FT Parent Winter 2012-13

Midlands’ Magazine for Smart Families winter 2012-13

Cooking with Kids Children Learn Fast, Eat Better When They Help activities

health

life & learning

media

Five Quick Day Trips

First Trip to the Dentist

Math Without Tears

Music! Books!

Movies!

A better way of building for your today, and their tomorrow.

essexhomes.net/ebuilt

Since 1976, 89.7 WMHK has been a source of encouragement for central South Carolina. Through music, teaching, and outreach we are helping to make South Carolina a better place to live and raise a family.

The 89.7 WMHK Family Friendly Promise.

We Promise to never say anything that will embarrass you in front of your kids.

We Promise to keep you informed of what’s happening in a way that’s friendly to your entire family.

We Promise to play music that will encourage you. And, that as we’re having fun, it will always be good, clean fun.

We Promise to keep this radio station designed to bring you closer to God. We’re committed to being a radio station that’s safe for your whole family. That’s our promise to you. If you ever hear us not living up that promise, we’d love to hear from you. Our phone number is 803.754.5400.

Just another reason 89.7 WMHK is Helping to Make South Carolina a Better Place to Live and Raise a Family.

facebook.com/897WMHK • twitter@897WMHK • 89.7 WMHK app is available for your smart phone• listen online at wmhk.com

wmhk.com At our website, wmhk.com, you’ll find a lot of great resources for you and your family!

Concert Calendar - Your friends will wonder how you always seem to know when and where all the great events will be.

Events Page - Find out what your local church is doing: festivals, concerts, support groups, yard sales, etc.

Music Team - We value your opinion! Every 2 weeks, you’ll get a chance to vote on the music played on WMHK! “WMHK Pink Link” - A place that’s uniquely for women! Find out where women’s Bible studies are taking place, talk about women’s health issues, crafts, recipes, and much more!

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contents ctivities a 6 Family-Friendly Trips 10 Polygraph Lounge 12 Listings

health 17 Happy Meals for Real 21 Preparing for the First Dental Visit 23 Listings

calendar 29 Events and Programming

life & learning 33 Dating Your Spouse 37 Math Without Tears 38 Listings

media 41 Book Reviews 43 Music and DVD Reviews 44 Apps 45 Listings

Published by Portico Media SC 1534 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201 (803) 765.0707 free-times.com EDITORIAL EDITOR: Dan Cook editor@free-times.com | ext. 133 LISTINGS EDITOR: Patrick Wall CONTRIBUTORS: Allison Caldwell, Anna Gelbman Edmonds, Heather Green, Kevin Oliver, Jonathan Sharpe, Katie Alice Walker, Rodney Welch

PRODUCTION PRODUCTION MANAGER: Lisa Willis GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Wilbert Fields GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Joey Ayer

ADVERTISING ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER: Kerry Powers kpowers@free-times.com | ext. 128 ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Zach Johnston, Ginny Kuhn, Christina Scott, Amanda Westbrook, Brian Wingard ADVERTISING ASSISTANT: Jaimie Small CLASSIFIED SALES MANAGER: Cale Johnson CLASSIFIED ACCOUNT EXECUTIVEs: Jason Stroman, Melissa Kyzer

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BUSINESS OPERATIONS MANAGER: Jen Coody

Portico Media SC Frank Dubec, Group Publisher

Bill Chapman, Chairman

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activities

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Family-Friendly Day Trips

By Anna Gelbman Edmonds

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f you’re looking for something new and different to do as a family, consider taking a field trip. Teachers know that getting kids out of the classroom and hitting the road not only stirs up excitement, but also encourages learning. Lessons in science, math, literature and history are a lot more fun when you put the paper, pencils and books away. Parents can borrow this principle when looking for unique and fun activities to enjoy with their children.

Below are suggestions for family-friendly day trip destinations for kids aged 5 to 75.

Historic Brattonsville

1444 State Road S-46-165 (McConnells, S.C.) 803-684-2327 chmuseums.org/brattonsville Admission: Free Drive time: 1 hour, 24 minutes Historic Brattonsville offers a historical look at Upcountry culture and African-American history through historical plantation structures and farming techniques presented by costumed interpreters. The main attraction on this 775-acre site is Hightower Hall, the Bratton family plantation home built in 1856. Questions and hands-on exploration are encouraged. Be sure to click on the Kids & Families link of the website for fun activities that will keep the younger set busy along the river and nature trails — and in the car on the way home.

Special events and exhibits, including candlelight tours, are listed on the website.

Monetta Drive-In Theater

5822 Columbia Highway North (Monetta, S.C.) 803-685-7949 thebigmo.com Admission: Adults $7, Kids $4 (ages 4 to 11) Drive time: 49 minutes The Big Mo is the best movie deal around: a double feature for less than the price of a single movie in an indoor theater. And you’re welcome to bring your own food, though plenty is available at the full-service concession stand. Remember sitting in a packed car listening to the crackle of the window speaker?

Kids learn old-time dancing (above) and about farming (below) at Historic Brattonsville. Courtesy photos

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activities

Above left Carolina Raptor Center. Above right: Swan Lake Iris Gardens. Below left: Dupont Planetarium.

Courtesy photos

the keeper, trail trivia tours and vulture feedings are included in the price of admission. (A behind-the-scenes tour of the bird hospital and other sights is not included on the nature trail, but is offered for $5 above regular admission.)

Beyond being fascinated by the birds and surroundings, visitors will learn about the center’s efforts in environmental stewardship and the conservation of birds of prey. Don’t miss the Osprey Observation Deck, and check the website for special events and exhibits.

Dupont Planetarium

Well, bring your lawn chairs, lift the tailgate or stretch out in the bed of your truck and turn on your vehicle’s radio to listen to the movie in clear stereo. Trivia contests during intermission offer winners free food and other prizes.

The website answers every possible question you might have, including current showings and coming attractions.

Swan Lake Iris Gardens

822 W. Liberty St. (Sumter, S.C.) 803-436-2500 sumtersc.gov/swan-lake-iris-gardens.aspx Admission: Free Drive time: 1 hour, 4 minutes The time for Japanese irises will be in the spring, especially from mid-May to early June.

But Swan Lake Iris Gardens is beautiful all year round: The blackwater Swan Lake draws some 250,000 visitors per year and is the only public park in the country where you’ll find all eight species of swans. You’ll be tempted to bring bread, crackers or popcorn to feed the

birds, but please don’t — they’re already fed a balanced diet and eating food provided by guests can make the birds unhealthy. Ducks, turtles, frogs and other wildlife — including, occasionally, alligators — abound. Look for the whimsical, life-like sculptures of children at play along the garden paths. During the month of December, more than 1 million twinkling lights illuminate the garden in the Fantasy of Lights display.

Carolina Raptor Center

6000 Sample Road (Huntersville, N.C.) 704- 875-6521 carolinaraptorcenter.org Admission: Adults $10, Students $5 (5K through college) Drive time: 1 hour, 48 minutes Hawks and falcons are only the tip of the iceberg: Over 25 species of raptors are on display at this outdoor exhibit. A threequarter-mile self-guided nature trail is set up like a zoo. Live bird presentations, meeting

471 University Parkway (Aiken, S.C.) 803- 641-3654 rpsec.usca.edu/planetarium/ Admission: General Shows: $4.50 Adults, $2.50 students 4K-12 Digital Shows: $5.50 Adults, $2.50 students 4K-12 Drive time: 1 hour The fun begins while waiting in line with the walk-in kaleidoscope and planet scales that tell how much you weigh throughout the solar system. More than 20 different shows are offered on various aspects of astronomy, including weather, telescopes and ancient lore.

Learn how runaway slaves used astronomy and song to travel the Underground Railroad, join explorers on a Hawaiian volcano observatory, or drive a space truck through a virtual space station. In December, the Tis the Season show explains the connection between astronomy and religious and cultural holiday customs. The observatory that houses the Bechtel Telescope is open for viewing after each show.

Reservations are encouraged. Children under age 4 are not permitted in the planetarium.

See website for discount and special admission prices.

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winter workshops Thursday, December 20 and Friday, December 21, 2012

Celebrate winter at the CMA with two-day Art School workshops just for kids.

Winter Workshops enrich the lives of students on break with a variety of opportunities that make learning about art fun!

Unicorns, Yetis, Dragons – Oh My! (Ages 4 – 5k) 9:00am – Noon Explore the galleries looking for all of the Museum’s magical creatures. Then in the studio, using a variety of materials, young explorers will become absorbed in a world of imagination as they create unique projects based on the mythical creatures found in the museum. $75/$60 for Kids Plus! Members and above.

Ready, Set, Rothko!

(Grades 1 – 5) 9:00 am – 4:00 pm Get ready to mix it up during this two day workshop! Young artists will learn the basics of paint by studying color theory, mixing their own paint colors and making paint glazes. Participants will explore the concepts of complementary colors, analogous colors and luminosity while creating their very own works of art. $90/$72 for Kids Plus! Members and above.

The Alchemy of Art (Grades 6 – 8) 9:00 am – 4:00 pm Young artists become Renaissance masters as they learn the history and science behind works of art while touring the galleries. In the studio, get your hands dirty learning to make your own materials, from paints to pastels!

Students will use these materials and others to create masterpieces inspired by centuries of traditional art forms. $90/$72 for Kids Plus!

Members and above.

Portfolio Building 101 (Grades 9 – 12) 9:00 am – 4:00 pm Learn how to build your own portfolio in this workshop taught by Adjunct Professor of Fine Arts at Winthrop University, Dustin Shores. Participants will learn how to photograph, organize and present artwork to colleges and universities. This class is not to be missed by aspiring art students. $90/$72 for Kids Plus! Members and above.

For information on this and other family programs, contact the CMA at 803.799.2810 or columbiamuseum.org

1515 Main Street in downtown Columbia, SC

Family programs presented by

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Polygraph Lounge: A Kid’s Show for Parents Harbison Theatre’s 2013 Family Series

By Allison Caldwell

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or parents, what passes as family entertainment these days can sometimes be a true test of endurance. If you can actually name all the creatures of Gabba Land and shudder to think of Max and Ruby on ice, make plans now to step into the Polygraph Lounge.

Polygraph Lounge is the second of three Family Series performances during its inaugural season at Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College. The group will hit Columbia on Feb. 23. These family-friendly, weekend matinees are designed to entertain children and their parents with high-caliber performances that bring a certain high-tech, theatrical panache to the kiddie show genre.

