Parents Press April 2021

WWW.PARENTSPRESS.COM

April 2021

HOW TO FOSTER A Special Partnership with Camp Leadership Navigate College Search during Covid-19 Simple Ways to BUILD SELF-ESTEEM

4

REWARD PROGRAMS to use at home with your children

Summer Camp Listings Your Child’s Best Ever Summer Starts Here!

PS CAMPUS

PS HOME

At Prospect Sierra, whether on campus or at home, w and caring people who strive to build a better w

prospectsie 2

Parents Press | April 2021

ProspectSierra_15x10_25_R2.indd 1

Bay Area Green Business - NAIS Model School of the Future - Ashoka Chang

PS JOY

me, we help your children become successful students tter world. At the heart of everything we do is joy.

ctsierra.org

ka Changemaker School - US Department of Education Green Ribbon School

Parents’ Press

2020

BEST OF

WINNER 3 April 2021 | ParentsPress.com

23/07/2020 12.25

Contents

www.parentspress.com

APRIL 2021

Volume 40 • Number 6

14

SummerCamp Listings WHAT’S INSIDE

8 Good to Know

• Vote for Top Nominations of Family Favorites 2021 • Virtual Camp & Summer Expo • 2021 Bay Area Summer Camp Guide

12 How to Foster a Special Partnership with Camp Leadership 24 Are You Overparenting?

It can occasionally backfire.

Mailing Address: 875-A Island Dr, Ste 421 Alameda, CA 94502 www.ParentsPress.com

4

Parents Press | April 2021

26 Spring Cleaning Family Style It can be fun!

28 Get Your Kids Reward Programs

4 reward programs to use at home.

32 Navigate College Search

Tackle the unique challenges during Covid-19 pandemic.

34 Simple Ways to Build Self-Esteem Building confidence in your children.

Publisher | Parenting Media, Inc. Art Director | Debbi Murzyn Account Managers Carol Flores, Sophie Archer Advertising Sales & General Info sales@parentspress.com Copies of Parents’ Press are distributed to locations throughout the Bay Area.

Send letters to the editor to editor@parentspress.com

Calendar submissions are due six weeks prior to publication date.

Send calendar information to calendar@parentspress.com

Parents’ Press is published monthly. ©2021 Parents’ Press

2021 Virtual Camp & Summer Expo Coming In April May June

e h t e v Sa e Dat

Receive camp information and learn about more than 75 day and overnight camps as well as summer programs for all ages and interests.

Thank You to our Sponsors:

April 2021 | ParentsPress.com

5

Summer I

An Innovative Summer Program for Mot

IN-PERSON & ONLINE O

JUNE 14 THRO

DETAILS & REGIS

shcp.edu /

1 0 5 5 E L L I S S T R E E T, S A N F R A N C I S CO, C A 6

Parents Press | April 2021

r Institute

Motivated Students & Athletes Ages 9-14

E OFFERINGS AVAILABLE

OUGH JULY 23

EGISTRATION AT

u / summer

, CA 94109

•

415.775.6626

•

S H C P. E D U April 2021 | ParentsPress.com

7

Good to Know Parents’ The Nominations Are In! Press 2021

BEST OF

VOTE NOW

APRIL is the time to vote for the top nominations for this year’s Best Of Awards. Each year, we poll our readers for their top picks of places to shop, dine and play and we need your input! Head online to ParentsPress.com to vote for your favorites today. We’ll publish the winners in our annual Best of the Best publication this August.

2021 Bay Area Summer Camp Guide

T

he 2021 digital edition of the Bay Area Camp Guide features helpful articles on picking the right camp, specialty programs, preparing for camp and more. Read it on ParentsPress. com­—just click on the Magazine tab then on the image of the Bay Area Camp Guide.

Camp & Summer Virtual Expo Join

Us!

April, May & June Register Online

Covid Vaccines & Kids

T

eens over 16 can get COVID-19 shoots as soon as they are eligible. But what about younger kids? “For children 12 years of age and up, there will be a vaccine available before the next school year,” said Robert Frenck, director of the Vaccine Research Center at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and a principal investigator for the Pfizer trial. “Just looking at the timelines, it’s probably more likely the end of 2021 to early 2022 for younger kids, but maybe it’ll go a little faster than that.”

Currently, no COVID-19 vaccine is authorized for use in children under the age of 16. But several vaccine makers are already testing their shots in younger teens and some pre-teens, and others have committed to doing so soon. There are roughly 75 million people under the age of 18.

“If you didn’t vaccinate that group you’re going to have a large part of the population that’s not vaccinated,” Frenck said in an interview.

Dr. Anthony Fauci said in a briefing this February that vaccine trials for 12-year-olds down to 5- to 6-year-olds would likely start around April, though it would likely take a year for results to come in.

CAMP & SUMMER PROGRAM VIRTUAL EXPO 2021

P

arents’ Press has redesigned the Summer Camp Fair into a Camp Expo Flip Book complete with information and video for over 45 camp and summer programs. Information in the flip book is sorted to fit your needs. Register today to receive the next Camp Expo Flip Book on April 24.

https://parentspress.com/summercamp-fair.html 8

Parents Press | April 2021

KELLY SIKKEMA, UNSPLASH.COM

VIRTUAL SUMMER CAMP FAIR

RE

GI S IS TRA OP TIO EN N

Going to the Dentist should be FUN!

Onli n In-pe e & rson Clas ses

Join class from home!

Out-of-town family welcome, too!

Save a spot for your family in one of our award-winning music classes for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, big kids—and the grownups who love them®.

Aloha Pediatric Dentistry | 3 East Bay Locations 2640 Telegraph Avenue #101, Berkeley | (510) 848-6494 906 Ensenada Avenue, North Berkeley | (510) 528-1546 3 Altarinda Road #210, Orinda | (925) 253-8190 AlohaKidsDDS.com

GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE

Teacher, first responder or healthcare worker?

Email info@eastbaymusictogether.com for a THANK YOU coupon.

