WINTER 2013 Edition
Easter
Seals
First Stage's
Next Step
is changing lives
Animation
at the Milwaukee Art Museum
Parenting- from birth to teens www.mymilwaukeelife.com
T h e r e i s s i m p ly n o b e t t e r p l a c e t o b e 1 2 m i n u t e s o l d.
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2 Milwaukee Family WINTER 2013
family contents the features 4 8 19 10 12 14 16 18 20 22
ON THE COVER Easter Seals and Autism First Stage’s Next Step Program Pixar Artist Visits Milwaukee
IN EVERY ISSUE Are You a New Mom? Care for Baby How to Keep Kids Reading Keeping Kids & Teens Tobacco-Free
Tips for Busy Families Tips to Avoid the Flu Calendar 128 Cottonwood Ave. Hartland, WI 53029 262.367.5303
Plus Publications Publishers Maureen & Tom Slattery
Art Director Nicole Hesse
Editor Cyndi Strayer
Graphic Designer Peggy Duffy
Advertising Margo Lehmann Saran Piehl
Office Manager Paula Koeppen
Writer find us on facebook at Jody L. Mayers MIlwaukee Family Magazine
www.mymilwaukeelife.com
WINTER 2013 Edition
Easter
First Stage's
Next Step
Seals is changing lives
ion Animat ee Art Museum at the Milwauk
Parenting- from birth to teens www.mymilwaukeelife.com
On the COVER
Wai Kincaid, speech therapist at Easter Seals Southeast Wisconsin, works with a child from early intervention on skills that will help her reach her full potential.
WINTER ISSUE
2013
WINTER 2013 Milwaukee Family 3
Easter Seals
Connects Children to a World of Possibilities By Cyndi Strayer
F
or almost 80 years, Easter Seals Southeast Wisconsin has been creating life-changing solutions for individuals with disabilities and their families. This organization works very hard within our communities to increase independence, maximize opportunities, minimize barriers and enhance the quality of life for
people with disabilities with the hopes of helping all reach their full potential. While Easter Seals has 76 different affiliates across the United States, Australia, Puerto Rico and Canada, each one provides different services. As Susan Russell, vice president of community engagement for Easter Seals Southeast Wisconsin, said, “All services are based on the needs of the community.” For example, one affiliate in Minnesota primarily works with employment services. Here in our area, Easter Seals Southeast Wisconsin serves six counties, which includes Milwaukee, Waukesha, Washington, Ozaukee, Racine and Kenosha. As a whole, Easter Seals offers a variety of high quality services to address life’s challenges and to help individuals achieve personal goals. This includes recreational opportunities for children, respite care for families, helping farmers after a disabling accident or illness or helping children and adults with disabilities gain greater independence in every day living. “We are literally involved from a person’s first steps in life to their last,” says Russell. The organization is also committed to building community awareness and support for those individuals with disabilities and their families. Easter Seals cont. on page 6
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Easter Seals cont. from page 4
But despite most of the general public knowing about Easter Seals existing as an organization, the one thing people may not be aware of is the services Easter Seals provides in the ways of early intervention and autism. “We are the largest provider of autism services in the country,” said Russell. In fact, one in every nine individuals served by Easter Seals Southeast Wisconsin lives with autism; and every one in 88 are diagnosed with it. “Our clients range in age from two to adult,” says Children Service Director Erin Raber. “Our services don’t stop at a certain age.” Each year, over five million children under the age of five are at risk of developmental delays and disabilities, including autism, which can set these children back when they start school. This is why Easter Seals works with parents, teachers and the community as well as other businesses and organizations to help children get off to a good start through early screening, early identification and early intervention. Easter Seals Southeast Wisconsin has its comprehensive children’s services, which is called Connecting Your Child to a World of Possibilities. This program addresses physical, communication and cognitive and social skills development through early intervention and autism services. “It is our job to work with the families and the individual,” says Raber. “We are family driven, so when it comes to building appropriate behavior and social skills we work with the families using Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).” ABA helps children with autism spectrum disorders, and other related disorders, improve their communication, social and cognitive skills while minimizing negative behaviors through research proven behavior interventions. ABA is taught step-by-step in such areas of development as: sleeping in own bed, tantrums, daily living skills, communication skills, etc. “The principles of ABA can really be used on anyone,” said Raber. These therapies are continually being adjusted to meet the new skills and needs of the individual. Rather than just continue writing about what Easter Seals does as an organization, let’s share a couple of stories about children who have benefited from these services.
6 Milwaukee Family WINTER 2013
Scott
When he was two years old, Scott was diagnosed with autism. He was one of the first children in Milwaukee to participate in the in-home Autism Program. While in high school, Scott attended Easter Seals Workforce Development program four days a week in conjunction with his high school classes. During this time, he was able discover his love for computers and has thrived on projects that have fulfilled his need for structure and repetition. In fact, Scott’s first job opportunity was at Easter Seals Child Development Center using a computer and scanner to scan client records for billing. The match of technology and structure were a perfect match for his interests. After completing his training, Scott found a position with the Health Information Management Department at Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare-North Market. There he and the rest of the department were responsible for processing information for three hospitals and three outpatient facilities. His former supervisor at Health Information even said, “He has been a great addition to our team. He brightens the office with his obvious enthusiasm and lightheartedness.” Currently, Scott is participating in a ten-week internship in the Waukesha County Circuit Court offices where he is prepping files and scanning documents. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, especially to Disney World. He also likes watching movies, music videos and YouTube videos.
