Monterey Bay Parent Magazine August 2020

Monterey Bay

august 2020

PARENT ily Fam ites or Fav

2020

s ationen n i m o p N ow o are n rey Bay

T

PAREN

Monte

2020

SUMMER FUN: RV’S for the Newbie | Where to Picnic Homeschooling for Beginners | Back-to-School Medical Reminders

MONTEREY BAY PARENT • august 2020

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MONTEREY BAY PARENT • august 2020

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Contents august 2020

Monterey Bay

PARENT

11

“5 Senses” Stress Busting Kit For Kids. Arm your children with the tools they need to calm down by creating a stress busting kit.

by Sandi Schwartz

12

It’s time for Monterey Bay Parent Magazine’s Family Favorites. Nominate your favorite businesses in a variety of categories.

14

Homeschooling for Beginners. If your back-to-school plans include a switch to homeschooling, Katie has tips and information you’ll need to get started.

by Katie Raquel

16

Back to School Health Reminders. Your child might not be in a classroom this fall but you shouldn’t skip yearly medical checkups. by Cheryl Maguire

18

Stand Up and Get Moving. Tips on managing your kids’ breaks during virtual school days. by Sandi Schwartz

20

RV 101: Planning a Family RV Vacation. With socially distancing vacations a popular option, buying or renting an RV is getting a lot of attention.

by Tricia Vlasak

22

Products We Love for August.

24

Pack Up A Picnic. Our favorite parks and beaches for your next picnic.

30

Seven Tips for a Winning Cover Entry. It’s time for our annual Cover Kids Contest. If you’re planning on entering your children, here are tips on how to catch the judges’ eyes.

P.O. Box 806 Pacific Grove, CA 93950 MontereyBayParent.com 831-582-1373

Publisher Andrea Breznay abreznay@ montereybayparent.com 831-582-1373 Account ExecutiveSalinas and Santa Cruz deborah garcia dgarcia@ montereybayparent.com 831-594-7212 Account ExecutiveMonterey Peninsula Cherilyn Miller cmiller@ montereybayparent.com 831-582-1770 Cover Photographers Michelle Findlay Tatiana Scher Contributing Writers cheryl maguire Katie Raquel sandi schwartz tricia vlasak rob weisskirch

Editorial Submissions are welcome.

We reserve the right to edit, reject or comment editorially on all material contributed. We cannot be responsible for return of any unsolicited materials.

Articles and advertisements in Monterey Bay Parent do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher nor does the publisher assume responsibility for statements made by our advertisers or editorial contributors. Acceptance of advertising by Monterey Bay Parent does not constitute an endorsement of the products, services or information. We do not knowingly present any product or service which is fraudulent or misleading in nature.

Monterey Bay Parent is available free of charge at over 250 distribution points throughout Monterey and Santa Cruz counties as well as digitally at www.

MontereyBayParent.com.

Monterey Bay Parent is ©2020 by Monterey Bay Parent, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is strictly prohibited.

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in each issue: 08 Father’s Day Local dad, Rob Weisskirch covers parenting topics from a dad’s point of view.

26 Calendar Local and virtual events

on the cover

Brother and sister, Logan (7 years old) & Kelly (5 years old) are the best of friends and love adventures, a day at the park, or a morning at the beach. They both attend All Saints Day School in Carmel Valley. .

Photo by Michelle Findlay 831-262-9192

MONTEREY BAY PARENT • august 2020

BE CORONAVIRUS SMART

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR FAMILY

1

TA LK TO Y O U R K I DS Your Children May Be Feeling Confused and Anxious.

• Answer questions and encourage them to share their feelings.

2

FA M I LY R EM I N D ER S Place Notes Like These to Help Your Family Stay Safe.

• Reassure them that they are ok and you are there for them.

WASH HANDS FREQUE NTLY & WE AR A FACE COVE RING It’s the Best Way to Stop the Spread.

• Thorough handwashing takes at least 20 seconds.

• Do it when you come in from outside, before eating and after you sneeze or cough.

3

• Always wear a face covering, making sure nose and mouth are covered.

STAY AT HOME Social and Physical Distancing Slows the Spread.

• This can be especially hard for kids. Staying home protects your family and other people.

• Keep playdates virtual.

4

• If you need to leave the house, stay a minimum of 6 feet from other people.

FREQUENTLY CLE AN H IGH TOUCH SURFACES Think clean up where you touch.

MONTEREY BAY PARENT • august 2020

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from the publisher…

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montereybayparent.com

We’re offering a balance this month of summer fun suggestions and back to school topics. For those of you navigating a switch to homeschooling (vs. the virtual schooling most will be doing), Katie Raquel shares what she is finding out as she prepares to homeschool her children (page 14-15). We also have articles on helping kids deal with stress and tips on keeping them active when they will be spending a good part of the day at their iPad or computer.

For fun, Tricia Vlasak is offering help to those considering buying or renting an RV for a socially distanced vacation (page 20-21), and we have picnic suggestions on page 24.

Two promotions kick off this month: Family Favorites and our Cover Kids contest. You can go to our website at MontereyBayParent.com to find the ballots for Family Favorites. Nominate the businesses your family loves to help them get to the top three (announced in September issue).

If you nominate in ten categories, you are eligible to win a $300 Monterey Zoo membership.

We are also starting our annual search for cover models.

This year we have two twists: we have a category for child and parent or child and grandparent (we’ll be selecting at least one from the category), and we have a Reader Favorite.

After the judges pick their nine choices, readers will vote from the remaining entrants for theirs. All of those selected will appear on a cover in 2020-21. Information on both are in this issue as well as on our website.

Finally, if you signed up for our Expo to Go, don’t forget to pick up your bag of goodies at Del Monte Center on August 8 from 11 am-3 pm. Remember, you must have a ticket to get one of the bags.

Stay healthy and be kind–we’re all in this together.

Adults • Children Pregnant Women

MILITARY DISCOUNT 6

Back to school looks a whole lot different this year. Instead of buying back to school clothes and new backpacks, many parents are trying to figure out how to balance working while facilitating their child’s education. Others are trying to help their child adjust to way too many changes in too short of a period. It’s a lot. We’ve been trying to help with our print issue articles, on our website, and through social media. We’ve been sharing articles, a funny meme occasionally, and news updates. But we get that this is all very difficult. Mostly we want you to know we understand–our photographers, writers, sales reps, and myself–we’re all in the same boat. We all have anxieties and fears, and we’re all navigating new territory with no road map. The best we can do is to say “us, too.”

Andrea Breznay/Publisher MONTEREY BAY PARENT • august 2020

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Even in the middle of a pandemic, parents can help their child develop a sense of adventure and learn to look for an opportunity for a new experience.

Stay open to new adventure!

An afternoon of dune climbing, jump rope at the park, science experiments: it all adds up to fun for our kids.

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Father’s day by Rob Weisskirch

Amid the changes in our current lives, it is easy to fall into the trap of feeling bad for our children’s missed opportunities. But, children are far more present-oriented than we think. Yes, the older ones may long deeply for the life they had, but generally, kids roll with the life they have right now. The current situation forces parents to be more creative, more flexible, and turn into the reality of the life we are all facing. There was one day recently when my daughter and I spent the morning with a jump rope at the park, got takeout for lunch, and later found the paletas guy in our neighborhood. Amid the sticky drips of lime popsicle juice, my daughter proclaimed, “This is the best day ever!”

