MetroKids - 0919 SJ

30 YEARS

September 2019 | FREE

Kids’ Theater Preview When HOMEWORK HELP Hurts

+

2019 High School Survey Dress Without Stress

Middle School Survival Tips

(for Parents)

If the Shoe Fits...

Empowering Kids Through the Arts KELSEY THEATRE 2019-2020 Season of Special Shows for Kids Thumbelina

ANNIE - The Movie Sing-Along Rosie Revere, Engineer Frozen Jr.

Chicken Dance Treasure Island

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Purchase all 7 Shows and Save over 35%!

$61 Adult • $53 Senior $53 Child/Student Plus Special Events: ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas & The Nutcracker

609-570-3333 www.kelseytheatre.org

Inside

mk

September 2019 Vol. 24, No. 9

4

In This Issue 4 How to Fit Kids’ Shoes 6 When to Help With Homework 7 Tips for Middle-School Survival 10 2019 High School Survey 11 Win It!

COME PARTY WITH US! We can help you with any party size and offer studio or private parties as well as a private party room.

Choose from several great options, including our new Rainbow Unicorn Party!

602 Haddon Avenue • LumberYard Condos Collingswood, NJ 08108

SpecialKids 8 Inclusive Back-to-School Clothing

856-833-1330 • www.paintatallfiredup.com

Family Fun 12 Day-by-Day Calendar 15 Kids’ Theater Preview

mk

7

Ad Sections

3 Education; 9 Special Needs 11 Child Care

smart. local. parenting.

MetroKids.com

Quality Counts

Rooted in Tradition, Progressive Early Learning

Infant & Toddler Programs

Creative Curriculum®

Flexible Preschool Programs

STEAM Curriculum

Pre-Kindergarten

Jewish Values & Traditions

Transitional Kindergarten

Swim Lessons, Gym, Music & Art

Full Day Kindergarten

Tadpoles: Daily Digital Parent Reports

Looking for a flexible morning program for your 2 year old?

Ask us about Two Day 2’s!

-20 school year!

19 20 e th r fo S U JOIN es l faiths & cultur es of al

ili We welcome fam

1301 Springdale Springdale Rd Rd •• Cherry Cherry Hill, Hill, NJ NJ 1301

SEPTEMBER 2019

katzjcc.org/ece

856-424-4444 x1242 MetroKids.com 3

mk

Health

If the Shoe Fits Kids’ feet grow quickly. Here’s how to make sure their shoes help, not hurt.

mk smart. local. parenting.

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

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

By Emma Kuliczowski Back-to-school shopping usually involves a trip down the shoe aisle, but the old trick of pinching the front of the shoe to make sure your kids’ tootsies have enough room isn’t enough to guarantee a good fit, especially if they are at an age where their feet are still growing quickly.

From barefoot babies to flat-footed kids

Babies should be left to walk barefoot or in socks, says Dr. Steven Dowshen, a pediatric endocrinologist in Wilmington, DE. In their first two years, babies’ feet need as much sensory input as possible to grow proper bone structure and develop muscles.

For the times they need to wear shoes, Dowshen suggests ones that are lightweight and flexible, not too loose or tight, and have non-skid soles.

When it comes to school-aged children, the main purpose of shoes is shock absorption and protection. Sneakers, sandals, dress or casual shoes should all meet those criteria.

Children are born with flat feet and typically develop an arch around age six, so choose structurally supportive shoes that help a developing arch instead of sandals or flip flops.

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 Marketing/Circulation: Riley Mudgett, ext. 100 marketing@metrokids.com Interns: Colleen Claggett, Rose Destra, Emma Kuliczkowski, Jacob Orndorff, Sally Tan, Sawyer Thomson

Custom fit

Vincent Flocco, co-owner of Flocco’s Shoes Clothes & Formal Wear in Conshohocken, PA has been fitting children’s shoes for decades.

“What a lot of parents want is not what’s appropriate or what’s good for the age of the kids,” Flocco says. “Many want a fashion-type shoe, but usually it doesn’t properly fit the child.

“Your child may look cool, but a shoe that is improperly fitted can cause problems down the road.”

Kids shoes shouldn’t need to be broken in, as adult shoes sometimes might, says Dr. Roman Burk, an Idaho podiatrist and graduate of Temple University School of Podiatry. “Buy shoes that don’t need to be broken in; children’s shoes should be comfortable immediately,” Burk says.

Fit by phone

Parents who don’t live near a shoe store that can help with fitting can try a relatively new app developed by a Philadelphia company. Jenzy helps parents find shoes that fit kids up to six years old.

