Capital District Parent Pages - May 2020

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Inside:

2020 summer camp choices

arent pages

Capital District

Volume 24 • Number 5 • May 2020 • Complimentary

Uncertainty a part of foster life

The Resource for Parents

STEM beyond school A child’s view of quarantine

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2020 Albany JCC Summer Camps

Perfect Vision, Epic Summer!

June 29 to September 4, 2020. For Kids ages 3 to 15 More info - www.albanyjcc.org, 518-438-5561 2 PARENT PAGES — MAY 2020

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So many changes at one time Life can move pretty quickly ­­­— even when you’re confined to the house

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Editor’s desk

arent pages The Resource for Parents

May 2020 Features Manage your stress

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At-home learning tips

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Stay safe at home

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It is this new reality that many of our columnists are grappling with in their articles this month. Two of Triple Threat writer Jennifer Steuer’s children have weighed in on the Coronavirus pandemic from a child’s point of view. Theresa Davis talks about how this current uncertainty is like what a foster child feels all the time. And Patrick McNamara’s Learning Center focuses on exploring STEM concepts in everyday settings – something many parents-turned-educators now find themselves having to do. Cooking has brought many families comfort during this difficult time, and Jodie Fitz shares a recipe for the ultimate comfort food – with a twist. She is also offering a bunch of free online activities for kids on her website. Read the story on Page 8 for more details. Once again, we will not be publishing an events calendar with physical distancing guidelines still in effect.

Learning Center

his month, we find ourselves very much in the same place as last month. We are staying at home, learning at home and – if we are lucky – working at home. When will this pandemic end? We do not know. And when it does end, our world will be a very changed place.

And it is amid all this change and uncertainty that we have a big announcement to make: We are changing too.

In recognition of the multi-generational nature of the modern household, we are merging Capital District Parent Pages with Senior Spotlight to create Family Now, a monthly publication with features for every age and stage of family life. With Family Now, Capital District Parent Pages readers will find all the great columns and articles they already enjoy every month, plus so much more. Sometimes change can be good.

As always, thanks for reading. Check out our articles and resource listings at www. cdparentpages.com and mail your story ideas and pictures to Family Now, P.O. Box 100, Delmar, NY 12054, or e-mail me at robertsk@spotlightnews.com.

Kristen Roberts Editor, Capital District Parent Pages/Family Now

On the cover: Charlotte, 17 months old, is out and about in Albany in this picture submitted by her mom, Jessica Barry.

Columnists 24-Hour Shift

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Let’s Cook

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Triple Threat

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What’s new On the bookshelf Kids fun page

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Resources Summer camps 2020

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publisher - John McIntyre editor - Kristen Roberts advertising sales - Denice Mau art director - David Abbott graphic design - Martha Eriksen Engagement Coordinator - Kaitlin Lembo Capital District Parent Pages is a unit of Community Media Group LLC. Published monthly. Deadline for advertising and calendar events is the 5th of the month preceding publication. Display advertising rates are available on request.

Capital District Parent Pages reserves the right to refuse advertising for any reason. We do not guarantee any of the information, services or products published in this or any issue. The opinions expressed by the contributors do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this paper. Copyright 2013 by Capital District Parent Pages. No portion of Capital District Parent Pages may be reproduced without written permission from Community Media Group LLC. Rachelle & Lawrence Stallman Founders of Capital District Parent Pages

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The 24-hour shift

parenting is a full-time job

Disruption a part of foster life

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eeling lost lately? You’re not alone. Americans who are used to enjoying social and economic freedom don’t have those freedoms right now. We’ve lost those freedoms not to war or government collapse, but to a microscopic organism. Unreal, right?

What you’re feeling right now might be something similar to what a foster child might be feeling. The current situation might also bring on the same level of trauma. Right now, we can’t see our families, or if we can, it’s not a safe choice. You miss your family, and suddenly your family isn’t safe. It’s difficult to process, isn’t it? This is a foster child’s normal.

No child wants to be hurt

or neglected. For some foster children, it’s the abuse that they want to go away, not the family causing it. We all want this big little bug to go away, not our family or friends. Our way of life has been stolen. We’ve all by had to make sudden and major changes in everything we do and how we do them. Again, this is foster children’s normal. Their way of life has also been stolen, sometimes permanently.

