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FREE! May 2017

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Summer

Fun! IN EVERY ISSUE:

Fun Events page 8 Dine on a Dime page 10

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High quality child care looks like

LITERACY.

Children in high quality child care develop literacy gradually, in a natural way.

Simple Ways to Advance Your Toddler’s Brain Development What’s the best way to make your child “smart?” Talk. Sing. Play. Here are some ways to get the conversation started.

1. Talk to your child about your day and ask about his. Take turns talking. That’s a real conversation.

They develop language because they are read stories. They develop an attention span because they are engaged. They listen. They sing. They play. They scribble “write” and pretend to read books. They learn. In time, they can read and write. They are ready to tell you a story.

2. Take time to answer questions. Your child has a million of them. Most may be “why.” You don’t have to have all the answers. If you don’t know, find out together.

3. Forget about “it.” Instead of using “it,” use the words he needs to learn by naming people, places and things.

4. Read books together. Point out and name things in the pictures or ask your toddler to name them.

5. Provide books on subjects that interest your child. Look at the pictures and ask him to talk to you about what he sees. Ask him to tell you the story.

6. Play with your toddler. Playtime is a great time to introduce words. Use descriptive words like soft and blue. Make comparisons like “my sandwich is bigger than yours.”

7. Sing and dance. Sing songs with words that have action like Itsy Bitsy Spider or This Old Man. Rhyming songs are great for clapping and making up your own movements.

8. Pretend with your child. Have a tea party with her stuffed animals or take his plastic dinosaurs out in the yard to play. Make up a story.

9. Go on a treasure hunt. Think of something you can find in your backyard or at the park. Talk about what it looks like. Ask your toddler where you might find it.

Click here to visit our Resource Library. You’ll find activities and tips to help you prepare your child for life.

www.ARBetterBeginnings.com • 1-800-445-3316

Learn more at bit.ly/kidsliteracy

Find child care that speaks to your child’s way of learning. Visit our website to find high quality child care.

www.ARBetterBeginnings.com • 1-800-445-3316 Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education

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A NOTE from the Publisher Welcome to the May issue of NEA Kids’ Directory, the newest addition to the Occasions Publishing Group family of publications. NEA Kids’ Directory has many features that make it a valuable resource for parents, teachers, grandparents, and childcare professionals – anyone who is involved with children. It is compact in size, making it a handy resource to keep in your purse or car. In addition, it offers valuable coupons for use at kid-friendly businesses and includes a calendar of events so you know what’s going on across Northeast Arkansas each month. You’ll even find a convenient dining guide inside that lists restaurants offering free or discounted kids meals! Our goal each month is to help inform our readers of the many opportunities, events, products and services available for families in Northeast Arkansas. Please remember to support the businesses that advertise in this publication each month and tell them that you saw their ad in NEA Kids’ Directory. If you are interested in advertising in NEA Kids’ Directory, please call us at 931-0012.

Audrey Poff, Publisher & Editor

Meet Our COver Kid!

Aiden “Ace” eAsterling

Parents: John and Anna Easterling of Jonesboro photo by Melissa Donner

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Please say, “I saw it in NEA Kids’ Directory.” Thanks!

www.KidsDirectory.com/NEA

Please say, “I saw it in NEA Kids’ Directory.” Thanks!

Fun Events

May april 29- May 31 The exhibit “Dinosaurs: Fossils Exposed” will open Saturday, April 29, at Arkansas State University Museum. Visitors will view and even touch reproductions of full dinosaur skeletons, and there will be replicas of skulls, legs, footprints, and eggs. Kids will be able to “dig up bones” with paleontology tools. ASU Museum hours are Monday and Wednesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Info: jkary@astate.edu or 972-2074. www.KidsDirectory.com/NEA

May 1-31 Forrest L. Wood Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center invites you to Feeding Frenzy every Tuesday through Sunday at 3:30 p.m. Learn more about the center’s residents and their feeding habits. Info: crowleysridge.org. May 5 Come pre-party for Race for the Cure at the Pink Pasta Party, 6-8 p.m., at Sue’s Kitchen in Downtown Jonesboro. This fundraising event includes a pasta buffet, live music by the Arkansas Brothers, and

entertainment for the whole family. The Kids Pajama Dash will take place at 6:15 p.m. This is a one-mile fun run and includes a pasta ticket and fun activities like a pink paint station. Info: arkansas.infokomen.org.

