Kiddos Magazine Issue 1 - Back to School edition

premier issue

...it’s just about kids

magazine august / september 2013 • issue 1

HEALTH

Helping children

choose healthy foods at school GAMES / SPORTS

Chess A tool to develop our children’s minds

Back to School Stress free morning routine education, art & entertainment

ART

A PRACTICAL THOUGHT ON

art education MUSIC

Piano Lessons boost brain development PLUS...

Styling Our Kiddos Healthy Snacks On-The-Go

kiddos

feature

TM

MODELS:

Eric, Malena, Londyn, Marco, Mia, Camilla and Ramon.

contents AUGUST

•

SEPTEMBER

2 013

issue 1

F E AT U R E 6

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Back to School: Stress Free Morning Routine

in every issue 10 FASHION Styling our Kiddos

H E A LT H 8

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12 |

Healthy Foods at School The Clear Alternative to Braces

Healthy Snacks On-The-Go

14 SCHOOL CALENDAR Miami - Dade County 2013 - 2014 Public School Calendar

ART 16 |

11 SNACKS

A Practical Thought on Art Education

15 REMINDER Back to School Supply List

MUSIC 18 |

Piano Lessons Boost Brain Development

22 COOL STUFF Back to School Essentials

GAMES / SPORTS 20 |

Chess: A Tool to Develop our Children’s Minds

23 TOP 10 Shop in your area

28 BOOKS REVIEWS COMMUNITY 24 |

Live Like Bella

Suggestion for your kids to read this month

29 MOVIES REVIEWS

on the cover Credits Malena, Marco, Camilla and Ramon PHOTOGRAPHY: Simply Chic Photography CLOTHING: The Children’s Place BACKPACKS & LUNCH BOXES: Give Wink

MODELS:

HAIR ACCESSORIES:

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kiddos | August • September 2013

Banana Graphika

What is new in theaters

30 PROGRAMS Kids Yoga with a Twist!

31 CALENDAR Where to go with our kiddos

kiddos

publisher’s notes

credits Kiddos Magazine...

It’s just about kids!

Here we go… We did it!

Kiddos Magazine is here just in time for the back to school season!

PUBLISHER – EDITOR

Veronica Lepere

I would like to invite each of you to experience our premiere issue and enjoy this new journey.

Kiddos Magazine is a new parenting magazine with a mission to provide a family-centric take on education, art, health, sports and entertainment.

With this mission, Kiddos Magazine wants to make a meaningful impact on children’s life as they grow.

There is no doubt that any activity our children can be involved in, such as art, music, sports, languages to mention a few, plays an important part in making their life infinitely richer. As parents we want to open the doors to let them lead their own path to be creative and express themselves.

And it’s not just the kids… In every issue, Kiddos promises to inform, challenge, surprise, excite, and entertain every Mom and Dad out there!

EDITOR

Estefania Arosemena CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Estefania Arosemena Dr. Steven Nelligar Phil Fung Mihai Preda Kelly Suarez CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Elsy Aumann Graphic Vision Creative Group

ADVERTISING SALES & MARKETING

Veronica Lepere vlepere@kiddosmagazine.com DISTRIBUTION AND CIRCULATION

Maximiliano Lepere

I would like to give a heartfelt THANK YOU for the efforts everyone involved put forth to make this amazing project happen. I truly believe that perseverance and dedication play a key role in making any dream come true.

Again, welcome to Kiddos! Rest assured everything we do will come from our hearts.

PHOTOGRAPHER

Michelle Barreneche Simply Chic Photography

KIDDOS MAGAZINE P.O. Box 431492 Miami, Fl. 33243 786.260.8492 info@kiddosmagazine.com

Let the Kiddos laugh! kiddosmagazine.com Kiddos Magazine is produced by

V&L Design LLC © 2013 Kiddos Magazine VERONICA LEPERE Publisher / Editor vlepere@kiddosmagazine.com Volume 1. Issue 1. Kiddos Magazine is printed bi-monthly in the U.S.A. © 2003 V&L Design LLC. Title is protected through a trademark registration in the U'S. Patent Office. All rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

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kiddos | August • September 2013

kiddos

feature

BACK TO SCHOOL

Stress free morning routine Alicia O'Gwynn PRESCHOOL DIRECTOR: BRICKELL INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY - EDU1ST

Going back to school can be both fun and stressful! Where to begin? What to include?

And what to consider? These are all questions you need to think about before getting started or else the transition from summer to school can be overwhelming.

H

ow your day begins sets the tone for the rest of the day.

When your mornings are calm and predictable, you are better equipped to maximize the benefits

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kiddos | August • September 2013

of the day. The most important thing to keep in mind is that children thrive on routines. Routines are established based on the age and the level of expectations from the parents. The rou-

tines also need to be flexible to allow for minor adjustments or changes as the child gets older or the unforeseeable happens; like an unexpected visitor or last minute errand.

When children and adults have an idea of what’s on the agenda for the day, we are better at making more rational decisions and leading an organized, well-balanced life. So how is it done? First of all, talking to your children is a good start. Who says they don’t understand you? They understand perfectly well everything you say and do! Give them an idea of what and when to expect a change.

During the summer, we are staying up late, doing more activities, doing less homework, but in two weeks, the days will get shorter and then we will have more work and less free time during the week. Always give them something in the near future to look forward to, like the weekends. Be sure that if you promise something, you’ll follow-through.

