County Parents - august 2010

M A R C H 2 0 10 • F R E E 10 EXTRACURRICULAR GUIDE PAGE

AUGUST 2010 • FREE

New School Year

ROUTINES

Expanding World View: 2nd Grade

“Four Shore” Boredom Busters

CALENDAR OF EVENTS FAMILY CRAFTS

Nature Bend PAGE

5

Healthy Family PAGE

13

Calendar PAGE

17

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CONTENTS A UGUST 2010

FEATURE 8

Back to School: New School Year Routines

PAGE

10

GUIDE 10

PAGE

Extracurricular Guide

8

DEPARTMENTS 5

Noodles Community Connections: Nature Bend; Cool Kids: Youth Volunteed Expo; Show & Tell; Reading Corner BY

13

S TACEY A LATZAS

Healthy Family Health Notes BY

K ATHY S ENA

15

Family Fun Guide Family Crafts: Boredom Busters BY

D ENISE M ORRISON Y EARIAN

Calendar of Events

25

PAGE

15

Making the Grade Expanding World View: 2nd Grade BY

S TACEY A LATZAS

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PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE

Contact Us: Mail: Delta Graphics & Communications P.O. Box 1666 Bel Air, MD 21014 Phone: 410-893-1511 Fax: 410-893-2727 Email: delta@aboutdelta.com Web site: www.CountyParents.com Advertising: Peter Fernandez, ext. 107, peterf@aboutdelta.com Editorial: Joan Fernandez, ext. 105, joanf@aboutdelta.com Contributing Writers Stacey Alatzas Kathy Sena Denise Morrison Yearian Calendar/Resource listings: Visit www.CountyParents.com to submit events via an online form in the Calendar section, fax 410-893-2727 or mail to Delta Graphics, Inc., P.O. Box 1666, Bel Air, MD 21014

Vacation to School Routines As we turn the corner on summer and look towards the start of a new school year, we’ve still got a little time for fun left.

If you’re heading away from the August heat to the cool waters of the ocean, check out our “Four Shore” Boredom Busters on page 15 for some hands-on kids and family activities.

From s’mores, aquascopes and fish prints to beach bullseye and beach books, you have something to do for almost every day of the week. If you’ll be nearby in August, check out our calendar for plenty of activities and two big local festivals mid-month.

Towards the end of the month, school beckons and we need to pivot from vacation to school routines. Read “New School Year Routines” on page 8 for a dozen good ideas to help get you and your family back on track. If you have an elementary-aged child heading into second grade soon, you’ll also want to read our Making the Grade department. You’ll learn how their world broadens and what you can do now to start expanding their view of the world.

And, traversing both fun and enrichment, is our annual Extracurricular Guide. It’s a great resource for new activities and organizations. What you see in print is just a glimpse; check out our online listings for more information and mapped locations.

Hope you and your family have a happy end to the summer,

County Parents is published monthly by Delta Graphics & Communications. Copyright © 2010 Delta Graphics, Inc. All rights reserved. County Parents is distributed free of charge in family-friendly locations as well as direct mailed.

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Teach children strong financial habits...

County Parents reserves the right to refuse advertising for any reason.

Distribution of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services herein. Although every effort is taken to ensure accuracy of published material, Delta Graphics, Inc., its principals, employees, or any of the authors presenting information within the County ParentsTM magazine and web site cannot be held responsible for the use or misuse of any information contained herein.

The contents of the magazine and web site are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

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. . . with The Money Mammals®. Showing kids how to “Share and Save

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and Spend Smart Too™”!

www.pbcu.com/rusaving 410.584.PBCU(7228) Choose Point Breeze if you work, worship, are members of and/or volunteer ĨŽƌ ĂŶ ŽƌŐĂŶŝnjĂƟŽŶ ůŽĐĂƚĞĚ ǁŝƚŚŝŶ ϮϬͲŵŝůĞƐ ŽĨ Ă ďƌĂŶĐŚ͘ Bel Air Branch 410 S. Atwood Rd Bel Air, MD 21014

4

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Hunt Valley Branch 11104 McCormick Rd Hunt Valley, MD 21031

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COOL KIDS

Nature Bend BY

S TACEY A LATZAS

R

ebecca Gallo of Havre de Grace knew that if she hoped to inspire children to love nature as much as she does, she’d have to catch them when they’re young.

Three years ago she started Nature Bend, an organization offering naturethemed clubs, camps and birthday parties for elementary school children.

“Younger kids are sponges for information and they haven’t been told snakes are bad or spiders are yucky,” she says.

The Harford Technical High School graduate, who went on to get a college

degree in natural resources wildlife technology, brings her lessons about how to be good stewards of the earth to children through Nature Bend, which now has a classroom at the Havre de Grace Maritime Museum.

She offers Nature Clubs for schools, neighborhoods or daycare facilities where she will bring her program to a group of up to 12 children to teach them all the good things that spiders can do along with other nature-themed lessons.

She teaches camp programs for 3- to 5-

(410) 879-3566

(410) 838-1114

year-olds take nature walks and learn how plants and animals fit into the food chain through stories, games and songs.

Starting Aug. 17, she’s teaching three programs for children ages 6 to 12 at the Maritime Museum: Nature and the Arts Club, Nature’s Lunch Bunch and Nature’s Crafty Kids. To register, call (410) 9394800.

For more information, visit www.aroundthebendnature.com, call Gallo at (410) 459-8873 or email her at scout564@msn.com.

www.tots2teensdental.com

NEW PATIENTS! Mention County Parents Magazine and receive Toothprints FREE!

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5

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

Youth Volunteer Expo BY

S TACEY A LATZAS

event, hand out water to walkers, run activities like face painting and serve hot dogs. Many of them walk in the event as well.

“They’re definitely getting a sense of the community,” Harford County Community Director for the March of Dimes Heather Lynch says of her young volunteers. She says children as young as 12 are welcome to volunteer as long as a parent joins them.

For more information, visit www.marchofdimes.com/howtohelp/864.as p.

The American Red Cross Greater

Chesapeake & Potomac Blood Services Region also plans to offer volunteering

I

f your kids are looking to volunteer to fulfill their school service requirements or simply to give back to the community, they’ll likely find the right opportunity at the Harford County Department of Community Services’ 1st Annual Youth Volunteer Expo on Sept. 25.

“We receive a lot of calls from people wanting volunteer opportunities for their children or youth groups wanting a proj-

ect, so we figured it would make sense to have a volunteer expo geared specifically towards youth since that is where we see a need,” says Harford County Community Resources Coordinator Jennifer Davis.

The March of Dimes plans to be at the expo to look for young people interested in helping out with their March for Babies walk-a-thon held in Forest Hill each April.

Kids help the organizers set up the

opportunities at the expo.

Susan Herdegen, administrator for the organization’s Office of Volunteers, says she’s looking for volunteers at least 14 years old to help greet and serve refreshments to blood donors who come to Red Cross blood drives and to the American Red Cross Donor Center in Bel Air. “A lot of kids like it because it gets them interacting with people on a one-to-one basis. It’s a good cause and they feel like they’re helping.”

For more information, visit www.redcrossblood.org/volunteerops/gcp.

The expo is free and open to the public and will be held 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The John Carroll School, 703 E. Churchville Rd., Bel Air. For more information, call (410) 638-3389 or (410) 638-4444 or visit www.volunteerharford.org/.

