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June Play List June is a good month to celebrate papas, parks, pooches, parades and Pride!
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Page to Screen Buzzworthy book adaptations we can’t wait to watch this year
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PNW INSIDE + OUT
FREE
Virtual ParentEd Talk Screen-Time Reset: Expert Guidance for a Healthier ‘Media Diet’ for Your Kid June 7 P. 38
Summer, Ahoy! Celebrating the season of dads and grads
Jude, living with sickle cell disease
Some said sickle cell disease would steal Jude’s joy. Tell that to this glowing girl. TREATING THE MOST KIDS WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST Jude’s pain started at just four days old. Her family was scared and heartbroken, so they went looking for answers—and found Seattle Children’s, together with the Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic. They moved from Nebraska to Seattle for expert pediatric care, and today, Jude is growing into who she wants to be. Find your hope at SeattleChildrens.org/sicklecell
Hope. Care. Cure.™
Alix Dassler, Jude’s Nurse Practitioner, Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic
C ONTENTS
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2022
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EDUCATION
Why Has International Adoption Become So Rare? 14 More importantly, what is happening to all the children who might have been adopted?
Take Action Summer Youth Workshops 8 Engaging virtual and in-person workshops for middle and high school students A Teacher’s Picks for Online Summer Ed 25 Offset brain drain with these (mostly) free and (very) fun learning platforms WELLNESS
What Every Parent Needs to Know About Fentanyl You are your child’s best defense against opioid drug use
11
For prepared parents with clear-eyed expectations of its unique challenges, international adoption is still a beautiful way to build a family.
Family Fun OUT + ABOUT
Father Throws Best 23 Super-fun lawn games to play with Dad on Father’s Day June Play List 26 June is a good month to celebrate papas, parks, pooches, parades and Pride!
BIRTHDAYS
How to Plan a Magical 28 ‘Encanto’ Birthday Party Let’s talk about party décor, treats, activities and more
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14 31
Which is better: the book or the movie? Why debate when you can enjoy both?
FAMILY MEDIA
Page to Screen 31 Buzzworthy book adaptations we can’t wait to watch this year
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CAMPS + CLASSES
Best Swimming Classes for the Littlest Splashers 35 8 picks for diving in with your tiny tot around the sound AGES + STAGES
11 Indoor and Outdoor Activities for SensorySeeking Kids 37 Fun diversions to help your kid get the stimulation they seek
28 PA R E N T M A P / J U N E 2 0 2 2 / 3
DE AR R E ADER
We love you, Captain Fun! At some point about 20 years ago, I started stockpiling important family “stuff” in a truly ghastly Pepto-pink leatherette box I purchased on sale from the home office aisle at Staples. Not a fan of any shade of pink or faux leather of any kind, it was an odd choice to begin with, but, as they say, she persisted. In the event we ever need to make a hasty escape in the middle of the night, that nauseatingly pink box will be the thing that I grab. Whenever I have a cause or occasion to paw through Ol’ Pinkie, I always get sidetracked by a sentimental archaeological dig of my family’s life. Apart from its more mundane contents (Social Security cards, insurance documents, passports), it contains irreplaceable, utterly cherished talismans and treasures of my kiddos’ childhoods: those first alienesque ultrasound photos; sweetest newborn footprints; official birth certificates and announcements; precious snips of gossamer strawberryblonde baby hair; well-child reports documenting gains in height, weight, developmental milestones, hurray!; report cards; baby teeth ... So many baby teeth! But perhaps most heart-squeezing of all are the dearest pictures, cards and notes our two kids made for us when they were little to mark our birthdays, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.
JUNE 2022, VOL. 19, NO. 6
PUBLISHER
What are your favorite ways to spoil the dads in your life?
Alayne Sulkin EDITORIAL MANAGING EDITOR Patty Lindley OUT + ABOUT EDITOR Nancy Chaney DIGITAL CONTENT EDITOR Vicky McDonald
A new (totally unnecessary but cool) center-aisleof-Costco man toy
DIGITAL CONTENT PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Kari Hanson OUT + ABOUT EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Julie Dodobara COPY EDITOR Sunny Parsons CONTRIBUTORS Gemma Alexander, Nancy Chaney, Amy Guatelli, Tiffany Doerr Guerzon, Kate Missine, Sanya Pelini, Ph.D., Kellie Schmitt, Lindsay Zielinski
Sending him off on a bike ride to a brewery with his dad friends
DIGITAL MARKETING DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER Gina Ryan EMAIL MARKETING SPECIALIST Devon Hammer DIGITAL MARKETING COORDINATOR Taryn Weiner INTERIM SOCIAL MEDIA SPECIALIST Emily Feely
Snacks! Mixed nuts for my dad and coffee + doughnuts for my husband
ADVERTISING SALES + PARTNERSHIPS SENIOR ADVERTISING AND PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER Ida Wicklund ADVERTISING CLIENT SERVICES MANAGER Jessica Collet
In this month when we celebrate all our favorite papas, a visit to the Ol’ Pinkie archive seemed in order. What I always find truly amazing is how accurately our kids captured the essence of our love for them and our personalities over the years. For instance, I’ll let my youngest, Tommy (at maybe 4?), tell it like it is about his sweet daddy:
ADVERTISING CLIENT SERVICES ASSISTANT Angela Goodwin
My dad is Matt. He likes to go to the beach with me. He likes to throw rocks in there. He plays fun games because he needs to play soccer. He’s really good at fixing my toys. He likes to say, “Let’s go to a party!” I love my dad a lot! He’s funny!
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Giving my dad the gift of quality alone time with his grandsons
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ART + PRODUCTION
Sending my husband out kayaking for the morning, then lots of good food
ADMINISTRATION BUSINESS MANAGER Carolyn Brendel
Tommy For years, I’ve referred irreverently to my partnership with Matt as “The Ongoing Parenting Adventures of Frau Bummer [that’s me, nice to meet you!] and Captain Fun.” That’s not to suggest that I am an overly dour, humorless rule-maker of a mom, but Matt’s irrepressible comicality and bonhomie are really just that epic by comparison. No contest. He lives up to his alter-ego cred every day, coming to the rescue with fun and laughter. And it has been the luck, solace and happiness of my life, in good days and hard days alike, to always know where my next laugh is coming from. Happy Father’s Day to my dear Captain Fun and all of you wonderful daddies out there! — Patty Lindley, managing editor
PARENTMAP EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD
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4`Ä 4O[WZg ;W\RTcZ\SØ E]`YaV]^ Sunday, June 12, 12:30-2pm. In-person (6318 Linden Ave N, Seattle) and Zoom. Led by Jeff Granville of Mindful Presents
“I FEEL LIKE I’M LIKE SAFER AND PROTECT MY SIBLINGS.” Gabrielle, Age 8
SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TODAY. VaccinateWA.org
Allow the innate intelligence of the heart to lead and keep your mind and body in harmony. In this free 90-minute workshop you will learn simple breathing exercises and unique mindfulness exercises that are heart opening and fun for all ages. Learn more and register at bit.ly/June-Mindfulness
1S\bS` T]` A^W`WbcOZ :WdW\U ASOÚZS YOUTH AND FAMILY PROGRAM
Kindergarten–12th Grade Sundays at 11am
SpiritualLiving.org/youth/
Summer Reading 2022
FREE • ALL AGES June 1-Aug. 31
READ
Beyond the Beaten Path
� Pick up a
reading log
� Track your reading � Earn a prize
summerreading.pcls.us for more information
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Florence B. Kilworth Foundation
INSPIRED LEARNING
Presented by:
FOOD IS ESSENTIAL. Your support for Hopelink’s End Summer Hunger campaign will help ensure that no child in our community goes hungry this summer.
