October 2015 by Minnesota Parent

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VOLUME 30

CONTENTS

ISSUE 10

60 Spider snack

32 Theater for kids

Find out — firsthand from a local mom and teacher — how to instill a love of the arts, and also reading, by introducing your little ones to some of the many awesome children’s theater productions in the Twin Cities.

39 Bilingual learning

Minnesota’s immersion schools aren’t just boosting kids’ language skills, they’re helping them explore the world and gain perspective.

44 Crash course

Get a jump on college prep — starting in middle school — with tips from a Minnetonka-based expert, who’s also a mother.

50 Art games

Challenge your kids to think creatively with three simple games that boost brain power.

Appletastic! Explore our readers’ favorite orchards and farms for family fun.

+ 54 EDUCATION RESOURCES 6

October 2015 • mnparent.com

Grape KoolAid is used to color these spoooooooooky rice crispy critters.

Tooth fairy fun Make losing teeth fun with these cool new products for kids.

VOLUME 30

CONTENTS

10 FROM THE EDITOR

16 TODDLER TIME

26 ON BEHAVIOR

Helping your kids make their way through the education maze isn’t easy.

Kids fight with each other, but everyone agrees: It’s normal and necessary.

Sometimes parents must intervene to break the cycle of hurt and harm.

12 CHATTER

18 SCHOOL DAYS

Customized book recommendations make reading more fun for all ages.

After planning a six-day trip, our favorite teacher-mama felt a bit sad and uneasy.

14 BABY ON BOARD

20 TEENS AND TWEENS

Learning as we go

Read up!

My first frenemy

Stop the bullying

Away from the kids?

Reality check

Stress and teens

Parenting milestones include the good, the bad and the ugly, and that’s OK!

Kids have to deal with pressures just like we do. But how can we help them cope? 22 GROWS ON TREES

Blueapple

You can supposedly save $640 a year by preserving produce with this product. 24 ASK THE PEDIATRICIAN

Signs of autism

Some autism indicators can be noticed in infants as early as 2 months old.

28 IN THE KITCHEN

Home slices Make your own baked apple chips with this easy-peasy recipe for families. 30 BOOKSHELF

Works of art You really need these books. And, even if you don’t, you could give them as gifts. 74 FROM OUR READERS

Back to school pics! Minnesota Parent Facebook fans share their cutest first-day-of-school photos.

+ 63 OUT & ABOUT CALENDAR

About our cover kid Name: Evan

City: Maple Grove

Age: 3 1/2

Parents: Tracy and Ryan Walsh

Personality: Evan is a sweet and passionate boy who loves adventures and being curious like George. He asks a lot of questions and talks way more than his parents. Favorite toy: His Paw Patrol stuffed dog (or anything else Paw Patrol related) Favorite bookr: Dog is Thirsty by Satoshi Kitamura. (He’s memorized it and reads it to us.) Favorite activities: Going on nature adventures and taking pictures with Mom, washing the car with Dad, art with both Grandma Sue and Grandma Bernadette, going to Davanni’s with Grandpa Ron and picking raspberries with Grandpa Al. Favorite foods: Pancakes and mini corn dogs Photos by Tracy Walsh Photography / tracywalshphoto.com

ISSUE 10

October 2015 • mnparent.com

FROM THE EDITOR

Learning as we go W

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e’re no longer heading back to school. We’re back. We’re in the thick of the school year now — whether that’s preschool, elementary, middle or high school — and we’re dealing with all the challenges that come with that. We’re back to homework, behavior issues, time-out chairs, test stress, bullying and everything else that comes about when you throw hundreds of kids into a single building and try to get them to grow into well-educated, kind, safe, clear-thinking humans. Even if you’re homeschooling, you’re likely facing challenges in education. Photo by Tracy Walsh / tracywalshphoto.com Though we, as a magazine, can scarcely scratch the surface of everything parents need to know about school and learning, we’ve giving it a pretty good shot with this edition, our annual Education Issue. Check out our stories on Twin Cities immersion-education programs and college preparation: Did you know you can and should start getting ready in middle school? My favorite story in this issue is about theater-going for kids. One local mom tells the 10:47 AMstory of taking her daughter to live-theater performances, starting at age 1. What she and her husband have discovered surprised me: Theater has encouraged her daughter, now 3, to read. “Our daughter’s adoration of books has absolutely soared. I can’t help but be overjoyed at the genuine excitement Ella radiates whenever we present her with a new book she knows we’ll be seeing in the theater,” she said. How cool! In this issue, we’re also touching on the very serious issue of bullying as part of a new monthly column — called On Behavior — written by the folks over at The PACER Center in Bloomington, which created National Bullying Prevention Month, celebrated every October. Every month moving forward, PACER’s staff will take on a variety of other tough topics, including how to deal with a kid who refuses to go to school, how to find out if your kid has ADHD and how to cope with a disability diagnosis. On the lighter side of this issue, you’ll also find family-friendly things to do for fall, including oodles of apple orchards to visit (and a tasty recipe to try). Fall in Minnesota is gorgeous — so get out there and take a break from the stress of school. Walk in the cool air and crunch a crisp, Minnesota-grown apple. Then send one to school for your kid’s teacher.

Sarah Dorison, Editor

October 2015 • mnparent.com

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mnparent.com

PUBLISHER Janis Hall jhall@mnparent.com SALES MANAGER AND CO-PUBLISHER Terry Gahan tgahan@mnparent.com EDITOR Sarah Dorison 612-436-4385 • editor@mnparent.com CONTRIBUTORS Eric Braun, Ruthie Briggs-Greenberg, Megan Devine, Bev Gillen, Trina Greene, Dr. Kimara Gustafson, Shannon Keough, Michele St. Martin, The PACER Center, Jen Wittes, Tracy Ann Walsh, Jennifer Wizbowski CREATIVE DIRECTOR Dana Croatt dcroatt@mnparent.com SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER Valerie Moe GRAPHIC DESIGNER Amanda Wadeson CLIENT SERVICES Zoe Gahan 612-436-4375 • zgahan@mnparent.com Lauren Walker 612-436-4383 • lwalker@mnparent.com CIRCULATION Marlo Johnson 612-436-4388 • distribution@mnparent.com mnparent.com/find-a-copy ADVERTISING 612-436-4360 • sales@mnparent.com 55,000 copies of Minnesota Parent are printed monthly, available at news stands statewide. Get Minnesota Parent mailed to your home for just $12 a year. Call 612-825-9205 for more information.

Minnesota Parent (ISSN 0740 3437) is published monthly by Minnesota Premier Publications.

Are you currently pregnant or had a baby during the previous month and interested in participating in a telephone-based health and wellness program? The University of Minnesota is seeking women who are currently pregnant or less than 6 weeks postpartum to participate in a research study examining the effect of exercise and wellness on mood following childbirth • Participants receive a motivational exercise program or a health and wellness program, which begins after the birth of your baby (participants can sign up for the program during pregnancy) • Program delivered to you via the mail and phone

POSTMASTER send address changes to: MINNESOTA PARENT, 1115 Hennepin Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55403.

• Must be 18 years of age or older; must not currently exercise regularly

Minnesota Parent is copyright 2015 by Minnesota Premier Publications. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. Address all material to address above.

• Must have a history of depression

• Must not take antidepressants • You will receive $100 for your time

Call 612-625-9753 or email mompro@umn.edu to see if you qualify for this research study U of M - Kinesiology Dept MNP 1212 S3.indd 1

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mnparent.com • October 2015

CHATTER

BOOKS FOR KINDERGARTEN — AND BEYOND Reading to our children is fun — and can bring us hours of enjoyment and quality time together (especially if bedtime goes well)! But what happens when it’s time to get the kids to read to themselves? Fortunately, there are oodles of resources out there to foster a lifelong love of reading. The newly published list — 50 Best Books for 5- and 6-Year-Olds from Brightly (readbrightly.com), a new website from Penguin Random House — is one such resource. Each book on the list was selected by a group of experts — including Lisa Von Drasek, curator of the Children’s Literature Research Collections at the University of Minnesota — to entice, entertain and educate children. The list includes picture books, first books to read alone and early chapter books. The selections take into account the range of reading abilities within the 5-to-6 age group: Some kids aren’t ready to read, while others are reading independently. Go to tinyurl.com/brightly-50-best to download a handy one-page version of the list, which includes checkboxes to help you keep track of which ones you’ve read.

WIN BOOKS! Brightly is giving one Minnesota Parent reader a tote bag with an assortment of books from its 50 Best Books for 5- and 6-YearOlds list. To enter to win, send an email to editor@mnparent.com with a link to your favorite children’s book by Oct. 30. Please include your first and last name, city of residence and a bit about why you love the book! Sign up for Brightly’s customized e-newsletters at readbrightly.com/subscribe.

October 2015 • mnparent.com

TAILORED TO YOUR KID Need even more reading recommendations? The Saint Paul Public Library is the first library in the state to offer a new — free — children’s bookrecommendation service called Beanstack for ages infant to 12. Families anywhere can sign up for bookrecommendation emails based on their children’s reading skills, age and interests such as “Ninjas, Pirates and Warriors,” “Diverse Main Characters” and “Not So Pink Girls.” Kids can also earn virtual badges by logging books they’ve read. In addition to book recommendations, weekly emails also include family events happening at St. Paul libraries, plus reading tips to go specifically with each book: A recent tip that went with the recommendation of The Three Ninja Pigs (set in Japan) said: “After reading: Introduce the term ‘setting’ to your child and explain that this means where the story takes place. Find Japan on a map with your child. Next, look for images throughout the book that suggest Japan is the setting (Mount Fuji, Japanese architecture, Japanese writing, Japanese clothing and cherry blossoms).” Beanstack also includes a rich database of books to explore — though you’ll need a Saint Paul Public Library card to add them to your wish list or reading log. If you already have a card from another local library, however, you can simply register your card with the Saint Paul Public Library system. Find out how at sppl.org/services/library-cards. Learn more at sppl.beanstack.org.

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Milestones no one talks about It can be tempting to invoke the Baby Excuse all the time, but be careful not to abuse it.

ew parents tend to get a bit obsessed with milestones. Starting from the first time Baby smiles or rolls over to that very first step, many parents tend to observe their kids with one eye on the calendar. “Harper is 6 months old now — shouldn’t she be sitting up unassisted?” I’d like to urge you to let go of your expectations of what your baby “should” be doing at a given time, and instead focus on some of the milestones that go under the radar. These formative experiences will probably be more memorable than the traditional milestones — and make for better stories, too.

⊲⊲Your first restaurant disaster There’s a sweet spot during the baby phase when you’ll probably be able to saunter into a restaurant, bucket seat in tow, and enjoy an entire meal in peace while your bundle of joy sleeps away. For me, this miracle occurred two times, at Fuji Ja and Victory 44. Other meals will be less relaxing. Consider, for instance, the time we cleverly decided to bring our colicky infant to Midori’s Floating World Café, a quiet little restaurant known for its delicious food and languid service. On this cold evening in December, each member of our party took turns walking around outside with the

screaming infant snuggled under a parka until the meal was finally over. In other words, you might want to give Bite Squad a chance.

⊲⊲Meeting a Sanctimommy From the “concerned” mama at the playground who tells you that Baby Bjorns cause hip dysplasia to the grandmother at the grocery store who knows why your baby won’t smile at her (it’s because his feet are cold, you negligent monster), there’s just something about being a parent that welcomes unasked-for advice and judgment. I encourage you to fight the urge to apologize for your existence when you’re confronted with these invasive observations. If you’re quick on your feet, feel free to respond with a snappy retort. A mockserious “Thank you for that helpful advice!” is another escape strategy. Or you could just look her straight in the eye, like I did with the cold-feet grandma, and ask, “Excuse me, are you judging me?”

BABY STUFF

Stroller caddy ⊲⊲Keeping your most important items at your fingertips while you’re out with Baby is essential. This Stroller Organizer Tray from Prince Lionheart features two cup holders and three storage areas. We like the Velcro-closure pocket that allows you to tuck your phone away from the elements. Four adjustable hook-and-loop straps make it easy to connect to any stroller. princelionheart.com • $25

October 2015 • mnparent.com

A direct response like this tends to make the passive-aggressive haters extremely nervous.

⊲⊲The Baby Excuse This is a widely accepted explanation for a variety of situations — why you can’t attend the neighborhood chili cook-off, why you’re 45 minutes late to lunch, why you’ve been wearing the same pants for a week — and you might be surprised by its effectiveness. “Wow, I so totally wish I could go to your bridal shower, but Maya is so unpredictable these days. You know how it is … babies!” It can be tempting to invoke the Baby Excuse all the time, but be careful not to abuse it. Parents who use the Baby Excuse too often might find themselves with an ever-shrinking circle of friends. Plus, we’re all adults now — we should be able to say no without shifting the blame to our offspring. Clearly we could go on and on documenting these alternative milestones — The First Time You’re Soaked from Head to Toe in Vomit, The First Time You Use a Receiving Blanket as a Diaper, The First Time You Fail to Notice Your Baby’s Obvious-to-the-Pediatrician Medical Ailment — and I encourage you to do so in your own family. Add a section to your baby book that catalogs all the “firsts” that add real color to the parenting experience. Because this isn’t just about your changing baby, it’s about your evolution as a parent, too. So in addition to the “first bite of solid food” and first-haircut information, don’t forget about the first time you broke down crying at Target.

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Shannon Keough lives in Minneapolis with her husband and two children. Send questions or comments to skeough@mnparent.com.

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mnparent.com • October 2015

My first frenemy T

here’s a good chance you’ve been hanging with “play groups” since before your child could even roll over. There are so many wonderful ways for parents to connect with peers and likewise expose babies to other babies — even if all that looks like is a small cluster of floor blankets with infants independently exploring their own toes. As your child enters toddlerhood, these gatherings take on new meaning. To your delight and wonder, your toddler begins interacting with other children. The mispronounced Ls and Ws make for perfect entertainment as your little one philosophizes with friends on topics ranging from “cats are furry” to “applesauce is gwoss.” It’s cute, it’s lovely and it’s liberating to be dethroned from your position as One and Only Playmate.

