Northeast Ohio Parent | August 2023

41 School Open Houses

On the Covers : Cover Kid winner and preschooler Jacobi is featured on the farm for the last days of summer and back to school at Lakewood Catholic Academy (lakewoodcatholicacademy.com).

Photos by Moments by Mauric

departments

6 Editor’s Note Happiness in Bloom

8

Worth Noting

Back to school shopping tips and supply checklist. Also, what’s streaming for kids this month and reading room.

12 After School

Have your kids step into the world of dance. Plus, check out all after school activities starting on pg, 16.

42

Family Calendar

Kid-friendly things to do all month long including last days of summer festivals, local attractions and more.

49 Your Aging Parent

The National Family Caregiver Support Program helps you find support to care for your loved ones.

50 #CLEMAMA

Mom columnist Sara Carnes shares the nostalgic feeling behind old toys.

Happiness in Bloom

The shift from summer to school always seems hard. For parents, once August hits, it feels like we are anxiously awaiting for the middle or end of this month, depending on when your kids go back to school. While the sun is still shining and it feels like the hottest month of the season, you are counting the number of highlighters you will need or if you have the correct color folders for each school subject.

It’s always a hurry up and let’s get everything done for the family. Not just getting all the supplies for school, but squeezing in a few more summer projects and getaways.

As I am writing this, I am on a plane, it’s a quick trip to see my oldest nephew get married, where the heat index will hit 115 degrees, among other things.

I think about this issue’s cover and the sunflowers that will open up this month for everyone to visit in the fields. There are many symbols for sunflowers, and a lot of people talk about the various ones. However, there’s something every sunflower does as it matures, it follows the sun’s direction. Once it grows up, it stops moving and provides a happy place for butterflies and bees, because the flower is one of the best pollen producers. The sunflower doesn’t seem to mind either, they face east, which is best for their insect friends to feed.

I feel like we are the sun for our kids until they bloom. They have to follow us to get the best light so they can grow tall, strong and steady in their roots. Once they mature, they stop looking for us, but go their own special way.

Watching my nephew get married, which is a long way off for my kids (a very long time), it does remind me that we are getting closer to our kids leaving our little garden.

So, with summer almost done, the hustle and bustle of the school days coming soon, I’m trying to stop time a bit. But, unfortunately, this season felt like it went especially quick. I need another month before we head into September when the after school activities start again, too.

When I was little, I thought I wanted to be a ballerina. Well, with pigeon-toe and, basically, two-left feet, I thought I wouldn’t make it as a dancer. However, I wish I tried. In this issue, we talk a little bit about why dance can be an option for everyone, all ages and abilities. Honestly, there’s more benefits than you think.

We also think about your littlest students — preschoolers. For some kids, they are almost out of the toddler stage and others are ready to start school this year. To get prepared for either, we provide some tips.

In the spirit of blossoming, your kids are growing into the people they will become and also, the hair they will likely have. The great thing about hair, it can change or stay the same. We talk about these situations and what it means as they get older.

For me, when I think about those budding sunflowers and my own maturing two boys, happiness is when I stand next to them and look up.

August 2023

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Back to School, Back to Sales

Summer is in full swing, complete with warm weather, sunshine, and all that comes with it. So, It comes as no surprise that we’re all looking to soak in every last drop, but at the same time we all know — and perhaps don’t want to believe — the start of the new school year is right around the corner. We need to be thinking about shopping for school supplies sooner rather than later if we want to keep within our budgets — and now is as good a time as any to start.

Before you begin the school shopping frenzy it’s important to find out which stores are offering the best deals, sales, and prices.

By Leah Artman

Although it might be tempting to go to a one-stop shop for all your school shopping needs, you’d be surprised how much you can save on back to school clothes when you shop local and/or secondhand.

Northeast Ohio has several excellent kids consignment stores in the area, including Munchkin’s Kloset in Strongsville, Pete & Polly in Brunswick, Value World, Once Upon a Child and Goodwill, which have several locations throughout the area, just to name a few.

Don’t be tempted to think of these places as thrift shops — consignment stores only choose gently used items to resell, and at a fraction of the cost.

There is so much money to be saved by shopping secondhand.

Visiting your local consignment store and the big box stores are just a few of the easiest ways to save money leading up to the impending new school year. And don’t forget to shop on Ohio’s Annual Tax-Free Weekend from August 4 through 6 to save even more on your back to school shopping trip. The good news is, if you start thinking about school shopping now, you’ll have plenty of time to find the best deals and sales on the items you need before school starts, which will, hopefully, result in less stress for you and your budget.

BACK TO SCHOOL SHOPPING CHECKLIST By

BACKPACK. The L.L. Bean backpacks are a parent pick for their comfort and durability. They are waterproof and machine washable and come in a variety of sizes, colors and patterns for students in any grade. llbean.com

BENTO BOX. Keep your lunch organized and cut down on single use plastics with these lunch box organizers. They feature leak-proof compartments for different food items, and can easily fit into a lunch box or bag.

Various retailers

WATER BOTTLE. Stay hydrated at school and at activities with the Thermos 12 oz. stainless steel water bottle. This durable water bottle will keep drinks cold, is dishwasher safe and has a sleek design for backpacks. It comes in multiple colors and patterns. Various retailers

Shana O’Malley-Smith

CUSTOM NAME LABELS . Don’t let your child’s important items get mixed up with other classmates. Instead, use custom name labels to easily identify their belongings. These durable, waterproof labels can go in the dishwasher, microwave, freezer or outdoors. oliverslabels.com

AT-HOME SUPPLY KIT. Stay on top of homework and at-home projects with an extra box of school supplies for your home. Stock your kit with sharpened pencils, a pencil sharpener, eraser, scissors, glue stick, crayons and markers. It’s also a good idea to stock up on printer ink, printer, notebook and construction paper. Various retailers

“The only way to have a friend is to be one.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson. The benefits of friendship are endless, regardless of age! Besides increasing happiness and a sense of self-confidence, these important relationships provide social-emotional support and help to increase a child’s capacity for empathy. Andrea Csia, youth librarian at the Garden Valley Branch of Cleveland Public Library, recommends these books to help kids develop and maintain rich friendships.

MEESHA MAKES FRIENDS

By Tom Percival

Meesha is a creative and sweet little girl who feels uncomfortable in social situations, unsure of what to do and say when she is around other children. Snuggle up with your 3- to 6-year-old and this charming book to find out how Meesha learns that finding something in common with someone can be the start of something beautiful.

STICK AND STONE EXPLORE AND MORE

by Beth Ferry and illustrated by Kristen Cella

This book contains two very funny and engaging stories in one graphic novel, each with a cute activity at the end. Perfect for beginning readers ages 6 to 9, the silly adventures of this unlikely pair of best friends will amuse kids while practicing their reading skills at the same time.

GROWING FRIENDSHIPS

By Elieen KennedyMoore and Christine McLaughlin

Sometimes a more direct, non-fiction approach can be helpful for both kids and parents. Aimed at 6- to 9-year-olds, this title was written by a psychologist and provides practical how-to advice in an entertaining format. This book is a guide to handling friendship challenges, and one that you may have wished you had when you were growing up.

WHAT’S STREAMING: Family-Friendly Movies and Shows to Watch in August 2023

Looking for something family-friendly to watch on these late summer evenings? There are many new releases hitting streaming platforms this month. Whether you’re in the mood for something new, nostalgic or action-packed, there’s something for every family member on the list.

The Big Nailed It Baking Challenge, TV-PG, Netflix

In this high-stakes “Nailed It!” spinoff competition, 10 terrible bakers pick up tips from professional coaches while vying for a sweet cash prize. “Nailed It!” stars Nicole Byer and Jacques Torres welcome celebrity judges like Patton Oswalt, Angela Kinsey and more.

Mummies, PG, Hulu

Three computer-animated mummies from the Egyptian underworld enter the concrete jungle of modern-day London. When chariot rider Thut is chosen to marry the princess, he sends the royal ring to the world of the living to get out of the engagement, unwittingly putting it in the hands of a greedy archeologist. Thut and Princess Nefer now have to retrieve the ring while navigating a whole new world. If they fail, it means the end for Thut and dire consequences for the underworld.

Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank, PG, Amazon Prime

A rag-tag band of vigilantes who restore order to a terrorized town. There’s a nice balance of humor for kids and adults, making it a perfect pick for family movie nights.

High School Musical: The Musical: The Series Season 4, PG, Disney+

Season four of the series will see the Wildcats returning to East High, where they prepare a stage production of “High School Musical 3: Senior Year.” But, in a meta twist signature to the series, plans are disrupted when Disney announces the long-awaited

“High School Musical 4: The Reunion” movie will shoot on location at their beloved high school.

My Dad the Bounty Hunter: Season 2, TV-Y7, Netflix

An intergalactic bounty hunter takes dad duty to new extremes when his two kids accidentally hitch a ride with him to outer space and crash his mission.

Gabby’s Dollhouse, Season 8, Netflix, TV-Y7, Netflix

Cute cats, quirky crafts and colorful magic! Join kitty enthusiast Gabby and her sidekick Pandy Paws as they team up for a series of animated adventures.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, PG-13, Disney+

The beloved band of misfits are looking a bit different these days. Peter Quill, still reeling from the loss of Gamora, must rally his team around him to defend the universe along with protecting one of their own. A mission that, if not completed successfully, could quite possibly lead to the end of the Guardians as we know them.

Jurassic Park, PG-13, Hulu

In Steven Spielberg’s 1993 massive blockbuster, a select group of visitors are chosen to tour an island theme park populated by dinosaurs created from prehistoric DNA. While the park’s mastermind assures everyone that the facility is safe, they find out otherwise when various ferocious predators break free and go on the hunt.

