Kids VT, May 2014

FREE

Y& M BAB

V OL.21 NO.4

Sweet Child O’ Mine ✱ LEARN HOW TO ‘WEAR’ YOUR BABY

MAY 2014

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ITY ERN ISS AT

✱ A ‘NATURAL’ MOM COMES TO TERMS WITH HER C-SECTION

✱ INSIDE VERMONT’S HOSPITAL BIRTHING CENTERS

✱ WHAT TO EAT & AVOID WHEN BREAST-FEEDING

Also inside: FREE-RANGE TODDLERS: Getting muddy in Waterbury

CLIE Fletc Heal

JOB 0067

DES OB/M Rew

FEEL THIS SECURE

PUB Kids

MAT 04-2

during pregnancy.

INS May

TRIM 9.62

BLE +.12

COL 4C

Kids VT maternity issue sponsored by: FletcherAllen.org/Pregnancy

may 2014

kidsvt.com

QUE Ben 251.

WHEN HAVING A BABY, YOU’LL WANT CARE AND DELIVERY OPTIONS. WE HELP YOU FIND THE RIGHT ONES FOR YOU. At UVM Medical Group Obstetrics and Midwifery, our Maternity Match tools help you decide how and from whom to receive your care, whether an OB or one of our nurse midwives, who now see patients both in our Burlington office and in Essex Junction at Champlain Obstetrics and Gynecology.

And while you and your baby will always have access to everything a university hospital can offer, having the right people at your side is the greatest comfort of all.

In service to the Patient, Community and Medicine since 1879.

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OBSTETRICS & MIDWIFERY

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VOL.21 NO .4

BABY &

Editor’s Note....................................................................5 See & Say ..........................................................................6 Coloring-Contest Winners ................................7 Birthday Club..................................................................50 Drawing on History: Rock Dunder ..............51 Use Your Words: Essay ..........................................55

ERNITY IS AT M

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MAY 2014

This month, we celebrate new beginnings with a bundle of stories about the journey to parenthood — and the responsibilities that come with it. We’re grateful to our sponsor, FLETCHER ALLEN HEALTH CARE, for supporting our work.

When having a baby, you’ll want options. Our care team can help you find the options that are right for you.

The Kids Beat ..................................................................8 Digital Dilemmas.........................................................10 Ask the Doctor: Breast-feeding Nutrition .10 Fit Families: Girls on the Run ..........................11 Bookworms: Seasonal Reads............................13 Book-Review Winners ...........................................13 Mealtime: Pregnancy Cravings.......................15 Go Ask Dad: Preparing for Baby #2 ...........16 The Art of: Robotics...................................................17

Comparing Vermont’s hospital birthing centers

1186 Williston Rd., So. Burlington VT 05403 (Next to the Alpine Shop)

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A farm-based childcare program counters the overprotective parenting trend

Cathy Resmer Colby Roberts Megan James Brooke Bousquet Alison Novak Corey Grenier Kaitlin Montgomery

DANCE APPAREL & FOOTWEAR RETAILER

ON THE COVER Kacie Badger of Mini Me Photography captured this quiet moment with Stevie Mitchell Perry and newborn Sam Perry of Williston. Yes, babies do turn your life upside down.

STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS Copublisher/Executive Editor Copublisher Managing Editor Lead Designer Calendar Writer Marketing & Events Manager Account Executive

Vermont’s Premier 4/22/14

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cathy@kidsvt.com colby@kidsvt.com megan@kidsvt.com brooke@kidsvt.com alison@kidsvt.com corey@kidsvt.com kaitlin@kidsvt.com

Dance Apparel & Footwear ext. 74 ext. 77 ext. 73 ext. 41 ext. 75 ext. 76 ext. 72

Editorial in Kids VT is for general informational purposes. Parents must use their own discretion for following the advice in any editorial piece. Acceptance of advertising does not constitute service/product endorsement. Kids VT is a proud member of the Parenting Media Association. Kids VT distribution is audited for accuracy.

Published 11x per year.

Circulation: 25,000 at 600+ locations throughout northern and central Vermont.

Da Capo Publishing shall not be held liable to any advertiser for any loss that results from the incorrect publication of its advertisement. If a mistake is ours, and the advertising purpose has been rendered valueless, Da Capo Publishing may cancel the charges for the advertisement, or a portion thereof as deemed reasonable by the publisher. Da Capo Publishing reserves the right to refuse any advertising, including inserts, at the discretion of the publishers.

Contributing Writers: Sarah Baughman, Meredith Coeyman, Kathryn Flagg, Tricia Kennedy, Thea Lewis, Mary Ann Lickteig, Ken Picard, Becky Tharp, Elaine Young

Are you ready for your end of year performances, recitals, and summer dance camps and intensives? ~ We’re here to help you find everything you need on stage and off!

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Photographers: Matthew Thorsen Jeb Wallace-Brodeur Kacie Badger Illustrator: Ian Webb

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P.O. Box 1184 Burlington, VT 05402 802-985-5482 kidsvt.com

Copy Editor Paula Routly Proofreaders Marisa Keller Meredith Coeyman Production Manager John James Creative Director Don Eggert Designer Rev. Diane Sullivan Circulation Managers Steve Hadeka Matt Weiner Business Manager Cheryl Brownell

It’s that time of year again!

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KIDS VT MATERNITY ISSUE SPONSORED BY: FLETCHERALLEN.ORG/PREGNANCY KIDSVT.COM MARCH 2014 KIDS VT

Habitat: Nursery...........................................................49 Puzzle Page ......................................................................50 Coloring Contest .........................................................52 Project: ‘Wearing’ Your Baby ............................53 Book-Review Contest .............................................54

Web & Mobile site: www.cheesetraders.com

MAY 2014

HANDS-ON

Open 7 days 10am-7pm

KIDSVT.COM

Free-Range Toddlers ...22

Daily Listings ..................................................................27 Classes ..................................................................................28 Ongoing Exhibits ........................................................34 Story Times ......................................................................38 Playgroups ........................................................................47

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CALENDAR

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Kids VT maternity issue sponsored by: FletcherAllen.org/Pregnancy

may 2014

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AGES 13-19: Queer & Allied Youth Theater; Summer Musicals (performances in July)

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Pregnancy is so much more than just your due date.

At Central Vermont Women’s Health we know that every step on your path to childbirth is an important one.

Here are a few things to keep in mind during your pregnancy: • Reduce the stress in your life.

Eat well, get lots of sleep and go to your prenatal checkups so you can rest assured that all is well.

• Tell us about medications you take.

Some medicines may harm your baby.

Let’s talk about that.

• Don’t smoke, drink alcohol or use street drugs.

• Stay active...or become so.

Exercise is good for you and your baby.

• Stay healthy.

Get a flu shot. Get regular dental care.

And talk to us about your concerns.

• Be smart. Be careful.

Protect yourself from STDs. • Get help if your partner abuses you.

Don’t keep it a secret. Confide in us – we’ll direct you to help.

There is nothing more important to my partners and me than your health and the health of your baby.

Please call Pam, Nicole or Emma at 371.5961 to schedule a time for us to get together.

My partners and I look forward to meeting you to talk about growing Julie Vogel, MD, FACOG your family.

Central Vermont Women’s Health A CVMC Medical Group Practice / cvmc.org

130 Fisher Rd / Med Office Bldg A, Suite 1-4 / Berlin, VT 05602 K3v-CVMC0514.indd 1

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edItor’s note

Christ the King School

Bringing home Baby

drinking — while breast-feeding (“Ask 3 years old Dr. First,” page 10); and Becky Tharp to 8th Grade visits a sweet nursery (“Habitat,” page 136 Locust Street We are 49). In “Use Your Words” (page 55), Burlington, VT proud of our The 862-6696 proofreader Meredith Coeyman writes Faith Filled www.cksvt.org Environment about how she came to terms with & Academic having a C-section after hoping for a admissions@cksvt.org Excellence “natural” unmedicated birth. facebook.com/cksvt Art Beyond the baby at Gifford Music the Jamesstage? In addition PE houghton French to the May events Caring for families family Technology calendar and our usual for more than 35 years Licensed monthly columns, After-School and 728-7000 • www.giffordmed.org Vacation Program we’re publishing a Athletic & feature story this Enrichment Opportunities k12v-Gifford0514.indd 1 month that addresses 4/23/14 1:53 PM the overprotective LIMITED ENROLLMENT parenting trend. Many OPPORTUNITIES ARE STILL of us with older kids AVAILABLE FOR NEXT SCHOOL YEAR! were intrigued by “The Overprotected Kid,” Please call the school today at 862-6696 to schedule a tour, Hanna Rosin’s cover meet our community, and discover story about “adventure Oak Meadow offers engaging, all that CKS has to offer your family! playgrounds” from experiential homeschooling Ask about our summer vacation program! the April 2014 issue curriculum for children in of the Atlantic. Rosin kindergarten to grade 12. focuses, in particular, on a playground Use our curriculum 4/18/14 3:06 PM in Wales called the Land that encour- k8v-ChristKing0514..indd 1 independently or through ages “risky” play. our fully accredited For our feature, Ken Picard interdistance learning school. viewed Middlebury filmmaker Erin Davis, who’s making a documentary View curriculum samples about the Land. Picard also profiled on our website a farm-based childcare program in Join our 12,000-member Facebook community Waterbury (“Free-Range Toddlers”) that is, in some ways, an adventureplayground equivalent for younger kids.

Visit oakmeadow.com Champlain Discovery (page 22). or call 802-251-7250 co-ed Kayak Adventure Our focus is on moms this month to speak with one of because Mother’s Day is on May 11.

This Summer! ages 13-16 our educational Don’t forget to give your mom a card, counselors to learn hug or phone call. Motherhood is a demore. manding, unpredictable and ultimately rewarding gig — something Megan is no doubt just beginning to discover.

SAVE

Bring Learning Home with Oak Meadow!

KIdsVt.com

Teens!

may 2014

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•

Cathy ResmeR, exeCutive editoR

Mother’s Day to Memorial Day 15% off

Some of this month’s Kids VT contributors: Elaine Young (“Digital Dilemmas”) lives in South Burlington with her teenage daughter. Her new book, Tuned-In Family: How to Cope, Communicate and Connect in a Digital World, is available now at lulu.com.

curriculum materials

Register Now!

5% off enrollment Offer good May 11 to May 25

Meredith Coeyman (“Use Your Words”) lives in Burlington with her husband, Dave, and their two kids, Leo and Mila. As one of our proofreaders, she usually just reads Kids VT — very, very carefully. We’re excited that she’s writing for us this month.

Alison Novak (“Art Of”) is the Kids VT calendar writer and regular contributor.

She’ll be taking over more editorial responsibilities while managing editor, Megan James, is on maternity leave. Alison lives in Shelburne with her husband, Jeff, and their two children, Mira and Theo.

(802) 475-2022

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oakmeadow.com

KIdsVt.com march 2014 KIds Vt KIds Vt maternIty Issue sponsored by: Fletcherallen.org/pregnancy

I wasn’t supposed to wrIte the editor’s note for this issue.

Managing editor Megan James had planned to; she’s been blogging about her first pregnancy for the last four months, and had hoped to sign off here and on the blog before she delivered.

Her due date wasn’t until May 4, so it seemed like she had plenty of time to make our April 25 press deadline.

But babies have their own timetable.

Two weeks before this issue went to press, Megan developed high blood pressure, and her doctor decided to induce labor. On April 18, she delivered Joni James Houghton, the little cutie in the photo, at Fletcher Allen Health Care. Mom, baby and Dad Daniel are all doing great.

Not only does this happy news mark the end of Megan’s “Bump on a Blog” series on the Kids VT website, it also ties in to her story in this month’s Baby and Maternity Issue. While she was eight months pregnant, Megan visited six of the state’s hospital birthing centers and discovered what’s unique about each of them. We’ve presented her findings in “Prepared for Arrival” on page 18.

Megan’s story is just one of the maternity and postnatal pieces in this issue: Tricia Kennedy offers some tips on babywearing (“Project,” page 53); Kathryn Flagg explores the food aversions and cravings of pregnant women (“Mealtime,” page 15); Dr. Lewis First gives advice on eating — and

SEE AND SAY

Readers Respond Simplicity Succeeds

SHELBURNE

COURTESY OF AMBIENT PHOTOGRAPHY

Intel Futurist Talks Robots at Mater Christi School

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MARCH 2014 KIDSVT.COM BY: FLETCHERALLEN.ORG/PREGNANCY KIDS VT MATERNITY ISSUE SPONSORED

MAY 2014

KIDSVT.COM

BY A LI SO N NOVA K

Book Review: The Little Bit Scary People B Y A LI S ON NOVA K

One of the values I hope to instill in my kids is to reserve judgment until you really get to know someone.

But it can be difficult to teach this important lesson without getting overly pedantic or complicated.

I recently came across a picture book that addresses the topic playfully.

The cover of The Little Bit Scary People, written by Emily Jenkins and illustrated by Alexandra Boiger, depicts a

We asked Kids VT staff and contributors to get mushy about their moms.

Publicity Director, Lake Champlain Waldorf School

Best of the Kids VT Blog

As chief futurist for the microprocessor manufacturer Intel Corporation, Brian David Johnson spends his days forecasting how people will interact with computers 10 to 15 years from now.

In April, Johnson came to Burlington to visit Champlain College. He also stopped by the pre-K-through-eighth-grade Mater Christi School to talk with a group of several dozen sixth graders. After

Mother Love

explaining his work to the kids, Johnson — an energetic, self-described nerd —made an emphatic declaration: “The fact of the matter is, the future isn’t fixed; the future is made by people every day.”

large, mean-looking shadow looming on the street. The image piqued my 4-year-old son’s interest, while the “little bit” in the title assured him the book wouldn’t be super frightening.

In the story, a young red-headed girl encounters a long list of “shady” characters, from a mohawked punk rocker boy to a persnickety bus driver to a strange classmate who munches on her pencil and mutters to herself.

But as soon as we’re introduced to each character, we find a different view, on the following page, of who they really might be.

Other recent web exclusives: FIVE QUESTIONS FOR NATIONAL STUDENT POET MICHAELA COPLEN: Kids VT interviewed one of the winners of the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, who recently toured Burlington and Montpelier.

HOME COOKIN’: BUFFALOCHICKEN SOUP: Tasha Lehman’s family approves of this tasty and decadent meal in a bowl.

TERNITY I MA

UE SS

Thank you for writing such an authentic piece about your experience with the Simplicity Parenting workshops offered at the Lake Champlain Waldorf School. We posted the article “Less is More” (April 2014) on our school’s website, and it was picked up by the Institute for Waldorf Education, which has a huge national and international following. The joy and ease that comes with simplifying our lives clearly resonates with families around the world.

After reading your story, I decided

that my own “small, doable change” would be to finally buy an alarm clock for my 9-year-old. I have been amazed by how that one simple change has brought ease to our mornings. While my son still likes to lounge in bed for as long as he can, he now knows that by a certain time, he has to be dressed and in the kitchen. For me, less nagging means more simplicity. Thanks for the inspiration.

Kristin DeVoe-Talluto

BABY &

GOT A COMMENT? Email us at feedback@kidsvt.com.

My mother’s greatest gift to us is her sense of adventure. She could turn the most mundane, everyday trips into magical journeys. When it was her turn to drive my friends and me to ballet class, we would always open the windows wide, listen to “Pink Houses” and sing our 6-yearold hearts out.

When we needed to get somewhere in a hurry, she would push the “turbo boost” button in our van to get us there a little quicker. When we moved out West and were faced with a 3,000-mile road trip, she transformed the back of our van into a playroom with books, hanging nets for our toys and a platform in the back to hang out during our journey.

Now, as a grandmother, she is simply worshipped. Our kids have a “cousin club” led by their grandparents, and are always on some adventure, windows wide open, singing loudly to “Burning Down the House.”

BROOKE BOUSQUET, DESIGNER

Deborah Kimball Roberts, my mother, has given me everything — love, life, support and encouragement. I inherited my great passion for skiing from her and she put me in the pool as a youngster and helped me learn to swim. She made sure I had everything I needed to grow and to flourish.

Now that I have my own kids she is always available for us all to be together, especially when we can be on the mountain.

COLBY ROBERTS, COPUBLISHER

I credit my ability to draw people out in social situations to my mom, Jeannie Gestner. To say she’s an extrovert is putting it mildly; she’s never met a stranger. Even former Burlington Mayor Peter Clavelle called her “The Unofficial Mayor of North Street.”

THEA LEWIS, CONTRIBUTING WRITER

My mom, Peggy Resmer, is one of my role models. She worked full-time when I was growing up, first as a computer programmer and later as a manager; she retired as a vice president at AAA Michigan. I often call her to share my work and parenting challenges.

I know she gets it.

She’s also shown me the value of lasting friendships. Her closest friends are a group of women — and one man — who met while working as programmers at the National Bank of Detroit in the 1970s. Over the years, my family has spent a lot of time with them and their spouses and kids.

My parents still get together with them, though they’ve scattered all over the country. My mom is great at keeping in touch, making plans and pitching in when there’s work to be done.

She inspires me to be a better parent, friend and person.

CATHY RESMER, COPUBLISHER AND EXECUTIVE EDITOR

These winners get $25 gift cards to Creative Habitat in Burlington and their artwork framed for free.

COLORING CONTEST

Hippity hop! More than 140 resplendent rabbits raced into our mailbox in April. Many of them were heading toward a finish line. Some were surrounded by cheering spectators. Others were competing against tortoises. One was listening to an iPod as he ran. A basketball bunny declared himself “the new LeBron James.”

We enjoyed all of their hare-raising adventures. Thanks for sharing, and congratulations to all the winners!

5 and under

“Bunny’s Spring Day” Isia Underwood, 5 NORTH FERRISBURGH

HONORABLE MENTIONS MOST MOTIVATED Nora Engisch, 10, Burlington

MOST GOAL-ORIENTED Tanisha Gerg, 9, Georgia BEST EASTER BASKET Hadleigh Rosner, 8, Georgia MOST BUNDLED-UP BUNNY Oliver Wilcox, 4, Milton

6 to 8

“The Easter Bunny’s Late!”

Raegan Decker, 8 FAIRFAX

SPEEDIEST SWIRLS Emily Lowe, 9, Vergennes WILDEST WORLD TRAVELER Ambiana Glavin, 8, Worcester BADDEST BASKETBALL BUNNY Bill Breault, 10, Lincoln MOST PURPOSEFUL PINK Britta Zetterstrom, 9, Duxbury SUPERLATIVE SPONSORS William M.P. Mezzit, 10, Bolton

TOP TITLES “PANT, PANT, PANT — MY ONE GOAL FOR THE RACE IS TO BEAT THE TORTOISE!” Anna MacFaden, 9, Shelburne “MUSHROOM BUNNY BUZZ BUNDRIN” Maria “Fern” Murphy, 8, Plattsburgh, N.Y. “THE RABBIT AND THE CHEETAH” Katelynn Wilson, 8, Milton

Find this month’s coloring contest on page 52. The deadline for submissions is May 15.

“Hennabunny” Evalin Pachman, 11 STARKSBORO

9 to 12

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ALISON NOVAK, CALENDAR WRITER

BEST DRESSED BUNNY Grace Kahl, 11, Burlington

KIDSVT.COM MARCH 2014 KIDS VT KIDS VT MATERNITY ISSUE SPONSORED BY: FLETCHERALLEN.ORG/PREGNANCY

I always saw my mom as different from other moms — from her dark sense of humor to her crushed velvet leggings, from her daring ice skating moves to her amazing artistic abilities.

She continues to set herself apart as a grandma to my kids — making costumes with them, concocting creative projects and telling them vivid stories from her childhood. They adore her and call her, simply, “Barb.”

MOST ENTHUSIASTIC CHEERING SECTION Shaina Ruskin, 12, Burlington

MAY 2014

BECKY THARP, CONTRIBUTING WRITER

KIDSVT.COM

My mom, Margaret (Sammon) Graney, lost her mother when she was very young.

She and her dozen siblings were split up with different relatives around Ireland. My mom eventually ended up living with an aunt in the United States.

Even though my mom never experienced the love of a mother, she raised seven children of her own and about a dozen adopted and foster children with love, compassion and fierce attention to the virtues of personal strength and determination.

I feel so lucky that she was able to excel at motherhood without a role model. I have relied on her for guidance every day since having kids.

HOTTEST PURSUIT Zeb Wilcox, 7, Milton

THE

BEAT

B Y M A R Y A N N L I C K T EI G & A L I S ON NOVAK

COMMUNITY

Carbo-loading for a Cause For the Munson-Warnkens of Burlington, the Vermont City Marathon is a family affair. Dad Wayne is running the whole race — accompanied for the first 5K by Luca, 5, who will be riding on his balance bike. Mom Megan and sons Mark, 11, and Fisher, 8, are part of a relay team supporting Outright Vermont. The 25-year-old, Burlington-based nonprofit provides support and activities for queer youth. The weekend before the big race, the fast-moving family of five is hosting an OUTRIGHT VERMONT PASTA PARTY — for for the fourth year in a row — to raise money and awareness for the organization. Guests contribute what they would spend for a night out; the Munson-Warnkens provide the food and drinks. Last year, their efforts netted just over $1,600. “As a father, I want my children to know they are loved no matter what,” says Wayne. “I think running with Outright Vermont is a great way to demonstrate that.” —A.N.

OUTRIGHT VERMONT PASTA PARTY: Saturday, May 17. For more information, email Wayne at wayne.warnken@gmail.com. Donate to the Munson-Warnken’s fundraising campaign at crowdrise.com/TeamOutrightVT2014/ fundraiser/munsonwarnken.

CHILDCARE

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KIDS VT MATERNITY ISSUE SPONSORED BY: FLETCHERALLEN.ORG/PREGNANCY

MAY 2014

KIDSVT.COM

Au Pair Extraordinaire

BENEFIT

Hoop It Up Perfecting Hula-Hoop routines in the basement helped you survive the winter. But now it’s time to show them off — and maybe even win a prize — at HOOPAPALOOZA V. In this fun-for-all-ages fundraiser, teams of five compete by performing a two-to-four-minute-long choreographed hoop dance to their favorite song. Organizers from the Rotary Club of Burlington provide Hula-Hoops and T-shirts; Larry Brett’s HOOPAPALOOZA V: Saturday, May 3, Juke Box and the UVM Hula-Hoop team supply additional 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Burlington City Hall entertainment. Each team is asked to raise $50 to enter; the Park. Register at BurlingtonVTRotary. proceeds benefit Puppets in Education and Rotary programs org or call Michele Boomhower at that reach kids all over Vermont. Your good turn keeps going 793-8303. Rain location is Main Street Landing, Burlington. around and around and around. —M.L.

Truly great caregivers deserve to be celebrated. So we’re tipping our hats to Marlene Nys, the 2014 VERMONT AU PAIR OF THE YEAR. The competition is sponsored

by Massachusetts-based Culture Care Au Pair, an organization that helps place international caregivers with American families. Nys, a 21-year-old French citizen, was nominated by host mom Suzanne Johnson of Shelburne; Nys cares for her 12-year-old daughter, Caroline, in exchange for a stipend and room and board.

“Marlene arrived just as I was recovering from breast cancer,” Johnson wrote in her nomination letter. “She helped Caroline feel safe again in a very uncertain world.”

Johnson, whose two older kids are away at school, has hosted 13 au pairs since 2008. She’s never nominated one for this honor until now. Johnson wrote that Nys is “a guiding star” for her daughter and “a loving mentor. She will forever be in our family.” —M.L. VERMONT AU PAIR OF THE YEAR: Read more about the competition at aupairbuzz.culturalcare.com/ cultural-cares-au-pairs-of-the-year-2014.

EAT. LEARN. PLAY. CHAMPLAIN VALLEY FLYER: Saturday, May 10, trains leave Burlington at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. $10; kids 12 and under ride free with a paying adult. Sunday, May 11 and Sunday, June 15; departs Burlington at noon, arrives in Middlebury at 1:30 p.m. Departs Middlebury at 3:30 p.m. and arrives in Burlington at 5 p.m. $35 for adults, $30 for kids ages 3-12. Find information and buy tickets at rails-vt.com.

To help him see hope, we looked at care through a child’s eyes.

TRAVEL

Ride the Rails

EDUCATION

• Comforting, child-friendly design and decor • Private bedrooms for up to 12 children • Sensory room with soothing bubble tubes and other sensory integration tools

Central Nurses Station

• Multi-use community rooms • Low stimulation suite and quiet room • Dedicated family visiting space.

Learn how we’re leading the way at brattlebororetreat.org

Get help now.

802-258-3700 24 hours a day. 7 days a week.

Community Activities Room

Remodeled for 21st Century Care: Inpatient Mental Health Program for Children Ages 4-12

SPARK A CULTURE OF INNOVATION: Grant recipients are Aldrich Public Library, Barre; Bennington Free Library; Castleton Free Library; Charlotte Library; Craftsbury Public Library; Fairfax Community Library; Groton Free Public Library; Jericho Town Library/Deborah Rawson Memorial Library, Underhill; Poultney Public Library; Quechee Public Library; Arvin A. Brown Public Library, Richford; and Doroth Alling Memorial Library, Williston. Find more information at STEAM-e-ZINE.com.

