DFWChild August/September 2022

MEET MOM & ZUBI’S DIPS FOUNDER

SARAH ZUBIATE

A U G U S T/ S E P T E M B E R 2022

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GREAT EVENTS FOR THE FAMILY

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PRIMAL EARS A GUIDE TO YOUR KIDS’ FIRST CONCERT

A BETTER WAY TO PRAISE MOM-APPROVED WELLNESS PRACTITIONERS

SCHOOL SAFETY QUESTIONS TO ASK AND ACTIONS TO TAKE T H E M A G A Z I N E PA R E N T S L I V E B Y I N D A L L A S -F O R T W O R T H

SPECIAL NEEDS SECTION:

INSIDE!

NEWBORN QUESTIONS? WE’VE GOT ANSWERS.

Book a FREE newborn class today Expecting a baby is an exciting time for parents. But there’s also a lot do to prepare for your baby’s arrival. Our pediatricians are here to help you get ready.

Scan the QR code to book a free newborn class with one of our pediatricians.

Our classes cover the basics before delivery, at the hospital and what to expect in those first few months.

KEEPING YOU IN THE GAME. IS MY GAME.

Drew Nathaniel Stal, M.D.

Weekend warriors, competitive athletes and everyone in between, Orthopedic Medicine Specialists has you covered with comprehensive sports medicine care for the foot and ankle— from sprains and strains to tears and fractures. With advanced surgical procedures, as well as nonsurgical approaches, our patient-centered care is designed to get you back out there. And we’re on top of our game. Schedule a visit today.

Make an appointment | 817-859-7247 THPG.ORG/OMS

Providers employed by Texas Health Physicians Group are not employees or agents of Texas Health hospitals. © 2022

pages / A U G U S T / S E P T E M B E R

2022

FEATURE 28 It’s Time to Talk About School Shootings Questions to ask and actions to take when it comes to your child’s safety words Erin Hayes Burt

DEPARTMENTS NOTED 9 The Ways to Praise

There’s a right way and a wrong way to compliment your kids

12 Ask the Experts / Sound Advice An ADHD treatment plan

REAL MOMS 15 Mom Next Door / Sarah Zubiate

In Highland Park and on the farm, this mom balances family and business

18 Briefs / Food for Thought

Our Mom Next Door dishes on the recipe she makes all the time, her must-have kitchen tool and more

➽ ABOVE // SARAH ZUBIATE, founder and CEO of ZUBI’S Latin Dips, left her finance job when her twins were born—and jumped right into starting her company.

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SPECIAL SECTION MOM APPROVED

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21 Back to Basics

A guide to the terminology of your little’s well-being

22 Mom-Approved Wellness Therapists, counselors, chiropractors and other pros nominated by our readers

SPECIAL NEEDS 33 Disappearing Act

It’s terrifying when your child takes off —here’s how to manage this behavior

36 In Brief

Help your child boost their activity level, plus a DJ class and a new allabilities playground

PLAYBOOK 49 Things To Do

30 family fun events

56 Prepping for Your Kids’ First Concert Rock on to a safe, enjoyable show 60 The Big Cheese The best local spots for fancy maca roni and grilled cheese sandwiches

PHOTO COURTESY OF ZUBI’S; ISTOCK

COLUMNS

28 ON THE COVER Illustration: Joy Gallagher

6 Hello / Here We Go

Navigating a new school year words Alexis Patterson

62 Looking Back

In 1990, we got a peek into the home life of legendary Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry and his wife Alicia

DFWCHILD | august/september 2022

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ABOVE // A pre-tears Alexis Patterson with her son on his first day of pre-K.

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NOTE

P

RE-K WAS THE HARDEST. My son had been to preschool the year prior, but it lasted just a few hours a couple of days a week, and I waited nearby.

Pre-K was the first time my house would be quiet for a full day, five days a week. My tears flowed as readily as his did at that initial drop-off.

Kindergarten was at a new school; I prepared for a tough goodbye, but he grinned sweetly as I left on the first day. First grade started virtually, and that was hard in unexpected ways.

Second grade was another new school, and while there were no tears, my heart twisted as I hoped he would quickly feel at home.

And now we’ve reached third grade. I always miss my kiddo when he’s away, even if it’s just 7:40am to 2:55pm. But I feel much better this year. No changing schools, and he has a wonderful group of friends. I’m thankful, even if it means waking up extra early, packing the daily lunch and leaving behind the carefree stretch of summer.

This issue has a host of resources to help you navigate a new school year. Check out the expert advice for the best way to praise a child’s accomplishments (page 9). We have a comprehensive look at school safety measures, including actions you can take as a parent and how to talk to your kids about drills and shootings (page 28). On the learning differences front, we asked an integrative pediatrician to weigh in on alternative treatments for ADHD (page 12).

There’s a lot more packed in these pages, from a chat with the mom behind ZUBI’S Latin dips (page 15) to our Mom-Approved wellness providers—therapists, counselors and others, all nominated by our readers (page 22). For parents of children with special needs, we’re covering elopement (when a child darts off from a caregiver; page 33), tips for fitness (page 36) and more.

From all of us at DFWChild, have a great school year. By the way, if you don’t have that picture-perfect, day one chalk sign detailing your child’s stats and favorites, it’s OK. Snap a quick pic with your phone, send them into school and get on with your day. Mom tears optional.

Sincerely,

6

august/september 2022 | DFWCHILD

here we go

PHOTO COURTESY OF ALEXIS PATTERSON

hello / E D I T O R ’ S

PUBLISHER/ A D V E R T I S I N G D I R E C TO R Joylyn Niebes A S S O C I AT E P U B L I S H E R / E D I TO R I N C H I E F Lauren Niebes E D I TO R I A L Managing Editor Alexis Patterson Contributing Editor Emily McDaniel Contributing Writers Erin Hayes Burt Kelly Wooley D I G I TA L Digital Manager/ Publishing Coordinator Susan Horn Web + Calendar Editor Elizabeth Smith ART Art Director Reneé Higgins ADVERTISING Account Executives Alison Davis Nancy McDaniel Advertising Coordinator Isabel Pisani A D M I N I S T R AT I O N Business Manager Leah Wagner HOW TO CONTACT US: Address: P.O. Box 2269

Addison, Texas 75001 Phone: 800/638-4461 or 972/447-9188 Fax: 972/447-0633 or 972/447-0425 Online: dfwchild.com DFWChild is published bimonthly by Lauren Publications, Inc. DFWChild is distributed free of charge, one copy per reader. Only authorized distributors may deliver or pick up the magazines. Additional or back copies are available for $2 per copy at the offices of Lauren Publications, Inc. We reserve the right to edit, reject or comment editorially on all material contributed. We cannot be responsible for the return of any unsolicited material. DFWChild is ©2022 by Lauren Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without express written permission prohibited.

become BFFs

sprinkler It’s time for a better relationship with your sprinkler system. Learn how to program it so it only waters up to twice a week – even in the heat of the summer. Make sure it doesn’t run too long and send water into the street. And turn the sprinklers off if it’s going to rain. You and your sprinkler system, working together to keep the towers full.

WaterIsAwesome.com

DFWCHILD | august/september 2022

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noted. the ways to praise

PHOTO COURTESY OF ISTOCK

goodbye, “Good job”— here are better ways to compliment your kids WORDS

ALEXIS PATTERSON

G

OOD JOB!” That’s a phrase you’ve probably squealed to your children a thousand times. You want them to feel good about what they did—sorting blocks correctly, acing a test or scoring a goal.

You praise them and move on. But did your words actually mean what you hoped they would? Even if you have the best intentions, there really is a right way to praise your child—and a wrong way.

DON’T: PRAISE ONLY YOUR CHILD’S SUCCESSES.

Grapevine mom Colleen Patton has a lot of experience praising kids.

There’s her two at home—an 8-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter—plus hundreds she’s taught in Grapevine-Colleyville ISD. “I’ve seen parents who praise their children only for a job well done,” reflects DFWCHILD | august/september 2022

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august/september 2022 | DFWCHILD

WAYS TO P R A I S E

Patton, who teaches gifted second graders.

“These parents aren’t trying to be mean and believe they’re doing the right thing by praising their children when they meet their high expectations.” But what often happens, says Patton, is that the kids are always afraid of disappointing Mom and Dad. DO: PRAISE HOW YOUR KIDS OVERCOME CHALLENGES.

With both her children and her students, Patton focuses on praising growth and effort, not just the end result.

She relates how she praises her 8-yearold son. He’s a sensitive kid who doesn’t like to fail, and for that reason, he is hesitant to take on challenges. “I try to praise him more often and specifically about the process. And I praise him when I see him fail. I praise that effort, his ability to make a new plan and how he pushes through.”

DON’T: PRAISE A TRAIT.

DO: BE SPECIFIC.

Adopt what Furman calls mindful praise. “This can be accomplished by slowing down, observing the child and sharing with him or her the details of what has impressed you,” she says.

It sounds easy enough, but that does require parents to put down their phones, set aside work for a bit, and focus on their child. (Crazy, right?)

Puckett-Perez offers this example: “I really like how you took turns with your brother so nicely when playing that game and how you were so patient with him. That was a great way to be kind.”

When you’re specific in what you applaud, your child is more likely to repeat that behavior. As Patton points out, “A general ‘good job’ may feel good, but it leaves children to decide what they did that was so good.”

“WHILE IT’S NOT BAD TO SAY, ‘I’M PROUD OF YOU,’ IT’S BETTER TO SAY, ‘I BET YOU’RE SO PROUD OF YOURSELF!’”

“You’re so smart!” or “You’re so beautiful!” sounds nice, but it may backfire. “If a child is inherently good at something, they may think they do not need to try,” shares Karen Furman, Ed.D., who is on staff at the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development at Texas Christian University, “or they may begin to relate their self-worth to that fixed characteristic.” If they’re “so smart” when they get a good grade on a test, will they think they’re dumb if they don’t do as well next time?

DO: FOCUS ON THEIR EFFORTS AND CHOICES.

Connect compliments to your child’s hard work or interests. Instead of telling a child how smart they are when they get a good grade, Furman advises, “You are learning so much and seem to remember it too. Wow!” Instead of telling your child how nice they look, Furman suggests something like, “I like the dress you chose. Tell me about those characters on the front. Which one is your favorite? What do you like about that character?”

“If children begin to understand that their outcomes are dependent on what they do, they are developing an internal locus of control,” Furman shares. “They learn that they have some responsibility for their successes or lack thereof.”

DON’T: USE GENERIC COMPLIMENTS.

us continue to juggle the zillion other things in our adult brains. But that type of praise falls short of what we’re trying to accomplish.

“We’ve all been at the receiving end of lukewarm, generic praise and know how it feels compared to getting meaningful and specific positive feedback,” notes Stevie Puckett-Perez, Ph.D., pediatric psychologist with Children’s Health in Dallas and faculty member at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. She calls positive attention “the most powerful tool” in the parenting arsenal, but only when we are mindful in our approach.

It’s easy to fire off a generic compliment (“Good job,” “Awesome,” “Way to go” and so on)—it communicates our approval and lets

DO: GIVE CHILD-FOCUSED PRAISE.

“While it’s not bad to say, ‘I’m proud of you,’ it’s better to say, ‘I bet you’re so proud of yourself!’” says Puckett-Perez. The latter statement helps kids make a connection between their efforts and feelings while also encouraging them to be their own source of validation.

DO: USE SIMILAR STRATEGIES TO CORRECT BEHAVIOR.

Praise is also useful when you need to correct a child’s behavior, whether that’s picking up after themselves or engaging more on the soccer field. “Sometimes we have to look really hard to ‘catch them’ doing a bit of the thing we want,” says Puckett-Perez, “but praise it when you see it.”

If you do need to give direct correction, Puckett-Perez adds, “it will be much better received if a child feels their parent notices all the things they’re doing well also.”

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noted / A S K

THE EXPERTS

SOUND ADVICE Your parenting questions and dilemmas, solved

ADHD ALTERNATIVES

THE EXPERT: Alina Olteanu, M.D., Ph.D. Integrative Pediatrician at Whole Child Texas in Frisco DFWChild Mom-Approved Doctor

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august/september 2022 | DFWCHILD

Q: “What’s a parent to do when school recommends assessing your child for ADHD, and you’d like to explore treatments besides medication?”—Jessica, Fort Worth A: What is labeled as ADHD many times is a symptom of something else, like early childhood trauma, family stressors, poor sleep, anxiety, screen addiction, visual processing disorder and even poor nutrition, anemia, thyroid problems, or enlarged tonsils, to name a few.

A pediatrician can evaluate a child and rule out any medical issues that can mimic focus and attention problems.

With a neuropsychological evaluation and a diagnosis, parents can partner with a pediatrician to develop a treatment plan. That may include therapy with a psychologist; special school accommodations; and daily exercise for at least 1–2 hours per day. Try to spend time outdoors with your child—disconnection from nature can affect mood and behavior.

In addition, develop a sleep hygiene plan.

Make sure your child gets plenty of sleep, keeps their bedroom cool, and has a consistent bedtime. No screentime for the 2 hours before bed. I advise against processed foods with added artificial dyes, preservatives or sweeteners. Kids should be getting at least

five servings of vegetables per day and plenty of healthy fats and protein.

Improving a child’s nutrition with a multivitamin or mineral has been shown in many studies to improve attention, but don’t start supplements without consulting a pediatrician experienced in nutrition and supplements. Many supplements do not undergo the same rigorous evaluations as prescription medications, so it’s easy to buy supplements that are ineffective or expensive. You could also do more harm than good.

Neurofeedback—which measures brainwaves and helps the brain function more optimally—has good data for ADHD treatment, but it is not covered by insurance and is time-consuming. One of my top recommendations for children with behavior problems is stress management for the entire family. When the family as a whole is in a better place, children benefit.

My favorite strategy for stress management is daily meditation. That rewires the brain to be less reactive to stress and to support the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for focus and attention. Children who are chronically stressed can’t learn, can’t pay attention and can even present with physical symptoms ranging from headaches to abdominal pain.

A complete ADHD treatment plan includes lifestyle and nutritional counseling as well as behavioral therapy, but it does not rule out prescription medications. Some children really benefit from additional help, at least in the short term. I have many patients who start with a more “natural” approach, and when they are not improving enough, go on medication. I would encourage parents to keep an open mind to all options.

Have a parenting question you’d like our experts to answer? Message us on Instagram @dfwchildmag or email us at editorial@dfwchild.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ALINA OLTEANU; ISTOCK

COMPILED BY ALEXIS PATTERSON

DFWCHILD | august/september 2022

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real moms.