hopelink.org/ESH
Ready to make a difference? Visit our website to learn more: PA R E N T M A P / J U N E 2 0 2 2 / 7
It Starts With You(th) Discovery Center Take Action Summer Youth Workshops Engaging virtual and in-person workshops for middle and high school students At the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Discovery Center,
how young change makers are shaping their local and
we believe youth play an active role in solving today and
global communities, now and in the future. Our programs
tomorrow’s toughest challenges — and we’re excited to
include a spring Teen Action Fair, Take Action Summer
share resources and present programs that highlight
Workshops and our Youth Ambassador Program.
High school summer 2022 workshops: Take Action on Global Goals (virtual) Monday–Thursday, July 11–14 | 10 a.m.–noon Students entering grades 9–12 Virtual workshop capacity: 25 Take Action on Global Goals (in person) Monday–Thursday, July 11–14 | 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Students entering grades 9–12 In-person workshop capacity: 15 Explore the world and learn to take action on global goals! In this workshop, high school students learn more about local, regional and global social issues that inform the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Take a deep dive into the work of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and
engage with change makers working locally and globally to create positive change. The workshop will end with an optional in-person field trip. Virtual: How Does the World Feed Itself? Monday–Thursday, July 18–21 | 10 a.m.–noon Students entering grades 9–12 Virtual workshop capacity: 25 Everyone needs nutritious food, but not everyone has equal access to it. In this workshop, we’ll explore how social and economic power structures play a role in our food system. We’ll discover foods from around the world as well as critically examine global and U.S. food systems. Attendees will hear firsthand from local speakers working on food justice and apply their learning from the week to a
Photos courtesy of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Discovery Center
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garden design project. The workshop will end with an optional in-person field trip. Virtual: Fighting Disease Around the World Tuesday–Thursday, July 26–28 | 10 a.m.–noon Students entering grades 9–12 Virtual workshop capacity: 25 Join us for a workshop focused on global health exploration! During this workshop, a different disease will be introduced each day, and attendees will consider strategies for fighting them, discuss equity issues and explore incredible innovations. Each day we will learn from global health experts, including Gates Foundation staff and partners. This summer workshop is excellent for students considering a career in health care or science. The workshop will end with an optional in-person field trip.
Summer Youth Workshops Middle school summer 2022 workshop: Using Design Thinking to Reinvent the Toilet (in person) Tuesday–Thursday, July 19–21 | 9 a.m.– 3 p.m. Students entering grades 7–8 In-person workshop capacity: 15 Everybody poops! While it may seem odd to talk about it, sanitation is a serious global issue. This in-person workshop will use the topic of global sanitation and toilets to explore the design thinking process and how these innovative ideas are being used to “reinvent the toilet.” Join us for some toilet talk as we explore global solutions. The workshop will end with an optional in-person field trip.
Virtual & In-Person Grades 7–12 Global Goals Design Thinking Fighting Disease & More
Learn more and register at discovergates.org/youth-programs.
Youth Ambassador Program (YAP)
discovergates.org/youthprograms
YAP is a yearlong program for high school-age students who care deeply about fostering inclusion and belonging, want to raise awareness about local and global issues, and create youth-focused programs and exhibits to inspire positive social change. Youth Ambassadors spearhead community outreach efforts, organize the Teen Action Fair, co-facilitate the Take Action Summer Workshops, and develop leadership, empathy and collaboration skills along the way. Applications for the 2022–2023 YAP cohort will open in summer 2022. Sign up for the Discovery Center e-news to receive program updates (discovergates.org/#newsletter).
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Sponsored by
Explore interactive exhibits and find ways you can take action at the Gates Foundation Discovery Center, discovergates.org.
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Wellness What Every Parent Needs to Know About Fentanyl You are your child’s best defense against opioid drug use By Kellie Schmitt
For Seattle youth addiction counselors, the scariest drug circulating today comes in a blue pill that costs only $5. It is synthetic fentanyl and could easily pass for a prescription painkiller, though it’s up to 50 times stronger than heroin and up to 100 times more potent than morphine. Just one pill can lead to addiction — or death for someone whose body isn’t accustomed to opioids. In the past year, illicitly manufactured fentanyl pills have flooded the Seattle area, resulting in a spike in overdose deaths that surpasses the number attributed to methamphetamine, heroin and prescription painkillers, according to the Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute, within the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine. Since the blue pill looks like a legitimate prescription painkiller, people often don’t understand the much higher risk of addiction and life-threatening overdose the drug poses. That’s especially worrisome for youths who may be trying the pills for the first time, addiction counselors say. “Younger kids don’t fully comprehend how dangerous it is — they think it’s like any other pill from mom and dad’s medicine cabinet,” says Abigail Woods, a substance use disorder counselor with Ryther (ryther.org), an organization that provides youth mental health support services. “They can get a pill for $5, and that pill can end their lives.” One pill and ‘game on’ In 2020, Ryther counselors started noticing these round, blue counterfeit pills, which are often stamped with a “M” on one side and a “30” on the other to mimic oxycodone 30-milligram pills. These pills, though, are made from potent synthetic fentanyl, the most common drug involved in overdose-related deaths today, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In the past year, “the blues” have become ubiquitous in the Puget Sound region, spreading beyond the streets of downtown Seattle
and filtering into area high schools, Ryther counselors say. While many teens access the drugs though personal contacts, there are also drug dealers on social media who respond to referrals quickly via text message. The population of teenagers facing addiction is shifting, too. In the past when working with addicted youths, Ryther counselor Johnny Ohta would quickly learn of the traumatic childhood experiences that shaped their young lives and contributed to their substance abuse. Now, though, he’s seeing more and more kids for addiction counseling who come from stable families. “From a family perspective, fentanyl is crossing over,” explains Ohta. “For some people, the most traumatic experience that ever happened is their parent’s divorce.” But experimenting with fentanyl has a high cost. The drug creates an overwhelming feeling of euphoria or bliss. The feeling might surpass the joy of winning an athletic game or earning a good grade. It’s hard to resist seeking that feeling again and again. “Once you put the drug in your body, it’s game on,” says Ohta. “Things happen really rapidly.” The science shows that this form of fentanyl is stronger and fasteracting, says Taryn Hansen, M.D., a family medicine physician who works with addicted youths. Along with a higher high, there’s a quicker and more intense withdraw. To avoid that discomfort, people seek more pills and quickly become caught up in a rapid up-and-down addiction cycle. “Everything works toward it becoming more addictive,” says Hansen. Along with increased addiction risk, overdose death is more likely, too. People who are already addicted to opioids such as heroin might have built up a tolerance. But for new users, the first dose can be deadly.