Mornings can be one of the toughest times of the day if you do not have an established routine. Planning is key! A good morning routine starts with your circadian clock. As long as we are going to bed at the same time and getting up at relatively the same time each day, we are setting our internal clocks, so getting out of bed each morning is a cinch! Wake up a few minutes before your kids to prepare their lunches. Let them have a

say in what goes into their lunch boxes, that way they will be more susceptible to eating it, not trading it.

You can discuss this with your children the day before. Once the kids are up, they will be taking care of personal hygiene while you are preparing breakfast.

If you are letting your children choose their breakfast, limit their options to two choices. This saves time.

Since homework was completed the night before and the backpacks are already packed and by the front door, you can use this valuable time to enjoy breakfast with the family.

Make sure you and your family are

hydrating each morning with water, not just juices, milk, and coffee.

Water keeps us energized! Deciding what to wear tends to be one of the bumpiest parts of the morning road.

This should be decided in advance as well and limited to only two options.

It is not a bad idea to lay the clothes out the night before.

The best routines involve children.

By giving children a sense of responsibility, we can help build up their confidence on, self-esteem, and make them more cooperative. These are the good habits that they will use for the rest of their lives, and we believe in starting them young.

Make sure you and your family are hydrating each morning with water, not just juices, milk, and coffee. Water keeps us energized!

it’s all about kids | kiddosmagazine.com

7

health HELPING CHILDREN CHOOSE

healthy foods at school AS THE NUMBER OF OVERWEIGHT SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN RISES, SCHOOLS, PARENTS, MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO HELP CHILDREN MAKE HEALTHY FOOD CHOICES WHILE IN SCHOOL. WRITTEN BY: Dr. Steven Nelligar

Making Healthy Food Choices At School

• Fruits and vegetables are healthy choices because they are high in fiber, low in fat, and are packed with vitamins and minerals.

• Choose baked or grilled foods instead of fried foods to keep the fat level lower.

• Keep portion sizes under control because even healthy food should be enjoyed in moderation.

Many states have passed regulations that determine what can be dispensed from vending machines during school hours and school lunches are required to meet the national food pyramid guidelines. Some schools also maintain a closed lunch campus so that the choices for lunch are limited to those supplied by the school.

• Complex carbohydrates like oatmeal, brown rice and potatoes are a better choice than simple carbohydrates like white bread or white rice.

For those families that choose to send lunch to school with their children there are some guidelines that can be followed to help ensure that the meal is healthy:

• Keep food choices exciting because eating the same things everyday can become boring and possibly lead to unhealthy choices.

• Choose 2% or lower fat milk or water to drink instead of soda.

• Protein helps to keep the body feeling full and helps to reduce unhealthy snacking.

Children can be very picky eaters and may also listen to their friends and decide that if someone says something is “gross” then they assume that it is. It is important to give your child the opportunity to try new foods so that they can have more options to choose from each day.

It may be best to try new foods at home so that others won’t influence your child before they have had a chance to try the food.

Whether you choose to have your child eat a school lunch or send their lunch with them, it ultimately comes down to giving the right foods to choose from, a different variety of foods, and foods that you know they will eat.

Get FREE healthy recipes your children will love visit www.BodyFocus.me

Meet Buddy Fit™

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kiddos | August • September 2013

© Body Focus International, Inc.

T

o aid parents in creating smart eating and fitness choices for their children, Kiddos Magazine introduces, Body Focus Kids & Teens™ featuring their Stages Weight Control and Fitness Plans. Oh yes... and we also would like you to meet their mascot for this program, "Buddy Fit™".

...is looking for

Account Executives WORK FROM HOME COVERING THE AREAS OF: Midtown • Downtown Coral Gables• Key Biscayne

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9

kiddos

fashion

Styling our Kiddos WRITTEN BY: Kelly Suarez

CHILDREN ARE FILLED WITH ALL SORTS OF EMOTIONS ON THEIR FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL; WHETHER IT’S THEIR FIRST DAY EVER, OR FIRST OF ALREADY FIVE. THEY ARE SITTING IN A NEW DESK, IN A NEW CLASSROOM AMONGST NEW FACES.

Whether parents know it or not the way a child looks can have an effect, big or small, on a child’s feelings. Whatever the parents’ or children’s personality and style might be I will give you a couple of key points in styling your child’s hair for school.

The main focus is to brush away any hair that may fall on the face creating distractions from reading, writing or learning in general.

Wearing a headband in their favorite color or the school’s colors helps hold hair away from the fore-

head. This hairstyle is great for girls with all lengths and especially those with ‘bangs’ or a ‘fringe’ that want to wear their hair back for P.E. class.

For girls with longer hair, braids seem to be more unique than the classic ponytail. They can also have the best of both worlds by picking up their hair only halfway and have it styled “half up half down.” (Make a part from ear to ear, secure it with a thin hair tie and leave the rest down.)

For boys, the easiest thing would be to have it cut or trimmed regu-

If you decide to style your child’s hair let he or she have a say in it as well.

Remember what it was like to be a kid.

Although small, children have a personality of their own. Let them express themselves in positive ways!

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kiddos | August • September 2013

larly. For boys with longer hair, apply a soft gel on damp hair and comb it in the desired direction.

This should help keep hair off the face, having fewer distractions from the task at hand.

kiddos

sf en aa tcuk rs e

Healthy Snacks On-The-Go FOR THOSE “I'M RUNNING LATE, BUT NEED TO FEED MY KIDS SOMETHING” DAYS…

Back to school time is here already and it's time to reprogram your mind to pre-planned breakfasts, lunches and snacks!

In order to make this time less hectic, get a head start on brainstorming healthy snacks that your kids will enjoy. If you are confused about which snacks will keep your kids focused without the sugar crash, keep reading!