May 2, 16, and 30 Science and engineering go hand-in-hand during Tink Tank, held every other Tuesday at the ASU Museum, located adjacent to the Dean B. Ellis Library, 3:30-6:30 p.m. Info: astate.edu/museum or 972-2074.

May 6 Forrest L. Wood Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center hosts “Tales and Trails Nature Stories and Crafts,” 10:30 monthly on the first Saturday. Info: crowleysridge.org.

May 18 Spring has sprung! Head downtown to celebrate the season at Alive After Five’s Spring Fest, 5-8 p.m. Located on Huntington Avenue, the market offers artisan products, locally handmade and produced fares, food trucks, local music, and children’s activities hosted by the Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library. Info: downtownjonesboro.com/alive-after-five.

May 6, 13, 20, and 27 Join Barnes & Noble for Storytime Adventures in the kids’ department each Saturday to read both new and classic stories plus sing fun-filled songs, 11:30 a.m. Info: 336-2543. May 30 Open Arms Support Group, Forrest L. Wood Crowley’s Ridge Nature for families with Autism, meets the Center introduces one of its resident last Tuesday of each month at Jumping creatures every Saturday at 10 a.m. Jellybeans. 906 East Matthews in during Creature Feature. Info: Jonesboro, 6:00-7:00 p.m. Info: AANEA crowleysridge.org. Office 336-2786.

If you would like your event included in our monthly calendar, email the details to

emily@jonesborooccasions.com

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Dine on a Dime

Your Guide to Where Kids Eat F REE!

LeT’s Go ouT To eaT!

Monday Bliss Cupcakes Kids 10 and under get a free mini cupcake or frosting shot with the purchase of a regular cupcake. (10 a.m.-9 p.m.)

Zaxby’s Two kids eat free with each adult purchase from 4-9 p.m.

Thursday Front Page Café 1 free kid’s meal with purchase of adult meal after 4 p.m.

TaMolly’s Kids eat for $1.99 from the kids’ menu (nights only). Sully’s Kids 10 and under eat free with paying adult

Friday Schlotzsky’s Deli Free kid’s meal with purchase of an adult meal from 4 p.m. until close.

Tuesday Pizza Hut Free kid’s buffet with adult buffet purchase.

saTurday Dixie Café Kids eat for $1.99 plus get a free sundae with adult meal purchase from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Fazoli’s Kids 12 and under eat for $.99 with adult meal from 5-8 p.m.

sunday Slim Chickens 1 free kid’s meal per adult entrée purchase.

Pizza Inn Free kids’ buffet with adult buffet purchase (nights only).

BA Burrito Free kids meal with purchase of adult entree

Wednesday IHOP Kids eat free with purchase of adult entrée from 4-10 p.m.

To have YOUR restaurant featured in this listing, email emily@jonesborooccasions.com 10

