Boulder County Kids Winter 2017

Boulder County Kids Volume XXIII No. 4 • HOLIDAY ISSUE 2017

CELEBRATING OUR CHILDREN FOR OVER 22 YEARS!

“A Christmas Cat” by Nayla Krebs, age 8, Douglass Elementary School

WINTER ISSUE

BOULDER COUNTY KIDS 'LVFRYHU %L[E\ 7RGD\

%RXOGHU V SURJUHVVLYH VFKRRO VLQFH 6FKHGXOH \RXU SULYDWH WRXU RU UHJLVWHU IRU DQ 2SHQ +RXVH WRGD\ E\ HPDLOLQJ DGPLVVLRQV#EL[E\VFKRRO RUJ

V 2SHQ +RXVH G Q Y 'HF D 1R -DQ

/HDUQ PRUH

:H DUH FHQWUDOO\ ORFDWHG DW

7DEOH 0HVD 'U %RXOGHU &2

3URJUDP

3URJUDP

ZLWK UDWLRV

7DOHQWHG FRQWHQW H[SHUW WHDFKHUV

6ZLP SURJUDP LQ RXU LQGRRU FDPSXV SRRO Â DQG JDUGHQV 6FKRRO GD\ RU IXOO GD\ RSWLRQV

3UHVFKRRO 'D\ RU )XOO GD\ GD\V ZLWK UDWLRV

The only climbing gym

for kids!

All Ages and Abilities

• Classes • Clubs • Teams • Open Gym • School Groups • School Holiday Camps • Birthday Parties • Parents Night Out • Home School Class

Enroll Today! abckidsclimbing.com (303) 443-5437

Page 2 • www.bouldercountykids.com

1960 32nd Street • Boulder

BOULDER COUNTY KIDS LONGMONT CHRISTIAN

PRESCHOOL

half day • full day • afterschool • summer camp LCS offers licensed early childhood education to encourage social and academic development for PreK 3 & PreK 4.

Enroll today!

For more info or to enroll contact mjauregui@longmontchristian.org or 303-776-3254

Where love of learning starts!

For Children 2 Months and Up! 795 S. Sherman St., Longmont • www.SwimFloatSwim.com

1440 Collyer Street, Longmont CO 80501 www.longmontchristian.org

Rocky Mountain Theatre For Kids THE BEST IN BOULDER YOUTH THEATRE Winter Classes t .VTJDBM 5IFBUSF t 1FSGPSNBODF

(ages 5-8 & 9-14)

O.*NG SHOW U1C

Seussical The Musical

t *NQSPWJTBUJPO t NPSF

Dec 3-10

Online November 15

School Day Off Camps (ages 5-10) November 10, 20–22 & January 15 Kids, enjoy a full day of theatrical activities - music, acting, dance, makeup, improvisation, scene work, and rehearsal.

2017 Summer Camps (ages 5-8 & 8-16) $25 off Classes

Online Coupo n code: BCKWint e r 2018 Expires December 31, 2017

303.245.8150

Camp Titles Online December 1st!

RMTK provides 9:1 student-teacher ratio, top notch performance venues, professional theatre staff, & a daily camp curriculum sculpted by 20 years of experience.

www.theaterforkids.net

5311 Western Ave (near Arapahoe & 55th) Boulder, CO Winter 2017 • Page 3

BOULDER COUNTY KIDS %$1.,1* :,7+287 %281'$5,(6 * :,7+287 %281 )25 7+( 683(5+(52 :,7+,1 <28

0RYH <RXU 0RQH\ WR 3UHPLHU )L[[LY 9H[LZ -L^LY -LLZ (;4Z )YHUJOLZ (K]HUJLK 4VIPSL 6USPUL )HURPUN 3VJHS :\WWVY[ :VJPHS 9LZWVUZPIPSP[`

9LVLW RXU /RXLVYLOOH %UDQFK DW &RDO &UHHN &LUFOH

BOULDER COUNTY KIDS Serving Boulder County, Broomfield, & Surrounding Areas Winter 2017

Contents

22 YEARS

Volume 23 No. 4

Articles titled in blue are great reading for kids, green for directories.

-PUK 6\[ /V^ H[ )=*< 69.

Note: Many of our covers come from monthly student Kâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;12 art displays at the Boulder Valley Credit Union at 5505 Arapahoe Avenue next to the Boulder Dinner Theatre. Check it out!

BOULDER COUNTY KIDS is a division of Martin

House Publications, Inc. Published quarterly in February, May, August, and November. Mailing Address: P.O. Box 17114, Boulder, CO, 80308. Phone number: (303) 939-8767.

Copyright 1995 to 2017 by Boulder County Kids. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission prohibited. Boulder County Kids encourages your submission of articles, photographs, and ideas. We reserve the right to edit all submitted material. All submissions will be considered for publication. Viewpoints of the articles are not necessarily the viewpoints of Boulder County Kids. Materials will not be returned. Advertising is accepted at the discretion of the publisher. Printed with soy-based ink. Please go to www. bouldercountykids.com for more information.

From the Publisher............................................................. 5

Cover Storyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Nayla Krebs............................ 5 Media Overload.................................... 6

Kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Planet...................................................... 8

HELPFUL SERVICES DIRECTORY.......... 11 HEALTH CARE DIRECTORY............. 12

NON-VIOLENT COMMUNICATION.............................. 14

Friend or Frienemy?

................................ 16

What Do I Do Now, Romona?............ 17 Best New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Resolutions.............. 18 Self-Responsible Feedback............................................. 20

TO LEARN OR NOT TO LEARN......................... 22 SHOULD WE HOST AN AU PAIR?......................... 24

All

NEWS ABOUT TOWN........................................... 26

HOLIDAY EVENTS................................................ 27

=Since 1956+

Fully inclusive, fostering friendship between typical and special-needs children.

Year-round programs.

Low adult-child ra os.

Nurturing classrooms focused on whole-child development.

Research based curriculums.

Colorado Shines Level Four program.

Preschool for Children 8 Weeks to 6 Years Old

CHILD CARE/PRESCHOOL DIRECTORY........ 28â&#x20AC;&#x201C;32 PRIVATE SCHOOL DIRECTORY............................. 34â&#x20AC;&#x201C;35

Birthday Party Directory.......... 36â&#x20AC;&#x201C;37 AFTER-SCHOOLâ&#x20AC;&#x2C6;PROGRAMS..................... 38â&#x20AC;&#x201C;41 WINTER CALENDAR OF EVENTS........ 42â&#x20AC;&#x201C;45 Editor in Chief - Jennifer Martin Cool Cover Art - Nayla Krebs

TLC Learning Center 611 Korte Parkway, Longmont 303.776.7417 www.LearningWithTLC.org

Page 4â&#x20AC;¯â&#x20AC;¢â&#x20AC;¯www.bouldercountykids.com

Distribution Gurus - Impact Distribution Proofing to Perfection - Darlene Mueller Morse

Mascot - Indie

Best in the World Printers - Prairie Mountain Publishing Most Awesome Web Designer - Joshua Thorne

www.bouldercountykids.com â&#x20AC;¢ (303) 939-8767

BOULDER COUNTY KIDS From the Publisher:

Cover Story: Nayla

We have had our first snow and getting ready for some fun holiday events coming up. We wish you the very best and a happy new year! Will be checking in with you next year with our summer camp programs. Be well and be in touch.

-- Jennifer and Indie

Jennifer Martin and Indie

Krebs

Don’t miss out on the next issue

Get the Word Out!

Reach 20,000 families in Boulder County, Broomfield County, and surrounding areas!

The Spring issue deadline is JANUARY 10th.

That issue covers February, March and April and is our CAMP ISSUE. Please call early to reserve your space. Calendar of Events listings are published at no charge and on a space-available basis. All of our advertising information, rates and sizes are available online. Check out our Advertising Page at www.bouldercountykids. com. Calendar events must be submitted online on our Calendar Submission Form. Receipts will be sent back to you.

Check out our Website!

Boulder County Kids • PO Box 17114 • Boulder, CO 80308 303.939.8767

advertising@bouldercountykids.com • www.bouldercountykids.com

O

ur cover artist is Nayla Krebs. She is 8 years old and attends Douglass Elementary School in Boulder. She has a brother, Lucca, who is 11 and a sister, Cecilia, who is 3. She enjoys P. E. and art classes at school and studies art at the Sunflower Art Studio and also enjoys sewing classes. Her painting is acrylic on paper. Nayla loves spaghetti and meatballs and her favorite restaurant is 95A in Lafayette. Her top movie pick is Despicable Me 3 and top TV show is Pink Panther. She enjoys pop music on the radio and plays the piano/keyboard. Nayla also enjoys swimming and rock climbing as well as playing with her friends in her spare time. Her vacation hot spot is going to the beach.

Nayla’s favorite thing to do in the winter is to build a snowman. She wants to be a doctor when she grows up. he cover sponsor is Premier Members Credit Union which provides kids an excellent environment in which to save money and provides incentives, activities, events and mascot visits.

To join, or for more information, call (303) 442-8850 in Boulder or (970) 577-0750 in Estes Park, or you can also visit www.pmcu.org for more information.

T

Suzuki Violin, Viola and Cello School BO U

Openings available for private lessons ER LD Ages 4 through high school Beginner through advanced The Program Offers: Note reading, theory & string orchestra Studio & community concerts and recitals STRINGS Weekly private lessons and twice-monthly group lessons New: Birth to 3 toddler classes est 1982

Boulder Suzuki Strings For information call (303) 499-2807

Website: bouldersuzukistrings.org E-mail: info@bouldersuzukistrings.org

Experiential STEM learning for all ages.

Out of School Time and Homeschool programs going on now!

Register online today! sciencediscovery.colorado.edu

303.492.7188 Winter 2017 • Page 5

BOULDER COUNTY KIDS

Conscious Use of Technology & Media Overload

by LoriGrace Kochevar, MS LPC

W

e are asking our brains to do things that they are not designed to do. This puts pressure on the memory, learning and attention mechanisms in the brain needed for imagination, inspiration and creativity that is the hallmark of our existence.

In this fast pace environment where many of the schools are now handing out iPads as tools for learning, it is paramount that parents make smart decisions on how to guide their children’s use of media and technology.

While there are some forms of media which provide games in social emotional and academic skills and can be very supportive to young learners, there is also a time and place where media needs to have structure and a safety net to protect our young learners.

When we are looking at media in conjunction with learning and relationships, one of the concerns is an

A review of research from the past decade has found that adolescents who demonstrated Internet addiction scored higher for obsessive–compulsive behavior, depression, generalized and social anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, introversion, and other maladaptive behaviors. opportunity cost. By over utilizing media and technology, other opportunities are lost such as social intelligence, learning, attachment and social emotional intelligence and development.

Initially we need to look at what is being watched, the content of the program, and the developmental appropriateness of the social messag-

THINK ECO-FRIENDLY THINK RECYCLED THINK CHILDISH THINGS $10 off any $50 purchase expires 12/31/17

3183 Walnut Street

in the Walnut Gardens Shopping Center

Boulder • 303.442.2703 www.childishthingsconsign.com

Page 6 • www.bouldercountykids.com

es underlying the production.

In addition where and how the media is watched is critical, is it an essential part of the home where people are interacting with the media and each other at the same time, or is it hidden away in a bedroom and used to increase isolation.

Physiologically it is important to know when the child is watching any sort of screen. Screen time can cause arousal that makes sleep difficult. The blue light from screens affects the release of nighttime melatonin, a hormone that affects the body’s clock and circadian rhythm and adversely affects the ability to fall asleep. Research indicates that the use of cell phones before bed one or more times a week makes a child five times more likely to be very tired.

Why children are watching screens is also a great question to ask. Statistics show that children are using screens at home only 2% for homework and 98% for other stuff.

When we look at the sheer volume of average screen time, it is clearly creating competition for other experiences that might be more beneficial to their brain development. On average a child between the ages of 8 to 18 spends more than 7 ½ hours a day on screens. Often children have more then one screen going at a time. While some of this time is done in a collaborative model with teachers or parents that provides guidance, most of it is alone time.

At Brighten The Brain we use advanced technologies to create faster lasting improvement in a child and family’s brain power.

We teach the brain to master the skills and the process underlying learning. We directly train the brain to functional fluidity. As the brain becomes more confident and effective, physical and emotional symptoms resolve and learning is enhanced. In conjunction with DreamCatcher Learning Centers, we provide a comprehensive learning environment for your student.

Please call LoriGrace Kochevar at (970) 352-8873 or email LoriGrace@BrightentheBrain.com with any questions or to register for our executive functioning program.

Please go to w w w.

BrightentheBrain.com to request Guidelines to Conscious Use of Technology.

BOULDER COUNTY KIDS Since 1981, we have offered a small, hands-on, nurturing environment where children can learn through exploration and discovery.

FAMILIES APPRECIATE OUR: Â&#x2021; (FR IULHQGO\ FKLOG FDUH DQG FHUWLILHG 1DWXUH ([SORUH 2XWGRRU &ODVVURRP Â&#x2021; &RQVLVWHQW SURIHVVLRQDO VWDII Â&#x2021; 0RQWHVVRUL EDVHG OHDUQLQJ FHQWHUV Â&#x2021; 9HJHWDEOH IORZHU JDUGHQV Â&#x2021; +DQGV RQ VFLHQFH PXVHXP Â&#x2021; :DUP KRPH OLNH DWPRVSKHUH Â&#x2021; 6WURQJ VHQVH RI FRPPXQLW\ Â&#x2021; 1HZ ORQJHU KRXUV DP WR SP

&DOO XV WRGD\ WR VFKHGXOH D WRXU Â&#x2021; â&#x20AC;˘ Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s childcare you can trust like family. Our au pairs are FDUHIXOO\ VFUHHQHG DQG WUDLQHG E\ RXU RZQ VWDĚ&#x2020; DQG DUH LQIDQW &35 DQG )LUVW $LG FHUWLÂżHG

VXQIORZHUSUHVFKRROERXOGHU FRP

â&#x20AC;˘ Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s flexible. <RX VHW WKH VFKHGXOH KRZHYHU \RX GHFLGH DQG KDYH KHOS ZKHQ \RX QHHG LW LQFOXGLQJ PRUQLQJV DIWHU VFKRRO HYHQLQJV HYHQ ZHHNHQGV

â&#x20AC;˘ Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s affordable. *HW XS WR KRXUV RI FKLOGFDUH HDFK ZHHN IRU DQ DYHUDJH PRQWKO\ FRVW RI

Reignite your childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s love for learning!

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Jen Rodehaver, Local Childcare Consultant (LCC) (303) 956-6189 jen.rodehaver@lcc.culturalcare.com jrodehaver.aupairnews.com

Small Groups for Individualized Attention (4 max)

Certified Literacy Specialists

BOULDER

3000 CENTER GREEN DRIVE

Orton-Gillingham based instruction for struggling learners: â&#x20AC;˘ Dyslexia â&#x20AC;˘ Dysgraphia

STARTING FALL 2017 SMALL-GROUP MULTI-SENSORY LEARNING â&#x20AC;&#x201C; HALF DAY

â&#x20AC;˘ Dyscalculia

LEARNING PATHWAYS

 � � � �  ­  ­

Â&#x20AC;Â&#x20AC;Â&#x20AC;Â&#x201A; Â&#x192; Â&#x20AC; Â&#x201A; Â&#x201E;

Â&#x2026; Â?Â&#x2020; Â Â&#x2020; Â&#x2021; Â?Â&#x2020; Â Â&#x2020;

FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1989

Winter 2017 â&#x20AC;˘ Page 7

BOULDER COUNTY KIDS

Kids’ Planet... with Thorne Nature Experience 50th ANNIVERSARY OF BOULDER’S OPEN SPACE Drawing by Kara Priest

Photo by Bob Carmichael

by Dr. Oakleigh Thorne, II

B

ack in 1967, I was part of a small group of Boulder citizens who worked hard to get a sales tax passed to purchase open space. At that time we called these greenbelts. I’d like to give you some history about how this all happened.

During the 1950s Boulder was seeing rapid growth.

Two University of Colorado professors, Albert Bartlett a n d R o b e r t M c K e l v e y, became worried that this growth might harm Boulder’s scenic backdrop, especially in the area below our beautiful Flatirons, which by the way were set aside by act of Congress in the very early 1920s as Boulder Mountain Parks. In 1959 Bartlett, McKelvey, and others were able to get

The Boulder Flatirons view is protected by Open Space. a vote of our citizens passed that prevented the City of Boulder from supplying water and sewer services above a certain line of altitude, which we called the Blue Line.

Out of this action grew the founding of PLAN-Boulder County, a citizens’ planning and “watchdog” group.

“PLAN” stood for “Peoples League for Action Now!”

Page 8 • www.bouldercountykids.com

I was a charter member of PLAN-Boulder and was also a member of the very first Parks & Recreation Advisory Board (“Parks Board”) that had just been established by a vote of the citizens.

We d e c i d e d t h a t i t was important to pass a bond issue to purchase Enchanted Mesa, just south of Chautauqua, because it was threatened by real estate development. This included a luxury hotel and 200 homes.

We were successful and Enchanted Mesa was secured by the City.

Soon after, Dr. Walter Orr Roberts proposed the purchase of Table Mesa as a site for the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) that would preserve about 500 acres of open space. It would allow one building designed by a world-class architect, I. M.

Pei, and would bring many top scientists to Boulder.

Since it was above the Blue Line, it required a vote of approval by the citizens.

PLAN-Boulder decided this was a worthwhile idea and came out in favor of NCAR. The vote passed. This was the next mesa south of Enchanted Mesa.

After these successes, PLAN-Boulder, then chaired

by Ruth Wright, put on a conference on the importance of greenbelts and why Boulder needed them. Ted Tedesco had just become our new City Manager and he suggested a sales tax, part of which would be used for the purchase of greenbelts. The year was 1967.

We then discovered a copy of a report done in 1910 by Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr., whose father had designed Central Park in

New York City. In the report he suggested that Boulder should have greenbelts along Boulder Creek and around the city to prevent “urban sprawl.”

I had my nonprofit Thorne Ecological Institute (now Thorne Nature Experience) re-publish the Olmsted Report. James Bowers, then planning director, wrote a wonderful preface urging us to take action immediately to preserve greenbelts. We handed out these copies to the leaders of Boulder as part of a campaign. Our slogan was “Greenbelts are for children, and their children, and their children. Greenbelts YES!” We made posters, bumper stickers, ads, and radio announcements.

The sales tax passed! We were the first city in the United States to have citizens tax themselves to preserve greenbelts and open space.

Eventually the Open Space

BOULDER COUNTY KIDS

Department was established and greenbelt land began to be purchased. I’m very proud of Boulder for having such foresight!

Dr. Thorne is founder and honorary p re s i d e n t o f T h o r n e N a t u re Experience (formerly Thorne Ecological Institute) in Boulder.

They have helped “connect youth to nature” for 63 years! For information about their summer camp and other programs for kids, check their website at www. thornenature.org or please email info@thornenature.org or call (303) 499-3647, ext. 100.