Whether you are eating on the go or at home after school, healthy snacks can be quick and easy, and offer important nutrients and energy in each delicious bite. Happy Family snacks are great for children of all ages and are portable, messproof, and don't need refrigeration (what more can a parent ask for?!). They’re super con-

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venient to pack for those after school soccer practices, field trips, those “I'm running late, but need to feed my kids something” days and are even a great treat for mom and dad on the go! If your little one has an allergy, no worries; the brand covers all bases by providing gluten-free, dairy-free, and peanut-free products.

Happy Family provides a wide variety of products for babies, toddlers, kids and beyond and many of the products like our Happy Tot pouches are great additions to healthy, homemade recipes.

Visit: www.happyfamilybrands.com for more information about the brand, nutritional resources, store locations and more.

NEW FACES

SEND YOUR CHILD’S PICTURE TO:

info@kiddosmagazine.com

or call 786.260.8492

it’s all about kids | kiddosmagazine.com

11

health THE CLEAR ALTERNATIVE TO BRACES

Now for kids and teens!

THESE DAYS DENTAL TECHNOLOGY HAS BROADENED THE OPTIONS ORTHODONTISTS HAVE TO STRAIGHTEN TEETH.

C

lear aligners such as InvisalignTeen are custom designed and manufactured to address the unique concerns of younger patients while maintaining esthetics and comfort.

Long gone are the days when only metal braces could be used to straighten and move crooked or flared teeth. Current advances in computer aided design and manufacturing allow for sequential fabrication of individual clear aligners.

Because these aligners are removable, patients can continue to eat their favorite foods and brush and floss normally to help keep teeth and gums healthy.

Dr. Francisco J Garcia treats children, teens and adult orthodontic patients. The process

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kiddos | August • September 2013

begins with an initial complimentary consultation where a thorough diagnosis is made to determine the needs and severity of the treatment.

These appliances encompass some great features that allow the orthodontist to monitor treatment progress, for instance compliance indicator areas track the patient’s approximate wear time and help provide reassurance for parents that the teen is being compliant.

Each set up also comes with a free replacement aligner set included.

This is in line with the constant issue of teens needing to replace lost or broken aligners and gives parents one less thing to worry about during treatment.

Take advantage and call us for a complimentary consult today.

Specializing in Orthodontics for Children, Adolescents and Adults Phone (855) SMILE-10 or 855-764-5310

it’s all about kids | kiddosmagazine.com

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kiddos

school calendar

Miami-Dade County Public Schools 2013-2014 SCHOOL CALENDAR • ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY

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Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test® FCAT 2.0 October 7 – 18, 2013

RETAKES* FCAT 2.0 Reading

11, 12, 13, Retained 10, and Adult

New Teachers Report

December 3 – 4, 2013

FCAT 2.0 Writing Prompt Field Test

4, 8, and 10

Teacher Planning Day

February 25 – 26, 2014

FCAT 2.0 Writing

4, 8, and 10

April 7 – 11, 2014

RETAKES* FCAT 2.0 Reading

11, 12, 13, Retained 10, and Adult

FCAT 2.0 Mathematics FCAT 2.0 Reading FCAT 2.0 Science

3, 4, 7, and 8 3, 4, and 5 5, 8

FCAT 2.0 Mathematics FCAT 2.0 Reading

6* 7* and 10*

FCAT 2.0 Mathematics FCAT 2.0 Reading

5* 6*, 8*, and 9*

April 22 – 25, 2014**

April 22 – May 1, 2014 April 28 – May 7, 2014

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Days in Grading Period

1-47 * Teacher Planning Day No Opt Legal Holiday Recess Day Beg/End of Grading Period Secondary Early Release

2-45 3-41 4-47

kiddos

reminder

SUPPLY LIST ■ Pens ■ #2 Pencils ■ Highlighters ■ Crayons ■ Colored Pencils ■ Markers ■ Pencil Cases ■ Erasers ■ Glue ■ Glue Sticks ■ Scissors ■ Rulers ■ Binders ■ Stretchable Book Covers ■ Loose-Leaf Paper ■ Portfolios ■ 3-Subject Notebooks ■ Composition Books ■ Index Cards ■ Calculators (Desktop & Scientific) ■ Student Academic Planners ■ Locker Organizer ■ Hand Sanitizer ■ Facial Tissue ■ Antibacterial Wipes

it’s all about kids | kiddosmagazine.com

15

art A PRACTICAL THOUGHT ON

art education WRITTEN BY: Phil Fung M. Ed

AS A LIFELONG ARTIST I AM A GREAT SUPPORTER OF ART EDUCATION IN CHILDHOOD AND BEYOND. THE ABILITY TO TAKE YOUR IDEAS AND SHAPE THEM INTO REALITY IS A VERY POWERFUL TOOL.

T

he benefit of an education that embraces creativity is an asset that extends far beyond making a pretty picture. Art education for children will empower them to lead a more creative and beautiful life.

At some point in everyone’s life there comes a need to create something.

Whether it is as simple as making a birthday card or something complex as a home improvement project, everyone finds themselves with the need to work with their hands to create something new. Art education for children provides them with the experience of taking their ideas and turning them into reality.

All those simple crayon drawings and clay animals that kids make in school are exercises for children to become comfortable taking chances and using their imagination. Far too often

Every time I envision something that I want to create, I have an infinite multitude of choices for design, colors, and shapes.

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I meet adults who have never been comfortable working with their hands. Art Education can break that course for children later in life.