KIDS VT MATERNITY ISSUE SPONSORED BY: FLETCHERALLEN.ORG/PREGNANCY

This summer, 14 Vermont libraries turn into science labs, where kids can build solar-powered plastic creatures and make electrical circuits from conductive play dough. The SPARK A CULTURE OF INNOVATION program is responsible for the transformation. This Vermont Department of Libraries initiative is aimed at introducing kids to Vermont’s DIY “maker” movement. Representatives from Vermont Makers, Champlain Mini Maker Faire, and the University of Vermont’s College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences collaborated to produce lessons on e-textiles, e-origami, toy hacking, squishy circuits and “creature creations.” Each participating library will select two of the topics and receive curriculum and materials to keep, courtesy of a grant from the Vermont Community Foundation. Don’t see your library on the list of participants below? All of the curricula will be available to every Vermont library for free online by the end of the summer. —M.L.

Children who face mental illness deserve excellent care in a clinically advanced setting that helps them to heal, and encourages them to be kids.

Our program combines best practices in clinical space design and treatment options. Highlights include:

MAY 2014

Science in the Stacks

A state-of-the-art mental health inpatient program for children ages 4 to 12

KIDSVT.COM

There are only a few days a year when you can actually catch a train at Burlington’s Union Station, and two of them are coming up in May. The CHAMPLAIN VALLEY FLYER makes four round trips to Shelburne on Kids Day, May 10, which also happens to be National Train Day. You can hop aboard after the annual Kids Day parade, which starts at 9:40 a.m. On Sunday, May 11, the Flyer heads to Middlebury for Mother’s Day. You’ll have time to treat Mom to a late lunch downtown before riding back in the 1940s-era coach. “Some kids get pretty excited about it,” says ticket agent Brian McGregor. Some adults do, too. Heads up, dads — the train runs to Middlebury on Father’s Day, too. —M.L.

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KIDS VT MATERNITY ISSUE SPONSORED BY: FLETCHERALLEN.ORG/PREGNANCY

MAY 2014

KIDSVT.COM

Q: I’m expecting my first baby this summer, and I know I’m not alone: My Facebook news feed has been inundated lately with pregnancy selfies — moms-to-be standing in front of their bathroom mirrors documenting their growing bump. Then, of course, there are the ubiquitous ultrasound pics. How much is too much for parents-to-be to share online?

A: Congratulations! I love this question. Who among us doesn’t want to share the joy of becoming parents with our family and friends?

Before social networking sites such as Facebook, we would share these moments in face-to-face gatherings, pulling out the ultrasound picture and having wonderful conversations about all the possibilities. Today, it’s super easy to share every moment of your pregnancy through your social networks.

But should you? Well, that depends on several things. First of all, remember that as you post these pictures, you are essentially building your child’s digital footprint.

In documenting your pregnancy this way, you’re creating the early foundation of everything that can be known about your child. How do you feel about that?

Also, it’s important to consider how both you and your partner feel about sharing what is often seen as a private process with anyone who can connect with you via your social network. Are you both in agreement about sharing this content?

My advice is for you to document your pregnancy as much as you would like, but think carefully about which of those photos you will share on social-networking sites. Pay attention to who can see the images and consider making them available just to family and close friends. Don’t share the images on open networks where anyone can see them. And be careful about how you tag them or comment about them — you don’t want to give out specific information about your location or your child-to-be.

Elaine Young is the author of Tuned-In Family: How to Cope, Communicate & Connect in a Digital World, and is a professor at Champlain College, where she specializes in digital marketing and social media. Got a question about navigating the digital world with your family?

Send it to her at ideas@kidsvt.com.

B Y K EN PI C A RD

What should breast-feeding moms eat, drink and avoid?

Got questions for the doctor?

Send them to ideas@kidsvt.com.

THE RESEARCH IS OVERWHELMING: Breast-feeding is the ideal way to give infants a healthy start in life, provide them with balanced nutrition, boost their immune systems and create bonds between mother and child.

But which foods and beverages should breast-feeding moms seek out or avoid? This month, Dr. Lewis First, head of pediatrics at Vermont Children’s Hospital at Fletcher Allen Health Care, delivers some advice to help nursing moms go with the flow.

KIDS VT: How much additional food do breast-feeding moms need?

Lewis First: It’s really a matter of both the quantity and quality of mom’s diet.

Many breast-feeding moms don’t realize that they need to take in 200 to 500 extra calories per day to meet their energy needs and grow their babies. Food labels are a great way to keep track of those calories.

KVT: Which nutrients are important for nursing moms?

LF: Breast-feeding moms should consume about 1,000 milligrams of calcium per day to keep their own bones healthy and also to help their babies’ teeth and bones grow.

Obviously, moms can get that from low-fat dairy products, but they can also get it from calcium-supplemented foods such as orange juice and cereal. Moms also need a lot more vitamin D, anywhere from 400 to 1,000 international units (IUs). They can get it from the sun, but I’m more partial to avoiding the sun’s rays and getting vitamin D from other sources.

Infants should also get a vitamin D supplement.

And moms need a good source of carbohydrates and iron. If they’re vegetarian, they need to make sure they get enough vitamin B-12.

KVT: How much protein do breastfeeding moms need?

LF: Normally, most women need about 40 to 50 grams per day. When women are breast-feeding, they should take in at least 70 grams daily.

This can be through lean meats, fish, poultry, eggs, tofu, beans or peanut butter.

KVT: What about the mercury in fish?

LF: Moms need to keep an eye on their mercury intake. But

ERNITY IS AT M

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ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ABOUT THE EVER-EVOLVING ONLINE WORLD

BABY &

✱ ASK DR. FIRST

✱ DIGITAL DILEMMAS

the good news is, fish contain omega-3s, which are very good at helping develop a baby’s brain and eyesight. I recommend one or two servings per week of fish low in mercury. The “fearsome foursome” to avoid are shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish. Moms should also limit their tuna intake. Some low-mercury choices are salmon, whitefish, sardines, anchovies and rainbow trout.

A 132-pound woman who is nursing should consume no more than 2.5 ounces of hard liquor, 8 ounces of wine or two 12-ounce beers per day.

KVT: Is there any truth to the claim that drinking Guinness Stout boosts milk production?

LF: It turns out there is a polysaccharide in certain beers, including Guinness, that actually turns on a hormone called prolactin, which helps moms make more milk. The problem is, there’s also alcohol in there, which can inhibit the production of milk and may affect the milk’s taste.

KVT: How much alcohol can a breastfeeding mother safely drink?

LF: The Institute of Medicine recommends that a 132-pound woman who is nursing should consume no more than 2.5

ounces of hard liquor, 8 ounces of wine or two 12-ounce beers per day. Ideally, a breast-feeding mother should abstain entirely, though after two hours, it’s not clear that any of the alcohol reaches the baby. So, if mom wants to have a drink every now and then, she should time it at least two hours before her next breastfeeding or pumping.

KVT: How about caffeinated drinks?

LF: Nursing mothers should take in no more than 300 milligrams per day of caffeine, which is the amount contained in two 8-ounce cups of coffee.

KVT: Can the mother’s diet create a food allergy?

LF: There’s a difference between a classic food allergy and a food sensitivity, such as lactose intolerance, which babies almost never have. Moms can reduce the likelihood of food allergies by breast-feeding for the first six months.

Only about 2 percent of exclusively breast-fed babies have a food allergy, and it’s usually due to a protein in cow’s milk coming from the mom’s diet. When it occurs, it’s not subtle: The baby might experience vomiting, diarrhea, bad skin rash and potentially even difficulty breathing. This is different than the classic food sensitivities to spicy foods, cauliflower, broccoli and certain beans, which can make babies gassy and fussy.

Basically, a mom knows her baby best. If she sees her baby not acting like herself or himself, she might think, “What did I eat in the last day?” Then remove that food from her diet and see if it makes a difference.

KVT: Can food sensitivities change over time?

LF: The good news is that, as the gut matures, babies may be able to handle food better than they did earlier in life. So, if mom wants to try that spicy food after a month or so, she certainly can and may find there’s no reaction whatsoever.

eat. learn. Play.

Q FiT FamiLies

B y sara h B aughm an

Running Strong courtesy of girls on the run

avoid injury. “For our girls,” says Kadmiri, “the goal is to complete the race. Some will walk, some will walk/run, some will jog and some are working toward personal best times to increase endurance and speed.”

It’s an approach that’s winning converts.

Kadmiri, who helped start Newport’s branch of the nationwide Girls on the Run program, has watched her group’s membership nearly quadruple in just four years, growing from 12 initial members to 43 this season in grades 3 through 6. More than 3,000 girls participate throughout Vermont; nationwide, the number climbs to 130,000.

“The word just spread,” says Kadmiri.

“And I see girls now in sixth grade who have gone through three years of Girls on

house-2.3x.8-orange.indd 1

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“Fit Families” is a monthly feature that offers easy and affordable ways to stay active. Got an idea for a future FF? Email us at ideas@kidsvt.com.

Say you saw it in

Kids vT maTerniTy issue sPonsored By: FLeTcheraLLen.org/Pregnancy

Girls on the Run isn’t just about running.

the Run acting as mentors to the younger ones.” Kadmiri applauds the program’s physical benefits and its promotion of an www.babiestoboomersvt.com activity that’s both inexpensive and easy to 802-540-0433 do anywhere.

The Newport team practices twice a week. They run two races: the one-mile Northeast Kingdom Dandelion Run and k16t-BabiestoBoomers-1113.indd 1 10/22/13 6:12 PM a family-friendly 5K for Girls on the Run groups throughout the state. Kadmiri loves the “beautiful ribbon” made by girls running together in their matching T-shirts, each assigned race number “1.”

Girls on the Run isn’t just about running. The program blends physical fitness with personal identity and emotional wellness. The 24-lesson curriculum encourages girls to develop healthy selfperspectives and relationships.

“It’s all about how each girl is special, unique, full of positive energy,” says Kadmiri.

“We talk about peer pressure and body image, how they see themselves.” Built-in mentorship from adult coaches — more than half a dozen work with the Newport group — helps reinforce positive development.

At Girls on the Run, “winning” doesn’t necessarily mean crossing the finish line first. “Being a strong young woman is winning,” says Kadmiri. “Encouraging teammates is winning.”

After the workout, I ask a few of the fourth-grade girls why they like running.

“It makes me feel like I can do anything,” says Danielle Mandigo. Kaitlyn Grenier agrees: “Running makes me feel like I’m special, like I finally conquered something I couldn’t do before.” Both girls say they’re “running buddies”; they’re proud that they can now complete an entire workout, varying from 1 to 3 miles, without stopping.

Aleena Graveline recalls her achievements at last year’s Girls on the Run 5K in Essex Junction. “I was really tired, but I did it anyway, and that made me feel good,” she says.

Kaitlyn asks if I’m going to print their words in a newspaper. When I tell her I am, she says she has something else she wants to tell everyone about running.

“Don’t ever think you can’t make it,” she says, “because if you put your mind to it, you always can do it.”

“It doesn’t matter if people don’t stand by you,” Danielle adds. “You can do k6v-RiverArts0514.indd 1 4/23/14 11:47 AM anything.” K

may 2014

Find more information at GirlsontheRun.org.

though, chatting and laughing as they circle the gym.

The noncompetitive atmosphere is intentional. Girls on the Run, a national youth development program for girls ages 8 to 13, emphasizes the importance of finishing workouts and races over speed.

In setting their individual short- and long-term running goals, the young athletes are encouraged to listen to their bodies and

• Safe, loving, and professional in-home caregivers • Professional screening and strict recruitment process • Full-time, part-time, temp, event, and sitter services

KidsvT.com

When coach Jeane Kadmiri says “Girls on the run!” an emphatic cheer rises from the group of girls gathered in Newport City Elementary’s gym. They whoop and clap their hands. It’s 3 p.m., the end of another school day, but their energy is palpable. After stretching and working through interval stations, they’re ready to run.

“Let’s remind ourselves what we should pay attention to when we run,” says Kadmiri, holding up five fingers. The girls talk through pacing, foot movement, breathing and posture — “not slouching, not too firm; you should feel comfortable,” one girl offers.

“And what’s the most important thing?”

Kadmiri asks.

The girls don’t hesitate.

“Encouragement!” they shout.

They give examples, too. “You can do it!” says one. “It’s always in your heart!” says another.

Music starts, and the girls begin running laps. Usually they’re outdoors, working on their personal and group distance goals — Kadmiri says they aim to run 1,000 miles together this season — but today’s relentless rain and cold keep them inside. They’re still in high spirits,

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Kids VT maternity issue sponsored by: FletcherAllen.org/Pregnancy

may 2014

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This month Kids VT asked local parents to recommend books that inspired them when they first had children.

Operating Instructions: A Journal of My Son’s First Year

BY ANNE LAMOTT

Novelist Anne Lamott gives an honest account of her experience becoming a single mother at the age of 35. The best seller chronicles Lamott’s pregnancy, birth, struggles and joys through baby Sam’s first 12 months.

“Lamott’s authenticity, and overall approach to life, is so inspirational — and not in the aspirational way some parenting books can be,” says Nicci Micco of Shelburne, mom to Julian, 6, and Kai, 4. “When you read this book, you feel that, as a parent, offering up all of your love and good intention is enough.”

Mitten Strings for God: Reflections for Mothers in a Hurry

BY MYLA AND JOHN KABAT-ZINN

In this book, the Kabat-Zinns apply the Zen Buddhist principle of moment-to-moment awareness to parenting. Everyday Blessings explores techniques parents can use to see their children as they truly are, a practice which the authors suggest leads to greater consciousness, wisdom and compassion.

This “grounding” book is full of “sweet and calming good sense,” says Sara Martinez de Osaba of Burlington, mom to Sarina, 14. “It immediately melts away the inescapable parent guilt and pentup angst about not doing enough to provide the best experience for your child,” she says.

Recommendations compiled by Alison Novak

Megan Jamison, 8 GEORGIA

recommends:

The End of the Beginning

BY AVI

“My favorite part of the story was when Edward, an ant, said to Avon, a snail, ‘Don’t look at the world with your eyes, look at the world with your heart.’ Then Avon said, ‘But I don’t have eyes on my heart!’”

Maria Morgan, 10 SOUTH BURLINGTON

recommends:

I Survived the Nazi Invasion, 1944

BY LAUREN TARSHIS

“My favorite part was when Hannah found Max and Zena’s papa and all three of them sailed to America. It was a sad and a happy ending.”

Maddie Wood-Lewis, 10 BURLINGTON

recommends:

Warriors series

BY ERIN HUNTER

“This series caught my eye when I was about 9. One of the things I love about it is the books seem never-ending and I kept looking for more.”

Sarah Berliner, 9 SOUTH BURLINGTON

recommends:

Take Two

BY JULIA DEVILLERS & JENNIFER ROY

“I liked when Mason and Jason scared Emma with the gecko because it was funny. I also liked when Payton tripped in the giant hamster ball, because I could imagine that happening and it was absolutely hilarious.”

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Find the Book-Review Contest for June on page 54.

The deadline to enter is May 15. Happy reading!

KIDSVT.COM FEBRUARY 2014 KIDS VT KIDS VT MATERNITY ISSUE SPONSORED BY: FLETCHERALLEN.ORG/PREGNANCY

Everyday Blessings: The Inner Work of Mindful Parenting

Congratulations to these enthusiastic young critics who shared their reading recommendations with us in April. Each wins a $25 gift certificate from Crow Bookshop in Burlington. We loved reading about all the entrants’ literary adventures, and have included some excerpts below.

MAY 2014

Kenison shares her quest for a more balanced life through a series of personal essays interwoven with suggestions and advice. When we slow down our daily routines, the author suggests, there is greater opportunity for tranquility, joy and true appreciation of our children.

“It’s not a particularly religious book, despite the title,” says Cara McLaughlin of Stowe, mom to Alison, 6, David, 4, and twins Catherine and Claire, 18 months. “It’s a book that I go to if I need to reframe my mindset and remember the important things in life.”

Book-Review Winners

KIDSVT.COM

BY KATRINA KENISON

EAT. LEARN. PLAY.

ERNITY IS AT M

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Seasonal Reads

BABY &

✱ BOOKWORMS

MARVELOUS MAY

14

Kids VT maternity issue sponsored by: FletcherAllen.org/Pregnancy

may 2014

kidsvt.com

THE LEARNING CENTER AT HEALTHY LIVING FLAKY CHEDDAR HERB BISCUITS

DIRECTIONS

INGREDIENTS 2 cups our

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl whisk together the our, baking powder, garlic powder, and salt. Use a pastry blender or 2 butter knives to cut in the butter until small pea-sized crumbs form. Add the cheese and toss until coated with our. Toss in the chives. Add the buttermilk and stir until just combined - don't overmix. Drop by 1/4 cup full onto the baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake for about 15 minutes until golden around the edges. Meanwhile, in a small bowl combine melted butter with parsley, garlic powder, and salt.

Remove the biscuits from the oven and brush butter generously over the tops while hot. Best served warm.

2 tsp. baking powder 1/4 tsp. garlic powder 1/4 tsp. salt 6 Tbsp. cold butter, cut into small cubes 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 3 Tbsp. minced chives 3/4 cup cold buttermilk

TOPPING 3 Tbsp. melted butter 1 tsp. dried parsley 1/4 tsp. garlic powder 1/4

tsp. salt

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✱ MEALTIME BY KAT HRY N FL AGG

EAT. LEARN. PLAY.

Hunger Games: The Mysteries of Eating While Pregnant

BABY &

The times we get worried are if someone says they’re craving things like chalk, or dirt.

UE SS

says — a condition called pica that’s thought to indicate iron IN THE FIRST DAYS AFTER MY POSITIVE PREGNANCY TEST, deficiency.

I threw myself headlong into the world of healthy eating. Good-bye, Rachel Stanton, a Burlington doula who is part of the Birth chocolate-chip cookies; hello, superfoods. I even started a food Journeys group, recalls her pregnancy stomach woes all too journal, giddily chronicling my daily servings of protein, whole well. After the morning sickness she lived through with her grains and leafy greens. daughter, now 8, she was hit by even worse nausea while pregnant Veteran moms know where this is headed: That journal lasted all with her now 4-year-old son. of two weeks.

“My house was trashed. I couldn’t function,” That’s when the morning sickness hit. Gone were the proteinTERNITY she remembers now. With rich meats, the roasted broccoli, the kale. I spent MA I both pregnancies, she relied the next 10 weeks subsisting on cereal and toast, on her husband to “just put trying not to barf during meetings at work and food in front of me.” googling variations of “When does morning “I literally couldn’t go sickness end?” into the kitchen,” Stanton Worst of all, I wasn’t just feeling sick; I felt says. When her husband guilty, too. Surely the little creature growing inside was at work, she’d send of me needed more than saltines to thrive. All in her daughter, not quite 3 along I wondered, Why, oh why, has food become years old at the time, to fend so unappealing exactly when I need to be on my for herself. Stanton’s nutritional A-game? morning sickness My googling yielded plenty of info about eventually morning sickness, which more than half of all subsided, after pregnant women experience — typically starting around 16 weeks six weeks after conception and lasting until 12 of pregnancy. But weeks of gestation — according to the American at least one aversion Pregnancy Association. Various explanations RACHEL PRESTON, stuck around for attribute the nausea and vomiting to hormonal the entirety — and changes, low blood sugar and even the stretching NUTRITIONIST beyond. of the uterine muscles — but the exact cause is During her unknown. second pregnancy, she says, “Celery And, as I’d learn, morning sickness isn’t the only pregnancymade me really, really sick.” Just related nutritional mystery. the smell of it turned her stomach.

Expectant women also have any number of food aversions and Her husband commuted to the state cravings. In the U.S., the most common pregnancy cravings are for capital for work, and Stanton says dairy and sweet foods, including chocolate, fruits and juices. Less she developed a sixth sense about his commonly, pregnant women report cravings for salty or savory lunchtime celery intake. “We would foods — think pickles or pizza. joke that I could smell the celery from Medical professionals have plenty of theories.

Montpelier,” she says.

“Quite honestly, they can be all over the map,” says Rachel Her son was born in July and, that Preston, a nutritionist at Fletcher Allen Health Care who works summer, Stanton “put the kibosh” with pregnant women. She says research indicates that the complex on growing celery in her family’s chemistry of hormonal shifts during pregnancy plays a critical role. backyard garden. Her husband did Another theory holds that cravings remedy some deficiency in the plant a little in one corner of the yard; mom-to-be’s diet.

Stanton didn’t venture near it for months.

Still more hypotheses attempt to explain food aversions during While celery was off the menu, one pregnancy. Preston says most women have a heightened sense craving surprised Stanton. of smell when they’re carrying a child. Some researchers believe “I would dream about red meat,” says that those super-charged olfactory powers might have been an the 10-year vegetarian. evolutionary device intended to help pregnant women identify food “I felt like my body was trying that was rotten or unsafe. to tell me something,” she says — Whatever the reason, both cravings and aversions are powerful and sure enough, her iron levels forces, Preston says. The rumor that a craving is “just an excuse to were low. She didn’t know how eat ice cream” doesn’t square with Preston’s own experience during to cook meat, though, so she’d her four pregnancies. “You realize that some of those aversions are head to a friend’s house once a really powerful,” she says. Among the most common she sees are week for a hefty serving of steak or aversions to eggs, fish and protein — and occasionally broccoli and a juicy hamburger. cauliflower.

“And one day I just Even sweets aren’t always a treat. “Some women are quite didn’t want it anymore,” sensitive to sweets,” Preston says — which flies in the face of the Stanton says. cliché that pregnant women just want chocolate.

As for that loathsome “A lot of it seems to be very individualized,” she says, adding that cravings and aversions can vary in the same woman during different celery? It’s back on the menu at the Stanton house. Stanton pregnancies.

Preston says that as long as women are craving something safe to says she added some to a soup just the other day. “We’ve made eat, moderate indulging isn’t dangerous. “The times we get worried are if someone says they’re craving things like chalk, or dirt,” she our peace, celery and I.”

KIDSVT.COM MAY 2014 KIDS VT MATERNITY ISSUE SPONSORED BY: FLETCHERALLEN.ORG/PREGNANCY

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“Mealtime” is a feature about families and food. Got a topic you’d like us to explore? Email it to ideas@kidsvt.com.

✱ GO ASK DAD

I N T ER VI E W S COMPI L ED A N D CON D E N SED B Y T H E A L E W IS

How did you prepare your child for a new sibling?

JOHN MELI SOUTH BURLINGTON

CHAD WRIGHT MONKTON

DIRECTOR, WCAX-TV

Son Harper, 12; daughter Lena, 2

Our son Harper wanted a sibling for a very long time — I think he started Irish Dance School! asking for one when he was around 4.

All Ages…All Levels He was 10 when our daughter Lena was born, and he was really excited when we Did you enjoy told him we were expecting her. That made it easier. watching Riverdance?

He was pretty prepared for her arrival.

Why not learn Because we hadn’t had a baby in a long time, some of the steps? there was a lot of stuff we needed, and we Call now for information included him in purchasing it. He offered to on Summer Mini Camps babysit — even said he would change diapers.

He drew the line at dirty ones, though.

Classes offered in He’ll change them now, but only if we are Williston & Middlebury out, and even then, he charges us. He has a standard rate: five bucks.

Harper saw Lena right after she was born.

Beth Anne McFadden T.C.R.G. He told us it was the happiest day of his life.

(802) 999-5041 He’s always wanted to be as responsible for www.mcfaddenirishdance.com her as he can be. It sounds almost sickeningly sweet, I know, but he really enjoys her k8v-McFaddenAcademy0214.indd 1 1/22/14 11:35 AMas a person.

KIDSVT.COM

Vermont’s only certified

WILLISTON THERAPIST

Daughters Hailey, 17, and Lindsay, 13

k8v-PreventChildAbuse0211.indd 1

OWNER, CLARK-WRIGHT SEPTIC SERVICE

Daughter Addison, 6; son Chase, 4 Addison was very excited when she found out we were going to be having a new baby in the house, and she took it very well. We already had some baby supplies, but because Chase was a boy, we needed new things, too. Addison was very involved in picking them out.

When he kicked, we invited her to touch my wife’s belly and “listen” to the baby.

And the biggest thing we did — the most successful thing — was purchase a baby doll and let Addison have the chance to be mother to it for a while before Chase was born.

So, when he did finally arrive, she wanted to be the mommy. There was no sibling jealousy. It was a really good transition.

There was one funny thing, though: Addison suddenly wanted a pacifier. She had never used one, but Chase did. Whenever she’d ask for it, we’d give her one. She’d use it for maybe a few minutes, then forget all about it.

We wanted Hailey to know it wasn’t just Mom and Dad caring for the new baby — we were doing it as a family.

SCOTT WARD

When my wife, Sarah, and I were expecting our second child, we were acutely aware of the energy that would be drawn toward this new baby, and what that would be like for our first daughter, Hailey. We wanted Hailey to know it wasn’t just Mom and Dad caring for the new baby; we were doing it as a family.

So when Sarah felt a kick, she would say, “Oh, Hailey, come feel this!”

We showed Hailey where the baby’s clothes, diapers and wipes were, so she could help. Together, we bought a rattle, so she would have her own gift for the new baby.

And I made sure to spend extra time with Hailey.

We would read together, take trips to the grocery store together. We’d go on bike rides. I wanted her to know that our routine wasn’t going to change.

After Lindsay was born, we did other activities together, too — like cooking dinner while my wife took care of the baby.

BILL BRESEE JERICHO HEALTH CARE IT

Son Willy, 18; daughters Charlotte, 16, and Julia, 12

My wife, Susan, and I have always talked to our kids in a grown-up way, so Willy and Charlotte knew what to expect when baby Julia was on the way.

We had a spare room, and that became Julia’s room.

We already had tons of baby stuff — we never get rid of anything. We had an old crib downstairs that had to be brought up. We got them on board with helping us get it out and assembled. We spent some time making her arrival real for them by talking to them about the baby, and about favorite toys we had that she would use.