TM

EastBayMusicTogether.com (510) 848-SING

2bd/2ba Condo Vacation Rental www.VRBO.com/439343 South Kihei Maui, Hawaii tbusson1@yahoo.com

Best Pediatric Dentist

Bay Area Parent Family Favorite Winner in the East Bay

Real Patients, Real Smiles They’ve got a great dentist.

• • • • •

cosmetic and general dentistry teeth whitening with Zoom! aesthetic restoration character teeth for stage and film dental implants

Single Visit Crowns

Thank you Alameda for voting us the best dentist!

BEST OF MAGAZINE

RICHARD TABOR, DDS 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2012

Your Maui Home

Aloha Pediatric Dentistry

510.865.2900 • www.AlamedaDentist.com 1821 Santa Clara Avenue • Alameda April 2021 | ParentsPress.com

9

Good to Know Safe Driving

By Deirdre Farrelly

D

id you know that is takes the average person five seconds to read or send a text?

Driving 55mph and taking your eyes off the road for 5 seconds is the same as driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed.

April is Distracted Driving and Awareness Month and the perfect time to start talking to your child about how to stay safe on the road as a driver and a passenger. The easiest way is to ‘practice what you preach’. If you drive free of distractions and focused on the road your child will pick up the same habits.

These tips will not only keep your new driver safe but other drivers on the road safe as well: • Stay focused—keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel; • Buckle up every time for every ride; • Put your phone down or attach to secure holder if you need to use it for GPS;

• Avoid activities—do not eat or drink while driving and have a passenger make a phone call or send a text if needed; • Prepare ahead of time—adjust mirrors, climate and radio controls before you start driving; and • Never drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol and do not get in the car with someone else who is .

As a passenger, make sure your child knows it is ok to speak up if they do not feel safe. They should make sure everyone is wearing a seatbelts, phones are put away and the radio is low or off to prevent unnecessary distractions.

Make sure to discuss a back-up plan if your teen is unable to drive or if their designated driver is unable to drive. Create a safe space for your teen to be able to get home safely and worry about punishment later.

Getting a license is an exciting achievement and by teaching your child to always be safe on the road, it can remain a fun part of growing up.

San Ramon, Pleasanton and Alameda Students Win Prizes in C-SPAN Video Documentary Competition

T

his March C-SPAN announced that students in San Ramon, Pleasanton and Alameda, California, are winners in CSPAN’s national 2021 StudentCam competition.

The competition, now in its 17th year, invited all middle and high school students to enter by producing a short documentary. C-SPAN, in cooperation with cable television partners, asked students to join the national conversation on the challenges our country is facing with the theme: ”Explore the issue you most want the president and new Congress to address in 2021.”

These Bay Area students found themselves the recipients of prizes for their works. Agamroop Kaur, a student at Dougherty Valley High School in San Ramon, will receive $1,500 as a second-prize winner for the documentary, “BIG Tobacco BIGGER Epidemic,” about Youth Vaping. This documentary will air on C-SPAN at 6:50 a.m. ET and throughout the day on April 6.

Philip Avdey, “Frontier.”

10

Parents Press | April 2021

Philip Avdey, a student at Amador Valley High School in Pleasanton, will receive $750 as a third-prize winner for the documentary, “Frontier,” about space exploration.

Aidan Gleason, Julia Dashzeveg and Oliver Cantal, students at Alameda Community Learning Center in Alameda, will receive $250 as honorable mention winners for the documentary, “Crumbling Foundation: Ending the California Housing Crisis.”

“With the continual shift in the educational landscape, it is difficult to overstate just how challenging the pandemic has proven for schools across our nation,” said Craig McAndrew, Director, C-SPAN Education Relations. “We are so impressed by the resilience and ingenuity of this year’s prize-winning students who have delivered among the finest short films in the history of the StudentCam competition.”

Agamroop Kaur, “BIG Tobacco BIGGER Epidemic.”

Aidan Gleason, Julia Dashzeveg and Oliver Cantal, “Crumbling Foundation: Ending the California Housing Crisis.”

Berkeley City Ballet berkeleycityballet.org

In-studio & Online

Summer Ballet Camps & Classes Pre Ballet - Pre Professional Ages 4 & Up New! July 12-23

Oakland Ballet Summer Intensive at ABA More info: AlamedaBallet.com | admin@alamedaballet.com Dedicated to finding you the perfect nanny!

Servicing the entire East Bay for over 20 years!

No fee unless nanny is placed!

Ages 2 and up Boys ballet Dance camps Birthday parties

– Full and part time – permanent nanny placement – All candiates – personally screened

Phone 925.743.0587 www.nannyconnection.com

State-of-the-art studios Sprung floors Easy parking Easy online registration and payment

photo : andy mogg

April 2021 | ParentsPress.com

11

THE IMPORTANCE OF

Parents Having a Good Relationship with Camp Leadership

I’M

GOING TO LET YOU IN ON A LITTLE SECRET: Camp directors and

staff just may be the biggest allies that parents and guardians will ever meet! There’s so much about educating and caring for children of all ages in the unique setting of a summer camp that naturally fosters a special partnership between families and the camps they choose for their children.

THE BASICS This close bond is readily apparent when parents visit camp, especially parents of established campers who have several summers under their belts. What you see is a lot of hugging, thanking and celebrating: • Hugging because adults grow close after years of working together to help raise a child; • Thanking because camp people are truly grateful to have the trust of families and because families are equally grateful for what camps provide; and • Celebrating because camp is finally happening –and camp is a special, unique and fun part of each child’s life.