Extreme Family Entertainment Co.

Summer Sale

Magicians•Clowns Costume Characters Balloon Artists Face Painting

ends Aug. 28th

EXTREME FAMILY PRIVATE PARTY ROOMS FOR YOUR EVENT Columbia 410-992-0992

Severna Park 410-544-5222 MD, VA & DC’s Play Equipment Headquarters 1-800-22 SWING Mt. Airy 301-829-4228 Indoor Showroom

6

playgroundsuperstores.com/family

www.COUNTYPARENTS.com

Indoor Moon Bounce Slide•Foosball Tables Video Games & MORE!

For more information call (410) 515-2400 or visit www.extremeballoons.com

SHOW & TELL Ultimate Beach Ball Sprinkler A unique sprinkler combining beach ball action with wild water play. Inflate the ball; hook it up to a hose, water sprays out of four different spray heads. Kick it around the yard or fill up a water pouch in the bottom and make it a stationary sprinkler.

Parents’ Choice Fun Stuff Award Ages: 18 months - 8 yrs.

Manufacturer: The Little Tikes Company Price: $10.00

Llama Llama Misses Mama

by Anna Dewdney

Boochie Boochie is a fun new ball game that can be easily played by both parents and kids, indoors and out. In the game, players throw the 12-sided boochie ball, then take turns throwing their smaller bean ball and rings, trying to get as close as possible to the boochie ball. The winner is the one who scores 11 first.

Designed for 2-4 players, the game includes 4 toss rings, 4 bean balls, 4 wrist trackers, 1 12sided Boochie Ball, a vinyl travel bag and rules. The game is great fun and lasts from 5-20 minutes. Although recommended for ages 8 and up, we couldn’t keep our 6-8 year old observers from playing.

Parents’ Choice Silver Honor Ages: 8 & Up Manufacturer: Gamewright Price: $34.99

Little Tikes Drive, Chip & Putt Golf Trainer The Little Tikes Drive, Chip & Putt Golf Trainer is fun introduction to golf for the youngest PGA hopeful.

The set includes 2 balls, 2 clubs with storage on the base and the flags are removable for putting practice.

Parents’ Choice Fun Stuff Award Ages: 2 - 6 yrs.

Manufacturer: The Little Tikes Company Price: $24.99 the nation’s oldest nonprofit consumer group dedicated to reviewing children’s toys, books,

It is Llama Llama’s first day of nursery school, and his mama makes sure he is ready for it!

Llama Llama meets his new teachers, and some of the children in his class. He is also excited about all of the books and games at school. It comes time for mama to leave.

But is Llama Llama ready for mama to leave him? Will he have fun after she leaves?

When will mama come back?

True Green Kids: 100 Things You Can Do To Save the Planet

by Kim McKay and Jenny Bonnin

True Green Kids encourages children and their parents to begin a ‘green’ adventure through a sequence of fun and practical ideas that help kids become a driving force for ecological change in their home and community.

This is an exciting book that will empower young children to make changes for a better planet!

—Courtesy of Harford County Public Library

©2010 Parents’ Choice. Parents’ Choice is video, software, audio, magazines, television and websites. The Parents’ Choice Award seal is recognized throughout the country as the premier mark of children’s media that educate, entertain, and instill positive social values. Learn more about Parents’ Choice at www.parents-choice.org

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FEATURE

New School Year

ROUTINES BY

D ENISE M ORRISON Y EARIAN

At the start of every school year there is an excitement that fills the air: New classes, new teachers, new friends—and new routines! To help your children adjust to new school year schedules and routines, consider these twelve suggestions.

1

REFLECT AND RESOLVE. Think about situations that posed problems in last year’s routine and work through solutions with your kids so they don’t become issues again. “I know it’s hard for you to get up in the morning.

How do you suggest we go about it this year?” Build in incentives to increase their motivation.

2

SHIFT SLEEP SCHEDULES. One to two weeks before classes begin, start transitioning your children to their new bedtime and wake-up schedules. Gradually alter the time by fifteen minutes to a half hour so the change isn’t a shock to their system.

3

STOP BY THE SCHOOL. If your school has a designated pre-visitation day, take advantage of this time to meet the teacher and see the classroom. If it doesn’t, call and ask if you can stop by so your child can get acclimated to the environment and alleviate some first-day jitters. This is particularly important if he is moving to a new school or beginning to have multiple teachers and classroom changes.

4

LAY HOLD OF LEARNING. Ideally your kids should be reading and writing all summer, but if they haven’t, get back into the regimen right away. Set aside an hour or two each day to read together, see an educational movie and take field trips to the library, science center or museum. Also search online for grade-appropriate worksheets and have your child complete one each day.

5

ESTABLISH ACADEMIC GOALS. Talk with your children about establishing academic goals for the school year: “What kinds of grades do you want to make?

What do you need to do to accomplish this?” Help them decide on three strategies to meet that goal, then have them write it down and post it in their study area. Build in rewards and celebrate little successes along the way.

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6

CREATE A FAMILY CALENDAR. Place a large family calendar in a central location and write in after-school activities, practices, projects, appointments, meeting and events. For easy reference, designate a different colored marker for each person.

Teach your children to transfer items from their agenda books to the calendar when they come home from school each day.

7

LAYOUT EXPECTATIONS. Before school starts set ground rules with regard to homework, afterschool activities, chores, bedtime and computer and TV usage. If you anticipate a problem, create a written agreement and have both parties sign it so there’s no vacillation in rules.

8

REGULAR RAP SESSIONS. Carve out time each day when you and your child can talk about what happened at school. Ask open-ended questions: “What did you learn in social studies?” “What new friends have you made?” “How are you adjusting to changing classes?” If you detect a problem, follow up until the situation is resolved.

Full Day or Half Day Camps Plus a Special 3-Day Camp for Preschoolers

9

HOLD FAMILY MEETINGS. Establish a dedicated time once a week to discuss past, present and future events. Post a piece of paper on the refrigerator that serves as an agenda. As the week unfolds encourage everyone— parents and kids—to jot down items on the paper they want to address during this time. Keep the meetings positive and let everyone participate. Consider coupling it with a pizza and movie night or a makeyour-own sundae party.

10

PONDER P.M. PREPARATIONS. To reduce morning stress, prepare the night before. Pack lunches, lay out clothes and put papers into backpacks then gather everything you need for the next day and place it by the door so you can grab it and go. If lunches need to be refrigerated, put a sticky note with your other items as a reminder to take it when you leave.

11

MAKE A “TO-DO LIST ” For children who have problems staying on task, create a morning “To-do list” and post it in their bedroom or bathroom. Keep it simple: Make bed, get dressed, eat breakfast, brush teeth, comb hair. As they complete items have them put a checkmark. Offer incentives for completing activities independently and on time for a full week.

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SECURE STUDY TIME. Establish a designated study space that is quiet, comfortable and free of outside stimuli, and have supplies readily on hand. The time of day should be consistent too. Some kids do best completing homework right after school; others need a break before starting their work. Find a time that works best for your child and stick with it.

Maryland’s Premier Ice Skating & Hockey Facility

Air Conditioned Facility!

Gymnastics, Swimming, Games & Cheer Tumbling Camps

NOW REGISTERING

SKATING FUN FOR EVERYONE! Learn to Skate Classes Forming Now! • Public Skating - Bring the Family!

