School of Dance

2298 Barfield Road, Murfreesboro 896-3118 barﬁeldschoolofdance.com • mail@barﬁeldschoolofdance.com We offer dance instruction in ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, hip-hop, Irish, Kinderdance and Kindermusik, ages newborn - adult. All programs are developmentally appropriate and designed to meet the needs of each dancer. Our goal is to develop within each dancer a love for and a skill in the art of dance providing a sound dance education.

Bill Taylor’s Bushido School of Karate

1911 Business Campus Drive, Murfreesboro 890-6755 1820 NW Broad St., Murfreesboro 893-6003 bskonline.com • bushido96@aol.com Let martial arts take your kids to new heights. Bill Taylor’s Bushido School of Karate offers programs in traditional karate from age 3 to adult. Call now to find out how to get two months free!

Bolton Music Therapy

Serving All of Middle Tennessee 715-1232 boltonmusictherapy@gmail.com Offering individual and group music therapy services, regular and adaptive guitar and piano lessons, parentchild music classes and musical birthday parties. Drumming classes designed to improve communication and leisure skills for children with developmental disabilities starting soon in Murfreesboro and Franklin. Our mission is to use music to look beyond limitations and discover the ability of each child. see our expanded listing online at parentworld.com

Dance in Bloom

7982 Coley Davis Road, Bellevue 662-4819 danceinbloom.com • info@danceinbloom.com Located just off I-40 and Hwy. 70 in Bellevue, Dance in Bloom offers excellent classes for ages 2 and up. Quality training (with an emphasis on proper technique and terminology) is offered in a fun and upbeat environment. Classes available in creative movement, ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, hip-hop, pom and tumbling. Fun and affordable birthday party packages are also available!

E.T.C. Gymnastics

Save gas. Save time. Save mom.

In-home Music Lessons.

School, sports, play dates, shopping and doctors' appointments Isn't that enough driving for one day? Be the hero with in-home music lessons. Learn more at mmamusic.com.

Any instrument, any skill level. All teachers background checked Accredited, friendly instructors.

1137 Haley Road, Murfreesboro 867-6900 1932 Almaville Road, Smyrna 617-7644 etcgymnastics.com • coachken@etcgymnastics.com E.T.C. Gymnastics is dedicated to bringing a new standard of excellence in gymnastics through Him. We offer classes in gymnastics for boys and girls ages 2 years and older. We also offer cheerleading and tumbling, as well as competitive teams. Call and ask about our free trial class. We also do parties, field trips and parents’ nights out.

EBDT Dance and Arts Center - Eccentrique Backbone Dance Theatre

103 Confederate Drive, Ste. 1, Franklin 599-7003 ebdtdanceandarts.ning.com • ebdtdance@ureach.com Promoting adult dance, fitness and the performing arts for ages 2 - 70+. Small classes, economical fee, workshops and loft-style classrooms with sprung floors. Faith-based, non-recital school. Non-mandatory in-school dance concerts to teach performance skills.

Mobile Music Academy

mobilemusicacademy.com • info@mobilemusicacademy.com 301-8589 We bring high-quality music instruction from fun, energetic, qualified teachers directly to you. We provide lessons throughout the day and evening for piano, guitar, bass, drums, voice, band and orchestral. Special rates available for lessons before 3 p.m. We teach all ages.

Mpact Sports

1647 Mallory Lane, Ste. 102, Brentwood 377-3444 mpactgymnastics.com MPACT your child’s school year with the right balance of athletic training, character building and social/ team outlets. Gymnastics for 10 mos. - adult, cheer for 5 - 18 yrs. and martial arts for ages 4 - 104. Competitive teams and proper training. Low teacher/student ratios. Our goal is to help your child develop to their fullest within their sport of choice and encourage learning. Come see why Mpact is the best kept secret in Cool Springs!

My Gym

330 Franklin Road, Brentwood 371-5437 204 N. Anderson Lane, Hendersonville 824-8002 my-gym.com/brentwood • my-gym.com/hendersonville We build strong, healthy bodies through tumbling, relays, music and gymnastics. High-energy, structured classes improve balance, agility and build self-confidence. Our immaculate facilities and low student-teacher ratios help children 3 mos. - 13 yrs. develop excellent fitness habits in a non-competitive way. continued on page 69 ...

66 january 2012

OCOEE-NashParent.eps @ 45.1% (CMYK/8)

2012 Guide to Camps, Summer Activities & After-School Programs

NOW ENROLLING FOR SPRING

SPACE IS LIMITED

“Our Broadway bound kids are working professionally and performing in Nashville and all around the country!” Sondra Morton. Act too founder.

Group Voice * Private Voice/Piano Improv Little Act Too Musical Theatre Dance Production/Technical Training Weekly Performance Classes (Sweeney Todd, Flat Stanley, Forbidden Broadway, You’re a good man charlie brown)

A Paid Advertising Directory

LOCATED AT THE FACTORY IN FRANKLIN

(615) 294-0667 ACTTOOPLAYERS.COM

School of Nashville Ballet

Enroll for Spring Now LEarN & PErfOrm

ages

Academy Division 2+

Newly expanded children’s program with more class options during the week and weekend! Mommy and Me • Joy of Dance • Creative Movement Pre-Ballet • Level 1–5 Ballet • Pointe • Jazz Contemporary • Boys Class • and More!

Enroll Today In Person or Online. Classes Begin January 17. Campuses in Brentwood and Nashville. Nashville Campus: 3630 Redmon Street • Nashville, TN 37209 • (615) 297-2966 x33 Brentwood Campus: 500 Wilson Pike Circle • Brentwood, TN 37027 • (615) 661-0460 • NashvilleBallet.com

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4819 Hwy 96 E, Arrington 419-1089 peachtreefarms.com • polly@peachtreefarms.com PFEC offers afternoon and weekend lesson programs for those who want to learn how to ride safely and correctly. Both English and Western lessons are offered in a great environment where children can have fun and fresh air after a stressful day at school. For the serious rider, the CHA-approved facility and USPC Riding Center offer a chance to excel in competition.