Foster children go through the same level of change that we are going through now every time they move to a new foster home.

There’s always a new routine, new people, new school. What

was important to the previous foster family isn’t important to the present foster family.

Things that we could do three months ago we can’t do now, maybe not anymore, but occasional major lifestyle changes are normal for kids in foster care. Other people are now in charge of our best interests. What are your best interests?

Do they match what these other people think are your best interests? We are being told where we can and can’t go, who is essential and who is not. We’re even being told what to wear when we leave the house and how to wash our hands. For foster kids, a lot of people act “in the best interest of

Theresa Davis

the child.” I promise that phrase is somewhere in every foster child’s court documents. Until they reach a certain age, foster kids do not get a say in the choices that are being made for them. Right now, neither do we.

We’re all living completely different lives now. Hopefully we can one day return to the lives we had before. For some foster kids, that will never happen. After this, they may not go back, but march forward to the next house, to the next life. I hope one day I can be as strong as they are.

Theresa Davis is a former early childhood educator and has worked in childcare centers for more than 15 years. She is also an adoptive mother, living and taking care of her family in the Capital District.

Get the word out!

Ages 3-12

List your event for parents & children in our monthly calendar Send calendar submissions by the 5th of the previous month to:

Woodland Hill welcomes you to play, cook, create, and invent! Explore nature, tackle design challenges, play with clay, tap into your inner musician, become a reporter, launch rockets and more!

Space is limited.

Register today!

Capital District Parent Pages, Attn: Calendar, P.O. Box 100, Delmar, N.Y. 12054 or Email: robertsk@spotlightnews.com

Want to draw more business online?

To advertise on our website, call Denice Mau at 518-439-4949 Check us out at:

Woodland Hill Montessori School 100 Montessori Place • North Greenbush 518.283.5400 woodlandhill.org 111397_4

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2020

On the Bookshelf

May blossoms with books ‘Be You!’

‘Superluminous’

By Peter H. Reynolds

By Ian De Haes

A joyful celebration of the ways that every child is unique and special that reminds readers to “be your own work of art.” Be patient, persistent and true. Because there is one, and only one, YOU. Orchard Books

Nour loves the luminous glow she was born with, but it’s only when it starts to dim that she discovers the true power of her brilliant light. Annick Press

‘Goodnight, Veggies’

By Diana Murray and Zachariah OHora A sleepy bedtime story set in a community garden depicts a friendly earthworm who observes the nighttime rituals of tuckered-out tomatoes, cuddly cauliflowers and potatoes with closing eyes. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

CANCELLED

It is with a sad heart that we announce the cancellation of our May 30th Lupine Fest.

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We greatly appreciate all of your support and the efforts of our vendors each year to make our festival a wonderful community event. We are looking forward to that continued support and resuming our festival next year.

We still plan to celebrate spring in a creative way. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube for some fun upcoming activities.

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2020 Lupine Fest Cancellation.indd 1

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Learning Center

Education insight for parents

STEM: It’s not just for school Everyday moments can introduce children to science, technology, engineering and math concepts

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veryone says that STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) is SO important – kids will have many more job opportunities if they follow a STEM career path. But people who develop an interest in STEM need to be exposed to STEM in order to develop that interest. Kids who’ve had some exposure to STEM are much more open to considering science and technology

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when they choose their classes in middle and high school. But how can we expose our kids to STEM?

Patrick McNamara

First step – don’t call it STEM – it makes it sound like an assignment.

Help kids see that science, technology, engineering and math are everywhere,

Continued on Page 7

Cooking with your kids and having them help measure ingredients is a great way to expose them to fractions and other STEM concepts.

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n Learning Center continued from Page 6 and that they interact with it daily without making it sound like school or a major life decision.

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We all use math and science all the time. When you cook with your child (and you should cook with your child), incorporate math by letting him or her measure the ingredients and figure out how much to put in when you double the recipe. Fractions make more sense for many students when they can physically see how two ¼ cups of flour is the same as one ½ cup of flour.

2.

