ParentMap April 2020 Issue

2020 Champions for WA kids and families

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30 Days, 30 Ways newsletter inside

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HOW TO KEEP THE KIDS SAFE + BUSY IN APRIL P. 26

IS THAT ‘ZOMBIE STARE’ ANGST OR SOMETHING MORE? How to tell if your teen needs professional help for their anxiety 32

HOW TO TALK TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT COVID-19 What experts say will help you and your child cope 41

APRIL 2020

Good Growing

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’cause parenting is a trip!

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Donald Byrd and youth dancers from Spectrum Dance Theater

APRIL 2020

12

,cause parenting is a trip!

Parenting

6 DEAR READER

Redefining what it means to be a community in challenging times

8 CRIB NOTES

Find your baby’s sleep number so you can all catch some z’s

10 IT STARTS WITH YOU(TH)

Meet a local youth who is creating a toolkit for social change

32 WELLNESS

Teen angst or anxiety disorder?

How to tell if your kid needs help

41 AGES + STAGES

Expert advice for talking to kids about the coronavirus and COVID-19

Feature 12 THE SUPERHEROES ISSUE Meet our 2020 champions for Washington kids and families

Out + About 26 30 DAYS, 30 SAFE WAYS TO

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44–47 Schools + Preschools / 49–55 Camps + Activities

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note

Civic love in the time of K-12 students Challenging in an intellectual community coronavirus

Challenging K-12 students

Challenging K-12 students

in an intellectual community

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through early entrance, and outreach learning programs.

in an intellectual community through early entrance, and

outreach learning programs.

through early entrance, and

ur inboxes and social feeds ping us unceasingly with inbound messages outreach programs from friends, family and colleagues. Whether personallearning or professional, ton Seattle campus: We offer on the University of Washington Seattle campus: most include solicitous and reassuring well wishes for our health during aturday Enrichment • Transition School • UW Academy • Saturday Enrichment l Development this confounding, hand-wringing (literally!) time. A truly inspiring email stuck with • Summer Programs • Professional Development me. It came from Citizen University (citizenuniversity.us) cofounder and CEO Eric Liu: “A Time for Civic Love” reads the subject line. In it, Liu eloquently notes that For more information, We offer on K-12 the University Washington Seattle our of website: Challenging students thisvisitpandemic requires everyone to recommit to thecampus: basics of democratic citizenship du www.RobinsonCenter.uw.edu in an intellectual community — and, he says, the most•fundamental of these basics is that none of us is truly on Phone: 206-543-4160 through earlySchool entrance, and • Transition • UW Academy Saturday Enrichment Email: rcys@uw.edu outreach learning programs. our own.

• Summer ProgramsIn •“normal” Professional Development times, Alayne Sulkin with Putter Bert, president and CEO, citizenship of the We offer on the University of Washington Seattle campus: KidsQuest Children’s Museum • Transition School • UW Academy • Saturday Enrichment collective-humane-moral• Summer Programs • Professional Development compass variety that Liu to can too easily Forrefers more information, For more information, feel like an academic visit our website: visit ourinwebsite: www.RobinsonCenter.uw.edu ideal. But a time of Phone: 206-543-4160 palpable existential threat, Email: rcys@uw.edu www.RobinsonCenter.uw.edu we rapidly realize that Phone: 206-543-4160 citizenship isn’t just highEmail: mindedrcys@uw.edu rhetoric — it is a real and endlessly creative human-powered force that weaves the very fabric of our democratic society.

Each April, ParentMap profiles a new cohort of Superheroes for Washington families (p. 12). We hope their stories of do-goodery Our programs on the University of Washington will encourage you to rise to the challenges of this stressful time. Circumstances call Seattle campus: for super citizens to put on our capes and get to work — certainly to safeguard our Transition School • Saturday Enrichment own family, but also to sustain our broader community and support those most painfully impacted by this pandemic.

UW Academy • Summer Programs If you’re wondering what values we should prioritize as citizen superheros, we Online Classes • Professional Development talked to Liu and he offers three guiding principles: • Society becomes how you behave.

• We’re all better off when we’re all better off.

REGISTRATION OPEN NOW!

• Don’t hoard power, circulate it.

We prepare younger students for college ParentMap feels uniquely blessed to be in the “family business” at this extraordinary and provide them with challenging, time, and we are committed to doing our best throughout this difficult and rapidly evolving crisis to support our readers and community partners. We have set up a landing accelerated learning opportunities in a vibrant, page on our website (parentmap.com/covid19) where we will continue to add the latest intellectual community. information related to the coronavirus, along with a steady stream of ideas to entertain, educate and get your family through this unprecedented time.

Visit our website for more information!

Keep safe, care for one another robinsoncenter.uw.edu and remember: Citizenship is Phone: 206-543-4160 contagious. (Pass it on.)

Email: rcys@uw.edu

6 • April 2020 • parentmap.com

ParentMap

April 2020, Vol. 18, No. 4 PUBLISHER/EDITOR Alayne Sulkin

EDITORIAL

CHILDREN’S • MATERNITY BUY • SELL • TRADE

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all about baby Find Your Village Being a new parent can be really isolating, but baby, we’ve got your back.

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From Recent Research to Gaga Gear

Baby, I’m Tired!

Helping your baby sleep all night

By Malia Jacobson

T

here’s no denying that parenting is exhausting work. But having a baby doesn’t have to mean resigning yourself to months (or years) of sleepless nights. Armed with a bit of expert knowledge, you can help your little one sleep better — so you can catch a few z’s, too.

needs 14 hours of daily sleep can stay awake for 10 hours per day. If he gets up at 6 a.m. and naps for three hours each day, he needs a standing 7 p.m. date with his bed. (Hint: Newborns need between 14 and 16 hours of shuteye per day; tots 1–3 years old need 12–14 hours; and kids 3–6 years old need 10–12 hours.)

Find your baby’s sleep number According to sleep expert Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D., late bedtimes cause many childhood sleep problems, because overtiredness makes it harder for children to get to sleep and stay asleep. But figuring out when to put your baby to bed can be tough.

To find your baby’s perfect bedtime, first determine how many hours of sleep he needs in a 24-hour period to determine how many hours he can comfortably stay awake per day. Set your child’s bedtime so that he is not awake longer than that, and you’ll prevent overtiredness that can wreck nighttime sleep.

For example, a 10-month-old who

Nix the nightlight You may love the sweet nightlight you received at your baby shower, but when it comes to setting optimal sleep conditions, no light is best. Nighttime light disrupts melatonin production, and even a small nightlight or the light from the baby monitor can be enough to prevent deep, restful sleep.

Dim the house lights after dinner and install effective blackout blinds to get your baby’s bedroom truly dark. A black twin-size flat sheet can be folded in half and tacked around a window in a pinch. (And put that nightlight to use in the bathroom, where it can aid your middle-of-the-night bathroom trips.)

8 • April 2020 • parentmap.com

Embrace boredom Sleep doctors agree that an effective bedtime routine is one that’s absolutely set in stone: the same things, in the

same order, every night. “Our bodies love routine, and this is especially so with children and bedtime,” says Teitelbaum. Performing the same

events in the same sequence before bed cues a child’s subconscious for sleep.

Sure, a routine this solid is bound to get boring for you, but the routine is for baby’s sake, not yours (and a happily snoozing child is well worth the effort).

Practice the pacifier The journal Pediatrics reports that nearly 70 percent of parents give pacifiers to their newborns. And it’s likely that a good portion of these parents find themselves getting up at night to “re-plug” their baby’s lost binky. The sooner children learn to manage their own pacifier, the better everyone sleeps.

Incorporate “paci practice” into tummy time and playtime, and your baby will be self-plugging in no time.

Start sunny-side up For an easier bedtime, start your baby’s day off in a bright way. Strong morning light helps set your child’s internal clock, so she’ll fall asleep more easily come nightfall. Open curtains to let the light shine in, and serve breakfast in a sunny spot. When weather permits, take a quick stroll around the block.

Atta baby Many experts advise putting babies to bed drowsy but awake, to support independent sleep skills. It’s true: Learning to fall asleep in bed will help your child sleep for longer stretches and, eventually, sleep through the night. But many babies won’t tolerate being put down while awake. Help your baby learn to love her crib by using rhythmic patting to soothe her after placing her in bed, without picking her back up. Because infants should be placed to sleep faceup, you might not be able to pat your child’s back, so pat the crib mattress or her shoulder instead.

Avoid nap traps Naps are important to babies and young children; they promote healthy nighttime rest, and research from Emory University shows that naps help babies learn and retain new information. But napping all day is guaranteed to make your baby a nocturnal party animal. To promote healthy naps while preserving nighttime sleep, don’t allow naps to last longer than three hours. For most babies and young children, naps of an hour or two are long enough to be restorative without robbing nighttime sleep.

Get baby moving Moving all day can help your baby sleep all night. A body in motion is one that’s primed for sleep, because exercise helps children fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly. So, put away your stroller and carrier and let your little one move. Aim for at least 60 minutes per day of vigorous activity. Toddlers and young children need plenty of chances to walk and run; babies need lots of time on their tummies and backs to wiggle, stretch and work their muscles. ■ Malia Jacobson is a nationally published sleep expert, health journalist and author of “Ready, Set, Sleep: 50 Ways to Help Your Child Sleep, So You Can Sleep Too.”

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ParentMap.com/ourbooks 10 • April 2020 • parentmap.com

Meet Seika Brown This inspiring local youth is creating a playbook for social change

By Patty Lindley

T

racing the roots of Seika Brown’s activism unearths factors both deeply personal — as one would expect — and “academic.” First, the academic: The now-18-year-old Issaquah High School senior was a sophomore when she was challenged by her psychology teacher to select and research an issue that affected the school and then design and present a practical solution to address it. While Brown notes that some classmates didn’t necessarily take the assignment all that seriously — fellow students presented solutions for plaguing social ills such as the need for better toilet-seat covers, for instance — she thought it was a really great opportunity to explore an issue that had directly affected her family life: awareness of and access to mental health resources. Cutting to the personal: By way of explanation, Brown shares that when she was 8 years old, her older brother, then age 12, attempted suicide.

“As bad as it sounds, it was a blessing in disguise, because I was able to grow up in those therapy rooms, doing my homework and seeing those classic posters [that say], ‘It’s okay to not be okay.’

Though it was a traumatic experience, I was exposed to the knowledge that feeling not great all the time is an okay thing,” she says. Brown hastens to reassure me that her brother recovered, “is now living his best life” and is presently studying medicine with the objective of becoming a doctor.

After conducting field studies and other research to inform her psychology final, Brown presented a recommendation to the school’s administration: Her proposed solution was to create a mental health club that would help raise awareness of available resources for the student body. Unfortunately, her plan was met with what she describes as hesitance.

“Of course, I was discouraged, but I didn’t want to just stop there. So, I took it outside of school, and from there I started my own organization. It’s called Archnova (arch-nova.org) — [the name is] a combined form of Latin and Greek root words meaning ‘new beginnings.’ We wanted to be a new beginning when it comes to having more youth engagement around policy changes and the reforms around mental health.”

The work of Archnova’s youth leadership team over the past two years has been impressive; notably, the group worked with state legislators in Olympia to help pass House Bill 1216, which provides funding for regional and state school safety centers and the creation of a student safety and well-being workgroup.

“Helping pass a bill is an immense accomplishment, and it still feels so weird to think that we’ve done that,” says Brown. “Part of Archnova’s mission is to expand and allow possibilities for students to have conversations in these mental health policy changes. One of the things that came out of the bill that we helped pass was that kids from districts around Washington state are now going to be able to be part of these important conversations.”

Brown, who plans to attend Cornell University to pursue a major in urban studies in the fall, has been working with her Archnova team to plot a vital succession plan for the organization, one that ensures that their proven playbook for purposeful action can be employed by other youth activists all around the world. She explains, “We have changed our direction to [prioritize] giving kids our age the resources they need to start their own things. Because, in reality, it’s up to the kids; in order to pass the torch, we need to create a toolkit.”

To do so, Archnova is partnering with universities and with mission-aligned organizations — such as global mental health platform citiesRISE (cities-rise.org) and the Youth Activism Project (youthactivismproject.org), which supports youth leaders to execute policy advocacy and community organization efforts — to fund, develop and ultimately make available its toolkit. Brown says that the toolkit will help guide and support the work of youth activists working on mental health issues throughout our global community. “I have complete faith in the youth of my generation: If they’re able to see that there are resources out there for them, they’re going to be more likely to take initiative to make a difference.”

I ask Brown if she has any advice for youths who might be trying to figure out how to get involved in issues that matter most to them. She responds, “Every single person out there is a changemaker, regardless of their age, regardless of what they do. It’s important to realize that you playing your part — you being you — is already making a difference. It starts within you, when you realize what really matters to you.”

As this is the annual “Superheroes” issue of ParentMap, it seemed fitting for me to ask Brown a final question: “Who is your personal hero?”

