ParentMap October 2023 Issue

HOOT ‘N’ HOWL HOOT ‘N’ HOWL

Discounted

October

October 2023

For a speech sound to be mastered during conversation it must be practiced in the child’s natural environment.

Photo by JiaYing Grygiel

What is your family’s favorite fall outing or activity?

EDITORIAL

MANAGING EDITOR

Allison Sutcliffe

OUT + ABOUT EDITOR Nancy Chaney

TRENDS + ENGAGEMENT EDITOR

Madison Miller

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Kari Hanson

CALENDAR EDITOR Julie Dodobara

COPY EDITOR

Sunny Parsons

Nothing beats heading out on a hike to see the changing color of the leaves on a sunny fall day.

CONTRIBUTORS

Linsday Karp, M.S., CCC-SLP, Serena Behar Natkin, Debbie Reber

DIGITAL MARKETING

EMAIL MARKETING SPECIALIST

Devon Hammer

MEDIA SPECIALIST

SOCIAL

Trunk-or-treat at the kids’ school — it’s become such a big event that older students even come back for it!

Emily Feely

ADVERTISING SALES + PARTNERSHIPS

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY

PARTNERSHIPS +

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Jessica Collet

SENIOR ADVERTISING AND PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER

Ida Wicklund

EVENTS + COMMUNITY

PARTNERSHIPS SPECIALIST

Brenna McCown

CLIENT SERVICES +

DESIGN COORDINATOR

Angela Goodwin

ADVERTISING CLIENT

SERVICES SPECIALIST

Mallory Dehbod

DIGITAL ADVERTISING +

MARKETING SPECIALIST

Taryn Weiner

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

Tamryn Nell

ART + PRODUCTION

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Amy Chinn

ADMINISTRATION

BUSINESS MANAGER

Carolyn Brendel

OPERATIONS ASSISTANT

Erika Widjaja

We go to the ocean every October with a group of friends. Enjoy the change in seasons, get out on the beach even in the rain!

For the past few years, we’ve enjoyed taking long drives to see pretty fall foliage. Snoqualmie Valley and Snohomish county are pretty good spots. — Madison Miller, trends + engagement editor

We search our neighborhood on a dark gloomy fall day for the most magical autumn colors that light up the day.

OCTOBER 2023, VOL. 20, NO. 10

PUBLISHER

Alayne Sulkin

PARENTMAP EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD

Benjamin Danielson, M.D. CLINICAL PROFESSOR, UW SCHOOL OF MEDICINE PRACTICING PHYSICIAN, UW MEDICINE

Joan Duffell RETIRED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, COMMITTEE FOR CHILDREN

John Gottman, Ph.D. THE GOTTMAN INSTITUTE PROFESSOR EMERITUS, UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON

Laura Kastner, Ph.D. PSYCHIATRY + BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON

Bea Kelleigh VICE PRESIDENT, DOVETAILING, LLC

patch, we carve at home, then roast the seeds while listening to the “Monster Mash.”

Our family goes to see the salmon at the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery, along the Cedar River — or almost anywhere we can spot them.

Yaffa Maritz, M.A. FOUNDER, LISTENING MOTHERS + COMMUNITY OF MINDFUL PARENTING

Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MINDSIGHT INSTITUTE

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We look forward to our annual “Fall Classic” camping trip with friends.

PMB #190, 7683 S.E. 27th St., Mercer Island, WA 98040 All rights reserved; reproduction in whole or part without permission is prohibited. © ParentMap 2023 • printed in Oregon

5 Questions That Turn Challenges Into Growth Opportunities for Kids Pause, untangle and ask yourself these questions

By Debbie Reber

Despite a half-dozen reminders, multiple timers and a bunch of heads-up, when it’s time for her daughter to get off her device and come to the dinner table, Charlotte finds herself in the same power struggle she’s been through hundreds of times before. (Okay, it just feels like hundreds.)

Can you relate?

When these kinds of conflicts come up, it’s all too easy to react out of frustration. And that’s bound to escalate things even further.

So, instead of reacting, we want to pause, untangle our emotions and look for the learning opportunity in this challenging situation (because there always is one).

To be fair, it’s not easy to do this while in the moment, but it’s absolutely worth it if we can. Responding in this way helps everyone get back to calm more quickly, creates space for the development of skills and deepens our relationship with our kids.

DON’T MISS DEBBIE REBER’s TALK

Differently Wired: Deepening Connection With Your Atypical Child

Oct. 10

For more info see p. 13

With

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trained facilitator, we will co -create and explore your connection to:

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- Online classes are all 6 weeks -

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- Attachment and Attunement with your child(ren) -

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AND EXPLORE YOUR CONNECTION TO:

- MINDFUL PRACTICE AND SELF-REGULATION -

www.communityofmindfulparenting.com

- SELF-COMPASSION -

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Inspired by Mother Teresa

www.communityofmindfulparenting.com

continued from page 9

FEATURE Turn challenges into an opportunity for connection and growth

The next time you find yourself in a power struggle or conflict with your child, especially one in which you’re stuck in a negative loop, consider these five questions:

1. What is it in this situation that you are making about you?

If we are triggered by our child’s behavior, it’s almost always because we’re making their choice mean something about us and how good (or bad) we are as a parent. When we have a strong emotional reaction to something our child is doing, we need to ask ourselves: What am I making this mean?

She doesn’t respect me. She shouldn’t be ignoring me. She doesn’t care about our shared agreement.

2. How does the challenge highlight your child’s undeveloped skills or abilities?

By realizing our child’s behavior is simply the result of their lack of skills, the situation stops being personal. Instead, it becomes a chance to better see our child for who they are right now and to identify areas for future growth. So, what is the challenge revealing about your child?

She struggles with predicting how much time certain tasks take. She has a hard time when people place demands on her. She has a tough time leaving a task half-finished.

3. What can your child learn from the challenge or situation?

Absolutely every challenge with our child presents an opportunity for developing nascent skills. It’s important that we give ourselves time to pinpoint the opportunity for growth in the situation and to consider ways to reframe the challenge. Where is the learning opportunity?

She can learn that when she respectfully communicates her needs, she’ll not only avoid conflict, but she can be part of a solution that feels so much better for everyone.

4: What can you learn about yourself through this challenge or situation?

Every time we focus on, reflect and reframe these difficult moments, we learn more about our own personal triggers and increase our own emotional IQ. How can I grow through this situation?

Being ignored by my child is really challenging for

I NCREASE YO UR SENSE OF SELF-COMPASSION, RESILIENCE AND WELL-BEIN

WITH THE GUIDANCE OF A TRAINED FACILITATOR, WE WILL CO-CREATE

me, but when I remember to pause and process before responding, we can actually shorten the conflict.

5. How can your connection with your child deepen as a result of the challenge?

Going through this inquiry process and responding with more empathy, respect and validation helps us come out on the other side of a conflict feeling even more deeply connected to our child. How might our relationship grow closer through this?

When we remember we’re on the same side and work together to come up with a solution, we always feel more connected than ever. ■

This content was previously published in Psychology Today in October 2018 and reprinted with permission.

Debbie Reber is a parenting activist, New York Times bestselling author, podcast host, and speaker who has been inspiring and sparking conversations for parents, women, and teens for twenty years.

GRADES 6-12

EXPERIENTIAL RIGOROUS PERSONALIZED TUITION ASSISTANCE

Walkable from Seattle Ferry

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SQUASH HUNT

October 10–November 5

How many types of squash and pumpkins can you spot? Explore and win prizes! Timed tickets are required for admission

ArriveCurious. LeaveInspired.

Preventing homelessness before it happens, and intervening early when it does

At Wellspring, we believe every family—and in particular, every child—deserves a stable home. A place to feel safe and the confidence and sense of security that comes with it.