Kai
At 28 months, Kai was adopted from an orphanage in China. When his parents, Scott and Chris, brought him home, he did not walk, speak or interact with others. Out of great concern, they took him to a specialist who told them that Kai would be non-verbal and would likely require long-term care. Devastated by the news, Kai’s parents turned to Easter Seals.
In September 2010, Kai started Easter Seals services for autism. And in nine months, he went from not speaking to using 75 words. Suddenly, he was stating what he wanted and needed rather than pointing. The use of full sentences followed soon after. The improvement in his communication also had positive effects on his behavior. He had fewer outbursts and began having more meaningful interactions with family and peers. He even began to enjoy interactive activities like reading books and having someone read to him. Kai went from being isolated and non-verbal to socializing with his friends in school. He has made such progress that Kai is academically on track with spelling, counting, reading and writing. He has even been dismissed from all special education services, except speech therapy. In June, he graduated from both 4K and his Easter Seals autism program. Kai started kindergarten this fall with his peers and has a bright future. Both Scott’s and Kai’s stories show the importance of early screening, identification and intervention. It can make all the difference in the world for some individuals and their families. If you are a parent or grandparent of a young child and you’re concerned about whether or not your child is developing on target visit www.MaketheFirstFiveCount.org. Here you will be able to take a free online version of the Ages and Stages Questionaire, Easter Seals cont. on page 13
Kai’s parents were told,
“He may never walk or talk.”
After two years of early intervention, Kai started school in a typical classroom ready to learn. Easter Seals is here to connect your
child to a world of possibilities
If you suspect your child is not developing on target, follow your instincts and contact Easter Seals.
Call Our Children Services Experts Today!
414-449-4444
www.eastersealswise.com WINTER 2013 Milwaukee Family 7
Setting the
Stage:
First Stage Theater Includes Groundbreaking Program for Children with Autism
W By Jody L. Mayers
illiam Dean Howells, an American author and literary critic once said, “An acre of performance is worth a whole world of promise.” This quote sums up the new Next Steps program at First Stage Theater, which revolves around the idea of teaching life skills through stage skills. “We have found this is of great importance to families affected by autism,” said academy and program director Jennifer Adams.
The theater, which is the largest children’s theater in Wisconsin, is currently in its 26th season. Adams said First Stage is always looking for ways to broaden and reach the community, especially those who might be underserved; this notion is how the Next Steps program was developed. Adams added that the new program stays true to the theater’s philosophy of attempting to transform lives through theater. “Feedback thus far has been very positive,”Adams said. “The students expressed a feeling of belonging and the parents have been overjoyed that their children seem happy and interested in trying something new.” The students enrolled in the program take two classes during their day, an acting class and a 8 Milwaukee Family WINTER 2013
musical theater class, Adams explained. In acting, the students work on improvisation and scenes, which allow them to practice and consider social skills and non-verbal cues. The musical theater class allows students to explore singing, playing instruments and using creative movement to express emotions and stories. “Many of our students connect and express themselves through their musical talents,” she said. During the summer session of the program, Adams said 15 students ages 11-18 were enrolled. “I think any parent is cautious when signing their children up for something new, and these parents were all very brave to take this journey with us,” she said. “Our goal is to not only provide the students with an opportunity to exercise their social skills, but to also have an artistic experience. We believe in theater for all, not just for some.” Adams said children with autism show behaviors that in many ways are not much different than those who are not on the spectrum. “I think a lot of people don’t understand that autism is on a spectrum and believe people with autism have either very high intelligence or very low intelligence, with nothing in between,” she said. “I wish people could see the wide variety of behaviors and needs.”
First Stage Presents
Adapted from the Animated Television Special Rudolph the RedNosed Reindeer and all elements from the 1964 television special “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” © and ™, presented under license from Character Arts, LLC. All rights reserved.
For everyone ages 3 & up.
November 23 – December 30, 2012
Because of the smaller classes (15 students enrolled in the summer session), Adams said the program is tailored specifically to the students in the room with a 2:1 and sometimes 1:1 student to teacher ratio. “We are able to really get to know and adjust our classes to fit their needs,” she said. Adams said that one-on-one attention was specifically inherent with one of the students who needed quite a bit more support than the others. “The first day he left the classroom during the first five minutes, overwhelmed and spent the day one-on-one with a teacher. The next day he spent about five minutes in the class, the next ten,” she said. “I don’t think he ever spent more than ten minutes at a time in a class with other students, but spent most of his day doing drama and music one-on-one with a teacher.” Adams said the real breakthrough with this particular student came on the final day during a presentation where he led an entire activity with other students in front of a room full of family and friends. “It was amazing to see the anger and worry melt away throughout the week and be replaced with a glorious smile,” she said. “He wrote a simple song on the piano during his music time, he titled the song ‘Peaceful Love.’ He explained; ‘I used peaceful because I like peaceful music. And I used love because that’s what I feel when I come in this place.’” Adams said one of the biggest challenges of the program so far has been finding the right resources and people to make it successful. “We have sought out guidance from many community organizations doing work with families affected by autism to advise us on best practices and provide our teachers with training,” she explained. “When you are starting something new, you don’t always know what kinds of questions to ask or things to consider, but we invested a great deal of time and effort into uncovering those questions and finding the answers.” In turn, Adams said the group has discovered a community which has been very supportive and
Sponsored by: Media sponsors:
FOR TICKETS AND MORE INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.FIRSTSTAGE.ORG
First Stage cont. on page 11 WINTER 2013 Milwaukee Family 9
Are You New to
Motherhood? There’s an App for That.