“Mike Harley, of USC’s Southern Exposure Music Series, and I were discussing ways for our organizations to partner, and I tossed out the idea of his visiting artists being a part of our family series, if appropriate,” says Katie Fox, director of theatre operations. “‘I know

just the group,’ he said. ‘Polygraph Lounge.’”

“Mike was right,” Fox says. “Polygraph Lounge represents exactly the sort of smart, innovative, engaging performances that MTC believes all young people deserve. The content will be kid-friendly, but the artistry will be what parents would expect for themselves.”

So what (or who) in the world is Polygraph Lounge? Enter Mark Stewart and Rob Schwimmer. Their names might not sound familiar, but you know the musicians they’ve backed for the past 40 years: Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Queen Latifah, Antonio Carlos Jobim and others. This talented music and comedy duo “specializes in musical mayhem with didjeridoo, theremin, melodica, grand piano, tin whistle, electric guitar, two fine singing voices, a pair of rapier-sharp wits, choreography for the whole audience, and a battery of handmade, one-of-a-kind instruments.”

The end result? A funny, clever, fast-paced rock concert-slash-variety show that pleases the whole family — and that’s no joke.

Polygraph Lounge performs at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 23.

Tickets are $10 each and available online at harbisontheatre.org.

The final Family Series show of the season will be the Southeast Family Puppet Slam, a summit of avant-garde puppeteers from throughout the Southeast, on May 11. This mesmerizing show is organized by local professional puppeteers Lyon Hill and Kimi Maeda, who also presented the Spork in Hand Puppet Slam seen at the 2012 Indie Grits Festival.

Two-ticket packages for both shows are available for $18 each.

To schedule your appointment, call 803-520-5580 or visit SouthLakeDMD.com 1223 South Lake Drive, Lexington

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activities Columbia Museum of Art 1515 Main St. 799-2810, columbiamuseum.org Offers plenty of fun programming for kids, from its Passport to Art semimonthly open studio program to its weekly Wee Wednesday art exploration sessions to its summer camps and school programs.

Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum 301 Gervais St. 737-8095, www.crr.sc.gov For more than a century, the Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum’s has collected and preserved the military history of this state.

Congaree National Park 776-4396, nps.gov/cong

Plex Indoor Sports has two locations: by the Village at Sandhill and in Irmo, off the Peak exit on I-26. Courtesy photo

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ith the myriad options for children’s programming on television these days, it’s tempting to plop your kid down in front of the flat-screen to keep him or her occupied. But kids like to be active, and we know you dig that whole quality-time shebang. So we have put together a select list of places where you and junior can play … and play together.

All4Fun Party Rental all4funbouncehouses.com Rents bounce houses and slides.

events, Chuck E. Cheese’s features games, rides, prizes, food and entertainment for all ages.

City of Columbia Parks & Recreation

Bouncerific

columbiasc.net/parksandrec

921 Longtown Rd. 865-7939, bouncerific.com

Family-friendly Columbia boasts 52 public parks where your wee ones can run and jump and skip and play, plus a host of community gardens, three swimming pools, one splash pad water park, and a public skate park. The city also offers a host of youth sports — baseball, basketball, football, golf, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, volleyball — and outdoor environmental programs.

No, Bouncerific isn’t a place to send your kid to learn to be a doorman; it’s an indoor party and play center for kids and families. Inflatable bouncers, slides, dress-up, games, more.

Capital Karate capitalkaratesc.com Develops character, discipline and focus as well as physical conditioning and skills.

Carolina CrossFit 1804 Blanding St., carolinacrossfit.com Offers kids’ Crossfit classes.

Chuck E. Cheese’s 1775 Burning Tree Dr. 772-0435, chuckecheese.com The motto of the nationwide family entertainment center chain: Where a kid can be a kid. Often home to birthdays, play groups and school fundraising

Colonial Life Arena 801 Lincoln St. coloniallifearena.com When Disney princesses and the Sesame Street gang come to Columbia, this is where they play.

Columbia Arts Academy 787-0931, columbiaartsacademy.com The largest music school in the state of South Carolina, the Columbia Arts Academy boasts a large and qualified staff to train your kids in electric and acoustic guitar, voice, piano, bass, drums and year-round rock band classes.

This 22,000-acre park boasts the largest old-growth, floodplain forest on the continent. It’s also an International Biosphere Reserve, a Globally Important Bird Area and a National Natural Landmark. Activities include hiking, boating, camping, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, nature walks and more. Located in Hopkins, 20 miles southeast of Columbia.

Cottle Strawberry Farm 2533 Trotter Rd. 695-1714, cottlestrawberryfarm.com This 30-plus-year-old strawberry farm tucked in Southeast Columbia is open to the public every spring — usually from April through May, and sometimes into June. Mmm … freshly picked strawberries.

Dreher Island State Recreation Park Columbia Blowfish 254-3474, blowfishbaseball.com Take ‘em out to the ballgame: During the summer months, Capital City Stadium hosts the Columbia Blowfish, which play in the Coastal Plain League, a collegiate wood-bat summer league. And, yes: They sell peanuts and Crackerjack.

Columbia Children’s Theatre 3400 Forest Dr, 691-4548 columbiachildrenstheatre.com Professional theater company for young audiences and families.

Columbia Marionette Theatre 401 Laurel St., 252-7366 cmtpuppet.org Founded in 1988 by famed puppeteer Allie Scollon and her son John, the Columbia Marionette Theatre has established itself as a premiere children’s theater in South Carolina. Its mission is to entertain and educate children and adults through the long-standing tradition and artistry of puppetry.

3677 State Park Rd. 364-4152, southcarolinaparks.com Located 30 miles northwest of Columbia in Prosperity, the Dreher Island recreation area consists of three islands encompassing 12 miles of shoreline on Lake Murray. Especially popular for fishing and boating, Dreher Island also offers lakefront camping, cabin and villa rentals, water skiing and picnicking.

Drew Park Splash Pad 2101 Walker Solomon Way drewwellnesscenter.com Sure, there’s a playground, a jogging track and a gazebo, but you’re coming here to get wet in the gigantic spray pad and lighted fountain. (Many of the city’s public parks offer smaller spray pools, too.)

EdVenture Children’s Museum 211 Gervais St. 779-3100, edventure.org The South’s largest children’s museum, with more than 70,000 square feet of cool stuff to keep the kids occupied.

Countless places for your Super Hero to play, grow, explore . . . and still be home in time for dinner.

Come see why kids love living in Columbia’s most successful master-planned community!

Homes from the low $100’s - $1M+ Scan QR Code to find our more about Lake Carolina!

Office: (803) 736-5253

100 Lake Carolina Blvd. Columbia, SC 29229

www.lakecarolina.com

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activities

Frankie’s Fun Park 140 Parkridge Dr. 781-2342, frankiesfunpark.com This Harbison-area entertainment center packs three go-kart tracks, three 18-hole mini-golf courses, batting cages, bumper boats, an arcade, a 5,000-square foot multi-tiered laser tag arena and a super-tall drop zone that says “In your face, gravity!” into 14 acres filled with fun for all ages. What, do you hate fun or something?

Flying High Academy flyinghighacademysc.com Dance, tumbling, gymnastics and cheerleading programs.

Harbison State Forest 896-8890, state.sc.us/forest/refharb.htm If you didn’t know it was there, you’d never expect to find 2,177 acres of forest along the sprawling mess that is Broad River Road. But there it is — one of the largest public green spaces inside the city limits of a metropolitan area in the eastern United States. Features more than 16 miles of roads and trails (popular for biking) and a canoe landing.

Irmo-Chapin Recreation Commission icrc.net The Irmo-Chapin Recreation Commission offers kids sports, programs and

activities at Crooked Creek Park, Saluda Shoals Park and Seven Oaks Park.

Laugh N Leap 647-960, laughnleap.com Need to buy or rent an inflatable bounce house, water slide, dunk tank or obstacle course? Laugh N Leap has you covered.

Lexington County Recreation Commission lcrac.com Offers youth sports, programs and activities at parks, playgrounds and activity centers in Lexington County.

Lexington County Soccer Club

The Mad Platter

Palmetto Children’s Music

3101 Millwood Ave. 771-8080, mymadplatter.com

palmettochildrensmusic.com

Art, studies have shown, makes kids smarter. So take your tykes here, a paintyour-own pottery studio, where they can throw clay, paint plates and explore their creative sides.

Offers Music Together classes — Music Together is an internationally recognized early childhood music and movement program for infants through five-year-olds and the grownups who love them.

Monkey Joe’s

Palmetto Falls Waterpark

171 Newland Rd. 788-1102, monkeyjoes.com/columbia

3381 Marion Ave., 751-3475 fortjacksonmwr.com/waterpark/

For kids, Monkey Joe’s offers a place to monkey around, with wall-to-wall inflatable slides, jumps, climbing walls and obstacle courses. And for parents, there’s comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, concessions and sports on large, flatscreen TVs.

Tucked just inside of Fort Jackson’s Gate 2 entrance, Palmetto Falls Water Park offers a 10,000-square foot family pool, two water slides, a 600-square foot splashdown pool, a 2,500-square foot kiddie pool, a lazy river stretching 800 feet, and a snack bar. Open to the public Tuesdays through Fridays during the summer.

lexingtoncountysoccerclub.org Live in Lexington Country? Think your kid’s the next Ronaldo? Sign him or her up with this club team, which offers playing options from recreational to elite traveling squads.

Little Gym 2005 N. Beltline Blvd., 738-1115 thelittlegym.com The Little Gym is an experiential learning and physical development center offering children’s physical activities centered on movement, music and learning.

My Gym 110 Forum Dr., 788-1230, my-gym.com A non-competitive gymnastics and play center keeping children healthy by making fitness fun.

Owens Field Skate Park Jim Hamilton Blvd.

The 14,500-square-foot custom concrete park, when it opened in 2010, replaced a small skate park many local skaters considered bogus. Ramps, bowls, rails, more.

The Patch 3807 Augusta Hwy., 359-3276 This Gilbert strawberry patch is open for picking during strawberry season, typically April through May.

Patchwork Playhouse 1508 Columbia College Dr., 333-0372 patchworkplayers-sc.com A long-running children’s theater featuring child-sized puppets and actors.

activities Plex Indoor Sports

South Carolina State Museum

plexindoorsports.com

301 Gervais St. 898-4921, scmuseum.org.

There are two locations of this local indoor sports complex franchise: The Sandhills location, by the Village at Sandhill, offers indoor soccer, basketball courts and a skate park; the Irmo location, off the Peak exit on I-26, features an ice rink, an indoor soccer field and an remote-controlled car track. Both locations offer summer camps, birthday party packages, after-school programs and youth sports.

