Family & Kids May 2024

Thomas W. Ellison, MD, FAAP

Kathryn K. Cheek, MD, FAAP

Jennifer R. Evangelista, MD, FAAP

Mark C. Oliver, MD, FAAP

Susan E. McWhirter, MD, FAAP

Erik A. Heiss, MD, FAAP

Kathleen T. Roberts, MD, FAAP

Brent T. Smith, PA-C

Lindsay Simpkins, PA-C

Kate E. Bubar, CPNP-PC

traits for their Toolbox

By Linda Ligon, Family & Kids

it is hard to see your child deal with disappointment and losses. However, if we teach kids how to stay strong and cope with feelings such as disappointment and loss, they will grow up to be resilient adults, able to feel happy with life even after experiencing setbacks.

Start working to build these four traits in your child that can help keep her strong through difficult times. Think of these traits as ‘tools’ in her toolbox that she can use to overcome the emotional challenges that life will throw her way.

Emotional Intelligence (EI)

EI helps your child understand her feelings and put a label on them. It is difficult to manage and regulate something you do not understand. Once emotions are identified, EI helps your child avoid acting impulsively and provides the ability to properly process and respond to emotions.

You can help your child identify emotions by starting conversations about her day and asking her how any difficult situations she shares made her feel. For example, if your child tells you her best friend said something mean, ask her to describe her emotions. Did she get upset and want to say something mean back or did she just want to cry?

Along with identifying her own emotions, EI helps your child understand what others might be feeling and the emotions behind the behavior of others. This is important since knowing what motivates a behavior can help form an appropriate response. Your child cannot control the emotions of others, but she can control her response to how others act.

Accountability

Start teaching responsibility and accountability early. Even very young kids can be assigned simple chores such as helping to pick up toys. One good way to teach the concept of responsibility is to create a chore chart. Providing kids with responsibility helps create strong self-esteem and lays the

foundation for later success in school and the adult world. Your child can feel a sense of accomplishment when she does her chores well.

If your child makes a mistake or has a problem, do not try to ‘fix’ the problem. Instead, talk with your child and ask her what she thinks she should do next. Ask her to brainstorm a few solutions and choose the one she thinks would work best. Allow her to try it, only stepping in to mitigate serious safety threats.

Positive Pathway

Each day, the world presents your child with problems and maybe some disappointments. However, your child can help prevent the daily ‘negatives’ from wearing down her happiness. Teach her to ‘move forward’ by focusing on analyzing setbacks and problem-solving to help prevent a future incident. For example, if your child is upset because she missed kicking a goal and her team lost the soccer game, you could ask her to form a plan for extra practice to improve her skills.

In addition, teach your child to lose gracefully and to congratulate an opponent when she is defeated at a competition or sporting event. This is part of leaving the loss and negative emotions behind so that she can focus on the ‘positive path’ of working hard to get ready for the next competition or game.

Gratitude

Having a strong sense of gratitude helps your child start each day with a positive perspective. An ‘attitude of gratitude’ can support an overall feeling of happiness even though the day may throw challenges your child’s way. Practice gratitude by asking your child to share something she is grateful for. Provide opportunities for your child to show her appreciation by helping others.

HOO’s NEWS

Donations Needed To Upgrade Bay Avenue

Kids Park

Uptown Columbus is seeking community donations to fund improvements at their Bay Avenue Playground. Two key updates will be the installation of a new floor and shade structures. The nonprofit hopes to raise at least $250,000 to pay for the projects prior to the summer season.

The Bay Avenue Park is owned and operated by Uptown Columbus, Inc. Uptown built the park in 2016 after raising all the money from private donors. The park is free and open for children of all ages.

The playground floor is a spe cial rubber surface that is de signed to absorb falls. Due to cracks and gouges, Uptown has patched the floor twice over the last three years. As the floor is now at the end of its useful life, Uptown needs to raise about $100,000 to replace the surface for this phase of the project.