Peanut Butter Players Celebrates 32 Years of

Peanut Excellence in Children’s Theatre with Butter The Best Christmas Players

Pageant Ever, the Musical a brand new work based on the

popular play by

Barbara Robinson

December 16,17,21,22 at 7:30; December 17, 22 at 2 pm Harlequin Center for the Performing Arts 1376 Miners Drive, Suite 106, Lafayette

Tickets at the box office or by calling (303) 786-8727 $12 adults, $10 children under 10

WWW.PEANUTBUTTERPLAYERS.COM

Integral Steps A Place To Grow

Supporting the balanced development of individuals, families, and communities through integrative education and community programming

Classes for ages 6 months to 10 years

www.integralsteps.org (720) 577-5441

Winter 2017 • Page 9

BOULDER COUNTY KIDS

Cirque Goes to the Movies Saturday, February 3, 2 PM & 7:30 PM Macky Auditorium

Cirque de la Symphonie Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra Michael Butterman, conductor Join us for a spectacular family experience featuring music from Harry Potter, Star Wars, Mission Impossible, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Titanic, plus the dazzling magic of the circus with aerialists, acrobats, contortionists, and more! We’ll also present the enthralling aerial violinist Janice Martin, a special member of the Cirque troupe.

Tickets for the Nutcracker Ballet and Cirque start at $15!

ORDER TICKETS NOW! www.BoulderPhil.org 303.449.1343

Page 10 • www.bouldercountykids.com

BOULDER COUNTY KIDS

HELPFUL SERVICES

PORTRAIT OF A GRADUATE A WATERSHED GRADUATE IS… READY FOR COLLEGE PREPARED FOR LIFE COMMUNICATOR

Advocacy

CREATIVE PROBLEMSOLVER CRITICAL THINKER

Safehouse

Domestic Violence Shelter and Advocacy. Open 24 Hours. SPAN provides shelter and advocacy programs to adults, youth, and children experiencing domestic abuse.

835 North Street. Boulder Crisis Line (303) 444-2424 www.safehousealliance.org

CRAFTSMAN

Toys

CITIZEN OF THE WORLD

Grandrabbit’s Toy Shoppe

Resources

Find all of your favorite toys, gifts, and more at Grandrabbit’s. Three stores to choose from. Free gift wrapping. Special events for children. Check our website for play days!

303-443-0780 - Boulder 303-465-8005 - Broomfield 303-815-1500 - Westminster www.grtoys.com

COLLABORATOR

Boulder Valley School District

The only BVSD Youth and Family Resource Guide. Find services and activities your family needs.

Tutoring, counseling, the arts, childcare, support services, college planning, cooking, birthday parties and more.

720.561.5977 guide.bvsd.org

Banking Premier Members Credit Union

Banking and savings. For all your banking needs.

5505 Arapahoe, Boulder 303-442-8850 www.pmcu.org

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR FALL 2018 Only 14 Life changing spaces available for the 6th grade—Apply early!

Boulder’s only 6th-12th grade independent school

realworldlearning.is

303-440-7520

Copyright 2015 © Watershed School.org. All rights reserved.

Winter 2017 • Page 11

BOULDER COUNTY KIDS HEALTH

HEALTH CARE DIRECTORY demic/social/emotional areas. We use advanced brain-based technologies to create faster, lasting improvements.

Hours: 27 hours total. Call to schedule your time.

KidLife

Play to Empowerment Tatum Oman Uhrick, LPC RPT Boulder

(720) 470-7244

Advantage Electrolysis The Art of Electrolysis by Rebecca, C.E. 5757 Central Avenue Suite 150 Boulder

(303) 444-6861

www.advantageelectrolysis.com Electrolysis. Fifteen-minute to onehour treatments with 20 years experience. $15 off with a mention of Boulder County Kids!

Hours: M-Th, 10 am-5 pm. Call for appointment. See ad.

Dr. Birchann Paffenbarger 745 Poplar Avenue Boulder

(720) 445-6709

www.MyBoulderChiropractor.com Ages: All. Dr. Birchann Paffenbarger at Boulder Chiropractic specializes in pediatric and prenatal care. Safe and comfortable treatment may help a pregnant woman’s body prepare for birth and help with fetal positioning for an easier pregnancy and delivery. Chiropractic is a gentle and natural treatment that may help children of any age with colic, ear aches, hyperactivity, growing pains, and much more. Call Boulder Chiropractic today!

Hours: Call for appointment.

Beauty Benefits Bethany Gray 4800 Baseline Road, Suite C-108 Boulder

(601) 668-8100

bethany@beautybenefitsboulder.com www.beautybenefitsboulder.com Complete skin and brow care. Licensed esthetician. Eyebrow shaping, lash & brow tinting, customized facials, lash lifting. Convenient Boulder location at the Phenix suites. Online booking for easy scheduling.

Hours: See website to schedule. See ad.

Brighten the Brain & Dream Catchers LoriGrace Kochevar, MS LPC 2300 Central Ave Boulder

(970) 352-8873

LoriGrace@BrightentheBrain.com BrightentheBrain.com Ages: 10-18 Executive Function Clinic. Executive Function skills are central to effective goal-oriented behavior, and are linked to educational attainment in all aca-

Tired of Shaving, Waxing, and Plucking?

Freedom From Unwanted Hair

Boulder County Healthy Kids and Adults Boulder/Longmont

(720) 515-1454

hkoutreach@bouldercounty.org www.bouldercounty.org/family/ medical/pages/healthykidsinitiative.aspx Ages: All. Boulder County Healthy Kids and Adults assists individuals and families get covered by health insurance, access affordable health care and enroll in Food Assistance (SNAP). The team of friendly, bilingual eligibility technicians helps individuals and families enroll in Medicaid, Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) and Food Assistance (formerly known as Food Stamps).

Medicaid and CHP+ are free or lowcost public health insurance plans that provide dental, medical, prescription and vision benefits. Healthy Kids and Adults can also connect families to Connect for Health Colorado, a health insurance marketplace where people can shop for health insurance and access tax credits to reduce monthly health insurance premiums. Call or email for more information.

Hours: M-F, 8 am to 4:30 pm.

Bethany Gray Licensed Esthetician

Eyebrow Shaping Lash & Brow Tinting

tatum@kidlifecolorado.com www.childtherapyboulder.com Ages: 3-13 years old.

Offering play therapy and animal-assisted therapy for children experiencing a social, behavioral, and/or emotional concern. Encourages self-awareness and acceptance of all feelings, increases coping skills, self-soothing, and self-confidence. Also offering parent support.

Fees: $110/hr. Tatum Oman is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) and a registered play therapist (RPT).

Please see website for more information or feel free to email or call.

Strength in Motion 5277 Manhattan Cir, Suite 250 Boulder

(303) 817-9072

adriana@simcounseling.com www.simcounseling.com Ages: All. Strength in Motion is a group mental health practice that specializes in working with tweens, teens, young adults and adults. We offer a range of services including individual therapy, group therapy, mindfulness classes, yoga, dance/movement therapy and acupuncture services. To meet our practitioners, see our current classes and group offerings and learn more about Strength in Motion, please visit our website.

Skin & Brow Care 601-668-8100 Ask about Dermaplaning Services

Customized Facials Lash Lifting

NEW CLIENTS: $15 off if you mention Boulder County Kids! www.AdvantageElectrolysis.com 5757 Central Avenue Suite 150 • Boulder • 80301

Call for your appointment today!

NEW LOCATION! 303.444.6861

Page 12 • www.bouldercountykids.com

4800 Baseline Rd. Suite 106 Phenix Suites

Boulder

For a complete list of services and to book online

www.beautybenefitsboulder.com

BOULDER COUNTY KIDS

Is YOUR Birthday Party Planned?

Check out pages 44 to 45!

A mindful approach to wellness • Individual Therapy • Group Therapy • Mindfulness Classes • Yoga • Dance/Movement • Acupuncture Services Serving tweens, teens, young adults, and adults Visit our website to meet our practitioners, learn more about SIM and see our current classes and group offerings

simcounseling.com 303.817.9072 | 5277 Manhattan Circle • Suite 250 • Boulder

Winter 2017 • Page 13

BOULDER COUNTY KIDS HEALTH EDUCATIONAL Non-Violent Communication

by Taylor Cannon

T

he vocabulary and syntax we employ when chatting up our best friend is different from that which we use to discuss a salary raise with our boss, or to scold our children.

We’re aware that words are powerful tools, but do we really appreciate the value of these choices and the impact they have on our relationships with our kids, friends and coworkers? Language

isn’t just central to the way we communicate; it also determines the terms in which we think. For example, the psychological benefits of

Wee Folk Forest Kindergarten rain or shine outdoor preschool

Ages 3 to 6 and Parent/Tot Program

EAST BOULDER

Rolling admission throughout the school year Visits scheduled on Tuesdays and Thursdays

Inspired by the Waldkindergartens and Forest Schools of Sweden, Denmark, Germany and Finland, where children spend the early years of their education in entirely outdoor settings.

There are enormous benefits for children who attend forest kindergartens, ranging from social-emotional and sensory-motor health, to a richly developed sense of place, and active imaginations.

When observed, these children convey an empowerment uncommon for their age, and a contentment that will make anyone “run for the forest”.

www.weefolkforestkindergarten.com 720-383-4406 • info@livingartsschool.com

Page 14 • www.bouldercountykids.com

naming one’s emotions has been thoroughly reinforced by scientific evidence. As simple as it seems, just the process of recognizing our feelings for what they are can jump-start their cognitive processing.

Our words shape our understanding of how the world sees us and, therefore, our place in the world. The ways we talk to our children changes the way they view themselves and can build or deplete their self-esteem so it’s obviously important that we’re choosing our words carefully in order to provide them with a sense that they are worthy of respect.

But it’s not easy to be conscious about your communication style; ideas are so often posed in direct opposition to one another that we’ve become deeply accustomed to thinking of them in these terms. In fact Center for Non-Violent Communication founder Dr. Marshall Rosenberg has even suggested that using the term “child” in reference to your son or daughter can be detrimental to your relationship

with him or her. Instead, he advocates for thinking of kids as humans of equal value to adults. Rosenberg tells a story in which he arrives home after a rough day at work and asks his family for some peace and quiet.

When his 9-year-old son asks him, “Do you want to talk about it?” Rosenberg’s knee-jerk reaction is to dismiss the offer just because of his child’s age. He realized he was subconsciously disregarding part of his son’s value as a human, by believing that the boy was powerless to help his father.

Georgetown linguistics professor Deborah Tannen writes about what she refers to as “Argument Culture,” which assumes that the productivity of society rests on constant conflict. We teach school children that the best way to explore multiple perspectives on a subject is through debate; we tell them that in order to show that they are engaged, they must criticize. And we’ve also denigrated the word “compromise” to be synonymous with sacrifice rather than something to aspire to. Pugilism is rampant in everything from entertainment to politics.

Implicit in references to “The War on Christmas,” “the War on Women” or even in seemingly benign reality TV shows like “Cupcake Wars,” is an underlying notion of hopeless opposition. The term “war” or “battle” does not conjure hope of compromise; instead, we are left with the expectation that one clear

winner will prevail over the other.

Of course, direct communication does certainly have benefits. The willingness to listen to the concerns and critiques of others is essential to personal growth and the development of self-awareness. But contrary to popular belief, this does not need to involve disrespect, domination or opposition of any kind.

And when oppositional or violent communication prevails as the norm, research shows that girls tend to be excluded from the conversation. Girls are more likely to avoid conflict and vacate a discussion or situation when it takes an antagonistic turn.

By and large, they get no gratification or enjoyment from fighting. And who can blame them? They’re consistently socialized to behave more passively than boys, so

BOULDER COUNTY KIDS HEALTH EDUCATIONAL it’s no surprise that they back down from the prospect of a debate or confrontation.

Such simple changes as reframing statements to include claims about one’s own feelings can make the tone of an interaction seem less oppositional. Rosenberg teaches that viewing the parental objective as exercising total control over the child breeds nothing but frustration- and as most parents can attest, people of any age are rarely persuaded to do something just because someone else wants them to.

The goal instead should be to cultivate a quality of mutual concern, so that the child will listen to her parent because she understands that both parent and child will benefit from it.

If we look to express respect and empathy in conjunction with every interaction we initiate with our kids,

they come to understand that we’re all on the same team.

Respectful communication is a key component of the momentum required to propel us into a more compassionate, peaceful world. And what more could we want for our kids’ future?

Taylor Cannon is a freelance writer who recently completed her M.A. in Mass Communication Research at CU Boulder. She moved to sunny Colorado in 2014 and has fallen in love with Boulder County and its vibrant, active community. Taylor has an affection for hiking, Joni Mitchell and poodles, and she can be reached at taylor.cannon1991@ yahoo.com.

Winter 2017 • Page 15

BOULDER COUNTY KIDS HEALTH

Friend or Frienemy a.k.a. (not a friend)

by Tatum Oman Uhrick, LPC RPT

n my line of work, I sometimes see children that are having a hard time with friends or frienemies a.k.a. (children that are not actually their friends but they call them friends). I have found some common things that parents can do to help them in both the playroom and at home.

I

Reflect/Listen/ Empathize

First, listen to your child.

Listen to their story and experiences. Try not to rescue them. Avoid giving them advice. Hearing about an injustice towards one’s child can stir up a lot of emotions. If you find your heart beating faster or getting angry, take a few deep breathes and try to stay present with your child.

Match their emotion not with intensity but with empathy.

Calm him/her down with a soothing voice. Sometimes when I hear a story about a frienemy the story line moves so quickly it is hard to keep up. I will ask the child to back up for a moment and to tell me about blank. I want to hear him/her to be able to follow and understand what is going on. We want them to feel heard. Getting them to slow down is the best way so to get a more complete recall of events and feelings.

Reflect things you hear and feelings. Empathize without taking the spotlight. This is their time to talk.

What Is A Friend?

It is important to talk about what a friend is. A friend is about compromise.

Sometimes you do what they want and sometimes they do what you want. A friend respects your wishes when you say you do not want to talk about an issue or don’t like something. A friend is trustworthy. A friend is forgiving when a mistake occurs. Everyone has bad days or off moments. A friend is apologetic when they accidently hurt your feelings. Ask your child what they look for in a friend.

Ask them to name a role model and why that person is their role model. This can help identify what s/he wants in a friend and how they want to be as a person.

Most importantly, bring up how s/he feels when around certain people. If your child consistently feels bad about themselves, or down with certain people, that person may not be a friend. Talk about feelings.

Page 16 • www.bouldercountykids.com

Empower Your Child

If your child has a frienemy, it is not to say that your child has low selfesteem. Not at all. Either way, empowering your child is helpful. Teach your child how to be more assertive.

If your child does have low self-esteem to the point of not being able to stand up for themselves, professional help may be needed. Assertiveness is the ability to express yourself in words and actions that are congruent with how you feel without imposing on anybody else. Teach him/her to have clear communication without a harsh tone. Role play with your child the scenarios where they are standing up for themselves.

Assertive words should be thought out so role playing could help tremendously.

When Not To Get Involved

So your child has shared their story and has used your advice on being more

assertive. They are no longer drawn to their former “friend” but now an adult is reaching out to try to have the kids reconcile. This is the time to support your child by letting them choose what they want to do. When a child’s self-esteem increases it is not uncommon for that child to stop gravitating towards people that do not make him/her feel good.

They may reconnect at a later date if the other child has made some shifts.

As some of you know, this is BIG topic and this is a very brief overview. I hope you found this to be of some help.

So listen, reflect, empathize, teach them what a friend is and empower them with assertiveness.

Tatum is a play therapist who utilizes play therapy and animal assisted therapy (with her hedgehog) with children ages 3-13 that are experiencing a hard time emotionally/behaviorally.

She also offers parent coaching.

She is a licensed professional counselor, registered play therapist, and founder of KidLife, a private practice in Boulder. For more information or to schedule play therapy sessions please visit www. kidlifecolorado.com or call Tatum at (720) 470-7244. Feel free to reach out for questions or to ask for certain topics to be covered in future articles!

BOULDER COUNTY KIDS HEALTH

Drawing by Fritz Scholder

WHAT DO I DO NOW, ROMONA?

Romona Scholder, M.A., RNCS Psychotherapist

Q

My daughter is having a hard time launching. She seems to really not want to find a job or go to college, and stays in her room most of the time on her computer. She sees her friends from time to time but really doesn’t talk much about things and general seems too tired to do much.

I managed to get her for a check-up and they say she is fine. Could this be depression or just a moody 18 year old?

Signed frustrated mother

A

I’m sorry that your doctor did not more fully address your daughter’s symptoms. The prevalence of teenage depression is increasing along with the frequency of teenage suicide. This is a particularly volatile and vulnerable age and teens are susceptible to despair and desperation on a grand scale. We have had two teen suicides in our area in the last month. The reasons are not relevant except that the boys felt that life was never going to improve, that they would always feel as they were feeling right then, sad and empty and that the demands of life were more than they could bear.

Another symptom to note is a loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy.

They might retreat to their rooms or withdraw from their friends, not wanting to engage in conversation.

There’s an internal dialogue going on that we are not part of, often a dialogue about the hopelessness of life and how helpless they feel in it.

Your daughter seems too tired to do much. I assume she’s sleeping a lot more and eating less. It can go the other way as well, insomnia and overeating. But if she’s complaining of fatigue with no actual physical problems, you can presume she may be depressed. Anytime a teen or young adult is depressed, suicidal thoughts may be present.

Suicide can be “triggered” by the recent suicide of a friend or a celebrity hero. It’s why they say that suicide is contagious. There are other triggers such as sexual abuse or bullying, or failure at school or in a love relationship.

You cannot afford to dismiss this situation as the actions of a moody 18 year old. Even if she’s not overtly suicidal, she needs to be in therapy and perhaps on antidepressants. Does she belong to a church? Encourage her to attend the church youth group AND help her find a job. Doing it all by herself may be beyond her emotional strength right now. Also, get her into a class at the community college in your area, something fun and interesting. But do involve yourself.

I know you would like her to “launch” herself by herself, but she may need “training wheels” for a bit.

Q

much to do with the family.

I have encouraged her to be more of a part of our family but she usually declines any offers to get together and we are getting more and more distant on our relationship.

Everyone that knows her and our family just says to “Let it go.” Should I do anything about this or just let it go?

Signed concerned brother

A

How lucky you are to have a sister and how lucky she is to have you. Sibling relationships can be wonderful and supportive or very muddy and complicated, full of old wounds and misunderstandings. But they are definitely worth fighting for. Do not just “let it go”. My sister did not speak to me for over 10 years, and then one day after the death of our mother, she began to call. We have history and a shared past with our siblings that we have with no one else. We remember each other as children, learning to navigate the world.

Have you tried to see your sister by yourself, not with the family at a large gathering? It may be helpful to reestablish the primary relationship as sisters, without children or husbands or any

other family members. Go for a walk together or can some peaches or go for a long drive. Start off small, maybe a cup of coffee and then see how the conversation develops. Don’t be intrusive or demand answers. Simply provide a situation where she can talk if she wants. Don’t do it just once, keep it up.

I have no clue why she is reluctant to be part of the family. Perhaps there was something of which you are unaware. She may be depressed or ashamed or resentful or perhaps she simply doesn’t know how precious a sister can be.

You could both go to couples counseling. Yes! You don’t have to be married to go to counseling together.

It’s a safe place to talk to each other frankly.

Or, you could go to a pastoral counselor together if that would feel more appropriate. Pastoral counseling fills a real need for people who are more comfortable discussing private matters with someone with a shared belief system. Other therapists might not share their spiritual beliefs (or lack there of) with you. But no matter what, keep an open mind and heart toward your sister and remember, don’t take things personally.