Robinson Taekwondo

230 Franklin Road, Ste. 809, Franklin 791-6655 ita280.itaonline.com • wrobin@comcast.net Tiger Rock Taekwondo is a great way for children to gain confidence, coordination and mental strength. Our parents report that their children often increase their grades by one to two levels. We specialize in training leaders of the future. Register now for classes that will have lasting positive effects on your child’s self-esteem and success.

School of Dance and Music

SUMMER RIDING CAMP Weekly During June & July

• Safe Horse Handling • Riding Lessons • Trail Rides • Grooming & Games

CREEKSIDE Riding Academy & Stables Hwy 431 at Duplex Rd., 2359 Lewisburg Pk., Franklin, TN 37064

615-595-7547 * creeksideridingstables.com

2001 Blair Blvd., Nashville 298-5271 2228 N. Mt. Juliet Road, Mt. Juliet 754-9186 danceandmusicnow.com School of Dance and Music has over 40 years of dance history and is now also offering top quality music instruction. With two locations, a focus on quality instruction, and customer service you are sure to find something special for your child. Dance classes available in ballet, jazz, hip-hop, tap, lyrical, gymnastics, and more. Ages 18 mos. - adult, boys and girls. Music instruction available on all popular instruments, private and group. Voted #1 dance studio by Nashville Parent readers for 10 consecutive years! see our expanded listing online at parentworld.com

2012 Guide to Camps, Summer Activities & After-School Programs

Peachtree Farms Eqeustrian Center

Stevens Family Taekwondo

Sylvan Learning Centers

1227 Lakeview Drive, Unit 4, Franklin 790-8775 sylvanfranklin@gmail.com -and2000 Richard Jones Road, Suite 178, Nashville (Green Hills) 292-3900 sylvangreenhills@gmail.com -and110 Glancy St., Suite 211, Nashville (Rivergate) 860-9111 northdavidsonsylvan@gmail.com Sylvan Learning is the leading provider of tutoring and supplemental education services to students of all ages and skill levels. Our tutors tailor individualized learning plans that build the skills, habits and attitudes students need to succeed in school and in life. Affordable tutoring instruction in math, reading, writing, study skills, homework help and test prep. Visit one of our centers or call for a free consultation.

Task Whiz Tutoring

at your location 656-3532 taskwhiztutoring.com Serving Davidson, Rutherford and Sumner counties. Affordable and convenient in-home tutoring for all subjects, grades K - 12. Catch up or get ahead in math, reading, chemistry, Spanish and more. Prepare for the SAT or ACT. Get homework help or improve study skills and test taking techniques. One-on-one personalized instruction. Sun. - Thu., 9 a.m. - 9 p.m..

Joe C. Davis Outdoor Center

CAMP WIDJIWAGAN

CONFIDENCE FRIENDSHIP CHARACTER Day Camp Sign up before February 29th and save!

campwidji.org 615-360-2267

Wado Karate Centers

2444 Morris Gentry Blvd., Antioch 399-3992 406 Two Mile Pike, Goodlettsville 859-9473 667 Presidents Place, Smyrna 399-3992 wadokaratecenters.com • taylorhayden@msn.com Two-week “Quick Start Program” for $19.95. For ages 3 - adult. Designed to instill self-control, selfconfidence and boost self-esteem. Our classes are the product of more than 40 years of refinement and offer life skills along with karate skills. Call or email for more information or to register.

Watkins College of Art and Design

2298 Rosa L. Parks Blvd., Nashville 383-4848 watkins.edu/community Dedicated to providing the finest art instruction, our program sets the stage for students of all ages to learn the process of creating art in a variety of fascinating mediums. Adult courses are also offered. Sign up now for winter and spring classes.

Our Mission: A worldwide charitable fellowship united by a common loyalty to Jesus Christ for the purpose of helping people grow in spirit, mind and body.

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A Paid Advertising Directory

440 Rice Street, Murfreesboro 893-5304 -and805 Commercial Court, Murfreesboro stevensfamilytkd.com • stevensfamilytkd@yahoo.com Offering day and evening classes for children and adults. Classes include traditional taekwondo, yoga, cardio kickboxing, Krav Maga and tumbling. Home of the area’s only structured Martial Arts After School Program. see our expanded listing online at parentworld.com

Nashvilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best value for family-friendly entertainment.

NCAA Division I Basketball Tickets start at $7 for adults and $5 for kids 12 & under. Tickets to the Belmont game on February 3rd start at $12. Every game features: n Kids Zone with face painting, inflatables, and other fun activites n Postgame Player Autographs n Kids shoot on the floor after the game n A fun, Christian environment

Upcoming Schedule January 14 vs. Florida Gulf Coast n

January 16 vs. Stetson n

January 28 vs. North Florida n

January 30 vs. Jacksonville n

February 3 vs. Belmont n

February 18 vs. USC Upstate

Star Wars Day! Fans young and old of the Star Wars saga will feel like theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve entered a galaxy far, far away on Saturday, January 28. Members of the 501st Legion of Stormtroopers including clones, stormtroopers, bounty hunters and others will be on hand for pictures. Fans are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite Star Wars characters.

February 20 vs. ETSU

Visit LipscombTickets.com to purchase tickets or call 615-966-5990.

the party pages • a festive advertising section

Party Belles! of Nashville

2 Locations

Pump It Up of Mt Juliet 615.758.5126 Pump It Up of Cool Springs 615.373.8350

PumpItUpParty.com

FREE

Large Pizza when you book an Adventure Party

Expires 01/31/12. Cannot be combined with any other offers

The Ultimate Singing Princess Party

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370-4FUN (4386) GLOWGALAXY. COM january 2012 71

the party pages • a festive advertising section POTTERY PAINTING You have the fun - we do the cleanup!