Camps frequently succeed in inspiring campers to accomplish what families and schools can’t or don’t. It happens because camps offer problem-solving, collaboration and support through campers’ growing pains that are inevitable in the journey through childhood Continued on page 20 >>>

12

Parents Press | April 2021

April 2021 | ParentsPress.com

13

Summer Camp Listings Your Child’s Best summer ever starts here

14

Parents Press | April 2021

ALAMEDA BALLET ACADEMY’S SUMMER INTENSIVE AND THEME CAMPS! (ALAMEDA)

AUTHORS OF THE FUTURE! SUMMER WRITING CAMPS (PALO ALTO AND PLEASANTON)

CAMP DOODLES (BERKELEY, ORINDA, MILL VALLEY AND SAN FRANCISCO)

510-841-8913 Age or Grade Range: Minimum Age: 4 ABA’s Summer Intermediate Intensive Camp for Dancers 10+ Years and Ballet Theme Camps for Dancers 4-12 Years https://www.alamedaballet.com/

925-485-5750 Age or Grade Range: Ages 7-13 Every summer, Emerson Montessori Schools of Pleasanton and Palo Alto open their doors and offer their innovative programs in a camplike setting to outside students who want to share in the summer learning adventures https://emersonmontessori.com/ programs/summer-writing-campwritenow/

415-388-4386 Age or Grade Range: Ages 3-15 Camp Doodles offers a projectbased, hands-on camp environment.

Our philosophy emphasizes fun in maker and art labs designed to encourage creativity, coupled with ample outdoor time! http://www.campdoodles.com/

ATHENA CAMPS | GIRL-POWERED CAMPS (SAN JOSE) 408-490-4972 Age or Grade Range: Grades K-8 Athena Camps’ mission is to inspire courage and build confidence in girls through a unique combination of athletic, creative, emotional, and social activities in a nurturing community.

BERKELEY CITY BALLET SUMMER DANCE CAMPS (BERKELEY) 510-531-8566 Age or Grade Range: Ages 5-8 Weekly Dance Camps from 9am-3pm culminating in performance! https://berkeleycityballet.org/classesand-more/classes/dance-camps

CAMP GRIGIO - SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM (SAN FRANCISCO) 415-518-2400 Age or Grade Range: Ages 3-8 To ensure safety for staff members, campers, and their families, we will be following guidelines from both SF County and CA State Department of Health. Camp Grigio is currently offering three 3-week sessions. http://www.salesianclub.org/

April 2021 | ParentsPress.com

15

CITY OF EL CERRITO SPORTS CAMP (EL CERRITO)

EDEN VILLAGE WEST (HEALDSBURG, CA)

510-559-8208 Age or Grade Range: Ages 4-12 Non-competitive co-ed since 1993.

Sports & Games Camp, Soccer Camp & Baseball Camp @ Cerrito Vista Pk. Swimming, play structure, Foosball. dodgeball. Frisbee, basketball, water balloons. 3 canopies w/ tables & chairs, chess & much more.. http://www.elcerritosportscamp.com/

(510) 560-5610 Age or Grade Range: Ages 8-16 Eden Village West is the Jewish organic farm camp situated along the Russian River in Sonoma, CA. https://www.edenvillagewest.org/

CODEREV KIDS TECH CAMPS (CUPERTINO, MOUNTAIN VIEW & SAN FRANCISCO) 415-658-5915 Age or Grade Range: Ages 6-16 Check out the hottest tech camp for kids, now with 2 amazing locations in San Francisco (Sunnyside & Outer Sunset), one in the heart of Mountain View, and one in Cupertino. http://coderevkids.com/camps

16

Parents Press | April 2021

FAD PAD (OAKLAND) (510) 219-3474 Age or Grade Range: Ages 5-12 The FAD PAD is a magical outdoor camp offering a wide variety of FUN! Art, Cooking, Gardening, Fairy Lore, Drama, Cooperative Games, Hand Sewing and Starwitz. http://www.mehstories.com/

ID TECH THE #1 STEM CAMP (CAMPBELL) 408-871-3700 Age or Grade Range: Ages 7-19 iD Tech is the world leader in STEM education, with 400,000 alumni and 20+ years of experience. Summer programs for ages 7-19 are held at 150 prestigious campuses including Stanford, NYU, HKU, and UCLA

INTEGEM AUGMENTED REALITY CODING & ART CAMP (MULTIPLE CITIES) (408) 459-0657 Age or Grade Range: Ages 5-18 Fun and Educational Camp! K-12 students learn Augmented Reality coding, digital art, game design, animation, 3D, storytelling, STEM/ STEAM, design thinking and more.

Beginner to Advanced levels with personalized curriculum. https://camp.integem.com/

KIDZTOPROS SUMMER CAMPS (MULTIPLE CITIES) (510) 356-8726 Age or Grade Range: Ages 4-14 Explore, learn and thrive at KidzToPros STEM, Arts & Sports Summer Camps for kids ages 4 to 14!

From coding and robotics to digital arts, film studio, basketball, tennis and more, KidzToPros will help ignite your child’s creativity and passions. https://www.kidztopros.com/summercamps

Performance & Recording Summer Camps Offering Remote and In-Person Options sanramon.schoolofrock.com

Montessori at Five Canyons Enrolling Now for Summer & Fall!

E

SS

At Five Can

ORI S C O

MON

H

T

American Montessori Societ Toddlers (18 mo.) - Preschool - TK Kindergarten - Summer Program - Extended Daycare MONTESSORI S

OL

Nestled in the hills, be Summer Session Includ

18 months – 6 years Before or After S

Rich Montessori Curriculum • Indiv Spanish & Mandarin • Art, Music &

510.581.3729 • 22781 Cany

www.montessori-tra

Free the child’s potential, and you will transform him into the world.

- Maria Montessori

510.581.3729 22781 Canyon Ct. Castro Valley www.montessoricastrovalley.com April 2021 | ParentsPress.com

17

LEGARZA SPORTS (MULTIPLE CITIES) (415) 334-3333 Age or Grade Range: Grades PK-8 Basketball, All-Sports, & Volleyball Summer Camp PreK-8th Grade. http://www.legarzasports.org/

THE RENAISSANCE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL (OAKLAND) 510-531-8566 Age or Grade Range: Grades 1-8 This summer we offer Montessori classroom activities in the morning, followed by summer camp in the afternoon for Lower Elementary (first through third grade) students, and an all day summer experience for Upper Elementary and Junior High students (fourth through ninth grade). https://www.therenaissanceschool.org

18

Parents Press | April 2021

SCHOOL OF ROCK PERFORMANCE AND RECORDING CAMPS (SAN RAMON AND VIRTUAL)

UC BERKELEY’S EMBARC SUMMER DESIGN ACADEMY (BERKELEY)

(925) 415-3340 Age or Grade Range: Ages 8-16 Do you want to learn how to play in a band or learn to write songs?