We Do Birthday Parties! • School and Church Rentals Welcome!

Summer Camps for Skating and Hockey Enthusiasts of all levels!

Youth and Adult Hockey Classes and Leagues Group Discounts and Party Packages Available

Daily Camp Drop-In Available!

410-879-3718

www.harfordgymnastics.com

Cool Tunes. Good Friends. Hot Food. Fast Ice! THE COOL PLACE TO CHILL

1300 Gover nor s Cour t • Abi ngdon, MD • ( 410) 612- 1000

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Extracurricular Guide Adventure

Academic

Anita C. Leight Estuary Center

700 Otter Point Rd.

Abingdon

410-612-1688

Baltimore County Public Library

Baltimore County Sailing Center

2200 Rocky Point Rd.

Baltimore

410-391-0196

Cecil County Public Library

Bel Air Parks & Recreation Committee

525 W. MacPhail Rd.

Bel Air

410-638-3528

Harford County Public Library

Boy Scouts of America

701 Wyman Park Dr.

Baltimore

443-573-2526

Eden Mill Nature Center

1617 Eden Mill Rd.

Pylesville

410-836-3050

4806 Seton Dr.

Baltimore

706 Cagney Ct. 800 Conowingo Rd.

Huntington Learning Center

320 York Rd.

Towson

410-887-8100

301 Newark Ave.

Elkton

410-996-5600

1221 A Brass Mill Rd.

Belcamp 410-273-5600

565 Baltimore Pike

Bel Air

410-420-3020

Sylvan Learning Center

615 Bel Air Rd., #661

Bel Air

410-420-7340

410-358-9711

Harford County Boys & Girls Club

525 W. MacPhail Rd., McFaul Ctr.

Bel Air

410-838-3354

Bel Air

443-617-4055

Music Land

200 Gateway Dr.

Bel Air

410-838-2079

Bel Air

410-420-2371

North Harford Parks and Recreation

5310 Norrisville Rd.

100 E. Pennsylvania Ave., Towson Suite 202

410-494-1480

Noteworthy Music, LLC

2112 Belair Rd.

Girl Scouts of Central Maryland

Arts/Music Bel Air Music Studios Blue Dog Arts Café Children’s Chours of Maryland

County Ballet Dance Studio 2232 Old Emmorton Rd.

Bel Air

410-569-0316

Dance Conservatory of Maryland

701 Whitaker Mill Rd.

Dancemoves Studio of Dance

3001 Rolling Green Dr. Churchville 410-515-4284

Joppa

410-877-3281

Rage Box Contemporary Dance Center Teelin School of Irish Dance Theatreworks Live!

Diamond Dance Center International Academy Of Dance Joyful Sounds School of Music

136 Industry Lane 3739 Federal Hill Rd.

Forest Hill

410-638-6332

Jarrettsville 410-557-2868

21 B Newport Dr.

Forest Hill

410-638-8979

Maryland Conservatory of Music

701 Churchville Rd.

Bel Air

410-399-9900

Maryland School of Ballet and Modern Dance

115 N. Main St.

Bel Air

410-638-5188

Hickory Child Development Center

Kindergarten Openings 2430 Conowingo Road Bel Air, Maryland 21015 410-838-8290 410-838-8290 10

Peabody Preparatory

www.COUNTYPARENTS.com

121A Industry Ln. Ste. 2

410-420-7200

Forest Hill 410-879-7243

335 Homeland Southway Baltimore 443-629-7808 #3A

Totally Twirlin’/Totally Dancin’ 2108 Emmorton Rd. at The Ladies Total Fitness

White Pines Music Studio

Fallston

21 E. Mount Vernon Pl. Baltimore 410-659-8100

P.O. Box 685

White Marsh Ballet Academy

White Hall 410-638-3616

Bel Air

410-897-9821

Bel Air

410-569-9690

5022 Campbell Blvd., Baltimore 410-931-3844 Suite 1 1857 Robinson Mill Rd. Darlington 410-399-2241

Wilson Ministry Center

1024 Main St.

Young People’s Theatre Project

1809 Connolly Rd.

Darlington 410-836-3555 Fallston

410-458-0781

BEAT THE SUMMER HEAT AT OUR WATER PARK! BIRTH We have Tall Slides, Water Tag Mazes, PACKADAY AVAIL GES Slip-N-Slides, Moon Bounces, or come visit ABLE ! our Indoor Air Conditioned Inflatable Funzone!

Water Park is open 7 days a week starting on Memorial Day For more info call

FREESTATE SPORTS ARENA

410-335-6400 or visit www.freestatesports.com

5811 Allender Road • P.O. Box 262 • White Marsh, MD 21162 (Off Rt. 40)

Sports 111 Glenville Rd.

Churchville 410-836-2080

Olney Farms

1001 Old Joppa Rd

Joppa

410-877-1887

1955 Pulaski Highway

Edgewood 410-679-8444

Performance Sports & Dance

1809 Fashion Way Suites 104-105

Joppa

410-937-2426

22 Newport Dr.

Forest Hill

410-420-7665

Rolling Hills Ranch Freedom 55 Rolling Hills Ranch Hills Therapeutic Riding Prog.

Lane

Baltimore County Sailing Center

2200 Rocky Point Rd.

Baltimore

410-391-0196

Baltimore Tennis Patrons

1107 Kenilworth Dr. Ste 101

Baltimore

410-296-2100

Bel Air Athletic Club

658 Boulton St.

Bel Air

410-838-2670

Bel Air Golf Center

3103 Bel Air Rd.

Kingsville

410-817-4653

c/o PSDC, 1809 Fashion Way

Bel Air

443-866-3177

ACPR Gymnastics AMF Edgewood Lanes Aqua Culture Swim School

Rutledge Ridge Farm

3322 Hazelwood Dr.

Fallston

410-557-6021

Sekai Martial Arts

2304 Churchville Rd.

Bel Air

410-734-9545

224 Baltimore Pike

Bel Air

410-879-3176

2304 Churchville Rd.

Bel Air

410-734-7300

The First Tee Harford County

599 Rockland Rd.

Rockland

410-273-7488

The Sandlot Baseball & Softball Academy

98 Industry Lane

Forest Hill

410-420-8442

Underwater Playground

1105 Business Center Way

Edgewood

410-679-6413

US Taekwondo Academy

109A N. Main St.

Bel Air

443-243-4124

101 Walter Ward Blvd.

Abingdon

410-679-9622

Tae Kwon Do Masters The Arena Club

Bel Air STARS Cheerleading Chesapeake Bay Golf Club Chung’s TKD Martial Arts

1500 Chesapeake Club Dr. North East 410-287-0200 5 Bel Air South Parkway

Cool Meadows Horse Farm

3811 Jarrettsville Pike

Elite Martial Arts

1371 Brass Mill Rd., #F

Bel Air

410-569-3345

Jarrettsville 410-557-7442 Belcamp

Y of Central Maryland

410-272-6336

Parks & Rec. Centers

Fairwinds Farms & Stables

41 Tailwinds Lane

North East 410-658-8187

Fellowship of Christian Athletes

2806 Wesleyan Dr.

Churchville 443-299-9566

Aberdeen Parks and Recreation

401 Oakington Rd.

Forest Hill Lanes

One Maurice Dr.

Forest Hill

410-838-4477

Baltimore County Dept. of Rec. and Parks

Freedom Martial Arts & Wellness Center

1202-E Agora Dr.

