KCC_ParentSource_092018

Parent Source SERVING KANE COUNTY

FALL 2018 RESOURCE GUIDE FOR PARENTS

Fall into

AUTUMN LEARNING CONNECTIONS Quality care for all levels of learning PAGE 15

MORE THAN EXERCISE

PRESCRIPTION FOR TROUBLE

PAGE 16

PAGE 18

Learn about the benefits of child’s play

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The dangers of prescription opioids

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Introducing your 21st century preschool.

At Everbrook Academy, your child will prepare for elementary school and develop the skills they need to thrive and boldly face whatever the future holds.

We offer an engaging, nurturing environment where our STEAM curriculum brings the world into every classroom. Integrated, hands-on learning experiences in Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Math inspire every child, in every program.

•

Infant and toddler care

•

Preschool and Pre-K

•

Before- and after-school clubs

•

Extracurricular programs

Your child will develop a lifelong love of learning, as well as a lifetime of memories, and friendships to stand the test of time.

TOUR TODAY!* 3090 W. Main St. • St. Charles, IL 866.222.0269 • EverbrookAcademy.com *Pending Application with DCFS. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Everbrook Academy, a Learning Care Group School. ©2018 Learning Care Group, Inc. FEA9

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what's

INSIDE

5 Visitors are free to have fun at fantastic park district facilities

6 Preparing home for new family addition

7 Fall fun found at Kuipers Family Farm 8 5 clever hacks to simplify any family’s morning routine 10 Abbey Farms: Cultivating a family destination 12 Your childs future 14 5 ways to make family meals more enjoyable 15 Learning Connections offers quality care at all levels of learning 16 The benefits of child’s play extend beyond exercise 17 Scarecrow Fest returns to St. Charles 18 Keep your family safe: Get rid of unused prescription opioids

Distributed by

ACCOUNT MANAGER Sandy Petti spetti@shawmedia.com PROJECT MANAGER Kelli Murray kmurray@shawmedia.com DESIGNER Carol Manderfield cmanderfield@shawmedia.com

ADVERTISER INDEX

ABBEY FARMS........................................................................10-11 EVERBROOK ACADEMY...............................................................2 FLIP FAMILY HAIR CARE................................................................7 HARVEY’S TALES......................................................................... 19 KUIPERS PUMPKIN FARM.............................................................9 LEARNING CONNECTIONS...................................................... 15 LEARNING EXPRESS......................................................................7 MY ADVISOR AND PLANNER.................................................... 13 PARAMOUNT ARTS CENTER.................................................... 20 ST. CHARLES PARK DISTRICT.......................................................5 THE CLADDAGH............................................................................9 WAUBONSEE COMMUNITY COLLEGE......................................4 PARENT SOURCE | FALL 2018 | 3

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! e r e H s t r a t S n u F y T he Fa m il

“Once upon a time, there was a little ogre named Shrek...”

Friday, Oct.5 and 12, 2018 7 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 6 and 13, 2018 7 p.m.

Sunday, Oct.7 and 14, 2018 2 p.m.

Sugar Grove Campus, Auditorium $20 adults/$15 students and seniors 65+ Presented by Community Education and the Fox Country Players.

Running Time: approximately 130 minutes, one 15-minute intermission

Thus begins the tale of an unlikely hero who finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking donkey and a feisty princess who resists her rescue. Throw in a short-tempered bad guy, a cookie with an attitude and over a dozen other misfits, and you’ve got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film, “Shrek the Musical” is a Tony Award-winning fairy tale adventure that brings all the beloved characters you know from the film to life on stage.

Based on the DreamWorks Animation Motion Picture and the book by William Steig. Book and Lyrics by DAVID LINDSAY-ABAIRE, Music by JEANINE TESORI. Originally produced on Broadway by DreamWorks Theatricals and Neal Street Productions. Presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com

Purchase tickets at www.waubonseetickets.com

Go Crazy for Juggling

Marcus Monroe tive kee na u a w l Mi roe s Mon Marcu e t ing h is lead o ave f next w gglers. u dian-j come

Marcus combines innovative juggling with high-energy improvised comedy to create a truly unique show. He’s performed at hundreds of colleges, festivals and arts centers, and is one of the most requested headline acts on Princess, Disney and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. e Just b u yo f i l carefu he t sit in row! front

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A versatile performer, Marcus has also appeared in films, commercials and dozens of TV shows.

Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, 7 p.m.

Sugar Grove Campus, Auditorium $19/$12 children 12 and under

Don’t he miss t r” ta S “Rock ers! l g of jug

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Visitors are free to have fun at fantastic park district facilities

These days, there aren’t many places where you can spend the day without spending a dime.

interpretive experiences honor the hard work farm families exerted in raising livestock and crops, while demonstrating the And while every one impact technology and of the dozens of the St. social changes had on the Charles Park District’s land and families of the parks and playgrounds, natural areas and facilities Fox Valley. Visitors are welcome to visit the dairy is always “come on in!” barn, milk house, chicken accessible to visitors at coop, sheep house, no cost, two distinctive summer kitchen and destinations provide more. Drop-in programs visitors with a unique such as Hands-on Milking, opportunity to immerse Hold Your Horses and themselves in unrivaled Feed the Animals are environments. available for a small fee With its acres of working on select weekdays and farm fields and a fruit Saturdays all year long to orchard, vintage barns and give budding farmers an outbuildings, Primrose up-close-and-personal Farm takes visitors on a experience with Primrose journey to experience Farms’ resident livestock. farm life. As a monument Area naturalists who might to our area’s agricultural want to step even farther heritage, Primrose Farm’s back in time will make

Experience Farm Life

Exciting activities in the farmyard!

tracks to Hickory Knolls Discovery Center, whose diverse landforms were created tens of thousands of years ago during the Ice Age. Hard to think that the hills and fields nestled adjacent to busy Campton Hills Road and Peck Road were once buried under massive layers of ice, but the glaciers’ retreat created the topography that today provides more than four miles of natural trails that take hikers through woodlands and wetlands, prairies and savannas. Home to numerous varieties of native plants, animals, birds, insects and other wildlife, Hickory Knolls Discovery Center is always bursting with something new and different to attract the senses.

Featuring Fox Valley’s Natural Treasures

Connect to your local environment

Visit with farm animals • Explore restored buildings Stroll rural landscapes • Climb a vintage tractor Visit the seasonal farmstand & more!

Enjoy seeing live animals, reptiles & insects Blandings Turtle pond • Bird feeder discovery area Musk Ox exhibit • Taxidermy displays & more!

Drop-In Programs offered weekdays & Saturday

Explore scenic woodland, wetland & prairie habitats Hike 3+ miles of natural area trails Discover unique flora & fauna

On Site Registrations Accepted Feed the Chickens • Feed the Goats • Hold Your Horses Hands-on Milking • Chicken & Egg • Feed the Animals Birthday party packages & pavilion rentals available Volunteer opportunities include livestock chores, farm clean up, gardening & more!

5N726 Crane Rd • St. Charles • 630-513-4370

primrosefarmpark.com Hours: Grounds open dawn to dusk Office open M-Sa 8am-3pm

Nature & environmental programs for all ages Birthday party packages & facility rentals available Custom programs for Boy & Girl Scouts Give nature a hand and volunteer!

In James O. Breen Community Park 3795 Campton Hills Rd • St. Charles • 630-513-4399

stcnature.org Hours: Tu-Sa 10am-4pm ∞ Th 4-8pm* • Su 12-4pm *Seasonal

Facilities of the St. Charles Park District • Donations Appreciated PARENT SOURCE | FALL 2018 | 5

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How to a new addition prep your for to the family home Whether it’s a baby or pet, a new addition to the family calls for new, unexpected responsibilities, and is bound to come with adjustments for every member of the family. While it would be silly to guarantee zero stress for the new family environment, below are tips for a transition with more playtime and fewer headaches to help you get started.

Here’s what you need to know:

GET READY IN STYLE Prep the space with all the necessities needed to make your new addition’s life as happy as possible. Based on the needs of your new child or pet, this could mean turning your home office or game room into a nursery, or finding the perfect doggy door to install in the back entrance. After checking big-ticket items off your list, consider how moments such as bath time will change in the new dynamic. Choose a product that is stylish and functional, like the Peerless SideKick Shower System, which has interchangeable attachments for parents, pet and baby. Versatile shower additions create a one-stop shop for everyone in the family, limiting

mess and making bath time more efficient (and cost-effective!).

