From companionship, to helping your children learn responsibility, there are many benefits of adding a pet to your family.
Ohio Glamping Trips
Go camping in style with these unique places around the region for your last summer adventure.
On the Cover:
Jordin, 9 of Shaker Heights, loves learning new kicks in Taekwondo in her first year of the activity.
Nicholas, 15, high school football player in Medina has been playing football since the seventh grade and loves being able to tackle on the field.
Emily, 12, of Medina has been in ballet and dance for 10 years. She loves being able to express herself through such astonishing movement and having fun.
Photos by Kim Stahnke Photography
PRESCHOOL
Littlest One
As your little one enters the preschool years, you may start to experience some new and challenging behaviors.
We provide ways for parents to discuss gun safety with kids — whether you own one or not. Also, the importance of gun storage for everyone.
Worth Noting
We ask the question about why kids are embarrassed by their parents. Also, recipe and crafts and Reading Room. 14 After School
Navigating through the world of club sports. Plus, check out all after school activities starting on pg. 18 13 Open Houses
Explore your child’s next possible educational adventure. 38
Family Calendar Kid-friendly things to do all month long including last days of summer festivals, Labor Day Weekend events, local attractions and more. 45 Your Aging Parent
Check out this new tool from the Ohio Department of Aging if your loved ones need nursing home care.
The Last Word
We help kids tackle fears and face the what ifs.
Looking for a preschool? Here’s some schools around the region to explore.
It’s Starting…
I can’t believe it’s August. I feel the summer went way too fast.
Thinking back on the season, it’s the first year we didn’t have a regular sport or activity, it was glorious.
While the boys still did regular workouts and a few camps, we didn’t have to rush to practices or games almost every day of the week.
As a family, we got a little more done, from household projects to spending time together — and even eating meals at normal times.
Now, I am scrambling to find school supplies and fill out back-toschool paperwork for both of my kids. Feeling a little stressed thinking about the upcoming school load from parent-teacher conferences, checking report cards — and after school activities.
For our family, we have the craziness of our sports seasons — hockey and basketball. So, in this August issue, I wanted to have a little focus on parents who are like me, the ones that are all in, for better or worse, in our kids’ activities. Whether your child is an elite sports player, gymnast, dancer or artist, I think you can relate to our article about navigating the high level competition world with kids. For parents who are dipping their toes or on the edge of the pool, we give you some insights on what to expect.
With back-to-school on the horizon, check out our first installment of the new education season — the Preschool Guide. We talk about preschool behaviors and fun learning toys and tools. Also, help to start the educational journey for your child with special needs.
We didn’t forget that summer isn’t over, yet. There’s still time to take one more trip. For those like me, who aren’t interested in spending a night in a tent, but would still like to enjoy nature, we have glamping ideas to try.
Also, in this issue, I would remiss to not mention, we talk about a more serious discussion to have with your kids.
As my teens get older, it feels harder and harder to keep them in my bubble. Each day, I feel a little more air is let out. That’s why I feel it’s OK to not shy away from issues that are uncomfortable — to me, one of them is gun safety. No matter where you stand or how strongly you feel — and even if you don’t own a gun — ensuring kids of all ages and abilities understand how improper handling of guns can cause serious damage is important to discuss. We dive into gun safety by providing some tips for parents to discuss guns with kids, especially if they encounter one, and how to keep everyone safe through proper gun storage.
So, this month, while there’s always a little stress this time of year, I don’t know about you, but I do feel a bit hopeful. A new school year feels like a clean slate for our kids — and us. My plan is to start enjoying those little moments with them, while they last.
August 2024
Northeast Ohio Parent is a property of PO Box 1088 Hudson, OH 44236 330-822-4011
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PUBLISHERS OF:
Why is my Teen Embarrassed by Me?
By Lori Orlinsky
Since my daughter was in preschool, I’ve either walked her into school or dropped her off at the school door. But suddenly, my rising sixth grader asked me to let her out of the car a block down the street. When I asked why, she said she was embarrassed to be seen with me.
Do her friends not have parents? Am I being overbearing by driving her to school? Does she hate me? Am I not a cool mom? I poured out all of these thoughts to my other mom friends, and it turns out, misery loves company. I wasn’t the only one feeling this way.
We spoke with Dr. Joseph Austerman, chair of the Department of Pediatric Behavioral Health & Neurosciences at the Cleveland Clinic, about why teens are embarrassed by their parents and how to maintain a bond with them during these teenage years.
BEING EMBARRASSED IS AN AGE-APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR
Austerman says that adolescence is a time of developing a sense of your own personality separate from your parents.
“Teens tend to be hyper aware of negative peer criticism and avoid anything or anyone that would be seen as going against what is seen as accepted by the larger group,” he says. “Behaviors or actions by their parents that they perceive as different can lead to feelings of embarrassment.”
Austerman assures parents who feel rejected that this is a normal part of development and usually decreases as teens grow older and become more comfortable with their own identities.
“We typically see this feeling dissipate in late adolescents to early 20s as the teen becomes more confident in who they are. This is an individual journey so the more self-confidence that you have the earlier this embarrassment lessens,” he says.
PUBERTY IS AT PLAY
As kids go through puberty, it stimulates neurological changes that help move the child’s brain to an adult brain capable of handling more complex thinking.
“Also, puberty changes the person’s physical appearance dramatically, which undermines self-confidence leading to the hyper awareness of criticism,” Austerman says.
PRESERVING THE RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR CHILD
To preserve the relationship with a child who may be feeling embarrassed by their parents, Austerman recommends taking a step back and realizing that while teens cannot effectively modulate their emotions, you should be able to.
“Do not respond with anger or even attempt to embarrass them,” he says. “Be the adult and parent. Be consistent with praise and support while pointing out times that your teen is acting inappropriately.”
RE A D I N G R O O M
Don't Eat Bees: Life Lessons from Chip the Dog
By Dev Petty and illustrator Mike Boldt
Chip the dog is 7; he knows things. Like what to eat (important papers, the fancy bird the humans cooked for the fancy dinner, Grandpa’s teeth), and what not to eat (bees). He won’t get those mixed up, will he?
Our Class is a Family
By Shannon Olsen
and illustrated by Sandie
Sonke
Kids learn that their classroom is a place where it’s safe to be themselves, it’s OK to make mistakes, and it’s important to be a friend to others.
Pig the Tourist (Pig the Pug)
By Aaron Blabey
Pig the Pug is causing havoc and hilarity as he travels around the world. Everywhere he goes around the globe, Pig the Pug offends the locals and causes destruction and devastation. However, in the end, Pig's rudeness comes back to bite him.
‘Dear Charlie,’ Parents honor memory of stillborn son
David Corvi and his wife, Katherine, remember vivid details from Oct. 26, 2021, the day they found out their third son, Charlie, was stillborn – 13 days shy of his due date.
Overcome with grief, the couple put that grief into action, starting the Charles Martin Corvi Fund, which partners with organizations that support families who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss. Those efforts resulted in Charlie’s Challenge, a walk, run and ride fundraiser. The third annual installment will take place on September 14 in Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
No Churn Cookies and Cream Ice Cream
By Melissa Koski Carney
Who doesn’t love ice cream? Here’s an easy way to make ice cream at home with your family, and no ice cream maker or churning are required!
HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED:
2 cups heavy cream
20 chocolate sandwich cookies (Oreos), crushed 1 14-oz can sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Alternative ideas – instead of Oreos, try crushed peanut butter cups or any other favorite cookie or candy you have at home.
NEO Parent Crafting with Kids:
Back to School Photo Frame
By: Krystin Fletcher
A fun way to display those back to school photos!
MATERIALS:
• Large Colored Popsicle Sticks
• Permanent or Paint Marker
• Hot Glue Gun & Sticks
David Corvi’s book, “Dear Charlie … Letters To My Son: A Father’s Journey of Loss, Grief, and Remembrance,” is now available on Amazon Kindle for presale. The book hopes to help parents grapple with a complex tapestry of emotions, including anger at life lost mixed with joy for the legacy that endures; navigate the complexities of grief, mourning the experiences that will never get to be shared; and learn to move forward in a loved one’s absence while honoring their impact on your life. Visit charlesmartincorvi.org
• Colored Cardstock
• Magnet Strips or Ribbon for hanging (optional)
HERE’S WHAT YOU DO:
1. In a large stand mixer, pour your heavy cream and beat on high until peaks form. This should take about 5 minutes. Don’t overmix – it will turn into butter!
2. While your heavy cream is being mixed, crush your sandwich cookies. You can do this in a food processor or (my preference) place them in a large plastic bag and use a rolling pin, wooden spatula or your hands to crush them until they meet your desired texture. I like a mixture of small and big chunks.
