Cincinnati Family magazine April 2020 by Day Communications/DayCom Media

APRIL 2020

CINCINNATIFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM

2020

THE #1 RESOURCE FOR LOCAL PARENTS

CALM &

COLLECTED

is best for Baby SPORTS, KIDS, COMPETITIONS AND CONCUSSIONS

reimagining

THINGS TO DO Top Podcasts for Kids Online Learning Explorations Creative Home Play Unique Easter Egg Hunts & More!

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Children’s Medical Center serving families for over 70 years

Putting Patients Needs First. Our providers and staff enjoy working with parents and children and we consider it our privilege to partner with you in your children’s healthcare. • Accepting New Patients • Accepting Most Insurance • Morning and Late Afternoon Walk-In Appointments for Acute Illnesses

We’ll be there when your family needs us the most.

Children’s Medical Center 331 N. Breiel Blvd., Middletown, OH

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Rebecca A. Dandoy, MD

James M. Komer, MD

Kenton A. Pate, MD

Diana E. Small, MD

NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS

Jennifer Thornicroft, FNP

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April 2020

“Where Every Family Matters.”

PUBLISHER Stewart Day EDITOR IN CHIEF Susan Swindell Day EDITOR Amanda Hayward THINGS TO DO/ ASSOCIATE EDITOR Amanda Ciani GRAPHIC DESIGN DayCom Associates PRODUCTION Tim Henard ACCOUNT MANAGERS Theresa Cicchinelli Kathi Listo DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Jonathan McCormack

Subscribe online to our Newsletter for Rewards & Join us on Facebook for Giveaways & more!

IN EACH ISSUE FEATURES 4

editor's note

Feedback

THIS PUBLICATION AUDITED BY

CIRCULATION VERIFICATION

C O U N C I L CINCINNATI FAMILY MAGAZINE is published monthly by DAYCOM MEDIA, INC. Although every precaution has been taken to ensure accuracy of published material, DAYCOM MEDIA cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed or facts supplied by its authors. Editorial and business offices are located at 10945 Reed Hartman Hwy., Ste 323, Cincinnati, OH 45242. The phone number is 513-252-0077; fax is 513-252-0081. E-mail to: susan@ daycommedia.com. CINCINNATI FAMILY MAGAZINE is copyright © 2020 by DayCom Media, Inc., a member of The Family Magazine Syndicate. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly prohibited.

13 14

Our "new normal."

Mom posts about small the number of sports kids play at a time, plus a giveaway!

16 YOU ARE BABY'S

FIRST TEACHER

It's important to remain calm and engaged with your little one; your behavior impacts your child's future well-being.

Our Things to Do event calendar wins double gold again! Kings Island postpones opening day; autism awareness month & more. What you need to know about kids and concussions.

health bits

Key info for your family's well-being.

Our newly minted double-gold calendar is here to help you at home!

SPECIAL SECTION

cincinnati news

kids' health

THINGS TO DO

•Best

Podcasts & Apps for Kids

•Creative Home Play Ideas

20 SHOULD YOUR

CHILD PLAY COMPETITIVE SPORTS? Sports in the backyard is one thing ... but is your child cut out for competitive play?

cincinnatifamilymagazine.com

•Online Learning Resources Galore •Easter Egg Hunt Options ADVERTISING 22 Summer Camps 2020 April 2020

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e wake up and have breakfast. The kids have some free play while I get caught up on work. Then we might take our black lab out for a walk, and then it’s lunch time. We do a little school work followed by more free play while I work. What’s next? Should we play some more? Doodle? Go outside? No, wait, the kids are running wild throughout the house at this point. Is this our “new normal?” It doesn’t have to be so chaotic. The good thing is, we have control over what we want our new normal to be. It doesn’t have to be chaos, and it doesn’t have to be dragging our feet each time we rise out of bed. Discovering ways to make this new normal work for our families is the answer, right now. I already see it happening — people pulling together to make this new life work; thinking outside the box and bringing a little light into the room. Rather than throwing in the towel and discontinuing all learning, teachers and schools have excelled at giving us the resources we need to educate ourselves and our kids. Rather than putting their heads down and giving up, businesses around Greater Cincinnati are putting their heads together and live streaming all of their knowledge and what they have to offer to the public, for free. What is a national crisis now, may be a positive turnaround for all of us. You will notice some changes in Cincinnati Family’s April issue. Our award-winning “Things to Do” calendar is transformed into a helpful guide to give you all of the resources and information you need to make the best of this new normal: Easter egg hunts you can do at home, online learning resources, homeschooling information and more. This isn’t forever, but this is one of the many changes we are making to help shed light on this challenging time. Rather than waking up late on the wrong side of the bed, I’m going to set my alarm, wake up, get dressed and brush my teeth. Rather than not knowing what task we will take on next, I will set a fun and education schedule for my kids. We will take breaks and make a point to play outside. We are in this together. It’s what we make of it right now. Instead of getting impatient with your kids or stressing about when you will ever get back to your normal work space, use this time to learn with your kids. Teach them new things like making their own breakfast in the morning or helping with the laundry. Learn a new skill. Spring clean the house and get organized. Stay calm. Stay focused. You’ve got this!

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“Where Every Family Matters.”

FEEDBACK

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Join us for giveaways, local reader posts, parenting news and lots more.

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GIVEAWAY BUNDLE!

WE ASKED: Do you allow your athletic kids to play in more than one sport at a time? “We stick to one a season as much as possible. We don’t want to cause burnout and care about academics and arts as well in the family.”

“We do one at a time. Otherwise gets too costly and time consuming.”

Cherri Hansford

“Yes. As long as they don’t interfere with each other too much. My son is doing baseball and indoor soccer at the same time.”

“One organized sport per season … save time to concentrate on other important endeavors, too … music, family, friends, church, reading, relaxing, social and school events.”

Tamia Collins McGuire

Karen Biven

“Ours is about to graduate from high school, and our rule was always one sport plus one other non-sport activity at a time. We did make a few exceptions along the way, but it kept her from being over scheduled and me from being a taxi service.”

Krissy McWhorter

“My daughter plays club soccer which is played year-round & basketball. Basketball coincides with our indoor soccer sessions and winter training.”

Amanda Timerding

Kathleen Rideout

“Not really. We try to keep one activity per season. With church, school, and family commitments, it’s often like two+ per season anyway.”

Malinda Long-Copland

“Yes! It would probably be different if we had more than two kids though. There’s no way we could keep up. I love being a soccer mom/dance mom/ horse mom/swim mom.”

Frisch’s Big Boy Restaurants GIVEAWAY Big Boy’s Market items are now available at frischs.com, carryout, drive-thru and delivery with menus varying by locations. For a limited time, Frisch’s Big Boy dining rooms remain closed in lieu of the coronavirus outbreak. Cincinnati Family is joining with Frisch’s to give away a $50 gift card from Frisch’s Big Boy!

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“Yes. As long as they keep up their grades, then I make it work somehow.”

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April 2020

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“Where Every Family Matters.”