As an artist it has always been a blessing to take simple materials like pencils, papers, and paints to create something beautiful that never existed before. Every time I envision something that I want to create, I have an infinite multitude of choices for design, colors, and shapes. My art education has shown that there are many ways to solve a problem. This is an ability that serves me far beyond just making pretty paintings.

I cannot express how many times the ability to visualize a scenario in my imagination has helped me in commonplace experiences.

For example, in my professional life I often have to make frames for my paintings, freestanding structures for displays, and even carve stone for my sculptures.

This has led me to working with power saws, drills, chisels, arc-welders and more.

kiddos

fun

Solve the maze

I have basically become proficient in skills that would suit a carpenter or a mechanic. I have built walls in my home, installed plumbing and insulation and welded broken pipes together that would make any contractor proud. This is just one hands-on example of how my art education has gone beyond just making art.

As long as mankind has walked the earth, they have shaped their world to suit their needs. Civilization as we know it was built upon the creativity of our ancestors. All our pursuits and achievements were made by those that had the imagination and the ability to make their dreams a reality. I encourage you to become an advocate for Art Education.

It is equally important as knowledge in science, math and history. A creative mind will always find a rewarding experience in life.

Phil Fung is an award-winning Miami artist. He has a Master degree in Education from the University of Central Florida and a BFA from Florida State University. Phil travels all over the country exhibiting his work and maintains a teaching studio in South Miami.

Advertise with us!

786.260.8492 it’s all about kids | kiddosmagazine.com

17

music art

PIANO LESSONS

Boost Brain Development

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here is a wide array of activities children can engage in, from sports to dance to chess. For parents who are particularly interested in helping their children develop intellectually, modern neuroscience and psychology seems to point in one direction. What they find is that music lessons, and in particular instrumental lessons, cause measurable effects in the development of the children’s brains and cognitive abilities.

A popular theme in the 1990’s, the so-called “Mozart effect” was the idea that you can improve your intelligence by listening to music by Mozart. Experiments have managed to confirm only short-term improvements in the subjects’ visual-spatial skills. However, it is unlikely that passive listening can lead to any substantial improvements.

Since then, improvements in brain imaging techniques which allow researchers to image neural activity while a person is performing a cognitive task, have allowed numerous researchers to investigate the connection between instrumental training, brain development and cognitive function. Together with psychological tests, these studies have come to confirm that learning to play an instrument has many long-term beneficial effects on the brain.

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kiddos | August • September 2013

A study on 4 to 6 year olds found that the musically trained children had better working memory (Fujioka et al. 2006). Brain scans on 9 to 11

years olds have shown that children who play musical instruments have significantly more grey matter volume in several areas of the brain, and the increase seems to correlate with the intensity of the training (Schlaug et al 2005). Other researchers (Schellenberg 2006; Patel and Iverson 2007) indicate that musicians perform significantly better than non-musicians on tests of spatial-temporal skills, math ability, reading, vocabulary, verbal memory and phonemic awareness. Music lessons were correlated with abilities associated with fluid intelligence, such as working memory, perceptual organization, processing speed, and with better verbal comprehension and high school grades.

Perhaps the most ambitious project in this field is currently unfolding at the Brain and Creativity Institute at the University of Southern California, which houses a state-of-the-art concert auditorium alongside neuroimaging and research labs. The institute, endowed with Steinway concert pianos, is currently performing a five-year research project to investigate the emotional, social, and cognitive effects of musical training on the brain development of children who are exposed to intensive music education.

• interested parents can learn very quickly to assist their children in the learning process, and to join in the music making.

A good teacher, supportive parents, and a quality instrument In order to be successful in their study of piano, students needs three important components: a good teacher, supportive parents, and a quality instrument. For the most part, kids quit piano lessons because they don’t have the right tools to succeed.

To assist parents and students in getting a quality piano, Steinway & Sons has created 3 brands of the highest quality pianos from all price points, in addition to their $69 per month rental program. Any serious piano teacher will agree that learning on an electric keyboard or sub-standard acoustic piano is detrimental to a student’s ability to be successful at piano playing.

Aleksandr Bernhard, a gifted pianist and Sales Representative at the Steinway Piano Gallery of Coral Gables quotes a joke frequently heard from piano teachers, which goes something like this: “Would you send your kids to play a sport with the cheapest While the correlation between instru- possible gear or would you make the ment lessons, brain development and investment in quality gear so that cognition are by now well established, they can be successful?” All joking a lot more research is still left to be aside, it really is a valid comparison. If done. Parents interested in taking you are investing your time and money advantage of what we know so far into a good teacher, why not set up have good reasons to consider signing your child for success by giving them up their children for music and instru- the tool they need to be successful, ment lessons. that is, a high quality acoustic piano.

Of the instruments which can be played by children, the piano has several obvious advantages: • it is easy to produce a sound on the piano- just press a key • the quality of the sound does not depend on the player but on the instrument (a high quality instrument such as a Steinway produces a high quality sound) • the pitches are ordered from low on the left to high on the right, a pattern which makes playing easy songs immediately obvious to children and parents alike

As an American Icon for the last 160 years, Steinway handcrafts every one of its pianos at their famed New York Factory. They also have a long history of collaboration with the world’s top piano instructors and piano students, and always welcome parents and kids to their showrooms, piano galleries, and recital halls.

Boosting your children's brain development and cognitive skills, a community of parents, teachers and students striving for excellence, instruments of the highest quality; these are all the best reasons to sign up your children for piano lessons today.

Marco Andre Arano Age: 7 years old

"Marco is one of the lucky kids who has discovered the joy of making music through the art of playing the piano.