3. Once your cookies are crushed, add to a small bowl and pour in your heavy cream and vanilla. Mix well.
4. When your heavy cream has turned from liquid into peaks, gently fold your cookie mixture in. Stir carefully until everything is evenly incorporated.
5. Pour into a freezer-safe dish and top with more sandwich cookies (optional).
6. Let sit for about 8-10 hours. I’ve made this in the morning (around 8 a.m.), and we ate it for dessert that night!
STEPS:
• Line up eight jumbo Popsicle sticks horizontally. Hot glue a popsicle stick at each end to hold them in place.
• On the top and the bottom popsicle sticks use your permanent or paint marker to add the wavy line design.
• Cut out a triangle from a coordinating piece of card stock. Snip the very tip off to give it a more crayon like look and attach to the back of the frame.
• Add magnets or ribbon to the back of the frames, if desired.
• Glue picture to frame and display.
&
Guns Kids
Keeping children safe from guns in the home is critical as firearm deaths increase
by Bob Sandrick
Gun violence in the home, whether accidental or intentional, is a significant contributor to a rise in deaths among youth. No wonder, then, that in June, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy declared gun violence a public health crisis that required urgent action. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, 85% of firearm deaths among children up to 12 years old occur in the home. The rate is 39% for children ages 13-17. In fact, in 2020, firearms became the leading cause of death among children and adolescents ages 19 and younger in the United States, surpassing vehicle crashes for the first time. The change was due in part to a decreasing number of vehicle crash deaths. At the same time, the number of firearm-related suicides and homicides increased among ages 15-25. According to Brady United, a gun violence prevention organization, 4.6 million children in the U.S. live in homes with unlocked or unsupervised firearms, leading to thousands of child injuries and deaths annually.
“Across the county, if you look at unintentional shootings alone, eight kids a day are injured or killed,” says Colleen Creighton, senior director of Brady United’s End Family Fire program, which promotes safe gun storage in the home. “And firearm suicides among children have increased by 57% over the past decade. We have to get a handle on it.”
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a multipronged approach to reduce the number of firearm deaths among children. Measures include proper firearm storage, education, community- and hospital-based interventions and more funding for research.
Dr. Edward Barksdale Jr., surgeon in chief at Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital in Cleveland and professor of surgery at Case Western Reserve University’s School of Medicine, co-founded
“Across the county, if you look at unintentional shootings alone, eight kids a day are injured or killed,
University Hospitals' Antifragility Initiative in 2019, which helps children, adolescents and their families heal after violent injuries, including those involving guns.
“Everyone needs education about gun safety,” Barksdale says.
BSECURING WEAPONS
arksdale says that of child deaths involving guns in the home, 29% occur among children up to 5 years old. The rate drops to 14 percent for children 6-10, rises to 33% for children 11-15 and settles at 23% for children 16-17.
“For an unintentional shooting, it’s usually toddlers and younger children,” Creighton says. “But as you get into the teens, suicide becomes an issue, especially if there’s a gun in the home and a teen is struggling.”
Also, young children are naturally curious. If they find a gun, they will play with it. Further, Barksdale says, about 75% of children know where the family gun is kept. The most common location is a nightstand.
“Guns should be locked and unloaded in safes, and the key, lock or combination should not be available to anyone who might harm themselves,” Barksdale says.
However, The Rand Corp., in a July 2022 report, said that in homes with both children and firearms, only 29% of gun owners locked their weapons and kept them unloaded. Half kept at least one gun either locked and loaded or unlocked and unloaded. Meanwhile, 21% stored at least one gun loaded and unlocked.
The Rand report stated that those who don’t thoroughly secure firearms want to have the weapons easily accessible in case an intruder enters their home.
Creighton says her group, End Family Fire, is telling gun owners that families with guns in the home are four times more likely to harm themselves than stop an intruder.
“It’s an individual decision for each home,” Barksdale says. “But most guns in the home are not discharged for self-protection but for self-harm.”
Guns safes on the market include those with modern technology. Biometric safes will open only if detecting the gun owner’s fingerprints or other biological identifiers. Ammunition should be stored in a separate safe, Barksdale says.
Guns can also be secured using trigger locks, which fit over the trigger mechanism to prevent firing. Cable locks are steel cables threaded through the trigger area.
John Smerglia, assistant special agent in charge of the Columbus Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, says a combination of methods is best.
“You’re creating lawyers of safety,” Smerglia says. “You could have ammunition in one safe and guns in another safe, and you can have trigger locks on the guns. I’ve seen all various levels of securing firearms.”
EDUCATING CHILDREN
Teaching children about guns is also key, especially for older children who can understand the lesson.
“Just be direct with them,” Smerglia says. “In this day and age, with video games and movies, we have a generation of kids seeing things happen with no consequences. Teach them about the damage firearms can cause. They can end life.”
Organizations like Brady United and its End Family Fire program are also trying to educate. Their latest campaign, Prepare for Misuse, shows what can happen if kids gain access to unsecured gun at home.
“We include gun owners in all of our campaigns because we are all at the same table,” Creighton says. “We are all trying to save lives. We’re not trying to take your guns away but to keep the guns safe.”
MEASURING EFFECTIVENESS
Do gun safes, locks, educational programs and awareness campaigns work? The Journal of the American Medical Association reported in 2005 that the connection between firearm storage practices and reduced firearm injuries is unclear.
More recently, the Rand study said that emerging evidence indicates that distributing firearm storage devices might improve storage practices but more study was needed. The study said there was less evidence that community-based efforts like educational campaigns are effective.
“It’s hard to prove the effectiveness of many of these measures,” Barksdale says. “But we know in areas where there are intensive programs and where laws are more stringent, the likelihood is fewer gun fatalities.”
Creighton says Brady United has shown that if a parent sees one of its gun safety ads, they are three times more likely to talk to a friend or neighbor about safe gun storage and/or seek additional information, and they are 48% more likely to change where they store a gun.
“ We know in areas where there are intensive programs and where laws are more stringent, the likelihood is fewer gun fatalities.”
Barksdale says the National Rifle Association (NRA) offers educational programs about gun safety and hunting.
“In some communities, they will grow up hunting,” Creighton says. “That’s different. But in any case, teach children that a gun is not a toy. Don’t play with it or pick it up without permission or adult supervision. It’s like teaching them not to play with fire or touch a hot stove.”
Even if parents don’t own firearms, it's important for kids to be aware of guns inside or outside a home.
The NRA's Eddie Eagle GunSafe program for children shares four steps to take if your child finds a gun. Tell them to "STOP! Don’t touch. Leave the Area. Tell an Adult."
Also, parents can ask the parents of their children’s friends if they own guns and if the weapons are safely stored.
“People can feel awkward about it, but be open and transparent,” Creighton says. “We are trying to get more people to have that conversation so it becomes less awkward. It’s just like asking if they have any pets or peanut butter because their kids are allergic.”
Nevertheless, everyone agrees that more research is needed.
The New England Journal of Medicine reported in April 2022 that fewer federal dollars were available for firearm-injury prevention research from 1996-2019, due largely to “The Dickey Amendment.” The amendment, part of a 1997 federal law, prohibited the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from using federal money to promote gun control.
Congress amended the law in 2018 to clarify that gun violence research was permitted if federal money was involved. Congress funded that research in fiscal year 2020 for the first time since 1996.
“We need to collect more data on gun injury and understand where the problems are and how to message appropriately,” Barksdale says.
Smerglia says common sense is all he needs to know that gun safety measures are effective.
“You don’t see anything in the news about kids getting a gun with a trigger lock from a gun safe,” Smerglia says. “You see the kid who found the gun tucked into the couch cushion. It’s logic.”
GILMOUR ACADEMY
Sept. 29
Fall Open Houses
34001 Cedar Road, Gates Mills 440-473-8050, gilmour.org/visit
HAWKEN SCHOOL
hawken.edu, 440-423-4446
Lower & Middle Schools
Nov. 23
5000 Clubside Road, Lyndhurst
Upper School
Nov. 2
12465 County Line Road, Gates Mills
Mastery School
Nov. 9
11025 Magnolia Dr., Cleveland Birchwood School of Hawken birchwoodschool.org, 216-251-2321
Oct. 20
4400 W. 140th St., Cleveland
HERSHEY MONTESSORI
Upper School
Sept. 13 & 28, Oct. 4 & 19, Nov. 8
11530 Madison Road, Huntsburg Twp. 440-636-6290, hershey-montessori.org
Lower School
Aug. 17, Sept. 14, Oct 26 & Nov. 9 10229 Prouty Road, Concord Twp. 440-357-0918, hershey-montessori.org
If your son or daughter has shown any measure of aptitude in youth recreational sports, chances are you’ve either been asked to participate in the next level — travel or club sports — or sought out information about those options.