CINCINNATI NEWS

BY AMANDA CIANI

2020

ORION

OPENING DAY POSTPONED Giga Coaster Will Add Even More Thrills to Kings Island

oaster fans can look forward to when Kings Island (6300 Kings Island Drive, Mason) opens its gates to thrill-seekers of all ages. Director of Communications, Chad Showalter, says Kings Island hopes to open in mid-May. NEW this year is Orion, one of only seven giga coasters in the world! With speeds up to 91 mph and a 300-foot drop at an 85-degree angle, park guests will be screaming praises for this new attraction! Don’t miss out on a chance to ride the park’s newest, tallest, fastest and longest steel coaster, Orion. Call 513-754-5700 or head to visitkingsisland.com for more information.

Blue Manatee Offers Virtual Storytimes

hile children's bookstore, Blue Manatee (3094 Madison Road) is temporarily closed, the store is offering Virtual Storytimes on Instagram Live at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Patrons can also continue to purchase books from Blue Manatee online, and the Blue Manatee Literacy Project allows you to "buy a book, give a book." Head to bluemanatee.org ... and keep on reading!

Aquatic Center To Arrive This Summer

he Mason Municipal Aquatic Center will make a big splash when it opens this summer! The center will have a lazy river, slides, a splash pad, basketball hoops and an enclosed 50-meter pool (to open in the fall). Find out more about the new center at imaginemason.org or by calling 513-229-8500.

Cincinnati Family is thrilled to share that we have once again won DOUBLE GOLD for our monthly "Things to Do" event calendar. The Parenting Media Association (PMA) held its annual conference at the end of February, 2020, and Cincinnati Family took home the top award for "Things to Do" in both editorial and design competitions in the small circulation category. PMA is a national trade organization of regional parenting media companies that produce high-quality magazines, websites, e-newsletters and live events. Learn more at parentmedia.org.

Aquaglide Slides Into Coney Island

ext month, Coney Island (6201 Kellogg Ave.) will be home to the largest Aquaglide course in the U.S. The new attraction will feature two tracks with obstacles, challenging guests to climb, balance, swing and slide. Be sure to check out this new Challenge Zone this summer. Learn more at coneyislandpark. com or call 513-232-8230.

Children's Theatre's 101st Season

dventure's coming up for The Children's Theater of Cincinnati's upcoming 101st season. Get tickets and learn more at thechildrenstheatre. com. Shows coming to the Taft include: • Disney's Descendants Oct. 10 - 19, 2020 • Elf the Musical, Jr. Dec. 5 - 14, 2020 • Doctor Dolittle, Jr. Feb. 13 - 22, 2021 • Princess & Frog April 17 - 26, 2021 (please turn the page)

cincinnatifamilymagazine.com

April 2020 9

local news

April is Autism Awareness Month Calming Room Option at Union Pediatric Dentistry

oing to the dentist can be a stressful experience for young patients. For children with sensory needs, it can be extra stressful; the bright lights and strange noises from equipment can be overwhelming. Union Pediatric Dentistry (2012 Callie Way #202, Union, Ky) has a brand-new calming room available for patient use. The room features dimmed lights, a bubble tower, a screen that projects shapes on the wall, splash pads on the floor, TVs on the ceiling and a variety of seating options that can be used during exams. Some children may prefer sitting in a comfy bean bag chair while others may feel more secure on a lap board. Kaitlin Jennison, DDS, aims to give assurance to parents who are skeptical about taking their special needs children to the dentist. “You will be amazed by how much we can accomplish in this room compared to a typical dental room,” Jennison says. “Because the kids aren't in the typical doctor's office-type setting, they are more open to allowing us to look in their mouth and ‘tickle’ their teeth,” she adds. To learn more about Union Pediatric Dentistry and the new calming room, call 859-3846050 or visit grandslamsmiles.com.

A patient has his teeth cleaned in the Calming Room at Union Pediatric Dentistry.

AJ's Collection to Show Support

his month, show support for Autism Awareness with a personalized rectangular puzzle piece necklace from AJ’s Collection. These charms can be personalized with the name of someone special, a puzzle piece charm and adorned with a gemstone. Head to ajscollection.com/ autism-awareness-rectangle-charmnecklace to order one today!

10 April 2020

Autism Speaks Walk

Shoot Hoops On the Go

ids can boost their confidence and coordination with the new Hoopman! Portable Basketball Goal. With a carrying bag and shoulder strap, this foldable onthe-go basketball hoop is perfect for children to enjoy active play anywhere they go. Find out more by visiting theportablehighchair.com/hoopman for more information. We are giving away a Hoopman! Basketball goal, keep an eye on Cincinnati Family's Instagram page @cincinnatifamily this month for a chance to win.

utism Speaks Walk is the world's largest autism fundraiser event dedicated to improving the lives of people with autism. The Cincinnati

walk, originally scheduled for May 9 has been moved to Saturday, August 29. Powered by the love of people with autism and the relatives and friends who support them, the funds raised through Autism Speaks walks ensure that people of all abilities will have access to the tools they need to lead their "best lives." Start a team, join a team or register as an individual to raise money for the autism community with a walk goal. Or, if you prefer not to walk, make a donation. The Cincinnati goal is to raise $220,000 of which $34,587 is now raised. The walk takes place at University of Cincinnati, 2935 Campus Green Drive, Cincinnati. To learn more, contact Amy Schinner at 513-2908355. To register or donate, head to Autism Speaks at autismspeaks.org/events/cincinnatiwalk-1.

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April 2020 11

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THANK YOU FOR VOTING US BEST OF PARENTING 9 YEARS!

kids’ health

BY AMANDA HAYWARD By Amanda Hayward

TURN THE PAGE FOR FAMILY HEALTH BITS >>>

KIDS & CONCUSSIONS What You Need to Know When you were a kid, people may have blown off concussions, but not anymore. Parents with contact-sport-playing kids need to be aware and take necessary precautions.

t was a normal day. My older brother was pumped up, being the spirited, upbeat personality on the team. Football had been his life from elementary through high school. This particular game, I remember him sprinting down the field toward the touchdown. With the blink of an eye, he was down. Everyone stopped, and I remember the coaches running toward him, carefully removing his helmet. My brother experienced his first of many concussions. Before we knew it, ambulances were rushing onto the field, and he was off to the hospital. This was a scary moment for all of us, but luckily it was mild and they sent him home. This chilling moment stuck with me. I

feared signing my now 8 year old up for football. Am I putting him at risk? According to Alissa Conde, M.D. with the Sports Medicine Division at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Medical Center, there are risks, but that comes with any sport. Although there are no true tried concussion preventions, you can still take preventive measures with your active sports kid. “There are some precautions to ensure safe sport including making sure that the rules for safe play are being enforced [no illegal contacts or purposeful head to head contact while wearing a helmet to injure another athlete],” Conde says. “I also recommend that parents and coaches talk about concussion reporting with their athletes and how important it is to let them know that they have been injured.” Football is the highest risk sport for concussions, but there are many sports that don’t fall that far behind, according to Conde. A recent study conducted by the NCAA, found that football had the highest annual number of concussions, followed by women’s soccer, women’s basketball, men’s basketball and then wrestling. In the grand scheme, a majority of kids who play football do not walk away with a concussion. However, if your kid has experienced a concussion before, they are more likely to get another one. “Several characteristics that increase this

cincinnatifamilymagazine.com

risk include age of the athlete [12-15 years old, higher risk] and those who had a longer course of recovery with higher symptom loads with the first diagnosis,” says Conde. “They are approximately two times more likely to get a repeat injury.”

