October 2018

October 2018

Home-based preschool

Education issue

Page 36

Letting toddlers ‘figure it out’

Halloween calendar Page 52

Page 16

Cute books about cats

Hotdog mummies!

Page 26

Page 28

The magic of story time Page 20

Alice, 5, of Roseville

Why isn’t my child reading?

Page 30

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October 2018 • mnparent.com

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It is the mission of the Down Syndrome Association of Minnesota to empower individuals and families, to create community and celebrate the abilities of people with Down syndrome.

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Jack’s Basket has a mission to celebrate babies born with Down syndrome. They strive to ensure that every new and expectant parent is provided resources and avenues of support within the community, while aiming to educate medical providers on how to discuss the diagnosis in an unbiased way.

OCTOBER

VOLUME 33 /// ISSUE 10

A new child-care culture Two Twin Cities providers are building community-minded preschool programs to cultivate early learning.

36

Green Earth Children’s Academy

SMART PRETTY Words matter How we describe the world can ultimately define the culture we create for our kids.

42

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October 2018 • mnparent.com

Why can’t my child read?

Learning how to convert words on a page into a story can take extra effort for 1 in 5 kids.

30

About our cover kid Name: Alice Age: 5 City: Roseville Parents: Mike and Yulia Carroll Personality: Curious, adventurous, kind and determined Favorite toys: Alex RubaDub Dirty Dogs, Hungry Hungry Hippos, Peppa Pig Family Favorite books: Little Lola Saves The Show by Julie Saab Favorite activities: Swimming, dancing, biking, scootering, monkey bars Favorite foods: Borscht, dumplings, ice cream and candy Photos by Tracy Walsh / tracywalshphoto.com

mnparent.com • October 2018

7

OCTOBER 10 FROM THE EDITOR

58 FROM OUR READERS

Regrets

Bedtime stories

Just grand

I’ve had a few. But only one worth mentioning.

Reading calms kids down, but it does so much more.

Nana and Papa, you light up our lives like no one else!

12 CHATTER

22 #ADULTING

The Okee Dokees are back with a soundtrack for winter!

Planning for the unthinkable (disability and death) is wise.

14 BUMP, BIRTH AND BABY

24 ON BEHAVIOR

It’s tough being Daddy when Mama seems like the favorite.

When kids let out emotions, don’t hurry to dismiss them.

16 THE UNCENSORED TODDLER

26 IN THE KITCHEN

Don’t overthink the education of toddlers.

Turn boring old hotdogs into cute Halloween treats!

18 SCHOOL DAYS

28 BOOKSHELF

Get kids learning at home — without them realizing it!

Feline fans, these cute and creative tales are for you.

Hygge tunes

Outranked

Laissez-faire

Sneaky smarts

8

20 WORLD’S OKAYEST MOM

October 2018 • mnparent.com

Tough stuff

& About 52 Out CA L E N DA R

No filter

Mummified!

Cattitude

46 Education L ISTIN G S

mnparent.com • October 2018

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FROM THE EDITOR mnparent.com

PUBLISHER Janis Hall jhall@mnparent.com SALES MANAGER AND CO-PUBLISHER Terry Gahan tgahan@mnparent.com GENERAL MANAGER Zoe Gahan zgahan@mnparent.com EDITOR Sarah Jackson editor@mnparent.com CONTRIBUTORS John Alexander, Megan Devine, Katie Dohman Ed Dykhuizen, Elizabeth Hamburger Shannon Keough, Bob Lawrence Lauren Robbins, Kaitlin Ungs Amanda Webster, Jen Wittes, Tracy Walsh CREATIVE DIRECTOR Valerie Moe vmoe@mnparent.com SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER Micah Edel GRAPHIC DESIGNER Kaitlin Ungs CLIENT SERVICES Delaney Patterson 612-436-5070 • dpatterson@mnparent.com CIRCULATION Marlo Johnson 612-436-4388 • distribution@mnparent.com ADVERTISING 612-436-4360 • sales@mnparent.com 45,000 copies of Minnesota Parent are printed monthly, available at 1,100 locations: mnparent.com/racks Go to mnparent.com/subscribe to get this magazine mailed to your home for $18 a year.

Minnesota Parent (ISSN 0740 3437) is published monthly by Minnesota Premier Publications.

POSTMASTER send address changes to: MINNESOTA PARENT, 1115 Hennepin Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55403.

Minnesota Parent is copyright 2018 by Minnesota Premier Publications. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. Address all material to address above.

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October 2018 • mnparent.com

A teachable moment W

hat’s at the top of your parenting regrets list?

I’ve had 10 years now to second-guess all my mama moves and the list feels pretty long.

Most of the time, I cut myself some slack and allow that this journey is a human one — and therefore imperfect.

But as I was editing this Education Issue — our annual edition focused on the art and science of early learning in the modern age — I was struck by so many things I’d do differently if life were to rewind.

This issue has made me question where my son went to preschool, how much reading we did every night and the number of educational outings we had.

Oddly, however, the one thing that stands out from all the others isn’t about academics, but about how Photo by Tracy Walsh / tracywalshphoto.com I handled my wee one’s emotions, especially during those early days.

In our On Behavior column this month, the authors — two accomplished family therapists — share the best way to help toddlers process their constantly exploding/ escalating/earth-shattering feels.

“Our culture often teaches children to ‘get over it’ or ‘suck it up.’ These adult responses to kids’ emotions often come from the adult’s own discomfort with emotional expression and desire to get the child to follow directions or ‘behave.’” Ahem.

Yep, when my son was a little, I failed to fully control my own emotions — and didn’t make room for his either. I just felt victimized because he was being such a toddler.

This all became painfully clear to me one night during a gnarly bedtime battle. My son and I were feeding off each other’s frustration, as per usual, when my then-husband said: “Remember, YOU’RE the adult.”

Oh my god, I thought. I am. And for some reason, that was all it took. From that moment on, I realized it was insane to expect my son to get his raw emotions under control when I wasn’t even able to do it!

Gradually, as the years went on, I improved dramatically in my reactions to my child and realized I had to be a leader for him — not so much a rule setter or an enforcer, but a role model, showing him, through my own actions, This is how we do it. (See how this strategy is playing out in the early education programs featured in this issue.)

To this day, I strive to be someone my son should imitate. But now that he’s moving swiftly into the tween years, I’m realizing my time is almost up (hence the regrets).

At this point, I’m hoping the wise words of those therapists can still guide me: “Be sure that your reaction isn’t fueled by anger, frustration or embarrassment.

Be clear, consistent and compassionate. Make no threats. The goal message is: How you’re feeling is OK; the behavior choice is not.”

After all, if my son can cope with his own enormous emotions throughout his life, it probably won’t matter how amazing he is at reading, writing and arithmetic.

He’ll be able to handle anything.

Sarah Jackson, Editor

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CHATTER

A new CD!

Fans of the Okee Dokee Brothers, rejoice!

Speaking of the North, 10 percent of all

the album: Jovial songs like Ice Fishin’

new-CD sales and ticket sales from the

Shack, Blankets of Snow and North Country

with a new album after a two-year hiatus —

CD-release concerts in St. Paul on Nov. 3 will

Dance Band serve as fitting tributes to real

following the third release in their Adventure

go to Askov Finlayson’s Keep the North Cold

life in Minnesota, along with more introspec-

Album Series, Saddle Up, which followed

climate-solutions initiative.

tive songs like Candle (about birth), New

Justin Lansing and Joe Mailander are back

Can You Canoe? and Through the Woods.

What’s the theme? Winter!

No, this album isn’t based on an epic

And that’s not the only local connection to

Year (life), Great Grandmother Tree (death).

Fans will find many toe-tapping gems among the 16 original songs — including

adventure to a specific region. (Mailander,

Howl (inspired by the best buds’ dogsledding

who lives in Minneapolis, was busy after all,

trip to the Boundary Waters) and the rowdy,

welcoming his first-born son into the world.

fiddle-forward Keep Me Warm — in which

Meanwhile, Lansing, who lives in Denver, got

the duo somehow manage to deliver lines

married in Nepal.)

Winterland, set for an Oct. 19 release, is a celebration of all things cold and, you might even say, hygge, the Scandinavian term for cozy contentment, especially when it’s icy and dark.

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October 2018 • mnparent.com

like, “Wrap me up and give me a hug.

Keep me snug as a bug in rug,” while still sounding cool.

Yep, the Okee Dokees are back.

Bring on the snow!

Learn more at okeedokee.org.

The ultimate shower gift

Have you heard of Minny & Paul?

This virtual “gifting studio” — the brainchild of Minnesota native Laura Roos — offers curated gift boxes featuring locally made products.

Now, in addition to boxes with themes like Dapper, Treat, Couple and Zen, there’s a brand new addition — the Baby Bird box ($128).

Each box includes a pair of iconic mini Minnetonka moccasins (!), a swaddle blanket and hat from Colored Organics, a teether from Senn & Sons, balm from Worker B, a plush bunny from Manhattan Toy Company and a keepsake card from artist Cait Courneya — all based in Minneapolis!

See minnyandpaul.com.

mnparent.com • October 2018

13

Jen Wittes

BUMP, BIRTH AND BABY

Say … ‘Dada!’ make their presence known. This will help solidify the bond after birth.

Dads also have top-notch kangaroo-care skills. Skin-on-skin with the father is a different experience than with the mother.

A strong, warm, somewhat hairy chest provides a different kind of nap. Mom’s chest is often seen as a 24-hour all-youcan-eat buffet.

Dad is often Baby’s first playmate. With Mom soothing tears and answering cues of hunger and loneliness, Dad is often at his best during Baby’s quiet alert time. Baby will mimic Dad if he sticks out his tongue.

She will “chatter” back to him.

By reading and singing and playing, Dad is a top contender for Baby’s first laugh.

He’s her window to the world, showing and telling and exploring in healthy opposition to Mom’s biological tendency to pull close.

Dad’s biggest job.

F

or Baby’s first year, maybe two, Mom is tops. She’s often the ultimate source of comfort, familiarity, food and life. She is the universe.

In a typical mother-father pregnancyto-birth family structure, Dad might find it hard to compete with the fact that Mom’s body, which was a home to Baby, now serves as an oxytocin-laden food source. Her heartbeat was Baby’s lullaby; her voice and womb-whoosh were Baby’s primordial soundtracks.

Though fathers typically love seeing the birth of a mother alongside the birth of

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October 2018 • mnparent.com

their baby — and more often revere her place of importance rather than covet it — it’s understandable that fathers also struggle with finding a proper place in Baby’s world.

Dad is rad.

Though Mom’s voice is the dinner bell that turns Baby’s head, Dad’s voice is familiar, too. In fact, the deeper tones of Dad’s voice provide a different kind of comfort to a newborn.

I encourage expectant fathers to talk to the belly, sing through the pregnancy and

You may think it’s changing diapers.