My sister who is grown now, doesn’t seem to want to have

Winter 2017 • Page 17

BOULDER COUNTY KIDS HEALTH FINANCIAL The BEST New Year’s Resolutions Teaching Kids to Save Money

by Steve Carr

W

e all want the best for our children, right? We get them involved in sports, scouts, dance, music and other activities to keep them busy and learning new things.

But if you think about it, there really aren’t activities, clubs, or teams that teach kids about the importance of savings and how to save. Spending is easy and learning to spend within your means doesn’t simply happen by accident.

When do you start and what is the most effective way to put a feasible plan together? First, the most important aspect to consider

is to make saving fun. The earlier you start teaching your children to save money, the longer they will have for their money to grow through compound interest.

AT THE START so its still fun at the finish...

Mt.View Preschool

Provides a safe, loving, environment where children learn through an intentional playbased curriculum.

Well established and affordable

Flexible scheduling

2 1/2 - 5 years

PreK, Enrichment Mommy & Me

Cele

50 yberating in Bo ars u lder!

303-494-3557 mvpreschool.org 355 Ponca Place | Boulder Page 18 • www.bouldercountykids.com

Experts agree that toddlers can learn to save if you teach this concept in a way they can understand. Then as your children grow, you can introduce more sophisticated saving strategies. Introduce saving to toddlers without using money. For example, use a reward system based off of coupons/tokens. They can “earn tokens” for good behavior, going to bed in a n a p p r o p r i a t e m a n n e r, etc. These tokens can be exchanged for TV time and/ or video game time. Let them know that they will forfeit earned tokens for misbehaving. You can even assign different number of token needed for games or TV programs. A short 30 minute show, for example, requires them to redeem one token, while a longer movie requires two or three.

Within a short period of time the kids will catch on that if they want to watch a longer movie, they needed to save up their tokens and not misbehave. As they grow up, you can start providing an allowance. This is an easy way to help your kids understand that they can

spend and save their money just like they did with their tokens.

Another concept to help children save money is by using visuals. Have the kids draw a picture of the toy or item they want and place it on the refrigerator.

When they want other things, remind them of the picture they drew that is on the refrigerator and have a discussion with them; do they still want the item they drew or do they want to change their mind. Also, when family members or friends stop by your house, you can show them what your child is saving their money for as another reminder and reinforcement. Who knows, it might help other families and children learn to save.

Here are a few proven concepts to teach your children to save money at any age: Set a Good Example One of the best ways to teach your children to save is by letting your child see that you save money. Show

your child that you are putting money aside in a jar or piggy bank and let them know that this is your savings jar and what you are saving for. This will show your child that saving is “what we do.”

Children want to be like their parents. Seeing you save should inspire them to save.

Make a Savings Goal Chart Help your child decide what they want to save for and determine how many weeks/months it will take.

Then, make a chart with milestones where your child can place a sticker in that box when that money goal has been achieved. It helps motivate kids to save when they see they are slipping behind or getting closer to their goal.

Use Different Envelopes/Jars You may want to use several jars or envelopes if your child has more than one savings goal. This method also helps as some savings goals take longer to achieve than others.

You can have three jars/ envelopes: one for everyday spending, the second is for short-term savings, and the last is for longer-term saving goals. Clearly mark the jars/ envelopes with their goal and time frame, or have them draw a picture as mentioned above to help remind them of what they are saving for.

Offer Rewards for Saving Money Nothing works better to help children save than rewarding them for saving their money. Offer your child a reward of some kind and tell them that this reward is congratulating them for not spending and for reaching a milestone toward their savings goal. Stickers, an extra 1/2 hour of TV or video

BOULDER COUNTY KIDS HEALTH games, a small toy, can go a long way to further motivate your child to save. And think of all the money you’ll be saving as well!

Match Your Child's Contributions Offering to match their saving milestones is another great way to encourage your child to save money.

It helps them see the value of savings, helps them see their savings grow faster, and it shows you are working with them. Or you can offer to match any extra amount they save over their set goal, which can help them want to save more.

Children want so many things, many of which are not desired hours/days/ weeks/months after they get it. However, when they have to save for it, things change.

They seem to not want as many things and they appreciate the item(s) more.

Make sure that you pick up a copy of Boulder County Kids newspaper NEXT quarter, to read about more ways to help your children get into the savings habit and reap the rewards.

Steve Carr is the Business Development Consultant at Premier Members Credit Union.

Ask about savings incentives for children under 13 years old, and a youth checking account with a debit card with no monthly fee for high school students. Contact Steve Carr (303) 657-7558 or SCarr@pmcu.org.

Rocky Mountain PBS StoryMakers Contest Introducing A New Spin On StoryMakers

F

or the past 10 years, Rocky Mountain PBS has celebrated young writers with the StoryMakers short story contest. This year, they are asking all 6th, 7th and 8th grade authors in Colorado to submit a short, fictional story that captures a Colorado “sense of place.”

Whatever the story is that you imagine and want to tell, we want Colorado to be a primary presence.

Colorado is a place, it’s a feeling, it’s a smell, it’s a picture….you can touch it, see it, taste it. Setting includes more than just environment. It includes any external details that reveal more about experiences, observations, characters (how they react and feel), etc.

Setting can be an active force in a story; think of a farmer on the eastern plains terrified the drought will be so severe he’s not sure he can feed his family this year. Or think of a young boy who loses his way hiking and is led back by a spirit of the Ute tribe. Or think of a woman living far in the future who stumbles upon a strange cave high in the mountains in a place once called Colorado. In this way, setting can be a character in the story….a central element that shapes and drives the narrative, the characters, the conflicts and the resolutions.

Stories may only be submitted online (Word documents only/no Google docs!) by midnight on November 22, 2017.

For more information you will need to check out www. rmpbs.org/storymakers for rules and regulations and how to submit your story.

Supported by Douglas County Libraries and Lighthouse Writers Workshop.

www.rmpbs.org/storymakers

Winter 2017 • Page 19

BOULDER COUNTY KIDS HEALTH Raising Healthy Children by Offering Self-Responsible Feedback

H

by Jessica Dancingheart

ave you ever been told you are amazing? You are stupid? You are so easy-going?

You are difficult? Chances are pretty high that you have been labeled those things and many more. Whether a label, like any of the ones I listed above, is “positive” or “negative”, I posit that it is not helpful and sometimes even destructive. For this reason, I offer the idea that we learn to offer healthy and self-responsible feedback, especially to

our children. They rely on our feedback to define themselves and make choices.

As humans, we are wired to connect with and depend on one another. As infants, we begin to connect with

Harmony Preschool

Come see why Harmony Preschool is the right environment for your child!

Harmony Preschool is a high-quality family and community-based program that works hand in hand with parents to foster the optimum social, emotional and cognitive development for young children.

Celebrating our 24th year!

Tours scheduled by appointment For information contact

jennae@harmony-preschool.com Visit harmoney-preschool.com to learn more

Page 20 • www.bouldercountykids.com

gazes that intently lock the eyes of those around us.

Our cries, smiles and other facial expressions and body movements communicate our needs, and we adapt them according to the responses we get. As we get older, we individuate and form more bonds outside of our primary caregivers. Yet, even as we individuate from our primary caregivers, we remain relational and we continue to need to know how we fit in. Feedback continues to be important as a tool for selfdefinition.

If the feedback we give our children comes in the form of statements on their character and personhood, like the ones I listed above, it teaches them shame and people-pleasing skills. If the feedback also carries with it a message that our children make us feel a certain way, it teaches them to be on alert and responsible for our and other people’s wellbeing, sometimes at a detriment to their own. On the other hand, if the feedback is offered self-responsibly around a behavior, it teaches our children how their behavior has touched us in any given moment.

You may be asking, “What is the difference? How does one offer self-responsible feedback around a behavior?”

Consider this example as I spell out the difference.

While leaving the house, you ask your child to quickly finish eating their breakfast, put away the dishes, put on their clothes and get into the car.

Wanting to please you, your child rushes to the sink and drops the bowl of cereal. You react with, “Why are you always so clumsy? You make me so upset.” Your child registers in their mind that they are clumsy and carries that message as a reflection of their character, and also learns that they are responsible for your emotional state —too big a responsibility for a child.

Now consider this different response: “Darn. I was so hoping we could leave the house sooner. I am concerned that if we leave the house without cleaning the cereal bowl that you dropped, it will make the house smell and ruin the rug. I am frustrated as we will have to leave later, so we can keep the house in good order. Here is a rag with soap and water, will you please clean the rug while I pick up the broken bowl?

With the latter response, your child registers that you were in a rush, their dropping of the bowl created a delay that got in the way of leaving the house when you wanted to, and to help get out sooner and keep the house sanitary, they can clean the rug with soap and water as you pick up the broken bowl pieces.

Their sense of selfhood is not impacted. They learn how

BOULDER COUNTY KIDS HEALTH to be responsible and make things right when accidents happen, and they can count on you to be responsible for speaking out your own needs so they don’t become preoccupied with trying to take care of you.

Consider this example.

Your child brings home artwork that you like. You tell your child, “What an amazing artist you are. You are going to grow up to be a great artist.” This may feel good for your child to hear.

Yet, it had just defined what they are. If on the other hand, you look at the artwork and say, “Thank you for this art work. I am so happy that you are giving me something you made. I like the blend of blue and green you used. I find the combination to be beautiful.” They learn, that you like blue and green combined the way it was in this particular piece, and that you are happy when they give you some-

thing they made. In that way, if they want to contribute to your joy, they can make something for you—not necessarily art. They also learn that you like the blue and green combination.

Offering the self-responsible feedback that is based on a behavior helps you and your child have more choices without them having to be responsible for your feelings and needs. It also teaches them to be self-responsible and develop their own personalities based on their own interests, trusting that your love and attention is not conditional on anticipating and meeting your needs. They don’t become limited by the labels imposed on them. As they grow up, this will help them be in healthy interdependent relationships where they are self-responsible and gravitate towards others that are similarly so.

Next time you are tempted

to label your child, I encourage you to separate behavior from a judgment of their personhood and to own your own feelings and needs.

Jessica Dancingheart is a personal and organizational consultant working with families to build healthier and stronger relationships at work and at home. To learn more, feel free to contact her at OPEN(303) 589-8420 or check out www.openingtopossibilities.com for more information.

“Relationships matter: the currency for systemic change is trust, and trust comes through forming healthy working relationships. People, not programs, change people.”

- Dr. Bruce Perry

MACKINTOSH ACADEMY K- 8 / IB WORLD SCHOOL / GIFTED & CREATIVE / DESIGN / INNOVATION / 23 ACRES

K – 1st A DMISSIONS PL AY DAT E Nov. 11, 9:30am – 12:00pm Jan. 27, 9:30am – 12:00pm

MIDDLE SCHOOL (6-8th) OPEN HOUSE Dec. 13, 6:00 – 8:00pm

K – 8th OPEN HOUSE Jan. 17, 6:00 – 8:00pm

MACKINTOSHACADEMY.COM 6717 South Boulder Road / Boulder, CO / (720) 689-1766

RSVP: jenny@mackintoshacademy.com

Winter 2017 • Page 21

BOULDER COUNTY KIDS

TO LEARN, OR NOT TO LEARN: WHY IS THE QUESTION?

by Susan McCrossin, AP

INTRODUCTION TO SPECIFIC LEARNING DIFFICULTIES: ll learning dysfunctions have their root in how the brain functions. The brain is designed to “learn”. From the time we are born until we die, learning is as natural as breathing, and certainly as important since our very survival depends on it. In technological societies it is our economic survival and success that are dependent upon what we learned in the educational and training environments we encountered. Since learning is so natural, why is it that some of us learn easily, others learn only with difficulty, while others have a difficult time learning traditional skills such as reading, spelling, and mathematics at all?

You might say it is all a matter of access: what brain functions you can access, how well you can access the functions available, and what you have to access.

Different learning tasks require access to different functions and/or combinations of functions in the brain. The brain can be divided into several functional regions, each of which processes information in different and often unique ways.

The two brain regions recognized most commonly by people are the right and left cerebral hemispheres.

These two hemispheres are not separate, however, as they are connected along most of their length

A

at the bottom of the fissure by a structure called the Corpus Callosum which functions much like a telephone exchange allowing a two way flow of communication between the hemispheres. Whenever the hemispheres are required to “work together” to produce an integrated function, the Corpus Callosum is the site of that integration.

Each cerebral hemisphere carries out a number of different functions, and each processes information in a very different way from its partner. It is as if each side of the brain is a specialized

organ of thought, with the right hemisphere possessing a set of functions that complement those of the left hemisphere and vice versa.

It must be emphatically stated here that both hemispheres participate all the time at many levels in the “various thought processes.”

The way we think is a result of the degree of integration of the two hemispheres with each hemisphere contributing its own special capacities to all cognitive activities.

The contrasting yet complementary contributions of each hemisphere is clearly demonstrated during complex men-

GESTALT or RIGHT HEMISPHERE FUNCTION

LOGIC or LEFT HEMISPHERE FUNCTION

Spatial Orientation Body Awareness Facial Recognition Music Recognition (melody) Pre-verbal & Non-verbal (gestural) Interpreting Symbols Creative/Lateral Thinking (day dreaming)

Temporal (time) Mathematics Rhythm Language (verbal) Assigning Meaning to Symbols

PROCESS INFORMATION Globally, Holistically as a Gestalt, Simultaneously, Subjectively Intuitively, “Knowing” based on intuition

Page 22 • www.bouldercountykids.com

PROCESS INFORMATION Linearly, Logically and Analytically Sequentially Objectively (with reference to “Facts”)

tal activities such as reading as illustrated in the following quote from J. Levy: “When a person reads a story, the right hemisphere may play a special role in decoding visual information, maintaining an integrated story structure, appreciate humor and emotional content, deriving meaning from past associations, and understanding metaphor. At the same time, the left hemisphere plays a special role in understanding syntax, translating written words into their phonetic representations and deriving meaning from complex relationships among word concepts and syntax.” 1 Different learning tasks, therefore, require access to different types of functions, and different degrees of integration of these functions.

Some of these functions are located predominantly in the Gestalt/right brain, while others are located predominantly in the Logic/left brain.

The more complex learning tasks like reading and spelling require access not only to functions in both hemispheres, but the integration and simultaneous processing of information in both hemispheres. Therefore, if you can access all brain functions you will probably find learning easy!

From our perspective here at the Crossinology Center, all specific learning difficulties result from this lack of

BOULDER COUNTY KIDS access to specific functions or the inability to effectively integrate these functions.

The most commonly observed specific learning difficulty is Gestalt dominance in processing information or Attention Deficit Disorder (A.D.D.). People with this pattern of learning dysfunction have good access to most Gestalt functions, but only poor access to Logic functions, with Gestalt processing the predominate mode used for performing all tasks.

Much less common than Gestalt dominance is Logic dominance in decision-making processing. People who access their Gestalt functions poorly, but have good access to Logic functions are the “true dyslexics” by standard psychological definition.

The next most common type of learning is poor or

limited access to both Gestalt and Logic functions. This pattern is usually associated with a great deal of confusion in cerebral processing and creates the greatest learning difficulties.

The least common pattern of learning difficulty are people who have good access to both Gestalt and Logic functions, but they can only “integrate” these functions poorly if at all. This lack of integration of Gestalt and Logic functions often limits the use of the functions that they can access giving them learning dysfunctions similar to people having poor access to one or the other hemispheres.

If reading is a very demanding and stressful task, people soon develop avoidance mechanisms, for instance labeling reading as “boring.” Unfortunately, avoidance behaviors are

often misinterpreted as “just not doing what you are told” or “misbehavior” plain and simple. The individual almost never knows consciously why he can’t access these specific brain functions, and just gets” frustrated”, which often leads to “anger” and that anger often leads to “inappropriate behavior.”

References: 1. Levy, J. 1985. Right Brain, Left Brain: Fact and Fiction. May 1985, Psychology Today.

Susan McCrossin is the founder of Crossinology®, a learning enhancement center in Berthoud.

For the full article see www. crossinology.com or for more information or questions call (303) 449-1969.

No after school programs lined up?

Don’t Worry!

Check out pages 38 to 41

FOUR PAGES of VERY COOL AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS!

Winter 2017 • Page 23

BOULDER COUNTY KIDS

Should We Host an Au Pair?

by Jen Rodehaver

T

hinking back to my own childhood - as much as I loved my parents and adored (most) of my teachers, I relished the attention of other adults who brought something unique and special to our time together. Camp counselors were cool; baby sitters were fun, and how thrilling it was to be told I would be spending the weekend with my bohemian unmarried aunt. While visiting

my grandparents’ home in Greeley, my cousins taught me to make Spanish dancers out of Hollyhock blooms and toothpicks. As an adult, I now know this had value beyond pure enjoyment. Research indicates an important factor for resiliency in children

Worried about what to do after school this Winter?

Don’t Worry!

Check out pages 38 to 41 FOUR PAGES of VERY COOL Programs!

Page 24 • www.bouldercountykids.com

and young adults is access to close relationships outside the immediate family.

For centuries across the globe, extended families shared the responsibility of raising children. Older children expected to be child minders for younger siblings and grandparents were the penultimate dispensers of wisdom and affection. Crafts and homemaking skills were demonstrated and each family member found their place in the group. A major societal shift happened at the beginning of the twentieth century. Industry created jobs, wars brought women into the workforce, and the average family size decreased. Planes, trains and automobiles made it possible for families to relocate away from their hometowns. Today, grandma isn’t available to babysit because she has her own job or lives hundreds of miles away.

The international au pair program essentially recreates this archaic but satisfying form of childcare. Working parents might travel for business, start very early in the morning, work evenings or have shifts that change from week to week. Who better to care for the children than a

house guest whom the children have come to love as a big sister or big brother?

The host family can arrange a flexible schedule with the au pair that allows for unconventional work hours. Even families with school age children enjoy the benefits of this arrangement in case of snow days, a sick child, with an extra person in the house who transports children to and from school and activities.

Safe, reliable childcare is only one reason why parents might choose to host.

Learning about other countries’ customs enriches the family and the au pair. Over the course of the year, holidays are observed and birthdays celebrated. Many host families stay in touch with their au pairs for years and even arrange reunion visits. Imagine seeing a familiar face at a European train station on your family’s first overseas vacation together.

If this option is appealing, the next step is to choose an agency. Au pair agencies are private companies regulated by the federal State Department, which not only issues the visas but also specific requirements regarding the au pair and how their time is spent while in this country. Even the monthly stipend paid to the au pair by the host family is regulated to the cent. Compare these agencies to child care centers which are strictly regulated by the state. To attract clients, these businesses must not only meet the minimum required by the government

BOULDER COUNTY KIDS but offer something more.

Au pair agencies compete with each other in those areas outside of compliance with the government. What may vary are the vetting process, the fees in addition to visas and travel, and additional training offered to the au pair. As with most successful businesses, the choice usually comes down to customer service. All the agencies are happy to place an au pair in your home. How much help do you get making a good match and what kind of support will you receive on the off chance it doesn’t work out? One way to decide on an agency is to reach out to your friends, neighbors and colleagues who currently have au pairs and ask them about their agency and their local childcare consultant.

Each host family is assigned a local agency representative who follows that family throughout placement and

offers support and additional resources to the au pair and host family. With more than 200 international au pairs living in Boulder County, there is surely someone in your network who will be happy to share their experience with the program.