PA R E N T M A P / J U N E 2 0 2 2 / 1 1
WELLNES S
continued from page 11
What can parents do? The higher risk of addiction and overdose underscores the importance of early intervention, Hansen says. Parents must pay attention to early signs of use and seek treatment quickly. “You don’t want them to hit rock bottom — it isn’t a good scene,” warns Hansen. Physical evidence that a child is smoking the blue pill might come in the form of crumpled kitchen foil with dark residue. A straw or a pen that’s been taken apart is another red flag. Parents should also be on guard for any behavioral changes, such as depression or intense emotions. Teens might be unable to stay awake when in conversation, or they may isolate themselves in their room. But these warning signs can mimic overall adolescent behavior, making them hard to discern from age-appropriate mood swings. Plus, adolescents can be crafty about keeping parents “off their back” by maintaining good grades and keeping up social relationships, Woods notes. She recalls a client who, by all accounts, seemed like an average teenager. She received good grades, attended school every day and was even holding down a job. After work, though, she’d go out and score the blue pills. These challenges in detecting drug use in kids underscore the importance of building
and preserving strong relationships, counselors say. The best advice is the simplest: Keep your kid close. “If they lock themselves in the bedroom, figure out a way to have them come out,” says Ohta. “If they like bowling and you don’t like bowling, you should probably go bowling.” There is also an educational directive to follow; kids must be informed of the dangers of fentanyl, potentially as early as middle school. That’s especially important since many teenagers don’t realize that synthetic fentanyl is any different than prescription painkillers. “They don’t understand that they can overdose — they think it’s like other pills they’ve taken before,” says Woods. Hope in the midst of struggle Too often, though, parents don’t realize their child is experiencing addiction until that child is in withdrawal, experiencing symptoms such as chills, vomiting and diarrhea. Clients often call Ohta in tears as they describe the intense physical and emotional pain. Their whole world is crumbling. They struggle against the overwhelming urge to take one more hit to ease the pain. Such a painful withdrawal can be the first step on the path to recovery. Medical treatments use suboxone, a prescription drug that tightly binds to the same brain receptors as opiates, preventing cravings. Recovery approaches often combine medication-assisted treatment with individual
and family counseling and support. Counselors relentlessly follow up with clients on the phone or in person, and try to make treatment as accessible and easy as possible, they say. Even though the work is daunting, the prospects of helping someone regain their life keeps counselors like Ohta motivated. “There’s a pathway toward a different future,” he says.
Sponsored by
About the Ryther MAT Team Ryther’s medication-assisted therapy (MAT) team is an intensive case management team working with a medical clinic in collaboration with Kaiser Permanente and YouthCare (youthcare.org). It offers medicationassisted therapy options, along with primary care services, to youths and young adults as old as 25 who are struggling with a substance use disorder. Through its Transitional Community Treatment program, the Ryther team provides services to youths experiencing homelessness in more than a dozen locations, including drop-in centers and residential facilities. Learn more about Ryther’s mission and services at ryther.org.
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To learn more about substance abuse disorders in youths, the Ryther team recommends the following resources for parents: Laced and Lethal • lacedandlethal.com Overdoses caused by fentanyl-laced substances are on the rise in King County. Learn why and how to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. Washington Recovery Help Line • warecoveryhelpline.org This organization offers resources, a provider directory and a 24-hour help line for Washington state residents suffering from substance abuse. Crisis Connections • crisisconnections.org Crisis Connections connects people in physical, emotional and financial crisis to services that will be of help. Teen Link • teenlink.org A program of Crisis Connections, Teen Link was created as a confidential help line for and by teens in King County. Teen Link’s trained teen volunteers answer calls from teens in need and also make youth suicide and substance abuse prevention presentations at schools throughout the county. Never Use Alone • neverusealone.com The mission of volunteer-run Never Use Alone is to provide a life-saving point of contact for people who use drugs, to help increase their odds of surviving an overdose or fentanyl poisoning. Stopoverdose.org This organization provides education resources as well as access to information about opioid use disorder treatment and support for families.
Mental Health Services for children, youth, & young adults Therapy & Counseling Transitional Community Treatment Neurodiverse Services Family Services
ƑƓƏƏ ƖƔ|_ "|ķ ";- Ѵ; ) ƖѶƐƐƔ ryther.org | 206.525.5050
Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Drug User Health Program • doh.wa.gov The DOH Drug User Health Program works to improve the health and quality of life for people who use drugs. Drug user health includes efforts to reduce harm and to improve access to the care drug users need.
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Kellie Schmitt is an award-winning health and science writer.
PA R E N T M A P / J U N E 2 0 2 2 / 1 3
FE ATUR E
Whatever Happened to International Adoption? By Gemma Alexander
Two decades ago, it seemed like everyone knew someone who had just adopted a child from China, India or Ethiopia.
In 1980, China’s one-child rule created a new population of abandoned children. A decade later, Chinese orphanages, filled primarily with healthy baby girls, opened to international adoption. Adoption numbers climbed steadily through the turn of the century, peaking at almost 23,000 international adoptions in 2004.
But lately, those families seem to have become quite rare. It turns out that’s because they are. International adoption rates had dropped to a trickle even before the pandemic completely shut down most programs. Now, many people worried about the children in Ukraine are beginning to think about international adoption again. Should they be? Why has international adoption become so rare? And, more importantly, what is happening to all the children who might have been adopted?
The adoption myth that parents from rich countries were saving the lives (and even souls) of abandoned babies in poor ones is rooted as much in colonialism as in reality. Experts now understand that the best interests of children are nearly always met by keeping birth families together. When this is not possible, adoption by relatives or at least within the child’s birth culture is preferable. Even among its proponents, international adoption is seen as a last resort for children who would otherwise remain in institutional or temporary situations.
International adoption In the mid-1950s, Henry and Bertha Holt, an evangelical couple from Oregon, began sending supplies to Korea to help children orphaned by the Korean War. While continuing to provide services for orphans and at-risk families, the Holts spearheaded an act of Congress to create a legal framework for bringing Korean orphans to America for adoption. Holt International (holtinternational.org) became the country’s first international adoption agency, and the Holts’ work set the legal and cultural stage for international adoption as we know it today.
The Hague Convention “As we started adoption programs in these countries, we also learned that there was — and there is still — vast needs of other services beyond adoption. We see that the causes that lead to children being abandoned or relinquished by birth parents are because of poverty, stigma towards single mothers or pregnancy out of wedlock, or disability of children or the medical issues of birth parents,” says Thoa Bui, vice president of international programs for Holt International. “So, we started family-strengthening programs to offer the services and support to birth parents. We
focus on trying to preserve children with their birth families if possible.” Today, Holt has programs in 16 different countries, but only 11 of them include international adoption services. Since 2008, international adoption in the United States has been governed by The Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption. The Hague Convention was designed to address horror stories of corruption, coercion and exploitation by those who treated adoption like an unregulated global baby market. It also established global adoption best practices that prioritize the interests of the child. “The Hague Convention protects the interests of the children and of the birth parents in many ways. There is a built-in procedure for parental consent,” says Bui. It requires significantly more work by agencies and adoptive families while providing assurance that their future child is genuinely in need of a new family. Homeland improvements The Hague Convention has even more extensive requirements for birth countries than for adoption agencies, but it only formalized changes that were already taking place globally. “The No. 1 reason that we see [decreasing international adoptions] is domestic adoption increased significantly in a lot of countries,” says Bui. “Nowadays, there are far more local adoptions than intercountry
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portant during times of chaos when children are at their most vulnerable.
continued from page 15
adoptions. There is more openness of local people toward adoption. The cultures have changed to embrace bringing in people who are not blood-related.”