PROOF! PROOF! When you walk through your front door, you are greeted with the comfort and security of being in a space made just for you. With a new baby or pet, that could all change! It is important to take a careful look at your home and proof for all possible dangers and accidents. Move chemicals and cleaning products onto high shelves, tape electrical cords to baseboards, find ways to secure cabinets and doors that you would prefer not to have curious hands, mouths and noses digging around in, and make sure anything that can induce choking is stored in a safe place, far away from the curious new family member.

BUDGET FOR TWO A new addition to the family means one more mouth to feed and nurture. It is important to

prepare for unexpected expenses. Babies and pets are more prone to illness, injury and accidents because they are constantly exploring their environment.

Remember to plan ahead by setting up a monthly savings plan to make room for miscellaneous expenses in your monthly budget. Go the extra mile and save more money by buying clothes and accessories from thrift or consignment stores, using family or friends for backup daycare, and asking relatives to babysit or puppy sit. Remember that planning is key. You’ve got this!

PLAYTIME Ensure a stress- and mess-free playtime by designating an area for play in your home. If possible, create a gated space to give yourself a sense of control over playtime activities. This will offer peace of mind and allow your new addition to have fun and express themselves without any inhibitions.

Bonus: There is less cleanup time as well.

For more shower solutions for the family, please visit peerlessfaucet. com. (BPT)

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Fall fun W found at Kuipers Family Farm

hether you want to pick apples, explore a corn maze, select a Christmas tree or seek an outdoor wedding venue, Kuipers Family Farm in Maple Park has plenty to offer.

Visitors can pick apples fresh from the orchard on Saturdays and Sundays, including Columbus Day, through October. Kuipers offers a variety of apples to select, from Gala and McIntosh, to Honeycrip, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith and many others.

Visit the website to learn estimated ripening dates. Visitors may also purchase bagged apples

at the Orchard Shop, as well as tasty treats such as apple cider doughnuts, home-baked apple pies and caramel apples.

Admission to orchard is $10.99 per person and includes ¼ peck bag of apples. Children 2 and younger admitted free, but don’t receive a bag.

The Pumpkin Farm officially opens Sept.

15. This family-favorite offers so much more than pumpkins for the autumn season.

Admission includes a corn maze, pig races, jumping pillow, tractor train rides, haunted forest,

hay wagon ride, mountain slide, and plenty of other activities.

Pumpkin Farm admission is $10.99 Mon., Tues. and Wed.; 412.99 Thurs. and Fri.; $14.99 weekends and Columbus Day. Children 2 years and younger are admitted free; $6.99 for seniors and individuals with military ID. And when the holiday season approaches, Kuipers offers freshly harvested Christmas trees to adorn the home or business. The bakery is open for a special gift or treat for the season.

Kuipers Family Farm is located at 1N318 Watson Road, Maple Park.

For more information, call 815-827-5200 or visit www.kuipersfamilyfarm.com.

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5

clever hacks to simplify any family’s morning routine

Getting the family out the door on time every morning is no small feat.

Seemingly simple tasks like getting dressed, packing backpacks and making breakfast can quickly turn into chaos. Before you know it, you’re running late and the kids haven’t even eaten as you dash to the car.

Stop dreading the stressful start to the day and start taking control of your mornings. A few simple tips and tricks will turn the morning craze into smooth sailing. Plus, when you have a stress-free start, the rest of the day just seems to go better.  Select a week’s worth of clothes Sunday night.

Instead of choosing outfits the night prior, supersize your time-saving efforts by doing this task just once on Sunday night. Involve kids in selecting their clothes for the week so they feel empowered in their choices. Then hang entire outfits in the closet or stack in one drawer dedicated to weekday wear. When mornings come, kids know exactly where to find the day’s duds. Bonus: you don’t have to worry about midweek laundry.

 Get ready before waking up the kids.

 Create a routine and set alarms.