Jen Rodehaver is a mom and longtime Boulder County resident.

She is also a Local Childcare Consultant with Cultural Care au Pair and can be reached at jen. ro d e h a v e r @ l c c . c u l t u r a l c a re . com or check out her website at jrodehaver.aupairnews.com

An au pair (English: /oʊ’peər/; plural: au pairs) is a domestic assistant from a foreign country working for, and living as part of, a host family. Typically, au pairs take on a share of the family’s responsibility for childcare as well as some housework, and receive a monetary allowance for personal use.

Au pair arrangements are subject to government restrictions which specify an age range usually from mid-late teens to mid to late twenties; some countries explicitly limit the arrangement to females.

Arrangements differ between Europe, where the concept originated, and North America. In Europe, au pairs are only supposed to work part-time, and they often also study part-time, generally focusing on the language of the host country. In the United States, they may provide full-time childcare. In 1969, the European Agreement on Au Pair Placement was signed, and it came into force in 1971.

Photo: Eli Akerstein

The Nutcracker with the Boulder Ballet

Saturday, December 2 at 4 PM Sunday, December 3 at 2 PM Vance Brand Civic Auditorium, Longmont Longmont Symphony Orchestra Elliot Moore, conductor A holiday tradition with exciting choreography and a full, live orchestra!

Family Matinee Concert

Saturday, January 27 at 4 PM Vance Brand Civic Auditorium, Longmont Elliot Moore, conductor Young Artist Competition Winner Longmont Youth Symphony Jack Prelutsky, author/narrator (a U.S. Children’s Poet Laureate) Circus Parade, Behold the Bold Umbrellaphant & more!

www.longmontsymphony.org · 303.772.5796 Winter 2017 • Page 25

BOULDER COUNTY KIDS

News about Town...

R E A D

Y

ummy Tummy Food,

by Mardell Hill, is a beautifully illustrated children’s book that leads young children through an eating adventure, all the while teaching them about the importance of good food choices, how digestion works and making elimination a fun and happy experience. This bright, cheerful story brings a message to young children and parents alike so they may explore this topic together.

The back pages include most commonly asked questions with simple, easy to understand answers. This delightful and funny book will be sure set little ones on a path to good health!

“Yummy Tummy Food is the only children’s book I’ve seen that explains the digestive process, from table to toilet, in a fun, easy way for kids to grasp…” Amazon Customer “Cute cartoon illustrations and rhyming scheme will delight small -- and big -children…” Beth Kuper “My 4-year-old could not put this book down!...”

Amanda Harshman Available on Amazon.com or contact Mardell Hill at (303) 530-3899 or email at Mardellhill@gmail.com for more information.

A L L

M

argot Lee Shetterly’s Hidden Figures wins the 2017 Grateful American Book Prize.

Jennifer Latham’s Dreamland Burning and Edward Cody Huddleston’s, The Story of John Quincy Adams receive Honorable Mentions.

Margot Lee Shetterly’s non-fiction work, Hidden Figures is a number one New York Times best seller, which tells the story of the pioneering African-American women who overcame racial barriers at NASA in the 1960s. They played significant roles in the very early days of America’s space program.

Ms. Shetterly’s book was published in November of 2016 by HarperCollins; the Academy Award nominated film version-also released last year-starred Taraji P. Henson, Janelle Monáe, Octavia Spencer and Kevin Costner.

I

n November of 2016 a group of parents banded together and formed the group BVKID. This group is dedicated to advocate for

Page 26 • www.bouldercountykids.com

A B O U T

I T !

all dyslexic children and to ensure that BVSD provides them the appropriate educational support they deserve.

BVKID rallied 70 parents and students to speak before the BVSD Board of Education to demand change.

In June of 2017, for the first time in history, a line item in the annual budget was approved specifically earmarked for dyslexia.

For decades the parents of children identified with Dyslexia in BVSD have individually pleaded with district administrators for support to identify and remediate their children with instructional materials that are proven to help dyslexic kids learn to read. Those parents of the 20% of our population on the dyslexic spectrum have historically been ignored and made to fend for themselves if they had the financial means to do so at all.

For more information please visit the website www. bvkid.org.

T

inker Art Studio creates custom-built space in South Boulder.

Tinker Art Studio is moving to a new South Boulder custom-built space in order to expand its programming for both children and adults.

The studio’s current home for the past six years has been at 1300 Yellow Pine Avenue in North Boulder, and on Friday, December 22nd,

Tinker’s North Boulder facility will close its doors to reopen on Saturday, January 13th, at 693 South Broadway, Suite B, in the Table Mesa Shopping Center. A grand opening that day will kick off the new space. All are welcome to attend.

The new location features an additional 50% of usable square footage compared to Tinker’s current home, and the bespoke build will include multiple studios and spaces: a main studio, a ceramics studio and kiln room, a painting & drawing studio, a small retail and make-and-take art space.

Access to an outdoor kids’ climbing wall, walking pathways and play areas are all within reach, nestled inside the shopping center’s vicinity. The new studio with beautiful Flatiron views and loads of natural light from the west- and south-facing windows, will also include a private patio and easy access to grassy areas for camps and classes, allowing teachers and students to take their work outside. Located in the far southwest corner of the Table Mesa shopping center, the studio has ample parking and is easy to access. Check out tinkerartstudio.com for more information.

S

end us your news items! We would like to get the word out for you. Limited space so please be in touch early!

BOULDER COUNTY KIDS

H O L I DAY

CONCERTS & EVENTS November 3—Longmont The Fifth Annual Catrina Ball at the Dickens Opera House for all ages. Fiesta in the St. Stephens Plaza at 5 pm for downtown altar tours, face painting

by Montage Academy, memorial urn, writing of hopes and wishes, interactive noisemakers with Intercambio Uniting Communities and an angel wing station. Begins at St. Stephens at 6:30 pm, then on to the Dickens Opera House from 7 pm to 1 am. Tickets for the Catrina Ball are $5 in advance and available at the Dickens Tavern or on their website.

November 11, 12—Boulder Boulder Mountain Handmade for all ages, from 10 am to 4 pm, located at Boulder Elks Lodge 3975 28th Street. A family-friendly community art and bake market with 50+ artisans in a festival market setting, with free kids (and adults) make-and-take crafts, Boulder’s best bake sale, live performances and fire truck tours. Elks Lodge is accessible and has lots of free parking. Free! Contact Kelly Brown at (303) 204-1542 or check out www. bouldermountainhandmade.com for more information.

November 19—Boulder Switch on the Holidays for all ages, from 5 to 7 pm, located at 13th and Pearl Street. Holiday sing-along performance led by the Boulder Children’s Chorale lead up to the grand illumination of the Boulder County Courthouse and the Pearl Street Mall, with a special appearance by Santa himself!

FREE visits with Santa until 7 pm. Contact Holly Hickman at (303) 554-7692 or check out www.boulderdowntown.com/light-up-the-holidays/events/ switch-on-the-holidays for more information.

November 24-26—Boulder The Nutcracker Ballet for all ages, at 2 pm each day along with an evening performance on November 25th at 7 pm, located at Macky Auditorium (17th Street and University Avenue.) A holiday tradition with exciting choreography and a full, live orchestra! Contact Holly Hickman at (303) 449-1343 or check out www.boulderphil.org/concerts/2017-18-season-overview/the-nutcracker-ballet for more information.

November 25—Longmont Sugar Plum Tea Party for all ages, at 1 and 4 pm, located at Xilinx Retreat Center, 3100 Logic Drive. 15th annual fundraiser supports your local youth ballet company & their production of 17th annual Nutcracker. Mini-Nutcracker performance & a souvenir photo with you & the Sugar Plum Fairy. $35 per person. Advance reservations required. Contact the office manager at (303) 772-1335 or email office@centennialstateballet.org or check out centennialstateballet.org/performances for more information.

December 3—Boulder Songs of the Season for all ages, at 4 pm, located at Boulder Public Library Canyon Theater (1001 Arapahoe Avenue). Experience some holiday cheer in this free performance featuring the four choirs of the Boulder Children’s Chorale. Contact Holly Hickman at (303) 554-7692 or check out boulderchorale.org/concerts/2017-18-season/songs-of-the-season/ for more information.

December 3, 8, 9—Boulder Cinderella by Massenet for ages 3 and up, located at 1410 Quince Ave. Boulder Opera presents a perfect introduction for children to the spellbinding world of opera complete with gorgeous costumes and a chamber orchestra. Contact Dianela Acosta at (303) 731-2036 or check out www. boulderoperacompany.com for times and more information.

December 3-10—Boulder Seussical The Musical for ages 3 & up, on Dec 3, at 11 am and 5 pm; December 8, at 7 pm; December 9 at 1 pm & 7 pm; and December 10 at 2 pm, located at 5311 Western Avenue, Ste 135. Our favorite Dr. Seuss characters come to life on stage. Contact Barry Freniere at (303) 245-8150 or info@ theaterforkids.net or check out www.theaterforkids.net for more information.

December 9-10—Boulder Holiday Concerts for ages 3 through adult. Students 4 through high school will play holiday and classical favorites Contact Amy Gesmer-Packman at (303) 499-2807 or info@bouldersuzukistrings.org or check out bouldersuzukistrings.org for more information.

December 16 , 17—Boulder All Things Bright & Beautiful for all ages, at 4 pm, located at First United Methodist Church (1421 Spruce Street). Let our singers ages 8 to 85 remind you of this holiday season. Contact Holly Hickman at (303) 554-7692 or check out /boulderchorale.org/concerts/2017-18-season/all-things-bright-andbeautiful/ for more information.

December 16, 17, 21, 22—Lafayette The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, the Musical for ages 4 and up, at 7:30 pm, 12/16, 17, 21, 22; and at 2 pm. 12/17, 22, located at 1376 Miners Drive, Suite 106. This new musical version has all the charm of 1960s Ohio where the local kids are a menace to all. Contact Jo Anne Lamun at (303) 7868727 or pbpcontacts@gmail.com or check out www.peanutbutterplayers.com for more information.

November 17-19—Broomfield BackStory Youth Theatre presents Mary Poppins, for all ages, on Friday and Saturday, at 7 pm and Sunday at 2 pm, located at Broomfield Auditorium, 3 Community Park Rd. Discounted advance tickets $9-$18 available online at BrownPaperTickets.com. Contact Michelle Hoffman at (720) 263-0836 or info.backstorytheatre@gmail.com or check out www.backstorytheatre.org/stage_productions.aspx for more information.

December 31—Lafayette WOW!’s New Year’s Eve Party for all ages, from 10 am to 12 pm and 1 to 3 pm, located at 110 N. Harrison Ave. Ring in the New Year at WOW! before bedtime! Join us for noisemaker crafts, face painting, musical performance and refreshments-all leading up to a grand countdown celebration! Tickets required on wowchildrensmuseum.org. Contact Katie MacDonald at (303) 604-2424 or check out wowchildrensmuseum.org for more information.

January 27—Longmont Family Concert, for all ages, at 4 pm, located at Vance Brand Civic Auditorium, 600 E Mountain View Ave. With the Longmont Youth Symphony and the Longmont Symphony Orchestra, the winner of the LSO Young Artist Competition, and author/narrator Jack Prelutsky, a U.S. Children’s Poet Laureate. Contact Holly Hickman at (303) 772-5796 or check out longmontsymphony.org/familyconcert/ for more information.

Winter 2017 • Page 27

BOULDER COUNTY KIDS CHILD CARE/PRESCHOOL DIRECTORY

Active Boulder Kids Preschool & After-School Care—Boulder 5001 Pennsylvania Ave. (303) 499-9854 Contact - Tina Davis Ages: 2 1/2 - 9 Licensed Year-round Program Days: M-F. Hours: 7:30 am to 5:30 pm A world of creative and fun discoveries and adventures! We provide imaginative programs and activities that promote social/emotional growth. We teach life skills and encourage the child’s learning through active play and exploration. Small classroom sizes, caring, qualified teachers, nature/play-based/learning centers.

W: www.activeboulderkids.com E: director.abk@gmail.com

Active Louisville Kids Infants-PreK-Louisville 1970 Centennial Dr. (303) 655-9669 Contact - Kristen Argow Heaton Ages: 6 weeks - 8 years Licensed Year-round Program Days: M-F. Hours: 7:30 am to 5:30 pm A world of creative and fun discoveries and adventures for children as young as 6 weeks! We provide imaginative programs and activities that promote social/emotional growth. We teach life skills and encourage the child’s learning through active play and exploration. Educated, caring, qualified teachers, nature/play-based/ learning centers.

W: www.activelouisvillekids.com E: ka@activeboulderkids.com

Alaya Preschool—Boulder 3340 19th Street (303) 449-5248 Contact - Steve Sachs Ages: 2 1/2 yrs - Kindergarten Licensed Year-round w/camp Days: M-F. Hours: 7:45 am to 3:30 pm. Part-time and full-time.

A division of Naropa University emphasizing creative arts, social play, exploration, and self-discovery. Alaya is a place where children unfold. They learn about themselves, about friendships, and about their world. Monthly open houses. Check the BCK calendar or call to RSVP. W: www.alayapreschool.org E: alaya@alayapreschool.org

Page 28 • www.bouldercountykids.com

Bixby School—Boulder 4760 Table Mesa (303) 494-7508 Contact - Emily Armiak Ages: 2 1/2 yrs - 5 yrs Licensed Year-round Hours: 5 1/2-hour program. Extended Hours: 7:15 am to 5:45 pm Children experience exploratory learning and participate in a wide variety of developmental activities, including art, music, science, and dramatic play. Emphasis is on nurturing curiosity and friendships in a warm, welcoming environment. The school boasts three shady acres with beautiful, natural play areas.

W: www.bixbyschool.org E: admissions@bixbyschool.org



Blossom-French-Bilingual Preschool—Boulder 4700 Sioux Drive (303) 819-4084 Contact - Marie-Pierre Nicoletti Ages: 2 1/2 yrs - 5 yrs Licensed August to May, summer program Program Days: M-F. Hours: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Half-days available.

Blossom is a Waldorf-inspired preschool. Blossom’s mission is to respect and support each child’s developmental needs and ensure that each student blossoms, and to nurture a confident and curious child through daily rhythms that connect to the seasons.

E: thelanguageoffood@gmail.com

Boulder County Head Start—Boulder/Lafayette 1135 Cimarron Drive (702) 564-2210 Contact - Enrollment Line Ages: 3 - 5 Licensed Late August – May Program Days: M-F (full day).

Boulder County Head Start is a no-charge, comprehensive preschool program, with sites in Boulder and Lafayette. We provide a quality experience that supports school readiness skills for your child. We believe our job is to support families’ engagement in their child’s education and help them connect with the resources they need to succeed. Income guidelines for eligibility apply. Se habla Español.

Facebook: facebook.com/BoulderCountyHeadStart/ W: www.bouldercounty.org (search for Head Start)

BOULDER COUNTY KIDS Children’s Alley—Boulder 2222 14th Street (303) 449-1951 Contact - Staff Ages: 6 weeks - 12 yrs Licensed Year-round Program Days: M-Th 7:30 am to 8 pm, Friday 7:30 am to 5:30 pm and Saturday 9 am to 5 pm.

Boulder’s only drop-in, temporary, short-term/emergency childcare center. Children are scheduled one day at a time and fees are based on a sliding scale, making them affordable to all. C-CAP accepted. Center features experienced teachers, a nutritional expert, assistance for those in need. Some long-term contracts are available.

W: www.ywcaboulder.org/childrensalley E: childrensalley@ywcaboulder.org

Children’s House Preschool—Boulder 3370 Iris Walk Court (303) 444-6432 Contact - Michael Knuckey Ages: 21/2 - 51/2 yrs Licensed/ NAEYC September through May Program Days: M-F morning sessions, 8:30 am-11 am or 12 noon, M-TH. Afternoon sessions 12:30 pm to 3 pm. 5 hours to 29.5 hours/ week.

Our dynamic preschool program brings children of all ages, abilities, and cultures together for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The four cornerstones of our 46-year-old program are Creativity, Nature and Science, Multiculturalism, and Service. Children learn lifelong skills and learn to care deeply about themselves, each other, and the Earth.

We are piloting Boulder County Health’s “Farm to ECE” program this year, and have constructed 5 large garden beds that are cared for by our children and families. Children plant, water, harvest, wash and prepare our fresh grown produce for their snacks. Big congratulations to our executive director Elaine McCarthy, for entering into her 25th school year with Children’s House. A true educator, Elaine remained in the classroom as lead teacher, and has taught children from over 40 different home languages. Join us today.

W: www.childrenshousepreschool.org E: info@childrenshousepreschool.org

Dream Makers Preschool—Boulder Ages: 2 - 6 yrs Licensed Year-round Program Days: M-F. Hours: 7:45 am-5 pm. Preschool hours are 9 am to 1 pm each day (choose ANY two, three, four, or five days).

The enriched learning environment at the enchanting Dream Makers cottage promotes a natural ongoing process that empowers children to make positive choices throughout their lives. By nurturing both intellect and spirit using the Reggio Emilia approach and S.T.E.A.M., your child’s capabilities are unearthed while playing, exploring, and making friends in a safe setting, among sensitive, loving teachers.

Get ready for kindergarten! Our extended day Pre-K program on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 3:15 pm enhances your child’s elementary school knowledge & experience for easy transitioning into kindergarten. Summer programs available for ages 2-8 yrs.

Maximum enrollment of 15 children. Ratio 1:5.

W: www.dreammakerspreschool.com

Exploring Minds Academy—Erie 4051 E. County Line Rd. (303) 828-3452 Contact: Sandy, Director Ages: 6 wks -11 years Licensed Year-round Program Days and Hours: M-F. 6 am to 6 pm.

Quality early learning programs taught by loving and nurturing teachers. To ensure that your child is ready for school, all teachers are highly trained in early childhood education and work as partners with you to create a learning environment that is appropriate for each child. Specially designed classrooms filled with activities that encourage learning through discovery. Warm nutritious meals served. Flexible full- & part-time programs. Active military and educator discounts. Accept Colorado Child Care Assistance program.

W: www.exploringmindsacademy.com

Flagstaff Academy Preschool—Longmont 2040 Miller Drive (303) 651-7900 Contact - Patty Quinn Ages: 3 - 5 Licensed August through May Program Days and Hours: M-F, 8:30-11:20 am & 12:20-3:10 pm.

Learning is fun for students and teachers at Flagstaff Academy’s preschool. Spanish is taught in both pre-K classes. Teachers use multi-sensory teaching strategies and work on building each child’s self-esteem. Students meet new friends as they are given ample opportunities to practice their social skills.

W: www.flagstaffacademy.org E: pquinn@flagstaffacademy.org

Forest Park Montessori School—Lafayette 2687 North Park Drive, Suite 102 (720) 260-0519 Contact - Adena M. Stedman, M.Ed. Ages: 2 1/2 - 6 Licensed August through May/Summer Camp Program Days and Hours: M-F, 8:15 am-12 pm with an option for 3 or 5 afternoons 12 pm-3:30 pm. Afternoon special offerings include baking, natural history, gardening, and Spanish. FPMS is an authentic Montessori school and a full member of the American Montessori Society with fully credentialed lead teachers. The curriculum and environment nurtures creative thinking, peaceful social interactions, and individualized instruction that gives each child the opportunity to learn and develop at his or her own pace.

