Do you ever look for activities to do with your kids that will not only be fun but also educational?
On this Monday’s segment on WUSA9 News Now, I showed Peggy Fox and the viewers a nifty trick with bubbles. We made stronger bubbles that we could bounce and play with.
But before I forget, here is a reminder about the Private School and Enrichment FAIR that will be taking place next Saturday.
Saturday, October 10th 11:00 am- 4 pm
NEWSEUM in Washington DC
555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Enter at the 6th Street Entrance
FREE Admission
Hands-on Science Activities
Door Prizes
If you have been thinking about going to the Newseum but thought it was a bit pricy, this is a terrific opportunity for you. We will be giving out discount tickets to the Newseum at the FAIR. The FAIR is free and you don’t have to go through the Newseum to get to it. You enter on the 6th Street entrance. And when you get there, just ask for your discounted tickets to the Newseum. Be sure to let the kids do some of the hands-on activities we will be doing at the FAIR. There will be door prizes and seminars on topics of interest to moms and dads.
SEMINARS:
Active, Healthy Lifestyles for Kids (Presented by Richard Romero)
Preparing Kids for Success in School (Presented by Monica Gourovitch, PhD)
Family Wills, Trusts & Selecting a Guardian (Presented by Carrie Tipton, Esq.)
Panel Discussion -- Meet the Directors
School Admissions Questions and How to Choose a School
-----Bekah Atkinson, The Siena School
-----Leigh Ann Cahill, Independent School Options
-----Bobby Edwards, McLean School of Maryland
-----Susan Matilla-Goin, National Cathedral School
-----Theodra Washington, Metropolitan Educational Consulting Group
-----Karen Weinberger, Congressional School of Virginia
Hands-On Science Activities with Your Child & Discussion
and Resources for Science at Home (Presented by the Children's Science Center)
***SPECIAL MOMS DO LUNCH NETWORKING***
Special Needs Within Private Schools (Presented by Sally Neuberger, LCSW)
The Bully Prevention Parenting Seminar (Presented by Dr. Marc Grande, Psy.D.)
Special Prizes:
· Family Weekend Getaway for four to Massanutten Resort
(includes accommodations and indoor water park tickets)
· $500 School Tuition
(to the private school of your choice)
· Shred Sled Skateboard
· Girl Gourmet Cupcake Maker
· DVD’s
· Books
· … and more
Click Here for all the information on the fair.
http://www.washingtonfamily.com/page/Private-School-Enrichment-FAIR-on-October-10-2009
Now, about those strong bubbles. First, what is a bubble?
According to Wikipedia:
A soap bubble is a very thin film of soapy water that forms a sphere with an iridescent surface. Soap bubbles usually last for only a few moments before bursting, either on their own or on contact with another object. Before they pop on their own, the bubble itself usually starts to thin, then it reaches a point where it can thin out no more and it pops. They are often used for children's enjoyment, but their usage in artistic performances shows that they can also be fascinating for adults. Soap bubbles can help solving complex mathematical problems of space, as they will always find the smallest surface area between points or edges, for example.
Surface tension causes the layer of soap to act as an elastic sheet with the water forming the bubble. Liquids have surface tension and it draws them together. Have you ever seen 2 drops of mercury get close to each other and then suddenly become one drop? That is surface tension. Another example easy for children to see is when rain drops are running down the window. When they get close to another rain drop they join together and become a larger rain drop.
This is all a part of the laws of physics.
If you just let a bubble sit on the table or your hand, it will eventually pop because the water evaporates and the surface tension is too much as the bubble contracts. You can freeze bubbles but you have to have the temperature at -15 degrees Celsius. (5 degrees F).
A Chicago company called Chemtoy began selling bubble solution in the 1940s, and they have captivated children ever since. According to one industry estimate, retailers sell around 200 million bottles annually, perhaps more than any other toy.
What we did this morning was add glycerin to our soap and water mixture. This makes the bubble stronger. Then we tested our bubbles.
(FYI the trick to making the solution produce really strong bubbles is to let it sit at least overnight before you start using it.)
If you try to catch a bubble with your bare hand, you will most likely pop it because of the dirt and oil on your hand breaks the surface tension of the soap and water bubble. If you put on a soft fabric glove, you can catch the “strong” bubbles and bounce them around. Or you can just hold one in your hand until it evaporates and pops. It is great fun. Here is the recipe we used for our strong bubble mixture.
Strong Bubble Ingredients:
Cup of distilled or bottled water
Tablespoon of dish soap
Teaspoon of Glycerin
Bubble wand or straw
Be sure to let it sit for 24 hours. Then you can blow and bounce to your heart’s content.
Do you have any activities that are fun and relate to science? I would love to see them. Send them along and we will share them with other parents.
Happy Parenting,
Brenda
P.S. Remember – we want to see you next Saturday at the Newseum for the Private School & Enrichment FAIR.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Parent Teacher Conferences
It’s hard to believe that so much of the first quarter of this new school year is already behind us. And that means Parent Teacher Conferences are just around the corner. These conferences can sometimes be so daunting. How do you make this easier?
Today, Amy Bevins, Assistant Editor of Washington FAMILY Magazine and an educator, shared Parent Teacher Conference suggestions during the Moms Like Me segment on WUSA9.
Amy suggests:
First, look at the goal of the conference. It’s to open communication with the teacher. You’re not going to be able to address in-depth issues in 15 minutes. It is more of a springboard to get communication rolling. In fact, in our family, we don’t wait until the end of the quarter to meet with our kids’ teachers. We always schedule a conference within the first few weeks of school so that we’ve already interfaced with the teacher from the get-go.
Before the conference:
Take some time to think through anything you want to share with the teacher or questions you may have and jot them down. Conferences go quickly and this way you won’t forget something important, especially if there are concerns or large issues you need to discuss. Also, ask your child if there is anything he wants you to talk about. Sometimes children have questions that are hard for them to bring directly to the teacher.
When you’re actually in the room meeting with the teacher:
Be on time and end on time. It is so tempting to keep talking, but often teachers have conferences scheduled back-to-back. Again, this meeting is hopefully the start of an on-going conversation. If you can’t cover everything, introduce your main points and set up another meeting for a later date.
You will have questions and the teacher will have information to share. Take turns being a good listener and a concise speaker, which can be very hard when you are talking about your child.
During the meeting, write down action items, decisions or questions to discuss further. At the end of the meeting, review those items so that you and the teacher are both working on the same goals.
After the conference:
If you have anything to put into action or follow up on, get started right away. A post conference email is always a good idea, both to thank the teacher for her time and to clarify goals, plans and questions.
Most importantly, keep in touch with the teacher throughout the year. You are not restricted to the one or two conferences a year. Your child’s education should be a partnership between you and the teacher. Research shows that children whose parents are involved in their education are more successful at school. So ask what you can do at home and be involved in your child’s school.