Bel Air

410-836-9191

Belcamp Parks and Recreation

Freestate Sports Arena

5811 Allender Rd.

Harford County Boys & Girls Club

525 W. MacPhail Rd.

Bel Air

410-838-3354

Dublin-Darlington Parks and Recreation

1330 Bennett Pl.

Bel Air

410-638-8415

Edgewood Rec. & Community 1980 Brookside Dr. Center Summer Camp

2213 Old Emmorton Rd

Bel Air

410-638-3977

Elkton Parks and Recreation

701 Whitaker Mill Rd.

Joppa

410-879-3718

Emmorton Parks and Recreation

20 Custis St.

Aberdeen

410-272-3555

Fallston Parks and Recreation

2633 Smallwood Dr.

Abingdon

410-436-5198

Forest Hill Parks and Recreation

Ice World

1300 Governor Ct.

Abingdon

410-612-1000

John Burdyck’s Black Belt

3913 Pulaski Hwy

Abingdon

Harford Community Tennis Assn.

Harford County Tennis Center Harford Gymnastics Harford Lanes Harford Ski Club

Kinetic Youth Academy 1809 Fashion Ct., Ste. 103

Port Deposit 410-378-3817

White Marsh 410-335-6400

Cecil County Parks and Recreation

Havre de Grace 410-939-6767

301 Washington Ave.

Towson

410-887-3804

111 Glenville Rd.

Churchville

410-638-3853

17 Wilson Rd.

Rising Sun

410-392-2333

351 Lewis Lane

Havre de Grace 410-273-5623 Edgewood

410-612-1606

P.O. Box 157

Elkton

410-398-2333

2213 Old Emmorton Rd.

Bel Air

410-638-3988

864 Smith Lane

Fallston

410-638-3559

2213 Commerce Rd. Suite 2

Forest Hill

410-638-3616

Harford County Parks & Recreation

34 N Philadelphia Blvd.

Aberdeen

410-273-5623

410-676-1776

Havre De Grace Parks & Recreation

700 Congress Ave.

Joppa

410-676-0021

Hickory/Fountain Green Parks and Recreation

1512 Old Joppa Rd.

Joppa

410-638-3616

Havre de Grace 410-939-6724

Maryland Fencing Club

3011 Emmorton Rd.

Abingdon

410-569-1452

Jarrettsville Parks and Recreation

5310 Norrisville Rd.

White Hall

410-692-7820

Maryland Sports Arena

2723 Pulaski Hwy.

Edgewood 410-538-7300

Joppatowne Parks and Recreation

100 Kearney Dr.

Joppa

410-612-1608

My Gym Children’s Fitness Center

1206-C Agora Dr.

5310 Norrisville Rd.

White Hall

410-692-7820

Bel Air

410-838-3042

Norrisville Parks and Recreation

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11

DIGITAL EDITION More Ways to Keep the Kids Busy!

• • • •

Expanded Extracurricular and Summer Camp Listings Search by Activity and Location Easy to pinpoint mapped locations Additional profile information

You can read a digital edition of CountyParents.com Magazine.

No additional software needed.

Click on the icon on the web site and use your browser to read the publication. Get each issue faster than you now can in the rack or in the mail. And, help us all to “go green” by saving paper.

Visit www.CountyParents.com to sign-up.

Access – Access the digital edition at any time.

Read – Read the publication much as you would the printed version by “flipping” through the pages.

Link – Link to web sites, email and advertisers for more information about their products/services by clicking on ads.

Search – Search throughout the publication by keyword.

Share – You can easily share entire issues or selected articles with your friends and colleagues through the Tools button.

Enhancements – Content in addition to that found in print will also soon be available in the digital edition.

Bonus Editorial

Look for additional resources and articles not found in the print edition.

12

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HEALTHY FAMILY

Health Notes B Y K ATHY S ENA

DON’T PAINT THE NURSERY JUST YET Have you consulted one of the increasingly popular online Chinese calendar charts to predict your baby’s sex? A University of Michigan epidemiologist recommends that you hold off on painting the nursery pink or blue.

Eduardo Villamor, M.D., along with colleagues in Sweden and Boston, found that the “Chinese lunar calendar” method of predicting a baby’s sex is no more accurate than flipping a coin.

“We didn’t undertake this study with the goal of being myth-busters. We were just curious about it, really,” Villamor says.

“But based on our results, I would not trust these predictions whatsoever.”

Villamor and his colleagues reviewed

records of 2.8 million Swedish births, between 1973 and 2006, to test the accuracy of the Chinese lunar calendar method.

The technique involves converting the mother’s age and the month of conception to dates on the Chinese lunar calendar, then plugging those dates into a chart that purportedly predicts the baby’s sex.

Conversion tables and Chinese birth charts are available on numerous websites and continue to grow in popularity. “The whole thing sounds pretty nonsensical.

There is no information on the rationale behind the chart and we couldn’t think of a biological basis for it,” says Villamor.

“Even though we were skeptical, we tried to keep an open mind, and we just analyzed the data to see if there is anything to it. There isn’t.”

Some of the Chinese lunar calendar websites claim accuracy rates of up to 93 percent. But when Villamor and his colleagues compared the Swedish birth records to the charts’ predictions, they found that the Chinese charts were correct about 50 percent of the time — the same accuracy rate you’d get from flipping a coin.

BLOOD TEST FOR NEWBORNS CAN HELP ASSESS ALLERGY RISK, RESEARCHERS SAY A simple blood test can help predict whether newborn babies are at high risk of developing allergies as they grow older, thanks to research being conducted at the University of Adelaide in Australia.

Professor Tony Ferrante, an immunologist at the Children’s Research Centre at the U of A, says the new marker may be the most significant breakthrough in allergy testing for some decades.

“A protein in the immune cells of newborns appears to hold the answer as to whether a baby will either be protected or susceptible to the development of allergies later on,” Ferrante says. Amounts of the cell-signaling protein, called “protein

kinase C zeta,” are much lower in children at risk of allergies, he explains.

Professor Ferrante says the blood test is far more effective than previous indicators, such as a family’s clinical history or measuring the allergy-inducing antibody IgE. In collaboration with Professor Susan Prescott from the University of Western Australia, Ferrante’s research team has refined the new marker for allergy risk, originally discovered in 2007, but now modified to a simple and manageable blood test at birth.

“Newborns in the U.S. are not being tested for this protein currently,” says Neil Kao, M.D., FAAAAI, an allergist practicing

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13

in Greenville, South Carolina. He notes that more testing and follow-up would be required before this blood test becomes standard practice in the U.S. Here’s an interesting side note to the research: The U of A researchers also are looking at whether fish-oil supplements, when given to both pregnant women and those who have just given birth, can reduce the risk of their children developing allergies. “There is evidence that the levels of this important protein increase with fish-oil supplementation to protect against allergy development,” Ferrante says.

OBESITY IN TEEN GIRLS MAY LEAD TO DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have found that obesity in teenage girls is a risk factor for developing depressive symptoms. “This is important, because depressive symptoms are considered a precursor to major depression,” says Kerri Boutelle, Ph.D., associate professor of pediatrics and psychiatry at UCSD. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease and Prevention, childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years. The prevalence of obesity among adolescents ages 12 to 19 increased from 5.0 percent to 18.1 percent in 2008. Similarly, the National Survey on

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Drug Use and Health, an annual survey sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, found that 2 million youths ages 12 to 17 experienced at least one major depressive episode in 2007.