On a morning spent recently at the Steinway Gallery in Coral Gables, he was happily trying all the songs he knows on the beautiful instruments displayed on the showroom floor. We are looking forward to see where his musical journey will take him.”

Mihai Preda, Ph.D. Miami Piano Studio, Director Dr. Preda has founded Miami Piano Studio in 2011. With locations in Coconut Grove, Coral Gables & Miami Beach, the studio uses an approach which integrates the study of piano, math, composition and improvisation. miamipianostudio.com Steinway Piano Gallery Miami 4104 Ponce de Leon Blvd.

Coral Gables, FL 33140 For more information, contact: Aleksandr Bernhard steinway.com

it’s all about kids | kiddosmagazine.com

19

games / sports A TOOL TO DEVELOP OUR

Children’s Minds THE BENEFITS OF CHESS WRITTEN BY: Estefania Arosemena

T

While learning to play any game can help our kids build self-esteem and confidence, chess is one of the few that can help to exercise their minds. Although kids as young as three years old can begin to learn the basics of chess, the best age to start learning this useful game is five or six. The classic strategy behind chess was invented more than 1500 years ago and throughout the years it has proven to develop better thinkers and increase academic performance.

According to Chris Stormont, founder of The Stormont Kings Chess Club in Miami, FL, chess helps kids in different areas of their lives. He has seen

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kiddos | August • September 2013

kids that regularly attend his lessons to significantly improve their critical thinking skills, creativity and behavior.

He also recommends parents who have kids with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) or other symptoms of hyperactivity to play chess in order to better concentrate and strengthen their decision-making skills.

those who want to learn to play chess from the comfort of their home.

The beauty of chess as a teaching tool is that it stimulates children’s minds while enjoying themselves.

Below find in more detail some of the educational benefits of playing chess:

Concentration Thanks to the United States Chess Federation (USCF) there are national tournaments offered all year round, which gives your kids the opportunity to meet other chess players their age and be rewarded with trophies and medals for participation. Online classes and live lessons are another popular alternative now days for

Kids are taught the benefits of observing carefully and focusing. Several studies by educational researchers have indicated that chess playing students show an increased aptitude for concentration, patience and perseverance. If they don't focus, they can't respond to it, no matter how smart they are!

Imagining They are stimulated to imagine a sequence of actions before they happen.

They learn to shift the pieces in their mind, first one, then several moves ahead. This helps to burst their creativity!

Thinking Ahead Think first, and then act. Chess teaches them to ask themselves "If I do this, what might happen then, and how can I respond?" Over time, chess helps kids to be analysts and better visualize the consequences of their actions.

Balance the Options They don't have to do the first thing that pops into their mind. They learn to identify alternatives and consider the pros and cons of various actions.

Strategic decisions under pressure are crucial to the success of chess.

IQ Overall, chess has shown to increase the levels of intelligence among school children. An experiment conducted in South America entitled Learning to Think Project, demonstrated an increase of IQ among kids after being exposed for less than a year to studying chess. For this reason, many countries have adopted chess into their schools’ curriculum.

As a result, chess is not only an activity our kids can enjoy, but can also help them to improve on skills and aptitudes that are essential to their development.

For more information about Chess Programs contact Chris Stormont at 786.303.2437. stormontkingschess.com

it’s all about kids | kiddosmagazine.com

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kiddos

cool stuff

Back 2 School

Essentials

uniforms Customize your kids' back to school products with their school uniform (or other attire) at originalsds.com

binders

school uniforms Girls & Boys school uniforms available at The Children's Place Exquisite handcrafted hair accessories available at BananaGraphika.com

Custom-personalized 1"3-ring binder available at originalsds.com

backpacks... lunch boxes

Personalized backpacks and lunch boxes available at Give Wink

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kiddos | August • September 2013

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23

community

Live like

a ll e B WRITTEN BY: Estefania Arosemena

H

er exemplary faith, strength and courage, no matter the difficulties, were some of the countless values of Bella Rodriguez-Torres who passed away last May of 2013. In 2007, this 10-year old cancer fighter was diagnosed with stage four, group for alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, a cancerous tumor of the muscles that are attached to the bones. This is the most common soft tissue tumor in children and gives the patient only a few months to live.

Amazingly, Bella regained the ability to walk, run and jump and lived almost six more years. She never gave up and never feared anything she had to undergo.

Before Bella was first diagnosed with cancer, she became paralyzed overnight. She had the main tumor in the spine, which was the cause of the sudden paralysis. She additionally had 9 other tumors in her body. “Nothing can prepare a parent for that,” said Bella’s mother Shannah Rodriguez-Torres. She knew it was just the beginning of a long battle with cancer where she had to be her child’s primary advocate.

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kiddos | August • September 2013

Many errors are often committed under the best circumstances. For this reason, Bella’s parents advice other parents going through similar situations to educate themselves, be cooperative, and understand that as parents they are vital members of the medical team caring for their child. “Do your best to build a bond with your doctors and nurses even if it means biting your tongue at times. Be a cheerleader for your child to keep the rest of the medical team engaged and thinking of the next step ahead,” said Shannah.

Even after bearing long rounds of chemo and radiation treatments, Bella was always grateful for her life and looked forward to fun adventures. In her short life, she inspired thousands of people across the globe to be thankful for their health and all that they are blessed with. Thanks to the support and generosity of the community, the Live Like Bella™ Foundation was initiated whose purpose is to seek out innovative, non-toxic treatments and bring them to light.

