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Grandmoms Saved the Species • Discover Ethnic Neighborhoods Montessori for the Littlest Learners •
How NOT to Help a Stutterer All-Girl and All-Boy Camps 2020 Camp Directory
Discover your capable, confident Montessori child.
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Discover your capable, confident Montessori child. At Guidepost, children will enter a wonderful world of activities, tools, and learning materials, designed to captivate their interest and inspire their budding intelligence in remarkable ways. Early childhood is a brief moment in time when children’s minds develop rapidly, and they establish foundational character traits. Take advantage of this critical age!
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Visit us online to RSVP for an event or schedule a tour today! Guidepost Montessori at Laurel Oak guidepostmontessori.com/laurel-oak 1004 Laurel Oak Voorhees Township, NJ 08043 (848) 999-9456
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Toddler • Preschool Kindergarten
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February 2020 Vol. 25, No. 2
Westfield Friends School
The World We Seek for Children Begins Here
NOW ENROLLING
Camp 2020 7 All-boy and All-girl Camps 8 Camp Directory
Preschool 2 through 8th grades
In This Issue 4 Grandmoms Saved the World 6 Montessori for the Very Young 13 Win It! SpecialKids 5 When Words Get Stuck Family Fun 11 Day-by-Day Calendar 14 Discover Ethnic Neighborhoods Ad Sections
3 Education; 8 Camps; 10 Child Care
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Inquiry-based curriculum • Values-based instruction Commitment to diversity • Vibrant Arts program •Affordable Responsive Tuition •Beautifully wooded 8.5-acre campus •Convenient to South Jersey and Philadelphia area families Every day is an open house at WFS--Visit us today!
2201 Riverton Road •Cinnaminson, NJ 856-829-0895 • www.westfieldfriends.org
5 14 Correction from January’s issue
The enrollment figures provided by the National Catholic Educational Association for a Catholic Schools Week graphic last month were inaccurate. The 2018-2019 enrollment in diocesan schools was: Philadelphia – 62,656 Camden, NJ – 11,659 Trenton, NJ – 15,157 Wilmington, DE – 9,685
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Parenting
How Grandmothers Saved the World Grandmom should be more than a holiday hug and a monthly Facetime. Professor Kathleen Stassen Berger believes the matriarchs are responsible for the survival of our species and have an important role to play today, although they often find themselves on the sidelines of the modern family. In Grandmothering: Building Strong Ties With Every Generation Berger shows how to tap the wisdom of grandparents without usurping mom and dad. We asked her to explain some of her ideas.
Where is the line between being helpful and meddling?
How did grandmothers save the species?
Should grandmothers be expected to babysit?
In the past, species, including earlier hominids, became extinct because reproduction failed, climate change destroyed food, and natural disasters devastated communities. When homo sapiens started living long enough to be grandparents, the population increased. Grandmothers delivered babies, found food for nursing mothers and toddlers, knew what herbs would help the sick, kept older children from wandering into jungles, off cliffs or far from home.
Why do you say grandmothers are being given short shrift these days? Our national emphasis on the nuclear family has led to ignoring the grandparents. Families function best when parents are not the only, exclusive caregivers, yet the current emphasis on intensive parenting undercuts grandmother help.
What’s the best way for a parent to get grandparents more involved?
Give clear requests and guidelines. Grandparents sometime overstep, sometimes stay distant, without knowing what parents really want.
What’s the best way for grandparents to be more involved?
Support the parents and follow their guidelines. Don’t grab all the joy of caregiving — holding the infant, giving presents to the older children. Figure out what is really helpful — perhaps buying groceries, folding laundry, picking children up from school.
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It depends on the family relationships, but the line is not where most grandparents imagine. Best to stay quiet or ask “What do you think?” Never give a comment that might be taken as criticism. I know a grandmother who, when she heard her granddaughter in the background during a phone call, asked “Aren’t the children asleep yet.” The mother slammed down the phone.
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1412-1414 Pine St., Philadelphia, PA 19102 215-291-5560 856-667-3555 302-224-3020 Toll Free: 888-890-4668 Fax: 215-291-5565
President: Nancy Lisagor, PhD, ext. 109 nlisagor@metrokids.com Publisher: Darlene Weinmann, ext. 108 dweinmann@metrokids.com Managing Editor: Dave Gilmartin, ext. 102 editor@metrokids.com Resource Editor: Cheyenne Shaffer, ext. 101 calendar@metrokids.com Contributing Writers: Terri Akman, Suzanne Koup-Larsen, Frank Lipsius, Kathy O’Connell, Ann L. Rappoport, PhD
Ideally, every grandmother babysits sometimes and is not the full-time caregiver. Specifics depend on what the parents need. Expectations need to be discussed, because assumptions are often wildly off.
