A Madison-area parent’s guide to everything kids!
A 2017 special supplement by
2 – Unified Newspaper Group - KIDS
March 9, 2017
3 Rainy day getaways
A rainy spring or scorching summer can throw a wrench in outdoor plans with family, but the weather doesn’t have to ruin your day. There are still plenty of things people can do to stay cool and dry in the Dane County area while having fun, from exploring museums to spelunking underground. And kids can learn a thing or two in the process.
Discovery Building Birds, fish, reptiles and special effects: theWisconsin Institute for Discovery’s Discovery Building has a little bit of everything. Though it may be known for its science expeditions geared toward adults, the center offers numerous programs for younger audiences. Most popular are its monthly, interactive Saturday Science programs, generally held from 10 a.m. to noon on the first Saturday of each month in the Town Center of the
Discovery Building 330 N. Orchard St., Madison 316-4300 discovery.wisc.edu Hours: Monday through Friday: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday: Closed Cost: Most programs are free
Discovery Building. In the next few months, kids can learn about special effects like smoke and fog machines, and how to make superheroes “fly” in movies. Starting in June, the center will host Summer Expeditions, a weekly program that will take place from 1:30-3 p.m. Wednesday afternoons.
A volunteer or trained staff member facilitates hands-on activities each week that cover a variety of scientific topics. These include learning about the solar system and Earth and taking field trips to different locations on the UW-Madison campus, according to its website. Whether visitors opt to participate in a hands-on science experiment or simply watch guest presenters display their projects, the Discovery Building offers a range of interactive activities that can appeal to a variety of interests. For information, visit discovery.wisc. edu. – Amber Levenhagen
Cave of the Mounds The Cave of the Mounds, discovered nearly 80 years ago on a Blue Mounds farm, opened to the public in 1940. Now, one-hour walking tours are offered daily through the cave network, which is
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80%
Of Learning Is Done Through Sight! It’s not too early to have your child’s vision checked.
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March 9, 2017
KIDS - Unified Newspaper Group – 3
Continued from Page 2 50 degrees year-round. But there’s more for families to see than stalactites and stalagmites. They can sift for gemstones, dig for fossils and browse a selection of geodes from around the world at the rock and fossil gift shop. Families can also walk along a geologic timeline or go outside to see the gardens along hiking trails. In time for Easter, Cave of the Mounds will be holding a “Glow Quest” underground egg hunt. From April 14-16, more than 300 glowing eggs will light up the cave paths, and kids can collect colorful stones and crystals from the tour guide when they spot some “unique eggs,” said operations manager Jason Anderson. Cave of the Mounds is also enrolling kids in its summer day camp programs for 5-12
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What’s inside • Mini Maker Faire in May Pages 4-5 • Schools turn to outdoor education Pages 6-7
Photo submitted
Kids can dig for fossils at Cave of the Mounds.
Cave of the Mounds 2975 Cave of the Mounds Road, Blue Mounds 437-3038 caveofthemounds.com Hours: Vary by season but from about 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. during spring and summer Cost: $17.95 for adults, $9.95 for children ages 4-12, children 3 and under free with paid adult
• Upcoming youth sports tournaments Pages 8-11 • Create a safe backyard Page 12 • Making fairy gardens Page 13 • Healthy food choices Page 15
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4 – Unified Newspaper Group - KIDS
March 9, 2017
‘Part science fair, part county fair’ Madison Mini Maker Faire returns in May KATE NEWTON Unified Newspaper Group
“Show and tell on steroids” might be the most apt description of the Maker Faire trend, a movement that’s spawned gatherings of engineers, educators, artists and general do-it-yourselfers around the world. Madison’s own Mini Maker Faire certainly fits that bill, considering this year’s attendees will be greeted by a 30-foot, fire-breathing robot made almost entirely from airplane parts. Returning to Monona Terrace for its second year, the event will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 13, and feature about 100 makers and exhibitors both indoors and outdoors. “It’s kind of part science fair, part county fair, and it’s a gathering of all kinds of makers,” Monona Terrace tourism coordinator Heather Sabin said. “It’s meant to be very inclusive, so even though it started in the tech world, it includes art, hobbies, science clubs,
Photo submitted
Lily Kohl, right, and Kate Leuer watch as an attendee tries out their creation during last year's Madison Mini Maker Faire.