“LIVE LIKE BELLA MEANS TO EAT SOMETHING AND ENJOY IT, SAVOR IT, GO PLAY WITH GUSTO, EVEN THE SIMPLE THINGS. DO THEM AND ENJOY THEM. LEARN SOMETHING NEW, GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE AND ENJOY LIFE,” BELLA’S GODFATHER RALPH TOLD KIDDOS MAGAZINE. Throughout her illness, Bella also tried to raise awareness for other children in her situation. She started a campaign for fun Band-Aids for sick children with her mother in October 2012. The cause started when Bella requested an "Angry Birds" Band-Aid instead of a normal band-aid. “Something so simple as a child's Band-Aid can brighten a child’s day. “In the midst of something so challenging, something so simple,” said Bella’s father Raymond Rodriguez-Torres.

her family such as swimming, going to the zoo and visiting Disney World.

Bella always focused on enjoying the moment and living her life to the fullest! When her cancer came back in 2009, it came much stronger and the malignant growth did not respond favorably to chemo treatments. She went through a 16hour surgery to remove the tumors, her uterus and her ovaries.

Fortunately, Bella was able to enjoy two years before her cancer re-appeared. During these years she took the time to enjoy fun activities with

Despite major efforts to treat her cancer, Bella’s organs began to fail and in May of 2013 her parents made the difficult decision to stop putting her

through these painful treatments.

Bella passed away a few days later, but will always be remembered for her courage, positive attitude and love for others. She is a perfect example for people all over the world to enjoy every moment as it is and be grateful for the gift of life.

To learn more about beautiful Bella, you can visit her website at LiveLikeBella.org

it’s all about kids | kiddosmagazine.com

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The Value of Back-Up Childcare FALL IS APPROACHING AND THAT MEANS BACK TO SCHOOL TIME IS AROUND THE CORNER. ARE YOU READY FOR SCHOOL TO START THIS YEAR? For most parents the school year can be a juggling act in which organization and a dependable support system can make the difference in keeping your household stress low! Household family assistants, on-call back-up nanny care, and as needed babysitters can play a useful role in your daily life. Consider these issues to make sure you are prepared and ready to handle anything the school year sends your way:

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Your children, like all of us, will have their ups and downs. Throughout the schoolyear thousands of kids will miss school due to illness and teacher work days, leaving parents in a bind. What will they do if their child can’t go to daycare or school?

After school family assistants can tutor children, help with homework, run the after school calendar, and assist with dinner. They also help with getting prepared and organized for the next school day.

“Our families love the Afte School family assistant,” says Jessica Friedman, TLC For Kids’ Placement Counselor. “One mom told me she loves being able to come home from work and spend time with her kids instead of hustling them from one thing to another.”

Be Prepared

Back-Up Care:

A recent survey on children’s health found that nearly one third of parents in the US worry about losing pay or vacation days when they stay home to care for a sick child.

Those parents said it was very difficult to find childcare for their sick child.

Parents can help to ensure a smooth school year by making sure they have a backup plan in place for these unexpected situations.

Try to be prepared for this by knowing who you can call upon for last-minute or emergency care for your kids. A good agency can help you with school days off, lastminute sick-childcare, and even a standing reservation for a regular sitter so you will always know there is relief on the horizon.

Get It Done After School Family Assistants:

Tutors can help kids get their homework done with less stress and build confidence in their abilities. They also add useful structure.

Getting homework done on time and correctly can children and help them to feel accomplished and in control.

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Keep It Fun Babysitter roster:

Everyone needs a little grown-up time. Datenight, girls night out, the theatre, a sporting event, there is so much to do here in Miami.

Put together your list of sitters. Grandma might be first but when she is busy... or when you need a really late night on the town, you may want someone a little more experienced than the high school girl up the

street. Call on a mature adult, who provides her own transportation, is CPR certified and provides extra peace of mind.

Professionally Screened Nannies & Sitters A family-run service helping you take care of YOUR family!

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Last minute and scheduled babysitters Full and part-time nannies Nannies & Sitters for Children with Special Needs Newborn care specialists (night nannies) After school Nannies Call: 305.256.5905 Tutors

TLCforkids.com

After-school nannies available for immediate placement!

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kiddos | August • September 2013

eP Public Library System Miami-Dade www.m ww.mdpl dpls.o org rg

it’s all about kids | kiddosmagazine.com

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kiddos

books reviews 1

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the chance to meet Eric himself on August 10 at Books & Books.

8. Flora & the Flamingo by Molly Idle: This book is simply stunning.

Told only through illustrations, this wordless picture book follows a young ballerina and a flamingo as they dance through the pages.

1. The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt: This is the funniest book I’ve read in a long time. It is made perfect with Oliver Jeffers recognizable illustrations and will be greatly appreciated by anyone who has ever opened a fresh box of crayons.

2. If You Want to See a Whale by Julie Fogliano: This book is nothing but sweet and delicate. Illustrated

by Caldecott-winning artist, Erin Stead, If You Want to See a Whale gives readers a step-by-step guide to seeing whales everywhere including in the clouds. This book reads like a daydream.

3. Rocket’s Mighty Words by Tad Hills: Rocket returns with this perfect book for any child starting

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school. With the help of his friend, yellow bird, Rocket learns to read and write!

4. In My World: Down Syndrome

by Gabriella Llano & Tiziana Vazquez: Written by local high school students at Lourdes, In My World: Down Syndrome, gives children the chance to see what it is like to be affected by the disease, and shows children the importance of compassion.