“It’s like a shoe store on your phone,” says Carolyn Horner, co-founder and CEO of Jenzy.

The app, which launched last year, asks parents to take a photo of their kid’s foot.

An algorithm then calculates the foot’s measurements and recommends the best sizes from the brands offered on the app, which include Keds, Saucony and PediPed. “Seventy percent of kids are wearing shoes that don’t fit and that could affect their foot health for a lifetime,” says Horner. “Things like bunions or curled toes may come from wearing shoes as a child that are too small or unsupportive.”

Emma Kuliczowski is a MetroKids intern and Temple University student.

4 MetroKids.com

ADVERTISING SALES 888-890-4668

Becky Henry Jeanie Mudgett-McGeoch

Erin Thompson Samantha Tuttle Classified Sales

ext. 105 ext. 111 ext. 120 ext. 106 ext. 100

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. © 2019 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:

SEPTEMBER 2019

Discover your capable, confident Montessori child.

Now enrolling!

Discover your capable, confident Montessori child.

At Guidepost, your child will enter a wonderful world of activities, tools, and learning materials, designed to captivate her interest and inspire her budding intelligence in remarkable ways. Early childhood is a brief moment in time when your child’s mind develops rapidly, and she establishes foundational character traits. Take advantage of this critical age!

Visit us online today to RSVP for an event or schedule a tour.

Visit us online to RSVP for Oak an event or schedule a tour today!

Guidepost Montessori at Laurel guidepostmontessori.com/laurel-oak 1004 Laurel Oak Voorhees Township, NJ 08043 (848) 999-9456

1019

SEPTEMBER 2019

Spanish Immersion available.

Toddler • Preschool KindergartenMetroKids.com 5

mk

Education

Should You Help With Homework?

By Tanni Haas Here is a scenario most parents can relate to: It’s late afternoon and your children come home from school exhausted, weighed down by school bags full of homework. Do you sit down to help them with it or encourage them to do it on their own?

The answer is “It depends.” In the most comprehensive summary of the scientific literature to date, researchers from Duke University concluded that whether parents should help their children with their homework depends on: 1. The child’s grade level 2. How knowledgeable parents are about the subject matter 3. How parents help

How old are they?

Before you sit down with your children to help them with homework, consider their ages. Researchers have consistently found that homework assistance is beneficial for children in elementary and high school, but not for middle-school-aged children. If your children are in middle school, you are better off letting them do their homework on their own.

Why? Researchers believe that parental assistance in elementary school helps because their kids are young and impressionable and your help is about more than completing the homework; you are also teaching them how to study.

It is different when they are in high school. At that age, researchers speculate that your involvement adds value because you are only likely to help out when you have particular expertise to share.

Why is it detrimental to try and help middle-schoolers?

Researchers think the issue is their specific developmental stage. As budding teenagers caught between childhood and adulthood, middle-school-aged children have a strong need for autonomy and are likely to resist any effort on your part to interfere in their affairs.

“Researchers have found parents are better able to help children with reading and writing than with math homework.”

As the father of a 14-year-old son who is about to enter high school, I recognize these behaviors from my own experiences.

When my son was in elementary school, he absolutely loved when we did his homework together; it was a great occasion for father-son bonding. Over time, he developed some impressive study habits and skills that have served him well in middle school, and which, I hope, will continue in high school. Although we still share many great moments together, it is safe to say that they rarely involve his homework.

What do you know?

Before you decide whether to help your child, you should also consider if you are qualified to do so. Researchers have discovered that the more parents know about the subject matter, the more useful it is for the child. This makes intuitive sense. You may even teach your children new ways to accomplish certain tasks. However, when you know little or nothing about the topic, your children are likely to get frustrated and you might even introduce mistakes into their work.

Researchers have found parents are better able to help children with reading and writing than with math homework, primarily because most parents are simply better at it. Parents often know less about math and are less up-to-date with the latest instructional strategies. Also, a parent’s old instructional strategies often conflict with contemporary methods taught at school.

Set rules, don’t do the work

One of the most consistent findings is that children benefit the most when parents support them in their efforts rather than help them out every step of the way.

There is nothing wrong with working very closely with your children on their homework, since this will help them develop study habits and skills. Yet, the most effective form of involvement is to set clear expectations and guidelines and reward good behavior when those are met.

Create rules for when, where, and how homework is supposed to be completed. Research indicates that when parents set ground rules, children spend more time on their homework, use that time more effectively, and, most importantly, internalize those rules so that they become routine, good habits over time.

Tanni Haas, PhD, is a professor in the Department of Communication Arts, Sciences, and Disorders at The City University of New York Brooklyn College.