Richland County Recreation Commission richlandcountyrecreation.com Offers youth sports, programs and activities at parks, playgrounds and activity centers in Richland County.

Riverbanks Zoo & Gardens 500 Wildlife Parkway 779-8717, riverbanks.org It’s a natural fact that kids love animals. And Riverbanks Zoo — one of the nation’s finest, according to TripAdvisor — offers plenty of ‘em, from elephants to gorillas to ibexes to an aquarium and reptile complex stocked with fish, frogs, lizards are more. Riverbanks also offers myriad educational programs, day camps, overnight adventures and other fun kids’ events.

Saluda Shoals Park 5605 Bush River Rd., 731-5208, icrc.net Situated on 270 acres downstream from the Lake Murray Dam, Saluda Shoals features a popular water park, an environmental education center, canoe trips, nature hikes, biking trails, fishing spots, picnic shelters, art exhibits, summer camps, health and wellness programs, meeting facilities and more.

Good trout fishing, too, if your wee ones are into that.

Samurai Karate Studio samuraikaratestudio.net Offers classes for children and adults, as well as conducting stranger-danger and anti-bully workshops.

Sesquicentennial State Park 9564 Two Notch Rd., 788-2706, www.southcarolinaparks.com This 1,419-acre park features a 30acre lake surrounded by trails, picnic areas and campsites. Also offers boating, fishing, swimming, meeting facilities and trails. Trails include a 6.1-mile mountain bike trail, a 1.9-mile nature trail, and a 3.5-mile walking and jogging trail.

The South Carolina State Museum, named one of the top three museums in the Southeast by readers of Southern Living, offers a wide variety of kids programming, such as camp-ins, birthday parties, summer camps and living history re-enactments.

Talbot Swim School 792-7298, talbotswimschool.com.

Before you can run, you gotta walk, right? Well, before you go to the pool, you gotta learn to swim, and Talbot Swim School offers private lessons year-round.

Topspin Racquet and Swim Club topspinsc.com Clay tennis courts in Lexington offering family clinics.

Trenholm Little League eteamz.com/trenholmbaseball Fun, intensive baseball league. Parents can choose clinics only or clinics and team play. Fall and spring seasons.

U.S. National Whitewater Center 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy., Charlotte, N.C., 704-391-3900 usnwc.org OK, so the U.S. National Whitewater Center isn’t in Columbia; it’s a little more than an hour north in Charlotte. But it’s worth the trip up I-77: An official Olympic Training Site for whitewater slalom racing, the nonprofit U.S. National Whitewater Center is a huge outdoor adventure and environmental education center dedicated to promoting healthy and active lifestyles and developing environmental stewardship. Offers whitewater rafting and kayaking, flatwater kayaking, mountain biking, rock climbing, zip lines and more.

YMCA columbiaymca.org The YMCA in downtown Columbia was one of the first 50 Ys in the United States. It now has five branches — including locations in Northeast Columbia, Lexington, Irmo and Orangeburg —with which to provide childcare, camps and after-school programs.

Sunday, December 2 4pm & 7pm

Friday, December 7 at 7pm Saturday, December 8 at 4pm & 7pm Sunday, December 9 at 4pm & 7pm

SHANDON BAPTIST CHURCH | 5250 FOREST DRIVE, COLUMBIA, SC 29206 | 803.782.1300 | SHANDON.ORG

health

Happy Meals — for Real Tips for Cooking with Kids

By Allison Caldwell

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e’ve all heard the warnings about processed junk and the virtues of buying fresh, local food. We know that healthy eating habits start at home. But family meal times can be so hectic: Supper from a sack or a microwaveable box can easily become the norm, and even the most cherubic angels can turn into holy terrors at the thought of trying something other than nuggets and fries.

So, how can parents avoid — or at least minimize — mealtime meltdowns? Keep the kids in the kitchen.

“Kids are more willing to try foods if they have a hand in preparing it,” says Katherine Shavo, director of Columbia’s Cooking!, a hands-on training kitchen made possible through USC’s Cancer Prevention and Control Program. “They build a sense of accomplishment and confidence in their ability to do things. If a child is taught to cook healthy, they are more likely to eat healthy as an adult.”

Chef John Militello of Let’s Cook Culinary Studio agrees.

“I often hear parents say that ‘my child will not eat what we prepare.’ Those parents get

frustrated, and fall into the trap of fast food.

Get your child involved in daily preparation of a meal. Once kids are engaged, you’ll be surprised what they will eat.”

Baby Steps: What Kids Can Do “What kids can do in the kitchen depends on their age and interest,” says Shavo. “They can do a lot with a little direction. If your child has a short attention span, don’t give them a task that takes a long time. They can get things from the cupboard, open cans, peel onions or garlic, separate celery stalks, peel carrots, count out pieces, measure rice or other grains, pour water in a pan, put food scraps in [the] garbage or compost or shred cabbage.

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Don’t forget setting and clearing the table, which are also important parts of the meal.”

Weeknight meals can be especially hard to prepare if parents are working 9-to-5 jobs.

So, start easy: Get the kids to set the table and pour the drinks during the week, then spend more time teaching cooking skills when you have more time to spend — on the weekend.

Once they learn a few skills, they’ll be able to help throughout the week, too.

“It’s amazing how quickly kids can learn new things — like how to grate an apple, safely cut fruits, crack eggs, measure, mix or pour,” says Jan Pinnington, founder of Healthy Hands Cooking, a national organization offering nutrition, healthy cooking, and fun fitness programs for kids.

“Once kids are engaged, you’ll be surprised what they will eat.”

— Chef John Militello, Let’s Cook Culinary Studio

“I find that most kids are open vessels just waiting for the opportunity to be a ‘big kid,’” says Pinnington. “Teaching kids to cook is a priceless gift that empowers them with important lifelong skills. Kids who can cook understand the importance of nutrition typically

health

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Food for Thought Columbia’s Cooking! cpcp.sph.sc.edu/cooking, 576-5636 Healthy cooking classes for kids 9 and older and adults.

Creative Cooking creativecookingsc.com Classes and camps for children ages 3 to 12.

Healthy Hands Cooking healthyhandscooking.com Classes include DVD, recipes and supplies.

Let’s Cook Culinary Studio letscookculinary.com 348-5874 Most cooking classes for adults, but private parent-child classes available.

Cooking with My Kid cookingwithmykid.com One Mom’s quest to transform picky eaters into healthy young chefs.

PBS Parents: Eat Smart pbs.org/parents/food-and-fitness/eat-smart Recipes, activities, nutritional information and cooking tips.

Young Chefs Academy youngchefsacademy.com Multicultural cooking classes for kids ages 4 to 14.

Patience is a Virtue show improved skills in math, reading and problem solving, and become self-sufficient adults who don’t need to rely on pre-packaged convenience foods and drive-throughs to survive.”

Local Classes, Camps and Courses If you’re skilled in the kitchen yourself, and good at working with kids, then you’re ready to get started already. But if you need a jumpstart — or if your child shows an aptitude you’d like to develop more fully — you might want to consider cooking classes or camps.

Columbia’s Cooking! offers kids’ classes on the second Friday of every month during the school year (ages 9 and up), and culinary camps throughout the summer. Their training kitchen is located at 915 Greene St., behind the Colonial Center, and offers year-round classes for adults as well.

“Our nutrition lesson is experiential, and we teach all types of healthy recipes,” Shavo says.

“We want kids to know the basics of kitchen safety and be comfortable using whole foods.

We don’t use mixes, and we use Rawl brand Versatile Veggies to allow younger children to

work with vegetables without the risk of cutting themselves.”

Founded by a mom-turned-nutritionist in Irmo, Healthy Hands Cooking is an eight-hour nutrition and healthy cooking program that gradually builds skills for children ages 9 to 13.

Led by trained and certified instructors, kids learn how to make healthy meals and snacks for themselves. Parents can register for classes — or apply to become instructors themselves — online.

Most programs at Let’s Cook Culinary Studio are geared toward adults (including parties, showers and even wedding rehearsal dinners), but Chef John Militello says his Assembly Street kitchen also offers private one-on-one classes for parents and children; a seasonal gingerbread house decorating class for kids and parents the Friday after Thanksgiving; and has offered week-long summer camp programs in the past.

“We’re trying to find a more suitable location for Camp Wanna Cook, somewhere with plenty of outdoor space to take breaks and have other activities outside of the kitchen,” Militello says.

“We hope to find a church or school and offer summer camps again in the near future.”

Now that you’re armed with plenty of resources and information, it’s time to get cooking. Before you start, consider these final words of advice from the pros.

“Be patient,” Shavo says. “In the beginning, [kids] have to be told every little thing, and it can be exhausting. [But] in a short period of time, your child will be able to implement simple requests. Providing age-appropriate tasks that build self-confidence is important to keep them interested and coming back.”

“Kids can work in a kitchen and do almost any skill an adult can do, sometimes much better,” Militello says. But, he cautions: “Remember safety first with knives and hot objects.”

“I grew up in a home where my mom cooked dinner every night,” says Pinnington.

“I’ve since come to realize that the time spent cooking with her was a precious gift. So many parents today just don’t have the luxury of time to spend teaching their children such an important life skill. Set aside a specific amount of time each week to teach your kids how to cook, just like you would if you were committed to a sport or dance team. Ask for their involvement in meal planning and preparation, and start with simple duties such as cutting, cleaning produce, and making salads.”

20

Actual patient of Vista Smiles of Columbia

health

21

Like having a pediatrician you can trust, Ellis says the first visit is important for establishing a dental home for your child. Should a dental emergency arise, an established relationship with a dentist you trust will ensure the best possible outcome.

Dental Care Starts at Home

Prepping for the First Dental Visit

By Katie Alice Walker

F

or some of us, nearly any trip to the dentist causes anxiety. That anxiety is only heightened when you’re thinking about taking your child for their first trip to the dentist. But fear not: We spoke with three in-town dentists who know the ins and outs of children’s dentistry. That first trip doesn’t have to be as scary as you think — for you or your little one.

When to Go? First things first: When exactly do you take your child to the dentist for the first time?

“The American Board of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children start going to the dentist by age 1,” says Dr. Robert H. Ellis with Columbia pediatric dental practice Drs. Ellis, Green and Jenkins. “Children who begin visiting the dentist at an early age typically have a positive outlook of the dentist and begin practicing good hygiene at an early age.”