School of Rock San Ramon offers a wide variety of music camps and workshops that cover topics such as these. http://sanramon.schoolofrock.com/

Age or Grade Range: Ages 15-18 embARC is an immersive summer design program at UC Berkeley’s College of Environmental Design that brings together high school students from diverse backgrounds in a virtual space to explore architecture, urban design and sustainable city planning. http://bit.ly/embarcwebsite_2021

SPANISH IMMERSION CAMPS WITH VIVA EL ESPAÑOL (MULTIPLE LOCATIONS) 925-962-9177 Age or Grade Range: Ages 3-10 Viva el Español offers engaging, interactive Spanish language camps for pre-school to elementary school-aged kids. Our camps are designed to give children a unique opportunity to learn, practice, and improve their Spanish language skills. http://www.vivaelespanol.org/

WALNUT CREEK ARTS & REC SUMMER DAY CAMPS (WALNUT CREEK) (925) 295-1490 Age or Grade Range: Ages 3-14 Join Walnut Creek’s Arts & Recreation for summer camps this year! Arts & Rec offers summer camps in arts, sports, outdoor recreation, preschool camps, specialized recreation, and much more! http://walnut-creek.org/summercamp

Youth Camp is Back!

June 21–25, 2021 June 28–July 2, 2021

Your child will love all the fun-filled traditions of overnight CAMP! Campers will enjoy Canoeing, Crawdad Fishing, Hiking, Archery, Volleyball, Swimming, Beach Fun at Lake Tahoe, Skits, Arts & Crafts,

Tye Dying Shirts, and Campfires with S’mores. Roundtrip bus transportation from Concord to South Lake Tahoe included. Strict policies around Covid-19 will be in place and camp will be at 50% capacity.

Ages: 8–13 (at the time of camp) Returning Camp Registration Opens March 9, 2021 New Camper Registration Opens March 16, 2021

Space is limited to 50 campers each session. To register: FriendsOfCampConcord.org/Youth-Camp or contact us at: YouthCamp@FriendsOfCampConcord.org April 2021 | ParentsPress.com 19

<<< Continued from page 12

Having a Good Relationship with Camp Leadership

and adolescence. For families, having this kind of an ally is invaluable, especially in today’s world where it sometimes seems like there’s more judgment and criticism of parents than ever before.

It’s well worth it to establish and cultivate relationships with your child’s camp. But, what’s the best way to go about that – with a day or overnight camp – when the entire point is for a child to be independent at camp for a certain period of time?

What’s the appropriate role for families to play?

The whole point of camp is to provide children with a safe and fun learning opportunity that they can navigate by themselves and with the guidance of camp personnel. However, this cannot happen without mutual trust and respect or a fundamental understanding between the adults at home and the adults at camp. Campers often don’t realize that parents and guardians have an enormous responsibility in setting children up for success before they go to camp, while they’re there and after they return home. Trust me, camp professionals realize this!

Camps have an equally vast responsibility to communicate clearly with families as they function in loco parentis, which is Latin for “in the place of a parent.” The reality is that while camps 20

Parents Press | April 2021

are functioning in the place of parents, they are reinforcing many family values and lessons while also mentoring, teaching and helping children grow in amazing new ways that complement what home and school environments provide.

Parents and guardians definitely need to forge their own separate relationship with the camp while they let the child’s experience unfold independently. This can get a little tricky; and it’s not uncommon for well-meaning moms and dads to interfere. By “interfere,” I mean by stepping on the toes of either the child or the camp people – or worse, both!

Forging a successful adult relationship with a camp is not unlike initiating and nurturing other important, healthy relationships in your personal and professional life. It involves: • Communicating clearly and honestly; • Listening carefully, striving to understand and accept; • Spending time together when needed; • Taking appropriate risks; and appreciating what’s possible with collaboration and mutual Add your site or trust and respect.

regional info here! Continued on page 22 >>>

Learn more at steveandkate.com/locationsApril 2021 | ParentsPress.com 21

<<< Continued from page 20

Having a Good Relationship with Camp Leadership Don’t worry! It’s easier than it may seem. My point is that it’s worth it to coordinate efforts on the team of adults helping your child to grow up.

How much time and energy you invest will vary depending on how much time your child will attend camp this summer and in future summers. If

you are choosing a one-time, one-week gig, you may not invest the same kind of time in the relationship as the parent of an 8-year-old who is likely to attend overnight camp all summer long for the next eight summers or the preschoolaged day camper who will return summer after summer for a decade or so.

Pointers for Partnering with a New Camp

4

You may be invited to attend an event for parents/guardians of first-time campers. If so, participate! Or you may receive a welcoming phone call. You’ll likely receive a parent handbook of some sort (or a link to it). Read and refer to it; learn everything you can ahead of time.

Y

ou know quite a bit about this camp— enough to entrust the care and education of your child for a certain number of weeks. Focus on why you chose it. Think about the things you really like. As an insider now and a member of the camp community, expect to take an active role in the partnership.

1

The camp will likely send you many messages about what’s next. They are probably ramping up for camp in some fun ways, and they’ll invite you to join the excitement via social media, their website or an open house. Read and respond to what they send! This will help you better understand the camp and their way of doing things. Whether they are counting down the number of days until camp or explaining the nuances of traffic patterns or bus logistics for day camp drop-off, pay attention to their suggestions.

Camps are great at breaking down large projects to a manageable size for their campers, and they do it well for camp families, too. Camps excel at being prepared and ready for what’s next. Don’t wait until the last minute to get ready for camp. Follow the camp’s lead.

5

2

The camp will request a lot of information from you. They are not trying to torture you! In fact, they spend tremendous time and energy in the off-season culling through survey results and streamlining their systems to minimize what they have to request from families. Two pieces of paperwork to return promptly are health forms and camper questionnaires, which you should complete thoroughly and honestly. If you don’t share important details about your child, the camp cannot serve their new camper properly.

3

Remember that camps have their own ways of doing things.