Knowing that the teenage years are often a tumultuous period in a young person’s life, Boutelle and her colleagues set out to determine whether obesity contributes to the development of depression among youth. The study was published in the medical journal Health Psychology.

Using a structured psychiatric-interview test, assessors gathered responses from almost 500 girls between ages 13 and 16. To receive a diagnosis of depression, the girls had to report the presence and severity of at least five symptoms. At each of four yearly assessments, the girls were weighed and measured. Data from the interviews indicated that obese status was associated with an increase in depressive symptoms, but not major depression.

“Based on our findings, I would encourage parents, teachers and physicians to monitor overweight and obese girls for depressive symptoms, and refer them for evaluation if they are concerned,” says Boutelle.

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FAMILY CRAFTS

“Four Shore” Boredom Busters BY

D ENISE M ORRISON Y EARIAN

If too much sitting in the sun, surfing the waves and building sand castles leaves your children asking, “What else can we do at the beach?” transform last night’s pizza box into a solar oven or turn that empty coffee can into an aquascope. Following are “four shore” activities guaranteed to keep boredom at bay.

SUNNY DAY S’MORES

Items needed: Empty pizza box; pencil; ruler; craft knife or scissors; aluminum foil; glue stick; black construction paper; tape; clear plastic wrap; graham crackers; chocolate bars; marshmallows; 12-inch stick.

S TEP

Place two graham crackers on the black construction paper. Put a chocolate bar on top of one cracker and marshmallows on top of the other. Close the box lid.

7

Use a stick to prop open the flap so the chocolate and marshmallows are in direct sun until they melt.

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Cover both rims with plastic tape to protect yourself from getting cut by sharp edges.

S TEP

Remove both ends of the coffee can so it resembles a cylinder.

S TEP

Items needed: Large coffee can; can opener; waterproof tape (duct); thick rubber bands; clear plastic wrap.

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1 3

S TEP

INLAND BAY AQUASCOPE

Move your solar oven outdoors to a sunny, undisturbed location.

4

S TEP

With the box lid still open, tape clear plastic to the underneath side of the lid on all four sides to form a window over the opening of the flap. Make it as airtight as possible.

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5

S TEP

Open box lid. Glue a second piece of foil to the inside bottom of the box and tape black construction paper over it.

S TEP

S TEP

3 4

Fold the cardboard outward along the uncut portion to form a flap. Glue a sheet of aluminum foil to the inside of the flap.

S TEP

S TEP

2

On the box lid, draw a square that is 1-inch smaller than the outer edge. Use a craft knife or scissors to cut along three sides of the square.

S TEP

S TEP

1

Seal around the outer edges of the plastic wrap with waterproof tape to form a tight seal.

Use your aquascope to view ocean creatures below the water’s surface.

Place plastic food wrap over the bottom end, pulling it tight to remove wrinkles. Secure with several rubber bands. w w w . C O U N T Y P A R E N T S . c o m | AUGUST 2010

continues—

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A Beach Day

by Douglas Florian The Berenstain Bears by the Sea

by Stan & Jan Berenstain Dear Fish

by Chris Gall

1

S TEP

Use a mixture of vinegar and water to rinse the fish. Pat it dry with a paper towel. Repeat this step several times until the slime is removed.

S TEP

2

S TEP

Place paper over the painted fish.

Press paper down, using your hands to gently shape around the rounded edges of the fish’s body without shifting the paper.

S TEP

4 5 6

Sand Castle

by Brenda Shannon Yee Tide Pool

by Paul Fleisher

www.COUNTYPARENTS.com

Gently peel back the paper and view your print.

Repeat these steps to get a second print, applying more paint if needed.

Thoroughly clean paint off the fish before using it for food.

7

If this activity has you hooked, repeat these steps using a t-shirt and fabric paint.

BEACH BULLSEYE

Items needed: Sand; stick; shells or rocks.

S TEP

Nate the Great and the Boring Beach Bag

by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat

Lay the fish in a pan. Use a brush to cover the top and sides of the fish with paint.

3

1

Draw a large circle in the sand.

Divide it into sections with points attached to each.

2

S TEP

The Fourth Floor Twins and the Sand Castle Contest

by David A. Adler

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Items needed: Vinegar; white paper; fish (head and scales intact); paper towel; disposable pan; brush; non-toxic tempera paint.

S TEP

BOOKS

FISH PRINTS

S TEP

Over the years Gyotaku has developed into a well-respected art form all over the world with many of these type works on display at art centers around the globe. It’s not just black ink prints on thin paper either.

Today artists use a variety of colors and mediums to produce clothing, banners, home décor and other items.

from previous page

Draw a line 8 feet away from the circle. Players stand behind the line and toss small seashells and rocks into the circle.

3

S TEP

Rainbow Trout, by Jeanette Jobson

Gyotaku is a Japanese art form of fish printing that dates back to the mid 1800s when fishermen used it to record the size and species of their catches. Gyotakus were made either directly or indirectly. The direct method involved painting the fish with black, non-toxic ink. Rice paper was then placed over the fish, carefully smoothed down and removed to produce an exact replica. The indirect method, similar to a coin crayon rubbing, involved placing rice paper over the fish first then applying ink with a silk tampo. When the raised surfaces of the fish came in contact with the paper and ink it produced a scale-by-scale image. After printing was complete, the fish was washed, cleaned and sold at the market or prepared by the angler for his meal.

Family Crafts

S TEP

Framed Fish Prints

Tally up points and keep score in the sand. Player with the most points wins.

Calendar of

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Twilight Canoe Trips Eden Mill Nature Center Pylesville

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28 PeachFest Cardiff/Whiteford, MD and Delta, PA

Chesapeake Chessie Joppa HCPL

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Free. For ages 2-K . Registration required and begins 1 week prior to all program/class dates. Jarrettsville HCPL, 3722 Norrisville Road, Jarrettsville. 410-692-7887. 2:00pm.

Magician Mike Rose Presents H2O! The Water Magic Show

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Free. Experience amazing sleight of hand, interactive comedy and off the wall magic with popular magician Mike Rose. For all ages. Registration Required. Bel Air HCPL, 100 E. Pennsylvania Avenue, Bel Air. 410-638-3151. 6:30pm.

Calling All Sailors Storytime Free. For ages 3 -K. Aberdeen HCPL, 21 Franklin Street, Aberdeen. 410-273-5608.

10:15am-11:00am

4 WEDNESDAY Family Campfires

Donations only. Join us as we hear a presentation from our guest speakers and then enjoy making smores around our campfire. This program is fun for all ages! Pre-Registration is required by calling 410-836-3050. Eden Mill Nature Center, 1617 Eden Mill Rd., Pylesville.

410-836-3050. 6:30pm-8:00pm

Look for us at these events!

Visit www.CountyParents.com to search the calendar of events by month and by type of event.

Please call ahead to confirm dates and times on all calendar listings.

$ indicates fee.

Toddler Time at the B&O Railroad Museum $. Visit the B&O Railroad Museum and enjoy story time with a classic railroad children’s book. Toddlers create a craft and take a

kiddie train ride, all included with paid admission. B&O members are free!