Production Manager: Veronica Hanna, ext. 103 production@metrokids.com
What’s your best advice for a grandparent of a:
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Infant – Talk, sing, and laugh with the baby. Spend hours at it, often. Toddler – Help them explore safely, by keeping hazards away. Then take them to a park where they can be safe and happy. Tween – Listen to them, read with them, encourage them. Also listen to the parents. Teen – Again, listen and communicate via texts, videos, anyway that works. Be wary of giving advice or criticism, but share stories of past experiences that taught you something. Respect teen opinions about current issues, such as climate change (one grandmother quit using cellophane because of her grandson) and social prejudice (accept friends of various sexualities, ethnicities, religions etc.). Overall, every parent and grandchild benefits from support and love from someone who is able to put aside personal complaints. For many reasons, grandmothers are ideally suited for that role. Kathleen Stassen Berger is a professor of Human Development at the City University of New York, and author of Grandmothering: Building Strong Ties with Every Generation as well as two top college textbooks on the subject. Learn more at Kathleenbergerauthor.com
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MetroKids® is published monthly by KidStuff Publications, Inc. © 2020 MetroKids® Magazine. All rights reserved by KidStuff Publications, Inc. ISSN 1094-8503. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. Publisher is not responsible for unsolicited material. MetroKids® or KidStuff Publications do not assume responsibility for statements or opinions expressed by editorial contributors or advertisers. MetroKids® and SpecialKids® are trademarks of KidStuff Publications, Inc. The acceptance of advertising does not constitute an endorsement of the products, services or information. We do not knowingly present any product or service which is fraudulent or misleading in nature. Advertisers indemnify and hold harmless the publisher from any claim and all loss, expense, or liability arising out of the publication of any advertisement. SUBSCRIPTIONS: U.S.A. $36, one year; $72, two years. Single copies free. AWARD–WINNING MEMBER OF THE:
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SpecialKids
Summer Camp CampSay • Aug. 3–17 Pocono Springs Camp, East Stroudsburg, PA 212-414-9696; Campsay.org Sponsored by SAY: The Stuttering Association for the Young (SAY.org), this camp is for kids age 8–18 who stutter. Support Groups
When the Words Get Stuck Don’t finish words for a child who stutters or tell him to slow down. Here’s what to do instead. By Suzanne Koup-Larsen Everyone has moments when he trips over the words or repeat things; it gives the mind time to think and reorganize what it wants to say. “Someone who stutters knows exactly what he wants to say, but it gets stuck,” says Joe Donaher, PhD, program coordinator at the Center for Childhood Communication at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Young children may stutter because they’re trying to get their ideas out so quickly, Jennifer Cristiano, owner of the South Jersey Speech Center in Williamstown, NJ. “They’re in a race to tell you everything they’re thinking,” she says. By the start of elementary school, most kids will have outgrown their stuttering. In fact, about 5 percent of preschoolers stutter, but only 1 percent continue to do so into adulthood, including sports stars like Philadelphia Eagles running back Darren Sproles and 2017 World Series MVP George Springer. “We don’t know why the other 4 percent recover,” says Hallie Mintz, MS, speech language pathologist at Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, DE. Sometimes it is tricky for a parent to tell when a child has a stutter, says Mike Bauer, former National Stuttering Association chapter leader. “These kids are very intelligent about knowing when and where to switch words.” Pay attention if your child: • Covers his mouth • Avoids talking • Gives up; says “never mind” • Says nonsensical words • Notices it himself Sometimes a child’s frustration with a stutter will show as a physical reaction, such as a grimace, says Cristiano.
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Also, keep in mind that stuttering can take three forms • Repetition: A whole word or phrase or sound is repeated several times • Prolongation: One sound is held out for a long time • Block: The person struggles to speak but no sound comes out
What not to do
If you child has a stutter, resist the temptation to finish a word or sentence for her. “Filling in the word may actually make stuttering worse,” as this tends to increase kids’ frustration, says Mintz. “These kids just need an extra minute. Just let them finish.” Likewise, don’t tell her to calm down or speak more slowly. “Telling a child to slow down is not helpful,” she says. If it’s a true stutter, slowing down won’t make a difference.” It’s also incorrect to assume that stuttering is caused by nerves. “It’s not always triggered by an emotional reaction,” says Cristiano. Kids may stutter just as much at home with their parents as they would in unfamiliar or stressful situations.
What you should do
Stuttering can make the listener feel anxious and uncertain, says Bauer, who suggests these techniques when in a conversation with someone who stutters: • Maintain eye contact • Wait patiently • Listen carefully • Wait for the speaker to finish
Therapy techniques
In therapy, fluency is not the ultimate goal, says Mintz. The perfect production of speech is not as important as partici-
Stuttering Foundation of America (Stutteringhelp.org) National Stuttering Association (Westutter.org) pating in the conversation, she explains. “Sometimes the body is going to stutter no matter what,” says Mintz “but we don’t want it to impact a willingness to speak.” There are some strategies therapists teach to reduce stuttering: • Stretchy speech: Hold out the vowel of the first word in the sentence then say the rest of the sentence normally • Light contact: Touch lip or tongue really lightly to reduce tension • Manipulate the tension: Tighten and relax muscles intentionally • Stutter on purpose: Learn to control the stutter by doing it on purpose When looking for a therapist, Donaher suggests finding one who specializes in stuttering because many speech language pathologists don’t study it in graduate school.
How parents can help
Because stuttering can be a hidden disability until the first time a new acquaintance hears it, Amy Sniras, of Glen Mills, PA, reaches out to teachers at the beginning of each school year to let them know her son, 13-year-old Jake, stutters. “This way, when he starts stuttering, there’s no reaction,” she explains. To make things easier in conversing with new people, Donaher suggests that kids compose an “elevator speech” to explain why they talk they way they do. “I stutter. Sometimes my words get stuck,” he suggests as a short and simple explanation. Sniras recommends reaching out to others who stutter. In addition to support for parents, it’s especially important for kids to meet other kids who stutter, she says. “There’s an amazing network and community out there.”
Suzanne Koup-Larsen is a contributor to MetroKids.