5. See a Heart, Share a Heart by Eric Telchin: A special book unlike any ever made, See a Heart, Share a Heart shows children hearts hidden all over the world (in rocks, through shadows, as puddles, etc.). Your child will love scouring the world to find hearts on their own, and don’t miss

6. School for Good & Evil by Soman Chainani: In a world where fairy tales are real, there is a school where children are trained to be heroes and villains, princesses and witches. This highly imaginative book by Harvard-grad and Miaminative is a must read for all children ages 9-12.

7. Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made by Stephan Pastis: A hilarious story by famous cartoonist, Pastis (creator of Pearls Before Swine).

Follow Timmy Failure (the world’s worst detective) and his polar bear sidekick on the wackiest adventures. This book is perfect for fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

9. Pete the Cat Rocking in My School Shoes by James Dean: Everyone’s favorite cat is back!

This time he’s showing children that it’s fun to go to school, and there’s nothing to be scared of.

10. Kindergarten, Here I Come by DJ Steinberg: This is an adorable introduction to all things Kindergarten. Told in rhymes, this book is guaranteed to put every child’s jitters at ease while engaging them in fun poems.

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Becky Quiroga Curtis is in charge of all things Kids & YA at Books & Books in Miami, FL including buying & author events. She's known for having illustrators draw on her arm for tattoo purposes, and is an avid reader (picture books are her favorite!).

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kiddos

movies reviews MOVIE REVIEWS FOR YOUR

KIDS AND FAMILY WRITTEN BY: Jane Louise Boursaw

August and September brings a sea of monsters, a little plane who's afraid of heights, a confirmed bachelor who ends up caring for six kids, and a brand new “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs”. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s new in theaters. sets off to make his dreams come true. Directed by Klay Hall ("Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure"), this movie also features the voices of Val Kilmer, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Teri Hatcher, Brad Garrett and John Cleese.

october

PERCY JACKSON: SEA OF MONSTERS PG FOR FANTASY ACTION VIOLENCE, SOME SCARY IMAGES AND MILD LANGUAGE. IN THEATERS 8/07 (2D, 3D).

OK FOR KIDS 7+.

ONE DIRECTION: THIS IS US NOT YET RATED; LIKELY PG. IN THEATERS 8/30. OK FOR KIDS 9+.

This sequel to 2010's "Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief" finds Logan Lerman reprising the title role. Based on Rick Riordan's book "The Sea of Monsters," Percy, accompanied by his friends Annabeth Chase, Clarisse La Rue and Tyson, his half brother, goes on a journey to the Sea of Monsters to retrieve the Golden Fleece and save Camp Half-Blood. Directed

by Thor Freudenthal, this movie also stars Sean Bean, Stanley Tucci, Missi Pyle, Jake Abel, and "Buffy" alum Nathan Fillion and Anthony Head.

Directed by documentary king Morgan Spurlock ("Super Size Me") and produced by "The X Factor's" Simon Cowell, this film offers an all-access look at life on the road for the boy band known as One Direction. Blending live concert footage and backstage goings on, we learn the remarkable story of Niall, Zayn, Liam, Harry and Louis' meteoric rise to fame, from their humble hometown beginnings and competing on "The X-Factor," to conquering the world and performing at London's famed O2 Arena.

PLANES

september

NOT YET RATED; LIKELY PG. IN THEATERS 8/09.

OK FOR KIDS 6+.

TIO PAPI

This cute animated family movie from Walt Disney Studios (think "Cars," only with planes) follows Dusty (voiced by Dane Cook), a cropdusting plane who dreams of competing in a famous aerial race. The problem? He's afraid of heights. With the support of his mentor Skipper (Stacy Keach) and a host of new friends, Dusty

PG FOR BRIEF LANGUAGE, THEMATIC ELEMENTS AND MILD RUDE HUMOR. IN THEATERS 9/06. OK FOR KIDS 8+.

Directed by Fro Rojas, this heartwarming dramedy is an upbeat story about life’s unexpected surprises. It stars Joey Dedio as Ray Ray Dominguez, a confirmed bachelor who dreams of leaving the barrio for a

more carefree existence in Miami. Then one day everything changes and he becomes a reluctant “Tio Papi” - aka Uncle Daddy - to his sister’s six children ages six to 16. Now, in charge of raising this energetic (and expensive) clan, Ray Ray must make important decisions on what life really is all about – family.

CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2 NOT YET RATED; LIKELY PG. IN THEATERS 9/27. OK FOR KIDS 6+.

Picking up where the 2009 movie left off, this movie finds Flint Lockwood (voiced by Bill Hader) invited to join the Live Corp Company and use his gift for invention for the good of mankind. Just as young Flint prepares to go to work for his hero Chester V (Will Forte), the young genius learns that his water-to-food machine is not only still functional, but it's also started cross-breeding animals with food. In order to prevent a growing army of "foodimals" from escaping isolation on an island and wreaking havoc on the mainland, Flint and his friends will have to do battle with such delicious, but deadly, hybrids as the ferocious tacodiles, slithering apple pie-thons, and vine-swinging shrimpanzees. Cody Cameron and Kris Pearn direct this cute movie also featuring the voices of Anna Faris, James Caan, Kristen Schaal, Terry Crews, Andy Samberg, Neil Patrick Harris, and Benjamin Bratt.

Jane Boursaw is founder and editor-in-chief of Reel Life With Jane, a family entertainment site specializing in movies, TV and celebrities. Visit her at www.reellifewithjane.com or email jboursaw@charter.net.

zig-zag

Word Search Words go left, right, up, down, not diagonally, and can bend at a right angle. There are no unused letters in the grid, every letter is used only once.

