SAVVYkids | April 2019

APRIL 2019 · SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH Socialization on the Spectrum

p lus

AH-CHOO!

BLOW OFF SPRING ALLERGIES

CLEAR OUT THE CLUTTER TEACH YOUR KIDS TO TIDY UP

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APRIL 2019 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

FREE FAMILY OUTDOOR SKILLS CLASSES AT LITTLE ROCK NATURE CENTER Learn a new outdoor skill for free, such as fishing, archery and airgun and outdoor cooking, at the AGFC Nature Center from our expert staff and earn patches along the way.

Know Fish, Go Fish - Fishing Basics

Fishing Clinic

Range Day

Saturday, April 6th, 2-4pm

Thursday, April 11th, 6pm For all ages, free but registration required at 501-907-0636

Saturday, April 20th, 12-2pm Best for elementary age and older

Women’s Beyond BOW - Archery

The Big Catch Fishing Derby at MacArthur Park

Monday, April 8th, 6-8pm

Saturday, April 13th, 8am-1pm Great for all ages

William E. “Bill” Clark Presidential Park Wetlands Cleanup Saturday, April 27th, 9am-12pm

REGISTER YOUR KID OR FAMILY TODAY BY CALLING 501-907-0636 OR EMAILING HOLLIE.SANDERS@AGFC.AR.GOV

Learn more at AGFCOutdoorSkills.com

SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | APRIL 2019

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DIY RAINSTICK!

APRIL 2019 5 EDITOR’S NOTE 8 ADVENTURE & FUN CALENDAR, CRAFT & MORE!

14 MAMA SAID

ON OUR OWN JOURNEY – JENNIFER MARTINEZ BELT

16 FAMILY & PARENTING TIDY RIGHT, HAPPY LIFE

20 EXPLORE & LEARN

AH-CHOO! – KIDS CAN DEVELOP ALLERGIES TO ALMOST ANYTHING

22 GOOD EATS

FLAVOR IS IN SEASON!

30 HEALTH & WELLNESS LEARNING THE LINGO ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM

36 AUTISM RESOURCE GUIDE 38 KID APPROVED

YOGA – NICOLE DECKER

SPRING CLEANING AND DECLUTTER ON THE COVER: AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH

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Put a Spring In Your Step!

Longer days, sunshine, warm weather and fresh air brings with it a much needed feeling of rejuvenation…and, sometimes, watery eyes and sneezes. This issue of SAVVYkids covers a wide variety of timely health and parenting topics from how to detect allergies to organizing your home, navigating autism and recipes to feed your family on produce from the farmers market.

April puts us in the middle of peak allergy season, and allergy symptoms can appear in kids younger than you might think! On page 20, we talk with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Department of Pediatrics, Allergy and Immunology about the most common allergies to affect kids, how to detect them and ways to knock out those sniffles.

It’s hard to resist the urge to spring clean when the sun shines through the windows and sheds light on all the clutter, dust and grime. On page 16, we talk with Arkansas’s only KonMari-certified consultant on how to tidy up and get the kids involved in the process.

April is also Autism Awareness Month, and we focus on socialization and communication for kids on the spectrum on page 30. Read what Dr. Jayne Bellando, pediatric psychologist and associate professor at UAMS and Alicia Pattillo, speech language pathologist with Access Schools, have to say on learning the art of communication on the spectrum.

We all have goals to eat healthy, local and fresh, and encourage our kids to want to do the same. April brings the opening of farmers markets across the state, making it so much easier to bring the farm to your family’s table. Zara Abbasi talks about her favorite in-season produce (and other local goodies!) to incorporate into a few family-friendly, healthy recipes. Check them out on page 22!

We hope this issue inspires you and the family to clear out the clutter, get out (pop a Claritin, first!), hit the farmers market and enjoy the spring air. And, if you’re in search of a great park, don’t forget to check out one of Central Arkansas’s many new inclusive playgrounds (find the listing on page 34).

Amy Gordy Editor, Savvykids amy@arktimes.com

SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | APRIL 2019

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PUBLISHER KATHERINE DANIELS | katherine@arktimes.com EDITOR AMY GORDY | amy@arktimes.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR MANDY KEENER ART DIRECTOR | DIGITAL MANAGER KATIE HASSELL ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE LESA THOMAS PRODUCTION MANAGER | CONTROLLER WELDON WILSON ADVERTISING TRAFFIC MANAGER ROLAND R. GLADDEN ADVERTISING ART DIRECTOR MIKE SPAIN DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL STRATEGY JORDAN LITTLE

ENROLL TODAY!

Summer Classes Start Soon.

SUMMER INTENSIVE PROGRAM 2019, AGES 10 - 21 July 22- August 2, 9-4pm Come for one week or two UA- Little Rock

JUNIOR INTENSIVE PROGRAM, AGES 8 - 10

June 17th-21st, 9-12pm 520 Main Street Studios- Little Rock

PHOTOGRAPHER BRIAN CHILSON IT DIRECTOR ROBERT CURFMAN ACCOUNTING LINDA PHILLIPS CIRCULATION DIRECTOR ANITRA HICKMAN PRESIDENT ALAN LEVERITT

STORY TIME DANCE CAMP, AGES 5-8

June 24th-28th, 9-11:30am 520 Main Street Studios- Little Rock ARKANSAS TIMES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

Don’t miss “Forte” Featuring Swan Lake, May 3-5 Visit BalletArkansas.org for additional education, performance and program information.

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FIND US ON

contributors ANGELA E. THOMAS is a proud University of Arkansas at Little Rock graduate and a member of its Alumni Board. For 11 years, she served Central Arkansas as editor for a locally owned magazine. Thomas is founder and owner of the greeting card company GODsent Greetings.

DWAIN HEBDA is a writer and editor living in Little Rock. He and his wife, Darlene, are the parents of four grown children. The emptynesters spend their time traveling, working out and spoiling their two dogs.

MELISSA TUCKER spends her days working in web marketing. When not at work, you'll probably find her at the gym, on the playground with her kids or checking out too many books from the library.