Just like you don’t let kids eat dessert before dinner to ensure they eat well, set rules for the morning to keep things moving. For example, no TV until all morning tasks are completed.

For teens, smartphones and other mobile devices must remain on the kitchen table until they are ready to go.

Create a morning routine and stick to it. For example, kids wake at 7 a.m., eat breakfast at 7:15 a.m., get dressed and ready at 7:30 a.m., then out the door by 8 a.m. And if the kids need to share a bathroom, set a daily bathroom schedule with alarms to keep kids on track and avoid arguments in the morning.

Trying to ready yourself for the day while helping the kids is a recipe for disaster. This is why waking before the rest of the family really makes mornings happier. Try getting up 30 minutes before the kids so you have time to get ready and enjoy a cup of coffee. You’ll be fully awake, much happier and can focus on helping the kids stay on-task.  Create morning rules.

 Sundays = meal prep.

Make a week’s worth of PB&Js on Sunday and put them in the freezer.

This way lunch items are ready to go and the sandwiches will be thawed and ready to eat by lunchtime. For breakfast, make it easy for kids by setting out shelf-stable items they can make themselves. New Jif(R) Peanut Butter and Naturally Flavored Cinnamon Spread keeps mornings interesting. Set out a jar by a loaf of bread and kids can quickly make a tasty sandwich they’ll devour. Learn more at jif.com.

Want to up the ante for breakfast without spending any extra morning time in the kitchen? Try this recipe for delicious overnight oats that can be made in the evening and customized for each family member.

(BPT)

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Protein Power Packed Overnight Oatmeal Recipe Courtesy of WhipperBerry.com PREP TIME: 5 minutes COOK TIME: 8 hours SERVES: 1-2

INGREDIENTS: 1/2 cup old fashioned rolled-oats 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt 1/4 cup pecans 1/4 cup fresh blueberries and raspberries Large spoonful of Jif(R) Peanut Butter and Naturally Flavored Cinnamon Spread (or Maple if you prefer!)

1 to 1-1/2 cups milk (basically cover what’s in your jar) OPTIONAL: 1 teaspoon chia seeds 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 tablespoon honey

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. In a large jar, layer your ingredients starting with about a 1/2 cup of old fashioned rolled oats.

2. Then add about a 1/2 cup of your favorite yogurt, your favorite nuts and fruit.

3. Next, add a spoonful of Jif(R) Peanut Butter and Naturally Flavored Cinnamon Spread 4. If you want, add chia seeds and a drizzle of honey and vanilla extract.

5. Cover with your favorite kind of milk. You can use cow, almond, coconut or soy milk.

6. Gently stir your ingredients, top with a lid and place in the fridge overnight.

In the morning, you’ll have a jar full of yummy oatmeal ready and waiting for you. Choose to eat it cold or warm it up in the microwave.

(BPT)

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Park Hours Wed. - Fri. 10am – 6pm Sat. 10am – 10pm Sun. 10am – 6pm Late Night Corn Maze & Movies in the Park Sat. 6pm - 10pm Store Open Daily Located atop one of the highest points in Kane County, close to the Fox River and Interstate 88, lies a pristine patch of 300 acres, first acquired by the monks of Marmion Abbey as a dairy farm nearly a century ago.

Christmas at Abbey Farms

For most of its history, Abbey Farms grew Christmas trees — which the monks gave away when customers couldn’t afford to pay. Then, in the early 2000s, with costs rising, a vision was executed to transform the farm into a family destination — one that would hearken back to the simpler days of the original farm — where there were no electronic devices and family time meant getting out together to enjoy good, old-fashioned outdoor fun.

A Growing Venue

Abbey Farms is run as a 501(c)3 nonprofit, with a dedication to benefiting the monks of Marmion Abbey, as well as the local community. Over the last decade, Abbey Farms has continued to grow and expand its offering as an agricultural destination, with the amazing Pumpkin Daze, including the petting zoo, rides, competitions, fire pits, movie nights, Kane County’s largest corn maze (at 12 acres!) — as well as good food and drink.

We are one of the region’s top wedding venues, and a frequent choice for corporate retreats, club or group meetings, and family outings. Through it all, we remain resolute in our mission to grow and improve Abbey Farms as one of the most-loved family destinations in the Western Suburbs of Chicago.