FPMS has an active parent community with parent development workshops, many volunteer opportunities, and a parent board of directors. Call today to schedule an individual tour of our beautiful school.

W: www.forestparkmontessori.org E: info@forestparkmontessori.org

Winter 2017 • Page 29

BOULDER COUNTY KIDS CHILD CARE/PRESCHOOL DIRECTORY

Friends School—Boulder 5465 Pennsylvania (303) 499-1999 Contact - Melanie Leggett Ages: 2 - 5 yrs Licensed & Accredited August - May/Summer Camp Program Days and Hours: Call for days and times.

Parent/Toddler one day/week, 3-4-year-olds three half-days/week, 4-5-year-olds four half-days/week. A supportive community, committed to educating the whole child—head, hand, and heart.

Play and exploration-based preschool with a focus on relationships, communication, art, nature immersion, and a foundation for preacademic skills. Small classes, low student/teacher ratios, wide variety of high-quality materials and experiences. Specials including art, music, and PE. Award-winning, master-level teachers with over 20 years of experience in each classroom. Sliding-scale tuition based on family income and additional financial aid available. ACIS accredited, NAIS member.

W: www.FriendsSchoolBoulder.org E: info@FriendsSchoolBoulder.org

Heart and Hands Montessori Center—Lafayette 1355 Forest Park Cir.,#100 (303) 444-0181 Contact - Susan Sears Smith Ages: 6 weeks through 3 years Year-round American Montessori Associate Member. Bilingual.

Program Days: M-F Hours: 7:15 am-5:30 pm.

Montessori-trained and experienced educators nurture each child in a warm, vibrant, beautiful environment. Outdoors: in the garden, on the playground, and walks through the surrounding forest park.

Healthy nutrition is celebrated with food preparation and tasting.

W: www.heartandhandsmontessori.com E: susan@heartandhandsmontessori.com

Harmony Preschool—Boulder 3990 15th Street (303) 444-8452 Contact – Staff Ages: 2.5 to 5 years Licensed August - May/Summer Camp Days and hours: M-F, 8:30 am-3:30 pm.

A small family- and community-based program in North Boulder.

We strive to meet the needs of each individual child while choosing not to embrace just one philosophy but pulling the best from several. Our teachers all have years of experience and are all licensed in the state of Colorado with a background in early childhood education. Come see what Harmony is all about!

W: harmony-preschool.com

Page 30 • www.bouldercountykids.com

Kiddie Academy of Erie–Erie 641 Mitchell Way (303) 828-1030 Contact – Tarah Haverkate Ages: 6 weeks - 6 years Year-round Program Days: M-F Hours: 6:30 am-6 pm.

Our passion is to deliver the highest quality childcare possible. This passion, and our 35 years in business, has earned us a leadership position in education-based childcare. It’s what drives us to positively shape the lives of children, families and communities everywhere.

At Kiddie Academy, we never take a single moment of your child’s growth potential for granted. We feed your child’s curiosity and instinct to learn with days filled with age-appropriate activities designed to treat every experience as an opportunity to learn.

W: kiddieacademy.com/erie E: erie@kiddieacademy.net



McGregor’s Garden Preschool—South Boulder 3535 Eastman Avenue (Martin Acres), 303-499-9341 Contact - Barbara or Don McGregor Ages: 2 - 5 years. Licensed for 12 children.

Program Days: M-F Hours: 7:30 am to 5 pm. (8:30 am to 3:30 pm also available). $60 per day.

Very active, loving child care in our happy home near Martin Park.

Husband and wife team (both licensed elementary teachers). Full preschool program. Lots of field trips in the big blue van (we provide 12 car seats). Healthy, homemade meals including cooking lessons. Science, gardening, music, dance, games, puzzles, building, digging, hiking, sledding, and fishing. We climb trees and rocks and play in creeks. Plenty of creative free-play in our interesting home and in our shady backyard. We emphasize social skills and being a good friend. Lots of outside time everyday. No bad weather here. Fun for your child; peace of mind for you. Closed 3-4 weeks in July. Closed during BVSD Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Spring Breaks, with no charge to parents when closed. Full immunizations required. Celebrating our 25th year.

E: barbara_don_mcgregor@msn.com

BOULDER COUNTY KIDS Miss Catherine’s Creative Learning Center—Boulder Miss Catherine’s Infant Center—Boulder 6525 Gunpark Drive, Suite 340 (303) 530-1820 5280 Spine Road, Suite 104 Contact - Catherine Médal Ages: 6 weeks - 6 years Licensed, NAEYC accredited Year-round Toddlers/Preschool/Pre-K: M-F, 7 am to 6 pm.

Infant Center: M-F, 7 am to 5:30 pm.

Family-owned since 1995. The Creative Curriculum, Teaching Strategies Gold, and music teacher. Educated and experienced teachers. Breakfast, lunch, and snack. Infant Center has a 1 to 4 ratio of teachers to students. Three developmental rooms—newborns, crawlers, and walkers. “Nurturing the whole child through creative learning.” Each child moves at his or her own pace to each developmentally appropriate group. Family-centered. Owner/ director on site. Call us for a personal tour.

W: www.misscatherines.com

Montessori Academy—Lafayette 801 N 111th Street (303) 926-8321 Contact - Beth Weekley Ages: 1-6 years Licensed August - May/Summer Camp Program Days: M-F Hours: 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. Full- and half-day programs, with before- & after-school care.

Montessori Academy provides a challenging and nurturing environment that leads children toward confidence, independence, and a life of learning through discovery, observation, and positive, helpful friendships. We offer toddler, preschool, and kindergarten programs in a nurturing environment that respects each individual child. Montessori Academy has been an American Montessori Society full-member school since 2002. Our lead teachers are certified. Music and Spanish are offered. Schedule a tour today!

W: www.montessoriacademylafayette.com E: montessori.academy@mac.com

Mountain Peak School—Longmont 11833 Sunset Place (720) 494-1622 Contact - Tom Buckett Ages: 2 1/2-5 years Licensed August - June Program Days: M-F Hours: 8:30-11:15 am and 12:30-3:15 pm.

Mountain Peak School Preschool Our Preschool Program is designed to provide a strong foundation of learning and individual development to prepare each child for the future. An inspired, balanced curriculum is created by our degreed educators to meet the needs of each class and challenge each child at his/her own level. Fees: 3-4 year-old preschool, 2 mornings (T/Th) $2,200, 3 mornings (M/W/F) $3,100, 5 mornings $4,500.00, Pre-Kindergarten $4,700.00 W: www.mountainpeakschool.com E: mountainpeak@comcast.net

Mountain Shadows Montessori School—Boulder 4154 63rd Street (303) 530-5353 Contact - Terri Allen Ages: 12 months through 6th grade Toddler/Primary/Elementary Internationally Accredited and State Licensed Program Days: M-F, 9 and 12-month programs.

Hours: Staggered 8 am to 3 pm; extended day (7:30 am - 5:30 pm).

Mountain Shadows provides an AMI Montessori environment in which children joyfully reach their full potential through the development of independence, academic excellence, respect for the environment, self and others, and moral responsibility to society. As a result children experience rapid development, accelerated learning, and grow in ways not possible anywhere else in Boulder County.

W: www.mountainshadows.org E: hello@mountainshadows.org

Mt. View Preschool—Boulder 355 Ponca Place (303) 494-3557 Contact - Amy Chally Ages: 2 1/2-5 years Year-round Program Days: M-F. Hours: 8:30 am - 3:30 pm Mt. View Preschool has been providing excellence in early learning for 50 years.

W: www.mvpreschool.org E: mtviewboulder@outlook.com

Rocky Mountain Christian Academy—Niwot 9447 Niwot Rd. (303) 652-9162 Contact - Admissions Office Ages: 3-5 years ACSI Accredited & Licensed August - May Program Days and Hours: M-F, 8:30 to 11:30 am and 8:30 am to 3:15 pm.

RMCA’s preschool provides children with a loving, secure environment in which to learn and grow. Our developmentally responsive programs for 3- through 5-year-old children encourage learning through play. Spacious and welcoming classrooms allow for activities that are both child-and-teacher initiated. At 8:25 am, teachers open their doors to greet families and allow students to gently begin the day with their choice of quiet learning activities.

Morning class times facilitate learning through a hands-on approach that is tailored for each age group. Parents may opt to pick up their children when their morning session ends at 11:30 am or enroll in our full-day program, with sessions ending at 3:15 pm. Our dedicated staff considers a day successful when every child leaves school feeling loved and having learned about God, themselves, and the world around them.

W: www.rmcaonline.org E: admissions@rmcaonline.org

Winter 2017 • Page 31

BOULDER COUNTY KIDS CHILD CARE/PRESCHOOL DIRECTORY

St. John the Baptist Catholic School—Longmont 350 Emery Street (303) 776-8760 Contact - Karen Gorman Ages: 3-5 year olds. Licensed/Colorado Shines Level 2 August - May Program Days and Hours: Pre-Kindergarten: MWF, 8 am-12 pm or 8 am-3 pm or M-F, 8 am-12 pm or 8 am-3 pm. Preschool: T/TH, 8 am-11 am or T/TH/F, 8 am-11 am.

All children enrolled at St. John the Baptist Catholic Preschool are treated with love and respect and provided with the opportunity to engage in a wide variety of activities. Our most fundamental objective is to provide your child with a safe, clean, and faith-filled environment. A young child is energetic, full of life, eager, and enthusiastic so they learn through “hands-on” experiences to explore the world around them. Preschool is a busy time for young children, and they are learning many new skills whether they are making or being a friend, ready to read or write, tie their shoes and/or wanting to do things by themselves. Our preschool will assist in each child’s developmental learning throughout the year. Families are an important part of this and, as a team, we can make sure your child has the confidence to succeed as they continue their school journey.

W: www.school.johnthebaptist.org E: kareng@johnthebaptist.org

Sunflower Preschool—Boulder 3340 Dartmouth (303) 494-2012 Contact-Marisa Ellman Ages: 21/2 - 6 Licensed Year-round Program Days: M-F. Hours: 7:30 am to 5:30 pm. Part-time available.

Sunflower Preschool is now a certified Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom, National Wildlife Federation certified wildlife habitat, as well as PACE certified since 2008. Sunflower Preschool, which opened its doors in 1981, offers a small, eco-friendly, play-based, hands-on, nurturing environment, where children learn through exploration and discovery. At Sunflower our classrooms are Montessori-based with a science and nature emphasis. The teachers are well-paid professional ECE teachers who have been a part of the Sunflower staff for years.

Please come and take a look at our unique children’s science museum as well as the multisensory outdoor environment.

W: www.sunflowerpreschoolboulder.com E: sunflowerpreschoolboulder@gmail.com

Page 32 • www.bouldercountykids.com

TLC Learning Center—Longmont 611 Korte Pkwy.

(303) 776-7417 Contact - Cindy Wickham Ages: 8 weeks-6 years. Colorado Shines Level-4 rating. Year-round Hours: M-F, 7:30 am to 5:30 pm. Half- and full-day options available.

High-quality early education and child care that prepares children for lifelong success by nurturing the individual learning styles of all children.

W: www.LearningWithTLC.org E: cwickham@LearningWithTLC.org

Treehouse Learning—Louisville 175 North 96th St. (303) 666-1950 Contact - Patti Gee - Head of School Ages: Infants - Kindergarten Licensed Year-round Program Days: M-F, 3 - 5 full days Hours: 7 am to 6 pm or 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Treehouse Learning offers early education and child care for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and full-day kindergarten. Our curriculum is comprehensive, integrating social skills with academics, Spanish, art, music, movement. Professional staff, small groups, secure environment, nutritious snacks and lunches, beautiful facility, and naturally landscaped grounds. Located in the Indian Peaks area, near 95th & Baseline; independent school, local family-owned since 1997.

Limited availability in all groups.

W: www.treehouselearning.com

BOULDER COUNTY KIDS Realities for Children Boulder County

We Love Companies that Care www.rfcbc.org Thanks to our business members, 100% of donations that we receive are applied directly to helping at-risk, abused and neglected youth in our community.

5HDOLWLHV IRU &KLOGUHQ %RXOGHU &RXQW\ LV D QRQSUR¿W DJHQF\ SURYLGLQJ college scholarships and transitional housing to former foster care \RXWK ZKR KDYH RYHUFRPH VLJQL¿FDQW DGYHUVLW\ RFCBC Business Members that Support Youth in our Community

FILM [ bold]

life. at 24 frames per second.

Connections

Advocate Business Solutions | Arrowhead Awards | Artist Touch Photography | Blue Federal Credit Union Blue Skies Massage & Wellness | Boulder East West Acupuncture Clinic | Boulder Vision Associates Bunin Family Health & Wellness | Centennial Bank & Trust | D&K Printing Dagabi Cucina | Dova Center for Health & Healing | E.A.T. (Easy, Authentic, Tasty) | Elevations Credit Union Ellis Bottom Line Bookkeeping | Front Range Vital Signs | House of Joy Music IBMC College | Inner Phoenix Acupuncture | J. Hilburn - Laura Mann | KGNU | North Boulder Liquor Northwestern Mutual - Boulder | Organic Sandwich Company | Pure Panoramics | Ronâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Printing Center Savory Spice Shop - Boulder | State Farm - Jennifer Paris Insurance Agency 6WUHQJWK LQ 0RWLRQ &RXQVHOLQJ //& _ 6XQÃ&#x20AC;RZHU %DQN

Learn more at www.rfcbc.org | 720.420.9780 Realities for Children Boulder County 1603 Orchard Avenue | Boulder, CO 80304

Winter 2017 â&#x20AC;¢ Page 33

BOULDER COUNTY KIDS

Private

SCHOOL

Bixby School—Boulder 4760 Table Mesa (303) 494-7508 Contact - Patricia Jarvis Ages: K - 5th Grade Licensed 9-month & year-round Hours: 8:30 am to 3:15 pm (7:15 am to 5:45 pm extended day).

Small group instruction, talented teachers, hands-on learning, and rich academics in language arts, mathematics, geography, science, music, art, and history. On-site pool and 3 shady acres with natural play areas and sports fields.

W: www.bixbyschool.org E: admissions@bixbyschool.org

Boulder Country Day School—Boulder 4820 Nautilus Ct. North (303) 527-4931 x 248 Contact - Susan Boyle Ages: Preschool - 8th Grade Licensed June – August/Camp Program Days: M-F. Hours: 8 am to 3 pm, middle school until 3:17 pm.

Before- & after-school care and enrichment classes available.

Accreditations: NAIS, ACIS, and Approved Middle Years International Baccalaureate School. Situated on a picturesque, safe, and private 5.5-acre campus, Boulder Country Day School provides a balanced education distinguished by academic excellence and social development in a caring and supportive learning environment. Preparing all students to reach their full potential as lifelong learners and responsible, globally aware citizens. Summer camp June to August.

W: bouldercountryday.org E: info@bouldercountryday.org

Dawson School—Lafayette 10455 Dawson Drive (303) 665-6679 Contact - Admissions Office Ages: K-12th grade Licensed & Accredited September-June / Camp Program Days: M-F, 175 days. Hours: 8 am to 3:30 pm, plus free afterschool care.

Boulder County region’s leading independent, college-preparatory school, Dawson offers challenging academics, robust arts and athletics programs, and renowned outdoor and experiential education. The school is committed to the development of character, emphasizing respect, compassion, courage, and integrity, and to the social-emotional wellbeing of our community. Dawson graduates are young men and women who achieve their individual potential, savor life, and meet the challenges of the world. Academic excellence, individual attention. Student/teacher ratio of 7/1; daily enrichment (art, music, PE, technology, language, library). Renowned outdoor and experiential learning. After-school care and daily hot lunch no charge.

W: www.dawsonschool.org E: admissions@dawsonschool.org

Page 34 • www.bouldercountykids.com

Schools Friends School—Boulder South Campus: 5465 Pennsylvania (Preschool and Elementary), North Campus: 3800 Kalmia Avenue (Middle School) (303) 499-1999 Contact - Melanie Leggett Ages: Preschool-8th Grade Licensed & Accredited Aug-May/Summer Camp Program Days: M-F. Hours: Elementary 8:30 am to 3:15 pm, Middle School 8:45-3:30 Aftercare and enrichment classes 3:15 to 5:30 pm.

A supportive community committed to educating the whole child—head, hand, and heart. Social-emotional curriculum catered to each individual grade level. Experiential and integrated curriculum, emphasizing academics, problem solving, creativity, critical thinking, and social responsibility. Exceptional specials including art, music, Spanish, library, technology, and PE programs. Small classes, low student/teacher ratios.

Sliding-scale tuition based on family income and additional financial aid available. ACIS accredited, NAIS member.

W: www.FriendsSchoolBoulder.org E: info@FriendsSchoolBoulder.org

Hillside School—Boulder 6717 S. Boulder Road (303) 494-1468 Contact - Kathy Sherman Ages: 1st-9th grade Accredited August-May & Summer Program Program Days: M-F. Hours: 8 am to 11 am and 12 to 3 pm.

Hillside enables students with dyslexia and other learning differences to reach their academic potential. Four students per class. Individualized instruction. Specially-trained faculty. Multi-sensory approach. Half-day program.

W: www.hillsidelearning.org E: info@hillsidelearning.org

Longmont Christian School—Longmont 1440 Collyer Street (303) 776-3254 Contact - Melody Jauregui Ages: 3 through High School Accredited August-May Program Days: M-F. Hours: 8:15 am to 3 pm.

Longmont Christian Preschool: an academic environment that is fun and stimulating for children. We allow children opportunities to explore their world with creative play while developing the vital learning skills they need.

W: longmontchristian.org E: info@longmontchristian.org

BOULDER COUNTY KIDS Mackintosh Academy—Boulder 6717 South Boulder Road (303) 554-2011 Contact - Jenny Strode Ages: K-8th Grade For 40 years Mackintosh Academy has been pioneering next generation gifted education. Mackintosh nurtures the keen minds and compassionate hearts of gifted and creative students in a caring community of learners so that they contribute to a world that needs them. Authorized IB World School, social-emotional learning, gifted and creative students, design/ innovation, service & sustainability, $18,735 to $19,340 with tuition assistance available. Maximum 12:1 student to teacher ratio.

W: www.mackintoshacademy.com E: jenny@mackintoshacademy.com

Mountain Peak School—Longmont 1833 Sunset Place (720) 494-1622 Contact - Tom Buckett Ages: 3 - 12 yrs (6th grade) Licensed August - June/Summer Camp Program Days: M-F. Hours: 8:15 am to 3:15 pm.

Mountain Peak is an independent, nonsectarian school that focuses on educating the whole child. Voted Longmont’s #1 private school two years in a row. We recognize that each child is unique, therefore our teachers are empowered to individualize curriculum based on each child’s developmental stage. We offer learning experiences that reach beyond the core academic areas beginning at the preschool level. We strive for excellence by nurturing each child’s intellect, curiosity, and social growth. And because studies have shown that large class sizes adversely affect learning, we are committed to keeping our classes small (15 maximum for 1st-6th grades, 10-12 for preschool & Kindergarten).

Come and discover what “true” individualized curriculum is. Before/ after-school care available. We offer art, music, French, daily PE, coding and STEM. W: www.mountainpeakschool.com E: mountainpeak@comcast.net

Mountain Shadows Montessori School—Boulder Mountain Shadows Montessori School—Boulder 4154 63rd Street (303) 530-5353 Contact - Terri Allen Ages: 12 months through 6th grade Toddler/Primary/Elementary Internationally Accredited and State Licensed Program Days: M-F, 9 and 12-month programs Hours: Staggered 8 am to 3 pm; extended day (7:30 am - 5:30 pm).