crafters, folks in education. The whole Faire was plentiful, as more than 200 purpose, really, is for people to come similar events have been established and share what they love to make.” internationally in recent years that’s Inspiration for kickstarting the Maker Turn to Page 5
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March 9, 2017
KIDS - Unified Newspaper Group – 5
Continued from Page 4 made the concept somewhat of a “global phenomenon,” Sabin said. And while the concepts attendees explore at Maker Faires are often far from simplistic, the movement itself has a very straightforward goal: for makers of all ages to help “spark interest in the idea” that anyone can join their ranks if they bring a little creativity and resourcefulness to the table, she added. Sabin expects about 3,500 to 4,000 people to attend this year’s event, compared to 2,500 last year. And while the Maker Faire will accept applications for exhibitors and vendors through March 31, some of the lineup is already locked in, including a booth to teach basic programming and coding and appearances from the R2-D2 Builders Club and Wisconsin Lego Users Group, as well as a performance by ArcAttack, a performance art group from Austin, Texas, that uses custom-built Tesla coils to add visual flare to their music. There will also be hands-on workshops, food carts and projects on display by local schools and student organizations like Boy Scouts and 4-H Clubs in an effort to bolster the youngest generation of makers.
If you go What: Second annual Madison Mini Maker Faire When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 13 Where: Monona Terrace, 1 John Nolen Dr., Madison Tickets: $10 advance/$15 day of event for adults; $5 advance, $8 day of event for children 5-11 Info: madison.makerfaire.com Regardless of the makers’ ages or experience, Sabin said their work can be seen as a direct extension of Monona Terrace’s own famous, original “maker,” Frank Lloyd Wright. “We try to do some architecture and design-type programming, because Frank Lloyd Wright is part of our history,” she added. “He was kind of the ultimate maker and was involved in all kinds of design besides architecture.” For information on the second annual Madison Mini Maker Faire, including how to apply to become an exhibitor, visit madison.makerfaire.com.
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Calling all makers The Madison Mini Maker Faire is accepting applications for makers and exhibitors of all ages “embracing the do-it-yourself (or do-it-together) spirit” in a wide variety of disciplines, including robotics, sustainability and green tech, large-scale art, kit making and 3-D printing. Interactive exhibits that “highlight the process of making things” are highly encouraged, according to the event’s website. Exhibitors in all categories – makers/exhibitors, commercial makers/ vendors and sponsors – can submit applications (available at madison.makerfaire.com) through March 31. Notifications of acceptance will be given on a rolling basis, and participation is not guaranteed. Those interested in volunteering at the Mini Maker Faire can also find more information online at madison.makerfaire.com.
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March 9, 2017
Schools turning to outdoor education SCOTT DE LARUELLE Unified Newspaper Group
Whether it’s going outside for field trips and activities or learning in an actual outdoor classroom, students are increasingly getting their education beyond the traditional four walls of a school building. That approach is especially evident in Oregon, where Netherwood Knoll Elementary School’s arboretum was recently certified as a “Nature Explore” outdoor classroom, only the second school to earn that designation in Wisconsin. Students, staff and volunteers worked for more than a year to rehabilitate a space between Netherwood Knoll and its neighboring elementary school, Prairie View. They gradually transformed a little-used courtyard area into an outdoor classroom with art gardens, a stream/ pond area with waterfalls, a climbing structure, raised vegetable beds, a sand area, dirt digging area and a geology labyrinth/exploration area, among other
features. Former Netherwood Knoll principal Dan Rikli, who helped oversee the project, said the space has provided “engaging academic opportunities” for students by exposing them to more hands-on activities. “Teachers use the space for everything from sensory writing projects to math lessons to observing insects,” he said. “Students often say that the days they planted the gardens or ate their garden creations were their favorite of the entire school year. We see them demonstrate an increased connection to their food, saying things like, ‘I didn’t know pickles were made from cucumbers!’” School counselor Sara Lubbers, who coordinates the vegetable gardens, said students’ “increased sense of responsibility” has also been growing alongside the flowers and vegetables at the arboretum. “They have pride and a sense of ownership for the food they have grown and File photo by Scott Girard used,” she added. Badger Ridge students plant a maple tree at the school to begin the edible forest in Turn to Page 7 2015.