Sometimes parents try to treat a camp like a sitter and dictate schedules and procedures. Camps are in the position to meet children’s needs —but they often cannot do things exactly as families do at home. This, by the way, can be an excellent learning opportunity for children to realize that other adults can respond to their needs but may do so differently from their parents and teachers.

Provided by the American Camp Association

22

Parents Press | April 2021

Learn what systems are set up for communicating with the camp. Every camp has preferences for the critical communicating that needs to happen before, during and after camp. There’s a lot of parent communication – incoming and outgoing. Familiarize yourself with the camp’s practices and procedures so none come as a surprise during the course of solving a problem. For instance, it’s not good to hear for the first time that the camp discourages or doesn’t allow camper phone calls at the very moment you try to call your camper! Due to schedules and staff availability, some camps might request that parents phone camp administrators or staff at certain times of the day. Following their requests saves everyone a lot of time.

6

Communication is the cornerstone of a successful relationship with your child’s camp. Camps have to be extremely intentional about communication with families and strive to streamline and simplify what they request and what they share.

Keeping an honest and open exchange of communication is key for developing a relationship that works for you, your child and the camp. Camp staff appreciate it when parents share strategies that work for the child at school and at home, and camp professionals, in turn, may provide insights and suggestions that can revolutionize a child’s school year.

Since 1956

Currently accepting applications for TK-grade 5

Be curious. Be inspired. Be yourself.

Berkeley’s Only Independent College Preparatory High School

Since 1972 Spanish, Art, Music and P.E. • Multimedia Computer Lab • Event Center/Gym • Science Lab • Music Room • High Test Scores Please call 510-457-1488 to schedule a time to discuss the admission process

Parents’ Press

2020

BEST OF TOP 5

2727 College Avenue www.maybeckhs.org

(510) 841-8489 Saint Theresa School 4850 Clarewood Drive • Oakland 510-547-3146 • www.sttheresaschool.org

For event information, contact maybeckhs.org/admissions April 2021 | ParentsPress.com

23

ARE YOU

By Sarah Lyons

lives of their children, so that they try to help with or control everything that happens to the child.” Kids who are raised in this environment struggle in college and beyond with basic tasks, common disappointments, and self-sufficiency.

How do you know if you are overparenting? Here are some common pitfalls parents can easily find themselves falling into and some tips to turn these tendencies around.

PHOTOS BY SOME TALE, UNSPLASH.COM

arents want the best for their kids and have a strong desire for them to be successful in every endeavor. While this tendency comes with positive intentions, it can occasionally backfire and leave kids unprepared for the natural consequences and realities that come with everyday life as an adult. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, overparenting is defined as “too much involvement by parents in the

24

Parents Press | April 2021

COMMON PITFALL:

Do you often find yourself having a heated debate with your child about something that isn’t important in the grand scheme of things? For example, you may be tempted to argue about your child’s clothing choices, if their room isn’t clean enough, if they are not playing with toys the “right way”, or if they are simply approaching a task differently than you would tackle it yourself. This is a sign you may be overparenting.

Turn it around: When you find yourself in the middle of another power struggle, pause and reflect if it is worth debating. Your child will learn problem solving skills and gain independence from doing things their own way. If it doesn’t work as smoothly as the way you would have done it, that’s to be expected. They will learn the lesson and adjust naturally on their own. The best part will be less arguing and stress in the home.

COMMON PITFALL:

One of the hardest things about parenting is watching your child fail. If they don’t make the team, get a bad grade, break a toy, or have a disagreement with a friend, parents are often tempted to step in and “fix” the situation so their child is not hurt or disappointed. While this seems like a good thing now, it can cause long lasting challenges for your child.

Turn it around: Let them try, make mistakes, and deal with the aftermath — positive or negative — that comes from their actions. Facing natural consequences is hard but kids who do so are better prepared for making decisions as an adult, when the stakes are much higher and the choices can be life altering.

COMMON PITFALL:

A common sign of overparenting is a lack of ageappropriate expectations and responsibilities. It is tempting to do all of the chores around the house, help your child with homework assignments, allow them to give up when things get tough, clean up for them, and assist them with daily tasks they can do on their own.

Kids often surprise us with how much they can do by themselves when given the chance to try.

Turn it around: Start by choosing one task and let your child know they will be responsible for it from now on. Teach them how to do it, let them know you are there to answer questions and help but they will need to do the task on their own. It will most likely be a struggle at first, but over time they will be able to do it independently and will gain a sense of pride. Soon they will be ready to take on more responsibilities and harder tasks.

COMMON PITFALL:

Traditional play and down time are important for kid’s development because it promotes creativity and allows your child rest from the structure and pressures that school and extracurricular activities bring. If your child has so many scheduled activities that they have very little free time, it may be due to overparenting. It’s best to find a good balance of your time that promotes both traditional play and activities such as sports or artistic interests equally.

Turn it around: Ask your child what they are truly interested in and reduce the rest of the activities to allow more free time. Keep in mind this may or may not be the activity they excel at. Allowing your child to choose what activities outside the home is important as they gain independence and allows time for them to develop their interests rather than spreading them too thin.

Parenting is challenging and changing behavior is even more so. Give yourself grace and make small changes at a time. Talk to your partner or a friend and ask for support and a fresh perspective on the situation.

Try to be receptive to their suggestions rather than defending your actions. Talk openly with your child about some changes you would like to make and why. The hard work will be worth it when your child develops into a healthy, self-sufficient adult that is ready to face the challenges and successes that life brings.

Sarah Lyons is a mother of six children, including threeyear-old triplets.

April 2021 | ParentsPress.com

25

S

pring is a time of renewal and fresh starts and it’s a tradition in many homes to do a thorough spring cleaning.

Historically the long, dark months of winter also came with soot and grime from fires, candles, kerosene and other alternatives to today’s electricity for heat and light. Still, we long for a clean sweep of clutter and dirt.

Since every member of your family enjoys the benefits of living in a comfortable home, they also have the responsibility to help keep their home in good shape. Why not enlist everyone to get into the act—do a familystyle spring cleaning. It might even be fun.