And you’ve likely found that that world is … complicated.
Area parents whose children participate in those more competitive environments — from travel, generally the first step above rec sports, to club and premier settings — say that competition has many benefits such as camaraderie and friendship that build during more frequent and intense practices, a setting where young athletes generally receive better training from more knowledgeable coaches and trainers, and more.
But, those same parents say, there are drawbacks, and they advise several considerations to ensure you – and your children – don’t get overwhelmed or burnt out. Those include cost, as these environments certainly cost significantly more than a more recreational option. Also, parents consider the time element. Travel and club programs involve a far greater commitment, including practice multiple times a week and a much more intense game schedule, too.
Breaking down the benefits
Kurt Krejny, a Hinckley resident, recently wrapped up his first year as coach of a 10U Premier Athletics baseball team. His son, Kai, had played two years previous with the same club, and the duo enjoyed many of those benefits described above of the club setting: regular practice in the offseason, access to indoor turf fields and batting tunnels, professional instructor support and more.
Krejny says Kai also benefited from
the increased competitiveness when compared to recreational leagues.
“The kids want to be there, want to practice, want to build friendships and seek a competitive schedule,”
Krejny says. “There have been some good friendships formed with people from different communities and backgrounds, which has been nice to witness and be a part of.”
He acknowledged some of the potential pitfalls, though. Time is one, balancing family time, schoolwork and being-a-kid time with the more demanding schedule of club and travel programs.
The Krejnys, for example, practice weekly from September through March, and in March switch to two practices a week for two hours a pop. Add in 30 to 40 games from March on, and it’s quite the commitment.
Other downsides in play
Politics come into play, too, and not the presidential kind. That competitive setting can breed competitiveness among parents and animosity if one feels their son or daughter isn’t being treated fairly or getting the right opportunity. Then there’s the uncertainty of the following year: Does a player make the team? Will the program find new players? It can be stressful.
“Once the season wraps up in July it can be a very stressful few weeks to know if you are called back to a team, or need to line up a private or open tryout for a new one,” Krejny says.
Cost, too, is a factor. Travel clubs for many sports – player fees plus uniforms – can add up quickly, with player fees ranging from $800 to $2,000, or more in some cases, per program.
And, parents say, specialization can be a risk: As athletes start down a more competitive path and the commitment to one sport intensifies, coaches and trainers may suggest that
kids specialize in one sport. Most recently, some training and coaching professionals say that specialization is misguided, and have advised against doing so.
A position statement from the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and its Sports
Medicine Advisory Committee says that “studies have shown that sport specialization increases the likelihood of elevated levels of stress and the risk of athletic burnout.
“Also, the repetitive nature of year-round sport specific training and competition significantly increases
the risk of injury (particularly overuse injury). Notably, these athletes are at increased risk for injury in all sports they are participating in, not just their specialty sport.”
How to balance it all
The Ryder family, of Shaker Heights, has weighed these impacts — and the benefits of club and travel sports their sons have enjoyed — heavily. The family’s older son, Lachlan, asked for a more competitive setting five years ago after one year of rec soccer, and the family joined the Shaker Youth Soccer Association. Now their younger son, Keegan (8) also plays in SYSA. They’re adding baseball to the mix, as Lachlan had, at time of publication, tried out for five different area travel programs after several years playing recreationally.
Conversely, time – or lack thereof – becomes the family’s issue. Keegan and Lachlan want to play other sports, and Myra Ryder said tough decisions must be made on where the family can split its time and when there are conflicts. The family has built a plan around soccer to include rec sports, such as flag football, that the boys aren’t ready to play competitively yet. Additionally, the family plans vacation after baseball season and identifies Keegan and Lachlan when they need more time for schoolwork, adjusting appropriately thereafter.
The boys’ mom, Myra, points to coaching as the biggest benefit and difference between SYSA and a rec program, and also feels her sons benefit from playing athletes from other communities, not those they see at recess.
“We think competitive sports also helps us emphasize commitment and dedication to your team,” she says. “We've committed to a full year with our coach and team. We emphasize the importance of being at games and practices because the team is truly depending on them to have enough kids on the field and to do their best to do well in their division.”
AFTER SCHOOL Listings
CENTER STAGE DANCE STUDIO
Learn and grow at Center Stage Dance Studio by registering now for fall classes. As they celebrate 37 years in Northfield, Center Stage provides a positive and supportive environment for children of all ages. From beginner through advanced, the studio offers high quality instruction from professional, encouraging teachers. Take classes in Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Acrobatics, Tap, Contemporary, and more. centerstageohio.com
CLEVELAND CITY DANCE
Build confidence, camaraderie and community. Delight in watching your child’s confidence grow in a safe, family-friendly community where dreams come true with inspiring teachers. Students flourish in structured classes as friendships blossom. Nurturing mind and body for ages 3 to 85 with ballet, hip-hop, jazz, tap, modern, musical theater, acro and more. Adult classes too including strength/flexibility training and yoga! Performance opportunities include The Uniquely Cleveland Nutcracker. clevelandcitydance. com
EN POINTE DANSE
Come dance with them! En Pointe Danse in Chagrin Falls is now celebrating its 25th year. Their goal is to provide a nurturing environment for beginner through adult dancers, inspiring the joy of dance through creative expression. They offer a variety of dance forms to aid in exploring the wonders of dance. Classes offered for ages 3 through adult in ballet, pointe, tap, creative movement and modern dance. En Pointe Danse 516 East Washington Street, Chagrin Falls. For more information call 440-247-5474 or visit enpointedanse.com
FAIRMOUNT CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Fairmount Center for the Arts provides a warm, welcoming space for students of all ages to explore their creative side. Toddlers, preschoolers, school-aged children, and adults can discover their artistic talents through a variety of dance, music, theatre, and visual arts offerings. Private and group music lessons in drums, voice, piano, violin, guitar, and more allow for customized instruction. Starting in the fall, Fairmount will have select classes in a second location on Chardon Square! 8400 Fairmount Road, Novelty. 101 Main Street, Suite 105, Chardon. fairmountcenter.org
AFTER SCHOOL Listings
FINE ARTS ASSOCIATION
Discover the joy of the arts with the Fine Arts Association. Their award-winning instructors offer top-notch classes in art, music, dance, theatre, and creative arts therapies. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced student, our personalized approach ensures you’ll reach your creative goals. Join them and become part of their vibrant community where creativity and passion thrive. Enroll today and let your artistic journey begin at the Fine Arts Association. fineartsassociation.org
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.
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 has 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.
Fur, Fins or Feathers?
FA FAMILY-FRIENDLY PET GUIDE
By Shana O’Malley-Smith
rom companionship, to helping your children learn responsibility, there are many benefits of adding a pet to your family. Before you make the commitment, there are a few important things to consider to make sure you’re making a pawsome choice. Check out our guide below and also some fun pet facts to share with kids.
1. Your family’s lifestyle. Are you home a lot or are you out of the home for extended periods of time for work, school and after school activities? Do you travel for work, sports or vacation? Some pets are fine being alone for the majority of the day or even for a few days at a time, while others need food, potty breaks and socialization throughout the day.
5 THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE GETTING A PET
2. How much care does the pet require and who will do the majority of the care? Even the easiest pet requires some basic care such as food and a clean environment. Although your child might want their own pet, it’s important to establish who will actually be doing most of the work such as giving the pet food and water, cleaning up after the pet and making sure it stays healthy with vet visits.
3. What is the average life expectancy of the pet? Did you know a goldfish can live 10-15 years? Pets become a big part of your family and could be around well after your child goes to college! Check the lifespan of the type of pet you're considering and make sure it fits in with your longterm family plans.
4. Expense. From food and supplies to vet bills, pets can be costly. Come up with an idea of what you’ll need to spend monthly on food and supplies, and yearly on vet appointments. You may also need to consider boarding or pet sitting services if you travel.
5. Is your home and yard pet-friendly? Before you bring home your new fluffy friend, familiarize yourself with your homeowners association guidelines. Some associations may have pet restrictions such as how many pets you can have, what types of pets you can have, weight limits and breed restrictions. You should also consider your yard and neighborhood surroundings.
8 Fun Pet Facts
1. A dog’s nose print is unique, much like a person’s fingerprint.
2. Cats can jump six times their height.
3. Bearded dragons, iguanas and some other lizards have three eyes (two in the front and one on the top of their head called a parietal eye).
4. Hamsters can learn their name and learn tricks.
5. You can tell a goldfish’s age by its scales. Every year a goldfish is alive, it develops individual rings on the scale, similar to an aging tree.
6. Cockatiels are great at im itating sounds such as ringing phones or a doorbell. They can also learn tricks such as wav ing, bowing and dancing.