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KIDS - Unified Newspaper Group – 7 The arboretum at Netherwood Knoll Elementary School is certified as a “Nature Explore” outdoor classroom, just the second in Wisconsin. Nature Explore is a collaborative program of the Arbor Day Foundation and Dimensions Educational Research Foundation that works to transform children’s lives through science-based outdoor classroom design.
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Outdoor benefits At New Century School in Verona, Lee Lohr and Heidi Konop’s classrooms try to engage their fourth- and fifthgrade students in outdoor activities as often as possible. The program can be a field trip to a special natural place, or something as simple as taking a math lesson outside. Lohr said the change can help keep sometimes-squirrelly kids more focused when they get back inside. “(Being) outside has positive influences on kids’ behavior back in the classroom,” he said, adding that incorporating time into the school day to simply be “outside for an hour and a half or two hours” is “not to be underestimated.” “The idea is to keep them moving more,” he said. Families appreciate the new approach, as well. New Century parent Susan Christiansen, who helped develop the program, said getting outdoors to learn “helps teach kids different technology skills like data collection.” She said getting students outside is beneficial to their creativity.
Photo submitted
“I don’t want my children to consume,” she said. “I want them to create.” Christiansen, who has chaperoned all of the excursions, said being in an outdoor environment also helps foster unexpected relationships among the students. “I see a difference in … a level of acceptance of each other and even like a playful exchange with kids they would not do within the classroom,” she said. “It’s just a different social dynamic.”
forest” for the school, in part by using a $500 LEAF school forest education grant awarded to the school by the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. That grant covered perennial trees and bushes for the forest, including three apple trees, two pear trees, two plum trees, a peach tree and blueberry and raspberry bushes. The forest is located on open land between the school and Main Street, providing options for summer school classes. The summer opportunities Edible forest include both a summer school class and Also in Verona, Badger Ridge Middle other “camp” style opportunities. School and Core Knowledge Charter School students have created an “edible – Scott Girard contributed to this story.
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March 9, 2017
Competition and fun Youth sports tournaments from March-July U13 – April 28-30 – Waukesha • Majestic Prospect Games – U10-U15 – May 5-7 – Franklin • Badgerland Spring Invites – U12-U13 – May 6-7 – Marshall • 2017 GRB Spring Classic – U9-U13 – May 6-7 – Watertown • Outsiders Classic – U9-U13 – May 6-7 – Verona – Compiled by Anthony Iozzo • GTS Spring Slugfest – U9-U12 – May 13-14 – Elkhorn • Junior Blackhawk Baseball Classic – U7-U14 – May 13-14 – Fort Atkinson • Mother’s Day Tournament – U9-U14 – infosports.com/listing. May 13-14 – Wisconsin Dells/Mauston cgi?t=t&s=b&lr=WI • Middleton Diamond Showdown – U10, U12 – May 20-21 • Milwaukee March Madness – U9-U14 – • Waunakee Early Season Tournament – U10-U14 – May 20-21 March 24-26 – Franklin • Wisconsin Play Ball Opener – U9-U14 – • Stoughton Summer Slam 2017 – U10 File photo by Anthony Iozzo – June 3-4 April 1-2 – Beloit U10 Wildcats player Josh Mello and • Third annual Play for Trey – U10-U12 • Hometown Days Tournament – U10, catcher Braden Rozga talk during Kenedy – April 28-30 – Whitewater U11, U14 – June 3-4 – Verona Little League in the Midsummer Classic at • 2017 5 Diamonds Kick-off – U9, U11, Turn to Page 9 Ceniti Park in Verona in July. There will be plenty of youth sports action around Wisconsin in the next several months from now until the end of summer. Youth athletes from baseball, softball, basketball, golf, wrestling, soccer and volleyball clubs will compete to learn skills and have fun.