Recommended for children between the ages of 2-5. Also held on August 18. B&O Railroad Museum, 901 W. Pratt St., Baltimore. 410752-2490. 10:30am-12:00pm.

6 FRIDAY

Friday Dinner Cruise $. Kick Back and relax! This 2 hour dinner cruise will make you forget the race race. The Lantern Queen, 100 Congress Ave., Havre de Grace. 410-939-1468. 6:30pm-8:30pm.

7 SATURDAY

Tiny Wonders: Hot Wind, Cool Clouds $. Let us answer their questions on topics of high interest for 2-5 year olds. A former teacher works to cultivate a child’s natural curiosity through stories, music, crafts, movement and dramatic play. Pre-registration is required by calling 410-836-3050. Eden Mill Nature Center, 1617 Eden Mill Rd., Pylesville.

410-836-3050. 10:00am-11:15am

Harford County Country Music Festival $. Live music by Walk Ins Welcome. Beer & wine garden, food, kid’s adventure zone, craft vendors & more. 1 pm - 6 pm, Rockfield Manor, Bel Air, 410-638-4565.

9 MONDAY

Chesapeake Chessie Free. What animals live in the largest estuary in the US and in the wetlands in your neighcontinues—

w w w . C O U N T Y P A R E N T S . c o m | AUGUST 2010

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Calendar of Events borhood? A naturalist from the Anita Leight Estuary Center will explain and show insects, fish, frogs, turtles and other living examples.

For grade 1 and up. Registration required.

Joppa HCPL, 655 Towne Center Drive, Joppa.

410-612-1660. 2:00pm

Make a Frog Pond the Ed Emberley Way Free. Learn to make fish, frogs, turtles and other pond creatures using your thumb and other art supplies. For 1st grade and up.

Whiteford HCPL, 2407 Whiteford Road, Whiteford. 410-452-8831. 1:30pm-2:15pm.

10 TUESDAY

Fairy Tales: Storytime in the Gardens $. From the tooth fairy and fairy godmothers to fairies of the forest and gardens, fairies are everywhere looking after us and things in nature. Two sessions: 10:30-11:15am; or 12:30-1:15pm. For ages 2-4 w/adult.

Reservations required, space is limited.

Ladew Topiary Gardens, 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton. 410-557-9570 x226

Thrifty Tuesday at the B&O $. All aboard! The B&O Railroad Museum offers half price admission for all visitors the first Tuesday of every month. Visitors may tour 7 buildings and platforms including the magnificent 1884 roundhouse. Climb on

board a real locomotive and see the most important railroad collection in america.

B&O Railroad Museum, 901 W. Pratt Street, Baltimore. 410-752-2490 x221. 10am-4pm.

11 WEDNESDAY Summer Fair

Free. Enjoy a variety of games, crafts and other activities! For all Ages. Registration is not required. Norrisville HCPL, 5310 Norrisville Road, Norrisville. 410-692-7850.

10:30pm-12:00pm.

Yu-Gi-Oh Dueling Club Free. Activities include beginning instruction, tournaments and free play. For grades 5 and up. Registration is not required. Aderdeen HCPL, 21 Franklin Street, Aberdeen. 410273-5608. 3:00pm-5:00pm

12 THURSDAY

Adoptive/Foster Mom’s Night Out Connect and find support with other moms who share the bond of adopting or fostering.

Open to prospective adoptive and foster moms, too. Open Door Cafe, 528 Bel Air Pike, Bel Air. 410-935-0793. 7:00pm-9:00pm.

Nature storytime Free. Join us for a children’s story and craft related to a theme about nature. Families are welcome to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy

after the program. We request only donations toward the craft for this program.

Pre-registration is required by calling 410-836-3050. Eden Mill Nature Center, 1617 Eden Mill Rd., Pylesville. 11am-12pm

13

FRIDAY

Family Campfires $. Join us at the Pontoon Pier property for food and seasonal fun around the campfire.

Anita C. Leight Estuary Center, 700 Otter Point Road, Abingdon. 410-612-1688.

7:30pm-9:00am.

13-14 FRI. & SAT. Maryland State BBQ Bash

Free. The BBQ Bash features live music with local, regional, and national acts, top quality barbecue and other food vendors, sponsor displays, crafters, various merchant vendors, farmer’ s market, and children’ s entertainment. Opens at 4pm on Fri. and noon on Sat. End at 10pm both days. Mary Risteau (State Office Building) Parking Lot, 108 S. Bond Street, Bel Air. 410-638-1023

Havre de Grace Seafood Festival Free. More than 25 vendors serving more than 135 different foods; 100 Arts & Craft Vendors featuring locally made products; Charity Raffle; live entertainment; Silent Auction. Ends at 7pm on Sat; 6pm on Sun. Tydings Park, Havre de Grace. 10:00am.

13-22 FRI. - SUN. Cal Ripken World Series, Babe Ruth League

Familyy M Matters atters September ptember 2244 55:30 :30 & 77:30 :30 P PM M

Harford H arford Community Communittyy College Collllege

10-0281

Amoss C Amoss Center enter Assigned A ssigned S Seating eating $$12 12 $$99 $$77

TICKETS: ZZZ KDUIRUG HGX FXOWXUDO UG HGX FXOWXUDO 18

www.COUNTYPARENTS.com

Free. August 13-22. This exciting international tournament features 16 teams from around the world and is the culminating tournament of the Babe Ruth League’s 12U Cal Ripken Division. Admission is free but you must request tickets for the World Championship Game on August 22nd. The Ripken Academy, Aberdeen, 410-297-9292, http://crws2010.ripkenbaseball.com/.

14 SATURDAY

Family Movie Night Free. A Bug’ s Life at 7:30pm. All are welcome. Enjoy an evening in the park watching a movie under the stars! Pre-Registration is required by calling 410-836-3050. Eden Mill Nature Center, 1617 Eden Mill Rd., Pylesville.

410-836-3050. 7:30pm.

Rainbow of Hope-Children’s Program at Father Martin’s Ashley $. The Rainbow of Hope Children’ s Program is designed to help children who live in a home with addiction. Through art, games, a puppet show and other fun activities, children learn about the disease of addiction and how to express and cope with many of their feelings. The Rainbow of Hope program is

Calendar of Events designed to help children ages 6 to 14 and their parents/caregivers. Father Martin’s Ashley, 800 Tydings Lane, Havre de Grace.

410-273-2227

17 TUESDAY

Kindergarten Kickoff Free. Excited about starting kindergarten?

Share the fun with stories and a craft. For kids entering K. Two sessions: 11:15 and 2:00pm.

Registration required. Bel Air HCPL, 100 E. Pennsylvania Avenue, Bel Air. 410-638-3151.

Honeybee Hive Maintenance Free. Join our head beekeeper, Cybil Preston, as she demonstrates hive maintenance and answers questions you may have concerning honeybees, crop management, pests and disease, as well as the importance of honeybees. Eden Mill Nature Center, 1617 Eden Mill Rd, Pylesville. 410-836-3050.

4:30pm-5:30pm

18 WEDNESDAY Family Campfires

Join us as we hear a presentation from our guest speakers and then enjoy making smores around our campfire. Donations are accepted to cover the cost of the smores!

Pre-Registration is required by calling 410-836-3050. Eden Mill Nature Center, 1617 Eden Mill Rd., Pylesville. 6:30pm-8pm

Children’s Crafts Day $. Make a craft and take a guided tour at noon of the antique fire engines, a fire house, a variety of historical artifacts, and videos of the Great Baltimore Fire of 1904, one of the worst fires in American History. 11:00 am.