Exploreourhands-onactivities,and interactiveexhibitions,andlearnhow everyonecantakeactionforgoodinthier communities.

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We’re a nonprofit organization on a mission to end family homelessness for good. We connect people with the resources and support they need to maintain and regain stability for themselves and their families—and to achieve positive, lasting change in their lives.

How you can help end family homelessness for good:

Make a financial gift

Donate new or gently used items to our free Family Store

Volunteer your time

To learn more visit wellspringfs.org

Upcoming ParentEd Talks

ParentEd Talks welcomes host, Laura Kastner, Ph.D.

ParentMap is honored to present Laura Kastner, Ph.D., as the host of its 2023–2024 ParentEd Talks series. Kastner is the author of a number of parenting books, including the acclaimed “Getting to Calm” series, and a clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of Washington.

Atypical Approaches: Unlock the Brilliance and Beauty of Your Differently Wired Kid | Oct. 10, 2023

When parents are struggling with challenging behavior or having a difficult time accepting their child’s neurodivergence, the parent-child relationship can suffer. Parent activist and bestselling author Debbie Reber will share transformative strategies — what she calls “tilts” — for caregivers to become the exceptional parent that their exceptional child needs in order to thrive.

The Power of Relationships: Nurturing Compassion and Resilience in Children | Oct. 24, 2023

One of the strongest predictors of success in life is perseverance, and Sam Goldstein, Ph.D., and Robert B. Brooks, Ph.D., wrote the book on how parents can cultivate the essential instincts that power perseverance in their children. Brooks and Goldstein’s compassionate approach will inspire you to rethink how you parent, socialize and educate your children into adulthood.

The Future Is Now: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of AI and What to Do About It | Nov. 14, 2023

Christine Rosen, Ph.D., a leading expert on the intersection of technology and education, will share her insights on the groundbreaking — and disruptive — impacts of emerging generative AI technologies such as ChatGPT, illuminating the ways parents and educators can help children safely navigate the positive potentials and possible pitfalls of AI.

Unplug and Rewire: Raising Screen-Savvy Kids in the Tech Era | Dec. 6,

2023

Joe Clement and Matt Miles are veteran teachers who have witnessed firsthand how damaging technology overuse and misuse has been to our kids. In this energizing talk, they will outline the challenges of raising screen-savvy kids and provide practical strategies for promoting well-balanced technology habits.

Brave Listening: The Secret to Safeguarding Your Child’s Mental Health | Jan. 10 2024

In this essential talk, suicide risk assessment expert Stacey Freedenthal, Ph.D., LISW, will guide parents through the sensitive and challenging topic of supporting their child’s mental health. Among the powerful strategies Freedenthal will outline is brave listening, which not only helps our children feel seen, heard and supported, but can literally be the difference between life and death.

The Power of Play: The Most Underrated (and Fun!) Way to Grow for YOU and Your Child | Jan. 23, 2024

Amelia Bachleda, Ph.D., and Marley Jarvis, Ph.D., child development specialists from the Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences, will join Mike Browne, senior director of Community Engagement for Cultivate Learning at the University of Washington, for an engaging conversation about the brain science of play and the critical role of play in our lives.

Conscious: Curious, Connected Discipline Strategies for Happier, Healthier Kids | Feb. 6, 2024

Parenting expert and Sproutable cofounder Julietta Skoog, Ed.S., will share her conscious discipline playbook in this talk that compassionately translates research, child development expertise and Positive Discipline principles into everyday parenting solutions that have helped countless families discover greater joy, connection and calm.

Technology’s Child: Empowered Parenting in the Digital Age | March 5, 2024

From toddlers exploring their immediate environment to twentysomethings charting their place in society, children’s “screen time” and digital social relationships have become an inescapable aspect of growing up. Professor and author Katie Davis, Ph.D., draws on her expertise in developmental science and design research to clarify what parents need to understand about technology’s role at each stage of their child’s development.

With Conviction: What Formerly Incarcerated Leaders Can Teach Parents About Raising Changemakers |

March 27, 2024

In this thought-provoking talk, Freedom Project executive director David Heppard and T.E.A.C.H. (Taking Education and Creating History) founder Kimonti Carter will decode the systems that shape the ways we see ourselves and others, reflecting on the wisdom they gained from their experience of incarceration and subsequent leadership working toward criminal justice and prison reform.

Stronger Together: A New Model for Modern Marriage | April 16, 2024

Nate and Kaley Klemp, two of the most respected voices in the field of modern relationships, will impart key insights of their 80/80 marriage model, which is based on the concept of “radical generosity.” Learn game-changing strategies for redesigning the structure of your partnership based on practices and principles that will result in shared success and lasting satisfaction.

What’s Love Got to Do With It? The Power of Nurturing Yourself First | May 1, 2024

To best nurture others, we must expand our capacity to nurture ourselves. In this can’t-miss talk, veteran mindful self-compassion facilitators Blair Carleton and Yaffa Maritz, LMHC, will teach caregivers how to cultivate a habit of restorative self-compassion, equipping them with powerful techniques for developing greater self-awareness, self-reflection, self-care and emotional resilience.

Calm and Connected: Coaching Coping Skills in Your Children | June 5, 2024

Mental health counselor and author Janine Halloran, LMHC, will draw on her decades of experience working with children and families to impart practical and effective strategies to help kids and teens develop the coping, self-regulation and social skills they need to manage stress, reduce anxiety and manage other common mental health challenges.

Radhika, patient at Seattle Children’s

A Halloween Comedy: Oct. 27-Nov. 5

Zombies are popping up in a quaint Texas town! Is it a global conspiracy or does a stranger have all the answers?

Find out in this light-hearted Halloween tale. All ages.

A Daring New History Play: Nov. 10-19

Join us for this incredible new play based on the real glow-in-the-dark girls who forever changed history after they painted with radium.

Suitable for ages 10+.

10 Silly Halloween Pranks for Kids

Inject a little humor into your spooky season

Halloween is almost here, and it’s the perfect time to let our imaginations run wild and pull off some silly — yet not too scary — Halloween pranks on our little trickor-treaters. If all that candy doesn’t put a smile on their faces, these simple gags, which you can pull off without much prep, surely will. Check out these 10 ideas to make this Halloween one for the memory books.

1. Ghostly greetings mirror messages: Take advantage of your kids’ morning routines by leaving ghostly greetings on the bathroom mirror. Simply write spooky messages like “Boo!” or draw a funny ghost face using washable markers. When your kids look in the mirror, they’ll be greeted with some spirited silliness to start their day.

2. Boo-in-a-box surprise: Surprise (and delight) your kiddos with a “boo in a box.” Place a motion-activated Halloween toy or a spooky-sound-making device inside a small box. When the kids open it, they’ll be in for an eerie treat.

3. Monster under the bed: Transform bedtime into a playful scarefest by attaching glow-in-the-dark monster stickers or eyes to the underside of the bed frame. Once the lights go out, these monsters will come alive. The friendly monsters can watch over kids as they drift off to dreamland.

4. Eerie shadows: Create an atmosphere of mystery and intrigue by using a flashlight to cast spooky shadows on the walls or ceilings. Make the shadows move and dance to entertain and amuse your little ones. Let their imaginations soar as they wonder about the magical creatures lurking in the shadows.

5. Gooey grapes treat: Satisfy the little ghouls’ sweet tooth with a fun and healthy Halloween treat. Freeze peeled grapes and serve them as “eyeballs.” This classic is

just gross enough to make them squeal, yet tasty enough to be gobbled down.

6. Trick-or-treat swap: Here’s a prank you can pull after trick-or-treating is done. Fill an empty candy wrapper with something unexpected, like a silly joke or baby carrots. Sneak it into their candy stash, and when they open it, they’ll discover they’ve been “tricked” in the most delightful way.