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March 9, 2017
KIDS - Unified Newspaper Group – 9
Continued from Page 8 • Mount Horeb Summer Frolic Tournament – U12 – June 10-11 • Oregon Youth Baseball Tournament – U9-U10, U14-U15 – June 16-18 • East Madison Little League AllStars – U8-U12 – June 23-25 • Verona Invitational Showcase U17-U18 – June 23-25 • Verona Mid-summer Classic – U10-U14 – July 1-2 • Waunakee Summer Youth Baseball Tournament – U9-U11 – July 8-9 • Oregon Youth Baseball Tournament – U11-U13 – July 14-16 • Columbus 14th annual Youth Baseball Tournament – U8-U12 – July 15-16
Basketball wissports.net/eventdirectory • Badger City Classic (NCAA Certified Event) – (boys) 4th-8th grade, HS – April 7 Middleton – Cost: $395 for high schoolers; $295 for middle and elementary schoolers • THE ROCK Spring Classic Boys
National Tournament – 4th-8th grade, HS – April 7 – Sports Enhancement Academy in Verona and Stoughton – Cost: $225-$400 • Capitol City Classic (boys) – 3rd-8th grades, HS – April 28 – Middleton High School – Cost: $325 for HS; $295 for MS/ES • F i f t h A n n u a l “ H O O P S 4 A CAUSE” Boys and Girls Basketball Tournament – 3rd-8th grades, HS – May 6 (girls), May 7 (boys) – Sports Enhancement Academy in Verona and Stoughton – Cost: $225 • Madtown Showdown (girls) – 8th grade, HS – May 13 – Sports Enhancement Academy in Verona and Stoughton – $325 • 10th Annual June Jam (boys and girls) – 4th-8th grades, HS – June 10 – Sports Enhancement Academy in Verona and Stoughton – Cost: $250 • High School Border Battle Invitational (boys) – HS – June 17 – Sports Enhancement Academy in Verona and Stoughton – Cost: $175 • July Jamboree (girls) – 3rd-8th grades, HS – July 15 – Sports Enhancement Academy in Verona and Stoughton – Cost: $195
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10 – Unified Newspaper Group - KIDS Kindergartener Alex Olson grapples in an early match at the Oregon Youth Wrestling Club annual tournament in January. The Wisconsin Wrestling Federation Kids Folkstyle State tournament is March 24-25.
March 9, 2017 Continued from Page 9
Golf
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• WI Jr PGA junior tour – June 15 – Beaver Dam CC – Cost: $40 member/$50 non-member • WI Jr PGA future tour – June 23 – Jefferson GC – Cost: $16 member/$20 non-member • WI Jr PGA tournament – June 20-21 – Brown Deer Park and Dretzka Park in Milwaukee – Cost: $75 • WI Jr PGA junior tour – June 26 – Yahara Hills GC in Madison – Cost: $50 member/$60 non-member • WI Jr PGA junior tour – June 29 – Edelweiss Chalet CC in New Glarus – Cost: $40 member/$50 non-member • WI Jr PGA junior tour – July 14 – Door Creek GC in Cottage Grove – Cost: $16 member/$20 non-member • WI Jr PGA future tour – July 28 – Monona GC – Cost: $16 member/$20 non-member
File photo by Anthony Iozzo
Soccer thetournamentcenter.com/FindaTournament.aspx • Reddan Spring Shootout – 11U-19U – April 7-9 – Reddan Soccer Park in Verona – Cost: 11U-12U $420; 13U-14U $485; 15U and older $495
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KIDS - Unified Newspaper Group – 11 $375 • Oregon Spring Smash – U10, U12, U14 – June 2-4 – Kiser Park in Oregon – Cost: U10 $300; U12 $375; U14 $375 • Janesville June Jamboree – U10, U12, U14, U16 – June 9-11 – JYBSA Sports Complex – Cost: U10 $350; U12, U14, U16 $425 • Janesville Summer Slam – U10, U12, U14, U16 – July 28-30 – JYBSA Sports Complex – Cost: U10 $350; U12, U14, U16 $425
Continued from Page 10