B

I G A G Y M N A S

P O T C R O B A T T

ACROBAT

PARADE

BIGTOP

RINGMASTER

CLOWN

ROPE WALKER

FUN

TICKET

GYMNAST

TRAPEZE

HORSE

TRICK

T R A P H O R W R F

JUGGLER

UNICYCLE

P A R E R O P E K U

G U J A M R

G U E G C R E T S A L N L E

MAGICIAN

I N G M

I

I

L N T

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C K

C C O W E L K E

R C Y

I A N S A E T

E D A Z E T R

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C N

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kiddos

programs

Kids Yoga with a Twist!

RINA YOGA LAUNCHES PROGRAM FOR KIDS AND TEENS This summer Kiddos found a new approach to fun and learning for kids in our community.

We had the opportunity to interview Rina Jakubowicz, President of Rina Yoga and founder of Super Yogis Schoolhouse in Coral Gables, Florida. This new program provides a nurturing environment where our kids not only get to make new friends, but also learn emotional discipline. According to Rina, Super Yogis aims to empower children by developing constructive ways to share emotions and thoughts through the practices and stories of yoga.

“I feel that nowadays there is so much social pressure going on that even our kids don’t know how to deal with their stress,” said Rina Jakubowicz. This new program, tailored specifically for kids and teens, has been designed to help them with life skills by teaching them how to cope with emotions, how to communicate better, and how to focus while immersing them into a world of fun, health and creativity.

ognizes no better activity than yoga to accomplish her goal. “I created a learning environment that I would have liked to be a part of when I was a kid. And now that I have the yoga background I can teach kids some of those life lessons, but in a fun and supportive setting,” said Rina Jakubowicz. “My goal is to help children empower themselves to live a way of life that serves them and others mutually.”

Students of Super Yogis Schoolhouse are taught the five Yamas, which include how to treat others with respect through sharing, being honest and inspiring one another.

They also learn the five Niyamas: how to treat themselves by having fun, learning new things, expressing their emotions, keeping a safe playspace, and to trust in themselves.

These pillars of yoga are shared with the students to support them and help them grow, learn and channel their creativity to for healthy results.

Parents are also welcome to attend a monthly interactive information session as well as encouraged to incorporate yoga at home and a nutritious kid-friendly diet.

During this past summer vacation, many moms have expressed their gratitud for the launch of this new program. These moms commonly agree that Super Yogis has allowed their kids to better express themselves, whether they are happy or sad. It has become a powerful one hour and half where their kids have the opportunity to relax, make good friends and learn how to focus better. Kids also get to improve their health through playtime and meditation.

Rina wants to implement wellbeing for kids from the inside out and rec-

“Now that I have found Rina, I wish I could take her with me!” said Helena, one of the happiest moms with the program. If you have considered taking your kids to yoga, the Super Yogis’ Schoolhouse session two starts September 9th and runs through October.

For more information on upcoming sessions, dates and pricing you can visit their website at superyogisschoolhouse.com 30

kiddos | August • September 2013

kiddos

fa em a tiul ry e e v e n t s

where to go

with our

SUNDAY

kiddos

AUGUST

25th MCM Reading FUNdamentals Day 10:00 am - 6:00 pm Becoming a reader is one of the most important milestones in a person’s life.

All day long our educators will guide you through fun activities that facilitate your child’s growth towards that goal. Components include Phonemic Awareness, Fluency, Comprehension and More.

SEPTEMBER SATURDAY

21st Cool de Sac Grand Opening Celebration Newest Location at The Village at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach Starting at 11:00 am. Family entertainment center and unique dining experience. The first 500 children will receive promotional scratch-off cards with the opportunity to win valuable prizes including a ‘Founders VIP Card’ – good for unlimited yearly admission, birthday party packages, limited edition Founders T-shirts, party discounts, invitations to other member-only events and free admission cards among other fantastic giveaways.

SATURDAY

31st Drumming for Wellness 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm Jeff and his drums are instruments of healing and empowerment. Jeff teaches parents and children simple rhythms that allow them to embrace and release emotions while facilitating healthy interactions with each other. He performs on several percussion instruments from around the world and gets his audience involved with drums of their own.

EVERY

Wednesday Storytelling at Brickell International Academy 5:00pm - 6:00pm. Child must be accompanied by an adult.

EVERY FIRST

Wednesday Storytelling at Brickell International Academy 6:00pm - 7:00pm. Child must be accompanied by an adult.

General Admission: $16, State of FL Residents: $12 — MCM Members & Children 1 year and under: Complimentary. For more information, please call (305)373-KIDS (5437) or visit miamichildrensmuseum.org.

Miami Children’s Museum is located at 980 MacArthur Causeway, Miami FL 33132

FRI. – SAT. – SUN.

20th–22nd Miami Family Event At the Fair Expo Center Coral Way & SW 112 Avenue.

Celebrate the little things in life, a weekend full of entertainment and fun for the entire family! This Health and Wellness Expo will be filled with exciting events and activities including, free health screenings, cooking demonstrations for all ages, live performances and kid-friendly entertainment. Children of all ages, parents and grandparents, don't miss out on this exclusive family event!

calendar submissions Submit your event information for OctoberNovember calendar before September 10th to info@kiddosmagazine.com.

Include event name, location, address, date and time, cost, a brief description and contact. Include the logo or picture.

Events will be listed based on availability and have to be related to kids and families.

it’s all about kids | kiddosmagazine.com

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Everything Baby. Total Peace of Mind.

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kiddos | August • September 2013