I thought to myself, in the middle of the pandemic, where you can’t do your typical activities and can’t play with your friends, you have the best day ever. I’ll take it as a win and appreciate how kids look at the world with the bold optimism that fun and excitement lurks around every corner.

August is a busy time in our family. As the summer comes to an end, work ramps up, school begins, and my daughter’s birthday is at the end of the month. This year, everything is different. Summer has not included summer camps, travel adventures, and the county fair as it has in the past. The rituals of summer have changed. We have had to create new rituals to signal the changing of activities and preparation for what comes next. Dad and Mom will now be continuing to work from home, making more demands for quiet and spending more time videoconferencing. As of this writing, my daughter’s school structure is still uncertain.

We have laid the groundwork for the possibilities of how the school might be conducted – all students present, few days on and the rest through distance education, all distance education, half her class, maybe all wearing masks. We don’t know. However, we remind her school will continue, she will have chances to learn new things, and she will reconnect with her teacher and friends in new ways.

Although this summer was different than previous ones, I remind her of the skills and activities she learned: • Making scrambled eggs on her own at the stove • Growing crystals out of a variety of substances (see sidebar) • Learning how to draw the characters from Mo Willems’ books with his online instruction • Riding her bike without training wheels • Learning about puppetry through online camp When I can, I acknowledge how things are different from before and are also more relaxed, adventurous, and exploratory than in the past.

Alternate birthday celebrations are now regular conversations. So far, she has participated in a drive-by birthday, a birthday online where the food and dessert were delivered to our home as if we were there to celebrate, and an online party of games where each person made the same cake to celebrate. We are beginning the process of negotiating what she might like to do to celebrate that aligns with Shelter in Place. We’ve also discussed celebrating her seven-and-a-half birthday with a party. Negotiations are ongoing and creative (Anyone have a flying unicorn to visit?).

The birthday party may be different, but the celebration will still happen.

MONTEREY BAY PARENT • august 2020

As a dad, I want to maintain my kid’s sense of optimism.

So much about the future is unknown right now that it can be easy to fall prey to emphasizing what is lost and not what has been found. Research supports that staying optimistic increases mental and physical health. A couple of ways to help build optimism in kids is to help them realize what they are thankful for and eliminate negative self-talk. It is a good idea to remind kids what they have like toys, treats, people who care about them, a pretty place to live, etc. When kids start complaining, you can help them turn this attitude around. To find something new to do, I proposed exploring a different access point to the beach, emphasizing the adventure of huge dunes. My daughter protested, declaring with all the whine she could muster, “It will be boring.” I kept insisting it would be an adventure and something new, displaying as much enthusiasm as I could to turn her attitude around. Once we arrived, hoping to shift her mood, I challenged to get up the enormous dune first. She relished the competition and was quite excited to beat her winded father to the top. Her joy was evident as she ran and slid up and down the dunes and said she wanted to bring Mommy back next time.

My current challenge is to maintain my optimism believing that even in the midst of difficult circumstances, being open to new adventures is both a gift and a lesson for my daughter.

Robert (Rob) S. Weisskirch, MSW, Ph.D., CFLE is a Professor of Human Development at California State University, Monterey Bay and is a Certified Family Life Educator. He and his wife are parents to a chatty 5-year-old daughter and reside in Marina.

Easy to Grow

Crystals

Stir 4 cups of boiling water in the Borax until it is dissolved.

There should be a little bit of Borax on the bottom of the pan that does not dissolve.

Pour ¾ cup of the mixture into each cup and add food coloring to the cups for bolder colors.

Put one of the pipe cleaner nests into each cup and lay the skewer across the top of the cups so they hang freely. Try You will need: 8-10 Pipe to make sure the pipe cleaners cleaners in assorted colors, 1-¾ don’t touch the sides or bottom cup Borax, 5 plastic cups, food of the cups. If they do end up coloring (optional), fishing line, 5 touching, the crystals will attach wooden skewers, 4 cups boiling the pipe cleaner to the cup water making it difficult to pull it free.

Wind a pipe cleaner tightly into a nest shape. To make it bigger, cut another pipe cleaner in half and wind it into the nest. Make at least 5 of these.

Leave your pipe cleaners in the borax solution overnight (or even two nights) until lots of crystals have grown.

Tie a short piece of fishing line to the pipe cleaner nest, and then tie the other end to a skewer. The pipe cleaner nest should hang down an inch.

Remove your borax crystals from the water and let dry on a layer of paper towels. Once dry, you can cut the fishing line off and you’ll have a beautiful crystal to enjoy.

Directions from littlebinsforlittlehands.com.

MONTEREY BAY PARENT • august 2020

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MONTEREY BAY PARENT • august 2020

Our children are increasingly facing situations that cause them great anxiety. With the Coronavirus dominating our lives, many kids are feeling emotional effects of the uncertainty. How can we help our kids get through these stressful times so they can learn to calm themselves down?

One helpful technique in addressing anxiety is distraction. If we can interrupt the ruminations and overwhelming fear, then our children can get back to a calmer, more balanced state of mind. We can teach our kids how to do this by using mindfulness to be fully present in the moment. Mindfulness allows our children to better understand their mind-body connection, and to stop being so reactive to thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations no matter what is happening in their environment.

A commonly used mindfulness tactic is to have tools that trigger all of our 5 senses. To make it easy for you to arm your kids with tools to calm down when they get panicky, consider putting together a “5 Senses” Stress Busting Kit based on these ideas:

Touch Feeling different textures can be an effective distraction tool. One trick is to have your child touch and feel one texture at a time. Have them tell themselves what it feels like. This way their full attention is on what they are touching. It is helpful to have several different types of textures to rotate through, such a smooth, rough, slimy, squishy, fuzzy, and hard items.

• Touch and feel books like Pat the Bunny • Touch and feel cards • Stress balls • Buy a sensory toy kit or put together your own a bag of items with multiple textures like a tissue, sandpaper, a cotton ball, a squishy ball, and a piece of felt.

Sight The sense of sight offers many possibilities for relaxation. Here are a

“5 Senses”

Stress Busting Kit For Kids few ideas for your stress busting kit that are easily accessible on the go: • Mindful coloring books: Creative activities like coloring have been scientifically proven to reduce stress levels because we become so focused on what we are doing when we reach a state of “flow” that we forget what is going on around us. Your children can use any type of coloring book, but mandalas are very popular in the mindfulness world.

• Nature imagery: Amazingly, just looking at pictures of nature scenes can reduce stress because our parasympathetic nervous system (which helps us to calm down) is activated. Include a packet of national park postcards or nature-themed picture book in your kit.

• Kaleidoscope: Looking at colorful, mesmerizing patterns can grab anyone’s attention for minutes on end, and is another wonderful way for our children to get lost in the moment.

Taste Mindful eating is another

popular relaxation technique. It is a good idea to be prepared with a couple of items that your kids can use to focus on taste. Teach them how to use mindful eating to direct their attention to the flavors in their mouth.

Try a mindful eating exercise such as Mindfulness and the Art of Chocolate Eating.