One year of age is probably a lot earlier than you were at your first dentist’s visit, and maybe even earlier than your older children were. But the first appointment is typically short and easy, and there are reasons why dentists are recommending earlier first visits these days. And if your child is already past age 1 but hasn’t been to the dentist yet, don’t worry: Dentists see plenty of older toddlers coming for the first time.

“This appointment is both a psychological and educational aid,” says Dr. Nicholas Gee, a dentist with Advanced Dentistry Columbia. “It helps get a child accustomed to going to the dentist early in life and also serves to educate the parents on oral hygiene practices to keep their children’s mouth and teeth healthy and prevent damage.”

At Children’s Dental Group, dentists do a show and tell of dental instruments for the kids, says Dr. Benetta Bell.

Before the Visit When preparing your little one for their first trip to the dentist, you’re not totally helpless. If your child has an older sibling, that’s an invaluable resource for explaining what a visit is like.

Also, “There are many books with first dental appointment themes, which can help ease anxiety,” Gee says. “Parents can even ask the dentist if they can come by and view the office.

This will help ease a parent’s anxiety, which children pick up on, helping them in turn.”

Dr. Bell encourages parents to have fun with the visit.

“Let them know the dentist is going to count their teeth and that they’ll get a new toothbrush and prizes,” she says.

Gee says dentists want to make the patient as comfortable as possible, even it means the child sits in the parent’s lap. “It all depends on the child’s disposition. If a child is very cooperative, the dentist may be able to complete a full exam and the child’s teeth may also be cleaned gently.”

Proper dental care can begin at home, before that first visit. Ellis says it’s never too early to begin keeping your child’s mouth clean. In fact, parents can wipe a baby’s gums with a soft cloth before teething begins. This eliminates bacteria growth and helps children become comfortable with cleaning their mouths.

At that first visit, your dentist will teach you how to manage day-to-day oral care at home.

And if you have questions, don’t hesitate to ask.

“Non-fluoridated toothpastes should be used to clean teeth until your child is able to spit,” Ellis says. “And once teeth are touching, it is important to begin flossing.”

Bell encourages parents to help their children, perhaps for longer than you might think.

“Parents should always look after a child brushes their teeth,” Bell says. “Children don’t have the dexterity to brush on their own until around the age of 7 or 8.”

While we’re just talking about first trips to the dentist, like college funds, it’s never too early to doing what you can to prevent unnecessary orthodontic work. Gee says “parents should try to get children to stop thumb habits as early as possible, to help prevent destruction to the child’s bite.”

Cut Down on Sugar It almost goes without saying, but just in case: Avoid sticky, sugary foods and drinks.

“Water is, of course, the best drink. However, if they’re going to have other drinks, it should only be at meal times, followed by water,” says Bell.

“Foods that are real sticky will stay on the teeth longer,” says Gee. “It’s frequency of sugar, not quantity. Because bacteria create damage 30 minutes after sugar consumption, I tell parents it is literally better for a child to have a lot of candy in one sitting rather than a little amount of candy all day long.” But he also is realistic. “Moderation is key: I don’t want parents to feel guilty or deprive a child of some of the fun things in life.”

Return Visits Once the first visit to the dentist is behind you, how often should you return? As with adults, dentists recommend children visit the dentist at least every six months.

Ellis says, “This is a good way to ensure that the patient’s teeth are growing in correctly, and answer any questions the parent might have.”

BUILDING A “FUNDATION�

Afterschool at the Y engages kids in physically active, learning and imaginative activities that encourage exploration of who they are and what they can achieve. Our kids participate in interactive learning models that help build healthy habits, active lifestyles and continued learning. Visit us online at columbiaymca.org/afterschool to learn more about Afterschool!

YMCA OF COLUMBIA columbiaymca.org

health

23

Colonial Family Practice 3930 Devine St., 256-1511 colonialfamilypractice.com Part of a Sumter-based practice group.

Creative Cooking creativecookingsc.com Classes and camps for children ages 3 to 12.

Eat Smart Move More South Carolina eatsmartmovemoresc.org Offers events, live training and web training to assist local organizers in creating, managing and maintaining obesity prevention programs.

Family Medicine Centers of South Carolina Downtown: 1910 Gregg St., 931-0100 Hardscrabble: 300 Rice Meadow Way, 227-7777 Irmo: 7611 St. Andrews Rd., 724-1100 Lexington: 3630 Sunset Blvd., 239-1600 Northeast: 1721 Horseshoe Dr., 788-7884 Southeast: 813 Leesburg Rd., 783-4433 fmcofsc.com Private family practice group.

Five Points Pediatric & Walk-in Care

I

f your kid has a legitimate emergency, you take him or her to the emergency room. If your kid has a bad case of the sniffles, you go to an urgent care facility. But for check-ups, vaccines, boosters and general wellness, you’ll need a family practitioner or pediatrician. Here’s a list to help get you started, along with a list of dentists, orthopedists and other health-related resources to keep your kids fit as fiddles.

1228 Harden St., 748-7002, ecchc.org Part of the Eau Claire Cooperative Health Centers.

Girls on the Run gotrcolumbia.org Inspires pre-teen girls to be joyful, healthy and confident through a fun curriculum that creatively integrates running.

Hutchinson Family Dentistry 209 W. Main St., 359-0566, lexingtonscdentistry.com

Kids First Dental 2700 Broad River Rd., 772-4949, kidsfirstdentalsc.com

Advanced Dentistry Columbia

Carolina Teen Health

1701 St. Julian Place, 254-6763 advanceddentistrycolumbia.com

carolinateenhealth.org

The Kids Group

Questions about sex and STDs answered in a teenoriented format.

206 Medical Cir., 796-9200, thekidsgroup.com

Super-friendly, family owned practice led by Drs. Nicholas and George Gee.

Ballentine Pediatrics 11134 Broad River Rd., 732-0920 ballentinepediatrics.com

Ballentine Family Dentistry 3533 Dreher Shoals Rd., 732-3001

Camden Family Care 1017 Fair St.,424-1260 camdenfamilycare.com

Capital Children’s Dental Center

City of Columbia Community Gardens Five-by-12-foot publicly owned plots available for lease to residents and organizations. Cost is $20 per year.

Chapin Family Practice 1612 Chapin Rd., 345-3414

Children’s Choice Pediatrics 6108 Garners Ferry Rd., 647-1265 childrenschoicepeds.com

Children’s Dental Group of South Carolina

Carolina Children’s Dentistry

7210K Broad River Rd., 781-5141 scchildrensdentalgroup.com

7701 Trenholm Rd., 736-6000 carolinachildrensdentistry.com

Chrysostom Family Dentistry

Downtown: 2113 Adams Grove Rd., 256-0531 Irmo: 7033 St. Andrews Rd., 376-2838 carolinapediatrics.com

5422 Forest Dr., 753-8064, mykoolsmiles.com

columbiasc.net/communitygardens

655 St. Andrews Rd., 252-7775

Carolina Pediatrics

Kool Smiles

3308 Platt Springs Rd., 350-9124, drdeno.com

Columbia’s Cooking!

Lake Murray Pediatric Dentistry 740 Old Lexington Hwy., 345-2483

Lexington Family Practice Ballentine: 1846 Dutch Fork Rd., 781-3843, lfp.lexmednetwork.org Irmo: 7037 St. Andrews Rd., 732-0963 Lake Murray: 2006 Augusta Hwy., 785-4747, lfplakemurray.lexmednetwork.org Lake Ridge: 557 Columbia Ave., lakeridge.lexmednetwork.org Lexington: 122 Powell Dr., 957-0780 Northeast: 76 Polo Rd., 699-7255, lfpnortheast.lexmednetwork.org Sandhills: 811 W. Main St., 358-6420, sfm.lexmednetwork.org Spring Valley: 229 Longtown Rd., 419-4949 svfp.lexmednetwork.org West Columbia: 3314 Platt Spring Rd., 791-3494, lfpwestcolumbia.lexmednetwork.org

cpcp.sph.sc.edu/cooking, 576-5636 Healthy cooking classes for kids 9 and older and adults.

continued on page 26

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26 health Providence Hospitals Downtown: 2435 Forest Dr. Northeast: 120 Gateway Corporate Blvd.

Another of Columbia’s top-flight hospital systems.

Providence Northeast Family 300 Long Pointe Ln., 462-7193 providencehospitals.com

Rice Creek Family Dentistry 101 Rice Bent Way, 788-2676, ricecreekdmd.com

Safe Kids Midlands safekidsmidlands.org Coalition of volunteers formed by Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital to prevent childhood injuries. Programs range from car-seat checks to health fairs.

Smile Columbia 690A Columbiana Dr., 781-9090, smilecolumbia.com

South Carolina Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy teenpregnancysc.org Provides information and resources for teens, parents, educators and community organizations.

South Carolina Dental Center White Knoll: 5535 Platt Spring Rd., 951-1880, lfpwhiteknoll.lexmednetwork.org The Lexington Family Practice network is an umbrella group of the Lexington Medical Center.

Lexington Medical Center 2720 Sunset Blvd., 791-2000, lexmed.com A frequent winner of Best Hospital in Free Times’ Best of Columbia poll.

Dr. Samuel J. Marsh Pediatric Dentistry 2302 Bush River Rd., 798-8675 wemakekidssmile.com

Medcare Urgent Care Center 110 Medical Cir., 509-7316, medcareurgentcare.com

Midlands Orthopedics 1910 Blanding St., 256-4107, midlandsortho.com

Milestones Pediatrics 120 Wildewood Park Dr., 788-7882

Moore Orthopaedic Clinic Columbia: 14 Medical Park, 227-8000 Columbia: 114 Gateway Corp., 227-8000 Lexington: 104 Saluda Pointe Dr., 227-8000

Northeast Children’s Dentistry 147 Summit Cir., 865-1421 northeastchildrensdentistry.com

Palmetto Health palmettohealth.org A frequent runner-up for Best Hospital in Free Times’ Best of Columbia poll.

2020 Laurel St., 254-4543 southcarolinadentalcenter.com

Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital 7 Richland Medical Park Dr., ch.palmettohealth.org A state-of-the-art children’s hospital with comfortable family-centered spaces, age-appropriate play areas and therapeutic diversions to help reduce stress and encourage healing.

Palmetto Health Family Medicine Practices Harbison: 190 Parkridge Dr., 407-3857 Irmo: 190 Parkridge Dr., 749-0693 Lakeview: 1316 N. Lake Dr., 358-1191 Northeast: 115 Blarney Dr., 736-6262 South Hampton: 5900 Garners Ferry Rd., 695-5450 Twelve Mile Creek: 4711 Sunset Blvd., 356-3609 University: 4311 Hardscrabble Rd., 419-6334 palmettohealth.org Family practice wing of Palmetto Health.