Here is a list of typical cleaning and organizing tasks needed in • Clean the kitchen cupboards most homes. You’ll want to tailor and sanitize the refrigerator. your project to the specific needs Throw out expired food items of your family. And, don’t forget and purge excess storage conto include some fun times in this tainers. family project too. Plan a favorite easy dinner, a picnic, and add a • Go through living and dining movie or game night to celebrate areas to dispose of clutter. when the tasks are done.

Clean and vacuum carpets.

Replace frayed area rugs.

TASKS TO DO IN A THOROUGH SPRING CLEANING PROJECT:

• Reorganize closets. This is a good time to clear out old clothing, shoes, and general junk that is no longer needed. Putting down a washable liner on shelving is also a nice touch and will help to keep the shelving clean in the future.

• Go through bathroom cupboards to dispose of old or expired medications. Declutter and reorganize drawers.

26

Parents Press | April 2021

• Check the batteries in smoke alarms and be sure that fire extinguishers are in working condition. Replace light bulbs in lamps and fixtures.

• Wash bedding including mattress pads and see if new mattresses or pillows are needed. Clean flooring or carpets of bedrooms and bathrooms.

• Clean or vacuum draperies or curtains throughout the home.

• As you clean, make a list of any repairs or replacement items that need to be addressed in the future.

In times past, spring cleaning meant pulling up carpeting, taking it outdoors to air and be beaten clean, then retacking it to flooring. The dust and accumulation of dirt and grime was cleaned away, including washing walls and woodwork. It was a big job, but a satisfying one.

While we may not need to pull up carpeting or wash walls, a brisk day of family cleaning will lift everyone’s spirits, and as you celebrate with pizza and a good family movie, it will feel like a “job well done.”

Jan Pierce, M.Ed., is a freelance writer specializing in family life, education and parenting. She is the author of Homegrown Readers and Homegrown Family Fun. Find Jan at www.janpierce.net

CollegePrep

Limited Space Still Available

A private high school in Oakland

Contact us to schedule your virtual tour today!

St. Paul’s is a K-8 independent school located steps from Lake Merritt. We welcome families of all faiths or none.

510-285-9617 www.spes.org

ES

T

6100 Broadway Oakland CA 94618 510.652.4364 college-prep.org

Holy Names High School

A

HOL Y

OL HO

ES HIGH S C AM N

A transformative education built on fearless learning, service, and diversity.

Tucked into a glen in the Rockridge neighborhood of Oakland, College Prep’s informal and welcoming campus provides an educational home for a lively and talented community of students in grades 9-12.

Guided by inspiring teachers and mentors, they create a vibrant community that is rooted in shared values of kindness, respect, and a willingness to learn from the perspectives of others. We invite you to visit us and experience College Prep first-hand.

18

68

OA K L A

,C ND

April 2021 | ParentsPress.com

27

By Cheryl Maguire

When a cashier asks me if I want to sign up for a store rewards program I start to salivate like Pavlov’s Dogs with the anticipated credit I could receive. I’m a member of so many programs that I need a separate key chain to hold the cards.

Reward programs are based on the psychological term behavioral modification which is a method of changing a person’s behavior by using either negative or positive reinforcement. Dr. Miltenberger has done extensive research in this area and wrote the textbook Behavior Modification: Principles and Procedures, 6th Edition. In this book, he provided detailed examples of applying behavior modification to daily life.

My children share my love of receiving a prize for their good behavior. It can be hard to motivate kids to help out around the house and one way to do that is through rewards programs.

Even though money is a popular reward you do not have to use money or toys to motivate your child (but you could). A reward could be letting them invite friends over or being allowed to choose what you eat for dinner. It is important for you and your child to figure out a list of the rewards together so that your child wants it and you agree to give it.

28

Parents Press | April 2021

Here are four different reward programs you can use at home with one or multiple children:

What you need: A clear see-through container like a glass/plastic jar or bowl and either some marbles (gem) or other similar material you can place in the bowl.

How it works: Anytime you see a positive behavior such as saying

thank-you or being helpful, you place a gem (marble) in the jar. When the jar is filled with gems your child or children get a reward. In my child’s class, they would have a party such as a pajama party or bring a stuffed animal to school party. At home, you can decide with your child/children what they would like as a reward.

Continued on page 30 >>>

Enrolling Now: An Established Montessori School Enrolling now: www.littleelephant.net

The Model School

Ages 2.5-6 • Immediate start • Year round or school year enrollment available

Comprehensive Humanistic Learning Center

Infants • Toddlers • Preschool

Our core ideals

Multicultural, Multiethnic Environments • Se Habla Español!

We have availability for Toddlers and Preschoolers Flexible Scheduling Loving, Developmental, Child-Oriented Classrooms Year’round Enrollment, Reasonable Rates 2330 Prince Street, Berkeley, CA 94705 Lic. 010211122 & 010211112

(510) 549-2711

• • • • •

compassion and kindness supporting creativity building community passion for learning peace

Centrally located near Cal and BART Part/full/extended day available • Limited financial aid available 2008 McGee AveMcGee • Berkeley • www.littleelephant.net 2008 Ave••510.679.5056 Berkeley • 510.679.5056

We provide a Year Round Program Infant and toddler care for ages 12-24 months Preschool for ages 2-5 years Part-day program: 8:45 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Extended Part-day program: 8:45 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Full-day program: 7:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

510-652-7021 admin@rockridgemontessori.org www.RockridgeMontessori.org Close to Rockridge Bart 5633 Manila ave – Oakland 94618

Helping your child excel in a warm and nurturing environment

Virtual tours on website

Lic. 01213520,013417669 & 013417787

Dynamic Education The Optimizing Each Child’s Potential NOW ENROLLING Child Call for More Information Day Schools, LLC • Language & Literacy • Math & Science • Problem Solving Parents’ • Art & Creativity Press BEST OF • Social Skills 2020 TOP 5 Low Ratios Highly Trained Teachers

FAMILY OPERATED SINCE 1976

www.t cdschools.com

Preschool • Pre-K • Jr.-K • Toddlers • Kindergarten • School Age ANTIOCH 925-754-0144 Lic# 073406638 073406639

SAN RAMON 925-820-2515 Lic# 073406846 073406845, 0734066634

PLEASANTON 925-462-1866

LAFAYETTE 925-284-7092

MORAGA 925-376-5110

Lic# 013420524 013420525

Lic# 073406632 073406633

Lic# 073406850 073406849 April 2021 | ParentsPress.com

29

<<< Continued from page 28>>>

What you need: Pennies and a box or container to put the pennies in for each child.