What is a Concussion? There’s really no great way to grade a concussion, according to Scott J. Albright, M.D., a board-certified sports medicine physician at Premier Orthopedics. They are graded on how long the symptoms last, and there is no testing, blood work or imaging to measure severity. “A concussion is an injury in the brain that results in a temporary alteration and normal brain function,” says Albright, “so it just means that the brain had trauma to it, and it just disrupted the normal, everyday functioning which leads to the symptoms of a concussion.” Normal symptoms tend to resolve in 10 to 14 days with some rest and by limiting physical and thinking activities, says Albright. This also depends on your kids’ age — younger kids tend to need more time for recovery compared to older. From there, protocol is to follow a “return-to-learn” in order to avoid worsening symptoms; physical activity is a graduated “return-to-play” by specific sport. (please turn the page)

April 2020

family health

BITS (“Concussion” cont.)

If the concussion prolongs further, then symptoms may be more severe, and your doctor will recommend the athlete see a concussion specialist, according to Albright. In very rare cases, medication and advanced therapy will be necessary.

Pregnancy & Covid-19 Questions

hen a woman’s expecting, she’s already on high alert and taking extra precautions to stay healthy. But there is also a lot of conflicting information out there amid all of the coronavirus information being shared. Here is some key info for expectant moms from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). • WHAT ABOUT BREAST MILK? There is currently no evidence that COVID-19 can be transmitted to infants through breast milk. • WHAT IF I GET SICK WITH COVID-19 WHILE PREGNANT? A study of pregnant women infected with the

virus (from Wuhan University), published in The Lancet, showed that none of their babies were affected by the virus. The virus was not present in amniotic fluid, the babies’ throats or in breast milk. • WILL MY DOCTOR BE THERE? If you are worried that your doctor won’t be available to care for you during your delivery, don’t worry. There is currently no plan for doctors to be pulled from regular duties to staff other parts of a hospital. • SHOULD I RESCHEDULE MY BABY SHOWER? Yes, during this period of social distancing, the CDC recommends that groups not gather. Source: CDC

Practice Prevention If your child hits his head in any instance — whether sports or play-related, take these steps to monitor your child. • Remove them from play and consult a doctor Rest is number one! This means no active play, a good night’s rest and restful activities during the day, and of course, call your doctor. • Assess for red flags Watch for signs such as the inability to wake up, slurred speech, increasing confusion, repeated vomiting, inability to walk or coordinate movement, or loss of consciousness. “These indicate emergent evaluation by a medical provider,” says Conde. Headaches, some dizziness, fogginess and nausea are all normal following an injury concerning concussion and can be managed at home with “rest to start”; and athletes can be seen by a medical provider in the coming days. • “When in doubt, sit them out!” Follow this motto if you are at all unsure that your active child may not be ready to play. • Do Your Research Stay educated on signs and symptoms of concussions, and do not ignore any complaints of symptoms from your kid. Seek medical attention if you have any questions at all regarding whether your child has a concussion or should be playing their sport after a head injury. Amanda Hayward is editor of this publication and mom of two kids.

14 April 2020

Kids Express Opens from Dayton Children’s

ayton Children’s new retail-type care facility, Kids Express, aimed at treating ear aches, flu shots and more, recently opened in West Chester and Mason - the only one in Ohio with care that is perfect for kids and focused on their unique needs. Kids Express is a convenient combination of a retail clinic and online scheduling with a pediatric expertise. This pediatric-focused health care option has specially trained, boardcertified pediatric nurse practitioners to care for your kids ages 6 weeks to 18 years old. If you can’t get an appointment at your pediatrician’s office, take your kids to Kids Express,* and they can treat anything from colds and coughs, ear infections, pink eye, rashes, mild fever, flu, flu shot, sports physicals and more! Learn more at childrensdayton.org/locations/kidsexpress-west-chester or call 513-644-8081. Walk-ins are welcome but you can also reserve your spot online. Dayton’s Children’s West Chester is located at 7787 Cox Lane, West Chester, Oh. The Mason location is at 8809 Wilkens Blvd., Mason, Oh. *If you are sick, please call your doctor before visiting Kids Express. See the visitor restrictions at childrensdayton.org/patients-visitors.

“Where Every Family Matters.”

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April 2020

Life at Home

BABY LEARNS FROM YOU

Your little one watches your every move.

BY AMANDA HAYWARD

Be mindful!

ou are your baby’s teacher from the first day he lays eyes on you, so being mindful of your actions will have a huge impact on his behavior later on. Janet Y. Higgins, M.D., combined internal medicine and pediatrics at The Christ Hospital, say babies actually begin mimicking facial expressions before they are 1 month old. The adorable “coo” starts around 2 months, and that heart-melting baby laugh begins around 4 months. “The positive and negative emotions of caregivers directly shape an infant’s understanding of human emotions,” Higgins says.

PROVIDE NEEDS

If you are ever told, “You hold him too much,” brush it off and keep the snuggles going. According to Higgins, babies feed off of comfort and care — especially when they are crying or fussy. This comfort teaches Baby to trust and gives him a sense of security. When you are stressed out or depressed, and Baby is ignored, they lose that security blanket. “Babies whose needs are ignored do not develop the same sense of security,” Higgins says. “Unfortunately, when caregivers are stressed or depressed, they often cannot give the baby the comfort he needs,” she adds.

Amanda Hayward is a mom of two and the editor of this publication.

EVERY ACTION MATTERS

The question is, will my actions affect my baby’s emotions and mental health later on in life? Higgins says every action matters. Positive interactions such as smiling back to your baby and talking back with little babbles helps to strengthen your bond and gives Baby’s communication efforts positive reinforcement. “This positive interaction is good for both the mental health of the baby and the caregiver,” says Higgins. “It is important to try to respond to positive communications and behaviors by the infant to encourage more attempts.” Practicing positive behavior now with your baby and praising good behavior when she stacks her blocks and hands them back to you, can actually prevent temper tantrums and “acting out” when the wild toddler years come around, Higgins says.

ACTING OUT?