ZARA ABBASI lives in Little Rock with her husband and three children. She is a licensed attorney but you know her better as Little Rock’s friendly pastry chef and custom cake maker. She keeps busy with dessert orders, pop-up dinners, writing articles and doing anything food-related.

Follow her on Instagram @Zaramadeit for her newest cake creations and dinner ideas.

KATIE CHILDS is a wedding, lifestyle and commercial photographer based in North Little Rock. When she’s not behind the camera, Katie and her husband, Jon, can be found rock climbing with their two pups in Northwest Arkansas and listening to embarrassing rap music.

JENNIFER MARTINEZ BELT is a professional fundraising consultant and CEO of Martinez Belt Consulting. She is a Fort Smith native and graduate of the University of Central Arkansas.

She and her husband, Scott, reside in the Heights with their children, Sloane and Thomas.

SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | APRIL 2019

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April ADVENTURE & FUN

2019

6-7 MONSTER JAM

Get ready for a smashing good time at Verizon Arena with Monster Jam. This action-packed event showcases world-class drivers competing on the biggest sets of four wheels around. Enjoy monster truck racing and freestyle competitions at this adrenaline-charged, family-friendly event.

Recognizable trucks including Grave Digger, Max-D, El Toro Loco, and more, will be there. verizonarena.com

12 EGGSHIBITION

Don’t miss Youth Home’s egg-celent fundraising event at the University of Arkansas Little Rock Jack Stephens Center. Now in its 28th year, Eggshibition is a showcase of the creativity of artists nationwide. Gift baskets and original works of art are up for auction, online and in person. Patron ticket-holders will enjoy an early VIP reception with guest of honor, Officer Tommy Norman. youthhome.org

11 ARKANSAS TRAVELERS OPENING DAY Take ‘em out to the ballgame! Don’t miss the Arkansas Travelers' opening day at DickeyStephens Park. They play the Tulsa Drillers, and gates open at 6:10 p.m. The first 3,500 fans get a free magnet schedule, and kids 4 and under always get in free. travs.com

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14 JEWISH FOOD AND CULTURAL FESTIVAL

Enjoy a day-long celebration of Jewish culture from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at War Memorial Stadium. Admission is free; however, visitors are invited to bring a bag of non-perishable food items to donate to the Arkansas Foodbank. Proceeds from the festival go to benefit the Jewish Federation of Arkansas’s work in the community. jewisharkansas.org

15 TAX DAY! 21 EASTER

13 DOG DAYS OF SCIENCE

The Museum of Discovery has gone to the dogs for this day of fun and learning dedicated to our canine companions. Explore the canine family and learn about dog superpowers such as detecting diseases, search and rescue, therapy and police and military service. There will be plenty of dogs on hand to meet, greet and pet. Included in regular museum admission; $8 for children, $10 for adults, free for members. museumofdiscovery.org

20 AUTISM FESTIVAL AND WALK

Join Autism Arkansas Foundation for the Autism Festival and Walk to support its mission of "building bridges to independence for Arkansans with autism." The event at War Memorial Stadium begins at 9 a.m. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. Activities include an Easter egg hunt, entertainment, refreshments, bounce houses and an informational autism resource fair. arkansasautismfoundation.org

APRIL 22

April 26-May 12 “THE HOBBIT”

Based on the book by J.R.R. Tolkien Follow along as Bilbo Baggins is swept away on the adventure of his lifetime in “The Hobbit”, performed by Arkansas Arts Center’s Children's Theatre. The classic fantasy by J.R.R. Tolkien includes dwarves, a wizard, a dragon and more! arkansasartscenter.org

SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | APRIL 2019

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Arkansas Literary Festival

Book lovers don’t miss the Arkansas Literary Festival in downtown Little Rock. It’s the state’s premier event celebrating readers and writers with author talks, readings, panels, workshops, a maker’s alley and more. Hosted by the Central Arkansas Library System, the weekend includes tons of activities geared toward kids.

Here are a few kid-friendly highlights on Saturday, April 27:

HAVE AN

Easter!

Eggceptionally Eggcellent

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Little Readers Rock

Fairy and folk tales rule the day at the Hillary Rodham Clinton Children’s Library & Learning Center. This free event, in partnership with the Junior League of Little Rock, includes authors, animals, activities, book giveaways and a live version of “The Emperor’s New Clothes.”

Book Character Costume Contest for Young Children

Encourage your child (under age 12) to dress up as his or her favorite book character at this fun contest at the Main Library’s third floor at 10 a.m. There will be prizes and awards for all participants.

Teen Poetry Competition

Sip a cup of coffee and enjoy poetry readings by teen winners from the CALS branch contest poetry competition at 2:30 p.m. at Nexus Nook.

Laurie Friedman

The author of “Mallory McDonald, Super Sitter and Can You Say Catastrophe?” will read from her work and answer questions at 11:30 a.m. in the Main Library.

!

11218 PARHAM RD. / LITTLE 1 1218N.N.RODNEY RODNEY PARHAM RD.ROCK / LR 501.223.4929 501.223.4929

4822 N. HILLSN. BLVD. / NORTH LITTLE 4822 HILLS BLVD. / ROCK NLR 501.978.3154 501.978.3154 SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | APRIL 2019

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April Showers Bring May Flowers

Rainsticks are often used as a musical instrument because they make a soothing rain-like sound. Make your own rainstick using household items!

You will need:

Paper towel tube Brown craft paper Tacks and ½-inch nails ½ cup rice and/or dry beans Marker or crayon Pen Scissors Tape or glue

How to:

PAPER END CAP

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Rains tick

1. Insert the nails and tacks into the tube with the sharp ends inside the tube. A spiral pattern works well.

2. Next, make the caps for both ends of the paper towel tube. Use one end of the tube to trace a circle on the craft paper. Then, draw another bigger circle around the small one approximately ½-inch apart. Draw 10 lines between the two circles. Cut out the larger circle then cut along each line between the two circles creating paper spokes. Make two of these end caps.