What’s the magic spell Mom uses to ensure that poop explosions always happen in his arms?

Diaper duty is important, but your most important job as the father is to support Mom. Yes, you’re tired too.

Yes, your life has been turned upside down. Sure. However, the hormonal roller coaster that Mom is on, mixed with recovery from pregnancy and childbirth, is on a different level.

The glass of water quietly placed on the bedside table while she nurses. Doing the dishes. Organizing her magazines.

Ordering her favorite pizza. Protecting her right to sanctuary — the shower. These things make her who she is. These things

Where young animal lovers get involved.

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animalhumanesociety.org/education

EXERCISE PREGNANCY STUDY The University of Minnesota is seeking women who are currently less than 20 weeks pregnant to participate in a research study examining the effect of exercise and wellness on mood following childbirth.

bring the happy tears. You’re the foundation on which she builds Baby’s universe — vibrant, glorious and well-hydrated.

You’re on deck.

We’ve talked about how Dad supports Mom and Baby, with the voice and the chest and the universe-restoring healthy snacks. The BEST part of being a Dad comes next, beyond the baby years. In the toddler years, Dad is a hero, a pony ride, a comedian, a rock star. Mom is still key, but Dad will get a turn on stage — answering the whys, building the treehouse, scooping ice cream (liberally).

Pops, enjoy the spotlight!

ESTUDIO SOBRE EL EJERCICIO DURANTE EL EMBARAZO La Universidad de Minnesota está buscando mujeres con menos de 20 semanas de embarazo para participar en el estudio de investigación que examina los efectos del ejercicio y la salud del estado de ánimo posterior al parto

• Program delivered to you via the mail and phone

• Programa ejecutado vía correo o teléfono

• Must be 18 years of age or older

• Debe ser mayor o igual a 18 años de edad

• Must not currently exercise regularly

• No debe hacer ejercicio regularmente

• Must not take antidepressants

• No debe tomar antidepresivos

• You will receive $100 & a FitBit for your time (you will be allowed to keep the FitBit after the study is over)

• Usted recibirá $100 y un FitBit por su tiempo (será permitido quedarse con el FitBit después de la culminación del estudio)

• Program can be delivered in English or Spanish

• Debe considerarse de bajos ingresos, lo cual se define como:

• Must be considered low-income, defined as: - Enrollment in any government assisted program (e.g., WIC, SNAP) AND/OR - Annual income that is considered low (less than $45,510 for a family of four, less than $30,044 for a family of two, and less than $22,311 if single).

English: Call or TEXT to 612-345-0325 or mompro@umn.edu to see if you qualify for this research study.

- Inscripta en cualquier programa asistencial del gobierno (por ejemplo, WIC, SNAP) Y/O - Ingresos anuales considerados como bajos (menos de $ 45,510 para una familia de cuatro, menos de $ 30,044 para una familia de dos y menos de $ 22,311 si es soltera).

Español: Llamada o TEXTO 612-237-1004 o mompro@umn.edu para ver si califica para éste estudio.

Jen Wittes is a marketing director, writer, certified postpartum doula and mom of two living in St. Paul.

U of M - Kinesiology Dept MNP 0318 S3.indd 2

2/14/18 11:13 AM

mnparent.com • October 2018

15

Shannon Keough

THE UNCENSORED TODDLER

They’ll figure it out B

ack when I was a new mother with a cute little baby, I was happy — but also, sometimes, just a little bit bored.

And like many people, when I’m bored I tend to start daydreaming about an imaginary future.

In my make-believe future with my toddler-to-be, I thought about all the educational, life-affirming things we would do together. I pictured myself leading her on contemplative nature hikes through the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary. I visualized us snuggled up on the couch as I read her the entire back catalog of William Steig. (Excellent Steig offerings include Amos and Boris, Sylvester and the Magic Pebble and so many more.)

I imagined traveling with her to far-away lands to soak up foreign languages and culture.

This is all well and good, of course. But let’s be honest — many of these starry-eyed fantasies about my toddler’s edification probably had a little something to do with my own neuroses. When you’ve destroyed your body, sidelined your career and alienated most of your friends, fantasies like these can give the toddler parenting experience a little more meaning.

What is educated?

But we must be careful. How many of us have met a “well-rounded” child — a kid who, for example, attends Mandarinimmersion daycare, takes hip-hop dance classes and spends his idle time at the science museum — who was, shall we say, lacking in some of the social graces?

Because after all, “lacking in social graces” is an important entry in the definition of what it means to be a toddler.

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Toddlers are, by nature, self-centered and brutally honest. These qualities can make them cruel. But they don’t know any better! It’s our job to teach them.

Now that I’ve made it through the toddler stage with two separate children, I’ve simplified my approach to the education of toddlers. I’ve broken it down into two guiding principles: • Stay safe(ish).

• Let them figure it out.

Let’s dig into the principles a bit more:

Stay safe(ish).

Initially, I’d planned to urge all readers to teach their kids how to swim. Unfortunately, all my assumptions about the

benefits of swimming lessons were proven woefully wrong when I read an article by Melinda Wenner Moyer titled Swim Lessons Won’t Keep Your Toddler from Drowning. Say what?

“Swimming programs for youngsters under 4 shouldn’t really be considered a drowning-prevention strategy,” said Barbara Morrongiello, a professor at the University of Guelph in Canada who studies parent safety practices and drowning prevention.

In short, the article argues (persuasively) that kids don’t learn the kind of skills they need to survive a near-drowning in your average swimming class.

Most parents don’t realize this, however.

And the idea that their kids “know how to

swim” can instill a false confidence in parents and children alike, thereby creating a greater risk for drowning.

The only effective way to prevent drowning? Watch your kids around water.

All the time, like a hawk. This is one area where you want to helicopter.

Other valid areas of overprotection — anything car related.

Many other areas? Just make sure they’re safe(ish). In other words, give them room to explore —and maybe even mess up/get hurt a little — but always be available to provide help and guidance.

Let them figure it out.

It’s my opinion that we’re doing our children a favor every time we let them work through challenges. You know when your toddler gets into it with another kid over a toy or whose “turn” it is to wave the hockey stick around or whatever?

I’ve noticed that parents are always leaping in to intervene: “Mason, honey, no!

TODDLER STUFF

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We share, remember? Give Lena a turn.”

In these situations, I can usually be found on the sidelines, studiously ignoring the argument. If it’s getting violent or my kid is being a serious jerk, I’ll intervene. But otherwise? I let them figure it out. It can take nerves of steel to keep your mouth shut — especially when your kid’s behavior might be reflecting poorly on you — but I think it’s a smart move in the long run.

Look ahead to that imaginary future

again. Now your toddler is all grown up, going off to college — and she’s forgotten her phone charger.

Who do you want to be? The parent who is expected to drive the charger at her earliest convenience all the way to St. Cloud? Or the parent who never hears a word about it, because your child has learned to figure it out? You decide.

Shannon Keough lives in St. Paul with her husband and two children. Send questions or comments to skeough@mnparent.com.

mnparent.com • October 2018

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Enriching learning at home as well as variety of papers, and play-dough.

We also use this space for craft, science and construction kits. Having this space defined in our home also eliminates the stress associated with mess.

Open-ended playthings can stimulate a child’s creativity and imagination, and can help your child develop skills while having fun. (Our favorites are LEGOs, Magformers and Playmobil sets.)

Simple strategy games like Connect Four, Quirkle, checkers and chess can exercise both sides of the brain and boost creativity and memory.

A

s a kindergarten teacher and mother of four school-age children, I often find myself capitalizing on natural learning opportunities and teachable moments outside of school.

There are many simple, yet important ways we, as parents, can cultivate enriching pockets of time with our children — at home, in the outdoors or on-the-go — to promote social-emotional, physical and/or academic growth:

Read for pleasure.

This might sound like a no-brainer, but this simple act, which is so beneficial, can easily be pushed to the wayside in the fullness of family life. Reading for pleasure (reading something of your choice and of high interest) can exercise your imagination and creativity as well as improve literacy.

For younger children, reading for pleasure often takes place in the comfort of a loving adult’s lap. As children grow and become independent readers themselves, we can nurture their literacy development by encouraging and cultivating habits of

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October 2018 • mnparent.com

reading at home. Remember, we all get good at what we practice.

The Center for Children’s & Young Adult Literature encourages parents to let their kids “catch” them reading. Children look to adults as role models for reading in addition to everything else. If they see the adults in their lives valuing and enjoying reading, they’ll be predisposed to emulate that behavior and become readers, too!

You might have to shift some current habits (for yourself and your children) to make time to read for pleasure if you aren’t already doing so. Consider swapping out 30 minutes of TV, video games or scrolling social media feeds in exchange for time reading books or magazines from your local library.

Create and play.

Feed your child’s creativity by providing simple, open-ended art supplies and materials. At our house, we have an “art table” where our children enjoy open access to pens, pencils, crayons, markers, scissors, tape, a stapler, paints, glue (and a glue gun)

Make music.

Our family has found tremendous value in music lessons for our children. Our two eldest (ages 13 and 11) take weekly guitar lessons, which provide both enrichment and an outlet for creativity. I love watching and listening to my children play the guitar. I also learn from them when they share their learning with me. My younger children have access to simple instruments (a harmonica, bongos, ukulele and our most recent addition — a toy accordion), which encourage playfulness and curiosity.

Get outside.

Nature abounds with opportunity for discovery and wonder. When children play outdoors, it’s good for both their mental and physical health and offers boundless opportunities for learning.

Studies show that spending time outdoors each day can help both children and adults boost creativity and focus, while improving mood and self-esteem.

With winter weather approaching, consider my tips for getting your child

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Project inspiration

I highly recommend this new book by Patty Palmer, the founder of the Deep Space Sparkle site and the creator of The Sparkle Club, an online community of teachers around the world. Draw, Paint, Sparkle: Creative Projects from an Elementary Art Teacher features 25 kid-tested lessons in drawing and painting, all geared toward ages 5 to 10. — Megan Devine

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(and you!) comfortably outdoors this winter at mnparent.com/thrive.

Learning on the go.

You can also schedule special educational outings, such as visits to the library or special programs. Don’t overlook slightly bigger-ticket activities, including concerts or visiting a children’s museum, discovery center or historical site. (Check out Minnesota Parent’s awesome event calendar for upcoming activities suited for families at mnparent.com/calendar.)

These, as well as more common outings, such as running errands or eating at a restaurant, give children opportunities to practice manners and other important social skills with positive guidance, support and modeling.

Remember, you are your child’s most important teacher!

Megan Devine is an elementary school teacher who lives with her husband and four school-age children in Northeastern Minnesota. She blogs at kidsandeggs.com.