They were both excited.

The day Julia was born, Willy and Charlotte were there with us. We had a logger at the house and Susan was doing hypnotherapy for the labor, so we stayed home for most of it.

Finally, we realized the contractions were getting pretty close, and OK, we’d better go! So there was a rush to leave the house. Four-year-old Charlotte, who’s always been like an adult, had to remind my wife that we needed to bring the baby’s car seat.

“Go Ask Dad” is a monthly feature in which we ask fathers to answer a question. Got a question or a pop you’d like to hear from?

Email us at ideas@kidsvt.com.

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KIDS VT MATERNITY ISSUE SPONSORED BY: FLETCHERALLEN.ORG/PREGNANCY

MAY 2014

SCOTT WARD

ERNITY IS AT M

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Q:

2014 Class Schedule

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Robotics couRTEsy of R4-k2

Providing Providing aa mixed-aged, mixed-aged, developmental developmental program for program3for children -9 children years of 3-12 age. years of age.

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A child-centered alternative education. alternative education. ... dedicated to to the the philosophy philosophy and …dedicated and teachings of Maria teachings of Maria Montessori Montessori designed to lift an opposing robot’s motor off the ground.

After working for about 10 minutes, 12-year-old Orin Goss, one of two students who had taken the class before, asked his novice teammate, “Should we test?” She nodded, and they brought their robot to the middle of the ring, turned it on and watched.

802.223.3320 802.223.3320

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INTEGRATIVE ACUPUNCTURE

R4-k2 offers sumo Bots and a more advanced Racer Bots course on weekends during the school year and will offer upcoming summer and after-school programs. for more information, visit r4k2.com or contact christine and kevin Braun at info@r4k2.com.

156 Main St. Montpelier, VT integrativeaom.com

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“The Art of” spotlights creative skills that enrich kids’ lives. Got a class or teacher to recommend? Email us at ideas@kidsvt.com.

Kerry Boyle Jenni, M.S., L.Ac. Joshua Singer, M.S., L.Ac.

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When Orin noticed the bot tipping a little to one side, he declared, “We have to fix that weight problem.”

It’s exactly this kind of experimentation and problem solving the Brauns are trying to encourage in their classes, Christine says.

Soon it was time for the first in a series of three battle rounds. Team One and Team Two positioned their bots face-to-face in the ring and turned them on. Everyone watched intently as the machines zipped around the ring, nudging each other back and forth.

After about 10 seconds, Team One’s bot nudged Team Two’s bot out of the ring, Berlin, VT www.mscvt.org and the winning team’s members did a All inquiries: All quick fist pump in celebration.

After several more matchups, teams went back to their tables, adding on to or changing their machines in preparation for the next battle round. k8v-MSCV1111.indd 1 1/19/12 11:43 AM The first three sessions of Sumo k8v-mscv0514.indd 1 4/4/14 9:52 AM Bots are devoted to hardware, with participants focused on building better bots by learning about concepts such as balance and center of gravity. In the Fertility Improvement latter part of the course, kids delve into the programming component of robotics IVF/IUI Support using Lego Mindstorms software. It Morning Sickness allows them to change variables such as VBAC Support the robot’s turning radius and the speed Turning Breech Babies of its motor by clicking on icons on the computer screen. Kevin describes it as a Labor Preparation “visual way to interact with code.”

Post Partum Depression The couple steer away from teaching students how to write code; because programming languages are constantly changing, Kevin says, it’s more important to teach kids and young teens the logic behind the systems.

“We take a less academic approach,” he explains. “At the end of the day, we really want the kids to have fun.”  may 2014

Everyone watched intently as the machines zipped around the ring.

Montpelier Montessori School Berlin, VT

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The word “sumo” typically conjures up images of large, scantily-clad men pushing each other around a ring.

But it was robots — not wrestlers — fighting for supremacy during a Sumo Bots class on a recent Saturday afternoon in the Shaw’s community space in South Burlington.

Husband-and-wife team Christine and Kevin Braun were leading the class, which is part of their robotics program, called Robots for Kids Too — or R4-K2.

Its mission: to empower kids and teens to be makers, rather than just users, of technology.

The South Hero couple, who homeschool two of their three sons, have offered their robotics classes to the homeschool community for the past three years. This winter, they opened up their programs to all 7- to 15-year-olds.

The Sumo Bots class is an introductory offering; students must complete the six-week session to advance to the next level.

For the first class of the most recent Sumo Bots session, four long tables were set up around the room. On each table sat several plastic storage systems containing a multitude of small interlocking parts, as well as a small rectangular LEGO Mindstorms EV3 Intelligent Brick a little bigger than a bar of soap — the heart and brains of the robot. Two small wheels were attached to the back of each brick; two large wheels, along with a light sensor, were attached to the front.

In the middle of the room was the battle ring — a sizable, black, circular platform with a white border.

The instructors split the group of eight kids into four groups of two.

Kevin explained that the robots on each table were self-driving machines programmed to detect the white border of the battle ring with their light sensors. They’d go head to head in the ring and try to push each other out; the bot that stayed in the longest would be declared the winner.

Then Christine briefly reviewed the scientific method and asked teams to hypothesize about how they could build their bot to win its upcoming match.

The kids were soon immersed in construction. One group built defenses around its robot’s wheels. Another created a ramp attached on the front

4/16/14 12:05 PM

Prepared for Arrival Comparing Vermont’s hospital birthing centers B Y MEGAN JA M E S

XXXXXX 20XX KIDSVT.COMBY: FLETCHERALLEN.ORG/PREGNANCY KIDS VT MATERNITY ISSUE SPONSORED

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C

BABY &

hoosing where to deliver your baby is unlike any other medical decision. Break your arm and you’ll likely end up in the closest emergency room. Women expecting new babies can start browsing their options months in advance.

Some Vermont women — about 2 percent — deliver at home; the state has one of the highest ERNITY IS rates of home births in the country. Still, the vast AT M majority of moms-to-be in the 802 deliver in a hospital birthing center, and Vermont’s are not all the same. A facility with a homey, community vibe won’t likely have a neonatal intensive care unit down the hall. A pregnant patient might have to give up her water-birth dream for the luxury of staying in one room for the duration of her stay.

I visited six Vermont hospital birthing centers in the Kids VT circulation area to find out what makes each one unique. I had never before set foot in a labor-and-delivery unit, but I brought an important perspective: I was eight months pregnant. With each visit, I tried to imagine myself waddling in on the big day.

All of these hospitals offer similar services: pharmaceutical pain relief in the form of epidurals and intrathecals; the chance to deliver a baby vaginally after a previous cesarean section, aka VBAC; an in-hospital, Wi-Fi connection to post updates to Facebook. All of them encourage skin-to-skin bonding after delivery.

The biggest difference I found was between the five community hospitals I visited and Fletcher Allen Health Care, a major tertiary care hospital.

At the community hospitals you can stay in one labor-and-deliverypostpartum room, aka LDPR, from check in to check out. Post-delivery at Fletcher Allen, all new moms are moved to a separate maternity floor.

On the upside, Fletcher Allen has the state’s only neonatal intensive care unit; the next closest NICU is at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. If complications arise during deliveries at any of the smaller facilities, a team from Fletcher Allen brings the babies to Burlington.

I found something to like about each birthing center and would feel comfortable delivering at any of them. Read on to find out why.

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MAY 2014

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Keri DiMarco and her twin boys at Northwestern Medical Center

Central Vermont Medical Center BERLIN

Births per year: 420 C-section rate: 31% Water births: no The first things I noticed at Central Vermont Medical Center’s Garden Path Birthing Center were the colorful belly casts adorning the walls.

Pregnant ladies made these replicas of their voluptuous torsos with onstaff lactation consultants.

Those looming bellies and boobs set a holistic tone at CVMC, which otherwise feels very much like a hospital, with fluorescent lights, creamcolored walls and the smell of disinfectant in the air.

Central Vermont Medical Center

COURTESY OF CENTRAL VERMONT MEDICAL CENTER

Renovated in 2008, the Garden Path Birthing Center has six LDPRs, each with a TV, a tub for laboring and a fold-out sleep chair for one support person. An operating room is located on the same floor, in case a C-section is required.

Nurse manager Kathy Pelletier pointed out that the rooms, built with the same soundproof sheetrock found in movie theaters, are relatively quiet.

And she was right. It wasn’t until we stepped out into the hall that we heard wild screaming emanating from another room.

Community outreach is an important part of CVMC’s birth center, which hosts open houses once a month and a variety of support groups, including ones for new dads and for parents who have lost a child.

The nurses collectively crafted a written birth philosophy, which hangs framed near

photos by: matthew thorsen

Fletcher Allen Health Care

CVMC has two doulas on staff. They work with laboring women to find comfortable new positions and alleviate pain naturally. the front desk: “A woman’s body is designed to give birth. Her inner wisdom will lead her. Every birth is unique. We support and accompany each woman along the birth journey while protecting her emotional security, safety and sense of privacy.

Celebrating with a birthing woman and her family is the highest honor.”

Food: The community kitchen is more than just a kitchenette; it’s a comfy corner space enlivened by a colorful mural. A table with chairs accommodates groups. Throughout their stay, both mom and partner can order room service, which is available from 6 a.m. to 6:15 p.m.

Morrisville

Copley’s birthing center, which opened in the mid-’80s, has an undeniable Earth Mother vibe. Only midwives deliver here,

Food: Each room has a mini-fridge.

A kitchenette has staples such as cereal, yogurt and juice. Moms

Other perks: On their last night in the hospital, families can order an extra-special, three-course dinner.

Hospital staff set up a table — with a tablecloth! — in their room and supply a bottle of sparkling grape juice to sip with the celebratory meal. They go home the next day with a complimentary baby blanket.

Fletcher Allen Health Care Burlington

Births per year: 2000 C-section rate: 25% Water births: yes As Vermont’s only teaching hospital, Fletcher Allen Health Care has a high-energy vibe. I walked in on a midweek morning to hallways swarming with people. Finding my way to the labor-and-delivery floor was a bit complicated; Fletcher Allen has two different elevator systems that only reach certain parts of the hospital. It’s a long walk from the parking garage to the McClure elevators, which take

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courtesy of copley hospital

Copley Hospital

get three meals delivered to them between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Copley’s head chef used to work at Topnotch Resort in Stowe, so the menu includes gourmet flourishes.

XXXXXX 20XX Kids VT Kids VT maternity issue sponsored kidsvt.com by: FletcherAllen.org/Pregnancy

Births per year: 250 C-section rate: 19% Water births: yes

The midwives pride themselves on exploring more holistic pain-relief options first, but they also offer pharmaceutical relief, such as spinals and epidurals. If a C-section is needed, the OR is just down the hall on the same floor.

Copley isn’t the kind of hospital where a woman sees her provider occasionally throughout her labor.

The midwives here make an effort to spend time just sitting in the room with the mom-to-be, keeping an eye on her progression.

“It’s very calming,” says nurse manager Steffany Mosley.

“It provides a sense of empowerment for the mom.”

The visiting policy is flexible, primarily to make it easier for families who already have children at home. Kids are allowed to visit, and even stay over, if they need to. Copley also offers parents the option to leave soon after the birth, if baby and mom are healthy. “We try to be really flexible with what families want to do,” said Bromley.

may 2014

Copley Hospital

Copley’s birthing center has an undeniable Earth Mother vibe.

you to the birthing center on the seventh floor.

Oh, and watch where you’re going; I was nearly mowed down by a gurney I didn’t see careening around a tight corner.

Still, I liked the sense of excitement.

The Claire M. Lintilhac Birthing Center opened in 2004. It has seven labor-anddelivery rooms, three in-patient rooms, two operating rooms (big enough to accommodate triplets) and a couple of triage rooms. If it’s really busy, an ultrasound bay can be used for delivery.

The state’s only neonatal intensive care unit is located just down the hall, and there’s also a maternalfetal medicine unit for high-risk pregnancies.

Fletcher Allen definitely feels — and smells — like a hospital; you won’t find medical equipment tucked away in cubbies or behind landscape paintings here, as you will at many of the community hospitals. But the rooms are nonetheless clean, sunny and welcoming.

Room 4, with its freestanding tub, is designated for water births, but all the labor-and-delivery rooms have tubs deep enough for women to deliver underwater. One ADA-approved room has a walk-in shower.

The unit’s figure-8 layout lets moms-to-be stroll the halls while laboring; 18 times around is a mile.

“We really encourage people to get out of their rooms and walk around,” says nurse manager Mary Clairmont.

Two hours after birth, new families are transferred down two flights to the mother-baby floor, which is dimly lit and somewhat cavelike, especially in comparison to the shimmering birthing center. The good news?

Fletcher Allen is building a brandnew maternity unit in 2015.

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Other perks: CVMC has two doulas on staff. They work with laboring women to find comfortable new positions and to alleviate pain naturally. The hospital also offers preand postnatal yoga classes.

except in the case of twins or if the mom has been transferred to the hospital during an attempted home birth.

That might account for its C-section rate, which is the lowest among the birthing centers I visited.

Homemade quilts adorn the beds, and the four LDPR rooms are each painted a different color to represent the natural elements: earth, wind, water and fire.

Three of those rooms have TVs and attached bathrooms with showers; one has a deep tub, which the nurses try to keep available for all laboring moms. About 80 to 90 percent of women use the tub at some point, nurse midwife Jackie Bromley told me. “I think of it as one of our many pain-relief tools,” she said.

Prepared for Arrival Food: On-demand room service from the Harvest Café’s locavore chefs is available from 6 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. A kitchenette is stocked with staples such as juice, Popsicles, peanut butter, bread, chicken soup, crackers, and mac and cheese.

courtesy of gifford medical center

continued from p. 19

Gifford

Other perks: Moms Medical Center may be too focused on labor to notice, but their support people will likely appreciate the stunning views of Burlington and Lake Champlain, especially from the spacious Labor Lounge, which is decked out with rocking chairs and other comfy seating.

The rooms — with floral curtains, rocking chairs, wooden cabinets and boomboxes —have a homey, almost grandmotherly, feel.

Still, they’re equipped for emergencies: Oxygen, suction and other medical equipment is stored out of sight in the cabinets. And the operating suites are located down the hall in the main hospital.

“When mothers come in, they can choose the room they want,” said nurse Ellen Fox. “They get to set the thermostat. Some parents take down our artwork, hang their own.

Some bring lighting. It’s really their own environment from the moment they check in until they leave.”

Gifford Medical Center Randolph

In 1977, Gifford Medical Center created Vermont’s first hospital birthing center, a space designed to allow moms and babies to stay in one room together throughout the childbirth process. It was the result of a collaboration between family practitioner Thurmond Knight, who performed home births in the area, and Gifford pediatrician Lou DiNicola.

Gifford’s head chef, who infuses the menu with local, sustainable ingredients, was once a New England Culinary Institute instructor.

“The story goes, they were all at a medical staff meeting,” explained communications specialist Robin Palmer. “Thurmond Knight was knitting in his Birkenstocks, and Lou said to Thurmond, ‘What would it take for you to deliver babies at the hospital?’

And Thurmond said, ‘A real birthing center.’”

Gifford now has five LDPR birthing suites — all have bathrooms with a shower; one has a deep tub for laboring and water births. There’s a fold-out bed in each room, and nurses have been known to bring in an extra cot for additional support people.

Food: A kitchenette always has a few pre-made sandwiches.

Other perks: Every new baby gets a hand-knitted hat. A lactation consultant and childbirth educator offer a free weekly New Parent Support Group.

New moms are likely to get a visit from Major McLaughlin, a 96-year-old former Marine who has volunteered at Gifford for 45 years. He drops by to talk to patients seven days a week.

When I saw him scooting along with his walker, he was wearing a button that said “free hugs.” After a great hug and a brief chat, he hit me with his signature line:

Northwestern Medical Center

courtesy of northwestern medical center

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may 2014

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Births per year: 300 C-section rate: 24% Water births: yes

Breakfast is delivered at 8 a.m. Lunch and dinner are made to order until 5:30 p.m. Gifford’s head chef, who incorporates local, sustainable ingredients into the menu, was once a New England Culinary Institute instructor.

Another chef, who trained at Le Cordon Bleu, makes a plate of homemade chocolate truffles for each new mom.

They’re sent to the room after delivery.

“Has anyone told you they love you today?”

Northwestern Medical Center St. Albans

Births per year: 430 C-section rate: 30% Water births: no Northwestern’s Family Birth Center, which opened in 1990, was one of the least hospital-y of all the places I visited. On a quiet Monday afternoon, my tour began in a spacious meeting room filled with gliders and comfy sofas.

NMC is especially committed to encouraging breast-feeding and skin-to-skin contact in the two hours immediately after birth, said clinical educator Stephanie O’Brien. “It needs to be uninterrupted,” she said. On mom’s bare chest, “Baby’s vital signs will stabilize. Moms will feel less pain if baby’s on them and release more oxytocin, the happy drug. It’s the most optimal time. So we honor that.”

NMC has four LDPR rooms. If a C-section is needed, the operating room is an elevator ride away, one floor down.

The LDPR rooms are big, with plenty of natural light, wood floors and purple walls. Each one comes with a convertible sleep chair for the support person.

NMC doesn’t do water births but does have one separate room with a labor tub — and an iPod dock for setting the mood. All rooms have showers equipped with seats and hand-held nozzles. I tried out the bathroom and discovered it smelled pleasingly of berries.

Food: Room service runs from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The birth center has a kitchenette stocked with crackers, soup, Popsicles and ice cream. The biggest selling point, if you ask this pregnant lady: “We can make milkshakes,” O’Brien told me. “We have a blender.”

Other perks: Each baby goes home with a hand-knitted hat and a sleep sack. The hospital recently launched a new prenatal program called Healthy Beginnings, which is based on a model of group care called Centering Pregnancy. Instead of each pregnant woman seeing her doctor or midwife individually, a cohort of women (at the same stage in their pregnancies) sees one provider as a group.

“It’s a more efficient use of the provider’s time and builds in support

for the patients,” said O’Brien. She noted that the program encourages women to take a more active role in their health care, since they weigh themselves and take their own blood pressure at each meeting.

“Some moms really don’t have great support systems out there,” O’Brien said.

Being part of a group helps them to build lasting relationships with women going through similar life changes.

away to reveal the hookups for a radiant newborn warmer.

The two operating rooms are just down the hall, and there’s a procedure room where doctors could perform a C-section if both ORs are in use.

A spacious waiting room with TVs and Wi-Fi is steps from the birthing center.

Beyond that, you’ll find a courtyard with a garden, perfect for springtime mamas craving an outdoor stroll.

That framed landscape print on the wall at Porter? it slides away to reveal the hookups for a radiant newborn warmer.

Porter hospital Middlebury

Births per year: 350 C-section rate: 21% Water births: no

Porter Hospital

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courtesy of porter hospital

may 2014

If you’re one of those pregnant ladies who fears giving birth on the curb or in the hospital lobby because you couldn’t get to your room in time, you’ll love Porter.

There is ample parking at this small community hospital, and the birthing center is just a short walk from the main entrance.

When I visited on a late March morning, the place smelled clean and fresh, like lavender, and was almost eerily quiet.

Porter’s Birthing Center opened in 2007. The hospital had decided it was time to update its vintage 1970 maternity floor, on which women would be relocated four times during their stay.

The renovated birthing center now features four spacious and sun-filled LDPR rooms.

The rooms are homey, with iPod docking stations, sleep chairs for support people and pastoral views. “We tried to make it as homelike as possible by hiding all the scary hospital stuff,” says spokesman Ron Hallman.

Open the wooden cabinets and you’ll find medical equipment. That framed landscape print on the wall? It slides

Food: Room service from the hospital kitchen is available between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. “But we never let anybody starve,” says nurse Kaitlin Rheaume.

Laboring moms and their support people have access to a kitchenette stocked with healthy snacks, such as crackers and cheese, soup and juice. And each room has a mini-fridge for leftovers.

“A smile is happiness you’ll find right under your nose.”

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oTher PerKs: Porter Hospital was the first in Vermont to offer supported-care postpartum visits. “Mom comes back after about 48 hours with the baby, and they go over everything: weight, jaundice, breast-feeding,” says chief nursing officer Lorraina Smith-Zuba. “You could be here a half hour or four hours.” K k4t-Earl's0514.indd 1

4/23/14 2:59 PM

FREE-RANGE

“

BY KE N P I C AR D

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Ezrah Fishman and Silvan Thompson feeding the chickens at Elephant in the Field Holistic Education & Childcare in Waterbury.

JEB WALLACE-BRODEUR

KIDS VT MATERNITY ISSUE SPONSORED BY: FLETCHERALLEN.ORG/PREGNANCY

MAY 2014

KIDSVT.COM

TODDLERS

L

A farm-based childcare program counters the overprotective parenting trend

ooking for art supplies” plays out a little differently at Elephant in the Field Holistic Education & Childcare. Instead of rummaging through a plastic bin on an early spring day that was cold enough to keep some inside, five toddlers don snow pants and boots.

Their project is to create a bogolan, or West African mud cloth, which is traditionally used in religious and cultural ceremonies. To make it, they’ll need some fresh mud. Before the kids leave the house, their teacher, Marlena Tucker-Fishman, who’s African American, shows them an authentic, earth-colored mud cloth of her own.

“What if we can’t find any mud?” asks a towheaded 2-year-old girl.

“Oh, you’ll find some,” says TuckerFishman, as she straps a 7-month-old boy on her back. “There’s plenty, but I’m not going to tell you where.”

Once outside, it takes the preschoolers no time to discover why Vermonters call this time of year mud season: The stuff is everywhere in Elephant in the Field’s soggy, unpaved driveway. The home-based daycare program is located on a 42-acre family farm in Waterbury Center, not far from the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream plant. Surrounded by mountains, the farm is bordered by woods and a meandering brook, which the kids explore in warmer weather.

As Tucker-Fishman spreads out an old beige sheet in the driveway, some of the children, including her 21-month-old son, Ezrah, scoop up the gooey brown muck in plastic containers and start painting on the sheet, themselves and each other.

What’s the point of this exercise?

“Just to show how they can use materials all around them to create art, and that there’s beauty in everything,” Tucker-Fishman explains. “There’s always a deeper lesson.”

Indeed, this farm-based childcare program is full of them. Its name refers to a large topiary elephant that stands amid the crops and is visible from the road. But it could also refer to the elephant in the room of modernday childrearing: In recent decades, kids have become less inclined to spend time outdoors learning vital physical, intellectual and emotional lessons from nature.

That’s in part because American parents have become increasingly

jeb wallace-brodeur

Silvan Thompson

that adventuresome approach. “I like that my child comes home dirty!” says Kerry Boyle Jenni of Waterbury, whose 2-year-old son, Daniel, started attending EITF a few months ago.

Jenni, who describes her Swiss husband and herself as “inherent risk takers,” puts it this way: “I don’t want a childcare provider who puts the kids in front of a TV all day or stays inside on beautiful days. Knowing Daniel is

free-range toddlers, p. 24 »

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meandering, even when the tots are nearly out of earshot.

“You’ll notice I’m not calling them back,” she says. “I like to see what they’ll discover.”

In some respects, the preschoolers are as free ranging as the chickens scratching in the dirt for bugs.

Several parents whose kids attend Elephant in the Field say they chose the program precisely because of

Kids VT maternity issue sponsored by: FletcherAllen.org/Pregnancy

Kerry Boyle Jenni, Waterbury

may 2014

I like that my child comes home dirty!

interacting with goats and chickens and playing in dirt and mud makes me happy.”

Janelle Gendimenico of Waterbury Center agrees. She has three children attending Elephant in the Field: two daughters, 5 and 3, and a son who’s 9 months old. Gendimenico says her kids love it there, in part because they spend so much time outdoors, exploring the woods and playing on the farm.

“They come home full of information about what they learned that day,” she says, “and sometimes don’t even know they’re learning, as they are having so much fun.”

Gendimenico, who teaches English-language learners at Edmunds Middle School in Burlington, says that in her 13 years as an educator, she’s seen firsthand the impact of “helicopter parents” who never allow their kids outside or encourage them to explore their world without supervision.

“It’s creating a sense of fear that doesn’t need to be there,” Gendimenico adds. “I think those students are less likely to reach out to others, insert themselves into groups or put themselves into situations that are uncomfortable, because all they know is what’s safe and what’s less risky.”

Such discussions about naturebased learning and exploration are “very near and dear to our hearts,” says Jeanne Goldhaber, associate professor of early childhood education in the University of Vermont’s College of Education and Social Services. Goldhaber’s program is closely affiliated with the UVM Campus Children’s Center, which educates and cares for kids 6 weeks to 5 years old. Several years ago, the program experimented with putting rocks and tree stumps in the center’s infant room in an effort to “bring the outdoors in.

“One of the first things we observed is that the children didn’t get hurt,” Goldhaber says. Despite the young ones’ still-developing motor skills, coordination, balance and dexterity, the babies quickly learned to interact with their environment using deliberate care and caution.

“That, for us, was a real lesson about children’s competence,” she adds. “If we pad all the corners and all the floors, then how do children learn an awareness of the environment and how to navigate it?”

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risk-averse, less likely to encourage their kids to test limits and play in the mud. It’s a trend Hanna Rosin explored in an April 2014 Atlantic cover story, “The Overprotected Kid.” In her widely read and much debated piece, Rosin described how our saftey- and fear-obsessed culture has deprived children of their ability to self-regulate, overcome fears and develop courage, strength, resilience and creativity.

Rosin sees hope in the European development of “adventure playgrounds” such as the Land, in Wales, where kids are free to hammer nails, light fires, climb trees and manage risk in largely unstructured environments (see sidebar). Elephant in the Field does that closer to home, albeit it with more structure and a focus on younger kids. But the values and skills it seeks to instill are similar.