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Education
Montessori for the Very Young Montessori methods are used with toddlers and, in some local schools, even with babies. By Jennifer Lesser Can you teach the Montessori way to a toddler? Or a baby? Local Montessori instructors say yes. “Brain development happens rapidly before six years old, when the child’s brain is in its most plastic state,” says Unique Saunders, assistant head of school at Guidepost Montessori School at Laurel Oak in Voorhees Township, NJ. “It’s during this time when children develop foundational character traits that are much more difficult to change later on, like creativity, logical thinking, persistence, concentration, a growth mindset, and leadership ability.” Proponents of the Montessori approach also tout the life skills it teaches even the littlest learners. “Montessori programs are all about fostering independence — so even our youngest toddlers learn how to pour themselves a glass of water or put on their own coat,” explains Kaitlin Briggs, lead Montessori directress at Neshaminy Montessori School in Trevose, PA. The Montessori component comes into play as they’re doing things for themselves because teachers will never correct them. “If a child has put his shoes on the wrong feet, a teacher might ask how his feet feel but won’t correct the mistake — that way, the child has the responsibility to determine what he did wrong and how to solve the problem,” Briggs says. Guidepost Montessori serves students from birth to 12 years. For toddlers, the program fosters their natural inclination to do things independently. “Students practice multi-step activities that build executive functioning skills as they problem solve, keep future steps in mind, and work towards a goal,” says Saunders.
Mixed-age rooms, individual plans
Montessori classrooms are mixed-age, but children are allowed to complete tasks with uninterrupted concentration. For toddlers, in particular, the ability to focus and concentrate on a given task through completion — as well as retrieve and return their own learning materials —
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is a primary focus of a Montessori-based program. “Our teachers write individual lesson plans for kids, so there’s not one math lesson per day for a classroom of 17 students. There are 17 math lessons for 17 students,” says Annie Barrera, director of early childhood education at Holy Child Academy in Drexel Hill, PA. “This allows us to meet students where they are. Some of our toddlers don’t yet know letters or sounds, while others are starting to read, so these individualized lesson plans aren’t holding any child back. “At the same time they’re not pushing other children too far and frustrating them.” Holy Child is one of the growing numbers of programs that are Montessori-influenced, so the curriculum combines Montessori work with aspects of typical preschool classes. The program begins at age two. “Montessori-trained children do tend to read and write earlier than their peers, but the number one benefit of Montessori for small children is an early sense of independence,” Barrera says. “From a very young age, children learn what adults expect of them and what they can accomplish on their own.”
toddlers where there is ongoing interaction and socialization, problem solving, and child-to-child teaching. “The multi-age classroom is an important component of our program because it mimics the family unit while helping kids learn leadership skills,” says Sarah Williams, assistant head of school for Wilmington Montessori. “Three-year-olds still remember being little and learning new skills, like how to walk, so they often feel compelled to help our youngest students, while the younger children are emulating and learning from the older kids.” Other Montessori programs, such as Children’s House of Philadelphia, start at 18 months. According to Mary D’Anella, executive director, the program is designed to empower their youngest learners. “We want them to learn how to advocate for themselves, so we create a space where they’re heard and listen to what they have to say — even when they’re preverbal,” she says. Gladwyne Montessori in Gladwyne, PA is one of a handful of programs in the area that provides an infant classroom. While babies may not necessarily be completing “work” like their toddler counterparts,
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Montessori for babies
Wilmington Montessori School in Wilmington, DE accepts children as early as 12 months. Even though they are babies and may not even be walking, they join a classroom that includes older
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Camp
All-boy and All-girl Camps Some kids thrive at camps where the social pressure to impress the opposite sex is not an issue. By Rose Destra Summer camp can be a place where memories are made and lasting friendships begin. While sleepaway and day camps are typically coed, some parents and their children prefer single-sex camps in part for their opportunity for empowerment.
Less social pressure
All-boy or all-girl camps are usually smaller, so interactions are more intimate and, because there are no social pressures from the opposite sex, campers feel more confident in their environment. “I think the boys and girls like to be surrounded by whatever they’re classifying as,” says Alexis Featherman, program manager at Camp Kelly in Tunkhannock, PA. There’s less pressure to act cool or look good and kids can act more authen-
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tically and explore outside their comfort zones. “For parents of girls, they like the idea of their daughters being at a camp where they are not being judged by their appearance and can feel free to interact with other girls and not have the social pressures that boys would add to the mix,” says Renee Flax, director of camper placement for the American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey. “For boys, it is very much the same philosophy. Parents want their sons to have strong role models from the counselors at camp.” At single-sex camps, most counselors are exclusively male or female for the comfort of campers. Without social anxieties there is more opportunity for growth. “Having an intentional population where kids have the opportunity to engage with their peers who understand them is huge,” says Brian Lux, director of Camp Sequoia in Pennsburg, PA. His camp was created 10 years ago for non-neurotypical boys to improve skills and encourage friendships. “A lot of these kids, they just need the time and space to be able to grow, and if you’re in a situation with too many moving pieces, it’s more difficult to experience the same level of success,” he says. Once camp is over, these lessons are taken back into a coed environment.
Gender-inclusive camps
Some single-sex camps also provide onsite therapists and gender-neutral bunks for nonconforming campers. “At our TriState Camp Conference we offer several sessions about how to be inclusive,” says Flax. “In the past several years we see more and more camps offering specific programming that will make all campers feel comfortable and accepted.” If your child is transgender or gender nonconforming, ask camps what kind of training they give their staff and the resources available on site. Find a camp that provides a safe environment where your child can grow, have fun and have something exciting to look forward to each year.
How to decide
Parents should understand their child’s interests and comfort level before they decide on a single-sex or coed camp. “If you can come up with a list of five musthaves and then a secondary wish list, it will help you to understand which camps will actually fulfill your needs,” says Flax. “It is difficult to find one type of camp that will suit all of your requirements, but you can get very close if you research it well.”
Rose Destra is a freelance writer from PA.
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Thrilling adventures are in store for children at summer camps throughout the Delaware Valley in 2020! This camp directory includes an ample array of choices for all abilities, ages and interests. Navigate the directory by focusing on your preferences for: • Geographic area: Camps are grouped by county & outlying areas. • Category: Each description is prefaced by camp type — day, program, residential, special needs or travel. • Special features: See the key below. Find a searchable version at MetroKids.com/camps. Contact camps to express interest and mention you saw their listing in MetroKids.
MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
BURLINGTON COUNTY
76ers Camps
Camp Creek Run
Multiple Locations; 610-668-7676 director@sixerscamps.com •76erscamps.com DAY The #1 Basketball Camp in the NBA celebrating our 36th Year! Learn the drills the pros use to take their game to the next level. Age-specific and skill-specific fundamentals and skill development, from beginner to advanced. Meet players, coaches and other NBA Stars. Youth basketball player development at its finest. Half-day, full-day and overnight camps available for 5–17 year olds.
Arsenal USA Premier Soccer Camps
Multiple Locations; 610-922-8255 rjacobs@esfcamps.com • Arsenalsoccercampsusa.com DAY Arsenal USA premier soccer camps, for boys and girls from ages 6–14, will provide players of all skill levels an opportunity to improve their game and be immersed in the same philosophy as the professional academies in London. The Arsenal Way is taught to campers as they are immersed in the curriculum that has helped develop some of the world’s best players. Learn from Arsenal coaches that will be directing and helping you combine techniques, tactics and that winning spirit.
NEW International Ivy Summer Enrichment Program
Multiple locations in Burlington, Cherry Hill, and Princeton; 908-899-1338 info@iisummer.com • iisummer.com DAY, PROGRAM International Ivy strives to promote creativity and hands-on learning for students between the age of 5–15 in subjects such as robotics, video game creation, computer programming, Minecraft, virtual reality, 3D printing, science, engineering, math, business, language and visual arts. ACA
Paris Saint-Germain Academy Soccer Camps USA
Multiple Locations; 610-922-8255 rjacobs@esfcamps.com • Psgacademysoccercampsusa.com DAY The Paris Saint-Germain Academy USA soccer camps, for boys and girls ranging from ages 6–14, will provide players of all skill levels an opportunity to improve their game and be immersed in the same philosophy as the professional academies in Paris. Individual skill development and team play will be incorporated along with the character traits necessary to be the best you can be. European coaches will help direct each day’s action.
Phillies Baseball Academy
Multiple Locations; 610-520-3400 campmail@philliescamps.com • Philliesacademy.com DAY Phillies Baseball Academy is the premier baseball camp experience for boys and girls, ages 6–14, featured at numerous great locations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. Only Phillies Baseball Academy offers topnotch instruction with the unique opportunity to go on a behind-the-scenes tour of Citizens Bank Park and the chance to meet a Phillies player and coach.
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199 Taunton Lake Rd., Marlton; 856-596-4250 campcreekrun@yahoo.com • Campcreekrun.com DAY Get close to nature at Camp Creek Run! We are a traditional day camp with something for everyone, with a special emphasis on the natural sciences. Our 50-acre nature preserve features wooded hiking trails, open meadows, a spring-fed lake with a sandy beach, and a south-branch tributary of the Rancocas Creek. We offer certified teachers and other qualified adults as counselors; nature study and science programs; sports, arts and music programs; fishing and boating, and swim instruction in our inground pools. Sign up today for a summer of fun at Camp Creek Run!
JCC Camps at Medford
400 Tuckerton Rd.,Medford; 856-751-1666 bsegal@jfedsnj.org • Jcccampsatmedford.org DAY, TRAVEL JCC Camps at Medford enrich children’s lives by teaching values and life skills in a fun, safe and inclusive Jewish environment, while building confidence, sharing successes and creating lasting friendships. Camp is built on the fundamental values of family, love, respect, justice and charity, compassion and kindness. ACA CIT SN
Liberty Lake Day Camp
1195 Florence-Columbus Rd., Bordentown 609-499-7820 • Libertylakedaycamp.com DAY Liberty Lake Day Camp is a transformative experience, teaching life skills to inspire young people to change the world. Campers enjoy 60 magnificent shady acres, outdoors and screen-free. Kids can customize their day with the Freedom of Choice elective program of 60+ activities. Open Houses: Jan. 26, Feb. 9, March 1 & 22, April 5 & 26, May 17. ACA
Moorestown Friends School Summer Programs
110 E. Main St., Moorestown; 856-914-4493 mcameron@mfriends.org • Summer.mfriends.org DAY The Summer Scholars Program options include innovative and exciting approaches to science, robotics, technology, STEM, sports, design, thinking, arts, economics and more. In addition, Academic Transitions courses in August offer the chance for your child to improve in math, writing, study skills, and Google Docs. Many Summer Program Master Teachers are MFS teachers and department heads, most of whom hold advanced degrees from prestigious universities.
CAMDEN COUNTY Early Childhood Camps at the Katz JCC
1301 Springdale Rd., Cherry Hil 856-424-4444 ext. 1242 mfoster@jfedsnj.org • Katzjcc.org/ecccamps DAY Early Childhood Camps at the Katz JCC, an award-winning summer day camp, is the place for little campers ages 2–5 to have big fun! Through STEM activities, creative arts, theater, music, sports, swim lessons, cooking and more, our professional camp staff ensure your child has a fun summer experience. SN
Super Star Summer Camp
5 Larwin Rd., Cherry Hill • 856-795-4599 • theGCAcademy.com DAY Super Star Summer Camp is where kids learn how to be awesome. We offer a variety of activities for children to enjoy, including swimming, ninja obstacle courses, flip-training, basketball, soccer, gymnastics, tumbling, cheerleading, arts & crafts and more. SN
Key: Extended hours Offers financial aid Part-day or part-week sessions Provides transportation ACA: ACA-accredited CIT: Counselor-in-training program SN: Some special needs may be accommodated
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FEBRUARY 2020
Find a location and save today at
invent.org/save
multiple locations throughout the area!