Hair is a big part of what makes someone feel comfortable in their body. Whether you have no hair at all, lots of body hair, natural curly hair, wear a hijab, and have short hair, you are special and unique. Your hair is unique to you and tells a story.

“Hair is a big part of the way we express ourselves,” says Sharee Miller, author of “Don’t Touch My Hair.” I believe that by highlighting all hair as beautiful in its own way, we can keep any child from feeling left out.”

Some people may feel insecure about their hair color and texture. As kids get older, they will often notice hair growing in places they didn’t expect. Whether it’s on their heads or other parts of their bodies, understanding their natural hair is part of growing up. Here’s some advice to help your kids manage and stay positive about all of their strands.

Embracing Natural Hair

For Miller, she has had many experiences in which people have touched her natural hair without her permission.

“I wrote “Don’t Touch My Hair” because of my own personal experiences,” Miller says. “At the same time, I was reading a lot of articles where other people were sharing similar encounters with friends and strangers. Especially children. I wanted to create a story that

By Georgia Lattas

highlighted this experience and give children the words to stand up for themselves.”

Miller says it is important for young Black girls to embrace their natural, curly hair.

In an August 2016 study done by Perception Institute, “The Good Hair” found that one in five Black women feel social pressure to straighten their hair for work and one in four Black women have difficulty finding products for their hair.

“When I was younger, I rarely saw characters that looked like me or had hair like mine,” Miller says. “Because of this, I felt like I needed to change my hair for it to be beautiful and acceptable. I know seeing yourself reflected in a positive light does a lot for your self-esteem and sense of self. By having these positive representations out in the world, I hope no little Black girl feels like she needs to change her hair to be beautiful.”

Author Cozbi A. Cabrera believes it is important that all young Black girls learn to embrace their hair. Her book, “My Hair’s A Garden” was inspired by an interaction she had at her child’s school.

“Her daughter and my daughter went to the same preschool, and she was a white mother, and her daughter that she had adopted was African American, and so I remember her pulling me aside by the cubbies, and saying, ‘I noticed your daughter’s hair is always so well groomed, and it’s so shiny and

beautiful. Do you have any tips?’” Cabrera says. “I mentioned to her oil, and that her daughter’s hair would require oil and I could see her visibly recoiling because oil is something that helps remove, not something you add in on purpose.”

Cabrera says it is important for young Black girls to celebrate and be proud of their hair. She acknowledges that children often get bullied for any characteristic that might be a little different.

“Sometimes it’s a matter of embracing what you have, and knowing it’s innate beauty,” Cabrera says. “I think there’s a danger when self-loathing is allowed for a child. It really does have an impact on the psyche and how they move and navigate in the world and how they feel about themselves.”

If you are raising an African American child, and have questions about how to style their hair, Cabrera says people are very open to educating and helping other parents.

“People are very generous, particularly when it comes to our children,” Cabrera says. “It may even pain the other mother to see the child sort of in this neglected state, and so she would really want to open up her heart in that way. There are lots of YouTubers that could demonstrate as well.”

Cabrera has learned to love her hair and encourages other young Black girls to feel the same way.

THIS IS THE SECOND PART OF THE NORTHEAST OHIO PARENT BODY POSITIVITY SERIES.

Parents can talk to their kids about how to be positive about hair and its natural characteristics.

Body Hair Worries

While it is important to celebrate your hair, this is not always easy, especially for young children. New body hair growth during puberty can be a concern for many kids.

The CS Mott Children’s Hospital distributed their National Poll on Children’s Health to parents last year and asked them about how their children felt about their appearance. Out of the children surveyed, 27% were insecure about their hair.

“I think just normalizing body hair is super important,” says Sarah Ball, who is an advanced practice registered nurse and a certified pediatric nurse practitioner at Senders Pediatrics. “It’s important to know that every kid is different and that everyone’s journey with puberty is different. They might not have hair today but that might change in a couple of months and same thing with their friends. I think a lot of kids struggle with their body image and self-esteem during puberty because so much emphasis is put specifically on the body and the changes that are happening to it.”

Ball explains that girls typically begin puberty around age 8 or 9 and boys typically

begin puberty about a year or two later than girls. To avoid children experiencing uncomfortableness and insecurity surrounding their changing body, she says it’s important for parents to talk to their child about puberty before it begins.

“Kids like to connect and like to hear that you have gone through these types of things,” says Dr. Keili Mistovich, pediatrician and co-founder of Greater Cleveland Pediatrics. “All of our bodies change and adapt and go through puberty in our own special way. There’s nothing wrong with you if you start puberty earlier or later than others.”

She adds it is important for kids to know there is not one ‘right’ body type and there is no ‘one size fits all’ look to puberty. Some kids may be worried if they are growing too much hair or if they aren’t growing hair at all, but Mistovich says this is all normal.

“If they do happen to be a kid who has a lot of body hair, and they don’t like having a lot of body hair, they don’t necessarily just have to live with that,” she says. “And I think it’s important also that if a kid really wants to shave or thin their hair or if they are a girl who’s got facial hair and they want to remove it, there’s certainly things that adults can help kids with to allow them to feel some control

over the situation.”

It is important to acknowledge whether your child wants their body hair removed or not. Some girls may want to remove their armpit hair or leg hair or start tweezing their eyebrows. Some boys may start growing back hair, stomach hair or facial hair and may want it removed. Remind your child that having body hair is not a bad thing, and if having no body hair makes them feel confident, then that is their choice. Have a conversation with your child and decide what is the best avenue for them to feel comfortable in their own skin.

“I think that it is important to give kids a lot of autonomy in this area and to help them and to reassure them that there isn’t a right answer for this,” Mistovich says. “If they decide that they want to shave, teach them how to do it, and teach them the right ways of taking care of their body hair and how to properly remove it. What we really need to be communicating to kids is there’s no right answer to any of this. It’s really about embracing who you are and being comfortable in your own skin and knowing that people are different.”

Step Into Dance:

After School Dance Programs Across Northeast Ohio Can Benefit Kids

Kids can step into dance classes at art centers and dance studios across the Northeast Ohio region. They benefit from the diverse opportunities that are available. From ballet and contemporary to hip-hop and jazz, there’s something for kids of all ages and interest levels.

Dance allows kids of all abilities to explore the arts, expand their skills, build bonds with friends and the community, and much more.

EVERY STEP IS CELEBRATED

Starting dance might feel daunting for kids, but it can open doors they didn’t think possible.

“In dance, every step, even baby steps are celebrated, and quite often, kids are working toward a performance aspect,” says Melanie Szucs, associate director of dance education at Beck Center for the Arts. “The children

By Ginny McCabe

get comfortable being in front of people, and even though they’re not talking in front of people, they are dancing in front of people. Somehow, that carries over into school and they are more comfortable getting in front of people.”

She says there can be different reasons at different ages for kids to get involved in dance.

Dance can provide kids with new experiences and help to build confidence. It can also offer physical activity and exercise.

“For our young students, quite often, it’s their first experience away from mom or dad. So, it’s the social aspect of it, being with other children their age, by themselves,” Szucs says. “We do a lot of gross motor skills and coordination exercises, and creative dance, where they can just do their own thing and feel good about it. Then, as kids get older, it goes into all the physical activity

that they are getting, which children don’t get anymore. There’s also a teamwork aspect that comes from working with their peers, and the discipline of it, which is such a bene fit, it carries over into their schoolwork.”

Mitchel Federan, director at Center Stage Dance Studio in Northfield says it’s import ant to be well-rounded as a dancer.

The studio offers programs in ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, contemporary, lyrical and acrobatics.

“I think part of it is each student is unique and can individualize the different styles in different ways,” Federan says.“Dance is such a healthy, confidence-building activity.”

He said the studio often brings in guest and master teachers to help show the dancers what they could do with each style of dance.

For dance, there is no one-size-fits-all ap proach, as everyone has different goals. Some

are taking classes for fun or as Federan says the “joy of dance” but he notes, all options are available for dancers in Northeast Ohio.

He adds while it’s important to have that foundation, for those looking to go beyond recreational, more doors open if they are a versatile dancer.

Talise Campbell, executive artistic director at Djapo Cultural Arts Institute says the benefits of dance that carry over into all other areas of life.

“Kids are all day long dealing with math, science, English, history, and all the other subjects, and that can be stressful,” she says. “So, I find that introducing them to any art form, specifically dance, because it encompasses music, movement and all of those wonderful things helps with relieving stress, but it also comes with other benefits, including focus, dedication, discipline and the knowledge of learning about other art forms from all over the world is fantastic.”

THE ART OF DANCE

“Dance is art, and we can’t have a society, or function without art,” Campbell says. “Art heals. Art saves lives, and dance is art. I don’t want to see any kids who have ever grown up and haven’t had the opportunity to take a dance class. Dance is for boys and girls. I would encourage kids to participate in some form of dance, sometime in their lives.”

Class offerings at Djapo include Tai Chi, West African dance, West African drumming, along with a professional guest artist series, where children and families are introduced to artists from around the world, focusing on different genres of dance.

“We have people coming together to learn about each other through art and through dance,” Campbell says.

Szucs says there’s so much connection now between the arts,

“Visual art is connected to dance, and there’s dance on film, which has become a whole new art, of course, music and theater, they are all intertwined,” she says. It’s like a whole new realm of dance. Since COVID, people are taking the time to connect things in a different way,”

BEGINNING TO ADVANCED SKILLS

Catherine Leneghan, director of Leneghan Academy of Irish Dance notes dance is great for the mind-body connection.

