MetroKids - 0318 SJ

March 2018 • free South Jersey

YEARS 8 2

READY?

Set Goals

The Inclusion Solution

How to Get (and Give)

GIRL POWER

KEYS to PreK & Preschool

CAMP 2018

Art Alternatives

Leap

Ahead

Magazines • Guides • Events • Facebook • Twitter • Pinterest • Instagram

MetroKids.com

Cherry Hill • Philadelphia • Princeton • New York • Los Angeles • Washington D.C. • Nashville & More!

Cherry Hill • Philadelphia • Princeton • New York • Los Angeles • Washington D.C. • Nashville & More!

Summer Camp.

Camp.

Summer & More!

Redefined.

Redefined.

CherryCherry Hill • Philadelphia • Princeton • New Angeles• Washington • Washington • Nashville Hill • Philadelphia • Princeton • NewYork York•• Los Los Angeles D.C.D.C. • Nashville & More!

Award-Winning Award-Winning Summer Summer Camps!

Camps!

Award-Winning Summer Camps!

Award-Winning

Summer Camps!

#1 Camp Camp Experience Experience #1 Summer Camp.

Summer Camp.

Redefined.

Redefined.

The in The in Sports, Technology & The Arts Sports, Technology & The Arts

The #1

Camp Experience in

The #1 Camp Experience in Sports, Technology & The Arts Sports, Technology & The Arts

Additional Additional Sibling Sibling Discount Discount Additional Available!

Available!

Sibling Discount Available!

New Jersey Jersey Location Location -- Katz New Katz JCC JCC 1301 Springdale Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003

SpringdaleLocation Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003 New1301 Jersey - Katz JCC

Additional Sibling Discount Available!

1301 Springdale Road, Cherry Hill, 08003 Tech & The Arts!

MaximizeYour YourSummer Summer with 18 18 Camps In Sports, Maximize with Camps In NJ Sports, Tech & The Arts!

SportsAnalytics Analytics LEGO® Robotics •• VEX® ••Spy Tech Maximize Your Summer with 18 CampsEV3® In Sports, Tech &Spy The Arts!

Sports •• LEGO® Robotics EV3® VEX® Tech Artificial Intelligence 3DRobotics Minecraft™ •••Elite Minecraft™ New Jersey - Katz JCC Sports Analytics • LEGO® EV3® VEX® • Spy Tech Artificial Intelligence ••Location 3D Minecraft™ Elite Minecraft™ National Minecraft™ Tournament • Scratch • Python™ ••Java™ 1301 Springdale Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003 Artificial Intelligence • 3D Minecraft™ • Elite Minecraft™ National Minecraft™ Tournament • Scratch • Python™ Java™ 3D Printing • Game Design • Fashion Design • Filmmaking • Magic National Minecraft™ Tournament • Scratch • Python™ • Java™ 3D Printing • Game Design • Fashion Design • Filmmaking • Magic Maximize Your Summer with 18 Camps In Sports, Tech & The Arts!

3D Printing • Game Design • Fashion Design • Filmmaking • Magic

(609) 450-8622 Info@lavnercamps.com lavnercamps.com Ages 6-14 June 25th-August 24th (609) Sports 450-8622 Analytics Info@lavnercamps.com Ages 6-14 June 25th-August • LEGO®lavnercamps.com Robotics EV3® • VEX® • Spy Tech 24th (609) 450-8622 Info@lavnercamps.com lavnercamps.com Ages 6-14 June 25th-August 24th

Artificial Intelligence • 3D Minecraft™ • Elite Minecraft™ National Minecraft™ Tournament • Scratch • Python™ • Java™

Contents

March 2018 • Vol. 23, No. 3

CAMP 2018

Camp 2018 14 Art Camp is the Alternative 16 2018 Camp Directory

In This Issue 4 March Gladness 4 Meet Our CoverKid 5 Empower Girls 6 Kids and Concussions 8 Set Goals 10 Preschool, PreK 12 Inclusion for All

5

14

Family Fun 20 Day-by-Day Events Calendar 24 Family Fun Ad Sections

GOALS

8

9 Early Education; 13 Health; 15 Camps; 25 Child Care

On Our Cover:

Sofia D. of Elkton, MD

Photo by Jennifer Foster Photography

4

The #1 Summer STEM Camp for Ages 7–18 Empower your child to take their STEM skills to the next level. From coding and game development to robotics and design, your child will develop in-demand skills and ignite lifelong passions—all within a fun, inclusive

Held at 150 Prestigious Universities Princeton | Monmouth | The Hun School of Princeton UPenn | Rowan College - Mount Laurel

environment. Get ready for the best summer ever!

CAMPS & ACADEMIES

MARCH 2018

Get a brochure and find a camp near you! iDTechCamps.com | 1-844-788-1858 MetroKids.com 3

Your MK

MARCH GLADNESS

The library card that can get your family into 10 local attractions for free A library card is an amazing thing.

It gives your family access to a world of knowledge, free of charge, a sort of hard copy of the internet, but with much of the bad stuff missing. Plus: library smell.

If you happen to be a member of the Margaret R. Grundy Memorial Library in Bristol, PA, you get something else: Free passes to local venues including the Academy of Natural Sciences, Elmwood Park Zoo, Morris Arboretum, the Museum of the American Revolution and the National Constitution Center.

Thanks to the Levittown-Bristol Kiwanis Club, anyone with a Grundy library card in good standing (return those overdue books, people) can get a pass that admits two adults and up to six children, depending on the venue.

You have to pick up a pass in person, which means you also get some of that great library smell thrown in for free! sible

rson

The pe

ture

who

na se sig

spon e is re s abov

l mat

for al

erials

wed borro

President: Nancy Lisagor, PhD, ext. 109 nlisagor@metrokids.com Publisher: Darlene Weinmann, ext. 108 dweinmann@metrokids.com Managing Editor: Dave Gilmartin, ext. 102 editor@metrokids.com rd.

is ca

on th

ar

appe

1412-1414 Pine St., Philadelphia, PA 19102 215-291-5560; 856-667-3555; 302-224-3020 Toll Free: 888-890-4668 Fax: 215-291-5565 Visit us online at MetroKids.com

Resource Editor: Cheyenne Shaffer, ext. 101 calendar@metrokids.com Contributing Writers: Terri Akman, Suzanne Koup-Larsen, Frank Lipsius, Kathy O’Connell, Ann L. Rappoport, PhD Production Manager: Veronica Hanna, ext. 103 production@metrokids.com Finance: Marcella Reis, ext. 104 finance@metrokids.com

Win Wildwood days Is there anything that can get you through the last weeks of winter better than planning a summer vacation at the shore? Yes, dreaming of a free one.

The Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement and Development Authority is again giving away two family vacations. A family of four can win a three-day, two-night stay along with passes to Wildwood attractions. Enter at wildwoodsnj.com and then crawl back under the covers to dream of dodging tram cars.

Marketing/Circulation: Susan Braverman, ext. 100 marketing@metrokids.com Intern: Jada Davis

ADVERTISING SALES 888-890-4668 Chrisy Holsopple

Have a suggestion for a cool thing to do? Email editor@metrokids.com

Meet Our CoverKid This month’s CoverKid is Sofia D. of Elkton, MD and, as you can probably tell, she loves to dance.

The 4-year-old has been taking ballet and tap lessons for more than two years and loves recitals because that’s when she can get dressed in pretty costumes and perform in front of an audience.

While Lana Del Rey’s “Summertime Sadness” is one of her favorite songs for dancing, she’s a fan of any kind of fun music especially when Adele sings it, says her mom, Gretchen.

Sofia has a pet bunny named Flower, who always makes her laugh. When she’s not playing with Flower, or dancing, she likes to draw, watch Barbie movies or play with her stuffed baby animals. Her favorite is a tiny stuffed rabbit named Florcita, which means “little flower” in Spanish, which is Sofia’s second language.

Lucky for her, we’re getting closer to her favorite season of the year: summer. Which might explain why one of her favorite foods is ice cream.

Someday Sofia would like to be a veterinarian and a singer.

4 MetroKids.com

ext. 111

Pam Kuperschmidt

ext. 120

Emily Ondik

ext. 105

Samantha Tuttle

ext. 106

ext. 100

Classified Sales

We welcome your ideas and feedback. Write us at editor@metrokids.com or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google Plus and Instagram.

MetroKids® is published monthly by KidStuff Publications, Inc. © 2018 MetroKids® Magazine. All rights reserved by KidStuff Publications, Inc. ISSN 1094-8503. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. Publisher is not responsible for unsolicited material. MetroKids® or KidStuff Pub­lica­t­ions do not assume responsibility for statements or opinions expressed by editorial contributors or advertisers. MetroKids® and SpecialKids® are trademarks of KidStuff Publications, Inc. The acceptance of advertising does not constitute an endorsement of the products, services or information. We do not knowingly present any product or service which is fraudulent or misleading in nature. Advertisers indemnify and hold harmless the publisher from any claim and all loss, expense, or liability arising out of the publication of any advertisement.

SUBSCRIPTIONS: U.S.A. $36, one year; $72, two years. Single copies free.

AWARD–WINNING MEMBER OF THE:

MARCH 2018

Mom Matters

EMPOWERMENT

POWER How to Empower Young Girls, Yourself and Other Women

By Kimberly Blaker Women today earn only 78.3 cents for every dollar a man earns, according to the Status of Women in the States.

At the current rate of closing the pay gap, it’ll be 2058 before women gain parity, the report says. What, if anything, can women do to even the playing field?

Empowering women to believe in themselves, their abilities and their worth is the best way.

Here are 13 ideas for how women can empower young girls, themselves and other women.

HOW TO EMPOWER YOUNG GIRLS

2. Join a girls’ club.

There are many girls’ organizations that empower girls through mentoring, encouraging civic duty, creating enthusiasm for STEM, and inspiring girls to be strong, smart and resilient. Girl Scouts, Girlstart, Girls for a Change, and Boys and Girls Clubs of America are but a few of the organizations that empower girls.

3. Find strong role models.

Find opportunities to expose girls to strong women within your family or among your friends, co-workers and acquaintances. Also, look for strong female celebrities who make good models and are doing something positive in the world.