Tucker-Fishman describes her approach to early childhood education as “nature-based” and “holistic,” incorporating music, art, foreign language, yoga and ample doses of wilderness play. The 30-year-old New Jersey native moved to Vermont with her husband six years ago from Washington, D.C. She has a background in special education, helping kids with learning delays become more independent and self-sufficient. When she established Elephant in the Field two years ago, Tucker-Fishman wanted her childcare program to teach those same life lessons. In essence, the family farm and its environs became her extended classroom.

For example, each day, she incorporates farm chores, such as feeding and watering the animals, spreading fresh hay, exercising the goats and gathering eggs, into the children’s routine. “It’s all part of our flow of the day,” she adds. “All the learning is done around their interests. We take the approach that everything is connected.”

On the spring day of my visit, when the kids’ interest in mud-painting wanes, Tucker-Fishman announces it’s time to feed the goats and chickens. As most of the kids enter the animal pen and navigate its inherent hazards — ragged chicken wire, splinter-inducing wood planks and the occasional pile of goat poop — two distracted toddlers venture further down the driveway toward the paved road, stomping in every mud puddle along the way. Tucker-Fishman doesn’t immediately halt their messy

(Learn + Play) Summer Camps

Free-range Toddlers

conTinued From p. 23 jeb wallace-brodeur

LEAP!

Marlena Tucker-Fishman with her son Ezrah

Creative fun for children ages 5-13!

FIND OUT MORE: visit the Museum web site or call 802-985-3346 x3395

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Kids VT maTerniTy issue sponsored by: FleTcherallen.org/Pregnancy

Meanwhile, at Elephant in the Field, when the two wandering toddlers get too far away for comfort, Tucker-Fishman reels them in. After all, raising free-range kids — a term coined by New York writer Lenore Skenazy, whose book and blog are titled Free-Range Kids — isn’t about letting children run wild without any boundaries whatsoever. It’s about teaching them to stretch their own boundaries safely but confidently.

“We’re not going to the bus stop now. Come this way!” she yells to the boys. The two come toddling back and soon join the rest of the children, who are poking through the hay looking for fresh eggs in the chicken coop. While this is largely unstructured time, Tucker-Fishman says that countless lessons, most of which arise spontaneously, are learned on the farm every day.

“When we first started, some of the kids would chase the chickens,” she recalls. “Now, they look k3v-NortheastDeltaDental0314.indd 1

2/26/14 11:17 AM

if we pad all the corners and all the floors, then how do children learn an awareness of the environment and how to navigate it?

Jeanne Goldhaber, associate professor of early childhood education at uVM at them as part of the whole community. We give to them and they give to us.”

As if on cue, one of the youngest girls discovers a single brown egg buried in the hay. When an older peer complains that the girl is too young to carry it back to the house without breaking it, Tucker-Fishman allows it anyway. As she explains to the older child, “How else will she learn to be safe with it?” K

Risky Business: A Middlebury Filmmaker Visits a UK “Adventure Playground”

I

Erin Davis films kids playing at the Land

I knew Americans were concerned with safety, but I didn’t know we were so obsessed. erin davis

Kids VT: What was your initial impression of the kids you met?

Erin Davis: The most obvious thing at first was their physical competency, their strength and agility. What I saw were kids who were physically competent in ways that not every child is or can be in the States if they’re not given the freedom to stretch their arms and legs. They can manage fire really well, and they have an incredible sense of balance. They climb everything and build structures to climb on. All kids have this capacity, if they’re given time and space and materials.

KVT: What surprised you the most?

ED: The playworkers and how seriously they take their jobs. The practice of their work is extremely reflective and humble. What surprised me is the level of restraint and calmness they have in situations where normal people would want to intervene.

KVT: Do you think adventure playgrounds could arise in America’s litigious, fear-based culture?

ED: I absolutely, one hundred trillion percent say yes. You don’t need to be in a junkyard to have adventure play. It’s really about letting children control the direction and content of their play. If it’s playtime and a kid wants to play with matches, then think about ways to accommodate that. If it’s a boy who wants to play with Barbies, think about how you can accommodate that. It’s all about checking your issues at the door.

XXXXXX 20XX Kids VT Kids VT maternity issue sponsored kidsvt.com by: FletcherAllen.org/Pregnancy

KVT: Have you found comparable aspects of adventure playgrounds in Vermont?

ED: Vermont is a really cool, oldschool place to grow up, but it varies.

I know parents whose children live on multiple acres of land with forests and streams, and they’re still inside most of the time. I’m not convinced that Vermont doesn’t have a use for [adventure playgrounds].

may 2014

KVT: What do Welsh parents think of the Land?

ED: They basically think it’s a good thing. To them, their kid can go burn their energy and they know someone’s got an eye on him. Parents may not totally realize the extent of what goes on there, but as long as [the kids] come home in one piece, they’re OK with it.

kidsvt.com

n 2012, Middlebury filmmaker Erin Davis visited the Land, an “adventure playground” in Wales where kids are free to climb trees, hammer nails, build fires and take risks — all with minimal adult supervision.

What looks to most adults like a junkyard — tire piles, wood pallets, fire pits, old mattresses — is actually a challenging terrain in which kids build forts but also strength, stamina, confidence and creativity. The result of Davis’ trip is a documentary, The Land, which is due out this fall.

Though Davis, 33, discovered this adventure playground just two years ago, thousands have existed throughout Europe for decades.

The concept arose in 1930s Denmark, where a landscape architect noticed that children weren’t playing in playgrounds he’d designed but preferred abandoned lots, decrepit buildings and other places that had fallen into disrepair. Realizing that junkyards were more stimulating environments for kids, he put up a fence around one and invited kids inside.

The Land isn’t totally unsupervised. Adult “playworkers” ensure that things don’t get out of hand.

The playground is surrounded by an eight-foot fence, and the gate gets locked at night. Children as young as 5 can come and go at will, though by their early teens, Davis says, they tend to get interested in other things.

“I knew Americans were concerned with safety, but I didn’t know we were so obsessed,” Davis says, referring to a “surreal and bizarre” April interview she did with talk show host Katie Couric. “She kept asking me, ‘Is it safe? Is it safe?’

And I said, ‘No! Of course it’s not safe, but neither is the traditional playground.’”

In fact, though minor cuts and bruises are fairly common, Davis reports that the Land has never given rise to a major injury. That’s the case at most other adventure playgrounds, according to the New York-based nonprofit Alliance for Childhood. The group commissioned a study of adventure playgrounds, which found that they had relatively low rates of injuries compared to conventional playgrounds.

I reached Davis by phone in Middlebury, where she was editing her forthcoming film.

25

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SATURDAy ADVENTURE CAMP (ages 6-12) Saturdays, 9 AM – 1 PM (half-day) or 9 AM – 4 PM (full-day) Jul 5 – Aug 23 Same as the Adventure Camp, but offered as a single day camp on Saturdays. Lunch included. $90/child/full-day; $60/child/half-day.

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Lunch and gift included. $375/child/week.

JUNIOR TENNIS CAMP (ages 8-14) Tue – Fri, 1 – 3 PM Jul 8 – 11 and Aug 12 – 15 Hit the tennis courts each afternoon for drills and games led by the coaches of New England Tennis Holidays (NETH).

For reservations, call NETH at 800.869.0949. $175/child/week.

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CALENDAR SPOTLIGHTS AND LISTINGS BY ALISON NOVAK

PREHISTORIC PERFECTION

KIDS VT

“A T. REX NAMED SUE” Saturday, May 17 to Sunday, September 7, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Montshire Museum of Science in Norwich.

Regular summer museum admission, $13-16; free for children under 2 and members. All ages. Info, 649-2200. montshire.org

KIDSVT.COM MAY 2014

COURTESY OF THE FIELD MUSEUM/JOHN WEINSTEIN

In the summer of 1990, paleontologist Sue Hendrickson discovered more than 250 bones and teeth belonging to a Tyrannosaurus rex that roamed the earth 67 million years before. The Field Museum in Chicago acquired the relics and created replicas of them for people to view and study. One of those models makes her Vermont debut mid-month as part of a traveling exhibit called “A T. REX NAMED SUE.” The skeleton — the largest, most complete and best-preserved example of the species found to date — anchors the show, which also includes interactive stations where visitors can manipulate models of Sue’s jaws and tail and use a viewing device to see the world through a dino’s eyes. Fossil fans would be smart to head to Norwich before the exhibit goes the way of the dinosaurs.

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may calendar 1 THURSDAY

Arts & Crafts

Pollywog Preschool Art Drop-In: Multimedia projects involving Play-Doh, paint and paper introduce young kids to artistic expression.

Ages 6 months-5 years, accompanied by an adult. BCA Center, Burlington, 9:30-11:30 a.m. $6. Info, 865-7166.

Baby & Maternity

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: Mothers-to-be build strength, stamina, comfort and a stronger connection to their baby in this all-levels class.

Evolution Yoga, Burlington, 5:45-7:15 p.m. $14.

Info, 864-9642.

Essex La Leche League: Moms bring their little ones to a discussion of parenting and breastfeeding. Pregnant and planning moms are also welcome. First Congregational Church of Essex Junction, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 383-8544.

‘Handle With Love VT’ Opening Reception: Families enjoy food from Healthy Living while learning more about this new baby apparel and accessories company that donates a portion of its proceeds to a scholarship fund for expectant couples wishing to hire a doula for birth and postpartum support. Yoga Roots, Shelburne, 5-8:30 p.m. Free. Info, 578-2458.

Infant Yoga & Massage: This interactive class for wee ones ages 6 weeks to 6 months and their parents or caregivers introduces basic yoga poses and concepts through gentle stretches and songs as well as baby massage techniques.

Bring a thick blanket. Evolution Physical

Classes

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Kids VT

May 2014 kidsvt.com

List your class or camp here for only $20 per month! Submit the listing by May 15th at kidsvt.com or to classes@kidsvt.com.

Creative Writing for the Stage: This summer writing camp invites middle schoolers to take creative risks through games and play to help them create characters, scenes, monologues and dialogue. Be brave, be bold and make the magic of theater come alive on the page.

Taught by local actress, drama teacher and writer Alexandra Hudson. August 4-8, 9 a.m.-noon. $150. Wind Ridge Books of Vermont Writers Barn, 233 Falls Rd., Shelburne. Info: Kimberlee Harrison, 9853091, kimberlee@windridgebooksofvt. com, windridgebooksofvt.com.

Journal Writing: This summer camp encourages middle school students to journal and share their stories about home, camp, travel and weekend adventures, then transform them into creative nonfiction and short stories. Taught by local actress, drama teacher and writer Alexandra Hudson. August 11-15, 9 a.m.noon. $150. Wind Ridge Books of Vermont Writers Barn, 233 Falls Rd., Shelburne.

Info: Kimberlee Harrison, 985-3091, kimberlee@windridgebooksofvt.com, windridgebooksofvt.com.

Summer Camps 2014: Boys basketball camps, June 23-27 and July 7-11. Coed basketball camp, August 11-15. Brandon Gleason Christian Boys Basketball Camp, August 4-8. Summer day camp, July 28-August 1. Horse riding camp, July 1418. Located in Enosburg/ Swanton area.

Info: Matt Luneau, 315-952-5005 or 9332052, basketballfamily.com.

Swim Lessons at Leddy Beach: Lessons will be lifeguarded and taught by certified instructors. Classes include swimming skills and water safety rules. Ages 5-10.

Monday through Thursday, July 7 through August 7. Leddy Beach, Leddy Park Rd., Burlington. Call 865-7558 to register. enjoyburlington.com.

Therapy and Yoga, Burlington, 12:30-1:15 p.m. $15; preregistration recommended. Info, 864-9643.

Food

Kids in the Kitchen: Very Veggie Lo Mein: Small chefs learn basic knife skills, then put them to the test slicing and dicing organic vegetables to add to a noodle dish. All ages. Healthy Living Market and Café, South Burlington, 4-5 p.m. $20 per adult-child pair; preregister. Info, 863-2569.

Health & Fitness

Essex Open Gym: Energy-filled kids flip, jump and tumble in a state-of-the-art facility. Ages 6 and under. Regal Gymnastics Academy, Essex, 11 a.m.-noon, $8. Info, 655-3300.

Open Gym with Kati Furs: Active ones ages 5 and under move their bodies during a drop-in gymnastics class. River Arts, Morrisville, 1011:30 a.m. $5 for one child; $8 for two children; $10 for three or more children. Info, 888-1261.

Library & Books

Food for Thought Teen Group: Young adults chow down on pizza as they discuss the library’s special events and book and DVD selection.

Grades 7-12. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 4-5 p.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

Music

Music for Preschoolers: Lively tunes with Peter Alsen or Derek Burkins strike the right note among the wee crowd. Ages 5 and under with a caregiver. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 10:30 a.m. Free; limited to one session per week per family. Info, 878-4918.

Music With Mr. Chris: Singer and storyteller Chris Dorman leads kids in music and dance.

All ages. Buttered Noodles, Williston, 10-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 764-1810.

Spanish Musical Kids: Niños celebrate Latin culture through songs and games en español.

Ages 5 and under with a caregiver. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Free. Info, 917-1776.

Nature & Science

Dance

‘Pilobolus’: This creative, athletic troupe of contemporary dancers wows audiences with human sculptures that defy gravity and logic.

Flynn MainStage, Burlington, 8 p.m. $15-55.

Info, 865-5966.

Education

Early Bird Math: Young children and their caregivers put two and two together using interactive books, songs and games to explore arithmetic concepts. Richmond Free Library, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 434-3036.

Games

Magic: The Gathering: Planeswalkers seek knowledge and glory in this trading-card game. New players welcome. Grades 6 and up.

Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 6-8 p.m. Free.

Info, 878-6956.

Essex Open Gym: See May 1.

Marshfield Open Gym: Elementary aged-kids burn off steam after school with ball games and activities. Children must be supervised by parents or caregivers. Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield, 3-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 426-3581.

Relay for Life: Purple-clad team members camp out and enjoy live music, Zumba and a movie during this overnight fundraising event for the American Cancer Society. All ages. Middlebury College, 6 p.m. $10. Info, 872-6307.

Tiny Tumblers Open Gym: Petite gymnasts bounce, bend and balance. Ages 9 months-6 years, accompanied by an adult. Green Mountain Gymnastics, Williston, 9:30-11 a.m. and 9:30-11 a.m. $10 per child; $15 per family. Info, 652-2454.

Library & Books

Dance

Health & Fitness

Essex Drop-in Story Time: Babies, toddlers and preschoolers stop by for picture books and finger plays. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 10-10:45 a.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

Movies

Lunafest Burlington: This traveling festival of short films about females features such diverse subjects as a high school wrestler from Brooklyn and a girl with a creative approach to dealing with her Tourette’s syndrome. Black Box, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $15 for students; $25 for adults. Info, 655-8900, ext. 100.

2 FRIDAY

Music

Family Wheel Drop-In: Parents and kids make bowls, cups and sculptures from clay. All ages.

BCA Print & Clay Studio, Burlington, 5:30-7:30 p.m. $6 includes one fired and glazed piece per participant; additional pieces are $5 each. Info, 865-7166.

Kinder Arts: Preschoolers get their hands dirty while exploring mixed media, painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking and more during creative hands-on sessions. Ages 3-5. River Arts, Morrisville, 10:30 a.m.-noon, $12 per child; $8 for the second child. Info, 888-1261.

Student Art Show Opening Reception: This kick-off event celebrates the creative work of kids from Stowe elementary, middle and high schools, as well as students from Thatcher Brook Elementary and Harwood High School.

Helen Day Art Center, Stowe, 3-6 p.m. Free.

Info, 253-8358.

Baby & Maternity

New Parents Playgroup: Moms and dads of young babies provide support to each other as they navigate the adventures of parenthood.

Birth Journeys, Burlington, first Friday of every month, 9:30-11:30 a.m. $3 per family. Info, 324-8809.

Community

Cycle de Mayo Bike Swap: Cyclists in search of a new-to-them ride peruse a selection of pre-owned wheels amid music and Mexican food. Drop off used bikes until May 2. The Alpine Shop, Burlington, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. Info, 862-2714.

Green Up Day: It’s easy to be green! Neighborhood groups around the state rid Vermont’s roadways and rivers of refuse. Visit greenupvermont.org to find volunteer opportunities in your town. All ages. Various locations statewide.

Free. Info, 800-974-3259.

It’s All About Mom: Kind kiddos make gifts and spring flower greeting cards for the special people in their lives. Ages 3 and up. Gardener’s Supply, Williston, 11 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 658-2433.

Mom’s Day Out: Deserving mamas are treated to mini facials, hand treatments, style consultations, goody bags and more during this fashion- and beauty-focused event. Burlington Town Center, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Info, 658-2545.

Billings Opening Day: Agricurious youngsters explore the operating dairy farm through horse-drawn wagon rides, free ice cream and hands-on programs. All ages. Billings Farm & Museum, Woodstock, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Regular museum admission, $4-14; free for children under 3. Info, 457-2355.

Arts & Crafts

Community Arts Center, Woodstock, 10 a.m.-noon. $20 per parent-child pair; $5 per additional family member; preregister. Info, 457-3500.

Kids Craft: Mother’s Day Vase: Thoughtful tots spruce up a glass flower holder sure to please Mama. Ages 5 and up. Creative Habitat, South Burlington, 1-3 p.m. $5. Info, 862-0646.

Webby’s Art Studio: In Bloom: Florists in training make beautiful arrangements for their homes using a variety of art materials. No watering required! Ages 3 and up. Shelburne Museum, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Regular winter museum admission, $3-10; free for children under 5. Info, 985-3346.

Kids Music With Linda ‘Tickle Belly’ Bassick: Toe-tapping good tunes captivate kiddies. Radio Bean, Burlington, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 660-9346.

Music With Derek: An immature audience shakes out its sillies with tune-filled activities.

All ages. Buttered Noodles, Williston, 10-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 764-1810.

Music With Robert: Families sing along with a local legend. All ages. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 865-7216.

Nature & Science

Night Sky: Out-of-this-world kids and adults take a 30-minute tour of stars, planets and constellations. Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium, St. Johnsbury, 3:30-4 p.m. $2; $5 per family.

Info, 748-2372.

3 SATURDAY

Arts & Crafts

Craft School Saturday Drop-In: Artsy types create seasonal clay objects in this ever-changing weekly series. Projects available for pickup at a later date. Shelburne Craft School, 10-11:30 a.m. $12; $10 each with a friend or participating parent. Info, 985-3648.

Family Clay: Creative kids and their parents make memories firing and glazing special pieces to be picked up later. All ages. ArtisTree

‘Alice in Wonderland’ Ballet: Lamoille Valley Dance Academy presents its spring performance of Lewis Carroll’s beloved story featuring local students, ages 2 through teens.

Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center, Stowe, 6 p.m. $16-20. Info, 760-4634.

HopStop Family Series: Dartmouth Native Dance Society & the Occom Pond Singers: Families learn about traditional Native American movement and music in this interactive celebration. Ages 3 and up with an adult. Hopkins Center Plaza. Hopkins Center for the Arts, Hanover, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 603-646-2010.

Education

Kids Building Workshop: Handy helpers learn do-it-yourself skills and tool safety as they construct seasonal projects. Ages 5-12. Home Depot, Williston, 9 a.m.-noon. Free; preregister at workshops.homedepot.com. Info, 872-0039.

Fairs & Festivals

Mayfest: Folks celebrate spring with maypole dancing, face painting, pony rides, live music and delicious food. Families with children ages 6 and under. (See calendar spotlight on page 36.)

Lake Champlain Waldorf School, Shelburne, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free; Fee for pony rides and lunch.

Info, 985-2827.

Food

Chocolate-Bar Making: Budding chocolatiers temper and mold the sweet stuff, then create and wrap four goody-filled bars to take home.

Children under 9 must be accompanied by an adult. South End Kitchen, Burlington, 2:30-3:30 p.m. $25; preregister. Info, 864-0505.

Rutland Winter Farmers Market: More than 50 vendors sell local produce, cheese, homemade bread and other made-in-Vermont products. All ages. Vermont Farmers Food Center, Rutland, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Info, 753-7269.

Sweet & Savory All-You-Can-Eat Pie Breakfast: Hungry locals fill their bellies with pastries fit for the first meal of the day. Christ Church, Montpelier, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $8 per person; $30 per family; Free for children under 5. Info, 456-7400.

Library & Books

‘Gravity’ Book Launch: Author and illustrator Jason Chin discusses this powerful grounding force and presents an interactive drawing demo. All ages. Phoenix Books, Burlington, 2 p.m. Free. Info, 448-3350. cleo the Therapy dog: Canine companions visit with a friendly pooch from Therapy Dogs of Vermont. Ages 3 and up. Milton Public Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 893-4644. spanish Playgroup: Rhymes, books, songs and crafts en español entertain niños. Snacks provided. Ages 5 and under. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 10:30 a.m. Free.

Info, 878-4918.

music

Green mountain Youth symphony Auditions: Young musicians of all levels try out for spots in GMYS’s orchestras, wind ensemble and summer program. Ages 6-18. Monteverdi Music School, Montpelier, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. $25 admission fee applied to fall tuition; financial assistance available; preregister. Info, 888-4470.

Vermont symphony orchestra masterworks season Finale: Debussy’s impressionistic gem, “Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun,” kicks off this performance, which also includes works by Ravel and Mahler. Ages 10 and up. Flynn MainStage, Burlington, 8 p.m. $16-61. Info, 864-5741.

Nature & science

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saturday drama club: Thespians help Very Merry Theatre produce a show in just three hours. Ages 5-12. 333 Stage Performing Arts Studio, Burlington, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. $15 or pay what you can. Info, 863-6607.

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Arts & crafts

VYo spring concert: The youth orchestra’s season culminates with a new work by alumnus Tim Woos and Beethoven’s monumental Ninth Symphony. Flynn MainStage, Burlington, 3 p.m. $12-17. Info, 863-5966.

Baby & maternity

Burlington Postnatal Yoga: Moms bring their pre-crawling kids to an all-levels flowing yoga class focused on bringing the body back to strength and alignment in a fun, nurturing environment. Evolution Yoga, Burlington, first Sunday of every month, 12:15-1:30 p.m. $14.

Info, 864-9642.

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See May 1, 10:0511:30 a.m.

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community

cycle de mayo Bike swap: See May 3. dairy day at the Farm: Cowgirls and -boys get up close and personal with spring calves and their moms, take a wagon ride and explore the milking barn. (See calendar spotlight on page 33.) All ages. Shelburne Farms, 1-4 p.m. $5 per carload; free for walkers. Info, 985-8686.

dance

‘Alice in Wonderland’ Ballet: See May 3, 3 p.m.

Health & Fitness

Earl’s Bike swap: See May 3, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Essex Big Kids open Gym: Agile tumblers practice their moves on state-of-the-art equipment. Ages 7-12. Regal Gymnastics Academy, Essex, 2:30-4 p.m. $10. Info, 655-3300.

Essex open Gym: See May 1, 1-2:30 p.m.

Kids Yoga at the Wellness collective: Playful exercise and stretching links breath with movement in this fun and relaxing class that incorporates each student’s unique ideas. Ages 4-10. The Wellness Collective, Burlington, 1-2 p.m. $8. Info, 540-0186.

YoGirls Yoga class: Fierce females acquire self-confidence, emotional stability and a positive body image through yoga poses, mindfulness activities, games and crafts. Ages 7-11.

Evolution Yoga, Burlington, 2:30-3:30 p.m. $15; preregister. Info, 864-9642.

music

Green mountain Youth symphony Auditions: See May 3.

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Kids VT

Earth day celebration: The Birds of Vermont Museum and Girl Quest Adventure Program host an eco-friendly event with games, crafts, songs, face painting and more. All ages. Birds of Vermont Museum, Huntington, 1-4 p.m. $20-25 per adult-child pair; preregister. Info, 434-2167.

EcHo story Explorers: Green: Little ones explore the lush emerald hues of Vermont through books and games. ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center, Burlington, 10:30-11 a.m. Regular museum admission; $10.50-13.50; free for members and children under 3. Info, 877-324-6386.

Exploring magnets: Budding scientists experiment with invisible pull. All ages. Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, 11 a.m. Regular museum admission, $11-14; free for members and children under 2. Info, 649-2200.

Gearing Up: Little builders create unique contraptions. Ages 9 and up. Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, 3 p.m. Regular museum admission, $11-14; free for members and children under 2. Info, 649-2200.

Green Up day with Winooski Valley Park district: Good samaritans pitch in to tidy up a popular local spot, then lap up Ben & Jerry’s ice cream as a reward. All ages. Salmon Hole Park, Winooski, 9 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 863-5744.

international migratory Bird day: Children’s activities and visits with live birds take flight at 10 a.m. after a morning bird walk for ages 10 and up. Shelburne Farms, 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Free.

Info, 985-8686. my sky: Astronomy enthusiasts learn about celestial objects in this program geared toward kids ages 3-8. 12:30-1 p.m. $2; $5 per family.

Info, 748-2372.

Night sky: See May 2. sheep shearing & Herding: Young farmhands look on as Southdown ewes get a haircut and border collies herd sheep in the fields. Fiber demos, a children’s art show and tours of the operating dairy farm round out the day. All ages.

Billings Farm & Museum, Woodstock, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Regular museum admission, $4-14; free for children under 3. Info, 457-2355.