Especially for Children MNP 0218 V2.indd 1

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mnparent.com • October 2018

19

Katie Dohman

WORLD’S OKAYEST MOM

A love letter to reading M

y childhood bedroom windows faced south and east, and in the spring, our lilac bushes bloomed and the apple tree blossomed. The breeze would blow, carrying a heady, sweet-spicy smell through my window and over my blueand-white gingham comforter. I laid my freshly washed, braided hair across my flannelly Care Bears pillowcase. I was nestled into a blue silky nightgown with puff shoulders, which my grandma custom-made for me.

When I read that back, it makes it sound as though I lived in the lap of luxury.

But the gift I really got wasn’t a Princess and the Pea childhood, unless you count when my mom read that book, borrowed from the library, aloud to me. The gift was learning to run away in my mind.

I faintly remember sitting on my dad’s lap, watching TV, and seeing the paperdelivery person thwap an evening edition of that day’s news on our front step.

Printed in a large, orange-red block-letter font were the letters “PM,” which meant there would be some stories and pictures to dive into with him.

I remember The Electric Company sounding out words on the screen and pushing the syllables together to make a

MOM STUFF

word. I remember the Letters of the Day on Sesame Street. Mr. Rogers encouraged tending to the garden of your mind. My mom and I read poems, short stories, picture books, chapter books. We laughed and wiped tears and I begged for more books, more chapters, more library visits.

She always indulged.

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October 2018 • mnparent.com

Meaning: My first brushes with education were not at a fancy preschool with a waiting list. (Though, hey! Nothing wrong with those!) The older I get, the more I realize what a privilege it was to learn to read on the laps of my parents: They set me up for a lifetime love of learning by helping me translate 26 symbols into rich, cinematographic brain-movies.

Experts say early exposure — before age 5 — is the most intense time of brain development. Whew. My daughter, Ruby, is 5½. That’s intense pressure. The window is closed in this already too-fast, too-precious timeframe. Of course I think my daughter is brilliant, but I can’t help but think: Did I expose her to enough material? Did I make it fun? And then there are my boys — 3½ and 1½.

When we finish reading and they ask for one more, I almost never say no.

Am I doing my due diligence to download the love of learning from the motherboard by the time they enter kindergarten?

When I get worried about this, as I’m wont to do, I think about bedtime.

Bedtime is always a circus at our house, with three high-octane kids. We’re trying to teach them good skills for winding down at the end of the day. And BLESS ALL YE WHO ENTER HERE and try to get away with NOT READING A BOOK before bed. Each kid picks one to two books, and Ruby is moving into chapter books, a chapter or two a night.

When we finish reading and they ask for one more, I almost never say no. They snuggle in closer, point to the pictures, ask questions. Ruby begs for another chapter, to find out what happens next to Nelly the Monster Sitter. As I turn the pages, they entwine their arms around mine, their heads growing increasingly heavy on my shoulders.

That’s when I know I’ve done something right. They want to turn the pages, be close and learn something. Inhabit another world. To me, that’s just about the best education you can get.

Katie Dohman lives in West St. Paul with her three kids, three pets, and one husband.

She loves them all a lot, which is good, because she can’t remember the last time she finished a book of her own.

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mnparent.com • October 2018

21

Bob Lawrence

#ADULTING

Planning for the unthinkable could be a challenge to pay for your mortgage, car and household expenses.

It’s important to have a plan in place so that you’re financially secure in the event you’re unable to work due to a health issue.

I help people plan for life issues like these all the time. Here are a couple of common responses I hear and some important questions you should consider in order to gauge your fiscal preparedness and risk comfort level: “I have disability coverage through my work benefits.”

• Does my coverage fit my personal needs?

• How long does my coverage last?

• Is the money I receive subject to income tax?

• Am I still covered if I’m laid off or temporarily unemployed?

“I’ll file for Social Security disability if I can’t work.”

W

hat are your big financial goals?

Most people are saving for something. Whether it’s retirement, college, a cabin or something else, the key component to achieving your goal is your income.

And what’s your plan to ensure your income continues if you (or your partner) become ill or die prematurely?

Injury or illness Recent statistics show that one in four people will not be able to work due to a

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October 2018 • mnparent.com

disability at some point in their career. And the average disability lasts 34 months. To make matters worse, half of working adults couldn’t make it a month before financial difficulties set in.

Most of the time, dealing with a disability is only temporary. But the financial burden that comes with not being able to work for a period of time can be detrimental in the long term.

It may be a matter of putting bigger financial goals on the backburner, or it

• How long can I go without receiving wages? A large percentage of social security disability claims are denied upon their first application. It can take months or longer to get approved. During that waiting period, you’ll have to pay your bills out of pocket.

Premature death Your family likely counts on your income.

If you die prematurely, your dependents will be left to shoulder the financial burden of your funeral costs, which average between $7,000 and $10,000, plus the cost

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Wooddale Academy MNP 0118 12.indd 1 12/11/17 Pine 3:46Tree PM Orchards MNP 0911 12.indd 1 8/15/11 11:12 AM This financial risk can be eliminated by Parents, have you having the right plan in place. Having life insurance that’s tailored to your financial named guardians needs can help you make sure your family is for your kids? taken care of under trying circumstances.

Most people would like to be able to pay off any debt and have their partner’s Complimentary income replaced until their children are Estate Planning out of the house. The amount of Consultation coverage you need is pretty easy to (normally $179) calculate. There are many different Book online at: resources available to figure out a plan www.lauraecowanlaw.com/ getting-started that’s right for you and how much the or give us a call premium might cost.

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There is no one-size-fits-all solution for this kind of life planning.

Lifehappens.org is a resource that’s backed by insurance professionals and designed to get consumers started on planning. It includes a life insurance needs calculator and tips for assessing your situation.

Ultimately, consulting with your life and health insurance providers can help you put a plan in place to give you the peace of mind of knowing you’re prepared for whatever life throws at you.

Bob Lawrence is a State Farm agent in St. Paul working with clients in Minnesota and Wisconsin. He is the proud papa of two teenagers. Learn more at bobongrand.com.

9/12/18 11:35 AM

Think your child can’t draw like this?

Think again.

Call or go online for Class Information Catherine Yanish, Age 11

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mnparent.com • October 2018

23

Lauren Robbins and Elizabeth Hamburger

ON BEHAVIOR

Helping children navigate big emotions W

e all, adults and children, have big emotions. The only difference is children have no filter when it comes to determining the best way to express what they’re feeling in the moment, which may result in unwanted behavior.

Our culture often teaches children to “get over it” or “suck it up.” These adult responses to kids’ emotions often come from the adult’s own discomfort with emotional expression and desire to get the child to follow directions or “behave.”

But emotions are healthy and important! Our goal is to acknowledge the emotion — while shifting the behavior.

Manage your expectations.

Children might not understand why they feel a certain way. Their emotional expression and resulting behavior comes from an automatic response.

The prefrontal cortex of the brain, which is not fully developed until about age 26, is what we need to be able to think through and predict the consequences of our behaviors.

This is why it’s often impossible to reason with a child in the heat of the moment.

So how do we get the behavioral change we’re looking for? First, it’s important to manage our own emotional reactions.

Be sure that your reaction isn’t fueled by anger, frustration or embarrassment. Choose a response you can sustain over and over. Be clear, consistent and compassionate.

Make no threats. And if you give

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October 2018 • mnparent.com

a consequence, it must be immediate and not punitive. The goal message is: How you’re feeling is OK; the behavior choice is not.

Emotions are acceptable.

Your role as parent is to model, teach and help. When you demonstrate your own emotional regulation, you teach your child that emotions are OK. Children experience acceptance of who they are when their emotions are deemed acceptable.

That doesn’t mean you have to accept the behavior that comes along with the emotion. Help your child calm down by saying: “It’s OK that you feel [sad, angry, disappointed], but it’s not OK to [hit, bite, scream].”

Then, when the negative emotion has subsided, redirect to the behavior that’s desired.

One of the best things we can teach children about emotions is that while they might feel big or intense, they often subside quickly.

When we name emotions and give them the attention they demand, they usually don’t last long. Help your child tolerate the experience of emotions rather than running from them.

Attention equals love.

Children experience love through attentive listening and physical contact.

Because attention equals love, they’ll do just about anything for it.

HOW TO REACT TO BIG FEELINGS • Acknowledge the emotion/name it.

• Give physical touch to soothe.

• Give attention to the desired behavior.

• Use non-verbal communication to express your expectations.

WHAT NOT TO SAY • You’re fine/OK. • You’re a big boy/girl.

• What’s wrong with you?

• Stop it.

Learn more XOXO: An Exhibit About Love & Forgiveness is now open at Minnesota Children’s Museum in St. Paul and includes hands-on activities to help kids explore emotions. Learn more at mcm.org.

If “bad” behavior gets them attention, you can bet they’ll continue to do it!

Kids are smart this way. If kicking and screaming gets Mom to buy me that toy to make me be quiet, I sure am going to do it again! This is the brain of a child.

Adults — due to their own discomfort with emotions, feeling overwhelmed with their child’s behavior or exhausted with yet another tantrum — may move away from the child, ignore or try to distract the child to make it stop.

This behavior is likely to increase the duration of the “outburst.”

In these situations, stop what you’re doing, get down on the child’s level and offer a hug. You might also say, “I am here when you’re ready.”

When you do this, you’re modeling for your child that it’s acceptable to have a big feeling. When you stay calm and show compassion, you provide the space for your child to recalibrate after an intense emotional experience. It’s at this point that real behavior change can happen.

Lauren Robbins, a licensed professional clinical counselor, and Elizabeth Hamburger, a licensed marriage and family therapist, operate Wild Tree Psychotherapy, which provides holistic counseling services focused on mind-body wellness for children, teens and adults in St. Paul and White Bear Lake. mnparent.com • October 2018

25

IN THE KITCHEN

26

YUMMY MUMMIES October 2018 • mnparent.com

Lay a solid foundation of protein in your kids’ tummies — before trick-or-treating — with these whimsical mummies. They take time, of course (about 45 minutes).

But at least they don’t require Pinterest-worthy pastry-chef skills.

INGREDIENTS 1 8-ounce can refrigerated crescent dinner roll dough 2½ slices American cheese, cut into 10 strips (optional) 10 hot dogs, fully drained and patted dry Mustard or ketchup

DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Unroll the dough and create four rectangles, pressing the diagonal perforations together. (Alternately, you can use a crescent dough sheet, cut into four rectangles.)

Cut each rectangle lengthwise (using a pizza cutter) into 10 pieces, making a total of 40 thin strips of dough.

Wrap four strips of dough (mummy style) around each hot dog (plus a 1/4 slice of cheese, if using), stretching the dough slightly as you wrap.

Separate the bandages about 1/2 inch from one end of each hot dog, so a space shows through to create a face.

Bake the wrapped hot dogs (cheese side down) for 13 to 17 minutes or until dough is light golden brown.