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2 FREE Pizzas With Any Party Booked In January Not valid with other offers. Coupon good for large one-topping pizzas. Mention discount and time of booking and present to redeem. Valid at Cool Springs and Rivergate, TN locations only. Party may be held at any time but must be booked by 1/31/2012.

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january 2012 73

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january 2012 75

Nashville P

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• Annu ent a ar

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76 january 2012

ApprOveD by AnGIe & Abby (Angie’s List A+ Company)

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Follow me on Twitter @MyCalendarGuy

CALENDAR

THE

By Chad Young

78 the dailies | 93 ongoing | 95 on stage | 97 chadderbox | 98 parent planner

kooky, ooky addams family comes to tpac jan. 3 - 8

photo credit: Jeremy Daniel

Blake Hammond as Uncle Fester in The Addams Family.

he national tour of the Broadway musical The Addams Family makes its Nashville stop this month, bringing Charles Addams’ bizarre characters to TPAC’s Jackson Hall stage. The musical features an original storyline that finds the Addams’ daughter, Wednesday, in love with a young man from a respectable family, which turns the Addams’ house upside down when they are forced to host a dinner party for his family. TPAC is located at 505 Deaderick St., Nashville. Show times are Tue - Thu 7:30 p.m., Fri 8 p.m., Sat 2 and 8 p.m., Sun 1 and 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $28 - $70. Tuesday, Jan. 3 is Kids’ Night, featuring 50-percent-off tickets (prices levels 2 - 4; use promo code “gomez”) and lobby activities beginning at 6 p.m., including the Nashville Predators, Cookie Crumb Company and more. Call 782-4040 or visit tpac.org.

the dailies

For January events requiring advance registration, turn to page 98.

Local families brave the icy waters during Sports*Com’s annual Polar Bear Plunge. Your family can take a dip this year on Saturday, Jan. 7.

sun 1 Happy New Year! Predators Hockey Cheer for the Nashville Predators when they challenge the Calgary Flames. Bridgestone Arena, 501 Broadway, Nashville; 5 p.m.; $30 - $205; 7707825 or http:// predators.nhl.com.

mon 2 Parents & Tots Preschoolers and their parents can enjoy a

Happy New Year program. Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, 502 S.E. Broad St., Murfreesboro; 9 a.m.; $6; 890-2300 or discoverycenteronline.org.

Snack Attack! All ages can make edible snowflakes. Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, 502 S.E. Broad St., Murfreesboro; 3:30 p.m.; $6; 890-2300 or discoverycenteronline.org.

tue 3 The Addams Family This national touring production opens tonight at TPAC. Please see page 77 for details.

Animal Antics All ages can meet the water turtles. Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, 502 S.E. Broad St., Murfreesboro; 3:30 p.m.; $6; 890-2300 or discoverycenteronline.org.

Allman with Jaimoe’s Jasssz Band. Ryman Auditorium, 116 Fifth Ave. N., Nashville; 7:30 p.m.; $35 - $59.50; 800-745-3000 or ryman.com.

Glen Campbell Country legend Glen Campbell brings his

FREE Kids’ Hour Ages 10 and younger can enjoy music and movement with The Groove Club. Whole Foods, 1566 W. McEwen Drive, Franklin; 9:30 a.m.; 567-6387 or grooveclubkids.com.

Goodbye Tour to Music City. Ryman Auditorium, 116 Fifth Ave. N., Nashville; 7:30 p.m.; $29.50 - $49.50; 800-745-3000 or ryman.com.

FREE La Leche League of Williamson County Expect-

ant mothers can learn more about breastfeeding and the services provided by La Leche League. Grace Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1153 Lewisberg Pike, Franklin; 10 am.; 834-3287.

Parents & Tots Preschoolers and their parents can enjoy a

Happy New Year program. Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, 502 S.E. Broad St., Murfreesboro; 9 a.m.; $6; 890-2300 or discoverycenteronline.org.

Tuesdays for Tots: Silly Snowman Preschoolers and their

parents can make the most of a cold, winter day and make a snowman craft. Cheekwood, 1200 Forrest Park Drive, Nashville; 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.; free with gate admission ($12 adults, free ages 5 and younger); 356-8000 or cheekwood.org.

wed 4 Gregg Allman Enjoy an evening of live music with Gregg

Parents & Tots Preschoolers and their parents can enjoy a Happy New Year program. Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, 502 S.E. Broad St., Murfreesboro; 9 a.m.; $6; 890-2300 or discoverycenteronline.org. Snack Attack! All ages can make edible snowflakes. Discov-

ery Center at Murfree Spring, 502 S.E. Broad St., Murfreesboro; 3:30 p.m.; $6; 890-2300 or discoverycenteronline.org.

thu 5 FREE Animé Club Ages 12 - 18 can participate in an hour of non-stop animé action with snacks. La Vergne Public Library, 5063 Murfreesboro Road, La Vergne; 5 p.m.; 793-7307 or http:// catalog.lavergnetn.gov. Nature Nuts All ages can learn about animal camouflage.

Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, 502 S.E. Broad St., Murfreesboro; 4 p.m.; $6; 890-2300 or discoverycenteronline.org. (please turn the page)

78 january 2012

Private School Open Houses

independent, co-educational, college preparatory, grades 6 through 12

If you are considering a private education for your child, this is the perfect opportunity to get to know many of the private schools in Middle Tennessee. You’ll find this month’s Calendar is chock-full of ads for these Open Houses. Keep on turning the pages – all the way to the page 87 – to find more.