“Many negative behaviors are the child’s attempt to get parental attention,” says Higgins. And, according to science, even while Baby is floating safely in your uterus, maternal stress can cause changes in the way their

16 April 2020

brain’s wiring develops. “After birth, stress and negative emotions continue to influence the brain’s development, especially during the first year when the brain doubles its weight,” Higgins continues. The good news? It can all be reversed with tender love and care. For parents feeling stressed or actually depressed, there are many resources available to help you through this tough time. Many mothers experience depression during pregnancy and after their baby arrives. Higgins says doctors are paying much more attention to postpartum moms today. But also know that as your baby grows, acting out is not always due to YOU. All babies have different temperaments, so some do better with change than others. Babies go through a lot of lifechanging experiences: living in the outside world, responding to strangers, etc. If you think your baby is being stubborn and cranky for no reason, take a step back, observe the environment and try some positive feedback. A 2 month old may be experiencing colic, sleep disturbances or something else she can’t tell you about. “Try to give positive feedback to your infant when she is doing a desired behavior,” suggests Higgins. “Smile back when she is smiling, take time to play before they start nagging, and remember to enjoy the wonder she sees in the new world.”

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON Babies are a lot of work, but being a parent is also a reward. If you feel your hands are tied and Baby’s crying is too much, try these steps to help you through it. • TAKE A BREATH AND A BREAK: Put Baby in his crib, and allow yourself a few minutes to take deep breaths and recollect your thoughts. • REACH OUT TO FAMILY OR FRIENDS: Your family and friends are a great resource for when you need a shoulder to cry on or just need someone to help take the load off. • CALL THE PEDIATRICIAN: Pediatricians are great for parenting tips or referrals for support services. • REACH OUT TO YOUR DOCTOR: Never ever hesitate to call your OB/GYN. Post-menopausal depression can be devastating if it is not properly treated, but it is treatable. • CALL FOR HELP: If you feel like you are going to harm yourself or your baby, call 911.

“Where Every Family Matters.”

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cincinnatifamilymagazine.com

April 2020 17

Life at Home

BABYBITS Items for these long days filled with togetherness.

BOOGINHEAD booginhead.com; $6.99 Baby can soothe and sip without the mess. The “tether” keeps spills from getting all over your floor. Available at Target, WalMart, Buy Buy Baby and Amazon.

< CIAO BABY PORTABLE HIGH CHAIR theportablehighchair.com $59 - $69

Perfect for your front or backyard, grab one of these lightweight, foldable baby chairs for when Baby is sitting up on his own through age three. It has a builtin cup holder, comfy lap belt to securely hold your little and comes with a vinyl tray cover!

> 1) BOPPY COVER $20 2) BOPPY CARRIER $90 boppy.com.com Boppy wants you and Baby to be comfy on-the-go. Use the cover for your brisk walks through the park or neighborhood. Use the carrier for baby-wearing style and easy — it’s great for breastfeeding, too. 2)

GO HAPPY KIDS TRAVEL TRAY gohappykids.com; $37.50

TRAINING SPOON SET olababy.us; $14.95

Cheerios stay in place with this nifty tray, plus you can easily manage messes. Slide it into your backpack and take it with you. Andjustable strap will keep it stable wherever you are and the flipside’s a whiteboard for baby doodling. Also available at amazon.com.

18 April 2020

“Where Every Family Matters.”

Baby will easily transition from bottle to self-feeding with these helpful tools. This award-winning training spoon, is perfect and made out of 100 percent foodgrade silicone. The flexible material allows Baby to practice scooping and more like a pro! Dishwasher safe and BPA and toxin-free. Also available at Walgreens.

Think a Seven Hills education is beyond your reach? 2 Day Montessori Program Starting Fall 2020 • 16-32 mos. Guiding young learners to become independent through experimentation and exploration. 3228 Brotherton Road, Cincinnati

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April 2020 19

parenting

Should Your Kid Play

COMPETITIVE SPORTS? You bought the shiny, new cleats, so why not get him ready for the hard work ahead? BY AMANDA HAYWARD

20 April 2020

“Where Every Family Matters.”

ow sweet it is when you show up to your toddler’s first soccer game! You watch him chase the ball, pick some dandelions and off he goes. Cute, isn’t it? Flash forward five years and sports are a bit more momentous. One question parents should ask themselves is, is our family ready for the work that lies up ahead? Brian Grawe, M.D., a specialist in sports medicine at UC Health, says it’s important to analyze the “why,” and decide if it’s a commitment both you and your child are prepared for. Of course you have plenty of time now to give it a whirl in your backyard and think ahead to the future. “All kids are going to be different,” says Grawe. “The parent and the child need to be mentally prepared for the fact that the competition produces winners and losers. Ultimately, you need to make sure that your child is mature enough to handle the highs that can be associated with winning, and some of the lows that can be associated with losing,” he adds. Often, parents worry about whether their child is physically ready for a competitive sport, whereas the mental aspect is just as important, if not more. According to Grawe, although injuries do happen, they don’t happen as often as you think. Parents and their strong little athletes should really focus on mental preparedness and what it means to be part of a team. “That [mental preparedness] is going to be more important regarding whether or not they are going to have not only success, but fun while playing a sport,” Grawe says. Fun. That is the key word. Kids need to be kids and have fun in whatever it is they decide they want to do. Part of a parent’s job — among a million other responsibilities — is to alleviate pressure off the child while not telling them they MUST play a specific sport, or they MUST do well. Helping your child relax will help them to succeed. PREVENTING INJURIES Taking extra proper precautions before sending your little competitor out to the field to play is smart. Here are some key ingredients to making sure your kid is sports-ready before he goes (Grawe says these measures can help prevent burnout and acute injuries). • Sign up for Multiple Sports — Steer away from “sports specific specialization” and allow your child to use other muscles, reducing wear

and tear. They are still developing! • Include Free Play — Kids are kids! Life and activities can’t be serious all the time. When there are no goals to be achieved and the stress of winning or losing is out of the picture, kids can relax, take a break and just have fun! It’s recommended that kids have at least 20 minutes of free activity time, three times per week. • Dynamic Warm Ups & Warm Downs — More effective than touching your toes and counting to 10, dynamic stretches do a little more than that. They help children to ease into the sport they are about to play. For example, a cross-country runner might do some light jogging in place, or a football player might do some football shuffles side-to-side. According to Grawe, a recent study found that kids who play over three hours of video games per day, have an increased risk of getting injured when they play sports. “It [the study] supports the fact that your kids need to be having free play; video games can decrease your peripheral vision reaction time, and ultimately decrease your joint mobility if you’re on the controller all the time,” Grawe warns. The more kids move, they less likely they are to get an injury or concussion. (Turn to page 13 to learn more about kids and concussions). IMPORTANCE OF PHYSICALS Depending on the school and the sport, it’s not always required to get a sports physical. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that every child get a regular physical. “There are things that we know of that we can test for on physical exams, and things we can do to both minimize your risk associated with heart problems with athletic participation,” says Grawe. “With asthma problems, but also with knee injuries, ankle injuries, shoulder injuries — those are the big things we look at,” he continues. All in all, it’s best to identify a problem before it even starts. So taking the right precautions can prevent injury and ease parents’ minds. Some hospitals, such as UC Health, offer free physicals at schools in the local area to ensure kids are healthy and to prevent issues before they even start. If your child’s school doesn’t offer physicals, check in with your family physician or pediatrician to make an appointment for a physical. cincinnatifamilymagazine.com

Generally, physicals check for any family history, your heart, breathing problems, baseline concussion testing and anything that would prevent a child from playing a sport. LET KIDS BE KIDS No matter what sport your child chooses to play, it’s about having fun and growing their personalities and relationships. Sometimes parents with the best intentions make the mistake of signing their child up for too many sports thinking it’s good for them. More isn’t always better, and we should all sit back and be realistic on what will and will not work out for the child and the family. “Just remember, Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team,” Grawe says. “As a result, you don’t need to put too much pressure on one single season, for one single sport, at one period of time. A natural, organic development typically is going to help alleviate the pressure in youth sports.” Kids can get stressed in the situation and find themselves trying to please their family rather than finding pure enjoyment out of the sport. The enjoyment part of it is more important to a child’s skill development and health rather than the sport itself. Amanda Hayward is a mom of two and the editor of this publication.