4. Praise character over beauty.

Girls are inundated with media and societal messages that physical beauty is what defines them. It’s fine and even good to tell girls they’re beautiful. But the message they should hear considerably more often is praise for their efforts, skills, good deeds, passions and interests, intelligence, and positive character traits.

1. Choose STEM toys and activities.

From the time girls are very small, provide them with plenty of toys, books and activities that teach and generate enthusiasm for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Just look for the STEM acronym on the box or search online for “STEM toys.”

HOW TO EMPOWER YOURSELF 1. Keep learning.

Regardless of your current career or education level, never stop learning.

Consider whether your career is fulfilling and compensates you fairly. If so, focus on continued education or development in your industry. If your career isn’t meeting your objectives, weigh out other options and redirect your educational focus for a future change of course.

2. Go for your dreams.

Whatever your dreams, realize the sky is the limit. Have faith in yourself and your abilities and know there’s a road to achieve whatever your heart desires. Set a path to get you there and move along step-by-step.

5. Encourage sports.

Sports provide girls many benefits.

Sports teach girls about teamwork and sportsmanship, provide them the opportunity to develop friendships with other strong-minded girls, and foster increased self-esteem.

3. Negotiate your salary.

Granted, your earnings aren’t 100 percent under your control. But neither are they set in stone. Learn the skills to negotiate pay for new employment and for pay raises. This goes a long way

continued on p. 26 MARCH 2018

MetroKids.com 5

Health

HEADS UP

How to Tell If Your Child Has a Concussion or Traumatic Brain Injury

By Judy M. Miller Seven years ago my son suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) during a soccer game.

An opposing player cleared a ball that hit my 6-foot-2-inch son in the head, knocking him out cold. He came-to quickly and convinced his coach to leave him in, scoring the winning goal. At the time, there were no mandates about removing an athlete from the game if a head or brain injury was suspected.

My son arrived home not feeling well; the right side of his head was swollen.

Because it was a Sunday, I took him to the hospital, where the emergency room physicians examined him, scanned his head, and pronounced him fit enough to go home. They did caution me about symptoms to watch for and to monitor him throughout night, just in case. He did fine overnight.

I sent him to school the next morning but received a call from him just hours into his day. He felt dizzy, disorientated and nauseous. He had a severe headache too. These symptoms were indicative of a traumatic brain injury.

I picked him up from school and took him to see a sports-concussion specialist that our pediatrician recommended. My son was given a number of tests, which he failed completely. He was diagnosed with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). The specialist monitored him and retested him weekly while his brain healed from the trauma, however the doctor was hampered by the fact that my son did not have a baseline before he sustained the TBI (my other soccer-playing kiddos have annual baselines).

6 MetroKids.com

Childhood brain injuries up 57%

Of the 1.7 million adults and children who sustain TBIs each year, 52,000 die, 275,000 are hospitalized, and 1.3 million are treated and released from emergency rooms. These mild TBIs are commonly referred to as “concussions.”

Close to a half million children under the age of 15 are treated annually in ERs for TBI-related injuries. The Centers for Disease Control has seen the number of brain injuries suffered in children jump 57 percent between 2001 and 2009.

In addition to dizziness, nausea, vomiting and severe headaches, those suffering a brain injury can experience the following symptoms, which can range from mild to severe and be long- or short-term.

Symptoms of brain injury in children • • • • • • • • •

Memory loss Slowing cognitive functioning Visual problems Sensitivity to light and sound Loss of smell, balance Trouble sleeping Fatigue Seizures Mood changes, especially irritability or depression

Schools take extra precautions

Some schools take extra steps to prevent and detect head injuries.

At The Shipley School in Bryn Mawr, PA, for example, Middle School soccer players are banned from heading the ball and sensors that measure force are used to monitor blows to the head in Upper School contact sports, said Mark Duncan, athletics director.

Learn more online Read about ways to prevent head injuries and about the first blood test approved by the FDA to check for concussions.

Go to MetroKids.com/concussions Shipley students are also part of a study run by Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania where athletes’ vision, balance and oxygen levels in the brain are tested at the start and end of the season.

“This information will help researchers at CHOP and Penn develop objective methods to better diagnose concussions using objective measurement,” said Duncan.

Get help right away if this happens • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Loss of consciousness Ongoing nausea or vomiting An ongoing and worsening headache Convulsions or seizures One pupil larger than the other Weakness, numbness or decreased coordination Slurred speech Cannot be consoled, keeps crying Refusal to nurse if nursing Loss of appetite Bed wetting Appears drowsy or cannot be woken up Confusion, does not recognize familiar people or environment Restlessness, agitation or unusual behavior

Judy M. Miller is a freelance writer.

MARCH 2018

The place for little campers

to have

Summer Day Camp for ages 2-5

ons Daily Swim Less

Creative Fitness

Arts and Crafts

Also Included: STEAM • Cooking • Nature • Music • Sports Weekly Themes • Air Conditioned Facility Nut Aware & Allergy Friendly Lunch and Snack katzjcc.org/ecccamps • (856) 424-4444 x1242

1301 Springdale Rd • Cherry Hill, NJ 08003

Register at an

Open House Sunday, March 18 & April 15 • 11am -2pm

BIG fun!

Imaginarium

Open House Sunday, April 15 • 10am -1pm

New Camp Families: Save $100 per camper

Welcoming families of all faiths and cultures.

BE COOL

New Camp Families: Save $250 per camper

JCC Camps at Medford

400 Tuckerton Rd • Medford, NJ

MARCH 2018

Welcoming all faiths and cultures ages 3-14.

Schedule your personal tour today!

jcccampsatmedford.org • (856) 751-1666

MetroKids.com 7

Parenting

Ready, Set, GOAL! 7 Ways to Teach Goal Setting to Your Kids

By Christina Katz Kids are not lazy or unmotivated; it’s simply easier than ever for them to be distracted and disengaged because we are living in an age of constant stimulation and interruption.

We need to help our children learn how and when to put their blinders on so they can apply focused goal setting to challenges of their own choosing.

As a parent, you can encourage your children to practice healthy goal setting.

Follow these suggestions and you will notice your kids stepping up to set and meet new challenges that bring smiles to their faces. As for your role, get ready to cheer them on and give them credit for their contributions as any good coach would.

Let them steer. Choose

an age-appropriate, just out-of-reach goal. Be careful you don’t interject your own desires into this process. For a child who is unsure about what goal to set, be patient and offer choices until something appeals. You play a supporting role helping your child accomplish whatever goal is chosen, whether it’s cooking with a new recipe or raising money for a good cause, but remember that it must be your child’s goal, not yours.

Emphasize fun. If your child is overweight, focusing too much on weight loss is not going to help; it just might scar him. Forget the problems you think your child needs to solve and emphasize the fun of setting and reaching goals instead. Let a child who has become too sedentary come up with goals on her own, like joining a team or training for a race for 8 MetroKids.com

the fun of it, not just to get mom and dad off her back. Share stories of goals you’ve set and met to inspire her.

Embrace strengths. Every

person has strengths and weaknesses. There are no exceptions to this rule.

If you only mirror your child’s negative qualities and mention them too often, perhaps you have not spent enough time considering her best qualities. There are not merely five or 10 positive qualities that describe people; there are hundreds. Pick up a little book called Strengths Finder 2.0 by Tom Rath.

Go through it and circle the words you think describe your child. Mention these qualities often and watch your child’s confidence blossom.

Assist with challenges.

Offer yourself as a sounding board when kids run into challenges reaching their goals, but don’t solve their problems for them. Instead listen to their concerns and ask them questions. Get them thinking about approaches that might help. Instead of telling them what to do, ask if they think any of your ideas might be good ways to meet challenges. Don’t feel internal pressure to unstick a stuck child. Brainstorm with them and then let them do it.

Praise progress. If your child

is continually focused outward, measuring where she stands in comparison to others can rob her of personal power.

Instead of encouraging your child to be the generic best, encourage your child to achieve her per-

Goals for younger kids You can help prepare your kids to meet life’s challenges by turning everyday tasks into fun challenges, such as: • Complete a chore in a specific amount of time • Find the groceries on the shopping list • Create a to-do list for something she already learned how to do • Teach something he learned to another family member • Complete a puzzle by herself • Build something she never built before • Make up an invention that solves a problem around the house • Cook something using a new recipe sonal best. Celebrate the fruition of this expression no matter how it measures up with others. In this way, a ribbon for Most Improved can be viewed as just as valuable as First Place or MVP.

Respect weaknesses.

Just as strengths can be discovered and flexed for increasing success, weaknesses should be acknowledged and honored, too. The idea of respecting weaknesses rather than denying or trying to correct them may seem strange. But consider whether the investment of time and energy to turn weaknesses around is worthwhile. Sometimes flaws teach kids valuable things they need to learn.

For example, a forward who can’t score might make a better midfielder on the soccer field. A dancer who can’t do acrobatic tricks might have a strong sense of showmanship on stage. A scattered student in the classroom might be a talented artist in the studio. Teach your child to forgive weaknesses and pursue the undervalued abilities he may be pointing toward instead.

MARCH 2018

Parenting

Goals for older kids By helping tweens and teens choose goals that suit their aptitudes, you can increase their willingness to take safe risks in the future. As your children get older, encourage them to set goals that are just beyond what they think they can accomplish, such as: • • • • • • • •

Run a 5K race Install an exhibit of his art Create a healthy eating plan Enter a writing contest Raise money for a cause she supports Try out for something he doesn’t already do well Stick to a new plan for a month Save money to make a dream come true

Play the long game. As your child focuses on

setting and reaching personal goals, things may not always go quite the way anyone expected. Life has a way of bringing twists and turns to the table.

This means short-term victories don’t always pan out as expected, even after much time and energy has been invested. When disappointments happen, and they will, help your child focus on the big picture. Getting the most personal satisfaction out of the process and achieving personal growth while making valuable contributions to the whole should always be the plan.

Holding Hands Family Child Care & Play Center

Choosing a child care or preschool for your child is one of the hardest decisions a parent makes. At HOLDING HANDS, we create a quality educational and care environment for your child — a place where your child loves to come and you feel comfortable. We achieve this through our curriculum, our programs and our staff.