The Webb School BELL BUCKLE

Integrity Confidence Passionate learners

Why these murfreesboro families chose The Webb School Challenging academics Small & close-knit community Fun learning environment Emphasis on Honor and Integrity Talented & supportive faculty IT’S Cool To bE SmarT! scan or go online to brentwoodacademy.com

Join us f Visitor or s’ Day Januar y 16

• SAT avg. is 1849 • 7:1 student-teacher ratio • Bus service to Murfreesboro • Co-ed, grades 6-12

Call 1-888-733-9322, or visit www.TheWebbSchool.com

Admission Day Feb. 4 - 615.523.0611 for reservations Campus Tours every Tues. and Wed. at 8:30 a.m.

january 2012 79

Private School Open Houses

Exceptional Christian Education

OUR SAVIOR LUTHERAN ACADEMY Grades preschool through 8th

Open House Event: January 25 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Please call the admissions office for reservations: 833-1500 ext. 302

5110 Franklin Road, Nashville, TN 37220 615.833.1500 | oslanashville.org facebook.com/oursaviorlutheranacademy

Weekly tours offered every Tuesday and Wednesday

80 january 2012

the dailies

For January events requiring advance registration, turn to page 98.

Predators Hockey Cheer for the Nashville Predators when

they challenge the Dallas Stars. Bridgestone Arena, 501 Broadway, Nashville; 7 p.m.; $30 - $205; 7707825 or http://predators. nhl.com.

SunTrust Classical Series: Tianwa Yang Returns

Violinist Tianwa Yang joins the Nashville Symphony for an evening of music featuring works by Mozart, Lalo and Stravinsky. Schermerhorn Symphony Center, 1 Symphony Place, Nashville; Thu 7 p.m., Fri - Sat 8 p.m.; $39 - $109; 687-6400 or nashvillesymphony.org.

Thursday Crafternoon All ages can make sparkly snow

dough. Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, 502 S.E. Broad St., Murfreesboro; 3 - 4:30 p.m.; $6; 890-2300 or discoverycenteronline.org.

fri 6 Company This Circle Players production opens tonight at the Larry Keeton Theater. Please see “On Stage,” page 95, for details. SunTrust Classical Series: Tianwa Yang Returns

Please see Thursday, Jan. 5 listing.

Catch the Harlem Globetrotters at Municipal Auditorium on Sunday, Jan. 8.

sat 7 FREE Connecting Cultures Celebrates Haiti The Frist Center hosts an art-making activity where kids ages 5 and older can create artistic musical instruments and use them to join in an interactive retelling of a folktale based on the Haitian proverb, “Many hands make a lighter load.” Bordeaux Area Library, 4000 Clarksville Pike, Nashville; 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.; 244-3340 or fristcenter.org. Family Reflexology Night Ages 4 and older can bring pillows and learn how to do reflexology for the feet and hands. East Meets West Holistic Education Center, 5814 Nolensville Pike, Ste. 106, Nashville; 6:30 p.m.; $5; 834-0080 or emwhec.com.

FREE Shakespeare Allowed All ages can participate in (or just listen to) a live reading of Henry VI Part I. Nashville Public Library, 615 Church St., Nashville; 12 - 3 p.m.; nashvilleshakes. org.

SunTrust Classical Series: Tianwa Yang Returns

Please see Thursday, Jan. 5 listing.

FREE Super Saturday All ages can play on the kids’ activity table, participate in craft projects and enjoy cookies and lemonade. Parent-Teacher Stores: 2214 Bandywood Drive, Nashville (292-3533); 203 Williamson Square, Franklin (599-3477); 131 John Rice Blvd., Murfreesboro (895-6131); and 780 RiverGate Pkwy., Goodlettsville (859-3007); parent-teacherstoreusa.com.

FREE Home Depot Kids Workshop Ages 5 - 12 can make a savings shed to store their money from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. To find a store near you, visit homedepot.com.

sun 8

Polar Bear Plunge All ages can brave the cold waters of the outdoor pool and enjoy an Arctic Adventure inside the gym, complete with inflatables, games, hot drinks, donuts and more. Sports*Com, 2310 Memorial Blvd., Murfreesboro; 8:30 a.m. Artic Adventure, 10 a.m. plunge; admission is a donation of nonperishable food items to benefit the Murfreesboro City Schools Family Resource Center; 895-5040 or murfreesborotn.gov/parks.

FREE Children’s Theater Auditions Ages 4 - 17 can audition for the Sunshine Players’ production of The Ransom of Red Chief, which runs Feb. 24 - 26. The Theatre at Patterson Park, 521 Mercury Blvd., Murfreesboro; Sun 2 - 4 p.m., Mon 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.; there is a $30 membership fee for children who participate in the Sunshine Players; 893-7439 or twomack@ murfreesborotn.gov.

Predators Hockey Cheer for the Nashville Predators when

Harlem Globetrotters The world famous Harlem Globetrotters bring their comical basketball skills and athletes to Nashville. Municipal Auditorium, 417 Fourth Ave. N., Nashville; 2 p.m.; $15 - $117; nashvilleauditorium.com.

they challenge the Carolina Hurricanes. Bridgestone Arena, 501 Broadway, Nashville; 7 p.m.; $30 - $205; 7707825 or http:// predators.nhl.com.

mon 9 FREE Children’s Theater Auditions Please see Sunday, Jan. 8 listing.

Parents & Tots Preschoolers and their parents can participate in a program about the deep, blue sea. Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, 502 S.E. Broad St., Murfreesboro; 9 a.m.; $6; 890-2300 or discoverycenteronline.org. Plantation Station Ages 2 - 5 can explore history. Belle

Meade Plantation, 5025 Harding Pike, Nashville; 10 a.m.; $5; 356-0501, ext. 48, or bellemeadeplantation.com.