How it works: Each child starts out with 5 pennies. If they display positive behavior, they earn a penny, negative behavior a penny gets taken away. When a child earns a set number of pennies, they earn a reward. You should have designated a container with the child’s name for the pennies.

What you need: Paper, writing utensil and a container.

How it works: Write each child’s name on a separate piece of paper which is called a chance card. When the child displays positive behavior, they can place the card in the container. At the end of the week, you select one piece of paper and the child selected gets a reward. A child can earn more than once chance card increasing the possibility of being selected. The cards are not removed so the following week the child would still have a chance to win. If you only have one child you could modify it by writing the rewards on the chance card instead of the child’s name and then at the end of the week the child could select the reward from the container.

What you need: A poster board with color levels and clothespins for each child labeled with their name.

How it works: There are 7 levels and all the children start the day at the same green middle level labeled “ready to learn”. There are specific behaviors associated with each level. If the child has a few positive behaviors, the teacher will allow the student to move their clothespin and “clip up” to the next color level. If a child clipped up to the point they were 30

Parents Press | April 2021

off the levels, they could choose an in class special behavior (pick your seat, etc.), or the child could take a prize from the prize box. If a child clipped down, the first level was “time out to reflect on your actions”, the second warning was “parent contact” and if they went beyond that it was to the Principal’s office.

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

CHATHAM SCHOOL

FUN CHILD-CENTERED PRESCHOOL

Chatham SChool

Montessori Children’s Center

F4500 un Redwood Child-C entered PreSChool Road 4359 39th Avenue Oakland, CA Road 94619 4500 Redwood Lic#013418176 Oakland, CA 94619 Lic#013418177

Oakland, CA 94619 4359 39th Avenue Lic#01341436 Oakland, CA 94619

6 mo. - Kindergarten

2 yrs. - Kindergarten extended care 2 yrs. - Kindergarten

Lic#013418176 Lic# 013418177

(35mo.

1 0 )- Kindergarten 531-1302 fax: (510) 531-1301 (510) 531-1302

Full and half-day programs available Before and after school care Open 7am - 6pm

Lic#01341436

(510) 531-1534

(510) 531-1534

• We do Potty Training • Snacks/Hot Lunch Time/Full Time am-6 pm We Part do Potty Training • 7:30 Snacks / Lunch Part Time / Full Time 7:30am - 6pm www.chathampreschool.com

www.chathampreschool.com

An Authentic Montessori Preschool and Kindergarten Lic #384001313

Serving children ages 2 - 6

80 Juan Bautista Circle | San Francisco | 415.333.4410 montessorichildrenscenter.org

Offering a Year Round Academic Montessori Program Preschool Program (ages 2-5) Kindergarten Program Part-day program: 8:45 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Full-day program: 7:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

510-430-1322

Oak Grove Learning

Hwy 580 • Keller Ave exit 8115 Fontaine Street • Oakland 94605

Now Enrolling – Virtual Tour on website!

admin@oakgrovelearning.com www.OakGroveLearning.com License 013423093

If you could give your child one gift to last a lifetime, what would it be?

Parents’ Press

www.nomurapreschool.com

Lic. #070209834

2020

BEST OF WINNER

A ministry of Bay Area Chinese Bible Church

- Friday 7am - 6pm A ministry of Monday Bay Area Chinese Bible Church lunch service provided

1803 North Loop Rd. Alameda, CA 94502

TTPreschoolalameda.org Facility # 013422027

• Ages 2-5 Years and Bridge K • Nurturing Academic Environment • Preparation for Kindergarten

• Two Expansive Campuses • Potty Training Available • Covid-19 Safety Protocols

Telephone # 510-995-5383 ext. 1336 Fax # 510-373-2241 1803 North Loop Rd | Alameda | Facility # 013422027 kim.smith@bacbc.org 510-995-5383 ext. 1336 | kim.smith@bacbc.org

Now Enrolling!

1629 Carlson Blvd., Richmond Annex 94804

Admissions - 510-526-7847 ext.2 April 2021 | ParentsPress.com

31

By Kim Penney

N

o one can deny

it has been an unprecedented year for families nationwide.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has interrupted school, sports, and other activities for kids of all ages. For high schoolers, COVID-19 has disrupted the college admissions process, making an already-stressful time even more nerve-wracking. SATs/ACTs have been cancelled. In-person college tours are paused. Pass/fail grading makes transcripts trickier. How can high schoolers (and their families) successfully navigate the college search and application process during the pandemic?

Researching schools, developing a targeted list, completing applications, writing essays, picking a major, and staying on top of schools’ strict deadlines can be overwhelming in the best of times. Trying to juggle these tasks during a once-in-a-generation pandemic may feel insurmountable.

Consider the following tips to help your high schooler succeed:

32

Parents Press | April 2021

CONTROL WHAT YOU CAN. Recognize certain things are out of your hands— whether that’s remote learning, a cancelled SAT test, or a missed basketball season. Understand that your peers are in the same boat during this super weird year. Continue to study, participate

JOHN SCHNOBRICH, UNSPLASH.COM

Watch YouTube videos recorded by students talking about life on campus.

Email, text, or Skype friends (or friends of friends) that attend your top-choice colleges and ask them questions for more robust perspectives.

Online tours and information sessions are valuable when we can’t physically visit college campuses due to COVID restrictions, but go beyond these channels for a deeper dive. Watch YouTube videos recorded by students talking about life on campus. Email, text, or Skype friends (or friends of friends) that attend your top-choice colleges and ask them questions for more robust perspectives.

OLUWAKEMI SALAJA, UNSPLASH.COM

GO BEYOND VIRTUAL COLLEGE TOURS.

in extracurriculars that are available, and create a plan for your college admissions activities.