Two toddlers, by nature, will inevitably fight. No — THIS is how we play with the farm animals. The piggy doesn’t go there! That ball is MINE. Don’t talk to MY mommy! These phrases — classic, normal, adorable — are commonly heard amongst tots with a full vocabulary. For those who don’t quite have all the words, expression comes in the form of a bite or a hit or a pinch . And don’t put it past the talkers to throw in physical aggression for good measure. She really means it when she says “Mine.” Kick, slap, push.

⊲⊲Aggression is normal From Dr. Sears to What to Expect to Mothering.com, every well-known parenting resource — no matter how mainstream or alternative their leanings — will tell you that toddler aggression is normal. So normal, in fact, parents would do well to look at this phase as developmentally necessary. This is how we, as humans, learn to communicate. This is how we test boundaries and then test them again. That didn’t work out well: That boy bit me back. Every time I pull a kid’s hair, Dad says NO. Full of energy, limited in words and craving adventure beyond capability, toddlers will of course kick and scream and bite and cry. They’re working with the tools they have and in doing so, develop new and more efficient tools.

⊲⊲But then … Your toddler is still a toddler — strong will and spitfire. Frustrations and outbursts and 0-to-60 tears, you learn, aren’t reserved for parents alone.

October 2015 • mnparent.com

⊲⊲The cringe factor Though normal and universal, aggressive behaviors aren’t always easy for the toddler’s parent to stomach, especially in those nervous social circles we call play groups, where parenting choices are weighed and measured as you make — sometimes excellent, sometimes awkward — small talk with mere acquaintances. “I’m so sorry,” you say, after a game of “shark” ends with an actual chomp. “He didn’t get enough sleep. I think those molars are coming in,” you stammer after a particularly feisty round of I-wantthat-toy-it’s-mine. But you know what? That other parent is probably thinking, “Thank goodness it wasn’t my kid FOR ONCE,” over your imagined, “They’re terrible parents and that little monster should be locked up.” We’ve all been there — shocked, embarrassed, apologetic. In my opinion, we should get over THAT and learn to accept our toddlers for what they are — cuddly, monstrous lunatics undecided between neediness and independence. What more can a parent expect? What more can a parent DO but redirect, offer alternatives and repeat until the concept of sharing

TODDLER STUFF

Faucet extender ⊲⊲Little hands need a lot of washing — especially during cold-and-flu season. Help your kid easily reach the water with a faucet extender from Prince Lionheart, available in four colors. Combine one of these with a sturdy step stool and your toddler will be washing up on his own in no time. $9.99 for two • target.com

kicks in, until further vocabulary develops, until they’re no longer cuddly, monstrous lunatics — say age 4, give or take?

⊲⊲Consider chemistry Sometimes it may seem that toddler-ontoddler fighting goes beyond the “norm.” It’s war between two particular kids — unyielding and explosive. A similar oil-and-water scenario will be faced throughout life — with teachers, failed romances and adult friendships. Sometimes people just don’t mix. It’s OK to gradually ease out of play dates with a certain friend when the afternoons consistently erupt in complete chaos. Or, if you can take the heat and enjoy chatting with the toddler nemesis’ parent, keep the relationship going. You don’t get along with everyone and neither will your kid. There’s growth, development and normalcy, too, in suffering an hour or two of annoyance and adversity. Jen Wittes lives in St. Paul and is a mother of two.

mnparent.com • October 2015

Learning to let go T

his past summer I had the opportunity to travel out of state to attend an amazing professionaldevelopment training. I put a lot of effort into finding adequate funding so I could attend and eventually bring some important information back to my school, my colleagues and the students in my classroom. I registered for the conference, booked my travel and marked the date on my calendar months in advance. As the summer progressed, that once far-off date got closer and closer, and I started to experience a wealth of mixed emotions. I had feelings of excitement, as I’d have the opportunity to network with — and learn from — educators from across the country. I was also hopeful that I would have time to myself, including evenings to process the information I was learning — and possibly some time to go sightseeing in a new and different place.

my training. I also gleaned some insight into myself a mother and as an individual:

⊲⊲It’s normal to worry But it’s also important to let go. We care deeply for those who we love, and with that comes an element of worry when we let go of some control. The fact that I’d be traveling so far away from home intensified my misgivings associated with the anticipation for my trip. This was the longest stretch of time I’d been away from my children by myself and I was experiencing some separation anxiety as a parent. But the truth was, my husband and our childcare providers were totally capable of keeping everyone and everything under control, and this trip was going to be a great professional experience. I just had to let go, which is something that, for this mama, is taking a little bit of practice to master as my babies are growing into more independent children.

⊲⊲Preparing to leave But as my departure date got closer, the reality of the experience started to surface. This wasn’t a vacation per se; it was going to be an intense six-day work trip. As an elementary school teacher, my work life usually doesn’t take me far away from my family, as my professional responsibilities typically complement my four kids’ schedules. Because I would be gone for six full days, it took quite a bit of mental energy to plan and prepare, making sure my children had good care during times that I would typically be with them, and jotting notes for those who would be taking over my responsibilities. In the end, with the support of my husband, my family and friends, I was able to embark on my travels and attend my training with an undistracted presence, knowing all at home was under control. Reflecting on my experience, I know I took away more than the rich wealth of information I received at

October 2015 • mnparent.com

⊲⊲Leading by example I didn’t want my own worries to get in the way of my actions, and I wanted to be a positive role model for my children. As I felt some stress start to accumulate, I shared my feelings with my husband and children. I had especially rich conversations with my 10-year-old daughter who has had some difficult times away from home at sleepovers. I told her I was nervous about leaving home and that I was surely going to miss everyone, but I told her I was going to be brave so that I could get the most out of my experience. She was able to see me successfully work through my feelings of apprehension and focus on a positive outcome, and — based on some of her recent actions — I think she was able to take something away from her perspective of my experience and apply it to her own life.

We care deeply for those who we love, and with that comes an element of worry when we let go of some control.

SCHOOL-AGE STUFF

Portable booster ⊲⊲The BubbleBum is an inflatable, portable car booster seat that’s ideal for those times when you don’t have access to your kid’s regular booster. Think vacations, rental cars, taxis or carpooling with friends. We tried it and loved how easy it was to deflate and pack down into a bag about the size of a small loaf of bread (definitely compact enough to take on the plane). Because it’s simple (no cup holders or arm rests), it’s narrow enough for families trying to put three kids across in a single car row. We would recommend it primarily as a travel accessory or a back-up seat, however, because of one downside: You have to spend extra time threading the seatbelt through two positioning clips to make sure the seat is held securely in place. $29.99 • bubblebum.co/us

I know this six-day stint away from my kids is just a precursor to what’s to come as my children grow and become more independent, embarking on their own travels. Letting go can be difficult at times, but it’s what we need to do to help our children develop confidence, ambition and the courage to take risks, occasionally getting out of their own comfort zones to enrich their lives. Megan Devine is an elementary school teacher and mother of four. She lives in Northeastern Minnesota. Write her at mdevine@mnparent.com and check out her blog at kidsandeggs.com.

Teens and stress D

o you remember what it was like to be a teenager? I have some recollections of the emotions I felt: I feared that the inner dialogue in my head was somehow shouting out to everyone around me. Of course, it wasn’t. But the crushes, the school pressures, the dynamics of my family life were all bubbling together inside me like they were in a pressure cooker on high with the lid on tight. On occasions when the pressure and the heat got to me, my anxieties would explode into tears. I had emotions that had been spinning around for so long, I couldn’t identify what they were. Now I watch my son, a sophomore in high school. He’s one life-loving individual. He exudes joy. But I see glimpses of stress in his eyes and exhaustion from the schedule he keeps. When I parent reactively to his latest grade — or my bad day — it’s as if I’ve placed a heavy weight on his back. I have to remember again what it’s like to be where he is.

In years past, I’ve taken on his pressure. I’ve made all his meals, reminded him to start homework, driven him to his extracurricular practices to make sure he was on time. But things are switching over.

⊲⊲Pressure that once was mine For the first time, I’m seeing how he deals with pressure. In years past, I’ve taken on his pressure. I’ve made all his meals, reminded him to start homework, driven him to his extra-curricular practices to make sure he was on time.

But things are switching over. He has to write his assignments down and study for his tests. He has to remember when an extra practice is called by the coach — who communicates only with his players. He has to evaluate what’s best for him to eat when he’s ravenous after school and has practice to get to soon. When I think about all this, I see it’s not just the stuff he’s reacting to, but also the pressure of prioritizing these things that makes him visibly weary.

⊲⊲Freak out and eat ice cream I liken this pressure to my adult stresses — the traffic I have to sit in that makes me late for an appointment. Did I remember to pay that bill and was it yesterday that it was due? There’s my to-do list that never seems to be done — and you want me to bake something for what tomorrow? Sometimes I just want to blow a whistle and yell “STOP!” Everybody stop and remain calm. Let’s just go eat

TEEN STUFF

Grade-boosting book ⊲⊲Not every kid excels in high school. If you have a teen whose grades need improvement, don’t lose hope. According to author Barbara Dianis, an education specialist, ADD/ADHD academic coach, there are proven strategies and techniques students can utilize to transform their grades and raise their class rank. In her 150-page paperback, Grade Transformer for the Modern Student — available in Early High School and Upper High School editions — Dianis offers detailed step-by-step educational solutions and quick tips. $18.95 • amazon.com

October 2015 • mnparent.com

ice cream and forget our schedules. Although, that Italian sorbet I love isn’t THAT bad for me, I still have to be the one who demonstrates steadiness in the midst of the storm.

⊲⊲How do I deal with stress? At moments like these, a take deep breath and a look inward. How do I deal with stress? Sometimes, I need just to rant a bit to someone who won’t judge my grumbling. Verbally processing for me is like taking the lid off the pressure cooker and giving its components a gentle turn or two. I’ve been inviting my son to do that lately. Especially, when I see that inner pressure churning in him. I ask him pointed questions: Are you feeling bummed out because you thought you would do better on that test? Is losing that match weighing on you? Are you tired? Libby Marx, a Twin Cities therapist who works with families, teens and children suggests leading by example — and having strategic conversations with our kids when they aren’t stressed: How do you handle stress? Do you have self-regulatory techniques like exercise or relationships that help? Focus on what you can control.

⊲⊲Listening up I know teenagers don’t talk. (Well, on some occasions this really is true.) But I think teens want to talk. I think they want to let the steam out, to sift through the stresses and pressures that get all melded together if they’re trapped inside too long. I’m doing my best to not be reactionary, not to parent out of my stress. And to be a good listener. And if sorbet needs to be involved every now and then, so be it! Jennifer Wizbowski lives in Excelsior with her husband, and daughter and son, ages 11 and 14. Send comments, questions and story ideas to jwizbowski@mnparent.com.

Your off-the-grid savings guide W

e all know Facebook isn’t famous for filling our lives with intelligent ideas. So imagine my surprise and delight the other day when I came across an FB advertisement for a device called the Bluapple that promised to save me $640 year on groceries. Finally! All those hours spent on Facebook — liking family photos of people I hadn’t seen in decades and clicking “maybe” to attend events I knew I’d never go to — had at last paid actual dividends. It’s a little blue apple you put in your produce drawer that “absorbs the ethylene gas that naturally occurs in your fridge.” Apparently it’s the ethylene gas that makes produce go bad. For only $29.99, you get a two-pack of blue apples and a one-year refill kit. Luckily for me, they were offering a $10-off coupon, so I could have all that for only $19.99. And by keeping produce fresh longer, I would save untold money — well, probably $640, the Bluapple people estimate — by not throwing it away. At first, of course, I scoffed and scrolled along. There were cat videos to not look at and the successes of other writers to read about (without any bitterness, I swear). But then I got to thinking. We do toss out a lot of produce in our house. Mostly kale, which is my fault. I always tell my wife I’ll do my part to eat that stuff, but I have trouble living up to my end of the bargain. Maybe with a Bluapple in the drawer, the kale would last long enough for her to eat the whole bag I’d pledged to split. In the end, I decided not to buy the Bluapple just because I didn’t want to believe we spend $640 a year on kale. But I was feeling receptive to the idea of moneysaving gimmicks, so I looked at a few others — some silly, some pretty neat. Here’s what I found:

October 2015 • mnparent.com

BATTERY RECHARGER You can buy these things for about $25 and they apparently recharge any kind of battery, regardless of whether it’s rechargeable. Between remotes and my cordless mouse, we go through approximately $640 a year in AA batteries. This seems worth it.

MOTION-SENSOR LIGHT SWITCH This device ($28) turns the light on automatically when you enter the room, and you can program how long it takes before it cuts the lights out again. According to one coupon website (tinyurl.com/ grows-sensor), you can save 10 to 70 percent off your electrical bill, depending on your habits. My habit is chastising my family when they forget to turn the lights off, so I’ll probably skip this one so I can keep doing that.

You can save 10 to 70 percent off your electrical bill, depending on your habits.

SOLAR CHARGER FOR DEVICES These things range from about $17 to $200 at Amazon, but assuming they’re reliable you can charge your phones and other devices for free. You can’t charge a laptop, but that still seemed like a good deal to me. The best review I found was for the Instapark Mercury 10, which retails for about $68. Before buying, though, I Googled how much power a smartphone uses. According to one Forbes article (tinyurl.com/grows-forbes), it’s hardly worth worrying over. If you fully drained and recharged your phone every day for a year, you’d use about 25 cents worth of electricity. Your iPad would use about $1.36. OK, so skip the solar charger unless you’re going to be camping a lot — or unless you’re preparing for a zombie apocalypse in which our electronic devices still work.