A
ll moms need more time to handle their busy schedules – that’s a universal truth – but it could be argued that no one feels that cataclysmic time shift more than a first-time mother. Suddenly, there is little room for showering and sleeping, let alone for making grocery lists, keeping up with workout routines, planning weekly meals or managing a household budget. The good news is that help is just a download away. 10 Milwaukee Family WINTER 2013
1 Smart moms use smart phones
According to “Dr. Mom Study 3,” conducted by BabyCenter, smartphone ownership is higher among moms than the general population and moms spend an average of 6.1 hours a day with their smartphones. Having the right apps ready to assist is just one way to save time, money and sanity while moms focus on their new role.
Having the right apps ready to assist is just one way to save time, money and sanity while moms focus on their new role. New moms should consider the following apps as they gear up to bring an infant home or focus on those first few months with their little one. All of the apps are free, user-friendly and ready to make motherhood easier:
2 Similac StrongMoms Baby Journal app – Gone
are the days of juggling notebooks to jot down feedings and diaper changes or booting up the laptop to enter sleeping schedules. This app allows moms who breastfeed, formula-feed and pump to easily track feedings, diapering, growth and sleeping patterns – and create graphs to help monitor them – anywhere, anytime. Moms can even email reports to family, friends or the pediatrician. Read more about the features of this app at http://similac.com/app.
3 Grocery iQ – No more racking your brain to jot
down a grocery list. With Grocery iQ, simply scan the barcodes of products in the kitchen that need to be replenished and they’re automatically added to the list. You can also search for millions of items independently. Once complete, the list can be synchronized with other devices, so when mom is home with baby, dad can feel confident he’s picking up the right stuff. To read more, visit www.groceryiq.com.
4 Calorie Counter by My Net Diary – New moms should ease into any kind of physical activity, but many are eager to reinvest in their physique. Calorie Counter avoids fad dieting and helps tailor a diet to mom’s personal preferences, giving her a better chance for long-term success. With an expansive food database, automatic recent history, recipes, custom foods, an emphasis on key nutrients and a community to help with morale, this is an all-in-one diet app. Check out this app at www.mynetdiary.com.
5 AllRecipes.com Dinner Spinner – Dinner still
needs to get on the table, even when the fridge is low on food and mom’s brain is even lower on sleep. With the AllRecipes Dinner Spinner app, simply plug in the ingredients available on hand and a variety of recipes will appear to take the guesswork out of mealtime. Visit www.allrecipes.com to check it out. Downloading these apps, can alleviate some of mom’s stress as she adjusts to life with her new infant. And what better time to start than at the very beginning? First Stage cont. from page 9
a whole new way to think about our programming that is more inclusive and well rounded. “We anticipate slow but steady growth, as the quality of the programming is our main consideration, she said. “The next expansion of our program will happen this spring break when we expand the age range to include 3rd and 4th grade students.” Adams said volunteer opportunities are available for those who are interested. “We provide training prior to the sessions and are constantly looking for new teachers,” she said. “Those who have some experience working with families affected by autism may also want to usher for our sensory friendly performances.” Adams said funding and program development are other areas where help is needed. “Spreading the word about the program is incredibly important and we are also very interested in getting to know the organizations in Milwaukee doing work with students on the spectrum.” Another way the Next Steps program is expanding is through our First Stage productions, Adams said. “We are offering a sensory friendly performance of our show FIVE LITTLE MONKEYS this November, and one of the shows MOLE HILL STORIES in January,” she said. “These shows will allow families affected by autism that might not otherwise come to see a show with us, the opportunity to let their child have a theatrical experience.” Adams said when she thinks about the first students who enrolled in the groundbreaking program she is reminded of how incredibly kind and supportive they were of each other. “I hope they have set the stage for many years to come of carrying the First Stage legacy. As one young person said, ‘There are no cool kids at First Stage, there are ONLY cool kids at First Stage!’” WINTER 2013 Milwaukee Family 11
Skin care for babies
Ways to Care for Baby
D
uring a baby’s first year, parents make many decisions regarding what is best for their baby, including how to care for common ailments that affect infants. Lately, many parents have been gravitating toward a more natural ways to care for their children. From treating teething problems to soothing a baby’s irritated skin, there are many ways parents can turn to natural remedies and products to care for their baby. Here are some safe tips and tricks to provide infants with comfort, the natural way. Of course, as questions arise, it is always recommended to consult a healthcare professional.