The Fire Museum of Maryland, 1301 York Road, Lutherville, MD 2109, (410) 321-7500.

Maryland Wine Cruise $. Evening sail while enjoying Wine from a local vineyard, cheese & fruit tray.

Reservations req. 7-9pm, Skipjack Martha Lewis, Tydings Park, Havre de Grace, 410-939-4078.

19 THURSDAY

National Aviation Day Celebration

ORGANIZATION CONTACTS Aberdeen HCPL 21 Franklin Street, Aberdeen 410-273-5608 Abingdon HCPL 2510 Tollgate Road, Abingdon 410-638-3990

$. Activities for all ages that recognize Maryland’s contribution to aviation history.11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., Glenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum, 701 Wilson Point Road, Middle River, 410-682-6122.

Bel Air HCPL 100 E. Pennsylvania Ave., Bel Air 410-638-3151

Fiore Wine, Jazz & Art Festival

Eden Mill Nature Center 1617 Eden Mill Road, Pylesville 410-836-3050

21-22 SAT. & SUN.

$. Wine tasting, winery tours, arts and crafts, music and grape-stomping. Food available for purchase. Noon to 6pm. Fiore winery, 3026 whiteford road, pylesville. (410)879-4007.

47th Annual Havre de Grace Art Show Free. The Havre de Grace Art Show is proud to showcase the talents of artists and craftsmen from throughout the country along with entertainment and food. 10am - 5pm, Tydings Park, Havre de Grace 410-939-9342

25 WEDNESDAY

Hide and Seek: Storytime in the Gardens $. Animals have sneaky ways of staying safe.

Learn how some animals hide and some use camouflage. Two sessions: 10:30-11:15am or 12:30-1:15pm. For ages 2-4 w/adult.

Reservations required, space is limited.

Ladew Topiary Gardens, 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton. 410-557-9570 x226.

10:30am-11:15am

Teddy Bear’s Picnic

26 THURSDAY

$. Children bring their favorite bear or doll for a cruise and picnic. Parents welcome.

Reservations req.11am - 12:30 pm, Skipjack Martha Lewis, Tydings Park, Havre de Grace, 410-939-4078.

Free. All are welcome who enjoy children’s literature. Join us for a children’s story and craft related to a theme about nature. continues—

Nature Storytime

Darlington HCPL 1134 Main Street, Darlington 410-638-3750

Edgewood HCPL 629 Edgewood Road, Edgewood 410-612-1600 Fallston HCPL 1461 Fallston Road, Fallston 410-638-3003 Glenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation MuseumMartin State Airport 701 Wilson Point Rd. Hangar 5, Suite 531, Middle River 410-682-6122 Hart’s Amphitheater 3203 Turkey Point Road, Elkton 410-287-2650 Hays House Museum 324 Kenmore Avenue, Bel Air 410-838-7691 Jarrettsville HCPL 3722 Norrisville Road, Jarrettsville 410-692-7887 Jerusalem Mill 2813 Jerusalem Road, Kingsville 410-877-3560 Joppa HCPL 655 Towne Center Drive, Joppa 410-612-1660 Ladew Topiary Garden 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton 410- 557-9466 and press 5 Milburn Stone Theatre Cecil College, One Seahawk Drive North East, 410-287-1037

Toys, Books, Parties and More 17 North Main Street • Bel Air, MD • 21014 • 443 371 6420 • www.tiddlywinkstoys.com

Pell Gardens 108 Bohemia Avenue, Chesapeake City 410-392-5740 Port Discovery 35 Market Place, Baltimore 410-727-8120 Rockfield Manor 501 Churchville Rd., Bel Air 410-273-5600

w w w . C O U N T Y P A R E N T S . c o m | AUGUST 2010

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Calendar of Events Families are welcome to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy after the program. We request only donations toward the craft.Pre-registration is required by calling 410-836-3050. Eden Mill Nature Center, 1617 Eden Mill Rd., Pylesville.

410-836-3050. 11am-12pm

27 FRIDAY

Greencorn Night Hike & Campfire Our last campfire program of the summer!

Native Americans depended on corn, beans, & squash. We will make popcorn & s’mores over the fire. $. 8-9:30pm. Oregon Ridge Nature Center, 13555 Beaver Dam Road, Cockeysville, 410-887-1815.

28 SATURDAY PeachFest

Free. Come enjoy the last sweet days of summer and some good old fashioned community spirit. In addition to celebrating the peach crop from local growers, the festival will showcase local arts and crafts vendors.

Plus, entertainment from 12:00pm - 4:00pm on three stages. Main Street - Cardiff/ Whiteford, MD and Delta, PA, Whiteford.

443-528-7730. 10:00am-6:00pm.

Fairies & Elves $. Learn all about these mysterious inhabitants of the forest. Enjoy crafting houses for

them & make a craft to take home. Age 4+.

2-4 pm. 8-9:30pm. Oregon Ridge Nature Center, 13555 Beaver Dam Road, Cockeysville, 410-887-1815.

Come chat, play, get advice and attend family outings. Meets every Monday. Church of Holy Spirit. 540 Joppa Farm Rd., Joppa. 410612-9198. 10am-12pm

2010 Party on the Plaza Concert Series

Twilight Canoe Trips

Free. The Avenue at White Marsh, 8125 Honeygo Blvd, Baltimore. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy local music by Lawnchair. 7-9pm 410-931-0411.

Midsummer Concert Series $. Boordy Vineyards, 12820 Long Green Pike, Hydes, MD 21082, Dance under the stars, enjoy reggae music by Mystic Vibrations while picnicking on the rolling hills of Maryland’s oldest winery. 5:45-9:30 pm 410592-5015.

29 SUNDAY

Housework at Hampton Free. Ranger Laura will lead this 60 minute tour about housework in the 18th and 19th centuries. Hampton National Historic Site, 535 Hampton Lane, Towson, 410-823-1309.

ONGOING Harford County Mocha Moms Support Group Free. Harford County Mocha Mom’s is for you! Mocha Mom’s is a nationwide support group for mom’s of color but all are welcome.

N THE WEB www.COUNTYPARENTS.com

Find more details, maps and search capabilities on our site!

KidsZone is Now Open! featuring 6 Game Stations with Recliners

$. A collection of beautifully written songs by Stephen Schwartz, Godspell’s message of love and happiness denies any real sectarian boundaries that might be expected in a play about Christ and His teachings. Buffet included. Toby’s Baltimore,Best Western Hotel and Conference Center, 5625 O’Donnell Street, Baltimore.410-649-1660.

Critter Chowdown Free. Join us every Wednesday through October, in the nature center to feed our critters. Take a turn feeding one of the turtles or fish and watch the snakes eat their lunch!

Pre-registration is required! Eden Mill Nature Center, 1617 Eden Mill Rd., Pylesville.

410-836-3050. 3:00pm-4:00pm

Wonder Warehouse $. Expect the unexpected in the Wonder Warehouse showcase of live science. Set in a giant industrial warehouse setting filled with odds and ends, visitors will encounter science like never before. Maryland Science Center, 601 Light Street, Baltimore. 410-685-2370

The Hays House Museum $. The Hays House Museum offers visitors a glimpse into the daily life of a well-to-do family during the Federal period of American history in a house that still retains much of its earliest architecture and materials. The Hays House Museum, 324 Kenmore Ave., Bel Air. 410-838-7691. 1:00pm-4:00pm.