RÉSUMÉ CURRENT POSITION

Founder and CEO of ZUBI’S AGE 38 LIVES IN Highland Park and Athens (where her family ranch and ZUBI Farms are located) HAILS FROM El Paso ALMA MATER

St. Edward’s University; BBA, finance and marketing SIGNIFICANT OTHER

mom next door /

SARAH ZUBIATE

Husband Monty Bennett, chairman of the Ashford Group of Companies; CEO of Ashford Inc., a hospitality real estate and operations company; and publisher of Dallas Express CHILDREN Twins Louis and Liliana, 9, and stepsons Jack, 9, and Luke, 6 WHERE TO CONNECT

@sarahezubiate and @eatzubi on Instagram

Creating foods that bring people together I N T E RV I E W A L E X I S PAT T E R S O N

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ZUBI'S

➽ ABOVE //

You can buy ZUBI'S at Whole Foods, Central Market and Sprouts, or at eatzubi.com.

O

N THE DAY I MET SARAH ZUBIATE,

she was decked out in a cowboy hat as white and wide as her smile. The hat wasn’t just a fashion statement—Zubiate was coming inside from her fields at ZUBI Farms, where she grows the ingredients for ZUBI’S, her line of plant-based, sustainably sourced Latin fare: fresh salsa, dairy-free queso and dairy-free

crema. “I have potential investors from Dubai coming today,” she shared.

It’s another exciting development for ZUBI’S, but Zubiate is just as passionate about her other job: raising her children alongside her husband. Zubiate opens up about learning she was adopted, creating healthy foods people love, and why she believes her divorce made her the best mom and entrepreneur she can be.

DFWCHILD | august/september 2022

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/ MOM NEXT DOOR

DFWCHILD: YOU FOUND OUT AT AGE 17 THAT YOU WERE ADOPTED. WHAT WAS THAT LIKE? SARAH ZUBIATE: Earth-shattering and

also a relief. I was raised as the only child of George and Gloria Zubiate, but I’d always felt a little out of place. Then I was told, “Your birth mother was a housekeeper for your aunt, and she had to give you up because she could not afford to keep you.” Thankfully, they knew her well enough that they could tell me about her and share beautiful aspects of her personality.

She’s a tough woman.

Dancing is our Happy Place!

We focus on technique, not competition.

WE ENCOURAGE DIVERSITY

in all sizes, heights, shapes, and colors.

DFWCHILD: IS YOUR BIOLOGICAL MOTHER PART OF YOUR LIFE NOW? SZ: Yes, and my siblings—I have an older

WE UPLIFT

with our love of dance, joy, and positivity.

sister and brother and also a younger brother.

My older sister found my family in the phone book when I was in college, and that’s how we first connected. But my biological mother always planned to know me. She moved back to Mexico after I was born, but she said, “I will meet my little girl, and I’m going to bring my kids to the U.S.” And she did.

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DFWCHILD: HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE FOOD BUSINESS? SZ: When I was in

©

high school, I worked at Bennigan’s. There was something about it—I saw how food brings people together.

I worked in finance first.

Before I had my twins, I told my company that I wasn’t coming back and that I was going to start my business. It was something I felt called to do. And it was still scientifically driven and oriented, so I could use my analytical abilities.

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and farmed a lot of the groceries they sold. I loved the connectedness to the earth, and that’s so lost in today’s system of consumption. So I wanted to bring that back. Anything that’s not used in my manufacturing process, I use in compost on the farm. We use drip irrigation, which saves tons of water.

My products are also free of the top allergens. I thought it would be a unique differentiator, and that makes the sauces antiinflammatory. The plant-based approach is also personal to me—I want my parents to be healthy. I thought, Well, if I can create staples from our family table but swap out ingredients for healthier versions, that has to help. Every little thing that’s changed in our food affects so much in our bodies. I guess more and more people are becoming aware of that, but my parents don’t care. They just want something that tastes good.

So I knew that my healthy dips and salsa had to taste excellent. If you’re going to be swapping out what they grew up with, it has to be better. And it worked. My parents love ZUBI’S. DFWCHILD: HOW HAS STARTING YOUR COMPANY INFLUENCED YOUR CHILDREN? SZ: My daughter loves to be in the kitchen.

I’m a classically trained pianist and singer, so I wanted my kids to play music. My daughter was taking piano, but she has dyslexia. She said, “Mommy, it’s just too hard. But what comes naturally to me is cooking.” So we cook all the time together. And my son lives and breathes the business side of it. Over the summer, I developed a curriculum for them to learn about business, how to run your own company, the principles of accounting, but in a way 9-year-olds can understand. I’m looking at using the curriculum as the foundation for a camp in the future.

DFWCHILD: HOW DO YOU HAVE TIME FOR IT ALL? SZ: Work-life balance

is a struggle for me. I am a workaholic, almost to an unhealthy degree.

I still feel like I’m a fantastic mother, and I believe it’s because I’m divorced. And here’s why. When the kids aren’t with me, I don’t have to stop to do this or that. I will just plow through work whenever the munchkins are with their dad, and when I’m with them, I’m so present.

And the life that I now married into, it’s very different. We have a lot of help.

DFWCHILD: YOUR DAUGHTER LILIANA HAS A LEARNING DIFFERENCE, AND YOUR STEPSON LUKE HAS DOWN SYNDROME. WHAT’S IT LIKE PARENTING CHILDREN WITH DIVERSE NEEDS? SZ: In some ways, I feel like my past

prepared me for this. I led development at the YMCA to get the Rise School of Dallas built. My husband was the lead donor. It’s the Ashford Rise School of Dallas now, named after his company. That’s actually how we met. And I volunteered with children who had Down syndrome when I was in college. So I felt very prepared to advocate for little Lukey.

And yes, Liliana has dyslexia and ADHD, and Louis has ADHD. There’s definitely a balancing act to meet their needs, but you manage. I have a wonderful group of friends and moms, and we support each other. I’m always out there asking questions and trying to find the best answers. ➽ ABOVE // Sarah Zubiate created a blended family when she married her husband at the beginning of the pandemic.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ZUBI'S

real moms

Arise to become a young theatre maker!

A North Texas staple, Arise Acting Studio moves into its next chapter with a new name and classes, more performance and travel opportunities, and now franchising.

“Teaching life skills through stage skills is what we are all about,” says Shane Peterman, co-founder and CEO of Arise Acting Studio. “We opened our first location in 2009, and it grew from there to three wonderful North Texas communities.”

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A Dallas native, Peterman, who also serves as producing artistic director for WaterTower Theatre—one of the area’s more distinguished professional theaters—is now franchising Arise Acting Studio nationwide.

“My dreams of owning businesses and producing theatre have been realized, and I would like to continue to help others realize theirs as well, whether it be through training as a young artist or owning their own business in the arts. No one else in the area is offering these kinds of opportunities and the training needed to make a comfortable living in show business. We even have students returning to work with us and own their own location.”

Each Arise Acting Studio location offers acting classes, film and improv classes, voice lessons and private lessons in all aspects of musical theater, as well as a Triple Threat Conservatory program.

The studio produces three professional-quality productions per year in addition to touring to locations such as London, New York City, Florida and Los Angeles to train with accredited industry professionals and perform.

Arise Acting Studio will continue its mission of teaching excellence in the theatrical arts, while developing well-rounded individuals within the theater and beyond. As Peterman explains, “These tools and skills translate to wherever your dreams and career path lead.”

Arise Acting Studio Grapevine / 817-488-0009 Frisco / 214-705-8322 Rockwall / 469-769-1524 ActingStudioTX.com

DFWCHILD | august/september 2022

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real moms /

BRIEFS

food for the soul Sarah Zubiate shares her culinary favorites and how food brings family together COMPILED BY

ALEXIS PATTERSON

R ECI PE O N R E PE AT

O

ne of my favorite dishes to make and eat is TexMex Migas. They are perfect for a family on the go—they’re simple, fast to make and healthy to enjoy. My kids love them as well! I probably make them several times a week.”

WH O I N S PI R E S S A R A H?

• Sauté 1 jar of ZUBI’S Salsa and 2 tablespoons of ZUBI’S Crema • Add crushed tortilla chips, stir, then cook for 1 or 2 minutes.

• Sauté eggs in half of a jar of salsa & half a jar of ZUBI’S queso; slow scramble or fry.

• Plate the salsa and chips and then add the fried eggs on top, and garnish with cilantro, avocado, red onion and cotija (or dairy-free cheese). Top with more crema for extra spice.

“THE BERKELEY BOWL COOKBOOK, based on produce from the Berkeley Bowl supermarket in California. It helps you bring color into a side dish or main dish while staying connected to the earth through natural products. This cookbook is best for someone who is willing to venture out a little bit, but it’s a fantastic way to introduce new and exciting ingredients to your family.”

FULL RECIPE ONLINE at eatzubi.com.

MU S T-H AV E KITCH E N TO O L

“A lime squeezer! I use that for my drinks, cocktails, food, everything.

When I visited my parents recently, they didn’t have a lime squeezer.

I got one right away to keep at their house so I could use it.”

G E T TI N G KI DS CO O KI N G “For me, what really worked was not pushing my kids to be in the kitchen with me. Instead, I focused on storytelling associated with the eating.

It worked, I think, because my children are sentimental like I am, so I could associate a dish with stories and tie it back to a person they knew.

I would start by saying, “Let me tell you why it’s so special to me,” and I got to see their faces light up. Now, they help me in the kitchen all the time, and they’ve even started asking me about different dishes at restaurants, talking about where the ingredients come from and why they’re used.”

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august/september 2022 | DFWCHILD

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ZUBI'S; PARALLAX PRESS; ISTOCK

“JOSEFA NAVARRO OF THE PACO GANDÍA RESTAURANT IN SPAIN. SHE IS FAMOUS FOR HER PAELLA [A RICE DISH]. HER DISHES ARE JUST SO AUTHENTIC, FROM HOW SHE SOURCES HER INGREDIENTS TO HOW SHE MAINTAINS HER HUMBLE BEGINNINGS TO STAY IN TOUCH WITH HER ROOTS.”

FAVO R ITE CO O KBO O K

Small Miracles Academy Let’s grow together!

Call today to schedule a tour!

Affordable, trustworthy childcare Infants | Toddlers & Twos | Preschoolers | Pre-Kindergarten | After Schoolers

7 convenient locations Allen: 214-504-3841 N. Garland: 972-515-2221

E. Plano: 972-515-2248 W. Plano: 972-515-2236 Mesquite: 972-591-0301

Richardson: 972-591-0892 Sachse: 469-417-6568 SmallMiraclesAcademy.org

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

Back TO Basics

a mom approved wellness Glossary

WORDS ELIZABETH SMITH

In our Mom Approved Wellness survey, we asked readers to tell us about the local health practitioners who’ve made a positive impact on their families’ well-being. Then we gave the practitioners our own examination, fact checking their credentials. This list covers a broad selection of disciplines, some of which may be unfamiliar. So we’ve compiled a glossary of terms as a brief introduction.

ABA Therapy

Applied behavior analysis is a widely accepted approach that tracks a child’s progress in improving their skills. Different types of ABA therapy are commonly used to treat autism spectrum disorder. Licensed by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, bacb.com

Audiology

An audiologist is a health care professional who is trained to evaluate hearing loss and related disorders, including balance (vestibular) disorders and tinnitus, and to rehabilitate individuals with hearing loss and related disorders. Licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, tdlr.texas.gov

Chiropractic

Chiropractic emphasizes the body’s ability to heal itself.

Treatment typically involves manual therapy, often includ-

ing spinal manipulation. Other forms of treatment, such as exercise and nutritional counseling, may be used as well. Licensed by the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners, tbce.state.tx.us

cally, it’s generally known as an approach to healing that considers the whole person—body, mind and soul—with a view that optimal health can be achieved by gaining proper balance in life.

sociation for Play Therapy, are not required for mental health professionals to practice play therapy but signify their additional education, supervision and experience.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Music Therapy

Psychology

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one type of psychotherapy that can help people with anxiety disorders. It teaches different ways of thinking, behaving and reacting to anxiety-producing objects and situations. Licensed by the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council, bhec.texas.gov

Counseling

Counseling empowers diverse individuals, families and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, education and career goals. Types of specialists include licensed professional counselors (LPC), licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFT) and licensed clinical social workers (LCSW). Licensed by the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council, bhec.texas.gov

Energy Healing

Energy healing therapy is a technique that involves channeling healing energy through the hands of a practitioner into the client’s body to restore a normal energy balance and, therefore, health. There is no state licensing for energy healing.

Holistic Medicine

While there’s no state licensing for holistic medicine specifi-

Music therapy interventions can address a variety of healthcare and educational goals, such as to manage stress, alleviate pain, improve communication or promote physical rehabilitation. Licensed by the Certification Board for Music Therapists, cbmt.org

Occupational Therapy

Through the therapeutic use of everyday activities, occupational therapists help patients to develop, recover, improve or maintain skills needed for daily living and working. Licensed by the Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners, ptot.texas.gov

Physical Therapy

Physical therapists, often called PTs, help improve movement and manage pain in patients of all ages. Licensed by the Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners, ptot.texas.gov

Play Therapy

Through play therapy, children learn to communicate with others, express feelings, modify behavior, develop problemsolving skills and learn a variety of ways of relating to others.

Registered Play Therapist (RPT) credentials, awarded by the As-

Generally, psychologists treat many kinds of problems using evidenced-based interventions.

Psychologists administer and interpret tests and assessment tools that help diagnose a condition or tell more about the way a person thinks, feels and behaves. Licensed by the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council, bhec.texas.gov

Speech Therapy

Speech-language pathologists work with children and adults who have problems with speech and language, including related cognitive or social communication problems.

Those treated may be unable to speak at all, or they may speak with difficulty or have rhythm and fluency problems, such as stuttering. Licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, tdlr.texas.gov

Therapeutic Recreation

Recreational therapy, also known as therapeutic recreation, is a treatment service designed to restore, remediate and rehabilitate a person’s level of functioning and independence in life activities.