Mountain Shadows provides an AMI Montessori environment in which children joyfully reach their full potential through the development of independence, academic excellence, respect for the environment, self and others, and moral responsibility to society. As a result children experience rapid development, accelerated learning, and grow in ways not possible anywhere else in Boulder County.

W: www.mountainshadows.org E: hello@mountainshadows.org

Rocky Mountain Christian Academy—Niwot 9447 Niwot Rd. (303) 652-9162 Contact - Admissions Office Ages: PS-8th Grade ACSI Accredited & Licensed August - May Program Days and Hours: M-F. 8:30 am to 3:15 pm.

Classical Christian education. Engaging minds, inspiring virtue... preparing for life. A high-quality education is important. But, education is more than just what you can accomplish; it is the shaping of persons into the very images we were created to become. RMCA cares about what matters and creating an environment where a child can think, and do, and grow toward God and others. Leaders stand out from the crowd and stand up for what is true. Our philosophy incorporates the best thoughts on education over the centuries, our methods whisper of the past while remaining the best preparation for the future; our students are not told what to think; they are taught how to think for themselves; our community thrives on family activities and shared values; our academic pursuits are worthy of thoughtful conversation and guided practice.

Discover why your child should grow up here—it could make all the difference in the world.

W: www.rmcaonline.org E: admissions@rmcaonline.org

Watershed School–Boulder 1661 Alpine Avenue (303) 440-7520 Contact - Admissions Ages: 6th-12th grades ACIS (2018 candidate) August-May Program Days: M-F, 8:10 am to 3:10 pm.

Watershed is an uncommon school that fosters academic excellence and upstanding character through an innovative, rigorous and effective experiential college prep program. Our school is known for its engaged student body and its focus on global citizenship, experiential education, critical thinking, and real world problem solving. Our students experience adventure and wonder as they learn by doing and engage in complex, in-depth and abstract thought in written, oral and artistic forms.

W: www.watershedschool.org E: admissions@watershedschool.org

Winter 2017 • Page 35

BOULDER COUNTY KIDS

BIRTHDAY PARTY DIRECTORY Boulder

Countywide

ABC Birthday Parties

Adventure Quest & Sword Games Birthdays Throughout Front Range

Ages: 3 - 18 1960 32nd Street Climbing Parties! Fun, lowstress, quality parties with ABC Kids Climbing. Includes party room, games, activities, pizza, cake, and climbing for kids of all ages and abilities.

Hours: Call for times.

Contact: Staff 303-443-5437 info@abckidsclimbing.com www.abckidsclimbing.com

TINKER ART STUDIO BIRTHDAY PARTIES

Ages: 3-13 1300 Yellow Pine Ave. (New location starting Saturday, January 13th, at 693 South Broadway, Suite B, in the Table Mesa Shopping Center.)

Let Tinker help celebrate your child’s next birthday! The birthday child and their guests will have a great time being creative and making a unique art project chosen from our elaborate pARTy menu, while parents sit back and enjoy watching the young artists at work. The best part—when the last present has been opened and crumb of cake eaten, we take care of all the cleanup!

For further details and to reserve your pARTy, visit tinkerartstudio.com.

Hours: Saturday afternoon slots available.

Contact: Staff 303-503-1902 tinker@tinkerartstudio.com www.tinkerartstudio.com

Ages: 6+ Exciting quests, team games, treasure hunts, and more!

Choose from a variety of options, customize the theme, and let Renaissance Adventures lead an unforgettable experience! We join your birthday party or other event in costume and equipped with safe foam swords and other props.

Be a hero in a new Star Warsthemed adventure, journey as Frozen-themed princesses in a treasure quest, rally teams in Viking capture the flag, or pick some other fantastic option!

Offering summer quests, holiday quests, after-school programs, and birthday parties in Boulder and beyond since 1995.

303-786-9216 www.RenaissanceAdventures. com

Lafayette Bob L. Burger Recreation Center Birthday Parties

Ages: 3 - 10 111 W. Baseline Road Birthday parties at the Lafayette Recreation Center.

Choose from tree climbing, skateboarding or swimming!

Price includes party room/ skatepark shelter, cake, candles,

Page 36 • www.bouldercountykids.com

tablecloth, paper goods, and one of our special party “themes.”

Contact: Staff 303-665-0469 www.cityoflafayette.com/ parties

Dog House Music Ages: 5 to adult 525 Courtney Way Rock & Roll Birthday Parties!

Authentic rock & roll birthday parties for kids, teens, and adults. Rock & roll makeover, interactive music video games on our giant flat screen, live performance by teen band.

Hours: By appointment.

Contact: Gary Lennox 303-664-1600 Contact@doghousemusic.com www.rockandrollbirthday.com

WOW! Children’s Museum Ages: 1-11 110 N. Harrison Avenue Let’s Party! Celebrate your child’s next birthday in a fun, hands-on, and educational environment! Two-hour customizable party package includes party room rental, paper goods, playtime in the museum, and more! For a unique experience, after-hour private parties available on Fridays.

Days and Hours: Book online or call for details.

Contact: Museum Staff 303-604-2424 www.wowchildrensmuseum. org

Longmont Triple Creek Ranch Horse Birthday Parties

Ages: 4 -12 4255 Nelson Road $350 / $100 deposit. 2-hour party: for up to 10 children (additional fee for over 10).

Join the fun of horse games, playing with the mini horses, and painting the special B-day horse, along with a lead-line ride! Of course it’s washable paint! Kids and parents leave saying it’s the best party and setting they have ever been to! Fast-moving, fun, lasting memories. With years of experience, TCR takes great pride in our parties, to make sure all the extra touches are there for your guests! Check out our slide show on the Web page.

Contact: Lynn McChesney 303-444-4291 lynntriplecreek@gmail.com www.triplecreek-ranch.com

BOULDER COUNTY KIDS

Louisville Nederland Mountain Kids Gymnastic-Themed Parties Ages: 2-10 474 S. Taylor Ave. (in the Colorado Technology Center) Gymnastics-themed birthday parties include 1 hour of gymnastics time with our enthusiastic birthday party staff.

Activities include a gigantic obstacle course, trampoline, games, relays, parachute play, and 30 minutes of party time for cake, presents, and other party activities. We provide the party host, thank-you notes, and party favors, and, of course, take care of all the cleanup! Great parties for kids of all ages! Call for fees.

Contact: Anna Narvaes 303-665-8287 fun@mountainkidslouisville.com www.mountainkidslouisville. com

Birthday Party at The Carousel Ages: all 20 Lakeview Drive Rent the entire carousel or our upstairs party room. Party givers are welcome to bring their own treats; many local restaurants are able to provide food and drink. Fees: Party Room $40 per hour (includes 10 ride tickets). Entire carousel (available when we are not open) $125 per hour, which includes unlimited rides during your event.

Call for more details.

Days and Hours: we are always open Saturday and Sunday, 11 am to 6 pm; please call for additional days and hours.

Contact: Carousel Director 303-258-3457

BCK Onlin

e!

2017

It’s FR EE to S ubscri be!

GET IT EA RLY! GET IT ONLIN KEY WOR D SEARCH E! ARCHIVED PAST ISSU ES www.bouldercountykids.com Winter 2017 • Page 37

BOULDER COUNTY KIDS

After-School Programs Arts & Science

CU SCIENCE DISCOVERY Boulder

Ages: 5-13 3400 Marine Street Are you looking for an enriching experience that is so much fun your kids won’t even realize how much they are learning?

CU Science Discovery offers a variety of after-school and student-day-off/holiday programs designed to inspire budding science enthusiasts. Programs explore technology and science using hands-on activities that are sure to delight. Please register online or by phone.

C: Anjali Maus www.sciencediscovery.colorado.edu P: 303-735-2230

BOULDER VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT Boulder Valley

Dance

TINKER ART STUDIO North Boulder

Ages: 18 months to 16 years old 1300 Yellow Pine Avenue (New location starting Saturday, January 13th, at 693 South Broadway, Suite B, in the Table Mesa Shopping Center.)

Tinker Art Studio provides authentic art opportunities for children (and adults!) to grow as both skilled artists and creative individuals. Choose from weekly classes, drop-in art, weekend workshops, private lessons and school-day-off and holiday camps in a variety of mediums— wheel-throwing and hand-building ceramics, painting, drawing, fibers, mixed media, and more.

Visit us online for a complete class schedule and to register.

Hours: Daily programming.

C: Staff tinker@tinkerartstudio.com www.tinkerartstudio.com P: 303-503-1902

Grades K-5 Offering high-quality enrichment classes after school and on no-school days. Let your kids get creative, get active and get smart with classes in video game development, LEGOS™, sports, music and language.

Classes meet at BVSD schools and other locations in Boulder County. Please visit our website for complete class listings.

Registration is available online or by phone.

Program Days: M-Sat. C: Lifelong Learning lifelong.learning@bvsd.org www.bvsd.org/LLL P: 720-561-5968

Page 38 • www.bouldercountykids.com

SUNFLOWER ART STUDIO Boulder

Ages: 4-15 6545 Gunpark Dr. #200 Our teachers love children’s art more than anything else.

Unique teaching-method engages children to discover and learn while creating beautiful works. We focus on teaching children to start their artwork with a simple idea and make it into a colorful, detailed and beautifully finished art piece. With a little encouragement, patience, and love children will become talented artists. Small group classes, all 2-D mediums including drawing, acrylic and watercolor painting, collage and basics of composition. Afterschool classes, homeschool groups and workshops.

Hours: Daily. Please see our schedule and online gallery for more information.

C: Lika Gitis sunflowerkidsartstudio@gmail.com www.artsunflower.com P: 720-939-7545

KINESIS DANCE Boulder

Ages: 3-18 5603 Arapahoe Ave, Unit 6.

We are a youth-focused dance company offering high quality competitive and recreational level dance. Classes offered include preschool dance, creative movement, ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, contemporary and multi-cultural dance.

Hours: M-Sat. 9 am to 8 pm.

C: Cindy or Kirsten kinesisdance@outlook.com www.KinesisDance.com P: 720-515-6268

hf

."

LONGMONT DANCE THEATRE ACADEMY Longmont

Ages: 3-Adult 1422 Nelson Road Longmont’s only pre-professional ballet school. Benefit from the very finest in classical dance training. Experience the joy of movement through ballet, pointe, men’s classes, jazz, modern, hip hop, and ballet in the air. Grow with us as an artist in the studio and on stage!

Hours: Call for days and hours.

C: Marcy Cox office@longmontdancetheatre.com www.ldtacademy.com P: 303-772-1335

BOULDER COUNTY KIDS

After-School Programs Empowerment

SUCCESS STRATEGIES 4 KIDS Boulder

Grades: K-10 Secrets of Friendship. What makes kids like other kids?

Students will learn and practice six most important friendship skills, what makes kids avoid other kids, how to NOT lose your friends. Small class size, individual attention, student workbook, parent handout, and snacks. Early registration $165, week of class $185.

Days and Hours: Thursdays from 5:30 to 7 pm. Individual & family sessions also available.

C: Sherry Lewis, MS, LPC successstrategies4kids@gmail.com www.ss4k.com Facebook.com/sLewisCounselor LinkedIn.com/in/SherryLewisCounselor Twitter.com/sLewisCounselor P: 303-915-4421

mountains to climb, rivers to cross, jungles to conquer, and fun to be had. Also, strength, flexibility, coordination, confidence, and new skills are acquired every day. Students discover their amazing movement potential through GYMNASTICS & DANCE classes in a safe, creative, and nurturing environment! We make moving and learning fun!

C: Anna Narvaes fun@mountainkidslouisville.com www.mountainkidslouisville.com P: 303-665-8287

Central Boulder

Music

Cheerleading

BOULDER SUZUKI STRINGS Boulder

Ages: Walking and up 474 S. Taylor Avenue At Mountain Kids there are

Ages: Birth to 5 years.

Boulder’s premier early childhood music & movement program. Celebrating 20 years!

Offering Family classes and Babies-Only music classes.

Music enrichment through intimate experiential classes. Learn how to support your child’s musical growth in a rich, fun, nurturing environment. Three locations: downtown, north & The Birth Center. FREE demo classes offered.

Hours: M-Sun, mornings, afternoons & evenings. Call or visit our website.

C: Jane Simms Roche www.musictogetherboulder.com P: 720-440-2775

MUSIC TOGETHER® BABIES/MIXED AGES/ BIG KIDS PROGRAMS

Gymnastics

MOUNTAIN KIDS Gymnastics & Dance Louisville

MUSIC TOGETHER® of Boulder

Ages: 4-18 Suzuki music instruction by registered faculty in violin, viola, & cello. Private & group lessons, note reading, theory, public performances, and more.

Call for fees and times.

Program Days: M-F C: Staff info@bouldersuzukistrings.org www.bouldersuzukistrings.org P: 303-499-2807

Ages: Infants to age 7.

Award-winning music and movement programs celebrating over 15 years in Boulder!

Introductory Babies Class for newborns through 9 months and caregivers. Mixed-age classes for infants through age 4 with their caregivers integrating singing/movement/instrument play in a playful yet structured environment. Big Kids Class (Ages 5-7), optional dropoff program integrating drumming, conducting, solfege (ear training), creative expression, and more. Free demo classes and online registration.

Hours: Weekday mornings, Saturday morning, and evenings. Register online.

C: Jane Smolens www.mountainsongmusic.com P: 303-413-1120

PARLANDO School of Musical Arts Boulder

Ages: All 2590 Walnut St. (Dairy Center) Parlando School of Musical Arts offers private instruction, group classes and ensembles for students of all ages and abilities, on all musical instruments and in voice/singing, acting and musical theater. Our faculty of 50 of the region’s best teachers provide instruction to more than 650 students each week.

More than two-thirds of our faculty have advanced degrees in music.

C: Staff info@parlando.org www.parlando.org P: 303-442-0006

ROCKY RIDGE MUSIC ACADEMY Boulder

Ages: All 3970 Broadway St., Unit 201E Rocky Ridge Music Academy offers individual and group lessons, giving students of all ages and levels a variety of opportunities to work with exceptional artists, teachers, and colleagues within the vibrant NoBo Arts District. Rocky Ridge has been providing transformative music education since 1942.

In addition to instruction on all orchestral instruments, we offer lessons in composition & theory, and traditional & folk music from all over the world.

Hours: 30-, 45- and 60-minute lessons available 7 days a week.

C: Max Wolpert MusicAcademy@RockyRidge.org www.rockyridge.org P: 303-449-1106

Winter 2017 • Page 39

BOULDER COUNTY KIDS

After-School Programs Music Cont’d

Piano Swimming Sports

SANDY BURRELL MUSIC STUDIO Niwot

Ages: All Individual private lessons in flute, violin, and piano. Group Lessons: a) Intro to Music, 1 semester- explore flute, violin or piano, b) Penny Whistle Program—ideal class for ages 3 to 6.

Fees:Pay by semester/session.

Call for current class times.

C: Sandy Burrell P: 303-652-3287

PRIVATE PIANO LESSONS Boulder

Ages: 6 and up Children learn to read music, play songs by ear, basic music theory, composition/improvisation music in a fun and supportive environment. Lessons are individualized based on age, interest and learning style. Weekly ½ hour lessons in Central Boulder (across the street from BCSIS/High Peaks Elementary). Jane Smolens has been a piano/music educator since 1986. She also directs and teaches the Music Together ® Program with Mountain Song Music Studio, Inc. C: Jane Smolens www.mountainsongmusic.com P: 303-413-1120

INTEGRAL STEPS: A PLACE TO GROW Regional

Ages: 6 months to 10 years Integrative programming for all! Classes include Biology•Art• Music•Movement; Spanish• Art•Music•Movement; Dalcroze Eurhythmics and Rhythmic Solfege.

Community Events with Moxie Bread Co. Partnerships with Reel Kids, Longmont Dance Theatre Academy, Louisville Recreation Center, Rocky Ridge Music and The Dalcroze School of the Rockies.

C: Emma Shubin info@integralsteps.org www.integralsteps.org P: (720) 577-5441.

Page 40 • www.bouldercountykids.com

SM

SWIM•FLOAT•SWIM! Home of Infant Aquatics Longmont/Boulder

Ages: 2 months and up 795 S. Sherman Street-Longmont 311 Mapleton-Boulder At Swim•Float•Swim! Your child will learn to swim safely in weeks, not years. Our Longmont facility features two warm-water indoor pools with a UV water purification system which ensures your child the safest and most comfortable water experience. Our new satellite Boulder location is a convenient alternative for Boulder families. We are the swim lesson experts—stop by our child-friendly Longmont facility to discover the difference.

Hours: Longmont—M-Th- 7 am to 7 pm, Fri- 8 am to 1 pm.

Please call for Boulder schedule.

C: Judy Heumann judy@infantaquatics.com www.swimfloatswim.com P: 303-499-2229

BOULDER HOCKEY CLUB Superior

Ages: 4-18 1 Superior Drive Boulder Hockey Club provides competitive and recreational ice hockey options for kids aged 4-18. In partnership with the Sport Stable and YMCA of Boulder Valley, we also provide Learn to Skate and Learn to Play Hockey options for those kids who are interested in learning to play ice hockey.

Program Days: M- Sun, Hours vary.

C: Martina Kleinova www.boulderbison.com P: 303-494-4777

ART

THEATER

MUSIC Swimming

BOULDER COUNTY KIDS

After-School Programs Tutoring OCEAN FIRST SWIM Boulder

What, I studied!

Ages: 6 months and up 3015 Bluff Street At the Ocean First Swim School, we provide a fun, supportive and comfortable environment to learn new swimming skills. Our private facility, small class sizes, and 89° heated indoor pool allow swimmers to focus on learning new skills and not worry about their comfort in the water.

Programs Days: M-Th, 9 am to 6 pm, and Fri, 3 to 6 pm. swim@oceanfirst.blue www.oceanfirst.blue P: 303-444-7234

Theater

BACKSTORY THEATRE ACADEMY YOUTH CLASSES Broomfield

Ages: 3-18.

BackStory Theatre offers theatre education, exploration, & community performances.

Classes​and audition-based performances​ available throughout the year for beginning to advanced students. Check our website for schedule and registration information.

Hours: After-school, schedules vary.

C: Mary Wilkie info.backstorytheatre@gmail.com www.backstorytheatre.org P: 720-263-0836

ROCKY MOUNTAIN THEATRE FOR KIDS Boulder

Ages: 5-16 5311 Western Ave., Ste. 135 (near Arapahoe & 55th) Boulder’s premier youth theatre offers Boulder’s best theatrical training in musical theatre, acting, voice, dance, improvisation, & more.

After-school programs, Actors Academy Program, and summer camps.

C: Barry Freniere info@theater DancingChicken_734843f31d65-4601-97190c4b2b7307c3 forkids.net www.theaterforkids.net www. ActorsAcademyCO.com P: 303-245-8150

KIDSPIRATION TUTORING AND ENRICHMENT Boulder County

DREAMCATCHER’S LEGACY OF LEARNING Boulder

Ages: 5 to Adult 5277 Manhattan Circle #103 We provide one-to-one supplemental educational services in reading, spelling, math, writing, critical thinking, and study skills. We promise at least one grade level increase in 30 hours of instruction, or we will teach your child for free. Research-proven curriculum guarantees rapid progress. Also offering ACT/ SAT/GED prep, advanced math and writing, foreign languages, and homework help. Flexible payment plans.