Free. Limit two entries/child. Theme: Spring Time ~ 9inch x 13inch; or smaller paper; on the back, name, address, age and phone number; put in art collection box inside the HdG Public Library during library hours. For children 3 thru 9. 443-502-2562 or 443-5022418. HdG Public Library, 120 N. Union Ave., Havre de Grace. 443-286-2728. 1pm-8pm.

Tuesday Night • FAMILY & KIDS NIGHT! 5-9 p.m.

Children’s Entertainment Magician and Balloon Animation

1 Free Kids Meal per Adult Entree

20

Godspell

Children’s Art Contest

Bring your own games to play!

LOONEY’S PUB NORTH 312 S. Main St, Bel Air 410-803-7080

$. These trips help acquaint the paddlers with the natural surroundings on Deer Creek.

Exploration of the environment, both the land and the water, is enhanced by the use of canoes to travel along Deer Creek. Basic paddling instruction is provided before the trip. Pre-Registration is required. Tues. & Thurs. Eden Mill Nature Center, 1617 Eden Mill Rd., Pylesville. 410-836-3050. 5:45pm8:30pm

• Search by category in drop down menu • Search by City or other keyword

www.COUNTYPARENTS.com

We welcome information about events of interest to families.

Listings are free and need to be submitted for consideration 6 weeks prior to the first of the month in which they are to appear.

Include date, time, location, telephone and email for questions.

Visit www.CountyParents.com to submit events via an online form in the Calendar section, fax 410-893-2727 or mail to County Parents, P.O. Box 1666, Bel Air, MD 21014

Children’s Programs

Kids Club Preschool

Birthday Parties | Club Rental

Our private preschool works to help every child gain the necessary academic and social skills to be successful in elementary school. Limited spaces still available for 2s, 3s and 4s for the 2010-2011 school year.

We offer all-inclusive parties for children of all ages. Choose from BAACsplash, Obstacle Challenge or Extreme Sports parties. Small parties of 20 or fewer children can be held every Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Larger parties can rent portions of, or the whole facility, after the club closes.

Call for information about our Open House in November. Meet the teachers, see the classrooms and find out how Kids Club Preschool can help prepare your child to be successful in kindergarten.

Contact Brian Thomas at 410.838.2670 ext. 245 for additional information.

6 5 8 B O U LTO N S T R E E T | B E L A I R , M D 2 1 0 1 4 | 4 1 0 . 8 3 8. 2 6 7 0 | B e l A i r A t h l e t i c C l u b . c o m CLUB HOURS | MONDAY–FRIDAY, 5:30AM–11PM | SATURDAY, 7AM–7PM | SUNDAY, 8AM–6PM ©Wellbridge 2010

Aquatics

Bel Air Athletic Club Swim School

USA Swim Team at the BAAC

A variety of classes that meet the needs of every age and skill level are offered year-round. Group, private and semi-private lessons available.

It’s not too late to register and learn how much fun competitive club swimming can be. The team provides something for every swimmer from the beginner to the advanced, ages 5 and older.

Swim evaluations available to determine the best level for your child.

Call 410.838.2670 or visit BelAirAthleticClub.com for class times and prices.

We also welcome high school swimmers who are preparing for the upcoming season that starts in November. Contact Ryan MacDonald for additional information.

Kids Activities

BAACpack After School Program Space is still available for the 2010-2011 school year. This licensed after school program provides children with a safe, structured environment. Part-time and full-time options are available for students in kindergarten through middle school. After a day of sitting at a desk, children need the opportunity to play and be active. Our activities are balanced to

allow for homework while giving children the chance to play and have fun. Call for a list of participating schools.

For additional information on either of these programs contact Virginia Green at 410.838.2670 ext. 298, or Nancy Miller at 410838-2670 ext 285.

Dance

Harford Dance Center Students may still register for dance classes for the 2010-2011 season. Ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern and pointe are offered. Classes for the beginner to the advanced dancer. Call for information on classes and times.

Please call for information on our 12 week mini-sessions beginning in January 2011.

Contact Danielle Ragaglia at 410.893.0022.

MAKING THE GRADE

Expanding

World View: BY

S TACEY A LATZAS

2nd Grade

I

Second grade is the time when students’ minds open up to the larger world. They now have the capacity to comprehend more of what they read. Their worlds encompass more than just their neighborhoods. They don’t just solve a math problem, they learn how to explain how they solved it.

t’s a perfect time for parents to help their children make the most of their expanding capabilities.

George J. Toepfer, Supervisor of Social Studies for the Harford County Public Schools says parents can prepare students for these broader concepts by introducing their children to the larger world around them.

“In second grade, we look at the bigger community and where I fit in the world,” he says. “Talk with your kids about the larger world. Show them maps and where places are.”

He says children come to second grade with a wide variety of experiences.

“Some kids have parents in the military and they have already traveled outside the U.S. and others have never been out of Aberdeen.”

He suggests parents take their children to the library to teach them about their communities. Show them the Chesapeake Bay and explain how protecting the waterway helps not just Maryland, but other states as well. Take them to museums and historical sites around town.

“Try to help them develop that world view.”

Forest Hill Elementary School second grade teacher Leslie Cain says children’s broadening capabilities change the focus in math and science as well.

“In second grade, students can understand that a math problem can be solved in different ways,” she says. And, more importantly, second grade teachers are asking children to explain how they arrived at their answers.

“We want them to share their thinking,” she says. “We want them to express it verbally and write it down.”

They do the same thing in science, continues—

w w w . C O U N T Y P A R E N T S . c o m | AUGUST 2010

25

Parents can also foster this kind of discussion by playing math games with their children.

2nd Grade from previous page

where they record their observations in booklets.

“Look at it. Think about it and write your thoughts down,” says Cain.

Parents can reinforce this skill at home, she says, by asking a child to solve a math problem and then asking the child, “How did you do that?”

“Give them the independence to do it on their own. Make sure they’re doing it correctly. Get them to talk about how they did it.”

“Talk with your kids about the larger world.

Show them maps and where places are.”

George J. Toepfer, Supervisor of Social Studies, Harford County Public Schools “When you’re playing games, you’re talking about what’s happening,” says Cain.

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Talking about what’s happening is also a key element in developing your secondgrader’s advancing reading skills.

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Kristine Scarry, Harford County Public Schools Coordinator of Reading Intervention Programs for grades K-12, used this technique with her own son.

When they read together, she told her son, “I don’t even have to turn the page, and this author is already making me think what is going to happen.”

She would ask him if he could visualize what was happening in the story. And she would ask if he could guess about what was going to happen in a story.

Using words he would hear used in school like infer, summarize and clarify also helped.

It’s important to foster reading comprehension skills at this stage because second-graders are now learning to decode multi-syllable words, she says.

“They have to look for chunks of the word and put it all together.”

This new challenge can slow children’s comprehension. A good way to keep readers on track is to make story time more of a conversation.

“We need to stop them and say, ‘Did you picture what you just read?’ It’s almost like we have to tell them what we’re thinking when we’re reading,” says Scarry.

“Kids might think reading is just saying the words and not thinking the words and we need to let them in on it.”

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