3. Tape or glue one paper end cap to one end of the tube.

4. Add your rice and beans.

5. Tape or glue the second paper end cap to the open end of the tube.

6. Wrap the tube in brown craft paper. Crush it up before attaching to add a little texture.

7. Decorate any way you want! Draw lines and dots with a brown marker to make a similar look to a rainstick made from a cactus. Or, cover in colorful construction paper and feathers.

Spotlight on Nonprofits Walk for the Waiting

Three local organizations are teaming up to raise funds and bring better awareness to the issue of children in the state’s foster care system. The event, Walk for the Waiting, benefits The CALL, Immerse Arkansas and Project Zero, which all benefit children in the system in different ways.

The CALL educates, equips and encourages the creation of more foster families in Arkansas, primarily reaching into the state’s Christian community. Immerse Arkansas fills gaps in the child welfare system with a particular focus on older foster children soon to age out, and homeless kids, runaways and victims of human trafficking. Project Zero works to further the cause of adoption in Arkansas by connecting children and adoptive families.

“The CALL, Immerse Arkansas and Project Zero are working to help kids in the Arkansas foster care system,” said Brandi Childress, media relations coordinator for the event. “Now in its seventh year, Walk for the Waiting raises hundreds of thousands of dollars each year thanks to people willing to partner with these awesome organizations for the sake of waiting children.”

The event is scheduled for May 4 at War Memorial Stadium, starting at 9:30 a.m. For more information, please visit walkforthewaiting.org.

Give the Gift of Education It’s never too early to open an Arkansas 529 account to help you save for your child’s education. Starting an account is easy and the new Arkansas 529 App makes it even easier to manage.

To learn more, call 501-682-1406 or download the Arkansas 529 App today!

Discover the joy of horseback riding!

Private & Group Riding Lessons Ages 5 to Adults Helmets & Horses Are Provided With Lessons Boarding • Training Forever Forward

Since 1980 • (501) 563-6941 13405 Settlement Rd., North Little Rock, AR SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | APRIL 2019

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MAMA SAID...

On Our Own Journey

BY JENNIFER MARTINEZ BELT

Imagine this scene:

My son, Thomas, his third pediatrician and I sit in an examination room to discuss how he is doing with his development. Thomas is 18 months old.

Pediatrician: “I am going to say a word, and you will be OK. Your son will be OK. It will all be OK. Are you ready to hear the word?”

Me: Does the word start with the letter “A”?

My son, Thomas, affectionately known as “T,” was officially diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at age 3. There was very little explanation when we received the actual diagnosis, but we did get a really cool folder with a bunch of different fliers and pamphlets about services, almost like a welcome kit. Informational kits aside, now our family was in a Brand New world, navigating new twists and turns while learning a Brand New map.

There were obviously signs that led to his diagnosis. T didn’t have words, he didn’t like to play side by side with other children, and loud noises bothered him. He was a picky eater and couldn’t stand the tags in his clothing. One thing or another could explain all of these signs away, but something inside me knew the reason, even before the official diagnosis. I wasn’t sad or scared, I was simply ready to take this challenge head-on, determined to travel down the path of the unknown.

My husband and I did the “how did this happen” game for about a week. Which family carried an odd gene? Did I drink too much Starbucks during my pregnancy with T? And then we put that “game” away and we both jumped on board and started to investigate how to find the care he needed. The why didn’t really matter.

I had heard of almost every disease out there but not much about autism. You see, autism is NOT a disease. You can’t catch it from the water cooler, you can’t drink expired milk and contract it. It is a condition. This condition changes the way those on the autism spectrum communicate with others and how they are able to adapt to their environment. It is estimated that 1 in 59 children are affected in the United States.

Honestly, all people on the autism spectrum

have different abilities, and while there are similarities, it is not a checklist of conditions that everyone struggles with in the same way.

Autism is a way of life, it has its own logo and awareness month, a signature color, ribbons and buttons. There are support groups, online blogs, books, help hotlines and much more. Other parents with kids on the spectrum are hard to find in person, though. You have to really dig to find other families, so we relied on family and friends to connect us to new networks.

While autism brings many differences to the table, it also brings some super exciting ways to put things into perspective.

I am a parent, just like you. T goes to school, just like your kids. He might sit in a different classroom, but he is in the school. He might need encouragement finding the right word to say, but he will speak.

T loves to swim, dance and be outside. He loves watching movies, going out for pizza, and has a wicked sense of humor. He laughs at a good joke and cries when he or someone he loves gets hurt. He will race you to the swings and always win, just like your kids. His differences kind of make him just like your kids.

I decided that the diagnosis wasn’t going to control our future.

Autism is different but never less. Instead of looking for losses, I decided to look for the wins—and the wins look different for every family. We celebrate the big and the small victories like trying something new to eat, sleeping in our own big boy bed and wearing a Halloween costume for the first time.

I didn’t set out to be a spokesperson for autism, I just learned to advocate for my son. Just like you for your kids. I try to help others embrace all kinds of differences, and choose to focus on the joys of this unexpected journey. The map and directions continue to change, but this is a journey I would never change.

THOMAS AND HIS SISTER, SLOANE, READY FOR HALLOWEEN!

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FAMILY & PARENTING HEALTH & WELLNESS

Tidy Right, Happy Life We all enjoy the look and feel of a tidy space, whether for work or living. However, the busyness of life often creates chaos and a shortage of time and energy. Thanks to Marie Kondo, tidy-up fever is sweeping the nation, and we’ve got a few tips to get the most out of spring cleaning.

BY ANGELA E. THOMAS

Confession: I was one of the five people on planet Earth

who had not watched an episode of “Tidying Up with Marie Kondo”; however, 15 minutes into the first episode and I was hooked.

Kondo is author of the New York Times bestseller "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing."

Her process of tidying is known as the KonMari method and involves a five-step process, which begins by addressing—in this order—clothes; books; paper; komono: kitchen, bathroom, garage and miscellaneous; and lastly, sentimental items.

To find out more, we spoke with Sue Fehlberg, who is one of only 230 certified KonMari consultants, and the only one in Arkansas.

“People are so busy, we are inundated with information, and most of us just want peace when we come home,” Fehlberg said. That’s just one reason why Kondo’s method is wildly popular.