Not surprisingly, she immediately names her brother, saying: “My brother once told me that every person can help, regardless of where they are in life, regardless of if they’re at a high or a low. As you grow through life, he said, you’re going to face challenges, but if you look at life with optimism and see every opportunity, if you see every pain that you go through and every trial that you face as a reason to persevere, to gain wisdom and knowledge, then you’re going to be able to be great and do great things.”

In a time of unprecedented existential threat and crippling uncertainty, the heroic siblings Brown remind us of the power of humanity and of optimistic service to one another. n

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parentmap.com • April 2020 • 11

Janis Avery

Putter Bert Donald Byrd and youth dancers from Spectrum Dance Theater

Luis Ortega

Patti Skelton-McGougan

Mie-Mie Wu, Reading With Rover team lead Leslie Williams and Casper the Friendly Dog

Lisa Keating

Annabelle Falconer, picture with her mother, Kim Pesik

Sean Goode

Kendall Kieras and Jamie Margolin

2020

SUPERHEROES Champions for Washington kids and families PHOTOS BY WILL AUSTIN

you will discover beyond-inspiring individuals who demonstrate the ability to transform the lives of others around them and in their care for the better, simply by doing their jobs, every day.

The stories of this year’s ParentMap Superheroes (among them one representative Supercanine, Casper the Friendly Dog) we expect will stick with you. To their collective credit, they help young people discover redemption and renewed purpose through the power of grace; train the next generation of citizen artist-activists; prioritize the mental health of If there is any lesson of the testing and unprecedented

our youth; weave the fabric of community through access to equitable

circumstances we’re presently facing, it’s that times of existential

and engaging educational experiences for all kids and families; mentor

uncertainty call for at least a modicum of above-average humanity, if

our next generation of changemakers; combat the ticking timebomb of

not exponential, seriously Nobel-Prize-winning acts of superhumanity,

climate change; teach children to read (Ruff, ruff!); and make sure that

from each of us. That’s why there is no small amount of relevance and

we never forget the lessons of the Holocaust.

resonance in the fact that this month’s issue coincides with our annual

What all our Superheroes demonstrate is that human transformation

anointing of a new cohort of ParentMap Superheroes for Washington

— whether in small and personal ways or in large and potentially

kids and families.

globally impactful ways — is one of the most galvanizing and connective

While you won’t find people transformed by anything so graphicnovel-riveting as a radioactive spider bite among our 2020 Superheroes,

forces at work in the universe, and each and every one of us has the power within us to transform ourselves and the lives of others. ►

parentmap.com • April 2020 • 13

The Dreamer

Mie-Mie Wu, CHILDREN’S LIBRARIAN, BOTHELL LIBRARY The most popular patrons at the Bothell Library can’t read, check out books or hold a library card. Instead, they help children build literacy and reading fluency in a safe, welcoming space. The therapy dogs of Reading With Rover (readingwithrover.org), a nonprofit pet therapy organization started by longtime Bothell Library children’s librarian Mie-Mie Wu, are the heart of regular library reading times that allow children to read aloud to the trained animals.

Research shows that the presence of supportive animals reduces stressful reactions in humans, so Wu envisioned a program that would allow hesitant readers to experience reading aloud without stress, fear or

judgment. When she started Reading With Rover in 2001, Wu didn’t have experience with therapy dogs, so she looked to a similar program at the Salt Lake City Public Library as a model.

Reading With Rover certifies volunteer therapy dog and handler teams, called D. R. E. A. M. teams (the acronym standing for Dogs for Reading, Education, Assistance and More), that offer pet therapy to the community in ways that extend beyond the library, Wu says. “Reading With Rover is a community-based literacy program working with schools, hospitals, hospice care and nine libraries throughout the Greater Seattle area.”

Wu, pictured with Reading With Rover team lead Leslie Williams and Casper the Friendly Dog

Children aren’t the only ones who benefit from the Reading With Rover program — the dogs enjoy the experience, too, says Reading With Rover volunteer Judith Bonifaci, a former teacher. “Dogs love the affection of children as they read books to them. It is definitely a win-win program for all.”

Wu, whose mother also was a librarian, loves helping emerging readers build confidence and learn to love reading. “Everyone has a story,” she says. “Reading aloud is a really powerful way for kids to express themselves and find their voice.”

— Malia Jacobson

resources and interaction. There’s a community element that makes the library thrive. And I am not a quiet person!

What’s one small action our readers can take in their own lives to make positive change happen?

Pay attention to the world around them and be ready to be engaged.

It’s too easy to be in your own bubble.

What daily habit or small routine is most important to you?

It totally would be my morning walk.

What has been the most profound change in your work in the past 10 years?

For libraries, increasing access to technology has been huge. And it’s an incredible time for children’s books — not only the number of children’s books but the diversity of children’s books, the authors, the experiences being shared and the idea that it’s not just children reading children’s books.

What is your best advice for today’s parents who want to raise and support their kids to achieve big ambitions?

Kindness and civility always matter, and giving your all. I’m a basketball fan and have been inspired by Kobe Bryant’s work as someone known for his intense effort and trying to be his best.

Who is your personal hero or your most influential mentor?

Definitely teachers, and two teachers in particular: my first-grade teacher and my fifth-grade teacher.

What do you wish people understood about your work?

I think people still have an image of libraries as quiet, studious places, but they are really vibrant places with people coming together looking for

14

If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

Kid-me would say flying without hesitation, but as an adult, it would be the ability to affect the space-time continuum so that time management wouldn’t be an issue!

Favorite read of the past year?

“Sal and Gabi Break the Universe” by Carlos Hernandez What book do you think every kid should read?

“Charlie Parker Played Be Bop” by Chris Raschka

The Mentor Luis Ortega, FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR, STORYTELLERS FOR CHANGE “You are my other me” is the first translated line of “In Lak’ech,” a poem Luis Ortega reads to himself before every event or discussion in which he takes part. Written by playwright Luis Valdez, the poem reminds Ortega that we are all connected — a mutuality that has driven and inspired his amazing work for 15 years.

Ortega is the founder and director of Storytellers for Change (storytellersforchange.org), an organization that works with schools, foundations and nonprofits to provide storytelling programs and create spaces of inclusion, empathy and equity. He has traveled to hundreds of schools to speak about the power of

stories, including moments of impossibility in his own narrative that he has turned into reality: For instance, being told he would never learn to speak English, or that “people like him” (i.e., those who are undocumented) couldn’t go to college.

Ortega is also a consultant for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Discovery Center (discovergates.org) and coordinates its Youth Ambassador Program.

For the past five years, he has worked with more than 100 high school students to foster inclusion and belonging. And in collaboration with design lab Amplifier (amplifier.org) and his Youth Ambassadors, Ortega helped bring to life the current “We the

What do you wish people understood about your work?

As a person of color, as an immigrant and as someone who has an accent, I’m continuously having to battle stereotypes and racism. My personal mission and my mission at my work is to create a world of belonging by sharing stories that allow communities to be able to see each other, not as the same but as different, and that difference doesn’t have to mean that we cannot coexist in harmony and with empathy.

What is your best advice for today’s parents who want to raise and support their kids to achieve big ambitions?

Model courage and empathy early on. The biggest thing anyone can do is to care for another human being. Nothing’s more important than learning to slow down and show empathy for a person who’s right next to us.

What’s one small action our readers can take in their own lives to make positive change happen?

Reflect on where in your life you need to create a brave space, whether it is at your place of work or even at home. Sometimes the brave space needs to start with our own selves, having a space where we can reaffirm our identities and also explore what, if any, stories around us we need to be aware of, because I think that’s where empathy starts.

What did you want to be when you were a very young kid?

A teacher. I come from a family of teachers — my dad’s also a teacher, and I have seven sisters and they’re all teachers. I’m the least conventional teacher out of all of us.

Who is your personal hero?

A collection of three people: my grandmothers and my mom. The three of them were teachers. … Growing up, what each one of them emphasized for me in their own way was that teaching is about relationships and a commitment to being in a collective journey for liberation.

Future” exhibit, which highlights the work of 10 powerful young activists in a brave, intentional space designed to engage youth in challenging dialogues with courage and empathy.

Courage and empathy characterize Ortega as a true superhero and mentor to those with whom he works.

“Luis’ work and impact knows no bounds,” says Gian Angelo Roque, a Youth Ambassador and junior at Mercer Island High School. “His ability to see things from other people’s perspectives makes him so genuine and caring.”

— Angelica Lai

If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

The power to heal.

If you could destroy one myth, what would it be?

The myth of hierarchy based on race.

What book do you think every kid should read?

I think every parent should read “Between the World and Me” by Ta-Nehisi Coates, and every young person [of high school age] who cares about activism and changing the world should read “On the Other Side of Freedom: The Case for Hope” by DeRay Mckesson.

15

The Builder Janis Avery, PAST CEO, TREEHOUSE A s longtime CEO of Treehouse (treehouseforkids.org), a nonprofit supporting Washington youth in foster care, Janis Avery achieved what most leaders only dream of: phenomenal growth, dedicated volunteer support and lasting legislative change. When she took the role in 1995, Treehouse had 10 employees and an annual operating budget of $500,000. Today, the organization employs more than 140 staff members and 3,000 volunteers, and has an annual operating budget of $17 million.

Today, Treehouse supports 8,000 youths statewide — that’s about 80 percent of the state’s youth in foster care — from birth through young adulthood, helping them reach educational goals, earn career credentials, secure living-wage jobs and attain housing stability at the same rate as their peers.

Helping fostered youth meet big goals meant setting

big goals for Treehouse, says Avery. “In 2012, we launched Graduation Success, a program with a fiveyear goal that youth in foster care would graduate at the same rate as their peers. At the time, graduation rates for youth in foster care throughout the county were below 40 percent.” In 2017, Treehouse announced that Graduation Success surpassed its goal by 7 percent.

But Avery didn’t stop there. In addition to expanding Graduation Success to other counties, she continued to advocate for data exchanges between state agencies that would help youth in foster care receive the support and services they needed.

Over one-third of youth in foster care experience five or more school moves, losing months of academic progress with each move. One reason this instability hurts academic progress: Students’ data doesn’t move with them, making it difficult to coordinate services for

students within their new schools and districts.

“Personally identifying information is held in siloed databases, and before we began our advocacy, state education agencies and child welfare agencies didn’t speak to one another,” says Avery. Working with the state’s Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Department of Children, Youth and Families to improve data sharing between school systems and state agencies is one of her proudest achievements, she says.

“It’s now much less likely that any student’s needs will be overlooked.”

Avery stepped down as CEO on March 27 of this year, but she is confident that Treehouse will continue its progress. “Optimistic and hopeful are the two words I would use to describe myself,” she says.

— Malia Jacobson

What do you wish people understood about your work?

The work with youth in foster care is largely reactive. Youth are introduced into the system after experiencing a series of very difficult things. If we think about systems creating outcomes, we need to look at our system and think about how we can change it to create the outcomes we want.

What daily habit or small routine is most important to you?

Every morning, I write down three blessings and I post them on Twitter. Thinking about what I’m grateful for and declaring it in the world has made me a much happier person.

What has been the most profound change in your work in the past 10 years?

In the world of foster care, often we’re satisfied with very incremental improvements. At Treehouse, we decided that we wanted to change outcomes for youth in foster care permanently and fundamentally, and I’m very proud of the work we’ve done with youth to help them achieve their goals.

What is your best advice for today’s parents who want to raise and support their kids to achieve big ambitions?

Helping children develop strong emotional intelligence and the capacity to recognize privilege in their own lives; these topics are covered well in the book “Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child” by John Gottman, Ph.D. If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

A potion that I could sprinkle around that would lead to kindness between people.

It needs to be far-reaching enough to include world leaders.

Favorite read of the past year?

“Stamped From the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America”

by Ibram X. Kendi What’s one small action our readers can take in their own lives to make positive change happen?

To think intentionally every day, “How do I want to improve the world?” and to allow that inspiration to move them to action.

16

The Educator Putter Bert, PRESIDENT AND CEO, KIDSQUEST CHILDREN’S MUSEUM A s far back as Putter Bert can remember, children’s museums have played a significant role in her life. As a young child, she struggled with a stutter and had to go to speech therapy once a week. As an incentive, her mother would reward her with a trip to the Boston Children’s Museum after her therapy sessions. She fell in love with the magic of the museum, especially the “Giant’s Desktop” exhibit, complete with a giant-scale rotary-dial phone, desk blotter, pencil and coffee cup. This same museum was where she eventually started her lifelong career.

From Boston to Arkansas to her current role as president and CEO of KidsQuest Children’s Museum

(kidsquestmuseum.org) in Bellevue, Bert has worked at children’s museums across the country. “She has dedicated her career to childhood education and serving the community through the power and ‘magic’ of children’s museums,” writes Heather Trescases of colleague Bert.

Bert’s emphasis on creative play and exploration has influenced the newest incarnation of the KidsQuest facility, where children and families are encouraged to challenge themselves, learn and grow together. This emphasis is immediately apparent upon walking into the museum and being greeted by a 28foot climbing structure. “I think the whole point of the museum is not to master something the first time,

but to experience it in different ways each visit, so you can take the tools and skills you have learned out into the community,” says Bert.