“Children can develop their coordination while also focusing on learning the steps,” she says. “Learning to move their bodies in a very specific way to fit the music uses so many skills. Dance also provides children and their parents with a different cohort than their classmates at school. A child who may be struggling with school socialization will have a whole new group of friends at dance class.”

Later starters can be discouraged if they are in classes with younger children while they progress. Every child is different: what might be “too young” for one child might be perfect for another.

“The tangible skills of counting the music, mastering their steps, learning how to perform at different venues, etc.,” Leneghan says. “They learn to be on time and organized. They develop time management skills to balance school/dance/other activities. They learn the value of taking care of their bodies, hydrating, stretching, and proper rest. They learn to accept corrections and compliments. They know how to be gracious in victory and defeat. They develop empathy toward others.”

Elizabeth Bolander, executive director at Fairmount Center for the Arts, adds it’s exciting to see students grow and thrive throughout the course of their dance session.

“We really find that there’s a confidence-building there, whether they are a beginning ballerina, who is just taking their first steps on stage, and maybe, the little three-year-olds don’t remember all the steps, but we’re really proud of them just because they went out and tried, to our more advanced dancers, who are often taking multiple classes, and they’re having to learn how to manage all of that, keep it all straight in their heads, and they’re performing these beautiful, multiple dances in a performance,” she says.

“We are all about giving people an opportunity to explore the arts. So, it’s a more recreational dance program,” Bolander adds “so, it’s perfect to fit in among many other interests that your student might have. It’s a nice blend. It’s more inclusive, and we welcome people no matter where they are in their state on the dance journey, but there’s also opportunities for people to specialize and really dive in deep, if that’s their interest.”

After School Progra m s Guide ACTIVITIES and

CENTER STAGE DANCE STUDIO

Learn and grow at Center Stage Dance Studio by registering now for fall classes. As they celebrate their 35th anniversary in Northfield, Center Stage provides a positive and supportive environment. From beginner through advanced, the studio offers high quality instruction from professional and fun teachers. Take classes in ballet, jazz, hip hop, acrobatics, tap, and more. centerstageohio.com

CLEVELAND CITY DANCE

Confidence, Camaraderie and Community. Watch your child’s eyes sparkle with delight as their confidence grows in a safe, family-friendly community where dreams come true. Friendships blossom while poise and technique grow with inspiring and compassionate teachers. Nurture mind and body for ages 2 to 85 with ballet, jazz, tap, modern, musical theater and more. Yes, they have adult classes too. Performance opportunities include The Uniquely Cleveland Nutcracker. clevelandcitydance.com

CLEVELAND PUBLIC LIBRARY

A city that reads together grows together. That’s the purpose behind the Cleveland READS Citywide Reading Challenge. There are three easy steps: Read. Log. Win! Books, magazines, comic books, and audiobooks all count. Log your reading online or complete a paper log and return to your Cleveland Public Library branch. Then, earn chances to win prizes and a lifetime of positive results. Join the challenge today at clevelandreads.com

FAIRMOUNT CENTER FOR THE ARTS

School-aged children can discover their artistic talents through a variety of dance, music, theatre, and visual arts classes and workshops. Private music lessons in voice, piano, guitar, ukulele, flute, and more allow for customized instruction. Students can also participate in one of Fairmount’s dance performing groups (Fairmount Dance Company or Hip Hop Crew) or the new Youth Chamber Ensemble and Fairmount Children’s Chorus. When school’s out, students can enjoy special multi-arts camp days at Fairmount. fairmountcenter.org

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GIRL SCOUTS OF NORTH EAST OHIO

Girl Scouts is a way of life that brings out the best in your girl and helps her bring out the best in everyone around her. While she’s learning about STEM, the outdoors, entrepreneurship, and important life skills, she’s also discovering new ways to make your family and community stronger, kinder, and better for everyone. Girl Scouts of North East Ohio is excited to welcome you and your girl! Register for Girl Scouts at gsneo.org/join.

GOLDFISH SWIM SCHOOL

Summer never ends at Goldfish Swim School! Stay in the pool after kids go back to school this fall! Kids need consistent, high quality swim lessons in order to develop and maintain water safety skills. Contact the Goldfish Swim School nearest you for more information about swim lessons. Goldfish Swim School has locations in Cleveland East Side, Fairview Park, Hudson, North Canton and Strongsville. Visit goldfishswimschool.com

KINDERMUSIK

Kindermusik is the world’s leader in early music education. Our Kindermusik Top Program awarded studio is on the border of Stow and Hudson, and looking for more families and teachers (trainees are welcome)! Check kindermusik.com/hudson to enroll and more information. Email kindermusikjules@gmail.com and mention this listings for a free intro class (normally $20).

MARTELL SCHOOL OF DANCE

Join Martell School of Dance for their 44th season. Offering preschool through adult classes at beginner through advanced levels, their dedicated Faculty provide educational dance instruction in ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, lyrical, modern, acro, fusion/ contemporary, hip-hop, clogging, musical theatre, and a variety of adult classes. With a newly renovated facility and family friendly studio environment, Martell School of Dance is ready to make you a part of their dance family. Visit martellschoolofdance.com

PROGRESS WITH CHESS

Registration is now open for the fall sessions (Sept-Oct and/or Oct-Dec) of Sunday classes, The premier Northeast Ohio chess training program for all skill levels at locations in Beachwood and Rocky River. Learn more at progresswithchess.org/sunday. In addition, Progress With Chess regularly hosts USCF-Rated tournaments for students throughout the Greater Cleveland Area. To view upcoming tournaments, visit progresswithchess.org/tournaments.

SYLVAN LEARNING

More than 7 million parents have trusted Sylvan to deliver results. Wherever your child is in the education journey, they can help. Their caring teachers are experts at encouraging and motivating kids to learn, grow, and flourish. Sylvan provides personalized learning plans for K-12 students in reading, math, writing, study skills, and ACT/SAT test prep. Get ready for a big impact in school, at homework time, and in life. sylvanlearning.com

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Sunday, October 8 at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Stillwater Place

from 11 - 2

See ad on page 51

TALESPINNER CHILDREN’S THEATER

Talespinner Children’s Theatre is offering classes, camps, and production opportunities for students aged 0-16 during the 2023-2024 school year, from their new home at 78th Street Studios. There’s so much to love in the education department at Talespinner: small class sizes, adaptive and inclusive programming, highly qualified and passionate teaching artists, opportunities to learn and grow, and more. Visit talespinnercle.org/classes for contact information, program descriptions, prices, and registration.

VERB BALLET

The Youth Academy at the Verb, “Ohio Contemporary Ballet” Center offers the highest quality dance education for ages 3-14. Through their internationally recognized Cecchetti Ballet syllabus, students build a strong foundation in ballet technique, coordination, and performance presence. They also offer classes in musical theatre, contemporary, jazz and hip hop plus masterclass opportunities. Their preschool classes offer a fun and engaging introduction to ballet. Students showcase their talents in performance opportunities, including with their professional ballet company. verbballets.org

AD V E N T U R E S IN Blo

om

Exploring Sunflower Fields Around Northeast Ohio

BY SHANA O’MALLEY-SMITH

It’s officially the time of year when rows of towering sunflowers begin popping up in farm fields and gardens across Northeast Ohio. The bright yellow petals are a symbol of summer days and they’re also the very first sign that fall will soon be on the horizon. Our region is lucky enough to have a bounty of sunflower fields for families to visit from now through early fall. Take a stroll through a maze of these whimsical beauties, take some family photos, cut your own bouquet or enjoy a sunflower festival during these last days of summer.

A FEW THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE YOU VISIT

Many sunflower fields are located on private farms and landowners invite the public to enjoy their blooms during specific times of the year. Bloom time varies depending on when the flowers were planted and how the weather cooperates during the growing period. Before visiting, make sure to check the farm’s hours and rules for visiting. It’s also a good idea to know their policy on things like photography and cutting or taking flowers from the property. Here are a few local Sunflower Farms to checkout.

22 Acres Farm, Newark, 22acresfarm.com/sunflower

Enjoy 5 acres of photo taking and memory making opportunities.

Harp's Harvest, Massillon, facebook.com/harpsharvest Wander, take photos and cut your own flowers to take home.

White House Fruit Farm, Canfield, whitehousefruitfarm.com

Bring your family and friends to enjoy the fields and flowers.

Maria’s Field of Hope, locations in Avon and Cedar Point, prayersformaria.com

The Sunflower field was inspired by the memory and spirit of Maria McNamara and first planted in 2014 as a way to love and honor courageous children battling cancer and those we have lost. It typically blooms in September during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

Shady Acres Farm, Columbia Station, shadyacresfarmohio.com

This farm sustainably grows flowers for cutting, highlighting dahlias and sunflowers. Visit their roadside stand during the summer months with fresh cut bouquets and homegrown vegetables.

Greenfield Berry Farm, Peninsula, greenfieldberryfarm.com

Pick your own bouquet when the fields are in bloom.

Rogish Farm, Chesterland, rogishfarm.com

Experience the sunflower fields first-hand and cut your own bouquet to take home.

Medina Sunflower Farm, Wadsworth

This is a seasonal farm that is only open when the flowers are in bloom. Check their Facebook page, Medina Sunflower Farm, for updates.

Kuchta Farms, Newton Falls, kuchtafarms.com

Explore the beautiful blooms of the sunflower fields beginning September 10.

Ramseyer Farms, Wooster, ramseyerfarms.com

Enjoy this 9-acre flower field loaded with thousands of sunflowers and zinnias.