July 28th-Aug 1st, 2014

Earl’s Bike swap: Cyclists of all ages looking to upgrade their rides choose from a variety of pedal-powered vehicles. Check in your used bike on Thursday, May 1 or Friday, May 2 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Earl’s Cyclery and Fitness, South Burlington, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Info, 864-9197.

EvoKids saturday Yoga: Youngsters master basic yoga poses through games, songs and dance. Mindfulness activities help them improve their focus and concentration. Ages 3-9.

Evolution Yoga, Burlington, 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. $15; preregister. Info, 864-9642.

Healthy Kids day: Wee ones learn about the importance of nutrition and exercise through active play, entertainment, snacks and prizes.

All ages. Pomerleau Family YMCA, Burlington, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Info, 865-7216.

Hoopapalooza V: Hula Hoopers swivel their hips to favorite songs or choreographed dances in this fun, judged competition. Proceeds support Puppets in Education and Burlington Rotary Club projects. Registration starts at 10 a.m. All ages. Burlington City Hall Park, 11 a.m.2 p.m. $50 per team of five; free to watch. Info, 793-8303.

Ages 5-8, 9-12

Health & Fitness

Kevin Sneddon’s Hockey School

Go Get WIC Referrals

Healthy Foods

Playgroups

Family of 2: up to $2,392/mo.

Family of 4: up to $3,631/mo.

Recipes

Family of 6: up to $4,871/mo.

Nutrition Counseling

May Calendar 4 suNdAY (Continued)

WIC Income Eligibility

Prenatal Nutrition

Breastfeeding Support

Family Meals

The Nutrition Program for Women, Infants & Children

Already on Medicaid/ Dr. Dynasaur? You are income eligible for WIC.

Nature & science

Leafcutter Ants: Nature fans examine the secret lives of “insect fungus farmers” during this hands-on investigation. All ages. Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, 11 a.m. Regular admission, $11-14; free for members and children under 2. Info, 649-2200.

Night sky: See May 2.

Parachutes: Curious kids make their own ‘chutes to test air resistance. All ages. Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, 3 p.m.

Regular museum admission, $11-14; free for members and children under 2. Info, 649-2200. sheep shearing & Herding: See May 3. ‘signs of spring’ Family Program: Naturalists in training explore the wetlands, forests and fields of the Audubon in search of birds, buds and more. Families with children ages 5 and up.

Green Mountain Audubon Center, Huntington, 1-3 p.m. $10-12 per adult-child pair; preregister. Info, 434-3068.

Theater

‘stuart Little’: Dallas Children’s Theater delights young audience members with a tale of a sensitive mouse who embarks on an adventure, based on E.B. White’s classic book of the same name. Recommended for ages 5 and up.

Hopkins Center for the Arts, Hanover, 3 p.m. $13-23. Info, 603-646-2422.

5 MONDAY

Baby & maternity

Contact us today to find out how WIC can help.

800-649-4357 healthvermont.gov/wic WIC is an equal opportunity provider and employer. k4t-VTDeptHealth0213.indd 1

1/24/13 4:41 PM

“we were absolutely floored by the kindness...the nurses were so compassionate and helpful that we

felt like royalty.”

– Stuart Wilkins

we do that here

At NMC’s Family Birth Center, you get the birthing experience you imagined, with the comforts of home, private rooms, concierge service, skin-to-skin bonding, breastfeeding support and more. Your journey is unique and we’re here to

make it memorable.

In collaboration with Northwestern OB/GYN and St. Albans Primary Care.

(802) 524-1040 • NorthwesternMedicalCenter.org

Kids VT

May 2014 KidsVT.com

Intimate moments

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133 Fairfield Street, St. Albans, Vermont 05478

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montpelier Prenatal Yoga: Pregnant mamas focus on movements that will ready their bodies for the next phase of life. Yoga Mountain Center, Montpelier, 5:30-7 p.m. $15. Info, 778-0300.

Vergennes Prenatal Yoga: Moms-to-be learn different breathing techniques and positions in preparation for birth. 2 Wolves Holistic Center, Vergennes, 5:30-7 p.m. $14. Info, 870-0361.

Education

scott Noyes Talk: The author of Positive Discipline — That Works! speaks to parents of preschoolers about topics covered in the book. Shelburne Town Hall, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 985-3993.

Health & Fitness

Essex open Gym: See May 1.

Little Yogis: Music, games and playful poses encourage the bitty set to learn and have fun.

Ages 18 months-3 years with a caregiver. 2 Wolves Holistic Center, Vergennes, 9-10 a.m. $14. Info, 870-0361.

Postnatal Yoga: moms only: New mamas leave their little ones at home to build their postpartum practice through yoga therapeutics, breath work, asana, alignment and community. Evolution Yoga, Burlington, 4-5 p.m. $15. Info, 864-9642.

Preschool Yoga: Preschool posers develop their practice away from caregivers with tunes, storytelling and creative movement. Ages 3-5. 2 Wolves Holistic Center, Vergennes, 10:30-11:30 a.m. $14. Info, 870-0361.

Library & Books

Babies & Toddlers Rock: Little musicians ages 24 months and under sing songs and engage in early literacy activities. Rutland Free Library, 10-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 773-1860. milton Lego club: Builders fashion architecturally sound constructions. Ages 7-12.

Milton Public Library, 3:30-5 p.m. Free. Info, 893-4644.

submit your June events for print by may 15 at kidsvt.com or to calendar@kidsvt.com.

Write Now!: Best-selling authors-to-be get inspired to start penning a book or poem. Grades 6-12. Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester, 6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 264-5666.

Young Adult Advisory Board: Sixth through 12th graders help make the library a destination for their peers. Ages 12-18. Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester, 5:30 p.m. Free.

Info, 264-5666.

music

music for Preschoolers: See May 1, 10:45 a.m.

Nature & science

Books & Beyond: science for Preschoolers: Children’s literature and hands-on activities combine for fun science learning and exploration. Ages 3-5 with a parent or caregiver.

Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, 10:15-11 & 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Regular museum admission, $11-14; free for members and children under 2. Info, 649-2200.

6 TUESDAY

Arts & crafts

creative Tuesdays: Artists engage their imaginations with recycled crafts. All ages, but kids under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.

Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 3-5 p.m.

Free. Info, 865-7216.

Baby & maternity

Burlington Postnatal Yoga: See May 4, 10:40-11:55 a.m.

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See May 1, 4-5:30 p.m. shelburne Prenatal Yoga: Yoga postures, breathing exercises and relaxation techniques nurture bodies and create a loving connection between moms-to-be and their babies. Women at all stages of pregnancy are welcome. Yoga Roots, Shelburne, 5:45-7:15 p.m. $15; first class free. Info, 985-0090.

community

summer-camp Fair: Representatives from six local organizations share detailed information about their upcoming programs. Snacks and youth activities provided. Ages 5-11 and their parents. Sustainability Academy at Lawrence Barnes, Burlington, 5-7 p.m. Free. Info, 316-0731.

Food

Pig Roast: Live music and children’s activities make for a festive celebration sponsored by Roots the Restaurant that supports the Wonderfeet Kids’ Museum. Downtown, Rutland, 4-8 p.m. $5 for food. Info, 747-7414.

Health & Fitness

Essex open Gym: See May 1. open Gym with Kati Furs: See May 1.

Tiny Tumblers open Gym: See May 2.

Yoga with danielle: Curious toddlers and preschoolers learn movement techniques through social interaction, repetition and play. Buttered Noodles, Williston, 10-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 764-1800.

Library & Books

Gaming For Teens & Adults: Players of all skill levels engage in Magic: The Gathering and other tabletop amusements. Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult or have parental permission to attend. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 5-7:45 p.m. Free. Info, 865-7216.

Williston story Time & craft: Preschoolers gain early literacy skills through exposure to books and an artsy activity. Ages 3-5. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 11 a.m.

Free. Info, 878-4918.

courtesy of saints & poets production coMpany

THE Y COMES TO YOU! BACKYARD SWIM PROGRAM A certified lifeguard/ instructor brings swim lessons and water safety tips to your home or neighborhood pool.

• Private and semi-private lessons • Teach your child(ren) the importance of water safety • Have fun and learn life-long skills • Convenient schedule For more information, call Jaimie Held at 652-8156 for details.

k4t-GBYMCA0613.indd 1

4/24/14 10:42 AM

Great and Powerful The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is L. Frank Baum’s best-known novel — thanks to the classic 1939 Judy Garland film — but there are 13 additional books in the author’s Oz series. This month, Colchester’s Saints and Poets Production Company stages one of them, ozma of oz: a TaLe of Time. The play — featuring 11 actors, as well as puppets playing the roles of a wisecracking chicken and a strange clock-man — chronicles Dorothy’s journey over the rainbow after she’s sidetracked by a violent storm en route to Australia. The modern fantasy explores Dorothy’s relationship with her wheelchair-bound Uncle Henry, highlighting the importance of learning from and valuing the elderly. It’s a lesson just as important as “There’s no place like home.”

SATURDAY, MAY 24, 2014 1/2, 1, and 2 Mile Runs

Waterfront Park, Burlington PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED!

runvermont.org/yamscram ozma of oz: a TaLe of Time: Thursday through Saturday, May 8- 10 and 15-17, at 7 p.m.; and Saturday through Sunday, May 10-11 and 17-18, at 2 p.m., at the Black Box Theatre at Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center in Burlington. $15-20. Ages 6 and up. Info, 863-5966. flynntix.org

music

nature & science

Baby & maternity

montpelier Postnatal yoga: Brand-new mamas and their littles relax, stretch and bond.

For moms with babies one year and under.

Emerge Yoga, Montpelier, 10-11 a.m. $12. Info, 778-0300. shelburne Postnatal/Baby & me yoga: Tots from 6 weeks to pre-crawling join their moms for this class that focuses on gentle poses to help strengthen and energize the body and mind. Yoga Roots, Shelburne, 10:30-11:30 a.m. $15. Info, 985-0090.

JUNE 23 – 27, 2014 Ages 5 – 7 and 8 – 11 Waterfront Shelter, Burlington

RUNVERMONT.ORG/SUMMERCAMP

Kids VT

31

ecHo story explorers: Birds: Kids with an avian interest listen to a story, learn a song and feather a nest. All ages. ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center, Burlington, 10:30-11 a.m.

Regular museum admission; $10.50-13.50; free for members and children under 3. Info, 877-324-6386. night sky: See May 2.

SUMMER CAMP

7 WEDNESDAY

KidsVT.com May 2014

children’s sing-along with Lesley Grant: Parents sip coffee while wee ones break into song with a local musician and educator. Preschool-age kids and younger. The Bees Knees, Morrisville, 10-10:45 a.m. Free. Info, 888-7889.

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May calendar 7 WEdNEsdAY (continued)

8 THURSDAY

Education

Arts & crafts

spanish musical Kids: Parents and kids learn colors, animals, numbers, body parts and more through tunes en español. Ages 5 and under.

North End Studio, Burlington, 10-10:45 a.m. $20. Info, 917-1776.

Food

Kids in the Kitchen: Terrific Taco Bowls: Budding cooks whip up a savory beef filling and salsa, then load it into an edible bowl, pile on the toppings and dig in. All ages. Healthy Living Market and Café, South Burlington, 4-5 p.m. $20 per adult-child pair; preregister. Info, 863-2569.

Registration Now Open for Freestyle & Gymnastic Camps!

GreenMountainFreestyle.com

802.652.2455

Health & Fitness

GreenMountainGymnastics.com

802.652.2454

260 Avenue D, Suite 30 • Williston (off Industrial Ave.) k4t-GmGymnastics0313.indd 1

2/21/13 3:31 PM

“I used to always keep my mouth closed when I smiled. Not anymore!”

— Jessica, 24

“Treat yourself this Mother’s Day get the smile you deserve!”

ORTHODONTICS

mylifemysmile.org

Williston 878-5323

DRS. PETERSON, RYAN & EATON

St. Albans 527-7100

After-school maker series: Origami enthusiasts learn how to fold a triangular paper box with a lid. Ages 10 and up. Fairfax Community Library, 3-4 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 849-2420. dorothy canfield Fisher Book discussion: Flora & Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo is at the center of a spirited conversation between 8- to 11-year-olds. Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester, 6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 264-5660. scratch for Kids: Technology-minded fourth through sixth graders learn how to create their own interactive stories and animations using this computer program. Waterbury Public Library, 1-2:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 244-7036.

music

moving & Grooving With christine: Tots let loose to the rhythms of rock-and-roll and world music. Recommended for ages 2-5, but all are welcome. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 865-7216.

Preschool music With derek: Kids tap their toes in time to a fun, tune-filled gathering. Ages 3-5. Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester, 1 p.m. Free. Info, 264-5660.

Rockin’ Ron the Friendly Pirate: Small scallywags “ooh” and “aargh!” during swashbuckling songs, movements and guessing games. Ages 7 and under, with their parents. Buttered Noodles, Williston, 10-10:45 a.m. Free. Info, 764-1810.

Programs for Preschoolers: Farm activities wow little learners with themed stories, handson activities and a special visit to the barn. Ages 3 and up. Preregister. Billings Farm & Museum, Woodstock, 9-10:30 a.m. $3-5; includes admission to Billings Farm & Museum; preregister.

Info, 457-2355.

submit your June events for print by may 15 at kidsvt.com or to calendar@kidsvt.com.

www.champlainortho.net k4t-ChamplainOrtho0514.indd 1

Library & Books

Nature & science

Whether you’re considering clear aligners, retainers or today’s braces, an orthodontist is the smart choice. Orthodontists are specialists in straightening teeth and aligning your bite. They have two to three years of education beyond dental school. So they’re experts at helping you get a great smile – that feels great, too.

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Kids VT

May 2014 KidsVT.com

Your appearance. Your smile.

Essex open Gym: See May 1.

EvoKids Afterschool Yoga: Parents can attend a by-donation community yoga class one room over from this workout for kids. Grades K and up. Evolution Yoga, Burlington, 4:30-5:30 p.m. $15; $20 for two children. Info, 864-9642. music & movement: Children’s educator and local musician Lesley Grant gets kiddos singing and dancing while exploring rhythm and vocal dynamics. Ages 5 and under. River Arts, Morrisville, 10-11 a.m. $5. Info, 888-1261.

Tiny Tumblers open Gym: See May 2.

Vergennes Kids Yoga: Flexible yogis stretch out, play, meditate and rejuvenate. Grades K-3.

2 Wolves Holistic Center, Vergennes, 3:15-4:15 p.m. $14. Info, 870-0361.

4/23/14 11:26 AM

Pollywog Preschool Art drop-in: See May 1.

Baby & maternity

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See May 1. infant Yoga & massage: See May 1.

Games

st. Albans Legos: Building-block lovers keep busy with the library’s giant collection. All ages.

St. Albans Free Library, 3-5 p.m. Free. Info, 524-1507.

Health & Fitness

Essex open Gym: See May 1. open Gym with Kati Furs: See May 1.

music

music for Preschoolers: See May 1. music With mr. chris: See May 1.

Theater

‘Annie’: It’s a hard knock life! Middle schoolers put a creative spin on this crowd-pleasing Broadway musical. All ages. Edmunds Middle School, Burlington, 4 p.m. Free. Info, 355-1461. ‘ozma of oz’: Saints & Poets Production Company presents this adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s third tale of the adventures in Oz, staged with a mix of puppets and live actors.

Ages 6 and up. (See calendar spotlight on page 31.) Black Box, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 7 p.m. $15-20. Info, 863-5966.

9 FRIDAY

Arts & crafts

Family Wheel drop-in: See May 2.

Kinder Arts: See May 2. ‘seussical, Jr. The musical’: Well-loved Dr. Seuss favorites get a musical makeover in this retelling of the whimsical children’s stories presented by Rutland Youth Theatre. Paramount Theatre, Rutland, 7 p.m. $8-10. Info, 775-0903.

Baby & maternity

Postpartum Group: New moms discuss nutrition, adjustments at home, and self and newborn care over tea. Babies welcome. Tapestry Midwifery, Vergennes, 12:30-2 p.m. Free.

Info, 877-0022.

Education

Early Bird math: See May 2.

Homeschool Project day: Out-of-classroom learners share their current projects with an audience of parents and siblings. Grades K-12.

Milton Public Library, 2:30 p.m. Free. Info, 893-4644.

Games

dungeons & dragons: Players exercise their problem-solving skills in imaginary battles and adventures. Grades 6 and up. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 6-8 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

Health & Fitness

co-ed Fitness club: Acting, hip hop, yoga, parachute games and more give active kids a chance to build their self-esteem, attention span, and physical and social skills. Ages 6-10.

Move You Fitness Studio, Essex, 5:30-6:30 p.m. $7. Info, 863-4330.

Essex open Gym: See May 1.

Family Yoga: Flexible families bring calm to their minds while learning new poses, breathing techniques and games. Barlow Street Community Center, St. Albans, 6-6:45 p.m. $5 per child; free for adults; preregister. Info, 5241500, ext. 266.

see Dr. first videos marshfield open Gym: music “first With Kids” at See May 2.

Kids music With Linda ‘Tickle Belly’ fletcherallen.org/ Talented Toddlers class: Bassick: See May 2. firstwithkids Wee ones engage in games music With derek: See May 2. and activities that exercise music With Robert: See May 2. their minds and bodies in this educational and fun class. Ages 1-3. Move You Fitness Studio, Essex, 10:15-11 a.m. $7.

Nature & science Info, 363-4330.

Night sky: See May 2.

Tiny Tumblers open Gym: See May 2.

Library & Books

Book Lust for Teens: Young adults chat about books they love and loathe. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

READY FOR SUMMER?

We carry Keen sandals from infants to adults!

Theater

‘Annie’: See May 8, 7 p.m. ‘ozma of oz’: See May 8.

courtesy of billings farM & MuseuM

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Say Cheese!

dAiRy dAy AT The fARm: Sunday, May 4, 1 to 4 p.m., at Shelburne Farms. $5 per carload; walkers are free. All ages. Info, 985-8686. shelburnefarms.org

Impressions Jewelry

Make an impression that will last! Bring the kids to Perrywinkle’s to capture their fingerprints and create Mom a unique, one-of-a-kind gift with our locally made Impressions Jewelry.

227 Main Street, Burlington, VT | (802) 865-2624 | Perrywinkles.com

Kids VT

cheese & dAiRy ceLeBRATioN: Saturday, May 24, and Sunday, May 25, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Billings Farm & Museum in Woodstock. Regular museum admission, $4-14. All ages. Info, 457-2355. billingsfarm.org

KidsVT.com May 2014

two events this month allow milk lovers to get up close and personal with the creatures responsible for cheese, butter, ice cream and other dairy delicacies. During dAiRy dAy AT The fARm, kids meet the spring calves and their moms from shelburne farms’ brown swiss herd, tour the grounds in a wagon, and enjoy a bovine parade as the cows walk down the lane for their afternoon milking. at billings farm & Museum’s cheese & dAiRy ceLeBRATioN, artisan cheese makers from around new england sample and discuss their products while visitors participate in a dairy scavenger hunt and a “name the calf” competition. Kids can crank fresh ice cream. sounds udderly awesome.

4/23/14 2:09 PM

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242 Main Academy presents

Hip Hop, Broadway/Tap & African/Latin 12-18 years • June 16-20 6-11 years • June 23-27 M-F 9-2:30

Onstage at Memorial Auditorium Burlington, VT Monday-Friday 9AM-2:30PM amirault@burlingtontelecom.net

Jazz dance for kids!

2014 Summer Dance with Karen Amirault k8h-KarenAmirault0314.indd 1

2/20/14 10:42 AM

Field Trips Include: Lake Iroquois Shelburne Museum Audubon Center Ben & Jerry’s Factory Carnival Day

adventure day camp University of Vermont

Camp Dates: June 18 - August 3

TM

Ages: 5 - 11 years

Daily Activities: swimming & water games sports & games arts & crafts and more!

Online registration is open!

For more info contact Rachel Valyou / rachel.valyou@uvm.edu KidsVT_Alice_Tea_Party_Keva_4.75x5.56.pdf 1 4/23/2014 12:36:34 802.656.3070 PM

www.uvm.edu/recreation/adc

Mother’s Day Weekend

Tea Party at ECHO! Saturday, May 10 & Sunday, May 11 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Alice’s Wonderland Exhibit FINAL TWO DAYS

Treat your Mom, Grandma, Daughter or special friend to a traditional English tea in ECHO’s Lakeside Pavilion. The tea party features scones, lemon curd, finger sandwiches and tea cookies along with an assortment of tea, prepared by Sugarsnap.

C

Reservations are strongly suggested. $5 for children $10 for adults in addition to general admission

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Exhibit opens May 24

Kids VT

ECHO Lake Aquarium & Science Center

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@ECHOvt

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May calendar 10 SATURDAY

Arts & crafts

comic Book Art Workshop: Graphic artists dream up colorful characters and exciting plots for their very own illustrated tales. Ages 5-10.

Helen Day Art Center, Stowe, 9:30-11:30 a.m. $25; preregister. Info, 253-8358. craft school saturday drop-in: See May 3.

Kids camera club: Happy snappers learn how to build an old-school camera, capture an image and develop their film in the darkroom. Ages 8 and up. ArtisTree Community Arts Center, Woodstock, 10 a.m.-noon. $20; preregister.

Info, 457-3500.

Kids craft: Jewelry Box: In honor of Mother’s Day, young handicrafters decorate a beautiful box, then personalize it with a photograph. Ages 5 and up. Creative Habitat, South Burlington, 1-3 p.m. $5. Info, 862-0646. ‘seussical, Jr. The musical’: See May 9, 2 & 7 p.m.

Ongoing Exhibits EcHo LAKE AQUARiUm ANd sciENcE cENTER Info, 864-1848 ‘Alice's Wonderland’: This traveling exhibit encourages curious minds to go down the rabbit hole to explore math and science topics inspired by the classic Lewis Carroll tale. Ages 3 to 8. Through May 11.

Keva Planks: The Fusion of Art & science: Architects, engineers, designers and artists of all ages use some of the 15,000 identical small wooden slabs to create sky-high towers. Start stacking and see where it goes! May 24 through September 1.

HELEN dAY ART cENTER Info, 253-8358 student Art show: The extraordinary artistic talents of students in the greater Stowe area are showcased in this monthlong exhibit. Through June 1. moNTsHiRE mUsEUm oF sciENcE Info, 649-2200 ‘A T. Rex Named sue’: A cast skeleton of the largest, most complete and best-preserved T. rex ever found is the centerpiece of this visiting exhibit, which also includes interactive mechanical models, activities and videos. May 17 through September 7. ‘sustainable shelter: dwelling with the Forces of Nature’: Through graphics, cartoons, interactive computer games and more, this exhibition explores biodiversity, human and animal architecture, energy and water conservation and ecosystems, all from the perspective of the home. Through May 26.

WoNdERFEET Kids mUsEUm Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Info, 282-2678 Wonderfeet Kids museum: This childrens museum features interactive exhibits that allow kids to explore, role play and create. Ages 3-8.

community

Auction & chicken supper: Hungry families gather for a hearty meal from Misty Knoll Farms, then bid on a variety of items. All ages.

Trinity Baptist Church and School, Williston, 5-7 p.m. $4-7.50 for dinner. Info, 399-7997. common Ground center Anniversary celebration: This family camp program marks its twentieth year with kids music with Chris Dorman, a brick oven pizza dinner, a contra dance and a folk concert. All ages. Common Ground Center, Starksboro, 4-9:30 p.m. $5-10 per person or $10-20 per family suggested donation.

Info, 453-2592.

Hinesburg community Yard sale: The Hinesburg Business and Professional Association sponsors a used goods bonanza, with selling stations scattered through the town. Central site is Hinesburg Fire Hall. Various Locations, Hinesburg, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 324-9208.

Kids Night out: in the Lab: Participants keep busy with pizza, pool time for ages 5-12, open gym fun for ages 2-4 and science experiments for all. Pomerleau Family YMCA, Burlington, 5:30-8 p.m. $10-19; preregister. Info, 862 9622. mother’s day Gift show: Thoughtful family members shop locally from an array of jewelry, purses, pottery, home decor and other items moms will love. Lothrop Elementary School, Pittsford, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Info, 483-6351. mother’s day Tea: Moms and grandmas are fêted during this traditional English tea party, complete with scones, finger sandwiches and an assortment of hot drinks. Mad Hatter or Alice in Wonderland clothing encouraged.

ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center, Burlington, 11 a.m. & 2 p.m. $5 for children and $10 for adults in addition to $10.50-13.50 admission price; preregistration recommended.

Info, 877-324-6386.

dance

Hip Hop for Preschoolers: Funky tots learn basic dance moves while burning energy and having fun with friends. Ages 3-6. Move You Fitness Studio, Essex, 11 a.m.-noon. $7. Info, 363-4330.

Education

Fort Ticonderoga Reenactment: This weekend-long re-creation of the 1775 capture of the fort kicks off the historical landmark’s 2014 season. All ages. Fort Ticonderoga, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Regular admission, $8-17.50; free for children under 5. Info, 518-585-2821.

Red cross Babysitter’s Training: A fun and fast-paced session includes hands-on activities, role plays, lively discussion and a video to teach preteens and teens to be the best sitters on their block. Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 264-5666.

Fairs & Festivals

Kids day: A parade originates at Edmunds Elementary School at 9:45 a.m., then families spend the day enjoying performances, food, games and activities at the park. All ages. Battery Park, Burlington, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Info, 865-7552.

Food

Rutland Winter Farmers market: See May 3.

Health & Fitness

Fuel Up For Fitness Fun Run: Young hoofers navigate a one-mile course, followed by a raffle, free food and activities. Race registration begins at 8:15 a.m. for one-mile run. Preregister at active.com for all-ages 5K run at 9:30 a.m.