Bert feels strongly that the role of a children’s museum is to be a vital resource to families in the community. “I think it’s really important to remember that we are here for the community, not for the museum. It’s not about us — it’s about the people we serve. If we can be nimble and pivot and, most importantly, listen, then we are going to be the resource this community needs.”

— Devon Hammer

What do you wish people understood about your work?

Children’s museums are still misunderstood after 125 years. It is still assumed that we have art behind glass that is either done by children or for children, and that’s not the case. The role of the children’s museum is to be an integral community leader, to give tools to children and caregivers to make their journey in life more fun and more exciting. We aim to educate children and adults. We are an organization for the whole family.

What’s one small action readers can take in their own lives to make positive change happen?

Be kind. Lead with kindness; it can change the world. Sometimes people can get wrapped up in themselves or the politics of things and get overwhelmed. If you can take that coat off and be kind to someone, it really can change their day and, ultimately, yours.

What daily habit or small routine is most important to you?

Cooking is my therapy. Whether it is for my family or for 100 people, it is where I can really zone and be happy. It is how I let the day go.

What has been the most profound change in your work in the past 10 years?

We are not a school or a government agency, so we can take more risks. I think that is what has changed in the past 10 years: the amount of risk we can take. We don’t believe there is one way to do anything; we allow for different perspectives. Every time you come to the museum, there are different people here doing things differently than maybe you would have, and that’s one way to learn and grow.

Do you have any advice for today’s parents who want to raise and support their kids to achieve big ambitions?

Let go. Let them explore, let them skin their knees, let them try and fail. Failing is not a bad thing — that’s how we learn. You learn by trying again and looking at things differently. Kids are very resilient and really smart. They come out smart, so celebrate that!

Favorite read of the past year?

I read a lot of nonfiction written by professional chefs, such as Ruth Reichl. I never want to cook professionally, because I find too much joy in it that I don’t want it to be work, but I find reading about chefs very interesting.

17

The Climate Crusaders Jamie Margolin and Kendall Kieras, ZERO HOUR For high school seniors Jamie Margolin and Kendall Kieras, climate change has always been a fact of life. They have never experienced a month with a below-average global temperature, and Margolin has been trying to do something about it since her early teens.

“There was a perfect storm of things that really pushed me over the edge to start Zero Hour [thisiszerohour.org],” says Margolin. One of those triggers was Donald Trump pulling the United States out of the Paris climate agreement. Then a cluster of climate disasters occurred that were not being treated with the urgency they deserved: Hurricane Maria and Hurricane Harvey, and then a disaster closer to home.

“There were these massive wildfires in Southern California that covered Seattle in a thick layer of smog. And that was just the final straw. So, I posted on my social media, ‘I’m going to start a youth climate march. Who’s with me?’ and I got a response from a girl named Nadia Nazar, who lives in Baltimore, and we started planning,” she says.

At first, Kieras, Margolin’s best friend at Seattle’s

Holy Names Academy, watched from the sidelines.

“I was sort of an internet activist,” says Kieras.

“I spent a lot of time reading around online, but didn’t know how to get involved.” Then, on their school’s Peace and Justice Day — a day filled with guest speakers and workshops — Kieras listened to Margolin’s presentation about Zero Hour. Kieras only attended out of friendship, and in retrospect, Kieras says it wasn’t even a particularly good presentation.

“But I signed up, and I sort of just kept going and didn’t stop,” says Kieras.

Last fall, Kieras took over as executive director of the local chapter of Zero Hour. Now, both Margolin and Kieras are deep into planning for the climate strike on the 50th anniversary of Earth Day this April.

Ironically, though they are close friends at school and both are involved in the leadership of Zero Hour, they rarely work together.

“We do different things,” says Kieras.

“I lead the national organization and organize the chapters,” says Margolin, “while Kendall does more local stuff and tasks for the national communications

Who is your personal hero?

K.K.: My grandmother is my personal hero and helped me to succeed.

She was on her own from age 13 and had to grind to get an education.

She worked hard and eventually became an amazing midwife. What sticks with me is how invested she is in what I’m doing.

J.M.: My personal hero is the Standing Rock youth and the youth who started the No Dakota Access Pipeline movement. Really, I’m doing this work thanks to the groundwork of indigenous young people before me, and I’ve been lucky to meet with these kids and work with them and meet my heroes. Tokata Iron Eyes, Jasilyn Charger — these are kids who are doing incredible work, and I’m really proud to be working alongside them.

What do you wish people understood about your work?

K.K.: The change you see happening in mass media is only the tip of the iceberg. Everyone knows who Greta Thunberg is. But for every idol, there are millions of kids grinding. This is a generation of kids, not just one person or a handful.

J.M.: I wish people stopped thinking of it as a passion or a hobby. I don’t enjoy thinking about the end of the world, and if I didn’t have to, I’d be doing other things with my life that I would prefer to be doing. Instead, I wish people would think about it this way: There’s a time bomb about to go off. Using common sense, we should probably stop that. So, I’m doing everything I can to stop this ticking time bomb.

18 • April 2020 • parentmap.com

team.”

This year, Margolin also has been working on a book titled “Youth to Power,” a guide to intersectional activism for young people. Coming out in June, the book features interviews with successful youth activists; and advice on organizing events and protests, balancing school and activism, and using media to spread a message.

Zero Hour also is partnering with the National Children’s Campaign on #Vote4OurFuture (vote4ourfuture.org). This campaign is aimed at increasing voter turnout among first-time voters and young people from marginalized communities to combat environmental racism and environmental injustice.

While different projects take the friends to different places, they remain united in their cause, each working toward the same goal of building a sustainable world.

— Gemma Alexander

What’s one small action readers can take to make positive change happen?

K.K.: Vote! Oh, please vote. If you are an adult and have voting power, use it. Vote in local elections and not just for president. Voting is the easiest and most effective way to make change.

J.M.: Get involved with an organization, whether it’s Zero Hour or another one. We really need to be focused on system change, so it’s really important that everyone in some way gets plugged in with a community of organizers as a way to get involved.

What daily habit or small routine is most important to you?

K.K.: Writing is definitely the thing that keeps me most motivated and focused. I try to do it daily. I’m a climate activist, but I’m also a writer, and that part of my identity grounds me.

J.M.: I can’t live without listening to music. Putting in headphones and listening is time that I get to reflect and chill. Without it, I don’t feel right.

What has been the biggest change since you’ve started your work?

K.K.: The biggest change is social media. It scares me a little the way that people build themselves up. Wanting to be seen and recognized is human, but sometimes it can come across as inauthentic. What’s most important is the work, not the attention.

J.M.: The most profound change since I first got involved is that everyone is engaged, and climate is the main issue for a lot of people.

It’s not enough, but it’s really shifting the culture in the right direction.

”

My personal hero is the Standing Rock youth and the youth who started the No Dakota Access Pipeline movement. Really, I’m doing this work thanks to the groundwork of indigenous young people before me.

— Jamie Margolin

Favorite read of the past year?

K.K.: “Long Live the Tribe of Fatherless Girls” by T Kira Madden; it’s a memoir that’s very good and super moving. It’s a very humanizing story of growing up as a queer woman, and I really like that she admits her faults.

J.M.: “This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. The Climate” by Naomi Klein is an eye-opener.

From L to R: Kendall Kieras and Jamie Margolin What is your best advice for today’s parents who want to support their kids to achieve big ambitions?

K.K.: Independence is the first and probably the most important thing.

Give kids the ability to self-dictate what they want to do. Then give them the resources to do it, [for instance], “Hey, do you need a ride?”

J.M.: Don’t step on their throats. Don’t steer your kids in the directions you want them to go; let them choose. My parents didn’t steer me into the path I’ve chosen or clip my wings.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

K.K.: I think about this a lot. I really want the ability to adjust probabilities.

If you could destroy one myth, what would it be?

K.K.: I should pick one related to climate, but I can’t think of one right now!

What did you want to be when you were younger?

J.M.: I wanted to be a veterinarian. I feel like all kids go through a veterinarian phase.

Ideas for kids to get involved in volunteering?

K.K.: Meet good people who want to change the world and everything else will follow. Finding a good community is the first step. Then, know your talents and skills and you’ll find the right place for you to contribute.

What book do you think every kid should read?

J.M.: Would it be a cheap, shameless plug if I said my book? “Youth to Power” comes out June 2. You can preorder it online.

J.M.: I’d really love to fly. I know that’s basic, but to see things from a bird’s-eye view would be amazing.

parentmap.com • April 2020 • 19

The Citizen Artist

Donald Byrd, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, SPECTRUM DANCE THEATER Dancer, choreographer and teacher Donald Byrd is also frequently referred to as a “citizen artist” because of the social awareness that shines through every aspect of his career. Byrd’s conviction that dance is both an art form and a civic instrument is most visible in his choreography and in the programming he creates as artistic director for Spectrum Dance Theater (spectrumdance.org). But his most lasting impact may be less immediately visible, in the programs offered by Spectrum’s dance school, where “Dance for All” is more than just a catchphrase.

Offering classes and training for beginners and professionals alike, from toddlers to seniors (“The oldest in that class is 90-plus,” Byrd says with pride), Spectrum has a focus that differs from those of many

What has been the biggest change in your work in the past 10 years?

The biggest change is I’m not really interested in what people think about whether my work is good — you know, like critics in particular. Now, I’m curious, I will read them, but it’s not what drives me. I’m more confident about what it is I do. I hope people embrace it, but I know it has value. I know and believe my work is good.

dance schools. Instead of trying to sculpt a “dancer’s body” based on a particular aesthetic, says Byrd, “The ideal body for dancing is one that moves well.” And that is something Byrd can teach to any willing student.

Through the school, Byrd is working to make the dance world more accessible and equitable; through his choreography, he addresses global social issues. But the two approaches are not kept separate. A series of Byrd Technique classes introduces students to Byrd’s particular approach to dance. World dance classes teach them dance techniques from cultures outside of the Eurocentric ballet tradition. Byrd personally teaches a class he calls “Engaging.” In that class, he assigns readings with social justice themes, teaches about the work of marginalized artists, and guides students

Favorite read?

“The Emancipated Spectator” by a French philosopher and cultural theorist named [Jacques] Rancière. The book is a call for simplicity and intentionality in communication and in life. It’s not easy, but I found it a good read — it’s worth it.

through self-examination and identity exercises.

“I want them to not just be able to dance. I want them to be able to talk about dance in a couple of contexts. One of them is to talk about dance in an aesthetic context, and another is to think about dance in a civic, social context. I encourage them to think in the context of responsibility — what is their responsibility, not only to themselves and their families, but to the world at large? There’s a sense of compassionate empathy. That’s what I want for them,” he says.

The result is a supportive community culture in which students grow as dancers and as people.

— Gemma Alexander

What do you wish people understood about your work?

That it is work. It’s not a hobby. It takes preparation and training and commitment. I do a lot of research. It really is work. Perhaps the only difference is that I get a lot of joy from my work.

What’s one small action readers can take in their own lives to make positive change?

Allow yourself to be passionate about something. Optimism and gratitude grow out of that.

What daily habit can you not live without?

Coffee! Also, I have to read every morning.

Now it’s architecture and design publications — I have to know about what creative things other human beings are doing.

What is your best advice for parents who want to support their kids to achieve big ambitions?

I think it is this: To listen to the child. You have to give them your attention. It’s a kind of respect for them.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

People would do exactly what I want. What I mean is, when I’m teaching, people would know exactly what I meant and be able to do it.

020 2

The Caregiver Patti Skelton-McGougan, CEO, YOUTH EASTSIDE SERVICES “Kids are in crisis,” says Patti SkeltonMcGougan. “Families need to learn to be open to understanding and talking about mental health.” She would know. As the CEO of Youth Eastside Services (youtheastsideservices.org), Skelton-McGougan has witnessed a concerning rise in mental health issues among the young people she has worked with over the past three decades.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in six youths ages 6–17 has a mental health

disorder, and suicide is the second-leading cause of death among young people in the United States.

The good news? “Preventing problems early really makes a difference,” says Skelton-McGougan. Enter Youth Eastside Services (YES), East King County’s leading behavioral health services provider. As mental health needs increase both nationally and locally, YES’ services are an increasingly vital community resource.

The center is open to all and offers low- or no-cost services to families in need.

Skelton-McGougan has served at the center for more than 25 years, but she laughs as she reminisces about her early career as a flight attendant. “I was always drawn to helping the kids flying by themselves, the disabled, the injured, the elderly. I found that passion for helping others was something that always mattered to me.” She left the friendly skies and landed in the nonprofit world, and the rest is herstory.

— Diana Cherry

Who is your personal hero?

My mom. My mom just knew how to work hard. She was highly educated, but she still made time to play, to have fun and to help others, even as a working mom with five kids at home.