Here are some lists that might help.
Things to remember:
What is the Goal of the Conference?
Communication is Key.
Consider Scheduling Early in the Year
Prepare for Conference
Think through questions.
Write them down.
Ask your child for questions.
Day of Conference Tips
Be on time.
Introduce your main points.
If needed, set up another.
Be a good listener.
Take notes.
Review notes at the end.
After the conference?
Take action.
A post conference email.
Keep in touch with the teacher.
Ask what you can do at home.
Be involved in your child’s school.
For more articles and resources about “Parent Teacher Conferences,” visit the Washington FAMILY Magazine web site - http://www.washingtonfamily.com/.
Do you have some Parent-Teacher Conference tips that you use? Please let us know and we can share with other parents.
Happy Parenting,
Brenda
Article Links -- to some interesting articles
Getting Ready for the New School Year
http://www.washingtonfamily.com/page/Above-and-Beyond-Get-Your-Child-Ready-for-the-New-School-Year
Vision and Reading Skills
http://www.washingtonfamily.com/page/Vision-Problems-Can-Affect-Your-Childs-Reading-Skills_
Parental Involvement
http://www.washingtonfamily.com/page/STEP-UP-PARENTAL-INVOLVEMENT-FOR-THE-NEW-SCHOOL-YEAR
Today, Amy Bevins, Assistant Editor of Washington FAMILY Magazine and an educator, shared Parent Teacher Conference suggestions during the Moms Like Me segment on WUSA9.
Amy suggests:
First, look at the goal of the conference. It’s to open communication with the teacher. You’re not going to be able to address in-depth issues in 15 minutes. It is more of a springboard to get communication rolling. In fact, in our family, we don’t wait until the end of the quarter to meet with our kids’ teachers. We always schedule a conference within the first few weeks of school so that we’ve already interfaced with the teacher from the get-go.
Before the conference:
Take some time to think through anything you want to share with the teacher or questions you may have and jot them down. Conferences go quickly and this way you won’t forget something important, especially if there are concerns or large issues you need to discuss. Also, ask your child if there is anything he wants you to talk about. Sometimes children have questions that are hard for them to bring directly to the teacher.
When you’re actually in the room meeting with the teacher:
Be on time and end on time. It is so tempting to keep talking, but often teachers have conferences scheduled back-to-back. Again, this meeting is hopefully the start of an on-going conversation. If you can’t cover everything, introduce your main points and set up another meeting for a later date.
You will have questions and the teacher will have information to share. Take turns being a good listener and a concise speaker, which can be very hard when you are talking about your child.
During the meeting, write down action items, decisions or questions to discuss further. At the end of the meeting, review those items so that you and the teacher are both working on the same goals.
After the conference:
If you have anything to put into action or follow up on, get started right away. A post conference email is always a good idea, both to thank the teacher for her time and to clarify goals, plans and questions.
Most importantly, keep in touch with the teacher throughout the year. You are not restricted to the one or two conferences a year. Your child’s education should be a partnership between you and the teacher. Research shows that children whose parents are involved in their education are more successful at school. So ask what you can do at home and be involved in your child’s school.
Here are some lists that might help.
Things to remember:
What is the Goal of the Conference?
Communication is Key.
Consider Scheduling Early in the Year
Prepare for Conference
Think through questions.
Write them down.
Ask your child for questions.
Day of Conference Tips
Be on time.
Introduce your main points.
If needed, set up another.
Be a good listener.
Take notes.
Review notes at the end.
After the conference?
Take action.
A post conference email.
Keep in touch with the teacher.
Ask what you can do at home.
Be involved in your child’s school.
For more articles and resources about “Parent Teacher Conferences,” visit the Washington FAMILY Magazine web site - http://www.washingtonfamily.com/.
Do you have some Parent-Teacher Conference tips that you use? Please let us know and we can share with other parents.
Happy Parenting,
Brenda
Article Links -- to some interesting articles
Getting Ready for the New School Year
http://www.washingtonfamily.com/page/Above-and-Beyond-Get-Your-Child-Ready-for-the-New-School-Year
Vision and Reading Skills
http://www.washingtonfamily.com/page/Vision-Problems-Can-Affect-Your-Childs-Reading-Skills_
Parental Involvement
http://www.washingtonfamily.com/page/STEP-UP-PARENTAL-INVOLVEMENT-FOR-THE-NEW-SCHOOL-YEAR
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Are you worried about your children catching the H1N1 flu?
Are you worried about your children catching the H1N1 flu? We are going to be talking about how to help our kids not catch the flu on WUSA9 on Monday morning. It is something to be concerned about.
Now that kids are back in school, parents are understandably leery about recent serious health concerns. Recently the CDC reported 436 deaths and 6,506 hospitalizations nationwide associated with H1N1 flu. No one knows what this school year has in store, so what must parents do to make sure their child stays safe from the H1N1 Flu?
What can parents do to protect their children?
First it is important to note that based on its wide spread, the World Health Organization has declared the 2009 outbreak of the new H1N1 flu a global pandemic. And the best approach we can take with our children is to help them avoid infection. If you or your children develop symptoms of the H1N1 or any flu, seek prompt medical attention to give yourself the best chance of antiviral drugs being effective.
H1N1 flu symptoms in humans are similar to those of infection with other flu strains and they include:
· Fever
· Cough
· Sore throat
· Body aches
· Headache
· Chills
· Fatigue
· Diarrhea
· Vomiting
And the CDC notes that H1N1 flu symptoms develop three to five days after you're exposed to the virus and continue for about eight days. You are contagious starting one day before you get sick and continuing until you've recovered. This means that it is imperative for parents to keep children home and away from others as soon as they first become ill.
What are some preventative tips for parents.
The best way that parents can protect their children from this outbreak is with prevention. And the best prevention with any infection is to wash hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds (parents should tell children to wash long enough to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice). Parents should teach kids to wash their hands throughout the day. And parents can keep anti-bacterial pumps accessible. Explain what the pumps are and when it's appropriate to use them.
Also instruct children to cough and sneeze into a tissue. (If a tissue is used, throw the tissue away immediately). Remind children not to touch their eyes, nose and mouth with their hands. Germs are spread when a child touches something that is contaminated and then touches her or his eyes, nose or mouth. Plus remind children that sharing food and drink will also spread germs.
Additionally stay at least six feet away from people who are sick. And stay home from school if sick, and stay away from sick people until they are better.
The CDC’s website has plenty of additional information for parents and caregivers that are concerned about this newest health threat. Just follow the link on MomsLikeMe.com.