Snack Attack! All ages can make hummus. Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, 502 S.E. Broad St., Murfreesboro; 3:30 p.m.; $6; 890-2300 or discoverycenteronline.org.

tue 10 FREE 4-H with Mr. Shirley Ages 8 - 12 can participate in educational programs based on science, engineering and technology. Patterson Park Community Center, 521 Mercury Blvd., Murfreesboro; 4 - 5 p.m.; 8937439 or murfreesborotn.gov/parks. Animal Antics All ages can meet the chinchilla. Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, 502 S.E. Broad St., Murfreesboro; 3:30 p.m.; $6; 890-2300 or discoverycenteronline.org. Parents & Tots Preschoolers and their parents can participate in a program about the deep, blue sea. Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, 502 S.E. Broad St., Murfreesboro; 9 a.m.; $6; 890-2300 or discoverycenteronline.org.

(please turn the page)

january 2012 81

Private School Open Houses

College-preparatory, interdenominational January Open House Jan. 19 at 6:00pm

preschool-12th grade Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day Out

At Davidson Academy, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy to find your niche and utilize your God-given talents.

1414 Old Hickory Blvd. | Nashville, TN 37207 www.davidsonacademy.com | Call 860-5307 to schedule your personal education consultation with one of our principals.

82 january 2012

Where kindergarten through eighth grade students are encouraged to excel in academics, arts, and athletics Academics

170 Windsor Drive Nashville, TN 37205 (615) 356-2974 www.hardingacademy.org

Parents, educators and other interested adults are invited to be Waldorf students for a day. Experience a range of interactive lessons from our rich, engaging curriculum. Jan 21 • 8:45 a.m.

Arts

Free and open to the public

Spaces are limited. Reserve your spot today!

RSVP 615-354-0270 ext. 31.

Scan code with smartphone QR app to view a video. Athletics

615.354.0270 Ext. 31 • lindenwaldorf.org 3201 Hillsboro Pike • Nashville, TN 37215

PK-12th Grade Sunday, January 29 2-4 Private tours offered daily

january 2012 83

the dailies

For January events requiring advance registration, turn to page 98.

See Twiggy the Water-Skiing Squirrel at the Nashville Boat & Sport Show, Jan. 12 - 15, at the Nashville Convention Center. Second Saturday Take in an after-hours show in the Sude-

kum Planetarium. Adventure Science Center, 800 Fort Negley Blvd., Nashville; 6:30 p.m. Forces of Nature, 7:30 p.m. Skies Over Nashville, 8:30 p.m. Laser Beatles, 9:30 p.m. Laser ’80s, 10:30 p.m. Hynotica Electronica; $6 per show non-members, $4 per show members; 862-5160 or adventuresci.com.

Tuesdays for Tots: Cheekwood in Color Preschool-

ers and their parents can visit the studio to make a colorful art project. Cheekwood, 1200 Forrest Park Drive, Nashville; 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.; free with gate admission ($12 adults, free ages 5 and younger); 356-8000 or cheekwood.org.

phony Center, 1 Symphony Place, Nashville; Thu 7 p.m., Fri - Sat 8 p.m.; $39 - $109; 687-6400 or nashvillesymphony.org.

Julius Caesar This Nashville Shakespeare Festival production opens today at Belmont University’s Troutt Theatre. Please see “On Stage,” page 95, for details. Nashville Boat & Sport Show Check out the latest in boats, marine accessories and electronics, participate in free seminars and enjoy activities including the bass tub and performances by Twiggy the Water-Skiing Squirrel. Nashville Convention Center, 601 Commerce St., Nashville; Thu 2 - 10 p.m., Fri 12 - 10 p.m., Sat 10 a.m. - 10 p.m., Sun 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.; $9 adults, free ages 15 and younger; 502-957-1666 or nashvilleboatshow.com.

FREE Family Movie Night All ages can watch a family friendly movie on a big screen. Cornerstone United Methodist Church, 349 Chaney Road, Smyrna; 7 p.m.; cornerstonetn.org. Nashville Boat & Sport Show Please see Thursday, Jan.

12 listing.

sat 14 Bank of America Pops Series: Wicked Divas Please see Thursday, Jan. 12 listing.

wed 11

Nature Nuts All ages can learn about animal mimicry. Discov-

ery Center at Murfree Spring, 502 S.E. Broad St., Murfreesboro; 4 p.m.; $6; 890-2300 or discoverycenteronline.org.

FREE Bird Club All ages can search for Tennessee’s winter birds. Nickajack Wetlands in Murfreesboro (call for directions); 9 a.m.; 217-3017.

Predators Hockey Cheer for the Nashville Predators when

FREE Gaming Day Ages 8 - 12 can spend and afternoon

Snack Attack! All ages can make hummus. Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, 502 S.E. Broad St., Murfreesboro; 3:30 p.m.; $6; 890-2300 or discoverycenteronline.org.

thu 12 Bank of America Pops Series: Wicked Divas Broadway stars Alli Mauzey and Julia Murney, who both starred in

Wicked, perform hits from the smash musical along with tunes from Gypsy, Ragtime, Titanic and more. Schermerhorn Sym-

84 january 2012

they challenge the Colorado Avalanche. Bridgestone Arena, 501 Broadway, Nashville; 7 p.m.; $30 - $205; 7707825 or http:// predators.nhl.com.

Thursday Crafternoon All ages can make sparkly snow

dough. Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, 502 S.E. Broad St., Murfreesboro; 3 - 4:30 p.m.; $6; 890-2300 or discoverycenteronline.org.

playing Wii and other games. Gallatin Public Library, 123 E. Main St., Gallatin; 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.; 452-1722 or gallatinlibrary.org.

FREE Music in the Wild All ages can listen to music performed by The Secret Commonwealth, a local Celtic band. The Wilderness Station, 697 Barfield Crescent Road, Murfreesboro; 5:30 p.m. pre-concert activities, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. concert; 2173017 or murfreesborotn.gov/parks. Nashville Boat & Sport Show Please see Thursday, Jan.

fri 13 Bank of America Pops Series: Wicked Divas Please see Thursday, Jan. 12 listing.

12 listing.