6 MetroKids.com

SEPTEMBER 2019

mk

Parenting

6 Tips for Middle School A local school counselor uses his years of experience to help you get your child from kid to teen.

By Andy Mullen Eventually, you are going to have to go through it. With preparation, planning and reasonable expectations, it can be easier to handle.

We’re not talking about military boot camp or even a colonoscopy. Welcome to middle school! Below are a few tips and reminders that might ease the pain of these notoriously challenging adolescent years.

1. Stay calm If you have not seen it yet, you will soon. Your kid is poised to start saying and doing things that will tempt you to the dark side.

Resist! Remind yourself that they don’t mean it and that they really do love you.

They are going through a temporary stage that won’t last forever. They will eventually stop rolling their eyes, it just might take a few years.

BROKEN BONE?

2. Mistakes are good Middle school is the minor leagues of

life and mistakes will and should happen. Mistakes or failures are often the result of accepting new challenges or taking appropriate risks. This is how they learn and grow. How you respond to their setbacks makes all the difference. Your job is to help them look at the situation and figure out how to do it better the next time. Don’t say things like, “You are going to turn out just like your Uncle Eddie,” or “You are grounded forever.”

Visit our walk-in fracture clinic for routine injuries.

3. Structure Predictable, clear and rea-

sonable consequences create an environment that both comforts and reassures adolescents. They will never admit it to you, but your child, more than ever, needs and wants rules and expectations. When you make the effort to enforce rules and set expectations, it sends a message that you care.

4. Listen to them As your child gets older, lots of new thoughts race through his mind. Slow down and take the time to listen to him. It can be hard to hear the story about a kid

www.shrinersphilly.org 215-430-4000

continued on p. 9 SEPTEMBER 2019

MetroKids.com 7

mk

SpecialKids

Inclusive Designs That Are Cool for School Adaptive clothing makes it easier for kids with disabilities and sensory issues to comfortably fit in.

By Rose Destra Every new school year, the hype for fresh back-to-school outfits has families clearing the racks. But parents of a child with a disability or sensitivity have other things to consider besides the latest trend.

They must take into account the comfort of the material or the ease of getting it on. Something simple, like a tag on a shirt, can trigger a reaction from a child with sensory processing issues. Some adaptive clothing, such as a weighted hat or vest, and compression T-shirt, can provide a sense of security to a child with anxiety or OCD. For children with physical disabilities that make buttons and zippers difficult to manage, clothing with magnetic closures or Velcro allow them to dress themselves easier and faster.

“Children are empowered to learn and grow when you give them reasonable choices. If the fabric is scratchy, the seams rub, or the design doesn’t express who you are, then getting dressed is the worst way to start your day,” says Daniela Weiss, marketing director at Fun and Function, in Merion Station, PA.

What is a sensory sensitivity?

For some parents, a child’s response to his clothing might be the first signal that he has a sensory disorder. Does he hate wearing long sleeves and pants, even if it’s cold out? Does he complain about itchy clothes and tight shoes? The smallest thing, like a seam, can be uncomfortable to a child with a sensory processing issue.

It is more than a discomfort. A child focused on how uncomfortable his clothing is can find it hard to focus on academics in the classroom.

If these issues aren’t addressed, the child can develop a tactile dysfunction that compels them to touch everything, have a high pain tolerance or have difficulty with fine motor tasks.

8 MetroKids.com

Touch is not the only sensation that affects a child with sensory processing disorder.

“Sometimes the sensory processing difficulties are much more than the touch processing,” says Susan Donohoe, owner of Kozie Clothes in Pottstown, PA. “People with sensory processing disorder misinterpret everyday sensory information, such as sound and movement.

“They may feel bombarded by information, crave intense sensory experiences or be unaware of sensations that others feel.”

For children with autism, clothes that apply pressure calm the nervous system during sensory overload.

“Weighted or snugfitting clothing can help a child that has trouble interpreting his position in space.

The weight or the snug fit provides the needed additional input for the child to feel grounded or secure,” says Donna Clee, an occupational therapy assistant at Jefferson Sub-Acute Rehab in Sewell, NJ.

Clothes make the kid

Kids like to dress the way they want and fit in with their peers. They value this freedom of expression because it’s a piece of their identity.

Adaptive clothing with cool graphics and patterns gives chidren a sense of belonging and boosts their confidence.

Certain design features, like a lack of tags or rough material, and the addition of magnets or Velcro, can

make clothing easier to wear without looking different. Other products, such as seamless underwear and socks, are even more subtle.