Flu Symptoms
· Fever
· Cough
· Sore throat
· Body aches
· Headache
· Chills
· Fatigue
· Diarrhea
Tips for Kids to Prevent the Flu
· Wash hands for 20 seconds
· (Teach kids to sing “Happy Birthday” twice when washing hands)
· Use anti-bacterial gels
· Contain your cough or sneeze
· Throw the tissue in the trash
· Do not share food or drink
· Stay 6 feet away
· Stay home when sick
And a quick reminder that our next Moms MEET UP will be in Silver Spring at Color Me Mine on this Wednesday, September 16, at 11 AM. You find details on DC.MomsLikeMe.com inside the Moms Do Lunch Group. Hope to see you there.
Brenda
Now that kids are back in school, parents are understandably leery about recent serious health concerns. Recently the CDC reported 436 deaths and 6,506 hospitalizations nationwide associated with H1N1 flu. No one knows what this school year has in store, so what must parents do to make sure their child stays safe from the H1N1 Flu?
What can parents do to protect their children?
First it is important to note that based on its wide spread, the World Health Organization has declared the 2009 outbreak of the new H1N1 flu a global pandemic. And the best approach we can take with our children is to help them avoid infection. If you or your children develop symptoms of the H1N1 or any flu, seek prompt medical attention to give yourself the best chance of antiviral drugs being effective.
H1N1 flu symptoms in humans are similar to those of infection with other flu strains and they include:
· Fever
· Cough
· Sore throat
· Body aches
· Headache
· Chills
· Fatigue
· Diarrhea
· Vomiting
And the CDC notes that H1N1 flu symptoms develop three to five days after you're exposed to the virus and continue for about eight days. You are contagious starting one day before you get sick and continuing until you've recovered. This means that it is imperative for parents to keep children home and away from others as soon as they first become ill.
What are some preventative tips for parents.
The best way that parents can protect their children from this outbreak is with prevention. And the best prevention with any infection is to wash hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds (parents should tell children to wash long enough to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice). Parents should teach kids to wash their hands throughout the day. And parents can keep anti-bacterial pumps accessible. Explain what the pumps are and when it's appropriate to use them.
Also instruct children to cough and sneeze into a tissue. (If a tissue is used, throw the tissue away immediately). Remind children not to touch their eyes, nose and mouth with their hands. Germs are spread when a child touches something that is contaminated and then touches her or his eyes, nose or mouth. Plus remind children that sharing food and drink will also spread germs.
Additionally stay at least six feet away from people who are sick. And stay home from school if sick, and stay away from sick people until they are better.
The CDC’s website has plenty of additional information for parents and caregivers that are concerned about this newest health threat. Just follow the link on MomsLikeMe.com.
Flu Symptoms
· Fever
· Cough
· Sore throat
· Body aches
· Headache
· Chills
· Fatigue
· Diarrhea
Tips for Kids to Prevent the Flu
· Wash hands for 20 seconds
· (Teach kids to sing “Happy Birthday” twice when washing hands)
· Use anti-bacterial gels
· Contain your cough or sneeze
· Throw the tissue in the trash
· Do not share food or drink
· Stay 6 feet away
· Stay home when sick
And a quick reminder that our next Moms MEET UP will be in Silver Spring at Color Me Mine on this Wednesday, September 16, at 11 AM. You find details on DC.MomsLikeMe.com inside the Moms Do Lunch Group. Hope to see you there.
Brenda
Monday, August 31, 2009
Back to School Crafts
It’s that time of the year again, back-to-school time. Parents all over the area are getting their kids ready with clothes, books and supplies. This can be a crazy time for both parents and children. To ease children back into school why not make their supplies personal and fun?
This morning on WUSA9 Peggy Fox and I talked about how to make personalized pencil cases and book covers is Liz McConville, Resource Editor of Washington FAMILY Magazine.
Today we talked about two easy crafts that parents can do with their kids to get them excited about the coming year.
First, we have pencil cases to decorate. What you will need are pencil cases, foam letter stickers and scrapbook stickers. There is a vast selection at any craft store.
The second craft we have are book covers. Now you can go out and buy book covers for your kids, however some schools don’t accept the stretchy kind of cover. You can also make these right at home using paper bags from the grocery stores, which would be a great green alternative. You will need a pair of scissors, tape, any kind of decorations, along with a paper grocery bag.
Cut grocery bag at seams so it is one big piece of paper. Lay down your book on the brown paper. Allow for 2 1/2 inches more at the top & bottom of book. Open the book. Place the inside front cover 2-3 inches from the edge of the paper. Fold over cover and close your book, pull it tight. Cut other side 2-3 inches from the book. Open the book leaving the back cover down. Fold the paper into the back cover and close the book.
Crease the edges around the book. Crease where the spine of the book is and bend the paper down where the edge of the book is. Place your scissors at the edges of the spine until the blade touches the edge of the book. Bend up the flap and cut it off. Bend the remaining flaps out and mark where you are going to fold and tape. Cut off inside extra flap. Open the front cover. The top and bottom flaps get folded down while the left flaps get taped on top. Tape only one side at a time. Repeat the final step with the back cover.
Back-to-School is a great time for fresh beginnings and these simple crafts will help you and your child get organized and ready for a happy and successful school year!
Happy Parenting, Brenda
This morning on WUSA9 Peggy Fox and I talked about how to make personalized pencil cases and book covers is Liz McConville, Resource Editor of Washington FAMILY Magazine.
Today we talked about two easy crafts that parents can do with their kids to get them excited about the coming year.
First, we have pencil cases to decorate. What you will need are pencil cases, foam letter stickers and scrapbook stickers. There is a vast selection at any craft store.
The second craft we have are book covers. Now you can go out and buy book covers for your kids, however some schools don’t accept the stretchy kind of cover. You can also make these right at home using paper bags from the grocery stores, which would be a great green alternative. You will need a pair of scissors, tape, any kind of decorations, along with a paper grocery bag.
Cut grocery bag at seams so it is one big piece of paper. Lay down your book on the brown paper. Allow for 2 1/2 inches more at the top & bottom of book. Open the book. Place the inside front cover 2-3 inches from the edge of the paper. Fold over cover and close your book, pull it tight. Cut other side 2-3 inches from the book. Open the book leaving the back cover down. Fold the paper into the back cover and close the book.
Crease the edges around the book. Crease where the spine of the book is and bend the paper down where the edge of the book is. Place your scissors at the edges of the spine until the blade touches the edge of the book. Bend up the flap and cut it off. Bend the remaining flaps out and mark where you are going to fold and tape. Cut off inside extra flap. Open the front cover. The top and bottom flaps get folded down while the left flaps get taped on top. Tape only one side at a time. Repeat the final step with the back cover.
Back-to-School is a great time for fresh beginnings and these simple crafts will help you and your child get organized and ready for a happy and successful school year!
Happy Parenting, Brenda
Monday, August 24, 2009
Preparing your child for the first day of kindergarten
The first day of school can be stressful for kids and their parents. The first day of kindergarten is can be more stressful. Many parents prepare their child academically but sometimes we can forget to teach them the really simple things that can make the difference between a great first day and a disaster. Right now is a great time to make these preparations.