Arrowhead Orchard, Paris, arrowheadorchard.com

Visit during their seasonal hours for sunflower field walks and to cut your own bouquet.

Sunny Slope Orchard, Navarre, sunnyslopeapples.com

Featuring locally grown produce and a seasonal sunflower field.

Burnham Orchards, Berlin Heights, burnhamorchards.com

Visit this family owned and operated orchard for fruit, farm fun and a seasonal sunflower field.

Kuchta Farms

PHOTO BY LAURA WATILO BLAKE | TRUMBULL TOURISM

YOU WILL NEED: cardstock in yellow and green acrylic paint in black and brown scissors a glue stick

DIRECTIONS:

1. Begin by tracing your child’s handprint. You will need 4 handprints of the yellow paper. Fold the paper lengthwise and then in half again to make 4 sections, then trace the handprint on the front so you can cut out 4 at one time.

2. Also cut a handprint out of the green cardstock, as well as a long strip for the stem.

3. Glue the green handprint onto the stem.

4. Glue one palm of one yellow handprint on top of another to form a flower shape.

5. Dip a fingertip into the black paint. Paint fingerprints in a circular pattern in the center of the sunflower. Add a few brown fingerprints, too, for dimension. Let the glue dry.

6. Glue the sunflower top onto the stem. (ourkidthings.com/handprint-sunflower-craft)

S U N F L O W E R S E E D B R I T T L E

INGREDIENTS:

1 tbsp. unsalted butter

1 cup salted dry roasted

sunflower seeds

¼ tsp. salt

1 cup sugar

*optional add a few drops of honey or pure vanilla extract for additional flavor

DIRECTIONS:

1. Butter a large baking sheet and set aside

2. Melt butter in a sauce pan

3. Add seeds and salt and mix well (keep warm)

4. Melt sugar in a heavy skillet over medium heat, stir constantly

5. When sugar is golden brown, quickly stir in the warm seeds

6. Pour onto baking sheet and spread with a spoon into a 10-inch square

7. Let cool until firm

8. Break into pieces and store in an airtight container (food.com/recipe/sunflower-seedbrittle-32129)

Sunflower Festivals

Maria’s Field of Hope

Sunflower Soiree

AUGUST 11 The Sunflower Soiree is a truly special evening where we come together to unite for kids and families battling brain cancer. prayersfrommaria.org

Coshocton Sunflower Festival, Coshocton

AUGUST 11-13 It’s the peak bloom window that we've all been waiting for. Wagon ride takes you to the field where you'll experience over 50 varieties of sunflowers, live music, food trucks, a wine & beer garden and craft vendors. coshoctonsunflowerfestival.com

Maize Valley Sunflower Festival, Hartville

AUGUST 26 AND SEPTEMBER 2

This event features acres of sunflowers creating a beautiful backdrop for the perfect photo. There will be over 100 artisans and makers of handcrafted items such as jewelry, leather goods, wood working, painting, fiber and more. Take a break from shopping and selfies and enjoy some delicious food from one of the food truck vendors, or from the Maize Valley kitchen. maizevalley.com

For more sunflower fields, visit NortheastOhioParent.com

Dealing with Preschool Separation Anxiety?

(For you too, parents)

By Aisha Taylor

When my twins first started school, I dropped them off and assured them everything was going to be okay. Then, I slowly walked back to my car as I tried not to cry. I didn’t know how they would manage without me at school and I didn’t know what I was going to do while they were at school. I wasn’t ready. Can you relate? If so, you aren’t alone.

Sara Miller, director of Carol Nursery School, says “I think it’s hard for every parent to drop their child off at school because they are dropping their child off with people they don’t know. That’s a big ask to have that trust. That can cause separation anxiety or regular anxiety.”

MANAGING SEPARATION ANXIETY STARTS WITH YOU

Don’t worry if your child also experiences separation anxiety. It is common among children and is a healthy part of child development. However, the degree of separation anxiety varies by child. This is why it’s important for parents to manage their own emotions and pay attention to their children to know how to best support them throughout this process.

Dr. Jay Berk, child and family psychologist, says children can sense their parent’s anxiety. This can make the child nervous instead of sending the message, ‘I know that you can handle this.’

Parents can reduce their anxiety by building trust. The foundation to building trust, according to Miller, is “choosing a school whose philosophy matches your philosophy.” This is done by building a relationship with the people in the school and asking as many questions as you need to in order to feel comfortable with the program, process, building, and teachers.

MILLER RECOMMENDS ASKING:

• What is the process for separation?

• What will you do to help my child?

• What does the first day of school look like?

• What do you do before school starts?

• What do you do to help integrate my child into the program safely and securely?

• Am I allowed to stay if my child is struggling and where would that be?

• Am I allowed to come into the classroom?

• What are your policies on parents helping out in the classroom or school?

• What is their discipline policy?

• What do they do if the child is sad or hurt?

• How do they care for and nurture the children?

When parents feel trust with the school, they are better equipped to help their child to develop the trust to overcome separation anxiety. “The child needs to trust they are okay because if the child is anxious about where their parents are, when they will get picked up, and when the day will end, then they aren’t learning. However, once the child is settled and safe, then the learning and socialization can begin,” Miller adds.

PREPARE BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS

Helping your child prepare for the first day of school can minimize separation anxiety. Miller recommends parents:

• Visit the school with their child.

• If there is a playground, take them to the playground over the summer and begin talking about how this is their special playground and they can play there with their friends.

• If parents can get into the building, use the bathrooms so the child can see what that looks like.

• Make a book about what school will look like. You can do this by taking pictures of the classroom. If you can’t go into the classroom to take pictures, then draw your own or clip them out of a magazine.

• Read a book about going to school for the first time to help your child to mentally prepare for school.

However, Miller cautions parents not to start too soon.

“That can cause more anxiety, because children don’t have a sense of time,” she says. “But, parents know their child and how much information they can handle.”

HOW TO SUPPORT A CHILD WITH SEPARATION ANXIETY ONCE SCHOOL STARTS

This process may take time, so be patient. Use positive language to reinforce that your child is safe during this process. Miller recommends using the phrases, “You’re okay. You’re going to be okay.” “I will be right back.” Don’t say “You’re okay, right?” The last phrase is a question and it can cause your child to feel uncertain about whether he/she is safe.

“Your goal is not to solve that anxiety situation, but to build your child’s toolkit that they can carry with them through different situations and experiences,” Berk advises. This toolbox includes helping children to develop the skills to handle situations that can be uncomfortable.

Also, do not talk about leaving your child. Miller says “if you can stay, tell your child, ‘I will stay with you as long as you need me to stay.’” If the policy requires you to leave, then be honest and tell your child you can’t stay. Instead, tell your child. ‘I found you the best school ever, you will have the best teacher ever, and your teacher will be there to play with you, and after I will pick you up.’ This will help your child to be excited about the upcoming school year.

WHAT IF THE CHILD NEEDS MORE SUPPORT?

Some children may need more support than others. The level of separation anxiety can be impacted by a child’s personality type, major life changes, a loss of a loved one, socialization during the pandemic, fear of making friends, or more.

“The pandemic had a major impact on separation anxiety, because children weren’t able to develop skills that they normally would have developed,” Berk says. “Therefore, parents and teachers may need to provide the child with extra support.”

IF A CHILD IS HAVING DIFFICULTIES SEPARATING, BERK RECOMMENDS TO PARENTS:

• Attach pictures and cards with messages from home to a ring for the child to flip

through.

• Give 10 envelopes to the teacher. Each morning the child gets an envelope that contains an encouraging message from the parent.

• Ask deeper questions. Get to the source of why your child is having trouble separating. If you don’t get to the source, then the separation anxiety can reoccur.

• Put the electronics away. There are a lot of natural opportunities in everyday life to develop social skills that will also help to reduce separation anxiety.

IT’S POSSIBLE FOR THE CHILD TO BACKSLIDE

Separation anxiety isn’t limited to the first week of school. For some children, the separation anxiety starts after the first few weeks or later.

“Separation anxiety can impact some children at two weeks while it can impact others at six weeks,” Miller says. Some children who had previously overcome separation anxiety can backslide and begin having difficulty again. However, this isn’t something to worry about. She doesn’t want parents to be alarmed and recommends parents to encourage their child and then go through the process again. Typically, this is a shorter process because they already mastered this before.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU ARE STILL HAVING A HARD TIME?

Even after asking questions, researching the school, and successfully helping your child master the transition into preschool, it’s possible that parents can still feel anxiety. If you are still struggling, Miller says to “walk away with good posture and then cry, if you need to, once you get around the corner. If you don’t, the child will wonder if they really are safe at school.” Also, speak to someone at the school or a therapist about your emotions so you become more comfortable with your child at school.

The earlier you teach your child how to deal with preschool separation anxiety, and master them yourself, the more successful your child will be at overcoming separation anxiety in the future. Your goal is to create an independent, well-functioning adult. Believe it or not, managing preschool separation anxiety well for both parent and child is a critical building block towards achieving this goal.

Potty Training

101

When Are Kids Ready to Toilet Train?

Many parents are unsure about when to start toilet training or “potty training.” Not all kids are ready at the same age, so it’s important to watch your child for signs of readiness, such as stopping an activity for a few seconds or clutching his or her diaper.

Instead of using age, look for signs that your child may be ready to start heading for the potty, such as being able to:

• follow simple instructions

• understand and use words about using the potty

• make the connection between the urge to pee or poop and using the potty

• keep a diaper dry for two hours or more

• get to the potty, sit on it for enough time, and then get off the potty

• pull down diapers, disposable training pants, or underpants

• show an interest in using the potty or wearing underpants

Most children begin to show these signs when they’re between ages 18 and 24 months old, though some may not be ready until later than that. And boys often start later and take longer to learn to use the potty than girls.