“Teaching dressing to a child is a challenge and teaching dressing to a child with sensitivities without access to adaptive clothing is exclusion.

Kids just want to be kids,” says Clee.

Big retailers get on board

Department stores like Target and Kohl’s have started to carry their own adaptive clothing.

Target’s Cat & Jack adaptive apparel line launched in 2017 with tagless clothing and Tommy Hilfiger has added Velcro and magnetic closures to some of its line. Kohl’s three children’s lines offer clothing suitable for those in wheelchairs with adaptations that include wide pant legs, elastic waistbands and reinforced belt loops.

Smaller companies have been in this niche longer. Aviva Weiss founded Fun and Function in 2007. Its clothing ranges from weighted vests to tagless tees made for children, teens, and adults with sensory impairments. “The purpose is to help children develop and participate in daily life, and it needs to be appealing, kid-friendly and affordable,” she says.

Kozie Clothes offers pieces for a variety of disabilities, such as body suits that can accommodate a feeding tube. Its temperature-controlled shirts react when a child sweats and quickens its absorption so he doesn’t feel sticky and overheated.

Adaptive clothing has expanded to the point where it doesn’t include just everyday wear. Halloween costumes, swimsuits and formal attire are also available. Target released a line of costumes for kids in wheelchairs so they can easily dress up too.

Rose Destra is a MetroKids intern from Temple University.

Images provided by Fun and Function

SEPTEMBER 2019

mk

Parenting

cont. from p. 7

“Be patient and open minded about their interests.

Share the hobbies and things you are interested in, while being receptive to other ideas as well.” who stuffed 15 tater tots in his mouth at lunch when dinner needs to be cooked and you have work left to do. Make the time. If they know that they can talk to you about tater tots, they will also talk with you about the more serious stuff later.

5. Identity formation Be patient

and open minded about their interests. Share the hobbies and things you are interested in, while being receptive to other ideas as well. Know ahead of time that most things they try will not pan out into a lifelong interest.

You can always sell the lacrosse stick, guitar and mountain bike to make

SEPTEMBER 2019

the down payment on that mid-life-crisis Jeep you’ve been looking at. Finding a few areas of interest is key to self-esteem and a healthy picture of who they are.

6. Laugh If viewed through a lens of understanding, empathy and compassion, the antics of middle schoolers are absolute gifts of hilarity.

Appreciate the mistakes and enjoy this stage of parenting!

Andy Mullen has been a middle-school and high-school counselor in Tredyffrin/Easttown School District for 16 years and just published Middle Schooled: Parenting Tips and Reminders to Keep You Smiling, a month-by-month guide to getting your kids through the tween years. It is available on Amazon.

...and so much more!

MetroKids.com 9

mk

2019-2020 H.S. INDEPENDENT SCHOOL SURVEY

Do you want to find a high school that fits your child perfectly? This 30th annual Independent School Survey is a great place to start. It is a snapshot of the top independent high schools in South Jersey, from day schools to boarding schools, large and small.

You’ll find information about school size, tuition, summer programs and services for students with special needs.

More detailed information on each school

is available as a searchable database at Metrokids.com/educationguide, where you can sort by school name, state, county, grades or gender.

Also be sure to check out the MetroKids 2019 Guide to Schools, coming out this month, which will also include PreK–8 schools, programs that serve students with learning differences, in-depth school profiles as well as Open House dates.

KEY LANGUAGES OFFERED:

TUITION:

AR= Arabic CH= Chinese FR= French GE= German

$ = < $10,000 $$ = $10,000-$20,000 $$$ = $20,000-$30,000 $$$$ = > $30,000

GR= Greek LA= Latin SP= Spanish

SERVICES = Accommodates disabilities = Summer camp, school or program = Boarding school

XXX = Enrollment

Bishop Eustace Preparatory School, (Catholic) Pennsauken, NJ; Eustace.org; Grades 9-12; Coed; 533 $$; FR, GE, LA, SP; Doane Academy, (Christian) Burlington, NJ; Doaneacademy.org; Grades PreK-12; Coed; 131 $$; LA, SP; Lawrenceville School, The, (Nonsectarian) Lawrenceville, NJ; Lawrenceville.org; Grades 9-12; Coed; 817 $$$$; AR, CH, FR, GR, LA, SP; Moorestown Friends School, (Quaker) Moorestown; Mfriends.org; Grades PreK-12; Coed; 710 $$$$; CH, FR, SP; Quaker school founded in 1785 pursues educational excellence for a diverse student body; academically rigorous and balanced program on 48 acres.