Dot eyes on the faces with mustard or ketchup and serve.

Source: Adapted from Pillsbury.com.

See a time-lapse video of the recipe at tinyurl.com/pillsbury-mummies.

mnparent.com • October 2018

27

Kaitlin Ungs

BOOKSHELF

The cat’s meow

We’ve found the paw-fect way to entertain your little animal lovers, including some of the cutest books of the year, plus two stories by local authors and a cat-lover classic to boot.

Little Fox has all the best dance moves, so Big Cat tries to be exactly like Little Fox before the big dance party. But it simply doesn’t work, even when Big Cat paints her bushy tail. Fortunately, Little Fox figures out a winning solution for Big Cat in this tale from Minneapolis-based author Cheryl Stephani, who was inspired her own Maine Coon cat’s backyard shenanigans.

Ages 2–5 • $17.95

In this tall tale for true cat lovers, originally published in 1928, a man sets out to find the prettiest cat for his wife and ends up bringing back “hundreds of cats, thousands of cats, millions and billions and trillions of cats.”

Ages 2–5 • $8.99

These nearly identical kitties — living as neighbors in the big city — are friends from afar. One day, when they accidentally switch places, their kid owners must do some serious sleuthing to solve the case of their misbehaving cats!

Ages 2–5 • $17.95

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October 2018 • mnparent.com

New French Immersion Early Childhood Center TODDLER • PRESCHOOL PRE-K • KINDERGARTEN Visit our website to choose the program that meets your needs. www.thefrenchacademie.org • 952-944-1930

Get in the Halloween spirit with an independent little witch named Margaret, who accidentally conjures a horde of cats, who turn out to be a lot of fun, but also oodles of work! Exceptionally playful and gorgeously drawn, this story

by Minneapolis-based author-illustrator E. Dee Taylor is one to enjoy all year long.

French American School MNP 1018 H6.indd 3

9/12/18 9:34 AM

Ages 4–8 • $16.99

Register today 5K run/walk and 11K run

Make counting — and even early math concepts — fun with stacks of cute, cartoony kitties (reminiscent of the cat-collecting game Neko Atsume). Heads up: Birds in Balance by the same author comes out this month.

Age 1 and up • $14.95 mnparent.com • October 2018

29

A road map for reading Not all kids just pick up this incredibly key skill.

In fact, if your child has a reading disability, it can take a lot of extra effort. Hereʼs where to start.

M

any parents believe that learning to read is a natural process, as inherently human as learning to talk.

If you simply read to your child daily from birth to pre-K, teach your child her letters and expose her to oodles of books, she’ll pick up enough reading readiness for kindergarten.

Unfortunately, science begs to differ.

According to a September 2018 report from American Public Media — Hard Words: Why aren’t kids being taught to read?

— research has repeatedly revealed that reading doesn’t come naturally.

“The human brain isn’t wired to read.

Kids must be explicitly taught how to connect sounds with letters — phonics,” the authors wrote. “But many educators don’t know the science and, in some cases, actively resist it. As a result, millions of kids are being set up to fail.”

If your child has a suspected reading disability, this mindset can be particularly

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October 2018 • mnparent.com

challenging — if not destructive — to your child’s academic future.

For guidance on this issue, we turned to John Alexander, the executive director at Groves Academy in St. Louis Park.

Groves is Minnesota’s only established school for students with learning disabilities, such as dyslexia and attention disorders. It’s also a nationally renowned center for literacy — including instruction, education and advocacy.

Alexander, who writes and speaks regularly about reading disabilities, has created a road map for parents of children with suspected reading disabilities.

Here it is, condensed slightly for space: What can I do to help my child?

The most important thing you can do for a child with a suspected reading disability is to become his ardent advocate. This often requires becoming an expert in the subject through extensive reading and

research. You’ll need enough information to persuade school administrators that you know the law, understand reading and know what your child needs to get back on track.

The public school system, due to its sheer size and lack of funding, isn’t designed to meet the needs of every child.

To ensure your child receives what he needs, you must fight for him.

Parents in this situation often feel discouraged. You might feel like giving up.

But don’t.

Find a parent support group (in real life or on Facebook) or start one. There are other parents in your school who feel similarly. Join together and share stories.

Support each other.

Whatʼs a reading disability?

It’s the inability of a child, with otherwise good potential, to read fluently (with accuracy and appropriate pace) and/or with good comprehension.

The problem isn’t intelligence: We all have a limit to our cognitive capacity. If a child is spending an inordinate amount of mental energy trying to read words on the page, he won’t have enough mental capacity to take in the meaning of what

he’s reading. It’s critical that children reach a level of automaticity with decoding words so they have the mental energy for comprehension.

Reading disabilities are the most prevalent form of learning disability, accounting for about 80 percent of all learning disabilities.

Research from the National Center on Learning Disabilities suggests that one in five individuals is affected by the reading disability known as dyslexia.

Unfortunately, many educators don’t want to stigmatize children by labeling them with a learning disability, so they’re reluctant to recommend children for evaluations that might determine whether a child has a reading disability, another type of learning disability or an attention disorder.

Other educators mistakenly believe it’s a maturity issue and that the reading “light bulb” will go on when the child’s brain has sufficiently matured.

Many people believe dyslexia involves swapping similar letters such as Bs and Ds or Ps and Qs or even reading words backwards. Dyslexia, however, is actually an inability to assign the correct sounds to the abstract concepts of letters.

Students with dyslexia fall on a continuum: One can be mildly affected or significantly affected. The good news is that outcomes for dyslexic children are good, especially if problems are identified early and interventions started thereafter.

Both attitudes do a tremendous disservice to dyslexic children.

According to the National Institutes of Health, there’s only a 25 percent chance that a student with dyslexia will catch up in reading if the disorder isn’t addressed during the third grade or earlier.

According to the National Institutes of Health, there’s only a 25 percent chance that a student with dyslexia will catch up in reading if the disorder isn’t addressed during the third grade or earlier.

Why canʼt my child read?

Most students who struggle with reading have an issue with decoding, which is the effortless recognition of words. If they struggle with decoding, they’ll struggle with reading fluently, which is required for comprehension.

In general, there are two reasons for decoding issues. One is that a student doesn’t have a solid foundation of phonemic awareness, which is the ability to sequence, segment and manipulate sounds within words. If a child has poor

phonemic-awareness skills, it will be very difficult for him to understand how abstract visual representations (letters) correspond to certain sounds.

For example, the letter “C” usually is pronounced like “K” as found in the word “cat.” However, when the C is followed by I, E or Y, it’s pronounced as a “S” as in “city,” “cent” and “cycle.”

Phonics also includes word-attack strategies such as breaking words down into component syllables. For example, students learn that when there is a vowel-consonant-consonant-vowel construction — as in the word “splendid” — the word should be divided between the two medial consonants; thus “splendid” would be divided as such: “Splen/did.”

As students learn to decode individual words, they must also learn — and practice — oral reading of connected text to attain fluency, which encourages good comprehension.

Finally, even when students reach fluency, they may still struggle with reading if comprehension eludes them.

Comprehension can break down at various levels. Perhaps the student doesn’t understand important vocabulary from the passage; perhaps he’s not familiar with the structure of the written form: Is it a narrative (a story) or expository? If it’s expository text, what is its form? Cause and effect, persuasive, sequential, descriptive, comparison or problem-solution?

Perhaps he doesn’t have enough background information about the topic; or perhaps he’s a more literal thinker.

Just as with phonemic awareness, phonics and fluency need to be taught directly and systematically; vocabulary acquisition and the teaching of comprehension skills require the same approach. mnparent.com • October 2018

31

What are the signs of a reading disability?

In children, signs to watch for include: • Family history of dyslexia; • Late development of oral language; • Confusion with spatial directions (up, down, under, over); • Difficulty knowing the seasons or months of the year; • Difficulty rhyming or playing with words/language; • Trouble identifying letters of the alphabet by kindergarten; • Difficulty learning to read in first grade; can’t associate letters with sounds; • Tries to memorize words rather than knowing how to sound them out; • Remains fixed in the inventive-spelling stage; spelling doesn’t improve despite instruction; • Not interested in books, even being read to; • Behavior changes when starting school.

What should I do?

If your child has one or more of the above characteristics, you should have your child evaluated.

An evaluation includes a cognitive assessment — typically the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI) for children younger than 7 and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV) for ages 7 and older.

Your child also should have achievement tests in reading, including a testing of phonological processing; isolated real and nonsense words, sight words, connected text for fluency and reading comprehension.

The Woodcock-Johnson Achievement subtests of word identification and word attack are often used for isolated word reading. The Gray-Oral Reading Test is a good assessment for oral reading fluency.

The Gray-Silent Reading Test is a good measure for reading comprehension.

For younger students, the Gray-Oral may also be used for comprehension. Your child should also be given a spelling and written-language assessments.

A good evaluation will also include a math assessment, such as the math subtests of the Woodcock-Johnson tests.

If you suspect your child has a languageprocessing difficulty and/or an attention deficit disorder, you should request testing in these areas as well.

Where do I get an educational assessment?

You may request an educational assessment from your local public school at no cost. A sample letter requesting services from your school is available at grovesacademy.org/resources. Please feel free to individualize it for your child and your child’s school.

The school has 15 school days to present an evaluation meeting plan to you. You then have 15 school days to sign off on the plan or to offer revisions to the plan. Once you’ve signed off on the plan, the school has 30 school days to complete the evaluation and set up a meeting to discuss the creation of an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) — if your child qualifies for services.

You may also have your child evaluated privately. Typically a private evaluation is more thorough and the recommendations are more specific to the needs of your child. Depending upon the depth of the evaluation, costs can range from $1,000 to $3,000. (Check with your health insurance for possible coverage of this service.)

Be sure that the evaluator, usually an educational psychologist, has the proper credentials to give the cognitive assessment. To find a qualified evaluator, ask friends or do an internet search for an educational psychologist in your area.

We recommend interviewing a few to determine who would be a good fit for your child. (Editor’s note: Groves offers these services at a mid-range price.)

Most professionals who have an assessment business will provide you with a written report and a follow-up conference to discuss the

The human brain isn’t wired to read. Kids must be explicitly taught how to connect sounds with letters.