RESIDENTIAL WIND TURBINE Obviously, I would totally do this if I had the money — it costs between $15,000 and $21,000, including installation. That’s a lot of money, but once you have your windmill, you’re off the grid — literally — getting free electricity. According to this Green Home article (tinyurl.com/grows-wind) these turbines can pay for themselves between six and 20 years, depending on how much wind you get and how much power you use. They don’t look too obnoxious, and they’re as quiet as a washing machine. Plus, you would have a windmill on your house, which is awesome. Eric Braun is a Minneapolis-based writer, editor and dad of two boys. He’s currently working on a financial literacy book for young readers. Learn more about his other published works at heyericbraun.com. Send comments or questions to ebraun@mnparent.com.

You can get there. We can help.

Visit www.MN529today.com or call Chris McLeod 952-830-3127

Looking for lice Lice is on the loose at school! What’s the best way to see if our kid has it? Anyone can get head lice. Every year, millions of school-aged children will become infected with head lice, most commonly preschool and elementary-aged children. Though it’s not a pleasant condition, it doesn’t cause any serious health issues or conditions. Head lice are tiny, pale-gray insects that are about the size of a sesame seed. They lay their eggs (nits) on hair close the scalp. The nits are usually oval shaped and yellow/white in color and are about the size of a knot in a thread. The nits are often easier to see in hair — especially darker colored hair — than the actual insects. Most commonly, head lice causes itching, often behind the ears or at the back of the neck. Itching can persist even after the lice is treated and gone. Lice can’t spread by hopping or flying. They typically spread from close, prolonged head-to-head contact. Uncommonly, lice can be spread when kids share combs, brushes, hats or other clothing. Hair hygiene doesn’t change a child’s risk of getting head lice, nor does the

How early is it possible to detect signs of autism? Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) primarily affects social and communication skills. Because of this, most children with ASD will achieve their motor-developmental milestones, such as sitting, crawling and walking at normal times. However, some signs of ASD may be observed as early as 2 months of age, when infants begin to smile and start to pay attention to faces. After an ASD diagnosis, many parents will recall noticing differences in development with their child during those early stages of social and communication development. It’s now known that early intervention can help improve outcomes with children with autism. Because of this, many pediatricians and other health-care providers routinely screen all children at

October 2015 • mnparent.com

hygiene of the home environment. The best way to check for lice is to have your child sit in a brightly lit room. Start by parting the hair and looking at the scalp. As mentioned, the actual lice may be difficult to see, but the nits can usually be seen at the hairline at the back of the neck or behind the ears. Wet the hair and — using a fine-toothed comb — carefully comb through small sections of hair. As you comb through, wipe the comb on a wet paper towel. Inspect the hair, scalp, comb and paper towel to look for evidence of lice or nits. While dandruff or dirt particles can be easily removed, nits often stay attached to the hair shaft. Head lice can be treated at home. It’s best to check with your pediatrician or health-care provider before starting any lice treatment, however. After doing a hair treatment, you’ll want to treat your child’s clothes, towels, bedding and soft toys. Focus on items used within three days of the lice treatment. All washable items should be washed in hot water and dried on the highest heat setting. Unwashable items should be dry-cleaned or sealed in a plastic bag for two weeks. Also make sure to check all household members and close contacts for head lice. Learn more at cdc.gov/parasites/lice.

their 18-month and 24-month checkups. However, if parents have concerns prior to these visits, they should always discuss them with their child’s pediatrician. Often, parents will report that their child with ASD won’t respond to his or her name, even after being called multiple times. This can be seen as early as 12 months; a typical 12-month-old should turn toward the person calling their name. A child with ASD may likely have a speech delay that becomes noticeable around 18 months of age. An 18-month-old child with a speech delay (but without ASD) will try to compensate for a deficit in spoken language by pointing, gesturing or using animated facial expressions to communicate, whereas a child with ASD usually will not. A third example is that by 24 months of age, most children will engage in interactive play with a caregiver. A child might bring a toy or picture over to a parent to show or share. A child with ASD may bring a toy or picture to a parent, but won’t make any attempt to make eye contact or engage in interactive play or shared activities. A good resource for further concerns about ASD is cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly.

Is there a benefit to alternative vaccination schedules? I strongly encourage all patients to stick with the recommend vaccination schedule. The vaccination schedule is developed and evaluated yearly by the top infectious-disease and pediatric experts in the U.S. The recommended timing and spacing of the shots is chosen for when the body’s immune system will work best with the immunization as well as when there’s a need to protect infants and young children at the youngest possible ages. Some parents feel that the benefit to an alternative vaccination schedule is that their child will have fewer shots at each visit — and they will. However, most alternative vaccination schedules often result in children needing more visits to the clinic in addition to routine recommended checkups. It also often means that every time infants on these schedules come to the clinic, they have to receive shots, which could result in them becoming even more fearful of the clinic as they’ll begin to only associate it with the pain of the injections. Learn more at cdc.gov/vaccines. Kimara Gustafson is a Minneapolis mother who works as a pediatrician at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis. Send your questions to kgustafson@mnparent.com.

When your child is bullied Every day on the school bus, three older girls were picking on Sarah. It soon escalated to the girls taking her things, telling other kids not to let Sarah sit with them and telling her she was worthless and a “loser.”

t began with complaints of a stomachache, followed by headaches and sore throats and other excuses about not feeling well. It wasn’t long before it became obvious to Amy that her 10-year-old daughter, Sarah, didn’t want to go to school. This behavior was such a departure from the norm for the happy, energetic child who’d always been so enthusiastic about school. After several days of questioning, Sarah finally confided in her mother that she was being bullied. Every day on the school bus, three older girls were picking on Sarah. She said it began with taunting about her weight, her glasses and her brother, who uses a wheelchair. It soon escalated to the girls taking her things, telling other kids not to let Sarah sit with them and telling her she was worthless and a “loser.” Amy was heartbroken. No wonder her child didn’t want to get on the school bus. Amy held her daughter tightly as they sat on the edge of the bed and wept. For the first time, Amy understood the impact bullying can have on a child.

This year, 13 million children in America will be bullied. Research shows that children who are bullied are more likely to develop depression and anxiety disorders, and the lasting effects can be heartbreaking. Bullying is a serious community issue that impacts education, physical and emotional health and the safety and well-being of students. It can be challenging to identify what is and isn’t bullying, but here’s a simple way to define it for your children: If the behavior hurts or harms them, either emotionally or physically, and they have a hard time defending themselves, it’s bullying. After consoling her daughter, Amy’s emotions quickly turned to anger. She was furious at the girls who were making her daughter’s life miserable. She was mad that the school bus driver had done nothing to stop the behavior. Amy was especially upset when Sarah told her she’d confided in her teacher and that she was still being bullied. What would you do if Sarah were your child? How would you respond once she told you what was happening? Here are the most important steps you can take if your child is the target of bullying:

⊲⊲Listen to your child It isn’t easy for a child to talk about a bullying situation, especially when they’re the target, but you need to listen to your child’s story and believe it. Your first response might be an emotional one, but to be an effective advocate for your child, you need to react in a way that encourages him or her to trust you.

⊲⊲Be patient and supportive It can take time for kids to open up about the situation. They might feel insecure, withdrawn, frightened or ashamed, and they might fear retaliation. Try to avoid making negative comments about the students who are doing the bullying. Make sure your child knows the bullying situation isn’t his fault, and that no child deserves to be bullied.

October 2015 • mnparent.com

⊲⊲Explore strategies to intervene Once you learn about the bullying, there are many ways you may want to react, but some of the first responses that come to mind may not be good choices. Negative tactics — such as confronting the students involved, telling your child to ignore the situation or encouraging retaliation — aren’t likely to be effective and may lead to further harm. Instead, talk with your child’s teacher and ask what can be done about the situation. Meet with the principal and make it clear the impact bullying is having on your child’s life and education. Ask if the school has a bullying policy and what the administration can do to help your child be safe. In 2014, the Minnesota Legislature passed the Safe and Supportive Minnesota Schools Act, which requires schools to establish their own policies and programs for preventing and quickly responding to reports of bullying. Children need to know that it’s not their responsibility to change what’s happening to them: It’s up to the adults to take action. Bullying happens far too often, but that never makes it right. Every child deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, and your child needs to know that you’ll do everything you can to help.

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LEARN MORE October is National Bullying Prevention Month. If you need help with a bullying situation or if you want to help prevent bullying in your community, go to PACER.org/bullying. The PACER Center, a nonprofit organization based in

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IN THE KITCHEN

Snack time! By Sarah Dorison If you just came back from a Minnesota apple orchard with a 10-pound bag of apples (what a steal!) — and you’re not quite sure what to do with them all — try this recipe from the new cookbook: Little Bites: 100 Healthy, Kid-Friendly Snacks. Once you’ve made it, this recipe should be easy to remember: Bake for 2 hours at 200 degrees — and it makes 2 cups that can be stored for up to 2 weeks.

BAKED APPLE CHIPS 1 tablespoon of canola oil 4 apples Juice of 1 medium lemon (about 3 tablespoons)

Preheat the oven to 200 degrees. Brush a wire rack with canola oil and place it on a baking sheet. Core the apples and cut them into ¼-inch slices. Toss the apple slices in a medium bowl with the lemon juice (to prevent discoloration). Arrange the slices on the wire rack and bake for 2 hours. Cool the apple chips completely. Store the slices — this recipe makes about 2 cups — in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Little Bites: 100 Healthy, Kid-Friendly Snacks by Christine Chitnis and Sarah Waldman is a handy little book that features wholesome, seasonal, vegetarian snacks for active families.

October 2015 • mnparent.com

Tip If you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have an apple corer (like the one pictured, typically sold for about $10), itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fine to cut the apples into smaller slices.

BOOKSHELF

Works of art By Sarah Dorison Are you looking for new and interesting kids’ books for your family (or perhaps for some early holiday gifts)? Either way, put these three great finds on your list. So much greatness is going on in the world of children’s books — including folk art, comics and more — we parents have no excuse to not read to — or with — our kids!

The Small World of Paper Toys

Archie the Daredevil Penguin

This pop-up book by Gerard Lo Monaco is a work of art. Each spread features a three-dimensional paper creation with intricate pieces that interlock, pop up and then fold down flat when you turn the page. Modeled after the look of old-style wooden toys — such as the red fire truck, a baby’s bassinet and a farmer’s tractor — the vignettes come to life with clever titles and short narratives on each page. We admit that this delicate, small book (5x7) isn’t toddler proof, but if you can protect it with some close supervision, it will definitely be a keeper (or a lovely gift).

Silly but charming Archie is hiding a pretty big secret. He’s a penguin afraid of the water — and “the strange creatures who lurk in the briny deep.” But with a fish fry to get to on another iceberg — and a series of funny but failed flying experiments under his belt — his secret accidentally comes out. Fortunately, Archie overcomes his fear with support from the best of friends. Best of all, this heartwarming, comicstyle hardcover includes some wry, entertaining wit for parents to love, too.

Ages 3 and older $24.95

October 2015 • mnparent.com

Ages 4–8 $16.99

The Day the Crayons Came Home Author Drew Daywalt and illustrator Oliver Jeffers are back with a hilarious sequel to their No. 1 bestselling The Day the Crayons Quit. And we love it, of course. This book — which includes a bonus feature of a glow-inthe-dark drawing — gives us a cast of perturbed, pithy crayons, all recounting mishaps suffered due to Dylan’s oversight — or just plain bad luck. Funny, fun and just a bit edgier than its predecessor, this book offers another engaging narrative with delightful, comical illustrations. Ages 5–8 $18.99

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mnparent.com • October 2015

Staff at children’s theater companies in the Twin Cities understand that kids — such as those pictured here at Stages Theatre Company in Hopkins — might need to wiggle, blurt something out during a performance or need to step out for breaks. Opposite page: Mary Poppins runs 2 hours and 45 minutes (including a 20-minute intermission). It’s open to ages 5 and older and is showing through Oct. 24 at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. Tickets are $50–$84. Learn more at chanhassendt.com or call the box office at 952-934-1525. Photo by Heidi Bohnenkamp

October 2015 • mnparent.com

The first act HOW CAN YOU INSTILL A LOVE OF THE ARTS — AND ALSO READING — IN YOUNG CHILDREN? TAKE THEM TO THE THEATER WHEN THEY’RE LITTLE! By Trina Greene

As a longtime educator, I know first-hand just how important literacy is to early childhood development. But when I became a mother, I felt overwhelming anxiety over how to weave these skills into our daughter’s life when she was little. When Ella was born, we read to her from day one, of course. But I still felt a responsibility to somehow figure out how to spark her passion for literature and the world around her, all while encouraging her development of confidence, self-expression, curiosity and a sense of wonder. I knew I needed to see my world of education inform my parenting, but how? Our first major family trip was for our daughter’s first birthday. We decided we would go on a Disney

mnparent.com • October 2015

The first act cruise because we’d heard of their exceptional reputation for providing entertainment for all ages. One of their claims to fame — other than “the Mouse” — was their Broadway-caliber live shows. We’d heard they were not to be missed. But how exactly, we wondered, were we going to enjoy a show with a 1-year-old?

Art meets literature Feeling brave (and a bit seasick), we made our attempt. We cautiously sat in the back row, as near to the doors as possible, and we devised a detailed exit strategy if, per chance, even the tiniest whimper escaped her. Much to our surprise, Ella was utterly captivated for the entire hour-long performance! Fast forward two years: Spring 2015 will mark the 30th theater performance Ella has attended and, perhaps miraculously, not once have we had to fully abandon a show. We’ve become self-proclaimed theater groupies, in fact. My husband and I have discovered a reinvigorated enthusiasm for the arts, thanks to the excellent quality of the local productions. Even as an adult, I can honestly admit that I frequently enjoy these children’s productions more than the adult theater shows to which I’d been accustomed. Plus, who doesn’t want to cast aside our fragmented minds and just embrace our inner child to live in the now, if even for only an hour? As Peter Pan sang, in a recent Children’s Theatre Company production, “I won’t grow up!” What’s even more exciting is our daughter’s adoration of books has absolutely soared. I can’t help but be overjoyed at the genuine excitement Ella radiates whenever we present her with a new book she knows we’ll be seeing in the theater. After the performance, she rushes home to eagerly reread the book over and over again.