Palmetto Pediatric & Adolescent Clinic Downtown: 140 Park Central, 779-4001 Harbison: 16 Woodcross Dr., 732-0140 Lexington: 1970 Augusta Hwy., 358-2370 Northeast: 74 Polo Rd., 788-4886 Rice Creek: 300 Rice Meadow Way, 788-6360

South Lake Family Dental 1223 S. Lake Dr., 520-5580, southlakedmd.com

Sterling Sharpe Pediatric Center 4605 Monticello Rd., 252-7001, ecchc.org Part of the Eau Claire Cooperative Health Centers.

Teen Talk palmettohealth.org/teentalk 296-2273 Offers numerous resources for teens, including Teen Talk newsletter, peer-to-peer discussions and an ask-anexpert program.

USC Family Medicine Center 3209 Colonial Blvd., 434-6113 familymedicine.med.sc.edu Offers complete care for children and adults with a focus on prevention.

USC Sports Medicine Center Two Medical Park, Suite 104, 434-6812 uscsportsmedicine.com

Affiliated with Richland, Baptist, Palmetto Richland Children’s and Lexington Hospitals.

Open to athletes at all levels — recreational to high school, college and professional.

Palmetto Smiles

Vista Smiles

139 Whiteford Way, 951-9100, palmetto-smiles.com

515 Richland St., 779-9666 vistasmilesofcolumbia.com

Pediatric After Hours Care

Offers full range of family dental services with advancing technology in a welcoming environment.

114 Gateway Corporate Blvd., 865-4900 Open 6-10 p.m., Mon-Fri; 2-8 p.m., Sat-Sun.

Wellspring Family Medicine

Pediatric Dentistry

114 Gateway Corporate Blvd., 865-9655 wellspringfmed.com

8905 Two Notch Rd., 788-9353 wecaredentalsc.com

Wild Smiles 203 N. Lake Dr., 356-1606, wildsmiles.net

29

Calendar

Wee Wednesdays Columbia Museum of Art columbiamuseum.org

Jan.-May. Participants ages 2-5 and their adult companions explore art through the introduction of elementary art terms such as color, line, shape and texture.

World of Work EdVenture Children’s Museum edventure.org.

EdVenture Children’s Museum’s kid-sized city with a “working” farm, market, diner.

November The Christmas Doll Columbia Children’s Theatre columbiachildrenstheatre.com

Through Dec. 2. Won the 2007 National Youth Theatre Award for Outstanding Play/Musical.

The Nutcracker Koger Center columbiaclassicalballet.org

Nov. 29-30. School performance by the Columbia Classical Ballet.

December Afternoon of Puppets Richland County Public Library, Main Branch myrcpl.com

Dec. 14. Watch your favorite stories performed by the Children’s Room puppets.

EdVenture Children’s Museum’s Snowville! Courtesy photo

Art School: An Easy, Hand-Built Face Jug Workshop

T

his is by no means a comprehensive list — institutions like the Columbia Museum of Art, EdVenture Children’s Museum, Riverbanks Zoo, the Richland County Public Library and the parks departments of the City of Columbia and Richland and Lexington County offer myriad events for kids on a daily basis.

Check the What’s Happening section of Free Times for weekly listings or visit the websites of institutions offering children’s programs.

Exhibitions Snowville!

EdVenture Children’s Museum edventure.org

Nov. 19-Feb. 24. Pack your mittens for a frosty, fun-filled trip to Snowville.

Popular EdVenture seasonal exhibition.

Ongoing Events City of Columbia Ice Skating Rink Boyd Plaza 545-3100

Runs Nov. 22-Jan. 6. Open-air public ice skating rink.

Holiday Lights on the River

Parents’ Survival Night

Saluda Shoals Park icrc.net

The Little Gym thelittlegym.com/ColumbiaSC

Through Dec. 31. Saluda Shoals Park comes alive in a blaze of more than a million sparkling lights, with over 400 themed, animated light displays on a two-mile loop of the park.

Fridays. Parents call it a break from the kids. Kids call it a break from their parents. That sounds like a win-win situation.

Lights Before Christmas Riverbanks Zoo riverbanks.org.

Through Dec. 30. Annual Riverbanks Zoo Christmas light display; nearly one million twinkling lights and countless animated images representing some of Riverbanks’ most loveable residents.

Closed Nov. 22, Dec. 24-25.

The Patchwork Players patchworkplayers-sc.com.

Performing children’s theatre group; visit website for performance venues and schedule.

Toddler Tuesdays EdVenture Children’s Museum edventure.org.

Tuesdays. Arts and crafts, music, movement and stories.

Columbia Museum of Art columbiamuseum.org

Dec. 8. For ages 12 and up. earn hand-building techniques, create your own jugs or pots and design unique facial features for each one.

Breakfast with Santa Richland Mall richlandcountyrecreation.com

Dec. 1. Get your picture with Santa, have a great breakfast from Chick-fil-A and enjoy a performance from the Columbia Children’s Theatre.

Breakfast with Santa Robert Mills House historiccolumbia.org

Dec. 22. Enjoy a continental breakfast while listening to seasonal music, view the decorated halls of the Hampton-Preston Mansion, see a Victorian Christmas tree, make a holiday craft to take home, and get your picture taken with Victorian Santa Claus.

Breakfast with St. Nicholas Our Lady of the Hills Catholic Church 772-7400

Dec. 2. Kids’ breakfast with Papa Noel. Open to the public at large.

for

CENTER DANCE EDUCATION

The emblems, seals and other marks used to identify the City of Columbia, its departments, programs and initiatives are the property of the City and may not be reproduced in any form without the written express permission of the City. Additionally, any use of these emblems, seals and other marks must be in strict conformance with graphics guidelines as adopted by the City of Columbia.

Mimi Worrell Artistic Director CDE and Carolina Ballet

IT BEGINS HERE VISTA STUDIO 914 PULASKI ST, COLUMBIA

LEXINGTON STUDIO HISTORIC MILL 711 EAST MAIN ST, LEXINGTON

803-771-6303 CALL FOR CLASS INFORMATION - PROGRESSIVE CURRICULUM PRE-BALLET/TAP BALLET TAP JAZZ MUSICAL THEATER

31 A Charlie Brown Christmas Columbia Children’s Theatre columbiachildrenstheatre.com

Dec. 6-9. A live production of the beloved television story about one boy’s search for the meaning of Christmas.

Christmas Around the World Richland County Public Library, North Main Branch myrcpl.com

Dec. 1. A Christmas celebration of stories, music, and multicultural exhibits with international students.

Columbia Christmas Pageant First Baptist Church columbiachristmaspageant.com

Dec. 6-9. Annual Christmas pageant with a cast of 400 children and adults including the First Baptist 200-voice choir and full orchestra.

Congaree National Park Storytime Richland County Public Library, Main Branch myrcpl.com

Dec. 1. Enjoy storytime with a Congaree National Park Ranger as a guest reader.

Cooper Puppet Playhouse Richland County Public Library, Cooper Branch myrcpl.com

Columbia Museum of Art offers kids’ art workshops. Courtesy photo

Dec. 5. The latest production of the Cooper Puppet Playhouse.

LEGO Madness!

Family Fun Day at Columbiana Centre Columbiana Centre columbianacentre.com

Dec. 11. Enjoy a make and take art project, kindermusic, story time and a puppet show.

Family Movie Night Richland County Public Library, St. Andrews Branch myrcpl.com

Dec. 4. Bring the family for a movie night at the library. Snacks are provided.

Festivals of Sharing EdVenture Children’s Museum edventure.org.

Dec. 8-9. Columbia’s only multicultural holiday event for children.

Hansel & Gretel Columbia Marionette Theatre cmtpuppet.org

Richland County Public Library, Northeast Branch myrcpl.com

Dec. 4. Young Sandlapper Singers performance.

New Year’s Eve at Noon

Toddler Takeover

Dec. 8. Enjoy the holidays in the decorated Robert Mills House and learn how the Christmas tree appeared in South Carolina and how a South Carolinian made the poinsettia a well-known holiday decoration.

Dec. 20-21. For 5- to 10-year-olds.

Explore the world through the eyes of Riverbanks’ tree-huggers.

January

Dec. 3. Columbia’s only multicultural holiday event for children.

Afternoon of Puppets

One Room School House: Monotype Madness

Dec. 20-21. For grades 6-8. Learn the history and science behind works of art while touring the galleries.

Columbia Museum of Art columbiamuseum.org

Dec. 14. For kids 4 and up. Home school students travel through the galleries looking and learning about texture, line, and pattern.

Dec. 9. Free drop-in studio program allows participants to immerse themselves in Mark Rothko’s world by creating a mixed media piece using ink and pastels and enjoy a guided family tour.

Robert Mills House historiccolumbia.org

Riverbanks Zoo riverbanks.org

Dec. 31. As the countdown to noon begins, the giant illuminated ball descends and lands at the foot of Eddie, kicking off the biggest mid-day celebration in town. Hey, it’s not like the kids know any different, anyway.

Holiday Celebrations Around the World

Family Day: Historic Holidays

Winter Zoo Camp

EdVenture Children’s Museum edventure.org

EdVenture Children’s Museum edventure.org

Passport to Art: Blurred Lines

Dec. 6-14; Thu-Fri. School performance by the Columbia City Ballet.

Dreher Performing Arts Center sandlappersingers.org

Dec. 17. Create robots, cities, creatures and more using LEGOs!

Through Dec. 29. The classic tale of Hansel and Gretel, told with marionettes.

Visit website for showtimes.

Koger Center columbiacityballet.com

Silver Bells, Golden Harps, Brass Magic

Columbia Museum of Art columbiamuseum.org

Safari Saturday Riverbanks Zoo riverbanks.org

Dec. 15. A learning adventure designed to teach your youngster new concepts that are appropriate for young minds.

Winter Workshop: The Alchemy of Art Columbia Museum of Art columbiamuseum.org

Winter Workshop: Portfolio Building 101 Columbia Museum of Art columbiamuseum.org

Dec. 20-21. For grades 9-12. Learn how to photograph artwork, organize and present your artwork to colleges and universities.

Winter Workshop: Ready, Set, Rothko!

Columbia Museum of Art columbiamuseum.org

Dec. 20-21. For grades 1-5. Creative minds will explore the concepts of complementary colors, analogous colors and luminosity.