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October 2018 • mnparent.com

RESOURCES GROVES ACADEMY

DYSLEXIE

This private St. Louis Park school, founded in 1972, offers specialized services for students in grades 1–12 diagnosed with learning disabilities or attention disorders. The Learning Center at Groves is open to the public and offers fee-based tutoring, assessment/evaluation/diagnostic services, speech and language services, assistive technology and career counseling, plus classes for parents and the community. grovesacademy.org

Did you know there’s a font that was specifically invented to help people with dyslexia? You can install it on your electronic devices for free — and a variety of books feature the font as well. And the font’s not just for people with dyslexia: It reportedly helps all young readers “read faster, more easily and with fewer errors.” dyslexiefont.com

ORTON GILLINGHAM READING SPECIALISTS

This Upper Midwest Branch of this nonprofit organization covers Minnesota and the Dakotas and supports individuals with dyslexia and related, language-based learning disorders, as well as their families and educators. umw.dyslexiaida.org

This Edina-based company offers reading and spelling instruction to struggling readers as well as training and ongoing support for educators. ogreading.com

Wedge CoOp MNP 1018 H2.indd 1

DECODING DYSLEXIA MINNESOTA This grassroots organization works to raise dyslexia awareness and improve resources for students with dyslexia in Minnesota public schools. Members collaborated with the Minnesota Department of Education to create a 2015 informational guide for parents and teachers called Navigating the School System When a Student is Struggling with Reading or Dyslexia. decodingdyslexiamn.org

INTERNATIONAL DYSLEXIA ASSOCIATION

9/20/18 12:18 PM

mnparent.com • October 2018

33

FISH IN A TREE This emotionally charged and uplifting theater production — a world-premiere adaptation of the novel of the same name — highlights that great minds don’t always think alike. Sixth-grader, Ally, has been clever in covering up her inability to read. She feels her problem is hopeless — because how can you cure dumb?

Her newest teacher, Mr. Daniels, however, sees the bright and creative kid she hides and helps Ally see that her dyslexia is nothing to be ashamed of.

See it Oct. 5–28 at Stages Theatre Company, Hopkins. Admission is $14–$21. Learn more about this show — for ages 7 and up — at stagestheatre.org.

report; most will also want to meet with you before giving your child an assessment to learn more about your child.

If pre- and post-evaluation conferences and a written report aren’t part of a particular service’s practices, we recommend looking for another professional to conduct the assessment.

It’s critical that your child receive a comprehensive evaluation and that you receive a thorough written report detailing your child’s strengths and weaknesses with specific recommendations.

This document will be used to determine whether your child qualifies for services from your local public school.

Note: If you’re leaning toward having your child evaluated privately, check with the special education director at your local school to be sure that the school will accept test results from the individual or service you’re considering.

Whatʼs next?

If your child was evaluated at your local public school, the special education director should have called for an evaluation share meeting to discuss the testing results within 30 days of your signing the evaluation meeting plan.

This meeting often includes the writing

of the IEP and, if not, a separate IEP or 504 meeting is scheduled.

If you had the testing done privately, present the testing to the special education team at your local public school and request a date be scheduled for an IEP meeting.

To determine whether a student qualifies for special services, an IEP team will meet. The IEP team generally consists of the special education director, the child’s teacher(s), the parents, special education teacher(s) and any specialists such as speech and language therapists or occupational therapists.

The team will discuss the results of the testing and whether your child qualifies for special services. Factors such as IQ, test scores and other information will influence their decision. (You can learn more about the various models schools use — and the laws surrounding them — by reading the long version of this article at tinyurl.com/roadmap-groves.)

If you feel you’re not being heard when advocating for your child, you may want to consider retaining the services of an education advocate or an attorney who specializes in educational law. Sometimes this is what it takes to have your voice heard at the table.

Educators mistakenly believe it’s a maturity issue and that the reading “light bulb” will go on when the child’s brain has sufficiently matured.

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My child qualifies for services.

Now what?

If the IEP team determines that your child qualifies for special services, an IEP will be written detailing the specific goals and objectives his/her teachers will be helping him to meet during the course of the school year.

It’s very important that the goals and objectives are specific, measurable, realistic and relevant to your child’s disability.

If she qualifies for services due to a reading disability, we recommend you include reading goals that include progress in her reading achievement tests of more than one year.

For example, if your child is two years behind in reading, you’ll want to estab-

lish an annual goal of more than one year per year in school.

Otherwise, she’ll never close the gap between her reading level and grade level.

Students on an IEP should be given achievement tests annually to be sure they’re making adequate yearly progress. Annual achievement testing usually happens in the late winter through the spring.

An annual IEP meeting should be held after the testing has occurred. The purpose of the IEP meeting is to discuss progress towards the goals and objectives of the IEP as well as to

discuss the achievement testing results. The IEP team will then determine if the child continues to qualify for an IEP. If she does, the IEP will be changed to reflect new goals for the coming school year. If the child hasn’t made adequate progress, a new intervention/program should be explored.

It’s critical that — throughout the process of requesting testing and establishing an IEP — you become a strong advocate for your child.

School personnel are stretched thin and most special education departments carry very high caseloads. Often your child is just another child in need of services.

You might (or might not) receive the attention you feel your child deserves. Know your rights and fight for your child.

John Alexander is the executive director of Groves Academy in St. Louis Park.

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Creating community Two Twin Cities child-care providers are building a new kind of preschool culture for kids — and parents are loving it.

By Amanda Webster

mnparent.com • October 2018

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C

hoosing child care is an important decision for many families.

Parents want to know their children will be well taken care of by qualified people in a safe environment, ideally in close proximity to home or work.

These days, they’re also looking for top-quality early childhood education programming. After all, experts say the years before kindergarten are some of the most critical in all of child development!

Often the first decision parents must make on this front is to choose either a center or a home-based program.

While centers sometimes get criticized for being too institutional, families also adore them for their reliable staffing, curriculums and school-like atmospheres.

Meanwhile, home-based child-care programs get judged for being overly informal. But so many parents who choose them say they’d never give up the warm, personalized, family-like environment of home-based care.

Well, what if there were an option that could blend the best of both worlds?

Willow & Sprout

At Willow & Sprout in St. Anthony, 14 children per day, age 16 months to 5 years, attend preschool in a singlefamily home environment.

You might not notice anything special about the modest home that rests in the middle of a quiet residential street across from a cemetery. There are no lighted signs and there’s no parking lot either.

But each weekday, parents march up the walkway with their kids and help them hang their jackets and backpacks in a small front room before kissing them goodbye.

The children then spill into a sun-drenched living room to find a rotating collection of books and materials selected based on their interests.

Throughout the day they move from room to room. They might work on a play in a former bedroom, build race tracks in

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another or do somersaults on mats in the basement. They’ll eat lunch at the kitchen table and move to the backyard, where they’ll climb trees or tend the organic vegetable garden.

You won’t find a fluorescent light overhead or commercial vinyl underfoot.

Reggio Emilia

Willow & Sprout is the result of an eye-opening experience that the founder, Jen Johnson, had while working in a Swedish preschool through an exchange program in college.

The school was located in a set of row houses connected to each other internally.

“It was this long piece of property with these little intimate rooms,” Johnson said.

“I had never seen anything like it.”

But the setting wasn’t the only thing that resonated with Johnson.

The curriculum emphasized children’s autonomy and relationships in a way that seemed very different from what she’d experienced in America.

“The children were very regulated,” she said. “Teachers were really present with the children, and the children did not feel hurried.”

The whole experience had such a profound effect on Johnson that she wanted to create her own version of

It is a really unique model that families highly value. Families believe in it.

— Jen Johnson, Willow & Sprout, St. Anthony it here in the Twin Cities. In 2010, Willow & Sprout was born when Johnson purchased a house for the sole purpose of creating an in-home center for early childhood learning.

The curriculum at Willow & Sprout is influenced by the Reggio Emilia philosophy of early childhood education, which originated in a town of the same name in Italy after World War II. According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the driving force behind Reggio Emilia is the belief that “it is the child’s relationship with the parent, teacher and environment that ignites learning.”

Founder Loris Malaguzzi wrote in The Hundred Languages of Children, that

Willow & Sprout 3029 Wilson St. NE St. Anthony 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday through Friday Ages allowed: 16 months–5 years willowandsprout.com

youngsters aren’t educated from the top down, but rather from themselves, their relationships and their environment, which he deemed the “third teacher.”

After witnessing the calming effect of homelike environments on the children in Sweden, Johnson became convinced of the important role the physical environment plays in early childhood education.

Hoping to expand

Willow & Sprout’s licensing structure is also notable.

In Minnesota, there are two types of licensing for child cares — one for child-care centers and another for family child-care providers.

Differences include caps on the number of children that can be served (up to 14 in a home versus larger numbers in centers) and safety monitoring.

Willow & Sprout is unique in that it exists in an unoccupied residential home and is licensed as a center, which offers full-time and part-time schedules.

Johnson is allowed 14 students per day, a concession she accepted after finding a local municipality (St. Anthony) willing to work with her unique strategy when it came to zoning and licensing.

Johnson — who is married and has two older children, a senior in high school and a freshman in college — would like to expand her business model to other homes in the Twin Cities, not in small part due to a waitlist that is 150 kids long.

But most cities will need to allow special zoning arrangements, or even change laws about home-based child-care centers, to allow for the atypical — and increasingly sought-after — structure of her programming.

“It is a really unique model that families highly value,” Johnson said. “Families believe in it.”

When Kristin Blenkush first toured Willow & Sprout looking for child care for her daughter, she was skeptical of

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the center’s claim of being “a holistic early childhood community.”

“I thought ‘Really? This is what you do?

This is too much,’” she said.

But Blenkush was so enchanted with the environment — and how the children were respected and calm in their activities — she almost left her daughter there that very day.

At Willow & Sprout, the emphasis on relationships guides Johnson’s approach to discipline: Children don’t sit in time outs.

Instead, conflict is viewed by the teachers as an opportunity to develop socio-emotional skills. Instead of describing behavior as “bad,” “rude” or “naughty,” you might hear something like, “Walter’s having a hard time today and we’re going to help him work through it.”

Johnson, sharing part of the mission statement for Willow & Sprout, said: “We know children are inherently curious about the world around them and need space and time to discover it. We guide children through that process of discovery with patience, gentleness and a sense of wonder. We believe in celebrating the uniqueness of each child while nurturing a child’s sense of community.”

Today, Blenkush tears up as she considers the impact Willow & Sprout has had on her family.

“We never would have had the attitude toward childhood they have,” she said.

“And that’s been a huge benefit to our whole family. There’s nothing that can compare to that.”

What’s most important is how we speak to children and how we speak to each other.

Because more than anything, they’re imitators.”

— Renee Perrone, Green Earth Children’s Academy, Minneapolis

— the scent of lavender fills the air as parents and children squeeze into the modest porch during morning drop-off to take off coats and say goodbye.

A young tabby cat darts amongst the crowd in search of affection. He’s instantly scooped up by a pair of tiny hands. The children tickle his whiskers before spilling into the living room where they forage through bins of toys made with natural materials, such as wood, wool, silk and cotton. A guitar sits nearby ready for circle time while 14 children settle into their daily rhythm.

This is Green Earth Children’s Academy, which caters to ages 3 to 5 on weekday mornings.

Perrone, who has been licensed in family child care since 2010, boasts a background in Waldorf education, which emphasizes the role of imagination in learning.