7. Guinea pigs do a jump called “popcorning” when they’re excited or happy.
8. Hermit crabs change their shell as they grow. 3-5 larger shells per crab should always be available.
(86.9 million homes) own a pet with dogs being the most popular pet, followed by cats, freshwater fish and small animals such as hamsters, guinea pigs, etc.
Small birds such as parakeets, conures and cockatiels are also popular pet picks. Be prepared for hours of entertainment with their singing as well as household noise and voice mimicking. Birds are social creatures and bond to their human family.
In addition to traditional household pets, small farm animals like chickens, rabbits and even goats can also be a great family addition (just make sure your city or neighborhood doesn’t have any farm animal restrictions). Children may also be able to participate in local 4-H programs with these types of pets.
If you prefer something slithery, scaly or hard-shelled, a reptile might be the pet for you. Despite their intimidating appearance, many reptiles can be a gentle companion and a great first pet.
VOLUNTEER OR FOSTER
Not sure if you’re ready for a long-term commitment? Consider volunteering your time at a local animal shelter. You’ll be able to care for different types of animals and familiarize yourself with different animal personalities and breeds. In addition to cats and dogs, some shelters also have small animals such as guinea pigs and bunnies.
Fostering is another great way to try a pet before committing to a forever home. Foster families care for a pet in their home for a temporary period of time. The family can choose to adopt the pet or allow it to go to another family who may be a better fit.
KID-FRIENDLY PET BOOKS
WHAT PET SHOULD I GET?
By Dr. Seuss
A trip to the pet store turns into a hi larious struggle when two kids must choose one pet to take home... but every time they think they see an animal they like, they find some thing even better!
BAD DOG
By Mike Boldt
CAN I BE YOUR DOG?
By Troy Cummings
Arfy is a homeless mutt who lives in a box in an alley. Arfy writes to every person on Butternut Street about what a great pet he'd make. Readers will be happily surprised to learn just who steps up to adopt Arfy.
IF MY CAT COULD TALK
Personalize this story with your cat’s name and up to four names of people that love the cat!
Select among various illustrated cat styles and various colors to create the cat that most closely resembles your pet.
Cat lovers and dog lovers alike will howl with laughter at this little girl's willful insistence that her cat is a dog. The hilarious ways in which cats and dogs are different are brilliantly illuminated with each turn of the page and will leave young readers and their grown-ups giggling.
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EVERYTHING PETS
Find out everything you ever wanted to know about our beloved pets--whether scaly, slithery, four-legged, or feathered.
Preschool Behaviors and How to Handle Them
By: Shana O’Malley-Smith
As your little one enters the preschool years, you may start to experience some new and challenging behaviors. You’ve probably heard of the “terrible twos,” and this next stage is sometimes referred to as having a “threenager” or “fournado” because of these new behavioral changes.
FIVE COMMON PRESCHOOL-AGE BEHAVIORS:
Tantrums and Big Emotions: At this age, children are still developing emotional regulation skills. Tantrums or big emotional outbursts can occur when they feel frustrated, overwhelmed or unable to express their feelings effectively.
Testing Boundaries: Preschoolers might push boundaries to see how much they can get away with, which is a normal part of learning self-control and understanding social rules.
Difficulty Sharing or Taking Turns: Preschoolers are still developing an understanding of empathy and cooperation.
Expressing Preferences. At this age, they’re starting to assert their preferences and show strong likes and dislikes for things.
Independence: As they transition into a “big kid” they’re starting to want to do things all by themselves.
Dr. Paul Schuh, a pediatrician at Akron Children’s Akron East Pediatric Primary Care Office, says while these behaviors can feel intense in the moment, this is part of normal development as children become more verbal and realize they can express their opinion.
“Their language skills are way better than they were when they’re two and so they tend to talk a lot and they have
an opinion about everything,” he says. Children at this age should be speaking, even if they’re still hard to understand. They should also be engaging and playing with other children and making eye contact.
DEALING WITH DIFFICULT BEHAVIOR
There are a few ways to cope with your preschooler pushing your patience. Schuh says “timeout” is appropriate for certain offenses such as being hurtful to another child.
“Kids this age love being part of the group and so one of the worst things you can do is make them sit by themselves — so, timeout works well,” he says. “And you know, honestly, if it's kind of a minor offense sometimes you're better off just ignoring things
and just not reinforcing the behavior.”
Schuh adds that recognizing good behavior is also important.
“If you just notice that your kids are playing quietly and you're like, ‘hey, you're doing a really good job,” or something like that, just catching them being good, I think helps,” he says.
At home, Schuh says schedules and routines help kids at this age feel more secure and know what to expect. He also advises making sure your child gets enough sleep and limiting and monitoring screen time.
If your little one is starting to attend daycare or a preschool program, they may express some anxiety or become extra clingy during drop-off. Schuh says these feelings typically go away pretty quickly after parents leave. Bringing something special from home or having a family picture in the classroom can help with separation anxiety during the school day.
While this age has its challenging moments, the preschool years are also filled with fun, learning, imagination and curiosity.
“Their language skills are way better than they were when they’re two and so they tend to talk a lot and they have an opinion about everything ”
— Dr. Paul Schuh, Pediatrician at Akron Children’s, Akron East Pediatric Primary Care Office
NEW LOCATIONS IN BEREA AND CLEVELAND
2O Preschool Toys To Try
By Elena Epstein
Looking for some educational fun and ways to play with preschoolers before and after the school season. Here are 20 toys to help your kids be creative, practice communication skills, sensory-friendly and stay active from the National Parenting Product Awards.
1. SOUNDS OF RAIN SENSORY TUBES
Discover the power of rain pattern sounds to help children calm their energy with this captivating set. $21.99, ages 4+, hand2mind.com
2. GROWING GREENHOUSE COLOR AND NUMBER PLAYSET
Foster color recognition and counting skills while promoting eco-consciousness in a fun and interactive way. Features adorable flowers, pots and a guide filled with kid-friendly sustainability facts. $24.99, ages 18 months+, learningresources.com
3. FLAT 2 FAST CARD RACERS
This toy transforms from cards to superfast racing cars with the press of a button. No pull back needed. Portable and fits perfectly in a pocket or backpack for on-the-go play. $12.99, ages 5+, lukilab.com
4. GEOSAFARI JR. MY FIRST WALKIE TALKIES
Encourage exploration, communication and build confidence. Features a single button for easy use, a secure kid-to-kid radio channel, wrist strap, 90-meter range and durable design. $21.99, ages 4+, educationalinsights.com
5. GRAVITRAX JUNIOR
Introduce children to marble run and construction toys in a vibrant and easy-to-learn way. Start building right away and immerse yourself in thematic worlds for added creative play. Features jungle, ice, desert and ocean-themed sets and expansions. $14.99-$129.99, ages 3+ Various retailers.
6. SPACE SHUTTLE AIRFORT
Aim for the stars and blast-off. Aspiring astronauts will enjoy hours of creative play as they explore the universe and their imagination. Easy assembly. All you need is a standard box fan. $59.99, ages 3+, airfort.com
7. NUMBERBLOCKS PLAYING CARDS
With a numbery twist on popular card games like Go Fish, Old Maid, and more, children will love playing and learning with their favorite characters. These cards offer a playful and engaging way to practice early math skills. $9.99, ages 3+ years. Various retailers.
8. KIDS ON THE GO CARD SET
A fun set of card games that introduces young players to taking turns, recognizing colors, shapes, numbers and letters. Includes a convenient tote bag perfect for out and about. $49, ages 4+, simplyfun.com
9. CRY BABIES
TINY CUDDLES DISNEY
The softest version of these popular dolls now have a magical makeover as Disney inspired characters. Feature Disney’s Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Stitch, Daisy Duck and Winnie the Pooh. Each one comes with a matching pacifier and cries real tears. $12.99, ages 18 months+, Various retailers.
10. MIX IT UP ACTIVITY BOX
Create cherished family time with these 125 activity cards that transform even a brief bit of time into lasting memories. Activities use common household items and many don’t require supplies. Simply gather your loved ones, a spark of inspiration and let the time together begin. $29.99, ages 4+, pennycake.com
11. KINETIC SAND
SOFT SERVE STATION
Scoop, squeeze, decorate and customize. This sweet playset emulates the real-life soft serve experience. Place the cone under the dispenser and push the sand through to create colorful swirls. Add some sprinkles and extra toppings, then squish and create all over again. $14.99, ages 3+, spinmaster.com
12. APHMAU 11” CLASSIC MYSTERY PLUSH
Features eight different MeeMeows to collect. Each comes in a blind bag for surprise unboxing fun with super soft fur, squishy bodies and signature happy faces. $19.99, ages 3+, bonkertoys.com
13. FURREAL WALK-A-LOTS BERNEDOODLE INTERACTIVE TOY
This cute puppy is ready for a stroll. Her bouncy walk and wobbly head move just like a real pet. Listen for barks, howls, a “rwar-ing” happy tune, and other adorable noises. $19.99, ages 4+, justplayproducts.com
14. RAINBOW CLIMBER GYM
An indoor playground made of high-quality hard beechwood. Features a compact yet spacious design that facilitates physical and emotional development. Suitable for big families and playdates – can bear up to 440 lbs. Comes with a double-sided slide, wooden rings, wooden swing and hammock. $779.99, ages 18 months+, Various retailers.