Squeals and wiggles are OK In Minnesota, our children have access to some of the top children’s theaters in the country. Our family’s two favorites are Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis and Stages Theatre Company in Hopkins. And, if you take a look at the two companies’ 2015–16 show lists, you’ll find most of them have ties back to books you can read with kids — if not entire series of books. Stages’ nine-play season is 100 percent tied to books, ranging from board books like Bear Snores On to chapter books such as Annie (a novel based on the musical). The 2015–16 Children’s Theatre Company season boasts strong connections to books, too, with productions such as The Snowy Day and Other Stories by Ezra Jack Keats, The Jungle Book and

October 2015 • mnparent.com

↑↑Akeelah and the Bee, geared toward kids in grade 3 and higher, is showing at Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis through Oct. 11. Photo by Dan Norman

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical. We’ve also had some wonderful experiences with local community-theater productions: Living in the south-metro area, attending the annual productions put on by the Eagan Summer Community Theatre has become a cherished summer adventure. This past summer, they performed Beauty and the Beast.

Obeying rules, cutting costs If you’re worried your strong-willed child won’t follow the house rules of the theater, don’t. The first thing parents need to remember is that these are children’s theater companies. Their casts, crew and staff understand children may wiggle, blurt something out during a performance or need to be taken out of the theater in the middle of the show. Stages Theatre even offers booster seats so each member of the audience, large or small, can easily see and enjoy the show. Concerned that it’ll be expensive? Fear not. If you know where to look — and you’re willing to plan ahead — you can take advantage of deals and discounts and get tickets for as little as $0 for lap passes and $10 for regular seats. (See the sidebar with this story for a list of options.) If you plan to attend numerous shows, check out various theaters’ season-ticket packages to save money throughout the entire season. And if you have kids with special needs, be sure to check out the dates for sensory-friendly performances, which offer lower sound levels, soft lighting and an environment in which audience members can talk openly and move about to experience the show in their own unique ways. Trina Greene lives in Farmington and has taught kindergarten, fourth and sixth grades as well as college math and interdisciplinary studies. She’s now a work-at-home mother to 3-year-old Ella and wife to James. As a family, they enjoy the theater, biking, hiking, traveling, reading and cooking (and eating)!

The first act

HOW TO TAKE YOUR KID TO THE THEATER New to the children’s-theater world? Check out these tips ensure your theater outing is a success.

KEEP AGE IN MIND

STAY ON SCHEDULE Find a production that fits your family: Avoid attending a performance that conflicts with regular nap or meal times.

RUN THROUGH THE RULES

CONSIDER THE CHARACTERS Little ones can sometimes be afraid of masked characters, so choose a show that you know will feature only human characters.

Before the show, explain to your child what she’ll be seeing and how she should act at a show. Answer any questions and address any worries. The theater usually opens 15 to 20 minutes before show time. Take your children in early and allow them time to get acclimated to the environment. This can be critically important for younger or more sensitive children.

HIT THE BATHROOM If your child is potty trained, always visit the bathroom before the show begins!

Look at the recommended audience ages for the production. Seasonally, the theaters will have performances geared toward either older or younger children. You probably don’t want to have your 1-year-old reading a book intended for a sixth-grader, right? Well, the same goes for watching plays.

PLAN FOR SNACKS Most theater companies don’t allow food or drinks inside the actual theater, so you may want to consider bringing a snack for before the show or during an intermission.

CREATE AN EXIT STRATEGY If your child’s having troubles, remove him or her from the theater. This emphasizes the importance of good behavior, as well as minimizing any potential negative impact on your fellow audience members. Don’t forget to discuss — before, after and even during — what theater-appropriate behavior looks like. After a time or two of being removed, kids will realize that it’s way more fun to be inside the theater than stuck outside.

ASK FOR HELP If you have questions about anything, contact the theater or check out its website. Box office staff usually have impressively comprehensive knowledge of the shows and will be more than happy to answer any questions. This includes on the day of the show, too, so don’t be shy.

RELAX AND HAVE FUN You’ll never know until you give it a go.

mnparent.com • October 2015

The first act

SHOWS TO SEE STAGES THEATRE COMPANY

CHILDREN’S THEATRE COMPANY

2015-16 Season

2015-16 Season The Jungle Book, showing Sept. 29– Dec. 6, is geared toward grades kindergarten and higher. Casey Hoekstra, H. Adam Harris, Eric Sharp, Nastacia Nicole and Autumn Ness will star in the show.

There’s a Boy in the Girls’ Bathroom Oct. 9–Nov. 1 Ages 8 and older

Junie B. Jones: The Musical Sept. 18–Oct. 18 All ages A Charlie Brown Christmas Dec. 29 20– . Nov All ages

Akeelah and the Bee Sept. 1–Oct. 11 Grades 3 and higher

Bear Snores On Jan. 22– Feb. 15 All ages

The Wizard of Oz Nov. 3–Jan. 3 All ages The Frog Bride Jan. 12–Feb. 28 Grades 3 and higher

I Love You, Stinky Face April 15– May 15 All ages

The Snow Queen March 4–20 All ages

The Snowy Day and Other Stories by Ezra Jack Keats Feb. 9–March 20 Kindergarten and older Animal Dance March 22–May 1 Preschoolers Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical April 12–June 5 All ages

TICKET GIVEAWAYS!

s Number the Star 22 ay –M 29 ril Ap Ages 8 and older

Annie Jr. June 24–July 31 All ages

October 2015 • mnparent.com

kle, Twinkle, Twin Little Star Aug. 5–20 s Ages 18 month to 4 years

Win theater tickets! Minnesota Parent is giving away a family four-pack of ticket vouchers to The Wizard of Oz at Children’s Theatre Company (good through Dec. 18) and a family four-pack of ticket vouchers to be used at select shows at Stages Theatre Company during the 2015–16 season. To be entered to win, email editor@mnparent. com with your first and last name, city of residence and a photo of your kid — sleeping. Pictures may be published in one of our upcoming issues!

HOW TO AFFORD THE THEATER CHILDREN’S THEATRE COMPANY $10 tickets: This multi-stage Minneapolis theater, located in the same building at the Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia), sells a limited number of $10 tickets for most shows. These seats, which typically sell out, are usually in the last row of the theater or in an upper-balcony area. Tickets purchased online or over the phone require a $3 perticket service fee. You can avoid the fees by purchasing tickets in person from the box office.

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Last-minute seats: Public-rush tickets for $15 are available starting two hours prior to each performance and include any unsold seats.

ISD 191 Community Education Burnsville • Eagan • Savage

Lap passes: Lap passes for $5 — sold exclusively at the box office — are often available for ages newborn to 3 years, depending on the show. Preview performances: The first Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday performances of each show in the company’s regular season are preview performances and cost only $15 ($20 for The Wizard Oz). With these shows, families get to see productions before they’re reviewed by theater critics. Information: Learn more at childrenstheatre.org or call the box office at 612-874-0400.

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STAGES THEATRE COMPANY Pay what you can: This children’s theater in quaint downtown Hopkins offers $12 to $16 tickets for most shows. One show time for each production (typically a Sunday at 2 p.m.) is designated as a pay-what-you-can show. Patrons can reserve up to six tickets for up to three performances per season at no cost by calling within 30 days of the show. On the day of the performance, patrons are asked to make a donation of any amount on their way into the theater. Lap passes: Lap passes are free for ages newborn to 2 and $5 for ages 3 and 4 for all productions. Information: Learn more at stagestheatre.org or call the box office at 952-979-1111, option 4. mnparent.com • October 2015

Holy Name of Jesus School Kindergarten Cookie Night Thursday, Nov. 5 • 6:30 p.m.

Parents: Learn about our kindergarten program and take a tour! Kids: Decorate (and eat!) cookies!

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October 2015 • mnparent.com

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l a u g n i l Bi g n i n r a le st of immersion Minnesota’s growing ho nguage skills la schools broaden kids’ s ar and cultural aw enes By Michele St. Martin

This past summer, Lynn Giovannelli and her 12-year-old son, Luca, traveled to Costa Rica. Because of Luca’s education at Park Spanish Immersion school in St. Louis Park, they were able to communicate with the local people — and Luca was able to practice his Spanish in a real-world environment.

Bilingual learning

educator. And now there are things you can’t help with. It definitely is a really weird feeling.” But the family has made it work by getting help from teachers, classmates and even a bit of self-reliance. “You email the teacher, your little guy calls a friend. That’s actually pretty good: Kids have to figure it out, and that empowers them,” Giovannelli said. There’s also something extra-special about hearing your child speak fluently in another language, Giovannelli said. “The first time you hear them speak Spanish, you’re swelling with pride,” Giovannelli said. “I think it’s a miracle when they come home speaking another language.” All three Giovannelli boys ended up in Spanish immersion. Marco, now 15, is in his freshman year of high school; Luca, 12, is in middle school; and 11-year-old Stefano is in elementary school at PSI.

andarin. Hmong. Spanish. French. German. Korean. Ojibwe. No, these aren’t ethnic dining options — they’re Minnesota elementary-school language-immersion programs, and one of them may be the perfect choice for your soon-to-be kindergartener. Immersion education — in which all or most academic subjects are taught in a non-English target language — has grown by leaps and bounds in the past 20 years. In Minnesota, the growth has been exponential. In 2004, there were 25 immersion programs in the state; now, more than 10 years later, 90-plus immersion schools are enrolling more than 25,000 students, said Tara Fortune, the immersion-program director at the University of Minnesota’s Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition. In immersion programs, students don’t just learn a new language. Rather, the language becomes the lens through which required subjects — such as math, science, social studies and more — are learned. The result is a bilingual student with, educators argue, no less knowledge of the English language in the long term — and far more multicultural awareness throughout their lives. Immersion advocates say the educational model will not only give Minnesota students a distinct edge in the workplaces of tomorrow, but also potentially narrow some of the pesky achievement gaps that hold back the state’s academically challenged kids.

‘Global citizens’ The Giovannelli family of St. Louis Park has been part of the immersion explosion in Minnesota. Lynn and Gino Giovannelli, who met in Vienna, Austria, shared a vision that their three sons would be bilingual. “Being global citizens is a value of ours,” Lynn Giovannelli said. “If there was any way for our kids to be bilingual, we wanted that for them.” Park Spanish Immersion (PSI), a K–5 school in the St. Louis Park school district, offered their oldest son, Marco, a good start on that vision. Like many parents, Lynn Giovannelli wondered how it would work to have her children learning in a language she doesn’t speak. “I remember having a lot of nervousness. It’s a huge leap of faith,” she said. “Those first couple years, they’re coming home with stuff you don’t understand. You’re the parent; you’ve been the primary

October 2015 • mnparent.com

Putting Spanish into practice This past summer, Lynn Giovannelli and Luca shared a special adventure: They traveled to Costa Rica to vacation with a school friend of Luca’s who has family there. “My mom would need me to do things like go to the grocery. And it was pretty cool when people would say I spoke really well,” Luca said. “I made some friends down there and I could talk to them.” Luca said it took him awhile to catch up with native speakers’ rapid speech. Asked if he would put his own child in an immersion school, Luca said, “Yeah, I would, but I’d say, ‘Definitely travel to a Spanishspeaking country.’” For Giovannelli, traveling really reinforced the importance of a second language. “This was not a tourist area; my not speaking Spanish was a deficiency,” she said. “I really relied on Luca.” Stories like Giovannelli’s make PSI Principal Corey Maslowski smile. “Our society is so global today. Sometimes [Americans] are surprised that such young children can learn another language; actually, they do that around the world, every day,” Maslowski said. He strongly believes that immersion education works for most kids — as long as schools strive to meet each child’s needs. Maslowski is proud of the diversity of his school’s student body,

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and its teaching staff, too: He talks about a teacher from Spain, one from Panama, another from Venezuela. For Maslowski, there’s only one real priority — meeting the needs of his students. He regularly checks in with parents to make sure the school is doing just that. Like many successful schools, the word gets out: Parents have to enter their children in a lottery to get into PSI, and there’s a waiting list, too. Founded in 1996, the school’s been around long enough to see its first students now entering careers in Spanish-immersion education themselves, Maslowski said.

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All types of learners For Bobbi Jo and Tom Rademacher of St. Paul, choosing immersion education for their two children was a no-brainer. Bobbi Jo Rademacher has a professional background in immersion education: She taught at St. Paul’s 29-year-old Adams Spanish Immersion School and was a middle school English teacher at Yinghua Academy, a Chinese-immersion charter school in northeast Minneapolis founded by the parents of children adopted from China. Yinghua has been an excellent fit for the Rademachers’ daughter, Emily, now 10, and son, Eli, now 8. Both were both adopted from China. “I planned on [immersion education] before I knew my children would be Chinese,” Bobbi Jo Rademacher said. “I thought it would be Spanish immersion; for cultural reasons, it turned out to be Chinese immersion. We feel so lucky that Yinghua was an option for us.” Roughly half of the children at Yinghua are Asian-American; the other half are mostly Caucasian. Rademacher believes that most children can succeed in an immersion system, even those with special needs.

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mnparent.com • October 2015

Bilingual learning Though Emily excels academically, Eli has had some struggles with learning due to an auditory-processing disorder. “It shows up the same way in Chinese as in English,” Rademacher said. “He qualified for special ed last year.” Eli likes school, even though it’s hard for him. He’s diligent in his work and wants to do well. And, even though he’s a bit behind his peers in his learning, “struggling doesn’t outweigh the benefits of becoming bilingual,” Rademacher said.