Farmstead Fresh

The Farmstead Emporium opens in late September every year, offering the most delicious sauces, dressings, marinades, preserves and seasonings, plus fresh-made baked goods. A visit to Abbey Farms is a fun and tasty way to add homemade, farm-fresh ingredients to your kitchen!

Picturesque Weddings

When it comes to weddings, it’s hard to beat the picturesque surrounds of Abbey Farms. The main venue property features the rustic look of reclaimed wood, combined with elegant décor, modern facilities and sophisticated details. Every convenience needed for your event is at your fingertips at Abbey Farms.

The team at Abbey Farms is available to work with you for your wedding, group or corporate event, birthday party or anniversary — whatever the celebration, we will help you make it memorable and fun!

(630) 966-7775 · abbeyfarms.org · info@abbeyfarms.org 2855 Hart Road, Aurora IL, 60502 ·    @AbbeyFarmsIL

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(630) 966-7775 · abbeyfarms.org · info@abbeyfarms.org 2855 Hart Road, Aurora IL, 60502 ·    @AbbeyFarmsIL

Petting Zoo · Tractor Wagon Rides · 12-Acre Corn Maze · Ziplines Craft Beer & Wine Tent · Human Hamster Balls · Fire Pit Rentals Pirate Ship Adventure · Antique Tractors · Bouncing Cow Train Jumping Pillow · Pedal Go-Cart Track · Mega Slide · Tractor Tire Hill

Visit AbbeyFarms.org for the full list of activities!

Fall Fun for the Whole Family!

Use this coupon:

Buy One Full-Price Pass Get One For Only $5

Valid 2018 Pumpkin Daze Season only. Must present this coupon for redemption. Not valid for cash or goods. No refunds. See Abbey Farms website for up-to-date seasonal hours and information. Valid for 1 $5 General Admission discounted day pass per full-paying guest. Limit 2 per visit. May not be combined with other offers or discounts. Some rides not included with General Admission and are additional cost - see website for list of included attractions.

081803

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YOUR CHILD$

A

FUTURE

ugust is the traditional heart of the family vacation season. You may even find yourself on vacation, enjoying an adult beverage, and reading this article at the end of a long day refereeing disputes between overly-tired kids or grandkids. As you survey your family and reflect on how fortunate you really are, you may find your mind wandering into the future, dreaming about each child’s next steps, and contemplating how some of your dreams for them will be funded.

Inevitably, you will allow yourself to think about what your child will do after high school. Your focus may start on what type of school they may attend and what they may choose to study – which are far more pleasant topics than how this all will be paid for. Out of curiosity you may grab your phone, google a favorite college, and look up what it will cost to attend. This is the point where your knuckles turn white as you tightly squeeze both the phone and the glass in your hand.

By THOMAS MCCARTNEY INSTITUTION

TUITION/ROOM/ FEES 2018*

PROJECTED FUTURE TOTAL COST**

Indiana University, Bloomington (Non-Resident)

$45,103

$467,846

Northwestern University, Evanston (Resident)

$68,725

$712,873

The University of Iowa, Iowa City (Non-Resident)

$39,580

$410,557

The University of Wisconsin, Madison (Non-Resident)

$45,625

$473,260

University of Chicago (Resident)

$70,551

$731,815

University of IL, Champaign (Resident)

$27,176

$281,892

*Published annual tuition, room & board, and required fees. **Assume 5% annual increase and student attends for four years starting in 2036.

File #0933-2018

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As the sampling of some popular regional institutions shows, the current published costs of attendance can be intimidating. The picture becomes more serious when you consider the amount you would need to plan for if you have a child born in 2018 who would attend a school for four years starting in 2036.

Unfortunately for your wallet, the aid you may receive from the government, colleges and private scholarships often only cover about one-third of all college expenses. The sooner you start saving, the better off you will be in the long run, and even modest savings can grow into significant investments by the time your child is ready to head off to school. Here’s how to get started saving:

✔ Save money methodically via payroll deduct or

via another systematic investment method. (Your financial advisor should be able to help you with this.)