7. Spooky story time: Gather the family around a faux campfire made using flashlights and read a spooky story, or tell a chilling tale of your own. The flickering shadows will enhance the ambiance, creating a memorable Halloween experience for everyone.

8. Haunted doorway: Welcome your little trick-or-treaters with a fun and spooky entrance to your home. Use crepe paper or streamers to create a “spider web” doorway, and attach hanging plastic spiders for more spooky fun.

9. Glowing surprise: Introduce an element of surprise to their Halloween candy stash by sneaking a few glow sticks inside their trick-or-treat bags before they head into the night. As the sun sets, their candy will be glowing, making their Halloween loot even more magical.

10. Haunted sounds: Incorporate spooky sound effects into your Halloween celebrations. With a Bluetooth speaker or a smartphone, play eerie sounds like creaking doors, ghostly whispers or howling winds to create the atmosphere of a haunted house.

Remember, the key to successful Halloween pranks is to keep them ageappropriate, which for toddlers means silly and not very scary. It’s all about creating joy and unforgettable moments for your little ones. With these playful Halloween pranks, you’ll have a spooktacular time together as a family, making memories that will last a lifetime. Happy Halloween! ■

— Kari Hanson

October Play List

Autumn adventures abound this month

By Julie Dodobara

Check out many more happenings online at parentmap.com/calendar.

It’s October, and fall is in full swing. October is a month with a specific theme that kids can really get behind: Halloween! In addition to the requisite pumpkins, costumes and candy, this month also brings prime salmon viewing, farm and harvest festivities, and opportunities to expand your parenting tool kit. There’s plenty to do, so grab your favorite sweater, dig out your rain gear, gather the family and go!

� Your perfect pumpkin is out there—find it by consulting our roundup of great local pumpkin patches. Plus, get the deets on the best farms for harvest fun, from hayrides to corn mazes. Get plucking — and playing! Oct. 1–31. parentmap.com/ pumpkin-patches

� Immerse yourself in vibrant fall colors as you wander the trails of the Seattle Japanese Garden during its annual Maple Festival, Oct. 5–15. During your visit, practice momijigari, the Japanese tradition of appreciating the art of nature; not hard to do as you take in the breathtaking views. Admission $6–$10; children ages 5 and younger enter free. parentmap.com/maple-fest

� Get your oompah on to enjoy brats, giant pretzels and beer (for the adults) at West Seattle’s family-friendly Oktoberfest. Dogs are welcome, too! Admission is free, with food and beverage for purchase. Find all this fun at Ounces Taproom and Beer Garden, Friday–Sunday, Oct. 6–8. parentmap.com/ ws-oktoberfest

� Thrill seekers of all ages will have a frighteningly good time with the option of two sizes of scares: terrifying and tot-friendly! Both are on offer at Wild Waves’ Fright Fest taking place Friday–Sunday, Oct. 6–8, 13–15, 20–22 and 27–29. Just remember, it’s for families by day, frights by night. Admission $34.99–$59.99, with discounts

available online. parentmap.com/ frightfest-ww

� An Eastside fall favorite is baaa–ck! Visit your favorite barnyard animals at Kelsey Creek Farm in Bellevue and enjoy harvest fun by the big white barn. Look forward to wagon rides, pumpkin decorating and more. Admission is free; some activities for a fee. See you at the farm on Saturday, Oct. 7, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. parentmap.com/ kelsey-creek

� Celebrate the spawning journey of our local flagship fish at Issaquah Salmon Days as the salmon make their return to local rivers, lakes and creeks. This year’s theme is Jammin’

Highlighted Events for October

Issaquah Salmon Days Issaquah

with the Salmon, and you can do just that with a parade, music, kids’ games, salmon hatchery tours, dock dogs and more. Get fishy Saturday–Sunday, Oct. 7–8. parentmap.com/salmon-days

� Dress up as your favorite comic character and head to GeekGirlCon, the ultra-popular, female-forward local convention celebrating STEM, gaming, comics, the arts and more. This con is all about inclusive, family-friendly fun. Geek out Saturday–Sunday, Oct. 7–8 at the Seattle Convention Center. $15–$40 entry per day, ages 5 and younger enter free. Weekend passes available. parentmap.com/geekgirlcon

� Just keep swimming! Cheer on the spawning salmon as you spot them from five locations along the Cedar River: the Renton Library, Cedar River Park, Riverview Park, Landsburg Park and Belmondo’s Reach. While you can see salmon any day, visit on select weekend dates to learn from Cedar River Salmon Journey naturalists. They’ll be onsite Saturday–Sunday, Oct. 7–8, 14–15, 21–22 and 28–29, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. parentmap.com/cedar-river

� Are you struggling with your child’s challenging behavior or accepting their neurodivergence? Join ParentMap online on Tuesday, Oct. 10, at 1 p.m., for strategies on parenting differently wired kids. Our speaker is bestselling author and parent activist Debbie Reber who will present tools to help you help them thrive. Pay what you can,

$0–$15. Recording will be available for registrants. parentmap.com/live

� In honor of World Mental Health Day, Tuesday, Oct. 10, visitors to Washington State Parks can park their vehicles for free, without a Discover Pass. Take your tots or scoot out after school to bathe in the restorative power of the forest. Nearby state parks we love include St. Edward, Bridle Trails, Lake Sammamish, Dash Point and Saltwater. parentmap.com/state-parks

� In Seattle Children’s Theatre’s lively musical production of “Goodnight Moon,” based on the timeless bedtime story, a new generation of children will delight in watching where Bunny’s imagination takes him as he drifts off to dreamland. Adult tickets are $28 and up; children are $20 and up for performances on select dates Oct. 12–Nov. 5. parentmap.com/ goodnight-moon

� Bring your crew to Lakewood Truck & Tractor Day where they can climb on up and sit in the driver’s seat — and honk the horns! — of all their favorite big rigs. What could make this day better? Try chucking pumpkins from a giant sling shot, free hayrides and crafts and games. Find all this fall fun and more at Fort Steilacoom Park on Saturday, Oct. 14, noon–3 p.m. Free. parentmap.com/truck-day

� Dress in your favorite costume and hop aboard the Northwest Railway Museum’s

ParentEd Talks: Debbie Reber

Festál Series: Día de Muertos Festival

Halloween Train. This vintage passenger car decked out for the season chugs through the Snoqualmie Valley for a spectacular view of the changing fall colors. Bonus: All kids in costume get a prize. Trains run Saturday–Sunday, Oct. 14–15, 22–23 and 28–29. Book your $16–$32 tickets in advance; age 1 and younger ride free. parentmap.com/halloween-train

� Join ParentMap Tuesday, Oct. 24, at 1 p.m., for an inspiring talk on nurturing compassion and resilience in children. Popular returning speakers Sam Goldstein, Ph.D., and Robert B. Brooks, Ph.D., discuss the importance of these traits and provide tips for fostering them

in our kids. Pay what you can, $0–$15. Recording will be available for registrants. parentmap.com/live

� Bring your family to experience the tradition of honoring your departed loved ones a the Día de Muertos Festival, part of Seattle Center’s Festál series. Check out the community altars, performances, sugar skull workshops and more. Free. This Day of the Dead celebration takes place Saturday–Sunday, Oct. 28–29, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. parentmap.com/ festal-dia-de-muertos ■

Julie Dodobara is ParentMap’s calendar editor.