• Trail mix: A must-have for your kit since it is a non-perishable snack that has multiple items to taste like granola, nuts, seeds, raisins, dried cranberries, yogurt drops, and chocolate pieces.

• Sugar free chewing gum multi flavor pack: Chewy gum can relieve stress and anxiety,

MONTEREY BAY PARENT • august 2020

•

according to a 2008 study.

Flavored oral sensory chew toys: These are great for children 6 months and up. Not only do these have flavors to focus on, but they also have multiple textures.

Sound Music helps take our attention

from fear to something pleasurable. It is a healthy distraction, allows us to be mindful, and forces our brain to shift the thinking process. Consider putting together a special playlist for your kids to listen to when they are stressed.

Although slow, quiet classical music is known to have calming effects like lowering pulse and heart rate, reducing blood pressure, and decreasing the levels of stress hormones in our body, it is really a personal choice to discover which music you find most soothing.

Upbeat songs about happiness may work for some while soothing nature sounds may work for others.

Smell As the old adage “stop and smell

the roses” reminds us, fragrances can help us to relax and be in the moment.

There is no scent more relaxing than lavender. The antioxidant components of lavender can lower the level of stress hormones in our body. There are a number of methods to use lavender to soothe stress and anxiety. Here a few that you can throw in your stress busting kit: • Lavender spray • Lavender lotion for kids • Aromatherapy diffuser bracelets and necklaces for children Sandi Schwartz is a freelance writer/blogger and mother of two.

She has written extensively about parenting, wellness, and environmental issues. You can find her at www. happysciencemom.com. montereybayparent.com

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It’s time for Monterey Bay Parent Magazine’s Family Favorites!

Thank you for voting us

“Best Pediatric Dentist” We love taking care of your smiles!

To schedule an appointment, please call 831-373-9232

y Family

Favorites ✯winner✯ 2019-20

Monterey Bay

PARENT

J. Mark Bayless, D.M.D Monterey Pediatric Dentistry 333 El Dorado St. Monterey, CA 93940 www.drbayless.com

Selected Consignment for all Women Hours: MWF 10-12:30pm; 2-4:30 pm Sat 10am1pm

2020

Family tes Favori

Nominations are now open Monterey Bay

PARENT

2020 Being a Monterey Bay Parent Magazine Family Favorite is a BIG deal!

Winners get to proudly display the Family Favorite logo and have bragging rights for an entire year.

Nominate your favorites from August 1-15.

We’ll announce the top 3 in each category in our September issue.

You can then vote for the winners from September 1-15 Winners Announced in our October issue.

PLUS, you can win a FAMILY MEMBERSHIP to the Monterey Zoo (valued at $300) if you nominate at least ten of your favorites.

167 Fountain Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-655-3636

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MONTEREY BAY PARENT • august 2020

Readers will be able to nominate their favorites in the following categories:

Park Place to host a birthday party Playground

CAMPS, LESSON & ACTIVITIES Afterschool Program Art Classes Dance Studio Gymnastics Program Martial Arts Music Teacher/ Lessons Sports League Summer Camp Theatre Classes

FOOD Bakery/Desserts Breakfast/Brunch Restaurant Date Night Restaurant Family-Friendly Dining Ice Cream

EDUCATION Charter School Daycare Preschool Private SchoolLower Grades Private SchoolUpper Grades Tutoring Service FAMILY FUN DestinationSan Francisco Destination-San Jose DestinationSanta Cruz

HEALTH & WELLNESS Children’s Dentist Family Dental Practice/Dentist Hospital Medical Miscellaneous Orthodontist Pediatrician Pediatric Medical Practice Physician: Specialty Practice SERVICES Children’s Clothing/ Shoes Childrens’ Consignment Store Clothing Store/ Boutique for Mom Financial Services/ Insurance Hair Salon Nail Salon Photographer Realtor Spa Veterinarian

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back to school by Katie Raquel

PANDEMIC PARENTING

Homeschooling for Beginners

W

hen schools closed in March, I stepped away from my organic juice business to shelter-inplace with my husband and three young children. That business “pause” has turned into more of hibernation, as we realize the best course for our family is continuing to hunker down through the upcoming school year — with my husband working from home while I homeschool our kids.

As much as we loved our daughter’s school, we realized that distance-learning was not a good fit for us. Too much screen time, too much busywork, and too much stress.

It’s entirely possible that your district created a system that works well for you. If that’s the case, stick with it! But many parents I’ve spoken with are interested in exploring alternatives that give them more freedom and flexibility.

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TWO POPULAR HOMESCHOOL OPTIONS: 1. Enroll with a public home-based charter school.

Home-based charter schools give parents the flexibility to choose their curriculum, with the support of accredited teachers and a statefunded stipend of $2,600 per year for materials, tutoring, and enrichment activities. Technically, parents are considered “teacher aids” and are accountable to teachers. A recent California funding bill has restricted charter schools’ ability to meet the demand of new homeschoolers, and many schools have a long waiting list.

2. File an affidavit to function as a home-based private school.

This is what our family will be doing until we can get into our charter school of choice. We won’t have a stipend for materials or support from a dedicated teacher. Still, we will have complete control over our curriculum,

with access to a wealth of free online resources. This can be an especially good choice for families with younger kids who may thrive in a lessstructured environment with a focus on play and interest-led learning.

STEPS YOU’LL NEED TO TAKE: The process of setting up a homebased private school is pretty straightforward: you fill out and sign a Private School Affidavit [PSA] stating that your home is a private school, with you and another adult in your home acting as the teachers and administrators. While you are committing in your affidavit to educate your child on the same broad topics of study they would encounter in public schools, you will not be required to check in with anyone to share progress, and there are no testing requirements.

An informational page at cde. ca.gov states that “Parents are not required to report to their school

MONTEREY BAY PARENT • august 2020

district. However, keeping in mind that the school district has responsibility for checking on school-age children not attending school, you might avoid confusion by informing the district that you intend to home school or privately educate your children. Also, many public schools will require that you provide proof of filing an affidavit before withdrawing your child from their public school.”

And it’s worth noting that, “Filing the affidavit does not affect your child’s right to return to public school, and may be done at any time.” Detailed information on the requirements for homes filing a PSA can be found at https://hslda.org/post/how-to-complywith-california-s-homeschool-law.

SUPPORT AND COMMUNITY: Whether you go with your public school’s distance-learning option, a home-based charter, or decide to file a PSA, you may want to socialize, co-teach, or even go in on a private tutor with a small group of likeminded families. Popular way before COVID, homeschooling groups can give families a sense of support and community that’s often missing when we opt-out of traditional classrooms.

Of course, nothing is clear-cut these days, especially when it comes to socializing. Here are a few things to consider: Your group needs to be on the same page when it comes to everyday social distancing. This kind of arrangement requires a ton of trust and clear communication. How does everyone feel about masks? How often are they going to the store? How exposed are they at work, and how much do they socialize with friends and family? Ideally, everyone in the group would only socialize within the group, but the real world is messier.

Make sure everyone has the same expectations.

Group activities would ideally take place outside, with everyone distanced as much as possible. Some groups may choose to let kids play without masks, knowing that everyone in the group is on the same page when it comes to mitigating exposure to COVID. Again,

keep communication clear and open.

If your group can afford it, they can pool resources to hire a tutor who can give specialized instruction.