“In a crisis situation, we have to understand that many of those children still have birth parents and deserve to go back to their birth parents,” says Bui. The first priority is the immediate safety and temporary care of lost children. When it is safe, every effort must be made to reunify children with surviving birth parents. Rushing to Ukraine to secure adoptions now is unethical at best and possibly criminal.
Changing attitudes and economics have both enabled more people in birth countries to become adoptive parents and helped more birth families stay together. “Foreign governments have improved their child welfare systems significantly, with more budget for services like Holt’s for birth families,” says Bui. At the same time, cultural attitudes toward single mothers and unwed pregnancies have softened. “This is a big shift in many countries as well,” she says. In the past, social stigma made it hard for mothers to find either work or child care. Now there is much more family and community support for women trying to raise children alone.
Ukraine and crisis adoption International adoption has historically grown in the aftermath of armed conflict — in Korea, in Vietnam, in Ethiopia — so it’s not surprising that the invasion of Ukraine has led to renewed interest. However, it’s impossible during a crisis to meet the requirement of The Hague Convention to confirm a child is orphaned before being considered for adoption. Yet it is most im-
FUN IN THE SUN AT BLOEDEL RESERVE
International adoption today Despite everything, international adoption is not obsolete. “A lot of children out there are in need of permanent families, and there will continue to be a need,” says Bui. In the past, adoptive parents often discovered their children had undiagnosed
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special needs. Nowadays, the first step in adoption is a thorough medical and developmental assessment. Bui notes that prospective families in birth countries are often either unwilling or unable to adopt children with special needs. “We are here to find families for them because every child deserves a permanent family,” says Bui.
L FE OUTDOORS
The Hague Convention requires more training for adoptive parents than was even available in the past. Today, parents receive detailed information about their child’s medical and special needs; are taught about the harm done by “color-blind” parenting; and learn about bonding and attachment with older children. Some agencies, such as Holt, also offer long-term support for adoptive families. “Adoption doesn’t end at placement,” says Bui. International adoption is much more complicated than the adoption myth that informed previous generations of adoptive parents. But the reality of building a family is always messier than the dream of it. For prepared parents with clear-eyed expectations of its unique challenges, international adoption is still a beautiful way to build a family.
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Seattle-based freelance writer Gemma Alexander focuses on the intersection of parenting and the arts. When she’s not writing for ParentMap, she blogs at gemmadeealexander.com and tweets @gemmadeetweet.
Visit wdfw.wa.gov/life-outdoors for more info
Additional resources Here are a few resources and voices you should check out if you are considering international or transracial adoption: The Adopted Life (angelatucker.com) — Angela Tucker is a transracial adoptee who offers a variety of services to adoptees and families. Check out her website for more information as well as links to her excellent series of interviews with transracial adoptees of all ages. Pact (pactadopt.org) — Pact is a nonprofit adoption agency that exists to serve adopted children of color. Its website provides excellent resources on a wide variety of topics, including international and transnational adoption. “If I lived here, I’d be home now” (thisamericanlife.org) — A short but powerful audio diary from the radio show and podcast This American Life (episode 691, “Gardens of Branching Paths”) documents the experience of a woman who travels to South Korea to meet her birth mother.
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Celebrate Dad Best Lawn Games to Play With Dad on Father’s Day 7 super-fun lawn games for families to play all summer long By Nancy Chaney
Looking for a great idea for Father’s Day this year? Invest in a family game Dad will love and that will also bring your crew hours of outdoor fun all summer long. We’ve picked out some active family lawn games that you can play at home, at the neighborhood park or on a summer camping trip. Bocce Bocce is a compact, portable game that’s fun for all ages. A set consists of eight colored balls that players toss underhand toward a target. The target is a smaller, white ball called the pallino. Some bocce players are experts, but this game is easy to learn and fun to play. Even little kids can throw the pallino at the start of a round, or they can help measure distance with their feet to determine the ball closest to the target. Bocce works on grass, sand or dirt. Viking bowling Viking bowling, or its cousin game kubb, is another fun lawn game that works for all but the littlest tots. You might think of Viking bowling as a cross between bowling and pool. Throw a thick wood dowel toward a collection of other dowels arranged in a triangular shape. Knock down the numbered dowels for points, then set them back up where they land. There are different ways to score this game, but some figure-in-your-head math is a bonus for elementary-age players. You can play with as few as two people or a larger group divided into teams. Croquet When my brother’s family visited from Australia a few summers ago, we hauled out our family croquet set for an all-ages family game. Players ranged in age from 7 to teenagers to middle-age
(ahem) parents to senior citizens. And we definitely have some competitive types in the family. Guess who creamed us all at croquet? My mom and my aunt, both in their 70s. Look out, young’uns! Cornhole A cornhole set is likely too cumbersome to take camping, but it’s perfect for Dad when he emerges from his man cave into the backyard for the summer season. He can play with the kids or with his buddies. Cornhole, also called beanbag toss, is another game that is simple to learn and play, but there are also expert
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players out there. There’s even a professional cornhole league and a world championship — imagine that! So, get your set and start practicing if you want your kids to have a chance at becoming a professional athlete.
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Ladder ball Ladder ball is a game you’ll spot at campgrounds around the region because it’s fairly portable and fun for kids and adults alike. Players throw a bola, two small balls connected by a rope, toward ladder frames. Land your bola on a rung of the ladder to score points; different rungs score different point values. This game is a bit trickier to play than others, so it’s best for school-age kids and older. Dad will love it!
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Lawn darts A game of lawn darts makes for some old-school fun — and, fortunately, lawn darts have undergone a safety makeover. Too many people must have stabbed their toes with old-fashioned lawn darts, so sets are now safe and kid-friendly. Lay out the rings and try to toss your weighted, blunt-end darts into the center. Bonus: It looks like horseshoes is another classic game that’s now available in a safer, portable version. Spikeball Spikeball is a relatively newer game that’s fun for the park or the yard — plus, it gets your heart rate up. Two teams of two bounce a ball off a small round net that sits close to the ground. This game has elements of volleyball and handball. Spikeball takes some practice and skills, so it’s best for families with older kids. Spikeball is a brand name; the game is also called roundnet.
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Nancy Chaney is ParentMap’s Out + About editor.
LO CAL R ES O UR C ES / S C HO OL S , P RES C HO OL S + N WA IS
A Teacher’s Picks for Free Online Summer Learning By Amy Guatelli
While earning their certification, all teachers master this mantra: Never work harder than your students! This holds true for parents as well. Instead of doing the heavy lifting to maintain learning gains over the summer break, leverage a free online learning system. Here are my picks for the best programs.