UVM Patrick Gymnasium, Burlington, 9-11 a.m. $20-25 for adults; $5 for children under 18.

Info, 558-0330.

submit your June events for print by may 15 at kidsvt.com or to calendar@kidsvt.com.

Nature & science

Theater

EcHo story Explorers: Birds: ‘ozma of oz’: See May 8, 2 p.m.

See May 6.

See Dr. First videos international migratory Bird 12 MONDAY “First With Kids” at day: Activities during this celefletcherallen.org/ bration of fantastic flyers include Baby & maternity firstwithkids painting nest boxes, live bird montpelier Prenatal Yoga: demos and crafts. All ages. VerSee May 5. mont Institute of Natural Science Nature Center, Quechee, 10 a.m.-4 Vergennes Prenatal Yoga: See May 5. p.m. Reduced $5 admission; nest boxes available for purchase for $10 each. Info, 359-5000.

Health & Fitness mirror, mirror: Little ones use looking glasses Essex open Gym: See May 1. to investigate reflection and symmetry. All ages.

Little Yogis: See May 5.

Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, 3 p.m.

Regular museum admission, $11-14; free for Postnatal Yoga: moms only: See May 5. members and children under 2. Info, 649-2200.

Preschool Yoga: See May 5. my sky: See May 3.

Night sky: See May 2. movies Parachutes: See May 4, 11 a.m.

Young Adult Film crew: Wannabe actors, directors and audiovisual buffs put together a spring Wildflower Walk: Adults and children program for Lake Champlain Access Televi14 and up learn to identify what’s in bloom and sion. Ages 12-18. Burnham Memorial Library, discover the edible and medicinal uses of these Colchester, 6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 264-5666. spring ephemerals. Red Rocks Park, South Burlington, 1-3 p.m. $12; preregister. Info, 846-4108. music

Theater

‘Annie’: See May 8, 7 p.m. ‘ozma of oz’: See May 8, 2 & 7 p.m. saturday drama club: See May 3.

music for Preschoolers: See May 1, 10:45 a.m. music with Lesley Grant: Tuneful kids sing along with a local musician and educator. Ages 18 months to 4 years. Waterbury Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.

11 SUNDAY

13 TUESDAY

Baby & maternity

Arts & crafts

mother’s day Tea: See May 10.

creative Tuesdays: See May 6.

Teen Art studio: Guest artists share their stories and get young adults inspired about their own work and artistic goals. Ages 11-18. Helen Day Art Center, Stowe, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 253-8358.

Education

Baby & maternity

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See May 1, 10:05-11:30 a.m.

community

Fort Ticonderoga Reenactment: See May 10.

Fairs & Festivals

spring Fest: Museumgoers tour the exhibits and lilac-filled gardens, engage in art activities and celebrate Mother’s Day with a Fancy-Nancy-style doll tea party. Ages 2 and up. Shelburne Museum, noon-4 p.m. Regular museum admission, $5-22; free for children under 5 and members. Info, 985-3346.

Health & Fitness

Essex Big Kids open Gym: See May 4.

Essex open Gym: See May 1, 1-2:30 p.m.

Kids Yoga at the Wellness collective: See May 4.

YoGirls Yoga class: See May 4.

Nature & science

Food

A mosaic of Flavor: indian samosa Pinwheels: Burlington School District interpreter Menka Tamang Lama shows ethnic food lovers how to prepare veggie and beef snacks and mango lassis in this collaboration between City Market and the Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program. Sustainability Academy at Lawrence Barnes, Burlington, 6-7:30 p.m. $5-10; preregister. Info, 861-9701.

Health & Fitness

Essex open Gym: See May 1. open Gym with Kati Furs: See May 1.

Tiny Tumblers open Gym: See May 2.

Yoga with danielle: See May 6.

Gaming For Teens & Adults: See May 6.

MUSIC DAY CAMP 2014 JUNE 23 – 27 • 8:45 AM – 4 PM DAILY WITH 2:30 PM CONCERT ON JUNE 27

Explore a great variety of musical activities with some of the best music educators in Vermont.

May 2014 Auditions for Orchestras & Choruses School-year programs for students K-12 Visit www.vyo.org for more information.

Music Day Camp has two levels of Band and String Orchestra, chamber music, and fun electives that may include jazz band, chorus, conducting, composition, improvisation, art, outdoor recreation and others.

BAND STUDENTS woodwind, brass, percussion Must be entering grades 6-10 in Fall 2014

ORCHESTRA STUDENTS string players Must be entering grades 4-10 in Fall 2014

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Tuition: $295 Register by May 30, 2014 • Financial Aid available • Visit www.vyo.org to enroll

Kids VT

Library & Books

1/22/14 2:32 PM

KidsVT.com May 2014

cells!: Budding biologists compare plant and animal cells using a compound microscope and their own cheek cells. Ages 9 and up. Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, 3 p.m. Regular museum admission, $11-14; free for members and children under 2. Info, 649-2200.

Kitchen chemistry: Mad scientists combine common household products, which yield unexpectedly entertaining results. All ages.

Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, 11 a.m. Regular museum admission, $11-14; free for members and children under 2. Info, 649-2200. mother’s day Hike: A guided walk in the woods helps moms celebrate their special holiday. All ages. Old Mill Park, Jericho, 11 a.m.

Free; preregister. Info, 863-5744. mother’s day Wildflower Walk: Why settle for a bouquet? Flora fans see meadows of spring blooms— and learn the folklore behind their names — on this easy, enjoyable stroll. All ages. North Branch Nature Center, Montpelier, 1-3 p.m. $10 for adults; $5 for kids; free for members; preregister. Info, 229-6206.

Night sky: See May 2.

Burlington La Leche League: New moms bring their questions to a breast-feeding support group. Babies and older children welcome. Lending library available. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, second Tuesday of every month, 10:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Free. Info, 879-3000.

Burlington Postnatal Yoga: See May 4, 10:40-11:55 a.m.

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See May 1, 4-5:30 p.m.

Glowmom’s Parenting club: Expecting moms Lounge: Mamas-to-be share their experiences in a supportive environment, then conclude the session with meditation. Fresh-squeezed juice, tea and snacks provided. Rainbow Institute, Burlington, 5:30-7 p.m. $12 suggested donation.

Info, 777-0199. shelburne Prenatal Yoga: See May 6.

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Green MountAin Youth SYMPhonY

May Calendar

“the music is just the beginning...”

Creative Arts & Music Program August 10th - 16th • 2014

13 Tuesday (Continued)

14 WEDNESDAY

music

arts & crafts

children’s sing-along With Lesley Grant: See May 6.

Nature & science

For more information visit: www.gmys-vt.org info@gmys-vt.org or find us on Facebook facebook.com/Green Mountain Youth Symphony

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Night sky: See May 2. storytime in the Nestlings Nook: Little ones listen attentively to stories about feathered friends. Tales are followed by a nature walk, craft project or music. Intended for preschoolers but all ages welcome. Birds of Vermont Museum, Huntington, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Regular museum admission, $3.50-7; free for children under 3. Info, 434-2167.

2/26/14 6:12 PM

submit your June events for print by may 15 at kidsvt.com or to calendar@kidsvt.com.

See dr. First videos “First With Kids” at fletcherallen.org/ firstwithkids

Baby & maternity

montpelier Postnatal yoga: See May 7. shelburne Postnatal/Baby & me yoga: See May 7.

education

History for Homeschoolers: Reading, writing and hands-on activities hosted by the Vermont Historical Society offer a new perspective on the past. Ages 6-12. Vermont History Center, Barre, 1-3 p.m. $4-5; free for parents and nonparticipating children; preregister. Info, 828-1314. spanish musical Kids: See May 7.

Games

Family Game Night: Players sit down for friendly competitions of Candy Land, checkers

Health & Fitness

essex open Gym: See May 1. evoKids afterschool yoga: See May 7. music & movement: See May 7.

Tiny Tumblers open Gym: See May 2.

Vergennes Kids yoga: See May 7.

Library & Books

Read to a dog: Book lovers choose stories to share with a furry friend. Ages 5-10. Fairfax Community Library, 3:15-4:15 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 849-2420. scratch for Kids: See May 7, 3-4 p.m.

music

moving & Grooving With christine: See May 7.

Preschool music With derek: See May 7.

Rockin’ Ron the Friendly Pirate: See May 7.

CourteSy oF lake ChaMplain waldorF SChool

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after-school craft club: Amateur artists end the day with a creative project. Grades 3-5.

Milton Public Library, 3:30-5 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 893-4644.

and Monopoly. Visitors are welcome to bring their own games.

Georgia Public Library, Fairfax, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 524-4643.

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July 14-18, 2014 9am-4pm

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May 2014 KidsVT.com

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May Play

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Kids VT

Small sprites frolic around the maypole during Lake Champlain Waldorf School’s 29th annual mayFesT, a joyous celebration of spring. Visitors weave flowers and ribbons into garlands to wear as crowns, get their faces painted, and explore the school’s wooden playground, sandboxes, fairy houses and tree forts. Violin- and viola-playing older students travel around in groups, providing musical entertainment. For an extra fee, revelers can purchase a wholesome, kid-friendly meal or ride a pony. In keeping with traditional May Day merriment, says LCWS’ Kristin DeVoe-Talluto, “It’s a very colorful day.”

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mayFesT Saturday, May 3, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Lake Champlain Waldorf School in Shelburne.

Free. Ages 6 and under. lakechamplainwaldorfschool.org

Nature & science

Little Explorer Program: Preschoolers discover their community through hands-on exploration of nature topics including farming, sugaring and gardening. Ages 3-5. Meet at Minister Hill in Franklin for May program.

Highgate Public Library, Highgate Center, 11 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 868-3970.

Programs for Preschoolers: See May 7.

15 THURSDAY

Arts & crafts

Pollywog Preschool Art drop-in: See May 1.

Baby & maternity

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See May 1. infant Yoga & massage: See May 1. montpelier La Leche League: Breast-feeding moms make new friends as they discuss the joys and challenges of nursing. Snacks provided. Lending library available. Babies and toddlers welcome. Good Beginnings, Montpelier, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 244-1254.

community

milton Babysitter mixer: Parents in need of a night out mingle with prospective caregivers.

Middle Road Recreation Park, Milton, 5-7 p.m.

Free. Info, 893-4922. shelburne dines out: Participating local restaurants donate a percentage of their daily profit to Shelburne Nursery School. Various locations, Shelburne. Cost varies at each restaurant. Info, 985-3993.

Education

History for Homeschoolers: See May 14.

Food

Kids in the Kitchen: Perfect Pizza seed starts: Green-thumbed gardeners soak basil, oregano, rosemary and tomato seeds, then plant them before whipping up their own personal pizzas. All ages. Healthy Living Market and Café, South Burlington, 4-5 p.m. $20 per adult-child pair; preregister. Info, 863-2569.

Health & Fitness

Essex open Gym: See May 1. open Gym with Kati Furs: See May 1.

Library & Books

‘Bringing Wonder to Life’ Workshop: Thirdgrade teacher and disability awareness advocate Sam Drazin facilitates an evening of sharing, hands-on activities and Q & A based on the Vermont Humanities Council’s Community Reading Program selected book, Wonder by R.J. Palacio. All ages. Highgate Elementary School, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 868-3970.

Pajama story Time: Jammie-clad young’uns hunker down for a few stories before bedtime.

Ages 3 and up with an adult. CarpenterCarse Library, Hinesburg, 6-7 p.m. Free. Info, 482-2878.

movies

music

music for Preschoolers: See May 1. music With mr. chris: See May 1. spanish musical Kids: See May 1.

16 FRIDAY

Arts & crafts

Family Wheel drop-in: See May 2.

Kinder Arts: See May 2.

Baby & maternity

New Parents Playgroup: See May 2, 9:30-11:30 a.m.

community

children’s Room Tag sale: Bargain hunters pay low prices for clothing, toys, furniture, books and more, while activities entertain tagalong kids. Waterbury Congregational Church, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Info, 244-5605. stowe Kids Night out: Parents relax while their offspring have a blast playing games, skating and hanging out. Ages 5-15. David Gale Recreation Center, Stowe, 6-10 p.m. $10; preregister. Info, 253-6138.

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Education

Early Bird math: See May 2.

Games

magic: The Gathering: See May 2.

Health & Fitness

Essex open Gym: See May 1. marshfield open Gym: See May 2.

Tiny Tumblers open Gym: See May 2.

Library & Books

Essex drop-in story Time: See May 2.

Jiggity Jog: A musical meet-up with Miss Susan includes singing, dancing and instrument playing. Ages 2-6. South Burlington Community Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 652-7539.

music

Kids music With Linda ‘Tickle Belly’ Bassick: See May 2. music With derek: See May 2. music With Robert: See May 2.

‘The Next Generation’: Outstanding young musicians who have seriously studied classical instrumental or vocal music share their talents.

Chandler Music Hall, Randolph, 7:30 p.m. $1020. Info, 728-6464.

Nature & science Night sky: See May 2.

Night Eagle

Wilderness Adventures A unique summer camp for boys, ages 10-14, in the heart of Vermont’s Green Mountains

Theater

‘ozma of oz’: See May 8.

tipi living ▲ nature crafts ▲ canoeing ▲ backpacking ▲ wilderness skills ▲ tracking atlatls ▲ ’hawk throwing swimming ▲ archery ▲ hiking ▲ cooperative work & play ▲ and much more! ▲

17 SATURDAY

Arts & crafts

craft school saturday drop-in: See May 3. darkroom class: Fledgling photogs develop unique images using light and objects. Ages 8-12. BCA Center, Burlington, 1-3 p.m. $25; preregister. Info, 865-7166.

Family Art: Little and big people use a variety of materials to create unique masterpieces. All ages. ArtisTree Community Arts Center, Woodstock, 10 a.m.-noon. $20 per parent-child pair; preregister. Info, 457-3500.

Call for a full brochure:

((802) 802) 773-7866 446-6100

www.nighteaglewilderness.com

37

Who’s Hooting? Preschool Program: Avian enthusiasts swoop into the world of the most mysterious flying mousetraps to learn more about their hunting habits, feathers and

‘ozma of oz’: See May 8.

Kids VT

Nature & science

Theater

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middle school Books-to-Film discussion: Bookworms read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl in advance, then watch the movie version over snacks. Milton Public Library, 3:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 893-4644.

sounds. Ages 3-5. Audubon Vermont, Huntington, 9-10:30 a.m. $8-10 per adult-child pair; preregister. Info, 434-3068.

1/4/12 2:01 PM

MAY CALENDAR

Story Times MONDAY Barre Children's Story Hour: Aldrich Public Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 476-7550.

Colchester Preschool Story Time: Burnham Memorial Library, 10:30 a.m. Free; preregister.

Info, 264-5660.

Essex Drop-In Story Time: Essex Free Library, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 879-0313.

Milton Infant Story Time: Milton Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 893-4644.

Northfield Children's Story Time: Brown Public Library, Thursdays, 10-11 a.m. Free. Info, 485-4621.

St. Albans Story Hour: St. Albans Free Library, Thursdays, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 524-1507.

Stowe Story Time for 2- to 3-Year-Olds: Stowe Free Library, 10:15-11 a.m. Free. Info, 253-6145.

Waitsfield Story Time: Joslin Memorial Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 496-4205.

Waterbury Baby & Toddler Story Time: Waterbury Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.

Woodstock Baby Story Time: Norman Williams Public Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 457-2295.

TUESDAY

Grand Isle PJ Story Time: Grand Isle Free Library, first Tuesday of every month, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 527-5426.

Highgate Toddler and Preschool Story Time: Highgate Public Library, 10-11 a.m. Free. Info, 868-3970.

Hinesburg Preschool Story Time: Carpenter-Carse Library, 11 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 482-2878.

Hinesburg Toddler Story Time: CarpenterCarse Library, first Tuesday of every month, 9:30 a.m. Free. Info, 482-2878.

Milton Preschool Story Time: Milton Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 893-4644.

Montpelier Story Time: Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.

Richmond Story Time: Richmond Free Library, 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 434-3036.

Sheldon Story Time: Sheldon Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 933-2524.

South Burlington Tiny Tot Story Time: South Burlington Community Library, 9:15 & 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 652-7539.

Winooski Preschool Story Time: Winooski Memorial Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 655-6424.

Woodstock Preschool Story Time: Norman Williams Public Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 457-2295.

WEDNESDAY Barnes & Noble Morning Story Time: Barnes & Noble, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 864-8001.

East Barre Realms of Reading Crafts: East Barre Branch Library, 3-5 p.m. Free. Info, 476-5118.

Essex Junction Preschool Story Time: See Tuesday.

Essex Toddler Story Time: Essex Free Library, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 879-0313.

Grand Isle Preschool Story Time: Grand Isle Free Library, 10 a.m. Free; newcomers should preregister. Info, 372-4797.

Hardwick Preschool Story Time: Jeudevine Memorial Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 472-5948.

Highgate Toddler and Preschool Story Time: See Tuesday. 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

Johnson Story Time: Johnson Public Library, 10-11 a.m. Free. Info, 635-7141.

Marshfield Story Time & Playgroup: Jaquith Public Library, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 426-3581.

Norwich Story Time: Norwich Public Library, 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 649-1184.

Quechee Story Time: Quechee Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 295-1232.

Randolph Morning Story Time: Kimball Public Library, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 728-5073.

Richford PJ Story Time: Arvin A. Library, Every other Wednesday, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Free.

Info, 370-4797.

Richford Story Hour: Arvin A. Library, 9:30 a.m. Free. Info, 848-3313.

South Burlington Baby Book Time: South Burlington Community Library, April 30, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 652-7539.

South Burlington Story Time: Barnes & Noble, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 864-8001.

Swanton Story Hour: Swanton Public Library, 10-11 a.m. Free. Info, 868-7656.

Warren Preschool Story & Enrichment Hour: Warren Public Library, 10-11 a.m. Free. Info, 595-2582.

Williamstown Story Time: Ainsworth Public Library, 10-11 a.m. Free. Info, 433-5887.

THURSDAY Colchester Preschool Story Time: See Monday. May 1, 10:30 a.m.

Essex Preschool Story Time: Essex Free Library, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 879-0313.

Fairfax PJ Story Time: Fairfax Community Library, first Thursday of every month, 6:307:30 p.m. Free. Info, 527-5426.

Northfield Children's Story Time: See Monday.

Rutland Story Time: Rutland Free Library, 10-10:45 a.m. Free. Info, 773-1860.

Shelburne Story Time With Mary Catherine Jones: Pierson Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 985-5124.

St. Albans Story Hour: See Monday.

Vergennes Story Time: Bixby Memorial Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 877-2211.

Westford Story Time: Westford Public Library, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 878-5639.

FRIDAY Brandon Preschool Story Time: Brandon Free Public Library, 1 p.m. Free. Info, 247-8230.

Enosburg Story Hour: Enosburg Public Library, 9-10 a.m. Free. Info, 370-4797.

Essex Musical Story Time: Essex Free Library, third Friday of every month, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Free. Info, 879-0313.

Georgia Preschool Story Time: Georgia Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 524-4643.

Huntington Story Time: Huntington Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 434-4583.

Lincoln Toddler/Preschool Story Time: Lincoln Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 453-2665.

Milton Toddler Story Time: Milton Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 893-4644.

Montpelier Story Time: See Tuesday.

Moretown Story Time: Moretown Memorial Library, 11:15 a.m. Free. Info, 496-9728.

South Burlington Pajamarama: Barnes & Noble, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 864-8001.

South Burlington Story Time Adventures: South Burlington Community Library, 9:30 a.m.

Free. Info, 652-7539.

St. Johnsbury Story Time: St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 748-8291.

Stowe Baby & Toddler Story Time: Stowe Free Library, 10-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 253-6145.

Waterbury Preschool Story Time: Waterbury Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.

SATURDAY Barnes & Noble Saturday Morning Story Time: Barnes & Noble, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 864-8001.

Barre Story Time: Next Chapter Bookstore, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 476-3114.

Burlington Story Time at Phoenix Books: Phoenix Books, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 448-3350.

Colchester Saturday Drop-In Story Time: Burnham Memorial Library, 10 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 264-5660.

South Burlington Story Time: See Wednesday.

St. Johnsbury Story Time: See Friday. First Saturday of every month.

Winooski Stories with Jess: Winooski Memorial Library, 10-11 a.m. Free. Info, 655-6424.

SUNDAY Williston Russian Story Time: Buttered Noodles, 11-11:45 p.m. Free. Info, 730-2673.

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MAY 2014 KIDSVT.COM

Alburgh Story Hour: Alburgh Community Education Center, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 796-6077.

Barre Children's Story Hour: See Monday.

Colchester Toddler Story Time: Burnham Memorial Library, 10:30 a.m. Free; preregister.

Info, 264-5660.

East Barre Kids Story Hour: East Barre Branch Library, 9:30 & 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 476-5118.

Essex Junction Baby & Toddler Story Time: Brownell Library, 9:10-9:30 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 878-6956.

Essex Junction Preschool Story Time: Brownell Library, 10-10:45 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 878-6956.

Fairfax Preschool Story Time: Fairfax Community Library, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 849-2420.

Georgia Pajama Story Time: Georgia Public Library, third Tuesday of every month, 6:307:30 p.m. Free. Info, 524-4643.

Early-literacy skills get special attention during these read-aloud sessions. Some locations provide additional activities such as music, crafts or foreign-language instruction. Contact the story-time organizer or visit kidsvt.com for details.

Schedules generally follow the school calendar; call ahead to confirm.

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2/27/14 2:36 PM

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Rally Awards

Cool Runnings thousands of distance runners will put months of training to the test when they participate in the Vermont City Marathon on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend. Kids looking to get in on the action can flex their leg muscles the day before at the mVp HEalTH caRE Yam scRam. this year, olympic gold medalist Joan Benoit Samuelson will accompany an estimated 800 kids on the course, which ranges from half a mile to 2 miles depending on each young athlete’s preference. an art activity and warm-up stretches precede the race. afterward, every participant receives a goody bag and finisher’s medal. “it’s an event that, year after year, families come back to and enjoy,” says Joy Dubin Grossman, RunVermont’s youth director. “it’s an opportunity for kids to show their stuff.”

Tuesday, May 6th, 7:15 p.m. at the Flynn Theater

Join the University of Vermont Athletic Department and student-athletes at the 2014 Rally Awards, a year end celebration of the academic and athletic achievements of the 2014 season. The event is free and open to the public.

mVp HEalTH caRE Yam scRam Saturday, May 24, 7:45 a.m. for race packet pick-up and activities; 8:30 a.m. for 2-mile run; 9:15 a.m. for 1-mile run; and 10 a.m. for half-mile run, at Waterfront Park in Burlington. $20 per child before May 1; $35 per child; preregister. Ages 4-14. Info, 864-1848. runvermont.org

Fairs & Festivals

17 saTuRdaY (ContinueD)

Kids craft: Fish Handprint canvas: Small artists get a little messy to create an underwater scene. Ages 5 and up. Creative Habitat, South Burlington, 1-3 p.m. $5. Info, 862-0646.

community

Education

Food See Dr. First videos “First With Kids” at fletcherallen.org/ firstwithkids

Health & Fitness

‘move Your can’ Fun Run: Racers of all ages complete a 5K loop to support the Colchester-Milton Rotary Club and area food shelves.

Registration at 7:30 a.m. Colchester Bayside Park, 8:30 a.m. $25-30; food donations accepted. Info, 923-1159.

/Vermont.Catamounts @UVMAthletics #VCats @VermontCatamounts /UVMAthletics

Kids VT

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montessori school open House: Interested parents learn more about an educational program that fosters self- and social responsibility in children ages 3-12. Montessori School of Central Vermont, Berlin, 9-11 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 223-3320.

Rutland Winter Farmers market: See May 3.

www.UVMAthletics.com

KidsVT.com May 2014

children’s Room Tag sale: See May 16, 9 a.m.-noon. ‘minute to Win it’ Family Night out: Kids and adults alike have a blast with swimming, open gym time, 60-second challenges and a movie on the big screen. Snacks and pizza available to purchase.

All ages. Pomerleau Family YMCA, Burlington, 5-8 p.m. $6-8; preregister. Info, 862-9622.

Big Truck day & children’s Festival: Vroom, vroom! Auto aficionados climb aboard fire trucks, dump trucks, school buses, tractors and more. Crafts, face painting, a bouncy house and a barbecue round out the affair. All ages.

Hinesburg Nursery School, 9:45 a.m.-2 p.m. $5 per child; free for adults. Info, 482-3827.

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Wallingford Bike safety day: Helmet fittings, bike inspections and an obstacle course take place during this fun, interactive event. All ages. Wallingford Elementary School, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 446-3672.

Williston Runs for Education: A 1K fun run, 5K walk/run, music, bounce house and more make for a fun-filled morning of fitness. Ages 5 and up. Williston Community Park Playground, 9 a.m.-noon. $7 for children 13 and under; $15 for adults; preregistration optional. Info, 238-2474.

Health & Fitness

Essex Big Kids open Gym: See May 4.

Essex open Gym: See May 1, 1-2:30 p.m.

EvoFamilies Wellness Talks: Naturopathic physician Dr. Sara Norris speaks to parents about natural treatments for bee stings, colds, anxiety, earaches and more. Q&A and open dialogue follows the 40-minute presentation.

Evolution Yoga, Burlington, 2-3 p.m. $15; class cards accepted. Info, 864-9642.

Kids Yoga at the Wellness collective: See May 4.

YoGirls Yoga class: See May 4.

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Camp Mère Clarac — a camp with values!