SPONSORED EVENTS

Oct. 14-15

Tacoma Studio Tour Engage with demos, discover unique creations, enjoy family fun at 50 studios across Tacoma! 11am-5pm, Free. tacomaartsmonth.org

Oct. 28

Pumpkins in the Park

Join us for fun fall festivities. Featuring pumpkin carving, music, food, merchant trickor-treating, pony-rides, and more!

kirklanddowntown.org/events/ pumpkins-in-the-park

Education is individualized and play is purposeful Multi-age cohorts group students based on their strengths and challenges

School life emphasizes social-emotional learning

Good Growing

What Is Cyberbullying?

Almost all parents and caregivers are familiar with bullying that happens in person. But fewer adults understand cyberbullying. It refers to bullying that happens in the digital world via devices like smartphones, computers and gaming systems.

A type of harassment, cyberbullying includes sending messages meant to intimidate, humiliate, manipulate or cause other distress. Cyberbullying can be private, one-on-one bullying that happens via texts and other direct messages. It can also be public, such as creating social media posts that everyone can see. Cyberbullying happens a lot, and it can affect kids so deeply that it’s sometimes a factor in suicides and suicide attempts.

To help protect kids, parents and other caregivers must understand the different forms of cyberbullying. Here’s a brief look at some of the most common types.

Spamming is a form of cyberbullying in which the person who bullies floods another person with unwanted messages. It can involve sending hundreds of texts or emails and may include images and videos. Trolling happens when someone posts offensive content (comments, photos or videos) that is meant to ignite emotions and create open conflict.

Some forms of cyberbullying go beyond harassment. These tactics can cause emotional damage, ruin reputations and even lead to physical harm. Exclusion involves purposely leaving someone out of group chats or other virtual group events. Outing is exposing information about a person that is personal, private or secret — with the intention of humiliating that person. Doxxing (also spelled

‘doxing’) is revealing someone’s personal information such as their home address or phone number without their consent. It’s done to encourage others to harass or harm them. Stalking can include ‘following’ someone online or collecting information about them to make them feel unsafe. Catfishing involves pretending to be someone else online, and often includes creating fake personas and social media profiles. The person who bullies lures someone into conversations to gain personal knowledge about them and may even pretend to be interested in a relationship.

How can parents and caregivers help protect kids from cyberbullying?

Awareness and communication are key. We need to know what our kids are doing online, including the apps and services they’re using. As part of our regular check-ins and ongoing conversations, we can ask them if they see cyberbullying or ever experience

it themselves. We also need to be sure they understand that any negative online content can have terrible consequences because it’s permanent and gets passed along. And of course, we can be positive role models by posting with care and never provoking or harassing others.

The link provided in the QR code below has more information, including what steps to take when cyberbullying happens.

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Safe Sleep for Babies

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the unexplained death of a baby under age 1 and most often occurs during sleep. SIDS and other sleep-related deaths can happen when a baby suffocates, overheats or strangles. You and everyone who cares for your baby can help prevent SIDS. Follow safe sleep practices at home and away from home, for both naptime and nighttime.

Your baby should sleep alone in a bassinet or crib with a flat, firm mattress and a tightly fitted sheet. While bed-sharing is not recommended, experts advise keeping your baby’s crib in your bedroom for the first six months. Always place your baby on their back to sleep. Make sure the crib is completely empty of all objects including blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, toys, sleep positioners and bumper pads. These can block airways or overheat or strangle your child. Following these and other safe sleep practices can greatly reduce the risk of SIDS.

Staying Well This Viral Season

You may recall hearing about the ‘tripledemic’ last fall and winter. It referred to three different viruses that caused a trio of separate illnesses to circulate around the same time: the flu, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Many daycares, schools and nursing homes were hit hard with widespread illnesses. Some hospitals, urgent-care clinics and medical offices were overwhelmed by people needing care.

This viral season, we can be better prepared by getting the recommended vaccines and treatments.

• Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine each fall.

• Everyone 6 months and older can get COVID-19 vaccines. Not sure if your family’s COVID protection is up-todate? Check the website for the Centers for Disease Control or ask your doctor. (The answer depends on age and past COVID-19 vaccines.)

• There’s a new RSV vaccine for people 60 and older.

• To help protect babies and young children from severe disease from RSV, two antibody treatments are now available, given as shots.

• An RSV vaccine, given to pregnant people to protect babies from birth to 6 months, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and was being considered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) when this article was written.

Vaccines and other treatments can be a bit confusing, so be sure to ask your doctor or your child’s doctor if you have questions. And of course, everyone should wash their hands, cover their coughs and sneezes, and stay home when they’re sick. Also consider masking in public when illness is spreading in your community.

The Dangers of Button Batteries

Button batteries and lithium coin batteries — those disc-shaped batteries found in many household devices — can be very hazardous.

Too often, children swallow them (partially or completely) or get them stuck in their ears or noses. In addition to being a choking hazard, the batteries can burn the delicate tissue inside the ears, nose and esophagus. Coin batteries with a 20 mm diameter (roughly the size of a nickel) are especially dangerous because they’re about the size of a child’s esophagus. If your child ingests or inserts a button battery, take them to an emergency room immediately.

Button and coin batteries are found in games and toys, remote controls and many more common items. Be sure you know which devices in your home contain them. If you have very young children, keep all these items out of reach. When children are old enough to understand, warn them of the dangers. Also be sure that all your child’s caregivers are aware of the risks.

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SCAN TO LEARN MORE

SCAN TO LEARN MORE

Five-Step Test for Seat Belt Readiness

Washington state law says kids must ride in a booster seat until they are at least 4 feet, 9 inches tall — for most kids, that’s until they’re 10 to 12 years old. Has your child outgrown the need for a booster? Before switching to a seat belt only, test that all five of these are true:

1. The full length of their back is against the seat.

2. Their knees bend at the edge of the seat.

3. The lap belt fits low against the upper thighs and the shoulder belt rests across the mid-shoulder.

4. Both feet rest on the floor.

5. Your child and their seat belt stay in position for the entire trip.

Melatonin Warning, Tips for Healthy Sleep Habits

Melatonin is a hormone people use to help them relax and sleep. It’s available in tablet, capsule, liquid, spray and gummy form. Because it’s sold as a supplement and not a drug, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t regulate melatonin or oversee its ingredients.

A recent study found that most brands of melatonin gummies (a popular form for kids) contain more melatonin than what’s shown on the label. Taking too much can cause serious side effects including

Your doctor will likely recommend that before you try melatonin, you first try improving sleep hygiene. For kids of all ages, stick to a regular bedtime schedule every day of the week. Having a soothing bedtime routine can help kids ease into a good night’s sleep. For younger kids, this might include a ritual of brushing their teeth, putting on pajamas, and reading a story. For tweens and teens, it might be a calming shower and listening to quiet music. Be sure to turn off all screens at least 30 minutes before bedtime —

vomiting, trouble breathing and excessive sleepiness. Melatonin can also interact with some medicines. Between 2012 and 2021, calls to U.S. Poison Control Centers relating to kids ingesting melatonin increased 530%.

Even when a correct dosage is taken, kids may have minor side effects. These include feeling drowsy during the day, vivid dreams and having to urinate more at night. If you’re considering giving melatonin to your child, first discuss it with their doctor. Find out whether it may be helpful — and if so, which kind you should try, what dosage and what time to administer it.

including TVs, computers, tablets, phones and video games. Since sleep is so important for your child’s overall health, it’s best to remove all these devices from your child’s bedroom at night. And most importantly, you can set an example by modeling good sleep hygiene and media usage. Healthy sleep habits can make a huge difference for the whole family!

SCAN TO LEARN MORE

Classes and Events

Please check our website for the latest information. Scholarships are available. If you would like to ask about a scholarship, use the contact information for the class you’re interested in to connect with the registrar.

PARENTING CLASSES

Autism 101

Watch the lecture, in English or Spanish, at seattlechildrens.org/autism101.

Conversations About Autism

Learn more or view past sessions at seattlechildrens.org/ conversationsaboutautism.