I remember my mom taking me to homeless shelters to donate food or clothes and to other volunteer things we did through church. Those things stick with you and shape you in life.

What do you wish people understood about your work?

I’d like people to understand that mental health matters and dealing with the stigma around it is critical. We have a crisis going on right now. We need to talk about it and not treat it like it’s a big taboo thing.

What’s one small action our readers can take in their own lives to make positive change happen?

I think it’s important for people to know they can take baby steps. Make the phone call, reach out in an email, don’t be afraid to try. A small thing is a big thing. Support issues you care about financially. Get involved and volunteer. Vote. That matters!

What daily habit or small routine is most important to you?

I read a daily devotional called “Jesus Calling,” and it just grounds me. Also, I make sure I have fresh air, time with family and with pets. My day is just better when I do. They’re what’s important to me.

How do you measure progress in your field?

We measure things a lot of different ways, but when I look at what’s changed in the past 10 years, we’ve implemented and learned about best practices that help people to get well sooner.

Those best practices are so critical and so important. On the flip side, we’ve seen such an increase in anxiety, depression and suicide among youths. That, to me, is the most dramatic change over the past 10 years.

What is your best advice for today’s parents who want to raise and support their kids to achieve big ambitions?

I think back to my flight attendant days and the “oxygen mask” analogy. It may be cliché, but it’s the same in life. Parents need to put their own oxygen mask on first to help their children thrive.

My other advice to parents would be to ask questions and listen without judging. It’s okay to encourage kids to aim high, but don’t push them. We push kids to achieve, be the best, get good grades. It’s hurting them. They need balance, they need downtime, they need family. Their anxiety is rising because of the constant pressure they’re under. And it’s not just kids — parents have that anxiety, too.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

Wouldn’t it be fun to be able to fly and spread a little peace and joy around the world right now?

parentmap.com • April 2020 • 21

The Upstander

Annabelle Falconer, STUDENT LEADER, HOLOCAUST CENTER FOR HUMANITY When Annabelle Falconer, 16, first heard about the Holocaust Center for Humanity (holocaustcenterseattle.org), it was at the family dinner table. Her mother, Kim, a middle school teacher, had visited the center to access educational resources for her classroom. Located in downtown Seattle, the Holocaust Center for Humanity offers events, field trips, museum

visits, curriculum materials and community programs, and has been a resource for many area families and educators since 1989.

Falconer visited the center with her mom.

Immediately, her interest was piqued, she says. So, when she heard about an opportunity to become a member of the center’s student leadership board,

Who is your personal hero?

For me, it’s all the survivors that I work with at the center; they really push my drive for what I do with the Holocaust Center and my community.

What do you wish people understood about the work you do through the Holocaust Center for Humanity?

What I hope people can understand from the work that we do is to take lessons from history and apply them to our future. How can we look at the actions that were taken or not taken during the Holocaust and apply that to the injustices that are still prevalent in our society today? That’s the big takeaway that I hope people get from what the Holocaust Center does.

Falconer, pictured with her mother, Kim Pesik

she applied.

It’s now been three years, and Falconer says the lessons she’s learned in her work continue to inspire her. “Every single time I get to share my work or listen to the stories of survivors or hear the lessons of the Holocaust, I feel like I get to continue their legacy.”

— Diana Cherry

What’s one small action our readers can take in their own lives to make positive change happen?

Even as an individual, you can take small steps to address injustices in our society. Lots of survivors talk about the impact one person had on saving their lives and saving others. Know the power of yourself and your voice and find ways to use that when you see something that isn’t right, and encourage others to do the same with their voice.

What daily habit or small routine is most important to you?

For me, I like to really stay involved with what’s going on in our world. Our family will always have the news on in the mornings and each night.

Do you have any advice for today’s parents who want to raise and support socially conscious kids?

Have conversations about what’s going on in the world. What are the issues that they’re seeing? Establish those parallels to what they’re learning in school, seeing on the news and hearing out in the world, and connect that to broader lessons that we should all want to live by.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

I would like teleportation powers or maybe even a time machine.

There are so many places around the world or times in history I wish I could experience and see.

Favorite read of the past year?

“All the Light We Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr If you could destroy one myth, what would it be?

I think there’s a misconception that as an individual, I can’t make a big impact: I would try to destroy that myth. If I’m not good at this one thing, how can I make a difference? I want people to believe in the power of one.

Fill in the blank: What the world needs now is ____________.

Just a little bit more kindness, understanding and compassion. If we could see things from others’ perspectives, that would really help our world.

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The Counselor Sean Goode, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CHOOSE 180 Sean Goode believes fervently in the power of grace to transform lives. This belief has guided his many years working with youths swept up in what he calls the “disease of violence,” which can permanently damage their prospects and possibilities. “I think, as a community, we overvalue the benefits of guilt and we way undervalue the benefits of grace,” explains Goode.

“We often think that holding people accountable to what they did wrong is the message to change behavior, but that’s woefully ineffective — it never proves itself to be true.”

Goode is the executive director of Choose 180 (choose180.org), an organization that evolved from

the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office in an effort to reduce the flow of youths into the juvenile justice system. When a juvenile offender commits a low-level misdemeanor, prosecutors have the option to refer them to a Choose 180 workshop instead of filing charges.

Goode, who was born in Tacoma and raised in South King County, notes that his “training” for this work began when he was 6 years old. He explains that both of his parents suffered from mental health issues, one of his sisters struggled with addiction, and another sister ran away from home as a teenager.

He then relates one of his most indelible memories

of childhood: visiting his older brother in a juvenile detention facility, where he was serving an eight-year sentence. “[My brother] was incarcerated as a boy at the age of 13 and wasn’t released until he was a 21-year-old man,” recalls Goode.

Goode’s childhood experience of the impact of “justice” on his family life established for him a passionate connection to the sometimes difficult, but ultimately incredibly rewarding, work he does to this day. “The entire pursuit of my life has been creating a platform for young people to be viewed as possibilities to be developed, not problems to be solved.”

— Patty Lindley

Who is your personal hero?

This one’s easy: It’s my brother. It hasn’t been an easy go [for him], but I’m grateful that he’s still a part of my life and that the world gets to benefit from his love.

What do you wish people understood about your work?

To know that all children are children. And that every young person has the capacity to do something really bad and has the equal capacity to do something really good, and that largely hinges upon the community they’re in. If given a community of support, every young person can live into their fullest possibilities.

What’s one small action readers can take in their own lives to make positive change happen?

I would say, “Lead with grace,” because the minute we “other” the other, we become the other.

What has been the most profound change in your work in the past 10 years?

I would say when prosecutors start looking for ways to not prosecute and schools start looking for ways to not suspend or expel, then you know that you’re having the type of systemic impact necessary in the school-to-prison pipeline.

What advice would you give parents who hope to raise and support their kids to achieve big ambitions?

I would put all of my emphasis on raising kids who know who they are, absent of any activity.

And support them in being and not in doing.

If you could dine with anyone, living or dead, who would that be and why?

My wife. What’s special about my wife: Before I met her, I thought love was something you needed to earn. And when I was able to share space with her and she was able to love me unapologetically, I truly experienced what love is supposed to look like, and since then, I’ve been able to love the same way. So, my wife.

Favorite read of the past year?

“The Go-Giver: A Little Story About a Powerful Business Idea” [by Bob Burg and John David Mann] — super powerful, super short and really inspiring.

If you could destroy one myth, what would it be?

That guilt is more powerful than grace.

23

The Changemaker

Lisa Keating, FOUNDER, MY PURPLE UMBRELLA; DIRECTOR, TACOMA PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOARD For Lisa Keating of Tacoma, the road from activist to elected official was flanked by doors.

Thousands of them. As a candidate for Tacoma Public Schools Board of Directors Position 1, Keating, together with daughter Stella, husband Dimitri and other supporters, knocked on over 9,000 doors around Tacoma in 2019.

The strategy worked. Early election results had Keating behind by a slim margin before she pulled ahead of 30-year incumbent Debbie Winskill to win by 1,723 votes.

Ringing thousands of doorbells was exhausting, she says. But one by one, doors opened. Before entering local politics, Keating was an advocate, first for Stella, then for LGBTQ youth throughout the Puget Sound region. Her work as an LGBTQ advocate includes founding community outreach organization My

Purple Umbrella (mypurpleumbrella.org), antibullying school program Allies in Action and the Queerest Book Club Ever. For her work, Keating was named a Gold Star Community Partner by Tacoma Public Schools and received the Pride Foundation’s 2016 Ruby Award.

As an educator and activist, Keating worked with people who knew her story and had sought out her guidance on safety, inclusion and equity issues. As a candidate, she was operating in an entirely different world, she says.

“I wasn’t running to represent LGBTQ youth — I was running to represent all students, families and taxpayers. I had to demonstrate my capacity to stand for all students in a nonpartisan citywide position,” she says. “Every conversation was a growth opportunity for me.”

Keating was sworn into the six-year, volunteer position on December 12, 2019. Just a few months in, she feels more at home as an elected official than she did as a candidate. “As a first-time candidate, I had to prove that I had the right to run, the intelligence to run, and that I had put in my time,” she says. “I did not expect to be faced with so much bias and criticism, and I’ve never had to work so hard to prove that I’m a capable, intelligent individual.”

She also proved that it’s possible to broaden your reach as a leader without losing your sense of purpose. “After building a body of work from a place of authenticity, learning to perform as a candidate while maintaining my authenticity as a candidate was quite challenging. I’m grateful I was pushed as far as I was.”

— Malia Jacobson

Who is your personal hero?

Stella, my kid.

What do you wish people understood about your work?

What I really wish is that people would be more willing to learn something different from what they understand to be true; to be open to people having different experiences and validate those experiences.

What’s one small action readers can take in their own lives to make positive change happen?

When you hear harmful or derogatory comments about transgender, nonbinary and queer people, speak up. Learning to say, “I’m not comfortable with those statements” is an easy way to approach harmful language.

What daily habit or small routine is most important to you?

Daily check-ins with my family about what we’re experiencing each day are very important to me.

What has been the most profound change in your work in the past 10 years?

Overcoming my own fears and insecurities about whether I am qualified and capable to lead helped me become a change agent.

Do you have any advice for today’s parents who want to raise and support their kids to achieve big ambitions?

Talk about and practice the importance of resiliency; address failure as a tried experiment; and expose children to as many diverse experiences and people as possible.

Favorite read of the past year?

“The 57 Bus: A True Story of Two Teenagers and the Crime That Changed Their Lives” by Dashka Slater Any ideas for great ways to get kids involved in volunteering?

Have conversations with children about their experiences and ask what changes they’d like to see. Don’t assume a child’s capability based on their age; there’s this assumption that especially younger children don’t have the ability to understand complex issues. There is a way to talk to children about issues such as homelessness, race, racism, equity and forms of oppression — they really have brilliant ideas.

We Need You! (And They Do, Too) What local businesses make you feel right at home in our community?

Times are tough, and small business owners are feeling it. Vote for your family faves and let all the best local businesses know just how much they mean to you.

Share the love Nominate your favorite Puget Sound spots and enter to win awesome prizes!

Cast your vote April 13–26

FAMILY RESOURCES

FOOD + DINING

CAMPS + CLASSES

SHOPPING + SERVICES

OUT + ABOUT

> > VOTE: ParentMap.com/readerschoice < < Sponsored by:

parentmap.com • April 2020 • 25

keep kids busy Find the latest health advisories and more safe fun at parentmap.com/covid19

30 Days, 30 Safe Ways to Have Fun in April Creative crafts, educational media, backyard activities and nature outings to keep your crew entertained By the ParentMap editorial staff This just in from the No New News Department: Most area activity providers and family-friendly havens remain closed for business or have postponed events due to public health concerns related to the coronavirus. But if there is one thing all parents know, it is that life with kids must march on — preferably not through that huge puddle. With that in mind, and in lieu of our traditional monthly Family Fun Calendar, we’ve compiled a playbook of activities, outings, semi-educational media distractions and projects to keep the kids busy, entertained and safe (and your sanity intact!) during this unprecedented time.

1. Get messy! We know it’s muddy out there, and that is guh-reat! Playing in the dirt has health benefits galore for kids. Our awesome list of mud-play ideas (parentmap.com/mud) will keep the tots busy for hours.

2. Tulips are blooming! Head north to behold acres of stunning flower fields at the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival.

Daily, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., through April 30 or while blooms last. tulipfestival.org 3. Keep calm and craft on. Set up your own makerspace (parentmap.com/ makerspace) to give your little shut-ins plenty of space to do their thing, then head to ParentMap’s DIY Central (parentmap.com/crafts-diy) for dozens of inspiring ideas for filling all these lazy “crafternoons.”

4. Make your garden a magical oasis. Create something whimsical from foraged materials, such as a fairy garden (parentmap.com/fairies) or other garden craft (parentmap.com/ garden-crafts), or order some seed packets online to start your own veggie patch (parentmap.com/garden).