While the Park is surrounded on two sides by trees, parents have reported that some of the playground equipment gets too hot to touch on sunny days. Kids are forced to stay off slides and grab bars due to the extreme temperatures. This phase of the project would install shade structures at $150,000 to make the equipment more usable during the day.

Donors can make tax-deductible contributions by visiting alwaysuptown. com or by texting "KidsPlayUptown" to 44321. For more info, call Uptown Columbus at 706-596-0111.

Uptown Columbus, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization facilitates and coordinates economic revitalization throughout the Uptown area. Uptown Columbus is dedicated primarily to the desire to work, live,

Playground surface conditions – Spring 2022

Playground surface patches – temporary repairs in Summer 2022 and 2023

groW tiMe to

SPD

Sensory processing disorder (SPD) is a term used to describe a condition where the senses do not respond in a normal way to inputs from the outside world. The sights, smells, sounds and textures experienced by the senses are not processed properly, leading to abnormal behavior. For some kids with SPD, the sensory input is stronger than normal. For example, a child may cry because his clothes feel too rough or what you perceive as a normal volume is too loud for him. For other kids, their senses are abnormally understimulated by inputs (hyposensitivity) and they may seem hyperactive and constantly seeking additional sensory input. Some children with SPD have difficulty processing where their body is in space, seem uncoordinated and have difficulty playing.

Other symptoms of SPD include: insensitivity or hypersensitivity to heat, cold or pain, inability to tolerate certain food textures, strong aversion to being touched and inability to adjust well to change.

SPD is not an official diagnosis and there is some debate over whether SPD can be considered a ‘disorder.’ Many children

with autism experience SPD but it is not exclusive to autism. Kids with ADHD or OCD sometimes show signs of SPD and it is also possible for SPD to show up on its own, unaccompanied by autism or other disorders. Researchers are not exactly sure what causes SPD. Research provides some evidence that irregular brain function may be behind SPD. More study is needed to find the exact cause of this irregular brain function.

Due to the fact that SPD is not officially a diagnosis, there is no formal set of criteria for diagnosing it. Doctors use a combination of observing the child’s behavior and responses to questionnaires, such as the Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests (SIPT) or the Sensory Processing Measure (SPM), to help determine if a patient has issues with sensory processing. After gathering this information, the doctor then helps parents find treatments that may be able to improve their child’s sensory function. Treatments for SPD include occupational therapy and physical therapy.

Blueberry

FRUIT LEATHER

Even though this recipe only needs three ingredients, they all work together amazingly well to make a healthy snack that’s loaded with essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other phytonutrients.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 170°F.

2. Line a 17-by-12-inch baking sheet with a silicone baking mat.

3. Place the blueberries, apple and lemon juice in a high speed blender and blend until smooth.

4. Spread the mixture evenly onto the baking sheet.

5. Bake until the leather is no longer sticky to the touch, about three to four hours.

6. Lay a sheet of parchment on top of the fruit leather.

7. Invert the leather and gently peel off the mat.

8. Cut the leather into strips.

9. Roll up and store in an airtight container.

INGREDIENTS

• ½ pound fresh blueberries

• 1 apple, cored and chopped

• 1 ½ tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice

Courtesy

Highlight On HOO’s PICKS

After a yearlong, major renovation, The Columbus Museum is excited to invite the public to a free weekend celebrating the reimagined Museum and the area’s vibrant cultural scene. The weekend kicks off at 10am on Saturday, May 4, with a celebratory ribbon-cutting ceremony followed by two days of special interactive programming and activities till 10pm on Saturday and from 1-5pm on Sunday.

Highlights include artistic docent-led tours, a mystery scavenger hunt, collaborative art making, children’s story time, food trucks, giveaways, and a Saturday night silent disco. On view will be the reopening of exhibitions as well as special loaned exhibits. Enjoy performances by local artists from the RaineyMcCullers School of the Arts, Springer Theater Academy, Youth Orchestra of Greater Columbus, Voices of the Valley, Columbus State University Schwob School of Music, and many more.