ASK YOURSELF Are You Doing Too Much? Signing up for too many sports in one season can cause stress and be physically hard on your child. Are they Old Enough? In general, sports for ages 8 and younger should be about fun, getting active and learning new skills. Over 8 years old is really when they begin to compete and learn to grasp the idea of winning and losing. What Do They Want to Do? Your little sport who was once kicking around a soccer ball may be more interested in a one-man sport or activity. Ask them what they want! The answer may surprise you. Are YOU Ready? Competitive sports require commitment. Traveling, practices and weekend games (often early in the a.m.) all come with the package. Be realistic with your family life and commit to what works. Commitment is the key to showing your children you are fully supportive and ready to be there for them along the journey.

April 2020 21

Your 2020 Guide to Camps, Summer Programs and After-School Activities ARTS

Cincinnati Ballet

Abrakadoodle Summer Art Camps

Multiple locations in Greater Cincinnati 513-297-5655 abrakadoodle.com/oh-greater-cincinnati Abrakadoodle offers summer art camps for kids, as well as special holiday art camps during school breaks. We offer art camps at schools and other community locations. Our art camps include art lessons, music, games and special activities for children ages 3 - 12. Call for locations and dates.

Art Workshop

3130 Wasson Road, Hyde Park 513-406-4009 theartworkshopinc.net Art enrichment for kids ages 3 and up. Pottery wheel, clay, drawing, painting and cartooning. Mom and Me, Freestyle (choose your own project) and teen classes offered weekdays and Saturdays.

ArtsConnect Kids and Teen Classes

9150 Winton Road, Cincinnati 513-522-2108 theartsconnect.us • artsinfo@springfieldtwp.org Kids 7 - 13 yrs. will have a creative and imaginative summer filled with themed art projects. Campers will be empowered to make a difference in their world through art.

Baldwin Music

baldwinmusiceducenter.com • info@baldwinmusiceducenter.com Baldwin Music Education Center offers an outstanding curriculum combining the cognitive, social, emotional and musical concepts every young life needs for ages 6 mos. and up. Group classes are engaging with lots of options, affordable pricing and convenient location.

Camp Art Academy

1212 Jackson Street, Cincinnati 513-562-8748 artacademy.edu/camp • commed@artacademy.edu Art Academy of Cincinnati’s Camp Art Academy offers kids ages 5 - 12 six unique weeks of art camp programs! Balancing technical instruction with freedom of self-expression, Camp Art Academy’s curriculum includes fundamental visual art skill building activities, two and three dimensional hands-on experiences, top-notch guest artists and creative problem solving with lots of fun!

CCM Preparatory

290 CCM Blvd., Cincinnati 513-556-2595 ccm.uc.edu/prep • ccmprep@uc.edu CCM Preparatory provides enjoyable and accessible arts opportunities in music, dance and theatre arts. Our programs educate and inspire students from 3 yrs. - adult.

April 2020

A Paid Advertising Directory

1555 Central Pkwy., Cincinnati 513-562-1111 cballet.org/academy • cbacademy@cballet.org Students ages 4 - 8 will dance their way through the “Summer of Dreams” as they explore favorite ballet stories including The Wizard of Oz, Cinderella and The Little Mermaid.

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company

1195 Elm St., Cincinnati 513-381-2273 cincyshakes.com Join Cincinnati Shakespeare Company downtown for Theatre Summer Camp! We offer unique and fun programs for beginner to advanced thespians. Learn more online.

Cincinnati Art Museum Summer Camp

953 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati 513-721-2787 cincinnatiartmuseum.org/summercamp • camsummercamp@cincyart.org The Cincinnati Art Museum is the place for fun and creativity in the summer. Jump into art with eight weeks of exciting art projects, gallery games, and more! Explore a different theme each week with activities taught by skilled educators and museum staff. Designed for children ages 6 - 12. Convenient before- and after-care available. Camps run Jun. 8 - Aug. 7. Registration begins Feb. 1 at 10 a.m.

Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park Summer Theatre Camp and Performance Academy

962 Mt. Adams Circle, Cincinnati 513-421-3888 cincyplay.com Explore fantastical worlds, storybook lands, favorite books and movies, and so much more. Half-day, full-day and multi-week performance academy camps available. Camps held at the Playhouse plus locations in Evendale, Blue Ash, Mason and the West End. Also available, the Launch Pad Accessibility Program integrates students with developmental disabilities. 2020 Performance Academy offerings include Disney’s Mary Poppins Jr., Clue: On Stage and Disney’s 101 Dalmatians KIDS.

The Mad Potter Madeira

7754 Camargo Road, Madeira 513-561-1888 madpottercincinnati.com Pottery painting, parties, and special events. Choose a piece, paint it, and pick it up in a week. Special events include Kidz Nite and Ladies Nite. Summer camp options to be announced soon!

Mason Dance Center

600-B Reading Road, Mason 513-398-0353 masondance.com Mason Dance Center provides an opportunity for anyone ages 3 - adult to discover the joys of dance. Ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, modern, pre-professional ballet, pre-dance combos, adult classes. We offer summer and mini-camps!

“Where Every Family Matters.”

School of Rock

Cincy Stem Lab

Star Glazers

CINSAM Summer Camp

cincinnati.schoolofrock.com 513-586-7625 nky.schoolofrock.com 859-999-7625 Does your son or daughter want to play in a rock band? Ages 7 - 18 will find their tribe, make music and have fun! No experience needed and every skill level welcome – including beginners! starglazers.com 513-474-6364 Paint pottery at your location. Pottery experts will bring all the supplies and offer booklets and ideas for your masterpiece. Pricing includes the cost of supplies, glazing and firing. No mess!

Summer Circus Arts Camps presented by My Nose Turns Red Youth Circus

Evendale Cultural Arts Center, 10500 Reading Road, Evendale 859-581-7100 mynoseturnsred.org • info@mynoseturnsred.org Stretch your child’s creative muscle. For ages 4 - 6 yrs. and 7 - 18 yrs. Skills for ages 7 - 18 includes gym (German) wheel, aerial silks, unicycle, Diabolo, physical comedy, and more. Camps for ages 4 - 6 include circus games and activities just right for their age.