5. Explore the Tacoma Nature Center. Play in the Discovery Pond play area and stroll the trails around Snake Lake on a free self-guided tour. metroparkstacoma.org 6. Never hear “We’re bored!” again.

One local dad shares some cool ideas for rainy-day games (parentmap.com/ not-bored) to keep the kids entertained.

And our ever-popular list of 19 indoor and outdoor games for kids (parentmap.com/games) will definitely help wind down those whines.

7. Free frolic at the farm. Stop by Bellevue’s Kelsey Creek Farm to see pigs, ponies, sheep, chickens, rabbits and goats; play at the playground; or wander the trails. Open daily 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. farmerjayne.com continued on page 31

26 • April 2020 • parentmap.com

A Seattle Children’s Publication | Spring 2020

Nutrition Facts Labels Get Helpful Updates For all of us who are interested in healthier eating, there’s a lot to like about the updated Nutrition Facts panels on food labels. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is requiring more complete information that’s easier to understand, and thus more helpful when it comes to making informed choices. The new labels debuted in January 2020 on many foods, and all packaged foods will have them by the summer of 2021.

So, what’s new? Here are some of the bigger changes you’ll find on the new labels.

The ‘Serving Size’ information is bigger and bolder, and it takes into account how people really eat. For packages that contain more than one serving — but whose contents are commonly eaten entirely by one person in one sitting — the new labels show nutrition

information two ways: for one serving and also for the entire package. That’s especially helpful for tempting, not-so-healthy items like a bag of chips, a small multipack of cookies or a pint of ice cream. Seeing this information

Purchase a Miracle May 1 to June 15 Help support Seattle Children’s by shopping for products with the bright green Purchase a Miracle shelf tag May 1 to June 15. Participating retail locations include Albertsons, Bartell Drugs, Fred Meyer, QFC, Safeway and other local grocery stores. When you buy products with the Purchase a Miracle shelf tag, you are helping support cancer research at Seattle Children’s. to learn more:

Visit seattlechildrens.org/giving/donate/businesscompany-involved/purchase-a-miracle.

can help us make smarter choices about how much we choose to eat or serve to others.

Also getting a bigger and bolder treatment on the revamped labels is the ‘Calories Per Serving’ information. This information can help you balance the number of calories you or your child eat or drink with the number of calories your body uses. (Of course, not all calories are the same! A hard-boiled egg, 10 almonds or nine potato chips contain roughly the same number of calories, but the first two are far healthier choices.)

And speaking of healthier choices, with so many people cutting back on sugar, here’s another helpful label change. In addition to showing how much sugar the food contains naturally, a new, separate line reveals how much extra sugar the food maker has added.

This is especially helpful for foods like canned soups, pasta sauce, protein bars and breakfast cereals that can be ‘hiding’ a surprising amount of sugar.

Since kids enjoy guessing games and decoding puzzles, how about letting them test their skills? Have them measure out a single serving of a few different foods, guess the calories, and then figure out which foods deliver the most protein, carbs, dietary fiber, sodium and sugar. They’ll quickly discover how nutrition labels can help us make smart choices! to learn more:

Visit fda.gov/media/128913/download for tips to teach your child about nutrition and making food choices.

Medicine Safety Basics Medicines can do all sorts of great things — in the right hands. But used the wrong way or by the wrong person, they can be a dangerous poison. Be sure to store them high enough so that they’re always out of sight and out of reach of young children. Don’t leave bags and purses that contain vitamins or medicines out in the open. Consider a medicine lock box as a simple and secure solution. And when you don’t need a

medicine anymore, dispose of it safely. (Visit takebackyourmeds.org to find a take-back location.) Save the Poison Help number in your phone and the phones of your child’s caregivers: 800-222-1222. Call right away if you suspect your child may have ingested something harmful. to learn more:

Visit upandaway.org.

How Booster Seats Prevent Injuries Washington’s new car-seat laws are now in effect.

After a child outgrows their harness-style car seat, they must use a booster seat until they reach 4 feet 9 inches tall, which is when a vehicle’s seat belt should fit correctly. Until then, booster seats correctly position the vehicle’s lap belt low across the hip bones, and the shoulder belt across the center of the shoulder. In a collision, poorly fitting seat belts can cause injuries to the head, neck, spine and internal organs. Because kids’ bodies are still forming, they’re at a greater risk of injury when compared to adults of the same

height. For example, a child’s head is much larger in proportion to the rest of the body, which means a greater chance of spinal-cord injury.

And a child’s growing skeleton is made of cartilage, which doesn’t protect internal organs the way adult bones do. Many kids will need a booster seat until age 10 to 12 — and before they can safely give it up, they must pass a 5-step test (see the URL below) when seated in your vehicle. to learn more:

Visit wacarseats.com.

Life Jackets for Children and Teens For kids of all ages, drowning is a leading cause of unintentional injury-related death.

And for every child who dies from drowning, even more receive emergency care for injuries related to being underwater.

Life jackets are crucially important in preventing drownings. They must be U.S. Coast-Guard approved (check the label inside) and they must fit properly. Be sure your child’s life jacket is rated for their weight, and that its straps and buckles are adjusted to provide a snug fit. When needed, loaner jackets are great as long as they’re in good condition and they fit well. Wearing a life jacket is an important way to stay safe near and in the water. All children and teens should wear a life jacket any time they are on a boat, raft or inner tube

— or are swimming in open water like lakes, rivers or the ocean. Children ages 6 to 11 should also wear a life jacket while on docks and riverbanks; children from birth to 5 years old should wear a life jacket whenever they are in or near water. Keep in mind that many kids (and adults) who drown never even intended to get wet: they fell in the water.

Life jackets are classified as personal flotation devices (PFDs) and are designed to be lifesaving devices. Water wings, flotation belts and kickboards are instructional flotation devices (IFDs) and are not lifesaving devices.

IFDs are sometimes used when learning how to swim and should only be used with direct, hands-on adult supervision — with the adult in the water and within touch-distance of the child. Likewise, floating toys like inflatables and foam noodles are fun, but they are not lifesaving devices. to learn more:

Visit seattlechildrens.org/health-safety/ keeping-kids-healthy/prevention/life-jacketsfor-children-and-teens.

Kid Bits

Validating a Child’s Feelings

Never Shake a Baby

Trampoline Safety

It can be tough for kids to work through their feelings, and there’s a lot parents can do to help. The simple act of recognizing emotions goes a long way. For example, “I understand that you’re mad that it’s time to leave the playground.” Other useful phrases for kids of all ages include: “I hear you.” “Tell me more.”

“I see that you’re frustrated.” “How can I help?”

Keep in mind that validating feelings isn’t the same as agreeing with them; we don’t have to be on the same page as our child to hear them out. And role-modeling is important: if we listen and show respect, it’s more likely that our kids will mirror that behavior. Whether they’re toddlers or teens, they want to be heard, understood and accepted — just like we do!

It’s common for babies to cry a lot in their first 5 months. Even healthy babies may cry up to 5 hours a day. Though challenging, it will get better. Usually, crying peaks around 2 to 4 months. Always handle your baby gently.

Increased crying is the number-one reason why people shake babies. Violent shaking (even for a few seconds) can cause severe and permanent injuries — and even death. Tell your child’s caregivers these important things: 1) Lots of crying during the first 5 months is normal, and so is feeling frustrated.

2) To call you if the crying becomes difficult to handle. 3) It’s OK to put the baby down in a safe spot and take a break nearby. And remember: if you’re feeling overwhelmed yourself, reach out for help.

Trampoline parks have become popular spots to celebrate a child’s birthday or burn energy on a rainy day. With this increased popularity, trampoline injuries are on the rise. Accidents can occur in a number of different ways: failed stunts, colliding with another jumper, landing wrong or falling off.

Common injuries include bruises, strains, broken bones and concussions. While injuries can happen in trampoline parks or jump gyms, they’re even more common on home trampolines. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends not having a home trampoline. However, if you’re OK with the risks involved — whether at home or at a park — the link below has some helpful safety tips.

to learn more:

to learn more:

to learn more:

Visit seattlechildrens.org/pdf/PE1548.pdf.

Visit purplecrying.info.

Search ‘trampoline’ at healthychildren.org.

Quick Tip More daylight allows time for more fun, but try to stick to bedtime routines and schedules. Sleep helps growing bodies and minds.

facebook.com/seattlechildrens instagram.com/seattlechildrens

twitter.com/seattlechildren youtube.com/seattlechildrens

Regional Clinic Locations

Online Resources

• Bellevue • Everett • Federal Way

Visit seattlechildrens.org for the following: • Child Health Advice • my Good Growing email newsletter • Doctor Finder • On The Pulse and Autism blogs • Medical condition information • Health & safety information • Ways to help Seattle Children’s • Research Institute information

• Olympia • Tri-Cities • Wenatchee

Primary Care Clinic • Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic

Main Hospital Numbers 206-987-2000 866-987-2000 (Toll-free)

Heather Cooper is the Editor of Good Growing, which is produced four times a year by the Marketing Communications Department of Seattle Children’s. You can find Good Growing in the January, April, July and October issues of ParentMap and on our website seattlechildrens.org. For permission to reprint articles for noncommercial purposes or to receive Good Growing in an alternate format, call 206-987-5323. The inclusion of any resource or website does not imply endorsement. Your child’s needs are unique. Before you act or rely upon information, please talk with your child’s healthcare provider. © 2020 Seattle Children’s, Seattle, Washington.

Classes and Events These classes are popular and often fill up several months in advance, so please register early. Scholarships are available. If you would like to ask about a scholarship, use the contact information for the class you’re interested in to connect with the registrar. At the time of publication, the COVID-19 situation is quickly changing. Please check our website for the status of these classes and events before attending to be sure they’re still happening.

PARENTING CLASSES Autism 101

CHILD, PRETEEN AND TEEN CLASSES Better Babysitters

EVENTS Free Life Jacket Fitting and Giveaways

This free 90-minute lecture is designed to provide information and support to parents and families of children recently diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. A portion of each session is dedicated to answering questions from the attendees.

For youth, ages 11 to 14. Students learn about responsible babysitting, basic child development, infant and child care, safety, handling emergencies, age-appropriate toys, business tips and parent expectations.

WHEN: Saturday, April 4, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

WHAT: Fred Hutch Health and Wellness Fair WHERE: Rainier Beach Community Center, 8825 Rainier Ave. S, Seattle

Lectures are in Seattle, once per quarter, on a Thursday, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Lectures are also available via live streaming.

View dates and locations or sign up for live streaming at seattlechildrens.org/autism101.

Email Autism101@seattlechildrens.org if you have questions.

Autism 200 Series Autism 200 is a series of free 90-minute classes for parents and caregivers of children with autism who wish to better understand autism spectrum disorder. Each class features a different topic.

Classes are usually offered on the third Thursday of the month, 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Seattle Children’s hospital campus in Seattle. These classes are also available through live streaming.

This class is offered in Seattle, Bellevue, Everett and Federal Way. The cost is $50 per person. View dates and locations at seattlechildrens.org/classes or call 206-987-9878 if you have questions.

CPR and First Aid for Babysitters For youth, ages 11 to 15. Topics include pediatric CPR, treatment for choking, and first-aid skills.

Students receive an American Heart Association Heartsaver Pediatric First Aid, CPR, AED completion card, which is valid for 2 years.

This class is offered at Seattle Children’s hospital campus in Seattle for $75 per person. View dates at seattlechildrens.org/classes or call 206-987-2304 if you have questions.

For Boys: The Joys and Challenges of Growing Up

View dates and topics, sign up for live streaming or view past Autism 200 lectures at seattlechildrens.org/autism200. Email Autism200@seattlechildrens.org if you have questions.

This class is for boys, 10 to 12 years old, and a parent or trusted adult.

Babysafe

This class is for girls, 10 to 12 years old, and a parent or trusted adult.

Babysafe is a 4-hour class for new and expectant parents and others who care for babies. Topics include infant development, baby safety, injury prevention and care of common injuries for infants from birth through 12 months of age. Infant CPR is demonstrated and practiced, but this is not a certification class.

This class is offered in Seattle. The fee is $85 and each registration is good for 2 people from the same family. View dates and locations at seattlechildrens.org/classes or call 206-789-2306 if you have questions.

Heartsaver First Aid, CPR and AED This video-based class for parents and caregivers covers how to treat bleeding, sprains, broken bones, shock and other first-aid emergencies. Also includes infant, child and adult CPR and AED use.

Students receive an American Heart Association Heartsaver First Aid, CPR, AED course completion card that is valid for 2 years.

This class is offered at Seattle Children’s hospital campus in Seattle for $75 per person.

View dates at seattlechildrens.org/classes or call 206-987-2304 if you have questions.

For Girls: A Heart-to-Heart Talk on Growing Up

An informal, engaging format is used to present and discuss issues most on the minds of preteens as they begin adolescence: body changes, sex, and other growing-up stuff.

These classes are offered in Seattle, Bellevue, Everett and Federal Way in partnership with Great Conversations. The cost is $90 per parent/ child pair; $70 per extra child. A copy of the book “Will Puberty Last My Whole Life?” is included.