Winter Workshop: The Alchemy of Art Columbia Museum of Art columbiamuseum.org

Dec. 20-21. For ages 4-5. Explore the galleries looking for all of the museum’s magical creatures. Then in the studio, create cool projects based on the mythical creatures you find.

Richland County Public Library, Main Branch myrcpl.com

Jan. 16. Watch your favorite stories performed by the Children’s Room puppets.

Beauty and the Beast Columbia Marionette Theatre cmtpuppet.org

Jan. 12-May 2013. The classic tale of a beauty and a beast, told with marionettes. Visit website for showtimes.

Congaree National Park Storytime Richland County Public Library, Main Branch

myrcpl.com

Jan. 19. Enjoy storytime with a Congaree National Park Ranger as a guest reader.

Wild Winter Zoo Program Richland County Public Library, Main Branch myrcpl.com

Jan. 17. What do animals do when the winter gets wild? Come join Emily from the Riverbanks Zoo to find out.

milies zine for Smart Fa Midlands’ Maga winter 2012-13

Cooking with Kids Children Learn Fast, Eat Better When They Help activities

Five Quick Day Trips

health

First Trip to the Dentist

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Math Without Tears

media

Music! Books!

Movies!

FT Parent is a quarterly magazine for the smart, engaged parent doing their best to navigate the ever-changing landscape of raising a child.

To advertise, call Kerry Powers at 803-765-0707 x128 or email kpowers@free-times.com.

Dating Your Spouse

life & learning

33

Ideas on How to Get a Night Away

By Heather Green

W

e fall in love, get married and have kids — and then wonder where our dating life went.

Let’s face it: While it used to be a priority, romance goes by the wayside after babies come along.

Who has time for dates when we barely have time to bathe ourselves during a 24-hour period? Or when we’re only getting three-tofive hours of sleep per night for months? Or when we’re working eight- or nine-hour days, then have to figure out what’s for dinner, check the kids’ homework and act as a taxi service for our children’s multiple after-school activities? Must I go on?

Over the past five years or so, I have searched for some creative dating ideas so that I can actually have dates with my husband again. As far as where to go out, that’s the easy part. (If you need some ideas, pick up a copy of Bites and Sights.) The list below has more to do with how to go out — different ways to handle childcare while you’re on your date.

You don’t have to go out for hours or spend tons of cash to enjoy time alone with your love.

Finding a few hours here and there will make a big difference in your relationship.

Here are a few of my ideas.

Cheap Option No. 1: The Switch So you want to go on a date with your significant other, but by the time you pay the babysitter and pay for the restaurant and bar tab, you could have gone on a cheap vacation, right? When a night out to a movie costs you

around $100 dollars plus dinner, you begin to wonder if you can even afford to date your spouse. Here’s a solution: Trade nights with your friends and neighbors who have kids. You can take Friday-night babysitting duties and go out on Saturday night. Heck, you can even trade afternoons if nights are too much of a hassle. While having multiple sets of kids can sometimes be hectic, it’s affordable and you get a night out for a real date.

Cheap Option No. 2: Friends and Relatives This option seems pretty obvious, right?

But do we sometimes feel bad about asking our friends and relatives to babysit for us? Yes, we do. I say, no more guilt: We all deserve a few hours away from our kids and I bet most of your friends and family wouldn’t mind hanging out with your kids while you and your significant other reconnect. Reach out to your

Alexa Alphin, left, prepares plates of chicken fingers and tater tots for children in the private dining room at Solstice while her co-worker, Megan Taylor, both 17, holds a toddler. When they aren’t handling babysitter night duties at Solstice, Alexa and Megan work as hostesses at the restaurant. Photo by Jonathan Sharpe

34

life & learning

friends and family: Maybe they will offer free services or maybe you’ll have to pay them — either way, reach out. Perhaps you could offer to take them out to dinner in exchange for a few hours of babysitting. Either way, a few hours alone with your best friend are well worth it.

Here are a few things you should know about these special babysitting nights: there is a $7 cost per child, space is limited, and no-shows are charged. While I could not afford this every week, the benefits of a relaxing dinner date greatly outweighed the costs involved.

Solstice Kitchen’s Babysitting Nights

Capital Karate Movie Nights

Solstice Kitchen 841-4 Sparkleberry Lane 788-6966, solsticekitchen.com Cost: $7 per child Monthly on select Monday nights After hearing some fellow parents rave about this date-night option, I knew I had to try it out. Fellow parents, you were right: While my two children ate chicken fingers, watched movies and played, my husband and I ate a great meal and had a chance for some conversation that didn’t include any baby talk.

If you haven’t been to Solstice, here’s a taste of what you’re in for: entrees and specials ranging from Angus ribeye, duck and pork tenderloin to shrimp and grits, salmon, mahimahi, scallops and more, as well as extensive cocktail and wine lists. This is a great option for a truly romantic night out.

2728 Rosewood Drive, 212-7111 capitalkaratesc.com Cost: $30 for students and $15 dollars for each additional family member Ages: 4-11 Capital Karate hosts a once-a-month movie night for their students on select Fridays from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Kids have fun learning karate, watching movies and eating pizza. Meanwhile, you and your date get to go out and have a nice dinner, grab a drink and talk in peace. (Now there’s a radical idea.) For roughly the same as you might be paying a babysitter, you don’t have to find one, and you know your kid will be involved in lots of activities while you’re out. For this mom, a once-a-month opportunity to hang out with my husband is well worth it.

Little Gym’s Parent Survival Nights 2005 N. Beltline Boulevard, 738-1115 5347 Sunset Boulevard, 951-7235 thelittlegym.com Cost: $25 for non-members, $30 for members Ages: 3-12 Kids have fun with gymnastics while parents get to go on a movie date, eat a quiet meal and reconnect. Survival Nights are held on select Friday and Saturday nights. Call a Little Gym near you to register.

Daycare Another great babysitting resource is your own childcare development center. Many childcare organizations have babysitter lists for those caregivers who are also willing to babysit. Some daycares also have drop-off hours on nights and weekends so that parents can have a few hours off. Ask your childcare agency if they offer after-hours babysitting services. This is a great resource for using sitters with whom your children are already familiar and trust.

Heather Green works at the Ballentine Branch of the Richland County Public Library.

35

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Learn more at sc.provostacademy.com or call 877-265-3195

life & learning

37

Math Without Tears Navigating the Middle-School Math Years

By Rodney Welch

F

or parents of middle-school students, nightly math homework can be a source of mutual frustration, and for a lot of reasons.

Sometimes, students understand assignments perfectly but find the work tedious.

Sometimes the students don’t get it and their parents do, but the two have a hard time communicating.

Often, of course, the parents don’t get it either. They’ve hit their own wall of knowledge from 20 years ago.

Also, the teaching of math has changed.

Thanks to a more computer-driven, technology-based society, “they’re putting more statistics and probabilities in courses that my kids never got,” says Jean Redfearn of Camden, who has long taught and tutored both middle- and high-school math students, and now teaches in both physical and virtual environments.

“They’re getting into more depth earlier,” Redfearn says. “A lot of what I learned in college is now in high school.”

So what’s a parent to do when their kids are struggling?

For Redfearn, the worst thing a parent can say is “I’m no good at math,” because it all but gives the child permission to fail.

Instead, she advises parents to focus more on working with their children to find a solution. For example: l See if your child can set up a time to work with his or her teacher after school, before school or during lunch. “The sooner they get in the habit of doing something like that when they hit a snag,” she says, “that just puts them on a more successful road in their future academics.” l Find a “study buddy” — someone your child can work with to figure out tough concepts. Who they choose is important, though: Some kids work very well together, while others might be more inclined to chat than study. l Hire a private tutor.

Another key point is patience. If you’re working with your child on their homework, be patient, understand that they are encountering concepts for the first time — and ask for their patience, too, as you might need some time to re-learn concepts you haven’t thought about in decades.

Besides all this, students have an advantage their parents likely did not: the explosion over the past few years in math and science tutorial websites (see sidebar).

Commensurate with all these sites, of course, is just plain old Google, as there are a plethora of interactive websites — with videos, practice sheets and sample tests — that have been created by schools and colleges across the country.

From her own years of experience, Redfearn believes students learn best when concrete examples are used to demonstrate abstract principles.

“There’s more of a push now to have higherlevel thinking skills, and so consequently they’re bringing in real life applications and relevance. I see this more than what I saw in the 1980s and 1970s, with hopes that that motivates them more. And that’s a good thing.

It’s tougher, because guess what? It’s a lot of words. And ones that excel at math [sometimes] don’t like English. But as long as they get it sooner and the more they practice it, the easier it gets.”

Recently, Redfearn led a class in determining the average unemployment rate in ten random counties. One student came to realize why her uncle, who lives in a county with a high unemployment rate, was having such a hard time finding a job.

“I hate to say it,” she says, “but they have to be entertained in order to be focused. We as teachers have to become more creative in that process, and that’s why I love this Internet situation, because it has all these wonderful things for you to choose as a teacher.”

Khan Academy khanacademy.org

This free website offers thousands of two- to three-minute videos explaining everything from the simplest math concepts to the most advanced. It has become a revolutionary teaching tool both in and out of the classroom.

Brightstorm brightstorm.com

Where Khan Academy videos are focused on demonstrating concepts with a teacher supplying the narration, Brightstorm is more visually oriented, with a teacher on camera, sometimes illustrating real-world applications by way of graphics or demonstrations.

It has a monthly subscription price of $29.99.

VirtualNerd virtualnerd.com

Features teachers on camera, with the added advantage of key concepts printed on the screen as the teacher says them. The cost is $19 a month, though students who need some quick help can access it for a day at $3, or for a week at $9, and zero in on specific trouble areas.

Teacher Tube teachertube.com

A free site where teachers post instructional or classroom videos. Lots of information from all over, but less organized and harder to navigate than some of the other sites above.

38 life & learning covery Program helps those struggling to learn — whether via learning disabilities or other learning disorders — to become independent students.

Family Connections of South Carolina 2712 Middleburg Dr., 252-0914 familyconnectionsc.org Statewide organization of parents helping parents of children with disabilities, developmental delays, and chronic illnesses.

Family Service Center of South Carolina 2712 Middleburg Dr., 733-5450 fsconline.org A multi-service non-profit agency offering adoption services, consumer credit counseling, child dental clinics, an eye care clinic and more.