GENERAL EDUCATION
ABCmouse.com • abcmouse.com • ages: 2–8 The scoop: ABCmouse.com helps kids learn to read through phonics and teaches lessons in math, social studies, art, music and much more. Bonus: There’s also a version in Spanish. Adventure Academy • adventureacademy.com • ages: 8–13 The scoop: Adventure Academy combines an elementary school curriculum with an interactive 3D world that provides the perfect environment for contextual learning and includes games and videos for language arts, math, science, social studies and more. BrainPOP • brainpop.com • grades: K–8 The scoop: Engaging learning games, animated movies and activities boost your child’s achievement. BrainPOP makes rigorous learning experiences accessible and engaging for all. AdaptedMind • adaptedmind.com • grades: K–6 The scoop: The K–6 curriculum is research-based, Common Core– aligned and comprehensive. It creates customized learning plans for students, leveraging more than 300,000 math problems and explanations as well as reading passages with comprehension questions. Learning A–Z • learninga-z.com • grades: K–5 The scoop: Explore award-winning products to see how they empower teachers and equip students with the skills they need for literacy success in the classroom and beyond. IXL • ixl.com • grades: pre-K–12+ The scoop: IXL is a personalized, comprehensive, immersive pre-K–12 learning experience trusted by educators and parents. More than 8 million students use IXL. PBS Learning Media • pbslearningmedia.org • grades: pre-K–12 The scoop: PBS curates free, standards-aligned videos, interactive lessons, lesson plans and more.
Khan Academy • khanacademy.org • grades: K–12+ The scoop: Khan Academy is a nonprofit with the mission to provide a free, world-class education to anyone, anywhere. HippoCampus.org • hippocampus.org • grades: middle school–college The scoop: Free educational resources for math, science, social studies and the humanities.
READING
ReadWorks • readworks.org • grades: K–12 The scoop: Free content, curricula and tools to power teaching and learning from kindergarten through grade 12. Nessy • nessy.com • ages: 6–11 The scoop: Nessy takes a different approach to teaching children with dyslexia. Through games, videos and worksheets, it helps rebuild lost confidence.
WRITING
NoRedInk • noredink.com • grades: K–12 The scoop: NoRedInk creates stronger writers by offering an interest-based curriculum, adaptive exercises and actionable data.
MATH
Prodigy • prodigygame.com • grades: 1–8 The scoop: This engaging, curriculum-aligned math platform is loved by over 50 million students, teachers and administrators. No cost, ever. DreamBox Learning • dreambox.com • grades: K–12 The scoop: DreamBox Learning Math adapts to students’ actions to meet them at the right level. An engaging, game-like environment motivates students to persist, progress and achieve success.
SCIENCE
Mystery Science • mysteryscience.com • grades: K–5 The scoop: This very popular K–5 science curriculum offers “openand-go” lessons that inspire kids to love science!
LANGUAGE
Duolingo • duolingo.com • ages/grades: all The scoop: Earn points for correct answers, race against the clock and reach higher levels. Bite-size lessons are effective and addictive.
SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING
Everyday Speech • everydayspeech.com • grades: pre-K–12 The scoop: The only curricula you’ll ever need to teach social pragmatics or social-emotional learning skills.
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Amy Guatelli has been a special education parent, volunteer, educator and consultant in King County for almost 20 years.
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June Play List Celebrating papas, parks, pooches, parades and Pride! By Nancy Chaney Check out many more happenings online at parentmap.com/calendar.
June is a month of transitions as we wrap up another school year and officially start summer. Can we also officially transition out of this flippin’ pandemic? We can try! (While being smart, of course.) Shows, fun parks, dinos and parades are back! Celebrate all the papas; learn more about the bittersweet history of Juneteenth, our newest federal holiday; and fill your days with carefree family fun. Happy, happy June!
� The magic cane has broken? How will the wizard and Professor Dumbledog care for the animals without using magic? To find out, book a visit to Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium to catch the new Wild Wonders Outdoor Theater show (included with admission or membership). Spoiler: The performance features lots of animal stars! Show plays daily; then twice a day beginning June 18. parentmap.com/wild-wonders
Important note: Some events now require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result to attend.
� Marvelous Kitsap Forest Theater invites families to a unique and kid-friendly outdoor theater experience. This season’s show is “Beauty and the Beast,” which you’ll enjoy surrounded by towering trees. Weekend performances
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take place May 29–June 19 in Bremerton. Tickets are $10–$18; ages 5 and younger free. parentmap.com/forest-theater
� It’s a Northwest summer tradition to visit our local country farm amusement park. Remlinger Farms’ fun park is open weekends through June 19, then Wednesday–Sunday beginning June 22. Book your tickets online; $21.95 per person; ages 1 and younger free. Optional pony rides are $7. parentmap.com/remlinger � Sound the alarm for Fire Day on Saturday, June 4! Bring your crew to the Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI) to meet Seattle Fire Department
firefighters, try on firefighter gear and learn about fire safety, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. The event is free (regular museum admission not included or required). parentmap.com/fire-day
� Quick! Stop reading and book your DinoFest tix right away, lest you disappoint your crew of dino fans! DinoFest is back at Dino HQ — aka Seattle’s Burke Museum — on Sunday, June 5. Attendees can check out the Burke’s T. rex skull, go on a Jurassic quest and dig for fossils! Timed-entry tickets are $14–$22. Tots ages 3 and younger, museum members, and University of Washington staff and students enter for free. parentmap.com/dinofest
Highlighted Events for June
June 7
| Tuesday
ParentMap Live: Screen-Time Reset with Dr. Christakis Online parentmap.com/live
� Seattle Center’s Festál series of cultural festivals kicks into high gear in June. The Pagdiriwang Philippine Festival celebrates Filipino culture and history, June 4–5; the Indigenous People Festival, on Saturday, June 11, honors area tribes’ current and past traditions; Festival Sundiata showcases wide-ranging Black arts, June 17–19; and the Iranian Festival highlights modern Persian culture and traditions on Saturday, June 25. All festivals are free. parentmap.com/festal � Join ParentMap on Tuesday, June 7, 7–8 p.m., for an important talk by Seattle Children’s physician Dr. Dimitri Christakis. Learn new strategies for rebalancing screen time and your kids’ “media diet” in a post-pandemic educational and developmental landscape. Free; preregister at parentmap.com/live. � Bicycle Sundays are now bicycle weekends! Dust off your family’s bikes and roll ’em out to Lake Washington Boulevard for a carefree and (mostly)
| Saturday–Sunday
June 10–12 and 24–26
June 25–26
Bicycle weekends
Pride weekend
Lake Washington Boulevard, Seattle parentmap.com/bicycle
Seattle parentmap.com/pride
car-free lakeside ride. June bicycle weekends are June 10–12 and 24–26, starting on Friday evenings at 7 p.m. and all day on Saturday and Sunday. Free. parentmap.com/bicycle
gently and learn more about what you see from Seattle Aquarium beach naturalists, on-site June 14–18 at multiple Puget Sound beaches. Free. parentmap.com/low-tide
� Go fish! Free Fishing Weekend is the perfect introduction to fishing for the next generation of anglers. During the weekend of June 11–12, adults can fish without a fishing license (youths ages 14 and younger can always fish without a license), though some rules still apply. Gear up and reel one in at a lake near you! parentmap.com/go-fish � Early summer or rainy June-uary? Either way, our fabulous Washington State Parks welcomes families for a frolic on three fee-free days. On June 11, 12 and 19, visitors to our state parks can park their cars without a Discover Pass. Get out and explore! parentmap.com/free-day � Head to a local beach during low tide to inspect all kinds of marine critters that normally live under the sea. Touch them
is back. It’s Fenders on Front Street, a car show welcoming dads, families and everyone else to Issaquah to admire vintage and classic cars. Sunday, June 19, 8 a.m.–3 p.m. Free. parentmap.com/fenders
� Head to Othello Park to join It Takes a Village’s 6th annual Juneteenth celebration, promoting the health and empowerment of the Black community. Bring the fam for free fun, youth-led activities, music and COVID-19 vaccinations. Sunday, June 19, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Free. parentmap.com/juneteenth The Sunday Dog Parade June 19
� Go wild celebrating the end of the school year and the beginning of summer at the Fremont Fair and Solstice Parade, taking place June 18–19. The Saturday Solstice Parade (1 p.m. start time) features, um, naked bicyclists, so maybe warn the kids? The Sunday Dog Parade (2:30 p.m.) supports local pooches. parentmap.com/solstice � After a two-year hiatus, a
popular Father’s Day outing
� Celebrate all types of families and love at Seattle-area Pride celebrations, back in person June 25–26. On Saturday, join Capitol Hill PrideFest; on Sunday, watch the Pride Parade and party at PrideFest at Seattle Center. The parade winds from Fourth Avenue and Pike Street toward Seattle Center. Free. parentmap.com/pride
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Nancy Chaney is ParentMap’s Out + About editor.