✔ Consult your financial advisor and collaborate to

develop a plan with milestones for achieving your child’s educational goal. As your children get old enough, have them periodically accompany you when meeting with your financial advisor, allowing them to learn and become engaged in the process.

✔ When they are old enough to get a job, have your

children contribute half of their earnings into their college savings fund.

✔ Save and invest windfalls such as inheritances, income tax refunds or bonuses.

✔ Increase the amount you save by five percent each year to keep up with the college tuition inflation rate.

✔ Ask relatives to contribute to the savings account in lieu of gifts.

✔ Keep your savings and investment plans a priority. ✔ Make sure to not carry credit card debt and to maintain an emergency fund as this will help keep you from having to “raid” college savings to cover other expenses.

Strategies for investing for college are many and cannot be adequately covered in this single article.

Contact us to discuss ways your money can work as hard as you do.  Tom McCartney is the Founding Principal of My Advisor & Planner and a registered representative and investment advisory representative with M Securities. Investments in securities involve risks, including the possible loss of principal. My Advisor & Planner is independently owned and operated. McCartney and his team can be reached at info@mapyourfuture.net or 630-457-4068.

Photo by Indre Cantero

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PLAN, BE POSITIVE, UNPLUG:

5

ways to make family meals more enjoyable

With our busy lifestyles today, finding time to shop for groceries, cook, then meet as a family to enjoy a meal together can be a major challenge.

A Harris poll shows only 30 percent of American families share dinner each night. Yet the benefits of maintaining that family time are so substantial that it’s well worth your while to make it happen.

Research shows, for example, that kids and teens who share meals with their families three or more times per week are significantly less likely to be overweight, more likely to eat healthy foods and less likely to have eating disorders.

Further, such togetherness is linked with higher grades, better self-esteem and positive behaviors such as sharing, fairness and respect among children who participate.

In that spirit, we asked actress, host, food lover and mom of two Courtney Lopez for some helpful tips on how she gets her family together for mealtime. Lopez has recently teamed up with Eggland’s Best, a proud supporter of the American Heart Association’s Healthy For Good(TM) movement, to challenge families across America to pledge to stay at the table for an additional “dozen” minutes.

UNPLUG AND PLAN 1.

UNWIND. 4.

AHEAD. Make your table a phone-free zone, encouraging everyone to talk about their day.

This will help your family grow closer together and become more and more involved in each other’s lives. You might be surprised what you will learn!

TRY NEW 2.

DISHES. Comfort food can be a

great thing, but so can the sense of adventure that comes from trying new dishes. Eggland’s Best eggs can be incorporated into an endless spectrum of family-friendly recipes like this Southwestern Quinoa and Egg Breakfast Bowl. EB eggs are the only eggs good enough for my family meals, with superior nutrition like 25 percent less saturated fat and 6 times more vitamin D than ordinary eggs.

MAKE IT A 3.

TEAM EFFORT. Your family will feel more

involved if they share the work. My little guys love helping out by cracking eggs, stirring, sprinkling spices or setting the table. Allowing little ones to help out can also get them excited about the meal, even if they tend to be picky eaters. And as the old saying goes, many hands make light work.

It can be tough to have nutritious meals ready to go with a busy schedule, but spending just a few hours of your weekend buying, prepping or even cooking the components of your weekday meals will go a long way. You’ll thank yourself when you’re hungry and tired at the end of a long day; having everything nearly ready to serve reduces the chances you’ll opt for fast food or other lesshealthy food options.

ON 5. FOCUS THE POSITIVE. No one wants to share a table with fellow diners who are grouchy and unpleasant to each other - although sometimes that can be unavoidable with kids. To keep it positive during this relatively short time each day, avoid judgments, lectures, sarcasm and snarky comments. Ask each person about the highs and lows of his or her day, setting aside this space and time to celebrate victories and help each other through life’s challenges.

Sharing great food together can be an excellent way to create positive memories and boost family bonding.

Learn more and sign up for the Eggland’s Best Family Meals Pledge at EBfamilymealspledge. com. (BPT)

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LEARNING CONNECTIONS

offers quality care at all le levels of learning

Learning Connections Preschool in St. Charles has been providing Kane County children with the highestquality care and early education for more than 20 years. Owner Laurey Goldsworthy and her staff engage children through play while embracing each child’s unique learning style and physical ability.