West Chester Academy Music, Dance, Gymnastics

8107 Market Place Drive, West Chester 513-829-2345 westchesteracademy.com From a child’s very first lesson to the experienced adult, West Chester Academy has something for everyone in music, dance, and gymnastics. Located in West Chester, we specialize in beginners of all ages and offer training through pre-professional levels. We have camps for all ages.

EDUCATION/ENRICHMENT

cincystemlab.com 513-857-3366 This summer your kids will taste, smell, hear, touch, see, and do STEM! Choose from all Girl STEM camps to Electrifying Engineering at multiple locations throughout Greater Cincinnati. Your kid’s summer will be scientificall. This summer we’ll have camps all over Cincinnati. Center for Integrative Natural Sciences and Mathematics, at Northern Kentucky University inside.nku.edu/artsci/centers/cinsam/p12students/summercamps.html Want to see your rising 2nd - 12th graders explore STEM this summer? Check out our camps and academies that include astronomy, LEGO, data science, neuroscience, chemistry, engineering and more! All programs are hosted by NKU faculty and staff with scholarships available for low income students.

Classroom Antics Summer STEAM Camps

Multiple Locations 800-595-3776 classroomantics.com • hello@classroomantics.com Kids ages 7 - 13 choose from Lego™ robotics, stop-motion animation, game design, video production, Minecraft coding and programming. These enrichment classes are sure to ignite your child’s passion for learning! Use code CF10 for $10 off before Apr. 30.

SPORTS/FITNESS Life Time Fitness

8310 Wilkens Blvd., Mason 513-770-9751 lifetime.life Weekly themes, dress-up days, field trips and even more activities that help kids grow and learn. Activities focus on healthy eating and physical activity (swimming, rock climbing, turf sports), community connections, S.T.E.A.M, character development, games, and weekly warrior challenges. Ages 4 and up Extended day care available.

Children’s Meeting House

The Little Gym of Mason

Cincinnati Museum Center

TRADITIONAL

927 O’Bannonville Road, Loveland 513-683-4757 cmhschool.com CMH summer camps offer children a great opportunity to extend their learning while having fun on campus. We have a variety of arts, crafts, nature exploration, science activities, and more for children ages 3 - 12. Camp dates are Jun. 15 - 19, Jun. 22 - 26, Jul. 13 - 17, and Jul. 20 - 24. Visit our website for more details. 1301 Western Ave., Cincinnati 513-287-7000 cincymuseum.org/museum-camps When school is out, Museum Camps are in! Spring and summer Museum Camps take school’s-out energy and turns it into new friends and new interests. Register now on our website.

YMCA of Greater Cincinnati

myy.org 513-362-9622 At the Y we ensure that children and teens reach their full potential by helping them grow physically, mentally and socially. Leadership and academic enrichment programs, school age care, preschool, two autism centers, kindergarten toddler care, teen college and career readiness program, youth and government program and day and overnight camps.

NATURE Cincinnati Nature Center

4949 Tealtown Road, Milford 513-831-1711 cincynature.org • registrar@cincynature.org Spend summer outside! CincyNature Camps empower kids, ages 3 - 13, to use their creativity and explore outdoors in a safe, friendly environment. Camps are Jun. - Aug. Learn more on our website.

Great Parks of Hamilton County Summer Day Camps

greatparks.org 513-521-7275 Great Parks Day Camps, offered June through August, provides opportunities for children ages 2 - 17 to explore nature with hands-on activities and educational experiences that will last a lifetime. For details, visit our website.

SCIENCE/TECHNOLOGY Camp Invention

campinvention.org 800-968-4332 Imaginations get their rocket fuel at Camp Invention! This summer’s all-new curriculum allows children in grades K - 6 to experience real-world problem solving and creative thinking as they transform a distant exoplanet, take risks as future entrepreneurs, blast rockets and rubber chickens, and wire a circuit to create their own Spy Gadget Alarm Box! Local educators lead a week of hands-on activities that will launch your child’s imagination. Discounts available, register today!

8201 Arbor Square Drive, Mason 513-204-1400 thelittlegym.com/masonoh For children ages 3 - 10 yrs., Super Quest camps invite kids to exercise their muscles, imaginations, and cooperation skills. You’ll love how easy our flexible scheduling is.

Camp at the J – Mayerson JCC

8485 Ridge Road, Cincinnati 513-722-7249 mayersonjcc.org/campatthej At Camp at the J, kids can experience the best of summer. From swim lessons to archery, sports to arts and crafts, kids will create memories and form friendships to last a lifetime. Camp at the J’s inclusive camp offers camp for every kid! Traditional day camp provides all the fun that makes camp a summertime staple, with flexible weekly options to fit your schedule. A wide range of specialty camps, including arts, science, theater, horseback riding, sports and much more.

Falcon Camp

4251 Delta Road SW, Carrollton 800-837-CAMP (2267) falconcamp.com • info@falconcamp.com Widely recognized as Ohio’s premier summer camp since 1959. Beautiful lakefront setting with wide range of activities. Boys and girls ages 6 - 16 choose their own schedule within general framework, separate activities with planned co-ed events. 1:4 staff/ camper ratio. Most of all, it’s a great time! ACA accredited, many references.

Greenacres Summer Camps

8255 Spooky Hollow Road, Cincinnati 513-891-4227 green-acres.org • camps@green-acres.org Summer camps at Greenacres offer fun for every personality, from arts and music, to farming and horseback riding, Greenacres’ camps will fill your child’s summer with joy and memories!

Kids First Sports Center – Camp-A-Palooza

7900 E. Kemper Road, Cincinnati 513-489-7575 kidsfirstsports.com • msmith@kidsfirstsports.com Campers at Kids First get the very best! 108,000 square feet of everything kids love: basketball, karate, gymnastics, dance, cheer, swimming, volleyball, you name it! Field trips every week outside Kids First and in-house entertainment brought in throughout week. Leaders in Training course for teens ages 13 - 15 covering topics like leadership, communication, and group dynamics. Teens can look forward to excursions, service opportunities, and more.

Find these camps and more in the directories on our website cincinnatifamilymagazine.com

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April 2020

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April 2020

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“Where Every Family Matters.”

2/3/2020 1:33:41 PM

APRIL

BY AMANDA CIANI

THINGS TO DO 26 Best Podcasts & APPS Media’s our bestfriend now!

28 Creative Home Play Cut loose and let imaginations soar with these 50 activities.

30 Online Learning Because we’re all homeschoolers now.

32 Easter Egg Hunts Clever options for indoors or out. Get your Easter on!

DEAR READERS! Our newly-minted double Gold award-winning THINGS TO DO (read about our awards’ haul at the 2020 Parent Media Association conference on page 9) will return to print when events and gatherings start up again. For up-tothe minute information on events, visit THING TO DO online at cincinnatifamilymagazine.com

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KEEP MOVING! Now more than ever, take walks and hikes away from the maddening crowd. April 2020 25

things to do

BEST PODS & APPS Just the Right Amount of Notables to Get Kids Started

We’re all in ... because it’s time to up your kids’ games with their headphones!