Babysafe

Learn more, view dates and register at seattlechildrens.org/classes.

Finding Mental Health Care in Washington State: A Class on Where to Start

This class is available in English and Spanish. Learn more, watch a recording of the English class, view dates and register at seattlechildrens.org/classes.

Your Child With Disabilities Is Turning 18

Learn more and watch the class in English, Spanish or Vietnamese at seattlechildrens. org/classes.

Youth Mental Health First Aid

Learn more, view dates and register at seattlechildrens.org/classes.

CHILD, PRETEEN AND TEEN CLASSES

Better Babysitters

Learn more, view dates and register at seattlechildrens.org/classes.

CPR and First Aid for Babysitters

Learn more, view dates and register at seattlechildrens.org/classes.

The Chat Workshop Series (Is Puberty Weird?; Body Basics; More Body Basics; Crushes, Consent, and Other Conversations; Our Sexual Selves)

Learn more, view dates and register at seattlechildrens.org/classes. See a trailer for The Chat at greatconversations.com.

Sibshops for Siblings of Children With Special Health and Developmental Needs

Learn more, view dates and register at seattlechildrens.org/classes.

EVENTS

Free Online Mindfulness Groups for Parents and Caregivers

Join a culturally relevant mindfulness and compassion session by phone or with Zoom. Sessions are offered for Black parents, parents of a child with special needs, Spanish-speaking parents, as well as any other parents or caregivers. Take part in activities and mindfulness practices led by parents for parents, and share strategies to cope with challenges. Learn more and view dates and times at seattlechildrens.org/ clinics/odessa-brown/community-programs/ mindfulness-program.

Free Car-Seat Checks

Saturday, Oct. 21 in Seattle

Tuesdays in Bellevue

Learn how to safely secure your child in the car. Child-passenger safety experts will check your child in a car seat, booster seat or the seat belt and answer any questions you may have. Car-seat checks are by appointment only. Learn more and register for an appointment at seattlechildrens.org/carseatchecks.

Free Virtual Car-Seat Checks

King County Certified Child-Passenger Safety Technicians are offering free virtual car-seat check appointments via video-chat platforms. For more information, email Laura Miccile at laura.miccile@kingcounty.gov or call 206-477-8664.

South County Fire and Safe Kids Snohomish County offer free virtual car-seat classes. Registration is required. Visit southsnofire.org/ education/child-passenger-safety.

About Good Growing

Heather Cooper is the Editor of Good Growing, which is produced four times a year by the Marketing Communications Department of Seattle Children’s. You can find Good Growing in the January, April, July and October issues of ParentMap and on our website seattlechildrens.org. For permission to reprint articles for noncommercial purposes or to receive Good Growing in an alternate format, call 206-987-5323. The inclusion of any resource or website does not imply endorsement. Your child’s needs are unique. Before you act or rely upon information, please talk with your child’s healthcare provider.

© 2023 Seattle Children’s, Seattle, Wash.

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Hospital Numbers

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866-987-2000 (toll-free)

Online Resources

Visit seattlechildrens.org for:

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On the Pulse and The Autism Blog

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Out + About

Fun-Filled Playgrounds for Kids of All Abilities

These inclusive play spots are popping up everywhere

Lauren Braden, Natasha Dillinger, JiaYing Grygiel and Kate Missine contributed to this article

For kids on the autism spectrum or with other disabilities, a trip to the neighborhood playground can be overwhelming, socially confusing and even unsafe. Now, playground designs are pivoting toward meeting the needs of all children, and this has spawned great play places, usually referred to as “inclusive” or “sensory” playgrounds.

What makes a play space a “sensory playground”? In short, it’s an inclusive place for kids to play. The space may be fully accessible for kids who use wheelchairs; it may also be fenced off to contain kids who could wander or bolt. These playgrounds typically offer sensory options for kids who seek them, such as wind chimes, sand to dig in, nubby surfaces, mazes to explore, mirrors, kaleidoscopes and bouncy swings.

Seattle Children’s Playgarden. Photo by JiaYing Grygiel

Full AHEAD

Saturday

continued from page 27

Mika’s Playground

The 8-acre site in downtown Edmonds includes a skate park, athletic fields and courts for all kinds of sports. The piѐce de résistance of the park is Mika’s Inclusive Playground, a play space for kids of all abilities, dedicated to a local boy. This playground features a large and welcoming basket swing hung on posts resembling driftwood — it’s perfect for several friends who want to swing together, or for one child to lean back and enjoy the sensation of flying high in the air. An expression swing and belt swing offer more swinging opportunities. A zero-barrier Integration Carousel has space for two wheelchairs and several friends to spin together — twirl with the help of an adult pushing from outside the carousel or spin the center post for self-propelled pirouettes.

Find it: 598 Edmonds St., Edmonds

– Natasha Dillinger

Forest Park Playground

Playgrounds often touted as built for “all abilities” include one or two small elements for kids with disabilities. Forest Park, however, could practically serve as a catalog for the options available in inclusive play spaces. A wheelchair-accessible ramp leads to a Sway Fun glider (similar to a seesaw) and roller slide, perfect for a gradual descent to a soft turf play surface that cushions any falls. For the swing fans in all of us, two

Forest Park Playground. Photo by Natasha Dillinger

bucket-seat swings sit alongside the more traditional types. A forest-themed space attaches to the ramp-accessible play structure. Past the two-story spinning global motion climber, there is a bugthemed play structure best suited to the 2–5 age range. A cozy dome that looks very much like a ladybug provides a fun hiding spot, as well as a possible shelter for kids on the autism spectrum who need a quiet place to regroup.

Find it: 205 Park Rd., Everett – Natasha Dillinger

Seaview Park

At Seaview Park, there are two play structures: a fort designed for kids ages 2–5, and a giant rope gym for kids ages 5–12. There also is the chest-height chain-link fence that wraps around three-quarters of the playground. Not so scenic, but very practical. The playground sits on a hill, which

kids love rolling down (or sledding down in winter). Parents will be happy there’s a parking lot at the park’s entrance, and restrooms adjacent to the playground. The park also has pickleball and tennis courts. In addition,

there’s a big grassy field, ringed with mature trees, next to the playground.

Find it: 8030 185th St. S.W., Edmonds – JiaYing Grygiel

Meadowdale Playfields

Meadowdale Playfields recently unveiled a new accessible play area this year. This playground has cushy poured-rubber surfacing that matches the soothing blue color scheme of the play equipment; it also provides a safe surface for mobility devices or toddling legs. Unlike many playgrounds that are segregated by age or ability, this playground features one central structure for all, with some natural delineation for different age groups. In addition, the playground features many swing types, an inclusive whirl, various slides, wobble steps, musical sensory elements and more.

Find it: 16700 66th Ave. W., Lynnwood – Natasha Dillinger

by Kate Hamill

Adapted from the Novel by Louisa May Alcott

Meadowdale Playfields. Photo by Natasha Dillinger

continued from page 29

Ballinger Park – Hazel Miller playground

Do your kids love trains? Insects? Water? Climbing? They’ll find something to love at Ballinger Park’s Hazel Miller Universally Accessible Playground. Scale the ramps to get to the train-themed climber — pick up pretend tickets from the booth and don’t forget to toot the horn! After kids finish their railroad “journey” aboard the play train, they can slip down the cowcatcher and make their way to a pond-themed area. This play scene features a cattail spinner and a self-propelled merry-goround. Another aquatic-themed space hosts a swing bank with two belted seats and a friendship swing. Find it: 23000 Lakeview Drive, Mountlake Terrace

– Natasha Dillinger

Seattle Children’s PlayGarden

Seattle Children’s PlayGarden is a fully accessible public park where kids can play safely. There’s tons to explore: the playground; the garden, bursting with veggies and flowers; the big rubber mountain; a quintet of musical instruments; a wild trail area; and the coop with chickens, ducks and bunnies. The PlayGarden has been around for several years, but it recently added improved features. There’s a new

swing set, with a seat shaped like a big saucer, big enough for a whole gaggle of kids to sprawl out on. Instead of the traditional merry-go-round, there’s a spinning disk tilted at a slight angle. While many playgrounds feature a big structure at the center, with a slide or two and various climbing routes to get to the top, the structures here are low and wide, so it’s easy to lift a child from a wheelchair for a ride.