Problem solving is an everyday experience. A key component to STEM education is understanding how to solve a problem. Use everyday opportunities to challenge your kids to think through a problem. Challenge your kids to come up with a resolution to the problem.

If it gets too frustrating, support them by helping them break it down into smaller steps. Learning how to break problems down to manageable pieces is applicable in every subject, and yet many students don’t grasp that breaking a problem down is the first step to solving it.

3.

Encourage experimenting.

Give your child permission to take things apart – an old computer in pieces can really open up an interest in how things

work. A quick Google search can help them understand how to put it back together. But circle back and get them to explain what they discovered. Great toys like LEGO and K’NEX lead kids to build amazing structures and objects. When your child builds that amazing roller coaster, ask him or her to explain how the pieces work. Have your child show you what he or she did.

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Go outside. STEM isn’t just screens and machines, math problems and code. Engage your kids with STEM while you’re outside. Ask them – before they ask you – why is the sky blue?

Have them look at the structure of plants and leaves. Talk about the weather. How does it feel before the rain? Why is it usually darker when it rains? Work together to plan and build a garden. Discuss what they want to plant and why. And together, watch the plants grow – make a point of observing everything regularly and ask your kids to predict how big the plant will be next week, or when the flowers will bloom or when the tomatoes will ripen. If you’re really looking to increase learning opportunities, chart it out!

Engaging with your kids and getting them to notice the world around them – how things were built, how they work and why they work, and even encouraging them to think about how to change it or make it better, is what STEM is all about! Simply pointing out some of those things we all take for granted can spark that awareness and promote a STEM interest in our children.

Patrick McNamara is the Executive Director of Sylvan Learning of Albany and Clifton Park, which provides tutoring services and academic coaching (www.SylvanLearning.com).

First step – don’t call it STEM – it makes it sound like an assignment.

Help kids see that science, technology, engineering and math are everywhere, and that they interact with it daily without making it sound like school or a major life decision

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Online fun with an educational twist

Let’s Cook! writer shares activities and more on her website It can be tough to keep busy as the weeks in pandemic-related isolation drag on. And parents who are trying to help their children stay sharp while they are learning at home, might be running out of ways to keep them engaged.

Parent Pages columnist Jodie Fitz has got some ideas! On her website, she’s sharing a number of free online activities related to her book “Fidget Grows a Pizza Garden,” about a girl who is very excited to grow a garden but is surprised when the tomatoes ripen and she realizes she isn’t actually growing a pizza. Visit jodiefitz.com/storytime to watch a video of Jodie reading the story and download coloring sheets, recipes and pizza fraction activities.

Listen to Parent Pages columnist Jodie Fitz read 7.0 in. her book “Fidget Grows a Pizza Garden” or meet the new character Sip and download a hydration chart at jodiefitz.com.

Also on her website, she introduces a brand-new character, Sip, who encourages kids to stay hydrated –

10.0 in.

#DanceLikeaDad

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something that is easy to forget when you are stuck at home. On Sip’s page (jodiefitz.com/sips-page), you’ll find lots of great resources and information for parents, a coloring activity and a downloadable kid-friendly water tracking chart that will encourage kids to drink more water – one sip at a time.

Cooking together as a family is a good way to bond and relieve the stress of stay-at-home monotony. At jodiefitz.com, you’ll find so many great recipes that even the littlest of kitchen helps can be a part of, like Apple Pie Parfaits and Butterfly Quesadillas.

People often find comfort in food when times are tough, and Jodie’s website offers a number of food-related activities to keep little minds and bodies busy.

Let’s Cook!

Jodie Fitz

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A veggie take on nuggets

ave you noticed how the once-lowly cauliflower has made it to prime time? It can masquerade as a less-starchy, meat-free version of some our favorite comfort foods – like these Cauliflower Nuggets. This versatile vegetable also has a mild flavor, a bonus for feeding picky eaters.

SCAP Early Head Start Child Care Partnerships (EHS-CCP)

Kids can help prepare this recipe and learn about kitchen basics like measuring ingredients, cracking eggs and how to dredge something in breadcrumbs.

We are a FREE Infant Toddler Program for families who qualify and live in Schenectady County.

Get more recipes from Jodie Fitz through the Price Chopper Cooking Club at pricechopper. com or visit www.jodiefitz.com.