“Being surrounded by stuff is often diminishing. Others choose to tidy. so they don’t leave a mess for their children to deal with, and younger families are addressing clutter because they want to spend more time with their families rather than having to spend that time dealing with stuff.

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“Being surrounded by clutter can become a safety issue as we age and our mobility is affected.

For new moms, it means less stress. I have a client who has a 3-year-old and a newborn. We recently tidied her home, and as a part of the process, helped her toddler go through her clothes and learn to fold them using the KonMari method. It’s much easier than you think, and this 3-year-old can now do this alone,” she said. “Yes, it’s work at the beginning, but the benefits to your quality of life are amazing.”

Fehlberg begins the process by helping clients visualize their ideal day, and for many it includes waking up in a clean home, getting showered in an orderly bathroom and going to an organized closet—in which you like all the clothes and they all fit—and perhaps getting coffee and/or

breakfast in a clean kitchen, retrieving your keys from the appointed place and leaving for work, all with a minimum amount of stress.

Notice there’s no frustration due to an ill-fitting skirt or pants or doing what I call the last 10-minute frazzle (you know, those last few minutes spent downing a cup of caffeine, looking for your keys and cursing yourself for staying up too late, before you rush out the door, praying you didn’t forget an important item such as your cell phone, laptop, diaper bag or backpack—or God forbid, the actual child).

“The KonMari method is based in gratitude, being thankful for what you have, only keep things that you truly enjoy or love, and expressing that gratitude to items you decide to let go. I place a big emphasis on passing things along. When you do this, that item gets a new life because someone else can use it. There are so many charities that benefit others in need,” Fehlberg said.

The KonMari method begins with clothes, she said, because generally speaking, we have less of an emotional attachment to them and because sorting through them produces a huge impact in a short amount of time. The average person can sort through his clothes in three to four hours. This is also motivating, and for

“The KonMari method is based in gratitude, being thankful for what you have, only keep things that you truly enjoy or love, and expressing that gratitude to items you decide to let go."

women it’s often freeing because you only keep what fits and what makes you feel good when you wear it.

Next: Books. Keep those that bring you joy, that you re-read the most. Pass the others on, knowing that the next person will enjoy them as well. Fehlberg does not have a magic number, and it’s not necessary that you speak to inanimate objects. Simply thinking about how much someone else needs or will enjoy a piece of clothing or book will provide motivation to release it.

Next is paper, which can be the most difficult. Fehlberg divides items to save temporarily—things like warranties and insurance papers—and save long term, such as wills and birth certificates.

For children’s keepsakes, create a hanging file in a bankers’ box for grades K through 12 and go through it at the end of the year.

Additionally, divide all their weekly papers. They’ll usually fall into two categories: take action with things like permission slips, and papers that you’ll need to go through once per week and add select ones to the bankers’ box.

The fourth category is komono, during which you’ll discard items you’re no longer using and organize the rest in your kitchen, bathrooms, garage and other miscellaneous areas. Lastly, address sentimental items. By the time, you get to these items, you’re in the swing of the tidying process and should understand what is truly worthy of your space—figuratively and literally—and what can be passed on to others.

The KonMari method of tidying, if done right, is a one-time process. You’ll simply need to maintain order. Doing so will help you eliminate stress, create time to do the things you really enjoy and create an environment that is clean and peaceful.

(OPPOSITE PAGE) SUE FEHLBERG AND MARIE KONDO. (ABOVE) WARREN MCBRIDE LEARNS TO TIDY UP.

SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | APRIL 2019

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Clear the Clutter AR Kids Read Accepts books for elementary-school-age children arkidsread.org 501-244-2661 Goodwill Industries of Arkansas Accepts antiques, collectibles, books, clothing, luggage, holiday décor, etc. goodwillar.org Habitat for Humanity Restore Accepts new and used furniture, appliances and surplus building materials habitatcentralr.org 501-376-4434 Live Thankfully Accepts women’s clothing, furniture and decorative home goods LiveThankfullyLittleRock on Facebook 615-720-8475 The Van Accepts men’s and women’s clothing Itsthevan.org 501-955-3444

A Place for Everything About Space Organizing Megan Ludvinsky megan@aboutspaceorganizing.com 501-503-1634 ReOrganized Chaos Veronica Smith, owner reorganizedchaos.com 501-349-4688 Tidy Nest Sue Fehlberg, certified KonMari consultant tidynest.net 501-291-3531

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Need Help Cleaning?

Bella Cleaning Services Valandra Oliver bellacleaningsvcs.com 870-455-0932 Blue Botanic Housekeeping Faith Leipert, owner 501-425-1209 Sharp Cleaning Services Ashley Sharp, owner 501-246-0726 sharpcleaningservicesinc.com

SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | APRIL 2019

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EXPLORE & LEARN HEALTH & WELLNESS

Kids can develop allergies to almost anything, but the symptoms may surprise you

BY MELISSA TUCKER

As allergy season approaches, parents

may be suffering themselves or wondering what to do about a child affected by the extra pollen or other allergens in the air.

“March through May is probably our worst time of the year,” said Robert Pesek, associate professor of Pediatrics and Allergy and Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

“We have both tree and grass pollen in large amounts. In the fall, September and October, ragweed is the biggest one and mold pollen.”

Most kids develop allergies around age 6 or 7, he said. So, if parents notice nasal symptoms or eye irritation around the same time of year or the change of the seasons, it’s worthwhile to consider allergy testing.

Allergens could be inside or outside the home. The environmental allergens doctors look at include trees, grasses, weeds and mold. Indoor allergens might be pets, dust mites, mold, Arkansas cockroaches, and in other parts of the country, mice and other rodents can be a big thing, he said.

“Eczema even at young ages can be triggered by allergens, but that tends to be more of the indoor allergens, the pets and dust mites and things like that,” he said.

And though seasonal allergies are the main focus this time of

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year, there’s often an overlap in allergies.

“A lot of kids with food allergies have other allergies as well. We do see a lot of overlap between food allergies, seasonal allergies, eczema, and things like that,” he said. “Sometimes it is a bigger issue, but not always.”

And it’s never too early to test children if parents suspect they have an allergy.