There are some times when you may want to put off starting toilet training, such as:

• when traveling

• around the birth of a sibling

• changing from the crib to the bed

• moving to a new house

• when your child is sick (especially if diarrhea is a factor)

HOW LONG DOES TOILET TRAINING TAKE?

Teaching a toddler to use the potty isn’t an overnight task. It often takes between 3 and 6 months, but can take more or less time for some children. If you start too soon, the process tends to take longer. And it can take months to even years to master staying dry at night.

Potty Types

The two basic potty options are:

• a standalone, toddler-size potty chair with a bowl that can be emptied into the toilet

• a toddler-size seat that can be placed on top of a toilet seat that will let your child feel more secure and not fear falling in. If you choose this, get a stepping stool so your child can reach the seat comfortably and feel supported while having a bowel movement.

It’s usually best for boys to first learn to use the toilet sitting down before learning to pee standing up. For boys who feel awkward — or scared — about standing on a stool to pee in the toilet, a potty chair may be a better option.

You may want to get a training potty or seat for every bathroom in your house. You may even want to keep a potty in the trunk of your car for emergencies. When traveling long distances, be sure to take a potty seat with you and stop every 1 to 2 hours. Otherwise, it can take too long to find a restroom.

About Training Pants

Disposable training pants are a helpful step between diapers and underwear. Because kids’ nighttime bladder and bowel control often lags behind their daytime control, some parents like using training pants at night. Others prefer that their child use training pants when they’re out and about. Once the training pants remain dry for a few days, kids can make the switch to wearing underwear. But some people think that disposable training pants might make kids think it’s OK to use them like diapers, thus slowing the toilet-teaching process. Ask your doctor if your child would benefit from using disposable training pants as a transitional step.

Tips for Toilet Training

Even before your child is ready to try the potty, you can prepare your little one by teaching about the process:

• Use words to express the act of using the toilet (“pee,” “poop,” and “potty”).

• Ask your child to let you know when a diaper is wet or soiled.

• Identify behaviors (“Are you going poop?”) so that your

child can learn to recognize the urge to pee and poop.

• Get a potty chair your child can practice sitting on. At first, your child can sit on it wearing clothes or a diaper. When ready, your child can go bare-bottomed.

Common Toilet Training Problems

Many kids who’ve been using the potty have some trouble during times of stress. For example, a 2- or 3-year-old dealing with a new sibling may start having accidents.

But if your child was potty-trained and is regularly having problems, talk with your doctor.

Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about toilet training or your child is 4 years or older and is not yet potty trained.

• Set aside some time to devote to the potty-training

Don’t make your child sit on the toilet against his or

Establish a routine. For example, you may want to begin by having your child sit on the potty after waking with a dry diaper, or 45 minutes to an hour after drinking lots of liquids. Only put your child on the potty for a few minutes a couple of times a day, and let your child get up if he or she wants to.

Have your child sit on the potty within 15 to 30 minutes after meals to take advantage of the body’s natural tendency to have a bowel movement after eating (this is called the gastro-colic reflex). Also, many kids have a time of day they tend to have a bowel movement.

Ask your child to sit on the potty if you see clear clues of needing to go to the bathroom, such as crossing legs, grunting, or squatting.

• Empty a bowel movement (poop) from your child’s diaper into the toilet, and tell your child that poop goes in the potty.

• Avoid clothes that are hard to take off, such as overalls.

Kids who are potty training need to be able to undress themselves.

• Offer your child small rewards, such as stickers or time reading, every time your child goes in the potty. Keep a chart to track successes. Once your little one appears to be mastering the use of the toilet, let him or her pick out a few new pairs of big-kid underwear to wear.

• Make sure all caregivers — including babysitters, grandparents, and childcare workers — follow the same routine and use the same names for body parts and bathroom acts. Let them know how you’re handling toilet training and ask that they use the same approaches so your child won’t be confused.

• Praise all attempts to use the toilet, even if nothing happens. And remember that accidents will happen. It’s important not to punish potty-training children or show disappointment when they wet or soil themselves or the bed. Instead, tell your child that it was an accident and offer your support. Reassure your child that he or she is well on the way to using the potty like a big kid.

If you’ve decided that your child is ready to start learning how to use the potty, these tips may help:

Have a stack of your child’s favorite books next to the potty to entertain them while they wait.

☑

Preschool Developmental Checklist

Thinking about enrolling your child into preschool? You want to know if they are ready for this first school step. Here’s some milestones — movement, language, cognitive, emotional, social — for ages 3 and 4 according to the American Academy of Pediatrics to think about as you make your decision to send them off to school.

• Is your child becoming more mobile and steady with their hands and feet?

• How is your child’s motor development — can they draw shapes, use child-safe scissors or play with blocks?

• Can your child use three-word or more sentences, use words that are 75 percent understandable by strangers or tell stories?

• Does your child understand some colors or numbers, engage in imaginative play or follow three-part directions?

• Think about your child’s independence. Does your child dress or undress, eat independently, or be in a social setting with children or strangers?

• Can your child use the bathroom independently?

Book Nook for Preschoolers

Doggies

By Sandra Boynton

Big dogs, little dogs, short and long hair, powerful woofs, and tiny yaps are packed into this deceptively simple counting book that gets noisier with every page. Perfect for reading to little ones and doggies alike, this book will have the youngest of readers and their grown-ups howling with laughter.

What Will My Story Be?

By Nidhi Chanani

After spending an afternoon listening to her aunties tell her stories from their pasts, a young girl ruminates on all of the tales that she can create using her imagination and begins to feel as if the possibilities for her future are endless.

Watch Me Throw the Ball! An Elephant and Piggie Book

By Mo Willems

Gerald is determined to teach Piggie that ball-throwing is serious business, but Piggie is just as determined to have serious fun.

How Do Dinosaurs Play with Their Friends?

By

Jane Yolen

and illustrated by Mark Teague

Laugh-aloud illustrations, along with playful text, this book hopes to show children that “playing nice” can be easy and fun.

From Head to Toe

By Eric Carle

A colorful and energetic book that will have young readers clapping their hands, stomping their feet, and wiggling their toes by following along with animal friends.

Preschool, Here I Come!

By D.J. Steinberg and illustrated by John Joven

From saying goodbye to parents on the very first day of school to watching butterflies hatch in spring, this celebrates all the landmark moments of preschool.

Preschool Guide Listings

CLEVELAND MONTESSORI SCHOOL

Cleveland Montessori has been serving the Little Italy and Greater Cleveland community for over 25 years, providing an education for life, which celebrates diversity, growth and joy. Students from preschool through eighth grade are met with respect and compassion as they strive to meet their individual potential in beautifully prepared classrooms that offer social, emotional and academic experiences in a unique urban setting. Apply now for 2023-24. 216-421-0700, info@cleveland montessori.org, clevelandmontessori.org

CREATIVE PLAYROOMS Creative

Playrooms

Montessori and Child Care Centers

give children a leg up as they begin to climb the ladder of lifetime learning. Their gifted educators help kids fall in love with learning, and their centers focus on enriching the whole child — physically, emotionally, and cognitively — through their traditional and play-based Montessori approach. As an award-winning childcare provider with six locations and 50-plus years of experience in the Greater Cleveland area, Creative Playrooms offers multiple programs for infants through school-age, but also provides families an additional choice of traditional or montessori programs. creativeplayrooms.com

GILMOUR ACADEMY

Gilmour’s Montessori Preschool Program serves toddlers (18 months to age 3) three or five days/week; half-or full-day and prekindergarten (ages 3-4) five days/week; half-, three-quarter- or full-day. Montessori students enjoy unique opportunities including Spanish instruction and experiential learning opportunities such as collecting eggs from their chicken coop. Before and after care available for those who would like to extend their day. Students then move seamlessly into the Lower School for grades K-12, where they continue to develop as curious learners. gilmour.org

- CONTINUED ON PAGE 36 -

HAWKEN SCHOOL

Hawken School, a co-ed toddler-12th grade day school, offers a nationally recognized early childhood program on its Lyndhurst campus. The school’s forward-focused mission of preparation through the development of character and intellect applies to even its youngest students through a dual commitment to academic and social curricula. Teachers put students at the center of learning by focusing on language development, science inquiry, math awareness, creative arts exploration, and social and emotional growth. hawken.edu

LAKE ERIE NATURE & SCIENCE CENTER

As one of the first and largest nature-based preschool programs in the region, Lake Erie Nature & Science Center serves children ages 1 to 6 with age-appropriate activities to support social, physical and academic development. Children explore the wonders of science and nature with hands-on activities, crafts, music, live animal encounters, and planetarium shows. The surrounding 100-acre parkland and access to Lake Erie serve as an extended classroom for outdoor adventures. lensc.org/preschool-programs

MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS

Montessori School of University Heights, established in 1968, is a pre-primary school dedicated to helping each child become the unique person his/her creator intended in a Christian atmosphere of peace, love and respect. Children enter at age 3 and remain through their kindergarten year. The Montessori approach involves: providing comprehensive, individualized opportunities for growth; engaging children in a caring, supportive community; and developing concentration, independence, self-discipline, compassion, confidence, and joy in learning. 216-381-8388, ms-uh.org

THE MUSIC SETTLEMENT

Early Childhood at TMS offers morning & full-day preschool and kindergarten programs with a creative curriculum that includes music, drama, social/ emotional learning, and more! Our courses foster brain and social development, build confidence, encourage expression, and promote play. Offering open enrollment, generous financial aid options and an inclusive community, TMS has campuses in Cleveland’s Ohio City and University Circle. Early Childhood Open House is on Thursday, November 9 from 5:30-7 p.m. at both campuses. themusicsettlement.org