Find it: 1745 24th Ave. S., Seattle – JiaYing Grygiel

Inspiration Playground at Bellevue

Downtown Park

Theme-park-like fun awaits kids of all abilities at Bellevue Downtown Park’s huge playground. Designed by Coloradobased firm Design Concepts Landscape Architecture as a large-scale, multisensory play space to engage children of various abilities, the playground’s features also provide opportunities for bonding among friends, families and caregivers. Inspiration Playground spans

1.5 acres in the park’s southwest corner. Various climbing structures engage all ages and levels of ability, among them a whimsical twisted vine climber and a bridge-connected “Roots and Rock” climbing wall. Swings of all sorts are plentiful: There are wheelchair-accessible saucer-style and adaptive swing seats

as well as tot-and-parent swings. Even the sideline benches are suspended on swing chains, letting caregivers in on the fun. At the playground’s grand opening, kids were delighted by bouncers and egg-chair-style spinners; a four-person, wheelchair-friendly seesaw; and a cool ramp-accessible glider that makes for a gently swaying ride. Other engaging features include gigantic musical instruments, a slide built into the hillside and a fantastical twisted Wisdom Tree at the playground’s center.

Note: Families with typically developing kids are encouraged to play at another playground as this one is specifically designed for kids in the disability community. Find it: 10201 N.E. Fourth St., Bellevue – Kate Missine

Meadow Crest Playground

Colorful, inclusive Meadow Crest Playground features several elements to engage children and their five senses. Splash with abandon at an interactive water table, tap out a tune on the oversize musical instruments and then climb atop a giant caterpillar in the foam-floored play area. Note: The park is closed to the public until 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday during the school year, when it is reserved for exclusive use by the adjacent preschool. It’s open to the public all day Friday, Saturday

Seattle Children’s Playgarden

Photo by JiaYing Grygiel

Ballinger Park - Hazel Miller playground

Photo by Natasha Dillinger

Inspiration Playground at Bellevue Downtown Park.

Photo by Kate Missine

and Sunday; during holidays, school breaks and summer; and after 4:30 p.m., Monday–Thursday.

Find it: 3000 N.E. 16th St., Renton

– Lauren Braden

Miner’s Corner Park

Miner’s Corner is a fantastic universally accessible park that immerses kids in a natural landscape where paved paths meander through wooded wetlands and alongside a pond. (Note: Some kids on the autism spectrum feel drawn to water, so keep a close eye on them here.) The playground features a 10-foot-tall lookout tower that is wheelchair-accessible.

Find it: 22903 45th Ave. S.E., Bothell

– Lauren Braden

Owen’s Playground at Rotary Park

All kids deserve the right to play together,

and inclusive Owen’s Playground makes it possible with adaptive swings and seesaws, smooth and wide paths for wheelchairs, boulders to scramble up and wide

slides to glide down. Animal sculptures, a sandbox with water features and a wheelchair-accessible sensory garden offer children tactile experiences. This unique playground is dedicated to the life of a local child, Owen Marshall, whose parents, Stacy and Kelsey Marshall, advocated for its design and creation after their son died from complications related to cerebral palsy.

Find it: 969 Weaver Rd. N.W., Bainbridge Island

– Lauren Braden

Pathways Park

A new inclusive playground is on the horizon. Pathways Park, otherwise known as Eli’s Park, is set to open in early 2024. Local mom Paige Reischl wanted to create a park designed to be welcoming to all. Find it: 5201 Sand Point Way N.E., Seattle ■

Miner’s Corner Park. Photo by Lauren Braden

Preschool Shopping 101

Top tips for finding the right fit for your child and family

By Sarina Behar Natkin

The process of choosing a preschool can stir up plenty of anxiety for parents, because this is often the first decision they make about their child’s education. It’s easy to put a lot of pressure on ourselves, and to feel as though we have to get this right and not make any mistakes. It’s common for worried parents to ask themselves: “How do I know if this school is right for my child?” “What if we don’t get into the right preschool?” “Will the choices I make now affect elementary school, high school and college choices later on?”

What’s important to keep in mind is that preschool is a wonderfully positive opportunity for your child to experience time with peers, learn how to separate from a caregiver, and build their social and emotional skills. Ultimately, the “right” decision is about choosing a preschool that works for your family, addresses your child’s individual needs and reflects the type of early education community that you want to be a part of. Last time I looked, there were about 1,000 preschools in Greater Seattle, so there are plenty of options, and you will find the right place for your child.

When supporting your child’s early education and development, it’s especially important for parents to keep in mind that learning happens best through play with other young children.

Window shopping: Understanding different preschool learning philosophies

There’s a variety of different early learning philosophies that we hear about from schools and other parents, and I think it’s helpful for parents to have a general idea of what the key differences are.

Montessori schools focus on individual learning. These programs take a self-paced and self-directed approach, with not a lot of group work. Teachers act as guides to help children progress to other activities that might be right for them.

Reggio Emilia programs follow four main principles. One of these principles is collaboration, with children working in both small and large groups. Another is project-based learning, giving kids the opportunity to study one subject in depth. Representational learning is also emphasized, presenting a subject using various approaches, so that kids with diverse learning styles and needs are able to engage with the material. Reggio Emilia teachers also follow an emergent curriculum, meaning they create and adapt the curricu-

lum to what the children are interested in at the time

Waldorf schools prioritize a focus on the natural world, favoring lots of time outdoors for students; also, classrooms tend not to include technology, plastics or synthetic items. The Waldorf philosophy is about engaging and opening the child’s mind, spirit and soul to a love of learning within the natural environment. Activities tend to be group-based.

Cooperative preschools rely on a lot of parent involvement in the running of the classroom. Such schools are often run by the parents themselves and include a board, with the board being responsible for hiring teachers.

Be the fun parent

continued from page 34

Now enrolling K–5

Now enrolling K–5

Now enrolling K–5

Occasionally, you’ll hear about academics-based preschools: These are teacher-driven classroom settings that emphasize rigorous preparation for elementary school, and there is not as much emphasis on what the children are motivated by or interested in learning and exploring.

I can’t recommend this model, as it moves kids away from the way they learn best: by playing. Play is the work of children, and it allows them to focus on developmentally appropriate tasks, which act as building blocks to naturally move the child forward to their next stages and discoveries.

How do I find the right fit?

Tilden School is an independent K-5 school in West Seattle, offering small class sizes with academically engaging, individualized education. Our curriculum balances core reading, writing, math, science, and technology skills with the arts. We graduate confident, caring students who thrive in public and private schools around the region.

Tilden School is an independent K-5 school in West Seattle, offering small class sizes with academically engaging, individualized education. Our curriculum balances core reading, writing, math, science, and technology skills with the arts. We graduate confident, caring students who thrive in public and private schools around the region.

Tilden School is an independent K-5 school in West Seattle, offering small class sizes with academically engaging, individualized education. Our curriculum balances core reading, writing, math, science, and technology skills with the arts. We graduate confident, caring students who thrive in public and private schools around the region.

info@tildenschool.org ~ 206-938-4628

info@tildenschool.org ~ 206-938-4628

info@tildenschool.org ~ 206-938-4628

Learning is exciting, and your child is built to learn with a natural curiosity that knows no bounds. Through a balance of play and nurturing guidance, Primrose school teachers foster that curiosity and help your child feel a sense of pride and accomplishment that lays the foundation for a lifelong love of learning.