“The extensive renovation, undertaken with the vision to enhance visitor experience, introduces open sight lines, increased natural light, and improved accessibility, creating a seamless connection between art and history galleries and the Bradley Olmsted Garden,” says Museum Director, Marianne Richter.

The Museum boasts several new features including the redesign and reinstallation of the art and history galleries, a Children's Gallery and Garden near the main entrance, a modern courtyard, new orientation spaces, a reconceived, stunning Galleria, and a graband-go café. The historic features of the Bradley Olmsted Garden have undergone restoration, adding to the overall beauty of the Museum’s extensive grounds.

NEW CHILDREN’S GALLERY & GARDEN

The reimagined Museum will feature a new and expansive Children’s Gallery with an adjoining Children’s Garden, adjacent to the Museum’s main entrance. The relocated space will be convenient for visiting families, featured front and center in a more prominent location. The transformed space will be a playground for the senses, designed to engage children of all ages in immersive experiences. Visitors can climb to new heights in the new treehouse, where a thrilling slide awaits. A new interactive will allow guests to project themselves into masterpieces and explore art in a whole new dimension. For budding curators, our mini museum offers the chance to create and curate exhibitions, fostering a love for art and storytelling.

The Columbus Museum was founded in 1953. It is one of the largest museums in the Southeast. The Museum invites visitors to celebrate creativity and culture through the experience of American art, regional history, tranquil gardens, and more. As a destination for people of all ages and interests, the Museum has something for everyone – from the art enthusiast to the history buff, the nature lover to the leisure visitor – it’s free and it’s all in one reimagined space.

Following the reopening, the Museum will return to regular operating hours, continuing its commitment to being free and open to the public. For more information on the Grand Reopening Celebration, visit the Museum’s website at CoMuGa.org. Follow us on social media or subscribe to our email list for spotlights on performers, exhibition details, and behind-the-scenes coverage.

Teaching When To

THEBREAK RULES

By Linda Ligon, Family & Kids

We have all repeatedly reminded our children not to talk to strangers. However, keeping your child safe in today’s world requires additional effort. There are some common concepts parents teach that can discourage kids from following their instincts to keep themselves safe. While these behavioral guidelines are in themselves not completely incorrect, kids need to know when it's ok to throw these concepts out the window.

We Teach kids To obey adulTs.

When your child is under the care of another adult, we teach her not to talk back or question authority. This basic teaching without more depth, can cause your child to miss dangerous cues or prevent them from speaking up to prevent more harm from adults with bad intentions.

WhaT you can do:

We need to teach kids to know when something is not right and they are in a dangerous situation. Teach your child they should follow their instincts and resist if asked to do something that does not seem right, such as going into a room alone with an adult or letting an adult touch her private parts. It is especially important to teach kids that an adult should never ask a child to keep a secret. Provide your child with a code word she can use to tell you she is with someone who is making her uncomfortable.

RULES

We make kids give relaTives ThaT They do noT knoW a hug.

We tell kids it is rude to refuse to hug their unfamiliar relative, such as a seldom-seen great aunt.

WhaT you can do:

Instead of forcing your kids to hug someone unfamiliar, teach your child that it is OK to refuse to give the hug if they are uncomfortable. This allows your child to use her instincts to avoid physical contact with an adult who makes her uncomfortable.

We Teach kids To be poliTe.

Kids are taught to mind their manners and to avoid creating an unnecessary commotion. This is fine, in the context of teaching your child not to have a meltdown in the store when you tell her that no, she cannot have the toy she sees. The problem is, sometimes, in a dangerous situation, your child needs to fight and scream and forget about manners.

WhaT you can do:

Teach your child to immediately fight and scream as loud as she can if someone tries to take her or hurt her. Teach her to scream phrases that will get the attention of bystanders such as ‘Put me down, I don’t know you!’ Also, teach her that it is OK to scream if her instincts tell her she may be in danger. For example, teach her to follow her instincts and yell something like ‘No, leave me alone, I don’t know you’ if a stranger comes up to her and asks her to come with him and help him. There is no need for politeness in this situation.