At Holding Hands, our curriculum emphasizes school readiness, gross motor skills, imaginative play and social-emotional development.

Activities are designed to build on children’s natural curiosity and use hands-on experiences to allow child to explore and learn.

Holding Hands offers flexible scheduling to the meet the many needs of families in Gloucester County. Programs are offered yearround for children from birth through ten years. Children can attend full-days, half-days or both with a variety of weekly schedules.

Our staff is a dedicated team of individuals that bring experience and caring to the classrooms. All of our classrooms operate at better than state-required ratios. This means that your child receives individual attention and our staff build relationships with each child.

Holding Hands also offers enrichment classes for children from two through seven years-old. These classes in dance, karate and soccer allow young children to explore new areas of interest. Both currently enrolled children and children from the outside may participate in these classes.

Holding Hands Family Child Care & Play Center is the place for families —where children are not just cared for, but are cared about; where children discover that learning is fun; where families find flexible schedules and a variety of programs; and where child’s play happens everyday. To learn more about Holding Hands, call at 856-467-6811 or visit our website at www.holdinghandsfamily.com.

Christina Katz is a freelance writer.

138 Tomlin Station Rd. Mullica Hill, NJ 08062 856-467-6811 www.holdinghandsfamily.com

Are You Looking CONTACT US! for Child Care in Camden County?

The Department of Children’s Services is here to assist you with: 

Child Care Referrals and Options.



Selecting a quality child care program that meets the needs of your family.



Finding programs that can help pay for child care!



Child Care Subsidy for eligible parents.

Board of Freeholders

MARCH 2018

Camden County

Department of Children’s Services 856.374.6376 children@camdencounty.com MetroKids.com 9

Education

An EARLY Start

What should you expect when your child goes to Preschool and PreK?

By Cheryl Lynne Potter Early childhood education has grown to include a variety of steps along the way to Kindergarten and first grade, but what are the differences as your child moves from Preschool to PreK? The primary distinctions among all stages of early education, says Michelle Shaivitz, PhD, executive director of the Delaware Association for the Education of Young Children, are the “levels of play, social, emotional, language and other skills throughout the curriculum.”

For example, children in Preschool are most likely in the beginning stages of writing, cooperating and “learning how to maintain socially acceptable behavior for longer periods of time. (In PreK) children write and demonstrate developmentally appropriate practices as well, except in longer increments due to their attention span and their developmental abilities.”

Play and Preschool

A good Preschool is “designed for the whole child and attends to physical, social, emotional, cognitive and spiritual development,” says W. Steven Barnett, PhD, founder and senior co-director of the National Institute of Early Education Research at Rutgers University Graduate School of Education.

For a good Preschool program, “play is an important element.

Children of all ages, all around the world, play. They run, they pretend, they create, they laugh and they struggle with difficult tasks. Through play they learn and grow, intellectually and socially,” says Barnett. However to be educationally effectve a program must offer more than just free play; teachers must be intentionally engaged with children in play and in other activities.

Benefits of PreK

PreK’s goal is to make children ready for Kindergarten. Those who attend “high-quality PreK come ready for school,” writes Shawanna James-Coles, principal of Davis Elementary School in the Centennial School District in Bucks County, PA, in a guest column in The Intelligencer. They already know the “basics of reading, mathematics, getting along with others, building friendship and sharing.” These children are also “less likely to be retained in a grade, require remediation or receive special education services,” she notes.

The impact of PreK, however, goes beyond Kindergarten readiness, says Wendy Somers, owner of Goddard School in Newtown Township, PA. “It not only helps prepare a child for elementary school but has long-term, lasting effects in every aspect of a child’s life,” she says. At the Goddard School, says

10 MetroKids.com

Somers, “our young learners hone valuable life and career skills while developing a love of learning in literacy, science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.”

Many children still don’t attend PreK

Despite the benefits, many youngters in the Delaware Valley do not receive PreK or other early-education experiences.

Delaware ranks 35th among states for PreK enrollment, with only 7 percent of 4-year-olds in a state-sponsored PreK program, according to the latest State of Preschool report from the New Jersey-based National Institute for Early Education Research. Pennsylvania ranks 30th, with 12 percent and New Jersey, 20th with 29 percent.

Children who do not attend a high-quality PreK program do not have the readiness skills needed to prepare them for standards-based curriculum, says James-Coles. “Their teachers, then, are required to spend more time on classroom management and social skills rather than engaging them in meaningful learning experiences.”

Colleen Barbaro of Elk Township, NJ, knows the importance of an early education now that her 5-year-old son, Brody, is attending preschool after spending more than four years at home without any formal schooling or daycare. “The preschool program has been extremely beneficial for my son in helping him make friends and build relationships with his peers.” It also has been excellent in reinforcing the “basic learning he has done at home.”

“Academic redshirting”

Even after attending early-education programs, some children can benefit from spending an extra year in PreK, a practice referred to as “academic redshirting.”

“While parents and testing requirements focus mainly on the testing ability of a student, supporting a child’s social and emotional development, along with his individual developmental growth, is important to long-term success,” says Shaivitz.

Unfortunately, “there is no one right answer to the question of redshirting for one child,” said Barnett.

“Parents need to make the right decision based on each individual child and the Kindergarten that he will enter,” Barnett says. “Preschool and Kindergarten teachers can help advise parents in the decision but ultimately parents know their child better than anyone else.”

Cheryl Lynne Potter is a freelance writer from South Jersey.

MARCH 2018

Moorestown Friends School Moorestown Friends School offers exceptional education for students in preschool through grade 12. We offer small classes, academic rigor and highly qualified teachers who encourage children to achieve their potential in a caring environment.

This individual attention grows out of respect for the individual, a Quaker value that is at the heart of our enduring spiritual and ethical education. We welcome students of all faiths; only a small portion of our student body is Quaker.

While many schools are transactional, MFS is transformational: We help children develop into better people. Starting in preschool, students learn life skills, from listening, fair play and cooperation to critical thinking, conflict management and decision making by consensus.

We produce ethical, resilient young people, virtually all of whom go on to four-year colleges. Our average SAT scores are typically the highest in South Jersey by a significant margin.

A cutting-edge Coding program, one of the few in the United States, is offered for students in preschool–grade 5.

Visit our next Open House on Tuesday, April 17, to see our school community for yourself! Find more information and RSVP at www.mfriends.org.

110 East Main Street Moorestown, NJ 08057 856-914-4426 • www.mfriends.org

Great Kids Start Early Please visit us at an upcoming Open House: Tuesday, April 17, 9 a.m.

For more information or to RSVP, call (856) 914-4426, email admiss@mfriends.org or visit www.beginningsatmfs.org.

Preschool Prekindergarten Kindergarten 110 E. Main St., Moorestown, NJ 08057

MARCH 2018

Learn about our Coding program!

MetroKids.com 11

A Class with Room for All SpecialKids

Inclusion Benefits Every Student

By Terri Akman Thirteen-year-old Max Matthews loves to hang out with his friends, watch football or stroll through his Bella Vista neighborhood. The 8th grader at the Meredith School in Queen Village has autism and ocular motor apraxia, which affects eye movements. Since Kindergarten, Max has been included in a general-population classroom, where he makes important friendships with peers from his neighborhood.

“That’s really important because when you have a child with a social disability, what I had feared the most was whether he could have friends,” says his mom, Helen. “Being in an inclusive classroom means the expectations for him are set at the same level as other children to maximize his potential.”

Inclusion is not only beneficial, it is a civil-rights issue and mandated by federal law, says Maura McInerney, legal director of the Education Law Center in Philadelphia, who points to the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act requiring that all students with disabilities be educated in the “least restrictive environment.”

Methods of inclusion

How each student is integrated into the general classroom differs based on that student’s needs. Some can spend the entire school day with their peers, though they may need additional support from a teacher or aide, a copy of class notes or extended time to complete an assignment or test. Others may stay in the class for certain subjects but leave for more individualized instruction in other subjects.

“Our typical situation is what we call the least dangerous assumption,” says Lisa Lawson, PhD, director of special

12 MetroKids.com

education and student support services for the Brandywine, DE school district.

“We assume that all students can be successful in the general-education setting with support services and any kind of accommodations and modifications that we set forth in their IEP (individualized education program.)”

But if a student is not able to be successful in the general-education classroom, maybe due to academic or behavioral challenges, she may be moved to a self-contained classroom within the school with fewer students and more adult support.

Lawson points out that students need to understand that not all classmates may be treated the same. “Fair does not mean equal,” she says. “If you see your classmate with a fidget spinner in between reading and math and you’re asking why he gets that and you don’t, that may be something he needs but you don’t need.

It’s important to have that front-end conversation of why things are different.”

Students will adapt to the environment they’re in, Lawson adds.

“We live in a diverse society of all kinds of people,” she says. “There are more similarities than differences.”

Short-term costs, long-term gains

Inclusion benefits all students

Students with special needs sitting alongside their general-education peers offers benefits for all kids.

“It’s good for the general-ed students to learn to respect the fact that there are people with differences and we’re all not great at everything,” says Elaine Hill, director of special services for the Voorhees, NJ school district.

For students with disabilities, inclusion leads to higher graduation rates, positive achievement outcomes, greater social competence, improved communication skills and the acquisition of a fuller range of skills that are available in inclusive classrooms.

Educating all students inclusively does come with costs. Financially, inclusive settings are not necessarily cost-cutting measures in the short term, says McInerney. “You have to make some significant investments. However those investments are very efficient and an effective use of funds, because they hold the potential to dramatically improve educational outcomes for all of our students.”

It’s also essential that teachers are appropriately trained, adds Hill. You can’t ask a general-education teacher to do more than his skill level and time constraints dictate.

“There has to be a continuum of services available,” she says. “Inclusion is absolutely the first option but you have to have other options for kids who might have something that would interfere with their functioning in a general-ed classroom.”

Terri Akman is a contributing writer to MetroKids.

MARCH 2018

DOES YOUR CHILD HAVE A LANGUAGE DELAY?