15. THEODORA S.T.E.A.M. GIRLS
A line of diverse luxurious plush dolls that encourage young girls to explore the world of S.T.E.A.M. With a mission to inspire and empower, the dolls are role models for young girls and strive to encourage positive thinking. $59.99, ages 3+, theodoradolls.com
16. CLAYMATES’ FAMILY OF 4
Designed to encourage open-ended, imaginative play. Includes handmade wooden figures and colorful non-drying clay blocks. Kids create their own characters, facilitating self-expression, fine motor development and social awareness. Crafted from sustainable brown walnut and light maple hardwoods. $33, ages 3+, claymatesusa.com
17. NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC BUG HABITAT
Catching bugs is simple with the included bug catcher, net and tweezers. First add natural objects like dirt, sticks and rocks to the base to help the bug feel at home. The lid includes two magnifiers–a large, stationary viewer to see details up close, and another that telescopes and moves to expand the field of view and observe bugs as they move around the habitat. Includes a detailed learning guide. $19.99, ages 4+, Various retailers.
18. DROYD ZYPSTER
A mini electric go-kart for hours of fun. Safety features include an automatic smooth-launch control pedal, electromechanical brake, and built-in parental speed controls to lock in its speed at 3 or 6 mph. $249, ages 3+, droyd.com
19. BRIO DINOSAUR ADVENTURE SET
Explore the amazing prehistoric world of dinosaurs. This 21-piece train set is full of dinosaur-themed play and includes a train with two wagons and multiple scenic pieces like the dangerous lava cave and grassy meadow tracks. $79.99, ages 3+, brioplay.com
20. JOINAROUND PUZZLE, ZOO
Featuring four levels of complexity, it's perfect for the whole family. Youngsters conquer big pieces, while older kids and adults tackle the smaller ones. Work together to complete the puzzle and once done, flip the box over and enjoy four bonus games. $24.99, ages 4+, pennycake.com
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR PARENTS
Department of Children and Youth
Many topics pertaining to preschool special education are provided by the Preschool Special Education Team. childrenandyouth.ohio.gov or education.ohio.gov
Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities
It has been funded since 1984 to serve as the Parent Training and Information Center (PTI) for the state of Ohio from the federal government, U.S. Dept of Education, Office for Special Education Programs. ocecd.org
Transitions to Kindergarten pacer.org
5 Questions for Preschoolers with Special Needs
The Ohio Department of Children and Youth, which focuses on developmentally appropriate services and supports for children, answered questions about how families who have preschoolers with special needs can start the process to get educational support in their first years of school.
1
. What do parents do if they are concerned about their preschoolers’ educational progress?
If a parent thinks their child may have special needs, they will start by contacting the special education department in the school district where they live.
In Ohio, the school district of residence is responsible for evaluation and services for preschool children with disabilities. Most school district websites provide telephone and email contact information for the special education staff. The parent should call or email the district and request a preschool evaluation for special education services.
Preschool special education services are provided in a way that connects to the preschool curriculum and standards, and services are not solely medical or therapeutic.
2
. For parents of preschoolers who have special needs, what is the IEP process?
An IEP or Individualized Education Program is a legal document that defines how the district plans to meet a child’s unique educational needs that result from a disability. The IEP is the foundation of a child’s special education program. After the school district has conducted an evaluation and the evaluation team has found the child to be eligible for special education, the school district will hold a meeting to devel-
op an initial IEP. By law, the parent must be included in this meeting and the parent can invite anyone they would like to attend.
A copy of the IEP should be provided to the parent in their native language or other mode of communication, which makes the information accessible to the parent. Once the parent signs the initial IEP, the district is required to provide the parent with a Prior Written Notice document, which describes how the district will begin providing services for the child based upon their individual needs.
3
. What type of preschool program might my child with special needs attend?
The IEP team (which includes the parents) makes the placement decision. While the district of residence is responsible, it is possible that the child’s placement may be in a community preschool or chartered non-public preschool, and so the school district of residence may provide itinerant services or contract with the other setting to provide the services as outlined in the IEP.
4
. How can parents with children who have special needs help their kids get ready for preschool?
Identifying objects, social interactions, sorting, counting, singing, running and climbing, exploring and creating are just some
ways play engages a child in developing/practicing critical thinking skills, motor skills, and appropriate behavioral skills.
By reading books with children, the child can make connections that words in print have meaning, can understand story concepts such as beginning, middle, end, learn new vocabulary, engage in identifying objects in the book (illustrations), and many more benefits. Listening to your child helps them to build confidence in their communication, creates positive self-confidence, and allows a child to be more inquisitive and ask questions about the world around them. Knowing that they are heard makes a child feel safe to explore meanings and share feelings.
· 5. What is the transition process for preschoolers with special needs to kindergarten?
The IEP team that includes the local school district staff and the parents should plan for the preschool child’s transition to kindergarten. Any special supports a child may need in order to transition smoothly should be considered and included within the IEP, if necessary. The team should discuss how goals will be implemented in a kindergarten environment. Parents could check with school district staff to find about such things as possible kindergarten classroom locations and enrollment procedures.
—Ohio Department of Children and Youth
A B C Preschool Guide
THE CENTERS
The Centers operates six early learning centers in Northeast Ohio, providing a high-quality educational experience for children 6 weeks to age 5 to prepare them for kindergarten and future success. Our centers offer a stimulating learning environment, interactive activities, and a team of dedicated and experienced teachers and staff. Welcoming classrooms cater to children of all abilities. Programs are affordable for all families, with payment options for private pay, voucher qualified, and Early/Head Start eligible families. 216-325-9678, thecentersohio.org.
CLEVELAND MONTESSORI SCHOOL
Cleveland Montessori has been serving the Little Italy and Greater Cleveland community for almost 30 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 2024-25. 216-421-0700, info@cleveland montessori.org, clevelandmontessori.org
CLEVELAND SIGHT CENTER PRESCHOOL
Cleveland Sight Center has an on-site preschool that offers an alternative program for children who have a visual impairment (as a primary or secondary condition), along with their sighted peers. The team of passionate and highly qualified specialists use a curriculum that provides an individualized educational experience for each student and their unique interests and needs. The classroom is enriched with technology and equipment that is designed for children with varying abilities. Contact info@clevelandsightcenter.org or call 216-791-8118 to learn more about year-round open enrollment.
M O N T E S S O R I
S C H O O L O F
U N I V E R S I T Y H E I G H T S
M O N T E S S O R I
S C H O O L O F
U N I V E R S I T Y H E I G H T S
S C H O O L O F
M O N T E S S O R I
F O U N D E D 1 9 6 8
U N I V E R S I T Y H E I G H T S
S C H O O L O F
F O U N D E D 1 9 6 8
T H R E E Y E A R P R O G R A M
T H R E E Y E A R
B E G I N N I N G A T A G E T H R E E
B E G I N N I N G A T A G E T H R E E
B E G I N N I N G A T A G E T H R E E
Preschool Guide
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
EARLY STEPS LEARNING CENTER
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
T H R E E Y E A R P R O G R A M
Early Steps Learning Center
T H R E E Y E A R P R O G R A M
B E G I N N I N G A T A G E T H R E E
Spaces fill fast!
P E R S O N A L T O U R M O N T E S S O R I
Apply now for the 2o25/2o26 school year.