Reconnecting to culture The Rademachers have traveled to China twice since their children entered Yinghua, and like the Giovannellis, spent significant time in areas where not knowing the language was a profound barrier. “Eli was able to negotiate on the streets (with street peddlers),” she said proudly. “When we were lost in Beijing, I threw up my hands … but Emily translated for us.” Learning Chinese has helped the Rademacher children to take pride in their cultural identity and to forge meaningful ties to the Chinese families who fostered them before their adoptions. “Eli has a stronger identity connection than Emily,” Rademacher said. In fact, Eli has become close to Emily’s foster family, despite the fact that none of them speak English. It’s yet another benefit, she believes, of Eli’s schooling at Yinghua.

Multi-faceted fun Tara Fortune — one of the country’s foremost experts on immersion education today — began her career teaching high school German and Spanish in traditional classrooms. It wasn’t an environment she felt facilitated language fluency very much at all. “There were such constraints,” she said. “I was competing with other subjects and extra curriculars.” Her experience of teaching at Concordia Language Villages, where kids are fully immersed in the target language and culture for four consecutive weeks, showed her the power of immersion programming. “We used the language to teach the language. It was multi-faceted, experiential, fun. What the kids were able to do, acquire, was radically different from what we were able to do in a secondary classroom,” she said. “In four weeks, they gained more than they would have in a year [in a traditional classroom].” Fortune says there are other benefits to immersion education, including important cognitive benefits, such as non-

October 2015 • mnparent.com

↑↑Eli and Emily Rademacher, ages 8 and 10, both students at Yinghua Academy, a Chinese-immersion charter school for grades K-8 in northeast Minneapolis, have traveled to China twice with their parents, Tom and Bobbi Jo Rademacher.

verbal problem solving. “Bilinguals develop more ways to approach a problem, to solve a particular problem. Task switching is easier for bilinguals — it comes from learning to switch back and forth between languages. They learn flexible and divergent thinking,” she said.

Wider world view Rademacher advises parents who choose immersion to go in with an open heart. “Immersion is such a gift to give your children,” she said. “It’s fun, it’s kid-friendly, with singing, dancing, culture-infused activities. And they become bilingual and bicultural.” It also has the power to help them imagine a world beyond Minnesota — and life as they know it in the U.S. “It broadens their world view so much too,” Rademacher said. “They see that they are part of this bigger world. They hear someone else speak a different language; they’re interested. They’ll ask, ‘Hey, what language are those people speaking?’” When you learn a language, you learn the culture, Rademacher said. “And that’s what I want for my kids.” Michele St. Martin is a freelance writer and editor, and a former editor for Minnesota Women’s Press and New Moon Girl Media. She lives in St. Paul with her husband and two teenage daughters.

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mnparent.com • October 2015

C CRASH COURSE ~ THE STATE OF COLLEGE PREP IN 2015 ~

Calling all parents of middle schoolers: It’s time to get ready for college. And it’s not just about academics. It’s about life skills, too. BY BEVERLY GILLEN For so many parents, time is a hot commodity. You hurry home from work to pick up the kids at after-school care or sports, rush home to make dinner, then eat on the run while driving to another activity. Homework gets done on the fly and everyone goes to bed exhausted, only to repeat the routine again the next day.

Life is busy and time flies! Now, try finding more hours in the day to focus on the process of college preparation. Parents of middle schoolers might not even have college prep on their radars, but they should.

mnparent.com • October 2015

C CRASH COURSE

“

While we had done a good job of helping our daughter gain leadership and service experience, we were behind in other key areas: My daughter had never made her own doctor appointment and knew virtually nothing about personal finance.

Consider these statistics: ⊲⊲ Average total charges for a private nonprofit four-year college in 2014 in the U.S.: $42,419. ⊲⊲ The percent of applicants admitted to college in 2015: Carleton College (21 percent), University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (44 percent), Washington University-St. Louis (16 percent) and Boston College (32 percent). ⊲⊲ Minnesota ranks as having one of the worst counselor-to-student ratios in the nation with only one counselor for every 771 students. The American School Counselor Association recommends a 250-to-1 ratio. ⊲⊲ 70 percent of college seniors in Minnesota who graduated from public and nonprofit colleges in 2013 had student loan debt, with an average of $30,894 per borrower. The admission stakes are clearly high. With the college costs increasing, admission becoming more competitive and student debt hitting record levels, it’s more important than ever to be informed and well prepared. Middle school is an ideal time to create a plan for college and begin developing important life skills.

MY STORY I was surprised to find myself quite unprepared to help my oldest child with the college-prep process. As a parent educator and business professional,

October 2015 • mnparent.com

←←Zintia Villalobos dreams of being the first in her family to attend college. She is participating in the Kinship of Greater Minneapolis mentoring program, a one-to-one youthmentoring program for ages 5-15. According to the Minneapolis-based Search Institute, relationships with caring adults and peers can increase student engagement and improve academic motivation.

I consider myself to be an organized person, but somehow time had gotten away from us, and I was suddenly faced with the challenge of navigating the college-prep maze. Our high school didn’t have the resources to hand-hold us through the admissions process, so I set off to research the topic on my own, interviewing private college coaches, school guidance counselors, field experts and current college students. I learned that — in addition to academic milestones like ACTs and SATs — there were practical skills my daughter would need to be confident on campus. While we had done a good job of helping our daughter gain leadership and service experience, we were behind in other key areas: My daughter had never made her own doctor appointment and knew virtually nothing about personal finance. We spent the summer before college playing catch up, which was stressful for all of us. As I networked with other moms and dads, I discovered we weren’t the only ones struggling.

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HOW TO GET STARTED Most parents aren’t experts in college prep, so what’s a family to do? Start early: Middle school is the perfect time to begin the process. Kids are still receptive to parents’ feedback and their schedules generally aren’t as busy as they’ll be in high school. Ask your sixth-grader what she dreams of being when she grows up. Then help her identify someone she can shadow for half a day. Take your seventh-grader to the bank and open a savings account. Brainstorm age-appropriate ways to start saving for college. Research summer service opportunities with your eighth-grader.

mnparent.com • October 2015

C CRASH COURSE

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Get connected: There are many people in the community who want to help your Want to earn $60? child succeed. If so, you may be eligible to Middle schoolers can start researching participate in a new study in the colleges online to see what schools might Family Interaction & Development Lab! be a good fit. For more information, call (651) 523-2935 Local companies may offer internships or email developmentlab@hamline.edu or job-shadow days or may sponsor special programs like STEM summer Hamline University MNP 0314 12.indd 1 2/13/14 9:39 AMcamps. Contact a community organization to see what volunteer opportunities might work for your child. Make it a priority to get to know your school’s guidance counselor. These advisors are an important part of your education team and specialize in helping students set goals and carry out academic plans. Ask for help: Preparing for college can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to go it alone. In 2014, I wrote Get Connected for College: The Savvy Student’s Guide to College Prep — a guide book for families with middle schoolers and high schoolers. Students learn how to master 100 College Competencies. It also includes a Milestone Map with handy checklists for grades 6 to 12. For families seeking one-on-one support, private college coaching is another option. Teens respond especially well to an objective professional who is encouraging and motivating. I consider it a great privilege to work with families during this special time. Connect with a caring adult: Zintia Villalobos dreams of being the first in her family to attend college. I was fortunate to be matched with Zintia through the Kinship of Greater Minneapolis mentoring program. In addition to fun activities, we’ve already been incorporating college prep into our time together and we plan to visit a college over fall break. As an eighth-grader, Zintia is taking honors classes and advanced Spanish and

October 2015 • mnparent.com

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participates in her school’s choir. Her goals for this year include “trying to be really organized in school and being a leader for my younger sisters.” She’s already mastered several College Competencies (as outlined in my book) including Care for a Child, Calculate a Gratuity and Utilize Email. According to the Minneapolis-based Search Institute, relationships with caring adults and peers can increase student engagement and improve academic motivation. Students who experience developmental relationships get better grades, have higher aspirations for the future, and participate in collegepreparatory activities more frequently. Enjoy the journey: The poem Babies Don’t Keep by Ruth Hulburt Hamilton still tugs at my heart. The last stanza reads: The cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow But children grow up, as I’ve learned to my sorrow. So quiet down cobwebs; Dust go to sleep! I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep. Our middle schoolers and high schoolers grow up all too soon and will be on their own in no time. By preparing early and investing in their independence now, you can avoid sleepless nights worrying that you missed a milestone or a critical competency. Participate in service activities together. Celebrate milestones along the way. Stress be gone! Relax and enjoy the college-prep journey! Beverly Gillen is a college coach, parent educator and founder of Partners in Parenting Consulting. She lives in Minnetonka with her husband and two daughters. Follow her work at partnersinparentingconsulting.com.

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mnparent.com • October 2015

GOT A MINUTE? Try these 3 art games to boost your kid’s strategic thinking, problem solving and visual recall

By Ruthie Briggs-Greenberg

ou have one minute to engage your kids. It’s a Monday, you have to get the kids to school, and you’re only on your first cup of coffee. What can you do that will help them think better and not annoy you? Do an art activity. What, you may ask, is an “art activity?” It’s something that exposes kids to art. Why should you do it? According to the National Endowment for the Arts, kids with more art experiences have higher GPAs than kids who lacked those experiences. How do you start? Pour that second cup of coffee, set the timer for one minute and do one of the following:

October 2015 • mnparent.com

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Spoons Ask your kid “How many things can be done with spoons?” Your kids might say, “I don’t know,” or “You can eat with spoons, dig with spoons. Uhhhhhh.” Then your kids may fall silent. This is where you say “Keep going.” Your kids may come up with one more answer, something like, “You can fling a spoon.” The minute will pass. What’s the answer? An unknown number of things can be done with spoons. Think outside of the box, or in this case, the silverware drawer. Thinking beyond what’s obvious frees up a child’s imagination. And imagination leads to solutions. Let’s get back to the spoons. If you weld spoons together, you could build a wall, and then you could make a house of spoons. (No, that’s not cheating; I never said, “a spoon,” or that the spoons had to remain in their original form.) The question leads your child, and you, to think strategically to solve a puzzle. This method of thinking creatively frees up your mind to design, imagine and build ideas that don’t exist. That’s how art starts. You’ve just engaged in strategic thinking.

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mnparent.com • October 2015

GOT A MINUTE?

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October 2015 • mnparent.com

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Game 2

Memory Open the cupboard and let your kid look inside it for eight seconds. (This isn’t the time to obsess over the fact that there’s high fructose corn syrup in half of the breakfast cereals.) Close the cupboard. Ask your kid, “How many colors can be made from the colors on the boxes inside the 4:13 PM cupboard?” You’ll probably get this back: “I don’t know.” Who thinks about cereal boxes and art? Ask your kid to open the cupboard and see if they can spot red, yellow and blue inside. All colors can be made from the three primary colors. Play a color-addition game: What’s red plus yellow? Orange. Was there a yellow box on your shelf? A blue one? Sure there was; everyone has that blue box of pasta on the second shelf, so now you have yellow plus blue. You get the picture. Now you’ve covered visual recall. Wow, look at you, covering strategic thinking, problem solving and visual recall all before your third cup of coffee! Your kid used art, or thinking about art, to fire up those synapses before class. Thinking about art can carry over into other areas of study, such as math, language and science. Ultimately art allows individuals to create something from nothing by strategically analyzing a problem and solving it. If you have five minutes, tour the world’s greatest museums online. This may lead to conversations about the historical context that art was created in, or the purpose of art. If you ask your kid what they think about a painting they’re looking at they may say, “I don’t know.” That’s OK, school doesn’t train our kids to think of possibilities, it teaches kids to have answers. Get your kids thinking and they’ll come up solutions to all kinds of problems.

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Grab a pencil and a piece of paper. Ask your kid to draw a bicycle with circles and lines. Did you set the timer for one minute? If your coffee’s kicked in, you can try it too. What does this game do for your kids? It makes them think about design principles of how shapes fit together for practical use. If you want a hint, a basic bike can be drawn using five circles and 11 lines. Wait a minute, how is this art, you ask? It’s art because it involves organizing shapes and lines and creating a design. You’ve just covered design, which fits under problem solving. Now, it’s time for school!

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mnparent.com • October 2015

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October 2015 • mnparent.com

mnparent.com/education milestones your child reaches. If you have concerns about your child’s development, talk to your doctor or refer your child at helpmegrowmn.org or call 1-866-693-4769. 1-866-693-4769 helpmegrowmn.org

ISD 191 Community Ed 191 Community Education provides ECFE, birth — school age childcare, aquatics, award winning chess, children’s theater, driver education, fitness, language, preschool, coffee talks, fun and friendship, dance, sports, music, art, gifted and talented programs. Cultivating community and lifelong learning for every age! Burnsville, Eagan, Savage 952-707-4150 communityed191.org

Landmark Center Tours St. Paul’s historic Landmark Center offers FREE general building tours that take you throughout Landmark Center and offer you an insider look into the remarkable building. Free public tours, which are perfect for homeschool families, are Thursdays at 11 a.m. and Sundays at 12 p.m. 75 W 5th St St. Paul 651-292-3225 landmarkcenter.org

Metropolitan Open School Since 1972, Metropolitan Open School students have had individualized curriculums based on their needs and interests in language arts, math, science, social studies, music, art, dance, French, and physical education. Students delve deeply into the subjects they study, and creativity and curiosity are nurtured and encouraged. 3390 Library Ln St. Louis Park 952-926-5552 metroopenschool.org

Minnesota History Center & Historic Sites (MNHS) MNHS works with teachers, parents, and lifelong learners to ensure that we are all Minnesota State Smart. We do this through fun, engaging, and educational exhibits, events, and field trips at 18 historic sites and museums around the state. Minneapolis/St. Paul & Greater Metro 651-259-3015 mnhs.org

ADVERTISER LISTINGS Minnesota Speech Specialists

The Works Museum

Dodge Nature Preschool

Minnesota Speech Specialists is a unique company providing high quality speech therapy in your home. We offer receptive/ expressive language, feeding, articulation, tongue thrust, reading, and writing therapy as well as much more.