PODCASTS Word of mouth is your best source for kids’ podcasts since they are always changing, but we’ve curated a list of our faves of the moment. HOW TO DO IT? Download the Podcast app from the iTunes store or Google Play for Android. Start searching podcasts!

APPS • “But Why?” Answers to kids’ questions. • “Pants on Fire” Kids have to find the liar on a game show hosted by a robot. • “Unspookable” Scary stories, myths, clowns and more for kids 8 and older who like that sort of stuff.

• “Stories Podcast” Classic and original tales.

• “LIttle Stories for Tiny People” A very-sweet bedtime podcast.

• “Molly of Denali” Eight episodes based on the PBS series.

• “Dream Big” A mother-daughter duo interview celebrities each week.

• “Wow in the World” Science and silliness.

• “Sesame Street” Littles will hear about caring, friendship and lots more.

April 2020

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YOUTUBE KIDS AGES 2 - 12 | FREE This app screens content and shows what’s OK for kids.

QUICK MATH JR. AGES 4 - 8 | FREE Features 12 different games and fundamental math skills.

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513-769-1010 sportsplusoh.com April 2020 27

things to do

CREATIVE PLAY 50 Activities for Kids at Home ... What Else Do You Need?!

earning is everywhere when your child is little, so take full advantage of his willingness to play. Here are 50 activities to do together — that’s 50 days of learning!

1. MAKE PLAY DOUGH AND USE IT TO MAKE FUN LITTLE THINGS. Play Dough Recipe: 1 cup white flour; 1/2 cup salt; 2 tablespoon cream of tartar (find it in the spice section); 1 tablespoon oil; 1 cup water food coloring Directions: Mix first 4 ingredients in a pan. Add water and mix well. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, for 3 - 5 minutes. Dough will become difficult to stir and form a “clump.” Remove from stove and knead for 5 minutes – add food coloring during kneading process. Store after use in a plastic container.

5. MAKE CLOUD DOUGH (moldable sand!) to make fun shapes. Cloud dough recipe: 5 cups plain flour; 1 cup baby oil. Mix and play.

3. WINDOW ART Use sheets of foam for crafting and cut into all kinds of shapes or create a fun story scene — this stuff stays and is easily removed. 4. MAKE PAINT PRINTS Use broccoli, peppers, spaghetti, toy cars, cardboard tubes, egg cartons or cookie cutters. 28

April 2020

22. MAKE MACARONI NECKLACES 23. MAKE SANDWICHES TOGETHER 24. STEP IN PAINT AND MAKE FOOTPRINTS on paper.

6. CREATE SHAVING CREAM and finger paint shapes on a tray.

25. DECORATE COLORING SHEETS with buttons & other items.

7. MOLD SMALL TOYS IN JELLO and dig them out; play and explore.

26. MAKE EDIBLE FINGERPAINTS.

8. PLAY “CAN YOU GUESS WHAT THIS SMELL IS?” using items in your kitchen. 9. FREEZE SOME TOYS IN ICE and try and have a race to see who can excavate them the quickest. 10. PAINT EACH OTHER’S FACES with face crayons. 11. SET UP A ROLE-PLAY COFFEE SHOP 12. MAKE CLOTHING PIN FAIRIES using small pieces of fabric and a fine-tip Sharpie. Use the fairies to tell a story.

Edible Fingerpaints Recipe: 2 cups corn starch; 1 cup cold water; 4-and-a-half cups of boiling water; liquid food coloring Directions: Mix the corn starch with the cold water, and stir together. Pour in the boiling water, one cup at a time, and stir between each cup. Keep stirring as it melts into a pudding-like consistency. Separate into different jars or plastic bowls and add food coloring to make different colors.

13. PRACTICE WRITING LETTERS AND NUMBERS IN SALT 14. HAVE FUN FINGER PAINTING 15. ACT OUT “GOLDILOCKS AND THE 3 BEARS”

2. CREATE A TREASURE BASKET A small basket or box labeled “Treasures” can hold items that your child is fascinated by or that you want him to learn about. For instance, you can do a kitchen theme of different cooking utensils, or things that we use for hygiene ... the sky’s the limit.

21. PUT TOGETHER A SENSORY TUB

27. SET UP AN OUTDOOR MESSY AREA for making mud pies and grass soup.

16. GO ON A NATURE WALK & COLLECT ITEMS FOR A COLLAGE

28. MAKE A PIRATE MAP, a treasure chest from a cardboard box, a sandy pirate island and go on adventures, indoors or out.

17. MAKE BALL CATCHERS FROM MILK JUGS & PLAY WITH A TENNIS BALL

29. TURN A BOX INTO A PLAY CAR

18. SET UP A READING TENT and read a pile of books together with milk and cookies. 19. MAKE A ROCK POOL using a large roasting pan, and tell seaside stories. 20. PAINT A TABLE TOP WITH CHALKBOARD PAINT then draw on it.

30. COLLECT PETALS & MASH TO MAKE PERFUME 31. CREATE A DINOSAUR LAND ON A TRAY using small dinosaurs. 32. MAKE PICTURES with felt shapes. 33. USE PLASTIC BOTTLES to make discovery bottles. 34. PAINT RAINBOWS TOGETHER

“Where Every Family Matters.”

35. CREATE A GIANT COLLAGE version of a favorite book of your child’s. 36. SCRAPE FORKS OR COMBS through paint to explore texture. 37. HOLD A PUPPET SHOW WITH SOCK PUPPETS 38. SORT TINY TOYS into an egg carton to practice counting skills. 39. MAKE A PICTURE WITH COTTON BALLS 40. BLOW BUBBLES TOGETHER 41. MAKE GIANT CHALK LETTERS 42. MAKE A RAIN GAUGE to measure rainfall together. Use a plastic water bottle; cut the top of the water bottle off and turn it upside down IN the water bottle to catch rain. 43. PLAY BOWLING INDOORS with empty water bottles & a rubber ball. 44. USE MASKING TAPE TO CREATE ARTWORK 45. FOLD PAPER OVER PAINT TO MAKE 46. HOLD A DANCE PARTY 47. PUT PAPER ALL OVER THE FLOOR and have a huge doodling session. 48. PLAY “THE VOICE” 49. PLAY RESTAURANT 50. PLAY STORE

WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED! HEAD TO CINCINNATIFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM FOR MORE UP-TO-THE-MINUTE IDEAS ON THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS!

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things to do

ONLINE LEARNING Because We’re ALL Homeschoolers Now.

ith schools closed, we are all scrambling to figure out how to make the best of it and homeschool our kids. Educational sites and resources are fantastic when it comes to learning at home — kids love it! Luckily, many local schools utilize tons of great resources and give parents and kids access to them. Plus, most are free to use. Let technology be your best friend during this time as there are endless amounts of learning materials online. Schedule tech time appropriately, use your discretion and use it wisely!

April 2020

“Where Every Family Matters.”