C A L L F O R A
2 1 6 - 3 8 1 - 8 3 8 8 O
Give Your Child the Best Start at Early Steps Learning Center! Discover exceptional childcare with their 5-Star ECE Preschool for ages 3-5. Their top-notch program enhances children’s thinking, social skills, and school readiness. Visit their website to learn more and schedule a tour today. Additional programs available for school-aged children. *Free 5-Star ECE Preschool available for qualifying families. earlystepslearningcenter.com
P E R S O N A L T O U R
C A L L F O R A
2 1 6 - 3 8 1 - 8 3 8 8
P E R S O N A L T O U R
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
HAWKEN SCHOOL
2 3 5 9 9 C E D A R R O A D
2 1 6 - 3 8 1 - 8 3 8 8
2 3 5 9 9 C E D A R R O A D
B E A C H W O O D , O H
2 1 6 - 3 8 1 - 8 3 8 8
B E A C H W O O D , O H
2 3 5 9 9 C E D A R R O A D
W W W . M S - U H . O R G
2 3 5 9 9 C E D A R R O A D
B E A C H W O O D , O H
W W W . M S - U H . O R G
B E A C H W O O D , O H
W W W . M S - U H . O R G
“ T h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t p e r i o d
W W W . M S - U H . O R G
“ T h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t p e r i o d
o f l i f e i s n o t t h e a g e o f u n i v e r s i t y s t u d i e s , b u t t h e
o f l i f e i s n o t t h e a g e o f
f i r s t o n e , t h e p e r i o d o f
u n i v e r s i t y s t u d i e s , b u t t h e
“ T h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t p e r i o d
f i r s t o n e , t h e p e r i o d o f
o f l i f e i s n o t t h e a g e o f
u n i v e r s i t y s t u d i e s , b u t t h e
b i r t h t o a g e s i x F o r t h a t i s
f i r s t o n e , t h e p e r i d o f
b i r t h t o a g e s i x F o r t h a t i s t h e t i m e w h e n m a n ’ s i n t e l l i g e n c e i t s e l f , h i s g r e a t e s t i m p l e m e n t , i s b e i n g f o r m e d ”
Hawken’s Early Childhood program allows your child to experience the joys of childhood while developing foundational knowledge, creative and critical thinking skills, citizenship, and the habits of mind to support lifelong learning. Highlights include a Forest Program option, a Toddler Program, and afternoon enrichment classes in science, movement, visual and dramatic arts, language and culture, and music. Applications are now being accepted for 2025-26. For more information, visit hawken.edu
NEW STORY SCHOOLS
New Story Schools, located in Independence and Sandusky, now offers preschool classrooms in a supportive environment for students ages 3-4 with developmental disabilities. Each of their classrooms are overseen by an Intervention specialist and led by one teacher and one paraprofessional. To allow for more individualized instruction, class sizes are limited to eight students. To reserve your spot, please call their office at 614-6026473 or visit newstoryschools.com.
b i r t h t o a g e s i x F o r t h a t i s
t h e t i m e w h e n m a n ’ s i n t e l l i g e n c e i t s e l f , h i s
t h e t i m e w h e n m a n ’ s
- D r M a r i a M o n t e s s o r i
i n t e l l i g e n c e i t s e l f , h i s
g r e a t e s t i m p l e m e n t , i s b e i n g f o r m e d ”
- CONTINUED ON PAGE 34 -
- D r M a r i a M o n t e s s o r i
g r e a t e s t i m p l m e n t , i s b e i n g f o r m e d ” - D r M a r i a M o n t e s s o r i
Sat., September 14 at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Mandel Auditorium from 11 - 2
See ad on page 47
A B C Preschool Guide
RUFFING
MONTESSORI SCHOOL
Ruffing Montessori School in Cleveland Heights is more than just a school for children ages 18 months through eighth grade. It is a beloved community where children are guided by experienced Montessori-trained teachers and immersed in a rigorous curriculum that prepares students to become independent thinkers and creative problem solvers. Schedule your tour today by contacting the Admissions Office at 216-321-7571 and see why Ruffing is the compelling school of choice for so many.
SETON CATHOLIC SCHOOL
Seton Catholic School (pre-kindergarten through eighth grade) is a U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon School. A lifetime love of learning starts here. Young hearts and minds develop into thoughtful, educated students — ready to thrive and grow. Immersed in the humanities, arts and sciences, foreign languages, mathematics, and environmental education — students are nurtured in a setting of constructive and personalized learning. Innovation and tradition unite with guided responsible use of technology, successfully integrated with time-honored instruction. setoncatholicschool.org
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
Go on an Ohio Glamping Trip >
By Joel Hammond
Ah yes, summer’s last gasp. A few, short fleeting weeks to do all the things you told your kids you would before school starts. (Is school starting earlier and earlier, or is it just us?)
One of those activities you may have short-sightedly told your youngsters you’d do is camp — we’re here to help those who want to camp, but just maybe not outdoors.
When we think of glamping, we think of, in the dictionary sense, a “form of camping involving accommodation more luxurious than those associated with traditional camping.” For our purposes, we identified several glamping options from all over the area in hopes we can help you fulfill your promises of family-fun or parents night out camping experiences in Ohio.
CLAY’S RESORT JELLYSTONE
PARK, North Lawrence. Choose from luxury or rustic cabins and enjoy amenities like full bathrooms, kitchens and screened-in porches. Plus, take advantage of their on-site amenities such as a water park, swimming lake, arcade, on-site dining and more. clayspark.com
MOHICANS LUXURY
TREEHOUSES, Glenmont. Air conditioning and occasional Wi-Fi are available in these cool, private getaway spots. themohicans.net/treehouses
TIPI VILLAGE AT EARTH SONG FARM, Lodi. These traditional tipis offer a queen-size bed, optional cots, a communal grill and fire ring – so yeah, we’re counting this as a form of glamping. (There’s a bed!) earthsongfarm.com/tipivillage.htm
COUNTRY ACRES CAMPING, Ravenna. There is so much room for activities at this fun park, plus a nightly entertainment schedule – from black light parties to water wars and more.
countryacrescamping.com/cabins
FLANNEL DOG FARM, Ashtabula. A bit more primitive than others on this list, Flannel Dog has three different options to stay while enjoying hiking, boating and fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding, restaurants and more.
flanneldogfarm.com/stay
THE DWELLING, Millersburg. Now this has a little more of the “glam” part of glamping, with beautiful views, tourist attractions, and wonderful dining are just a few minutes away.
thedwellingbnb.com
COLUMBIA WOODLANDS, Dover. Take your pick between cottages (one has a marble bath) and tents (chef-inspired menu choices delivered right to your door) at this cool spot.
columbiawoodlands.com/rentals
INN AT CEDAR FALLS, Logan. Longer haul from the greater Cleveland area, but worth it based on the proximity to Hocking Hills and choice of lodging – from cabins to geodomes and cottages to yurts. innatcedarfalls.com
THE WILDS, Cumberland. Combine animal safaris with a diverse range of lodging options –including cabins, a lodge and more. Come stay in these comfy spaces that provide beautiful landscapes and family-fun. thewilds.org/lodging
August Calendar
Butterflies and Bees
THROUGH 10/31
Return of the Butterflies. See butterflies actively searching for nectar as food sources and exploring their surroundings. Take part in butterfly releases each afternoon at 2 p.m. Cleveland Botanical Garden, 11030 East Blvd., holdenfg.org
8/11
NABA Annual Butterfly Count. Learn about butterflies and join in the survey. 10 a.m. Towner’s Woods Park, 2264 Ravenna Road, Kent, co.portgage.oh.us
8/17-18
Milk & Honey Weekend. Learn how milk becomes ice cream, about bees and their role in pollination, and much more. Lake Metroparks Farmpark. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 8800 Euclid Chardon Rd., Kirtland, lakemetroparks.com
Pick - A - Day
MONDAYS
Ping Pong Time. Improve your hand-eye coordination, have some fun and meet new people. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Euclid Public Library, 631 E. 222nd St., euclidlibrary.org
TUESDAYS
Northeast Ohio Parent Event Series. Free, family-friendly entertainment with interactive activities for kids ages 2-9, northeastohioparent.com
PINECREST PLAY DAYS: 8/6 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Pinecrest, Orange Village, FUN AT FIRST & MAIN: 8/13 10 a.m.-noon, First and Main, Hudson
CROCKER KIDS: 8/20 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Crocker Park, Westlake
WEDNESDAYS
Centennial Plaza Movie Series. Free big-screen, outdoor family-friendly movies. Through 8/14. 7 p.m. Centennial Plaza, Downtown Canton, cantonpalacetheatre.org
Fun on the Farm. Pony and pony cart rides, horse rides and more. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Spring Mist Farms, 691 Pearl Road, Brunswick Hills, springmistfarms.com
✱ SUBMIT YOUR EVENT TO US! northeastohioparent.com/events/community/add
Astronomy Club. Explore the world of astronomy in a fun, social environment on the third Wednesday of each month. 6:30 p.m. Lake Erie Nature & Science Center, 28728 Wolf Road, Bay Village, lensc.org
Lakewood Front Porch Concert Series. Free, live music in a welcoming environment. 7 p.m. Lakewood Public Library, lakewoodalive.org