• Rush Spring Classic – 8U-19U– April 28-30 – Rush Wisconsin at Wisconsin Dells – Cost: 8U $260; 9U-10U $360; 11U-12U $505; 13U and older $550 • Rock Soccer Clash – 9U-10U (recreational only), 11U-14U – May 13-14 – Rock Soccer Club in Janesville – Cost: 9U-10U $275; 11U-12U $320; 13U-14U $375 • MAYSA Cup – 9U-14U – May 19-21 – Reddan Soccer Park in Verona – Cost: 9U-10U $285; 11U-12U $295; 13U-14U $320 advancedeventsystems.com/#events • Reddan Thunder – 11U-19U – June 2-4 – Reddan Soccer Park in Verona – Cost: 11U-12U $420; 13U-14U $485; • Capital Spike-A-Rama – G17-18 – 15U and older $495 March 27 – Sports Enhancement Academy in Stoughton • University of Wisconsin - Whitewater softballtournaments.com/index/id/ Open – G10, G11, G14, G15 – March 19 tourn_find/st/WI • UW-Whitewater Open – G13, G15, G16, G17 – March 25 • UW-Whitewater Open – G12, G14, • Janesville May Melee – U10, U12, G16, G18 – March 26 U14 – May 20-21 – JYBSA Sports • UW-Whitewater Open – G10, G11, Complex - Cost: U10 $325; U12, U14 G12, G13, G14 - April 1
Volleyball
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Wrestling wiwrestling.com/upcoming-events/
• USA Folkstyle Tour of America – March 11 – Bantam-Junior – Wisconsin Dells Center • Wisconsin Wrestling Federation State Qualifiers – March 18 – Bantam-Junior – Eight sites including Sauk Prairie, Sun Prairie • Wisconsin Wrestling Federation Kids Folkstyle State Championships – March 24-25 – Bantam-Junior – Alliant Energy Center in Madison • Wisconsin Wrestling Federation Kids Freestyle and Greco-Roman State Championships – May 6 – BantamJunior – Wisconsin Dells Center
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March 9, 2017
Create a safe and enjoyable backyard play area When young children are part of a household, homeowners may benefit by designing yards that are both functional and fun. Incorporating safe play areas for kids is one way to unlock the potential of both big and small backyards. As children run off to enjoy a playground, safety is the last thing on their minds. That's why adults must take it upon themselves to keep injury prevention in mind. The Canada Safety Society advises parents to follow the "5 S's of Playground Safety": Surface, structures, site, supervision, and safety.
Site Look around the landscape for an ideal place to locate the playset. There should be no obstacles that children can hit while sliding or swinging. Avoid overhanging branches and do not place equipment too close to trees or fencing. Try to keep the set out of direct sunlight, which can make components heat up and scald young bodies.
Supervision Do not leave children alone while they are playing. Prevent children from using the playset in an incorrect manner.
Surface Parents should assume that children will fall. To lessen the blow of falls, choose playground equipment with a perimeter of six feet of a softer surface, such as sand, pea gravel, rubber pieces or wood chips. This material should be between six and 12 inches deep.
Safety Photo courtesy Metro News Service
Use cedar or another wood that resists decay for the play equipment’s structure.
standard, but it's not adviseable for kids' playgrounds, as the chemicals used in the lumber can leach and young chilStructure dren may actually bite or pick at the The structure of the play equipment wood. Use cedar or another wood that should be built from sturdy materials. resists decay. Once the structure is built, Pressure-treated lumber was once the inspect it frequently for damage.