Summer Science + Language Camp Research Study • July 9 to August 10 • For 4- to 7-year-olds who have a language learning impairment • Contact us about eligibility for our five-week, 1/2 day summer camp • Compensation up to $115

(302) 831-7121 TELL-lab@udel.edu

www.udel.edu/tell-lab

DiscoverPreK

at Holding Hands

Will your child be ready for kindergarten?

The prekindergarten program at Holding Hands will help prepare your child to succeed in kindergarten — academically, socially and emotionally.

P Academically: Our experienced teachers provide daily activities that build pre-reading and pre-math skills.

P Socially: We encourage important social skills like kindness and problem solving through games, stories and play.

P Emotionally: With low ratios, our staff can build individual relationships that support independence, flexibility and self-confidence.

Call for more information or to arrange a tour:

856-467-6811

138 Tomlin Station Road • Mullica Hill, NJ 08062 www.holdinghandsfamily.com

The experts in orthopaedic care for kids

From the routine to the rarely seen, we can help with all your orthopaedic needs.

3551 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia • 215-430-4000 • www.shrinersphilly.org We’re social! @shrinersphilly

BE IN THE KNOW! Sign up for our biweekly e-blasts for local special needs coverage and fantastic area events.

Go to MetroKids.com/enews and select Special Needs Update under Email Lists.

MARCH 2018

MetroKids.com 13

Camp

Summer Arts Camps Provide a Creative Outlet

By Suzanne Koup-Larsen Arts camps immerse kids in the arts.

For some, it can be life-changing, as it was for Julia Weekes, a Philadelphia mom of two who attended arts camp in the ‘80s and now sends her two teenage sons each summer.

“It was the beginning of my life as an artist,” says Weekes, who holds a Master’s degree in art education.

Arts camp can be a day or residential camp. It can be specialized, such as a theater or dance camp, or one that offers a little bit of everything, from ceramics to drawing to video production to podcasting.

“Camps in general are usually really great opportunities for young people to grow,” says Sandy Marcucci, president and CEO of the Philadelphia International Music Festival.

Skills blossom as a result of the instruction and practice; parents can see the proof when camps invite them to a lunch-time exhibition for day camps or to an end-of-session performance for residential camps.

Talent not a prerequisite

“A common misconception with the arts is that you have to come with a natural-born talent,” says Terry Foreman, executive director of the Center for the Creative Arts in Yorklyn, DE. However it’s not a prerequisite for attending art camps to have any prior experience

14 MetroKids.com

or proof of artistic or musical talent. “We’re there to take someone with an interest and show them what they can do.”

“All people can benefit from the arts,” says Marcucci.

“We have students at every level” and design programs to accommodate all kinds of goals. As a result, arts-camp rookies and experienced teens will both get the most out of their camp experiences.

Best alternative for some kids

Artistic kids don’t always fit into a traditional camp setting, says Tracy Power, camp director for Appel Farm Arts Camp in Elmer, NJ. Camp directors say that arts camps are especially good for shy kids because it allows them to move beyond their shyness. They are a safe place to explore and create, says Power. “Kids who feel like they’re a little different, can find their home at arts camp,” adds Foreman.

“We get some kids who would never consider going to a sports camp,” says Foreman. Some kids don’t enjoy the sporting and competitive atmosphere of traditional summer camps.

Arts camp promotes a camper’s personal best, but not in a competitive environment.

Mark Morgan, producing artistic director of the Moorestown Theater Company, says his campers don’t want to be outside in the hot summer weather. “They don’t want to be moving from archery to swimming to volleyball.”

CAMP

However, arts campers can still find camaraderie.

“Musical theater is a team sport,” says Morgan.

“You can’t put on a show by yourself.”

Benefits of arts camps

“Arts camp creates a loving and accepting community,” says Power. It’s special to find your community of likeminded people, she says. Weekes remembers “a community of creative people bouncing ideas off of each other.”

“We hear from parents all the time how much more confident their children are,” says Morgan of theater campers.

Weekes agrees. “You build emotional confidence to put yourself out there.”

“They’re gaining skills, but they’re also taking risks,” Foreman says of arts camp. They learn that it’s OK to miss a step or flub your lines, she says.

Some parents might be afraid to let their kids go to a sleepaway camp, says Power, but kids need a space to make mistakes and to learn from them. Arts camp is a great place to do that.

“Kids come out feeling like they’ve had a good time, but they’ve learned something and they’ve grown as an artist,” says Weekes.

“It’s super fun,” concurs Power.

“And kids need to have more fun.”

Suzanne Koup-Larsen is a contributing writer to MetroKids.

MARCH 2018

OPEN HOUSE See Dates & RSVP Online!

FC

M

CO S

E

6 Award-Winning Camps 60+ Activities for every age & interest!

E JOIN

S!

JUNE 11 – AUGUST 24 | AGES 3–18

M

U

SUMMER 2018

A M P S .C

O

CAMP EXPERIENCES LIKE NO OTHER PREMIER LOCATIONS IN PA & NJ Montgomery School Chester Springs, PA

The Episcopal Academy Newtown Square, PA

The Lawrenceville School Lawrenceville, NJ

Norwood-Fontbonne Academy and Chestnut Hill College Chestnut Hill, PA

The Haverford School Haverford, PA

William Allen Middle School Moorestown, NJ

Enroll today at esfcamps.com | 1.800.529.CAMP (2267) MARCH 2018

CAMP

Dates and offerings vary by location

MetroKids.com 15

CAMP 2018

Directory

BURLINGTON

Thrilling adventures are in store for children at summer camps throughout the Delaware Valley in 2018! This camp directory includes an ample array of choices for all abilities, ages and interests.

Navigate the directory by focusing on your preferences for: • Geographic area: Camps are grouped by county & outlying areas.

• Category: Each description is prefaced by camp type — day, program, residential, special needs or travel.

• Special features: Blue icons at the end of each listing indicate if a camp offers extended day care, part-day or part-week schedules, financial aid or transportation. Abbreviations denote whether a camp is ACA accredited, has a counselor-in-training program or may accommodate some special needs. See the key at the bottom of the page.

Find a searchable version at MetroKids.com/camps.

Contact camps to express interest and mention you saw their listing in MetroKids.

Camp Creek Run 199 Taunton Lake Rd., Marlton; 856-596-4250 campcreekrun@yahoo.com Campcreekrun.com

DAY Get close to nature at Camp Creek Run! Located in Marlton on 50 wooded acres, we offer certified teachers; sports, arts & nature programs; fishing & boating; swim instruction; pools; archery range; nature center; hiking trails; basketball, volleyball & gaga courts; challenge course; gardens & butterfly house; and farm sanctuary.

ESF Summer Camps William Allen Middle School 801 N. Stanwick Rd., Moorestown info@esfcamps.com esfcamps.com

DAY Our award-winning programs are filled with the perfect blend of education, sports & fun. With 60+ activities for every interest, we offer the widest variety of experiences for boys and girls, ages 3-15. June 25 Aug. 24, 2018

Future Scholars Early Learning Center 1351 Rt. 38 W., B-1, Hainesport 609-518-1333 admin@futurescholarslearning.com Futurescholarslearning.com

DAY Summer Camp offers full & half days with various schedules available. Activities include field trips & in-house visitors along with moonbounce, water play, cooking classes, music & sports, just to name a few!

We continue to educate your child through our themebased activities & curriculum so your child won’t fall behind this summer. Private tutoring available.

6:30am-6:30pm.

JCC Camps at Medford 400 Tuckerton Rd., Medford 856-751-1666 jcccampsatmedford.org

DAY, TRAVEL JCC Camps at Medford enriches children’s lives by teaching values and life skills in a fun, safe and inclusive Jewish environment while building confidence, sharing successes and creating lasting friendships. Register at Open House on 3/18 or ACA CIT SN 4/15 and save $250 per camper!

Liberty Lake Day Camp 1195 Florence-Columbus Rd., Bordentown 609-499-7820 Libertylakedaycamp.com

DAY Liberty Lake is a truly transformative experience, teaching life skills to inspire children and adults to change the world. Campers expand their talents, make friends and have the greatest summer experience ACA imaginable!

Moorestown Friends School Summer Programs 110 E. Main St. Moorestown 856-914-4493 mcameron@mfriends.org Summer.mfriends.org

DAY Moorestown Friends School offers a number of exciting summer opportunities for children entering grades 1-10. The Summer Scholars Program options include innovative and exciting approaches to science, robotics, technology, STEM, sports, design, thinking, arts, economics and more. In addition, Academic Transitions courses offer the chance for your child to improve in math, writing and study skills. Many Summer Programs Master Teachers are MFS teachers and department heads, most of whom hold advanced degrees from prestigious universities.

Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge 4 Sawmill Rd. Medford, NJ 856-983-3329 cedarrun.org

DAY Walk in the woods, dig in the dirt and explore Cedar Run during our week-long nature camps.

Daily activities include hands-on experiences and experiments, visits with native wildlife, games and creative play. There’s a special session just for you.

Don’t miss out, sign up today! Camp runs weekly June 25-August 24 for ages 3-13. CIT SN

MULTIPLE LOCATIONS

NEW Camp Invention Multiple locations throughout Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey 800-968-4332 campinvention@invent.org Campinvention.org

DAY Camp Invention’s all-new summer program, Fast Forward, shows children that even the wildest and craziest ideas can become reality! Campers in grades K-6 will create a vehicle of the future, design a mechanical robot dog and build futuristic dream homes.

Local educators lead the week of fun, hands-on, STEM activities that encourage children to think big, explore their curiosity and never give up! Visit campinvention. org or call 800-968-4332 to register. Use promo code ThinkBig25 to save $25 (expires 3/23) and ThinkBig15 to save $15 (expires 5/4).

iD Tech www.idtech.com 1-888-709-8324

DAY iD Tech is the world’s #1 summer STEM program for ages 7-18 held at 150 prestigious universities including Princeton University, Monmouth University, The Hun School Of Princeton, University Of Pennsylvania, Rowan College- Mount Laurel . With world-class instructors and innovative courses in coding, game development, robotics, and design, our programs instill in-demand skills that embolden students to shape the future.

Learn more at iDTech.com.

ISC Summer Day Camp of Cherry Hill

DAY ISC is the place to be this and every summer!