This morning on WUSA9 Peggy Fox and I talked about how we can prepare our kindergarteners for the first day of school.
I often think the first day of a child’s academic career is harder on mom that it is on the child. It certainly was for me.
The best way to make it easier on you is to be prepared. Much of your anxiety is due to the fact that your child is no longer under your wing. Being prepared will relieve your fears.
Talk to other moms – we have all be there. We understand.
Get involved with the school -- this will also help you feel like you are still attached and part of your child’s academic adventure.
Most children just starting kindergarten have some the same fears. We think they are going to be concerned about the academics but mostly they are worried about the simply, everyday activities.
In the August issue of FAMILY Magazine, Paula Court tells us how she spoke with preschoolers and found that they had some pretty standard fears. Here is Paula’s list of the “Top Preschooler Questions.”
How Will I Get to School?
How Do I Find My Classroom?
What If I Have to Go to the Restroom?
What Will Lunchtime Be Like?
How Will I Get Home After School?
Paula’s Tip for Moms
Remember- children watch you carefully and listen to everything you say, so if you're worried or apprehensive about anything concerning kindergarten-don't show it. If this is your first child to go to school, don’t cry in front of your child. That might be really hard, but it will help them a great deal.
My Own Experience
I can remember every first day of school for my four children. Each day was different just like each of my children are unique. When my oldest went off to kindergarten for the first time, I was really scared. This was my first child and I did not know what to do. She was pretty confident and marched right into the classroom without much hesitation at all. She walked up to where the other kindergarteners where sitting in a circle and the teacher was reading a book. She sat down and started listening.
The teacher said hello to her and smiled at me. I knew that was my cue to leave. I turned around and walked out of the classroom. And, then I squeezed in right behind the door and peeked into the room. My daughter had her back to me and could not see me but I could see her.
I cried like a baby. It was so silly. I was standing behind a door peeking through the crack, crying. If anyone had walked past me they surely would have laughed. After a few minutes I became confident that she was going to survive without me so I went out to my car. I sat in the parking lot and cried some more.
I still cry on the first day of school. I even cried when my kids went off to college. There is just something so touching to me about starting that journey and beginning a new year of school. Every year you give your children a bit more independence and they move closer and closer to being separate from you. You loose some things but you gain others. You are proud and at the same time sad to see them grow up.
Tell us a little about your experiences, fears and how you feel about your little ones going off to school. We can all share the experience together.
Happy Parenting, Brenda
This morning on WUSA9 Peggy Fox and I talked about how we can prepare our kindergarteners for the first day of school.
I often think the first day of a child’s academic career is harder on mom that it is on the child. It certainly was for me.
The best way to make it easier on you is to be prepared. Much of your anxiety is due to the fact that your child is no longer under your wing. Being prepared will relieve your fears.
Talk to other moms – we have all be there. We understand.
Get involved with the school -- this will also help you feel like you are still attached and part of your child’s academic adventure.
Most children just starting kindergarten have some the same fears. We think they are going to be concerned about the academics but mostly they are worried about the simply, everyday activities.
In the August issue of FAMILY Magazine, Paula Court tells us how she spoke with preschoolers and found that they had some pretty standard fears. Here is Paula’s list of the “Top Preschooler Questions.”
How Will I Get to School?
How Do I Find My Classroom?
What If I Have to Go to the Restroom?
What Will Lunchtime Be Like?
How Will I Get Home After School?
Paula’s Tip for Moms
Remember- children watch you carefully and listen to everything you say, so if you're worried or apprehensive about anything concerning kindergarten-don't show it. If this is your first child to go to school, don’t cry in front of your child. That might be really hard, but it will help them a great deal.
My Own Experience
I can remember every first day of school for my four children. Each day was different just like each of my children are unique. When my oldest went off to kindergarten for the first time, I was really scared. This was my first child and I did not know what to do. She was pretty confident and marched right into the classroom without much hesitation at all. She walked up to where the other kindergarteners where sitting in a circle and the teacher was reading a book. She sat down and started listening.
The teacher said hello to her and smiled at me. I knew that was my cue to leave. I turned around and walked out of the classroom. And, then I squeezed in right behind the door and peeked into the room. My daughter had her back to me and could not see me but I could see her.
I cried like a baby. It was so silly. I was standing behind a door peeking through the crack, crying. If anyone had walked past me they surely would have laughed. After a few minutes I became confident that she was going to survive without me so I went out to my car. I sat in the parking lot and cried some more.
I still cry on the first day of school. I even cried when my kids went off to college. There is just something so touching to me about starting that journey and beginning a new year of school. Every year you give your children a bit more independence and they move closer and closer to being separate from you. You loose some things but you gain others. You are proud and at the same time sad to see them grow up.
Tell us a little about your experiences, fears and how you feel about your little ones going off to school. We can all share the experience together.
Happy Parenting, Brenda
Monday, August 10, 2009
Pool Safety
Hot summer days are the perfect time to cool off at the pool. FAMILY Magazine has a great list of area water parks and spraygrounds. You can find it on this link.
http://www.washingtonfamily.com/page/Having-a-Splash-at-Area-Water-Parks-Spraygrounds
But with drowning the second leading cause of accidental death among children ages one to fourteen, just how safe is summer fun in the water?
Today Amy Bevins, Assistant Editor of Washington FAMILY Magazine, shared some pool safety tips during WUSA9’s DC Moms Like Me segment.
Most of us know about having locked fences around pools and completely removing pool and hot tub covers so kids don’t become trapped under them. But what else can you do to keep your kids safe?
Amy offers a number of other measures that make summer even safer.
Vigilance is the number one way to keep your kids safe. Most young children who drown in pools or hot tubs have been out of sight for less than five minutes. It can’t be said often enough, you have to watch your kids around water.
With infants and toddlers, use “touch supervision” meaning you are always within an arm’s length.
If a babysitter takes your child to the pool, make sure he or she knows about pool safety and the need for constant supervision.
Keep in mind that you don’t have to have an in ground pool to practice pool safety. Children can drown in as little as one inch of water. So think about inflatable and baby pools. Either fence or drain them when you are not using them.
With any size pool or hot tub, keep a phone nearby so you don’t leave your child unsupervised while running inside to answer it and so it’s right there for emergencies. Also keep a list of emergency phone numbers near the pool or hot tub.
What if you are lucky enough to have a pool at home? Are there any extra safety measures?
Amy notes:
Make sure toys are out of the pool after playtime to lessen the chance of a child falling in while reaching for a toy.
Keep chairs and tables away from the pool fence so that kids can’t climb the fence to get in to the pool.
And if your child is missing, always check the pool first. Every second counts!