When thinking about the right preschool for your child, start with your child. Think about who your child is and what activities they enjoy. Is she a social butterfly who likes to play with her peers, or does she prefer individual activities? Does he like a calm, quiet classroom environment, or would a more active, engaged classroom better match his personality? Focus on your child’s unique attributes and preferences for activities — and be sure those qualities and options are supported by and reflected in the school.

Next, think about yourself and your family. Although you’re choosing education for your child, it’s important to think about what kind of community you, as a parent, want to be involved in. If the preschool offers a community you feel as though you could connect with, you are more likely to be actively involved in your child’s preschool experience. Thinking about your own child and your own values helps you tune in to a preschool that will be the best fit for everyone involved.

Play is the thing

When supporting your child’s early education and development, it’s really important for parents to keep in mind that learning happens best through play with other young children. During play, kids learn how to share, solve problems, delay gratification, regulate their emotions and practice flexibility. In addition, play gives children ample time and occasion to develop empathy. This is a life skill that is critical for solving problems and dealing with conflict. More and more findings from research confirm that social and emotional skills are the critical building blocks for future academic success, which means we need to prioritize play in order for our children to be ready to learn when they enter elementary school.

When learning is fun, it lasts a lifetime.

Sometimes our drive to ensure that our children are prepared for success later in life can create unrealistic expectations for what we want them to know coming out of preschool. For example, having an expectation that our kids should be able to read and write in preschool would not be a developmentally appropriate objective or outcome, because focusing on those skills might come at the expense of tasks and experiences that would be more developmentally appropriate and essential for that age. Of course, if your child is interested in reading and writing, a teacher supporting and providing opportunities for your child to further develop those skills is great.

Realistic expectations about what your child will learn from preschool include having ample time to practice skills without fear of making mistakes; developing social and emotional skills through learning how to interact with their peers; developing confidence in their abilities; and discovering that school and learning are fun.

How do I make this decision?

The first step in the preschool decisionmaking process is to identify your priorities. This includes taking child-care needs into account — do you need part-time or full-time child care? Carefully consider the location of the preschool. There might be a terrific preschool across town, but are you willing to drive there on nonschool days to support your children’s developing friendships?

Consider what curricular activities you would like your child to experience. Is a second language important? Is music or the arts important? Consider what kind of community you want to be a part of: Do you want a setting in which you need to be involved, or do you want a preschool where you can simply drop off your child? Is it important that the program or school philosophy is affiliated with a cultural or religious practice?

teachers and administrators, it’s important to inquire about their discipline philosophy and strategies. How do they handle situations when kids get into mischief? Asking about staff retention may give you a clue as to how happy employees are in their jobs.

Keep reflecting on the values you identified as priorities for a preschool that’s fit for your kid and evaluate whether those seem to be a part of the school’s curriculum and environment.

Lastly, trust your instincts. You know your child best, and you will be able to find the right preschool for them. And if, for some reason, the preschool doesn’t feel like the right fit after your child has started, know that children are incredibly resilient, and if you need to switch schools, you’ll be able to do so.

After identifying your priorities, you need to do your research. This involves talking to other parents, attending preschool fairs and evaluating available programs online.

After doing your research, it is imperative to visit schools and ask a lot of questions. Submit your top choices to the kid test: Bring your child with you and notice how the teachers and staff interact with them. Also pay attention to the environment. Is it bright and well lit? Is it clean? Are there any safety red flags that you notice? When you have a chance to ask questions of

My biggest piece of advice is to try not to let the preschool hype overwhelm you: Pay attention to the specific factors that are important to you. When you shift your focus to the bigger picture, the decision becomes less about the “perfect” preschool and more about the best fit for your child and family. ■

Sarina Behar Natkin, LICSW, is a parent coach, speaker and author in the Seattle area. She provides parents with the tools they need to raise healthy children and find more joy in parenting.

Submit your top choices to the kid test: Bring your child with you and notice how the teachers and staff interact with them.

Neighborhood Spotlight

Fall City

Discover this Snoqualmie Valley gem

By Madison Miller

Fall City isn’t usually the first place that comes to mind when considering a visit to Snoqualmie Valley. However, this small town is chock-full of beautiful nature, charming farms and unique restaurants, which make it ideal for an adventurous local getaway.

Only the locals know … Despite its name, Fall City isn’t an actual city. It’s an unincorporated rural town

nestled along the banks of the Snoqualmie and Raging rivers. Despite a population of fewer than 2,500 residents, Fall City has a thriving arts community that hosts a variety of family programs and fine arts events throughout the year.

According to the neighbors … “I think the Snoqualmie River is really great to have a good time. You can spend hours wading or playing in the sand,” says

Miniature donkeys at Baxter Barn

continued from page 39

Rodrigo DeMedeiros, a longtime Fall City resident and father. “We also like going to Fall City Community Park. You can play baseball, and there’s an arena for horseback riding.”

Get your play on

Make the most of your trek to Fall City by taking in the lush scenery at its many parks, trails and farms. The Snoqualmie Valley Trail is a favorite among locals. Families can walk along an old railroad grade and through beautiful forested areas on a flat, mostly level path (great for strollers). Fall City Community Park is a popular spot, too, with its baseball field, horse arena and ample river access.

It wouldn’t be a day well spent in the valley if you didn’t visit at least one farm. Fall City Farms (fallcityfarms.com) offers the perfect small-farm experience. Kids can watch as apples are pressed to make cider and doughnuts sizzle. Meet the cows and donkeys, enjoy a wagon ride and pick a pumpkin from the patch. Baxter Barn (baxterbarn.org) is another local favorite. Kids will love seeing the horses, miniature donkeys, chickens, pheasants

and quail. In October, along with picking pumpkins, you can take a tractor ride, buy certified salmon-safe eggs and take an educational tour of the farm. Nearby Remlinger Farms (remlingerfarms.com) is a bit grander. It includes an amusement park, an expansive pumpkin patch and a corn maze. Looking for something a little more unusual? Check out Fall City Wallaby Ranch (wallabyranch.org)and meet some adorable wallabies and kangaroos. Or hop on a pony at The Fancy Farm of Fall City (fallcityfancyfarm.com).

Fall City can also make a great weekend getaway for parents (that’s right, no kids allowed). Forgo the boring hotels and stay in a tree house. TreeHouse Point (treehousepoint.com) offers six tree houses for a unique lodging experience.

Eats + Treats

Small Fryes (foursquare.com/v/small-fryes) is the place to go in the valley for burgers and shakes. Though there’s usually a line, locals declare that the grease, salt, sugar and caffeine are worth the wait. And you can’t beat the price, with the kids’ combos usually only

Photo courtesy of The Fancy Farm of Fall City

Snoqualmie Falls

Photo courtesy of Fall City Farms

Treehouse Point

Aroma Coffee Co. (aromacoffeeco.com)may be a relatively new addition to the valley, but it’s become one of its go-to coffee shops. All baked goods are made in-house using locally sourced ingredients.

Known for its fresh flavors and robust menu (the better to appeal to everyone’s tastes), El Caporal (elcaporalfallcity. com) is an excellent place to bring the kids.

For those interested in a bit of history, head to the Roadhouse Restaurant & Inn (fcroadhouse.com). This place has been offering tasty food and comfortable lodging since 1916.

What to bring

Fall is one of the best times of the year to see fall foliage and explore the valley. Just remember that the season’s cool and rainy days call for light jackets and hiking boots or rain boots. Check out ParentMap’s guide How to Play Outside in Wild Weather (parentmap.com/article/ how-play-outside-wild-weather) for more tips. ■

Madison Miller is ParentMap’s trends and engagement editor.

