Education

ENCOURAGING YOUR CHILD TO TALK ABOUT THE SCHOOL DAY

By PVSchools

After a long work day, most parents look forward to the after-school conversation they may have with their child. Here are a few tips to encourage your child to open up and talk about the school day.

SHARE INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DAY

By talking with your child about your day, your child may be more open about sharing details about his or her day at school. Start with the projects you’re working on, the meeting you had or a funny story that happened.

USE OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS

Use the opportunity you have with your child to have a conversation about the day. The last thing you want is to have your child reply with short yes or no answers. Ask specifi c questions such as “What did you learn in art class today?” rather than “How was your day?”

ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR CHILD’S FRIENDS

To get your child to talk about his or her day, start the conversation with a question about one of your child’s friend.

SHARE STORIES ABOUT WHEN YOU WERE IN SCHOOL

Share about when you were in school with your child. Believe it or not, children love to hear about

when their parents were children.

CHANGE THE QUESTIONS

Instead of asking “How was your day?” try asking one of the following questions: • What did you learn about in science class today? • Who’s the funniest kid in your class? • What did he or she do today that was so funny? • Who do you sit next to at lunch? • What’s your favorite equipment on the playground? • What are the types of sports or hobbies your friends do during the weekends? Are you interested in these sports or hobbies? • Which subject do you like best? • Which subject do you like least? • Why did you choose that library book? • Are there any upcoming tests or projects you’re nervous about?

With a challenging and robust curriculum, an array of premier programs, gifted program, special education, electives, athletics and more, PVSchools offers quality education choices for every journey from preschool through 12th grade. Enrolling now! Learn more at pvschools.net/open.

KIDS CORNER CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS Arizona Style

By Jill “MamaBug” Frier

It is the season for the wonders and magic of the holidays! Arizona brings its own special fl avor to the holidays, with western scenes, Cowboy Christmas celebrations, stunning luminaria displays and unforgettable desert magic. Nothing warms the heart on a cold evening in the desert, whether in the tall pines or the Valley of the Sun, like the soft glow of lights and luminarias, soft music and holiday cheer. Here are a few places to make your holiday in Arizona one to remember.

SEDONA: TLAQUEPAQUE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

We love visiting Sedona whenever we get the chance, but this year we hope to make it to their annual Festival of Lights celebration. The tradition of the Tlaquepaque Festival of Lights began 46 years ago and is a highly anticipated holiday event in Sedona. Admission is free for this event, where musical entertainment, a visit from Santa, and free cider lead up to the lighting of 6,000 luminarias in the Tlaquepaque courtyards and walkways. You may also purchase specially designated luminarias to honor cancer survivors in the Patio del Norte store in Tlaquepaque. For more information, visit their website:www. tlaq.com/annual-events/festival-of-lights Date: Dec. 8 Times: 3:00 – 8:00 p.m.

PHOENIX: LAS NOCHES DE LAS LUMINARIAS

One of our favorite holiday traditions every year is visiting the Desert Botanical Garden to see Las Noches de las Luminarias. This year, there will be more than 8,000 handlit luminaria bags lining many of the trails throughout the Garden each evening. The lovely, twinkling pathways wind through the new Electric Desert display and lead to nine different musical entertainment areas, and dinner and warm refreshments are available each night. Las Noches de las Luminarias is a perfect event to celebrate the beauty and magic of the holiday season in Arizona’s Sonoran Desert. Dates: Dec. 1-6, 10-23, 26-31. Times: 5:30 - 9:30 p.m.

PRESCOTT: A FRONTIER CHRISTMAS AT SHARLOT HALL

One of our favorite places to visit in Arizona is Prescott, dubbed “Arizona’s Christmas City” during the holiday season. The Annual Frontier Christmas at the Sharlot Hall museum is a featured holiday highlight of Prescott, with luminarias, hand-made decorations, fresh-baked cookies and hot cider to welcome locals and out-of-town visitors. You can celebrate the holiday spirit and good cheer of the Old West on the Museum grounds, immediately following the Prescott downtown Courthouse lighting ceremony at 6:00 pm. Admission to Frontier Christmas is $5 (children 17 and under are free). See their website for more information: www.sharlot. org/event/frontier-christmas Date: Dec. 1 Times: 6:00 - 8:30 p.m.

GLOBE: ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS AT BESH BA GOWAH

Just outside the city of Globe lies Besh Ba Gowah, the ruins of the ancient Salado people who lived in the Globe-Miami area almost 800 years ago. Every year, this archeological park celebrates the holidays in unique Arizona fashion, showcasing glowing luminarias placed along the ruin walls to light the way for visitors and celebrate the magic of the season. The festival offers refreshments, crafts, a bonfi re and cultural entertainment by talented Native American artists and musicians, like the Yellow Bird Dance Group and Apache Flutist, Robert Wilson. Admission is free, but non-perishable food donations will

KIDS CORNER

be accepted to help support the Gila Community Food Bank this holiday season. For more information about the event, visit the website: www.globeaz.gov/visitors/besh-ba-gowah Date: December 1 Times: 5:00 - 9:00 p.m.

TUCSON: PATRONATO’S CHRISTMAS AT SAN XAVIER

22 years ago, Linda Ronstadt headlined the fi rst Christmas concert at the Mission San Xavier, beginning a beloved tradition that now marks the beginning of Tucson’s holiday season. This signature series of concerts raises funds for Patronato, a nonprofi t organization devoted to restoring and preserving the historic Mission San Xavier for future generations. This year, the event features the Sons of Orpheus with the Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus and the Tucson Girls Chorus and is performed at the Mission San Xavier del Bac, on the Tohono O’odham Nation reservation. Advance ticket purchase is required, so be sure to visit the website for more information: www.patronatosanxavier. org/christmas-concerts Dates: December 10-13 Times: 5:00 - 10:00 p.m.

FLAGSTAFF: THE NORTH POLE EXPERIENCE

In a remote spot somewhere near Flagstaff, there is a magical, 400-year-old workshop where Santa builds toys and Mrs. Claus bakes goodies for Christmas. The North Pole Expe-

rience opened its doors in 2009 to provide a special Christmas experience for children and families throughout the state. Visitors start at the Little America hotel and depart from the station there to begin their magical journey to the North Pole. There, visitors experience the inside of Santa’s Workshop, building toys with elves, touring the toy factory and much more. See the North Pole Experience website for information about dates, times and tickets: northpoleexperience.com

These holiday celebrations are just a few of the festive events that take place around our state, but all will make special holiday memories for you and your family.

Be sure to read Ladybug’s Blog (www. LadybugsBlog.com) for more information about celebrating the holidays in the unique, festive, truly Western spirit of Arizona

Happy Holidays and Peace be With You!

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE NORTH POLE EXPERIENCE