Princeton Day School, (Nonsectarian) Princeton, NJ; Pds.org; Grades PreK-12; Coed; 420 $$$$; CH, FR, LA, SP; Saint Augustine Preparatory School, (Catholic) Richland, NJ; Hermits.com; Grades 9-12; Boys; 685 $$; AR, LA, SP; South Jersey Sudbury School, (Nonsectarian) Medford, NJ; Southjerseysudburyschool.org; Grades K-12; Coed; 19 $; Language as chosen Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, (Catholic) Princeton, NJ; Stuartschool.org; Grades PreK-12; Girls; 460 $$$$; FR, LA, SP; Villa Victoria Academy, (Catholic) Ewing, NJ; Villavictoria.org; Grades 6-12; Girls; 110 $$; FR, SP;

Expanding Minds Chasing Wonder

Join Us for an Open House!

Sunday, Oct. 20 at 2 PM Friday, Nov. 8 at 9 AM Saturday, Nov. 16 at 10 AM 10 MetroKids.com

Ages 3 - Grade 12 SEPTEMBER 2019

mk

Child Care & Early Education Directory

FY: Full Year BS: Before School AY: Academic Year AS: After School SP: Summer Program DA: Diapers Accepted

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

DE*: Licensed: Dept. of Education

DYF: Licensed: Dept. of Youth & Family Serv.

NAEYC: Accredited—National Assoc. of Education of Young Children MSCES: Accredited—Middle States Commission on Elementary Schools

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

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 • Essentialbeginningslc.com info@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 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

mk

HOLDING HANDS FAMILY CHILD CARE & PLAY CENTER 138 Tomlin Station Rd., Mullica Hill, NJ 856-467-6811 • Holdinghandspreschool.com 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* OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER 32 W. Main St., Moorestown, N 856-235-5371 • school@olgcnj.org • Olgcnj.org/school Ages: 4 yrs.-6 yrs. • Hours: 8:30am-3pm Our Lady of Good Counsel School features full- and half-day prekindergarten 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 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 The Sari Isdaner Early Childhood Center at the Katz JCC is an award-winning program and leader in early childhood education. We offer full day infant/toddler care as of six weeks old, nursery school, preschool, full day certified Kindergarten, pre-K and transitional Kindergarten. FY, AY, SP, BS, AS, DA, SN, DHS*, DE*, NAEYC

Win It!

PLAY TO LEARN Kids love to show off their unique style, and Chalk of the Town’s customizable tees and tote bag let them do just that. Grab the chalk markers and stencils provided to doll up the apparel, then use the eraser cloth to make room for a new masterpiece. (2+; $19.95$24.95) Fast-track your tot’s imagination and finemotor skills with the LeapBuilders Soar and Zoom Vehicles playset, which prompts little ones to use easy-build blocks to construct a variety of creations. (Leapfrog; 2+; $9.99) Log on to MetroKids.com/winit and enter to win your favorite prize, beginning September 1. Prizes will be mailed by the provider to the address given on the entry form.

SEPTEMBER 2019

MetroKids.com 11

mk

Family Fun

Get your face painted during the Camden County Fair, Sept.

20 & 21 in Gloucester Twp.

SEPTEMBER DAY-BY-DAY CALENDAR

Special needs event PAWS for Art

Sept. 7

Editor's Pick

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

1 Sunday

Back to School Weekend at the Museum of the American Revolution, Phila. Find out how kids in the 1700s learned their ABCs and apprenticed for trades. $$$$ Summerfest Closing Day at Blue Cross RiverRink, Phila. Enjoy the skating rink, carnival games and play area for the final time this season. FREE Labor Day Celebration at Franklin Square, Phila. FREE

Feria del Barrio

Sept. 8

Hands-On History at Historic Cold Spring Village, Cape May. Kids get their “Pastport” stamped to redeem a prize by writing with a quill pen, carding wool and churning butter. $$$

2 Monday

7 Saturday

Apple Festival at Mood’s Farm Market, Mullica Hill. Don’t miss donut-eating contests, face painting and a corn maze. FREE Atlantic City Seafood Festival at Bader Field, Atlantic City. Professional and amateur chefs serve up their finest fare for samples and competitions while families are entertained by cooking demos and a crab-cake-eating contest. $$ Barnegat Pirate Day at Gazebo Park, Barnegat.