We reassure our children

ThaT We Will keep Them safe. No one wants their child to feel worried and anxious that she may be unsafe whenever she leaves the house. However, if your child is not aware of her surroundings, she may miss seeing a danger even if she is with you because of this false sense of security.

WhaT you can do:

Explain to your child that she needs to let you know about anything that looks unsafe when she is out with you. Also, teach her that she should not leave you when she is out in public with you.

Dining Deals for Kids

With deals this good, save the mess and dine out!

MONDAY

Barberitos

Free kid’s meal with adult entrée after 4pm

Sapo’s 5-8pm: Free kid’s meal with adult entrée

The Office

4-9pm: Kids 12 and under get a free kid’s meal with each adult entrée. Dine in only.

Tuesday

Chicken Salad Chick

Free Little Chick Meal with purchase of adult meal

Denny’s

4-10pm: Up to two free kids entrées with adult entrée for kids 10 and under

Ruby Tuesday

5-10pm: Kids 12 and under eat free with adult entrée

Wednesday

Your Pie

Kid’s meal $1.99 (pizza, drink & gelato) w/ adult meal

Red Robin

Kid’s meal $1.99 w/ adult meal for kids 11 and under

Thursday

Tuesday's Street Tacos & Burritos

Free kids meal with adult purchase; dine-in only

Saturday

Denny’s 4-10pm: Up to two free kids entrées with adult entrée for kids 10 and under

Sunday

The Simple Greek Kids 12 & under get half-off kids bowl with purchase of regular size bowl. Not to be combined

Multiple days

219 On The Lake

5-9pm: Kids eat for $2.19 on kids menu (M-TH)

Bruster’s Ice Cream

Kids under 40” get free baby cone

McAlister’s

Kid’s meals are $2.79 with dine-in order

The Food Mill

Kids receive half off a breakfast egg and cheese biscuit with the purchase of one full price breakfast item (M-F, 9-11am)

All locations are Columbus, GA unless noted. Specials are subject to change without notice, so please verify them directly before dining. Send kids deals to Tammy@FamilyAndKidsGA.com.

Disruptors TODDLER SLEEP

you worked hard to create a sleep schedule for your baby but now that she is a toddler, she has difficulty falling asleep on her own and wakes up multiple times during the night. Here are some common causes of toddler sleep disturbances and what you can do to help your toddler get back on track.

CHangEs in rouTinE

A drastic change in your toddler’s routine, such as moving to a new house or the addition of a new family member, can cause your toddler to experience what is called sleep regression. She may have trouble going to sleep and staying asleep.

Even though there is a lot of preparation and excitement around a move or the arrival of a new baby, do your best to maintain your toddler’s routine immediately before and after the big event. Solidify your child’s sleep training and enforce both nap times and bedtime. If your toddler starts refusing to take her nap, do not let her drop her naps. Instead, send her to her bed for ‘quiet time.’ Even if she does not fall asleep, she is getting some ‘down time’ and staying on her schedule.

Avoid making other big changes, such as moving your toddler into a big kid bed during a move or right after a new sibling arrives.

FEar oF THE dark

By Linda Ligon, Family & Kids

Being afraid of the dark can be caused by separation anxiety and by an active imagination. Toddlers brains are growing and maturing, and toddlers often imagine that dragons and monsters are lurking under the bed or in the closet.

When your child cries because she has a nightmare or feels anxious when you leave her room after telling her goodnight, lovingly reassure her but do not give in and let her into your bed. Let your child sleep with a night light and a favorite stuffed animal that will ‘protect’ her.

TEETHing pain

The discomfort from teething can keep your toddler from falling asleep and staying asleep. Ease teething pain with comfort measures, such as a cool teething ring. Call the doctor if the comfort measures do not help and your toddler is inconsolable.