Licensed by the National Council of Therapeutic Recreation Certification, nctrc.org

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mom approved

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

Mom Approved 2022

WELLNESS CO M P I L E D BY E M I LY M C DA N I E L

Reader-nominated and trusted by moms like you

ABA THERAPY LEWISVILLE

Price, Alyson MEd, BCBA, LBA The Helm

MCKINNEY

Bowman, Jordan MA, BCBA, LBA BlueSprig

Studebaker, Melissa MA, BCBA, LBA BlueSprig

AUDIOLOGY ALL DFW Seibold, Andi AuD Little Ears Audiology

CHIROPRACTIC ALLEN

ARLINGTON Porteus (Peebles), Nikki DC, CACCP, Webstercertified

Renew & Restore Wellness

BURLESON Hosaka, Kristen DC

Turning Point Wellness Center

CELINA Wood, Kelsey DC

True Light Chiropractic

CROWLEY Winn-Milrany, Hannah DC The Chiropractic Wellness Cafe

DALLAS Asby, Brittney DC, Webster-certified

Dallas Synergy Chiropractic See ad on page 25

Asby, Bryan DC, FOCUScertified

Dallas Synergy Chiropractic See ad on page 25

New Directions Chiropractic

Berry, Stephanie DC, Webster-certified

Secord, Evan DC, Webstercertified

Carlin, Max DC

Harrison, Jonathon DC

M2 Chiropractic

Steiner, Gregory DC, CAC CA Acupuncture & Chiropractic Clinic 22

Mother Me Chiropractic

Vibrant Life Chiropractic

Gore, Tom DC

Cafe of Life Chiropractic

august/september 2022 | DFWCHILD

Loughridge, Shelby DC, Webster-certified

Krempein, Margie DC, Webster-certified

Rivera, Nicole DC, Webster-certified

LeNormand, Christina DC, Webster-certified

Illumin8 Chiropractic

Illumin8 Chiropractic

Stark Calaway, Erin DC, Webster-certified APEX Wellness Center

DESOTO

Grounded Wellness

Grounded Wellness

Spector, Ashley DC

Spector Chiropractic

GRAPEVINE

Osarollor, JaNair DC

Grady, Meredith DC

Sow Graceful Chiropractic

Hands on Health Chiropractic

FARMERS BRANCH

Moulton, Kael DC

Torres, Shasity DC Rise Family Chiropractic

FORNEY

Moulton Chiropractic

HIGHLAND VILLAGE

Burnley, Colin DC

Reiland, James DC

Health First Chiropractic & Wellness

LEWISVILLE

Byrne, Kelly DC

Forever Young Chiropractic

MANSFIELD

Puente, Emily DC, CACCP, Webster-certified Bridge Family Chiropractic

MCKINNEY

Anderson, Anika DC

Invigorate Chiropractic

Bhatia-Mendoza, Aanchal DC, Webster-certified

Farmer, Josh DC

The Burnley Clinic

FORT WORTH

Martz, Michelle DC, DACBN, DCBCN, CCN, CTN

Del Rosario, Jeanmadi DC, Webster-certified

IRVING

Loughridge, Shelby DC, Webster-certified

Maverick Chiropractic

Lee, Abby DC

Lee Wellness Chiropractic

Rose, Dustin DC

Rose Chiropractic & Wellness

FRISCO

Jackson, Nicole DC, Webster-certified Grounded Wellness

Kahla, Courtney DC, Webster-certified Our Well House

Trinity Wellness Center, P.C.

Price, Jamienne DC

Mindful Chiropractic & Wellness

Stowe, Gregory DC

Spine Health & Wellness

KELLER

Moore, Rachel DC Align My Spine

Tula Chiropractic & Wellness

Illumin8 Chiropractic

Illumin8 Chiropractic

Osterman, Lacey DC, PX Doc, Webster-certified, Birthfit Leader Invigorate Chiropractic

Romanies, Jackie DC

Emerald Wellness and Dr. Matt’s Wellness Center

mom approved NORTH RICHLAND HILLS

Paeltz, Kara DC

DALLAS

Minze, Laura PhD Dallas CBT

City Point Chiropractic

PLANO

Pankoke, Alexandria DC, Webster-certified Dr. Mama Bird at enKindle Chiropractic

Romanies, Jackie DC

Emerald Wellness and Dr. Matt’s Wellness Center

ROANOKE

Beck, Jenna DC

Bridlewood Chiropractic

ROCKWALL

Cardwell, Katrina DC T3 Chiropractic

Conlon, Jessica DC T3 Chiropractic

Marzluff, Cassidie DC T3 Chiropractic

SOUTHLAKE Porteus (Peebles), Nikki DC, CACCP, Webstercertified

Renew & Restore Wellness

York, Meghan DC, CACCP, PX Doc, Webster-certified Loving Life Chiropractic

SUNNYVALE

Pankoke, Alexandria DC, Webster-certified Dr. Mama Bird at enKindle Chiropractic

Pankoke, Paul DC

EnKindle Chiropractic

COGNITIVE BEHAVIOR THERAPY COLLEYVILLE

Fincher, Jennie PhD, LPC-S

North Texas Counseling Associates

Nolan, Matt MS, LPCAssociate

North Texas Counseling Associates

CROWLEY

Leonard, Julia MS, LPC-S Mid Cities Counseling

FRISCO

Kazemi-Mohammadi, Leza (Reza) PhD, LPC-S Kazmo Brain Center

COUNSELING ALLEN Burson, Jackie MS, NCC, LPC-S, RPT-S North Texas Counselors

ARLINGTON

Strunk, Tera Elizabeth LPC The Youth Center at My Health My Resources (MHMR) of Tarrant County

COLLEYVILLE

Cross, Kaitlin MS, LPC North Texas Counseling Associates

McAdams, Bailey MEd, LPC North Texas Counseling Associates

Lozano, Erin MEd, LPC-S, RPT-S

Sam-Kpakra, Victoria LPC, NCC

Miller, Kate LPC

Smith, Allison MEd, LPC, RPT

Center for Social Success East Dallas Therapy

Scalise, Toni MEd, LPC-S, RPT-S Corbella Counseling

Connected Couples See ad on page 27

Tam, Annie MEd, LPC

KELLER

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

Jennifer Willis, LPC PMH-C

Rees, Lindsay MOT, OTR

Mend Counseling See ad on page 26

FLOWER MOUND

Farrar, Twila MEd, LPC-S, RPT-S, CAS, BCTS, CTMH, CCATP University Park Counseling & Testing Center, PLLC

University Park Counseling & Testing Center, PLLC

Fedro, Holly MS, LCSW

Center for Social Success

Gabel, Keila MSW, LMSW Center for Social Success

Harjadi, Olivia LPCAssociate Known Counseling

Istre, Susan PhD, LPC-S, BCPC Center for Social Success

Kinsella, Karen MS, LPC, LMFT Center for Social Success

Kiriaki, Romilyn MA, LPC, NCC New Leaf Therapy Dallas

Tahir, Farina MS, LPCAssociate, NCC 316 Counseling Center

Erin Booher Counseling

Dorough, Chelsea LCSW-S, EMDR-certified Center for Counseling & Family Relationships

Beth Lewis Therapy Group

Lewis, Beth LPC-S

Embodied Counseling

Gretchen Manes, MEd, LPC, RPT

Opoku, Melissa MA, LPC Amani Insights

SOUTHLAKE Missimo, Christopher LPC, MA Missimo Motivation and Avanti Counseling & Consulting

Beth Lewis Therapy Group

WYLIE

Lopez, Kitzia LMFT

Bobo, Elizabeth LPC

North City Counseling

Millican, Emily LCSW-S Terra Therapies See ad on page 25

Taylor, Anastasia MSSW, LCSW-S Alliance Child & Family Solutions

Villa, Gabriela (Gaby) LMFT-Associate

Center for Counseling & Family Relationships

Wright, Laura MS, LPC-S, RYT-200 TrueSelf Counseling & Coaching PLLC

FRISCO

Fischer, Lizelle MA, LPC

Office of Lizelle Fischer MA, LPC at Intentional Counseling

Larsen, Dani MS, LPC Apple Counseling & Consulting

ALLEN

Kidz Therapy Zone

DALLAS

Adair, Samantha PT, DPT, MS, OTR, SIPT Cert.

Integrative Pediatric Therapy

PLANO

Manes, Gretchen MEd, LPC, RPT

Kratz, Shani MEd, LPC

Farrar, Twila MEd, LPC-S, RPT-S, CAS, BCTS, CTMH, CCATP

MCKINNEY

Dodson, Elizabeth MS, LPC

COPPELL

Center for Social Success

Willis, Jennifer LPC, PMH-C

FORT WORTH

Booher, Erin PhD, LPC-S, NCC

Terra Therapies See ad on page 25

Davis, Taylor MCRC, LPC

Heart & Harmony Music Therapy

North Dallas Counseling Group

The Well Counseling Center

DALLAS

GRAPEVINE

ALL DFW

Michel, Madison MM, MT-BC

Van Ness, Nicole PsyD, LMFT-S

Gill, Sarah LPC-S

Coppell Family Therapy

Kazmo Brain Center

MUSIC THERAPY

Scott, Ashley MS, LPC, RPT

Webb, Sascha MA, LPC-S, RPT-S, NCC

English, Amy MA, LPC

Kazmo Brain Center

Counseling Center of North Texas

Hughes, Jennifer MA, LPC-S Sage Minds Counseling

ENERGY HEALING DALLAS Gachelin, Lorraine VSTCLP My Chakra Center

Medley, Jemila MS, OTR/L, CES Mommas in Motion

FORT WORTH

Smith, Carly MOT, OTR Allison’s Therapy Corner

HURST

Jung, Sadie OTR, OTD Monkey Mouths

RICHARDSON

Cowan, Jena MS, OTR/L, C/NDT

Children’s Health Specialty Center

SOUTHLAKE

Jung, Sadie OTR, OTD Monkey Mouths

PHYSICAL THERAPY ALEDO

Woerner, Marie PT, DPT, WCS, CLT Woerner Physical Therapy

ALLEN

Schramm, Ashley PT, DPT Kidz Therapy Zone

DALLAS

HOLISTIC MEDICINE DALLAS

Allen, Becky PT, DPT Genesis PT & Wellness

Berry, Tonda PT, DPT

Athletico Physical Therapy

Métoyer, Melissa MRC, RYT, RCYT My Resurrection Fern

May, Amelia PT, DPT

Genesis PT & Wellness

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mom approved

FORT WORTH Dinkin Rose, Mandy PT, DPT

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

Johnson, Nikolaus “Nik” MS, LPC, RPT, EMDRconsultant

Woerner Physical Therapy

Center for Counseling & Family Relationships

Graves, Ashley PT, DPT, MS

Oakes, Emily MA, LPC

Cook Children’s Rehabilitation Clinic

Holt, Jen PT, DPT

Genesis PT & Wellness

Maguire, Corrie PT, DPT

Center for Counseling & Family Relationships

White, Jalynn LPC-Associate Center for Counseling & Family Relationships

Genesis PT & Wellness

FRISCO

Mesa, Natali PT, DPT

Heath, Robi MEd, LPC-S, RPT-S

KidsCare Home Health

Kid Talk

Miller, Hailey PT, DPT

KELLER

Pellacani, Megan PT, DPT

Hensley, Sheila “Dawn” MA, LPC, RPT, IPT-CST, AutPlay-certified

Genesis PT & Wellness

Genesis PT & Wellness

Hope & Growth Center

Woerner, Marie PT, DPT, WCS, CLT

MCKINNEY

HASLET

Schumann, Brandy PhD, LPC-S, NCC, RPT-S, CCPT-S, CPRT-S

Woerner Physical Therapy

Thompson, Amanda PT, DPT Rooted Physical Therapy

RICHARDSON Tippins, Cristina PT, DPT A Therapy Connection See ad on page 26

SOUTHLAKE Galvan, Ginamar PT, DPT Athletico Physical Therapy

Therapy on the Square

Welsh, Becki PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S, NCC 316 Counseling Center

PLANO

Carlson, Sarah E. PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S, EMDRtrained, E-RYT 200, YACEP Mighty Oaks Counseling & Wellness

D’Amore, Kelsey LPC, RPT, EMDR-trained

Connect to Thrive Counseling

PLAY THERAPY DALLAS Elpers Pierce, Laura MS, LMFT-S, RPT, IMH-E, PMH-C

Insights Collaborative Therapy Group

Mullins, Kimberly MA, LPC, RPT, EMDR-trained Open Table Counseling

DENTON McCoy, Jason LMSW, LCSW-S, RPT-S

TREEfort Child & Family Therapy

FORT WORTH Colatriano, Jaime LPC-S, RPT-S, EMDR-certified Center for Counseling & Family Relationships 24

Dunham, Katie LPC, RPT, EMDR-trained

Connect to Thrive Counseling

House, Kim MEd, LPC-S, RPT Brave Space Counseling See ad on page 26

Johnston, Erin MS, LPC, RPT

Connect to Thrive Counseling

Rees, Sarah MS, LPC-S, RPT-S, NCC Brave Space Counseling See ad on page 26

RICHARDSON

Hawkins, Joshua MS, LPC-S, RPT-S, CCPT-S, CPRT-S Bright Spot Counseling Center

Ritzi, Rochelle PhD, LPC-S, NCC, RPT-S, CCPT-S, CPRT-S

Bright Spot Counseling Center

august/september 2022 | DFWCHILD

Dyer, Jennifer MS, CCC-SLP

PSYCHOLOGY

Apraxia Dallas

Harlin, Katie MS, CCC-SLP

FRISCO

Gianni, Ciera MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, CAIP

Harlin Speech Services, PLLC

Frisco Feeding & Speech Therapy

United Through H.O.P.E.

Loving, Sara MS, CCC-SLP, AAC

Kirk, Madeline MS, CCC-SLP

FRISCO

Martin, Meg MS, CCC-SLP

Smith, Caroline MS, CCCSLP, ASDCS

McFarlin, Michelle MS, CCC-SLP

Gurinsky, Patricia MA, CCC-SLP

DENTON

Harrier, Laurie LP, LSSP, NCSP

Harrier, Laurie LP, LSSP, NCSP United Through H.O.P.E.

Chatterbox Therapy Center

Social Communication Connection

Social Communication Connection

SPEECH THERAPY

Mullaney, Courtney MS, CCC-SLP

ALLEN

Apraxia Dallas

Miller, Tamara MEd, MS, CCC-SLP Kidz Therapy Zone

Nopper, Kim MS, CCC-SLP

Sosa, Gladys Bilingual SLPAssistant Dallas Reading & Language Services

Kidz Therapy Zone

Tatone, Laurie SLP-Assistant

ADDISON

Rollins, Amanda MS, CCCSLP KidSpeak, LLC

Dallas Reading & Language Services

Waldrup, Breanna MS, CCC-SLP Apraxia Dallas

ARLINGTON

Taylor, Nancy MEd, CCCSLP Shine Behavioral See ad on page 26

Willis, Courtney MS, CCCSLP Speech Wings Therapy

COPPELL

Centeno, Daniela MS, CCC-SLP, C/NDT Monkey Mouths

DALLAS

Betzen, Rachel MA, CCC-SLP Dallas Reading & Language Services

Bradanese, Dennis MS, CCC-SLP Apraxia Dallas

Bushong, Laura MS, CCCSLP Apraxia Dallas

Wright, Taylor MS, CCCSLP Apraxia Dallas

FORT WORTH

Dailey, Melissa MS, CCCSLP Allison’s Therapy Corner

Greene, Grace MS, CCC-SLP

Creating Voices Therapy

Summit Therapy

HURST

Monkey Mouths

MCKINNEY

Henderson, Staci MS, CCC-SLP Speech Nest

RICHARDSON

Daniels-Crespi, Brittney MS, CCC-SLP A Therapy Connection See ad on page 26

Redding, Traci MS, CCCSLP A Therapy Connection See ad on page 26

SOUTHLAKE

Woodby, Emily MS, CCCSLP Monkey Mouths

WAXAHACHIE

Reynolds, Melanie MS, CCC-SLP Emerald City Therapies

ALL DFW

Hancock, Christian MS, CCC-SLP Heart & Soul Speech

Allison’s Therapy Corner

Henslee, Shanielle MS, CCC-SLP Allison’s Therapy Corner

Holt, Shelby MS, CCC-SLP Allison’s Therapy Corner

Davidson, Megan MS, CCC-SLP

Summit Therapy

Mills, Allison MS, CCC-SLP Allison’s Therapy Corner

THERAPEUTIC RECREATION ALL DFW

Mathew, Jasmine CTRS Jasmine’s Beat See ad on page 27

View Mom-Approved health care providers across all categories @ dfwchild.com/momapproved.

mom approved

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Bryan Asby, DC & Brittney Asby, DC Chiropractic 2x Mom Approved When our son was born we struggled to find answers. Why did it hurt when he fed?