View dates and locations at seattlechildrens. org/classes or call 206-789-2306 if you have questions. Content outlines and short videos are available at greatconversations.com.

Sibshops Sibshops are lively peer support groups for siblings of kids with special needs. Separate sessions are held for kids 6 to 9 years old and kids 10 to 13 years old.

Sessions take place at Seattle Children’s hospital campus in Seattle at a cost of $25 per session.

View dates online at seattlechildrens.org/classes or call 206-987-4133.

WHEN: Saturday, May 16, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

WHAT: Seattle South King Safe Kids Day WHERE: Renton Community Center, 1715 Maple Valley Hwy., Renton VISIT: seattlechildrens.org Children must be ages 1 to 18 and must be present in order to be properly fit and receive a life jacket. Supplies are limited; first-come, first-served.

Seattle Children’s North Clinic Health Fair WHEN: Saturday, June 6, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

WHERE: Seattle Children’s North Clinic, 1815 13th St., Everett VISIT: seattlechildrens.org/healthfair Join us as we step into summer with kid-friendly activities and education! This is a free, interactive event for families and includes a bike helmet fitting and giveaway for kids. Children must be ages 1 to 18 and must be present in order to be properly fit and receive a helmet. Supplies are limited; first-come, first-served.

Free Car Seat Check WHEN: Saturday, June 20, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

WHERE: Seattle Children’s 70th and Sand Point Administrative Building, 6901 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle VISIT: seattlechidrens.org Come learn how to safely secure your child in the car. Child passenger safety experts will check your child in a car seat, booster seat or the seat belt and answer any questions you may have. First come, first served. We do not take reservations.

Free Helmet Fitting and Giveaway WHEN: Saturday, June 27, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

WHAT: Burien’s Great Day of Play WHERE: Moshier Park, 430 S 156th St., Burien VISIT: MakeSureTheHelmetFits.org Children must be ages 1 to 18 and must be present in order to be properly fit and receive a helmet.

Supplies are limited; first-come, first-served.

ageskids + stages keep busy continued from page 26 8. The fort is strong. What time is it?

It’s always fort o’clock at our house!

Consult our genius roundup of ideas (parentmap.com/forts) to take your pillow palace to the next level.

Caring for your teeth can be fun!

Meet the Tooth Fairy and get a free toothbrush.

9. Green fun for little ones. Get crafty while decluttering with our lists of fabulous ideas for making games from cardboard boxes (parentmap.com/box-fun) and DIY toys made from recycled materials (parentmap.com/upcycle).

10. Get a hop on Easter. Easter is April 12 this year — plan ahead for your most epic egg hunt ever with our basket of “egg-cellent” new themes and ideas (parentmap.com/egg-hunt).

11. Spring into clean. Idle hands are a cleaner’s tools! Get the whole family on board with our clever tricks to encourage everyone to spring-clean the house (parentmap.com/clean).

APRIL 12: Prowl the Morse

Wildlife Preserve. Explore this enchanting, seldom open wild space filled with trails and wildlife, located in Graham. Open 9 a.m.–3 p.m.

Admission is free on this day.

Facebook, “Morse Wildlife Preserve”

13. Make screen time work for you.

Now might be a good time to relax some of those screen-time rules.

But if you want to keep the focus as educational as possible, check out our massive list of virtual learning ideas (parentmap.com/homeschool) for kids of all ages, along with recommendations for toddler-friendly shows (parentmap.com/tot-tv).

14. Take a crash course. Bone up on math and science, learn how to play guitar and more with our list of parent-approved YouTube series (parentmap.com/youtube).

15. Plan a movie night that’s outta sight. Create a blockbuster movie night at home, from red-carpet arrivals to cool concessions and more (parentmap.com/movie-night).

16. Rediscover your own backyard.

From a DIY musical wall to a mud-pie

See our calendar for events near you TheToothFairyExperience.com kitchen, we’ve got terrific and super simple ways (parentmap.com/backyard) to reimagine your outdoor play space.

17. Podcasts, ahoy! Discover a new favorite podcast with our vetted lists of best podcasts for families (parentmap.com/podcasts) and tweens and teens (parentmap.com/ teen-podcasts).

APRIL 18: Be free in nature. Get

outside to enjoy our treasured national parks for free today. nps.gov

19. Skip the gym, not the workout.

Work out at home with the kids using a tried and true fitness app (parentmap.com/fitness). For younger kids, try Cosmic Kids Yoga on YouTube, an ideal way to tame the wiggles.

23. You deserve a doughnut. For a perfect mini adventure out of the house, we’ve paired parks with nearby bakeries featuring novel sweet treats. parentmap.com/treats

April 24: Trees don’t cough. Grab your favorite little Lorax and celebrate Arbor Day by planting a tree, hugging a tree, yarn-bombing a tree, climbing a tree! Not necessarily in that order.

25. Venture down a garden path.

Wander through the beautiful Bellevue Botanical Garden and make your way across the exciting suspension bridge. Open daily, from dawn to dusk. bellevuebotanical.org

27. Hit the beach. Comb your favorite area beach for a variety of items — a unique shell, beach glass, sand dollars, a feather, a bit of sea fern. Bring your precious finds home and put them into a jar with some sand to remind you every day of your fun beach adventure.

28. Tour Shadow Lake Nature Preserve. For a free tot-length hike, stroll the boardwalk in this fascinating bog preserve in Renton.

Monday–Saturday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. shadowhabitat.org 29. Read a rainbow. Keep your bookworm in the habit of reading with our colorful list of dozens of great graphic novels, for toddlers to teens. parentmap.com/graphic-novels

20. Hide and go seek. Set up an easy scavenger hunt (parentmap.com/ treasures), try geocaching (parentmap.com/geocaching) or letterboxing (parentmap.com/ letterboxing), or set off on a hunt for painted rocks (parentmap.com/rocks) or gnomes (parentmap.com/gnomes)!

21. Boredom is the mother of many inventions. Have a budding Einstein under your roof? Add a learning element to these long days with easy activities that encourage curiosity and a love of science (parentmap.com/ science). We can’t promise it won’t get messy.

APRIL 22: Happy planet day!

Celebrate Earth Day with DIY recycling games, art projects and more (parentmap.com/earth-day).

26. Get cookin’! Kids of all ages love to get creative in the kitchen. Make homemade play dough with one of our easy recipes (parentmap.com/ play-dough), teach your kids to make a favorite family dish or stage your own reality-TV-style cooking competition.

30. Explore far from the madding crowd. From stairway climbs and kid-friendly trail hikes in and around the city to picnic spots and other serene, out-of-the-way nature escapes, we’ve assembled dozens of safe destinations to take your family for some fresh air and solitude. parentmap.com/safe-in-sound ■

parentmap.com • April 2020 • 31

wellness

Teen Angst or Anxiety Disorder?

How to tell if your teen needs help

By Malia Jacobson

M

ore teenagers are struggling with anxiety these days, yet treatment rates remain low. Over the past 10 years, diagnoses for anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety, panic disorders and phobias, have increased 17 percent among young people. But anxiety in teens is often minimized or ignored and most don’t receive treatment: Only 1 percent get help in the same year their symptoms begin, and 80 percent never get help, according to the Child Mind Institute (childmind.org).

One reason too few teens get help for anxiety is that parents and caregivers think mood swings, outbursts and excessive anxiety are normal for teens, even when these behaviors interfere with school, relationships and family life. Here’s how to tell the difference between normal teen angst and problematic anxiety, and to know when to seek help for your teen.

What’s behind the trend First, it’s important to view the spike in anxiety in context, says Mehri Moore, M.D., chief medical officer and founder of THIRA Health (thirahealth.com), a mental health treatment center for women and girls in Bellevue. While it’s true that more youths seem to be experiencing anxiety disorders, the increase may not be as dramatic as it seems. Anxiety disorders have long been common for adults, says Moore. “Anxiety is more prevalent than other mental health conditions, and about 20 percent of people will have an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives, and rates are higher for females.”

Today, more young people are being diagnosed with these disorders, in part because the mental health field has become better at discovering and treating mental health conditions in children and teenagers, says Moore. In other words, excessive anxiety isn’t necessarily a new problem for teens.

Yet, better diagnostics aside, there are factors that may be contributing to a rise in anxiety for adolescents, says Moore. Increasing use of technology and social media seems to fuel anxiety, particularly for those kids already prone to experiencing anxious thoughts.

Today’s teenagers get constant input about something as critical to their identity as social belonging, fueling anxiety that teenagers growing up a couple of decades ago never had to deal with. When teens constantly check their phone, they’re really affirming their popularity and sense of belonging, Moore notes. “Social media has really changed everything.”

When is anxiety a problem?

Everyone experiences anxiety and worry, says Moore. “It’s normal and part of the human condition.” For adolescents, rapid physical, social and hormonal changes align with shifts in emotions, hence the mood swings and “teen angst” we associate with the adolescent years.

So, it’s normal for teens to display a wide range of moods and emotions on any given day. Phases of increased stress or sadness are common, too, especially for teens experiencing changes or a loss, such as a move, a breakup or a change in 32 • April 2020 • parentmap.com

family status (e.g., their parents’ divorce). When changes in mood or behavior last longer than six months, it’s an indication that a teen may have an anxiety disorder.

What kinds of changes should parents look for? Changes in eating or sleeping patterns, such as sleeping too much or waking in the middle of the night, combined with exhaustion and fatigue, can signal a problem with anxiety, Moore notes. A heightened startle response and always seeming to be “on edge” are warning signs, as are missing school frequently; withdrawing from family routines, such as mealtimes; and losing interest in friends and activities.

The sudden, unexplained onset of panic attacks is another indication of increasing anxiety. During a panic attack, teens may go pale, appear to be hyperventilating and even pass out. Some teens may experience a panic state, which mimics a panic attack but can last for hours instead of minutes, says Moore.

Another sign that parents may miss is the “zombie” stare: when a teen seems distracted and spacey, stares through you, doesn’t seem to listen or respond.

Parents may roll their eyes and write this off as normal, albeit annoying, teen behavior, but it can be a sign of an anxiety problem, says Moore. “The behavior is called dissociation, and it’s a coping mechanism. Detaching or distancing themselves from what’s going on around them is a way to function while they’re in a state of anxiety.”

Getting help When a teen’s anxiety isn’t treated, everyone in the family is affected, notes Moore.

Parents may clash over how to respond to the teen’s behavior, siblings may resent the attention given to their anxious sibling, and everyone has to deal with sudden changes in family plans or routines, says Moore. “The family can quickly move from a functional state to a dysfunctional state. The whole family’s life can become centered around avoiding situations that bring on the teen’s anxiety, and it really becomes a family problem.”

The first step is talking to your teen’s pediatrician, who can help determine if underlying factors might be contributing to anxiety.

From there, the provider can recommend a therapist who specializes in youth and anxiety. Although some anxious teens benefit from antidepressant medication, many can alleviate anxiety by working with a trained therapist.

Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is a type of talk therapy that’s proven to help teens struggling with anxiety, says Moore. “It’s about getting the teen to think a little bit differently, which then affects behavior.”

“Teens with anxiety also may benefit from learning specific skills to help manage anxiety and cope with stress and worry before it gets out of control,” says Kathryn Korslund, Ph.D., clinical director of THIRA Health. “Such skills are at the forefront of dialectical behavior therapy, or DBT, a specialized type of cognitive behavioral therapy that focuses on helping treat the problems that interfere with teens having the life that they want.” ■

The whole family’s life can become centered around avoiding situations that bring on the teen’s anxiety, and it really becomes a family problem.

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Best Things to

t’s rare to find a getaway that combines beaches, hands-on history, kid-friendly hiking paths and a touristy downtown — Port Townsend, Washington, has all of these things and more. Located on the Olympic Peninsula, just an hour-anda-half drive from the Bainbridge Island

Plan ahead for an any-season trip to this charming and fun Olympic Peninsula town

By Nicole Persun

TOM COLLINS/FLICKR CC

Do in Port Townsend With Kids

u Fort Worden State Park

At press time, there are no travel restrictions in Washington state, however, we do encourage families to avoid nonessential travel as much as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic. The included itinerary for family fun in Port

ferry dock, this nearby Victorian seaport makes for a perfect day trip or weekend getaway destination for families.

As a Port Townsend native, I’ve compiled a list of mustn’t-miss attractions and locals-only hidden gems. From Fort Worden State Park to Finnriver Farm & Cidery, I dare you not to fall in love with my ultracharming hometown.

Point Wilson Lighthouse at Fort Worden State Park

You could easily spend your whole weekend in Fort Worden State Park.