SO CAN YOU.

Cauliflower Nuggets

We provide: • Free diapers and formula • Nutritious meals and snacks • Family support services • Developmental screenings • Special Education Services (Speech, OT, PT) • Assistance getting health services • Nurturing learning environment Give us a call today.

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518.377.2015

1 large head of cauliflower 3 eggs ¼ cup milk 2 cups seasoned breadcrumbs 2 teaspoons onion powder 1 teaspoon turmeric 1 teaspoon sea salt ½ teaspoon garlic powder ½ teaspoon dry mustard Nonstick canola cooking oil Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.

Wash the cauliflower and cut it into small florets and place them in a bowl.

Stir the breadcrumbs, onion powder, turmeric, sea salt, garlic

powder and dry mustard together.

Set aside.

Coat a nonstick baking sheet with a heavy coat of the nonstick cooking spray.

Using a hand whisk, whisk together the eggs and milk in a bowl.

Pour the mixture over the florets and stir until they are fully coated.

Dredge the coated cauliflower florets in the breadcrumb mixture.

Place the breaded florets on the coated baking sheet. Once they are all on there, spray a light coat of canola oil on them. Bake for 20 minutes until the cauliflower is soft and the outside is browned.

Serve with your favorite low/no sugar condiments.

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Triple Threat

parenting triplets in the Capital District

IN HER OWN WORDS: Olivia Steuer

How the pandemic is affecting kids I want those of you reading this to know how kids are affected by the coronavirus, physically and mentally. Sometimes adults don’t know how children are feeling about the virus. Kids can feel scared, alone, stressed and have a lot of anxiety about the pandemic and might be afraid to talk about it.

Talking with your kids is the number one thing you should do. That helps them know the difference between what is true and what they found on the Internet that might not be true. Adults should remember to keep it simple and age appropriate when they explain it to their kids. They don’t need to know every little detail. Another thing adults should do is play board games with their kids, do puzzles together or something else creative to keep then entertained and not worrying about what is happening in the world. Experts say that keeping kids on the similar routine to what they had before the pandemic is very important. That means getting them up at the same time as usual and have them do school work about the same time they would be in school. They need to know what’s coming next.

If their schedules are consistent, children feel a sense of security with the pattern.

On social media, I spoke with some friends about how they felt about the coronavirus, and here are some of the responses: One said they felt anxious and helpless and that the activities or daily things they used to do have stopped because of the coronavirus. Another said that it is scary to not see your friends for a while and having someone in your family have it. But it is also scary when you see people going outside and pretending they are in an alternate universe and not caring about the people that are the most vulnerable to this virus.

So let me just say this, children can be more stressed, scared or worried than adults are at times.

Parents should remember that they were once children too. Make a point to sit down with them and tell them what is going on because having an adult who knows how you feel can make a huge difference in this scary time. Stay positive, relax, take a deep breath and it will be OK. The author is the daughter of Triple Threat columnist Jennifer Steuer.

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An worldwide health crisis has a way of turning things upside down, but the Steu

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Feeling in

don’t know one single person who hasn’t been affected by COVID-19 and the need to self-quarantine. This is one of the strangest, most unsettling and deadly times that I can remember. The jokes and memes about drinking, homeschooling, work meetings with no pants on and the great toilet paper shortage have been making the rounds. As well as conspiracy theories and the belief that Armageddon is upon us. The predictions and uncertainty are frightening.

Adults are anxious. Children – my children – are scared. Harlan, my mom and I are doing all that we can to have a safe environment where we all feel protected.

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Jennife Steue

Rebecca, Benjamin and Olivia went to school on March 13 and came home like it was any other Friday. Thoughts of fun and relaxing came before anything else. Harlan and I were home thinking about the health crisis that was brewing and talking about keeping the kids home. Before the kids walked home, we had decided to keep them out of school until the COVID-19 crisis blew over. We worried that convincing the school it was the right decision would be hard. And then just like that, Gov. Andrew Cuomo waved his magic wand and it was decided: Schools were closed.

The mad scramble to find computers and technical support for the school district families started in earnest. Teachers stopped on a dime and thought of new ways to present information to students and hoping the kids would be able to keep up.