Why wasn’t he gaining weight? Unfortunately, we struggled like many new parents, to find providers who listened and supported our families needs. This is what lead us to be a pediatric focused family practice. Few things are more stressful than an infant or child that is struggling. Dr. Brittney focuses on infants, more specifically infants struggling with tongue ties, breast feeding, crawling /walking concerns and more. Dr. Bryan works with children that have neurodevelopmental struggles including ADHD, sensory processing, autism, OCD, emotional regulation and more.

Our focus is helping you. In a world filled with noise, we hope to be a place where you feel welcomed, appreciated, and can find answers.

Both doctors have taken post graduate pediatric courses to further their skill set.

Dr. Brittney is Webster certified and part of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA). She is certified in pediatrics(CCP) through CCED seminars. She has completed all coursework as a mastery level doctor with the Schaefer Protocol.

She continues to take additional coursework on tongue ties/oral tissues, breast feeding, and pediatric development. Dr. Bryan has taken courses by Dr. Melillo and is Focus certified through Sherman College of Chiropractic. He continues to expand his knowledge on pediatric neurodevelopment and working with them.

Check out the doctors podcasts Mouthy Momma on Spotify and Connected Brains on the DSC Facebook page (coming soon to Spotify).

Dallas Synergy Chiropractic 12890 Hillcrest Rd., Ste. 109 Dallas, TX 75230 972-387-4700 • dallassynergychiropractic.com

Sarah Gill, LPC-S & Emily Millican, LCSW-S Counseling 2x Mom Approved Sarah Gill, Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor, believes a good relationship between therapist and client is at the heart of impactful therapeutic work. She strives to make her clients feel valued and heard, while keeping interactions positive and engaging. Sarah is now offering both traditional sessions and therapeutic intensives, which are longer in duration and allow for more focused, intentional work.

Intensives may cover concerns such as trauma, depression, suicidal ideation, and/or anxiety for adolescents and adults.

Terra Therapies, PLLC 3200 Riverfront Dr., Ste. 108 Fort Worth, TX 76107 817-887-9505 info@TerraTherapiesTX.com TerraTherapiesTX.com

Emily Millican, Licensed Clinical Social Worker Supervisor, truly focuses on meeting the client where they are on their journey, identifying goals and strengths with encouragement, compassion and enthusiasm. Her hope is to help facilitate client’s healing, with focus on relationships, coping and outlook of the future. Emily works with clients of all ages, and utilizes solution focused therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, client centered perspective, family systems and play therapy techniques.

The Terra Therapies office is located in the heart of Fort Worth on the Trinity Trails. Our mission is to provide compassionate, professional and ethical mental health support tailored to each individual client.

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mom approved

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Brittney Daniels, SLP; Traci Redding, SLP; Cristina Tippins, PT, DPT Speech Therapy & Physical Therapy

Brittney Daniels, Traci Redding, and Cristina Tippins are all talented pediatric therapists at A Therapy Connection. ATC provides speech, occupational, feeding, and physical therapy from newborns to adolescents.

Comprehensive evaluations and individual therapy are all available under one roof, where the plan of care is developed specifically for each child. ATC’s amazing therapists also plan activities throughout the year to create an exciting learning environment and a fun place where children of all ages look forward to going. Brittney, Traci, and Cristina would like to thank their patients’ families for their support and trust in A Therapy Connection.

A Therapy Connection 1601 N. Collins Blvd., Richardson, TX 75080 972-470-5855 • info@atherapyconnection.com atherapyconnection.com

Sarah Rees, MS, LPC-S, RPT-S, NCC Kimberly House, MEd, LPC-S, RPT Play Therapy

4x Mom Approved Brave Space specializes in Play Therapy and Counseling for children ages 2–18. We help awesome kiddos develop coping skills and effective communication so they can succeed in their relationships and in life.

We also equip parents with tools to better respond and connect with their child, building confidence and making parenting easier. We collaborate amongst parents, schools, and providers to best support families. We provide your family with a safe space for hope and healing!

Brave Space 5168 Village Creek Drive, Suite 100 Plano, TX 75093 469-215-2890 • bravespacecounseling.com

Annie Tam, MEd, LPC Counseling

Mend Counseling is a boutique, collaborative counseling practice located in Mockingbird Station that sees clients ages 4 and up. We provide individual, couples, family and group counseling through a variety of modalities including EMDR, CBT, and ACT as well as walk, talk and play therapy.

We are fun and caring therapists who listen to clients’ needs and create a personalized plan to support them in setting and reaching their goals by developing a safe environment and a strong therapeutic relationship in which they can heal, grow, and live abundantly. We look forward to working with you!

Mend Counseling 5307 E. Mockingbird Ln., Ste. 975 Dallas, TX 75206 469-801-9055 • mend-counseling.com

Nancy Taylor, MEd, CCC-SLP Speech Therapy

Congratulations, Nancy! The entire Shine team wants to congratulate Nancy on her accomplishment as a Mom Approved Healthcare Professional in the field of Speech Pathology for 2022!

That Nancy’s consistent dedication to support individuals with autism has been recognized in such an honored way by the mothers of our children truly touches us all. Nancy is a professional who combines a deep intellectual understanding of the principals of speech pathology with many years of experience with our children. THANK YOU! We love you, Nancy, and we are honored to work with you each and every day. — Your Shine Family Shine Behavioral 1205 W. Green Oaks Blvd., Ste B Arlington, TX 76016 817-457-3088 • shinebehavioral.com

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august/september 2022 | DFWCHILD

mom approved

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Jasmine Mathew, CTRS Therapeutic Recreation Whether you are a SPED school student, deaf/blind, an autistic adult, or a disabled veteran, Jasmine’s Beat® classes are adapted to each student’s needs. Created by a Recreational Therapist with over 20 years of experience with a variety of populations. Wheelchair dance, BollyX, Bollywood, hip-hop, jazz, tap, ballet, musical theater and ASL choreography provided in a no-judgement creative outlet for students. Small group or private classes available with opportunity for attaining goals and inclusion.

Jasmine’s Beat

Multiple DFW area classes or in-home sessions available 972-861-2050 • jasminesbeat@gmail.com • jasminesbeat.com

Nicole Van Ness, PsyD, LMFT-S Counseling A healthy family starts with the parents. Parenting is hard, so make sure your relationship with your significant other is a solid foundation. Find deeper connection, better communication, and more strength within yourselves by speaking to a sex and relationship expert. Dr. Van Ness can help you recover (or discover!) deeper connection with your partner—physically, emotionally, and as a parenting team. Call 858-356-7444 for a free 15-minute consultation.

Connected Couples Virtual practice located in Grapevine—all sessions are held remotely 858-356-7444 • connected-couples.com

HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS RECOMMENDED

BY LOCAL MOMS PEDIATRICIANS THERAPISTS WOMEN’S HEALTH COUNSELORS DENTISTS ORTHODONTISTS WELLNESS PROFESSIONALS DFWCHILD.COM/DIRECTORY

DFWCHILD | august/september 2022

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It’s time to talk about school shootings What parents, educators and police can really do to keep kids safe

28

august/september 2022 | DFWCHILD

WORDS ERIN HAYES BURT

ISTOCK

“WE DID A STRANGER DRILL AT SCHOOL TODAY.” I vividly remember the first time my daughter told me about an active shooter drill at her elementary school. As she described hiding in the back of the classroom and being quiet so the “stranger” wouldn’t hear them, my heart stood still. I knew this was one of those moments you have to grab as a parent and engage with before they lose interest. She was 6, so we hadn’t had many of those moments yet, but I never shied away from truth-telling with her.

But this time, I froze. I didn’t want to make it hard for her to do these drills in the future, and I didn’t want her to have to worry about the reality—which is that today, in the world we live in, grown men barge into children’s classrooms for no reason at all, trying to kill as many people as they can. And I couldn’t tell her not to worry because it wouldn’t happen at her school, because it felt like a lie.

COULD I BE A HOMESCHOOL MOM? Sarah Sheldon, a Royse City mom who is sending her oldest off to kindergarten, knows she’s approaching the same crossroads. “I’m all about having age-appropriate conversations with my kids. You got body questions? Cool. You want to talk about something that happened at preschool? Let’s talk about it. But how do I talk to him about what happens when someone comes into your school with the intention to harm you?”

Parents often feel helpless, not knowing what they can do to address such a huge problem with so many issues and disparate solutions, from more policing or arming teachers—just 7 percent of Texas schools do—to locking down schools tighter, adding metal detectors, increasing the number of counselors and changing school design. It’s overwhelming when you’re facing putting your child in a school for

the first time and another shooting makes the news, says Sheldon.

“You start to go, Could I be a homeschool mom?”

CHANGING TACTICS Although sometimes it feels like nothing has changed after so many tragedies, there has been lots of movement in how first responders react to these events and how Texas schools have responded. That includes changes to tactical response, the creation of hundreds of school district police departments and anti-bullying efforts.

Tactically, starting with Columbine, first responders developed new standards for when they breach a building during an active threat. The policy is to no longer wait for backup or SWAT, and instead to go in with whatever you have, even if it’s just one officer. That doesn’t always happen as we expect it to, though—consider the Parkland, Florida, school safety officer who didn’t confront the gunman at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, or those images of law enforcement lined up in the hallway at the elementary school in Uvalde but not immediately going in the classroom to take out the shooter.

“The more incidents like these we have,” says Rockwall Police Chief Max Geron, “the more variations in response you’re going to see. That’s because these officers who are responding are human beings, and they have to overcome the human nature of survival in order to intervene in an active shooter situation.”

EMS professionals are now also having to confront that part of human nature, says Russel Warren, a tactical EMS team lead for Rockwall County. Shortly after Sandy Hook he came back from Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training with some news for his unit: They would all be getting ballistic vests and tactical gear in order to respond more safely to school shootings.

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This change in protocol meant that instead of EMS heading into a “cold” zone to aid the wounded, where law enforcement had done a thorough sweep of the entire scene and deemed it safe, they would now be entering what are called “warm” zones. This indicates that a threat has been neutralized, but law enforcement remains on alert, guns at the ready, for other threats.

Texas schools are trying to address the issue of shootings from a few different angles. “The fastest growing type of police department in the state of Texas is the independent school district police department,” says Geron. More than 30 percent of Texas schools (309 out of 1,022 districts) now have their own police departments to help mitigate all the issues that require constant partnership between a police department and a campus or district.

Police departments are responsible for providing school resource officers, or SROs, who can help investigate threats, provide security on campus, offer guidance for contingency planning and even recommend solutions to tricky safety issues on campus.

SROs can also consult when a district is constructing a new facility or campus, making suggestions on what building elements can make the space safer, says Geron. Environmental design—emphasizing secure entrances, wider hallways, clear sightlines and other safety-conscious features—is one solution to the problem of school shooters. It’s an expensive one, so most schools make do by adding more locks and metal detectors.

But some argue that once someone arrives on campus with a gun, it’s too late to stop them, and SROs were not a deterrent for many shooters in plots that were stopped. The ACLU also found youth arrest rates were 3.5–8 times higher on campuses with SROs present. “Schools aren’t prisons, and they shouldn’t feel that way,” says Blair Taylor, a regional coordinator for Moms Demand Action and the mother of three school-age kids in Richardson. “The responsibility is on adults to securely store guns and to push for better gun laws so there is less access to guns by people who shouldn’t have them.”

STOPPING THREATS BEFORE THEY’RE ON CAMPUS The two main camps in the argument on how to stop school shootings are, not shockingly, the folks who think the solution is to make campuses more secure, and the folks who want fewer people to have access to guns. But a 2018 Secret Service report on school threat mitigation points to another solution, one that’s not really made it into the shouting match: threat assessment.

Every school district in Texas is required to have an anonymous tip-reporting line. Bullying can be reported on these tip lines, but so can 30

august/september 2022 | DFWCHILD

drugs, threats of violence and anything else anyone thinks is relevant. The importance of these anonymous tip lines is evident by the numbers in the Secret Service report. In the 67 cases of school violence plots the Secret Service investigated, nearly all the plotters communicated their intent to others: “In one-fifth of the cases, plotters warned others not to come to school or gave instructions on how to stay safe during the attack. In half of all cases, at least one communication was not reported,” states the report. In 61% of these cases, classmates and peers reported the behavior. When you combine that with other similarities, such as that two-thirds selected a date that coincided with the anniversaries of other mass shootings or major school events, such as the first or last day of school or the last day before a break or holiday, we start to get a clear picture of what to look for and when to look for it.

Police know this too, so they take the tips gathered from the hotlines seriously, says Chief Geron. “When a complaint comes in, we vet it, we prioritize it, and try to get the students the help they need.”

That help isn’t always punitive, and that’s important for students to know. It just indicates that an additional check-in is needed. But we could do more to educate kids on using the hotlines and just how vital those tips are, urges Lutes. “I think in any situation, kids always need to say

“Schools aren’t prisons, and they shouldn’t feel that way.”

something if they hear something, and it needs to be more encouraged.”

CJ Evans, a Fort Worth ISD school board trustee and the board secretary, says her district actively supports threat reporting among parents and students, even those that occur off campus, such as on social media. “We encourage our parents to have conversations with their students. … If they hear or see something around a safety threat at their school, they report it immediately.

If students see a social media post, they report the post. It is important that parents encourage students to help by not keeping information to themselves. … Tell an adult.”

In 2021, the Texas Legislature adopted Senate Bill 2050, which requires schools to have a bullying intervention program that emphasizes increased student reporting, a committee to address the issue, and evaluation and reports pertaining to those measures. These efforts aren’t just feel-good fluff or more safe spaces; they’re sustained, anti-bullying efforts that work to lower two main risk factors in bullied kids: depression and suicidal thoughts. “We are lucky that my daughter’s school added a counselor this year—a crisis counselor,” says Taylor. “We have to address mental health. We do want more counselors. We do want more mental health support. There are solutions and ways to address safety in schools that have nothing to do with guns. We don’t put out fires by pouring gasoline on them.”