EDUCATION abcmouse.com abcya.com adaptedmind.com adventureacademy.com brainpop.com brainscape.com coolkidfacts.com coolmath.com coolmathforkids.com courseera.com disneyjr.com education.com highlightskids.com howstuffworks.com funbrain.com grammaropolis.com innerbody.com kidsthinkdesign.com kodable.com kids.nationalgeographic.com learninggamesforkids.com learningstationmusic.com mathblaster.com mathplayground.com midpointelibrary.org nasa.gov/nasalive ngakids.gov nickjr.com PBSkids.org peepandthebigwideworld.com petethecatbooks.com prodigygame.com readingeggs.com scratch.MIT.edu spellingcity.com starfall.com storylineonline.net thekidzpage.com TIMEforkids.com turtlediary.com xtramath.com

THE SOCIAL DISTANCING FESTIVAL

socialdistancingfestival.com

EXPLORING HOMESCHOOLING

A data base including live streams from around the world.

HOMESCHOOL NETWORK OF GREATER CINCINNATI (HSN)

FACEBOOK LIVE EVENTS Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Weekdays at 3 p.m., kids can watch as an animal and activity are highlighted.

LIVE CAMS & VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS airpano.com earthcam.com explore.org/livecams hdontap.com opentopia.com

hsncincy.com origin.Americandairy.com skylinewebcams.com nationalzoo.si.edu symbaloo.com worldcams.tv worldcam.eu zoocamerasaroundtheworld.com

thehomeschool.com Families working together to support each other in homeschooling. Members from Ohio and Kentucky.

YOUTUBE (FOR CORE LEARNING)

ohen.org A regional network of homeschooling families with a purpose to provide interested parents with accurate information about home education in Ohio.

5 Minute Crafts Play Alpha Blocks Arts for Kids Hub Clarendon Learning Dolly’s Stories KIDS Free School Homeschool Pop Liberty’s Kids Math & Learning Videos 4 Kids Mathantics NumberRocks Pinkfong! PBS Kids Peekaboo Kids Science Max SciShow Kids Scratch Garden Story Bots

VIRTUAL TOURS & LIVESTREAMS Metropolitan Opera metopera.org Nightly opera streams National Museum of Natural History naturalhistory.si.edu/visit/virtual-tour National Gallery of Art (Washington, D.C.) artsandculture.google.com Yosemite National Park virtualyosemite.org

cincinnatifamilymagazine.com

OHIO HOME EDUCATOR’S NETWORK (OHEN)

OHIO HOMESCHOOL INFO education.ohio.gov/Topics/QualitySchool-Choice/Home-Schooling Ohio department of education info. TIME4LEARNING.COM This site guides parents through a stepby-step process on how to get started. It goes over curriculum requirements in various states, including Ohio. K12.COM Offers great core curriculum for students of all learning levels and is a great resource to guide you on how to take an individual approach. HOMESCHOOLACADEMY.COM Loaded with all of the resources you need to understand homeschooling laws, how to get started, curriculum.

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ON THE HUNT! Make the Best of Easter With Your Family! These Options are Good for Indoors or Out

EGG HUNT BUNNY MARKERS Grab some sturdy cardstock and cut out bunny, egg and carrot shapes. Glue to wooden craft sticks or Popsicle sticks, then scatter throughout the yard to guide everyone to their hidden treats! If the weather is gloomy, take it indoors!

GOLDEN EGG TICKET

Do your kids love Willy Wonka? Place “the golden ticket” in one of the plastic easter eggs. Whoever finds the golden ticket gets a special prize. Learn more at partyplan.com.

CONFETTI EGG PARTY

Have a fun pre-Easter party with the kids! Keep you empty egg shells (crack them leaving an opening at the top, then rinse with warm water and dry). Place eggs in carton; fold a piece of paper, creating a funnel, and use it to fill the clean eggshells with your favorite, festive confetti. Cover tops of eggs with tissue paper using Mod Podge to help them stick. Now, have a party and go to town and smash them around! mynameissnickerdoodle.com

NATURE SCAVENGER HUNT

Ditch the plastic with an outdoor scavenger hunt. Grab some paper lunch bags, and print out a free printable at fivelittlechefs. com with items to find in nature, or create your own! Think pinecones, daisys, rocks,

April 2020

different leaves and something they think is a treasure!

SMART PHONE EGG HUNT

have a member from each team search for an egg. Find an egg, tag a teammate! Learn more at partyplan.com.

Are your big kids too cool for traditional Easter egg hunts? They may think again after this techy QR code Egg Hunt. You will need a smart phone, then download a free QR Code scanner (one that works well is called “Scan.”) Next, head to blog. bitsofeverything.com to print your codes and clues - all the clues are numbered and the QR codes are numbered to match the corresponding clue where the egg is hiding. Print all the QR codes and only use the ones that work for your yard and watch your big kids run wild!

This one is perfect for the little bunnies in your life! Using sidewalk chalk, draw “bunny footprints” up your sidewalk, keeping them kid-friendly hopping distance apart (you can have one of the kids hop for you so you don’t place them too far apart. If you want to really get creative with the footprints, head to smartschoolhouse. com/diy-crafts/easter-bunny-trail for more ideas). Place the eggs along the bunny trail, and let the Littles hop to the prints that lead to the eggs!

HOPPIN’ EASTER EGG HUNT

POM-POM HUNT

Get the kids really moving with this active hunt! Come up with at least 20 fun exercises on a piece of paper to get the kids shaking during their fun hunt, indoors or outdoors! Cut them out, fill the eggs with the paper and some treats! Exercises can be “Hop like a bunny,” “Do a summersault,” “Quack like a duck” - the sky’s the limit! Grab a free printable at aliceandlois.com/easter-egghunt-free-printable.

EASTER EGG RELAY RACE

The kids can work as a group to find the colorful eggs. Split the kids into teams and

“Where Every Family Matters.”

EASTER BUNNY TRAIL

Who says you have to use eggs? Place little craft pom poms around the house, maybe even a certain color for each child, and hide them everywhere. Create a craft with the poms poms when you’re finished!

NIGHT GLOW HUNT

The older kids will love this one! Fill the Easter eggs with glow sticks once the sun goes down! Even the adults can have fun doing this. Sources: womansday.com; goodhousekeeping.com.

Start Here. Go Far. Future world influencers, like this student, require a strong start. Look no further than right here. Children who attend one of Cincinnati Public Schools’ high-quality, five-star-rated preschools are 2.5 times more likely to be on track for kindergarten.

Our programs encourage creative exploration and stimulate children’s cognitive, social, emotional and physical development. Plus, our learners have full access to an array of special services and enrichment opportunities — from school-based health centers and before- and after-school programs to character education, unique field trips and more!

Just watch how far they’ll go. Make sure your influencer-in-the-making gets a strong start.

For more information about

your neighborhood school, call: (513) 363-0240 (preschool)

(513) 363-0123 (kindergarten)

CPS C PS P S

GROW

AS A FAMILY Join Today! MyY.org YMCA OF GREATER CINCINNATI

513.362.9622