Taking care of teething
Teething usually starts between the ages of four and seven months. This process can cause your baby discomfort when the gums around the new teeth swell and become tender. Some natural ways to comfort your baby during this stage include: ] Gums - Gently rub your baby’s gums using a clean finger, a cool damp washcloth or a soft rubber finger brush. ] Teething tablets - Homeopathic teething tablets, can offer safe, effective teething pain relief. They use the soothing, natural ingredient chamomilla as a main ingredient, and do not contain benzocaine, belladonna, dyes and parabens. ] First teeth - As teeth begin to appear, brush them with a soft-bristled toothbrush to help prevent tooth decay. Baby Orajel(tm) Tooth & Gum Cleanser is a safe way to care for baby’s gums and first teeth. It is safe if swallowed when used as directed. 12 Milwaukee Family WINTER 2013
Bathing, laundry products and diapers are only a few of the causes of skin irritation. Luckily, there are many natural ways to ensure that a baby’s skin stays soft. ] Bathing - It may surprise you to know that babies don’t need bathing all that often. Gentle sponge baths once a week will allow babies to retain the natural, protective oils in their skin. ] Laundry products - Wash clothing and bedding before it gets used for the first time, and use fragrance and dye-free laundry detergents. Babies’ clothing should be washed separately from the family’s laundry, and should receive an extra rinse. ] Changing time - The American Academy of Pediatrics says that diaper rash affects more than half of infants and is often caused by prolonged exposure to wet, soiled diapers or the use of unnecessary baby products. The perfume or alcohol in many baby wipes can cause irritation. Use a warm wet washcloth or a squirt bottle with warm water, pat the area dry, and then apply a layer of zinc oxide or petroleum jelly to treat diaper rash. Taking care of infants is complicated enough for any parent, whether it is their first or fourth child. Keeping things simple will make taking care of your baby a little bit easier - naturally.
Easter Seals cont. from page 7
Third Edition. Within two weeks, you should receive a response concerning your ASQ-3 results, which will help you see if your child’s developmental progress is on target and alert you to any concerns that you can talk over with either your health care provider or an Easter Seals early intervention specialist. Easter Seals therapies are really having an impact on families’ lives. “When parents get a diagnosis of autism or any other disabilities or developmental delay, we want parents to feel hopeful and that they have help,” says Raber. Just in Wisconsin, 28,677 kids under the age of three are at risk of these same developmental delays and disabilities, yet only 6,000 are currently receiving early intervention services. Although schools are very supportive, especially in teaching the others about disabilities to promote more compassion and better understanding as well as having groups of students working with these children with disabilities, the emotional and financial costs goes well beyond the family. This can become quite overwhelming for families that don’t have access to outside services and support. Russell then explained that about two years ago Governor Jim Doyle signed S.B. 3 into law, requiring individual and group health insurance policies and plans, state health care plans and self-insured plans to provide health insurance coverage for the treatment of autism spectrum disorders; however, the legislation does not apply to long-term care or Medicare replacement or supplemental policies. The state of Wisconsin does currently offers funding for in home autism treatment through a waiver system, which allows children under the age of eight with a diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Disorder who demonstrate a medical need may be eligible to receive up to three years of funding for intensive autism treatment. Children older than eight may be eligible for reduced funding for a variety of services. The problem with this waiver system is there is on average a 17-month waiting list before being able to receive these services. This is a wait that most families cannot afford because the sooner they can start autism services the better the outcome for the individual and the family. “Some of our funds support scholarships for families in these situations,” Russell said. “For every dollar we receive, five cents of that goes to administrative costs. The rest goes directly to those who need to be served.”
Russell said they have partnered with national corporations. “The fact that such corporations want to partner with us shows they value us as a good vehicle. They look at how we invest the money we receive and the outcomes we produce.” If you would like to learn more about Easter Seals, its work with early intervention and autism services or how to donate, visit the website at www.eastersealswise.com.
Purchase any of these gifts at
www.mkezoogifts.com or call (414) 258-2333.
• Zoo
Pass
Enjoy free Milwaukee County Zoo admission for a full year. New Zoo Pass gifts include a plush-toy animal (while supplies last).
• Sponsor the Zoo’s baby Bactrian camel
OR choose one of 2,200 other Zoo animals to sponsor. Camel package includes a plush-toy camel (while supplies last).
• Holiday ornaments featuring Zoo animals This year’s ornament features a Fennec fox mom and two babies.
• Gift Certificates
If you are having trouble deciding on the perfect gift, purchase a certificate that can be used for a Zoo Pass, Zoological Society events, or education classes and camps. Zoological Society of Milwaukee County 10005 W. Blue Mound Rd. Milwaukee, WI 53226
A Zoological Society and Milwaukee County Zoo Partnership
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WINTER 2013 Milwaukee Family 13
Great Ways to Keep Kids Reading
Over the Winter
and Beyond While the winter months can seem long and boring for some, parents can help keep their children both entertained and learning with books. And the winter downtime is the perfect time to read and explore new interests.