PIONEER PRESCHOOL

At Pioneer Preschool they provide a caring and loving Christian environment that encourages children to develop spiritually, socially, emotionally, physically and cognitively, in preparation for kindergarten. They offer a 2-year old class, 3-year old class and 4/5-year old Pre-K class. Pioneer Preschool has been educating young minds for over 45 years. Their school day is 9-11:30 a.m. with daily enrichments offered ending at 12:30 p.m. For a tour or more information contact director@pioneerpreschool.org or visit pioneerpreschool.org

SPRING GARDEN WALDORF SCHOOL Spring Garden

Waldorf School

offers a nurturing and joyful early childhood education that fosters a child’s intellectual, physical and social-emotional capacities. Their warm classrooms are filled with natural materials and activities that help your child’s imagination and curiosity flourish. Their outdoor space – where children spend half their day – is ideal for developmentally appropriate learning through play with peers. Each day little ones give and receive empathy, respect and kindness while reaching developmental milestones. sgws.org

ST. PAUL WESTLAKE

St. Paul has served the Westlake community for 165 years. St. Paul lead teachers for their preschool programs are highly educated specialists that provide a rich academic environment and share the love of Jesus with students every day. They offer a preschool 3-year-old program for both full and half days (5 days) and a pre-kindergarten program for 4-year-olds full day (5 days). Contact admissions@ stpaulwestlake.org or visit at stpaulwestlake.school

- CONTINUED ON PAGE 38 -

Preschool Guide Listings

YMCA OF GREATER CLEVELAND

Y-Club helps hundreds of children every day reach their fullest potential in a welcoming, supportive environment. By incorporating the values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility into all of their youth programs they give children the solid foundation they need to thrive. Preschool at the YMCA is like a home away from home, where kids ages 3-5 years of age laugh, learn and explore while creating memories and friendships that last a lifetime. clevelandymca.org

Kid Reader DJ Lily Jade

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School open houses

COMMUNION OF SAINTS SCHOOL

2160 Stillman Road, Cleveland Heights 216-932-4177, communionofsaintsschool.org

Aug. 28: 8:30 a.m.

Nov. 12: 12-1 p.m.

GILMOUR ACADEMY

34001 Cedar Road, Gates Mills 440-473-8050, gilmour.org/visit

Oct. 8: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

HAWKEN SCHOOL

Lower & Middle Schools

5000 Clubside Road, Lyndhurst 440-423-4446, hawken.edu

Sept. 27: 9 a.m.

Upper School

12465 County Line Road, Gates Mills 440-423-4446, hawken.edu

Sept.19: 6 p.m.

Mastery School

11025 Magnolia Dr., Cleveland 440-423-4446, hawken.edu

Sept. 20: 9 a.m.

HERSHEY MONTESSORI

Upper SchoolHuntsburg Campus

11530 Madison Road, Huntsburg Twp. 440-636-6290, hershey-montessori.org

Sept. 1, Oct. 9, Nov. 13: 9-11 a.m.

Sept. 15, Oct. 13, Nov. 17: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Lower SchoolConcord Campus

10229 Prouty Road, Concord Twp. 440-357-0918, hershey-montessori.org

Oct. 18, Nov. 8: 9-11 a.m.

JULIE BILLIART

SCHOOLS

Akron

380 Mineola Ave., Akron 330-333-5280, juliebilliartschool.org

Oct. 19: 6 p.m.

Brecksville

8611 Wiese Rd, Brecksville juliebilliartschool.org

Oct. 24, Nov. 14: 9:30 a.m.

Lyndhurst

4982 Clubside Road, Lyndhurst 216-381-1191, juliebilliartschool.org

Aug. 29: 6 p.m.

Nov. 10: 9 a.m.

Westlake Campus

3600 Crocker Road, Westlake 440-471-4150, juliebilliartschool.org

Sept. 20: Noon

LAKEWOOD

CATHOLIC ACADEMY

14808 Lake Ave., Lakewood 216-521-0559, lcasaints.com

Oct. 15: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

LAUREL SCHOOL

Lyman Campus

1 Lyman Circle, Shaker Hts.

Oct 11: 5-7 p.m.

Butler Campus

7420 Fairmount Road, Novelty 216-464-1441, laurelschool.org

Oct. 18: 5-6:30 p.m.

LUTHERAN WEST HIGH SCHOOL

3850 Linden Road, Rocky River 440-333-1660, lutheranwest.com

Oct. 23: 5:30-7:30 p.m.

OUR LADY OF THE ELMS

1375 W Exchange St., Akron 330-836-9384, theelms.org

Oct. 4: 5:30-7 p.m.

PADUA FRANCISCAN HIGH SCHOOL

6740 State Road, Parma 440-845-2444, paduafranciscan.com

Oct. 15: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Oct. 16: 6-8 p.m.

UNIVERSITY SCHOOL

Hunting Valley Campus

(Grades 9-12) 2785 SOM Center Road, Hunting Valley 216-831-2200, us.edu

Oct. 15: 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Shaker Heights Campus

(Junior Kindergarten-Grade 8) 20701 Brantley Road, Shaker Heights 216-321-8260, us.edu

Oct. 15: 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

VILLA ANGELAST. JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL

18491 Lakeshore Blvd., Cleveland 216-481-8414, vasj.com

Oct. 8: 12 p.m.

Nov. 2: 6 p.m. Submit

August CA lenDAR

Drop-In Fun to Explore, Learn and Play

8/3

Inclusive Playground Drop-In. Families and siblings play and connect with other families and speak with early intervention support staff. 9 a.m.-noon. Cove Park, 15450 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, connectingforkids.org

8/6

Kids ROCK Block Party. Outdoor games, food, and a special concert for kids, Jessie Jukebox. 2-5 p.m. Vermillion River Reservation, 51211 N. Ridge Road, Vermillion, loraincountymetroparks.com

8/12

Touch-A-Truck. Sit in and explore more than a dozen Summit Metro Parks and local emergency response vehicles. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (Autism-friendly hours 9-10 a.m.) Munroe Falls Lake Area, 521 S. River Rd., summitmetroparks.org

Pick - a - day

TUESDAYS

Northeast Ohio Parent Event Series. Free, family-friendly entertainment with interactive activities for kids ages 2-9, northeastohioparent.com

Crocker Kids. 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Crocker Park, 189 Crocker Park Blvd., Westlake

Aug 8: Animal Fun with Jungle Terry

Fun At First & Main. 10 a.m.-noon, First and Main, Hudson

Aug. 15: Summer Sendoff Scavenger Hunt

Pinecrest Play Days. 11 a.m.1 p.m., Park Avenue, Orange

Village, Aug. 22: Jungle Terry and His Animal Friends

Reading to the Rescue. Children ages 5-12 are invited to read to a cat or dog. 12:30-2:30 p.m. Berea Animal Rescue Friends, 10015 E. River Road, Columbia Station, lorainpubliclibrary.org

TUESDAY & THURSDAY

Summer Farm Fun Days. Fun activities and animals that are patiently waiting for your arrival. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Through 8/17. Nickajack Farms, 2955 Manchester Ave., Canal Fulton, nickajackfarms.com

WEDNESDAYS

Centennial Plaza Movie Series. Free big-screen, outdoor family-friendly movies. Through 8/9. 7 p.m. Centennial Plaza, Downtown Canton, cantonpalacetheatre.org

Fun on the Farm. Pony and pony cart rides, horse rides and more. June-August. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Spring Mist Farms, 691 Pearl Road, Brunswick Hills, springmistfarms.com

Teen Aerial Class. An escape from the norm into an extraordinary atmosphere built on the foundation of personal growth, self-knowledge and pride. 6 p.m. Sky Aerial Studio, 4700 Lakeside Ave., Cleveland, skyaerialstudios.com

Homeschool: Visual Arts for Teens, Ceramics. Handbuilding, surface design and glazing techniques. 1:30 p.m. 9/6-27. Fairmount Center for the Arts, 8400 Fairmount Road, Novelty, fairmountcenter.org

WEDNESDAYS & SATURDAYS

Seiberling Explorers. Join in on select Wednesday mornings, Wednesday evenings or Saturday mornings for a variety of interactive adventures. Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, 714 N. Portage Path, Akron, stanhywet.org

THURSDAYS

Reading Rockstars. Children entering grades K through 3 are invited to attend this early literacy series encouraging strengthening beginning reading skills. Through 8/17. 10:45-11:30 a.m.