If members of the group need time to work, parents can take turns hosting kids, similar to a babysitting co-op.

CO-OP LEARNING GROUPS: Local mom Jen Rhodes-Howard explains exactly how she and her friends are making it work: “My kiddos were in their last year of preschool, a time where developing social-emotional skills are paramount.

A group of us moms decided to do a weekly virtual circle time every Friday morning to keep the kids connected.

Each family took a turn hosting and taught about a new fun topic. One Friday, our friend, who was hosting, was experiencing technical difficulties and started to cry. She’s seven months pregnant and had worked so hard for Penguin Day. We quickly decided, “Don’t worry, we’re coming to you!

See you from your porch!” and we all headed over to her home. That was our first in-person, outdoor circle time.

Each family spread out a blanket apart from each other, and the adults masked up. It was incredible to see how happy the kids were just physically being together for the first time in months. It filled their love bucket for days. We decided to continue circle time each week outdoors. The kids looked forward to circle time all week.

“QUARANTEAM:” Meanwhile, COVID numbers continue to rise, and now we’re looking ahead to fall and the beginning of school. That’s where the idea for us to quaranteam and teach our kids together just made sense. It does require A LOT of trust. We have all had to inform other friends outside our bubble that we would not be engaging in activities with them. That’s not easy.

But when it comes to the health of your children, it also wasn’t that hard.

We are all sacrificing.

To pull off a small co-op learning group, there’s a couple of logistical

items to figure out, and I’m sure we haven’t thought of them all. This is a learn-as-you-go situation.

In a nut-shell, this is our plan: We do this together in a bubble. The children don’t play with kids outside the bubble. Nor do the adults. We all take COVID very seriously.

We wear masks in public and when we get close to each other in the bubble. We don’t go to gatherings.

We don’t go to high-risk environments like gyms or in-door dining. We limit grocery runs and utilize delivery. We will follow the public school distancelearning curriculum - alternating homes. A parent from each household takes a turn leading the class (and we do have both Mom AND Dad participation!).

We emailed our school principal, informing him of our group’s plan asking the children be placed in the same “class” together. It would be quite challenging to have five children following different curriculums with different Kindergarten teachers.

Working the program from home all “class” is outside as weather permits for as long as possible. We are allowing our children to get close to each other with this model. We allow them to do activities together like swimming together in an outdoor pool and even taking a private martial arts class together. They are the happiest they’ve been in months, and we are limiting the number of contacts they could contract the virus from. This may not work for everyone. We are incredibly fortunate to have this option. Not everyone does. We hope that we can free up physical space in the school building for someone who needs it if there is an in-person option. We hope this also helps keep our teachers safe.

And we hope, hope, hope they are valued, paid their worth and given every support needed to survive this crisis. This is a crisis care year.”

Katie Raquel is the founder of Katie’s Coldpress, a Realtor with Over the Moon Realty and the author of SQUEEZED: The Raw Truth About Work-Life Balance. She lives with her family in Monterey County.

Interested in learning more? The Facebook groups: “Monterey Peninsula Homeschoolers” and “Monterey Bay Parent Group” are great sources of information and can help you connect with local families and develop a supportive network — online or off.

MONTEREY BAY PARENT • august 2020

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back to school by Cheryl Maguire

Back to School Health Reminders Even though school won’t start in a classroom due to the Coronavirus, I want to make sure my daughter is healthy and ready for school. I turned to the medical experts to learn more about immunizations and check-ups.

Schedule a Check-Up or Well Visit If your child has not already had their yearly check-up it is important to schedule one so that they can remain healthy throughout the school year. During this visit you and your child can also discuss any mental health concerns.

Dr. Damon Korb, a developmental behavioral pediatrician in Los Gatos, CA, and author of Raising an Organized Child, says “Think of going back to school, the same way that you would have any year but with perhaps more importance. We do not want to miss a potential problem to avoid

another. Children should get all of their normal well childcare visits and immunizations.”

Immunizations and Flu Shots Dr. Korb recommends referring to the immunization schedule recommended by the CDC to make sure your child is up to date.

Dr. Sumana Reddy of Acacia Family Medical Group says that everyone should make sure that they get a yearly flu shot. Flu shots are normally available starting in September.

“Last year 500 children died of the flu. It’s very important to get your flu shot,” says Dr. Reddy.

Dr Korb agrees by saying, “This year, the flu shot is even more important. We want to reduce the common cold, because when noses

start running, we all touch our face.

That is a recipe for disaster with COVID-19. Getting the flu shot may actually reduce the likelihood of catching and spreading COVID.” Unlike most vaccines, you need to get the flu shot yearly for it to be effective since the strain of flu often changes.

If you don’t have insurance vaccines will be provided for free by doctors due to the federally funded program Vaccines For Children. The program provides vaccines to children who might not be vaccinated because of an inability to pay. The vaccines are available at private physicians’ offices and public health clinics registered as VFC providers.

And if you do have insurance there should not be a co-pay for receiving the vaccine.

“The Affordable Care Act requires private insurance companies to pay in

IT’S TIME TO SCHEDULE: q A medical check-up or well visit q Immunizations and flu shot q Eye exam q Dental check up

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MONTEREY BAY PARENT • august 2020

full for vaccines recommended by the CDC,” says Dr. Reddy.

Dr. Reddy explains that there might be some insurance companies that are exempt and that you should check with your insurance company about coverage before getting your vaccine.

Eye Health Children may be unaware of the fact their vision is not normal. This may lead to feeling frustrated about being unable to see the words in a book or in the classroom causing a child to act out.

The CDC recommends that children’s eyes should be checked regularly by an eye doctor or pediatrician.

Amblyopia, or lazy eye is the most common cause of vision loss in children which can be treated if caught early between the ages of 3 to 5 years old.

The American Optometric Association estimates 80% of a child’s learning happens through observation. In the classroom, most of the teaching is done by displaying the information.

Salinas Office 400 E. Romie Lane

(831) 770-0123 Prunedale Office 8036 San Miguel Canyon Rd.

(831) 663-0123 Dr. Sumana Reddy Dr. Rafael Siqueiros Dr. Danielle Acton Dr. Lyn Treais PA Liliana Jaques Guillermo Perez, PA-C

Find us online at www.acaciamed.org

REGISTRATION OPEN FALL CLASSES BEGIN AUGUST 3RD

Oral Health The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that your child visit a dentist for an initial check-up by the time they turn one. According to the CDC tooth decay (cavities) is one of the most common chronic diseases for kids from age 6 to 19. Research studies found that children who have poor oral health often miss more school and receive lower grades than children who have good oral health.

Fluoride can prevent about one-third of cavities in baby teeth. If your town water does not contain fluoride, you can ask your pediatrician or dentist to prescribe fluoride which is typically taken in pill form once a day.

Telehealth Check-In Most schools closed in the spring until the end of the school year. Kids that are going back to school remotely may experience anxiety about this transition.

“I recommend that all kids do a telehealth check-in with their pediatrician before going back to school to discuss the transition. Often parents think their kid is fine, but you want to have a chance to talk about stress and anxiety,” says Dr. Reddy.

During this check-in you can also make sure that your vaccines are up to date or talk about any other mental health concerns.

Be a Role Model Dr. Korb says, “Make sure you prepare your child by teaching and modeling safe behavior such as frequently washing hands, wearing a mask, and keeping physical distance with other people.”