The Secret Service report summarizes the lessons law enforcement agencies have learned from successes they’ve had in subverting school shootings since 2006. They have learned that most of the plotters plan their attack for a month or more. The would-be shooters tend to signal to people about their plot, whether through behavior changes or making an outright threat, and

How to talk to your child after a lockdown, drill or a school shooting in the news: GRADES K–5: • Don’t bring it up unless they do. There’s no harm in shielding them from news about school shootings since they are statistically rare.

• Remember to use simple language.

• Don’t say more than is needed.

• Reassure them that the adults are working to keep them safe.

GRADES 6–8: • Make a point to do one-on-one activities with your child after a lockdown drill or an event in the news. Chores, errands with car rides or just watching TV together can give kids a chance to bring up the subject.

• Ask questions about recent events in the news, how they are feeling and what their fears are.

• Validate their feelings and reassure them about efforts by their school and the community to keep them safe.

GRADES 9–12 AND COLLEGE STUDENTS: • Assume they have heard about any events that make the news.

• If they aren’t with you, text or call them to let them know you’re available to talk.

• Rely on open-ended questions: “What have you heard about what happened today?” or “What do you know?”

Also, “How are you feeling?” “What’s going on in your head?” and “How are your friends reacting?”

• Watch out for isolating behaviors that can indicate anxiety or depression.

ISTOCK

most of the time it’s their peers reporting it. Most of them had experienced stressors, or childhood adverse events, in the past five years; had an interest in violent themes; had mental health symptoms; and exhibited concerning behaviors.

About half had been bullied, experienced suicidal ideations or elicited concern in others.

HOW OFTEN DOES IT REALLY HAPPEN? Active shooter events on school property are increasing in frequency, but the growth has been gradual. In 1980, according to the K–12 School Shooting Database run by the Center for Homeland Defense and Security, there were just three active school shooting events the entire year, and it hovered around that number until 2000, when it started to be five or six events each year. From 2018 forward, the number has ranged from nine to 11 events each year.

In 2020, for the first time ever, gun violence was the No. 1 cause of death in children, with the New England Journal of Medicine reporting more than

45,000 deaths due to injury from a firearm. Homicides went up 33%, while suicides rose only 1%. But most of those deaths are not happening at school.

Education Week began tracking deaths from school shootings in 2018. That year, and in 2019, there were 24 school shooting-related deaths. In 2020, just 10 of the more than 45,000 children killed by guns in the entire country were killed at school.

Even when you know an active shooter situation at school isn’t common, it doesn’t do much to calm you as a parent. Sheldon shares, “You think, Oh it won’t happen in our community, but now I’m going to meet-the-teacher night and asking, ‘What’s your protocol? How often do you practice lockdowns?’ instead of worrying about what they’re learning in kindergarten.”

WHAT PARENTS CAN DO Texas law requires all schools to complete two lockdown drills per year, but drills are only part of preparedness. Following a lockdown drill, you can contribute to your child’s readiness for an emergency by talking to them about knowing where the exits are, to run away from gunfire or fireworks sounds and how to escape the classroom— the “run” in the FBI’s Run-Hide-Fight approach, since schools practice only the “hide” aspect.

“What [the schools are] essentially doing is practicing the protocol, not all the different situations that could play out,” says Kathy Martinez-Prather, Ph.D., director of the Texas School Safety Center at Texas State University. “If you can get away, get away. It’s sad to be having these conversations with your babies… but at the end of the day, these events are still statistically rare.”

When kids do have a drill or after a school shooting makes the news, check in with your kids.

(Check out the sidebar for detailed recommendations by grade levels.) Ask questions that are open ended, don’t add any additional information a child isn’t ready for, and listen for where they are in processing news or events they’ve been through. With younger kids, Taylor recommends not bringing the situation up unless they do.

“My first impulse when my child came home talking about her active shooter drill was to tell her what the drill was really for, but that’s not the best way to go about it,” says Taylor. For older kids, though, you can probably assume they know.

Even with older kids, you want to have a delicate approach when it comes to talking about these situations. “That was one of the questions we got at a pop-up meeting I did after Uvalde,” Taylor shares. “[Parents] wanted to know, ‘How do I talk to my kid about this?’ You want to ask them: What have you heard? What do you know? How are you feeling?” Be aware of isolating behaviors—such as excessive reading, gaming, watching TV, or social media use—in children of any age following news about a school shooting. These can be signs of anxiety or depression that should be addressed with a counselor before they get worse.

On the school front, parents should talk to their campus principal and the school board about their concerns and attend meetings held by the district safety committee. Also, keep an

eye out for presentations or safety nights held by your school’s safety committee, or even serve on it, adds Martinez-Prather. “Every school is required by law to have a school safety and security committee, and it’s very precise in the legislation.

It stipulates who should be on those committees, and there is representation for two parents.”

Geron offers these suggested questions for parents to ask: “What’s your relationship with the entity that provides security? What’s your level of communication? What are things we can do as parents to help improve that if it needs to be improved?”

Your biggest impact could be in spreading the word in your community and online about how to spot and report suspicious behavior or activity before it ever gets near school grounds, stresses Martinez-Prather. “That’s a big piece of it, that in an outstanding number of these case studies, someone always knew something and didn’t report it.”

In late June 2022, an Amazon Delivery Station employee in southeast San Antonio tipped off police about a 29-year-old male coworker.

While employees were exiting the building during a fire drill, he commented to her that pulling the fire alarm would be an easy way to group people together in order to commit a mass shooting. Later, when the employee mentioned picking up her kids from school, he told her that now he knew which school to shoot up, and spoke admiringly of the Uvalde shooting.

During the investigation, the suspect’s family confirmed that he had purchased an AR platform rifle.

Actions you can take as a parent: • Contact your school district to find out about safety committee meetings.

Attend and ask questions. For example, how are tips reported? Who follows up on tips and how?

• Talk to your child’s school principal about campus-specific information.

Does the school have a safety plan?

How does the school address bullying?

What active shooter drills are planned, and how do teachers and counselors engage with students after? What is the regular police presence like on campus? How are they spreading the word in the wider community on how to report threats or suspicious activity?

• Report suspicious behavior or signs that someone is at risk for harming themselves or others, including making threats, having violent out bursts, excessive absenteeism, alarming or unexplained changes in behavior or a sudden interest in weapons or violent events.

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special needs.

police, FBI officials, Ryan’s family and his entire community are still searching for Ryan, praying he’s alive somewhere.

Ryan’s case is extreme—however, elopement is a serious and dangerous issue for many families.

FAST AND NO FEAR

DISAPPEARING ACT How to deal with elopement in your child with special needs

ISTOCK

WORDS KELLY WOOLEY

W

HEN TAMMI LARSEN SAW HER 11-YEAROLD SON RYAN OFF TO

SCHOOL on May 17, 2021, she never imagined it could be the last

time she ever saw him.

Elopement, or wandering off without permission, was a common behavior for Ryan, who is on the autism spectrum. The Nebraska boy was usually gone for a few hours and then would

either come home or be found in one of his “hiding” places. But May 17 was different.

That day, Ryan walked out of his elementary school during a passing period, never to be seen again. More than a year later,

Elopement can happen very quickly and even when your child is under constant supervision.

That’s something Burleson mom Faten Awde knows all too well.

Awde’s daughter Maya, now 10, was officially diagnosed with autism and a mixed receptiveexpressive language disorder at age 3. But Awde knew something was off much earlier, when Maya began walking and running at just 10 months old. Maya’s behaviors were so much different than her older sister’s were at the same age.

“Maya was fast and had no fear,” explains Awde. “She couldn’t sit still and quickly learned to be an escape artist. She had to be in a stroller anytime we were in public because if there was any kind of open space, she would just run and run.”

For Maya, eloping was a form of play. And like most children, she had no awareness of how dangerous it could be. While Maya’s wandering was never as serious as Ryan’s, Awde will never forget the time in 2017 she thought she’d lost Maya for good.

“We had just gotten home from therapy,” shares Awde.

“Typically, I would unstrap Maya and carry her inside to keep her from escaping. But I was pregnant with Maya’s younger sister and too far along to carry Maya.”

Before Awde could stop her, Maya took off, running as fast as she could across their 10-acre property. Awde ran after her but couldn’t keep up. Maya reached the edge of their land and kept on going. “She was running through really tall grass and even managed to get through a barbed wire fence,” says Awde. “I made it to the fence, but my shorts got stuck. As I was working to rip them away, I completely lost sight of her.”

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ACT special needs / D I S A P P E A R I N G Fortunately, a police officer lived nearby.

Awde knocked on the door, and the officer was able to locate Maya. “I’ve never been so relieved in my life,” Awde recalls.

FOCUS ON THE “WHY”

ACT

express these internal thoughts by eloping,” explains Rankin. “As a child develops more effective communication skills, their behavior tends to improve.”

In Maya’s case, it took years of ABA, speech therapy and occupational therapy before her mom no longer worried she would elope. But it’s important to remember that what works for one child might not work for yours.

“Every child is different,” notes Shearer.

“There is no one-size-fits-all approach. You have to meet the child where they’re at and set realistic goals for their behavior plan.”

“IT’S NOT THE DIAGNOSIS

Awde is far from alone.

A study cited by the CDC showed that about half of kids and young adults with autism demonstrate this behavior. And 25% of those children were missing long enough to generate concern and experience the risk of drowning or a traffic injury.

While it’s commonly seen in children with autism, elopement also occurs in children with Down syndrome, intellectual disabilities, anxiety and ADHD. When it comes to addressing elopement, “it’s not the diagnosis that truly matters,” explains Carin Renee Shearer, Ph.D., director of special needs education for Lewisville Independent School District and owner of TDES, an applied behavioral analysis (ABA) consulting firm. “The key is focusing on why the child is eloping.”

There are many reasons the behavior could be happening. Eloping could be about anxiety, fear or avoiding a particular task or environment (school, eating, loud sounds, bright lights, too many people, etc.). The child might be frustrated and lack the ability to communicate how they feel. In other cases, the child could spot a preferred activity or object (slides, trains, water, an animal they want to pet and so on). They may just consider elopement a game or think they’re being funny.

“If you’re struggling to figure out your child’s triggers, keep a log of when and where the eloping occurs to look for patterns,” suggests Marilyn Rankin, owner of Carter Speech Therapy in Fort Worth.

Here’s why the “why” is so critical: The reason behind your child’s elopement will help identify the right therapy or mix of therapies to address it. (Of course, in the meantime, you’ll want to take precautions to keep your child safe—check out the sidebar for advice.)

Behavior analysts, speech therapists, psychologists and psychiatrists are all equipped to help with elopement. ABA is often the go-to therapy because of its regimented and measurable approach to reducing undesirable behaviors. Speech therapy is also helpful because it can help build your child’s communication skills.

“A child who can say, ‘I want to play chase,’ or ‘I feel mad’ no longer needs to

THAT TRULY MATTERS. THE KEY IS FOCUSING ON WHY THE CHILD IS ELOPING.”

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august/september 2022 | DFWCHILD

Safety Plan • Maintain an up-to-date photo and description of your child.

• Get an ID kit from the National Child Identification Registry (childidprogram.com), which includes an inkless fingerprint card and DNA collection; you keep these items at home and provide to law enforcement if necessary.

• Use extra locking devices at home and in the car.

• Take note of your child’s common hiding places.

• Purchase a GPS device such as Jiobit (jiobit.com) and an ID bracelet.

• Practice safety skills: crossing streets, understanding the word “Stop,” saying one’s name and learning to swim. Books such as I Can Be Safe by Pat Thomas and Lesley Harker are good tools.

• Educate neighbors on your child’s tendencies and make sure they have your contact info.

• Work with school officials and make sure they have elopement protocols in place.

• Look into a therapy dog. Kids who elope can be tethered to their dog, reducing the chances they can get away.

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special needs /

IN BRIEF

WORDS ALEXIS PATTERSON

ACTIVE INGREDIENTS How to motivate your child for physical fitness they walk around the block, for example, they get one sticker, and 10 stickers equates to $10 they can spend on Amazon.”

of physical activity is important to their well-being. Some kids, though, require extra support and encouragement to make fitness (adaptive or otherwise) a part of their routine. We connected with Daniel Stein, CEO and founder of Special Strong—local gyms providing fitness training for kids and adults with special needs—to get recommendations for parents.

USE POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT. Find out what motivates

SHOW EXAMPLES. “So many children with special needs are visual learners,” notes Stein. “One of the best things you can do to help motivate them is to show them pictures or videos of other children with special needs doing the activity you want them to do.”

PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH. “Children with special

your child and use it to encourage another desired activity. “If your child likes jumping jacks, you could say, ‘If you run for 30 seconds, you can do jumping jacks when you finish,’” suggests Stein.

“Or, ‘If you do 10 arm circles, I’ll give you a high-five.’”

➽ ABOVE: DANIEL STEIN says rewards are helpful for keeping those with special needs motivated.

BE SPECIFIC IN YOUR PRAISE.

“Children with special needs often benefit from a very specific reward,” Stein says. “Try creating a sticker or point system. If

Tell your child exactly what they did well. Stein offers this example: “I really liked how you walked

around the block today for 15 minutes without complaining.

You have strong legs to be able to do that.”

IMPLEMENT REWARDS.

needs are always watching, even when it seems like they’re not paying attention,” says Stein. “If we are asking them to be active but we as parents aren’t doing that ourselves, it reduces the buy-in from the child.” Plus, participating in an activity with your child is a great way to bond.

You can find information about Special Strong programs and classes at specialstrong.com.

PLAY SPACE An out-of-this-world experience is in store at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. The museum’s new Galaxy Park (check out the rendering above) is set to open in August. Kids of every ability can pretend to be astronauts in a geometric playground that includes interactive ground-level features, slides and a belt system to allow those with mobility challenges to reach higher areas. Children can also jump off (faux) moon rocks, scale a lunar structure, or tuck into the Cozy Dome for a break from stimulation. The museum can even add a shade to cool the playground on hot days. Galaxy Park (where the Waterworks spray station used to be) will build agility, balance and strength as well as social-emotional development and imagination.

SPIN OFF

DJ CLASSES FOR KIDS AND ADULTS ON THE SPECTRUM

MUSIC IS “EVERYTHING” to Tiffany Page-Carter’s 14-year-old son Sam, who was diagnosed with autism as a toddler. So when Page-Carter learned about Spin the Spectrum DJ classes, she signed Sam up immediately.

The program is held at Speech Wings (469/529-1300; speechwingstherapy.com), a Dallas speech therapy practice owned by Court36

ney Willis. The music expertise comes from Jay Clipp—founder of Keep Spinning DJ Academy and a DJ who has worked with Jay-Z and LeBron James.

Clipp and Willis say DJing is a natural fit for those on the spectrum. They’re often accustomed to expressing themselves through technology, and techniques such as matching beats and sound

august/september 2022 | DFWCHILD

repetition can be regulating. “DJing also gives someone the opportunity to be included in a group but carry a lighter social load,” Willis adds. “There are norms for how people interact with a DJ, and that makes social situations more predictable.”