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How to Plan a Magical ‘Encanto’ Birthday Party Party décor, treats, activities and more By Tiffany Doerr Guerzon
Who wouldn’t want to visit the magical land of “Encanto” with its sentient casita, supernaturally gifted characters and brilliantly colored flowers? This gorgeous film about magic and family, plus the song “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” on repeat, makes for a fun birthday party theme. Decorate with bold colors, serve up a beautiful ruffle cake and arepas de queso — and don’t forget the enchanted candle! Colorful flowers and garland • parentmap.com/garland The key to setting the scene for an “Encanto” party is decorating with bright colors. A bumper set of fans, paper flowers, pompoms, hanging swirls and banners will definitely brighten up your party space. Cluster these items together as a background for selfies or hang them behind the food table. Serape table runner • parentmap.com/runner Serape table runners can be used in multiple ways. Decorate the table with them, drape them over chairs or incorporate them as photo booth props. The brightly colored stripes and durable cotton fabric mean that these can be reused at your next backyard barbecue or Cinco de Mayo party. Succulents in cans • inspiredbythis.com Repurposed cans of El Pato tomato sauce make beautiful vases for fresh or artificial flowers, and they are also great as succulent planters. The brilliant colors will look beautiful scattered around the room or as table centerpieces. Check out this and other ideas for décor at the Inspired by This blog.
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Mini maracas • parentmap.com/maracas At just 5 inches in length, these brightly painted wood maracas are perfect for little hands. Put them out on the table as part of your décor and then send them home with your guests as party favors. At $12.99 per set of 12, the price is right! Table décor • livelikeyouarerich.com Anita of the Live Like You Are Rich blog shares some great ideas for her recent “Encanto” birthday party. She decorated the party table with symbolic items from the movie that related to each character’s magical gift. Check the post to learn about the characters’ symbols and discover more great ideas. Enchanted candle • etsy.com You can’t have an “Encanto” celebration without the magical candle! We love this 3D-printed toy from the Etsy shop The Bear and Wolf Studio. It comes with a string of fairy lights that can be inserted so that the whole candle glows. Best of all, there’s no flame to worry about at your party. ‘Encanto’ party kit • parentmap.com/party-set This all-in-one kit includes 16 colorful balloons featuring various characters from the movie, along with a colorful birthday banner. And the kit’s cake topper and cupcake toppers turn even a plain cake or cupcakes into “Encanto”-themed delights. Rain cloud in a jar • homeschoolpreschool.net Poor Pepa seems to have a perpetual rain cloud following her around throughout much of the movie. For a fun party activity, kids can make it “rain” with their own rain cloud jar. Not only is this a fun STEM project, but it is also an inexpensive activity, requiring only jars, shaving cream and liquid food coloring. Visit the Homeschool Preschool blog for complete instructions. Arepas de queso • mycolombianrecipes.com In the movie, Mirabel’s mom, Julieta, makes magic in the kitchen by cooking. She even heals Mirabel’s injured hand with an arepa de queso. These cornmeal cakes are a traditional food in Colombia, and Erica of the My Colombian Recipes blog has just the right recipe for your party. These cheesy treats make an ideal party food.
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Piñata ruffle cake • ellenjay.com This layered confetti cake, decorated with tinted frosting in multiple ruffled layers, is a thing of beauty. Lauren and Jennifer of the ellenJAY blog provide step-by-step instructions for how to make this gorgeous cake at home. Bruno’s cupcakes • magicaladventureguide.com We don’t talk about Bruno, but these cupcakes will be the talk of the party! Bruno’s visions take place in green glass, which is later found in broken pieces in the sand. These cupcakes feature a sprinkling of crumbled graham crackers to represent the sand and are topped with shards of green candy glass. The cupcakes are made from a cake mix and decorated with store-bought frosting that has been tinted with food coloring. Find the full recipe and instructions for making the candy glass at the Magical Adventure Guide blog. Magical pretzel rods • totallythebomb.com These adorable treats from Jamie of
the Totally the Bomb blog are a tasty combination of salty and sweet. Simply coat some pretzels in icing, then add some bling and brightly colored sprinkles.
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Learn to Skate
Photo courtesy of totallythebomb.com
Key ring party favors • parentmap.com/keyrings A set of character key rings will make a great gender-neutral party favor. The set contains six different characters, and the rings will look great on backpacks. The party guests will love the fun trinkets, and parents will love that they’re not candy.
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Tiffany Doerr Guerzon is a freelance writer and mother of three.
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Family Media Page to Screen Buzzworthy book adaptations we can’t wait to watch this year By Lindsay Zielinski, M.Ed.
From classics that had never been adapted for film to imaginative new takes on film-friendly favorites, there are plenty of bookinspired movies coming our way in 2022. Such translations can be a great impetus to coax reluctant readers into picking up the book version. Will the book be even better? Guess they’ll have to read it to find out!