Recently, there has been a lot in the news about the safety of pool and hot tub drains.
Because of the danger of kids being trapped underwater by the pool drain suction, federal legislation, known as The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, was enacted to help ensure all public pools and spas have safety-compliant drain covers and anti-entrapment systems. The safety act was passed into law in December of 2007 and is named for a 7 year old girl who died in 2002 after being trapped underwater by the powerful suction of a hot tub drain.
Amy notes that it is critical to teach your kids to stay away from pool and hot tub drains.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the pressure on some pool drains can be as strong as 300 pounds per square inch.
To keep safe, kids should tie back long hair, remove jewelry, make sure their arms, legs and heads stay clear of the drains and not sit on drains. This goes for public as well as private pools and hot tubs.
If you do have a pool or hot tub, clearly label the circuit breaker in case it needs to be turned off in an emergency.
And remember, these tips apply to any pool from community pools to hot tubs in the backyard. Even if you don’t own a pool, your child may play with kids who do or their camp or daycare may take them to the pool. Be sure to teach them about the dangers of pool drains and pool safety.
Also be sure to visit Washington FAMILY Magazine’s website, www.washingtonfamily.com, for a list of top local pools and spraygrounds where you and your family can cool off this summer. Know of a great place to get wet that isn’t listed, let us know and we’ll add it to our ever-growing list.
So let’s get this conversation going. What do you do to ensure your kids are safe at the pool?
http://www.washingtonfamily.com/page/Having-a-Splash-at-Area-Water-Parks-Spraygrounds
But with drowning the second leading cause of accidental death among children ages one to fourteen, just how safe is summer fun in the water?
Today Amy Bevins, Assistant Editor of Washington FAMILY Magazine, shared some pool safety tips during WUSA9’s DC Moms Like Me segment.
Most of us know about having locked fences around pools and completely removing pool and hot tub covers so kids don’t become trapped under them. But what else can you do to keep your kids safe?
Amy offers a number of other measures that make summer even safer.
Vigilance is the number one way to keep your kids safe. Most young children who drown in pools or hot tubs have been out of sight for less than five minutes. It can’t be said often enough, you have to watch your kids around water.
With infants and toddlers, use “touch supervision” meaning you are always within an arm’s length.
If a babysitter takes your child to the pool, make sure he or she knows about pool safety and the need for constant supervision.
Keep in mind that you don’t have to have an in ground pool to practice pool safety. Children can drown in as little as one inch of water. So think about inflatable and baby pools. Either fence or drain them when you are not using them.
With any size pool or hot tub, keep a phone nearby so you don’t leave your child unsupervised while running inside to answer it and so it’s right there for emergencies. Also keep a list of emergency phone numbers near the pool or hot tub.
What if you are lucky enough to have a pool at home? Are there any extra safety measures?
Amy notes:
Make sure toys are out of the pool after playtime to lessen the chance of a child falling in while reaching for a toy.
Keep chairs and tables away from the pool fence so that kids can’t climb the fence to get in to the pool.
And if your child is missing, always check the pool first. Every second counts!
Recently, there has been a lot in the news about the safety of pool and hot tub drains.
Because of the danger of kids being trapped underwater by the pool drain suction, federal legislation, known as The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, was enacted to help ensure all public pools and spas have safety-compliant drain covers and anti-entrapment systems. The safety act was passed into law in December of 2007 and is named for a 7 year old girl who died in 2002 after being trapped underwater by the powerful suction of a hot tub drain.
Amy notes that it is critical to teach your kids to stay away from pool and hot tub drains.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the pressure on some pool drains can be as strong as 300 pounds per square inch.
To keep safe, kids should tie back long hair, remove jewelry, make sure their arms, legs and heads stay clear of the drains and not sit on drains. This goes for public as well as private pools and hot tubs.
If you do have a pool or hot tub, clearly label the circuit breaker in case it needs to be turned off in an emergency.
And remember, these tips apply to any pool from community pools to hot tubs in the backyard. Even if you don’t own a pool, your child may play with kids who do or their camp or daycare may take them to the pool. Be sure to teach them about the dangers of pool drains and pool safety.
Also be sure to visit Washington FAMILY Magazine’s website, www.washingtonfamily.com, for a list of top local pools and spraygrounds where you and your family can cool off this summer. Know of a great place to get wet that isn’t listed, let us know and we’ll add it to our ever-growing list.
So let’s get this conversation going. What do you do to ensure your kids are safe at the pool?
Monday, July 27, 2009
Firefly Fun and Craft
There’s nothing that says a summer night like the blinking lights of fireflies in the darkness. When people think of summertime activities they did as children, odds are they caught lightning bugs or fireflies. This morning on WUSA9 News Now Peggy Fox and Liz McConville (our Resource Editor) talked about fireflies and how much fun it is to catch them. Peggy’s children were on to show how to make a firefly jar.
What are fireflies?
Something that people may not know is that fireflies are actually beetles. There are about 2,000 species of fireflies in the world and tend to live in a variety of warm and mostly humid environments. However they can be found in drier areas but they tend to be found around damp areas.
What makes fireflies glow?
They have special organs under their abdomens. When the fireflies take in oxygen inside special cells, it combines with a substance called luciferin that produces the light with almost no heat. This light is used mostly to attract mates but can also be used to communicate with each other, defend territory and warn predators.
What’s the best way to catch a firefly?
Fireflies can be found during summer months in fields or forests or even in your yard. When you want to catch them, make sure to turn off your exterior house lights since that can distract them. You can use a flashlight to mimic their light patterns. Use a net if you have one, you can catch them in your hands also but be very careful since fireflies are very fragile.
What we’re making today are the containers you put the fireflies in. It can be any kind of container but a clear plastic or glass jar lets you see what you catch. You can decorate your jar with paint pens, stickers and all sorts of art supplies.
Make sure the top of the jar is well ventilated and place a damp paper towel inside the jar to keep the air humid. This way, they will be able to breathe and won’t dry out. Once caught, don’t keep them for longer than two days and let them go at night. Treat the fireflies carefully, their numbers are dwindling due to various causes like light pollution.
To find out more about fireflies check out: www.firefly.org or www.nationalgeographic.com/animals
Hope you are having a great summer. If you have other summer activities that are fun for kids, send them along. We will share them with other moms.
Happy Parenting, Brenda
What are fireflies?
Something that people may not know is that fireflies are actually beetles. There are about 2,000 species of fireflies in the world and tend to live in a variety of warm and mostly humid environments. However they can be found in drier areas but they tend to be found around damp areas.
What makes fireflies glow?
They have special organs under their abdomens. When the fireflies take in oxygen inside special cells, it combines with a substance called luciferin that produces the light with almost no heat. This light is used mostly to attract mates but can also be used to communicate with each other, defend territory and warn predators.
What’s the best way to catch a firefly?