HOO’s learning

By Linda Ligon, Family & Kids

Kids need the support of their parents when they are at home to ensure they keep their learning on track and have the resources to put forth their best effort each day at school. Here are some actions you can take at home to support your child’s learning.

1. Create a consistent routine for homework.

This is even more important if your child has sports practices or other after-school activities to attend each day. Set aside a ‘homework nook’ in your home that is dedicated to learning and is free of distractions, like a TV. Set a good example by setting up your own ‘learning corner,’ where you put aside your phone and read a book or work on a craft. This sends the message to your child that learning is important and never stops, even after you finish school.

2. Limit screen time.

Explain to your child why too much screen time is not healthy and can have negative consequences on both physical and emotional health. Research has associated physical activity with improved cognitive function and with improved brain health.

3. Make time for active learning.

Encourage your child to explore the world around him and spend time outside. Go outside with your child and encourage him to explore and ask questions. Encourage ‘active learning’ by involving your child in hands-on activities such as planting seeds to start a flower garden or a project they can help with, such as building a new bird feeder.

4. Teach time management and responsibility.

Your child, as he grows, will want to take charge of completing his school assignments and want less help from you. Assigning your child chores is a good way to teach responsibility, especially if you create a chore chart that helps him feel a sense of accomplishment when he completes his chores. It helps to also include other tasks your child needs to track, such as completing homework, in the chore chart.

5. Avoid being highly critical.

Praise your child when he does something well and help him analyze mistakes in a kind and supportive manner.

1 Detention with Ms. Zarves. Families. 4pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

1-5 Spring Break. 10am-Noon. RSVP. Columbus Botanical Garden; 706-327-8400

1-5 Spring Break Academy. 9am-5pm. Ages 5-18. Springer Theatre ; 706-324-1100

1-7 Spring Fling. Times vary. Columbus Civic Center; visitcolumbusga.com

2 Little Sprouts. 10am. $5-$7. Ages 3-5. Columbus Botanical Garden; 706-327-8400

2 Kids Explore. 3pm. South Columbus Library; 706-683-8805

2 Music Under the Dome. 5-6:30pm. Coca-Cola Space Science Center; 706-649-1470

2 Harry Potter Night. Families. 6pm. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782

4 LEGOS®. Families. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

5 Teddy Bear Tea Party. Families. 10am. Columbus Library; 706-243-2811

5 Jerome Bechard 24-Hour Hockey Classic. 12am-12pm. $5. Columbus Ice Rink; visitcolumbusga.com

5 Pony Bead Party. Ages 5-12. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

5-6 Columbus River Dragons Hockey Game. Times vary. Columbus Civic Center; 706-653-4460