Some teachers have contacted my family to be sure my kids understand. The school is encouraging families to keep up, but they understand this is a situation none of us

IN HIS OWN WORDS: Benjamin Steuer

A pandemic is tough enough – now add Tourette’s These days, there is probably more on your mind than just the disorders or disabilities that you have, but if you take into account what authorities are advising you to do at this time, you might change your mind.

ut the Steuer family looks for connection and hope even in the face of uncertainty.

inside out knows how to navigate.

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I have heard from parents who do homeschool that this situation is not actually homeschooling. What we are doing right now is crisis schooling. Homeschooling is done with lots of research and resources. Homeschooling is desired by the families.

Crisis schooling is what happens when a disease is ravaging your country/state/ city/school.

ennifer Steuer

All of a sudden the world is upside down. Olivia, Benjamin and Rebecca are struggling to find their individual footing and supporting friends.

Being social creatures, we seek to find comfort with our peers. Twelveyear-olds are no different. Smart phones and computers help my kids stay in touch with their friends, and seeing that there is a world moving beyond our windows helps all of us.

In my heart, I have to believe that we will get through this health crisis. I see Olivia, Benjamin and Rebecca growing each day, and each day they are more creative and their imaginations are tapped in new ways. My family is doing everything it can to stay healthy and safe. I hope your family is too. We will meet you at the park when this is all over.

Jennifer Steuer is an Albany mon whose busy household includes her husband, Harlan, and 12-year-old triplets Olivia, Benjamin and Rebecca. Follow her on Instagram: jennifersteuer.

I am a 12-year-old boy in the sixth grade. It can be very rough in school for I am a target of bullying for my lack of athleticism. That doesn’t stop me from doing great in school and making the Gold honor roll, but that’s not what I want to talk to you about now.

I want to talk about the Coronavirus pandemic and how it affects me and hundreds of thousands of other children with the same condition as me – Tourette syndrome.

I don’t just have Tourette’s, I also have autism, asthma, sensory processing disorder, ADHD, and I used to have epilepsy – yeah I have the whole package, but right now I want to focus on Tourette’s.

Tourette syndrome is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that begins in childhood or adolescence.

People with Tourette’s have what are called tics. Tics are non-controlled movements in the body, and there is also something called vocal tics, which are noncontrolled movements in the vocal cords. Because of Coronavirus this can be a huge deal. Common tics are blinking, coughing, throat clearing, sniffing and facial movements. Some of my tics are touching my nose, mouth and face. I deal with this every day of the week 24/7. I’ve dealt with this all my life, but I’ve never been through a pandemic, and not touching my face is especially difficult for me.

To stay busy, I play Roblox and Capture the Flag with my friends on my phone. This is how we play together during this time. And we are able to maintain social distancing because we play them on our phones in our own homes.

Finally, I want to say, stay home, stay safe, stay calm and don’t panic.

The author is the son of Triple Threat columnist Jennifer Steuer.

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n u P F a s g d e i K

Coloring Fun

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FamilyNow CAPITAL DISTRICT

GENERATIONS TOGETHER

The Capital District family has changed -- and we are changing too.

In recognition of the multi-generational nature of the modern household, we are merging Capital District Parent Pages with Senior Spotlight to create Family Now, a monthly publication with timely features for every age and stage of family life.

With Family Now, readers will find all the great columns and features they already enjoy every month, plus so much more.

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Keeping stress in check

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It’s a normal part of parenting, but these days it can feel a little overwhelming

hese are stressful times. Juggling responsibilities to work (or being unemployed or working from home) and family can sometimes make parents feel a little overwhelmed. Add to that the current situation where parents are also managing their child’s day-to-day education. That feeling of being stretched thin can contribute to stress, which many parents acknowledge is part of their daily lives.

It is well documented that stress can have various negative physical and psychological symptoms, which put stress sufferers’ overall health at risk.

Parents can curtail stress by instituting some lifestyle changes and employing other manage-

Parents can curtail stress by instituting some lifestyle changes and employing other management techniques. ment techniques.

nights or family movie nights.

Don’t take work stress home.

It’s easy enough to bring home work-related problems, and when you are working from home, it can be hard to separate the two.