Fireflies can be found during summer months in fields or forests or even in your yard. When you want to catch them, make sure to turn off your exterior house lights since that can distract them. You can use a flashlight to mimic their light patterns. Use a net if you have one, you can catch them in your hands also but be very careful since fireflies are very fragile.
What we’re making today are the containers you put the fireflies in. It can be any kind of container but a clear plastic or glass jar lets you see what you catch. You can decorate your jar with paint pens, stickers and all sorts of art supplies.
Make sure the top of the jar is well ventilated and place a damp paper towel inside the jar to keep the air humid. This way, they will be able to breathe and won’t dry out. Once caught, don’t keep them for longer than two days and let them go at night. Treat the fireflies carefully, their numbers are dwindling due to various causes like light pollution.
To find out more about fireflies check out: www.firefly.org or www.nationalgeographic.com/animals
Hope you are having a great summer. If you have other summer activities that are fun for kids, send them along. We will share them with other moms.
Happy Parenting, Brenda
Monday, July 20, 2009
Best Playgrounds and Playground Safety
Now is the time of year when we are all taking advantage of the wonderful recreational facilities that we have in the Washington Region including some great parks for kids.
However, according to the National Program for Playground Safety, each year over 205,000 preschool and elementary children receive emergency department care for injuries that occur in parks.
Where are the great parks?
Every year in our Best for Families survey we ask parents where their favorite park or playground is. Our Best for Families is an annual survey of parents about resources in the Washington area and it appears in our July magazine. As you can imagine, it is EXTREMELY popular.
This year there were over 4,000 nominees in our Best for Families Survey. There were many, many playgrounds and parks nominated but the top three are favorites of mine. Here is a link to the Best for Families Winner Page. You can also find detailed descriptions of many of these parks inside the FAMILY Magazine WEB EXTRAS (here is the link). The number one playground or park in the Best for Families survey was Clemyjontri Park in McLean. Here is some information about Clemyjontri as well as the next two most favorite playgrounds.
Clemyjontri Park
6317 Georgetown Pike
McLean, Virginia 22101
703-388-2807
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/PARKS/CLEMYJONTRI/
Features a unique playground where children of all abilities can play side-by-side. It is a playground where every child is welcome. Children who use wheelchairs, walkers or braces, or who have sensory or developmental disabilities, can have a parallel playground experience. At Clemyjontri ramps connect structures, swings have high backs, arm rests and special safety features, rubber surfacing allows wheelchairs to roll easily, lowered monkey bars provide easy access, equipment is designed to be sensory rich so all children can participate with peers, & wider openings allows easy access to play structures. Other features include a carousel and a picnic pavilion. The entrance road leads to an 81-space parking area and a drop-off zone for vehicles whose passengers need close access. Future development will include other amenities in the surrounding 10 acres of space.
Clemyjontri is located on Georgetown Pike in McLean. It was opened in 2006 with funding donated by Mrs. Adele Lebowitz who envisioned an oasis for youngsters – especially those with physical, sensory or developmental disabilities. The name “CLEMYJONTRI” is derived from the four Lebowitz children’s names.
Cabin John Regional Park
7400 Tuckerman Lane
Rockville, MD 20852
(301) 299-0024
http://www.mc-mncppc.org/Parks/facilities/regional_parks/cabinjohn/index.shtm
Huge park with lots of climbing structures, slides, mazes, play houses, swings, Cinderella's pumpkin carriage, airplane, and cars. Other features include miniature train, snack bar, rest rooms, hiking trails, picnic areas, indoor/outdoor tennis courts, ice skating rink, Locust Grove Nature Center, the Cabin John Amphitheatre and lighted athletic fields. Plenty of shade. During the summer months, evening concerts are offered to the public free of charge.
The park has --
* 1 Baseball Field (lighted)
* 5 softball Fields (one lighted)
* 4 Tennis Practice Walls (lighted)
* 9 Tennis Courts (lighted)
* Pee-Wee Soccer Field
* 4 Single Wall Handball Courts
* 1 Volley Court
Burke Lake Park
7315 Ox Road,
Fairfax Station, VA
703-323-6600
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/burkelake/
A 218-acre lake with fishing, boating, rowboat rental, camping, a miniature train, a carousel, outdoor volleyball courts, open fields, an 18-hole par 3 golf course, clubhouse with snack bar and driving range, disk golf, horse shoe pits, an ice cream parlor, picnic areas with grills, 3 playgrounds, trails, amphitheater, and a brand new miniature golf course. Swimming and windsurfing are prohibited.
For a list with pictures of area parks from our resource editor, Liz McConville’s list of area parks and playgrounds CLICK HERE. (http://www.washingtonfamily.com/page/Favorite-Area-Parks-Playgrounds)
For the Best for Families survey results, CLICK HERE.
National Program for Playground Safety says that each year over 205,000 preschool and elementary children receive emergency department care for injuries that occur on playground equipment.
* 76% of the injuries happened on public playground equipment
* 23% occurred on home playground equipment
15% of these injuries were classified as severe and 49% were injuries to the head or face.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in a recent study of U.S. hospital emergency rooms, the majority of playground accidents (79%) resulted from falls from equipment.
KidsHealthy.org has a great article about playground safety and what you can do to make sure the playground you go to is a safe place for your children. Here are some excerpts from their article.
From KidsHealthy.org:
The most important factors in evaluating the safety of any playground are surface, design and spacing, and equipment inspection and maintenance.
Surfaces
A proper playground surface is one of the most important factors in reducing injuries — and the severity of injuries — that occur when kids fall from equipment. The surface under the playground equipment should be soft enough and thick enough to soften the impact of a child's fall.
Here are some things to consider:
* Concrete, asphalt, and blacktop are unsafe and unacceptable. Grass, soil, and packed-earth surfaces are also unsafe because weather and wear can reduce their capacities to cushion a child's fall.
* The playground surface should be free of standing water and debris that could cause kids to trip and fall, such as rocks, tree stumps, and tree roots.
* There should be no dangerous materials, like broken glass or twisted metal.
* The surfaces may be loosely filled with materials like wood chips, mulch, sand, pea gravel, or shredded rubber.
* Surfacing mats made of safety-tested rubber or rubber-like materials are also safe.
* Rubber mats and wood chips allow the best access for people in wheelchairs.
* Loose-fill surface materials 12 inches deep should be used for equipment up to 8 feet high. The material should not be packed down because this will reduce any cushioning effect.
* No surfacing materials are considered safe if the combined height of playground and the child (standing on the highest platform) is higher than 12 feet.
* The cushioned surface should extend at least 6 feet past the equipment. Additional coverage may be needed, depending on how high a slide is or how long a swing is.
* If there is loose-fill over a hard surface (like asphalt or concrete), there should be 3-6 inches of loose-fill like gravel, a layer of geo-textile cloth, a layer of loose-fill surfacing material, and then impact mats under the playground equipment.