And with recent adoption of the Common Core State Standards, which set expectations for what students should be learning so they will be college and career ready, children of all ages will be expected to read more non-fiction. “As a parent, you can play an important role in helping your children meet the Common Core State Standards while on break,” says Donna Elder, senior literacy specialist for the National Center for Family Literacy (NCFL). “By using fiction and their interests as a springboard for informational reading, you can make this a fun experience.” Elder suggested the following reading ideas to feed your children’s interests. It’s all about offering books to them on subjects in which you already know they are interested:
14 Milwaukee Family WINTER 2013
l For example, if your child enjoyed The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden, you can help foster his or her interest in crickets with Insectiopedia by Douglas Florian, Chirping Crickets by Melvin Berger or Crickets by Cheryl Coughlan. l After reading The Snow Child: A Russian Folktale retold by Freya Littledale, follow up by encouraging your child to read about the science of weather with The Kids’ Book of Weather Forecasting by Mark Breen and Kathleen Friestad or Weather by Seymour Simon.
l Teens who couldn’t put down The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins may be interested in learning more about the origins and history of real athletic competitions. Start with The Olympics: A History of the Modern Games by Allen Guttmann.” Or you may want to entertain a newfound interest in the outdoors with The Ultimate Survival Manual by Rich Johnson or a field guide to birds.
l Together, visit the non-profit website www. Wonderopolis.org, voted one of TIME magazine’s 50 Top Websites of 2011. Wonderopolis is an effective way to teach nonfiction reading, which the Common Core State Standards identify as a critical skill. The site’s feature, “Wonder of the Day,” is aligned with these standards, examining a new topic daily. l Is your child interested in baseball? From historical accounts like Baseball: A History of America’s Favorite Game by George Vecsey to a book that explains how bats are made, such as Good Wood: The Story of the Baseball Bat by Stuart Miller, you can help kids score academic homeruns. l Inspire the inner-chef in your children and test their ability to follow instructions with Kids’ Fun and Healthy Cookbook by Nicola Graimes. Or you may opt for a picture-book biography like, Bon Appetit! The Delicious Life of Julia Child by Jessie Hartland. Don’t let “educational” and “boring” mean the same thing in your household. By seeking out reading material that engages your children on their level on subjects that are meaningful to them, you can help them meet the Common Core State Standards, while having a fun and enjoyable winter. (Statepoint)
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WINTER 2013 Milwaukee Family 15
Keeping Kids and Teens
Tobacco-Free The teen years bring plenty of changes for students, as well as new worries for parents. Smoking is at the top of that list for many parents. Every day in the U.S., approximately 3,600 children between the ages of 12 and 17 start smoking cigarettes, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). That number has plenty of parents looking for ways to help keep their children from starting smoking, too.
{ What keeps kids and teens from smoking?
{
One of the biggest influencers is having strong parental support. Having conversations about the issue really does have an impact on teens’ decisions about tobacco use.
16 Milwaukee Family WINTER 2013
There are a number of influences that get young people to start smoking, including: F Having friends, peers or parents who use tobacco. F Linking smoking with a positive social image and bonding with a peer group. F Seeing tobacco use as a transition to adulthood. F Underestimating the health consequences of tobacco use. F Not understanding that the nicotine in tobacco is addictive. F Low self-esteem. F Lacking skills to resist influences. What keeps kids and teens from smoking? One of the biggest influencers is having strong parental support. Having conversations about the issue really does have an impact on teens’ decisions about tobacco use.
Learn more about the program, and find more parent resources, at www.rightdecisionsrightnow.com.
Smoking is at the top of that list for many parents.
Every day in the U.S., approximately 3,600 children between the ages of 12 and 17 start smoking cigarettes, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
{
Talk, don’t lecture. Discussions will be received far better than a monologue from you. Here are some conversation starters: F “I understand you’ve been talking in school about peer pressure and the health consequences of tobacco use. Tell me about some of the things you’ve learned.” F If you see smoking portrayed in the media, say “I wonder why the director had that guy light up a cigarette in the last scene. What do you think?” F If you and your child see a young person smoking, use it as an opening by saying something like, “How much tobacco use are you seeing in your school? I wonder if it’s the same as when I was your age?”
helps them build good decision-making skills and gives them ways to handle peer pressure. The program is available in an easy-to-use, digital format, which lets educators, community youth groups and anyone concerned about reducing youth tobacco use to utilize the free materials.
{
Here are some tips for talking to your teen: Keep the lines of communication open. Talk on a regular basis. The more you talk about a wide range of issues with your child, the easier it is to talk about specific topics such as tobacco. In general conversation, emphasize all the things your child does well rather than things they don’t do well. And demonstrate respect for your child’s opinions. Show you’re listening and ask follow-up questions.
Talk about health consequences. They need to know what can happen to them. Tobacco smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the most dangerous chemicals in cigarette smoke, besides nicotine, are tar and carbon monoxide. NIDA also states that tar causes lung cancer, emphysema and bronchial diseases, and that carbon monoxide causes heart problems. According to NIDA, health risks can be immediate, affecting breathing, for example. Addiction can occur after smoking as few as 100 cigarettes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Another influencer for adolescents is having a school program that teaches them to identify the social influences of tobacco use, and that teaches them refusal skills. That’s why many middle schools use the free supplemental teaching materials known as Right Decisions Right Now (RDRN), a program sponsored by R. J. Reynolds. RDRN helps educate students about the risk of using tobacco products, WINTER 2013 Milwaukee Family 17
Simple Tips for
Busy
Families
Z
ipping around from one family activity to the next can be fun, but it requires a plan in order to juggle the busy schedule. Unstoppable families are always on the move. Post a large calendar in the kitchen or family room to capture and keep track of your family’s weekly activities. Assign a different color marker to each member of the family. This will help keep everyone on time and in line. Sometimes fast-paced weekdays leave little time for family fun. Set aside time each weekend to enjoy the outdoors and each other’s company. Plan hiking trips and bike riding adventures that will appeal to everyone. Put together a “scavenger list” with fun things to look for along the way like a yellow flower, a white cat, a BIG bug and other outdoor items.