Mentor Public Library, 8215 Mentor Ave., mentorpl.org

Kids in the Garden. Weekly gardening program for children of all ages. 3:30-4:30 p.m. Summit Lake Nature Center, 411 Ira Ave., Akron, summitmetroparks.org

Storytime Stay & Play at the Maltz Museum. Come for storytime and then explore the museum. Through 8/24. 10:30 a.m. 2929 Richmond Road, Beachwood, maltzmuseum.org

FRIDAYS

Kids Nature Lunch & Learn. Explore, learn and play games while visiting our mobile nature center. Through 8/11. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Edgewater Beach, Lakefront Reservation, clevelandmetroparks.com

Walkabout Tremont. Feed your creative side with art vendors, live music, food, and more. Second Friday of each month. facebook.com/walkabout tremont

SATURDAYS

Family Saturdays at Skylight Park-Tower City. Games, crafts, live entertainment and more. First and third Saturdays. 12-4 p.m. 230 W. Huron Road, Cleveland, towercitycenter.com

YAY! Saturdays. Make arts, action and adventure a party of your family’s weekend routine. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Through 8/12. Wade Oval, University Circle, Cleveland, universitycircle.org

SUNDAYS

Family FUNday. Family-friendly games, movement-based activities, art, and more. First Sunday of each month. 1-4 p.m. Community Arts Center, West 25th St., Cleveland, clevelandart.org

Mentor Marsh Family Hike. Come explore the forest. 2-3:30 p.m. Cleveland Museum of Natural History, The Carol H. Sweet Nature Center, 5185 Corduroy Road, Mentor, cmnh.org

ongoing

THROUGH 8/6

Fin Fest: A Celebration of Sharks. Build a broader appreciation for the diversity, importance and plight of these JAWsome animals. Greater Cleveland Aquarium, 2000 Sycamore St., Cleveland, greaterclevelandaquarium. com

THROUGH 9/3

Into America’s Wild. Step off the beaten path and connect to your inner trailblazer in this cross-country journey at the Dome Theater. Great Lakes Science Center, 601 Erieside Ave., Cleveland, greatscience.com

Day - by - day

8/4

Bat Night. Keep your eyes to the skies to catch bats in flight. 7:30-9 p.m. Lakeview Cemetery, 12316 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, shakerlakes.org

Take a ride on the

LITTLE GREEN CHOO!

Rides run every 15 minutes, weather permitting First come, first served

8/5

Stand Up Paddleboarding. Learn to efficiently maneuver the board, stand, and get back on when you fall off.

9-11 a.m. or 1:30-3:30 p.m. Hinckley Lake Boathouse, 1 West Dr., clevelandmetroparks.com

8/5-6

Family Campout at Holden Arboretum. Learn how to cook a campfire meal, visit the trails at night and much more. 3 p.m.-11 a.m. 9500 Sperry Road, Kirtland, holdenarb.org

8/5-8

Bluey’s Big Play. Join the Heelers in their first live theatre show made just for you, featuring brilliantly created puppets. State Theatre at Playhouse Square, 1519 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, playhousesquare.org

8/6

Zoothing Hour. Open early for guests with different abilities who do not like loud noises and/or crowds. 9-10 a.m. Akron Zoo, 505 Euclid Ave., Akron, akronzoo.org

Kids’ Fishing. Kids ages 15 and younger learn the basics of fishing and drop a line in Little Turtle Pond. 10-11:30 a.m. 2400 Harrington Road, Akron, summitmetroparks.org

8/8

Poetry and Pizza. Get your creativity flowing by writing poems on what home means to you and enjoy eating pizza too. Grades 3-6. Portage Lakes Branch Library, 4261 Manchester Road, New Franklin, akronlibrary.org

8/9

Kids Nature Lunch & Learn. Explore, learn and play games while visiting the mobile nature center and enjoy a free lunch. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Euclid Creek Reservation, Highland Picnic Area, Euclid, clevelandmetroparks.com

Storytime Sprouts. Come explore the rainbow of The Wilderness Center with stories and activities. 10-11 a.m. 9877 Alabama Ave. SW, Wilmot, wildernesscenter.org

8/9 & 8/16

Dance-A-Story. Themed dance lesson, choreography and storytelling for ages 3-5. 11 a.m. French Creek Reservation, 4530 Colorado Ave., Sheffield Village, loraincountymetroparks.com

8/10

Engineering Hour. Use your imagination to build, play, create and learn. Grades K-5. 3:30-4:30 p.m. Bedford Branch Library, 70 Columbus Road, Bedford, cuyahogalibrary.org

8/10-13

Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical. The inspiring story of a girl who dreams of a better life. Weathervane Playhouse, 1301 Weathervane Lane, Akron, weathervaneplayhouse.com

8/12

Sandy and Beavery Canal Fishing Derby. For children ages 4-15, Bait will be provided. Bring your own pole. Magnolia Mill Pond, 261 N. Main St., Magnolia, starkparks.com

Adapted Storytime. Children with varying learning styles and abilities learn together in a safe, supportive environment. Ages 3-5 with caregiver. 10:30 a.m. Mayfield Branch Library, 500 SOM Center Road, Mayfield Village, cuyahogalibrary.org

Super Star Party. Discover all there is to know about our moon and the many others that are floating in space. 7-11 p.m. Penitentiary Glen Reservation, 8668 Kirtland Chardon Road, Willoughby, lakemetroparks.com

Junior Coders Club. Children pre-k to grade 3 are invited to explore coding, robotics, circuits and more. 11 a.m. Kent Free Library, 312 W. Main St., kentfreelibrary.org

8/13

Movie Night: Singin in the Rain. Bring your blankets and chairs to watch the greatest musical ever made. 8:30-11:30 p.m. Observatory Park, 10610 Clay St., Montville Township, geaugaparkdistrict.org

NABA Annual Butterfly Count. Learn about butterflies and join in the survey.

10:30 a.m. Towner’s Woods Park, 2264 Ravenna Road, Kent, co.portgage.oh.us

Sunday Backyard Movie: Coco. Bring the family and enjoy a family-friendly move with a friend under the sky.

8:45 p.m. Lock 3, 200 S. Main St., Akron, lock3live.com

8/14

Cuyahoga READS: Ready2Read Bootcamp. Will help incoming K-3rd graders identify letters and new sight words, practice reading and writing, and more. 5-6 p.m. Lee Road Branch Library, 2345 Lee Road, Cleveland Hts., heightslibrary.org

8/15

Home Disaster Preparedness. Learn the basic techniques and skills to prepare for the next unexpected emergency. 6-8 p.m. Barberton Public Library, 602 W. Park Ave., 330-745-1194, barberton.lib.oh.us

8/18

Adapted Alphabet Adventure: H is for Horses. Meet horses and enjoy a live horse tale. 1-2:30 p.m. Lake Metroparks Farmpark, 8800 Euclid Chardon Road, Kirtland, lakemetroparks.com

8/19

Super Science Saturday: Baby Birds. Learn the life of baby birds for a tweet, tweet, tweet time. 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Akron Fossils & Science Center, 2080 S. Cleveland Massillon Road, Copley, akronfossils.com

8/19-20

Milk & Honey Weekend. Explore the world of milk and honey at the Lake Metroparks Farmpark.

9 a.m.-5 p.m. 8800 Euclid Chardon Rd., Kirtland, lakemetroparks.com

8/20

Lovely Ladybugs. Come find out more about the variety of ladybugs as you hike to look for them. 2 p.m. River Styx Park, 8200 River Styx Road, Wadsworth, medinaparks.com

8/21

Tooth Fairy Storytime. Hear stories, make a fairy pouch and enjoy STEAM activities. Ages 2-6 with a caregiver. Chardon Branch Library, 110 E. Park St., divi.geaugalibrary.net

8/26

Skate Night at the Plaza. Lace up your skates for some old-school roller-skating action. 5-8 p.m. Cascade Plaza, 122 S. Main Street, Akron, lock3live.com

8/28

Music & Movement. For babies, toddlers and preschoolers. 10 a.m. Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library, 3512 Darrow Road, smfpl.org

8/3

Chardon KidsFest & Flea Market. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. (Flea Market). 12-3 p.m. (KidsFest). Chardon Square, chardon squareassociation. org

8/4

Balloons Over Wadsworth. A fun, family-friendly, and free community event. 5:30-8:00 p.m. Downtown Wadsworth, visitmedinacounty.com

8/4-6

Twins Days Festival. The world’s largest gathering of twins and other multiples. Glenn Chamberlin Park, 10260 Ravenna Road, Twinsburg, twinsdays.org

8/6

The FEST. Performances by national Christian musical artists, Kids Zone, and more. Center for Pastoral Leadership, 28700 Euclid Ave., Wickliffe, thefest.us

8/8-13

Cuyahoga County Fair. Rides, farm animals, bake-off, circus, dog shows and much more. Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, 19201 E. Bagley Rd., Berea, cuyfair.com

8/11-13

Sunflower Festival. Three acres of sunflowers, flower cutting, live music, and more. Coshocton KOA, 24688 County Rd. 10, coshocton sunflowerfestival.com

North Ridgeville Corn Festival. Fireworks, corn eating contest, kids’ games, and live entertainment. North Ridgeville School Campus, 34600 Bainbridge Rd., nrcornfest.org

8/12

Massillon Fun Fest. Free family festival with arts, crafts, music, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. massillonmuseum.org/ fun-fest

8/12-15

Little Italy’s Feast of the Assumption. Italian foods, live music, and rides. Holy Rosary Church, 12021 Mayfield Road, Cleveland, holy-rosary.org

LAST DAYS OF

and more. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Solon Community Park, avantgardeshows.com

8/26-27

8/13

Akron Pickle Fest. Pickle games, pickle contests, pickle parades and much more. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Lock 3, 200 Main St. oddmall.info/ akron-pickle-fest

Affair on the Square. Over 140 makers of the finest handmade crafts, great music and delicious treats. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Medina Public Square, affaironthesquare.net

Ice Cream Social. Lorain Historical Society is holding its annual social, with handscooped ice cream sundaes, pony rides, games, music and more. 1-4 p.m. Carnegie Center, 329 W. 10th St., Lorain, lorainhistory.org

8/18-19

Mentor CityFest. Color Dash & Walk, CityFest Parade, arts and crafts vendors, food and more. Civic Center Park, 8500 Civic Center Blvd., Mentor, mentorcityfest.com

8/18-20

Auburn Art Festival. Art, home goods, live music, food and more. 17111 Ravenna Road, Chagrin Falls, auburnartsdistrict.com

Valley City Street Fair. Games, bands, cornhole tournaments and more. 6700 Center Road, Valley City, vcfirefightersassoc@gmail. com

8/19

Tallmadge Circle Fest & Light Parade. Spectacular light parade, family-friendly activities, live entertainment and more. 5:30-11 p.m. Tallmadge Circle, tallmadgechamber.com

8/20

International Kite Festival. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Edgewater Park, 6500 Memorial Shoreway, Cleveland, osekcleveland.org

8/26

Solon Pop Up In the Park. Local artisans, delicious eats

Saint Josaphat Ukrainian Festival. Parade, bounce houses, petting zoo, live music and much more. Noon-9 p.m. 5720 State Road, Parma, stjosaphatcathedral.com

8/26 & 9/2

Sunflower Festival. Acres of sunflowers, artisans and more.