Refund policy. Check out our new Executive Function and Early Education classes!

Hours: M - Sat, 8 am-8 pm C: Staff admin@thelegacyoflearning.org www.thelegacyoflearning.org P: 303-444-8422

Grades: K-6 Do you have a bright child I can help your child in who thrive is struggling with school, whether it is an area learning of strength or weakness foror focus? them. As a Colorado licensed Is your child experiencing any or teacher who has taught for all of the following: 24 years, it is my pleasure • Behind in reading or math to build your child’s skills • Weak organizational skills through a creative, multidi• Difficulty paying attention in school mensional approach to learnLEARNING • Illegible writing or writing not at ability ing.

PATHWAYS • ADD/ADHD Hours: M-F. Times as per Boulder student’s needs. We come to Open the door to a permanent path of learning Ages: 7 and upthat goes you. beyond tutoring or medication. We utilize the latest 1790 30th Street, #235 C: Holly Shawbrain research in our individualized, one-on-one program.

Is your child struggling with kidspirationeducation@gmail.com See why thousands have succeeded--your child can too! reading, diagnosed with dyskidspirationeducation.weebly.com lexia, behind in math, P: (720) 476-0444 LEARNING experiencing PATHWAYS PATHWAYS difficulty putting thoughts into words?

BOULDER OFFICE - 303 303-499499-1941 We help where traditional www.learningpathwayscolorado.com tutoring can’t. Our multisensory methods get quick results that last a lifetime.

An average student will achieve a 2-grade-level increase in just a few weeks of intensive instruction.

Hours: M-F, 9 am-6 pm C: Deborah Kratovil learningpathwayscolorado@comcast.net www.learningpathwayscolorado.com P: 303-499-1941

Winter 2017 • Page 41

BOULDER COUNTY KIDS

WINTER Calendar of Events ART/MUSEUMS

Through January 15—Denver Ultimate Dinosaurs at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.

Also, check out Nature’s Amazing Machines through January 1st.

Check out www.dmns.org or call (303) 370-6000 for more information.

First Tuesdays—Denver Target First Tuesday Nights from 4 to 8 pm, for all ages at the Children’s Museum of Denver.

Target is committed to giving back to the communities where their guests and team members live and work. Through their generous sponsorship to the Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus, families can play FREE the first Tuesday of each month.

Now to 2020—Denver The Denver Art Museum will offer free general admission to ALL youth, ages 18 and under.

Youth pricing for all special ticketed exhibitions $5. For more information check out w w w. d e n v e r a r t m u s e u m . o r g / freeforkids.

Tu/W/F—Longmont Discovery Days from 9 to 10:15 am, 10:15 to 11:30 am, and 12:30 to 2 pm; runs from early September through late May at the Longmont Museum at 400 Quail Road. This interactive dropin program encourages children ages 2-5 to engage in creative, and sometimes messy, arts & crafts projects with their parents.

Call (303) 651-8374 for more information.

Saturdays—Broomfield The Broomfield Depot Museum, located at 2201 West 10th Avenue, open Saturdays from 12 to 3 pm.

FREE. Tours explain the station’s history and story of the Denver & Interurban Railway (D & I), an electric railway that ran on the Kite Route from Denver to Boulder via Broomfield from 1908 to 1926. For more information or to schedule a weekday tour for four or more call (303) 460-6824.

2nd/4th Saturday—Longmont Firehouse Art Center Saturday Art Experience (SAE) 12 to 12:45 pm, for ages 5-8 and 1 to 2 pm, for ages 9-12, located at 667 4th Ave. Free with family membership. $10 drop-in. Your children will learn

about contemporary art, create artwork and bring it home. Preregistration is encouraged. Call Mary Chapin Durling at (303) 6512787 or email info@firehouseart. org or check out www.firehouseart. org for more information.

Ongoing—Boulder The CU History Museum is open year-round for ages 6 and up. Seven rooms, chronicling CU’s history and alumni accomplishments and space exhibit with moon rock from NASA. FREE. Located on the CU Campus. Call (303) 492-6329 for more information.

BOOKS ’n’ STORYTELLING

Ongoing—Boulder Storytimes at the Main Library for ages birth to 36 months. Ageappropriate storytime posters will be posted by the doors to the Mt. Sanitas room by 9 am and direct patrons to take a token for each person in their group. Limit of 40 to each storytime. Time are: Lap Babies (birth to 15 months) on Tuesdays, at 9:15 am; Cruisers & Crawlers (15-24 months) on Wednesdays, at 9:15 am, Younger Toddler Time (24-30 months) on Mondays, at 9:15 am; Older Toddler Time (30-36 months) on Thursdays, at 9:15 am. Contact ask@boulderlibrary.org or call (303) 441-3100 for more information.

Ongoing—Boulder County/Denver Grandrabbit’s Toy Shoppe Story Time for ages 1-6, located at 2525 Arapahoe Ave in Boulder, 14644 Orchard Pkwy #1000 in Westminster, and 8340 Northfield Blvd. in Denver. Weekly Story Time with a craft or activity for preschoolers. It’s Free and lots of fun. Check our website for times and directions. Call Lynne Milot at (303) 443-0780 or email lynne@ grtoys.com or check out grtoys. com for more information.

T/W/TH—Longmont Longmont Public Library story times for ages birth to 6, located at 409 4th Avenue. Lap-sit, toddler, and preschool story times 10:15 and 11 am T/W mornings; Spanish story time TH evenings at 6:30, bedtime story time TH nights at 7 pm. Call (303) 651-8477 or check out www.ci.longmont.co.us/library.

Every Sunday—Boulder Boulder Public Library Go Club for ages 5-16, located at 1000 Canyon. Call Melanie Howard at (303) 441-3099 or please email

Page 42 • www.bouldercountykids.com

howardm@boulderlibrary.org for more information or check out www.bplnow.boulderlibrary.org/ event/kids-family/storytime for more times and information.

CLASSES ’n’ WORKSHOPS

November 3-5—Niwot Listening and Communicating from Our Hearts for adults, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm on 11/3, and 10:30 to 4:30 pm on 11/4 and 11/5. In this highly experiential and interactive training, Jessica creates a dynamic and safe learning space for you to practice becoming less reactive and more responsive, differentiating between what actually is happening and the stories you tell yourself, connecting with intentions behind actions, making life-affirming and less costly or tragic choices and optimally meeting your needs.

Contact Jessica Dancingheart at (303) 589-8420 or jessica@ openingtopossibilities.com or check out tinyurl.com/ycbeyxmj for more information.

November 4—Superior Try Hockey for Free for ages 4-14, located at 1 Superior Drive. The Sport Stable and Boulder Hockey Club will host this Try Hockey for Free event. All equipment will be provided. Our professional coaching staff will be on hand to help your child try this great game! Contact Martina Kleinova at (303) 827-6421 or kleinova@ boulderbison.com or check out boulderbison.com for more information.

November 5—Boulder Struggling Readers 2017 Symposium, for all ages, from 12:30 to 4 pm, located at Koelbel Building, CU Leeds School of Business, Atrium. 995 Regent Drive. BVKID invites parents, families, students, teachers and the Boulder Valley community at large to a reading symposium. At 12:30 pm: Experience Dyslexia Simulation, 2 to 3 pm: Meet the Experts, ask your questions to reading tutors, teachers, neuropsychologists. 3 pm: Presentation by Jonathan Mooney, inspirational speaker, writer and activist. Please visit BVKID.org to learn more. BV-KID on Facebook.

Contact Caron Trout at (303) 4407968 or bouldervalleykid@gmail. com or check out BVKID.org for more information.

November 9 to Dec 14—Boulder Secrets of Friendship Workshop

for grades 3-5, from 5:30 to 7 pm, located at 1800 30th Street, Suite 306. What makes kids like other kids? Find out 6 secrets of making & keeping friends! It’s not as hard as you think! Students will learn and practice 6 most important friendship skills, what makes kids avoid other kids and how to NOT lose your friends. These workshops teach kids what does and doesn’t work in getting along with others.

Contact Sherry Lewis at (303) 9154421 or sLewis.consulting@gmail. com or check out ss4k.com for more information.

November 14—Boulder Dyslexia and Learning, Part II for adults, from 12:15-1:45 pm, located at 6007 Oreg Ave. This forum will focus on new research related to learning and memory and why this knowledge is particularly important for dyslexic learners. What we know and don’t know about ‘learning’, longterm memory and the ‘illusion’ of mastery, Why learning math is different, What is ‘spaced’ review and why is it important and How to enhance and strengthen memory.

Contact Suzanne Neuman at (303) 494-1468 or info@hillsidelearning. org or check out hillsidelearning. org for more information.

November 18—Boulder Superheros Within! Immunity in Health & Disease for ages 5-18, from 9:30 to 10:30 am, located at University of Colorado Cristol Chemistry Room 140.

CU Physiology Professor Moni Fleshner will introduce young students to the immune system and teach kids about some great “superheros”, the cells and organs that fight germs! Contact Candice Bartholomew Brown at (303) 492-5011 or djnadmin@jila. colorado.edu or check out www. colorado.edu/cuwizards/ for more information.

November 18—Niwot Parenting from Our Hearts for adults, from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. Build a family life based in trust and respect. A supportive workshop for you to build community while you gain simple skills to gain awareness of your reactivity so you can become more responsive and present, learn to listen with your heart and accept, appreciate and celebrate yourself, your co-parent and your children.

Contact Jessica Dancingheart at (303) 589-8420 or jessica@ openingtopossibilities.com or check out tinyurl.com/zfmzgjb for more information.

M/T/W/F—Longmont Playgroups for parents and children, on Mon: 10 am to noon, infant and toddlers: Wed: 10 am to 12 pm, mixed-ages: Fri: 10:30 am to noon, & bilingual (Spanish) 0-4 playgroup on the 1st and last Fridays. Also, Fatherhood Connection every Tues, from 7 to 8:30 pm, support and education for dads. Children’s Services can also help with child care referrals. Call St. Vrain Valley Center at (303) 776-5348.

1st & 3rd Fridays—Boulder Mothers & Babies—Leaders’ support group, from 9:30 am to 11:30 am, at 7100 S. Boulder Rd. Offers support groups for new moms and babies under 6 months old for a nominal fee. Call (303) 530-0698 or visit our website at www.momsandbabies.org for more information.

2nd and 4th Mondays—Boulder First Presbyterian Church MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), for ages infant to 5, from 9:15 to 11:15 am, at 1820 15th Street. Mornings include food, craft, or activity, speakers with subjects relating to moms, and discussion time that deepens relationships with your group. Children are cared for in a parallel program called MOPPETS. Call MOPS information line at (303) 402-6455.

1st Mondays—Boulder La Leche League of Longmont breast-feeding support group meeting for all ages, from 10 to 11:30 am, located in the Community Room at Boulder Nurse Midwives, 4800 Riverbend Road, Suite 100. Dedicated to providing education, information, mother-tomother support, and encouragement to women who are nursing their toddlers. Babies and children welcome. For more information call Diane at (303) 444-9849, Linda at (720) 314-8839, or Kate at (303) 473-9918.

2nd Tuesdays—Longmont La Leche League of Longmont breast-feeding support group meeting for all ages, at 7 pm, located at First Lutheran Church at 803 3rd Avenue. Helping mothers worldwide to breast-feed through mother-to-mother support, encouragement, information, and education. Babies and children welcome! Call Amanda at (303) 772-9312 or check out longmontlll. org for more information.

2nd & 4th Tuesdays—Boulder Renaissance Adventures Dropin Hike using Pokemon GO App for ages 6 to adult, from 6:15 to 8:15 pm. Adventure League Go! is a safe and fun event for all ages oriented around hiking and interactive trainer challenges.

Participants also engage in a variety of live-action role playing challenges, such as beanbag games of agility, performances and

BOULDER COUNTY KIDS

social encounters, and a costume contest. Call (303) 786-9216 to pre-register or check out www.

RenaissanceAdventures.com for more information.

3rd Tuesdays—Boulder Local mothers are invited to a free meeting of the Boulder County chapter of Mothers & More. We connect moms through evening meetings, speakers, moms’ night out, book discussions, children’s activities, and MORE. Come and meet us! Check online at www. meetup.com/Mothers-MoreBoulder-County for more up-todate information.

3rd Tuesdays—Boulder La Leche League of Boulder monthly breast-feeding support group from 10 to 11:30 am. An international, nonprofit, nonsectarian organization, dedicated to providing education, information, support, and encouragement to women who want to breast-feed. Babies and children welcome. Call Molly (720) 9223549 or Diane (303) 444-9849 for information and meeting location.

Daily—Countywide Boulder County WIC Program.

Supplemental foods and nutritional health education for pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women with children up to 5 years. Ongoing enrollment at 5 clinic sites. Boulder Office: 3305 Broadway; San Juan Office: 3100 34th St. in Boulder; Longmont Office: 529 Coffman, Suite 200; Salud Clinic: 231 East 9th in Longmont; Tri-cities Office: 1345 Plaza Court North, 3A in Lafayette.

FREE. Call (303) 441-1451.

Thursdays—Boulder Beyond MOPS...the next step. Join us for SAMS (School-Age Moms).

New group for mothers of school-age children (kindergarten-12th grade) to share their joys and challenges.

Includes guest speakers, child care, and refreshments. 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month. Cost: $5.

Boulder Valley Christian Church, 7100 S. Boulder Rd. Call Jan at (303) 494-4248 or Darcy at (303) 9261590 for more information.

Thursdays—Broomfield Tough Love Parent Support Group will meet at the United Church of Broomfield at 825 Kohl Street, from 7 to 9:30 pm. Call Jerry Hart at (303) 494-4598 for more information.

Saturdays—Boulder Teen Art Therapy Groups, for ages 13-17, from 12 to 2 pm, located at 5378 Sterling Drive, Studio 6. Express Yourself! No art experience necessary. Teens can make a mess and get real together about issues that concern them.

Contact Catherine M. Houston, LPC at (720) 628-0158 or catherine@catherinemhoustonlpc. c o m o r c h e c k o u t w w w. catherinemhoustonlpc.com for more information.

Ongoing–Boulder Children’s Sewing Workshops for ages 7 & up, located at 2017 17th Street. After school sewing, holiday gift-making, school-dayoff camps, sewing classes, and Mom & Me sewing classes. Our sewing classes are an excellent opportunity for students to improve their sewing machine skills in a fun and positive environment. Class sizes are small so that each student will be given abundant attention. Contact Linda Spillmann at (303) 997-8245 or check out www.fabricateboulder. com for more information.

Ongoing–Denver Create Playdate, for ages 3-5 recommended, from 10 am to 1 pm, located at 100 W 14th Ave Pkwy. Drop in on the second Wednesday of the month—with extended summer hours in June, July and August—for hands-on artmaking with your little ones!

This playful program designed specifically for preschool-aged children offers a fun art project and storytime to build growing minds and inspire lifelong creativity.

Youth general admission is free every day thanks to Free for Kids. Contact Shannon Robb at (720) 913-0053 or check out denverartmuseum.org/programs/ create-playdate for more information.

Ongoing—Boulder Tinker Art Studio classes for ages 18 months to 13 years old, located at 1300 Yellow Pine Avenue and, Unit B, in NoBo, (moving in January to a new location). Programming offered daily. Weekly “Drop-In” classes are on Wednesdays and Saturdays during the school year. Call Tinker Art Studio at (303) 503-1902 or email tinker@tinkerartstudio.com for more information or check out tinkerartstudio.com to register.

Ongoing—Boulder Sunflower Kids Art Studio offers year-round classes for ages 3.5 to 15, at 6545 Gunpark Dr. #200. Call Lika Gitis at (720) 939-7545 or email lika@artsunflower.com or visit us at www.artsunflower.com.

Ongoing—Lafayette pARTiculars Art Gallery/Studio Art Classes and Workshops for ages 7 to teens, located at 401 S. Public Road, Unit 1. Taught by experienced artists and art educators. Call April Christenson at (303) 665-3642 or you can email aprilgchristenson@gmail.com or check out wwwparticularsart.com for more information.

Ongoing—Boulder/Longmont Boulder County Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) subsidized child care for children ages 0-12, with drop-in open hours for application assistance and question opportunity on

Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 am to 1 pm, at 3460 N. Broadway in Boulder and 1921 Corporate Center Circle, Suite 3F in Longmont. Questions? (303) 678-6014, please email ccap@ bouldercounty.org or call the bilingual outreach coordinator at (303) 928-0821. Must be county resident, income and activity requirements apply. Download an application and checklist online at www.bouldercountychildcare.org.

Ongoing—Countywide Boulder County Healthy Kids and Adults! helps families and individuals enroll in Medicaid and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+).

Medicaid and CHP+ are free and low-cost public health insurance plans that provide dental, medical, prescription and vision benefits.

There are no monthly premiums and co-pays range from $0 to $50 depending on family income.

Healthy Kids and Adults! can also connect families to Connect for Health Colorado, a new health insurance marketplace where people can shop for health insurance and access tax credits to reduce monthly health insurance premiums. For more information, call (720) 515-1454.

Ongoing—Longmont Swim•Float•Swim! Aquatic Academy—The ultimate swim lesson experience for ages 6 months and up. Boulder County’s only dedicated warm-water swim lesson facility where children learn to swim and float independently in weeks, not years. The Diagonal Trade Center, 795 S. Sherman St. Visit www.swimfloatswim.com to discover the difference. Contact Judy Heumann at (303) 499-2229 or email judy@infantaquatics.com for more information.

Weekdays—Boulder/Lafayette Boulder County Head Start Enrollment drive for ages 3-5 years, from 8 am to 4 pm, located at 3482 N. Broadway. Boulder County Head Start is recruiting for its free, comprehensive preschool with full- and part-day classes.

Income guidelines apply. Call Susi Gritton at (720) 564-2210 or email sgritton@bouldercounty.org for more information.

Ongoing–Boulder Free Music Together Demo Classes for ages infants through 5 year olds and caregivers.

Contact us for days/times, located at The Boulder Piano Gallery, 3111 Walnut Street.

Available for prospective families interested in enrolling in one of our upcoming semesters. Have fun singing, dancing, playing instruments in a structured, yet playful setting. Learn about the Music Together Program and how you and your child can develop musically. Classes are mixed ages and siblings are welcome.

Winter 2017 • Page 43

Children attend with adult caregivers. Contact Jane Smolens at (303) 413-1120 or jsmolens@ mountainsongmusic.com or check out www.mountainsongmusic.com for more information.

JUST FOR FUN

Through November 18—Boulder Boulder Farmers Market. Saturday mornings through November 18th and Wednesday afternoons through October 4th.

November 3—Longmont The Fifth Annual Catrina Ball for all ages, at the Dickens Opera House that commemorates Día de los Muertos. Everyone is invited to put on your Catrina/Catrin face, gather noisemakers and join the larger than life gigante paper mache puppets & musicians for the gigante procession. Gather for a fiesta in the St. Stephens Plaza at 5 pm for downtown altar tours, face painting by Montage Academy, memorial urn, writing of hopes and wishes, interactive noisemakers with Intercambio Uniting Communities and an angel wing station. Procession begins at St. Stephens at 6:30 pm, then on to the Dickens Opera House from 7 pm to 1 am. Tickets for the Catrina Ball are $5 in advance and they are available for purchase at the Dickens Tavern or on their website.