Once a military base designed to protect Puget Sound, it’s now home to abandoned bunkers, a plethora of wellmaintained walking paths, a field that’s fabulous for flying kites and a lower beach that features the Port Townsend

Townsend is a great one to add to your future bucket list. parentmap.com • April 2020 • 35

PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY A Trip to the Dentist Doesn’t Have to be Scary for Children With Special Needs Based on a 2015–2016 Smile Survey conducted by the Washington State Department of Health (doh.wa.gov), 12 percent of our state’s third-graders have untreated tooth decay. This number increases dramatically for children with special needs, such as autism: Studies indicate 15 percent of children with autism don’t visit the dentist.

As parents of children with special needs know, the stress of introducing their kids to new environments with bright lights, new faces, unfamiliar smells and contraptions such as a moving dental chair can be especially challenging. The unfamiliarity, unpredictability and physical invasiveness associated with a dental exam may result in families avoiding dental visits, leaving pediatric oral health issues untreated. It doesn’t have to be that way.

Here are some strategies that can help make visits a success: • Beforehand, prepare your child for their dental exam at home.

Talk about what it will be like at the dentist’s office; perhaps visit the practice’s website to view photographs of providers, social media posts or videos that will show your child what a typical dental visit is like.

• Begin the first appointment with an office tour. Discuss with your dental team the strategies that will help your child tolerate the exam. These might include turning out lights, selecting a private room, performing the examination in a non-dental chair or bringing a cherished toy from home.

• Focus on sharing information on the first visit. Use the first visit as an opportunity for you to share medical and behavioral insights about your child; doing so will allow the dental team to tailor the experience and care to your child’s strengths and sensitivities.

• Plan for regular return visits. Developing a consistent routine that emphasizes regular dental visits helps children become comfortable with the experience. When it comes to developing a dental visit routine, the key is to allow children to progress at their own pace.

• Make it a family affair. Bringing siblings along to the appointment can help children with special needs feel like a visit to the dentist is a regular family activity. Brushing teeth together as a family is another great way to teach children about healthy dental habits.

— Travis Nelson, DDS

About Delta Dental of Washington Delta Dental of Washington (deltadental.com) is the state’s leading dental benefits provider, covering nearly 3 million people in Washington state and nationally.

For tips on selecting a pediatric dentist and preparing your child for a dental exam, as well as information on Washington dentists who specialize in treating children with special needs, visit deltadentalwa.com/blog.

36 • April 2020 • parentmap.com

ages + stages out + about

Best Things to Do in

Port Townsend With Kids

continued from page 35 Marine Science Center (among its attractions are marine touch tanks and mammal skeletons; ptmsc.org), plus the picturesque Point Wilson Lighthouse.

Local tips: Find otters snacking on mollusks on the floating docks near the Marine Science Center pier. Try your spookiest howls in the echoing halls of Battery Kinzie, known to locals as the “lower bunkers.” The cantina across from the Marine Science Center offers build-your-own sundaes in the summertime. If you’re looking for beach glass, the combing is best along the adjacent North Beach, just a short walk from the fort.

Aldrich’s Market and Chetzemoka Park

Nestled in the heart of the Uptown District of Port Townsend is Aldrich’s Market (aldrichs.com), Washington’s oldest grocery store, first opened in 1895. This local favorite features fresh produce, tasty premade paninis and endless snacks.

After you hit Aldrich’s, make your way to the northeast end of Lawrence Street, where you’ll find Chetzemoka Park. In the early 1850s, white settlers came to Port Townsend and were welcomed by Chief Chetzemoka of the S’Klallam Tribe. The park was dedicated to him in 1904. With a wide-open field, swings, a gazebo, a play structure and beach access, “Chetz” (as the locals call it) has it all.

Local tips: Aldrich’s sells fresh, authentic sushi upstairs. Take it to Chetzemoka for a casual picnic at the tables next to the playground. If it’s a low-tide day, head down to the beach to explore the best tide pools in town.

Rose Theatre

You don’t have to see a movie at the Rose Theatre (rosetheatre.com) to get a taste of its famous popcorn, but once you see the inside of this old-school theater, you might want to stick around for a movie after all. If you’re in town for an adults-only weekend, check out the Starlight Room upstairs, a 21-and-older movie venue with food and cocktails, plus cozy couches and plush loveseats for relaxed viewing.

Local tip: Dress up your popcorn with the following array of toppings, available at the condiment station to the right of the concessions counter: butter, yeast, Parmesan and Silverwater Spice. Insider tip: Ask for your preferred serving size of popcorn in a larger bag, so you have room to shake the toppings throughout the bag.

Whale watching (with breakfast at Point Hudson Café)

Departing right from downtown Port Townsend, Puget Sound Express (pugetsoundexpress.com) is a top-notch whale watching tour company offering halfday and full-day tours. This time of year, you’re likely to spot gray whales, orcas,

PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

bald eagles, seals and more.

Before your tour, if you’re looking for a family-friendly breakfast spot with a great view, check out Point Hudson Café (hudsonpointcafe.four-food.com). Located at the Point Hudson Marina, it’s the perfect place to watch sailboats come and go while you enjoy a simple, tasty breakfast.

Local tip: Go early — it gets busy!

Hot chocolate at Velocity in the Northwest Maritime Center

COURTESY FINNRIVER FARM & CIDERY

When it comes time for an afternoon pick-me-up, take the kids to Velocity (Facebook, “Velocity Port Townsend”). This coffee shop, located in the Northwest Maritime Center (nwmaritime.org), serves quality brews in a simple but warm setting. Peruse the center’s gift shop, which is connected to Velocity, while you wait for your coffee. For adults and adventurous older kids, I recommend trying the spicy mocha, made with dark chocolate, Himalayan salt, cayenne and cinnamon.

Local tip: Instead of sitting down inside, take a walk on the center’s pier to watch the ferry to Coupeville (Whidbey Island) slide by super closely. Keep an eye out: You’re likely to see seals bobbing around in the shallow water underneath your feet!

On a truly lucky day, you might see a harbor porpoise or even orcas swimming between Port Townsend and Indian Island.

Finnriver Farm & Cidery

Located in Chimacum, just 15 minutes outside of Port Townsend, Finnriver River Farm & Cidery (finnriver.com) should not be missed. This fairly new cidery is quickly becoming a local staple Apple orchard at for year-round fun. Here you’ll Finnriver Farm find a pavilion, which has heaters in the wintertime and provides shade in the summer. On weekends, dance to the folksy tunes of local musicians. While the focus is on hard cider, don’t be deterred — Finnriver is 100 percent kid-friendly. Take a walk in the orchard, try your aim in a game of cornhole or let the kids wear themselves out climbing the big playground tires. Did I mention Finnriver has delicious, organic and locally sourced food?

Local tips: Adults should try the black currant cider. Feeling more daring? The spicy-sweet habanero cider packs an interesting kick.

COURTESY ELEVATED ICE CREAM CO. AND CANDY SHOP

Jefferson Museum of Art and History

Port Townsend has a host of fun little museums, but don’t miss the Jefferson Museum of Art & History (jchsmuseum.org). Marvel at our maritime history, which includes a surprising amount of Victorian-era drama. Bonus: If you have an antsy youngster, head to Pope Marine Park, across the street, to get the wiggles out.

Local tip: Don’t miss the museum’s jail downstairs!

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out + about

Best Things to Do in Port Townsend With Kids selling ice cream out of an antique Victorian elevator cage. Now housed in a larger space, the shop serves high-quality homemade flavors of both traditional ice cream and dairy-free Italian ices.

Most customers go for a plain ol’ cone, but the build-your-own sundaes and made-on-the-spot milkshakes are fabulous.

Local tips: The Swiss orange chocolate chip ice cream flavor is a local favorite that is available all year long. Get it with chocolate sprinkles. Don’t miss a ride on the coin-operated buffalo in the back!

Window shopping

Port Townsend is a tourist town, which means it has a plethora of cute shops. Walk the length of Water Street to patronize toy stores, trinket shops and more. Whistle

Stop Toys (Facebook, “Whistle Stop Toys”) will meet your traditional-toy needs, while Abracadabra (abracadabrapt.com) offers quirkier gifts for kids and adults alike. Love books? Check out the Writers’ Workshoppe & Imprint Books’ kids’ section (writersworkshoppe.com), or get lost among the endless stacks of View from a hiking trail at Fort Worden used books at William James Bookseller (williamjamesbookseller.com).

Local tip: Grab lunch at Waterfront Pizza. While there’s a sit-down restaurant upstairs, locals get their slices to go and sit by the beach around the corner.

A bounty of festivals!

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continued from page 37

If you go ...

Getting there: The most direct way to get to Port Townsend from the Seattle area is by way of the Edmonds-Kingston or Seattle-Bainbridge ferries. Plan on a two- to two-and-a-half-hour trip, including the ferry ride (but not including ferry waiting time). If you’re in the South Sound area, head north across the Tacoma Narrows Bridge and plan on an approximately twohour drive from Tacoma.

Where to stay: Get a taste of Port Townsend’s charm by staying in one of its many Victorian bed-and-breakfasts (enjoypt.com). If you want something close to the water, check out the Swan Hotel Manresa (theswanhotel.com). Historic Manresa Castle Castle Hotel (manresacastle.com) offers the chance to stay in a haunted room. The Harborside Inn (harborside-inn.com) features simple, less expensive rooms within walking distance of downtown. At Fort Worden (fortworden.org), big groups can opt to rent a historic house and outdoorsy families can camp near the beach.

have. Love jazz? Come in July for the Jazz Port Townsend Festival (centrum.org).

Love boats? Check out the Wooden Boat Festival (woodenboat.org) in September. Looking for a fun kiddie parade, pet parade, grand parade and carnival? Come for the Rhododendron Festival (rhodyfestival.org) in May. Kids will love the up close performances of Shakespeare in the Park (keycitypublictheatre.org) and the kooky creativity that goes into Port Townsend’s annual Kinetic Sculpture Race (ptkineticrace.org). Local arts nonprofit Centrum (centrum.org) offers scads of creative youth programs coming this summer — can you say, “teen writers’ conference”? — for older kids who want to stay in town longer than just a weekend. For a full list of festivals and events, check out PTguide (ptguide.com).

Local tip: Port Townsend is fun all year around. Summer is the busiest season, but during the shoulder seasons or even in winter you’ll find fewer tourists, fewer fests and more opportunities to explore the town like a true local. ■ Nicole Persun is an award-winning novelist, writing coach and the digital content production coordinator at ParentMap. Her latest book (written under the pen name Jennifer Gold), “Keep Me Afloat,” takes place in her beloved Port Townsend.

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ages + stages

How to Talk to Your Kids About the Coronavirus What the experts say you should do to help your child cope with scary news

By Cheryl Maguire

Will I get sick?

Why are the schools closing?

I’m upset that I can’t go to ballet class.

I’m scared.

These are some of the questions and comments I’ve heard from my three kids over the past few weeks. Given the recent school closures, lack of toilet paper and bombardment of messages about handwashing, it is understandable why kids may feel confused or scared. Most parents are fielding similar concerns and are wondering how best to respond.

First, recognize your feelings.

Before you discuss the coronavirus with your kids, acknowledge your own feelings about the situation.

“It is important to recognize your own anxiety before talking to your child. If I am feeling anxious, I choose not to talk to my child. Instead, I allow myself to calm down and then approach the topic,” says Soma Mandal, M.D., an internist and partner at Summit Medical Group in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey.

Remain calm.

Even though you may feel anxious, you should try to refrain from showing these feelings to your child. u parentmap.com • April 2020 • 41

ages + stages How to Talk to Your Kids About the Coronavirus continued from page 41 Alexandra Solomon, Ph.D., a Northwestern University professor, clinical psychologist and author of “Loving Bravely: 20 Lessons of Self-Discovery to Help You Get the Love You Want,” says, “In the therapy world, we stress the importance of ‘regulating the regulator.’ In order to be able to provide regulation, parents need to feel regulated.”

Solomon recommends that parents practice selfcare by staying informed but also by unplugging on a regular basis. She also suggests that parents shore

“We don’t know when life is going to return to normal, but we also don’t want to lie to our kids. We can tell kids the essential truth and reassure them that you will be together every step of the way.” up their physical foundation by eating healthy food, getting adequate sleep and making time to exercise.

She stresses limiting alcohol and drug use and taking breaks before becoming irritable or impatient.

Clinical psychologist Robin Goodman, Ph.D., agrees with Solomon. “Fear can be contagious, so, above all, parents need to monitor and manage their own worry, especially with their children. Being calm is also contagious, so it is better to spread calm.”

Assess what your child already knows.

Kids have heard about the coronavirus from their friends and from news reports on the internet and TV. Before providing any additional information, ask them what they know about the pandemic.

Damon Korb, M.D., a behavioral and developmental pediatrician at The Center of Developing Minds and author of “Raising an Organized Child,” notes, “Children need 42 • April 2020 • parentmap.com

information, just like adults. Start by finding out what they already know. Clear up any misconceptions and explain the concern at a developmentally appropriate level.”

Mandal agrees. “I invite my daughter to let me know what she has heard first and what she has questions about so we can start the conversation there. I give her the room to let me know her feelings about it, including feeling scared and confused.”

Validate your child’s feelings.