At The Works Museum, kids and families use hands-on activities, real tools, and everyday materials to explore engineering and design. We make STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) easy and fun through engaging exhibits, camps, field trips, and school programs.

On a 110-acre area of our Environmental Educational Preserve, Dodge Nature Preschool brings the natural world into the lives of children, through visits to our farm, reptile lab and raptor house, hikes, gardening, and more. NAEYC accredited. Four Star Parent Aware rated.

kelly@mnspeech.com 651-262-9639 mnspeech.com

Parent Aware Parent Aware helps families find the quality care and education their children need to succeed. Parent Aware is a search partner. We work side-by-side with families, offering free resources to help them make informed choices about high-quality care and education. Statewide Locations 888-291-9811 parentaware.org

Textile Center A national center for fiber art, Textile Center offers year-round youth classes on release days and second Saturdays of the month. Engage your mind and creativity with textile techniques like sewing and dyeing, while creating handson, one-of-a-kind projects! Ages 7–16. 3000 University Ave SE Minneapolis 612-436-0464 textilecentermn.org

9740 Grand Ave S Bloomington 952-888-4262 theworks.org

Preschool beARTrageous Our Preschool ARTs drop-off program welcomes 2–5 year olds to explore the ABCs through visual arts, dramatic play, music and storytelling. Two sessions each day, M–F. Centrally located, we’re right by Lake of the Isles. 2121 W 21st Kenwood, Minneapolis 612-423-7554 be-artrageous.com

1715 Charlton St, W St. Paul 651-455-4555 dodgenaturecenter.org

Especially for Children For 39 years, Especially for Children has provided high quality childcare and education for Twin Cities families. Our NAEYC Accredited programs foster the development of the whole child. Visit us today! Bloomington, Circle Pines, Coon Rapids, Eagan, Eden Prairie, Edina, Inver Grove Heights 952-857-1100 especiallyforchildren.com

Joyce Bilingual Preschool Joyce Preschool is a bilingual Spanish-English program for children ages 3–5 with strong emphases on kindergarten readiness, second language acquisition, early literacy, and parent involvement. Joyce also offers parentchild classes (ages 2-4) and summer camps (ages 3-8). Two locations for 2015. Joyce Preschool Park Site: 3400 Park Ave, Minneapolis Joyce Preschool Windom Site: 5821 Wentworth Ave S, Minneapolis 612-823-2447 joycepreschool.org

Kids Corner Preschool Our preschool program, along with our unique location, offers your child a variety of fun and educational activities designed to stimulate their social and intellectual development. Classes incorporate learning through dramatic play, storytelling, art, science, physical education, music, and more. Shoreview Community Center 4580 Victoria St N Shoreview 651-490-4750 shoreviewcommunitycenter.com

Lake Area Discovery Center A high-quality, NAEYC accredited Christianbased Preschool/Childcare serving families at ten metro locations, offering affordable/ flexible full and half-day schedules for children ages 16 months-5 years old. Four-YearDegreed teachers engage the “whole-child” in welcoming, stimulating classrooms designed to meet the needs of young children. 651-762-7884 ladcfamilies.org mnparent.com • October 2015

EDUCATION RESOURCE GUIDE Wooddale Academy Wooddale Academy is a Christian school serving families with children ages six weeks to five years. The Academy strives to teach through guided conversations, spontaneous teachable moments, Bible stories and songs. NAEYC accredited and Parent Aware rated. 6630 Shady Oak Rd, Eden Prairie 5532 Wooddale Ave S, Edina 952-944-3770 wooddaleacademy.org

YMCA The Y is for Youth Development, nurturing the lives of children through value-based enrichment programs and serving the needs of infants, toddlers, preschool, and school age children. We are your partner with over 70 program locations across the metro area. Metro-wide 612-230-9622 ymcatwincities.org

Private Blake School, The Blake students strive for excellence in academics, athletics, and the arts. Thoughtfully prepared curriculum helps students think critically, solve problems, empathize, create, and make our world better. Blake provides need-based financial assistance to approximately 19 percent of its student body. admissions@blakeschool.org Highcroft Campus (Gr. pre-K–5): 301 Peavey Ln Wayzata; Blake Campus (Gr. pre-K–8): 110 Blake Rd S Hopkins; Northrop Campus (Gr. 9–12): 511 Kenwood Pkwy Minneapolis; 952-988-3420 blakeschool.org

Calvin Christian Schools (CCS) CCS’s comprehensive program provides rich learning experiences that meaningfully integrate a biblical world view. Over the past 50 years, CCS has built a solid reputation for delivering an outstanding, Christ-centered education. Today Calvin Christian’s three campuses serve nearly 450 students representing 100 churches and 45 metro communities. K-8: 4015 Inglewood Ave S Edina 8966 Pierce St NE

October 2015 • mnparent.com

Blaine High School: 755 73rd Ave NE Fridley 612-900-7300 calvinchristian.org

Chapel Hill Academy Chapel Hill Academy offers biblically-based Christian education, Kindergarten through 8th grade, and holds a Passion for Christ and a commitment to provide an Education for Life. Open Houses: November 4th (2015), January 27th (2016), March 9th (2016), and April 27th (2016). 306 West 78th St Chanhassen 952-949-9014 chapel-hill.org

Eden Prairie Schools Eden Prairie Schools has a well-established history of excellent academics, activities and athletics. We attribute our success to high standards, great teachers, an extensive digital learning program, and the right programming options for students like language immersion and gifted education. 8100 School Rd Eden Prairie 952-975-8000 edenpr.org

Holy Name of Jesus School Holy Name of Jesus School offers a preschool–grade 6 educational experience focused on excellence in academics, service to others, and faith formation. Our mission is to provide academic excellence while proclaiming, celebrating, and living the Gospel of Christ. 155 Cty Rd 24 Wayzata 763-473-3675 hnoj.org/school

International School of Minnesota, The (ISM) ISM is a private, non-sectarian, college prep school for preschool (age 3)–grade 12. In addition to a rigorous curriculum, students experience an international learning community where cultural diversity is embraced and celebrated. World language is taught daily by native speakers. Extended day available 7 a.m.–6 p.m. Weekly swimming lessons included for preschool–grade 3. 6385 Beach Rd Eden Prairie 952-918-1840 internationalschoolmn.com

mnparent.com/education Minnehaha Academy As a preK-12 school of distinction, we focus on academic excellence while integrating Christian faith and learning. Minnehaha graduates dynamic leaders who will significantly impact the community and world. Metro bussing and tuition assistance available. Email admission@ MinnehahaAcademy.net. Lower & Middle School: 4200 W River Pkwy, Minneapolis Upper School: 3100 W River Pkwy, Minneapolis 612-728-7756 minnehahaacademy.net

Minnesota Waldorf School Summer Day Camp Located on eight acres of open space with areas of prairie and oak savanna restoration, wetlands, an orchard and more, our school is a haven for curious minds, active bodies and open hearts. The Waldorf curriculum skillfully weaves core academics with music, art, movement, foreign language, handwork and horticulture, creating lifelong learners who are curious, motivated and conscientious. 70 E County Rd B St. Paul 651-487-6700 mnwaldorf.org

North Heights Christian Academy Since its founding in 1988 North Heights Christian Academy has continued to offer an academically excellent, Christ-centered, K–8 educational program. To schedule a tour contact Principal Jeff Taylor at 651-797-7934 or at jeff.taylor@nhlc.org. 2701 N Rice St Roseville nhlc.org

Saint Thomas Academy A Saint Thomas Academy education is an investment in your son’s future. Students receive a personalized, faith-based, college preparatory education. Our teachers guide each student to be an intellectual, ethical, servant leader throughout his life. We are an all-male school serving grades 7-12. Every year, we provide more than $2.5 million in financial grants. 949 Mendota Heights Rd Mendota Heights 651-454-4570 cadets.com

ADVERTISER LISTINGS

Public

Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan Public Schools (ISD 196)

Hopkins Public Schools

District 196 is a state- and nationallyrecognized school district of choice serving residents in the Twin Cities’ desired south suburbs. The district has a comprehensive curriculum, award-winning schools, outstanding teachers, supportive communities and a high level of parent involvement.

A leader in STEM curriculum, Hopkins offers: Spanish instruction in every K–3 classroom; Chinese Immersion beginning in kindergarten; secondary Chinese and Spanish Immersion options in grades 7–12; junior high IB; an extensive AP program; more than 250 course choices in high school. Harley Hopkins Family Center (birth– preschool): 125 Monroe Ave, Hopkins Alice Smith Elementary: 801 Minnetonka Mills Rd, Hopkins Eisenhower Elementary + XinXing Academy: 1001 Hwy 7, Hopkins Gatewood Elementary: 14900 Gatewood Dr, Minnetonka Glen Lake Elementary: 4801 Woodridge Rd, Minnetonka L.H. Tanglen Elementary: 10901 Hillside Ln, Minnetonka Meadowbrook Elementary: 5460 Glenwood Ave, Golden Valley North Junior High: 10700 Cedar Lake Rd, Minnetonka West Junior High: 3830 Baker Rd, Minnetonka Hopkins High School: 2400 Lindbergh Dr, Minnetonka 952-988-4110 hopkinsschools.org

Minnetonka Public Schools Among the state’s highest performing school districts, Minnetonka is recognized nationally for classroom technology. Small class sizes allow personalized learning. Every school offers a language immersion option (Chinese, Spanish, or English) beginning in Kindergarten. Specialized programs for highly gifted students. 952-401-5000 minnetonka.k12.mn.us/enroll Clear Springs Elementary School: 5701 Cty Rd 101, Minnetonka 952-401-6950 Deephaven Elementary School: 4452 Vine Hill Rd, Deephaven 952-401-6900 Excelsior Elementary School: 441 Oak St, Excelsior 952-401-5650 Groveland Elementary School: 17310 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka 952-401-5600 Minnewashta Elementary School: 26350 Smithtown Rd, Excelsior 952-401-5500 Scenic Heights Elementary School: 5650 Scenic Heights Dr, Minnetonka 952-401-5400

651-423-7775 district196.org

Specialty Art Academy, The City Pages Winner: Best of the Twin Cities! Year-round traditional drawing and painting classes and camps for students ages 5–18 years. Exceptional student/teacher ratio. Homeschool Program. A Renaissance Program for adults also offered. See samples of student artwork; visit our website. Call for a brochure. 651 Snelling Ave S St. Paul 651-699-1573 theartacademy.net

Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) For more than 45 years, AuSM has been providing resources and services to the Minnesota autism community. Offered year-round, AuSM Social Skills classes for youth and adults with autism offer low-stress, accepting environments that encourage learning and growth while participants develop social skills and confidence. AuSM classes are offered in various locations across the Twin Cities and beyond. Register today! 2380 Wycliff St #102 St. Paul 651-647-1083 ausm.org

Fraser Fraser is Minnesota’s largest and most experienced provider of autism services, and also serves children and adults with more than 60 types of disorders and disabilities. Their programs are nationally recognized for their high quality, innovation, and individualized family-centered approach. Fraser Richfield & Fraser School: 2400 W 64th St Minneapolis Fraser Minneapolis: 3333 University Ave SE Minneapolis Fraser Anoka: 2829 Verndale Ave Anoka Fraser Bloomington: 1801 American Blvd E #1

Bloomington Fraser Eden Prairie: 6458 City West Pkwy, Eden Prairie, MN 55344 Fraser Eagan: 2030 Rahn Way, Eagan 612-861-1688 fraser.org/our-services/childcare-pre-school

gphomestay Open your window to the world — host an international student through gphomestay and a local high school! Hosts receive a monthly stipend and ongoing local support. Complete an inquiry form on our website to learn more about this unique cultural experience! 1025 Main Street Waltham, MA 781-996-0429 gphomestay.com

Groves Academy Groves Academy is the leading school for students with learning disabilities and attention disorders, as well as a center for literacy instruction, education and advocacy in the state of Minnesota. Groves Academy enrolls 250 students in its school, and through Groves Academy’s Community Outreach arm, impacts the lives of more than 5,000 people each year. 3200 Hwy 100 S St. Louis Park 952-920-6377 grovesacademy.org

Landmark Center St. Paul’s historic Landmark Center boasts four FREE museums and galleries showcasing art, music, and history. Families can take part in incredible hands-on musical experiences, amazing wood art interactives and engaging historical exhibits. 75 W 5th St St. Paul 651-292-3225 landmarkcenter.org

Link12 Lakeville Link12 Lakeville is a free, comprehensive, statewide online school through which students can earn a diploma. We offer rigorous courses that are available 24/7. We welcome all students who reside in Minnesota. We are currently accepting K-12th grade full and part-time enrollment. Heather Rabanus Lead Instructor 612-642-1497 sites.google.com/a/isd194.org/link12lakeville

mnparent.com • October 2015

It’s apple season in Minnesota! And with more than 125 apple orchards open to the public across the state — including more than 20 near the metro area — that’s a beautiful thing. Local orchards cater to families with farms tours, petting zoos, hayrides, gift shops, apple-picking opportunities and apple treats of all sorts. Check out our readers’ favorite farms or go to minnesotagrown.com and search by ZIP code for many more!