Open all summer long! June 18-Aug. 31 Roller skating, indoor sports fields, arts & crafts, special guests & so much fun every day! Additional Options: Field trip, swim trips, sports camps and enrichment camps available. Mon.-Fri. 7am-6pm. Flexible scheduling.

Daily rates. Weekly tuition payments. Lunch, drinks and snacks included!

3 Locations (Deptford, Cherry Hill & Mt. Laurel) 856-428-8588 Intsports.com

Lavner Camps!

PA, NJ and DE 610-664-8800 info@lavnercampsandprograms.com Lavnercampsandprograms.com

DAY, RESIDENTIAL Lavner Camps is the Leader in Summer Enrichment Camps. As the #1 CAMP EXPERIENCE IN SPORTS, TECHNOLOGY, & THE ARTS, we have AWARD WINNING SUMMER CAMPS at 14 Philadelphia Metro, New Jersey & Delaware locations, with 35+ Specialty Camps to choose from... an INCREDIBLE summer camp experience awaits for your child! Our Cutting-Edge Summer Camps include Soccer, Basketball, Tennis, Robotics, Minecraft, Coding, Game Design, Culinary Arts, Fashion, Film & Lots More! Our New Jersey location is at the Katz JCC in Cherry Hill. Additional camp locations in NYC, Manhattan, Washington DC, St. Louis MO, Nashville TN & Los Angeles CA! Ages 6-15, Co-ed.

Space is limited, register now!

ACA

CAMDEN COUNTY Early Childhood Camps at the Katz JCC 1301 Springdale Rd., Cherry Hill 856-424-4444 ext. 1242 donnasnyder@jfedsnj.org Katzjcc.org/ecccamps

DAY Early Childhood Camps at the Katz JCC is the place for little campers to have big fun! Children enjoy creative arts, music, sports, swim lessons, cooking and more, supervised by loving and professional staff.

Register at Open House 4/15 and save $100 per new SN camper!

Key: Extended hours Offers financial aid Part-day or part-week sessions Provides transportation ACA: ACA-accredited CIT: Counselor-in-training program SN: Some special needs may be accommodated

16 MetroKids.com

CAMP

MARCH 2018

AT CHESTERBROOK ACADEMY

®

New discoveries, great friends, and fun times.

• • • • • • •

Day camp with extended hours Field trips and events Nature and science Arts and crafts Sports and games Music, dance and drama Swimming* *Not available at all locations

chesterbrookacademy.com/camp CBA_MetroKids_Mar18_7.25x4.625.indd 1

2/5/18 3:42 PM

Philly's, South Jersey's, and the Shore's

#1 Choice for Summer Camp

Open Houses -April 7th May 19th

Q,

Open House- March 17, April 21 and May 19

• Horseback Riding • Swim Lessons • Over 20 Sports including Golf and Archery • Dual Zip Lines& i� Rope Courses � • Dance& Performing Arts 1 • Crafts and Woodworking · School of Rock I fl . Extended Care met fun.

M tl.

A S • a]J · Teen travel program � ft/Yl · A/C Buildings N ew Fam1·1y and s·b1· I 1ng o·ISCOUnts .

A/CTransportation

Call today 856-262-3900 For registration rates and fees

tallpinesdaycamp.com

IJ -� fl

email: fun@tallpinesdaycamp.com

1349 Sykesville Road, Williamstown, NJ 08094 Lunch and snack provided. Nut-free facility.

Delaware Valley's Premier Day Camp

Accredited by the American Camp Association. State Certified.

MARCH 2018

CAMP

MetroKids.com 17

CAMP 2018

Directory

OUTLYING AREAS

CAMDEN COUNTY

Echo Hill Camp 13655 Bloomingneck Rd., Worton, MD 410-348-5303 info@echohillcamp.com EchoHillCamp.com

RESIDENTIAL Echo Hill Camp on the Chesapeake Bay is a traditional, sleep-away summer camp with 2- to 8week sessions. Non-competitive, free-choice program.

Waterskiing, sailing, wakeboarding, crabbing, ropes course, nature, art and much more! ACA

Haddonfield Friends School Summer Camp 47 N. Haddon Ave., Haddonfield 856-429-6786 ext. 211 Hfsfriends.org

DAY All activities are supervised by trained, experienced, certified educators. Each session incorporates an ageappropriate enrichment theme such as music, sports, cooperative games, crafts, drama, computers, science, cultural connections, nature study & water play. Many theme weeks culminate with events, performances & trips.

Pilot Summer Camp The Pilot School, 208 Woodlawn Rd., Wilmington, DE cshivone@pilotschool.org pilotschool.org

DAY Children ages 5-12 will benefit from our multi-sensory approach, which offers them the opportunity to engage in activities while learning.

This fun, hands-on camp focuses on special skills, team building, science experiments and nature while integrating reading and math.

Super Star Summer Camp 5 Larwin Rd., Cherry Hill 856-795-4599 theGCAcademy.com

DAY Super Star Summer Camp is where kids learn how to be awesome. We offer a variety of activities for children to enjoy, including swimming, ninja obstacle courses, flip-training, basketball, soccer, gymnastics, tumbling, cheerleading, arts & crafts and more.

SN

Science Camp Watonka PO Box 127, Hawley, PA 570-857-1401 mail@watonka.com Watonka.com

RESIDENTIAL For boys 8-16. Camper-selected program includes hands-on laboratory experiences in astronomy, biology, chemistry, computers, electronics, earth science, physics & robotics. A wide range of other activities includes ropes, archery, climbing, woodworking, sailing, rocketry, mini-bike riding, sports, windsurfing & trips. 2-, 4-, 6- & 8-week sessions available. CIT SN

Tall Pines Day Camp 1349 Sykesville Rd., Williamstown 856-262-3900 fun@tallpinesdaycamp.com Tallpinesdaycamp.com

DAY Serving Center City/South Jersey/shore points.

State certified & accredited by ACA. 66 acres include 45,000 sq. ft. of A/C indoor space, climbing tower, pedal karts, gymnastics, driving range, horseback riding, 8,500 sq. ft. of pools, soccer & baseball fields, hockey, basketball, tennis courts, arts & music programs. Open houses on Saturdays from 12-3pm, ACA Feb. 10, March 17, April 21 and May 19.

Whale Camp at the Fundy Marine Science Institute Grand Manan Island, New Brunswick, Canada 888-54-WHALE info@whalecamp.com WhaleCamp.com

RESIDENTIAL, TRAVEL No other marine science camp offers as many face-to-face encounters to closely observe and study whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals and puffins in their own natural habitat. Board our research vessel for unmatched opportunities to observe marine life. Explore beaches, coastal trails and fishing villages on beautiful Grand Manan Island. Ask about our $40,000 College Scholarships, STEM projects & College Credits.

YMCA Camp Conrad Weiser 201 Cushion Peak Rd., PO Box 147, Wernersville, PA 610-670-2267 SMYMCA.org

RESIDENTIAL We welcome you to our 600 mountaintop acres in Berks County, PA. While we offer a variety of session lengths, most campers come for 2- or 4-week sessions. We are a coed program for campers 7-16 years old. Traditional camp programs including horseback riding, swimming, boating, athletics, target sports, mountain biking, creative arts, nature, adventure & teen leadership. We also offer a variety of specialty theme camps, adventure trips and international trips. We can’t wait to see you on the mountain! ACA

Young People’s Theater Workshop (YPTW); Theatre Arts Summer Overnight Camp at Eastern University 363 Radford Ct., Glen Mills, PA 610-558-0988 yptw@aol.com; yptw.org

DAY, RESIDENTIAL Overnight camp for ages 11-18 at Eastern University June 24-29, 2018. Classes include musical comedy, Shakespeare, improv, monologues, dance, characterization, auditions, showtunes. Airconditioned dorms, good food, experienced staff of professional educators.

GLOUCESTER

OUTLYING AREAS Adventure Camp at Roundtop Mountain Resort 925 Roundtop Road Lewisberry, PA; (717) 432-9631 skiroundtop@skiroundtop.com Roundtopmountainresort.com

DAY, RESIDENTIAL Book your child’s best week of the summer at South Central PA’s favorite ski resort where campers enjoy a multitude of adventure-based activities including zip lining, rock climbing, boating, paintball and OGO balling all right here on our 1,200 acres. CIT

NEW Camp Haluwasa 377 Ehrke Rd. Hammonton, NJ 08037 877-234-2267 Campingnj.com

DAY, RESIDENTIAL The Ultimate Christian Camping Experience! Exciting overnight & day camp programs for boys & girls ages 6-16 in a Christian environment.

Water park with rope swing, waterslides, zip-line & a sandy beach! Activities include: swimming, obstacle course, climbing walls, field games, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, ropes course, arts & crafts, and a ride-on railroad! Open House: May 19 & June 16, 2018, 10am-3pm with free train tours & BBQ.

KEY Extended hours Offers financial aid Part-day or part-week sessions Provides transportation ACA: ACA-accredited CIT: Counselor-in-training program SN: Some special needs may be accommodated

FIND US ONLINE MetroKids.com 18 MetroKids.com

CAMP

smart. local. parenting.

MARCH 2018

As Easy as 1, 2, 3!

1. Submit a photo of your natural, good-looking kid to MetroKids.com/coverkids

2

18 • free nia March 20 Pennsylva

EAR 8Y S

2.

Finalists Selected for in-person interviews with

? modeling, acting coaches and READoY photographers. als Set G

sion

The Inclu Solution

H ow to Ge

t (a nd Gi

ve )

ER GIRL POW

to KE&YPS reschool PreK

P CAM 2018

in Brain Ga

atives Art Altern

Leap

Ahead

s.com MetroKid

• Instagram

3.

The Photo Shoot

Deadline: July 1, 2018 • Pinterest k • Twitter • Faceboo s • Events es • Guide Magazin

MetroKids.com/coverkids

How to enter: Mail or submit one recent photo online, with the date it was taken, to be reviewed by the judges. Photo tips: Entrants must be photographed individually. Do not wear make-up or costumes. This is NOT a beauty pageant. We’re looking for kids with natural good looks and lots of personality!