Photo courtesy of Fall City Farms

Photo courtesy of Remlinger Farms

Roadhouse Restaurant & Inn

TACOMA ARTS MONTH

Kaleidoscope Opening Party

October 5, 6:30PM - 9PM

Tacoma Studio Tour

October 14 & 15, 11AM - 5PM

Arts at the Armory

November 11 & 12, 11AM - 5PM

Ages + Stages

Articulation Disorders: A Helpful Guide for Parents

A speech-language pathologist discusses characteristics and at-home tips for speech-sound disorders

By Lindsay Karp, M.S., CCC-SLP

An articulation disorder refers to difficulty forming particular sounds in speech. The American Speech-LanguageHearing Association (ASHA) (asha.org) places articulation disorders under the umbrella of speech-sound disorders. They are common in elementary-age kids, affecting from 8% to 9% of children, according to Cleveland Clinic. So, if you have a child who is in speech

therapy for an articulation disorder, you’re not alone.

The good news is that therapy is often very successful. In a study published by the Journal of Speech and Hearing Research (pubs.asha.org), articulation therapy was found effective for all the groups — kindergartners, first- and second-graders — involved in the study, regardless of grade level or severity.

continued from page 43

For parents and other caregivers with questions or concerns, speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are a wonderful resource, and you shouldn’t hesitate to reach out for guidance and support.

Speech-sound disorder diagnosis

As children begin to speak and through their preschool years, some articulation errors are considered developmentally appropriate — mastery of these sounds is not yet expected. Some sounds, such as those that articulate the letters p, m and w, tend to be mastered at a younger age — around 2 years — as they are easier to produce. Other sounds, such as r and th, are acquired later, around the age of 5 to 6.

to ASHA, the incidence of articulation disorders is higher in males than in females. Pre- and perinatal problems, including maternal stress or infections during pregnancy, complications during delivery, preterm delivery and low birthweight were found to be associated with a delay in speech sound acquisition and with speech

Articulation disorders in the school setting

As an SLP with experience in the elementary school setting, I found that a large percentage of my caseload was made up of children with articulation disorders. The most common articulation error I encountered was the incorrect production of /r/, often pronounced as /w/. Other common articulation errors on my caseload were /s/ and /l/. Chatterbox (boisechatterbox.com) provides a chart illustrating the expected age of acquisition for each speech sound.

When children work toward accurate production of a speech sound during therapy, they begin at the sound level — this refers to practicing the correct production of the sound by itself. Then children work through a continuum toward use of the sound in unstructured conversation. For a speech sound to be mastered during conversation in the child’s natural environment, sounds must be practiced by themselves, then in syllables, words, phrases, sentences, paragraphs, structured conversation and unstructured conversation.

One way SLPs can determine if a child is likely to acquire a sound on their own is if the child is stimulable for that sound. This means that if they are given a model of the correct production, the child is able to imitate it correctly. If they can, they’re likely to master the sound without therapy, assuming the sound is not yet expected to be mastered at the child’s current age. Many speech sound errors will be corrected without intervention by age 4, but when sounds are not acquired by the expected ages, a child is diagnosed with an articulation disorder. These speech sound errors are treated by an SLP in a fun, motivating environment.

Causes and characteristics of articulation disorder

We don’t always know the causes of speech sound disorders, but research has investigated some possibilities. According

sound disorders. Children with a family history of speech or language difficulties were more likely to have a speech disorder. Furthermore, persistent ear infections — often linked with hearing loss — have been associated with impaired speech development.

Articulation disorders may be characterized by sound omissions (e.g., cu instead of cup), sound substitutions (e.g., wabbit for rabbit), sound additions (e.g., bulack for black) or sound distortions (e.g., production of /s/ with incorrect tongue placement).

At each level, the child works toward acquiring a certain level of accuracy (e.g., 90% accuracy) over a predetermined number of trials (e.g., over two to three sessions) before moving on to the next level. These expectations are stated in the goal(s) within an individualized education plan (IEP). Working through a continuum of skill levels ensures children move forward once they’ve mastered a level and not earlier, enabling them to be successful. Children love celebrating their success every step of the way.

Understanding an SLP’s approach

Here is a sample of what a child might work on at each of these levels for the /r/ sound:

1. Isolation – The child will learn to produce the /r/ sound by itself. For example, I like to describe the production of /r/ as if the tongue were acting like a slingshot. You pull the tongue backward and upward in the mouth, like

Children love celebrating their success every step of the way.

the stretch of a rubber band, until the back of the tongue touches the back of the mouth. For /r/, we focus on the tongue and ignore the lips — children tend to produce /r/ as /w/, which requires the lips for production, whereas /r/ does not. If we remind children to let their lips rest, they can focus on correct tongue placement for /r/.

2. Syllables – /R/ can precede or follow a vowel, and at this level a child practices /r/ combined with every vowel sound. Different combinations include ar, air, ear, er, or and ire. Each of these combinations is slightly different, making the mastery of /r/ more challenging than other sounds.

3. Words – A child practices words that begin with /r/, contain /r/ in the middle, and end with /r/. For example, rain, orange and bear each contain the /r/ sound in different word positions. Typically, a child focuses on /r/ in one part of a word until they’ve met that goal and then move on to /r/ in another word position.

4. Phrases – Now that the child can say /r/ in all word positions, they’re ready to practice /r/ in phrases. For example, ran quickly, orange ribbons and ear of corn are phrases that contain words with /r/ in each position. A child may focus on phrases with /r/ in one part of the word before moving on to phrases with /r/ in another part of the word.

5. Sentences – This step is identical to that of phrases, but full sentences are now practiced.

6. Paragraphs – This level allows the child to practice the /r/ sound in paragraphs. This may include practicing the sound while reading out loud. The child learns to pay attention to the sound as it occurs within a reading passage.

7. Structured conversation – At this level, the child practices /r/ during conversation within the speech therapy setting. The therapist may have the child pick topics from a cup or play a game requiring them to answer questions. The child is aware that their production of /r/ is being monitored.

8. Unstructured conversation – At this level, an SLP typically observes a child in their classroom. They listen for the accuracy of production of the speech sound, ensuring that the child is using the sound correctly beyond the therapy room. The SLP

continued from page 45 will also check in with the parents to ensure the child is using the sound correctly at home. Once the child is using the sound correctly in all environments, they have mastered the sound and therapy is complete.

Continuing the practice at home

Transferring a newly learned skill beyond the therapy room requires practice and support. The following tips can aid in a child’s transition.

• When children incorrectly say a word that includes their target sound , a parent or caregiver can repeat the word using the sound correctly while giving the target sound emphasis.

• Don’t repeat your children’s speech errors. Instead, model the correct production.

• Reading out loud to your child provides a model for correct articulation in a relaxed environment.

• Narrating daily routines and modeling as you play with your child allows for natural modeling of target sounds.

• When practicing target sounds, focus on words in which your child has said the sound correctly. Choosing words they’ve been successful with increases the child’s motivation and provides a sense of accomplishment.

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• If your child has speech homework, helping them will aid in the carryover of skills from the therapy room to the home environment.

• Remember that articulation therapy requires mastery at various levels; therefore, mastering the use of sounds in conversation will take time. If your child is working on a sound at the word level, you shouldn’t expect correct use during conversation just yet.

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• Ask your child’s SLP for tips on how to produce target sounds so that you can use the same language at home. This consistency will reinforce skills learned in therapy. ■

Lindsay Karp is a freelance writer with a background in speech-language pathology. She writes about speech and language development, parenting, life with MS and everything in between. You can follow Lindsay on Twitter @karplindsay.

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