Food Truck Wednesday. Second and fourth Wednesdays through 8/28. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Kiwanis-Moore Park, 35 W. Pioneer Trail, Aurora, auroraoh.com
Dance for Musical Theatre. Explore the history of dance in musical theatre while learning classic steps and choreography followed by a performance. 8/148/28. 4-5 p.m. Fairmount Center for the Arts, 8400 Fairmount Road, Novelty, fairmountcenter.org
SATURDAYS
Family Saturdays. Games, crafts, live entertainment and more. First and third Saturdays. 12-4 p.m. Skylight Park, Tower City, 230 W. Huron Road, Cleveland, towercitycenter.com
STEAM Team Saturdays. On the second and fourth Saturday of each month, children, ages 5-11 discover the wonder of S.T.E.A.M. 12 p.m. Akron Children’s Museum, 216 S. Main St., akronkids.org
Second Saturday Science. A naturalist answers questions and helps spot marsh wildlife, including birds, bees, and butterflies. 8 a.m. Mentor Marsh, 8852-8928 Woodridge Ln., Mentor, cmnh.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
Ongoing
THROUGH 8/25
Asian Lantern Festival. Walk or drive through an illuminated zoo after dark with live acrobatics, culturally-inspired cuisine and lantern displays. 6:30-10:30 p.m. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, 3900 Wildlife Way, clevelandmetroparks.com/zoo
THROUGH 8/31
Summer Planetarium Shows. Cosmic Kids and Universe at Large Planetarium programs. Hoover-Price Planetarium, 800 McKinley Monument Drive NW, Canton, mckinleymuseum.org
THROUGH 9/1
Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, Musical. Based on the famous novel by Roald Dahl. Weathervane Playhouse, 1301 Weathervane Lane, Akron, weathervaneplayhouse.com
Kids Nature Lunch and Learn. Explore, learn and play games while visiting the mobile nature center. 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Euclid Creek Reservation, 850 Euclid Creek, Cleveland, clevelandmetroparks.com
8/8
Astronomy Night. Discuss the changes in the night sky, cool things that are going on up there, and more. 8:30 p.m. Morgan Park Operations Center, 8505 Nicodemus Rd, Ravenna, portagecounty-oh.gov
Seiberling Explorers. Enjoy music, movement, and a stroll through the gardens and grounds. Ages 0-3. Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, 714 N. Portage Path, Akron, stanhywet.org
8/10
Music Therapy & More. Families learn how to use music to improve their child's academic, motor, communication and more. Ages 0-6 years. 10:30 a.m.-11 a.m. Westlake Porter Public Library, 27333 Center Ridge Road, westlakelibrary.org
Sandy & Beaver Canal Derby. For children ages 4-15, Bait will be provided. Bring your own pole. 8 a.m. Magnolia Mill Pond, 261 N. Main St., Magnolia, starkparks.com
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
Family Rocket Day. Build and launch a model rocket. Learn about recent mission launches and where to stream upcoming launches. 10 a.m.-noon. Lake Erie Nature & Science Center, 28728 Wolf Road, Bay Village, lensc.org
8/10, 24 & 31
Skate Night at the Plaza. Lace up your skates for some oldschool roller-skating action. 5-8 p.m. Cascade Plaza, 1 Cascade Plaza, Akron, downtownakron.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. Munroe Falls Lake Area, 521 S. River Rd., summitmetroparks.org
8/13
Play Time: Bees. Discover and explore different sensory and hands-on activities. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Springfield-Lakemore Branch Library, 1500 Canton Rd., Akron, akronlibrary.org
8/14
Horse Tales. Children can spend time reading out loud to horses. 1:30-3 p.m. Fieldstone Farm Therapeutic Riding Center, 16497 Snyder Rd, Chagrin Falls, geaugalibrary.libcal.com
8/16
Teddy Bear Picnic. Celebrate national picnic month with your favorite stuffed friend on the lawn. Ages 5-12. 10:30 a.m.-11:15 a.m. Mentor Public Library, 8215 Mentor Ave., mentorpl.org
Baby Explorers. Practice fine and gross motor skills, create art, and begin exploring the world. Ages birth-23 months. 11-11:30 a.m. Twinsburg Public Library, 10050 Ravenna Road, twinsburglibrary.org
8/16-18
Back to School Sidewalk Sale. Snag the best deals of the season from the sidewalks all weekend long to get ready for the back-toschool routine. Crocker Park, 177 Market St., Westlake, crockerpark.com
8/17
Art-A-Palooza. A fine arts festival featuring over 70 regional artists, local food vendors, live music, and children’s activities. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Boettler Park, 5300 Massillon Road, Green, cityofgreen.org - CONTINUED ON PAGE 40 -
August calendar
Super Science Saturday - Chill Chinchillas. Learn about chinchillas and learn about the life of these chill creatures. 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Akron Fossils & Science Center, 2080 S. Cleveland Massillon Road, Copley, akronfossils.org
8/24
29th Annual Cookie Ride. Take a bike ride, eat some cookies, and make a donation to maintain the bike trail. 7 a.m.-noon. Brad Lightle Park, 68 Main Street, Frankfort, visitchillicotheohio.com
8/28
What’s New in Adoption? Adoptive parents, adult adoptees, and birth parents speak on personal experiences, social justice, and adoption issues. 7 p.m. Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage, 2929 Richmond Road, Beachwood, maltzmuseum.org
8/30
West African Drum Circle. Every age and experience level are encouraged to participate. 6:30-8 p.m. Euclid Beach Park, 16301 Lake Shore Boulevard, Cleveland, clevelandmetroparks.com
8/31
Willowick Sensory Messy Play. Make a mess, have fun, and don’t stress about the clean up. 11 a.m.-noon. Willowick Public Library, 263 E. 305th St., we247.org
k Parent & Me Storytimes and Activities
Pick-A-Day
MONDAYS
Summer Storytime. Stories, flannel boards, fingerplays, and songs. Through 8/26. 11 a.m.-noon. Garrettsville Branch Library, 10482 South St., portagelibrary.org
TUESDAYS
Storytime Stay & Play at the Maltz Museum. Come for storytime and then explore the museum. 8/6. 11 a.m. 2929 Richmond Road, Beachwood, maltzmuseum.org
MONDAY-
THURSDAY
Frogs & Polliwogs. Hands-on activities, music, games and simple crafts. Ages 2-3 with an adult. 9:30 or 11 a.m. Monday-Wednesday, and 9:30 a.m. Thursday. Lake Erie Nature & Science Center, 28728 Wolf Road, Bay Village, lensc.org
MONDAY-
FRIDAY
Playgroup. Play and make new friends. Ages 0-5. Through 8/15. Wadsworth Public Library, 132 Broad St., wadsworthlibrary.com
THURSDAYS
Newsy Mom Playdates. Stories and activities on the 2nd Thursday Monthly. 11 a.m.-noon. Belden Village Mall, 4220 Belden Village St. NW, Canton, shoppingbeldenvillagemall.com
Family Storytime. Songs, rhymes, stories and art or playtime. Children five and under with a caregiver. Through 8/22. 11:00 a.m-noon. Firestone Park Branch Library, 1486 Aster Ave, Akron, akronlibrary.org
FRIDAYS
Family Storytime at the Great Northern Mall. Family storytime on the first Friday of each month. 11:30 a.m. 4954 Great Northern Mall Blvd., North Olmsted, greatnorthernohio.com
Storytime. Stories and songs for children ages 2-5. Through 12/27. 11 a.m.-noon. Oberlin Public Library, 65 S. Main St., oberlinlibrary.org
Story Stroll. Bounce, wiggle and stroll at this outdoor story time for infants through 3-years-olds. Second and fourth Fridays through 8/23. 10-10:45 a.m. Black River Landing StoryWalk, 319 Black River Lane, Lorain, lorainpubliclibrary.org
8/6-11
Cuyahoga County Fair. Rides, farm animals, bake-off, circus, dog shows and much more. Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, 19201 E. Bagley Rd., Berea, cuyfair.com
8/9-11
North Ridgeville Corn Festival. Fireworks, corn eating contest, kids’ games, and live entertainment. North Ridgeville School Campus, 34600 Bainbridge Rd., nrcornfest.org
Last Days of Summer Events
Coshocton Sunflower Festival. Three acres of sunflowers, flower cutting, live music, and more. Coshocton KOA, 24688 County Rd. 10, coshoctonsunflower festival.com
8/10
Fun Fest. Free family festival with arts, crafts, music, and more. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Downtown Massillon, massillonmuseum.org/fun-fest
Tallmadge Circle Fest & Light Parade. Spectacular light parade, family-friendly activities, live entertainment and more. 5:30-11 p.m. Tallmadge Circle, tallmadgechamber.com
Balloons Over Wadsworth. A fun, family-friendly, and free community event. 5:30-8:00 p.m. Downtown Wadsworth, visitmedinacounty.com
8/11
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
International Kite Festival. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Edgewater Park, 6500 Memorial Shoreway, Cleveland, osekcleveland.org
8/15-18
Little Italy’s Feast of the Assumption. Italian foods, live music, and rides. Holy Rosary Church, 12021 Mayfield Road, Cleveland, holy-rosary.org
8/16-17
Mentor CityFest. Color Dash & Walk, CityFest Parade, arts and crafts vendors, food and more. Civic Center Park, 8500 Civic Center Blvd., Mentor, mentorcityfest.com
8/16-18
Valley City Street Fair. Games, bands, cornhole tournaments and more. Valley City Fire Department, 6700 Center Road, valleycity.org
Auburn Art Festival. Art, home goods, live music, food and more. 17111 Ravenna Road, Chagrin Falls, auburnartsdistrict.com
8/24
Solon Pop Up In the Park. Local artisans, delicious eats and more. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Solon Community Park, avantgardeshows.com
8/24-25