‘Where the Crawdads Sing’ by Delia Owens
Plot: In this coming-of-age tale that takes place in the Deep South in the 1950s, Kya is abandoned by her family at a young age and raises herself in the marshlands. Ostracized by the locals, she later becomes the prime suspect in the murder of a hometown hero. Starring: Daisy Edgar-Jones (as Kya), Garret Dillahunt, Taylor John Smith, Harris Dickinson Why we’re excited: “Where the Crawdads Sing” sold 12 million copies and was catapulted to national attention as a popular book club choice by Reese Witherspoon in 2018. The screen adaptation (with Witherspoon as its producer) has been eagerly awaited by those who’ve read it. Airing: July 2022 on Netflix Ages: Teens+
‘The Adventures of Pinocchio’ by Carlo Collodi
Plot: There will be two Pinocchio tales released this year. Disney is along for the ride, releasing its live-action adaptation starring Tom Hanks and directed by Robert Zemeckis. Disney will follow a storyline similar to that of its 1940 animated classic. Starring: Tom Hanks (as Geppetto), Joseph Gordon-Levitt (as Jiminy Cricket), Benjamin Evan Ainsworth (as Pinocchio), Keegan-Michael Key, Cynthia Erivo Why we’re excited: Those who love the 1940 animated film will appreciate Disney’s “traditional” version, and Tom Hanks as Geppetto is sure to be a hit. Airing: September 2022 on Disney+ Ages: All
‘The Adventures of Pinocchio’ by Carlo Collodi
Plot: Guillermo del Toro’s “Pinocchio” hews to the original text of Collodi’s 1883 children’s novel. This stop-animation film aims to give a fresh perspective on Pinocchio’s character, focusing on his transformational journey, emotionally and physically. Starring: Newcomer Gregory Mann (as Pinocchio), Ewan McGregor
(as Jiminy Cricket), David Bradley (as Geppetto), Tilda Swinton (as the Turquoise Fairy), Cate Blanchett, John Turturro Why we’re excited: Del Toro’s recent films, “The Shape of Water” and “Nightmare Alley,” make us excited to see his magic-realism take on the classic tale, especially with the incorporation of stopanimation artistry. Airing: December 2022 on Netflix Ages: Kids+ (Note: Tread lightly, as multiple sources call del Toro’s film a “darker version” of the classic story.)
‘White Bird: A Wonder Story’ by R.J. Palacio
Plot: In “White Bird: A Wonder Story,” we learn more about Julian Albans, the infamous bully from Palacio’s book turned film “Wonder.” Julian’s grandmother (Sara) visits with him and shares her harrowing experiences as a young girl who was forced into hiding in Nazi-occupied France during World War II. With the help of a classmate who risked everything to help her survive, Sara learned the true value of kindness and empathy. Starring: Helen Mirren, Ariella Glaser, Gillian Anderson Why we’re excited: With connections to R.J. Palacio’s other books, “Wonder” and “Auggie & Me,” fans will be delighted to learn more about the character of Julian and his family’s backstory. In theaters: October 2022 Ages: 10+
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‘Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile’ by Bernard Waber
Plot: Lyle is a lovable crocodile living in the heart of New York City with the Pimm family. He’s happy and content, until a neighbor decides that Lyle belongs in the zoo! Will Lyle be able to win them over and stay with his family? Starring: Shawn Mendes, Javier Bardem, Constance Wu, Winslow Fegley Why we’re excited: We love it when a children’s book classic comes to life! Originally written in 1965 by Bernard Waber, “Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile” will be a welcome trip down memory lane for parents and offer kids a warm introduction to the endearing Lyle. In theaters: Nov. 18, 2022 Ages: All
‘Peter Pan’ by J.M. Barrie
Plot: Peter Pan is a boy who never wants to grow up, spending his perpetual childhood in Neverland with the Lost Boys, fighting Captain Hook and befriending other magical folk. In “Peter Pan & Wendy,” Peter visits the Darling family and introduces them to the wonders of Neverland, but the longer they stay, the harder it becomes to make it back home. Starring: Jude Law (as Captain Hook), Alexander Molony (as Peter), Ever Anderson (as Wendy), Yara Shahidi (as Tinkerbell) Why we’re excited: “Peter Pan & Wendy” will give viewers the Disney live-action remake they’ve been waiting for. With a star-studded cast, it’s sure to be a new family favorite that you can enjoy from the comfort of home. Airing: Late 2022 on Disney+ Ages: All
‘The School for Good and Evil’ by Soman Chainani
Plot: In the first book of Chainani’s middle-grade series, we meet Agatha and Sophie, both eagerly awaiting to be kidnapped by the School Master to become what they are meant to be: Sophie, a perfect princess; and Agatha, a classic villain. But when they arrive at the School of Good and Evil and their roles are reversed, things get complicated. Starring: Sophia Anne Caruso (as Sophie), Sofia Wylie (as Agatha), Charlize Theron (as Lady Lesso), Michelle Yeoh (as Professor Anemone), Kerry Washington (as Professor Dove), Laurence Fishburne (as the School Master) Why we’re excited: With twists and turns galore, amazing costumes and powerhouse acting, this fractured fairy tale promises something for everyone. This is the first installment of the six-book series, so fingers crossed, there will be a sequel or a few. Airing: Late 2022 on Netflix Ages: Tweens+
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Seeing and Treating Your Child as a Whole for Life-Changing Recovery Is your child struggling with a mental health condition? You’re not alone.
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‘Matilda’ by Roald Dahl
CAMP
We will offer an inquiry-based camp where the campers help in choosing a topic or activity that will be explored every week. Campers will help lead the direction of their camp experience.
Our instructors build activities around your child’s curiosity!
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Plot: This new film adaptation penned by screenwriter Dennis Kelly is based on the musical inspired by the globally beloved Roald Dahl tale. Matilda is a brilliant little girl, but her family just doesn’t get her. With imagination, smarts and courage in spades, Matilda finds a way to transform her life — and those around her — for the better. Starring: Emma Thompson (as Miss Trunchbull), Alisha Weir (as Matilda), Lashana Lynch (as Miss Honey) Why we’re excited: If you missed the Tony-nominated Broadway show, this is your lucky day! Airing: December 2022 on Netflix Ages: 8+
‘High in the Clouds’ by Paul McCartney
1/10/22 1:20 PM
"Enroll your children in the American Dance Institute and relax." Ebba Lucander
Plot: After their forest home is destroyed by evil machines, Wirral the squirrel and friends go on an epic journey to find a new home, saving other animals along the way. Why we’re excited: This animated film is based on the picture book by Paul McCartney. It invites even the youngest readers to have hope and overcome obstacles in their path. Airing: Late 2022 on Netflix Ages: All
‘The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents’ by Terry Pratchett
Plot: Based on a story by British author Terry Pratchett, “The Amazing Maurice” follows a street-smart cat on a journey to make money — even if gaining it means managing a group of rats. Starring: Hugh Laurie, Emilia Clarke, David Thewlis, Hugh Bonneville, David Tennant Why we’re excited: This “Pied Piper”–inspired film is sure to win hearts and bring joy to animal lovers. In theaters: January 2023 Ages: All
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Lindsay Zielinski is a mom, wife and writer living in Tacoma. She spends most of her time in libraries, where she is always looking for her next favorite picture book.