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With so many activities on the horizon, there’s no need for children in Northeast Arkansas to be bored this summer! We’ve got the scoop on some amazing opportunities for upcoming camps, Vacation Bible School sessions, art, music and theater classes and more. The Northeast Arkansas Kids’ Directory Summer Fun Guide will also be available online at neakidsdirectory.com. As always, please mention that you saw these businesses and organizations in NEA Kids’ Directory! A-StAte Summer CAmp ACAdemy The theme for the A-State 2017 Summer Camp Academy is STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts (music, drama, art – visual and performing arts) and Mathematics. Summer Camp Academy is for children and youth from grades Pre-K through high school and is held on the A-State campus in Jonesboro. Weeklong camps sessions include themes such as Princess & Knight In Training, Young Chef’s Academy I, Mrs. Frizzle and the Magic School Bus, Robotics, Super Hero Training, Fashionista Fun, Legos & Lots More, CSI Investigation and many others. Register online at astate.edu/college/education/departments/school-of-teacher-education-and-leadership/summercamp-academy. Info: Email Beverly Boals Gilbert at bboals@astate.edu or call 680.8358 ASu muSeum The whole family can enjoy activities at the Arkansas State University Museum. Visitors of all ages can spend time working and playing with a variety of tools and materials to create whatever their imaginations can design in the Tinkering Studio. Young visitors will enjoy the Family Reading Castle, an interactive play area based on the museum’s Mother Goose collection of characters. The ASU Museum is located in the west wing of the Dean B. Ellis Library on the A-State campus. Info: Call 972-2074 or visit AState.edu/museum. www.KidsDirectory.com/NEA

Back Beat Music Back Beat Music’s 2017 Rockin’ Summer Music Camps will include four sessions this summer: June 12-15, June 26-29, July 10-13 and July 24-27. Each session features four days of creative musical fun that includes writing original songs, cover songs, and a live performance on the final night of each camp. Each camp is Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. including lunch. Info: Call 932-PLAY or visit backbeatmusic.com. Please see ad on page 14. central Baptist church VBs Discover the God of the Universe this summer as Central Baptist Church, 3707 Harrisburg Rd., hosts “Galactic Starveyors” June 11-15 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. for children ages 3 (by Sept. 1) through sixth grade. Register at centralbaptist.com/vbs by June 7 and be entered to win a telescope. Info: Call 935-1950 or visit centralbaptist.com. Please see ad on page 15. First Baptist church VBs “Gadgets & Gizmos” is the theme for VBS at First Baptist Church, 701 S. Main Street in Jonesboro, to be held June 5-9 from 9 a.m. to noon. Info: Call 932.3456 for more information or to check on your child’s age group availability. First united Methodist church VBs “Maker Fun Factory” is the theme for Vacation Bible School this summer at First United Methodist Church in Jonesboro. VBS will be held June 12-15 from 6 to 8:15 p.m. at FUMC, located at 801 S. Main St. Register online at fumcjonesboro.org. Info: Call 932.7479. Forrest l. Wood croWley’s ridge nature center Located at 600 E. Lawson Rd. in Jonesboro, the nature center offers numerous activities for children and youth throughout the summer months. For a complete list of activities, visit crowleysridge.org and view the public events calendar. Info: 933.6787. the Foundation oF arts suMMer caMps The Foundation of Arts will offer a summer packed with classes and weeklong camps for students ages 3 and up this summer. Ballet, musical theatre, drama, sculpting and art are just a few of the options available. To see a complete list of classes, visit foajonesboro.org. For more information, call 935-2726. Camps begin June 5. highland driVe Baptist church VBs “Galactic Starveyors” will be the theme for Vacation Bible School at Highland Drive Baptist Church, 515 E. Highland Dr. Info: Visit hdbc.org or call 932.2197. Jets aquatic cluB Summer league swimming is just around the corner. Make a splash this summer by joining the Jets Aquatic Club during its 2017 AAU Season. Meets will be held on Saturdays during June and July. For more information on tryouts and registration, contact Jets Aquatic Club Head Coach Shawn Drake at coach@jonesborojets.com.

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SouthweSt ChurCh of ChriSt VBS Vacation Bible School at Southwest Church of Christ, 1601 James St., will be held June 26 through June 30 from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Info: Visit swest.org. traVel with uS Disney vacations are fun for all ages. Call Travel with Us Jonesboro for current Disney specials and deals to experience DisneyWorld, Adventures By Disney and Disney Cruises. Info: Call 932.7221 or visit travelwithusjonesboro.com. Please see the ad below.

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