In addition to learning a professional skill, Willis has observed

students making gains in confidence, attention and self-control. And Page-Carter can’t overestimate the impact on her son. “Courtney and Jay genuinely see Sam,” she says, “always presume competence and instill hope through music.”

PHOTOS COURTESY OF TIFFANY PAGE-CARTER; FORT WORTH MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND HISTORY; SPECIAL STRONG; ISTOCK

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SGCA admits students of any race, color, national, and ethic origin to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national, and ethic origin in administration of its educational polices, scholarships, and loan programs, athletic and other school administered programs.

Open Enrollment Now Available Summer Camp Options

St. John’s Episcopal School is dedicated to providing an excellent academic experience, creating a love of learning, and developing character in a Christian environment for students in Preschool through Grade 8.

For more information or to attend an open house, visit www.st.johnsschool.org/admission.

In our commitment to diversity and equity, St. John’s Episcopal School does not discriminate regarding race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, age, genetic information, disability, pregnancy, marital status, religion, military status, and/or any protected category. This commitment extends to our employment, educational, admission, and financial aid policies, and other school-administered programs.

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august/september 2022 | DFWCHILD

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

After-School Activites Directory AGES

DESCRIPTION

Arise Acting Studio Grapevine, Rockwall, Frisco 817/488-0009 • actingstudiotx.com

4–18 yrs

Acting, film, improv, voice, dance, private lessons, Triple Threat Conservatory program. Three professional quality productions annually. Touring to locations include London, NYC, Florida, and Los Angeles to train and perform. Life skills through stage skills. See ad on page 17.

E-Cubed Tutoring DFW area 469/213-7971 • ecubedtutoring.com

3–18yrs

Our tutors create an individualized learning plan for your child that will empower your child to become an independent and confident learner while working toward his or her academic goals.

Gideon Math & Reading Centers 18 DFW locations 855/344-3366 • gideonmathandreading.com

4–14yrs

Gideon Math & Reading Centers build confidence through academic mastery. We offer a free placement testing to find a comfortable starting point and move at the child’s pace.

Catch up, keep up, and stay ahead!

Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas Dallas 972/349-2400 • gsnetx.org

5–18 yrs

Girl Scout is all-fun, no filter! Come be yourself with us! Troops are forming all over Northeast Texas from South Dallas and Mesquite to Frisco, Sherman, Denton and beyond.

Join us! See ad on page 61.

Gotta Dance Plano 972/769-0017 • gottadanceplano.com

3–adult

Gotta Dance is the place to experience the joy of dance for all ages. We offer classes in ballet, jazz, contemporary, tap. Students flourish as we promote positivity and technique— instead of competition. See ad on page 16.

Holy Trinity Catholic School Grapevine 817/421-8000 • holytcs.org

PK4–8th grades

Holy Trinity offers their students many after-school opportunities that include academic clubs, organizations and sports. These activities help development the whole person, and provide the opportunity for students to broaden their skills, talents and interests. See ad on page 44.

Margo Dean School of Ballet Fort Worth 817/738-7915 • margodeanballet.com

3yrs–professional

Offering ballet for all ages and levels, flamenco dance, jazz/contemporary, adult ballet, flamenco for age 10 through adult, and Gyrotonic® exercise. Home of Ballet Concerto, inspiring dance since 1950. See ad on page 10.

Messina Studios Dallas 214/558-7770 • messinastudios.com

7 yrs– adult

Teaching in DFW for over 30 years! Offering quality music instruction for adults and children with private lessons in piano, voice, music theatre. Located in Preston Hollow.

Aspiring to inspire in excellence, fun and achievement!

North Texas Performing Arts Dallas, Fairview, Frisco, Plano and Southlake 972/422-2575 • ntpa.org

K–12th grades

NTPA’s acting and voice classes provide an opportunity for beginning to advanced actors to improve their performing arts technique and skills. And with over 20 shows auditioning this fall, there’s something for everyone at NTPA! See ad on page 61.

River Legacy Nature Center Arlington 817/860-6752 • riverlegacy.org

K–6th grades

Our after-school clubs give students the unique opportunity to explore plants, animals and habitats of a riparian forest. Explorations occur in the classrooms as well as out in nature monthly September through April. See ad on page 13.

School of Rock Southlake • 682/593-0990 schoolofrock.com/locations/southlakekeller

5–100yrs

School of Rock is a growing, passionate community dedicated to enriching lives through performance-based music education. Students learn to not only play music, but also understand the value of humility, hard work, and teamwork.

Southwest Christian School Fort Worth 817/294-0350 • southwestchristian.org

5–10 yrs

Southwest Christian School's After-School Academy of Science and Technology, Athletics, and the Arts was created for extra enrichment opportunities for students who show high interest and ability outside the regular classroom curricular. See ad on page 41.

Special Strong McKinney 833/543-3496 • specialstrong.com

7–80 yrs

Special Strong provides adaptive and inclusive fitness personal training for people with mental, physical, and cognitive challenges. Group classes start at $99/month. See ad on page 35.

Texas Ballet Theater School Dallas, Fort Worth 877/828-9200 • texasballettheater.org/tbt-school

3yrs– adult

TBT School offers classes ranging from beginner ballet to elite professional training, with studios in Fort Worth and Richardson. All students have performance opportunities based on level. Adult classes also available. See ad on page 13.

TCU Music Preparatory Division Fort Worth musicprep.tcu.edu

infants– adult

TCU Music Prep offers classes for infants through age 8 and private instrument/voice lessons for age 5 though adult. See ad on page 17.

Theatre Arlington Arlington 817/261-9628 • theatrearlington.org/acts

3–18 yrs

Theatre Arlington’s Adult & Children’s Theatre School (A.C.T.S.) utilizes a progressive curriculum for students to build upon what they’ve learned in a previous class to reach their performing potential. Private voice, dance and piano available! See ad on page 12.

YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas Multiple locations 214/880-9622 • ymcadallas.org/afterschool

PK–5th grade

The Y offers meaningful after-school support for your child; a safe place where kids will discover a sense of belonging while extending their day with enrichment, fitness, and fun.

See ad on page 13.

YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth Fort Worth 817/335-9622 • ymcafw.org

6–12 yrs

YMCA after-school programs bring together physical activity, study time and a safe, supportive environment to help children succeed in school, at home and beyond. We offer on-site after-school care at various schools throughout the area.

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DF

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WORDS ELIZABETH SMITH

KIDZ BOP LIVE August 24

AUGUST & SEPTEMBER ➽ F A M I L Y F U N E V E N T S F O R T H O S E L A Z Y, L A T E S U M M E R D A Y S

NYICFF KID FLICKS

August 4–5

PHOTO COURTESY OF KIDZ BOP

THE MODERN ART MUSEUM OF FORT WORTH

Short for New York International Children’s Film Festival, the NYICFF screens its selection of short films—live-action, animation and documentary—inside the Modern’s auditorium for kids as young as 3. And the second day, all the Viva Kid Flicks films (Spanishlanguage short films with English subtitles) are geared

toward kids 8 and older.

FREE 817/738-9215; themodern.org

DINOSORCERY MAGIC SHOW

August 5

THE DINOSAUR COMPANY, ALLEN

Professional magician Alan Paoletti adds some pizazz to paleontology during this all-ages show hosted by the same company that manufacturers the animatronic dinosaurs for exhibits, seen

locally and around the world.

Your ticket also includes admission into the Creature Corral, to visit with stationary dinosaurs up-close before or after the show. $13 adults; $10 children; under 4 free. 469/273-1388; thedinosaurcompany.shop

FREE FIRST SATURDAYS

August 6

NASHER SCULPTURE CENTER, DALL AS

Retreat from the midday heat with a visit during the

Nasher’s Saturday family programming, offering free admission all day and activities from 11am–2pm. This month local creatives Ofelia FazGarza and Suzuko Davis lead the child-focused art making in the galleries; Nasher educators head up art chats and sketching sessions in the galleries; and Wow Wow Hawaiian Lemonade offers much-needed, complimentary refreshments. FREE 214/242-5100; nashersculpturecenter.org

MOVIES IN THE PARK

August 13

KLYDE WARREN PARK, DALL AS

“Spend your precious hours doing what will bring out the real you, the brilliant, passionate you”—so says Joe, voiced

by Jamie Foxx in Soul, and we couldn’t agree more with that advice. Bring the family out to the park to enjoy a Saturday night of playtime on the lawn and a screening of the Disney animated film about a middle school music teacher who re-

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TO DO

➽ DISNEY JUNIOR LIVE: COSTUME PALOOZA

and snarls up-close, and at the end, you’ll find a fossil dig and more dinosaurs made for play and photo ops. Free with regular admission: $12 adults; $9 children; free for Heard members. 972/562-5566; heardmuseum.org

DISNEY JUNIOR LIVE: COSTUME PALOOZA

September 10

TEXAS TRUST CU THEATRE, GRAND PRAIRIE

considers his need to be the best. FREE 214/716-4500; klydewarrenpark.org

PANTHERS, PUMAS & PANCAKES

August 20

IN-SYNC EXOTICS WILDLIFE RESCUE & EDUCATIONAL CENTER, WYLIE

Chow down on all-you-caneat pancakes during this annual breakfast benefiting not only the panthers and pumas but all the sanctuary’s resident big cats living out their lives in peace and comfort.

While you’re digesting, take a self-guided tour around the double-fenced enclosures for a wide-eyed view as the cats receive their own sweet treats. Suggested donation: $25 adults; $15 children; under 4 free. 972/442-6888; insyncexotics.org

BILL PICKETT INVITATIONAL RODEO

August 20

COWTOWN COLISEUM, FORT WORTH

This rodeo series honoring Black cowboys and cowgirls is named for Bill Pickett (1870–1932), who gained notoriety as the inventor of rodeo steer wrestling, or bulldogging, in Wild West shows. (Learn more at billpickettrodeo.com.) Get your tickets to see this Western adventure rodeo with historical re-enactments. Tickets from $25 for adults and from $15 for children. 888/2698696; cowtowncoliseum.com

THE LAST LUAU

August 20

LITTLE ELM PARK

Wear your Hawaiian-inspired getup to this end-of-summer party much like a real luau with hula and fire dancers but also with more traditional family fest entertainment like bounce houses and face painting. And in true Disney fashion, there’ll be a Moana 50

character meet and greet before an after-dark movie screening of Moana. lakefrontlittleelm.com

KIDZ BOP LIVE

August 24

THE PAVILION AT TOYOTA MUSIC FACTORY, IRVING

Let your littles dance and sing along to today’s biggest pop songs at this live concert starring Kidz Bop Kids Egan, Layla, Dominic and Camille.

Bring Dad along, too, so he can join the Daddy Dance Off, giving dads the chance to show off their best dance moves to a mashup of Y2K hits. Lawn tickets are $25.

Seats from $29.50. VIP packages include a meet and greet. 214/978-4888; kidzbop.com/tour

FAMILY DAY AT SPARK!

August 27

SPARK! DALL AS

This one-of-a-kind arts center slash underground playground—located in the sub-basement of the historic South Side on Lamar building (the former Sears building) and inspired by the City Museum in St. Louis—reopens its doors for select days this summer, so don’t miss your chance to come and explore on this Saturday. Open to children 7 and older. $10 admission per person. 214/4217727; sparkdallas.org

DINOSAURS LIVE

Opens September 3

HEARD NATURAL SCIENCE MUSEUM & WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, MCKINNEY

A 46-foot-long animatronic T. rex and 10 other, harder-topronounce dinosaurs, created

by Billings Productions here in Allen, return to the Heard for their 6-month residency.

Stroll down the hiking trail to experience their movements

august/september 2022 | DFWCHILD

Team Spidey saves the day in this all-new show with acrobatics, 3D special effects and lots of singing and dancing to new and original songs.

It’s a must-see for young fans of Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends, making their live show debut. Tickets from $15. VIP packages include pre-party activities and character meet and greets. 972/854-5076; disneyjuniortour.com

OTSUKIMI MOON VIEWING FESTIVAL

September 10

FRISCO SQUARE

When was the last time you really gazed up at the moon?

Wait no longer by joining this Japanese cultural festival in celebration of the Harvest Moon. The evening features kid-friendly cultural activities and performances like haiku readings, sumo wrestling and martial arts demonstrations, ikebana floral arrangements and lots of refreshing boba tea. FREE 469/573-6880; jasdfw.org

W.A.T.E.R. FESTIVAL

September 10

RIVER LEGACY NATURE CENTER, ARLINGTON

Why conserve the most abundant resource on earth?

Let your littles learn about water’s importance to our daily lives by visiting this annual W.A.T.E.R. (that’s Water Awareness Through Education and Recreation) day. Join guided hikes along the creek that runs through the park and more volunteer-led activities, such as fishing, crafts and interactions with live aquatic animals. FREE 817/860-6752, riverlegacy.org

DALLAS COWBOYS RALLY DAYS

September 10 and 17

AT&T STADIUM, ARLINGTON

The days before the Cowboys take on the Buccaneers and Bengals in the team’s first 2022 regular season games, fans are welcome onto the field for Rally Days.

You’ll join games, play on inflatables, meet Cowboys alumni and cheerleaders for autographs, and get a behindthe-scenes tour of the stadium. Rally Days continue through Dec. 10. $25 for self-guided tour; $45 for VIP. 817/892-5000; attstadium. com/rallydays

ADDISON OKTOBERFEST

September 15–18

ADDISON CIRCLE PARK

Think Oktoberfests are only for adults who drink? Nein!

Feel comfortable bringing your whole family to this Ger-

man cultural festival that’s designed for all ages and complete with dachshund races and kid-friendly competitions in the Kinderzelt (children’s tent). $10 singleday admission on Friday and Saturday; under 10 free. Free for all ages on Thursday and Sunday. 972/450-2800; addisonoktoberfest.com

GRAPEFEST

September 15–18

DOWNTOWN GRAPEVINE

Texas wine is the star of the show at this annual festival, but plenty of family fun awaits the under 21 crowd: carnival rides, midway games, kid zone activities, even the GrapeStomp is open and free to kids. As you’re walking along Historic Main Street, take the trip up to the 150-foot-tall observation level of the Tower at Grapevine Main Station. $10 adults, $5 children; under 6 free. Free for everyone on Thursday. 817/410-3185; grapefest.com

PARK(ING) DAY

September 16

NEAR SOUTHSIDE, FORT WORTH

“So they paved paradise, put up a parking lot,” as the folk song goes. We think Joni Mitchell would be happy to hear of this event: On the third Friday in September, cities around the world (including Fort Worth) take part in this effort to transform parking spaces into “people spaces.” Come see these tiny, temporary parks along Magnolia Avenue and South

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DFWCHILD | august/september 2022

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Main Street, each created by local businesses or design firms. FREE 817/923-1649; nearsouthsidefw.org

CIRQUE DU BALLET

September 16–18

WINSPEAR OPERA HOUSE, DALL AS

September 30–October 2

BASS PERFORMANCE HALL, FORT WORTH

Texas Ballet Theater opens its 2022–23 season with the dance mashup we didn’t know we wanted. The kids will get a kick out of the graceful or not-sograceful clowns in this world premiere with choreography inspired by all the fun that’s usually found only under the big top. Tickets from $20. 877/8289200; texasballettheater.org

TO DO

AUTUMN AT THE ARBORETUM: A FALL FAIRY TALE

September 17–October 31 DALL AS ARBORETUM

Cinderella’s carriage, a magic carpet ride selfie experience and pumpkin houses inspired by The Sword in the Stone and other fairy tales form the centerpiece of this 17th annual fall festival.