What happens next: CoverKids’ Finalists will be selected for a live final audition in August. Grand Prize Winners and Finalists will be announced in MetroKids magazine. Grand Prize Winners will appear on a MetroKids’ cover or one of our other publications including SpecialKids, Educator’s Edition and MetroKids’ Ultimate Family Guide. Entrants must be available for a local cover photoCAMP shoot at a later date. All entrants’ photos will appear on MetroKids.com.

Family Fun

DAY-BY-DAY CALENDAR

Special needs event

Easter event

$ = $1-$5; $$ = $6-$10; $$$ = $11-$19; $$$$ = $20 & up

1 Thursday

Celebrating Seuss at the Camden County Library’s Gloucester Twp. Branch, Blackwood.

See “Town & County,” p. 22. FREE Dr. Seuss Celebration at the Gloucester County Library’s Swedesboro Branch, Swedesboro. See “Town & County,” p. 22.

FREE Dr. Seuss Scavenger Hunt and Craft at the Burlington County Library’s Evesham Branch, Marlton.

See “Town & County,” p. 22. FREE Seuss on the Loose at the Gloucester County Library’s Glassboro Branch, Glassboro. See “Town & County,” p. 22. FREE

2 Friday

Camp-In at the Franklin Institute, Phila. Stay overnight to enjoy an astronomy show, telescope viewing, a planetarium presentation and exhibit exploration. $$$$ Dr. Seuss Scavenger Hunt and Craft at Burlington County Library’s Evesham Twp. Branch, Marlton. See “Town & County,” p. 22. FREE Dr. Seuss's Birthday Celebration at Jenkinson's Aquarium, Point Pleasant Beach. See “Town & County,” p. 22. $$$

3 Saturday

Holi Family Festival at the Please Touch Museum, Phila. Celebrate spring with this Indian festival where kids can experiment with art materials, enjoy Indian music and dance performances, learn about Holi during storytime and partake in a tradition of throwing colors. $$$

20 MetroKids.com

Don your favorite green getup at the St. Patrick's Day Parade in North Wildwood on March 17.

Maple-Sugaring Brunch and Hike at the Watershed Center, Pennington. Visit tapped trees and an “evaporation station” before you enjoy a pancake meal. $$$$ Paleopalooza at the Academy of Natural Sciences, Phila. Explore the world of dinosaurs while you view famous specimens, meet reptiles, visit the fossil-prep lab, watch stage shows led by scientists and dig for fossils to take home. $$$ Passport to Discovery: Ireland at the Garden State Discovery Museum, Cherry Hill. Watch a performance by the Next Generation of Traditional Irish Music. $$ Philadelphia Flower Show at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, Phila. Themed “Wonders of Water,” this year’s show is inspired by the beauty and interplay of horticulture and water.

Expect to see recreated scenes of tropical jungles, native woodlands and landscapes. Through March 11. $$$$

4 Sunday

Bits and Pieces Family Festival at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Phila. Get inspired by cubist shards, shattered glass and mixed-up mosaics to deconstruct and remix your own work of art, then watch a breakdancing performance by Movemakers Philly.

Pay what you wish Family Arts Academy: Storydrawing at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Phila. Visit the galleries and create an illustrated adventure story based on your favorite painting. FREE First Sunday Family Day: Concept to Creation at the Barnes Foundation, Phila. View an art fair in which kids’ creations blend art and math. Vote for your favorite and watch an experimental hula-hoop performance. FREE Harlem Globetrotters at the Wells Fargo Center, Phila. Stick around after the match-up, and you might meet the team for autographs, high-fives and selfies. $$$$

MARCH 2018

Passport to Discovery: Ireland at the Garden State Discovery Museum, Cherry Hill. See March 3. $$

6 Tuesday

Mommy and Me PreK Program at Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge, Medford. Join your little one to read books, make crafts and learn about a resident animal. $$ Museum Playdate at the Penn Museum, Phila. Stories and dramatic play in the galleries are themed to exploring Africa. $$ Preschool Nature Class: Bears at the Watershed Center, Pennington. Kids learn about the animal’s habitat while exploring outdoors. $$$ Tiny Tot Explorers at the Academy of Natural Sciences, Phila.

Games, songs and museum exploration are themed to “March of the Moose.” $$$$

7 Wednesday

First Wednesday at the Please Touch Museum, Phila. Enjoy discounted admission and extended hours. $ Storytime: There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Clover at All Fired Up!, Collingswood. Following the story, kids make a rainbow and pot of gold. $$$

8 Thursday

Storytime: There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Clover at All Fired Up!, Collingswood. See March 7. $$$

9 Friday

Special Evening at Sam’s at Sahara Sam’s Oasis, W. Berlin.

Kids with special needs and their families enjoy a judgment-free evening featuring quiet rooms, modified lighting and sound, the sparing use of lifeguard whistles, a relaxed dress code and the option to bring your own snacks. $$$ Twilight Trails Hike at Plainsboro Preserve, Cranbury. $$

10 Saturday

Cut-Paper Collage Workshop at Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center, Millville. FREE Early Birds Program at Plainsboro Preserve, Cranbury. Learn about birds, study their feathers and watch them up-close. FREE Family Overnight at the Independence Seaport Museum, Phila.

Embark on a compass scavenger hunt, climb aboard a life-size pirate ship, make scrimshaw and hard tack, tour historic ships and conduct experiments in the science lab. $$$$ Girl Scout Day at the National Constitution Center, Phila. Scouts partake in activities geared toward badge requirements. $$$ Grow Up Great at the Kimmel Center’s Commonwealth Plaza, Phila. Kids are introduced to jazz and musical theatre. FREE Makers Faire at the Burlington County Library, Westampton. See “Fab Freebie,” below left. FREE Passport to Discovery: Animals of the America at the Garden State Discovery Museum, Cherry Hill. The venue teams up with Paws Discovery Farm for this event. $$ Second Saturday at the Penn Museum, Phila. Explore the animal world during tours, scavenger hunts and crafts. $$ Storytime: There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Clover at All Fired Up!, Collingswood. See March 7. $$$

11 Sunday

St. Patrick’s Day Parade from City Hall to Penn’s Landing, Phila. FREE

12 Monday

Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo Live at the State Theatre, New Brunswick.

Embark on a prehistoric journey to meet a menagerie of insects, mammals and dinosaurs brought to life by realistic puppets. $$ Tiny Tots Walk at the Watershed Center, Pennington. Stories and art activities are also part of the fun. $$$$

13 Tuesday

Preschool Nature Class: Life Underwater at the Watershed Center, Pennington. Stories, crafts and outdoor fun focus on aquatic dwellers. $$$

16 Friday

Mother-Daughter Art Retreat at Appel Farm Arts and Music Center, Elmer. Weekend activities include fused-glass pendants, poetry and digital photography workshops, a campfire and a St. Patrick’s Day dance party. $$$$ Pizza and Penguins at Jenkinson's Aquarium, Point Pleasant Beach. Penguin keepers will be on hand to answer questions and introduce Perky the Penguin. $$$$

Fab Freebie

Celebrate creativity and ingenuity during the Makers Faire (March 10) at Westampton’s Burlington County Library, as part of the state’s annual Maker Day. Families learn about “maker” culture, meet reps from local businesses and organizations, watch demos and partake in hands-on tech fun, DIY projects, crafts and STEM activities.

MARCH 2018

STEM Career Showcase at the Independence Seaport Museum, Phila. Kids learn about science, tech, engineering and math opportunities, while parents attend an info session on how to support their kids’ interests. FREE

17 Saturday

Camp-In at the Franklin Institute, Phila. See March 2. $$$$ Mother-Daughter Art Retreat at Appel Farm Arts and Music Center, Elmer. See March 16. $$$$ Passport To Discovery: Polynesia at the Garden State Discovery Museum, Cherry Hill. Join the South Pacific Island Dancers for a hula-dancing performance. $$

MetroKids.com 21

Family Fun St. Patrick’s Day Family Festival at the Please Touch Museum, Phila. Revel in the holiday during Irish step-dancing performances, food-tasting demos, crafting with green materials and themed storytime. $$$ St. Patrick's Day Celebration and Parade at 10th and Atlantic Aves., N. Wildwood. FREE

18 Sunday

Brunch with the Bunny at the Garden State Discovery Museum, Cherry Hill. Bring a camera. $$$ Family Arts Academy: Instrumental Petting Zoo at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Phila. Members of the Delaware County Symphony show their instruments, share information and perform. FREE Mother-Daughter Art Retreat at Appel Farm Arts and Music Center, Elmer. See March 16. $$$$ Passport Around the World at the Wildwoods Convention Center, Wildwood.

Journey to different countries through crafts, games, songs, traditions, food, tours and displays created by Girl Scout troops. $$

20 Tuesday

Community Night at the Franklin Institue, Phila.

FREE Preschool Nature Class: The Secret Life of Rodents at the Watershed Center, Pennington.

Tales and art activities are all about this family of critters. $$$ Read and Explore: Birds, Nesting and Birdhouses at Terhune Orchards, Princeton. After reading a themed story, make a birdhouse and nesting materials to take home. $$

21 Wednesday

Founders’ Day at the Academy of Natural Sciences, Phila. Celebrate the venue’s founding with pay-what-you-wish admission.

Storytime: Max’s Chocolate Chicken at All Fired Up!, Collingswood. Kids paint a handprint tile after the story. $$$

22 Thursday

Haddonfield Night Market in downtown Haddonfield. FREE Storytime: Max’s Chocolate Chicken at All Fired Up!, Collingswood. See March 21. $$$

22 MetroKids.com

23 Friday

Dinos After Dark at the Academy of Natural Sciences, Phila. Enjoy animal presentations, hands-on activities and, for adults, a beer garden. $$

Town & County: Read Across America

Kids and Critters Preschool Program at Plainsboro Preserve, Cranbury. Storytime leads to outdoor exploration and a craft. $$ Kids’ Canvas Workshop: Feeling Sheepish at All Fired Up!, Collingswood. $$$$

24 Saturday

Animal Tracking Workshop at Plainsboro Preserve, Cranbury. Learn tracking skills such as clear-print classification and trailing, then hit the trails to practice what you learned. $$ Peter and the Wolf at Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center, Millville. Performed

by Pushcart Players.