Swashbuckling fun includes costume contests, treasure hunts, themed entertainment and strolling pirates. FREE Camden Jam Arts and Music Festival at Wiggins Park, Camden. There’ll be musical and cultural arts performances, merchandise vendors, arts & crafts, a kids’ zone and a health fair. FREE

Back to School Weekend at the Museum of the American Revolution, Phila. See Sept. 1. $$$$

Delaware River Festival at Wiggins Park, Camden. See “Fan of,” p. 13. FREE

Labor Day Celebration at Franklin Square, Phila. FREE

Food Truck and Apple Festival at Duffield’s Farm, Sewell. Apple treats are paired with hayrides and live entertainment. FREE

5 Thursday

Ghost Walk at Cold Spring Brewery, Cape May. $$$

PAWS for Art at WheatonArts, Millville. Bring the family pup for a dog show, animal-themed glassmaking demos, personalized clay paw prints and craft activities. Pet-food donations encouraged. FREE

Civil War Weekend

Sept. 14 & 15

12 MetroKids.com

See MetroKids.com/familyfun for more information on these and other events.

SEPTEMBER 2019

Revolutionary War Encampment at Historic Cold Spring Village, Cape May. Check out encampments, weaponry and demos hosted by living-history groups. $$$ South Jersey Apple Fest at the Cumberland County Fairgrounds, Millville. Sample entries in the apple-dessert contest, browse arts & crafts vendors and cheer on contestants in a pageant. $

8 Sunday

Atlantic City Seafood Festival at Bader Field, Atlantic City. See Sept. 27. $$ Doggie Dash and Splash at Morey's Piers and Beachfront Water Parks, Wildwood. After the race, those on two and four legs join a beachside party with food and games. $$$$ Feria del Barrio on 5th St. between Cambria St. & Lehigh Ave., Phila. This celebration of Latino arts and cultures features performances, crafts, games and food. FREE Play Without Boundaries at the Please Touch Museum, Phila.

Limited entry makes it easier for kids with sensory sensitivities to explore the venue. FREE Revolutionary War Encampment at Historic Cold Spring Village, Cape May. See Sept. 7. $$$ South Jersey Apple Fest at the Cumberland County Fairgrounds, Millville. See Sept. 7. $

10 Tuesday

Read and Pick: Chickens at Terhune Orchards, Princeton. Following storytime, visit “lady hens,” make a duckling-chicken craft and learn a dance. $$

12 Thursday

Ghost Walk at Cold Spring Brewery, Cape May. $$$$

13 Friday

Car Cruise at Historic Smithville & Village Greene, Galloway. FREE Fall Beach Jam at Morey’s Piers, Wildwood. In addition to camping on the beach, fun includes a dance party, bonfire, hayrides and canvas painting. $$$$

14 Saturday

A to Zoo at the Philadelphia Zoo, Phila. Little ones partake in early learning activities. $$$$

FAN OF . . . THE RIVERFRONT

Whether you’re boating or soaking up the sun, Camden’s and Philly’s waterfronts are summer hotspots. Spend the day there Sept. 7 during the Delaware River Festival.

Wiggins Park and Penn’s Landing play host to on-the-water and land-locked activities, including crafts, games, boat tours and live music. Extend the fun and check out the concurrent Camden Jam Arts and Music Festival in the same spot.

15 Sunday

Antique Auto Day at Historic Smithville & Village Greene, Smithville. FREE Apple Day at Terhune Orchards, Princeton. See Sept. 14. $$ Civil War Weekend at Historic Cold Spring Village, Cape May. See Sept. 14. $$$ Fall Beach Jam at Morey’s Piers, Wildwood, NJ. See Sept. 13. $$$$ Mexican Independence Day Festival on the Great Plaza at Penn's Landing, Phila. Enjoy performances and traditional food. FREE

16 Monday

Airport Festival at the Municipal Airport, Ocean City. View aircraft displays and vintage cars. FREE

Community Night at the Franklin Institute, Phila. FREE

Apple Day at Terhune Orchards, Princeton. Enjoy wagon and pony rides, pumpkin painting, music and pick-your-own apples and pumpkins. $$

Constitution Day at the National Constitution Center, Phila.

Listen to a reading of the Preamble and sign a giant constitution.

FREE

Civil War Weekend at Historic Cold Spring Village, Cape May. Tour Union and Confederate camps, meet authentically clad military and civilian reenactors and watch battle recreations. $$$

History After Hours: The Lion and the Unicorn at the Museum of the American Revolution, Phila. Find out which symbols were used to unify the British Empire, then try locally made brews. $$$$

Drum Circle at Historic Smithville & Village Greene, Smithville.