Come explore the 100,000 pumpkins, gourds and squash on display, and expect extra kid-friendly entertainment on Mondays and Tuesdays.

There’s a reason this is a North Texas tradition. $20 adults; $12 children; under 2 free; $3 for Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden. 214/5156615; dallasarboretum.org

DANCING WITH THE FWSO STARS

September 17

BASS PERFORMANCE HALL, FORT WORTH

The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra opens its Family Series season with this special concert that explores dance styles from around the world.

You and the kids will learn about different cultures through ballet, modern, traditional and folk dancing and the different styles of music for each. Tickets are $23. Subscriptions available for all three Family Series concerts. 817/665-6500; fwsymphony.org

NORTH TEXAS GIVING DAY

September 17

GRANDSCAPE, THE COLONY

September 22

LEVITT PAVILION, ARLINGTON

➽ WINNIE THE POOH

HOW DO YOU SPELL

LOVE?

TWO YEARS BEFORE A.A. MILNE first created Winnie-the-Pooh, the English author published a collection of poems you may never have heard of. And coincidentally, this summer offers you the chance to experience both on stage.

WHEN WE WERE VERY YOUNG

August 5–21

HIP POCKET THEATRE, FORT WORTH

This lesser-known book of poetry following Christopher Robin (I think of it as a “Pooh precursor”) gets a much-deserved revisit in this stage adaptation with music, puppetry and dancing. See it during weekend performances at Hip Pocket’s rural amphitheater. Tickets from $20 for adults and from $10 for children. Reservations available for dinner or dessert from the HipCafe before the show. 817/246-9775; hippocket.org

WINNIE THE POOH

September 16–18

IRVING ARTS CENTER

A.A. Milne’s original stories get the Broadway treatment in this musical adaptation now on tour throughout the United States.

Revisit Christopher Robin and the whole crew from Hundred Acre Woods on stage as life-size puppets. Tickets from $24.50.

The VIP experience includes exclusive merch and photos with characters after the show. 972/252-2787; irvingartscenter.com

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Each year, generous locals raise millions of dollars for worthy nonprofits through online donations. To help get your own kids excited about philanthropy, join the fun inperson at either of these local festivals. The Grandscape event features a nonprofit fair from 5–7pm, followed by a live concert, and the Arlington Gives! Concert includes food trucks before the 8pm live show. FREE 214/7504222; northtexasgivingday.org

CRITTER CLUB

September 17–November 5 FAIRVIEW TOWN CENTER

Meet a new exotic animal each Saturday morning at the shopping center’s park area. The lineup includes a groundhog, kangaroo, spider monkey and porcupine. Be sure to show up on time so you’ll get a chance to interact with each animal, in some cases feed them and even get a face painting specifically of that week’s featured animal. FREE 972/363-2209; fairviewtowncenter.com

OVO

September 22–25

DICKIES ARENA, FORT WORTH

For your kids who are obsessed with bugs at the moment, there’s no missing Cirque du Soleil’s Ovo (Portuguese for “egg”) starring a cast of 50 performance artists, including Olympic gymnasts and world-record holders. They defy gravity as acrobatic crickets, flexible

➽ IMMERSIVE KING TUT

dragonflies, one fabulous ladybug and more gravity-defying insects all chasing after a mysterious egg. Tickets from $54 for adults and from $44 for children. 877/924-7783; cirquedusoleil.com/ovo

IMMERSIVE KING TUT

Opens September 23

LIGHTHOUSE ARTSPACE, DALL AS

Before you ask: No, there are no tangible artifacts in this new multimedia exhibition commemorating 100 years since the excavation of Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamun’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings. But thanks to stateof-the-art video mapping and animation, you’ll indeed be fully immersed in the story of his life, passage into the afterlife, and of course the solid gold funerary mask. Tickets from $29.99 for adults and from $19.99 for children; under 6 free. immersive-kingtut.com/dallas

PLANO BALLOON FESTIVAL

September 23–25

OAK POINT PARK, PL ANO

Weather permitting—so keep your fingers crossed—30 hot air balloon pilots will crank up the burners for balloon glows, launches and tethered rides (open to kids as young as 6). Note that the balloons are only out during the early mornings and evenings, so no worries about being out in the midday heat. $10 adults; $5 children; free for kids 36 inches and under. 972/8677566; planoballoonfest.org

KIWANIS BUTTERFLY FESTIVAL

September 24–25

SOUTHL AKE TOWN SQUARE

Butterfly experts will be on hand to answer questions at

the Northeast Tarrant County Kiwanis’ 18th annual butterfly tent of monarch and painted lady butterflies. Hold out a provided slice of watermelon for some extra butterfly kisses.

They’ll all be released on Sunday evening to repopulate locally. $7 adults; $5; under 3 free. $5 butterfly kits include two caterpillars and food.

817/703-5266; netckiwanis.org

JUNIE B.’S ESSENTIAL SURVIVAL GUIDE TO SCHOOL

September 24–October 30

DALLAS CHILDREN’S THEATER

Your kids will have already started the school year by the time this fall season opener hits the stage, so for mid-semester pick-me-up, come see this funny musical— featuring Junie B. shelling out advice and sharing lessons she’s learned about patience, personal growth and all things school. Recommended for 5 and older. See site for pricing. Call the box office for tickets to the sensory-friendly show on Oct. 8. 214/7400051; dct.org

STATE FAIR OF TEXAS

September 30—October 23 FAIR PARK, DALL AS

This year, Big Texas adds some Louisiana flair to its reimagined Kroger Starlight Parade, a nightly parade created by Kern Studios, known for New Orleans’ famous Mardi Gras parade floats. (You’ve got to see the larger-than-Texas longhorn float.) Plus, don’t miss Oontz Kids DJ dance parties and the return of weekend rodeos inside Fair Park Coliseum. Daily admission from $15 for adults and $10 for children; under 3 free. Adults pay child’s prices after 5pm. 214/565-9931; bigtex.com

F O R M O R E K I D - F R I E N D LY E N T E R T A I N M E N T E V E R Y D AY O F T H E W E E K , V I S I T O U R O N L I N E C A L E N DA R AT D F W C H I L D.CO M/C A L E N DA R.

ISTOCK; PHOTOS COURTESY OF EVAN ZIMMERMAN FOR MURPHYMADE; PATRICK HODGSON

playbook / T H I N G S

SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS Explore, Discover, Experience Field trips connect students to Blackland Prairie farm culture and history from about 1890 through the 1920s.

Offered in spring and fall during our regular season, these curriculum-connected tours meet Texas state education standards and the diverse needs of all students and visitors—public, private, college-age, adults, and seniors.

Reservations for group tours/fieldtrips must be made at least three weeks in advance, and subject to availability.

To reserve a date, you must have a minimum of 30 people in your group.

1900 West 15th Street Plano, Texas &5075 972-881-0140 heritagefarmstead.org

PUBLIC TOURS Museum is open to the public on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, 10am–2pm. ©

Sweeping or blowing yard waste into storm drains can result in a fine of up to $2,000.

STORMWATER IS OUR WATER Keep leaves, grass clippings, trash, and other pollutants out of the stormwater drains and our water supply.

Report anyone putting any type of pollutant down the drains by contacting 3-1-1.

Ads with © are © of Lauren Publications, Inc. 2022.

wheredoesitgo.com Contact City of Dallas Stormwater Management at 214-948-4022 or Stormwater@DallasCityHall.com to learn more or to request a presentation or your organization, school or business.

DFWCHILD | august/september 2022

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CHILD CARE & PRESCHOOL DIRECTORY //

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Child Care & Preschool Directory Feeling overwhelmed by all the local child care and preschool options? It’s tough to find the right people to care for your child when you’re not around. Here’s a handy guide to make that important decision easier.

Ann & Nate Levine Academy Weinreb Family Early Childhood

18011 Hillcrest Rd. Dallas, TX 75252 levineacademy.org Hours: M–Th, 8am–6pm; F, 8am–5pm Ages: 3mos–PK Capacity: N/A Before-School Program: Yes After-School Program: Yes We are an inclusive Jewish day school. Children learn according to cognitive, physical, linguistic and social/emotional growth stages. See ad on page 43.

Challenger School

Multiple locations challengerschool.com Hours: 7am–6pm Ages: 3yrs–1st grade Capacity: Varies Before-School Program: Yes After-School Program: Yes Come in for a tour—see the excitement, focus, fun, and

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august/september 2022 | DFWCHILD

achievement for yourself! Our results are unmatched at any price. See ad on page 59.

Dallas ISD Pre-K

Multiple locations prekdallas.org Hours: PK3 half-or full-day; PK4 full-day Ages: 3–4yrs Capacity: PK3 18; PK4 22 Before-School Program: Yes After-School Program: Yes Children who attend Pre-K get the academic skills to boost their lifetime learning potential.

Enroll in Dallas ISD Pre-K today!

See ad on page 8.

The Day School at HP Pres 3821 University Blvd.

Dallas, TX 75205 thedayschool.org Hours: 8am–2pm Ages: 1–5yrs Capacity: 290 Before-School Program: No After-School Program: Yes

The Day School partners with families to educate the whole child within a nurturing Christian environment. See ad on page 44.

Grapevine Faith Christian School

730 E. Worth St. Grapevine, TX 76051 grapevinefaith.com Hours: 8am–3pm Ages: 4yrs+ Capacity: 10/class Before-School Program: No After-School Program: Yes Faith’s mission is to develop and graduate authentic Christian leaders. We offer a unique and individualized educational experience. See ad on page 42.

Holy Covenant Early Childhood Development Program 1901 E. Peter’s Colony Rd. Carrollton, TX 75007 hcumc.org/preschool

Hours: M–Th, 9am–2pm Ages: 18mos–6yrs Capacity: 149 Before-School Program: Yes After-School Program: No Play based, low teacherchild ratio, daily outdoor play and learning, parent support organization, private kindergarten, music program.

We build community! See ad on page 17.

Holy Trinity Catholic School 3750 William D Tate Ave. Grapevine, TX 76051 holytcs.org Hours: M–F, 8am–3pm Ages: PK4–8th grade Capacity: 450 Before-School Program: Yes After-School Program: Yes Holy Trinity Catholic School offers a classical education that prepares our students for success in and out of the classroom. See ad on page 44.

CHILD CARE & PRESCHOOL DIRECTORY //

The Hockaday School

11600 Welch Rd. Dallas, TX 75229 hockaday.org Hours: 7am–6pm Ages: 4–18yrs Capacity: 1,111 Before-School Program: No After-School Program: Yes Hockaday develops resilient, confident women who are educated and inspired to lead lives of purpose and impact. See ad on page 43.

Jovie

Multiple locations jovie.com Hours: 24 hours Ages: Infants–15yrs Capacity: Varies Before-School Program: Yes After-School Program: Yes Smart, capable, full of joy.

Outstanding caregivers who love what they do. Premium nanny and sitter service. We are Jovie! See ad on page 58.

The Lamplighter School

11611 Inwood Rd. Dallas, TX 75229 thelamplighterschool.org Hours: 8:15am–3:15pm Ages: PK3–4th grade Capacity: 460 Before-School Program: Yes After-School Program: Yes Lamplighter delivers serious education wrapped in the wonder of childhood. See ad on page 42.

Lena Pope Early Learning Center

Multiple locations lenapope.org/intellectual-wellbeing/early-learning-centers/ Hours: 6:30am–6pm Ages: 6wks–5yrs Capacity: Varies Before-School Program: No After-School Program: No Centers use research-tested curriculum for early academics and emotional-behavioral skills.

Accept families with (CCMS) grant funding and offer slidingscale tuition. See ad on page 38.

Little Tyke Learning Centers Multiple locations littletykechildcare.com Hours: 6am–6pm

Ages: 6wks–12yrs Capacity: 1,398 Before-School Program: Yes After-School Program: Yes Parent-trusted for over 50 years!

Our schools offer educational programs designed for children ages 6 weeks through 12 years.

Lumin Education

Multiple locations lumineducation.org Hours: 7am–5:45pm Ages: 18mos–3rd grade Capacity: 235 Before-School Program: Yes After-School Program: Yes Lumin Education has a 44-year history delivering the highest quality Montessori education in Dallas. See ad on page 45.

The Nest Schools

18303 Davenport Rd. Dallas, TX 75252 thenestschool.com Hours: 7am–6pm Ages: 6mos–5yrs Capacity: 200 Before-School Program: Yes After-School Program: Yes We build strong minds, healthy bodies, and happy kids through our core values of kindness, wellness, fun and innovation.

Pediatrics Plus

6025 Sports Village Rd. Frisco, TX 75033 pediatricsplus.com Hours: 7am–6pm Ages: 6wks–6yrs Capacity: 120 Before-School Program: No After-School Program: No Our developmental preschool specializes in empowering children with special needs through classrooms with low student-to-teacher ratios and therapy services. See ad on page 32.

Our Redeemer Lutheran School

7611 Park Lane Dallas, TX 75225 ordallas.org Hours: 7am–6pm Ages: 1yr–6th grade Capacity: 220 Before-School Program: Yes After-School Program: Yes Our Redeemer’s Early Childhood

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Education Center offers ageappropriate curriculum in a loving, Christian environment.

See ad on page 45.

River Legacy Nature School 703 NW Green Oaks Blvd.

Arlington, TX 76006 riverlegacy.org/nature-school Hours: 9am–12pm; 9am–3pm Ages: 3–5yrs Capacity: Varies Before-School Program: No After-School Program: No Through live animals, handson investigations and trips into the woods, Nature School encourages a child’s inborn sense of wonder. See ad on page 13.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School

2016 Willis Lane Keller, TX 76248 seton.school Hours: 8am–3:15pm Ages: 3–13yrs Capacity: 700 Before-School Program: Yes After-School Program: Yes We partner with parents in the education of their children through vigorous classical academics in a Christ-centered environment.

See ad on page 43.

St. Rita Catholic School

12525 Inwood Rd. Dallas, TX 75244 strita.net Hours: 7:30am–4pm Ages: 4yrs–8th grade Capacity: 60 Before-School Program: No After-School Program: Yes Full day PreK-4 program. Four sections. One teacher and one teacher’s aide per section.