“Children enhance their physical, social, emotional, language, creativity, cultural awareness, moral values and cognitive development while at play and by doing,” Goldworthy explains. “Learning Connections Preschool provides a safe, warm, quality environment where children can learn through play, while utilizing the STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) methods of teaching.”

Learning Connections, which is a locally-owned family business, provides both full-time and part-time care for children ages 15 months through 12 years.

Goldsworthy hopes to add infant care in the next few years, and also offer classrooms for special needs students. All of the teachers at Learning Connections have degrees in early childhood education, social work, special education or elementary education, and Goldsworthy has more than 30 years of teaching experience, previous serving as a teacher, assistant director, director and now business owner.

“I consider myself to be well-educated in my field,” Goldsworthy explains. “I don’t know that anyone is truly an ‘expert’ as there is always new information to learn.”

Goldsworthy purchased Learning Connections Goldswo

Preschool, which had formerly been known as Kids Connection Preschool for 15 years, because she wanted to continue the excellent care the previous school provided the community. She says that Kids Connection was well-known in the community for its excellent early-childhood education.

“We carry on the phenomenal philosophy they established and pride ourselves on our continued dedication to the highest standards of care and education,” Goldsworthy explains. “We are wellknown in the community for welcoming all children, embracing their uniqueness and accepting their differing levels of learning and physical abilities.

While owning and running a business has pushed Goldsworthy out of her comfort zone, she says she wouldn’t change a thing. She says that working with children has brought her more joy than she ever imagined.

“This is a new adventure for me, but I love all that I am learning,” she says. “I was compelled to take this adventure because I have a love for teaching and wanted to continue the legacy of a great philosophy of teaching and excellence in educating our community.”

Learning Connections Preschool is located at 2011 Dean St., St. Charles, and is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For more information, call (630) 587-9400 or visit www.learningconnectionspreschool.com.

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The W benefits of child’s play extend beyond exercise

hen you think about the most important part of a child’s school day, what comes to mind? Is it reading? Science? Math or history? What about recess?

Children will likely mention recess as their favorite part of the day, and new research shows that this free time is actually a fundamental component to their future development and host to numerous educational opportunities.

Yet, if there are such benefits for children in recess and unstructured play, why are school districts everywhere reducing it?

MORE THAN JUST EXERCISE Researchers for years have hypothesized about the link between the reduction in free play and the rise of childhood obesity, but new research also indicates a link between children’s ability to engage in free play and their overall development.

A recent meta-study by the University of Minnesota’s Institute of Child Development, commissioned by Landscape Structures Inc., finds that “children’s early experiences and the settings they inhabit play a powerful role in shaping the adults they will become.”

The meta-study also finds that unstructured play provides children the opportunity to practice key social, cognitive and physical skills.

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The research draws from a wide body of social scientific analyses, case studies and examinations of play and playground behavior. Educators, child psychologists, playground designers and the American Academy of Pediatrics all contributed to the report.

The findings show that when left in unstructured play, children spend roughly 80 percent of their time on the playground engaging in important activities such as social, physical and pretend play. Any or all of these activities have been shown to further a child’s future development.

The manner in which playtime is spent is nearly as important as the amount of time spent.

Well-designed playgrounds have proven to be a uniquely flexible play setting with equipment that supports social and imaginative play while also supporting children with diverse needs and ability levels. Toddlers, for example, appreciate the physical challenge of climbing a few stairs while older children will set their sights on the taller portions of the structure.

However, at the same time that the benefits of unstructured play are being expounded, the research shows the time spent in open play is under attack.

Threats to play come from myriad sources, including restrictive school and work schedules, safety concerns, organized afterschool activities and the rise of passive entertainment options including television and video games. These factors combined are seen as the key reasons children’s unstructured play has dropped by 25 percent since 1981.