Have a little fun while on the run. Store books, games, markers and paper in the car to keep kids entertained on the road or in-between events. Also, make sure to have some kid-friendly tunes to keep the kids singing from your driveway to the soccer field. Ask around at your local community center or health club about family fitness classes. Try an aerobics or swimming class as a family; it will be a great way to stay active and spend time together. Think outside the toy box when it comes to family activities. An old blanket quickly transforms into a magic carpet when spread
across the living room floor. Couch cushions and bed sheets always make the best forts. A simple flashlight becomes a projector for shadow puppets in a dark playroom. Use soccer balls, hula hoops and other everyday items to create a fun obstacle course in the backyard. Don’t let a rainy day dampen your outdoor plans. Pitch a small tent in the living room and have a “camp-in” complete with a construction paper campfire and sleeping bags. Weather the storms outside with tall tales shared over campfire treats without the fire.
Boredom Busting Tips for Kids
As a mother of four, there’s never a dull moment for celebrity mom Tori Spelling. But even as a mom on the go, Spelling still hears those dreaded words – “Mom! I’m bored!” – from her kids. So, to beat the boredom blues, she has developed a few tips and activities to keep kids entertained all year long:
Monogram Art
Kids love things that are personalized, so why not make a crafty monogram? Help your children trace their first initial in block letters on a piece of poster board. Then, use glue to fill in the letter with colorful buttons, crayons or even shells.
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Create a Time Capsule
Preserve some of your favorite family memories with a time capsule. Start with a sealable plastic box and have each child contribute a few items with a note about why those items are special to them. Don’t forget to include several family photos. Bury the capsule in the backyard (or a far corner of the basement) and set a date to “uncover” the capsule.
My Afternoon with Pixar’s Dan Holland By Cyndi Strayer
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ecently, I was invited by the Milwaukee Art Museum and Kohl’s Art Generation to meet Pixar Art Director Dan Holland. Holland has contributed to Disney/Pixar’s The Incredibles, Wall-E, Toy Story 3, Cars 2 and the Toy Story short Small Fry. Holland was invited as a special guest to the museum in connection with the Kohl’s Art Generation Gallery’s current exhibit Animation: Art Goes to the Movies. While visiting, he also gave a lecture on animation. If you love animation and you get the opportunity, I highly recommend going to the Milwaukee Art Museum and visiting this exhibit. It is full of animation history and facts. You will learn how animation artists find inspiration for their characters and settings everywhere including buildings, nature and even works of art. Animators even travel and do things like scuba diving to study
and explore in order to make their works more believable. John Lassiter, Chief Creative Officer at Pixar and Disney Animation Studios, said, “I believe in research. You cannot do enough research; believability comes out of what’s real.” And according to Holland, animation and art departments do a lot of research. This exhibit is hands-on, giving the entire family a chance to match art with animation, drawing at several drawing stations and even creating your own digital film. It is truly a fun and inspiring exhibit for all. I, personally, was very excited about this opportunity to meet a Pixar artist; after all, who doesn’t like an animated film, especially those produced by Disney/Pixar? This opportunity also had incredible timing; my son and I had just watched a documentary on Pixar the weekend before the invitation. Dan Holland joined Pixar in 2003 as part of The Incredibles. He described the actual film production as being like playing with 3-D puppets and being the puppeteer, but all the work is done on the computer. “With a 2-D animated film, you only draw what you see, but with a 3-D film you design the whole building,” said Holland. “It is no different than playing with a
toy set, and you are moving the characters.” But there is so much more to the actual process. “It can take about four years to produce an animated film,” said Holland. “Actually, it’s longer than that because the writer has been working on it for awhile before that.” The story is taken and conceptualized on storyboards first, then there are many other departments and people involved including artists, shaders, light technicians, modelers, sound mixers, producers, directors, computer effects and many others. It takes a team. Holland explained that the actors who do the voices for the characters are often brought in before the animation in done, so the animator can imitate the character’s voice. Because of this, Holland said, “Sometimes the characters take on the characteristics of the voice star.” With animation, “The goal is to make an emotional reaction to the film, not the process.” Holland explained that as an animator you try to have the audience involved in the characters and their story. You want them to believe that it could be real; you don’t want the audience to notice the special effects or the drawing. For example, Pixar cont. on page 23
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8
Tips to Stay Healthy this Flu Season
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lu season is upon us, bringing with it new strains of the virus. So now is the time to brush up on all the flu-fighting facts. Here are eight wellness tips to help keep you and your family in tip-top shape – from what behaviors to avoid, to how homeopathic treatment can help:
1. Know your risk: Seniors, children under the age of five and pregnant women are at high-risk for developing complications from flu, as well as those with asthma, heart disease and weakened immune systems. Seek professional advice on your risk factors. 2. Wash your hands: Flu viruses are spread by droplets from infected people when they sneeze, blow their nose or wipe secretions from their nose or eyes. Keep your hands out of your mouth, avoid rubbing your eyes and thoroughly wash your hands several times daily. Avoid alcohol and chemical-based hand sanitizers, instead opting for soap and water or a natural, essential oil based hand cleanser. 3. Eat wisely: Foods containing vitamins C and E are believed to support the immune system. So stock up on sunflower seeds, almonds, citrus fruits, broccoli and green peppers. Limit your intake of concentrated sugar found in soda and candy, as it impairs immune response. 4. Sleep tight: Lack of sleep may profoundly inhibit your immune system. A full night’s sleep will keep your body’s natural defenses at optimum efficiency. 5. Stay hydrated: Staying hydrated will lessen your chances of coming down with flu. When you’re under the weather, drink extra fluids to loosen mucus, keep your throat moist and prevent dehydration caused by fever. 6. Nip it in the bud, safely: Reduce the duration and severity of flu-like symptoms by listening to your body when you feel achy or run down. Don’t wait until you’re “sick enough” to act.