Cheryl Maguire holds a Master of Counseling Psychology degree. She is married and is the mother of twins and a daughter. Her writing has been published in The New York Times, Parents Magazine, AARP, Healthline, Your Teen Magazine and many other publications. You can find her at Twitter @CherylMaguire05 MONTEREY BAY PARENT • august 2020

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d g n e a t m p u o d v n i a ng! t S

back to school by Sandi Schwartz

How To Manage Your Kids’ Breaks During Virtual School Days This school year will definitely look different as local kids begin school virtually and will be outside of the classrooms at least through October.

As a result, most kids will be more sedentary unless we make sure they get the physical breaks they need to stay balanced and healthy throughout the school day.

The average American student used to sit at school for about 4.5 hours a day, but if your child is doing virtual school then that could be 7 or 8 hours of sitting. Then add the time they sit staring at screens for homework and fun, and we find that our kids are sitting 85 percent of the time they are awake.

Up until recently, it was believed that children needed to sit still in order to concentrate and succeed in school.

But experts today find that kids are not wired to sit all day long. Instead, they

benefit from breaks in which they are physically moving to help energize their brain and be more productive in the classroom.

Why movement is so important Many studies in recent years helped educators realize that forcing children to sit still is not the best approach; instead, moving around enhances their educational experience. A 2013 report from the Institute of Medicine found that children who are more active show greater attention, have faster cognitive processing speed, and perform better on standardized tests than children who are less active.

According to John Ratey, an associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and the author of Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain, movement activates the brain cells that children

Tips on introducing important movement breaks in to your child’s day include: •

Balance online time with outdoor activities like bike rides, swimming, running, obstacle courses, jump rope, and visits to local playgrounds and parks.

•

Participate in sports lessons or team sports when safe.

•

Encourage siblings to play outside together, such as having a catch or running a race.

•

For bad weather days, have movement options available like using exercise equipment, running up and down the stairs, calisthenics like jumping jacks and push ups, and choosing online fitness videos.

•

Give them a pedometer and challenge them to walk a certain number of steps each day.

•

Register for online fitness classes.

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need to learn. Moving around stimulates more blood vessels in the brain to support the creation of new brain cells. Finally, low-level movement like standing improves students’ attention and alertness because their blood circulation and oxygenation levels increase.

Movement breaks also help address childhood obesity and the many other health concerns about children not getting enough physical activity since play time has been dramatically reduced for reasons like increased technology use. As we know, extensive medical evidence shows that regular physical activity is related to lower body fat, greater muscular strength, stronger bones, and improvements in cardiovascular and metabolic health. It also helps reduce anxiety and depression.

How to encourage more movement We can help our children break up all that time sitting by providing fun movement breaks, standing desks, yoga ball seats, and plenty of outdoor time.

I don’t know about you, but my kids won’t stop talking about GoNoodle. Now appearing in more than 60,000 elementary schools in the United States, it is one of several creative online programs that teachers are using to give their students active breaks throughout the school day.

You can also encourage your kids to use it from home. The idea is that kids need time between lessons to move

MONTEREY BAY PARENT • august 2020

around and give their mind a rest. Plus, if these breaks are done a few times a day, that can add up to an extra hour of movement per week.

The unique aspect about these types of programs is that they are not intended to be focused solely on exercise.

Instead, they are aimed to entertain the students, while also getting them up and moving. For example, GoNoodle videos have kids running alongside their desks through a virtual obstacle course or following along with dance moves.

The kids are having a blast without even realizing they are getting exercise. According to the chief executive and a cofounder of GoNoodle, by investing three to five minutes for kids to move in the classroom, students can learn more effectively for the next 45 minutes. Other movement programs include Just Dance Kids and BrainErgizers from the National Association of Physical Literacy.

Alternatives to traditional desks Another way to encourage movement is to use a standing desk. These are raised desks that can be adjusted to each child’s height and comfort needs. They have been proven to be beneficial to children from both health and learning perspectives. A report in Pediatrics reviewed eight studies showing how standing desks in classrooms decreased sitting time by about an hour each day. Some of the studies also found that this increased physical activity and improved the students’ behavior. Next, a study in the International Journal of Health Promotion and Education found that students who used standing desks were more engaged in the classroom than those who sat during class. In fact there was a 12 percent rise in engagement by students using standing desks, which adds up to an extra seven minutes per hour of effective instruction time. Finally, a study by Loughborough University in Great Britain found that overall classroom sitting time dropped by about 52 minutes per day from using standing desks, and teachers noticed how their students’ concentration, attention to task, and general behavior significantly improved. Standing desks are becoming so popular now that organizations focusing on their benefits and use are sprouting up. Stand Up Kids and JustStand.org are both great resources to learn more about this effective option.

Yoga balls have also become popular. They stabilize the core, promote better posture, and allow students to move and bounce around a bit at their work station when they feel antsy. Kids can essentially get a mini-workout just by sitting on the yoga ball while they do their work. According to an article in California Educator, teachers have noticed that the yoga balls decrease unwanted movement, while students’ attention spans have risen. The children are thrilled with their yoga chairs because they have more freedom to move.

There’s a lot of change in store for our kids this year. One way parents can minimize any negative effects of all of that change is to provide plenty of time and opportunity for physical activity.

Sandi Schwartz is a freelance writer/blogger and mother of two. She has written extensively about parenting, wellness, and environmental issues. You can find her at www.happysciencemom.com.

MONTEREY BAY PARENT • august 2020

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19

RV 101: Planning a

Family RV Vacation When your family goes on a camping vacation, not only do you have your own space, free of the worry about staying socially distant from others, but you also have the opportunity to find places that are sparsely populated. Gas prices are lower this summer, so that’s a big bonus when we are all watching our budget.

With COVID-19 concerns on everyone’s minds, travel restrictions to other countries, and the uncertainty of what tomorrow will bring, it’s hard to plan a weekend getaway, let alone a family vacation. Many families, looking for alternatives, are looking to RV’s.

I’ve been camping in RVs for most of my life. When I was a kid, my parents had a camper that went on my dad’s pickup. As an adult, I have owned or driven everything from a 30-foot toy hauler I pulled with an F250, to a fifthwheel trailer, to a Class C motorhome.

Because my kids are grown, and I mostly camp with my dog now, I currently own a tiny travel trailer that I pull with my Jeep Wrangler.

If you are considering joining the ranks of RVers, consider this: • RV dealers have seen a spike in purchases, with most RV manufacturers seeing a 30% increase in sales over 2019.

• Citing Coronavirus concerns, the RV Industry Association found that 20% of survey respondents are more interested in RV travel than they are in flying, tent camping, cruises, or home rentals via Airbnb or VRBO. • In a survey of RV owners, 40% said their level of use would remain the same. And 49% said they would be using their RVs more often this year.

THE BASICS If you are thinking about purchasing an RV and have never owned or driven one before, there are several things to consider. Will you want a travel trailer or a motorhome? A travel trailer is generally less expensive and easier to maintain than a motorhome. Insurance is less costly, and there is more variety

in the layout. You need to think about what you will tow it with. How many people will be sleeping in the trailer?