Bring a percussion instrument or purchase one from an on-site vendor. FREE Fall Beach Jam at Morey’s Piers, Wildwood, NJ. See Sept. 13. $$$$ Spirit of the Jerseys History Fair at Monmouth Battlefield State Park, Manalapan. Journey to the state’s past via exhibits, period music, living-history demos, crafts and games. FREE

SEPTEMBER 2019

17 Tuesday

19 Thursday

Ghost Walk at Cold Spring Brewery, Cape May. $$$

20 Friday

Camden County Fair at the Lakewood Complex, Gloucester Twp. Enjoy performances by local talent, face painting, pony rides, food trucks, a petting zoo, an apple-pie contest and amusement rides. FREE

MetroKids.com 13

mk

Family Fun

Special Abilities Night at Storybook Land, Egg Harbor Twp. Kids with special needs enjoy the park with fewer crowds. $$$ Terror Behind the Walls at Eastern State Penitentiary, Phila. This super-scary haunt is suited for ages 7 & up. Through Nov. 9. $$$$

21 Saturday

Art Walk at Historic Smithville & Village Greene, Smithville. FREE Camden County Fair at the Lakewood Complex, Gloucester Township. See Sept.

20. FREE Scarecrow-Making Workshop at Mood’s Farm Market, Mullica Hill. FREE

22 Sunday

Bump2Baby Expo at the Katz JCC, Cherry Hill. Includes parent-and-child fitness demos, pre- and post-pregnancy seminars, vendors and kids’ activities. FREE

24 Tuesday

Read and Pick: Tractors at Terhune Orchards, Princeton. Following storytime, make a craft and hop on a tractor-drawn wagon ride. $$

27 Friday

Car Cruise at Historic Smithville & Village Greene, Galloway. FREE Dinos After Dark at the Academy of Natural Sciences, Phila. Expect animal presentations and a pop-up beer garden. $$ Olde Time Italian Festival at Fox Park, Wildwood. Features authentic food, vendors, games, entertainment and the Procession of the Saints. FREE Mercer County Italian-American Festival at Mercer County Park, West Windsor.

Enjoy a food piazza, entertainment, kids’ activities and contemporary and traditional Italian vendors. $

TOWN & COUNTY: FALL KICKOFF

28 Saturday

DogFest at the College of New Jersey, Ewing. Furry friends can join their humans for doggone demos, music and activities.

FREE Historic Soldiers Weekend at Fort Mott State Park, Pennsville. Expect military displays, reenactors and demos that span every American conflict from the French and Indian War to the Vietnam War. FREE Italian Festival at Historic Smithville & Village Greene, Smithville. Bocce ball, live music, folk dancing and kids’ activities are all part of the fun. FREE The season is changing. Soon we’ll be sipping apple cider, taking hayrides and donning our best sweaters. A few local farms and orchards are embracing the harvest season and kicking off the celebrations early.

Mercer County Italian-American Festival at Mercer County Park, West Windsor. See Sept. 27. $ Olde Time Italian Festival at Fox Park, Wildwood. See Sept. 27. FREE Woofstock Festival at the Voorhees Town Center, Voorhees. Enjoy dog demos, crafters and visits from animal-rescue groups.

FREE

BURLINGTON COUNTY Get ready for apple- and pumpkin-picking hayrides starting Sept. 8 at Johnson’s Corner Farm in Medford. On Sept.

28, Indian Acres Tree Farm, also in Medford, switches seasons with U-pick pumpkin hayrides, entertainment and barrel-train rides.

29 Sunday

Historic Soldiers Weekend at Fort Mott State Park, Pennsville. See Sept. 28. FREE Mercer County Italian-American Festival at Mercer County Park, West Windsor. See Sept. 27. $

GLOUCESTER COUNTY Following Labor Day, Mood’s Farm Market in Mullica Hill brings back U-pick apple and pumpkin hayrides and a corn maze. Over at Duffield’s Farm in Sewell, find hayrides to the pumpkin patch and seasonal treats on Saturdays.

Overwatch League’s Grand Finals at the Wells Fargo Center, Phila. Watch the world’s top two teams go head-to-head in the popular first-person action game. $$$$

MERCER COUNTY Fall family fun weekends at Princeton’s Terhune Orchards start Sept. 14 & 15, featuring wagon and pony rides, pickyour-own apples and pumpkins and a barn adorned with decorations that depict life on the farm.

Walk for a Cure at the South Mountain Recreation Complex, West Orange.

Benefits the Children's Cardiomyopathy Foundation .$$$$

FAB FREEBIE

Inspired by the free-admission Smithsonian museums in Washington D.C., Museum Day Live! grants free access to ticketholders at select venues Sept. 21.