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If you’re concerned about side effects, drowsiness and drug interactions, opt for a natural homeopathic medicine like Oscillococcinum, which is clinically supported. It has no known side effects and is safe for everyone ages two and up, including seniors. Keeping something like this on hand can help you treat yourself sooner, allowing you to rest rather than trek to the store. “The key is to watch for symptoms and be prepared to act quickly with a complication-free treatment,” says Lawrence Rosen, MD in his newly published book, Treatment Alternatives for Children. You can read more natural tips at www.LawrenceRosenMD.com. 7. Exercise regularly: A recent study reported in the journal “Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise” found that modest exercise might prevent the elderly from getting colds and flu. This is most likely the case for people of all ages, as exercise and eating healthy seem to be the two key components to staying healthy. 8. Seek help if you get worse: The flu can be potentially dangerous, leading to other infections like pneumonia. If your symptoms become significantly worse after the first three days of illness, especially if your fever subsides and then returns, seek medical attention. Help yourself stay healthy this season through prevention and by treating symptoms before they get the best of you. (StatePoint)
ee Family Ad – 1/8th page – 10/26/12
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December 7 A Christmas Carol
The Milwaukee Rep Pabst Theater Through December 24 (414) 224-9490 or tickets@milwaukeerep.com.
December 8 Cocoa with the Clauses
CALENDAR NOVEMBER November 22
Thanksgiving Day November 26
Cyber Monday
winter family events 2012-13 November 28 Holiday Pajama Jamboree FREE children’s classical pops concert featuring a program of holiday favorites and a singalong of well-known tunes, 7 p.m. (414) 273-7201 www.marcuscenter.org.
All Season Eble Park Ice Arena Public Skate, Brookfield M – F: 12 – 3 p.m./Saturday & Sunday: 2- 4 p.m. waukeshacountyparks. com (262)784-5155
DECEMBER December 7 Nat’l Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
Birthstone - Turquoise Flower - Narcissus
First Day of winter December 25 Christmas Day
November 16 Delafield Tree Lighting
December 1 Family Free Day at the Zoo
Downtown Delafield 5:30 p.m.
November 17 Milwaukee Holiday Parade Downtown Milwaukee, 9:30 a.m.
November 22 Country Christmas
Country Spring Hotel, Pewaukee Nov. 22 - 25, 30 and December 1 - 31 Wisconsin’s largest outdoor drive-through lights display. Visit www. thecountrychristmas.com.
November 23 Gingerbread Day
Betty Brinn Children’s Museum Make a paper gingerbread craft, listen to tasty tales and much more. bbcmkids. org or (414) 390-5437.
December 21
Sponsored by North Shore Bank & FOX 6 Admission is free, but regular parking, rental and concession rates apply.
December 2 Candy Cane Tales And Holiday Carol
Waukesha Civic Theater through December 16. A joyous celebration with your favorite holiday characters, (262) 547-0708.
December 6 Red Arrow Park Season opening thru Dec 21
Mon-Thurs: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Fri-Sat 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. Skate for free when you bring your own skates during the winter months! (414) 289-8791.
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Catherdral Square Park 825 N. Jefferson St., Downtown Milwaukee Straight from the North Pole, an afternoon, and some cocoa, with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Free outdoor event. 11 a.m - 3 p.m.
December 8 Canadian Pacific Holiday Train
Amtrak depot, 433 St. Paul Ave., Milwaukee. Fundraiser for food banks in the area. Live entertainment on board, around 7:30 p.m., Hartland, 9:15 p.m., parking lot adjacent to Cottonwood Ave. and Pawling Ave. website: cpr.ca.
December 9 Breakfast & Lunch with Santa
Milwaukee County Zoo Have breakfast or lunch with Santa, then have your picture taken with Santa! Live music entertainment provided plus each child receives a special gift. Breakfast & Lunch on Saturdays; Lunch only on Sundays. Also, 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 & 16 in December. milwaukeezoo.org.
December 12 The Sound of Music
Skylight Theater Starts November 16 thru December 31, (414) 291-7800. Best enjoyed by children 4+ or those who can quietly sit through a full-length movie.
December 14 Rudolph The RedNosed Reindeer®
First Stage Children’s Theater, Todd Wehr Theater Ongoing through December 30, tickets: (414) 273-7206 | Toll Free: (888) 612-3500 | TDD (414) 273-3080.