But she draws on the latest research in child development, no matter the philosophy, to build her program.

At its core, her curriculum is focused on building community.

“One of the most important things that preschool-aged children need to learn,” she said, “is how to function in a group and how to function interdependently.”

Her approach to discipline, like Johnson’s, emphasizes social-emotional growth. The key, she said, is creating a group culture where everyone models appropriate behavior. Where every kid receives the message: “You are not bad. I know I can hold you up to something better.”

Perrone admits this takes time and patience. She dedicates several months each year to cultivating a culture of kindness and respect. She calls it “tucking in the corners,” and says it takes practice.

At every turn for the first few months

Green Earth Children’s Academy

Willow & Sprout isn’t the only place in the Twin Cities offering home-based child care with a focus on relationships, one’s environment and community.

Across town, in the Nokomis neighborhood of Minneapolis, is a small stucco house trimmed in green that serves kids — and also has a long waiting list.

Here — at the home of Renee Perrone

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Green Earth Children’s Academy 4115 26th Ave. S. Minneapolis 8:30 a.m.– 1 p.m. Monday through Friday Ages allowed: 3–5 greenearthpreschool.com

of the year, she and the other teachers repeatedly show children what appropriate behavior looks like. For example, they may repeat the phrase, “This is how we push in a chair,” while modeling the expected behavior.

“We try not to use language such as, ‘It is not OK to do that,’” Perrone said.

“Instead, we use positive discipline and say, ‘Let us do it this way.’ We use the word ‘we’ because children see themselves as a part of the whole and it is gentler to say, ‘We are all sitting down now,’ rather than, ‘It is not OK to stand up.’”

Perrone said the tone is gentle, positive, firm and effective.

“What’s most important,” she said, “is how we speak to children and how we speak to each other. Because more than anything, they’re imitators.”

This work is exhausting for the teachers, but the payoff is worth it. When November rolls around, the repetition is no longer necessary as the children come to understand what’s expected of them.

At Green Earth, there’s ample time for play. Children engage in art and music, tell stories and spend plenty of time outside. Each week, they help teachers bake bread or cook soup in the kitchen, developing math skills in the process. And throughout the year, families participate in festivals meant to strengthen the sense of community.

By the end of their time at Green Earth, it’s not uncommon for children to feel like they’ve found a second family in Perrone’s home.

Finding that sense of belonging isn’t just about feeling at home in the world, however, Perrone said. It’s also part of learning to contribute to a larger community, adding: “It is one of the most important things they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.”

Amanda Webster is a writer and photographer. She lives in Roseville with her husband and two kids.

Find her at amandawebsterwrites.com or kinderling.com.

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Photo by Amanda Webster

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October 2018 • mnparent.com

“LOOK AT THE FIREMEN!”

LANGUAGE LESSONS How word choice profoundly affects our children’s perceptions of the world

by Amanda Webster

a father says to his son, pointing toward a parking lot, where our local fire station is having an open house.

Sirens blare and children squeal as they climb colossal trucks and hoist heavy turnout gear onto their tiny bodies.

The man’s son, maybe 4 years old, leaps into the air.

“I wanna see the firemen!” He shouts.

“Hurry, hurry!”

The boy grabs his father’s hand and drags him toward the commotion.

Firewhat?

The firefighters are conducting a training exercise on one of the trucks. They’re indistinguishable from one another, dressed head-to-toe in uniform, including full face helmets.

I watch one of them approach the boy, who is jumping vigorously in place, his eyes eager and wide.

The firefighter kneels down and removes the helmet to reveal a cascade of long brown hair and a feminine face.

“Well, hello there,” she says.

The boy stops jumping. He tilts his head and squints, confused.

“But … you’re a woman.”

The woman’s body jerks at the unexpected response. She quickly regains composure and holds out her hand.

“Of course I’m a woman,” she says, her voice kind and forgiving.

The boy takes her hand, still cautious.

“A firewoman?” he says.

She winks at him. “We just call ourselves firefighters,” she says.

For the boy, this seems to satisfy. His feet start twitching and his questions turn to trucks and sirens and how much water it takes to put out a fire.

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Words matter So, what’s the big deal? Fireman, firefighter. It’s all the same, right?

Not necessarily.

Word choice, whether we realize it or not, profoundly affects our children’s perceptions of the world.

In this case, I’m sure the father wasn’t intentionally implying that only men could fight fires. But this is the impression the son had, regardless of his father’s intentions.

There’s nothing inherently wrong with the words “fireman,” “policeman” or “mailman.”

But a 2009 study found that children don’t associate those kinds of titles with women.

If the occupational titles we use in everyday language consistently exclude half the population, what happens when we innocently ask our daughters: “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

They have to sift through their limited experience to produce an answer that fits. If they can’t identify with a particular job title, what long-term effects might that have?

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October 2018 • mnparent.com

Different opportunities The Harvard Business Review recently analyzed the language used to describe men and women seeking funding for their businesses. They found unequivocal bias embedded in the language investors used to describe potential entrepreneurs.

While young men were described as having “potential,” young women were described as “inexperienced.” Men were seen as “cautious, sensible and levelheaded,” while women were “too cautious.” Men were “aggressive, but really good” while women were “enthusiastic, but weak.” Men were “competent” with “money to play with” while women were “good-looking and careless with money.”

The result? Less funding for female entrepreneurs.

“This isn’t only damaging for women entrepreneurs,” the authors of the study wrote. “It’s potentially damaging for society as a whole.”

Whether we like it or not, our word choice shapes the way we think about the world. And, in turn, affects the way our children see themselves in it.

Pretty? Smart?

From the boardroom to the bathroom to the clothes our kids wear, gender equity and even the concept of gender itself is a hot topic in today’s political climate. Sometimes it feels easier to throw our hands in the air and hope for the best when it comes to the way we talk to our kids.

But stereotypes abound and they create real consequences for our children, politics aside.

The words we use can reinforce those stereotypes — or work to break them down. We don’t have to eliminate “pretty” or “smart” or even “fireman” from our vocabularies. But recognizing that our best intentions might not produce the desired results is a good place to start.

It’s not important to be perfect. That’s the beauty of parenthood: Sometimes kids learn more from watching us fumble through it than when we appear to have all the answers.

When we correct our language in front of our children or point out the gendered occupational titles so prevalent in storybooks, children learn that it’s OK to make mistakes; the important thing is to try. They also learn important criticalthinking skills.

Simply reframing the way we consider our words can make a huge impact on our kids. Society will try its hardest to fit them into boxes. Let’s create homes free from those limitations, where all our kids can be firefighters, police officers and mail carriers.

Amanda Webster is a writer and photographer. She lives in Roseville with her husband and two kids. Find her at amandawebsterwrites.com or kinderling.com.

SAY THIS, NOT THAT CHANGING THE WAY WE TALK CAN FEEL DAUNTING. What are we supposed to say?

Our kids are smart and pretty.

But when that’s the constant refrain, our words can be incredibly limiting.

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Try using objective statements or, even better, start a real conversation with an open-ended question. Instead of commenting on kids’ appearances or intellects, ask them questions about the things they care about, and then listen to their answers.

Not only will you avoid stereotyped language, but you’ll also be sending the message that the child’s words have worth. WIN-WIN!

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YOU WANT TO SAY: “You’re so pretty!”

TRY: “What a colorful necklace you’re wearing!”

OR: “Tell me about something that made you laugh today.”

YOU WANT TO SAY: “He’s so aggressive!”

TRY: “He’s learning to use his words.”

YOU WANT TO SAY: “Stop being so bossy!”

TRY: “Let’s practice leading with kindness.”

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mnparent.com • October 2018

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EDUCATION RESOURCES ADVERTISER LISTINGS

Charter

AFSA Middle School & High School The Academy for Sciences & Agriculture, a public charter school for grades 5–12, engages learners in academically rigorous, student-centered learning experiences and leadership opportunities within a science and agricultural context. For more information contact Becky Meyer at bmeyer@afsahighschool.com.

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Cyber Village Academy Cyber Village Academy is a charter school serving students K–12 in a unique hybrid model that blends on-campus and online instruction. Strong test scores; great climate!

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Hennepin Schools, K–8 Hennepin Schools provide students with the knowledge, skills, and character to succeed in high school and beyond. At Hennepin, students learn the necessary skills to contribute to the greater good of their families and our community.

Minneapolis • 612-843-5050 hennepinelementaryschool.org

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October 2018 • mnparent.com

King of Grace Lutheran School King of Grace is a private, Christian elementary school focused on academic excellence. We achieve this through a challenging curriculum, partnering with parents for success and anchoring our daily instruction with God’s Word. Offering preK–8th grade.

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North Lakes Academy (NLA) NLA is a K–12 public charter school providing a rigorous, liberal arts curriculum in a small, personalized learning environment.

We are a top ranked school, tuition-free alternative for students. Our graduates are confident, skilled scholars who are ready to succeed.

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Twin Cities Academy (TCA) TCA serves a diverse student body to succeed in a rigorous college preparatory program. TCA’s core values are fairness, cooperation, integrity, responsibility, civility, and hard work. Our educational model emphasizes rigorous academics, active community involvement, active citizenship, and relationship building.

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Dance, Music & Performance St. Paul Ballet

This non-profit, community and preprofessional dance school offers classes for ages 2–100, for all income levels and abilities! Children ages 7+ perform in two major shows yearly: winter and spring.

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Montessori

Cathedral Hill Montessori School Cathedral Hill Montessori School is a nonprofit school providing year-round authentic Montessori education to children from sixteen months to six years. We offer half-day and full-day preschool programs, kindergarten education, and extended care mornings and afternoons.

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mnparent.com/education

Preschool

Dodge Nature Preschool On a 110-acre area of our Environmental Educational Preserve, the Preschool provides a quality education that includes bringing the natural world into the lives of children through visits to our farm, reptile lab, raptors, hikes, gardening, and more. NAEYC accredited. Four Star Parent Aware rated. Monthly Open Houses.

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Especially for Children For 41 years, Especially for Children has provided high quality childcare and education for Twin Cities families. Our NAEYC Accredited programs foster the development of the whole child. Visit us today!

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The French Académie (FAC) Early Childhood Center The FAC offers programs taught by native French teachers from birth to K (part-time, full-time, parent & child classes, Family Music Together classes) in a warm and inviting environment.

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The Gardner School An academically-focused preschool for ages 6 weeks to 5 years, The Gardner School will stimulate your child’s physical, social, emotional and intellectual growth. We have state-of-the-art facilities, indoor and outdoor playscapes, highly-skilled teaching staff and a rich learning environment.

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Minnehaha Area Child Care MACC is a neighborhood play-based child care center serving children ages 16 months – 5 years old. We believe that children learn through play and interactions with their peers and have created an environment and curriculum to meet each child’s developmental needs.