Follow the directions for installation. Make sure all posts are anchored into the ground securely. Railings should be spaced so that children cannot get stuck between them. Check that metal components have not rusted and that there is no additional excessive wear. Be sure that no tools or other dangerous items are left around the yard. – Metro News Service
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March 9, 2017
KIDS - Unified Newspaper Group – 13
6 steps to making fairy gardens with kids Adding a touch of whimsy to gardening can make it that much more attractive to children. Perhaps that is why fairy gardens have become so popular among youngsters. Fairy gardens can be designed in outdoor gardens or in containers that children can nurse and enjoy indoors. Here are six steps to get your fairy garden up and running.
Include similar-needs plants Mixing plants that have different requirements can make it challenging to care for the fairy garden, so select plants that require similar levels of sunlight, prefer similar soil conditions and require roughly the same amount of watering. Herbs are a smart choice because they stay small and are easily maintained.
Don't forget a fairy dwelling
Choose a container or location Decide where to place the fairy garden. Hollowed-out tree stumps are both contained and outdoors, and kids may feel like the fairies inhabited this neglected area of the yard and made it their own. Otherwise, use containers you already have, such as old pots, hanging baskets, picnic baskets or cookie tins. Wooden birdhouses with their roofs removed also can make for clever places to house the gardens.
Choose a theme Fairy houses can take on any theme their creators prefer. Themes help children decide what to include in their gardens. For example, a seaside retreat may
You will need to add a house for the fairies to inhabit. Small bird houses can work, but you also can consider old teapots, bird-nesting boxes or even homework well with little reclining chairs, made houses assembled out of bark and sea grasses and succulents. You can then twigs. Use your imagination and the complete the theme by adding some sea- garden will take on a life of its own. shells and colored stones. Photo courtesy Metro News Service
Be sure to sketch out a garden design before digging.
Draw up your design Before securing anything in the container or digging into your garden bed, sketch out a garden design. Even before planting, gently place plants and other components in their spots and move them around accordingly until you find the desired look.
Invite the fairies
Children can invite fairies to take up residence (fairies often show up at night and tend to remain unseen), or children can create their own fairies using craft materials. Once families get started, they may want to create entire fairy villages. – Metro News Service
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14 – Unified Newspaper Group - KIDS
Continued from Page 3 year-olds, and this year, a weeklong teen camp has been added for 12-14 yearolds. There is also a bus that shuttles kids to and from camp at pick up sites in west Madison, Verona and Mount Horeb. The barn of Ebenezer Brigham, who settled at the site in 1828 but never knew the cave was below him, has been converted into a Discovery Center with display cases full of fossils and rocks. Anderson said the space is used for education classes about geology for school field trips and an activity area with crafts for summer camp and family visits on weekends. For information about hours and events, visit caveofthemounds.com.
March 9, 2017
Madison Children’s Museum 100 N. Hamilton St., Madison 256-6445 madisonchildrensmuseum.org Hours: Mondays: Closed, Tuesdays, Thursdays-Sunday: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesdays: 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Cost: $7.95 for children and adults; $6.95 for seniors and grandparents; children under 1 and museum members free.
– Samantha Christian according to its website. The stairway is always open, but the special “Stair Trek: Core to Cosmos” Madison Children’s Museum rotating exhibit takes children to differMadison Children’s Museum visitors ent levels of the museum to play through can travel through the Earth in the muse- activities that are inspired by each level um’s five-story stairwell, an experience of the Earth: underground, forest, sky and that is a “choreographed concert of outer space. image, sound and light which is differIt’s one of the rotating list of featured ent on every adventure through space,”
exhibits that are crafted so children can learn through play. Besides the featured exhibits, activities held daily aim to welcome kids of all ages, though most – including dinosaur and space-themed yoga classes, a regular toddler “teddy train time” exercise and music and math programs – are generally geared toward ages 1 and up. The museum also offers summer camps that run for a few days at a time and include activities like a downtown Madison exploration scavenger hunt and a pioneer living camp that lets children spend time in the authentic 1838 log cabin at the museum that was recovered from Walworth County. On the first Wednesday of every month, the museum also holds a Free Family Night event from 5-8 p.m. The free admission is facilitated by its Access for Everyone program, an initiative driven to provide children a place to explore “regardless of barriers,” according to its website. The program provides discounted admission opportunities for qualifying families. For information, c l i c k “A c c e s s f o r E v e r y o n e ” a t madisonchildrensmuseum.org. – Amber Levenhagen
The Caring Center/ Verona Montessori House Summer Enrichment Camps
best in the field Recreational and competitive teams for ages 5-17 Skills development clinics Summer camps Coaching staff consists of former UW players as well as Madison College Men’s and Women’s coaches!