Keep in mind that even proper surfacing can't prevent all injuries. Also, the greater the height of the equipment, the more likely kids are to get injured if they fall from it.
Design and Spacing
Playground equipment should be designed for three different age groups: infants and toddlers under 2, 2- to 5-year-olds (preschoolers), and 5- to 12-year-olds (school-age kids).
In the safest playgrounds, play areas for younger children are separated from those meant for older kids and signs clearly designate each area to prevent confusion.
Younger children should not play on equipment designed for older kids because the equipment sizes and proportions won't be right for small kids, and this can lead to injury. Likewise, older kids shouldn't play on equipment designed for younger ones. Smaller equipment and spaces can cause problems for bigger kids.
Maintenance and Inspection
Whether your kids play on a home or public playground, it's important for you to take a general look at the equipment to make sure that it is clean and well maintained.
Check for objects (like hardware, S-shaped hooks, bolts, and sharp or unfinished edges) that stick out on equipment and could cut a child or cause clothing to become entangled.
However, according to the National Program for Playground Safety, each year over 205,000 preschool and elementary children receive emergency department care for injuries that occur in parks.
Where are the great parks?
Every year in our Best for Families survey we ask parents where their favorite park or playground is. Our Best for Families is an annual survey of parents about resources in the Washington area and it appears in our July magazine. As you can imagine, it is EXTREMELY popular.
This year there were over 4,000 nominees in our Best for Families Survey. There were many, many playgrounds and parks nominated but the top three are favorites of mine. Here is a link to the Best for Families Winner Page. You can also find detailed descriptions of many of these parks inside the FAMILY Magazine WEB EXTRAS (here is the link). The number one playground or park in the Best for Families survey was Clemyjontri Park in McLean. Here is some information about Clemyjontri as well as the next two most favorite playgrounds.
Clemyjontri Park
6317 Georgetown Pike
McLean, Virginia 22101
703-388-2807
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/PARKS/CLEMYJONTRI/
Features a unique playground where children of all abilities can play side-by-side. It is a playground where every child is welcome. Children who use wheelchairs, walkers or braces, or who have sensory or developmental disabilities, can have a parallel playground experience. At Clemyjontri ramps connect structures, swings have high backs, arm rests and special safety features, rubber surfacing allows wheelchairs to roll easily, lowered monkey bars provide easy access, equipment is designed to be sensory rich so all children can participate with peers, & wider openings allows easy access to play structures. Other features include a carousel and a picnic pavilion. The entrance road leads to an 81-space parking area and a drop-off zone for vehicles whose passengers need close access. Future development will include other amenities in the surrounding 10 acres of space.
Clemyjontri is located on Georgetown Pike in McLean. It was opened in 2006 with funding donated by Mrs. Adele Lebowitz who envisioned an oasis for youngsters – especially those with physical, sensory or developmental disabilities. The name “CLEMYJONTRI” is derived from the four Lebowitz children’s names.
Cabin John Regional Park
7400 Tuckerman Lane
Rockville, MD 20852
(301) 299-0024
http://www.mc-mncppc.org/Parks/facilities/regional_parks/cabinjohn/index.shtm
Huge park with lots of climbing structures, slides, mazes, play houses, swings, Cinderella's pumpkin carriage, airplane, and cars. Other features include miniature train, snack bar, rest rooms, hiking trails, picnic areas, indoor/outdoor tennis courts, ice skating rink, Locust Grove Nature Center, the Cabin John Amphitheatre and lighted athletic fields. Plenty of shade. During the summer months, evening concerts are offered to the public free of charge.
The park has --
* 1 Baseball Field (lighted)
* 5 softball Fields (one lighted)
* 4 Tennis Practice Walls (lighted)
* 9 Tennis Courts (lighted)
* Pee-Wee Soccer Field
* 4 Single Wall Handball Courts
* 1 Volley Court
Burke Lake Park
7315 Ox Road,
Fairfax Station, VA
703-323-6600
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/burkelake/
A 218-acre lake with fishing, boating, rowboat rental, camping, a miniature train, a carousel, outdoor volleyball courts, open fields, an 18-hole par 3 golf course, clubhouse with snack bar and driving range, disk golf, horse shoe pits, an ice cream parlor, picnic areas with grills, 3 playgrounds, trails, amphitheater, and a brand new miniature golf course. Swimming and windsurfing are prohibited.
For a list with pictures of area parks from our resource editor, Liz McConville’s list of area parks and playgrounds CLICK HERE. (http://www.washingtonfamily.com/page/Favorite-Area-Parks-Playgrounds)
For the Best for Families survey results, CLICK HERE.
National Program for Playground Safety says that each year over 205,000 preschool and elementary children receive emergency department care for injuries that occur on playground equipment.
* 76% of the injuries happened on public playground equipment
* 23% occurred on home playground equipment
15% of these injuries were classified as severe and 49% were injuries to the head or face.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in a recent study of U.S. hospital emergency rooms, the majority of playground accidents (79%) resulted from falls from equipment.
KidsHealthy.org has a great article about playground safety and what you can do to make sure the playground you go to is a safe place for your children. Here are some excerpts from their article.
From KidsHealthy.org:
The most important factors in evaluating the safety of any playground are surface, design and spacing, and equipment inspection and maintenance.
Surfaces
A proper playground surface is one of the most important factors in reducing injuries — and the severity of injuries — that occur when kids fall from equipment. The surface under the playground equipment should be soft enough and thick enough to soften the impact of a child's fall.
Here are some things to consider:
* Concrete, asphalt, and blacktop are unsafe and unacceptable. Grass, soil, and packed-earth surfaces are also unsafe because weather and wear can reduce their capacities to cushion a child's fall.
* The playground surface should be free of standing water and debris that could cause kids to trip and fall, such as rocks, tree stumps, and tree roots.
* There should be no dangerous materials, like broken glass or twisted metal.
* The surfaces may be loosely filled with materials like wood chips, mulch, sand, pea gravel, or shredded rubber.
* Surfacing mats made of safety-tested rubber or rubber-like materials are also safe.
* Rubber mats and wood chips allow the best access for people in wheelchairs.
* Loose-fill surface materials 12 inches deep should be used for equipment up to 8 feet high. The material should not be packed down because this will reduce any cushioning effect.
* No surfacing materials are considered safe if the combined height of playground and the child (standing on the highest platform) is higher than 12 feet.
* The cushioned surface should extend at least 6 feet past the equipment. Additional coverage may be needed, depending on how high a slide is or how long a swing is.
* If there is loose-fill over a hard surface (like asphalt or concrete), there should be 3-6 inches of loose-fill like gravel, a layer of geo-textile cloth, a layer of loose-fill surfacing material, and then impact mats under the playground equipment.