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Maize Valley Winery & Craft Brewery, 6193 Edison St., Hartville, maizevalley.com

9/1-3

Made in Ohio Arts & Crafts Festival. Ohio artisans, local food and entertainment. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Hale Farm & Village, 2686 Oak Hill Rd., Bath, wrhs.org

Disney in Concert: The Sound of Music. A symphonic celebration of Disney music, animation, and memories. Blossom Music Center, 1145 W. Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls, clevelandorchestra.com

9/1-4

Cleveland Oktoberfest. An exciting menu of activities and entertainment to delight young and old alike. Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, 19201 E. Bagley Rd., Middleburg Hts., clevelandoktoberfest.com

9/9

Waterloo Arts Fest. Multiple stages of a great mix of local music, art vendors, food trucks, street performers and unique art activities. Noon-7 p.m. Waterloo Road between Calcutta Ave. and E. 161st St., waterlooarts.org

9/16

Rocky River Arts Festival. A festival to celebrate the talents of Rocky River residents and highlight the merchants in the Old Detroit Shopping area.10 a.m.-5 p.m. rrparksandrecfoundation.com

9/23

Cleveland Pickle Fest. 12-6 p.m. Mall B, 300 St. Clair Ave. NE, Cleveland, clevelandpicklefest.com

AKRON ART MUSEUM

THROUGH 5/12/24

LAND JAM. Two Ohio artists transform a museum gallery into an immersive, colorful, sensory experience. United by bold color and pattern, the installation promises to be a feast for the eyes. 1 S. High St., akronartmuseum.org

AKRON ZOO ONGOING

LEHNER FAMILY FOUNDATION

WILD ASIA. Recreates the Southeast Asia jungles and Himalayan forests. Lush tree canopies add to the ambiance while offering shade as guests roam throughout this exotic adventure. 505 Euclid Ave., Akron, akronzoo.org

AKRON FOSSILS & SCIENCE CENTER

ONGOING

2-ACRE OUTDOOR PARK. 60 foot long giant slide, 4 person helicopter swing, old fashioned merry-go-round, mini challenge course and 200 foot zip line. 2080 S. Cleveland-Massillon Road, Copley, akronfossils.com

CANTON MUSEUM OF ART 8/22-10/29

FAMILY ALBUM: OUR STORIES.

Amy Pleasant is a Seattle figurative painter, born and raised in Ohio. Her work examines the most common of experiences; family, life transitions and generational change. 1001 Market Ave. N., Canton, cantonart.org

ONGOING ATTRACTIONS

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM CLEVELAND ONGOING

THE MEADOW. Step into a tranquil space, designed specifically for children ages birth-3. Infants, crawlers, and early walkers have a bright, clean, sensory-rich environment to explore, as they make sense of this fascinating world.3813 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, cmccleveland.org

CLEVELAND BOTANICAL GARDEN

THROUGH 9/4

BLOOM! BOTANICALS & BIRDHOUSES. Hundreds of unique birdhouses, stunning glass art, and artwork from Cleveland artist Asia Armour. 11030 East Blvd., University Circle, cbgarden.org

CLEVELAND METROPARKS ZOO ONGOING

AUSTRALIAN ADVENTURE. Visit koalas year-round at Gumleaf Hideout. See kangaroos and wallabies in Wallaby Walkabout, and visit Kookaburra Station for up-close animal encounters. 3900 Wildlife Way, futureforwildlife.org

CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

THROUGH 12/31

ONE WORLD. ONE SKY: BIG BIRD’S ADVENTURE. Join Big Bird and Elmo on an unforgettable journey to the Moon and back. Cleveland Museum of Natural History, 1 Wade Oval Drive, Cleveland, cmnh.org

GREAT LAKES SCIENCE CENTER

ONGOING SCIENCE PHENOMENA. meet your inner scientist as you explore electricity and magnetism; light and optics; motion and mechanics; sound and resonance; and more.601 Erieside Ave., Cleveland, greatscience.com

GREATER CLEVELAND AQUARIUM ONGOING

SHARK GALLERY & SEA TUBE. With 230,000 gallons of water, this impressive space features three species of sharks, stingrays, eels and many other species of fish. 2000 Sycamore St., Cleveland, greaterclevelandaquarium.com

HOLDEN ARBORETUM ONGOING

MURCH CANOPY WALK AND KALBERER EMERGENT TOWER. A 500-foot-long elevated walkway that’s 65 feet above the forest floor and a tower 12 stories tall provide a breathtaking view. 9500 Sperry Road, Kirtland, holdenarb.org

LAKE ERIE NATURE & SCIENCE CENTER ONGOING

OUTDOOR ANIMAL EXHIBIT. Due to disabilities that prevent their survival in the wild, these animals receive quality care from the center’s highly trained staff and serve as ambassadors for their species. Lake Erie Nature & Science Center, 28728 Wolf Road, Bay Village, lensc.org

MALTZ MUSEUM

THROUGH 8/27

RUBE GOLDBERG: THE WORLD OF HILARIOUS INVENTION. Showcases Pulitzer Prize winning humorist and inventor Rube Goldberg’s iconic contraptions and celebrates his humorous storytelling and inventive cartoons. 2929 Richmond Road, Beachwood, maltzmuseum.org

STAN HYWET HALL & GARDENS

THROUGH 10/31

CONNECTIONS: LOVE AND THE TIES THAT BIND. Explores the personal relationships in the multi-generational household of F.A and Gertrude Seiberling. 714 N. Portage Path, Akron, stanhywet.org

National Family Caregiver Support Program

Courtesy of the Ohio Department of Aging

Caring for a loved one can be hard work. However, the National Family Caregivers Association says that people who recognize themselves as caregivers are more proactive, engaged and confident. As a result, they provide better care and are able to do so longer, even as their loved one’s care needs increase. Caregivers who access and use support services also report fewer negative emotions, such as depression, anxiety and anger. By seeking and accepting help, along with planning for the future, you can provide the care your loved one deserves while also making sure your needs are taken care of.

Through the National Family Caregiver Support Program, your area agency on aging and other local providers are ready to assist you with supports that may include:

• Training, resources, information and support groups;

• Respite care, adult day and medical alert services;

• Personal care, chore services and home delivered meals;

• Yard work and home repairs;

• Durable medical equipment and home modifications; and more.

Contact the area agency on aging serving your community for information and referral, as well as a free in-person assessment to identify your needs and link you to available resources. Call 1-866-243-5678 to be connected to the agency serving your community.

SARA CARNES

• Facebook = Sara Carnes

• Instagram = saracarnes4

Tiny Toys to Giant Memories

Ah, childhood — a wonderful time when the world seemed as big as an adventure playground, and toys were our loyal companions. Little did we know that those treasured playthings would become the keys to our memory vaults, unlocking a wave of warm nostalgia when we’re all grown up. I’ve recently had all these memories stirred up as my girls were clearing out all their old toys in the basement. Oh, the memories. What to give away, what to keep? First rule... don’t give it all away. I know we can’t keep everything, but keep the things that are special. I wish I still had some of my favorite old toys today. After the basement toy clean up I got to thinking about all the reasons why toys have such a big impact on us and our kids. Here’s a few things that bubbled up.

UNLEASHING IMAGINATION

Remember when action figures became fierce superheroes battling evil villains in epic showdowns in your living room? Or when you played with Barbie for hours, dreaming some day of being just like her? Toys are the magical catalysts that unleash the power of imagination and bring so much joy.

ADVENTURE COMPANIONS

Toys are like trusty sidekicks accompanying us on thrilling escapades. My daughters have plenty of worn-out teddy bears, and dolls. These tiny friends provide comfort during the bumps and hurdles of childhood, becoming sources of solace that linger as happy memories in our adult hearts. I know some adults who still have and keep their stuffed animals handy.

LEARNIN

LIFE SKILLS THROUGH PLAY

Who knew that board games were actually Jedi training grounds for our strategic minds? Toys teach us valuable life skills, all in the name of fun. Whether it’s negotiation skills from trading card games or teamwork from assembling construction sets, toys help shape crucial social and communication abilities that we carry with us throughout life. Board games are still one of our family’s favorite activities to do together.

TIME MACHINES TO THE PAST

Who needs a real time machine when toys have got our back? Those toys we used to obsess over transport us back to the golden days of our past, where the sun seemed to shine a little brighter and laughter echoed a little louder. Reconnecting with our beloved toys really brings back such vivid memories, reminding us of the simple joys that we loved so much as kids. I’ll admit it, sometimes when I’m feeling nostalgic I’ll google old toy commercials from the past. It’s so fun to watch and bring back those memories.

So, let’s hold onto those toy chests as long as we can, or at least some of those toys! From this mama’s experience, don’t let all those memories go. Here’s to the timeless wonders of childhood toys and the everlasting nostalgia they bring.