(please turn the page)

Private School Open Houses

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Gifted children thrive in a Montessori Environment

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1225 Gallatin Rd., S Madison, TN 37115 (615) 865-1491 

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Soar Higher

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www.montessoriacad.org

Call for a Tour Today! Toddlers - 8th Grade p 615-833-3610 6021 Cloverland Dr. Brentwood, TN 37027 Accredited by AMS & AdvancEd (SACS)

Franklin Road Academy SCHOLARSHIP • INTEGRITY • BALANCE

A college prepArAtory school in An inclusive christiAn environment for grAdes pre-k through 12

Admission open House events: January 28—grades pre-k through 12 F o r r e s e r vAt i o n s c A l l 8 3 2 - 8 8 4 5 4700 franklin road • nashville, tn • 37220 • franklinroadacademy.com

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the dailies

For January events requiring advance registration, turn to page 98.

The Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville performs a traditional Chinese dragon dance on Saturday, Jan. 21 at Eakin Elementary and Saturday, Jan. 28 at Centennial Park. FREE No-Sew Fleece Ages 12 - 18 can make a no-sew

birthday cake and more. Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, 502 S.E. Broad St., Murfreesboro; 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.; 890-2300 or discoverycenteronline.org.

The Watsons Go to Birmingham — 1963 This Nashville

Predators Hockey Cheer for the Nashville Predators when

tue 17

wed 18

Animal Antics All ages can meet Otus the Screech Owl. Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, 502 S.E. Broad St., Murfreesboro; 3:30 p.m.; $6; 890-2300 or discoverycenteronline.org.

Parents & Tots Preschoolers and their parents can enjoy a Winter Wonderland activity. Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, 502 S.E. Broad St., Murfreesboro; 9 a.m.; $6; 890-2300 or discoverycenteronline.org.

fleece scarf, hat or poncho. La Vergne Public Library, 5063 Murfreesboro Road, La Vergne; 2 p.m.; 793-7307 or http://catalog.lavergnetn.gov. they challenge the Philadelphia Flyers. Bridgestone Arena, 501 Broadway, Nashville; 7 p.m.; $30 - $205; 7707825 or http:// predators.nhl.com.

sun 15 FREE Exhibit Open House Enjoy a free tour of the new

exhibit, Wedding Dresses Through the Decades, which runs through Wednesday, Feb. 15. Oaklands Historic House Museum, 900 N. Maney Ave., Murfreesboro; open house is from 2 - 4 p.m.; regular hours are Tue - Sat 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sun 1 - 4 p.m.; $10 adults, $5 children, free ages 5 and younger; 893-0022 or oaklandsmuseum.org.

FREE La Leche League of Williamson County Expectant mothers can learn about breastfeeding and the services provided by La Leche League. Grace Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1153 Lewisburg Pike, Franklin; 6:15 p.m.; 834-3287.

Children’s Theatre production opens today. Please see “On Stage,” page 95, for details.

Snack Attack! All ages can make edible traffic lights. Discov-

ery Center at Murfree Spring, 502 S.E. Broad St., Murfreesboro; 3:30 p.m.; $6; 890-2300 or discoverycenteronline.org.

FREE Teen Writer’s Forum Ages 12 - 18 can share their

writing work with their peers. La Vergne Public Library, 5063 Murfreesboro Road, La Vergne; 6 p.m.; 793-7307 or http://catalog.lavergnetn.gov.

thu 19

Nashville Boat & Sport Show Please see Thursday, Jan.

Parents & Tots Preschoolers and their parents can enjoy a

Nature Nuts All ages can learn how owls adapt. Discovery

mon 16

Tuesdays for Tots: Happy Trees! Preschoolers and their

Thursday Crafternoon All ages can make bird feeders. Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, 502 S.E. Broad St., Murfreesboro; 3 - 4:30 p.m.; $6; 890-2300 or discoverycenteronline.org.

12 listing.

FREE MLK Day Celebration All ages can celebrate the life

of Martin Luther King Jr. through a variety of activities including art projects, an African dance performance, scavenger hunts,

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Winter Wonderland activity. Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, 502 S.E. Broad St., Murfreesboro; 9 a.m.; $6; 890-2300 or discoverycenteronline.org.

parents can listen to a reading of The Happiness Tree, learn what different trees stand for, then drop by the studio to make a treeinspired craft. Cheekwood, 1200 Forrest Park Drive, Nashville; 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.; free with gate admission ($12 adults, free ages 5 and younger); 356-8000 or cheekwood.org.

Center at Murfree Spring, 502 S.E. Broad St., Murfreesboro; 4 p.m.; $6; 890-2300 or discoverycenteronline.org.

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Developing resilience, Inspiring confidence in a foundation of faith & learning

Private School Open Houses

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

Call 615-297-6544 For information PreK through 6th grade · Financial Aid Available 4815 Franklin Rd. · oakhillschool.org

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ENSWORTH where ideas live and breathe COME VISIT!

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Ongoing tours available for grades P1 – 12 • Call 615-250-8916 to schedule • ensworth.com

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the dailies

For January events requiring advance registration, turn to page 98.

fri 20 Branford Marsalis Saxophone sensation Branford Marsalis performs numbers from his recent album, Songs of Mirth and Melancholy. Schermerhorn Symphony Center, 1 Symphony Place, Nashville; 8 p.m.; $44 - $104; 687-6400 or nashvillesymphony.org. Master Class This Act 1 play opens today at the Darkhorse Theater. Please see “On Stage,” page 95, for details.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Lightweight contenders

Melvin Guillard and Jim Miller collide in the night’s main event. Bridgestone Arena, 501 Broadway, Nashville; 5 p.m.; $25 - $175; 770-2000 or bridgestonearena.com.

sat 21 FREE Bringing Stories to Life Ages 3 - 8 can hear a reading of Snowmen at Night, then participate in a physical activity and enjoy a healthy snack. Gallatin Public Library, 123 E. Main St., Gallatin; 10:30 a.m.; 452-1722 or gallatinlibrary.org.