What amenities are essential? Do you need a trailer with a generator? Do you have a tow vehicle with the capacity to tow the weight of the trailer you are interested in? For your vehicle and safety, I recommend selecting a trailer with a Gross Dry Vehicle Weight (GDVW) well below your tow vehicle’s towing capacity. Also, in many states, trailers over a specific weight require an electronic brake controller installed on the tow vehicle. You can find information on calculating how much your trailer weighs fully loaded online.

THINKING ABOUT BUYING? If you plan on purchasing a motorhome, realize you will be making a hefty investment. The most basic new motorhomes start at about as much as I paid for my first home – around $70,000. Buying used is a good option for both motorhomes and travel trailers, as they tend to depreciate quite a bit, and great deals can be

LOOKING FOR A VACATION OPTION THAT DOESN’T INCLUDE HOTELS, AIR TRAVEL, OR EATING IN RESTAURANTS? CONSIDER A TRAVEL TRAILER OR MOTORHOME!

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MONTEREY BAY PARENT • august 2020

had. However, it’s smart to buy from a dealership that offers a warranty.

Most importantly, research, research, research! There are too many options to discuss here, so look online at brand reviews, research floorplans, and join a Facebook RV group for excellent tips and information.

Something else to think about is what you plan to do when you get to your destination. This will help you decide if you want a travel trailer, which gives you the use of your tow vehicle once your trailer is unhooked.

Or do you want to drive a motorhome, with your whole family comfortable and spread out, during the road trip?

Remember that once you’re set up in your campsite, going anywhere will be more difficult, requiring you to unhook everything, find a parking space for an RV wherever you’re going, and eventually back in and re-level the coach when you return. Some people tow a smaller car behind the motorhome to solve this problem.

RENTAL CONSIDERATIONS If buying is out of your budget or you want to give RVing a try before committing, renting is a good option. It will allow you to see if the RV lifestyle is for you, with a comparatively small investment. Several companies are comparable to AirBnB or VRBO, giving you the option to rent privatelyowned RVs. Outdoorsy and RV Share are popular platforms, and both get good reviews. They work much like reserving a vacation home online.

There are also larger corporate companies, such as El Monte RV and Cruise America. The advantage of corporate rentals is they are often slightly cheaper. However, the RVs are the equivalent of a well-used rental car: they’ve been beaten up quite a bit.

They are usually not luxury models, meaning the inside is basic. Not to mention, they are like rolling billboards with their corporate advertising plastered across the side, announcing to everyone that you are a renter.

In contrast, by renting from an owner, you can access a wide variety of RVs at all levels of luxury. These RVs are privately owned and often used by the owner when not being rented out. They tend to be very wellmaintained and often come equipped with everything you need to camp, i.e., linens, dishes, camp chairs, etc.

ADVICE FROM OWNERS As an RV owner who has considered renting out my rig, I am part of an online group of owners. I asked them: What are some things you want renters to know about before renting an RV? Here are some of their best tips: • Read your contract. The fine print is important. Also, if you know little about RVs, watch YouTube videos. You can learn how to dump the tanks, hook up at campsites, and even drive an RV – all on YouTube! Rentals will come with manuals, and the owners will do a walk-through, but it is a lot to take in. Coming in with some knowledge beforehand is invaluable. And be honest with the owner about your level of experience!

• Carry a car seat. If you are renting a motor home, most states will require a small child to be in a car seat during travel. Don’t forget to bring your own.

• Have realistic expectations.

Many RVs are very luxurious, but they still aren’t a suite at the Four Seasons. They don’t have gourmet kitchens or two-door refrigerators. Also, RVs are made of wood and Styrofoam, for the most part. Driving down the road is like subjecting them to an earthquake every day. Roll with the flow and communicate with the owner.

Almost anything can be fixed on the road.

• Practice driving. Be comfortable pulling a trailer or driving a coach before taking your whole family on a winding road in the mountains.

• Research insurance options thoroughly. Be sure you know exactly what is covered on your personal policy as well as on any additional policy you purchase.

• If you are new to RVing, go small. Renting a 40-foot luxury coach for your first RV experience is inviting disaster. In a similar vein, start on three or four-day trips.

Work up to that long road trip.

• Expect to pay for mileage over a certain amount. The limit is usually 100 miles per day. Also expect to pay a hefty (refundable) deposit, generally between $500 and $2000, depending on the RV.

MONTEREY BAY PARENT • august 2020

YOUR FIRST VACATION Once you decide whether to buy or rent, it’s time to plan your vacation.

Where will you go? How many miles per day will you want to drive? A lot of new RVers overestimate the number of miles per day they will drive. Keep in mind that you won’t be driving 70 MPH, and you may be on curvy mountain roads. You will also be stopping for gas more than you would in a car.

Will you need reservations at the campground you choose? Most federal and state campgrounds in desirable locations fill up months in advance (and several federal ones are closed at this time). You may have better luck finding a camping spot in a privately owned or membership campground such as KOA or Thousand Trails. There are many “first come, first served” campgrounds, but they do fill up in the summer.

Check out gocampingamerica.com for help finding alternatives to public campgrounds. Another bonus of private campgrounds is that most have full hookups (electric, water, and sewer), which makes a huge difference in your comfort. It keeps you from having to use a public restroom.

Being an RVer is like being part of a big, fun-loving club. People are more than happy to share their experiences and information with you. Even when you are camping, if you have a problem, you can most likely solve it with a campground neighbor.

The biggest reward of vacationing in an RV is that it allows your family to return to the basics: campfires, board games, listening to music, and riding bikes. RVing is an outstanding option for relaxation and recreation during these times. Time preparing will help your family stay safe and have fun. tricia vlasAK is a mother, grandparent, and wife. She works in law enforcement when she isn’t writing about parenting, hiking with her dogs, or going on Jeep adventures.

montereybayparent.com

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A Smart Girl’s Guide: Making a Difference From protecting our planet to helping animals to saying hello to someone who seems lonely, this book offers young readers a lot of ideas–both big and small–on how to spark change. $12.99, ages 10+, americangirl.com

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I would love to help your family find the perfect home.

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DRE: 02027849

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MONTEREY BAY PARENT • august 2020

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23

Pack Up a Picnic

Try one of these parks or beaches for your next picnic outing One of the joys of summer is an afternoon spent lounging on a blanket in the sun while the kids play along the water or grass. It’s an easy activity we can still enjoy while staying close to home and practicing social distancing.

Be sure to pack masks for everyone and wear them whenever it’s impossible to stay 6 feet apart (when walking to and from your car, for instance).

Here are our recommendations for your next family picnic.

1. Carmel Valley Park. If it’s sun you’re seeking, Carmel Valley Park is the perfect option. With a wide expanse of lush green grass and easy access from the parking lot, you’ll find room to stretch out and for the kids to play with a ball or Frisbee. There are also lots of trees if you want a patch of shade. Plus, dogs are welcome.

Carmel Valley Road and Ford St, Carmel Valley 2. Devendorf Park. This tiny park in downtown Carmel is a good destination for a takeout lunch 24

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picnic midweek. There isn’t a ton of room to roam for the kids, but the grass is always green, and it’s easy to keep an eye on kids because it’s just a big square. We like it best for short outings with toddlers and young children.

Parking is easy to find along one of the streets bordering the park.