“There is no lower age limit at which testing can’t be done,” he said. “We’ve had a fair number of kids that have been sent to us, and the family said, ‘My doctor told me we couldn’t see you earlier because we weren’t old enough.’ That’s not true.”

He said if a child is vomiting, showing signs of eczema, hives or swelling, then physicians can perform a skin test or a blood test to determine the problem. However, other symptoms that might indicate a food allergy, such as constipation or behavioral problems, don’t often respond well to testing.

The most common food allergies include milk, eggs, soy, wheat, nuts, fish and shellfish. “These account for more than 90 percent of food allergies,” he said.

Food allergy diagnosis in children has increased by 50 percent in the last decade, and today more than 6 percent of children in the United States have a food allergy, Pesek said.

“You can have an allergy to any food, like lentils and pectin and

foods that used to not be an issue,” he said.

“Because we’re eating a bigger variety of foods, we’re seeing more and more new allergies in recent years.”

Many times a reaction to a food is more of an intolerance rather than an allergy.

“If a child is constipated, that doesn’t mean the milk isn’t a problem, but the allergy test isn’t going to help you out a lot,” he said. “Or if a child is having some other type of reaction—we’ve had parents ask about behavioral problems, changes in mood, sleep, all those type of things.

Eliminating certain foods might solve the problem, but doing an allergy test might not always help.”

Though an allergy test can confirm a doctor’s suspicion that a child is allergic to food or something in the environment, the test alone isn’t proof.

“An allergy test is a confirmation of what I would talk about with a family. It doesn’t mean they’re allergic because they have the positive blood test,” he said. “You have to do the test in the right setting. It has to go along with what you suspect. It works best in kids who have an allergic reaction, not just all kids.”

For more information on seasonal or food allergies visit aaaai.org or foodallergy.org.

Indoor allergens might be pets, dust mites, mold, Arkansas cockroaches, and in other parts of the country, mice and other rodents can be a big thing.

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GOOD EATS

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Flavor is in Season!

The farmers markets are open, which means overflowing bins of fresh, inseason produce to choose from! Grab your reusable shopping bag, fill it up and give these delicious, healthy recipes a try.

BY ZARA ABBASI, PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATIE CHILDS

SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | APRIL 2019

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24 APRIL 2019 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

Spring is here!

It’s hands down my favorite time of the year in Arkansas. The temperature is just right, things are blooming and you can finally get back outside to enjoy the Natural State for all the beauty and bounty it brings. One of my favorite things to do during this season is to invest in allergy medication…I mean…wipe the pollen from all the surfaces in my home…I mean…OK, so spring comes with its own set of issues, but one of my all-time favorite things to do to make up for the allergies is to hit up the farmers market and make it worth the literal headache. In Little Rock alone, I think we have 4-5 different markets on the weekends. I love talking to the farmers and asking them what they recommend. Stand there long enough, you might just get them to spill their own favorite family recipes. I’ve learned so much from the farmers at these markets. They’re quick to answer questions, greet you with a smile, and throw in a few extras sometimes. I don’t just love the produce I haul back, but also the conversations.

So what does all this talk about farmers markets mean and why am I bringing it up? Because for eons, people have known that you should eat what’s in season where you live. Why does that even matter, though, when you can get whatever you want from a nice, air-conditioned grocery store. It matters because in a grocery store, you might not know where your food came from or what’s in season. At a farmers market, however, they will have only the produce grown at their farms, and will have only what they recently picked (thus, in-season produce). Not to mention you get to help out local families sustain their farm.

“Spring equals another chance for renewal and being a better person by choosing to eat seasonally when possible."

But either way you choose to go, eating in-season produce is the goal!

It not only saves you money because there’s an abundance of it and food mileage goes down, but it also tastes better and is better for you. Fruits and produce are picked at the peak of their freshness so they have very little time between picking, shipping (if not local) and getting them to your kitchen; this means better quality and flavors. And, dieticians (like my sweet father) have beat it into my head that eating seasonally is more nutritious for you. Because plants get their nourishment from the sun and soil, produce and fruit that are picked when ripe and fully developed will have had more sun exposure, which may create higher levels of anti-oxidants (unlike produce/fruits out of season picked before their peak around the world so that they can sustain the transit time without rotting).

So, there you go! Spring equals another chance for renewal and being a better person by choosing to eat seasonally when possible. OK, so next step is figuring out what is in season and when! This isn’t as hard to do as you think. Go to the farmers market and see what they’re selling and talk to the farmers themselves. If going to a grocery store, look around at the fruits and produce and keep an eye on the prices. If there’s a sale on something there’s probably an abundance of it, which might mean it’s in season. You can also check out eattheseasons.com for a handy list of what’s in season and other helpful links.

So for the month of April, a lot is in season: asparagus, broccoli, leeks, beets, citrus fruits and so much more. I challenge you to find out what else is in season and give the following recipes a try!

Expecting?

ARE YOU: Less than 12 weeks pregnant 18 years of age or older BMI over 30 Not exercising Healthy

CONTACT US! 501-364-3309 ACNCstudies@archildrens.org Diapers and monetary compensation may be provided for your participation

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Asparagus Parmesan Risotto

I love making this dish. It’s essentially elevated comfort food. It’s vegetarian and chock full of flavors, nutrients, and a culinary hug. And we’re using quite a few seasonal ingredients such as shallots, asparagus, peas and citrus. Hope you give this a try.

1 tablespoon unsalted butter 3 shallots finely chopped (or one small onion) 2 teaspoons minced, fresh garlic 1 cup sweet green peas 1 pound asparagus, washed, peeled, trimmed into 1-inch pieces 1½ cups arborio rice 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth ½ cup heavy cream (1/4 cup coconut cream to make vegan) 1 cup Parmesan (omit if making vegan) 3-4 basil leaves, chopped Zest of ½ lemon Salt and pepper to taste

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1. Melt the butter in a pan over medium low heat. Add in shallots or onions coking for 4-5 minutes. Add in garlic and stir to incorporate.