BE FINANCIALLY REALISTIC. COVID-19 has had a significant economic impact with job losses and furloughs changing many families’ economic situations. Students may need to consider less expensive college options and/ or investigate schools that provide generous financial aid packages.

Today’s high schoolers can explore a wider variety of colleges online.

USE ONLINE SERVICES TO STAY ON TRACK. User-friendly online tools like Virtual College Application Academy can help students stay on track with their college applications, meet deadlines, complete their essays, and adjust to COVID-related changes to admissions processes.

DO YOUR DUE DILIGENCE. Research your top-choice schools. Are their enrollments stable, rising, or declining? What’s their student retention rate? What’s their endowment and what do they spend per fulltime student? What percentage of students are international? (International students typically receive less financial aid, so during COVID travel restrictions, the decline of international students could negatively impact schools’ bottom line.) Do you see construction projects around campus? It’s a good sign that a school is financially healthy if it’s building a new science center or renovating dorms. Are the schools’ social media posts positive (e.g., new programs, prestigious awards) or concerning (e.g., employees complaining about budget cuts).

JOHN SCHNOBRICH, UNSPLASH.COM

EXPAND YOUR COLLEGE SEARCH. Today’s high schoolers can explore a wider variety of colleges online, allowing them to consider options beyond what may fit into their travel budgets or busy schedules. While virtual tours aren’t the same as being on-campus, the silver lining is that students can “visit” more colleges virtually and consider schools that they may otherwise have disregarded.

USE QUARANTINE TIME WISELY. Learn a new skill – like playing the guitar or speaking a new language—via Zoom. Make masks for your community, organize a food drive, or get involved in a political campaign. Admissions offices want to see students making the most of this unusual time, not just binge-watching Grey’s Anatomy or playing video games.

CONSIDER “TEST OPTIONAL” SCHOOLS. COVID has disrupted standardized tests and high school students may be unable to take the ACT and SATs due to pandemic restrictions. Increasingly, colleges – including the entire University of California system—are not requiring those test scores as an admissions qualifier.

WORK WITH A COLLEGE CONSULTANT. Admissions coaches can help students narrow down their college choices, write powerful essays, create applications that get noticed, and find the best fit for their unique needs and interests. Some consultants have strong relationships with college athletic departments/coaches, and are expertly positioned to help student athletes get recruited and secure athletic scholarships.

While the past year has been disappointing for our students—who are missing prom, homecoming, school plays and band, and opportunities to socialize with friends – they can look forward to a successful college experience. By following this advice, high schoolers (and their families) can navigate the college search process to find the right fit for a bright future.

Kim Penney, owner of One-on-One College Consulting, has been an educational consultant for 20 years. Kim has been featured as an expert on Nightline, Boston’s Fox 25, and other high-profile media outlets, about how students can succeed in the college search and application process.

April 2021 | ParentsPress.com

33

We all have different interests and talents that bring us joy. If you can find the activity that most excites your child and encourage them to pursue it, you are providing opportunities that can build up their confidence and self-esteem. When looking at which activities to try, think about what activities your child seems to like doing. If your child enjoys drawing, enroll them in art classes or make art supplies available in your home. If they enjoy sports, dance, or martial arts, find a place where they can work at improving their skills.

It is fun to do things we are good at and it helps give our confidence a boost as well.

While this may seem counterintuitive, allowing your child to make mistakes, problem solve, and even fail can help them build their confidence. Working through their blunders teaches kids they can handle problems that may arise and it takes away the fear of failure.

One of the easiest ways to build self-esteem is to allow your child to make their own choices. Allow them to choose the clothing they will wear, order their own food at a restaurant, and decide when they will complete their schoolwork. As they grow older this will become harder as the decisions will be more important and have larger stakes but this will only prepare them for the future and give them confidence that they can make good decisions on their own.

Everyone needs to know they have someone in their corner rooting for them through anything. Let your child know you love them, no matter what. Showing empathy and understanding as your child works through missteps that they make shows them that you support them even when they make a mistake.

Show your child you love them, not just because of how they look or what they do, but for who they are.

34

Parents Press | April 2021

Building your child’s self-esteem is more than just telling them how wonderful they are. If they do something great, let them know, however constant praise loses its meaning if it is repeated too often. Dianne Grande, PhD and author of In it Together, suggests praising kids for their attributes rather than what they do. “This act has a very positive impact on self-esteem particularly when the praise is about general attributes, rather than specific accomplishments.” Grande suggests saying “I love your creativity.” or “You are so responsible” because it reinforces that we are whole and valued.

Confidence is built over time and we can show our children each day that we trust them, love them, and believe in them. This will build their self-esteem now and prepare them for future success.

Sources: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ us/blog/in-it-together/201801/building-selfesteem-and-improving-relationships

Sarah Lyons is a mother of six children, including three-year-old triplets.

TOP L-R: JANKO FERLIC; BEN WHITE; EYE FOR EBONY. BOTTOM L-R: TETBERT SALIM; LEO RIVAS @ UNSPLASH.COM

K

ids who feel good about themselves or have high self-esteem tend to be successful in a wide variety of areas from school to relationships. On the other hand, kids who have lower self-esteem may not be as willing to try new things, may not stand up for themselves in difficult situations, or may get their feelings hurt easily. What are some simple ways to build your child’s selfesteem and confidence?

I C

t

TOP L-R: JANKO FERLIC; BEN WHITE; EYE FOR EBONY. BOTTOM L-R: TETBERT SALIM; LEO RIVAS @ UNSPLASH.COM

SEARCHING FOR THE PERFECT STEM CAMP? Get Kids Back to Camp this Summer!

Exciting in-person and Live Virtual Summer Camps!!

South Bay Peninsula East Bay San Francisco In-person camps with COVID-19 safety regulations in many cities.

Check out your city‛s Parks & Rec. website for Mad Science Camps.

Virtual camps are all live and interactive.

All materials will be delivered at your doorstep. thebayarea.madscience.org 510-438-9702 April 2021 | ParentsPress.com

35

36

Parents Press | April 2021