Aamodt’s Apple Farm in Stillwater — Rachel Ulrich, St. Paul

Afton Apple Orchard in Hastings — Christina Degroot, Farmington

Apple Jack Orchards in Delano — Carol Paschke, Golden Valley

AppleWood Orchard in Lakeville — Ellie Jacobson, Farmington

Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center in Hastings — Angela Ponder, Cottage Grove

Center Creek Orchard in Fairmont — Jamie Campbell, Mankato

Dodge Nature Center Apple Orchard in West St. Paul — Evie (Brittany) Johnson, St. Paul

Emma Krumbee’s in Albertville, Belle Plaine and Wausau. So much to see and do. And the apple desserts are amazing! — Steph Hill, Eagan

Fall Harvest Orchard in Delano — Monica Green, Osseo

LuceLine Orchard in Watertown — Melissa Gudvangen, Montrose

Minnetonka Orchards in Minnetrista — Megann Johnson, Burnsville

Evan Walsh, 3, samples the inventory at Apple Jack Orchards in Delano. Photo by Tracy Walsh Photography

Pine Tree Apple Orchard in White Bear Lake. It’s a family tradition every year. — Julie Nelson, Columbia Heights

Sponsel’s Minnesota Harvest Apple Orchard in Jordan — Samantha Chambers, Prior Lake

Whistling Well Farm near Afton. It’s a small, familyowned farm that has animals, pumpkins, apples and, of course, their beloved and famous spaniel, Emmy! — Katie Launderville, South St. Paul

October 2015 • mnparent.com

+ More favorite farms!

C M PUMPKIN PATCH

Saturdays & Sundays: 10 am to Sunset (Open September 26 through October 31)

INFLATABLES: Giant slide, Bounce house Hay rides • Pumpkins • Games • Surreys • Pedal boats

651-487-8046 • WheelFunRentalsMN.com 1360 North Lexington Parkway, St. Paul, MN 55117 Wheel Fun Rentals - Pumpkin Patch MNP 1015 H6.indd 1

a Krumbee m ’s Em RESTAURANT ORCHARD & FARM

U-Pick Apples Berries & Pumpkins Hotline 952•873•3654

FALL FUN

Half Peck Play Area with a Monster Truck, Pirate Ship, Tractor & Train • Mountain Slide Goat Habitat

We love Sever’s Corn Maze & Fall Festival! Hours of fun for the whole family. — Pennie Peterson, Shakopee

Twin Cities Harvest Festival and Corn Maze in Brooklyn Park

Minnesota’s Destination for FAMILY FUN Hwy 169 & Cty Rd 3, Belle Plaine, MN

www.emmakrumbees.com

Emma Krumbee's MNP 0815 H4.indd 1

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32nd Annual

Scarecrow Contest & Festival

Sept. 12–Oct. 30 100 Scarecrows on Display Wagon Rides • Giant Haystack Jump Petting Zoo • Maze

Weekend Activities

Barrel Express Train • Pony Rides Live Music

Tour Groups Welcome Make Your Group Tour Reservation Today

Tour info 952•873•3006 To enter scarecrow contest visit emmakrumbees.com

$6,900 in Prizes! 7/22/15 12:24 PM

— Daphne Christenson, Brooklyn Park

Dehn’s Pumpkins in Dayton — Kara Schmitz, Shorewood

We’ve gone back twice to the 101 Market in Otsego for their fall corn maze and activities. Lots of fun for little kids! — Theresa Cooke, Coon Rapids

mnparent.com • October 2015

Crispy treats!

Get creative this Halloween with inspired recipes that will delight the kids Food-crafting expert Ashley Fox Whipple — in her new book Super Cute Crispy Treats: Nearly 100 Unbelievable No-Bake Desserts — takes rice crispy treats to a whole new level with flavors like caramel and sea salt, peanut butter and jelly, pretzel and chocolate and even KoolAid, such as the grape-flavored spider recipe you see here. Her sculptures include 3D shapes such as apples, pumpkins, ice cream cones, donuts, pops and even wedding cakes. She offers gluten-free and low-sugar options in her book, too. These grape-flavored spider treats can be creepy or cute, depending on how you decorate them. Rated at a difficulty level of intermediate, this recipe, adapted from Whipple’s book, makes about 10 spiders and involves 1 hour of prep time.

October 2015 • mnparent.com

SPIDER TREATS 2 tablespoons margarine 2¾ cups mini marshmallows, about 5 ounces ½ teaspoon grape-flavored drink powder 3 cups crisp rice cereal 10 12-inch licorice strings 4 ounces almond bark 20 to 30 small candy eyes (available at craft stores) 1 lollipop stick Melt margarine in a three-quart saucepan over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir. Let marshmallows melt completely, stirring occasionally. Add grape drink mix and stir to combine. Remove from heat. Stir in cereal until it’s fully coated with marshmallow. As soon as the mixture is cool enough to handle, form PRO TIP a handful into If you want supera spider body. vibrant purple Keeping it spiders, gradually connected as add small amounts one piece, form of purple soft gel a smaller round paste food coloring head at one end (after adding the of the body. Kool-Aid mix). Repeat to make Many colors of gel the rest of the are available at spiders. americolorcorp.com Cut the licorice or amazon.com. strings into 2½-inch pieces. Using a lollipop stick, poke six holes (three on each side) into the body of each spider.

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Offices in Minneapolis, St. Paul, & Edina Postpartum Counseling Center MNP 1015 H6.indd 1

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Insert licorice pieces into the holes and press the cereal mixture around them to secure them in place. Heat the almond bark in the microwave in 30-second increments until completely melted, stirring between each heating. Use the melted almond bark to attach the eyes to the spider heads. Store in an airtight container and serve within 24 hours. Ashley Fox Whipple is the creator of the blog Cute As a Fox. Her recipe and craft creations have been featured by Parade, Michaels.com, Food Gawker, Craft Gawker, Tastespotting and Edible Crafts on Craft Gossip. Learn more at cuteasafox.com. Arrowwood MNP 1015 S3.indd 1

9/14/15 11:00 AM

mnparent.com • October 2015

HOT STUFF

Tooth fairy fun!

When that first baby tooth starts to wiggle, you know your child is about to hit a major milestone or, rather, a series of milestones: From the age of about 5 to 12, the average child loses 20 baby teeth. That’s a lot of visits from the tooth fairy! These fun books and keepsakes will help you revel in the excitement, stimulate your child’s imagination and, perhaps, ease some of the fear, annoyance and pain. Who knows: These new toys and gifts might even help you get your kid to brush without a fight!

By Sarah Dorison FAIRY DOLL Many parents struggle daily to get their kids to brush, floss and eat right to take care of their teeth. Teeth Fairies — a book and doll set — guides children through the process of losing their baby teeth. Teeth Fairies encourages kids to brush and floss and gives them incentives through their own personal tooth fairy. The fairy comes and goes at the loss of each tooth, and is meant to be reused over the span of tooth loss — which can last about six years! Special pages in the story let you personalize the book for your child. And there’s a page in the back, where you can document details about your child’s teeth and each visit from the tooth fairy. $49.99 • teethfairies.com

KEEPSAKE BOX

TOOTH PILLOW

The Twinkle, Twinkle Tooth Fairy Box from the silversmiths at Reed & Barton is a silverplated embossed locket that tucks neatly under a pillow. It comes with a little star — attached with a small string — that easily hangs out for the tooth fairy. Bonus: You can turn the locket into a personalized gift with engraving for an extra charge ($10).

Tug is a special, trustworthy friend of the tooth fairy. He carries a backpack in which to place a tooth on the night your child waits for the tooth fairy to arrive. In the book that comes with this plush toy — Tug and the Tooth — kids can read all about Tug and a little girl named Liza. Together the two embark on an adventure to the land of Tirol, where Liza learns to handle the fear and excitement of losing her first tooth.

$40 • lenox.com

October 2015 • mnparent.com

$29.95 • tugandthetooth.com

Out & About

FALL EVENTS

mnparent.com/calendar

Sever’s Corn Maze and Fall Festival ⊲⊲Now celebrating its 19th year, this destination features corn and hay-bale mazes, an exotic petting zoo, a giant slide, pumpkin blasters, pig races and — new this year — four zip lines, a gourd walk and a new show, Monkey Business with Frankie the Monkey. Special events will include a family movie night, Oktoberfest and a Halloween celebration. When: 1–8 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Sundays, through Nov. 1, plus Oct. 15–16 Where: Shakopee

ONGOING

Twin Cities Harvest Festival and Maze ⊲⊲This festival, now in its fifth year, boasts Minnesota’s largest corn maze — nearly 20 acres. This year, the maze will celebrate the Minnesota Wild’s 15-year anniversary with an XV and the Minnesota Wild logo. Other features include a corn pit, a straw-bale maze, live music, a petting zoo, hayrides and more. Since 2010, the festival has donated almost $125,000 to local causes. This year funds will go to the Minnesota Wild Foundation, which supports the game of hockey and the well-being of Minnesota children. When: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 25, plus Oct.

Cost: $15 for ages 4 and older at the door. Go online for discounted tickets. Info: severscornmaze.com

15 and 16 Where: 8001 109th Ave. N., Brooklyn Park Cost: Tickets are $10 online or $12 at the gate. Children shorter than 36 inches tall are admitted for free. Info: twincitiesmaze.com

ONGOING

Pumpkin Patch Festival ⊲⊲This 26th-annual event features numerous fall activities and attractions, including corn and straw-bale mazes, games, farm animals, fun houses, pony rides, face painting, a soap box derby, hayloft swings, barrel races, make-and-

take scarecrows, a “pumpkin chucker flinger thinger,” and a new tower hideout. When: Weekends through Oct. 31 Where: Nelson Family Farm, Litchfield, 1.5 hours west of the Twin Cities Cost: $8 Info: nelsonfarm.com

OCT. 1–31

HowlZooWeen ⊲⊲Celebrate fall babies — and things that go bump in the night — throughout October at the zoo. Enjoy up-close encounters with creatures both cute and creepy (including bats and tarantulas). On weekends, enjoy games, face painting and live music. On Oct. 31, mnparent.com • October 2015

Out & About members of the zoo can trick or treat at the zoo indoors. Advanced registration is required and participants will be limited to the first 2,000 members to sign up. When: Oct. 1–31 Where: Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley Cost: Various Info: mnzoo.org

OCT. 9–NOV. 1

Anoka Halloween ⊲⊲Anoka is believed to be the first city in the U.S. to put on a Halloween celebration to divert its youngsters from Halloween pranks. When Anokans awoke to find their cows roaming Main Street, their windows soaped and their outhouses tipped over, they decided something had to be done. Today, the city is hard to beat for Halloween festivities, including multiple parades and pumpkin-carving contests, plus other events such as a wine tasting, bake sale, a children’s art contest, speed eating, bingo, a bonfire, scavenger hunt, costume contests (including one for pets), fun runs and more. When: Highlights include a Preschool Costume Contest at 10 a.m. Oct. 30 on Lyric Arts Main Street Stage and a Big Parade of Little People at 1:15 p.m. Oct. 30 on Main Street and a Grand Day Parade at 1 p.m. Oct. 31, also on Main Street. Where: Anoka Cost: FREE Info: anokahalloween.com

Great Pumpkin Festival ⊲⊲Take part in a Great Pumpkin Festival, courtesy of Sundays at Landmark, a series of cultural and art events (most of them free) designed to entertain, enrich and educate an all-ages audience, including heritage festivals, musical performances and holiday celebrations — 19 Sunday afternoons in all September through May. When: 1 p.m. Oct. 25 Where: Landmark Center, St. Paul Cost: FREE Info: landmarkcenter.org/programs/sundays.htm

OCT. 17–18, 24–25

ZooBoo ⊲⊲The Como Zoo is transformed into a non-scary, family-friendly celebration as a fundraiser for the animals and plants of the zoo, including live entertainment, animal visitors and crafts projects. When: 4:30–7:30 p.m. Oct. 17–18,

October 2015 • mnparent.com

and 24–25 Where: Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, St. Paul Cost: $6 per person in advance, $7 at the gates Info: comozooconservatory.org or 651-487-8201

OCT. 24

Ghouls & Giggles ⊲⊲Enjoy a not-so-scary Halloween trail, face-painting, live music and more at this family-friendly event. When: 3–6 p.m. Oct. 24

Where: Ordway parking lot, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chaska Cost: $5 per child; ages 13 and older. can attend for free with arboretum admission. Info: arboretum.umn.edu

OCT. 24

Pumpkin Fest ⊲⊲Check out balloon twisters, horsedrawn trolley rides, trick-or-treating and other seasonal activities for kids.