2. Add rice and stir to coat with butter mixture.

3. Stir in ½ cup of the broth until absorbed.

4. Add in asparagus and continue adding broth in ½-cup increments until absorbed, making sure to stir after each addition.

5. Add in cream, cheese, basil, peas and zest. Taste for seasonings and add additional salt if necessary and a touch of freshly cracked black pepper.

6. Enjoy as is or serve alongside grilled salmon or roasted chicken.

Cauliflower Fried Rice

I don’t know about you but I have a love affair with my Chinese takeout guy…OK that came out wrong—the MSG might be making me crazy. What I mean is, I love Chinese takeout! So much so that my kids ask for Chinese food as much as they ask for Chick-Fil-A! True story! But here’s the thing about my beloved Chinese food: It’s not always that great for you. Insert super sad face, wailing emoji. But I’m not too shabby in the kitchen and have attempted to make many of my favorite dishes at home with great success! I don’t like all the work when I could just hit that speed dial, but I know it’s better for me in the long run. Le sigh.

So one of the things I like to eat…er…make…is Cauliflower Fried Rice. It’s not an abomination, guys. Just hear me out. It’s healthy, in season and tastes the same!

1 tablespoon oil 2 eggs, plus 1 teaspoon oil mixed 1 small head cauliflower (not a big head because they’re so conceited) ¾ to 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables 2 green onions chopped 1 tablespoon minced garlic Salt and pepper to taste 3 tablespoons soy sauce 1. Mix 1 teaspoon oil and eggs and set aside.

2. Chop cauliflower into big chunks and then grate using a grate plate in the food processor.

3. Measure out 4 cups of the grated cauliflower.

4. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat and add in cauliflower, green onions and mixed vegetables and cook 4-5 minutes. Add in garlic and stir.

5. Make a hole in the center of the mixture by moving all the cauliflower mixture aside, then add in the eggs and scramble slightly, then mix into the rest of the pan.

6. Add in soy sauce and test for salt and pepper.

7. Garnish with more chopped green onions and Sriracha (optional).

8. Serve with your favorite protein such as teriyaki chicken or mix it into the rice dish. Enjoy! (on next page)

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Cauliflower Fried Rice

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Park Big Rock Mini Golf & FunLD TRIP!

NEXT BIG PARTY OR FIE UR YO R FO e s r u o C s e p o e & HigH r

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6-8 p.m.

-Karts • Amazing Maze • Aerial Adventure • Go ade • Mini Golf • Lazer Frenzy • Newly Updated Arc • Bumper Boats • Batting Cages

Party house available for all ages!

501-455-3750 | bigrockfunpark.com 11411 Baseline Road Little Rock (Near Bass Pro Shops) SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | APRIL 2019

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

Learning the Lingo The art of communication is key for socialization in children on the spectrum

BY DWAIN HEBDA

“That doesn’t make any sense at all.

That’s ridiculous, Mom,” says the bright 9-year-old. “I don’t know why you’re saying that.”

There was a time not long ago Kristin Lipin would flinch over uttering a phase that elicited such comments from her son Grayson. But these days it brings a smile, knowing it’s his way of processing the unknown instead of internalizing it.

“At first, I tried to really think through exactly what I was saying to make sure it was going to be understandable and make sure it made sense,” she said. “Now I try to use [figures of speech] intentionally because he’s more comfortable and he’s completely willing to say, ‘I don’t know what that means. What does that mean, Mom?’ We talk it through and explain it.”

Think for a moment of all the things that go into the art of communication besides the words coming out of your mouth, things like body language, tone, vocal inflection and facial expressions. Now throw in slang and euphemism—“I’m going to die if someone sees my hair today”—and the web of social norms dictating what we say and how we say it based on surroundings or situation.

And that’s just when you’re speaking. The work doubles when you’re evaluating the listener’s physical and vocal tells as they take in your words and respond in kind. Are they being truthful? Are they trying to be funny? Do they really want to know what I think about their ugly outfit?

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It’s a lot for even experienced adults to process and manage correctly; imagine how much more difficult for an individual whose cognitive skills derail the natural socialization process we all go through in our formative years. That’s precisely the road the Lipin family has walked since Grayson was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in second grade.

“I don’t want it to sound like he was in complete meltdown, but [Grayson] would play with other kids and if another child was not doing very well at a game he would say, ‘You’re just really terrible at that,’ and not understand why they didn’t like that,” Kristin said.

“By second grade, honestly, we were just in crisis. He was not functioning. His anxiety was extremely high. He was depressed. He’s certainly really smart so he knows when he’s out of step with everyone else, but he didn’t know what to do to become in step.”

Grayson’s story isn’t unusual, and neither is the frustration, stress and isolation that children feel when they have difficulty communicating with the people around them.

“The stages of development show egocentrism is something that a child goes through normally at a younger age. But for children with autism, I would say they are more egocentric even as they get older,” said Alicia Pattillo, speech language pathologist with Access Schools, who worked with Grayson.

“They’re not able to recognize anything outside of their own world.”

“Helping children understand their emotions and social emotional development and understanding the emotions of

"He’s certainly really smart so he knows when he’s out of step with everyone else, but he didn’t know what to do to become in step."

(FROM LEFT) GRAYSON, KRISTIN AND WILLIAM LIPIN

others are things we’re focusing on in our field. So much plays into them recognizing their own emotions and the emotions of others in order to be able to interact with others based on that information.”

Pattillo said when children on the autism spectrum have difficulty processing one or more components of communication, it can create an intensely stressful situation.

Her methodology helps provide practice scenarios in a controlled environment to help them develop these skills.

“We teach them through visual support and role plays and things like that,” she said. “As they get older, we go into conflict resolution and understanding problems. A lot of times, they have difficulty identifying that there is a problem and then identifying what could they do to solve the problem. We use a lot of different materials to teach them that.”

“Then after instruction, we apply it. We’ll bring a peer in and SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | APRIL 2019

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they have to practice in front of a peer. We take them out into the community and we practice it with people in the community.”

Even with speech therapy, children often struggle to apply what they’ve practiced, especially if the situation presents them variables.