FREE Dragon Dance Team with CAAN’s Lion Dance and Group Drumming In Celebration of the Chinese New

Year of the Dragon, the Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville performs a traditional Chinese dragon dance using a newly restored 60-foot long dragon prop. Eakin Elementary, 2500 Fairfax Ave., Nashville; 10 a.m.; chineseartsalliance.org.

Humpty Dumpty This Olde Worlde Theatre Co. production opens today. Please see “On Stage,” page 95, for details. Kenny Rogers Country star Kenny Rogers joins the Nashville Symphony for an evening of his hits. Schermerhorn Symphony Center, 1 Symphony Place, Nashville; 8 p.m.; $39 - $109; 6876400 or nashvillesymphony.org.

Predators Hockey Cheer for the Nashville Predators when

they challenge the Chicago Blackhawks. Bridgestone Arena, 501 Broadway, Nashville; 7 p.m.; $30 - $205; 7707825 or http:// predators.nhl.com.

FREE Science Scholars Weekend Students in grades

K - 12 who show their report cards with an A in science get to enjoy the museum free of charge today and tomorrow. Adventure Science Center, 800 Fort Negley Blvd., Nashville; Sat 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sun 12:30 - 5:30 p.m.; 862-5160 or adventuresci.com.

Zoo Run Run All ages and levels can participate in a 5K run/

walk. Nashville Zoo, 3777 Nolensville Road, Nashville; 1:30 p.m. late registration/check-in, 3 p.m. race starts; advance registration is $37 members 13 and older ($40 non-members), $23 ages 5 - 12; race day registration is $45 ages 13 and oler, $25 ages 5 - 12; 833-1534, ext. 129, or nashvillezoo.org.

sun 22 The Art of Signing Songs Ages 4 and older can discover the art and joy of expressing music through sign language. East Meets West Holistic Education Center, 5814 Nolensville Pike, Ste. 106, Nashville; 2 - 4 p.m.; $5 ($10 per family); 834-0080 or emwhec.com. Character Playdate Kids can spend an afternoon with a favorite character. Gordon Jewish Community Center, 801 Percy Warner Blvd., Nashville; 3 - 5 p.m.; $10 in advance, $12 at the door; 356-7170.

Nashville Ballet presents a free performance of Aesop’s Fables at Belmont University’s Massey Concert Hall on Saturday, Jan. 28. FREE Stained Glass Concert Series The First Presby-

terian Sanctuary Choir and the Nashville Symphony Orchestra present Mozart’s Requiem. First Presbyterian Church, 4815 Franklin Road, Nashville; 2 p.m.; 298-9517 or fpcnashville.org.

FREE Science Scholars Weekend Please see Saturday,

Tuesdays for Tots: The Wild World of Cheekwood

Preschoolers and their parents can listen to a reading of Where the Wild Things Are, followed by craft activities. Cheekwood, 1200 Forrest Park Drive, Nashville; 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.; free with gate admission ($12 adults, free ages 5 and younger); 356-8000 or cheekwood.org.

Jan. 21 listing.

Sunday Series of Fun Families can enjoy kirigami (paper-

cutting projects). Patterson Park Community Center, 521 Mercury Blvd., Murfreesboro; 2 - 4 p.m.; admission is a bag of nonperishable food items; 893-2141 or murfreesborotn.gov/parks.

mon 23

wed 25 FREE Musical Fun Ages 10 and younger can enjoy music

and movement with The Groove Club. Learning Express Toys, 420 Cool Springs Blvd., Franklin; 10:30 a.m.; 567-6387 or grooveclubkids.com.

Parents & Tots Preschoolers and their parents can learn about

Parents & Tots Preschoolers and their parents can learn about things that are wild. Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, 502 S.E. Broad St., Murfreesboro; 9 a.m.; $6; 890-2300 or discoverycenteronline.org.

Predators Hockey Cheer for the Nashville Predators when

FREE Rachel Sumner Family entertainer Rachel Sumner performs interactive music for ages 10 and younger. Whole Foods, 1566 W. McEwen Drive, Franklin; 9:30 a.m.; 550-5660 or rachelsumner.com.

things that are wild. Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, 502 S.E. Broad St., Murfreesboro; 9 a.m.; $6; 890-2300 or discoverycenteronline.org. they challenge the Columbus Blue Jackets. Bridgestone Arena, 501 Broadway, Nashville; 7 p.m.; $30 - $205; 7707825 or http:// predators.nhl.com.

Snack Attack! All ages can make jam triangles. Discovery

Center at Murfree Spring, 502 S.E. Broad St., Murfreesboro; 3:30 p.m.; $6; 890-2300 or discoverycenteronline.org.

tue 24 Animal Antics All ages can meet Jack the milk snake. Discov-

ery Center at Murfree Spring, 502 S.E. Broad St., Murfreesboro; 3:30 p.m.; $6; 890-2300 or discoverycenteronline.org.

Snack Attack! All ages can make jam triangles. Discovery

Center at Murfree Spring, 502 S.E. Broad St., Murfreesboro; 3:30 p.m.; $6; 890-2300 or discoverycenteronline.org.

thu 26 Nature Nuts All ages can learn how owls adapt. Discovery

Center at Murfree Spring, 502 S.E. Broad St., Murfreesboro; 4 p.m.; $6; 890-2300 or discoverycenteronline.org.

Parents & Tots Preschoolers and their parents can learn about

things that are wild. Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, 502 S.E. Broad St., Murfreesboro; 9 a.m.; $6; 890-2300.