learn more at veronasoccer.org
Because learning doesn’t stop in the summer! Strengthen skills, Grow in knowledge, Reach a little higher! Serving Verona families for 45 years! Visit our website for more info: www.caringcenter.com
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The Verona Soccer Club is a youth club under the Madison Area Youth Soccer Association (MAYSA) serving the Verona Area and Dane County. We offer:
March 9, 2017
KIDS - Unified Newspaper Group – 15
Tips to get kids more excited about eating right
Fitchburg Middleton Janesville Sun Prairie
like. Straying from healthy fare is only problematic if it becomes routine. • Make experimenting fun. Kids who are focused and enthusiastic about trying new foods may not think twice about how the new foods they're trying are healthy. Make experimenting with new foods a family affair by
alternating who gets to choose the restaurant when ordering takeout or the type of cuisine to cook on nights when the family experiments in the kitchen. Once the choice has been made, choose healthy items and share dishes so kids can try various healthy foods in a single meal. – Metro News Service
Summer Day Camp Educational Growing Center
Before/After School Care Days-off-of-School Care Serving Grade-School Youth Visit our kid-friendly Farmette: Learn to grow your own food, Care for small animals, Reconnect to nature.
www.fortlittlegreen.com
Sun Prairie Verona Waunakee
Kids Need Good Homes
608-819-6394 www.CItherapies.com Comprehensive and Collaborative Therapeutic Services Speech & Language Therapy Occupational Therapy Physical Therapy PT/OT Intensive Therapy Feeding Therapy Aquatic Therapy Educational Support Daily Living Skills Social Groups
Foster Parents Needed! Desire to make a difference in a child’s life? Family Works Programs, Inc. is looking for people interested in becoming treatment foster parents. We provide: • Training • Weekly Social Worker Contact • Respite
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Now Scheduling for Summer Programming! Call today for a free consultation
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embraces vegetables. But parents can experiment with vegetables in ways that might make them more attractive to youngsters. For example, rather than serving carrots without sauce or seasoning, serve them with a bowl of hummus or a Greek yogurt base, which can add flavor to veggies without compromising their nutritional value. • Solicit kids' input regarding the menu. If kids ask for unhealthy fare like hamburgers or macaroni and cheese, compromise by preparing healthier alternatives, such turkey burgers or whole grain pasta with parmesan cheese sprinkled on top. Explain your reasons for preparing healthier alternatives. But don't be afraid to veer off course every so often and let kids choose a meal that's not as nutritious as you would
• Monthly Support Groups • 24-Hour Crisis Intervention • Compensation Based On The Needs Of The Child
Make a difference, call today! 608-233-9204 or 800-660-9204 www.family-works.com
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Childhood obesity is reaching record heights across the globe. Combatting obesity can start in the kitchen, where parents can set a positive example by making sure the whole family eats healthy. Parents know that encouraging youngsters to forgo fatty foods in favor of healthier fare is not always so easy. But the following tips can help get kids excited about eating healthy, which can help them maintain healthy weights and lower their risk of various ailments. • Invite kids into the kitchen. Kids feel the same sense of pride and accomplishment when preparing meals, and that pride may increase the likelihood that they will eat the entire meal, including vegetables and other healthy foods, without complaint. • Reinvent foods kids don't like. Rare is the child who
Feeding… the Leaders of Tomorrow!
210 South Main Street, Verona 608-845-6478 Open Daily 6:30am - 9:30pm
Proud supporter of today’s kids.
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