Come visit us this fall! See ad on page 11.

Small Miracles Academy

Multiple locations, DFW area smallmiraclesacademy.org Hours: 6am–6:30pm Ages (Primary Care): Birth–12yrs Capacity: 160 per center Before-School Program: Yes After-School Program: Yes Small Miracles Academy where every child is a small miracle!

See ad on page 20.

Southwest Christian School Multiple locations southwestchristian.org Hours: 8am–2:45pm Ages: 3–5yrs Capacity: 100 Before-School Program: Yes After-School Program: Yes We are committed to creating a faith-based educational program with sound foundational skills. Tour today!

See ad on page 41.

Trinity Lutheran Children’s Center

3621 Tulsa Way Fort Worth, TX 76107 tlcfw.org Hours: 7am–6pm Ages: 6wks–5yrs Capacity: 130 Before-School Program: No After-School Program: No Providing Christian loving care as well as emotional, intellectual, physical, social and spiritual growth for each child entrusted to us.

Xplor Preschool

Multiple locations xplorpreschool.com Hours: Varies Ages: 6wks–PK Capacity: Varies Before-School Program: Yes After-School Program: Yes Xplor Preschool prepares children for kindergarten and beyond by developing important academic, social and emotional skills. See ad on page 11.

YMCA’s Ella McFadden Early Childhood Center

512 Lamar St. Fort Worth, TX 76102 ymcafw.org/programs/pre-school Hours: 7am–6pm Ages: 18mos–5yrs Capacity: 130 Before-School Program: Yes After-School Program: Yes Ella McFadden Early Childhood Learning Center provides yearround, full-day learning and is a Texas Rising Star Four-Star accredited program.

For more child care options, visit our Best Places directory at dfwchild.com/directory.

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playbook / F A M I L Y

FUN

I S T H I S A P P R O P R I AT E FOR MY KID?

PREPPING FOR YOUR KIDS’ FIRST CONCERT For those about to rock, we salute you WORDS ELIZABETH SMITH

REMEMBER THAT SCENE FROM TROLLS 2 when Poppy temporarily morphs into a rock zombie? Me either. But when my niece, Melody, requested to dress up as “Rock Poppy” the following Halloween and I witnessed her shredding on her pink and black toy guitar, I knew that one day that she’d be my new concert buddy.

But why wait? Why not encourage her interest in music now and establish some core memories or even spark a passion in her that could shape her future? OK, that’s ambitious, but that’s when I began considering best practices for taking a kid out to their first, “real” live concert. This guide is by no means comprehensive but a starting point for facilitating an enjoyable and safe concert experience for your family.

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C HO O SE YOU R S E AT S W I S E LY

Crowd density is a concern at any large event, as recent tragedies have reminded us, so when you’re selecting tickets, avoid “standing room only” or “festival seating” in large open areas, especially those near the stage at high-energy concerts.

Crowd surge, though, or a mosh pit, could happen anywhere.

Even if all goes well, unless you hoist them onto your shoulders, your kid may have trouble seeing the stage. That’s why, if available, I usually prefer the lawn grass seats in the far back where your kids can move and dance around and have better airflow. (Another plus: Lawn tickets are often less expensive.)

Most venues no longer require masks or proof of vaccination, but if you’re concerned about the risk of COVID-19 exposure, consider seats in sections that you can see are sparsely populated with already-reserved seats. Look for seats on the aisles for easy exits to the restroom, or a quick getaway should the need arise.

ISTOCK

➽ ABOVE: Kids may enjoy the show the most from the back of the venue, where there’s room to move around. // LOWER RIGHT: If the concert lasts too late for your little, enjoy a portion of the show and then head home early.

Obviously every concert is different, so determining suitability comes down to your child’s age, temperament, the artist, venue and other factors. Always double check the venue’s age policy and, if available, a recommended age range for the show itself. Many venues are 18+ or 21+ but allow minors with parental supervision.

Live concerts don’t have a parental guidance rating system, as films do. (The Parental Advisory Label applies only to recordings and isn’t mandatory.) Use your best judgment to determine whether the content is likely to be appropriate for your child. On-stage antics are often off the cuff, but do some research beforehand as to whether an artist is known for obscenities or scenes that could frighten or confuse your child.

Consider time of day, too. Any regular concertgoer will tell you that the later into the evening, the more adult behavior (drinking, smoking, rowdiness) you may witness.

Also ask yourself whether your child is likely to stay engaged for the length of the show. Will they squirm or bore quickly? Does the timing conflict with naptime or bedtime?

You can always skip the opening act or bow out early before the calls for an encore.

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playbook / F A M I L Y

FUN

➽ ABOVE: Keep your mini rocker sipping water at outdoor events; littles need up to 50% more hydration out in the heat.

From last-minute work meetings to big anniversaries out on the town to reconnecting with old friends, our professionally trained caregivers are there for you today, tomorrow and for as long as you need. Even on short notice.

Whatever your reason, we’ve got your solution. Book your caregiver and enjoy that night out (or even just a distraction-free work meeting).

For more information, head to Jovie.com.

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Live music gets loud—really loud—so my top concern was how to protect my niece’s hearing. For more expertise on this topic, I reached out to Dr. Colleen Le Prell, department chair of Speech, Language and Hearing at UT Dallas and the Emilie and Phil Schepps Professor of Hearing Science.

“Noise damage is permanent,” Le Prell warns. “I would advocate that [children and] adults absolutely consider wearing earmuffs or earplugs in loud environments.”

She explains that children’s ears canals are physiologically smaller than adults’, reaching full size around 7. “Before age 7, concerns are perhaps the greatest based on the still-growing ear canal [because of] the greater amplification of sound in the pediatric ear canal—but older children, teens and adults are all at risk for noise injury.”

Traditional foam earplugs, or occupational earplugs, can be effective at protecting your hearing, but those are designed to block as much noise as possible. Le Prell recommends a musician’s earplug, or a

uniform attenuation earplug.

“They’re really designed to provide a much flatter attenuation profile using these custom filters that provide a better listening experience.”

For babies, she advises not to attempt foam earplugs, as they are a choking hazard; she recommends earmuffs that go over the ears.

“An earmuff with a higher NRR [noise reduction rating] can give you greater sound reduction, but it comes down to what is going to be acceptable for the wearer,” Le Prell says. They’ll only work if they stay on, so be sure to check the fit of the earmuffs and test them out at home first.

Earmuffs are bulkier, but they’re worth it for babies or toddlers who cannot (or will not) wear earplugs. Le Prell says that most concerts ring in between 95 and 110 decibels, depending on your location within in the venue and proximity to the speakers, and whether the concert in held indoors or outdoors where the sound can escape.

G UA R D A G A I N S T THE SUN

When concerts take place outdoors and during daytime

ISTOCK

HEARING PROTECTION IS A MUST

hours, do not hesitate to go full force with the water-sunscreen-hat defense, especially while we’re sweating through the last few months of summer.

Pediatrician Dr. Anjuli Gans (you can find her on Instagram @resilientrascals) reminds her followers that kids don’t sweat as much as adults and are more sensitive to changes in heat. And it doesn’t take long to overheat if you’re seated out on the lawn with no pavilion or umbrella (an oft-restricted item) to bear the brunt of the sun’s rays. Gans says that a sunburn can occur within 15 minutes of sun exposure, but symptoms may not develop for another 6–24 hours.

So pack, apply and reapply sunscreen. It’s not just for pool days.

If you notice a mild burn, Gans recommends moving out of the sun ASAP and using aloe gel, like Thinkbaby’s Aloe Vera After Sun, to treat pain and aid in healing. (I also love the Thinkbaby sunscreen stick for easy application. Tip: Look for their non-toxic, cruelty-free products in the baby section, not the sunscreen section).

Seek medical help immediately if your child exhibits severe symptoms, such as blistering, facial swelling, nausea, fever, dizziness or signs of dehydration. Gans says that infants and toddlers need almost 25–50% more hydration when out in the heat, so don’t wait to fill up those water bottles as soon as you enter the venue.

Ultimately, after a blessing from her mom, I treated then-5-year-old Melody to our first niece-aunt date, and thankfully the concert went off without a hitch. Our jaws dropped watching one-of-a-kind violinist and dancer Lindsey Stirling combine her two greatest passions that— as she revealed to the crowd—she first began to develop as a 5-year-old who loved music.

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DFWCHILD | august/september 2022

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playbook / F O O D DA L L A S G R I L L E D CHEESE C O. DALLAS RESTAURANT FOOD TRUCK

For the full, dine-in experience with sides, desserts and adult beverages, check out this gourmet sandwich shop. Two brick-and-mortar locations—the newly remodeled Bishop Arts spot and the second location at Mockingbird Station—are both open daily and offer all the fixings on 16 sandwiches (with gluten-free bread options), including the Four-Cheese Bacon Mac & Cheese and the Grilled Mac ’N Cheese Sandwich. Even the cobb salad is topped with mini grilled cheese croutons. Kids will also go for the Grilled PB&J, available in adult and child sizes. The food truck you’ll see out sparingly at select events with an abbreviated menu.

Learn more at dallasgrilledcheese.co or follow on Facebook at @dallasgrilledcheesecompany and Instagram at @dallasgrilledcheeseco.

I HEART MAC & CHEESE HIGHLAND VILLAGE RESTAURANT

THE BIG CHEESE Where to find gourmet mac & cheese and grilled cheese WORDS ELIZABETH SMITH

MY FAMILY HAS A LOVE-HATE RELATIONSHIP WITH MAC AND CHEESE. It’s by far the most requested food by our picky eaters, who would willingly eat it morning, noon and night if we didn’t care about nutritional value. But as any parent can attest, the more you pressure your kid to expand their food palate, the more they dig in their heels.

Lately I’ve been testing out (with some success) a new approach to encouraging food exploration: presenting foods that are similar to their go-to grub but with different textures or flavors. Enter gourmet mac and cheese and gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches.

These DFW-area eateries not only have cheesy options on the menu—they are the menu. Here kids have more options to experiment with all types of combinations, and adults can rediscover their comfort food all grown up. Give these specialty offerings a try for your own “holy macaroni!” moment.

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RU THIE’ S FUELED

BY GOOD DALLAS FOOD TRUCKS

If grilled cheese is your jam, make a beeline for Ruthie’s. The Dallas favorite going on 11 years has now expanded to a small fleet of four food trucks. Try their best-selling barbecue brisket on sourdough called The Boss, go simple with the Plain Jane or Extra Cheesy Classic, or for a real adventure, order the OMG sandwich, made with bacon and gouda mac and cheese.

They’ve got it all, even gluten-free bread and dairy-free cheese (cheddar-style slices by Daiya) available upon request.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF RUTHIE’S FUELED BY GOOD; TEXAS MAC AND CHEESE

➽ ABOVE: Hit up the RUTHIE’S FUELED BY GOOD food truck for grilled cheese sandwiches that range from classic to decadent. // LOWER RIGHT: TEXAS MAC AND CHEESE’s secret sauce and toasty breadcrumbs make their macaroni a winner.

The new kid on the cheese block opened April 2022 at Highland Village Town Center—and if you don’t live nearby, the drive up north is well worth it for the sheer variety of options for the health conscious or food sensitive. They’ve got vegan cheese, gluten-free pasta and Beyond Meat plant-based proteins. Or replace the pasta altogether with a base of broccoli, cauliflower, quinoa or even tater tots.

Build your own macaroni and cheese bowl and grilled cheese sandwich, or choose from the specialty menu: everything from classic to fancy mac with lobster and white truffle. Or throw caution to the wind and try the most outrageous item on the menu: the Tacoroni, a nacho-flavored taco shell stuffed with mac.

Order online at iheartmacandcheese.com and stay tuned for more franchise locations expanding to Denton, Frisco and Little Elm.

Visit ruthiesfoodtrucks.com, or follow on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter @ruthiesforgood to see their full menu and where to find Ruthie’s next. This August and September, that includes special events at Dallas Arboretum and the Perot Museum. Last year they announced plans to open a brick-and-mortar restaurant on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, so stay tuned for updates.

It’s not only the food that sets Ruthie’s apart but its philanthropic mission. Owner and founder Ashlee Hunt Kleinert, who named the business in honor of her grandmother, partners with Café Momentum to employ at-risk youth, and through the Ruthie’s Snacks of Kindness program, they’ve handed out more than 13,280 sandwiches to the community members, schools, hospitals and first-responders. Have a worthy recipient you want to nominate to receive free sandwiches? Let them know by emailing info@ruthiesrollingcafe.com.

TEXAS MAC AND CHEESE FORT WORTH FOOD TRUCK

Owners John and Gayle, who operate this unique food truck in Fort Worth, have a knack for the mac. Their house recipe, called Just the Mac, is a secret blend of four cheeses, topped with grated white cheddar and housemade bread crumbs.

Their brisket mac and cheese, and fried chicken bites on top of mac and cheese, are among the top-requested menu items, with more savory options like pulled pork or smoked sausage, even loaded tater tots and a mac and cheese dog.

But what they’re best known for is their mac and cheese balls—made with double the cheese, then rolled, battered and fried. When the cooler months finally hit, ask about their cinnamon balls with icing. Follow on Facebook and Instagram at @gettexasmac.

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➽ ABOVE: The Landry family was photographed by noted Dallas

photographer John Haynsworth, who shot multiple covers for this magazine. // LEFT: In the article, the couple shared their parenting philosophy.

HOME TEAM: To North Texans, Tom and Alicia Landry were iconic figures: the man who led the Dallas Cowboys to 20 consecutive winning seasons, and the gracious woman beside him. To their family, they were Coach and Honey—committed, loving parents and grandparents. Readers of DallasChild had an opportunity to see this side of the couple in September 1990.

The Landrys were among the notable grandparents we interviewed for that month’s issue, and they graced our cover along with then-10-year-old Ryan and 7-year-old Jennifer, the children of Landry daughter Kitty Landry Phillips. Alicia Landry (who grew up in Dallas and met her husband as students at the University of Texas) shared that morals and manners were highly valued in their household. “We always tried to set a good example,” she noted.

“If you expect children to behave a certain way, you have to show them by acting that way yourself.”

They also set an example for the community. Widely considered a “class act,” as one newspaper headline described Coach Landry, the couple dedicated time to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and encouraged organ donation, among other causes.

Nine years after our article was published, the legendary coach was diagnosed with leukemia. He passed away in 2000 at the age of 75, preceded by daughter Lisa, who died of cancer in 1995. Alicia Landry carried on her husband’s legacy until her death at age 91 in 2021. Last year also marked the opening of the Tom and Alicia Landry Family Collection, a permanent exhibit of the Dallas Historical Society at Fair Park’s Hall of State. It includes items from Coach Landry’s childhood, Lombardi trophies, and—of course—his trademark fedora.

—Alexis Patterson

Looking back 62

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DALLASCHILD COVER: JOHN HAYNSWORTH

past + present

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