FREE Read and Explore: Birds, Nesting and Birdhouses at Terhune Orchards, Princeton. See March 20. $$ Storytime: Max’s Chocolate Chicken at All Fired Up!, Collingswood. See March 21. $$$

25 Sunday

Beginners’ Hike at the Rancocas Nature Center, Westampton. FREE Easter Family Fun Day and Egg Hunt at the American Swedish Historical Museum, Phila.

Festivities include themed crafts, face painting and Easter witch dress-up. $$ Family Arts Academy: Spring Pop-Ups at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Phila. Make pop-up cards of flowers, bees and baseball. FREE Spring Break Activities at the National Constitution Center, Phila. Through April 4, learn about Alexander Hamilton via Decoding the Document workshops, themed tours and arts & crafts. $$

27 Tuesday

Garden Brothers Circus at the Wildwoods Convention Center, Wildwood. $$$$

30 Friday

Family Fun Night and Bonfire at Rio Grande Ave. & the Beach, Wildwood. Festivities include games, s’mores pits, food & drink and DJ music. $$

Dr. Seuss said it best: “The more that you read, the more things you will know.

The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”

Celebrate his 114th birthday (March 2) and the 20th-annual Read Across America Day by reading, discovering and going to festive places and parties in his honor.

BURLINGTON COUNTY The Evesham Library in Marlton hosts a Dr. Seuss Scavenger Hunt and Craft (March 1 & 2), where kids search for characters hidden throughout the library and make a Cat in the Hat- or Lorax-inspired craft. Over at the Pinelands Library in Medford, learn a thing or two about Thing 1 and 2 during Dr. Seuss Storytime on March 2.

CAMDEN COUNTY Stop by Blackwood’s Gloucester Twp. Library March 1 for the Celebrating Seuss event, complete with themed crafts, giveaways and snacks.

GLOUCESTER COUNTY On March 1, join magician Brian Richards for Seuss on the Loose at the Glassboro Library and enjoy stories crafts at the Swedesboro Library’s Dr. Seuss Celebration.

OCEAN COUNTY And to think that we saw it on Point Pleasant Beach!

Stop by Jenkinson’s Aquarium March 2 for storytime with the Cat in the Hat during Dr. Seuss’s Birthday Celebration.

MARCH 2018

Kids’ Day Off: Spring Break Camps

Looking to keep the kids busy during their week away from school? These options are as educational as they are fun.

Spring Break Camp at YMCA Camp Ockanickon in Medford (March 30 & April 2-6) features hiking, sports and games, campfire building and art activities. At Fernbrook Farms Environmental Education Center in Chesterfield, Spring Break Camp Days (March 30 & April 2-6) are filled with animal visits and outdoor fun.

Heading into Philly? Sign the kids up for the Academy of Natural Sciences’ Academy Explorers Spring Break Camp (March 29-30 & April 2-4), where they’ll get acquainted with dinosaurs, bugs and the environment.

31 Saturday

African-American History and Culture Showcase at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, Phila. Experience exhibits hosted by regional groups and organizations, performances and appearances by historical re-enactors. FREE Bunny Chase at Terhune Orchards, Princeton. Embark on a treasure hunt with a surprise at the end. FREE Easter Brunch with the Bunny at the Pop Shop, Collingswood. $$$ Easter Bunny Brunch at the Philadelphia Zoo, Phila. The meal is followed by an egg hunt, crafts and pics with the Easter Bunny. $$$$ Easter Egg Hunt at North Community Park, Bordentown. Find the golden egg for a prize. Bring your own egg container. FREE Elks Annual Easter Egg Hunt on the 16th Ave. Beach, N. Wildwood. FREE Greater Wildwood Jaycees Easter Egg Hunt on the Lincoln Ave. Beach, Wildwood. Kids 12 & younger dig for toy-filled eggs in the sand. FREE Play-a-Palooza at Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse, Phila. Enjoy a PBS Kids pop-up area with an appearance by Nature Cat, as well as giveaways, games, soccer, nature play and performances by the Philadelphia School for the Circus Arts and Project Capoeira. $$ Raptor Egg Hunt at the Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge, Medford. Learn about and meet live raptors, then hunt for wooden raptor eggs hidden in the forest. $$

Log on to MetroKids.com/familyfun for more information, including address, phone number, time & website.

MARCH 2018

PERFORMANCES Goldilocks and the Three Bears at the Kelsey Theatre, West Windsor. March 3. $$$ Mr. Malcolm’s Mathemaniacs at the Broadway Theatre of Pitman. March 8 & 9. $$ Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet at the Ritz Theatre Company, Haddon Twp. March 8-25. $$$$ Willy Wonka Jr. at the Burlington County Footlighters, Riverton.

March 9-18. $$$$ The Jungle Book at the Broadway Theatre of Pitman.

March 22-24. $$ Sesame Street Live: Let’s Party! (pictured) at the State Theatre, New Brunswick. March 30, 31 & April 2. $$$$

.com MetroKids.com 23

Family Fun

Whether your kids are pint-sized Picassos who are just learning to express themselves or super-talented teens interested in pursuing creativity as a career, local art museums and centers offer classes and workshops to encourage artistic growth.

LEARN: CERAMICS AND POTTERY The Ceramic Barn, Mt. Laurel.

The walk-in studio lets visitors pick and decorate their own pieces. Or schedule a one-on-one pottery-wheel lesson to see what you can make with a pound of clay.

Perkins Center for the Arts, Moorestown

Teens and tweens in the comic-book illustration class develop drawing skills inspired by the pros, explore how inking gives works added dimension and try their hands at making superheroes, manga and fantasy cartoons.

have allowed visitors to screenprint and embroider tote bags and pillows, learn about fashion design and make “selfportrait boxes.”

These spots boast toddler-specific programming that instills art appreciation at an early age.

All Fired Up!, Collingswood Frequent storytime events pair tales with a related art project, while kids’ canvas workshops draw inspiration from seasonal themes.

Cherry Hill Art Center, Cherry Hill Join your child at Creative Playgroup every Friday, a drop-in program that allows babies and toddlers to engage in sensory activities and listen to stories.

Markeim Arts Center, Haddonfield

Elementary and middle schoolers can shape their knowledge during a ceramics sampler workshop, where they’ll make projects such as pinch monsters, fairy and toad houses, and animals.

The Clay Studio, Phila.

Ready to get behind the wheel? Weekly classes for families provide a hands-on introduction to pottery. You’ll leave with a new skill and a creation to show off at home.

LEARN: DRAWING AND PAINTING Medford Arts Center, Medford

Older kids and adults can brush up on their painting skills during classes and workshops that explore the practice and study of watercolor, acrylic and canvas painting.

24 MetroKids.com

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Phila.

The illustration class lets middle schoolers explore children’s book illustrations, comic books and graphic novels while experimenting with drawing, design and layout.

Grounds for Sculpture, Hamilton The Tots on Tour program introduces young visitors to the sculpture park via stories, outdoor exploration and art making.

LEARN: WEARABLE ART Jubili Beads and Yarns, Collingswood

This walk-in shop offers beginnerto expert-level classes in beading, metalsmithing, glass-bead making and needlework.

Fabric Workshop and Museum, Phila.

Round up the whole gang and sign up for hands-on family workshops. Past sessions

MARCH 2018

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Early Education Directory DAY CARE FY: Full Year AY: Academic Year SP: Summer Program MP: Meals Provided

•

PREK

•

KINDERGARTEN

BS: Before School AS: After School DA: Diapers Accepted TP: Transportation Provided

SN: Special Needs DHS*: Licensed: Dept. of Health & Human Serv.

DE*: Licensed: Dept. of Education DYF: Licensed: Dept. of Youth & Family Serv.

NAEYC: Accredited by National Association of Education of Young Children PAIS: Accredited by PA Assoc. of Independent Schools MSCES: Accredited by Middle States Commission on Elementary Schools AMS: Accredited by American Montessori Society

* Note: DHS* License: requires annual on-site visits. DE License: 20% of all facilities are inspected annually.

BURLINGTON COUNTY BEGINNINGS AT MFS: THE MOORESTOWN FRIENDS SCHOOL Early Childhood Program, 110 E. Main St., Moorestown, NJ 856-914-4428 • MFriends.org Ages: 3 & up • Hours: 8:05am-3:10pm Beginnings at MFS: The Moorestown Friends School Early Childhood Program offers a values-based education for 3-year-olds and up. A project-based approach to learning and wide range of special subject areas are hallmarks of the experience. Moorestown Friends School is one of the only schools in the United States to offer a Coding Program to all Lower School students - Preschool through Grade 4. This innovative program has three strands: coding, problem solving and teamwork. These skills will be in high demand as the 21st century progresses.

Half-day and full-day Preschool is available. Prekindergarten and Kindergarten are full-day programs. AY, SP, BS, AS, MSCES ESSENTIAL BEGINNINGS LEARNING CENTER 1329 Rte. 38, Hainsport, NJ 609-667-7838 • info@essentialbeginningslc.com Essentialbeginningslc.com • Ages: 2-1/2 yrs.-13 yrs.