Try to diffuse tricky situations before your workday is over.

Seek professional help. Parents who are having difficulty coping can enlist the services of trained mental health professionals. These therapists can offer helpful strategies for coping with life’s challenges. Many providers are available via telemedicine. The New York State Office Mental Health has an Emotional Support Line at (844) 863-9314 to provide free and confidential support, helping callers experiencing increased anxiety due to the coronavirus emergency. The help line is

Increase quality family time.

Take a break from obsessing over the news or staring at your screen, and the other tasks that pull families in different directions. Slow down and schedule fun activities that foster parentchild relationships, such as game

We’re online!

Be sure to visit our website…

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Stress isn’t always caused by life-changing events. It has been a part of parenting all along.

Data from a 2015 Pew Research Study indicates 15 percent of American parents say their job as a parent is tiring all the time, while an additional 18 percent say parenting is tiring most of the time. Ten percent indicated being a parent is stressful all of the time, while 15 percent said it is most of the time. The younger the age of the children at home, the more stress many parents say they face.

staffed by volunteers, including mental health professionals, who have received training in crisis counseling.

Stick to a routine. Keeping kids on routine schedules enables parents to know which moments of the day they can get a break to rest and recharge.

Ask for help. Do not be a martyr or attempt to be a superhero. Parents who need help should reach out for assistance, especially if it’s to tame stress.

Doing so is in the best interest of the entire family.

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How to tackle remote learning

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mid concerns of Coronavirus clusters and efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19, and based on social distancing recommendations from medical professionals, schools across the country began to close their doors and adopt a remote learning model in March.

School administrators and educators quickly scrambled to find a workaround to meet children’s educational needs. Remote learning has been a part of many school curriculums for some time. Teachers have had to design curriculums and assignments virtually on the fly in an attempt to minimize disruptions that could adversely affect students.

Remote learning requires the cooperation of school staff and also parents and guardians.

Patience is necessary, and parents and educators may need to

Keep a schedule. It’s easy to begin to sleep late and fall out of routine when not required to go to a school building. Families should make scheduling a priority, which can help students stay on top of lessons and complete their assignments on time.

When schools closed their doors in March, teachers and families were forced to take a crash course in distance learning completely transform their daily schedules. The following tips can be an asset as students continue to navigate remote learning.

Record class sessions. Teachers can consider recording or “going live” with class instruction so that students can view the video and still have access to

their teachers. This helps parents who may be unfamiliar with explaining the curriculum.

Utilize chat features. Remote education software programs likely have a chat or “hangout” feature, which enables classrooms to keep in touch and ask questions in real time.

Ask questions. Everyone is learning as they go, and further clarification may be needed. Students should email or chat with teachers if they don’t understand an assignment. Teachers may be able to clearly model a math problem or explain a concept via video chat.

Explore educational options.

Many companies are offering free educational services while kids are home from school.

Scholastic.com is offering online courses, Nat Geo for Kids, Fun Brain, PBS Kids, and Highlight Kids are other places to turn to for activities.

To all of our

ESSENTIAL WORKERS

A Heartfelt Thank You! MAY 2020 — CDPARENTPAGES.COM 15

Theme days keep boredom at bay Make a vacation of staying at home with entertaining themes to up the fun factor. These ideas will help get the creativity flowing.

Superhero day: Embrace your favorite superhero by dressing up in his or her colors, donning a superhero Tshirt or watching an action-packed superhero movie.

Pajama day: This is a fun theme for rainy days when Mother Nature keeps you indoors. Stay in your pajamas all day and enjoy a cozy, lazy day.

Alma mater day: Parents can pull out their trusted college attire. Bake up some tasty treats in school colors and then find some old photos or look for highlights of your alma mater’s sports teams online.

Throwback day: Take a step back in time by playing games or engaging in activities from your youth. Teach kids about the toys you enjoyed or watch movies from the era in which you grew up.

Crazy hair day: Embrace bed head, plug in the curling iron, double down on hair gel or pomade, or put those wacky coiffures into full effect.

Cultural day: Tap into your personal heritage by researching your family tree and then preparing a meal that coordinates with your heritage.

Arts and crafts day: Get crafty by tackling a creative project that the family will enjoy. Or engage in individual projects before comparing the final results collectively.