Saint Josaphat Ukrainian Festival. Parade, bounce houses, petting zoo, live music and much more. Noon. 5720 State Road, Parma, stjosaphatcathedral.com
8/31 & 9/7
Heart & Home Handmade Market Sunflower Festival. Acres of sunflowers, artisans and more. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Lost Trail Winery and Vineyard, 5228 State St NE Canton, heartandhomemarketplace.com
9/6-7
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
9/14
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
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
Stark County Fair. Rides, tractor & truck pulls, demolition derbies, horse racing and more. Stark County Fairgrounds, 305 Wertz Ave., Canton, starkcountyfair.com
8/29-9/2
The Great Geauga County Fair. Truck & tractor pull, country fest, rides & games, entertainment and much more. 14373 N. Cheshire St., Burton, geaugafair.com
8/30-9/1
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
8/30-9/2
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
8/30-8/31
Akron Pizza Fest. Food and music festival including pizza-eating contests, kids activities and live music. Lock 3, 200 S. Main St., Akron, akronpizzafest.com
8/31-9/1
Streetsboro Labor Day Fun. Live Bird Show, Erie Street Kitchen, Live Concert, Crafts, Pancake Breakfast and Bingo. KOA, 187 State Route 303, Streetsboro, koa.com
Stow Summer Sunset Blast. Fireworks, community picnic, games and more. 5-10 p.m. Silver Springs Park, 5238 Young Rd., Stow, stowohio.org
8/31-9/2
Cleveland National AirShow. Featuring the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. Burke Lakefront Airport, downtown Cleveland between E. Ninth and E. 55th streets, clevelandairshow.com
Labor Day Flea Market. Over 12 acres of outdoor vendors. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Hartville Marketplace & Flea Market, 1289 Edison St. NW, Hartville, hartvillemarketplace.com
AKRON ART MUSEUM
Land Jam. 1 S. High St., akronartmuseum.org
AKRON CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
Farm to Table. Akron Children’s Museum, 216 S. Main St., akronkids.org
AKRON FOSSILS & SCIENCE CENTER
Two Acre Outdoor Play Park. 2080 S. Cleveland-Massillon Road, Copley, akronfossils.com
Asia and Indonesia Gallery. 2000 Sycamore St., Cleveland, greaterclevelandaquarium. com
HOLDEN ARBORETUM
Murch Canopy Walk and Kalberer Emergent Tower. 9500 Sperry Road, Kirtland, holdenarb.org
LAKE ERIE NATURE & SCIENCE CENTER
Schuele Planetarium. 28728 Wolf Road, Bay Village, lensc.org
MALTZ MUSEUM
A Celebration of Family. 2929 Richmond Road, Beachwood, maltzmuseum.org
Ohio Nursing Home Quality Navigator
The Ohio Nursing Home Quality Navigator, launched by the Ohio Department of Aging (ODA) is a new online tool providing users detailed information about nursing homes across the state in one convenient digital location.
The navigator includes a searchable map of all active nursing homes in Ohio with care quality metrics, facility comparison functionality, and other features, such as staffing ratios, specialty services offered and the number of health and safety violations a nursing home received. The tool is designed to empower Ohioans when considering a nursing home for themselves or a loved one.
“Our Task Force traveled to every corner of the state, listening to nursing home residents, their family members, friends and caregivers,” Ohio Governor Mike DeWine says in a press release. “Time and again, these people told us that the information they needed to make one of the most important decisions of their lives — where to live and receive care — was scattered across a variety of sources. We heard loud and clear that Ohioans making these decisions want an accessible, trusted, single source of information about nursing
homes available at their fingertips.”
It is our hope that, in addition to providing increased transparency and convenience to Ohioans, the new online navigator will also incentivize nursing homes to continue reaching higher to deliver the very best quality of care and quality of life possible to the benefit of our state’s nursing home residents and those who love and care for them,” says Ohio Department of Aging Director Ursel J. McElroy in the release.
The navigator allows Ohioans to find nursing homes in their area by searching for their zip code or city name. Entering one of these types of search terms will generate a map of that area and highlight the nursing homes within a range of anywhere from five to 100 miles. Ohioans can then see a list of those nursing homes and select one for further details about that facility.
Ohioans can also pull up information about a specific nursing home they may be interested in if they already know its name, skipping the search and map steps.
Data available for each facility includes its number of beds, its Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Five-Star
Quality Rating, resident and family satisfaction survey scores, staffing data and other information provided by the facility, such as whether it allows pets, alcohol, or smoking, any religious affiliation, and what special care services it might offer.
The navigator also provides each nursing home’s phone number and website and includes an instant share feature allowing users to text or email facility contact information to their loved ones with the click of a button.
The navigator also allows for a direct comparison between nursing homes, with users being able to select up to two facilities (mobile version) or up to three facilities (desktop/tablet version) and compare their information side-by-side.
The Ohio Nursing Home Quality Navigator is available through the Department of Aging’s website at aging.ohio.gov/navigator.
Helping Kids Facing the What Ifs
AS ANXIETY RISES, PARENTS CAN EQUIP CHILDREN WITH TOOLS TO TACKLE FEARS
Anxiety is the most common mental health condition, with about a third of all people meeting the criteria for an anxiety disorder at some point in their lifetime, says Dr. Amy Lee, a pediatric psychologist at Cleveland Clinic Children’s.
Lee, who has been with the Clinic for 31 years, has seen anxiety in children rise notably in that time, and significantly so since the start of the pandemic.
There are a lot of factors at play: more isolation, more social media, more structured activities. A stronger focus on achievement. Less time for independence-building free play.
But anxiety is not always a problem parents need to be concerned about.
“Many times, anxiety is a sign of
By Rachel Abbey McCafferty
positive brain development, cognitive development,” Lee says.
For example, Lee says, stranger anxiety is common in babies, and that’s actually a good thing: it’s a “protective” anxiety that demonstrates that they recognize their caregivers and can differentiate them from others. Fears and phobias in preschool or elementary school-age children can be a sign that their imagination and their ability to anticipate potential outcomes are developing.
Parents can help children manage these developmentally normal types of fears by controlling their exposure to them, Lee says, and help them face those fears with support. They can also help children learn how to calm the feelings of anxiety or stress in their bodies with skills like deep breathing, or teach them how to counteract fears and what ifs with positive truths.
Dr. Elle Brennan, who works in the division of Behavioral Health at Akron Children’s Hospital, says, often, parents can help simply by talking to their children about what they’re finding challenging and helping them find solutions, like practicing a skill that’s worrying them or managing
expectations around something.
One behavior parents should watch for in their children is avoidance, Brennan says. That might look like clinginess or fussiness in a young child, a loss in confidence in an early adolescent or irritableness or procrastination in an older teen.
Anxiety rises from the level of an emotion to a disorder when there’s a “consistent pattern,” Brennan says, and when anxiety and avoidance affect how a child functions.
And Lee noted that some children may show physical signs of stress or anxiety, like headaches or stomach aches, without being aware of those underlying feelings.
When fear begins to impair the rest of a child’s life — holding them back from trying new activities or making friends, keeping them from school or sleep — outside help might be needed. A good place to start is a child’s pediatrician, Lee says, but schools can also offer valuable support.
A lot of kids (and adults) today worry about the big issues in their world, Lee notes, such as war, the climate, germs.
“But a sign of good psychological health is the ability to be able to flexibly attend to that,” Lee says.
Someone who has an anxiety disorder may have more trouble flipping from a large-scale worry to their current reality, where they may be safe and away from immediate harm. They may get overwhelmed or find ways to avoid those thoughts and feelings.
If therapy is necessary, Brennan says there are a variety of treatment options. Supportive counseling that helps children gain skills to handle anxiety, like belly breathing, is usually a first step, but may not be enough, she says. The “gold standard” is exposure therapy, where a professional will help the patient actively face their fears.
It can be a tough process, Brennan says, but she hopes families know it’s an option.