1/24/14 11:45 AM

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Operating since 1957 by the Soeurs de Charité de Sainte-Marie, Camp Mère Clarac offers the same quality of supervision for which the École MarieClarac de Montréal-Nord is famous. Accredited by the Association des camps certifiés du Québec.

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Kids VT

May 2014 KidsVT.com

• • • • • • •

ratio of 1 monitor per 5 youngsters, to 1 monitor per 8 older children high level monitoring for higher risk activities strict rules for every activities all activities relate to the age of the child 60-hour training program for camp monitors medical care accessible at any time; and 5 minutes from the local CLSC high-quality drinking water, and dietician approved menus, etc.

A camp with values in a Christian environment. Situated on the shores of the beautiful Ouareau River in SaintDonat, Lanaudière, Camp Mère Clarac is 115 acres large with great facilities.

Elena moon Park & Friends: The talented musician — a long time player in the Dan Zanes Band — performs tunes from her newly released album of folk and children’s songs from East Asia, Rabbit Days and Dumplings.

Big Picture Theater, Waitsfield, 11 a.m. Call for price. Proceeds benefit Spring Hill School. Info, 496-8994.

Green mountain Youth symphony Auditions: See May 3. spring celebration of Youth concert: Dr. Yutaka Kono, director of the UVM Symphony, joins the Burlington Chamber Orchestra as guest conductor in a presentation featuring works by Schubert, Mozart and Beethoven, as well as an appearance by a talented local young musician. All ages. McCarthy Arts Center, St. Michael’s College, Colchester, 7:30 p.m. $10 for students; $25 for adults. Info, 595-0104.

Theater

Nature & science

Babies & Toddlers Rock: See May 5, 10-10:30 a.m. intergenerational dessert Book discussion: Lit lovers gather for a good read-and-rant session, complete with something sweet. Grades 6 and up. Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester, 6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 264-5666. milton Lego club: See May 5.

Leafcutter Ants: See May 4, 3 p.m. microscopic investigations: Microscopes help kids discover there’s more to the world than meets the eye. All ages. Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, 11 a.m. Summer museum admission, $13-16; free for members and children under 2. Info, 649-2200. my sky: See May 3.

Night sky: See May 2.

Theater

‘ozma of oz’: See May 8, 2 p.m.

19 MONDAY

Baby & maternity

montpelier Prenatal Yoga: See May 5.

Vergennes Prenatal Yoga: See May 5.

Health & Fitness

Essex open Gym: See May 1.

Little Yogis: See May 5.

Postnatal Yoga: moms only: See May 5.

Preschool Yoga: See May 5.

Library & Books

music

music for Preschoolers: See May 1, 10:45 a.m.

‘ozma of oz’: See May 8, 2 & 7 p.m. saturday drama club: See May 3.

20 TUESDAY

18 SUNDAY

creative Tuesdays: See May 6.

Baby & maternity

Baby & maternity

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See May 1, 10:0511:30 a.m.

Food

Arts & crafts

Burlington Postnatal Yoga: See May 4, 10:40-11:55 a.m.

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See May 1, 4-5:30 p.m.

chocolate-Bar making: See May 3.

Should you need further information, please call Sister Marie-Julie 617-469-5246 in West Roxbury, MA 4t-CampMere0514.indd 1

music

cleo the Therapy dog: See May 3.

Green mountain Youth symHighgate Perennial swap & Book phony Auditions: See May 3. sale: Community members dig up overgrown flowers to trade with Nature & science See Dr. First videos friends and neighbors and peruse mirror, mirror: See May 10, “First With Kids” at used reading material. Highgate 11 a.m. fletcherallen.org/ Town Park, 9 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, firstwithkids 868-3970.

Night sky: See May 2. manga club: Like-minded peers sundays for Fledglings: share their favorite Japanese comAspiring junior birders learn all ics. Grades 6 and up. Brownell Library, Essex about feathers and flying through observation, Junction, 3-4 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956. research and goofing around. Ages 5-9; siblings welcome. Birds of Vermont Museum, HunTotal Takeover: In celebration of the Timmy tington, 2-3 p.m. Regular museum admission, Failure middle-grade series, kids participate in $3.50-7; preregister. Info, 434-2167. activities, crafts and prize drawings and have their pictures taken with a five-foot inflatable Turtle discovery: Young explorers get up close of of one of the book’s characters, Total the and personal with shelled reptiles, feeding Polar Bear. Phoenix Books, Essex Junction, 2 them and learning about their habitat. All ages. p.m. Free. Info, 872-7111.

Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, 3 p.m.

Summer museum admission, $13-16; free for members and children under 2. Info, 649-2200. music

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submit your June events for print by may 15 at kidsvt.com or to calendar@kidsvt.com.

Health & Fitness

Essex open Gym: See May 1. open Gym with Kati Furs: See May 1.

Tiny Tumblers open Gym: See May 2.

Yoga with danielle: See May 6.

Education

spanish musical Kids: See May 7.

Food

Kids in the Kitchen: deep Fried Nutella & Banana PB & J’s: Food fanatics throw caution and cholesterol counts to the wind to make this deliciously decadent dessert. All ages. Healthy Living Market and Café, South Burlington, 4-5 p.m. $20 per adult-xchild pair; preregister. Info, 863-2569.

Health & Fitness

Essex open Gym: See May 1.

EvoKids Afterschool Yoga: See May 7. music & movement: See May 7.

Tiny Tumblers open Gym: See May 2.

Vergennes Kids Yoga: See May 7.

Library & Books

Gaming For Teens & Adults: See May 6.

music

children’s sing-Along With Lesley Grant: See May 6.

Nature & science Night sky: See May 2.

21 WEDNESDAY

Arts & crafts

After-school craft club: See May 14. crafternoon: Local artist Nicole Vance provides kids with an afternoon of creativity and fun. Ages 6 and up. Fairfax Community Library, 3-4 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 849-2420.

Baby & maternity

montpelier Postnatal Yoga: See May 7. shelburne Postnatal/Baby & me Yoga: See May 7.

Library & Books

Baby charms: Non-walking infants get silly as they sing, dance and make music with Miss Susan. South Burlington Community Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 652-7539.

Pajama story Time: Small ones curl up for bedtime tales, cookies and milk. Ages 18 months to 5 years. Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester, 6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 264-5660. scratch for Kids: See May 7. 3-4 p.m.

music

community sing-Along: Songbirds raise their voices with the instrumental accompaniment of Rich and Laura Atkinson. All ages. Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield, 6:45 p.m. Free. Info, 426-3581. moving & Grooving With christine: See May 7.

Preschool music With derek: See May 7.

21 WEdNEsdAY, p.44

Farmers Markets

Mater Christi School’s acclaimed pre-school and pre-K classes are now enrolling for Fall 2014.

Visit our Open House for pre-school through grade 8 on Wednesday, May 21 from 8:30 to 11:00, or call 802-658-3992 to schedule a personal tour.

WWW.MCSCHOOL.ORG Little Adventurers Summer Camp at MCS offers fullday or half-day weekly themed camp sessions for 3, 4, and 5-year-olds.

©Ambient Photography

Glowmom’s Parenting club: Postpartum moms oasis: Moms of wee ones speak of joys and challenges, then conclude the session with meditation. Fresh-squeezed juice, tea and snacks provided. Pre-crawling babies welcome.

Rainbow Institute, Burlington, third Tuesday of every month, 5:30-7 p.m. $12 suggested donation. Info, 777-0199. shelburne Prenatal Yoga: See May 6.

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Burlington Farmers Market

KidsVT.com May 2014

BurLiNGToN FArmErs mArKET: Farmers, artisans and producers offer fresh and prepared foods, crafts, and more in a bustling marketplace. City Hall Park, 8:30 a.m to 2 p.m. on Saturdays starting May 10. Info, 310-5172. burlingtonfarmersmarket.org

file: Matthew thOrSen

Outdoor farmers markets in Burlington, Montpelier and Stowe get underway this month, with many others opening at the end of May or early June.

cAPiTAL ciTY FArmErs mArKET: Veggies, honey, maple syrup and more change hands at a celebration of locally grown food. State Street, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays starting May 3. Info, 223-2958. montpelierfarmersmarket.com

Kids VT

sToWE FArmErs mArKET: Live music, face painting and cooking demos complement an array of food and craft vendors. Mountain Rd., 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays starting May 18. Info, 472-8027. stowefarmersmarket.com

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May calendar 21 WEdNEsdAY (continued)

22 THURSDAY

cheese & dairy celebration: Got milk? Families sample artisan cheeses, participate in a “Name the Calf” contest, make “moo masks” and hand-churn ice cream. (See calendar spotlight on page 33.) All ages. Billings Farm & Museum, Woodstock, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Regular museum admission, $4-14; free for children under 3. Info, 457-2355.

Arts & crafts

Food

Rockin’ Ron the Friendly Pirate: See May 7.

Nature & science

presents

Cinderella Barre Opera House Saturday, June 7th • 7pm & Sunday, June 8th • 2pm

Programs for Preschoolers: See May 7.

Pollywog Preschool Art drop-in: See May 1.

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See May 1. infant Yoga & massage: See May 1.

chowderpalooza: Area chefs serve up delectable soups and lucky tasters vote for their favorite, then head over to Park Street for live music and an artist’s market. Various locations, Stowe, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. $10 to taste 10 chowders.

Info, 253-2275.

community

Health & Fitness

Baby & maternity

Whaleboat Launch day: Student boat builders from Middlebury’s Diversified Occupations Program lead an on-water parade showcasing watercrafts they had a hand in building, including a whaleboat bound for Mystic Seaport. All ages. Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Vergennes, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 475-2022.

Health & Fitness

Essex open Gym: See May 1. open Gym with Kati Furs: See May 1.

music Tickets: $18-12 in advance $22-14 at the door (802)476-8188 Barreoperahouse.org www.movinglightdance.com

May 2014 KidsVT.com Kids VT

44

Arts & crafts

Family Wheel drop-in: See May 2.

Kinder Arts: See May 2.

Education

Early Bird math: See May 2.

Games

dungeons & dragons: See May 9.

It’s a handful!

Try kidsvt.com for fun at your fingertips.

23 FRIDAY

Postpartum Group: See May 9, 12:30-2 p.m.

Classes held at the Confluence in Berlin www.movinglightdance.com 802-426-2011

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music for Preschoolers: See May 1. music With mr. chris: See May 1.

Baby & maternity

Focused training, mindful teaching.

Ages 3 to Adult Summer Dance Camps, Classes and Intensives!

4/21/14 5:08 PM

Fairs & Festivals

Health & Fitness

Essex open Gym: See May 1. marshfield open Gym: See May 2.

Tiny Tumblers open Gym: See May 2.

music

Kids Yoga at the Wellness collective: See May 4.

YoGirls Yoga class: See May 4.

Nature & science

creeping colors: Small scientists watch capillary action as water rises up their paper strips and separates out marker dyes. All ages. Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, 11 a.m.

Regular museum admission, $11-14; free for members and children under 2. Info, 649-2200.

Fossils: Evidence of the Past: Youth sleuths clue into the origins of preserved remains. All ages. Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, 3 p.m. Summer museum admission, $13-16; free for members and children under 2. Info, 649-2200.

Night sky: See May 2.

Yam scram: Young racers navigate .5-, 1- and 2-mile courses the day before the Vermont City Marathon. Ages 4-14. (See calendar spotlight on page 41.) Burlington’s Waterfront Park, 7:45 a.m. $20 per child before May 1; $35 per child thereafter. Info, 863-8412.

26 MONDAY

Nature & science

community

Exploring Balance: Young investigators explore ups and downs, then make a toy to take home. Ages 9 and up. Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, 3 p.m. Summer museum admission, $13-16; free for members and children under 2. Info, 649-2200.

Exploring Bird Language: This workshop teaches aspiring naturalists to listen for the five voices of birds and open their senses to the movements of the natural world. Ages 16 and up. Green Mountain Audubon Center, Huntington, 8 a.m.-noon. $25-30; preregister. Info, 434-3068.

Fingerprints: Kids get up close and personal with their prints, exploring what makes them unique. All ages. Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, 11 a.m. Summer museum admission, $13-16; free for members and children under 2.

Info, 649-2200. my sky: See May 3.

Night sky: See May 2.

World Turtle day: Visitors discover how important these reptiles are to the natural world, make crafts and get up close and personal with the nature center’s shelled residents. All ages.

Vermont Institute of Natural Science Nature Center, Quechee, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Regular admission, $11-13; free for members and children under 4. Info, 359-5000.

Theater

saturday drama club: See May 3.

Baby & maternity

montpelier Prenatal Yoga: See May 5.

Vergennes Prenatal Yoga: See May 5. memorial day at Fort Ticonderoga: The men and women of the armed services are honored on the grounds where so many American soldiers fought and sacrificed with a Fife and Drum Corps presentation and a glimpse into the life of soldiers in the year 1775. Fort Ticonderoga, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. $8-17.50; free for children under 5. Info, 518-585-2821.

Food

Kids cooking class: Picnic supper: Newbie chefs put together a feast fit for a checkered blanket, including maple-mustard chicken wings, potato and cucumber salads, deviled eggs and an easy dessert. Ages 6-12. McClure Multigenerational Center, Burlington, 5:30-7 p.m. $5-10 per child-adult pair; free for mentor pairs; preregister. Info, 861-9757.

Health & Fitness

Essex open Gym: See May 1.

Postnatal Yoga: moms only: See May 5.

Preschool Yoga: See May 5.

music

music for Preschoolers: See May 1, 10:45 a.m.

Nature & science

Exploring magnets: See May 3, 3 p.m. sound science: Keen listeners explore how audio travels through different materials. All ages. Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, 11 a.m. Summer museum admission, $13-16; free for members and children under 2. Info, 649-2200.

Kids music With Linda ‘Tickle Belly’ Bassick: See May 2. music With derek: See May 2.

25 SUNDAY

Nature & science

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See May 1, 10:05-11:30 a.m.

27 TUESDAY

dance

Arts & crafts

Fairs & Festivals

Baby & maternity

Night sky: See May 2.

24 SATURDAY

Arts & crafts

craft school saturday drop-in: See May 3.

Kids craft: Felt magic Wand: Magiciansin-training transform a wooden stick into a whimsical tool with glitter glue, stickers and more. Ages 5 and up. Creative Habitat, South Burlington, 1-3 p.m. $5. Info, 862-0646.

dance

‘Alice in Wonderland’ Ballet: The White Rabbit, Queen of Hearts and Mad Hatter feature prominently in this family-focused performance based on Lewis Carroll’s dreamy tale, produced by Northern Vermont Ballet. All ages.

Dibden Center for the Arts, Johnson State College, 2 & 7 p.m. $14 for children; $19 for adults; Free for children under 2. Info, 855-222-2849.

Baby & maternity

‘Alice in Wonderland’ Ballet: See May 24, 3 p.m. cheese & dairy celebration: See May 24.

Food

my child & me cooking class: overnight Waffles: Preschoolers and their parents learn to make this sweet breakfast treat with soaked grain batter, accompanied by honey-sweetened fruit sauce and freshly whipped cream. Ages 5 and under. City Market, Burlington, 9:30-10:30 a.m. $5-10 per parent-child pair; free for WIC families; preregister. Info, 861-9757.

creative Tuesdays: See May 6.

Teen Art studio: See May 13.

Burlington Postnatal Yoga: See May 4, 10:40-11:55 a.m.

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See May 1, 4-5:30 p.m.

Glowmom’s Parenting club: Retreat for moms of All Ages: Mamas rejuvenate with conversation, meditation, fresh-squeezed juice and a healthy snack. Rainbow Institute, Burlington, 5:30-7 p.m. $12 suggested donation.

Info, 777-0199. shelburne Prenatal Yoga: See May 6.

Health & Fitness

Essex Big Kids open Gym: See May 4.

Essex open Gym: See May 1, 1-2:30 p.m.

27 TuEsdAY, p.48

What You Need To Know About

Pregnancy and Vaccines

Meet Sue. May 17–September 7, 2014

Vaccines are an important part of a healthy pregnancy. Talk to your health care provider about the vaccines you need to protect yourself and your baby.

Pregnant women should get:

Montshire

; Tdap vaccine during each pregnancy —ideally between 27 and 36 weeks— to prevent whooping cough

Museum of Science One Montshire Road, Norwich VT 802-649-2200 www.montshire.org

; Influenza “flu shot” each year

© 2014 McDonald’s

Local sponsorship provided by:

This exhibition was created by The Field Museum, Chicago, and made possible through the generosity of McDonald’s Corporation.

SWING INTO SPRING SALE k4t-Montshire0514.indd 1

4/18/14 10:49 AM

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45

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH healthvermont.gov

Kids VT

95 No. Brownell Road Williston • 802-652-0100 rainbowvermont@yahoo.com www.rainbowplay.com

May 2014

You can find more information at: www.cdc.gov/vaccines

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Mom!

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4/25/14 10:45 AM

kidsvt.com May 2014 Kids VT

46

11/28/12 4:15 PM

Yes honey?

Where was my brother before he was in your belly?

Why don’t you go ask dad!

Classes & Camps 2014 SUMMER

• Week-long ballet themed camps for ages 3-9 • Week-long ballet Mini-Intensive for ages 12-18, for the serious dancer looking to stay in shape for various summerlong intensives • Weekly ballet classes for young dancers - adults - beginner - advanced

Q go ask dad (page 16) is a monthly feature asking fathers to answer a question.

Have a question idea?

Email us at ideas@kidsvt.com 4t-kvtGAD-brother.indd 1

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Summer Intensive for Teens Ages 13 - 18 Beginner-Intermediate July 28 - August 1 & August 4 - August 8 Week-long dance intensive for the teen dancer who wants to take their dance training to a higher level, prepare for dance in college, musical theater, or high school dance team.

Or maybe your dream has been to dance en pointe? Classes offered in ballet, variations, pointe, pointe prep, jazz, lyrical, modern, choreography and more.

Join us for one week or two, dance all day, every day and we’ll help you to reach your goal!

This summer come dance with the best at VBTS! For schedule and enrollment information at both the Essex & Shelburne Campuses visit us at WWW.VBTS.ORG OR CALL: 802-878-2941 OR EMAIL US AT: INFO@VBTS.ORG 4/24/14 11:37 AM

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MAY CALENDAR

Playgroups

Kids enjoy fun and games during these informal get-togethers, and caregivers connect with other local parents and peers. The groups are usually free and often include snacks, arts and crafts, or music. Contact the playgroup organizer or visit kidsvt.com for site-specific details.

Schedules generally follow the school calendar; call ahead to confirm.

have options.

PREGNANT? You

Free, Confidential & Personal Services Free Confidential & Personal Services • Pregnancy Testing • Pregnancy Tests • Limited Ultrasound • OB Ultrasound • Compassionate CareSupport • Parenting • Accurate Information about & Mini Classes Abortion Risks & Alternatives • Moms groups

• Post-Abortion Support & Mentoring

CARE NET PREGNANCY CENTER of Burlington & St. Albans

BURLINGTON LOCATION

ST. ALBANS LOCATION

56 Colchester Ave. Burlington, VT 05401

91 South Main St., #2 St. Albans, VT 05478

MONDAY

WEDNESDAY

FRIDAY

Barre Open Gym: Sunrise Gymnastics, Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-noon. $10 per child. Info, 223-0517.

Burlington Crawlers, Waddlers & Toddlers: St. Joseph School, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 999-5100.

Burlington Early Learning Readiness Class: VNA Family Room, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 652-8147.

Cambridge Playgroup: Cambridge Elementary School, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 888-5229.

Colchester Playgroup: Malletts Bay School, Tuesdays, 9-11 a.m. Free. Info, 264-5900.

Jericho Playgroup: Jericho Community Center, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 899-4415.

Morrisville Hometown Playgroup: Morristown Elementary School, 9-10:30 a.m. Free.

Info, 888-5229.

St. Albans Afternoon Fun: Barlow Street Community Center, Fridays, 3-5:30 p.m. $1114 per session. Info, 524-1500, ext. 266.

Swanton Playgroup: Swanton Elementary School, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, swantonbbf@ gmail.com.

Williston Playgroup: Alice in Noodleland: Buttered Noodles, 10-11 a.m. Free. Info, 764-1810.

Winooski Fathers & Children Together: Winooski Family Center, 5-7:30 p.m. Free.

Info, 655-1422.

YMCA Early Learning Readiness Program at VNA: VNA Family Room, 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Free; preregister. Info, 652-8147.

Barre Open Gym: See Monday.

Enosburg Playgroup: American Legion, Enosburg, 9-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 370-4797.

Essex Building Bright Futures Baby Playgroup: Move You Fitness Studio, 9:30-11 a.m.

Free. Info, 876-7555.

Fairfield Playgroup: Bent Northrop Memorial Library, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 827-3945.

Hinesburg Playgroup: Hinesburg Town Hall, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 482-4061.

Milton Playgroup: Milton Public Library, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 893-1457.

Richmond Playgroup: Richmond Free Library, 8:45-10:15 a.m. Free. Info, 899-4415.

Richford Tumble Time: Richford Elementary, Every other Wednesday, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Free; alternates every other Wednesday with PJ Story Time. Info, 370-4797.

Shelburne Playgroup: Trinity Episcopal Church, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 734-1233.

South Royalton Playgroup: United Church on the Green, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 685-2264.

St. Albans Afternoon Fun: See Monday.

St. Albans Playgroup: NCSS Family Center, St. Albans, 8:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 527-5426.

Williston Evening Playgroup: Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, May 7, 6-7:30 p.m.

Free. Info, 878-4918.

Bradford 802-658-2184 802-527-2005 Story Hour: www.carenetburlington.org Bradford Public 24 HOUR / TOLL FREE: 1-800-395-HELP 1-800-712-HELP(4357) (4357) Library, 10-11 a.m.

Free. Info, 222-4536. k16-carenet0514.indd 1 4/21/14 1:24 PM Burlington Early Learning Readiness Class: See Monday.

Burlington Family Gym: Pomerleau Family YMCA, Saturdays, 10:30 a.m.-noon. $5 for families with one child; $8 for families with multiple children; free for YMCA members.

Early Childhood Programs Info, 862-9622. designed specifically for the Ferrisburgh Open Gym: Ferrisburgh Central School, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 388-3171. developmental needs of children.

Georgia Tumble Time: Georgia Elementary Monday - Friday 7:00 am to 5:30 pm & Middle School, May 2, 1:50-2:35 p.m. Free. for children ages 6 weeks - Pre-K Info, 528-5470.

Huntington Playgroup: Huntington PubFull-time and part-time openings lic Library, 10:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Free. Info, 899-4415.

Isle La Motte Playgroup: Isle La Motte Richmond Berlin School, 8:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 796-3309.

434-3891 229-2869 Montgomery Tumble Time: Montgomery Elementary School, 10-11 a.m. Free. Info, 347-1780.

Norwich Lunch at the Library: Norwich 12/13/10 6:05 PM Public Library, 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Free. Info,PlaycareED Apr10.indd 1 649-1184.

Summer 2014 Randolph Toddler Time: Kimball Public Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 728-5073.

For advanced students entering grades 4-9 St. Albans Afternoon Fun: See Monday. who want to have fun while learning!

St. Albans MOPS: Church of the Rock, first Friday of every month, 8:45-11 a.m. First Johnson State College meeting is free; $4 dues per each meeting that June 22-28, 2014 follows. Info, 393-4411.

Stowe Playgroup: Stowe Community “TDI has provided an environment where being intelligent Church, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 888-5229. is encouraged….TDI has given me confidence to be myself Swanton Playgroup: Holy Trinity Episoutside the camp and introduced me to friends I look forward copal Church, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, to seeing each year.” — Camper 868-3033.

Underhill Playgroup: Underhill Central For more info and electronic version of School, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 899-4415. brochure, please go to vermontgifted.org Williston Playgroup: Allen Brook School, and tdivermont.com. Or contact Lucy Bogue 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 876-7555. at lucybogue@yahoo.com or 658-9941.

YMCA Early Learning Readiness Program at VNA: See Monday.

TUESDAY

Talent Development Institute

SATURDAY Bakersfield Tumble Time: Bakersfield Elementary/Middle School, second Saturday of every month, 9-10 a.m. Free. Info, 370-4797.

Burlington Family Gym: See Friday.

Enosburg Tumble Time: Enosburg Elementary School, first Saturday of every month, 9-10 a.m. Free. Info, 370-4797.

Franklin Tumble Time & Playgroup: Franklin Central School, May 10, 9-11 a.m.

Free. Meets December 7 and January 11.

Info, 285-6678.

Morrisville Weekend Baby Chat: Lamoille Family Center, second Saturday of every month, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 888-3470.

Montpelier Morning Playgroup: Family Center of Washington County, 9:30-11 a.m.

Free. Info, 262-3292.

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1/16/13 11:52 AM

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47

Highgate Springs, Vermont www.TylerPlace.com • 802-868-4000

KIDS VT

Alburgh Playgroup: NCSS Family Center, Alburgh, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 527-5426.

Brandon Stories & Crafts: Brandon Free Public Library, 9:30 a.m. Free. Info, 247-8230.

Burlington EvoMamas Playgroup: Evolution Yoga, second Thursday of every month, 1:15-2:45 p.m. Free. Info, 864-9642.

Burlington Family Play: See Tuesday.

Essex Junction Building Bright Futures Playgroup: Essex Junction Recreation and Parks Department, 9:30-11 a.m. Free; bring indoor shoes. Info, 876-7555.

Johnson Hometown Playgroup: United Church of Johnson, 9-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 888-5229.

Milton Playgroup: See Wednesday.

Montgomery Infant/Toddler Playgroup: Montgomery Town Library, 10-11:30 a.m.

Free. Info, 347-1780.