Hours 6:30am - 6:00pm Essential Beginnings embraces the differentiation approach to teaching. This method ensures that all children can learn the content based on their learning style. FY, AY, SP, SN, DYF FUTURE SCHOLARS EARLY LEARNING CENTER Bruni Square, 1351 Rte. 38 W., B-1, Hainesport, NJ 609-518-1333 • FutureScholarsLearning.com Ages: 6 wks.-13 yrs. • Hours: 6:30am-6:30pm “Where Generations Come and Grow” Full- and half-day classes available year round. Family-owned and operated with an owner on premises daily. Offering Infant & Toddler Care, PreSchool, Drop-In Hourly Daycare, Established Full-Day Kindergarten, Before- and After-School Care with bussing for township students, Private Tutoring and Summer Camp! We are your one-stop solution for early education and child care! STOP BY TODAY FOR A TOUR! FY, AY, SP, BS, AS, DA, DYF LITTLE DARLINGS CHILDCARE CENTER 624 Moorestown-Mt.Laurel Rd., Mt. Laurel, NJ • 856-787-0737 Ages: 10 wks.-10 yrs. • Hours: 6:30am-6:30pm Come visit Little Darlings’ State-of-the-Art Child Care Center located on 2½ acres in Mt. Laurel, NJ. We offer full- and part-time care, emergency drop in and a before/ after kindergarten program. We serve breakfast and two snacks daily. Little Darlings has separate age-appropriate play areas with colorful and fun play equipment, soft surface flooring and rubber mulch. All staff is First Aid, Infant and Child CPR Certified. Tuition includes all Preschool programs as well as daily specials such as: Hands-on Science, Cooking, Spanish, Gym, Music, Art, Yoga and much more. Little Darlings offers a full range of Summer Camp activities, including Certified Swimming Lessons in our in-ground pool. Owner-operated / Security System. Rated #1 childcare center in five surrounding counties. FY, AY, SP, BS, AS, DA, TP, DHS*, DE, DYF OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER 32 W. Main St., Moorestown, NJ • 856-235-5371 • www.olgcnj.org/school Ages: 4 yrs.-6 yrs. • Hours: 8:30am-3pm • school@olgcnj.org Our Lady of Good Counsel School features full- and half-day pre-kindergarten programs, as well as full-day kindergarten. Children in first through eighth grades are educated in a top-notch, Catholic school environment, where our mission to form students in the image of Jesus Christ is reinforced daily. We provide education in music, art, specialized clubs, sports, after-school enrichment programs such as Lego Robotics and Latin, Spanish, technology, and physical education. Students do not need to be Catholic to attend our school.

Please call to arrange a tour. Financial aid and volunteer opportunities available. AY, SP, AS

CAMDEN COUNTY BEECHWOOD SCHOOL, PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN 441 Beechwood Ave., Haddonfield, NJ • 856-429-0303 • TheBeechwoodSchool.com • Ages: 2½ yrs.-K Preschool, Kindergarten, Childcare. Beechwood School is a family-owned, independent, statelicensed school since 1951. We offer both half-day and full-day classes year round for children 2½ through kindergarten. Call for a tour. FY, AY, SP, MP, BS, AS, DYF PRIMROSE SCHOOL OF CHERRY HILL 1875 Rt. 70 East., Cherry Hill, NJ 8856-242-0034 • www.primrosecherryhill.com Ages: 6 wks. to Pre-K • Hours: 6:30am to 6:00pm Primrose Schools® is a national system of accredited private preschools that provides a premier early education and child care experience for children and families. Our Franchise Owners, Leadership Teams and School Staff partner with parents to help build the right foundation for future learning and in life. FY, AY, SP, BS, AS, MP, DA, SN, NAEYC

MARCH 2018

CAMDEN COUNTY (continued) SARI ISDANER EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER AT THE KATZ JCC 1301 Springdale Rd., Cherry Hill, NJ • 856-424-4444 • KatzJCC.org/ECE Ages: 6 wks.-K • Hours: 6:45am-6:15pm, M-Th; 6pm, F Infant/Toddler Day Care, Flexible Part-Time Nursery Programs, Half- & Full-Day Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, Transitional Kindergarten, & Parent/Child Classes. Enriching curriculum, based in Jewish values, in state-of-the-art, child-friendly facility.

Program allows children to develop cognitively, academically, socially and emotionally and encourages the development of their inner resources: curiosity, creativity, imagination, independence, love of learning and self-esteem. Children will learn reading readiness, science, math, language, social studies, music, art, swim, gym & Jewish holiday and cultural celebrations. STEAM is incorporated to encourage creative learning and problem solving.

Facility includes age-appropriate classrooms with learning and play centers, computer labs, 3 playgrounds including indoor play structure, indoor pool, gym & secure entrance. Contact for free tour. FY, AY, SP, BS, AS, DA, SN, DHS*, DE, NAEYC SHINING LIGHTS PRESCHOOL AND DAYCARE CENTER 1720 Springdale Rd., Cherry Hill, NJ • 856-424-4915 www.shininglightsonline.org • Ages: 6 wks. - 5 yrs. • Hours: 7:00am-6pm M-F Bible-based curriculum designed by our degreed director and certified teachers focuses on your child’s individual needs. Each classroom boasts hands-on exploration and discovery promoting learning centers. Small class sizes allow a variety of programs, which include: field trips, holiday shows, cooking projects and themed days. State-of-the-art security system and fenced-in playground. FY, AY, SP, DA, DYF SOUTH JERSEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 406 Church Rd., Sicklerville, NJ • 856-728-2001 www.sjchristianacademy.org • Ages: PK - 7th Grade • Hours: 8:15am-3pm M-F South Jersey Christian Academy offers an affordable Christian education for students, Preschool through 7th Grade, in the South Jersey area. We educate today’s children to be tomorrow’s Christian leaders. AY, BS, AS

GLOUCESTER COUNTY BUILDING BLOCKS CHILDCARE Applewood Dr., Logan Township • 856-975-6247 www.buildingblockscc.vpweb.com • Ages: 6 wks – 12 yrs • Hours: 24 hours Building Blocks Childcare is a 24-hr. home care facility. We have daily age-appropriate activities.

We also go on local trips to the park and library, as well as field trips. We are very flexible and have rates from daily to rates that include overtime. We also accept Rutgers vouchers. Rutgers Resource and Referral. FY, MP, BS, AS, DA, TP, SN HOLDING HANDS FAMILY CHILD CARE & PLAY CENTER 138 Tomlin Station Rd., Mullica Hill, NJ • 856-467-6811 Ages: Infant-School Age • Hours: 6am-6:30pm A place for families providing exceptional care, engaged learning and everyday play.

A full-service center in a new facility with a gym, three playgrounds, access control system and video monitoring. FY, SP, BS, AS, DA, DHS*

BUCKS COUNTY BRIGHT BEGINNERS ACADEMY 800 Clarmont Ave., Suite A, Bensalem, PA 19020 267-520-7200 • http://brightbeginnersacademy.com Ages: 6 wks. to 6 yrs. old • Hours: 6:45am - 6pm Our preschool is designed to meet the needs of every child in a developmentally inclusive setting. Our program encourages progress at a child’s own pace and according to individual needs and abilities. Play-based learning centers for math, science, dramatic play, blocks, music, creative art and technology provide opportunities to balance and stimulate both shared and independent learning experiences. Private pay and subsidized funding accepted, infant and toddler care available. Parent volunteer opportunities available. FY, AY, SP, DA, SN, DHS*, DE

What are you looking for?

DAYCARE MetroKids.com/Childcare

MetroKids.com 25

FIND US

ONLINE

Mom Matters

continued from p. 5

toward empowerment. If you’ve brushed up on your skills and you’re unsuccessful, know it isn’t you – and never forget, you have options.

4. Use and affirm your strengths.

smart. local. parenting.

122 W Main Street , Moorestown, NJ • 856-235-5371

www.olgc.me

MetroKids.com

Whatever your talents may be, make an effort to use them every day. Even if you don’t consider your strengths significant, they’ll provide you a sense of capability that fosters self-esteem. Remember, self-esteem translates to empowerment.

5. Find a mentor.

Do you lack confidence or the direction needed to follow your dreams or achieve your goals? Look for a strong female mentor who’ll provide you guidance and encouragement. Find a friend, relative or co-worker you admire for her strength, wisdom, courage or achievements. Also, find a women’s organization either locally or online, or join a Meetup group with empowered women.

HOW TO EMPOWER OTHER WOMEN 1. Support women-owned businesses.

Both men and women can contribute to women’s empowerment by patronizing female-owned businesses. In addition to the increased income for the women owners, female-owned businesses are more likely to hire women for higher-level positions and for better pay than many male-owned companies.

2. Be a mentor.

Are you already an empowered woman? Do you have goals or dreams and the fortitude to see them through to success?

If so, you’re an excellent candidate to mentor other women.

3. Volunteer for a women’s cause.

There are organizations for women in most communities ranging from domestic-violence shelters to professional-women’s networks. Reach out to a women’s organization in your community and ask how you can help. Whether you want to help women find safe and affordable housing, help with fundraising or offer lectures to educate women, it all goes toward women’s empowerment.

Kimberly Blaker is a freelance writer.

26 MetroKids.com

MARCH 2018

NEW!

COMING MARCH

METROKIDS READERS GET $6 OFF

Terms/Conditions: Two ways to redeem this offer: 1) For guaranteed entry, book online at LEGOLANDDiscoveryCenter.com under the “buy tickets” tab select “promotional code” and enter the code provided below. 2) Walk-up and present this offer to LEGOLAND Discovery Center Philadelphia. Offer valid at admissions only when walk-up tickets are available. This offer is only valid on the full price rate and does not include a LEGO collectible. Online reservations strongly encouraged. Copies are not accepted. Cannot be combined with any other promotional offers. This voucher must be surrendered upon arrival. Final interpretation resides with Merlin Entertainments.

Code: MetroKids18 Exp: 12/31/2018

It’s easy to tell when our students feel a sense of accomplishment!

Private Special Education … an Option You Should Know About!

Sometimes, it starts with a twinkle in the eye. Just a little spark of curiosity that soon blossoms into a journey of discovery, learning and achievement. That’s because at our private special education schools, we see beyond a child’s disability, and awaken the joy and creative expression within.

Our schools are welcoming places where students feel at home and are able to enjoy a rich and rewarding social life. Our students feel cherished, well cared for and respected for a very good reason—it is part of our mission and our commitment.

Students at our special education schools experience a school day as it should be—filled with discovery, achievement, learning and friendship. Here, they have people they know they can count on—outstanding teachers, therapists, counselors, psychologists and job coaches who constantly encourage and support them.

With individualized attention, on-site therapies and vocational training, our schools deliver unparalleled services for students with special needs. Our New Jersey Department of Education certified special education teachers, licensed therapists and counselors provide expert, advanced instruction and support … along with plenty of smiles.

These unique services are provided at NO COST for families.

Find out if private special education is the right fit for your child. Our staff can help answer your questions.

To find out more about what programs may be right for your child, call us at 1-800-697-8555 or visit SpecialEducationSchools.org

Brookfield Schools | HollyDELL School | Garfield Park Academy | Larc School | St. John of God Community Services Copyright ©2017 Coalition of Special Education Schools