Minneapolis • 612-827-4369 maccschool.com

New Horizon Academy New Horizon Academy is a Minnesota familyowned child care program that provides exceptional early education and care to over 8,000 children, ages 6 weeks through 4th grade, every day! All eligible programs are accredited through NAEYC and hold a 4 star rating through Parent Aware.

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mnparent.com • October 2018

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EDUCATION RESOURCES ADVERTISER LISTINGS

Wooddale Academy

Breck School

For over 40 years, Wooddale Academy has been a trusted partner in delivering highquality, faith-based early childhood education.

Our program offers both full-day and half-day options. Give us a call to set up a tour today at either our Eden Prairie or Edina location.

Breck is where perpetually learning students meet a perpetually learning school. Come visit our beautiful campus where students progress from wide-eyed preschoolers to wise seniors among peers and adults who feel like family, with abundant opportunities in academics, athletics, service, and the arts.

Financial aid available.

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Private

The Blake School Blake students strive for excellence in academics, athletics, and the arts.

Thoughtfully prepared curriculum helps students think critically, solve problems, empathize, create, and make our world better. Blake provides need-based financial assistance to approximately 22 percent of its student body. admissions@blakeschool.org Wayzata, Hopkins, Minneapolis 952-988-3420 blakeschool.org

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October 2018 • mnparent.com

Golden Valley • 763-381-8200 breckschool.org

City of Lakes Waldorf School Serving 280 children in pre-K–grade 8, Waldorf’s rich and varied curriculum includes rigorous academic work and rich artistic experiences, all of which are appropriate to the age of the child. Students transfer successfully from mainstream public and private schools.

Minneapolis • 612-767-1502 admissions@clws.org clws.org

Heilicher Minneapolis Jewish Day School (K–8) Heilicher delivers academic excellence in a nurturing environment. Our inquiry-based/ STEAM approach emphasizes critical thinking across all disciplines. An integrated Hebrew and Jewish values based education promotes a lifelong love of learning and global engagement. Heilicher graduates leave prepared for success in school and in life. Currently accepting applications for all grade levels.

Minneapolis • 952-381-3500 hmjds.org

Holy Name of Jesus School (HNOJ) Holy Name of Jesus School offers a Catholic education for preschool through sixth grade.

Families choose HNOJ School for the small class sizes, rigorous academics, stellar teachers and affordable tuition.

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mnparent.com/education

North Lakes Academy is ranked # in our geographical area

1

The International School of Minnesota (ISM) We believe that education can change the world! ISM is a private, non-sectarian, school for preschool (age 3)–grade 12. In addition to a rigorous curriculum, students experience an international learning community where cultural diversity is embraced and celebrated. Come for a tour!

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Minnehaha Academy

AWARD WINNING recognized by MN Dept of Education as a high-quality charter school

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As a pre-K–12 school of distinction, we focus on academic excellence while integrating Christian faith and learning.

Minnehaha graduates dynamic leaders who will significantly impact the community and world. Metro bussing and tuition assistance available. Email admission@ MinnehahaAcademy.net.

Minneapolis • 612-728-7722 minnehahaacademy.net

Minnesota Waldorf School Minnesota Waldorf School offers a sophisticated and uncompromising education where academics and the arts are equal, social growth is tantamount to scholastic achievement, and 100 years of time-tested educational innovation is more relevant than ever. Visit our beautiful 8 acre campus minutes from both metro areas and witness the alchemy between method and mastery.

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Providence Academy Providence Academy is an award-winning, private, Catholic, pre-K through 12 collegepreparatory school. The school’s motto, “Faith, Knowledge, Virtue,” is evident in all aspects of life in and beyond the classroom.

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Plymouth • 763-258-2500 providenceacademy.org

Visitation School Visitation School provides an excellent academic program within a Catholic environment. Visitation is coed from preschool–grade 5 and Minnesota’s only allgirls college preparatory school in grades 6–12.

Preschool & Kindergarten

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West Lutheran High School West Lutheran High School offers a student-focused learning environment with Christian-influenced classes and extracurricular activities. Students are Friends School of MN MNP 1018 H4.indd 1

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mnparent.com • October 2018

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EDUCATION RESOURCES ADVERTISER LISTINGS able to take PSEO and AP college credit on campus taught by our instructors as well as online college courses.

Plymouth • 763-509-9378 wlhs.net

Public

Eagle Ridge Academy Eagle Ridge Academy inspires joy in learning, citizenship in action, and virtue in character. We offer a free Classical, liberal arts education to grades K–12. Learn more during our information events (Nov. 10 at 9:15 a.m.; Jan. 10 at 5:30 p.m.) or apply online today. enrollment@eagleridgeacademy.org Minnetonka • 952-746-7760 eagleridgeacademy.org

Minnesota Online High School (MNOHS) Nationally accredited with four strong commendations, MNOHS is a creative, connected public charter school for students who need a flexible schedule. With a 13:1 student-teacher ratio, we get to know each student and encourage all to expect joy in learning.

1-800-764-8166 mnohs.org

White Bear Lake Area School District The White Bear Lake Area School District serves nearly 9,000 students in programs ranging from Early Childhood offerings to high school graduation. Students at all levels achieve outstanding results through community partnerships, world language experiences, and college and career opportunities.

White Bear Lake • 651-407-7500 isd624.org

Resources Help Me Grow MN

Young children grow, learn and change all the time. Keep track of the developmental milestones your child reaches. If you have concerns about your child’s development, talk to your doctor or refer your child to Help Me Grow MN. 1-866-693-4769 helpmegrowmn.org

Landmark Center St. Paul's historic Landmark Center boasts four FREE museums and galleries showcasing art, music, and history. Families can take part in incredible hands-on musical experiences, amazing wood art interactives and engaging historical exhibits.

St. Paul • 651-292-3225 landmarkcenter.org

Minnesota Zoo Visit “Where Amazing Lives – Everyday!” Bring the family to discover

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October 2018 • mnparent.com

mnparent.com/education 4,800+ animals along scenic indoor and outdoor trails year-round. From toddler time and family overnights to school break camps and adult classes, the Minnesota Zoo offers engaging programs for all ages.

Apple Valley • 952-431-9200 mnzoo.org/education

Playworks Playworks is where learning and fun go handin-hand. Certified teachers, state-of-the-art facilities, and advanced safety technology provide a fun and safe environment for your child to play, laugh, and learn. Playworks offers contract child care, hourly child care, and before- and after-school care through their School-Age program.

Prior Lake • 952-445-PLAY (7529) playworksfun.com

Science Museum of Minnesota The Science Museum of Minnesota is the Twin Cities’ must-see, must-do museum. Handson exhibits, a giant screen Omnitheater, live science demonstrations, and activities for all ages will provide an unforgettable spark of science learning and fun.

St. Paul • 651-221-9444 smm.org

The Works Museum Explore engineering with hands-on activities and design challenges created just for kids and families. Start your engineers with our interactive experiences, camps, field trips, birthday parties, pre-K programs, and family events like Robot Day and Tech Fest. Visit today!

Bloomington • 952-888-4262 theworks.org

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TWIN CITIES BOOK FESTIVAL

Saturday, October 13, 2018 Minnesota State Fairgrounds

10am - 5pm • free admission & parking

All-Day Book Fair Author Readings & Signings Used Book & Record Sale

Groves Academy serves students grades 1–12 who have learning disabilities and attention disorders. The Learning Center at Groves offers testing and services to families in the community. Teachers receive literacy training through our Institute for Professional Learning. We transform lives through education.

Children’s Pavilion

storytelling • activities • fun Derek Anderson, Daniel Bernstrom, Jean Reagan, Elizabeth Verdick, and more!

Young Readers and Teen Stage panels • readings • book signings David Levithan, Neal Shusterman, Tiffany Jackson, Kiersten White, and more!

St. Louis Park • 952-920-6377 grovesacademy.org

The Art Academy City Pages Winner: Best of the Twin Cities!

Year-round traditional drawing and painting classes and camps for students ages 5–18 years. Exceptional student/teacher ratio.

Homeschool Program. A Renaissance Program for adults also offered. See samples of student artwork; visit our website. Call for a brochure.

St. Paul • 651-699-1573 theartacademy.net

schedule and info at raintaxi.org This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

media sponsors

festival booksellers

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mnparent.com • October 2018

51

Out & About HALLOWEEN

mnparent.com/calendar

Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular ⊲ Walk along an enchanted pumpkin trail, nestled in the heart of the zoo, featuring 5,000 artistically carved pumpkins, a variety of vignettes and special effects. Hours are 7 p.m.–10 p.m. with an 11 p.m. close on Fridays and Saturdays.

When: Oct. 4–31 Where: Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley

Cost: Tickets are $12–$18 for ages 3 and older.

Info: mnzoo.org/pumpkinsatthezoo

ONGOING

The Great Pumpkin Fest

⊲ Bask in all things autumn with a corn maze, an extreme corn pit, zip lines, a tire mountain, jumping pillows, pumpkin blasters, hayrides, a pumpkin patch and (new this year) circus performers.

⊲ Tiny terrors can join Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts gang during the day for some not-so-scary Halloween activities, including rides, live entertainment, a pirate party, a trick-ortreat street and a hay-bale maze.

Sever’s Fall Festival

When: Fridays–Sundays Sept. 7– Oct. 28, plus Thursday, Oct. 18 Where: Canterbury Park, Shakopee Cost: $15 at the gate, free for ages 3 and younger Info: seversfallfestival.com

Twin Cities Harvest Festival and Maze ⊲ Celebrate the Minnesota Timberwolves and their 30th season of basketball with a themed maze, a corn pit, a straw-bale maze, live music, a petting zoo, hayrides, inflatables, a giant slide and more.

When: Sept. 22–Oct. 28 Where: Brooklyn Park Cost: $10–$12 for anyone more than 3 feet tall Info: twincitiesmaze.com

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October 2018 • mnparent.com

When: Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 28. (Ages 13 and older can check out Valleyscare events starting at 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.)

Where: Vallyfair, Shakopee Cost: $30–$55 Info: valleyfair.com

Waldoch Farm Fall Fun ⊲ Explore corn mazes, a corn box, pedal carts, an obstacle course, playhouses, tug-o-war, hook the ring, a pumpkin castle, wooden play sets, hay jumping, a sand box, farm animals and a weekendsonly Grandpa’s Grain Train.

When: Through Oct. 31 Where: Waldoch Farm Garden Center, Lino Lakes Cost: $12 for ages 3 and older Info: waldochfarm.com

OCT. 6–29

Anoka Halloween ⊲ This metro-area suburb, believed to be the first city in the U.S. to put on a Halloween celebration to divert its youngsters from pranks, offers a month of Halloween festivities, including parades, pumpkin-carving contests, bingo, a bonfire, a scavenger hunt, costume contests, a carnival and more.