PUSHING BACK FOR PLAY While the importance of classroom lesson plans can never be discounted in a child’s educational path, the opportunity for recess and open play should not be seen only as a break. Landscape Structures’ research findings show children actively learn while in play and that the skills they learn here cater to their continual development. The educational lessons don’t end when the bell rings for recess; they simply become a lot more fun.  To learn more about playground solutions for your area, visit playlsi.com/. (BPT)

Scarecrow Fest returns to St. Charles

Whether you want to build your own scarecrow or just admire hay-filled creations big and small, there are plenty of sights, sounds and activities during Scarecrow Fest, Oct. 5-7, in downtown St. Charles.

Now in its 33rd year, the award-winning event attracts more than 100,000 festival-goers over three-days, according to organizer Greater St. Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau.  SCARECROW CONTEST This contest is the hallmark of the festival, and has several categories for entries, including mechanical, mega, clubs/nonprofits/schools, individual, family and two business options. Visit the website to get details, entry form and contest rules. Deadline to enter is 5 p.m., Sept. 28.  CARNIVAL Scarecrow Fest wouldn’t be complete without its carnival, located on 2nd and Cedar streets in downtown St. Charles. The carnival will take place Oct. 4-7.

CARNIVAL HOURS ARE: Thurs: 5 - 9 p.m.; Fri: Noon – 10 p.m.

Sat: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Sun: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.  AUTUMN ON THE FOX ARTS AND CRAFT SHOW More than 150 vendors will display handmade items during this craft show from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, in Pottawatomie Park along the Riverwalk.

Check out the local talent set to perform at Q Center’s Main Stage, located in Lincoln Park on Main Street between 4th and 5th streets. Visit www.scarecrowfests. com to see the full line up and for more information.

WHAT: 33rd annual Scarecrow Fest WHEN: Oct. 5-7; Fri-Sat: 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Sun: 10 a.m.

- 5 p.m.

WHERE: Downtown St. Charles INFO: Scarecrowfest.com

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Keep your family safe:

W

GET RID OF UNUSED PRESCRIPTION OPIOIDS

ant to help keep your family and community safe? Get rid of any unused prescription opioids that may be in cabinets, drawers or anywhere else you store medicine.

WHAT ARE OPIOIDS?

Prescription opioids are powerful, pain-reducing medicines. You can find them in pill forms, syrups or even prescription patches.

Commonly prescribed opioids include hydrocodone, morphine and oxycodone.

But they also can cause overdose deaths. Every day, 115 Americans die from opioid overdoses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

WHY LEFTOVER OPIOIDS ARE DANGEROUS

The United States is battling an opioid crisis. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that up to 71 percent of opioid tablets prescribed after surgery went unused. Trouble with opioids can start at home, where unused medicines are stored in cabinets or drawers and are ingested either intentionally or unintentionally by people who do not have a medical need for these prescriptions.

“We’re facing a public health tragedy right in our own backyards; opioid addiction and overdose affect

communities across America,” explained U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb. “We know that people fighting addiction often began by accessing prescription opioids from a friend or family member. It’s critical we all do our part in safely disposing of these medicines once they’re no longer needed as part of our effort to ending this crisis.”

PROTECT YOUR FAMILY AND YOUR COMMUNITY

Make sure your medicines do not get into the wrong hands. According to data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, half of people who misused prescription opioids got them from a friend or family member.

Unused opioids can also pose a risk to kids. Even child-resistant containers cannot completely prevent a child from taking

medicines prescribed to someone else.

Emergency departments see thousands of patients for opioid overdose and addiction each year, according to data from the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample. As more opioids are being prescribed to adults, the risk of both accidental and intentional exposure increases for children and adolescents.

Grandparents, neighbors and others who take care of children should make sure they have disposed of any unused medicines. Opioids also can be harmful to pets.

“In the last two decades, the FDA has received heartbreaking reports of accidental exposure to powerful prescription pain medicines such as fentanyl patches - most of them in children under 2 years old,” added FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research Director Dr. Janet Woodcock. “That’s why disposing of unneeded medicines is such an important step in keeping your family safe.”

Disposing of unused medicines can help turn the tide on the devastating opioid crisis affecting so many American families. Proper disposal of unused prescription opioids saves lives. Learn more at www.fda.gov/ DrugDisposal. (BPT)

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OM IG OD. OM IG OD, YOU GU Y S! Now Playing through October 21

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