November 4—Lafayette WOW!’s Birthday Party from 10 am to 12 pm, located at 110 N. Harrison Ave. Help us blow out our candles and celebrate our 21st Birthday! Join us for a special birthday craft and an interactive performance by Boulder Bach Festival. Included with museum admission. Contact Katie MacDonald at (303) 604-2424 or check out wowchildrensmuseum. org for more information.

November 10-11—Boulder Solo Recitals for ages 3 through adult, located at 355 Ponca Pl. Students of violin, viola and cell age 3 through high school play solo recitals. Contact Amy GesmerPackman at (303) 499-2807 or info@bouldersuzukistrings.org or check out bouldersuzukistrings.org for more information.

November 11—Boulder Kindergarten and 1st Grade Admissions Playdate for ages 4-6 (students entering Kindergarten and 1st grade), from 9:30 am to 12 pm, located at 6717 S. Boulder Rd. Teachers and administrators will play, observe and hang out with students as they engage in activities (choice time, read aloud, recess, snack), as parents tour. Required step of the K-1st admissions process. RSVP. Contact Jenny Strode at (720) 689-1766 or jenny@mackintoshacademy.com or check out mackintoshacademy.com for more information.

BOULDER COUNTY KIDS

November 11—Longmont Wild Turkeys! suitable for families and kids of all ages, from 10:30 am to noon, located at Sandstone Ranch Open Space at 3001 CO-119. How fast can a turkey run? Do they fly? Did you know that wild turkeys can be found all over the Front Range, including Sandstone Ranch? Come learn all about wild turkeys at this program which includes hands-on crafts and play. Contact Larry Colbenson at (303) 678-6214 or lcolbenson@ bouldercounty.org or check out www.bouldercountyopenspace.org for more information.

November 11, 12—Boulder Boulder Mountain Handmade for all ages, from 10 am to 4 pm, located at Boulder Elks Lodge 3975 28th Street. A familyfriendly community art and bake market with 50+ artisans in a festival market setting, with free kids (and adults) make-and-take crafts, Boulder’s best bake sale, live performances and fire truck tours. Elks Lodge is accessible and has lots of free parking. This sale raises funds for Boulder Mountain Fire, serving mountain communities and North Boulder’s western line of defense. Free!

Contact Kelly Brown at (303) 204-1542 or check out www. bouldermountainhandmade.com for more information.

November 17-19—Broomfield BackStory Youth Theatre presents Mary Poppins, for all ages, on Friday and Saturday, at 7 pm and Sunday at 2 pm, located at Broomfield Auditorium, 3 Community Park Rd. BackStory Theatre continues a tradition of excellence in youth theatre for all ages with its 6th annual musical production, Mary Poppins. Discounted advance tickets $9-$18 available online at BrownPaperTickets.com. (Limited tickets available 45 min. before each show for $10-$20.) Contact Michelle Hoffman at (720) 2630836 or info.backstorytheatre@ gmail.com or check out www. backstorytheatre.org/stage_ productions.aspx for more information.

November 18–Lafayette Turkey Shoot Free Throw Contest, for ages 6 and up, at 9 am, located at Bob Burger Recreation Center, 111 W. Baseline Road . Here’s your chance to win a Thanksgiving Turkey! This event will consist of different age groups for both male and female divisions. Turkeys will be awarded to the top shooter in each category. Please pre-register and arrive on-time! $2R/$7/NR. Contact Kris Kron at (303) 6650469 or krisk@cityoflafayette.com or check out cityoflafayette.com/ recreation for more information.

November 18—Westminster 5 Dollar Day for all ages, from 9

Page 44 • www.bouldercountykids.com

am to 5 pm, located at 6252 W. 104th Ave. $5 Days at Butterfly Pavilion. Experience all of our small wonders for only $5.00!

Journey through our new and improved Crawl-a-See-Em, hold Rosie, touch a starfish and make your way through our Tropical Rainforest with 1,600 fluttering butterflies! $5 for each guest 2 and older; Free for members and children 1 and under. Contact Katherine Harris at KHarris@ butterflies.org or check out www.butterflies.org for more information.

November 19—Boulder Switch on the Holidays for all ages, from 5 to 7 pm, located at 13th and Pearl Street. Holiday sing-along performance led by the Boulder Children’s Chorale joined by members of the Boulder Chorale lead up to the grand illumination of the Boulder County Courthouse and the Pearl Street Mall, with a special appearance by Santa himself! Then stick around for FREE visits with Santa until 7 pm. Contact Holly Hickman at (303) 554-7692 or check out www. boulderdowntown.com/light-upthe-holidays/events/switch-on-theholidays for more information.

November 24-26—Boulder The Nutcracker Ballet for all ages, at 2 pm each day along with an evening performance on November 25th at 7 pm, located at Macky Auditorium (17th Street and University Avenue.)

America’s favorite ballet, brought to life by Boulder Ballet and the Boulder Phil. A holiday tradition with exciting choreography and a full, live orchestra! Contact Holly Hickman at (303) 449-1343 or check out www.boulderphil.org/ concerts/2017-18-season-overview/ the-nutcracker-ballet for more information.

November 25—Lafayette Shop-N-Drop for ages 5 to 12, from 1 to 4 pm, located at 111 W Baseline Road. Take some time for Mom and Dad and let the kids play at Bobs! Register in advance to drop your children off at Bobs while you shop in Old Town Lafayette. Kids will get to engage in fun class demos, have structured and unstructured play, make crafts and more! While you’re at the BBRC, take advantage of some of our great Shop Small deals! Contact Marty Walsh at (303) 661-1467 or marty.walsh@ cityoflafayette.com or check out www.cityoflafayette.com/ shopndrop for more information.

November 25—Longmont Sugar Plum Tea Party for all ages, at 1 and 4 pm, located at Xilinx Retreat Center at 3100 Logic Drive. 15th annual fundraiser supports your local youth ballet company & their production of 17th annual Nutcracker. A

delightful afternoon including warm tea, sweet & savory edibles, harp accompaniment, a miniNutcracker performance & a souvenir photo with you & the Sugar Plum Fairy. The perfect introduction to the classic tale for young audience members! $35 pp.

Advance Reservations required.

Contact the office manager at (303) 772-1335 or email office@ centennialstateballet.org or check out centennialstateballet.org/ performances for more information.

CLASSES ’n’ WORKSHOPS

December 1—Boulder Thorne Summer Camp Early Bird Registration online, for ages 3-15, at 6 am. Get your summer calendars ready and register early to get in to the best nature camps in the Front Range! Thorne’s “Camp Experiences” allow youth to explore in nature and offer just the right mix of fun and handson learning. Contact Stephanie Brudwick at (303) 499-3647 or stephanie@thornenature.org or check out www.thornenature. org for more information and to register.

December 2—Boulder Rocks from Outer Space! for ages 5-18, from 9:30 to 10:30 am, located at CU Boulder Planetarium 2414 Regent Drive. CU Boulder Geology Professor Brian Hynek has traveled the globe in search of rocks from outer space. These rocks tell fascinating stories...the geologic, hydrologic, and climatic histories of our neighboring planets. Meet at CU Planetarium for a memorable Saturday morning CU Wizards show presented by a real rock star to answer one of the greatest questions: Are we alone?!

Contact Candice Bartholomew Brown at (303) 492-5011 or djnadmin@jila.colorado.edu or check out www.colorado.edu/ cuwizards for more information.

December 8-10—Niwot Getting Past the Pain Between Us, for adults, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, on 12/8 and 10:30 to 4:30 pm, on 12/9 & 12/10. In this highly experiential and interactive introductory training, Jessica creates a dynamic and safe learning space for you to learn about the anatomy of conflict and trust, listen to the deep down issues that are leading to conflict, get a sense of the fuller picture by going beyond assumptions, and hold compassionate conversations.

Create options to get past conflict.

Contact Jessica Dancingheart at (303) 589-8420 or jessica@ openingtopossibilities.com or

check out tinyurl.com/yd6pnr4d for more information.

JUST FOR FUN

December 2—Longmont Visit the Agricultural Heritage Center for all ages, from 10 am to 5 pm, located at 5201 St. Vrain Rd., 8348 Ute Highway 66. Enjoy the rural surroundings and learn about the rich agricultural history of Boulder County. The farm includes two barns, a milk house, a blacksmith shop, and a furnished 1909 farmhouse. The big red barn contains interactive exhibits for all ages to enjoy, including a real tractor cab! Contact Jim Drew at (303) 776-8688 or check out www. bouldercountyopenspace.org for more information.

December 3—Boulder Songs of the Season for all ages, at 4 pm, located at Boulder Public Library Canyon Theater (1001 Arapahoe Avenue). Experience some holiday cheer in this free performance featuring the four choirs of the Boulder Children’s Chorale. Contact Holly Hickman at (303) 554-7692 or check out boulderchorale.org/concerts/201718-season/songs-of-the-season/ for more information.

December 3, 8, 9—Boulder Cinderella by Massenet, for ages 3 and up, located at 1410 Quince Ave. Boulder Opera presents Cinderella, a perfect introduction for children to the spellbinding world of opera. Based on the much loved fairy tale, this rare 19th century work will be presented as a specially reduced one hour version. Boulder Opera’s talented artists bring to life the enchanted world of Cendrillon complete with gorgeous costumes and a chamber orchestra. Contact Dianela Acosta at (303) 731-2036 or check out www.boulderoperacompany.com for times and more information.

December 7—Broomfield Wi n t e r C o n c e r t w i t h t h e Broomfield Youth Symphony, for all ages, at 6:30 pm, at the Broomfield Auditorium. Selections from Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

Free, donations accepted. Call (720) 432-6873 or check out www.iamintermezzo.org or email Linda@iamintermezzo.org for more information.

December 9-10—Boulder Holiday Concerts for ages 3 through adult. Students 4 through high school will play holiday and classical favorites Contact Amy Gesmer-Packman at (303) 499-2807 or info@ bouldersuzukistrings.org or check out bouldersuzukistrings.org for more information.

December 10—Broomfield How the Grinch Stole Christmas for all ages, at 2 pm, at the Broomfiled Auditorium. A dance

BOULDER COUNTY KIDS

production of the popular holiday story. Tickets $10 at studio or at the door. Call (303) 466-3212 or check out www.danceartsstudio.org or email dasbroomfield@msn.com for more information.

December 13—Boulder Open House on Wednesday, for Middle School grades 6th-8th. Call (303) 554-2011 or check out www. mackintoshacademy.com for more information.

December 13, 14—Lafayette Santa’s Calling for ages 0-9, from 6 to 8 pm, located at 111 W. Baseline Road. Kids love to hear from Santa during the holiday season. Sign up your child for our annual Santa’s calling program & get a holiday call from the Jolly Man himself for just $1.00 per child. Deadline to accept completed forms is Friday, December 8th. Calls will be made be on December 13th & 14th between 6 and 8 pm. Contact Marty Walsh at (303) 661-1467 or marty.walsh@cityoflafayette.com or check out bit.ly/2ySOqMY for more information.

December 16 , 17,—Boulder All Things Bright & Beautiful for all ages, at 4 pm, located at First United Methodist Church (1421 Spruce Street). Let our singers ages 8 to 85 remind you of “All Things Bright and Beautiful” this holiday season. Contact Holly Hickman at (303) 554-7692 or check out / boulderchorale.org/concerts/201718-season/all-things-bright-andbeautiful/ for more information.

Dec 16, 17, 21, 22—Lafayette The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, the Musical, for ages 4 and up, at 7:30 pm, 12/16, 17, 21, 22; and at 2 pm. 12/17, 22, located at 1376 Miners Drive, Suite 106. The charm of a 1960’s Ohio annual Christmas pageant is invaded by the “horrible Herndons,” the local kids who are a menace to all. It is, however, these same kids who bring a special joy to the pageant and make it the best ever.

Capturing the spirit of the season, laughter and music make this show a family must. Contact Jo Anne Lamun at (303) 786-8727 or pbpcontacts@gmail.com or check out www.peanutbutterplayers.com for more information.

December 3-10—Boulder Seussical The Musical for ages 3 & up, on Dec 3, at 11 am and 5 pm; Dec 8, at 7 pm; Dec 9 at 1 pm & 7 pm; and Dec 10 at 2 pm, located at 5311 Western Avenue, Ste. 135. Our favorite Dr. Seuss characters come to life on stage, including Horton the Elephant, The Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, lazy Mayzie and a little boy with a big imagination–Jojo. In the story, The Cat in the Hat tells the story of Horton, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust that contains the Whos. Seussical is

fun for the whole family. Contact Barry Freniere at (303) 245-8150 or info@theaterforkids.net or check out www.theaterforkids.net for more information.

December 31—Denver Noon Year’s Eve from 9 am to 4 pm, for all ages at the Children’s Museum of Denver. Check out www.mychildsmuseum.org for more information.

December 31—Lafayette WOW!’s New Year’s Eve Party for all ages, from 10 am to 12 pm and 1 to 3 pm, located at 110 N. Harrison Ave. Ring in the New Year at WOW! before bedtime!

Join us for noisemaker crafts, face painting, musical performance and refreshments-all leading up to a grand countdown celebration!

Tickets required and available for purchase online. Contact Katie MacDonald at (303) 604-2424 or check out wowchildrensmuseum. org for more information.

JUST FOR FUN

January 25 to Feb 22—Boulder Young Friends Workshop for grades K-2, from 5:30 to 6:45 pm, located at 1800 30th Street, Suite 306.

Students learn the 6 most important friendship skills, what makes kids like others, how not to lose your friends, taking turns (without getting upset), how to use your words to solve problems (without hitting, kicking, name calling, etc.) and more. Contact Sherry Lewis at (303) 915-4421 or sLewis. consulting@gmail.com or check out ss4k.com for more information.

January 27—Boulder Admissions Playdate Visit on Saturday, for K & 1st. Call (303) 554-2011 or check out www. mackintoshacademy.com for more information.

January 27—Longmont Family Concert, for all ages, at 4 pm, located at Vance Brand Civic Auditorium, 600 E. Mountain View Ave. Featuring the combined forces of the Longmont Youth Symphony and the Longmont Symphony Orchestra, the winner of the LSO Young Artist Competition, and author/narrator Jack Prelutsky, a U.S. Children’s Poet Laureate, this family concert is for music lovers of all ages! Jack is the author of the popular children’s book, Behold the Bold Umbrellaphant. Contact Holly Hickman at (303) 772-5796 or check out longmontsymphony. org/familyconcert/ for more information.

January 28—Boulder Winter Heritage Day for all ages, from 1 to 3 pm, located at Walker Ranch Homestead at 8999 Flagstaff

Road. What did pioneer settlers do in the winter? Learn about typical winter chores and indoor games.

See a working demonstration in the blacksmith shop and smell food being prepared on the wood stove. Be prepared for cold, windy weather, and to walk in snow.

Please note: Dogs are not permitted at the site. Contact Sheryl Kippen at (303) 776-8848 or check out www.bouldercountyopenspace.org for more information.

CLASSES ’n’ WORKSHOPS

January 27—Boulder “Speed!” for ages 5-18, from 9:30 to 10:30 am, located at Duane Physics, G1B30, University of Colorado. Join one of CU Boulder’s beloved Nobel Laureates, Professor Eric Cornell who will bedazzle a Saturday morning young audience. Kids, do you know what the very fastest thing is? It will illuminate this show! Also, would you like to adopt the very slowest pet?!

Contact Candice Bartholomew Brown at (303) 492-5011 or djnadmin@jila.colorado.edu or check out www.colorado.edu/ cuwizards for more information.

SUBMITTING EVENTS

Boulder County Kids Mail

If you have a dated calendar event in February, March or April. please do let us know by January 10th! Onelisting-per-month limit on a spaceavailable basis, with nonprofit and free dated events prioritized. Please check out our website. Go to www. bouldercountykids.com, click on the calendar button and fill out the automated calendar form. To be included in our email reminder list, email calendar@bouldercountykids. com with an Email Reminder Request in the subject line or use our online form on our website. We will send you back a receipt on all submissions and requests so you know you are on our list.

Winter 2017 • Page 45

BOULDER COUNTY KIDS

Now enrolling Preschool-8th. Call to schedule a tour today.

303.499.1999 | friendsschoolboulder.org Our North Boulder Middle School campus is also now open.

0DNH WKLV :LQWHU )XQ IRU (YHU\RQH 1DWLRQDO /HDUQ WR 6NDWH 7U\ +RFNH\ IRU )5(( DQG /HDUQ WR 3OD\ 'D\

6XSHULRU 'ULYH 6XSHULRU &2 ZZZ 6SRUW6WDEOH FOXE

2QO\ PLQXWHV IURP %RXOGHU

86$ +2&.(< 75< +2&.(< )25 )5((

1RYHPEHU &RPH WU\ IRU )5(( 6LJQ XS ZZZ 6SRUW6WDEOH FOXE )$// 6(66,21 ZHHNV /HDUQ 7R 6NDWH /76

/HDUQ WR 3OD\ /73

/HDUQ WR 6NDWH"

3URJUDPV WKDW SURYLGH D IXQ VDIH VNDWLQJ H[SHULHQFH IRU WKH EHJLQQHU VNDWHU DV ZHOO DV WKH PRUH DGYDQFHG VNDWHU

Page 46â&#x20AC;¯â&#x20AC;¢â&#x20AC;¯www.bouldercountykids.com

/HDUQ 7R 6NDWH /76

/HDUQ WR 3OD\ /73

/HD UQ +2 WR SO D &. (< \

WR DUQ /H NDWH 6

/76 /73+ 7XHVGD\V 2FW 'HF DP 1R &ODVV

/76 /73+ 7KXUV 2FW ²'HF SP 1R &ODVV

)6 /76 6DW 2FW ²'HF DP 1R &ODVV

/73+ 6DW 2FW ²'HF DP 1R &ODVV

/76 6XQ 2FW ²'HF DP 1R &ODVV

:KDW LV

:,17(5 6(66,21 ZHHNV

/76 /73+ 7XHV -DQ )HE DP 1R &ODVV

/76 /73+ 7KXUV -DQ )HE SP 1R &ODVV

)6 /76 6DW -DQ ² )HE DP 1R &ODVV

/73+ 6DW -DQ ²)HE DP 1R &ODVV

/76 6XQ -DQ ²)HE DP 1R &ODVV

:KDW LV

/HDUQ WR 3OD\" /HDUQ WR 3OD\ +RFNH\ SURYLGHV D IXQ VNDWLQJ H[SHULHQFH IRU EHJLQQHU WR DGYDQFHG KRFNH\ VNDWHUV

BOULDER COUNTY KIDS

Winter 2017 â&#x20AC;¢ Page 47

Discover the joy of making music together with your family!

Find a location near you! musictogether.com

Sign up for a free trial class today!

Music Together of Boulder North Boulder and Downtown (720) 440-2775 musictogetherboulder.com Mountain Song Music Studio, Inc. Central and South Boulder (303) 413-1120 mountainsongmusic.com

Center for Musical Arts Lafayette (303) 665-0599 comusic.org Music Together of the Rockies Louisville and Superior (720) 280-5871 musictogetheroftherockies.com