When: Oct. 6–29; highlights include a Big Parade of Little People on Oct. 26 and a carnival and a Grand Day Parade on Oct. 27.

Where: Anoka Cost: FREE Info: anokahalloween.com

OCT. 13–14

Farmer Ken and Jan’s Pumpkin Patch ⊲ Take a trolley ride and bring home a Halloween pumpkin.

When: 12:30–4 p.m. Oct. 13–14 Where: Como-Harriet Streetcar Line, Minneapolis

Which Witch Is Which? ⊲⊲DanceCo — the folks who put on Expectation Station last fall — presents an all-ages mystery ballet with themes of magic and interactivity. Preshow workshops (20 minutes before curtain) teach audience members dance moves so they can become part of the production, and a special craft will help transform kids into magicians.

When: Oct. 16–21 Where: Avalon Theater, Minneapolis Cost: $10–$12 for ages 3 and older Info: dancecomn.com Cost: Regular fares ($2.50–$7 for ages 4 and up) apply; pumpkins are $6.

Info: trolleyride.org

OCT. 16

When: 7–10 p.m. Oct. 20–21, 26–28, 31 Where: Hidden Falls Regional Park, St. Paul Cost: FREE Info: barebonespuppets.org

Costume Makeup Workshop

OCT. 21

⊲⊲Learn basic techniques used for theatrical and costume makeup from a professional makeup artist.

⊲⊲Wear your Halloween costume and hop on a trolley for a ride, a story and a treat.

When: 6–7:30 p.m. Oct. 16 Where: Golden Valley Library Cost: FREE, but registration is required.

Info: hclib.bibliocommons.com

OCT. 18

Suspicious Critters ⊲⊲Make your own animal stamp and a brightly colored print in a pop-art style while you learn about Minnesota bats, wolves, ravens and spiders in this workshop for grades 1 to 6.

When: 10–11:30 a.m. Oct. 18 Where: Hopkins Library Cost: FREE, but registration is required.

Info: hclib.bibliocommons.com

OCT. 20–31

BareBones Halloween Shows ⊲⊲This annual all-ages outdoor puppet extravaganza features larger-than-life puppetry, drama, stilting, dancing and music. Spectators will be invited to honor loved ones who have passed on.

Trick ‘r Trolley When: 1, 2 and 3 p.m. Oct. 21 Where: Como-Harriet Streetcar Line, Minneapolis Cost: Advance tickets — $5 per passenger — are required.

Info: trolleyride.org

OCT. 22

Sugar Skulls ⊲⊲Celebrate Dia de los Muertos / Day of the Dead by decorating a sugar skull in this class for ages 7 to 16.

When: 5:30–6:30 p.m. Oct. 22 Where: Inver Grove Heights Library Cost: FREE, but registration is required.

Info: co.dakota.mn.us/libraries

OCT. 27

Boo-ology ⊲⊲Discover spooky hands-on science activities and events. Kids younger than 12 in costume get free museum admission.

When: Oct. 27 Where: Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul

Cost: Admission is $12.95–$18.95.

Info: smm.org/boo-ology

OCT. 28

Halloween Hodgepodge ⊲⊲Mark the holiday with this beloved indoor event, including face painting, carnival games, inflatables, a family dance and trick or treating.

When: 3–7 p.m. Oct. 28 Where: Eagan Community Center Cost: $5 for ages 18 months to 12 years; adults can attend for free with a food bank donation item.

Info: cityofeagan.com

Great Pumpkin Festival ⊲⊲Enjoy Halloween festivities with live entertainment, crafts, treats and a costume parade at this annual Sundays at Landmark signature event.

When: 1–3 p.m. Oct. 28 Where: Landmark Center, St. Paul Cost: FREE Info: landmarkcenter.org

Animal Masquerade Party ⊲⊲Dress as your favorite animal and enjoy an afternoon of games, dancing and crafts.

When: 1–3:30 p.m. Oct. 28 Where: North Mississippi Regional Park, Minneapolis Cost: FREE Info: tinyurl.com/animal-masq

mnparent.com • October 2018

53

Out & About mnparent.com/calendar

XOXO: An Exhibit About Love & Forgiveness ⊲ This new exhibit is about feelings, including love, forgiveness, empathy, kindness, patience and listening. Hands-on activities include a chance to draw or write down negative emotions (and then crank them through a paper shredder); build with empathy blocks; and hug a soft sculpture that responds with a comforting sound.

When: Through Jan. 6 Where: Minnesota Children’s Museum, St. Paul

ONGOING

Charlotte’s Web ⊲ Celebrate this classic friendship story with a 60-minute, all-ages production based on the book by E.B. White.

When: Through Oct. 21 Where: Stages Theatre Company, Hopkins Cost: $14–$21 Info: stagestheatre.org

SEPT. 28–OCT. 15

A Woman Called Truth ⊲ In this production — recommended for kids in fourth grade and up — meet Sojourner Truth, a respected leader for abolition and women’s rights, and the woman behind the historic Ain’t I A Woman? speech.

When: Sept. 28–Oct. 15 Where: Howard Conn Performing Arts Center, Minneapolis

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October 2018 • mnparent.com

Cost: Included with admission of $12.95 for ages 1 and older Info: mcm.org

Cost: $7–$15 Info: youthperformanceco.org

Prairie Sugar Weekend ⊲ Also known as sorghum, prairie sugar was used more than 150 years ago as a sweetener. Visitors can help with the process of turning sorghum into sweet, syrupy molasses. Then discover how sugar beets are processed into granulated sugar today.

When: Sept. 29–30 Where: Oliver Kelley Farm, Elk River Cost: Included with $6–12 site admission Info: mnhs.org/event/5350

SEPT. 30

Doing Good Together Festival ⊲ Families can make a difference with hands-on service projects that benefit

important causes and by engaging in kidfriendly activities and fund-raising games.

When: Sept. 30 Where: Nicollet Island Pavilion, Minneapolis Cost: $5 per person or $20 per family Info: doinggoodtogether.org

OCT. 2, 17

Colors of Fall ⊲ Kids in grades 1 to 6 can learn how and why the hues of leaves change with the seasons and then create a seasonal craft project.

When: Oct. 2 at Cedar Riverside Opportunity Center and Oct. 17 at the Northeast Library Where: Minneapolis Cost: FREE, but registration is required.

Info: hclib.bibliocommons.com

Photo by Larry Rippel

OCTOBER

OCT. 6

OCT. 9

⊲⊲Celebrate Free First Saturday — and settle in for a winter of reading — at this first-ever event, featuring award-winning children’s authors, demonstrations by illustrators and literary-themed crafts.

⊲⊲Watch Saint Paul Ballet dancers perform excerpts from their upcoming works. Bring your own lunch or grab something from Anita’s Café.

Kids’ Book Fair

When: Oct. 6 Where: Walker Art Center, Minneapolis Cost: FREE Info: walkerart.org

OCT. 7, 20

Paint My Pet ⊲⊲In this Animal Academy program with the Animal Humane Society, participants will create a pet portrait with help from an experienced artist.

When: Oct. 7 (Golden Valley) and Oct. 20 (Coon Rapids) Where: Twin Cities Cost: $60 Info: animalhumanesociety.org

OCT. 6–7

Ballet Tuesdays

When: Oct. 9, Nov. 13, Dec. 11, Jan. 8, Feb. 5, March 12 and April 16 Where: Landmark Center, St. Paul Cost: FREE Info: landmarkcenter.org

OCT. 11

Jupiter Star Party

⊲⊲The Vermont-based Bread and Puppet Theatre stops by as part of a cross-country tour, featuring a visually rich, deeply political, street-theater brand of performance art filled with music, dance and slapstick.

⊲⊲What’s the best pet in the world?

According to Buzz, it’s not a cat or a dog; it’s Fly Guy, his pet fly! But what happens on a surprise field trip to a flyswatter factory?

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Fly Guy: The Musical

When: Oct. 12–27 Where: Steppingstone Theatre, St. Paul Cost: $12–$16 Info: steppingstonetheatre.org

OCT. 13

OCT. 6

Fossil Day

⊲⊲Support foster and adoptive families at this indoor event, followed by a celebration with music, prizes, games and more.

⊲⊲Discover world-class fossils from around the world and try your hand at make-and-take activities that explore the fascinating stories of fossils.

When: Oct. 6 Where: Mall of America, Bloomington Cost: Walk registration is $10 for individuals, $15 for families and free for foster and adoptive families.

Info: AdoptionIsLoveFund.org

More Relevant Than Ever

When: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 11, rain or shine Where: Como Planetarium, St. Paul Cost: FREE Info: tinyurl.com/spps-jupiter

OCT. 12–27

Fostering Is Love Walk

Uncompromising

⊲⊲This super-size planet — and the moon — will be in view this October.

Telescopes, planetarium shows and education tables will be available for visitors to explore the night sky at their own pace with help from staff and volunteers.

The Grasshopper Rebellion Circus

When: Oct. 6–7 Where: In The Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre, Minneapolis Cost: $10–$25 Info: brownpapertickets.com

Sophisticated

When: Noon–4 p.m. Oct. 13 Where: Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul Cost: Admission is $12.95–$18.95.

Info: smm.org/fossil-day

mnparent.com • October 2018

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Where: Minnesota State Fairgrounds, St. Paul Cost: FREE Info: raintaxi.com/twin-cities-bookfestival

Out & About OCT. 13

Cost: Most events are FREE. Info: landmarkcenter.org

OCT. 24

Unity Day ⊲ Wear orange to honor National Bullying Prevention Month.

OCT. 21

Twin Cities Book Festival

Sundays at Landmark

When: Oct. 24 Where: Minnesota Cost: FREE Info: Find more bullying-prevention activities and resources at pacer.org/bullying.

⊲ This annual fall-to-spring series of cultural events kicks off with a free Saint Paul Civic Symphony performance.

⊲ Acclaimed authors, local literary heroes, kids’ activities and a used-book sale are at the heart of this daylong festival.

When: 1 p.m. Oct. 21 Where: Landmark Center, St. Paul

When: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Oct. 13

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• October 2018 7/29/15 57 10:13 AM

FROM OUR READERS

Simply grand

What a special role grandparents play in our families. Oh, Pop Pop and Nana, you light up our days!

↑↑Grandma Deb of Blaine, pulling six of her grandchildren — Lillian, 1.5, Jonathan, 4 months, Lucas, 4, Grant, 1, Brady, 3, Joshua, 2

↑↑Cooper, 6 months, of Fridley with his Grandma Susan

↑↑Theodore, 3 months, of St. Paul with Grandma Shoua

↑↑Jordyn, 9 months, of St. Paul with Poppa Steve

↑↑Emma, 18 months, of Apple Valley with Grandpa Tom in Duluth

Send photos with your child’s first name, age and city to editor@mnparent.com with subject line #FromOurReaders.

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October 2018 • mnparent.com