Montpelier Baby Play: St. Augustine Parish, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 262-3292.

Montpelier Dads & Kids Playgroup: Family Center of Washington County, 6-7:30 p.m.

Free. Info, 262-3292.

Morrisville Baby Chat: First Congregational Church of Morrisville, first Thursday of every month, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 888-3470.

South Hero Playgroup: South Hero Congregational Church, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 796-3309.

St. Albans Afternoon Fun: See Monday.

Winooski Early Learning Readiness Class: See Tuesday.

Worcester Playgroup: Doty Memorial School, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 223-1312.

YMCA Early Learning Readiness Program at Echo: See Tuesday.

YMCA Early Learning Readiness Program in Winooski: See Tuesday.

KIDSVT.COM MAY 2014

Bristol Playgroup: Bristol Baptist Church, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 388-3171.

Burlington Dad's Night: VNA Family Room, 3-7 p.m. Free. Info, 860-4420.

Burlington Family Play: VNA Family Room, Thursdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 860-4420.

Colchester Playgroup: See Monday.

Essex Junction MOPS: Essex Alliance Church, May 13 only, 6:30 p.m. Info, 310-6489.

Fletcher Playgroup: Fletcher Elementary School, 9-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 849-9368.

Georgia Playgroup: Georgia Elementary & Middle School, 9-11 a.m. Free. Info, 528-5470.

Hardwick Playgroup: Hardwick Elementary School, 8:15-10:15 a.m. Free. Info, 652-5138.

Johnson Baby Chat: Church of the Nazarene, fourth Tuesday of every month, 10-11:30 a.m.

Free. Info, 888-3470.

Middlebury Playgroup: Middlebury Baptist Church, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 388-3171.

Montpelier Tulsi Morning Playgroup: Tulsi Tea Room, 10 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 223-0043.

Richford Playgroup: Cornerstone Bridges to Life Community Center, 10-11:30 a.m. Free.

Info, 370-4797.

St. Albans Afternoon Fun: See Monday.

Winooski Early Learning Readiness Class: Y Early Childhood Program Winooski, 9:3011:30 a.m. Free. Info, 652-8147.

YMCA Early Learning Readiness Program at Echo: ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center, 9-11 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 652-8147.

YMCA Early Learning Readiness Program in Winooski: Y Early Childhood Program Winooski, 9-11 a.m. Free, preregister. Info, 652-8147.

THURSDAY

2/27/14 1:01 PM

May Calendar 27 TuEsdAY (Continued)

Food

Kids in the Kitchen: Pizza sliders: In honor of national hamburger month, little meat eaters put a spin on the traditional patty by topping it with pizza sauce, seasonings and mozzarella.

Recommended for ages 6 and up. Healthy Living Market and Café, South Burlington, 4-5 p.m. $20 adult-child pair. preregister. Info, 863-2569.

some of your hidden talents this Summer...

Health & Fitness

Essex open Gym: See May 1. open Gym with Kati Furs: See May 1.

Tiny Tumblers open Gym: See May 2.

Yoga with danielle: See May 6.

Library & Books

Gaming For Teens & Adults: See May 6.

Join us at America’s Family Resort for the ultimate in Summer fun! Choose from our traditional camp program or one of our special interest camps — including backpacking or survival camp.

k4t-Smuggs0214.indd 1

1/24/14 10:30 AM NOV 2013 FREE TOY TIM VOL.20 NO.10 E: H OLID AY G IFT G UIDE

JUNE 2013

Dads Rock!

FREE

SEPT 2013 VOL.20 NO.8

✱ GAY DADS DISCUSS THEIR JOURNEYS TO PARENTHOOD ✱ FIT FAMILIES HAVE FUN ON THE RUN

✱ HIP-HOP HISTORY FOR KIDS ✱ EDIBLE ART FOR THANKSGIVING

DELIGHT

Like what you see?

May 2014 KidsVT.com

Kids VT presents information on everything from family programs and services to products and entertainment.

montpelier Postnatal Yoga: See May 7.

Nursing Beyond a Year: Moms gather to discuss the joys and challenges of an older nursling. Discussion topics include nighttime parenting, weaning and setting limits.

Bring a snack to share. Aikido of Champlain Valley, Burlington, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 879-3000. shelburne Postnatal/Baby & me Yoga: See May 7.

Education

spanish musical Kids: See May 7.

Essex open Gym: See May 1.

EvoKids Afterschool Yoga: See May 7. music & movement: See May 7.

Tiny Tumblers open Gym: See May 2.

Vergennes Kids Yoga: See May 7.

Library & Books

Read to a dog: See May 14.

Teen Job search: A panel of employers doles out advice to teenagers in search of summer jobs. Topics covered include how to make a good first impression, résumé writing and interview tips. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

music

Preschool music With derek: See May 7.

Rockin’ Ron the Friendly Pirate: See May 7.

Nature & science

Programs for Preschoolers: See May 7.

We connect Vermont parents to the communities in which they live and work.

Why not advertise?

Contact Kaitlin today!

Kaitlin Montgomery kaitlin@kidsvt.com • 985-5482 x72

29 THURSDAY

Baby & maternity

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See May 1. infant Yoga & massage: See May 1.

Health & Fitness

Essex open Gym: See May 1. open Gym with Kati Furs: See May 1.

Tales to Tails: Beginning readers practice literacy skills by sharing books with trained therapy dogs. Rutland Free Library, 4-4:45 p.m.

Free. Info, 773-1860.

music

music for Preschoolers: See May 1. music With mr. chris: See May 1.

30 FRIDAY

Arts & crafts

Kinder Arts: See May 2. maggie’s Knit Night for Youth: Veteran knitter Maggie Loftus provides advice to novices about their works-in-progress. Children under 9 must bring an adult. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free. Info, 6curly2@ gmail.com.

community

milton High school coffee House: Students and teachers showcase their musical, artistic and literary talents before an open mic. All ages. Milton High School, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free.

Info, 893-3230.

Education

Early Bird math: See May 2.

Health & Fitness

Essex open Gym: See May 1. marshfield open Gym: See May 2.

Tiny Tumblers open Gym: See May 2.

music

Kids music With Linda ‘Tickle Belly’ Bassick: See May 2. music With derek: See May 2.

Nature & science Night sky: See May 2.

31 SATURDAY

Arts & crafts

craft school saturday drop-in: See May 3.

Kids craft: Rocket: Blast off! Stellar kids make flying machines from two paper mâché cones, foam and paint. Ages 5 and up. Creative Habitat, South Burlington, 1-3 p.m. $5. Info, 862-0646.

Nature & science

Bird-monitoring Walk: Eagle-eyed participants bring binoculars and explore the museum property for fluttering feathers. Best for adults and older children. Birds of Vermont Museum, Huntington, 7:30-9:30 a.m. Donations accepted; preregister. Info, 434-2167.

BirdFest: This avian celebration includes nature walks, live raptor demos, art displays and more. All ages. North Branch Nature Center, Montpelier, 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Call for price. Info, 229-6206. mirror, mirror: See May 10, 11 a.m. my sky: See May 3.

Night sky: See May 2.

Turtle discovery: See May 18.

Water critter Fun: Mud-boot-clad adventurers take a hike down to the pond to explore the cool creatures who inhabit it. Shelburne Farms, 9:30-11:30 a.m. & 12:30-2:30 p.m. $10-12 per adult-child pair; $5-6 for each additional child; preregister. Info, 985-8686.

Theater

saturday drama club: See May 3. K

48

Kids VT

Night sky: See May 2.

Health & Fitness

✱ FAMILY ARCHERY CATCHES FIRE

Wrapper’s

kvt-advertise.indd 1

Nature & science

Baby & maternity

For more info call 802.332.6841 or visit www.smuggs.com/kidsvt

FREE

children’s sing-Along With Lesley Grant: See May 6.

28 WEDNESDAY

Ages 7 - 12. Available Monday - Friday for six weekly sessions, June 16 - Aug. 1, 2014.

Shuttle service included.

✱ GEARING UP FOR A TRIP TO THUNDER ROAD

music

Library & Books

4/24/14 12:00 PM

HANDS-ON

✱ HABITAT BY BECKY T HA R P MATTHEW THORSEN

KIDSVT.COM

• Peruse fabric-store shelves for cloth in pleasing patterns, then buy a small amount and hem the edges.

Hang them on a quilt rack or over a towel rod for instant accents and visual interest for baby’s developing vision.

ERNITY IS AT M

PREPARING FOR HER BABY’S ARRIVAL The room’s Parents: Brennan at the end of last year, Jen Reardon of decorations are Brown and Jen Williston knew she wanted to create a charm- Reardon mostly handmade ing and personalized space without breaking originals created by Kids: daughter, Audrey, 7 & son, the bank. The accomplished artist used her Jen, Brennan, and Cormac, 4 months creativity to craft a budget-friendly nursery their friends and family. that combines baby-room functionality A hanging mobile features with the wanderlust that she and her partner origami paper cranes made Brennan want to pass along to their son. from maps of places that are special to the couple. The The couple saved money by breathing new life into border of the mirror at the end of the changing table is a old furniture. Grandma’s canned goods shelf became a mosaic Jen made from discarded tile pieces. Antique toys bookcase. The small chest of drawers where Jen stored saved from Grandma’s baby days infuse the room with her socks in college was the perfect size for Cormac’s tiny a touch of the past. Cormac’s new pad is truly a family pants and onesies. effort.

49

“Habitat” is a feature celebrating places where Vermont families live and play. Got a sweet space you’d like us to see? Email us at ideas@kidsvt.com.

KIDS VT MATERNITY ISSUE SPONSORED BY: FLETCHERALLEN.ORG/PREGNANCY

• Frame sections of cute, colorful baby-shower wrapping paper to create cheap and original art.

Baby Nursery

E SU

• Search through things you already have for treasures to repurpose.

BABY &

MAY 2014

Tips for making your own personalized and affordable nursery:

HANDS-ON ANSWERS P.55

PUZZLE PAGE

Birthday Club Winners get gift certificates to:

Congratulations to these May Birthday Club winners!

GRAND-PRIZE WINNER JULIETTE lives in Colchester and turns 6 on May 29. She loves drawing pictures with scented markers. She wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up so she can help cats and dogs stay healthy.

Juliette wins a birthday-party package for 10 friends.

To enter, submit information using the online form at kidsvt.com/birthday-club.

Just give us your contact info, your children’s names and birth dates, and a photo, and they’re automatically enrolled.

KIDSVT.COM

Mya, Emma and Desmond each win a Pizza Putt player pass.

MAY 2014 KIDSVT VTMATERNITY KIDSVT.COM BY: FLETCHERALLEN.ORG/PREGNANCY KIDS ISSUE SPONSORED MARCH 2014

50 50

Join the Club!

MYA lives in Jericho and turns 10 on May 17. She loves to write and illustrate her own books. She also loves horses, dogs and waffles.

Puzzles4Kids

VT’S BIRTHDAY CAPITAL

BY HELENA HOVANEC

More to do under one roof than anywhere in VT!

Riddle Search — AIRPORTS

Look up, down and diagonally, both forward and backward, to find every word on the list. Circle each one as you find it. When all the words are circled, take the UNUSED letters and write them on the blanks below.

Go from left to right and top to bottom to find the answer to this riddle: What is the first thing an elephant does at the airport?

ARRIVE BAGGAGE DEPART EXIT FLIGHT GATE JET LOUNGE MAGAZINE

PASSENGERS PASSPORT PILOT PLANE RAMP RUNWAY SECURITY VISA

EMMA lives in Bellows Falls and turns 7 on May 1. She enjoys soccer, gymnastics and competitive cheerleading. She recently mastered her back handspring and is so proud of herself!

MINI-GOLF • GIANT PLAY STRUCTURE PIZZA • CAKES • LASER TAG ARCADE • BATTING CAGES BIRTHDAY CROWN OR TIARA

Riddle Answer:

___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

___ ___ ___ ___ ___ .

DESMOND lives in Waitsfield and turns 4 on May 23. He loves skiing and spending time with his family.

1205 Airport Pky • So. Burlington (802) 862-7888

Q drawing on history B y t he a l e w is a n d i a n w e bb

Rock Dunder

On the eastern side of Lake Champlain, just off Shelburne Point, is a rock that played a role in Vermont history.

The native Abenaki called it Odzihozo (ood-zee-hoh-zoh). They believed the ancient rock was once a huge, legless creature that could move by pulling himself with his arms.

kidsvt.com may 2014

Dragging his body through the region, Odzihozo created the valleys between what would become the Green Mountains. He left long indentations where rivers and streams could flow.

Finally, Odzihozo made room for Lake Champlain, a creation he liked so much that he climbed onto a rock within it and turned himself to stone, so he could look at the sparkling water for all eternity.

Today, the rock has another name. During the Battle of Plattsburgh in the War of 1812, a British naval commander mistook the island for an enemy craft.

He ordered his crew to fire on it through the night. When the sun came up, he realized he had wasted ammunition shooting at an island.

"It's a rock, by dunder!" he shouted.

News of his mistake spread from town to town, and the island has been called Rock Dunder ever since.

51

“Drawing on History� is a monthly feature about a notable Vermont person, place or event from days of yore. Want to suggest a future topic? Email us at ideas@kidsvt.com.

march 2014 Kids VT maternity issue sponsored by:kidsvt.com FletcherAllen.org/Pregnancy Kids VT

For many years, Abenaki people canoeing through the lake would stop at the rock to give thanks, leaving Odzihozo gifts of tobacco.

COLORING CONTEST! Three winners will receive $25 gift cards to Creative Habitat and free framing of their artwork for its Kids Gallery, located at the store on 555 Shelburne Road in Burlington.

Winning artists can picked up their framed work to display at home any time in May. Send Kids VT your work of art by May 15. Be sure to include the info at right with your submission. Winners will be chosen in the following categories: (1) ages 5 and younger, (2) ages 6-8 and (3) ages 9-12. Winners will be named in the June issue of Kids VT. Send your high-resolution scans to art@kidsvt.com or mail a copy to Kids VT, PO Box 1184, Burlington, VT 05402.

Title _______________________________________ Artist _____________________________________ Age _______________________________________ Address ___________________________________ Email _____________________________________

52

KIDS VT

MAY 2014

KIDSVT.COM

Phone _____________________________________

HANDS-ON

✱ PROJECT

BY T RICIA K E N N ED Y

BABY &

E SU

NEW PARENTS: Looking for a great way to multitask while simultaneously showing your baby some love? Strap that little one onto your body!

ERNITY IS Babywearing is common AT M practice all over the world — and for good reason. Wearing your baby is beneficial to both of you, says Vermont-based child-and-family therapist Shauna Silva. “Babywearing has been empirically shown to have many significant benefits, and not just for babies,” she says. “‘Worn’ babies cry less, often grow faster and develop deep biophysiological attachment to their parents,” she notes. And “parents themselves are experiencing increased confidence and parenting satisfaction from the time spent so close to their little one.”

Babies are also easier to carry when you’re wearing them — so says Bridport mom Nancy Sunderland, cofounder of Burlington Babywearers, a support group that meets on the first Saturday of every month at Pierson Library in Shelburne.

Sunderland says she frequently hears “hallelujah” stories from caregivers who have discovered that “a cup of coffee or even a walk” have become attainable due to their new, hands-free method of bringing the baby along.

Sunderland notes that children sense stress — they are little “emotional barometers” — and a “certain something” happens to a child’s demeanor when a previously frazzled caregiver finds comfort in a new wrap or sling. That’s one reason she and Shelburne mom Amanda McClary started the support group in 2012. The two work hard to help caregivers find stylish, safe, budget-friendly ways to wear their babies.

The group owns a lending library of slings, wraps and other carriers; members who pay a $10 fee can take home items to try out before investing in their own purchase. The group reinvests the fee by purchasing new carriers for their collection.

During a demonstration at a recent meeting, Sunderland — a certified babywearing instructor — offered hands-on instruction and safety tips. She also confessed that her favorite aspect of babywearing is when her child falls asleep: “I will just walk and walk, enjoying the blissful moments, feeling his breath on my skin and his heart next to mine.”

MATTHEW THORSEN

‘Wearing’ Your Baby

Alex, Amanda and Owen McClary and Nancy Sunderland with a doll used for demonstrations

KIDSVT.COM MAY 2014

Ring Sling: Easy to use and great for newborns.

Sunderland recommends these for beginners.

They’re also good for “hip carries” of babies 6 months and older, as they’re easily accessible for toddlers who get up and down frequently.

Stretchy Wrap: Good from birth until the baby weighs about 15 to 18 pounds. Many caregivers find that the carrier starts to sag after 18 pounds. They’re a little trickier to learn to use, but an excellent choice for keeping newborns extra snuggly.

Woven Wrap: Good from birth to toddlerhood and beyond! These wraps are supportive and multipurpose.

Mei Tai: A solid choice if you have babies of different ages or wearers of different sizes. An affordable option if you’d like to invest in one carrier that works from birth through toddlerhood.

Soft-Structured Carrier (aka Buckle Carrier): Wonderful for older babies and toddlers, and can also be used for newborns.

Send them to ideas@kidsvt.com.

• Sunderland notes that the most important rule is to keep your child’s airway open at all times.

The baby’s face should always be visible, the baby’s body should never be slumped and the baby’s chin should never be touching his or her chest.

• The baby should be “high and tight” on your body, with his or her legs in a spread-squat position. After breast-feeding, make sure the baby is repositioned upright again.

• While Sunderland is always ready with safety rules, she says trusting instinct is vital. “If something doesn’t feel right, start at square one and do it again.”

53

Share your fun project and craft ideas with us!

Safety Tips

KIDSVT.COM NOVEMBER 2013 KIDS VT KIDS VT MATERNITY ISSUE SPONSORED BY: FLETCHERALLEN.ORG/PREGNANCY

CARRIERS, AGES & STAGES:

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Vermont Leads the Nation in Reducing Preterm Births Grade for Preterm Birth Rate*

Vermont (8.7%)

A B C D F

Alaska (9.2%)

2013 Premature Birth Report Card

KIDSVT.COM

Montana (11.2%)

Wyoming (10.8%) Nevada (13.0%)

California

Colorado (10.4%)

MAY 2014

(9.6%)

Arizona (11.6%)

New Mexico (11.5%)

Wisconsin (10.5%)

South Dakota (10.7%)

Nebraska (11.1%) Utah (10.2%)

New York (10.7%)

North Dakota (9.9%) Minnesota (10.2%)

Idaho (10.3%)

Illinois (12.0%) Kansas (11.0%)

Oklahoma (13.0%)

Kentucky (12.7%)

Missouri (11.7%)

Virginia (11.3%)

Alabama

(14.6%)

Georgia

C

(12.7%)

(11.5%)

(13.7%)

Source: National Center for Health Statistics, 2012 preliminary natality data.

Report card grades calculated by March of Dimes Perinatal Data Center, September 2013.

See Technical Notes for more information. © 2013 March of Dimes Foundation

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is leading the way in reducing preterm births.

Preterm birth is a serious health problem that costs the United States more than $26 billion annually, according to the Institute of Medicine. It is the leading cause of newborn death. Babies who survive an early birth often face the risk of lifetime health challenges, such as breathing problems, mental retardation and others. Even babies born just a few weeks too soon (34 to 36 weeks gestation, also known as late-preterm birth) have higher rates of death and disability than full-term babies. One of our goals for our Better Beginnings® Program is to help ensure that women get the best care possible during their pregnancy so that we can minimize the risk for our women and decrease their chances of delivering prematurely.

The March of Dimes preterm delivery rate goal for 2020 is 9.6 percent.

For the last few years, preterm delivery rates in Vermont have hovered around 9 percent. In 2012, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont exceeded the 2020 goal with a preterm rate of 4.7 percent.

www.bcbsvt.com

54

MARCH 2014 KIDSVT.COM BY: FLETCHERALLEN.ORG/PREGNANCY KIDS VT MATERNITY ISSUE SPONSORED

* Percent of babies born preterm is shown in parentheses ( ).

Preterm birth is less than 37 completed weeks of gestation.

Puerto Rico (16.9%)

Better Beginnings®

BCBSVT_KidsVT_BetterBeginnings2014.indd k3v-BlueCrossBlueShield0514.indd 1 1

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________ Grade for National Preterm Birth Rate

Florida Hawaii (12.2%)

Describe your favorite part of the story.

What did you like about it?

Rhode Island (11.0%)

District of Columbia (12.8%)

South Carolina (13.7%)

(17.1%)

Louisiana (15.3%)

_______________________________________________________________

Maryland (12.2%)

North Carolina (12.0%)

Arkansas (13.3%)

Massachusetts (10.0%)

(9.7%) New Jersey (11.2%) Delaware (12.3%)

West Virginia (12.4%)

Tennessee (12.5%)

Mississippi

Texas (12.4%)

Indiana (10.9%)

Pennsylvania (10.8%)

Ohio (12.1%)

Author:

_______________________________________________________________ New Hampshire (9.3%)

Conn.

Michigan (11.8%)

Iowa (11.5%)

Maine (9.2%)

A

Visit marchofdimes.com/reportcard for an interactive version of this map.

Washington (9.9%)

Oregon (9.1%)

Calling all bookworms!

Send us a thoughtful paragraph about a recent read for the chance to win some literary loot.

4/22/2014 4/23/14 12:04:07 2:21 PMPM

We’ll pick the four most creative entries and excerpt them in the next issue.

Winners receive a $25 gift certificate to Crow Bookshop. Deadline to enter is May 15.

Send your entries to: Kids VT, attn: Book Review, P.O. Box 1184, Burlington, VT 05402.

New Books, Used Books, Remainders at GREAT PRICES!

Name ________________________________ Age __________________________________ Town ________________________________ Email ________________________________ Phone ________________________________

14 Church Street Burlington crowbooks.com 862-0848

FUNNY BUSINESS ENTERTAINMENT FEATURING

E SU

BABY &

USE YOUR WORDS

ERNITY IS AT M

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A “natural” mom comes to terms with her C-section

BY M E R E D I T H C OE YMAN

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PUZZLE PAGE ANSWERS (see p.50) JUmbLES hug. shed. pick. hook.

RIDDLE ANSWER: The treehouse builders had — hIGh hoPES

RIDDLE SEARCh ANSWER: it checks its trunk.

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“Use Your Words” is a monthly essay in which writers reflect on parenting and childhood.

Got a story to share? Email us at ideas@kidsvt.com.

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I asked myself: Do I need to have a vaginal birth for my baby, or for me?

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a cesarean section was the safest path for delivery. After detecting a blip on the heart monitor, my doctor talked to me at length about the situation — and delivery options.

Mild contractions were causing the baby’s heart rate to drop dramatically; he’d likely be in great distress during the giant ones.

She wasn’t comfortable attempting a vaginal birth.

I had moments of panic that I was getting sucked into the vortex of medicalized childbirth. I had visions of running — well, waddling — away and delivering him myself. This is when I asked myself: Do I need to have a vaginal birth for my baby, or for me?

I employed the relaxation techniques I had learned in hypno-birthing class. But as someone who likes to know details, I wished there had been more material on what to expect during a C-section.

Then again, who is actually ready for the birth of a child — especially her first? No one could have prepared me for every detail: my numb body rocking from side to side as my baby was forced through an incision just large enough for his skull; his head emerging with the umbilical cord wound three times around his neck; my uncontrollable shivering from anesthesia; analyzing each of my baby’s first cries as I was sewn back up.

I couldn’t have imagined the sight of my partner, with his face so warm and alive, his arms filled with that wild creature I’d been dreaming about. That the baby’s face would be so perfectly formed, his lips sucking vigilantly on his little blue hand. Or that my son would be placed right on my chest and would blink and blink, and I would speak to him just like when he was on the inside.

I didn’t know that being in the hospital would be a relief — a place where I was allowed to focus on my baby while someone else focused on me. A place where the incision in my soft belly would begin to heal, the layers binding into a darkened seam.

And that it would all be very, unpredictably, real.

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THE MOMENT MY BABY FINALLY CAME OUT, I held my breath while he gasped his first. His cries elicited tears of relief. He was here. I was alive. We made it.

Still, I hesitate to say that I gave birth.

Technically, my role was more passive. He emerged from a deep incision made by a doctor — my body numb from the armpits down, arms splayed and connected to multiple IVs. My muscles did not contract to push him out. I did not make guttural sounds as his head crowned.

Was the birth less real in the absence of these things?

I used to think so.

When I was around 8 years old, I studied Swedish photographer Lennart Nilsson’s in utero images on the pages of LIFE.. One in particular — of an 18-week-old fetus suspended in a silken sack — led to my fascination with pregnancy, and soon after, childbirth. As I got older, I came to believe childbirth should be “natural,” unmedicated, allowing the woman to be in touch with her primal self, to feel the swell and pull of her contractions, her body doing exactly what it’s equipped to do.

Having my child taken from my numb body was definitely not in my birth plan.

When I was around six weeks pregnant, I walked giddily into a doctor’s appointment that ended in tears. I learned that, along with a fetus the size of a lentil, fibroids were growing in my womb. The benign tumors made for a tumultuous pregnancy and, looking back, an invaluable lesson in parenting: Make great plans — and be ready to revise.

Despite the unanticipated worry the fibroids caused, my pregnancy was a grand experiment. I was thrilled with the new connection I felt to my mother and all the childbearing women who came before her.

Yet even as I was in awe of what my body could do, I was shocked by the biology of it all. As I played music for the little sprout, read to it and rubbed lotion on my growing belly, I also came to realize all of the things that were beyond my control. Theoretically, you could hook my body up to life support and this fetus would still grow, even thrive, inside me.

I was 40 weeks, 6 days pregnant when I was told that

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