BIRTHDAY PARTIES AT

MINNETONKA ORCHARDS

Party Times: 10am–12:30pm 1pm–3:30pm 4pm–6:30pm

Exclusive Hay Ride: 10:30am 1:30pm 4:30pm

Meals Served: 11am 2pm 5pm

PETTING BARN • HAY MOUNTAIN TO CLIMB • CORN MAZE • PICNIC TABLES WOODEN TRAIN TO PLAY ON • WALKING TRAILS • CORN CRIB AND PLAY AREA LARGE SANDBOX • ONE FREE FACE PAINTING • SWING SET WITH SLIDE

6530 County Rd 26, Minnetrista, MN 55364 | 763-479-6530 | info@minnetonkaorchards.com Minnetonka Orchards MNP 0915 H6.indd 1

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When: 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Oct. 24 Where: 50th & France Business District, Edina Cost: FREE Info: 50thandfrance.com

OCT. 25

Halloween Hodgepodge ⊲⊲Each year children ages 18 months to 12 years old celebrate Halloween in a safe indoor environment with face painting, carnival games and inflatables, a family dance and trick or treating. When: 3–7 p.m. Oct. 25 Where: Eagan Community Center Cost: Ages 18 months and older require a ticket — $5 in advance, $6 at the door. Adults and younger children can attend for free. Info: cityofeagan.com

OCT. 25

Trick ‘r Trolley ⊲⊲Wear your Halloween costume and hop on a trolley for a ride, a story and a treat. When: 1:30 and 2:30 Oct. 25 Where: Minnesota Streetcar Museum, Minneapolis Cost: $5 per passenger. Tickets available only at Excelsior Bay Books, Excelsior Info: trolleyride.org

mnparent.com • October 2015

Out & About

OCTOBER

mnparent.com/calendar

Photo by Bruce Bennett, courtesy of Theatre Under The Stars

Disney’s The Little Mermaid ⊲⊲Take a trip under the sea with an acclaimed Theatre Under The Stars’ production of this beloved Disney tale. When: Oct. 8–18 Where: Orpheum Theatre, Minneapolis

ONGOING

MCM at MOA ⊲⊲Minnesota Children’s Museum launches a new adventure for families with the opening of a new pop-up location at the Mall of America. The Storyland exhibit allows families to discover the joy and power of reading at any age through beloved children’s books including The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, The Snowy Day and Where’s Spot? Kids will get a charge in the Ball-o-rama exhibit as they experiment with velocity, gravity and acceleration using golf balls and ramps to demonstrate speed, distance and the laws of physics. The museum will feature two exhibits at a time, with a line-up that will include, Dinosaurs: Land

October 2015 • mnparent.com

Cost: Prices start at $39 (subject to change). Info: hennepintheatretrust.org

of Fire and Ice, Adventures with Clifford the Big Red Dog and Curious George: Let’s Get Curious. When: Grand opening: Sept. 26. Hours will be 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Monday–Saturday and 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Sundays. Where: Mall of America, Bloomington Cost: $7.95 for ages 1 and older and free for museum members Info: mcm.org/MCMatMOA

The Jungle Book ⊲⊲Mowgli is rambunctious and curious, scrappy and silly. Sound like a kid you know? This new adaptation of the beloved Rudyard Kipling story finds a child lost in the Indian jungle, where he’s adopted by Baloo the Bear,

Bagheera the Panther and all the beasts who call the mysterious wilderness home (recommended for grades kindergarteners and higher). c When: Sept. 29–Dec. 6 Where: Children’s Theatre Company, Minneapolis Cost: Tickets start at $10. Info: childrenstheatre.org or 612-874-0400

OPENING OCT. 9

There’s a Boy in the Girls’ Bathroom ⊲⊲All the kids think Bradley Chalkers is a “monster,” and Bradley seems to agree until the new school counselor

sees the likable kid beneath the bully. But just when Bradley starts to believe in himself, the school board decides to replace his much-liked counselor with a computer. Written by Newbery and National Book Award winner Louis Sachar — and based on his novel of the same name — this play is recommended for ages 8 and older. Where: Stages Theatre Company, Hopkins When: Oct. 9–Nov. 1 Cost: $12–$16 Info: stagestheatre.org or 952-979-1111

OCT. 10

Twin Cities Birth and Baby Expo ⊲⊲Featuring local businesses and organizations that support healthy birth and parenting from diverse perspectives, this expo provides new and expecting parents with a range of information to help inform them in their new chapter of life. When: 9:30 a.m.–3 p.m. Oct. 10 Where: Burroughs School, Minneapolis Cost: FREE Info: twincitiesbirthandbaby.com

OCT. 17

Twin Cities Book Festival ⊲⊲This day-long festival, now in its 15th year, presents internationally renowned visiting authors, local literary heroes, activities for kids (including a Middle Grade Headquarters and Teen Tent) and a giant book fair which offers a snapshot of the publishing scene and great deals on books new and used. When: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Oct. 17 Where: Minnesota State Fairgrounds, St. Paul Cost: FREE Info: raintaxi.com

PINE TREE

OCT. 18 AND NOV. 15

APPLE ORCHARD

Science Night Jr. ⊲⊲Get your microscopes and lab coats out, because MPR’s Tom Weber and the Brains On! podcast crew are staging science projects. Geared toward children of all ages, these kid-friendly matinee events bring you new perspectives through interviews, the arts, music and maybe even some dancing.

Apples, of course, and Apple Cider, Apple Bakery - A Family Outing -

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North of White Bear Lake Off E. Hwy. 96 on Apple Orchard Rd. www.pinetreeappleorchard.com

When: Oct. 18 (Cats vs. Dogs) and Nov. 15 (Gross Out!). Doors at 1 p.m., followed by a 90-minute show, CRUISERS, KAYAKS, CANOES & MORE! Pine TreeSURREYS, Orchards MNP 0911 12.indd 1 8/15/11 11:12 AM starting at 2 p.m. Where: The Fitzgerald Theater, St. Paul Cost: $12–$21 Info: fitzgeraldtheater.publicradio.org

OCT. 21

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1:36 PM

Supporting organizations that provide all aspects of support, resources, opportunities and outreach programs to children and families. 95% of all proceeds go to charities we support

OCT. 24

Divorcing Divas ⊲⊲This seventh-annual conference, Navigate Your Way Through Divorce, gives women going through divorce a day of hope, encouragement, inspiration and empowerment, including advice from financial advisors, attorneys, realtors, life

Go online to donate jimandjudefoundation.com Join us at our annual events:

Vintage Vegas Casino Night – February Golf Event – August We are proud to support Children’s Cancer Research Fund®

mnparent.com • October 2015

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Out & About

←←Ellie Turk of Minnetrista is staring as Junie B. Jones in the Stages Theatre Company production of Junie B. Jones: The Musical.

coaches, psychologists and more. WCCO talk show host Jordana Green will emcee. Part of the event’s proceeds will go to Tubman, a nonprofit women’s shelter in Minneapolis that provides free financial, legal and emotional support for abused women. When: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Oct. 24 Where: Minneapolis Marriot West, St. Louis Park Cost: $75 per person includes breakfast, a day of seminars (keynotes and breakout sessions), lunch, door prizes, raffle items, a cash cocktail reception and a fashion show following the event. Tickets will also be sold for $90 at the door. Info: Register at divorcingdivas.com.

OCT. 25

All About Dogs Day ⊲⊲Bring your favorite pooch for a fun morning at the arboretum, featuring a dog walk, vendor fair and more. When: 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Oct. 25 Where: Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chaska Cost: Free with arboretum admission of $12 for ages 13 and older Info: arboretum.umn.edu

CONTINUING

Junie B. Jones: The Musical ⊲⊲Peek into the Top-Secret Personal Beeswax Journal of the sassy and lovable Junie B. Jones. Based on four of Barbara Park’s best-selling books, this all-ages production is just the thing to get kids in a back-to-school mindset. It tackles best-pal problems, new kids on the bus, trouble reading the blackboard, a friendly cafeteria lady and a kickball tournament. When: Through Oct. 18 Where: Stages Theatre Company, Hopkins

Bloomington Cost: FREE Info: See theatresmoa.com/event/ free-family-flicks for featured films.

Free Family Flicks ⊲⊲These free movies are first-come, first-serve until the theater reaches capacity. Screenings in separate theaters are offered for theatergoers affected by autism or other sensory disorders, featuring lower sound, additional staff and other accommodations as part of an extension of the series known as Free Sensory Flicks. When: 10 a.m. Saturdays Where: Theatres at Mall of America,

October 2015 • mnparent.com

MORE ONLINE! ⊲⊲Want to learn about even more local events? Check out Minnesota Parent’s Out&About calendar at mnparent. com/calendar. Click on any day of the month and find things to do! ⊲⊲Have a cool family-friendly event coming up? Send all the details (plus photos) to calendar@mnparent.com at least six weeks in advance.

Cost: $12–16 Info: stagestheatre.org or 952-979-1111

OCT. 1–DEC. 3

Jr. Urban Birders ⊲⊲Naturalist Lauren Borer with Twin Cities Environmental Education Consulting will present a monthly birding group. Meet at different locations throughout the Twin Cities to look and listen for birds, using online tools and apps to identify various species at a variety of sites. When: 8:30–10:30 a.m. Oct. 1 at Lake Harriet, Minneapolis, Nov. 5 at Fort Snelling State Park, St. Paul and Dec. 3 at Crosby Farm Regional Park, St. Paul. Cost: $15–$20 per session Info: Register at tceec.weebly.com.

OCT. 3–20

Stop-Motion Animation ⊲⊲Explore an idea, interpret a poem, tell a story and then turn it into a life-size animated film in this workshop presented by COMPAS artist John Akre. Students will develop a script, create props and then animate a story with a life-size stop-motion animation stage, a camera mounted on a ceiling and professional software. When: Oct. 3, 6, 13, 15, 17, 20 Where: Libraries in the Twin Cities Cost: FREE Info: compas.org/events

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THROUGH OCT. 4

Renaissance Festival ⊲⊲King Henry and his court invite one and all to his 16th-century European village, featuring 12 stages of musicians, magicians, jugglers and mimes, including more than 500 engaging memorable characters. More than 250 artisans fill the festival marketplace to create a unique shopping experience. When: Weekends through Oct. 4, plus Friday, Oct. 2 Where: Rural Shakopee Cost: $22.95; $13.95 for ages 5 to 12. Advanced tickets are $11.50–$19.95. Buy online or at local stores to avoid lines at the event. Info: renaissancefest.com

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Puppet and Mask Theatre

OCT. 9–23

Explore Nature

Offering performances, residencies and touring shows.

⊲⊲Naturalist Lauren Borer with Twin Cities Environmental Education Consulting will present a series of hands-on K–2 workshops. When: Remaining topics include Tremendous Trees (2 p.m. Oct. 9), Leaf Hunt (2 p.m. Oct. 16) and Seed Hunters (2 p.m. Oct. 23). Where: Environment Area, Brooklyn Park Cost: $10 per session Info: Register at tceec.weebly.com

In the Heart of the Beast

since 1973

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To be an active supporter of In the Heart of the Beast, you can make a gift online or mail a check to 1500 E. Lake St., Mpls, MN 55407

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mnparent.com • October 2015

Out & About OCT. 10–MARCH 12

Kids Build Weekend Workshops ⊲⊲The North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters is opening the doors of one of its largest training centers to the community for a series of two-hour weekend workshops for ages 5 to 12. Kids can make wood projects to build their skills and confidence one Saturday per month September through May. Projects will include a keepsake box, small bench, bookends, toolbox, pinewood derby car, key holder/jewelry hanger, candy dispenser, planter or birdhouse. Tools will be provided. When: Oct. 10, Nov. 14, Dec. 12, Jan. 9, Feb. 13, March 12, April 9 and May 14 Where: 740 Olive St., St. Paul Cost: FREE. Workshops are limited to 30 kids, who must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Info: Find registration details at facebook.com/KidsBuildworkshop.

OCT. 8–NOV. 12

Big River, Small Fry ⊲⊲Make a play date with nature and your little one (age infant to 5) with this Nature for Curious Kids series. Each class includes sensory learning, science activities, hikes, ideas for activities at home, plus games for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. When: Remaining sessions include Fall Leaves on Oct. 8 and Bird of a Feather on Nov. 12. Reservations are required by the Tuesday before each event. Where: Kroening Interpretive Center, North Mississippi Regional Park, Minneapolis Cost: $5 for all participants (except age 1 and younger) Info: tinyurl.com/bigriversmallfry

Free Symphony Concert

⊲⊲Enjoy a free performance by Saint Paul Civic Symphony, courtesy of Sundays at Landmark, a series of cultural and art events designed to entertain, enrich and educate an all-ages audience, including heritage festivals, musical performances and holiday celebrations — 19 Sunday afternoons in all September through May. When: 1 p.m. Oct. 18 Where: Landmark Center, St. Paul Cost: FREE

OCT. 8–DEC. 10

Urban Ecology ⊲⊲Naturalist Lauren Borer with Twin Cities Environmental Education Consulting will present a series of hands-on workshops for kids in grades 4 through 8. When: Remaining classes, held on

October 2015 • mnparent.com

Info: landmarkcenter.org/programs/ sundays.htm

the second Thursday of the month, include Urban Forest Ecology (1–3 p.m. Oct. 8), Winter Weeds ID (1–3 p.m. Nov. 12) and Winter Birding (1–3 p.m. Dec. 10). Where: Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom, St. Paul Cost: $15 per session Info: Register at tceec.weebly.com.

THROUGH OCT. 11

Akeelah and the Bee ⊲⊲Akeelah has a crazy passion for words — the more abstruse and labyrinthine, the better. But this gift is almost overwhelmed by the challenge of her daily life in a tough, Chicago neighborhood and by Akeelah’s yearning for a different life. This production, the first theatrical adaptation of the critically acclaimed film, is recommended for grades 3 and higher. When: Through Oct. 11 Where: Children’s Theatre Company, Minneapolis Cost: Tickets start at $10. Info: childrenstheatre.org or 612-874-0400

OCT. 15

SciGirls Club ⊲⊲Naturalist Lauren Borer, featured on the third season of TPT’s SciGirls last spring, will present an afternoon program for girls ages 8 to 14. Each month girls will have a chance explore different areas of science and use engineering skills for problem solving. When: 2:30–4:30 p.m. on every third Thursday of the month in fall and — if there’s enough interest — through April 2016 Where: Boneshaker Books, Minneapolis Cost: $15 per session Info: Register at tceec.weebly.com.

THROUGH OCT. 24

Mary Poppins ⊲⊲The run for this popular musical stage version of the Disney film has been extended through Oct. 24. When: Through Oct. 24 Where: Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, Chanhassen Cost: $50–$84 Info: chanhassendt.com

mnparent.com • October 2015

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mnparent.com • October 2015

FROM OUR READERS

First day of school!

↑↑Garrett Williams of Farmington cheers for preschool!

↑↑Shea Jacobsen of St. Paul, age 2, gets ready to attend ECFE for the first time.

↑↑Anna Bion of Prior Lake was excited for her first day of kindergarten. ←←Sofia Imholte of Minneapolis prepares for the first day of kindergarten, “ready to conquer the world!” said her mother, Marta.

←←Elliot Thompson of Lakeville prepares for second grade.

October 2015 • mnparent.com

↑↑Daniel and Alexis Lee of Blaine, age 7 and 9 respectively, get ready for second grade and fourth grade.

←←Adelyn Dewey of Blaine — part of the class of 2028 — is ready for kindergarten!

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