What to do when events are canceled

Events and planned trips have been canceled or postponed across the globe in the wake of the outbreak of COVID-19.

This has caused a disruption to not only commercial events like concerts and sporting events, but personal gatherings as well. Any party with a large number of potential guests has to be reconsidered. This includes graduation parties, weddings and birthdays. People facing the cancellation of such events can follow these guidelines.

Speak to vendors to find out if cancellations can occur with no penalties. Many hotels and other travel services are waiving fees for cancellations, or allowing bookings to be rescheduled.

Try to think of some alternative dates for events like weddings and graduation parties as soon as possible. There is no way

to accurately predict the path that COVID-19 will take, nor put a firm date on when regular life can resume, but discussing alternative dates with vendors may put you at the top of the list when gatherings are once again allowed.

Reach out to guests to explain that your plans are fluid. Expect that a good portion of guests, even those who already committed to attend, may not be able to make rescheduled events. Speak with vendors about fluctuating head counts.

Be patient and keep an open mind about events. These are unprecedented times and many people are learning as they go.

Rescheduling events when the threat has subsided may cause a bottleneck effect with service providers. Flexibility can help make rescheduling less stressful.

H T E O R M ’ S Y D P A P Y A !

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arent pages The Resource for Parents

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Avoid furniture tip-over hazards

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home is supposed to be a safe haven for its residents. But dangers lurk in nearly every room. Parents may be quick to safeguard against burn risks, electrical outlet exposure and even common household items that can prove poisonous if ingested, but it’s easy to overlook the hazards posed by furniture.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that hundreds of fatalities occur each year in the United States due to falling furniture, electronics and appliances. According to a recent report from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, an estimated 12,500 children per year were injured and treated at emergency rooms due to tip-over accidents between 2016 and 2018. Roughly once every 12 days someone is killed by a falling TV, piece of furniture or appliance.

Target dressers, bookcases, mirrors, and other heavy furniture pieces. If an anchoring kit is unavailable, furniture can be screwed directly to studs in a wall.

Children may try to climb furniture to get at coveted items. Precautions need to be taken, including anchoring heavy appliances, furniture and TVs. These following measures may prevent death and injury from falling appliances and furniture.

All TVs should be mounted to a wall or piece of furniture.

Wall-mounting kits are available for most TVs, including older models. Screws also can secure a TV to a piece of furniture. New

televisions typically have anchor spots on their frames.

Buy anti-tip kits. The CPSC says anti-tip devices, also known as anchoring kits or anti-tip strap, are available and affordable. These kits can take as little as five minutes to install and provide invaluable safety.

Keep certain electronics out of sight. Many children climb furniture in an attempt to get at iPads, remote controls, toys and other things parents believe are out of reach. Climbing increases tip-over risk. Instead, hide items elsewhere so that children are not tempted to try to retrieve them by climbing furniture.

Install drawer stops. Stops can be placed on drawers to keep them from being pulled all the way out and serving as makeshift ladder rungs for kids to climb. Also, multiple open drawers can cause weight to shift precariously in a dresser or other item, resulting in a tip-over.

EVER WONDER IF THERE’S LIFE ON EVER WONDER IF THERE’S LIFE ON OTHER PLANETS? LUCIANNE WALKOWICZ OTHER PLANETS? ASTRONOMER, THE ADLER PLANETARIUM

LUCIANNE WALKOWICZ

ASTRONOMER, THE ADLER PLANETARIUM

GIRLS LEARN GIRLS LEARN

IN STEM BECOME WOMEN WHO CHANGE THE WORLD. MORE @SHECANSTEM ON INSTAGRAM IN STEM BECOME WOMEN WHO CHANGE THE WORLD. MORE @SHECANSTEM ON INSTAGRAM

MAY 2020 — CDPARENTPAGES.COM 17

2020 Summer Camps AFRIM’S Summer Camps Summer Action and Summer Soccer camps for ages 3-14. Full and half day.

636 Albany Shaker Road, Albany Call (518) 438-3131 or visit www.AfrimSports.com

Albany Academy

Customized summer programs for students entering grades 3-8. Sports, arts, science and more.