Tomato Patch 2020 Summer Arts Workshops
Theater • Dance • Music • Video • Visual Art
Session I June 22 - July 16 Grades 8-12 4-week session $ 875 Session II July 20 - Aug. 6 Grades 4-7 3-week session $ 795
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Master Class in Acting Session I Session II June 22 - July 10 July 20 - Aug. 7 Grades 8-12 Grades 8-12 3-week session 3-week session $ $ 725 725
Taught by professional artists, on the West Windsor Campus of Mercer County Community College. Tomato Patch, now in its 47th year, is the longest running, most successful multidisciplinary summer arts program in central New Jersey.
Call 609-570-3566 or visit www.kelseytheatre.org MCCC • 1200 Old Trenton Road • West Windsor, NJ 08550
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Camp Directory
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MERCER COUNTY Tomato Patch @ Kelsey Theatre
1200 Old Trenton Rd.West Windsor; 609-570-3566 projects@mccc.edu • Tomatopatch.org DAY Multidisciplinary Summer Arts Workshops for grades 4–12. Theater, dance, vocal music, visual art, each session culminates in a Festival Performance and Gallery Exhibit. The longest running, most successful summer arts program in Central New Jersey, now in its 47th year. Session I for grades 8–12; Session II for grades 4–7. Session I, June 22–July 16, Session II, July 20–Aug. 6, Master Class in Acting June 22–July 10 and July 20–Aug. 7
OUTLYING AREAS Adventure Camp at Roundtop Mountain Resort
925 Roundtop Rd., Lewisberry, PA; 717-432-9631 skiroundtop@skiroundtop.com Roundtopmountainresort.com/camps/summer-adventure-camps DAY, RESIDENTIAL Book your child’s best week of the summer at South Central PA’s favorite ski resort where campers enjoy a multitude of adventure-based activities including zip lines, rock climbing, canoeing, kayaking, archery, paintball, OGO balls, high and low ropes courses, the super slide, chairlift rides and much more. Day and residential camps available. Residential housing is in air-conditioned mountain chalets CIT
Whale Camp at the Fundy Marine Science Institute
Grand Manan Island,New Brunswick, Canada; 888-54-WHALE info@whalecamp.com • WhaleCamp.com RESIDENTIAL, TRAVEL No other marine science camp offers as many face-to-face encounters to closely observe and study whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals and puffins in their own natural habitat. Board our research vessel for unmatched opportunities to observe marine life. Explore beaches, coastal trails and fishing villages on beautiful Grand Manan Island. Ask about our $40,000 College Scholarships, STEM projects & College Credits.
YMCA Camp Conrad Weiser
201 Cushion Peak Rd., Reinholds, PA 610-670-2267 • SMYMCA.org RESIDENTIAL We welcome you to our 600 mountaintop acres in Berks County, PA. While we offer a variety of session lengths, most campers come for 2- or 4-week sessions. We are a coed program for campers 6–17 years old. Traditional camp programs including horseback riding, swimming, boating, athletics, target sports, mountain biking, creative arts, nature, adventure and teen leadership. We also offer a variety of specialty theme camps, adventure trips and international trips. We can’t wait to see you on the mountain! ACA
Young People’s Theater Workshop (YPTW);
Theatre Arts Summer Overnight Camp at Eastern University 363 Radford Ct., Glen Mills, PA Youngpeoplestheatreworkshop@gmail.com; Yptw.org RESIDENTIAL Overnight camp for ages 11–18 at Eastern University June 21-26. Classes include musical comedy, Shakespeare, improv, monologues, dance, characterization, auditions, showtunes. Air-conditioned dorms, good food, experienced staff of professional educators.
Looking for the BEST school or Key: Extended hours Offers financial aid summer program for YOUR child? Part-day or part-week sessions Provides transportation The Delaware Valley has of the most progra prestigious ACA: ACA-accredited CIT:some Counselor-in-training schools SN: andSome camps right our own backyard. special needsin may be very accommodated
Available
February 2020 WHAT’S INSIDE:
At-a-glance indexes let parents view pertinent facts about regional schools/camps and refer to In-Depth School Profiles for sponsor schools/camps.
Sign-up for your FREE copy at
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Child Care & Early Education Directory
FY: Full Year BS: Before School SN: Special Needs AY: Academic Year AS: After School DHS*: Licensed: Dept. of Health & Human Svcs. SP: Summer Program DA: Diapers Accepted DE*: Licensed: Dept. of Education DYF: Licensed: Dept. of Youth & Family Serv. NAEYC: Accredited—National Assoc. of Education of Young Children MSCES: Accredited—Middle States Commission on Elementary Schools * Note: DHS License: requires annual on-site visits. DE License: 20% of all facilities are inspected annually.