December 15 The Polar Express
Port Washington Fire House Grafton, Cedarburg and Port Washington Parks & Rec Departments. Climb aboard The Polar Express in three locations and make your way to the North Pole where fun awaits. Tickets must be purchased in advance. (262) 377-7611.
December 19 Healthy Moves, Healthy Meals Betty Brinn Museum, 2 p.m. Details at www.bbcmkids.org.
December 20 Neighborhood Night -
Free Admission & evening hours by US Bank & FOX 6 Betty Brinn Children’s Museum 5 - 7 p.m., free.
December 22 - 24 Red Arrow Park ice skating Open from Sat - Mon 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. (414) 289-8791.
December 25 Merry Christmas! December 31 New Year’s Eve Family Celebration
Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory - The Domes 6 - 9 p.m., milwaukeedomes.org.
JANUARY January 1 New Year’s Day January 4 Trivia Day January 10 Save the Eagles Day January 16 Martin Luther King Jr. Day January 17 Ben Franklin’s Birthday January 19 Popcorn Day January 23 Chinese New Year January 1 Happy New Year!
January 1 Cool Fool Kite Festival
FEBRUARY February 1 National Freedom Day February 2 Ground Hog Day February 8 Boy Scout Day February 21 Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras February 28 Public Sleeping Day
January 3 Target Free First Thursday Admission to the Milwaukee Art Museum is free for everyone on the first
February 1 Red Arrow Park ice skating
Veterans’ Park, Milwaukee Over 50 kites will take to the skies. Ice Sculpting and horse draw buggy rides will take place during the day. This is a free event with plenty of free parking. Starting at 8 a.m.
Thursday of each month. (414) 2243200 / Website: http://mam.org/visit.
January 4 Red Arrow Park Ice Skating
Through season close, weather permitting, Mon-Thurs: 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Fri-Sat: 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Sun: 11a.m.-6 p.m. (414) 289-8791.
January 6 Check out your public library with your kids to see what’s new! January 12 The Little Mermaid, Jr.
Schauer Arts & Activities Center, 147 N. Rural St., Hartford For tickets call (262) 670-0560.
January 13 Lois Ehlert’s Mole Hill Stories
Milwaukee Youth Arts Theater Through January 27. These performances are geared towards children ages 3 to 6, introducing them to theater in an engaging, interactive and lively environment. www.firststage.org or (414) 267-2961.
January 17-19 The STEM Academy Presents Seussical, Jr.
Waukesha Civic Theater, (262) 547.0708 Book by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty
January 18 Waukesha JanBoree
Family fun winter celebration taking place throughout the city of Waukesha. Ice sculpting contests, children’s events and more through January 20. www.janboree.org.
January 21 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Skate for free when you bring your own skates! (414) 289-8791.
February 2 Ground Hog Day! February 4 Take your kids ice skating indoors! Eble Park Ice Arena, Brookfield, (262) 784-5155 or Naga-Waukee Park Ice Arena, Delafield, (262) 646-7071.
February 7 Target Free First Thursday
Admission to the Milwaukee Art Museum is free for everyone on the first Thursday of each month, (414) 224-3200 or mam.org/visit/.
February 12 Lincoln’s Birthday February 14 Have a Happy Valentine’s Day! February 16 Winter Festival - Cedarburg
Ice Carving Contest, Bed Racing on Ice, Chili Contest, Parade, Hayrides, Pancake Breakfast and more through the 17th.
February 18 Presidents’ Day February 19 Sister Act
Marcus Center for the Performing Arts Through February 24th. www.marcuscenter.org/box (414) 273-7206/ 1-888-612-3500 (Toll Free).
February 20 Tripoli Shrine Circus
US Cellular Arena through February 24. (414) 908-6092.
February 22 The Musical Pinkalicious
Pixar cont. from page 19
the animators don’t want the audience to be more in awe of Merida’s hair in Brave than the actual storyline. When there are shows on how animation is made, Holland says these shows are contrived. “It is a fun job, but it is not as cut and dry as they make it out to be. For example, I draw hundreds of drawings and a huge portion of my work will never be seen by anyone because the idea of what is needed in the film is constantly changing.” So how did a man who grew up in Kanab, Utah become interested in animation? “When I was in middle school, I got Comic Scene magazine, which was mostly about comic books. I thought it looked like a cool job and I became a fan of animation,” says Holland. For those of you who may be interested in animation as a career, he recommends drawing. “Drawing is the most important thing you can do. Get a sketchbook and draw from life and the things you are interested in. Don’t worry about computer programs, those are just tools. It is the art that is important,” Holland says. “They tell writers to write about what they know, the same is true for artists. Draw from life. “Also, don’t shut yourself off to any type of art—sculpting, painting or whatever,” he said. “And be sure to attend a good art school. Holland attended the California Institute of the Arts, which was started by Walt Disney in the 1960s. Disney had the idea that artists would learn and draw from each other’s talents. It is the most famous school for animation. Holland is currently working on a film scheduled to be released in 2015. He has already worked on this project for two years. It doesn’t have a name yet, but like all the other Pixar films, I am sure it will be a hit.
First Stage Childrens’ Theater Through March 24, (414) 273-7206. WINTER 2013 Milwaukee Family 23
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