Junipero St And Ocean Ave Carmel, 93923 3. Carmel Beach. There’s no better beach for a picnic than Carmel Beach. It’s wide and long enough to give everyone room to spread out. Dogs are allowed. The drawback to Carmel Beach is the parking difficulty and the long walk to the sand from your car. Bring a beach cart or pack lightly.

Junipero St And Ocean Ave Carmel, 93923 4. Moss Landing State Beach.

Due to the pandemic, there is limited parking at the beach, but if you’re there during the week, you should be ok. This wide stretch of beach is awesome for kite flying and dune climbing. Do not plan on swimming or even wading here due to dangerous rip currents.

Jetty Road in Moss Landing 5. McAbee Beach. This little stretch of beach on Cannery Row

is a nice spot for kids to play in the surf and build a sandcastle after your lunch. Mid-week it’s pretty quiet but avoid it on the weekends.

Cannery Row at Hoffman Avenue, Monterey, 93940 6.UC Santa Cruz Arboretum.

This hidden gem on the campus of UC Santa Cruz has a few picnic tables tucked under shade trees.

If a quiet picnic watching birds and looking at flowers and trees is what you’re after, check our the arboretum. You will have to pay an admission fee to enter, but it includes being able to roam the rest of the gardens. $5 for adults and $2 for Children (6 to 17 years old), and free under 6.

1490 High Street, Santa Cruz arboretum.ucsc.edu 7.Jacks Peak County Park. This gorgeous park features one of the only remaining natural stands of Monterey Pine trees in the United States. If you prefer your picnic after an appetite-inducing hike, this is the choice for your family. Picnic tables are available first-come, first-serve without a reservation.

Daily admission into the park is $2 per person and $2 per dog.

25020 Jacks Peak Park Rd, Monterey, 93940

MONTEREY BAY PARENT • august 2020

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Calendar Farmers’ Markets SUNDAY 8:00 AM. Monterey Bay Certified Del Monte Farmers Market. Held at Del Monte Center in Monterey until 12pm in the lot behind Macy’s. Please remember to wear a face mask and to leave pets at home.

10:00 AM. Marina Certified Farmers Market. Fresh, organic, certified produce grown by local small-scale family farmers. Held at 215 Reservation Road, Marina.

MONDAY 3:00 PM. Pacific Grove Certified Farmers Market.

Offers a wide array of fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts from small-scale family farmers, along with prepared food and artisan items from local vendors. Located on Central Avenue at Grand Avenue. Open until 7:00 pm.

TUESDAY 9:00 AM. Carmel Farmers Market. With over 25 farmers and vendors, this market offers a selection of California grown, local fresh

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farm produce and specialty items including pasture raised grass-fed meat, seafood, organic eggs, cut flowers, organic honey, and potted flowering plants. held at Barnyard Shopping Center from 9 AM-1 PM. 11:00 AM. Alisal Certified Farmers’ Market. The Market is located in the parking lot of the WIC Center, 632 East Alisal, Salinas.

4:00 PM. Old Monterey Farmer’s Market. Held on Alvarado Street in downtown Monterey. Closes at 7 PM. FRIDAY 9:00 AM. Monterey Bay Certified Del Monte Farmers Market. Held at Del Monte Center in Monterey until 2 pm in the lot near the Tesla station. Remember to wear a face mask. saturday 9:00 AM. Oldtown Salinas Farmers Market. Held on W. Gabilan St. between Main and Salinas St.in downtown Salinas.

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SATURDAY, Aug. 1

tuesday, Aug. 4

Steinbeck Country United Virtual Global Festival The National Steinbeck Center is proud to present Steinbeck Country United‚ a virtual and interactive global festival, August 1st and 2nd. For more information, email: events@ steinbeck.org

11:00. New Parent Support Group A support group for parents wishing to join and create community as they navigate the postpartum period, led

by Angie Sonrode. . Topics will include sleeping, feeding, normal development, babywearing, postpartum healing, nurturing and growing into your own parenting style. Once registered you will be emailed a link to the Zoom room. Check www. montereybirthcenter.com for registration information.

Held weekly on Tuesday.

1:00 PM. Weaving Yesterdays Live Series Hosted by Elkorn Slough to dig deeper into the historical ecology and cultural heritage of the watershed. Features a series of vignettes from different eras and locations around the Slough. www.facebook.com/ elkhornsloughreserve. sunday, Aug. 2 Seaside Crafts Crafts from the comfort of your own home. Create oceaninspired crafts and activities using materials found around the house. Visit seymourcenter. ucsc.edu to participate.

Held weekly on Sunday. monday, Aug. 3 11:30 AM. Maker Monday Video on YouTube Monterey County Free Library posts a new Maker Monday video to the YouTube Channel: MCFL Virtual Programs. Free.

wednesday, Aug. 5 9:00 AM. Crafternoon Crafts for all ages from the staff of the Pacific Grove Public Library. Free, on YouTube.

Check www.pacificgrovelibrary. org for information. Held weekly on Wednesday.

11:30. Family Storytime with Alison Monterey County Free Library posts a new Family Storytime video to the YouTube Channel: MCFL Virtual Programs. Free.

Check www.co.monterey.ca.us. for additional information. Held weekly on Wednesday.

6:00 PM. 12 Steps to Get A Casting Director to Love You T his forum will reveal secrets for improving your auditions

MONTEREY BAY PARENT • august 2020

Monterey Bay Parent Magazine August 2020 1/2 page - 7.25 x 4.5 4-color

Chuyen Le Trieu, M. D

Breann Kinsey, PA

Quenlyn Larson, D.N.P

PHYSICIAN AVAILABLE 24/7

• Sat. morning clinic, extended hours until 6 PM Mon-Thur • Urgent advice and referral available by phone

LABORATORY SERVICES

Cristina Mercado, M. D

Nitikul Solomon, M.D.

• Available on site while you wait (complete blood count, urinalysis, anemia testing, rapid strep, urine pregnancy tests, and more.

SEPARATE OFFICES

www.SalinasPediatrics.com (831) 422-9066 MONTEREY BAY PARENT • august 2020

• Well care at 601 E. Romie Lane, Salinas • Sick and urgent care at 505 E. Romie Lane, Salinas • Providers rotate at both offices

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SUMMER CAMPS June 8 - July 31

by identifying the struggles you have. The fee of $15 per individual forum or $45 for a pass to attend the whole series helps TWS continue operations during COVID-19 and SIP. Student discounts available.

Tickets can be purchased at www.westernstage.com/tickets. friday, Aug 7

NinjaZone Gymnastics Parkour Check out our year-round programs too!

Register Online Today!

www.risingstargym.net 831-375-9335

11:30. STEAM Time Video Every week, Monterey County Free Library posts a new STEAM time video to the YouTube Channel: MCFL Virtual Programs. Free. Check www.co.monterey.ca.us. for additional information.

Held weekly on Friday.

2:00. Art Day with Mr. Paul A new art project will be livestremead each week on the Palenke Arts Facebook page and YouTube channel. All ages are welcome. Bring whatever art supplies you have - even if it’s just a pencil. Check www. facebook.com/PalenkeArts for information. Held weekly on Friday.

4:00. Free Gentle Yoga Join Jen from Yoga Salinas on Fridays for a free Gentle Yoga Community Class. Check https://yogasalinas.com for information. Held weekly on Friday.