BEGINNINGS AT MFS: THE MOORESTOWN FRIENDS SCHOOL - EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM 110 E. Main St., Moorestown, NJ 856-914-4428 • MFriends.org Ages: 3 & up • Hours: 8:05am-3:10pm Beginnings at MFS: The Moorestown Friends School Early Childhood Program offers a values-based education for 3-year-olds and up. A project-based approach to learning and wide range of special subject areas are hallmarks of the experience. Moorestown Friends School is one of the only schools in the United States to offer a Coding Program to all Lower School students - Preschool through Grade 4. This innovative program has three strands: coding, problem solving and teamwork. These skills will be in high demand as the 21st century progresses. Half-day and full-day Preschool is available. Prekindergarten and Kindergarten are full-day programs. AY, SP, BS, AS, MSCES ESSENTIAL BEGINNINGS LEARNING CENTER 1329 Rte. 38, Hainsport, NJ 609-667-7838 • Essentialbeginningslc.com info@essentialbeginningslc.com Ages: 2-1/2 yrs.-13 yrs. • Hours 6:30am - 6:00pm Essential Beginnings embraces the differentiation approach to teaching. This method ensures that all children can learn the content based on their learning style. FY, AY, SP, SN, DYF FUTURE SCHOLARS EARLY LEARNING CENTER 1351 Rte. 38 W., B-1, Hainesport, NJ 609-518-1333 • FutureScholarsLearning.com Ages: 6 wks.-13 yrs. • Hours: 6:30am-6:30pm “Where Generations Come and Grow” Full- and half-day classes available year round. Family-owned and operated with an owner on premises daily. Offering Infant & Toddler Care, PreSchool, Drop-In Hourly Daycare, Established Full-Day Kindergarten, Before- and After-School Care with bussing for township students, Private Tutoring and Summer Camp! We are your one-stop solution for early education and child care! STOP BY TODAY FOR A TOUR! FY, AY, SP, BS, AS, DA, DYF HOLDING HANDS FAMILY CHILD CARE & PLAY CENTER 138 Tomlin Station Rd., Mullica Hill, NJ 856-467-6811 • Holdinghandspreschool.com Ages: Infant-School Age • Hours: 6am-6:30pm A place for families providing exceptional care, engaged learning and everyday play. A full-service center in a new facility with a gym, three playgrounds, access control system and video monitoring. FY, SP, BS, AS, DA, DHS* OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER 32 W. Main St., Moorestown, N 856-235-5371 • school@olgcnj.org • Olgcnj.org/school Ages: 4 yrs.-6 yrs. • Hours: 8:30am-3pm Our Lady of Good Counsel School features full- and half-day prekindergarten programs, as well as full-day kindergarten. Children in first through eighth grades are educated in a top-notch, Catholic school environment, where our mission to form students in the image of Jesus Christ is reinforced daily. We provide education in music, art, specialized clubs, sports, after-school enrichment programs such as Lego Robotics and Latin, Spanish, technology, and physical education. Students do not need to be Catholic to attend our school. Please call to arrange a tour. Financial aid and volunteer opportunities available. AY, SP, AS SARI ISDANER EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER AT THE KATZ JCC 1301 Springdale Rd., Cherry Hill, NJ 856-424-4444 • KatzJCC.org/ECE Ages: 6 wks.-K • Hours: 6:45am-6:15pm, M-Th; 6pm, F The Sari Isdaner Early Childhood Center at the Katz JCC is an award-winning program and leader in early childhood education. We offer full day infant/toddler care as of six weeks old, nursery school, preschool, full day certified Kindergarten, pre-K and transitional Kindergarten. FY, AY, SP, BS, AS, DA, SN, DHS*, DE*, NAEYC
MetroKids.com FEBRUARY 2020
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Family Fun
See owls up-close during hikes in Medford and Pennington, Feb. 7 & 22.
DAY-BY-DAY CALENDAR Special needs event PNC Grow Up Great
Feb. 8
Valentine's event
$ = $1-$5; $$ = $6-$10; $$$ = $11-$19; $$$$ = $20 & up
1 Saturday
African American Children’s Book Fair at the Community College of Philadelphia. Meet bestselling authors and illustrators and engage in activities that promote the power of learning. FREE Getaway at the Greenhouse at the Fairmount Park Horticulture Center, Phila. Through Feb. 16, this pop-up space features kids’ activities during the day and drinks & entertainment for adults in the evening. FREE Pop Party Singalong at the Garden State Discovery Museum, Cherry Hill. $$$
Universal African Drum and Dance Ensemble
Feb. 8
2 Sunday
First Sunday Family Day: The Art of Women at the Barnes Foundation, Phila. Make a masterpiece inspired by women artists in the galleries. FREE Groundhog Day Celebration at the Watershed Institute, Pennington. See “Hidden Holiday,” p. 12. $ Play Without Boundaries at the Please Touch Museum, Phila. Kids with autism, learning differences or sensory needs experience the venue in a subdued environment. FREE Pop Party Singalong at the Garden State Discovery Museum, Cherry Hill. $$$
Wildlife Tracking 101 at Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge, Medford. $$ Youth Climate Action Forum at the Academy of Natural Sciences, Phila. The event aims to connect high school and college students who are passionate about climate change and the environment, as well as share resources and upcoming events that support the cause. FREE
4 Tuesday
Read and Explore: Animal Tracks at Terhune Orchards, Princeton. Following storytime, make bird feeders with wild birdseed. $$
7 Friday
Family Date Night at Jenkinson’s Aquarium, Point Pleasant Beach. Explore the aquarium, play in the arcade and enjoy dinner and treats. $$$$ Kids’ Workshop: Clay Coil Heart Hotplate at All Fired Up!, Collingswood. $$$$ In Search of Owls Hike at the Watershed Institute, Pennington. After an introductory presentation on owls and their calls, set out on a naturalist-led stroll to look for signs of the nocturnal species. $$ National Youth Wrestling Duels at the Wildwoods Convention Center, Wildwood. $$
Disney's Frozen Jr.
Feb. 28 & 29
FEBRUARY 2020
See MetroKids.com/familyfun for more information on these and other events. MetroKids.com 11
HIDDEN HOLIDAY
Whatever the outcome of Punxatawny Phil’s shadow sighting, families can appreciate winter and welcome spring during the Groundhog Day Celebration, Feb. 2 at the Watershed Institute in Pennington. Join “Watershed Wally” the woodchuck to learn about groundhogs, hike to a groundhog hole, play the “hibernation game” and try your hand at chucking wood.