Each ticket — downloadable from Smithsonianmag.com/museumday — admits two guests to one museum. View the full list of participants at MetroKids.com/ museumdaylive.

Participants include: NEW JERSEY • • • •

14 MetroKids.com

Historic Smithville Mansion, Eastampton New Jersey State Museum, Trenton Old Barracks Museum, Trenton WheatonArts, Millville

PHILLY • • • • •

Academy of Natural Sciences American Swedish Historical Museum Independence Seaport Museum Penn Museum Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

SEPTEMBER 2019

mk

Family Fun

Enjoy the

SHOW School hallways aren’t the only place drama returns this September. Local theater companies kick off their 2019-2020 seasons, featuring performances for audiences of all ages. Whether you’re introducing your little one to kiddie versions of popular productions or encouraging a teen thespian’s love of the art form, there’s a performance for everyone.

BRIDGE PLAYERS THEATRE COMPANY, BURLINGTON Young kids Once Upon a Mattress (May 1-16) Tweens & teens Legally Blonde (Sept. 20-Oct. 5 Little Women (Nov. 22-Dec. 7)

BROADWAY THEATRE OF PITMAN, PITMAN

Tweens & teens A Chorus Line (March 6-14) Harvey (May 1-9) Peter and the Starcatcher (July 10-18)

Tweens & teens The Diary of Anne Frank (Nov. 15)

KELSEY THEATRE, WEST WINDSOR

Young kids Baby Shark Live (Nov. 10) Nick Jr. Live: Move to the Music (Feb. 7-9) Tweens & teens Don Quixote (Oct. 10-20) Mean Girls (Nov. 19-Dec. 1) Hello, Dolly! (Feb. 19-March 1) Les Misérables (March 17-29) Jesus Christ Superstar (April 7-13)

Young kids Thumbelina (Nov. 2) Rosie Revere, Engineer (Jan. 25) Frozen Jr. (Feb. 28-March 1) Treasure Island (May 2)

Young kids Goldilocks and the Three Bears (Sept. 27 & 28) Frozen Jr. (March 13-22) The Little Ghost Who Couldn’t Say No (Oct. 18 & 19) Pocahontas (Nov. 9-15) Express Train to the North Pole (Dec. 4-28) Frosty the Snowman (Dec. 11-22)

Tweens & teens The Sound of Music (Sept. 12-22) 12 Angry Men (Jan. 17-26) 13: The Musical (May 1-10) Mamma Mia! (July 24-Aug. 2)

Tweens & teens The Pajama Game (Sept. 13-Oct. 6) Disney’s the Hunchback of Notre Dame (Oct. 25-Nov. 17)

Young kids Snow White and the Seven Dwarves (Nov. 14-16) Frosty the Snowman (Dec. 16-21)

BURLINGTON COUNTY FOOTLIGHTERS, RIVERTON Young kids Disney’s Frozen Jr. (March 13-22) Tweens & teens Disaster! The Musical (Sept. 13-28) Holmes and Watson (Jan. 17-Feb. 1) The Drowsy Chaperone (May 1-16)

RITA THEATRE COMPANY, HADDON TWP.

Tweens & teens The Wiz (Oct. 31-Nov. 24) Next to Normal (May 7-24) Little Shop of Horrors (July 9-Aug. 2)

STOCKTON PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, GALLOWAY Young kids The Little Engine That Could (Nov. 23)

CUMBERLAND PLAYERS, VINELAND Young kids Legally Blonde Jr. (Sept. 6-14) Thoroughly Modern Millie Jr. (Aug. 21-30)

SEPTEMBER 2019

The Little Engine That Could

ACADEMY OF MUSIC, PHILA.

MERRIAM THEATER, PHILA. Young kids The Rainbow Fish (Nov. 23) A Charlie Brown Christmas (Dec. 20 & 21) Wild Kratts Live (April 18) Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Live (May 9) Tweens & teens Rent (Oct. 18-20)

WALNUT STREET THEATRE, PHILA. Young kids The Little Mermaid Jr. (Sept. 21 & 22) Grace for President (Feb. 1 & 2) Junie B. Jones the Musical (Mar. 28 & 29) Nate the Great (May 30 & 31) Tweens & teens Young Frankenstein (Sept. 3-Oct. 20) Shrek the Musical (Nov. 5-Jan. 5) A Woman of No Importance (Jan. 14-Mar. 1) The Bodyguard (May 12-July 12) Log on to MetroKids.com/familytheaterguide for a full list of performances.

MetroKids.com 15

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

HollyDELL School | Garfield Park Academy | Larc School | St. John of God Community Services Copyright ©2019 Coalition of Special Education Schools