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january 2012 89

the dailies

For January events requiring advance registration, turn to page 98.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus The Fully Charged Tour comes to Music City featuring clowns, a variety of animals, daredevils, acrobats and more. Bridgestone Arena, 501 Broadway, Nashville; Thu 7 p.m., Fri 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m., Sat 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m., Sun 1 and 5 p.m.; $15 - $100; 800-7453000 or bridgestonearena.com. SunTrust Classical Series: Ohlsson Plays Chopin Pianist Garrick Ohlsson joins the Nashville Symphony for an evening of music featuring works by Chopin and Bruckner. Schermerhorn Symphony Center, 1 Symphony Place, Nashville; Thu 7 p.m., Fri - Sat 8 p.m.; $39 - $109; 687-6400 or nashvillesymphony.org. Thursday Crafternoon All ages can make bird feeders. Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, 502 S.E. Broad St., Murfreesboro; 3 - 4:30 p.m.; $6; 890-2300 or discoverycenteronline.org.

fri 27 Barefoot in the Park This Pull-Tight Players production opens tonight. Please see “On Stage,” page 95, for details.

FREE Chinese New Year Storytime All ages can celebrate the Chinese new year with stories and treats. Gallatin Public Library, 123 E. Main St., Gallatin; 10:30 a.m.; 452-1722 or gallatinlibrary.org.

Monty Python’s Spamalot This national touring production opens tonight. Please see “On Stage,” page 95, for details. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Please see

Thursday, Jan. 26 listing.

sat 28 FREE Aesop’s Fables This Nashville Ballet production takes place at Belmont’s Massey Concert Hall. Please see “On Stage,” page 95, for details. FREE Art Sparks All ages can stroll through the “art gallery”

featuring professional and amateur works, do make-it-and-take-it projects, enjoy face painting and see a variety of demonstrations. Longview Recreation Center, 2909 Commonwealth Drive, Spring Hill; 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.; 302-0971, ext. 10, or wcparksandrec.com.

FREE Board Game Day Ages 12 - 18 can enjoy an afternoon playing board games. La Vergne Public Library, 5063 Murfreesboro Road, La Vergne; 2 p.m.; 793-7307 or http://catalog. lavergnetn.gov. FREE Book Club Young readers can read and discuss

Thomas Jefferson: Third President by Helen Albee Monsell while intermediate readers can go over Profiles in Courage by John F. Kennedy. Belle Meade Plantation, 5025 Harding Pike, Nashville; 3 p.m.; 356-0501, ext. 48, or bellemeadeplantation.com.

FREE Dragon Dance Team with CAAN’s Lion Dance and Group Drumming In Celebration of the Chinese New

Year of the Dragon, the Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville performs a traditional Chinese dragon dance using a newly restored 60-foot long dragon prop. Centennial Park, 2500 West End Ave., Nashville; 10 a.m.; chineseartsalliance.org.

FREE Family Program: Hank and Jimmie Loved Trains by Conductor Jack Ages 2 - 7 can enjoy a dance party featuring the music of Hank Williams, Johnny Cash and more. Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, 222 Fifth Ave. S., Nashville; 10 a.m.; 416-2001 or countrymusichalloffame.org.

90 january 2012

See Tabayara and his tigers during the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus at Bridgestone Arena Jan. 26 - 29. FREE Lego Playtime Ages 3 and older can create with

Legos. Gallatin Public Library, 123 E. Main St., Gallatin; 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.; 452-1722 or gallatinlibrary.org.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Please see

Snack Attack! All ages can make chocolate pretzel pudding. Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, 502 S.E. Broad St., Murfreesboro; 3:30 p.m.; $6; 890-2300 or discoverycenteronline.org.

Thursday, Jan. 26 listing.

tue 31

sun 29

Animal Antics All ages can meet Rocky the gecko. Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, 502 S.E. Broad St., Murfreesboro; 3:30 p.m.; $6; 890-2300 or discoverycenteronline.org.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Please see

Thursday, Jan. 26 listing.

mon 30 Parents & Tots Preschoolers and their parents can enjoy a Groundhog Day program. Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, 502 S.E. Broad St., Murfreesboro; 9 a.m.; $6; 890-2300 or discoverycenteronline.org.

Parents & Tots Preschoolers and their parents can enjoy a Groundhog Day program. Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, 502 S.E. Broad St., Murfreesboro; 9 a.m.; $6; 890-2300 or discoverycenteronline.org. Tuesdays for Tots: Mini Masters Preschoolers and their parents can view the Scholastic Art Exhibition then create a mini masterpiece of their own. Cheekwood, 1200 Forrest Park Drive, Nashville; 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.; free with gate admission ($12 adults, free ages 5 and younger); 356-8000 or cheekwood.org.

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Premium Tennessee Spring Water 2200 Clifton Ave, Nashville

• Offering a Wide Variety of Water Solutions • Premium Five Gallon Ofﬁce Water Program, Never a Delivery Charge • A Division of Kimbro Oil Company Custom Labeled Bottled Water

615-320-8720

It’s all about you...

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parentworld.com Brought to you by Nashville, Rutherford, Sumner and Williamson Parent magazines.

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A green solution to a cleaner yard.

We pick up the waste and remove it, leaving your yard cleaner and healthier.

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Our beautiful treasures... ... for you and your child. Specializing in unique and traditional clothing and gifts ...a charming soda shoppe ...and a specialty pharmacy, too! 1801 Memorial Boulevard Murfreesboro, TN 37129 615.896.5731

DRUG STORE

1700 Medical Center Parkway inside MTMC Monday-Saturday 8am-6pm

january 2012 91

Admission to the Fair is Free!

N PRIVATE SCHOOL

E FAIR

Saturday March 3rd | 10am–2pm GREAT HALL at:

PARENTS! Your opportunity to learn more about alternative education choices and enrichment activities for your child. Meet one on one with representatives from independent schools in our area. For information on booth registration call 256-2158 (ext. 142)

RUN FOR ME?

When you run, you are giving me a chance to learn how to walk and say my favorite word—‘mama’

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