“They have difficulty generalizing skills,” Pattillo said. “You can teach one thing, but they may not be able to apply it in different situations. As speech pathologists, we try to help them apply skills in different situations.”

Social interaction presents challenges to all youngsters at one point or another. Dr. Jayne Bellando, pediatric psychologist and associate professor at UAMS in the Department of Pediatrics, said what separates children on the autism scale is often an overriding—even paralyzing—compulsion to present the “right” response in the most pedestrian conversations.

“I had a young lady and her mother come into a therapy session years ago and I started making small talk. She started getting so upset because I was saying things like ‘How are you doing? What do you like to do?’ and she wasn’t able to come up with the right answer,” Bellandro said.

“After about a minute I realized what was happening. I stopped and said to her, ‘People sometimes say those things because they’re trying to let you know that they’re wanting to be friendly. But you don’t have to have the right answer. Let’s start talking about some other things.’ It was such an important lesson to me to see she didn’t understand the rules that typically stand for socialization and it was very upsetting to her.”

Bellando’s advice to parents is to break things down for their youngster into more manageable bits of information.

“When you start seeing anxiety, especially as youngsters get older, that’s when you start seeing depression because they’re feeling left out and having a hard time figuring out how to make the social part work for them,” she said.

“A good way to say it is, ‘Bite-sized pieces.’ The analogy I give is when a child is learning to read, there’s no way we give them 26 letters and say, ‘Put them together in different ways and then you can read. Good luck.’ You have to take it very systematically.”

Little Rock’s Therapeutic Recreation is a Hidden Gem Families looking for affordable, supervised activities should check out the Therapeutic Recreation program offered through Little Rock Parks and Recreation. Offering healthy day and summer activities for children and adults, Therapeutic Recreation is coming up on two decades serving families in the community.

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GRAYSON ENJOYING THE GREAT OUTDOORS

The youth program (age 8 to 18 or still in high school) offers monthly social activities and weekend events as well as a six-week summer day camp. The camp runs Monday through Friday and includes a range of leisure and recreational activities. Families may sign up for the entire six weeks or register their youngster for selected weeks. The program has a capacity of 20 campers to maintain a low 4 to 1 camper to staff ratio.

The adult day program runs year-round and offers participants a wide range of recreational, leisure and interest-driven activities, five days a week. Among these projects are volunteer activities that take participants to the Little Rock Zoo, Habitat for Humanity and the Arkansas Food Bank.

For more information on Therapeutic Recreation programs or to register, call 501-570-1131.

Little Rock Professional Advises Parents to Seek Early Intervention My child is almost two years old. How much should she be talking?

Though children develop at their own pace and the range of what’s considered “normal” development is quite broad, there are some standard guidelines you can use to know if your child is meeting certain developmental milestones. By two years of age, your child should use and understand at least fifty words, use two-word phrases without imitating or repeating, and use speech to communicate more than immediate needs.

What does it mean if my toddler isn’t using words to communicate?

Every child develops differently, but some differences may simply indicate a slight delay while others may be a cause for greater concern. A moderate to severe speech or language delay can be an indicator of an underlying delay or disability. There are a wide variety of reasons a child may experience a delay in language development, including language or learning disabilities, difficulty controlling the muscles used for speech, hearing loss, or autism spectrum disorders.

“Vocabulary at age three is the number one indicator of academic success by the end of second grade.”

What should I do if I suspect my child may not be talking as much as he should?

Vocabulary at age three is the number one indicator of academic success by the end of second grade. If you think that your child is not talking at the same pace or in the same way as most children his or her age, talk first to your child’s pediatrician.

Local evaluation centers such as the ACCESS Evaluation and Resource Center in Little Rock can also help determine or rule out the possibility of a language or learning disability or a developmental delay. Detecting delays early and getting needed intervention is so important and ensures that your child is on track to reach his or her fullest potential.

ACCESS Stella Boyle Smith Early Childhood Campus 10618 Breckenridge Drive Little Rock, AR 72211 ACCESS Evaluation and Resource Center, ACCESS Academy and Young Adult Campus 1500 N. Mississippi Street Little Rock, AR 72207

Rachel Biedron, ACCESS Speech-Language Pathologist, works with children to develop age-appropriate language skills.

Featured Expert: Kimberly Newton, Licensed Psychological Examiner, ACCESS Evaluation and Resource Center Director, President of the Learning Disabilities Association of Arkansas

501-217-8600 ACCESSGROUPINC.ORG @accessgroupinc SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | APRIL 2019

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Let’s Play!

A key to social development for any child is the opportunity to play and interact with others. For families whose children have physical or developmental issues, this can sometimes present a problem. Fortunately, more communities are recognizing the need to accommodate all children by introducing inclusive playgrounds, areas that provide equipment that is more easily accessed by all.

In Central Arkansas, find these playgrounds in: • Burns Park, North Little Rock • Richie Road Park, Cabot • Mills Park, Bryant • Tyndall Park, Benton • Maumelle is in the process of raising $80,000 for a new inclusive playground, to be paid for entirely with private money.

To make a donation to this worthwhile project, please contact Maumelle Parks and Recreation at 501-851-6990.

Burns Park, North Little Rock

FUTURE MAUMELLE INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND

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Richie Road Park, Cabot

Mills Park, Bryant

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AUTISM RESOURCE GUIDE ACCESS®

ACCESS Stella Boyle Smith Early Childhood Campus 10618 Breckenridge Drive, Little Rock

ACCESS Academy and Young Adult Campus 1500 N. Mississippi St., Little Rock 501-217-8600, accessgroupinc.org

AIM Clinics

Lander's Corporate Plaza, Ste. 1100B 22461 I-30 Frontage Road, Bryant 501-574-3053, aimclinics.com

Allied Therapy

1500 Wilson Loop Road, Ward 501-941-5630 5532 JFK Blvd.

North Little Rock 501-588-3211, allied-therapy.com

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Arkansas Children’s Hospital Autism Multispecialty Clinic 1 Children's Way, Little Rock 501-364-4000, archildrens.org