Glenforest School glenforest.org Works with K-12 students who have not thrived in traditional learning environments, including students with dyslexia, attention-deficit disorder or other developmental challenges.

Head Start

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ife is full of tough questions. How best does your child learn? Is your 4-yearold ready for a sleepover? Should your 12-year-old be on Facebook? How many sports are too many? How do you talk about sexting — and when? To help your kid learn — and learn how to live — check out the following.

Aim High Education

Boys & Girls Club of the Midlands

Children’s Trust of SC

4801 Hardscrabble Rd., 788-6894 aimhigheducationsc.com

bgcmidland.org

1634 Main St., 733-5430 scchildren.org

Customized after-school education programs and tutoring.

The Afterschool Zone theafterschoozone.com Offers afterschool pickup from Lexington/Richland 5 and Richland 1 schools. Students engage in physical and educational activities.

ASY Counseling Services 1825 St. Julian Pl., 254-1210 asycounseling.com Providing quality mental health services to children and families in the Columbia area.

Behavior Consulting Services 3227 Sunset Blvd. behaviorconsultingservices.com Serves children with a variety of special needs, including autism spectrum disorders, behavioral difficulties and academic difficulties.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Columbia bbbs.org Oldest and largest youth mentoring organization in the United States. Serves children ages 6 through 18.

Formed in 1959, operates 31 clubs, eight summer camps and a teen center serving youth and families from Fairfield, Lexington and Richland Counties.

Bright Start 720 Gracern Rd., 929-1112 brightstartsc.com Provides quality comprehensive services to all individuals with special needs and developmental delays.

Challenger Learning Center 2600A Barhamville Rd. 929-3951, thechallengercenter.net The Challenger Learning Center of Richland County School District One is an aeronautics- and space-themed learning program designed to provide interactive learning experiences, integrating science, technology, engineering and math curricula with 21st century life skills.

Children’s Chance 609 Sims Ave., 254-5996 childrenschance.org Children’s Chance’s mission is to improve the quality of life of children and families who are dealing with the trauma of pediatric cancer.

Aims to promote healthy, nurturing relationships between children and adults — because strengthening families is the best way to prevent abuse, neglect and unintentional injuries.

Christian Counseling Center 1500 Lady St., 779-1995 christiancounseling.ws Offers counseling on a variety of topics; also offers spiritual and religious counseling. Offered by First Presbyterian Church.

Columbia Counseling Center 900 St. Andrews Rd., 731-4708 columbiacounseling.accountsupport.com A Christian perspective on counseling.

Crossroads Counseling Center 130 Whiteford Way, 808-1800 solutionsforlife.org Counseling for adults, adolescents, children and marriages.

Discovery Program of South Carolina 8807 Two Notch Rd., 419-0126 discoveryprogramsc.org Noted as a program of excellence with the National Institute for Learning Development (NILD), the Dis-

1400 St. Andrews Rd., 898-2550 A comprehensive school readiness program serving kids 0-5 that has a strong focus on ensuring that they start school ready to learn.

Lake Murray Counseling Center 7511 St. Andrews Rd., 781-1003 lakemurraycounseling.com Offering counseling for children’s and adolescent issues.

Lango South Carolina langosouthcarolina.com At Lango, your child will learn another language, make developmental strides, explore other cultures. At various Midlands locations.

The Language Buzz 1921 Henderson St., 252-7002 thelanguagebuzz.com A unique foreign language learning center that promotes the early command of languages through language immersion, contextualized learning, and the learning and acceptance of different cultures.

Leadership Institute at Columbia College columbiacollegesc.edu/ leadership_inst/ Girls Empowered and LEAD residential programs.

life & learning

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Lexington-Richland Anti-Drug Abuse Council

Study SC

Lexington County: 1068 S. Lake Dr., 726-9400 Richland County: 2711 Colonial Dr., 726-9300 lradac.org

StudySC is a website that provides online content to support K-12 South Carolina-specific curriculum standards.

Alcohol and drug abuse authority offering a wide array of prevention, intervention and treatment programs, including child and adolescent programs.

Irmo: 1270 Bower Pkwy., 781-7323 Northeast: 130 Forum Dr., 741-0999 sylvanlearning.com

studysc.org

Sylvan Learning Center

Mathnasium mathnasium.com Offers math help for students from grades 2 through 12.

Palmetto Counseling Associates

Mental Health America of South Carolina

1911 Gadsden St., 254-9767 palmettocounseling.com

1823 Gadsden St., 779-5363 mha-sc.org

Pearson Professional Centers

My Amigos

107 Westpark Blvd., 798-3001 Offers GMAT testing.

myamigosbec.org Language immersion programs for ages 30 months to 5th grade.

NAMI Mid Carolina

Personal Pathways to Success scpathways.org Provides educational and career planning resources.

namimidcarolina.org Local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

REACH reachgroup.org A support group for Columbia-area home schoolers; provides information

and activities, offers information about academic rĂŠsumĂŠs and transcripts.

Richland County First Steps rcfirststeps.org Works with kids, parents, schools and childcare providers to promote health, literacy and school readiness in young children.

South Carolina Youth Advocate Program 779-5500

Nonprofit child-placing agency offering training, support and compensation to qualified families who provide a home to a foster child.

Franchise supplemental learning centers providing personalized instruction in reading, writing, mathematics, study skills, homework support, and test preparation for college entrance and state exams.

Three Rivers Behavioral Health West Columbia: 200 Ermine Rd., 791-9918 West Columbia: 2900 Sunset Blvd., 796-9911 threeriversbehavioral.org Provides comprehensive residential treatment for children and adolescents providing treatment for psychiatric and chemical dependency related illnesses.

University of South Carolina Speech and Hearing Research Center 1601 St. Julian Pl., 77-2614 sph.sc.edu/shc/ Provides a variety of evaluation and treatment programs for individuals of all ages.

media

Books

Eric Litwin (author) and James Dean (illustrator), Pete the Cat Saves Christmas (HarperCollins, 40 pages, $17.99) Ages: 4 and older

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anta is sick and an emergency call is made to a surfing Pete the Cat. Litwin’s sing-song style gets us grooving as Pete the Cat’s minibus is filled with toys for boys and girls. A fun remix to an old Christmas classic. — Heather Green, Ballentine Branch R.J. Palacio, Wonder (Knopf, 320 pages, $15.99)

Ages: 8 and older

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onder is the story of 10-year-old Auggie Pullman, who has a horribly deformed face caused by rare genetic problems. Despite 27 surgeries that have rendered him better able to function, his appearance is still disturbing to others. Previously homeschooled, Auggie enters a small private school where he forms tentative friendships, braves ridicule and endures shunning. When he hears his friendship betrayed, his sister goads him into persevering at school despite his pain and loss.

Incidents told from the perspectives of his sister, classmates and old friends help us examine the motives behind the confusing and sometimes hurtful behavior Auggie experiences. Most shocking is one mother’s fight against Auggie’s right to attend the private school. When the community becomes aware of this confrontation, people start to examine their motives and reactions toward a child who is just trying to live as a normal kid.

— Becky Dickey, Southeast Regional Branch

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Judith Viorst (author) and Lane Smith (illustrator), Lulu Walks the Dogs (Atheneum, 160 pages, $15.99) Ages: 6 and older

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n this sequel to Lulu and the Brontosaurus, Lulu is back, full of dreams and schemes.

When she asks for a “superspecial thing,” Lulu is surprised to find that her parents won’t buy it for her. Despite her best efforts to convince her parents otherwise (like suggesting they sell their car and take the bus), they tell her that she will have to work to earn the money.

After much consideration, Lulu decides that she would make an outstanding dog walker.

Right away, she has three customers and three problems: Brutus, an enormous dog; Pookie, a super-sensitive lapdog; and Cordelia, a dachshund who loves playing hide-and-seek (well, mostly hide). When things go wrong the first day, she is unsure what to do (except yell) until she gets help from a surprising person. What’s that “superspecial thing” that Lulu wanted to buy? Don’t worry — all will be revealed. This short chapter book is a terrific read-aloud for the whole family and a perfect reminder of what’s really valuable. — Heather McCue, Main Branch Children’s Room Raina Telgemeier, Drama (GRAPHIX, 240 pages, $10.99) Ages: 10 and older

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allie is a theater nerd: she whisks between tasks as a purplish streak of hair, staying up all night to complete just the right special effect for her middle school’s production of Moon Over Mississippi. However, there’s no shortage of drama in front of or behind the

curtain, as different relationships form and fall apart before Callie’s eyes. This is a story for those who relish tales of first crushes and the sanctuary of a large creative project that pulls everyone together. As in Telgemeier’s previous comic, Smile, she brings a wealth of warmth to a cast of young people still discovering their own personalities. — Thomas Maluck, Northeast Regional Branch Melinda Long (author) and Tatjana Mai-Wyss (illustrator), The Twelve Days of Christmas in South Carolina (Sterling, 32 pages, $12.95) Ages: 5 and older

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he classic Twelve Days of Christmas goes all-South Carolina! From the South Carolina State Museum to the Lowcountry’s Frogmore Stew, this book takes on South Carolina’s culture in a holiday style. Beginning with “a wren in a palmetto tree,” we see South Carolina’s history and sights through a child’s eyes. Published in 2010. — Heather Green

42 media Erica Silverman (author) and Steven D’Amico (illustrator), The Hanukkah Hop! (Simon & Schuster, 32 pages, $12.99) Ages: 3 and older

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achel’s family is busy preparing for their first Hanukkah Hop. Everyone gathers around the piano as the menorah is lit. Latkes are eaten, stories are told, children play with dreidels — but the real party begins with the klezmer band. A modern Hanukkah story with a sweet, rhyming cadence that will get your child up and dancing at the Hanukkah Hop! — Heather Green Giles Andreae (author) and Vanessa Cabban (illustrator), There’s a House Inside my Mummy (Orchard, 32 pages, $13.69) Ages: 4-8

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old from a little boy’s point of view as he observes his mommy physically changing, a cute story about the excitement as one waits for a new brother or sister. — Heather Green

Sharon Draper, Out of My Mind (Atheneum, 320 pages, $6.99) Ages: 10 and older

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elody is a girl born with cerebral palsy and a photographic memory. Despite being trapped inside a body that will not walk, talk, laugh or sing, her parents expose Melody to a world of beauty and ideas that feed her active mind.

At school, Melody is warehoused in the special education classroom where she is relentlessly entertained with preschool activities.

She communicates through eyes that try to express her likes and her need to engage more actively. Gradually her parents and caregivers realize that Melody has the ability to respond and provide more tools to help her.