When you recognize and accept your child’s feelings as being valid, then it can help them to feel calm and understood.

Solomon notes, “Our goal as parents is to validate

their stress and encourage them to practice healthy coping strategies, such as distraction, focusing on what’s going well, exercise and radical acceptance.”

(Radical acceptance is about accepting life on life’s terms and not resisting what you cannot or choose not to control.)

Be honest and reassuring.

It is okay to let your child know you don’t have all the answers.

Solomon explains that living through this pandemic is challenging because of the uncertainty. “We don’t know when life is going to return to normal, but we also don’t want to lie to our kids. We can tell kids the essential truth and reassure them that you will be

together every step of the way.”

She suggests using distraction as a method of coping. Shift the focus away from the coronavirus and toward a game, a walk or a movie.

“When you are reassuring children, it is always important to be honest. We talk about how one can get sick, but also how you can protect yourself the best way you can. Washing hands with soap and water, covering a cough or sneeze, staying away from other sick people, eating healthy food and getting plenty of sleep is what I call ways to overpower the germs,” says Mandal.

Korb explains that when children are anxious, parents should be patient and tolerant and provide reassurance. “Reassure your child by explaining the steps that your family is taking to remain safe, such as social distancing, handwashing and visiting a doctor if feeling sick,” says Korb.

Stick to your routines.

Routines provide comfort, security and predictability for children, so it is important to create and continue these practices.

Adult and child psychiatrist Lea Lis, M.D., says, “Stick to familiar routines. Wake [your kids] up the same time every day. Go to bed at the same time every day, and make sure to get plenty of exercise, even if all of their sports and activities are canceled.”

Lis also recommends prioritizing education, since kids love to learn and learning provides a distraction from their worries. (For a great list of websites offering free educational resources for kids during school closures, see parentmap.com/learn.)

Korb says, “Parents can emphasize the things that are not going to change, like the routines and rules and expectations. Bedtimes will be the same. Rules on electronics will still exist. Kids can still chat with friends and relatives through the phone, games and the internet.”

Kids are resilient. The safe and comforting environment we create will help them to cope with the uncertainty and fear of this pandemic. ■ Writer and mother of three Cheryl Maguire holds a master’s degree in counseling psychology. You can find her on Twitter @CherylMaguire05.

Additional resources For more information on how to talk to your kids about a scary situation, visit the National Association of School Psychologists (nasponline.org) or the American Psychological Association (apa.org).

For more on how news can have an impact on kids, check out News and America’s Kids: How Young People Perceive and Are Impacted by the News (commonsensemedia.org).

For additional information on COVID-19 and ideas for keeping the kids entertained, learning and safe during school closures, visit parentmap.com/covid19.

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SCHOOLS + PRESCHOOLS Easy Activities That Teach Young Kids Practical Life Skills

By Vicky McDonald As jaded parents, we often think of chores like cleaning and grocery

Shopping helper

shopping as tedious and boring, but your preschooler is probably

Grocery shopping is one of those never-ending tasks that parents

dying to tackle these adult tasks. Now is the perfect time to harness

love to hate. Get your kid involved in the whole process and it

that excitement and teach them some useful life skills.

becomes a little more fun for everyone. Kara at Mine for the Making

The key to making it fun for your kid is to give them all the tools

(mineforthemaking.com) provides a neat, printable basic shopping list.

they need and plenty of space to figure things out independently.

You can print it out, or, if you are feeling adventurous, make your

Kids get so much more satisfaction doing things on their own rather

own family shopping list by creating a Word document with some clip

than having you help them every step of the way.

art and boxes to tick.

Here are a few basic activities that my preschoolers love to do

Before the big shopping expedition, ask your child to look in the

on a fairly regular basis. While they certainly haven’t mastered any

fridge and pantry and mark the items that you don’t need with an X.

of these tasks, they have a lot of fun practicing them and they are getting better every day.

When you go shopping, have your preschooler bring the list and tick off the remaining items as you put them in the cart. It may seem like a lot of work, but this task has a long-lasting impact and helps

Table setting

your little one learn to plan and work independently.

Meal-prep times can be frantic for parents, and young kids can be a tough distraction. Keep them entertained and focused by giving them

Shoe cleaning

table-setting duty. Set them up for success by making all utensils

Dirty boots and shoes are inevitable for puddle-splashing

easily accessible and work with them on the bigger tasks, such as

preschoolers. Instead of doing all that cleanup for them, make it

pouring water for all the family members. The folks at the Little

into a fun activity. Lay some paper or an old sheet on the floor and

Light Family blog (littlelightfamily.com) have some great ideas for

give your kiddo all the necessary brushes and cleaning materials.

stocking a table-setting station so this task is always achievable for

Show them how to get the best results and then let them play and

your independent kid.

work with all the brushes and tools. Check out the Tot School blog

For special occasions, have your child branch out and learn a new

(totschool.shannons.org) for some ideas on the best materials to use.

skill. For instance, Nell at Rhythms of Play (rhythmsofplay.com) has Spray cleaning

some great ideas for teaching kids the art of flower arranging.

Give your toddler a Baking basics

small spray bottle

Kids generally love baking, but following a recipe is tough when you

and a microfiber

can’t read! Kylie at How We Montessori (howwemontessori.com) didn’t

cloth and they’ll be

want this to be a stumbling block for her independent young chef, so

entertained for at

she created a pictorial version of a muffin recipe. This recipe card was

least 30 minutes!

easy for her son to follow, and he could tick off the ingredients as he

Make sure to fill the

used them. Of course, your kid will need some help at first, but with

spray bottle with

repeated attempts of the same recipe, they’ll soon become proficient

a natural solution

at using measuring cups and adding all the ingredients on their own.

such as water with

Make this activity even more productive by having them make

a touch of vinegar

a muffin recipe for their school lunch — and get another chore

or lemon juice. With

squared away.

young kids, you can start with small

DIY wrapping paper

tasks, such as cleaning the baseboards; with older toddlers, you can

Preschoolers have a busy social life, what with all those birthday

move them on to window cleaning. You’ll need to give them a kid-size

parties. Save some money and help the planet at the same time by

squeegee and show them how to do it before they start. Kylie at How

making your own homemade wrapping paper. Give your kid a large

We Montessori (howwemontessori.com) has some great ideas for age-

sheet of paper and let them use cookie cutters and paint to decorate

appropriate cleaning tasks and the best spray bottles to use.

it. Once your paper is ready, go to The Natural Homeschool (thenaturalhomeschool.com) for a tutorial on how to teach your kid

Vicky McDonald is ParentMap’s digital content editor. When not working,

to wrap the correct way. Arm them with some tape, scissors and an

she can be found running after her two kids or cooking up something

empty box and let them practice to their heart’s content.

tasty in the kitchen.

46 • April 2020 • parentmap.com

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This is the perfect opportunity to introduce your child to a fun and safe school environment before they make the big jump into kindergarten.

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Have your son read THIS first.

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parentmap.com • April 2020 • 47

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Learn, ride, love!

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Discover the

best camps and classes around the Sound. Explore by location and type, plus get our editor’s picks for the top local programs.

Get planning!

ParentMap.com/camps 54 • April 2020 • parentmap.com

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Best Swimming Classes for the Littlest Splashers

By Kate Missine Swimming is an essential life skill that every child should learn, and while kids aren’t generally ready for independent swimming classes until about the age of 3 or 4 years, many parents choose to start much earlier. To cater to the growing demand, several local facilities and businesses are offering parent-and-tot swimming lessons for babies as young as 2 months old.

If you’re looking to introduce your baby to swimming, there are several options to choose from. Many public pools, gyms and community centers offer economical group classes for the smallest swimmers. Spendier choices include specialized private swimming schools, usually featuring warm water and baby-friendly facilities, and private instruction for a more individualized approach. Here are 8 picks for diving in with your tiny tot around Seattle and the Eastside. For more options, visit parentmap.com/tot-swim.

City of Seattle pools • seattle.gov Various locations The city of Seattle operates 10 public pools and offers lessons to participants as young as 6 months at most locations. Pool facilities differ by location: While several pools are a bit on the chilly side (tip: invest in a shorty wetsuit), we love the Rainier Beach facility, which features warm water plus a lazy river and spray features. In the summer months, there’s nothing better than an alfresco swim at the outdoor Mounger Pool, which has a smaller, 94-degree pool for the littles. Classes fill up fast, so prepare to jump on registration and be flexible with schedules. Didn’t make it? You can still get in some water fun with Pool Playland drop-in times, when the 5-and-younger crowd gets the shallow pools and beach toys all to itself.

Goldfish Swim School • goldfishswimschool.com Shoreline, Redmond From your first glimpse at this brightly colored space with its tropical décor, it’s clear that this is the holy grail of tot-friendly pools. At Goldfish (with two locations, in Shoreline and Redmond), kids 12 and younger get the run of the place, which means you don’t have to worry about shared changing rooms or your splash-happy littles annoying nearby grown-ups. Parents participate with babes from ages 4 to 24 months; young swimmers who are older than that have their own group while mom and dad watch from the airconditioned viewing gallery. The pool’s balmy 90-degree water is cleaned by a fancy purification system; and private changing rooms, hair-drying stations, a snack stand and a pro shop (where you can pick up any forgotten essentials) round out the experience. Lesson sign-ups run year-round, with payment plans starting at $124/month.

Lynnwood Pool • lynnwoodwa.gov Lynnwood Located in the Lynnwood Recreation Center, this popular facility boasts three different pools, including an 85-degree recreation pool with water slides, a water playground and a lazy river. Plus, there’s a separate, not-too-hot family hot tub to warm up in after class. Lessons with mom or dad are available for little ones between the ages 6 months and 3 years old, and the 3–5 group gets its own time with four skill categories. Registration can get tricky: Sessions run for about three months, and Lynnwood residents get a 24-hour priority window for registering. On weekday mornings during Beach Swim times, the shallow end is open to tots for exploring.

Safe N Sound Swimming • snsswim.com Seattle Perched on the edge of Lake Union underneath a massive Chinese restaurant, this swim school’s location is as unique as its teaching philosophy.

Based on the premise that the average toddler’s attention span is only about 5–15 minutes long, the lessons here are one-on-one and run in 15-minute

increments, with free swim time in the 88-degree pool offered before and after class. Classes are available for kids 2 years and older, and parents stay out of the water while instructors tailor the lesson to each student’s individual needs. Flexible scheduling options cater to busy families; and rates are on a membership basis, either ongoing or pay as you go, starting at approximately $40 per lesson.

PRO Club • proclub.com Bellevue This upscale Bellevue facility is popular for its full-service memberships, but nonmembers can make use of the excellent aquatics center with the purchase of a lessons package. Dedicated family and teaching pools are kept at temps in the high 80s and are filtered with a UV system to minimize that pesky chlorine smell. The Baby Aquatics program accepts students as young as 6 months, with two parent-tot toddler levels offered for students ages 18–36 months. The optional 2 Plus 2 class, for kids 2–3 years old, is taught in pairs to help kids transition into independent lessons. Changing and showering facilities are spacious and cushy, and an aquatics concierge stocks basics, such as swim diapers.

Mountlake Terrace Pool • cityofmlt.com Mountlake Terrace Located inside Mountlake Terrace’s Recreation Pavilion, this awesome aquatics center is another family favorite. Its shallow leisure pool hovers at a comfy 88 degrees and is equipped with spray toys, a lazy river and babe-friendly beach entry for before- and after-class play. Parent-tot lessons are open to kids as young as 9 months, with independent classes offered to students age 3 and older. Swimming lesson participants get an optional 15 minutes of pool playtime after class. As with other community pools, registration can be tight, with Mountlake Terrace residents getting priority.

Don’t miss out on a stop at the cute forest-themed playground at the Evergreen Playfield after your swim!

SwimGuru • swim.guru North Seattle, Mukilteo Rather than running its own facility, SwimGuru offers lessons, either private or in small SwimTots groups, at three rented pool locations in North Seattle and Mukilteo. The instructors are serious about drowning prevention, and their focus is on teaching survival skills, with independent instruction beginning as soon as your baby can walk. Seasoned splashers from 18 months to 4 years old also attend Play N Practice, which offers toy-and-float fun with a caregiver in a playgroup-like setting. All new students begin with one of the lesson packages, which include a wetsuit and goggles for those younger than 7. Classes do tend to get booked up from two to three months in advance, so plan ahead.

SafeSplash Swim School • safesplash.com Various locations Operating on a similar concept as SwimGuru, SafeSplash conducts its classes across seven locations, mainly in Eastside gym facilities. The smallgroup lessons offer two parent-tot and two toddler transition levels for students as young as 6 months old; registration is ongoing and billed on a monthly basis, with your spot held indefinitely once you sign up. The school’s SafeSplash Match approach ensures each student is well-matched to an instructor’s style, and the progressive curriculum has been developed with the guidance of Olympic swimming champion Missy Franklin for winning results.

Kate Missine is a lifestyle writer, food lover and a girly girl raising two little boys.

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