6 Strut the Hooch Parade. 10am. Uptown Columbus, visitcolumbusga.com

6-7 RiverBlast! Festival. 10am-4:30pm. National Civil War Museum; 706-327-9798

6Artful Babies. 10:30am. Ages 6-24mo. 1327 Wynnton Rd; 706-748-2562 ext 6520

6 Spring Food Truck Festival. 11am-6pm. Woodruff Riverfront Park; facebook.com

6 I Can Read Book Club. 4pm. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782

7 City Wide Revival. Free. 3-7pm. Columbus Civic Center. Unite in faith, hope and love.

8 Kids’ Art Studio. Ages 5-12. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

9 Artful Babies. 10:30am. Ages 6-24mo. 1327 Wynnton Rd; 706-748-2562 ext 6520

10 MAMA B.E.A.R.S. Breastfeeding Support meeting (Part 2). 12:30pm. Columbus Pediatric Assoc; 706-221-4602

10 National Poetry Month: Poragami. 4pm. South Columbus Library; 706-683-8805

10 MomCo of First Baptist Church. 6-7:30pm. First Baptist Church, Columbus; odonawhiddon@gmail.com

11 Budding Naturalist. 10am. 1-5 grades. $57. Columbus Botanical Garden; 706-327-8400

11 Family Fun Night: Bingo Night. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

11 Disney Princess: The Concert. 7:30pm. RiverCenter; 706-256-3612

12 Columbus Lions Football. 7pm. Columbus Civic Center. Columbuslions.net.

13 Best Ranger Competition Rally Point. 9am-3pm. Columbus Civic Center; visitcolumbusga.com

13 Jr. Beekeeper Spring Workshop. 10:30am-3pm. $35. Ages 6-13. RSVP. Oxbow Meadows; 706-507-8550

13 Mini Makers. 10:30am. Ages 2-4. 1327 Wynnton Rd; 706-748-2562 ext 6520

13 Columbus River Dragons Hockey. 7:05pm. Columbus Civic Center; 706-653-4460

13-14 Spring Fling Festival. 10am-5pm. Free. Warm Springs; WarmSpringsGA.com

16 Mini Makers. 10:30am. Ages 2-4. 1327 Wynnton Rd; 706-748-2562 ext 6520

16 Kids Explore. 3pm. South Columbus Library; 706-683-8805

16 Dungeons & Dragons. Families. 6pm. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782

16 Amy Grant. 7:30pm. 7:30pm. RiverCenter; 706-256-3612

17 MAMA B.E.A.R.S. Breastfeeding Support meeting (Part 1). 5:30-7pm. Columbus Pediatric Assoc; 706-221-4602

18 Columbus Lions Football. 7pm. Columbus Civic Center. Columbuslions.net.

18 LEGOS®. Families. 4pm at Columbus Library and 4pm and 6pm (Teens) at North Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

19 Parents Night Out with Autism Hope Center. 6:30-8:30pm. RSVP. Cascade Hill Church; 706-604-6333

20 Super Citizen Scientist - Spring Bioblitz. 8-10am. RSVP. Columbus Botanical Garden; 706-327-8400

20 Arts Fest Block Party! 9am-Noon. RiverCenter; 478-972-9004

20 Earth Day Plant Sale. 9am-3pm. Columbus Botanical Garden; 706-327-8400

20 Family Saturday at the Museum. 10am-Noon. 1327 Wynnton Rd; 706-7482562 ext. 6520

20 Nature Fest. 10-2pm. $5-$8. Oxbow Meadows; 706-507-8550

20 Make Everyday Earth Day. Families. 11am. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782

20 CSO Open Rehearsal. 12:30pm. Free. All ages. RiverCenter; 706-323-5059

20Gardening with the Grands. Families. 4pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

Events

PROVIDED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:

20 Blues, Brews & BBQ Festival. Columbus Civic Center. $5. 1-9pm. Live music, food & family fun.

21 Camellia 5K + 1 Mile Run. 8-11am. $30$35. Columbus Botanical Garden; runsignup. com

23 Get Your Game On!-Unplugged: Paint Chip Poetry. 4:30pm. Columbus Library; 706243-2811

24 Seedling Storytime. 10am. $5-$7. Ages 0-2. Columbus Botanical Garden; 706327-8400

24 MAMA B.E.A.R.S. Breastfeeding Support meeting (Part 2). 12:30pm. Columbus Pediatric Assoc; 706-221-4602

24 Art on the Lawn. Teens. 4pm. South Columbus Library; 706-683-8805

24 MomCo of First Baptist Church. 6-7:30pm. First Baptist Church, Columbus; odonawhiddon@gmail.com

24 SOHIP (Springer Opera House Improv Players) Show. 7pm. Dorothy McClure Children’s Theatre; 706-324-1100

25 Creative Kids Theatre. Ages 5-12. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

27 Autism Resource Fair & Fun Day. 10am1pm. Cascade Hills Church; 706-604-6333

27 Uno, Dos, Tres Craft! Ages 4-8. 3pm. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782

27 Symphony on the Sand. Sunset. Robin Lake Beach, Callaway Gardens; 800-225-5292

27-28 Deep Blue Sea. Sat 11am & Sun 2pm. $16-$21. Springer Actors Arena –Theatre for the Very Young; 706-327-3688