Arkansas Families First

4004 McCain Blvd., Ste. 203, North Little Rock 501-812-4268, arfamiliesfirst.com

Arkansas Therapy Outreach

1306 Military Road, Ste. 1, Benton 501-481-8930, artherapyoutreach.com Other locations in Hot Springs and Sheridan

Beyond Boundaries

2195 Peyton St., Ward 501-941-1522, beyondboundariesar.org

Beyond Speech Learning Center 16607 Cantrell Road, Ste. 6, Little Rock 501-944-5968, beyondspeechar.com

Butterfly Learning Center 9720 N. Rodney Parham Road, Little Rock 501-228-3868, ucpcark.org

Centers for Youth and Families

6601 W. 12th St., Little Rock 501-666-8686, centersforyouthandfamilies. org Other location in Monticello

Easterseals Academy at Riverdale 1617 Brookwood Drive, Little Rock 501-663-6965, easterseals.com

Expert Psychological Evaluations

425 W. Capitol Ave., Ste. 235, Little Rock, 501-444-2688, psychological-evaluations.com

Families, Inc.

1507 E. Race, Searcy 501-305-2359, familiesinc.net Offers 11 locations across Northeast, North Central and Central Arkansas.

First Step Arkansas

407 Carson St., Hot Springs 501-624-6468, firststeparkansas.com Locations in Malvern, Fordyce and Glenwood.

Hearts and Hooves

Pathfinder, Inc.

Imagination Station & On Track Therapy

Pediatrics Plus

2308 Kellogg Acres Road, Sherwood 501-834-8509, heartsandhooves.com

1008 Oak St., Conway 501-358-6868, ontrackplay.com

Kidsource Therapy

17706 I-30 Frontage Road, Benton 501-315-4414, kidsourcetherapy.com Locations in Little Rock, North Little Rock, Malvern, Arkadelphia and Hot Springs

Friendship Community Care Methodist Family Health 908 N. Reynolds Road, Bryant 501-847-9711, fccare.org Several locations throughout the state

1600 Aldersgate Road, Little Rock 501-661-0720, methodistfamily.org

2520 W. Main St., Jacksonville 501-982-0528, pathfinderinc.org Locations throughout Central and East Arkansas

2740 College Ave., Conway 501-329-5459, pediatricsplus.com Locations throughout Central Arkansas

The Allen School

824 N. Tyler St., Little Rock 501-664-2961, theallenschool.org

UAMS Kids First

333 Executive Court, Little Rock 501-526-8700, arpediatrics.org/kidsfirst Offers 11 locations throughout the state

Up Therapy

2312 Durwood Road, Little Rock 501-313-5973, uptherapyar.com

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kid approved Yoga

THERE ARE A BUNCH OF MEDITATION AND YOGA APPS THAT INTRODUCE KIDS TO BREATHING AS A WAY TO SOLVE PROBLEMS, CALM DOWN OR THINK THROUGH A SITUATION. YOGA FOR KIDS DAILY FITNESS IS GREAT FOR LEARNING THE POSES AND PLAYING WITH EXERCISE.

YOGA KIDS MY MAT (MAT STANDS FOR MINDFULNESS AND AFFIRMATIONS TIME) OFFERS KID-SIZED YOGA MATS USED FOR LEARNING HOW TO CREATE POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS. PLUS, THEY GIVE KIDS A SPACE OF THEIR OWN TO PRACTICE NEXT TO YOU!

NICOLE DECKER RECENTLY

CALLS ARKANSAS HER HOME! SHE IS ORIGINALLY FROM CONNECTICUT AND HAS MOVED WITH HER HUSBAND, SEAN, TO DIFFERENT MARINE CORPS DUTY STATIONS. THEY ARE PARENTS TO 18-MONTHOLD JAMES, WHO’S BEEN WATCHING, CRAWLING AND NOW JUMPING HIS WAY INTO A LOVE FOR YOGA! NICOLE IS A YOGA TEACHER AND PERSONAL TRAINER, AND LOVES TO FIND WAYS TO MAKE MOVEMENT A PART OF JAMES’ DAILY LIFE. IN HER FREE TIME SHE CREATES CUTTING BOARDS, WRITES FOR HER BLOG HOME.BODY.BREATHE AND IS A CO-HOST FOR A MINDFULNESS PODCAST CALLED ON OUR WAY HOME.

YOGI FUN KIDS CARDS ARE A FUN WAY TO LEARN POSES. USE THEM TO INTRODUCE KIDS TO YOGA WITH A FUN GAME AT HOME.

WE READ “GOOD MORNING YOGA” EVERY MORNING, WHEN WE HAVE TIME, TO GET OUR BODIES MOVING AND ADD EXERCISE INTO OUR ROUTINE.

ALPINE BABY CO. MAKES THE COMFIEST TODDLER LEGGINGS AND SWEATSHIRTS FOR COZY YOGA MORNINGS! WE LOVE CUDDLING UP IN OUR SWEATPANTS FOR SOME SAVASANA, AKA, NAPTIME!

YOGA BOLSTERS ARE PERFECT FOR THE MOMS WHO NEED A BREATHER, AND FUN FOR THE KIDS TO MAKE A JUNGLE COURSE OUT OF—ESPECIALLY WHEN PAIRED WITH THE BLOCKS! MY SON LOVES TO CLIMB OVER AND HUG THE BOLSTER.

MAKE IT A GAME! ROLL THE YOGI DICE TO PICK A POSE. MY LITTLE ONE LOVES TO STACK THE BLOCKS AND ROLL THEM ON HIS MAT. PLUS, WHEN I START TO SHOW HIM THE POSE, HE DOES IT ALONG WITH ME!

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YOGA BLOCKS ARE MUST-HAVES FOR ALL TYPES OF YOGA, AND THEY GIVE MY SON SOMETHING TO PLAY WITH AND STACK WHILE WE PRACTICE TOGETHER.

MY LITTLE ONE LOVES TO SIT ON AND CRAWL UNDER MY HEADSTAND CHAIR WHILE I PRACTICE WHAT IT’S LIKE TO GET UPSIDE DOWN. PERFECT FOR THE ADVENTUROUS AND HEADSTAND-INSPIRED TWEENS AND TEENS, TOO!

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