8 Saturday
Family Date Night at Jenkinson’s Aquarium, Point Pleasant Beach. See Feb. 7. $$$$ National Youth Wrestling Duels at the Wildwoods Convention Center, Wildwood. $$ Philadelphia Auto Show at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, Phila. Through Feb. 17, check out more than 700 vehicles and enjoy performances and giveaways. $$$ PNC Grow Up Great at the Kimmel Center’s Commonwealth Plaza, Phila. Kids are introduced to jazz and musical theatre. FREE Pointillism Paintings Family Workshop at WheatonArts, Millville. FREE Read and Explore: Animal Tracks at Terhune Orchards, Princeton. See Feb. 4. $$ Universal African Drum and Dance Ensemble performs at the Garden State Discovery Museum, Cherry Hill. $$$
9 Sunday
12 Wednesday
Storytime: Llama, Llama, Red Pajama at All Fired Up!, Collingswood. Kids paint a picture of a llama. $$$
13 Thursday
Galentine’s Day at the Penn Museum, Phila. Tours and activities celebrate Women’s History Month. $$$ Valentine’s Day Make-and-Take Workshop at the Garden State Discovery Museum, Cherry Hill. $$$
14 Friday
Autism New Jersey Transition Conference at DoubleTree Newark Airport Hotel, Newark. Caregivers acquire knowledge and resources via workshops and exhibitors that focus on legal, instructional and service issues. $$$$ “Have a Heart” Day-Off Adventures at Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge, Medford. See “Kids’ Day Off,” below left. $$$$ Sweetheart Skate at Rothman Ice Rink, Phila. $$$
15 Saturday
National Youth Wrestling Duels at the Wildwoods Convention Center, Wildwood. $$
The Cheer Movement Northeast Nationals at the Wildwoods Convention Center, Wildwood. $$
PECO Family Jams: Identity Banners at Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, Phila. Make a banner inspired by One Book, One Philadelphia youth pick When We Were Alone. $$
CultureFest! African and Diasporic Cultures Celebration at the Penn Museum, Phila. Explore cultural connections and communities via art making, performances, drumming, musical demos, film screenings, a storytelling circle and an African-inspired marketplace. $$$ Philadelphia Winter Craft Beer Festival at Xfinity Live, Phila. More than a hundred beers will be available for sampling, as well as live music, contests, games and giveaways. $$$$
16 Sunday
The Cheer Movement Northeast Nationals at the Wildwoods Convention Center, Wildwood. $$
17 Monday
“Frigid Fun” Day-Off Adventures at Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge, Medford. See “Kids’ Day Off,” left. $$$$
KIDS’ DAY OFF
Looking for a way to keep the kids busy President’s Day weekend, Feb. 14 & 17 while you’re at work? Sign them up for Winter Break Camp at Fernbrook Farms Environmental Education Center in Chesterfield, where they’ll track animals, learn winter-survival skills, tap sugar maple trees to make syrup and play outdoor games. Or embark on DayOff Adventures at Medford’s Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge; kids make enrichment activities for resident critters and search the trails for signs of wildlife. 12 MetroKids.com
18 Tuesday
Read and Explore: Fur, Feathers, Fluff: Keeping Warm in Winter at Terhune Orchards, Princeton. Kids listen to a story, then make a paper-bag animal. $$
22 Saturday
Access to Science: Opening Doors to Autism at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Phila. Visit the venue before it opens to the public. $$$ Cardboard Painted Self-Portraits Family Workshop at WheatonArts, Millville. FREE Laurie Berkner Band in Concert at the McCarter Theatre, Princeton. The kindie artist will perform two shows, one of which is sensory-friendly. $$$$
FEBRUARY 2020
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Win It!
We
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Prizes!
Presidents Day is the perfect opportunity to teach kids about national history, and Colton’s Time Machine by Rebecca Massey does just that! The first book in the series follows 10-year-old Colton as he journeys back in time to experience important moments involving the Declaration of Independence, George Washington and Christopher Columbus. ($14.99)
Family Fun
Owl Prowl Hike at Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge, Medford. Meet an owl, then set out to search for local species. $$$$ Read and Explore: Fur, Feathers, Fluff: Keeping Warm in Winter at Terhune Orchards, Princeton. See Feb. 18. $$
23 Sunday
Mummers Mardi Gras Festival at Xfinity Live, Phila. There’ll be string-band performances, celeb sightings, photo opportunities with costumes and props, vendors and all-ages activities. $$$
24 Monday
Sensory Monday at All Fired Up!, Collingswood. Those with sensory challenges make a clay puzzle piece or opt for another project. $$$
26 Wednesday
Storytime: It’s My Birthday, Finally at All Fired Up!, Collingswood. Kids paint a cupcake plate. $$$
27 Thursday
Did you know March is Youth Art Month? Snag these prizes just in time! The Crayola Color Chemistry Lab* (7+; $24.99) includes the materials needed to try 16 creative experiments. And Yellow Scope’s Art and Science of Color Kit* (8+; $39.99) uncovers the hidden colors in plants, art supplies and candles. Log on to MetroKids.com/winit and enter to win your favorite prize, beginning Feb. 1. Prizes marked with an asterisk (*) must be picked up at the MetroKids office in Center City. Other prizes will be mailed by the provider to the address given on the entry form.
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Education
continued from p. 6
the structure of the classroom always keeps Montessori principles at the forefront. “A Montessori classroom focuses on language acquisition, so a teacher won’t just change a diaper, she’ll talk to a baby — say she must be feeling uncomfortable, here’s what we’re going to do to address it, here are the steps involved in changing the diaper,” explains Head of School Carrie Kries. “A baby isn’t going to necessarily understand those words just yet, but in time she will acquire the sounds as well as the steps and routine of diaper changing in a way that gives a child an understanding and respect for her own body and the idea that she has a say in how this all goes.” Once a baby is old enough to stand, diapers are changed in the standing position so infants can see what’s happening and participate as much as they’re developmentally able. Kries notes that the infants in their program also do not use high chairs and they nap on tiny beds that are low to the ground, so they can access eating and sleeping areas independently. “Rather than going through the motions of taking care of a baby, which is the primary purpose of daycare, the key ingredient of a Montessori program is developing the human spirit and celebrating the child for what he or she can do and all of the things they continue to learn how to do,” Kries adds. “The confidence that children of any age can develop is unbelievable — when they’re physically manipulating something and learning that they can do it on their own and don’t need someone to help them, the joy on their face when they solve a difficult problem is the greatest thing in the world,” Barrera says. Jennifer Lesser is a freelance writer from New Jersey.