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LO CAL R ES O UR C ES / CAM P S : ARTS + ACT I V I T I ES
Best Swimming Classes for the Littlest Splashers By Kate Missine Swimming is an essential life skill that every child should learn, and while kids aren’t generally ready for independent swimming classes until about the age of 3 or 4 years, many parents choose to start much earlier. Here are eight picks for diving in with your tiny tot around Seattle and the Eastside. City of Seattle pools • seattle.gov Various locations The city of Seattle operates 10 public pools and offers lessons to participants as young as 6 months at most locations. Classes fill up fast, so prepare to jump on registration and be flexible with schedules. Goldfish Swim School • goldfishswimschool.com Shoreline, Redmond At Goldfish, parents participate with babes from ages 4 to 24 months; young swimmers who are older than that have their own group while mom and dad watch from the air-conditioned viewing gallery. Lesson sign-ups run year-round. Lynnwood Pool • lynnwoodwa.gov Lynnwood Located in the Lynnwood Recreation Center, this popular facility boasts three different pools, including an 85-degree recreation pool with water slides, a water playground and a lazy river. Lessons with mom or dad are available for little ones between the ages 6 months and 3 years old. SwimGuru • swim.guru North Seattle, Mukilteo SwimGuru instructors are serious about drowning prevention, and their focus is on teaching survival skills, with independent instruction beginning as soon as your baby can walk. Classes do tend to get booked up from two to three months in advance, so plan ahead.
Mountlake Terrace Pool • cityofmlt.com Mountlake Terrace The shallow leisure pool at this awesome aquatics center hovers at a comfy 88 degrees and is equipped with spray toys, a lazy river and babe-friendly beach entry for before- and after-class play. Parent-tot lessons are open to kids as young as 9 months, with independent classes offered to students age 3 and older. SafeSplash Swim School • safesplash.com Various locations SafeSplash’s small-group lessons offer two parent-tot and two toddler transition levels for students as young as 6 months old; registration is ongoing and billed on a monthly basis, with your spot held indefinitely once you sign up. WaterBabies • waterbabiesusa.com Various locations WaterBabies’ philosophy is to empower parents with the skills to teach their child to swim, which means parents do most of the hands-on work in the water with their kids, who range in age from 4 months to 3+ years, while instructors provide coaching on techniques. SwimLabs Swim School • swimlabs.com/issaquah Issaquah Private, semiprivate and group lessons of three or four students are offered at this nationwide franchise. Registration is on a rolling basis, but group lessons run in four-week increments and tend to fill up.
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Kate Missine is a lifestyle writer, food lover and a girly girl raising two little boys.
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Skyhawks Sports Academy provides sports programs for children ages 4-12 where they discover and develop athletic skills and social values, such as teamwork, respect, and sportsmanship. We offer children a positive sports experience while promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.
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11 Indoor and Outdoor Activities for SensorySeeking Kids Fun diversions to help your kid get the stimulation they seek By Sanya Pelini, Ph.D.
Most kids react to sensory input in predictable ways, but some do not. Some kids may underreact to sensory input because of a sensory-processing issue. These kids need more sensory stimulation to respond to stimuli and in an effort to gain that stimulation, may engage in what we call sensory-seeking behavior. Sensory-seeking behavior among children is increasingly common today, but the good news is that we now know more about it and how to help kids who are struggling with sensory-processing issues.
most well-known senses, but there are also other, lesser-known senses, and two of them have an impact on your child’s ability to respond to sensory information. Proprioception refers to the sense of balance, self-movement and body position that is mediated by neurons located in muscles, tendons and joints; spatial orientation is associated with the ability to identify one’s position in space. All of these senses influence the behavior of a child with sensory-seeking issues. This child may:
It was not so long ago that children with these issues were thought of as “difficult” children because of the challenging behavior associated with these issues.
• Consistently crash into things
Common sensory-seeking behaviors Hearing, sight, smell, touch, taste are the
• Behave in a loud manner, such as talking
• Have poor fine motor skills, which makes them appear clumsy
loudly and walking loudly.
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• Be a messy eater • Engage in dangerous behavior because of their need for more stimulation
• Constantly need to chew, bite or lick things, such as their clothes, toys, pens and other objects
• Have regular meltdowns • Appear to be aggressive with other kids; for example, pushing them and hugging them too tightly
• Be overly touchy with both people and objects
• Be attracted to loud noises • Be unable to keep still — these children are often described as “hyperactive”
The good news is that providing sensory input can help your child get the stimulation they seek, increase their awareness of their bodies and help them adapt more easily to their environment. Here are some indoor and outdoor activities that will help your sensory-seeking child. Indoor sensory-seeking activities 1. Play dough has been providing sensory input for children for years! By allowing your child to squash, knead and pound, play dough activities give proprioceptive input. These activities also strengthen your child’s fine motor skills. 2. Give your child a stress ball and let them squeeze it. As with play dough, this will provide proprioceptive input. 3. Yoga exercises are whole-body activities that offer considerable stimulation. Many kids love animal yoga
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poses in which they get to “hop like a kangaroo,” “walk like a crab,” “slither like a snake” or “jump like a cat. Try online yoga classes that are specially designed for kids (cosmickids.com). If your child is age 5 or older, your entire family will enjoy the ThinkFun Yoga Spinner Game, which will produce the sensory input they need. 4. Finger painting is a powerful proprioceptive activity for sensoryseeking children. 5. Chewable fidgets can provide the oral stimulation your child seeks, and there are hundreds to choose from. parentmap.com/chewelry Outdoor sensory-seeking activities 1. Swimming is one of the best proprioceptive activities because it is a whole-body activity.
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2. Jumping on a trampoline is a great activity for a sensory-seeking child because it will help them work on both their balance and spatial orientation. Purchasing an indoor trampoline will ensure that your child gets their sensory input, no matter the weather! 3. Pikler triangles or monkey bars stimulate your child’s entire body by encouraging them to pull, push, crawl, jump, twist and so on. Be sure to get a sturdy product that they can use for years. 4. Have your child plant their own garden or help in yours. Activities such as digging and weeding are all great for proprioceptive input. 5. Create a hopping obstacle course by placing obstacles on the ground (cardboard boxes, a hula hoop or sticks, for example) and ask your child to jump either on or in between the obstacles. Make the course harder by varying the instructions (such as hop with one foot, hop with both feet) or by increasing the distance between obstacles. 6. The wheelbarrow walk provides proprioceptive input and strengthens your child’s muscles. Grab their ankles and let them use their hands to move around. You can make the activity more fun by putting obstacles in their path. Occupational therapists say that when it comes to providing activities for sensory-seeking children, short but frequent multisensory activities are more effective than infrequent and lengthy ones. An easy way to ensure that your child is getting sufficient sensory input is to have them participate in age-appropriate chores as often as possible. For example, they can bring in the groceries, help in the garden, empty the dishwasher, be “in charge” of the laundry basket or the garbage bins (taking them to and from the curb), vacuum or even mow the lawn if they are old enough. A therapist may be in order if you feel that your child’s sensory-seeking behavior is interfering with their home life and school life. A good therapist will be able to assess your child and propose a personalized sensory plan to help them find greater balance.
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Sanya Pelini, Ph.D., transforms educational research into practical tools and resources on her blog Raising Independent Kids (raising-independent-kids.com).
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