135 Academy Road, Albany Call (518) 429-2300 or visit www.AlbanyAcademies.org

Albany Berkshire Ballet

Ohav Shalom Nursery School

Summer weekly themed camp for preschoolers ages 18 months to 5 years. Full or part-time availability.

113 New Krumkill Road, Albany Call Sheryl at (518) 489-4894 or visit www.OhavShalom.com/Early-Childhood

Samaritan-Rensselaer Children’s Center: Summer Fun at RPI

Dance camps and intensives for ages 4 to adult, beginner to professional.

25 Monroe St., Albany Call (518) 426-0660 or visit www.SchoolofABB.org

For kids entering kindergarten through age 12 with swimming, arts and crafts, sports, drama, field trips and more. Full or part-time availability.

Call (518) 271-3748 or visit www.SPHP.com/childrens-day-care-sam

Experience summer fun for ages 3-15 with water sports, the arts, science, specialty camps and more.

340 Whitehall Road, Albany Call (518) 438-6651 or visit www.AlbanyJCC.org

Sylvan Robotics Camp

Albany JCC Summer Camp

Capital District YMCA

Nine convenient locations. From day camps to overnight camps to specialty camps, field trips and weekly themes, there is something for everyone.

Call (518) 869-3500 or visit www.CDYMCA.org

Circle of Friends Preschool

Summer camp for ages 3-5 with locations in Delmar and Ravena.

Delmar: (518) 478-0722 Ravena: (518) 756-3124 or visit www.CircleofFriendsPrek.com

Drama Kids International

Weekly full and half-day summer camps for ages 4-11.

Call (518) 458-1313 or visit www.DramaKids.com

HVCC Kids on Campus

Summer program with athletics, technology, Circus Theatricks, theater, summer academy and more.

Visit www.HVCC.edu/kidscamps.com

Merritt Dance Center

Dance camp from July 27 to Aug. 6 for dancers, acrobats and gymnasts.

18 PARENT PAGES — MAY 2020

1360 Albany St., Schenectady Call (518) 372-5282 or visit www.

MerrittDanceCenter.com

For grades 2-6. Create and animate robots using Legos and WeDo software.

Albany, (518) 869-6005: July 6-9 or Aug. 3-6 Clifton Park, (518) 373-7995: July 20-23 or Aug. 17-20

Temple Israel: Herman & Libbie Michaelson Early Childhood Education Center Summer fun program for kids under 5 with creative play and activities.

600 New Scotland Ave., Albany Call Amie at (518) 438-7858, ext. 120, email AmieBloom@tialbany.org or visit www.tialbany.org

The Arts Center of the Capital Region Summer camps for kids ages 6-17 with cooking, pottery, stained glass, mixed media, photography and more Full or part-time.

265 River St., Troy.

Call (518) 273-0552 or visit www.ArtsCenteronline.org

Woodland Hill Montessori Summer day camp for ages 3-12 with fun and creative play, music, arts, invent and exploration.

100 Montessori Place, North Greenbush Call (518) 283-5400 or visit www.WoodlandHill.org

Capital District

p

arent pages

at RPI!

The Resource for Parents

Upcoming Monthly Themes & Deadlines

Swimming, arts and crafts, nature walks, sports, drama, field trips ... SamaritanRensselaer Children’s Center Discovery Day Camp has it all!

June

June 29 - September 3 6:30 am - 5:30 pm

Father’s Day Adolescents Saratoga County: Parenting Resources Deadline: May 4th

• For children entering Kindergarten through age 12.

• Full and part-time enrollment.

July

Summer Fun & Local Travel Summer Birthdays Schenectady County: Parenting Resources Deadline: June 1st

• Located on the campus of RPI. • Fees include all trips, supplies and two snacks daily. Campers bring their own lunch.

• Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.

August

Child Care Guide & After School Activities (Part1) Planning Back To School Deadline: July 6th

For more information, or to register, call Deirdre or Kristina at (518) 271-3748. Or go to sphp.com/childrens-day-care-sam.

September

Now They’re Back in School After School Activities (Part 2) Deadline: August 3rd

To advertise in one or more of these issues please call

Denice Mau at 518-439-4940 or email: maud@spotlightnews.com

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