Keep in mind that even proper surfacing can't prevent all injuries. Also, the greater the height of the equipment, the more likely kids are to get injured if they fall from it.
Design and Spacing
Playground equipment should be designed for three different age groups: infants and toddlers under 2, 2- to 5-year-olds (preschoolers), and 5- to 12-year-olds (school-age kids).
In the safest playgrounds, play areas for younger children are separated from those meant for older kids and signs clearly designate each area to prevent confusion.
Younger children should not play on equipment designed for older kids because the equipment sizes and proportions won't be right for small kids, and this can lead to injury. Likewise, older kids shouldn't play on equipment designed for younger ones. Smaller equipment and spaces can cause problems for bigger kids.
Maintenance and Inspection
Whether your kids play on a home or public playground, it's important for you to take a general look at the equipment to make sure that it is clean and well maintained.
Check for objects (like hardware, S-shaped hooks, bolts, and sharp or unfinished edges) that stick out on equipment and could cut a child or cause clothing to become entangled.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Blog Endorsements
Do you read blog reviews of products and then buy the product? Recently I came across an article about the liability parenting blogs may have when it comes to product endorsements. I guess I had not given any thought to the importance of these endorsements. Have you ever purchased an item because you read a blog about it?Have you ever considered blogging about a product? I know some moms who have done this. There is even a web site where you can sign up to become involved in word-of-mouth marketing. Business Week Magazine recently ran an article describing how companies can to pitch to mommy bloggers.Apparently there is a regulatory review process underway by the Federal Trade Commission to determine whether reviews by bloggers may be in violation of good business practices. Maria Bailey of BSM Media says that moms spend $2.1 trillion annually and that this is expected to go up to $3 trillion by 2012. Her data states that 80 percent of moms buy a product at the recommendation of another mother and 87 percent of mothers read blogs.Do you think this is true? Anyone have an idea of how we can verify this data?Marketing to moms through blogs appears to be big business! Brenda
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Summer Fun Ideas
With summer in full swing, you might be asking yourself, “What can I do with the kids today?”
Today Amy Bevins, Assistant Editor for Washington FAMILY Magazine, was on WUSA9 to share some ideas for places to go and things to do with your kids this summer.
Here are a few of her favorites?
This year, money is on everyone’s mind, so why not take the kids to see where money comes from. At the Bureau of Printing and Engraving, kids can see money being printed, stacked, cut and examined for defects.
And while you are in DC, be sure to check out the National Aquarium. It is tucked in the bottom of the Commerce Building and is home to over 200 different species including alligators, piranha and sharks. Her kids love exploring all it has to offer.
Looking for suggestions of things to do if you are looking to keep costs down this summer? There are so many low-cost or no-cost options in this area.
Amy suggests spending the summer going on a playground hunt. Whether you search out neighborhood parks, mall play places or regional playgrounds, involve the whole family in seeing how many new play places you can find. Try packing a picnic lunch once a week and having a playground adventure. You can even set up a rating scale for the playgrounds you visit and vote for your family favorites at the end of the summer.
Do you have kids fascinated by history, science or nature?
Here in the DC Metro area we have nineteen National Parks and Monuments that offer kids ages 6-14 the opportunity to earn a Junior Ranger Badge. At places like the C&O Canal, Manassas Battlefields, Great Falls National Park and the Korean War Memorial kids complete activities, games and projects that teach them more about the park or monument so they really get an in depth knowledge about the park.
If your kids are in to science or dinosaurs or just spending the day in the outdoors, they might love hunting for prehistoric sharks’ teeth. Amy’s family found dozens of sharks’ teeth at Purse State Park in Maryland. Both there and at the more well-known Calvert Cliffs, you can find sharks teeth and ray plates along the shore that are millions of years old.
If your kids are in to sports, we’re so lucky to have several options in this area. We have three minor league baseball teams in the Metro area where you can get all of the enjoyment of a ball game with a reduced price tag. We are also home to the Washington Glory, a women’s fast pitch softball team and Washington Freedom, the new professional women’s soccer team.
And what if, even with all these great things to do, your kids still hit you with the classic, “I’m bored!”
Amy suggests, “Let them be bored.” Set out a few puzzles, craft supplies or books and let them learn to entertain themselves. They may even surprise themselves with the creative things they come up with.
You can find more summer things to do and places to go on the Washington FAMILY Magazine web site www.washingtonFAMILY.com. Amy’s article, “50 Days of Summer Fun,” lists places to go and things to do.
Today Amy Bevins, Assistant Editor for Washington FAMILY Magazine, was on WUSA9 to share some ideas for places to go and things to do with your kids this summer.
Here are a few of her favorites?
This year, money is on everyone’s mind, so why not take the kids to see where money comes from. At the Bureau of Printing and Engraving, kids can see money being printed, stacked, cut and examined for defects.
And while you are in DC, be sure to check out the National Aquarium. It is tucked in the bottom of the Commerce Building and is home to over 200 different species including alligators, piranha and sharks. Her kids love exploring all it has to offer.
Looking for suggestions of things to do if you are looking to keep costs down this summer? There are so many low-cost or no-cost options in this area.
Amy suggests spending the summer going on a playground hunt. Whether you search out neighborhood parks, mall play places or regional playgrounds, involve the whole family in seeing how many new play places you can find. Try packing a picnic lunch once a week and having a playground adventure. You can even set up a rating scale for the playgrounds you visit and vote for your family favorites at the end of the summer.
Do you have kids fascinated by history, science or nature?
Here in the DC Metro area we have nineteen National Parks and Monuments that offer kids ages 6-14 the opportunity to earn a Junior Ranger Badge. At places like the C&O Canal, Manassas Battlefields, Great Falls National Park and the Korean War Memorial kids complete activities, games and projects that teach them more about the park or monument so they really get an in depth knowledge about the park.
If your kids are in to science or dinosaurs or just spending the day in the outdoors, they might love hunting for prehistoric sharks’ teeth. Amy’s family found dozens of sharks’ teeth at Purse State Park in Maryland. Both there and at the more well-known Calvert Cliffs, you can find sharks teeth and ray plates along the shore that are millions of years old.
If your kids are in to sports, we’re so lucky to have several options in this area. We have three minor league baseball teams in the Metro area where you can get all of the enjoyment of a ball game with a reduced price tag. We are also home to the Washington Glory, a women’s fast pitch softball team and Washington Freedom, the new professional women’s soccer team.
And what if, even with all these great things to do, your kids still hit you with the classic, “I’m bored!”
Amy suggests, “Let them be bored.” Set out a few puzzles, craft supplies or books and let them learn to entertain themselves. They may even surprise themselves with the creative things they come up with.
You can find more summer things to do and places to go on the Washington FAMILY Magazine web site www.washingtonFAMILY.com. Amy’s article, “50 Days of Summer Fun,” lists places to go and things to do.
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