FEBRUARY 2020
Storytime: It’s My Birthday, Finally at All Fired Up!, Collingswood. See Feb. 26. $$$
28 Friday
Disney's Frozen Jr. at the Kelsey Theatre, West Windsor. $$$ The Office Night at All Fired Up!, Collingswood. See “Fan of,” below. $$$$
29 Saturday
Disney's Frozen Jr. at the Kelsey Theatre, West Windsor. $$$ Maple Sugar Brunch at the Watershed Institute, Pennington. Discover the history, folklore and science behind maple sugaring, take a taste test and head out to the trees to see how they’re tapped. $$$$ Storytime: It’s My Birthday, Finally at All Fired Up!, Collingswood. Kids paint a cupcake plate. $$$
FAN OF . . . THE OFFICE
We’re not superstitious, but we may be a little ‘stitious. That’s why we recommend rounding up your coworkers and heading to The Office Night at All Fired Up!, Feb. 28 in Collingswood. Fans of the hit NBC show enjoy pottery making, test their knowledge during a round of trivia and nosh on snacks. It’s almost as exciting as Pretzel Day. MetroKids.com 13
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Family Fun
Part of Your World A Multicultural Tour of New Jersey and Philly
New Jersey and Philadelphia have long been celebrated as bastions of multiculturalism. In fact, Jersey is the fourth-most diverse state in the country. From the city to small towns, cultural communities have established locales complete with businesses, restaurants and gathering spots. These enclaves not only provide a space for residents to connect to their heritage — they’re also a great opportunity for education and exploration, teaching kids the importance of diversity along the way.
CAMDEN COUNTY’S LAWNSIDE
This small community has a big place in national history: Abolitionists purchased the land in 1840, making it a safe haven for free and escaped slaves, as well as other African Americans. In 1926, a special election made Lawnside the first independent, self-governing black community north of the Mason-Dixon Line. Dig deeper into the town’s past at the Peter Mott House. Home to a free, selfmade farmer and his wife, the residence serves as a museum dedicated to its role as a station in the Underground Railroad.
MIDDLESEX COUNTY’S LITTLE INDIA
The county is home to the state’s largest presence of Asian Americans. This stat is perhaps best highlighted by the popularity of Little India, a 1.5-mile stretch of Oak Tree Road that runs through neighboring towns Edison and Iselin. Known as the country’s most expansive hub for South-Asian culture, the district attracts both local and out-of-state visitors. The streets are lined with 400 businesses, including 80 restaurants. Broaden your culinary horizons at Swagath Gourmet, which lets diners try a wide variety of South Indian dishes; authentic Pakistani joint Tabaq; and Ming, lauded for its hefty portions of Pan-Asian fare. End on a sweet note with Kwality Ice Cream, a shop that offers electric, Indian-inspired flavors as well as kulfi, a treat with a delightfully dense, creamy texture. The New Jersey India Day Parade also takes place here annually in August. Hosted by the Indian Business Association, the bash attracts more than 30,000 attendees.
of creativity boasts a busy calendar of exhibits, performances and kids’ workshops. Plus, don’t miss festivals, family programming and walking tours at the Philadelphia Chinatown
Development Corporation.
If you’re feeling spontaneous, this is a fantastic area to simply wander. Duck into shops with gifts, crafts, jewelry and baked goods, grab bubble tea at a café, explore markets and dine at restaurants such as
Banana Leaf Malaysian Cuisine, Dim Sum Garden, Terakawa Ramen and rolled-ice-cream shop Ice Land.
EL CENTRO DE ORO
This section of the Fairhill neighborhood is a nexus of Latinx culture. Translating to “the Golden Block,” it’s home to familyowned shops, restaurants, community centers and arts spaces. Make HACE Business and Visitor Center your first stop for a primer on what the area has to offer. Popular picks include Esperanza Arts Center, which features community events and workshops; museum and cultural center Taller Puertorriqueño; and Centro Musical, a music store with an array of Latin CDs and performances by local artists. Hungry? Hit El Bohio and Freddy & Tony’s Restaurant for Puerto Rican fare, or grab Mexican street food at Taco
Riendo Restaurant.
The spot also hosts the annual Feria del Barrio festival. The massive celebration of
arts and culture includes live music, dancing, games, crafts, kids’ activities and vendors.
CHINATOWN
The giant Friendship Gate at 10th & Arch Sts. welcomes passersby to this neighborhood adjacent to Center City. The lively locale is packed with shops, restaurants and cultural organizations frequented by the city’s Asian-American residents and visitors alike. Discover local arts and culture at the Asian Artists Initiative. This hub
14 MetroKids.com
Log on to MetroKids.com/familyfun for more information, including address, phone number, time & website.
FEBRUARY 2020
How Do YOU Beat the
Winter Blues? mk has your answer...
Every day during February, log on to
Metrokids.com/WinterFun for Toy & ticket giveaways • Craft ideas & activities Easy recipes • Cool local events
days 29 Winter of
fun
PLEASE TOUCH MUSEUM FEBRUARY 8 - May 10, 2020
Explore the complex emotions of love and forgiveness through words, movement, art making, performance and play in this interactive exhibit. XOXO is locally sponsored by:
Created by Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh with support from The Fetzer Institute. 4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia, PA 19131• 215.581.3181 • www.PleaseTouchMuseum.org