28 Bloom 2024: for New & Expecting Moms. 1-5pm. $7. Auburn Marriott Opelika Resort & Spa, at Grand National, Opelika; aomoms.com

30 Kids Explore. 3pm. South Columbus Library; 706-683-8805

30 Neighborhood Game Night. Families. 6pm. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782

30 YOGC Spring Concert. 7:30pm. RiverCenter; 706-256-3614

Weekly Events

MONDAY

Simple Steps Storytime: Babies & Toddlers (Ages 0-36 mo.) 10am. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

TUESDAY

Simple Steps Storytime. Babies & Toddlers (Ages 0-24 mo.) 10am; Preschoolers (Ages 3-5.) 11am. North Columbus Library; 706748-2855

Unplug…For Chess’ Sake! Families. 4:30pm. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782

WEDNESDAY

Simple Steps Storytime. Preschoolers (Ages 3-5.) 10am; Babies & Toddlers (Ages 0-36 mo.) 11:15am. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706243-2782

Discovery Hub. Ages 3-5. 11am. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

Kids’ Corner. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706243-2813

THURSDAY

Toddler Tales. 11am. Barnes & Noble, 5555 Whittlesey Blvd; 706-653-7880

Simple Steps Storytime: Family. Ages 0-5. 10am. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

Sight Words Support. Families. 3-5pm. 30min. 1 to 1 practice. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782

Simple Steps Storytime. 10:30am. South Columbus Library; 706-683-8805

FRIDAY

Simple Steps Storytime: Rhythm & Rhyme. Ages 0-5. 10am. Columbus Library; 706-2432813

Fun Fridays. Families. 2pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

Friday Night Concert Series. 7-10pm. Uptown Columbus; uptowncolumbusga.com

SATURDAY

Market Days on Broadway. 9am-Noon. 1100 Broadway, Columbus; 706-596-0111

Toddler Time. 10am-Noon. Launch Trampoline Park; 706-221-8680

Please call ahead to confirm dates, times and age-appropriateness, in case changes were made after the info was obtained.

4YRS2ND GRADE

JUNE 17-21

3RD-5TH GRADE + SPECIAL NEEDS

JUNE 24-28

Summer Camps & Activities Guide

Summer Camps & Activities Guide

Your Library, Your Way,

In a world that’s constantly on the move, your library experience should be too! Introducing the all-new CVL mobile app – your passport to an enhanced convenient, and personalized library journey.

Why You’ll Love Our New App: Stay logged in for seamless browsing and manage your account with ease. No more re-entering your credentials every time you want to check the catalog or renew a book. You’ll also have full access to your checkout history, and items on hold at a glance.

Go Digital with your Library Card: No more worries about forgetting your Library card. A digital version that works just like the real thing is stored in the app for easy self-checkout.

Effortless Searching and Checkouts are just a tap away. Find your next favorite book, movie, or audiobook with the in-

HOO’s learning

by Tiffany Wilson, Chattahoochee Libraries Community Engagement Coordinator

with New App

tuitive search function. Place holds, renew materials, and manage your account – all within the app’s user-friendly interface.

Discover Hidden Gems and Stay Informed about library happenings. Explore curated recommendations tailored to your interests and delve into upcoming programs, workshops, and events for all ages. Easily add them to your calendar with a tap, so you never miss out!

A treasure trove of digital resources awaits within the app. Access our vast collection of ebooks, audiobooks, and online resources – all at your fingertips! Dive into research materials, explore educational tools, or simply find your next favorite read.

Scan a book feature: Spot an intriguing book? Use the ‘Scan an ISBN’ feature to check its availability in CVL’s collection. If not found, make a purchase request right from the app.

Get your library, your way, with the new CVL mobile app. Elevate your reading, learning and exploration today by downloading the new app for free at cvlga.org/mobile-app

Kyle, 5 years Columbus

Brinklee, 6 years Phenix City

Trinity, 8 years Hamilton