3:00 PM. Rockin’ Pop-Up with the Geology Gents Join the Geology Gents, Gavin and Graham, for weekly conversations about rocks live on Facebook. Each week we’ll explore a different geologic topic, from Santa Cruz formations to tips for being a more effective rockhound.

Check www.santacruzmuseum. org for registration info.

Held weekly on Friday.

4:00 PM. Free Gentle Yoga Class Join Jen from Yoga Salinas on Fridays for a free yoga class.

Check yogasalinas.com for information.

class every Friday for ages 5+.

Presented by the Watsonville Public Library. www.cityofwatsonville. org/1972/Ballet-FolkloricoSummer-Workshop SATURDAY, Aug 8 **11:00 Expo to Go Because we had to cancel our in-person Back to School Expo, Monterey Bay Parent and Del Monte Center teamed up to create this special event.

The first 400 registrants will get all of the fun giveaways, coupons, and school supplies that we would have had at our Back to School Expo. Must have ticket to get bag. Register at MontereyBayParent.com.

PLEASE wear a mask when picking up bag and observe all social distancing requirements.

Del Monte Shopping Center Monterey, 93940 9:00. AM. Lululemon Free Virtual Yoga Join lululemon Santana Row for a FREE VIRTUAL Yoga Series every Saturday morning.¬†Live classes begin promptly at 9am every Saturday on Santana Row’s Instagram: @santanarow.

August 17 6:00 PM. Online Doulas 101: Free Community Class The Birth Network of Monterey County presents a free community parenting series called Parenting 101, or P101. www.birthnetworkof monterey.org August 19 ** 8:00 AM. Veggie Packing Day Help fill boxes full of fruits and veggies for the local community. Contact Marisol for more info at mdiaz@ ranchocieloyc.org.

Rancho Cielo Youth Campus 710 Old Stage Road Salinas, 93908 ** In-person event

6:00 PM. Ballet Folklorico Graciela Vega will be offering a virtual Ballet Folklorico

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montereybayparent.com

MONTEREY BAY PARENT • august 2020

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS!

A California non-profit corporation serving children with Autism Spectrum Disorders since 1993

bia4autism.org Behavioral Intervention for Autism (BIA) has been supporting families & children affected

by Autism for 25 years. Founded in 1993, BIA is steadfastly committed to providing quality, applied behavior analysis intervention services to children diagnosed with autism.

• Intensive 1:1 Intervention Services • Center, Home and Community Based Services • Social Skills groups (ages 6-18)

Monterey l Fresno l Bay Area (831) 375-1310 bia4autism.org

OUR MISSION BIA’s mission is to significantly improve the lives of children diagnosed with Autism by providing innovative and individualized treatment.

BIA is a recognized leader within the community for intervention and support of children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).

BIA is one of the first Autism providers in Northern California and remains one of only a few providers functioning as a Non-Profit, 501 (c)(3).

ADVERTISEMENT

General & Cosmetic Dentistry

Vista Robles Dental Group Offering:

• Family dentistry • Pediatric dentistry • Restorative dentistry • Cosmetic dentistry • Accepting new patients • Courtesy insurance billing for most dental insurances

Dentists Linda Martin DDS and Esmeralda Muñoz DDS, of Vista Robles Dental Group can give you a healthy beautiful smile that you can take pride in.

Modern cosmetic dentistry techniques make it easier than ever for you to have a bright, even smile.

(831) 372-7548

www.montereybaydentist.com MONTEREY BAY PARENT • august 2020

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7

Tips for a Winning Cover Kids Entry

sunset, offer the best lighting. If you’re indoors, bounce light off walls or put your child near a window. Be sure to avoid backlighting, which results in a photo where the child is darker than the background.

4.

Watch the background. A simple beach, open grass at the park, a hiking trail – all offer simple but beautiful backdrops for a good photo.

Avoid busy street scenes, signs, or crowded street scenes. And, definitely avoid a bunch of distracting people in the photo with your child.

5.

Your child’s personality should shine. A twinkle in the eye, a little bit of a smirk, or a huge grin – little extras make one cute kid stand out from all the other cute kids.

Missing teeth, a mud-covered shirt, a child photographed in the crazy outfit they chose themselves all add up to a distinctive entry that will get noticed.

Each year when our staff looks over the hundred-plus photos we receive in our Cover Kids contest, there are always a few standouts. The ones that catch our eye immediately usually have a few things in common: casual styling, great lighting, natural smiles, and simple backgrounds. This year, in addition to the nine models editors choose, readers will be able to choose the 10th cover model from all of the submitted entries.

If you’re planning on entering your child in this year’s contest (see details to the right), here are seven tips that will help you choose the best photo to enter. Best of luck to all entrants!

1.

2.

Face front. Be sure your child is looking directly at the camera. Eye contact is essential, and we want to see your child’s entire face in the frame.

Keep it casual. Catch your child playing or when they’re quiet and involved in an activity. Don’t try to dress them up, style their clothing, and expect a relaxed photo.

3.

Lighting is the key. Photos with dark shadows or with your child squinting into the sun won’t portray them in the best light (pun intended!). Photos taken during the “golden hour,” which is the hour after sunrise and an hour before

6.

In focus, please. Blurry and low-resolution photos are pretty much the worst offenders. We print photos out to 5 x 7 to choose the finalists. If we print your photo and everything is fuzzy, we have a hard time telling what your child looks like.

7.

Don’t take it personally. Every year we have to make a choice, and there are always kids we wish we could choose. If your child isn’t chosen, it’s not because they aren’t adorable, it may be because we have enough sibling groups or we need a child of a different age. We try to vary the chosen models by gender, age, ethnicity, city, and sibling groups that will work for specific cover themes.

We promise that your child is cover material; we simply don’t have room for all of the kids who enter.

� Family Night

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Mondays Spm-9:30pm

Kids 12 and Under get a S oz. cup for flat rate of $1.99

Promotion � for 9?88JL (8oz) CUPI only. Cannot be � with other offen. Limit one per cuatomer 13 year.old or younger, per vitit at dillcounted rate.

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montereybayparent.com

MONTEREY BAY PARENT • august 2020

Monterey Bay Parent Magazine and

present the 2020-2021

Cover Kids Contest We’re choosing cover models for the year!

Parents: enter a photo of your child or children before September 15.

The staff of Monterey Bay Parent Magazine will choose our 9 favorite entries and then readers will choose the final cover model as their READER FAVORITE. Each finalist will have a professional photo shoot and will appear on one of our covers during the coming year. uary

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Check MontereyBayParent.com for entry fees, contest rules, prizes, and deadlines.

Enter online at MontereyBayParent.com MONTEREY BAY PARENT • august 2020

montereybayparent.com

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You think differently.

So do we. Join us.

Call or email for information about LIVE and ONLINE options for August.

For students in grades 2 to 12 with dyslexia and other learning differences.

Admission and financial aid information available

Now enrolling for Fall 2020.

Visit chartwell.org For over 35 years Chartwell has been leading the way in research-based education for students with language-based learning differences.

Stop struggling. Start learning.

Chartwell School | 2511 Numa Watson Rd. | Seaside, CA 93955 admissions@chartwell.org | 831.394.3468 32

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MONTEREY BAY PARENT • august 2020