Melody’s world really opens up when a specialized talking computer and a school aide assist her in showing what she really knows. Her hard-won inclusion in a regular class and a school quiz team trip to a national competition show that there are still many human frailties that cause barriers to true acceptance. — Becky Dickey

Volunteer at RCPL Looking for something to do? Volunteer! The Richland County Public Library relies on volunteers to help serve the community. Last year, more than 1,100 volunteers contributed more than 22,000 hours — a new record. Volunteers do a variety of things, from shelving books to helping with programs and special projects — all of which make a positive impact. Share your time and talent: Children in fifth grade or higher, teens and adults are needed. Contact Cathy Dolan at 929-3426 or cdolan@myRCPL.com.

media

Music & DVD Reviews

By Kevin Oliver

Ben Rudnick & Friends, Love Is a Superpower Bartlett Ave. Records

Dubbed “The Grateful Dead for kids,” Ben Rudnick & Friends create the kind of loose-knit, vaguely funky, jam-band-style music that one might expect from that nickname.

Incorporating bluegrass, Western swing, reggae, country, folk and rock, the band melds it all into a great depth of layered sounds and textures guaranteed to hold any kid’s interest.

Mom and dad might be interested to know that the “Friends” include Entrain bassist M’talewa Thomas, Jerry Garcia Band fiddler Kenny Kosek and Cowboy Junkies multi-instrumentalist Jeff Bird.

The title track hearkens back to the 1970s, with a horn section and a trippy groove, while “Where are the Dragons?” employs a popreggae beat. If you’ve ever had slow-to-rise kids, “Wake Up Happy” ought to make your day with its Beatles-inspired tunefulness. For a real blast of Beatles, Rudnick-style, however, there’s also their country-rock version of “Here Comes the Sun.” There’s little of educational value in Rudnick’s music, so don’t count on using this to augment those multiplication lessons. Instead, save it for the car rides where distracting the kids is a priority — they’ll groove to the music all the way home.

Mister G, Chocolalala Coil

Ben Gundersheimer is Mister G, a bilingual children’s artist who tours Latin America and soaks up the musical genres he finds there, incorporating many of them into his upbeat, rhythmic songs for children.

The best albums for children are the ones that don’t forget their audience but also don’t pander to or patronize it. Mister G takes the sounds of bossa nova, funk, ska, pop, folk and even rap music and wraps them around songs

simple enough to understand and sing along with — yet complex and musical enough to hold even older children’s interest. There are songs about counting (“Uno Dos Tres”), colors (the bossa nova “Colores”), dancing (the skafest “Bailamos”, which name-checks countries and cities in an informal geography lesson), and chocolate (the acoustic pop of the title track).

The bilingual aspect of the songs, with Mister G alternating lines in Spanish and English, means that even children with no Spanish language skills ought to be able to understand what he’s singing and learn a few words in the process of being entertained.

Complete Fractured Fairy Tales Classic Media

The Rocky & Bullwinkle cartoons from the 1950s and ’60s were delightfully subversive and entertaining at the same time; part of the show included parodies of fairy tales referred to as “Fractured Fairy Tales,” in which classic stories such as the Three Little Pigs, Cinderella, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and Jack and the Beanstalk are given irreverent re-castings that retain the original storyline

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while embellishing it with details and updated references.

For example, in Rumpelstiltskin the title character presents himself as a public relations specialist, while in the Three Little Pigs the wolf ends up as the butler to the ‘Piggs’ family.

Some are even retitled, as in Little Fred Riding Hood and Cutie and the Beast.

The simple animation from the creators of Rocky & Bullwinkle and the wonderful voiceover narration from Edward Everett Horton are as effective as they ever were. If your children are familiar with the original fairy tales, these off-kilter versions will have them both indignant at the changes and howling with laughter.

This two-disc set collects all of the classic animated shorts, with 500 minutes of video across the two volumes.

44 media

Apps WattPad Available for Apple, Android, BlackBerry and Kindle devices

A new way to discover ebooks free at your library!

Search cloud library in your app store or go to myRCPL.com/3M to get started!

Mango Languages Interested in learning a new language?

Planning a trip to another country? Mango Languages and RCPL can help.

The Mango Mobile Library edition works together with your RCPL account, allowing you to access free content to help you learn dozens of different languages, including French, Italian, Spanish, Russian or even Pirate (which might come in handy for your 6-year-old son). Listen to native speakers as you practice practical vocabulary, pronunciation and grammar. Frequent cultural notes help to keep things interesting while helping you acclimate to your future travel destination.

..................

If you’re a fan of both reading and treasure hunting, then Wattpad is not to be missed: Think of this free app as a YouTube for aspiring novelists. Amateur authors share their writing via the website, where stories are then made available for others to read either online or through this easy-to-use app. Browsing couldn’t be easier with works organized by more than 20 genres, with sortable categories within.

Want to skip the most amateurish works and get to the good stuff? Check out the readers’ top-rated selections. The communitybuilding component of WattPad adds to the fun as readers can leave comments and suggestions for the authors, as well as interact with other WattPad members to discover mutual preferences and new favorites.

With over 100,000 free original titles, you might stumble upon the latest rags-to-riches writing phenomenon (a la E.L. James’ Fifty Shades of Grey). Reviewed by Amber Conger, Main Library.

GET YOUR HEAD IN THE CLOUD

RICHLAND COUNTY PUBL IC

LI BRARY

Add the 3M Cloud Library app to your mobile device and you can download e-book titles such as The Everything Learning German Book, Learn French in a Hurry or The Everything Conversational Japanese Book.

These books are simple to use and can help children learn a language more quickly or adults brush up on that rusty high school French.

Both apps are available in the Apple App Store and Google Play. For help getting started with these apps, stop by or call your nearest RCPL location. Reviewed by Kelly L. Jones, Main Library

media

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Rainy Day Pal Books 711 E. Main St., 951-2780 Located on the bottom floor of Lexington’s historic Old Mill, Rainy Day Pal Used Books is known for its wide selection, and it specializes in children’s books.

Richland County Public Library Main Branch: 1431 Assembly St., 799-9084 Ballentine: 1321 Dutch Fork Rd., 781-5026 Blythewood: 218 McNulty Rd., 691-9806.

Cooper: 5317 N. Trenholm Rd., 787-3462 Eastover: 608 Main St., 353-8584 North Main: 5306 N. Main St., 754-7734 Northeast: 7490 Parklane Rd., 736-6575 Sandhills: 1 Summit Pkwy., 699-9230 Southeast: 7421 Garners Ferry Rd., 776-0855 St. Andrews: 2916 Broad River Rd., 772-6675 Wheatley: 931 Woodrow St., 799-5873 myrcpl.com.

For many years running, the Richland County Public Library won the Best Place to Expand Your Mind category in the Free Times Best of Columbia awards.

Like the library system across the river, the 11-branch Richland County Public Library system stocks tons of books for kids, but will also help your child understand them, too. Offers classes, book clubs, homework help, kids’ events and much more.

Richland County Public Library on Assembly Street. Courtesy photo

Rolling Video Games

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e know we just said, not three listings sections ago, that active kids are happy kids. But the mind and imagination are to be nurtured, too, and here are a few places where you can do just that.

and teacher involvement. The key was having educational video games, but video games also improve hand-eye coordination, teach basic skills, improve multitasking and can promote exercise and social play. There are some 15 GameStop locations in Columbia, so buy Junior that Zelda title if he does well in school, OK?

Heroes and Dragons 510 Bush River Rd., 731-4376

Barnes & Noble

but hosts kid-friendly events — storytimes, games, etc. — too.

Forest Acres: 3400 Forest Dr., 787-5600 Harbison: 278-A Harbison Blvd., 749-9009 barnesandnoble.com

Books Revisited

The mega-chain bookstore stocks tons of reading material for kids, sure, but it hosts kid-friendly events — storytimes, games, etc. — too.

The Book Dispensary 710 Gracern Rd.,798-4739 mybookdispensary.com The best books, often, are ones that have been treasured and cared for, and Columbia’s oldest specializes in preloved books.

Books-A-Million Forest Acres: 4840 Forest Dr., 782-4475 Harbison: 275 Harbison Blvd., 749-9378 Northeast: 164 Forum Dr., 788-4349 booksamillion.com The mega-chain bookstore stocks tons of reading material for kids, sure,

7366A Two Notch Rd., 865-9990 booksrevisitedsc.com A quality source for quality used books; also hosts storytimes, book clubs, writing workshops and more.

Ed’s Editions 406 Meeting St., 791-8002 edseditions.com This quaint, family-owned bookstore is a nigh-yearly winner in the Free Times Best of Columbia awards.

GameStop gamestop.com A recent study, ABC News reported, from the Education Development Center and the U.S. Congress-supported Ready To Learn Initiative found that a curriculum that involved digital media such as video games could improve early literacy skills when coupled with strong parental

Like video games, comic books, too, provide benefits, stimulating the imagination and creativity. So don’t toss your kids’ Avengers comics.

Lexington County Library Main Branch: 5440 Augusta Rd., 785-2600 Batesburg-Leesville: 203 Armory St., 532-9223 Cayce-West Columbia: 1500 Augusta Rd., 794-6791 Chapin: 129 NW Columbia Ave., 345-5479 Gaston: 214 S. Main St., 791-3208 Gilbert-Summit: 405 Broad St., 785-5387 Irmo: 6251 St. Andrews Rd., 798-7880 Pelion: 206 Pine St., 785-3272 Swansea: 199 N. Lawrence Ave., 785-3519 South Congaree: 200 Sunset Dr., 785-3050 lex.lib.sc.us Books are invaluable to a child’s development. The 10-branch Lexington County Library system stocks tons of books for kids, but will also help your child understand them, too. Offers classes, book clubs, homework help, kids’ events and much more.

rollingvideogamescolumbia.com Rolling Video Games delivers what it promises: a mobile video game theater stocked with the latest titles available for birthday parties, bar mitzvahs, whatever.

Silver City Comics 538 Knox Abbott Dr., 791-4021 Remember what we said about Heroes and Dragons? Ditto for Silver City.

South Carolina State Library 1430 Senate St. statelibrary.sc.gov The South Carolina State Library is home to the South Carolina Center for the Book, which co-sponsor adult and adolescent literary events, such as the South Carolina Book Festival, the State Library Read-In, Letters About Literature, and many workshops.

Thomas Lee Hall Library 4679 Lee Rd., 751-5589 fortjacksonmwr.com/library Military kids don’t have to go off-post to find a great library.

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